Best and Worst Dramas (Part 5): 2004

 

Ah, this was the year where I tipped over the edge into full-blown K-addiction.

Prior to that I was just an innocent hanger-on (this post explains the six stages of K-addiction; hanger-on is the second stage). But everything changed in 2004. I learned to download a drama for the first time, albeit with much hair-pulling, and I also met him. The rest, as they say, is history.

Part 5 of our Best and Worst Dramas poll brings back so many memories for me. I hope it triggers some for you, too.

(Psst, have you voted in the Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 polls yet?)

 

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Striking gold in More Beautiful Than a Flower

The 2004 KBS drama More Beautiful Than a Flower was on my must-watch list because of misterX’s review, and because I love Noh Hee-kyung’s writing.  Little did I know that I would strike gold there in the form of one actor.  Can you pick him out from the collage below?

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If you recognized Kim Myung-min in that collage, good for you!  If you aren’t familiar with him, then quickly make a beeline for one of his works because this actor is GOLD.  The real thing.  Possibly the best Korean actor in the 30s age group today.

But it wasn’t “love at first sight” for me when I saw Kim Myung-min in More Beautiful Than a Flower (MBTAF).  His character, Jang In-chul, was cold and snobbish, had hair the color of badly burnished wood, and gave off “I’m a womanizer, so hate me… I don’t give a damn” vibes.

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More Beautiful Than a Flower

My thoughts after finishing the first twelve episodes…

Take a look at the following people:

~ A 60-year-old man who deserts his family for a woman who’s the same age as his eldest daughter.

~ A mother who takes whatever life throws at her like a wimp, who appears slow and even dim-witted.

~ A 35-year-old divorcee and fishmonger who does not know the meaning of tact, who is blunt, loudmouthed and overbearing.

~ A deceased son who died doing what he was good at: getting into brawls.

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