Have to run to the bank before it closes, but meanwhile I'd love to hear what everyone is watching.

Happy Friday, alua! Have a good one :)

Hi alua! Hope you get to the bank before it closes! :)

I haven't been here in a while, but I just want to say that I've finished Tonbi weeks ago and I throughly enjoyed it, was hoping it could have a little bit romance in it, but still I'm happy with it and thank you for recommending that for me.

I'm not watching any J-drama these last few weeks, but I started Itazura Na Kiss: Love in Tokyo last night and I thought it's pretty cute. It moves quite fast as well, they're graduating already after only 3 episodes? (fyi, the only itazura na kiss version I've watched was the one with Kassy, and that was like 15 years ago, I think, so my memory might be fuzzy, but I think the story was focused on their high school life from beginning to the end). But it's certainly one of the dramas that I enjoyed right now, it's gonna be a problem if I finally catch up to the current episode and have to wait a whole week for the new one. -_-

Meanwhile, K-dramas, I'm watching only Gu Family Book and Mandate Of Heaven at the moment. Overall, I like the latter more, but not having access to readily completed subtitle can take out the enjoyment a bit. :(

Back from the bank (made it in time).

Wishing I hadn't been in such a rush, because then I would have come up with something better to say (You know, like "Let the wild rumpus begin") – but I didn't think I'd be at the top!

Okay, LONDONERS (or anyone nearby or willing to fly in), in case you didn't hear it yet, WEREWOLF BOY is screening next month at the Terracotta Film Festival. Ha! I knew why I held out so long... now I get to see it on the big screen: :-D :-D :-D I'd say, get your tix before it sells out. The Berlin File and Young Gun in the Time are also on the programme, as are another 24 films from East Asia (the full programme & trailers are on my blog, or just go to the official festival website).

Drama.... not watching much, not much subbed and some things didn't air because of Golden Week in Japan (:-( no Itazura na Kiss!!!)

Nine Ep 18 was pretty much a filler. MY still is a pretty flat character & I hated her "propose to me! propose to me! propose to me!" – did she actually set that whole scenario with her parents up? She's not a bad person, but, sorry, I don't get people that "play" like that. Anyhow... none of that diminishes my love for Nine, and I'm eagerly awaiting the final episodes because who knows what will happen! Anything could happen, with that double-wham at the end of ep 18 (stuck and.... no spoilers). It could be a happy ever after. It could be that our hero dies, either of cancer or because one of the villains kills him off. Or it could all have been a dream. Or... ?

Soratobu Kouhoushitsu I like it but I would love this a lot more if it weren't so episodic. We get glimpses of different characters, but nothing substantial enough to truly hook me (except Ayanou's breakdown in Ep 1)... I just would have liked it to focus more on the two leads' stories and more character (and romantic) development (a la Osozaki no Himawari).

Sennyu Tantei Tokage It's nice, but again quite episodic. Which detective dramas always are, so I'm fine with that. Just a little tired of Tokage's ex police colleagues ending every episode with declaring their hatred towards him and telling Kaori not to trust him. We get it. You hate him and think he's a killer. We also know that Kaori isn't going to believe them. And I'm dead certain of course that Tokage didn't betray anyone but is probably just being a martyr. Now, could we actually get a detail on Tokage's past and also Kaori's search for someone?

Lee Soon Shin Still only watching for the sisters and their romantic entanglements. Can't stand the moms – neither one – Yoonah bores me and I don't feel bad about her being wrongly accused, and Joon-ho's sister bores me even more, because I don't understand how she thinks the way she behaves could seem attractive to anyone.

That's it!

Love the squee caps you guys are doing of WAML! This weeks ought to be totally awesome! I can't be the only one who feels like show has jumped on the train to *Bali*. Pretty sure it won't end well. :)

Happy Friday everyone!

Oooo.. a rather explicit show... :D
Btw, great job on recapping TEN. I haven't read most of the recap, only the comment at the end since this is still on my watching list, but I can see that you love this show a lot :)

Unni~!!
I know, time flies by so fast and I'm still in the middle of reading your first recap of TEN2, but I'm going to read it till the end soon, I promise!
It's just this month is really hectic for me and I'm behind on every little thing, so spare my life for not commenting ^^'

I freakin love the squeecaps and all of the glorious gifs! I wanna smack MiDo and Oppa is as yummy as ever. For me an episode of WAML is not finished until I read the squeecap.

kakashi I know that we don't really thank you enough but I really have to thank you so much for all the gifs that you've posted all these while. They never fail to bring a smile to my face, especially in times whenever I'm all down and worn out after a busy day. Keep up the good work! :D

Touring Korea by Drama locations:

I know you've thought of it, but you didn't want to say it: You want to secretly stalk some stars, or at least stand where they stood. (Or stand where they will stand in the future.) On the other hand, you don't want to spend a ton of money. So what's the best thing to do?

There are maps released by the Korean tourism board that actually lists dramas and their locations on a map. But I don't like them. And you could go to the Korean Tourism website for some of them, but why not get a list? Besides, I know how crazy dedicated you are to the Korean drama fandom.That's why you wish to stalk show your fandom to your favorite stars by "accidentally" showing up where they are. These are my top spots I wish to conquer. (Plus a wish at another shot at being on Running Man)

Cultural note: Koreans tend to navigate by landmark more than they do by address. Expect this.

Seoul Locations

Myeongdong Market
Address: You can usually ask and people will point it out. You can use the 2 line to get there easily.
If you go here regularly and early enough, you will often find shows taping here. Some famous shows have included Running Man (who uses it at least twice a year.), some news shows--and I also caught some trot stars here as well (I have photo proof.) TT I could have caught Yoo Jae Seok, but I was too slow. *cries in corner* Jae Seok, why are you a blur in your punishment underwear in my photo? NOOOOO. >.<;; (I even have pictures of the cameras... Man I was so slow to "get" it.)

Here, you can also get the best Hot chocolate in Seoul, Leondias and visit the nearby department stores where they often shoot dramas. (The famous plugs for designer items. Which you can often see featured in such dramas a Baby-faced Beauty) and see pictures of stars all over the place. (I got a picture of Hongki!)

You can also find the Safeway--which at the time I went was selling Pig Rabbit and also hair accessories. That Safeway gets filmed a whole, whole bunch. It's included in Running Man and most of the shops in Myeongdong have also gotten filmed as well.

Often reality shows and dating shows film here too. You can wave to beanies and boast once you figure out which show you were on. Only catch is that on weekends no one is up before 10:30, but often cameras are. =P Most filming, however, starts at 6:30-9:00 to reduce crowd problems or late at night. Occasionally in the afternoon, but that's rare because it's really difficult to crowd control for. (Try Saturdays and Sundays)

The various Open markets
Address: Most guide books list the local markets plus instructions to get there.
These are often featured in Running Man. There is one market with really awesome kuksoo, but filming isn't in these locations often. I still think you should go to one for the sheer experience. My hometown has a market where I grew up for 4 years, so I admit I have a really huge soft spot for open markets. I like to hit any open markets when going to a new place. In part to try to find the remnants of the memories of Eomma, and also because there is something raw and genuine about markets for me that feels like the heart of the city because most anyone will go to a Korean Open market--great for cheap dates, variety shows, etc. No one is immune. Plus it's not so slick as other places usually are.

Subway The 2 Line The 7 Line

Particularly at night, you can get some awesome shots of the Han River, go people watching while sitting down, try experiments in blending in, and visit various underground shopping centers, such as the one near the universities which has street food, and of course Gangnam... (Where I bought an awesome coat. ^^;; Before the song, for the record.) It's like a quick minimum 2-3 US dollar tour of Seoul. If you leave the stations then it goes up 2-3 dollars, but that's better than paying a hundred for the bus tours, plus allows you some freedom.

Building 63
Address: 50, 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Made famous in My Girl, but also featured a whole much of shows, it has a curse on me, since the first time I went I forgot my camera and the second time it was so foggy I couldn't see anything. TT Though there are a lot of night shots out of it from the famous glass elevators, you can't actualy go up at night, since it's closed. It has offices in the general building as well as an aquarium which you can also visit. (I bought an umbrella there). There is a bus that's free that gets you there and back from the subway. Ask your hotel to help with that. Skinship? Go here.

Namsam Tower
Address: 1-3 Yongsandong 2(i)-ga Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Also cursed for me. I tried one time, but they don't allow cars to go up and there is a complicated procedure that I couldn't understand. I have a bunch of shots of it. Running Man, of course, also filmed here, early on with Joongki. Also featured in some dramas, but probably because it's not as eye-candy worthy, it's not shot as much as Building 63.

Coex Building
Address: 58, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Has a bigger aquarium, but if you can find it, also a Kimchi Museum with substandard Kimchi. Nearby there is also a Buddhist temple with a HUGE Buddha. (Bonggeunsa: 73 Samseong-dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea) Both are fun to visit, though the aquarium gets visited far more, the Buddhist temple is worth also visiting--just please don't talk at all while people are meditating--that's really rude. (Don't whisper either.)

MBC/ KBS
Address: MBC: 31, Yoido-Dong, Youngdungpo-gu/KBS: #18, Yoido-dong. Youngdeungpo-gu. City, Seoul
These two buildings are nearby each other. They get (understandably) filmed very, very often. On work days you can catch people wearing badges. Do some stalking? I'm joking. Really. Don't go stalking. But you can take pictures like I did. And it's not that far from Building 63 either.

SBS
Address: SBS Broadcasting Center, 920 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, 158-051, Korea
is located separate from KBS and MBC buildings.
Run after some Running Man Members?

Bugaksan
Address: Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
If you want to mourn the character Jo Jeong Seok's character from The King 2 Hearts, you can go here. Sing the song. Also other dramas have filmed here. It has the wall, lit up and you can see views of Seoul. You can't take a car up, so be prepared to climb.

Lotte Hotel World
Address: 40-1 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-220, South Korea
A bunch of dramas have filmed here merely because the interior is expensive to look at. It's also fairly expensive to stay at... so I wouldn't really stay here. (My brother had better places, but I couldn't remember them. He did anger staff at one hotel by hacking their internet connection line to give himself more power. --;; Dude, really?) You can see why it's film worthy from pics. If you want a hotel, most of the time in dramas, it's this one.

1st Coffee Shop Location:
How to Get There: Take Subway Line 2 to Hongik University, and go out of Exit 4 a Turn right at Seven Springs corner and pass the intersection. At the 3-way intersection, turn left. Walk about 100 meters on the road above the playground and walk towards the road on the right side. Walk about 500 meters until you find the coffee shop on the right. (From Korean Tourism Board)

Low on my list, but Bukchon Hanok Village...
Address: Gahoe-dong, Jae-dong, Samcheong-dong, Gye-dong, Wonseo-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-s
Was featured in Personal Preference. I mostly want the blueprint though. =P

Sageuk Fans

Korean Folk Village
Address: 107 Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Either one. Again do some stalking uhh... hanging out and occasionally you'll see them tape things. Especially if you hide and stay in the night when they film. Kekeke. There are also activities. Mostly in the Korean folk village, though, which take a while to get to. Just be sure to bring protection for arsenic poisoning and your silver chopsticks. (Though I'd take a handsome guard too) Also learn how to say "Seongohamnida" and offer your life at the drop of a hat.

Gyeongbok Palace/Changdeok Palace
Address: 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Address: 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Both are close to each other. You will get to see more if you take a tour of the place because they take you to places where they actually film. And if they are filming that day, they'll actually say and NOT take you there. (You know what to do then... pull a Moon/Sun from the first few episodes... No, joking. Really.)

I was really, really, really tempted to yell "Jeonha" in the center audience room. It took a whole bunch of restraint, not to yell it, especially since it echoes. OMG, I soooo wanted to say it. =P Maybe you have less restraint???

Note: Don't go around calling it Changdeokgung. That's like saying palace twice and you'll look like an idiot, no matter what wikipedia says. Fujisan Mountain!

Outside Seoul (You have to plan ahead for these)

The Teddy Bear Museum on Cheju
Address: 31, Jungmungwangwang-ro110beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Which has become synonymous ever since Goong for a Honeymoon spot. For golf fans, the island also features large, expansive golf courses. If you want to spot some daily life, there are still also traditional Korean divers who dive for oysters on the Island. Cheju, as a whole, gets filmed a lot. But you really need to plan ahead to get here.

The Eastern Beaches (in general)
It's not a lie you can get there within a day, but you do have to stay overnight. Can be romantic. But remember, if you want to have points to catch your drama guy, you must *run* and *chase* each other one the beach. You'll get extra points if you try to splash each other. ^.~

Anything in Gangwon-do is worth it. That's where you get the white beaches you see featured often. Sokcho, Gyeongpodae, Naksan are often featured.

Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
Address: Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
For My Sassy Girl Fans--you have to be pretty hard core, though. You can find the famous tree there and hope to meet your future husband from a time machine. Don't get dreams of Tae Hyeon showing up, though, 'cause he's MARRIED. (No matter how many times he looks through magazines at women and flirts with girls on 1 Night 2 Days)

Pusan, especially the markets.
Many stars come from Pusan. If you want to stalk the streets, you probably could find the Answer Me 1997 locations. Also hear the famous Saturi from that location. If you have lots of time, you can plan it on the way to Cheju. Also visit the beach--Running Man has often filmed at the beach.

And for Melodrama fans: Any islands that are not Cheju... such as Cheongsangdo for the Spring Waltz scenes, you can dream about having leukemia, brain cancer, a mysterious disease, cancer, playing some kind of music, especially a piano, and endless cost-saving hospital scenes from going to places like this. Just be sure to bring drama protection if you do go. ^.~ Bullet proof vest, impact absorbers from cars, decent clothing that aren't turtlenecks, and genetic testing. What? Did I say something outlandish?

english.visitkorea.or.kr.--If you are looking for a specific location, this website will have it, often listing the drama with it.

Hmmm, I was thinking about trying Mayonaka no Pan Ya. Quiet details and slow pacing sound alright to me. Honestly, if an actor I really liked was in it, I would definitely watch this, but I'm not familiar with any of the leads.

Re Nail Shop Paris :That took me aback too, and made me wonder what message the drama was trying to send out. This drama is the kind of drama you check your brain at the door before you watch. I am on the fence and don't know if I'll continue watching, plus they cut Song Jae-rim's hair!!! Who does that; don't mess with the pretty, hehe.

Oh my, NSP is so bad. I watched the first episode and that was more than enough for me. The acting... ugh. I actually kind of like the the lead actor too, he was in something else I have watched recently, but it's not enough to make me stick with it.

I am gonna start Cruel Palace instead.

Any pics of your Korean embroidery? I love embroidery.

Nail Shop: Just Don't Watch It if you haven't already. AWFUL. What a waste of 3 handsome men.