Choi Kang-hee as Joo-won’s potential leading lady
by javabeans
We’ve finally got a potential co-star for Joo-won in the upcoming rom-com spy drama Secret Agent War, with the latest reports telling us that Choi Kang-hee (Protect the Boss) has been offered the role and is considering it favorably. As she’s currently filming a movie, according to her agency Keyeast, both sides are working out scheduling issues.
I mean this in the nicest way possible: Noooooooooo.
There are so many reasons this feels weird and off-putting to me, mostly because it’s an odd coupling. Individually, I can see both actors working. Choi can do feisty, and she had a pretty ballsy character in Protect the Boss, so she should fit in playing a secret agent who hides her work from her boyfriend. But together?
It’s not strictly the age difference, although that’s definitely a concern with Choi being a 1977-er and Joo-won a 1987-er. Or should I say the mere numbers aren’t the issue, because I’ve long since gotten used to drama heroines being noonas (that’s just a fact of life in an industry where your most eligible actor-bachelors have to take two years off in the army). Lee Min-ho and Kim Hee-sun have the same ten-year gap between them but I don’t really care about the age difference in Faith.
But Joo-won just seems like a baby, with his aegyo personality and little-boy ways, and Choi Kang-hee definitely has a more mature vibe. The whole fun of the source movie (Level 7 Civil Servant) was that they were on equal footing, both in love and in their spy confrontations. I want hot romance, not Adventures in Babysitting! (Must remind myself of Joo-won’s powerful on-screen transformations. Arg. But who can recall Gaksital’s fierceness when you’ve got images of Joo-won squealing over moths and bees running on an endless mental loop?)
Secret Agent War is being planned as a 20-episode drama and will air in January 2013.
RELATED POSTS
- Joo-won signs on to rom-com spy drama
- Joo-won interview: Ratings man and aegyo boy
- Joo-won offered Level 7 Civil Servant remake
- Kim Tae-hee to headline Level 7 Civil Servant remake?
- Protect the Boss posters and character stills
- Protect the Boss changes name, adds to cast
- Choi Kang-hee’s sexy assassin transformation
- Drama version of Civil Servant in the works
Tags: Choi Kang-hee, Joo-won
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101 redfox
October 18, 2012 at 11:25 AM
I am sorry but the main problem for me is she is just so.... boring and bland.
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102 Mia
October 18, 2012 at 11:34 AM
what, NO! come on! i absolutely love CKH, but seriously?
what are they thinking... i liked the movie so i was really anticipating for this drama, but seriously? seriously? that's the best they could come up with?
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103 distractjs
October 18, 2012 at 11:37 AM
LOL when I saw the title of the article, I had THE EXACT SAME REACTION: I literally said out loud, " NoooOOOOOOOOoooo" I think I remember her from the old "hakgyo" or school back in the day. I really really really don't want her to get this. I might actually not watch it if she starts opposite joo won.
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104 Ara
October 18, 2012 at 11:51 AM
Choi Kang Hee normally isn't as busted looking as she is in the photo above but the idea of her and Jae Joong together in Protect the Boss made me cringe and the idea of her and Joo Won playing lovers who are the same age is just not believable. You know there's something wrong in casting circles when fans are stuck hoping that the actress playing the female lead isn't more than 5 years older than the male lead. It's also interesting that the situation is basically reversed in the movie industry - much older actors with young actresses.
I totally get that very few new actresses seem to have the combination of beauty and talent that so many older actresses seem to possess but there can't be such a shortage that a 35 year old woman is cast to play a character the same age as a 25 year old man's character. If the drama is meant to involve an age gap, full steam ahead, but this drama definitely isn't one of those stories. I hope CKH opts out...
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105 Star
October 18, 2012 at 11:54 AM
please .... for the love of god .... NO!
I can't picture them together at all.....
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but i still can't figure out who would be a good match for him X.X
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106 Gom
October 18, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Um, no.
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107 moytre
October 18, 2012 at 12:45 PM
If this role cant be played by younger actress why they should offer it to JW. I heard kim nam gil and Lee dong gun were the possible candidate for this role, one of them matches with CKH but not JW.
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eny
October 18, 2012 at 4:48 PM
they reject this role, may be because it's remake,they will compare to KJH.I watch the movie and i think the lady is older
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Ara
October 18, 2012 at 5:02 PM
No, the characters were the same age. Kim Ha Neul is younger than Kang Ji Hwan anyways.
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eny
October 18, 2012 at 7:20 PM
not the real person but the charracter they portray ,the lady is already spy before the male actor become spy, the leading man become spy after 3 years break up, i watch it 4 or 5 years ago so i still remember
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Ara
October 18, 2012 at 9:41 PM
Hmm, I don't remember the movie ever mentioning ages. I guess I always thought that the guy just happened to enter training afterwards. Just because she became a spy first does not necessarily mean that she's supposed to be older than him... but you may be right, it's been a while.
108 Miky
October 18, 2012 at 12:46 PM
I don't quite like her for the role,i deed hoped for a more feminine figure to match Jo Won and to give that vibe i'm not a spy muajajja
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moytre
October 18, 2012 at 1:13 PM
yes she doesnt have femini look and sexi figure that is required for this role.
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109 jasmin
October 18, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!
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110 knom
October 18, 2012 at 1:05 PM
I think Lee Young Ah would make a good pairing. Love both of them in Baker King, Kim Tak Goo. She's quite sexy in Vampire Prosecutor 2 and cute in "Baker King". I'm not sure about her pulling off the spy look but it might works.
Choi Kang Hee has an older look that it'll be hard for me to mentally picture her chemistry with Joo-Won just like how hard it was for me to see the chemistry between Chae Rim and Choi Siwon in "Oh My Lady".
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111 Aly
October 18, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Hell nooooooooooooooooo!!
Numbers aside, they LOOK more like an aunt and nephew pairing.
I'm still crossing my fingers for MIN HYO RIN! She would be the perfect co-star for Joo Won!
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k_addict
October 22, 2012 at 6:06 PM
Agree!
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112 anik
October 18, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Can someody please explain me what does aegyo personality mean? thanks so much :)
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canxi
October 18, 2012 at 2:18 PM
CUTE-NESS! Think Korea's version of "kawaii" lol.
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113 lemonicricket
October 18, 2012 at 3:32 PM
I also concur: NOOOOOOOOO D:
I have a total block against Choi Kang Hee since My Sweet Seoul. Even when she's good in a role it still irks me. Lol.
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114 MelMax
October 18, 2012 at 3:50 PM
????????? what?????? oh noooo, she's a good actress but please... someone else younger... with spunk.... Joo Won..
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115 sokhasen
October 18, 2012 at 4:06 PM
I'll watch anything with CKH, but JW is too young to the main guy in this.
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116 thay
October 18, 2012 at 4:43 PM
oh my God,please NOOOO!! Suddenly I want to throw up by thinking she's the leading lady.It's no match at all.how come they come to think to pair Joo Won with this old lady?didnt they have any sense at all?ok, if this is really happening,I am sorry Joo Won, I really love you a lot,but I guess I will not see you in this one.So sad since I am planning to watch this drama since the first day it announced Joo Won as leading actor. #sigh
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117 Mai
October 18, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Individually, I love both of these actors but I have to agree, it's a NO for me in the nicest way possible. I don't really mind the noonas acting with a younger hero, but this pair is just too odd for me.
I really hope that this doesn't pull through otherwise I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
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118 Sajen
October 18, 2012 at 5:26 PM
I agree with the Noooooooooo but not in a nice way for me I plain don't like her for me she's similar to Jung Gyu Woon and Japanese actor/SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi there's just something about them that rubs me the wrong way.
I still like my idea of Han Groo but unfortunately I'm not the producer
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119 Nadia
October 18, 2012 at 5:41 PM
I think the pairing is unique, but it really depends on the PD's scripting and the acting. I feel looks are too important to people who watch dramas and it has no relevance nor does his age if she's suppose to have more experience as a spy.
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Mianha
October 19, 2012 at 7:18 AM
Exactly, this is not about the looks of the cast. Even if she looks a bit older than him it's no big deal if the script and the acting is good and if the actors have chemistry. I'd rather have this odd pairing than a younger actress not very good at acting and counting only on her pretty face to sold the character. Also, I have total faith in JW, he's an excellent actor, after Gaksital I think he can handle everything.
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120 jujue
October 18, 2012 at 5:50 PM
NOOOOOOO!.DEFINITELY A NO! I DUN GET IT.y they would like to choose someone that older..way too old for the lead actress role??!?enough already.
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121 moniq
October 18, 2012 at 6:04 PM
omg...please..not choi kang hee...........i prefer park min young as joo won' partner on that drama.......or so young (snsd)..............please reconsider about choi kang hee.. she's pretty n cute..i saw her in protect the boss..but with joo won?? hmmm.... i don't think so......
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122 zunaida
October 18, 2012 at 6:37 PM
I'ld prefer Lee Si Young.
I love her in wild romance with lee dong wook.
Lee Si Young! Lee Si Young! Lee Si Young! Lee Si Young!
Lee Si Young! Lee Si Young! Lee Si Young! Lee Si Young!
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123 Undine
October 18, 2012 at 6:37 PM
Errr.... so basically people are against having Choi Kang Hee as the female lead because she's old and not pretty enough?? I don't know, I think this pairing has potential. I quite like it~~
Joo Won has acted with an older female co-star before, Eugene, in King of Baking, Kim Takgoo. I don't know exactly how old Eugene is, but I think she's in her 30s. Yet Joo Won managed to have sizzling hot chemistry with her. So I don't really have any worries in that department.
And the baby Joo Won that's terrified of moths on 1N2D wouldn't make a good drama protagonist, nor would he have chemistry with even the youngest of actresses.
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foolmoon
October 19, 2012 at 2:24 AM
I don't think it's about being old and unpretty, but like JB points out: the mature vibe of CKH. Despite all the good acting and talents pool of the actor and actress, they have to have chemistry.
I don't know how to explain this, but sometimes the chemistry is just there between the leads (even in the middle of crappiest drama!), sometimes they have to build it, sometimes they just don't have it no matter what they do.
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124 varms
October 18, 2012 at 6:46 PM
I loved the actress in Petty Romance though and she looks younger than her years to me. I don't dig her dramas though but maybe this will be an exception? Stayin' positive! :)
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125 b1
October 18, 2012 at 7:00 PM
cant they put Lee Min Jung in here.. yes she's thin but she can definitely kick ass .. and she needs a good revival after the mess that is BIG . as in big mess
drama gods please hear my plea
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126 Kris
October 18, 2012 at 7:19 PM
I agree with most of the comments here. The age gap between the two is not really the question here since we all know that both Choi Kang-hee and Joo Won are capable of portraying their roles that can probably somehow erase our apprehension. But it's the story, the vibe that it's portraying doesn't suit the kind of chemistry that Choi Kang-hee and Joo Won can display together.
I want a different leading lady! We should have a petition. hahaha
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127 jyyjc
October 18, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Ok I am shallow, the main problem for me is that she just looks older than her age imo and so that makes her seem more than just 10 years older than joo won, which, ehhh me no like. Especially since, yes, I also get this little boy vibe from joowon all the time, when he's not being intense as gaksital. I like her I do, I loved protect the boss. But I just don't feel this pairing. And I remember that while watching PTB, I was surprised she and jisung were the same age because she looks and seems older than jisung! Please decline the offer CKH, I swear I have nothing against you but butbutbut I want someone else for Joowon *whines*.
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128 reallycool
October 18, 2012 at 7:35 PM
I think Ha Ji Won would be the ideal pick for this. I would have also said Kim So Yeon but, shes already filming a historical drama
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129 JD
October 18, 2012 at 7:41 PM
I think Choi Kang Hee's best TV presence was in Sweet Buns, (even though the show got axed, WTH i don't even know why--it's like the sweetest dose of reality romance ever). I have not liked her other works since then.
I can imagine Choi Kang Hee playing a solid woman spy but with a different leading man like Jang Dong Gun. That guy can pull off humor as he has shown in a Gentleman's Dignity! Oh wait--that's funny 'cause Kim Ha Neul played the woman spy n the movie version :-P
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Mystisith
October 18, 2012 at 8:21 PM
Jang Dong-gun as a Korean James Bond? *Nosebleed and heart attack*. Sorry Daniel Craig but you don't fight in the same category... :)
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130 ar
October 18, 2012 at 8:19 PM
I guess it's because I haven't been paying attention to Joo-won in his variety shows. I can buy Gaksital with Choi Kang Hee. I just hope she isn't styled like she is in that pic in this post.
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131 marid
October 18, 2012 at 8:27 PM
Have any of the people commenting actually seen any of her work? Or just making comments base on the picture? I love her, "Protect the boss" is one of the cutest dramas I seen. I actually think this would be a great couple... But, I really think that he looks older, then his actual age. Let's see what happens since nothing is yet official.
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132 DarknessEyes
October 18, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Yeah... when I saw her face, I was just like
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
i dont mind her, but with Joowon? Just no. She's just too old... it's kinda weird. That would kinda ruin in drama for me... can we like petition this or something?
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133 sunstar
October 18, 2012 at 9:07 PM
ok...not that i don't like CKH...but i seriously hope she does not take the role!!!
i just don't like them together...visually...doesn't work for me...
like JB said..i like them individually, but together...nah...
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134 arina
October 18, 2012 at 9:08 PM
i think they have to choose an older actress if the plot centered more on the female character..but i agree that CKH is NOT suitable for Joowon...but i think she make a interesting spy...
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135 LastFantasy
October 18, 2012 at 9:49 PM
I loved CKH in Protect the Boss! Why are people judging before the show is even out. Poor CKH. It could be good! The age or look does not matter as long as they have chemistry and are good actors, which they are.
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Enz
October 18, 2012 at 9:58 PM
My thoughts too. No producer or director would cast to fail. Maybe the auditions have been done and she and joo won had great chemistry. In ojakgyo, joo won played a 30 year old tae hui convincingly.
I am looking forward to seeing joo won in a rom com. I don't know who this girl is since Ive watched too few dramas but she's getting too much criticism just for being her age!
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fab
October 19, 2012 at 2:27 AM
And they actually recommend other older actresses for the part, what a petty. It's the CHARACTER who is older, live with it.
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Raye
October 19, 2012 at 9:37 AM
Uh, we don't know that. The other older actresses that were recommended actually look like they could be Joo Won's age. If they decide to make the character older, it'll be because of Choi Kang Hee and not the other way around. An age gap was NOT a part of the original movie.
My guess is that everybody else had commitments or didn't want to do an MBC drama. Nobody casts to fail but availability/logistics is a big deal in the drama industry. There's no way that Choi Kang Hee was ever their first choice.
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Enz
October 19, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Well unless you really know that then you don't know that either - that ckh was not their first choice. Most of the female leads in the few dramas I have seen really fall short of my expectations. Eg the girl in city hunter. I am still looking forward to this
136 yourin
October 18, 2012 at 10:15 PM
can we have oh yeon seo? She got the fierce and tough vibe.saw he on unexpectedly you and we got married, she will be good as badass
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137 anabella
October 18, 2012 at 10:42 PM
It is just like a business. The company should know about the consumer wants & needs instead of their own interests. By then at the market the result will be a huge success.
Anyway, how can i enjoy my blueberrycheesecake if the toppings is vinegar salty cream......
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138 april
October 18, 2012 at 11:13 PM
nooooooo, please tell me it's a lie,
please tell me that it's not decided yet..
huhu, I love seeing her acting, but not to be pairing with joo woon in romantic scene, I can't imagine it!
It makes me crazy.. T.T
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april
October 18, 2012 at 11:20 PM
*joo won
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139 trinity love
October 18, 2012 at 11:53 PM
lets repeat what dramabeans said earlier ....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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140 ranthe
October 19, 2012 at 12:12 AM
In Protect the Boss, I could not even get behind the Jaejoong-Choi Kang Hee pairing and that's saying something because Jaejoong looks more mature than cutie-pie baby Joo Won.
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Annie
October 19, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Thank god I wasn't being a jerk for feeling that way... that 'relationship' looked like an IRL representation of the Oedipus complex.
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141 Katherine
October 19, 2012 at 12:40 AM
I honestly thought I would be apart of the minority but luckily we all agree: "NOOOOOOOO !!!". Nothing against Choi Kang-hee but I honestly hope she doesn't choose the project.
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142 sunset
October 19, 2012 at 12:49 AM
Although i love JW if they cast her i will skip this. Times flies over 3 year he is off to army and after that he will be in his 30. So why waste his younger time with old ahjumma. Is it possible of all actress in korea they cant find somenone his age to cast? Let him live his age thats what he wanted.
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143 juliesean
October 19, 2012 at 2:05 AM
No..........Why???? Why do they think she matches him?? She's not even noona, more like an aunt...she's fine but not together !!! URGH ! Can we bombard the broadcast station ! I don't know if I can even watch them making out. It's just WRONG !!!
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144 Link
October 19, 2012 at 2:28 AM
I JUST woke up from dreaming about Choi Kang hee shopping with me. o-o
I agree. The age difference and their looks is just too shocking even if I love them both.
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145 foolmoon
October 19, 2012 at 2:45 AM
Marching along with you all: NOOOOOOO ...!!!
*sigh*
I like CKH. Even in PTB, I feel like she is older than Ji Sung, but it's okay because she is supposed to have mature character than JS.
This Secret War drama, isn't it about the compatible couple ?
Unless they change the characters background, thus the dynamic of the story, well .... Let's just make another story then!
How about Park Shin Hye or Kang Sora?
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146 biankoy
October 19, 2012 at 3:36 AM
I'm with the Nays!!!
Choi Kang Hee's great and all, but I think she lacks life in her character portrayals. Compared to Joo-won's whose screen persona screams out loud, I'm partly afraid that Choi Kang Hee's lifelessness would affect the drama. I'm no expert but please can we have another leading woman. I say no to Kim Tae Hee as well. I'm hoping they could get someone around the same age as Joo-woon. but no to Park Min-young too.
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147 Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms
October 19, 2012 at 3:43 AM
I was so looking forward to this drama....but nows...
*tears*
This is really mean, but I really really hope CKH's movies films for a looooonnng loooonnnnnnngggg time.
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148 kumon
October 19, 2012 at 6:13 AM
Andwae!!
I can't see them being intimate to each other. No offense but, just by imagining them together, I feel the chills.
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149 schmepsy
October 19, 2012 at 6:54 AM
It was a big fat NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO for me when I saw your headline, so I feel at ease that you feel the same way. It just doesn't look and feel right to pair them up. -__-
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150 Olivia
October 19, 2012 at 6:54 AM
thanks jb
I'll take Ejiah !!! anytime !!!.
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