News bites: July 3, 2013

127 July 3, 2013July 3, 2013

by javabeans

Won Bin, Lee Na-young

Birth of a new star couple: News broke that Won Bin and Lee Na-young were spotted on a date together, and the stars have since confirmed that they’re in the early stages of a relationship. They’ve been represented by the same agency since 2011, which is how they got to know each other, and also explains why the official announcement came with lightning efficiency. Pretty handy, that. [Star News]
There must be something in the air. Congratulations to pop star Lee Hyori and songwriter-musician Lee Sang-soon (of Roller Coaster, Verandah Project), who are reportedly tying the knot in September. The couple has been dating for three years and seem pretty comfortable and well-matched; she recently described him as something akin to a soulmate and has been talking about the relationship in a number of variety show appearances. There was a wave of denials following the initial wave of news, but I’d say there’s a good chance we’ll get that wedding. [Mk.co.kr]

I guess KBS’s Drama Special series is just on a casting tear. They recently started a new season and have been casting various installments, and now Wonder Girl Sohee joins the mix in her first leading role for Happy! Rose Day. She plays a young twentysomething working at her mother’s florist shop while dreaming of becoming an actress. Should be a treat for all her fans, who have had to wait out a pretty long Wonder Girls dry spell with all their overseas activities. I can’t say I find her acting that compelling, but her starpower is nothing to sniff at. [E News 24]

Lee Na-young and Won Bin, undercover

Jung Woo-sung and Lee Beom-soo have signed on to star in a new gambling movie called God’s Play, about a baduk player who bets big and loses everything, and then goes on a desperate quest to get revenge. I don’t know how they’re going to make baduk exciting, but I suppose it’s all in the execution. There are good movies about chess, right? Ahn Sung-ki (The Tower), Ahn Gil-kang (The Great Seer), and Kim In-kwon (Born to Sing) co-star. Shooting begins in August. [Star News]
There’s a bit of a shuffle going on at Master’s Sun, the ghost-seeing rom-com starring Gong Hyo-jin and So Ji-sub, which is reportedly losing a supporting actor in idol Park Hyung-shik (of Ze:A). Some articles cite a source with his agency who say they pulled him from the show to focus on his idol activities, with Ze:A making its comeback in August. On the other hand, there are other articles saying that his management was surprised at the articles, that Park isn’t necessarily quitting, and that they’re awaiting decision from the producers. In any case, the show follows I Hear Your Voice on SBS. [Sports Seoul, Osen]

Last week a bunch of shows ended, which means this week we get a bunch of interviews with those shows’ stars. It’s a lot of the same canned stuff, but let’s take a look at some of the comments:

Lee Seung-gi, on Gu Family Book: “The ending was set from the start. Personally, I like it.” Pause for dramatic effect… start booing now? Okay, it wasn’t his fault the writer lost her mind. Things gained from this drama: “Good people.” Things lost: “Good skin.” [Sports DongA]
Suzy, on her similarities with her drama character: “Yeo-wool’s way of loving is similar to me. There was a lot of dialogue I identified with, which I understood emotionally.” Differences: “I don’t have as much aegyo with [Seung-gi] oppa as Yeo-wool does. I don’t have a lot of aegyo to begin with, and I’m the boring type. Boring and empty can-like.” [Chosun]

Ji Chang-wook

Lee Jung-jin recently wrapped the makjangapalooza weekend drama Hundred Year Inheritance, which had its fair share of crazy. No wait, more than its fair share, in that crazy is not a quota I think a drama should be reaching for. “You could say that the criticism showed that there was a lot of interest. So I think criticism is popularity.” Um. That’s one way to look at it. [Herald Biz]
Kim Tae-hee finished up her show Jang Ok-jung, Live By Love, and encountered the usual (for her) wave of criticism for her acting skills. (Maybe is just popular?) She admits it was difficult to tough it out, but she’s the type to grit her teeth and work through it, and so she did. She said about acting, “To me, right now, acting is a drug I’ve had a small taste of.” [SBS E]
And Lee Dong-wook also wrapped a show, KBS’s sageuk Mandate of Heaven, and drew some amount of criticism as well. (Deserved, I say. I like him in almost everything else he’s done, but he was hammy with the dramatics in this one.) He admits feeling burdened by the middling ratings, but seems to have taken a glass-half-full approach with the critique: “Just hearing that there was acting criticism is meaningful. Because of Mandate of Heaven, I worked and deliberated a lot about my acting. In the end, what I got from that was that I have to do well. Working hard is a given, but now I have to really perform well.” [Newsen]
Here’s a photo shoot of Ji Chang-wook with horses. Because why not? Since wrapping his last drama Five Fingers, he’s been shooting a drama short called Secret Love with idol Park Gyuri, and is also preparing to star in musicals Jack the Ripper and The Brothers Were Brave. Busy, busy. [TV Report]

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1 KDR

July 3, 2013 at 4:06 AM

I just looked them up and saw that Won bin is a year older than her? Wow... I couldn't tell! I guess it's cuz of his baby face! I thought he was 28 not 35!!!

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I was also surprised he was born in '77 and is older than me!! Such a pretty boy, well man really. The only thing that comforts my broken heart is that I really like her and she is older too, there is hope for the rest of us. Not hope of marrying won bin but of marrying anyone, preferable as pretty and yummy as won bin :-P

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dede

July 3, 2013 at 7:40 AM

yeah, usually the woman will look younger than the man but it's different with this couple. Won Bin really have a baby face. wow it's kind of a bad news for me, after Joo In Sung and now Won Bin. so there's only Hyun Bin left then. I hope Hyun Bin will not follow the trend soon...
BTW Congratulation to the new couple...

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Jo

July 3, 2013 at 10:56 AM

I screamed. I can't believe that Won Bin is ...dating!
Lol, I wished that he would marry a non-celebrity though. Just...because.
a;lskdfja;ldfkjldskf
it's his life...

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dbsklove

July 4, 2013 at 7:57 AM

LOL THAT WAS MY RESPONSE TOO!!!!
won bin. THE WON BIN? IS DATING?
OMONA.
congrats tho ~ ^O^

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2 Pfffft

July 3, 2013 at 4:11 AM

Suzy? boring type? But... but...

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Ceecile

July 3, 2013 at 4:28 AM

I think she means she really doesn't know how to be calculative in terms of relationship. She doesn't

“When I like someone, I’m the type of person to say what I want. I say everything I want to say and watch over the person from behind. Ever since I was young, whenever I liked someone, I think I straight up told them.”

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orenji

July 3, 2013 at 7:35 AM

LOL what does she means by that？She is no boring as a person. I would love to hang out with her. From the making clip,she seems pretty cool,always makes people laugh. The crews also adored her so much.

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:02 AM

Actually, i like her even more just because she said that.
I just saw it as someone who's not as affectionate or full of aegyo/cutesy or flirty as alot of female idols out there, which i can appreciate. a dialed down aegyo for females is more of what i prefer.
But i wouldn't call her boring, either.

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pogo

July 3, 2013 at 11:52 AM

As a person, definitely not.

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3 Pfffft

July 3, 2013 at 4:12 AM

I like Lee na young so its fine.

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snow_white

July 3, 2013 at 8:52 AM

I like her too....congrats to both of them :)

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:03 AM

Yup, and apparently our baby lee jong suk in i hear your voice likes her too. He's named her as his ideal a while back.

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4 aisukoohii

July 3, 2013 at 4:24 AM

Awww... congrats to Wonbin and Lee Na-young....
Although deep inside my fangirl-heart is crying.

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5 Ceecile

July 3, 2013 at 4:31 AM

Won Bin in a scandal. It happened. Wow. And in a public relationship. Is the world ending?

I think I remember the writer saying she wrote Yeo Wool for Suzy. She wrote the character with Suzy in mind.

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pogo

July 3, 2013 at 11:50 AM

I thought the Won Bin/Sooyoung rumour was funny, but I didn't expect to hear about him actually dating just a few months later!

As for GFB, that's interesting. I felt like the OTT 'YW-is-perfect' writing and Suzy's acting combined to make the character a total Mary Sue, but then the writer claims (via LSG) that the ending was planned too, so meh.

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6 Langit13iru

July 3, 2013 at 4:31 AM

How come you made Won Bin/LNY in news bites. It should be in full article so that we can cry together... huhuhu...

Well at least, they in the same age bracket and netizens approved this relationship...

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Newbie

July 3, 2013 at 4:43 AM

Two folks who managed for years to stay under the radar are caught now? I hear wedding bells. ;)

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ck1Oz

July 3, 2013 at 6:06 AM

Once my broken heart sorta beats again.. just announce it will ya?

There is no way those 2 are outed by reporters. They are pros. I am just waiting for the wedding announcement.
Preferably without a " you know what".

My heart can't take anymore heart attacks.

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KimYoonmi

July 3, 2013 at 6:34 AM

"Early stages" as it was put is usually lingo for "Not pregnant." Haha.

"Marriage" usually means "pregnant" (until denied).

Still, personally, the persona on television and interviews is always different from behind the scenes. So I don't tend to get attached to celebrities...

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:09 AM

I find it so funny how i look back and literally all the wedding announcements come with that knocked up baggage.
kwon sang woo, uhm tae woong, kim jae won, jung suk won(Baek ji young), go soo, lee chun hee. yall can add more to the list of you want.
Makes me think, is contraceptives illegal in korea? I kid.

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s2rosez

July 4, 2013 at 9:43 AM

Well, sex ed isn't taught in South Korea (it's not a part of the curriculum), so it's a possibility they're not that familiar with it. Although most teenagers would find out about sex stuff online or through friends anyways.

My mother claims the women who end up pregnant mostly do this as a calculated move to snag the male celebrities as husbands (since, you know, it wouldn't be "honorable" to leave a woman after getting her knocked-up; they should ideally "take responsibility"). Especially since blackmail is a very plausible thing.

Or, as most fans like to think, maybe they were planning on getting committed anyways and just decided to jump the gun.

1 out of 3 options. Take your pick.

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7 Ivoire

July 3, 2013 at 4:39 AM

Thanks!

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Ivoire

July 3, 2013 at 5:11 AM

So by "canned stuff," does JB mean the same repetitive and rehearsed answers to interview questions? (just wondering).

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KDaddict

July 3, 2013 at 5:36 AM

@Ivoire, 'Canned', not fresh. U get the same stuff each time u open a can of sth. Their answers to interview Qns on their recent dramas r always similar. No surprise.
Left u a reply on "KJH soaps up for Nylon". 20.1.3

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Ivoire

July 3, 2013 at 5:49 AM

Hello KDaddict,

Thanks! I am glad I asked, because I would not have guessed that. Hum... I guess they are "show business" people after all, thinking of what would sound good to say. I partly read the interview LSG gave in TenAsia, and it was interesting. I wonder how much of what he said is something he believes.

Thanks also for your answer and for letting me know :-) (KHJ soaps up for Nylon). Will go read right now. I am usually good at constantly checking for follow-up answers, sorry I missed this one :-(...

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Windsun33

July 4, 2013 at 1:30 AM

The questions are usually as boring and canned as the answers are. Anyone that thinks those question/answer things by (so-called) reporters have anything to do with how things really are should really think it over a bit.

A huge amount of the Korean entertainment industry is built on a façade, and that includes k-pop + k-pop stars, TV idols, the studios and agencies, and all the rest.

Once in a while that façade gets broken - usually when some crime comes to light (far too often it is rape or yet another suicide). But other things, like the highly preferential treatment of idol actors in the military, sometimes come to light also. Exploitation and near-slavery type contracts are common for the non-mega stars and "trainees" in the industry. (More or less) forced sex and/or plastic surgery is far from rare - in fact there have been at least 3 suicides in the past 5 years and 8 since 1990 attributed to that.

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8 tweetie

July 3, 2013 at 4:45 AM

Picking up pieces of broken heart. But at least it is with someone I like and respect.

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9 tweetie

July 3, 2013 at 4:50 AM

By the way Javabeans and Girl Friday, I actually thought you had stopped doing News on this site, I guess you guys were just so busy? Glad to have them back! Thanks.

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10 bebethao

July 3, 2013 at 4:51 AM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Wonbin!!!!!!

That's all I care about. I don't care about the rest of the news bites...

TT__TT ...My heart is crying out...안돼!!

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11 zhill

July 3, 2013 at 4:54 AM

Wonbin and Lee Na-young, congrats! such a beautiful couple. i hope it's true and they'll get married (her biological clock is ticking). I want to see a really cute Wonbin running around doing some CF with mom and dad.

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12 junny

July 3, 2013 at 4:57 AM

congrats to Lee Na-young for finding someone she likes. not keen on Won Bin but he seems like a decent fellow.

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13 rubie

July 3, 2013 at 5:04 AM

Great news update all around.. thanks JB. WonBin is a guy after all.. who falls for a girl. ^^

No confirmation on the LBH-JDY new movie?

Anyway.. thanks very much for the WB-LNY mention. Couple news always get the backlash.. but this is an exception, good for them.

Can't wait for August 10 though. Love weddings!

ps: movie fans.. please watch RED 2 as well, it comes out this July 19. LOL.

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KDaddict

July 3, 2013 at 5:46 AM

I think that when the guy hits mid-30s, most fans sorta understand his having to be in a relationship, get married. Less backlash that way, compared to say a heart throb in his mid-20s going public, e.g. Lee Min Ho and ParkMY.

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ilikehim

July 3, 2013 at 6:30 AM

I thought Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young were one of the few young couples that DIDN'T get backlash since they were in City Hunter and half of the people already want them together, reel to real. At least, all the comments I read were positive.

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pogo

July 3, 2013 at 7:54 AM

I think she got given some flak for it, though. Which isn't really fair at all.

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:13 AM

Yeah. for someone with as huge of a fanbase as lee min ho, any girl linked to him is bound to get some kind of backlash.
Any heartthrob.

Enz

July 3, 2013 at 7:31 AM

I loved red and am looking forward to red 2!

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Kiara

July 3, 2013 at 3:59 PM

It'll be better than G.I.Joe for sure.

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maldita

July 3, 2013 at 8:05 AM

Won Bin and Lee Nayoung pretty much got no backlash 'cause they're both ridiculously hot AND well-liked AND clean in terms of image. His fans can't even nitpick on Lee Nayoung because she's Lee Nayoung and there's really nothing to nitpick on. If it was any other celeb though, it wouldn't be surprising if there was massive Won Bin fan hysteria that people expect.

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little bus tayo

July 3, 2013 at 11:05 AM

Yeah...I dont see any backlash for them. If there's any I dont think it's anything major. I really like Lee Nayoung too. Won Bin has good taste.

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14 mlhwrhh

July 3, 2013 at 5:32 AM

congratulation couple :)

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15 klio

July 3, 2013 at 5:36 AM

“I don’t have as much aegyo with [Seung-gi] oppa as Yeo-wool does. I don’t have a lot of aegyo to begin with, and I’m the boring type. Boring and empty can-like.”

Yes you are girl!

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pogo

July 3, 2013 at 7:38 AM

"I’m the boring type. Boring and empty can-like.”

If that is a reference to her acting, she's surprisingly self-aware, because 'vacant' is exactly what I get from her onscreen when she's not aegyo-ing.

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Mar

July 3, 2013 at 11:45 AM

@Pogo-I totally thought the same thing, ah, she's just not a good actress. Vacant is perfectly apt.

I don't care about actors personal lives. I don't know these people. I never will. I just want them to create Crack World Drama antics on the screen for me. But my first knee jerk reaction to this bit of personal life "news" was cringing at the thought of her lackluster personality in acting as if that is all that she really is. Then I had to smack myself, because here I am reacting like he's a total catch and she's well, meh. But who the hell knows, she might be the catch and he's a totally lucky lol.

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pogo

July 3, 2013 at 12:21 PM

Mar - I'm confused by the second part of your comment, were you talking about a different news bite?

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Mar

July 3, 2013 at 6:57 PM

Good grief, yes. Evidently I was NOT paying attention that you were talking about Suzy. Doh! I thought you were talking about Lee Na-young. You comment totally voiced my opinion of LNY- I think she's boring and spacy and vacant as an actress. Hence my second comment which address LNY and Won Bin. Sorry!

Maris

July 3, 2013 at 11:32 AM

There is always something in everyone that appeals to others. More important is how good one feels about themselves. Surely, a popular person like her is not that way solely on looks or totally because of the character being portrayed in a drama/movie etc. Suzy, like a teen or a young adult is still on the road of self-discovery. Not every person is likeable only by virtue of possessing "aegyo"

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16 gaeinalee

July 3, 2013 at 5:39 AM

Loveeeee WB, love LNY too, so.. congrats to happy couple!
^^

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17 Lilly

July 3, 2013 at 5:45 AM

Jack the Ripper the musical?

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Rachel

July 3, 2013 at 10:16 AM

Yup I was just in Seoul 1 week ago and it was being advertised everywhere!

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cherkell

July 3, 2013 at 1:54 PM

The one and the same! Chang-wook will be one of the three rotating cast members playing 'Daniel' along with Uhm Ki-joon (Dr. Poopy Pants!) and Kim Da-hyeon (Creepy Painter Boy from WBDS). But his star role with JTR will be limited due to the two weeks he'll be spending in Japan with the "Brothers Were Brave" production. Ah, to be 26 again and to have all that energy... *sigh*

Yup, it's all over the news and on the outdoor screens both in Korea and even here in Japan! I heard the production company stopped putting up promotional posters around Seoul, because they're ripped off the walls moments after being pasted! I know this because I did that very thing... *teehee*

I'm putting together another massive blog post on his upcoming projects -- stay tuned!

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Ivoire

July 4, 2013 at 11:51 AM

Hi Cherkell :-), (I don't know if you remember me? We went to the Kpop-Google concert together last year, you came to pick me up in San Mateo).

Did you really do this: "I know this because I did that very thing (rip some posters off the walls)… ?" in Seoul?

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18 canxi

July 3, 2013 at 5:45 AM

It's nice to see Won Bin dating. Well, it's nice I finally get to see what kind of woman he likes haha. I've been curious. Lee Na Young is cool and I'm sure they look good together--I mean, I can't really tell with those incognito pictures. I wish they would attend an event or something together so I can see them all dolled up as a couple *__* I know that's asking for much with Korean celebrities, but dammit make it happen.

Lee Hyori gets a congrats tooo! Awww, so sweet that relationship. I wonder how many of her male fans are crying. I really do think they are cute together and they're both into music. It's a win-win.

I like Lee Dong Wook's reply to his criticisms. It's true, nothing else to do but work harder and perform well. He's a good actor, so I know he will improve. It doesn't sound like he is putting on airs.

Ji Chang Wook looks good!!

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19 Yoori

July 3, 2013 at 5:49 AM

LYN is the luckiest woman on earth right now, seriously! Congrats to the couple *runs away crying*

Dispatch has set the bar so high ... they've caught Won Bin! Stalking him for over a month?! I bet those other hiding celebrity couples are scared in their pants!

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20 Minaya

July 3, 2013 at 5:52 AM

I just woke up and I can't believe Won Bin is on the news for dating, but congratulations to him and Lee Na young!

And apparently Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon's agencies denied the wedding now?

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21 kdramafan

July 3, 2013 at 6:06 AM

Thanks for the news bites JB.

There was some heartbreaking news for DramaCrazy lovers today. The site has been taken down and it looks like it will be permanent. #tears.

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mari

July 3, 2013 at 6:23 AM

do you mean DramaCrazy permanently shut down? O NO! Why??? *weeping

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kdramafan

July 3, 2013 at 6:51 AM

Yes, permanently shut down. There was no explanation, mari.

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Windsun33

July 4, 2013 at 1:33 AM

It had over 25,000 DMCA complaints against it for pirated media.

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christina

July 3, 2013 at 6:29 AM

Oh no!! Hope that doesn't mean the site I use most is next. A lot of the older kdramas and Taiwanese dramas aren't readily available on common sites. I hope we don't lose all the reliable ways to watch them.

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inxomnia

July 3, 2013 at 6:49 AM

Would it be too much to ask what site you use most?

This is shocking for me because DC was my main source of dramas :(

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kdramafan

July 3, 2013 at 6:56 AM

Totally Christina. And ditto inxomnia's question.

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eternalfive

July 3, 2013 at 6:48 AM

OMG it really is gone. O___O

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kdramafan

July 3, 2013 at 6:55 AM

OMG indeed eternalfive. I was saying to a friend recently there wasn't enough hours in the day to do everything but now there will be a big gap of time in my day. I'd rather have less time if it meant we still had DC.

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come2noona

July 3, 2013 at 7:13 AM

Oh crap. Well, there goes my source for older K-movies. That really stinks. Anyone know why?

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pogo

July 3, 2013 at 7:41 AM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

**sobbing**

I don't have access to Hulu and the like where I am, and DC was my main source for Asian dramas/movies, I honestly hope other sites don't follow suit :(

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pearl3101

July 3, 2013 at 8:28 AM

If you use chrome try the extension hola unblocker... Hulu doesn't work in my country as well but after adding the extension it works.... But I still want dramacrazy :(

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Windsun33

July 4, 2013 at 1:50 AM

The Hulu unblocker works by faking the IP address or by using a proxy that is in a "legal" country. It will not work n all cases.

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pearl3101

July 3, 2013 at 8:24 AM

Is it down for real?? :( I was watching dramas in it till yesterday. And today they say its shutdown for good.... So I digged around a little and found some people saying its the work of some sites trying to monopolize the viewing of asian dramas internationally.. I heard mysoju was forced to shutdown in the past as well... Is that true? Was dramabeans targeted in the past as well??????
If dramacrazy has shutdown for real then its really bad cuz they have the largest database of dramas,they sub faster than others and also there speedyjoe link is faster than any other sites that I have seen.... This is gonna be a huge blow for my drama cravings :( :( :(

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skinnymocha

July 3, 2013 at 8:56 AM

That "site" goes by the name Dramafever. That was my first thought as well and I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

Anyway~ Do Dramacrazy sub any of the shows? I only know that they stole (or used to steal?) a whole load of J-dramas, ignoring the fansubbers' no re-uploading/streaming rule. (Although fansubbing isn't legal either...) It just aggravates me to see people thanking DC when they played no part in the subbing process, making money off it AND they can be a right b*tch to fansubbers or anyone who dares speak against them.

Just out of interest, why don't people download the dramas? Are some sites blocked in your country, slow download speeds, bandwidth limit? I see k-dramas re-encoded to mp4/mkv format and there are even some pretty good quality ones at 540p under 200mb in file size!

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ck1Oz

July 3, 2013 at 9:07 AM

Viki subs on Viki itself is legal by the way and so is Dramafever.And yes the subs from Dramacrazy is from them. Ripped by them or other rippers.Also Withs2 subs for some old shows.

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Windsun33

July 4, 2013 at 1:45 AM

I know that Dramacrazy did little, if any, of their own subs. They just stole quite a bit of stuff from the legal sites. I saw a comment a few months ago on one of the Viki message boards about how to prove that DC stole the material, the exact same spelling errors were there.

Celest

July 3, 2013 at 9:17 AM

I'm blessed with incredibly fast internet so I used to download my dramas right onto my laptop, desktop. I hated downloading using torrents cause I know your internet gets limited if you get caught. I've had many friends who have gotten those dreaded "Stop downloading letters".

So my choice sites were megaupload and mediafire. I can rant and rant about how pissed I was (am) about the shutting down of MU, but I digress. Mediafire is still alive, but they've gotten rid of most dramas and it's incredibly difficult to search for the ones that /might still be there.

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ck1Oz

July 3, 2013 at 4:34 PM

Each drama or subbing style is not the same.

pearl3101

July 3, 2013 at 9:37 AM

Yes some sites are forbidden.. Dramafever works only in the US. And viki streams only a limited collection of dramas in my country. And I can't stop complaining about the download speeds.... I don't know if DC stole subs....But the thing about DC is it is more easily accessible than others... atleast it used to be :(

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ck1Oz

July 3, 2013 at 4:29 PM

DC removed the credit for sure. Each drama or subbing style is the same.There are some of us who edit and line after line exactly the same.Including typos because subs were ripped before editing is complete.Or the subber concern pms us how come the team subs are the same but without credit.

DF recently is trying to expand worldwide I think.Suddenly whole ep of dramas are available worldwide on DF YT or at least in my country on YT.But I am sure after a trial period it will require payment.And they will have licensing issues as well country by country same as Viki.Plus they keep putting out subs with grammatical errors and don't translate completely. One example being Monstar ep 5 or 6.

What I find disturbing is that as a general drama viewer we get subjected to all these behind the scenes machinations. All we want to do is enjoy our subbed Korean dramas when we want, how we want to watch it. I don't like being forced to choose, where's my freedom to choose?

liz

July 3, 2013 at 8:16 PM

DF works for the entire america though?

I'm from Brazil and I can watch almost all of their dramas!

ck1Oz

July 3, 2013 at 8:33 PM

@Liz- not every K drama watcher in the however many hundred of countries in the world come from the Americas.

I don't so resent having my KD fix taken over by a US based company which doesn't provide quality subs.

Windsun33

July 4, 2013 at 1:39 AM

"Monopolize"?

How about the fact that Dramacrazy and a few other similar sites like Mysoju were pirating (ie, stealing) copyrighted material?

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Celest

July 3, 2013 at 9:10 AM

Sad, sad news. :(

It's getting so much harder to watch any free eastern drama nowadays. I think the reason why I stopped watching many kdramas, jdramas and twdramas started back when megaupload shut down. I like watching high quality on my laptop so I would just dl whenever. Then they got rid of mysoju and now dramacrazy too. Huge blow.

Totally miss the days when you can just type a drama in google and there would be sites like crunchyroll (the old one), mysoju, dramacrazy and heck, even youtube to stream it.

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Rachel

July 3, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Yup saw the notice on their homepage this morning - really no explanation why it is being shut down. No mention of any DMCA-type notices forcing them to shut down. Sadly they're not even allowing access to shows that have already been posted.

Unfortunately that was my main source of dramas. An alternative I can recommend to all is GoodDrama.net. Quite easy to use. Many of the dramas on Viki are not available in my region and DramaFever is totally unavailable in my region. Agree on the point that DramaCrazy had links to many older shows.

Pretty happy for Won Bin! For the longest time I was wondering where he would find a girlfriend, and finally he has one. Glad to see they are pretty close in age - big age gaps like the Lee Byung Hun-Lee Min Jung one kinda freak me out.

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22 missjb

July 3, 2013 at 6:16 AM

What I don't get is why KTH get critism? even from very beginning, when the story was still solid as ever and KTH's acting was solid throughout the first half of the drama (and yeah until drama hitting a makjang teritory in the second half... and KTH's acting become uneven) ..

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:22 AM

Agree. she got alot of criticism for her acting when i think she shined the most in that show. Her character went crazy, YAI's character went crazy. basically everyone BUT queen in hyun went crazy. She was the only likeable character. even so, KTH put her all into JOJ and you could tell.
Such a shame she's still carrying that extra baggage because she was a revelation in JOJ -- nuanced when she should be, intense when she should be.
In fact, YAH was the one to overact, and by the end even viewers could tell he no longer connected to his character, nor did he care.
JOJ was a sad, sad decline in quality that it rivals family dramas on the DRAMATICS scale. *sigh.

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23 Faye

July 3, 2013 at 6:28 AM

I read about the Won Bin-Lee Na Young stuff last night. The funny part was reading all the comments about "I can't wait to see K-netizens go crazy!" And then the response was fairly muted on K sites, with people accepting it since she's a pretty well known and liked actress, too. And then people were apparently upset that K-Netizens *hadn't* gone crazy over the news. Plus, the majority of people seem to be convinced this news being released was a government plot to cover up the celeb military scandal. Sometimes I think the comments are more entertaining than the actual news.

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Rachel

July 3, 2013 at 10:17 AM

LOL those conspiracy theories are certainly more entertaining than the actual story.

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esjpx

July 3, 2013 at 10:37 AM

I think the cover-up is truuuue!
I mean, I *think* Dispatch or whatever already knew this (since they've suppossedly been dating for a few months) and then conveniently released it on the day part 2 of the military scandal hit. (same with Lee Hyori's wedding announcement). Even some Korean writer tweeted about it, not that the alleged cover-up worked though because people are never going to let it go haha!

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Faye

July 3, 2013 at 2:40 PM

Yeah, if it's a cover-up, it's a bad one. I don't blame Koreans for being up in arms about the military stuff. It seems like the celebrities treat the institution with such total disregard and are allowed to and encouraged to think of themselves as gods by the military. I can imagine that is really debilitating for the average soldier. Better to not let them in at all.

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Ivoire

July 4, 2013 at 1:04 PM

Question: What was the celeb military scandal about? (I had not heard/read about it). Was it about the fact that when celebs go into the MS, they are not treated in the same way as regular soldiers are? (for the most part. Celebs like Hyun Bin actually chose the Marines and he did the work and was applauded and rewarded for it, I think).

I have read reports of celebs basically doing office work (or PR kind of work) while in the military, and not being as physically challenged as their fellow soldiers, so basically not treated equally. Is that what the scandal was about, or were there more to it? I am asking because that seemed to have been the case for quite a while now (meaning I thought Koreans knew about this), and if that is the case, why are they getting up in arms about it (only) now? Was there a straw that broke the camel's back? (I am just curious).

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24 Nahla JW

July 3, 2013 at 6:38 AM

Yeah dramacrazy is shutting down I can't believe it *cry* :'( it was the best site ever for watching k and j dramas .....not all drama in viki is available in my country ....daily motion is forbidden....drama fever is for US ppl.....where can I find other site :''''''(

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25 alua

July 3, 2013 at 6:39 AM

I struggle to understand with people being shocked that actors / musicians / etc. are dating and getting married.

They are people, not asocial, asexual aliens from outer space. x_x

I find it depressing that relationships must be hidden and that when they are revealed it's like a scandal or something that shouldn't happen or as something that 'fans' don't want to happen. *SIGH*

Re: Suzy – "There was a lot of dialogue I identified with, which I understood emotionally." That's a bit, ummm, frightening to hear, because it's certainly not conveyed through her acting... I really hope the next drama she's in, she won't be cast in the lead role just because, while more capable actors take second place...

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missjb

July 3, 2013 at 6:52 AM

I don't know, maybe I'm the only one who sees it... Although I admit Suzy is a very limit actress (she can't convey shock, fear, or intense feeling when the scene required her to do so... and admit it... all of those expression makes me cringe).. but there is one thing I think she did right potraying yeo wool .... she was spot on when she start crying and being angsty... or when worried about her OTP... even sometimes better conveying those emotion than Seung Gi (sometimes seung Gi feels trying too hard)...
The scene that led to their kissing scene is one of example... i like her acting there..
She is still very stiff though.... very limit actress...

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alua

July 3, 2013 at 7:04 AM

I'm not saying she has zero potential, but a lead role?

Not at this point.

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Faye

July 3, 2013 at 7:15 AM

I agree re the "scandal" of dating. Perhaps it's due to cultural differences, but I fail to see the inherent scandal in two unattached, normal adults having a romantic relationship. I understand that sexual relationships outside of marriage may be considered taboo, but people getting upset by their "idols" having a love life is truly incomprehensible to me. I'd find it more odd if they didn't date - especially someone like Won Bin, who's well into his 30's. And it's not like these people are going to be going out with/marrying you, so why get so upset? Oh well.

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myungsoohyungsik

July 3, 2013 at 7:53 AM

I believe it has to do with strong fandom in Korean society. Companies don't want to "lose" fans when they announce their celeb is dating because that means he/she is no longer available FOR the fans in a way... There seems to be some kind of "ownership" when you become a hard-core (or delusional) fan. Of course, much older, mature adults can understand that there is a wall between liking/supporting their fave celeb vs. obsessing over them

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Faye

July 3, 2013 at 2:46 PM

I see your point -at 34, I'm surely much older than a lot of K-netizens -but I don't remember caring as a teen either :). In any case, since the media calls it a "scandal," it seems like it's not just some over-devoted fans, but parts of the culture itself encouraging this type of thinking. It seems to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on Korean celebrities.

I guess in America we have our own mania -here, people get over-invested in the relationships of stars and want to know every detail, and we get interview after interview from even the most allegedly "private" couples when a movie comes up for them to promote (Brangelina, cough, I'm looking at you).

But then, I've always been the oddball who could basically care less about the celebs whose work I like, as long as they're not doing anything illegal or really immoral. The way I look at it, I'm not interested in the private lives of the service that does my gardening or our financial adviser or the person who serves me at the butcher; why would I care about the stars? Just shut up and entertain me, sir or madam :).

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Orion

July 3, 2013 at 10:43 PM

This.

The whole thing is based on escapism. Fans need to believe in a perfect life, in role-models, in people who are famous, but take the time to appreciate their tiny existence, like our governments usually don't. Especially younger people or those with emotional instabilities latch on to their delusion of closeness with a celebrity, because that delusion is like a drug to them.

Since the entertainment industries and media have become more about business than they are about art and entertainment or reporting the truth, they see this increasing unhealthy attachment of audiences, which they started, and make sure to milk said audiences for all they have, while keeping them hooked. Making money is the reason behind most problems in this world, be they political in nature or simply about selling products to consumers.

Greed makes business wanting to produce less good content/produce for more money, however, so the minute the product starts losing its quality in the eyes of consumers, they need something else to keep said consumers invested. So they slowly and through many means turn the consuming of what they sell to an imaginary need for audiences, which then start buying for the sake of buying, without considering what they buy or why anymore.

As long as Korean (and US American and any) society raises such disturbed youth it further ruins throughout life just to cash in, this celebrity obsession will just be one of those ways in which these problems show.

alua

July 4, 2013 at 2:57 AM

But it's not just fandom in Korean society.

You can look at comments even here (which are from everywhere in the world), and people are saying "my heart is breaking", "I can't believe this", "I'm shocked", etc. Of course, this is harmless compared to the conversations that some Netizens have but I find it disconcerting even at this level. (No offense to anyone.)

If a friend or colleague (let alone a person you don't know personally, like actors) came up to you and said they were dating or getting married, you'd never say that, not in their face and hopefully not behind their back either (maybe you'd say it in your mind, if you had particularly good reason to be heartbroken, e.g. because that person was your ex or something).

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:43 AM

Agree. Ridiculous how a k-celebrity couple turns into a sort of scandal. That shouldn't even be the right word for it. You could say culture plays a huge role considering in america 'scandal' is reserved for people like charlie sheen or tiger woods.
I feel so sad for two MATURE consenting adults that start dating and have to deal with the whole country's eyes on them. These people are in their 30's and should be able to be in committed relationships without the backlash, but of course that's to be expected for someone as huge as won bin.
I wish them all good luck.

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26 Gumei

July 3, 2013 at 6:41 AM

I like the drama ending too, Seung Gi and I especially love the Kangdam couple !

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27 Moonrise Kingdom

July 3, 2013 at 7:08 AM

its a good thing Suzy dont have aegyo cause I'm sick of idol kids who run around e-town aegyoing like there's no tomorrow. That's just disgusting...

Plus that reminds me of her as Hyemi, that's a character i can't forget.

I hope she does the role again. Now if only Sassy girl comes up with another installment...

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ilikemangos

July 3, 2013 at 10:45 AM

Omg haha exactly my thoughts.
+1
I mentioned above i liked her even more for saying that. Reminded me alot like Hyemi, who i thought was a hoot to watch.

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28 orenji

July 3, 2013 at 7:14 AM

whoa..congrats Wonbin and Lee Nayoung. They seem to match each other very well personality wise.

So post GFB Seunggi and Suzy did a photo interview together. The photos are very gorgeous and personally those photos help me a lot in dealing with the ending. I‘ve read all their interviews and they both pretty much admit they fell for each other during the filming to make their roles much more believable. awww...their chemistry is definitely the best and though i am not yet a shipper i hope they continue their good relationship after the drama.

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29 yasminsatria

July 3, 2013 at 7:21 AM

I so waiting you cover this news Dramabeans (>o<)

Won Bin and Lee Na Young! woooot! never see it coming but pleasantly surprised for Won-Bin finally have a girlfriend. Love him to pieces, but sometimes i just wondering what kind of live he's living with so little project and news about him, what's he doing or something like that. So, this dating news, somehow make my fangirl heart happy he actually have a life and love life.

Congratulation!

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30 crazedlu

July 3, 2013 at 7:27 AM

Ji Changwook.......

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31 Annie

July 3, 2013 at 7:46 AM

This development just lends further credence to the notion that stars are likely dating people signed with the same agency. Kang Dong Won recently moved to Song Hye Kyo's agency - here's to hoping that rumor is true as well!

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32 myungsoohyungsik

July 3, 2013 at 7:57 AM

I was so shocked when i heard Wonbin is dating... He is well into his mid 30's of course he should be dating!! As a fan, I am happy he found someone :) (and also a little jealous :P)
I don't know Lee Na Young nor have I seen her projects, but I trust Wonbin......
It's either he gets married now or they may break up (because they are busy people) but I support you all the way wonbin!

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33 myungsoohyungsik

July 3, 2013 at 7:58 AM

Saw on neitizenbuzz first before the news became headlines when someone commented on a news about INFINITE about wonbin dating lee na young. I completely dismissed it and thought he/she was trolling....

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34 pogo

July 3, 2013 at 8:03 AM

yeah right, Seung-gi, it's not like you have to pretend to like that ending because you're still doing wrapup promo for the show, ha.

I'm glad that he and Suzy get along so well, but the fact that the ending -and the second half of the show, really - was written by someone with the memory of a goldfish on meth (more dropped threads in that story than my early attempts at knitting, and let's not talk even talk about the Convenient Exposition Monk) is rather obvious. Not that I expect him to admit it, but hey.

On a more positive note, congratulations to the new couples! They've earned the right to enjoy their relationships free of fan hatred, even if oppa and unnie go off the market.

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Windsun33

July 4, 2013 at 2:00 AM

".... the memory of a goldfish on meth ..." :D :D

I think you just described a large portion of the writers in k-drama land.

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Rara

July 4, 2013 at 6:23 AM

Seung Gi, I love you no matter what comments you made ! Thanks for being you. Hope to see you in a new drama or variety show soon.

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35 Abbie

July 3, 2013 at 8:45 AM

I really like Lee Dong-wok's comment about his acting criticism. He's a real professional. I think he did struggle with Mandate of Heaven because it was his first sageuk, and the dialogue is just at a whole other level. I think to compensate for his inexperience with sageuk, he overacted a little too much. He was still good, but he could've been better. I think he'll do better on the next sageuk he does.

There better be a freaking season 2 of Gu Family Book, because that finale was a crapshoot. I really feel I was dragged along, only to be cut loose without a warning. I'm still really pissed at the writer.

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36 Miky

July 3, 2013 at 9:23 AM

Well i was expecting that statment fro Seung Gi as well as other actors that are asked the same kind of questions....Even if they would feel different about a character or drama they won't say something like that,that's how that industry works so they won't talk bad about the writer or someone else even if they wanted...

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37 panshel

July 3, 2013 at 10:08 AM

Lee Na Young is one lucky lady. Once you catch yourself a Won Bin, never let him go.

HyungSik should stick with Master's Sun. He has been getting a lot of good press lately with Nine and Real Men. This drama ought to add on to that.

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38 AnotherFan

July 3, 2013 at 10:54 AM

Wow, Won Bin dating!? That is news! I am always happy for happy couples with healthy relationships so hope things do work out nicely for them.

Regarding LDW's acting in Mandate of Heaven, it saddens me really. He has been one of my most favorite K-actors. I really really appreciated his acting and effort in La Dolce Vita and Scent of a Woman (and even in Wild Romance although that was neglected by the world). I would never imagine acting being the weaker link here for him. Think he's probably going through a tough period trying to figure out where he fits in. Pray he would come out above this. Hwaiting!

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39 cherkell

July 3, 2013 at 1:41 PM

Geez, can't a JCW Fangirl get some sleep around here, ne? I woke up with my Wookie Sense tingling... and I would be remiss if I didn't add the following: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! :P

I still think the shot of My Precious actually riding a horse was the most gorgeous of all the InStyle shots. And he was so gracious to autograph my copy when we met up after the final show of "The Days" last Sunday. That boy's a tall drink o' water! *major swoonage*

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kz

July 4, 2013 at 12:09 AM

Oh my, how handsome Ji Chang Wook is..
Squeee!!!
Hope the drama aired soon... Can't wait!!

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40 in times...

July 3, 2013 at 2:30 PM

Lee Na Young dated some powerful actors: Jang Dong Gun, Bae Yong-joon, and now Won-Bin. Girl, you gotta share me your secret on how to catch some of Korea's hottest and rich man. ;) All jokes aside, congrats to Won Bin and Lee Na Young. I've been wondering when Won Bin will ever be in a relationship and the same goes to Lee Na Young after hearing her break-up w/ Bae Yong-joon. Wish them lots of happiness and love. :)

P.S. Lee Na Young, I hope you pick out a drama soon. I miss you lots. TT_TT

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41 lala

July 3, 2013 at 5:23 PM

Lee Na Young is one of my favorite actresses ever since I watched Maundy Thursday. She made me cry insanely...balles amazing

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42 alice20

July 3, 2013 at 7:07 PM

Ji Chang Wook needs to pick some better dramas. He is a REALLY good actor, but he keeps getting stuck in so many makjang roles! Stop with the crazies!

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kz

July 4, 2013 at 12:10 AM

indeed.. He has really good talent!! Please dramagods, give him better projects

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43 Makoto

July 3, 2013 at 8:52 PM

won bin oppa... *cry a river* *brokenhearted*
good to know that hyungsik declined the offer. it gives me time to withdraw my noona crush on him after watching Nine. =))
gu family ending is just... eeww. don't like it.
new drama aired recently don't really appealing. as if they already look boring from their descriptions. will have to wait reply 1994 instead. :)

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44 Cee

July 4, 2013 at 2:08 AM

WONBIN GOT A SCANDAL!!! Okay not exactly a scandal because there's nothing wrong with him dating Lee Nayoung (Maundy Thursday totally got me) but LIKE FINALLY. Please get along well, you two. You guys have my blessing.

I don't think Kim Taehee deserved all the criticisms. I'm watching JOJ now and she did great in my opinion. But KTH gets criticized EVERYTIME so I guess I don't need to care about that.

I love Mandate of Heaven so much, and the reason I decided to watch it was 90% Lee Dongwook because you-know-why. The show is perfect, but I have to admit Dongwook lacked something I couldn't really point out. His chemistry with Rang is awesome, and I don't think he did bad in general, but the chemistry between him and Jihyo didn't really get me. I like Junghwan-Wooyoung's story more.

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45 kimchilee

July 4, 2013 at 8:28 AM

Crapped! DC shutdown?? oh gawd!! Nooo..noooo... am a K-Addict! where can i get my fixed now?? ortohkeh!!?? nooo...nooooo... weyyyoohh... ?

Won Bin!! oh nooooooo!! but finallllleeee! glad for you but can you please return to dramaland! you've been away from it for far too long.. !!

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46 hiba omairi

July 5, 2013 at 10:14 AM

Thanks !

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47 sheng

July 6, 2013 at 7:21 PM

Lee Jung Jin... OH, your comment cracked me up! LOL kudos to you for keeping positive!

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48 seungigonghye

August 19, 2013 at 4:34 AM

I really like the gu family book drama but I didn't lke the ending. Since it's already finished I really love to see him to be paired to yoon eun hye. I hope next yr both of them could make a drama together. Please, please...

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