Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching
by DB Staff
Team Dramabeans, reporting for check-in!
We’ve cleared a few shows from the slate and welcomed new ones (with several more on the horizon), so it feels like we’re starting a new season, which feels appropriate to the back-to-school season we’re in now (at least here in the States). Are you ready to jump on the new bunch, or are you still wrapping up finales from the last round? Or, if you’re like me, maybe you’ve quietly just shoved those unwatched finales into the drawer, freed yourself from the paralyzing guilt of completism, and moved on. (Hey, there is no shame in walking away from non-compelling dramas!) –javabeans
javabeans
Currently recapping: Moonlight Drawn by Clouds
Age of Youth: This was a charming, understated show that started off a little slow but soon became a highlight of the week. I still wish it were directed differently (it felt low-rent, and while I suppose low-rent worked for the low-key story, it didn’t have to look like it was strung together on no budget), but story-wise I loved the development of the characters: They all felt like thought-out, real-life people, and together they shone.
Moonlight Drawn By Clouds: Technically this shouldn’t be on my list since it’s a show I’m recapping, but I didn’t weigh in this week since girlfriday covered the last two episodes, and boy was I jealous about that. When it premiered last week, I thought the show was cheeky and youthful, with a heavy comic bent. This week, the show matured a few degrees, got lovely and poignant, and balanced out its tone. The background soundtrack is beautiful, the acting is spot-on, and the whole package is fresh and charming.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Something very strange is up with the graphics in this drama. I was so confused when girlfriday complained that this show looked cheap and visually terrible, because I thought it was lush and visually breathtaking. But after some testing, we figured out that on television screens, this show looks like it’s shot on video using palace sets from the ’90s… and on computer screens, it’s a whole different drama, all sumptuous and breathtaking. What the hell? This is the only show that does this, and I’m scratching my head over it.
Jealousy Incarnate: This show sounds cute and funny and I totally want to watch it… but I’d barely gotten into the first episode when I had to shut it off because the swirling, whooshy camera work made me violently nauseous. Can a show be cute and vomit-inducing at the same time? I’d rather it not.
W—Two Worlds: This show has gone from excitingly complex to downright convoluted, and it makes me feel like a dummy. I want to tell the writer, You can’t keep changing the rules before you tell us what they even are! I feel like I either have to think a lot harder, or stop thinking altogether, and I haven’t decided yet which tack to take. (Path of least resistance says stop thinking and just enjoy the excitement and the pretty. It’s a persuasive argument!)
Uncontrollably Fond: You had months and months to pre-produce your show, and this is the best you could do? This drama didn’t fail because it was pre-produced, or because it cast Suzy, or because it aired at the wrong time, or because it had strong competition. This drama’s downfall is its writing, which wallows in the gratuitously miserable, delivers no payoff, and is lazy to boot. I will watch the finale, even though I’m pretty sure it’ll make me pop a blood vessel.
girlfriday
Currently recapping: W–Two Worlds
Bring It On, Ghost: Things were getting pretty draggy in the darker stretches of the show, but I was happy to see a return to the lighter tone in the end. I wish Taecyeon could’ve matched Kim So-hyun in the emotional department, but he matched her in cuteness, at least. It was a satisfying conclusion, and college-student Gu Dae-young was a highlight in the cameo parade.
The Good Wife: This was an engaging show with a stellar cast that never dipped in quality, but I’m not really satisfied with the ending. It just… ended… and I feel like I didn’t get the answers to the questions I had. It’s not a show that’s slated for more seasons, so why did the ending feel like a season finale, but not a series finale? It’s a flaw in the American-to-Korean adaptation framework that I think still needs to be figured out.
Age of Youth: This was a delightful little show that went off the beaten path. It was often tonally darker than I anticipated and overly obsessed with death, but the success was in the friendships among the young women, and the massive character growth we witnessed. This show always made me feel like a mama hen—proud and nervous, but mostly proud.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: I think I just don’t like this director. This show feels dated, and everything feels static to me. Except for Lee Jun-ki’s hair, which is always flowing perfectly in the wind. Seriously, I think it’s someone’s JOB to hold a fan to his mane of glory just so, and I’m not at all sorry that someone is being paid to do this. So far my engagement level with this show boils down to: Lee Jun-ki onscreen = 100 percent. Anybody else = 25 percent.
chickachunga
Currently recapping: Cinderella and the Four Knights
The Good Wife: It’s over. Say it ain’t so! This show was consistently stellar from start to finish. The direction, the subtle yet powerful performances, the writing…just top notch. All class. As much as I would’ve loved a few more episodes, I also know it’s sometimes best to end on a high note even if it feels like there may be more material to mine. I’m going to miss the sharply dressed, whip smart (or manipulative) characters so much, especially the main trio. And Myung-hee. And David Lee. And…fine. I’m going to miss the entire cast (except for the girl who played Hye-kyung’s daughter). I looked forward to this show the most every week, and every week I wasn’t disappointed. When will the trifecta of Jeon Do-yeon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Yoon Kye-sang ever grace our screens again? Maybe when the stars align…hopefully in my lifetime!
Age of Youth: Another good show that came to an end. I wish Ji-won had a weightier episode that focused on her because I found her “terrible secret” to be rather anticlimactic. So she lies/lied. That’s it? Oftentimes, the cheeriest of people are the ones fighting the hardest battle, and I wanted her battle to be as trying as the other girls’, but it honestly didn’t seem like she had any major issues. There were quite a bit of unanswered questions, but I have to say I was generally satisfied with the way it ended. Ending with Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien” playing over the scene where the elegant landlady (#AgingGoals) applies her red lipstick and puts on her diaper led me to believe that the girls’ “Belle Époque” continues, through the good times and the bad.
W–Two Worlds: I’m a few episodes behind, but I’m having such difficulty tuning in to this show. I feel so detached from the characters and not at all invested in their peril.
Moonlight Drawn by Clouds: I just saw the first episode, and I feel like I would’ve liked it if I were twelve. Maybe I’ll give it a few more episodes just for Jinyoung…
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Episode 1 was so-so. Episode 2 was GREAT. Episode 3 was even better, so I hope this upward trajectory continues. Those close-up shots of Kang Haneul’s gazes? They make my knees weak.
tineybeanie
Cinderella and the Four Knights: Park So-dam is a bundle of energetic charisma. I’d love to see her more in Dramaland. Also, second lead syndrome has struck again. I’m totally Team Hyun-min, despite his initial douchebaggery. Even after six episodes, Ji-woon still seems like a jerkface who can’t seem to recognize the gemstone that is Park So-dam, right in front of him.
Moonlight Drawn By Clouds: So many expectations. Hopefully, it improves because so far I’m not so over-the-moon about it.
Our Gap-soon: I’d rather have started the So-rim romance from the beginning, than from the middle. I feel like I’ve missed the best bits, and am left in the post-oxytocin-rush days when there’s nothing but lukewarm passion.
W–Two Worlds: Okay, I’m still here, but a lot of the delicious suspenseful tension is gone, now that I’m pretty secure in the fact that no matter what happens, our two main characters will survive. Remember, there’s no story if there are no characters (according to W and real life).
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (August 27, 2016)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (August 20, 2016)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (August 13, 2016)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (August 6, 2016)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (July 30, 2016)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (July 23, 2016)
Tags: 1 show to rule them all, Age of Youth, Bring It On Ghost, Cinderella and the Four Knights, Jealousy Incarnate, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Moonlight Drawn By Clouds, The Good Wife, Uncontrollably Fond, What We're Watching, W–Two Worlds
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1 CatoCat
September 3, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Cliche FantastiC is indeed Fantastic in its 1st week
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CatoCat
September 3, 2016 at 11:11 AM
>>This drama didn’t fail because it was pre-produced, or because it cast Suzy, or because it aired at the wrong time, or because it had strong competition. This drama’s downfall is its writing.
Miserable Viewers. Misery would have attained its objective if it wasn't extremely Nonsensical.
W - Two Worlds is just watch it and forget it. As Mr. handsome hero has become superhero of 2 worlds and teleporting here and there at wish.
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PeepsLeAwesomePotato
September 3, 2016 at 12:35 PM
I second that!
Loved that even though there's a cancer diagnosis in there, it doesn't mope around. Life's too short for that. Better to spend it with friends you haven't seen in a long time! (Also, I did a recap on the first episode on my blog, *coughcough*
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CatoCat
September 3, 2016 at 3:09 PM
The scene of Our Heroine with teary eyes spending hours in car affected me and then 3rd friend is turned into slave just boiled my blood.
Show looks comical but it is clearly packs heavy subjects.
Though Our Heroine is quite sensible and intelligent which i liked the most. The hero is funny with all bad acting acts.
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PeepsLeAwesomePotato
September 3, 2016 at 9:28 PM
Yes, you nailed it!
And the second episode just gives me more confidence to continue with this, even though I fully trust Kim HyunJoo's projects.
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DoubleFault
September 4, 2016 at 12:45 AM
I am also loving JSW's take on his character. He's hilarious in this and matches up well with KHJ.
It's also great to see Park Si Yeon again. How can she still be this pretty after all these years? Can't wait to see her tough gal scenes and her love line with Ji Soo.
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2 purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 11:06 AM
UF - next ep 6 why can't it be on Viki?! DF and me are acquaintances at best.
W2W - next ep 14, I love Soo Bong & Doc Hyung's interactions
TF38 – next ep 14 *paused. I'll probably marathon the week before SKL*
C&4K - on ep 6. Wow, I love this drama! The OST is amazing. I'm slowly becoming a fan of the OTP ship. But Hyun Min needs to be happy. I want Bodyguard or maybe even Seo Woo.
I'm fast-forwarding Hye-Ji. Thanks DB for the recaps so I can read it instead of suffering through her scenes. Never been a fast-forwarder so it's huge news.
Why does everyone have a dead close family member? What is the story with 5th wife & Bodyguard?
JI - next ep 4. What was up with the cast in white scene? Freaking love the youngsters trio.
LiM - next ep 5. My take: Prince & Me Meets You Are Beautiful. Also I want Yeong to know the secret but tease her about it. I want Byung Yeon. And Chae Soo Bin needs to make her appearance.
Moon Lovers - paused on ep 1. Deciding whether to watch or keep up with recaps.
Full House - next ep 2. It bored me the first time I got 5 minutes in. But when I rewatched, I got all the way through the first episode and just needed to meet the OTP to fall in love. Their chemistry is daebak!
Second lead is hot!
Overall, I realized I've moved on from falling in love with the lead and having sporadic SLS. It's all about the 3rd leads now.
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purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 11:09 AM
Oh I took off one by accident.
FantastiC - on ep 1. Got 10 minutes in at 29% translated. But I was at work so I haven't had a chance to make it back yet.
But I'm already smiling at the leads.
I'm not allowed to get to 10 kdramas at once while school is in session. I'm still going to watch other countries but no more than 10 from Korea. I hope stating that will help ?
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CatoCat
September 3, 2016 at 11:16 AM
You are enjoying Cinderella With The Four Knights?
I can't. It has everything on extreme scale and pretty bad writing + Editing. I want to enjoy it but i just can't. Forced relationships to Forced skinship and awkward scenes. Rest of the damage is done by badly written characters and lack of coherent plotline.
On the Other hand Similar Cliche show FanTastiC looks far more funny and better done. Again Thumbs up to JTBC.
Suggestion - You better drop UF. Save time and watch some better show.
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Barbrey
September 3, 2016 at 1:17 PM
I was going to make the same suggestion. For many of us, it's been a waste of time but we kept watching because we got invested after watching so many episodes. I suggest waiting till the drama is finished, then on a day of nothing better to do, watch the whole thing with finger on FF button. That way you can get some KWB or Suzy scenes without having to slog through the 80% inactivity of most episodes. There is honestly not enough substance here for a two hour movie, let alone a twenty hour drama.
Don't the actors or their agents in Korea get to see the script before doing a drama? Why KWB or Suzy signed up for this is beyond me.
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CatoCat
September 3, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Woo Bin is doing all the job and sometimes Su Ji supports him and even Woo Bin starts to shine from 11th episode.
Writer fooled the company and channel and audience and i hope not many viewers will fall for this drama.
If you are interested then read recaps, listen ost and watch some Fan made videos of the show on youtube but don't waste the precious time of your life on this kind of tv show.
spillout
September 4, 2016 at 12:14 AM
@CatoCat, what happened to simple "I mind my own taste, you mind your own taste". Why badmouth drama and ban it from people and hope people to not like it. Hard work was put into it, some people will find UF more enjoyable, than your masterpiece, to which we should waste our "precious time". When you say your opinion, for god's sake, think about what you're saying.
purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 2:50 PM
I love the big, dramatic parody that is C&4K. It reminds me of Ouran High School Host Club & Monthly Girs' Nozaki-kun. Having done my basic kdrama time, I get to sit back and check off the tropes. I don't mind the editing. The plot is basic but coherent in my opinion.
I think the characters could be real people. Even if I hate everyone's nosiness in the boys feelings. Just because you think they had a good life, doesn't mean they didn't have struggles. It's frustrating that they aren't allowed to have negative emotions because they are princes. The boys are selling their personas, cliché as they might be.
I haven't had a chance to get back to FantastiC because of family and such. But I will by the end of the night. I love all of the male cast.
I understand the suggestion about UF and I'll probably regret not listening. But it's my cleaning drama. So when I don't have time to pay full attention, I can still understand what's going on with my kdrama language tone, and music. Plus, Woo Bin is life.
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CatoCat
September 3, 2016 at 3:07 PM
Cinderella With Four Knights has uneven direction and writing. Ep 1-2 are pretty bad, 3-4 average 5-6 below average, 7 bad, 8th the best episode of the show in terms of story,direction and editing.
I just watched episode 8 and liked it. story flowed from 1 scene to next and made some sense. There was too much cheese again and all the budding butterfly feelings have build up too fast but still it makes sense.
I feel OST of the show is far better than the show itself.
Naah, Nozaki Kun is superior content with all the jokes on shoujo magazines.
Sancheezy
September 3, 2016 at 6:32 PM
I also like C&4K because I don't think they want us to feel it seriously.
Like just enjoy the view if you like it, stop if you don't and take care of your OTP.
It's cliclr and full of trope but it never promised anything beside that.
Just if Nozaki character can meet this cast, he'll pull them apart because they look so childish... or Seo would just told Ha Won how to deal with boys and The prince and Hyun Min would be the best buddy.
purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 6:50 PM
@Sancheezy I want that crossover lol
PeepsLeAwesomePotato
September 3, 2016 at 9:30 PM
"cleaning drama", lol. That's sounds reasonable.
purpleowl
September 4, 2016 at 7:40 PM
@Peeps yeah, I have a category for all myshows, Korean or foreign*. When I start a new one, it has to fill the category of the most recently vacated. That way I can at least pretend I'm being productive.
*I'm a black American and my go to is anything non-Korean is foreign. What has happened to my life? Kekeke, I'm fine with it.
purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 11:10 AM
Sorry. I didn't close my bolding. Just the title needs to be bold. That's what I get trying to listen to music, type and clean. Lol
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3 Andee
September 3, 2016 at 11:10 AM
I can also comment on javabean's comment for Scarlet Heart. Usually kdramas on tv have a rather different quality compared to watching them online. It usually feels slow on tv while it may feel normal on the Internet. But I haven't watched Scarlet Heart yet, so maybe it may be different.
I really need to catch up on some dramas, but college just started for me, and for some reason my college internet blocked this site! I reported it to the Internet administration, so maybe it will be fixed soon. At least I hope...
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Javabeans
September 3, 2016 at 11:14 AM
This is true to a minor extent, and I'm pretty familiar with how dramas appear on TV, especially all of the ones currently airing. But the gap with Moon Lovers is much, much bigger than normal, and quite distracting.
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Jo
September 3, 2016 at 12:49 PM
I'm pretty sure it has to do with tv/computer settings.
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bips99
September 3, 2016 at 10:51 PM
It reminds me of the problem that was High Definition Makeup. We suddenly had gorgeous stars turn up on the redcarpet with huge white streaks on their faces. And in HD camera images that same makeup was flawless
So even i was confused when some people said that production values were cheap because on my computer the visuals are breathtaking
In fact lots of sagueks have these standard 2-3 locations they shoot in -> same palace, same forest, same marketplace.
But here there are so many locations and i can clearly see where they spent all the money.
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Lindsy
September 3, 2016 at 1:27 PM
It could be how the video itself was shot vs. the settings on the television. Internet streaming has a way of auto-tuning the picture according to the data encrypted in the stream and the strength of one's internet signal for the best viewing. Thus something might shift from a 480 image to a 1080 picture or vice versa. If the broadcaster is showing it live at a lower setting than what the video was shot in, then there will be a degradation in the quality when the viewer watches it. Similar if you try to watch those super-HD programs through a standard definition set.
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Barbrey
September 3, 2016 at 1:35 PM
This effect has a name. It's called the soap opera effect. Film looks like cheap video on a lot of modern tvs because the tvs are overthinking. They add in blank frames to make the scenes transition smoothly with the result that the lush show on the internet looks like cheap soap opera on tv. If this isn't happening with all shows, it might be SH was filmed differently. On my sister's tv, we turned off Auto Motion I. Problem fixed. Hope this helps!
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Alessar
September 3, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Thanks for mentioning you are seeing different picture qualities. I am going to check out the show on my tablet and older TV and see if it looks better. I'll also play with my smart TV settings.
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Gidget
September 3, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Pfewwwwww.
Can't thank you enough for pointing this out. I've been watching on TV and the quality of the visuals has been off putting...especially with the quality of the original and the expectations for the remake.
It was paining my heart to see LJK and KHN stuck in a seemingly low-rent production.
Gonna marathon it on my laptop tonight to reset perceptions.
Again, thanks!
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oysteinsevag
September 3, 2016 at 2:44 PM
I agree with Javabeans & Girlfriday about the gap in quality between the two mediums. Could this be why the drama was so poorly received in Korea?
Presumably the majority of the Korean audience was watching live via the Digital Television stream and not through the online portals or on mobile devices. If this is the case perhaps that is why the reediting/re-airing needs to take place so that they can send out a stream with better quality that corrects these problems.
I for one found the show to be quite entertaining. I became completely engaged with the Soo/So story in the second episode. While there are definite little things that are cropping up as issues-mainly editing-the costumes, some of the original music, and the wide shots are fabulous. Hopefully before the next airing SBS will look across the platforms they use and address the issues that have presented themselves over the past week. PBS/WGBH/BBC edit their content regularly when they bring it to new distribution channels, perhaps that is part of what is going on as it is a globally distributed series.
As the drama is pre-produced bringing in a new editor or another set of eyes to look over each episode before it airs would be a smart move by NBC/Universal in protecting their international brand. The problem with having several very different production/distribution houses (YG, SBS, NBC/U, Dramafever, etc...) is that they often have two or three very different ideas of the final look/feel of the show and I wonder if this is contributing to the disconnect between the visions. Perhaps this is why some aspects of the production feel rich, indulgent and sophisticated while other parts feel juvenile, artificial, and without depth.
This should not excuse inconsistencies, but I doubt that a multi-billion dollar business (NBC/U) will let their first major foray into the very lucrative Korean Ent. market fizzle out on bad press when they can send someone in to make the necessary edits/changes that would be required to improve local ratings.
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Beanfan
September 6, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Great reply! I agree 100%, and I too enjoyed the story much more than it seems JB and GF do.
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purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 11:18 AM
Dramabeans is blocked on your school Internet? Or a drama watching site?
Either way, I'm sorry. I hope it's fixed soon.
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mary
September 3, 2016 at 12:20 PM
:O
Maybe they read our comments about SIG and JCW and decided, "Nope, this site isn't safe for school."
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mehungie
September 3, 2016 at 2:18 PM
LOL. Not to mention shower scene screen caps.
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Andee
September 3, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Dramabeans itself was blocked. The sites I go to for watching dramas are still fine on the other hand. I know, what the heck, right?
And thank you! Hopefully I can come back without the pain of typing comments on mobile...
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Gidget
September 3, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Hmmmmm. Why not start a 'Drama as Literature' Club and say you need access! The recaps could qualify as springboards for Literary analysis. And credential-wise, JB and GF have lectured at university.
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purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 2:53 PM
It you can get a club going, let us know. It sounds like it would have interesting discussions. Pkys, it's just a really cool idea
purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 6:51 PM
*Plus - I don't know how that turned into pkys I know the letters are next to each other but still.
brian
September 3, 2016 at 12:09 PM
If I watched Scarlet heart over the air -- although I don't even know if they are airing it that way -- it would only be in 480P and wouldn't look that good. However, I watch it at 720p upconverted to 1080p on a 55 inch television and the panoramic shots look great, especially the shot of Lee Jun Ki riding his horse as the eclipse recedes in the distance. It's a gorgeous, amazing shot.
The village shots look pretty good too, perhaps a bit more video-like than film like. The colors look good as well. It could very well be what sort of television and/or source you use to watch the drama.
While I'm not totally invested in the show just yet, I plan on continuing it because the instrumental music sounds so good, so I actually have the volume up a bit from where I normally watch dramas.
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fayyyy
September 3, 2016 at 12:56 PM
I donno,but after watching some shows on kbs, they more felt like documentaries, the HD effect that I usually get on internet was not there. Also,have to say there are some sites who maybe have their own filters which makes the visual treat more exciting, like dramafever has this dark and warm vibrant image to their shows, so I prefer to watch shows that are airing on df...though their subs come a bit too late.Nevertheless this is why maybe scarlet heart looked pretty to me.
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fayyyy
September 3, 2016 at 12:57 PM
kbs tv I mean.
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blueribbon
September 3, 2016 at 8:59 PM
I agree I though I was the only one but it is true that watching dramas on the computer feels and looks a lot different than watching them on Tv. There have been point in the past were I would watch a show online then when I would watch it on tv I would be confused because it would feel different. I thought I was going crazy. :D
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4 sweetyo0on
September 3, 2016 at 11:19 AM
May I ask who is recapping Moon Lovers if JB is going back to Moonlight?
Also it seems like everyone is slowly weaning off W. I thought it was just me because I was getting tired of waiting for the episodes (binge watched until ep9). I wonder if it's because the romance between the main characters feels a bit stagnant. The only thing that keeps me coming back is just how smart KangChul is - but even the novelty of having a smart lead wears off pretty quickly when it seems like there are no established rules.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 11:29 AM
The thing with W is that it's not character-driven at all, it's plot-driven. And I don't think they truly moved beyond making Kang Chul feel like a construct - a self-aware construct, but still. And while I enjoy the difference from Lee Jong-seok's previous roles, and his and Han Hyo-joo's more comedic scenes, I'm not really invested in their romance. They vibe well together but I don't get the 'omg you two should just kiss all the time!' vibes from them as I did from certain other previous drama couples.
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PBY
September 3, 2016 at 11:45 AM
I'm slowly loosing interest in W as well. The plot is still mostly engaging, but the characters are not. The romance felt really off for me this week, like they're not clicking anymore, but forcing themselves to? Dunno, but I'll keep watching till the end.
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don'tknow
September 3, 2016 at 11:57 AM
One reason why I dropped W is that I feel like watching two actors kissing for the sake of filming a kiss scene! I know that this actually what it is, but am I supposed to feel them acting the kiss scene in addition to the fact that they are actually acting a kiss scene?!!
I don't think I'm making a sense but this is how it felt XD.
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Gidget
September 3, 2016 at 2:35 PM
I watched a BTS video of LJS filming a kiss scene and he seemed really uncomfortable with it. You could see him hyping himself up to do the scene before hand. And then scurrying away from the actress as fast as humanly possible when the director said 'cut.' LOL
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mary
September 3, 2016 at 5:35 PM
Maybe he's shy XD
rowanharper
September 4, 2016 at 12:27 AM
Actually, I know what BTS your talking about. I think it was the 3rd eps. LJS pulled away in embarrassment after realizing that he "leaned into" the kiss when he wasn't supposed to. He was supposed to be shocked and stand there fish faced but leaned into instead. He said it must have been instinct.
I think that BTS actually shows off their real life chemistry.
However, I think recently their chemistry has stepped back a notch. Maybe they're tired and irrated from life shooting and being around each other 24/7.
celine
September 3, 2016 at 7:00 PM
I totally get what you mean. Funny how the kdrama couples who I'm invested in didn't get to do tons of kisses, while those I'm not really invested in did it a lot. lol Or it could be that there's a cap on the number of kisses then it starts to feel bland.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 7:57 PM
Or it could be that there’s a cap on the number of kisses then it starts to feel bland.
but look at Oh Hae-young Again. No caps on the # of kisses there and yet they never felt bland.
Bazu
September 3, 2016 at 6:42 PM
"They vibe well together but I don’t get the ‘omg you two should just kiss all the time!’ vibes from them as I did from certain other previous drama couples."
Oh Hae Young Again has spoilt me.
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Beanfan
September 6, 2016 at 8:17 PM
Ditto. Oh Hae Young's kisses were all priceless!
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celine
September 3, 2016 at 6:47 PM
I agree. The writer clearly focused on the plot and not on the characters. The romance felt rushed the first time and it felt flat the second time.
While I think LJS and HHJ look cute together and they generally look great as a pair, I've seen more chemistry between LJS and his previous leading ladies (way more). I don't know if this has something to do with how their characters were written and how their scenes played out.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 7:54 PM
I know what you mean, this isn't even remotely close to what he had with Lee Bo-young or Park Shin-hye (and early in his career, Kim Ji-won).
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TwinkleTinkle
September 4, 2016 at 3:16 PM
To me the whole issue is the pace in W. Which in general is awesome, but it doesn't take its time to properly elaborate things.
Usually these plot-driven fast dramas have little speed-bumpers, where they slow down for some scenes to let us bond with the characters.. and bam! pick up speed and shock again. That is oddly missing here..
I feel as if the writer constantly promises me candy but in the end puts it in his/her own mouth lol
*spoiler*
I was really disturbed at how they were boiling dinner in their hideout and instead of finishing stuff he shows her the manhwa and they leave the comic-world...water running, water boiling, all unfinished. No satisfaction.
Same goes for their dates, he gets no-face arrested and returns to the real world telling her let's finish our date... do we ever see that? Nopes....
*end spoiler*
In this short time the drama is trying to bridge action and romance/melo.. look at how many episodes it usually takes to handle memory loss of loved ones (we've seen it many times). They need to angst it out and stuff, but there is literally no time to do that to make it feel substantial or meaningful. Of course it feels odd to us, since they skip on things we are used to see.
On top of that Lee Jong Suk has to play a cool action hero while sometimes being lovey dovey emotional ... Dunno, but to me this feels close to a contradiction? Don't 'standard' action heroes usually do that stoic 'come here baby, I'll protect you while I shoot that bastard' romance? LJS literally tries to combine Bruce Willis with Hugh Grant of course that will feel odd especially short time at hand.
I wonder why an ambitious show like this didn't get 20 episodes... I think that would have changed a lot for the better. To me there is no lack in chemistry whatsoever, but a lack of time to elaborate.
Still love that drama, I just fill the holes with my own imagination^^
LK
September 3, 2016 at 11:56 AM
I liked the first 2 weeks or so of W, but I feel like the storyline just doesn't make sense to me anymore. A lot of stuff happens, but in the same time it leads to nothing. And I know I'm in the minority, but I'm not feeling the chemistry between Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo. It feels awkward to me.
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I Quit
September 3, 2016 at 12:32 PM
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Barbrey
September 3, 2016 at 2:02 PM
I'm recommending Jealousy Incarnate for now because from your comments on other shows we think alike. Jealousy Incarnate didn't grab me until the mammography scene in Episode 3. I've had breast cancer and been through many of these, but this scene just caught me off guard. It was hilarious. One of the funniest episodes I've seen in dramaland. Episode 4 just out not as good but solid and amusing. What I like most about this drama after things like UF or Beautiful Mind is I feel like we're in good hands. The writing is usually good, sometimes stellar, with a random creativity that distracts but in a good way. I found the main female lead really wimpy the first two eps but that was misleading, I think. She's much stronger than at first view. The two male leads are great, and I can see some of the side stories with the two ex wives being hilarious as we settle into the drama. Or not. I'm not quite sure. There's a bit of an editing problem with this drama, mainly for location transitions. Anyway, I'm recommending mainly for episode 3, which was comedy gold, and I think we'll see a lot more as the 'jealousy' kicks in.
I like W too but it's time for some hypotheses to pay off because it's getting slightly tiresome always being , like WTF? I want the real story, not the imposed crime story or love story, to start clarifying for those of us really making an effort to follow along.
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I Quit
September 4, 2016 at 5:12 AM
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SpringPearl
September 3, 2016 at 3:02 PM
You have written everything about W that I wanted to say in such a nice way.
I don't know how much everyone including javabeans have watched till now but episode 12 pretty much clears all ur doubts which have been building up from all these episodes.
W is the best K drama I have watched so far
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flowerinherhair
September 3, 2016 at 9:53 PM
Yes to all this !!! ?
K2
September 3, 2016 at 12:36 PM
I really wished "W" was tightly written and engaging till the end, but it is not going in that direction *sigh* As JB said, we didn't even know what the rules were and they changed them. I know it is a brain twisting show but in the end it is about entertainment, not using your brains too much. The mysteries and twists should have been kept to a decent level but now they are being over used. I really loved it from the beginning, so I will keep watching it till the end even though it is not what it was supposed be.
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fayyyy
September 3, 2016 at 1:09 PM
@LK,I stopped watching W,when at one point yeon joo told her dad's assistant to just add a scene on the broken tab depicting a speedboat on a rescue mission for kang chul. It just seemed so absurd to me that the writer would make the story so simple as that. I mean for a drama which so far seemed so complex suddenly did not make sense anymore, as the purpose of kang chul hanging in there was okay,but what made it ridiculous was that a speedboat can just be inserted into the scene to bring him back to life. I was like ...really show? For a story who made it necessary to show us how yeon joo would vitally be responsible for each and every important turn in kang chul's life,suddenly when they used a silly element as a speedboat to make the story running again,just made the overall experience a little bit dull for me. May be I expected more from the writer..yeah.
Also I come back to my previous dilemma with the loveline, can you be in love with your pseudo creator? I felt like we were crossing some borderline of do's and don'ts here. Or may be I'm thinking too much between the lines lol.. or I am the only one who's having this thought in mind. But anyhow, moving to my next minor objection is that han hyu joo may be has little to no chemistry with le jong suk :S. She is awesome in her lines sure, but some how the romance does not come off naturally, I don't see the chemistry either. So till the time I stayed with the show, it was mainly to see how the story unfolds. But now there is this feeling close to 'inception', and suddenly I don't want to get boggled anymore. So like jb I would probably just watch the finale.I do read the recaps from time to time..but that's just it.
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UrsulaX
September 3, 2016 at 3:32 PM
I feel the same way about the creator-creation pairing you mentioned. It reminds me of Pygmalion, only it's somehow worse because Kang Cheol is too bound by webtoon conventions to fully exist as a human being.
I am glad people have been mentioning how flat the romance is. I think most of the viewers put off by this have stopped watching, and I feel like a troll for contradicting the enthusiastic fans who gush about each episode. I keep wondering if the romance is actually intentionally bland, and fans are just too enamored with the male lead to notice.
Yeon Joo's will seems to be the overlooked catalyst for many plot developments, and I can't help feeling she is going to have to realize her relationship with Kang Cheol is nothing more than an escapist fantasy at some point. I'm also disturbed by the compliant way he indulges her whims, as if he has nothing better to do since he lost his raison d'etre. They are strangely undeveloped as characters, and I keep wondering why they do not ask the questions I would ask.
For such a supposedly clever series, everything seems a bit mindless at times.
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celine
September 3, 2016 at 6:55 PM
I felt like I was the only one (or one of the really few) who thinks the romance is flat because I've only seen a couple who commented on it in the recaps. I thought there probably something wrong with me because I can't see what the others are seeing about how great the romance is. lol I still like KC and YJ though and I want them to have a good ending, but I'm not sold with their romance.
Mint
September 3, 2016 at 7:03 PM
Hmm..I am not as excited about W as the first weeks but the chemistry between the leads are totally still working for me so I am quite suprise that others feels the romance feel flat. So far every one of their kisses sizzles.
Barbrey
September 3, 2016 at 11:25 PM
I'm not really in it for the romance anymore. I actually like what's happening now better than what happened before the reset but even still it's flat. Like we're still still reading a two dimensional webtoon rather than a three dimensional drama. I give the writers the benefit of the doubt because I am hoping this is intentional. I think of him as a captured spirit (from when YJ was a little girl not a teenager) from another world, free to live his own life though until the crime story and the love story were both imposed on him. I do think he has a very deep connection to YJ as a soulmate of some kind, but they keep bending things into forced love scenes as if in a webtoon.
More than anything, I'm ticked off that YJ isn't more proactive. I loved it when she took charge but now he's back, it's all Kang Chul being the hero, figuring things out. But she's a doctor, she's not stupid, she's not helpless, why is she just taking direction from him when they are fighting a common enemy and have a common goal. I'd like to see them brainstorming together.
Still, I love the show because I want to figure out what the hell is happening! I hope it has a believable explanation in the end, something simple that we go, oh of course, that's what is going on!
Anon101
September 4, 2016 at 10:13 PM
I do think how flat the romance is, is due in part to the lack of character development of both characters. Yes, it is plot-driven, but the relationship isn't assisting the plot and the plot isn't assisting the relationship. As someone said before, the romance feels stagnant even though both actors have great chemistry to work with. The relationship feels sadly forced rather than a plausible development.
Still sticking to the end because I loved the beginning!
purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 2:52 PM
I'm wondering about Moon Lovers too. I was planning to keep up with the recaps. But I don't want DB Staff to overwhelm themselves.
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Sancheezy
September 3, 2016 at 6:40 PM
I think many kdrama fan is not gonna like W as much as I thought. W reminds me of anime when all the skinship and the romance thing is not happen in maximun when they kiss but when they do a normal thing.
I don't think the romance feel the same with kdranma because they actually don't play the long separation, you are the only one, other love partner, and you are the 1st.
They choose to let it unconfirmed and flow like the action than having it focus ala kdrama.
It's like the turn around effect when Kdrama used Love to solve everything and W doesn't. Yes W fall in love but that's not how and why we need to solve our proble.
That's why I think it feels different
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ilikehim
September 3, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Hm. Everyone is weaning off W? That's news to me.
I thought everyone was still head over heels over that show and I am the only one getting annoyed by it. I couldn't pinpoint why I was getting annoyed by the rule bending...until JB out it into words for me.
Seriously, seems like the writer is just going out of her/his way to keep changing the rules (before they were even clearly established, nonetheless) to keep things "unpredictable" and one-up the audience.
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celine
September 3, 2016 at 11:58 PM
Definitely not everyone is weaning off. There's still a huge following both local and international. It is still getting rave responses. It seems those who do not like or stopped watching it are commenting more here and not in the recaps where there are tons who are loving it.
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divyrus
September 4, 2016 at 2:49 AM
I kind of expected this from everyone. But didn't guess how many people have been off put in recent episodes.
This show really does needs us to take mental gymnastics to get the whole picture and when we try - it does make sense. In a very mind blowing way marveling at the writer.
But at same time, I do wish this drama was 20 episodes and all characters and scenes are paced out - having time to breathe, settle in and live a bit. The romance and the emotional part of the show would have sunk in more and rules would made more sense easily. Without us having to twist ourselves.
But still even with its flaws, I trust the writer. I believe she has answers to all our questions and concerns, its just she is playing it brilliantly in a way holding it close to her chest. Even though its frustrating sometimes, damn if I didn't love every minute of it!
I just utterly love the way it leaves me gasping for air at end of a episode with no clue on what is gonna happen next ! Especially this week !
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erratic
September 5, 2016 at 8:14 AM
I'm not that active on the recap thread anymore. I was successful in dragging my sister into the whole W train, but both of us felt like half of the last two episodes were rather weak. Like in the last one, for example, how many minutes were spent on Yeon Joo daydreaming? I mean, she and Kang Chul were cute together and all, but that entire daydream sequence felt like fillers. Some parts did pick up because of the suspense, and the cliffhanger is still gripping. But all in all, I feel like honeymoon's over. haha!
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5 snickers
September 3, 2016 at 11:19 AM
About how Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo looks. This is what a film producer @Susan ?????????? said:
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wapz
September 3, 2016 at 12:15 PM
Snickers, I sort of feel like a stalker now, but i'm glad to see you comment on one of the regular posted thread and I wish you, GB and Susan post more stuff here, as I find your opinions really insightful. Yes, I have been silently looking at the ot thread where you guys hang out and I totally get why you guys avoid commenting here and prefer a secret corner on db.
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snickers
September 3, 2016 at 12:31 PM
Because we talk about everything boring and mundane under the sun 😉, why inflict that onto others.
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iamdeb
September 3, 2016 at 1:35 PM
"Such a soap opera feel!"
YES! This is exactly what it reminds me of! I said it looks like a stage play in one comment but Soap opera is a much more on point description. It's absolutely odd that they went this route.
Very enlightening comment, thanks to you and Susan for sharing!!
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snickers
September 3, 2016 at 1:50 PM
HDMI from computer to 1080p TV, which is a few years older than my external monitor. Streamed parts of ep 3 again. Looked better. Then again, all HD videos look better on this TV.
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Sancheezy
September 3, 2016 at 6:43 PM
I watch it on tv for ep 3 and rewatch it on screen.
I applaud the editing but I think the plot also not compelling enough
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6 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 11:24 AM
The first week of Moonlight Drawn by Clouds does feel like the typical crossdressing sageuk for 12-year-olds, but episodes 3 and 4 really pick up on the chemistry and emotion (and they are also likely to ruin any thoughts of Second Lead Syndrome, because, well, look at the lead!).
Scarlet Heart: That detail about it looking cheap on tv but good on devices is so bizarre, but I think it's possibly deliberate since they sold the drama's foreign broadcast rights for a fair chunk of money and they know most viewers will probably watch it on a device of some kind - so it's better to make it look extra good on devices.
Also, I believe the director's cut (i.e. the one without the horrible OSTs) of episodes 1-3 are out now, and apparently better than what was aired. If SBS has any sense, they should be going over the unaired episodes and fixing the issues I'm pretty sure those probably have too.
I know the drama has its faults, but I'm still a sucker for Goryeo Lee Jun-ki and will watch this through to the bitter end. He's so good at this, it's ridiculous. And I definitely feel what YY said in the recap - when IU is around Lee Jun-ki, I end up wanting So/Su to be together but when she's with Kang Haneul, I end up wanting her to be with Wook. I suppose improvement is a slim hope, but there's enough good stuff to give this a chance.
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PBY
September 3, 2016 at 12:01 PM
Yep, it's bizarre to hear that it looks so cheap on TV, because Scarlet Heart looks simply stunning on my laptop screen and the cinematography is one of the things that drew me to the show.
I had very low expectations of it and then the first episode completely won me over. I'm so invested in it that I can't be objective at all. I literally see no flaws and am fully enjoying the show.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 8:10 PM
If Scarlet Heart looks cheap and weird on actual tv, the low ratings on conventional tv in Korea actually make a lot of sense. Another case of extraordinarily sloppy planning by the production - it looks absolutely GORGEOUS on my laptop but our devices aren't the thing driving Nielsen ratings /sigh
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owlcat
September 3, 2016 at 1:19 PM
@pogo Would you happen to know where I can watch the Directors cut of Scarlet Heart episodes 1-3 ? Preferably with English subs. Thanks in advance.
I agree with you, I hope SBS has the sense to fix the issues in episodes 1-3 for the remaining episodes as it seems SBS desperately wants the domestic audience to like Scarlet Heart.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 8:10 PM
No idea, yet - I haven't seen it either.
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bips99
September 3, 2016 at 11:02 PM
You can watch it over at SBS site. Register for an account. Its free till monday.
-The music is definitely much much better
-they pruned some of the scenes of the younger princes making it crisper
-There is a scene of HS and WS interacting before he goes on a tarantino rampage. Its basically her missing her mother and him telling her to stop whining and that you can depend only on yourself and no one else. Telling scene about how disillusioned he is with the idea of family/love
Overall it seems more pulled together.
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bips99
September 4, 2016 at 12:18 AM
And also, there was a scene of her remembering the history . So she might not be a walking talking historian but i'm guessing she will know/remember enough to become a player in the game of thrones.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 4, 2016 at 1:21 AM
Help a beanie out here - do you have a link to the site where you can sign up for SBS video on demand?
I googled and got an SBS site that appears to be Australian, and somehow I don't think that's it...
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 4, 2016 at 1:52 AM
Never mind, I found the link and signed up. Now off to watch!
blo
September 4, 2016 at 8:08 AM
thank you!
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owlcat
September 4, 2016 at 3:00 PM
@bips99 thanks for info. However I can't seem find it, can you please send me the link? Thank you!
Do the videos have English subs by any chance?
Thanks for all your help :)
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owlcat
September 4, 2016 at 3:32 PM
Never mind I found it. Thanks for all your help.
Aww it doesn't have English subs :( I hope Dramafever or some one else will eventually sub it.
But now there are two different versions of the first three episodes out, which version are we suppose to treat as canon?
eva
September 3, 2016 at 1:33 PM
Scarlet Heart put a spell on me. I inexplicably love this show, faults and all. The crappy editing, jumpy zoom-ins, chirpy background music, clueless heroine, excessive bathing - don't care. I can't wait for Monday to come!
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PBY
September 3, 2016 at 1:59 PM
What excessive bathing? It's just the right amount of bathing, with orchestrated entrances, slow-mo flexing, and casual self-touching (who needs a sponge or a washcloth when there are glassy-eyed fans out there?) XD.
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eva
September 3, 2016 at 2:55 PM
Well, yeah, I guess you're right, who needs a prince when you can have a bathing prince. Princes should always come with(in) a bathtub!
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Flightey Gazelles
September 3, 2016 at 3:14 PM
" casual self-touching" I don't want to tell you where my thoughts went when I read that line.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 8:12 PM
I keep getting annoyed, but I'm still completely sucked in and watching. And yeah, I'm praying for Monday too!
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The other Kiara
September 3, 2016 at 2:50 PM
They had all the time in the world to do editing etc etc that live shows don't have. Instead they went all out on promotion when they should be fixing the obvious first.
Making dramas to appeal more to the overseas market hardly do well domestically and they shouldn't be surprised at the ratings.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 8:07 PM
I'm so annoyed on oppa's behalf - how could they be so sloppy? They've had every last bit of footage since the end of June, but it didn't occur to them that there was a purpose to that other than 'get this past Chinese censors'?
The thing is that this may have been an overseas cash grab but unlike certain others of the same kind, Scarlet Heart had all the ingredients to make this good or at least take care of the way things were presented. Instead everyone involved in the production side seems to have taken a nap and forgotten about doing anything more than the bare minimum.
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The other Kiara
September 3, 2016 at 9:24 PM
I am too. I'm disappointed 100 x more with this production than Scholar.
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7 Arhazivory
September 3, 2016 at 11:25 AM
After completing Giant, mom and I jumped into rewatching History of a Salaryman which is just as fun the second time around.
I started Moonlight and really like it. It's a typical plot but still pulls me in. The whole cast is so strong and such a delight to watch.
I finished two episodes of Scarlet Heart and I'm really not very invested. It feels like Faith which I eventually dropped but due to the 'curse' of LJK, I know I'll end up finishing Scarlet Heart regardless of how it turns out.
W is crazy and I love it. There's just no spoon. I love that it's so unpredictable.
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8 coby
September 3, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Thanks for the vindication javabeans... for not finishing those dramas!
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9 gem28
September 3, 2016 at 11:29 AM
Anybody watching Blow Breeze, it's weekend but the first two episodes were nice. The subs are so late that it's frustrating. It would be nice to have some people around with whom I can whine about it together.
Also, about Scarlet Heart, somebody in another site compared the opening shot of Lee Jun Ki riding while people were crawling away in fear to Frodo being chase by Nazguls in Middle earth and now I can't stop laughing at the horse riding scenes. On a brighter note, the re-edit addressed some issues. Hopefully next week it gets better.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 11:31 AM
I actually liked the introduction shots of So riding across the red sun, they're gorgeous.
I hope SBS or whatever is in charge has got in through their skulls that just fixing three episodes is not going to actually make anything better.
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gem28
September 3, 2016 at 11:43 AM
Hi Pogo,
Not the gorgeous eclipse but the reaction of people to the riders with that shot. I went and watched again and it does resemble Fellowship of The ring scenes and now it's permanently stuck on my brain, what do I do with it?
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eva
September 3, 2016 at 1:40 PM
I was actually thinking the same thing! So looks just like a Black Rider.
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Hye Mi
September 4, 2016 at 1:16 AM
I was actually thinking about the Ghost Riders too, lol. It doesn't mean it's a ridiculous or badly shot scene, because many of the Ghost Riders scenes were beautifully shot too imho.
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10 jasmin
September 3, 2016 at 11:35 AM
I don't know but I'm watching Moon Lovers on my computer and it looks old and cheap.
I was surprised to read that Javabeans thought it look amazing and high-quality. But it doesn't really concern me anymore as I dropped Moon Lovers. Sadly though.
I love Moonlight so far. I love the balance between the humor and the emotional scenes. :)
W - Two Worlds I really don't understand where this drama is going. I loved it from the start but now I'm not so sure anymore. :( It makes me sad!
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snickers
September 3, 2016 at 12:34 PM
This drama looks bad on my external monitor too. Might have something to do with the computer graphics cards and monitors.
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11 blnmom
September 3, 2016 at 11:39 AM
Oh help. I've gone from 2 dramas/week to 8. Moonlight, W, Jealousy, Cinderella, Fantastic, Gapsoon, Laurel Tree. That's FOUR dramas I have to watch on Saturdays. Maybe I'll get bored with one of them and be able to stop watching...
JB, the answer always is: turn off your brain.
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michykdrama
September 3, 2016 at 4:10 PM
Wow, you started 2 X 50 episode shows? ? Respect!
Well at least you won't ever be bored on a weekend!
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Still_Yoyo
September 3, 2016 at 6:45 PM
When I learned gap was a 50 episode show, I didn't bother to watch it. Unless it's W, then I wouldn't mind if it were even 100 episodes. So kudos, Binmom!!
Fantasic was off to a good start!
Cinderella - I just watched episode 8 and I was throwing pillows at my tv. Ha-won went from cute to annoying in an hours time; Hye-ji just used up all the tolerance I have for her and god save the sinking team Hyun-min ship!
Mondays are definitely my Moondays.
3 more episodes for W. I'm never gonna get over this show!
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rowanharper
September 4, 2016 at 7:58 AM
I agree with everything you said about W and Cinderella. I'm not watching the other shows but I'd most likely agree with you haha.
Back to Cinderella- uh I can't stand Hye-ji, and what confuses me is I think the writer wants us to like her??? She's definitely poised as the end game for HM. How could we possibly be on that ship after she walks around like a victimized zombie doll and is nice to only people that she can use to get close to her obsession. I really hate her character type. Watching it play out rings in my mind like nails on a chalkboard.
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blnmom
September 3, 2016 at 7:08 PM
I won't be bored, but I'll probably start getting pretty mad every weekend starting sometime in December. Although, they started right up with the crazy in Gapsoon, who knows where it'll go from here. We'll see!
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michykdrama
September 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM
Haha. I'll check back with you in a few months regarding Gapsoon and then decide if I want to watch. ? Then at least I can watch while judiciously using my FF button.
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12 miroufleur
September 3, 2016 at 11:43 AM
Scarlet Heart: yesterday i watched 3 episodes back to back and yep the drama does look cheap and the zoom in some scenes ruins the fun nonetheless i can't drop the drama yet because of lee jun ki and kang haneul sexiness :D
W two words : this drama is still very much amazing to me and i can't wait to see the last 3 episodes "crossing fingers" for a happy ending for the otp ❤
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13 Flightey Gazelles
September 3, 2016 at 11:44 AM
Just finished:
God's Gift-14 days. Wow. it was my first time watching Lee Bo Young and Jo Seung Woo. She is beautiful and chic and I find her a good actress, now I can't wait to start with I Can Hear Your Voice.
Jo Seung Woo: its true what they say, talent is the best kind of sexy! Plus he can sing! With a guitar!
I'm still not sure about the end because my CD started cracking and the subs just stopped appearing half way through. so a whole bunch of scenes( more than half) that I missed. I think it was a good thing,looking back because it spared me the heartbreak( or outrage) so I was prepared. I think after I look it up on the online and watch it fully, I'll have better thoughts on it. But so far, so good, it was quite a ride I don't regret watching!!
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14 Karuna
September 3, 2016 at 11:46 AM
I watch a few dramas in a year and barely any live. W is the exception. Also going to be my first drama for a rewatch because I feel like I can articulate my final thoughts only through a rewatch. I like it most for the writing, even though I am not board everything I am intrigued by the way the writer conceptualizes and structures her dramas.
I might give Age of Youth and The Good Wife a spin once I have some time freed up post W.
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15 LK
September 3, 2016 at 11:48 AM
I'm fully invested in Cinderella and Moonlight at the moment. Both funny, sweet and cute. And I'm officially dropping W because the storyline is just so messy.
I'm still unsure whether or not to start Jealousy and Scarlet Heart. Both dramas seem to have a lot of mixed opinions.
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purpleowl
September 3, 2016 at 3:01 PM
I'm loving all three of the shows you mentioned, especially the funny moments. So I don't know if my opinion will have much weight. But I recommend Jealousy over Moon Lovers. Jealousy Incarnate is at 4 episodes so you can do the 4 episode check and if you don't like it, give Moon Lovers a try next Monday.
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16 ObsessedMuch
September 3, 2016 at 11:48 AM
I am glad there are others who felt the detachment from W. I mean I still love the show, but it has gotten a little too convoluted for me. I tune in for the pretty and just stop trying to make sense out of it.
And no, I don't think I am too dumb to understand it cuz I do understand it pretty well. But somehow I feel that in Sci- fi there are supposed to be rules that aren't meant to be broken and W is breaking them. I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is about the show that has gotten me suddenly disenchanted. But hey, LJS and HHJ are still awesome- so is our fellow fan Soo Bong! So I tune in, watch the show, turn off the laptop, and forget everything.
UF is another case. I feel irritated at the writer. But I don't think the writer has gone wrong from her (his?) already planned out story. Kim Woo Bin just chose a very sad (and idiotic) story (yet again), but he is nailing it! I mean there must be something about him that is so magical and mesmerizing that I eagerly wait for UF every week, and after the episode ends, i am always left with an empty feeling in my heart. KWB has proven that he is an ace- someone just give him an awesome script now that could do justice to him.
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gem28
September 3, 2016 at 11:58 AM
The thing about UF which I think I finally nailed is its Makjang melo meets our reality in a bad way. No, real life cancer patients are not that stubborn, they don't refuse treatments and if they do it means they need to be treated for clinical depression, no mother wishes loudly for her son to die because he became a successful actor instead of a prosecutor and the list goes on. These are melo tropes as old as the universe that meets the reality, that is harsh reality that shitty assholes get away with their wrong deeds more often than we'd like them too. So what we get is the show in one word. Uncontrollably Frustrating should be the name of the drama in my opinion.
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thatstp
September 4, 2016 at 3:05 PM
I think that Joon Young refusing treatment is what makes this real for me. Recently a client of mine died from breast cancer. When she died, I found out she was diagnosed a year and a half prior. She refused treatment. She didn't even tell her family until a few months before she died. She wasn't depressed, she was quite the opposite. Encouraging and optimistic for the futures of those around her.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
September 3, 2016 at 8:19 PM
I think part of the reason is that W prioritises plot over character, and recently the plot itself has gone off the rails even though the story still has plenty of shock value.
I feel like a lot of the show's appeal would be lost if we thought about it too closely, I'm not even going to pretend I understand why thinking of someone from the manhwa pulls them into Yeon-joo World but damn if moments like the one where Kang Chul saw So-hee, aren't exciting for the 'wtf is happening?!' factor. I still enjoy that and the show's humour (Kang Chul and Su-bong, awwwwww. Actually, Su-bong in general.)
I really hope Kim Woo-bin gets a better drama, the next time he does get one. Looks like his role and performance are awesome, but the drama was not.
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17 whowhatwhere
September 3, 2016 at 11:54 AM
So far, I'm really loving moonlight drawn by the clouds. KYJ and PBG are a joy to watch. Even though there's a bunch of things going on, it never feels out of balance or fake.
On the other hand I feel like my interest in W is slowly fading away. I love the setup so much but I don't feel invested at all in the romance which makes me sad bc HHJ and LJS are Super cute together. To me, it feels like there's a very clear divide between the romance and the plot? When the romance picks up, the plot stops and vice versa. W is a great show but I wish it could've deal w/ this better bc I've started to skip the romance scenes in favor of the plot scenes.
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whowhatwhere
September 3, 2016 at 12:05 PM
I forgot to add in scarlet heart which I'm surprisingly enjoying. I think it helped that I went in w/ super low expectations since I Love the original bu bu jing xin. I think the show has its flaws, many many flaws, but its entertaining to watch and more Lee Jun-ki is always a good thing.
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namedx
September 3, 2016 at 1:40 PM
It's not a show I could talk about at length, but so far, it's proving to be a show that I can just sit back and enjoy. The first three eps were entertaining enough to keep me hooked, despite the flaws. The next few eps will determine whether I continue with it though, depending on where they take the story. IU's character, whilst adorable, may turn annoying for me due to her shortsightedness, and her gradual kindling of romantic feelings for married prince is making me feel a little unsettled. So far so good though.
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whowhatwhere
September 3, 2016 at 2:06 PM
I get annoyed at her too, sometimes. In the original, the main female lead is incredibly quick-witted and clever so it made me sad that IU's character seems to be a more stereotypical drama heroine.
And I completely agree w/ you, I'm a little weirded out by the budding rs between her and the eighth. In the original, the eighth prince had multiple wives so it wasn't too big of a deal in addition to other circumstances but that doesn't seem to be the case in moon lovers. I hope the script manages to deal with this in a good way.
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namedx
September 3, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Ah, now see I've never had the pleasure of watching the original, so I can't compare, but just hearing that the female lead was incredibly quick-witted and a lot more purposeful as part of the narrative, I can imagine how frustrating it must be to see the characterization so diluted. Pity, that.
Ditto, I'm hoping they deal with the love line between the 8th prince and Hae-su in a sensible manner - well, as far as time periods go, I guess they could tame it to some degree.
Rachela
September 3, 2016 at 8:32 PM
Just finished up the original myself and had a very different opinion-- Ruoxi didn't start to mature until she began her work in the palace. Before that I think she did plenty of stupid things. But I havent started Moon Lovers yet so don't have a good idea of the comparison--I just remember being very annoyed with the Chinese version of the character until about episode 8.
18 SuziQ
September 3, 2016 at 11:55 AM
W - Two Worlds gives me a head ache trying to follow the plot. I'm getting Dr. Stranger vibes. Thanks for the recaps, I was going crazy trying to follow it.
Moon Lovers - so many princes. I hope they give them something to do than take off their shirts. Not buying IU's acting. This role is out of her league, but I'll watch it for Lee Jun Ki.
Our Gap Soon - Why did they make Song Jae Jim's character such a loser and a cheater to poor dweeb girlfriend Kim So Eun? Can't stand it so will drop it.
Moonlight Drawn by Clouds - Stupid plot but I just love Park Bo Geum and Jin Young in it.