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Daemul claims top ratings spot over Runaway

SBS’s Daemul premiered strong this Wednesday, and has shot to first place in the ratings race in its first week. KBS’s Runaway Plan B dropped a few percentage points and had to settle for second place.

Wednesday’s episode drew identical numbers for both dramas: 18.0%. (Those are AGB numbers; TNS puts Daemul ahead with an 18% to Runaway‘s 15%. However, for consistency’s sake I use AGB unless otherwise indicated.) But Thursday’s episode had a clear winner, with Daemul pulling ahead to 21.5%. Runaway brought in a 16.2%.

Prior to the premiere of either drama, there was a lot of interest in seeing which A-list star would triumph: Rain or Go Hyun-jung? It looks like Go’s pull remains strong from her last role playing the utterly devious Mi-shil in last year’s hit sageuk Queen Seon-deok.

I guess people are in the mood to see a female president kicking some political ass, although I have to admit I pretty much hated the first episode. It played West Wing scenarios with all the subtlety of a Saved By the Bell episode, and the political posturing was at times uncomfortably cringe-inducing. (I can see the appeal in having Go Hyun-jung’s president character handling international crises with cool competence, but in making her look strong, the drama reduced the very complex issue of foreign politics to cartoonish depictions. Her conversations with foreign heads of state made me groan in embarrassment — she stands up to international bullies, gets her way, and saves the day, all in a day’s work. It’s wishful thinking mixed with narrative ethnocentrism. I did not enjoy.)

There was also the matter of the sudden tonal switches from serious to slapstick to heartfelt. I didn’t get any emotion out of it, though they sure wanted us to. Oh well, that’s just one drama I don’t have to worry about in a crowded season! I’m sure Daemul will continue to be a hit, but I’m just not onboard.

Meanwhile, MBC’s Playful Kiss remained in third place with a 5.6% on Wednesday and a 5.7% on Thursday.

Via SBS, Star News

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I'll continue watching Playful Kiss...Runaway - maybe after PK ends...Daemul - when I run out of dramas to watch...

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Even if I run out of dramas to watch, I won't watch this.

I never find it watchable, if there such a word.

Don't care if its creating buzz. I'm not a bee anyway.

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Do we now have two Anonymous runs around? The original and the second? XD

Sorry guys, I just thought it was random for me to see. But I'm sad the material for Daemul isn't all that. I was looking forward to seeing a female kick political butt, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

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Okay, wait. I haven't made a final decision on it yet since I haven't watched episode one in its entirety yet (and with subs), but if it turns out bad, it'll be disappointing. X/

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Can't tell when its anonymous

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oh that's sexist. :(

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What's sexist? Saying a female kicks political butt? Or me calling you guys? I meant it in a general form of the word. I didn't mean it as saying you guys are "male". Okay, see, this is why when they teach ESL kids English, they should teach us to be gender neutral, because this is annoying. I only speak it the way I learned. Sorry. Would you prefer being called ladies? X/

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Definitely chose Runaway Plan B than this thing....

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I'll continue watching PK...It's my fave among the Wed-Thurs lineup since MGIAG ended. RPB - maybe when subs are available already. Daemul - when I run out of dramas to watch. ;)

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And why do Rain and Lee Jung Jin have the same height here? Just kidding. Lee Jung Jin looks hot though.

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the hairs should behave and you'll know who's taller than who

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go mishil go! bi's reign must be stopped!

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Aye! Second that.

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Kwon Sang Woo's chest > Rain's chest

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bwahahaa! down with bi's choco abs induced form of terror!!!

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"bi’s choco abs induced form of terror"

Oh, Bi's abs are delish! Melt the whole bar down and pour some sugar on me!

But chests, no. When your boyfriend has bigger breasts than you, it's time to rethink the relationship! ;)

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exactly what i'm thinking...

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I still prefer Runaway, political dramas can be very boring and "unrealistic". I think ethnocentrism is quite common in kdramas, they always make "foreigners" look bad just like how Hollywood stereotype other races....

Runaway is at least a fun ride to watch with some action and humor and even though it's shot in many other countries...

Maybe i just prefer the younger generation over GHJ and KSW the older pairing.... I feel like i'm watching Ahjusshi and Ahjumma pairing for Dae Mul =p

There are some hot ahjumma and ahjusshi like won bin, lee byung hyun, Kim Seung Soo, choi jin shil(too bad she passed away, she's one my favorite), kim jung eun and many others but GHJ and KSW are really not my cup of tea, they really look old like my parents but at least, they're great in acting right? Maybe GHJ is great but KSW.....? blegh..

I prefer Cha In Pyo(the super hot ahjusshi) over GHJ&KSW add up together.

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totally agree with you..KSW..aigoo..it's all what i thought about..hahaha..thank u for this comment..seriously like this!

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"I think ethnocentrism is quite common in kdramas"

Every country's like that though. That said, Harrison Ford would make a sweet president. ;)

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seems this sentence

" No idols Reign in Korean Dramas" become true.

i am watching Runaway and Daemul.

Javabeans i hope you don't mentioned PK's Ratings. make it PK so pathetic. hhahaha..

the reason i watch Daemul is GO hyunJung. Kwon sangWoo is not working on me in this drama.

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” No idols Reign in Korean Dramas” become true."

aww that's a sad statement in a way cause idols do get negative biases when it comes to acting [cant blame that general perception tho]. however, i'm rooting for Runaway this time around. not entirely for Bi's sake but for Lee JungJin. i love the guy and i hope things go well for him with this drama [the outcome/results of drama and as well as his character's plot. heh.]

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Daemul's premiere episode was pretty good, although it was a bit fast paced. I guess I enjoy watching it for Lee Soo Kyung and Go Hyun Jung. :D

"Her conversations with foreign heads of state made me groan in embarrassment."

Definitely agree with this statement. That American president guy did not look very presidential at all.

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JB: I agree with totally everything you said about the pilot episode. It was ridiculous.
I could take it as pure entertainment, its tone is that of My Tutor Friend and Temptation of Wolves and all those brainless, fun entertainers. But wait a second, this is meant to be a show about a First Female President dammit! And it stars none other than Go Hyun Jung and Park Geun-young aka. the phenomenal father-daughter duo of Sandglass. Written by the guy behind Age of Warriors. What on earth happened?
With the opening sequence, I honestly thought it was just a dream sequence and she'd wake up from it, it was so bubblegum-campy and yes, cartoonish.

I was expecting something along the lines of City Hall, but with more weight given the cast and the general buzz. But no, no weight.
/Over.

Anyways, congrats to GHJ, even if show's a joke she broke KBS's winning streak... bwahahaha!

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"And it stars none other than Go Hyun Jung and Park Geun-young aka. the phenomenal father-daughter duo of Sandglass. Written by the guy behind Age of Warriors"

Yeah, but the PD is none other than Oh Jong Rok, who did Style, Happy Together, and Hello My Teacher. And this show has those shows' same style and tone. :D

This was pretty dang close to what I was thinking, and it's just perfect for Kwon Sang Woo and mummified hottie Cha In Pyo.

Part of Go Hyun Jung's uniqueness is her sometimes goofy, sometimes spacy connection with reality. And that's all for show in her first episode performance. She doesn't come off as forceful or self-possessed in the first episode, rather, she at times acts as a former beauty pageant teaching at Manner's School. The sheer disconnect of her performance was compelling!

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Yeah, that's what happened. Oh Jong-rok frucking happened.
His track record gave me pause, never seen anything of his and never will. Had been wanting to watch Piano, for the cast and the Busan gangster theme (yum!), but seriously don't think I will go anywhere near it now, ever.
True, everyone's giving it their all: GHJ is a consistently fantastic actress, even here where she's y'know, playful. Surprisingly even Kwon Sang-woo is good, who seems to be reprising his My Tutor Friend role -- attitude-wise atleast. They just needed a better director and editor.
And poor, poor Im Hyun-sik and that obscene shoe-licking scene. Poor, poor grandpa.

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"that obscene shoe-licking scene."

Not so much shoe licking as he was giving the shoe tongue. Affectionate tongue. ;) :(

Though I do like how the show acknowledges "daemul" with the whole Kwon Sang Woo and meat cleaver thing.

"They just needed a better director and editor."

This is the kind of show that should have gotten the Bad Guy treatment. Would have made the opening Das Boot Air Force One play a whole lot better.

Having said that, Dae Mul does have a 90s workplace drama feel to it. And not just because Cha Syndrome is in this show. Moreso in Episode 2.

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DYING over here, trying to imagine what it would've been like if the PDs have been switched, as in Madam Shin being given the Oh Jong-rok treatment... Oh fun, fun!

Da Cha's ridiculously good looking and I quite like the idea of a show with an old school feel, but...
Alas, Daemul, if only you would grow the eff up.

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for some reason, the word "Daemul" puts a smile on my face and has a different meaning/connotation now that i'm addicted to skks...

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Lol same here :).

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Thank you for saying everything I wanted to say about Daemul. You hit it right on.

I did not like the 1st episode and thought everything was a bit too much and production was not up to par (the camera shots in the ship/sub were awful with water on the lens, thought I was going to be sea sick, as is the costume design in this. Who gave the US President his suit needs to be shot because it was too big for his frame.LOL) Hell, the flashing of Kwon's abs was like a porno and made me feel dirty instead of giddy which is almost a first for me. (Wicked ahjummas love their flashing abs and shower scenes but not when they make us feel dirty and overly wicked)

I gave it one more try today and again, too much everything that it is completely unbelievable. So I am dropping it too since there are so many other outstanding dramas to watch currently. I rather watch Rain being mischievous and trying to play king of the hill with Daniel than this. At least his drama was filmed to be over-the-top silly. LOL

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Hmm... I still prefer Runaway over Daemul. Not just because I'm Rain's fiancee (yea, right.. in my dreams XD) but because I find Runaway more interesting than the other drama.

For Playful Kiss, oh well... :/ It's just that people are more interesting on new dramas compared to something they've seen before. PK isn't that bad... but like I said, people have seen that, they knew the story that the don't feel the rush or the urge to see it right away.

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I understand you're trying to defend PK's ratings,
but your comment -
" but like I said, people have seen that, they knew the story that the don’t feel the rush or the urge to see it right away."-
is not true at all.
because 99% of Korean don't know the taiwanese PK.
I mean Most Koreans only watch Korean dramas, Taiwanese PK only aired on cable channel, I'm sure its rating was below1 %.

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This Mishil > Rain???

The first episode . . . uhm well . . . at some point, I realized that I was really watching Style in a big Oval Office. With edge!!!

Go Hyun Jung's all sorts of goofy here. While watching, frequently thought how Kim Hee Ae might have grounded the erm Style-ishness of this show.

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looks like kwon sang woo finally got a drama that's got the ratings but it seems to be cause Go Hyun Jung and not him....i wonder if it can keep it up though

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Don't really mind though. I love me some West Wing and I'm into political drama. So Yay! This news made me very happy! :)

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CHA. IN. PYO! ;)

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Yup, the casting of Mishil and Da Cha Syndrome gives this show a late-90s vibe to the show. Welcome, I might add! ;)

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runaway is still entertaining but i'm not in love with it. it works since i enjoy it but there's this something that prevents me from being involved in it.

yeah... i've just watched daemul ep 2.... and it still has the same effect... i can see its appeal, and the effect it wants to have on the audience. and i'm sure it works on many, just not on me... i'm willing to give it one more week but somehow, i have a feeling it still won't be of my taste. that said, everyone delivered... although i can't help but see mishil everytime go is on screen. i think it'll take a while for that impression to disappear.
what i hate sometimes with dramas... that they tend to solve many situations so unbelievably it's irritating... be it politics, or company issues... a lot of times, they make people stand up and be all self-righteous and shut other people's mouth but it's quite unrealistic...it's admirable and in a way, fulfilling to see that straighrforward bravado be rewarded but in any other world and they would have been in deep trouble.
and i'm fine with self indulgence (heck,that's all PK's about) but sometimes, it's pushing it.

that said, i wish daemul the best. it is a good drama.

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I'm happy about the Dae Mul ratings! I haven't had the chance to watch it since I need subs but I hope I enjoy it.

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Even though I love Kwon Sang Woo (just not his recent choices in Kdramas... Bad Love, Cinderella Man), I will watch this purelly because of Go Hyun Jung! Her compelling portrayal of Mishil still haunts me... she was simply amazing in it!

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now i have a new drama i can look forward to on the wed.-thurs. timeslot :)...i miss mishil!

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Viewers like to watch good drama, good script & good acting - nothing to do with who is acting.
Baker's Bread - "KimTakyu" was unknown and a nobody plus majority's opinion that he will not succeed and "Majun" another actor who acted very well - they became popular overnight. The story is gripping, credits go to the writer/producer.
Similarly goes to Daemul & Runaway - dont blame nor credit just actor/actress if ratings increase or decrease. A-listers have no pulling power over viewers' choice of genre.

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i don't have much time to watch online...these are the times i wish that i'm living in korea =)

i'm watching runaway for now...guess i'm saving daemul for later

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For Wed-Thu drama, Im sticking to PK, then Runaway...not interested in Daemul now (KSW is a big turnoff ><)

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a big turn-off?

why?

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Oh and while watching the show and observing GHJ's interesting makeup choices, I was daydreaming how awesome a Freaky Friday remake with Go Hyun Jung and Moon Geun Young would be. Or, for that matter, So Ji Sup and Yo Seung Ho.

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omo omo omo!!...that would be freaky as hell!!...maybe we could have both the soul switcheroos in the same drama...bt we are getting something along those lines with secret garden later this year

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Can't wait for Binnie to pout. Pouting's literally half of Ha Ji Won's facial expressions ;)

And yes Ha Ji Won is the GOAT of OPW. She even has her own song called OPPA!! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fw6Ow-kjPM

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first episode was so so and i cant comprehend this rating game.. baker king in my opinion was not that good as well but may be koreans like exaggerated melodramas..... but my! was the ending theme song by gummy good.....i am listening to it over and over again..great song.

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I agree, that theme song is is killer... I've always like Gummy in OST's... her song for WISFC was awesome as well. I'm so glad she returned after so many years. It also helps her comeback MV starred KHJ and RW. haha.

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What show is more mockworthy - Runaway or Daemul?

Honestly, if you had told me 2 months ago that Playful frickin' Kiss would be the straight man in this line up, I would have considered you high on grade-A weed.

I was all ready to mock PK and enjoy it, and look where I am today. Goes to show dramas are utterly unpredictable, as are ratings,

And GHJ merely brought back Wed-Thurs to SBS, which has been leading most of 2009 until IRIS came along. Poor MBC has had the death slot for, what, like 2 years now. Poor PK.

But congrats to Daemul! Mishil can still command an audience.

A question for JB - who is the male lead here? CIP or KSW.

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Mi-shil prevails!

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ACK. I can see why PK's ratings are so slow. There's no drama in this drama. But I keep watching, probably cause I've got nothing going on right now and Joseon X-files is only on once a week. Hehehehe. But neither Daemul or Runaway appeals to me. If I was forced to choose I think I will take Runaway, just for the abs that will hopefully be shown in there.

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Wow, so GHJ finally ended the winning streak of KBS2 in wed-thu block!

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I want to watch Daemul drama but when you mention about West Wing I become doesn't want to watch it anymore because I hate West Wing I don't know why maybe because there are races biases and they did not care other races feeling. I also believe Daemul can become hit drama however it not become mega hit drama like Baker King Kim Tak Goo. After Fugitive finish airing The President will take over I wonder about that drama plot agains Daemul drama plot.

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This comment pique my interest. I'm a huge fan of West Wing, not the latter seasons but the earlier ones were just awesome sauce for me and I'm not sure where the whole "because there are races biases and they did not care other races feeling" come in.

Of course, West Wing being Hollywood will have issues of racial inequality/biases/stupidity thrown in occasionally but nothing stands out to me to make this something that could be a turn off for an audience member. Input please.

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Aw...I really hope someone will choose to recap Daemul (guest recapper?). I am watching in Korea and I can't understand all the political language! I agree that the first episode was lame. And I'm not a fan of KSW. But GHJ is really compelling on screen (always has been), and the second episode was loads better than the second. Please, please, please, can someone recap it? (:

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poor MBC cant get some slack at all...well produce an awesome ass sageuk and put that in the slot of death...cant go wrong with those they are awesome!! and oh dont forget to cast GHJ in it just in case!

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oh question whats to follow PK? that poor show! i already feel badly for it :(

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Can't wait til Daemul comes to our tv screens in Indonesia! I love Hyun-jung as Mi-shil!

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yup! can't wait for other top-rated K-dramas, too!

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Ain't sound very interesting from your description, dramabeans. I tend to avoid political involved dramas all together as I expected this should have happen.

I will probably stick with runaway for comedy relief for now. This season I found my joy with low key dramas like skk and dr. Champ.

The problem with PK is the manga characters were created about 20 years ago. A dumb girl + perfect boy is not the fab anymore. It's badass girl + beta boy now. The world has change.

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And MI Shil WAS the bad ass girl of all time!

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So true.

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oh well you guys just have to admit that miss ko hyun jung charisma would not facade to easily..,

her charm+ talent+beauty (intelligence)= good shows

to watch for.., she is simply one of a kind actress a rare gem in korean entertainment..,

^ ^.,

>where else could you see such lovable president ^ ^..,

>try to watch see.., you will realize how superb her acting is..,

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Go Go Mishil <3.

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She is great and her dramas are always interesting! Even if 1st episode is little lucking, I believe the things will pick up, as it usually take 1-2 part to build the story.

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i am beggining to think that the owners of the 2000 homes rigged for the ratings box are all old ahjummas and such, the youngest in their 40's hahah.

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hahahaha…

ahjummas and ahjussis have telly and the young ones have computers…

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Daemul is great. Have just watched first two episode. Go is such a fine actress and KSW is not bad either!!

As for Rain, i think he should just pack his bag and go back to singing. His acting is sucks!!

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Samsooki: are you going to do the recap for Daemul? The first two episodes appeared much more interesting than City Hall!! CSW is such a boring character in City Hall, and i find KSW character in Daemul much agile and interesting, comparatively!! ^___________^

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If Samsooki comes back to recap, he's going to do Secret Garden. Ha Ji Won in short pants? Adultery much? :D

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ThisBelleza, aren't you at least a tiny bit tempted in recapping Daemul?! ;) You can write your own OT3 w/ GHJ and KSW.

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After glancing over the first ep of Daemul, i wasn't expecting it to be so goofy. I thought it would be more of a serious drama with interesting political intrigue (like 24 with their female president). But I guess not.

oh well...I'll stick to Runaway & PK!!! =)

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what can be more goofier than PK?

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I like Runaway's direction and snazzy pace, PK's romance but Daemul's cast.

So I am split!

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You liked You're Beautiful, which I thought was a terrible drama. To each his own I guess.

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at last, Lady Mishil's dream of becoming leader cam true! reincarnation haha! I'm watching Daemul. Go Hyun Jung fighting!

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Being a big fan of GHJ, I'll definitely be watching Daemul.

Great to see a Lady Korean as President.

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Episode 2 is much better. It establishes the tone of our underdog heroine whose grief transforms into righteous and articulate rage.

And holy moly, Go Hyung Jung's defiant performance doesn't so much recall Mishil as it does her iconic Hye-rin. I mean . . . DANG . . . tingles up and down the spine.

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OHMAHGAH.... Must jump back on Daemul train... Hye-rin is MAD LOVE!!

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Oh GHJ brings it in Episode 2!

Mixed feelings about KSW's performance so far. It's kind of trademark KSW; smirky, vulnerable in bits, temperamental and grumpily compassionate. And it's mostly fine, but it kinda offsets the dynamics of the episode.

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don't like heavy dramas and other serious plots. i want light drama with funny characters. i wanna laugh.

hooray for the likes of PK. makes me feel mushy, warm, tickly and just giggly with a touch of madness esp when the snobbishness gets too much.

cheesy but high in entertainment value for me. it's good that i haven't watched any other manga/tw versions so that every episode is worth watching. it has its flaws but i can't be bothered.

PK FIGHTING!

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@rop - hahahaha...

ahjummas and ahjussis have telly and the young ones have computers...

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javabeans watching Pk and not even caring for Daemul. Oh, what a taste.

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Bahh!!....The only daemul work for me is Yoon Hee in SSKS...

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i watched runaway and dae mul till the last episode. all in all i think both are entertaining

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