2010 Beanie Awards: Vote for your favorite dramas of the year

682 December 9, 2010April 6, 2017

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?

682

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151 claire

December 10, 2010 at 5:14 AM

i voted baker king for best drama (melodrama)...unlike most of people here, i really enjoyed the drama and i thought the acting skills were at top! and they really got the highest ratings for 2010 though...

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152 izzie

December 10, 2010 at 5:21 AM

Being a member of the Fellowship of the Moony, it's all Jae-Shin for me except for the alt. pairing. :P

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koreandramalover/kay

December 12, 2010 at 1:57 PM

i agree with u but didn't understand what you meant by "except for the alternate pairing category"? ;)

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153 M

December 10, 2010 at 5:22 AM

In some categories, the decision was SO very difficult to make, hehehe.

Also, Yoo Ah-In has skyrocketed to fame, I see...

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154 iamyournoona

December 10, 2010 at 5:30 AM

how come oh my lady is not included in favorite drama of 2010 top 3 pick?

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chel~

December 10, 2010 at 5:42 AM

yeah,.. i was supposed to pick personal taste, prosecutor princess and oh my lady, for my top 3,.. but there's no OML option,..

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155 chel~

December 10, 2010 at 5:40 AM

i agree,.. prosecutor princess is the most underrated drama,.. the story is great but unfortunately i didn't get enough popularity,..

among the top 20 kdramas, i've only watch personal taste, oh my lady and prosecutor princess, so i can't vote on most of the categories,..

also i'm quite disappointed that choi si won is not leading in the best use of an idol star category,.. he's good in OML,..

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156 lalala

December 10, 2010 at 5:47 AM

Definitely MGIG for me. I'm a little disappointed Lee Seung Gi is not in the photo.

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157 emilee

December 10, 2010 at 5:52 AM

ah, so happy to see yoo ah in skyrocket to fame!! i LOVE that guy. :)

also, agree that Prosecutor Princess is one of the most underrated dramas.. had so much fun watching it.

anyways it was really fun voting! ^^

don't know why i'm somehow not feeling secret garden although i love binnie so so much :/

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158 katiamon

December 10, 2010 at 5:56 AM

i can't believe how many dramas we had this year, i voted in every category a had a blast with your comments. guess we all think CS and BG were terrible bummers, but i'll give MSOAN a try... please don't suck!

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159 decoderblue

December 10, 2010 at 5:57 AM

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho all the way! ...Well, except for Best Villain, I voted for Inhee Bot kkk.

I've been very considerate with Cinderella's Sister despite already reading about how it started to suck. I watched til Ep19, when I couldn't be any more considerate to watch just one episode more. That little-bro-is-missing which turned to oh-he's-under-the-SMAAAAALLL-table thing made me crazy.

Prosecutor Princess the most underrated for me ^^

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160 tessa

December 10, 2010 at 6:00 AM

Totally agreed with Birdie and many of them where is the HECK is GIANT !??? To me it's one of the BEST series in 2010 and if I may

BEST VILLAIN : Jo Pil Yeon
BEST COUPLE : A tie with Kang Mo - Jang Yeong . Min Woo - Mi Joo ( Both love story spanning severel years wow )
Best Chemistry : The Lee Siblings !
Best KIss : Kang Mo- Jang Yeong proposal Kiss

etc etc

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cha

December 11, 2010 at 2:20 AM

I agree with you..
and if I may add, FAVE BROMANCE: Lee SungMo & Yoo ChanSung..

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Missjb

December 16, 2010 at 9:54 PM

I'm more drawn into Min WOo - Mi Joo Pairing than Kang Mo - Jang Yeong... I'm so invested with Min woo- Mi Joo's Love story... I SWEAR! and I'm not satisfied at all with their ending...... I want MORE, lol

Their story in the beginning is so so so so cute cute cute beyond WORDS....

I SHIP them hard so badly....... Their love sory ONE OF THE REASON I LOVE GIANT!

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161 ira

December 10, 2010 at 6:05 AM

Wow. What a nice poll :DD
i so love the dramas especially SKKS.
i'm glad they are leading and YOO AH IN :DD
omo, hope they win!!

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162 Amy

December 10, 2010 at 6:06 AM

I understand that you can't put all the dramas as part of the favorite drama of the year list but...how could you not include Dr. Champ or Pluck My Stars? They weren't daily dramas and had pretty good substance. I'm sure thses dramas had a pretty large following in comparison to other ones. Just a thought.

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cantika

December 10, 2010 at 8:52 AM

agree, dr champ is so sweet^^

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163 Rob

December 10, 2010 at 6:18 AM

please add "Hwang Jung" from Jejoongwon in the "FAVORITE CHARACTER" category. Hwang Jung is not only the best character from this year's dramas. He is one of the best characters ever created,EVER ! Please add him.

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164 grasya

December 10, 2010 at 6:45 AM

I am still loyal to MGIAG...therefore, SG, sowe...

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165 hunterbear

December 10, 2010 at 6:51 AM

Nomu nomu nomu nomu jowa!

Thanks guys. Now I want to watch my precious two grope each other all over again <3.

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166 Kuging

December 10, 2010 at 6:56 AM

i dont get it Why cinderellas sister is disappointment . Its like one of my fav drama ever,for me atleast. i love the conflict, music, plot. cinematography, characters, interaction even the random moments. Oh well that me. Anyway

SG fighting!!

Oh by the way the latter comment is true you should add up the category of "best wrist grabbing award" LOL.

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jacobi

December 11, 2010 at 8:31 PM

Eun Jo from CS was my favorite character this year.

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167 ploy

December 10, 2010 at 7:00 AM

아이돌 스타의 토픽 베스트 사용? 김 현 Joong 최종 보너스 금액에 대한 투표를 누르지 마십시오, 그것은 나쁜 것입니다.
이해가 안되는 이유는이 상을입니다.
Kiad HJ 그를을 누르십시오 것이다 그렇다면 또 다른 팬, 이건 불공 평해.

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Ingyeo

December 10, 2010 at 11:05 AM

뭔 말인지 하나도 모르겠다. 바벨피쉬냐?

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168 ploy

December 10, 2010 at 7:10 AM

Topic Best use of an idol star? Do not press the vote for Kim Hyun Joong final award amount, it is bad.
I do not understand is why this award.
Then another fan who Kiad HJ would press him, it is not fair.
How generous he is a global trends. So it should have this award Hrno.

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169 ploy

December 10, 2010 at 7:12 AM

SS501 fan Last Post Best use of an idol star?

Do not press a, Kim Hyun Joong final award amount, it is bad.

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170 mama

December 10, 2010 at 7:21 AM

It should not be rewarding bad balance. Occurred in the vote.
It is not fair.
Fans vote for someone else to press those he does not like to have this award.
So it fair huh??

Look, you should think that It will also award this out Hrno.

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171 jully moue

December 10, 2010 at 7:45 AM

its landslide for SUNGKYUNKWAN for me.

my heart's with them.

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172 mama

December 10, 2010 at 7:58 AM

I do not agree on the award amount is bad why Kim Hyun Joong, he is admired. He also is a global trends. He deserved this award to huh??
Where is the justice it ...

Fans silicon Beach Property others will press for his people Kiad. To get this award.
It network.

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LCD

December 12, 2010 at 4:11 AM

KHJ is a great person; however, he chose a wrong drama. He needs to coose better a drama carefully next time.

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173 miszt

December 10, 2010 at 8:19 AM

your comments along with the nominees totally rocks!!

wahahahaa...hilarious!

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174 glencorajane

December 10, 2010 at 8:19 AM

I think that dramas that are ONGOING should not be included because i skews the voting.

a) they are on top of the mind because viewers would have remembered less of older dramas

b) Its only when you watch an ending than you get a feel of how the whole drama will be. Bad guy started well but the ending sucks so on a scale of 1 -10, it may average out a 6 points.

Especially Secret Garden, which is so new. We all know that most drama start out well in the first half but who knows how it may drift off later on?

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FRILLYOBJECT

December 10, 2010 at 8:49 AM

I agree! Although I actually quite like SG but I feel it is too early to say it is the BEST of 2010 given the fact that it is ONGOING! A good start does not guarantee it to be the BEST drama. Cinderalla's sister is the best example. If Cinderalla's sister is ongoing now without us knowing the erm.. wtf ending...I BET IT WILL TOP THE POLL as well.

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FRILLYOBJECT

December 10, 2010 at 8:54 AM

I am ALL IN for SKKS! And definitely voting for the HAT-untying kiss. But I am surprise that the Prosecutor Princess is not included for the BEST KISS! It was a quite a heart-stopping kiss! Especially from PARK SI HOO!!!

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Leiarn

December 10, 2010 at 11:17 AM

Same here ! It was almost the best scene in PP !
Well, anywa I would have voted for MGIAG....Hoi Hoi ^^

But except that, I'm all in for SKK and Yoo Ah IN !

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Ace

December 10, 2010 at 12:57 PM

Completely agree. Same for MSOAN. If we're voting for something ongoing, Athena should be there in Action Drama. It's starting on Monday, but even without seeing one episode, I would vote for it. =)

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175 rich

December 10, 2010 at 8:20 AM

My fave drama this year is My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (I think my fave ever, not just for this year). I miss the hoi-hoi couple so, so, so, so, so, so much!!

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176 Chinoischick

December 10, 2010 at 8:26 AM

I think best drama of the year was Woman who still want to marry. but I glad it showed up other catagories too.

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177 cantika

December 10, 2010 at 8:50 AM

Still love Dr Champ the bestt^^, They just so sweet and adorable, so real n natural^^, dont care about the vote:p, same with Prosecutor Princess, fighting^^

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178 misa

December 10, 2010 at 8:58 AM

noticed that many of the SkkS fans were still rooting for yoon-hee and jae-shin pairing..and im one of them..which will never happen..but im still fine with the OTP...and though it had a (bit) dissapointing ending, SkkS will be forever in my heart!

jae-shin and yong-ha bromance forever!! :)

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179 Yen

December 10, 2010 at 9:16 AM

<3 to Baker King Tak-gu!

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180 Fan

December 10, 2010 at 9:17 AM

Hi JB,

Awesome lists and I love some of the categories (alternate pairings are always fun... in fact you might consider a category called "very alternate pairings" that only feature characters of the same gender, or in the wrong body, or who are related, or a character with inanimate object.... I'd love to see what comes of that one!)

But mostly this is a plug.

I know it's unlikely.

I realize you have limited space.

I get "Fav character" is a super crowded field.

But could I put in a vote for Eun-Yong of Coffee House to be in on the list?

She's one of the coolest female leads in kdrama for awhile I think- smart, successful, cool, incredibly generous and has a solid head on her shoulders over letting go, yet funny, quirky, flawed (stubborn as hell! ;) )

Anyway, happy nearly holidays to you, GF and all the other wonderful, wonderful recappers who have become a part of my daily life- Merry New Year and may 2011 be as bountiful in kdrama land as 2010 was!

With love,
Fan

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181 aoikarin

December 10, 2010 at 9:30 AM

I VOTED ALL! YEs!! Yoo Ah In For The Win!!

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182 Noypi

December 10, 2010 at 9:44 AM

My Fave THREE of the year are the ones leading!! =)))

SECRET GARDEN
MY GIRLFRIEND IS A GUMIHO &
SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL

Those three are the ONLY ones that made me keep watching!! =))

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183 lilly

December 10, 2010 at 9:57 AM

Now I chose God of study, SKKS- because of YAI and SJK- and Flames of desire.

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184 libra 80

December 10, 2010 at 10:09 AM

this is great!!!!!
i enjoyed voting....
my fav drama is Dong Yi,My Gf is Gumiho & Jejoongwon

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185 Celest

December 10, 2010 at 10:11 AM

Underrated Dramas of the Year

Joseon X-Files
Coffee House
Prosecutor Princess
Gloria

in that order.

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186 The Real CZ

December 10, 2010 at 10:23 AM

As a T-ara fan, it was painful choosing between Eunjung and Jiyeon in the idol categories.

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187 annie

December 10, 2010 at 10:26 AM

Where's Dr Champ? :(

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188 tarong

December 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM

SKK rockkkssssssssssss!!!! Micky FTW

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189 annie

December 10, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Where's Dr Champ? :( Park Ji-heon was my FAVOURITE character of the year.

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190 le

December 10, 2010 at 10:46 AM

best 2 dramas of the year for me were My Country Calls & Secret Garden, the only other drama i finished was Coffee House cause of the good cast PSY & KJH. but i couldn't finish Pasta, Personal Taste, Oh My Lady, only saw Cinderella's Sister cause it aired on KBS world. not that great of a year of dramas, i liked 2007's better, Capital Scandal, Dalja's Spring, Thank You, Coffee Prince.

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191 jo

December 10, 2010 at 10:49 AM

WHY ISN'T THERE A BEST COUPLE FOR PROSECUTOR PRINCESS???/ T_T

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missjb

December 10, 2010 at 12:58 PM

same here.. I want to vote PP couple, but they are not even in the list.

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192 noise level

December 10, 2010 at 11:26 AM

The worst drama I saw was Playful Kiss. The famious idole star, Hyun Joong, had too many kissing & bed scences with the new girl. That brought intelligent, modest, and modern people made angry especially triples S fans. Showing that many erotic moments by the Hynru star was against from the viewers. I hope from this lessones, Korean brodcaters and the Keyeast, Kim Hyun Goong, should considerate what the viewers want for the next drama. He has so many talents, but please don't take away from him. People will judge if they do not like it. Playful Kiss is failure except teenagers who just want to see the kissing scences. Adult need to protect the teenagers from seeing it because it causes social problems. From Korean dramas lovers.

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PK Fan

December 10, 2010 at 1:04 PM

Normally, this doesn't need a reply since uninformed remarks don't really deserve one, but...Please, don't generalize. We're not all teenagers. I'm not a KHJ fan, but I would say that KHJ suited the role of Seung-jo. The kissing scenes were sweet and toned down compared to the Taiwanese version. =P

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off

December 12, 2010 at 4:21 AM

You do not know Korean culture. We do not know Taiwan culture neither. Korean culture is tarrrrrrrbu showing that many kissing and bed scenes. I do not care how was the Taiwanese version, and I do not want to watch it because I do not put the erotic stuffs in my head and becomes additcted with it because I'm an intelligent person.

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193 zandra

December 10, 2010 at 11:38 AM

it was so much voting but it would be so much fun if there is a category like -best wardrobe- or so in which hyun bin would come #1 with his bra ...................

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194 zandra

December 10, 2010 at 11:48 AM

DARN THE (TYPO'S)it was so muchFUNNNNN voting but it would be so much fun if there WAS a category like -best wardrobe- or so in which hyun bin would come #1 with his bra ……………….