Kim Jae-wook’s band releases single
by girlfriday
Actor Kim Jae-wook, who’s recently come off his stint on the disappointing drama Mary Stayed Out All Night, has turned his attention back to music, with his band WALRUS (formerly I Am Walrus). They’re releasing their first single album with music videos (below). From faux indie rock to real indie rock? I say the real Kim Jae-wook is pretty much cooler than any character he could ever play.
WALRUS is: Kim Jae-wook on vocals and guitar, Kim Tae-hyun on drums, Yoo Seung-bum on lead guitar (blonde hair and teacup, below), and Yang Shi-on on bass (with pomegranate, below). They’re college friends and classmates from the Seoul Institute of the Arts, and have been performing on and off together for upwards of nine years, and performed at 2009’s Grand Mint Festival.
They produced the album themselves, with three songs: “To Be,” “Mozaic,” and “Seoul Witch” [서울마녀]. “Seoul Witch” is their title track, about the loneliness of living in a cold city. The video below is for “To Be,” and the teaser for “Seoul Witch” is below.
It was sad to see him go from such a great turn in Bad Guy to the dull character he had to play in Mary, but hell, that drama was a waste of everybody’s talents, not just his. Clearly he should get his own drama…playing himself.
Via Osen
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Tags: Kim Jae-wook
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1 MissChiVyus
January 29, 2011 at 10:02 PM
The instrumental music is good, but the voice is...eh. His time would be better spent on acting.
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MissChiVyus
January 29, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Yay! I'm actually the first one to comment for the first time ever! Sorry, had to put that in there.
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Ani
January 30, 2011 at 1:11 AM
HAHAHA. Congrats on being first without meaning too. I don't see why you have to apologize for it. XD
I think they're actually pretty good, my only problem is that I didn't understand the lyrics because it wasn't clear (except for the "I want to be" part). It would've been cooler in Korean. His voice sounds good/ok (hey, loads of rockers have to have that kind of rough sound to it), but I think he would be more comfortable singing in a language he is comfortable with... Hey, even Japanese wouldn't be bad for him.
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Ani
January 30, 2011 at 1:13 AM
Oh shoot, I should have watched the second video before I commented. I don't think he sounds bad at all. I really do think it's the language of choice, not particularly his voice. X)
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g
January 30, 2011 at 8:48 AM
congrats on being first :D
fail to enjoy the first song,
but can't help smmmiiilinggg hearing the second song
^___________________________________^
MissChiVyus
January 30, 2011 at 8:58 PM
=) Thanks for the congrats. Made me happy.
I think his songs, both the 1st and 2nd ones have been influenced by Japanese music a lot. The vocal fluctuations sounded similar as well.
Just my preference, but I enjoy the Korean style of music over many, but not all, of the Japanese style of music. Overall, he IS certainly talented AND good-looking.
*DROOLS*
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carolies
January 29, 2011 at 10:44 PM
His voice is not bad, it's the songs that count.
Indie music industry have a lot of not powerful voices but they're nice to listen to because the melody compliments their voice.
But i don't think he can go mainstream though(and a), this kind of hard rock is not something what korea likes.
I like his Seoul witch though, it showcases his voice better.
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belleza
January 30, 2011 at 5:08 AM
"But i don’t think he can go mainstream though(and a), this kind of hard rock is not something what korea likes."
Hard rock is popular in Korea, but it's just not promoted in the West like the idol or even the hip hop stuff.
Garage rock has a niche in Korea, and recently the stuff has been making into bubblegum (CNBlue) and soundtracks (Every Single Day.)
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2 peyinyin
January 29, 2011 at 10:09 PM
AAh~! I reckognize the location. That's in Perth, Pinncales and Lancelin. Kim Jae wook came to Australia??? I so missed out >__< would've been cool to bump into him playing guitar on the street haha XD
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ck1Oz
January 29, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Really?Perth.
Damn we never have igcognito buskers.He's HAWT even hotter than in a drama :-)
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peyinyin
January 30, 2011 at 1:02 AM
Yep. if you notice the first part of the clip, it was in northbridge in front of grapeskin bar ...
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autumnscribbles
January 30, 2011 at 6:23 AM
holy!!! when was this and how could i have possibly missed him???!!!
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3 :D
January 29, 2011 at 10:11 PM
he's so cool!
wish that the MVs included more footage of the rest of the band, not just him though.
can u tell me when he releases the full MV for Seoul Witch?
Walrus is kinda a weird name for a band though. reminds me of the beatle's "I am the Walrus.
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MSA
January 29, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Actually, unless I remember wrong, they're called Walrus *because* of "I am the Walrus" :)
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jo
January 29, 2011 at 11:09 PM
yes...that beatle song.
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4 HongMin
January 29, 2011 at 10:12 PM
He is so unbelievebly, undaniably, cool. He has such amazing bone structure and Is a great actor. He's not really a flowery pretty boy, cause he looks so mature and aristocratic.
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skywalker
March 2, 2011 at 4:54 AM
i love this comment.. i love kim jae wook..
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5 ccricket
January 29, 2011 at 10:15 PM
love the fourth and fifth photos. Fierce.
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6 hpn88
January 29, 2011 at 10:37 PM
The video was cool (I really like the black and white), but when he started smashing the guitar, I choked back a lot of laughter. How 1990's rock bad of you, Kim Jae Wook.
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Christy
January 30, 2011 at 8:59 AM
I love the 90's! It was the best era for rock music. Getting nostalgic now..
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7 teapot
January 29, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Ugh. The cigarette in the guitar fret is the ugliest thing I've seen in a long while. Tcha... such a way to treat an instrument.
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8 Rexy
January 29, 2011 at 10:47 PM
I like it! To Be, combined with his vocals, reminds me of the Japanese rock band the pillows...and a little like Nirvana. The part when Kim Jae-wook breaks his guitar makes me sad though. Badass as it may be, when people destroy their instruments I feel sad for that wasted instrument.
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Eleven11
January 29, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Haha this is so true.. it was cool when joe strummer did it, but now it just seems a little complacent and wasteful =[
BUT, i still quite like the sound - I'm not sold, but I'm interested to hear more. Idk how much of that is my undying love for KJW though =\
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amg01
January 29, 2011 at 11:59 PM
It was cool when "Pete Townshend" did it first at the Monterrey Pop Festival (June 16 to June 18, 1967 ), only to be follow by Jimi Hendrix smashing his guitar and setting it on fire, after the Who destroy their drum-set and guitar, joe strummer smashing his guitar in the cover album of "London Calling was done in 1979, ten years after the original bad boys the Who and Jimi Hendrix made that an artistic statement!!!!!!
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kaigou
January 29, 2011 at 11:46 PM
The Pillows! I was trying to put my finger on who they reminded me of. They're not quite as jazzy, nor as rich in the production, and their sound is a bit more raw than the Pillows... so maybe more like if Nirvana were covering the Pillows.
(Hunh, I just tried to visualize that, and I think my brain broke.)
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9 annie
January 29, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Clearly he should get his own drama…playing himself.
I totally agree!
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Katey B
January 29, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Have you seen him in other documentary/diary style videos of him and his band? He rocks. He's even cooler than the characters he's played just being himself.
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annie
January 31, 2011 at 4:16 PM
I'd love to see that. Where did you watch?
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V V
January 29, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Me too!!!
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Beng
January 31, 2011 at 8:44 PM
where can we watch? like too!!!
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Jane
January 30, 2011 at 7:33 AM
I would watch, they should give him a reality show.
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10 kaigou
January 29, 2011 at 11:42 PM
There's something both ironic and horribly wrong (about Mary Stayed Out) that the real-life versions of JGS and KJW are... pretty much perfect for the roles they didn't play. As in, KJW is everything we were supposed to believe Mu-gyul was.
As someone mentioned above, it's hard to top just how aristocratic KJW can be (not to mention his skills with Japanese played into the storyline), so I can't see JGS pulling off the rich boy act if they had flipped parts (not to mention it'd be almost impossible to top the Guen-squared cute factor)... but it's particularly ironic given that JGS finished this series and is now presenting himself and his music with a lot of the very polish the Mu-gyul character disdained. Meanwhile, over that the KJW ranch...
Y'know, I just wonder whether KJW was cracking up on the inside, having to play the role of impressed rich boy when visiting the staged (and oh so totally sanitized and user-friendly) graffiti'd garage some set designer thought was a "hip pad". I'm even more amazed at KJW's acting skills than I had been. It'd be far above my grade to keep a straight face in that situation.
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Christy
January 30, 2011 at 4:36 AM
Yea, in retrospect it makes Mu-Gyul JKS look like some teenage rocker wannabe while KJW Jung-In is the real badass indie musician who walks, talks breathes rock music.. They should have flipped roles in MSOAN...
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kaigou
January 30, 2011 at 3:22 PM
It certainly adds that special touch of je-ne-sais-quoi (or, "how the hell did he say that with a straight face") in the scene where KJW is visiting the hip pad for the first time and says, "this is just how I imagined it."
Yeah, I'm sure, baby. *snerk*
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soli
January 30, 2011 at 4:59 AM
Totally agree..that's what i want to say!
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11 @.@
January 30, 2011 at 12:13 AM
i had no idea he was a musician as well....but, hey, the music is most certainly NOT bad ...uhu not bad at all
:)
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12 HappyEndings
January 30, 2011 at 1:28 AM
OhMyKDramaGods, i think I hyperventilated when I saw Kim Jae Wook singing.
And he's good at singing/playing guitar. *And he looks HOT doing it.*
I LOVE YOU!
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13 >_>
January 30, 2011 at 1:29 AM
I love Kim Jae-wook and all but is anyone else disturbed by the pic where he is leaning forward and you can see his rib cage protuding out of his chest?!? I love the lean hipster look but let's not go exoskeletal!!! >_<
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paula253
January 30, 2011 at 9:57 AM
what a great phrase! thanks for that. didn't you know all real rockers are supposed to look scarily thin? ^^
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Beng
January 31, 2011 at 8:50 PM
but i hope he's still healthy enough. i don't want to see bones too =(, specially on Jae wook
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14 Lisa Purba
January 30, 2011 at 2:46 AM
I love him for his acting and music! Yay for Walrus!
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15 pohonphee
January 30, 2011 at 3:18 AM
Oh my gawd Kim Jae-wook....
I know it is better that the 1st MV is dark & simple, but my fangirl wishful thinking wants the MV looks brighter and the scene with KJW shirtless is longer >.<
Glad, he never went K idoling, so much sexier this way....
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16 Carinne
January 30, 2011 at 3:25 AM
The guy and his buddies are living out there dreams. There is a time and place for every thing. Good luck to Walrus!
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17 Christy
January 30, 2011 at 4:23 AM
KJW..now that's the real Mu-GYUL!!!! I love his voice and what a sexy musician!
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18 nadya
January 30, 2011 at 7:49 AM
wow these songs are great! i like how dark the first one was and how mellower the second one was. it was interesting to see kjw leash out in anger because he usually played calmer characters...looking forward to his album^^
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19 Dreamer
January 30, 2011 at 7:52 AM
I laughed at the exoskeletal comment :D
If the band went to university looking like that, it's a wonder that any of their class mates were able to concentrate.
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20 alex
January 30, 2011 at 7:59 AM
That boy is definitively interesting , way more than JGS !
I like his music too , a sense of back old days .
Thanks for your post .
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21 Porcelain
January 30, 2011 at 8:00 AM
I noticed ciggie on the guitar... can I say that is legit cool... cancer stick ain't cool I know... but to put it there... just I dunno the whole feel of the pix just blew me away...
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22 Mel
January 30, 2011 at 9:13 AM
I like their sound.
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23 jess
January 30, 2011 at 9:37 AM
woaahh. i'm shocked at how fast/loud it is.
definitely not a vanity project (he's like the korean michael pitt!
except probably a bit nicer/more welcoming haha.)
guhhh, this guy is out for my heart.
and not just like aw, how cute; but like, hold on a minute let me get the scalpel. :P
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24 mays
January 30, 2011 at 9:52 AM
kind of reminds me of scott pilgrim (the movie). lol.
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25 SuziQ
January 30, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I think MSOAN would have been MORE interesting if KJW was cast as MU Gyul than JGS.Boy! He is talented. KJW is living as an indie band persona. Maybe that's why MSAON was utter dullsville and a wasted opportunity.
KJW needs to be in more lead roles and hopefully in the future he will get a chance to act in one with a better script. KJW rocks!
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26 poyi
January 30, 2011 at 10:38 AM
this is awesome
i love the stark lighting + b/w
impressive drumming
i wanna see what they do next
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27 ar
January 30, 2011 at 10:42 AM
I can't reconcile this Kim Jae-wook with the Waffle guy of Coffee Prince or with any of the characters he played!
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28 ColleenF-H
January 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM
His band kind of rocks, considering how pretty he is, this is a bit unexpected. I liked it a lot!
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29 poyi
January 30, 2011 at 1:03 PM
any tips on how to buy this?
i spent the past hour or so trying to hunt this down
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Sakurahues
January 30, 2011 at 5:42 PM
You can pre-order it on YesAsia :)
http://www.yesasia.com/walrus-single-album-vol-1/1023993396-0-0-0-en/info.html
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30 sos
January 30, 2011 at 1:32 PM
OMG..KJW oppa you Beat JGS!How Cool... Love you ....
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31 hairlove
January 30, 2011 at 1:42 PM
that drummer guy has lovely tress wonder whats his secret
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Beng
January 31, 2011 at 9:02 PM
love it too! i wonder if it's really curly or he had it curled. but whatever, they are lovely =)
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32 Jo
January 30, 2011 at 2:06 PM
I take Kim Jae Wook's transition to a musician than I ever will for Jang Geun Seok. For some reason, I view JGS as a poser, whereas Kim Jae Wook feels like he really understands music, the rock vibes (not only how to DRESS like one...psh)
KJW FTW
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33 Vendetta
January 30, 2011 at 4:41 PM
A walrus meets another Walurs and says "hey buddy you got somethin' on your chest there" and the other Walrus looks down and stabs himself in the heart.
... ):
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34 choco
January 30, 2011 at 5:36 PM
sound reminds me of the korean indie rock group huckleberry finn. i like it. :)
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35 Pat
January 30, 2011 at 8:35 PM
Sexy bastard needs a drama of his OWN!
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36 lyra
January 30, 2011 at 8:50 PM
am stunned and dead from the first photo alone. =p
i care less about the voice anymore haha
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37 katiamon
January 30, 2011 at 9:34 PM
GF you are so right, he needs a role where he plays himself because he's as hot as hell! and i'm just melting.
i think i need a drink!
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38 Saa
January 31, 2011 at 12:30 AM
Oh wtp... I...like...his music. Wow, I haven't really been able to say that for much of the new music coming out lately. They ALL sound the same. Well, it would be insulting to the artists, composers, and producers to say they all sound the same, but I don't really care when they've given up music quality for the cash cow. D;
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39 jubilantia
January 31, 2011 at 2:18 PM
God, what is it about guys playing guitars? *faints from the sexy*
Also, whoever thought pomegranates could be badass?
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40 Beng
January 31, 2011 at 8:35 PM
i wonder how Rock Rock Rock would have been if he played the lead. It would have been like playing himself. Maybe he can do the stage play instead
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Christy
January 31, 2011 at 8:41 PM
That's an interesting scenario! Anyhoo I want to see KJW and Noh Min-Woo in a drama together!!!
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Alvina
January 31, 2011 at 8:48 PM
omg! I was just thinking that! Noh Min Woo did a great job though; a bit too quirky but it was nice. Kim Jae-wook (me thinks) might have totally sold it though
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41 Winter
February 1, 2011 at 6:28 AM
He's soo hot! now if he could gain a little more pounds he would be perfect ;)
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42 HongMin
February 2, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Seoul witch is great, and has an energy alot of groups lack. The vocals are kinda sultry and raw, wich fits there image. I don't know Why, but Kim jae wook reminds me of hyun bin in that cosmopolitan shoot. Anyone remember? Anyway love them <3. :D
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43 NickDobi
February 4, 2011 at 11:58 AM
i didn't think i could FALL IN LOVE WITH KJW EVEN MORE!!!!!
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44 bambi
February 5, 2011 at 1:56 PM
I'm not sure how to explain this in coherent language but let's just say Kim Jae-wook's awesomeness quotient just shot up to 1000000000000000000000000x higher than before.
A rocker AND someone that showers. CAN WE SAY YEAH?
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45 momo
February 5, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Seriously.....KJW was in Perth?.....I am an Aussie living in the States, so not fair!
I first saw KJW in the movie "Antique", and thought....wow....he is so beautiful, and surprisingly enough, he can act. I have followed him ever since, his modeling, acting and singing. I haven't seen him in "Bad Guy" yet, just random episodes, same with "MSOAN", would have loved to seen the period drama he was in. I would definitely want to see him in his own drama......with a happy ending....of course.
KJW always goes back to his music, it seems to ground him, I think.
What is it about Korean and Japanese male actors that they think they have to be as thin as a reed to look good???? Personally, KJW with 10-15 more lbs...would look AMAZING! The smoking thing, I can do without....to me, its just not cool.
Well, it looks as though it won't be only his dramas I will be buying, but his music as well....can't wait.....I am one happy little Vegemite :)
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46 Jung Da Jung
February 10, 2011 at 1:36 PM
KJW is always cast as the wrong character. Like in bad guy, he's the true bad guy. This may be irrelevant, but in bad guy Kim Nam Gil sometimes would be sucking on a lolipop, giving the effect that he is smoking, and I'm pretty sure KJW actualey smokes. Same with MSOAN.
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47 skywalker
March 2, 2011 at 4:57 AM
i always believe that he is always being hippies than mu gyul..
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