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Scripts and scenes from Wish Upon a Star

With no episodes of Wish Upon a Star airing this week (and such heated response at the unfortunate postponement), I tried to think of a way to get my fix despite the lack of new material. I tried to look for any interviews of the lead actors, but unfortunately, there are very few — the last I could find for Choi Jung-won and Kim Ji-hoon, for instance, were back in 2008. Shin Dong-wook has likewise kept a low profile, and Lee Kyun was in the army in addition to mostly having smaller roles (i.e., Hello Franceska).

I did manage to get my hands on the scripts for Episodes 1-12, however, and have uploaded them for your perusal: [ DOWNLOAD SCRIPTS FOR EPISODES 1-12 ]

In addition, I’ve excerpted a few of my favorite scenes below.

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Wish Upon a Star OST – “아마도” (Probably) by Jaycade [ Download ]

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I’ve never thought the acting was particularly spectacular in Wish Upon a Star, which I thought of as a mix of cute stars (and kids), amusing situations, and competent acting (from the main cast, at least; no need to waste breath discussing the dull Jung family). However, after reading through the scripts, I’m revising my opinion, because the cast deserves A LOT more credit for bringing their personal charm to the roles.

I say this because the scripts are quite spare. They don’t give a lot of direction, and contain almost no insight into inner motivations. They’re much less detailed than, say, the scripts of Coffee Prince, Que Sera Sera, or even Boys Before Flowers. And this means that the drama owes a lot more to the actors for its little funny beats, the wry expressions, the comic timing, and even the reaction shots.

Take, for instance, the following scene when Kang-ha first finds Pa-rang sleeping in his bed. It’s one of my favorite Kang-ha/Pa-rang interactions, and onscreen it’s hilarious:

EPISODE 7

Scene 5. Kang-ha’s room. (Morning)

Kang-ha opens his eyes, stretches, starts to rise. But there’s something at his feet, startling him as he gets up and approaches the foot of the bed.
Pa-rang is curled up in the blankets, asleep.

Kang-ha: (Incredulous, poking Pa-rang) “Hey. Hey?’
Pa-rang: (Squinting, opening his eyes)
Kang-ha: “Why are you sleeping here?”
Pa-rang: “I have a sleepwalking condition. Ajusshi, please understand.” (Burrows in the blankets)

Kang-ha stares blankly.

Isn’t it funny how something that is so simple on the page could be so appealing when put onscreen?

Following is another example. I think it’s actually funny on the page, but Kim Ji-hoon’s timing with his alternating smile-frown-smirk-grimace is what made this a laugh-out-loud moment in the episode:

This is the scene when Ju-hwang berates his brother for sleepwalking into Kang-ha’s bedroom.

Scene 54. Second floor. (Morning)

Kang-ha exits the room.

Ju-hwang (off-screen): “Hey you, why do you keep coming up here to sleep?”
Pa-rang (o.s.): “I don’t know either.”
Ju-hwang (o.s.): “It’s because you’re too comfortable. And it’s not just anyone’s room, it’s that ajusshi’s! Don’t you know you can’t do that? Don’t you know the saying that you’d better be careful where you lie down?”
Pa-rang (o.s.): “What does that mean?”
Ju-hwang (o.s.): “It means you’d better pay attention to a person’s character!”
Kang-ha: (What’s that kid saying? His feelings sour.)
Pa-rang (o.s.): “I think that ajusshi has a good character.”
Kang-ha: (That doesn’t feel so bad.)
Ju-hwang (o.s.): “That’s why you have no taste in people!”
Kang-ha: (His feelings sour again.)

 

EPISODE 10

Scene 60. Kang-ha’s room. (Night)

Kang-ha enters.

Kang-ha: “Night and day, she picks a fight.”

He starts to change his clothes. Pa-rang opens the door slightly.

Pa-rang: “Ajusshi?”
Kang-ha: “What is it?”
Pa-rang: “I’m not sleepwalking right now, but can I come in?”
Kang-ha: “Do what you want. Have you asked before coming in anyway?”
Pa-rang: (Approaching immediately) “Ajusshi?”
Kang-ha: “What is it?”
Pa-rang: “I’m not on your side because you bought us jajangmyun.”
Kang-ha: “Huh?”
Pa-rang: “It’s just, well, it’s just because I really like you. So you absolutely can’t be pushed aside by Tae-kyu hyung.” (Suddenly clenching his fist) “Fighting.” (Starting to run out, he turns back sharply) “Good night. Dream of my sister.” (He exits)

 

Scene 73. Jazz bar. (Night)

Kang-ha and Jun-ha drink. Stage is empty.
Kang-ha drinks indifferently. Sees Pal-gang walking down the staircase. Stiffens.
Just as Pal-gang descends the stairs, the lights turn off. Everyone stirs. They wonder, is it a blackout?
Pal-gang, startled, uses the wall to guide her as she descends.
Lights flick on onstage.
Pal-gang wonders what’s going on.
Tae-kyu wears a tuxedo (or event clothing). His two friends grab Pal-gang’s hands.

Pal-gang: “Wha– what are you doing?”

Tae-kyu’s friends take Pal-gang to the stage.

Pal-gang: “I– I can’t sing.”

Kang-ha’s expression seems to ask, What’s going on?
Jun-ha looks indifferent, but watches Kang-ha’s face closely.

Pal-gang: “I really can’t sing.”

Suddenly, Tae-kyu appears onstage playing guitar.
Pal-gang watches blankly.

Kang-ha: “What’s that kid doing?”
Jun-ha: “We’ll find out, I guess.”

Tae-kyu plays a gentle ballad. Kim Jang-hoon’s “My Profile”: “Call me your man, and when I first met you…

Pal-gang: “……”

Tae-kyu sings.
Meanwhile, Jae-young walks down the stairs.
Jae-young sees the stage and wonders what’s going on.
Tae-kyu finishes the song, puts the guitar away. Gets on his knee in front of Pal-gang. He takes out the ring case he’d prepared.

Pal-gang: “You…”

Not even aware of what he’s doing, Kang-ha stands.
Jun-ha doesn’t miss his expression.

Tae-kyu: “Jin Pal-gang. I’m foolish and I’m not confident that I’ll succeed, and I say stupid things every day. But I can say this with certainty. That in this moment, I’m not talking nonsense. And I’ll swear this — that because of you, I’ll become a better person. Because of you, I’ll improve. Because of you, I’ll grow stronger. So marry me.”

Pal-gang: “……”

Kang-ha watches with a hardened expression, turning his head.
Jun-ha watches Kang-ha. So does Jae-young.
Pal-gang becomes blank.
People start to shout, Accept! Accept!
Pal-gang doesn’t know what to do.
End episode.

 

EPISODE 12

Scene 35. Front yard. (Night)

Kang-ha sits lost in thoughts at the staircase.
Pal-gang emerges from the house carrying a trash bag.

Pal-gang: (Seeing Kang-ha) “Why are you sitting here?”
Kang-ha: “……”
Pal-gang: “Please go back inside, it’s cold.” (Starting to descend the stairs)
Kang-ha: (Grabs her arm)
Pal-gang: (Shuts her eyes)
Kang-ha: “I’m sorry.”
Pal-gang: “……” (Opening her eyes)
Kang-ha: “Last night… for making a mistake. And acting like I forgot.”
Pal-gang: “Why is that a big deal?”
Kang-ha: (Looking at her)
Pal-gang: “I know that last night, to you I was no different from
            a room salon girl sitting next to you.
            So don’t worry about it.”
            (Starting to walk down the steps)
Kang-ha: (Rising) “I may be a jerk but I’m not that bad!”
Pal-gang: (Watching him) “You’re making a mistake, Mr. Lawyer.”
Kang-ha: “……”
Pal-gang: “You should have just pretended you didn’t remember.”
            (Starting to walk on)
Kang-ha: “It bothers me.”
Pal-gang: (Stopping)
Kang-ha: “It just… bothers me. It gets on my nerves. Because of you.”
Pal-gang: “I’m sure it does. It’s natural that a strange housekeeper like
            me would get on our nerves.
            For just one more month…
            No, now there’s less than a month left.
            So even if it gets on your nerves, please put up with it till then.”
            (Walking on)
Kang-ha: “……”

Scene 36. In front of Kang-ha’s house. (Night)

Pal-gang comes out holding the trash bag, and leans against the wall.

Scene 37. Kang-ha’s room. (Night)

Kang-ha enters, leaning against the door, and shuts his eyes.

 

Are you noticing a pattern to which scenes I’m liking? To be fair, it’s not like Kang-ha/Pa-rang moments are the only interesting scenes, but they are the ones that made me most curious to see what the character was thinking. I’ve never thought Kim Ji-hoon was an especially strong actor, but in light of how little direction he is given in these scripts, I’m more impressed with the choices he’s made in balancing out Kang-ha’s outer gruffness with his vulnerability.

Choi Jung-won has also done well balancing out Pal-gang’s inner fears and turmoil with her outer pluckiness, and the above scene is an example where she brings a lot more to the character than what’s given to her.

Scene 43: Kang-ha’s room. (Night)

Kang-ha sits on his bed, lost in thought, when the door opens. Pa-rang enters, half-asleep.

Kang-ha: (Pulling aside the blankets as Pa-rang calmly lays down on the bed, patting Pa-rang’s hair) “What kind of people were your mother and father?”

Pa-rang sleeps, unaware of the world.

Kang-ha: “If I was the child of parents like yours…
            …I wouldn’t have turned out like this, would I?”
Pa-rang: “…….”
Kang-ha: (Lying by Pa-rang’s side)
            “See, I…
            If I ever showed my feelings… I was always punished.
            So at some point… I stopped showing them.”

He closes his eyes.

Fade out.

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love it.

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thanks for sharing...i am sooo deprive of this drama this week...can't believe they post poned it...why couldn't they just show it earlier or later!!! can't wait for next week.

I am also surprise at the acting and script too. There's no denying that there's great chemistry in the works here and the children are a plus because they are all soooo natural ... it's hard to believe that they are actually acting!

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Thanks for the translation! Maybe the director was very good and provided more direction :) But I think this is how a script should be : laying out the groundwork - the actors are free to act out their interpretations (in harmony with the rest of the cast of course).
It makes me sad that theres nothing this week to distract me from school work...

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Thank you for filling in the gap... you are heaven sent :)

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@ 1.
Said the same thing I was going to.
XDDD

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thanks for filling the emptiness of no Wish Upon a Star this week...HAHA..seriously though, luv ya JB!

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Awww KJH still looks sexy flashing the cheesy peace sign.

Thanks JB! Now I kinda wonder how the Chuno script looks like.

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Wow. It is great to have some insight as to what is presented in front of these actors each week. I think they deliver spectacularly considering the vague directions in the script. Thanks Javabeans!

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javabeans you're my hero of the day!! i was going through a withdrawal since it was aired this week. THANK YOU!!

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JB, thanks so much for being so thoughtful, in snagging parts of the script and sharing some of your favorite scenes with us.

You weren't kidding when you said that the scripts were spare. I imagine the PD must help the actors, in fleshing things out in the way that he/she envisions each scene. But, still...in the hands of lesser actors, this drama could have turned out to be quite mediocre. I agree with what you've said, and, after reading those sparse scripts, I'm really impressed with how much heart the lead actors and children have infused into their roles.

Thanks for giving us this nice treat, JB! We now have something to keep us, until next week! You're the best! =)

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Man i was so depressed that i couldn't watch this show that i even started to hate the Olympics.

i thought i couldn't survive for a WHOLE week.

But thanks to you javabeans i think i can survive this week by reading these scripts...

I swear if they decide to not air these episodes next week cause the womens skating is on i think i might seriously go to the SBS building and give them a piece of my mind!!!

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Wow! Your favorite scenes are almost the same as mine. The one exception being the stairway (trash)scene. Actually, all of Pa-rang's scenes are my favorite. The one where he told KH that he was a Power Ranger and the scene where Pa-rang winked at KH.

It's really surprising how little direction the writer gave the director and the cast. I've always thought that the writer's instructions/explanations would be extremely detailed.

Thank you so much for alleviating our withdrawal by giving some WUAS tidbits.

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Loved it =) Thank you

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@1and 5
me three!jejeje
;D

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This is great. Thanks!

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ok i'm giving in downloading ep. 1 right now.

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Love the pic; everyone else flashing peace signs and KJH throwing gang signs. Heelarious. :-D

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THANK YOU!

Why is Kim Ji Hoon giving the British "up yours!" sign? Does KJH know he's flashing "up yours!"? is more the question, I guess.

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hehe! i noticed the same pattern you pointed out, javabeans! i was thinking: "my god - every scene she chose has kang ha in it!" and then you gave your reasoning/comments at the end!!!

i have to agree - although my fave scenes are more of pa rang with kang ha. i also particularly enjoyed the scene where pal gang rushes into kang ha's office and he tells her it's become quite a habit of hers, and when jun ha tries to butt in, kang ha immediately shuts him up.

i thought: woohoo! finally someone shuts up the person who's going to add additional angst to the scene. (rather than letting jun ha get his say and just sour the atmosphere between pal gang and kang ha even more)

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Comment on the scripts: I've read a fair few scripts, although none from Korean dramas, and I can't say I generally expect to see a lot more direction in the script itself about the characters' motivations. I would expect much of the scene-by-scene insights, the instructions about how to express the characters' emotions and motivations, to come from the director. These excerpts seem to show a lot of direction--"Not even aware of what he’s doing, Kang-ha stands.
Jun-ha doesn’t miss his expression."--where I would expect to see more mundane directions as in, "Kang-ha: (Grabs her arm)
Pal-gang: (Shuts her eyes)
Kang-ha: “I’m sorry.”
Pal-gang: “……” (Opening her eyes)"

I take your point that what's on the screen is much more than what is in the script, but even the Kang Ha reaction to Pa Rang and Jung Hwa's off-screen conversation about him comes directly from the writer's instructions on his reaction. He does a great job of it, no doubt at all about that. But he's been told what to express (what the character is thinking), and what KJH's done, or he and the director have done, is figure out HOW to express it. I like him a lot in this role, I think he's really nailed it. In the second less directive bit I quoted above where just his line is given, "I'm sorry"... so much emotion comes through on the screen in the way he says it. He manages to convey how difficult it is for Kang Ha to say it, how much Kang Ha's had to think about saying it, how he's steeled himself to say it, and how saying opens up saying and feeling more for Kang Ha than he's fully ready for. And he does that in one line. I agree with you, I think he's doing a pretty good job.

Thank you for translating these--it is fascinating to get this kind of inside look at the production side.

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Whoo! javabeans you did it again! (That is, providing me with weekly kdrama crack) I was seriously hooked on You're Beautiful a few months ago, but it seems like Wish Upon a star is my new crack :)

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I'm actually following all Mon/Tues dramas [with the exception of Jejoongwon; sorry YJH your hotness can't pull me in to a medical-sageuk(?)] and I never thought of WUAS, or any of the other ones for that matter, as my favorite. However, with the delayed episodes, I realized how much I do like this drama and, like javabeans, was also surprised at HOW disappointed I was.

Can't wait for next week.

:D

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Thank you JavaBeans for sharing! I swear I was feeling like an addict who did not get their fix. Words cannot express how much I missed this drama this week and how nice it was to relive your favorite scenes(which happen to be some of my favorite scenes as well). Now that I got a little fix, all I have to do is make it till next Monday.

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@ 21 Anonymous

I am with you...I was seriously hooked on You Are Beautiful; now WUAS is my new crack..0)

Thanks JB for trying to get us addicts a quick fix. Really appreciate it. But we need more to get through the week. :0)

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Thank you ! Appreciate it !

I also love the Kang-ha/Pa-rang moments. The child actor is so good. The children are all good, even Baby Nami :D. I wonder if by the end of the drama he will have been able to walk.

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Omo... Thanks soo much!!! I needed a SFFTS fix and a Parang fix!! You gave me ample material of both!!!

Thanks again so much!!

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thanks! i love the song!

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I loved that last scene you put up. I love the Pa Rang/Kang Ho scenes as well because it shows more of his softer side.
Thank you for this. It's not the newer episodes like I wanted but thank you and thank you for your effort for trying to look for interviews and such.

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JB you're a savior!

After the weekend vacation overseas I had I thought one thing to be excited coming home is to watch the new episode but only to find out (of course thru DB) there will be no episode for this week (and maybe again next week--que horror!). But seeing this post, turns the blues away, a lot of love and thanks to you JB. thanks for your hardwork ♥♥♥

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Thanks for giving us our weekly dose of stars. It did feel kind of empty without the drama. Now that I saw the scripts I'd really wish I got my hands on some NG's somethig tells me that those people had some laughs on while shooting some of the scenes.

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"JB" A true heroine! Thank you again for your hard work, I do agree at how a simple line of text can be transformed in to a work of art, my favorite character by far is Pal-gang, I first saw her in "The Kingdom of The Winds" and she look kinda like LDH in Chuno, but this time around she has brought Pal-gang to life in such a real way I empathize with her when she cries and when shes happy, she is not the damsel in distress, she has being able to portray a true to life person struggling to survive her circumstances, and with that little to go by in the script I think the whole cast have done a superb job, it is almost like playing music on and ensemble all the instruments must be in tune so they can play beautiful music, and the cast of Wish Upon a Star have been able to accomplish that. thank you again..... : O }

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I am really enjoying this drama....it's so nice to watch the characters unfold and come alive. I am especially enjoying how Kang-ha is becoming "kind" and responding to that good feeling he is experiencing being around the children and Pal-gang.

I think what is so nice about this drama is the fact that there's no competition among the stars....it's a story and they are playing their roles very well.

The character of Pal-gang from the beginning to now has really changed...she has become a "woman" who loves her siblings.

Thanks JB for this extra information from scripts and scenes.

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O Sarah thanks a lot for sharing. I kinda of disappointed that SBS decided to postpone it to another week as I am so looking forward to episode 13. I luv the transformation of our heroine Pal Gang from a self-centred girl into someone so lovable...

Though she has not many friends, but I really do luv to see her interactions with Jin Ju and the ahjumah grandmother, how despite the age differences, they bonded well. Just simply luv this drama..

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thanks JB... for filling the longing & oh soooo, frustrating week-long WAIT for episode 13 of WUAS!!! guess, i'll just have to re-watch some past episodes to get over missing Kang Ha this week!!!

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Thank you so much! I Love the Parang/Kang-Ha scenes

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missing this drama this week. am i the only one wondering if the download-able scripts are in english or korean chars? why would they be in english?

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Thank you for sharing! Happy happy :) I am really missing this drama this week lol. And there really isn't a lot of direction, kudos to the actors for making their characters so interesting :)

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You are so wonderful. Since there is no show, i enjoy every piece of news related to this drama.

If possible, please give us 1 piece of new each day!! Hah Hah! In love with this drama yah!

B........i..........g THANK YOU to you!

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@17 & 18. I don't think KJH knew he was gesturing the 'Up yours'. If he did, it's pretty funny! Thanks JavaBeans for helping us get through this week!

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thank you.... at least we have something to dwell on while waiting for the next Monday episode..... ~ already download the script.... ^_^ ....
which I now realize its in Hangul..... ;-(

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Thank you, Javabeans!

I think the script for the scene on the staircase surprised me the most. There were so many layers of frustration and vulnerability in that scene and the two after it that's just not conveyed in the written version. I'm sure the director deserves a lot of credit, but my respect for Choi Jung-won and Kim Ji-hoon has grown exponentially. Kim Ji-hoon especially deserves much more of the credit for warming up such a cold hearted character. He really makes you ache for a guy most of us couldn't stand when the series started. In the hands of a different actor, I'm not sure Kang-ha would be as believable or as easy to like.

On a more snarky note, I think the lack of script details explains the acting of a certain helmet-haired harpy. I don't think the actress is on the same level as the rest of the cast and doesn't have the ability to breath life into her character the way the others can.

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First off, thank youuuu!!! I'm gonna snag that right away. Not only reading the transcripts will help with the withdrawal, but it'll be great to improve my still oh so shaky Korean. Studying while having fun? Wonderful! :)

Secondly, the scenes (ep 7) you mentioned are my favorite ones as well, esp the second one. KJH was great in both, but I fsqueed a little during the second. It still brings me a smile to my face. Plus, I love Pa Rang rooting for him. Well, actually, I love when the kids (No-rang, Pa-rang and Cho-rok) root for a guy each. The girls' crushes on Joon-ha and Tae-kyu are soooo adorable.

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Thank you JB for helping us to bear this WUASless week

As for the downloads for the scripts, thanky you very much, I appreciate this very very much.

Maybe this behind the scenes- videoclips will make the WUAS Fans here,
smile, too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWcNnj70ZEk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkd6CG_g3Z4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19W5d0tGSfE&feature=related

And this is like a preview ...just dont know which episode it will be :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/jihgun509#p/a/u/0/wkmW6zGQ5iQ

In all clips we can see that the child actors get along very well with each other and the adult actors. They treat the children very vell, They are good friends already. And they lead the young actors to do their job very well, too....

So, if the atmosphere is good between them, no wonder that the chemistry onscreen is so good :)

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JB, thank you for this.
exactly. Kim Ji Hoons facial expressions were amazing. i love em all. :)
plus the director is good too.

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Eppie 7, Scene 5 is my wife's favorite.

It sounds better in korean than it does in english I think, but the meaning is right there in JB's translation. As funny as it is reading it, when you watch it for the first time, it is that much better.

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Thank you for this post to keep the edge off our Wish Upon a Star addiction.

wow I had always thought directions in scripts were always as spare as this one until I checked out the ones for BOF and Coffee Prince. You're right, these actors do deserve a lot of the credit for bringing the characters to life. and the director as well!

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JB, you are such a sweetheart. Thank you!

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@18
I was thinking the same thing!

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@47
i notice that too.
maybe, he didn't know.

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Dramabeans you are a life saver. I was literaly climbing on walls, when all my fav series scheduals disruppted lately (Dandelion Family, Autumn's Concerto and of course Wish Upon a Star). Now I can rest easy for another week hopefully.

I am curious to know, however, if there are any clues to the second brother's peculiar behaviour?

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