I understand what you are saying.

Let me tell you one thing I learned from watching dramas in a different time. It all boils down to which drama you watch first. As they say, “First impression is what counts”

When I watched “Goong” It was my first drama, and I fell in love with it. Then I watched CP and fell more in love with it, but because of the difference in category, I kinda had them in the same place. Then I thought of how much I had like LBH in “Addicted” (which was the first Korean “anything” I had seen) and looked him up, found out he was also on TV and that’s when “Goong” lost its place to BD. Now, this is not a good example because BD keeps on being number one on my melodrama list, even after watching “Crazy for You” “Thank You” “Que Sera, Sera” (this are only the ones I consider to be very good) But had “Love Letter” been my very first drama. I would have never skipped a bunch of episodes (like I did when I watched it…. I hated that he actually became a priest) “Love Letter” could have been on my top 10 or even top 5 list had it not been for that…. Maybe, we would never know. But “Love Letter” is one of those dramas I have mixed feelings about. I loved the romance between them, but hated them at the same time… I can’t get started because all I do is contradict myself.

I absolutely agree with you. To fully compare dramas in a most fair way, its better to watch them at the time they come out, and get the feel of the times. I know that each year changes on many things.
I don’t think the characters of TBDW were miscast. I don’t think they were the best either. But, they were able to give me the feeling that I was in for a bumpy ride, and I just couldn’t get myself to stop until it ended. This was thanks to many things, not only the actors… in fact, especially not only the actors. It was more the story that was so compelling and greatly executed on the screen. The fact that romance was not the main target (like many action dramas make that mistake) music was not overly used (like in “Swallow the Sun”) the script was believable. And the acting… well, the acting may have not been first class, but it felt genuine, organic… I don’t know what else to say. I just love it.

However…. hehehe, I get the feeling that IRIS would change that. That trailer looks AWSOME.

“Iljimae” was great, but I like “Return of Iljimae” better. I think the ending was more complete. It didn’t feel like it was rushed.

Here I go again, forgetting things.

OHHHHH!!!! "The Devil" sorry I don't know the Korean titles. I would love to watch "The Devil" yes!

I tried once, but all the files were broken. So, I just went for other dramas. But I'm still anticipating the time when I can finally watch it.

Two things that have me interested:
1. The story. (I love, revenge, mystery, crime... all you can apply to that)
2. Shin Min-ah. (she is one of my favorite)

@laura
The Devil was good. I hope you'll be able to finish it one day.

@Laura,

"When I watched “Goong” It was my first drama, and I fell in love with it. "

I actually like both Goong and Goong S almost equally. Neither show was about the acting or romance for me -- I simply love the concept of a "modern sageuk", especially since it naturally overlaps with the celebrity status congruent to modern day royal families. For me, the concept itself worked on all sorts of girly and sageuk-fan levels, that really I wouldn't mind seeing an annual Goong series with different characters and storylines.

"But “Love Letter” is one of those dramas I have mixed feelings about."

Oh I really, really like Love Letter. But, then, I have a weakness for "girl loves cute Catholic boy who has to choose between her and God. Ay dios mio!!!" telanovela storylines. Belleza REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVES "good Catholic boy tortured by fate" love stories. It's SO not healthy lol.

The thing about Love Letter is that 60% of the storyline is kinda "ehhh", but whenever Soo Ae and Jo Hyun Jae would have a moment with the song "Promise" playing. I would just CRY. Soo Ae is one of my favorite romantic leads, because she's just so good at conveying what it really means to love a man so much that existence feels so deathly frightening without him. And Jo Hyun Jae kneeling, praying, begging before God to save her . . . .

LOL I'm tearing up . . .

So that's the thing with Love Letter -- even if the storyline is really messy and kinda tedious and the song selection was kinda cheewsy -- it just presses buttons that few romantic shows do for me. It's about a complex relationship over a very simple, pure love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkWTHTh-kiI

"I don’t think the characters of TBDW were miscast. I don’t think they were the best either."

I'm definitely in the minority opinion about Lee Jung Ki in TBDW. Many people LOVED LJK's performance in the show, that it and his performance in King+Clown are the two strongest of his career. For 2007, Thank You was definitely my favorite show and over at d-addicts, I've gone on lengthy about that show. Really love that one.

TBDW is still up there for 2007. They reaired that a few months ago on MBC-D TV, and it still plays great even though you now know all the twist and turns. Very slick. I hope Iris's story is close to this level.

"1. The story. (I love, revenge, mystery, crime… all you can apply to that)
2. Shin Min-ah. (she is one of my favorite)"

Honestly, I didn't think Shin Min-ah was used well in that show. She kinda seemed like a passive pawn, and I was rather disappointed with her performance. Now, having said that, I was a fan of her performance in A Love to Kill, and many people disliked her in that.

if lead male actor was so Ji Sub, that would be wonderful!!

"Honestly, I didn’t think Shin Min-ah was used well in that show."

Really??? Oh... NO

I love her acting in ABL and SM. Although, now that I’m saying this; it brings me to say that sometimes an actor can be soooo damn good that he would actually lead the other actors and make them reciprocate to a certain level. Don’t know if you get me. Anyway, I was referring to LBH in ABL, having such a strong performance (and the fact that they had acted together in BD before, helps a lot with the chemistry thing) that he probably led her and brought out the best in her acting.
Even thinking this, I still like her as an actress.

All this talk has made want to skip a bunch of dramas I got lined up, and go straight to "The Devil" I hope the files are not broken again.... oh, yep, I make my own list of dramas to watch. I follow the order... for the most part. lol

@ 55

So Ji-sub is one of my favorite actors. In fact, I have modeled my fictional character from So Ji-sub's looks. I love his sad, sad eyes. (sigh)

But, sorry to say this... so sorry... Lee Byung-hun is always the best.

OK, Belleza what have you done to me tonight???? I cant stop playing that clip. The song is just too beautiful but sad... :(

"it brings me to say that sometimes an actor can be soooo damn good that he would actually lead the other actors and make them reciprocate to a certain level."

To no small degree, that's due to Lee Byung Hun. He (as does Lee Young Ae) has reputation for being very demanding and difficult, especially with his female leads. If you're not on your game (LBH works VERY VERY hard in his preparation, and he demands the same from everybody else), he's going to let you know. But that also makes the other lead a better actor/actress.

Having said that, you can tell that LBH and CJW are genuinely close with each other, and they really enjoy working with each other.

Yeah, true. Mr Byung-hun rocks!!!!

I've only just found LBH and I am finishing up the last bit of All In. Clearly, I can see why there is so much fuss about him. He's probably one of the finest Korea has in the mould of a solid actor with good looks, even better charisma and acting chops.

I am quite glad I didnt have to wait so long (like some of his fans have) for his next drama project (2003 to 2009 a long time in TV land) although I know he took off to make movies in between then. I'm so watching IRIS, whether it tanks or not ; P

Wow, I knew Kim Tae hee had anti-fans but I didnt know there were so many of them. LOL at 12cm face comment......

Wow, Laura and belleza are my kind of fellow drama lovers. How many Korean dramas have you guys seen altogether? I have my own site that shows what my favorite dramas are >> http://goldlilys.110mb.com/drama_col.html . We should have a discussion about these shows.

Hmm, it seems both of you haven't seen Story of a Man. Since you guys seem to love action mystery genres as well, then I highly recommend watching that drama. First 2 episodes may seem typical at first but afterwards will totally blow you away. The plot is just so awesome and non-cliche.

LBH is soooo hot!

Score 1million points to the director who conceptualized the poster. dress everybody from head to toe and put LBH in a slinky black sando shirt. oooozing with hotness. but i would have given him 1billion points if he took off the black shirt all together like the director of GI Joe.

Aja Aja LBH

I like this!!! nice nice...but i have a problem...Kim TAE HEE is in it!!!!!AWWWWWWWWWW..bummer!!

@jadielaw shutup unless youre an actor ''iamsam'' was his 1st time,w/ his charisma and sexiness who wouldnt watch he van be so serious