Why I like Jang Nara and My Love Patzzi: A Defense against the Tyranny of dahee fanel and javabeans, and Why Square Holes Are Problematic
by samsooki
Biting off more than one can chew is not only the proper methodology for eating saltwater taffy, but it is also a way of life for me – how else can we find our limits except by risking failure? And so, as I have been weaned on Mmes. Dahee’s and javabeans’ robust posts over the years, I myself have not been merely gawking in lazy consumption. No, I also eat drink man k-drama. And I have been growing. This post itself grew out of two seeds, one that I had, and one that dahee and javabeans planted. Clicking the pictures below will take you out of this defense and onto their respective front pages.
SONG OF THE DAY
Jang Nara – “Sweet Dream” [ Download ]
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On to the matter at hand. There are unanswerable questions in life – the more well-known being “if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound” and “why doesn’t Yahoo email search work properly,” but there are more personal ones as well, like why I like k-dramas so much. While I still don’t have a definitive answer for any of these questions, perhaps a clue for the last question can be found in one Jang Nara, who starred in the loveable and moving (and short 10 episode) drama series, My Love Patzzi.
Every now and then, I’ve thrown a few comments here and there about how much I liked My Love Patzzi and Jang Nara, but haven’t received much support from either the elite literati or the unwashed masses. Not that I have minded so much, since there is value in being unique. Still, I have found certain truths through my itinerant window shopping through the trendy blog-shops of k-drama land, passing by such high-end stores like dramabeans, Thundie’s Prattle and Dahee’s Plastic Castle. One truth is that My Love Patzzi isn’t well-received, and the second truth is that k-drama blog-shops can be just as exclusive as any of the high-end shops you might find in the trendiest shopping areas in Seoul’s Apgujeong (압구정), where luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci have set up shop.
And so it came to pass recently that a passing Thunderbolt struck me, noting that the immortal dahee herself had pounded 95 theses on the door to her plastic castle, one thesis of which was “And don’t even get me started on Kim Yi Young [scriptwriter] (why I ever finished My Love Patzzi, I will never know)”). That was a rather heavy bale of hay to carry, having also to deal with with javabeans’ own whole grain kernel contribution on the drama, “it’s a real lightweight,” and the snarkified musing of my own wife, Mrs. Samsooki, who dryly noted for the record, “I might have liked the drama if Jang Nara wasn’t so utterly annoying. I wanted to trip her the whole drama.” Seriously? Annoying? Lightweight?! Didn’t want to finish?!! These comments were the last straws, as it were. I have no choice but to respond in force. I didn’t start this war, but I am never one to shy away from defending cuteness personified.
Who is Kongzzi and who is Patzzi? Depends on who wins the battle, of course!
My Love Patzzi is based on the Korean folktale of two step-sisters, Kongzzi (콩쥐) and Patzzi (팥쥐). In the folktale canon, Kongzzi is a well-mannered and pretty orphan girl and Patzzi is an evil ill-tempered girl whose family “adopts” Kongzzi, basically to get a free servant. Patzzi immediately makes Kongzzi’s life a living hell and then in the end, tries to steal a rich prince from her by lying about the real owner of a single lost shoe, much like the tale of Cinderella. The folktale is among the most well-known among Koreans, and all Korean children are indoctrinated with strong propaganda that Kongzzi is the good and beautiful girl, and Patzzi is ugly, rotten and bad. Just look at these children’s book covers.
Now, winners write the stories (and the book covers), and so it is small wonder that Kongzzi is always depicted as the good girl. Just look at the pictures – Patzzi is a sly lazy girl and Kongzzi is always working. In a breath of much needed fresh air, the story of My Love Patzzi is a courageous twist on the mind-control folktale: Jang Nara plays the role of the ill-tempered Patzzi girl named Song Yi who works in an amusement park opposite of her life-long rival, the prettier and more well-mannered Kongzzi named Hee Won. The twists are that (1) that Kongzzi is really the evil one and not Patzzi and (2) instead of there being one rich prince, in the drama there is a rich amusement park owner’s son and a poor seal trainer guy – both of whom fall for Patzzi.
What makes this drama so special is there is a sense of honesty in the characters and in the drama that never goes away. Perhaps this is due in part to the low production values which make it seem like you are watching a home movie at times, but mostly I think it is because Jang Nara’s portrayal of Song Yi is truly moving and real. Song Yi may not be the prettiest girl nor be the most pleasant to be around, but she is absolutely real and never ever fake. If she likes you, she will tell you, wearing a cute sea lion hat and holding a rose in her mouth. And if she doesn’t like you, well, then, she will tell you by hitting you. Unlike the myriad of k-dramas that are out there, and so refreshingly, the guys in this drama have absolutely no problem whatsoever in determining whether the main character likes them or not.
See, in Korean culture, young people tend to be forced into square holes, with a lot of pressure put on them from an early age as to how they should talk, walk, eat, greet, what they should wear, and who and when they should marry. The reason for this is because of the cultural cornerstone belief that there is a right way to do things, and doing things the “right” way will lead to a happy and successful life (along with honoring those that have tried to teach the right way). But inside these square holes, people who don’t quite fit the mold might often find themselves trying to be people that they are not.
In the drama, Hee Won tries to make herself look and feel better by constantly bringing down Song Yi, who then reacts in ways that further solidifies Hee Won’s tactics. The drama is basically the journey of Song Yi, discovering love for the first time in her life, and her battle against the evil Kongzzi Hee Won. Hee Won manages to turn the entire amusement park against Song Yi, but the two people who don’t fall for Hee Won’s tricks are the Kim X Wons (of the Jae and Rae variety), and there’s a very good reason for that.
The Prince and the Pauper… who will end up with the irresistably cute and honest Song Yi?
Guys, at least guys I know, and despite what might be thought to be true, aren’t really that attracted to glitter and gloss once they are grown up. Ultimately, what guys want in a girl is someone they can trust, be friends with, and someone who will allow them to be themselves. And these factors are just as important as how a girl looks on the outside. A girl who tries to be exactly what other people expect (like a Hee Won) is almost certain to be fake, and the Kim X Wons, probably instinctively, are simply not interested in a person like that.
On the other hand, Song Yi is completely real. She laughs when she is happy, she punches when she is upset, and she shovels food into her mouth when she is hungry. With a girl like that, you know that what you get is real. It doesn’t mean that you have to fall in love with her of course, BUT, it does mean that if you do fall in love with her, you know that what you feel is real. And that’s why it wasn’t unrealistic that Song Yi got the Kim X Won’s to fall for her. And at the end of the drama, Song Yi makes a definitive choice as to which Kim X Won she wants to be with, and while I won’t reveal this choice to avoid spoiling, she makes the choice from her heart.
Now, this isn’t the best drama out there. But does this drama work and does it move me? Absolutely! And what’s more, re-watching it over the last few days, I am reminded of why I like k-dramas so much. This might be the barest bones example, but it really has everything that you could want in a k-drama: a catchy OST, a lot of heart, interesting and empathetic characters, an honest love story, and from the first episode to the last, My Love Patzzi moved me. And perhaps coincidentally to this exposition, this drama also sends out the message that not everything (and everyone) that people think is bad is bad, and not everything (and everyone) that people think is good, is good.
***
Now, as for dahee and javabeans, I have to say that on very rare occasion, being intelligent, well-read and articulate can be problematic. Loyal readers who browse and shop at these high-end, trendy k-drama blog-shops might fall into the habit of only seeing what there is to see at those shops. The fact is that had I read dahee’s and javabeans’ opinions before I got the chance to see My Love Patzzi for myself, it is unlikely that I would have taken the chance on this drama, and that would have been my loss. This is, then, the so-called tyranny of the high-end stores (and a paradox of sorts), where the very characteristic of being high quality inevitably leads to a finer winnowing than might otherwise be appropriate.
On the surface, My Love Patzzi is likely to be as weak as javabeans and dahee fanel would probably describe it – the writing is not particularly strong, the Kim X Wons are rather bland in their acting, and Jang Nara can appear to be more annoying than cute. In fact, Mrs. Samsooki used the word “annoying” three times in one long sentence, trying to describe how she felt about the drama. But what makes this drama work so well for me is the same reason that makes me think that Song Yi is actually attractive: the heart, when it is worn on the outside, exposed and vulnerable, is able to deliver honesty and emotion. All you have to do is give it a chance. Honesty in perspective and sincerity of the heart are two of the most attractive qualities that a person can have, in my opinion, and the same thing goes for dramas as well. What Jang Nara does when she plays Yang Song Yi is that she really doesn’t act at all. I think she plays herself, and while that might not make her a very good actress, at least in this drama, she doesn’t have to be. She is who she plays.
Now, both javabeans and dahee fanel are talented writers, bright and witty thinkers who have more knowledge about k-dramas than I will ever gain. But in the end, I think these same strengths can create brain aneurysms filters sometimes that block certain dramas from touching them, and consequently, others that follow them are apt to fall into the same trap. I guess it’s the price that must be paid, to be so high-end?
Tags: Jang Nara, Kim Jae-won, Kim Rae-won, My Love Patzzi
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51 Taohua
January 19, 2010 at 2:31 PM
I admit I busted out laughing when I saw the title of this post. MLP didn't leave much of an impression on me ( I thought JNR was much better in Bright Girl). It was cute but forgettable...probably along the lines of Snow White or 1% of Anything. But I'll be the first to admit, I really liked KRW's character in this...
I'm not sure whether it's her acting at times or the fact of how her character was written that's frustrating to watch. And I think one of the problems I have with her acting lately is that either she's been pigeon-holed into a certain character type or she's unwilling to play diverse characters---so it feels like I'm seeing a variation of the same character for the most part. Even her roles in mainland Chinese dramas evoke her characters from her kdramas to the point that it seems like she's playing a repeated extension of herself. I'm not saying she's a bad actress, but I haven't been impressed lately.
But thanks for writing this Samsooki! While I don't agree, I still enjoyed reading it! And am looking forward to JB's response :)
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52 Saris
January 19, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Watched this drama over this summer on the recommendation of some friends. And I really enjoyed it. I wasn't in a OMG I LURVED IT kind of state... but it was a fun watch. And any time there is a Kim X Won sandwich.... Um yes please! Saris will always sign up to watch this.
As for Jang Nara - I found her personality grating at times, charming at others and surprising in completely unexpected places... (which I suppose would make it surprising...) Anyway - she grew on me through the drama. And I've got to appreciate any woman who fights an evil witch like Hee-won. Even at the risk of exposing herself to ridicule.
Also I found that JNR's character grew while still maintaining her core self. She wasn't a milquetoast welcome mat who just let every one walk all over her. And at the end she didn't receive a personality transplant. Her idiocy and strength were consistent to the end. (Unlike other k-drama heroines which drives me nuts... grow a back bone ladies!!!!)
So - Samsooki - hwaiting! *cue annoyingly yet slightly inspirational repetitive k-pop song to buoy our spirits*
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53 ar
January 19, 2010 at 2:36 PM
I remember a friend being absolutely obsessed with this drama. I think this was the drama that began her love of korean dramas. I had only watched the first few episodes and thought it was entertaining, but not great. However because I couldn't get my hands on the later ones, the drama fell by the wayside. Song Yi's antics were really cringeworthy sometimes and I wanted to yell at her to let the little injustices in life go instead of making things worse by being confrontational, but like you, I still felt for her cuz she was honest and blunt and by being like that, she was leaving herself vulnerable. I remember not caring much for the guys. This post makes me want to go and finish it!
anyways, i love Jang Nara. I saw her in Bright GIrl's Success Story later on. Omg, that drama tore my heart apart with laughter and tears. It made me love both the Jangs, Jang Nara and Jang Hyuk (whose acting tore me apart with its awesomeness).
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54 PILK
January 19, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Bravo samsooki! Like @36, I first met Jang Nara and K-drama (and Jang Hyuk) through 'Success Story of a Bright Girl'. Without them, an intense bout of insomnia would have resulted in a different ending, but with them, not needing sleep became a critical accessory to the crime...is this a gender-based deconstruction of what makes a narrative compelling for some but less so for others? Let loose the dogs of dissent! Like others, the rights of reply by JB and Dahee will be very intriguing.
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55 Nano
January 19, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Ah....this looks fun. I read the review by javabeans, decided to skip over the drama, and now that samsooki...
I personally dislike Jang Nara. But there have been dramas where the heroine was uber-annoying, but it was sweet/nice/good enough for me to last through the series. Is it the same for MLP?
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56 reluctantbutaddicted
January 19, 2010 at 2:56 PM
@ samsooki: "And not just Kim Rae Won, but Kim Rae Won with a pama with auburn highlights!!"
Don't you diss my Kim Rae Won's pama. And really, in a world now containing Lee Min Ho's BBF pama, can we really waste energy criticizing this KRW pama?
That said, I think the stylist was purposefully making him less attractive, hoping to keep him for herself.
@ 47 lb_tmi
"Clan Samsookie wins this battle for the following reasons:
1. Kim Rae Won"
Clan samsooki can't win the on this basis (the only real basis for any claim to the relevance of MLP) b/c he didn't make it. He makes the claim on the basis of JNR which is just rank foolishness, if he really wants to win. Samsooki clearly thinks MLP is being disdained on the basis of JNR on whom he clearly crushes quite badly (and yes, I'm leaning on external information leaked (broadcast) in earlier OTs).
I would make the argument, along your lines, that MLP is worth a watch DESPITE JNR. She manages to take a character most of us would want to identify with--the wronged good girl beset by a bit of a wild temper and the inability to think before acting, but honest and willing to try--and makes her shrill and eminently slap-able. I can see where she was going, or should have gone, but she way overshot and overacts and is generally a pain.
THAT SAID, I didn't mind MLP so much, despite JNR and despite Kim Jae Won whom I really actively dislike (if JNR is a drama I'll still give it a try, if KJW is in a drama I will try to ensure I never even see a photo of the poster. He gives me hives. Not as bad as Nicholas Cage hives, but still pretty darn uncomfortable). The story was good, in theory, if not totally in execution, but whatever, not every single drama is going to be perfection. And OK, Kim Rae Won basically phoned his role in, taking laconic to all new heights of barely awake most of the time (even less engaged than in Attic Cat, where I sometimes wondered if he was 100% certain which drama he was currently filming)... but he's STILL KIM RAE WON and I would watch him read a phone book. To himself. Even if he moves his lips.
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57 celestialorigin
January 19, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Oh, OK, so this is what all that hype was about... I haven't even watched My love patzzi.
a catchy OST, a lot of heart, interesting and empathetic characters, an honest love story,
With above description, I'm sold, though. I'm putting it on my list of dramas to watch. Instead of heart wrenching melodrama, I sometime prefer this sort... So, thanks for the recommendation.
Anyway, both sides, fighting! It's been an amusing ride here.
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58 reluctantbutaddicted
January 19, 2010 at 2:58 PM
PS Samsooki : you are a brave man, and I respect your wacky decision to wade into these hotly contested waters. Brave brave man (and wrong) (but brave).
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59 Shima
January 19, 2010 at 2:58 PM
THANK YOU.
My Love Patzzi was why I got INTO Korean drama in the first place--had it not been good, I wouldn't have continued to watch any other series. And now I'm an addict.
Plus, KIM RAE WON, people! KIM RAE WON.
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60 lovenyc52
January 19, 2010 at 2:59 PM
@ reluctantbutaddicted
"...but he's STILL KIM RAE WON and I would watch him read a phone book. To himself. Even if he moves his lips."
LOL!!!! :P
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61 tisyamey
January 19, 2010 at 3:10 PM
@ 15 Javabeans:
Bwahahahahahaha.... that is the tricky part!
I guess you could change the question to who's MORE annoying,
one or the other...? cool beans...
I saw it it was alright, my mom saw it and went bonkers...
but I see the point that samsooki is pointing out.
Being an "expert" in a certain field does make one have higher
expectations that can cloud over one's judgment.
I love a good debate... fire on Java!
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62 nixxochick
January 19, 2010 at 3:26 PM
thank you for taking the time to post this up Samsooki
I really thought I was the only one that enjoyed this drama but now im glad to see im not the only one.
i might just have to rewatch it now :)
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63 Kristen
January 19, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Me! Me too! I found My Love Patzzi incredibly winning, and like you, I think I have to chalk that up largely to Jang Nara--her charm struck me as very natural, and that made her so alluring to me, much moreso than the assumed airs of other, perhaps more popular, generally widely-accepted as "cute" actresses.
It's easy to conflate my enjoyment of watching her with my enjoyment of watching the drama as a whole, which does have a lot of heart and a feel or quality to it that might resonate with some folks, and might not with others.... I can easily see how some viewers may find it lackluster in certain respects. Calling it "lightweight" is probably a relatively accurate tag for it, sure. But I don't think that should in any way detract from someone's enjoyment of it, or make them feel guilty about liking it.
...Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to give a thumbs-up to Kim Rae Won's really great arms. :Db
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64 Love it
January 19, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Just would like to say that I love this drama as well.
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65 hampanel
January 19, 2010 at 4:04 PM
I have to say, I enjoyed reading this post greatly.
I'm also of the opinion that My Love Patzzi is a little gem of a K-drama and have always felt it a pity that it falls under the popularity radar. It's such a cute, sweet, and easily watchable drama. Plus, the drama has heart and the experiences the heroine goes through ring true to me.
At the end of the day, though--to each his own.
Thanks for writing in defense of MLP, Samsooki. It's nice to hear dissenting voices on blogs! :)
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66 okitokki
January 19, 2010 at 4:04 PM
i liked My Love Patzzi. I don't have strict standards; a drama is either watchable or unwatchable. All that really matters is that I don't hate the lead actors (much) and that it has an "this-is-interesting-enough-that-i-pay-attention-to-a-good-portion-of-it" thing going on. Now I don't love Jang Na Ra. I also don't hate her (I have more patience with her than I do with, say, Lee Da-Hae, who, for some unexplicable reason, I just can not stand) What I liked about Jang Na-Ra's Song Yi was that she wasn't the typical k-drama lead female. She wasn't some poor, gorgeous, virtuous, and overall too-good-to-be-true angel. Honestly, I've never met anyone that perfect. But Song Yi had flaws, and those imperfections made her more human. idk, I watched this drama over a year ago, so I can't be too analytic or specific (sorry, or maybe, not THAT sorry because I already feel like I'm writing a lot sooo I'm just gonna say I'm done now and stop typing... yeah....)
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67 missmanderley ` blossompop!
January 19, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Samsooki
I know the feeling! My first kdrama and favorite is Sweet 18 with Han Jihye and Lee Dong Gun... and its been criticized as cliche and lightweight as well. But theres nothign wrong with loving a simple, barebones kdrama that well, essentially shows why people end up obsessed with them anyways -- the cliche, girl meet boy, the piggyback rides, overexaggerated obstacles to their love... and all that.
Now, I would have to admit not finishing MLP as well... and it was by no means because I didn't enjoy the series... offline life got in the way and I just never got the chance to get back to finishing.
And plus, the two Won Wons in one kdrama?
I was sold right as I saw the kdrama's poster!
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68 byeol
January 19, 2010 at 4:22 PM
samsooki, i love My Love Pattzi too.
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69 Kay
January 19, 2010 at 4:26 PM
Its been so long since the time I watched this drama, I think it was one of my first kdramas, four years ago. What I do remember, its that I hate the JNR character, so silly, that honestly I couldnt find why the boys like her so much. Really predictable and easy to watch, I watched this till the end, because at that time I always ended every drama I started, but for me, was dull enough that I tried to not recall too much.
Either way, I respect your thoughts, it is true, that one have sometimes one drama that you like against your normal judgment, so its good to read different opinions. :)
Thanks a lot, I going now to see what JB has to say!
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70 evie
January 19, 2010 at 4:26 PM
i have to admit - i reali like love patzzi. of course, it's one of those "no-brainers" where you don't actually use up many brain cells while watching it, but it was really fun.
now to sit back and watch the battle...
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71 soysauce
January 19, 2010 at 4:30 PM
I'm not a fan of Jang Nara nor Kim Rae Won, and have never seen MLP, but I do agree that sometimes, some dramas are just meant to be watch close and dear to your heart. It doesn't have to be a profound series that enlightened you in some spectacular way. Dramas like these can connect to audiences more closely than love-triangle with brain-tumor stricken characters.
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72 Penn
January 19, 2010 at 4:32 PM
I agree with all you have said regarding My Love Patzzi however, I have to agree with Mrs. Samsooki. Jang Nara is ANNOYING. It's like eating sushi at the best Japanese restaurant in town. Now matter how good the presentation and quality of the ingredients, I find it hard to swallow since I hate all raw fish. So sorry Samsooki, but I'm going with JB on this one.
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73 kaedejun
January 19, 2010 at 4:33 PM
oh my goodness - this is a straight on attack!!! wahahhaha!
and samsooki - no offense by this comment, but you sound like my uncle. i think he would hold similar points of views as you bring up. so just saying - you're definitely not the only one out there!
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74 glencorajane
January 19, 2010 at 4:48 PM
samsooki,
Since you have valiantly defended this drama, I am compelled to find it somewhere and watch it to judge it for myself.
I am ok with Jang Nara but I must say but I usually watched shows with leads that appeal to me and the male leads - just have about zero appeal to me. So another reason why perhaps this drama didnt do well!
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75 dee
January 19, 2010 at 5:01 PM
MLP is one of the earliest kdrama I've watched 7-8 years ago and to be honest I enjoyed it enough to buy the whole cd, and watch it again (3 times after loving Kim Rae Won but with fastforward). I don't know if I watched it because kdrama then was something new as oppose to our local dramas but it's a romcom that really makes you smile and wish you were Jang Nara's character where two boys like you (and who won't forget the cute baby tiger! and most important I think she chose the one I'm rooting for in the series. lolz.) It might be true that after watching a lot of kdramas MLP will be rated B kdrama but still if anyone ask me to recommend or list my favorite kdramas MLP will be included. I believe MLP is lightweight and a feel good kdrama.
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76 D
January 19, 2010 at 5:02 PM
i watched MLP on local TV (a very long time ago), dubbed to mandarin. JNR was cute, KRW was cute (dont like KJW) but the dubbing voices were irritating i almost stop watching - but i did not.. i guess im on team samsookie then...
(when i first read/came across samsooki's initial post mentioning his fondness of JNR i thought he is soompi's Edward. seriously..)
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77 Nodame
January 19, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Thanks Samsooki! I actually loved "Love Patzzi" and enjoyed Jang Nara and the two male leads i adore too. I watched this drama straight through without barely a break ina marathon that induced a major headache. It was light, fun fluffy fare but lovely! Glad to know I am not the only person to think so! yeah!
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78 ripgal
January 19, 2010 at 5:14 PM
I don't even remember the exact details of the drama. It was like 8 years ago when I watched it? Or was it not?
I think I'm with the minority, and Samsooki on this one. Altho I don't remember much about the drama, I do remember that I enjoyed it a lot when I watched it back then. The story was simple, and 2 hot men were after a plain-jane girl, who wouldn't like such a fairy-tale set-up? Plus, JNR's character Song Yi was the bold dare-to-live type of girl, who wouldn't want to be like her?
Now I can't say I'm a fan of Jang Nara, and that she's an excellent actress or whatnot. But I personally thought she brought a lot of spunk and heart to her character. Sure, she became annoying at times, with the screaming and stuff, but that was pretty new to me back then because a lot of the K-drama female leads back then only new how to SOB and CRY and MELLOW. MLP was like a breathe of fresh air because finally the girl isn't the typical damsel in distress character.
And now I've come to the reason why I enjoyed MLP more than I should have, given that the mediocre quality, - KIM RAE WON. A lot of you said he was dull and boring in here, but I beg to differ. Back in the days, when all we had were arrogant chaebols and rich guy characters in K-dramas, KRW's character was really something new. He has this charming quality in him that made him really easy to relate to. His happy-go-lucky and cheerful character really got me into supporting him to end up with Song Yi from the beginning till the very end. Like someone said before, he may not be handsome or good-looking, but he has this endearing attitude that makes you want to root for him. And it was from right then, I started to like this actor.
I'm not sure how many of you'd watched it when it actually came out in Korea back then? Or most of you just watched it years after only when you got in touch with K-drama? I think my opinion would definitely differ if I'd watched it now and not back then, when it just came out.
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79 Aya
January 19, 2010 at 5:32 PM
I enjoyed watching MLP a lot, so i do agree wth samsooki here.. I didnt think JNR was annoying at all.. I found her funny but not adorable of course haha.. I like her honesty most of all.. and as for the Kim X Won, I like Jae more :) thts my only prob wth the drama. I want her to end up wth the charming prince.. a guy who trust you even when the whole world is against you- Oh i'd fall in love like crazy wth such a guy anytime if i were the girl :D..
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80 dcdramafan
January 19, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Woow..I did a double take on the title. Surprised to find this drama mentioned now because I accidentally came upon this during the holiday. The premise looked interestingly enough so I watched a few episodes and then I stopped. The characters did not pull me in. Still really enjoyed reading your take on it!
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81 lillie
January 19, 2010 at 5:43 PM
I guess, its like one man's meat, one man's poison. I must have watched this donkey years ago, but I still remembered the drama, so I guess it must have made an impression and I think I must have watched it twice. So I must say that I've enjoyed it. Though I'll like to point out that I have been known to find some highly rated dramas disgusting and boring but some of these little odd ones striking a chord in the heart. So I'm glad that there are people out there who is happy to stand up and say something!
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82 lb_tmi
January 19, 2010 at 5:49 PM
@ 56 reluctantbutaddicted
"… but he’s STILL KIM RAE WON and I would watch him read a phone book. To himself. Even if he moves his lips."
this is EXACTLY why clan Samsookie wins. YOU just proved my point. :D
it's why he love JNR and why the clan is willing to defend and fight on for MLP.
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83 Celest
January 19, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Thank you!
I actually read JB's analytical post first and after I got to the end of it I felt ASHAMED! lol By all accounts, this is a drama that I probably wouldn't watch but in all honesty, after reading JB's criticsm of it, I felt awful because I actually really really like this drama. My <3 Patzzi all the way!!!
I suppose that it's because I watched it a LONG LONG LONG time ago and I was just getting into kdramas but My Love Patzzi will always have a special place in my heart
@Kristen "I found My Love Patzzi incredibly winning, and like you, I think I have to chalk that up largely to Jang Nara–her charm struck me as very natural, and that made her so alluring to me, much moreso than the assumed airs of other, perhaps more popular, generally widely-accepted as “cute” actresses."
Totally agree with you and I couldn't have wrote it better! Maybe I'm a diff. person now but back then, I thought Jang NaRa was adorable as SongYi. She was energetic. She was down to earth. She was real. It was through this drama that I became fans of all three leads. I watched Successful Story of a Bright Girl afterwards, Wonderful Life (which remains to be my favorite kdrama of all time) which had Kim Jae Won, and I watched a whole bunch of dramas that had Kim Rae Won in it particular Love Story in Harvard, and Attic Cat.
Even now, I follow all three actors. I've even watched Jang Nara's chinese dramas. Some say she's annoying but I think she's cute and adorable. And don't let me tell you how many dramas I've seen with Kim Jae Won and Kim Rae Won!
I was rooting for KRW at the end just because I wanted KJW and his sexy smile all to myself. =D
Sure, MLP wasn't the most technical or award worthy drama out there but it's really really charming to watch SongYi go against the mainstream dogooders and it really does have a lot of heart (and addictive!). And what's so wrong with that?
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84 sachi4jay
January 19, 2010 at 6:26 PM
This was probably the 4th or 5th korean drama I watched and although initially I found JNR's acting so-so, by the end, I was won over and rooting for her to get a happy ending as well. My mum loves KRW after watching him in My Little Bride but since not many people seem to be showing love for KJW, here it is ~ Love Love Love!!
LoL @27 Kender "...and have a fondness for Kim Jae Won (although I occasionally find myself wondering “how is he supposedly attractive, again?”)..." I think like that sometimes too but there is just something about him, when he smiles, he looks like this cute siberian husky puppy and I end up smiling too :D
Also, after reading everyone's comments, I might try and find 'Success story of a Bright Girl' and actually finish it. I remember seeing the first episode and as much as I love JH, his hairstyle was incredibly awful in that series so I stopped. Looking forward to see the outcome...
Samsooki fighting!!! from one City Haller to another ^^ Hwaiting!!!
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85 sera
January 19, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Ok! without reading this article I am going to watch the drama first. I always trust samsooki's drama taste. So, since I called in sick for tomarrow, lets not delay my marathon for My love patzzi. I shall be back after the marathon though.
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86 Tacllnv
January 19, 2010 at 6:40 PM
I first watched MLP a couple years ago... one of my first KDramas and Jang Nara really was annoying! At first.
But MLP was only ten episodes so I decided to stick with it. I am so very glad that I did. Through some over the top acting (though I must admit Kongzee's doublecrossing and evil smirks(!) irked more than Jang) and the horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE wardrobe and hair (mostly on the beautiful KRW) which also made it harder, more so I think, than the any of the acting to continue. I fell in love.
It was very simplistic and easy to watch, the music pulled at the heart strings, and I love a great beat down-underdog-rising story!
It is one of those DVD sets amoung my collection that I feel more inclined to put in than say, Full House, Save the Last Dance For Me or even My Girl. All of which I love, dont get me wrong! But, Jang's character is a girl very simple and remarkable in a very real and relatable way. And MLP is very much her story. I agree with Samsooki; this is not the best drama out there, but there are always two sides to a coin and MLP does a very nice job of showing us the overlooked perspective.
I got to MLP before I sarted looking for reccomendations for more to watch. (more, more, MORE! Really, we are all addicts!) And I am very glad I did, for it really would be a loss on my part and at least a chunk from the early phases of my addiction!
So with no hesitation at all... TEAM PATZZI!! All the way Samsooki!
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87 nycgrl
January 19, 2010 at 7:01 PM
Most likely I wouldn't like this drama based on just personal taste and the actors involved and I don't want to waste 16 hr to see if I'm right but I valiantly defend your right to like it (though I may think your taste like the white wine thing is just plain wrong).
I agree with someone a few posts up who said that a drama doesn't have to be 3 stars or more to be close to your heart. I have one or two dramas that I like though I can't exactly explain why. However, I probably wouldn't defend it either since I probably would know all its fail points.
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88 Saris
January 19, 2010 at 7:28 PM
nycgrl - beautiful thing is it's only 10 hours! :) That's 6 hours of waste saved!
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89 nycgrl
January 19, 2010 at 7:34 PM
@Saris
"nycgrl – beautiful thing is it’s only 10 hours! :) That’s 6 hours of waste saved!"
Wow did I just save 6 hours without having lifted a finger! BTW I don't ever recall watching a 10 episode kdrama. Japanese yes but kdrama no.
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90 neliq
January 19, 2010 at 7:46 PM
OMG, if Samsooki's defense of MLP is hilarious, the postings to it are side splitting funny. Love it, love it, looooooooove it!!!!
It is so wonderful to live in a world were we could feel free to express our likes even if noone else agrees w/ us. The most wonderful thing about human beings is our uniqueness in mind and body, appearances and opinions. This world will be such a boring place if we will all like the same things and agree on everything. Let's embrace our differences, especially if they are expressed so eloquently and funny as Samsooki's opinion on MLP. It makes me want to see it.
And now onto Javabean's and Dahee's responses. Yooo hooooo!!!!!!!!!
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91 hoohoo
January 19, 2010 at 7:56 PM
I loved MLP, it was short, sweet and entertaining! :)
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92 anjell
January 19, 2010 at 8:25 PM
nice one samsooki! ;) i enjoyed reading this... to be honest, the one thing that keeps me from watching this drama is Jang Na Ra... i just don't feel her ;P but you're right, i should give her a chance... I'll put this on my list of dramas to watch.
I admire your courage and I am now going to read JB's rebuttal... this is going to be really interesting :)
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93 sugarpunch
January 19, 2010 at 8:29 PM
HEY SAMSOOKI! this is one of my favourite early kdramas! it is actually the 2nd kdrama i watched after Successful Story of a Bright Girl, starring jang Nara as well! both were upbeat and feel-good dramas. then i went on to watch winter sonata which made me depressed. sigh.
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94 bjharm
January 19, 2010 at 8:46 PM
well if anyone ever read any of my post they know I am 110% on the side of Jang Nara. But yes she not the best actress around and yes her roles do tend to have a certain sameness to them, But that is not her fault. I mean do you really think she has so many drama offers she can pick and choice on role?
Also if people have forgotten she also a singer, so she has to split her time between the two, plus the endless CV' and endorsements, her charity works. Personally I think as a singer she is one of the best Korean ever produced, her voice is unique and her skill at expressing emotion is second to none. I tend to rate most so called singers these days as entertainers rather than singers. Take away the looks the hot body the dancers the lazer light shows the sound mixing to cover their voices and what do you have left..certainly in 85% not a singer. (like 99% for my pet hate boy/girlbands..lol)
She made Bright Girl..one of if not the first Light comdey romance that broke the hold of the melodrama tearjerkers dramas held on the Mega hit status thus opening the road to the success of the genre still going today. Because of Bright Girl and to a degree NonStop 2 she become so popular that her acting roles where 'fixed' to what the public wanted and expected from her, thus leading to her getting typecast as to the roles she would be offered in the future. As she made MLP the same year as Bright Girl while at the same time being one of the two top pop princess of the time and making like 35 CV's plus country wide concert tours, endless Tv promotional guest spots and so on..The fact she was able to give so much energy to her SongYi was nothing sort of amazing.
But for all that I guess 'was MLV any good?' still not answered. I am not a drama buff, I said before and stick to it, I could care less if the plot is full of holes or the acting is a bit rough..long as it was fun and I enjoyed it. So yes as a drama it may not be the best but from an emotional point of view did I enjoy it , would I watch it again, do I smile when remembering certain scenes from it..then Yes! It was a good drama for me....me, that is the point, everyone has their own feelings, what one may think as cute may be annoying to someone else.
Frankly and I guess to no one surprise if they read down this far I am very much in Jang Nara is cuteness personified band. Indeed for me she the very definition of the word.
I am also one of the uneducated in what makes a tv drama so call elite or better than others on writing direction and so forth. All I care about is if the drama makes me smiles laugh and feel good, witch I must say most of the so called 'great' tv dramas never do, give me Fluff any day! Down with elitism!
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95 randomfan
January 19, 2010 at 9:01 PM
i must say. i've been lurking here for far, far too long and THIS is the most entertaining read I have had in AGES. OMG. I love you.
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96 Cdahlan
January 19, 2010 at 9:23 PM
I watched MLP few years ago and I kinda like it, eventhough the ending was not satisfying, but at least I still managed to watch until the end without fastforwarding.. And I like the OST a lot.
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97 cheekbones
January 19, 2010 at 9:34 PM
I watched My Love Patzzi years ago, and I think it's a good enough drama. It's an okay drama. I don't find Jang Nara annoying at all.
samsooki, if you're worried that dramabeans readers would be too much influenced by javabeans' opinions on what dramas are worth watching, you're not giving us too much credit, then. :)
I enjoy reading her articles, but I know what she likes, and I know what I like. We may differ.
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98 Angela
January 19, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Actually, My Love Patzzi, was one of the first dramas I ever watched (long before I'd discovered the joys of Javabeans blog). And I really like Jang Nara. Heck, I even watched Successful Story of a Bright Girl, if that's any indication, lol. Though, I have to say, I was never much impressed with this drama in particular. It's not that it was bad or anything, but I always found the story a bit mediocre--especially compared to many k-dramas I've watched since then. And all I can really remember about it, is that the ending frustrated me. (For some reason, I thought she ended up with neither of them, or that it was open-ended). But I actually did like her character, so for me, that was never an issue.
But don't worry. True addicts know that the hunt is the *real* fun part. I don't only shop for drama recommendations on these blogs. There are lots of underrated ones I've watched that have never even been mentioned, but I'm okay with that. ;)
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99 deeta
January 19, 2010 at 10:16 PM
LOLs, Samsooki, you actually wrote the essay. I was reading your comment and wondered if you were actually writing it, haha.
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100 yolili
January 19, 2010 at 10:48 PM
First time commeting in dramabeans!! :D
My 1st intro into kdrama-land was MLP & totally made me noticed that Korean guys are HOT! hahaha (both Kim X Wons won me over..Jae coz of his megawatt smile & Rae for looking so COOL, pama & all, haha!).
Having no prior experience of kdramas (grew up on HK serials!), I found MLP refreshing, breezy, charming & fun to watch. I found JNR or rather her character loud (oh yes!), spunky, brazen and cute. I thought JNR was suited to the role. I'm not a fan though (couldnt' stand her/her character in Wedding! All she did there was cry cry cry & cry some more in the episodes that I did catch!! And RSW arghhh....)
samsooki, I want to say 'Thank You' for explaining about the title/backstory to the name Patzzi! :D I've always wondered why it was titled that way since Patzzi wasn't the character's name, so Kamsahamnida.
Now on to view the rebuttals!!!
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