Open Thread #363

1 redfox

October 3, 2014 at 6:13 AM

Hi, folks!

another week passed.
today is a very boring day in history. nothing happened. ever. well, except for

2333 BC - The state of Gojoseon (Modern-day Korea) founded
by Dangun Wanggeom during the reign of the Chinese Emperor Yao.Huzzaa!
So, sageuk-lovers, who were the most famous kings and princesses then?

1906 - SOS adopted as warning signal by 1st conference on wireless telegraphy. (From HistoryOrb)

1990 - Reunification of East & West Germany. West German flag raised above Brandenburg Gate on the stroke of midnight.

I copy-pasted. I am a genius. I should run a company and become a chaebol.

Question or task for you. take your birthday. See what happened on that day in history and tell me which event you would make a drama or movie of. Maybe someone important was born? Got married? Beheaded? A milestone in Korean history?

My cousng wants to make a movie about my granny. she was going to escape by sea in a small boat in 1944, even stole a bike and swam across the gulf but the boat never came and she did not go the next day. then she was ordered to write down peoples possessions for the collective farms. she refused. her mom was sent to Siberia for that but she was not cause she made a contract with some Construction Service where you got housing but weren´t paid. she worked at a ship rope factory, escaped from a burning house, well, life was full of events. then after re-independence her house was returned to the children of pre-war owner ad she was thrown out to the street in 1994. she now lives in a former hotel for the KGB that now holds Estonian office of Migration and Citizenship, and hands out passports. I would make a history miniseries on her life, my cousin wants to make an action movie. of grandma. hah.

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 6:23 AM

Update on the political situation.
Russian lies are going overboard completely. They claim Ukrainian military is committing genocide. what? first Russia said its troops are not even there. then they assisted the terrorists in bombing Ukrainian regions of Donbass and Luhansk. Now they are complaining there is nowhere for people to live and civilians are dieing - when it was the separatist army that bombed a schoolbus, 10 dead, and an apartment building - WHAT? YOU DID IT! say they have discovered mass graves of russian soldiers (which, btw, was done by the terrorists, who couldnt handle the growing amount of dead bodies) and now Russia says ukrainians should be prosecuted for it in Hague. what in the bloody heck? You are putting the blame for your own action on someone else, attack someone and then complain about pain??? I am just out of breath at their lies. ridiculous. besides if they werent even there, how are they dead? and one russian soldiers mother was exiled for protesting that her son did NOT die on a "vacation", but he was sent to fight without telling where and without letting her know. the boy was 18. Russia wants to discuss war crimes? lets discuss this.

If you want solid information, follow Navalnõy and Hodorkovskyi on Twitter. They are the only two who bare the truth about the corruption and lies of Putins´inner circle. Kasparov too, but he has said he is sick and tired of all of it. people are too idiotic to even discuss for the poor guy.
also, many russians who oppose Putin are now buying real estate in Latvia and other countries who give permissions to live in the country for investments. they all say they sold everything in Moscow or other regions and cant return any more
Estonia intends to build a stronger border. our agent /officer still held in prison and Russia accuses him of being a double agent when in reality he was trying to catch a smuggling ring, drugs and cigarrettes that come in loads through Estonia, and Russian secret service
FSB is connected to that smuggling ring. they are now framing him with some stupid accusations. well of course they want to get off the hook. just a bunch of thieves! smuggling cigarettes and selling to minors

oh, and for sending letters to Putin all the time, my computer was attacked. two viruses sent to me. no files lost, it just got very slow. combination of 2 viruses originating in Russia. one wouldn´t let me type over 2 letters of anything without crashing. the other slyly hid the first so my Eset wouldnt find it. witty, but not enough. scanned it thouroughly and got rid of them. then sent one more letter calling Putin a loser.

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harmonyfb

October 3, 2014 at 6:51 AM

On my birthday, the most cinematic things happened in 1885, when riots broke out in Montreal (Canada) to protest against compulsory smallpox vaccination, and in 1906, a typhoon in Hong Kong killed an estimated 10,000 people.

But honestly, the thing most relevant to me was: that in 1888, The Sherlock Holmes adventure "The Sign of Four" began. (squee!)

In Korean history, hmmm. The The 1996 Gangneung submarine incident started on my birthday (it would make a pretty good thriller), and the Battle of Incheon (in 1950) took place over the week of my birthday.

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 7:17 AM

Putin is a Soviet wannabe. The end.

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juniper

October 3, 2014 at 5:18 PM

Didn't Mao die in 1976 though? And then Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four were taken down by the less extreme faction of the party for atrocities they committed during the cultural revolution. And then she killed herself in the 90s I think...

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juniper

October 3, 2014 at 5:20 PM

Sorry, meant to reply to redfox :P

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 10:20 PM

I told you, I just copy pasted from history Orb

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juniper

October 4, 2014 at 11:29 AM

Oh okay, sorry if I seemed nitpicky. I looked into it a bit more because I'm an anal retentive history nerd haha--you're right, she was sentenced that day, but Mao didn't do it to her (he was dead), the new party leadership did. Then her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. She was released for health reasons in 1991 for a short time, and killed herself before they could send her back to jail.

Her trial would still make for an intense drama, though!

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redfox

October 4, 2014 at 10:42 PM

Then History Orb is not a trustworthy site. thanks!

yeah that would make a longer, more tense drama.

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 7:19 AM

I thought it was Sejong? And also, didn't Seongjong contribute something?
(even though Taejong & Sejo made contributions, honestly thir hands are too bloodied...)

Sukjong just famous because of both the women and the political factionalism...

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PeepsLeAwesomePotato

October 3, 2014 at 10:28 AM

The most famous king in Korea is definitely Sejong. He has his own ginormous statue in GwangHwaMun.

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bbstl

October 3, 2014 at 10:40 AM

Also, he is always referred to as "The Great King Sejong" , no one calls him just King Sejong.

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Lc

October 3, 2014 at 8:20 PM

Adal

October 3, 2014 at 9:53 AM

Where's the like comment for this? You captured my sentiments exactly.

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Lixie

October 3, 2014 at 7:20 AM

>My Loveable girl – only watching for Shi Woo /L. somewhat familiar story

Yeah me too, the main OTP is in fact giving me icky feelings and for a show based on music scene the background music sounds really bad. I've never met Rain before but he seems quite limited and the writing is getting so cheesy. In fact, I should consider dropping it, now that I write about it.

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4D

October 3, 2014 at 7:32 AM

I completely agree on Secret Hotel. I'm even behind a tiny bit because I'm just tired of the romance focus. I really just want quirky murder mystery!

I'm also looking forward to Cantabile! I haven't seen it in any other form so I don't have any specific expectations but it looks good and I like the cast. I'm considering it a birthday present to me (I basically count anything in October as a birthday present though....).

I also am actually excited for Modern Farmer purely for possible cheesy goodness.

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windsun33

redfox

October 3, 2014 at 11:47 AM

had forgotten about that. I guess it is sort of a consolation to dream, to imagine that at least in a drama about future (somewhat)

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windsun33

October 3, 2014 at 11:36 AM

Korean reunification would be MUCH harder than German. North Korea is pretty much a total mess outside the elite conclaves in Pyongyang. When Germany got back together, the income gap was like 3 to 1.

Currently the income gap between N and S Korea is around 43 to 1.

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 11:46 AM

yeah it could be really hard but worse than the income gap is the gap between thinking. ideological. all the brainwashing, dont know...yet in some documentary people who did manage to escape North Korea adapted pretty quickly to living and working in the normal world.

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windsun33

October 3, 2014 at 11:55 AM

Some adapt pretty well, not all. But the defectors are a self-selecting group of rebels and non-conformists anyway, so they are probably much less brainwashed than the general populace.

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owl

October 3, 2014 at 7:43 AM

Mickey Mouse and I share our birthdays - Nov. 18 (1928 for Mickey Mouse).

Also on November 18, 1978, Jim Jones and more than 900 members of his People's Temple committed mass suicide in the jungle of Guyana. (I cut and pasted, too.)

Mickey and I say cray cray to that.

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 7:50 AM

gosh I know that one. it often gets mentioned in connection fith some new crazy trends

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Z

so on October 3rd

the building for one of our top elite schools was finished. it is like our Shinhwa high, basically, but without the bored ruthless rich people. they are very artistic and well mannered.

and on the 25th of january

our first ever proper government came to power in 1921

and in 1942 the Red Army bombed our only baroque city Narva nearly to the ground, leaving only the town hall and one apartment building. This would make a sad, heartbreaking movie, especially for historians and architects who still cry when they think of the enourmous cultural loss and the loss of lives.

but in the world, in 1919 on this day the predecessor of United nations was formed.

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pogo

October 3, 2014 at 3:20 PM

On my birthday: nine black teenagers, now known as the Little Rock Nine, challenged racial segregation by attending the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas (1957). I'd say that's pretty historic! And humbling too, when you think of how so many of those prejudices exist even today, just in a quieter form.

On my birthday in 2014: the Hong Kong democracy protests were starting, in the form of the class boycott by university students - it was the day before the gathering at Legislative Council Square.

I think, reading your dispatches from a country dominated by Russia and now the news from my own friends in Hong Kong, that large countries just cannot stomach the independence or even separateness of smaller nations. It's a sobering thought.

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 10:43 PM

yes, and to remind, we became independent thanks to the Singing Revolution in 1988. I was also part of those historical times. I stood in the Baltic Chain, I was also next to Tallinn TV tower when Russian tanks came in 1991 and we thought they are going to shoot. now a whole generation has grown who was born after those events and sometimes when I talk to people younger than me and mention my participation, they look at me like I am Robin Hood. It is a good feeling, not the fact some folks envy us, but the fact it has a very high position in their mind. they dont say it was ridiculous and in vain and the actual reason for freedom was pressure from foreign countries. nope. if that was it, it would have happened years ago. but it happened because of the pressure from the inside.
so I also hope the students of Hong Kong will win. even if it is just the fact the world will see clearly: Hong KOng is different from China. because a lot of people would probably say: Oh, chinese, taiwanese, hongkong, arent they all the same anyway? why do we need to make a difference? if nothing else, wanting democracy and saying it loud and clear makes them different.
after our Singing Revolution all revolutions had a specific name. we have had orange, roses, now umbrellas.

oh and about differences and how people still say "The Baltics, The Baltic States" - we are no Baltic States. it is estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. all very different mentalities. some latvian said to me yesterday: estonians are from another planet. I dont understand your thinking. where did you hide the UFO? they think we are crazy workaholics who dont know the word "fun" and take everything so damn seriously.
and Lithuanians still consider themselves a kingdom and stick up their nose a little too high. but they have the friendliest and most cultural biker gangs in Europe! they come to the museum often. I want the next Lithuanian King to be a biker! they are awesome and sophisticated.

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2 Laya

October 3, 2014 at 6:21 AM

Hello everyone! :D How have you been?

I haven't been on the open thread much these days, but I've been watching Three Musketeers, Night Watchman's Journal (just for the crazy), and My Secret Hotel. Need to catch up on HSLO too.

So happy that Jae-jae bebe won an award (and was not undeserving of it too). I'll probably finish watching Triangle when he's in the military, just because, yunno...

Oh, Night Watchman, you have got me screaming at the screen, facepalming, and banging my head on the desk (fortunately that does not addle my brain because I check it at the door whenever I watch you) but somehow I always end up watching. Especially as writer-nim has upped the level of craziness now... I still wonder what they're smoking (and where I can get some, since they've gotten quite creative now).

Fortunately there's Three Musketeers to restore my brain to sanity. Heh.

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Laya

October 3, 2014 at 6:23 AM

And of course I clicked the button too soon and forgot to ask... having an argument with a friend of mine over what mindwiped shaman lady is supposed to have turned into now. My friend thinks she's a gumiho... but I thought gumiho turned into people, not the other way around. A deranged witch, maybe? What do you Night Watchmen watchers think?

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 6:31 AM

i do not watch night watchman (watch the watchman, teh!) but gumihos do have shamanic powers sometimes.

I think it was planned for 20 episodes... Ep. 10 should have aired earlier tonight. I stopped at Ep. 6, but with the one episode a week format I'm only(!) 4 episodes behind. XD

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3 harmonyfb

October 3, 2014 at 6:33 AM

Yay, open thread!!!

How are y'all doing this beautiful Friday? :)

This week, I've been watching:

My Secret Hotel: Wow, I'm getting whiplash from jumping ship so often. (When they'll get back to the 'secret' at the Secret Hotel? And is the name a subtle message that you should have your next adulterous affair with them? I'm just wondering.) Hae Young is childish but sympathetic, Seong Gyum is starting to look a bit sketchy - and is about to get his heart stomped into a billion pieces, oy, and Sang Hyo just looks like she needs a drink.

Discovery of Obnoxious Leads, er, Love: I keep hoping that Sol & Joon Ho will get their own spin-off series.

Surplus Princess: GAH. What do you mean only one episode left? ::stomps off in a snit::

Blade Man: It's like a really weird, disturbing person on public transit - you know you probably shouldn't encourage them, but you can't look away.

Kind of Gradually Stopped Watching:

The Night Watchman: Evil smirky under-a-spell Prince? ::heavy sigh:: Maybe I'll marathon it after it finishes.

Dropped Like a Rock:

Boarding House No. 24: Turns out that Korean sitcoms are just as inane as American ones. Who knew?

Wish I was Watching:

Girl, starring Park Bo Young. It's October, I need more spooky movies! Gimme!

(cont below)

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harmonyfb

October 3, 2014 at 6:34 AM

(cont)

Kdrama Moment:

I had two, no, three this week:

1. Random fan contact: I was discussing spooky movies with another parent at my kids' school, and mentioned "Red Eye" as a good one. His reply: "Oh, I don't really watch Korean horror, but I love Korean gangster flicks. I'm looking forward to "Gangnam Blues"; it has a pretty good actor in it." (Me: "You're a fan of Lee Min Ho?" This devolved into a discussion of what a handsome man he is, and how much moisturizers actors use, but point - random guy not involved in fandom knows Lee Min Ho.)

wow.

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4D

October 3, 2014 at 7:36 AM

I read that too, it made me laugh. And then I realized I really should perhaps look more at my own skin routine :/ I must look very manly. Jk.

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harmonyfb

October 3, 2014 at 5:55 PM

I thought they were pretty cool. :)

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fab

October 3, 2014 at 7:12 AM

How cool! I only met anime lovers, but it's the Japanese anime that is highly popular.

I was wondering what LMH is up to lately, he is playing in a movie! Thanks.

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harmonyfb

October 3, 2014 at 7:19 AM

I only met anime lovers, but it’s the Japanese anime that is highly popular.

I used to meet anime lovers all the time, back when my oldest daughter was really into it. There's actually quite a large number of them here in Florida, go figure.

But most people look at me funny when I start talking about Korean TV and films, so it was nice to find somebody who already knew. (That reminds me: must ask him if he knows when "For the Emperor" is getting released.)

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 7:36 AM

oh that reminds me there is a first anime shop now in Estonia (Tallinn) a very small one but that means asian culture is slowly sneaking in.

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fab

October 3, 2014 at 11:06 AM

'You really like the Chinese huh?' People around me think Asian are only in China. Tsktsk

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shukmeister

October 3, 2014 at 7:45 AM

Fab -

Anime was where I first delved into the world of subtitless in my impressionable years. And where I jump from animation to KDrama through early Hulu.

I'm currently marathoning all seasons of Sword Art Online, and trying to finish the 3rd season of Black Butler. In my spare time, of course [looking around for those teeny tiny bits of spare time]

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fab

October 3, 2014 at 11:01 AM

Where do you watch your anime? Ever since I started watching dramas live, everything else is abandoned...lol

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harmonyfb

October 4, 2014 at 6:45 AM

I couldn't even get through an entire episode - it was so bad. And the laugh track. Oy.

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4 cv

October 3, 2014 at 6:40 AM

Happy Brrr Friday beanies!

Drama watching n loving it:

Mama---fantastic weekend drama. Want a good cry? This is the one to watch then. Love the storyline even if it's sad. Some characters I want to slap silly. Haha

Myspringday--- so good. Just love the way hyung n bomyi stares at each other and when the other doesn't know it. Love... aww.

Have a good day/weekend! ^^

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shukmeister

October 3, 2014 at 7:16 AM

Hey cv!

Heard about all the rain you are getting. Stay dry!

October 3, 2014 at 7:47 AM

KL -
Not watching MSD, but you almost have me convinced to try an epi or two WGM. Maybe over breakfast, if it's that sweet. :-) I haven't watched a WGM couple since LHK and Mina.

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korazylady

October 3, 2014 at 8:07 AM

You should watch just to see Mary's Song Jae Rim - he's totally different than in his dramas. I really like Hong Jung Hyun and Yuna, too. Talk about sweetness--Yuna's like a bottle of champagne with a boatload of honey added to it. Her effervescence bubbles over, and he's delightfully sweet. But the MinYoung couple intrigues me the most, I think due to their age. And you know me - I'm always looking for that happy ending.

October 3, 2014 at 8:38 AM

You nailed it. Kam Woo Sung is amazing. I need to watch some other things he's been in--I've heard The King and the Clown in good so think I'll try that.

October 3, 2014 at 7:59 PM

Watch Alone In Love! He and Son Ye-jin are amazing in that. Whenever I think about either of those two, the first thing that comes to mind for both is their meeting scene in that drama.

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cv

October 3, 2014 at 9:42 AM

Yes, the chemistry is warm and effortless. That's why it's such a easy and good watch.

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5 john

October 3, 2014 at 6:42 AM

Watching J dramas

Ryomaden, Hanako to Anne, and Ginnikan.

Watching K dramas

Secret Hotel, Nine Boys, Mermaid, Secret Door, 3 Musketeers and Yoo-Na's Street.

October 3, 2014 at 7:47 AM

Oooo, fig jam! I bet that would be delicious on toasted english muffins. Y'all are making me really hungry. I wonder what I have in the refrigerator.

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korfan

October 3, 2014 at 8:05 AM

Oh my goodness, I've tried the fig jam from Croatia and it's delicious!

It's especially yummy with cheese.

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harmonyfb

October 3, 2014 at 8:11 AM

Maybe when my coworker goes back to Estonia to visit her family, I can ask her to bring me a jar.

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john

October 3, 2014 at 5:42 PM

james94131 ~

It looks like another batch of episodes of Hanako to Anne have been released, up to Ep 72. I do hope the subs don't dry up like some J dramas do.

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6 zakin89

October 3, 2014 at 6:43 AM

Happy OT

Sitting at university again and enduring a looong afternoon/evening T_T It really sucks to have lectures from 2pm to 9 pm on Friday -.-

Tomorrow’s gonna be a looong day as well since I’m gonna be taking trial courses for different sports topics and I’ll probably be dead afterwards xD
All the dramas from the weekend need to wait till Sunday I guess^^

9 Boys: So is it airing or not? I guess that’s the big question w/ the plagiarism stuff out there… If they really did then it sucks big time but on the other hand… I want to know how it all ends T_T But I swear tvN is needs to get its shit together bc this controversy + the Surplus Princess cut + kinda screwing up My Secret Hotel = I sincerely hope the next batch of dramas is good bc I really like what tvN does otherwise!

Secret Hotel: Uhm… Well right now I dislike both guys! Sang Hyo also needs to finally make her mind up and Jung Eun … I still don’t know why she’s even there! But since we only have 4 eps left I’ll stick w/ it^^

Secret Door: Drama you can have all my tears! I wanted to hug Sun repeatedly this week bc he was just so lonely =(
Slightly off topic but does anyone of you know where to get good books about Korean history? It’s so damn hard to get something in Austria since … well let’s just say Korean history is not the primary concern here

Variety:

RM: Oh man how I hate it when we get an exciting ep (last week) and the follow up is… not very exciting^^ Krystal was barely seen and totally inactive but oh well… Here’s to hoping that Shin Min Ah and Jo Jung Suk are better this week ;)

1N2D: That hidden camera for Junho was so great =) He was seriously touched and it showed that those guys really get along well! And that’s what I love about this 3rd Season so much ♥

WGM: RimKim couple managed to pull me back into the world of fake marriages and I LOVE them!!! Song Jae Rim is one big dork and his cheesy lines make my hand curl up but I love that Kim So Eun can stand her ground =)

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alua

October 3, 2014 at 7:15 AM

Why don't you inquire at the University of Vienna or the Korean Cultural Centre?

Running Man was worth it for the cast as the Supremes--if nothing else.

And am I the only one who thought Kang Soo looked like Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl?" (O.my.gosh. I laughed so hard. And I also loved Gary and Suk Jin's little "Pips-type" hand movements as back up for the song.

Actually, I thought Running Man has been pretty good for the last 2 weeks.

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Skyofblue

October 3, 2014 at 9:40 AM

Wait by 9 Boys, do you mean Plus Nine Boys? And if so, whats wrong with the show and why wouldn't it air?

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Because of Reasons

October 3, 2014 at 9:53 AM

Plagiarism allegations. From Soompi:

The tvN drama “Plus Nine Boys” has been caught up in a plagiarism controversy

“Plus Nine Boys” has been accused of having similar content to a musical called “Exit 9” that ran from February 20 to the 23 of this year.

Also: “Plus Nine Boys” Could Be Facing Broadcast Prohibition Due to Alleged Plagiarism - http://www.soompi.com/2014/10/02/plus-nine-boys-could-be-facing-broadcast-prohibition-due-to-alleged-plagiarism/

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Because of Reasons

October 3, 2014 at 10:01 AM

Oh, my comment got caught for moderation becuase of links. Here's the link free version. From Soompi:

The tvN drama “Plus Nine Boys” has been caught up in a plagiarism controversy

“Plus Nine Boys” has been accused of having similar content to a musical called “Exit 9” that ran from February 20 to the 23 of this year.

and

On October 2, writer Lee Jung Joo of the musical “Exit 9” put in a request for an injunction preventing the broadcast of “Plus Nine Boys,” allegedly a plagiarized work based on the musical. The writer said, “I met with the drama producers and the CJ law team, but we couldn’t reach an agreement, so I’m going to court.”

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pogo

October 3, 2014 at 3:26 PM

Plus 9 Boys might go off air?! Oh no :(

I realise ratings for the current crop of tvN dramas are low, but even the public broadcast networks are struggling to break double digits in ratings these days, compared to them 1-odd percent for cable is a good rating.

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7 korfan

October 3, 2014 at 6:44 AM

Hi Everyone!

It's OT time! I hope you are all doing well today.

Drama-viewing this week:

It's Okay, It's Love - Finished this last night. ........ Definitely one of my favorites for this year. The acting by the leads, simply outstanding. ....... Regarding the acting, while I don't often mention idol-actors, I have to mention D.O.. He was actually pretty good in the role of Kang-woo.

Temptation - Still watching to see how much deeper Hong-joo is going to fall into her self-created, little circle of hell. Seriously, why is she surprised by her new husband's actions?

Fated To Love You - Continues to be a joy to watch. ........ And I want to give Daniel-ssi a hug. *giggle*

Romance Shines In Rainbow Color - Watched the last ep of this jdrama. I found it by accident a couple of weeks ago, and it had already been airing for a couple of weeks so I only watched like the last 4 episodes. ........ It was interesting.

Miss Marple (Endless Night episode) - This was quite good. ....... What a sneaky little plan.

October 3, 2014 at 7:15 AM

What type of Guy do u prefer K drama Actors or Idols ?????

Good actors. I don't really care where they came from as long as they can pull it off.

My favorite Korean actors are: Kim Sang-Ho (TEN), and Lee Joon Ki (Two Weeks) for men, and Kim Seul Gi (Surplus Princess) and Shin Min Ah (Arang and the Magistrate) for women.

My 'OMG so attractive' Korean actors are Kwon Hyun Sang (Vampire Prosecutor 2), Jung Jin Woon (Marriage, not Dating) and Jin Yi Han (My Secret Hotel). I also quite fancy Lee Joon Ki and his gorgeous smile. (On the female side, I wish I looked like Shin Min Ah or Ha Ji Won. ::sigh:: Maybe in my next lifetime.)

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kanz

October 3, 2014 at 7:32 AM

For me good actor with good-looking face. Heh

I actually have 1 rule to judge if actor good or not, by making me feeling emotional, esp if they bring me to tears. Because if they can't touch me emotionally, how would I believe in their character and fictional world? I need to connect to their characters.

So my favorite Korean actors: Ji Chang Wook, Lee Jun Ki, Kim Woo Bin, Yoon Kye Sang (Full Sun), Kim Myung Min. Actresses: Moon Geun Young, Shin Min Ah, Lee Bo Young. The list is longer, but that's all I can remember easily.

I don't care if people said some actors are the best ones, if they can't make me feel the characters I just don't find them attractive.

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9 CaroleMcDonnell

October 3, 2014 at 6:48 AM

Hi all:

I didn't watch a lot this week. I keep waiting for other stuff to arrive.

So..of the shows I watched:

Night Watchman: I'm really loving this with all its flaky unpredictability. The writers just always have a new trick up their sajeuk sleeves. A villain who dies and comes back to life? Demonic possession? King's split personality taking over? Doppelgangering of heroine? Vampiric semi-undead possessed? So love it that the bad characters just keep doing their stuff and leading the heroes who live only to react. It's almost as if the story doesn't progress further, it progresses deeper with nothing happening on a linear level but the ramifications of all the character traits and abilities being mined to discover something new. Ah, and Sadam! I really have to smile. Persistent much?

Three Musketeers: Still liking it. Liked the whole gambling ruse thing.

What's with this family?: This is my favorite drama right now. Please Dal Bong, please tell Seo Wool the truth! Not liking Aunt's Daughter at all. Which reminds me: Sometimes i think k-drama writers are so busy slipping in tropes and premises that they don't really see their plot clearly. Example 1: Why doesn't restaurant owner just tell his mom that Seo Wool saved him as a child? Then, Mom would stop trying to fire SW? Example 2: In Night Watchman, so much is made of the bracelet that Do Ha wears and of the rope she was given to fight demns...yet the guys couldn't tell the difference between her and her doppelganger? It's stuff like this that makes me wince a bit. Hoping the truth will come out in WWTF though.

Reset: Am really torn with this. It fits the need I have for a mainstream police procedural but the coincidences, the plot synchronicities, the easy plotting -- well, it makes it hard to become invested.

+9 Boys: Wondering what Su-ah's secret is.

Waiting to see if I should watch Greatest Marriage: Wondering how true it'll be to its premise and who the OTP is.

Time Spiral: Am wondering how long it'll take for our time traveler to give up on trying to change the past. So is getting the heroine is main reason for creating this time line? OR is she secondary to saving his sister? Is it me or does anyone else feel that he has attempted to change the past in more than one timeline? I think his sister is doomed, no matter who she marries and no matter what timeline she is on. I fear the fallout when he realizes this is all fruitless.

Waiting for Misaeng.

Am totally in love with Nam Goong Min and Song Jae Rim in We Got Married. Who knew? My two favorite guy types in one series!

My review of Snowpiercer's up: http://www.fantasticstoriesoftheimagination.com/the-fan-beginnings-and-endings-snowpiercer-dark-eden-the-end-my-friend/

Great weekend, all.

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atz

October 3, 2014 at 7:31 AM

Yes, Nightwatchman is crazy,,, but when I think about this plot, the plot( crazy black magic thing) in this era might be rather fresh. Bromance is more interesting than romance in this drama... and did you notice Sadam actor's eye colour is quite brown for Asian actors under sunlight? I occasionally go to Soompi to see the progress of the drama and realize how much Yuhno's fans are devoted to him. All those foods that they brought for him and the crew are quite impressive.

LOL! Carole you have a knack for pulling the most positive things of out bad things! I'm watching Night Watchmen too - don't ask me why. I have zero investment in the show and I can't honestly say it's good. But you make it sound somewhat appealing! LOL! I'm less sorry now that I waste my time watching it....

I'm really liking Three Musketeers too! It's the only show these days that I really look forward to watching! The plot and characters keep me coming back for me and I enjoy watching the slow progression of the relationships.

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CaroleMcDonnell

October 3, 2014 at 2:24 PM

It's not so bad. It's just being so inventive with the wizardry but there is no real plot except that bad guys do something then good guys react then bad guys do something then bad guys react. No movement in space, plot, or time.

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johanna

October 3, 2014 at 8:57 AM

Just read your review. I enjoyed this movie too !

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CaroleMcDonnell

October 3, 2014 at 9:37 AM

Wasn't that movie totally fun!!!! IT became an instant favorite of mine.

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10 kanz

October 3, 2014 at 6:51 AM

Hi all!

Dramas:
I practically only watch Secret Door and My Lovely Girl ep 3 this week. I don't have any energy to finish other dramas.
Secret Door: love this new sageuk. Although some predictably bad, but some are grey and makes me confused over who's real good guys. Mind-numbing for so many conspiracy plots and how many people involve in the murder. Will they make Sado insane or he's just product of conspiracy? Do Sado and Ji Dam only have partner relationships? How about Yeongjo and Sado's relationship? I'm intrigued to see this unfold.

My Lovely Girl: The plot is predictable and this one doesn't need brain to process. Just watch for Eye Candy named Rain Oppa. Still boring and cliches, but at least still watchable until now.

Can't wait for Pride and Prejudice, Pinocchio, and Healer.

Movie:
I watched 'The Client' just today. A very good movie. Ha Jung Woo really nailed the portrayal as lawyer perfectly and he looks like real lawyer. And there's Jang Hyuk too who seems never aged and in this movie, he looks like 30 years old. Not really care with the twist since we're told from the start that the twist is possible. But still, an excellent movie. I think as an actor Ha Jung Woo and Jang Hyuk have ability to pick good projects.

Variety:
Running Man: Kwangsoo as Giraffe Unnie is hilarious! But the star of the ep for me is Rain! He's such a gentleman in every game, competitive and gives his all for Billy Jean cover. Love it.

Happy Together: watching ep when Choi Jin Hyuk comes and he's such a cutie. He's really thankful to person who help him to the point he will buy her a car. His story is touching, he even had to lve in jimjilbang (sauna) for 6 months prior to his debut.

And, let me fangirling over Rain. Watching him in RM and MLG makes me love him again. He's my first kdrama crush in Full House. I still remember his character, Lee Young Jae, so well. And now he's more mature, hotter, a gentleman, I wish he's my boyfriend. He's my new ideal boyfriend!! Haha

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 7:14 AM

Rain seems really well-grounded and gentelmanly in the drama and I am quite surprised. maybe his bratty character in FH left too much of an impression that he is kind of ... a wild person.
gotta watch RM then. what number is that episode?

October 3, 2014 at 8:42 AM

my gosh i loved choi jin hyuk after that episode, owl. and i thought how wonderful and warm this kyunglim lady must be. she is sooooo kind and giving. loved that episode.

Happy Friday, everyone!

I think I've decided to shelf Night Watchman for now and (probably) return to it later. I really, really, don't want to give up so far into a show, but I just don't have the time, and it is lowest on my priority list.

As for Reset and Running Man, I'm no further than I was last week, but I'll catch up ASAP.

So the shows I'm up-to-date on are...

Three Musketeers: this was my favorite episode so far, I think. I love the dynamic between Dal Hyang and So Hyun, especially in that last scene where Dal Hyang says he's So Hyun's man, like it or not. Also, it was so good to see Dal Hyang smiling again -- I hadn't realized how much I missed it.

And Secret Door: love the detective work, and the little hint of madness hovering at the edges of Sun's eyes and voice. He is breaking my heart, and I'm not sure it's going to get put back together again... And then his father's moment looking through Sun's old paintings and wondering how Sun's life would have been with a different father caught me completely off guard. I'm probably going to be a mess by the end of this.

Update on the Flower Boys on Campus:

Next-Door Neighbor appears! Though I mentioned before that I hear him, and others in his apartment, quite a bit, I hadn't actually seen him since that first day we arrived here -- until yesterday. Now I'm not actually sure if that first guy was him, or someone else we haven't seen since.

We have a class with the Vietnamese students who live across the hall, so we've seen them a few more times. They smiled and waved, and said hello. Apparently they gave my roommate a very confused look the other day when she opened my door and walked inside without knocking (we don't share an apartment here, but we've lived together for the past two years, and I had just run over from her apartment to mine to grab something, so it wasn't as strange as it seemed to them).

And I have a couple of new flower boy acquaintances to add to the (still growing) list:

My interpreter for our Japanese Culture class (which is all in Japanese). He does an excellent job, but seems rather self-conscious about his ability. I think he really hopes either I will learn Japanese quickly, or some of the other students will improve in (confidently) speaking English. Maybe it's only because of his haircut and the fact that Roommate and I just finished re-watching My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, but he really reminds me of Lee Seung Gi.

Classmate M, who is in several of our classes, and actually was an exchange student at my university last year. We didn't know him then, but recognized him immediately. He's the really short, super-endearingly quiet type, and I almost walked right by him on the stairs today without realizing it -- because I was focused on something else -- and only just got out a "hello" before he was already gone.

This week went by so much faster than the last one, now that we're basically settled...

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MistyIsles

I think if SME can still make money, these girls will end up still single and call themselves Heaven's Halmeoni's. At some point in time, you need to strike out on your own. Heck, the guys do it with their MS, so the girls ought to be able to leave for an amount of time, and return (if they want to) without penalty.

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Laya

October 3, 2014 at 7:43 AM

"Never did like SM after I found out how they treated JYJ. I liked some of the artists from there but I won’t buy anything—-buy equal supporting SM. I feel bad but that’s my personal view."

^Same sentiment here :( I feel bad about it because I like Infinite and now Woollim's with SM too.

I feel bad for Jessica though. Here's hoping she gets through this okay and rises above it.

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 7:26 AM

I knew the Jessica vs. SME-GG would crop up sooner or later here.

The only issue here is what is Jessica's top priority: Blanc or GG?

I'm not siding either. I'm siding with the insiders...#guilty

And also...Tyler Kwon seems a shady guy, from what I've been reading. I fear for Jessica (both financially and relationship-wise), truly (even when I kinda hate her for leading on Donghae in the past), when he's gonna drop her like he did with Gillian Chung...

TBH, I'm just waiting for the day when f(x) & SHINee would be the first.
Just look at S(lave)M(aster)E(enterprise)'s dirty history: H.O.T., SHINHWA, DBSK, SuJu, EXO
They should have a hashtag like W.I.N: #whosnext

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Faye

October 3, 2014 at 7:38 AM

My big problem with everyone judging Jessica re Tyler Kwon and her company and the fashion school attendance is that all of that is conjecture. To the contrary, Kwon denied they're getting married. I mean - "insider sources" reporting to Dispatch? You know who that is. Granted, we only have her side of things, but at least she's got the guts to come out in public and be upfront about her version. As opposed to SM who is trashing her reputation through the media in a really sneaky, underhanded way. And they signed her to a three-year contract knowing they were about to kick her out of the group, essentially cutting off her options to go to another agency. That's low.

In any case, watching the meltdown of the GG fans and even SM's stock fall has made for wildly entertaining cinema verite.

October 3, 2014 at 7:53 AM

First of all, the fall in SM stock prices is NOT because Jessica left/was fired from SNSD but because the SNSD OT9 brand itself is falling apart.

Secondly, it is a he said, she said story and not the entire truth. There have been rumors of Jessica possibly quitting/being over the idol life for months, if not years. And Jessica herself has stated the "she is thinking about quitting SNSD many times everyday" in a DVD release.

Also, stipulations about Jessica creating her own company implied that she will launch it after the group's last album and her retirement in a group. She pre-emptied everyone when she launched it in August, when her first collection will be released W/F 2015 at the earliest.

This situation is not black and white, and as much as I like Jessica (she's my second favorite) but she is not entirely blameless. The others are not entirely blameless too, of course. Just that everything could be handled a lot better than this mess right now.

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xxvxx

October 3, 2014 at 8:42 AM

I don't know if I should be happy that its a proper scandal. I must admit that GG is the one that brought me into this K-pop/ K-drama sphere. I never regretted loving them and I am indeed one of the fans that went through a massive meltdown because whatever I believed in - has ceased to exist.

I am not siding anybody in this saga, because I know both sides are not entirely blameness. But I must admit that I think Tyler is the source of all trouble. With his appearance, Jess has changed and no longer has the love for performing, although she has never neglected any official schedules, she could have missed out recording, photoshoots, rehearsals or practices thus the unhappiness within the group? I just wished this was solved more amicably and not make it such a MESS. EVERYTHING IS A MESS. SM is so out of control. Ask ANY SM group fan and they'll tell you they HATE Kim Young Min - he's nothing but trouble too. Soo Man will never do this to the group he personally created.

Ugh - sorry for the word vomit. Just needed somewhere to vent.

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cv

October 3, 2014 at 9:53 AM

Yup. AM just does not know how to treat their artists/idols. Compare to YG, I love everyone there. :)

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pogo

October 3, 2014 at 3:56 PM

oooh boy, the SNSD scandal was certainly popcorn levels of entertainment but I guess their fans must be really upset now.

It's impressive that such a large group managed to stay together with no changes in the lineup for seven years, which is incredibly rare in kpop and longer than some of the older kpop groups lasted, but clearly the OT9 image really did become just an image by this point. I doubt there'll be any real change as a result of this though - Jessica is still contracted to SM for three years and the other girls are likely under gag orders from SM so we don't hear the full story from them either.

Knowing how little freedom SM artists have, I don't think the decision to pull the plug on Jessica now was taken by the 8 girls, it's very likely there was conflict beforehand but SM unilaterally made the ouster decision, told her it was from the others, and basically flushed one of its biggest earning groups down the toilet.

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14 faith

October 3, 2014 at 7:07 AM

So excited for Kversion of Liar Game....because I love the original version so much so I want more of the franchise.

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15 Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 7:15 AM

Hi beanies.

Wonderful OT Friday. :)

Last Tuesday when I was supposed to be studying for my 2nd long exam on Aesthetics my cable provider surprisingly acted up again and showed up all of its channels. So naturally I went to the Korean ones...:)
Saw Channel M showing "High School King of Savvy" episode 13 or 14 (the elevator scene and office scene with Seo In-guk vs. Lee Soo-hyuk), MBC with "Jang Bo-ri", & SBS. Dear old SBS.

Saw first "Secret Door" with replays of ep.2 & 3 (who was in the wooden coffin?), and got to see ep.4 raw. Did anyone else squeal upon seeing Sado in the bathtub half-naked? I did. XD And Kim Yoo-jung must've, too...XD I'm sure Lady Hong (future Lady Hyegyeong-gung, or the actress) was envious. Thank you army. XD

Next was "Healing Camp" with guests Seong Yu-ri and Yoo yeon-seok. After this broadcast I am officially in luv with him. What can this guy not do? Acting, athletics (boxing???), carpentry & design, cosmetics, singing...*lesigh* I'd do anything for him to be my BF, even though we have a more or less 10-year gap...

Seriously can't wait "Nodame Cantabile / Tomorrow's Cantabile". Worried since it's KBS. Did they retain the gay character?

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 7:49 AM

And also, since it's October 3rd, Happy Mean Girls Appreciation Day. :) It's on Twitter. XD

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16 4D

October 3, 2014 at 7:20 AM

Weekly Drama thoughts:

Well I'm not really up on anything currently airing. Oops! Everything had pretty much hit an eh point or at least a point where I'm squirmy about what's going to happen. Dies anybody else get like that? An event is about to occur and even though I'm sure it will be brief or I'll enjoy the show after it...I put Ioff watching it.

Also Secret Door looks really good, but I can't set myself up for that kind of ending.

My Loveable Girl - I've seen through episode 5 and I still can pin down my thoughts. There are some good moments but mostly I can't muster up much if a reaction to anything (good or bad). On the plus dude I thought L would be horrible but he's improved. He's not great but he's not bad. Wow am I wishy washy about this show lol.

Bridal Mask - Still slowly savoring this show. Almost to the halfway point. I'm enjoying it too much though to watch in my small phone screen at work though....so just an episide when I can at home.

Secret Hotel - Two episides behind. It's good but it's turning more romantic and slightly melodramatic when what I started the show I was hoping for a quirky murder mystery. I will watch it but I'm procrastinating.

The Night Watchman's Journal - Haven't watched this weeks episides although I heard they're extra crazy. I'm getting a bit frustrated by the inconsistencies.

Josean Gunman - Yep, still working ion this but It's picking up for me. I like it more then others seemed too. Could be just from specific actors though I guess.

Arang and the Magistrate - I guess I'm just in an Lee Jun Ki kick! I'm loving this show. Very easy to be consumed by it and I like so many aspects of it. Already on episide 8.

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17 shukmeister

October 3, 2014 at 7:34 AM

Happy Friday everyone!

Long time no see, but let's just say real life and health are playing tug-o-war with my dramas, and I was pulled a little closer to the mudpit.

On a positive note, I have finally finished squeecapping all episodes of Fall In Love With (Both Of) Me. Holy smokes, I thought I'd never garner enough enthusiasm to keep going, but I told myself it was the only way to start and new project and not feel guilty.

I've also complete more episodes of Winter Sonata.

But my newest project (and the reason I finished FILWM) is a Thai lakorn called La Ruk Sut Kop Fah (Chasing To The Edge Of Heaven). Contract marriage, feisty heroine, palace shenanigans, and at least one shirtless scene every episode. :-) I'm working on episode 3 of a 20-episode run. The last episode is schedule to air soon, so I am pretty behind. But the show is worth it!

Now here is something I recently wrote about, but don't read this if you can't unsee what I'm talking about. That is, Paris' most iconic image, the Eiffel Tower. Recently I noticed that this structure is showing up in almost every Asian drama I watch, be it Thai, Japanese, Taiwanese, or SK. Photos, paintings, rattan models, metal knicknacks. Super Junior's Lee Dong-hae even posted an Instagram showing an ET-shaped mirror on his mantel!

I talked about it to my Italian, New York City born mother, and it turns out she has a photo of it in her bedroom. I would almost prefer a black velvet painting of Elvis. Not really, but just remember the next time you watch a show, you might catch a little sneaky shot of it too. :-D

Maybe it's an alien broadcast tower, and we are gonna be Matrixed once there a ET model in every household?

On the English front, Sleepy Hollow and Salem are back, Gotham begins, and I still haven't seen Season 2 of Agents of SHIELD.

Take care, all!
8-)

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kopytko

October 3, 2014 at 7:41 AM

Hi Shuk!
Recently I have been seeing more and more people in dufflecoats and I was reminded of Winter Sonata. And when i thought of Winter Sonata, I also thought how you are doing. I hope your health won't act up too much and you can enjoy some nice dramas. Take care :)

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shukmeister

October 3, 2014 at 7:57 AM

kopytko - [wildly waving]

Everything is going well, I'm just waiting back the results from my last battery of tests. It doesn't preclude me from enjoying the cooler fall weather.

I'm just happy to be in between mowing the hot-weather grass (which is finally going dormant), and having to mow the cool-weather grass (the seed just went down this week).

I'm bound and determine to finish WS recaps this year. [fist pump]

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shukmeister

October 3, 2014 at 10:18 AM

korfan -

Elvis on velvet - might be retro chic these days. The Eiffel Tower as a concept everywhere has been around for a couple of years now ala cheap and tacky. Must be the happening place to take instagrams for idols - it has come around again in the 21st C as an international city of renown.

I am reading "How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City" byJoan DeJean (pub. 2014). I also recently finished "The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris," by David McCullough (2012)
and
"The Philosophical Breakfast Club" not set in Paris, but the scientific inventions of the mid 1800's are on display at the Paris World's Fair.

Hi Everybody!
Oh what a week. My sis is marrying tomorrow so everything is crazy at home. All what I do is run errands. And today I've just had a job interview to make my life more interesting. I am starving and a guy sitting next to me on the bus is deiciiously eatng a sandwich. UGH
I didn't really had time to watch a lot. Just enjoyed some secretary Go in Iron Man and the bumbling Cupid Secretary in My Spring Days. The secretaries rock my world.
I like the whodunnit vibe in Secret Hotel. I hope we'll get more Detective Kim in action. he's a hoot.

Have a lovely weekend, Everybody - I hope I will survive mine ;-)

BTW while looking for her bridal hair inspiration, my sis saved a picture of Song Hye Kyo. I just laughed to myself, but I didn't tell sis who this pretty girl is ;-)

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redfox

October 3, 2014 at 8:24 AM

not IU, I! shit

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shukmeister

October 3, 2014 at 8:00 AM

kopytko -

Make sure to set aside a big glass of wine for when the family stuff is over and order is restored! :-)

October 3, 2014 at 10:18 AM

Thank you :)

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I'm glad someone else got a laugh out of it. I laughed as we were exiting the theater when she said that. I hadn't too her anything about the movie or the actors and was just like....yeah of course she'd end up saying something like that because he's always like that!

Carole -

"…what is it with that mushroom hair?"

I admit it ...... I laughed when I read this.

The thing is, it's a perfect, spot on description of his hairstyle.

I don't really follow him, so I don't know, but when I first saw him, I thought the hairstyle was for a role or something ...... but he seems to ALWAYS appear with this style ...... and if I may say so, it's not all that flattering. ...... Who knows what's going on with that.

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4D

October 3, 2014 at 11:21 AM

Well he went on some show where they basically forced him into making a statement. They showed some photos he posted (Instagram? Twitter? Don't remember) and said that the internet was talking about how it made him seem gay. And he was annoyed for good reason and say hi fans just like those kinds of photos and no he's not gay. I only read one thing on it but it was bizarre.

But this thread was honestly about his acting.

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Lixie

October 3, 2014 at 5:01 PM

Oh poor guy. NO one should ever make any statements like that. They should just say it's none of their business and how do these people even get the courage to ask if someone is gay or not? Freaking morons.

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atz

October 4, 2014 at 12:28 AM

As I was watching this drama, I thought that the storyline is quite good but NMW ,,, It's not that he is a bad actor,,, it's just I cannot help wonder why his make up artist has to put eye liner and lip stick( or gloss) of reddish/pinkish tone on his face? Though he might deny this but he must have gone under knife so his plasticy look is more emphasized with those girlish make up. How can I take him seriously!!?? Both NMW and the leading lady have gone under knife and the two look rather artificial creatures( I am sorry that I am this blunt) I like human touch on faces, even faces have some flaws.

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owl

October 3, 2014 at 2:34 PM

Here are links to No Min Woo on episodes 3 and 4 of Global Request: A Song for You. If you think his acting roles are confusing, then these won't help at all. But I liked his R&R persona (band members are actually even more bizarre).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GwuxYSzWV0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VolsbyDqA

I totally ship him and the interviewer in the first clip. They are both adorable.

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20 owl

October 3, 2014 at 7:50 AM

Kdrama musings on a crisp fall Friday morning:

Yoo-na’s Street – Marathoned 18 episodes so far – love that it portrays life as neither glorified nor trivialized: it just is. I really like Old Man Jang.

The Three Musketeers – kudos to HeadsNo2 for an excellent recap of the complicated plot to placate the king in the midst of the prince’s dire circumstances and Mi-ryung’s storyline. The colors in this drama are breathtaking.

Happy Together has gone away from its Late Night Cafeteria segment. Wouldn’t it be daebak if they made a Happy Together Late Night Cafeteria Cookbook?

Abnormal Summit and I Am A Man – male testosterone overload out of this atmosphere out of control all over the place. I have to be in the mood to watch or my head explodes.

My Lovely Girl – there’s stuff going on, but it’s so snoring. I am not a fan of Hyun-wook’s ascot scarf concept. The “Ro” in Roland is taped over on the keyboard - ha. Dal Bong showed up for less than 5 seconds this week and still was the star. L and Krystal are bland as boiled potatoes. Hae-yoon’s line, “Is there a way to be maturely jealous?” might work in another drama, but the fancy restaurant dinner threesome scene was a big zero and so it didn’t fly. Saw daddy’s twist coming; see what it’s going to cause - so predictable.

The Greatest Marriage– I can’t tell yet. Actually, it’s Park Si-Yeon’s acting that makes me want to give it more time. She hits the nail on the head as female anchor Cha Gi-Young, who has worked her way up in a male dominated field. Her lovah boy Tae-yeon appropriately wearing a shirt with “Boy And Man” plastered across it is made of -?just what?- I wondered out loud as he juggled chef/reporter/chaebol hats and none all too well. I don’t get him. Soo-Bin - Mr. Chauvinist All About Me (so funny)– geez are these guys needy?

Discovery of Romance – Okay, I fell over exasperated to death when Yeo Reum made light of the box and Ha-jin barely called her out on it – it’s like the climax of the drama came and went. kaput--ssssss---ssss _______(flat line). I can’t be in anyone’s corner in this triangle. But Joon-ho and Sol – I can do that.

Much of this week in kdramaland has been that way.

Which brings me to one of my favorite oft quoted kdrama truisms, “All men are the same.”

~Do you have an oft quoted favorite kdrama truism?

FT Island’s 25th week half-way review of Hangul Live on my blog at http://www.cimiart.wordpress.com

No Roommate this week preempted by 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

I am looking forward to Modern Farmer with Lee Hong-ki, Park Min-woo, Lee Honey – hoping y’all make me laugh.

♥

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 8:15 AM

Actually, the teasers for "Modern Farmer" were quite funny, the actors rejecting the script and the interviews with the two people on their backs (possibly PD and writer???).

The only one I recognize is Honey Lee's (since her face is quite recognizable even way back Ms.U 2007). I saw no Hongki. :(

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owl

October 3, 2014 at 2:39 PM

I found these ~

Park Min woo is adorable in this teaser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zQkeT4gHUs

soompi article (Sept 18, 2014) with posters of Lee Hongki

http://www.soompi.com/2014/09/18/lee-hongkis-comic-teaser-poster-revealed-for-upcoming-drama-modern-farmer/

So I think we can look forward to both very soon in Modern Farmer :)

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korazylady

October 3, 2014 at 8:50 AM

I stopped watching Roommate as soon as Season 2 started. I wasn't feeling the new housemates, but wonder if I should give it another try.

October 3, 2014 at 8:20 AM

This week I've been focusing on getting a few Korean movies off my to-watch list.

From best to worst:

The Terror Live: starring the one and only Ha Jung Woo. The filming style reminded me of Paul Greengrass's films, in particular Captain Philips. Kept me on the edge of my seat all the way. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Face Reader: it was entertaining but I was confused by the story was resolved. Would love to hear what others think. Maybe refresh_daemon can do a review of this hit?

I watched The Face Reader a couple of months ago and enjoyed it. About the end - do you mean when the face reader is in exile? What I got was that he'd ceased to really believe in face reading except as a useful tool for certain types of people who need it to survive or to get what they want.

The face reader himself is dispossessed in that his family has lost their noble status but they aren't really commoners either. The face reading gisaeng is sold as a small child to a brothel. I think Prince Suyang is also a face reader and he is using it to get what he thinks he deserves, power and the throne. They all use face reading to survive and get what they want.

The face reader says by watching the waves, one misses the wind. By focussing on individuals, it's easy to miss the big picture. I read up on Prince Suyang, or King Sejo, after seeing the film and it turns out that he was a good king after his murderous start. He made a lot of necessary improvements to the governance of the country, encouraged innovation, and wrote Korea's first written constitutional legal code. Also Lee Jung-jae as Prince Suyong has one of the best entrances of any character in any film I've seen. Right up there with the first on-screen appearance of Harry Lime in The Third Man.

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pogo

October 3, 2014 at 3:04 PM

I took the end to mean that the face reader removed himself from the wider world after his son's death, and that while he came to terms with it, he had no wish to be part of that kind of world again.

All the begging and even eventual betrayal his brother-in-law did couldn't save the son, and ironically it was by taking the face reading manual too literally and acting in haste that they precipitated the very events they were seeking to prevent - like you said, they missed the wood for the trees.

And it does mean something to know that Suyang later felt remorse for his murderous actions and tried to atone by renouncing the world. He was a complex character, I loved the portrayals of him that we see both in The Face Reader (more like a straight-up villain) and in The Princess' Man.

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Rachel

October 4, 2014 at 12:35 AM

Thanks for sharing your interpretation! Yeah the dialogue was probably translated correctly in the subtitles, but I couldn't understand the context and the intent of his words.

Agreed on Lee Jung Jae. Tremendous performance.

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24 xxvxx

October 3, 2014 at 8:30 AM

Hi beanies,

rough week, my fave K-pop girl group SNSD is going some member ordeals right now so that dampened my spirits, not to mention my project deadlines and exams are coming up this month...

in drama news,

I recently started

1) My Lovely Girl - Rain is so emoting on screen, Cha Ye Ryun is surprisingly NOT mean and bitchy like all of her roles, Krystal is typical Candy (thank god she's not a Cha Eun Sang though, Bona will be fuming!), L is so cringe-worthy. But I like it, it's simple and cute.

2) J-drama Liar Game - Tried watching this before the Korean remake airs. It's good but I have this aversion to masks so I hate the way they film the game coordinator. I am hoping the Korean one follows this through and do it proud. I quite like it but noticed a lot of HUGE differences between Korean, Japanese and Hong Kong dramas! Like the styling, the directing, the acting... speech..

For variety:

1) Abnormal Summit!!!! These bunch of oppas are bringing me so much hilarity and joy despite a hell week!! New Alberto is as fun as Old Alberto - I love how the producers managed to find ANOTHER Alberto AND HE'S FUNNY TO BOOT! I am so glad they are achieving high ratings and deserve ALL the fame and love they're receiving now.

2) Running Man - same old same old I love this show regardless of the dragged storylines or just plain old races, the cast chemistry is what I truly stayed for.

3) Infinity Challenge - the radio challenge is HILARIOUS! I pray Noh Hong Chul never be a DJ again. He's so BAD at it haha.

That's all, hope everyone have a good weekend ahead :)

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owl

October 3, 2014 at 10:06 AM

xxvxx @Abnormal Summit -Loved the hilarity when New Alberto said Japanese people are hard to read because they don't express their emotions (esp when angry - you can't tell) and Takuya did the perfect "anio" (sp??) with a smile - so scary.

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thursdaynexxt

October 3, 2014 at 6:40 PM

Haha, yeah, Takuya's just found himself a new persona on that show. Talk about hidden skills!

The agenda topic this week was perfectly on point: are we addicted to the internet? Do we even need to ask?

They even mentioned stuff like SNS use by celebrities (oh Hong Ki - why'd you shut down your Twitter account?) and anti-fans, and how we're losing our social skills because now, when you catch up with friends, the conversation finishes in 5 mins, and then you're both busy checking your smartphones for messages, status updates, comments, etc! (I thought the "5 mins" part was pretty sad.)

But increasingly, I see groups of people hanging out in cafes, and they're all sitting together at the same table, but they're all looking down and fiddling with their phones. (Unless they're messaging the friend that's sitting right next to them?)

Turns out Sung Si Kyung was the biggest phone addict of them all!! It was kind of adorable when he wouldn't let Yoo Se-yoon take away his phone, and cradled it against his cheek lovingly.

I still think it needs more female participation, but I'm torn - I admit I'm also tuning in for the eye candy factor, so does that mean more female participation = less female viewers?

I think these guys wouldn't have quite the same camaraderie if there were girls on the team (Running Man's Song Ji Hyo is her own special formula), and the G11 is presenting a good mix of viewpoints, so clearly, the show has a wide appeal. But it would be great if they could get a female foreigner's perspective as well!

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25 junny

October 3, 2014 at 8:44 AM

Hi all, happy Friday!

On the j-drama front, I breezed past Liar Game season 1 and enjoyed it immensely. Now onto season 2. Matsuda Shota was excellent in season 1 (and this is coming from a non-Shota fan!) and I totally loved his Akiyama. He had lovely chemistry with Toda Erika, and the music was absolutely delish. Nao can be so frustrating as a character, but Akiyama tempered her naivety and made their pairing believable. Fukunaga is nuts!

October 3, 2014 at 4:38 PM

Apparently they were in the same drama, GOLD, four years ago. I guess he probably has an idea of how mehhh she is, but can't do much about it. Read somewhere her agency really hard-sells her, god knows why.

Freeter was average? I'd heard some good reviews of it, but it wasn't really the kind of drama I'd go for.

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26 Coolrepublica

October 3, 2014 at 9:23 AM

I am watching MY SPRING DAYS.

What can I say, it is like watching real people lives unfold in front of your eyes.

I am so used to watching the ubiquitous Ahole CEO and the poor girl trying to marry rich, that i am just glad to see a show about a nice CEO snd a girl with wealthy parents but still loves to work and isn't looking to marry up because she is not broke. Lol

The acting is effortless, natural, calm and refreshing. No over acting. No screaming. No one is really evil. Everything about his makes me think no Koreans were involved in its making. Lol but yet here it is MY SPRING DAYS, the best show on Korean tv hands down.

You know when actors are nailing it when you can't imagine anyone else playing their roles better. The lead actors have soooo much chemistry, that it pains me to think they are only acting. When the male lead stares at the bom yi in episode 8, I felt like I was back in high school and he staring at me. I blushed. Haha.

This show should be in 20%, but I can't force Koreans to see what a great show they have on their hands, but people to watch something great Should give t a try.

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korazylady

October 3, 2014 at 9:38 AM

About the high school comment - I totally agree. This is what resonates with me so about this drama. And when she went back to her room and was daydreaming on her bed - who hasn't been there? I literally felt like I was in her mind. Love love love it!

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Angélina Eang

October 3, 2014 at 11:16 AM

Aww, I love you so much for this comment ;D

Yeaap', My Spring Days feels so much like reality. Well, except for the transplanted heart part, haha. But yeap', everyone's acting is top notch and I am really proud of Sooyoung. She is really nailing it <3

And that damned chemistry between the leads, damn it. They are fantastic together :D

Let's wish for double digit ratings at least ;D It's such a shame that because of the AG, the ratings went down. I hope next week is gonna be better :D

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Beanfan

October 3, 2014 at 4:35 PM

Ok, these posts have seriously got me wanting to watch this.. Please please tell me this isn't a fourth installment of the 'seasons series'--Autumn Love, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent...

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Lixie

October 3, 2014 at 5:09 PM

>The acting is effortless, natural, calm and refreshing. No over acting. No screaming. No one is really evil.

No doubt the best of SD is this. There is more to praise but really, no screaming chaebols, no evils witches, no stupid Candies. Just plain good acting and some decent writing can make even the silliest plot work.

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27 Lizzy4e

October 3, 2014 at 9:42 AM

Howdy!

I did not think that the crazy things that were happening in the “real” world would land on my doorstep but they did.

As the crow flies, my home is 4 miles from the hospital where the US’s first Ebola patient is in isolation.

Here I thought living in the center of this country(USA), not even on a port, that I was insulated from the CRAZY that is going on out there in the world. (It is pretty effing crazy out there right now.)

For the record: I personally do not see people acting scared. We all seem to be going about our business, but then no secondary cases have been confirmed as yet. I think when we start getting second and third tier victims, our behavior will start to change.
We will become less willing to go out, more cautious about personal contact, afraid of public transportation. I expect it will affect our tourist industry. And if this is not contained, controlled, squashed quickly, it will affect our convention business. My second job is in the tourist industry to it matters to me.

I hope few people are affected and everyone recovers.

In Drama News:

BLADE MAN!!!! Aka Iron Man

Ohmygosh! I love the scenes shot at the house, the porch/pond. The way the shots are framed is such a visual delight!

Our hero is sweet and petty and innocent and vindictive and our clueless heroine has him wrapped around her harmless little finger. I really enjoyed his delight in his superpowers. Lee Dong Wook is playing the cartoonish over-the-top character with enough heart to make him lovable. And Shin Se Kyung’s deer-in-the-headlights look is the perfect foil for him.

Secretary Ko is the most awesome wingman, I loved his landing when he rolled down the stairs…in one of the episodes…

Blade Man is delightful, surprising and refreshing.

***

October 3, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Yes Yes Yes! I loved when he laughed at his boss's pain.

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LizJ

October 3, 2014 at 12:55 PM

More Blade Man love! More people should give this drama a try!

October 3, 2014 at 10:09 AM

Had all four wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. Swollen, stiff and my mouth tastes like blood. I also think one of my blood clots fell out, but my dad checked and said he saw red spots where the teeth were extracted. What to do?

Still reading, still watching the same dramas, but I haven't watched much this week, only episode 5 of Blade Man. Loving the show so far.

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owl

October 3, 2014 at 10:20 AM

oooo sorry, Abbie. I had all four wisdom teeth out at the same time, too, at Thanksgiving and I missed out on dinner. Sad. Maybe a wintergreen lifesaver to get rid of that awful taste? Next week this time you will feel much better (time passing quickly please). Re-watching a favorite kdrama or k-entertainment shows (You Are A Man on KBS you tube - there are around 6 episodes so far - is just off the wall) while you're under the weather ~ feel better soon ~

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Abbie

October 3, 2014 at 12:20 PM

Thank you, Owl! I hope I do feel better next week, too.

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 1:16 PM

Ouch.

Based on personal experience, having a tooth extraction is, I dunno, little pain (I don't remember painful experiences when my left upper 2nd pre-molar was extracted)

But having a wisdom tooth extraced is painful enough in my case: my wisdom tooth on the right lower side was an impacted tooth and was growing at a peculiar angle (the crown was facing the exposed side of my 2nd molar) ever since late elementary/high school when it began to manifest, and late September/October last year pain began to irritate me every now and then ever since a half-cooked rice grain of the bibimbap I ate became stuck in the gap between the teeth (where food particles become stuck unless I remove it either with my tounge or a toothpick; until then it was painless, but after that incident it became painful enough that I was avoiding chewing on my right side).

It was only a few months later that the pain became unbearable that I had no choice left but to remove it. And since it was impacted, the orthodentist had to drill it (OH THE EXCRUCIATING PAIN) to pieces so that extraction would be easier. They found out the part in contact with my 2nd molar had a cavity in it (due to the toothbrush unable to reach it).

After imparting my experience, I can only imagine how painful it is to have extracted not one, but all wisdom teeth.

I don't know what your orthodentist instructed, but firstly follow what s/he instructed. And for my experience:
-keep placing and replacing the cotton-and-gauze swabs every 15 minutes
-remember to drink enough water so that your fluids are replenished
-eat cold food and place ice packs by your sides so that the swelling might lessen

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31 Chandler

October 3, 2014 at 12:29 PM

Continued my J-drama obsession this week :)

Koori No Sekai:

OH. I dropped everything for this. I FREAKING LOVE THIS DRAMA. It was like everything I never knew I wanted. Haunting and mysterious, with a surprising emotional center that really got to me in a way I did not expect and provided wonderful insights on what it means to really love. Really, just everything was amazing.

Both the leads are fantastic. Matsushima Nanako is especially fascinating here and really her character has got to be the most riveting I've watched in a long time. In a moment, I'd feel like I knew her to her core and then in another, I'd be questioning everything and yet still love her regardless of that. It's a difficult balance to pull off and she did it very well. She also has such a mesmerizing voice! And well, Yutaka. You'll soon see how I feel about him when you see what else I've been watching LOL (hint: everything Yutaka). But really, together they had amazing chemistry and I can't recall having ever seeing a love story quite like theirs.

There's just something about the tone of this drama that made me feel like I was embarking on some sort of worthwhile journey, rather than watching every other murder-mystery out there. And then that ending happened. I love that ending SO. MUCH. I'm not sure I'd call the events leading up to the climax pitch-perfect (although I did really really like it), but the climax and it's resolution leave me so amazed and more satisfied with an ending than I've been in a long time. Seriously, the last minutes just shot through my heart with so many emotions all at once that I was left breathless. Watch it yourself to see whether I'm emotional, or whether this drama really is just awesome.

AHHHH and I also loved the music so much! And I used up all the time I have writing about this one drama so I'll have to talk about what else I'm watching later LOL!

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Chandler

October 3, 2014 at 6:30 PM

Oh and it was actually your introduction to Love Shuffle that spurred all my J-drama watching haha! I love that drama.

As for Nodame Cantabile, I actually watched the anime years ago, ADORED it, watched it five times over, realized there was a drama, watched that ten times over. So yes, I've seen that one haha. :)

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October 3, 2014 at 7:24 PM

Omg, "With Love"!! It might've been a decent show, except that it was so terribly miscast! And it's really dated now - the good ol' days of dial-up internet!

Liked the music (My Little Lover's "Destiny" was a great upbeat song, and "Once in a Blue Moon" is a beautiful melody you still hear used in shows sometimes).

The slice of life aspects of the show were also interesting (sure, you're an ex rock band leader and cool composer, but artistic expression doesn't always win against the commercial realities of marketing budgets and client pettiness).

But I cannot in all honesty recommend it to anyone!

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Chandler

October 3, 2014 at 7:35 PM

Really? I, for the most part, loved it, but I did think some of it's stronger moments were actually it's brighter ones. Such as when they uncover fossils together outside or the heated exchanges in her office at dusk, rather than the intense, dark bar scenes.

Haha, I've been wondering whether or not to check out "With Love" because I've read all these mixed reviews everywhere. I've heard good things about Risou no Kekkon though so I might be watching that soon and now I'll probably add these to my list too :) But yeah, there's just something about him. I love his voice and the little things he does with his eyes.

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Beanfan

October 5, 2014 at 3:54 PM

I think back in the day I loved Koori no Sekai as well.. Cos, definitely, it put Nanako up there on my list of favorite Japanese actresses to watch. It definitely was a starring role for her... that and the one where she's a teacher who falls in love with a student. But re: KNS, only some time after the show, and after clocking in a lot more hours watching Japanese mystery dramas, did I start noticing the formulaic quality to many of them. And when I went back and rewatched KNS for the fun of it, I found it not as good the 2nd time around.

I just find many Japanese mysteries rely too much on pregnant pauses and ominous stares out the window (where the music starts rolling in) to move the mystery along... For instance, X police officer will be seated at his desk brooding over a crime/criminal/suspect when, suddenly, as the credits roll they up the music to signify he's finally put two and two together, thereby advancing the plot. When in fact nothing happened. But maybe it's an easy way to dramatically highlight a detective's crime-solving brainwork.. Which is much like a mathematician's, I suppose, since they also do alarmingly groundbreaking work in the quietest, unobtrusive, pen-on-paper/chalk-on-chalkboard manner...at least in the movies. Haha.

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32 Kim Yoonmi

October 3, 2014 at 12:41 PM

Surprised at liking The Greatest Marriage. Production values are not high and the acting can be there or not... but the writing is pretty tight so it makes up for the other mediocre two fairly well.

Also watching Three Musketeers... and Tiny Times (which is more like sipping a fine wine than chugging a soda).

the other shows aren't really hooking me. *sighs* So I don't have much to say... which is why I've been out.

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33 Aigoooo

October 3, 2014 at 12:53 PM

Hi all!

So, I have been reading up on the whole Jessica getting fired from Girls' Generation debacle. I find it interesting that international (western) fans point of view and Korea's point of view has been so different. From the comments that I have read, most of the international fans are disappointed with SM and Girls's Generation for doing that to Jessica while Korean fans are disappointed at Jessica for not being a team player which lead to her getting fired. I guess it's a culture thing maybe?

My Spring Days - speaking of Girls' Generation, Soo Young's acting has been pretty impressive in this drama. The show itself has been pretty good even though it's starting to drag a bit for me. Plus they put too many scenes of them just staring at each other. If I want that then I'd watch Twilight (If you had watched Honest Trailers on Youtube then you'd know what I'm talking about). lol

My Lovely Girl - started off as pretty meh but it's actually getting interesting now. Krystal's acting is ok.. L's acting is not.

Plus Nine Boys - enjoying this drama a lot. It would be a shame if that whole plagiarism thing puts the show off the air. It kinda pisses me off that it's ok for Korea's entertainment industry to rip off foreign intellectual property (like putting popular western songs on their dramas without permission) but it's a big deal if they rip off one of their own.

Iron-Man - I actually just started watching this right now. Keeping an open mind... Ok.. I almost spilled my drink watching the office scene 5 minutes into the first episode. This show is hilarious!

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LizJ

October 3, 2014 at 12:56 PM

Give it a chance, OK, it really is very good. I think people didn't know what to make of it with the first one or two episodes.

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Rovi

October 3, 2014 at 1:34 PM

TBH, the problem with Jessica is her priorities. And also, I fear for her future once Tyler Kwon dumps her in the end.

And also, what international fans think don't matter to K-netizens.

Just look how polarized and different the comments were regarding the Krisis (Kris vs. SME): international fans were mostly pro-Kris, K-netizens were nothing short of RACIST. And that is one thing I do not like about Koreans: hypocrisy surrounding their unconscious racism. Antagonism against Japan is understandable, but blasting off Chinese (even Manchurian ethnic Koreans), Africans, SE Asians, and other races (even those that look like foreigners, e.g. a child with blue eyes (keratin-based iris disorder), and a man that looked like a Filipino with no foreign ancestry) then shrugging it off that they aren't racist? What sorcery is this!

Other examples (internat'l vs. K-nets) also include the Baekhyun-Taeyeon scandal (int. fans were mostly supportive, K-nets saying they were betrayed (and TBH they have a point)) & Bom's prescription drug scandal. All I observe is that K-nets can be so flighty as a bipolar person, as if they know everything. Just look when they blasted off Joon before: they said he was disrespectful at Go Young-wook in "Strong Heart" (when Joon accused him of stealing his girlfriend), but when Go Young-wook's molestation case came to light, K-nets were as quick as an eye blink to about turn-face.

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Aigoooo

October 3, 2014 at 1:51 PM

That reminds me of the incident with Hwang Min Woo aka little PSY. Knetizens attacked the boy for being Vietnamese Korean. I am all for being proud of ones race but not at the expense of belittling other races.

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Rovi

October 6, 2014 at 1:05 AM

Blame Park Geun-hye's dictator father then; I read somewhere that he was the one who had espoused the "Koreans are pure" bullshit ideology during the early or late 60's or 70's...
(especially after the many cases of GI babies, whose abandoned mothers were ostracized)

In history, Koreans had welcomed foreigners in the past, becoming naturalized citizens and even managed inter-racial marriages, examples of which are:

*Heo Hwang-ok, an "Ayuta/Ajutuo" (either Ayodhya, India or Ayutthaya, Thailand) princess, married Kim Suro (founder of Geumgwan Gaya, not the "Game Devil"), and besides being his chief consort, founded Buddhism in Korea.
From 2 of their sons that she requested Suro to bear her maiden name, they founded the Gimhae, Hayang, Taein, Hansan, & Yangcheon Heo bongwans.
The other 8 sons founded the Gimhae Kim bongwan.
More than 6 million trace their lineage to this common foreigner ancestress.

*This one is in a Persian tale, and may or may not be true (watched this in a KBS Panorama documentary last year). Entitled "Kush-Nama", it is an epic poem & part of a mythical history of Iran.
A Persian prince named Ābtin (3d generation of descendant of Jamshid), whose clan is now under attack from both Kuš and his son, consults the chronicle of Jamshid, and is advised to seek refuge with the king of Māchin (inner China in Persian literature) which has 2 sections: one which borders Čin and ruled by a king named Bahak, the other is an island a month's journey away and is ruled by the King Teyhur.
Ābtin is warmly received by Teyhur and he stays in the island (referenced as Basilā (Korean scholars connect/interpret this with Silla), Kuh, & Jazira). Ābtin then marries the daughter of Teyhur, Princess Farārang. During his stay in the island, Abtin is inspired by a dream which tells him to go to Iran, and with Teyhur's approval, Ābtin and Farārang aided by an ancient mariner sail for 14 months and reach the sea of Gilan and Amol (probably Caspian Sea), and in Iran, Farārang gives birth to (Iranian hero) Faridun.
Ābtin may be the inspiration of the Cheoyongmu dance, since I think from what has been recorded, is dark-skinned.

*Lý Long Tường & Lý Duong Côn, 2 descendants of the Lý (or Later Lý; 1099-1225) Dynasty who fled Vietnam and were granted asylum by Goryeo's kings, founded respectively the Hwasan & Jeongseon Lee bongwans.
A descendant of Lý Duong Côn is Lee Ui-min, who in Goryeo history was the 4th leader of the hundred-year miliatry regime (dramatized in "Age of Warriors" by Lee Deok-hwa).

*Samga and an unnamed person, 2 Uighur merchants during Goryeo, founded respectively the Deoksu Jang (and spread Islam during Goryeo) & the Gyeongju Seol bongwans.
There's another foreigner during Goryeo too, who founded the Imcheon Lee bongwan, who might be or not an Uighur.

*A (might be or not) Mongolian who founded the Yeonan In bongwan.

*Gulüntulan...

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Rovi

October 6, 2014 at 1:06 AM

(continued)

*Gulüntulan Temür, a Jurchen who went by the more familiar name Lee Ji-ran, was Taejo Lee Seong-gye's sworn blood brother (if you watched "Jeong Do-jeon").
For his help and contributions in found Joseon, Taejo permitted him to found the Cheonghae Lee bongwan.

It was during the Joseon dynasty that xenophobia and hemogenism began to take root. Especially after the Japanese & the Manchus ran afoul Joseon and messed it up.
*During the attempted Japanese invasions, Japanese soldiers Sayaka & Sayomo defected to Joseon, and founded respectively the Wurok & Hambak Kim bongwans. In the former's case, the Wurok Kim is a branch of the Gimhae Kim.

*Jan Janse de Weltevree & Jan Claezen, two Dutchmen along the expedition of Hendrick Hamel, whose "De Sperwer" en route to Japan were shipwrecked in Jeju Island (part of the backdrop of the manhwa "Tamna the Island"), founded respectively the Wonsan Park & the Byeongyeong Nam bongwans.

It's just like in the Harry Potter universe: there's no real "pure" pure-blood families, whose only options are to marry & inter-breed, or risk extinction.

In short, hemegenuity is bullshit. It's no wonder that report about Korea going extinct by 2750 came up. Their choice, their problem.

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34 redfox

AND OMG MARY WHERE ARE YOU THE RIM IS SMILING ALL THE TIME and being adorable and IT IS KILLING ME

You took the words right out of my mouth. I had to turn it off during the WTF are you doing hugging her so long Hyun Meong hug (is he turning into Jin Ah? ::stomps foot::)

NO, by the force of my WILL, Chef and Ha Ni will live happily ever after and run a successful chain of seafood restaurants. ::glowers::

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October 3, 2014 at 4:39 PM

I'll accept whatever they do, as long as it isn't like Mirae's Choice. But I would be happier and the story would make more sense, if the otp was Ha-ni/Shi-kyung.

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thursdaynexxt

October 3, 2014 at 6:16 PM

Please, writers, there's no need to screw this up when you've already set the stage for Ha Ni and Chef-nim - just tie up the loose ends reveal the big truth, and most importantly - hook up the Director lady with Ahn Manyeo!

It was making me nervous when Ha Ni and Si Kyung were missing each other's calls, and that hug at the end ...! HornDog has the big advantage of the cohabitation factor, but I hope they're not going to force a romance there.

What would a Mirae's Choice ending be in this drama? Ha Ni ends up in bubbles? Do the rules say that she has to find "true love", or that it has to be mutual/reciprocated?

It's probably a combination of having more dramas to choose from which splits the viewing public, the ever evolving technology that lets viewers watch dramas using different devices that doesn't register with the antiquated ratings system, and change in viewer's tastes over the years.

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37 Beanfan

October 3, 2014 at 6:18 PM

Alright, I've posted here and there, but this is my first "introductory" post.. Just so happy to have found a platform to share all my thoughts about the dramas I've watched/am watching. : )

Thanks to Dramabeans, I've watched many shows I wouldn't otherwise have heard of/watched: Joseon X-Files, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Answer Me 1997, Soulmate, Nine: Nine Time Travels... Still trying to get around to/get a hold of: Mixed Up Investigative Agency, Biscuit Teacher Star Candy, Flowers for My Life, Que Sera Sera, and Vampire Prosecutor...among MANY others.

For those of you into J-Dramas, I've compiled the following list over the years of must-watches. Most are old, cos I had a drama-watching-hiatus for a good 3 to 4 years due to grad school, work, getting married, and having kids...but what comments/thoughts do you have on this list? I've watched a lot of OLDER j-dramas, from the 80s and 90s, so many titles that came out those years, I think I would've watched already. Mainly asking for recs from early 2000 til now..

- Soratobu Kouhoushitsu (2013)
- Hanazawa Naoki (2013)
- Legal High (2013)
- Kekkon Dekinai Otoko
- Trick (2000, 2002, 2003)
- Ryusei no Kizuna (2008)
- Osen (jap food, 2008)
- Dragon Zakura (teacher, 2005)
- Buzzer Beat (Basketball)
- Love in Tokyo
- Mother (2010)
- Ashita, Mama Ga Inai (2014)
- Amachan (female diver, 2013)
- Shinya Shokudo (restaurant, 2009)
- Shinya Shokudo 2 (restaurant, 2011)
- Oshin (1983)
- Yakou Kanransha (2013)
- Marumo no Okite (dog talks human, 2011)
- The Queen's Classroom (2005)

Kekkon Dekinai Otoko is a must-watch! Abe Hiroshi at his best! And he had fantastic chemistry with Natsukawa Yui.

Of your list, I've heard Shinya Shokudo is also very good - it also has a season 3 coming up. Oshin is naturally a classic, though I have only vague memories of that one. From reviews I read, Mother is quite heavy but generally solid and has good acting.

If you need recs, these are the post-2000 dramas that I think are worth giving a try:

Nodame Cantabile (music, 2006 - drama, 2 specials, 2 movies)
Love Revolution (rom-com, 2001)
Love Shuffle (rom-com, 2009)
Liar Game (psychological thriller, 2007 - has 2 seasons, 2 films)
JIN (medical, 2009 - 2 seasons)
Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi (human drama, 2008)
Long Goodbye (crime/noir, 2014)
Hotaru no Hikari (rom-com, 2007 - 2 seasons)
Shinzanmono (crime, 2008)

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Beanfan

October 5, 2014 at 4:03 PM

Thanks snow! I've watched Jin, which I thought was okay. It was one of those dramas where I totally watched for the main actor. : )

Will check out your other recs!

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Gizmo

October 4, 2014 at 11:46 PM

Welcome to dramabeans, beanfan! I hope you enjoy your stay here :) I am also a semi-lurker, though I don’t think I’ve ever done a proper introductory post myself..I might as well throw a little bit about myself before I continue.

Let’s see. My drama addiction started with japanese dramas about 12 years ago. Somewhere along the way, when I was having serious drama depression from having consumed all the japanese dramas I had access to (at the time, not many), I discovered my first korean drama "Full House". Thinking back on it, those 2-3 days when I marathoned FH were really exciting, and definitely some of my happiest. Nowadays I watch more korean dramas than japanese mainly because for some mysterious reason I’ve been in the mood for romance and unfortunately there aren’t enough romantic japanese dramas coming out lately (for me anyway). That, and there is the ‘dramabeans effect’, of course. Usually though what I like to do is rotate between japanese and korean dramas for a healthy dose of entertainment from both worlds.

Personally I haven't seen many dramas from the 80's, though I like to think I’ve got 90’s pretty well covered. As for the 2000’s, I had a few years of hiatus as well beginning from 2009 and I’m still in process of catching up.

As for your list, I'd definitely recommend:

- Kekkon Dekinai Otoko
- Hanazawa Naoki
- Mother
- Ama-chan

Also, these are pretty good:

- Legal High
- Ryusei no Kizuna
- Trick
- Buzzer Beat

As for the rest of your list, honestly I haven't seen all of them so I can't comment, and some of them I thought were just meh.

October 3, 2014 at 11:34 PM

Aaaaand, once again I wind up the OT.

I spent the last OT raving about Yu Na's Street, and now the moment I dreaded has arrived: I'm all caught up with episodes, and the new subtitled ones can't come out soon enough!

I have to admit though that I'm not quite as enamored of Yu Na's Street as I was last week. The last few episodes which introduced Yu Na's mother left me flabbergasted.

Oh, show, why did you have to jump the shark? What was the point of having the same actress play both Yu Na AND her mother? So annoying, so useless. Was the budget too small and producers felt they couldn't afford another actress? Is the PD so enamored with the actress that he feels that we can't see enough of her? Was the actress thinking this would garner her some awards? Or is everyone in the cast and crew too sleep deprived to make good decisions? They went to all the trouble to create this believable little world, and blew it all up with this. What the heck??!!! There are other ways of making us see how similar the daughter is to the mother than having the same actress play both parts. And the makeup is not that believable; she just looks plastic. And if an actresses' face can't move, she pretty much can't act. YNS, you stole my suspension of disbelief, and I want it back, but it's too late.

It's back again!

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42 harmonyfb

October 4, 2014 at 9:45 AM

I have a question...I was rewatching some Special Affairs Team Ten episodes, and there was a line which confused the heck out of me.

One character described another as having "a reverse cow's luck" (and the female team member made horns on her head and moooed at him.) ::confused face:: What does that even mean? I...just...what?

The context - I guess - implied that he had just accidentally lucked into the right answer, but...how does that comment make any sense?

I remember this exact scene. Hmmm...I remember wondering about it, but I think I ended up just accepting that it was a cultural saying of some sort. But I'd definitely love to know more about what it's derived from as well.

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