JB, you're an amazing dope dealer... we know we can count on only the highest quality stuff from you!

How much is as preview for episode 9... how about my first born child??

AND my soul?!

;)

@147 jae

OMG I'm from NZ too! wow what part are you? I'm down in Christchurch. Never thought I'd see another NZ post on here! ^ ^

Representing NZ in the International You're Beautiful Mania Club (haha)

With such a flood of comments, I doubt tis will get read but I still wish to leave me few cents here.

I agree with the part about the presentation style being refreshing and different from the typical Korean fare, and yeah, I guess it does resembles some jdoramas, which I totally dig, and perhaps this is why I started watching YB in the first place. It's a light-hearted drama, and supported by solid humour, witty punchlines and plot twists that catch your breathe.

I can't wait for Wednesday to come! And despite the modest ratings, it is still doing well given its big name competitors and storylines.

Hello crack dealer..

another addict here. I absolutely adore YB (every character and every scene), and if anyone in my neighborhood would actually watch kdrama i'd talk about it non-stop I'm sure. I agree with the article that it has a Japanese feel to it. Especially when i see Hong-ki I get reminded of Nakatsu in Hana Kimi. On the other hand they manage to mix it well with a Korean sense of humor. JB is right I think that it's not about the concept of idols that this show is so addicting. The acting is mostly awesome (especially PSH and JGS), it's hilarious and emotional at the right times. The only sad thing is: we're already half way through the eps :( Our crack is going to leave us in about 4 weeks.

Off topic but I had to share this.Old interview of JGS with eng subs.His frankness is so refreshing and hilarious:-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B3mBlBgCnw

And wow didn't realise that a lot of guys also do watch YB:-)I'm enlightened:-)Thought it might be too froofy for u guys:-) Maybe its time I started bugging my guy pals to watch YB:-D

enhanced by SOLID WRITING --- yah. absolutely true. love it. :)

I think YB's appeal is in it's unique storyline. Sure, the usual elements are there (love triangle, guy suspecting he has homo tendencies, evil scheming 2nd lead), but the basic premise of the drama is one that hasn't been used up until now, which sets the show apart.

Also, many kpop fans (myself included) are probably drawn to the drama because it gives us a look (albeit, a rather self-mocking one) at what goes on behind the scenes in the korean music industry. The scenes showing TK running from the creepy paparazzi guy and the staff dealing with dating rumours were especially humourous perhaps because they so closely resembled the 'real life' of kpop stars.

Actually I feel that YB is better off not trying to be a manga-ish drama like Hanakimi (whether they are actually trying to achieve that style or not), because that kind of exaggerated style is quite hard to pull off. During the first few episodes I found the acting a wee bit over the top, but now that YB has settled into its own style I really like it! Or maybe I just had to stop comparing it to Hanakimi in my head haha

Thank you JB and please keep the crack coming! :D

i agree with you. This is drama isn't as dragful as BOF. I'm now watching ep 7 and still hoping the series would be longer .Not like others..this drama is plotted nicely with no crappy scenes...The humors are fresh and unpredictable.HAHAHa. Don't you love the 'Pig chasing's part ' ?

i am another 30 something here... and they got my vote too. =) too bad i am not living in korea if not i will be rally my entire chain gang to tune in to jack up the viewership rate!

<3 how the story is unfolding.

thanks for the crack..I ...just love this show very much...

i totally agree with you JB that YB's charm is its story being well written-- also, the cast seems to be enjoying themselves that it does not show awkwardness in each episode....i loved how they can make you cry and then make you laugh...the timing is just right...

btw...its not only the 20 something that loves this show...I am 40..did they get my vote for watching this show...hehehe..

JGS--has improved a lot...his acting here is the best....i just hope he gets an award after this show--he deserves to be recognized...

@165 cartesiancircle
can i add to the list of kdrama cardinal sins? 4. parents / grandparents who object to a couple's romance ALA My Fair Lady, My Girl (though I loved this one) and all the other ones where the rich chaebol family objects to the rich, handsome boy (usually) falling in love with a common, cute and spunky girl

i am sad that we are going to be hitting ep 9 + 10 this week --> getting closer to the end... i know they mentioned this was going to be either a 16 or 20 ep drama, was hoping it would be 20 ep but since the ratings aren't great (though they have officially started a cult, mania, obssession, addiction etc among all of us) - i doubt they are going to extend? sigh sigh sigh... i need more YB fix please!

PS: i was one of those who saw the poster and idol theme and totally wrote it off... then i read JB's 1st ep recap, got convinced that this is worth a try, started watching and have been obsessed since!!!

i soooooo love Your'e Beautiful...its not the typical kdrama that you got...it has all the elements of a drama... from making you crack up with laughter to make you cry like a baby....it is strong and light...

one thing i can suggest to anyone who is curious...just watch the first 3 episodes and let's see if you can get enough :)

my sis is already hooked after telling her about it :)

it's certainly an addiction to me. My laptop had been on hibernate since I started watching YB 2 weekends ago. and I never close this webpage - so that everyday I can chk for any new update on YB. and speaking of age, I'm in my mid 30's. what demographics!? hah!

JB you sure are a crak dealear cause just by posting this article u already got 167 comments and counting...LOL>>>>>

I'm 28 and I love this drama to pieces...is just perfect everything is so well balance....the HONG sister are doing an incredible job with this drama kudos to the whole cast and crew.....

I"M crossing my fingers that with the disaster going on over MBS? YAB could get the recognition and ratings it deserve....and good for YAB they are putting a hell of a fight against an overated IRIS.......can't wait for the next episode......this drama brings out your inner teenager.....yeah!!!!! this drama is a 10.....

javabeans..i think i came here over at least 50 times the last few days..im officially hooked on your updates..! i found your site during the coffee prince days and been busy so haven't been here for awhile..and "you are beautiful " has brought me back..thanks for all your insightful updates!

Thanks JB, for today's YB fix. :D

Great article! Absolutely agree with the last sentence - You’re Beautiful’s charm is enhanced by solid writing. The cast is indeed appealing, but I tend to see the success factor lies in the excellent writing and creative directing that holds everything together. Perfect.

Not the typical idol drama one would have expected. I still remember telling myself "Nah, I'm not going to watch a idol drama!" Checked out the drama out of curiosity after reading the reviews here. And hey, glad I gave the drama a chance!

I simply got hooked after watching the first few minutes of Episode 1! And I find myself pleasantly surprised by the twists in the plot, the wit and humour in each episode. For once, I love Wednesdays and Thursdays. Haha!!

You're Beautiful is THE DRAMA of 2009! *Thumbs Up*

Right on! You couldn't have said it better! This drama is VERY VERY well written indeed! Its style captured me right from the very start! and btw, I love Park Shin Hye. and I MEAN I REALLY LOVE HER! LOL.. Is there anyway to let her know? hehe

@ Samsookie 173 :

That is one hell of a cut and paste job! Can't believe you even attempted that. It's an impressive list though, isn't it?
... but don't you have some nappies to change? or is this the procrastination equivalent of the very clean house that appears every time I have a deadline? In fact, I have something due tomorrow, which is probably why I am here right now. Signing off...

but first...
@ skelly 175 : I had wondered if (was afraid that?) I was the senior ajummah here but I see you are my unnie (just). Seems like there's quite a crowd of ajummas here. Must be JB's recaps and commentaries that bring us in... refreshingly analytical crack.

Now back to work.

Hello, I absolutely agree with your article.
I am 27 years old and I liked this gem from the very first episode, so way before the melodramatic chords were touched; cute faces and trendy clothes are a plus, but the solidity of the structure and the good writing are its bewitching points that captured me and make me stay loyal to this drama. :)

wow, this drama is amazing!!!

EXCITING writers + PLEASURABLE story lines + INSPIRING director + CUTE casts = EPIC drama

i watched from 1st episode to see what the hype was about, but the dialogues and expressions hooked me in.

tnx JB - you can be my "crack" dealer of YB anytime. (^_~)

I think you are absolutely right 'Javabeans'. Its strength is in its storytelling and script. The acting is good too but not so much on it being a 'pop' idols drama. That in fact I believe has a reverse effect for me. It puts me off at first.
I do want the drama to do well. It deserves so much more!! All the best!!

More crack please!!!

I was reading through the comments and I agree with all of them You're Beautiful is a very unique drama with an awesome plot...

You can't compare BOF and My Fair Lady to this because You're Beautiful is something much much better...

Well I guess since I'm finished reading this I should go rewatch the 8 episodes now....

Oh you make me addict to you^^
I really love this drama! and I love it when you write about it!

@ 137 yhamih

I think the news was related to JGS or his fan club bought the lunch to the YAB crew and cast members. (Credit: AnimeCrazy Forums)

I also attached the link where I read this news and there are soooooooo many pics related to YAB drama. I am so HOOKED ON THIS YAB!!!!!!!

http://www.animecrazy.net/forums/korean-drama/45696-youre-beautiful-16.html

Ahjumma #181 steps out of her closet here :)

Seriously I think part of the crack-affect is how it involves multiple parts of us, our minds as well as our hearts as well as our funny bones and maybe even causing curling of upper lips in attempts to look as cool as JGS....

But okay, seriously for real: It's that half ironic, half earnest feel to the script that I love. It definitely is moving and angsty and involving, but at the same time invites your brain to participate and make fun of itself.

It goes from pathos to parody, moving melodrama to full-on-broadway-Spamalot- musical in a twinkle.

Heaven forbid you blink during the series, you might miss a key hint or a wildly funny line, or a sly pop-culture reference!

No! I'm NOT frothing in the mouth... that would be beneathe my thirty-something odd years of dignity and grace...

(Though lately I've had disturbing visions of myself going to the airport to be a crazy fan girl who throws flowers, gifts, underwear,... or whatever it is that fangirls these days throw, at a band that looks suspiciously like the AN Jells.... hmm....)

Oh my .... my ... YAH addiction
At the beginning I did not expect this drama would be so good like this.
I just like Hong sisters and JGS , so I'm in .
I thought because of my crazy school works, I'll just skim through each episode for 10 min only , then wait for the winter break to watch the whole drama.
And now, I watch each episode twice , no skipping, no fast-forward .
I think I'm crazy because I'm already over 30+ , hahaha
This drama remind me so much of my younger times.
But I have to get back to study now .
I'm on high crack and thanks to JB . I now check your thread 2, 3 times daily hehe.

Thank you so much for this. I'm so in love with this drama. I always check here for updates ^_^ please continue to be our dealer Lol.

Yes , YB is my crack and I need my fix ,coming from a 50 yr. old ahjumma. JB thank you for your wonderful recaps and comments. Be our crack dealer everyday.

@langdon813, I love reading your comments. I also wanna join your club.lol

YB is the best drama for me in 2009. Kudos to the crew from the director, stylist,camera men, cinematographer,actors and esp. the Hong sisters.

Spread the love of YB. Fighting!

You are the best crack dealer ever, JB! ^o^
Thanks for this nice fix, but I must say that, from my pov, it was only due... If I hadn't read your recaps of the first two eps, I swear I would have NEVER watched YAB. So, since you are responsible for my addiction (and not only mine, I see), it seems only fair that now you keep providing us the crack ^o^

So, for the sake of demographics, here is another ahjumma coming out...
The summary, cast info and the first pictures released for this drama left me completelly indifferent. Being 37 y.o., I thought I was well past the age I could enjoy something like YAB. Sooooooo wrong! I decided to give this drama a try because you seemed impressed by it, and it was love at first episode. I am not ashamed (oh well, maybe just a little bit;-)) to say that I am totally addicted to it. Even though I've watched my share of j- and kdramas, I've never been so hooked before.
I think YAB is really something special, a little gem. You, JB, and all the people who have commented here have already expressed what are the elements (writing, execution, awsome acting, well rounded characters, etc) that make YAB stand out. ITA.

I just wanted to add that, even before reading the article, I was thinking how the YAB phenomenon makes it painfully clear what a poor measurement ratings are.
Although I can perfectly understand why they are so important in the entertainment business, they cannot gauge the real popularity and viewers' satisfaction with a show. Contrary to many other TV programs, in Korea or anywhere, YAB has a "passionate cult following" indeed and this is not something you can achieve by chance, or just thanks to smart scheduling to avoid competition.
I can only speak for myself, but never before I have found myself dying of curiosity to know what happens next, watching raw videos just because I cannot wait for the subs to be released, reading every single post related to a drama in the forums, every comment here, etc. And, I must say, no matter how much I've loved other dramas before this and enjoyed reading about them, I've always been a lurker... No other drama has made me feel compelled to write comments myself, and yet I am doing this now for YAB.
This is something ratings will never be able to measure.

Awww... YAB (and JGS's fabulous portrayal of HTK) have totally converted this ahjumma in a fangirl, completely addicted - and enjoying every single second of this addiction ^o^

ewww why is that one guy blond?

Cannot wait to Wednesday.

This is truly my crack and you are my crack dealer !!

Thanks for this.

@191, Anonymous

Unfortunately, not everyone who was MEANT to be blonde was actually BORN blonde; Marilyn Monroe, Gwen Stefani...Lee Hong-ki.

It was just meant to be. :-D

HELLO ADDICTS JUST WANT TO STOP BY HERE MY FAVORITE WEBSITE TO ANNOUNCE THAT VIIKII YAB CHANNEL HAS REACH 1 MILLION VIEWS

1 MILLION VIEWS AND COUNTING!!!! WITH JUST 8 EPISODES THIS DRAMA HAS EVERYONE SO HIGH AND ADDICTED IS BECOMING DANGEROUS!!!!!

"Those two had appeal despite bad writing; You’re Beautiful’s charm is enhanced by solid writing."

Can't agree more. I hate it too how they always compare Shinwoo to Jihoo. Well, I see why but... Ugh. Hehe. Anyway, can't wait for the next scene. JGS and PSH are really great! YB have a huge following here in the Philippines. I wish they can count online viewers as well. KEKE^^,

I agree with you with what you have written at the last paragraph--... the story itself is well-written--that itself enhances the appeal to the viewers. Plus it has an ensemble of casts that doesn't try to outshine the other but rather each of them has their shining moments and a great support to each of the character. The chemistry is very apparent, could be well felt, overflowing. They are neither confused with the characters they're portraying. In fact, they have internalized it so well that they have 'owned' it. But among the characters that has really created a deep impression on me, that one character that was able to put me in such an awe is the actor who portrayed Han Tae Kyung. His outfits up until this point make me cringe alright and the eye liner made me say to myself "ohmigosh,isn't that way over?!" and the smirk with those piercing eyes make me say he does have an attitude (add to that the hair style that is oh so PUNK). But that boy's personality when you see him is the story itself. It's not THE JANG GEUN-SEOK, the star, that I see but it's Han Tae Kyung. JGS was not afraid to do a 180 degree turn in order to portray the character. I watch drama shows not based on the popularity of the actors starring on it but I read the synopsis,watch first few episodes, check out the actors' acting then decide if it's worth my time watching til the end. I have not had this kind of reaction & impression to an actor (regardless of gender) for a very long time now. He has really internalized the character that he was able to give life to Tae Kyung--that obsessive-compulsive, neat freak, self-absorbed, cold personality, full of angst hidden inside him -- but in the end endearing as he starts to unfold his story. Among the main characters, he really stood out. He nailed it. Period.

I watched Boys Over Flowers but have to stop right in the middle of it. It made me feel so tired watching it. It's adaptation alright but the chemistry among the main characters was somehow 'forced'. I believe it was overrated. My Fair Lady fell flat in its story what with matching confusing portrayal of characters and disappointing acting of the main characters. I believe the flat acting was due to the fact that the story line seems to be heading nowhere, characters not well-defined (that in itself would be too confusing no matter how good you are as an actor) and they just have to have an ending.

An actor can be popular and can be cute alright but isn't it a delight to watch a drama with a good storyline & believable acting as well? :-)

@ 147 jae:

I'm like you, I still need to convert more people to this addiction. Haha. I showed my younger bro the first 3 episodes, but he said he wanted more comedy (I usually show him Japanese dramas with all its wacky sense of humor and fast pace). I guess the first 3 episodes wasn't enough for him. But I did get him addicted to Story of a Man though. He hardly watches Korean dramas let alone romantic ones.

Since it just came out, I haven't shown it to other family members yet, but when during the holidays, I'll be sure to show it to my cousins. Same people who got addicted to BOF, will FOR SURE love YB more because it is much better.

YB has the whole package like Story of a Man does: exceptional acting, storyline, and directing.

THANK YOU JB for feeding us our weekly crack of YB and other Korean Entertainment news.

Wow - I was I really quite out of the age group here, feeling quite old for an idol like series - being almost 30 (at 29) - and I'm a mom as well and while working full time, I hardly have time to anything for myself much less watching a series. I have to pick and choose and often fall behind. But I'm hooked, after everyone else is asleep (which is perfect for asian dramas) - i can watch one episode. =) It's awesome to see other moms and dads and everyone else in between, people of all age categories here and commenting too. It's quite amazing.

JGS really has made me feel for his character HTG. And gosh - PSH often looks more like a guy than any of the other guys in the photos LOL. Although in the scenes, she is definitely more girly. I love the chemistry btw PSH and JGS. I do feel bad for SW but I am pulling for TG and MN because they do have some undeniable chemistry. Also - jealousy works quite well in idol related dramas... not in real life, but boy do I love watching a lead get jealous enough to knock some sense into him and realize that he really likes the female lead =) Don't know why, but it almost always works in a drama.

JB - your recaps are so WIDE reaching. Great job.

Oops almost forgot. I don't know if most of you guys visit the soompi thread too so I'll just post it up here as well.

I've been gathering videos that has anything to do with You're Beautiful. Do check it out and feed your addiction while waiting for the next episodes >> http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3ABD389D223A4EB7

Whoa. Apparently Jung Yonghwa's usual travelling van crashed or something, but JY wasn't in the vehicle. Eeps. BBF comparisons aside, please no injuries!!

"I swear this is from another series, where the guy rides up on a motorcycle and rescues 2 girls from the gang. "

That was definitely a parody of something. (Like the pig scenes vaguely parodying BV, or the spy bits giving a go at Iris.) For some reason, I thought of My Tutor Friend, but I don't actually recall a motorcycle in that movie.

we think I think we love them all...hahahaha to all the cast of YB keep fighting and just do ur job and don't think that all of you not doing well to portrait ur character in YB.....Just remember this WE LOVE 2 WATCH "You're Beautiful"....Ur #1...fighthingggggg........keep up d good workzzz guyzzzzz....