Gosh. I don't know what to say except I think this is the best CH recap to date!

Everything up to now is "before", and now we're heading into the "after". And the journey is so incredible!

Favorite bits:

"Ooh, busted by Samsooki!"

"Liberty Bell haircut"

HA! Brilliant!

Thank you for your awesome recaps! :)

Jo Gook and Mi Rae's fight in the park was so intense to watch, you can see and feel the anger and frustration radiating from both of them. JG is such a master manipulator, and all I can say is thank god he's playing for the good team. I laughed so hard when the candidate #2 withdrew from the race. And the writer is so skilled with writing that dialogue, that she interjects humor and levity when needed into the rights moments, and makes us viewers so absorbed into this provincial election for mayor.

I found myself nervous watching, even though I know she'll be elected, because I've been so invested in the journey.

"Is there a toy that Jo Gook does not have? A nice house with a yard and a picket fence. An assistant who drives him around in a bad-ass sports car AND a 35-foot boat?"

Actually, what I find most irresistable about JG is his ability - his intelligence, confidence - I feel this man can handle anything that comes his way, and that is beyond sexy.

Even though it is Open Thread day - so had to read/post here first!

"Doesn’t this guy already have a wife? (hmm, don’t you already have a fiancée? *ooh, busted by Samsooki*) Predictably, Jo Gook is upset; he petulantly tosses the clothes that he has bought for Mi Rae onto the couch and turns to leave."

Am curious what Jung Do was really going to ask Mi Rae. Part of me was wondering - what really is the extent of the realtionship between JD and MR? If CH was the 'usual' kdrama I would have predicited that JD was the 2nd romantic lead. Which at the beginning, when I had not fallen for the charms of JG, I would have been more than willing to go for that ride. Not now of course!

"traitor kim-bap" LMAO!!!!
Classic. :)

The TV debate
Awesome - how MR showed just how empty the other political candidates were. Then we really see how childish they are when the two tussle at the end while our MR can leave with not only her head held high, but high fiving her team!!! So Cool. Awesome timing of the double sided high fives. Woohoo go MR!!

The 'boat' ride (more like a crusier LOL).
At first glance - fancy car, boat, unloved fiancee etc - these remind me of of the usual chaebol male lead 'essentials' in kdramas. But of course we know that JG (and MR and City Hall) is more. Better. Original. Not the tired old kdrama cliches. City Hall is the BEST!

Besides these fancy 'accessories' serves some very important purposes.

Firstly the boat. See he owns this huge a boat! Obviously he is financially comfortable (even if he was emotionally stunted before he met MR!). JG HAD to be the actual sponsor of MR (and hence the body contract) from the previous ep right?! :) That donation would not be a difficult amount for JG to come up with. See it was NOT Devil Woman fiancee's finances. Phew.

The car - a VIP accessory as well. Why is the car a VIP? No spoilers here - but some heartfelt glances occur in that car! And if you have seen Ep 15 / 16 - you might even change that to VVVVVIP :P Not to mention one seriiously good looking car. Much like it's owner hehee

"That is one seriously awesome boat. The boat’s name is Taga, which could be romanized English for 다가, or “Go All The Way.”

“Come on baby!” Mi Rae coyly motions for Jo Gook to join her at the boat front to reenact the famous Titanic scene."

Oh dear.... I need to calm down and take/think that the PG way LOL *need a take a cold shower*

(btw it is the attention to details like this that I love about the recaps - 'little' things that otherwise never have know and would have flown over my head! Yet adds another layer of meaning. Thanks Samsooki and team *hugz* Really these recaps are like gold.)

The conversation was heartfelt, bittersweet and honest. And between the Master and Mistress of meaningful non dialogue moments - it was once again BAMN! Not to mention the tender way JG puts on the brooch. Romantic smexy man *swoons*

"The dialogue to watch for in this Episode: Jo Gook’s urging Mi Rae on, at the Race Track"

Hehe like the emphasis on the word dialogue. Yes very hard when the chemistry is so strong. Love the way the scene ended!

"The only thing missing from this Race Track scene was Jo Gook saying, “You had me at hello.” Or, since they are in Korea, “You had me at 안녕 (an-nyung)!” "

It might have been "You had me at hello, King Kong." LOL

it gets better and better as the episodes progress. I love the yacht scenes, it's picturesque with the sun-setting behind them (if you look at the first picture, it's sooo romantic!)

Samsooki, as always you make reading recaps more enjoyable because you add your own humor. Mrs. Samsooki sure is lucky to have you as her husband with such good sense of humor, and vice versa, *waves* at Mrs. Samsooki. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Samsooki!

Thank you Javabeans for this wonderful haven for a CH addict like me!
Thank you cleown, 0timelost and mead33 for staying up late.

Back to lurking mode and enjoy all the comments here and at OT. Everytime I see CH in each comment at OT, it put a smile to my face.

I'm off to do a CH marathon with complete subs from BON TEAM! Thanks much BON TEAM!

lol at "you had me at kingkong!" I was going to add "refill is free" but that's considered as spoiler..?? :D

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!

I'm not sure if Javabeans actually check this thread, i wonder if she even see our gratitudes for her site.? i Guess i should go to the OT and thank her there? :)

Btw, I know its a super popular catch-phrase in Korea for everyone to say "XXXXX, fighting" (pronounced "hwiting", of course). So cute.

But when Jo Gook went into the voting both, looked at candidate #5 Shin Mi Rae on the ballot, and said "King Kong, fighting", it was absolutely the most meaningful, correct and adorable use of the word "fighting" ever!

First of all, I would like to thank Alodia for pointing me to dramabeans because your recaps have been such a delight to read - even though I have already watched the 20 episodes a countless number of times ^^. Indeed, they are filled with interesting insight and deep thoughts on this matchless drama. Thanks also to the ladies who helped you with this, including Mrs Samsooki.

Second of all, thank you BON team for all the time spent and excellent work devoted to those of us who understand English but not Korean (yet) because you played a huge part, along with viikii translators, to impact our lives in a very positive way. CH has made such a lasting print on us. And it still does.

Now a little thought on your comment above, Samsooki:
"I love how Mi Rae is changing, growing wiser and stronger."
Just like the tiny flower bud that she was referring to in her Spring Flower Ceremony speech in episode 5, she has blossomed and it shows even physically. She has got a new haircut, as well as new and stylish clothes and even her posture has straightened up. She looks more mature and we just can't help but love her even more - if that was possible. :)

Looking so much forward to reading your next masterpieces. :)

I'm not sure if I skipped over it or something, but what is the significance of the #5 horse?

had to comment.that picture brought back memories...(sigh) :)

Yeah, Ep 11 re-cap is up! Thank you thank you to Samsooki and “You Can’t Fight City Hall” by 0timelost, cleown, and mead33 for this lovely weekend present.

Just in the nick of time. I was feeling a little down (family health issues) and your CH recap totally brought me up.

If Mi Rae can keep on fighting, so can I.

You and your team are a godsend. Thank you,. (sniffle).

you really do write well - I could see it all again so clearly.

Someone above said Brilliant, I second that!

Thanks.

I just finished the whole drama and I'm glad that I have these recaps to help me wean my City Hall addiction. Until then, however...Let the picture-finding, bio-reading begin!

you know that speech by Joo-hwa (for the people, by the people,etc..), is that a famous speech? I thought i heard of it before. I like Joo-hwa here, she's kinna amusing.

Can I say that I love Soo-in! He was so nice to Mi-rae. I hope he will have more drama offer in the future.

At first I thought that this drama will have a triangle love story, but with Ms. Scriptwriter being a genius she avoided those cliches that viewers are so used to. lol

ha! When Jo Guk said to "hold hands for only 3 seconds", so he must be applying the.....? ahh! spoilers! spoilers alert! THat's why it's so nice to read this recap and re-watch at the same time! That's what I'm doing right now. :D

It's funny watching Jo Guk getting jealous!

It's kind of hard to understand why JG would be jealous of JD bringing clothes. I can understand a younger man behaving like that but JG?

I loved their facial expression it speak a thousand words you can’t help but be absorbed in their acting.

With his confidence and intelligence it’s not surprising how he’s able to have the car, boat, house and now manipulated mayor? Lol the last was his biggest mistake. He put Mi Rae where he wanted to but it was him who lost to his heart.

The last two pic of Mi Rae and Jo Gook bespoke their care and fear for each other. Though they’re obviously happy of the outcome but uncertain of what the future will bring them. Can Jo Gook good protect Mi Rae from the harsh reality of politics.

Though Mi Rae about to cry saying her ought its obviously she’s proud of what she’d become.

Thanks for the wonderful recap.

Kodus to the writer for its distinctiveness among the kdrama’s I’ve watched.

And because I can’t get of enough of Jo Gook I search the net and find his previous work “Bodyguard” not knowing that I’ll be hook with the other start “Han Go Yun” and now watching Capital Scandal where it brings me to Kang Ji Hwan (Hong Gil Dong). I’m getting familiar with him though I know he’s the “mine” actor of java I’m not really interested of his works so this might be a good start.

i love the line Soo in said to mirae before she went to see jo gook, he's such a cutie, but darn it, he's an 84-ers, why so young....
seeing soo in is like jo gook (as in BB's apprentice), i wonder whether BB had a farm of handsome/cute young politician ready to launch?? :P
great recap! thanks Samsooki and team...

I actually have already watched the whole drama, but I am dilligently following the recaps because firstly, I LOVE JO GOOK AND MI RAE, secondly, this drama is my fantasy and lastly, Samsooki's recaps rock! CH ftw!!

@19 mzpakipot
you know that speech by Joo-hwa (for the people, by the people,etc..), is that a famous speech? I thought i heard of it before.

>>> rambutan is correct, it was borrowed from Lincoln. But since you are a Filipino, I know why it's familiar to you. It's "Philippine Shin Mi Rae" - Cory Aquino who used and popularized that speech in the Philippines. And if you can remember, that's the line used by Cory Aquino impersonators too (ie. Tessie Tomas) every time they impersonate Cory. ^^.

[i'm guessing you can hear it from her speech before the U.S. Congress (part 2 of 3): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4gWe6KkFX4 -- i'm not sure, i'm still watching it... but at the start part3 she talked about Lincoln after a round of applause, so I'm thinking she said the "For the people speech" at the end of this clip]

@ 20 Sonam

"It’s kind of hard to understand why JG would be jealous of JD bringing clothes. I can understand a younger man behaving like that but JG?"

You bring up a point that I think has been seriously missing in the re-caps so far. JG's legendary jealousy! (Samsooki, talking about jealous women/wives.... cough, cough.) JG is perhaps the most jealous man in the history of kdramas. This jealousy began really early from the moment he asked/declared MR to be HIS (spy) person in the mayor office in Ep 2. His jealousy over JD started as early as Ep 4 when JD and MR renovated the old grandma's house. In Ep 9, he was so dismayed at MR calling JD, not him, for help of getting out of the mayorship election in the fighting scene by the sea. He was even jealous at Soo-In's talking the cuteness of MR in Ep 5. This seems to be a cute side of JG but has more to do with his possessiveness and hatred of betrayal (originated from the abandonment of his father/BB and lately by Soo-In). His jealousy is not subtle at all as we see in this episode on his instruction to MR of not shaking hands with men for more than 3 seconds! We will see more of this in episodes to come - they are especially great as comedic relief in those emotionally charged episodes.

City Hall is practically another Cinderalla story. We all know it and Ep 11 is a shining example of how the production and acting team manage to make this story great and believable. We all know MR is one gutsy woman but is that enough to make her a mayor? And how JG could fall in love with a country pumpkin civil servant with no education or background? These two are my million dollar questions from Ep 1. They are well-answered as these two characters 'unpeeled' in front of our eyes in the past 10 episodes. In Episode 11, in the space of 60 minutes, we have three significant 'push-and-pull's between the two a la the advisor firing scene, race track scene, and the 'fight on even if there is only one person supporting you' scene. The beauty of these scene lies not only at moving MR to be steps closer to the mayorship but at HOW MUCH they have pushed and changed each other forward both as a person and as a politician. The raw honesty in those exchanges is absolutely astounding!

I love, love the race track scene. I remember having a very busy time watching this 3-minute scene in my first viewing. Thanks to Viikii I was able to re-watch as much as I can to absorb the brilliancy of this scene - the powerful dialogue and the nuanced acting..... Here, we have a very disappointed and down JG betting on the #5 horse who didn't even raise his eyelids as MR walked near him, thinking that person was SI and asked him to go first. At hearing MR's voice, his eyelids raised a tiny bit and there was a swallow in his throat. Still, he said nothing. Then came MR's admission of her fear and need for him to be by her side. After his lecture on fighting spirits and the 2-4-4 year vision, MR was powered up and said her fighting spirit had come back. There was this split-second change of JG's expression with a little stretch of face muscle and a tiny faint smile. CSW's acting brilliancy is fully demonstrated here.

There are so many wonderful scenes in this episode but my another big favorite is the TV debate. It is executed so aptly that makes MR's down-to-earth approach totally believable as a winning candidate. Here, my million dollar question of her becoming a mayor is convincingly answered. The best of all: she is winning the election in HER OWN way. Yes, even JG is impressed and proud.

I love her question on the vegetable price because I've seen it before in a real election: the 1993 federal election in Australia when the then Opposition Leader, John Hewson who had long proposed the introduction of GST and had been leading an 'unlosable' election against the fatigue Labour Government. He was considered the absolute forerunner in that election until he got stuck at the question of a bakery owner: how much is the GST of a birthday cake? He couldn't answer it and eventually lost the election.

Perhaps, the next two million dollar questions are what mayor will MR become and how much love JG has for MR?

Samsooki, I really love how skillfully you have brought out all the subtle and nuance moments in City Hall. Excellent writing and extrapolation!

Samsooki and team: in my excitement to post about this episode, I neglected my customary, but still always heartfelt thanks, for all the time and effort it took to produce such a well-written, well-producted episode summary. I enjoyed reading it the first time, and every time thereafter, just like watching episodes of CH, the recaps are seriously that addictive and splendidferous. Kudos on an aweome episode 11!

@ epcy

"And how JG could fall in love with a country pumpkin civil servant with no education or background?"

Ha ha ha, "country pumpkin!" I don't know if this was a typo or intentional, either way, it's the perfect description of pre-mayoral election Mi Rae, and fits perfectly with your analogy that CH is a Cinderalla story and Mi Rae our Cinderalla (pumpkin carriage - pimpin JG-mobile and yacht, anyone?). Does that make JG our fairy godmother? In which alternate universe are there such manly, sexy fairy godmothers, and please sir, may I have one? Anyways, I agree with everything you say. JG is hands down the most possessive, eye-brow raised jealous type around. Though, jealousy need not be to a direct competitor for your lady love's affection, I see JG as jealous of anyone in the male sex who comes into Mi Rae's orbit. And if he's basing it on his insane (to the sensible mind) attraction to Mi Rae, then it makes sense, it means any guy with a quarter of a brain and heart should be falling for Mi Rae if the great JG is being brought to heel by her very presence in his life.

Hi all! I'm a daily lurker here and this is my first post. I'm also addicted to City Hall. I finished watching it in just 3 days. Reading these recaps makes me just want to rewatch it again. Thanks Samsooki and team for these wonderful recaps.

Thanks Samsooki.
Chanting "You Can’t Fight City Hall” with 0timelost, cleown, and mead33
*high fives to all of you*

-------------------------------------------------

Trapped in my little KSA world, I was ignorant with other pop culture references. I was lost with today's title. I have to google it.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, that was a line from Jerry Maguire? (*totally embarrassed)
(alodia, stop watching City Hall for the meantime. Watch Jerry Maguire for God's sake!)

-----------
TODAY'S FAVORITES:

"...has apparently made its way past the liberty bell haircut that surrounds and protects Mi Rae’s brain."
>>> lolz

"(Omo!! Jo Gook has a boat?? That looks like at least a 35 foot boat! Didn’t I say that I liked Jo Gook the best?! Boo Mi who???)"
>>> I can't stop laughing (at 5 in the morning) no matter how many times I read this line. Coz I can still hear Samsooki's voice rooting for Boo Mi... now it's Boo Mi who??? puhahaha~

"Soo In is such a cutie, and right now if I were Mi Rae, and if I had a choice between Jo Gook, Soo In, and Jung Do, I might choose Soo In."
>>> Sigh... I really really root for the development of Soo In - Mi Rae relationship... (then I can have Jo Guk for myself instead :P)

>>> And I like it every time Samsooki busted and caught our characters! hahaha!

>>> It's lovely how Samsooki described the race track scene - how Mi Rae grows before our eyes - spot on!

--------------------------
EPISODE FAVES:
(those other little things aside from what is already included on the recaps)

- Joo Hwa and her Dad, after Mi Rae overtake the counting results - it was touching and made me not hate Joo Hwa for a few seconds. :D

- When our dear Boo Mi, that Samsooki abandoned for the yacth (lol), voiced out that she realized that politics has something to do with her.

- And Mi Rae's final speech. Though I like her simple speech and was overwhelmed by the people's chant of "Wonder Woman Shin Mi Rae", it was when Jo Guk stopped Jung Do from rushing towards the guys bullying Mi Rae that I love most. No words, but it shows Jo Guk's confidence, it's like Jo Guk is telling Jung Do, "See? She got them (at hello? :p)

************************************

“Is there a toy that Jo Gook does not have? A nice house with a yard and a picket fence. An assistant who drives him around in a bad-ass sports car AND a 35-foot boat?”
>>> plus a wrist watch that can receive SMS - ooops, that's not a spoiler, is it?

----------------
@4 bspanda
The car – a VIP accessory as well. Why is the car a VIP? No spoilers here – but some heartfelt glances occur in that car! And if you have seen Ep 15 / 16 – you might even change that to VVVVVIP :P Not to mention one seriiously good looking car. Much like it’s owner hehe

>>> Not meaning to add more spoilers, but i might forget when we reach later episodes since we'll be engrossed on many more important things... But bspanda add ep 17 and 18 and i'll nominate the VVVVVVVVVIP car as best supporting actor (opposite mi rae's bike as best supporting actress ep15 and 18 haha)
(btw, why 15 / 16 - i'd say 13, 14 :p) -ish! why am in on spolier mode today?

@15 all4movies
all4movies, fighting!

--------------------
@23 bbm
seeing soo in is like jo gook (as in BB’s apprentice), i wonder whether BB had a farm of handsome/cute young politician ready to launch??

>>>haha... i guess it's not a bad idea to roam around bb's pottery kiln....

@26 epyc
i soo love reading you!
and you also made me realize where jo guk's jealousies are coming from. They are more than just comedic reliefs (but still they are comedic reliefs lol lol lol )

“Is there a toy that Jo Gook does not have? A nice house with a yard and a picket fence. An assistant who drives him around in a bad-ass sports car AND a 35-foot boat?”
>>> plus a wrist watch that can receive SMS – ooops, that’s not a spoiler, is it?

Yes, dear cityhallers. It's teddy bears, right?
Thanks, samsooki and team. This is another brilliantly written recap
and with humour thrown in too as usual. Gosh, I salute you and your
team. Will be lurking around here again for the next episode.

Perfect timing. I have exhausted my City Hall DVD due to my constant reruns. Ep 11 recap came at the perfect time so tht my DVD can get some rest before it starts another craze watching cycle. I love this episode (then again, I love all City Hall episodes). Talking about tht scene at the race horse track, the little face expression JG gave when MR mention tht she wants him to be at her side. I can feel as if JG’s heart went *thump* *thump* *thump* * thump* when he heard those words. And it’s JG turned to be rendered speechless and he melts under MR’s hot and lovely (puppy-eyed? XD) eyes. I believe MR’s constant cute lip-pouting helps JG melts faster too. Evident by his obvious lil’ smirk tht he has on his face. Heh-heh…
When JG said “Look further, and dream bigger.”, finally MR understands wht JG has been trying to teach her. MR now realise her potential and this resonate during the public TV debate. She manages to impress everyone by showing her true and unpretentious self. JG is clearly impressed too (hence he’s confidence with his lovely MR growth).

‘Mi Rae watches as Jo Gook’s eyes say one thing and something else completely different comes out of Jo Gook’s mouth. Should she trust his words or his eyes?’
>>>> We can see this constantly confuses MR starting from Ep 1. She always has the question on whether to trust him or not? JG is such a master of manipulator; MR has to skilfully peel tht manipulative layers off one by one to find the truth behind it. Sometimes I wonder who’s actually leading in making each other heart flutters. XD

@alodia,
‘(btw, why 15 / 16 – i’d say 13, 14 :p) -ish! why am in on spolier mode today?’
>>>> Yeah, definitely agree on tht 13, 14. Teheee…..

@26 epyc
Hihihihi…. Love his childish jealousy. I rewind tht “One second… two second… three second…” scene few times. Harmless jealousy from a guy can be so CUTE! And talking about JG jealousy… I would love to see JG reaction when Soo In said this to MR,
“But if he does, just scream really loudly. Then I will rush in…. and take the punch for you.”
Will he be jealous again? Teeheee…. Well anway, I can’t wait for Ep 12 recap. Coz I think I’ll be squealing more on it than in Ep 11.

@Sueyip,
'Yes, dear cityhallers. It’s teddy bears, right?'
Well, I rather say tht JG's father did give JG a teddy bear. Probably unintentionally. Coz I believe tht his teddy bear is Shin Mi Rae. ^_^

Again, thnx Samsooki recap team on the awesome recap work. Looking forward to the next one and I’ll just keep rerunning my City Hall DVD while I wait for Ep 12 recap (and tht means I’ll be constantly checking on DB RSS feed…. Ahahahahaha….).

THNX!

@31 darynrose
We can see this constantly confuses MR starting from Ep 1. She always has the question on whether to trust him or not? JG is such a master of manipulator; MR has to skilfully peel tht manipulative layers off one by one to find the truth behind it. Sometimes I wonder who’s actually leading in making each other heart flutters. XD

>>> i love how you wrote this. ^^*

For somesone who's finished watching this series, I personally find your recaps
very enjoyable and it allows me to gain a different perspective on it.
Thanks Samsooki and team. You had me at epi one.

Thanks for the great recap :)

@epyc...I like your recap of the race-track...where you describe JG reactions with the words I was feeling, too

CSW is really a great actor, a great acting-match for KSA. It was a joy watching both of them. On viikii you can watch behind the scenes- takes, and NG's. A proof of their acting skills :)

Anyway...I cant find any info about both actors new projects. :(
Does anyone of you know sthing ?

And...I am keen to reed samsookis recap for t he last Episode, as every scene at each EP has speacial meaning...and solves all :)

@34 Madita,

All I know tht CSW has an upcoming drama later this year. I believe the drama titled 'Fashion King'. I'm not sure about KSA next project though. Maybe she's enjoying her break after all those exhausting work she had done in CH. She deserves a little break, IMO.

i love city hall drama. i can't wait for episode 12 recap. it's great i download all city hall bon hard sub.

harddisk from 320gb now left with 45gb. i need to get 1TGB harddisk space.

Really like the race track scene and their arguments in this episode. Those little things greatly fast forward their growth and understanding of themselves and each other.

@epyc - always love reading your thoughts and analysis

@Madita - CSW has been confirmed in the upcoming Lee Joon Ik sageuk film, Like The Moon Escaping From Clouds, starting filming end August.

Thanks Samsooki and team for yet another exciting recap.

@34 Madita, 35 darynros
I believe CSW won't do ‘Fashion King’ anymore. The movie "Saving My Wife" with Song Yun Ah (of On-Air) will be shown soon (it was supposed to be shown before City Hall, but they decided to hold off). There's another upcoming movie he's about to start filming.
For KSA - none so far :( looking forward to whatever her next project will be... hopefully a movie first, or an MV... -oh but there was a CF recently - and she used the "negayo yegayo" dialogue from City Hall

Your recaps are addicting, Samsooki. Your ability to bring out the subtle nuances in each episodes which I sometime overlooked speaks of your mastery of the written words. Your eagle-eyed recaps is a must read. Likewise for your witty comments. Thank you for sharing these with us.

@19 mzpakipot
"you know that speech by Joo-hwa (for the people, by the people,etc..), is that a famous speech? I thought i heard of it before. I like Joo-hwa here, she’s kinna amusing."

It is a line taken from the speech of Abraham Lincoln better known as the Gettysburg Address - "Four score and seven years ago......government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

“traitor kim-bap”

I have to pause and re-read to fully understand the phrase. Really, you're awesome, Samsooki.

In this episode the tv debate is my fav. By her sheer simplicity and sincerity which permeates her speech, Mi Rae won the admiration not only of her campaign team but her opponents as well. Her grassroot knowledge of the fundamental needs of the people enable her to address these basic necessities as counter to the empty talks of her opponents. She knew the pulse of the people thus she was able to bulls-eye what would stir them.

@31 darynrose
"We can see this constantly confuses MR starting from Ep 1. She always has the question on whether to trust him or not? JG is such a master of manipulator; MR has to skilfully peel tht manipulative layers off one by one to find the truth behind it. Sometimes I wonder who’s actually leading in making each other heart flutters. "

Wonderful observation, darynrose.

@38 alodia,

Oh really? No more drama from CSW? Shucks, I was looking forward to it but the movies sounds good enough as a replacement. I keeps forgetting tht CSW is more of a movie star then a drama actor. Then I shall look forward to those.

Whooppss... sorry. Double post.

congratulations to samsooki and the recap gang for episode 11. loving it guys.

@30 sueyip
so right about the teddy bears. he keeps asking BB for teddy bears.

@38 alodia
i think i read somewhere that "fashion king" has legal issues with "cinderella man". is this the reason CSW will not do it anymore?

also, i read somewhere that KSA has a movie "Girl Scouts". was that already shown in korea?

@everyone
a lot of comments of episode 10 recap was about JG financial capability. some suggested his wealth was via GGH. any theories cityhallers? mr. samsooki? mrs. samsooki?

#38

@alodia
thanks for the info..."Saving my Wife" sounds very interesting.
Fashion King has been stopped as I know.

Thank you all for the feedback ^^

This is what I found out...abaout Saving my Wife :

In this film, Song Yoon-ah is a woman who is blaming herself for losing her child. Her husband, a detective will be acted by Cha Seung-won. This is the first time the two movie stars are acting together.
"Saving My Wife" is about the wife being caught up in the murder case and then in danger where the detective husband comes along to save her. This thriller film will be be filmed starting next month. (November 2008)

#37

@mememomo

thank you for the info :)

"Like The Moon Escaping From Clouds"...August 2009

*The upcoming Lee Joon Ik sageuk film, Like The Moon Escaping From Clouds, has completed its main casting. And the leads are: Hwang Jung Min, Han Ji Hye, Cha Seung Won, and…Baek Sung Hyun*

I like Han Ji Hye, she is quite good and has a good aura...but CSW is not in the leading role...he plays the bad guy :(

Phhhh...I am not going to watch it ...phhhh ..bad guy role ...phhh.

MR doesn't have a choice in JD. He is married. Anyway, she is not interested in him that way and nor is he in her. She just looks up to him as person. That's why JG gets jealous maybe. I am all for JG getting jealous. It's just the way he does it that makes me cringe. It's so childish and so out of character. Something like out of BOF. Lee Min Ho as GJP would look adorable doing it.
Yes, I wish Soo In would have made a play for MR. It would have been fun to watch JG's reaction.
CSA looks amazing in the Chino suits but I still feel JG dresses a little too young for his age and for a rising politician. It's too tight, too trendy. You can't wear skinny pants once you are over 30. You look like a fashion victim. Again LMH would look good in skinny pants.
But I still love CSA. He's the most debonair charismatic star I have seen on Kdrama. He almost seems too good for dramas. He needs to be on big screen.

this is kinda off-topic, but to answer 42 shin mi rae:
My dear, KSA's "Girlscouts" was shown June 5th 2008.

@sonam --
Your comment about "childish" behavior sparked something that I've seen a lot of people make. How cutesy or childish BOTH characters comes across at times. In another site someone wrote that KSA should leave the cutesy voice to younger actors. Then I was just listening to some radio commentary here about older rock stars should retire at at 39. The commentator could not believe Steven Tyler is still giving concerts at 60 something. Anyway, I guess my question is why do you have such restrictions on how someone a certain age should act? or even wear clothes? If you look at when these "childish behavior" comes out from these characters, it's mostly when they're being jealous or just them two trying to be in a couple. Don't people act differently when your in love? For the record, JD was not married, he's engage.
I believe CSW is alreay more a film star than a drama star.

Tho I don't want KSA to be "CUTESY" at her age I can understand why she is like that as MR in City Hall. She's supposed to be this naive country bumpkin and once you are from the country it seems to be written in stone in Kdramas that you can't be smart. You have to be naive and cutesy even when you are nearing forties. Tho' I don't agree with it, it is what it is.
What kills me is CSA as JG being cutesy when he's feeling jealous. Someone so urbane, so sophisticated and from a privileged background acting like that? The director and writer are pandering too much.
It's almost like JG is being patronizing to MR.

@48 Sonam

"What kills me is CSA as JG being cutesy when he’s feeling jealous. Someone so urbane, so sophisticated and from a privileged background acting like that? "

Good point, I can totally see how it seems like it doesn't fit with JG's powerful persona - this very instinctive jealousy he displays around/with Mi Rae. However, my counterpoint on this issue is that JG's urbane, sophisticated side is just the exterior he has cultivated over the years in climbing the political ladder. It's a facade, still a part of who he is now, but deep down, he's just this sad little boy who father abandoned him and his mom by the side of the road next to a bar in a hick town. JG doesn't come from a privileged background. What he has achieved, he has clawed his way there by being the best at everything, to succeed by will power and hardwork. This boy whose father never even loved him, much less acknowledged him, and whose mother probably turned icy herself to deal with her own pain.

So, JG is a man who hasn't experience love before, and coupled with his abandonment complex, makes his jealous completely in line with what we know about his background.

I personally love seeing his jealously, it makes so much sense seeing how MR is affecting him, and how possessive he is towards her. However, I do agree that the country bumpkin acting cute routine is overused. But not in CH for me, just my 2 cents. =-)

Cha Seung Won if you're reading this *^^*, you can wear skinny pants as long as you want!!, with that bOdY..., you fill those pants even better than some twenty- something guys ^^... and as a Representative of most part of the female population I tell you ...it's a very pleasurable view ;) ... so please don't stop!, OK!?

Now to the recap, as always is a pleasure to read and revive the best of this great drama. I love Mi Rae transformation, from an insecure candidate to a each time more secure and strong mayor..., Jo Guk make her discover her talents, her
abilities, everything that was already inside of her. He really pushes her hard, sometimes too hard, but I think at this point he is doing all of this more for her than for his own benefit...
I can't wait for the next recap... :)