thundie
ockoala
Serendipity
Michael
Softy
Laica
momosan
leonardswench
supahYour turn
Prattling’s no fun when done alone. I would love to know WHAT YOU’RE WATCHING. As long as it’s a Korean drama or movie, rant and rave away. This page is all yours!
Psst, do post a warning if your comment is spoilery. Thanks!
kdrama fluff and stuff
welcome to thundie’s prattle
Hi thundie!
I’m watching That Fool. Gosh, Hwang Jung Min’s so adorable! He saves the show!
And Partner. I think it’s enjoyable. A bit trendy, though.
Btw, did you watch Jdorama Koori No Sekai (aka Ice World)? It’s a 1999 drama starring Takenouchi Yutaka, Matsushima Nanako, Nakamura Toru. A good dark thriller!
Just finished My Sweet Seoul. It reminds me of Alone in Love. Both are good dramas (and both are managed by movie directors, if I’m not wrong). But I truly don’t like the character Eun Soo (and Choi Kang Hee, although I agree she’s a decent actress). The rest are great. I especially like the chemistry between Yoo Hee (Love Moon Jung Hee since Alone in Love!) and the young guy at musical academy. By the way, I’ve been looking for the actor’s name desperately
A Man’s Story. I had pretty high expectation for this because of the writter. And although the drama’s not bad, I was feeling like I’m watching an anime. All the characters’ are so fake!
And… don’t know if you care or not, but I recommend you to watch the 2007 Irish musical movie Once (if you’ve not watched it yet). It’s great!
Hey Thundie! I’m rediscovering all the cool features you have in your blog, haha.
I recently finished Soulmate and 9 End 2 Outs. Loved and enjoyed both thoroughly. Otani Ryohei had better Korean than some of the KSL actors, but he was just pretty bad at acting.
I also kinda rewatched What’s Up Fox and once again realized how cute CJM and GHJ can be. It’s amazing that despite (or because of?) the huge age gap, Byunghee and Chulsoo is just one of the cutest couple ever.
I watched the first ep of Lady Castle today, a little letdown, but oh well, this genre is my weakness (along with Yoon Sanghyun and Moon Chaewon).
Hi Thundie,
This is random and amused me, just want to share with you.
[taken from soompi forum : you always see this in K-drama : THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF K-DRAMAS by Wyen, post #89 on 2005, Nov 1st
9) The Must-Have: Slapping
For as long as I have lived, I have never BEEN slapped nor have I slapped as I have seen in k-dramas. In fact, I've never seen other people do, either. When the main character's pissed: SLAP. Unsatisfied? Slap. Fighting? Slap. Seeking revenge? Slap. [insert random emotion]? Slap.
As I watch k-dramas, I wonder if the roots of Korean culture lies within the Art of Slapping. Whatever the problem is, a good-ole slap can solve it. Currently, the REALISM of the slapping fascinates me. They hit hard.
Hi Thundie, after BL, did not know what to watch so watched Dong Baek again. …. seriously just him LOL!! Anyway am now watching Lady Castle/Take Care of My Lady and the jury is still out on that one.
Before I go on let me just say that I love Yoon Sang Hyun, he is adorable. Loved him since Marrying A Millionaire although he was supporting there, but the charisma!!!
(Another hottie that has never been replaced nor booted out of my closet and will never ever be is Lee Byung Hun……that man can do no wrong (for me)….. no matter how crappy the series/movie….it is not his fault!)
So back to YSH, even now, although he’s playing a butler, he has more charisma that JIW (not dissing him I do like him, but just comparing) It may have to do with the character JIW is playing cos he always has this vapid smile on his face. At first it was cute, now it’s beginning to grate on my nerves….seems his character has only one dimension….ie…..smile, smile!
I dunno maybe my love for YSH is clouding my judgement but I’m definitely rooting for him. As for YEH , what can I say…..I liked her in Coffee Prince, but then again it may have been just to see Gong Yoo in all his splendour (man I’m getting way side tracked!) ……I’m not quite sure whether I love her character but I get it and she’s quite likeable. Her interaction/scenes with YSH are fantastic though I must say. So for now, I will say that I will continue watching if only to fawn and feast on Yoon Sang Hyun – YOU ROCK MAN!!
O ya…..did I mention the hair? YEH’s to be specific. Firstly it is RED!!!! I mean come on you’re an heiress and you have hair the colour that cliche hooker characters have on tv!! And the hair style!!! She keeps having it is a pseudo bob so she end up with the little knot of hair tied to the base of her skull…..and I mean almost all of the time…..if you like the bob so much, just cut the damn thing!!! I mean the stylists need to WAKE UP!!
As for BOF, let me be honest. I have not watched it yet although Lee Min Ho seems to be the cat’s meow. My problem….1. not a cat person 2. The Hair!!
Hi Thundie! I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog. I was elated to see how you did the Brilliant Legacy recaps.
Great character analysis. How come you never finished recapping? Just like you, I never had any idea about LSK (I only remembered seeing him in Chil Princesses after having read about that somewhere) but I’m pleased at how he was able to portray the gradual transformation from the “lesser man” to the “new Hwan”.
Anyways I’m currently watching “Take Care of Agasshi”. I’m a major YEH fan so maybe that’s what’s keeping me hooked on the series even if that drama has been getting a lot of bashing lately. I really love her chemistry with YSH. The way their eyes are able to expressions, I can’t get over it until now.
Hope to read more of you! ^^
Just popping in to say hello, and I hope you’re well.
You haven’t updated your blog in a while so just wondered how you were. Though the answer is probably: busy!
Anyway, I’m not going to be my usual grumpy self and rant because well…I have to admit that after City Hall, I haven’t finished a kdrama. I think I go through phases – I managed to do four marathon kdrama sessions and got burnt out. I have That Fool on my hard drive, but can’t sit through 16+ hours of it……AH…plus I don’t understand Korean so I have to actively watch and read subtitles, as opposed to English movies/series where it can play in the background (yes, my attention span is short).
I’ll give myself another couple of months, before I pick up another kdrama. But I’ll be back before then. Maybe ranting about something else…
Well i am new reader of your blog i used to read only dramabeans recap. i like your humor and the way you wrote about BL. write now i have finished reading BL 23 and waiting for the next 5 episodes. you see i can’t watch the drama online b/c connection in my country is sooooooooo slow so relay on you to finish up BL.
Well about your topic i am watching my fair lady on kbs world and i am reading recaps of you are beautiful.
P.S. Pls consider my situation and finish BL please.
Hi Thundie,
I am still recovering from my weekend experience of watching k-movies and I just have to tell you about them!!
After YAB, and per your suggestion, I went out and got a copy of the DUELIST. (finally found an asian mall where they sell k-movies and dramas with english subtitles. You do have to read each of the summary at the back verrrryyyy carefully though to make sure they do a fair job of subtitling. I can’t stand wrong, unintelligible subs, never mind wrong spelling and grammar!)
‘nyways, thank you, thank you, thank you, for introducing me to the Duelist and KANG! DONG! WON! I now understand your obsession, hehe. my friend, who watched the movie with me was gushing more than I was, and at the end of the movie, was the first to say… “he’s mine!”. oh well, can’t stake my claim now…
The Duelist was like a splendid, very-well choreographed ballet. A visual, visceral treat. Yes, I agree with you, it needs to be experienced, not just watched.
I also got a copy of Joint Security Area (JSA), because of Lee Byung-Heon and Musa the Warrior, because I like Joo Jin-Moo (in Frozen Flower). JSA, of course, was very well made, directed and acted (except for the NNSC lady who was not very credible). LBH did not disappoint, and as always, was engaging.
Musa! I didn’t expect to like it, because it was too gory for me, and I guess, too cliched and predictable. BUT! I like Joo Jin-Moo, of course (really love his lips!) and Zhang Ziyi. 2nd BUT, my oh my, I am sooo happy I re-discovered Jung Woo-sung and this made my whole weekend complete. When I saw him in Musa, with his penetrating eyes and intense gaze, I knew I’ve seen him before. And after googling, I did find out he was in Daisy. It was one of the very first korean movies I saw, which made me stand up and take interest. Jung Woo-Sung was mesmerizing, playing a cold assassin who fell in love with an artist. I can’t forget one scene when he was pulling away atop a cart after building wooden bridge for the girl and he furtively looked at her – so longingly and lovingly. Now I have to go find his other movies and watch.
I found out he was also in the Good, The Bad and the Weird. With LBH there too, I have to watch this film, as in NOW!!
I keep on discovering and re-discovering soooo many k-talents. I am hopelessly addicted now. Too many movies/dramas, too little time!!!!
Hi heaven, I will finish the BL recaps. So sorry to keep you waiting.
I thought originally of alternating the BL recaps with the YB recaps so that I finish them at the same time, but both dramas are very different in tone and I’ve found it hard to switch between them. So my intention now is to finish YB first (and I should be done by next week) and then work on the rest of BL. I’m not recapping anything else for now so that I can concentrate on finishing BL and YB. I am also frantically trying to catch up with other 2009 dramas so that I can write the year-end review. Thanks for waiting!
Hi wits… WOW, that was some weekend you had! Duelist is beyond perfection, keke, and Joint Security Area is awesome. I watched it many, many moons ago and loved it (except for that “NNSC lady”; do you know she’s Lee Young-ae, of Dae Jang-geum fame?). I wish I have more hours in a day so that I can do a movie marathon like you did. There are more than 40 k-movies that I’ve bought and not watched yet! Also, tell me about the many k-talents. One closet ain’t enough for them! What is an appreciative fangirl to do, aigoo? Stop collecting?
Hi Thundie,
After reading your post, I seriously want to watch Shin Don “the best kdrama ever made”….. your lure is sure working fast… hehehe
Could you please tell me where I can find quality subs and video for it… pleaseeee..
thank you so much !!
Hi splgt001
I will be sharing MU links for Shin Don next week or the week after, so please check back. Thanks!
*HUGS* thank you. You’ve made my day !!!
Your new theme suits your blog well, Thundie. I think it’s neat that you’re letting your readers know what you’re working on.
Hello Thundie^^
Dunno if here is the righr place to ask..
After watching Fashion 70s and Ja Myung Go, I fell in love with the writer. Wanna try to watch Seoul 1945, heard it got the best drama award of 2007. However a bit scared of the long episodes. If you have Mr. X’s review or something, could you tell me if it’s really worth watching?
Hi lovekorea
I posed your question to His Grumpiness (aka TEH X) and he has responded with a deliciously long reply, yahoo!
First rule of Enlightened Drama Watching is: Drama Awards don’t mean squat. They’re voted by entertainment lobbies and management agencies in the case of Baeksang type awards, and the broadcasting ones are not only that, but also an excuse to commend rating hits for bringing the station some money (or in the case of Daesang awards given to people like Ha Ji-Won or Moon Geun-Young, to boast the drama’s appeal when you sign foreign broadcasting contracts and pump up the price). Don’t believe the hype. ㅋㅋ
With that said, Seoul 1945 is all right. It’s actually pretty important as in being the first bonafide semi-progressive outlook on the Korean War on TV, a sort of Yeoeuido’s own Piagol, and we’re not getting any of that as long as the rats are still in power (so even in Road No. 1 and Comrade we might get humanism and anti-war messages, but North Korean protagonists treated with the same exact respect and focus as the southern ones… fat chance, especially for what concerns Comrade). Production values are not surprisingly strong, and acting is quite good, considering that out of the four leads only Ryu Su-Young had any potential (of course this is a veteran’s show, with Kim Young-Cheol running wild all over the first half, for instance). Yet, the whole thing is bloated, loses focus midway, and suffers from the same gradual dragging and weak closure as Jung Sung-Hee’s other scripts… but you could do much worse. I’d give it a try.
Thank you, dear X!
Thank you for the reply dear thundie and X!
Hmm I guess JSH isn’t one of X’s fave writers. Totally agree with what he said about her style, especially the weak closure. Yes, X is right, I was still able to enjoy the 2 dramas, perhaps with help of the good cast^^
He said, life is too short for bad dramas..have to add that also for mediocre and long dramas hehe..I like war themed dramas, but I don’t have patience to run through 70 eps, even though I love Kim Young Chul. Maybe I’d try someday and skip some eps. I think I should wait for Road No.1 and Comrade for the time being..
Hi there – it’s my first time to blog. I’m not a person with words much, I prefer silently follow all the fun and laugh along, all by myself. Yet I stumbled on your recaps of Brilliant Legacy (BL) yesterday, and I’m also watching BL at this time. The end result is that I cannot contain myself any longer with just silently following and reading your wonderful recaps. Your writing had really made my day. I think after I finish up BL (probably in a couple more days) I will promptly rewatch it again to experience one more time Hwan’s bird nest hairdo and the other soulful eyes, and numerous wonder moments that I failed to recognize the first time watching it sans your recaps! [Yes, Hwan haido bugs me to no end, yet I would never be able to put it in words like you did, and brought up the Miracle in Hudson story for reference. It's just brilliant, and I believe it requires a tremendous humor sense to make those reference. Thanks much.] Cannot tell how grateful I am to read your thoughts alongside with the story. Please continue, the longer writing the better. After reading your recaps, I feel that watching anything without your insight recaps is no longer enjoyable. I’m non-Korean and have no clue what’s going on without the aid of subtile – but since I was accidentally introduced to the wonder world of K-drama 3 years ago, I just cannot stop it. When I’m on the road for business trip, I’m always making sure packing my portable DVD player with some dramas first thing. I hate watching them on the computer, though, since I have to sit in front of a computer all day long at work, the last thing I want to do is sitting more at home to watch drama.
OK – I think I’ve started talking nonsense. Better to stop. Please know that you just have a new fan in your blog. Please continue. I cannot tell how much I like and appreciate it. Now, before stopping, I need an advice. Which one should I start after I finish BL, and rewatch it? It will probably take me another week for the rewatch, but after that, I don’t know which one I should start. Before BL, I’ve finished You’re Beautiful (and rewatch it), (rewatch) Full House, (rewatch) Hotelier, (rewatch) TBDAW, Iljima, and something else – I forgot now! Also started a few, but could not go on (Lobbyist, Swallow the Sun, Partner, etc…) maybe I was so tired during those times, and did feel patient enough to go through the introduction hours… I’m afraid of starting a new one while still have the fond memory of Hwan’s bird nest and be disappointed. Any suggestion / recommendation from you will be much appreciated.
My time zone is Mountain standard time, US – probably a half day difference from yours, which I assume it’s somewhere in Asia?? Anyway, since I cannot access this blog during my work hours, I can only read this at home. And before meeting your blog yesterday accidentally, I hardly log on to the computer at home except for loading something into my iPod. Now I have the motive to log in more often! and expect some good laughs from your blog as well after a long work day. Thanks much, again
Hi Thundie,
Long time….
Well I really wanted to contact you about the ending of ‘ASSORTED JEWELS’
I warn anyone right here not to read further if you have not seen this drama.
SPOILER ALERT FOR SURE……..!!!!!!
I loved this drama from start to almost finish Thundie. I am still of the opinion the the writers got booted out of their studio and that caused the abysmal rushed ending episode. I felt insulted, or at least totally turned around, by being asked to accept such a letdown in the endings of all the stories between such interesting people. Of course the Jade story was perfect all the way through. She really caught one heck of a man for her truelove. What a wonderful romance and how strong he was and so very romantic himself. It was the Ruby story which crumbled totally. I did not want her to sidetrack the future of the American who was searching for Nirvana. However, I was just horrified that she succumbed to her desire for money and future comfort and with such an empty vessel of a man.It boded a failure in the future I feel sure.
I felt sorry for Amber although I think he was not broken hearted. That situation could not be resolved in his favour, but we were expected to accept a total switch from him to a stranger and a soon to be baby. Too hasty altogether.
Even so I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this family saga. It was one of the best I have seen and I won’t forget it for a long time.
Watching ‘Capital Scandal’ all over again right now. Loving it again.
Peggy
You should do a second fiddle entry for the WOMEN of kdramas. Just a thought.
Hi Kristal
Sevenses has written a wonderful piece on female second fiddles. Check it out!
http://sevenses.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/shafted-shafted-shafted-a-story-of-female-second-leads/
hi thundie!
i have never commented before on your blog but i have been reading it for a while and i think it is awesomeness!
i am currently watching coffee house which i love love love
my first time watching kang ji hwan and i find him so awesome!
he and his character just scream, ‘i am the coolest person on earth’
i love how different it is in its sense of humour from other dramas i have watched and how the main couple is not clear (although this has, of course, led to some crazy people screaming that they will stop watching if their favourite couple doesnt come to be)
i want jin soo to be with eun young, purely because i love their relationship and it is so different from the cliche kdrama couple (poor girl gets with rich guy)
their friendship/sexual tension/hidden secrets thing is very interesting
and gosh, have to wait for the 28th to see what happens after the cliffhanger-y ep8
also, i am watching tamra the island, up to episode 6 and i think it is so good!
ah, i am having heaps of fun watching it and cannot wait to read ockoala’s part 2 and 3 review on here once i am finished watching
i am only watching the 16 episode version (cry) because the 21 version isnt available to download (?) and i cannot find a dvd of it with english subtitles (?)
finally, i am watching smile, you
i am up to episode 38 and i keep thinking how badly i wish the extension hadn’t occurred
if i think over the really bad episodes i am sure there has been less than 16 (the bad ones are mainly concentrated in the late twenties i think)
i hope the whole illness storyline occurring now will not be the focus so much
the first 20 episodes of this show, at least, were super, if a bit slow at times, but easy to forgive with the most amazing lead couple ever
seriously, their chemistry is crazy good and the acting of basically everyone has been great
however, i have been watching smile for over 6 months and still havent finished it, and i admit it has sort of put me off other family dramas
i watch to watch sons of sol pharmacy, but i dont know if i am able to commit 40 hours of my life to it
maybe over schoolies week, while all my friends are out partying and underage drinking i can watch it
i need at least one whole drama to watch that week, because really, i dont see the need to drink until i turn the legal drinking age, unlike most of my friends, and a 40 episode drama would probably prevent the end of week boredom that seems to be a pattern- sorry, a bit of a tangent there
onto jdrama because i dont know where to discuss this so i’ll say it here
i saw the first episode of kekkon dekinai otoko ages ago and have been meaning to finish the series but i just keep getting distracted with kdrama
i dont have much to say about it, because i have seen so little, but it seems good
do people find with most jdrama (excluding kekkon dekinai otoko- because i think that drama is looking so so good so far) they enjoy it for the heart and characters, but it is kinda lame and/or silly and/or unrealistic and/or not that good?
case in point: nobuta wo produce- i love this drama to the ends of the earth, but i find the directing to be random, the writing a bit lame (although good in the way that is manages to not be over-sentimental, which would be easy for that storyline), and, apart from the main three who i think are gorgeous, the acting to be kind of off
but there is so much heart and sweetness and nostalgia attached to this drama that i cant help but love it unconditionally
dont get me wrong, i love jdrama, but it seems i have to set aside my critical mind when watching
or am i just watching the wrong ones (granted, i have seen less than 10, and tend to watch romance-y ones)?
i think i am probably watching the wrong ones- any recommendations?
wow, thanks for giving us this page to express ourselves thundie, that was very enjoyable to write, especially considering none of my friends watch kdrama or jdrama so i have little outlet to express myself
Hi nattacatta!
Thanks for that long and lovely comment! *hugs*
Tamra the Island (Director’s Cut) has been released with English subs and is available for sale at various places, for example:
http://www.yesasia.com/us/tamra-island-dvd-8-disc-end-english-subtitled-directors-cut-mbc-tv/1022500413-0-0-0-en/info.html
I’ve not watched Coffee House; will marathon it when it’s fully subbed. Smile, You I stopped at ep 21? Alas, no desire to continue.
As for non-romance jdoramas, I liked Pandora and Shiroi Haru a lot. Pandora is a medical thriller, rather like White Tower (the korean version). You can download Pandora here:
http://bonchu.net46.net/pandora/
Thanks again for reading TP!
I just tried watching 90 Days to Love. Despite the yummy actors, it was unbearable. I fast forwarded and skipped huge sections.
I just started watching Shin Don. I’m currently up to episode 15 and its getting better and better. My favorite character at the moment is definitely the old monk. Hes very funny :O.
Thundie!!!!!!!!! Hello… hehehe….I know this is not a drama or a movie, so thundie I am sorry for posting this here.. but I so wanted to share as it made my sides hurt from laughing so hard…..
I almost died of laughing from watching this clip… from a new x-man ep. where one of the guests is a very boyish (& charming) Kim Ji-Hoon….. OMG!!! Baek-Ga before his surgery and the list goes on..
(hmm…. if I am not to mention any yt links pls let me know so I can delete my post)..
thank you!! much love!!
I just started Sons of Sol Pharmacy, and will watch Cain and Abel this week, as well as my current watches, Playful Kiss, SSK, and Runaway. I have been warned about both series I’m starting, so my expectations are quite low, and Runaway, well, it was odd and disappointing, I thought.
I gave up on MGiaG, but I will finish it eventually. I felt jerked around by the Hong Sisters on this one, and a lack of true chemistry between the leads (sorry, I know most love this show, but it felt manipulative, forced, and redundant to some of their previous works). Many cute parts, many laughs, but just not all I wanted, I guess.
I’m wandering around here more, catching up on all things Prattle.
Right now I am watching SungKyunKwan Scandal which surprisingly I am loving to pieces.
I recently watched the 21 episode Tamra Island, and (*no kidding) I immediately bought the original DVD from YAEntertainment after I the ending credits of the final episode.
On the OT last year on Dramabeans, I was well aware of the rants and raves regariding the drama and collective gush and admiration for Im Joo Hwan as the charismatic noble. I also found it amusing that a lot of people keep doing a shout out on their posts that starts with “TEAM PARK KYU”. I thought it was cute. Don’t be offended, as I am also a fangirl at heart that squeals and will do shout outs to my current crush and addiction. But since the news broke out that MBC cut the drama down, I decided to overlook this drama and put it off when the complete version gets released.
Now on every post on OT, on every tweet, I make it to a point to do a shout out or make any reference, however bit short, to Tamra Island. As if you could not yet tell, I have already declared to belong to TEAM PARK KYU!! I will be his slave for eternity.
Park Kyu now ranks as my No. 1 Male Character of All time.
Let me share you my list.
(Take Note: this list is not fixed, and I have changed it depending on certain circumstances. And I welcome Suggestions and Criticisms. Please keep in mind, this list is created based on my Personal Taste (pun intended!).
BEST MALE CHARACTER IN A DRAMA
1. Park Kyu – Tamra Island
2. Kang Tae Bong – Dal Ja’s Spring
3. Choi Han Gyul – Coffee Prince
4. Lee Mong Ryong – Sassy Girl Chun Hyang
5. Kang Hyun Soo – Smile You
6. Cha Dae Woong – MGIAG
7. Nam Bong Gi – Really Really Like You
8. Gu Jun Pyo – Boys Before Flowers
9. Han Tae Woong/Han Deuk Gu – Snow Queen
10. Jo Gook – City Hall