[[Drama 2018] Mr. Sunshine, 미스터 션샤인 - Winner of Critics’ Choice Award for Drama category]

After watching 4th Episode, I think I will combine my thought with some parts from the other episodes. Here goes:

1. I find the flow a bit jumpy in some scenes. Part where the maid chit chatting with Hina was abruptly ended and the subsequent scene felt detached and unrelated - though the script was sassy on the maid's part when she denied the glory of being rescued - including the sudden chat about hotel. Seems out of place at that moment. I feel even if left out, it won't change anything to original flow.
2. Ae Sun's parts are definitely fillers worth left out.
3. I appreciate slow-mo scenes, when well executed, just like in Money Flower. It showcases great cinematography and execution of feelings that the characters are trying to relay. There are some here I find make the flow a bit draggy.
4. I don't think Eugene will kill HS's parents. He was more angry that the one main culprit has died earlier before he could seek proper revenge.
5. I am not sure I am getting at Eugene's way building up to his latest motivation for revenge. In ep. 3 he was asking whether he should confront his enemy or standing for America all the way. Hmm... I am feeling his thought as a bit delayed. If this was shown much earlier e.g. onboard the ship on his way to Joseon or on the day he arrived, I would have followed through. In ep 2 he was shown pondering in the morning at Glory Hotel, but it was AS in his mind, and her norigae being compared to the old ones... am I supposed to deduct that seeing her norigae is what motivates him to consider between acting on his revenge or remain a soldier to his new country? Unfortunately, I am not getting it. In addition, he also mentioned that he's getting farther and farther. But he is yet to act on anything that can be classified as going farther to the dark and unknown territory. He is yet undecided on what he should do. Going to america to live is not considered going farther. Distance wise, yes, America is far from Joseon. But as a person, he is very much still choi yoo jin a Joseon man, attached to his motherland, despite his westernised appearance. 
6. As opposed to Eugene, I feel DM is the one that has really gone farther. He is remorseful and vengeful towards the country that treat him and his family as such. He acted on his revenge when he got the power. Despite AS telling him that all lives are precious, DM proceeded to seek revenge. However, I also feel, what they had in that short moment is also what is keeping him from going much further, it was what keeping him human. He was holding to that slim hope that maybe she could see him as a guy not classified by any class.
7. DM's encounter with AS at the hotel. It seems like something intense between these two was there when she saved him last time. There must be more to that scene in the carriage. That memory shook AS and we can see she unconciously reacted the same way. Is it because she remembers he said she was just a noble fool who lives a luxury life? And that she was angry with herself for judging him, acting holier than thou, seeing his reaction to her scolding is not what she was expecting, his calm, strong deep gaze telling her who are you to say that to me, yangban agasshi? Or is it simply just fear from those pair of killer gaze? I wonder. Of course DM was shocked to be called a traitor but he hid it well. He also display sorrow seeing her away... I feel like he kinda feel disappointed that is what she saw in him. Something about DM clearly disturbed AS. Perhaps we will get to know it later as the story unfolds.
8. I must say I am disturbed by the way the maid is talking down to DM. My conscience does not agree. He was just standing there, regardless of whether he is wearing a kimono or hanbok or a suit. A polite "is there anything wrong" may have sufficed. Perhaps it is the mentality of that time. Even if your agasshi is someone who uphold equality and respect to fellow countrymen, it doesn't stop you from looking down on others you deem as lower than your good self. It is a bit out of place and contradicting. Eugene is on the US side, the side that cause some good Joseon guys' lives some few years back, but the treatment was different. DM is said as being on the japanese side but I am sure rumors are circulating that he works for those who pay up, a mercenaries donning a japanese attire. That means he has no loyaty to anyone party, except of course to the black dragon who happened to be a japanese yakuza, ones that gave him the power he needs for his revenge. If AS can be considerate and have some thought about Eugene & his intention, consistently she should be able to do the same to DM and perhaps HS as well, by giving all three the benefit of her doubts, for the simple reason that she doesn't know them that well to put them under any label, and she is not wearing their shoes. DM killed japanese guys n right after, directed his attention to only her. If I was on her spot I would have hundreds of unanswered questions within the 'why' range. I am not sure I will classify him as traitor as easy as that. I have high hope for AS cos I am liking her gutsy-ness thus far. But if the writer intends to use her naivety this way, hmm... I don't know. Not sure if I can follow through. Thus far, inconsistency is becoming glaring, at least to me.

Mayhap I think too much. I really wanna root for all the 5 leads, to understand their situations and motivations but I am having a hard time to do so for some of them.

 

Well, that's all for this week. See you girls in the next episodes!

[[Drama 2018] Mr. Sunshine, 미스터 션샤인 - Winner of Critics’ Choice Award for Drama category]

I watched ep.4 with bad network so it feels super dragging... I am rewatching again now with the downloaded file and will be back with some thoughts!

[[Drama 2018] Mr. Sunshine, 미스터 션샤인 - Winner of Critics’ Choice Award for Drama category]

I have a feeling HS is on Joseon side. He may seem ignorant to the current predicament in the country, I think he chose to be seen in such a way, easy to do his thing when people choose to ignore him or not take him seriously. From his scenes I felt sadness, like he wish there is more he can do for his country... maybe I read it wrongly cause I just can't see him having pure evil side from the get go...

[[Drama 2018] Mr. Sunshine, 미스터 션샤인 - Winner of Critics’ Choice Award for Drama category]

I stayed up waiting for the subs and just finished Ep. 3. The sword scenes are not that violent. The standard is the same as commonly depicted in sageuks. The kettlebell killing scenes in the Voice were much much worse.

 

My other thoughts on eps. 3 are:

1. the whole pace is a bit slow for today's episode
2. No Hina *sob*sob* KMJ trully suits Hina. I have watched her in Merchant of Gaekju. She was strong, awesome and excellent in potraying her character! I will turn a blind eye for her acting in Man to Man. That was a work not ever should be mentioned. I blame it on the writing.
3. AS asking what love is and whether Eugene wanna do it together is eye-bogglingly (is that even a word?!) funny... Eugene's answers... awkward situation there.... oh man, if only she knew what love means
4. At the boat, AS is openly flirting and Eugene kinda look dumbfounded by it (and I am feeling kinda outta sort and mostly blank. Truth is I cringed at it and the subsequent scenes of these two - bad sign for me, very very bad sign - *sigh*. As much as I am a fan of LBY previous works - from beautiful days to Red 2 etc., yeah I watched 95% of his works - I am having some very hard time feeling the chemistry and accepting them. I need more motivation, perhaps in the next episode?)
5. Love love love the tarot lady and the emotions she was delivering ... she does not have to say a word, she already wins my heart plus she is beautiful too... why do I feel like she is going to die? I wish her for GDM!
6. Seems like the supporting characters are filling up the screen times longer that need be, and the flashbacks are seemingly slower in my eyes, can't help tapping my feet impatiently. Perhaps all this is the cause for the slow pace? I am ok with filler, so long as it is not overdone.

Please writer-nim, I haven't watched any of your dramas cause the plots thus far haven't got me hooked and sinked. I think I accidently caught on DOTS ep. 4 but the ones that caught my eyes were the second leads, Jin Gu and Kim Ji Won. Guess this is just a matter of preference.

 

I am not convince when I heard of LBH storyline with AS and I initially thought to give this a pass. However, I decided not to primarily for the historical premises it promises and GDM (of course, a supplementary treat). Please don't let me down, writer-nim. I have been having trust deficit on many drama shows for quite some time.. please let this be one of those rare gems *fervently praying for a great show from a to z*

[[Drama 2018] Mr. Sunshine, 미스터 션샤인 - Winner of Critics’ Choice Award for Drama category]

Based on the trailers, I have expected that GDM will be ruthless... it was described as part of his character. Hence, it is understandable given his background. Just like John Wick, being ruthless, does not mean he doesn't have a soft spot. John Wick is a ruthless assassin but he loves his wife dearly and anyone that intends to take any part of that away from him is gonna pay a heavy price. And I still root for him.

 

As for GDM, even though he has lived his life in such a way, from episode 2 we were given some indication of the kind of people he is being merciless to and how attentive he is to someone he cares about e.g. Hina. We already know he is devoted to AS. Therefore, it can be said that he does not own a 100% violent heart. At the moment he is GDM who works for the black dragon. He is merely being what is expected of him as a leader of the gang. I also believe Eugene can be as ruthless in the war field or when he set his eyes on his preys. It is just that his combatting or fighting scenes are yet depicted as violent as GDM. At the moment the guns fighting may seem less horrid as compared to sword fighting. That might change later on. I always find sword fighting gory e.g. kill bill movie. Then John Wick II came... and I had a nightmare. 

[[OFFICIAL] Ji Chang Wook ❤ Park Min Young (ChangMin) ~HEALER couple~]

On 04/05/2015 at 12:02 PM, akinahana89 said:

Dating in secret first would be a fantastic idea, especially in Korea, where it's a known fact that netizens will most likely tear into any new celebrity relationship like wild animals. I'm perfectly fine with silence and denials as long as we keep getting our subtle clues every once in a while until ChangMin's (potential) relationship has stabilized enough to handle any public criticism that might come about.

I can just see us two years later... finally getting the confirmation we were looking for because JCW and PMY trust enough in each other to step outside side by side.

Took a 4 days leave from office... finished watching Misty recently and current dramas are not as inviting so I am thinking of going back to my never ending drama waiting list.... A New Leaf was selected and done in a few days... argh.... feeling heavy to begin another drama session.

 

Ended up doing some back reading to kill some time... and found the above... @akinahana89 I remembered last year Feb was a spazzing moments for changminers... it was almost two years last feb 2017 since you posted that... three years and counting... news of CJW marriage made me thinks that perhaps PMY n JCW will follow suit... patiently waiting..

[[OFFICIAL] Ji Chang Wook ❤ Park Min Young (ChangMin) ~HEALER couple~]

Hi @youngatheart!

 

Thought to drop by to give you a big hug. I never miss to come over and check out the thread. Thanks dear for maintaining it. And congrats for being the Mod. 

 

Love all the updates last weekend. Changminers were on a roll! Haha! JCW was having a low-key outing this time around. He has less than 10 days vacation left I think, excluding leave given for special occasions e.g. chuseok. Our girl has gone back to her silent mode. Maybe we will hear from her again once she accepted any drama offers or when she is vacationing.

 

Not sure if I should write this, but, oh well, I will put it in the spoiler:

 

Spoiler

Went to write about JCW past works at his thread... I was prompted as I see a member was misunderstood on her post and got some backlash(?)... then today I visited to see any updates on the military musical (will be on my road trip to the famous Changmin's Geoje, Tongyeong and Namhae. Might catch the musical if the time is right and that if it is opened to general public). I read something about Wookie's involvement in the musical being described as the army taking advantage of his talent. I am disappointed that this remark was made. I find it a bit childish and it gives out hostile vibe. On the contrary, I like to think JCW accepting it has nothing to do with being forced to do it. He may participate because first, he was one of the candidates the army chose and also he wants to do it to show support to the army musical event. I liken it to us student joining the events that our school conducted because we want to support our school and of course because we have what it takes to participate. He was chosen because he is talented and he has musical experience. We knew there are so many actors in the MS now but yeah, JCW and KHN came out as the ones with some musical experience and talented young actors. Besides, other recruits will also be joining these two...hmm.... 

 

Anyway, hope MY will be invited by JCW to the musical. 

 

 

Till then, take care.

[Ji Chang Wook 지창욱 - Upcoming Dramas: "The Queen Woo" (우씨왕후) (TVING) / "Bulk" (벌크) (JTBC) / Upcoming Movie "Revolver" (리볼버)]

Hi *waves*,

 

Oh dear, don't know why I am writing here since it's very rare that I drop by cause I like to think I am more comfortable to admire my bias actors from afar and reading the writings of others unless I really have something to get out of my mind in a specific actor/actress threads, which is uncommon for me. Nonetheless, the recent posts prompt me to write a bit...just bear with me ladies, I am killing some time and practising my writing while I am at it. Haha...

 

Shame on me I encountered this valuable actor some time in late 2014 when Healer was airing. That was the year I promised not to indulge in my favorite past time activities que writings, book reading, drama watching etc cause I was pursuing my postgrad. I needed to focus. But I remembered suggesting Healer to a number of friends who loved it eventually. Then come 2016 I finally got myself to watch Healer...how stupid was that?! But better late than never, yes? Still I was a bit bumped for not doing it earlier... anyway, in my honest opinion, I feel I can relate to JCW as the more I observed and learned about him and his personality, the more I see similarity with my main bias. With regard to acting, I can be fussy as I look for total satisfaction in my watching experience. Hence, I can be ruthless in my opinion. I count in the factor that is the actors' skills in relaying the emotions to me as an audience as one of the main thing I look for in any drama or movie. Then the storyline. Next the execution. Thus far, I have finished watching some of his projects e.g.;

Smile Donghae (managed to get me finished marathoning in a few days, but of course some fastfwding were conveniently included),

BVS ( the story could have been better but I didn't see what I expected to see from the main story it was based from as that was the reason I chose to watch this drama. The love story and family conflict overshadowed the success story of the young entrepreneur),

Warrior Baek Dong Soo (dropped half way cause it gets pretty repetitive and no longer compelling enough for me to continue investing in the remaining hours. Though I went on to read about the actual story and was disappointed later on to learn that the drama version is not as depicted in the history),

Healer (complete storyline, execution and feels, introduced me to Song Ji Na writernim and actress PMY.),

the K2 (love the intensity and the action... tremendously hate the love plotline and the politician hubby. I personally felt that the whole love story and the daddy dilemma but not really a dilemma should be totally carved out from the story and alas it could be a magnificent piece) and

SP (ended up forcing myself to finish after weeks of it ended airing... I really blame it on the way the story was written. I am no longer intrigue. And that is not a good thing for me).

Fabricated City - awesome acting, fresh plot, great execution.>>> hooked and sinked. If a story can make me emotionally invested until I cry buckets of tears or laugh a crazy load, then that is a masterpiece in my drama/movie dictionary.

 

I am still putting EK on hold...I did watch the last episode few days back and now I don't think I will be watching. It has 51 ep and I have to spend some long hours to get it over with, reading the whole history and realise the story is not my cup of tea plus I can already see some similar emotional scene of JCW e.g. from EK ep 51 and Healer when he met his sabu the night of the makeover. These kinda spoil the excitement for me.

 

Overall, I see JCW has a lot to offer. The sky is the limit for him. Similar with Jang Hyuk, JCW really has an advantage of having the ability to act through his eyes. That is something really hard to find, a rare skill. Something I really treasure as an avid drama/movie viewer. As a new fan, I hope in the future he will be able to expand on his skill and varying the emotions/expressions when acting in similar scenes under different projects. This is because I started to notice similar body language and expressions from his past projects which I think he can execute differently and still give out the impact that is expected. He has that ability, I trust him so.

 

Ok, I will leave you girls for now... reality has called. I wish him all the best and come back stronger after MS. Hope to catch him in Sept if the musical is open for public viewing. My good friend so far did not say whether it is restricted to army community so, let's hope some tickets will be offered to general public and we can have a chance to watch. The story of the korean fighter is very compelling. After learning about the Korean war and watching Battleship, I am intrigued to know more.

 

Till later... night night...

 

 

[[Drama 2017-2018] A Korean Odyssey/Hwayugi 화유기]

@rittoo the last two episodes should have carried out the climax of the story whereby the beautiful ending should be properly lay out towards the end of ep 20. The mess in ep 19 ruins the expectation for the ending in ep 20, at least for me. I can basically guess what ep 20 will be... either she dies or given another chance to live since she has fulfilled her purpose or becomes an immortal or many other possibilities but then getting to that ending from this ep 19 is no longer important. Like I mentioned ...it is already anticlimax. 

[[Drama 2017-2018] A Korean Odyssey/Hwayugi 화유기]

I kinda placed a high expectation for the last two episodes but the first of the two just left me bleh...I came in because of my bias Oh Yeon Seo and Lee Seung-Gi but I am annoyed and amazingly disappointed at the way the drama is ruined. Despite many high ratings dramas the Hong sis have under their belts, I have never been an avid fan. My rule is simple. No high level red alerts (e.g. cringe moments, illogical plot, miserable editing - to name a few) and I will finish watching. But if I see so many reds especially to the point of me cringe-watching...then even my bias can't stop me from leaving. 

 

My POV on ep.19 :

1. Cringe becomes me (what?!!). Writer-nims and PD-nims, you have successfully ruined my viewing experience.

2. The storyline and the plot arrangements become completely loose. What the heck did I just watch? Que *rolling eyes*

3. The CGI, not impressive AT ALL. E.g. the dragon fightings equals third-rate quality, add the awkwardness to that as well...it is just a failure.

4. Where is that Kang Dae Sung? He left? Just like that? Bwahahaha... a reaction from an 'evil' guy who wanna rule the world i.e. he chickens out when he kills. How convincing!

5. Action scene e.g. swinging few times and just pointing the sword then dragon is dead... seriously? A Monkey King fighting a dragon just like that? Not a fight worth invested in or even talked about, ever!

6. That old guy trying to stop SOG. Like for what when Samjang can easily be killed by a human... what is the point of a protector having the fate of killing the samjang? *roll eyes again*

7. What exactly is the heavenly destiny of samjang? Save the world? By being stabbed by the villain, you mean? How is that saving the world? Duh!

8. The last breath of sam jang is so abrupt....plus the whole weeping scene ... I am not getting the emotions! I am not convinced I should cry along. How frustrating!

9. The pig and the prince burning scene. Is it really necessary? I won't even call that a filler...

10. The morning-after scene... why does it felt so unrelatable? 

11. Worst of it all, it makes the whole casts look so mediocre. Nuff said...

 

This just went from grade A to F in my review, taking into consideration it destroys my 1hr plus viewing time. That is quite a fall... and that is what happened when you don't thread carefully with anticlimaxes.

 

What a way to end Hwayugi... an epic failure of an ending... a 'sad' ends indeed... oh what could have been...

 

 

[[OFFICIAL] Ji Chang Wook ❤ Park Min Young (ChangMin) ~HEALER couple~]

Caution: This is gonna be a long rant.... hahaha

 

It is really not easy to see me posting at Soompi as I prefer to enjoy reading the interesting views from the interesting and fun people from across the globe. It is also not easy since I am very very skeptical and choosy in my kdrama viewing options. To be too invested in any drama and its players are tough since I have many things that I would like to get done within a limited span of the quality time I have off work.

 

Nevertheless I do have my favorites and those are mostly with heavy ladden and comprehensive plots, high quality acting, limited number as they are. Suffice to say, the result of such critical view was, regretfully, being a latecomer to the party that is Healerites! I can't believe I made my friends watched this drama and loving it in 2015 but I only finally got myself to watch it in 2017. I know.... I was such a fool. But I blame it all to my main bias that is Jang Hyuk, he took all my time till 2017. So, what makes me watch Healer? First, is JCW. Second, is PMY. These two, I have always been curious about but never really feel like watching their previous works as I was veering elsewhere for full satisfaction in kdrama. One thing that bums me the most was that I watched five fingers, though not finishing it, but didn't realise it was JCW in it. My bad...

 

Back to the Healing Couple. 

 

Firstly, I decided to drop by since I want to give a warm hug to @youngatheart for being the lone ranger in keeping this thread alive, accompanied occasionally by some others, especially @ReemKanabta whom I love the positiveness, faith and beliefs that come from you!   I have done my marathon of this thread, and all I can say is, kudos to you guys for making me come back to Soompi forum for a dose of happiness after a long day at work. I giggles, and laughs with all the giddiness and delusional talks. 

 

My takes on the Changmin, they will be my first and last ship. I don't do this thing but I am willing to have faith for both of them. It was surreal what Healer has shown us. I can never believe that those interactions were all acting and for them leaving those behind just like that.... Humans can never do that unless they have a heart made of stone. 

 

I have watched jcw other works post healer. E.g. k2 because I love SYN to bits, I only watch their scenes, so intense. The rest are just none existence, fillers and fillers again. SP I lost interest after i have fed my curiousity surrounding the mistery. As for pmy, I went on to watch 7dq, i got too invested in the actual history and because the acting from all the leads are soooo daebak, the investment stopped at ep 12.  Haha...why? Because it was so freaking sad, I just could not and will not comprehend what happened to CK to the point that I don't even appreciate the ending after reading it. I went on to read about the actual history, saw her lonely looking grave, it tore my heart to pieces, multiple times, that she loved a man who can't protect her and make her happy and left her to mend for herself. I don't trust such characters, that were the kings', in a person. Watching pmy makes me want to scream and cry blood tears, so I drop 7dq. But that is just my own pov. I am sentimental, very, but 7dq is just too much for me faint heart.

 

But yes acting wise both pmy and jcw nailed their respective depiction of heavy emotions, minus the ehem scenes as I don't usually benchmark this variable on acting skills. It is IRRELEVANT.

 

Another thing I want to say is, I find I can relate to JCW - it is not easy initially - because there are similarities between him and JH. They are both philosophical, and very serious in their acting career but off work, they are enjoying life like others. They need a partner who can truly trust them, for being in this line of work. If their partners keep giving them headache with jealousy and doubts, it is gonna be hell everyday. JH has found his true love. His choice of works are no joke. The intense chemistries he created... I can only shake my head. But he remains so faithful to his wife and keeping his family really private. I hope JCW and PMY will find it in each other as well. They deserve to love and trust in each other. Love them always! Even if the story will end differently, I will still be happy for them.

 

Finally, @youngatheart  2 yrs will fly by and before we know it, it will be spazzing time again. Just know I will be lurking around. Buzz me if you need a company. Thank you again for your effort and fighting! 

 

 

Lurves, and hugs,

 

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