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  1. did anyone read this?

    Flash Review: Producer

    July 15, 2015 by kfangurl 9 Comments

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    I’m very pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed Producer:

    • Despite not being so keen on its initial mockumentary style;
    • Despite its notoriously long episodes that run for at least 80 minutes each; and
    • Despite not being all that interested in Show’s premise to begin with.

    I suppose I could call that a triple-whammy happy bonus?

     

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    MY THEORY ON THE DIVIDE

    So basically, this show experimented with a variety-esque sort of format, and then after two episodes, in response to very underwhelming response from local viewers, shifted gears to be more drama-heavy and variety-light in terms of its format.

    My theory is, people who welcomed the mockumentary approach were probably disappointed to see the format go, while viewers who weren’t so keen on the mockumentary style were relieved when the show adopted a more conventional drama approach.

    Personally, I thought the mockumentary format was quite refreshing and even rather fun at first. But by the 25-minute mark, I found myself getting bored coz everything felt rather aimless and random, and there didn’t seem to be much of an actual plotline. I was definitely relieved when Show evolved into something that was stronger on story.

    In terms of why the mockumentary style didn’t sit so well with many viewers, there are 2 main reasons in my mind.

    1. The Variety Disconnect

    In the first two episodes of the show, there were lots – like, LOTS – of references to variety shows and celebs, including kpop idols.

    Viewers in the know would’ve been quite tickled by all the references and cameos. The thing is, because there were so many references, it’s very likely only an elite handful of viewers who are deeply well-versed in k-variety, kpop, and k-ent in general, were actually able to appreciate it.

    The references were probably mostly lost on a large sector of viewers. Without an appreciation of the references, and without much of a story to engage with otherwise, it’s understandable that this sector of viewers felt a big disconnect with the show.

    When Show adjusted its balance to accommodate more story and less mockumentary, this basically made the show more accessible to drama fans at large.

    2. Too Real for Comfort

    This could’ve been just me, but in the thick of its mockumentary style, I actually felt Show was too real for comfort.

    I found the episode 2 spotlight on the types of conditions trainees that live under quite troubling, rather than entertaining. And I also found the way production life was portrayed in the same episode rather bemusing.

    Yes, I know that that’s pretty much how k-ent works. And yes, I know that other shows have touched on similar issues, like King of Dramas, for example. The thing is, I think it worked better in King of Dramas because it had at least feltdramatized. Here, because Show takes on a mockumentary style, everything feels more real. Which honestly just makes it a lot less fun to watch, coz these realities are harsh, and when I watch a drama, I like to momentarily forget what those harsh realities are.

    Show’s eventual balance of more drama, less variety worked for me, because as much as it’s interesting to see into the workings of the k-ent industry, sometimes, preserving the fiction is what makes watching dramas entertaining and fun.

    PACE AND TONE

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    I honestly really liked the pace and rhythm that Show eventually settles into.

    The slowish pace at which we follow people around at work, coupled with the long episodes, sometimes made Show feel sort of like a Misaeng, just with a showbiz context. I kind of felt like Seung Chan (Kim Soo Hyun) was our Geu Rae, all naive and new, and trying to survive in a harsh world.

    The beats are meandering and everyday, and watching this show really does feel like living life with these characters, as we experience their daily ups and downs with them. The slice-of-life flavor feels accessibly engaging, in an easy, laidback, just-hanging-out-with-my-friends sort of way.

    After a while, I didn’t even feel the long episodes anymore, I just enjoyed hanging out with these characters so much.

    THE CHARACTERS

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    Our main characters are a big part of what made the show, for me, and I thought all four of them were quite perfectly cast.

    I always enjoy Gong Hyo Jin, and thought she did an effortless job of bringing Ye Jin to life, all abrasive bluster on the outside, but warm and caring on the inside.

    Cha Tae Hyun also did a good job as Joon Mo, who’s all big talk but is actually sheepish and unsure of what to do most of the time. Notably, he manages to keep Joon Mo essentially likable, even when Joon Mo is at his most aggravating.

    The nerdy, clueless, petty-but-earnest Seung Chan is such a huge departure from Kim Soo Hyun‘s last drama role as You From Another Star‘s grumpy cool alien, and Kim Soo Hyun totally nails it.

    Seung Chan really grew on me as a character, and I very much enjoyed watching him come into his own as a rookie PD, but with nervous nerdy tendencies very much intact. Kim Soo Hyun embodies Seung Chan in an admirably intricate manner, and makes Seung Chan come alive in all the little details, from the nervous blink of his eyes, to the slight stiffness in his body posture. Really good.

    Besides Seung Chan, another character that I really enjoyed was IU‘s Cindy. When we first meet Cindy, she comes across as rather one-note with her bored arrogant attitude to everyone and everything. As we progress through the episodes, though, Cindy shows increasing degrees of softness and vulnerability, making her progressively more and more relatable and likable. Her arc of growth and self-discovery was hands-down one of my favorite storylines in the show.

    RELATIONSHIPS

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    With Show moving away from its initial mockumentary focus, the criss-crossed lovelines among our main characters come to the fore, and add interest to Show’s daily, go-to-work-with-the-PDs sort of vibe.

    Sure, Show kept me on my toes by keeping the outcome of the lovelines murky for almost its entire run. But, unlike the Who’s The Hubs game that the Answer Me franchise seems so fond of, Producer being slow to resolve its lovelines didn’tmake me feel manipulated. It just felt like I was watching real people trying to deal with real emotions, while inhabiting their real personalities which often got in their way. I didn’t mind them taking the time they needed to figure things out, because after all, Real Life takes time and often doesn’t resolve itself in a neat bow by a designated o’clock.

    Plus, our characters were all generally getting along in such sweetly heartwarming ways, that I felt like I could root for various loveline outcomes. I thought Seung Chan would be cute with Ye Jin, but I also felt he would be sweet with Cindy. I could totally imagine Ye Jin enjoying a great bickering relationship with Joon Mo, but I could also potentially see her in a really cute noona romance with Seung Chan as well. Which is why, even though this show kept me guessing in terms of who would end up dating whom, I didn’t mind it at all.

    Another reason that I didn’t mind Show’s slow treatment of the lovelines, is that beyond the romance, I found the burgeoning friendships among our characters really heartwarming.

    The growing closeness between our characters, as they became more comfortable and open with one another, was something that I really enjoyed watching.

    [SPOILERS THROUGH THE END OF THE REVIEW]

    One of my favorite friendship beats in the show, is when Cindy runs away from her celeb life in episode 7, and hides out in Joon Mo’s apartment.

    I loved watching her hang out with Ye Jin, Seung Chan and Joon Mo, and how we got to see more of her real, down-to-earth, and surprisingly super-organized personality. Playing random drinking games; getting tipsy and acting out with Ye Jin while the boys scrambled to keep things under control; having Seung Chan race her around in her wheelchair; this was the kind of stuff – friendship sort of stuff – that Cindy really needed in her life. Love.

    SPECIAL SHOUT-OUTS

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    Aside from our main characters, Show served up a bunch of cameos and side arcs that also helped to bring the fun.

    Most notably, I found Kim Jong Kook fantastically funny in his role as Hong Soon, the brown-nosing, petty, somewhat paranoid PD who finds himself unconsciously yet unquenchably fascinated by the controlling-yet-breathily-sexy Office Manager (Ye Ji Won). I found their unexpected hot ‘n heavy office romance extremely hilarious, and perked up whenever their little arc showed up on my screen.

    Cameo-wise, my favorite is quite possibly Go Ara’s appearance in episode 8 as Cindy’s frenemy. I found their arc very cute, and unexpectedly heartwarming. I think I loved any beat that had to do with Cindy discovering friendship, really.

    Special shout-out to Jang Hyuk‘s and Lee Chun Hee’s cameos at the end of episode 4, with both actors appearing as Ye Jin’s ex-boyfriends complaining about her unreasonable closeness to Joon Mo. Hee. Both are such great choices, and I enjoy both actors very much. <3

    CLOSING THOUGHTS

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    As this show drew to its close, I actually felt quite wistful; I didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet, that’s how much I was enjoying the show.

    The hardest thing to watch in Show’s final stretch, was President Byun (Na Young Hee) sabotaging Cindy to her face, and with a smile too. How disturbingly premeditated, cold and calculated. I honestly had trouble understanding why President Byun wanted to retire Cindy, when Cindy was portrayed as her company’s biggest cash cow.

    The most poignant moment, for me, was Seung Chan struggling through tears, to come to terms with the realization that Ye Jin wasn’t anywhere close to accepting his feelings. Aw. Poor baby.

    At the same time, there were many gratifying moments among the bitter and the bittersweet.

    I loved that Joon Mo made a stand and kept Cindy on the show. I loved the moment Cindy was woken up by the 1N2D crew. I love that they chose her and rallied around her, even in the face of the cut-throat world of k-ent where ratings rule and the weight of netizens’ opinions bear down like an elephant in stilettos.

    I loved that Ye Jin saved the day by digging up the evidence that would clear Cindy’s name. I felt that for Ye Jin, it wasn’t just about doing the right thing, but that it was also about doing right by a friend. And I do love that Cindy’s now a friend.

    And I loved Seung Chan’s drunken aegyo, which is even more hilarious than Ye Jin’s drunken aegyo.

    Also on the upside, we finally see Ye Jin and Joon Mo start a romance proper. Sure, Joon Mo is still quite the moron about expressing his feelings, but at least Ye Jin and Joon Mo get their happy ending.

    Again on the upside, I like that we see Seung Chan and Cindy making baby steps of progress, definitely towards becoming better friends, and maybe even towards romance.

    In the end, it’s nothing terribly groundbreaking or even very dramatic, really. But it’s a warm and uplifting note on which to end, with each of our characters making inroads on their individual journeys, while maintaining their relationships with one another.

    At its heart, Producers is a story about people, growth and relationships, and even after the final credits have rolled, I feel like these characters will continue to grow as they live life together, for a long time to come – a thought which I find satisfying indeed.

    THE FINAL VERDICT:

    Warm slice-of-life goodness, despite its early-episode identity crisis.

    FINAL GRADE: B+

    TEASER:

     

     

    MVs:

    Here’s a fun boppy vid that’s great for re-visiting all four of our main characters:

     

     

    And here’s a vid for Seung Chan-Cindy shippers:

     

    http://thefangirlverdict.com/2015/07/15/flash-review-producer/

     
    • Like 5
  2. 7 Ways Kim Soo Hyun's characters in Producer and My Love From Another Star were totally different, yet the same

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    In his most recent dramas Producer (Baek Seung Chan) and My Love From Another Star (Do Min Joon), Kim Soo Hyun played quite opposite characters, which just shows how amazing an actor he is. His character Do Min Joon was the perfect man who's got everything any girl could wish for. On the other hand, his character Baek Seung Chan was a naive, wacky boy who's inexperienced in love. Here are 7 comparisons between My Love From Another Star's Do Min Joon and Producer's Baek Seung Chan. Take a look! 

     

    1. Korea's top actresses fall in love with him

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    Korea's top actress Chun Song Yi falls in love with Do Min Joon in My Love From Another Star. Likewise, Korea's top female idol singer Cindy falls in love with Baek Seung Chan in Producer.


    2. A smoking hot alien v. New staff no one likes

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    My Love From Another Star's Do Min Joon is a hot alien who sees through time and saves the girl of his life. On the other hand, Producer's Baek Seung Chan is a new producer whom everyone blames for their team's poor performance, and awkwardly has a crush on Korea's top singer Cindy (IU).


    3. An experienced professor v. Entry-level producer

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    My Love From Another Star's Do Min Joon is a 400-year-old alien disguised as a qualified university lecturer. Producer's Baek Seung Chan is an entry-level TV show producer who's yet to prove his performance.

    4. 

    . Ability to read people’s minds v. Awkward miscommunications

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    My Love From Another Star's Do Min Joon can stop time and perform other cool super powers. Producer's Baek Seung Chan is awkward and often miscommunicates, which causes him to get scolded by his boss Ra Joon Mo (Cha Tae Hyun).


    5. Distances others from him v. Cares for others

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    My Love From Another Star's Do Min Joon isn't a social person. He believes human's feelings are foolish and childlike and distances himself from others. Producer's Baek Seung Chan, on the other hand, is caring of others and makes Korea's top star Cindy fall in love with him.


    6. Cynical about love v. Forward about love

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    My Love From Another Star's Do Min Joon defines love as a mere curiosity, jealousy, habit or confusion, and takes time to warm up to the love of his life, Chun Song Yi (Jeon Ji Hyun). Producer's Baek Seung Chan is very forward about his hopeless crush, and pursues it even when his love interest is living with another man.


    7. If there's one thing they have in common, it's that they know how to kiss!

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    Don't they?! On a side note, Producer's Baek Seung Chan has kissed all three main leads Tak Ye Jin (Gong Hyo Jin), Cindy ( IU) and even Ra Joon Mo (Cha Tae Hyun).

    cr: dramafewer

     

    • Like 7
  3. @shahizzy8884 your artwork (I presume it's yours?) is stunning and so cute. Thank you for posting it :). 

    @ilwoo_aein and @lhynne I have seen your names pop up quite a lot here which means you must be experts on all things KSH :) (I apologise if I missed any names - because there is quite a lot of long time fans here so I will be very happy if anyone can help me with this query) - Can someone tell me if KSH plays any musical instruments? And also has KSH always had the same Manager? I thought I listened to an old interview with KSH saying that his Manager was his age but when I saw some pics of him travelling with his Manager that person seemed older than KSH? Or maybe I am mistaken from the pics as to WHO is his Manager lol

    Thank you.

    Hello! :) What i know is he cant play piano, guiter.  But he is super good at bycicle. :v

    First manager

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    Second one was around his age, A manager with class, He joined after moon/sun. 

    X0Ejqm2.pngCurrent one is his third manager, He joined during stars. 

    Mr.shin's always been with him. During Dream high, Mr.shin used to protect him rarelly. Since moon sun he became his genuine bodyguard. Fans really like mr.shin, Seems like fans really like current one. Handsome trio haha.

    CIU5LEDUEAANM8y.jpg

    Out of all  manager, i think he is more close to tae hyun.

    • Like 5
  4. hi girls. About recent news,  i beleive that he had a reason for not mentioning it and we know that he has always been protective toward his private life.  I think we dont need to post articles here, let's protect our baby, lets respect his privacy. Let's not spread it.  Thank you!!!

    Does anyone know which day Kim Soohyun will be appearing at the convention at KCON 2015 LA?  Thanks!

    KCON didnt say which day. but obviously he wont sing and appear in concer, so maybe he will have fanmeeting event there. i hope we will have more info soon

    • Like 7
  5. I have a question. What age range is KSH's fan base?  Over 30?

    I think that his fans are around 20+ since I do love Song Sam Dong from Dream High. I saw the Instiz chart. http://www.instiz.net/pt?no=3060261

    Idols are always on the list as well as some actors : Im Siwan, Song Joong Ki, Lee Jong Suk. Why aren't Lee min Ho, Kim Woo Bin and Kim Soo Hyun on the list?

     

     

    I think all age. kekeke. In yukaris, before secretly greatly it was over 20, after that a lot of teenagers jjoined, it become between 12-50. i know a fan who is over 70. 

    • Like 7
  6. 'You Who Came From the Stars' PD praises Kim Soo Hyun as the best actor in his age group

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    PD Kim Geun Soo shared, "I first saw Kim Soo Hyun who starred as a child actor at the time and I was surprised by his impressive acting, his expressions and emotional depth... And I met him again for 'You Who Came From the Stars' and he always touches the staff's hearts with his acting and other external qualities."

     

    "If Soo Hyun can act at that level right now, I look forward to how he will bring more audiences to laughter and tears as time passes... It was to the point that I even told director Jang, 'Among the actors I've seen around his age, he is the best.' One really cool actor has been born."
     

    "Even though Soo Hyun fell into the winter river 30 times, his pupils did not stray thanks to his vivid eyes... The drama is approaching an end right now but he doesn't show signs of exhaustion and his impressive energy is like that of one who just starts filming the production."

     

     

    "A good drama is not made out of thin air... Regardless of the viewer ratings, what's important is how the staff and cast have gotod teamwork, share their feelings, and pour in their passion. In that sense, 'You Who Came From the Stars' possesses all of those qualities from the beginning to end."

    cr: allkpop

    Kim Yoon Seok praises Kim Soo Hyun, “He is born to be an actor.”

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    Actor Kim Yoon Seok praised Kim Soo Hyun by saying that he is born to be an actor for The Moon That Embraces The Sun. On the episode of SBS TV’s Late Night TV Entertainment that aired on June 20, the actors of the movie, The Thieves have appeared and held an interview. When Kim Yoon Seok was asked what he wants to do in his 40s, he revealed, “I want to shoot a movie like Dumb And Dumber with Song Kang Ho. We are determined to show the ultimate dumbness.” Later on, Kim Soo Hyun who also filmed the movie The Thieves mentioned Kim Yoon Seok’s comment on Yoo Ah In and Jang Keun Suk and asked how he thinks of himself. Kim Yoon Seok responded: “Kim Soo Hyun is born to be an actor. I first began to watch the series The Moon That Embraces The Sun because my wife likes you, but I realized that you really get absorbed in acting. You are really talented.” Other guests seemed to agree to this comment. In this broadcast, other actors: Kim Yoon Seok, Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Hae Sook, and Oh Dal Soo from the movie The Thieves gave an interview and attracted attention.

    Source: TV Report via en.korea.com

    HE IS THE ONLY ONE! there is a lot of article about praising him.

     

     

     

     

    • Like 6
  7. :):w00t:

    Is it really true that hyun-hyun couple confirmed for the variety program? Please enlighten me chinggu...Really appreciate it...:D

     

    as for as I know, no confirmation from keyeast yet. 

    btw, i saw a pic that some fans visited his hotel room right  after he went out.  kinda scary, i  wish some fans respect his privacy. he looked so tired. poor baby  :(

    • Like 5
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