My Fair Lady: Episode 16 (Final)

260 October 8, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

Oh my gosh, this was one of the worst finales I’ve ever seen. I’ve been leaving room for the drama to upswing at the eleventh hour, but now that it’s over I can say with certainty that this is a gross disappointment. I can’t say it’s the worst last episode EVER (because there are many dramas I have never seen finale episodes for, of course), but certainly one of the most disjointed, nonsensical, pointless finales I’ve actually watched. It’s as bad as Witch Amusement for weirdness — but maybe even worse because at least Witch Amusement‘s finale was amusing to watch.

SONG OF THE DAY

My Fair Lady OST – “I Love You” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 16 RECAP (FINAL) (thank goodness)

Grandpa Kang comes home from the hospital, and Hae-na devotes herself to caring for him. Life returns to normalcy, as Hae-na admits in a letter that she writes to Dong-chan, “Nothing has changed. Except for you, everything is the same.”

She says she’s doing well and wonders how he is. She writes, “When I miss you, I imagine that you’re with me.” As she goes about her daily business, she imagines that Dong-chan is still around, nagging her and acting as her butler. “I miss you. I can’t help missing you.”

However, she doesn’t actually mail the letter, because the housekeeper later finds it crumpled and discarded.

Dong-chan, meanwhile, is back at the flower shop. Eui-joo gives him the news that the chairman left the hospital. Although he is relieved that this is a sign of improvement, Eui-joo says it’s more that he’s given up on treatment.

The directors all know the end is near, as they hint in a meeting held at the mansion. Hae-na has taken reins of the company temporarily, and counters their insinuations of the chairman’s failing health by saying that he’s well. (They all know the truth, but there’s an usavory eagerness to see him kick the bucket and vacate his spot.)

Tomorrow is Hae-na’s birthday, and Hae-na goes out for a walk along a bamboo-lined trail with her grandfather. As she steps aside to retrieve drinks, Dong-chan arrives. He has been directed here by Woo-sung, who wants to “repay his debt” by bringing him to Hae-na.

The meeting is awkward, and Grandpa’s demeanor stern. Dong-chan says that he didn’t plan this meeting, but now that he’s here, he has something he’d like to say: “Please live a long time. If only for agasshi’s sake, you must live a long time.” (Uh…? I don’t see the point in this dialogue — or this scene — since he ain’t telling Grandpa anything he doesn’t already know.)

He turns to go, just as Hae-na returns with drinks. The shock of seeing each other renders both mute for a prolonged moment, until he bows his head to her and continues on his way.

Hae-na watches him go sadly, until her grandfather calls her back to attention. He doesn’t know how Dong-chan came to be here, and writes this off as “a strange coincidence.”

Later, both indulge in their own pity parties, thinking of each other. Dong-chan rewatches his video clip of Hae-na telling him “I love you,” then wishes her a happy birthday.

In the morning, the staff surprises her with a birthday song and cake. She’s moved to tears.

(Hae-na’s birthday is a random thing that doesn’t serve much of a purpose. I wonder if they decided to shoehorn it in here because Yoon Eun-hye just celebrated her 25th birthday on set last week.)

Eui-joo calls Tae-yoon out to lunch again. She knows he finds her annoying, but she has a reason for this meeting. She sees how sad Dong-chan is, and is convinced that the couple are still pining for each other. Therefore, she thinks it would be a good birthday gift to Hae-na to bring the two back together, and enlists Tae-yoon’s help.

Eui-joo is rather proud of her scheme, and therefore put out when Tae-yoon responds unenthusiastically. She reminds him that they’re partners, and presses her point.

She lays out her plan — all he has to do is call Hae-na out. She’ll take care of getting Dong-chan.

Her suggested meeting point is a tourist ferry that travels along the river. Tae-yoon laughs at her, teasing her for thinking of such a corny activity. Who’d want to do something so lame? Eui-joo answers grumpily that she’s never ridden one before but thinks it would be romantic.

Grandpa asks his butler and housekeeper to keep taking care of Hae-na, as they have done a good job all these years. But the housekeeper speaks up hesitantly to say they’re not the ones Hae-na needs — the person she really needs is Dong-chan. She hands him Hae-na’s discarded letter to prove her point.

(Geez Louise! You’d think Hae-na were a child, the way they are carrying on about her, or at least a minor. She is a 24-year-old ADULT, and a supremely rich one, at that. She’ll be FINE.)

Now here’s where the plot logic starts getting fuzzy for me. I’m not sure if it is as sloppy as it seems or if I’m just missing something. Dong-chan goes to the Han River, where he recalls the last time he’d been here with Hae-na (they’d lit a cake and she’d asked him to stay with her). Hae-na also happens to arrive here and sees Dong-chan sitting along the bank. (I am assuming that she was heading to meet Tae-yoon at the ferry and saw Dong-chan coincidentally.)

When he looks up and they make eye contact, she hurriedly walks away. He catches up to her and they have a short, strained conversation wherein they trade pleasantries. When she gets up to go, Dong-chan grabs her hand and tells her to wait. Presenting her with her birthday coupon, he wants to claim it now: “Spend today with me.”

So they walk holding hands, happily play games at the arcade, feed each other ice cream, and what the heck is going on…? (They’re somber, then giddy, then playful, then somber again? Oh, whatever.)

They catch up on what’s going on in their lives; Hae-na tells Dong-chan that she’s been working hard, and even wrote him letters that she didn’t send. He says he’s been keeping busy and doing okay, although he has missed her too. When he says (lies?) that he hasn’t been struggling too much, she confesses that she has. She lays her head against his shoulder, “Just for a moment.”

All this while, Eui-joo and Tae-yoon wait at the boat for Hae-na and Dong-chan to join them there. At the same time, they both receive text messages, which tell them that the two others will not be meeting them. Realizing that their attempt failed, they try to get off the boat, only to find that it’s already pulling away from the dock. They’re stuck onboard.

Unfortunately, Tae-yoon gets a bad case of motion sickness and rushes to the bathroom to barf. He admits this is his first time on a boat, and feels embarrassed to always show his weaknesses around Eui-joo. She waves it off, saying that it’s not like they’re dating, so there’s no need to keep up appearances.

Grandpa reads Hae-na’s letters, perturbed at the contents since it shows that her love for Dong-chan remains undimmed. The next day, he tells Hae-na that he’s quite happy, and asks if she’s happy too. She answers, “If you’re with me, I’m happy.”

Grandpa says he has a birthday present to give her: “Live the way you want. That’s the best happiness. Whether that’s being the successor, or Seo Dong-chan, seek what you want. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Hae-na sort of understands, although I would contend that she doesn’t because she doesn’t rush off to reconcile with Dong-chan even though there’s nothing stopping her now.

She heads inside to fetch Grandpa a blanket, and when she returns, he’s asleep. Or so she thinks.

After a moment, Hae-na realizes that Grandpa is dead, and cries.

(The music is exceedingly tragic and the tone jarringly solemn. I literally asked my screen, frustrated, “What the hell kind of drama do you think you are?”)

After the funeral, Dong-chan finds Hae-na in the bamboo forest. She tells him she could feel him around her as she prepared the funeral, and assures him weakly that she’s okay: “But truthfully, I’m scared.” She’s all alone now. “How do I live on my own?”

He comforts her.

Su-min wins a child modeling contest and WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON NOW? (I know this is just to give us a cute montage of Wang Seok-hyun, but it makes no sense. It’s so random and out of context. Eh, whatever.)

Hae-na calls a handful of directors, including Uncle Chul-gu, to the house for a meeting. She has made a decision: “I’m will decline the successor’s position at this time. However, this does not mean I am giving it up.” She’s going to go study abroad, to learn and gain more experience. So she will leave the company in the hands of management experts.

After the directors leave, she asks Chul-gu to keep good watch over the company until she comes back, and not ruin it. He’s surprised, but agrees. I’m surprised, because WTF? He’s been an immoral and ludicrously over-the-top villain all series long, and suddenly he’s competent?

Hae-na extends a hand, and they shake on it.

Next, Hae-na cooks a meal for her servants as she announces, “I’m going to leave tomorrow. I don’t know when I’ll return. But when I come back, I’ll come back as a grown-up, mature Kang Hae-na.”

The servants are stunned and saddened, but also touched at her sincerity in cooking for them. She says that the food is “a bribe to ask you not to leave here and wait for me.”

(Personal aside: Last-minute studying abroad is a cliche I HATE because it makes no sense. You can’t just go overnight to study abroad! What about finding a school and a program and making arrangements? It’s a lame way to get someone on a plane — or under the threat of getting on a plane — and it’s about time dramas either give more thought to it, or figured out a better story to elicit that conflict.)

As she heads to the airport, Hae-na gives Dong-chan a call, but because he’s at work, he misses it. Eui-joo rushes in to tell him that Hae-na is leaving for the States, urging him to find her to say his goodbyes. Dong-chan is tempted to, but decides against the urge. However, when he checks his phone, Hae-na’s voicemail message gives him second thoughts:

Hae-na: “It’s me. I’m calling because I thought I should at least say my goodbyes. I’m about to leave for far away. How happy can I be in a place without you? And how happy can you be here, without me? What is real happiness? Grandfather gave me the freedom to be happy as his last present. The happiness I don’t want to lose is you, but I know how difficult I made things for you by being Kang Hae-na. So I’m going to leave now. When will I be able to return? I don’t know exactly when, but I will definitely return. At that time, if your happiness is still me, and mine is still you, then let’s love again and start over.”

(I AM SO FRUSTRATED.)

Spurred into action by her words, Dong-chan changes his mind and sprints out of the shop, grabs a cab, and heads straight to the airport. Once there, he scours the terminal looking for a sign of Hae-na, who has just arrived and is saying her goodbyes to her butler trio.

Spotting her in the crowd, walking to her gate, Dong-chan heads straight for her, their steps echoing the scene from Episode 1. Now he speaks to her in casual speech, startling her with his assertiveness: “Hey, you! Where do you think you’re going, without my consent?”

Hae-na looks up at him, perplexed, as he insists (oddly, with a pretty unemotional delivery), “Don’t go! I’ve been thinking, and I can’t let you go like this. I don’t think I can be happy in a place without you. So don’t go.”

But maybe the lack of emotion is the whole point of this scene; to play the big reunion without the big drama. Or whatever. Hae-na starts to catch on, and she retorts, “Hey! Do you think I’m the kind of woman who will come and go when you tell me to?”

By now it’s like they’re so relieved to be back together (again) that they revert back to their familiar script of bickering, where they fight but don’t really mean what they’re saying. He taunts her to try to leave, and she taunts back, “You think I won’t?”

Dong-chan blocks her path and says, “I can’t ever let you go. And I won’t let you go in the future.” She looks at him, holding back a smile, and reminds him that this is his cue to carry her out.

So he does, just as he did in Episode 1, and scoops her up over his shoulder. As the crowd watches, he shouts laughingly, “She’s my woman!”

And now for a truly choppy, random epilogue:

Su-min shoots an ad or photo spread of some sort, while his family brags that he’s one of them. The PD practically rolls his eyes at the silly Kangs.

Tae-yoon takes on a case representing Dong-chan’s debt collectors, who are now in jail and blame their misfortune on Seo Dong-chan.

Eui-joo complains that Su-ah has stolen her shoe designs and pleads with Tae-yoon (whom she’s been calling “Mr. Lawyer” all this time) to help her. He turns her down, which upsets her, until he leans toward her flirtatiously and says, “I’ll help you if you call me Tae-yoon.”

The butler trio go on a group blind date… only to find that it’s with the maid trio. All are disappointed.

Butler Mr. Jang and housekeeper Ms. Jo have some flirty vibes going on.

And finally, Hae-na and Dong-chan are fighting once again over some insignificant thing, and Hae-na shuts him up with a kiss. Dong-chan says jokingly, “That has lost its effect,” which prompts her to kiss him repeatedly.

The end. Or whatever.

COMMENTS

What an awful finale. It felt like a school play and I cringed throughout. Honest-to-goodness, I think that everyone — even the writer and director — gave up in this last episode and simply ran out of steam. I am relieved this drama is over. The best thing about this episode was the IRIS trailer at the end of it.

I think the thing that rankles most of us still watching at this point is that this drama should have been better. The scenery, lighting, and wardrobe were all gorgeous. The music was badly overused but not bad on its own merits. The cast was certainly easy on the eyes. And aside from Yoon Eun-hye’s slow start as snooty Hae-na, the acting was never the problem. I think she was the only one actually trying to act in this last episode, actually, and was impressed she could still wring out some tears when we’ve all lost the ability to connect with the story or these people.

Heck, the only reason I stuck with this drama for so long was because there were bits and pieces scattered throughout that hinted at a better drama. I kept hoping that the story would swing back upward and return to its high moments, but instead it kept crawling downward in a steady decline. I feel duped.

I think it would take days to nitpick all the little things that went wrong, so I’ll skip that exercise. But there were some huge threads left hanging, as most of you have already pointed out before, such as Hae-na’s first love. Seriously, what was the point? It would have been more fun to make Hae-na a bitch just for fun, rather than giving her a big emotional backstory and then never addressing it.

Furthermore, her transformation was so excessive that it feels like Hae-na grew a new personality entirely. I wish we’d gotten to see traces of the old Hae-na lingering in the new one, because otherwise it feels like one of those daytime soaps like All My Children where actors leave and new people are brought in to replace them and it’s just treated like it’s normal. What I liked about Fantasy Couple, for instance, is that Anna softened her hard edges and became more sympathetic, but she was the same person at the end that she was at the beginning. It’s like Hae-na started out similar to Anna and then turned into Eun-chan from Coffee Prince.

It speaks well of Moon Chae-won that she had people both liking and disliking her so strongly, because I just realized that Eui-joo is a completely blank character. What do we know about her? What personality traits is she given? What character quirks? All we know is that she speaks her mind and wants to design shoes. What a complete failure of the writer to create a character — but Moon Chae-won somehow made Eui-joo a real person. (Jung Il-woo fell flatter in that regard, because I think he was thinking too hard about analyzing his character instead of just, I dunno, being it.)

I like Yoon Sang-hyun and I thought he did as well with Dong-chan as could be expected. Unfortunately, the Dong-chan dance (butler, not-butler, butler, not-butler) got repetitive about eight episodes ago, after which we were essentially seeing the same story repeating itself over and over again. And that made his storyline, and therefore character, tiresome. His relationship with Hae-na suffered the same lack of imagination with same conflict playing out in episode after episode. It’s sixteen episodes of Groundhog Day. Urgh.

I think we can all agree that the actors deserved better, and that they all have brighter futures ahead of them. Let’s wipe the slate clean and move on, shall we? (If I didn’t leave this drama behind me, I’d be too bummed about the time I spent on it.)

260

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101 LTK

October 9, 2009 at 5:24 AM

I hate to fan the fire but ratings are NOT everything. Take for instance Tamna who had low ratings and even cut short. It was purchased in its entirety by Japan and will be available on dvd for the fans. You know, the ones that took out paper ads and voiced their frustration over the internet in droves?

So - not blatatly pointing any fingers - please, if you're going to make a pointed comment, do some pointed research.

And for all the haters out there, i mean this in the nicest way possible, please grow up. I've read comments on here that could only have originated from teenagers, For their sake's I hope they ARE.

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102 Just A Fan

October 9, 2009 at 5:31 AM

This is an opinion blog so JB can say what she wants to say and its her blog by the way. Bias, no! We all have our own preference on what we watch. I just want to say that you got some patience there girl. You were able to finish recapping a series that you hate to watch.

We differ on views because I enjoyed watching it flaws and all but you have my respect for finishing what you have started. I think you really must love YEH for being able to finish the series. Wow. I am just amazed with your patience.

I am also amazed with the ratings that it received. Wow. People hated it but still many wanted to know how it ended. YEH must really have that pull on the viewers. She still managed to get 19% for a finale that most of you felt was one of the most horrible series you've watched.

Now I am really confused with what the Korean viewers really like in a drama and what is generally good and what is generally bad. TV ratings confused me as well. Some of you did not like BOF but ratings were up. Some of you liked Flowers For My Life, ratings are down. Commercial versus Artistic?

Me, I just love YEH and I love seeing her on the screen. I love her chemistry with YSH so somehow it worked for me. But yeah, hopefully she chooses a better project next time.

Thanks for your recap even it was a little bit harsh. Still I enjoyed reading your opinions. I may not agree with all of it but I enjoyed reading them.

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103 mtoenlob

October 9, 2009 at 5:36 AM

@45 linly

I agree. I think YEH is overrated as an actress. She has very limited acting range. She was good enough in Coffee Prince though but I think the success of CP was more of a collective effort - all the actors did a good enough job and the story line was something not of the ordinary. The high rating was mainly due to the novelty of the story.

She is commendable though for staying with this drama to the end in spite of the bad script.

Ratings? It only serves the purpose of the producer and the actors. They're the ones who benefit from it. But it does not speak of the substance or quality of the drama.

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104 mookie

October 9, 2009 at 5:36 AM

@behbeh, actually a lot of kdramas got sold to countries like Japan, China... at record $$ because of big Hallyu names attached, eg SHK, KSW... even if the drama had low ratings.

I think for some ppl ratings r just not a factor to consider when we're just the audience. We can choose to ignore all that money biz attached.

For hardcore fans of the drama/an actor of MFL, imo just gloat in the high ratings and run with it. Take it as winning the lottery or sth. It is an accomplishment. congrats. But in no way it makes a logical argument that rating has anything to do with good writing and it's the writing most ppl r most critical about (even the actors r voicing out their frustrations in that dept...)

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105 HAGAAC

October 9, 2009 at 6:06 AM

In my opinion i think it wasnt that bad of a finale, at 1st after reading ur recap i was convinced that its not worth to watch the finale episode anymore, but then again i just wanted to see for my self how horrible it was as you described, but after watching it, the truth is i enjoyed it and had a towel in my hand and a bigsmile after. i never thought that it would still affect me emotionally after reading ur recap but, it did. all i did was stop thinking too critically. in the end i enjoyed watching YEH and YSH.

i agree that it was a badly written script, very disappointing in alot of aspects (if ur thingking critically) but still enjoyable.

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106 lilly

October 9, 2009 at 6:14 AM

The worst about how the drama was done is it makes goong (an other overrated and draggy drama) and BOF's endings look like masterpieces.

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107 HAGAAC

October 9, 2009 at 6:24 AM

to those people who were just following the drama through reading here i suggest you watch it coz theres a big difference between reading and looking at still photos and seeing how the actors really act , i think you would still find it enjoyable because dispite of the bad writing and directing the lead casts was still able to pull it through.

Anyway thnks JB for your recaps!

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108 Rose

October 9, 2009 at 7:02 AM

I had high expectationS of this drama because its yoon hye's comeback drama, but this time, YEH picked a bad story line this time,.. I hate the ending!! Its so typical korean ending.. So what?? Did she leave for US?? Writers really need to change thier habit of writing going to study abroad in the last episode, its getting really lame. So many things left unsolved.. What's up with yoon hye's first love??? Grrrr.. I have so many questions to ask but i guess only the writer knows the answers. Well, yoon eun Hye still rocks!! I hope she'd pick a better drama next time, i'll be waiting.!!

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109 sokhasen

October 9, 2009 at 7:06 AM

I have to say that the strory lack substance...BUT MAN...I LOVE THE MAIN LEADS!!!!...Hope to see more of there future projects.

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110 Jeniper Mose

October 9, 2009 at 7:11 AM

JB you are fair in your drama recap so bravo and do continue with your

analysis and critical thinking, non koreans need extra "dosage" to understand

korean language, ethics, culture and their jokes. Thanks for your precious time

and the flair for writing in english language.

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111 nana

October 9, 2009 at 7:50 AM

thanks for the recaps.
yeah, its over! i found it painful to watch because of the writing and i felt exceedingly sorry for the actors who were given some very thin threads to try and weave into something like a character.
perhaps it would have been better if i could have turned off my brain and just enjoyed it for what it was, but its hard when something is so frustraitingly full of possibilities yet fails to realize that potental.
when i watch something (or read) i can't help but look at it critically and i'm betting that JB is the same way.
not everyone is content with just looking at the surface of things and i for one like JB insights and thoughts because she writes well and with humor, and she spots things that most people miss.
if you don't like her reviews, the solution is simple; don't read them. i, for one, am looking forward to more recaps.

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112 Silky

October 9, 2009 at 7:58 AM

To me the acting was amazin! Is true that the drama seems like Wich Amusement... but in that dorama the acting was bad (that´s my opinion).
I like YEH... I think the story is ok... i loved it!!! lol... I expected a better final... but at least was a happy ending.. and in comparation with others dramas, was a really good ending! lol...
To me the problem wasn´t the story in general, or the acting (i felt the chesmistry bettween YHS and YEH), to me the problem was the action, the writter did a bad work in the finals episodes, ! In others dramas you feel a really sad because you know that is impossible to the protagonists be together... but what they did was the final episode twice! what i meant is that they didn´t know how to do with the last episode, and made broke up at the protagonists... I didn´t like that... bacause... one episode togetter... and in the end of episode broke up.. and the did that several times... to me that was the problem... but i liked what they did with the protagonist... the dates, etc... in other dramas the fall in love and kiss and broke up... but they don´t go out... in this drama the story was really simple but with sweet moments....
But that´s is my opinion...

Sorry... my english isn´t good!

Dramabeans.. I like your blog... seriously! You are really good writting and your recaps are amazing, but I´m simple and I focus in the acting and actors...

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113 tonia

October 9, 2009 at 8:24 AM

Never watched this series since hearing not so good things about it but I visit JB's recaps just for the pics of JIW and MCW. I would have been more interested if there was a love story between this 2 because just from the pictures I find them to have great chemistry together. I find them so cute together.

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114 nen

October 9, 2009 at 8:34 AM

ep 2 was last ep i watched. unlike JB i don't have the patience of watching dramas that have no substance. actors are good but not the script. it must be painfully harder for them than for me but they're paid substantially and i'm not. i like reading JB's blog and since MFL is part of her blog i read it as well if only to prove myself wrong for stopping at ep 2.... i enjoy reading JB's recaps more than if i slog it out by watching. besides, most of the peeps here are matured thinkers like her and can take criticism in stride. unfortunately, some juvenile thinking peeps found their way here. they take comments not to their liking as a personal affront. tsk tsk tsk, they should just stay in web venues of juveniles where they're in sync with each other.

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115 Nina

October 9, 2009 at 8:50 AM

I just cudnt get into this drama. Usually it takes me 2 or 3 episodes then i'm hooked but MFL was really somethg I cudnt enjoy. I didn't care if the two leads were going to end up together or not. Nothing really appealed to me to keep me watching the show week after week. So sad coz I was looking forward to following the drama when the trailer came out

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116

October 9, 2009 at 9:11 AM

wow you must be one of the rare ones who said that the finale wasn't good and you compared it to Witch Yoo...i think with all due respect, i don't hate you first of all but you're once again exaggerating coz this is one of Kdramas who's ending was what MFL fans wished for...a happy one! i just don't know why you never seem to like MFL at all! any personal grudge to Eun hye? or yoon sang coz he's not as young as the other actors but excel in his projects? whatever it may be that's your opinion and this is mine....this drama is one of the best Kdramas i've seen! thanks to your article which i never had to read anyway coz i'm so satisfied with watching the whole drama!

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117 loveydovey

October 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM

Dramabeans,

i have to say this recap is a tad overboard. yes, this drama was bad. actors were good, couples were great, but writing was awful. i think this drama started out great until they got to getting the couple together. they tried to fit in too many cliches which isn't always a bad thing but in this case would of worked in a longer period of time.they should of been more creative about the cute moments DC and HN had, as well as the conflicts. to me, that and YEH's disappointing acting were the only flaws. it was NOT that bad of an ending...worst finale? hi, hong gil dong? lovers in paris? BBF--ugh that one got to me, the ending was the same as the whole drama, so close to being like the funnest thing i ever watched but always something ruining it. also, about BBF, THAT is over using music, i think in some moments the music wasn't necessary here, but compared to something like BBF, and for the kind of drama that this was, i don't see what was so wrong with the use of soundtrack. also, i caught one thing in your recap:

"I think she was the only one actually trying to act in this last episode, actually, and was impressed she could still wring out some tears when we’ve all lost the ability to connect with the story or these people"....please, pleeaase refrain from speaking for all of us, because watching YSH and YEH's expressive eyes, no matter how bad a script it was or however bad her acting was otherwise, i was sitting here feeling compassion. throughout this drama i felt happiness and sadness.and i'm really not an emotional person. when i read that you couldn't connect with ANY of the characters i'm like what??? lol.

p.s. people, how much did you love the picking her up and the airport part? lol, both times were my favorite parts of this drama. it was also probably the most creative XD

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118

October 9, 2009 at 9:15 AM

you can tell reading comments here how many supports you javabeans sorry but i'm not one of them who'd agree with your assessment that this is the worst finale...you guys must be watching a different drama then not MFL! Is this the first time you've seen a drama that you think in your perspective is so bad and so many negative comments sine its inception? i love this drama and i'm missing it already! the chemistry of Yoons were so great that i hope to see them again in a new project if not a sequel to this. Too bad for you ppl who didn't like it! that's your problem!

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119 RandomDelurkerX

October 9, 2009 at 9:23 AM

Much has already been said already by the board, but I think the director, editor (pls note the omission of the script writer) and the cast are not as dumb as we think.

In fact the final scene perfectly encapsulate the entire series, it was a wink to the audience that they realised they are making a cheesy bubble gum drama, and despite the faults, they found themselves unable to defend it so can only play along with it and have a good time while doing so.

I have been amongst the most ardent critic for the drama, but surprisingly, I wasn’t as offended by the finale as JB. Personally, I found the expression of YSH on the final scene was hilarious. He didn't even bother to try act, he looked like if he is in a daze and tried to a grin like a chesihre cat.. He’s like “i can't believe it is coming to an end, and i got to kiss YEH so many times, it up my 10 years quota for kisses with sexy young actresses and get paid for it. Mann what a fantastic job and lucky fella I am!”

I found that if you leave your brain at the door, and just enjoy the adlib and the improve of the casts, it is not so bad. Let's just hope they do something more substantial next time around.

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120 christine

October 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM

hope YEH chooses a better drama next time...

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121 ColleenF-H

October 9, 2009 at 9:27 AM

I still think that the actors were "duped" they were sold on a story that never materialized and the fault is definitely in the writing, directing and with the production company for allowing it.

The saving grace was the actors who tried so hard to pull it off without a lot to work with. I think the reason for the good ratings is in large part the YEH's charm and viewer support of the other actors.

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122 RandomDelurkerX

October 9, 2009 at 9:36 AM

(Please delete/ignore #119, full of typos)

Much has already been said already by the board, but I think the director, editor (pls note the omission of the script writer) and the cast are not as dumb as we think.

In fact the final scene perfectly encapsulate the entire series, it was a wink to the audience that they realised they were all duped into making making this cheesy bubble gum drama, and despite the faults, they found themselves unable to defend it so can only play along with it and have a good time making it and hope us having a good time watching it.

I have been amongst the most ardent critic for the drama, but surprisingly, I wasn’t as offended by the finale as JB.

Personally, I found the expression of YSH on the final scene hilarious. He didn’t even bother to try act, and looked as if in a daze trying not to grin like a Cheshire cat.. He’s like:

“i can’t believe it is coming to an end, and i got to kiss YEH so many times, it more than fulfilled my 10 years quota for kisses with sexy young actresses and get paid for it. Mann what a fantastic job and lucky fella I am!”

I found that if you leave your brain at the door, and just enjoy the adlib and the improve of the casts, it is not so bad.

Let’s just hope they do something more substantial next time around.

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123

October 9, 2009 at 9:44 AM

downloaded until episode 16 but hadn't watched episode 1 yet.

can someone just cut Moon Chae-won & Jung Il-woo moments, and then put subtitles on it? honestly, their pairing is the only reason i downloaded this drama.

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124 +Negative

October 9, 2009 at 10:05 AM

@ 45 & 103

totally disagree with both of you. YEH's overrated? if she is, then did she get all those awards for nothing??? in all K-dramas that i've ever seen (i'm a k-drama heavyweight fan) Coffee Prince is the best. Yes, i'm not disputing the fact that all the actors involved delivered brilliant jobs. if you look at the main leads (and the supporting casts) it's like watching a real life drama unfolding in front of your very own eyes. it didn't feel like scripted (well, at least for me) CP never tires me even after watching it over and over again. great chemistry, beautiful/cute ppl and who could ever forget the love scene @ Ep 16?

about MFL, yes. it's not a great drama but the credit still goes to the actors' effort. they kind of saved the drama from being mutilated completely. flaws or not, it's still entertaining to watch. i just hope that those script writers stumble accidentally into this blog and read the viewers' comments.

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125 nen

October 9, 2009 at 10:27 AM

I'm amused by peeps bashing JB. For goodness sake, this is HER BLOG!!! how would you feel if you cordially invited unknown guests to your home, serve them free refreshments yet you're bashed bcos they don't like the way you serve the free refreshment. it shows the visitor's lack of respect and manners. one can disagree with the host in a manner that isn't offensive. your criteria of a good drama is when there are kissing scenes or lots of skinship and you get a kick out of it but which isn't shared by most of JB's blog readers. sure in JB's blog she gives us the opportunity to rant and/or rave but i don't think it refers to her - that her blog visitors can rant or rave about her. peeps, give yourself a break - stop acting rude and juvenile if you aren't one and if you are, please grow up.

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126 Jules

October 9, 2009 at 10:38 AM

I stopped watching the drama after episode 4 or 5. I could already tell that I wasn't going to like where the drama was going and instead of stubbornly watching through till the end and then wind up really disappointed (like 3 Dads 1 Mom and Powerful Opponents) I knew it was just better for me to stop watching entirely. Nonetheless, I'm still feeling very saddened because I love YEH and wanted her comeback drama to do well. I'm not sure why so many recent trendy dramas have such weird endings and schizophrenic character development. I want old school trendy dramas where things were simpler, cuter, kinder, and thoroughly satisfying.

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127 N00rul

October 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM

i TOOTALLY agree with EVERY SINGLE thing you wrote. they deserve better! ugh! anyway, glad it's finally finished. and yup, how's your rating?

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128 Lan

October 9, 2009 at 11:14 AM

I think for this drama, the ending is satisfying. You can't expect all the loose ends they created along the way to be tied up neatly. Just no way. It's just an eye-candy, giddy drama all the way. That's a type of drama too, no?

I agree it's strange that at the end Hye-na doesn't go abroad. Will she ever grow up to take back the company? Now that it's in the hands of her uncle who wanted this so much, isn't it end of the battle already? What will Dong-chan do in the future - "work" for Hae-na again, or the flower shop? But in the end this is what the drama is about - who cares, these 2 need each other, they will stay with each other and they do! Satisfying ending!

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129 lilly

October 9, 2009 at 11:21 AM

My fair lady is a BAD DRAMA the only persons who defend it are die-hard YEH fans (even though they know it)

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130 JBuffet

October 9, 2009 at 11:56 AM

I started watching this drama, not knowing any of the stars (except for YEH, but not a huge fan for her). I didn't know about the sky-high expectations from YEH fans as this was her come-back drama. Didn't know YSH being a recent hit either.

I enjoyed the drama, for the most part. Got disappointed by ep 13, but I continued to watch the rest just because I liked to see YSH/YEH acting together. Ep13-15 made it clear that there was nothing they could do to improve the drama with the terrible screenplay. So, by then, this drama has become one of those that I don't really care about the story (ok, maybe still care a little). It served as a chance to see fun acting and charismatic stars.

Came across this site at ep 13 of MFL and read the recaps for ep 1-13 all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed them. They were great, very interesting! But I have to say this last recap sounds like you didn't want to watch the final episode and hence nothing worked for you.

I don't think it's a good finale. But having seen 90% of the finales in KDrama turn out to be mediocre, I wouldn't call this the worst. The recap was a bit too harsh. While I still appreciate your efforts to finish the recap, it would have been better to post something short (like a sentence saying "I hated it and didn't want to spend time writing it"...). Your fans would understand. No need to torture yourself when you find a drama no longer bearable.

In short, I find this last recap emotional and rough. Just like the performances of the main leads in the finale of MFL, it feels like it was written just because it had to be done. Hence, it is far less witty as other recaps.

I like one line that DC said in this drama, something like "when you realize you've changed, do accept the past self." Yes, this drama didn't hold strong and disappointed us with bad plotting near the end. But, I wouldn't regret the time spent in this drama or deny the parts that touched me.

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131 necama

October 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM

@ 117 loveydovey

I agree with every thing you said I loved the picking up scene it is the best YSH is so strong and manlyI Love him and WILL adore him forever. !!!!!!

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132 Abe Yumi

October 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM

JB my thoughts are think twice when writing recaps when yoon eun hye appear

again . Too many lurking die hard fans waiting to pound and hound you.

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133 JBuffet

October 9, 2009 at 12:25 PM

@ 117 loveydovey & 131 necama

When I saw HN walking ahead of three boys in the airport, I started to smile, thinking hey, this move ain't so bad. While mirroring the kidnap scene, it helps to show how HN has changed by her relationship with DC. Despite the much criticized repetitions of scenes, this one was actually good!

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134 Javabeans

October 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM

"JB my thoughts are think twice when writing recaps when yoon eun hye appear again . Too many lurking die hard fans waiting to pound and hound you."

Thanks, but I can take it. ;) What's the point in tailoring my thoughts to appease a particular actor's fanbase?

I've always focused on the story first and foremost, and in doing so you've gotta hold all dramas up to a (relatively) common standard. There's got to be some basis for valuing them, not arbitrary values and concessions of "At least they tried." So I've evaluated My Fair Lady against its own potential and against the landscape of kdramas in general, rather than making excuses for it. Yeah it was entertaining. Yeah the plot also sucked.

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135 J

October 9, 2009 at 12:49 PM

''EPISODE 16 RECAP (FINAL) (thank goodness)''
''Oh my gosh, this was one of the worst finales I’ve ever seen''
''If I didn’t leave this drama behind me, I’d be too bummed about the time I spent on it.''

Some of the comments that you have made troughout this drama seem no longer critical, but mean. I don't understand why you made these recaps when starting from episode 12 you started complaining so much about it. It sounds to me that you only write these MFL recaps because you get a lot of comments for them. Anyways, being critical and judgamental is okay, but please don't cross the border between that and being just plain bashful.

Still, I do appreciate your time and effort in writing your recaps for korean dramas.

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136 'cille

October 9, 2009 at 12:54 PM

THANK YOU DB for pushing through and completing your reviews on MFL.

my expectations of this drama was set high because of the actors playing each role (mainly because they've shown great potentials in their past projects) - but i would have to agree that although i love these actors, i think their potentials weren't utilized enough to make this drama stand out. there were moments of "ohh, here comes a good scene", but end up flopping because the dialogues seem to miss the mark and it happened quite often. i think that behind every good actor, must have and be supported by a great writer - and it seemed in this drama, these two just didn't connect.

even though i didn't enjoy some parts, i still enjoyed watching it..

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137 MEIKO**** ^-^

October 9, 2009 at 1:02 PM

I just finished watching MFL...

what in the world??!!!....lol!!!

NO COMMENT...lol!!! too disappointed, i guess ....

on second thought...,i just wanna say, am pretty sure now the scriptwriters are too burned-out already....lol!!!

ok, I love TY and EJ together, i have to admit they are soo cute... sad to say, to late for them, it's already ep 16!!...

oh well....

THANK YOU JAVA-B!!!! mmwwahh!
NEXT DRAMA!!!!! ^-^

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138 Kgrl

October 9, 2009 at 1:16 PM

I agree with Sonam, JB has been much more generous throughout this drama than I thought possible (since I'm sure Sarah's seen her share of brilliant works and knows how greatly made a drama can be). And perhaps that’s why it all came out on the last ep in a rare display of great frustration by JB. I gave up early on and watched it for eye-candy, so I actually found the finale quite pleasant for it’s randomness and fan-service.

I have to to Lmao on some comments tho…ratings = quality/greatness? Just because ratings generates money and it’s a reality of K entertainment - in many regions - doesn’t mean audiences should just accept the quality that comes with it. I thought our generation(s) had more spunk and motivation – or is that a misconception? If ppl treat things in life as “just reality” and easily accept it, I don’t want to hazard a guess at global warming/environmental issues, or whatever else is “just reality.” But I digress.

@27 Ida, 58 rainerust, @113 tonia, @123: Was a sucker for EJ/TY’s intriguing relationship right from the beginning - funny how the scriptwriters were more refreshing with EJ/TY “courtship” than DC and HN’s when they used way less time and effort.

I must really like the actors in this drama more than I thought, cause I stuck through a drama I normally would have dropped by ep 2. BTS of this drama has definitely been interesting. I applaud those who’ve disagreed but maintained their dignity by not resorting to derogatory language or fanatical reasoning. Now that it’s done, we can all move on.

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139 Protocol Snow

October 9, 2009 at 1:42 PM

Such a shame, I was looking forward to this after Coffee Prince. I admit that after reading your episode recaps, I haven't watched a single episode of MFL. Thanks for suffering for us =(

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140 emanuel

October 9, 2009 at 3:09 PM

I have chosen to write a message due to the overwhelm messages left by others who found it necessary to criticize this wonderful show, My Fair Lady. I have been a fan and admirer of Yoon Eun-hye. Since her early performance, such as Vineyard Man. In addition, due to her enthusiastic performance in Coffee Prince, I felt that Yoon Eun-hye was a star in the making. Acting is an arduous profession. Time is the ally that allows actors and actresses, such as Yoon Eun-hye, to develop an interior self that can take any demanding role and begin to break the barriers in order to become a superior actor or actress. This show, My Fair Lady, has shown that perseverance is a must. Have we forgotten what dreaming is all about? Dreams are there to allow our imagination to break the shell of ignorance. The glimmer of hope in these wonderful shows have allowed us to be connected, to explore, and to have hope that in these shows a part of us are intertwined with the actors and actresses, such with Yoon Eun-hye. In addition, have we not yearned to live a life that will shake the very foundation of our so-called human experience? Have we forgotten to reflect our wishes in these shows that open a sliver of our own deep wishes in order to feel love and wonder? Yoon Eun-hye has shown that even though the show included some set backs, she herself strived to give of herself in order to have entertainment enter our lives. No matter what the consequences were of why this show turn out the way it did, we, as viewers, should be proud to have actors and actresses, such as Yoon Eun-hye and the rest of the show crew for allowing us to take away form our own selves, and have an opportunity to glimpse into a world where you and I can still achieve wonderful. Korean dramas are entertaining, as they should be. Korean dramas open our mind of the imagination. Actors act according to the role they are projecting. Even when the acting crew of this show questions what and whom they were projecting, I would like to believe that their doubts and confusions became their allies in the hopes to reach within themselves and rediscover something that can be projected to viewers. Yes—it is true that we humans are eager to criticize—it is in our nature to scrutinize when we see fit and use it for our own benefit. However, we must remember that someone as Yoon Eun-hye who broke down in tears during an interview, showed disappointment, not because of our criticizing her, but because she probably felt that she failed her fans who admire her a lot. Yoon Eun-hye has placed her own sake of self and has placed it into our own hands with the hopes that we encourage her amazing success. I as a definite admirer and fan of Yoon Eun-hye, and also being an American, I hope that one day she knows that she has a person from a different country who believes in her acting abilities. That also no matter how one falls, one can recover, learn from experience, and continue on the path of self-discovery. Thank you Yoon Eun-hye for making me find me.

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141 deng

October 9, 2009 at 3:18 PM

i just watched the first few mins and the last few mins of this episode....
it was boring as hell...
it was just plain bad...

the only thing that made me sad...im gonna miss seing dong chan....he is so hot when he woke up on that white bed!
but the scenes after they woke up? it all looks so fake..head to head in the bed?

jb, i agree, it was so disjointed, stuff out of nowhere..
i was really wondering what happened to the guy hye na liked before...

again the finale was just bad..bad..bad...the writers and directors really need to do a lot of serious reflection...why they even bothered to release that.they should just have ended at episode 9...

ugh,...cant get over how bad the finale was!!!!!!!!

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142 deng

October 9, 2009 at 3:20 PM

but i we have new dramas to watch!!!!!! thank god!

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143 ajey

October 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM

why do you all talk and brag about ratings? MFL got moderately high ratings but I won't call it HUGE HIT EVAR!!!!111

it's disappointing considering both its stars just came out of 30% rated dramas. This drama averaged at the teens... considering its competition can be quickly toppled over I mean HTTG and Swallow the Sun which never really hit the 20s?

it IS still a ratings disappointment. so let's not get up our high horses here. reality check.... 19% at its highest is ok ratings wise that's about it. It did not flop, that's about it.

i am no fan of song hye kyo but girl was against huge hit 20 billion won epic east of eden during her comeback.

anyway, I like YEH but she needs abetter project than this.

Swallow the Sun speaks of big ratings too... it costs 13 billion + won to make. To make money they need about more than 20+% ratings to survive. With 17%-19% ratings they get around average $200,000 with their ads... they need at least around $400,000 to break even. their best bet is if Japan buys it big but as much as we blab about Hallyu.... not everyone is Yonsama here.

so yeah ratings? far more deeper than y'all think.

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144 Kgrl

October 9, 2009 at 3:29 PM

I won't speak for anyone, but my impression is that people who didn't like the show or were disappointed had problems with the character devo and scripting, NOT (purely) because of the actors. Fans should be more open-minded and not try to take it personally. Sorta like your family and friends, just because you love them and understand them, some things they do/participate in are just plain bad/disappointing. Really need to be able to separate drama/situational criticism from personal criticism.

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145 Trang

October 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM

well I have to say that I enjoy the ending as well as the drama, at least this one (in this year) can make me cry and laugh while watching it. Despite the crappy script, the casts still do well
anyway, thank you, jb for spending time on the drama and making the recap. Just hope u won't be this harsh with the next dramas

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146 Eleven11

October 9, 2009 at 3:48 PM

For those criticising JB's bias (which is fair enough, opinions are great etc), I think it would be wise to just bear in mind that she has watched a LOT of dramas. When u immerse yourself in something (dramas, music, art, whatever), you naturally stop being as entertained by mediocrity and it can become quite tiresome.

So if you enjoyed MFL and were put off by JBs reviews, just be aware that she was looking at it through a critical eye (I would even go as far as to say 'seasoned'). This is something many people enjoy and expect from her - but that you may look for different things from a drama than she does.

As always, there's the whole "if you don't like it, don't read it" argument - but I think that this is a great website and that people should just be a little more understanding of what kind of community it's aimed at before shunning it entirely.