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Friend of mine posted this poem on FB, which is about as much reflection I can handle today.
“So long as that woman from the Rijksmuseum
in painted quiet and concentration
keeps pouring milk day after day
from the pitcher to the bowl
the World hasn’t earned
the world’s end.”
—
"Vermeer" by Wislawa Szymborska, Nobel prize laureate (1996).
"Happy Friday" feels a bit off, so all I can say is everyone take good care of yourselves & loved ones.
I keep getting sucked into the live updates on the Guardian... plus, I follow a couple of reporters on Twitter (including a high school classmate that used to report from Russia for 5 years) so I can't get it out of my head. Specially now that some profiles of victims have been appearing. That family where the grandpa took the three kids back to Australia so they would make it in time for school, while their parents stayed for a few extra days in Holland. Can you imagine the feeling of the parents? Heartbreaking.
Sigh.
Plus the Mideast.
My faith in humanity is pretty close to zero at the moment...
omg alua hang in there. I am just screaming silently inside my head and just want to smash the whole world to pieces. I cant beleive. the new level of absolute evil. but what angers me most is that it was done by IDIOTS who didnt even know what they were shooting at. the ones being supported by Putins´Russia are morons, low criminals with no strategy, no intelligence. they got some radars from their d***head friend, and just start shooting wherever. what next? just launching them hewre and there? what if next they think, he, lets destroy Berlin? London? no one will ever punsih us and Putin will push the blame on Ukraine. gosh. if I got my hands on the people behind this I would just strangle them with my bare hands. seriously.
I am about to explode. I can´t take it.
I don't think strangling anyone would help though. Then you just get the Mideast. 3 boys dead. 1 burned. A civilian who brings food killed. 4 children by a missile on the beach. (I'm not keeping count and I don't care about the nationalities. I think it's all senseless. This is as much I'll say since it's such a terribly sensitive topic.)
yeah, I know, alua. I know it wont solve anything. but I cants stand lies, injustice, twisting of truth, I hate cowards who push their mistakes on others, political games when all they should be doing is cry for all of them.
I am gonna go pick blackcurrants.
gosh I dunno how we can...
Redfox, you were the first person I thought of when I heard of MH17. Alua, I've been at the Guardian too. The news is staggering. I don't want to say more, just I'm sad and worried.
Watching Fated to Love You.
Glossika Mass Sentences released their Korean Fluency series this week. Plan is to listen/speak/write sentences over the next 8 months. The start of a new daily habit.
Oh yes I just saw! That's what I get for being all outdated on news here in china. Such a bad thing and devestaed for the people involved. hope they figure out what happened quickly just to get an answer.
So let’s talk about Marriage Not Dating! (This will be long.)
I’m really enjoying it! I laughed SO hard at episodes 3 and 4 (more so than I've laughed at a drama ever, I think) from KiTae handing JangMi He’s Just Not That Into You when she wondered why Jinwoon’s character was so hot and cold with her (she could really use that book!) to KiTae crashing their date to JangMi’s victory dance when she finished the jeon to her beating KiTae with a fish. I know a lot of people had issues with Jang Mi’s character because she can certainly go overboard (sneaking over to the restaurant to look for YeoReum– seriously, girlfriend needs to chill) and I do think that at times, she is played a bit broadly like when she walked into KiTae’s apartment and immediately jumped from thing to thing like a child but strangely enough, I don’t find her annoying. I cringe at times at the things she does and says but I don’t think she’s shallow or an airhead which is how I expected them to play her character and I think she’s got some great redeeming factors like she cares a lot about people and she’s earnest and she’s honest. Of course, she usually goes too far with all of those things but we all have our faults.
I also love that she and KiTae are pretty much diametrically opposed when it comes to relationships. I usually have a hard time getting into the main pairing but I love that they both call each other out on their flaws and their banter is so quick, hysterical and brutally honest. You can really see how they can eventually help each other find a middle ground where KiTae isn’t so aloof and guarded and JangMi doesn’t throw herself so completely into her relationships and obsess over her latest paramour. KiTae can definitely be harsh and jerky towards her (although he’s like that with everyone) but I can relate to his character in terms of being very guarded and having your hackles raise when someone gets too close so I can see what motivates his actions even if I don’t agree with them. (He really needs to be nicer to JangMi.) I do wonder how the show plans to have his family eventually accept JangMi now that so much damage has already been done. I loved JangMi calling out Kitae and his family for their rudeness and disregard and Kitae’s mother for her martyrdom (even though it was crazy rude) but I really felt that she went too far bringing the infidelity into it. Some things just need to be left off the table. (Also how does she not realize that everyone in the immediate family around knew?! This is how rich Korean drama families work! The patriarch steps out on his wife all the time and she just deals with it.) I also liked Kitae realizing that the way he treats people is not that different from his mother when he sees how her scolding of JangMi mirrors his own. Also did you notice him following Jang Mi just the way his family does to him? Apple, tree, folks.
And finally, why does KiTae claim to be financially...
Honestly I don’t know what to think about YeoReum and HyunHee. Do they really like the people that they’re making moves on? HyunHee seems more like a frienemy and she kind of seems like a golddigger since she only became interested in Hoon Dong when she found out he was rich - but then she stood up for Jang Mi to Hoon Dong at the club so I don’t know. I also don’t know WHY JangMi thinks it’s a good idea to start dating YeoReum when KiTae’s family is so crazy and stalker-y. I know she expected the ruse to end soon but couldn’t she have waited a few days until things were officially over between them before she jumped into a relationship with him?
And finally, why does KiTae claim to be financially dependent on his family when he’s a successful plastic surgeon with his own hospital? He should be rolling in dough – and yet his apartment is still under his (estranged) mother’s name? Why? It really confuses me. KiTae’s apartment is so gorgeous, by the way. I would fight tooth and nail to live in a place like that too. Also SeAh said something about how she and KiTae were married? Or engaged, maybe? Definitely want to hear more about that as well.
Marriage, not Dating! I love that show so much I can't even tell you. I think it's so great. If you're on Tumblr, you should follow the Marriage, Not Dating tag -- so many people are writing wonderful, funny, thought-provoking things about that show.
Among the many things I love about it are exactly the questions you've posed about the secondary characters. I like that we're not sure what their motivations are, or how they relate to the main characters, if they're nice or not nice. I like the ambiguity, and the way we are left curious about who these people are and what they're up to and how they fit in the story, instead of everyone's character and role being spelled out clearly from the start.
As for Gi Tae and the situation with his family. I don't think he's financially dependent on his family generally, just with regards to the apartment. It seems from one of the flashbacks we've seen that it's the home he grew up in? I think his parents own the apartment or the lease or whatever, and no matter how much money he has he can't make his mother sell it to him if she doesn't want to. And she obviously doesn't want to, because it's probably the last real hold she has over him at this point. Now that you mention it, I bet the end of the story is going to involve some kind of resolution of the apartment issue between Gi Tae and his mom.
Oh, I used to have a Tumblr but I deleted it about a year ago. I want to hear the funny, insightful things too! I'm happy to hear that people are talking about it though and enjoying it. I think it's so good and laugh out loud funny and I think it subverts a lot of the typical K-drama tropes. Maybe I’ll make a new one for dramas.
I see what you're saying about the secondary characters and I like that too. Everyone seems layered and not like archetypes. It's like "oh, you think YeoReum's just a shameless flirt - but wait, there's more! He's passionate about food and wants to be a chef. He has some connection to SeA. He might genuinely like JangMi!" Just when you think you have the characters figured out, a new layer gets unveiled.
Okay, your entire last paragraph makes total sense. I did notice that flashback of little KiTae in the same bed so it does appear to be his childhood home.
A couple of what would normally be a tired clichés I thought were really funny - like I think this is the first drama I have seen where the girl gives the guy a piggyback ride.
In some parts it seems like this drama is a cliché on clichés (if that make sense), as it takes some all too common ones and turns them around.
Right now this is only one of the two k-dramas that I am watching, the other is Fated to Love You. (Also watching Love On, but that is Fridays only). Pretty much totally dropped all others.
Haha, same about the piggyback. I love that JangMi's no shrinking violet. She also grabbed his wrist and dragged him outside when he crashed her date with YeoReum. (Not that the wrist grab is something I want to see more of, but it's definitely the first time I've ever seen a girl do it.)
I really think that the show is doing that on purpose. Even with the characters - they could all easily devolve into classic K-drama roles (the overbearing mother, the mean ex girlfriend, the jerky male lead) but they're doing a good job of humanising them so that we see their good sides as well as their faults. It's one of the reasons that I like JangMi and KiTae's rapport - he's so blinded by his issues with his mother that he can't see that she isn't all bad and she does mean well in her own misguided way but JangMi has no qualms pointing that out to him.
It makes me wonder how much input TvN has in the scripts for their shows because I kind of saw that happening in Witch's Romance as well. Not to say that it didn't occasionally fall prey to cliches but generally they seemed to be trying hard to show something different. The main couple in Witch's Romance had really open, honest conversations with each other and cleared up misunderstandings so quickly. And their parents were generally nice and considerate and actually cared about their kids! It was like things were upside down.
I'm only watching this show right now but I might give Fated to Love You a try, although I wasn't a fan of the original. People seem to have a lot of good to say about this one.
I've been a fan of Yeon Woo Jin for a while, having adored him in Ojakkyo Bros., but I was never attracted to him on a personal level. In this though...there is just something he's doing or maybe it's the character, who knows, but it is WORKING. I am smitten.
I am so surprised how much i like it too. i wasn't expecting it. but i am truly addicted. it's the one dramai am watching that i look forward to the most every week!!!
Glad to hear this show is funny. I saw an ad for the show somewhere & liked the title & thought the plot summary sounded interesting. I've been meaning to check it out ever since but there's so many dramas & so little time. I'll def add it to the watch list now though!
OMG GERMANY DID IT =) I was ecstatic and mom and I screamed on top of our lungs when Götze scored^^ The cup stays in Europe and all is well =) I am just so glad they won bc they ARE a team! And there was so much cute after the ceremony with the kids of Klose, Podolski etc… Highlight: Podolski playing with his son in the empty stadium and the remaining German fans cheering for his son <3
Trot Lovers: Soo In and her mom can go to hell! Geun Woo you adorable thing you I’m sorry to say it but you don’t stand a chance against Joon Hyun. I hate the noble idiot route JH is going BUT all hope is not lost! It’ll just show Chun Hee how much she needs him and that she likes him too! But JH I need a word with you… You can’t just break up the adorable makeshift family you created! Just not cool! Drama continues to rock and it gets me right in the heart =) And whenever Eunji sings I’m cutting onions :P
HS King: Oh what a nice cliff-hanger at the end of ep 10!
My heart bleeds for Jin Woo and as assy he behaved towards Min Suk and Soo Young I just want to hug him and give him the affection he so clearly needs! JW is a really interesting character and I’m totally rooting for him though he does things that make it not so easy.
YAAS: I’m gonna miss them so much =( But THANK YOU for busting Yoo Moon Bae! I was screaming at my screen in the last episode whenever he was there -.-
That kiss of Soo Sun and Dae Gu though *rawr*
Joseon Gunman: MOAR! Lee Jun Ki in his gunman clothes is just… unbelievably hot! Also he is very, very pretty! But other than that I like that tensions are running high and I can’t wait for the next episodes =)
Marriage not Dating: This keeps getting better and better! With Gunman my new crack =) Han Groo is AWESOME and her drunk Nemo bit was amazingly hilarious :D And can I just say again how much I love Ki Tae’s grandma! Getting drunk on makgeolli and then sleeping it off at the hospital^^ Let the fun continue!
FTLY: So insane I love it^^ Jang Nara must be the most adorable woman in the whole wide world and you can just root for her character! (I love those glasses)
And can I just say that I was fully expecting Geon to belt out ‘Creep’ when he was singing!^^
High School Love On: ADORABLE! Kim Sae Ron rocks! I just hope they don’t go too much love line and more oppa-dongsaeng bc that would make it more comfortable to watch but we’ll have to see.
Variety:
RM: Oh Ryu Seung Soo you adorable ahjussi :D A nice episode with much cast interaction and bickering and I love it when the guests just blend in like RSS does! You can see that they are on really good terms with each other which makes it seem like he’s been part of he cast for a long time!
Marriage not dating: The granma is hillarious. Think I've enjoyed her in all things I've seen her in.
RM: Ep 204 was a good one indeed. Loved RSS on it as well. Also loved how the 4th wall was broken in the begining with them ruining each others "entry" into the mirror.
This is my first time commenting on an OT, but I really had to see if someone posted about the HSKS ciffhanger.
Fuck. That was my reaction because not only is THE cat out of the bag, but they ALL just jumped out like a catsunami. I was thinking that this show has too many secrets where half the people don't know the connection with the other half and I always thought the second half of the show would be all about revealing them one by one. But THIS. Wow.
And the other office romance. I was like no, don't be the jerk who force-kisses the girl, but then she jumped his bones right after and I did a spit take.
Oh, and like you said, I don't hate JW per se, that dude comes with his own set of problems, but I do not in anyway like his frigging coping mechanism and in no way does he deserve Soo Young after his asshole-ry.
I had the same reaction to JW. I wouldn't want to forgive anyone who force kisses anyone, BUT I do see how he would with all his problems and that I can see how he will regret and maybe redeem himself down the road.
I am still not really on board with the leads' romance. I Hear Your Voice got me on board with noona romances, but I still don't quite buy it in this show. I'm not too worried about the cliffhanger in Ep. 10 because in the first episode we see that Soo Young is obviously okay with the double identity and helping him manage it. It is just a matter of whether their romance lasts because of it, which again I'm not all that invested in in the first place, and how long it takes for her to be okay with it.
I have faith in their relationship and the writers that it won't go too melodramatic in resolving that problem. If they were to be rational (I know that doesn't really coincide with kdramas but I have hope), neither could have possibly known that the guy is the same and can't blame each other. I can see them get mad at him more than each other but that might not make for interesting television...
LOL @ "catsunami" - and it fits perfectly. Like, "screw just letting the cat out of the bag, lets go for a whole freaking herd of cats".
I think what I am loving about this show is how it is turning so many of the standard k-drama tropes and clichés backwards - and after seeing so many, I think that is their intention - a way to insert a little sarcasm into the whole genre of k-dramas.
I was rooting for Germany to win - they're a great young team, lovely individuals, and have been so good for the last 6 years, it's good to see their efforts rewarded with such success even if I remain a Spain supporter (La Roja will rise again, yes they will). Congratulations to them and all their fans!
(and as Korean netizens call him, Basti-hyung really went all out for his team, even shed blood to get this cup)
Yeah it all started with Klinsmann and Löw did an amazing job afterwards. Not to mention that yes they are great individual players but they just work really well as a team! And their tweets showed that they had a good time =)
I felt so bad for Spain! You know I'm always rooting for the European teams (+ Korea^^) so it's sad to see them eliminated so early but Spain... Oh my they were not themselves this tournament... Casillas (one of my most favourite goalies) was a mess in the match against Holland -.- It was painful to watch but as you said they will rise again :)
Really?! Basti-hyung? That's adorable^^ I felt so bad for him in the final :( But what a great fighting spirit =)
I was almost in tears during the Spain-Chile match, it was awful to see him brought so low - I've always had a soft spot for goalies from the days of Fabien Barthez, and Iker was and is one of my favourites of all time. I just hope his career does not take a permanent blow from this, and that the team gets new blood.
And yeah, they call him Basti-hyung, it's too cute! Though I guess since I'm a girl, it should be Basti-oppa, he really took a major beating in the final. But he's too, too cute.
Happy Friday, everyone!
I am still on my lakhorn kick, having finished Sanaeha Sunya Kaen. Not the greatest one by any means, but it wasn’t bad.
The happiest note is that I actually am completely caught up with SqueeCapping Fall In Love With (Both Of) Me. I think it’s the first time I managed to post before the next episode! I blame it on the fact that finally we are doing something more than moping and sighing and looking thoughtful. True, the Li family is still a bunch of psycho rich people, but I’m still hoping for a Meteorite Of Doom onto their house.
I also marathoned HSK this week, finishing all 10 episodes in 3 days. Ah, SIG, you are doing a bang-up job, with your expressions and body language. But….will I be beaten if I hope that Jin-woo and Soo-young end up together? Min-seok is a pretty confident stand-alone guy, but I can see how the other two’s internal wounds can be healed by each other. But I don’t want our young executive hockey player with Stalker either.
Joseon Gunman. [sigh]. This one has me glued to my monitor. Sadly, I have not watched ep 8 yet (darn that work/real life!), but I feel bad for his enforced isolation. True, he is a wanted treasonous criminal, but his bangs are so cute! And I’m glad he can confide in at least one other chingu, who is loyal if not the brightest lantern.
Rounding out the rest of my watches: Love Myself Or You as my other TWDrama (thumbs up for the food porn and the likeable characters), Roommate (yes I am lusting after Mama Shin, but with all due respect, he’s at least within a decade of my age ;-) ), Dok Ruk Rim Tang (a lakhorn about a girl who disguises herself as a boy and gets a job on her late father’s estate to find the missing will), and The Night Shift, in case I forget my own language. I still have yet to watch more than a smidgen of Trot Lovers, MND, or YAAS, which finished this week.
Previously, I polled everybody about their eating habits when it comes to a green-based salad. The responses were interesting when looked at from a global point of view. I have another one this week: What do you use as your primary starch? When I cook for myself, my primary meal is usually brown rice (mixed veggies, and mostly beef for my protein). My NYC-raised Italian mom almost always has pasta or noodles, along with that after-meal salad. :-) I imagine other people might use potatoes, or beans, or something. What do you use, if anything?
Anyway, it’s another platelet donation day, as well as a meet-up dinner day for me and another KDrama nut for soondae and bibimbap.
The primary starch for my family is rice, although I'm not eating it right now cause I'm on a diet. Potatoes would be the second most common. Wheat is a starch too, right? Well, if so, we eat a lot of bread also ha.
Oh that starch question is a really interesting one!
As for me (I'm Austrian btw) it has changed over the years. My family would eat a lot of noodles/pasta but little rice. Potatoes (also used to make dough for various dishes) and bread are also very common and I love them =) I especially love to bake my own bread ;)
But ever since I discovered my love for all things Korean we eat a lot of rice! I blame Bibimbap and Kimbap for that :P We try to eat more pasta again though bc we still have a lot of noodles in our storage room^^
But all that aside we do eat all kinds of starchy food without preferential treatment. Right now I'd say we have more potatoes and noodles than rice.
Main starch: Traditionally in Norway its potatoes. Followed by pasta and rice. Personally I'd use rice more than potatoes, cause I just don't like them much. My family uses all of them, though brown rather than white rice. My grandma though pretty much only uses potatoes. Personally I use pasta more, but can also have dinners where I just cut out the starch all together.
While being in china we sometimes get double up for lunch time meals. There will be rice, and then a heavily potato filled course.
potatoes give me a stomach ache. I eat rye bread, but not a lot. then buckwheat, which doesnt have much starch I think. less rice. oatmeal flour is one. but I eat more protein rich than starchy food. I use pea and coconut flour, almond flour etc
Hi Shuk!
As I mentioned in your last poll, we have potatoes as an important part of dinner. My family replaces them with buckwheat or barley. We hardly ever have rice (maybe about 2-3 times a year). Noodles for dinner are my brother's favourite, so we have penne noodles when he visits home, but neither me nor my dad consider it "real"food. Empty carbohydrates, make us get hungry soon again. But my mom can't say no to her sons request, plus it's super quick and easy to prepare.
For other meals we have bread, but the one made from rye flour rather than of wheat flour. It is much tastier and healthier. My personal favourite is dark Lithuanian rye bread, but I also adore our local variety. And it is the reason why I haven't watched Baker King (and never will) - there is a Baker Queen, her name is Maria and she's been baking bread in our town for over 50 years.
I laughed at your comment about not watching Baker King because of your Baker Queen ;P I watched it solely to learn baking (hahaha--who knew it would be a makjang-fest?? I didn't, seriously!). But what's even funnier is that I actually started baking off of what they did on the drama anyway...because I actually cook better off of watching someone and going through the motions. There was a time when I was baking bread every single day...in 90+ degree heat -.-
Alas, I live in an area where its not common to find a true bakery (everything's prepackaged or premanufactured, so nothing from scratch) so you're very lucky to live near a bakery with such a skilled craftsman/artist baking fresh bread :)
It may seem absurd, but I have a hard time whenever I am abroad for longer and there is only something called bread, but obviously it is cotton wool - no taste, no texture, no nutritious value. As far as I know, bakeries in Korea go for that kind of bread - soft, tasteless, chemical. I couldn't take it seriously or even suspend my disbelief, it's like someone is working hard but towards a wrong goal.
I think I know what you mean about those types of so-called "bread," I loathe those. I don't like my bread with that soft mealy texture--bread's gotta have some chew!!--and definitely not filled or simply be the tasteless vehicle for the filling!
But living in the 'burbs and nowhere near an artisan bakery, I suppose I'm doomed from having decent bread -.-
kopytko, so true! for estonians it is really hard to go to some parts of France or USA, even though in a few parts of western and southern Europe there is sourdough bread as well, but not actual rye. I like Latvian fruit bread. But I make it just as well myself. I have been baking from my original starter for 9 years and I only buy from a few other bakers, when I am out of town.
I always say that white fluff some call bread tastes like that stuff you use when you install windows.
bread = leib, hleb
the white fluff = sai or in russian bulka
hmmm, starch. My least favorite is potatoes.
I'm Italian too, so pasta was a given for many years. I am partial to angel hair. But I think these days my #1 starch is rice - all varieties. I have replaced bread/tortillas with lettuce for wraps, so bread is low on the list. Plus there are no good bakeries in town and I don't make bread.
In my family, we're from Nigeria, we use Cassava as a main source of starch in many different variations. We make it into flakes (which we call garri) or powder (which we call fufu) there's also different ways to make it into powder depending on what you want as the finished product (you can get either lafun or amala as well from Cassava powder). Cooking Cassava itself is kinda bitter so we don't do that. We also have rice a lot.
main starch: for me, it's rice - usually brown rice. I occasionally eat bread and noodles/pasta and love them, but for a default meal option it's always rice. (cultural reasons too, I guess)
I'm Korean, but born in the US and the only one in the family that's been accustomed to American tastes from since a toddler, haha. My family's primary source of starch is rice, my mom loves her noodles though (any kind - but especially rice and buckwheat).
My main source of starch is potatoes...so much so that I'm considered a potato monster! ;P haha. Up until a year ago, bread (any type) was my secondary source...as well as pasta. Been steering clear of them since I'm watching what I eat...and I've cut down on potatoes as well. Sweet potatoes (especially the Korean goguma and Okinawan purple) are my two faves.
O.M.G!! Don't even mention Fall in love with Me it's so frusturating right now, it gets me annoyed! Literally Huan Huan and her family are dim-witted shit heads. I'm astounded with the way they treat Lu Tian Xing, they treat him like an object as if he were some doll with no affections. In the last couple episodes it was rreally frusturating to watch TLS bc she literally would just stand there and not do anything like no STOP CRYING GO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT JFC! And huan huan and lance are little bitches i hate them.
I'm Italian-American so we eat a ton of pasta in our family. I love a warm crusty loaf of french bread right out of the oven too. I find my rice intake has gone up astronomically since my discovery of Korean dramas.
Happy friday beanies!! Thanks to all who answered my question in name that drama.
My work has changed my time table again along with a lot of other things (so no new toddler stories this week). Starting o get nervouse about going to japan on my own on tuesday. Looking forward to it though.
This week has also ben taken over by watching the ninja warrior competition. Very addictive show. Though our assistant now assume thats all me and the good housemate do in the office.
Dramaland:
Marriage not love: still enjoying it. Not to keen on the ex though.
Highschool angel (or what the name was ): cute beginning. Think this one could be enjoyable. Just keep it cute and light.
Monster (with lee min ki) not watched all the way yet but liking it. Also min ki os damn creepy in this.
Your trip to Japan sounds exciting! So much to see and enjoy!
This week I saw two travel shows ..... one was about Kyoto, Japan and the second one was about Norway! The guide went to Balestrand and Bergen. ...... Both were informative and they showed lovely areas of both countries.
Ninja warrior competition - Ha! I don't think I've ever heard of that. I've heard of exhibitions, but not competitions. ....... Is this a team thing or individuals competing against each other?
I'm good. A little stressed, but good. How are you?
Oh sounds cool. I'm going to Kyoto for a couple of days! I've never been to Bergen myself though haha, glad you enjoyed the show.
Ninja warrior: It's basically a japanese game show/strength competition. They are individuals competing to complete this very very excruciating course with 4 stages. It's addicting (hence me and the housemate watching it every chance we get). You can find it on youtube. It's not really anything to do with ninjas though :p
The look in his eye is terrifying. And the contrast between him and his brother. You just know that this is a dangerous guy, killings aside. The kid is doing a good job too I think.
I'll try! I hate going anywhere by myself, at least the first time as I get paranoid. Had a nightmare trying to get to my trian tickets as the first person refunded my reservation instead of giving me them, so had to re buy them. Hurray for panic.
I'm sure I'll be fine once I get there. But I'll be paranoid all trip there. And back again.
Manin, hope you still get to read this. When i went to Japan last November, the one thing that helped was the Japan Rail pass. It can only be purchased while you are outside the country. It saved me a lot. went to lots of places too-- nagano, kyoto, osaka, etc. Within Tokyo, you don't need to pay Japan Rail (JR) subway lines, too. Kyoto accommodations are too pricey. found out that if you stay in osaka near the shinkansen rail station (Shin Osaka), it is just 30(?) to kyoto. And with your rail pass, you can actually take overnite train trips and not pay accommodations. Hope you have time to get that rail pass. Japan is the most convenient place to travel alone. Wonderful people. Btw, the bridge in the Tokyo Kiss is in the area named Odaiba.
Ohh, unfortunatly I'm not sure I''ll have time to get that. And my japanese friend has already booked tickets for the shinkansen and hotel for us in Kyoto (which wasn't badly priced)
Yeah I've heard the same. It's not so much travel in Japan that worries me since I have my friend there. It's the travel from my City to Beijing I'm worrying about :p
Manin, just know the platforms and stations before hand by asking your colleagues. in Beijing, just don't talk to strangers. Don't accept offers of help if it will bring outside of your comfort zone. Not even offers of tea to practice English and that kind of con.
Hey Manin! Have a great time in Japan, it's absolutely wonderful there. And do eat lots of delicious food - all the ramen, sushi, crepes and everything, Japan is basically food heaven and you should take advantage of it, whether it's from the convenience stores or the restaurants.
So, I dropped almost everything! I'm kinda sorta watching Joseon Gunman, though it's more like a few minutes of watching and then the recap. Also, when I just need something in the background, My Dear Cat. I like the two cousins in it, the one who wants to be a celebrity, and the tough jjang girl who is getting shipped with Sungmin's character. Everybody else, I pretty much ignore.
And I'm watching Flower Grandpas Investigation and Hi School Love On! (So, so cute, both of them.) Looking forward to them both tonight.
Still going through Nodame Cantabile. And I found a japanese drama, Jyuui-san, where the main character is a vet. I'm watching for the puppies. :-)
So, Temptation: is that like that Jang Hyuk money drama?
I started on My dear cat. found it cute but am falling so far behind. I can see how it's a background show though. It's cute but not quite addicting for me.
Flower Grandpa's How is this show going? I fell off due to work and some other stuff and just never made it back onto it.
I am! And I'm enjoying it thus far, which is not bad for a weekend drama just hitting the middle.
I think that each character is well fleshed-out (despite being over-the-top, you can see how Mama Seo loves her boys; well maybe I'd draw the line at the irritating ex-husband but the show needs a villain) and pretty well acted, and each storyline is proceeding at a good pace. No dragged-out angst and brooding. Even the noble idiocy on Da-jung's part only lasted 2 episodes. I'm not only invested in the main couple's story, I can't wait to see how the Author Mum and Hotel Uncle's story plays out, as well as everyone else's story. I guess that's good writing, and acting! I hope it keeps up.
I do wonder why the ratings are so low, though. Does the absence of makjang really make that much of a difference?
I believe viki is subbing it but since viki is not available in my country (which I can't understand as the head office is here) I usually watch it at koreandramaonair.
Watching Glorious Day (aka Feel-Good Day) mainly for Lee Sang-Woo and Park Se-Young. Always excited whenever their characters Seo Jae-Woo and Jung Da-Jung appear on screen with one another. Because they just have really great chemistry.
It was an absolute delight to watch the 2 episode storyline when Seo Jae-Woo granted Jung Da-Jung's request to relinquish his boyfriend status and just become an Oppa to her. I think the writer did a brilliant job of breaking down and showing the blatant differences and subtle approaches of his character's actions as an Oppa versus as a boyfriend.
My major pet peeves: (1) The way the older sister Jung Da-Ae is styled - from her hair to her clothes. I literally want to facepalm every time she appears on screen dressed in what looks like baby doll clothes, lace ankle socks, and big bow in her hair. (2) The father - is it just the character that's annoying? Is it the actor playing the father? Or is it both?
I agree with your pet peeve about the oldest sister...it's like she's too old to be wearing clothes like that. Maybe a tween girl, or even a teen girl...but not a woman who's supposed to be the eldest and mature, a teacher (I think?) at that.
I don't know if it's due to the stylist, the actress or even the writer...but it's annoying me too -.-
Sigh.
Oh these dramas. To be honest, I only seriously watch High School King. Been going to cinema instead. I saw On My Way with Catherine Deneuve playing the 62 year old restaurant owner Bettie, who suddenly drives out and goes on an adventure of a lifetime, it was hilarious. And then on an open terrace, with sparrows and ice coffee, I saw My week with Marilyn. Also a great movie and how jealous am I at the brits who just have everything lieing around to make movies with – castles, libraries, cars, pubs, parks, old time clothes etc. You know what.... ah, nothing. Such lucky friggin bastards. The scene with horny teenage Eton college boys stuck in there since the age of 8 and Marilyn just walking in – priceless.
High School Savvy .... oh blast. Oh man. He was going to be honest and all. Oh man. How will it ever be ok now? But I hope it will. Honestly, you all have been praising the sister relationship and Yoo-Ah, but I don´t feel anything about her. I tend to even think the story doesn´t need her. It could just be about the big lie. She doesnt have that drive. Min Seok, poor thing. But since he truly likes Soo Young....can´t they please end up together...DON´T START. Just in the drama. I am not saying real life, ok? But in a FANTASY, can´t they? Let´s not do the „But the age gap is in reality big bla bla bla” well, it is not real, so leave it be. That´s why dramas, books, films and make-believe exists.
Oh, in My week with Marilyn the guy was 23 and she was a little over 30... another noona romance! And in Betty, she was 62 and had a one night stand with a 30-year-old and her 10 year old grandchild Charlie saw her glowing and stuff.... now that was weird. How the hell did I end up picking such movies? Huh? K-drama infected movie preferences? But they were sweet, very human movies. Quietly touching. Not some big action...
Seo In Gook I just want to thank you. With a cake and a good photo book or something, for doing such a good job.
I also want to thank the You Are Surrounded team – especially „Gookie”. Agree with the final recaps´ conclusions. I find that maybe Ahn Jae Hyun gained most as a learning experience from such a great ensemble. Now quickly, do a spin-off with Pan Seok in the village and the weirdest crimes ever. Ok?
Next week is Viljandi Folk Music Festival so I won´t be on the net much. 4 days, 4 nights of concerts and party. I have a master Plan. But not sure if it will help me get to every concert. Can´t wait for the fun, so exited!!! (although I am not 20 any more....but I have been running hills and doing interval so to be fast when moving between concert locations. Still by the 4th morning I´ll probably be really out of it. )
Question: if you could send a present to your favorite star or someone you just want to thank, what would it be? And to whome, at this moment?
I have to mention: the shooting down of Malaysian aircraft above Ukraine. Terribly sad. Why? My deepest condolences to malaisians and dutch people. I just want to share what we´ve been given and I would like to know how the information differs in various parts of the world and their channels.
We here know that a Putin-endoresed terrorists´ phone call was recorded and he was heard (US intelligence had caught the signal) boasting how he shot down a plain – probably from ground – that he thought to be ukrainian military plane. The missiles were a recent „gift” from Putin. Now they are covering evidence, destroying recordings and documents. Russia denies involvement, but British Secret Services have doubts about it being hit by the terrorists´missile and think it was an air-to-air missile from an actual Russian plane. Americans think it was from the ground on Russian side, but from afar. Like 600 miles. How can this be happening in the world? What kind of criminal state are we living next to? I just want them to disappear from this planet. Brutal, cold people. Shooting down a passanger plane? Dear me. And the world does nothing. WW I started from an attack to one person. Now 300 die and nobody gives a shit? Patting Russias´ass, the Merkel B**** being like Ribbentrop, secret pacts with Putin, smothering his scandals etc. What kind of a friggin planet is this? I don´t want to live here any more.
"And the world does nothing." Pretty much why I find it hard to tolerate this ugly state of affairs. So much goes on and people seem unfazed - maybe it's a defence mechanism. However media and governments don't help with the constant barrage of trivialities to distract us and keep us diverted.
I try to remind myself of that commonly known story about the boy on the beach picking up starfish because honestly I truly believe that it's come to just trying to help out the best you can.
thats true. in media you see celebrity weight loss, some football reporters boobs, paleo diet and all sort of crap and the real problem spots being like short people on a heavy metal concert waving but getting stomped and crushed under the heavy boots of ignorance.
The amount of times I've sighed at what passes for 'headline' news these days is depressing. I'm not sure what people are so scared of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WINDtlPXmmE
This is from the year I was born and yet in nearly four decades nothing has changed. People try to hold on to the little they have because they've fallen into the trap of fear created by the media and its masters, those in power. It's like that saying 'if you've got them by their necks then their heads will follow.'
Still your post sought to bring awareness and that's a huge thing, and don't let anyone belittle that gesture or silence you.
That is the trouble. Noone does anything, but at the same time the wrong cause of action can lead to a much bigger problem in a war which we don't want. Its a bad situation all around.
Things are also that much more difficult when the available options from which to choose are "the bad option" or "the worse option" ..... regardless of what situation people and/or nations are facing, it seems like nowadays there are no good options on the table.
I've been saying that (what you said in your last sentence) for many years. And it's only going to get worse. We are right in the middle of THIS century conflicts. Think how many people lived through major wars and countless conflicts the last century. Hey, my father still talks about horrors of WWII from a child's perspective, and the pain of waiting for the news from (18 year old at the time) hubby drafted to the last Soviet conflict. Guess what old movie with Catherine Deunuve made me cry every time it's famous theme song was played?
I am not Russian, but Russian is my first language, that is the case for many people from Belarus and Ukraine so I follow their news - it's also part of my job in the US. From what I gathered, the Malaysian plane was hit by a Buk missle system made by Soviets. That unit originally belonged to the Ukrainian army, but was stolen by pro-Russian rebels. The plain was mistaken for a Ukrainian army jet. The place where it happened was suggested as no-fly zone for the US and other international airlines back in May.
It doesn't absolve Russia nor Ukraine from responsibilities that come from engaging in war. Also Malaysian plane shouldn't have been flying where 3 Ukranian army planes were downed just days before, but it did. Poor innocent souls. There are not enough prayers to take away the pain and suffering. Now, watch everyone involved (and it's not just one side) as they try to shift responsibilities and blame the others while politicians from ALL countries take advantage using this tragedy. Oh, the shrill of non-stop coverage for ratings. The call for more weapons and money or to outright start a new war. All I can do for my sanity (kids need me) is to run to my hideout and watch next Kdrama episode. I suggest you turn off the news and do the same. Or go hiking.
I'd like to kill those dumbs, but not that I have the power to do it.
My friend is in Amsterdam I think. The last time she replied my e-mail was 15:09 KST time. Now she haven't reply my emails...
Not that other countries are safe either. Indonesia, where I lived, is currently on a pretty tense moment with the election. No. 1 is an ass, one of the people responsible for the outbreak in 1998, and keep on giving out racist comments over Chinese Indonesians. On 22, some feared rumors over a similar outbreak in 1998... and I'm going to China in 26...
Am thinking the two BFF's will either watch in horror or will feel compelled to save Min Suk from embarrasment (and Yoo Ah from hurt) by telling Soo Young that this guy is Minsuk, the brother of Hyung Suk. Which would be an obvioius lie because Min Suk has wounds from his battle with Jin Woo. But Soo Young will pretend she was mistaken and leave the school...so her sis won't be hurt. Since Soo Young is very proud of her manners, she will probably want to avoid Min Suk at work. Then maybe Jin Woo will see the difference in their relationship and make a good sane move to get Soo-young back. Much angst ahead as Soo-Young tries to help Min Suk pretend to be his brother but at the same time try to avoid falling afoul of the law by continuing a relationship with a minor. Poor Minsuk. He won't be holding up well.
I was thinking of the same thing... i bet he will try to explain but SY will just shut him out. Ughhh heartache... i seriously want them to work out (it's a drama after all).
I think I won´t watch those episodes until I know they´ll be all right. Cause I am so fond of this character already, that his heartbreak is mine. as is Soo Youngs´. I cannot take 3 heartbreaks all at once!
Hello, happy OT beanies!!
Pretty great week for me, passed the exam and now graduated from college (at least on paper).
Currently watching list:
1. Joseon Gunman: still awesome. Although I don't like PYK treatment to his own sister. But of course he has valid reason if he doesn't want to blow up his secrets and revenge plan. I think the show does pretty nicely until now. LJK is a feast to watch.
2. Fated To Love You: this show never fails to make me laugh... HEUHAHAHA... The ep 5 was freaking hilarious and I really like Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra's chemistry. Jang Hyuk is killing it with his Lee Gun and JNR embodies Kim Mi Young well. I never watch the original, but I'm sure many people would love Korean remake. And maybe it's even better than the original.
3. You're All Surrounded: simplistic show with simple plots and characters. Watch it if you already watched the two above. I haven't watch ep 20 yet, but I think overall the show is a letdown. I have high expectations for the show to be funny and great and it delivers neither.
4. KARA Secret Love: It's KARA project in 2013 but just aired last week. I watched Ji Chang Wook part with Park Gyu Ri. Not bad, sometimes funny and JCW really did well in the drama.
Not yet watching other dramas, but planning to catch up Trot Lovers, High School King, and Marriage Not Dating. Also plan to watch It's Okay It's Love, Night Watchman (although still unsure on Yunho), and Three Musketeers.
geun Woo, cant figure out. he is confused, still continues with the same manner, steady like he is on a carousel and cant get off. kinda dazed. and I am dazed. and just... you know. but so funny
*laughing* ...... yeah, he does that kinda dazed thing.
I'm still in the first 4 eps and he does come across as being a little dazed or perhaps suffering from momentary lapses of confusion ...... all to comic effect, of course.
Travelled home for a cousin’s wedding, apparently the whole family did too.
Family reunions are mostly fun but sometimes just burdensome what with all the drama. Lol I slightly regret coming home because now my very dramatic mother and sisters and basically everybody keep nagging me about getting married. 2 cousins are engaged, the other expecting, 3 others already with kids, one getting married tomorrow, and another in 2weeks. Now I have people setting me up on blind dates which I absolutely hate with passion, lol and they just don’t care(and told me so).
Having a huge family is a good thing, I have a group of people who support me(mostly) and the bad thing : Everybody is in everybody’s business, I mean deep in everyone’s business.
Dramas:
High school king of savvy : Sh*t abouta hit the fan. i think Soo-young is going to take the news of him been an high school student okay, not at first though and might even break up with him because of that, but she would still be on his side, if the beginning of the first episode was any indication. Hopefully, they don’t drag it out for too long.
Trot Lovers : I didn’t like Joon-Hyun at first, but in the last episode, I realized that I was slowly starting to root for him. I’ve jumped ship, now in the first lead’s ship, and as adorable as Geun-woo’s is, his actions lately just seem I don’t know manipulative? *shrugs*
Fated to love you : My new crack, I just love both leads so much. Lee Gun’s cackling at first irritated my ears so much, Lol this episode I found myself laughing along with him, its grown on me already. Please please, drama gods let this drama continue on its current good path, better yet a better path.
YAAS : It ended well, but a lot of questions were left unanswered. But there is one thing I have never been able to understand, why did boots go after Dae-gu again? and after so many years had passed. Dae-gu was going nowhere with his investigation, boots return only helped to blow the case open, I mean I can’t think of any reason why they couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie except “plot continuance”. And as for Dae-gu’s mother, i absolutely think there was no need to kill her because am pretty sure she wouldn’t have talked about who attacked her. And I never got Assemblyman Yoo’s insistence on having Dae-gu killed.
All in all, it was a good drama, not the best and definitely not bad too. Before it premiered, I was expecting a good dose of comedy and police precint hijinks and all that, but all that got tapered down with the whole “mystery” and whatnot.
Marriage not dating : Still giving this a shot, but the female lead just makes it so hard. That girl Jang-Mi has got to get a hold of herself, there was absolutely no reason to bring up the infidelity thing, it was so not her place to do so, girl knows no boundaries whatsoever. But I did love the way she got down after she was done with the pancakes. Oh! I don’t think that waiter...
On a side note : I introduced my friend to k-dramas, and she isn’t exactly a fan of the rom-com genre, she’s been telling me for weeks now to recommend comedy dramas but I know none. Please if anyone would be so kind as to recommend good comedy dramas I would be really thankful. Thanks in advance.
Have a great fun-filled weekend y’all..
*off to clean my dancing shoes*
Bad Family! I never finished it, tbf, but what I watched, I liked. There is romance but it focuses more on creating a surrogate family and dealing with past demons than love. I feel like most Korean comedies are rom-coms though so your friend might have a hard time finding shows.
Also this is a rom-com BUT it's a remake of a Japanese drama so it doesn't feel like a typical K-drama, The Man Who Doesn't Want to Marry. It was the first K-drama I finished and I still love it. The male lead is funny and weird and happily socially inept and Uhm Jung Hwa and Yoo Ah-In are also in it.
I am pretty sure that she is acting like she does because her character is supposed to be blunt and obnoxious. I find it refreshing in a k-drama to see something between the evil bitch and the naïve candy for once.
And I also actually think it was not solving any problems by everyone just ignoring the whole infidelity thing.
Your family sounds fun! I love big rambunctious, meddling families . . . well, at least the loving ones. And as long as there's lots of love there (which it sounds like yours has) then just accept the craziness for what it is!
I forgot that they never explained Boots's reappearance. I think I just assumed that he needed more money? But, there's not any indication of that that I know of...
Completely with you on Marriage Not Dating -- episodes 3 and 4 a big disappointment after a really great start in episodes 1 & 2. The make lead has really nailed his character and so has the actress playing his mother.
The funding for polyglit started yesterday! If you are considering donating, sooner is better than later. You can find details and a link at Polyglit[dot]Com. Even if you don't plan on donating, I hope you will look forward to the website launch.
Jinx I thought it was an adorable and heartfelt movie, though it left tears in my eyes, it was not a melodrama, but had some interesting themes. I don't think the acting was stellar, but I would definitely watch it again.
Marriage, not Dating
Probably the best drama on K-drama TV, IMO. The plot is really heating up. I'm a little surprised it isn't being recapped, but I can understand bending time is really a difficult task and that it takes a long time.
Still keeping up with the TW dramas. Haven't really picked up on any new J-dramas, except Nobunaga no Chef 2. OMG. I love it already. It's cheesy with just enough appeal to get me going, plus I like food shows.
And lastly, Idol Hate. I think it needs to be addressed.
Let's get this straight. At least for ME, I do like pretty, but it is SECONDARY to acting ability. I don't care how that pretty came about, and who from, and I don't particularly care how popular an actor is, I just want them to be able to act their heart out on the screen or on stage so I can believe their emotions and what they said is real.
That said, I also understand in order to get funding for a project, you need famous actors and people who will autodraw a crowd. It's the double-side of the industry. The more of a name recognition you have, the more likely one will draw funds. But do I hate the existence of those people for that? I categorically don't.
If they can act, then they can make me happy. Period.
I didn't hate Yoona because she was an idol. I didn't hate Yoona personally. I disliked her in the role of Nodame because I thought her acting ability wasn't to par. And I would say that of any actress or actor, idol or no. Despite that, I can understand why producers wanted to try her out in the role, even if it was a week. They need a big name to bring in the budget for the production.
I'm not going to begrudge people's success, nor their ability to grow in their talent. I've been surprised over and over again, given people chances to grow on me. Seong Yuri (idol), for example, has two horrible, I mean OMG, you can make drinking games out of them dramas she acted horribly in, but I still gave her a chance. And she surprised me in Hong Gil Dong.
Daniel Henney (Non-idol), as much as I love him as a person, I didn't think could act that well. He inserts random smiles when he should be emoting, but then I was proven wrong in My Father.
Idol or no, I'm going to come back to that person on acting ability. The prettiest face can't engage me as much as acting ability. What is the point of hating a group of people anyway? Being a idol doesn't mean one didn't work hard and can't succeed.
It's what I would call a lazy-Friday-night-in rom-com (sort of), but with more depth than most because the characters were somewhat unusual – I think some people found it 'slow' and the characters too depressing, but I liked that it wasn't a silly rom-com, but a more reflective one.
Liked how they challenged romantic stereotypes – not by dissing them, but basically by saying "this works for one person, but it might not work for another because people are and like different things". They spun it around cultural differences, but I thought it still gave a general message (i.e. I don't think all Korean girls have demands like Hyomin's character).
Bit sad that Yamazaki Kento (I know him from "Control Tower") isn't doing more interesting projects though. I mean, this one was fine (though his acting seemed more uneven than in Control Tower), but other stuff he's done since "Control Tower" are pretty much lightweight manga adaptations which aren't going to make him into much of an actor.
Hyomin was quite good. Her breakdown scene felt real.
<Idol or no, I’m going to come back to that person on acting ability. The prettiest face can’t engage me as much as acting ability. What is the point of hating a group of people anyway? Being a idol doesn’t mean one didn’t work hard and can’t succeed.
I agree with you. There are idols that are succeeding. Jaejoong is doing well I think – not that he's top notch, but he's improved steadily. As have some others.
But I do have one issue with the industry – casting idols again and again in lead roles when they haven't done the (acting) work or haven't improved. Casting them over actors that are blatantly better too. It's something that seems to be happening increasingly and sometimes it doesn't even seem like that some of these idols want to be acting, but they are just pushed to it, like a checkbox of what they now must do (that's sad).
Anyone deserves a chance, even multiple chances. But the chance should be proportionate to demonstrated acting quality. No one should be leading a drama because of their name/fame, but because of their talent.
Maybe that's a naive wish, but I think ultimately miscasting is dragging the quality of dramas down. Maybe corporations are making more money, but I still would like to see acting as an art where the art is most important, not the money. As much as money needs to be made, I don't think we can lose sight of this thought entirely.
Also: I feel k-drama is increasingly more inclined to pretty-over-talent, while j-drama casts less idols and has greater diversity with actors too (looks matter also but what is beautiful is more open). Tw-drama... I don't get the impression there's that much idol casting, but then in general there seem to be few actors, who seem to be cast again and again, regardless of their talent. It's like they've got a dozen of people and just keep rotating the pairings. Very weird and often mediocre acting from actors.
I can agree with that, to a degree, I mean people should be cast on talent, but I don't think it has to do if they are an idol or not. Yoon Eun Hye started out as an idol actress and rocked it in several dramas, though she unfortunately picked some bad scripts here and there.
But I don't think one single group should be singled out as consistently bad. There are some regular actors I want to sometimes strangle that started out acting too.
And there are actors that can''t cat for the life of them, but ou like them anyway, but just not onscreen.
And there are idol actors that turned out to be fabulous. I had no faith in Go Ara until Reply 1994. Where she rocked that roll--but then she said she was playing someone closer to someone like her.
And TW dramas consistently cast idol actors, but we just don't hear about them that much on websites. For example, Rainie Yang is an idol Actor. I wouldn't say she's that great of an actress, but I thought Ella was a really good actress. Ella showed a range of characters she played from boyish, boyish rather than cute boyish to sometimes awkward.
Arron Yan is also made into an idol actor. Jiro Wang was made into an idol actor. (ISWAK). And a few of the roles went to idol actors.
The thing about art is that you need an audience to make it. This means art needs money, and it also needs an audience. People think one is exclusive of each other, but I don't think it's that way. Talent and money are separate things, but art and money aren't. You need both talent and money to make art.
I am kinda enjoying that marrigae not dating isn't recaped. Why? Because it's one show where I don't get tempted to read the recap rather than watch the episode. That's what I get for not being a spoilorphobe and recapts come out faster than subs in my time zone.
I really agree with you on the Idol hate. Hating someone being cased in something just because they also are an idol doesn't seem right. Everyone have to begin somewhere, and there are certainly famous actors that, lets be fair isn't really the best at acting either. Hating on one group is not fair.
I was not overjoyed at the prospect of Yoona as Nodame, cause I didn't think she'd fit that role. However I have nothing against her, and though she nailed and did a good job in Priminister and I. And I want her to act again.
Agreeing with you. Definitely liked her in Prime Minister and I, would watch her again, but Nodame was not her role. I did not dislike her in the role of nodame because she was an idol elite chosen by SM. I disliked her in the role because I knew she couldn't act it. Nodame is one of those mind-bogglingly difficult roles.
Yay for Nobunaga no Chef 2. Looking forward to Natsu, Ken and Kaede. Where else can you find a leather hot pants clad ninja girl?
Idols and acting. It's not anything new, Elvis, anyone ?
Who are the idol actors & actresses that get the most grief?
Most people like seeing pretty faces, it's just the way we are wired , so I can't blame the agencies for trying to promote their clients.
Yoon Doo-Joon did a fantastic job in Let's Eat. Would I cast him in a melo drama as the main lead for his next role? Probably not.
What makes an idol flop ? Are they really out of their element by acting? Seasoned actors have duds that are best forgotten too. Crappy plots, horrible scripts and miscasting will make anyone look bad..
With the right coaching and right part for their ability, most will likely be palatable.
With any luck casting idols as actors will occasionally give us a gem that otherwise would have been overlooked or untapped.
Summer’s in full roar with 100 degrees all week long, although I am not complaining – I love the sun and heat.
Trot Lovers – it’s been a while since I’ve been in love equally with the first and second male leads. Eun-ji is adorable, too ~ how will our love triangle work out without even more hurt hearts?
Fated to Love You – there were so many yummy moments mixed in with the complicated relationship in the last episode – why did the runaway shower head scene make me laugh so hard? And then the one-of-a-kind-baby-clothes class, that was precious beyond words. I’m goo goo eyes over Gan. The laugh and the head back, shoulders squared downward stare CEO style – Jang Hyuk does that best. But wait, second lead Daniel, Really? How about other first lead.
Monster (movie) with Lee Min-ki – slated as a thriller, but in my book it borders on horror. It was crazy of me to watch it at midnight. Those eyes. Cold to the depths of hell.
High School Love On is magical.
Temptation – An interesting setup in the first two episodes. Although I’m not sure why Seok-hoon decided to buy Se-young’s time in the end – 3 hrs for $3 -
Jdrama Wacamonotachi – Adult Sibling Chaos works too. What a super powerful cast, I am blown away by the acting. The boxing ring – augh! The Virgin. The return of the second son (Eita). The camcorder message. Ginger pork. The siblings’ discussion about apologies. The lines:
“I don’t’ need a surprise so bad for my heart.’
“Infidelity is unacceptable. No one will be happy.”
“Many ideas and emotions that you can’t measure with your tiny ruler whirl around in this world.”
This drama is my go juice.
Check out my ongoing posts for Korean Lessons – FT Island’s Hangul Live, Roommate comments and ratings, and kdrama fan art at http://www.cimiart.wordpress.com
Thanks, db recappers, you keep us happily updated and feed our kdramaddiction. That’s not easy to do!
Wakamono Tachi... one solid, quality drama. Very real.
That cast... that cast! Even half of that acting quality in other dramas would suffice to make many productions a gazillion times better than they are.
Hmm, I might try to venture into Jdorama again. The last one I watched eons ago was Freeter Buys a House. Does Wakamono Tachi focus more on relationship between siblings rather than romantic love?
Only 2 episodes in, but there's plenty of both. I think the siblings' relationships is primary, though. There isn't a dull or wasted moment, great acting - so richly done.
There are romantic relationships, but the drama isn't about the romance. It is about relationships between people and especially family bonds - through good and bad times.
Anyone think we might get romantic development between Emoto and Hashimoto instead of Hashimoto and Nomura? Or is Hashimoto's character underage?
I’m not sure why Seok-hoon decided to buy Se-young’s time in the end – 3 hrs for $3 –
My take is, he wanted to make himself equal to her. Just like she had bought him, making him thus an inferior, he wanted, at least symbolically, do the same thing to her. To make himself feel better or make her reflect.
My other thought is, he had little to lose, so why not try it?
Hi kopytko ` Also, he didn't want to leave on the last day with "Just go." He wanted to earn his money. Since his wife hung up on him and Se-young commented that no woman would understand the situation, he was not so anxious to head back home.
With their past, your comment that he wanted to be equal makes sense.
By the way, the "no woman would understand" part irks me. I dislike how being a woman makes one petty or narrow minded, jealous person in the dramas I've been seeing lately. Any time I see "I am a woman too!" I cringe. But maybe it's due to my absolute lack of personal experience...
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1 ocommon
July 18, 2014 at 6:13 AM
Happy Friday to all! :D
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p_d
July 18, 2014 at 7:16 AM
Happy Friday to you too!
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2 alua
July 18, 2014 at 6:15 AM
Yesterday was an awfully depressing day.
Friend of mine posted this poem on FB, which is about as much reflection I can handle today.
“So long as that woman from the Rijksmuseum
in painted quiet and concentration
keeps pouring milk day after day
from the pitcher to the bowl
the World hasn’t earned
the world’s end.”
—
"Vermeer" by Wislawa Szymborska, Nobel prize laureate (1996).
"Happy Friday" feels a bit off, so all I can say is everyone take good care of yourselves & loved ones.
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TS
July 18, 2014 at 6:21 AM
Omo, I forgot what happened!
So, so upsetting.
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 6:31 AM
I keep getting sucked into the live updates on the Guardian... plus, I follow a couple of reporters on Twitter (including a high school classmate that used to report from Russia for 5 years) so I can't get it out of my head. Specially now that some profiles of victims have been appearing. That family where the grandpa took the three kids back to Australia so they would make it in time for school, while their parents stayed for a few extra days in Holland. Can you imagine the feeling of the parents? Heartbreaking.
Sigh.
Plus the Mideast.
My faith in humanity is pretty close to zero at the moment...
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 6:40 AM
omg alua hang in there. I am just screaming silently inside my head and just want to smash the whole world to pieces. I cant beleive. the new level of absolute evil. but what angers me most is that it was done by IDIOTS who didnt even know what they were shooting at. the ones being supported by Putins´Russia are morons, low criminals with no strategy, no intelligence. they got some radars from their d***head friend, and just start shooting wherever. what next? just launching them hewre and there? what if next they think, he, lets destroy Berlin? London? no one will ever punsih us and Putin will push the blame on Ukraine. gosh. if I got my hands on the people behind this I would just strangle them with my bare hands. seriously.
I am about to explode. I can´t take it.
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Enz
July 18, 2014 at 7:27 AM
I was just so so sad when i woke up to the news. And i remembered you, redfox, talking about putin here.
Madness elsewhere affecting people all around the world.
Coming so soon after MH 370, our country really feels traumatised by this new disaster.
alua
July 18, 2014 at 7:28 AM
I don't think strangling anyone would help though. Then you just get the Mideast. 3 boys dead. 1 burned. A civilian who brings food killed. 4 children by a missile on the beach. (I'm not keeping count and I don't care about the nationalities. I think it's all senseless. This is as much I'll say since it's such a terribly sensitive topic.)
:-/
redfox
July 18, 2014 at 8:14 AM
yeah, I know, alua. I know it wont solve anything. but I cants stand lies, injustice, twisting of truth, I hate cowards who push their mistakes on others, political games when all they should be doing is cry for all of them.
I am gonna go pick blackcurrants.
gosh I dunno how we can...
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 18, 2014 at 1:53 PM
Redfox, you were the first person I thought of when I heard of MH17. Alua, I've been at the Guardian too. The news is staggering. I don't want to say more, just I'm sad and worried.
Watching Fated to Love You.
Glossika Mass Sentences released their Korean Fluency series this week. Plan is to listen/speak/write sentences over the next 8 months. The start of a new daily habit.
TS
July 18, 2014 at 6:53 AM
Yikes, I can't imagine at all.
I hope all the airlines change their routes now.
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shukmeister
July 18, 2014 at 6:25 AM
Alua -
{{ hugs }}
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 6:44 AM
Oh yes I just saw! That's what I get for being all outdated on news here in china. Such a bad thing and devestaed for the people involved. hope they figure out what happened quickly just to get an answer.
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korfan
July 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM
alua -
There's certainly a lot of disheartening news lately ...... every piece of news either more sad or tragic than the one before.
Feeling sad is understandable.
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Quiet Thought
July 19, 2014 at 3:51 PM
Our condolences from the next continent over. We only had one person on board, poor soul.
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3 soprection
July 18, 2014 at 6:17 AM
Hi beanies! Happy weekend.
So let’s talk about Marriage Not Dating! (This will be long.)
I’m really enjoying it! I laughed SO hard at episodes 3 and 4 (more so than I've laughed at a drama ever, I think) from KiTae handing JangMi He’s Just Not That Into You when she wondered why Jinwoon’s character was so hot and cold with her (she could really use that book!) to KiTae crashing their date to JangMi’s victory dance when she finished the jeon to her beating KiTae with a fish. I know a lot of people had issues with Jang Mi’s character because she can certainly go overboard (sneaking over to the restaurant to look for YeoReum– seriously, girlfriend needs to chill) and I do think that at times, she is played a bit broadly like when she walked into KiTae’s apartment and immediately jumped from thing to thing like a child but strangely enough, I don’t find her annoying. I cringe at times at the things she does and says but I don’t think she’s shallow or an airhead which is how I expected them to play her character and I think she’s got some great redeeming factors like she cares a lot about people and she’s earnest and she’s honest. Of course, she usually goes too far with all of those things but we all have our faults.
I also love that she and KiTae are pretty much diametrically opposed when it comes to relationships. I usually have a hard time getting into the main pairing but I love that they both call each other out on their flaws and their banter is so quick, hysterical and brutally honest. You can really see how they can eventually help each other find a middle ground where KiTae isn’t so aloof and guarded and JangMi doesn’t throw herself so completely into her relationships and obsess over her latest paramour. KiTae can definitely be harsh and jerky towards her (although he’s like that with everyone) but I can relate to his character in terms of being very guarded and having your hackles raise when someone gets too close so I can see what motivates his actions even if I don’t agree with them. (He really needs to be nicer to JangMi.) I do wonder how the show plans to have his family eventually accept JangMi now that so much damage has already been done. I loved JangMi calling out Kitae and his family for their rudeness and disregard and Kitae’s mother for her martyrdom (even though it was crazy rude) but I really felt that she went too far bringing the infidelity into it. Some things just need to be left off the table. (Also how does she not realize that everyone in the immediate family around knew?! This is how rich Korean drama families work! The patriarch steps out on his wife all the time and she just deals with it.) I also liked Kitae realizing that the way he treats people is not that different from his mother when he sees how her scolding of JangMi mirrors his own. Also did you notice him following Jang Mi just the way his family does to him? Apple, tree, folks.
And finally, why does KiTae claim to be financially...
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 6:23 AM
...continued:
Honestly I don’t know what to think about YeoReum and HyunHee. Do they really like the people that they’re making moves on? HyunHee seems more like a frienemy and she kind of seems like a golddigger since she only became interested in Hoon Dong when she found out he was rich - but then she stood up for Jang Mi to Hoon Dong at the club so I don’t know. I also don’t know WHY JangMi thinks it’s a good idea to start dating YeoReum when KiTae’s family is so crazy and stalker-y. I know she expected the ruse to end soon but couldn’t she have waited a few days until things were officially over between them before she jumped into a relationship with him?
And finally, why does KiTae claim to be financially dependent on his family when he’s a successful plastic surgeon with his own hospital? He should be rolling in dough – and yet his apartment is still under his (estranged) mother’s name? Why? It really confuses me. KiTae’s apartment is so gorgeous, by the way. I would fight tooth and nail to live in a place like that too. Also SeAh said something about how she and KiTae were married? Or engaged, maybe? Definitely want to hear more about that as well.
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Because of Reasons
July 18, 2014 at 7:19 AM
Marriage, not Dating! I love that show so much I can't even tell you. I think it's so great. If you're on Tumblr, you should follow the Marriage, Not Dating tag -- so many people are writing wonderful, funny, thought-provoking things about that show.
Among the many things I love about it are exactly the questions you've posed about the secondary characters. I like that we're not sure what their motivations are, or how they relate to the main characters, if they're nice or not nice. I like the ambiguity, and the way we are left curious about who these people are and what they're up to and how they fit in the story, instead of everyone's character and role being spelled out clearly from the start.
As for Gi Tae and the situation with his family. I don't think he's financially dependent on his family generally, just with regards to the apartment. It seems from one of the flashbacks we've seen that it's the home he grew up in? I think his parents own the apartment or the lease or whatever, and no matter how much money he has he can't make his mother sell it to him if she doesn't want to. And she obviously doesn't want to, because it's probably the last real hold she has over him at this point. Now that you mention it, I bet the end of the story is going to involve some kind of resolution of the apartment issue between Gi Tae and his mom.
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Oh, I used to have a Tumblr but I deleted it about a year ago. I want to hear the funny, insightful things too! I'm happy to hear that people are talking about it though and enjoying it. I think it's so good and laugh out loud funny and I think it subverts a lot of the typical K-drama tropes. Maybe I’ll make a new one for dramas.
I see what you're saying about the secondary characters and I like that too. Everyone seems layered and not like archetypes. It's like "oh, you think YeoReum's just a shameless flirt - but wait, there's more! He's passionate about food and wants to be a chef. He has some connection to SeA. He might genuinely like JangMi!" Just when you think you have the characters figured out, a new layer gets unveiled.
Okay, your entire last paragraph makes total sense. I did notice that flashback of little KiTae in the same bed so it does appear to be his childhood home.
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windsun33
July 18, 2014 at 7:25 AM
A couple of what would normally be a tired clichés I thought were really funny - like I think this is the first drama I have seen where the girl gives the guy a piggyback ride.
In some parts it seems like this drama is a cliché on clichés (if that make sense), as it takes some all too common ones and turns them around.
Right now this is only one of the two k-dramas that I am watching, the other is Fated to Love You. (Also watching Love On, but that is Fridays only). Pretty much totally dropped all others.
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 8:29 AM
Haha, same about the piggyback. I love that JangMi's no shrinking violet. She also grabbed his wrist and dragged him outside when he crashed her date with YeoReum. (Not that the wrist grab is something I want to see more of, but it's definitely the first time I've ever seen a girl do it.)
I really think that the show is doing that on purpose. Even with the characters - they could all easily devolve into classic K-drama roles (the overbearing mother, the mean ex girlfriend, the jerky male lead) but they're doing a good job of humanising them so that we see their good sides as well as their faults. It's one of the reasons that I like JangMi and KiTae's rapport - he's so blinded by his issues with his mother that he can't see that she isn't all bad and she does mean well in her own misguided way but JangMi has no qualms pointing that out to him.
It makes me wonder how much input TvN has in the scripts for their shows because I kind of saw that happening in Witch's Romance as well. Not to say that it didn't occasionally fall prey to cliches but generally they seemed to be trying hard to show something different. The main couple in Witch's Romance had really open, honest conversations with each other and cleared up misunderstandings so quickly. And their parents were generally nice and considerate and actually cared about their kids! It was like things were upside down.
I'm only watching this show right now but I might give Fated to Love You a try, although I wasn't a fan of the original. People seem to have a lot of good to say about this one.
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 9:14 AM
I think there've been a fair few dramas where the girl-piggybacks-the-guy.
Coffee Prince I think? Though that was gender-inverted. Not sure if there have been any with girl-girl piggybacking guy-guy.
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windsun33
July 18, 2014 at 2:45 PM
I vaguely recall a couple where she *tried* to, but only got a few feet and/or made a big deal of it.
What made this one different is that she made it look like it was something she did all the time - she just casually picked him up and took off.
snow
July 18, 2014 at 8:25 AM
I'm totally in love with Marriage Not Dating and Yeon Woo Jin ♥
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 9:37 AM
I wasn't familiar with Yeon Woo Jin before watching the show but he is really growing on me. He's also very good-looking in an understated way.
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Chandler
July 18, 2014 at 10:46 AM
I've been a fan of Yeon Woo Jin for a while, having adored him in Ojakkyo Bros., but I was never attracted to him on a personal level. In this though...there is just something he's doing or maybe it's the character, who knows, but it is WORKING. I am smitten.
snow
July 18, 2014 at 12:40 PM
Same here....I hadn't seen any of his shows before MND but he is so winning here....
Chandler
July 18, 2014 at 10:41 AM
I'm loving Marriage, Not Dating!!! I'm loving it so much that I'm watching it instead of posting an open thread response this week LOL!
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dalia
July 18, 2014 at 1:38 PM
I LOVE MARRIAGE, NOT DATING!!
I am so surprised how much i like it too. i wasn't expecting it. but i am truly addicted. it's the one dramai am watching that i look forward to the most every week!!!
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a_diva
July 18, 2014 at 7:32 AM
Glad to hear this show is funny. I saw an ad for the show somewhere & liked the title & thought the plot summary sounded interesting. I've been meaning to check it out ever since but there's so many dramas & so little time. I'll def add it to the watch list now though!
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 8:56 AM
I definitely recommend it. It airs over the weekends and I think it's a perfect weekend show - very light and funny and a little silly and odd.
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4 zakin89
July 18, 2014 at 6:18 AM
Happy OT
OMG GERMANY DID IT =) I was ecstatic and mom and I screamed on top of our lungs when Götze scored^^ The cup stays in Europe and all is well =) I am just so glad they won bc they ARE a team! And there was so much cute after the ceremony with the kids of Klose, Podolski etc… Highlight: Podolski playing with his son in the empty stadium and the remaining German fans cheering for his son <3
Trot Lovers: Soo In and her mom can go to hell! Geun Woo you adorable thing you I’m sorry to say it but you don’t stand a chance against Joon Hyun. I hate the noble idiot route JH is going BUT all hope is not lost! It’ll just show Chun Hee how much she needs him and that she likes him too! But JH I need a word with you… You can’t just break up the adorable makeshift family you created! Just not cool! Drama continues to rock and it gets me right in the heart =) And whenever Eunji sings I’m cutting onions :P
HS King: Oh what a nice cliff-hanger at the end of ep 10!
My heart bleeds for Jin Woo and as assy he behaved towards Min Suk and Soo Young I just want to hug him and give him the affection he so clearly needs! JW is a really interesting character and I’m totally rooting for him though he does things that make it not so easy.
YAAS: I’m gonna miss them so much =( But THANK YOU for busting Yoo Moon Bae! I was screaming at my screen in the last episode whenever he was there -.-
That kiss of Soo Sun and Dae Gu though *rawr*
Joseon Gunman: MOAR! Lee Jun Ki in his gunman clothes is just… unbelievably hot! Also he is very, very pretty! But other than that I like that tensions are running high and I can’t wait for the next episodes =)
Marriage not Dating: This keeps getting better and better! With Gunman my new crack =) Han Groo is AWESOME and her drunk Nemo bit was amazingly hilarious :D And can I just say again how much I love Ki Tae’s grandma! Getting drunk on makgeolli and then sleeping it off at the hospital^^ Let the fun continue!
FTLY: So insane I love it^^ Jang Nara must be the most adorable woman in the whole wide world and you can just root for her character! (I love those glasses)
And can I just say that I was fully expecting Geon to belt out ‘Creep’ when he was singing!^^
High School Love On: ADORABLE! Kim Sae Ron rocks! I just hope they don’t go too much love line and more oppa-dongsaeng bc that would make it more comfortable to watch but we’ll have to see.
Variety:
RM: Oh Ryu Seung Soo you adorable ahjussi :D A nice episode with much cast interaction and bickering and I love it when the guests just blend in like RSS does! You can see that they are on really good terms with each other which makes it seem like he’s been part of he cast for a long time!
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 6:55 AM
Marriage not dating: The granma is hillarious. Think I've enjoyed her in all things I've seen her in.
RM: Ep 204 was a good one indeed. Loved RSS on it as well. Also loved how the 4th wall was broken in the begining with them ruining each others "entry" into the mirror.
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windsun33
July 18, 2014 at 7:26 AM
LOL - I almost died at the drunk Nemo scene, almost wondered if she was really going to toss into the fry pan. :D
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Athena
July 18, 2014 at 8:22 AM
This is my first time commenting on an OT, but I really had to see if someone posted about the HSKS ciffhanger.
Fuck. That was my reaction because not only is THE cat out of the bag, but they ALL just jumped out like a catsunami. I was thinking that this show has too many secrets where half the people don't know the connection with the other half and I always thought the second half of the show would be all about revealing them one by one. But THIS. Wow.
And the other office romance. I was like no, don't be the jerk who force-kisses the girl, but then she jumped his bones right after and I did a spit take.
Oh, and like you said, I don't hate JW per se, that dude comes with his own set of problems, but I do not in anyway like his frigging coping mechanism and in no way does he deserve Soo Young after his asshole-ry.
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Jig
July 18, 2014 at 11:01 AM
I had the same reaction to JW. I wouldn't want to forgive anyone who force kisses anyone, BUT I do see how he would with all his problems and that I can see how he will regret and maybe redeem himself down the road.
I am still not really on board with the leads' romance. I Hear Your Voice got me on board with noona romances, but I still don't quite buy it in this show. I'm not too worried about the cliffhanger in Ep. 10 because in the first episode we see that Soo Young is obviously okay with the double identity and helping him manage it. It is just a matter of whether their romance lasts because of it, which again I'm not all that invested in in the first place, and how long it takes for her to be okay with it.
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owl
July 18, 2014 at 11:40 AM
Not to mention the reveal that Hubby Lee and Office Romance Man is the same guy for two sisters. Nothing is harder to resolve than that.
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Jig
July 19, 2014 at 10:06 AM
I have faith in their relationship and the writers that it won't go too melodramatic in resolving that problem. If they were to be rational (I know that doesn't really coincide with kdramas but I have hope), neither could have possibly known that the guy is the same and can't blame each other. I can see them get mad at him more than each other but that might not make for interesting television...
windsun33
July 18, 2014 at 2:49 PM
LOL @ "catsunami" - and it fits perfectly. Like, "screw just letting the cat out of the bag, lets go for a whole freaking herd of cats".
I think what I am loving about this show is how it is turning so many of the standard k-drama tropes and clichés backwards - and after seeing so many, I think that is their intention - a way to insert a little sarcasm into the whole genre of k-dramas.
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pogo
July 18, 2014 at 1:16 PM
I was rooting for Germany to win - they're a great young team, lovely individuals, and have been so good for the last 6 years, it's good to see their efforts rewarded with such success even if I remain a Spain supporter (La Roja will rise again, yes they will). Congratulations to them and all their fans!
(and as Korean netizens call him, Basti-hyung really went all out for his team, even shed blood to get this cup)
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zakin89
July 18, 2014 at 2:00 PM
Yeah it all started with Klinsmann and Löw did an amazing job afterwards. Not to mention that yes they are great individual players but they just work really well as a team! And their tweets showed that they had a good time =)
I felt so bad for Spain! You know I'm always rooting for the European teams (+ Korea^^) so it's sad to see them eliminated so early but Spain... Oh my they were not themselves this tournament... Casillas (one of my most favourite goalies) was a mess in the match against Holland -.- It was painful to watch but as you said they will rise again :)
Really?! Basti-hyung? That's adorable^^ I felt so bad for him in the final :( But what a great fighting spirit =)
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pogo
July 18, 2014 at 2:14 PM
I was almost in tears during the Spain-Chile match, it was awful to see him brought so low - I've always had a soft spot for goalies from the days of Fabien Barthez, and Iker was and is one of my favourites of all time. I just hope his career does not take a permanent blow from this, and that the team gets new blood.
And yeah, they call him Basti-hyung, it's too cute! Though I guess since I'm a girl, it should be Basti-oppa, he really took a major beating in the final. But he's too, too cute.
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5 shukmeister
July 18, 2014 at 6:19 AM
Happy Friday, everyone!
I am still on my lakhorn kick, having finished Sanaeha Sunya Kaen. Not the greatest one by any means, but it wasn’t bad.
The happiest note is that I actually am completely caught up with SqueeCapping Fall In Love With (Both Of) Me. I think it’s the first time I managed to post before the next episode! I blame it on the fact that finally we are doing something more than moping and sighing and looking thoughtful. True, the Li family is still a bunch of psycho rich people, but I’m still hoping for a Meteorite Of Doom onto their house.
I also marathoned HSK this week, finishing all 10 episodes in 3 days. Ah, SIG, you are doing a bang-up job, with your expressions and body language. But….will I be beaten if I hope that Jin-woo and Soo-young end up together? Min-seok is a pretty confident stand-alone guy, but I can see how the other two’s internal wounds can be healed by each other. But I don’t want our young executive hockey player with Stalker either.
Joseon Gunman. [sigh]. This one has me glued to my monitor. Sadly, I have not watched ep 8 yet (darn that work/real life!), but I feel bad for his enforced isolation. True, he is a wanted treasonous criminal, but his bangs are so cute! And I’m glad he can confide in at least one other chingu, who is loyal if not the brightest lantern.
Rounding out the rest of my watches: Love Myself Or You as my other TWDrama (thumbs up for the food porn and the likeable characters), Roommate (yes I am lusting after Mama Shin, but with all due respect, he’s at least within a decade of my age ;-) ), Dok Ruk Rim Tang (a lakhorn about a girl who disguises herself as a boy and gets a job on her late father’s estate to find the missing will), and The Night Shift, in case I forget my own language. I still have yet to watch more than a smidgen of Trot Lovers, MND, or YAAS, which finished this week.
Previously, I polled everybody about their eating habits when it comes to a green-based salad. The responses were interesting when looked at from a global point of view. I have another one this week: What do you use as your primary starch? When I cook for myself, my primary meal is usually brown rice (mixed veggies, and mostly beef for my protein). My NYC-raised Italian mom almost always has pasta or noodles, along with that after-meal salad. :-) I imagine other people might use potatoes, or beans, or something. What do you use, if anything?
Anyway, it’s another platelet donation day, as well as a meet-up dinner day for me and another KDrama nut for soondae and bibimbap.
Take care, everyone!
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 6:22 AM
The primary starch for my family is rice, although I'm not eating it right now cause I'm on a diet. Potatoes would be the second most common. Wheat is a starch too, right? Well, if so, we eat a lot of bread also ha.
Enjoy your soondae and bibimbap.
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shukmeister
July 18, 2014 at 6:29 AM
Soprection -
Thanks for the response! And, yes, bread is a starch too. Lol
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zakin89
July 18, 2014 at 6:45 AM
Oh that starch question is a really interesting one!
As for me (I'm Austrian btw) it has changed over the years. My family would eat a lot of noodles/pasta but little rice. Potatoes (also used to make dough for various dishes) and bread are also very common and I love them =) I especially love to bake my own bread ;)
But ever since I discovered my love for all things Korean we eat a lot of rice! I blame Bibimbap and Kimbap for that :P We try to eat more pasta again though bc we still have a lot of noodles in our storage room^^
But all that aside we do eat all kinds of starchy food without preferential treatment. Right now I'd say we have more potatoes and noodles than rice.
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kat
July 18, 2014 at 6:50 AM
my main starch is definitely rice. we alternate between types though: white jasmine, brown rice, or basmati. quinoa too.
pasta, noodles, potatoes and bread are a constant as well. :)
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Kat
July 18, 2014 at 6:52 AM
oh, forgot to mention. i'm from australia with an asian (filipino) background.
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korfan
July 18, 2014 at 6:54 AM
Shukmeister -
Let's see, regarding the starch question, I have to say it's a pretty even mix of everything you mentioned! ...... It's all yummy!
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 6:59 AM
Main starch: Traditionally in Norway its potatoes. Followed by pasta and rice. Personally I'd use rice more than potatoes, cause I just don't like them much. My family uses all of them, though brown rather than white rice. My grandma though pretty much only uses potatoes. Personally I use pasta more, but can also have dinners where I just cut out the starch all together.
While being in china we sometimes get double up for lunch time meals. There will be rice, and then a heavily potato filled course.
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kanz
July 18, 2014 at 7:08 AM
My main starch is definitely rice. But I really love noodles and all sorts of pasta. I could eat them everyday. Hahaha
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 7:13 AM
potatoes give me a stomach ache. I eat rye bread, but not a lot. then buckwheat, which doesnt have much starch I think. less rice. oatmeal flour is one. but I eat more protein rich than starchy food. I use pea and coconut flour, almond flour etc
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Mystique
July 18, 2014 at 7:14 AM
In my family (Ukrainian), the primary starch is potatoes and bread (lots of them), rice would be a close third.
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kopytko
July 18, 2014 at 7:21 AM
Hi Shuk!
As I mentioned in your last poll, we have potatoes as an important part of dinner. My family replaces them with buckwheat or barley. We hardly ever have rice (maybe about 2-3 times a year). Noodles for dinner are my brother's favourite, so we have penne noodles when he visits home, but neither me nor my dad consider it "real"food. Empty carbohydrates, make us get hungry soon again. But my mom can't say no to her sons request, plus it's super quick and easy to prepare.
For other meals we have bread, but the one made from rye flour rather than of wheat flour. It is much tastier and healthier. My personal favourite is dark Lithuanian rye bread, but I also adore our local variety. And it is the reason why I haven't watched Baker King (and never will) - there is a Baker Queen, her name is Maria and she's been baking bread in our town for over 50 years.
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Tara
July 18, 2014 at 1:49 PM
I laughed at your comment about not watching Baker King because of your Baker Queen ;P I watched it solely to learn baking (hahaha--who knew it would be a makjang-fest?? I didn't, seriously!). But what's even funnier is that I actually started baking off of what they did on the drama anyway...because I actually cook better off of watching someone and going through the motions. There was a time when I was baking bread every single day...in 90+ degree heat -.-
Alas, I live in an area where its not common to find a true bakery (everything's prepackaged or premanufactured, so nothing from scratch) so you're very lucky to live near a bakery with such a skilled craftsman/artist baking fresh bread :)
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kopytko
July 18, 2014 at 2:31 PM
It may seem absurd, but I have a hard time whenever I am abroad for longer and there is only something called bread, but obviously it is cotton wool - no taste, no texture, no nutritious value. As far as I know, bakeries in Korea go for that kind of bread - soft, tasteless, chemical. I couldn't take it seriously or even suspend my disbelief, it's like someone is working hard but towards a wrong goal.
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Tara
July 18, 2014 at 5:13 PM
I think I know what you mean about those types of so-called "bread," I loathe those. I don't like my bread with that soft mealy texture--bread's gotta have some chew!!--and definitely not filled or simply be the tasteless vehicle for the filling!
But living in the 'burbs and nowhere near an artisan bakery, I suppose I'm doomed from having decent bread -.-
redfox
July 18, 2014 at 11:29 PM
kopytko, so true! for estonians it is really hard to go to some parts of France or USA, even though in a few parts of western and southern Europe there is sourdough bread as well, but not actual rye. I like Latvian fruit bread. But I make it just as well myself. I have been baking from my original starter for 9 years and I only buy from a few other bakers, when I am out of town.
I always say that white fluff some call bread tastes like that stuff you use when you install windows.
bread = leib, hleb
the white fluff = sai or in russian bulka
owl
July 18, 2014 at 9:07 AM
hmmm, starch. My least favorite is potatoes.
I'm Italian too, so pasta was a given for many years. I am partial to angel hair. But I think these days my #1 starch is rice - all varieties. I have replaced bread/tortillas with lettuce for wraps, so bread is low on the list. Plus there are no good bakeries in town and I don't make bread.
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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan
July 18, 2014 at 10:08 AM
In my family, we're from Nigeria, we use Cassava as a main source of starch in many different variations. We make it into flakes (which we call garri) or powder (which we call fufu) there's also different ways to make it into powder depending on what you want as the finished product (you can get either lafun or amala as well from Cassava powder). Cooking Cassava itself is kinda bitter so we don't do that. We also have rice a lot.
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pogo
July 18, 2014 at 1:19 PM
main starch: for me, it's rice - usually brown rice. I occasionally eat bread and noodles/pasta and love them, but for a default meal option it's always rice. (cultural reasons too, I guess)
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Tara
July 18, 2014 at 1:53 PM
I'm Korean, but born in the US and the only one in the family that's been accustomed to American tastes from since a toddler, haha. My family's primary source of starch is rice, my mom loves her noodles though (any kind - but especially rice and buckwheat).
My main source of starch is potatoes...so much so that I'm considered a potato monster! ;P haha. Up until a year ago, bread (any type) was my secondary source...as well as pasta. Been steering clear of them since I'm watching what I eat...and I've cut down on potatoes as well. Sweet potatoes (especially the Korean goguma and Okinawan purple) are my two faves.
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vanillasalt
July 18, 2014 at 3:52 PM
O.M.G!! Don't even mention Fall in love with Me it's so frusturating right now, it gets me annoyed! Literally Huan Huan and her family are dim-witted shit heads. I'm astounded with the way they treat Lu Tian Xing, they treat him like an object as if he were some doll with no affections. In the last couple episodes it was rreally frusturating to watch TLS bc she literally would just stand there and not do anything like no STOP CRYING GO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT JFC! And huan huan and lance are little bitches i hate them.
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Jill
July 18, 2014 at 5:27 PM
I'm Italian-American so we eat a ton of pasta in our family. I love a warm crusty loaf of french bread right out of the oven too. I find my rice intake has gone up astronomically since my discovery of Korean dramas.
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6 Manin
July 18, 2014 at 6:19 AM
Happy friday beanies!! Thanks to all who answered my question in name that drama.
My work has changed my time table again along with a lot of other things (so no new toddler stories this week). Starting o get nervouse about going to japan on my own on tuesday. Looking forward to it though.
This week has also ben taken over by watching the ninja warrior competition. Very addictive show. Though our assistant now assume thats all me and the good housemate do in the office.
Dramaland:
Marriage not love: still enjoying it. Not to keen on the ex though.
Highschool angel (or what the name was ): cute beginning. Think this one could be enjoyable. Just keep it cute and light.
Monster (with lee min ki) not watched all the way yet but liking it. Also min ki os damn creepy in this.
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 6:45 AM
Just saw the horrible new about the plan as well. Terrible that something like that could happen. My thoughts go out to all of the families.
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korfan
July 18, 2014 at 7:05 AM
Manin -
How are you?
Your trip to Japan sounds exciting! So much to see and enjoy!
This week I saw two travel shows ..... one was about Kyoto, Japan and the second one was about Norway! The guide went to Balestrand and Bergen. ...... Both were informative and they showed lovely areas of both countries.
Ninja warrior competition - Ha! I don't think I've ever heard of that. I've heard of exhibitions, but not competitions. ....... Is this a team thing or individuals competing against each other?
Have a great trip to Japan!
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 7:55 AM
Korfan:
I'm good. A little stressed, but good. How are you?
Oh sounds cool. I'm going to Kyoto for a couple of days! I've never been to Bergen myself though haha, glad you enjoyed the show.
Ninja warrior: It's basically a japanese game show/strength competition. They are individuals competing to complete this very very excruciating course with 4 stages. It's addicting (hence me and the housemate watching it every chance we get). You can find it on youtube. It's not really anything to do with ninjas though :p
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owl
July 18, 2014 at 8:24 AM
Monster - Dark. Cold. Chilling.
Min-ki's eyes could kill.
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 9:58 AM
The look in his eye is terrifying. And the contrast between him and his brother. You just know that this is a dangerous guy, killings aside. The kid is doing a good job too I think.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 18, 2014 at 9:44 AM
Have fun on your trip to Japan! Don't be too nervous.
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 10:01 AM
I'll try! I hate going anywhere by myself, at least the first time as I get paranoid. Had a nightmare trying to get to my trian tickets as the first person refunded my reservation instead of giving me them, so had to re buy them. Hurray for panic.
I'm sure I'll be fine once I get there. But I'll be paranoid all trip there. And back again.
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merry
July 18, 2014 at 3:45 PM
Manin, hope you still get to read this. When i went to Japan last November, the one thing that helped was the Japan Rail pass. It can only be purchased while you are outside the country. It saved me a lot. went to lots of places too-- nagano, kyoto, osaka, etc. Within Tokyo, you don't need to pay Japan Rail (JR) subway lines, too. Kyoto accommodations are too pricey. found out that if you stay in osaka near the shinkansen rail station (Shin Osaka), it is just 30(?) to kyoto. And with your rail pass, you can actually take overnite train trips and not pay accommodations. Hope you have time to get that rail pass. Japan is the most convenient place to travel alone. Wonderful people. Btw, the bridge in the Tokyo Kiss is in the area named Odaiba.
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 5:27 PM
Ohh, unfortunatly I'm not sure I''ll have time to get that. And my japanese friend has already booked tickets for the shinkansen and hotel for us in Kyoto (which wasn't badly priced)
Yeah I've heard the same. It's not so much travel in Japan that worries me since I have my friend there. It's the travel from my City to Beijing I'm worrying about :p
merry
July 18, 2014 at 8:21 PM
Manin, just know the platforms and stations before hand by asking your colleagues. in Beijing, just don't talk to strangers. Don't accept offers of help if it will bring outside of your comfort zone. Not even offers of tea to practice English and that kind of con.
Mrs.Jang guem suk
July 18, 2014 at 1:11 PM
Get a autograph from Jun masamoto ? lol o have been obsessed with him latel
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pogo
July 18, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Hey Manin! Have a great time in Japan, it's absolutely wonderful there. And do eat lots of delicious food - all the ramen, sushi, crepes and everything, Japan is basically food heaven and you should take advantage of it, whether it's from the convenience stores or the restaurants.
And that reminds me, I should watch Monster too.
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 5:52 PM
I will try and keep that in mind! :D
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7 TS
July 18, 2014 at 6:20 AM
Good morning! Am I first?
So, I dropped almost everything! I'm kinda sorta watching Joseon Gunman, though it's more like a few minutes of watching and then the recap. Also, when I just need something in the background, My Dear Cat. I like the two cousins in it, the one who wants to be a celebrity, and the tough jjang girl who is getting shipped with Sungmin's character. Everybody else, I pretty much ignore.
And I'm watching Flower Grandpas Investigation and Hi School Love On! (So, so cute, both of them.) Looking forward to them both tonight.
Still going through Nodame Cantabile. And I found a japanese drama, Jyuui-san, where the main character is a vet. I'm watching for the puppies. :-)
So, Temptation: is that like that Jang Hyuk money drama?
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 6:50 AM
I started on My dear cat. found it cute but am falling so far behind. I can see how it's a background show though. It's cute but not quite addicting for me.
Flower Grandpa's How is this show going? I fell off due to work and some other stuff and just never made it back onto it.
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TS
July 18, 2014 at 8:47 AM
@manin Flower Grandpa is a good show! It gets a bit gross at times, but it's funny, and I love all the actors.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 18, 2014 at 9:46 AM
I've got to get back to My Dear Cat. IT just didn't hold my attention. Right now am trying to catch up with Yoona's Street.
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8 xh
July 18, 2014 at 6:20 AM
Anyone watching Glorious/Feel-Good Day? Thoughts?
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shl71
July 18, 2014 at 8:37 AM
I am! And I'm enjoying it thus far, which is not bad for a weekend drama just hitting the middle.
I think that each character is well fleshed-out (despite being over-the-top, you can see how Mama Seo loves her boys; well maybe I'd draw the line at the irritating ex-husband but the show needs a villain) and pretty well acted, and each storyline is proceeding at a good pace. No dragged-out angst and brooding. Even the noble idiocy on Da-jung's part only lasted 2 episodes. I'm not only invested in the main couple's story, I can't wait to see how the Author Mum and Hotel Uncle's story plays out, as well as everyone else's story. I guess that's good writing, and acting! I hope it keeps up.
I do wonder why the ratings are so low, though. Does the absence of makjang really make that much of a difference?
Are you enjoying it?
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Juno
July 18, 2014 at 5:29 PM
Where can it be watched with Eng subs?
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shl71
July 18, 2014 at 9:38 PM
Hi, Juno,
I believe viki is subbing it but since viki is not available in my country (which I can't understand as the head office is here) I usually watch it at koreandramaonair.
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August
July 18, 2014 at 10:20 PM
Watching Glorious Day (aka Feel-Good Day) mainly for Lee Sang-Woo and Park Se-Young. Always excited whenever their characters Seo Jae-Woo and Jung Da-Jung appear on screen with one another. Because they just have really great chemistry.
It was an absolute delight to watch the 2 episode storyline when Seo Jae-Woo granted Jung Da-Jung's request to relinquish his boyfriend status and just become an Oppa to her. I think the writer did a brilliant job of breaking down and showing the blatant differences and subtle approaches of his character's actions as an Oppa versus as a boyfriend.
My major pet peeves: (1) The way the older sister Jung Da-Ae is styled - from her hair to her clothes. I literally want to facepalm every time she appears on screen dressed in what looks like baby doll clothes, lace ankle socks, and big bow in her hair. (2) The father - is it just the character that's annoying? Is it the actor playing the father? Or is it both?
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Tara
July 19, 2014 at 12:28 PM
I agree with your pet peeve about the oldest sister...it's like she's too old to be wearing clothes like that. Maybe a tween girl, or even a teen girl...but not a woman who's supposed to be the eldest and mature, a teacher (I think?) at that.
I don't know if it's due to the stylist, the actress or even the writer...but it's annoying me too -.-
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9 redfox
July 18, 2014 at 6:26 AM
Sigh.
Oh these dramas. To be honest, I only seriously watch High School King. Been going to cinema instead. I saw On My Way with Catherine Deneuve playing the 62 year old restaurant owner Bettie, who suddenly drives out and goes on an adventure of a lifetime, it was hilarious. And then on an open terrace, with sparrows and ice coffee, I saw My week with Marilyn. Also a great movie and how jealous am I at the brits who just have everything lieing around to make movies with – castles, libraries, cars, pubs, parks, old time clothes etc. You know what.... ah, nothing. Such lucky friggin bastards. The scene with horny teenage Eton college boys stuck in there since the age of 8 and Marilyn just walking in – priceless.
High School Savvy .... oh blast. Oh man. He was going to be honest and all. Oh man. How will it ever be ok now? But I hope it will. Honestly, you all have been praising the sister relationship and Yoo-Ah, but I don´t feel anything about her. I tend to even think the story doesn´t need her. It could just be about the big lie. She doesnt have that drive. Min Seok, poor thing. But since he truly likes Soo Young....can´t they please end up together...DON´T START. Just in the drama. I am not saying real life, ok? But in a FANTASY, can´t they? Let´s not do the „But the age gap is in reality big bla bla bla” well, it is not real, so leave it be. That´s why dramas, books, films and make-believe exists.
Oh, in My week with Marilyn the guy was 23 and she was a little over 30... another noona romance! And in Betty, she was 62 and had a one night stand with a 30-year-old and her 10 year old grandchild Charlie saw her glowing and stuff.... now that was weird. How the hell did I end up picking such movies? Huh? K-drama infected movie preferences? But they were sweet, very human movies. Quietly touching. Not some big action...
Seo In Gook I just want to thank you. With a cake and a good photo book or something, for doing such a good job.
I also want to thank the You Are Surrounded team – especially „Gookie”. Agree with the final recaps´ conclusions. I find that maybe Ahn Jae Hyun gained most as a learning experience from such a great ensemble. Now quickly, do a spin-off with Pan Seok in the village and the weirdest crimes ever. Ok?
Next week is Viljandi Folk Music Festival so I won´t be on the net much. 4 days, 4 nights of concerts and party. I have a master Plan. But not sure if it will help me get to every concert. Can´t wait for the fun, so exited!!! (although I am not 20 any more....but I have been running hills and doing interval so to be fast when moving between concert locations. Still by the 4th morning I´ll probably be really out of it. )
Question: if you could send a present to your favorite star or someone you just want to thank, what would it be? And to whome, at this moment?
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 6:28 AM
I have to mention: the shooting down of Malaysian aircraft above Ukraine. Terribly sad. Why? My deepest condolences to malaisians and dutch people. I just want to share what we´ve been given and I would like to know how the information differs in various parts of the world and their channels.
We here know that a Putin-endoresed terrorists´ phone call was recorded and he was heard (US intelligence had caught the signal) boasting how he shot down a plain – probably from ground – that he thought to be ukrainian military plane. The missiles were a recent „gift” from Putin. Now they are covering evidence, destroying recordings and documents. Russia denies involvement, but British Secret Services have doubts about it being hit by the terrorists´missile and think it was an air-to-air missile from an actual Russian plane. Americans think it was from the ground on Russian side, but from afar. Like 600 miles. How can this be happening in the world? What kind of criminal state are we living next to? I just want them to disappear from this planet. Brutal, cold people. Shooting down a passanger plane? Dear me. And the world does nothing. WW I started from an attack to one person. Now 300 die and nobody gives a shit? Patting Russias´ass, the Merkel B**** being like Ribbentrop, secret pacts with Putin, smothering his scandals etc. What kind of a friggin planet is this? I don´t want to live here any more.
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sebsob
July 18, 2014 at 6:38 AM
"And the world does nothing." Pretty much why I find it hard to tolerate this ugly state of affairs. So much goes on and people seem unfazed - maybe it's a defence mechanism. However media and governments don't help with the constant barrage of trivialities to distract us and keep us diverted.
I try to remind myself of that commonly known story about the boy on the beach picking up starfish because honestly I truly believe that it's come to just trying to help out the best you can.
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM
thats true. in media you see celebrity weight loss, some football reporters boobs, paleo diet and all sort of crap and the real problem spots being like short people on a heavy metal concert waving but getting stomped and crushed under the heavy boots of ignorance.
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sebsob
July 18, 2014 at 8:57 AM
The amount of times I've sighed at what passes for 'headline' news these days is depressing. I'm not sure what people are so scared of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WINDtlPXmmE
This is from the year I was born and yet in nearly four decades nothing has changed. People try to hold on to the little they have because they've fallen into the trap of fear created by the media and its masters, those in power. It's like that saying 'if you've got them by their necks then their heads will follow.'
Still your post sought to bring awareness and that's a huge thing, and don't let anyone belittle that gesture or silence you.
windsun33
July 18, 2014 at 7:35 AM
While it is easy to say "nobody does anything" it is much harder to actually figure what to do.
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Manin
July 18, 2014 at 8:11 AM
That is the trouble. Noone does anything, but at the same time the wrong cause of action can lead to a much bigger problem in a war which we don't want. Its a bad situation all around.
korfan
July 19, 2014 at 10:56 PM
windsun33 & Manin -
Exactly.
Things are also that much more difficult when the available options from which to choose are "the bad option" or "the worse option" ..... regardless of what situation people and/or nations are facing, it seems like nowadays there are no good options on the table.
Marina
July 18, 2014 at 7:51 AM
I've been saying that (what you said in your last sentence) for many years. And it's only going to get worse. We are right in the middle of THIS century conflicts. Think how many people lived through major wars and countless conflicts the last century. Hey, my father still talks about horrors of WWII from a child's perspective, and the pain of waiting for the news from (18 year old at the time) hubby drafted to the last Soviet conflict. Guess what old movie with Catherine Deunuve made me cry every time it's famous theme song was played?
I am not Russian, but Russian is my first language, that is the case for many people from Belarus and Ukraine so I follow their news - it's also part of my job in the US. From what I gathered, the Malaysian plane was hit by a Buk missle system made by Soviets. That unit originally belonged to the Ukrainian army, but was stolen by pro-Russian rebels. The plain was mistaken for a Ukrainian army jet. The place where it happened was suggested as no-fly zone for the US and other international airlines back in May.
It doesn't absolve Russia nor Ukraine from responsibilities that come from engaging in war. Also Malaysian plane shouldn't have been flying where 3 Ukranian army planes were downed just days before, but it did. Poor innocent souls. There are not enough prayers to take away the pain and suffering. Now, watch everyone involved (and it's not just one side) as they try to shift responsibilities and blame the others while politicians from ALL countries take advantage using this tragedy. Oh, the shrill of non-stop coverage for ratings. The call for more weapons and money or to outright start a new war. All I can do for my sanity (kids need me) is to run to my hideout and watch next Kdrama episode. I suggest you turn off the news and do the same. Or go hiking.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 18, 2014 at 9:48 AM
Ah gee, Putin is really just so vicious and cruel.
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MO
July 18, 2014 at 7:14 PM
I'd like to kill those dumbs, but not that I have the power to do it.
My friend is in Amsterdam I think. The last time she replied my e-mail was 15:09 KST time. Now she haven't reply my emails...
Not that other countries are safe either. Indonesia, where I lived, is currently on a pretty tense moment with the election. No. 1 is an ass, one of the people responsible for the outbreak in 1998, and keep on giving out racist comments over Chinese Indonesians. On 22, some feared rumors over a similar outbreak in 1998... and I'm going to China in 26...
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 18, 2014 at 10:14 AM
Am thinking the two BFF's will either watch in horror or will feel compelled to save Min Suk from embarrasment (and Yoo Ah from hurt) by telling Soo Young that this guy is Minsuk, the brother of Hyung Suk. Which would be an obvioius lie because Min Suk has wounds from his battle with Jin Woo. But Soo Young will pretend she was mistaken and leave the school...so her sis won't be hurt. Since Soo Young is very proud of her manners, she will probably want to avoid Min Suk at work. Then maybe Jin Woo will see the difference in their relationship and make a good sane move to get Soo-young back. Much angst ahead as Soo-Young tries to help Min Suk pretend to be his brother but at the same time try to avoid falling afoul of the law by continuing a relationship with a minor. Poor Minsuk. He won't be holding up well.
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D's handphone
July 18, 2014 at 3:50 PM
Hi Carole..
I was thinking of the same thing... i bet he will try to explain but SY will just shut him out. Ughhh heartache... i seriously want them to work out (it's a drama after all).
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 10:57 PM
I think I won´t watch those episodes until I know they´ll be all right. Cause I am so fond of this character already, that his heartbreak is mine. as is Soo Youngs´. I cannot take 3 heartbreaks all at once!
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10 kanz
July 18, 2014 at 6:30 AM
Hello, happy OT beanies!!
Pretty great week for me, passed the exam and now graduated from college (at least on paper).
Currently watching list:
1. Joseon Gunman: still awesome. Although I don't like PYK treatment to his own sister. But of course he has valid reason if he doesn't want to blow up his secrets and revenge plan. I think the show does pretty nicely until now. LJK is a feast to watch.
2. Fated To Love You: this show never fails to make me laugh... HEUHAHAHA... The ep 5 was freaking hilarious and I really like Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra's chemistry. Jang Hyuk is killing it with his Lee Gun and JNR embodies Kim Mi Young well. I never watch the original, but I'm sure many people would love Korean remake. And maybe it's even better than the original.
3. You're All Surrounded: simplistic show with simple plots and characters. Watch it if you already watched the two above. I haven't watch ep 20 yet, but I think overall the show is a letdown. I have high expectations for the show to be funny and great and it delivers neither.
4. KARA Secret Love: It's KARA project in 2013 but just aired last week. I watched Ji Chang Wook part with Park Gyu Ri. Not bad, sometimes funny and JCW really did well in the drama.
Not yet watching other dramas, but planning to catch up Trot Lovers, High School King, and Marriage Not Dating. Also plan to watch It's Okay It's Love, Night Watchman (although still unsure on Yunho), and Three Musketeers.
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Mystique
July 18, 2014 at 6:47 AM
Congratulations on your graduation!!
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kanz
July 18, 2014 at 7:12 AM
Thank you!! ^^
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korfan
July 18, 2014 at 7:09 AM
kanz -
Congratulations on your graduation!
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 8:37 AM
Good for you! Congratulations on your graduation!
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August
July 18, 2014 at 9:26 PM
Congratulations kanz,
Graduating from college is certainly a milestone. Wishing you all the best.
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11 korfan
July 18, 2014 at 6:33 AM
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are all doing well today.
Congratulations to all the Beanies in Deutschland, your team won the World Cup!
Watched this week:
Dr. Stranger - Only watched the first 10 minutes of ep 14., there was no need to watch more than that.
You're All Surrounded - Still enjoying this. Chief Kang is an intriguing character.
Trot Lovers - Geon-woo, you continue to crack me up! ...... and so do the loan sharks!
A New Leaf - The president of the firm, Attorney Cha, is certainly quite interesting.
Joseon Gunman - Occasionally catching a couple of minutes of this here and there. I'll have to catch full eps at a later time.
That's about it for now. Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 6:50 AM
geun Woo, cant figure out. he is confused, still continues with the same manner, steady like he is on a carousel and cant get off. kinda dazed. and I am dazed. and just... you know. but so funny
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korfan
July 18, 2014 at 7:14 AM
redfox -
*laughing* ...... yeah, he does that kinda dazed thing.
I'm still in the first 4 eps and he does come across as being a little dazed or perhaps suffering from momentary lapses of confusion ...... all to comic effect, of course.
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12 Mystique
July 18, 2014 at 6:59 AM
Hello Beanies, Happy OT/ Happy Friday.
Travelled home for a cousin’s wedding, apparently the whole family did too.
Family reunions are mostly fun but sometimes just burdensome what with all the drama. Lol I slightly regret coming home because now my very dramatic mother and sisters and basically everybody keep nagging me about getting married. 2 cousins are engaged, the other expecting, 3 others already with kids, one getting married tomorrow, and another in 2weeks. Now I have people setting me up on blind dates which I absolutely hate with passion, lol and they just don’t care(and told me so).
Having a huge family is a good thing, I have a group of people who support me(mostly) and the bad thing : Everybody is in everybody’s business, I mean deep in everyone’s business.
Dramas:
High school king of savvy : Sh*t abouta hit the fan. i think Soo-young is going to take the news of him been an high school student okay, not at first though and might even break up with him because of that, but she would still be on his side, if the beginning of the first episode was any indication. Hopefully, they don’t drag it out for too long.
Trot Lovers : I didn’t like Joon-Hyun at first, but in the last episode, I realized that I was slowly starting to root for him. I’ve jumped ship, now in the first lead’s ship, and as adorable as Geun-woo’s is, his actions lately just seem I don’t know manipulative? *shrugs*
Fated to love you : My new crack, I just love both leads so much. Lee Gun’s cackling at first irritated my ears so much, Lol this episode I found myself laughing along with him, its grown on me already. Please please, drama gods let this drama continue on its current good path, better yet a better path.
YAAS : It ended well, but a lot of questions were left unanswered. But there is one thing I have never been able to understand, why did boots go after Dae-gu again? and after so many years had passed. Dae-gu was going nowhere with his investigation, boots return only helped to blow the case open, I mean I can’t think of any reason why they couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie except “plot continuance”. And as for Dae-gu’s mother, i absolutely think there was no need to kill her because am pretty sure she wouldn’t have talked about who attacked her. And I never got Assemblyman Yoo’s insistence on having Dae-gu killed.
All in all, it was a good drama, not the best and definitely not bad too. Before it premiered, I was expecting a good dose of comedy and police precint hijinks and all that, but all that got tapered down with the whole “mystery” and whatnot.
Marriage not dating : Still giving this a shot, but the female lead just makes it so hard. That girl Jang-Mi has got to get a hold of herself, there was absolutely no reason to bring up the infidelity thing, it was so not her place to do so, girl knows no boundaries whatsoever. But I did love the way she got down after she was done with the pancakes. Oh! I don’t think that waiter...
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Mystique
July 18, 2014 at 7:18 AM
.............boy is truly interested in her.
On a side note : I introduced my friend to k-dramas, and she isn’t exactly a fan of the rom-com genre, she’s been telling me for weeks now to recommend comedy dramas but I know none. Please if anyone would be so kind as to recommend good comedy dramas I would be really thankful. Thanks in advance.
Have a great fun-filled weekend y’all..
*off to clean my dancing shoes*
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soprection
July 18, 2014 at 8:45 AM
Bad Family! I never finished it, tbf, but what I watched, I liked. There is romance but it focuses more on creating a surrogate family and dealing with past demons than love. I feel like most Korean comedies are rom-coms though so your friend might have a hard time finding shows.
Also this is a rom-com BUT it's a remake of a Japanese drama so it doesn't feel like a typical K-drama, The Man Who Doesn't Want to Marry. It was the first K-drama I finished and I still love it. The male lead is funny and weird and happily socially inept and Uhm Jung Hwa and Yoo Ah-In are also in it.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 18, 2014 at 10:18 AM
Evasive Investigative Agency
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Cocoboo
July 18, 2014 at 12:09 PM
I second this! Good kdrama. ^^
Trying to think of another that's funny, but doesn't involve romance... Tough, can't think of any more atm. LOL
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Chandler
July 18, 2014 at 3:59 PM
YES! Evasive Investigative Agency is probably the only drama I've successfully gotten non k-drama fans to watch. It's so good!
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windsun33
July 18, 2014 at 7:41 AM
I love Jang-Mi :P
I am pretty sure that she is acting like she does because her character is supposed to be blunt and obnoxious. I find it refreshing in a k-drama to see something between the evil bitch and the naïve candy for once.
And I also actually think it was not solving any problems by everyone just ignoring the whole infidelity thing.
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a_diva
July 18, 2014 at 7:45 AM
Your family sounds fun! I love big rambunctious, meddling families . . . well, at least the loving ones. And as long as there's lots of love there (which it sounds like yours has) then just accept the craziness for what it is!
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Jig
July 18, 2014 at 11:05 AM
I forgot that they never explained Boots's reappearance. I think I just assumed that he needed more money? But, there's not any indication of that that I know of...
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AJ
July 18, 2014 at 7:45 PM
Completely with you on Marriage Not Dating -- episodes 3 and 4 a big disappointment after a really great start in episodes 1 & 2. The make lead has really nailed his character and so has the actress playing his mother.
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13 Kim Yoonmi
July 18, 2014 at 7:06 AM
The funding for polyglit started yesterday! If you are considering donating, sooner is better than later. You can find details and a link at Polyglit[dot]Com. Even if you don't plan on donating, I hope you will look forward to the website launch.
Jinx I thought it was an adorable and heartfelt movie, though it left tears in my eyes, it was not a melodrama, but had some interesting themes. I don't think the acting was stellar, but I would definitely watch it again.
Marriage, not Dating
Probably the best drama on K-drama TV, IMO. The plot is really heating up. I'm a little surprised it isn't being recapped, but I can understand bending time is really a difficult task and that it takes a long time.
Still keeping up with the TW dramas. Haven't really picked up on any new J-dramas, except Nobunaga no Chef 2. OMG. I love it already. It's cheesy with just enough appeal to get me going, plus I like food shows.
And lastly, Idol Hate. I think it needs to be addressed.
Let's get this straight. At least for ME, I do like pretty, but it is SECONDARY to acting ability. I don't care how that pretty came about, and who from, and I don't particularly care how popular an actor is, I just want them to be able to act their heart out on the screen or on stage so I can believe their emotions and what they said is real.
That said, I also understand in order to get funding for a project, you need famous actors and people who will autodraw a crowd. It's the double-side of the industry. The more of a name recognition you have, the more likely one will draw funds. But do I hate the existence of those people for that? I categorically don't.
If they can act, then they can make me happy. Period.
I didn't hate Yoona because she was an idol. I didn't hate Yoona personally. I disliked her in the role of Nodame because I thought her acting ability wasn't to par. And I would say that of any actress or actor, idol or no. Despite that, I can understand why producers wanted to try her out in the role, even if it was a week. They need a big name to bring in the budget for the production.
I'm not going to begrudge people's success, nor their ability to grow in their talent. I've been surprised over and over again, given people chances to grow on me. Seong Yuri (idol), for example, has two horrible, I mean OMG, you can make drinking games out of them dramas she acted horribly in, but I still gave her a chance. And she surprised me in Hong Gil Dong.
Daniel Henney (Non-idol), as much as I love him as a person, I didn't think could act that well. He inserts random smiles when he should be emoting, but then I was proven wrong in My Father.
Idol or no, I'm going to come back to that person on acting ability. The prettiest face can't engage me as much as acting ability. What is the point of hating a group of people anyway? Being a idol doesn't mean one didn't work hard and can't succeed.
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 7:18 AM
Good luck with the polyglit funding.
I watched Jinx too.
It's what I would call a lazy-Friday-night-in rom-com (sort of), but with more depth than most because the characters were somewhat unusual – I think some people found it 'slow' and the characters too depressing, but I liked that it wasn't a silly rom-com, but a more reflective one.
Liked how they challenged romantic stereotypes – not by dissing them, but basically by saying "this works for one person, but it might not work for another because people are and like different things". They spun it around cultural differences, but I thought it still gave a general message (i.e. I don't think all Korean girls have demands like Hyomin's character).
Bit sad that Yamazaki Kento (I know him from "Control Tower") isn't doing more interesting projects though. I mean, this one was fine (though his acting seemed more uneven than in Control Tower), but other stuff he's done since "Control Tower" are pretty much lightweight manga adaptations which aren't going to make him into much of an actor.
Hyomin was quite good. Her breakdown scene felt real.
I might review it.
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Kim Yoonmi
July 18, 2014 at 7:31 AM
Thanks for the luck.
Yeah, I agree about Jinx, it kinda surprised me, since I thought it would be a light weight fluff piece with decent, but not stellar acting.
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 9:09 AM
<Idol or no, I’m going to come back to that person on acting ability. The prettiest face can’t engage me as much as acting ability. What is the point of hating a group of people anyway? Being a idol doesn’t mean one didn’t work hard and can’t succeed.
I agree with you. There are idols that are succeeding. Jaejoong is doing well I think – not that he's top notch, but he's improved steadily. As have some others.
But I do have one issue with the industry – casting idols again and again in lead roles when they haven't done the (acting) work or haven't improved. Casting them over actors that are blatantly better too. It's something that seems to be happening increasingly and sometimes it doesn't even seem like that some of these idols want to be acting, but they are just pushed to it, like a checkbox of what they now must do (that's sad).
Anyone deserves a chance, even multiple chances. But the chance should be proportionate to demonstrated acting quality. No one should be leading a drama because of their name/fame, but because of their talent.
Maybe that's a naive wish, but I think ultimately miscasting is dragging the quality of dramas down. Maybe corporations are making more money, but I still would like to see acting as an art where the art is most important, not the money. As much as money needs to be made, I don't think we can lose sight of this thought entirely.
Also: I feel k-drama is increasingly more inclined to pretty-over-talent, while j-drama casts less idols and has greater diversity with actors too (looks matter also but what is beautiful is more open). Tw-drama... I don't get the impression there's that much idol casting, but then in general there seem to be few actors, who seem to be cast again and again, regardless of their talent. It's like they've got a dozen of people and just keep rotating the pairings. Very weird and often mediocre acting from actors.
Anyhoo....
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Kim Yoonmi
July 18, 2014 at 1:08 PM
I can agree with that, to a degree, I mean people should be cast on talent, but I don't think it has to do if they are an idol or not. Yoon Eun Hye started out as an idol actress and rocked it in several dramas, though she unfortunately picked some bad scripts here and there.
But I don't think one single group should be singled out as consistently bad. There are some regular actors I want to sometimes strangle that started out acting too.
And there are actors that can''t cat for the life of them, but ou like them anyway, but just not onscreen.
And there are idol actors that turned out to be fabulous. I had no faith in Go Ara until Reply 1994. Where she rocked that roll--but then she said she was playing someone closer to someone like her.
And TW dramas consistently cast idol actors, but we just don't hear about them that much on websites. For example, Rainie Yang is an idol Actor. I wouldn't say she's that great of an actress, but I thought Ella was a really good actress. Ella showed a range of characters she played from boyish, boyish rather than cute boyish to sometimes awkward.
Arron Yan is also made into an idol actor. Jiro Wang was made into an idol actor. (ISWAK). And a few of the roles went to idol actors.
The thing about art is that you need an audience to make it. This means art needs money, and it also needs an audience. People think one is exclusive of each other, but I don't think it's that way. Talent and money are separate things, but art and money aren't. You need both talent and money to make art.
Manin
July 18, 2014 at 8:04 AM
Good luck with polyglit.
I am kinda enjoying that marrigae not dating isn't recaped. Why? Because it's one show where I don't get tempted to read the recap rather than watch the episode. That's what I get for not being a spoilorphobe and recapts come out faster than subs in my time zone.
I really agree with you on the Idol hate. Hating someone being cased in something just because they also are an idol doesn't seem right. Everyone have to begin somewhere, and there are certainly famous actors that, lets be fair isn't really the best at acting either. Hating on one group is not fair.
I was not overjoyed at the prospect of Yoona as Nodame, cause I didn't think she'd fit that role. However I have nothing against her, and though she nailed and did a good job in Priminister and I. And I want her to act again.
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Kim Yoonmi
July 18, 2014 at 1:11 PM
Thanks for the luck!
Agreeing with you. Definitely liked her in Prime Minister and I, would watch her again, but Nodame was not her role. I did not dislike her in the role of nodame because she was an idol elite chosen by SM. I disliked her in the role because I knew she couldn't act it. Nodame is one of those mind-bogglingly difficult roles.
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john
July 19, 2014 at 4:31 AM
Kim Yoonmi ~
Yay for Nobunaga no Chef 2. Looking forward to Natsu, Ken and Kaede. Where else can you find a leather hot pants clad ninja girl?
Idols and acting. It's not anything new, Elvis, anyone ?
Who are the idol actors & actresses that get the most grief?
Most people like seeing pretty faces, it's just the way we are wired , so I can't blame the agencies for trying to promote their clients.
Yoon Doo-Joon did a fantastic job in Let's Eat. Would I cast him in a melo drama as the main lead for his next role? Probably not.
What makes an idol flop ? Are they really out of their element by acting? Seasoned actors have duds that are best forgotten too. Crappy plots, horrible scripts and miscasting will make anyone look bad..
With the right coaching and right part for their ability, most will likely be palatable.
With any luck casting idols as actors will occasionally give us a gem that otherwise would have been overlooked or untapped.
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14 owl
July 18, 2014 at 7:07 AM
Summer’s in full roar with 100 degrees all week long, although I am not complaining – I love the sun and heat.
Trot Lovers – it’s been a while since I’ve been in love equally with the first and second male leads. Eun-ji is adorable, too ~ how will our love triangle work out without even more hurt hearts?
Fated to Love You – there were so many yummy moments mixed in with the complicated relationship in the last episode – why did the runaway shower head scene make me laugh so hard? And then the one-of-a-kind-baby-clothes class, that was precious beyond words. I’m goo goo eyes over Gan. The laugh and the head back, shoulders squared downward stare CEO style – Jang Hyuk does that best. But wait, second lead Daniel, Really? How about other first lead.
Monster (movie) with Lee Min-ki – slated as a thriller, but in my book it borders on horror. It was crazy of me to watch it at midnight. Those eyes. Cold to the depths of hell.
High School Love On is magical.
Temptation – An interesting setup in the first two episodes. Although I’m not sure why Seok-hoon decided to buy Se-young’s time in the end – 3 hrs for $3 -
Jdrama Wacamonotachi – Adult Sibling Chaos works too. What a super powerful cast, I am blown away by the acting. The boxing ring – augh! The Virgin. The return of the second son (Eita). The camcorder message. Ginger pork. The siblings’ discussion about apologies. The lines:
“I don’t’ need a surprise so bad for my heart.’
“Infidelity is unacceptable. No one will be happy.”
“Many ideas and emotions that you can’t measure with your tiny ruler whirl around in this world.”
This drama is my go juice.
Check out my ongoing posts for Korean Lessons – FT Island’s Hangul Live, Roommate comments and ratings, and kdrama fan art at http://www.cimiart.wordpress.com
Thanks, db recappers, you keep us happily updated and feed our kdramaddiction. That’s not easy to do!
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redfox
July 18, 2014 at 7:10 AM
so great, I am going to watch monster now. made up horror perhaps makes me forget real life horrors
or maybe I´ll just keep dreaming of traffic accidents like I have for the past 3 weeks, every night
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 7:23 AM
Wakamono Tachi... one solid, quality drama. Very real.
That cast... that cast! Even half of that acting quality in other dramas would suffice to make many productions a gazillion times better than they are.
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JJK
July 18, 2014 at 1:03 PM
Hmm, I might try to venture into Jdorama again. The last one I watched eons ago was Freeter Buys a House. Does Wakamono Tachi focus more on relationship between siblings rather than romantic love?
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owl
July 18, 2014 at 1:16 PM
Only 2 episodes in, but there's plenty of both. I think the siblings' relationships is primary, though. There isn't a dull or wasted moment, great acting - so richly done.
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 3:39 PM
Agree with owl's explanation.
There are romantic relationships, but the drama isn't about the romance. It is about relationships between people and especially family bonds - through good and bad times.
Anyone think we might get romantic development between Emoto and Hashimoto instead of Hashimoto and Nomura? Or is Hashimoto's character underage?
john
July 18, 2014 at 7:57 AM
owl ~
Yes, Summer is in full swing. Running is best done early in the AM. Had a couple thunderstorms early in the week. Ka-Boom. x 100 .
Wakamono Tachi turned it up a notch this week. Eita's awesome.
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owl
July 18, 2014 at 10:09 AM
Hi John ~ Did you see Eita in Kyokuhoku Rhapsody? 2 episodes short.
We could use some rain. None in sight.
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john
July 18, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Owl-
Haven't seen it. Will check it out. I did watch Memories of Matsuko. Loved it. Great soundtrack.
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alua
July 18, 2014 at 3:40 PM
I enjoyed Kyokuhoku Rhapsody. I did wish for it to be more than just two episodes.
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kopytko
July 18, 2014 at 8:44 AM
I’m not sure why Seok-hoon decided to buy Se-young’s time in the end – 3 hrs for $3 –
My take is, he wanted to make himself equal to her. Just like she had bought him, making him thus an inferior, he wanted, at least symbolically, do the same thing to her. To make himself feel better or make her reflect.
My other thought is, he had little to lose, so why not try it?
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owl
July 18, 2014 at 9:16 AM
Hi kopytko ` Also, he didn't want to leave on the last day with "Just go." He wanted to earn his money. Since his wife hung up on him and Se-young commented that no woman would understand the situation, he was not so anxious to head back home.
With their past, your comment that he wanted to be equal makes sense.
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kopytko
July 18, 2014 at 9:25 AM
By the way, the "no woman would understand" part irks me. I dislike how being a woman makes one petty or narrow minded, jealous person in the dramas I've been seeing lately. Any time I see "I am a woman too!" I cringe. But maybe it's due to my absolute lack of personal experience...
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owl
July 18, 2014 at 9:33 AM
...especially since it was said by a woman about women. But it got to Seok-hoon because of that. Irks me to no end, too.