Lee Dong-wook's comeback drama with Kim Sun-ah » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

165 May 11, 2011July 3, 2011

Lee Dong-wook’s comeback drama with Kim Sun-ah

by javabeans

Lee Dong-wook (Partner) isn’t even out of the army yet, and already he’s got a new drama lined up: Scent of a Woman, an SBS weekend series that will star Kim Sun-ah (City Hall) as his leading lady.

The plot: The main character is an unmarried 30-something woman named Lee Yeon-jae (spinster seems so passé, but it’s the term used to describe her) who works as a minor clerk and suffers life’s indignities with fortitude. When she receives word that she only has six more months to live, she decides to live the rest of her life happily, turning in her resignation and leaving for a vacation of luxury. Lee Dong-wook plays Kang Ji-wook, who falls in love with her.

Lest this sound too dreary a topic in the vein of melo-tearjerkers like A Rosy Life, it comes from the writer-director duo Noh Ji-seol and Park Hyung-ki, who worked on the breezy, slice-of-life drama Dr. Champ last year. I really, really hope it’ll go for an uplifting tone, rather than one full of angst, although I’m sure we’ll get plenty of that, too. ‘Cause while both leads are great dramatic actors, they’re also both strong comedic forces, and it would be a shame to miss out on that. Still, it’ll probably be wise to get the tissues ready, when he realizes he loves her and she realizes she has to tell him she’s dying. (If she leaves him cruelly because it’s “for his benefit,” I will howl and throw things.)

Interestingly, most of the 20 episodes will be filmed in Australia. Lee enlisted in August 2009; his planned military discharge date is June 20, while Scent of a Woman is set for a July 16 premiere. Eep! That gives him almost no resting time before he gets right back to work — he’ll join the filming team right away and will fly from Korea to Australia the day after his release.

Via Joy News

165

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1 malta

May 11, 2011 at 1:21 PM

Kim Sun-ah is soooo pretty <3

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Carinne

May 11, 2011 at 2:51 PM

She keeps getting pretty and prettier since the days of S Diary or My Name is Kim Sam Soon. Lovely! I too want to be like those who age with grace.

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2 Ace

May 11, 2011 at 1:22 PM

I missed Lee Dong-wook! Hope after this, he'll get some rest, then make another rom-com...

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3 HyoSun

May 11, 2011 at 1:22 PM

Kim Sun-Ah?
YES YES! A thousand times YES!!!

Love her, Love him.
So glad he's finally (nearly) out of uniform service, it feels like a lifetime.

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HyoSun

May 11, 2011 at 1:24 PM

"...he’ll join the filming team right away and will fly from Korea to Australia the day after his release."

Oh, Poor man.
Just what every man needs when he gets out of the army.... to go straight back to a greuling work schedual.

Come to my house to rest for a while, it's okay.

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Nafiza

May 11, 2011 at 2:06 PM

Maybe it's a medical mistake and she's not exactly dying. It's more like er...a miracle. Miracles occur ALL the time in KDramaland. Though considering Kdramaland penchant for tragedies...maybe I will get the tissues ready.

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danna

May 11, 2011 at 2:11 PM

LOL...well not all the time....I'm hoping its more like the drama Flowers of My Life...where they deal with it in a more humane and even comic way

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HyoSun

May 11, 2011 at 3:15 PM

WTF did that have to do with my comment?

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Deeliteful

May 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM

LOL.

dramaaddict

May 11, 2011 at 4:54 PM

It's Last Holiday (Queen Latifah), with a Korean twist. Because it's Kim Sun-ah, I'm really hoping for a rom-com...but I love her and him so anything will do.

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nisha

May 11, 2011 at 5:28 PM

lol...i know!!! i thought the exact same thing when I read the summary...so hopefully it is..

Beng

May 11, 2011 at 7:50 PM

that's what i thought too, the Last Holiday. I hope it's like that so that Kim Sun-ah will not die =)

HyoSun

May 12, 2011 at 7:46 AM

Post your own comments stop leeching off my comment thread >_<
Shizz has nothing to do with what I posted.

danna

May 11, 2011 at 2:13 PM

I know right......and the drama premieres in less than a month after his release!....as if liveshoots weren't crazy enough already

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4 ptek

May 11, 2011 at 1:26 PM

Filming in Australia!? :D
Anyone know which state/city? and Possible dates... time for some k-celeb spotting ;p

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carmz

May 11, 2011 at 2:55 PM

I'm thinking probably Queensland or WA where the weather's actually nice and warm at the moment. I mean if you're dying, you might as well enjoy nice weather. I'm from Melbourne and it is soooo cold at the moment and Winter isn't even here yet.

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blahblahblah

May 11, 2011 at 5:05 PM

"I mean if you’re dying, you might as well enjoy nice weather."

LOL

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anh

May 11, 2011 at 5:24 PM

true what! Melbourne is so cold now! but August will be better I hope?

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crzycpl

May 12, 2011 at 2:16 AM

August is the tail end of Winter in Melbourne so will still be chilly. You guys are right, Melbourne in Winter would be the wrong place to spend your last 6 months! :P

Although, having said that, didn't MISA film in Melbourne?

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maria

May 11, 2011 at 8:18 PM

melbourne, holla! haha. i know what you mean, it's so freakin cold, it's not even funny anymore. also june 20 is my birthday, HURRAH FOR THE BEST GIFT EVER!!!!

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Jo

May 12, 2011 at 2:32 PM

Does your "cold" involve snow? Lol, just joking. But here in Chicago we just had a humongous blizzard, no joke. The city just stopped for two days.

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5 pumpkinattack

May 11, 2011 at 1:28 PM

Yay, I'm excited because it says Kim Sun Ah. ♥
(o=

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6 marteki

May 11, 2011 at 1:30 PM

OM Sooooo many great pairings this year! <3

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marteki

May 11, 2011 at 1:31 PM

the story line sounds a bit like Queen Latifa's last holiday movie

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Linda165

May 11, 2011 at 3:36 PM

Exactly what I was thinking...

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Deeliteful

May 11, 2011 at 4:16 PM

ME TOO! Maybe it WILL be a diagnostic mistake and no need for the tissue box...... :)

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Meix2

May 11, 2011 at 4:36 PM

Oooh.... I would so watch that story with these two in it. Please- more of the funny and less on the tear jerking angst (although a little is ok.)

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pumpkinattack

May 11, 2011 at 8:26 PM

Me, too. Happy ending, right? :D

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7 ohemgee

May 11, 2011 at 1:31 PM

AMAZING.

totes watching.

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8 Jess

May 11, 2011 at 1:32 PM

K. Sounds like somewhat of an odd pairing but am looking forward to this. KSA has been in too many comedies and I kinda wanna see her do serious drama, and I have every reason to believe she will be awesome at it.

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9 birdscout

May 11, 2011 at 1:32 PM

Omo, omo! Two of my favourites! I am looking forward to this:)

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10 cheerios

May 11, 2011 at 1:38 PM

KIM SUN-AH FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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11 Alison

May 11, 2011 at 1:41 PM

LEE DONG WOOK!! : DDDD

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12 RunLolaRun

May 11, 2011 at 1:46 PM

I'll probably watch it for Kim Sun Ah and LDW but I'm not liking the 6 months left to live storyline. :-/

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lvsanchez

May 11, 2011 at 1:51 PM

Same here! Love the leads and really looking forward to LDW's comeback... but it sounds so dramatic, usually not my style. Maybe this'll be more like Gumiho... cute, funny but still tragic. Either way I'll be tuning in.

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msim

May 11, 2011 at 4:10 PM

I'm literally allergic to melodramas but addicted to KSA. Rawr!

Dreary storyline. Hope they add some good dialogue and a dash of humour

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So3

May 11, 2011 at 6:36 PM

same here! but I'll watch it for KSA anyway!!!!

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poo

May 11, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Me threee...cant wait to see her again and this time with LDW....WOWWW! This news made my day!

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13 mmeuh

May 11, 2011 at 1:48 PM

I like both actors but the storyline sounds somehow depressing so I'm not sure. And also the chemistry, I'm trying to imagine...hmm LDW may turn out looking a bit young for SA. But who knows maybe he'll look whole different.

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14 Anvesha

May 11, 2011 at 1:54 PM

I miss Lee Dong Wook... I'm glad he has a project already lined up.. And with Kim Sun Ah!! That's awesome!!! The only problem being that its not a rom-com! Why?? I don't like watching tear jerker types :(

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15 spazzy06

May 11, 2011 at 1:54 PM

There are enough upcoming rom-coms.

I welcome this melodrama with open arms.

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16 danna

May 11, 2011 at 1:58 PM

YES YES !!!!!
*does happy dance
not only do we get LDW back but with KSA in a drama with what souns like a nice plot despite the morose subject...also like the PD-writer team and hopefully they will use the same camer as Dr Champ plus Australia means gorgeous visuals....2011 is looking so awesome right now *knocks on wood*

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17 jomo143

May 11, 2011 at 2:07 PM

KSA - Woot!
Six months to live? - Booooo!
Dont have any ideas about LDW, though.

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Linda165

May 11, 2011 at 3:36 PM

Haven't you seen My Girl?

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Schmazel

May 11, 2011 at 8:02 PM

Or you could try The Partner. He's in that with Kim Hyun Joo, who's currently on Twinkle Twinkle. :)

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18 Okie Dokie

May 11, 2011 at 2:08 PM

That is a lovely picture of her. And these two together may be pretty awesome! I love them both! =)

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19 gingeranna

May 11, 2011 at 2:19 PM

Nooo please, something lighter but with the same pair? It looks interesting but I don't like this kind of "last 6 months" things .__.

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20 Devin

May 11, 2011 at 2:20 PM

What is this? My favorite female actress in a role with one of my favorite male actors? Forget all other dramas, this one is OFFICIALLY at the top of my list! SO EXCITED!

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21 KBC12

May 11, 2011 at 2:24 PM

Yes,yes....anything.. KSA...will be good...!!!!!

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ahjummabunny

May 11, 2011 at 2:57 PM

did you forget night after night/when it's at night?

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So3

May 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM

I do think looking at KSA's performance alone this drama is ok. Too bad there's not much chemistry between the leads.

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alodia

May 19, 2011 at 11:13 PM

I think the chemistry in that drama was good too.
It was the story and direction that was a bit problematic.

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22 Lost without KDrama

May 11, 2011 at 2:26 PM

You got me with the headline.

Yeh! Another Kim Sun-ah drama! Yeh!

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23 MJP

May 11, 2011 at 2:31 PM

After reading this article, I wonder about his hair. Do you think the military will let him grow out his hair in advance? I have seen some other actors hair, cut very short, when they left the military...

Oops! I am letting "hair" distract me again... tsk tsk tsk

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ahjummabunny

May 11, 2011 at 2:56 PM

lol!! hair???

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24 Auntiemame

May 11, 2011 at 2:35 PM

When I first read that it's a weekend drama, I thought there's got to a lot of angst because it's 50 episodes. But, when I read that it's 20 episodes, I'm more hopeful for a lighter vein.

Welcome back to Wookie!

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25 Kei

May 11, 2011 at 2:45 PM

I love him, really love him, with all my heart... but let him rest...

Two years in the army! Of course I'm dying to see him in a new drama...

ah, whatevers... he's almighty xD

And I'm so happy he's back (almost)

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26 Kaa

May 11, 2011 at 2:51 PM

When I first read "Lee Dong Wook's comeback drama with Kim Sun Ah" I was like: Yeaaaaaah! I love them. Both of them are great actors (and it doesn't hurt that LDW is amazingly good looking, damn he's so hot...erhm, sorry) and then I read "six months to live and stuff" I was kinda: ewwwww, WHYYY T__T, I wanted a cute, funny and light love story because I don't like it when it's too melodramatic!
Anyway, maybe it could be a good surprise? (*crosses her fingers*)

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27 SM

May 11, 2011 at 2:53 PM

OMG... I wonder where they will shoot in Oz, very likely Sydney... Pls come to Melbourne :) I am here waiting for you, LDW....
He is surely busy right after his army discharge ... :) Missing him...

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28 ahjummabunny

May 11, 2011 at 2:54 PM

I was waiting and waiting right now I'm not even breathing well from excitement! Kim sun a, lee dong wook! city girl couple!!!!

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29 wwtg

May 11, 2011 at 3:03 PM

Miss Kim Sun Ah...This will be one to watch for sure.

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30 Katsu1996

May 11, 2011 at 3:13 PM

I'm way happy this drama is coming out but... is anyone noticing a slight similarity with the American movie Last Holiday? I have, so I've got a whole set-up in my head as to what I'm expecting this show will be like. I hope it's as good as what I'm imagining!!! *Screams With Happpppyyyyy!!!!*

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31 Emi

May 11, 2011 at 3:18 PM

There must be LDW shower/ab-show-off scenes please! Pleeeaassseeee! :P~

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myweithisway

May 11, 2011 at 4:30 PM

So what I was thinking! It's mandatory and will be so awesome!

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32 Bluefyre

May 11, 2011 at 3:18 PM

Yay!! Can't wait for Wookie to be back! :D lol
And with Kim Sun-ah no less!
AND with the Dr. Champ crew...people. Hope they use the same camera!! That would be SWEET! I loved Dr. Champ cinematography. One of the reasons why I stuck around with it and watched it in the first place.
PLUS Australia! Yay! I love that country ^^

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33 Kgrl

May 11, 2011 at 3:19 PM

Quick! Somebody pinch me! Kim Sun Ah and Lee Dong Wook in one drama?! I haven't seen them in ages and did I love LDW in Partners. Can't wait to see Sun Ah and LDW's chemistry - she hasn't failed me yet on that department. Woohoo!

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34 Annie

May 11, 2011 at 3:24 PM

OMG MUST WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Dux

May 11, 2011 at 3:47 PM

I know! So excited.

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Lucy

May 11, 2011 at 4:45 PM

YESS YESS YESS YESS, I FEEL YOU!!!! =D =D

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35 YBisTOP

May 11, 2011 at 3:42 PM

OMO! I can't wait! I love Kim sun ah! She is so funny and pretty!!

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Cam

May 11, 2011 at 4:42 PM

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! =D =D =D

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36 miss_procrastination

May 11, 2011 at 3:47 PM

He is my favorite leading man (Gong Chan...SWOON) and she's LOVELY! How exciting!!!!!!

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girlatsea

May 12, 2011 at 10:28 PM

hahah mine too! Gong Chan FOREVER! :D

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37 glencorajane

May 11, 2011 at 4:04 PM

love both leads and set in australia?ha,anytime!

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38 ripleyfell

May 11, 2011 at 4:07 PM

Isn't Scent of a Woman the name of a 90s movie? >_> I smell a name change coming ...

In any case, army term over + brand spanking new drama = gratuitous shower scene

Yeeeees!!!!!!!

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39 rainey

May 11, 2011 at 4:18 PM

YESSSSSS!!!!!

I love Mr. Wook and have waited patiently for his return. And now his new drama will be with the fantastic Kim Sun Ah! Am now pleased as punch.

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40 Isabella

May 11, 2011 at 4:22 PM

Yaaaaay!! LDW is coming back!! This drama will be like a bithday present to me, it premieres the week of my birthday :).

And with Kim Sun Ah too boot!! She's like my favorite actress. I hoped it was a comedy (I've cried one too many times with this year's dramas) but c'mon it's Lee Dong Wook, I HAVE to watch it.

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41 xylophonic

May 11, 2011 at 4:26 PM

AH I was just thinking about him!! (Like, not weirdly xD) I'm so happy he's coming back and has got a drama all lined up. Yus. Can't waiitt for July 16!

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42 beppu

May 11, 2011 at 4:26 PM

Funny, I just finished reading and commenting on the previous article about Lee Da Hae and then came this. The only drama where I saw LDW was in My Girl so I instantly connected one with the other.

But again a melo? if JB or girlfriday will ever recap this I might just read the recaps than watch it.

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43 Pualuv

May 11, 2011 at 4:39 PM

Can't wait!!! OMYGOSH!! love LDW and KSA!! <33 no matter how the story goes I'm gonna watch my fave actor and fave actress!

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44 Alexis

May 11, 2011 at 4:44 PM

GOSH GOSH GOSH GOSH GOSH GOSH!!!!!! o____O

MY LEE DONG WOOK WILL BE FINALLY COMING BACK NEXT MONTH (In June) & He will be ready for acting so joyfully -- with my top favorite actress Kim Sun Ah, woot woot!!!! =D

I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THISSSSSS!!!!!!!!! (jumping & dancing so wildly) Whoooo!

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45 Barbara Starks

May 11, 2011 at 4:44 PM

This sound just like the movie with Queen Latifa and LL Last holiday, I enjoyed the movie it was funny and light.

Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah), an employee in the cookware department at Kragen's Department Store in New Orleans, is a shy, unassuming woman who longs to cook professionally, and who records her dreams of a better life in a journal labeled "Possibilities." It is the Christmas holiday season. While flirting with a co-worker Sean Williams (LL Cool J), she bumps her head on a cabinet door and is taken to the store's health center for a CAT scan. There she is told by company physician Dr. Gupta (Ranjit Chowdhry) she has several brain tumors resulting from a rare neurological disorder called Lampington's Disease. Since her HMO plan will not cover the exorbitant cost of an operation, Georgia resigns herself to the fact she has only a few weeks to live, quits her job, liquidates her assets, and sets off on a dream vacation at the deluxe Grandhotel Pupp in the spa city of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic.

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ahjummabunny

May 12, 2011 at 6:50 AM

I keep thinking of dr. champ's overall tone and of the original movie and the sequel. I think the thing to remember about the movie is the woman doesn't really dwell on her fate or stay in self pity too long. She just decides to live happily for her remaining days. In dr. champ we had about 2 episodes of tough times for the 2 leads 3 episodes of dusting off and the rest of the way great stories. If the same cinematographer is used it should be wonderful even if not the picture story will be great because it is a story about celebration of all that is good while you can still live.
I'm a bit disgruntled because of the filming location ( Korean dramas should be made in Korea! ) but I can see Australia as a destination of choice for a dying woman which is how I think the story ends up there. I'm wary of the english speaking or lack of but I am willing to suspend disbelief there are people who live and work in america who don't speak english.