Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching
by DB Staff
So, what are we all watching this week?
What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…
missvictrix
Currently weecapping: Forest & Hyena
I’ll Find You on a Beautiful Day: I don’t even know what to say about this show anymore — it’s just so perfect. I teared up more times than I care to count during this week’s episodes. Not because of any dramatics, but just because the drama captures these little moments so, so well. That imaginary dancing scene? Dead. This drama has a tenderness about it that is both comforting and lovely, and every week I’m amazed at how they do it. Director-nim, I’m looking at you. *Finger hearts* Also, I want to bottle up the way that Eun-seob looks at Hae-won and keep it in my heart forever.
On a lighter note, I enjoyed the little Extraordinary You reunion that hit dramaland this week! We’ve got Oh Nam-joo appearing in a swoony cameo here as the other boy with a long-term crush on Hae-won, and then we’ve got Haru’s cameo in the first episode of Find Me in Your Memory. I’m one happy drama camper this week.
Chocolate: I’m enjoying taking my time with this drama, and this week I enjoyed Episode 3, with its escape to Greece, heartbreaking storyline with Min-sung, and that much-desired dumpling soup. Am I in for a lot of weeping with this drama? I’m afraid to look at the recaps to see just how much I’ll be crying.
quirkycase
Currently recapping: I’ll Find You on a Beautiful Day
Kingdom 2: Season two was worth the wait. We got just as much good zombie fun in this second season, although I do have to say the plague aspect in these times is a bit more unsettling. I didn’t expect the way things turned out in the end, but I liked it. I really hope they green light it for a third season since I’m excited to see where things will go now that the game has changed. Oh, and Seo-bi is badass, and I love her.
Hi Bye, Mama!: Yuri made Min-jung smile! I love their cute friendship and, apparently, so does Seo-woo. That little smile she got when her moms laughed together at the table was adorable. Speaking of moms, Yuri’s mom finally knows. Now that most everyone has seen her, and Hyun-jung overheard the expiration date thing, Yuri should just come clean to everyone. It’ll only make things worse if she keeps trying to hide it. At least that’d give them some time to prepare this time if she can’t stay.
The Cursed: I’m fairly satisfied with how things turned out, but I think things would’ve been more interesting if they hadn’t waited until the last moment for the reveals about what happened in the past and how So-jin and Jong-hyun were connected. I’d have liked less time spent on the back and forth cursing (and looong shaman ritual scenes) and more time exploring the ramifications of the link between So-jin and Jong-hyun. Why weren’t they affected in the same way? I wanted some details about how it works, but that was glossed over. And it still bugs me that there wasn’t a good reason for why So-jin trusted Jin-hee in the first place other than she thought she seemed nice. As for the ending, it was … weird. I’m not totally sure what I’m supposed to make of that final scene with that “something creepy is happening” background music. Overall, it was a solid horror drama, but it could’ve been better.
Hospital Playlist: Honestly, I found this episode a little slow. I love the characters and appreciate the chill vibe, but is there going to be a plot? I was hoping for something less case-of-the-week, but it’s early yet. Maybe there’ll be a stronger sense of direction or thematic focus going forward. Although I don’t get the sense that we’ll get a clear, cohesive plot. With the hints of romance, now I’m scared they’ll pull the who’s-the-husband type nonsense again. It’s novel the first time, but it kind of loses its punch when you do it almost every time. For once, can we just have a coed group of friends who don’t try to date each other?
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 14, 2020)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 7, 2020)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 29, 2020)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 22, 2020)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 15, 2020)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 8, 2020)
Tags: Chocolate, Hi Bye Mama!, Hospital Playlist, I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day, Kingdom 2, The Cursed, What We're Watching
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1 cat-cric-kat
March 21, 2020 at 6:03 AM
CRICKET - watching old macthes highlights. no sport for upcoming n number of months.
The Test - on amazon prime. 8 episodes of quality cricket preview of Australian cricket after one of the biggest cricket scandal.
JAPAN -
Boku Dake ga 17-Sai no Sekai de - 6.5/10 4 episodes watched. Timepass. That song episode 3.
Love Lasts Forever - 5/10 i don't like fluff. Shift of audience as there isn't much fluff nonsense virus in K+CN media.
Ship of Theasues - As said few days ago - Hero is a crybaby. he has shed enough tears to sail a ship. 1 litre of tears had not so many of glycerin tears scenes like this show has.
Shonan Junai Gumi - panty shots. bikini babes fun old Japanese media times. Japanese tv used to quite raunchy and risque earlier. Now it has become more like monk in practice. High school nonsense years of Onizuka. Niche fun and bad acting.
Movies - Pending - mostly Japanese movies.
Little Women - Better watch its anime .
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cat-cric-kat
March 21, 2020 at 6:16 AM
Announcement - I leave a weekly attendance record at sites. Virus wants to a have a duel. I can feel the taste of blood(fear and excitement). Its either one on one or retreat or me raising white flag and running away aka protection. OR If no weekly post from my side - confirmation i'm done for. No more real person no more virtual identity
Kdrama + Chinese drama
Perfect Partner - 7/10 - This tv show had lot of potential. Main concept or theme is good. Acting isn't half bad. Interesting characters. Complexity of relationships.
Interesting Clients and their requests which are directly taken from real life events. So where the show falters?
Its writing is lousy, wishy-washy and at times illogical. Main leads love could have better explored. Most of the stories have no proper outcome or an outcome which a viewer could imagine themselves. At 50th episode you can clearly see everything is hastily done.
Typical Chinese plotlines and drama and in betweeen some propaganda. Overall a rare nice Chinese drama watch. Good time pass with lots and lots of shortcomings.
Whether is not fine - 6/10 This tv drama tries too hard to be complex. Making characters act weird not makes something a introspective piece. Sister looks the best character because everyone else is a big let down.
Can't forget drama - 4/10 This drama is same as Eun Hye's last year romance nonsense. Just added more drama into it.
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Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
March 21, 2020 at 8:20 AM
Best wishes for your health!
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cat-cric-kat
March 21, 2020 at 9:37 AM
2 things i highly dislike
1. a tie - i feel suffocated
2. mask - same feeling above
and i follow strict food regime that is completely different from the society i live in. so i'm in deep trouble right now.
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cat-cric-kat
March 21, 2020 at 6:25 AM
@alasecond in 2017 i was grading dramas. 2017 comment still there. That is reserved for very few print+tv media now.
rating system with measure of 0.5(5 as mostly used systems everywhere) i use now for everything.
x out of y
x/y
both have different meaning
Complete name - shows my investment as well as my respect towards the show
Half name - Wasted potential.
Nick name - low quality product unworthy of any mention.
Trash - low quality product that still sell, generate employment.
Porn - lowest denominator of entertainment.
Better respond because i'm not certain about April.
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2 Radily
March 21, 2020 at 6:13 AM
Also watching: I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day / Memorist / Find Me in Your Memory
Hospital Playlist (Episode 2)
Watching this show feels like watching a weekend show or a daily sometimes: there’s just so many characters and info to digest as we swap from one scene to another. But then again, I love it so much and am rewatching quite the number of times before next week’s episode so I’m pretty sure I’ll get all those names down. This week’s episode featured Song Hwa as she navigated through hospital politics (I’m still confused as to why she brought up Seok Min’s thesis in the OR and will need the recap for that) and romance. May we all survive the shipping games that will begin in the comments!
Nobody Knows (Episode 5-6)
If Eun Ho was pretending to be asleep, it really opens up a lot of possibilities aside from the one where he is implicated in the church’s crimes. How much does he know, more importantly, how much does he think he knows about the whole truth? If all of his info comes from Ki Ho, there is a risk that he may be fed with biased info. After that cliffhanger, Sang Ho is certainly not on the good side in any way: the most sympathetic view is that he’s using Eun Go for some revenge. I’m glad to see Seo Young Joo again: I suspect he’s the student that slipped past Sun Woo’s radar in the past.
Hi Bye, Mama! (Episode 7-8)
My main criticism of the show so far after watching its first half is that the writing is very inefficient: there are so many ghosts for usage but we ended up having side arcs (ghost boy, chairman and driver) which wasted crucial screen time
that could have gone towards Yu Ri’s family or Dr Jang, characters which are more important to the story. In fact, I will say that the only ghosts required were the Jang family, since the Pil Seung arc mirrors that of Seo Woo with the theme of family. Also, we love some Yu Ri-Min Jung friendship but I’m worried about Min Jung’s reaction when the truth is out.
Itaewon Class (Episode 13-14)
Using a terminal illness to speed up the revenge plot was already one big screenwriting sin, but wait there’s more: both Geun brothers having inexplicable personality changes as well as kidnapping and sacrificial tropes. Geun Soo’s turning dark was one thing but him suddenly being worried about Sae Ro after that confession? Geun Won’s guilt over the past was clear but he’s the one who orders a hit? Why did the gang boss agree to this? (Come on, he knows Yi Seo from the live videos as Sae Ro’s partner) Meanwhile, Soo Ah & Yi Seo are still the same after a terribly placed 4 year time jump?
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MeloMe
March 21, 2020 at 6:47 AM
Regarding Itaewon class: the gang boss did it despite knowing it's Sae Royi because 10 billion dollars are more important to.him than a 10 year relationship.
Regarding Hospital Playlist: so what I got from watching the episode twice is that, Seak Min used the patient to guilt trip Song Hwa into performing the operation but he really wanted this to happen for his thesis not because he cared for the patient! (How exactly would having her as the surgeon help for his thesis idk). I really looked how she dealt with him tho. Firm but soft!
Also agree regarding Hi/Bye Mama.
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Kafiyah Bello
March 21, 2020 at 7:21 AM
I totally agree about Itaewon Class, it just went from bad to worst.
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candilane
March 21, 2020 at 10:57 AM
I was so upset Yi Seo was such a bi*** to Soo Ah at the end.. I mean I knew Yi Seo was going to win but no need to act like that .. love seeing PBG (hated his haircut ) but he's still fine..
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candycane
March 21, 2020 at 1:25 PM
When was YS not bi***y to SA? This is her character and she cannot change.
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candilane
March 21, 2020 at 1:41 PM
She has some growth through the series but obviously not enough.. I am still Team Yi Seo but felt she could have acted nicer to Soo Ah especially since it was Soo Ah who technically brought Jangga down.. either way, Soo Ah looks like she was going to get PBG which makes her a clear winner in my book
Kafiyah Bello
March 21, 2020 at 4:17 PM
Yeah, I don't care that Yi Seo was rude. I am happy for Soo Ah though. She deserves all the best!! I hope she gets a man who actually appreciates her, PBG(agree on the haircut) will do nicely.
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PYC
March 21, 2020 at 5:50 PM
Hospital Playlist - as a slice of life drama, a plot or not is not important to me as the first two episodes demonstrate. There's already quite a rich tapestry of characters and events. As this is likely to be a seasoned series, following the format like ER, Grey Anatomy might be the kind of approach they take. So long as the characters keep us engaged, I'll be a very happy viewer. Not often can we have five top notch actors/actress able to deliver their good individually and collectively like they do here - loving it tremendously!
And very rarely, there's a strong desire to rewatch each episode to get through the nuances.
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3 Kurama
March 21, 2020 at 6:21 AM
Nobody Knows I'm really very late in this drama. Person of Interest is taking me a lot of time.
I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day I was so happy to have some episodes this week! We learnt a lot about Hae Won, now I need more informations about Eun Seob.
Find Me in Your Memory Kim Dong Wook is not handsome but when he smiles is very charming. I liked the both cameos in the first episode. I like Kim Seul Gi but I always feel like she's playing the same kind of role...
Memorist It's very hectic... Not sure about the procedure. But it's nice for once that the hero doesn't hide his power.
Hospital Playlist I'm not very good with names. So when there are a lot of characters, I need time to learn who is who. But in the second episode, the first half was about more characters! They want to drown me into all those names... I would like they focus on the squad.
Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life I'm pretty sure I will be disapointed by the end.
Itaewon Class The relationship between Sae Ro Yi and his father is the most beautiful in this drama.
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cat-cric-kat
March 21, 2020 at 6:31 AM
Crass Class enrich the biases of lower and mid level middle class population and manifest their resentments of life against wealthy or rich. A broadcast that confirms the views of its audience. A fictional hate campaign.
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Kurama
March 21, 2020 at 6:41 AM
It doesn't bother me, I like this kind of story. I love Robin Hood after all :p
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cat-cric-kat
March 21, 2020 at 9:33 AM
I find it highly exploitative. Finely tuned manipulation to achive the objective. All credit goes to webtoon writer for being intelligent enough to not only gauge the visible fault lines but also being clever enough to milk it. This writer can have good career in politics.
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candycane
March 21, 2020 at 1:30 PM
Too many chaebols K dramas making IC unique. Why can’t we turn the table around for once?
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Kafiyah Bello
March 21, 2020 at 7:23 AM
I love Person of Interest!!!
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Kurama
March 21, 2020 at 7:37 AM
Me too! With a friend, we decided to rewatch this show :)
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thatstp
March 22, 2020 at 6:09 PM
I loved it until the tragedy happened, then I stopped watching. It is a good show though.
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
March 21, 2020 at 7:39 AM
I'm with you on Hospital Playlist and the character count.
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bong-soo
March 21, 2020 at 1:22 PM
@kurama,
Re ITAEWON CLASS. I totally agree. The scenes between Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) and Dad Sung-yeol (Son Hyun-joo) are wonderful. My favorite scene in the drama is where Dad introduces Sae-ro-yi onto the proper way of serving and drinking soju. That was beautiful.
O/T. Last summer I saw PSJ in the horror film THE DIVINE FURY. Hard to believe but it also was my first Ahn Sung-ki film.
Like in IC in TDF there are a couple of beautiful paternal/son like scenes between ASK and PSJ (even though ASK plays a priest!). PSJ in his acting anyways relates very well with older males. Except maybe in IC! I am eagerly awaiting the showdown between SRY and CEO Jang Dae-hee (Yoo Jae-myung).
I know there have been some complaints about the time jump but I will give YJM credit in portraying CEO Jang. Jang's health really went down-hill in four years.
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4 amruta1009
March 21, 2020 at 6:31 AM
1. Hyena: Eps 7-8 This is the drama I watch as soon as both the episodes come out. I am enjoying it a lot.
2. I'll find you on a beautiful day: Ep 4 I like it but haven't been able to watch past this. Haven't had time or been in the mood. Maybe I should keep this for later.
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queenmee
March 21, 2020 at 8:20 AM
Hyena is a masterpiece , I can't wait for ep 10
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Islander north
March 21, 2020 at 1:48 PM
I'm loving Hyena, but wait until I can watch 2 episodes back to back. Joo Jihoon is hysterical to watch: cool, aloof, confident...but he fell so hard for Jung Geum Ja that anytime he is near her he turns into a puddle of insecurity, juvenality, and vulnerability. And she eggs him on...He is starting to get a grip on himself "I'll be responsible for my own heart", and I'm greatly looking forward to this weekend's episodes.
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5 Fly Colours
March 21, 2020 at 6:31 AM
Hi Beanies, hope you're all coping well with the varying social distancing measures across the globe and that you're all in good health. We are all together in this, fighting!
So, this week I had a Joo Jihoo combo: Kingdom season 2 and Hyena. Jihoo caught my eye on Kingdom's first season - which was my first kdrama - and he is good in the second season, but he is totally kicking the ball out of the park with his acting in Hyena. His eye acting and his body language are amazing, so much stuff going on in each of his scenes!
This said, I have to admit that on both shows it is the female leads' awesomeness that's running away with my heart. Their characters are kickass and smart, Bae Donna and Kim Hyesoo are my new queens.
Besides that, been watching Welcome to Waikiki with my kids. Approaching episode 20 today, and looking for another funny easy show to share with them.
Also, yesterday realized that all aired episodes of When the weather is... (or whatever, this show has too many long names) are available on Viki! As soon as I finish Hyena episode 9, that's what I'm going to watch!
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Mani-chan
March 21, 2020 at 7:18 AM
I haven't watched Kingdom so I can't say anything ( too scared of zombies) but man Joo Ji Hoon in perfect in Hyena. I can't imagine anyone portraying the character better or complimenting Kim Hye Soo perfectly
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Fly Colours
March 21, 2020 at 9:23 AM
*Joo Jihoon and Bae Doona, double misspelling, tsk tsk
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MoniRosa
March 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Unstoppable High Kick is really funny and would be good to watch with kids.
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Fly Colours
March 22, 2020 at 1:29 AM
@monica, I'll take a look. Thanks for the for the tip!
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6 Dorotka
March 21, 2020 at 6:37 AM
The Virus is taking over our normal lives. Everything is closed... and feels so surreal... And there are worries about our health... and family members... and the economical future...
Despite all that, I realized that there are also positive things, like the Nature taking a fresh breath, less pollution... or families spending more time together... or the huge wave of solidarity all over the World with helping each other (being it home-sewing of mouth masks or Scouts delivering necessities to the elderly people)... or the many creative ways how to live in isolation and how to still be together. It's nice to have Dramabeans in these times, something from the "normal" times and what is also perfect for a social-distant contact 🙂💕 Hugs to all and stay safe and healthy! 😘
***
Weather - one of my favourite current dramas. Slow...and yet full of hidden drama. Are there 2 fathers? Why did Eun Seob miss some years? 😯 And preview, I don't like you! 😠 Don't dare to pull some sad drama trope on us!
(There was a reappearance of NAM-JU (Kim Yeong-dae)! 😍 Be still my heart ❤🙂)
Hospital - Also my current favourite drama. I actually like the somehow scattered and meandering storytelling and enjoy every second of the show. Perhaps also because I'm around the age of the main characters. I like how the focus is on people (and not for example on hospital politics) and I love the main quintet and their interactions. I also like the old generation friendship between Mom and New Chairman... and I generally wouldn't mind if this time the series was more about friends than lovers (though, cough, I think I secretly ship Songhwa and Joonwan 😆🙈)
Find Me in Your Memory - I didn't plan to to check this, I was not in the mood for a melo and the description felt meh... but I somehow ended up watching the first episode and I had so much fun, especially with Moon Gayoung as a ditzy actress. 🙂
So far for me better than Memorist (which is still stuck on the first 10 minutes and I doubt I will ever come back unless I hear some ravishing reviews from Beanies, sorry Yoo Seungho).
Behind with Hi Bye Mama, though planning to come back.
Japanese fluff:
Koi wa Tsuzuku - having a vibe of Itazura na Kiss... but with a lot less frustrating heroine (and hero 😀).
Kono Otoko - loosing its spark.
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7 PurpleTeapot
March 21, 2020 at 6:43 AM
Extraordinary You: It's funny miss victrix mentioned the cameo, because I just finished this. It had a great premise, with interesting existential questions that could've been addressed. But alas, these strengths were sidelined by an over-emphasis on the love triangle and the "it's fate" trope.
The show would've been perfect if it had chosen to focus on what it means to not be in control of your own life. I felt it could have made better use of wonderful secondary characters (Kyung, Ju-da, Do-hwa, Dried Squid Elf and his lover Su-hyang) too. Though all self-aware, they responded to their knowledge differently.
Be Melodramatic: I'm on episode 3, and loving how slice of life this is. Hyo-bong might just be my favourite character at the moment, with the way he gives great advice while strumming background music to his sister's friends' dramatic tales. I wish there were more scenes with Han-ju and Jae-hoon, because they're so flipping adorable hustling together.
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Fly Colours
March 21, 2020 at 6:53 AM
Be Melo 💚
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Eazal
March 21, 2020 at 7:03 AM
Every time someone mentions Be Melo, I have the urge to rewatch.
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PurpleTeapot
March 24, 2020 at 8:13 AM
It's so comforting, but at the same time entertaining with its offbeat sense of humour.
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Kurama
March 21, 2020 at 7:05 AM
"what it means to not be in control of your own life", I'm not sure to understand. All the show is about that.
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PurpleTeapot
March 21, 2020 at 9:45 PM
It was there for sure, but after the connections to Trumpet Flower started becoming revealed, the focus became more on proving that Dan-oh and Haru were fated to be together. And the exploration of that theme was reduced to ping-ponging between "let's rebel against the writer" and "let's not do it because we'll be punished", with the overall conclusion that "only Haru can change Dan-oh's fate because they're meant to be together".
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Kurama
March 22, 2020 at 3:04 AM
"let's rebel against the writer" and "let's not do it because we'll be punished" It's about them searching the limit they can do when their life is controled by the writer.
Haru could change Danoh's fate because he was a supporting character and because he wanted to do it. When he was a second lead, he couldn't in Trumpet. But he always tried because his love for Danoh was stronger than his fear and because their memories were timeless. In Shadow, they always are themselves and love each other.
Baek Hyung's brother never tried to change things because he thought he should follow the writer. He realized his mistake at the end thanks to Haru.
At the end, Danoh and Haru could have what they wanted the both of them being supporting characters without a set-up. They're free to love each other.
All the story is about Heidegger's philosophy. Even the last class is about that. Existence and Time = Danoh and Haru.
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Kafiyah Bello
March 21, 2020 at 7:24 AM
Be Melo❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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beesgiggle
March 22, 2020 at 8:55 AM
YES ON ALL POINTS ON EXTRAORDINARY YOU! I love the show, but I wish they hadn't settled on just the love triangle when they had so much world building and character development they could've done for the whole show. :(
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8 pohonphee
March 21, 2020 at 6:54 AM
But they are all so handsome and pretty, how can they not date each other? 😏🤷♀️
I hate it when medical drama makes it seem so eazy to become a doctor and how cool doctor's life is, ha ha ha I mean...... 😏 shiroo some doctors just have a boring life watching k drama and do nothing in particular
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9 mrsdimple
March 21, 2020 at 6:56 AM
Kingdom Season 2
- as amazing as the first season. Even more scarier now that the zombies were awake all day. I usually skipped the intro while watching dramas but the intro of Kingdom was very well done and beautiful. Don’t skip it guys.
Hyena
- I could never get enough of this drama! I’ve been rewatching the episodes on loops while waiting for new episodes to air.
Itaewon Class
- It’s the final week. Honestly I don’t enjoy it as much as the earlier episodes anymore. I’m still gonna watch it till the end anyway for the sake of finishing the series.
Hospital Playlist - I like it so far. The only complaint is the looooong hour each episode. Sigh. I could not sit through 1 episode in 1 sitting.
Searching for new dramas to binge watch but none of it sticks with me so far. I’ve tried When The Weather Is Fine but it just make me sleepy 💤
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mrsdimple
March 21, 2020 at 7:05 AM
Ah I forgot to mention Hye Bye Mama. Last week episodes bring me to tears so many times 😭
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windsun33
March 21, 2020 at 8:30 AM
Agree on IC - it started as 9/10, now is about half that. Seriously, more stupid gangster stuff?
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mrsdimple
March 21, 2020 at 9:01 AM
I watched the gangster stuff while playing with my phone..I could not even put my interest in it at all. 🥱🥱
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MeloMe
March 21, 2020 at 11:48 AM
Istg samd
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MeloMe
March 21, 2020 at 11:48 AM
*same
10 ohduhree
March 21, 2020 at 7:03 AM
I suggest you don't read recaps for Chocolate before watching the eps. There may be weeping but it's not always because of heavy drama. Sometimes it's how the show delivers a message of hope in the midst of grief..or joy despite difficult circumstances. It's empowering. Every episode leaves a sweet taste in your mouth and warmth in your heart.
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mmmmm
March 21, 2020 at 8:04 AM
I have been there, I have learned that. Glad you also love Chocolate :)
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11 Eazal
March 21, 2020 at 7:14 AM
When the weather is fine. I love everything on it so much is hard to wait a whole week to watch the next episode. SEKJ portrayal of EunSeob is so wonderful... awwwwwwwww my sweet puppy!!!
Memorist. Just began with episode 3. Viki is getting on my nerves with subs. I enjoyed so much the first two episodes... I'll tell you when I've watched them.
Hi Bye, Mama. I've already written about this in the recaps. I hope now the cat is out of the bag, YuRi can began to heal the wounds with her family and friends and we'll see where it leads. I was expecting from the beginning that she would leave. Nothing has changed so far.
Tell me what you saw. I had left it on episode 6 but yesterday I binged 4 episodes. I'm liking it. Yes. Still don't know where we are going, but I'm having great fun watching it, cliches aside.
I'm several episodes behind Nobody Knows, and I want to begin Hospital Playlist but damn Netflix in my area will not release it until it's over in Korea. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
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12 Kafiyah Bello
March 21, 2020 at 7:16 AM
Nobody Knows: Continues to be heart pumping. I am now starting to question whether Eun Ho jumped. I am not sure who could have pushed him otherwise. hmmmmm
I'll find you on a beautiful Day: This drama is perfectly paced. Everything is just as it should be. I am so happy it has found its stride.😊
The Memorist: It has found its stride. These episodes were much more interesting than the last one.
Hospital Playlist: I haven't seen the most recent episode.
Itaewon Class: Wow, I ff through most of the episode. I kept repeating to myself this is so stupid. Wow, just, NO. I am so disappointed.
Tell Me What you Saw: This is still fine, but there was a lot of stupid in this past episode too. What a waste.
Hi Bye Mama: It was excellent. I cried buckets!!
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13 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
March 21, 2020 at 7:16 AM
Kingdom Season 2: 8.5 Why did it take them a whole year to film 6 episodes? Because of all the time they needed to catch their breath after all the running scenes :)
Hospital Playlist: 7.5 I watch a surgery and wonder how many precious surgical masks they
wastedused.Tell Me What You Saw: 7.9 Somehow I doubt that people who are being strangled can talk that well.
Hi Bye Mama: 7.0 I'm out of sync with most of you. Parts are good, I find it much of it slow and/or depressing. And if Mom has such bad knees, maybe she should cut back on the bicycling (?)
The Cursed: 7.2 For the next two weeks can we have less dancing and yelling and more plot, please? Oh, wait! It was only 12 episodes.
Memorist: 7.0 Good suspense in day 2 & 3. Then lots of typical lame office politics / corruption / abuse of power. Boo. Cult leader is -- whoops WAS -- the kind of baddie that I don't like to watch. Is it open season on cult leaders now? And can our "touchy" lead function in a world where everyone has to stay 6 feet apart?
Nobody Knows: 6.5 Drags. Baddie not impressive or fun.
Find Me In Your Memory: 8.2 With only one (possible) murder so far, it's a pleasant and relatively light-hearted change from all the serial killer shows I'm watching. And Kim Seul-gi doesn't hurt :)
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dodo
March 21, 2020 at 10:32 PM
For Hi Bye Mama, the pacing of the show reflects the grief process. Slow, depressing, days where you feel better, days where you just break down.... I like it because there is effort to portray the grieving experience.
(agree with the rest of your comments!)
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14 MeloMe
March 21, 2020 at 7:17 AM
So a lot of ppl are complaining about the introductions of so many characters in Hospital Playlist. They want the drama to focus on the main group. Not gonna lie, while watching the first half of the second epsiode, I did think the same. But then I remembered that this drama is from the same writer/director duo as the Reply series and Prison Playbook and they too had a lot of secondary characters. These previous works too took time in introducing all the characters and it seemed very confusing and a little haphazard initially however once they were done with the introductions they used each of the characters beautifully. Remember Reply 88? There were so many ahjummas and ajusshis but there stories were heartwarming. Similarly in prison playbook all the secondary characters had wonderful arcs and added greatly to the overall show. I so remember the many wholesome moment the show had. These dramas would not have been the same without the secondary characters. Thus, I'm ready to wait for the creators to familiarise the characters and then to tug at our hearts with their stories.
Also a point to note. Eventhough the Premier epsiodes were a little confusing initially, by the end of the epsiode there was always something that tugged at you, in prison playbook and hospital playlist. That made you want to tune in for the next episode until you were completely, irrevocably in love.
Also watching and loving "I'll go to you when the weather is nice". Also Hi/Bye Mama is great. Itaewon class--well i couldn't care less for it!
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Kurama
March 21, 2020 at 7:59 AM
I agree. I always need time to like this PD's dramas. It's why I will keep watching Hospital Playlist.
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PMSahjumoni
March 21, 2020 at 8:11 AM
I couldn't get into Prison Playbook or the Reply Series and dropped both early on, but I am positively loving Hospital Playlist even from the first episode, heck first 5 minutes. And I love how it's just meandering, taking its time. Usually that would bore the hell out of me, but it's done so well here.
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MeloMe
March 21, 2020 at 12:04 PM
If you love hospital playlist maybe you could give the directors previous works another chance? A few more episodes? Just a thought because in terms of themes of friendship and love and being true to yourself, the series are all pretty similar!
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mrsdimple
March 21, 2020 at 9:04 AM
It took me 5 episodes for Prison Playbook to grow on me back then, and it ended up being one of the best drama for me. I’m gonna put my trust in the production team and hopefully Hospital Playlist will become another crack drama for me.
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15 Mani-chan
March 21, 2020 at 7:24 AM
Finished watching Chief Kim and I really enjoyed it. It takes a few episodes to settle in the tone of the show but it's incredibly enjoyable.
Hyena: I love this show so damn much. I feel like it isn't getting the attention it deserves. I love Joo Ji Hoon in this and Kim Hye Soo is magnificent. This is her first drama that I have watched. I'm loving her. Also Kevin Woo, you're adorable
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Dorotka
March 21, 2020 at 7:56 AM
Chief Kim ❤
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Mani-chan
March 21, 2020 at 8:57 AM
Kevin Jung
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mrsdimple
March 21, 2020 at 9:05 AM
She’s amazing in Signal as well. Check that out.
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javinne
March 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM
Chief Kim!!!!!😍
It is such a good drama
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16 Nonso
March 21, 2020 at 8:03 AM
I'll Find You On A Beautiful Day
Hospital Playlist
Itaewon Class
*Just finished watching Because This Is My First Life
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17 Ruckus Likes Drama
March 21, 2020 at 8:04 AM
@missvictrix with regard to chocolate: I don’t know about tears but you are in for a beautiful ride. It will meander, it will be slow, it will follow what people in the chocolate world want to follow as characters and people and it will be beautiful.
I didn’t like the 16th episode but some people loved it. Some found episode 9 and 10 different (not in a nice way according to the comments) but I liked them. Once u finish up or maybe when u feel like being immersed in chocolate take time to read some comments in the reviews. Two people specially enriched my experience of it. I loved their take of it and interpretations of small actions.
Also, I couldn’t help but be a ML fan girl, his acting and his eyes! Maybe I said too much... happy to discuss more if you just want to step away from the real world and escape into the chocolate world of references and storytelling. It is not perfect but worth the ride.
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mmmmm
March 21, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Chocolate <3
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PYC
March 21, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Yup, Chocolate may not be for everyone but it is a very rewarding watch for me. If anything, the respite care is the central character of the drama and its heart and soul.
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18 shichybot
March 21, 2020 at 8:32 AM
When The Weather is fine ought to be renamed Seo Kang Joon is fine, because he totally is.
Hospital Playlist is an ensemble drama like the Reply Series and I am loving it. It reminds me of a novel, Doctors, by Eric Segal.
Looking forward to finishing Itaewon Class this weekend and picking up Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Hoping the tragedy in that drama makes the news seem better, OR, it may just set me up for a crying mode all week. Let’s see.
Oh looking forward to Jung Hae In’s drama and L’s cat drama, too. Maybe I won’t be crying. Hahaha!
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19 Blue (@mayhemf)
March 21, 2020 at 8:41 AM
I just want to say, am so thrilled to see Ju Ji-joon's face as the image for this weeks WWW!!
Loved him in Kingdom2 and Hyena!!
Also, enjoying Hospital Playlist.
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20 lately
March 21, 2020 at 9:00 AM
So, I've been an avid reader of this forum for about 2 years now, and I think now is the perfect time to say hi and thank you all for all your comments, thoughts and ideas. It is such a treat to read and get a new perspective on the dramas.
At the moment I am watching "when the weather is fine" and am loving the atmosphere and stolen glances, not so much the ppl, although it's financially necessary I guess.
Find me in your memory: I am here for Kim Dong Wook. I adored him and his acting in The Guest and would wish this to become a good drama over the next weeks...
And the other show I can't wait for is Hyena. They are on fire and I live for the chemistry. And the acting! All the small facial expressions, it takes double the time to watch it bc I am rewinding so much. Hoping the pacing can keep up and the "jealousy" trope doesn't become shallow.
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Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
March 21, 2020 at 9:05 AM
Welcome, Lately!!
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bbstl 🧹
March 21, 2020 at 10:25 AM
Welcome, lately! Glad you are here to add to our comments 😁
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mmmmm
March 21, 2020 at 10:33 AM
Giving you a warm welcome!
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Eazal
March 21, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Welcome and enjoy!
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 21, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Welcome!
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lately
March 21, 2020 at 11:18 AM
Thank you all so much for the warm welcome! Hope you stay well and healthy out there.
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21 Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
March 21, 2020 at 9:02 AM
Hi Beanies, I hope you all are safe and healthy!
I haven't written here for weeks, so I have a lot to say:
WATCHING:
- I'LL GO TO YOU WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE: I really love it! It's soothing, and I like how straightforward Ae-won is! Lee Jae-wook doesn't have a lot of scenes, but he's great.
- FIND ME IN YOUR MEMORY: I don't expect a masterpiece, but it's nice so far. The FL reminds me of Yoon-seo from Touch your heart, and even some sets seem to have been used before in that drama (her house, TV director's office, the alley).
COMPLETED
- THE GAME: TOWARDS ZERO: 5,5/10 - Mi-jin's arc was good, and the show was an easy watch, but there were lots of plot holes, and after the car explosion there were lots of ridiculous things (are Koreans made of asbestos?). The leads formed a nice couple.
Could anyone tell me how little Tae-pyoung flew from the USA to Korea?
- FIND YOURSELF: 7,5/10 - Thanks to advice on the fan wall, I tried this drama, and it was very good. It was my 3rd Cdrama, and the 1st I binge-watched. 41 episodes and no fillers! I liked the story addressed the way women in their 30's are seen by society and by themselves, and the final FL's choice. I loved her father and how supportive he was of her. I liked the way a family faced a terrible diagnose. It was very healty.
PRETTY NOONA WHO BUYS ME FOOD: 9/10 - A rewatch. I liked it more than the first time. Sure, the mum is still the character I despise the more among all I have met in dramas, and the problem of harassement on the workplace made me get angry again, but the second part wasn't as frustrating as I remembered. I think it's a very good slice of life drama. I liked the chemistry between the leads and loved the flawed Jin-a.
DROPPED
- YOUR FUKUBUKURO: probably I can't say I have dropped this drama, because I stopped it after only 12 minutes. The synopsis was somewhat fascinating, but the first story was a body-swap, not my cup of tea, and then, there was a bathroom scene, and I run away when I see them.
ON THE FENCE
- TURN LEFT, TURN RIGHT: a thai drama. I am drawn to stories about second chances, but the pilot was so-so. Probably I am out of target (it seems more like a teenager drama).
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22 nightmoon
March 21, 2020 at 9:33 AM
Currently Airing
NOBODY KNOWS: The 2nd episode picked up a bit near the end. Everyone is saying such good things about this drama, I’m probably just going to go ahead and do the $10 Viki membership again. So much for saving money. I only lasted about 3 months of this plan. And for some reason, I had access to all of their shows until last month. (ep. 2)
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23 welh
March 21, 2020 at 9:34 AM
HI BYE MAMA: In the episode 8 recap, I theorized how the drama could end. I like how Yuri knows her 49 days is a gift and not a new life so she does not want to hurt her family and friends.
BEAUTIFUL LOVE, WONDERFUL LIFE: (Nearing the End rant): I really do not think any of the main male leads should get relationship redemption.
#1. Cheong Ah spent her entire life on a guilt trip. She is now thrown into another one by Joo Hwi’s request that she leaves everything behind to join him in London. It was another rich, selfish request by an heir who is clueless to the feelings, family and career of a woman. Cheong Ah worked hard to get on her career path. She wants to be independent and prove her worth in society. She really does not match at all with Joo Hwi’s immaturity.
She actually matches best with Rim, but he was friend-zoned in hell for a long, long time. She should turn down Joo Hwi’s offer and remain where she is needed, serving the community (and saving that abused high school girl).
#2. Seol Ah never married for love but for status and wealth. She gave up her family for a rich stalker who was obsessed with possessing her. Even after the divorce, Jin Woo continues to pursue the same tactic - - he has to have her so no one else will. Seol Ah is happier back with her family and re-launching her career to go back to an abusive rich family. Though the “everyone will be happy ending” has started, this is a horrible pairing.
Tae Rang is playing the philosophical idiot. He broke off the relationship because his sister had hurt Cheong Ah to the point of suicide. But that abuse pales in comparison to Jin Woo and his family. Tae Rang is too weak for Seol Ah since he avoided fighting Jin Woo for her. At this point, Seol Ah deserves better than Jin Woo or Tae Rang.
Cheong Ah and Seol Ah should follow their mother’s character: a strong, independent woman who is in control of her situation.
The one pair that had a clean chance was Yeon Ah and Pa-Rang, who met at school but that story line fizzled out quickly as Seol Ah’s conflict became the main story line.
Movie: THE CLASSIC (2003): Son Ye Jin's performance was so much better in depth and emotion than the rest of the cast. No wonder she received the title of Queen of Melodramas.
Variety: Still churning out food porn surprises on FUN RESTAURANT.
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24 Beverly
March 21, 2020 at 9:36 AM
Itaewon Class: dropped, finally admitting it to myself. I might peek at the end, because I dont think I'll go back to it.
Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo: finished. Not for everyone, but I found it sweet and warm with a likable cast.
2gether series: slightly ridiculous but it makes me smile. Tine is....so dumb but I find i now have a lot of affection for him.
Best Mistake: this is a web series that Viki has. I found it pretty meh, but the ep lengths of around 8 to 10 min were working for me on that day. I'd say even with the length the pacing wasnt bad and it had some cute moments. I just wish they'd given us more of the best friend and the kid that had been arrested.
When the Weather is Nice: on ep 4. I really like it. The pace is actually working for me. Occasionally I do think the could cut down on the shots of people staring out windows. I'm not sure where they are going with the best friend but if they want me to give her a chance she has to stop interrupting the flirting.
The aunt is a trip and yesterday i read a comment about Lee Jae Wook's character and a possible romance and I read the name as the aunt's.....😳. But now I see that it must be the name of the shoe girl.
Love the color palette with all these soft neutrals with these random pops of color. Makes me wish for commentary from the set and wardrobe people for how they decided on it, like little sister running through in her bright pink coat. But those girls need to stop stealing even for a cause.
Next will be to catch up on Hi Bye Mama with maybe a stop at Have a Nice Dessert if I can find it.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 2:16 PM
I'm afraid I find 2Together boring and generic. I can't stand Tine and have no idea what Sarawat sees in him. And this week's episode of WhyRU was also a giant snoozefest despite Fight and Tutor's...um... culmination. I think I'd be happier if Thailand stopped pumping out quantity and went for quality instead.
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Beverly
March 21, 2020 at 3:28 PM
I can see that.
2gether if definitely a more YA type romance which i have a fondness for. Also, I like fake relationships and one that pines.
With Why R U I did find it a bit boring too. I feel like they missed a step. They were sort of dancing around each other one ep and now on a vacation together. When Fight kept pulling away I thought maybe he wasnt ready and thought that could be an interesting storyline. Men and young men are almost never depicted as not ready unless for laughs.
Do you read M/M ever? I hesitate to rec because I'd guess our taste are not too similar but if interested in a YA I'd rec Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. It got huge buzz so you might of read it already. I thought it was a beautiful book. I actually listened to it because it is narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda. He does a fantastic job, but I fell in love with the author's writing. I'd rewind just to listen to certain sentences again. It doesnt just deal with romance. I especially loved the development of the relationship with his father.
An adult book would be Charlie Adhara's Big Bad Wolf series. Yes, one is a werewolf. It is hard to describe because of paranormal they read as mystery/procedural books. The werewolf part is built very slowly. It is basically our world and you could almost take the wolf part out in the first book and it would make no difference. These are not closed door. I just thought of you because the two leads remind me a bit of Tharn and Type in their personalities.
I'm not sure why I'm throwing recs at you, but do you have a Thai drama you'd rec?
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 4:24 PM
I think I'd like 2Together better if I felt like they had a fake relationship. It just seems to be a gimmick.
The truth is, I regularly start to watch Thai BL and then I get Thai BL burnout over the shows being all the same and I take a BL break. TharnType brought me back but that ended up being shallow. I think I'm at the "these shows are all the same" point again and should take a break.
I might check out your book recs though. Reading a book might be good instead. Or maybe I should just write my own.
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 6:53 PM
rreally beautiful book. great for young people imo like im glad it was a YA!!
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 6:52 PM
gu90a8ugpi[oapgoipoughaijpo this is how i got into an argument with that [redacted user troll] but WOW I LOVE 2GETHRER TBQH
ifhsauogouhiiaghiogahoa "culmination" but wow any beanies watching BL we should...talk
that being said, tine and bright's rship is literally the last time i liked someone and i just want to say: men are dumb. i have no belief in asian bl dramas at all. fsr even though they had (whispers) the s word in why r u i am like damn this is.....idek. i feel nothing. it doesnt help they are all such bad actors.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 8:20 PM
I think it's time for my BL hiatus but I've written a LOT of words on BL over the last few months. Probably too many.
My problem with 2gether is just that it's generic. I actually think WhyRU is better but it feels like Fight and Tutor are in a completely different show. The tonal whiplash is crazy.
Still, I'll say this for both shows - there's no sexual violence in the OTPs and no stalking, harassment or abuse either.
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:33 PM
i have a tumblr for it lmao getting sucked into the tumblr BL world is easy. it's the fandom that has opened me up to even more cultures but damn....first of all the people can be very young or just at totally differentt points in their journey and it feels like BL fandom is just...behind? in that regard (like kpopand kdrama fands are a bit different. still messy but that's fandom. anyway i digress.) BL is always fun totalk about with people who know where you're coming from!!!!!!!! so i would love to see what you have to say.
content warning to whoever is going to read further, i'm going to discuss sexual violence...
in the book for 2gether, sarawat rapes tine. there's literally no other way around it. it's so ridiculous and just boundary crossing disgusting (these writers live on another PLANET, I SWEAR) that tine gets like physically ill. he gets a fever...like. lol kudos to the production team for leaving that out!!!! did you see DBK? i didnt watch MODC because i'm not a fan of watching 5 year olds kiss 30 yr olds but ANYWAYYYYYYYYYY ...bl is a fucking mess. the mmost interesting exhibition of transgressive work while still putting itself in gross white supremacist ideological gender, sexual, and racial boundaries.
i watch (and enjoy) both but they suffer from some really improbable shit. theplot of 2gether has got to be some...of the worst....like it's actually hilarious how stupid that plan is. still i like their chemistry!
also why r u is pretty funny (as funny as these shows get) but IA about tonal whiplash. i have so many complaints about BL tho. i feel like i should take it more seriously but i just can't while i try to match it up with the things i believe to be true. so i'm devaluing a huge market but at the same time this genre doesn't ask to be valued. like it deliberately makes the taboo accessible and such easy money—it's almost insulting.
amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:33 PM
wow long-ass comment my bee
Beverly
March 21, 2020 at 8:45 PM
@boughtabride that is distressing. I'm actually reading a ongoing translation of it right now. The translator does a chapter everday or so. I'm enjoying their comments to when it comes to anything that seems problematic. Lots of asides from them of this is wrong dont do it, or the book uses this but doesnt make it right. They even condensed a scene or conversation that they thought was problematic and too long. Not that I'm into censoring others work, but I'm enjoying their work and commentary on it. So interested to see what happens when we hit that part.
amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:53 PM
@bcampbell1662
that's good!!!! i didn't know that existed! someone did just their sex scene (well the "first sex scene") and that particular translator said "warning it could be considered dub con but it isn't [assault]" or somehting to that affect and i just. granted this is w*ttpad (LOL) but still. so many young women. i am glad there are writers putting that out there. if they must do author's notes which many do then why not. it's better to say it than leave it unsaid since so many people believe this behavior is up for debate and it is NOT!
are you liking it so far? i think the show skips over this or at least that's my understanding (read part of the chapter today and couldnt finish it cos woo it's messed up) but i think it happens before what friday's episode displayed! here's hoping!!!
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 9:21 PM
Anyway here's a link to one thing on my blog but there's more
http://invisibledragon.home.blog/2019/12/15/a-history-of-problematic-relationships/
BL is problematic as hell and the fact it's watched mostly by young girl is a problem.
Dear young girls: This behaviour is not okay.
amara
March 21, 2020 at 9:37 PM
ikr! and ty! i will check this out tomorrow! very excited. love me a good BL hot take/criticism
25 OldLawyer
March 21, 2020 at 11:23 AM
I’LL FIND YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY is back, and even better- Missvictrix is right: This may be a prefect show. There are people who claim that Park Min-young cannot act – In my opinion this show is proving them wrong.
HYENA- I have watched three episodes and it is dramatically good- but difficult for me to watch because the conduct of the female lead is utterly unethical- I am actually finding her disgusting- she should be disbarred. I am afraid that I may simply have to drop it because my visceral reaction to the female lead is spoiling my appreciation for the story.
We have continued to watch FOREST but the subtitles are still slow on Viki. The show is still a mess but we are close to the end.
We are also watching the T-drama rom-com THE WONDER WOMAN. It is good but subtitling is still slow on Viki for this one and it is only one episode per week.
We can watch HYENA and many other shows because Linda Palapala pointed out to me that these days Netflix is carrying a large portion of the better shows- and so I have subscribed. This has expanded our choices- there are some shows which I have wanted to see but had no access to until now. But it does have drawbacks: For instance we came up against Netflix’s bad habit of splitting shows into “seasons” while watching the Chinese comedy TRIAD PRINCESS (which is not even that good but we were enjoying it). My wife decided to try the English ‘Dubbing’ feature causing me to discover that I prefer that my Chinese characters actually sound Chinese. Even with these drawbacks I have concluded that Netflix is still worth it simply because it has a lot of shows.
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OldLawyer
March 21, 2020 at 11:36 AM
I forgot to mention that we are also watching HOSPITAL PLAYLIST- which is good.
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tsutsuloo
March 21, 2020 at 12:29 PM
And the irony of watching Chinese dramas is that we often don't get to hear actors speaking in their own voices. (It's a shame because my favorite actors have delicious voices. It's a treat to experience the totality of their performance.)
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OldLawyer
March 21, 2020 at 5:11 PM
I completely agree with you about that. When he was in High School we had our son learn Mandarin rather than French or Spanish (although Spanish in particular is a truly lovely language) . As an indirect result I came to appreciate the sound of the language and even more so when it is sung- One of the very few places where C-dramas exceed K-dramas is in the songs that are found in the soundtracks.
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:54 PM
best decision ever i wish i never learned french lol but here i am....and it isnt helpful!!!! mandarin is so beautiful
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mmmmm
March 21, 2020 at 12:31 PM
I agree that Netflix is so good. I got to see so many good shows and I think that they are quite good at picking the good ones to be on their site.
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OldLawyer
March 22, 2020 at 3:23 PM
You are right about Netflix's ability to identify good shows- I give them real credit for that.
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26 beffels
March 21, 2020 at 11:34 AM
I’m watching Wok of Love which I’ve been enjoying so far - the leads are great and the silliness is fun. I’m really not up for anything too serious at the moment!
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 2:06 PM
I really enjoyed this show when it was airing.
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beffels
March 21, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Also continuing to watch Goblin with the husband. It is....slow going. Particularly because he’d rather be gaming. Not looking forward to when the remake of Final Fantasy 7 is released - I will not be able to compete 😄
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27 mmmmm
March 21, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Just before I go to bed:
Finished :
1. Kingdom SS1-SS2 - I felt exhausted after watching those two seasons. I totally agree with one beanie's comment: it's exhausting just by watching all that running! In terms of plot, I don't think the plot is that gripping, but somehow the cinematography and the zombies' make-up and acting made it work. I said that my younger sister that the ML is blessed: his fame skyrocketed from Goong (Princess Hour) years ago and now he appears again (quite out of nowhere) in Kingdom which is a total hit in my country.
2. Arrietty: This is an anime from Studio Ghibli. I am not a person who is into anime, but I tried this one on Netflix (yeah!) and it was just so good! Non-toxic anime with a lot of beautiful songs and lovely drawing. Highly recommended if you want to watch something so light and mind-soothing!
3. My Neighbor Totoro: Again, an anime from Studio Ghibli on Netflix. It was lovely, but I like Arrietty much better.
4. Hospital Playlist: LOVE the first episode. I haven't watched this PD's and this writer's work before (I guess), but after a while I began to see the charm of their work. It's just a bit different. Anyway, this makes me want to watch Reply series.
5. Hi, Bye Mama!: I put this one on hold for the sole reason of not having the right feeling. I think I'll come back to this for sure, but I just don't know when.
To-watch List:
OH SO MANY - This include, among others, Be Melodramatic, The Light in Your Eyes, Reply 1988 (the year in which I was born) and Spirited Away (a Studio Ghibli one very successful anime.)
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Fly Colours
March 21, 2020 at 1:48 PM
I see what you mean by not enjoying Totoro so much. I felt totally charmed by it, but it is meant for younger children than Arriety. If you enjoyed Arriety, you might also enjoy Marnie. There are also Ghibli's Spirited Away and Howl's moving castle, which are meant for older kids and have more complex stories. I love Ponyo, because it is a feast for the eyes, but, again, the story might be a bit simple...
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mmmmm
March 21, 2020 at 5:48 PM
Oh thanks for the clarification! I never really knew, and not know even now, which ones are for younger or which ones for older kids. Maybe that explains why I like some more than the others.
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Fly Colours
March 22, 2020 at 1:23 AM
Well, @mmmmm, this is just my personal theory, I don't know if there's an official classification by age groups, but I hope this helps! I've seen most of these films as a grown up viewer, and then as a mom in company of my kids, and very quickly realized that some of the movies were too much for them when they were smaller, and nowadays they enjoy more others instead. It's just that some of the movies have simpler stories and leave out lovelines and "complicated" stuff (misunderstandings, time jumps, etc) because they are meant for a younger audience... Nevertheless, all of these Ghibli Studio movies are amazing and stories tackle difficult issues in smart ways (becoming an independent adult, environmental issues, a parent's disease in Totoro, etc), and they have so much more: a layer of magic Japanese folklore, strong female characters, grey characters, character development, and plus they are totally gorgeous! For me, that's their magic: they don't dumb down for small children to enjoy them
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welh
March 22, 2020 at 5:05 AM
Miyazaki does not create specific movies for age groups. He creates stories based upon his observation and imagination. With Spirited Away, his observations of his rebellious granddaughter inspired the character Sen, a school girl trapped in the spirit bath house. Like Walt Disney, and later Pixar, great animators create films that work for both children and their parents at different levels at the same time.
OldLawyer
March 22, 2020 at 3:26 PM
We have a half dozen of Miyazaki,s movies on DVD including SPIRITED AWAY and PRINCESS MONONOKE. Miyazaki is a genius.
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28 ar_arguably romantic
March 21, 2020 at 1:42 PM
Glad to see the mentions of Extraordinary You and Chocolate - part of one of my more active periods of kdrama watching. I've slowed down on the kdrama watching recently even though there are a couple of recently aired and currently airing ones that sound interesting.
Kingdom Season 2: I had been looking forward this for a while, but also felt hesitant to watch it given how there is also a real life virus devastating the world. Glad I watched it. The zombie hordes did get a bit boring to watch sometimes, but I enjoyed learning more about the zombie plague. I still can't believe how Beom Pal managed to survive through season 2. Too much blood and gore for me, but the drama is still a beautiful thing to watch.
Under The Power (chinese drama up to ep 24): It has a lot of elements that I like. Picked it up since I like Tang Song Yun and the male lead reminds me a bit of D.O. It is a costume drama (Ming dynasty), a rom-com, and a crime-solving/mystery. Great intro and outro songs. The production value is mediocre and it is terrible with the green-screening (thankfully, it is rarely used). A bit corny. Characters are interesting and likable for the most part. Story is okay. Just something I happen to find fun, frivolous, and thoroughly enjoyable.
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29 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM
I am off hiatus and celebrated by binging Before We Get Married. And now for my PMO (Patented Minority Opinion). I was told that the first three or four episodes of this were rough but that it improved after that. I, however, found the first three or four episodes interesting and different and everything after that too much of a standard Taiwanese romcom.*
*this comes with a disclaimer about THAT SCENE in the first episode that I really don't know what to make of. I really don't. It's bizarre. It doesn't fit the script, the characters, the show's themes. What even is that?
Anyway, I found the show frustrating as anything. And it's the same reason I find 90% of Taiwanese dramas frustrating. There was a really fantastic and intelligent show in here but they just didn't know how to write it without all the standard tropes. The story of two suffocated people who realise they want freedom is a really good one. A really good one. But the execution was terrible.
I'll say this about Puff Gao and Jasper Liu though - they were both good and they have great chemistry. In fact, it was their chemistry in that show I can't remember the name of that has 'Love' in it (not narrowing it down) that was the reason I picked this up in the first place.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 2:04 PM
I finally had the courage to pick up The Memorist because of YSH aka THE SUN. And... gosh it's boring, guys. It's BORING. How can this show be so boring? It's all torture porn of women and a so-called squishy lead who keeps punching old men in the face. It's so full of cliches I wanted to start a game of bingo. And it's also dark - so dark you often can't see what's even happening on screen.
It has a fantastic strong capable female lead and YSH is THE SUN and I want to like it. I want to. But watching three episodes of this mostly resulted in the vegetable lasagne I got around to cooking while it was on. I haven't dropped it yet but I'm really close.
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amruta1009
March 21, 2020 at 2:49 PM
I have some of the same complaints. I was actually expecting this drama to not be a heavy watch that too right at the very first episode. But like you said it's boring most of the time. I didn't care about the case cause focus on voilence against women (such things I really dislike). It's too dark to see which crime dramas tend to do a lot (again something I dislike). And I had a feeling (more like hoped) even before I watched the first episode that the FL was going to be interesting which she is. But some stuff I just can't handle.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 5:52 PM
@leetennant Re Memorist - you lasted longer than I did anyway. I didn't make it thru the 1st episode.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 6:05 PM
If it didn't have YSH in it, I wouldn't have started it and I certainly wouldn't still be watching it. I do trust his drama choices so I'm hoping there's something in here we haven't seen yet. Anyway, I haven't dropped it yet. But if it doesn't get better in 5/6 I'll be out for sure.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 6:13 PM
Re cliches: What's the difference between a trope and a cliche? All dramas have tropes but if they're overdone and handled badly they become cliches.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 6:19 PM
Yes tropes by themselves aren't bad, everything has tropes. If a show uses tropes well it can actually elevate it. It only becomes a cliche if it's overdone or used badly.
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beffels
March 21, 2020 at 2:57 PM
I’m really curious about what THAT scene is now 😅 I’ve heard absolutely nothing about this.
I started out watching Taiwanese romcoms before I made my way to kdramas and I’m not sure I can go back.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 3:17 PM
😂 THAT scene is one where he tricks her into coming to some kind of hookup party and he "wins" a night with her. And then when she tries to run away he pursues her and handcuffs her to a bed in some kind of bondage room. Basically she believes for a good 20 minutes or so that he is going to rape her. This is then treated in the second episode as if it was a consensual incident that she regrets and would rather forget. Rather than a truly terrifying attempted rape.
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beffels
March 21, 2020 at 5:50 PM
Yikes
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:56 PM
u no i dont believe in unprompted violence but...
hm
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OldLawyer
March 21, 2020 at 5:16 PM
I too started with T-dramas. Good news: The Taiwanese are coming back. For a great slice of life family drama (that does NOT take half a year) you could watch YONG-JIU GROCERY STORE. For a good rom-com the currently airing WONDER WOMAN is very good.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 5:19 PM
I mean... Someday or One Day is already the best drama of the year and I doubt it will be topped. There is definitely a change going on in Taiwan.
My problem with Before We Get Married was the way in which it promised to be different. It was a potential it didn't fulfil. If I'd gone in with less expectations I would have enjoyed it more.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 5:35 PM
Question: I don't remember whether or not you watched Yong-Ju Grocery. It was probably the 2nd best of the last year or so. But still, Someday or One Day pretty much is 10 times better than anything else. I keep wondering, what happened?? Is it like everything else in life, happens only once in a lifetime. You know, kind of like how Mozart was once in a lifetime. Poor Salieri.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 5:47 PM
I haven't seen Grocery yet. It's on my list.
I think Someday is what happens when a writer has a vision and by some kind of miracle nobody interferes with it (I mean maybe a bit at the end imho but it didn't ruin it).
They managed to cast the right actors without somebody insisting on an Idol or a Big Star. They got the right episode count without somebody trying to extend it or cut it. They got to lay out their plot without somebody messing with it. It's one in a million.
OldLawyer
March 21, 2020 at 6:39 PM
I am planning on watching SOMEDAY OR ONE DAY - but have not done so yet.. I watched YONG-JIU GROCERY STORE twice, it was that good.
As for Salieri- do not believe what you see in the movie AMADEUS. Salieri was no hack- nor is he forgotten - some of his operas are still performed and I have listened to a recording of a piano concerto by him- which was written when Beethoven was three years old but sounds a lot like Beethoven. Which makes sense because Beethoven was one of Salieri's students. Salieri was probably the greatest music composition teacher of all time- his real triumph was in his students like Beethoven and Schubert (and maybe even a then very young Franz Liszt). AMADEUS was based upon a story by the Russian Poet/writer Alexander Pushkin- who took a LOT of artistic license with his story.
Did Salieri's students surpass him- absolutely and no one would have been more pleased at that than Salieri himself.
Salieri was a great and generous man- he deserves to be remembered in a much different way. Although Mr. Abraham did a fabulous job with that role.
Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 6:49 PM
@oldawyer I study and play lots of Mozart sonatas. He's (was) a genius. Took the sonata form (trope) and turned his compositions, esp for orchestra, into music that brings you to tears it's so gorgeous. Right now I'm playing Elvira Madigan, simply gorgeous. My favorite concerto is No 21 in d minor. Had to learn it in college.
amara
March 21, 2020 at 7:16 PM
love triangle (squints) but it sounds ok...hm
Beverly
March 21, 2020 at 5:42 PM
Dont go back for that one. It mostly just treads water.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Sorry, I've already patented PMO. Again, you lasted longer than I did with Before We Get Married. They only just teased us. The hottest part was the opening sequence and that was it. Puff Gao and Jasper Liu were in Love Myself or You, which I've not watched since I'm tired of standard romcoms. She was also in Bloody Romance, which I like to watch when I'm in the mood to watch something sadistic.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 6:01 PM
But forgot to say I loved the OST in Bloody Romance, esp when it's sung by Qu Chu Xiao.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 6:11 PM
Oh "Love Myself or You" was the show with Love in it that I couldn't remember the name of. They had good chemistry in that too, not that it mattered because 90% of that show was a grind.
Yes part of my problem with BWGM was that they were trying to make a show about infidelity while pretending the female lead wasn't cheating. It was extremely frustrating.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 6:56 PM
And I thought they were only making a drama to showcase Puff Gao's sex appeal. (I'd read somewhere she's considered one of the most beautiful actresses in Taiwan (really??). She displayed more of that in Bloody Romance.
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30 Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 3:09 PM
Just so everybody knows: I do not like Park Bo Gum in any way, shape or form, not his looks, not his smile, not his acting. But that scene was pretty cute. No 2nd season please.
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OldLawyer
March 21, 2020 at 5:17 PM
As you know, to many Beanies your words are near sacrilege - but I am not a fan either.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 5:33 PM
I knew there had to be at least two of us...
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egads
March 21, 2020 at 6:55 PM
He's fine. I neither worship nor dislike him.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 8:08 PM
You mean there's something you're actually neutral about?
kiara
March 21, 2020 at 5:46 PM
I'm not drawn to his acting or looks but I loved him in "Hyori's Homestay." Something about winter blues and discovering new food. Spring rolls being his favorite also became one of mine. I didn't think it was so easy to make and veggies never tasted so good 😋.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 5:53 PM
Spring rolls - added to my grocery list since restaurants are all closed. Are we all learning how to cook now?
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kiara
March 21, 2020 at 6:00 PM
For me it's more to do with having the time to cook. I don't like making food in a hurry nor do I like eating in a hurry.
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egads
March 21, 2020 at 6:58 PM
No takeout? Most of the restaurants here are doing pick up and/or delivery. My favorite place is in a former Taco Bell building so they have a drive through window, and they are using very much to their advantage. Plus, they are giving free lunches to the school kids who depend on lunch subsidies.
I'll pick you up some spring rolls.
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 8:07 PM
Thanks! The mail's still running..
I haven't been out so don't know what take out places are still open.
Beverly
March 21, 2020 at 6:02 PM
Yes! I watched those eps and the way he chowed down on them. Mine are not authentic or pretty. Basically a little cooked chicken and shredded vegetables and greens. Whatever takes my fancy or what I find washed and shredded in the store. Sometimes I add kimchi and usually dip in a little soy sauce. 🤷♀️
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Linda Palapala
March 21, 2020 at 6:05 PM
Although if there's a 2nd season and it's a love triangle between her, the cook (PBG) and her gay worker, um, that might be fun.
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 6:49 PM
me neither :)
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bong-soo
March 21, 2020 at 8:45 PM
Aw c’mon @linda-palapala. Maybe this will soften you up a little towards PBG. I have only seen him in one drama- HELLO MONSTER/I REMEMBER YOU. I am looking forward to his IC cameo.
However he is in my all time favorite wrap up cast party picture which is from IRY. Here is adult Min/child Min; Park Bo-gum/Hong Hyun-taek:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAzRpkvNdQr/
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javinne
March 22, 2020 at 7:04 AM
What scene???? Tell me so that I can judge. I like him but I am not crazy about him.
Is he in a recent-airing drama????
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bong-soo
March 22, 2020 at 12:33 PM
PBG made a cameo appearance in the final episode of ITAEWON CLASS which aired yesterday.
I haven’t seen it yet. I will watch episodes 15 and 16 tonight.
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javinne
March 22, 2020 at 1:51 PM
Ohhh, i see... I haven't had any interest in Itawon class.
Hum...
Don't think I will start with PGB.
But thanks for your answer.
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31 amara
March 21, 2020 at 6:48 PM
im BORED~~~!!!
kingdom 2: good
nobody knows: good
tell me what you saw: girl...
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM
(me coming in on my high horse) why is the age difference so...big in find me in your memory. i love KSG sfm. like why am i here what am i doing
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egads
March 21, 2020 at 7:00 PM
I'm enjoying Hyena, and trying to catch up, but tomorrow is Kingdom 2 day for me. Bonus, apparently my husband doesn't like zombies, so he leaves the room. (Too much togetherness is not good for a relationship)
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 7:06 PM
i was thinking of you when i read this thing about couples in china spending too much time together because of This Thing. i guess since i've been alone for so long and i'm quite solitary i am not used to people being around all the time, what seems like it could be romantic isn't to like...normal people with normal lives. LOL
it's SOOOOOOOOO GOOOD (s2) im honestly surprised! and even if there's no 3rd season, it's a good time. the 6 eps go by quickly ;;--;
i would try hyena but i feel like it'd be so difficult. joo jihoon is doing so well these days, good for him!
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egads
March 21, 2020 at 7:28 PM
Joo Ji-hoon is doing great, and really really like him in Hyena. I might cap my JJH weekend with one of the Along With the Gods films, just to bask in the glory of his spectacular afterlife coat. If there really is an afterlife, I want to be a reaper with an amazing coat. Do we get to choose?
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 8:15 PM
I'm not watching it because of the age difference. I think it's creepy and gross.
*Pauses in anticipation of the meltdown over me saying this*
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:17 PM
lmao you already know you get a [x74647924284024794208] from me. by "what are we doing here" i meant "why are we in this reality where this continues to be acceptable and must we be subject to it????? WHEN WILL THE TERROR END?" a solid no from us!!!!
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amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:20 PM
also like not to be mean cos gen xers rule!! ....but i would like to know what millenials these writers are hanging out with like sorry to break it to u but im not looking for a Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks!
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
March 21, 2020 at 8:24 PM
I don't know what's happening with dramas this year. The creepy age gaps, the power imbalances in the OTP. 2019 was way better. 2020 is the year of creepy old guys and young girls.
amara
March 21, 2020 at 8:35 PM
plot twist: rona rly was a government plan alllll along so patri-terror could continue whilst we are too weak to complain
32 Meheartisamusicbox
March 22, 2020 at 1:59 AM
The Cursed - 7. Completed. Unfortunate that by last ep I was not really paying that much attention as I used to in the earlier ones.
Hi Bye Mama - Haven't gotten into the latest ep yet but I am loving it so far.
Tell Me What You Saw - I am lagging 3 eps now. Will keep up soon.
Hyena - Love this one to bits. Binge watched to latest ep and can't enough of the duo. Love love love.
Hospital Playlist - 8. Currently ep 2 is on repeat. It's hard for me to remember names normally. But the new faces and their names, I got them planted in my brain now, phew! I am intrigued with the guessing game, the puzzle that are the minds of the pd-writer duo. Off to next week ep.!
Secret Forest/Stranger - 8. Binge watching now and just completed ep 6. This is really a good one. Should have started earlier on.
In restricted movement order for now, I think I need to catch up on my reading as well. Keep healthy and safe everyone!
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33 lillamy
March 22, 2020 at 8:43 AM
Hi Beanies! Hope you're holding up what with the virus madness going on and all. My whole family has been down with flu of unknown origin since a week and a half, we are all slowly growing more healthy and more tired of each others company.
To counter this, I started watching Are you human too? and loved the first couple of episodes and the amazing Shinbot. Unfortunately, I think the series fell apart as ComaShin woke up with his increasingly volatile and violent behavior. So in the end, I quit with three episodes left and read the recaps instead. Bless you, beanies and your lovely discussions. Actor Seo Kang Joon did an awesome performance as the two Shins.
I also started watching The Untamed. Not quite sure how I feel about it yet. The introductions very too hastened, there are so many characters at play throughout the story so showcasing them all in the first 15 episodes felt rushed and unnecessary.
And then there's my guilty pleasure, This Guy Is The Biggest Mistake of My Life It's absolutely absurd, but oh so funny and the male actor is totally committed. It may go even more bonkers, but I'm in for the ride!
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Linda Palapala
March 22, 2020 at 3:57 PM
Re Untamed: Don't worry, some of the many characters don't last very long. The real story begins now. (ep 15) They'll basically be down to 4 clans/sects (and I don't think that's spoilerish.).
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lillamy
March 25, 2020 at 11:06 AM
I've read the novel so thankfully I'm not confused. The problem lies more in the fact that I am very acquainted with the novel and so am very aware that they don't belong in that segment of the story. So looking at you, Xue Yang and Jin GuangYao.
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Linda Palapala
March 25, 2020 at 12:06 PM
There are always changes to any drama/tv show/movie based on books. Has to be that way because visual stories have to be told a bit differently of course (I know you already know this!). Usually I don't like the changes, but I thought he did a good job with the Untamed changes, at least I was satisfied - and it's really hard to satisfy my usual purist tastes!
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34 beesgiggle
March 22, 2020 at 9:22 AM
*cracks knuckles* I haven't watched this many dramas at the same time since 2017 and I'm excited!
When the Weather is Fine - How to begin with this drama? I love how direct Hae Won is with her feelings towards people and honest with them too - kind of refreshing to see someone so straight to the point but not rude? Hoping Eun Seob won't chicken out with her confession, but I have a feeling he will! There's something about this drama that's just so heartwarming, I don't mind that it's a slow quiet drama.
Find Me in Your Memory - I'm not totally hooked yet, but I'm intrigued so I'll give it a few more episodes. I'm interested in his condition, and how it's going to play out with hers. From the tone of the story, it doesn't seem lighthearted, when I'm wishing it is. We'll see. We'll see.
Memorist - I'm excited to see YSH every week! I'm just waiting for him and Lee Se Young to officially team up because I feel like they'd be more efficient if they just used their abilities together. Definitely bingeable, if I didn't live-watch it!
Hospital Playlist - Gotta be honest, I liked the first episode than the second one. But still enjoyed it overall. I know there's a love triangle looming around ala Answer Me, and although I'd be okay with it, I think I'd happy just seeing these 5 friend survive the hospital life together. I want to watch Smart Prison Living because of this!
Queen: Love and War - BINGED AND DONE - Pleasantly surprised with this actually, haven't heard a lot about this drama - mostly I feel because it got drowned in all the CLOY love when it aired. Happy to report that I actually like the politics here, because we finally have a capable and smart king on the helm, at the same time very devoted to his Eun Ki. Didn't care for the rebellion part much, mostly because I loved the king already - but still happy overall. I'm looking forward to Kim Min Kyu's future dramas now!
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bong-soo
March 22, 2020 at 3:42 PM
@beesgiggle,
I enjoyed QUEEN: LOVE AND WAR also. There were a few of us watching and @lordcobol actually awarded it a 7.0 which I think is on mark.
A couple thoughts. Q: L&W aired on a small cable network TV Chosun on S/S at 10.50 pm. It’s raitings were a bit better than GRAND PRINCE. Some beanies might have been sageuked out by the time Q: L&W began airing last December. 2019 was a fantastic sageuk year.
Perhaps if Q: L&W had been held back to now it might have gained more attention here. I agree with your comment about Kim Min-kyu.
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beesgiggle
March 22, 2020 at 10:56 PM
Totally agree. I feel like if this aired on KBS, it would have gained more attention. I was 6% ratings (for the last episode) on one of the news sites I looked at and that's not bad at all for a cable drama!
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beesgiggle
March 22, 2020 at 10:58 PM
*it has (sorry for the typo!)
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35 Bob
March 22, 2020 at 11:08 AM
I went back to 2013 for a new (old) drama to watch. 'Secret' (alt title: Secret Love). I had heard the series discussed on the Dramas Over Flowers podcast some time back and always wanted to pick it up. Also, I'm a sucker for old series that Lee Da-hee was in, even if its just minor roles.
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36 kiara
March 22, 2020 at 3:23 PM
Netflix "Rise of Empires: Ottoman"
Now that satisfied my history/sageuk cravings for a little while.
I love the similarities in beliefs when it comes to astronomy and prophesies in the 15th century. People took it seriously while we roll our eyes.
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37 lexyk
March 22, 2020 at 4:36 PM
Hotel Del Luna: finished it this week and I liked the end, which I was a bit apprehensive abt. I think the Hong Sis did a very good job. It was a good drama. I loved the creativity and how it made me think abt life, death, life after death and forgiveness. IU is definitely among my top 3 favorite actress. She is good.
When the weather is fine: still enjoying this the most and trying hard to fill the time in btw episodes. Nxt week will hopefully delve a bit more onto Eun seop life and the mystery behind his sad eyes.
Black dog: with much more time on my hands these days I decided to catch up on the dramas I really did want to watch but couldn't. This was on my list because of Seo Hyun Jin, my girl. But after watching ep 1 and 2, I think am just not in the mood to enjoy it. Not really understanding the educational system in SK doesn't help: prep school, quotas, academy, etc... jargons am not at all familiar with. It looked like a good drama tho, with top notch quality and ofc very good acting. It's just not my cup of tea right now.
Itaewon class: mid-episode 3 and can't seem to be able to pick it up again. I'll finish this episode and if I still feel that way, i'll just drop it.
Chocolate: started this and liked ep 1 and 2. Had some reserves because I have a bit of hard time with Ha Ji Won, but so far so good!
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38 Frances
March 22, 2020 at 10:46 PM
I finished 2nd season of Kingdom!
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39 PakalanaPikake
March 23, 2020 at 1:57 AM
Beware of Spoilers and Rampant Speculation
Part 1 of 3
How did I end up live-watching so many dramas? Another 4 shows are coming down the pike this coming week. When it rains, it pours.
HOSPITAL PLAYLIST
I was sold with the first episode, and love the main cast to bits. I’m a sucker for old buddies who know each other’s foibles and wouldn’t have it any other way. Nothing says “I love you” like mercilessly busting each other’s chops. This is the first time I’ve encountered a chaebol heir who is broke who hasn’t been disinherited. Has Mom made all her kids take a vow of poverty or something?!
HYENA
The early release of Geum-ja’s adoptive father from jail casts a pall over this weeks’ episodes. We finally get a good look at the formative events that have made her the no-holds-barred scrapper of Song & Kim. An unexpected source spills the beans to Hee-jae. Ms. Kim Min-joo returns from exile and assigns Geum-ja and Hee-jae and their teams to the acquisition of a pharmaceutical company with a single discredited prescription drug in its portfolio. Hee-jae settles the hash of rival lawyer Ma along with a beef between the fathers of two antagonistic chaebol schoolboys, while winning back a former client – and apprising him of the risk his son’s nasty attitude towards his driver poses to Dad’s corporation. (Sheesh, the same general theme of bullying has been playing out this week in NOBODY KNOWS, too.) With the arrival of a sexy, loaded Korean-American Wall Street M&A wizard as Ms. Kim’s client, Hee-jae turns into a green-eyed monster. Geum-ja has the time of her life yanking his chain.
I'LL FIND YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY / WHEN THE WEATHER IS FINE
I still can’t figure out what’s going on with Hae-won’s mother and aunt. I half expect to find out that Mom had twins but could only keep one – and the other was adopted by another family. One guess as to the identity of the long-lost sibling. Another possibility: that Hae-won is actually auntie’s child, born out of wedlock and raised by her married unnie. With all the veiled references to Eun-seob, I get the feeling there’s a birth secret, and that he knows what it is, but Hae-won does not. Or maybe he doesn’t really know the truth, either. – Or maybe there’s no secret, and I’m just hallucinating.
Hae-won was really getting on my nerves with her coldly judgmental attitude towards Kim Bo-young. She was practically channeling her cold, unsympathetic mother and aunt, and it alienated me. Thus I was glad when she thawed out a bit at the joint high school reunion when she reconnected with class hearttrob Oh Young-woo. That showed an unexpected side of her.
- Continued -
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PakalanaPikake
March 23, 2020 at 2:02 AM
Beware of Spoilers and Rampant Speculation
Part 2 of 3
KINGDOM 2
I finished it at a relatively leisurely pace a few days after its release, and totally enjoyed it. Yes, the zombies are scary, and are changing, too. Doc Seo-bi relentlessly continues her studies as our heroes get a handle on the monsters’ altered behavior. (I’m reminded of rodents infested with parasites that cause them to be easily caught by predators – the next vector in the parasites’ reproductive cycle.) Lee Chang Seja and his supporters do not escape unscathed, but neither do the baddies. As I suspected, the most vulnerable subjects had been mercilessly exploited 3 years earlier. Fans of WHEN THE CAMELLIA BLOOMS will be tickled to see a certain little slugger in the season 2 cast. ;-)
Truth to tell, several of the episodes seemed very short. Perhaps that’s because of watching episodes of CRASH LANDING ON YOU that ran for close to 90 minutes. It has been frustrating to wait so long between installments. I would have much preferred KINGDOM to be released all in one shot like any other Kdrama instead of being chopped into pseudo-seasons. On the other hand, Writer-nim has been trying to get it filmed since 2011, and Netflix offered artistic freedom unavailable even on Korean cable TV. So overall I’m thankful that they were willing to bankroll the show. The production values are top-notch, as is the cast. The story is riveting, and I really cannot tell how it’s going to end. Sitting on the edge of my seat for the next year+ is going to be torture – but better than being bitten by Joseon zombies. Here’s Lee Chang’s take on KINGDOM and life imitating art:
https://www.soompi.com/article/1389403wpp/joo-ji-hoon-shares-opinion-on-his-kingdom-characters-fate-concerns-about-covid-19-and-more
MEMOIR OF THE MAN – premiered 3/18
I’m tuning in for Kim Dong-wook, whom I’ve loved since watching COFFEE PRINCE as one of my first non-sageuks about 5 years ago. Alas, I was so traumatized by THE GREAT SEDUCER that I cannot forget Mun Ga-young’s odious character in that show, and I’m experiencing severe knee-jerk reactions to her ditzy actress character in this drama. Her chirpy “What, me worry” attitude towards her scandals that involve innocent third parties exacerbates my alienation. [Tip of the hat to St. Alfred E. Neuman the Beatific.] Here’s hoping I develop amnesia so I can give the actress a fair shake. It’s rare that I have such a reaction, and this one came completely out of left field.
NOBODY KNOWS
Baek Sang-ho scares the heck out of me. The way he waits like a vulture for Eun-ho to wake up creeps me out. Where the heck did Eun-ho’s school bag go? The last time I noticed, that’s where the New Life Gospel given to him by the man he saved was stashed. I can just imagine how the secret slush-fund ledger is encoded chapter and verse.
- Continued -
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FlyingTool
March 23, 2020 at 4:21 PM
“St. Alfred E. Neuman the Beatific”
Wonderful! Yes!
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PakalanaPikake
March 23, 2020 at 2:06 AM
Beware of Spoilers and Rampant Speculation
Part 3 of 3
Upcoming Premieres:
365: REPEAT THE YEAR aka 365: 1 YEAR AGAINST DESTINY / 365: ONE YEAR AGAINST DESTINY / 365: A YEAR OF DEFYING FATE – 3/23
Lee Joon-hyuk 1984 leads a dandy cast of veteran actors, including Yun Ju-sang, Yang Dong-geun, Jung Min-sung, Jun Suk-ho, and Nam Ji-hyun, plus Min Do-hee. This sounds like GROUNDHOG YEAR, with more to the temporal do-overs than meets the eye.
A PIECE OF YOUR MIND / HALF AND HALF – 3/23
I’ve had this drama confused with MEMOIR OF THE MAN / FIND ME IN YOUR MEMORY. Kdramaland, your sound-alike titles are killing me.
I was tickled to see that director Lee Sang-yeob, who co-directed my gold-standard sageuk, THE KING'S DAUGHTER, SOO BAEK HYANG, has Chae Soo-bin (Ga-ryung of REBEL: THIEF WHO STOLE THE PEOPLE) in his followup to MY HOLO LOVE. Scriptwriter Lee Sook-yun penned several older films that I've seen: ONE FINE SPRING DAY, APRIL SNOW, and THE SWORD WITH NO NAME – plus more recent drama ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT, which I haven't. TKDSBH was such a touching and visually pleasing drama with a dandy ensemble cast that I'm looking forward to this show.
WELCOME / MEOW, THE SECRET BOY – 3/25
L trades in his angel wings for kitty whiskers. Here’s hoping he earns his Little Friskies. And doesn’t shed or sharpen his claws on the furniture. ;-)
YOOBYEOLNA! CHEF MOON / UNIQUE! CHEF MOON – 3/27
Looking forward to seeing Eric cooking up a storm in his first drama since OH HAE-YOUNG AGAIN. It was great fun watching him in THREE MEALS A DAY, and I’m hoping for more of the same.
-30-
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40 신류지
March 23, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Raise your hand if you were severely and majorly disappointed by Itaewon Class’ ending:
_*raises enough hands for an entire audience*_
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