#2023Roundup #24December #FreeStyle
Another (sort of) request! @kathryn51 asked an amazing question on WWW yesterday about what constitutes “peak” Ha Joon, and I’m more than happy to answer at relative length over here on the Fan Wall with words and images. I was planning on doing a short series on Seon-ha’s SLS victims anyway, to be honest, so why not start with Joonie?

First of all, almost all of my LYOL images are of Ha Joon, so if you’d like to just look at them they’re here: https://imgur.com/a/alZTeP7

Second, a goodly number of my DWY images were of Ha Joon too, so if you’d like to see all of those they’re here: https://imgur.com/a/9HwWEnA

So, to begin. It took me quite some time to whittle down my options here. I really wish to thank Kathryn for giving me some focus because I didn’t realize just how many images I have of this man.

Peak Ha Joon for me is (a) one that looks his age (he’s 36); (b) is usually a little one-down; (c) but even as he’s playing second-fiddle, it’s usually because he’s actually thinking about what’s best for himself. Yes, he cares deeply for others, but I like Ha Joon best when he’s playing characters that actually have a real sense of self. This was certainly the case for most of DWY and it was also the case for the beginning of LYOL.

The other thing to know about Ha Joon, is that while he’s not got the attractive vocal fry of Woo Do-hwan, there is just something about his voice especially when he gets angry that just snaps your head around (*in a good way* and I know I’m not alone on this 😁). So, below, the only new image I made for this post…I give you an example in an angry Jae-kyung!

(more Ha Joon, of course, in the comments)

View post on imgur.com

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    This is the early Tae-ho of LYOL that I mentioned before. He’s got an inner monologue. You can see it. What’s he thinking? I wanna know!

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      I just re-found this joke gif of mine. I laughed. Oh, I laughed.

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    TEAM OTTER. If someone’s gonna play drunk, I’ll have it be Ha Joon, thanks!

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      🦦 all the way!

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        Boy can hold his own as the “visual” against Rowoon. I’m sorry, but he can. They’re just super-different looks. Like, I dunno… Giraffes and Otters!!! 🤔😜😁😉

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          If they can cast him as a visual against Kim Jae-wook anything is possible and frankly I find him cute – at times.

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    This one gets its own comment. It’s not that he needs to be all sad and dramatic. When he really smiles, his face goes with it…and I, for one, am happy to follow.

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    Also, there’s a bonafide sense of humor there. And by humor, I mean sarcasm. Look at his “stop that” and his subtle eyeroll when selling that stupid sandwich. I mean, it worked. I’ll have a Subway sandwich now, please and thank you!

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      The self-sacrifice to have a Subway sandwich!!!! 😬 Don’t do it only because he had to! 🤢

      (That eye roll was perfection and definitely intentional! 😂 Interesting they dared to leave it in like that.)

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        I ate so much Subway in college that I can taste that garbage on my own without even needing to actually eat it ever again. 😒🤮

        But for Ha Joon…anything 🤣

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    These two just ended up next to one another on my scratchpad and I stared at the juxtaposition for a long time, thinking about what it implied about Jae-kyung’s character. I’m gonna just leave it as a little, visual interpretive argument about how DWY dropped the ball on making a complex argument about changing your past behavior because you learned something about yourself and how best to treat others.

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      I really really thought the shaman lady’s comment would amount to more but apparently there were just uttered in a void. It went to haywire later that it is difficult to appreciate the good parts. Some portions of Destined were really awesome.

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        I know. I know. I’m glad folks liked the sex scene and all, but what about the rest of the plot?? It had so much promise.

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          It was happy with the bedroom scene no complaints. 😊 At least it was earned. The OTP really sold it. **whispers out of hearing of Kurama – that frog prince scene was more exciting!!**

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          Ah! yes plot … the way Jae-kyung’s character was developed and how he also turned up in Joseon it didn’t lead to anything. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Also I don’t think Joseon Jae-kyung was a eunuch or that Aeng Cho was ever close to him. So basically they just forgot to tie the ends.

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          lol, but I dropped before the so-called sex scene. If the story isn’t worth it, i’m not going to bother tuning in trying to find a a few second clip.

          Now, if it had been Ha Joon – might have. . . . ., no, not even then.

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    Smug. Self-possessed. Always second-best. Look at that smirk! GAH.

    I gotta stop here or I’ll bloat the whole Fan Wall. But if you’d like to see more–visit my imgur albums linked in the header post. I think there are close to 50 pictures of Ha Joon up there. I think I can now truly admit I have a problem. Sorry, dude. I’m gonna back down now.

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    The LOYL images link is not working apparently.

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      I honestly don’t know what’s up with that. I’ve spent the last 20 minutes trying to figure it out–it’s a bit like there’s a copyright claim on one of the images.

      This one works for now: https://imgur.com/a/vEPua38

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        Yeah, see? It’s gone now. I don’t know that I have the patience to figure out which image is causing this, @seeker. That would be an hour-long process. Eeek! I’ll comment back here if I fix it.

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          No worries. Don’t spend any more time now.

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            Oh, you say that, but there’s a technical problem and I can’t resist. I was hoping that by saying to you that “I shouldn’t” my mind would take the hint and…not. But it said, “F-You, Seon-ha, you’re going to FIX it.”

            This link has held for more minutes than the last one: https://imgur.com/a/vEPua38

            You know what this new album doesn’t have in it? That picture of Tae-min pretty much naked in the shower. Too bad. It’s here though, if you want to see it…https://i.imgur.com/ZFa5HNX.gif 😉

            Maybe it crossed the line for them from “suggestive” to “explicit?” Of all things!!!

            I still only give this a 60% chance of being up in 15 minutes.

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            Ah! Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it. 🤐
            Thank you for all your hard work. You’re right Tae-min in shower is too 🔥 to handle for imgur and its gone again.

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            HAHAHAHAHAHAHA They totally did take it down!!! Am I gonna get in trouble at imgur??? They certainly ARE putting an over-18 warning on all my albums….

            Too hot for imgur are the weekenders!!!!

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    This was indeed a much needed post. Hope you feel lighter and happier now. I guess I’ll search for the Ha-joon kicking the stool before Rowoon can sit gif in your imgur album.

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    Oh ho! we’re getting a SML series now. Hmm, that sounds promising.

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    Even though he was better dressed in
    Crazy Love, I liked him better as an actor (like waaayy better) in Destined With You. He seems little less makjang for a weekender ML (Sung Hoon is undoubtedly a natural fit) but he is really good in some parts of Live Your Own Life.

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      I’ve always been somewhat tempted by Bad Prosecutor as an FF watch. I mean D.O. and Ha Joon, what’s not to like (if the plot can be ignored)?? 🤣

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        It is on my watchlist for Kyung-soo of course and you know what – Ha-joon’s character is name Do-hwan. I say its a sign. Let us select that for a Fanwall Community Watch.

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          Absolutely! I think Stealer is next–you in for that, @seeker??–but I’m all in for a Bad Prosecutor speed-if-you-want watch next-next after that one.

          It might just me you, me and @kathryn51 (you want in for the Ha Joon??) for our “various” reasons–but that’s enough for a whole community!!!

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            I’ve seen Stealer but I’m up for a rewatch. So glad it’s receiving the ❤ in Round Up which it didn’t when it aired. 🤷‍♀️

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            Ha Joon isn’t in Stealer is he?? I started that drama weeks ago but I guess it’s technically on hold since I haven’t returned. I really liked it. . . .up until the violence was over the top.

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            @kathryn51 No, Ha Joon isn’t in Stealer, he’s in Bad Prosecutor…which is planned to be the next Community Fan Wall Watch after Stealer (at least the one @seeker and I are in!! There might be others, but with no Ha Joon what fun is that?? 🤣)

            Have you seen Bad Prosecutor? If so, is it worth it for Joonie? If not, I hope you can join in the watch!

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    Thanks for pointing me to this post. I don’t think i quite understand the protocols/logistics of a fan wall but i enjoyed your dissertation on the many faces of Ha Joon.

    I just loved him in Crazy Love. That look of bland innocence when he was feeding the “poisonous” peaches to Noh Go Jin (Kim Jae Wook) [and the VIEWER knew he wasn’t innocent] – just priceless.

    I really don’t like the two sides of the character of Tae Ho – lonely, self-pitying, judgmental vs puppy-dog, careless, cavalier when he’s with Hyo Shim. But admit ha joon is playing both sides perfectly. Much prefer the charming, self-deprecating Kwon jae kyung. Not to mention the smooth and charming contrast with heartless/calculating oh Se Gi of Crazy Love which happens to be my all time favorite kdrama.

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      I’ve actually never seen Crazy Love…sounds like you’d recommend it???

      As for the Fan Wall, I actually recently rounded up a bunch of posts that @claire 2009 and I put together that gather a number of logistical tips and tricks about the Fan Walls–including how to get to yours (quick tip: it’s in your profile menu). That index post is here:

      https://www.dramabeans.com/members/attiton/activity/1509562/

      In terms of community norms, you can post whatever you like!! The post I linked to above also offers guidance on how to find the common stream of all Fan Wall posts (you can start with the “Beanies” tab above, if you like)!

      Welcome to the Fan Wall, if you want to join in…it’s fun here and is also where Beanies can find support or make each other laugh…

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        The recommendation/s for Crazy Love is firstly a confirmation the Kim Jae-wook who plays a genius math instructor can easily conduct tutorials for teaching the young ‘uns to KISS. 🔥 🔥 🔥 Secondly, Ha-joon. 😊

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          One reason Crazy Love is a favorite is that it broke the norms of a romance comedy.

          Two very hot kisses – and we all were waiting for what surely would be the inevitable Episode 11/12 sex/bedroom (kdrama style) scene, but no. . . . it never happened (on screen) and it was totally unnecessary. Great plot, great story-telling, great romance – one of my few 10⭐ ratings.

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            I’m actually now stuck back here at @seeker ‘s “secondly” comment. I don’t know that I’m happy with thinking of Ha Joon “secondly.” 😉

            So, I’ve been wondering why I’ve not seen this drama, and now I see that it’s because it only (maybe) showed up in my region on Hulu within the last six months? I mean, I might be making excuses at this point…but suffice it to say, it’s next!

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          Well …. to soothe your anxiety Seon-ha, Ha-joon does have a most wonderful wardrobe with nice suits and nicer watches.

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            Also a lot of giffable moments when he is “conflicted”. I love how cute he looks in the flashback with Jae-wook eating, what else, triangular gimbap.

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      In Crazy Love I kept on thinking till the last moment that he won’t let Go-jin eat the peaches … 🤷‍♀️

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