@bspanda,

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

Never trust a Sicilian. ;)

@cingdoc,

"We live in the hot part of So Cal, so anything after 9am, it’s hot. "

You live in the San Gabriel Valley???

". Basically, think of me learning how to walk correctly again, and not like a toddler…walk, trip, walk, lean on one side, etc. "

Wow . . . :( *big hug* I don't know what to say, except double your dosage of You're Beautiful and Smile.

Is the biking part of your physical therapy?

184 langdon813

Thank you. Yes, I'd better download that program onto my laptop so that I'll be able to watch them soon! Aand sorry for your auto incident, forgot to mention that earlier

186 Chocolatetree

OK, I really have to watch them!

188 mzpakipot

I had exactly the same question. My laptop's battery is dead and to replace them, it's about $150.00. And it looks like you can buy new macbook w/250GB for under $1000 and mac pro for under $1200 with coorporate discounts through my work. I'll probably get mac this time. I'm so tired of getting virus attacks. Thanks for posting your question, so timely.

Anyways, happy Monday, everyone!

Just ate at Ajisen Ramen in Diamond Jamboree (my SoCal OT sisters should know what i'm talking about) and the cute boy who looks like the bad guy (Jason Zou) from Black & White was not there today. Sadness. It's really one of the only reasons I go there - eye candy hehe. Last time I was there was Halloween and they were all dressed up and he dressed up as none other than Maverick from Top Gun. And as Top Gun is my favorite movie of all time (don't ask why, it just is haha), I knew we were meant to be. LOL.

Then I tried to drop by 85C for some baked goodness but the line to even get bread went past the crepe store so I had to pass. But it's ok, I have plans to watch AC today and then head up to Rowland for a massage and some stinky tofu. A true OC weekend for me :)

@lovenyc52,

"Last time I was there was Halloween and they were all dressed up and he dressed up as none other than Maverick from Top Gun"

I feel the need
The need
For speed
- Confucius (from the Analects of Cruise)

"But it’s ok, I have plans to watch AC today and then head up to Rowland for a massage and some stinky tofu. "

LOL lemme guess . . . the stinky tofu stand (which you can easily smell from the parking lot) between the 91 and that little boba shop? Amirite? :D

@cingdoc,

"I don’t live in Asiantown/San Gabriel Valley….think hotter….INLAND EMPIRE where the temp is hot, hot and HOTTER. "

OMG the Inland Empire. Where everything is brown, such as the grass, water, and the ice cream. Ugh. :(

(I've been told that Mex in the Inland Empire is awesome tho.)

I cried.

Real tears, it kept coming down my face.

Started the second Vanness' little boy ran up to him, grabbed his leg in a bear hug, and yelled Daddy, Daddy.

Didn't stop for the rest of the episode.

Autumn's Concerto is officially the most heartfelt drama I have watched in a long long time. And absolutely gorgeous cinemetography, I'm just so impressed with the lightly dreamlike quality that saturates the frame.

It's so good. Except for the fact the every lech and pervert seems to have a homing device to find Ady's Mu-cheng character. And Mr. Second Male Lead - can I hug you, you are too much, too much wonderfulness in such a handsome package.

And lastly, Vanness Wu - this show is your metamorphosis from doofy fourth lead to heartthrob acting mainstay. You are doing more than awesome with your acting, you're actually making me care more than I've cared in a very long time about something that exists only on TV.

Welcome to the big leagues, VWu. I may just love you more than your bro Vic Zhou, even with his turn as Pi Zi in B&W this year. I just may.

WIn!

@ belleza - Top Gun quotes are just priceless. i love them all. :) And i believe the stinky tofu shop is in the same plaza as Shaio Mei and Garden Cafe on Colima. Though I heard there's an even stinkier (aka better) one out in Hacienda. The best will be in the Shiling Night Market in Taipei this winter :)

@ ockoala - i CANNOT wait to come home and watch AC later after my massage and stinky tofu. I've been saving it so i can end my weekend with an excellent drama. You just made it even more alluring. Thanks :)

WOW! A drama has actually brought my dongsaeng to tears (or has she just been hanging out with me too long? Hmmm).

To quote Van the Man himself...DAYUM!!! I gots to watch Ep 8!!

But it's not subbed! SOME people are lucky and can understand without them. Hmph. :-(

Have you seen this? Beware, the cuteness factor is OFF THE CHARTS!

http://www.viikii.net/videos/watch/49101/0/autumn-s-concerto-special-clip.html

@ockoala
Now I'm tempted to pick up AC again over Thanksgiving Break. Vanness beating out Vic's Pi Zi, really? That sounds really tempting...

All this food talk in SoCal makes me jealous! Gives me more reasons to just move to the West Coast in the future (:

Question for you all...where did you watch Tamna Island w/subs? I d/l the first 5 episodes and watched them yesterday, but the rest of the episodes don't have subs on Aja-Aja. Viikii for some weird reason isn't working for me and half the links are broken and I even tried mysoju out of desperation and links are broken there too. Does anybody know where I could d/l the subtitles? I should've watched this when it first came out ::sigh::

I'm really impressed with Im Ju Hwan, I'm actually amazed at how well his eyes reflect what he's feeling, kind of like JGS in YAB. But I'm still on the fence about Park Kyu, not in terms of whether I like him (I do, his scenes are some of the best in the series so far) but rather how easy it's to root for him. I mean if William had been played by a smoldering, sexy, talented actor who spoke English and Korean with no problems and was portraying an intelligent character, I would be seriously torn. But the two main "love interests" are so different. Instead we get one hot talented actor who is amazingly expressive playing the cool intelligent character, and it's an easy choice because William is way too simple and dense. Not that I'm complaining...but they gave us a way easy choice on this. Oh well. The actor playing Yan is pretty attractive...but he's character also seems pretty simple.

it's already monday morning - all 3 boys are sleeping in since they had a late night.

i seldom drop by in OT - but i just hv to post cos Momosan mentioned Princess Bride, a very dear movie to me & hubby cos that's one of our fav movies.

he loves Tony Leung much (but I love him way back during TVB's Police Story) and think the other Tony Leung a joke (we differ on this cos I think Leung Kar Fai is quite awesome too)

I had a burst tyre one morning recently, entirely my fault cos I misjudged a left turn & grazed the divider. tyre burst after going past a speed bump (abt 5km) halfway to home. husband came to the rescue half an hour later (woke him up from sleep - he's usually nocturnal). sorry, i don't do tyres..

@ reluctantbutaddicted
extensive list there *thums up* i grew up with a father who watches tamil movies religiously every weekend. we girls much prefer hindi movies. my last movie was kal ho nal ho - that wasn't even proper cos it was a bad vcd copy. (i reserved my budget for Kr DVD). i almost did not watch anything recent nowadays except bits & parts of whatever shown on local tv but I'd drop anything for Sanjay Leela Banshali's, Devdas is a MUST!!! i'm soooo tempted to read the book after my first watch. I love SRK but i adore Aamir Khan more cos he resembles my 2nd brother (in appearance) - not the other way around, LOL.. one of my fav Hindi movies has to be Karisma Kapoor's Zubeida. I'm a sucker for biopic or almost anything in sepia or anything with A.R Rahman's tune - but not PCD's Jai Ho.. ohhh, must mentioned Taal.. i think i still hv the vcd somewhere

we hv a dry morning but it might rain later on (hopefully much later). my hometown was flooded, my parents & family members nearly got evacuated. it's the season..

@ langdon, Taohua, lovenyc52

AC - what more can I say? I'm not even trying to force this on unsuspecting passserbys the way I did with my City Hall addiction. I'm just plan touched and loving every episode of AC in the most basic ways. I can't even say AC is a "good" drama - its not revolutionary, dialogue is soooooo simple, costume and set design is like they raided two stores in Taipei (one for the riches, one for the poor folks), the cinematography which I love is actually really straightforward in framing scenes, I can go on and on.

But this couple has chemistry that is all about love - it's not really about romance, or attraction, or sexual tension (all of which I enjoy watching in dramas). Guang-xi and Mu-cheng have found in each other the one person who teaches them how to love and be loved, because each is so sadly lacking in it all their lives.

And then for the shit to happen - it breaks my heart! And little Vanness is so winning in his adorable ways, he's cute but not too precocious, animated but not too child actory. And that ending credits which plays at the end of each episode - they pretty much tell you everything will be fine, and still hurt for them. I don't even know what hashish the AC production team has sprinkled on each episode, but I'm hooked.

@ Taohua - I thought Vic's Pi-Zi would be by favorite TW drama performance this year (and maybe best amongst all the TW dramas I've watched), but Vanness is very low-key and bringing Guang-xi to life in a subtle yet really moving way. I'll wait until AC is done and make my decision at that time.

Sorry for those who are still waiting for episode 8 subs. Wish I could help sub, but I don't just want to provide a synopsis because you gotta watch yourself.

Oh, and I don't know where else to watch Tamra with English subs. I watched it with Chinese subs.

@langdon813,

"But it’s not subbed! SOME people are lucky and can understand without them. Hmph."

Speaking of that, viikii's subtitling system is broken right now. If they can't get it to work by Wednesday (aka YAB FINALE WEEK), the ish will hit the fan.

@ockoala
I watched AC ep 3-7 last night in one shot and my eyes were so swollen from crying. I am quite excited for ep. 8 to see how the whole reconnection happens. I cannot pin down why I like this show, but it is one of the few TW drama that has held my attention and is actually making me care about the characters. With Black & White and now AC I am starting to have hope for the TW dramas.

@ langdon813

I forgot to say check back with Viikii some subbers has started to post the translation as discussion that shows on the top of the screen. In that case the video doesn't show it subbed, but it actually is.

Posting the translation as discussion is quite a bit more work than the usual route without the segmenting so some of the translation won't quite match but you get the general idea.

@213, belleza

Oh God, you're so right. I'm dreading it already.

This is my first experience with a true mania drama (Tamra was the closest I've ever come to it). Thankfully I missed the whole BOF craze and only started watching it right after it finished its network run. YB is just madness...but honestly I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I've gotten pretty good at getting the gist of a conversation in raw episodes of Kdramas, but there's no way I could follow Autumn's Concerto without them. I'd recognize the character's names and that's about it!

Viikii - May the Force be with you guys!

@215, jtinma

Thanks for the heads up about the subs!

188 mzpakipot : MAC. MAC, MAC, MAC.

I love Macs. Many many reason, but just no viruses is such a huge reason. Also, they look so cool. And ALSO--did you notice Hwang Tae Kyung uses a Mac??? Oh yeah. They put a stickie on over the apple, but that baby is a MAC!!

My advice is, just in case I haven't been making myself clear, get a Mac.

Oh, Vanness...so kind, so considerate, always randomly taking your clothes off for us like that. I just might have to send you another tweet. ;-)

Just about to start AC ep 8. Read ockoala's admission of tears and now must remove makeup and put on glasses in preparation of forthcoming tears. Check back in an hour....

And interestingly enough, I didn't get so much as a lump in my throat. Not with AC tonight, not with YB earlier this week.

I think Friend broke me. It may be that I don't have any tears left in me after that one.

That kid in AC is so adorable.:-) Feel like giving him a kiss on his head whenever he makes that 'goldfishy' face. Watched the 8th episode yesterday without subs just to see that 'leg hugging' scene.Another first for me- watching a TW drama without subs:-O

Now just have to watch it again with subs to understand what is actually being said
:-)Van Ness and Ady have such great chemistry -that definitely doesn't need any subs/translation to figure out:-)

On another note- Checked out the trailer of 'Meteor Garden' out of curiosity.And OMG, I almost died laughing looking at Van Ness' hairstyle.:-D I guess some guys are like wine- keeps gettting better the more older they get:-)

I know why AC made me cry this week - boy koala has been missing his dad like mad and asking when he's coming home. So the sight of a fatherless cherub thinking a dude is his father and hugging him with all his heart and might and that dude really is his father - well it hit too close to home. Fatherless little boys appear to be a tear trigger for me when done right. Otherwise I'm still pretty snark and unsentimental when it comes to most manufactured aw heck moments. And I love how the big moments in AC hit and pass rather than drag on. Everything feels much more meaningful.

Oh, almost forgot, lovenyc52 don't worry about Tamra ringtones for me, our fairy godmother provided so many I love and will use, but many thanks for the offer.

And epyc - my boy is 4.5 yrs old and his sister is 2, turning 3 soon.

@ langdon813

Have you seen the Ninja Assassin trailer that goes -
Only one ninja was hurt making this film...the rest were killed.
LOL!
I looked for the trailer online, but I can't seem to find it.

@ ockoala

New camera? ;)
Puzzling is always more fun with a friend. :D

I HAVE seen that, and now it's going to drive me crazy because I can't find it either. Damn, guess I'll have to keep looking at a whole bunch of Rain stuff trying to find it. The things I do for that man, I swear. :-D

@ ockoala - slowly watching AC as i am getting interrupted chatting with my friend who's in Japan. also slowly sliding further into bed (started in a full sitting position and am now almost prone haha... the massage really worked, i'm totally relaxed). Glad JB was able to provide you with some wonderful ringtones, but let me know if you ever need more, k? :)

'my eyes were so swollen from crying. "

Okay, now, I must watch Autumn Concerto. This Belleza is only happy when it rains.

@rambutan,

"So anyone trying to ensare hubby into watching Kr drama, try EOTS. To me, it beats the monster hit Kingdom of the Wind by a good margin."

Has he tried Jumong? Seems like the next logical conclusion. (*gasp* Haemosu!!!! *gasp*)

"While Twilight was dreamlike, beautiful, poignant and romantic, New Moon is action packed and unabashedly selling 6 pacs. "

Thus the social question of our times:

Jacob or Edward? :D

@229 belleza -Jacob wins hands down:-) Edward is too much of a stalker-ish creepy control freak.:-S

@229 belleza - Jacob wins hands down.:-) Edward is too much of a stalker-ish creepy control freak.:-S

@ belleza - jacob. no contest. though i have to say i was more pro-edward in the books, i am 100% team jacob in the movie. probably because taylor can act and is sweet and caring and not at all cloying. oh and hot. that helps :)

re: AC ep 8 - just finished. got the lump in my throat when they re-met, but didn't cry. next episode looks so good...and OMG I just counted the episodes and will be on a plane to taipei the day the final episode becomes available. crossing my fingers that wifi will be available by the time my flight rolls around.

Virtual waves, hugs & kisses xoxoxoxo to all CityHallers.

I am hosting a small party (of 3) for a marathon weekend viewing of City Hall. This is my 3rd hosting, with MNIKSS and Coffee Prince being the first 2. This will be my 3rd official end-to-end watching of CH. I have watched this and that episode but haphazardly. I have asked my son to bake some choclate cookies to keep his unni and ahjumma and mother awake.

On the New Moon topic... I watched it with my girlfriends last Friday and the audience was packed with teenagers. The girls sitting next to me kept screaming... "Take you shirt off" whenever Jacob appears. And there was swooning and loud sighs, even clapping. I've never been in a more emotive cinema audience.

"I’ve never been in a more emotive cinema audience."

I think the most emotive cinema audience I've been part of was

"his is my 3rd hosting, with MNIKSS and Coffee Prince being the first 2. "

Good timing actually, because I'll probably continue my 1st run of CH this w/end. That and AC because This Belleza needs to cry.

Re: Ninja Assassin Trailer

Nice to see the trailer with the sound synced up properly. But does it have a Three Bears Dance . . OF DEATH?!!?? :D

@cingdoc,

"I was watching the drama to “kill time” while I was staying in the hospital ,”seeing the doctors”…."

Ahh cingdoc. *hugs* :(

@samsooki,

"Are there k movie/drama actors who have similar ‘presence’ (however the word is defined) as these two?"

Lemme think about this one . . .

As an actor, Tony Leung is sometimes considered kind of a street poet of sadness (though we are also speaking of a HK golden age where "Canto-consciousness" seemed bound between the gutter and the glitter, and so to be anything "street" is more local rite of passage than of artistic exception.) He has a plush sensitivity, behind not so much a wall of masculinity, but simple, sometimes mechanical determination. In warrior pics, he is the prototypical warrior who tastes the air, smells the earth, reflects upon his wife and children, before he goes into battle.

Jun Kwang Ryul kinda does the same for me. He's a saguek regular who tends to play villain or tragically flawed characters (outside of Huh Joon), but the closer you watch his performances, you'll see that same poetic keen of sensitivity, which is wrapped around a growling, lion voice with an almost fang-like grin. Leung tends to anchor sadness like a deep well, and Jun Kwang Rul does that too. Very poetic, even when it is quite bitter.

I think So Ji Sup has that potential. People sometimes say that Tony Leung conveys sadness through the eyes; rather, I think he conveys it through his mouth when he doesn't speak. Sometimes frumpy, somtimes half-grinning, or even how he discinerably breathes in different cadences. Of course, Ji Sup does it through the eyes and really no drama actor in his generation does it through his eyes quite like he can. And you can kinda see in Sophie's Revenge. In many scenes where he's kinda expected to act in a vacuum, where his character (much like most of the characters) are in perpetual confusion, he reaches back into that sadness rather than a different emotion. His tone isn't congruent with the movie's tone, but it is still an interesting choice.

As for Takeshi Kaneshiro . . . Kaneshiro for me is kinda the Chinese version of Johnny Depp. Mind-numbingly beautiful (Kaneshiro is truly one of the most handsome faces in the world), yet he's also a real actor who's done both commercial and indie work. Not as delicious perverse as Depp, but similar rep to me.

I'm tempted to say Jang Dong Gun (i.e. pretty but credible), but that one doesn't sound right to me. The problem is Kaneshiro's multicultural background does inform his performances, and inevitably like many Chinese mantinee stars, there's a somewhat colonial, worldly bearing that's common among Chinese cinema, but kinda unique among Asian stars. Lee Jung Ki to me has that same colonial element, and that is his vortex to which the sneering, smarmy, prattish, almost raunchy elements flows centrifugally with his expressive (overacting?) anger and seething intensity.

May have to think about this one some more. I almost want to throw Won Bin in there, but that doesn't feel right either.

@rambutan,

Actually you may want to go to Ja Myung Go, to see the final bookend of the Jumong-Muhyung-Prince Hojong legacy.

"He complained that Jumong’s OST was nothing compared to EOTS"

You mean, he didn't like this???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzD25o8Giu4

The opening sequence for the Philippines version just totally changes the vibe of the show LOL. (Still surprised 1 Litre of Tears became the #1 show in the Philippines. Wow.)

I love Lee Pil Ho's scores. He likes to use motifs with strong accents. My favorite one overall is for Beethoven Virus. Also Fashion 70s (though not sure he scored my favorite theme from F70s, also my favorite theme in K-drama.)

"Caring, loving, and those abs… gosh! Gasps, gulps!"

Something to be said about abs that are caring and loving, as opposed to being macho and imposing. What's the difference? Eh, just move that sofa a little bit more to the right, kay hun? See what sensitive, emotionally aware abs can do for you? :D

Just finished watching AC Ep 8 - a very good episode. The scene when Van ness met the little boy was awesome. Can't wait for Ep 9 which I think is the real deal since Ep 6. I normally watch one or two TW drama per year. This is a record breaking year for me with three dramas in a row in the space of two months: firstly Black & White, then My Queen and now Autumn's Concerto! Why they have only one episode per week and what a torture.

Van ness and Aydy as an onscreen couple is simply beautiful to watch. The second lead guy is one of the coolest second lead: forthright without clingy, honest without self-pity. Now, this is great second lead that we cheer for. The little boy is so adorable. With regard to the story, it is a classic case of cliche well-made that draws the audience in naturally, like Save the Last Dance for Me!

Now, we all have to pray for Viikii for a very important week in kdramaland: YAB finale........

And, Belleza, love to hear your anatomy of CH and AC when you're done.

In case you haven't seen this yet: YB must-see BTS clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im6yrR2yZ8I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjjhSeAKUJg

These do look like a conclusion goodie, really sad to see this delightful drama end.

Has anyone read about Dave Lee's criticism on Infinity Challenge? What do you think of it? I would like to hear some thoughts about where he's coming from because I cannot comprehend the issue from his point of view (not having lived as an Asian-American) If this topic is sensitive and touchy in nature, I apologise for not knowing beforehand!!

@ hjkomo

You found me! Clearly I was bored Saturday morning.

I'm actually feeling the excitement building again for the YB finale this week - caused in part by my listening to the OST all weekend, and by my lack of enthusiasm these past few weeks actually re-invigorating my love for YB. Sometimes you have to step back to take 2 steps forward.

I'm wondering if I should start Hero after YB - so just aw shucks it and stop watching any currently airing dramas until *the-drama-so-awesome-it-must-be-spoken-of-in-reverent-tones* CHUNO airs in Jan. Decisions, decisions.

@ belleza

Oooh, you're gonna start AC? Nice, more folks to savor Vanness.

Just finished watching AC ep 8. It was super cute but heartbreaking at the same time. When I finished it I was seriously cursing today is only Monday!!! Someone talked about how the girl seem to be a magnet for every pervert, that's so true! This show reminds me a bit about Mars with the subject matter they deal with. Anyhow, can't wait for next episod.

@236 belleza -

This is actually for JB too, and for anyone else with an opinion.

I'm not sure if I have seen enough of k-dramas and k-movies to make this kind of statement, but I doubt there is someone in the k-drama/movie world that has the same kind of presence as Tony Leung.

belleza, what you say about Tony Leung is right, I think. There is poetry in his acting, and it's not necessarily lyrical or metrical, but visual. What the heck is visual poetry? I'm not sure, it's kinda like that oft-quoted Justice Stewart line -

"...I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description [of hardcore porn]; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it..."

I think that I've not yet seen it, in k-dramas and k-movies, with respect to Korean male actors.

As for Kaneshiro, I'm pretty sure that there is no equal there either.

Takeshi Kaneshiro IS beautiful, but more than that, he's substantive, and yet still delicate, quietly rogue-ish. Johnny Depp would be a good comparison, but still even Johnny Depp falls short somehow, because there is a heaviness to Depp's characters (a bit turgid, a bit swollen and heavy) that is not there with Kaneshiro's acting. I'm not saying that Kaneshiro is a better actor than Johnny Depp (far from it, I tend to think the opposite in fact), but just that for comparison's sake there is not many that I think can compare.

I mean, imagine if both spoke Korean?

And then Kaneshiro did Cinderella Man rather than Kwon Sang Woo. Or if Tony Leung did Style rather than Ryu Shi Won .

I'm not saying that I would go into auto-squee mode, but I'm not saying that I wouldn't squee either.

"Will Queen Seon Duk do the trick? Heard it’s crack. I’m waiting for the subs to be completed, though."

On overall entertainment value, probably my favorite show of the year. But would I recommend it? Mmm . . . Tough call. QSD isn't a true "RPG Sageuk" like ETOS or Jumong. Yes, you have Team Deokman vs. Team Mishil, but there aren't as many battles as there should be in a RPG Sageuk. A lot of melodrama, a lot of court intrigue, a lot of "This Mishil eyebrow-twitching", a lot of "Duckie Reaction Shots." Gawd I love this silly show. But . . .

Probably would recommend The Legend of the Four Gods (fantasy-oriented, lots of special effects) or, if you're up for another naval epic, something like The Admiral/Immortal Lee Soon Shin. All 100+ episodes of it. :D The Legend doesn't end well, but the cinematography is gorgeous.

@pongs,

"Has anyone read about Dave Lee’s criticism on Infinity Challenge?"

Comedian Ken Jeong jokes that you can kinda spot the Korean-American guy among Asian Americans . . . he'd be the angry one. ;)

Didn't like the cheap shot at the Philippines, since that reinforces another stereotype about the Philippines being the underclass for rich Asian people. It's true that the Philippines are better at English than most Koreans, but that goes without saying since English is an official language.

My jaw kinda dropped with the Dokdo reference. (That came out of nowhere, and it's akin to dousing a greasefire with gasoline.) What's next? Saying Kim Yuna stole her moves from Mao Asada? All Asians look the same? I mean, really man . . .

I understand his viewpoint though. Reinforces one perception (shared by many Chinese BTW) that Korea aggressively markets itself out to the world yet lacks the self-awareness to understand what image is being processed. Everything comes back, domestically, as "Hallyu is great!!" where the reality is probably far from that. Same with Rain and others crossing over into Hollywood. Are people excited that he's in a Hollywood production, or do they fear he'll look silly or like a "chop socky minstrel?"

Not much to contribute to the discussions today drama-wise! I'm just patiently sitting in my corner of the world waiting for various and sundry episodes to be subbed (insert appropriate FIGHTING!! comment here). I've watched all of the raws a couple of times and deciphered all I'm able to, so I've done something I rarely ever do any more and ventured outside Dramaland. My work phone is keeping me too busy to watch much today.

Anyhoo...Twitter is such a font of useless yet endlessly entertaining information. I thought this was cool; it's a time lapse video of several pop artists collaborating on a 4 x 5 canvas over a 24-hour period.

http://www.sketchtheatre.com/?p=3285

I'm fascinated by tattoo artists. I've only got one, but the saying is true; once you get one, you always want another one. I think I'll get one more and stop, because any more than that and I'm afraid I'll be veering too far down Biker Chick Road. ;-)

Just thought of something re: Tony Leung comparisons; what about Kim Myung-min? This is an honest question because I haven't seen any of his work; just basing this on articles I've read here and there.

@langdon,

"what about Kim Myung-min?"

KMM kinda reminds me of early Ralph Fiennes actually. Highly developed with his line deliverties, and his voice has a gorgeous hauteur to it. Having said that, as a serious actor, still feel KMM is a bit too mechanical for my tastes, just in how Feinnes still has occasional difficulty not playing to stage. But I haven't seen his last film with Ha Ji Won.

@samsooki,

"Johnny Depp would be a good comparison, but still even Johnny Depp falls short somehow, because there is a heaviness to Depp’s characters (a bit turgid, a bit swollen and heavy) that is not there with Kaneshiro’s acting"

Kaneshiro has a very strong rootless vibe. Been everywhere, from nowhere. He can do TW-drama, J-drama, English movies, just about anything, precisely because he doesn't quite belong. Even in his mid-30s, he seems ready to hop on the next ride if he thinks it'll take him somewhere interesting. Also, for all his prettiness, he's actually quite rugged . Strong face, strong hands, deeply earthy presence. Just a gorgeous leading man in "House of Flying Daggers." Not a bohemian like Depp, but worldly nonetheless. It's an advantage that a lot of HK/TW actors have, when they're able to transcend the suburban banality that especially domesticates a lot of TW idol actors. Just my perception.

"I’m not sure if I have seen enough of k-dramas and k-movies to make this kind of statement, but I doubt there is someone in the k-drama/movie world that has the same kind of presence as Tony Leung."

Mmm . . . disagree with that one, because I don't like blanket generalization as matter of course. Honestly, I didn't like either performance in Red Cliff. Tony Leung's depiction of Zhou Yu just missed the mark. Would have been more appropriate as Zhuge Liang, and Kaneshiro just completely missed with that performance. (BTW for QSD viewers, I think Zhuge Liang was an influence on Bidam's recent transformation. The feather motif was taken from Red Cliff.)

I still liked Red Cliff as an anachronistic throwback. With all the money and probably CGI, it still looked like something from the 80s, and I mean that in a positive, non-ironic way. John Woo is like George Lucas in that way; to these directors, battle (blood, sweat, tears and all) is still a wonderful, wonderful thing full of bromance, tactical geekery, and public displays of valour. It's fun and it's well done.

Contrast that with The Warlords. A lot of the same themes but approached from a realistic, cynical point of view. Back to "War is Hell" tropes.

@ langdon-unni

"I’m just patiently sitting in my corner of the world waiting for various and sundry episodes to be subbed (insert appropriate FIGHTING!! comment here)"

AC episode 8 is subbed and on sugoideas.com (have you seen yet?). Vanness even does drunk and passed out magnificently (don't think any of the other F4 can topple over quite so stick straight like a board - kudos for VWu's method acting, and strong abdominal muscles for holding his pose).