[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

This show is what I look forward to the most in my week. Yong Shik! Why do you keep melting our hearts with your sincerity, not to mention your cuteness? Your straightforwardness is so refreshing. oh and that kiss! Yep, she did initiate! I can't stop grinning when I see YS on screen. Can I take him home to meet my mom?

 

As for KR, his puppy dog eyes! He in no way can hold a candle to YS but in spite of his utter selfishness, I can't help but pity him. It breaks my heart to see him so pitiable. He has realized too late what he has lost. What baffles me and kind of angers me is his hypocrisy. He wants to hold DB's hand and be a father to his son, yet he lacks the guts to stand up to his wife and divorce her. He lets his wife have her way. He even turns a blind eye to his wife abandoning the baby. He truly isn't man enough to stand up and 'hold' DB's hand. He hasn't earned that right yet, even if he is Pilgoo's father and he has shared a past with DB. He truly confuses me. He doesn't bat an eye when HM blackmails him. Then, why oh why is he so unmanned? Man up and fight for your woman! Or just remain silent and let a better man win her over.

 

The reason why KR's character fascinates me is perhaps because he is like any other ordinary guy, a guy next door. He has his flaws. He's not the perfect Hero material. I can't help but sympathize with him, although he drives me up the wall with his wishy-wasy behaviour. Any body has any suggestions of a drama where KR isn't this 'hot' mess? Just want him in a 'Hero's' avatar. I want redemption, grovelling! In short, as my username suggests my heart is confused about his character. Please suggest some drama with him in it so that I can feel good about KR. Enough fangirling.....

 

We are still clueless about the 'Joker'. Although there is a 'Joker' at a theater near us! He's creepy too, if you need an extra shot of creepiness!

 

Looking forward to the next episode which will be available only tomorrow on Netflix!

 

14 minutes ago, lollyminx said:

EP 10 is on Netflix!  I'm watching it now. Gaaaah It's the mellow opening credits. So relaxing lol

 

Thank you @lollyminx

OMG Yes! Thanks for the tip. Off to watch the episode. I just finished watching the previous episode. Quite a treat to watch the  recently aired episode  so soon!

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

@bedifferent I'm watching it and eagerly wait for the episodes! This is my most favourite show at the moment. The mystery is getting deeper. That serial killer is giving me the creeps.  Also, although I find the male lead extremely adorable and sincere, I do have a soft spot for the ex too. I kind of feel sorry for him. But he lacks a backbone so I will root for our county bumpkin. I am thoroughly enjoyed watching him loudly proclaiming his love for  GJH , completely unaware of the fact that his mom was just round the corner. That scene was hilarious! I have a feeling that after the initial disappointment, his mom would come round to accepting GJH. She seems like an understanding lady. She had always been supportive of her.  KHN has won me over. I have never watched any of his shows because but I shall definitely watch some of his  previous shows. In the k-drama world full of arrogant jerk heroes, his openness is very refreshing. He seems to be wearing his heart of his sleeve. I loved how he bounced back  after she rejected him. That reminds me, I started watching the most talked about show, 'Goblin'. I finally gave in and decided to see for myself what the hype was all about.  Till now, I am not disappointed. I am only on EP4 atm.

 

 

@40somethingahjumma omg! another Thank You fan! I thought I was the only one who loved the show because there wasn't much discussion/ reviews/ recaps of the show. Jang Hyuk definitely helps! I am going to watch My Country only for him! He's so effortlessly charismatic! *fangirl alert* Thank You, Fated to Love You and Secret are my all time favourites. They have left an indelible mark on this then uninitiated K-drama fan.

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

@lollyminx I love that cat of yours! I agree with you on the neighbourhood having a quaint small town charm. It's very realistic. Yes, the ladies are super mean and nosy but that's true for many small town neighbourhood ladies who feel threatened by an arrival of an outsider.  The talented writer does deserve the credit for the concept.

 

I love the location. I can appreciate it a lot more because on Netflix I can get the best picture quality. Very detail is so much magnified. The location gives me the feels of another drama of Gong Hyo-jin, 'Thank You' where she was absolutely brilliant! But then she is brilliant in every project that she takes up! But without diverting, the set/location/ setting seems similar to 'Thank You'. I some day wish to visit Jeungdo, where the fictional island was set. 

 

I find the whole experience of watching this drama quite delightful as the characters seem to be refreshing, the location stunning. (The sunset scene as the two leads stood talking on their way to the railway station). As an audience, it's a great sensory experience and I do appreciate the production team for such detailed handwork and thoughtfulness. In this age of VFX, creating a simple canvas is often more challenging than a grand VFX rich one.

 

I should stop waxing lyrical about the drama and move on to another but this gives me 'Thank You' feels and I can not stop shamelessly fan-girling about 'Thank You'.

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

Take a bow, @bebebisous33 ! *applause*  That was very well put! You gave me much to ponder over.  Brilliant how you deduced that the lawyer's wife might be the dreadful 'Joker'. Also, the theory of the stalker and the Joker being two different people might actually be right. Your comments were extremely insightful. Besides being 'Certified PAC Member' , you are also most certainly a 'Certified Amateur Sleuth'. 

 

So I finally watched Ep2. I am taking my time watching the episode, relishing it. YS continues to slay as the simple country bumpkin with a heart of gold. The actor does such a great job in conveying that sincerity and innocence of a simple country bumpkin who is all brawn and heart.  The guy is completely smitten and it's adorable how he follows DB around claiming to patrol the area as a cop.  #justdoinghisduty (as a man completely smitten who also happens to be a cop)

 

The neighbourhood ladies continue to be nosy and make DB's life miserable. I am anticipating DB's mom's reaction when she finds out that YS is actually smitten with DB. Not an educated lawyer as she believes but an unwed, single mother who runs a pub and the most 'hated' person in the neighbourhood. I hope she continues to support DB and her son and approves of the match. Since she herself had experienced the hardships after being widowed, trying to earn a livelihood by doing a job which was then frowned upon, I have a feeling she would be much more accepting than the neighbourhood ladies and gossip mongers who would have a field day, if they find out that the most eligible bachelor is  grabbed by the most ineligible person in the neighbourhood.  I loved YS's mom's reaction when DB jokingly asked her if she was willing to consider her as a DIL as her youngest son was now back in town. So I am expecting some fireworks there but I am sure eventually the mother would accept her with open arms. DB has already made a place for herself and her son in her heart.

 

The scene at the railway station was quite heartbreaking. So was the scene where mother and son break down. I wanted to comfort that poor boy. Such a brave boy! So much maturity at such a young age. Just too heartbreaking. 

 

If that had not already ripped your heart apart, get ready for another emotional onslaught. The scene at the railway station! Whatever  recovery my heart had made , thanks to the comic moments between YS and DB, it was again plunged into pain as DB revealed about her dream job. Sometimes an innocuous  'Thank You' is all one needs to brighten up one's day. I like how the drama has a mixture of comic  and heartbreaking moments. Never a dull moment in the show yet. The audience goes through a  roller-coaster of emotions! 

 

Oh and did I mention how my heart hurt when  DB and her ex were sitting and discussing the past. It broke my heart to see how much she loved that guy. She still continues to wear that bracelet which he got her! What does that mean for our adorable YS? Will he get a chance to make his place in her heart?

 

I think the scene that left me on tenterhooks was the 'awkward' last scene! I can't wait for the next episode where all hell will break loose ! 

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

The main leads are too adorable! If anyone was still unsure of how cute they were, watching the first episode should prove it to them. I loved the pilot episode. It was so refreshing and delightful. I enjoyed the little quirks of a small town; nosy neighbours, the local politician and his clout, hostility towards the 'newbies'.

 

I am praying fervently and hoping that the dead body is not of Dongbaek. I have never watched Kang Ha Neul in any drama before and I was pleasantly surprised.  I thought his expressions were absolutely spotless whether being smitten by the stranger or that heartbreaking expression as he uncovers the  dead body. I hope it's the waitress, and not Dongbaek as she was in the habit of stealing small trinkets lying around.

 

Also, I would take a moment the other male lead with the baby! That baby makes him look super cute! If I wasn't already so impressed with the first male lead I'd surely 'ship' him with Dongbaek.

 

Finally, that cute baby! OMG! The baby's adorable! The little munchkin has won my heart.   

 

Onto Ep2 now. I wish Netflix would stream them simultaneously. The wait is killing me!

 

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

@bedifferent: OMG! This is really unbelievable! I can't believe that I finally found someone who is a big fan of 'Thank You'. I have watched and re-watched it countless times. I can't get over it. I love the soundtrack. I wish it was available somewhere. 

 

'Thank You' and 'Fated to Love You' remain my most favourite dramas of all times. (So, it's no surprise that I love Jang Hyuk! He's super cute and sexy. He's like wine that gets better with age. (#shamelessfangirling)  These two dramas are real stress busters for me.   I haven't come across a drama that has affected me this deeply. So I can relate to being in a 'mess'.

 

GHJ has a knack of selecting great dramas. And did I mention she's super pretty? This drama too seems extremely promising. The promos seems to be heartwarming.   GHJ has excellent chemistry with no just her male costars but what I find most wonderful is her rapport with child artists. This was most evident in 'Thank You'.  Then it was in the drama 'Greatest Love' , though the opportunities and scenes weren't as many as in 'Thank You'. GHJ was so realistic as the single unwed mom struggling to fight against social prejudices. Recalling her struggles  brings tears into my eyes. I think everyone did a fabulous job in that drama. A special shout out to the Grandfather who was simply adorable.

 

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

I got so excited after watching the trailer on Netflix that I had to come here looking for the thread. I love Gong Hyo-jin! She is my most favourite actress. She never fails to impress with her diverse characterizations. I really admire her for taking up projects that deal with some really different, difficult and challenging issues in the society. She is so effortless in each of her characters! How does she do that every single time?

 

When the Camellia Blooms seems interesting and after a long lull I find myself excited about a show. The trailer was so heartwarming. I think it's Gong Hyo-jin really who makes her characters so appealing, relatable so much so that you not only end up falling in love with them but they also leave such an indelible mark on you.

 

I am biased towards 'ThankYou' because it has my favourite Jang Hyuk, but nevertheless the Gong Hyo-jin portrayla of a single unwed mother with a child battling aids has truly left an indelible mark on me. I have enjoyed her other shows too be it Pasta, It's Okay, That's Love, The Greatest Love , Master's Sun and Don't Dare to Dream..... 

 

How come she gets paired against such good looking and charismatic men in all her shows?

 

Apologies for this long rant/ fan-girl post! Hoping to interact with all the other followers of the show and discuss, rant and rave as the show progresses!

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

Hello @katakwasabi! How have you been? Sorry for being MIA. I just realized that Vagabond will be on Netflix. I am looking forward to it.

[[Drama 2019] Doctor Prisoner, 닥터 프리즈너]

I thoroughly enjoyed the series! Week after week it had kept me hooked to it. There was never a dull moment. NGM being so charming and such a fabulous actor helped. The cat and mouse chase was just what the doctor ordered after I finished The Last Empress and there was nothing to fill the void. The plot was  intelligently crafted. I hope we get Season 2 and it is as tightly knitted as Season 1. Rooting for NYJ.

 

Also, I would take to mention the amazing job the villains did. Both Dr. Seon and LJJ. Gosh, LJJ was soooooooooo creepy. That cold hearted smile of his, his whistling ... *shudders* The actor did a brilliant job of acting like this cold,  ruthless, merciless 'murderer'. I tried to sympathize with him after his back story was revealed but he was beyond redemption.

 

As for Dr Seon, that cunning smile! The shrewd expressions! All three main actors did a fantastic job in  my opinion.   Thankfully, there was no 'romance' to dilute the thriller. Though TBH, I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Prosecutor Jung and Ms. Oh! They provided the much need comic relief when things got too tense. 

 

Overall, definitely one of the best series of the year 2019 and definitely added to my list of favourites with The Last Empress.   Bidding it goodbye with a heavy heart. Hope to see the charming MGN soon!

[[Drama 2019] Doctor Prisoner, 닥터 프리즈너]

I'm late for the party but I'm relieved to know that it isn't the case of latest episode not being uploaded but rather no new episode aired on Thursday. Rather disappointing for the fans as we eagerly wait for the show, especially for Namgoong Min! That guy is sooooo charming. I think I fell in love with him in Beautiful Gong Shim and I have been avoiding The Girl Who Sees Scents because I am not ready to see him play a negative role. I'm sure he aced it going by all the rave reviews of the show. But my poor heart isn't ready yet, so I'm watching Undateables! Gosh! He has the most charming smile and his acting is so effortless.

 

Anyway, moving on to LJH, I'm sorry I could not sympathize with him. His sob story could not melt my heart. He is beyond redemption. He is a cold- hearted, calculating, ruthless murderer, without any feelings of compunction or regret. Despicable! 

 

Also, why is NYJ unable to see what a back stabber Director Seon is! I don't understand why sometimes intelligent characters acting completely contrary to themselves. I hope this is just a ploy on NYJ's part to fool and to bait the bigger fish. I think this might be the reason why I didn't like the latest episode. Can we get the old sharp witted NYJ back, please?

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

Pyeha!!! Missing his crazy antics! Witnessing withdrawal symptoms.

[[Drama 2019] Doctor Prisoner, 닥터 프리즈너]

I don't much care about the romance/ lack of romance. In fact, it's better without any. I am enjoying this battle of wits way too much to care about the romance or lack of it. NGM is acing it as an anti-hero. Such a fabulous actor. I love watching the play of different expressions on his face. Absolutely brilliant and mesmerizing. 

 

Every time I watch a K-drama, I seem heedlessly face in love with the male leads. The credit goes entirely to these fabulous actors for doing such a fantastic job that one just can't remain immune to their charm.

 

I would also like to admit that KBC is doing such a good job as a villain that as a viewer I detest him and he makes my blood boil with his cold hardheartedness. He is easily one of the best villains of 2019. It would be hard to beat this cold, calculative, manipulative doctor villain. Every new episodes he outdoes himself scaling new heights of being the most detestable guy on screen. But at the same time, I wait with bated breath to see what his next move will be. In this game of chess, let's see who gets 'check-mate'. My bets are on the cool, composed, not to mention suave NGM.

 

Both the actors are brilliant and they play a mjor role in making the show so brilliant. Looking forward to more excitement and new twists. Let's see how NGM maneuvers to get himself out of tricky situations again.  

[[Drama 2019] Doctor Prisoner, 닥터 프리즈너]

This show has completely captivated my interest. I was going through  a lull after The Last Empress. All the rom-coms were sadly extremely cliched, their execution too wasn't great enough to captivate my interest as an audience.

 

Doctor Prisoner has done a fabulous job of keeping the viewers hooked to the edge of their seats with all the twists and turns. It also helps that  Namgoong Min is such a superb actor.  I first saw him in Beautiful Gong Shim and it became one of my favourite shows. I could never imagine him in such an intense anti-hero role after I watched Beautiful Gong Shim.

 

I think that's a mark of a good actor who constantly re-invents himself , does challenging roles and never settles for stereotypical roles that would end up labeling him as an actor.

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

@katakwasabi

 

That pic! It hurts for some odd reason. I know he is getting what he deserves but it still hurts. At least they didn't kill  our dearest Pyeha, crazy or not.  You are right, these dynamic villains are super entertaining. More entertaining than the goody two shoes main leads. Also, I always had a second lead syndrome since I started watching K-dramas. I never suffered from this ailment before.

 

SSR you are simply amazing! Kudos to you for such a fantastic acting.  You are the main lead in our eyes simply because of the range of emotions your character displayed and got the audience so involved either rooting for him or rallying for his very cruel end.

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

@katakwasabiI have given up any hope of HEA for LH. He's a doomed man. I hope the drama gods will take pity on him and cast him in a rom-com as a good guy, main lead please! I watched the videos you posted from Return. The other guy, is he that senior guy from Gangnam Beauty?

SSR, please do something positive next time. We all admit you do a great job as a villain but please, can we see the other side too?

 

I'm sure the writer is laughing behind our backs as we bicker over Sunny& WB, Sunny & LH. Sending the audience into a tizzy with a suddenly 'reformed' LH.  K-dramas are the only dramas that give me serious second lead syndrome. I mean, every show I watch I start rooting for the second lead, sometimes I favour them more than the first lead. The writers should quit playing games with our hearts because both the leads are always too good and equally deserving and so it's extremely heartbreaking to see their love remain unrequited.

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

On 2/9/2019 at 4:54 PM, katakwasabi said:

 

I'll try to find Thank You and watch it after i finish Return. 

 

I somehow dig Oh Tae Seok more than Lee Hyuk. Hahaha. Oh Tae Seok uses his brain, he's calculative and smart and he usually is the one who makes decisions. Hyuk is manipulated all the time, if he wants to be evil, i rather he be evil by his own accord so i can easily despise him hahaha

Who is Oh Tae Seok?  I started watching Defendant and the villain there is super super scary! He's another level of crazy for sure. Gives me the goosebumps. Um Ki Joon. Super scary. Have you watched Defendant?

 

I haven't watched the latest episode of TLE. I will binge watch this week after it ends. I want to relish each moment of Hyuk's craziness. I got excited to see the kiss in preview. Be still my crazy heart. Don't get your hopes up. The last episode airs on Valentine's Day, will the writer be kind to us and give us what seems impossible at the moment? 

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

 @katakwasabi

 

Please watch Thank You! It was such a heart warming story. I can guarantee you'd love it. Be prepared to shed lots of tears though. It's such a simple but heart warming story. Also the OST was beautiful. Oh so was the location where it was shot. Oh the child artist too was brilliant.

 

SSR played such a relatable character, a conflicted man. I like how he chooses to play characters with shades of gray. i mean no one is an out and out evil person in real life. I enjoy watching him struggle with his emotions. It's not always easy to choose to do the right thing in life. Sometimes although we have honest , good intentions, we are unable to act upon them.

 

Please watch the show, I highly recommend it. I go back to it whenever I need a break from the high voltage dramas.

I was rather surprised to read that it was a smash hit unlike some other very mediocre shows which are considered huge hits both domestically and internationally.

[Shin Sung Rok 신성록 aka Royal Hotness! ⏰]

To be honest, I didn't even realize while watching The Last Empress that the Emperor was the same guy from Thank You. I loved Thank You. It's my second all-time favourite k-drama. I was too enamoured by the other lead. I did notice a few things though.

 

a. He was tall. Like really, really tall.

b. He had very sharp features. Very chiselled. 

 

But I couldn't root for him because he was a weak and indecisive character.  But the range of emotions he had portrayed in TLH is simply mind blowing. He has been superb! He made us hate him as a cold, cruel Pyeha. Then he started thawing and he got a glimpse of his other human side and we fell head over heels in love with him, so much so we started rooting for him, a feat which seemed impossible when the show started. Never could imagine that we would one day end up rooting for the guy we detested from the bottom of our hearts. 

 

Thank you for making this page. I can rant and rave about him here to my heart's delight.