JB,

Thanks muchly! That's really helpful. I see now that the problem lies not so much with the translation, but my expectations! I need to turn elsewhere for my Japanese culture fix. And I'll endeavour to take his writing at face value.

Come to think about it, it's a tad condescending of me to expect a famous Japanese writer to be all about being Japanese. As if all he has to offer to set him apart is his Japaneseness. Thanks for setting me straight!

@ serendity

"Princess Knight!"

I've read the majority of Osamu Tezuka's works, and Princess Knight is the girliest and therefore occupies a special place in my heart. I read, re-read the manga annually in elementary school, it's cute, funny and totally awesome.

I also love Black Jack, which I think they also made into a cartoon (in fact, I'm more into the Tezuka mangas than cartoons, his trademark wit and bite comes through much more).

I thought the Astro Boy movie was rather well-done, too bad the American public, not surprisingly, would rather see Monsters v. Aliens than Astro Boy. Sigh. Bad and lack of marketing again as well. I almost got to finish the movie, but then my boy started screeching that he wanted to leave because, well, he's a mite too young for robot battles. I kinda coerced him to go watch it with me, and used that as an excuse to watch a movie of my childhood.

i haven't finished watching YAB ep 12 due to vikki problem .i have injected YAB virus to my Aunt so we will watch together tonight.she is loving JGS .Actually when i was watching ep 10 she just happened to pass and she was like who is this girly boy with eyeliner & falling neck t-shirts lol.Ofcourse i defended our JGS and convinced her to watch it and again i re-watched ep 1 - 10 with her and now she totally loves him.her comment on JGS the more you see him the more you like him .

For me the best part i like in TK (you can say JGS) is his KILLER voice.very unique and masculine.Listening his song GOODBYE frm YAB ost part 2 and its very good .

HIndi movie recommendation:
Tara zameen par - very very nice and touching movie
ghajini (hindi version)

can't think on any other now..

hahha, i love how this has fewer comments than you're beautiful recaps
i failed my world geo test because of that drama. no, actually, i'm failing ALL my tests because of that drama. i should be studying for a math competition tomorrow, but instead i'm rewatching episode12. i hate feeling like another squealy fangirl that jumped on the bandwagon, but i can't help it.

i really hate twilight. just saying. it's a waste of print paper, in my opinion.

anyway, to continue with you're beautiful: unfortunately, i think they could have done a lot better in the past couple of episodes. yes, there were some great scenes (like the first and last scenes of episode 12. omg.), but overall, i feel like the pace of the drama is slowing dramatically and a lot of the funny, twisted-cliche moments are gone. not a good idea if they want to fit in a ton more plot in the last four episodes. solution: EXTEND!

i'm really afraid that now, the drama is going to turn into a dull let's-give-fans-what-they-want-to-see boring plod. that would, of course, be the easiest way out for the writers/directors/actors. but it would totally ruin (one of?) the best dramas i've ever seen.

this is really an unhealthy addiction. OTL. in a weird way, i almost WANT the drama to turn bad so that i can resume my life and try and improve my grades. from now on, i really should reserve drama-watching for over the summer...

haha, about the viikii problem: i was trying to access it from this laptop, but it wasn't working no matter how many times i tried. so i asked my brother (who's VERY touchy about my butting into his computer time) if i could check something. this is how the conversation went:

brother: ugh what do you need to check?
me: um.. email! i need to see if my.. teacher.. replied to my email.
brother: okay fine *leaves*
me: YES *hurriedly tries viikii's you're beautiful channel. it doesn't work, so i try again. and again. then, my brother comes back.*
him: WTF ARE YOU DOING
me: crap *runs*

anyway, sorry, that was a really long comment. i wonder if anyone's actually going to respond to what i said, haha. anyway, happy friday!

City Hall!

You all should be so proud of me. It wasn't remotely on my radar, but what with the raving on OT I had to check it out. Have watched 3 episodes. It so far ticks off my "ok, can continue watching" criteria: Not incoherent, not too silly, not stupid illogical... tick tick tick. But I can also see why everyone keeps saying "Persevere!" and "It gets better, honest!"; because it's not quite captivating either, at this stage. Still, left on my own I think I might persevere just because of Kim Sun Ah - gosh, that actress can charm the birds out of the trees. I'm not feeling the Cha Seung Won love yet - his character with the superior air is not particularly appealing, and I'm not really feeling the draw of his hirsute face. But, yes, I will definitely persevere! I want to see Kim Sun Ah Rule the World!!

Serendipity

Episode 4 of City Hall rocked my boat, for me that was the point of no return. For each Haller there is that moment when we each went "hmm, this may be something special." I find the early episodes more meaningful on rewatch when you understand the characters and their set up. KSA will knock your socks off with her acting, the woman is a force. As for the Jo Gook love, hee hee, it may just come when you least expect it. Thanks for the brief review, I'd love to hear your realtime watching diary on CH. Also really enjoy your YB insights as well.

@152 ockoala

An Osamu Tezuka fan? Those are hard to find! Have you read Adolt? I haven't read much Tezuka, but that is my absolute favorite of his. I started on Buddha and its great so far, most of his work that I've gotten a chance to sample is in a league of its own. I also read a little Astro Boy and couldn't find any past 3 volumes. I haven't got a chance to see it, but hearing that it's well done makes me want to see it now.

@ 137 Nom Kitteh: Thanks for the link! After I finished watching Jab We Met I immediately went to iTunes and bought the OST. Loved the music.

@ 139 and 140 : Great recommendations, thanks!

@156, serendipity

YAY! CITY HALL! SHIN MI-RAE! JO GOOK!!

See all those caps and exclamation points? That's what your posts will look like very very soon, just you wait!

I love it when we get another City Haller in the family! :-D

Ah, what a long day! And, of course, the first thing I do when I get home is catch up on today's OT. (I did not make it to work on time today, btw. Close, but no cigar.)

@ ockoala #27
"I meant to say it in OT last night (but I passed out again with exhaustion, my weary physical self has no pity on my mental needs) – but you can have every loofah in the world, my dear. I’m scrubbing down JH and OJH *with my bare hands!*"

LOL! I guess Mr. ockoala better seriously get moving on his workout regimen. Tough competition..hehe. :P

And just because I pointed out Rain in the Ninja Assassin previews, LBH in G.I.Joe, and Daniel Henney in Three Rivers, my hubby thinks I like them. But when I showed him the Chuno preview, he didn't say a word. Go figure. I guess I shouldn't tell him about our scrubbing fantasies, huh? :P

@ Fran, langdon813, ockoala, cingdoc, yvhsien, katwoman, and anyone else whose husband is not interested in kdramas, kdrama blogs, forums, or anything kdrama-related:

Mr. hjkomo recently gave his close friend, who is having marital difficulties after 15 years of marriage, some advice:

"The key to having a successful marriage is having some of your own separate interests. Take hjkomo and me. I've joined a band and like to go to concerts she doesn't like, and she's got her kdramas."

So, while hubby is out enjoying his Widespread Panic tonight, I'm catching up with OT and my kdramas. :P

Seriously, I have tried to get hubby to watch kdramas/movies...with little success.

Dae Jo Young -> only gave hubby a reason to randomly shout, in his deepest voice - JAAAANNNNGGGG-GGOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNN!!!! (jang-goon = [military] general)
...and later, in the same deep general's voice, any and all Korean words/phrases he knows - ex. jalmeogosseumnida (thank you for the food - at mealtimes)

The Chaser -> hubby fell asleep even though he thought it was a very good movie

TGTBTW -> "That was...okay."

Haeundae -> crappiest subs ever. gave hubby a massive headache, so he went to bed without watching the rest of it.

IRIS -> "Okay, okay. That is Hungary. You said that already." goes back to his own laptop...

@ yvhsien
"Going to the USC/Stanford game tomorrow. Will it be bad to cheer against hubby’s team??"

That depends...which one is hubby's team?
As much as Stanford is our ENEMY, I think the answer was best said by the man sitting next to me at this year's Cal-USC game - I only root for two teams. Cal...and whoever's playing USC. ;)

There's just something about USC that everyone in the Pac-10 loves to hate.

@ Samsooki, kb

WoW and Starcraft, are those descendents of Warcraft? I used to date someone who played Warcraft, and it was actually fun to watch. The sound effects of the different characters were hilarious.

Btw, Samsooki...don't think I didn't read the SSH/LMK-A Better Tomorrow remake post. I did.

1) Remaking ABT -> bad, bad idea...ah, such fond memories of watching HK cinema on Tuesday nights at the UC theatre...

2) SSH to star? -> omg, wth, headdesk-kill-me-now...

3) LMK? -> happy for langdon-unnie :D

4) I'm quite concerned about the type of social & moral instruction little Ji Hoon will be receiving. I have no doubts that Mrs. Samsooki will ensure his proper upbringing...but I have a nagging suspicion that his first words (learned from Daddy) might be - MINE! LALALALA...MINE!!! Naturally, mine is part of the early vocabulary of practically every toddler, but what sort of strange looks is Ji Hoon going to get when he always accompanies it with his hands clasped over his ears, shouting LALALALA!!! at the top of his lungs???
Hm...don't worry, Ji Hoon...your OT aunties are here, should you ever need our assistance. ;)

@ C_Janeth #43

I also like YJ's sister's storyline with HS & GH, but I like YJ & SE's chemistry as well.

Creating Destiny started out warm and comforting. I'm still enjoying it (not as much as Assorted Gems, of course), but like belleza pointed out before, the premise IS a little scary if you really think about it. I have to supend my own sensibilities (regarding women's roles in society) to watch this drama because every so often, a line of dialogue is said (ex. YJ's father tells SE to let YJ take care of looking for SE's apartment because 'women don't know about such matters') which makes me want to punch the writer. Now, I've watched many, many dramas and am well-versed in Korean culture...but, even so, I find it hard at times to reconcile SE's fiercely INDEPENDENT character, as an Australian and American-educated LAWYER, with some of her actions in the drama.

@ langdon813

I was going to suggest telling your boss about what really goes on in your neighborhood (j/k), but I see that others have posted much better suggestions on how to refuse him as a houseguest.

You, of course, are always welcome here, should you make your way to Northern California (really, it's nicer here than SoCal ;) )

@ ockoala

Thank you for the invitation. :D I don't need a place to stay, as almost my entire family is down there...but maybe a get-together around Christmas?

Phew, long post!

Came to read the OT before heading to bed. But wanted to comment on some things.

@ockoala
Yeah, after doing LOTR it was a little hard to hear him in anything else. But you're right he does bring a certain gravitas to his roles. I think for me, I was disappointed with most of the movie, that hearing his voice for Iorek was like awesome (since Iorek is one of favorites in the series and I'm glad they got him mostly right). And partially because it had been a while since I saw any of the LOTR movies. Oh Osamu Tezuka! I've only read some of Black Jack and have seen some of the original Astro Boy anime, but I thought both were really good. I was thinking about going to see the movie. So it's good?

And I wanted to say this earlier...but I never listened to 2pm until the whole Jaybeom scandal since I was curious to know what everyone was talking about. I have to say I really like Taecyeon (a total noona crush)...but that's mostly because I like his voice and for shallow reasons courtesy of the song he did w/Baek Ji-young "My Ear Candy" But in terms Kpop boybands (not including indie stuff)...BigBang wins for me (mostly because I'm fascinated by T.O.P.'s voice, it so different). Their latest Japanese single Koe wo Kikasete is really good, it's been on constant repeat on my ipod. Speaking of which anybody's watching Ohitorisama?

@ 157 ockoala

It's lovely to have found such a nice community here. Secret pleasures are so much more fun when they are shared, aren't they!

However, you lot have created a problem for me. I'm travelling for two weeks starting tomorrow. On the plus side limited access to internet should ensure I get no YB spoilers (see ep 11, grr) - and by hook or by crook I'll catch up on YB on the weekend. On the downside, this is a very bad time to start on a fresh drama obsession. Perhaps I should put off watching City Hall ep 4 ... Or maybe I should go ahead and if I'm really hooked I'll bring the DVD with me... ARGH! Decisions!

In any case, I will dutifully report back. It's too fun not to!

@152 ockoala

Princess Knight -- Actually, I never read the manga. Just watched the anime, which if I remember right was marketed as "Princess Sapphira" and dubbed into English, where I lived. It left a deep impression on me because I felt so frustrated by it, and so very sorry for the princess! Now when I watch it again it seems so kiddy. Why did I take it so seriously? Oh. Yes. I *was* a kid, that's why!

@163, hjkomo

LOL! I should tell my boss, you're absolutely right! And I'll tell you guys too, about my lovely little corner of the world!

The city I live in has a population of about 45,000 (and dwindling rapidly, and you will soon understand why). For such a small town, we have as much crime per capita as Washington, DC. There are two major highways; follow one of them from one end of town to the other, and you can count 18 closed businesses that are boarded up and/or empty and vandalized. Follow the other highway, and there are 24 more. That's as of last week.

I live in one of the most historic areas of town; full of beautiful old homes (mine was built in 1930, but that's a whole other headache I won't go into now), oak-lined streets, really pretty area. But go three blocks from my house, and you're literally in one of the worst neighborhoods in town. I live right across the street from the public high school, and on Friday nights, you can count at least five police cars on each end of the street because of gang fights. We rarely have a weekend go by that we don't hear gun shots. We've recently had a string of house fires in the neighborhood; and the last one was only 2 doors down from me.

We remodeled our house and put in on the market in 2004 because our company...yes, you guessed it, closed! We had to move to Atlanta or become unemployed. In the first six months after we moved, the house was broken into 14 times. Swear to God, 14 times. Even with an alarm system, eventually everything in the house was stolen, down to the towel racks and medicine cabinets, doorknobs...I mean everything! Someone even started a fire in our dining room. Needless to say, people weren't exactly lining up to buy this place!

Anyway, we dealt with this for 2 years before we finally said enough is enough and luckily (or not, IMO) the company let us move back. Which is how I ended up being able to work from home and watch Kdramas. I paid my dues for this, y'all, I promise!

@168, cingdoc

Aww, thanks! I've got an escape plan though, don't worry! The state of MS and I will definitely part ways again one day, never fear.

And I can believe that about Binnie because by the end of Friend, he was almost unrecognizable. And yes, very gaunt. But the dark places he went to in that drama...I'm not surprised, it had to have taken a toll. It certainly did on me. :-(

Love this blog! From kdrama love (city hallers n you're beautiful) to Pullman and Murakami! Love it.
If I was not literally in a cinema waiting for film to start I would so rant!

@ockoala
Am so on with a Pullman chat (or anything as we do seem to have same taste. Hehe)
I might need a refresher on the Dark Materials.

Gotta go.

an year ago i wud have laughed at the idea pf being addicted to anythin... but now its impossible to think of life with kdramas :)

I've a kdrama addict for almost 6 months now.. and try as i might...its so difficult for me to explain to others why in first place it is so addictive...

My parents have , after months of trying, officially given up on me.. they even think that i have a korean bf hidden somewer or somehtin and thats why i am into the whole kdrma thing,,, /
and most freinds jsut roll their eyes... I finally forced 2 of them to watch COFFEE PRINCE.. and sigh... both of them loved it.. but they not in an addictoin stage... This weekend Ill dose them with YB :)

the other toh even stopped asking me "whats happenig, wat u watchin".. cos they kno my answer in gonna be " kdrama",,,, hehehe
i am told that they dont get the whole subtitles movie watchin experience. .wtvr.. noone arounf gets it...

I am posting here cos........... siiiiiiiiiiiiiighhhhhhhh

i was trying to while away my time on a slow saturday i happened to see the words bollywood and jab we met and 'indian k-dramas" on dramabeans.com,,, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh sigh... relief... hope.. happiness.. all flood gates of emotion opened.... I AM NOT ALONE :) atleast someone else knows somehtin bout wr i am from....

i mean i KNOW there are definatelym MUST be a LOTTT of ppl from india who are crazy bout kdrama..( in fact, college friends from the north east india were the ones who got me hooked)... its just that NOONE around me is into this...I've been feeling so isolated and lost in this kdrama world of mine that sometimes i begin to doubt my own sanity.when i get strange looks from ppl around me when they realise am watching som,ething subbed (when u have so much variety here.. why ru bothering to take so much effort and read somethin thats subbed,, )...

so.. .. point being... its reassuaring to read that so many ppl (non koreans) are kdrama fans and that i am not the only who gets "i've-given-up-on-her" looks,,,,
..
so currently,,,,

I usually watch the dramas only after they are done.. but on boring day at work i started readin YB recaps... and man... i just had to watch it.. especially after countless ppl sed that the last they wer so excited was wen they saw CP.. :)...

So now my kdrama obsession had reduced me to a person who haunts this site, (perhaps crahses it too... sorry JB)... reads every every everythin bout the eries/casr/writers and listens to YB OST all day long and talks bout pig-rabbits in gtalk status msgs :)... hehhehe...

am loving it...

thanks... to everyone out there..
i've discovered a new crazy me :D

ahhh

I can see pp have already recommended some of the must sees... of which i personally (re)recommend these

Dil chahta Hai
(DDLJ) dilwale dulhaniye le jaayenge
hum tum
kal ho na ho

some other movies I liked and recommend
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
namastey london
Dhadkan

other bollywood (hindi) movies that are good though not romcoms exactly
tare zameen par
Rock ON
Bheja Fry
hera pheri
munna bhai Mbbs

and thought i haven seen love aajkal.. i heard its really grt (same person who made jab we met)

there are LOADS of romcoms that are decent enough but then i dont want to go oevrboard...

@116
heheheh my mom tried doing that to me wen it came to kdramas the whole before and after thing.. (then: decent, straight faced daughter. Now dreamy-smiles, starry eyed grown up daughter trying to reenact her teenage). but as u sed... 'kdramas' are different right?? hehehe...

oh...
i've watched so many kdramas in the past 3 months :)
i've even started using many phrases in my everyday language :)
but since many of them resemble many Indian phrases (aigooo ... similar to marathi... "aai ga.." (exclamation which literally mean "oh mother") and the words for come, go, tea (cha).. :)... ).. it went unnoticed for a long time... until the day i shouted loudly "ottokae" for somethin... thats when my mom decided it was time to give the "get-the-daughter-back-from-dreamland" speech :)...
it was hilarious,, hahaha

@147 paula253

Thanks for answering my question. It wasn't directed at samsooki personally, it was just out there for the masses. I also heard the girls in Seoul are pretty flashy and trendy and thought that me being wrapped up in a 600 goose down North Face jacket wouldn't really look so 'cool' with the girls in their 6" heels and barely there clothing.

@ ockoala

I think I'm going to need to come to you each week on OT to ask you for recommendations on books, mangas, kdramas, .... everything!! :D I too am a Harry Potter fan and I'm guessing, like many others out there, made the other half line up with me at midnight to get the last instalment. Hehehe ... and then read it all within 2 days. But I was seriously disappointed with the last HP movie. What were they thinking? Movie adaptations are killing my books.

RE: City Hall

I really need to sit down and watch this properly, in its entirety. I always start episode 1 and then have to go off and do something and have never really made it past the first 15 mins.

@ 154 cingdoc

Don't even get me started on Top Gear. It resumes on TV here tomorrow at 9pm on Sundays. That means, dinner must finish before then, or if we are out, we must be home before it starts. And no other noise in the flat until Top Gear is over. Complete concentration is required. *rolls eyes* Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the comedic relief that Top Gear provides.

@ fellow YB/YAB fans/fanatics
Wouldn't it be fabulous if the Hong sisters actually write in a scene where TK makes the 'pig nose' to try and control his feelings?I think that would make this drama a classic :-D

Hey Dramabeans, love your site have been silently following your fantastic posts for a while :)
Also loving YB, I wonder if there is anything that can be done to let the Hong sisters know we love their drama? Totally wish it had been extended to 20 eps, if only to delay the huge void that is going to be in my life post ~

@cingdoc, lovenyc52

@YB
Cont. from OT108. I watched YB raw too and then wait for JB recaps (thanks a million JB) to understand the conversation. But ep12 was the first time I do something crazy! I open DB’s recap page, squeeze it to half the left space of my monitor screen and play ep12 raw using half of the right side of the screen and watch concurrently, pausing on and off. I repeat the end part 3 times! What has YB done to me?

@154 I have also been thinking about the coming episodes. Lol at your obligatory Airport scene where GMN is going to Rome to be nun when she is either confused about being in love with HTK. At most kdramas of 16eps, at about ep13 there will be the cute love/dating scenes at the seaside, piggyback on the beach (but I think HTK is too thin for that lol), dunking in the sea, eating ice-cream etc before the BIG breakup no? I hope there won’t be any crying for PSH in ep13.

Anyway, I am imagining that after the shock of HTK saying that she will run and give him a tight hug (being her cute self), then they will go for a night car cruise to the seaside or somewhere remote and stayed out all night and SW will be soo very sad. Sorry SW fans. Also, I have been wondering will the real GMN make an appearance? I don’t know how plausible it can be since PSH is so feminine in her looks.

All said, I just love PSH, so pretty and cute and I love her voice too! I am glad YB is ending at 16eps. The tight filming has taken such a toll on them and they looked tired and I feel their complexion has worsen too.

@langdon813
Don’t know where you post about your name but I like it. I regret mine, even though my last name is SIM and I am simple. LOL I feel like changing to Mang Ah Ji (I can still hear PK’s voice).

@hjkomo
I wish I could watch Assorted Gems but there’s no subs. Will really help me to forget about the heartache of JWD. Guess I have to wait until I get the drama with chinese audio.

@ockoala
Just giving you a virtual Team PK hug! Wow, all this book talk and I am near illiterate except for my bible. :-)

PS: Gals, please sign me in for Chunojummas, ICOMYM.

Greeting from Ha Noi VietNam, two weeks without Kdramas is too much...can't stand it. Iris just started here few days ago so we have to make do with LBH.... Can I handle another 2 weeks with no "Korean Cracks". Missing reading your blog every morning....Have a great weekend everyone.

To anyone who understands Japanese:

Can you guys give me the gist as to what yoshitaka(the girl in the kimono) is talking about. Especially the 'yes we can bit?' Thanks

I just have to add: I'm totally hoping for an A.N.JELL Christmas album lol!

@ 179 Lisa : That hadn't even crossed my mind ... but wouldn't it be amazing! Rudolph would have to be on there, of course. I'd like to hear their version of the "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" song.

I put the rudolph clip on my mp3 player and I watch it when I'm not in a great mood, it makes me smile every time. :D

@174 Ana

LOL at HTK making the 'pig-nose' to try to control his feelings...]
HAHAHAHA i really can imagine!!

@ simplesim

Lol at Mang Ah Ji! :P

Re: Assorted Gems subs - dramaok is generously subbing it on viikii, and another generous person is ripping and posting the srt files on aja-aja, if you want to watch it with the downloaded eps. Oh, don't remind me of Job Well Done...I've tried to completely wipe that drama from my memory.

Off to watch today's!

@ crzycpl

"me being wrapped up in a 600 goose down North Face jacket"

lolz -- actually, North Face short parkas were hot when i was there (win 08) as long as they were WHITE (yeah, really practical!). but seoul fashion moves with the speed of light. this winter it'll be something else entirely. hey, you're coming from the land of Burberry. any chance you can swing at least a scarf? that will put you in style. That and a designer bag. have fun!!

Hey guys, check this out. Somebody chopped out a bunch of K-dramas and uhh "subtitled" them. Thought it was hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrKoreanDrama

For example, Kingdom of the . . . Miley Cyrus???
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrKoreanDrama#p/u/3/5NuhzRq5p6s

belleza, those are hilarious!

My favorite is the HGD/Brokeback Therapy Session.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrKoreanDrama#p/u/1/pRgcp9eGL_o

How I miss them so! :(

hjkomo 162

WoW is a descendent of warcraft. starcraft is a similar game to warcraft but different storyline. both are made by the same company.

has your husband seen 'oldboy'? if he fell asleep or walked away (due to boredom, not disgust) during this movie, then i don't know what to say.

eagerly awaiting ninja assassin. i suffered through gi joe cuz it was LBH's hollywood debut, so i'm certainly not going to leave rain hanging during his hollywood debut. plus, it's about NINJAS and ASSASSINS... what more could a boy want?

Thanks, b! Them vids are hellaciously funny.

@ hjkomo

You're on! Let me know when your back in SoCal around Christmas, okay? I'll set it up. Love to meet you and, after we give the obligatory Cal-Stanford staredown, we can dispense with the pleasantries and count down the days!!! until the *Great Unwashed Ab Showdown of 2010" Chuno.

Also, come on - I'd root for Cal anyday when it plays USC. You've gotta root for Stanford today. What's the saying, ah yes, my the enemy of my enemy is my friend.....oops, that should mean you'd vote for USC. But it's pretty douchey to root for USC, it's pretty much akin to being a Duke basketball fan (though, Duke still leads the douchiness by a long shot).

Enjoy the game, and hope J. Best is back in action, he's pretty incredible if I may concede.

@ Serendipity

Bring your City Hall DVD, of course! I once made the mistake of NOT bringing my City Hall DVD on a trip, I was of course trying to be totally social and not TV obsessed, but it turned out to be the calamity of my erstwhile travel history.

Those of you need only go back to OT 99 to remember that it was the *Great Ockoala Cruise and Oyster Debacle of 2009*. Bring your CH DVD, in all cases, it'll make a nice paperweight.

As for CH, it was for me, the reason I delurked and started talking on DB. My CH fervor and obsession matched and perhaps exceeded many of those YB obsessed (which kinda explains why I may love and enjoy YB, I'm not obsessing - I'm kinda all-obsessed out for the year - CH took the wind out of me, and it was a long long time before I could really enjoy or discuss other dramas).

Have a safe trip!

@ simplesim

Team Park Kyu hugs back - let me know if you ever want a book recommendation - I'm actually NOT the book enthusiast in my family - I may read like a fiend, but half my stuff involve mangas, romance novels, and the assorted randomness you buy at airports. ockoala hubby is the insane book reader - his papa was a university librarian - so our house has entire walls turned into bookshelves to accommodate his books. It's pretty cool, I hope our kids like to read as well. I'm still making my way through the Sci-Fi section.

@ crzycpl

I was beyond disappointed with HP6 the movie, I totally agree with you. And it is my favorite HP book as a standalone - the HP7 book is a phenomenal series ender, but it's too bloated, JK needs to understand brevity a bit more (as do I, I know). Her problem is her universe is too ripe with stories and creative imagings that she can't help stuffing everything into her books. Still, excited about HP7 - the two part movie.

As for City Hall, whenever you get a chance, let me know what you think as well! Like langdon813 says, we're excited anytime a new haller joins.

@ doublethink101

All this talk about Osamu Tezuka - I'm going to search for his works this weekend and see if I can buy a collection, he is the father of manga and anime, and his works have a depth and breadth inconceivable coming from his time. But the post-war years truly affected and shaped him in ways that his pacifism and individual choice and responsibility really impacted me when I read his works as a child.

For those wondering about Astro Boy the movie - it's really very very good and stays close to its source material.

I felt like I couldn't wait for the rabbit pig to go on sale, so I made one myself (in my style)! :D http://soupcomplex.deviantart.com/art/You-re-Beautiful-Rabbit-Pig-143616571

@ockoala
"ockoala hubby is the insane book reader – his papa was a university librarian – so our house has entire walls turned into bookshelves to accommodate his books."

OMG OMG My dream to have entire walls in MY house with bookshelves! Although my bookshelves are now holding more and more kdramas than books as the years progress.
BTW Can I be adopted by you? Perhaps not yr kid, as I think we are around the same age, but a family member? You'd like a family member who shares a love/obsession of good books, CH, YB, kdramas in total right? I can even babysit the babyockoalas - I am great with kids, but I don't do nappy/toilet training.

What do you think? hehe

You all seem to have been together a long time! it's great.
Being in So Calif...having lived in No.Calif,I just wanted to say
the state is beautiful and both have their ' beauties". ahem...

I am a Kdrama addict ever since My Lovely Sam Soon and KSA is an actress that I will watch whatever she is in. So I watched City Hall and of course was not disappointed, it was my first introduction to CSW and well should I say it?
I'm in crush! what an actor! so am on the look out for more of his work.

City Hall was/is the most romantic movie I have ever watched. It just unfolded so
beautifully. So well place and put together, great actors and wonderful script....Bullseye!

I enjoy reading through everyone's comments and getting views on Kdramas..and adding to my list to watch.

Bollywood! love it! although I agree with the older movies ...I like them better. The two movies listed are great to start with. Shah Rukh Khan is endless dish!

Ok....thanks for listening! off to see if I can find a site thats up to continue watching IRIS...and to start watching You're beautiful....wish me luck!

@ Serendipity, crzycpl, and Retta

It is ALWAYS a joy to see Kdrama lovers joining the watch of City Hall and know about their thoughts! City Hall did wear me out emotionally but it is worth it. S and C, please keep us posted as you progress in your SMR and JG journey.

Just saw this interview with Jung Yong Hwa... any ideas what he's saying? Sigh... he's sooo fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWnzbqZe2oU

@ crzycpl

I remember when I was there back in winter of 2001. I had a vintage down jacket on, which I think looked cool, but a Korean acquaintance thought otherwise. She kept insisting I borrow one of her coats, she didn't outright tell me she disapproves of my jacket, she told me I looked cold and I should wear something warmer. The thing was, I never complained I was cold. And how does one get cold in a down jacket? In the end, I wore her coat, albeit shivering and teeth chattering.

BTW, don't forget to let your significant other carry that designer handbag paula253 mentioned; you'll blend in perfectly!

@ 189 Lisa : You completely mad and wonderfully talented woman. It's gorgeous!!

@194 Vanessa - Oh my, I've never seen JYH smile like that (on 0:53 and 1:24))...he looks even cuter! I hope somebody can translate. :)

@186 hjkomo

LOL!! I had the same reaction as samsooki, complete and utter shame for laughing at my beloved HGD being made sport of...but that was just some funny shizz right there. That guy is a hoot (white boy on the outside, Korean boy on the inside). Hee!

I feel like I need to go run around the block (except I won't,. of course). I've been watching IRIS and drinking coffee and hello....bouncing off the walls now. No idea what I want to watch next. I started Eight Days last night but I'm not in the mood for it right now.

OH! Never mind! I'll go watch A Better Tomorrow (the original)! Yeah, double-fisted John Woo action...that's the ticket!

Later!

@ockoala "Oh, and hubby is DYING to watch Ninja Assasin, go figure? samsooki, from your male perspective, does that movie sound/look appealing to you? It sure doesn’t to me, and I’m also not a Rain fan."

I laughed so loud when I read that. My husband has been pleading with me to watch this with him. I don't get it. He is not a Rain fan but I think it has something to do with the fact its about ninjas, assassins and because Rain is Asian. I suffered through this same pain with Jet Li.

Love all the discussions on His Dark Materials Trilogy. I read them a while ago and I remember feeling so transported into alternate universe, a feeling I haven't felt since I was 8 and reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe books. However, I couldn't bring myself to give them to my niece until she was at least 14 due to some of the adult themes in book 3--not because I'm a prude but I thought my sister and her very christian husband would think I was corrupting their daughter. haha!

BTW I've been really getting into Gackt lately. I'm not familiar with JPop or JRock. Is JRock generally theatrical like that or is that just Gackt? I really love it but I've been really into Lady Gaga lately as well. Off topic but does anyone else think her outfit in the Paparazzi MV is heavily influenced by Lady Kushana's outfit in Miyazaki's Nausicaa?