Update

I knew it was going to be hard to keep up with blogging!

It really is.

I think tumblr is a much more faster, and convenient way to express my thoughts on dramas and stuff.

But I won't stop/quit blogging!

Recently, there's just been an enormous wave of new dramas I'm interested in, so it's hard to keep up.

I've been addicted to a daily drama "Ugly Alert" and have dedicated most of my time spazzing over my beloved "JoonHee" couple. It's been a long time since I've been infatuated with a couple in a drama, to the point of dedicating time to making fan-art for them and spilling out all my thoughts and feelings for them. With that being said, a daily is 5 episodes a week at 40 minutes (for this show) and that takes up most of my drama priority watching time.

Then onto the mon-tues/wed-thurs dramas.

I've picked up "Queen's Classroom" mainly because of Go Hyun Jung and the kid actors. Still need to catch up on it. It's actually been a delight to watch this show because it's not as up-tight or intense as the others. It's actually a relief watching it because it's quite 'calm'.

And Fire Goddess Jeongyi (moon geun young) and Empire of Gold (lee yo won) just started, and I still need to catch up on those. (=.=) Although, I'm waiting for the adult actors to come out for "Fire Goddess" because I'm not too interested in the childhood part.

As for Empire of Gold, that show takes a toll on my brain, because it's INTENSE AND HEAVY stuff. I'm okay with my chinese subtitles, but sometimes it's really too much. For example, I finished episode 1 understanding most of it, but then I read recap/analysis online and realize I missed so much. So I'm going to wait for the english subtitles and then dive into 'enjoying' it. I really want to because I know the writers and actors have put in a lot of effort.

Knife and Flower! Just started on Wed/Thurs. I'm liking it so far, and Choi Min Soo's in it. HIM! I er,'fell in admiration' for him after watching that epic "Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi" (the legend) a month ago. That show is worthy of another blog post. It became my "number 1" K-drama and I'm a fan of Lee Ji Ah's after watching it. (note my background ;)

Oh, the show. Right. Well it's a sageuk and I love sagueks. I love the directing style, and I think it's a keeper for now.

I can't believe it's July.

Time passes by so quickly...

Oh right and on top of that I decided to watch one of Hong Kong's most 'classic' drama "The Greed of Man" and I'M HOOKED.

Talks about the stock market and the tale of 2 families in the 70's-90's. It's just so good, and it messed up my drama watching schedule big time.

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My Ultimate K-drama Viewing List Part I (2000-2006)

So I've always wanted to compile a list of K-dramas I've watched just for the fun of it. I know I've started many and never finished them, but I'll also include those in as well.

The list will basically be a timeline (using good 'ol friend Wiki). It's not when I watched them because I don't obviously remember.

I think my list will continue to grow, because there's always that desire to go back and watch old dramas.


Year: 2000

All About Eve
Jang Dong Gun, Chae Rim, Kim So Yeon, Han Jae Suk 

I don't really remember much about this show. Something about the two female leads wanting to be reporters or something?

Autumn Tale
Song Hye Gyo, Song Seung Hoon, Won Bin

Classic melo-drama. I remember crying buckets. Watched 2 times.

Year: 2001

Four Sisters 
Chae Rim, Han Jae Suk

I think this was the time Chae Rim was quite popular...

Hotelier
Bae Yong Jun, Song Hye Gyo, Song Yoon Ah, Kim Seung Woo

Another classic! A popular one, part of the "Hallyu" wave.

Mina
Chae Jung Ahn, Kim Sa Rang

I vaguely remember watching this, but it had to do with the main lead filling in for her twin sister as a singer and the conflict in between.

Year: 2002

My Love Pattzi
Jang Nara, Kim Rae Won, Kim Jae Won (gosh they sound like brothers!)

Another classic that boost Jang Nara to fame!

Winter Sonata
Bae Yong Jun, Choi Ji Woo, Park Yong Ha

This is probably the 'classics of classic'. Two famous names that literally were the definition of Hallyu wave back then.

Year: 2003

All In
Lee Byung Hyun, Song Hye Gyo

I remember enjoying the childhood storyline, but the adult storyline got boring so I don't remember continue watching.

Dae Jang Geum
Lee Young Ae, Ji Jin Hee

I don't think anyone doesn't know this show, haha.

Damo
Ha Ji Won, Kim Min Joon

One of my most favourite dramas! I can't express how much I loved this show and Ha Ji Won and Kim Min Joon. She was so extraordinary back then, so it's no wonder she still is!

Stairway to Heaven
Choi Ji Woo, Kwon Sang Woo

Another classic and tear-jerker.

Year 2004:

Lovers in Paris
Kim Jung Eun, Park Shin Yang, Lee Dong Gun

I never finished this show. But I remember I always wanted Lee Dong Gun to get the female lead. So typical of K-drama second-lead syndrome.

What Happened in Bali
Ha Ji Won, Jo In Sung, So Ji Sub

A lot of people said this drama was really good so I decided to give it a try last summer. Perhaps because this type of plot was new and fresh back then, but after watching countless shows with this poor-girl-rich-guy storyline, I kind of got tired of it.

Year: 2005

Fashion 70's
Lee Yo Won, Jo Jin Moo, Kim Min Jung, Chun Jung Myung

Watched this just last year and it has become one of my favourite Lee Yo Won dramas.

My Name is Kim Sam Soon
Kim Sun Ah, Hyun Bin

A popular drama, I thought was mediocore.

My Girl
Lee Da Hye, Lee Dong Wook,

Quirky and fun, is all I remember.


Year:2006
Goong
Joo Ji Hoon, Yoon Eun Hye

Never finished it, despite how popular it was.

Hwang Jin Yi
Ha Ji Won, Kim Jae Won

Another Ha Ji Won drama I loved! Except for I thought Kim Jae Won did not fit in a saeguk.

Rude Women/ Outrageous Women
Yoo Ho Jung, Lee Ki Woo, Kim Bum

This was actually quite a pleasant watch. I remember first watching it in Hong Kong, dubbed.

Tree of Heaven
Park Shin Hye, Lee Wan

The only drama I liked Park Shin Hye in. I remember this was quite a sad drama though...

Total watched:20

//end of part I

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[Article] Kwon Sang Woo Expresses Frustration Over the K-Drama Production System

In a recent interview with TV Daily, Kwon Sang Woo discussed the ups and downs of the Korean drama filming system.

In an industry that produces two,  sixty-minute dramas per week, the schedule is tight, the work is hard, and the rewards can seem disproportionate to the effort and love put into it by actors, writers, directors, and staff.  With frequent news of car accidents due to an exhausting schedule, last-minute script revisions in response to ratings, and sudden cuts and extensions in the middle of broadcast, the filming environment can appear harsh and unforgiving.

Actor Kwon Sang Woo recently expressed frustration over this kind of environment when he wrote on his fan café, “I think Ha Ryu really became ha ryu. Acting and many other things are stressing me out. I can only wish for the script to come out well.” Kwon Sang Woo seemed to be playing with words as his character name in the drama “Queen of Ambition”, Ha Ryu, can also mean in Korean “downhill.” At that point, there were about six episodes left in the drama and viewers were noticing a slow-down in plot pace and a decreasing relevance of the Ha Ryu character.

When the TV Daily reporter asked Kwon Sang Woo, “Before ‘Queen of Ambition,’ you said you thought you were forgotten by the public. What are your thoughts now?”

Kwon Sang Woo replied, “I don’t know where I have reached as an actor. I don’t think there will be a lot of dramas this year that will reach the ratings of ‘Queen of Ambition.’ But I don’t think the viewers like me as much as they like the drama. Since actors are people too, they have to be able to like the last-minute script, but I kept on pushing away the script from my heart. I would only read it once.”

The reporter then asked, “Do you have a problem with the production system?”

Kwon Sang Woo answered, “I don’t have a problem. If I did, I shouldn’t be acting in this type of environment. Korean dramas might be popular internationally because we film this way. It’s not good for an actor to be filming a long time in a high-tension environment either. It’s equally exhausting to be filming a mini-series for half a year. But if actors can act knowing the ending or the script, it would be good. It’s not that I have a problem with the drama itself. I am just saddened that the assessment [of the drama] does not correlate to the ratings.”

“Queen of Ambition” finished high in ratings, recording 25%, but reportedly, scripts came out page by page until the very end with none of the actors knowing how the drama will finish.

Source:Soompi

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He contradicted himself when he said he didn't have a "problem" and then carried on to say that the acting environment sucks. Which, I don't get when it's clear he wants to get the message across. Is he being apprehensive or fearful that he'll get some backlash so he 'toned' it down a bit? If he was making a point, it would've been better if he straight out just lashed the production environment. He's also in the position to do so because he's quite popular enough.

Anyways, the problem he brings out is something that is not new and has been reiterated many times now. For one, I think it mainly has to do with 1) the company and industry itself 2) viewer/society expectations 3) aiming for 'the best', pleasing viewers real-time.

And why no pre-produced series? There have been many examples of pre-produced productions which don't get much attention because many of them aren't that successful! The only 'successful' one I can think of is "That Winter, The Wind Blows" and that was only 'semi-pre-produced'. I know in Hong Kong, although shows are pre-produced it's still the same case where they might receive last minute script changes and only get a few hours of sleep because they have to finish within a 3 month period. Which is stupid...because what's the point of 'pre-production' then when you barely have time for quality?  The 'new' TV station (that has yet to open) is taking a new turn on things and letting their artists work for only 8 hours and have finished scripts beforehand. But, who knows when we'll see the day of light for their shows to actually air. 

I've digressed, but anyways I personally don't see a change in the system in the near future. Unless one day the company says "okay, writers have to have finished most of the script beforehand and who cares about what viewers think, we'll just do it as planned".

Although, I think cable dramas seem to be doing a better job at that (or so it seems, I'm not sure...).

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Giving Up

Eating back on my words now about sticking with the Great Seer, but I've come to the decision to let go of it. It was too tiresome to keep on watching it. In fact, I've gotten bored of it. The premise was great, but the follow-through (I blame the writers and the whole production fiasco) was not well implemented.

Such a waste of a great cast. I was looking forward to Kim So Yeon, but they wasted her! I hope she can pick up a better project in the future. The same goes to the other actors.

Sorry, Great Seer, I couldn't pull through for you in the end.

Also letting go of "Faith". I've upheld that for too long. Again, the premise was great, but I think they might've cast the wrong male lead. Lee Min Ho was mediocre to say the least. I just couldn't feel any 'great general' feel to him. It didn't help when I was watching the Great Seer and the Choi Young depicted there gave me even worse impressions. Overall, Faith was an okay drama up till the episode I stopped. Some pretty intense scenes, great evil guys, but in the end I failed to finish it.

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The Great Seer Ep.25

To be honest, I don't know how much longer I can stick with this show. I might as well finish it since I've come so far TT_TT. Must persevere...

Episode 25

Really, the highlight of this episode has to be given to the heart-wrenching and touching moment between Lee In Im and Young Ji. I always felt that Lee In Im loved Young Ji so much but because he couldn't have her he acted otherwise. The moment he confesses that the reason he was so power hungry was because he could't have her and maybe if he became King he could finally do so, was too much.

She finally understands him and raises her hand to caress the side of his aged and tired face. The first time she probably has done so since the many years they were 'married.'

*insert fist in mouth and cry*

 

I see Ji Sang has also seen that blatantly obvious piece of bloodied cloth on the floor. I knew he had the decency to hide it and use that as a ways to 'turn' the situation around.

Tissues, please. I actually feel sorry for this man. And I kind of wish Young ji would have said "I'll accompany with you to your exile and live with you!" But, no. That would never happen...

He can finally hug her without being pushed aside *tears*

 The evil trio that's left, determined to get Lee In Im back and do more evil things! Unite!

 Say for example, putting a wedge in between Lee Sung Gye and the King's relationship by planting a fake slab that points to treason for Lee Sung Gye? Wonderful, Jung Geun. You're absolutely brilliant. *evil laugh* It's funny how they're trying to create a rift in between them but they're only starting that small flame that will ignite into an overthrow of a dynasty.

The Ming envoy daintily hops over for a visit and is all pleasant words at first. All the better for Jung Geun's crew to use this situation to create more misunderstandings between him and the crown.

But he drops a bomb on them and relays the message that the Ming intend to take over a part of the northern tip of Goryeo.

And to make matters even worse, after he says that he invites himself over for tea at Lee Sung Gye's place!

Face palm.

Lee Sung Gye's just like "No, you idiot, you're complicating the problem! Shut up!"

In his mind, I bet.

And now it's the E.P's turn to 'guide' the King into a hole by  making him ask Lee Sung Gye to claim Yo Dong and either show his allegiance or betrayal. Useless King with no mind of his own get's military advice from a Priestess,psh.

Oh wait, never mind, you're the son of that other useless King. No wonder.

And Choi Young agrees to the plan.

The guy who said he let Lee In Im handle things because he didn't want to get his hands bloody. Gosh, I hate this guy more and more. Luckily he's going to die soon.

Lee Sung Gye's going to die either way in the hands of Goryeo or Ming, what shall he do?

Ji Sang has the answer. He always does.

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SA-GEUK- 사극 + Why Wiki Isn't Always the Best Source of Information

I've just recently found out I've always used the wrong romanization for the korean term "historical drama". I used "Sae-guk" instead of the correct "Sa-geuk". In fact, I don't even know what "Sae" Guk is.

Whew. I'm not like a major expert in Korean. I've only briefly learnt the alphabet, know a couple of common phrases, so I guess it's normal for me to assume things.

Now that I think of it, Sa Geuk (or guk?) is closely related (or pratically is) to the Chinese term for historical drama which is "史劇". It sounds much closer to the Cantonese interpretation than the Mandarin one though.Wow, all makes sense now.

So, "Sa Geuk/Guk/" it is!

Which brings me to say "Guam Heo Jun" the long-anticipated popular remake is a "sa geuk" that is airing next Monday!

Lovely Wikipedia

Everyone knows ANYONE can edit Wikipedia.

Everyone knows Wikipedia can be bias.

And everyone knows, it shouldn't always be trusted.

So whilst searching for the correct Korean spelling for historical drama I was led to a wikipedia link on "Korean drama".

It must've been written up pretty recently because the examples of dramas they give don't include other popular hits or notable names from earlier years. Of course, I couldn't care less about it (and some of their sentences made absolutely no sense) but when I scrolled to the real bottom where they had the heading "Notable actors"... I scoffed as I scanned through their so called 'list'. 

Er.... *please note all the names with brackets*coughcough*

Sure, maybe they have included some people that should be recognized... but what's with all these IDOL mentions?

Obviously the person who wrote/edit this might've been a bit too bias in their selection of 'notable' actors? Maybe in 'their' perspective' these idol-actors who have been active for the least 1 freakin' year are quite 'notable' to them?

So yes, maybe you can go on wikipedia to search for say...the structure of glutathione !  (if you so wanted to) and be assured of correct information, but search for what Korean drama is and you might more or less get just an 'opinion' from some bias fan.

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The Great Seer Ep23&24

Episode 23

Time jump 10 years later!

An opportunity for the show to get back on track, and build up more on the actual plot.

So the Ming envoy is suspicious of King Gongmin's death so he takes a trip to Goryeo. On the surface it seems like the new King, a.k.a Ban Ya's son or King Woo does not take interest in politics at all, but he visits the Ming envoy at night to also share his suspicions on the King's death. But lo and behold, Lee In Im's goons who are specialized at eavesdropping/ following people, report the King's suspicious movements to him.

The Ming envoy is going to expose us, what shall we do?

Well, the only right thing to do: shut him up! 

By killing him of course. It's their solution to every problem. Literally.

 On the other side of the country, we see Ji Sang acting quite friendly with... a guard? Wait, isn't he still in jail? Yes, it seems like it is because he's in jail clothing...with other jail inmates who are having dinner at a inn.

Wha...? Since when was prison-time so chill and relaxed?

It's also such a coincidence that Ji Sang has been placed at the same place Lee Sung Gye is at. Wonder if Lee Sung Gye was behind it or was it really just pure coincidence.

 New character Bang Won (Lee Sung Gye's son from his first marriage). I also recognize him from "Padam Padam" as Jung Woo Sung's son! Happy that he's getting chances, because he's not a bad actor (and he looks good). Anyway, if you know history, he's involved in a power struggle for the throne later on with his other siblings...and it's pretty nasty just from reading about it. Won't delve much into that though...

And...here we are given a glimpse into his relationship with his step-mother (Lee Sung Gye's second wife). Not really amiable and quite hostile...and it seems she wants her own son to be better than him. As I said, the latter stuff about fight for the throne is just too complicated.

Ban Ya secretly has a meeting with her son at the Gibang and we see that she's actually secretly plotting to make her son a 'real' King by getting rid of Lee In Im. So she was just acting all along to wait for the right moment! And they're planning to trust Lee Sung Gye to expose Lee In Im and take him down, so they can step up rightfully on the throne.

So what is she now? Good or evil? (I'll stick with evil).

So Lee Sung Gye is supposed to bring Lee In Im down by exposing that he has killed the Ming envoy. Everyone thinks he knows where the body is buried, but he's just bluffing to lure the real killers to the body.

Jung Geun and his crew fall for it, and Lee Sung Gye thinks they have them this time! But...

To both of their surprise, the body is gone! Darn...

 

But it turns out the corpse has just moved from natural causes caused by the earth. At first I was like, how is that even possible? The body is stuck in a confined square. How can it move?

But it turns out it can. What a twist, I must say.

So it's a race for Ji Sang and Jung Geun to find the corpse based on each other's "Seer" skills. And of course Ji Sang with his natural gift is able to pin-point the location right away.

They do an autopsy on the body, confirm Lee In Im is behind it AND have evidence of Jung Geun's headband (back at that creepy scene where the body suddenly comes back alive and struggles with him).

"So, I'm not going to tell you I have evidence against you because I'm actually going to secretly report you to the Ming."

He says in his mind.

The crew arrive at the Ming border, but it seems like they're not too welcome...

Episode 24

The crew head off under the setting sun to the palace after leaving Bang Won as a hostage (as suggested by Ji Sang). Bang Won's of course just doing it to get some approval from his father, with the risk of getting killed though if they don't fulfill their promise on time.

Oh my. Here's the part that makes me go, "really now, is it just so coincidental that Jung Geun has conveniently forgotten his pass so he goes back and sees Ban Ya is up to something!?"

"How dare you betray me, I thought you were actually an okay woman!" (rephrased of course).

 The King is 'saved' from his own palace after a bit of fireworks were set off for a distraction. And what do we know, Jung Geun comes checking just on time to see his other 'loved' one with some guards...

Ouch. And another betrayal in the same day (?)

 "How dare you, Hae-In, use the same trick you used when we were little so that I could find you out?"

"I'm only doing what was set out for me to do." 

Her stare seems to say.

 Ji Sang and Lee Sung Gye have a fight over what the right thing to do was: leave Hae In or save the King. And out of character, Lee Sung Gye takes it to another level and has Ji Sang beaten? Extreme, much? The camera zooms in on a snitch dressed as a guard. Ohhhh, I see...

 All battered and bruised, Ji Sang makes his way to find Lee In Im and puts up a good show to make it seem he betrayed Lee Sung Gye for Hae In (and honestly, almost I was fooled!).

Lee In Im gets approval from his son that Ji Sang might be trustworthy this time, so he trusts his closest bodyguard Moo Young to head over and assassinate Lee Sung Gye.

 Now it really comes to the part where your heart is beating like a hammer, you know Lee Sung Gye won't die, but how will the events fold? Oh, so exciting!

The arrows positioned, but a hand shoots out to stop it. Oh yeah.

 

I can't believe Lee Sung Gye would attempt to even persuade Moo Young to join him when we all know how LOYAL Moo Young is to Lee In Im. Ah well, let's just send Ya Sook to battle him.

Moo Young does not get easily defeated. His name is Moo Young ("no shadow") for a reason! The fight's intense, and I actually think that Ya Sook might get hurt, but that wouldn't make sense when Lee Sung Gye's watching over and this guy is practically cornered.

Phew, luckily Ya Sook takes him down with some bloody gashes and for me, covering of my eyes.

 I'm okay with the blood. I just don't want to see a good person getting hurt.

And the Evil Priestess gets a vision that Lee In Im is in danger. But how, lady? Didn't you lose your powers when you gave birth? That's what Lee In Im wonders as well and shrugs her concerns off.
The God's are being a bit unfair here. Why give the E.P the ability to still see visions when she doesn't deserve it?

Having successfully persuaded Choi Young. They use his name to call forth Lee In Im to the palace and prepare for ambush.

Which on another note, Choi Young this lad. Why does he make me hate him so much when I thought he was supposed to be all 'gracious and courageous'? When the King tells him to fight Lee In Im, he's just like "he's doing a good job of handling the kingdom, let him be." LIKE seriously?

Will this really be the end of Lee In Im?

Dududun.....

....

Overall, things are picking up to a better pace and I find myself excited to watch and anticipate what's going to happen next. They're good at all the 'plots' and 'action' and that's what is keeping this drama going. The relationships and stuff... ehhhhh, not so much. 

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