First Up: My precious Byung-gu, you are too pure for this world. Go forth and gossip over strawberry milk and pass on your commenting wisdom to those less fortunate. You keep doing you, bby.
Deep breath. Time to start saying good-bye to all my baby birds. Time to let go and let them fly into the world. Hopefully we’ll meet again soon in dramaland.
Real talk: Should I give Strongest Deliveryman a second chance? I watched three episodes and it felt like it was flailing. Has it found its footing? Or does the cute at least make up for it?
I find Kang Soo adorable, even if some may find him “too good”
But I’ve always liked Go Kyung Pyo.
Cantabile tomorrow, Reply 1988, Flower boy next door, Jealousy Incarnate, big roles or little he makes me smile
I do like GKP, which was a large reason I really wanted to like the show — I think he was great in Chicago Typewriter, and I’ve had an eye on him since FBND.
But I found his story in the part of SD that I have seen to basically felt like an afterthought by the writer. No issues with the character itself, who I found interesting and sympathetic. Plus I like nice guy leads. Pics and comments from recent eps make it seem like he’s got more to do now, but I’m still torn.
I can’t really say the show has gotten more complex. It’s one of my “easy” dramas, no mystery, no hidden agendas or searching for clues in every expression (Forest of Secrets-which I miss). But I’m enjoying it in a quiet way. They seem to be building up into a look into his past so we’ll see what this week has to offer.
Chicago Typewriter is something I haven’t seen. You’re thoughts?
I liked CT a lot — I thought GKP grew a lot as an actor there, and he and Yoo Ah In played wonderfully off one another. There were some quibbles on my end in terms of the way the story was told, but overall it was a wonderful drama to watch. Not super predictable, but not always a mystery either. Plus, I liked that it explored a revolutionary era story, because those are my favorite ones.
I’ll probably reconsider SD, now that School 2017 is ending. I just started Live Up to Your Name, but I’ve managed to catch up with it. I wouldn’t mind a fluff show. I just felt frustrated with the early episodes of SD because I felt it wasn’t delivering on its potential, if that makes sense? Maybe if I readjust my expectations I’ll be OK.
No I understand, I guess my expectations were low at the outset,lol, just looking for something to offset the darker dramas like Save Me and Forest of Secrets. I think I just decided to start Live Up to Your Name, I’ve been putting it off since it’s not as easily available as my other shows. But I’ve been seeing alot of positive comments. I started Moonlight Drawn by Clouds also. So many dramas, so little time.
They have found their footing in SD specially in the last 2 weeks. All the individual parts in the story finally came together. I feel like the character interactions is the best part of this drama and on that front it does deliver lots of good moments in the latest episodes. It can get a little frustrating at times, but the cute kind of makes up for it. I would definitely give it another try. 🙂
Pretty sure my 2AM thoughts get that random and a lot weirder 😛
So, no, not just you haha. (p.s. I’m still half way through that show and I don’t think the probability of it being finished is very high)
I still don’t really know what that show was trying to do/say/accomplish as a story. Nothing happened? I mean, Sung Joon was really pretty and Han Ye Seul looked really fabulous in a lot of Gucci, but other than that, no idea what kept me watching. Maybe I was hypnotized by Sung Joon’s voice? It is very soothing.
Though, that wasn’t enough to keep me watching High Society…so really, think this is just gonna have to be one of those unsolved mysteries of the universe.
See I binged the first half when I was dead-ass sick and could barely move, so I’m pretty sure I was only watching for Sung Joon and the funny scenes.
But I know people who kind of enjoyed it and probably only got through it because they live watched, so *shrugs*
Maybe Madame Antoine just has a weird inexplicable pull despite not being an amazing show haha.
(Then I got even sicker and switched to horribly cheesy old Australian kids shows on the actually TV because I didn’t want to read subtitles or leave the couch)
I mean, maybe that’s it — it wasn’t like, terrible beyond belief, but it also just…didn’t do anything as a story?
I mean, I also somehow watched Hyde, Jekyll, Me all the way through (the pull of Hyun Bin is strong) even though I’m pretty sure I spent the last 5 episodes or so going “Why are they doing this? Does any of this make sense?” So maybe some dramas are just like that? I should study up on this phenomena.
Or maybe I should sleep like a healthy, normal person.
Hahahaha it’s interesting how some dramas can do that. It’s not good but you sort of watch for the trainwreck anyway. Still not sure why humans like watching trainwrecks. I think we’re a little kooky hahaha.
Pfff what is normal anyway
=== no you really should sleep though, that is good for you hahaha.
I actually bailed on Hyde, Jekyll, Me with 2-3 episodes to go. I couldn’t take it anymore. Beside Ji Sung killing the multiple personalities in Kill Me, Heal Me.
My 2am thoughts usually get me in trouble, that’s seems to be the time that I seem to think I should add another drama to my already long list.
I live-watched for the actresses and I ranted every week. Once in a while I watch dramas just so I can relieve my frustration on fictional characters. It’s weird but entertaining ha.
I just have memories of half-heartedly watching it every week and not understanding why these once brilliant female characters were acting lobotomized.
“lobotomized” is the right word. I thought they were supposed to be smart and everyone did silly things and the guys were jerks (no matter how innocent they said the youngest guy was)
Well usually, it’s either I am still awake catching up on a drama or waking up at 2am trying to open my eyes watching european football while randomly think “why did i watch that drama?” or “why did i not watch that drama?”
I didnt even try to watch Madame Antoine,still scarred from watching him & Uee in High Society all because I was totally enamored of Park Hyung Sik & Im Jiyeon
I made it four or five episodes into that show, and I realized I just couldn’t subject myself to it anymore. I tried because the second lead story was so cute, but nope. That’s what Youtube is for.
That’s what concealer is for. I think whoever invented concealer deserves sainthood. Or sometimes I just lean into the dark circles and make it my grunge aesthetic.
I’ll admit to having started Liar because I’m a sucker for a good musical drama. Shut Up Flower Boy Band and You’re Beautiful are two of my all-time favorite dramas. I love seeing characters bond over music and work towards a dream together.
What I loved most about music in Liar was that it served less of a metaphorical purpose and instead was something that the characters all genuinely cared about in a myriad of different ways. Crude Play’s arc revolved largely about becoming an authentic band worthy of the sound they represented but didn’t actually create themselves. Han-gyul loved music more than anything in the world until he met So-rim, and even there he fell for her voice first. So-rim loved music but it wasn’t enough to force her to sacrifice her relationship with her friends. Even Yoo-na cared more about putting out good music than focusing on her past image.
Then there’s the music itself – I’ll admit to not loving all the music in the show, though I enjoyed all of it. However, there’s a certain upbeat and hopeful quality to all the songs that I like. More importantly, the songs fulfill their purpose in the show. (I don’t speak Korean, and don’t have the time to parse lyrics, so I’m talking more in general terms of the sound of the music.)
I think “Shiny Boy,” while upbeat and poppy and fun, is utterly generic. Being generic isn’t a criticism – instead it speaks to the fact that So-rim was able elevate it from its basic form to something more, but that alone isn’t enough to make a hit. Chan-young’s production of “Shiny Boy” – though enthusiastic, wasn’t good enough. Chan-young doubted his ability (due in large part to Jin-hyuk’s manipulations) which led to a subpar final song. So-rim elevated it as best she could, but one person doing the lion’s share of the work isn’t enough. It’s fun, but forgettable, and the show made It a point to show this to us.
But the show also provides a counterpoint by showing us the production of Yoo-na’s song. It wasn’t surprising to me that Yoo-na’s song was a hit; she was passionate and dedicated to making it a great song for its own sake and that shone through in its execution. Even Han-gyul refused to cut corners while producing the song. I loved the scene where Yoo-na is recording because of the way Han-gyul just focuses on her voice, putting everything from his mind, even though he desperately wanted to go see So-rim perform.
I loved that in the end we never had Han-gyul writing songs for So-rim, though it was a possibility in the future. Instead he learned to write music that was worthy of the players because he’s learned to see people beyond how they can service the music. That in itself was beautiful, because great music is created from passion and joy as much as talent and practice.
And that there was the message of the music in this show: that music is more than the sum of its parts. It’s not just good singers, and songwriting and playing. It can’t be created by formula. It needs passion and enthusiasm to live.
Even though I like all the upbeat songs, Shiny Boy, Peter Pan, and more included, funnily enough, it’s the less uplifting tracks and “less hopeful” that are my favorite. Like Yoona Yesterday Today Tomorrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4xY9byTRZo&list=PLcOf-jV0-p1hXIwN1GYLXwLxrDCG1U00q&index=4, Or Joy’s cover of Road To Me (OST Part 11), or Crude Play In Your Eyes (Part 7).
Mayyybe? I have one or two more up my sleeve, but not written out yet. Hoping to draft one after I get dinner in a bit so I can post it tomorrow; but tomorrow is also Eid, so it depends on if I have any down time in the afternoon between places to go. I just didn’t want to clog up the wall with giant posts all at once.
I actually like the whole OST, and have added it to my music library, but it’s just not as good to me as some other music drama OSTs. I dunno, maybe I’m just more of a rock ‘n roll kinda girl.
I still like you’re spread out posts especially about TLATL. I get to reminisce all over again. Also I get to think about what you said and get to see everyone’s comments.
That was the other thing – I want to be able to see other people’s comments, so spreading them out gives me that chance. The only issue is I don’t want to start forgetting the show before I’ve gotten to all my thoughts.
Recaps are a good way to read others’ thoughts. You’ll find a lot of material there. Also past posts of Team Dramabeans What We’re Watching. And there’s also a podcast for more comments and JB & GF’s commentary.
I started this show because it was about music too. That’s really across the board if you’re a musical or have music I will watch you. For kdrama it’s why I saw You’re Beautiful, Mary stayed up all night, heartstrings and TLATL. Give me music students, professionals, tradition musicians, modern acts…all of it. 🙌🏽 I’ve always believed to produce music it takes everyone to make a good song. It’s a team who has skill and has heart.
Now I LOVE all of Crude Play music (it’s what I listen to from the oat) and their struggles with authenticity, respect and pride I think we’re really well done. I mean they didn’t start as trainees so they weren’t prepared for this level of artifice. I really wanted a 2nd season of them exploring their art and relationship to it.
Everyone else I usually just like their more raw singing times like with the phone recording or at the contest.
I LOVE the Heartstrings OST, and “You’ve Fallen for Me” is one of my music library’s most played songs. I also really like the Crude Play and raw or acoustic versions of the songs best.
I have a very close friend who is a musician, and she always talks about how the biggest thing for her when she’s writing music is that she be passionate and feel it, so watching this drama felt very true to life watching these characters look for that passion.
OoOOO yes I did listen to some Heartstrings songs right now since you mentioned it. 😍
Aww “I will forget you” is still killer. Ohh and “If I leave” at the audition 😭
Your friend is on to something. I will totally listen & enjoy musicians with little skill and lots of heart. Oh you are playing the guitar out of tune but your playing and voice are breaking my heart. Yes you do that. Break away.
Another great drama that explores growth through music is Tomorrow Cantabile and it’s original j-dorama, Nodame Cantabile, both of which are personal favorites. Actually, I would probably consider the original my favorite j-dorama, as I rewatch it fairly often. Even though they’re classical music focused, both have lovely character based stories to tell.
Ohhh I added them both to my dramalist. 🙂
Yeah I’ve at least started Smash, My Mad Fat Diary, Nashville, Empire, American Dreams, Roadies and Glee because of their music component.
Smash and My Mad Fat Diary I finished and LOVED. Smash has singing and dannncccing. I remember the plot involves the cast working on a musical adaption of Marilyn Monroe’s life. It actually has Broadway actors in the cast.
I like musical dramas but one thing I found a bit annoying that Liar and a few other dramas do is that they have a character sing or play music but then put on one of the dramas ost on over it. A completely different song. I don’t get it.
One of the things I loved the most about Liar was the music, and how it was integrated as part of every characters’ daily life, even with CEO Yoo or Grandma, and not just used as a backdrop for romance and relegated as an afterthought in the second half of the drama.
Incidentally, YAB is my all-time sentimental favorite (sentimental because it sadly doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny). Wondered what you have to say about music there, is it used metaphorically? (Sowie, I’m not sure what that means.) And keep these long posts coming, it’s like coming back to Liar recaps all over again, where everybody wrote paragraphs and paragraphs, and had so much to say every single week. It was amazing how much people had to say and analyze about this drama. It’s one of the better well-thought out dramas with organic characters and subtle true-to-life slice-of-life writing (I still don’t know what’s the difference between those two, haha.), especially for a youth drama. It was light but not juvenile and shallow.
Oh YAB. I adore that drama, even though it really doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. There, I would say that the music is more used to highlight certain emotions of the drama; whereas in Liar it’s more of a though thread that holds the show together. For example, one of the major plots in YAB where the song was stolen from Mi-nam/Mi-nyeu’s mother is just one way that this shows through. That song was stolen and sung by the mother, then sung by Hwang Tae-kyung as a way to give it back to Mi-nyeu in the end. Then she sings it to let him know she’s OK (I think I’m getting it right?). Anyway, the song carries emotional weight throughout the drama, and it serves and explicit purpose.
Probably the best example of music as metaphor is Heartstrings with the literal divide between the modern and classical, with its culmination in the school wide performance that integrates the two different styles of music. I loved the music in that drama too, since it also had a few songs which were integrated into the plot as well. The song “Because I Miss You” was so beautiful as an ode to a father never known, but also as a way to highlight the emotions at the end of the drama (trying to stay vague in case you haven’t seen it).
One thing I really liked about this Liar were the many ways it explored the theme of lying, but there are two lies I really want to talk about.
First, and most relevant, there was the titular lying hero who lied to the heroine from nearly the start of their relationship. The most interesting thing about Han-gyul’s lies is that they were never big ones, just small white lies, only just sidestepping the truth. He lied about being a professional songwriter, he lied about how he felt about the song, he lied about what he did for a living, etc. These small lies built up a wall around himself specifically for the purpose of keeping So-rim out. It was interesting to see that his character’s journey was to learn to stop lying. By the time the drama ended he had broken down these walls and was finally able to be honest about how he felt and what he loved.
But this leads to the second major lie of the show: the Crude Play Lie. This lie was a singular lie that had been allowed to keep growing until one day it could no longer be sustained. The result of this lie was that it created cracks within the band and caused them to no longer see where the lie ended and their passion began. These cracks in Crude Play’s foundation were almost enough to destroy them. I think that the real reason the original members put the “Real Crude Play” videos out was really a cry for help. They could no longer stand being a lie onstage, so instead they put their (less-than-perfect) truth out there for the world to see.
This lie finally bursting led to my favorite storyline of the series, when the band finally realized they needed to essentially start over. In-ho’s accident, the lies he told from the pressure, the lies Han-gyul told himself about the band, the lies the band made in front of the world every single day – they were unsustainable. There was nothing left to feed the lie, so they risked everything and told the truth. And it was beautiful. The tension between them was finally gone, the passion was back. The music and talent were still lacking, but that was their truth – if they had never taken the time to lie, they never would have had to start over.
Everyone in this drama has lied, from Jin Woo to Sooyeon to Crude Play to the adults, either to protect themselves, or to protect someone they cared about. But the lies and hiding made them unhappy, and others around them unhappy as a consequence. This is where Sorim’s influence was so big, as she influenced Hangyul and others with how open she was. It was maybe in ep 2 when she told Hangyul that there is happiness in having the freedom to be honest as yourself (regarding how confessing her love so directly might open her to hurt), and she showed that even though she was afraid of being hurt by being truthful to herself and others, it also brings her a freedom that brightens her into a person who brings joy and comfort to others.
Exactly. All the different lies were toxic, no matter how big or small they were, the truth always was better in the end. It really gives new perspective to the idea that “the truth will set you free.”
It’s not presented as black and white as that. Ceo Yoo for example, thinks that lying would protect the band, and all the people in the company. Inwoo thinks that staying silent will avoid hurt for many. This is not just that telling the truth is always better, but it was better for those characters specifically, given their personalities, grievances, and wants and wishes.
Chanyoung and Jinwoo both stay silent for her sake.
Sorim also learns the hard way that being discreet would also benefit her, and she changed from wanting to date openly, to being ok with dating in secret. So both sides are presented, it depends on the situation.
I think the show makes a point to show that there’s a difference between outright lying, like the two lies I discussed, and when someone omits a portion of the truth, which is what the silence is. Yes, technically these are lies, but really, they’re not straight-up falsehoods, and therefore less damaging.
100% agree — but the end result with all the lies was that there were more problems. Personally, in real life, there are reasons to lie a little or omit the truth, I know that; but in the context of the show we see how lying, even with the best of intentions, can actually create more problems.
It’s only by being honest and recognizing and confronting the truth about oneself that everyone in Liar were able to find themselves again, and begin fixing themselves, if fixing was needed, or begin healing, if healing was needed, or begin to move on, if moving on was wanted. Just the act of admitting the truth to someone else is liberating enough to start moving things along. Sorim’s confession. Hangyul’s anger at his father. Hangyul confronting Inho and Jinhyuk. Chanyoung confronting others. Sejung. Shihyun and Sooyeon. And I could go on and on.
In that sense, it’s not just “the liar and his lover” but “the liars and lovers”
Everyone were liars, but they were liars because they were all lovers. Lovers of music, and as our heroine never forgot, most importantly, lovers of people and people who lived and loved music with them.
That 100% makes sense. I have a deep love-hate relationship with this show. I waited for subs each week like a madwoman, even though I knew each week I’d disappointed and tear my hair out and be mad at the show. Then I’d go rewatch parts and get mad all over again until the next new episodes.
AH! I wasn’t that crazy about it! And I had Moonlight to always fall back on and trust that it will be good! But there was this sort of masochistic fascination with watching Moonlovers. I knew it was a gone case but I couldn’t help watching- and then somewhere in the middle the show gave us hope with 1 or 2 amazing episodes just to cut us deep later with a nose-dive into senselessness.
Ahhhh, episode 11. The episode that showed us what could’ve been. It was a good, nay, a near perfect hour of drama. And then it just went back to the usual insanity.
I didn’t watch Moonlight since that kind of youth-romance sageuk isn’t really my jam. Though, to be fair, over dramatic melo sageuk also isn’t my thing. I was going though a lot of stressful personal shit at the time and I’m pretty sure this show was what kept me from completely losing it, if only because it allowed me to obsess over something other than the stuff in my life.
So basically my love-hate relationship to this terrible show is attached to a lot of weird personal emotions. The same goes for my attachment to She Was Pretty. I’m gonna be a hoot for a therapist to unpack one day.
It’s interesting how we can mentally depend on some shows! Mind/ body really works in mysterious ways and has an amazing sense of defense mechanism.. Hope you are over the bad times now 🙂
But yeah, I definitely have certain shows and more than that a lot of music that are attached to certain times/feelings from my life. I can’t listen to my summer 2009 playlist (which is so all over the place – everything from Bollywood to Snoop Dogg) without being transported back to my summer abroad and then the music festival at home I attended with my besties from uni. Or the playlist from the summer after I graduated HS and drove around the city all summer with my friends just soaking life in one last time before a new adventure. Dramas came into my life late, but I guess they’re sinking into my psyche more than I want to admit…
Ah yes! I have that with some songs- they transport me back to where/ what I was when I used to listen to them! Then there are certain smells which evoke memories…
Also, Bollywood? Anything in particular? or just in general? I get excited when I see Bollywood mentioned on DB! 😛
I believe that was the summer I was obsessed with Jab We Met, so that whole OST? Still kinda love it. That was definitely my comfort movie in my last year of uni. We consumed a LOT of random Bollywood that year.
OH, “Papu Can’t Dance” is on there too, and translating those lyrics for my friends was funny. That song is hilarious. My then 3 y/o niece was obsessed with it so it was always stuck in my head. I used to stay with my family on the weekends, she knew all the words to all the Bollywood songs and movies. Also, weirdly they only had a Hindi dubbed Thomas the Tank engine saved to watch. It was really weird.
I actually ended up making a Bollywood mix which I wrote papers to in my last year of uni as well, though it hasn’t been updated in years. But I still bust it out for an impromptu dance party every now and then.
Jab We Met is a personal favourite, so were the songs.
Lol “Papu Can’t Dance” was so much fun! But why Hindi? Do you have Indian family members or neighbours? Must have started somewhere!
I haven’t been listening to many Hindi songs since I found kpop but they are still my go to when I need to calm down.. Plus doesn’t require much work cuz I understand what they are saying and thus it can just play in the background. With kpop I have to keep reading the lyrics and/or look at all the cute 😀
My family is Indian though I rarely visit since most of our family on both sides has spread out over the globe. My mom goes back a fair amount though, and there’s a chance I might get convinced to go at the end of the year. (I think it’s been fifteen years since I last visited? Granted, I’ve only been four times.)
I understand the language enough to watch movies without subs, but can’t really speak it well though I get by when I need to. But the Hindi was because my family that I was visiting lives in the UK with a much larger south asian population, so that may be why there was random Hindi programming on their TV.
That’s also why Bollywood was so comforting for me in my last year of uni since it was a little like being home, though my parents are more classic Hollywood movie types than Bollywood. But hearing a familiar language was comforting. Plus it was an excuse to cook Indian food and have a movie night with my friends.
I’m totally a music junkie (my music collection is insane — I think there’s some french rap in there?) but kpop/krock/kindie has been my jam for the last few years despite growing up on a steady diet of classic rock and American pop, rock and hip-hop from the 80s/90s/00s. My mother still doesn’t get the kpop thing, though she’s decided to accept it’s no longer “just a phase.”
Have we talked about India before? I have this vague memory of talking a bit about something Indian but not sure.. Where in India are your parents from?
Ah yes. We talked about Bollywood! About how you watched a lot of Bollywood when in Uni! And cooking Indian food! Sorry, I forgot! But I don’t think I got the sense that you were of Indian descent. Just that you were into Indian stuff! (I don’t know how many times I used the word ‘Indian’ in this comment!)
I am not much into music. I used to be someone who could never be without music and then just had a long phase where music irritated me. Now I am slowly getting back to it through kpop 🙂
It’s totally possible I mentioned it here before. My cousin got married earlier in the summer and I was most definitely bitching about the valima being on sunday night when I had work early monday morning. Three parties in three days is too much! I’m getting too old for this. At least the food was good?
My parents are from a small city in Bihar, not too far from Delhi. It’s a city, but I just met some of my mom’s childhood friends and it really was an everyone knew everyone kinda town. Weirdly, one of my besties is the daughter of someone she grew up with, and who is one of her good friends now. I probably don’t give off an Indian vibe, online or IRL — people often think I’m hispanic when they meet me? I think it’s the hair — dyed red and cut short, so it confuses them. My name being Arabic, and one that has similar counterparts in Hebrew and Spanish doesn’t help the confusion.
But I partake in Indian the culture when I can — Eid is coming up, so obvs I’ll be wearing Indian clothes. Weddings, though exhausting, are fun and a million years long. (I had never actually been to a non-Indian wedding before this year.) I cook Indian food pretty regularly, since it’s the best. But it’s definitely a weird balance.
I have a special fondness for Bihar because my first love was from Patna. First loves do that to you. You love the deo they used, the car they loved, the city where they were from even if you have never been there and so on! 😀
Ooh the special food on Eid is delicious! I sometimes miss one of my school friends who used to bring me yummy sevaii and biryani! <3
Indian weddings- I have only been to the Hindu ones- are too long and exhausting but yes, fun nevertheless! And yup Indian food is the best- nothing beats "ghar ka khana" 😀
Hahaha, so, my parents are from Patna! It’s weird how many people I know are randomly connected. I guess it does have a large population, but it’s still strange.
It’s funny you mention sevaii — my mom just bought all the ingredients to make it after reminiscing with a friend over my nannies sevaii which was apparently legendary. My mom hasn’t made it in years, but I’m super excited for it. So goooood.
He’s a total puppy which just makes me love/hate him more for because he’s able to play such an utterly despicable character in such a hot mess of a show and somehow I still love and respect him.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 5, 2017 at 8:51 PM
Teacher Shim, you were awesome, sweet, and so wonderfully awkward.
PurpleTeapot
September 6, 2017 at 9:46 AM
He was awkward all the way till the end, when he was alternately scolding the principal and looking like a threatened puppy XD
SnarkyJellyfish
September 6, 2017 at 9:53 AM
All I can say is, it’s a good thing Soo ji was so straightforward or he’d’ve been bumbling around her forever.
PurpleTeapot
September 6, 2017 at 9:55 AM
Stuttering his trademark “geu… geureonikka”
SnarkyJellyfish
September 6, 2017 at 10:01 AM
😂
gadis
September 6, 2017 at 5:29 PM
His general awkwardness is what makes him so endearing. It somehow makes his sincerity even more sincere, if that makes sense.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 6, 2017 at 5:35 PM
Totally makes sense to me!
SnarkyJellyfish
September 5, 2017 at 8:48 PM
Next Up: PE teacher Jung, you never did much, but what you did do always made me laugh.
gadis
September 6, 2017 at 5:34 PM
PE teacher Jung and his somewhat insightful snarky comments always become the highlights for me.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 6, 2017 at 5:35 PM
For sure. I also loved his little moment with Issue after he was kicked out of his group.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 5, 2017 at 8:45 PM
First Up: My precious Byung-gu, you are too pure for this world. Go forth and gossip over strawberry milk and pass on your commenting wisdom to those less fortunate. You keep doing you, bby.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 5, 2017 at 8:27 PM
Deep breath. Time to start saying good-bye to all my baby birds. Time to let go and let them fly into the world. Hopefully we’ll meet again soon in dramaland.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 5, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Y’all I’m preparing myself. Don’t know if I’m ready to say good-bye.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 4, 2017 at 6:34 PM
You guys, I’m sorry to get all capsy on you BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITHOUT ALL MY CUTE LITTLE BUNNIES AFTER TOMORROW?
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Who could’ve known that the day would come that I’m looking forward to School on Monday?
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Real talk: Should I give Strongest Deliveryman a second chance? I watched three episodes and it felt like it was flailing. Has it found its footing? Or does the cute at least make up for it?
Katrina
September 3, 2017 at 7:48 PM
I find Kang Soo adorable, even if some may find him “too good”
But I’ve always liked Go Kyung Pyo.
Cantabile tomorrow, Reply 1988, Flower boy next door, Jealousy Incarnate, big roles or little he makes me smile
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 7:59 PM
I do like GKP, which was a large reason I really wanted to like the show — I think he was great in Chicago Typewriter, and I’ve had an eye on him since FBND.
But I found his story in the part of SD that I have seen to basically felt like an afterthought by the writer. No issues with the character itself, who I found interesting and sympathetic. Plus I like nice guy leads. Pics and comments from recent eps make it seem like he’s got more to do now, but I’m still torn.
Katrina
September 3, 2017 at 8:31 PM
I can’t really say the show has gotten more complex. It’s one of my “easy” dramas, no mystery, no hidden agendas or searching for clues in every expression (Forest of Secrets-which I miss). But I’m enjoying it in a quiet way. They seem to be building up into a look into his past so we’ll see what this week has to offer.
Chicago Typewriter is something I haven’t seen. You’re thoughts?
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 8:40 PM
I liked CT a lot — I thought GKP grew a lot as an actor there, and he and Yoo Ah In played wonderfully off one another. There were some quibbles on my end in terms of the way the story was told, but overall it was a wonderful drama to watch. Not super predictable, but not always a mystery either. Plus, I liked that it explored a revolutionary era story, because those are my favorite ones.
I’ll probably reconsider SD, now that School 2017 is ending. I just started Live Up to Your Name, but I’ve managed to catch up with it. I wouldn’t mind a fluff show. I just felt frustrated with the early episodes of SD because I felt it wasn’t delivering on its potential, if that makes sense? Maybe if I readjust my expectations I’ll be OK.
Katrina
September 3, 2017 at 8:51 PM
No I understand, I guess my expectations were low at the outset,lol, just looking for something to offset the darker dramas like Save Me and Forest of Secrets. I think I just decided to start Live Up to Your Name, I’ve been putting it off since it’s not as easily available as my other shows. But I’ve been seeing alot of positive comments. I started Moonlight Drawn by Clouds also. So many dramas, so little time.
silvermists
September 4, 2017 at 2:53 AM
They have found their footing in SD specially in the last 2 weeks. All the individual parts in the story finally came together. I feel like the character interactions is the best part of this drama and on that front it does deliver lots of good moments in the latest episodes. It can get a little frustrating at times, but the cute kind of makes up for it. I would definitely give it another try. 🙂
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 12:08 AM
It’s 2 AM and all I can think is “I watched all of Madame Antoine when it aired, and I still don’t know why.”
Do other Beanies have weird random 2 AM thoughts like this?
Just me? OK then.
sicarius
September 3, 2017 at 12:22 AM
Pretty sure my 2AM thoughts get that random and a lot weirder 😛
So, no, not just you haha. (p.s. I’m still half way through that show and I don’t think the probability of it being finished is very high)
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 12:47 AM
I still don’t really know what that show was trying to do/say/accomplish as a story. Nothing happened? I mean, Sung Joon was really pretty and Han Ye Seul looked really fabulous in a lot of Gucci, but other than that, no idea what kept me watching. Maybe I was hypnotized by Sung Joon’s voice? It is very soothing.
Though, that wasn’t enough to keep me watching High Society…so really, think this is just gonna have to be one of those unsolved mysteries of the universe.
sicarius
September 3, 2017 at 12:51 AM
See I binged the first half when I was dead-ass sick and could barely move, so I’m pretty sure I was only watching for Sung Joon and the funny scenes.
But I know people who kind of enjoyed it and probably only got through it because they live watched, so *shrugs*
Maybe Madame Antoine just has a weird inexplicable pull despite not being an amazing show haha.
(Then I got even sicker and switched to horribly cheesy old Australian kids shows on the actually TV because I didn’t want to read subtitles or leave the couch)
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 12:56 AM
I mean, maybe that’s it — it wasn’t like, terrible beyond belief, but it also just…didn’t do anything as a story?
I mean, I also somehow watched Hyde, Jekyll, Me all the way through (the pull of Hyun Bin is strong) even though I’m pretty sure I spent the last 5 episodes or so going “Why are they doing this? Does any of this make sense?” So maybe some dramas are just like that? I should study up on this phenomena.
Or maybe I should sleep like a healthy, normal person.
sicarius
September 3, 2017 at 2:31 AM
Hahahaha it’s interesting how some dramas can do that. It’s not good but you sort of watch for the trainwreck anyway. Still not sure why humans like watching trainwrecks. I think we’re a little kooky hahaha.
Pfff what is normal anyway
=== no you really should sleep though, that is good for you hahaha.
Katrina
September 3, 2017 at 7:58 PM
I actually bailed on Hyde, Jekyll, Me with 2-3 episodes to go. I couldn’t take it anymore. Beside Ji Sung killing the multiple personalities in Kill Me, Heal Me.
My 2am thoughts usually get me in trouble, that’s seems to be the time that I seem to think I should add another drama to my already long list.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 8:42 PM
I bailed on Young Pal three episodes from the end. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Not even Joo Won was enough to save that mess for me.
mango
September 3, 2017 at 1:01 AM
I live-watched for the actresses and I ranted every week. Once in a while I watch dramas just so I can relieve my frustration on fictional characters. It’s weird but entertaining ha.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 1:11 AM
I just have memories of half-heartedly watching it every week and not understanding why these once brilliant female characters were acting lobotomized.
mango
September 3, 2017 at 1:28 AM
“lobotomized” is the right word. I thought they were supposed to be smart and everyone did silly things and the guys were jerks (no matter how innocent they said the youngest guy was)
wakimary
September 3, 2017 at 2:26 AM
Well usually, it’s either I am still awake catching up on a drama or waking up at 2am trying to open my eyes watching european football while randomly think “why did i watch that drama?” or “why did i not watch that drama?”
I didnt even try to watch Madame Antoine,still scarred from watching him & Uee in High Society all because I was totally enamored of Park Hyung Sik & Im Jiyeon
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 9:59 AM
I made it four or five episodes into that show, and I realized I just couldn’t subject myself to it anymore. I tried because the second lead story was so cute, but nope. That’s what Youtube is for.
korfan
September 3, 2017 at 4:21 AM
*whispering tone*
At 2am, I may or may not be watching a drama.
*pretending I really didn’t say that*
ObsessedMuch
September 3, 2017 at 7:28 AM
Ha! That’s me at times too!
I am trying to change that though! Dark circles have finally come knocking and I really don’t want to let them in!
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 10:01 AM
That’s what concealer is for. I think whoever invented concealer deserves sainthood. Or sometimes I just lean into the dark circles and make it my grunge aesthetic.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 10:03 AM
(It’s entirely possible I was watching Live Up to Your Name when I wrote this post.)
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 5:43 PM
Music in The Liar and His Lover
I’ll admit to having started Liar because I’m a sucker for a good musical drama. Shut Up Flower Boy Band and You’re Beautiful are two of my all-time favorite dramas. I love seeing characters bond over music and work towards a dream together.
What I loved most about music in Liar was that it served less of a metaphorical purpose and instead was something that the characters all genuinely cared about in a myriad of different ways. Crude Play’s arc revolved largely about becoming an authentic band worthy of the sound they represented but didn’t actually create themselves. Han-gyul loved music more than anything in the world until he met So-rim, and even there he fell for her voice first. So-rim loved music but it wasn’t enough to force her to sacrifice her relationship with her friends. Even Yoo-na cared more about putting out good music than focusing on her past image.
Then there’s the music itself – I’ll admit to not loving all the music in the show, though I enjoyed all of it. However, there’s a certain upbeat and hopeful quality to all the songs that I like. More importantly, the songs fulfill their purpose in the show. (I don’t speak Korean, and don’t have the time to parse lyrics, so I’m talking more in general terms of the sound of the music.)
I think “Shiny Boy,” while upbeat and poppy and fun, is utterly generic. Being generic isn’t a criticism – instead it speaks to the fact that So-rim was able elevate it from its basic form to something more, but that alone isn’t enough to make a hit. Chan-young’s production of “Shiny Boy” – though enthusiastic, wasn’t good enough. Chan-young doubted his ability (due in large part to Jin-hyuk’s manipulations) which led to a subpar final song. So-rim elevated it as best she could, but one person doing the lion’s share of the work isn’t enough. It’s fun, but forgettable, and the show made It a point to show this to us.
But the show also provides a counterpoint by showing us the production of Yoo-na’s song. It wasn’t surprising to me that Yoo-na’s song was a hit; she was passionate and dedicated to making it a great song for its own sake and that shone through in its execution. Even Han-gyul refused to cut corners while producing the song. I loved the scene where Yoo-na is recording because of the way Han-gyul just focuses on her voice, putting everything from his mind, even though he desperately wanted to go see So-rim perform.
I loved that in the end we never had Han-gyul writing songs for So-rim, though it was a possibility in the future. Instead he learned to write music that was worthy of the players because he’s learned to see people beyond how they can service the music. That in itself was beautiful, because great music is created from passion and joy as much as talent and practice.
And that there was the message of the music in this show: that music is more than the sum of its parts. It’s not just good singers, and songwriting and playing. It can’t be created by formula. It needs passion and enthusiasm to live.
Nerea loves Beanies
August 31, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Is this a one post per day kind of deal? 🙂
Even though I like all the upbeat songs, Shiny Boy, Peter Pan, and more included, funnily enough, it’s the less uplifting tracks and “less hopeful” that are my favorite. Like Yoona Yesterday Today Tomorrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4xY9byTRZo&list=PLcOf-jV0-p1hXIwN1GYLXwLxrDCG1U00q&index=4, Or Joy’s cover of Road To Me (OST Part 11), or Crude Play In Your Eyes (Part 7).
Nerea loves Beanies
August 31, 2017 at 6:27 PM
I mean P. 9 instead of 11. 🙂
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 6:36 PM
Mayyybe? I have one or two more up my sleeve, but not written out yet. Hoping to draft one after I get dinner in a bit so I can post it tomorrow; but tomorrow is also Eid, so it depends on if I have any down time in the afternoon between places to go. I just didn’t want to clog up the wall with giant posts all at once.
I actually like the whole OST, and have added it to my music library, but it’s just not as good to me as some other music drama OSTs. I dunno, maybe I’m just more of a rock ‘n roll kinda girl.
toramona
August 31, 2017 at 6:47 PM
I still like you’re spread out posts especially about TLATL. I get to reminisce all over again. Also I get to think about what you said and get to see everyone’s comments.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 6:55 PM
That was the other thing – I want to be able to see other people’s comments, so spreading them out gives me that chance. The only issue is I don’t want to start forgetting the show before I’ve gotten to all my thoughts.
Sakin
August 31, 2017 at 7:18 PM
Recaps are a good way to read others’ thoughts. You’ll find a lot of material there. Also past posts of Team Dramabeans What We’re Watching. And there’s also a podcast for more comments and JB & GF’s commentary.
toramona
August 31, 2017 at 7:07 PM
I started this show because it was about music too. That’s really across the board if you’re a musical or have music I will watch you. For kdrama it’s why I saw You’re Beautiful, Mary stayed up all night, heartstrings and TLATL. Give me music students, professionals, tradition musicians, modern acts…all of it. 🙌🏽 I’ve always believed to produce music it takes everyone to make a good song. It’s a team who has skill and has heart.
Now I LOVE all of Crude Play music (it’s what I listen to from the oat) and their struggles with authenticity, respect and pride I think we’re really well done. I mean they didn’t start as trainees so they weren’t prepared for this level of artifice. I really wanted a 2nd season of them exploring their art and relationship to it.
Everyone else I usually just like their more raw singing times like with the phone recording or at the contest.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 7:17 PM
I LOVE the Heartstrings OST, and “You’ve Fallen for Me” is one of my music library’s most played songs. I also really like the Crude Play and raw or acoustic versions of the songs best.
I have a very close friend who is a musician, and she always talks about how the biggest thing for her when she’s writing music is that she be passionate and feel it, so watching this drama felt very true to life watching these characters look for that passion.
toramona
September 1, 2017 at 12:22 AM
OoOOO yes I did listen to some Heartstrings songs right now since you mentioned it. 😍
Aww “I will forget you” is still killer. Ohh and “If I leave” at the audition 😭
Your friend is on to something. I will totally listen & enjoy musicians with little skill and lots of heart. Oh you are playing the guitar out of tune but your playing and voice are breaking my heart. Yes you do that. Break away.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 1, 2017 at 12:32 AM
Another great drama that explores growth through music is Tomorrow Cantabile and it’s original j-dorama, Nodame Cantabile, both of which are personal favorites. Actually, I would probably consider the original my favorite j-dorama, as I rewatch it fairly often. Even though they’re classical music focused, both have lovely character based stories to tell.
toramona
September 1, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Ohhh I added them both to my dramalist. 🙂
Yeah I’ve at least started Smash, My Mad Fat Diary, Nashville, Empire, American Dreams, Roadies and Glee because of their music component.
Smash and My Mad Fat Diary I finished and LOVED. Smash has singing and dannncccing. I remember the plot involves the cast working on a musical adaption of Marilyn Monroe’s life. It actually has Broadway actors in the cast.
Katrina
September 3, 2017 at 8:07 PM
I like musical dramas but one thing I found a bit annoying that Liar and a few other dramas do is that they have a character sing or play music but then put on one of the dramas ost on over it. A completely different song. I don’t get it.
SnarkyJellyfish
September 3, 2017 at 8:43 PM
I hate that too — like, what is the purpose of having them sing if you’re gonna cover it up with a different song?
bibleboo
August 31, 2017 at 8:27 PM
One of the things I loved the most about Liar was the music, and how it was integrated as part of every characters’ daily life, even with CEO Yoo or Grandma, and not just used as a backdrop for romance and relegated as an afterthought in the second half of the drama.
Incidentally, YAB is my all-time sentimental favorite (sentimental because it sadly doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny). Wondered what you have to say about music there, is it used metaphorically? (Sowie, I’m not sure what that means.) And keep these long posts coming, it’s like coming back to Liar recaps all over again, where everybody wrote paragraphs and paragraphs, and had so much to say every single week. It was amazing how much people had to say and analyze about this drama. It’s one of the better well-thought out dramas with organic characters and subtle true-to-life slice-of-life writing (I still don’t know what’s the difference between those two, haha.), especially for a youth drama. It was light but not juvenile and shallow.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 8:39 PM
Oh YAB. I adore that drama, even though it really doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. There, I would say that the music is more used to highlight certain emotions of the drama; whereas in Liar it’s more of a though thread that holds the show together. For example, one of the major plots in YAB where the song was stolen from Mi-nam/Mi-nyeu’s mother is just one way that this shows through. That song was stolen and sung by the mother, then sung by Hwang Tae-kyung as a way to give it back to Mi-nyeu in the end. Then she sings it to let him know she’s OK (I think I’m getting it right?). Anyway, the song carries emotional weight throughout the drama, and it serves and explicit purpose.
Probably the best example of music as metaphor is Heartstrings with the literal divide between the modern and classical, with its culmination in the school wide performance that integrates the two different styles of music. I loved the music in that drama too, since it also had a few songs which were integrated into the plot as well. The song “Because I Miss You” was so beautiful as an ode to a father never known, but also as a way to highlight the emotions at the end of the drama (trying to stay vague in case you haven’t seen it).
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 7:19 PM
Lying in The Liar and His Lover
One thing I really liked about this Liar were the many ways it explored the theme of lying, but there are two lies I really want to talk about.
First, and most relevant, there was the titular lying hero who lied to the heroine from nearly the start of their relationship. The most interesting thing about Han-gyul’s lies is that they were never big ones, just small white lies, only just sidestepping the truth. He lied about being a professional songwriter, he lied about how he felt about the song, he lied about what he did for a living, etc. These small lies built up a wall around himself specifically for the purpose of keeping So-rim out. It was interesting to see that his character’s journey was to learn to stop lying. By the time the drama ended he had broken down these walls and was finally able to be honest about how he felt and what he loved.
But this leads to the second major lie of the show: the Crude Play Lie. This lie was a singular lie that had been allowed to keep growing until one day it could no longer be sustained. The result of this lie was that it created cracks within the band and caused them to no longer see where the lie ended and their passion began. These cracks in Crude Play’s foundation were almost enough to destroy them. I think that the real reason the original members put the “Real Crude Play” videos out was really a cry for help. They could no longer stand being a lie onstage, so instead they put their (less-than-perfect) truth out there for the world to see.
This lie finally bursting led to my favorite storyline of the series, when the band finally realized they needed to essentially start over. In-ho’s accident, the lies he told from the pressure, the lies Han-gyul told himself about the band, the lies the band made in front of the world every single day – they were unsustainable. There was nothing left to feed the lie, so they risked everything and told the truth. And it was beautiful. The tension between them was finally gone, the passion was back. The music and talent were still lacking, but that was their truth – if they had never taken the time to lie, they never would have had to start over.
silverp
August 30, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Everyone in this drama has lied, from Jin Woo to Sooyeon to Crude Play to the adults, either to protect themselves, or to protect someone they cared about. But the lies and hiding made them unhappy, and others around them unhappy as a consequence. This is where Sorim’s influence was so big, as she influenced Hangyul and others with how open she was. It was maybe in ep 2 when she told Hangyul that there is happiness in having the freedom to be honest as yourself (regarding how confessing her love so directly might open her to hurt), and she showed that even though she was afraid of being hurt by being truthful to herself and others, it also brings her a freedom that brightens her into a person who brings joy and comfort to others.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Exactly. All the different lies were toxic, no matter how big or small they were, the truth always was better in the end. It really gives new perspective to the idea that “the truth will set you free.”
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:13 PM
It’s not presented as black and white as that. Ceo Yoo for example, thinks that lying would protect the band, and all the people in the company. Inwoo thinks that staying silent will avoid hurt for many. This is not just that telling the truth is always better, but it was better for those characters specifically, given their personalities, grievances, and wants and wishes.
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:15 PM
Chanyoung and Jinwoo both stay silent for her sake.
Sorim also learns the hard way that being discreet would also benefit her, and she changed from wanting to date openly, to being ok with dating in secret. So both sides are presented, it depends on the situation.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 8:20 PM
I think the show makes a point to show that there’s a difference between outright lying, like the two lies I discussed, and when someone omits a portion of the truth, which is what the silence is. Yes, technically these are lies, but really, they’re not straight-up falsehoods, and therefore less damaging.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 8:17 PM
100% agree — but the end result with all the lies was that there were more problems. Personally, in real life, there are reasons to lie a little or omit the truth, I know that; but in the context of the show we see how lying, even with the best of intentions, can actually create more problems.
Cesta B
August 30, 2017 at 8:00 PM
Well said! (You and Sorim and SnarkyJellyfish)
It’s only by being honest and recognizing and confronting the truth about oneself that everyone in Liar were able to find themselves again, and begin fixing themselves, if fixing was needed, or begin healing, if healing was needed, or begin to move on, if moving on was wanted. Just the act of admitting the truth to someone else is liberating enough to start moving things along. Sorim’s confession. Hangyul’s anger at his father. Hangyul confronting Inho and Jinhyuk. Chanyoung confronting others. Sejung. Shihyun and Sooyeon. And I could go on and on.
bananapurge
August 30, 2017 at 9:41 PM
On that note, let’s point out they had the courage to tell the truth because they each other’s love as a support system backing them up.
bananapurge
August 30, 2017 at 9:42 PM
*had
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:09 PM
“everyone in this drama has lied”
In that sense, it’s not just “the liar and his lover” but “the liars and lovers”
Everyone were liars, but they were liars because they were all lovers. Lovers of music, and as our heroine never forgot, most importantly, lovers of people and people who lived and loved music with them.
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:09 PM
Comment was deleted
zgs1994
August 31, 2017 at 7:41 AM
Well said! <3
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Thank you!
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 7:09 PM
Whoa, are all my little Crude Play bunnies growing up and becoming doctors?
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Leveled up again!
I don’t know how to feel about this level, so I’ll just leave this here for y’all.
korfan
August 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Congratulations!
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Thanks 🙂
aardvark
August 30, 2017 at 1:05 PM
I mean, you get to be someones undergarments? Obviously that is something everyone wants to be… right?
Anyways, congratulations!
A Goblins underwear is strong, it’s durable and strong
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Haha, Thanks!
wakimary
August 30, 2017 at 2:24 PM
🎉🎊Congrats!🎊🎉
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Thank you! 🙂
Ally
September 1, 2017 at 7:55 AM
Congrats! If you need lessons on how to get the most enjoyment out of this level, I’m here for you! Hahaha!
SnarkyJellyfish
September 1, 2017 at 8:03 AM
Hahaha, thanks!
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:23 PM
And in conclusion:
sicarius
August 30, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Hahahahahaha why do I love this so much.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Because Clueless is the greatest movie of a generation?
sicarius
August 30, 2017 at 11:16 PM
That must be it haha
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 11:26 PM
I’m pretty sure I could quote parts of this movie in my sleep I love it so much.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:17 PM
I blame 95% of my love for this stupid show on this man.
(The other 5% is Kang Ha Neul’s fault.)
mel
August 30, 2017 at 12:33 PM
I was there, LOL!
wakimary
August 30, 2017 at 2:25 PM
ah the shows I’ve watched for LJG oppa
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 2:39 PM
Seriously. His beauty is mesmerizing.
ObsessedMuch
August 30, 2017 at 10:17 PM
Ah for me it is 50% Kang Ha Neul and 50% nothing at all! Cuz even my love for this show includes 50% hate!
ObsessedMuch
August 30, 2017 at 10:17 PM
That didn’t make much sense. But neither did the show! 😉
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 10:28 PM
That 100% makes sense. I have a deep love-hate relationship with this show. I waited for subs each week like a madwoman, even though I knew each week I’d disappointed and tear my hair out and be mad at the show. Then I’d go rewatch parts and get mad all over again until the next new episodes.
ObsessedMuch
August 30, 2017 at 10:44 PM
AH! I wasn’t that crazy about it! And I had Moonlight to always fall back on and trust that it will be good! But there was this sort of masochistic fascination with watching Moonlovers. I knew it was a gone case but I couldn’t help watching- and then somewhere in the middle the show gave us hope with 1 or 2 amazing episodes just to cut us deep later with a nose-dive into senselessness.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 10:57 PM
Ahhhh, episode 11. The episode that showed us what could’ve been. It was a good, nay, a near perfect hour of drama. And then it just went back to the usual insanity.
I didn’t watch Moonlight since that kind of youth-romance sageuk isn’t really my jam. Though, to be fair, over dramatic melo sageuk also isn’t my thing. I was going though a lot of stressful personal shit at the time and I’m pretty sure this show was what kept me from completely losing it, if only because it allowed me to obsess over something other than the stuff in my life.
So basically my love-hate relationship to this terrible show is attached to a lot of weird personal emotions. The same goes for my attachment to She Was Pretty. I’m gonna be a hoot for a therapist to unpack one day.
ObsessedMuch
August 30, 2017 at 11:14 PM
Oh yes! Ep 11!
It’s interesting how we can mentally depend on some shows! Mind/ body really works in mysterious ways and has an amazing sense of defense mechanism.. Hope you are over the bad times now 🙂
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 11:33 PM
I’m definitely a lot better now. 🙂
But yeah, I definitely have certain shows and more than that a lot of music that are attached to certain times/feelings from my life. I can’t listen to my summer 2009 playlist (which is so all over the place – everything from Bollywood to Snoop Dogg) without being transported back to my summer abroad and then the music festival at home I attended with my besties from uni. Or the playlist from the summer after I graduated HS and drove around the city all summer with my friends just soaking life in one last time before a new adventure. Dramas came into my life late, but I guess they’re sinking into my psyche more than I want to admit…
ObsessedMuch
August 31, 2017 at 12:34 AM
That’s good to know! <3
Ah yes! I have that with some songs- they transport me back to where/ what I was when I used to listen to them! Then there are certain smells which evoke memories…
Also, Bollywood? Anything in particular? or just in general? I get excited when I see Bollywood mentioned on DB! 😛
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 12:53 AM
I believe that was the summer I was obsessed with Jab We Met, so that whole OST? Still kinda love it. That was definitely my comfort movie in my last year of uni. We consumed a LOT of random Bollywood that year.
OH, “Papu Can’t Dance” is on there too, and translating those lyrics for my friends was funny. That song is hilarious. My then 3 y/o niece was obsessed with it so it was always stuck in my head. I used to stay with my family on the weekends, she knew all the words to all the Bollywood songs and movies. Also, weirdly they only had a Hindi dubbed Thomas the Tank engine saved to watch. It was really weird.
I actually ended up making a Bollywood mix which I wrote papers to in my last year of uni as well, though it hasn’t been updated in years. But I still bust it out for an impromptu dance party every now and then.
ObsessedMuch
August 31, 2017 at 1:01 AM
Jab We Met is a personal favourite, so were the songs.
Lol “Papu Can’t Dance” was so much fun! But why Hindi? Do you have Indian family members or neighbours? Must have started somewhere!
I haven’t been listening to many Hindi songs since I found kpop but they are still my go to when I need to calm down.. Plus doesn’t require much work cuz I understand what they are saying and thus it can just play in the background. With kpop I have to keep reading the lyrics and/or look at all the cute 😀
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 1:25 AM
My family is Indian though I rarely visit since most of our family on both sides has spread out over the globe. My mom goes back a fair amount though, and there’s a chance I might get convinced to go at the end of the year. (I think it’s been fifteen years since I last visited? Granted, I’ve only been four times.)
I understand the language enough to watch movies without subs, but can’t really speak it well though I get by when I need to. But the Hindi was because my family that I was visiting lives in the UK with a much larger south asian population, so that may be why there was random Hindi programming on their TV.
That’s also why Bollywood was so comforting for me in my last year of uni since it was a little like being home, though my parents are more classic Hollywood movie types than Bollywood. But hearing a familiar language was comforting. Plus it was an excuse to cook Indian food and have a movie night with my friends.
I’m totally a music junkie (my music collection is insane — I think there’s some french rap in there?) but kpop/krock/kindie has been my jam for the last few years despite growing up on a steady diet of classic rock and American pop, rock and hip-hop from the 80s/90s/00s. My mother still doesn’t get the kpop thing, though she’s decided to accept it’s no longer “just a phase.”
ObsessedMuch
August 31, 2017 at 3:31 AM
Have we talked about India before? I have this vague memory of talking a bit about something Indian but not sure.. Where in India are your parents from?
Ah yes. We talked about Bollywood! About how you watched a lot of Bollywood when in Uni! And cooking Indian food! Sorry, I forgot! But I don’t think I got the sense that you were of Indian descent. Just that you were into Indian stuff! (I don’t know how many times I used the word ‘Indian’ in this comment!)
I am not much into music. I used to be someone who could never be without music and then just had a long phase where music irritated me. Now I am slowly getting back to it through kpop 🙂
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 1:00 PM
It’s totally possible I mentioned it here before. My cousin got married earlier in the summer and I was most definitely bitching about the valima being on sunday night when I had work early monday morning. Three parties in three days is too much! I’m getting too old for this. At least the food was good?
My parents are from a small city in Bihar, not too far from Delhi. It’s a city, but I just met some of my mom’s childhood friends and it really was an everyone knew everyone kinda town. Weirdly, one of my besties is the daughter of someone she grew up with, and who is one of her good friends now. I probably don’t give off an Indian vibe, online or IRL — people often think I’m hispanic when they meet me? I think it’s the hair — dyed red and cut short, so it confuses them. My name being Arabic, and one that has similar counterparts in Hebrew and Spanish doesn’t help the confusion.
But I partake in Indian the culture when I can — Eid is coming up, so obvs I’ll be wearing Indian clothes. Weddings, though exhausting, are fun and a million years long. (I had never actually been to a non-Indian wedding before this year.) I cook Indian food pretty regularly, since it’s the best. But it’s definitely a weird balance.
ObsessedMuch
August 31, 2017 at 9:27 PM
I have a special fondness for Bihar because my first love was from Patna. First loves do that to you. You love the deo they used, the car they loved, the city where they were from even if you have never been there and so on! 😀
Ooh the special food on Eid is delicious! I sometimes miss one of my school friends who used to bring me yummy sevaii and biryani! <3
Indian weddings- I have only been to the Hindu ones- are too long and exhausting but yes, fun nevertheless! And yup Indian food is the best- nothing beats "ghar ka khana" 😀
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 9:35 PM
Hahaha, so, my parents are from Patna! It’s weird how many people I know are randomly connected. I guess it does have a large population, but it’s still strange.
It’s funny you mention sevaii — my mom just bought all the ingredients to make it after reminiscing with a friend over my nannies sevaii which was apparently legendary. My mom hasn’t made it in years, but I’m super excited for it. So goooood.
ObsessedMuch
August 31, 2017 at 10:08 PM
Ha! That is indeed a coincidence! Patna is quite a big city but seems like a very ‘everybody-knows-someone-you-know’ kinda place! 😛
I love sevaii! And now I want some but too lazy to make any 😉 Hope your mum makes them as legendary as your nannies 😀
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:14 PM
I mean…just look at him!
Katrina
September 1, 2017 at 6:48 AM
So true. I hate to admit how much of the show I actually managed to watch just so I could see his pretty face
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:03 PM
I’ma just leave this one here for y’all.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Wook was the worst.
(But Kang Ha Neul is the best.)
sicarius
August 30, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Kang Ha Neul is fluffy. And this is hilarious.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 12:56 PM
He’s a total puppy which just makes me love/hate him more for because he’s able to play such an utterly despicable character in such a hot mess of a show and somehow I still love and respect him.
sicarius
August 30, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Right on.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Next up, we have some character breakdowns.
Yo’s is a personal favorite.
Peridot
August 30, 2017 at 3:22 PM
This is awesome!
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 3:52 PM
I can’t take credit for creating this, but I do love it.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 11:54 AM
Let’s start with a summary: