[K-drama Treasure Hunt] Swoony scenes of sleeve-rolling
by Dramaddictally
Welcome to the K-drama treasure hunt, where we all go looking for K-drama treasure in the form of tiny drama details that we know and love. Sometimes these details take the shape of well-worn tropes (oppa Band-Aiding) or storytelling devices (Top Secret Deadly Allergy), but other times it’s just details we know we’ve seen in other dramas, but need help putting all the clues together.
Each week we’ll put you on the hunt for a piece of K-drama treasure, and you can report your findings in the comments.
There’s no umpire in this game, so if you find the detail we’re looking for, drop the drama title (or even better, drama title + episode number) in the comments, and we’ll all take your word for it. Or, we’ll go binge watch just to see it play out.
This week’s treasure:
Swoony scenes of sleeve-rolling.
Your mission:
Find as many scenes as you can where a guy helps a girl by rolling up her sleeves. Usually this is because she’s wearing his too-big shirt due to an unforeseen circumstance, but any gentle sleeve-rolling will be considered a winner in this treasure hunt round.
Reference drama:
All That We Loved (Episode 2)
Have an idea for the next treasure hunt? Email your topic to hello @ dramabeans.com!
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Tags: Treasure Hunt
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1 Unaspirated
May 18, 2023 at 5:38 AM
The most memorable sleeve-rolling I remember seeing recently was actually in Crash Course in Romance. When Chi-yeol rolls up the sleeve of Jae-woo it was so sweet. Such a great moment when it felt like he was becoming a part of their family (if only the drama had known where its strengths were). So, not swoony in the traditional sense, but I think a great example nonetheless.
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vienibenmio
May 19, 2023 at 6:23 AM
That scene was WEIRDLY hot to me
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2 Linarrick
May 18, 2023 at 6:07 AM
LOL the first thing that popped into my head was in BEEF where Amy tries to tie her husband’s tie and he’s not having it, because he was creeped out that Amy mastrabated with a gun haha
It might not fit the prompt but it was certainly a ‘treasured’ item…
Honestly nothing’s popping in my head
I guess I don’t pay attention to this stuff. Doesn’t really make my heart swoon like confessions or hand holding.
This doesn’t hit the prompt but in The Interest Of Love, every time we got to see angsty Yoo Yeon-seok role up his selves and play some sport to get all his pent up frustrations out, was a sight I tell ya. Saving those sweet sweet screenshots. I mean have you seen the guy’s arm muscles??? (Those scenes are tied with Lee Jae-wook’s epic entrances in Alchemy of Souls imo).
And there were moments where he gave his coat to the FL but I can’t exactly remember if sleeves were rolled up. But does that count for half a point at least?
And there is Jeon Do-yeon’s perfect pronunciation of ANYWAY in Crash Course In Romance that still to this day makes my heart flutter. Yes I have weird tastes. And I’m thinking in CCIR Jung Kyoung-ho’s character would be the one getting the sweater or extra clothing since he was so overworked and underweight.
Oh wait I remember in the camp scene, Nam Haeng-seon tried to do some soothing exercises with Choi Chi-yeol. I’m pretty sure she rolled his sleeves up.
NOPE rewatched the scene all she did was hold his hands and armpits, he rolled his sleeves up slightly if that counts? And what about the iconic belt scene? C’mon? You’ve gotta give me something here…
I’m really blanking on the prompt
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Linarrick
May 18, 2023 at 6:26 AM
I’m pretty sure Chicago Typewriter would have this. In the past timeline the FL dressed as a boy soooo rolling up the sleeves would’ve been addressed no?
Anyway just rewatch the swoon-worthy kiss scene again. Bonus Yoo Ah-in was holding his jacket just as tight as the FL so does it count 😁??
https://youtu.be/7ZacgLrgKnE
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Nscrozier
May 18, 2023 at 2:36 PM
One of the best kdrama kisses of all time
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3 Blue (@mayhemf)
May 18, 2023 at 6:32 AM
I might be a minority, but I never find it swoony. If I wear oversized clothes rolling up sleeves or pulling it back to the forearm would be a natural thing to do, so I can use my hands. If i do leave my sleeves go beyond my hands, its probably because its cold and I want to keep my hands inside the sleeve. May be I dont want other rolling up my sleeves Or putting my seatbelt.
On the other hand, men rolling up their own sleeves is hot as hell.
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StacyA
May 18, 2023 at 8:11 AM
"On the other hand, men rolling up their own sleeves is hot as hell."
Oh yes, honey. This.
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bbstl 🧹
May 18, 2023 at 8:16 AM
Amen 😍😍😍
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Linarrick
May 18, 2023 at 8:17 AM
Omg same, when men roll up their selves especially for a fight, I literally die! Only to be resurrected to rewatch the scene again 😁
I also like when the guys remove their leather gloves with their teeth! It happens more in anime but regardless I immediately rewatch it. Didn’t think I was into this kink but after watching the clip of the steamy passionate kiss in Chicago Typewriter, I’m also into guys taking their glasses off before a kiss. This also happened to the secondary couple in Business Proposal
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Healer’s
May 18, 2023 at 6:19 PM
Same here. I also find it really sexy when a guy rests his elbow on the car window when driving, and gently bites his fingers ☺️ (is “bite” the right word?? 😂😂)
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Blue (@mayhemf)
May 18, 2023 at 6:31 PM
Yes! I know exactly what you mean.
It’s also sexy to see them backup a car while looking behind with one hand on steering (pre camera technology). I find that weirdly attractive.
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Healer’s
May 18, 2023 at 6:39 PM
Oh yes, that too!! Do you remember the scene in Stranger season 1, when Simok backed up his car after scolding Eunsoo for her reckless behaviour (following the guy that brought money to her dad)? The whole scene from when he arrived at the site, his glances towards her while talking to the guy, her secret glances back, to his unexpected bursting out at her and her jumping in his car without his welcome, and the car reversing…, it’s a masterpiece in acting.
books7time
May 18, 2023 at 7:49 PM
I can only think of the parody in Fight for My Way with Choi Woo Shik's character. 😂
darwi
May 21, 2023 at 2:27 PM
That's one of the seduction trick that they tried in Doom at your service. 😂
I park in reverse 99% of the time, and that's how I do. So it's fun to me that it is considered attractive.
parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 12:11 AM
Hahaha i always laugh at taking off glasses, wondering if it’s really necessary (i’m almost blind without mine)
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Linarrick
May 19, 2023 at 12:39 AM
Haha unlike in kdramaland most kisses happen when the couple have their eyes closed. I mean it’s not necessary to take the glasses off but it does somehow convey more intimacy and passion. Like I’m willing to take my glasses off for you, a kind of romantic gesture…
And the process of kissing would be less awkward without having an object in between two people passionately smashing their faces against each other…
LOL I really can’t explain why I find it so sexy
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Kurama
May 18, 2023 at 9:57 AM
I first thought the topic will be about male actor's forearms. I think it would have been more inspired :p
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Blue (@mayhemf)
May 18, 2023 at 12:56 PM
I thought the same. It was a clickbait 🤣
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Nscrozier
May 18, 2023 at 2:37 PM
Me too!!
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et865
May 18, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Yes, I thought it was going to be about men rolling up their own sleeves!
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darwi
May 21, 2023 at 2:28 PM
And I realise it when reading the comments... I feel lured also 😂
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Gikata
May 18, 2023 at 10:39 AM
I have the same distaste for obligatory ML tying FL's shoelaces scenes, often coupled with a scolding/lecture about how she's unable to do that herself properly and was THIS close to tripping and falling on her face if not for his oh-so-generous help... Ugh. I get that for some people it CAN be a hard task, but surely it's nowhere near as common as dramas make it seem! As someone who actually went through very unpleasant - though enlightening - experience of a total immobility and having to re-learn from zero the art of using legs I really don't find this trope cute at all. Who the hell popularized it? I'd love to have a talk with them... *murderous grin*
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Midnight
May 18, 2023 at 11:37 AM
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Midnight
May 18, 2023 at 11:40 AM
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Midnight
May 18, 2023 at 11:42 AM
The only time I did like this trope was in Wild Romance. The ml bought his ex a pair of sneakers and tied them for her. Later the fl made him tie her showlaces after losing a boxing match. He only tied one to tease her. But what I actually like about it is that although it was supposedly a fleeting teasing scene, the shoes were later used as a plot point in a crucial moment.
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Gikata
May 18, 2023 at 12:37 PM
Being an actual plot point surely sugarcoats things a little, but still, I just can't understand the appeal. It's neither very manly nor sexy, and certainly there a tons of more mainstream small romantic gestures. Like who does that irl? Maybe there is some symbolic cultural meaning behind it, like with "don't gift your romantic interest shoes" thing?
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bbstl 🧹
May 18, 2023 at 12:43 PM
To me, it feels like she’s being treated like a child.
But don’t get me started on the whole cut-up-her-food thing 🤦🏼♀️
Blue (@mayhemf)
May 18, 2023 at 12:58 PM
I don’t like the shoe lace trope either. And that women are incapable of walking that they trip and fall randomly. The only time the shoe lace trope works is if the woman is pregnant and the man ties the shoe lace for her.
@bbstl oh man. Yes. I would hate it if my food is cut up like that.
parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 12:20 AM
@bbstl I can’t with the cutting up her food either. Or ordering the food without letting her choose!
Gikata
May 19, 2023 at 1:21 AM
@mayhemf, I'm that one person who trips for no reason very often, but that has nothing to do with me being a woman and everything with me having two left legs, one if which is also permanently injured. So it's really annoying when dramas proclaim (extreme) clumsiness as a "girly" thing - or fetishicize it. Plus, as far as human biology is concerned, women usually have better sense of balance than men...
vienibenmio
May 19, 2023 at 6:29 AM
I like it in Greatest Love where he puts her shoes on her, but that's not exactly the same thing
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too_much_tv
May 19, 2023 at 11:05 AM
A favorite thing in the rom/com Sh**ting Stars was the ML trying to tie the FL's shoes as a romantic gesture. She doesn't let him! She remembers all the times he tied her shoes together! So silly.
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Gikata
May 19, 2023 at 11:22 AM
Girl was smart for that, a bit of healthy paranoia doesn't hurt)))
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too_much_tv
May 19, 2023 at 3:20 PM
It was also funny that he got the advice to tie her shoe to be romantic, but somehow forgot that he'd tied them together in the past! 🤣 He was very attractive in that show. It was the whispery voice.
darwi
May 21, 2023 at 2:31 PM
And what about cutting her steak for her in the restaurant ?
I find it very infantilising.
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Gikata
May 21, 2023 at 6:36 PM
Terribly annoying too, but slightly less common, or maybe I'm just watching the wrong shows to stumble upon this trope often.
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darwi
May 21, 2023 at 11:39 PM
It might be more in cdramas.
Gikata
May 22, 2023 at 12:43 AM
@darwi, ah, this might be the case. I've seen very little of their modern shows to get a proper statistics. Doesn't look all that different from kdramas so far though - aside of refreshing lack of serial killers in romcoms)))
abalyn
May 18, 2023 at 4:23 PM
I thought the same thing. Namgoong Min rolling up his sleeves popped into my head, but I don’t have a specific scene I remember it from.
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too_much_tv
May 19, 2023 at 2:23 AM
When I saw “sleeve rolling “ I thought it was going to be all about men’s forearms. Like in Extraordinary Attorney Woo,, for example.
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KS stuck on 🥰 Aegiya KHAAJA🥰
May 21, 2023 at 10:31 AM
lol.. i was so stupid to read the main post "him rolling up his sleeves" and started going back in my kdrama memories to find hottest one.. i blinked read again and "her sleeves" made me realize oh i dont hav any such hot scenes cause i never registered it to be hot (but cute)
so big yes to "male lead rolling up sleeves" esp in white shirt just before any deep thinking work.. oh hot 🔥 for sure
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redfox
May 22, 2023 at 12:51 AM
weird, I feel nothing when men roll up sleeves. but when they roll out the red carpet of politeness and respect, im dead
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4 Kurama
May 18, 2023 at 6:54 AM
The first and only one that came in my mind was the Japanese movie Strobe Edge neither Korean, neither a drama... 😅
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5 bewitched
May 18, 2023 at 6:54 AM
I’m sorryyyyy, but 2PM’s sleeve rolling dance just popped up in my head when I read the title. Then turns out it’s a completely different topic lol. Sadly I don’t find a girl having her sleeves rolled by a guy swoony.
To spread the love, here’s the hot sleeve rolling dance https://youtu.be/-6aVQrzja9U (sorry my mind is just full of Taecyeon and Junho lately)
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StacyA
May 18, 2023 at 8:10 AM
Thank you for that! :D
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6 jerrykuvira
May 18, 2023 at 7:58 AM
Crash Course in Romance has this moment in almost every episode, especially when Chi-yeol was teaching.
And there's Dr. Jang Gye-wol in Hospital Playlist.
Do we ever have swoony sleeve rolling moments in sagueks? A saguek I can guess to have that is Bossam: Steal The Fate.
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Gikata
May 18, 2023 at 10:51 AM
Costume dramas have their own brand of swoony in form of characters elegantly rolling up/holding their giant sleeves to keep them clean while doing calligraphy, but it's usually performed solo instead of one character assisting another. Still VERY hot when done with proper elegance.
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7 panshel
May 18, 2023 at 11:19 AM
The Secret Life of My Secretary (Episode 23): The swooniness is not the sleeve-rolling but the hand-washing. https://youtu.be/qowUmnx0z6c
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
May 18, 2023 at 11:38 AM
This was the one I remembered, too!!
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 12:15 AM
I remember this, it was super hot..
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OhSoEnthusiastic
May 21, 2023 at 1:59 PM
Yaaaaasss. That drama knew just how to create romantic little moments between the leads and get our hearts pumping at the same time, lol.
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8 Midnight
May 18, 2023 at 11:30 AM
I don't remember ever having seen this in a drama, or maybe I did and it didn't leave any impression on me. Is it supposed to be romantic? I only got a patronizing feel from the description.
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9 Eazal
May 18, 2023 at 12:52 PM
Sleeve rolling? Sorry, not a drama. Just watch “Make it” video.
Yes. Almost everything revolves around 2PM 🫢
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tabong
May 18, 2023 at 1:32 PM
LOL that choreo came to my mind too!
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10 tabong
May 18, 2023 at 1:45 PM
I think I'll never win this game because my memory is major trash. 😂😂😂
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
May 18, 2023 at 7:02 PM
Mine, too. I'm just here to watch how fast and far the discussion diverges from the prompt. The free-association game is at least as much fun as the original topic. 😆
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
May 18, 2023 at 11:42 PM
🤣🤣🤣🤣Yes, I love how we beanies will always find a way to shoe horn in something even vaguely connected to the topic.
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 12:17 AM
I’m all in for the 2PM promos that popped out 😂
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tabong
May 19, 2023 at 5:04 AM
I just love how 2PM is in every single conversation these days. 😂🤣
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tabong
May 19, 2023 at 5:02 AM
Like Reply said, I think going off topic is beanies' stronger ability. That's our charm. 😂
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bbstl 🧹
May 19, 2023 at 8:01 AM
LOL It’s the Beanie Superpower 😁
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tabong
May 19, 2023 at 2:31 PM
Yes! 😆👌
11 books7time
May 18, 2023 at 7:48 PM
My only thought: Kang Tae Oh in EAW. Then, I saw the actual treasure hunt and I am drawing a blank. I am in agreement with the other commentators. I haven't even registered this drama detail before.
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12 dramadillo
May 18, 2023 at 10:31 PM
Ooh ooh - so I don’t have a thing for sleeve-rolling at all (for either gender), nor do I find it swoony when MLs do things for FLs that they are perfectly capable of doing themselves, BUT this is actually something that happens in a scene I really like in She Was Pretty:
Sung Joon tells Hye Jin his feelings for her, after inviting her to his place for a cup of coffee. She has been avoiding him all day, and because she doesn’t know what to do and is just trying to extract herself from the situation (not because she doesn’t have feelings for him as well, mind), she spills hot coffee all over herself. Sung Joon insists that she change out of her wet, stained clothes, and lends her something of his. It happens to be a top that says ‘Courage’ on it.🤣
He has to check that she’s OK because she’s not coming out of his bathroom (where she’s hiding from reality for as long as possible). When she does come out, they stand in the corridor of his place where he rather sweetly rolls the sleeves for her whilst telling her that it’s OK if she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. I think I like this scene because his words, attitude, behaviour and actions all reflect a certain gentleness. It feels very softly softly, but without any prevarication.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
May 18, 2023 at 11:39 PM
Thanks to this beautifully description piece, I now understand why this type of incident was included in a sentence with the word swoony. In itself, it is a small gesture, however when it’s placed in the context of what we have come to know of the man, it adds authenticity to his character.
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dramadillo
May 19, 2023 at 1:33 AM
I think it’s a moment some people may not find swoony at all…she is acting like a trapped deer, and I’m not usually a fan of ‘forced confessions’ (although I think this doesn’t actually fall into that category), but for some reason, it works for me. I think this show just lives in a very tender place in my heart.☺️
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Linarrick
May 19, 2023 at 4:00 AM
I’m glad you like SHE WAS PRETTY! Tho I had major SLS for that one. Was rooting for Choi Si-won’s character so bad that I completely eradicated the drama from my memory. It was only when you mentioned it, I remembered lol
Still certain dramas capture our hearts in ways we can’t describe, and I’m glad this show is special for you 😊
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dramadillo
May 19, 2023 at 4:43 AM
Ah, that’s exactly it - this one has captured my heart and will always be special to me.😊
It aired before I started watching kdramas, so I didn’t get to live the experience with others, but I know a lot of people had SLS and it was almost a downfall of this show that they made Si Won’s character so beloved. Also Sung Joon as a character was a massive jerk for much of the show (and remained a rather prickly pear to the end), so I understand the SLS.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
May 19, 2023 at 8:48 AM
I agree he was really supportive whilst hiding behind his cheeky persona. When he showed up properly he was quite the catch.
parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 12:23 AM
I need the episode number so i can refresh mu memory please
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dramadillo
May 19, 2023 at 1:28 AM
It’s in the latter half of episode 10. I hope you enjoy it - I always worry that my recommendations don’t live up to my hype!😅
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 2:27 AM
Me too but it’s ok really, everyone have their own taste!
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
May 19, 2023 at 5:44 AM
Ppo-ppo mania!
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dramadillo
May 19, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Haha, it’s such a well-worn gimmick, teasing the FL that she was expecting to be kissed, but I still laugh at that scene. Perhaps because she’s sitting in a cupboard!🤣
dramadillo
May 19, 2023 at 4:55 AM
🤣 I just rewatched the scene myself and noticed there’s a wrist grab right before the sleeve rolling.😅 *sigh* It could have done without that!!
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13 chibi8535
May 19, 2023 at 12:03 AM
The only one that I recall is not a k-drama, but a j-dorama instead. A 10-episode hidden gem of a series called 'Animals' starring the new It-Boy in town, Honda Kyouya.
It's an adorable scene where Umi (fl) & Kazao (ml) are washing (and drying) their dishes respectively, and since japanese loungewear mostly consists of extremely oversized sweatshirts... he steps in to roll up her falling sleeves, as she struggles (and fails to do so) because of her sudsy hands. While having a really tender conversation about life aspirations and what they find admirable in each other.....
Kazao, seeing her struggle, promptly steps further into her personal space, while trying to push up the sleeves of her other hand, the proximity of which does make Umi blush, and hyperaware, and she insists on doing it herself. Aww! <3
ep 6, around the 13th min mark! :D
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ys
May 19, 2023 at 7:24 PM
I enjoyed him in Seishun Cinderella and Jack Frost! You’ve reminded me that I’ve been meaning to watch Animals. Though it’s on my list because of Shirasu Jin...
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chibi8535
May 19, 2023 at 9:27 PM
I loved him in all his recent fares. He is so, sooo easy on the eyes. <3
What a coincidence, Animals was on my list because of Shirasu Jin as well! I find it very cool how more established actors in Japan don't mind being casted as Second Leads, and sometimes even as antagonistic firsg lead! So refreshing! :)
If you've watched Kikazaru Koi ni wa... from last year (haruna kawaguchi + yokohama ryuusei)... i'd say it's a very nice successor drama to that. Very similar dynamics & character setup, very polished 'kdrama-like' visuals and finally... big budget & big-name sponsors just like Kikazaru! ;) you should get on it, you'll love it! :D
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ys
May 19, 2023 at 10:39 PM
Kikazaru yes, that was a really good one. I’ve been hesitant to start Animals because of Kyoya Honda being the lead. He’s a good actor and beautiful and I like him very, very much, but he’s so young and still in his babygirl era. But if Animals gave you Kikazaru vibes, then yes, I will get on it!
Agree with you about established Japanese actors easily switching between lead and smaller roles. Shirasu Jin does that a lot, others that come to mind are Takezai Terunosuke and Machida Keita. Also Yoshizawa Ryo, though in his case the switching of role size is mostly in movies.
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14 Hanamana
May 19, 2023 at 4:24 AM
Since EVERYONE talked about EVERYTHING except the boy sleeve-rolling the girl, I also want to talk about something else which I remembered!
In Yumi's Cells season 2, when Yumi goes to Bobby's house and borrows his pajamas and he only gives her the top and... It's so hilarious and I don't know how many times I watched it.😂
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15 darwi
May 21, 2023 at 2:22 PM
Okay, I know that what I'm going to nominate is a Cdrama and I plead guilty.
Would you consider the fun of the drama and the aesthetic of the scene as attenuating circumstances ?
My Lethal Man, ep 3, at 20min. In the elevator, with backlighting highlighting his pretty jaw, he asks her to roll his sleeve to take his blood. And then he uses his tie.
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16 darwi
May 21, 2023 at 2:48 PM
Now I have correctly read the prompt... I have a scene taken from my happy pill : Devilish Joy: Episode .
There is even a dramabean's caption to illustrate it :
Choi Jin Hyuk falling in love and smiling for almost 1h, what's not to love ? For all beanies annoyed by Song Ha Yoon in Oh! Youngsim, here she's the cute clueless FL.
Just stop at the kiss on the staircase for a happy short romantic movie : they meet, they fall in love and have an (almost) perfect day.
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darwi
May 21, 2023 at 2:53 PM
Comment was deleted
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darwi
May 21, 2023 at 3:01 PM
It seems that we cannot publish picture in the comment (and that makes sense).
So the picture is in my fan wall (easy to find : first item).
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