City Hall: Episode 20 (Final)

178 January 25, 2010January 24, 2016

by samsooki

(written by samsooki, with mead33, 0timelost and cleown)

Episode 20 – The Greatest Ending Ever.

Last episode, Mayor Shin Mi Rae faced BB’s awesome threat of literally destroying Inju City and everyone in it. And so Mi Rae had no choice but to sign the MOU and Authorization, the documents that would allow the building of a toxic waste recycling plant in Inju City – an act condemning the city to a slow death rather than a quick one. Mi Rae worked out a deal prior to the signing however, resigning her position as Mayor and only going through the motions of signing even though she had no authority to sign anything. This allowed Jo Gook the time he needed to secure hard evidence of the Dae Han Group’s intentions as well as getting legislation passed to prevent future toxic waste recycling plants from being built on Korean soil. The combined actions of Mi Rae and Jo Gook have saved Inju City, but the cost was steep. Mi Rae is no longer Mayor and is probably going to jail for fraud, losing everything she owns including her freedom.

Jo Gook looks at Mi Rae with profound sadness. Why couldn’t she have just hung on for just a little while longer? Mi Rae notes, eyeing Go Hae, that she had no choice as there were too many lives on the line. She had to act.

SONG OF THE DAY

Park Sang-woo – “사랑하고 사랑합니다” (I love you and I love you) [ Download ]

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Go Hae might be beaten, but she is not through. She swears that she will follow through with the criminal complaint, and make sure that Mi Rae will pay dearly for her actions. Jo Gook stops Go Hae and tells her to stop; if she doesn’t stop, then he will have to continue as well, and ultimately, the Dae Han Group will be forced to take responsibility. This makes Go Hae flip out.

Go Hae: Responsibility?! Responsibility??! I may not know what is inside these documents, but you should damn well know that this isn’t yet the time for those kinds of words. Don’t you know that I haven’t confirmed anything yet? You should have waited and given me a chance to find out what is going on!

Go Hae is actually right. Jo Gook said that he would not let go of her hand until she let go of his hand. Saying those words means something. If you hold someone’s hand, you better well mean it, and that means that Jo Gook has to take responsibility for Go Hae. Not only did he fail to do that, but he outright betrayed her, all the while, holding her hand. If Go Hae files the criminal complaint and Mi Rae goes to jail, will Jo Gook still hold Mi Rae’s hand through the jail cell during visiting hours?

And yet, through it all, Mi Rae has won. Despite not having an education, despite having no money, despite being attacked at every turn, Mi Rae has beaten every single opponent she has faced. Just look at everyone she had to overcome:

All of the younger women at the Miss Baendaengi Pageant. Then Joo Hwa. Then the Bureau Directors, the Secretariat and fellow assistant. A bunch of thugs throwing eggs. Then the corrupt Mayor Go. Then she had to overcome her own lack of confidence in herself.

Then Mi Rae had to beat all of the candidates for the mayoral by-election, including more gangsters assaulting her. Then the Deputy Mayor, Joo Hwa, and the Bureau Directors again. Then the landowners opposing her. And then BB and Go Hae…

What does Mi Rae want, now that the end is here? Mi Rae still wants an expensive handbag from Jo Gook. Jo Gook might see it as an attempt at humor, but I see this as both an attempt at humor, and something that touches on truth. After all, getting a brand name handbag from a boyfriend who cares about her is the only thing that Mi Rae hasn’t done yet in her life. In less than a year, Mi Rae has done more than most people do in a lifetime, except she still hasn’t gotten that name brand handbag that every other girl has gotten from their beaus. Jo Gook, you idiot, you could have at least gotten her a bag!

It’s time to get back to City Hall and say goodbye. Mi Rae waves bravely and starts to walk away but Jo Gook grabs her and holds her tight. At last, Mi Rae loses her composure and weeps in Jo Gook’s arms. Jo Gook is out of bright ideas, and the only thing he can do is just hold a sobbing Mi Rae.

Mi Rae appears before the entire staff of City Hall, stating only that she has tendered her resignation. Her entire staff, all of whom are now behind her, cannot believe their ears. Resign? Why? Boo Mi, Jung Do, all the Bureau Directors, everyone who has finally seen the light and supported Mi Rae, they all feel the huge loss that this is.

But Mi Rae won’t get into the details about how everyone’s very livelihoods were threatened by BB and how she had no choice, but merely states that this is the best thing she has ever done. She merely asks that they give her a cool send-off, but before she can finish the thought, the tears again come unbidden. She cannot finish her thought.

The next day, Mi Rae speaks before the landowners and announces that there will be no purchase. Most of the landowners are angry and depart without listening to the reasoning, but a few remain behind and cheer for Mi Rae… including, I really REALLY hate to say it, but the two shop-keeper “friends” who betrayed Mi Rae by signing affidavits charging her of corruption. They apologize to Mi Rae, saying they had no idea of how much burden that all of this had caused her. I am less than moved. In fact, I am angered. Are they trying to excuse their felony perjury because they weren’t aware of what a teensy charge of corruption would do? I won’t spend any more time thinking about them, they are a waste of breath to talk about. But they and many others stand and cheer for Mi Rae, knowing in their hearts that whatever it was that Mi Rae did, she did to protect them.

Miles away, Go Hae has finally confronted her father, showing him the contracts that Jo Gook brought back from Europe. The contracts detail the toxic waste to be imported into Korea. Go Hae’s father, the chairman of the Dae Han Group, doesn’t even look. He ignores the question completely, saying that his company will be just fine – a few “The Environment is Important to the Dae Han Group” commercials and all will be better.

Go Hae is horrified. What about everything she learned from him, about business ethics, fairness, responsibility and morality? Were they just lies? Go Hae’s father ignores her questions, arguing instead that he and the Dae Han Group have been feeding Korea for decades, and now it is time for Korea to spoon-feed the Dae Han Group a little. Isn’t THAT what is fair? Go Hae cannot believe what she is hearing.

The biggest loser in this whole drama, since about mid-way through, has been Go Hae. She was played by Jo Gook from the start, but at least she knew that it was him using her and vice versa. That was the deal. And while she was played by BB, she could tolerate this since it meant having a man like Jo Gook. Again, that was the deal. But then Jo Gook betrays Go Hae for “true love,” and breaks the bargain they had struck and deep-sixes the arrangement with BB. And now, Go Hae learns that her own father had betrayed her and her principles for mere money. Chairman Go shrugs off Go Hae’s emotional response and tells her to go get married to Jo Gook, to solidify the deal with BB. Go Hae responds.

Go Hae: No, that won’t ever happen. I can’t go now. I can’t go to that man. Even if I wanted to, I can’t go now. Because of you, I cannot go!

Actually, Go Hae is mistaken here, since Jo Gook wouldn’t take Go Hae even if the Dae Han Group was going to build an environmentally sound rainforest populated entirely by cute baby pandas in Inju City. But Go Hae is physically unable to see beyond her frame of reference, and that frame of reference has never included “love” as a reason to do anything. This last part is perhaps the biggest betrayal of a father to a daughter, as Chairman Go never taught his own daughter that love can mean more than all the money and power in the world. BB never taught his son that you can climb high while protecting others, like a true man. And likewise, Chairman Go never taught his daughter that living can be about more than accumulating, be it money, power or people.

And again, we find ourselves in BB’s office. Jo Gook has given BB one last chance to change his ways and try to be a father to his son, but BB refuses to consider it. He has never once lived his life as a father, only as a leader. And so, Jo Gook can be BB’s successor, but he will never be BB’s son.

Jo Gook: No, you are mistaken. You will not live as a legend or as a leader, but only as a father!

Jo Gook turns around and calls in the press, and announces that he is the son of BB, and BB is retiring from public service to devote his time to learning to become a father to his estranged son, whom he had fathered but never raised. It is a death blow to BB, who sees his entire career evaporate before his eyes. BB never saw it coming. In the beginning, I just thought that BB was amoral. But BB turned out to be worse than amoral – he turned out to be immoral. With his intelligence and work ethic, BB could have been a great father and husband. He could have been President. And in the end, he gets nothing. It is a fitting end.

As her last act, Mi Rae writes a letter to the next Mayor, a tradition for politicians that crosses all cultures and history. The letter finished, she gathers up Boo Mi and Jung Do to escort her to the police station. It is time to go, but Shin Mi Rae lingers for just a little bit, looking around at this office of hers that she held so briefly, where she accomplished so much but left unfinished so many of her dreams to make Inju City into a great place to live and work.

As they head out, they are surprised to be met by a group of Mi Rae supporters holding signs, asking her to stay on. It is a tender moment, indeed. Mi Rae is overcome by emotion, as her supporters literally cheer her to stay and continue to protect them as she promised that she would. They chant various slogans in unison, pumping their fists in the air, as Mi Rae watches with tears in her eyes.

Eraser and Cat: Wonder Woman Shin Mi Rae! Take care of our Inju City!

Honey and Jessica: Shade of a rose, Shin Mi Rae, you are our only Mayor!

(Note: Korea, after the Korean War, had a series of increasingly corrupt governments that did not represent the people nor follow the rule of law. But as a reflexive response, Korean citizens developed an obsession with mass protests to effect democratic change. These protests proved effective, even as many were brutally put down. At one point, unified and synchronized demonstrations were so popular that they were called the “national sport” of Korea. These days, however, Korea tends to be much more relaxed, maybe sedated by relative wealth, comfort and technology. I think City Hall, with its heart-breaking one-woman protest all the way to this little gathering of Inju City’s citizens, is a little reminder of that legacy – that ordinary people can change their destiny, and change their world.)

At that moment, Go Hae appears. In a surprise move, perhaps, Go Hae announces that she and Dae Han Group are not going to sue! She gives back the MOU to Mi Rae. Mi Rae stares at the document and then at Go Hae. Go Hae has a response waiting for Mi Rae:

Go Hae: I cannot lose to you, Shin Mi Rae. In my whole life, I’ve never lost to anyone. It would be a terrible thing, if I had to lose to a person like you. And so, you should give me the victory. Let’s start over from the beginning…. We aren’t going to import toxic waste from Europe. Rather, we will build you a great factory which will use only our own country’s recycled products. And of course, there still will be the municipal hospital. The only thing that I have left to protect is my pride.

Go Hae’s determination to see a positive project through, complete with a factory and a hospital, is noteworthy. Go Hae’s action here is undoubtedly against what her father would have wished to have happen, and so it actually completes and ends the cycle of betrayal. Go Hae has “betrayed” her father’s principles, destroying what is left of Dae Han Group’s ambition for profit at the expense of innocents. Go Hae has learned that she alone can protect her own pride – nobody else can do it for her, not Jo Gook, not BB, and certainly not her father.

Mi Rae responds that this kind of good news should be given to the deputy Mayor of Inju City, since she had resigned. But in a surprise, the deputy Mayor also appears out of nowhere, and rips up Mi Rae’s resignation! And the weasel of a secretariat has even washed the mayor’s car for transport back to City Hall! (Again, I’m not moved. You mistreated Mi Rae from the beginning and you think a car-wash is going to make up for it? Still, it’s a start…)

Woo-hoo! Shin Mi Rae is Mayor of Inju City again!!

Epilogues –

Mi Rae and Go Hae!

Mi Rae and Go Hae sign their new agreement, and then they shake hands. This is the second time we’ve seen Mi Rae offer her hand in mutual respect. First it was to Jo Gook, as one politician to another as equals, when she was elected Mayor. And now, to Go Hae, it is as one woman to another, again as equals. By offering her hand first, Mi Rae is proclaiming that she is no one’s pawn and no one’s inferior. By accepting Mi Rae’s hand, Go Hae (and Jo Gook, way back when) is acknowledging this truth. Way to go, Mi Rae!

Joo Hwa and Jung Do!

And the Mi Rae / Go Hae relationship isn’t the only one being mended. Thanks to Mi Rae’s remarkable sacrifice, career criminal Joo Hwa has finally understood what it means to be a public servant. And with that realization, she has understood why Jung Do had worked so hard for Mi Rae. Joo Hwa shows up at the government center to process her divorce documentation, but inside her folder, she finds a love letter written by Jung Do.

Jung Do expresses his deep love for her, acknowledging his own faults and hopes that whatever happens, she must be happy. It is enough to turn a reformed career criminal like Joo Hwa into a bucket of tears.

Joo Hwa doesn’t file divorce papers, and instead goes to a batting cage where she goes when she is sad. It looks like she has finally started seeing things as they really are, and she realizes how hollow her life has been. Jung Do finds her, though, and brings her back home. In a symbolic moment, Jung Do cleans Joo Hwa, scrubbing away all of Joo Hwa’s mis-deeds from her, and then they have the best make-up sex in the history of k-drama.

It is so good, that the next day, Jung Do is still smiling and chuckling about it the next day, grinning like a fool.

Months later, Jung Do is running the Miss Baedaengi pageant again, and this time he finds that his own wife is there submitting her entrance form! LOL! Jung Do is VERY surprised, but Joo Hwa is game. She has brought food… and the delicious aroma…. *urk*

*urk*

In a k-drama staple (what IS it about a throw-up face that indicates “I’m preggers!” to Korean people? see also Goong, Full House), Joo Hwa who had been unable to conceive, is nauseated by the smell… omg? A jubilant Jung Do then announces that his wife is preggers to everyone within earshot (extremely presumptively, I might add). I was going to ignore this part, but I include it for Jung Do’s sake. He deserves to be happy.

Jo Rang and Jo Yong Hee (Jo Gook’s son and mom)!

Jo Gook visits the flower shop in Inju City that he bought for his mom. With BB’s dreams shattered, Jo Gook’s mom feels more at peace knowing at least that her pain that BB did not ultimately profit from the pain that he caused her. Jo Gook is glowing with happiness, and Jo Gook’s mom is apparently naturally perky, so unlike her dour self throughout the series.

Jo Gook gets a pink rose to give to Mi Rae from the cutie Rang, no charge. Jo Gook, in turn, takes a white rose and gives it to Rang for him to give it to that girl…

Rang: Oh, you mean Kyung Hee? Dad, didn’t I already tell you that she’s not my style?

Jo Gook: Ahh, is that so… but you even know her name!

Caught by Dad! Rang gives a small smirk. Ah, the smitten kitten…

Jo Yong Hee, the woman who gave birth to an illegitimate son named Jo Gook, and had to live her entire life as a whore with no surname of a father to give to her son, smiles as well. Being in this place, freed from the stigma by BB’s resignation (which acknowledged that BB is the father), and watching her own son grow up to be nothing like BB, now… she can breathe a little. Now, she can live a little.

And Rang and Kyung Hee? Could they be the next cute couple?

Mi Rae and Her City Hall!

Mayor Mi Rae learns from Jung Do of a World Cities Festival being held in Korea. The Festival hosts a talent competition and first place is a new car! Mi Rae leaps to action, recruiting all Bureau Directors and Joo Hwa.

They do their interpretation of the “Sorry, Sorry” music video dance by the Korean boy-band group, Super Junior.

And then winner is announced: it is Inju City’s City Hall!

Here’s Mayor Shin Mi Rae making the “sarang hamnida” (“I lub you”) pose with her hand.

(Rating their performances, Mi Rae looked outstanding! Most impressive! However, I am very sorry to say that Boo Mi did not keep the beat the entire time. Joo Hwa’s complete lack of coordination, I can understand, but Boo Mi is a Republic of Korea Ahjumma, and she should have been able to do it. I know, I know, let’s see how well I can dance if I give birth to three kids… but I’m not buying it. Boo Mi just isn’t a very good dancer.)

At the celebration dinner at Mexico and the Chicken, everyone is there, except for Soo In (glaring absence! grrrrrr.) Jo Gook gets up early, however, he has stuff he must attend to, telling Mi Rae not to stay too late. And Mi Rae surveys the table. These are her people now. It is good to be Mayor.

And lastly, Mi Rae and Jo Gook!

Mi Rae walks home from the Mexico and the Chicken dinner, singing and happy. She turns off the street lamps one by one as they flip on as she nears. But as one of the lamps turns on, she sees a sign hanging from the post.

The sign says, “I am someone who pays rent to live in Shin Mi Rae’s heart.” And then, the next lamp turns on as she nears, and this one says, “But instead of paying overdue rent, please accept this brand-name bag instead.”

Another lamp turns on, and Mi Rae sees the biggest bouquet of roses, wrapped up in a bow.

Mi Rae carries her huge “bag” to her house, but there is another surprise waiting for her. Jo Gook is there, with a candle-lit table in the yard. They look at each other, with smiling eyes, in the darkness.

But then Jo Gook flips the switch. This is so cool.

Jo Gook, okay. I didn’t support you for 19 episodes. But I think this is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen, and so in all fairness, I have to change my mind. You rock.

Jo Gook has brought a stereo system, and plays “Moon River” as he dances with Mi Rae.

Jo Gook: I have had a dream form inside of me. I want to become President of Korea one day. And on my inauguration day when I become President, just like tonight, I will be dancing with my wife…

Mi Rae (unsure where this is going): …

Jo Gook: On that inauguration day… won’t you dance with me?

How awesome is that!!

In Korean dramas, there tends to be a recurrent theme of fate, about how people who are charged to meet, will meet, and those who are destined to never be together, will go their whole lives never being whole. In this instance, we learn of events that happened 8 years prior to Mi Rae being Mayor, when Jo Gook and Jung Do were still in school. On that night when Jung Do had carried a wasted Jo Gook to Jung Do’s bedroom, their phones were switched and Jo Gook thought he was calling BB, but ended up calling Mi Rae, both of whom were #5 on the speed dial.

And so, from that chance “meeting,” we are finally at the end of the episode. With the wedding between Jo Gook and Shin Mi Rae. If there is a more beautiful and elegant bride than Mi Rae, I’ve not yet seen it. After all the buckets of tears and heartache, after all of the struggles and the breakup, after everything that these two had to go through, we have the happiest ending in a k-drama ever.

Last Comments –

First off, I’d like to thank javabeans for graciously giving space for me to have fun with these recaps and to share that fun with you. And I’d like to thank everyone for being patient with me, as I had to take a break from recapping to attend to a preggers wife of my own (and no, she didn’t make throw-up faces like Joo-Hwa! But if I were living in k-drama land, how could I tell if she were pregnant?! Out pops a baby, and I would be like, “where did that baby come from, you never made the throw-up face…?”). Also, I am so thankful for mead33, 0timelost and cleown, who have helped me with these recaps, editing, commenting and writing, and without whom I would not have been able to start or finish.

City Hall turned out to be an unusual drama for me. I only started watching it after I heard some buzz about it from dramabeans Open Thread, and the beginning was a little bit rough. But starting with about Episode 4 or 5, I really started getting into it, and I couldn’t watch it in the same manner as I had watched most of the other k-dramas that I had seen. Instead of just watching the drama, as the episodes came and went, I basically lived the drama, one hour episode at a time. I lived and died with Mi Rae, and with every obstacle that she faced and overcame, with every stab in her heart, and with every victory she won for herself and for her people, I felt like I was right there with her. And all praise must go to Kim Sun Ah, who made this drama into an experience to had to be lived, and not just watched. And that’s really why I picked this drama as my Dramabeans 2009 Drama of the Year, and that’s why, despite issues with directing and editing and some choppiness, I have no hesitation putting this near the top of my list of favorite dramas ever.

Lastly, I know I said that I wanted to do a special section for the “Best Of” City Hall, but going through each episode, one at a time, picking out the best scenes… in the end, I had about 24 awesome scenes (The Proposal, The Kiss, Jo Gook Eating Alone At The Porridge Shop, The Gazebo, The Taxi Scene After The Gazebo, Mi Rae’s Bedroom After The Gazebo, Dancing With The Jacket, The Seawall, The Staircase Breakup, The First Time They Hug, The Tango Dance, The Tent Sleeping Scene, The Back Of The Head Slap, BB’s Threat To Destroy Inju City, among many others), and I couldn’t pick just 5. And so, in the end, I think the way to end this recap series is just to say thank you. I really hope you all enjoyed this Cityhall Journey with me, and on behalf of mead33, 0timelost and cleown, I want to thank everyone for watching the series and following along with Soompi City Hall and these recaps! *wave*

178

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51 M&M

January 25, 2010 at 7:33 PM

BEST EPISODE EVER!!
I loved the romantic part at the end <3!!!
Thnks for doing the entire thing :)
I hope there'll b more dramas like this in future

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52 epyc

January 25, 2010 at 7:38 PM

I've been dreading this date when the final recap of City Hall is done!

Words cannot express my gratitude to Samsooki for taking up this recap project, together with mead33, 0timelost, and cleown. As so many have said before, your love of the drama shines through each word and the well-selected screencap! Your insightful recap makes this special drama even more special. Samsooki, what you impress me most is the respect you give to the materials on hand. I do believe you think them though something like three layers down before presenting your interpretation of the story. I may not agree with your take 100% all the time but in those rare occasions of disagreement I could certainly see your logic. But, this is the magic of City Hall! It is no longer just watching a drama but an immersion into another world where you become an active participant as if you are an Inju citizen breathing the air there!

It has been a good old eight months of City Hall craze for me. I love this drama so much that I 'de-lurked' myself to be an active CityHallers at the Soompier thread and talked fervently about CH at DB's Open Thread to get people interested in this great drama. And along the way, getting to know so many of you here at DB and Soompi. It is a great pleasure for me to have travelled this journey with all you guys. A special thank to all those 'who know who you are' Hallers for sharing this drama joy, especially Alodia, our own CH master!

Last but not the least, thanks to Javabeans for generously providing your site for this recap!

Back to the story, I guess the ajummas' betrayal is just the very reminder of why we need more politicians like Shin Mi Rae. Those ajummas are exactly the kind of victims you will find in a poor and corrupted political system in so many countries. They do not believe or would even think that they have the right to say 'no' to the coercion. Honestly, I am way more angry at career criminals, eg Joo Hwa, for not getting their dues for the committed crimes.

Go Hae's redemption in the finale is remarkable yet believable, thus making her a credible character instead of a one-sided bitch. First lady material but without the luck! City Hall is the story of Shin Mi Rae (and Jo Gook) but its five main female characters are all so different yet fascinating: Shin Mi Rae, Go Hae, Joo Hwa, Boo Mi, and JG's Mom. Each could turn into a story on its own indeed.

The City Hall ending is more than we could dream of, if not perfect. And I am forever thankful to the cast and crew of delivering this great drama that will stay in my mind for a long, long time!

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53 elaineD

January 25, 2010 at 8:01 PM

ahhhhh..... this is why i love korean dramas so much (over japanese and taiwanese ones). Korean dramas have spark, it brings life to the characters, and it teaches you something just beautifully awesome about life.

it shows how great we can be (:

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54 pat

January 25, 2010 at 8:01 PM

I had not thought about the women separately, but it is so true that they are all different but not put down in the usual trite cliched way as the mean one,the dumb
one the saintly one, the pure one, etc. Just like the Romance, it was about grown up
folks and their struggles. Comedy and drama is hard to act and write in one story.
Really well done.

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55 Kelela

January 25, 2010 at 8:24 PM

I ADORED this series.

I have been waiting patiently for this recap and it was totally worth it. Everything replays in my mind. Several of these last episodes I watched more than once and savored every moment of it.

An unexpected favorite moment was with Joo Hwa and Jung Do. I thought it was quite beautiful when he was washing her face. It was a gentle and sweet moment that I didn't expect.

Cha Seung Won is so handsome. And his face so expressive. While I also felt Jo Guk had misguided interests, CSW really made him work. That romantic scene with the lights is out of a dream. And he played it right into my heart.

Kim Sun Ah is absolutely RADIANT as Mi Rae. I liked her before in my short time of watching dramas (since late Nov. 2009), but I simply adore her now. I hope she continues with another drama with this kind of caliber.

CSW and KSA in the wedding sequence was gorgeous. That dress! THAT dress.

And I loved Mi Rae blowing kisses to her beloved in support. RUN RUN RUN!

Thank you for these recaps. I loved them while watching and I re-read them when I rewatch. I just love seeing the points with the screencaps.

Thank you again!

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56 ladylyd

January 25, 2010 at 8:37 PM

Thank yo so much for your work on this! I had tried watching City Hall before but was SO turned off by the first episode that I gave up. Like you it was only because of the buzz and hearing that it gets better after the first four episodes that I decided to give it another try. I am SO GLAD I did!! What a great show and heck yeah! what a phenomenal last episode. Your recaps have been a lot of fun. Much appreciation for your hard work.

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57 pabo ceo reom

January 25, 2010 at 8:55 PM

samsooki,

I can't take you seriously if you make a title like "The Greatest Ending Ever." C'mon now bud. :P

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58 samsooki

January 25, 2010 at 9:00 PM

@57,

How about if you just ignore what I write from now on? Saves you from commenting, saves me from reading? :D

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59 geegee

January 25, 2010 at 9:06 PM

THANKS! BEST PROPOSAL EVER!

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60 Houxx

January 25, 2010 at 9:25 PM

Great acting! Nice casting! Fantastic chemistry!
And Wonderful recaps!!!
I'll miss CH....
My best kdrama ever!!!
KSA and CSW forever!!!
Kudos to samsooki, mead33, 0timelost and cleown.

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61 sukispop

January 25, 2010 at 10:01 PM

Hi Samsooki, mead33, 0timelost, and cleown,

Thanks sooo much for this superb recap! What a great drama this was!
You hit on all the key precious moments(and there were so many!), and, along with the great screen caps, you enabled all of us to enjoy re-living episode 20...without actually going back and watching it!

Thanks, also, for the background on unified and synchronized demonstrations. Samsooki, I love how you always like to provide those wonderful bits of Korean history and other factoids. They help us non-Koreans to understand the significance of such things, and the dramas are made richer for them...thanks.

Many thanks, again, Samsooki. Thanks, also, to JB for this wonderful blog!

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62 salsa

January 25, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Great...
My best Kdrama ever ..!!!!!!!
Thanks for recap

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63 ajooma

January 25, 2010 at 10:48 PM

thank you so much samsooki, mead33, cleown and 0timelost for your awesome recaps! i've seen many, many korean dramas in my life but this gotta be the best one ever. samsooki you said it best when you said you lived the drama not watched it. i'm still living the drama! this show was unlike other dramas where the writers are revising and writing the stories as show progresses. it was written in its completion from the beginning. there are so many references through out the drama that tie the beginning, middle and the end so perfectly. this makes rewatching the show so enjoyable because more you watch, more it makes sense and reveals the character /story development. only down side is that this drama made it difficult for me to watch others...

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64 mzpakipot

January 25, 2010 at 11:05 PM

what can I say, BEST in EVERYTHING!

Season 2 anyone!? or a Pre-quel?

Thank you Samsooki, cleown, 0timelost and mead33 for putting your precious time in doing us a fan-service for this Perfect Drama.

Thank you JB!

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65 ohemgee

January 25, 2010 at 11:10 PM

a sincere thank you to samsooki and team for the wonderful recaps!

as if the 20 hours of my life spent watching every heart-wrenching, gut-busting, and SQUEE-licious moment of city hall weren't enough, i felt like i lived through city hall all over again through your caps. and i would only be so lucky to go through it again! (well, starting from episode 6 or so...because man were those first few all over the place!)

this is one of the best dramas, let alone Kdramas, that i have had the pleasure to watch and i am so glad to share it with you and every other City Haller! ^_^

how i wish my life were like city hall (sans all the drama of course!)-because really who wouldn't want that incredibly happy ending??!!!

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66 Leish17

January 25, 2010 at 11:13 PM

FIRST and FORMOST: CHA SEUNG WON IS DAMN HOT/SEXY/FINE etc etc.
I mean he was perfect for this damn show and the way he kissed kim sun ah made my heart stop. But seriously, this drama was great. Everything about it, even the effing sad parts were perfect. I even liked BB and his bruha(it means witch) of a fiance. your recaps only made me love it more, which is seriously too much.
Thanks! Really great shows are very rare IMO ( I mean there are tons of good entertaining shows out there) But the really great ones are so few, that you can not get bored with it and this was definitely one. LOVE IT.
Cha Seung Won is too sexy and romantic and everything great for his own good. Im so jealous of his wife

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67 Nodame

January 25, 2010 at 11:57 PM

Thanks for the recaps I still have not finished CH yet but these rock. Beautiful! Appreciate all your hard work!

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68 Porcelain

January 26, 2010 at 12:43 AM

I actually like have goosebump when I read the proposal part... Omona...

Thanks for recapping Samsooki... You rock too...

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69 jtinma

January 26, 2010 at 2:22 AM

Samsooki, Thank you! I loved every recap and of course reading it makes me want to go watch it yet again.

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70 MoMo

January 26, 2010 at 2:55 AM

i love this darama just becuase of kim sun ah and cha seong won but i cant see the picure and i am so sad. I wish one day watch this drama

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71 iwul

January 26, 2010 at 3:19 AM

to MoMo : u can watch this drama on ..http://fashion4us.com/movie-drama-play-city-hall.action?e=14&p=1

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72 omo

January 26, 2010 at 3:59 AM

A big part of me don't want to let this go but I suppose all good things must come to an end. I'm referring to both the drama and these awesome recaps. Just a simple "Thank you" isn't good enough but in this virtual world, I'm afraid it's the only way. A BIG Thank You to Samsooki, mead33, Otimelost, cleown and last but not least, JB.

@ 28 ockoala,
Thanks for recapping the last bit of the awesome epilogue.

Were there 2 possible messages that the writer, KES, wanted to get across from that Presidential campaign taking place 5 yrs after their marriage?
1. JG telling wifey cum Mayor to RUN, RUN, RUN. JG showing BB and the rest of the world how he's PROTECTING loved ones even when he's aiming high.
2. MR refusing to ABANDON hubby cum presidential candidate and at the expense of breaking election rules.

Everyone got kissed....even my little Jo Rang. Yes, MINE! Kekeke! Serious ICOYB (Young Boys)!!

The way I see it, GGH lost out to MR on that fateful day 8 years ago.....way before JG met GH. The one thing that JG has been searching for all his life (security/not being abandoned), he could only find it in SMR.

Woohoo! The.Greatest.Ending.Ever in the history of my drama watching. (HK, J, K, TW, C, local, etc)

And thanks to all CityHallers for making this such an enjoyable rollercoaster ride!

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73 Miu

January 26, 2010 at 6:26 AM

Exactly what your title says... THE greatest ending. EVER. Absolutely loved it.

I'm glad you finally fell for ("support"... same difference) Jo Gook too. ;]

Thanks for all your hard work. Awesome recap~

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74 사히라

January 26, 2010 at 6:44 AM

- Samsooki, mead33, 0timelost & cleown -

thank you for e wonderful wonderful recaps!!
city hall is one of the best k-drama that i've watched & your recaps made watching it even more enjoyable..a great job from all of you!here's to the next recapping project!

cheers!!=))

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75 hyall

January 26, 2010 at 7:06 AM

I know that a lot of people call it a cheesy ending but guess what I was grinning from ear to ear. Yes I am embarrassed if anyone I know even knew I like stuff like this. But I do like cheesy endings. Why because it makes my heart grew big and tight especially when seen with everything that came before.You need cheesy endings when you have been through so much because that is how I like it. Sorry no glib answers here.

I absolutely refuse to like those endings that end with an open ending I hate that. Or a tragic one well which I refuse to watch.I am sure there are people who like those but me I am just plain old boring and you give me a cheesy ending and I am the happiest clam there is.

Thank you samsooki for helping me relive it

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76 Viola

January 26, 2010 at 7:06 AM

*standing ovation* *cheers* *whistle* :)
Thank you Samsooki and team! I only started watching City Hall after I read one of your recaps and was intrigued by how passionate and funny you made the show seem. I am very glad I did.
The show was wonderful and it just cemented my love for KSH. Even my mother who takes no interest whatsoever in my Kdrama watching obsession was moved to remark about KSH on the tango scene, "What a beautiful woman!"
Not just KSH but City Hall overall was a beautiful experience. The ending was a fullfillment of all the palable longing that permeated the whole show. That screencap when Jo Guk is touching Mi Rae's cheeek like she is the most precious thing on earth.... beautiful. So thank you Samsooki for leading me to watch City Hall and for making the experince richer with your lovely recaps!

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77 Rovi

January 26, 2010 at 7:27 AM

YEHEY!!!

At last at last...

Farwell City Hall...*sniff*...truly miss you...

Some points to comment on:

-"These are her people now." - Queen Seondeok much? Mishil, is that you?!!
-Jo Rang & Gyeong-hui - next couple...maybe sequel to City Hall??? :D
-Moon River dance at Mi-rae's home - rminds me of Lovers in Paris...
-total absence of JG and BB's conversion at a, uhmm, retirement home??? The previous mayor was hilarious there, can't control the dog... :P
-no intricate detail about the #5 speed dials (I swear, I laugh when Mi-rae commented when Jeong-do (actually Jo Gook) called, swearing to get to Joo-hwa...)
-no cutesy details on our #5 couple on their wedding garb? Mi-rae looks so beautiful in her gown
(BTW, the 1st pic of them in garb reminds me of her Kim Sam-soon days, when she is lifting her leg for Hyun Bin to handle(?))
-no Soo-in campaign scene?
-finally, no Jo Gook presidential campaign? The last scene was Mi-rae up at another trouble for being sighted by a police (?) at her hubby's campaign

Rants aside...
City Hall...
감사합니다~!!!

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78

January 26, 2010 at 7:54 AM

Thank you so much samsooki and everyone who made this recaps happened, I really appreciate it, I have to recap these all over start from the first epi I been missing out for while I still can't watch anything else City Hall still run over and over in my head. what a drama huh! best ever the last epi WOW! like a dream sweetest dream ^^

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79 eiko

January 26, 2010 at 8:55 AM

Samsooki....Mahalo for the recaps of City Hall!

Hearing that song I love you, brought the tears again....that scene where Mi Rae is leaving JG's office and he grabs her and holds her....sighhhhhh, who wouldn't cry?

One of my favorite scenes is the dance competition where they dance to the Sorry Sorry of Super Junior! I had no idea what that was all about until my grand daughter told me about one of her favorite korean all guys group and brought it up on You Tube....did I laugh and start doing some of the moves and my grand daughter thought that was sooooo cool! I watched the behind the scenes shoot and noticed that JG got so caught up in the music that he stood up and danced at the end!

Then I loved the restaurant scene....good ole JG showing his jealous face again...and oh so funny when he goosed MR and she squealed! I'd really like to think it did catch her off guard because the timing of that squeal and jumping up was perfect!

The walk home and the lights coming on with those placards....and the basket of roses! Sssiiigghhhh......JG standing in her yard.....it brings that giddy feeling and smile .... does that ever happen in real life? Or maybe JG started something special?

The most beautiful bride in a drama must be Kim Sun Ah.....she looked stunning and and i don't know if anyone noticed....but in the campaign scene at the end where she goes to his rally.....she looked RADIANT! That smile on her face....and I had to giggle noticing that JG picked her out of the crowd right away and I loved how he went to her and she kept making those kissy lips to him! LOL LOL....I think he even responded to her!!!

That ending was the best....as she moved away and kept cheering....he kept smiling and did hand signs with that big smile on his face!

Leaving the best for last was the "beginning" scene of that phone call JG made using speed dial #5.....I DO believe in fate....and I believe that many of the dramas touch on that because it's something that DOES connect people or put them in a deja vue situation. I guess that's why I enjoy watching the dramas because somewhere along the way.....that sense of "fate" is there. In real life, the only 2 people who seem to know it exists are the ones involved.....there is instant recognition or that "I know you" feeling.

I don't know if we will encounter another drama as good as City Hall....of course, the recent airing of You're Beautiful sure got me back on track in laughing once again. It's all about the acting....all about the quality of performance from some excellent stars....all about being launched into a make believe world by great writers who let their imagination and creative juices go rampant....and all about excellent recaps from talented people who keep the drama ALIVE.

City Hall....and to You're Beautiful....what's next on the agenda guys?

Looking forward to more fun with drama world!!!! :-)

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80 samsooki

January 26, 2010 at 9:02 AM

@eiko,

hae-mae-ah ee-ki!

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81 moana

January 26, 2010 at 10:28 AM

mahalo samsooki for the links (and again for the fabulous recaps as well as the other writers). i've only been on soompi a few times--mostly because i feel even more like an ajumma over there than here. i'll go in search of the song which, i suspect, is the one a few people have been saying they're humming: Kurae Nareul Mudja..

79 @eiko are you in hawai'i nei? hawai'i no ka oi! oh wait, i borrowed that from maui. . . .

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82 eiko

January 26, 2010 at 10:42 AM

@samsooki.....okay....interpret what you wrote!! :-)

and @ Moana....yep...here on Oahu! You did good because hawai'i no ka oi is absolutely DA BES!!!!

and I'm finding out that korean dramas are popular in the United States.....I am enjoying it because I understand the cultural up bringing....doesn't matter what ethnic background you come from....Asian is Asian and the teachings are basically the same. The only difference is accepting or rejecting.

I'll say one thing for sure....I'm glad I found drama world!

Aloha pumehana!

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83 samsooki

January 26, 2010 at 10:48 AM

@81 -

That song is on the OST (track #2), and it's romanized title is "Kurae Nareul Midja" (그래 나를 믿자) which translates to "Fine, I'll Believe In Myself." by: Jung In (feat. Bizzy) 정인 (feat. 비지).

Soompi mistress Alodia, as the City Hall coordinator of BON Fun Subs (which did a hardsub of the drama), also put out a post giving a translation of the song, with romanized lyrics as well. That link is here: http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=266165&st=2720&p=13576296&#entry13576296

@82 - ? you're welcome? (sorry if my romanization pronunciation is off?)

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84 Ariel

January 26, 2010 at 10:49 AM

Thankyou thankyou thankyou to all who put so much effort into these recaps! It's been quite an experience, both reading the recaps and watching the drama. I totally agree with Samsooki on this one...that "City Hall" is definitely the 2009 drama of the year, even though some pretty "big" dramas like BOF and Queen Seonduk practically ruled the ratings...
I will definitely watch this again, bearing your insightful comments in mind, once I can bring myself to experience so much emotional highs and lows in 20 hours/eps, again.

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85 eiko

January 26, 2010 at 11:01 AM

@ Samsooki.....Mahalo for your response! (thank you) And the response to that here would be "kipa mai" you're welcome!

And the world begins to feel like a better place because even with miles of land and water separating countries.....we share common ground via the internet!

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86 aceyyy

January 26, 2010 at 12:11 PM

Thanks so much for this! I only got into City Hall when you were on the 19th recap, and I've seriously, seriously been looking forward to this last review since then.

I'd heard so many mixed reviews of City Hall I finally decided to watch it. 4 slow episodes I sat through so as not to chalk up another abortive attempt. another 4 lukewarm episodes. and then Mirae decided to run for mayor and it's like zoooooooooooom. I guess I'm being really into political-themed dramas right now? Haha. After the West Wing, I'm now watching Takuya Kimura in Change and I'm just WOWed by the pacing in that one haha.

Watching City Hall has been an experience like no other for me. It reminds me of the time when I barely understood Korean but my love for Coffee Prince made me catch each episode live, (great leap forward in my listening comprehension after that lol), and check dramabeans and soompi obsessively to see what others had to say about it. But City Hall - I got onto the train so late after it left, but I find it's still populated, and I've watched it twice, replayed choice scenes several times (you missed one out, the lazy afternoon in the last episode Mirae spends with Jo Gotime freaking stops still for them), watched all the BTS, extended my love to all things Kim Sun Ah, and still I like to know I'm not the only crazy one out there, that there are people doing all this and more.

You know there's that scene in the last episode, where Mirae's like,
무슨 사람이 그래요? 어떻게 비웃어도 심장이 떨리냐...

hmm it freaks me out I managed to click onto the right part on the first try but nevermind. I know, I really need to learn to write in a straight line!
Well my point is - City Hall is kind of a drama like that for me. I've grown so so so accustomed to loving a drama up to its penultimate episode, and being totally prepared to be let down in the last episode. Plus, I usually decide in the first episode if I want to watch a drama. The first time I watched City Hall, I lasted less than 10 minutes. This time I endured 4 episodes actively looking for the much touted super-chemistry between Kim Sun-ah and Cha Seung Won, but it creeps up on you so naturally and unnoticeably - like a frog being slowly boiled alive. I've never ever ever seen a drama whose ending out-pwned the beginning to this extent.

And one thing i really loved about Jo Gook-Mi Rae? I've never seen (or at least, can't recall offhand) a drama where the two leads weren't using 반말 to each other. OK other than this really boring weekend drama called The Happy Woman about this really unhappy woman but I digress again. It really heartens me to see such respect in a couple, where a woman is brought to stand on her own two feet through her own strengths next to her guy. Seriously just thinking about that makes me want to burst - the part about episode 15 that finally tipped me over the edge and made me cry wasn't the breakup, or the sex, but the day after that, at the war memorial when Jo Gook was inaugurated and Mirae was there in the audience as a mayor and the fact that they got there on there own merits to stand there together, with those secret glances? is just. WOW.

I've rambled on a lot about nothing, but really what I want to say is - thank you for this 20th episode recap. To me it's like I'm an overage high school student who dropped out and signed up again and saw the light and finally graduated - and here it is, a reunion for other City Hall graduates and amazingly, despite the false starts and late starts and missteps, I can be a part of it too - even giving a totally unwanted speech haha. So thank you thank you for this =)

이렇게 대단한 글을 써 주셔서 정말 너무너무 감사합니다~!

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87 samsooki

January 26, 2010 at 12:57 PM

@aceyyy

like a frog being slowly boiled alive.

I never heard of CSW and KSA's chemistry being described as a frog being slowly boiled alive... hehe! But I totally agree (with respect to how natural it was)!

When I was doing some of the translations, the recaps or even when I was just watching it... I found myself tearing up, wiping my eyes, blowing my nose, clearing my throat, and then continuing... So many scenes moved me like that:

1. The scene where an unemployed Boo Mi who is still mad at Mi Rae actually sees some of the things that Mi Rae has had to go through... and then she types out on a blog comment section, "This brat..." and then she stops, erases and then she starts over, "This girl is a friend of mine. She makes me so proud. Brat, fighting!"

2. The scene wear Mi Rae is standing in front of City Hall, all by herself. Nobody is there in the beginning, but then a mother and child show up. And then her friends show up (LATE, where were you guys?!!). And little by little, people gather to stand with her. And the corrupt Mayor Go is forced to resign.

3. Or the scene by the seawall, when Mi Rae just doesn't have the confidence to be more than what she has been, and there are so many people who believe in her and that just adds to her fears of letting them down...and Jo Gook is there, watching, probably marvelling at how a person can care so much for others.

4. And then there was the scene after the mayoral candidate debate, where Mi Rae has kicked ass, and she holds up her hands, and Jo Gook and Jung Do give her simultaneous high-5's, and her friends behind her are also high-5ing each other.

5. Or the scene in the voting booth for the National Assembly seat, after Mi Rae has broken up with Jo Gook, and Mi Rae still strokes Jo Gook's name and says softly, "stupid puppy.... hwaiting!"

6. And of course, probably my favorite Jo Gook scene - him eating alone in the porridge shop, eating, then wanting to cry, but then looking up at the poster, and smiling, and then eating, and about to cry, but then looks up at the poster again and smiles again...

7. Or the scene when the look on Mi Rae's face when Jo Gook proposes to her.

Even if Mi Rae said, about Jo Gook, "무슨 사람이 그래요? 어떻게 비웃어도 심장이 떨리냐" ... I say, that's how Jo Gook feels about Mi Rae too!

Jo Gook could have had any woman he wanted. He could have had the beautiful and elegant Go Go Hae, and basically be set to inherit the political mantle of a political dynasty with BB, and share in the billion dollar wealth of Dae Han Group. But he chose Mi Rae exactly because of who she is, because she makes his heart flutter, makes him all crazy on the inside, and makes him cry whenever she is sad too.

And that's how I felt about the drama. =) Thank you for sharing!

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88 ajooma

January 26, 2010 at 1:02 PM

fyi. the basket/"the brand name purse" that was used to hold the flowers at the end is a grocery bag that women carry to the market in korea. it's symbolic of Shin Mi Rae. She may look plain and ordinary outside but she is a beauty like flowers inside.

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89 roween

January 26, 2010 at 1:41 PM

Samsooki & Team , thanks a lot for the recaps, it has been a pleasure to read and re-read my favorite episodes, revive beloved scenes, your funny comments, discover little details, everything. Your work is really apreciated.
What can I say about episode 20?, by itself is a reason to love the entire drama.
Full of emotions, charged with moments, the sweetest proposal ever, Gumi couple at their very best (the best couple of 2009 and more), Suna making a stunning bride and Cha the hottest groom *^^*.
A wonderful way of ending a great show... a happy ending. It fullfilled all my expectations and more..., not like other dramas that left me sometimes with a weird feeling like something is missing. Just the perfect end to a perfect journey.

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90 eiko

January 26, 2010 at 2:02 PM

@87 Samsooki.....you've got it down! And that Jo Gok feeling is called LOVE....and I have to laugh when I think about someone describing it as "an itch you can't scratch".

So....it goes to show we need dramas like City Hall to pull and tug at the strings of our heart....to remind us that the emotions connected to laughing, crying and jumping up and down are part of the human factor and that it's OKAY TO PLAY IN THE RAIN!

AND....it's okay to touch pinkys with that special someone to send a message. :-)

Okay....time to get a life and move on!!!!

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91 Sere

January 26, 2010 at 2:12 PM

@30 ockoala

Sorry for the late reply, but I've been having major computer problems. :( Anyhow, stalking the recaps? Oh if I haven't commented on all of them yet, I will. Sometimes I need to feel the Mirae/Jo Gook love and if, for whatever reason, I can't watch the eps, I'll most likely end up here reading, re-reading and re-commenting on the recaps. Hee.

BTW, I totally agree with you on their kisses and CH. It's such a great kdrama, one of my favorite. *contemplates buying the director's cut dvds* I'm SO tempted, OMG!

Re: kdrama kisses in general. Hahah, dude, if you watch jdoramas you'd be gaping and WTHing. Kdrama kisses are -usually- waaaaaaaaayyyyyy better. *clings to kdramas*

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92 lynaq

January 26, 2010 at 2:49 PM

My heartfelt and sincere gratitude for making it happen on the final recaps, Samsooki, mead33, Otimelost and cleown. Your dedication and effort dividing your precious time and sharing with us your talent is already and honor to say my million thanks!

Analyzing the cover picture, they are really meant for each other, and I do believe in fate by using the speed dial #5, they already cross path along the way and ended up husband and wife. I think it is Mirae's first wedding scene which she is practically drop dead gorgeous, and to CSW he is also indeed very lucky, like a hungry wolf devouring Mirae in regards to the sweet tender kisses and the physical 'boobs contact" he poured out his guts to the max his heart and soul and it is like very real in regards to his portrayal. It made me think, what made him do, to act like so well? Probably so he can match the superior acting capability and irresistible Shin Mirae, or his cupid heart started to spark and falls for her magic spells, like the cucumber dip. I also like the scene when JG is making his presedential speech and told Mirea to, RUN! RUN! RUN! and JG presence at the back jumping up and down for joy and blowing kisses to each other vice-versa. OMONA , what a greatest and memorable ending in Kdrama history! To all the people involved in CH, you guys hit the jackpot and two thumbs up to Kim Sun Ah who will sacrifice and adjust herself whatever role she is into portraying and delivered brilliant act!

I wish in there is going to be like invictus/undeafeted, honest and sincere Shin Mirae style to govern my country one day. In this dirty world of politics actress and actor turning into politician is a phenomenon that exist in my country.

To javabeans, thank you for the letting Samsooki and team to use your blog, everybody is benefitting, I'm one of them, mixture of sad, joy and happiness recaps is ended. Question on Samsooki, can you keep the final recap by not deleting or get rid of, so we access anytime we want to?

Lastly, i'm so much in love and pretty much in love with Cha! Pls. do not misinterpret my comment, it is just coming from my true heart put the blame on my CITY HALL madness! To all my fellow CITY HALLERS, nice to read all your undying love an positive feed back. PEACE to everyone!!!

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93 KBC12

January 26, 2010 at 5:09 PM

I standing up and shout out.....bravo ! bravo ! bravo !
the precious scenes in CityHall will remain my heart forever...

Cityhall is Best drama ever for me......

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94 mzpakipot

January 26, 2010 at 5:15 PM

@omo, you know i never thought of that. Mirae and Jo Guk already crossed their path when that 8yr old phone call happened. haha! Thanks, now i don't feel so bad about Go Hae. LOL

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95 ggables

January 26, 2010 at 9:23 PM

Thank you Samsooki and team. What an amazing job you guys have done. I love the details that you pull out and I love your insight.

I first started this drama at the recommendation of a friend. Really, a title like "City Hall" didn't capture my interest. Although I liked KSA from previous dramas, I was really distracted at first by CSW's hair and those eyebrows! His character really bugged me at first. But I was in for such a sweet surprise. What I didn't expect was such a believable and moving love story...it just grew so naturally and so convincingly. I thought KSA's acting was strong, but it was CSW who just sealed this drama for me. His acting is amazing. I know exactly what Shin Mirae means when she says he makes her heart race. I have enjoyed so many other K dramas with cute plots and pretty good acting, but this one just stands above the rest. Everything lined up in the drama for me to rate it one of the best of the best.

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96 mtoenlob

January 26, 2010 at 9:41 PM

Deja vu! It seems not too long ago I was in the same state of mind (and heart). I can't believe this is the last recap.

Thank you, Samsooki and team for sharing with us your insightful recaps. Your analysis and explanation make them even more meaningful. Reading your recaps was as exciting and engaging as when viewing the drama, if not more.

Thank you, too, to all the people involved in this drama. CH has sealed my admiration for KSA as an actress. She has made SMR a woman of substance. Hidden behind that brash exterior of a woman known only for her expertise in preparing coffee and tea, is a woman who is not afraid to go against the tide and speaks out to protect the people she has loved and nurtured and to stand by the values and principles she believes in. And when she is already in power she has remained grounded. Made of a lesser stuff, SMR could have easily used her power to lash back on her detractors. But no, SMR remains collected and responds to accusations thrown her way in a dignified manner. Calmly, but not in silence.

Not the least, thank you to all fellow City Hallers. You have made my journey to Inju City an experience of a life time. Never a drama has made a deep impression on me the way CH did. And you were all part of it. Your thoughts, reflections, reactions and rants all gave color to this unforgettable roller coaster ride.

Until we meet again in another journey . . . in another experience . . .

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97 ajr

January 26, 2010 at 10:57 PM

Can you explain something to me ? What does it mean when people are charged to meet will meet and people who are destined to meet wont? wont they meet as well?

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98 gra

January 26, 2010 at 11:09 PM

Finally it 's time to say good bye to CH and it was a wonderful journey with everyone! I would say thank you with all the comments. Feeling sad but the live has to move on, hope can see the good one like CH in the future of course with the brilliant recaps from Samsooki and team.

Great drama ever in 2009.

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99 eiko

January 27, 2010 at 12:00 AM

@ 97 ajr.....I'm not sure if I'm understanding your question about people "charged" to meet and "destined" to meet. You can meet many people in your life...but destined is something that happens like being on a collision course. When you meet someone whether it be male or female....there is some sense of "recognition" and you can usually feel it. The feeling of "I know you" is very strong....or "you look familiar".

That scene which was shown at the end of City Hall with the phone call that Gokie made and was connected to Mi Rae is a good example of "destined to meet". They never gave a clue about that, but their immediate attraction to each other was pretty obvious.

Wrong numbers sometimes aren't "wrong" at all. :-)