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Open Thread #150


 

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*Secret Investigation Record*

Epi 2 is Wayyyy better than episode one, the story is starting to develop the conspiracy behind why the government is trying to keep all the "UfO" events under mortal secrecy, I like the pacing and how Kim Ji Hoon playing the character of Kim Hyung Do has shown so far how good of an actor he really is, the first time I saw him was in "Wish Upon A Star" and he he did an O.K job but so far in this episode (Spoiler) after the governor was kill and he was sedated again with a ninja dart, after he spoke with the "Pipe Smoking Man" and he started to cry, man that was a very moving scene, and the ending! What In Hell was that! The lady is part of the Governments UFO hunters!!!!! (End Spoiler)

For all of you who are looking for a drama "Truly" out of the ordinary this one is a "keeper" I highly recommend this drama!!!!! Joseon X-Files Fighting!!!!!!

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I just finished watching the Chinese "live action" film 2009 version of "Mulan" with "Zhao Wei" playing the Mulan character and "Chen Kun" playing
the character "Wentai" the male lead, even when this version is base mostly on the interpretation of writer/director "Jingle Ma Cho Shing", it is very well written, the cinematography is very good, the colors are dark but it fits with the mood of Mulan as she comes to terms of becoming a "Fearless Warrior" that need's to put her personal feelings aside for the greater good of the nation, and the men that are under her command, and the romantic bend is very well balance with the over all story line.
I highly recommend this movie, this version of Mulan has become my favorite Chinese movie of 2010 *the movie was release in 2009* : O }

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i had a total different interpretation , she's grown and hardened into a seasoned general, but cant be more remote fr "fearless warrior", reluctant to the end doubting her questionable participation of a bloody war that she's sacrificed 2 much for. It's as clear as stone she what she longed most is a civilian existence as a woman, hands tied in how her fate had dealt her cards.

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Very good point! I agree 100% percent with you, she became a "Soldier" not because she had "something to prove" to the world like being a woman and being able to be a soldier also, she did it because her circumstances where such that she had no other option than to become a soldier to protect her older father, and even after becoming a "Season General" that is not the life she long for in the end. The end made me cry, because she not only had to sacrifice her physical body, but the saddest part was that she had to sacrifice her heart, and again because of the circumstances she could not be with her "Prince" at the end!!!!

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Just finished Ep 6 of MGIaG and I'm SOOOOO dying to know what happens next!! It's been a while I've been so addicted to the drama that I'm tempted to watch raws! (The last was probably YAB, which didn't really work out that well because I tend to miss out on a lot of the in jokes watching the raws. Thankfully now I have DB to come and read recaps so I'm totally clear on what happens!)

Metaphor Boy really likes his metaphors, what with the draining of the wine glasses and his ominous stares at the empty wine glasses (aha when one fills up, one must empty!...hence the death!). Can't stand Hye-in but SMN's adorableness as GMH is so cute, I'd forgive anything this drama throws at me!

Looking forward to SS and PK so much. Also, watching Zhong Wu Yen and Endless Love (starring Wilber Pan, who can surprisingly, act!...is sadly the only one really pulling out the acting chops here; the female lead is rather...sigh) so here is where my time management skills come into play!

Alsoooo I follow a bit of the J-music scene altho I haven't recently been involved - BUT WHAT'S THIS ABOUT JIN DROPPING OUT?! And Keiko is cute but seriously don't think she's going out with Pi, although it'd be AWESOME if she did (I was so in love with Buzzer Beat I actually managed to finish a recap of it on my blog...granted I only started recapping from, like, Ep 7 onwards or something). Anyone have any j-dramas they'd like to recommend me to watch? I'd watched the first couple of eps of Hammer Session and stopped...

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Oh, the Keiko-Pi relationship is definitely real, how serious is the only question mark. They've been out on too many dates and caught by fans from Pi's hometown all the way to strolling through Shibuya and along Omotesando (with tons of grainy cell shots of their various dates for confirmation). They had a lovely smoldering chemistry in BB, I'm not surprised they started dating.

The Keiko-Mukai thingie sounds like nothing more than pple making something out of nothing. It likely was a friendly dinner for future co-stars. Of course, Pi (introvert, dorky) and Keiko (extrovert, loves the limelight) are not exactly a long-term ideal pairing, however much I lovelovelove them dating.

For those of you not aware of Jin leaving KAT-TUN, uhm, yeah, he left the group. And Kame breathes a huge sigh of relief and high-fives himself.

There are tons of great currently airing J-doramas, from GOLD, to Joker, to HnH2, to Natsu no Koi (which I need to catch up on).

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OMG! Thanks for mentioning Joker. I totally over-looked it since I thought it was just another detective story. Oh! No! Two of my favorite actors:堺雅人, 錦戸亮 are in it. After shower(just got home from running), I'll be watching them all since I have to get on with my jewelry making and I was wondering what I should be listening. Aw, I should be downloading them during shower!!! My goodness. I'm so excited. I luv Sakai Masato's voice. so soothing. A big thank you hug from me!

The rest I'm watching them all. Another good one is Gakeppuchi no Erie... Very unique and uplifting with a girl with a sailor's mouth.

BTW. Have you watched Anego? I never knew about it and found it while looking for something to watch during my jewelry making. 赤西 仁kun is in it! It's pretty entertaining and he sure is cute. Sort of reminds me of "When harry met Sally" a bit. It was broadcasted before his last drama 有閑倶楽部. Anyhow, if you haven't and have some time, it's highly recommended.

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By the way. Thanks for recommending Life of Pi! I'm half way through and I wasn't putting it down for anything. That was until I started on IAL and next thing I knew... You know how it goes... I watched 8 episodes yesterday tiill 3am, sigh. With K drama, I can't just listen. That's why I'm so behind...

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"BTW. Have you watched Anego?"

One of Ryoko Shinohara's gems. In fact, Dal Ja's Spring was loosely based on it.

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Q:
if you were Keiko, Pi or Mukai?

(Mukai for around the house, for beer buddying, Pi for strutting arm candy out and about)

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LOL! Mukai kun!!!

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Mukai. 8-)

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For those anticipating Mischievous Kiss there were two new long teasers posted! They're longer extended scenes of ones we saw in the first long teasers. It's definitely starting to look extremely alluring to me.

Soda machine kicking scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuSGpkJBHcc

Flasher scene (made me lmao the way it was executed):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmrnxASIhGc

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Thanks so much, that Flasher scene had my daughter and I loao!

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If they keep releasing trailers like this we will see the entire first episode before broadcast date.

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Hi.

I'm new to open threads. I'm always eager about these threads but still I have no idea. Is this a MGIAG discussion place? It seems that most of the comments are about the drama. I love the drama too. Can't stop staring at the fox hunter. Hot!

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Hey! Welcome, : O }.
No, the open thread is where people comment about "What ever tickles their fancy", but since MGIAG is the most talked about drama, on this side of DramaLand, that's why so many comments about that drama! My self I am watching, "I am Legend", "MGIAG", "Gloria", "Secret Investigation Record", and on the J-Dorama side, "Hotaru no Hikari 2", "Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo".

So Welcome once again, and enjoy your stay!!!!!! : O }

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All this JE (Johnny's Entertainment) talk has me giggling. I've pretty up on my Jboys happenings and I find it kind of upsetting for KAT-TUN that Jin is gone. Overall, its good for all involved but I think that on a fandom level KT will take a hit of sorts. I think that fans won't really know what to do being that vocally, the group kinda needs Jin. Artistically, this was the best move for both parties, practically from the beginning but I still find myself paused over it all. Somehow, I would love for them to have remained a little dysfunctional and stayed together. My drama buddy, on the other hand, is already preparing her wallet and mine for the hope that we can catch him in NYC in Oct. I don't really care to see him (I'd much rather stalk SMAP till Nov or find myself in Ken's Bar since he is Stateside) but who would pass up a live sweaty Jin?

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I just showed some family Queen of Pirates. Gobsmacked doesn't even come close to describing their reaction 8-) Then when I pointed out Kame they went..."dear heaven! Not the same Kame? Why doesn't that boy just do dramas? Because well, well.....that looked like torture of the weirdest kind." OTOH, the title "Queen of Pirates" had a few of them absolutely rolling after they saw a bit of it.

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It was my birthday on Friday, partied till Saturday 7 am =))))
I have to leave my country in a week to go to study abroad, so sad to leave my family and friends~
A lot of thinks to worry about, so needed to watch smth to calm down my minds. Recently have got interested with Korean movies. For the last week I watch "Hello School Girl", "First Love", "Speedy Scandal", and "Heartbreak Library'. From more heavier ones I really enjoyed "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance", suits to my current condition perfectly!
And, of course, Korean dramas - my only long lasting passion! Watching MGIAG now, LOVE IT! Looking forward for Sungkyunkwan Scandal and Playful Kiss. May also watch some action/thriller dramas.
HEAVY SCHEDULE =D

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happy belated birthday doublen & best wishes for your studies. time flies so enjoy your moments!

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I started on BL (Brilliant Legacy) this week after putting it off for months after my friends told me it wasn't that good as the rating showed. And I have to say I'm disappointed,
(Spoiler Alert!)
rich spoiled grandson(LSG) and hard working girl, nothing so new, very predictable, and also those step-mom step-sis .*yawns* Grandmom happened to have amnesia *roll eyes* and.....etc. The chemistry between the leads wasn't that great, I cringed a little at the kiss at the end (as compared to KJH's kiss in CH, swoon). I saw they got the award for best couple and I thought JGS and the girl in YAB had much better chemistry , they should get this award! Oh, well the rating do counted here wasn't it? 40%??????

I also tried 'Secret Investigation Record' but the camera style gave me dizziness so may be later.

Now I'm happy that ,at least, I have CH to cherish for this year drama!

Have a nice week end everyone.

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Guys, I am a little morose about not being able to view MNIKSS any longer. It's been pulled off all the sites, damn! Why oh why! :( Luckily, I have seen it about 4 times over the last couple of years. But wish I had downloaded it now!

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It's still on Dramafever....and Hulu.

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@Amg1 - It's nice to hear that someone else is watching Gloria, it seems to be lying low under the radar. I'm quite looking forward to her big transformation, more in the I-am-a-star! way than make-over way. The romance between Gloria and the Kang Suk is a bit of a slow-build up but then we do have the other story lines. I would be interested to see more about the elder sister's history. :)

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Yes it is, but since "Gloria" is schedule for 50 episodes, they have enough time to develop the romantic story between "Gloria" and Kan Suk, on the other hand I like how the romance between "Chunderella" and "Jung Yoon-Seo (second lead) has been develop, "Oh Hyeon-Kyeong" playing the mentally handicap sister "Na Jin-Joo" is one of the best acting performances I have seen in a while, I know some have said that she is a bit "annoying" but I find her character very inspiring, I must say that "story wise" I like "Gloria" much, much, better that "I Am Legend", "Gloria' has a much deeper meaning to me, so I am in for the 50 episodes!!!

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Uhm, Mukai to date and Pi to marry. All Pi talks about is eating nice meals, enjoying the nice weather, being excited about the sweetest little things in the world. Definitely a keeper. Mukai seems like a total player, which is my dating type anyway. :-P

I am watching Glorious, but it's way to early to discuss with meaningfully. I can say I'm more invested in DA-YS couple that KS-JJ couple, but it's a testament to Chun Hee being all sorts of amazing and So Ji Suk being....not (so far).

The ladies are wonderful, but I'm totally digging our illegitimate suicidal ex-ballerina. Even I'm tempted to take care of her!

For a 50 ep drama, I'm enjoying it but not invested, Giant is leaps and bounds more epic and better written, but Glorious has its strengths that make me enjoy it as well.

Shipping the divorced couple in IAL is making me hurt in a good way, and all the rest of the dramas I'm watching kinda are falling by the wayside until IAL shows hand and I feel certain whether my couple is getting back together or I have to jump ship to get some satisfaction.

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Oh, and Jin to, um, you know (*blushes*) and MatsuJun to be my pet, and Mokomichi to just stare at all day long, and have him model jeans for me.

And I call Gloria the drama Glorious, so I don't get a ear-worm, and because Chun Hee is simply Glorious in that drama.

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And I hear he(Jin) lives in LA...

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Yeah, Jin likes to party it up in K-town. He's a bad boy. He's a bad bad boy. ;)

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What I'd like to know is where Seol Hee comes up with those trashy outfits after she decides to divorce such as the fringed bottom short shorts with fox-tail (?) belt ornament. Surely her mother-in-law wouldn't have let her store them away during the married years, and her younger sister doesn't look like the kind that would have them in her closet for her to borrow when needed.

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LOL! I've learned to never question the amount of different outfits characters in Kdramas have. No matter what their financial status is.

When you see them leaving home with one suitcase (the size of which I'd have trouble packing enough for a 3 day weekend) and Lo and Behold! That small suitcase held 15 coats,27 purses, 42 different outfits (accessories and all) and of course 63 pairs of shoes!

Personally I wouldn't mind having one of those magic suitcases. :)

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Yeah, I'd like one of those suitcases too!

I thought that the clothing stuff might be thinly-veiled product placement, but then once or twice there's been someone who wore a t-shirt that would have a piece of tape on it to cover out a brand name. Like, really?! They couldn't find another shirt for you to wear?

Wait until Grandfather in MGIAG finds out DW spent hundreds of dollars on womens underwear (oh if only they shopped at a girly place and not a general department store, and grandfather saw the statements).

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i don't care about the suitcase, but where can i get all those clothes and shoes that come out of that suitcase.?

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Here is a video of "Yuto Miyazawa" a 10 year old child guitar prodigy from Japan, playing Crazy Train" with "Ozzy Osbourne" live at the Ozzfest in Hartford, CT, enjoy!!!! This kid is the "Future of J-Rock"!!

(http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=09a_1282880983)

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I just finished Episode 3 of the J-Dorama "Gakeppuchi no Eri" with
"Yamada Yu as Aihara Eriko", this is a comedy about a "Poor Girl" who moves to Tokyo to study Art, but the lack of money eventually forces her to quite school, but in the process she becomes an illustrator and eventually a successful Manga Artist, the drama is base on the "Original writing (Autobiographical essay): Kono Yo de Ichiban Daiji na 'Kane' no Hanashi by Saibara Rieko (西原理恵子).

I must say this is A very "Heart Felt" drama it has a lot of comedic moments but is very well balance by the serious subject matter, I highly recommended.

P.S I believe that 2010 has been a very good year for J-Doramas!!!

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Yep, yep. This coming Friday is the final episode!

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Here is the link for a 2007 Interview with "RIEKO SAIBARA" on "The Japan Times". she sounds like a really "Cool Lady" after all the struggles she has gone trough!! enjoy!!

(http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070401x1.html)

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@34 Beggar1015 / nycgrl

Interesting that Goodbye Solo has come up. I'm continuing my watch and the more I watch the more I love it! I can kind of see that the first episode may not appeal and I have to confess I didn't connect with it so well at the start. But now I'm in episode 8 and with each new episode it gets more and more absorbing.

I agree with nycgrl the directing is very skilled and the acting (mostly) great. I love the soundtrack too. But the star, for me, is the writing and the characterisation. Every character comes to life, slowly but realistically. It may be hard to get into at first because it's not an "obvious" drama in which dramatic things happen and people have histrionics. In fact not terribly much happens, but as we go along it's as if we are peeling an onion that reveals more and more of real people and their lives. And as we go along my emotional investment (even, anxiety) keeps going up because I know that even the seemingly insignificant events have huge repercussions in the landscapes of people's lives and hearts. Which is how life is, isn't it?

I love the way everyone in this show could be a real person. There are no villains or saints. Every nice or cool person has flaws, and every badly-behaved person becomes sympathetic once we see why they behave the way they do. It's quite amazing how they all come to life. I think GS is, for me, a show I will treasure and could easily re-watch.

When I'm done I shall play in the Koala's Playground, but not quite yet as I don't want to be spoiled! :-) I'm taking it slow and not gulping it down, because I feel that watching GS is like savouring a fine wine. And, of course, nibbling a fine PIE!

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@Serendipity Your characterization of the GS is so spot on and I agree any of the these characters could be one of us which is why some people might not find them so likable given there are no black & white characters but a lot of muddy grey areas with faults, weaknesses & insecurities like real people which is why I related to this drama & loved it. Also the pacing is so not your typical kdrama with high peaks & low valleys but more of a rolling slow hill. There are definitely aspects of GS which reminded me of Ireland & Ruler of your own world in terms of the pacing & the lonely/outsider theme.

If these are not enough to tempt a viewer there is always sweet delectable vulnerable PIE to feast on.

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@Ryoma Den,

Started on this year's taiga . . . WOW. Could this be the first taiga done right in almost a decade?!?

This is the best looking drama I've ever seen. We often talk about this or that show (i.e. Chuno) transporting you into a different time, but this show makes you feel the full social and textural strata so that it's under your finger nails.

The introduction of Commodore Perry's ships into Edo harbor conveys the right chaos. The storyline paces nicely through the conditions for the Bakamatsu, and all the major players are introduced via the back alleys of Edo (whore houses, fencing halls, etc.)

This is just stunning. Especially after the emo abomination that was Tenchijin, this is just a return to form.

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Zhong Wu Yen episode 6 - the drama has officially reached take-off! It's got development, real emotion, moments of character growth, and lots of my Chris Wu emoting his head off.

I've got a new synopsis for ZWY - it's when the ugly meets the stupid, crossed with the blind and throw in the formerly fat. And everyone is beautiful within and the characters are gelling like I can't believe. I am now in love with this show. Thank you TW, for not allowing 2010 to go down the drain.

And I read an article about Rainie Yang swearing to win a Golden Bell best actress award next year come hell or high water, and that was a good laugh. Good luck, Rainie. As long as Cheryl and Ariel are making dramas, you've got a snowballs chance in hell.

I tried to explain to my SiL about Bad Guy (she loves Bidam like you wouldn't believe, when FB did the put the celebrity you resemble as your picture thingie, she didn't quite understand it so she put Bidam's picture up, it was hella hilarious) and whether she should watch it. It was a testament to my being objective when I said: I would never recommend this show unless you love KNG, and if you love KNG you must watch it. She was really confused, but that was as much as I could say.

And today is my obligatory shout-out on behalf of all ICOMYM members - Kim Bum, you are so freakin' adorable hot, why couldn't you be ten years older or me ten years younger. Sigh, Park Jin Hee, you lucky lucky....thing. First Bummie this year, and my you are all up in my sexy lemur's face.

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"Good luck, Rainie. As long as Cheryl and Ariel are making dramas, you’ve got a snowballs chance in hell."

AMEN Sister! I don't want to start a Raine war cause I know she has her fans, but she isn't good when compared to others. (<- me trying to be diplomatic-ish)

___________

Zhong Wu Yen is definitely hitting all the right spots for me. If only they did something more with Cheryl's makeup to make the ugly more believable. That still pulls me out of the story at times.

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Has anyone here ever watched Love Stories? It's an old short film (TV) series, similar to KBS Drama Specials.
I've been watching Comrades and Sandglass and decided I needed a break so wandered off to find myself something less heartwrenching and voila! I'm happy, happy-as-a-clam-in-the-frickin'-sand! to have found these online.
Just finished watching Sunflower which was a thriller starring Lee Sung-yun, Lee Byung-hun and Kim Sun-ah and I'm so creeped out by it, it's not even funny.

About to watch the next one called The Message, starring -- wait, for it, I'll just cut and paste this:
- Starring: Song Seung Hun, Cha Seung Won, Choi Ji Woo, Lee Bum Soo, Lee Na Young.
*brain hemorrhages at the thought of all these guys sharing screen space together*

Then I'll watch another one with So Ji-sub and Bae Doo-na, before calling it a night. *squee*

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I've always wanted to watch this, but couldn't find a copy 'lest one with subs.

Oh speaking of hard-to-find-ish, I've started SHOOT FOR THE STARS, you know that drama starring Jo In Sung, Jeon Do Yeon AND Lee Seo Jin. *sqeeee with fist in mouth*

Story be damned, my brain shuts off with SO MUCH STAR POWER in one show.

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It's subbed on aznv.tv, you need to create an account with these guys and they'll prompt you to d/l a winamp player to watch their videos on. Both things only take a nanosecond or so to setup and you're good to go. It's worth it for this Love Story series and other hard-to-find oldies like Sandglass, Piano, Glass Slippers and more. Except there's still no Into The Storm... *sniffle*.

Oh, I know, I couldn't concentrate on show either, I was too busy gaping and then in fits of laughter at CSW and LBS. Who knew somewhere underneath these two characters would be a sexpot Jo Gookie and heartthrob Gang-mo just waiting to be unleashed. I'm now a firm believer in the power of styling.
I guess since I'd seen SSH and CJW in older shows there was barely any shock factor with those two, bah, killjoys.
There's more weirdness yet: Bae Doo-na and So Ji-sub (verrry early into his career, like pre-TYOL even).

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Ha!! Didn't know it was on there, I'll look again. Thanks!

"There’s more weirdness yet: Bae Doo-na and So Ji-sub"

Dude, there's a show with Bae Doo Na and Won Bin. It's always at the store, but I never get around to it. And I need to find the sitcom with So Ji Sup and Kim Sun Ah.

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And here's a clip of Won Bin, Kim Sun-ah and Chae Rim in a drama together. Lulz at the hair, all three of theirs.

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Would help if I put the link in there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IWICe_G2Eo

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Is anyone else having severe Awe moments at the disgustingly cute puppy love moments in Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku. The love triangle setup between the 4-6 year olds is way too much adorableness. Just wondering if anyone else is watching and thinking that you want to just pinch all their cheeks like I do.

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Guilty as charged. Natsu no Koi = Matsujun cat nip. 8-)

I agree with someone up thread - this has been a pretty decent year so far in dorama land.

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What's so lovable about Natuno koi is that Taiga's(Matujun) personality is such a gentle one, gentle soul, I'd say. It just makes your heart tremble a little watching him falling in love and the consequences of that in his daily existence.

Yesterday's episode was lovely.

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I am in love with Taiga. Jun has very expressive eyes. I believe what he says(with them).

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@ supah and Bellaza, you won't regret watching Love Stories. Apart from the mega stars featured, I enjoyed every short story in that series and was surprised to find so much depth in each short story of only two episodes. Bae Do Na is great in there with the ageing rock star, one of my favorite stories. That's why I'm not surprised she is shining in Gloria now!

BTW, Gloria is giving me the Kim Sam Soon vibe - 30 year old not so pretty lady going nowhere but now decides she has a dream and wants to pursue it. The icing on the cake is the music.

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@ supah and Bellaza again. You can download the bt files at D-Addicts, or via MU at aja-aja and AM-Addiction. The series was only recently hardsubbed by Hanryu.

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Thanks Rambutan, it'd be handy to know about sites like D-addicts, I hear the name often but have never really used it. Maybe they'll have Into the Storm.

I really like what I've seen of Love Stories so far, Sunflower was pretty solid for its short film format, usually thriller endings can be left open-ended and can be pretty underwhelming as a result but this one was really well done and acted.
Message, the rom-com was pretty conventional but decent too, it actually felt like a full miniseries or something. Though I could barely concentrate on the actual plot at all given all the famous faces, and CJW's ''in-kiiii'' voice-messages grated on me, but it was enjoyable as a whole.
Ran out of time to finish the BDN & Rockstar one, but I'll come back to it.
Also looking forward to the melo with Song Yoon-ah and a fellow castmember from Hotelier, who I really liked and there's a quirky one with Kim Hyun-joo (who doesn't love her?) with Kwon Oh-joong (hatelovehatelovehaaaate!! ...love, ad infinitum).

Argh, I so wanted to love Gloria, there's just some giant force-field obstructing me from watching and liking it.
OK, I'll only watch it when someone exclaims how Suh Ji-suk is finally being his prime, swoonworthy crush-material self and not being written as some cutout, written to be outcharmed by everyone else on the show but him. Me? I'm not bitter, not me.
@epyc, your call. ^

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Ha Ha Supah - To quote someone's comment under the 'strike' post: Gloria is my one and only love at the moment.

Not sure if I'm drama'd out - this is the ONLY drama I'm following currently. I started IAL but stopped at Ep 7 and had no motivation to catch it any sooner. I don't feel the chemisty between KJE and LJH, and agree with what a lot of people's saying that she has better chemistry with KSS - who usually is a lukewarm person in all the works I've seen him before. But he is quite intense here. I like the band and the music though.... Again, with all the hype surrounding MGIAH, I am not tempted at all to watch it. Beta male is just not my thingie!

Back to Gloria - I love everything about it despite the seen-so-many-times storyline. The acting, directing, and pacing all hit the right note for a 50-ep drama. Lee Chun Hee is really shining here and his love story with Sung Yi-hyun is garnering lots and lots of love from those watching this drama. There was a scene that Auntie Mame described as making her year, not day! And I agree.

I love how this is not a pretentious drama and there is that honesty and sincerety in how the writer develops her characters. It is an ensemble drama with a tint of Dickensian feel but Gloria as a character is that fighter to bring hope and optimism. Needless to say, BDN is first and foremost who draws me to watch this drama. We have an all-round good cast here and I love almost all characters, except those meant-to-be annoying ones.

Lastly, your million dollar question: when we are going to see the Dr-Wang-charm in Suh Ji-suk? It is starting to happen from the last 10 minutes in Ep 10 and I am so looking forward to next week's Ep 11. There were a lot of complaints about how slow his storyline with BDN has been...but I think it's a deliberate attempt of the writer to firmly establish the colder-than-cold character of SJS. Surely, he is outcharmed by everyone else right now but anticipation is building up for us Gloria fans to see the 'defreeze' which I am quite confident should be a highlight of this drama. When that moment comes, I will certainly report back to you :)

PS Great to see the talks about Love Stories because I bought the DVD years ago for all the big names but never get to watch it. Sounds like a goer!

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It's starting to happen? O rly? You have me all excited now. I'll wait for the green light from you! Wheee!

About IAL, the whole in-laws and divorce theme is scaring me off, I generally avoid that theme in dramas (dramas are not reality so it's not THAT it's just the topic doesn't interest me at all), though I really enjoyed the drama with its cast, its premise, its music to begin with and was thinking it'd move on swiftly to less marriage-related stuff, alas, no. But I guess a lot of people are liking it so... *shrugs*

MGFIAG: to be perfectly honest, I don't think LSK is a beta male per se, he reminds me a lot of Kim Rae-won in Attic Cat, as in; annoying spoiled brat but with a kind of lovableness about him.
Not quite as lovable as KRW mind you, but almost. And I've not gone back after watching the initial two episodes so go figure. I guess I'm in the mood for meatier stuff. (But I could ALWAYS make an exception for Dr Wang, always-always, so hurry, Gloria.)

Oh yes, you must watch Love Stories, you lucky thing! You have the series on DVD. I've only watched two so far but I love what I've seen so far.

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The ending of IAL 9. O.M.G. I knew it was going down that path, gah, it's so on, baby!

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Javabeans: Would you consider having a "Recent Comments" column somewhere on the page? That might allow people to join in conversations on pages long past.

I started watching Bad Guy this weekend (I chanced upon it on Hulu, with 480 quality video -- AMAH-ZING), and wanted to chat about it on the episode's pages...

Just a thought.

While i am here: How did I miss this drama while it was airing; although, it is nice to marathon it? I am on Ep. 13, and while the plot is totally the sh8ts, everything else is so good! It's a blend of MISA, What Happened in Bali, Time Between Dog and Wolf (or whatev that title is), and Dolce Vita...I am preparing to get my heart thoroughly stomped on. I stay away from melodrama, but Waffle Guy can suck me into anything :-).

Thanks for this amazing site, JB!

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Giant 31: so, SO good!
Here's another reason why the childhood portion was solid, also the early xteen episodes, all the callbacks are so cool. Hong Ki-pyo and his Japanese whisky was the only element missing here (thank You, Hwang Jung-shik, you a-wipe).
Another thing I noted was it's not the first time a character's changed their hairstyle into that particular cut and donned all black, think episode 5.
*continues squealing*

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LOL! I can't believe that I'm actually sort of rooting for the Rat Bastard ex. Though I liked TH better in this episode. Not that I disliked him before.

I really do wish he would cut his fingernails though. They're longer than mine are, and I pay to have mine done!

And yes I know a lot of guitar players grow them out on one hand. Mostly players who play a lot of acoustic and Spanish guitar. But seriously they are creeping me out! Freddy Kruger anyone? :)

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I'm sorry....TH has long fingernails? I seriously cannot pay attention properly to that boy, he's just there....being. I've been on Team Rat Bastard Ex for awhile.

And MILD SPOILERS:

I think the writers are spending way too much time on JW if he's meant to stay an ex, AND we're past the midway point and not only does Seol Hee feel not even the tiniest twinge of interest in TH, she's clearly still feeling something for JW, AND the writers are making TH-Soo In way too obvious as a fallback position.

At the rate we're going, we're going to have a love pentagram soon, and a very messy one at that. I wouldn't be upset if IAL got extended a few episodes to allow these messy emotional connections to form more naturally and resolve itself.

And I would love to see more small steps forward for the Madonna Band, I love their comraderie and the feeling of music as an outlet and a source of support for them.

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JW the rat bastard has chemistry out the wazoo with Seol Hee. The only thing rescuing TH for me at the moment is his singing, which is lovely and swoon-worthy. So, either he sings more, or I'm joining you on Team Rat Bastard.

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Go Team Rat Bastard! :)

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You're already on Team Rat Bastard, you just don't want to admit, momosan dear. :-)

Team Rat Bastard even has non-IAL watchers on it, if I pinged nycgrl and hjkomo they'd chime in as honorary members.

Yay, another name is born. It's a testament to KSS's marvelous presence that we cheer on a team supporting a bona fide rat bastard. Who says we can't be subversive and contrarian sometimes. I just go where my heart tells me, and while my brain hates Ji Wook's, my itty bitty heart adores him to pieces.

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Okay, I officially give up! 28 minutes into episode 10 and it has made me buy a ticket on Team Rat Bastard. Man has no right to be a rotten cheating evil scorched earth lawyer and so smexy. Sigh. I'm not DRIVING this bus yet, but I've definitely boarded.

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Consider me on Team Rat Bastard, too. TONS of chemistry, I can smell the pheromones in Texas!

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Hum, I'm feeling like I'm so missing out something here... It's my zzz time... Shall I forget it and watch? instead?

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Ugh, it bothers me too.

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Oops! supposed to be 71.1

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I didn't watch Giant. I watched a movie yesterday with my sisters and hated it so much and got tired (I only have attention deficit with movies and television it seems) Also the whole strike looming (It's like.. it's like they want us to watch Playful Kiss guys. Nooooooooo. You'll never take me alive show!)

I only watched Giant last week and decided on Sunday to watch two episodes of Personal Taste. It's like I'm the OT!.... a few months in the past. Everything is new and sparkly to me (and for right now it's good, although people said the show dragged later on.) It's all in stupid fun though, I'm not devoted to Mr. BFF and am more concerned about my oncoming bout of house envy. That house, so nice...

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Poor Lee Joon Hyuk. He gets a mano-a-mano scene with KSS and it's like watching a kid brother posturing to his hyung. Cutie pie, I'll cheer you on next time, I promise, but you're a lost cause now. [BTW, LJH was so smoking hot in WW as SHK's doctor ex, he needs to go back to playing that type of character].

Team Rat Bastard bus is leaving the station soon. Everyone get on board, cuz it's gonna be a bumpy, but oh so angsty, ride. @ momosan - you're not driving but since you watch the torrents live you've got to navigate and holler for land mines.

I feel like once I outed myself a Team Rat Bastard, slowly ppl are emerging. Hee, so nice to have a team, and not be all by my lonesome.

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I call shotgun and I'll navigate. 8-)

I tried explaining the show to Sis yesterday. Not that effective - I need a better explanation than "ajumma divorces rat bastard husband who won't let her give bone marrow transplant to sister (Sister "WHAT"!) and forms a rock band..."(Sister "ummm, what?")

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I was just glad to see that it wasn't just me on Team Rat Bastard! :) It was feeling kind of lonely there by myself.

P.S. I am so on the bus!

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Team Rat Bastard FTW! How many episodes have ended with Seol Hee-Ji Wook? Yeah, too many to count. I said it earlier, but there is Team RB, or else you ride a tricycle. [I'm fine with SH ending up alone and confident and happy, too!]

And lest folks think I'm dissing LJH, TH has got chemistry with Soo In! So focus on that, writer, and get the party started.

And I'm totally ignoring Giant, but its because my OTP is pissing me off with their moronic and misguided behavior, so I'm giving them a cold shoulder until later when I don't fee like chucking both of them in that dang river and telling them to snap out of it, revenge tastes yucky.

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Oh, I'm totally TEAM RAT BASTARD, even though I'm not watching IAL. ;)
At least, the Team Rat Bastard bus is riding at full speed down the highway, whereas its previous incarnation, Team Smexy Sunbae, got stalled by a 50-car pile-up of kiddies thinking they could joyride with the grown-ups. :P

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Oooh, Park Shin Hye is doing a TW-idol drama next!

http://ockoala.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/park-shin-hye-george-wu-in-tw-drama/

She'll be starring with George Hu in a manga adaptation of Hayate the Combat Butler. I swear my mind keeps going back to My Fair Lady, and this time Yoon Sang Hyun knows martial arts! Anyways, just keeping everyone up to date on the TW casting news is all.

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Giant 32: yeah, just keep on laying it on thick, Giant.
That was one heck of an intense episode, I still have steam coming out of my ears.
Even that nice little moment of respite with Lee Mija's Yuraob Sunjha was lauded with irony. Sigh.

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ahem, *loaded.
Judging by the intensity, it looks like they're priming for another timeleap, like very soon?
Yo, 90s, and Jung-shikee in Hammer pants!

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Hwang Jung Eum is currently displaying a rounder figure in the SBS drama ‘Giant’. When asked whether she has any plans to diet, she answered, “No plans on dieting, but moreover, i’m gaining more weight to have a more glamorous body”.

(Shrugs)(Rolls eyes)(Moves on)(Mi-joo eats well but not girly enough joke here)

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Haha, what? But she has the perfect body! Are people expecting her to be like Moon Geun-young thin or something?

Speaking of HJE, this girl can cry, like really cry. Very realistically. She made me cry, just recently. That's how realistic it was. Really.

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@70.1 Supah: "Argh, I so wanted to love Gloria, there’s just some giant force-field obstructing me from watching and liking it. "

Was it the shouting and the screaming by Bad (deliberate) Doo Na and her gangster friend that put you off in the first two eps? I was put off, too, but am happy I scratched below the surface. I FOUND GOLD, just like what happened in City Hall after the first three or four episodes. As the story of Gloria progressed, the shouting became less, the characters became very alive, and the story took flesh. I got drawn in by the simple yet excruciating life stories of ordinary people, fantastic acting all round. I watched Gloria because of Dr. Wang first, BDN second. He starts off as frosty as the meat at the back of your refrigerator freezer that has been forgotten for a year. At end-ep. 10, there may be a start of a thaw, but in his current frozen state, defrosting will be a slow process. I like my Dr. Wang, so I will enjoy every second of the thawing and defrosting process. This is one rare occasion that I don't dread a 50-episode drama.

Into the Storm? I haven't heard of it. I have heard of Into the Sun (Kwon Sang Woo) and Into the Sunlight (Chae Tae Hyun, Jang Hyuk, Kim Hyun Joo, Kim Ha Neul), though.

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Further to 70.1.1 and 70.1.1.1, yes: the defrosting will be a slow process and that's why we have 50 episodes!!!

rambutan - I've been hesitant to have the City Hall comparison (though very close to in terms of how I am emotionally drawn to and felt for the characters) but you are one step ahead to say so. This might be the drama of the year for me. Yes, the beginning doesn't give you that kick but it is rewarding now that 10 episodes are over. I hope the next 40 are as good as the first ten.

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@rambutan, epyc

Wooh, more Dr Wang fangirls on OT!

Naah, it was a mix of a) I've seen this all before. b) the realization that Suh Ji-suk was just not written to be cool, as in witty, snarky and/or lovable.

I really don't mind BDN as some plucky ahjumma, and don't mind the rest of the cast either. I'm just really picky and unforgiving when it comes to male characters, not speaking superficially, they have to really win me over (and not necessarily romantically either -- eg. I'm so in love with Lee Ki-young, Son Byeong-ho and Kim Myung-soo right now, it's not even funny) otherwise they're not worth watching.But yeah, sorry to hit you two over the heads with it, I just want Suh Ji-suk to be written as a winsome character and not 2D, he doesn't have to be too obvious about it either. I don't trust the writer really, but I'm always up for pleasant surprises.

@rambutan
Into the Storm is a 2004 show with my Kim Suk-hoon, Song Yoo-nah, Kim Min-joon, Lee Deok-hwa and Sung Ji-roo (Sung Ji-roooo!). It was written and directed by the same duo behind All In (All In being one of my all time favourite shows, ever, but I won't touch Swallow the Sun with a 10-foot pole) and (I don't have to say this part but I will anyway) produced by Yoo In-sik (PD of Giant (!!) Bad Family and Robbers).
I've ALWAYS wanted to watch this, dying for Yesasia to release a region-friendly box-set or something.

Now my interest in Into the Sunlight has been piqued too, Jang Hyuk and Kim Hyun-joo. Bliss.

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@ brookeeve

Unni, are you out there??? I saw these and I HAD to share them with you. No mocking or teasing intended, I promise. They are just that good. Lee Mi-sook is such a goddess, my goodness. And TOP. Is. A. Total. GQBAMF. Shhhhh...it!

Original Korean article with HOT photos:
http://elle.atzine.com/elle/elleweb_template_fashion.iht?contId=B11_20100825_05799

Translation:
http://community.livejournal.com/omonatheydidnt/4352949.html

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Now that I'm done spazzing all stupid-like, I thought the article was particularly apt in light of the age-difference discussion we were having in the last Open Thread. If Goddess Mi-sook can git dat, then your mind should be at ease, unni. Young is where it's at. If I weren't already tied down, my alternate husband wouldn't even be born yet. :-P

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he said he didn't want her to catch his cold. really... i don't think that she was caring about that. i would gladly pay that price...

'cept, like you, i'm hitched. maybe my husband would understand? what do you think?

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Team Rat Bastard has got quite a contingent - a few more folks have outed themselves over at the comments of the IAL first impression review I wrote. It's like AA, but caused by addiction to a rat bastard formerly smexy sunbae.

The writing of IAL is the weakest link, but the two Kims are acting their butts off.

Anyways....48 hours left!

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I'm on the bus, I'm on the bus, I'm lost in multiple posts! Really, really, so much chemistry there, what I want in my leads .... or the Rat Bastard, in this case.

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Welcome to Team Rat Bastard. We ride a bus. :-D

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The short yellow one?( Sorry couldn't help myself) What am I saying? I'm on the bus too! :)

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Yes, it may in fact be the short yellow one considering we all must clearly be addled in the brain to consider boarding said bus.

But let it be said that we shall enjoy the ride together, wherever it may lead: happily ever after or....not.

I had a crazy fan day dream about IAL:

It'll end with a time jump - 5 years later - and a boy comes running up to Seol Hee after her performance, and it's her son, and cue the baby daddy is.....Ji Wook, it's the baby they were supposed to have and this time they did, and he's now working at the haraboji lawyer's law firm representing the regular folks. Hey, who says I can't dream up sure-to-never-come-true fan fiction.

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I had my suspicions about this bus being the short yellow one, but I wasn't going to say anything.....

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@ those watching HnH2 - aahhhhhh...i just finished watching ep 8 and Sseeeenoooo san!!! i've never wanted the second lead to get the girl so bad. this boy is like a basket full of puppies *huggles* Actually...nvm....buchou can have amemiya....and i'll take seno-san. he! ^^

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Just sayin', worst dress at the Emmy's, Rita Wilson. And her shoes .... Did she have an alien experience??

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Playful Kiss ep1

Cute. That is all. And Jung So Min is the real deal. She's like a cross between Seo Woo and Yoon Eun Hye.

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I saw it too, um the first 30 minutes I felt could have been sacrificed to whatever gods. The Pollyanna trick won't work anymore since I was not pleased. I'll wait for Java and company before I go all spoiler, but it left me feeling very blah. I had a serious eye roll at the very end. For those that have not seen the other versions, they may find some entertainment value, but I think I will pass on the rest of this.

I agree Jung So Min does a good job with what she is given.

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A friend requested this MGiAG vid so I figured I would share with the rest of the class. YT is being a punk about it so megvid wins today.

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=1TAHN9TN

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That song was perfect for that video! :)

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I agree, the song fits perfectly.
Love the clips you chose, so, so apt. Especially love the basketball scene when she hits it at that guy and he nosebleeds and faints. What can I say, I'm a big kid at heart, love Hong Sisters.

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Playful Kiss episode 2 is adorable, and much much MUCH better than episode 1.

Hee, I did a quickie recap at wordpress. It's definitely stays true to the story and the mood of the manga. I'm onboard for the whole ride, wherever it takes me.

As long as no one ends up dead in a river and unclaimed, it's all good with me. 8-)

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Per your review and a few comments from my friends I figured I would try episode 2. You are correct it was infinitely better that episode 1.

Mr. Wooden even changes his facial expressions. I was shocked. They also got on with telling the story which was almost all but absent in episode 1. It won't be the first thing I watch by a long shot, but I might finish it one day.

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Don't understand how a film like Silk Shoes didn't receive the wider acclaim it deserved.
Oh well, at least the LoveHKFilm guys praised it and that's all that matters. I know I adore it and it may just become my #1 kfilm, ever.
This heartwarming and heartbreaking indie flick contains shades of Comrades, Giant and Bad Family all in one (seeing is believing y'all), but it's all hidden in comedy getup. Comedy which ranges between slapstick to intelligent, resonating wit. Loved the oddball characters and the phenomenal acting by the little old North Korean man whom the film pivots around.
Lee Sung-min as the oddball gangster -- hahaha, hilarious and Park No-shik -- goes without saying.

The Way Home -- awesome. Loved baby Yoo Seung-ho. LOVED grandma. Many golden moments like Kentucky Chicken (heartbreaking yet funny), the haircut and the crazy cow. Everyone, whoever you are, wherever you are, young or old, should see this, it's... Golden.

Also, at the halfway mark for Comrades, must take it easy though, I hate how invested I am in some of the characters, it means I'm constantly pleading at the screen that nothing 'bad' happens to them. Is it wrong to be on NKPA's side? Only because they have the more interesting characters, all the actors are solid, but come on: Su-kyung, Yang-taek and Seong-il, together!? Bliss! Now there's a fourth member I'd love to add to this dream team who I've recently seen in Count of Myeongdong and I have to admit I love him better in Comrades. Tee hee!

Yes, I've taken a week off work, and I'm spending it all watching k-stuff. But I'm so contented and happy with everything that I'm watching, something had better not bust my bubble soon. Rarr!

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Coincidence -- I just watched "The Way Home" tonight. I know I saw it years ago, but worth a re-watch. As you say, loved the grandma. Followed that with "A moment to remember" for my Son Ye-Jin marathon. Tears all around.

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U know what - I just bought the DVD of Silk Shoes due to your review a few weeks ago. Wouldn't have the time to watch it until probably two weeks later though.....

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I saw the little teaser trailer for the Japanese-Korean adaptation of Ghost. Look at all that chemistry!... that's not really there. Then, spoilers, the plot revolves around Nanami (the female in this story) dying and Joon-ho (the male character in this story) being in Japan because he's studying ceramic art. I don't know film, I hope she died from some sort of suspicious circumstances. Half of the pure love story movies of Japan have someone die anyways. They couldn't even use any refreshing plot points of the original Ghost? Even the psychic medium character is played by a girl so it will be Song Seung-heon kissing a *GASP* woman. ...Whatever movie.

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