Beanie level: Eunuch in drag

So…

Been ploughing through Bride of Habaek (Bride of the Water God) – mostly FFW’ing a lot of the blah blah fantasy plotline. I recognize how and why it got so much bad press, BUT DARNIT… Nam Joon-hyuk is making me thirsty. 😀

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Oh, Man-bok. What a low-key scene stealer.

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Sometimes, and it’s an inevitability, things get tough – we get sad, frustrated, lonely. We all have our ways of coping, dealing, maneuvering through these rough patches. Some turn to bible verse, others curl up among the words of their favourite classic authors, others vent through their own pen.

I… prefer turning to the sage advice of one particular esteemed minstrel to lift my spirits. One named Ricky Martin:

Shake your bon-bon
Shake your bon-bon
Shake your bon-bon

Love, February

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Just over halfway through Itaewon Class ep 1…

Obviously I don’t condone corporal punishment, and what’s happening in the story at this point is totally problematic, but…

Anyone else have a good guffaw over the teacher’s wooden cane breaking over Park Seo Joon’s obviously firm, toned hindquarters?

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Oh gawd, so behind. This one’s kinda long? sorrynotsorry

Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 8

The ducklings of 5th Company arrive to visit Jung-hyuk. Chi-soo mouths off about Seri and gets an earful, but also sees Jung-hyuk’s mood do a 180 when the BTS fan claims he’s Seri’s bias. Chi-soo is clearly perplexed at his captain’s behaviour. (Hot n’ Cold – Katy Perry):

CHI-SOO: ‘Cause you’re hot then you’re cold
You’re yes then you’re no
You’re in then you’re out
You’re up then you’re down…

Seung-joon and Dan meet up. Dan reveals she knows who Seri is. Seung-joon thinks on his feet and attempts to strike a deal. (When You’re Good to Mama – from Chicago):

SEUNG-JOON: There’s a lot of favors
I’m prepared to do
You do one for Mama
She’ll do one for you…

Under cover of darkness, Jung-hyuk finally manages to find the illegal guesthouse where Seri is staying with Seung-joon. (Coming Back for You – Maroon 5):

JUNG-HYUK: I know there are millions of miles in between our hearts
But I will come running for you I don’t care how far…
Don’t you worry girl
I’ll be back for you…

Meanwhile, Seri isn’t sure what to make of Seung-joon’s oh-so-convenient proposal, as he tries to make her think her feelings for Jung-hyuk aren’t real. (Baby, It’s Cold Outside – there are too many versions of this song, pick your fave):

SERI: I really can’t stay
SEUNG-JOON: Baby it’s cold outside
SERI: I gotta go away
SEUNG-JOON: Baby it’s cold outside
SERI: This evening has been
SEUNG-JOON: Been hoping that you’d dropped in…

Unable to let Jung-hyuk go, Seri drives after him. The two share a meaningful embrace in the snowstorm. (Fast Car – Tracy Chapman):

JUNG-HYUK: You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here…

SERI: We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way…

Seri and Jung-hyuk find cover in an empty schoolhouse, where the two spend who knows how long talking around the fact that they’re clearly very into each other. (Can You Feel the Love Tonight – from The Lion King):

CAST IRON STOVE: I can see what’s happening
TEAPOT: What?
CIS: And they don’t have a clue
TP: Who?
CIS: They’ll fall in love and here’s the bottom line
CIS & TP: Our trio’s down to two…

Man-bok confesses to his wife that he played a significant part in Jung-hyuk’s brother’s death. He realizes that he’s finally ready to do what he needs to to make amends. (Tall Tall Shadow – Basia Bulat):

MAN-BOK: You can’t run away
When you know that the tall, tall shadow
Is yours…

Jung-hyuk dreams of the time he gave his brother an expensive watch. In this, the musical version, his dream brother tells him Mu-hyuk is never far away. (He Lives in You – from The Lion King):

DREAM MU-HYUK: He lives in you, he lives in me
He watches over everything we see…

Meanwhile, hot on the trail of Seri and Jung-hyuk, Lieutenant Jo shows Seung-joon just how serious he is – by way of pistol in the face. (bad guy – Billie Eilish):

LT. JO: I do what I want when I’m wanting to
My soul? So cynical…
I’m the bad guy… duh…

With Jung-hyuk tucked safely back at home, Seri enlists the NK ahjummas for help pawning Seung-joon’s engagement ring for Christmas gifts. (Sparkling Diamonds – from Moulin Rouge):

SERI:A kiss on the hand may be quite continental…
NK AHJUMMAS: But diamonds are a girl’s best friend!

Jung-hyuk wakes up to an empty house. He answers a call from a strange number to hear Seri’s nervous voice at the other end. He rushes out to find her, as she attempts to tell him she’s already leaving. Her “I love you” is cut off by the shocking sound of a gun. (If the World Was Ending – JP Saxe ft. Julia Michaels):

SERI: I know, you know, we know, you weren’t down for forever and it’s fine
I know, you know, we know, we weren’t meant for each other and it’s fine

JUNG-HYUK: But if the world was ending
You’d come over right?
…right?

“>

TO BE CONTINUED…

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    I love Fast Car, but let’s hope their story doesnt end like that.

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CRASH LANDING ON YOU EP 10 SPOILER – YOU’VE BEEN WARNED

Seri: *takes nine one-to-one-and-a-half-hour episodes to find a way back to Seoul from NK*

Jung-hyuk: *takes 10 minutes to hop, skip, jump right into downtown Seoul*

Love me some wonky show logic for the sake of moving the story forward.

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Gang, I recognize that Crash Landing on You is MEGA MEGA cheesy/tropey/eye-rolly, but man… it is hitting all the right buttons for me and giving all kinds of feels.

Except for the smooches – I feel like those need a little work. But that could just be my pervy brain. *winky face*

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Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 7

With the choice to escape or protect Jung-hyuk, Seri forgoes her chance for freedom. By Jung-hyuk’s bedside post-surgery, she comes to a realization about how much he means to her. (The Other Side – Ruelle):

SERI: I don’t want to know who we are without each other
It’s just too hard
I don’t want to leave here without you
I don’t want to lose part of me…

Jung-hyuk apologizes to Seri for his outburst. He finally lets himself give in to what he’s been feeling – if only just a little – and they share their first (real) kiss in the rain. (For the First Time – Kenny Loggins):

JUNG-HYUK: For the first time I am looking in your eyes
For the first time I’m seein’ who you are
I can’t believe how much I see
When you’re lookin’ back at me
Now I understand what love is, love is
For the first time…

Back at the village, the Seo ladies show up and there’s a face-off with the military village ajummas. (Girlfight – Brooke Valentine ft. Lil Jon & Big Boi):

MILITARY AJUMMAS: There’s about to be a girlfight!
WOL-SOOK: There she go talkin’ her mess
All around town makin’ me stress
I need to get this off my chest
And if her friend want some then she’ll be next…

Seri tries to diffuse the awkward tension between her and Jung-hyuk by playing off their kiss as though it’s no big deal. (Not a Love Song – bulow):

SERI: You’re a nice guy
And you’re looking for a nice girl to fall for you, for a lifetime
But that’s not my vibe, I’m just tryna have fun…

Meanwhile, Seung-joon encounters Dan while on the search for Seri. He takes pity on her (or does he) and attempts to give her some advice about her fiance problem. (Popular – from Wicked):

SJ: Don’t be offended by my frank analysis,
Think of it as personality dialysis,
Now that I’ve chosen to become a
Pal, a [confidante] and advisor,
There’s nobody wiser!

Lieutenant Jo shows up at the hospital with his men to rain on everyone’s parade. (Wreak Havoc – Skylar Grey):

JO: I herd ’em like cattle
‘Cause I’m surrounded by cowards
And I don’t give a f*** when I walk into battle
And that’s why I got all the power…

Dan confronts Jung-hyuk about Seri. While he confesses that he does, in fact, have feelings for her, Dan forcefully denies it to be true. (Dancing on My Own – Robyn):

DAN: Somebody said you got a new friend
Does she love you better than I can?…
Yeah, I know it’s stupid
I just gotta see it for myself…

TO BE CONTINUED…

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    Gosh Brooke Valentine’s girl fight was such a highschool song. I remember when there was still asianavenue, this was one of most used background songs!

    Nice choice of songs as always, Tiny!

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More CLOY thoughts, so roll them eyes away from here if you’re not on board this paraglider:

I’m really loving Seo Dan more and more. As much as she seemed like a robo-woman with no heart and one thing on her mind (Jung-hyuk, who can blame her?), she’s feeling more like a flesh-and-blood person now. I get the sense that she’s the product of her environment, driven and strong and smart and obedient, but also naïve. Even though she spent time abroad, it still feels like her emotional growth has been somewhat stunted and it’s fun watching her parse through all the advice she’s getting – trying to make sense of it all. I especially like her dynamic with Seung-joon, even though they’re both trouble for our leads. I wonder if they’ll all team up at some point. Also, her mom is such a boss lady.

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    I agree with you. I liked Seo Dan from the beginning. I think she’s warm hearted and nice, although her education make her look a bit cold. But she’s honest and speaks her mind. And what I like about her is that she’s trying to do things right. I mean, she’s told Jung-Hyuk dad what’s happening but just because she knows that’s the only way he can be saved (I imagine that SeRi was kidnapped by dad’s men, much better that by Cheol-Kang’s).
    And I also like her and Seung-Joon together. I’m still not sure about those two, specially regarding her, because I do believe he is going to fall for her.

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      Good call on Seri being kidnapped by Ri Sr’s men – didn’t actually think of that though it makes perfect sense. I also agree about Seung-joon falling for her – I totally think she’s more his speed, though she may not reciprocate given that I think it’ll take most of the show for her to let Jung-hyuk go completely.

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    And I love mum.
    At the very beginning I thought she was annoying and just the typical mother who doesn’t care about her daughter unless she marries properly. But in the last episode, she was so concerned about Dan, the way she looked at her and hold her hand… Oh, mum is a loving mum.

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I’m only halfway through Crash Landing on You Ep.7, but I love how Seri is talking up a big game about how the kiss is like whatever, no big deal, we’re both #adulting, and yet… her actions are SCREAMING the complete opposite.
Also can’t wait to write the musical version of this… so many songs tee’d up!

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All the parents are in town, so I can’t watch CLOY. But i totally cheated and spoiled the episode for myself and now I’M DYING TO WATCH IT!!!!!!

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    It’s good—-I would somehow get my parents to watch it with me if I were you. Are they political at all? Care about the mounting distrust of N. Korea to the US? I’d make something up. Lol.

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      I was going to suggest a 1 hour 18 minute long bathroom break but your idea seems more sane.

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        Episode 7 pulls you in from the first scene. My husband skipped watching the last could episodes with me, but started ep 7 with me and was like “whoa! What happened?” Jang Hyuk on a motorcycle firing an automatic rifle at a tank is the first thing on screen. I had to explain it all super quick!

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      They hear the word “subtitles” and their faces go blank, so no dice. Though my mom would defo enjoy the romance part.

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It’s almost Saturdaaaaaay!!!

Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 6

Seung-joon gets caught by his handler, but considering his run-in with Se-ri, he realizes he has leverage to bargain with her brother for his freedom. (The Other Side – from The Greatest Showman):

SJ: Don’t you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play
‘Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride…

SERI’S BRO: Don’t you know that I’m okay with this uptown part I get to play
‘Cause I got what I need and I don’t want to take the ride
I don’t need to see the other side…

Jung-hyuk takes Se-ri to one of their hotel rooms, showing off his debugging skills. (Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell):

JH: When I come home at night
I bolt the door real tight
People call me on the phone, I’m trying to avoid
But can the people on TV see me or am I just paranoid?…

Dan finds out through her network of ‘eyes-on-the-street’ that Jung-hyuk is at the hotel, with another woman. She confronts Jung-hyuk and Se-ri outside their hotel rooms. (Telescope – from Nashville):

DAN: You can’t hide from me,
There ain’t no tricks that you can try on me…
But my eyes, my eyes, my eyes are like a telescope…

Dan and Seung-joon encounter each other on the hotel’s rooftop and, finally, make their acquaintance. (Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones):

SJ: Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste…

Dan’s mother shows up for dinner with the future in-laws – wearing her game face, ready to strike some matrimonial deals. (Mother Knows Best – from Tangled):

DAN’S MOM: Don’t forget it
You’ll regret it
Mother knows best…

Se-ri and Dan encounter each other again in the washroom and exchange in some verbal sparring. Dan throws down the gauntlet revealing that her’s and Jung-hyuk’s families have agreed on a wedding date. (The Boy is Mine – Brandy & Monica):

DAN: Excuse me can I please talk to you for a minute?
SERI: Uh huh sure, you know you look kinda familiar
DAN: Yeah you do too, but I just wanted to know do you know somebody named? … You know his name
SERI: Oh yeah definitely I know his name
DAN: Well I just want to let you that he’s mine
SERI: Huh no no he’s mine!

Jung-hyuk and Se-ri go for fried chicken and beer, sharing a moment in the blackout as the first snow starts to fall. (Just Friends – Virginia to Vegas):

JH: Now we’re day drunk in the back seat of a taxi
And you’re telling me you wanna kiss me
But we shouldn’t ’cause we’re just friends…

Meanwhile, with Seung-joon’s request to have Se-ri stay with him, Lieutenant Jo tells Man-bok that he has his chance to deal with her – once and for all. (Be Prepared – from The Lion King):

JO: Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!

Se-ri and the ducklings of Fifth Company go for a final farewell picnic, which leads to some lovely moments of joy mixed with melancholy. (Good Riddance [Time of Your Life] – Green Day):

CHI-SOO & SERI: Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don’t ask why…

ALL: I hope you had the time of your life…

Se-ri and Jung-hyuk share a meaningful goodbye the night before she’s set to depart. (The Way We Were – Barbara Streisand):

SERI: Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we?

Se-ri and Gwang-beom encounter Trucks of Doom with Fangs™ on their way to Se-ri’s rendez-vous. It’s a close call – until Jung-hyuk rides in with extra firepower. (Thunderstruck – AC/DC):

JH (with backup from the rest of 5th Company): Sound of the drums
Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns…
You’ve been Thunderstruck…

TO BE CONTINUED…

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So I’ve been trying to come to terms with my mixed feelings about Love with Flaws. Having spent only a year in Dramaland, my catalogue of watched shows is obviously not especially long, but so far I’ve only encountered shows with shitty writing/directing that I’ve stuck with due to strong actors/leads that carry the whole thing on their shoulders.

Love with Flaws, so far, is the only show I’ve seen where I really could care less about the lead couple. I don’t mind Kang woo as a character, but I don’t believe him as a romantic lead. Seo yeon started out great, but she’s starting to backslide into dim-witted-FL territory. I’m not a fan of the “family tragedy” story that’s framing their relationship either. It just feels like a tacky add-on… which I guess fits the show’s M.O., but at the same time feels unnecessary?

That being said… I love love love the ensemble. I think the brothers and their stories are super engaging. Mi kyung is the best and I can’t wait for her story to finally pick up a little (as it seems to be, maybe). Even Min hyuk, who is being transformed into some kind of dastardly jerky manipulator (um, why show? Why ruin him?), is still more engaging than Kang woo.

Anyone else feeling this way?

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    Agree with you in every single point! Funny that I started out by not liking the brothers at all, and now them and Mikyung are my reason for watching this show

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    If you have only live watched shows last year then actually 2019 was pretty lackluster. There have been dramas with really good writing and directing. You should watch them.

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      I didn’t mean that I haven’t watched any good dramas (I’ve watched beyond 2019s stock for sure), just that I’ve been able to forgive crappily written/directed shows for the sake of the solid leads. This show is the reverse. Weak leads – solid supporting cast.

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        I can put up with a load of shady writing for the sake of the leads, but – and I’m a newbie too – one of the things that got me hooked to kdrama are the ensemble casts, so many great characters… I tend to fall in love with makeshift families (Melo is my Nature, Tale of Nokdu, Chicago Typewriter), goofy crews (Haechi, Rescue Me, Rebel) and workplace friendships (Search www, Healer).
        For me, great support actors are the gold of kdrama, I’m always happy when I see familiar faces popping up in smaller roles

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    Sigh. Kim Seulgi… Outshining leads since time immemorial. Why doesn’t she get a lead part already?!?!

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    I totally agree! Love With Flaws has a great ensemble cast but the main romance isn’t that appealing. It could have easily been a weekend family drama (minus some scnes). I even want tohave more scenes with Kang Hee because she’s sweeter than she looks.

    The drama lives up to its title and it’s a bit disappointing to not have the leads work more to have a healthy relationship.

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      Totally agree about Kang hee (ha! rhyming!)

      While the ensemble does, indeed, feel like People with Flaws… the leads just feel like Flaws with People.

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        Flaws with People, I like that one HAHA They had potential to work on their improvement but it doesn’t look like it’s going well.

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Not sure how I’ll cope with the withdrawal of no new eps this week…

Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 5

(Find the full playlist on Spotify.)

On their walk back from the market, Jung-hyuk tries to clear up any confusion that he’s not trying to hit on Se-ri, while she does the same about not having any interest in him hitting on her. (FRIENDS – Marshmello & Anne-Marie):

Haven’t I made it obvious?
Haven’t I made it clear?
Want me to spell it out for you?
F-R-I-E-N-D-S…

As the two near Jung-hyuk’s place, he spots Dan waiting for him, much to his surprise (and their collective chagrin). (It’s the End of the World as We Know it – R.E.M.):

The ladder starts to clatter
With a fear of height, down, height…

The women of the village show up with beers to console Se-ri on the fact that they think Jung-hyuk is a no good, two-timing snake and she should leave him stat. (We’re Not Gonna Take it – Twisted Sister):

Oh, you’re so condescending
Your gall is never ending
We don’t want nothin’, not a thing from you…

With Jung-hyuk’s news about a new escape plan, Se-ri goes out with the ladies of the village to get a new look to blend in during her visit to Pyongyang. (Supermodel (You Better Work) – RuPaul):

You better work
(Cover girl)
Work it, girl
(Give a twirl)
Do your thing on the runway…

Of course, Se-ri quickly realizes that she can’t actually pay for her new stuff, resulting in an eye-opening first visit to the pawn shop. (Money – Pink Floyd):

Money
It’s a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash…

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Jo has nabbed Jung-hyuk’s core crew for interrogation, which makes Jung-hyuk rage – or as ragey as he’s shown us so far. He swoops in to put Lt. Jo in his place and protect his men. (Uprising – Muse):

With all the green belts wrapped around our minds
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined…
They will not control us
We will be victorious…

Also meanwhile, Secretary Hong and insurance-guy-extraordinaire Soo-chan hear Se-ri’s voice on the radio, confirming she’s alive! (When You Believe – from Prince of Egypt):

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill…

With the gang back together at Jung-hyuk’s, Se-ri decides to give the men one more parting gift – a barrage of finger hearts for everyone! Much to Jung-hyuk’s thinly veiled displeasure. (Jealous – Chromeo):

I get jealous, but I’m too cool to admit it
When the fellas, talk to my girl I ain’t with it…

As Jung-hyuk escorts Se-ri to Pyongyang by train, they experience a severe delay – leading to an impromptu campout and an even more impromptu heart-to-heart. (When the Right One Comes Along – from Nashville):

Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
You think you know what you’re lookin’ for
‘Til what you’re lookin’ for finds you…

Finally in Pyongyang, Se-ri gets her passport photo taken and, out of Jung-hyuk’s sight for a brief moment, she runs into Seong-joon in the hotel lobby. Seong-joon can’t believe his luck, seeing as he’s just been backstabbed and sold out by his handler – who’s in league with Se-ri’s brother. (Somebody I Used to Know – Gotye):

But you didn’t have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing…

TO BE CONTINUED…

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New ep dropping tomorrow. Yahooooo!!!!!

Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 4

(Find the playlist on Spotify.)

Jung-hyuk and Se-ri are caught on the fishing boat, and since the kissing tactic can only get them so far, they’re forced to do a little more of a “song and dance” to get out of their sticky situation. (Anything Goes – from Anything Goes):

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking.
But now, God knows,
Anything goes…

Once back on shore, Se-ri angrily confronts Jung-hyuk – frustrated at the whole situation; that she has to wait 10-15 days for another chance to escape and that he thought kissing her was a good way to “avert a crisis”. (Caught Out There – Kelis):

I hate you so much right now
I hate you so much right now
Ah
I hate you so much right now…

Later, Se-ri sneaks out of Jung-hyuk’s house with her paragliding gear, but attracts unwanted attention. Jung-hyuk thinks quick on, and then off, his feet – in an unlikely death-defying stunt that leads to an oddly quiet, comfortable moment between the two. (Astronaut – City and Colour):

Like an astronaut
Above the curvature of the earth
Just a wanderer
Under the motion of the moon…

Back at the market, Man-bok’s wallet is stolen. Jung-hyuk goes after the perp, and ends up showing some badass fighting skills to defeat a local gang. (Mortal Kombat Theme – The Immortals):

(also known as Jung-hyuk’s intense breakdance battle scene)
Test your might
FINISH HIM…

Meanwhile, through the men of fifth company, Se-ri finds out that Jung-hyuk isn’t exactly high ranking or well liked by his higher ups. In order to help herself, she decides to help him get a promotion. (High Hopes – Panic! At the Disco):

Fulfill the prophecy
Be something greater
Go make a legacy
Manifest destiny…

Se-ri crashes the Lieutenant’s wife’s birthday, impressing everyone with her knowledge as a fashion maven. (I Feel Pretty – from West Side Story):

See the pretty girl in that mirror there
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face
Such a pretty dress…

Jung-hyuk awkwardly “waits” for Se-ri to leave the Lieutenant’s wife’s house just in time to get suckered into cycling her back to his place. Jung-hyuk’s men have prepared a flaming feast – through which the two keep casting glances at each other. (Something There – from Beauty and the Beast):

And here’s a thought
Perhaps there’s something there that wasn’t there before…

Jung-hyuk makes Se-ri coffee the next morning, needing to consult with his men on the meaning of her appreciative finger sign – completely shocked by what he learns. (What Do You Mean? – Justin Bieber):

Trying to catch the beat, make up your heart
Don’t know if you’re happy, or complaining…
What do you mean?…

Meanwhile, Dan goes shopping with her mom, confident that she can get Jung-hyuk to make good on their engagement – and always ready to put some other poor socialite in her place. (Purse First – Bob the Drag Queen):

You broke the bank, but I turn the ball
Now who’s the fiercest of them all
Ack, kack, kack boom…

On her way to Jung-hyuk’s, Dan’s taxi stalls and the “devilish” driver leaves her alone in the car. Luckily, Sung-joon shows up and offers her a ride – to his great pleasure. (Short Skirt, Long Jacket – Cake [REPRISE]):

She’s playing with her jewelry
She’s putting up her hair
She’s touring the facilities…

Back at the village, night has fallen and Se-ri is lost in the market as she’s wandered away from the other women. Jung-hyuk rushes to find her, catching her eye with – you guessed it – a scented candle to draw her right to him. Her relief is palpable as they’re reunited. (Blinding Lights – The Weeknd):

I said, ooh, I’m drowning in the night
Oh, when I’m like this, you’re the one I trust…

BONUS EPILOGUE:
Years ago, a North Korean man spots a South Korean woman on a bridge in Switzerland. Suspicious that she’s about to do something devastating, he asks her to take a photo of him and his travel companion – luring her away from the edge. (I Knew You When – Mariannas Trench):

And if you’re saying this is the end
Honey, I knew, I knew, I knew you when…

TO BE CONTINUED…

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You didn’t ask for it, but here it is anyway :D:D:D…

Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 3

(Find the playlist on Spotify.)

Jung-hyuk arrives on the scene just in time to fabricate a whole story about how Se-ri is his fiancee, and a secret North Korean agent returned recently from a long placement in the south. Se-ri reinforces this by heavily acting the part. (We Both Reached for the Gun – from Chicago):

Understandable, understandable
Yes it’s perfectly understandable
Comprehensible, Comprehensible
Not a bit reprehensible
It’s so defensible…

The ladies of the North Korean outpost decide to “drop by” Jung hyuk’s and Se-ri plays up her newfound secret agent identity. (Secret Agent Man – Johnny Rivers):

Beware of pretty faces that you find
A pretty face can hide an evil mind
Ah, be careful what you say
Or you’ll give yourself away
Odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow…

Back in Pyonyang, DAN arrives back home from her time abroad. She unknowingly bumps into SEUNG-JOON, who takes notice of how gorgeous she is. (Short Skirt, Long Jacket – Cake):

I want a girl with a smooth liquidation
I want a girl with good dividends…
I want a girl with a short skirt and a long, long jacket…

Meanwhile, Lt. Jo meets with his informant Man-bok, letting him know that his services will, again, be needed. (Rumour Has It – Adele):

You and I have history
Or don’t you remember…

While Se-ri fends off the women of the North Korean town, Jung-hyuk convenes with his men to finalize her escape plan – and also learns about an interesting tactic to be used to avert crises. (Kiss the Girl – from The Little Mermaid):

There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don’t got a lot to say
But there’s something about her…

Man-bok has started listening in to what’s going on at Jung-hyuk’s house, finding the discussion a little difficult to follow. (I Heard it through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye):

It took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don’tcha know that I heard it through the grapevine…

Back in South Korea, Se-ri’s father is being dogged by his other children to choose a new successor – her brothers and their wives chomping at the bit. (Stuck in the Middle with You – Stealers Wheel):

Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am stuck in the middle…

On the eve of her departure, Se-ri decides to give the men of fifth company some special awards. The mood is high since everyone seems to be getting what they want – i.e. Se-ri going back to South Korea in one piece. (We are the Champions – Queen):

And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I’ve come through…

As Jung-hyuk drives Se-ri to the boat to meet her escape route, everyone suddenly realizes that Se-ri’s short visit did have quite an impact on them – including Jung-hyuk and Se-ri, who finally exchange names. (Go Now – Bessie Banks):

We’ve already said good bye
Since you’ve got to go, oh you’d better go now
Go now go now…

Unfortunately, as their fishing boat makes its way to the rendez-vous, a police ship pulls them over. Jung-hyuk in a panic, decides to do what every self-respecting South Korean drama male lead would do in order to avert a crisis – to Se-ri’s complete surprise! (Kiss the Girl – from The Little Mermaid [REPRISE]):

Now’s your moment
Floating in a blue lagoon
Boy, you better do it soon
No time will be better…

BONUS EPILOGUE:
Jung-hyuk, alone on centre stage, performs a heart-wrenching solo ballet. (La Valse d’Amelie – Yann Tiersen)

TO BE CONTINUED…

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Thought I’d wait for the recap to go live before posting…

Tiny’s Fan Wall presents
Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 2

(Find the playlist on Spotify.)

Jung-hyuk ends up secretly harbouring Se-ri in his house overnight. The following morning, the two try and gather a bit more intel on each other – which proves to be a challenge given their contrasting personalities. (Anything You Can Do – from Annie Get Your Gun):

Anything you can do, I can do better.
I can do anything better than you…
No you can’t!
Yes, I can, yes, I can!

It’s not long before Jung-hyuk’s whole company arrives and realizes Se-ri is still, very much, in their hair. While there are a lot of idle threats being thrown, they quickly realize they’re all in big, big trouble if they don’t help Se-ri get out quietly. (Totally F’ed – from Spring Awakening):

Yeah, you’re f’d alright and all for spite
You can kiss your sorry a** goodbye
Totally f’d, will they mess you up?
Well, you know they’re gonna try…

Meanwhile, back in South Korea, Se-ri’s siblings don’t seem to be too upset that their sister has completely disappeared and may be dead. (Culling of the Fold – The Decemberists):

It may break your heart
To break her bones
But someone’s got to do, the culling of the fold…

Jung-hyuk is called back to the military base for work, leaving Se-ri to fend for herself at his house. Fortunately, she has the number of Jung-hyuk’s direct line in case there’s an “emergency”. (867-5309 – Tommy Tutone):

Eight six seven five three oh nine
I got it (i got it) I got it
I got your number on the wall…

Unfortunately, Jung-hyuk ends up fielding dozens of calls from a flustered, entitled Se-ri. (Telephone – Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce):

Wha-wha-what did you say?
Oh, you’re breaking up on me
Sorry, I cannot hear you
I’m kinda busy…

Later, the power goes out in the small town and Se-ri has a mild freak out not being able to reach Jung-hyuk. He returns, scaring her half to death, making her realize just how uncomfortable she really is with the whole situation – emotions getting the better of her. Like a gentleman, he lets her cry it out. (We Never Met – Donovan Woods):

So I’ll say, “I never knew you that way
‘Cause on the night you left
We said, “Let’s pretend we never met, met”
We never met, met…

The next day, Jung-hyuk leaves for Pyongyang, intent to report the weirdness around the graverobbers’ deaths, but instead finds himself under hostile interrogation instead. (No Way Out – Electric Light Orchestra):

Go away come back where ya goin’
Don’t do that, do this, don’t you blow it
Run don’t walk, shout don’t talk about it
You don’t know anything about it…

Jung-hyuk’s family connections get him out of a sticky situation, but as he’s meeting with the top general, his company men call him with distressing news – they’re doing inspections at the military village! Jung-hyuk borrows the general’s car and it’s a race against the clock back to the village. (No Good – Kaleo):

You better start running
When you hear the man coming
Won’t do you no good
It won’t do you no good…

Found in Jung-hyuk’s home, Se-ri is led out onto the street at gunpoint – just in time for Jung-hyuk to arrive and proclaim that she’s his fiancée. (Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler):

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight…

TO BE CONTINUED…

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    ❤️❤️❤️🤣🤣🤣

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    Another good one! And thank you for reaching back for a song from Annie Get Your Gun 😁

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      Thanks! That one actually came to me right away, unlike some of the other songs in this episode, which I switched about 8 or so times. Nothing is safe – not even the classics.

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    Comment was deleted

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    Have watched Soundtrack on Netflix? The 10-part series just became available this week and incorporates music into the story with a wonderful playlist like yours. Characters lip synch and dance to popular music during critical emotional moments in their lives.

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      I haven’t! But I did just see this preview yesterday. I’ll have to check it out.

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A Tale of Nokdu confession…

(minor spoiler, tread lightly if you care)

Yul Mu starts off pretty smarmy and kind of blah, though seems harmless enough. Except I’ve just watched the episode where he does a 180 and has finally revealed his true evil psychopath nature and… he’s now just gotten exponentially hotter?

Like, the evil smirk and devil-may-care swagger?

The malicious glare?

Even the crazy eyes?

Is it wrong to swoon? ‘Cause I don’t wanna be right…

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    100%. Before he was too much of a NiceGuy™ and then he upgraded to HotVillain™.

    But it’s not the crazy eyes – it’s the EvilEyeliner™.

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      Bahahahahaha!!! Of course! EvilEyeliner™! I should’ve known…

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        It’s really every HotVillain™’s saving grace.

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          ♥ and LOL at this whole thread.

          Yes! He became 100000000x hotter after the reveal!

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    I also found him quite hot in this episode – I even made a post about it.

    But sadly the writer made him clingier with each episode and his eyeshadows got out of hand. I felt bad for the actor because his makeup was so sloppy that nobody could focus on anything else.

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      Kang Tae Oh is hot. I liked when he used to cook. Could we have gotten a cooking villain?

      I wasn’t not that surprised to see Yeol Mu’s true nature and anticipated more his development. Errr… I didn’t expect much so I wasn’t disappointed, just not invested in his character.

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        I really liked to see him cook, too! But then, Nokdu preparing food was good too… I guess I just enjoy watching dudes getting on with house chores 🤣

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          Men who do housework – it’s definitely a niche erotica category.

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    I’m;with you, except for the crazy eyes… By the way, isn’t it him doing a cameo on People with flaws ep 1?

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      He played Oh Yeon Seo’s ex boyfriend and appeared til around ep 3 because he needed a lesson for being a jerk.

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        I’m still amazed how you manage to watch so many drama at the same time and still know what’s going on accurately 😄

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          I think that’s the only skill I developed thanks to watching TV a lot since I was a child 😅

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    Not sure I bought into his letting Dong Joo go in the end – It just wasn’t in his personality…

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      I agree. He let go too easily. The show just wanted to give a happy ending to the couple, so I personally didn’t engaged in the politics.

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    He is really expert at conveying fierce, strength, hate, calcultive emotion.

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      He is! I’m really impressed actually – since I’ve only seen him in My First First Love and he’s pretty goofy and hammy in that.

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Decided to do this again, since I’m live watching. Instead of sticking to one artist, I’m branching out and using any song that feels right for the moment. Also, now with more visuals! So, without further ado…

Tiny’s Fall Wall presents

Crash Landing on You: The Musical – Episode 1 *BEWARE OF SPOILERS*

(Find the playlist on Spotify here.)

Enter our heroine, SE-RI, who is one don’t-take-sh*-from-noone CEO and chaebol royalty – outwitting and outplaying her brothers and earning respect from her father. (Confident – Demi Lovato):

It’s time for me to take it
I’m the boss right now
Not gonna fake it
Not when you go down
‘Cause this is my game…

Se-ri is on top of the world, literally, as she celebrates being named her father’s successor by testing her company’s latest paragliding gear. (Touch the Sky – Julie Fowlis):

When the cold wind is a’calling
And the sky is clear and bright
Misty mountains sing and beckon
Lead me out into the light
I will ride, I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky…

Uh oh. Look out for the tornado! (Low – Todrick Hall feat. RuPaul):

She can whip that thing like a cyclone
Hope you got slow motion on your iPhone…

Se-ri finds herself in a precarious position – caught on the wrong side of the DMZ, in the supposed clutches of a North Korean soldier, our notable hero, JUNG-HYUK. Equipped with just her wits, she seems to somehow “outsmart” him and escape his “clutches”. (You’re Welcome – Dwayne Johnson):

Ok, ok, I see what’s happening here
You’re face to face with greatness, and it’s strange…
Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay
You’re welcome…

The chase is on, as Jung-hyuk and his company go after the fleet-footed Se-ri, who thinks she’s on her way back home despite heading deeper into enemy territory. (Run Away – Real McCoy):

Run away, Run away, run away and save your life.
Run away, run away, run away if you want to survive…

As night falls, Se-ri finds herself in a small town, but finally realizes that she made a very, very wrong turn somewhere. (Disturbia – Rihanna):

Throw on your break lights
We’re in the city of wonder
Ain’t gonna play nice
Watch out, you might just go under
Better think twice…

Luckily, Jung-hyuk steps in to save her – again. (Nice to Meet Ya – Niall Horan):

Nice to meet ya, what’s your name?

TO BE CONTINUED…

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    Huehhehe I loved it!!! I laughed out at the Disturbia part. How fitting! I can totally see that song playing out when Seri was dumbfounded by the women exercising in the middle of the night and the kids playing boy and girl scouts ! 😂

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    An excellent start! I love the Duane Johnson song from Moana 🤣

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    Hahaha I love this! Can’t wait for ep 2 😁😊

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As a palate cleanser between new dramas, I’ve been rewatching Hwayugi (Korean Odyssey). I know the show gets some hefty criticism from other Beanies, but I super enjoy(ed) it. I mean… how can you not get enough of Lee Seung gi’s Son-o-gong?!

I realized on this second rewatch though, that I think what I like most about it is how much it reminds me a bit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (show, NOT movie). Aside from Seon-mi not being particularly Buffy-esque as a FL, the humour kind of felt Whedonesque in its self-awareness. Like how O-gong knows that he’s under a love spell and continues to refer to that in-between compliments and ‘I love yous’. Also: the creatures of the week, the “Scooby” gang of all the monsters around Seon-mi, the black dragon as final battle Hellmouth creature, and Buja’s dual character callback to Fred/Illyria (technically from Angel, but same same).

Is it just me? Any other Beanie Buffy fans feel the same?

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    I kinda not really but maybe see the Buffy angle.

    Hwayugi holds a very special place on my “Although You Had Issues I Still Love You” list.

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