Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 11
by javabeans
Another tag-team recap! With the uproar regarding this drama dominating headlines for the past several days, girlfriday and I thought to both weigh in on all the insanity. Only, this episode actually isn’t that insane, considering the circumstances. It’s chock-full of meta commentary, though, with references to killer shooting schedules, overworked stars, and diva attitudes. Some of it’s surely intentional, but even more of it (seemingly) the result of crazy coincidence.
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The Black Skirts – “외아들” (Only son) [ Download ]
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EPISODE 11 RECAP
So Myung-wol and Kang-woo go off-script, ending in teary goodbye. Only, it turns out that the blank didn’t injure her after all; it was just that she and Kang-woo were so caught up in their real emotions that they ad-libbed in the death scene that way. Um, okay. That’s a letdown. I like our idea better.
In-ah gives Myung-wol crap for ad-libbing, saying that rookies like her ought to stick to the script. But just as soon as she says that, the director declares that he and the writer have decided to keep the scene as is, finding it more emotional and real, and commends Myung-wol on her ad-lib.
Myung-wol has been in listless spirits since the shoot ended, and winds up at the Han River, where Ryu finds her, because even in North Korea you know that that’s the best place to brood. Must’ve been a detail she picked up in all her Hallyu contraband crackdowns.
She’s so tired she rests her head on his shoulder and asks him to allow it for a moment. Aw, poor emotionally repressed Ryu and his sad consolation hug.
Spy Mom and Dad are giddy to hear about the fantastic reception to Myung-wol’s exit scene, until Dae-kang tells them that the ad-lib means her character chose love over duty. Gulp. The spies are not blind to the meta of this scene, and Hee-bok asks what happened to the other North Korean spies. Dae-kang cheerily mimes a massacre, saying they died up front, of course.
After sending Myung-wol along, Ryu broods at the river and receives a text from her asking if she must continue the mission. He texts back that she ought to rest and adds, “Reality is different from acting. For us, there is no beautiful ending. The only choices we can make are to succeed in our mission, or die with honor.”
He concludes by saying that he will let her actions slide today, but not in the future — then, it will be betrayal.
Kang-woo drives off, apparently having gotten a haircut in the time between leaving set and getting in his car. He’s upset at his own emotional reaction during the shoot, and although he hasn’t completely accepted that he’s in love with Myung-wol, he knows things can’t continue thusly.
He calls In-ah to break up with her, pointing out that they both know his heart isn’t in it. He asks her to beat him till she’s satisfied, but to end things between them.
In-ah answers that she doesn’t care, that it doesn’t matter if he likes her or not: “Just use me.” She won’t accept his decision, but he tells her he’s going to go public. He’ll take all the heat, so she won’t be harmed.
Surely there’s a meta wink built into this conversation:
Hee-bok: “Will it really be okay? Surely she won’t give up her mission.”
Ok-soon: “No way. She came all the way to the South Korean entertainment industry for the mission. Would she give up so easily?”
Hee-bok: “Right?”
Ok-soon: “Let’s not worry needlessly, and focus on our duty.”
With that, they bust out their laptops and get ready to plaster the Shiri 2 message boards. Ha, I love that somebody’s mission involves killing and/or marrying a famous public figure, while somebody else’s mission is to write internet comments.
Chairman Joo finds In-ah crying at home, and she sobs that she can’t break up with Kang-woo. So he calls Kang-woo for a talking-to, and throws his liquor in his face when Kang-woo tells him that he broke up with In-ah because he doesn’t love her.
Despite Joo’s threatening tone, Kang-woo is unwavering, so the chairman takes a different tack and threatens to mess with Myung-wol’s career. If Kang-woo wants what’s best for her, he’ll keep that in mind.
At home, Myung-wol apologizes for her ad-lib. Kang-woo starts to speak up, but remembers the chairman’s threat against her and stops himself.
Myung-wol’s death scene receives such overall interest from the public that viewers demand that she be brought back. Even the writer admits that she felt it was a waste to lose her after that moving scene.
The producers put their heads together to try to find a way to make it happen, rejecting the initial suggestion that Kang-woo wakes up with Myung-wol safe and sound because it was just a dream. Or that In-ah jealously reinvents herself to look like Myung-wol. HA. You totally know these were the cast-offs from the producers’ scrambled emergency meetings.
President Kyung is pleased with the massive interest, as Myung-wol is poised for stardom. Of course, now that means In-ah’s camp might kick up a fuss, since they won’t be pleased that her planned storyline will be pushed aside by the newcomer. (Ha, shades of East of Eden…)
In-ah’s alarmed to hear what the writers have come up with: Myung-wol barely survives, but has amnesia and forgets all about her love, and sets out to kill Kang-woo. She’s so upset that she fires her stylist/assistant (who was, admittedly, dumb enough to say she joined Myung-wol’s fan club after the episode aired).
In-ah storms off muttering, “This is ridiculous! Is television a joke? How can you change the plot midway through?!” Har har. Is this episode a big ol’ therapy session for the writers?
Peevishly, she calls her grandfather to whine, but Kang-woo intercepts her and concedes: He’ll do things In-ah’s way, if she leaves Myung-wol alone.
In-ah can’t believe he’s still acting in Myung-wol’s interest, and points out that things don’t add up about her. She mentions the lookalike in his Singapore Showcase footage and starts to go off on a tirade, but Kang-woo throws In-ah’s own words back at her, reminding her that she’d said none of that other stuff mattered as long as he was with her.
Fine. She concedes. But he has to cut ties with Myung-wol entirely, and he answers that he was planning just that.
Myung-wol is thrilled to hear that she’s staying on for the drama, and President Kyung says that they’ll have to draw up contracts right away. She’ll provide a car for her use, at which point Kang-woo appears to chime in — with In-ah on his arm — to request that Myung-wol get a new home, too.
President Kyung agrees, since there’s an empty apartment that’s ready for immediate use. Myung-wol agrees to move out by the end of the day, and Kang-woo tells himself that this is all for the best.
Ryu follows up on the old article mentioning the ancient books, which includes a report about an accident. He tracks down an eyewitness, who remembers the day clearly and describes seeing a man being chased, who was then hit by a black car. He’d told this to the police, but they’d cleared away the accident site and ruled it a simple hit and run.
It’s not a whole lot to go on, but Ryu gets to work scouring databases for original police reports, and finds the crucial clue: In the victim’s pocket was a note bearing the word “Goblin.”
Kang-woo and In-ah go on a date to a cafe, obliging the fans who watch them from outside the window. In-ah’s in her element, loving the attention and telling him to work in a little fanservice. Kang-woo offers up a sickly smile, going along uneasily.
When he arrives home that night, he finds memories of Myung-wol all around, like the game she played and the milk she drank. Frustrated, he tells himself to stop thinking of her but loses that battle by heading to the company-furnished apartment, stopping short of ringing the doorbell.
New promos are shot, replacing In-ah with Myung-wol as the primary actress, and Myung-wol is crowned the newest “CF Queen.” In-ah stews in her jealousy.
At Spy Central, Hee-bok asks Ryu what the higher-ups think of Myung-wol’s new entertainment gig, and he replies, “They’re plenty confused…but right now there’s no other way, so they’re going to wait and see.” Haha, I do love the way this episode is sneaking in all sorts of meta. He adds, “But there are suspicions that she may have other intentions.” Such as defecting to the South.
[…and the baton is passed! Girlfriday, taking over…]
In-ah hazes Myung-wol any way she can, throwing around her sunbae weight to make her life on set as uncomfortable as she can. When Kang-woo tries to intervene with a simple, “Can’t you think of what it was like for you as a newbie?” she flips out and demands that the PD kick the rookie out of the stars’ dressing room.
The PD tries to talk her down, so she asks Kang-woo pointedly whether he agrees with her. Kang-woo sighs, looking over at Myung-wol. He tamps down his real feelings and coldly says that In-ah is right. After all, stars have their levels, and someone like Myung-wol who rose to fame overnight with no effort might get a big head and think she’s more than she is. Ouch.
It has the desired effect and Myung-wol apologizes and gets up to leave, spilling her makeup box in the process. It clearly pains Kang-woo more than anyone, and he has to turn away from her to keep his distance.
Myung-wol goes outside to put her makeup on in the hallway, and shrinks in embarrassment at the passersby, gaping at her. Aw, she looks so lonely sitting out there.
But then Ryu shows up, folding screen in hand, and puts it up around her to give her some privacy. Aw, so sweet. He says in his matter-of-fact way that he hasn’t been able to find a door yet (ha) so then he stands guard with his back to her, to fill in as the human door. Gah, you’re killing me.
Myung-wol looks up at her human door and smiles. Kang-woo comes out to check on her and sees everything, as he and Ryu have a silent stare-off.
Ryu reports to Chairman Joo about his investigation, having come to the conclusion that it was no accidental hit-and-run, but a murder. He asks if he recognizes the name Goblin, and clocks Chairman Joo’s nervous reaction, spilling his coffee.
He says that there’s only one clue that remains from the scene of the crime: the victim had a piece of paper with “Goblin” written on it. So it’s looking more and more like the hit-and-run victim is Kang-woo’s father, and explains why he’s been searching for the Goblin his whole life.
It’s seeming likely that the Goblin might be Chairman Joo after all, though he doesn’t give away anything other than nerves at hearing the name.
Myung-wol and Kang-woo do a photo shoot and the photographer tells them to look longingly at each other like lovers who can’t be together. Ha. They wrap and In-ah shows up to be the buzzing fly that she is and claim Kang-woo for a date.
Myung-wol is so exhausted from her tight schedule that she starts to get woozy on her way off the set, and accidentally spills something on In-ah’s dress. The princess freaks out and raises her hand for a slap, and Myung-wol blocks it.
She finally stands up for herself, saying that she’ll replace the clothes if necessary, but she isn’t someone to be treated this way. That just ignites In-ah’s fury all the more, and Kang-woo steps in to squelch the impending disaster.
He grabs Myung-wol’s hand away and gives her a lecture about professionalism, saying that she’s not the only one who’s tired and working late nights. Oof. It’s a little too meta, really, in light of what’s going on in the real drama outside the drama. Is it life imitating art, imitating life, imitating art?
He gets carried away (like going too far to try and cover up his bleeding heart) and demands that she get down on her knees and apologize to In-ah. Even In-ah thinks that’s too much, and that’s saying something.
She drags Kang-woo away, leaving Myung-wol reeling from his harsh words.
At the same time, Ryu stops by her apartment with a bag full of food, and in true Daddy Long Legs fashion, just leaves it hanging on the door. He thinks to himself, “Please, Comrade Myung-wol, become strong. And don’t show any more tears.” He leaves his handkerchief behind. Aw.
But just as he turns to leave, he sees her collapse at the end of the hallway.
Kang-woo ends up wracked with guilt over his blow-up, and ditches In-ah. He rushes over to Myung-wol, running like a madman. See, this is what happens when you overreact.
He runs up to her door, but finds Ryu walking out. He demands to know what he’s doing there, and Ryu tells him that she’s sick. He blocks Kang-woo from going in. “Don’t bother her anymore. Don’t you know why she’s like this?”
Kang-woo still refuses to back down, thinking that it’s all the more reason for him to go in there, if he’s the source of her pain. But Ryu counters it’s the reason he can’t let him pass.
Ryu tells him that the best thing for Myung-wol right now is to stay away, and tells him to go in if he likes. Well that pretty much seals it. Kang-woo just crouches outside her door, berating himself but unable to go any closer.
He apologizes over and over, and says that he can’t stand to watch any more of her suffering.
In-ah arrives outside Myung-wol’s building, having guessed this is where he fled to, and Dae-kang gives chase. They run up and find him crouched like that in front of Myung-wol’s door, and he essentially gets caught red-handed in his true feelings.
He tries to stop In-ah, but she glares at him angrily, “I won’t ever forgive the two of you.” It’s not really news to her, since she knew all of this from the get-go and claimed not to care, but it’s probably another thing to be confronted with it so head-on.
The next morning Kang-woo finds that Myung-wol has been effectively wiped out from showbiz, having been cut from the drama and all her CFs in one blow. His agent confirms that it was Chairman Joo’s doing, and she wonders what Myung-wol must’ve done to get on his bad side.
He storms over to confront Chairman Joo about his petty maneuver, and demands he put everything back. Chairman Joo simply threatens to bring Kang-woo down with her unless he backs down, asking if he wants his true backstory revealed.
Kang-woo tells him to do as he likes, since it can’t stay hidden forever. Chairman Joo can’t believe he’s willing to go down in flames along with Myung-wol, and dangles the final piece of bait he has: a cushy Hollywood movie-album combo deal. He tells Kang-woo to choose wisely.
Myung-wol hears about Kang-woo’s career hanging in the balance because of her, and her agent asks her to talk Kang-woo out of making a career-ending mistake. In-ah tells her to just disappear, since Kang-woo isn’t likely to back down, and her grandfather will crush him otherwise.
Kang-woo holes away and drinks, and his agency worries that he might not show for his showcase the next day, where the Hollywood agent is set to appear.
Meanwhile Myung-wol ponders her decision as she watches her spy parents from a distance. Stick around for her mission and her comrades, or disappear to protect Kang-woo? She takes out Ryu’s handkerchief and holds on for dear life, trying not to show tears.
Kang-woo stumbles home drunk, and Ryu is waiting for him outside. Aw, did you wait all night so you could see him? He asks Kang-woo how long he’s going to be like this, because he’s just making things harder on Myung-wol.
Kang-woo takes issue with Ryu defending her, even saying her name, and takes a big swing with his fist. He’s totally drunk so it has no chance of landing, of course, and Ryu blocks it with his hand, like Hulk-to-Smurf. It’s pretty funny, if not for Kang-woo’s bleeding heart.
He lands on the ground and Ryu tells him to start being honest with himself about what he really wants. Kang-woo: “What about you? Are you honest? You want Han Myung-wol too!”
Ryu answers, “Everyone’s method of love is different.” Kang-woo asks why he’s even saying any of this to him. Ryu: “Because there’s nothing I can do for her. But you can.”
He ponders the major decision in front of him, and the next day, preparations for the showcase begin on faith that he’ll show up.
Meanwhile Ryu tasks Hee-bok with a side mission, to find someone called the Goblin. Hee-bok immediately perks up at the name, and tells him that Kang-woo came looking for the Goblin too. The dots, they are a-connectin’.
Ok-soon interrupts them with news of her own: Myung-wol left her a text saying “Sorry,” and now she can’t find her anywhere. Ryu runs over to her apartment and finds a note addressed to him, apologizing for betraying country and comrades, and promising to accept her due punishment.
Everyone bites their nails as they wait, and finally Kang-woo appears for his concert. The press goes in for a live interview on his way into the venue, as scheduled. He doesn’t give the usual response though, and says he wants to share something precious to him.
He takes out his baseball and shows it on camera, saying that it was a gift from his father. He confesses that his dad isn’t a doctor, and he’s not the perfect boy next door, as his image would have them believe.
He tells them that he’s an orphan, and that everything about his past has been fabricated, along with his current relationship with In-ah. He says he longer wants to hide behind lies.
Shaking, he takes off his sunglasses and looks straight into the camera.
Kang-woo: And moreover, I don’t want to lie to my heart anymore. Han Myung-wol-sshi, are you watching? Han Myung-wol-sshi … Han Myung-wol-sshi … Han Myung-wol-sshi … Han Myung-wol-sshi! I love you.
Swooooooooon.
GIRLFRIDAY’S COMMENTS
Aw, a love confession! And in an all-or-nothing way too, just outing everything about his past, the fake relationship with In-ah, AND his feelings for Myung-wol all in one blow. No need for three separate press conferences when the reason for them all is one and the same.
It’s surprisingly a much more coherent episode than I expected. They made great use of Kang-woo’s angst and his attempts to stay away from Myung-wol as a way to cover up for the fact that she wasn’t there for a lot of the scenes. So her absence becomes his futile attempt to keep his distance, all the while obsessing over her even more. Gotta say, it’s a nice recovery without jumping any sharks.
This drama’s always been meta-on-meta, and I like that they don’t shy away from pointing out the real scandal surrounding its production. Rather than try to cover it up, they call attention to it in the fictional world. Interestingly, some of those plot points were even shot before the production crisis, but they’ve chosen to heighten the conflict rather than hide it. I think it’s a clever way to not let the scandal steal the show, and a good source for some much-needed laughter too.
JAVABEANS’ COMMENTS
Who would’ve thought this episode would be as…normal as it was? In fact, I wonder if viewers watching this episode down the line, out of context of the current news cycle, will even notice a difference. The tone, the acting, and the general feel of the episode was pretty consistent with prior ones. (Eric’s haircut aside.)
Then again, they had shot a good amount of scenes with Han Ye-seul, so they were able to complete the story that they’d intended without too many changes to the original idea. (I’d read the written preview for Episode 11 when it was released last week, and it pretty much described what we saw.) Now, I bet Episode 12 would have been crazy if it had to air this week, but with Han back in Korea, it’s looking likelier that she’ll rejoin the production and we’ll get the story we would have gotten had she not left.
I think this episode almost becomes an entirely different beast when you watch it through the lens of the current context, because it’s then that certain lines of dialogue and statements pop out. Such as when Kang-woo berates Myung-wol for not acting like a professional, or when she’s overworked and the photographer comments that these schedules are so killer that it’s almost a problem to be too successful in this industry.
I bet there’s a whole separate argument in there somewhere, about the value of an artistic form when removed from its context, and whether it’s more complete when standing on its own or if the context is as much a part of the story as the artwork itself. I totally don’t have an answer to that, but it’s something worth pondering.
RELATED POSTS
- KBS speaks about Myung-wol the Spy’s future at press conference
- The Script Doctor is in: Myung-wol the Spy
- Myung-wol the Spy unable to complete shoot, to air special
- Myung-wol the Spy gets an extension, sort of
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 10
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 9
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 8
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 7
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 6
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 5
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 4
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 3
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 2
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 1
Tags: Eric, featured, Han Ye-seul, Jang Hee-jin, Lee Jin-wook, Myung-wol the Spy
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51 oddworld
August 16, 2011 at 11:38 PM
I don't know how I feel about Kang Woo confessing. I got this bad feeling that the show will become a little too boring an d melodramatic, or even worse..it wont make any sense like what happened to Lie To Me.
It was funny seeing him trying to hide his feelings but I guess they couldn't keep that on forever. I think we have to come to terms with the fact that it's not going to be as fun as it was earlier on. I would love to get proven wrong though.
--A little off topic but with kdramas, are the writers just making up the story and writing the script bit by bit as the show goes on, or is the story entirely written beforehand and they just make changes to the script depending on circumstances? and rating etc?
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stratosphere
August 17, 2011 at 9:03 AM
Eric has tweeted his thoughts about the whole situation; the translation is here: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/cf4j9s
Among other things, the answer to your question about scripts (at least with respect to SMW) seems to be covered in his tweet.
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52 Gwinna
August 16, 2011 at 11:48 PM
I was pretty worried about this ep, to the point that I waited to see your recap first before watching so that I could get the disappointment over with all in one blow if necessary. I've been loving and obsessing over this drama so much, I really didn't want it to falter over the crazy backstage turmoil. After watching the episode, on the one hand there were a number of scenes which would have worked better if the actors had been able to interact with Myung-Wol rather than a closed door or whatever, and Myung-Wol herself felt a little more distant than usual due to her reduced screentime. However, it was nowhere near as bad as I feared; in fact, they probably managed to make the best episode they could possibly have made taking into account their limitations. Overall, I'm feeling hopeful that things will get fully back on track next week with HYS's return and I'll be able to keep enjoying the drama till the end.
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53 c
August 16, 2011 at 11:49 PM
I enjoyed the meta of Myungwol replacing In-ah as the Caffe Bene promo girl, since Han Ye Seul is doing it in real life
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54 ERICISMINE
August 16, 2011 at 11:54 PM
im glad that this episode actually isn't bad at all.
still love and addicted to this drama afterall.
Kangwoo confession is the best part of this episode. i can feel KW pain in this episode and can feel his sincerity of his confession. it's so SWEET and touching. with him being honest and reveal all his past, i wonder how his fans will react to this. he did put his career in danger.
poor Ryu. i hope he will find his happiness too~
thanks for the recaps JB & GF! now, wait for the subbed/
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MJP
August 17, 2011 at 12:02 AM
AAAAhhhhtttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Share Eric!!!!!!
I think he's a cutie too.
But I confess I am in love with Ryu's character with Myung-wol. I think they suit better.
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55 f1yh1gh10
August 16, 2011 at 11:55 PM
i dont care what bashers think, i still respect han ye seul for her decision.
kangwoo, kangwoo, kangwoo-ya.. hehe just dont overreact so much, in the end, you'll be hurt just as much. love the love confession, though! :D
RYU. baby you stole the show tonight. hehe..
i want kangwoo and myungwol to be together,
and i'll get ryu. :D puahahaha <3
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MJP
August 17, 2011 at 12:02 AM
Ryu snatcher!!!!
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56 Lisa Purba
August 16, 2011 at 11:56 PM
I'm soooo happy that this drama finally can resume the shooting. I don't care with the ruckus and this whole drama-within-drama. I love Eric and Han Ye-seul :) I don't wanna judge other people!
All I care is I'm as a viewer just wanna see the ending of Myung Wol The Spy!
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zj
August 17, 2011 at 2:08 AM
I agree! I don't want to judge anybody, I just want the drama to be great all the way to the last ep :)
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57 MJP
August 16, 2011 at 11:58 PM
I am so glad that the episode turned out well. I only got to watch about 15 minutes of it so far, because today has been a really busy day.
So, thanks, ever so much, Girlfriday and Javabeans! I was able to read the article and in essence finish watching the drama.
But now it's back to work for me!
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58 mizRilla
August 17, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Currently watching eps 11 RAW..
OMG.. Eric is so freaking hot guy.. Just lover everything about him from head to toe..
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59 kytes
August 17, 2011 at 12:43 AM
duh, why cant people just watch the drama for the drama and not link it with the drama in real life?
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60 anna
August 17, 2011 at 1:01 AM
WHAT?! A love confession? WORST TIMING EVER! Oh, is she going to disappear and protect KW now? How is this going to work for the rest of the episodes, it was extended too! Where the heck is that agent spying on KW? Is she even doing anything anymore?
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61 marymoo
August 17, 2011 at 1:16 AM
LOL at how a straight bullet to the head only causes amnesia only in dramaland within dramaland
i predict that in the end myungwol becomes so successful and famous that the north decide to let her stay and bring a good image of the north after all the mission was to requite a hallyu star for the north its kinda the same thing
and then everyone lives happily ever after :)
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62 sy
August 17, 2011 at 1:57 AM
Is it just me or does everyone look abit tense in this episode? With the exception of HYS whose acting betrays no sign of the impending meltdown that we all witnessed these past few days (gotta at least give her some credit for that!)
Also an interesting note to share from the Chinese blogs who are speculating on what the last scene should have been instead of:
Han Myung-Wol
Han Myung-Wol
Han Myung-Wol
I love you...
Eric was actually saying:
Han Ye-Seul
Han Ye-Seul
Han Ye-Seul
We're all waiting for you to come back...
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snow
August 17, 2011 at 2:32 AM
lol interesting. though i wouldn't mind Eric also meaning:
Han Ye-Seul
Han Ye-Seul
Han Ye-Seul
I will stand by you...
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63 MeeisLee
August 17, 2011 at 1:59 AM
I had no idea there would be an episode 11. But it seems to exist. I shall watch it after this recap here. Thanks for the recap and updates !
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64 Cabbage
August 17, 2011 at 2:21 AM
I like your version better, too, jb and gf. I wanted this drama to embrace the crazy and go off the deep end, and if the lead actress jumped ship, it would have been the stuff of drama legend.
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65 trixicopper
August 17, 2011 at 2:53 AM
I actually thought that episode 11 was pretty good. As a fan of the show I'm grateful that things seem to be on their way to being worked out. I would have been disappointed if the show had ended or recast MWs part.
But you know something? I would have lived. It is at the end of the day just a TV show!
I would like to rant briefly on something that has bothered me for years as a Kdrama fan.
I have been watching for several years and I love my dramas. I am an admitted addict. :) I have probably seen around 200 dramas.
I have favorite actors and actresses. Some because I think that they are very talented and others who may be average talent wise but are just damn pretty. And yes, I am that shallow.
I have seen alot of things in dramas that that made me do a double take. The first time I saw the infamous wrist grab for instance, I was like " what the hell was that?" Now I barely even notice . Except to maybe roll my eyes a bit. The point I'm trying to make, and I do not mean any offence to anyone, is that I write a lot of things off as cultural differences and let it go. Maybe because I have never felt that my country/culture was the only way things could be done. And I have always been interested in how the rest of the world works. But...
I really do not understand the so called " fans" of these celebrities. I have a very hard time with how just plain mean and nasty so many of these people are. The whole attitude of ownership of these performers is so bizarre to me. I really do not get it.
As for all this drama thats been going on this week, my 2 cents ... HYS doesn't strike me as someone who is stupid. Why would she open herself up to lawsuits totaling millions of dollars and probably destroy her career? Things had to be pretty rotten. Total exhaustion is not pretty. Been there ,done that. Your body and brain shut down and all you care about is making it stop.
It would be nice if instead of people piling on an overworked actress, they spent some of that energy going after the networks and production companies who insist on the ridiculous live shoot system before someone actually drops dead on one of these drama sets.
Rant over, I guess I wasn't as brief as I'd hoped to be. Sorry, didn't mean to write a novel. :)
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stee
August 18, 2011 at 5:23 PM
I've had the exact same thoughts. Nicely worded!
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66 seattlebabe
August 17, 2011 at 2:59 AM
Is it art imitating life ? Or life imitating art ? I just have that spark of a suspicion, this recent "scandal" was made to raise interest on the drama and thus its rating?
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hAil3Y
August 17, 2011 at 3:13 AM
Same here! Kinda suspicious... but given all that fuss and everyone freaking out, I guess it might be partially true.
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dramaphile
August 17, 2011 at 7:34 PM
but who would want to be the sacrificial lamb as this kind of propaganda would tarnish one's reputation and as having bad credit... but i'm not here for the real life drama... its all the drama in drama fun.. lol
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67 hAil3Y
August 17, 2011 at 3:03 AM
wow I was so surprised when I saw this ep's recap with han ye seul on the 'featured post'! :D
KANG-WOO <3
Yay now that she's back, we won't need to pretend someone else is Myung-wol when she isn't!
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68 Josina
August 17, 2011 at 3:42 AM
Kudos to the writers for making this not only a coherent episode (the impression I get from your recap) but also not avoiding the issues and pretending as if nothing has happening.
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69 Andrea
August 17, 2011 at 4:12 AM
awesome recap. I have to admit at first I thought it was a joke recap like the script doctor blog until I realized it was actually serious so I read it all instead of just skimming. Cant wait to actually see the episode now.
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70 Yuuko
August 17, 2011 at 5:16 AM
HYS is back! yeah ia m so excited. I hope the filming condition will be better from now on!
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71 Iginlng
August 17, 2011 at 6:00 AM
because myung wol disappeared all of a sudden with a letter to say she was sorry, I think what the writer will do is make her go under plastic surgery so no one will be able to recognize her and at the same time be able to take HYS out of the drama and put in a new actress, just a thought.
I really like HYS I hope she stays, I hope things will get better for her
and thanks for the recap :]
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72 meix2
August 17, 2011 at 6:16 AM
Well done writers for actually able to assemble a coherent episode after all that has happened... although unfortunately, the drama still tends to wander leisurely for the majority of the episode and then give you major progression in the last 10 minutes or so. If you think about it, it's a show that you only need to watch the last 10-15 minutes (okay 20 minutes top) of every episodes to follow the plotline. That's not to say that I dislike it, in fact I find it quite entertaining and amusing and, of course... Eric (need I add more?!) But I'm only frustrated because of the age-old drama watcher complaint of 'but it could be so much better....'!!
I also think some of the meta references in this episode were a bit too raw in light of what has happened in real life. In good times, we may find it amusing but at times like this it seems in poor taste. Especially with the speculation that the filming was done prior to HYS going AWOL, the writing/ dialogue comes across as bullying. So IMHO, not a good direction for KBS to take since most of the negative response has been on HYS deserting, rather than any productional reasons, and these dialogues just fuels that speculation that she was indeed ostracised by the crew, as she had alleged.
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han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM
it's obvious that the production crew are a bunch of bullies who think they can get away with it just because everything needs to get done in time for broadcast. it's a sin tbh, using productivity and group goals to pressure an individual, limit her freedom and destroy her dignity. it's an act against humanity.
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73 chichaloca
August 17, 2011 at 6:17 AM
episode 11 was good for me..
this is what i found on kbs website.http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?No=7882
so what is true?she return or not...kbs said today on kbs world that they will replace new actress...cry inside:(
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stratosphere
August 17, 2011 at 6:59 AM
KBS is now reporting (in Korean at least) that the plan is for HYS to return to the set starting tomorrow, the 18th.
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74 capscorp
August 17, 2011 at 6:23 AM
isn't the story too close what is happening in real life????
if this wasn't some publicity stunt ... than she has gone mental from filming these character. it must be so hard on her... i feel bad for her.... this is fing too close to reality....
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75 rich
August 17, 2011 at 7:06 AM
WOW. It didn't seem as if they had problems with HYS in real life with this episode. Like you said, the episode looks normal. Is it because of the writers or pure coincidence? And oh, there are lots of meta. XD So I think I'd go with coincidence. XD
Despite the confession from Kang Woo, I'm still on Ryu's team. :) I love RYUUUU!! XD
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76 Evie
August 17, 2011 at 7:07 AM
It's like a cycle. Every week an episode ends, it ends with a BIG Question mark that says WHAT NOW? (In a good way) It makes you wait anxiously for about a week and bang, you are hit with something different.
Initially I was so disappointed that KW chided MW for spilling coffee onto In-ah. It was totally uncalled for. But then again, when guilt got the better of him, I fell in love with him all over again. AWWWW....
I've to say I've been waiting for KW to come out open with his feeling for MW. But to have him come out so openly in front of the public, oh man, that's mind blowing for me. cause it's not every other day a man more less a star like KW.
His total confession not even caring about the future meant that MW meant so so much to him. AMAZING!!! Under so much stress and pressure from President Joo and In-ah, I've to say that he really did think thru what Ryu said and put it into actions. It is a total case of actions speaks louder than words.
Oh man, I think Ryu is cool but honestly, all is fair in love and war. You've got to fight or else, the better man will win. Anyways, poor Ryu even if he wants to fight for MW, it wouldn't work because MW's heart is already with KW.
Right, after all it's just a show. Reality bites.
Amidst of all these reports about HYS, they still managed to pull thru with episode 11, is amazing.
All the way man !!!
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77 yoona
August 17, 2011 at 7:17 AM
Hi please check out this fb page:http://on.fb.me/pQ3LV8 to show Han Ye Seul support and click the LIKE tab. Thanks!
I really love this drama but it seems the actors are tired, esp. Eric. Don't you notice? Nonetheless, I still think everyone is doing his/her best to make this drama worth watching for.
Cheers!
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Memlu
August 17, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Thank you so much for the heads up! It might not mean much, but I've thrown my "like" into the ring (and signed into FB for the first time in nearly a year, haha). Han Ye-seul, fighting! Whatever they throw at you and whatever you decide, you've got fans rooting for you!
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yoona
August 20, 2011 at 12:36 AM
Hi! Thanks. Please share it to your friends, too. HYS really needs our love and support now. HYS, fighting!!!
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78 elizabeth
August 17, 2011 at 8:01 AM
As an avid fan of this drama, I didnt want to watch ep 11 because I was too emotionally invested and the recent events really dissapointed me.
So I took the next best alternative and read the recaps!
Yes I am amazed that there was so much meta upon meta going on and the episode proved to be quite good. I think it has the recent saga to thank too because I remembered they said they filmed 40% of two eps, so compressing them into one ep just quickened the pace and probably made one great ep.
As to the point about how they many of the lines mirrored real life, well I think it may not be a coincidence but due to the fact that they did experienced HYS being late and not appearing.
jb - I love your last para!
"I bet there’s a whole separate argument in there somewhere, about the value of an artistic form when removed from its context, and whether it’s more complete when standing on its own or if the context is as much a part of the story as the artwork itself. I totally don’t have an answer to that, but it’s something worth pondering."
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79 weissman
August 17, 2011 at 8:13 AM
The latest
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/08/actress-han-ye-seul-returns-to-seoul
HYS looks tired, it is like you just want to hug her!
Leslie -Keep on Fighting -Hooah!
I bet there are alot of other drama actors that wish they had the balls to do what she did!
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80 sleepysnail
August 17, 2011 at 8:19 AM
wow... props to writers for creating such a seamless work around :)
as for han ye seul... i feel like she just had to go somewhere where she wouldn't be judged. you know, when everything in your life is just overwhelming you, and you know that you can handle it at some point, but not today, not now, all you want to do is have a little time to yourself away from it and regroup. but she wasn't allowed that time to regroup, so it just kept building and building until it exploded. essentially the stress compounded with a severe lack of sleep led to poor decision making. i'm sure we've all been there. only in perhaps not quite such a dramatic fashion.
i'm not saying she's not a diva--i'm of the opinion that to be in the entertainment industry, one *needs* a bit of diva--but even divas have limits and when they're breached, how can you not expect a glorious meltdown of these proportions?
wooo, that was longer than i expected.
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weissman
August 17, 2011 at 10:10 AM
maybe she needed 20 hours all by herself with no one hounding her....
I have been in work situations like that and I feel for her.
I am also glad, as I bet other actors are, that she took a stand
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81 anna
August 17, 2011 at 8:21 AM
It's a relief that Han is back. Episode 11 doesn't seems to be affected at all (if we do not know the real story). I've read preview for ep 11 earlier and it has a been twisted a bit (may be the production doesn't expect Han to come back).
It doesn't look good here at JB as we're here is to commenting about the recap ep not among each commentors. Hope everything settle down.
(Back to SMW). Ryu as 2nd lead really making me crazy. Everything about him is pictured more on his serious face. Poor him, that l have a feeling he 's not going to get the girl. But still anything could happen in K-Drama, don't they?
This episode really shows the emotions and true feelings of Kang Woo. Now that he realise his true feelings towards MW. l just wonder whether MW watch TV to hear his confession. Where is she anyway? Back to North for punishment?? What about other comrades, they will get punishment as well??
Everything she did was to keep his love for Kang Woo. l just could not wait for the episode when Kang Woo eventually knows the truth behind MW's actual plot. Another 5 episodes to go ...(or additional 2???)
Hopefully this drama won't disappoint me. Please give happy ending. Its romance comedy right, happy ending is necessary.
l also watching Protect the Boss and handsome guy, Lee Dong Wook in Scent for a Woman. Warrior Baek Dong Soo, is it okay or nice, l haven't watch it yet. Anybody ??
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82 namedx
August 17, 2011 at 8:33 AM
Though I haven't been tuning into this drama, I enjoy reading the recaps and watching the drama unfold that way. Lol either way, i'm still glued to the screen! Thank you ladies. Peace out
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83 origummy
August 17, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Call me a cynic, but I think the "real life" drama of Han leaving the production was totally planned, together with the meta-on-meta episodes we've been getting so far.
Done to spike ratings and give more dimension to the storyline, I think it's kind of brilliant in an evil-manipulative way (manipulating the public).
It may also an interesting sociological experiment of sorts, playing with the fun-house mirrors of celebrity public relations and the public's obsession with news about celebrities and scandals, being fed stories that may or may not be true. It all seems to mesh together too perfectly to be purely "coincidental". If everything has been staged the person or persons running the show are evil genius!
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HAK
August 17, 2011 at 3:41 PM
It sure seems that way to me, although no one will fess up the whole truth for a while, if indeed it really was a publicity stunt.....
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84 mia
August 17, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Even Ep 11 looks pretty with Han Se Yuel problems arise, still there's a few moments that lack attention by the crew. It just like at least they have an episode to be aired on Tuesday when they have no other choice than airing Special for Monday.
1) MW shot herself in ep 10, l believe there's blood on her forehead. They should show the scene what Kang Woo's reaction when MW actually did not die (perhaps faint). Suddenly awake, sitting, no Kang Woo beside her, like nothing happen.... ooo.. so unbelievable.
2) Is it MW collapsed.. or someone else's head (may be Han Se Yuel already not in Korea). No scene where Ryu save MW. l hope Ep 12 will reveal everything that lack in Ep 11.
3) Is it too early or not a best shot from Kang Woo to confess in such manner. So not gentleman. Go and apologise to her first. See her reaction. Kang Woo... l hate your character now. Anyway, still love adorable Eric.
4) I am no Korean. In fact l do not understand North and South Korean so well. Is it North is that straight, to punish in such manner that will harm its own people if the mission fail??
Eager for next episode.
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85 han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 10:35 AM
A online netizen claiming to be actress Han Ye Seul’s hairstylist expressed her own thoughts on the entire ‘Spy Myung Wol‘ production drama.
On the morning of August 17th, the individual tweeted,
“As her hair stylist, I have spent more time with and around Han Ye Seul, and therefore I know exactly what went on during each shoot.
All these people who are pointing fingers at her, are they choosing to believe these big names in the industry, rather than someone like me who is close to her and knows the real situation? What kind of “honest” people are these network reps anyway that they would force their cast members to film for long hours, often forcing them to break through the night?
This has gone on for two long months already. They write completely biased articles in their own favor, taking complete advantage of people like Han Ye Seul. They made her sacrifice sleep for two weeks straight and when she finally got a chance to crawl home, she most likely had a few hours at most to shut her eyes and rest her exhausted body. She probably passed out and when she opened her eyes, she realized she was late and rushed to the set.
So she was late.
If the director really knew what he was doing, wouldn’t he have shot a scene where they didn’t need her, in order to save time? But no, he doesn’t. He wasted precious shooting time and refused to work until she showed up. Thanks to him, the actress who slaved herself on set for two weeks straight and didn’t get a wink of sleep for 4 days is now the irresponsible, immature she-devil who kept her staff waiting. They have no regard for her as a human being.”
“The girl stayed strong despite all of this. Wasn’t anyone worried about her? Wasn’t anyone worried that she would faint from lack of rest? They have zero respect for her as a human being.
They used her like a slave, making up the hours as they went but as soon as she decided she had enough of them taking advantage of her, they turn the story around like they’re the victims in this whole ordeal. I understand the staff’s point of view, and I am sure they have their own reasons for issuing their public statement but this is really too frustrating.
How could they release a statement like that after making her go through so much hell? Do they plan to continue to work their actors like that in the future?”
“I guess if you’re a celebrity, you are forced to sacrifice sleep for two months straight. You can’t afford to be late, you can’t be sick, and if you need to pass out from exhaustion, you need to do it in front of a large group of people so that you can prove how tired you really are. You have to be ready to be back-stabbed by the public and the people around you, and you have to do exactly what people tell you to do. I guess this is the life of a celebrity.
The things I learned from ‘Spy Myung-Wol’: You can’t be too nice, too honest, or too patient. Rather, you have to treat these people exactly the way they treat you. Otherwise, you will end up like Han Ye Seul. I wonder if they think she left the show simply because she was ‘too tired’.”
Han Ye Seul who made major headlines for refusing to show up on set for KBS2TV’s ‘Spy Myung-Wol’ has flown overseas and is scheduled to return to Korea shortly.
Source: mydaily via Nate
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86 weissman
August 17, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I just read Eric's tweet, wow now thats being politiaclly correct and he does make a good point, if the schedule is beating the crap out of the actors imagine what it does to the crew.
It seems like he took a position supporting everybody
Speaking from a position and working for an organization that demads a lot from its members, the better you take care of your people the better the product you are going to get.
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han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 10:50 AM
i hate eric now. his stance is ambiguous, his tweets only add fuel to the fire, why can't he shut up and let everything go on naturally? because of him, all these stupid eric fangirls are at it again, attacking other people with the excuse that their oppa is working hard and enduring everything so everyone should be doing the same thing. i could kill a bitch right now. no wonder women are discriminated by men. they themselves discriminate against their own kind, they can't blame anyone else for treating them badly?
oh you're a woman and you're tired at work? now look, there's a strong fine man in the office who does the same amount of work as you but he doesn't complain so you should shut up? what, you are on period? why should i care, that's you business, get back to work lazy woman
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zinnias
August 17, 2011 at 11:25 AM
I know and totally agree. He totally seems like he's posturing.
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Z
August 17, 2011 at 12:03 PM
I thought it sounded like his publicist wrote it.
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han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 12:07 PM
its his personal tweet. as obvious from his previous tweets (the religion tweets are good examples) they are all written by eric himself. even if it's written by his publicist, the fact still stands: his crazy fangirls went batshit crazy and bashed han ye seul all over the place.
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zinnias
August 17, 2011 at 12:42 PM
And the funny thing was that earlier in the drama, the fangirls were doing the same for Kang Woo.
87 han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 10:46 AM
the production crew of this drama disgust me:
1/ the scriptwriter obviously wanted to make fun of han ye seul with her cruel and unfunny meta scripts. right, you worked han ye seul to the point of exhaustion and now you even forced her character to listen to lines like "you're not acting like a professional" such malicious low blow
2/ the director obviously had no respect for her as a human being. she said she would not come, why did he still make the rest of the staff wait on her instead of shooting scenes without her?
3/ now she had to apologize and take ALL the blame on herself while those douchy higher-ups, the PD and the scriptwriter are the "forgivers" it doesn't make ANY sense. if Han Ye Seul is at fault, those people are at fault too. don't bullshit with me about how she's unprofessional and diva etc
4/ people said that she just has to deal with this live shooting system since she signed up for it. now let me remind you that she had experienced this system before, but not this particular PD and production crew. other actors and actresses may have faced difficulties with this system, but not with this particular PD and scriptwriter, who seems to take every chance to ostracize Han Ye Seul. so what if Hyun Bin slept two hours a day while filming Secret Garden? did he get ostracized on set? no. did he go through everything Han Ye Seul went through? no. i hate these stupid pointless comparisons but if you're gonna compare han ye seul with other actors, at least be fair. you're not in their shoes, how do you know every actor goes through the same thing? just because she bailed out doesn't mean she should be the scapegoat for this evil industry's sins
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weissman
August 17, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Hooah!
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zinnias
August 17, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Pretty good insight. It won't be easy for her to go back. Praying for her!
And LOL at your comment about the batshit fangirls. He is very attractive on screen! But it sounds like in rl, not so much.
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Momo
August 17, 2011 at 1:39 PM
I am with you.
It made me think back of slap scenes where there was no apology whatsoever. It didnt make sense.
A lot was taken aback about that.
So were the PD/writers bullying her with script scenes too and why maybe she ask for a change in PD onset? That made me think that the cast was really ostracising her.
Who knows how many takes he made her do it to just have fun at her. Sorta power-tripping mode.
Also, the tweet tells me that the PD was immature and for sure a jerk. And Eric justifies it that because they ask him to speak comfortable with them. That says loads....whatever was said must have bordered to unprofessional and personal bickering.
Eric was probably forced to make a statement, so fans of Eric dont be rash. Somehow it felt to me that he's just a regular guy, that placating is better than correcting problems. In that I can see that he was the mediator. And thats the tone I'm getting on his tweet too. He was never specific, just general acknowledgement. He didnt say outright that HYS has valid complaints, or that its not valid.....because everyone is in the same boat as her.
I was a bit disappointed because the girl in me expects the hero to be more solid. I blame it on K-drama fodder lol...so dont hate me. But I know in real life, it takes to be a very special person to summon all the guts he can muster and cry for a change because he knows he will be persecuted. History has a list of that.
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Caitlyn
August 17, 2011 at 6:09 PM
There has been a lot of stuff about Han Ye Seul planning on getting married and quitting showbiz once she finishes MyungWol, so if that's true, she can stand up against the producers if she wants to because it won't matter to her later. But Eric plans on having a future in the industry so he really can't say anything much about all of this. He hasn't come out and supported either party, and I think that's really the only thing he can do. He did say that things should change, so that's something.
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88 HeadsNo2
August 17, 2011 at 11:23 AM
At first I was upset at Han Ye Seul for leaving the set and flying to LA. Of course, we didn't know the whole picture, and her public-statement apology doesn't do much to clear things up either. However, I do believe that what she did was to bring attention to the bad working conditions of the live-shoot system. The only problem is, she tried to take this big stand and even crossed an ocean for it and was called back within 24 hours or something like it...
So is this kind of like 'she fought the law and the law won'? The law being KBS.
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han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 11:34 AM
i agree. anyone who thinks that she deserves all this criticism and witchhunt is ignorant, delusional and a disgrace to humanity
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89 Mia
August 17, 2011 at 11:59 AM
drama within the drama with another drama ^^;
fighting!!! hope everything gets better for everyone! <3
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han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 12:04 PM
i only hope things get better for han ye seul. the rest can diaf for all i care.
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90 Noelle
August 17, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Thanks for the recap!
I was totally wondering how they were going to do this episode. If I didn't know anything I would just see it as a regular episode. Now we just gotta wait for episode 12.
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91 Bunde
August 17, 2011 at 12:50 PM
I can only guess the true details, but from what I've read so far, I am with Han Ye Seul on this one.
This is really a matter of corporate culture in Korea. They are very unstructured at times and they work you to death. Unfortunately, it's an accepted norm in many companies.
Han Ye Seul was raised in USA, so it seems absurd at time to work so many hours and work where she has to learn her lines at last minute. I am sure she understands Korean culture and what to expect but yet, she could understandably get fed up. Sure, she could have waited until the end of the drama for sake of rest of the crew, sponsors, etc.
Having done project managements myself, I notice that with unplanned requirement changes and crazy work hours, the project may get done. But, the project may be done crappy or not really finished (codes are still buggy). And, people are very unhappy and tired.
I am making this overly simplistic, but the reason why dramas lose steam in the middle, the story becomes muddled later, and drama actors commit suicide could be because of the culture in drama production.
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92 sosoxrah
August 17, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Woah... meta overload. Maybe Han Ye-seul had called it quits bc she couldn't get over all the meta and it just got to her. lol At least she's back, right? It wouldn't be the same without her.
This episode surprisingly had flow. I just hope the next episodes don't pack as many allusions to the problems of k-drama acting and production. I feel like it was a bit much in episode 11.
All I can say is poor Ryu... he can't do anything for Myung-wol or else it's the death sentence. Why does this have to happen?!
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93 sksakjjas
August 17, 2011 at 1:25 PM
i dont want anything to change but i think if anyone could be myungwol shin min ah always comes to my mind........................ ok ill shut up if han ye seul is there all the way it would be gr8
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94 HeadsNo.2
August 17, 2011 at 1:40 PM
I was reading the comments earlier about Eric's extended tweet about the live-shoot system and its working conditions.
The issue I have to raise with his statement: "There are many dramas which are filmed in advance and yet experience losses because they cannot get a time slot [...] I know that this is not an easy problem to fix unless I become a high-level executive in broadcasting, found a production company and produce dramas with the knowledge that I will be incurring losses, or else someone good enough to do it himself appears. [...]"
Eric's statement is based on the assumption that you have two options - live shoot or film the whole series in advance. Is he unaware of how we do it in the United States? We invented television. (I'm not saying that to sound superior, but to bring attention to the fact that those are not the only two options that exist to create television, in response to Eric's statement.)
I think that it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing, live-shoot or 100% pre-produced. It worries me that there's this notion that if you don't live shoot, you will incur losses. It doesn't seem like an excuse to work your actors to death. I hope that something can be done soon, but I doubt anything will actually change. :( I do feel really bad for Han Ye Seul. Reading her public apology, and then reading this:
The drama department chief, Go Young Tak, released a statement saying, “Han Ye Seul has apologized through tears, and everything has all ended well.”
Sounded an awful lot like this:
The drama department chief, Go Young Tak, released a statement saying, "We broke her and everything is right again."
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HeadsNo.2
August 17, 2011 at 1:47 PM
And now this may sound like a silly question but I wonder if anyone could answer it as I only just now thought about it.
Do actor's unions exist in Korea, like how the Screen Actors Guild exists in the U.S. and mandates the amount of hours an actor can work?
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Momo
August 17, 2011 at 2:15 PM
I read on some comments back on other threads that KBS is backed by the government. If so does the Korean Government have laws to protect the well being of individual's working condition even if there's no union?
I mean the govt must have bigger pull than KBS to at least order some humane condition/protocol? They are not a 3rd wold country from watching Arirang messages about Korea....lol I know may not be best/true image of Korea but thats wut I have on my side of the earth.
So maybe going to Korean government if these company supported by public funds doesnt do the job to protest/demand change? Or is that absurd?
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han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 2:46 PM
this is maybe a bit off topic regarding the whole debacle about hys and the production crew, but kbs itself, despite being funded by the government and taxpayers' money, really most of the time only represents corporates preferences. if you're into korean music, you would know that in the past, kbs has run into various controversies regarding their music bank program because it seems that they favor artists from certain companies and not others. recently this year we saw through their shady practice with the JYJ thing. kbs is first and foremost just an entity in the competitive market and government support does not guarantee their success. discreet corporate affiliation is the way to go for most of these broadcasting stations, or frankly any other media/entertainment companies in korea.
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HeadsNo.2
August 17, 2011 at 3:52 PM
It's a good question, and honestly one I'm not sure of. I know that actors unions in the U.S. mandate the amount of hours an actor can work, how many breaks they have to have for each hour worked, yadda yadda. And if an actor does have to work all night, then they get a day off. I think if this system existed in South Korea no dramas would get produced, though. It's very hard to change such a big system across the board, so I don't think we'll see change. :/
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Momo
August 17, 2011 at 4:59 PM
That's what I get too. Not one of the crews wants to take a firmer stance on their own well-being. They felt defeated already because they know that it wont change.
Makes me appreciate more the people who made big impact to make my life bearable.
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Memlu
August 17, 2011 at 6:11 PM
'Sounded an awful lot like this:
The drama department chief, Go Young Tak, released a statement saying, “We broke her and everything is right again.”'
Yep. Like, obviously I'm firmly and happily esconsed in Camp Han Ye-seul, but it's hard to read this as a happy ending when it came at the cost of Han Ye-seul's dignity, wellbeing, and probably her career. Why address problems in the system when the system can simply steam-roll over her? (Han Ye-seul, fighting!)
The live shoot system is a disaster, and the industry's refusal to even acknowledge it might have problems (and let's face it, when accidents, depression, and absolute exhaustion are taken as givens, the system has problems) is the greatest problem of all. People have said before that they fear the only way anyone will change the live shoot system is if someone dies, and it looks more and more to me that this is the truth. But even then, will things change? The industry doesn't seem to care about the physical or mental health of its actors or its crews.
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Abbie
August 17, 2011 at 7:28 PM
I agree with you. Though I like Eric and Korean Dramas, it bothers me that they do live shoots. Those are apparently really trying on the actors and crew. Here in America (and I also don't want to come off sounding superior, and I am just speculating on this) but when a show is aired weekly, like a sitcom or something, production begins early on in the summer, filming at least one episode a week, so that by the time the season starts, there is a set number of episodes ready to be aired. While those are airing, production begins on the next block of episodes, and so on. Live shoots are rare here. I feel bad for the actors in Korea who have to go through this. Plus, many of these dramas have two episodes a week, so the pressure is really on. I'm sure Han Ye-seul didn't appreciate this pressure, and I can't blame her.
You're right that there are other ways to film without incurring losses. I think it is about time that they start looking for other options that doesn't include working actors to near exhaustion.
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ivytwines
August 17, 2011 at 7:28 PM
I've been wondering the same thing! In the US, they usually shoot 3 or 4 episodes (or more) in advance, but not the entire season at once or live shoots the week preceding the episode's air date. I remember the director/producer of Veronica Mars making a comment once that they were unable to acknowledge the fans reactions to an emotional scene (and one they considered a throwaway scene) immediately in the next episode because they were already 3 or 4 episodes ahead. Being that far ahead ensures enough leeway for unexpected events and more humane work schedules. Well, that and the fact that american tv shows go on hiatus twice through out the season for about a month each time. Oh, and american dramas are only about 40 minutes without commercials, and air only once a week. Which means less scenes to shoot each week overall.
I'm not saying that hollywood has the perfect model or that it would necessarily work with the mini-series format of single-season k-dramas. I am the first to get excited about 2 hours running time each week with my favourite k-dramas. but when I think of the working conditions which the actors must endure to produce entertainment for us (well really for korean viewers and us as by-products), I have to wondering -- who's really the diva? The girl who had to run away to get rest, or the viewer who gets unreasonably upset because new episode is delayed/cancelled/altered.
Oh and just to be more on-topic -- Ep 11 was WAY better than I thought it could be. As I think DB and others said, if I didn't know about the drama-behind-the-drama, I wouldn't have thought anything negative about the story or HYS's lack of scenes. Kudo's to the writers and editors for creating a coherent episode!
But like others also said: Shame on you, writers/PD, for using your scripted lines to tell HYS off even *before* she fled from the drama.
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95 margie
August 17, 2011 at 2:58 PM
Just thought it best to inform all the fans of this drama.
Saw on KBS news last night that they've managed to
get Han Ye Seul back to Korea...Though I didnt understand
the language, saw her arriving at the Inchon Airport (having
been to Seoul myself once before) Hope this is a positive
sign that we have the drama on track...Nothing like having
the original cast for a drama....Replacements spoils
the tune of this drama....
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96 han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 2:58 PM
Having caused an unprecedented controversy over the past few days with her refusal to film for “Spy Myung Wol“, actress Han Ye Seul flew to Los Angeles to escape from the media pressure around her. On August 17th, she made a dramatic return back to Seoul and was greeted by a crush of reporters.
Han Ye Seul arrived at Incheon International Airport at around 17:10 KST. She was seen wearing the same grey hoodie and cap which she had on when she left just two days earlier. She looked visibly fatigued after taking a flight to Los Angeles, and then directly coming back in less than 48 hours.
As she stepped out of the arrival gate, the media swarmed around her, asking a bevy of questions regarding her opinion about the current situation and her future plans. Han Ye Seul looked distressed as she said, “Sorry. From now on, I wish to start again.”
She continued, “I just wanted everyone to understand how difficult and poor the working conditions for actors are. I didn’t want to see someone else become a victim like me. I know that I am at fault, causing a lot of trouble and obstacles for the cast and staff on set.”
Han Ye Seul frankly stated, “However, I believe that what I did was right because if I didn’t do this, the working conditions will not change.”
She added, “This decision was made due to high levels of stress and anxiety. I hope people will understand what I did, and also, I hope that this becomes an opportunity for people in the industry to reflect on these conditions.”
Han Ye Seul was then escorted away from the terminal by her associates. She is scheduled to return to the “Spy Myung Wol” set later this evening.
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weissman
August 17, 2011 at 6:52 PM
HYS Fighting
Hooah!
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Abbie
August 17, 2011 at 7:32 PM
Fighting, Han Ye-Seul!
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97 han ye seul supported
August 17, 2011 at 3:04 PM
She has some guts to do what she did and comeback... Surely more balls than Eric, who was playing the victim instead of supporting his co-star... We know he suffered the same or even more than Han Ye Seul, but as this is his comeback he's willing to take all the crap it takes to get back on top... I do understand all the other cast members were damaged in some way, but they hadn't the guts to speak out about the unfair treatment they suffer in the drama production and instead some went to point finger at her and play the victims... That's cowardice IMHO... Hope she finishes the drama in better conditions and the whole industry reflects on this issue...
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weissman
August 17, 2011 at 6:56 PM
HYS = guts
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98 babyfat
August 17, 2011 at 4:41 PM
ep 11 eng sub @ dramafever
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99 Oh Ji's Ho
August 17, 2011 at 5:18 PM
http://sports.khan.co.kr/news/sk_index.html?cat=view&art_id=201108170708474&sec_id=540101&pt=nv
If someone could be so kind as to translate this link that would be great! I am really just interested in the tweet. I read on another site that Yang Dong Keun tweeted this in defense of HYS and I can't read Hangul.... :)
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anais
August 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM
Ballsy! (Translation is not great. Relied heavily on the dictionary, so some of the definitions may be off connotatively or outright wrong.)
한예슬은 순진하다.
Han Ye Seul is naive.
그녀가 영악했다면 살인적인 스케줄로 피로가 누적돼 링거를 꽂고 병원에 입원해 이번 사태에서 마녀사냥은 안 당했을 거다
If she were smart, she would not have suffered a witch hunt from this situation by sticking in an IV drip and hospitalizing herself for exhaustion accumulated from a killer schedule.
이번 사태의 주범은 비겁한 방송국이다.
This situation's main culprit is the cowardly broadcast station.
국민, 시청자와의 약속 운운하는데 정말 토 나온다
I really want to vomit that [the broadcast station?] is going on about promise to the citizens, the viewers.
한예슬 두둔하거나 비호하는 거 아니다.
I'm not supporting or protecting Han Ye Seul.
우리 영화, 드라마, 매니지먼트, 모든 사람들이 밖에서는 화려해보이지만 내실은 폭력적인 작업환경에서 일을 해야 하니 정말 안타깝다.
Although our movies, dramas, management, everyone looks splendid from the outside, since the reality inside (or substance?) is that we must work in a violent work environment, it's truly lamentable.
한예슬을 비롯한 스타급 배우들의 인권만 얘기 하는 것이 아니다.
I'm not talking about only the human rights of actors of star status starting with Han Ye Seul.
스태프들의 살인적인 노동환경 한 번 생각해 본 적이 있는가.
Have you ever thought about the killer work environment of the staff?
촬영, 조명, 미술, 제작, 연출팀들 사는 게 사는 게 아니다
The way filming, lighting, art, production, staging teams live isn't living.
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Oh Ji's Ho
August 18, 2011 at 8:19 AM
Thanks!
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100 weissman
August 17, 2011 at 6:37 PM
I don't care what anybpdy says
Ep 11 very powerful, if you weren't in lone with HYS/HMY you have to be by now!
I love it when the male lead pulls a move like that, its such a powerful statment about love and life.
It reminds me of MGIAGMH when the lead actors chnages the rules of the game because of his love for MiHo. Thats what Kang Woo just did, change the rules
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