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Christmas Day is exhausting, but I'm going to treat myself by rewatching Splish Splash Love and ep 7-8 of Sassy Go Go.
I am so thrilled that SSL finally got a recap so I can spazz out properly. And now Yoon Doo-joon/Kim Seul-gi has become the third dramaland reunion I really want to see from 2015, the other two being
1. Ji-soo/Jung Eunji (Sassy Go Go)
2. Seo In-gook/Park Bo-gum (I Remember You)
I finally have a weekend off so I can watch SSL in one go!! Squeal some on SASSY for me too please. The weeks leading up to Christmas were tiring and I don't even celebrate it.
SSL went straight up in my top drama's list! Seriously, how amazing was it?!! :D I am still high from the experience hehe absolutely giddy!
I am so glad it finally got the subs, before I would go every few hours to see if they had subbed it or not, and had to be disappointed for quite a few days before they did :D
Me too!!!!! ? it was amazing, i watched it immediately again as soon as i finished it.it's so amazing i can't describe the feels I've been going through it made me so happy and i couldn't stop laughing the whole day whenever i thought of 'Oppa Gangnam style' ?.
There is enough praise i can give this drama, it has my drama heart.it's one of,if not the best thing I've watched this year.
I honestly think if a drama could be bottled up into a capsule ? it would be a happy pill relieving stress, depression and fatigue ?
hahaha absolutely my sentiments! i hope that this team makes sth full length in the future, with all the creativity and skills as it did with this drama. I would love to sth more from them! And it is high time Kim Seul Gi gets recognized for the amazing actress that she is! Loved the couple, hope they get some kind of award!
It would be great if they got an award or showed up to the awards together. Full length is a great idea if only they maintain the Greatness, and even better if the team does a new full length drama. You guys? this was a great drama *hugs
Six Flying Dragon is so creative. So organic in its plotting. Foregone conclusions notwithstanding, this drama feels like intelligent people real living people inhabiting a real world.
Remember is soooooooooo good! Yoo Seung Ho is so good. And the writing...so good! I'll admit that the first four episodes were a hurdle and I almost gave up. But now...wow! I'm going to love the cases along the way, the over-arching case, the romance, the battle with the first and second leads, and my wonderfully evil Namgoong Min being the most evil chaebol of the year.
Glamorous Temptation: I don't seem to have the nerve to keep looking at the stupidity of our heroine and our hero, or the off-the-charts off-the-rails weirdness that is our obsessed manipulative second lead. I've been catching recaps..cause for some reason I want to know how it all turns out. Kinda like my feeling about All Will Be Well.
Anyone here watching Sweet Savage Family? The Chairman's family, from the old guy to the granddaughter have got to be the most selfish people ever. They only think of what and who they want. I'm hoping they learn to care about other people by the end of this drama.
All About My Mom is kinda losing my interest although I'm still liking aspects of it. Hating the redemption arc of horrible mom in law. Please don't give us a forgiveness love affair (she asks futilely)
Devoted yes..but wow! Loving one's family alone while treating an almost brother like dirt? I love the actor though. And am so glad to see him in a comedy after all those villains.
Regarding Sweet Savage Family, I watched the first 20 minutes or so of ep 1 and another 10 minutes of ep 2 last night. ..... What can I say, we didn't click so I think I'm going to pass on this one. ...... I could see how it tries to be comical and all, but I thought it just kind of fell a little flat.
It has a dark dark side to it. The comedy has moments when it works and when it doesn't. But there is something very affecting about it. First because we rarely see dramas about (relatively) young husbands and wives working together against the outside world. Their love for each other is so powerful and they are under the control of powerful people. They share their thoughts and plans with each other most of the time but the rest of the world is unaware of their troubles. Not their kids, and certainly not the selfish people who are oppressing and using them.
This is what I really find fascinating. I think because life is often like that. Cruel people -- or even just self-involved people who are concerned with their own lives-- will set about destroying someone else's life without really caring or understanding the depth of the pain going on in the lives of those they casually hurt.
How casually the Chairman's family-- specifically Gi Bum and his ex-wife-- toss one cruelty after another at them. All they want is to live their lives. And all our hero wanted was to feel loved by the Chairman. But nooo, Gibum's ex-wife is still working off an old grudge against Eun-Ok because Eun-ok dated and married the guy Eun-Ok tossed aside. It's like.. really? Entitled much? Isn't that in the past? Why return to mess up someone else's happiness? And Gi-bum jealously attempts to destroy hero's life and livelihood because he thinks hero is too loved by Gi-bum's own dad.
As for Gi-Bum's daughter, I know she has her own suffering and all but wow! When she met Eun-ok's son and said, "I own you" it didn't seem romantic to me. Just another example of the family owning people. Cause that's the problem..everyone in her family owns (or wants to own) everything in Eun-ok's family.
Eun-ok's family is aware of others but the Chairman's family is very self-focused.
I so hope the writer won't let this family that thinks only about itself get off. Am not looking forward to pity being used to create instant redemption arcs. Or worse, am not wanting an ending that doesn't acknowledge how self-involved me-oriented Chairman's family is.
Funny you should mention one of the daughter's. While it's certainly not a reason to completely write off a drama, in the few minutes that I did watch, I did find the kids particularly annoying.
Yeah, the kids on both sides are in their own little teen world. The grandma too. And heroine's sister is a pain as well. Our embattled couple needs to get away from everyone. Perhaps many marriage lives are like this and viewers will connect to that aspect of us (married couple) versus the world (kids, mom-in-law, boss). I so wish the writer doesn't cave to typical public expectations and give us an easy forgiveness ending. I want this thematic situation worked out. Would be good if there were some self-awareness and others-awareness with some of the characters by the end.
All About My Mom--This show has high ratings although not many around here seem to be watching it.
The MIL has to reconcile with the CEO because she is the only person who will be able to convince him to forgive his daughter. Of course, Mom will give him a piece of her mind when she has the chance. I just hope the yound couple are still together--or maybe their Christmas Eve celebration resulted in a real pregnancy (which would be too bad for her job. I guess in Korea, you can't work and have kids too.)
The couple I don't "get" is the lawyer and his secretary. She seems set on marrying domineering men. Hyeong Gyu is too nice to her, even if he is "in love" with her. I would like to see her return to her spunky secretary self. This poor little lamb act is quite tiring. (BTW, I think President Kim would actually be a good husband for her. I think he would appreciate her and treat her and her son well.)
She was spunky for about three episodes...and was on the way to becoming a wonderful paralegal or whatever. But then... personality transplant and noble idiocy. And yes, that poor (stupid) lamb is just grating.
Hyeong gyu alas was a bit of a stressed prick in the beginning. His personality changed without warning.
Then there were these inorganic plot changes. head trauma at the timely moment. other woman wanting maknae at the timely moment. Sick mom at the timely moment. I so wish the writers had allowed the true story to play out instead of adding drastic stuff.
I think CEO could learn to forgive his daughter without having another chance at love. At least in the real world. Don't these folks step back and judge their own hypocrisy? But nooooooooooo in this drama...inorganic plotting has to run to the rescue.
It's a good enough drama. But not as good as What's wrong with this family or Wang Family.
Agree on Glamorous Temptation - I finally gave up on it. The show has been spiraling into repeating the same old WTF moments now forever it seems. How many times has she left that house and come back now - 5x?
All About My Mom is just too long and drawn out to keep my interested up any longer I think. Have not watched the last 5 episodes and no real desire to do so. The show would have been OK at 20 episodes - 50 is just way too much.
Have not watched Savage yet.. In fact I am pretty much in the doldrums for K-dramas right now. Nothing I am really watching since Achiara ended.
Totally understanding the doldrums. Two weeks ago all my dramas hit their angst episodes...and those angst episodes were so unearned and manipulative AND repetitive, it was hard to push thru. Mercifully, I had SFD and Savage and a whole lotta old dramas I could try to watch. I took the time to catch up on some current jdramas as well. But yeah... sometimes those doldrums just hit hard and heavy and fast.
Merry Christmas everyone, I just want to thank DB for giving me daily dose of drama news and recaps to satisfy my kdrama addiction.
btw this is my first post here on OT so I really don't know what to say. Happy OT..
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Beanies!
May you have a blessed year through and through! :)
On dramas:
-Love Splish Splash Love, it's really fun and entertaining. 2 episodes is just a walk in the park and the chemistry is just right!
-Still love Oh My Venus despite its apparent lack of plot and just manage to pull the cuteness.
-Haven't watched Remember this week, so I haven't yet understand what's the fuss in ep 6.
Can't wait for Drama Awards!!!
Praying for Ji Sung to get Daesang at MBC Drama Awards.
So far, the nominations for Daesang are Hwang Jung Eum, Jeon In Hwa and Ji Sung. Hope Ji Sung wins!
For KBS, it seems either Kim Soo Hyun or So Ji Sub will get the Daesang, although there may be surprise.
For SBS, I could sense Yongpal will get tons of awards which wouldn't be surprising at all. I can smell SBS would also give Best Director/Scriptwriter to Yongpal despite its lacklustre 2nd half. Probably Joo Won also grabs Daesang. Who knows?
Waiting for the next episode of Six Flying Dragons is such a torture I'm beginning to regret not to wait until the series ends before starting on it!
In the beginning of the year, I thought that Ji Chang-wook as Healer was the best gift for this year. Then I thought Lee Sang-yoon as Cha Hyun-seok was better. But now I think that Byun Yo-han as Lee Bang-ji is the winner of them all.
"Byun Yo Han as Lee Bang Ji is the winner of them all"
Amen for this, sister.
Lee Sangyoon with his grumpypants character is so endearing and fun but Bangji with his tortured soul underneath that excellent swordsmanship and cold demeanor is more intriguing. Indeed this year is full of drama-treat i love it.
I'm absolutely hooked onto Remember right now! It's getting a little makjang-y (everyone is connected to everyone and there now seems to be a love quadrilateral) and I wish there was more romance between YSH and PMY, but wow I simply cannot wait for the next episodes.
Hello beanies...
Currently, I'm trapped in Lang Ya Bang aka Nirvana in Fire's world. Ha. Oh, the withdrawal is so hurting... I managed to finish its 54 eps in, what I could say, such an unhealthy marathon day. LOL.
So, im here to say "Thank you so much" for whoever recommended this gem in more than one OTs.
I could say, I've been dragged to Hu Ge's world.
I've become his fan since ROTCH and Ariel's too, but after that I didn't find his other projects until I found someone mention his name and his NIF here.
I read in some articles that his drama "The Disguiser" has the same tone with NIF, but im hesitate to start becoz in other articles many said his character is not well written and boring. So im afraid to start and then become disappointed in him and fall out love. Hahaha.
I too want to start Da Mo Yao aka Sound of the Desert. But he was a 2nd male lead and won't get the girl. Ha.
Guys, anyone want to enlighten me about this two dramas? Will I be disappointed with Hu Ge's character in The Disguiser? Or between the two, which one should I start first? Or any other dramas recommended has the same tone with NIF and TD ?
Taking responsibility (whether it was my ranting you read or not) as I've been raving about NIF in a few threads, I first offer my empathy at your predicament. I too marathoned NIF which left me at the end, both exhausted, relieved but also heartbroken to leave that world.
It's pretty awesome, isn't it? I love that the writing is so assured, and doesn't take the audience for fools. Some scenes are so subtle, it's as if the writer is saying - if you're really interested, watch closely, I believe you'll get it.
I think Hu Ge gave a fantastic performance. It says so much that his physicality was constrained (minimal gestures, all in the body language and posture) and his mannerisms in the show were heavily controlled and calculated to suit the character - and yet he managed to convey a whole wild ride of human feelings.
I was about halfway through The Disguiser as a subtitled but then Viki pulled it but it's now back. Hu Ge's character in Disguiser is also really smart but has a different personality - more like Lin Shu. You'll see what i mean. The writing is also pretty good - you have to pay attention to keep up as there are layers of intrigue and relationships. Do give it a go.
Thank you for recommending NIF. Normally not a cdrama or ancient politics fan but I surprisingly enjoyed concentrating my full attention and thoroughly loved it. Hu Ge and Wang Kai are my new drama heroes.
I...can't believe I'm going to try this drama. I've never watched any drama beyond 24 episodes. I'm currently watching 6 flying dragons (a 50 episode, I heard), but since it's still going on I don't necessarily feel it's long. But I've heard so many ravings on NIF I feel the pull is strong....
You should try NIF, don't be intimidated by the number of episodes (54 in total). Each episode is only about 40 mins and since the plot is so interesting, I didn't find it draggy or boring at all, the hours just passed by so fast ;)
Much like you, I've been stuck in NIF land, to the point I actually picked up cdramas again and it's on a spree. It's a shame that the recent historical dramas have been mostly lackluster since that's my preferred period.
Anyways, I don't think The Disguiser is the same tone as NIF. It's most similar in that it's fairly intelligent and oh god feelings way, with added "for the country, for the people" as a side.
Ming Tai (Hu Ge's character) is the youngest of the family, early 20s and grew up bit spoilt. So he's smart, but impulsive and does dumb things on occasions. I don't think he's boring but he pales a hell lot compared to the other characters, particularly his brother Ming Lou. If you keep in mind why he acts the way he does, I think you'll enjoy the drama. He does a lot of super cool moves and wear a lot of pretty clothes if that helps ;D
I have no opinion on Da Mo Yao since I've never watched it. I can only say that it's not universally loved in Chinese online communities, but neither was his Legend of Condor Heroes. (Mostly for changes to books they were based on, complaints of terrible historical implications and such) In comparison, Hu Ge's first drama Chinese Paladin have a lot more love, and he plays the lead.
The problem with that drama is he's a basically a kid on an adventure (it's based on an rpg game, that should tell you the tone of the series). He's fairly well received in Chinese Paladin 3 (which is set in the same world and that's all the connection there is) but mostly for being shipped with other characters (that's kind of the entire point of drama really).
He hasn't really played any characters quite like Mei Changsu before, and to be honest, I'm struggling to find other dramas like NIF/characters like Mei Changsu.
Is there anywhere I can ramble about NIF/cdramas? I haven't really found an active forum and such since demise of dramaaddicts.
Recently watching Six Flying Dragons and Remember since it's the holidays. But I can only watch one drama when school starts in January and both of them are SO GOOD. What should I do? Which should I choose? :(
Merry Christmas to OT beanies who are still on Christmas day! It’s now 1:00 am, morning of boxing day here.
I’m trying to introduce kdrama to my great buddy at work, she is Caucasian who does not have prior exposure to Korean culture, but she is quite receptive of foreign stuff. Which kdrama will be a great one for a start? She enjoys BBC drama like Sherlock, so probably I Remember You may suit her taste, or perhaps My Love from Another Star as a rom-com with time travel and alien storyline may be more interesting and easier to digest for someone new to kdrama?
As Splash Splash Love is getting quite a lot of thumb-ups here, I watched it out of curiosity and discovered that the much talked about Kim Seul-gie is the one playing the forthright and bubbly[best friend of the female lead in Discovery of Romance. She had quite a lot of screen time in there, even appearing more frequently than the second lead. She started off with a pathetic dating history and eventually got romanced by three suitors. Lol. Those of you who like her acting must go watch DOR, she and Yoon Hyun-min made such a hilariously cute pairing in it.
This week, I also watched Will It Snow for Christmas. Not sure why I picked this out of so many in my drama-to-watch list, probably I was looking for a Christmassy show to watch, though it turned out that there is nothing Christmassy in it at all despite its title. If you like So Ji-Sub and Jo In-Sung, Go Soo is another ahjussi prince charming to watch out for. But please don’t go watch Empire of Gold first, he is so ruthless in it that it will be harder to fall for him though not entirely unlikely due to his handsome boyish looks. In WISFC, Go Soo’s (as Cha Kang Jin) glassy stare though seemingly void of emotions, is so fiercely intense and heartbreakingly sad that it can turn any girl jelly-knee. This drama is about how dysfunctional parents affect the happiness of their grown-up children, very similar to the theme of the earlier Piano, which is Go Soo’s first drama appearance as lead with Jo In-Sung as his step-brother, and Jo Min-su as step-mum (same mum too in WISFC). WISFC also has the bonus of having Kim Soo-Hyun as the young Cha Kang Jin in the first 2 eps. He did an impressionable portray of a teenage youth exploding with pent up anger and his hairstyle reminded me of Bruce Lee. I’m also pleasantly surprised by quite a few ingenious tropes in this drama, e.g. using hairpin of the loved one as a tie clip and pinning up a poster to convince the girl to meet up for a date.
Again, Repy 1988 is enjoyable this week, the endearing stories of the dads brought back fond memories of my own beloved dad who sadly passed away when I was around Bora’s age. DS’s heroic act in protecting the feelings of her classmate who suffered an epileptic seizure also brought tears to my eyes. Now, with DS eventually awakening to the one she likes, we are finally going to see how she discovers her true love. I winced at the thought of...
having to eventually see a heart-broken Taekie, as I still believe that JH will be the husband. I’m giving up Oh My Venus, it is Christmassy this week, but everything felt so superficial and pretentious, like they are living in their own ivory tower. Now with a car accident being thrown in, this drama is blindly following the formula of overly adopted kdrama clichés. Though I like SJS and SMA, I don’t feel anything for them in this drama at all. Instead of finding their raunchy acts and suggestive conversations being sexy and cute, I find it distasteful. They could do much more better than this, what a let-down!
It was fun reading the 2015 reviews by the DB recappers, so many dramas so little time, the reviews are great in helping me to sort and rank my to-watch list. Many thanks !!
Last episode of TVN's List 2015 ranked top actor/actresses (Buzz-wise etc) in the AM 1988. RJY made the top.
1. Ryu Joon-yeol/Jung-hwan: nick-UNamRyu (=Ryu Joon-yeol is the husband anyway)
2. Hyeri/Duk-sun
3. Park Bo-gum/Choi Taek
4. Kim Sun-young/Sun-woo's mom (Debuted in 1995)
5. Go Kyung-pyo/Sun-woo
Do you know RJY debuted only 1 year ago? Did you notice him as Kim Soo-hyun's classmate in 'Producers'?
Hi fan, high-five! Yes, coincidentally, I just watched The Producers about two weeks ago, I did notice RJY as one of the rookies in Ep 1, he appeared just for a brief moment.
I reccomended Missing Noir M, I like the tone and it maybe a good opening show. Then Reply 1987, cause it short and enough to understand the Korean point of view, the romance about 1st love and young love.
YWCFTS is funny but also can take you aback if you love sherlock cause it really well illogical at some point.
Hi Sancheesy, I've not watched MNM nor any drama with Kim Kang-Woo in it, but I think it's mystery thriller genre will be appealing to someone who likes Sherlock, and Gummimochi also provided a good recommendation for MNM in 2015 year review. I want to introduce her to a typical rom-com kdrama too, as this is what makes kdrama unique, but like what you said, the illogical makjang may put a newbie off.
I also second the suggestion of Missing Noir M. It's set out like a crime procedural with one highly intelligent agent and one very experienced, observant detective. The script's pretty tight there're quite a few twists and the stories are easily translatable, and the production values are good enough so it's doesn't come off as a cheap version of CSI.
She may also like Last, which is also has a main character who uses his brains, and the set up is quite gritty. Think the great con crossed with fight club.
I'm racking my brains about the rom-com as this is quite tricky. Some of the Korean rom-com conventions can seem really twee and don't translate so well. I guess the one I'd put forward is It's Okay, it's Love. I think it has a very adult take on "love" and the humour is more quirky and backhanded (very witty writing in some instances) and there's a very strong emotional narrative in the love story.
Hi Dramapanda, thanks for racking your brains to help come up with recommendations. Ok, with your endorsement, I will go with MNM as first choice. I've just downloaded it and realised that it has only 10 episodes, so it really makes a good one to start off with. I like It's Okay It's Love because of Gong Hyo-jin and Jo In-Sung, but I'm not sure if the psychiatric theme makes it seem a bit too serious for a rom-com? I will probably put the rom-coms on hold for the time being, if she likes MNM and is coming back for more, then I will dish out the rom-coms and other thrillers such as Healer, Ghost, Liar Game and IRY.
Ah got it...how about Flower Boys Next Door? It's about a reclusive woman who lives in a building and she's got a number of cute guys as her neighbours, both living beside her and in the opposite block. It's got quite an indie feel - and quite sweet. Also, it has Kim Seul Gi in a great supporting role. Most of all, it doesn't have too many, or if any (I can't remember) harder to translate slapstick bits.
I watched Flower Boy Next Door at the time of its release, mainly because of the popularity of Park Shin-Hye and Yoon Shi-yoon at that time. With so many dramas to watch, I sometimes took the easy way out by picking pick those with actors I am more familiar with. But somehow, I don't have a strong impression of FBND? The only scene I remember is PSH sat in a room in front of a study desk with lots of post-it notes stuck on the wall. Probably I will go back to re-watch it.
Flower Boys Next Door is quite low key in tone. There aren't any really makjang scenes, and everything is quite everyday. But it is unexpectedly sweet. Dok Mi is a reclusive after being bullied in school - an incident that traumatised her. But slowly, she's drawn out of her shell. Yoon Shi Yoon plays the slightly madcap but very sincere Enrique. I was a bit wtf when I first saw him, but despite the unexpected name, he manages to ground the character. The other neighbours are also sweet in their slightly, loser way.
I guess I'm recommending it because it has more of an indie vibe - the kind of low key apartment block type scenario and not all the gender swapping, body swapping, swapped at birth stuff.
I find it quite hard to understand romcom if you are not familiar with SK culture, but Dramapanda gives a good one, Flower Boy Next Door is good introduction, fresh fun and lovely.
The Answer me 1997 (thanks for 2ru2 correction) is also short, 45 minutes, 16 episode, that's why I choose that, simple, straight forward, not really flower boy or chaebol)
How about Dream High 1, it's nice underdog story with the romantic feels,
I need romance 2011 also a good choice
49 days also a good melo/fiction even the ending (if you haven't see it) is still not taken as good or bad.
Sometines the length is what put people off, the procedural and a lot oc western series give payback almost at 1 ep while in K drama land, ypu meed to wait for 10+ ep to get it. It's not bad but not every one can adjusted quickly.
For the fusion crime+romcom = Once upon a time in Sangcheori still my best choice ^^
Yes, agree, Reply 1997 and Dream High are great rom-coms. As for 49 Days, I enjoyed it mainly because I like Lee Yo-Wan, but I find the overall mood of the drama a bit sad and depressing, though not like those melo tear jerkers which are more emotionally intense.
It is quite difficult to get wholeheartedly invested into a kdrama like what you said as the gist of it can only be felt around 10 eps. Nowadays, I dropped quite a lot of them after watching the first 1 or 2 eps because we are just so spoilt for choice. It's the really good ones that keep me going ep after ep, unless I'm watching it mainly for the lead actor/actress, like Lee Jun-Ki, etc, who can make me persist till the end regardless of how bad the drama is, such as Scholar Who Walks the Night.
I am re watching Who Are You? from 2013 with So Yi Hyun, Ok Taecyeon and Kim Jae Wook and would recommend it to a newbie. It is a story about ghosts, crime solving and moving on from lost love. It is well paced, emotional with some gentle humor.
Hi Kbas, thanks for your recommendation. Finally someone mentioned this largely overlooked drama Who Are You. I intend to watch it soon, as I started to like Kim Jae Wook after seeing him in Mary Stayed Out All Night and he was so funny in Antique! If you are re-watching it, that means it must be good, ok, I will find time to watch it this coming long weekend.
I recommend the classics (Coffee Prince, Secret Garden, Kim Sam Soon) because if you start a newbie out on dramas with the standard dry kisses or eyes wide open shocked kisses, it might turn them off before they get a chance to understand how Korean culture plays into how relationships are depicted.
If you decide not to go with the classics,
I recommend Healer, Chuno, and Tree with Deep Roots. Healer has a full, exciting story; Chuno has action and abs for days (including the main Hyukie-abs); and TWDR was captivating storytelling.
That's my strategy anyway.
Oh, and despite the criticism he gets as an actor, Song Seung Heon is so cool and beautiful in When A Man Loves that an entire fandom thought we hated the actress because she didn't immediately take everything he had to offer as we would have. (Once we saw the actress in other projects, we realized why we thought we hated her. lol)
Hi Beez, thanks for your recommendation. Will stay away from sageuk for a start, as they can be too much an eye-opener for someone foreign to kdramas. Healer sounds like a good one, as for rom-com, it is quite difficult to decide which one is better. Perhaps I'm treading too carefully, she has been watching lots of Hollywood movies and there are lots of crappier stuff in there too. I myself started off with tear jerkers, kdramas are so good in inducing tears, but again not everyone has the appetite to watch melodrama.
Omg Song Seung Heon! Another "ajusshi" prince charming alongside So Ji-Sub, Jo In-Sung, Go Soo, Jung Hyuk, Kwon Sang-Woo, Lee Byung-hun, Jung Dong-Gun, etc... I first saw him in Autumn In My Heart and Summer Scent, I liked him in those two classics, but not so much in My Princess and Dr Jin, not due to his acting but the drama plot, so bad projects can really kill.
if she likes Sherlock, she might like Liar Game or Ghost. You might also want to try something with a twisted and irresistible dose of humor, nobody can resist a good laugh, and will want to keep laughing with more of similar. Mmm... Greatest Love? what are those funny shows here... Girl Who Sees Smells? well, yeah, Man From The Stars has all of that, but with a very blandly acting male lead... Marriage, Not Dating is quite funny also
Merry Christmas Redfox! It must be freezing cold in your part of the world.
Liar Game has Lee Sang-yoon with his dimples and Ghost has So Ji-Sub with his cheekbones. Passed!! If the drama plot could not sustain interest, at least the actors can hold the fort. :)
It's funny, you called the blue-eyed boy of kdrama land "a very blandly acting male lead". Make sure you don't get stoned by the crowd!
You did a very impressive ranking in OT 425 two weeks ago, I Remember You was top of your list. Why didn't you recommend it here?
it is not freezing cold. we haven´t even had a day below 0.
no, I am not afraid of being stoned, there should be no such savages here.
well didn´t someone already recommend IRY? Do you think it needs to be recommended TWICE? A show like that? one time not enough, really? wow. woah. I can´t even.
Hafta to agree, didn't find KSH attractive at all. His portrayal in Producer was pretty good though. I have a geeky little brother and I find the way he talked, walked, stuttered very similar.
Hi Everyone! ....... I hope you are all doing well today. ....... Merry Christmas to all the Beanies who celebrate the holiday! May you enjoy a festive and joyful holiday!
Watched this week:
Six Flying Dragons - I'm consistently interested in those characters, in their individual stories, in the politics, in the strategizing----I swear, I love it all.
Village: Secret of Achiara - Watched the first 5 minutes of episode 15. ..... It's over tomorrow and I don't really care. ...... To be fair though, I never really watched it consistently nor a single episode in its entirety from beginning to end so I never really got invested in it, if you will. For all I know, it may have been very good and interesting but I just never saw it .
Oh My Venus - Shin Min-ah together with So Ji-sub. Seriously, what's not to like?
I want to thank all you in the Beanie community for making drama-viewing so enjoyable. Your comments, your insights and all your contributions are certainly one of the reasons one returns to Dramabeans (and the OT!) again and again. Thanks for making 2015 so much fun! May the upcoming year be just as great. ........ Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
I can't blame our actress though. Probably the director's fault. I've noticed that when a character has to be "sad" the director keeps the actor always in that one emotion throughout most of the length of the drama. Witness Yongpal's heroine. Or even Hidden Identity.
Merry Christmas, Dramabeanies! Hope everyone is loaded up with food, drink and have time to put your feet up to watch more dramas!
Thank you, recappers and reviewers. This last week, I finally let go of Oh My Venus (it's fine as background motion when I'm doing my filing) and instead took up the suggestions of watching Last and Missing Noir M.
SPOILER
Last was a really good ride. I forgot how much I enjoy watching Yoon Kye Sang. He was lovely and gentle in High Kick 3 and Greatest Love, so it was cool to see him take on a much more ambivalent role. And what a nice surprise to see Manager Jo of Bubblegum in a totally kickass role!
The whole story was refreshing - no chaebols in sight, but a dog eat dog world at the bottom of the barrel. I would have liked to see YKS take on no. 4 and 5 (surely, that Crocodile deserved a smacking) and the ending was bitterly earned, but I guess it rang true to that world that there is no easy happiness.
I'm only halfway through Missing M, but this last episode was so well done. I do enjoy crime procedurals, but this was done really well. I love the character of the sassy detective, and the main geeeeenius guy - the way they showed his intelligence was quite laid-back (no annoying special effects etc) so it was handled pretty well. This particular episode had me bawling my eyes out which was totally unexpected!
Apart from that, riding the 6 Flying Dragons and Reply 1988 trains to the new year, with a few tentative peeks at Remember for a bit of makjang sauce. And Cat for therapy after.
I like Yoon Kye Sang: I remember the loanshark character actor mentioned YKS's eyes were shining with eagerness doing well while filming the Last.
I watched healing camp with G.O.D guest. YKS said he just loved acting, rather than wanting to leave the group. I am glad he cleared up misunderstanding with other members and the group did successful comeback stage recently.
A couple days ago I watched an old sitcom from JTBC where 2 guys live together with a woman ghost. The young male lead always called the ghost 'imo' (which, as far as I know, is a way to called someone's own aunt) instead of 'ajumma' (which is how usually someone called a woman stranger). I also recalled some scene from another drama where someone called a male stranger 'samchu' (uncle) instead of 'ajusshi'. Can someone please explain this? What is the rule and the exception for using those terms?
This week I can only managed to watch Remember, which starting to feel intense. Finally Jinwoo declared an open war to Gyuman, an action that makes Dongho struggled against his inner good self. And also, it seems Chairman Nam was just as screwed as his son, judging from that last case.
That's a good question... I looked it up in the dictionary... the term for one's own aunt is: Ko-mo (sister of one's father), Imo (sister of one's mother).
The term for aunt belonging to someone else is Ajumma.
Term for one's own uncle: Sam-chun (brother of one's father), Oe-sam-chun (brother of one's mother).
In general: Ahjusshi
I just took it for granted that when there was a prior relationship with an older person, especially a blood relationship but also, I thought, if that person was known to one's family, it might be Sam-chun. There are other names in the dictionary of the in-laws of one's parents (ie their husbands and wives) also having different 'terms' to be called by.
Hi Everyone! Happy OT and wishing you all a Happy, Healthy Christmas with peace, joy and hope in your hearts!
We’ve had such great ratings articles posted here on DB, and it got me in the mood to consider gathering some different pieces of information about shows. A few of us (actually I think quite a number of us) have been noticing as we live-watch shows of say, more than 8 episodes (1-hour per episode), that there is often the ‘danger’ that the series which started off quite fine, begins to lose momentum somewhere along the way (as in become boring/lack plot/repeat devices or throw in unnecessary tropes to lengthen air time).
@ Snickers and I were wondering if these shows had anything in common. The common factor(s) might not actually give us the reason(s) for the slowdown but an indication or correlation of what combination of variables might be more likely to result in the downward slide of shows. For ease in recalling the more recently completed shows, I’ve listed them at the bottom, for us.
Please name the shows, and when the change in the shows began.
The question is: “Which shows stand out for you in these aspects:
1) Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout).
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end. If you’ve named shows, in which episode did the downward slide begin?.
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover. Same question... from which episodes did they slowdown and from which episodes did they get better?
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected. From which episode did they get better?
And how about let’s have a re-vote? Now that we’ve had a couple more shows since the DB Awards vote on 7 Dec, we might have different shows to vote for.
5)Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time (any year)
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs
7)New unheard of category... Best use of psychology (LOL!) – for me it was ... Sassy Go Go where Instructor Nam got the kids to eat at the same table in their dirty state, and as a result broke the walls between Real King and Baek Ho. You can tell I’ve been re-watching this show!
Non-exhaustive list of recently completed shows, so feel free to add more and my other responses are below that :
Angry Mom Awl Because It’s the First Time Beloved Eun Dong Blood
Bubblegum D-Day Divorce Lawyer in Love Ex-Girlfriend Club Falling for Innocence
Girl Who Sees Smells Healer Heard it Through the Grapevine Heart to Heart
Hidden Identity High Society Ho Gu’s Love Hwa Jeong Hyde Jekyll Me
I Remember You Kill Me Heal Me Last Let’s Eat 2 (The) Lover
Maids Mask Masked Prosecutor Master of Trade: Inn 2015
Missing Noir M Mrs Cop My Beautiful Bride Oh My Ghostess Orange Marmalade
Persevere Go Hae Ra (The) Producers Punch Rude Miss Young Ae Sassy Go Go
Scholar Who Walks the Night Seonam Girls High Investigators She Was Pretty
Shine or Go Crazy Splish Splash Love Spy Superman Age Sweet Savage Family
The Time I’ve Loved You Twenty Again Unkind Women Village: Secret of Achiara
Warm & Cozy Who Are You School 2015 Yong Pal
= = =
My Answers: Without thinking too long and hard about the shows:
1)Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout).
Healer, I Remember You, Kill Me Heal Me, Missing Noir M
2)Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end.
Oh My Ghostess – I can’t say it became slower... but it just got a bit more tiresome to watch. It started off so good, became iffy and repetitive with Soon Ae continually possessing Bong Sun and jumping on Chef, also it was frustrating with Soon Ae not remembering her murder, plus the tiresome and unnecessary love triangle trope with So Hyung. Maybe it was around Ep 7-11 but it got better when the investigation over Soon Ae’s murder gets more underway and Soon Ae is out of Bong Sun. Pity the ending had her study abroad... though.
She Was Pretty – It was somewhat frustrating in Ep 12-13 when all we had left was the saga of Most to look forward to. But even before that, I felt the Ha Ri hanging on to her lies for so long was too draggy, and even Shin Hyuk’s repeated baiting of Hye Jin or refusing to understand her, tiring. It ended OK except for the over-done last episode wrap-up in Ep 16 when it felt like it could have ended in Ep 15.
3)Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover.
Mask – I loved the first 10 or so episodes and then gradually began to chaff at it without knowing why. The great premise of Min Woo being gas-lighted, of Seok Hoon being interestingly evil and having grand plans but turning out mainly crazy and ineffective, of scary Scar at first always around but then suddenly hardly seen... great stuff that dissipated for PPL and OTP fan service. The OTP remained mostly great throughout, which saved the show.
The Time I’ve Love You – It was OK until episode 4 and then there was a writer switch and it just dragged all the way to the end.
Blood – There was promise in the beginning with the young Park Ji Sang and his quest to complete his mum’s research, and then it all went downhill when he was an adult from Episode 3 onwards? 20 episodes were really much too many.
4)Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected.
Sassy Go Go – It’s a toss-up on whether I should have placed SGG with the number 1) bunch because it was so good from practically the beginning. It’s only here because I expected fluff and shallowness with school bullying, etc, ... but found that it had more and more depth, OTP squee-factor, and character growth as each episode progressed. It just got better and better all the way from Episode 2!
5)Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time: I only have two Splish Splash Love and Arang ATM.
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs: Healer’s Jung Hoo and Yong Shin, SGG’s Kim Yeol and Yeon Doo, SSL’s King Se Jong and Dan Bi.
7)New unheard of category: I gave my answer above. Do you have your own fave for an unheard of category?
1) Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout).
Reply 1988, Healer, Missing Noir M, Sassy GG
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end. If you’ve named shows, in which episode did the downward slide begin?.
Bubblegum - can't remember the exact episode but where Mum's situation starts interfering and cued in the noble idiocy.
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover. Same question… from which episodes did they slowdown and from which episodes did they get better?
Scholar, The Time I Loved You... Scholar because the plot didn't move forward for ages, and ended on a rather anticlimactic note. TTILY - it sort of lost itself after about episode 6...
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected. From which episode did they get better?
KMHM - from episode 2 or 3, I Remember You (it wasn't a specific episode but a gradual build up - it just got better and better.)
5)Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time (any year)
I haven't seen that many - Flying Dragons and if I may sneak in a Chinese production - Nirvana in Fire.
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs
Healer and Young Shin
Jung Hwan's parents
Jong Hyun and Bok Gil
7)New unheard of category… Best use of psychology (LOL!) –
Hmm hard one - so this is more of an off the cuff answer - I liked the scene in Pinocchio where LJS turns the tables on PSH in the intense intern interrogation scene.
1)the Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout)
= can't have any answer for this, since I only finished few dramas this year. But I hope I can write Six Flying Dragons and Reply 1988 in this category
2)Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end
= Oh My Ghostess for real (you've mentioned the reasons), & Girl Who Sees Smells!! (I didnt know I could overlook the silly plot by the cuteness from the OTP itself and found the ending as OK lol)
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover
= Mask. I even didn't watch the last two episodes because It got ... uh I don't want to think about it. Such a big disappointment for me.
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected
=Hoo gu's Love.
5) Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time (any year)
= Dae Jang geum, Arang, Empress Ki (but its last episode isn't my favorite)
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs
= I only have fav OTPs from dramas which weren't aired this year, so my answer is: the OTPs from Queen In Hyun's Man, IOTL, and TK2H I also still love the Krystal and MinHyuk as the secondary couple in the Heirs :p
7)New unheard of category…"The shows which were expected to be good from the casts or/and its trailers" = High Society lol
I'm also hoping that Reply 1988 will continue being good and that it will end off on a high.
I'm not sure I want to start Ho Gu's Love because of Ueee, since I was disappointed with her in High Society.
I do recall fondly Queen IM and though I did not really swoon over IOTL or TK2H, I remember the pairings fondly. The QIM's tiptoe kiss stands high together with the cola kiss of Lie To Me. LOL!
I will answer 5 and 6 for now (because others require thinking)
5. (original) HuJoon, Dae JangGeum, Immortal Yi Soon-shin (There are a few more favorites tho)
6. Kim Rae-won and Kim Tae-hee (Love story in harvard)
Lee Dong-wook and Jung Rye-won (Bubblegum)
Joo Jin-mo and Kim Sa-rung (My love Eundong)?
1)Shows that began strong and stayed strong:
Most of good shows -healer, painter of the wind, friend, dream high, I hear your voice, golden time, Yoona's street, I remember you etc.
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end.
Oh my Ghostess, bubble gum (there are more, but can't think now)
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover.
the lover, fate to love you, warm and cozy, The time we were not in love, yolpal, sungkyunkwan scandal, spy etc
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected.
City Hall, Call of the Country, princess's man, heartless city, Miseang, ex-girlfriends club, sassy go go, etc
7) new category? Wish 'there were no last episode' show:
God's gift 14 days
Wow! @ fan! You've got a pretty good lot of shows listed.
I should have also included Fated to Love You, Warm & Cozy, The time I've loved you and Yong Pal in the never recovered category. So much promise that I felt evaporated.
LOL your new category... do you mean that you don't want the show to end or was the ending a bad ending or a non-ending?
I'll only answer the favorite fusion/sageuk since the others I have to think it through: Damo, Six Flying Dragons. I don't watch that many sageuks. SFD may (oh God please let it not be so!) later on disappoint me, but so far soooooo good! Damo, what can I say...a show that literally left a scar in my heart.
Thanks for your list. I find that with sageuks, it will take quite a bit to keep me watching. But still, I'll keep these ones you've mentioned in mind if ever I feel like something sageuk-ie. :)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, beanies from all around the World. Despite the fact that this has been a very difficult year for my county(-ies) here in our beautiful Mediterranean Sea, I really, REALLY wish everyone to be safe with their families, healthy, happy and, even if this may sound extremely cliché, I really hope that PEACE and HUMANITY take over our planet (at last!). One doesn't need to be religious (nor Christians for that matter) in order to embrace this day's deep meaning...At least that's what I really hope!
Buon Natale!
ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!
for us, it is just the darkest day of the year that from now on starts to get a roosters step worth of light each day. and we need to go visit dead relatives and make fires or burn candles. for me, not a christian thing, we did it before the birth of christianity, made fires mid-winter to greet the dead
I think I'm heading your way in a few days. Thanks for all your good wishes, I wish the same for you, and that everything gets better and better with the turn of the year.
Hello! For those who celebrating Christmas, i wish u many happiness and joy in this year's celebration ?
Recently i have lost interest to few of currently watching drama. For e.g Oh My Venus. I dont know why i lost my interest. I love SJS, SMA and SH but my love for them them cannot save my boredness on this drama. At first i thought it is a simple and well executed drama, but hmm now i dont know.
I have so much frustration this week because I Have a lover really taking a very long time to be subbed. Now i dont care anymore on subs, because i already rewatching it raw twice. And to add more pain, there will be only one episode this week! Not fair! ? i sincerely wish for Kim Hyun Joo or/and Ji Jin Hee will be nominated for daesang, even though i doubt it will happen. I love Yong Pal and i have a feeling joo won will be nominated (but Kim Tae Hee deserves to be nominated for daesang too! Whoever says Joo Woon carried the show entirely by his own, you are wrong.. ). But i do hope miracle happens and Kim Hyun Joo be nominated and wins???
Splish Splash ? i may sound exaggerate, but this gonna be my best romcom this year! I sincerely pray for their reunion. ? i love kim seul gi so much. She got my attention from Flower Boy Next Door even she had only minor role there.
Auw this must be a coincidence . all my fav actressess with surname 'Kim'; Kim Tae Hee, Kim Hyun Joo, Kim So Eun & Kim Seul Gi! Ha ha just realized it ???
Happy holiday!!
I don't watvh lot of kdrama beside daily dose of OMV.
In other side I finish Jdrama this week 5->9 It's interesting that the editing, the fast conversation, the yamapi voice and THE OST!! I love back number - christmast songthat actually doesn't related a lot with christmast. It's overall shojo manga type of show Okitegami kyoko live it, it's clever, fresh, prove that okada and gakky is not just pretty face, they have chemistry and trust and again THE OST, Hello Goodbye ; Afureru is my fave. Gou -taiga drama finally I finish 50 + ep of J historical drama. IT AMAZE me how diff the approach of Saeguk and Taiga drama, there's fictional historical in J dra but they really stick to history, with the narrator and the monument that showed after each episode about the silent prove of that era. It's like I learn history in a fun way. There's lot of things happen but I still care about the character
Ah love revolution, I've been looking for that and can't find any
Date is so quirky,
I hope 5->9 gets 2nd season, or spin off or SP, the characters are so much fun
I'll miss the BL love girl who clearly can see that she loves the character, not necessarily the man
And how they suddenly have relationship chart in ELA and the baby rumor...lol
the dramas that are broadcasted as NHK(Japanese national TV) Taiga Drama have to be true to the history. They broadcast them on Sunday's at 8 pm thus those dramas are watched by many devoted viewers,,, many stories are based on novels but even the novels are true to its historical events.
Thanks, I am deeply impress. I actually confuse a lot in Kdrama saeguk cause they don't have the real time line. It's like I knew the chracter from another drama but I can't pinpoint the link.
I rewatch nobunaga concerto after finish Gou and oh man, I see where the reference and fiction lies, it become so much fun than the 1st time I watch it.
I haven't watched that many kdramas in a while, recently finished Reply 1994 which was okay.
Now I'm watching Netflix's Japans Atelier about a lingerie shop, it sounds weird but it's very good. Also full of interesting details about making bra's.
Also been watching Otona Joshi, it's okay nothing spectacular. I find it interesting how someone like glamorous Shinohara Ryoko would be considered a obasan (old lady).
She is georgous, can't believe she depicted as old or lost attractive charm. I really can't comprehend the young subordinate that always citicize her for being old and work also the one that spread her pic to every one email. It can ruin someone career for serious.
I was watching it too, Otona Joshi. However the comment by what I assume will be the main lead, is so repetitive and offensive, it completely turns me off. Y'know, about how women want to be girls all the time, and love is commercialized, etc. It's fine if that's his opinion, but since that's ALL he said every time he's on screen from episode 1 until the beginning of episode 2, I just lost patience.
For year end awards, I really hope that Ji Sung will win the Daesang for MBC. For KBS I want Jang Hyuk to win, though they will most probably give it to Kim Soo Hyun due to his popularity. For SBS, I don't really care who wins it.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
I had to pause in watch Six Flying Dragons due to all the emotions that I am feeling and our internet sucks. Currently at episode 17 and I'm totally loving it! One of the reasons why I wanted to rematch Tree with Deep Roots.
Just watched the teaser for Song Joong Ki's drama AND I just found out it's the writer from The Heirs. OHNO! I watched Secret Garden, A Gentleman's Dignity(forgot if it's the same writer) and the Heirs but out of this three it's AGD that I liked. I have no idea what were my emotions towards the other two. Totally scared for Song Joong Ki. Huhuhu I certainly don't want to hate him. So please Writer-nim!
Not much movement on the drama front except I finished 5-ji Kara 9-ji Made and loved it!! I didn't realize how much I missed a good jdrama till now! I'm still watching Oh My Venus and was starting to get a little bored with the plot but the end of the last episode really has got things moving again!
Did anyone get anything they really wanted this year for Christmas!?
I got a Fitbit from my parents - which I am SUPER excited about...I've managed to lose a lot of weight over this past year and it couldn't have come at a perfect time. Going to enjoy this break and then get back on the healthy train next week *pumps fist!*
I got a book with old views from my childhood town and it is so interesting to go back in time. About 1200 photos all well-explained and located on the city plan. I am such a fan of things like this. and most of the houses are still all there and I recognize every corner. ah I want to travel to 1910....
Talking about childhood town, On my last visit to Korea, I went to look for the house I used to live when I was very young. Guess what- There was a dorm of SungKyunKwan (yes like SKK scandal) University on my old house location. Life is - irony?
Happy Holidays to all! Still loving Splish Splash Love so much ??? I'm going to re-watch the awesome Heart to Heart and Kill Me Heal Me before the end of the year. They are my 2015 favorites, but aired earlier in the year, so it is a treat to fall in love with them again. If I have time I'll start Let's Eat 2 as well.
Q. How can a drama go wrong with amazing gobsmacking actors and a powerful station backing?
A. Oh My Venus!
Such waste of super talented actors. I feels so sad for these actors, man it hurts! Whatever viewership the drama still has is only because of the actors. I know I only watch it sometimes because i miss seeing awesomeness that SJB is.
Whoever hell the writer is, I hope they realize what they have done.
How come someone with that little experience bag actors like SJS and SMA?! Well, I appreciate giving newbies chances and to shine, but I think they should done a better job at investigating the plot, side stories, character depth, script writing better, then this disaster wouldn't have happened!
did you guys see in the episode that SJS becomes the director (can't even recall what episode number that was.....the drama is that bad!), there was this prolonged moment when SMA sits on the stairs and massages her feet? That scene was so dragged on, so prolonged that it actually accentuated the fact that they didn't have a plot or story to show! It was made quite clear that they were showing that scene for far too long coz they didnt have anything else to show and thought that the site of pretty actors would appease us! Such disgruntled fools!
Well, it might have been the director and producers that got SJS and SMA – the writer doesn't normally have influence on casting anyhow (unless they are famous & influential, like KES).
Actually I like that scene, the music playing and the sudden appearance of our handsome gentleman...:)
And I don't mind the plot when it comes to watching pretty actors who can act. Love the couple!
I like the sentiments portrayed by the scene too, but the entry of the handsome man could have happened a full minute earlier than was done in the drama. I hate to see talent wasted like this, but I guess everyone has different tastes...so, while some might like the drama, others hate it to boot :)
You could watch Splash Splash Love, just amazing! Lovely 2 episode drama....romance comedy perfect for a extremely feel-good effect on your soul that would last you for a long looong time even after you finish watching....there's this halo in the heart that remains (as you can see, i am become crazy for the drama! :P )
To see more of Kim Seul-gie, go watch Discovery of Romance, she has quite a big role in it. She is so cute and adorable and it was so much fun watching the interaction among the three childhood friends who are living together in the same house.
I just feel so sad that they wasted such acting talents....and to think they these actors don't even do a drama every year! Waited for SMA, SJS for the past few years to do sth...and then they trap them in this quagmire of nothing!
I am just so disappointed man! You would see how much SJS tries to salvage the "drama" by trying his utmost...and SMA is given even less material than SJS, if that was even possible....poor her, even her dimples can't save this crap!
Happy OT and Merry Christmas!
This past week has been soooo busy I actually haven't gotten to watching any dramas..read the recaps but..just was not feeling the current dramas. Tho I did finish SSL. Absolutely loved it. I'm hoping for something really exciting in the new year..to help me get back into it. Can we pls have more SciFi type shows?.. Here's to hoping Murim School is interesting.
Merry Christmas to all dramabeans recappers and beanies. Currently watching SSL, so squee worthy. Planning on re watching KMHM the most has been stuck in my heads for days and AM1997 I wanna check out shi won fan girling. Have a lovely weekend
To those celebrating today - merry christmas all! Hope this season brings you love and peace.
after a drama watching hiatus (real life intruded by way of crazy work days - go away real life!) i'm now following reply 1988 and Oh my venus. It's already been said here at dramabeans but i'll say it again - this edition of the Reply series is just fantastic. It focuses on family, its dripping with nostalgia about the days where you lived in a close knit community and you ate your meals in whichever house you happened to me at any particular meal time. So i've fond memories of the Aunty next door sending fresh hot breakfast that she;d cooked. Then trooping out to run around and eating lunch at another house just because the lady of the house saw us and decided we needed to eat then and there because its lunchtime and she was closest. Its just beautiful - it was a different time. The heros of the show for me are the moms and dads doing their best in a time of political and economic uncertainty and that really resonates. And if i had to pick and OTP it would be Seon Woo and Bo Ra. Their relationship is so squee worthy!
As for our main triangle, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. To be quite honest, i dont really find Taek's character to be very compelling and if he hadn't been positioned as a potential rival, he could have easily gone the way of Dong Ryung's character.
Oh My Venus is just too pretty for words. SMA and SJS are just... well lets just say i could watch them work out and flirt for 16 eps straight. There is some chaebol stuff but seeing as evil uncle isnt even a distant cousin, im not sure what he thinks hes going to gain by playing dirty. The actress playing stepmom is so fantastic, i hope they dont waste her entirely. and i hope she gets a good resolution. she's spent far too many yrs playing doormat to selfish grandma.
Soo Jin - she's a pain, but im warming to her slowly. She's desperately trying to prove something, but i think at this point she isnt even sure what that is. the latest episode she called herself a bad person - so obviously she feels guilty. She's a good person and so is Im Star i think. Hope they get their moment of redemption and closure.
And finally, has anyone watched the Thai version of Playful Kiss? Its called Kiss Me and has everything i wanted in the other versions of this show. What i liked best about this version, is that the female lead is not shown to be farcically stupid but is instead as just not good at academics (we've all been there) and blindly loyal. In this version, I finally get the angst i would have liked to see on the part of the male lead. You Guys - he cries!!!!! I cant recommend this enough.
yeah, Kiss me Thai was quite good, although a little boring in some episodes. But there were a lot of things not just about the main leads that were a lot more reasonable and tried to explore the complex threads of emotions, doubts, resolutions and desires. in all other dramas, they were too much characters, here, they were people.
Happy OT everyone. Has anyone gone to one of our fav sites for watching...one that ends rhyming with ..fool. I think they got an injunction from a Philippine broadcaster. Oh well, i hope there is enough love in dramaland that can still give us access to dramas.
Merry Christmas, beanies!!! Wish you all have great time ?
I want to say thank you for dramabeans and all commenter here. It's only been one year i actively participate in db but it is so enjoyable. Watching drama has never been this fun.
As for drama, my little brain can only handle that much at a time and currently Six Flying Dragons has been occupying my everything. The show is all around so fantastic but it surely does burn and fry my brain lol. All the complicated historical background i'm not familiar with and the murky politic stuff makes it hard to follow sometimes. It seems marathoning show like this isn't really a good idea. And damn it, it is so so deliciously painful to watch Yeonhee and Bangji going round and round while it's obvious they still care for each other. ALL THE FEELSSSSSSS GOD ?
Can we have korean version of Samurai x and casting both Byun Yo Han & Jung Yoomi? Jaded swordsman who is lost and often times misunderstood and a girl who is going to save him but tangled in some sort of spionage conspiracy whatever. Dramagod, how about that? Santa, am i nice enough this year to make that happen??
Oh another drama, i watch the first ep of Spalsh Splash Love and it.was.super.cute!! I love Kim Seulgi and it's such a nice surprise to know Doojoon. They are totally adorable! Been putting off to watch the second ep bcs i don't want it to end T.T Maybe will watch it soon to cleanse my post-SFD fried brain of mine ?
Hi, happy Christmas. I am so late, but please answer me 2015 LOL
well, we have a green Christmas after all. no snow this year yet. +15C on Christmas Eve. Just got back from Viljandi - so many candles in the cemetery, amazing. The town was all quiet and dark, everyone was visiting the graves and lighting candles, there must have been over 15 000 of them. Plus Full Moon on Christmas Eve, not again until 2036.
drama tidbits: I watched Reply 1988 latest episodes with subs now and I hadnt noticed MacGyver music accompanying Jung Hwans Dad fixing the electricity OMG so awesome, MacGyver is the closest to any godly existence I am able to believe in. I kept playing it over and over...
Question of the day is: if you could set up any two drama characters for a blind date, who would you pick?
NB! you can´t be the other party. But you can disguise yourself with sunglasses and a black widow hat and hide behind a newspaper at the next table.
variation of the question; which drama characters do you think would become good friends if they met?
and to end, I can´t get enough of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X8K0VZ7Puo but at one point Universal Music blocked it because Jüri is by contract their artist, but this is not even their single, it is a song from Eesti Laul competition so I don´t know why they blocked it, anyway, now it is back, and people are saying James Bond /Adele feel in this. what do you think, is it as good as Goodbye to Yesterday?
Part of me wishes it was warmer here! We have almost a foot. :P
From any year? Dok Go-Jin (GL) and Cheon Song-Yi (YWCFTS). I just want to see them bicker. :)
Either those two, or Perry Park and Choi Young-Jin (Mrs. Cop). Heehee...
As for the variation, Oh-Cho-Rim (Girl Who Sees...) with Choi Myung Hee and Park Min-Young (Healer) would be a great mother-daughter/friends group. I could see them on a girls' night out, shopping or cooking (and making me hungry!)
Jang Nara's teacher in School 2013 and Teacher Yang from SassyGG? They both love their job and are super sweet.
Lawyer Cha Kwan-Woo from I Hear Your Voice with Kim Boo Ki from Still, Marry Me. She's always well-dressed and polished, and can help him out with his wardrobe, whereas he's a capable guy with a good heart to match her.
Friendships...
I think Jang Jae-yeol could find a new writer-buddy friend in Oh Ri On from KMHM.
And the whole reporter crew from Pinocchio team up with Healer and Young-shin, and borrow some of Healer's tricks too.
Jang ja yeol and ri on can make a spin off writer buddy show and that settled,
They can travel to diff place and try to write a journey book, meet diff people and helps them with their analysis, work part time job om several cities, followed a carnival in diff place and at the end they realize that there'a a fun romance slipped through their finger in one place or another.
Merry Christmas all!
I'd like to join in GrowingBeautifully's vote, but i dunno how to reply. Hahahaa.. i'll just post it here if u dont mind.
Naah, let's begiiin! *so exciteed*
1) Shows that began strong and stayed strong:
KMHM, Missing Noir M
(I instantly got hooked by the plot, not a single episode where i lost my interest!)
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end.
Oh my Ghostess (forgot when i lost my interest)
She was Pretty (right after Sung Joon knows the real Hye Jin, then it become OK when Ha Ri made up with Hye Jin again)
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover.
Yong Pal (definitely after Yong Pal get KTH out of hospital!)
The Time We Were Not In Love (no need further explanation)
Healer (until now i havent finish it, dont have the will tho. Dunno why)
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected.
I Remember You (the 1st 10 minutes of 1st ep didnt draw my interest but luckily i kept watching it until the last ep! Maybe bcoz i kinda didnt like how they introduce SIG character)
7) New category?
'A trully rollercoster ride show':
KMHM. I watched, i laughed, i drooled, i cried, i got mad, i read, and wrote about it. Such an emotinal ride with you, show.
I see that you've taken the trouble to list the shows and I agree with most of your picks.
I like your New Category...‘A truly rollercoster ride show’ to me would be one that got me hooked emotionally for most of the series and that one for me was Healer. I remember the ups and downs of feeling sorry for Jung Hoo as a child, also Young Shin when she thought she was abandoned, pride for when they rose above their sad pasts. I was touched by the revelation of Young Shin's mum, over the moon over the romance and laughed like a maniac over the comic bits. And the cliff hangers were quite nerve wracking and definitely 'impatience-inducing'. That was one show that got me totally emotionally invested. :)
Well, finally watched the subbed episode of Okitegami Kyoko no Bibouroku. I could feel Kyoko's desperation and probably her desolation. I am glad her memory neurons jolted her emotions and suspicions to action. Love this series.
Completed Nobunaga Concerto. It took me a longer time to finish it but I really like it! The samurai swords's wooshes and hits made me scream aloud. It was fun and funny and heartening. War is an issue discussed. Interestingly, one harakiri was explained in such a humane way. Maybe I was almost sold about the idea. It gave me an understanding of the tradition, that is for sure. Looking forward to the movie.
Trying to pick up another jdrama but yet to be totally invested in a new one.
Splish Splash Love gained my sarang. After I came back down from the clouds, and a rewatch, I think there is another reason why Danbi decided to go home. I could be totally wrong. In the flower sleep scene where both were lying side by side, the King expressed that Danbi staying beside him was enough. Danbi became silent and turned the other way. It could mean she was not satisfied by just being by his side. She needed to feel useful and continue being that way. She needed to go home and find her purpose.
The fact that the royal couple has a crush of their own makes me feel a little sad. I don't know why. Did they love each other at all? Maybe they do in a way. The king seems to sympathise her, the queen wants a concubine/friend. This drama is fiction I know. Maybe time is a factor to probably flesh out that arc. I am very interested to know more about non-monogamous marriages as it seems such a taboo sometimes.
This drama still is the best one to end the year with. Kim Seul Gi is such an expressive actress.
When she refuses to sleep, I just bawling because finally, yakusuke finally!! I also like how yakusuke at the end has picked up kyoko analysis skill, he's good on his own foot.
I also watch NC, it's really a fun ride, It's fiction but the real history keep intact, It's well known that Aizai was pass away in Nobunaga attack, or to be exact by Saru, but in this drama, it's different, war and friendship, trust and choice, it explain really well.
Droppin by to wish all a very Merry Christmas before the clock strikes midnithg.
OMV threw a curve ball this week - my heart is in my throat. *spoiler* Is there anything more kdrama-ish than tossing the keys to your car to the young man you rescued from a hardcore life of fighting who, after searching for his mother who gave birth to him in jail, gets a call from her that she wants to meet him, and then realizing that a hit man is out to get you and is after your car but you aren't the one in it so you make a mad dash and end up bloodied and unconscious by crashing into the bad guy's car to avert the disaster of him ramrodding your car that you aren't in so, major cliffhanger.
It's a good question though... is it only kdramas which do these sorts of ironic, convoluted, angsty twists or don't Chinese and Japanese or even Western shows have them? Or they do, but hardly ever? I'm not really watching anything else nowadays for years and have nothing much to compare kdramas with.
Yes, I was reminded of soap operas where many episodes are compressed into a few, but I was thinking, maybe it was not sufficiently 'makjang-y' to be considered soap.
It's a love/hate thing, i mean I've come to anticipate twists that are so convoluted that you're like, "Oh, man! I've fallen for it again" and can't wait to see how it turns out, that is if I like the characters and/or actors enough to see it play out.Of the jdramas I've watched, there aren't such life and death cliffhangers, for me they are unique to kdramas. You know what is really hard, though, is explaining the cliffhanger to a non-kdrama person - I am ALWAYS sorry I started when I get that l@@k...
hi :-D first time posting on OT but what do you guys think about the new SBS drama remember? Watched all the 6 eps and its rlly good XD but how will the drama manage to sustain this for 24 eps? hopefully won't be too draggy
Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates Christmas and happy holidays/festive season/So Ji-Sub's abs/whatever you want to celebrate today to everyone else!
I recently forced myself to finish Master's Sun (I have a a problem with finishing dramas, seems to be pretty common) and have finally recognized the magic of So Ganji.
![[K-Movie Night] A Year-End Medley](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/YearEndMedley_1-scaled.jpg)
![[2024 Year in review] Actors bringing their A-game](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jeongnyeon1112-00182.jpg)
![[2024 Year in Review] Beanie Awards](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/beanieawards_2024.jpg)
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1 prettysup
December 25, 2015 at 6:14 AM
Merry Christmas everyone !
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Kiara
December 25, 2015 at 7:34 AM
Merry Christmas!
DB is keeping me from raiding all the presents under the tree lol. My sleepy head family.
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Merry Christmas!
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2 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
December 25, 2015 at 6:20 AM
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Christmas Day is exhausting, but I'm going to treat myself by rewatching Splish Splash Love and ep 7-8 of Sassy Go Go.
I am so thrilled that SSL finally got a recap so I can spazz out properly. And now Yoon Doo-joon/Kim Seul-gi has become the third dramaland reunion I really want to see from 2015, the other two being
1. Ji-soo/Jung Eunji (Sassy Go Go)
2. Seo In-gook/Park Bo-gum (I Remember You)
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Kiara
December 25, 2015 at 7:35 AM
Merry Christmas pogo Go Go Splish Splash :).
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fab
December 25, 2015 at 7:36 AM
I finally have a weekend off so I can watch SSL in one go!! Squeal some on SASSY for me too please. The weeks leading up to Christmas were tiring and I don't even celebrate it.
Happy Christmas to you and others who celebrate!
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Tazzo
December 25, 2015 at 8:14 AM
SSL went straight up in my top drama's list! Seriously, how amazing was it?!! :D I am still high from the experience hehe absolutely giddy!
I am so glad it finally got the subs, before I would go every few hours to see if they had subbed it or not, and had to be disappointed for quite a few days before they did :D
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Splash splash rabbit is in love ?
December 25, 2015 at 12:04 PM
Me too!!!!! ? it was amazing, i watched it immediately again as soon as i finished it.it's so amazing i can't describe the feels I've been going through it made me so happy and i couldn't stop laughing the whole day whenever i thought of 'Oppa Gangnam style' ?.
There is enough praise i can give this drama, it has my drama heart.it's one of,if not the best thing I've watched this year.
I honestly think if a drama could be bottled up into a capsule ? it would be a happy pill relieving stress, depression and fatigue ?
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:28 AM
hahaha absolutely my sentiments! i hope that this team makes sth full length in the future, with all the creativity and skills as it did with this drama. I would love to sth more from them! And it is high time Kim Seul Gi gets recognized for the amazing actress that she is! Loved the couple, hope they get some kind of award!
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
December 26, 2015 at 11:06 AM
....I would probably die of happiness if Yoon Doo-joon and Kim Seul-gi showed up to the MBC Drama Awards together to rep their drama.
Splash splash rabbit is in love ?
December 26, 2015 at 12:14 PM
It would be great if they got an award or showed up to the awards together. Full length is a great idea if only they maintain the Greatness, and even better if the team does a new full length drama. You guys? this was a great drama *hugs
Cocoboo
December 25, 2015 at 10:18 AM
I've been spazzing too! So glad it's been recapped. SSL quickly became one of my fave dramas this year. :D
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 11:19 AM
I really Really really want a Seo In Guk - Park Bo Gum cooperation. Even if it is just a cute drama short like SSL
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Littleprince
December 25, 2015 at 12:01 PM
I second that. I would be so happy to see them reunited!
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pastmidnite
December 25, 2015 at 7:01 PM
Me third.
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3 CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 6:20 AM
Hello, all:
Merry Christmas to all of us who celebrate it.
Six Flying Dragon is so creative. So organic in its plotting. Foregone conclusions notwithstanding, this drama feels like intelligent people real living people inhabiting a real world.
Remember is soooooooooo good! Yoo Seung Ho is so good. And the writing...so good! I'll admit that the first four episodes were a hurdle and I almost gave up. But now...wow! I'm going to love the cases along the way, the over-arching case, the romance, the battle with the first and second leads, and my wonderfully evil Namgoong Min being the most evil chaebol of the year.
Glamorous Temptation: I don't seem to have the nerve to keep looking at the stupidity of our heroine and our hero, or the off-the-charts off-the-rails weirdness that is our obsessed manipulative second lead. I've been catching recaps..cause for some reason I want to know how it all turns out. Kinda like my feeling about All Will Be Well.
Anyone here watching Sweet Savage Family? The Chairman's family, from the old guy to the granddaughter have got to be the most selfish people ever. They only think of what and who they want. I'm hoping they learn to care about other people by the end of this drama.
All About My Mom is kinda losing my interest although I'm still liking aspects of it. Hating the redemption arc of horrible mom in law. Please don't give us a forgiveness love affair (she asks futilely)
Have a great weekend, all.
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sunnyl
December 25, 2015 at 6:42 AM
I enjoy Sweet Savage Family. Funny and heart-warming family-oriented drama. Parents actor/actresses are top-notch.
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sunnyl
December 25, 2015 at 6:48 AM
And I only don't like sly Chairman. His son is so devoted to his family though (even cute. Can I say that for Jung Woong-in?).
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 8:36 AM
Devoted yes..but wow! Loving one's family alone while treating an almost brother like dirt? I love the actor though. And am so glad to see him in a comedy after all those villains.
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korfan
December 25, 2015 at 6:52 AM
Carole -
Merry Christmas!
Regarding Sweet Savage Family, I watched the first 20 minutes or so of ep 1 and another 10 minutes of ep 2 last night. ..... What can I say, we didn't click so I think I'm going to pass on this one. ...... I could see how it tries to be comical and all, but I thought it just kind of fell a little flat.
I'm looking forward to starting Remember though.
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 7:12 AM
It has a dark dark side to it. The comedy has moments when it works and when it doesn't. But there is something very affecting about it. First because we rarely see dramas about (relatively) young husbands and wives working together against the outside world. Their love for each other is so powerful and they are under the control of powerful people. They share their thoughts and plans with each other most of the time but the rest of the world is unaware of their troubles. Not their kids, and certainly not the selfish people who are oppressing and using them.
This is what I really find fascinating. I think because life is often like that. Cruel people -- or even just self-involved people who are concerned with their own lives-- will set about destroying someone else's life without really caring or understanding the depth of the pain going on in the lives of those they casually hurt.
How casually the Chairman's family-- specifically Gi Bum and his ex-wife-- toss one cruelty after another at them. All they want is to live their lives. And all our hero wanted was to feel loved by the Chairman. But nooo, Gibum's ex-wife is still working off an old grudge against Eun-Ok because Eun-ok dated and married the guy Eun-Ok tossed aside. It's like.. really? Entitled much? Isn't that in the past? Why return to mess up someone else's happiness? And Gi-bum jealously attempts to destroy hero's life and livelihood because he thinks hero is too loved by Gi-bum's own dad.
As for Gi-Bum's daughter, I know she has her own suffering and all but wow! When she met Eun-ok's son and said, "I own you" it didn't seem romantic to me. Just another example of the family owning people. Cause that's the problem..everyone in her family owns (or wants to own) everything in Eun-ok's family.
Eun-ok's family is aware of others but the Chairman's family is very self-focused.
I so hope the writer won't let this family that thinks only about itself get off. Am not looking forward to pity being used to create instant redemption arcs. Or worse, am not wanting an ending that doesn't acknowledge how self-involved me-oriented Chairman's family is.
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 7:15 AM
oops! I meant to say dated and married the girl Gi-bum's wife tossed away.
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korfan
December 25, 2015 at 7:42 AM
Carole -
Funny you should mention one of the daughter's. While it's certainly not a reason to completely write off a drama, in the few minutes that I did watch, I did find the kids particularly annoying.
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 8:08 AM
Yeah, the kids on both sides are in their own little teen world. The grandma too. And heroine's sister is a pain as well. Our embattled couple needs to get away from everyone. Perhaps many marriage lives are like this and viewers will connect to that aspect of us (married couple) versus the world (kids, mom-in-law, boss). I so wish the writer doesn't cave to typical public expectations and give us an easy forgiveness ending. I want this thematic situation worked out. Would be good if there were some self-awareness and others-awareness with some of the characters by the end.
ktiep
December 25, 2015 at 9:10 AM
All About My Mom--This show has high ratings although not many around here seem to be watching it.
The MIL has to reconcile with the CEO because she is the only person who will be able to convince him to forgive his daughter. Of course, Mom will give him a piece of her mind when she has the chance. I just hope the yound couple are still together--or maybe their Christmas Eve celebration resulted in a real pregnancy (which would be too bad for her job. I guess in Korea, you can't work and have kids too.)
The couple I don't "get" is the lawyer and his secretary. She seems set on marrying domineering men. Hyeong Gyu is too nice to her, even if he is "in love" with her. I would like to see her return to her spunky secretary self. This poor little lamb act is quite tiring. (BTW, I think President Kim would actually be a good husband for her. I think he would appreciate her and treat her and her son well.)
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 9:29 AM
She was spunky for about three episodes...and was on the way to becoming a wonderful paralegal or whatever. But then... personality transplant and noble idiocy. And yes, that poor (stupid) lamb is just grating.
Hyeong gyu alas was a bit of a stressed prick in the beginning. His personality changed without warning.
Then there were these inorganic plot changes. head trauma at the timely moment. other woman wanting maknae at the timely moment. Sick mom at the timely moment. I so wish the writers had allowed the true story to play out instead of adding drastic stuff.
I think CEO could learn to forgive his daughter without having another chance at love. At least in the real world. Don't these folks step back and judge their own hypocrisy? But nooooooooooo in this drama...inorganic plotting has to run to the rescue.
It's a good enough drama. But not as good as What's wrong with this family or Wang Family.
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windsun33
December 25, 2015 at 9:47 AM
Agree on Glamorous Temptation - I finally gave up on it. The show has been spiraling into repeating the same old WTF moments now forever it seems. How many times has she left that house and come back now - 5x?
All About My Mom is just too long and drawn out to keep my interested up any longer I think. Have not watched the last 5 episodes and no real desire to do so. The show would have been OK at 20 episodes - 50 is just way too much.
Have not watched Savage yet.. In fact I am pretty much in the doldrums for K-dramas right now. Nothing I am really watching since Achiara ended.
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Totally understanding the doldrums. Two weeks ago all my dramas hit their angst episodes...and those angst episodes were so unearned and manipulative AND repetitive, it was hard to push thru. Mercifully, I had SFD and Savage and a whole lotta old dramas I could try to watch. I took the time to catch up on some current jdramas as well. But yeah... sometimes those doldrums just hit hard and heavy and fast.
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4 kidleader
December 25, 2015 at 6:22 AM
Merry Christmas everyone, I just want to thank DB for giving me daily dose of drama news and recaps to satisfy my kdrama addiction.
btw this is my first post here on OT so I really don't know what to say. Happy OT..
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korfan
December 25, 2015 at 6:54 AM
saraha -
Welcome to OT! Glad you could join us.
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 7:17 AM
Welcome!
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Cocoboo
December 25, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Welcome & Merry Christmas! :)
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5 kanz
December 25, 2015 at 6:24 AM
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Beanies!
May you have a blessed year through and through! :)
On dramas:
-Love Splish Splash Love, it's really fun and entertaining. 2 episodes is just a walk in the park and the chemistry is just right!
-Still love Oh My Venus despite its apparent lack of plot and just manage to pull the cuteness.
-Haven't watched Remember this week, so I haven't yet understand what's the fuss in ep 6.
Can't wait for Drama Awards!!!
Praying for Ji Sung to get Daesang at MBC Drama Awards.
So far, the nominations for Daesang are Hwang Jung Eum, Jeon In Hwa and Ji Sung. Hope Ji Sung wins!
For KBS, it seems either Kim Soo Hyun or So Ji Sub will get the Daesang, although there may be surprise.
For SBS, I could sense Yongpal will get tons of awards which wouldn't be surprising at all. I can smell SBS would also give Best Director/Scriptwriter to Yongpal despite its lacklustre 2nd half. Probably Joo Won also grabs Daesang. Who knows?
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 12:14 PM
Ji Sung for Daesang and Ji Sung + Park Seo Joon for Best Couple LOL
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gaeinalee
December 26, 2015 at 2:27 AM
Hear!Hear~!!
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Rachel
December 26, 2015 at 2:32 AM
Agreed on Oh My Venus. There really is little substance in the story, but Shin Mina and So Ji Sub have enough chemistry to keep me watching.
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6 little-muffin
December 25, 2015 at 6:25 AM
Merry Christmas!!
Waiting for the next episode of Six Flying Dragons is such a torture I'm beginning to regret not to wait until the series ends before starting on it!
In the beginning of the year, I thought that Ji Chang-wook as Healer was the best gift for this year. Then I thought Lee Sang-yoon as Cha Hyun-seok was better. But now I think that Byun Yo-han as Lee Bang-ji is the winner of them all.
Ah.. this has been a good year indeed.
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azkaa
December 25, 2015 at 10:38 PM
"Byun Yo Han as Lee Bang Ji is the winner of them all"
Amen for this, sister.
Lee Sangyoon with his grumpypants character is so endearing and fun but Bangji with his tortured soul underneath that excellent swordsmanship and cold demeanor is more intriguing. Indeed this year is full of drama-treat i love it.
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7 angel
December 25, 2015 at 6:26 AM
I'm absolutely hooked onto Remember right now! It's getting a little makjang-y (everyone is connected to everyone and there now seems to be a love quadrilateral) and I wish there was more romance between YSH and PMY, but wow I simply cannot wait for the next episodes.
Oh and Merry Xmas to you'all!
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Meow
December 25, 2015 at 9:36 AM
It's my crack right now tbh
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8 RockPaperScissors
December 25, 2015 at 6:26 AM
Merry Christmas everyone, and here's to a Happy New Year of drama watching!
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9 rhienz
December 25, 2015 at 6:28 AM
Hello beanies...
Currently, I'm trapped in Lang Ya Bang aka Nirvana in Fire's world. Ha. Oh, the withdrawal is so hurting... I managed to finish its 54 eps in, what I could say, such an unhealthy marathon day. LOL.
So, im here to say "Thank you so much" for whoever recommended this gem in more than one OTs.
I could say, I've been dragged to Hu Ge's world.
I've become his fan since ROTCH and Ariel's too, but after that I didn't find his other projects until I found someone mention his name and his NIF here.
I read in some articles that his drama "The Disguiser" has the same tone with NIF, but im hesitate to start becoz in other articles many said his character is not well written and boring. So im afraid to start and then become disappointed in him and fall out love. Hahaha.
I too want to start Da Mo Yao aka Sound of the Desert. But he was a 2nd male lead and won't get the girl. Ha.
Guys, anyone want to enlighten me about this two dramas? Will I be disappointed with Hu Ge's character in The Disguiser? Or between the two, which one should I start first? Or any other dramas recommended has the same tone with NIF and TD ?
Thank you a bunch, guys! *waves*
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Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 6:37 AM
@rhienz
Taking responsibility (whether it was my ranting you read or not) as I've been raving about NIF in a few threads, I first offer my empathy at your predicament. I too marathoned NIF which left me at the end, both exhausted, relieved but also heartbroken to leave that world.
It's pretty awesome, isn't it? I love that the writing is so assured, and doesn't take the audience for fools. Some scenes are so subtle, it's as if the writer is saying - if you're really interested, watch closely, I believe you'll get it.
I think Hu Ge gave a fantastic performance. It says so much that his physicality was constrained (minimal gestures, all in the body language and posture) and his mannerisms in the show were heavily controlled and calculated to suit the character - and yet he managed to convey a whole wild ride of human feelings.
I was about halfway through The Disguiser as a subtitled but then Viki pulled it but it's now back. Hu Ge's character in Disguiser is also really smart but has a different personality - more like Lin Shu. You'll see what i mean. The writing is also pretty good - you have to pay attention to keep up as there are layers of intrigue and relationships. Do give it a go.
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joykim
December 25, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Thank you for recommending NIF. Normally not a cdrama or ancient politics fan but I surprisingly enjoyed concentrating my full attention and thoroughly loved it. Hu Ge and Wang Kai are my new drama heroes.
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little-muffin
December 25, 2015 at 6:39 AM
Welcome to Hu Ge world!! I was one of the many who's totally in love with NIF that I had to create a special post on OT for it ;)
Honestly I don't recommend Sound of Desert. His character was frustrating and heartbreaking.
Have not started with Disguiser yet.
I think he's pretty much the most perfect in NIF hahaaa
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nomad
December 25, 2015 at 8:28 AM
I...can't believe I'm going to try this drama. I've never watched any drama beyond 24 episodes. I'm currently watching 6 flying dragons (a 50 episode, I heard), but since it's still going on I don't necessarily feel it's long. But I've heard so many ravings on NIF I feel the pull is strong....
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little-muffin
December 25, 2015 at 8:55 PM
You should try NIF, don't be intimidated by the number of episodes (54 in total). Each episode is only about 40 mins and since the plot is so interesting, I didn't find it draggy or boring at all, the hours just passed by so fast ;)
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joykim
December 25, 2015 at 9:30 AM
Thank you for posting about NIF. Shanying productions converted me into a cdrama fan away from lack lustre kdramas this year.
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Skibbies
December 26, 2015 at 4:09 AM
Much like you, I've been stuck in NIF land, to the point I actually picked up cdramas again and it's on a spree. It's a shame that the recent historical dramas have been mostly lackluster since that's my preferred period.
Anyways, I don't think The Disguiser is the same tone as NIF. It's most similar in that it's fairly intelligent and oh god feelings way, with added "for the country, for the people" as a side.
Ming Tai (Hu Ge's character) is the youngest of the family, early 20s and grew up bit spoilt. So he's smart, but impulsive and does dumb things on occasions. I don't think he's boring but he pales a hell lot compared to the other characters, particularly his brother Ming Lou. If you keep in mind why he acts the way he does, I think you'll enjoy the drama. He does a lot of super cool moves and wear a lot of pretty clothes if that helps ;D
I have no opinion on Da Mo Yao since I've never watched it. I can only say that it's not universally loved in Chinese online communities, but neither was his Legend of Condor Heroes. (Mostly for changes to books they were based on, complaints of terrible historical implications and such) In comparison, Hu Ge's first drama Chinese Paladin have a lot more love, and he plays the lead.
The problem with that drama is he's a basically a kid on an adventure (it's based on an rpg game, that should tell you the tone of the series). He's fairly well received in Chinese Paladin 3 (which is set in the same world and that's all the connection there is) but mostly for being shipped with other characters (that's kind of the entire point of drama really).
He hasn't really played any characters quite like Mei Changsu before, and to be honest, I'm struggling to find other dramas like NIF/characters like Mei Changsu.
Is there anywhere I can ramble about NIF/cdramas? I haven't really found an active forum and such since demise of dramaaddicts.
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joykim
December 26, 2015 at 7:46 AM
i go to A virtual voyage .net for cdrama updates.
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10 sunnyxshin
December 25, 2015 at 6:29 AM
Hi guys! Merry Christmas~~ :)
Recently watching Six Flying Dragons and Remember since it's the holidays. But I can only watch one drama when school starts in January and both of them are SO GOOD. What should I do? Which should I choose? :(
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11 pebble
December 25, 2015 at 6:30 AM
Merry Christmas to OT beanies who are still on Christmas day! It’s now 1:00 am, morning of boxing day here.
I’m trying to introduce kdrama to my great buddy at work, she is Caucasian who does not have prior exposure to Korean culture, but she is quite receptive of foreign stuff. Which kdrama will be a great one for a start? She enjoys BBC drama like Sherlock, so probably I Remember You may suit her taste, or perhaps My Love from Another Star as a rom-com with time travel and alien storyline may be more interesting and easier to digest for someone new to kdrama?
As Splash Splash Love is getting quite a lot of thumb-ups here, I watched it out of curiosity and discovered that the much talked about Kim Seul-gie is the one playing the forthright and bubbly[best friend of the female lead in Discovery of Romance. She had quite a lot of screen time in there, even appearing more frequently than the second lead. She started off with a pathetic dating history and eventually got romanced by three suitors. Lol. Those of you who like her acting must go watch DOR, she and Yoon Hyun-min made such a hilariously cute pairing in it.
This week, I also watched Will It Snow for Christmas. Not sure why I picked this out of so many in my drama-to-watch list, probably I was looking for a Christmassy show to watch, though it turned out that there is nothing Christmassy in it at all despite its title. If you like So Ji-Sub and Jo In-Sung, Go Soo is another ahjussi prince charming to watch out for. But please don’t go watch Empire of Gold first, he is so ruthless in it that it will be harder to fall for him though not entirely unlikely due to his handsome boyish looks. In WISFC, Go Soo’s (as Cha Kang Jin) glassy stare though seemingly void of emotions, is so fiercely intense and heartbreakingly sad that it can turn any girl jelly-knee. This drama is about how dysfunctional parents affect the happiness of their grown-up children, very similar to the theme of the earlier Piano, which is Go Soo’s first drama appearance as lead with Jo In-Sung as his step-brother, and Jo Min-su as step-mum (same mum too in WISFC). WISFC also has the bonus of having Kim Soo-Hyun as the young Cha Kang Jin in the first 2 eps. He did an impressionable portray of a teenage youth exploding with pent up anger and his hairstyle reminded me of Bruce Lee. I’m also pleasantly surprised by quite a few ingenious tropes in this drama, e.g. using hairpin of the loved one as a tie clip and pinning up a poster to convince the girl to meet up for a date.
Again, Repy 1988 is enjoyable this week, the endearing stories of the dads brought back fond memories of my own beloved dad who sadly passed away when I was around Bora’s age. DS’s heroic act in protecting the feelings of her classmate who suffered an epileptic seizure also brought tears to my eyes. Now, with DS eventually awakening to the one she likes, we are finally going to see how she discovers her true love. I winced at the thought of...
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 6:34 AM
having to eventually see a heart-broken Taekie, as I still believe that JH will be the husband. I’m giving up Oh My Venus, it is Christmassy this week, but everything felt so superficial and pretentious, like they are living in their own ivory tower. Now with a car accident being thrown in, this drama is blindly following the formula of overly adopted kdrama clichés. Though I like SJS and SMA, I don’t feel anything for them in this drama at all. Instead of finding their raunchy acts and suggestive conversations being sexy and cute, I find it distasteful. They could do much more better than this, what a let-down!
It was fun reading the 2015 reviews by the DB recappers, so many dramas so little time, the reviews are great in helping me to sort and rank my to-watch list. Many thanks !!
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sunnyl
December 25, 2015 at 6:52 AM
Waiting to watch AM 1988 shortly.
Last episode of TVN's List 2015 ranked top actor/actresses (Buzz-wise etc) in the AM 1988. RJY made the top.
1. Ryu Joon-yeol/Jung-hwan: nick-UNamRyu (=Ryu Joon-yeol is the husband anyway)
2. Hyeri/Duk-sun
3. Park Bo-gum/Choi Taek
4. Kim Sun-young/Sun-woo's mom (Debuted in 1995)
5. Go Kyung-pyo/Sun-woo
Do you know RJY debuted only 1 year ago? Did you notice him as Kim Soo-hyun's classmate in 'Producers'?
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 7:08 AM
Hi fan, high-five! Yes, coincidentally, I just watched The Producers about two weeks ago, I did notice RJY as one of the rookies in Ep 1, he appeared just for a brief moment.
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Sancheesy
December 25, 2015 at 7:16 AM
I reccomended Missing Noir M, I like the tone and it maybe a good opening show. Then Reply 1987, cause it short and enough to understand the Korean point of view, the romance about 1st love and young love.
YWCFTS is funny but also can take you aback if you love sherlock cause it really well illogical at some point.
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theredsnowflake
December 25, 2015 at 9:39 AM
maybe you mean Reply 1997..
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 2:22 PM
Hi Sancheesy, I've not watched MNM nor any drama with Kim Kang-Woo in it, but I think it's mystery thriller genre will be appealing to someone who likes Sherlock, and Gummimochi also provided a good recommendation for MNM in 2015 year review. I want to introduce her to a typical rom-com kdrama too, as this is what makes kdrama unique, but like what you said, the illogical makjang may put a newbie off.
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Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 3:18 PM
I also second the suggestion of Missing Noir M. It's set out like a crime procedural with one highly intelligent agent and one very experienced, observant detective. The script's pretty tight there're quite a few twists and the stories are easily translatable, and the production values are good enough so it's doesn't come off as a cheap version of CSI.
She may also like Last, which is also has a main character who uses his brains, and the set up is quite gritty. Think the great con crossed with fight club.
I'm racking my brains about the rom-com as this is quite tricky. Some of the Korean rom-com conventions can seem really twee and don't translate so well. I guess the one I'd put forward is It's Okay, it's Love. I think it has a very adult take on "love" and the humour is more quirky and backhanded (very witty writing in some instances) and there's a very strong emotional narrative in the love story.
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 6:35 PM
Hi Dramapanda, thanks for racking your brains to help come up with recommendations. Ok, with your endorsement, I will go with MNM as first choice. I've just downloaded it and realised that it has only 10 episodes, so it really makes a good one to start off with. I like It's Okay It's Love because of Gong Hyo-jin and Jo In-Sung, but I'm not sure if the psychiatric theme makes it seem a bit too serious for a rom-com? I will probably put the rom-coms on hold for the time being, if she likes MNM and is coming back for more, then I will dish out the rom-coms and other thrillers such as Healer, Ghost, Liar Game and IRY.
Kween Ramyeon
December 26, 2015 at 1:42 PM
Ah got it...how about Flower Boys Next Door? It's about a reclusive woman who lives in a building and she's got a number of cute guys as her neighbours, both living beside her and in the opposite block. It's got quite an indie feel - and quite sweet. Also, it has Kim Seul Gi in a great supporting role. Most of all, it doesn't have too many, or if any (I can't remember) harder to translate slapstick bits.
pebble
December 26, 2015 at 8:25 PM
I watched Flower Boy Next Door at the time of its release, mainly because of the popularity of Park Shin-Hye and Yoon Shi-yoon at that time. With so many dramas to watch, I sometimes took the easy way out by picking pick those with actors I am more familiar with. But somehow, I don't have a strong impression of FBND? The only scene I remember is PSH sat in a room in front of a study desk with lots of post-it notes stuck on the wall. Probably I will go back to re-watch it.
Kween Ramyeon
December 26, 2015 at 11:47 PM
Flower Boys Next Door is quite low key in tone. There aren't any really makjang scenes, and everything is quite everyday. But it is unexpectedly sweet. Dok Mi is a reclusive after being bullied in school - an incident that traumatised her. But slowly, she's drawn out of her shell. Yoon Shi Yoon plays the slightly madcap but very sincere Enrique. I was a bit wtf when I first saw him, but despite the unexpected name, he manages to ground the character. The other neighbours are also sweet in their slightly, loser way.
I guess I'm recommending it because it has more of an indie vibe - the kind of low key apartment block type scenario and not all the gender swapping, body swapping, swapped at birth stuff.
Sancheesy
December 26, 2015 at 2:47 PM
I find it quite hard to understand romcom if you are not familiar with SK culture, but Dramapanda gives a good one, Flower Boy Next Door is good introduction, fresh fun and lovely.
The Answer me 1997 (thanks for 2ru2 correction) is also short, 45 minutes, 16 episode, that's why I choose that, simple, straight forward, not really flower boy or chaebol)
How about Dream High 1, it's nice underdog story with the romantic feels,
I need romance 2011 also a good choice
49 days also a good melo/fiction even the ending (if you haven't see it) is still not taken as good or bad.
Sometines the length is what put people off, the procedural and a lot oc western series give payback almost at 1 ep while in K drama land, ypu meed to wait for 10+ ep to get it. It's not bad but not every one can adjusted quickly.
For the fusion crime+romcom = Once upon a time in Sangcheori still my best choice ^^
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pebble
December 26, 2015 at 8:43 PM
Yes, agree, Reply 1997 and Dream High are great rom-coms. As for 49 Days, I enjoyed it mainly because I like Lee Yo-Wan, but I find the overall mood of the drama a bit sad and depressing, though not like those melo tear jerkers which are more emotionally intense.
It is quite difficult to get wholeheartedly invested into a kdrama like what you said as the gist of it can only be felt around 10 eps. Nowadays, I dropped quite a lot of them after watching the first 1 or 2 eps because we are just so spoilt for choice. It's the really good ones that keep me going ep after ep, unless I'm watching it mainly for the lead actor/actress, like Lee Jun-Ki, etc, who can make me persist till the end regardless of how bad the drama is, such as Scholar Who Walks the Night.
kbaswithneko
December 28, 2015 at 9:37 AM
I am re watching Who Are You? from 2013 with So Yi Hyun, Ok Taecyeon and Kim Jae Wook and would recommend it to a newbie. It is a story about ghosts, crime solving and moving on from lost love. It is well paced, emotional with some gentle humor.
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pebble
December 28, 2015 at 7:29 PM
Hi Kbas, thanks for your recommendation. Finally someone mentioned this largely overlooked drama Who Are You. I intend to watch it soon, as I started to like Kim Jae Wook after seeing him in Mary Stayed Out All Night and he was so funny in Antique! If you are re-watching it, that means it must be good, ok, I will find time to watch it this coming long weekend.
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Beez
December 25, 2015 at 11:57 AM
I recommend the classics (Coffee Prince, Secret Garden, Kim Sam Soon) because if you start a newbie out on dramas with the standard dry kisses or eyes wide open shocked kisses, it might turn them off before they get a chance to understand how Korean culture plays into how relationships are depicted.
If you decide not to go with the classics,
I recommend Healer, Chuno, and Tree with Deep Roots. Healer has a full, exciting story; Chuno has action and abs for days (including the main Hyukie-abs); and TWDR was captivating storytelling.
That's my strategy anyway.
Oh, and despite the criticism he gets as an actor, Song Seung Heon is so cool and beautiful in When A Man Loves that an entire fandom thought we hated the actress because she didn't immediately take everything he had to offer as we would have. (Once we saw the actress in other projects, we realized why we thought we hated her. lol)
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 3:07 PM
Hi Beez, thanks for your recommendation. Will stay away from sageuk for a start, as they can be too much an eye-opener for someone foreign to kdramas. Healer sounds like a good one, as for rom-com, it is quite difficult to decide which one is better. Perhaps I'm treading too carefully, she has been watching lots of Hollywood movies and there are lots of crappier stuff in there too. I myself started off with tear jerkers, kdramas are so good in inducing tears, but again not everyone has the appetite to watch melodrama.
Omg Song Seung Heon! Another "ajusshi" prince charming alongside So Ji-Sub, Jo In-Sung, Go Soo, Jung Hyuk, Kwon Sang-Woo, Lee Byung-hun, Jung Dong-Gun, etc... I first saw him in Autumn In My Heart and Summer Scent, I liked him in those two classics, but not so much in My Princess and Dr Jin, not due to his acting but the drama plot, so bad projects can really kill.
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 1:13 PM
if she likes Sherlock, she might like Liar Game or Ghost. You might also want to try something with a twisted and irresistible dose of humor, nobody can resist a good laugh, and will want to keep laughing with more of similar. Mmm... Greatest Love? what are those funny shows here... Girl Who Sees Smells? well, yeah, Man From The Stars has all of that, but with a very blandly acting male lead... Marriage, Not Dating is quite funny also
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 3:48 PM
Merry Christmas Redfox! It must be freezing cold in your part of the world.
Liar Game has Lee Sang-yoon with his dimples and Ghost has So Ji-Sub with his cheekbones. Passed!! If the drama plot could not sustain interest, at least the actors can hold the fort. :)
It's funny, you called the blue-eyed boy of kdrama land "a very blandly acting male lead". Make sure you don't get stoned by the crowd!
You did a very impressive ranking in OT 425 two weeks ago, I Remember You was top of your list. Why didn't you recommend it here?
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 10:00 PM
it is not freezing cold. we haven´t even had a day below 0.
no, I am not afraid of being stoned, there should be no such savages here.
well didn´t someone already recommend IRY? Do you think it needs to be recommended TWICE? A show like that? one time not enough, really? wow. woah. I can´t even.
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Boomboompow
December 28, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Hafta to agree, didn't find KSH attractive at all. His portrayal in Producer was pretty good though. I have a geeky little brother and I find the way he talked, walked, stuttered very similar.
Beez
December 27, 2015 at 12:33 PM
"blue-eyed"? I googled Kim Soo-Hyun to get a closer look at his eyes. They look brown to me.
I am also one that doesn't see what the fuss is about over his looks but that's just my taste, I guess.
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Kween Ramyeon
December 27, 2015 at 2:16 PM
*not giggling
"Blue-eyed boy" is a figure of speech. It means something similar to "golden boy" - someone much loved and popular.
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Kween Ramyeon
December 27, 2015 at 2:16 PM
Ok, I lied - I giggled a little.
Kween Ramyeon
December 27, 2015 at 2:17 PM
Sorry :/
12 korfan
December 25, 2015 at 6:42 AM
Hi Everyone! ....... I hope you are all doing well today. ....... Merry Christmas to all the Beanies who celebrate the holiday! May you enjoy a festive and joyful holiday!
Watched this week:
Six Flying Dragons - I'm consistently interested in those characters, in their individual stories, in the politics, in the strategizing----I swear, I love it all.
Village: Secret of Achiara - Watched the first 5 minutes of episode 15. ..... It's over tomorrow and I don't really care. ...... To be fair though, I never really watched it consistently nor a single episode in its entirety from beginning to end so I never really got invested in it, if you will. For all I know, it may have been very good and interesting but I just never saw it .
Oh My Venus - Shin Min-ah together with So Ji-sub. Seriously, what's not to like?
I want to thank all you in the Beanie community for making drama-viewing so enjoyable. Your comments, your insights and all your contributions are certainly one of the reasons one returns to Dramabeans (and the OT!) again and again. Thanks for making 2015 so much fun! May the upcoming year be just as great. ........ Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 7:20 AM
Yes, may we have even more wonderful dramas! And thanks to dramabeans for providing the best web community for us drama lovers.
Achiara: It was okay. I had a few problems with it. The one-tone characterization of our heroine being the biggest. But I made it through.
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korfan
December 25, 2015 at 7:49 AM
Carole -
"One-tone characterization" .....
Oh my gosh, yes!! .... So much so that it induced sleepiness in the viewer.
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 8:13 AM
I can't blame our actress though. Probably the director's fault. I've noticed that when a character has to be "sad" the director keeps the actor always in that one emotion throughout most of the length of the drama. Witness Yongpal's heroine. Or even Hidden Identity.
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 12:13 PM
thank you, too, korfan!
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13 Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 6:47 AM
Merry Christmas, Dramabeanies! Hope everyone is loaded up with food, drink and have time to put your feet up to watch more dramas!
Thank you, recappers and reviewers. This last week, I finally let go of Oh My Venus (it's fine as background motion when I'm doing my filing) and instead took up the suggestions of watching Last and Missing Noir M.
SPOILER
Last was a really good ride. I forgot how much I enjoy watching Yoon Kye Sang. He was lovely and gentle in High Kick 3 and Greatest Love, so it was cool to see him take on a much more ambivalent role. And what a nice surprise to see Manager Jo of Bubblegum in a totally kickass role!
The whole story was refreshing - no chaebols in sight, but a dog eat dog world at the bottom of the barrel. I would have liked to see YKS take on no. 4 and 5 (surely, that Crocodile deserved a smacking) and the ending was bitterly earned, but I guess it rang true to that world that there is no easy happiness.
I'm only halfway through Missing M, but this last episode was so well done. I do enjoy crime procedurals, but this was done really well. I love the character of the sassy detective, and the main geeeeenius guy - the way they showed his intelligence was quite laid-back (no annoying special effects etc) so it was handled pretty well. This particular episode had me bawling my eyes out which was totally unexpected!
Apart from that, riding the 6 Flying Dragons and Reply 1988 trains to the new year, with a few tentative peeks at Remember for a bit of makjang sauce. And Cat for therapy after.
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sunnyl
December 25, 2015 at 6:58 AM
I like Yoon Kye Sang: I remember the loanshark character actor mentioned YKS's eyes were shining with eagerness doing well while filming the Last.
I watched healing camp with G.O.D guest. YKS said he just loved acting, rather than wanting to leave the group. I am glad he cleared up misunderstanding with other members and the group did successful comeback stage recently.
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Baby Panda
December 25, 2015 at 7:23 AM
I just started watching Last as well since it was highly recommended in the year end reviews. loving it! So addictive!
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14 gadis
December 25, 2015 at 6:49 AM
Hello beanies.. ;-)
A couple days ago I watched an old sitcom from JTBC where 2 guys live together with a woman ghost. The young male lead always called the ghost 'imo' (which, as far as I know, is a way to called someone's own aunt) instead of 'ajumma' (which is how usually someone called a woman stranger). I also recalled some scene from another drama where someone called a male stranger 'samchu' (uncle) instead of 'ajusshi'. Can someone please explain this? What is the rule and the exception for using those terms?
This week I can only managed to watch Remember, which starting to feel intense. Finally Jinwoo declared an open war to Gyuman, an action that makes Dongho struggled against his inner good self. And also, it seems Chairman Nam was just as screwed as his son, judging from that last case.
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growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 5:11 PM
@ gadis
That's a good question... I looked it up in the dictionary... the term for one's own aunt is: Ko-mo (sister of one's father), Imo (sister of one's mother).
The term for aunt belonging to someone else is Ajumma.
Term for one's own uncle: Sam-chun (brother of one's father), Oe-sam-chun (brother of one's mother).
In general: Ahjusshi
I just took it for granted that when there was a prior relationship with an older person, especially a blood relationship but also, I thought, if that person was known to one's family, it might be Sam-chun. There are other names in the dictionary of the in-laws of one's parents (ie their husbands and wives) also having different 'terms' to be called by.
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15 growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 6:49 AM
Hi Everyone! Happy OT and wishing you all a Happy, Healthy Christmas with peace, joy and hope in your hearts!
We’ve had such great ratings articles posted here on DB, and it got me in the mood to consider gathering some different pieces of information about shows. A few of us (actually I think quite a number of us) have been noticing as we live-watch shows of say, more than 8 episodes (1-hour per episode), that there is often the ‘danger’ that the series which started off quite fine, begins to lose momentum somewhere along the way (as in become boring/lack plot/repeat devices or throw in unnecessary tropes to lengthen air time).
@ Snickers and I were wondering if these shows had anything in common. The common factor(s) might not actually give us the reason(s) for the slowdown but an indication or correlation of what combination of variables might be more likely to result in the downward slide of shows. For ease in recalling the more recently completed shows, I’ve listed them at the bottom, for us.
Please name the shows, and when the change in the shows began.
The question is: “Which shows stand out for you in these aspects:
1) Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout).
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end. If you’ve named shows, in which episode did the downward slide begin?.
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover. Same question... from which episodes did they slowdown and from which episodes did they get better?
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected. From which episode did they get better?
And how about let’s have a re-vote? Now that we’ve had a couple more shows since the DB Awards vote on 7 Dec, we might have different shows to vote for.
5)Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time (any year)
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs
7)New unheard of category... Best use of psychology (LOL!) – for me it was ... Sassy Go Go where Instructor Nam got the kids to eat at the same table in their dirty state, and as a result broke the walls between Real King and Baek Ho. You can tell I’ve been re-watching this show!
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growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 6:50 AM
Non-exhaustive list of recently completed shows, so feel free to add more and my other responses are below that :
Angry Mom Awl Because It’s the First Time Beloved Eun Dong Blood
Bubblegum D-Day Divorce Lawyer in Love Ex-Girlfriend Club Falling for Innocence
Girl Who Sees Smells Healer Heard it Through the Grapevine Heart to Heart
Hidden Identity High Society Ho Gu’s Love Hwa Jeong Hyde Jekyll Me
I Remember You Kill Me Heal Me Last Let’s Eat 2 (The) Lover
Maids Mask Masked Prosecutor Master of Trade: Inn 2015
Missing Noir M Mrs Cop My Beautiful Bride Oh My Ghostess Orange Marmalade
Persevere Go Hae Ra (The) Producers Punch Rude Miss Young Ae Sassy Go Go
Scholar Who Walks the Night Seonam Girls High Investigators She Was Pretty
Shine or Go Crazy Splish Splash Love Spy Superman Age Sweet Savage Family
The Time I’ve Loved You Twenty Again Unkind Women Village: Secret of Achiara
Warm & Cozy Who Are You School 2015 Yong Pal
= = =
My Answers: Without thinking too long and hard about the shows:
1)Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout).
Healer, I Remember You, Kill Me Heal Me, Missing Noir M
2)Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end.
Oh My Ghostess – I can’t say it became slower... but it just got a bit more tiresome to watch. It started off so good, became iffy and repetitive with Soon Ae continually possessing Bong Sun and jumping on Chef, also it was frustrating with Soon Ae not remembering her murder, plus the tiresome and unnecessary love triangle trope with So Hyung. Maybe it was around Ep 7-11 but it got better when the investigation over Soon Ae’s murder gets more underway and Soon Ae is out of Bong Sun. Pity the ending had her study abroad... though.
She Was Pretty – It was somewhat frustrating in Ep 12-13 when all we had left was the saga of Most to look forward to. But even before that, I felt the Ha Ri hanging on to her lies for so long was too draggy, and even Shin Hyuk’s repeated baiting of Hye Jin or refusing to understand her, tiring. It ended OK except for the over-done last episode wrap-up in Ep 16 when it felt like it could have ended in Ep 15.
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growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 6:51 AM
3)Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover.
Mask – I loved the first 10 or so episodes and then gradually began to chaff at it without knowing why. The great premise of Min Woo being gas-lighted, of Seok Hoon being interestingly evil and having grand plans but turning out mainly crazy and ineffective, of scary Scar at first always around but then suddenly hardly seen... great stuff that dissipated for PPL and OTP fan service. The OTP remained mostly great throughout, which saved the show.
The Time I’ve Love You – It was OK until episode 4 and then there was a writer switch and it just dragged all the way to the end.
Blood – There was promise in the beginning with the young Park Ji Sang and his quest to complete his mum’s research, and then it all went downhill when he was an adult from Episode 3 onwards? 20 episodes were really much too many.
4)Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected.
Sassy Go Go – It’s a toss-up on whether I should have placed SGG with the number 1) bunch because it was so good from practically the beginning. It’s only here because I expected fluff and shallowness with school bullying, etc, ... but found that it had more and more depth, OTP squee-factor, and character growth as each episode progressed. It just got better and better all the way from Episode 2!
5)Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time: I only have two Splish Splash Love and Arang ATM.
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs: Healer’s Jung Hoo and Yong Shin, SGG’s Kim Yeol and Yeon Doo, SSL’s King Se Jong and Dan Bi.
7)New unheard of category: I gave my answer above. Do you have your own fave for an unheard of category?
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Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 4:44 PM
1) Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout).
Reply 1988, Healer, Missing Noir M, Sassy GG
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end. If you’ve named shows, in which episode did the downward slide begin?.
Bubblegum - can't remember the exact episode but where Mum's situation starts interfering and cued in the noble idiocy.
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover. Same question… from which episodes did they slowdown and from which episodes did they get better?
Scholar, The Time I Loved You... Scholar because the plot didn't move forward for ages, and ended on a rather anticlimactic note. TTILY - it sort of lost itself after about episode 6...
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected. From which episode did they get better?
KMHM - from episode 2 or 3, I Remember You (it wasn't a specific episode but a gradual build up - it just got better and better.)
5)Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time (any year)
I haven't seen that many - Flying Dragons and if I may sneak in a Chinese production - Nirvana in Fire.
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs
Healer and Young Shin
Jung Hwan's parents
Jong Hyun and Bok Gil
7)New unheard of category… Best use of psychology (LOL!) –
Hmm hard one - so this is more of an off the cuff answer - I liked the scene in Pinocchio where LJS turns the tables on PSH in the intense intern interrogation scene.
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hibeautiful
December 25, 2015 at 9:18 AM
1)the Shows that began strong and stayed strong (good momentum throughout)
= can't have any answer for this, since I only finished few dramas this year. But I hope I can write Six Flying Dragons and Reply 1988 in this category
2)Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end
= Oh My Ghostess for real (you've mentioned the reasons), & Girl Who Sees Smells!! (I didnt know I could overlook the silly plot by the cuteness from the OTP itself and found the ending as OK lol)
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover
= Mask. I even didn't watch the last two episodes because It got ... uh I don't want to think about it. Such a big disappointment for me.
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected
=Hoo gu's Love.
5) Top 3 Favorite sageuks/fusion-sageuks of all time (any year)
= Dae Jang geum, Arang, Empress Ki (but its last episode isn't my favorite)
6) Top 3 Favourite OTPs
= I only have fav OTPs from dramas which weren't aired this year, so my answer is: the OTPs from Queen In Hyun's Man, IOTL, and TK2H I also still love the Krystal and MinHyuk as the secondary couple in the Heirs :p
7)New unheard of category…"The shows which were expected to be good from the casts or/and its trailers" = High Society lol
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growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 2:39 PM
That's a good list @ caramelts
I'm also hoping that Reply 1988 will continue being good and that it will end off on a high.
I'm not sure I want to start Ho Gu's Love because of Ueee, since I was disappointed with her in High Society.
I do recall fondly Queen IM and though I did not really swoon over IOTL or TK2H, I remember the pairings fondly. The QIM's tiptoe kiss stands high together with the cola kiss of Lie To Me. LOL!
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sunnyl
December 25, 2015 at 7:08 AM
I will answer 5 and 6 for now (because others require thinking)
5. (original) HuJoon, Dae JangGeum, Immortal Yi Soon-shin (There are a few more favorites tho)
6. Kim Rae-won and Kim Tae-hee (Love story in harvard)
Lee Dong-wook and Jung Rye-won (Bubblegum)
Joo Jin-mo and Kim Sa-rung (My love Eundong)?
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sunnyl
December 25, 2015 at 7:51 AM
1)Shows that began strong and stayed strong:
Most of good shows -healer, painter of the wind, friend, dream high, I hear your voice, golden time, Yoona's street, I remember you etc.
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end.
Oh my Ghostess, bubble gum (there are more, but can't think now)
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover.
the lover, fate to love you, warm and cozy, The time we were not in love, yolpal, sungkyunkwan scandal, spy etc
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected.
City Hall, Call of the Country, princess's man, heartless city, Miseang, ex-girlfriends club, sassy go go, etc
7) new category? Wish 'there were no last episode' show:
God's gift 14 days
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growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 8:17 AM
Wow! @ fan! You've got a pretty good lot of shows listed.
I should have also included Fated to Love You, Warm & Cozy, The time I've loved you and Yong Pal in the never recovered category. So much promise that I felt evaporated.
LOL your new category... do you mean that you don't want the show to end or was the ending a bad ending or a non-ending?
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nomad
December 25, 2015 at 8:50 AM
I'll only answer the favorite fusion/sageuk since the others I have to think it through: Damo, Six Flying Dragons. I don't watch that many sageuks. SFD may (oh God please let it not be so!) later on disappoint me, but so far soooooo good! Damo, what can I say...a show that literally left a scar in my heart.
growingbeautifully
December 25, 2015 at 4:54 PM
@ nomad
Thanks for your list. I find that with sageuks, it will take quite a bit to keep me watching. But still, I'll keep these ones you've mentioned in mind if ever I feel like something sageuk-ie. :)
16 kalel
December 25, 2015 at 6:56 AM
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, beanies from all around the World. Despite the fact that this has been a very difficult year for my county(-ies) here in our beautiful Mediterranean Sea, I really, REALLY wish everyone to be safe with their families, healthy, happy and, even if this may sound extremely cliché, I really hope that PEACE and HUMANITY take over our planet (at last!). One doesn't need to be religious (nor Christians for that matter) in order to embrace this day's deep meaning...At least that's what I really hope!
Buon Natale!
ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!
https://youtu.be/g_KkNr_6Nio
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 12:12 PM
for us, it is just the darkest day of the year that from now on starts to get a roosters step worth of light each day. and we need to go visit dead relatives and make fires or burn candles. for me, not a christian thing, we did it before the birth of christianity, made fires mid-winter to greet the dead
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Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 3:29 PM
I think I'm heading your way in a few days. Thanks for all your good wishes, I wish the same for you, and that everything gets better and better with the turn of the year.
Tanti auguri!
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17 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
December 25, 2015 at 6:56 AM
Hello! For those who celebrating Christmas, i wish u many happiness and joy in this year's celebration ?
Recently i have lost interest to few of currently watching drama. For e.g Oh My Venus. I dont know why i lost my interest. I love SJS, SMA and SH but my love for them them cannot save my boredness on this drama. At first i thought it is a simple and well executed drama, but hmm now i dont know.
I have so much frustration this week because I Have a lover really taking a very long time to be subbed. Now i dont care anymore on subs, because i already rewatching it raw twice. And to add more pain, there will be only one episode this week! Not fair! ? i sincerely wish for Kim Hyun Joo or/and Ji Jin Hee will be nominated for daesang, even though i doubt it will happen. I love Yong Pal and i have a feeling joo won will be nominated (but Kim Tae Hee deserves to be nominated for daesang too! Whoever says Joo Woon carried the show entirely by his own, you are wrong.. ). But i do hope miracle happens and Kim Hyun Joo be nominated and wins???
Splish Splash ? i may sound exaggerate, but this gonna be my best romcom this year! I sincerely pray for their reunion. ? i love kim seul gi so much. She got my attention from Flower Boy Next Door even she had only minor role there.
Auw this must be a coincidence . all my fav actressess with surname 'Kim'; Kim Tae Hee, Kim Hyun Joo, Kim So Eun & Kim Seul Gi! Ha ha just realized it ???
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18 Mermaid Scribbler
December 25, 2015 at 6:57 AM
Merry Christmas! ?
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19 Sancheesy
December 25, 2015 at 7:01 AM
Happy holiday!!
I don't watvh lot of kdrama beside daily dose of OMV.
In other side I finish Jdrama this week
5->9 It's interesting that the editing, the fast conversation, the yamapi voice and THE OST!! I love back number - christmast songthat actually doesn't related a lot with christmast. It's overall shojo manga type of show
Okitegami kyoko live it, it's clever, fresh, prove that okada and gakky is not just pretty face, they have chemistry and trust and again THE OST, Hello Goodbye ; Afureru is my fave.
Gou -taiga drama finally I finish 50 + ep of J historical drama. IT AMAZE me how diff the approach of Saeguk and Taiga drama, there's fictional historical in J dra but they really stick to history, with the narrator and the monument that showed after each episode about the silent prove of that era. It's like I learn history in a fun way. There's lot of things happen but I still care about the character
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kimchikay
December 25, 2015 at 8:10 AM
Oh man, was so sad to finish 5-ji Kara 9-ji Made!! It was an awesome show that really just had so many feel good moments!
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cc
December 25, 2015 at 12:22 PM
Kay, could you recommend any Jdrama I should watch? I only love Reply and the triplet these days.
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Sancheesy
December 25, 2015 at 3:17 PM
@cc if you don't mind, I would like to reccomend Okitegami Kyoko no Bibiroku - about a forgetfull detective
Tennou no Ryoriban - a success story
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cc
December 25, 2015 at 3:31 PM
Thank you very much, Sancheesy. You are the best!
kimchikay
December 25, 2015 at 7:26 PM
Sure! Well I'll definitely recommend 5-Ji Kara 9-ji Made - it was a great drama with just so many fun characters!
Also, Date, Rich Man Poor Woman, Buzzer Beat, Love Revolution, Pride, Hotaru no Hikari, Absolute Boyfriend...these are all rom-com's by the way
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Sancheezy
December 26, 2015 at 2:53 PM
Ah love revolution, I've been looking for that and can't find any
Date is so quirky,
I hope 5->9 gets 2nd season, or spin off or SP, the characters are so much fun
Sancheesy
December 25, 2015 at 3:09 PM
I'll miss the BL love girl who clearly can see that she loves the character, not necessarily the man
And how they suddenly have relationship chart in ELA and the baby rumor...lol
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atz
December 25, 2015 at 8:06 PM
the dramas that are broadcasted as NHK(Japanese national TV) Taiga Drama have to be true to the history. They broadcast them on Sunday's at 8 pm thus those dramas are watched by many devoted viewers,,, many stories are based on novels but even the novels are true to its historical events.
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Sancheezy
December 26, 2015 at 2:58 PM
Thanks, I am deeply impress. I actually confuse a lot in Kdrama saeguk cause they don't have the real time line. It's like I knew the chracter from another drama but I can't pinpoint the link.
I rewatch nobunaga concerto after finish Gou and oh man, I see where the reference and fiction lies, it become so much fun than the 1st time I watch it.
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20 Jenny
December 25, 2015 at 7:13 AM
Merry Christmas to everyone!
I haven't watched that many kdramas in a while, recently finished Reply 1994 which was okay.
Now I'm watching Netflix's Japans Atelier about a lingerie shop, it sounds weird but it's very good. Also full of interesting details about making bra's.
Also been watching Otona Joshi, it's okay nothing spectacular. I find it interesting how someone like glamorous Shinohara Ryoko would be considered a obasan (old lady).
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Sancheesy
December 25, 2015 at 7:24 AM
She is georgous, can't believe she depicted as old or lost attractive charm. I really can't comprehend the young subordinate that always citicize her for being old and work also the one that spread her pic to every one email. It can ruin someone career for serious.
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nomad
December 25, 2015 at 8:55 AM
I was watching it too, Otona Joshi. However the comment by what I assume will be the main lead, is so repetitive and offensive, it completely turns me off. Y'know, about how women want to be girls all the time, and love is commercialized, etc. It's fine if that's his opinion, but since that's ALL he said every time he's on screen from episode 1 until the beginning of episode 2, I just lost patience.
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21 Prettysup
December 25, 2015 at 7:39 AM
For year end awards, I really hope that Ji Sung will win the Daesang for MBC. For KBS I want Jang Hyuk to win, though they will most probably give it to Kim Soo Hyun due to his popularity. For SBS, I don't really care who wins it.
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22 maryofbethany
December 25, 2015 at 7:46 AM
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Blessed Christmas to all chingus...
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23 neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
December 25, 2015 at 8:01 AM
Happy Christmas to all Beanies out there!!
I had to pause in watch Six Flying Dragons due to all the emotions that I am feeling and our internet sucks. Currently at episode 17 and I'm totally loving it! One of the reasons why I wanted to rematch Tree with Deep Roots.
Just watched the teaser for Song Joong Ki's drama AND I just found out it's the writer from The Heirs. OHNO! I watched Secret Garden, A Gentleman's Dignity(forgot if it's the same writer) and the Heirs but out of this three it's AGD that I liked. I have no idea what were my emotions towards the other two. Totally scared for Song Joong Ki. Huhuhu I certainly don't want to hate him. So please Writer-nim!
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24 kimchikay
December 25, 2015 at 8:13 AM
Merry Christmas to all DB!
Not much movement on the drama front except I finished 5-ji Kara 9-ji Made and loved it!! I didn't realize how much I missed a good jdrama till now! I'm still watching Oh My Venus and was starting to get a little bored with the plot but the end of the last episode really has got things moving again!
Did anyone get anything they really wanted this year for Christmas!?
I got a Fitbit from my parents - which I am SUPER excited about...I've managed to lose a lot of weight over this past year and it couldn't have come at a perfect time. Going to enjoy this break and then get back on the healthy train next week *pumps fist!*
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 12:09 PM
I got a book with old views from my childhood town and it is so interesting to go back in time. About 1200 photos all well-explained and located on the city plan. I am such a fan of things like this. and most of the houses are still all there and I recognize every corner. ah I want to travel to 1910....
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kimchikay
December 25, 2015 at 7:28 PM
Wow, that sounds really interesting!!
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sunnyl
December 26, 2015 at 1:57 PM
Talking about childhood town, On my last visit to Korea, I went to look for the house I used to live when I was very young. Guess what- There was a dorm of SungKyunKwan (yes like SKK scandal) University on my old house location. Life is - irony?
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pebble
December 26, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Perhaps it is nostalgic more than being ironic? Life is passing by so quickly and what was so familiar in the past has changed beyond recognition.
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25 casserole
December 25, 2015 at 8:21 AM
Happy Holidays to all! Still loving Splish Splash Love so much ??? I'm going to re-watch the awesome Heart to Heart and Kill Me Heal Me before the end of the year. They are my 2015 favorites, but aired earlier in the year, so it is a treat to fall in love with them again. If I have time I'll start Let's Eat 2 as well.
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26 Tazzo
December 25, 2015 at 8:27 AM
Q. How can a drama go wrong with amazing gobsmacking actors and a powerful station backing?
A. Oh My Venus!
Such waste of super talented actors. I feels so sad for these actors, man it hurts! Whatever viewership the drama still has is only because of the actors. I know I only watch it sometimes because i miss seeing awesomeness that SJB is.
Whoever hell the writer is, I hope they realize what they have done.
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alua
December 25, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Seems the writer is Kim Eun-Ji, with only one other credit to her name....
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:40 AM
How come someone with that little experience bag actors like SJS and SMA?! Well, I appreciate giving newbies chances and to shine, but I think they should done a better job at investigating the plot, side stories, character depth, script writing better, then this disaster wouldn't have happened!
did you guys see in the episode that SJS becomes the director (can't even recall what episode number that was.....the drama is that bad!), there was this prolonged moment when SMA sits on the stairs and massages her feet? That scene was so dragged on, so prolonged that it actually accentuated the fact that they didn't have a plot or story to show! It was made quite clear that they were showing that scene for far too long coz they didnt have anything else to show and thought that the site of pretty actors would appease us! Such disgruntled fools!
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alua
December 26, 2015 at 3:15 PM
Well, it might have been the director and producers that got SJS and SMA – the writer doesn't normally have influence on casting anyhow (unless they are famous & influential, like KES).
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:28 PM
That's even more disappointing....
belami-js
December 27, 2015 at 8:46 AM
Actually I like that scene, the music playing and the sudden appearance of our handsome gentleman...:)
And I don't mind the plot when it comes to watching pretty actors who can act. Love the couple!
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Tazzo
December 27, 2015 at 8:10 PM
I like the sentiments portrayed by the scene too, but the entry of the handsome man could have happened a full minute earlier than was done in the drama. I hate to see talent wasted like this, but I guess everyone has different tastes...so, while some might like the drama, others hate it to boot :)
cc
December 25, 2015 at 12:17 PM
You took the word right out of my mouth. Hope both of them will meet again for a better show.
Do you have anything you would recommend me to watch during Christmas? Something good but not too depressing.
Thank you!
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:43 AM
You could watch Splash Splash Love, just amazing! Lovely 2 episode drama....romance comedy perfect for a extremely feel-good effect on your soul that would last you for a long looong time even after you finish watching....there's this halo in the heart that remains (as you can see, i am become crazy for the drama! :P )
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pebble
December 26, 2015 at 4:50 PM
To see more of Kim Seul-gie, go watch Discovery of Romance, she has quite a big role in it. She is so cute and adorable and it was so much fun watching the interaction among the three childhood friends who are living together in the same house.
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:30 PM
Will do, thanks for the recommendation! :)
I have watched a few scenes on youtube of that drama, and I liked KSG's parts....I wish somebody recapped it.
pebble
December 26, 2015 at 8:50 PM
The recap of Discovery of Romance can be found right here in Dramabeans!
http://www.dramabeans.com/2014/08/discovery-of-romance-episode-1/
Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 11:25 PM
Thanks a lot! :)
Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 3:31 PM
That'll should go down in dramabeans history as a test question.
Sigh... Oh my...whatevs...
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:45 AM
hahaha
I just feel so sad that they wasted such acting talents....and to think they these actors don't even do a drama every year! Waited for SMA, SJS for the past few years to do sth...and then they trap them in this quagmire of nothing!
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pebble
December 25, 2015 at 6:44 PM
Spot on! You summed everything up so succinctly with that Q&A. :)
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Tazzo
December 26, 2015 at 8:46 AM
I am just so disappointed man! You would see how much SJS tries to salvage the "drama" by trying his utmost...and SMA is given even less material than SJS, if that was even possible....poor her, even her dimples can't save this crap!
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27 Lizzie
December 25, 2015 at 9:09 AM
Happy OT and Merry Christmas!
This past week has been soooo busy I actually haven't gotten to watching any dramas..read the recaps but..just was not feeling the current dramas. Tho I did finish SSL. Absolutely loved it. I'm hoping for something really exciting in the new year..to help me get back into it. Can we pls have more SciFi type shows?.. Here's to hoping Murim School is interesting.
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28 yayabean
December 25, 2015 at 9:27 AM
Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday Beanies:
I been prolonging watching ep 11 & 12 of Oh My Venus in order to lessen the angst of waiting for ep 13.
I'm looking forward to watching Splish Splash Love today.
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29 Lizbeth
December 25, 2015 at 10:12 AM
Merry Christmas to all dramabeans recappers and beanies. Currently watching SSL, so squee worthy. Planning on re watching KMHM the most has been stuck in my heads for days and AM1997 I wanna check out shi won fan girling. Have a lovely weekend
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30 dramamad
December 25, 2015 at 10:13 AM
To those celebrating today - merry christmas all! Hope this season brings you love and peace.
after a drama watching hiatus (real life intruded by way of crazy work days - go away real life!) i'm now following reply 1988 and Oh my venus. It's already been said here at dramabeans but i'll say it again - this edition of the Reply series is just fantastic. It focuses on family, its dripping with nostalgia about the days where you lived in a close knit community and you ate your meals in whichever house you happened to me at any particular meal time. So i've fond memories of the Aunty next door sending fresh hot breakfast that she;d cooked. Then trooping out to run around and eating lunch at another house just because the lady of the house saw us and decided we needed to eat then and there because its lunchtime and she was closest. Its just beautiful - it was a different time. The heros of the show for me are the moms and dads doing their best in a time of political and economic uncertainty and that really resonates. And if i had to pick and OTP it would be Seon Woo and Bo Ra. Their relationship is so squee worthy!
As for our main triangle, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. To be quite honest, i dont really find Taek's character to be very compelling and if he hadn't been positioned as a potential rival, he could have easily gone the way of Dong Ryung's character.
Oh My Venus is just too pretty for words. SMA and SJS are just... well lets just say i could watch them work out and flirt for 16 eps straight. There is some chaebol stuff but seeing as evil uncle isnt even a distant cousin, im not sure what he thinks hes going to gain by playing dirty. The actress playing stepmom is so fantastic, i hope they dont waste her entirely. and i hope she gets a good resolution. she's spent far too many yrs playing doormat to selfish grandma.
Soo Jin - she's a pain, but im warming to her slowly. She's desperately trying to prove something, but i think at this point she isnt even sure what that is. the latest episode she called herself a bad person - so obviously she feels guilty. She's a good person and so is Im Star i think. Hope they get their moment of redemption and closure.
And finally, has anyone watched the Thai version of Playful Kiss? Its called Kiss Me and has everything i wanted in the other versions of this show. What i liked best about this version, is that the female lead is not shown to be farcically stupid but is instead as just not good at academics (we've all been there) and blindly loyal. In this version, I finally get the angst i would have liked to see on the part of the male lead. You Guys - he cries!!!!! I cant recommend this enough.
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 12:07 PM
yeah, Kiss me Thai was quite good, although a little boring in some episodes. But there were a lot of things not just about the main leads that were a lot more reasonable and tried to explore the complex threads of emotions, doubts, resolutions and desires. in all other dramas, they were too much characters, here, they were people.
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31 merry
December 25, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Happy OT everyone. Has anyone gone to one of our fav sites for watching...one that ends rhyming with ..fool. I think they got an injunction from a Philippine broadcaster. Oh well, i hope there is enough love in dramaland that can still give us access to dramas.
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kimchikay
December 25, 2015 at 11:03 AM
YES!!! I saw that and was wondering what happens...it seemed pretty serious with the legal notice all up and stuff...
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growingbeautifully
December 26, 2015 at 1:04 AM
I've gone on to their new site at D_____ ool.one, which works just as well. Why are we not mentioning the name of the site? LOL!
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32 azkaa
December 25, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Merry Christmas, beanies!!! Wish you all have great time ?
I want to say thank you for dramabeans and all commenter here. It's only been one year i actively participate in db but it is so enjoyable. Watching drama has never been this fun.
As for drama, my little brain can only handle that much at a time and currently Six Flying Dragons has been occupying my everything. The show is all around so fantastic but it surely does burn and fry my brain lol. All the complicated historical background i'm not familiar with and the murky politic stuff makes it hard to follow sometimes. It seems marathoning show like this isn't really a good idea. And damn it, it is so so deliciously painful to watch Yeonhee and Bangji going round and round while it's obvious they still care for each other. ALL THE FEELSSSSSSS GOD ?
Can we have korean version of Samurai x and casting both Byun Yo Han & Jung Yoomi? Jaded swordsman who is lost and often times misunderstood and a girl who is going to save him but tangled in some sort of spionage conspiracy whatever. Dramagod, how about that? Santa, am i nice enough this year to make that happen??
Oh another drama, i watch the first ep of Spalsh Splash Love and it.was.super.cute!! I love Kim Seulgi and it's such a nice surprise to know Doojoon. They are totally adorable! Been putting off to watch the second ep bcs i don't want it to end T.T Maybe will watch it soon to cleanse my post-SFD fried brain of mine ?
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33 redfox
December 25, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Hi, happy Christmas. I am so late, but please answer me 2015 LOL
well, we have a green Christmas after all. no snow this year yet. +15C on Christmas Eve. Just got back from Viljandi - so many candles in the cemetery, amazing. The town was all quiet and dark, everyone was visiting the graves and lighting candles, there must have been over 15 000 of them. Plus Full Moon on Christmas Eve, not again until 2036.
drama tidbits: I watched Reply 1988 latest episodes with subs now and I hadnt noticed MacGyver music accompanying Jung Hwans Dad fixing the electricity OMG so awesome, MacGyver is the closest to any godly existence I am able to believe in. I kept playing it over and over...
Question of the day is: if you could set up any two drama characters for a blind date, who would you pick?
NB! you can´t be the other party. But you can disguise yourself with sunglasses and a black widow hat and hide behind a newspaper at the next table.
variation of the question; which drama characters do you think would become good friends if they met?
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redfox
December 25, 2015 at 10:52 AM
and to end, I can´t get enough of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X8K0VZ7Puo but at one point Universal Music blocked it because Jüri is by contract their artist, but this is not even their single, it is a song from Eesti Laul competition so I don´t know why they blocked it, anyway, now it is back, and people are saying James Bond /Adele feel in this. what do you think, is it as good as Goodbye to Yesterday?
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cozybooks
December 25, 2015 at 11:28 AM
Part of me wishes it was warmer here! We have almost a foot. :P
From any year? Dok Go-Jin (GL) and Cheon Song-Yi (YWCFTS). I just want to see them bicker. :)
Either those two, or Perry Park and Choi Young-Jin (Mrs. Cop). Heehee...
As for the variation, Oh-Cho-Rim (Girl Who Sees...) with Choi Myung Hee and Park Min-Young (Healer) would be a great mother-daughter/friends group. I could see them on a girls' night out, shopping or cooking (and making me hungry!)
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CaroleMcDonnell
December 25, 2015 at 3:53 PM
Green Christmas in your neck of the wood as well, uh? Merry Christmas!
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Kween Ramyeon
December 25, 2015 at 4:14 PM
Blind dates...hmm..
Jang Nara's teacher in School 2013 and Teacher Yang from SassyGG? They both love their job and are super sweet.
Lawyer Cha Kwan-Woo from I Hear Your Voice with Kim Boo Ki from Still, Marry Me. She's always well-dressed and polished, and can help him out with his wardrobe, whereas he's a capable guy with a good heart to match her.
Friendships...
I think Jang Jae-yeol could find a new writer-buddy friend in Oh Ri On from KMHM.
And the whole reporter crew from Pinocchio team up with Healer and Young-shin, and borrow some of Healer's tricks too.
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Sancheezy
December 26, 2015 at 3:04 PM
Jang ja yeol and ri on can make a spin off writer buddy show and that settled,
They can travel to diff place and try to write a journey book, meet diff people and helps them with their analysis, work part time job om several cities, followed a carnival in diff place and at the end they realize that there'a a fun romance slipped through their finger in one place or another.
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34 cc
December 25, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Javabeans & Girlfriday,
Please hear me out. Could you please recap the triplet for Variety Roulette before they leave? Pretty please....
Merry Christmas!
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35 ninani
December 25, 2015 at 7:04 PM
Merry Christmas all!
I'd like to join in GrowingBeautifully's vote, but i dunno how to reply. Hahahaa.. i'll just post it here if u dont mind.
Naah, let's begiiin! *so exciteed*
1) Shows that began strong and stayed strong:
KMHM, Missing Noir M
(I instantly got hooked by the plot, not a single episode where i lost my interest!)
2) Shows that began strong, lost ground in the middle and recouped to become OK in the end.
Oh my Ghostess (forgot when i lost my interest)
She was Pretty (right after Sung Joon knows the real Hye Jin, then it become OK when Ha Ri made up with Hye Jin again)
3) Shows that began good but slowed down and did not recover.
Yong Pal (definitely after Yong Pal get KTH out of hospital!)
The Time We Were Not In Love (no need further explanation)
Healer (until now i havent finish it, dont have the will tho. Dunno why)
4) Shows that began so-so and became stronger and better than expected.
I Remember You (the 1st 10 minutes of 1st ep didnt draw my interest but luckily i kept watching it until the last ep! Maybe bcoz i kinda didnt like how they introduce SIG character)
7) New category?
'A trully rollercoster ride show':
KMHM. I watched, i laughed, i drooled, i cried, i got mad, i read, and wrote about it. Such an emotinal ride with you, show.
Thank you!
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growingbeautifully
December 26, 2015 at 1:01 AM
@ ninani
Hi and Merry Christmas back to you!
I see that you've taken the trouble to list the shows and I agree with most of your picks.
I like your New Category...‘A truly rollercoster ride show’ to me would be one that got me hooked emotionally for most of the series and that one for me was Healer. I remember the ups and downs of feeling sorry for Jung Hoo as a child, also Young Shin when she thought she was abandoned, pride for when they rose above their sad pasts. I was touched by the revelation of Young Shin's mum, over the moon over the romance and laughed like a maniac over the comic bits. And the cliff hangers were quite nerve wracking and definitely 'impatience-inducing'. That was one show that got me totally emotionally invested. :)
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36 light
December 25, 2015 at 8:40 PM
Happy holidays everyone!
Well, finally watched the subbed episode of Okitegami Kyoko no Bibouroku. I could feel Kyoko's desperation and probably her desolation. I am glad her memory neurons jolted her emotions and suspicions to action. Love this series.
Completed Nobunaga Concerto. It took me a longer time to finish it but I really like it! The samurai swords's wooshes and hits made me scream aloud. It was fun and funny and heartening. War is an issue discussed. Interestingly, one harakiri was explained in such a humane way. Maybe I was almost sold about the idea. It gave me an understanding of the tradition, that is for sure. Looking forward to the movie.
Trying to pick up another jdrama but yet to be totally invested in a new one.
Splish Splash Love gained my sarang. After I came back down from the clouds, and a rewatch, I think there is another reason why Danbi decided to go home. I could be totally wrong. In the flower sleep scene where both were lying side by side, the King expressed that Danbi staying beside him was enough. Danbi became silent and turned the other way. It could mean she was not satisfied by just being by his side. She needed to feel useful and continue being that way. She needed to go home and find her purpose.
The fact that the royal couple has a crush of their own makes me feel a little sad. I don't know why. Did they love each other at all? Maybe they do in a way. The king seems to sympathise her, the queen wants a concubine/friend. This drama is fiction I know. Maybe time is a factor to probably flesh out that arc. I am very interested to know more about non-monogamous marriages as it seems such a taboo sometimes.
This drama still is the best one to end the year with. Kim Seul Gi is such an expressive actress.
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Sancheezy
December 26, 2015 at 3:11 PM
When she refuses to sleep, I just bawling because finally, yakusuke finally!! I also like how yakusuke at the end has picked up kyoko analysis skill, he's good on his own foot.
I also watch NC, it's really a fun ride, It's fiction but the real history keep intact, It's well known that Aizai was pass away in Nobunaga attack, or to be exact by Saru, but in this drama, it's different, war and friendship, trust and choice, it explain really well.
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37 owl 🦉 🫰
December 25, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Droppin by to wish all a very Merry Christmas before the clock strikes midnithg.
OMV threw a curve ball this week - my heart is in my throat. *spoiler* Is there anything more kdrama-ish than tossing the keys to your car to the young man you rescued from a hardcore life of fighting who, after searching for his mother who gave birth to him in jail, gets a call from her that she wants to meet him, and then realizing that a hit man is out to get you and is after your car but you aren't the one in it so you make a mad dash and end up bloodied and unconscious by crashing into the bad guy's car to avert the disaster of him ramrodding your car that you aren't in so, major cliffhanger.
We're getting lots of snow!
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growingbeautifully
December 26, 2015 at 12:48 AM
LOL! @ owl
Do I sense frustration here?
It's a good question though... is it only kdramas which do these sorts of ironic, convoluted, angsty twists or don't Chinese and Japanese or even Western shows have them? Or they do, but hardly ever? I'm not really watching anything else nowadays for years and have nothing much to compare kdramas with.
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snickers
December 26, 2015 at 4:38 PM
Perhaps the line between afternoon soap operas and prime-time dramas is more blurred in kdramas.
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growingbeautifully
December 26, 2015 at 11:51 PM
@ Snickers?
Yes, I was reminded of soap operas where many episodes are compressed into a few, but I was thinking, maybe it was not sufficiently 'makjang-y' to be considered soap.
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owl 🦉 🫰
December 26, 2015 at 10:15 PM
It's a love/hate thing, i mean I've come to anticipate twists that are so convoluted that you're like, "Oh, man! I've fallen for it again" and can't wait to see how it turns out, that is if I like the characters and/or actors enough to see it play out.Of the jdramas I've watched, there aren't such life and death cliffhangers, for me they are unique to kdramas. You know what is really hard, though, is explaining the cliffhanger to a non-kdrama person - I am ALWAYS sorry I started when I get that l@@k...
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growingbeautifully
December 26, 2015 at 11:48 PM
LOL!
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38 rookie
December 26, 2015 at 2:24 AM
hi :-D first time posting on OT but what do you guys think about the new SBS drama remember? Watched all the 6 eps and its rlly good XD but how will the drama manage to sustain this for 24 eps? hopefully won't be too draggy
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39 gaeinalee
December 26, 2015 at 2:34 AM
I just drop by to wish you all:
Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrate it!
May the shiny colorful Christmas lights keep shining upon you throughout the coming year..
Happy holidays to all dear friends in DB~!
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40 oftheshore
December 26, 2015 at 5:05 AM
Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates Christmas and happy holidays/festive season/So Ji-Sub's abs/whatever you want to celebrate today to everyone else!
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belami-js
December 26, 2015 at 8:33 AM
Lol....Celebrating So Ji-Sub's abs or SJS's whatever.... I'm 100 % with you!!!!
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oftheshore
December 26, 2015 at 3:27 PM
I recently forced myself to finish Master's Sun (I have a a problem with finishing dramas, seems to be pretty common) and have finally recognized the magic of So Ganji.
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redfox
December 26, 2015 at 10:45 AM
I celebrate that I still have 3 more jars of raspberry jam to last me through the winter months.
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oftheshore
December 26, 2015 at 3:28 PM
Sounds excellent, if you need more, I'll send you my strawberry jam jars.
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