2010 Beanie Awards: Vote for your favorite dramas of the year
by javabeans
It’s December, and you know what that means around these parts: Time to reflect on the past year and see how the dramas stacked up! And boy, were there a lot of them.
As in previous years, I am planning a multi-part series (with special guest bloggers, natch!) to wrap up the year, which we’re busily writing up now — keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks! If you want a refresher on how previous years have gone, here’s this handy tag to take you right to them.
But before we tell you what we thought about the dramas of 2010, this is YOUR turn to weigh in and vote for your favorite shows, couples, bromances — and, yes, your big disappointments — in what we’re calling the Beanie Awards. They’re in your hands; give ’em out with care!
FAVORITE DRAMA SERIES OF 2010
Starting off with the big one, vote for your favorite drama of the year, whether that means your pick for an artistic “best” or simply an emotional favorite. The voting list is by no means a comprehensive collection of all the dramas that aired in 2010; it would be too overwhelming to include them all. So we narrowed the list to twenty of the likeliest candidates, and since we realize it may be tough to just pick one, you can select up to three dramas.
FAVORITE COMEDIC DRAMA
Which drama made you laugh, whether with insane antics, witty banter, or a heartwarming sense of humor?
FAVORITE HISTORICAL DRAMA
Some of these are more traditional in their format (such as Dong Yi), while others have fusion elements (like the trendy-romantic vibe in Sungkyunkwan Scandal), and others were downright genre pieces set in the past (sci-fi and paranormal-oriented Joseon X-Files). But they were all set anywhere from a hundred to a thousand years in the past and cloaked in colorful period costumes.
FAVORITE ACTION OR MELODRAMA SERIES
This is a bit of a mishmash of a category, I know. Still, I wanted to separate out these dramas from the rest of the trendy or sageuk crowd.
FAVORITE FAMILY DRAMA
Alas, I can’t offer you much insight on this category, being that I am not quite so avid a follower of this genre as I am the others. However, family series make up a huge part of the airtime on Korean television, so it deserves its voting category.
FAVORITE ROMANTIC PAIRING
Ah, romance. The lifeblood of the Korean drama, particularly the trendy variety. Which pairing tickled your fancy the most? Which couple got your inner fangirl squealing in delight? Which OTP did you root for through all the requisite angst that ran interference during those cursed episodes in the middle when you really just wanted them to kiss already?
BEST KISS
Speaking of kisses… We know that a kiss in K-dramaland isnt ever just a kiss. It’s often so much more — it’s a decision, an epiphany, a game-changer. Which kiss made you squee the loudest? (Or snort in laughter, as the case may be.)
FAVORITE PIGGYBACK RIDE
If kisses are declarations, surely the piggyback ride, seen in practically every kdrama since the beginning of kdrama time, also makes a statement. Such as, “I want to take care of you.” Or maybe it’s more like “I don’t want to take care of you but I care too much to NOT take care of you,” or even “I don’t WANT to care but I can’t help it so I’ll take care of you anyway.” Most loaded means of transportation EVER.
FAVORITE CHARACTER
The charisma and/or appeal of a character is an elusive quality that can make or break a drama: sometimes lovable characters can sustain entire dramas with their charm even when, let’s face it, the rest of the stuff ain’t so good. But when a character gets under your skin and makes you fall in love with them, there’s a certain magic that comes into play. Who did that for you this year?
BEST DRAMA POSSE
Friendship is rarely the focus of a drama, but the presence of a good friend — or several — can elevate a drama and warm your heart. They exult with our heroes when there’s cause for celebration, console them with liquor and sympathy when they’re down, and hold back their hair when they’re really down.
BEST VILLAIN
Villains can be bratty interlopers, crazed madmen (or women), or evil masterminds. All we know is: They spice up dramas and are lots of fun to hate. Who needs boring ol’ Fate to complicate your life when you’ve got enemies like these?
FAVORITE BROMANCE
Boys. Sometimes fighting. Sometimes frolicking. Need I say more?
FAVORITE ALTERNATE PAIRING
If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent many a drama feeling that dread in the pit of your stomach when you realize, Crap, I picked the wrong team. It becomes painfully obvious that the couple you’re rooting for is never gonna make it, often leaving one party out of the loop and broken-hearted. Who was your favorite couple who was Not Meant To Be?
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE
Breakout doesn’t necessarily mean newcomer, although the two often go hand in hand. The actors in this category may have had other credits to their names, but it was in these selections that they shined, made their presence known, and springboarded to what will likely be greater fame. (Note: Some actors had big roles this year, but have been around or were previously well-known, and therefore were left off the list.)
OVERRATED DRAMA
“Overrated” applies to dramas that had mainstream popularity, but perhaps didn’t deserve the level of attention they got. By the same token, “underrated” applies to dramas that didn’t get as much love, but which you thought deserved more attention.
UNDERRATED DRAMA
DISAPPOINTING ENDING
Don’t you hate it when a drama is doing so well, and carries so much promise, only to fall flat in the final stretch? Even if 95% of a show is solid, a bad final 5% can really cause a drama to plummet in your affections. Sadly, this happens way too frequently.
BIGGEST WASTE OF TALENT
Likewise, it’s a bummer when a drama boasts a fantastic cast or your favorite star… and then fails to use his/her talents. Not only do you feel cheated, but you feel sorry for the actor who got suckered into a role that sorely underutilizes them.
BEST PERM
There was a fair number of male stars rockin’ the curly hair this year, for better or for worse. I KNOW WHO I’M VOTING FOR.
BEST ‘STACHE
With the rise of the “beast-men” trend, we saw a lot more abs, often glistening with sweat (thanks, Chuno), and a LOT more examples of facial hair, from minor scruff to the dreaded pornstache to full-on beards. Who rocked it best?
BEST AND WORST USE OF AN IDOL STAR
As we know, idols are advancing into television dramas with greater frequency these days, to a point where you can hardly throw a stone without hitting a chiseled idol ab. The phenomenon is usually met with some skepticism by viewers who are wary of untrained, inexperienced actors getting leading (or prominent supporting) roles, even as the idols are used to draw in more viewers. Some are bad, sure, but some are surprisingly solid. How did they do in your eyes?
RELATED POSTS
- 2009 Year in Reivew, Part 6: Editors’ Picks
- 2009 Year in Review, Part 5: Finding Hidden Gems and Lumps of Coal in 2009 (hjkomo’s review)
- 2009 Year in Review, Part 4: All Told, A Pretty Fun Year (javabeans’ review)
- 2009 Year in Review, Part 3: A Newbie Reviews 2009 (Samsooki’s review)
- 2009 Year in Review, Part 2: The Good, The Bad, The Middling (thunderbolt’s review)
- 2009 Year in Review, Part 1: Duds and Delights of 2009 (Dahee Fanel’s review)
- How was 2009 for you?
- How was 2007 for you?
Tags: 1 show to rule them all, Bad Guy, Baker King Kim Tak-gu, Beanie Awards, Chuno, Cinderella's Sister, Coffee House, Comrades, Daemul, Dong Yi, Dr. Champ, featured, Giant, God of Study, I Am Legend, Jejoongwon, Joseon X-Files, Mary Stayed Out All Night, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, Oh My Lady, Pasta, Personal Taste, Playful Kiss, Prosecutor Princess, Road No. 1, Runaway Plan B, Secret Garden, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, Wish Upon a Star, year in review, year in review 2010
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51 Birdie
December 9, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Correction -it only made it to one category.
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52 sunshine
December 9, 2010 at 9:38 PM
When I saw the main picture with all of the different dramas, I thought "Were there really that many in 2010?" But yes, yes there were. And this poll reminded me of some of the really good ones that aired earlier in the year. (I remember loving Coffee House when I saw it, but as I found myself voting for it over and over again in the different categories, I was reminded of how solid it was.)
Two specific polls stuck out to me. First, in the breakout performance category, I had such a hard time choosing, because I've seen most of those actors/dramas and the ones I saw were all SO. GOOD. Secondly, in the best perm? I love Moon Jae Shin and all, but I'm really not sure his hair's considered a perm.
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Natalie
December 9, 2010 at 9:40 PM
yeah i'm not sure his hair was considered a perm either!
and the Breakout performance category was SO HARD for me too.
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53 Natalie
December 9, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Oh so torn between Gumiho and SKK, although usually Gumiho wins out because I really didn't like the bloody epilogue of SKK.
So torn between Song Joong Ki and Yoo Ah In!
I think the alleyway kiss between Mary and Mu Gyul was the best for me this year, so it's a shame the kiss chosen was the first one they had, where it was somewhat emotionless.
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54 dit
December 9, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Best Stache, Yoo Ah In, DUH!! He even won a poll on it!
Best Idol Star, still THE Shiwon, no matter what a breakout role Park Yoochun did in SKKS.
Worst ending, SKKS. Actually, worst last quarter of a drama.
Underrated and Bromance, Dr Champ! Was such a lovely drama.
All in all, I didn't watch a lot of dramas this year. I started watching quite a lot, but only managed to finish like a third of what I started watching. For me, 2010 had a lot of anticipated dramas that ended up being such huge disappointment (Personal Taste, Cinderella's Sister, Mary, Gumiho, etc), but then again it also had some nice surprises (SKKS, Doctor Champ, Runaway) so still a decent year for me!
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danna
December 9, 2010 at 11:12 PM
you're so right about this being the year of higly anticipated dramas gone wrong
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55 Cassandra
December 9, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Wow, SKKS totally FTW! Also, imo best part of this survey: Witty comments next to the titles. Please take me under your wing and teach me the ways of the snark.
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56 Ladymoonstone143
December 9, 2010 at 9:40 PM
I would love to choose 2 for the break out star category...for Ah In (SKKS) and So Min (PK).......they are both adorable and so looking forward to their future projects 2011...
And I am so happy that lots of people are rooting for Jae Shin and Yoon hee for the pairing...lol
I have soooo much fun voting. 2010 is a great year for my kdrama...I've fallen inlove with many (SKKS, PK, Chuno, SG ) but others belong to the pure WTF and NO. Really. WTF category (quoted from above...lol).........
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57 samgetang
December 9, 2010 at 9:41 PM
HIP HIP HOORAYYYY!!!! For the 2010 Beanie Awards!!!! Much much love from this reader :-)
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58 moomooye
December 9, 2010 at 9:43 PM
It's hard to vote on Secrete Garden, since it's still airing, and we don't know the ending.
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Sukispop
December 10, 2010 at 5:44 AM
I completely agree. While I have absolutely been loving Secret Garden, we're only up to episode 8 which isn't even the halfway point. We know that almost anything can happen, especially with all of the speculation that's been posted on the various blogs and forums. We know that there have been some dramas that seemed headed for greatness...only to have surprised us badly with incredibly bad endings. We don't know the ending with SG, so many of us gave our votes for it based on our faith in continued great writing, directing, and acting.
But, yeah, I too had a bit of mixed feelings while placing my votes.
But it was still lots of fun! Thanks, JB! ;)
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59 tati
December 9, 2010 at 9:43 PM
i didn't know voting could be so much fun!
and:
"BEST PERM
MARY's Kang Mu-gyul: the perm we wish we could have ourselves"
my thoughts exactly.
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Lenita
December 10, 2010 at 12:59 AM
second! *or three thousandth actually*
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60 YoSoyHaru!!!!!!!!!!
December 9, 2010 at 9:44 PM
I voted for all the categories :D!
And what I learned is that SKKS was a hit, Yoo AhIn was amazing in the drama. Also I guess I should start watching Secret Garden. Thanks again
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61 melica
December 9, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Best kisses were in Prosecutor Princess. The smirk plant will go down as one of the best k-drama kisses ever.
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CIntanegrikekasih
December 10, 2010 at 1:56 AM
I AGREE With you!
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62 Annie
December 9, 2010 at 9:48 PM
prosecutor princess to ALL lol
where is the kiss in PP, i was looking for it
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63 Angel
December 9, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Omo I've been waiting for this for so long! Our favourite Beanie Awards! Thank you so much Javabeans and girlfriday! :D
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64 danni
December 9, 2010 at 9:50 PM
So hard to choose just one for some of these, I watched (or at least got halfway through) more dramas than usual this year. Very interesting polls (best perm and best 'stache had me cracking up), can't wait to see the final results. And the year-end reviews, which are always an interesting read.
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65 Rain
December 9, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Prosecutor princess is not in so many categories.. : ( It totally deserves to be!
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Sukispop
December 10, 2010 at 5:51 AM
I agree.
Looking at the current vote results, it would appear that many people did not watch Prosecutor Princess, or turned away after their initial impression of Ma Hye-ri in the early episodes. Those that did missed out on a really great drama.
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birdscout
December 10, 2010 at 12:08 PM
I only watched the first couple of episodes of PP and was turned off by the main female lead, but after reading so many comments praising this drama, I might just have to give it a try.
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66 CoffeeLove
December 9, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Nooooooo!!! I forgot you do this at the end of the year! I've only seen a couple of dramas from this year :(( gaaahh
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67 Kat
December 9, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Thanks JB & GF! This poll is FUN!! Most of my votes went to Secret Garden & Kim Takgu. But i do like SKKS & i had thought Personal Taste shld have deserved more votes.
Best Breakout perf: Song Joong Ki had really impressed me & set me at a diff angle when watching him act as Goo Yong Ha.
Best use of idol star: felt that Eunjung did pretty well
Biggest Waste of Talent: Had really wanted to vote for 2 of the nominations: Jang Geun Seok & Moon Geun Young cuz they are great actors but the plot's so poorly executed.
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68 messi
December 9, 2010 at 9:57 PM
Can we vote again and again for one favourite?
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69 JD
December 9, 2010 at 9:58 PM
I LOVE it that Guhro's popularity is so obvious!
And this: MARY's Kang Mu-gyul: the perm we wish we could have ourselves. My God, I wish I had that hair for my prom two years ago.
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70 Cherry
December 9, 2010 at 9:58 PM
Can you include best ost of the year ? They played a huge part in dramas too !
I love chuno's ost the best :) Rocking real hard !
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abey
December 9, 2010 at 10:19 PM
second this! OST playing an important role.
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Lenita
December 10, 2010 at 1:04 AM
good idea! i also love chuno's the best, what amazing music!
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pohonphee
December 10, 2010 at 4:29 AM
If there is best ost of the year category, I will vote for SKKS OST. Nope I'm not a DBSK or JYJ fans, so no bias here. :) SKKS FTW!!
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Ace
December 10, 2010 at 1:12 PM
MGIAG OST and PK OST
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71 vancouver2010
December 9, 2010 at 10:19 PM
yay! SKKS mostly won the good categories incl. best use of idol starn in Yoochun and breakout performance in Yoo Ah In, and best bromance to end all bromances with Ah In and Joong Ki..HAHA..LOVE! LOVE! SKKS...the soompi blog for SKKS is even still very much alive...
Thanks Jb and Gf for letting us still vent our love for kdrama !
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72 Blue
December 9, 2010 at 10:22 PM
wuaaa you put my three guys in a category was too hard to choose and in a category there were two >"< SKKS best drama of 2010 despite the end I think KBS will do better if they would do an extension cause MAry isnt that good in ratings XD but I still love JGS XD
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73 nope
December 9, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Secrect Garden Is best 2010 Drama....NO doubt
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74 kc
December 9, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Secret Garden.. fave comedy not in the list. thanks u
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75 Marypeg
December 9, 2010 at 10:36 PM
I had to stick up for Personal taste for best comedy... even though I've loved so many comedies since then this year (MGIG, SKKS, SG), PT was my first kdrama ever! It got me hooked, so I've gotta give it some props! It's got a special place in my heart.
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76 sierrablue
December 9, 2010 at 10:38 PM
I was hoping that High Kick through the roof would make the most disappointing ending list. So infuriating.
Thank you for such a fun poll. The perm one alone had me in stitches.
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77 tinysunbl
December 9, 2010 at 10:39 PM
I'm real disappointed that the muffin couple of Prosecutor Princess isn't included for best kiss. They're like sucking each other every time the kiss.
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max
December 23, 2010 at 3:28 PM
"they're like sucking each other..." literally laughed out loud!
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78 Lemon
December 9, 2010 at 10:44 PM
I seriously LOLed at Sungkyunkwan's best couple caption reading:
Nerds in Heaven
HAHAHAHA. I'm still laughing!
Best poll! I had fun voting, though there were tough choices. Yoo Ah In vs Song Joong Ki? Sigh. Luckily it was easy enough on the best bromance section. (:
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79 Abie Lee
December 9, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Why isn't Prosecutor Princess one of the choices under best kiss?
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80 rukiaichigo
December 9, 2010 at 10:48 PM
voted... :)
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81 danna
December 9, 2010 at 10:56 PM
you know what this year was??....it was the year of the best kisses....no kidding.....that was the only category i had such a hard time choosing and some of the my favorite like the PP one and the Life is Beautiful Lee Yoon Sang-Nam Sang Mi kis weren't even there
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danna
December 9, 2010 at 11:15 PM
also the year of dissapointing endings
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82 scarlett
December 9, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Do you know how to reblog this into tumblr?
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83 jyyjc
December 9, 2010 at 11:05 PM
aww why wasn't kim jae wook in the biggest waste of talent category?? :( i think he's talented but it's getting wasted in mary stayed out all night right now, his jungin pales in comparison to his taesung role.
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pohonphee
December 10, 2010 at 4:37 AM
yes the same with you, i thought Kim Jae Wook would be included in that category.
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YesungBiased
December 13, 2010 at 7:43 PM
his role in Bad Guy was excellent.
now in Mary Stayed Out All Night, he barely gets to do anything. boo!
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84 chong
December 9, 2010 at 11:06 PM
tough tough! some of the categories got me thinking real hard!
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85 Jenny
December 9, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Not gonna lie, I voted for anything and everything that has Yoo Ah In in it. He is so freaken hot and a good actor. Couldn't help myself.
AND you know what? Secret Garden better have a good ending or I will CUT it! and vote it in the worst ending. I better not be disappointed.
:) I enjoyed all your commentary...haha.
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86 theedie
December 9, 2010 at 11:06 PM
I think I would have added Dong Yi to the "Biggest Waste of Talent" category. I know I would have definitely voted for it if it were. Dong Yi could have been SO. DAMN. GOOD. That writer seriously had everything she needed at her fingertips to make an all out blockbuster....except for writing talent. I really want to go up to Bae Soo-bin, pat him on the back, nod at him knowingly and tell him, "I know".
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December 9, 2010 at 11:52 PM
olr maybe, if there was a category, it shouldve been under 'biggest waste of time'.
god dammit - it had the potential to be brilliant. but it turned sucky with repetitive plots (how many times can dong yi get captured???), the lamest villians EVER (they don't beat mishil in queen seon duk), and the crappiest of love triangles - and - o h- i forgot to mention the flashback like every 2 mins and everyone calling each other's names which takes up half of the script.
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87 fab_ahjumma
December 9, 2010 at 11:11 PM
Thanks Javabeans. Loved how we can vote. I voted in all the categories. I had lots of favourites and so really wished I could vote for 3 choices in some of the categories - especially the favourite characters.
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88 evelia
December 9, 2010 at 11:12 PM
It was difficult to vote. My favorite k-drama this year is My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Though I am enjoying Secret Garden.
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89 vietnamfan
December 9, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Can we vote again at the end ò the year. Mary stayed out all night not finished yet and it is getting much interesting and meaningful now.
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90 ruthie
December 9, 2010 at 11:17 PM
this is the time of the year again! cant wait for the year end reviews...i bet its gonna be as heated up as last year's lolz. really enjoyed reading the reviews and the comments and the arguements..its entertaining! i think i could relate more this year coz i watched most of the dramas. i skipped a couple of questions fave melodrama and family drama...i guess its not my type of genre. well, the thing is MSOAN and SG is not done yet so until i got to watch the ending i cannot commit 100% to them. so for me this year SKKS and MGIG FTW!
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91 noob
December 9, 2010 at 11:23 PM
maybe the "mary stayed out all night" will end on a better note (I feel like it's gotten pretty boring lately) because the current writer is being replaced by someone else
* crossing fingers *
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bashful
December 10, 2010 at 1:24 AM
Oh really? The writer was replaced? Is that a rumor or real news? Where did you hear it?
I also hope the new writer will further improve the plot for the sake of those good actors...
Thanks for scoop.
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x0mi07
December 10, 2010 at 10:34 AM
the news is here on dramabeans.
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92 Fasha Mamat
December 9, 2010 at 11:23 PM
yeah..this is the best poll because it complete..love this...
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93 whatis
December 9, 2010 at 11:23 PM
oh man.. this was really tough... hahaha
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94 aida
December 9, 2010 at 11:27 PM
I love skks and secret garden..the best..:)
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95 afifah
December 9, 2010 at 11:29 PM
i wish mary stayed out all night will win one of those categories (the good one of course)
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96 junaly
December 9, 2010 at 11:30 PM
This is my first dramabeans poll and I was so excited!!!!!
Wow there have been so many dramas this year.
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97 caryatid
December 9, 2010 at 11:31 PM
nice one jb!:D
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98 PickmePICKME
December 9, 2010 at 11:31 PM
Aww some of these were so hard. Heheh On the first one i was so happy it was a three choice thing. But I think Runaway Plan B is underrated a lil. I mean i watched it and i was hooked because of Rain's crazy acting. He was hilarious.
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junaly
December 10, 2010 at 9:33 PM
i liked runaway a lot!! even though i didnt feel that much chemistry, the plotline was interesting and i loved rain and his character.
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99 yellow2006m
December 9, 2010 at 11:35 PM
hard to choose between Yoo Ah In and Song Joong Ki but it had to be done ..... Yoo Ah In FTW
I expected so much from Playful Kiss because Boys Over Flowers delivered by remaking HYD...but Playful kiss shamed ISWAK
Cinderella's sister was THE biggist disappointment it was such great plot so much could've been done with it, but the show simply SUCKED
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100%
December 17, 2010 at 2:04 PM
I agree with you 100%.
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100 mmm
December 9, 2010 at 11:40 PM
but these days most of polls aren't trustworthy bcause of Fanclubs..I guess it will happen with Mary.JKS and MGY are very popular So fans will vote for them...but honestly all of us know it doesn't deserve it.
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gi24na
December 10, 2010 at 12:46 AM
I agree!!!
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makadoto
December 10, 2010 at 3:29 AM
me too
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anonymous
December 10, 2010 at 5:47 AM
me too
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cold
December 17, 2010 at 2:06 PM
me three
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