‘Season Drama’ PD Yoon Suk-ho returns to dramaland
by girlfriday
Chances are, if you’ve seen a k-drama, you’ve seen one that this guy’s made. Veteran drama producer-director, known best for his quartet of Season Dramas (Autumn Fairy Tale, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent, Spring Waltz), PD Yoon Suk-ho is planning a comeback in 2011, five years since his last project.
He’s being purposely careful not to give away details, but he’s describing it as a “pure melodrama,” as in pure and innocent (think: first love, throwback themes of innocence and youth). It’s reportedly a departure from the Season Dramas, which is a welcome shift, since we’ve covered all four seasons now, yeah?
In case you haven’t seen the set of dramas that catapulted PD Yoon, and more importantly the actors, to unparalleled heights of fame:
Autumn Fairy Tale (2000), pictured top-left, starred fresh-faced Song Seung-heon, Song Hye-gyo and Won Bin in a tragic siblings-not-siblings tale that could be renamed Tears vs. Tissues.
He followed that up with Winter Sonata (2002), pictured top-right, which I don’t have to describe to you. Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo became gods (no, really…not exaggerating, although I AM scratching my head), and I became allergic to amnesia.
The seasons were finished off with Summer Scent (2003), pictured above-right, with Sohn Ye-jin and Song Seung-heon, and Spring Waltz (2006), pictured above-left, starring Han Hyo-joo and Suh Do-young.
But if you’re anything like us (I’m including javabeans because I refuse to feel old alone, damnit), your relationship with PD Yoon’s dramas goes back…WAY back…
He helmed the first drama that both jb and I were obsessed over: 1994’s Feeling, pictured above, starring the One and Only, love of my, I mean our, um…jb’s life, Lee Jung-jae, along with pop stars Sohn Ji-chang, and Kim Min-jong.
If there’s one man to blame for the ensuing lifelong addiction, the lengths of which you’ve all witnessed, it’s PD Yoon. Okay, maybe it’s Lee Jung-jae. Splitting hairs.
Then it’s no coincidence that he then went on to direct another of my all-time old-school favorites, Propose (1997), pictured below, starring Ryu Shi-won and Kim Hee-sun as two best friends who don’t realize that they are in love with each other, because they’re idiots…which means of course that it was my drama CRACK for the better part of the nineties.
I have to say, I liked his stuff more when he was doing trendies, like Feeling and Propose. The Season Dramas are of course what he’s best known for and justifiably so (even if they’re weepy, they’re gorgeous and moody). The new project sounds closer in theme to the Season Dramas, and Yoon himself said that his new project would not be a trendy, but a melo about the beauty of love. (Cue strings of earnestness.)
PD Yoon’s comeback drama will air on KBS in the latter half of the year, and mostly I’m just dying to see who he casts. ‘Cause if you can’t tell from the names above, this guy knows how to pick tomorrow’s stars.
Via Star News
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Tags: Autumn Fairy Tale, Feeling, Winter Sonata
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1 Mariamawangja
February 28, 2011 at 1:14 PM
i am a sucker for melodrama, especially when he cast my fav guys. so i am looking forward to this.
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Reena
January 31, 2017 at 5:33 AM
I'm just really curious... how do you distinguish a trendy drama from other types of dramas? Like, what makes a drama, a trendy?
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2 Severine
February 28, 2011 at 1:21 PM
OoOoOo, how exciting, I wonder who he'll cast. Can't say I'm a fan of weepy melo, but this guy's the king, so I might give it a shot.
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3 olive
February 28, 2011 at 1:30 PM
haha i remember watching those dramas in the 90s. Feelings, propose, and many others - I thought it would feel good to rewatch and when i actually did, i was like, what the hell was going on in the 90s lol
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gbo
February 28, 2011 at 2:46 PM
haha~ yeah, most of the early dramas are better in our memories than in reality.
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4 Silka
February 28, 2011 at 1:37 PM
It's exciting news... will see who he casts.. I do like his 4 seasons drama.. so the new one will be interesting.. hope to hear news soon.
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5 squishysushi
February 28, 2011 at 1:50 PM
#1 on my most-anticipated-drama list for this year. I can't wait for the tear and tissue fest!
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6 Pookie1
February 28, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Let's hope there's no casting couches or under-the-table money going around for one of the most coveted opportunities in K-drama industry.
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7 Daniela
February 28, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Since I started to watch kdramas (not so long ago), i´ve been avoiding the Season Dramas. No matter that someone said how good "Winter Sonata" is, as long as can, i´ll try to avoid the Season Dramas. The sinopsis that i read when I was looking for a drama to watch was enough to keep me away from them. Who knows, maybe later i´ll bite my tongue.
One day I'll give it a shot to his earlier dramas, and if the next one gets my interest, the obvious will happen.
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meenuby
February 28, 2011 at 6:45 PM
Yeah same here. I've been watching kdramas for a few years now, but the Season dramas never interested me. Weepy melos aren't my thing. But...since everyone says he's good at it, guess I'll give it a shot.
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Pat
February 28, 2011 at 8:53 PM
I watched every second of WS disliking it more as I went.... facinated AND sorta repelled.( I don't understand either)
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Alex
March 1, 2011 at 9:53 PM
Ah...same here I've never seen the season dramas and I don't intend to and I can name who was in what...one day common sense will get to me and I'll probably watch them.
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8 ajewell
February 28, 2011 at 1:57 PM
I guess I'm alone in admitting this, but I actually liked Winter Sonata. Of course it was the first Korean drama I ever watched... so maybe that's why. In any case, it had the opposite effect on me: now I love amnesia storylines, lol.
I'm curious to hear more about this drama. I'm sure it'll be great. ^_^
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swui
February 28, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Me too *sheepishly*. Winter was one of my earliest favourites...I saw Autumn and Spring (sparingly..)....but never got around to watching Summer...cos I was a fan of Won Bin instead of SSH in Autumn and was still unhappy he got the girl (well, sort off before they both...err..u know..). And the second person I loved most from Autumn was Moon Geun Ying (younger Song Hye gyo)...she was the breakout star for me...besides wonbin ofcoz...lol
I like amnesia plots too...can never forget CJW's look when she met BYJ again.
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swui
February 28, 2011 at 6:25 PM
err...I think I started out with ALL about Eve
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dee
February 28, 2011 at 9:40 PM
Yes, All about eve was a start for my craziness for K drama. Hotelier, Purpose, Tomato were my favorite at that time.
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Sara
February 28, 2011 at 9:28 PM
I love winter sonata too and it was my first kdrama so always have a soft spot for it and BYJ though now I will avoid any drama that promises weepy angst and amnesia
the only season dramas I didn't watch is Spring waltz
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lb_tmi
March 1, 2011 at 7:19 AM
me too!! i never got around to watching Spring Waltz. but i LOVED Winter Sonata SO.MUCH! i bought bootleg VCDs w/ eng subs, stole my mom's horribly dubbed VHS tapes in my native language to watch w/ the sound off just to see their faces. (i still haven't returned them to my mom.. she bought herself another set. LOL!) Made me fall in love with BOTH BYJ and PYH (rest in peace my love). and i thought CJW was absolutely beautiful on her engagement day and saw the amnesiac BYJ again.
for the longest time, all i would watch were Melos, until i finally realized that kdramas actually had different genres. LOL.
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9 Ladymoonstone143
February 28, 2011 at 2:00 PM
I wish he would cast Jaeshin and Ha Ni...I think they are both great if given the opportunity...
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10 snow
February 28, 2011 at 2:04 PM
i was okay with summer scent initially, then the storyline just went south. but at least that was better than autumn fairy tale, because i laughed at pretty much everything, especially the ending.
but it'd be interesting to see who this PD casts.
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11 Luna
February 28, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Thanks for letting us know. I'm so excited!!!
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12 Senajang
February 28, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Exciting...I still have Feelings and Propose in my library and ost too also the 4 seasons series ..... I'm so not going to miss this one....Thanks for the news.
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13 maez
February 28, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Excited!!!
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14 jojo
February 28, 2011 at 2:27 PM
I don't mind shedding a tear or two as long as it's a drama where the guys at least shave...
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15 nokcha
February 28, 2011 at 2:34 PM
I always profess to not like melodramas, but I have to admit in my keeper drama library is Winter Sonata and Summer Scent. I'll have to check out Propose and Feelings. I, um, don't go back that far in my drama viewing (I think my first drama WAS Summer Scent!); however, I'm sure chronologically I surpass the two of you!
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16 Windsmeify
February 28, 2011 at 2:37 PM
I sooo excited!!!!
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17 rouby
February 28, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Wow,,, so exciting,,,,
I like season drama,,,
Autumn fairy tale is my first korean drama,,I remember that mom,,my sister and I watching this and crying together.... Hehehe
I'm not familiar with "feelings" n "propose",,,but I think is good drama because PD Yoon,,,, :)
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sarangf
February 28, 2011 at 3:25 PM
i was finish AT again last night, have to watch it once in awhile. watch Feeling if u could finh it cause its old and good.
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18 Sojuboy
February 28, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Didn't Korean History began with Winter Sonata?
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chika
February 28, 2011 at 3:03 PM
HAHAHA! :P
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maez
February 28, 2011 at 5:45 PM
I find this true. Winter Sonata is what got me addicted to korean dramas.
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19 sarangf
February 28, 2011 at 3:21 PM
FELLING. I was torn between the three brother.going to listen to the ost again.oh my god i am old.
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sarangf
February 28, 2011 at 3:26 PM
i mean Feeling
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dramabuff
February 28, 2011 at 4:32 PM
me too! OMG the whole time i was wishing i'm yuri just so i could get my (evil) hands on ALL the brothers. can't decide which one i really like, because they were just soooooo cute!
i only got to watch it last month and i was all giggly the whole time. i was looking for old kdrama dvds when i chanced upon Feelings and Sandglass. the store clerk was like WTH!!! he'd been trying to sell me the latest kdramas for like an hour and couldn't understand why i got all excited over these two dramas.
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20 spazzy06
February 28, 2011 at 3:22 PM
I loved the season dramas. I personally can't wait for PD Yoon's comeback drama.
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21 Yoori
February 28, 2011 at 3:32 PM
THIS is the perfect time for WON BIN to return back to dramaland with the perfect director! We all know all the ahjummas miss him! Although, I'm not sure if he'll do a melodrama.
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YoSoyHaru!!!!!!!!!!
February 28, 2011 at 5:44 PM
omg i totally agree with, Won Bin needs a comeback and this is his perfect chance.
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MJP
February 28, 2011 at 5:55 PM
From reading this article though, he has in the past cast up and coming actors/actresses. I guess I am a bit confused, does he cast well known actors/actresses too?
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22 hapacalgirl
February 28, 2011 at 3:43 PM
This guy was a genius, not only did Autumn Fairy tale have Song Seung-heon, Song Hye Kyo, and the one and only Won Bin, it also Han Chae Young (Korea's Barbie) and got Moon Geun Young her first award for acting. I mean Moon Geun Young had a film and tv role pre-Autumn but it was in Autumn fairytale that people started to take notice of this girl's talent even at that young age.
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23 j
February 28, 2011 at 3:43 PM
i've never watched any of these dramas
does it mean i'm a greenhorn or am i just lucky enough to be sane >.<
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24 Yuvee
February 28, 2011 at 3:48 PM
I was thinking of rewatching the "seasons" dramas because I got nostalgic after reading this. After reading the storylines again in Wikipedia I don't even remember why I liked them back then though.
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25 missmanderley
February 28, 2011 at 3:52 PM
it'd be good if he casts some of the up and coming young actors of this hallyuwood's generation...
like Kim Soohyun...
actually heck... even someone like Jang Geun Suk, Lee Seung Gi, or Song Joongki would prolly do good under his directorship..
actress-wise... Yoo In Na or Seo Woo...
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26 jandoe
February 28, 2011 at 4:09 PM
he totally knows to pick tomorrow's stars. looking forward to this! (because i meannnn, despite how Intensely Sappy the season dramas were, they were ... my melodrama crack back then hahaha)
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27 ar_arguably romantic
February 28, 2011 at 4:23 PM
"this guy knows how to pick tomorrow’s stars."---> you are so right. I'm pretty sure I don't want to watch his drama, but I really want to know who will be in it.
I've only watched part of Winter Sonata. The Summer Scent storyline seems like something I can be interested in but after hearing how draggy the drama is, I don't feel like starting it. And it was also filmed in the era of SSH's light-brown perm.
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28 hitsugaya
February 28, 2011 at 4:23 PM
i'm super excited!!
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29 Tenshii
February 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM
the fever of cancer is coming sooooon
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30 gingganggolli
February 28, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Goodness you did it again! No wonder I love this site so much. Reminiscing the old feeling to our first love? lol. Yap were in the same boat. Got to say one or two of the above introduced me to a long list of kdramas I want to watch.
...so he is the culprit of all those heartache first love in kdrama...but I dont think I will watch another of his work I just hate how he makes the ending.
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31 clichique
February 28, 2011 at 4:37 PM
LOL Tears v Tissues, ilu girlfriday..
Autumn Fairy Tale was my first ever Korean drama. EVER. I shed tears over it and then began my hopeless beginnings of Kdrama-marathoning. To think I was only in junior high then..... wow. Well, when I watched it. I think it came out before then, though.
Although melos really aren't my cup of tea anymore, still be interested in this. I guess. Just to see what happens. And for old times' sake.
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32 ck1Oz
February 28, 2011 at 4:54 PM
WAIT...
Moony...
Sam Dong....
Sung Joong Ki?
:-) ck settle down.
Micky???I love him but is he up for it?Realistically I don't think he will be the first choice.
But but the other 3......puh leez.
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im_eve
March 1, 2011 at 6:36 AM
LIKE! and that Ha ni suggestion too :)
moony and hani! *giddy*
highly doubt moony will take it tho...w/c means when he DOES take it, that's more *wow*
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33 Nancy
February 28, 2011 at 5:00 PM
I hate melodramas but gotta admit this guy sure knows how to keep you hooked...Autumn's Love was what got me started with the Korean drama fever and ever since then, have been hooked.
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34 dahlia
February 28, 2011 at 5:03 PM
i saw and love all of his drama cant wait :)
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35 D
February 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM
basically i cant wait for his next drama n the line up actors/actresses
kyaaaaaaaaa~ i know/watch the dramas during my school time.
omg, i love propose too, although now idk why i love ryu si won back in time...
*guess i'm old~~*
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36 mellowyel
February 28, 2011 at 5:05 PM
looks intriguing. i'm not a fan of melodrama, but i might watch a couple episodes of his old dramas for knowledge's sake. I'm definitely curious about the crackiness of Feelings and Propose especially since the latter sounds like my favorite Bollywood movie of all time Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which was also 90s greatness. I mean, the straight-haired dark lipstick look in Kim Hee-sun? LOVE. I'm so going to find a way to make that work in real life.
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MJP
February 28, 2011 at 6:08 PM
Wow! I too think Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was great.
What do you think the similarity is between it and Propose? Is it that they are best friends since childhood and a third person comes in and gums up the works?
Propose Synopsis Quoted:"Yul-hwa and Su-bin are best friends since childhood. They have a very comfortable relationship until Yul-hwa meets Min-suk."
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Synopsis Quoted: "Rahul Khanna is a widower who has an 8-year-old daughter, Anjali. Her (deceased) mother Tina left her eight letters with a dying wish that one letter be read on each birthday. On her eighth birthday, Anjali reads her mother's last letter, that tells her the last wish of her mother. How Anjali fulfills her mother's wish forms the crux of the story."
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annie
February 28, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Oh, KKHH is my favourite Bollywood movie too! You're right, it does sound similar. I haven't seen Propose, but I wonder if there is also a separation and meeting again later in that? Or if they've just stayed best friends, never realizing their feelings?
Another great best-friends-fall-in-love story is Bottom of the 9th with 2 Outs (9 End 2 Outs) which has Soo Ae and the meltingly gorgeous Lee Jung-jin in his hottest role ever.
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Thatgirl
March 1, 2011 at 2:00 PM
MY FAVORITE BOLLYWOOD MOVIE OF ALL TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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37 Emi
February 28, 2011 at 5:19 PM
I hope this doesn't bring back the trend of killing characters off with cancer :(
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38 samgetang
February 28, 2011 at 5:28 PM
I'm only discovering this star-maker and tear and tissue king just now...after watching Autumn Tale (because of SSH)...so I am very very sure this new project will be another one for the books. Thanks for this wonderful news, GF!
This news will tide me over til the next worthy drama to watch ;-)
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39 BJ
February 28, 2011 at 5:35 PM
I have a love/hate relationship with melodrama cuz i'm a cry baby and sometimes the story line is just ridiculous but the tears just keeps flowing...
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40 JAM
February 28, 2011 at 5:48 PM
I'm sorry but I entered the kdrama fray pretty late in life and so have not seen those shows you've mentioned. HOWEVER, if he casts Park Shi-hoo, I'll be a convert straightaway. :D
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41 joeydragonlady
February 28, 2011 at 5:49 PM
I find it strange that, in the SEASONS series only Spring Waltz had a decent Happy Ending with minimal death and amnesia. I'd say it was my favorite. Also this is the first time I liked Han Hyo-joo. I saw this one after Iljimae.
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Amber
March 1, 2011 at 8:09 AM
I too have been liking Han Hyo Joo and I started being a great fan so I've to thank him right?
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42 gia
February 28, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Please Cast, Sung Yuri And Eric
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43 Minnetter
February 28, 2011 at 5:56 PM
I watched three out of the four season dramas, Autumn fairytale, Spring Waltz and Winter Sonata... and imho I really don't think Bae Yong Joon did such a great job that it merited the extraordinary following he got out of it.... However these season dramas are not my favourite melos...
out of the melo category of drama's I actually preferred Tree of Heaven and Stairway to Heaven... don't know why though I have an inkling that it might have to do with PSH and LW being in both...
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44 Sakura
February 28, 2011 at 5:56 PM
thanks girlfriday !
My first drama was Goong then followed by
Winter Sonata OH ! BEAUTIFUL make belief !!
and now still going on with kdramas !!.
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45 Mjisubhyuk
February 28, 2011 at 5:57 PM
if the drama calls for real tears and younger actors then i hope kim soo hyun will be cast in it. when he portrayed the young go soo in WISFC, i knew that he would make it big in kdramaland. with DH, he has proven that he is not only a versatile actor but also a total performer. i really hope he also gets to sing original compositions in the OST of his next acting stint. :) but having yoo ah in act side by side ksh will be one helluva melodrama ride! no bashing guys--- you can have your own pick haha!
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46 YoSoyHaru!!!!!!!!!!
February 28, 2011 at 6:02 PM
So Autumn Fairy Tale was the first drama I ever watched. It was the one that hooked me on K-dramas. Even though I try to stay away from melodramas because I'm so darn sensitive(crybaby :D) I'm going to watch this one because it's a Yoon Suk-ho drama.
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47 Sm1leitsamy
February 28, 2011 at 6:11 PM
My parents were watching winter sonata and after I watched a few episodes I was hooked to kdrama for life haha. I went searching for large bae yong joon posters LOL. I am more into lighter and trendier dramas now, but winter sonata will always be in my heart, no matter how cheesy it is <3
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48 MJP
February 28, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Thanks GF!
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49 ahjummabunny
February 28, 2011 at 6:14 PM
Dear Dramabeans person, people!
I just finished watching Giant, I don't want to watch Paradise Ranch, Sign is okay, Athena is okay I want something similar to Giant in length and story. I mean just as good. Or I want something funny to watch, or something pithy like Will it snow . . . why am I suffering here dramabeans people! Even in the upcoming dramas category I'm displeased, tsk.
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ck1Oz
February 28, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Do You Hear My Heart staring 11th April with Kim Jae Won.
It sounds melo enough for me as they made his character deaf.
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Birdie
February 28, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Yeah , for me, Giant was the best overall drama in 2010. The funny thing was I was not a fan of any of the cast, but with a good story,and solid acting, it won me over. So far in 2011, I haven't found any drama at that level. I have started a few, but given them up after a few episodes. I am watching Sign and Romance of the three kingdoms as filler. Started Midas, but it hasn't drawn me in yet. The first episode was boring.
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Pat
February 28, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Life is beautiful,beautifully acted.
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50 Noypi
February 28, 2011 at 6:55 PM
I grew up with his dramas in Philippines because they dubbed all of the SEASONS series.. I think because of him that I really got into Korean dramas.. Because of him, I grew up thinking all Kdramas were all but melodrama and tearjerkers, which isn't an issue to me.. and then Coffee Prince and MNIKSS came and I fell MUCH MORE inlove w/ Kdramas because they have this unique sense of humor.. I don't think I like melodramas nowadays but I'll have to wait and see what he has instore for us :)
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