[Drama 2009 Movie 2010] IRIS 아이리스

[taizhu]

I don't know if I can give a good update because there is so much I don't understand, but this episode had me on the edge of my seat the whole time (and also hating SW).

So warning: most of this is probably wrong, since I didn't understand any dialogue. joynara can do a much better job than me. I'm only writing about the parts that stuck with me and things I could follow through the general action.

Here are the only tidbits I can explain--

--The episode picks up with CSH being captured by the terror squad. HJ wants to go to her, but KSH constantly holds him back. When the leader ask HJ if he knows SH--he says no. I think he tells them she must have joined after he left. She says nothing. Most of the baddies threaten to kill her right away. [My heart was really beating hard during this part because the PD/writers are not going the heroic route--they are making HJ stick this out to the bitter end ]

--SW takes his team to "capture" the terrorists, but of course they were tipped off and have already left. I was so mad because he knows this but some of his team were killed due to booby traps left behind. Someone from the team finds CSH car and he realizes that she was captured.

[SW really has no conscience. Whoever wrote that article that said his love for SH is the kind of love that would clip the wings of a bird and put it in a cage has it totally right.]

--The hacker hacks into CSH laptop and starts digging through her files. They find her stash on Hungary and see a picture of Park Chul Young and KSH. This raises their suspicions that HJ is lying. When the hacker leaves to tell the boss, KSH hops onto the computer and deletes all the pictures that show HJ and SH together [i am really liking her now. She is like a guardian angel to HJ. I am not sure of her motives, but she is firmly on his side at least]

--During HJ interrogation of CSH, he tries to communicate with her through morse code with his fingers. He also gave her a long look before he hit her, as if asking her is this OK?. She might have nodded slightly (but I am not sure). But ooooh, the hitting was so vicious. So much worse than I could have imagined. He beat her to unconsciousness. He basically did it so that the terrorists would not torture her with the truth serum. But it failed, and after she woke up they did it anyway.

--In other news, it looks like the hacker girl at NSS has something going with Vick (TOP). She met him at the club again and seems to have a crush on him.

--We all know that the NSS team leader suspects SW of being a mole. Also, the hacker girl saw him digging around suspiciously on the computer trying to discover the identity of the "Voice". He successfully puts together a picture of him and takes it to the science guy who helps him inadvertently discover that identity.

--During the torture, the terrorist leader gets a call and I think he is told to let SH go. HJ and KSH take her to SW's home. HJ sits with her in the back seat and holds her tenderly. So sad, because she is not conscious and he cannot explain himself. He leaves her on SW's doorstep.

--Towards the end, SW and the other henchmen go with Baek San to eliminate the "Voice". This is when I finally feel that SW has gone to the "dark-side" in my heart. He kills so ruthlessly. I hate him right now.

--Baek San and the henchmen kill all of the Voice's men until only the Voice is left. He cannot move, of course, so he is unable to defend himself. Baek San comes inside to gloat. But the Voice has a hidden video camera and turns it on. The feed goes to HJ's phone (HJ had been trying to contact him). SW and KSH try to go rush over there.

--While Baek San is gloating, SW comes into the room. Through the video on the cellphone, HJ can see that SW is a member of IRIS and firmly on Baek San's side. He actually seems devastated and I believe he was holding out hope until now that SW was just following orders and was not truly a "bad" guy.

--Baek San kills the Voice--it was terrible waiting for it to happen. And watching on the video, HJ cries out! That was the end...ugh....

[Guest weiz80]

Thanks for the update taizhu

I really really hope CSH knew that whatever HJ is doing to her is because he's trying to help her. Seems like finally SW has moved on to the dark side. I'm waiting to DL the show first before commenting more

Oh and any preview for tomorrow episode?

[rubie]

Thanks taizhu for a wonderfully-shared antidote for (myself) waiting to watch episode 13. I knew it would be most excruciating for HJ, emotionally. Not once but three times the blow straight to his heart.

November 24, 2009

Actor Lee, Byung-Hun had his eye injured while shooting KBS2 ‘IRIS’.

In a gun battle scene at a Catholic church in 11th episode, Lee, Byung-Hun got gunpowder in his left eye, which could have been led to a severe injury. The accident appeared serious as Lee, Byung-Hun could not open his eyes with tears trickling down; however, thanks to the staff’s emergency treatment, the injury didn’t lead to a bad one. The above-mentioned scene is where Hyun-Joon (Lee, Byung-Hun) hears about his parents’ assassination from Sun-Hwa (Kim, So-Yeon) and gets involved in a gun battle with Baek-San’s (Kim, Young-Cheol) men on his way to the priest who brought him up.

It is said that the crew members have always been taking safety precautions as there are many gun battle and action scenes, and after Lee, Byung-Hun’s accident, they are paying extra attention to safety.

Source: segye.com via kr.news.yahoo.com

[Guest Dangermousie]

Thank you taizhu for the summary - I was going crazy anticipating and guessing.

IRIS just gets more and more brutal and depressing as it goes on, doesn't it?

[Guest alchocoholic]

EPISODE 13 (XviD-HAN - Mediafire link) is up in the AM-ADDICTION forum

Megaupload is being problematic at the mo so please enjoy the Mediafire link for now.

[Guest weiz80]

Dangermousie Definitely. I think it will be more and more depressing and tragic. We'll just wait what's in the ending for us

Alchocoholic I've tried to go to AM-Addiction... Is it the case that you need to have > 50 posts in order to get the link?

[Guest flydolesqueue]

This content has been removed by a moderator.

[Guest noria1]

Thank you

woooooooooooow I am very excited

TOP Be present in the episode

[Guest lucky_moon]

Torrent Link Ep13 (X264.450p-HAN):

http://www.box.net/shared/rscdzicmk4

[Guest sara_2656]

E13

http://rapidshare.com/files/312087793/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.001

http://rapidshare.com/files/312088246/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.002

http://rapidshare.com/files/312088591/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.003

http://rapidshare.com/files/312088979/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.004

http://rapidshare.com/files/312089317/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.005

http://rapidshare.com/files/312089633/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.006

http://rapidshare.com/files/312089980/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.007

http://rapidshare.com/files/312090035/Iris...iD-MHaN.avi.008

hjsplit.exe

http://rapidshare.com/files/223649491/hjsplit.exe

[Guest nXHn87]

Thanks for the link, cute girl!

[rubie]

November 26, 2009

New drama finds a gripping formula for success

IRIS, an espionage/action TV series, quickly became popular after its premiere for its fast-paced scenes

that incorporate high-tech devices and weaponry, an A-list cast and a well-made plot. Provided by Filmmarketing Vidan

“IRIS” is the sleek new espionage/action drama that’s had viewers glued to their TV sets since it began airing on Oct. 14 at 9:55 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on KBS-2.

Although the show’s blockbuster status can partially be attributed to its 20 billion won ($17.3 million) budget, that doesn’t tell the entire story. There have been plenty of TV dramas with equally big budgets that have failed.

The biggest attraction for the IRIS audience seems to be the spectacle the drama presents. As one of the few Korean dramas with a plot focused on espionage, IRIS is a rarity. “We tried to lend as much realism as possible to the drama by using replicas of the weapons and equipment that are actually used in intelligence wars,” a member of the production crew said in an earlier interview.

The drama series also features explosive action scenes with high-tech special effects that other local television dramas have not yet dared to try. For example, one chase scene uses satellite tracking technology to follow the characters. The show’s pace is also part of the appeal. The transition time between sequences is sometimes no more than two seconds.

Overall, IRIS seems to have earned its blockbuster status. The show set a record last week with an audience share of 34.1 percent for its 12th episode, which was aired on Thursday, according to a survey conducted by TNS Media.

The drama’s A-list cast, including actors Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee and Kim Seung-woo, has played a decisive role in grabbing viewer attention. Lee in particular has gained a following by doing the dangerous stuff himself, including scenes with explosives and car crashes, rather than using a stuntman.

The drama’s subject matter has also proven to be a gripping element in the show’s success. The plot centers on the nuclear situation on the Korean Peninsula and imagines the impending reunification of the two Koreas. There is also an absorbing subplot involving the romantic entanglements of the main characters that succeeds in conveying the delicate emotions of those involved.

That could explain why IRIS has drawn more female fans than males, even though it was created as an action series geared toward male viewers. A recent survey found that among the total number of female television viewers in the nation, 12.4 percent watch IRIS, while 8.7 percent of the total number of male television viewers in the nation watch the show. Surprisingly, the largest group of people watching IRIS is women in their 50s, at 17.3 percent.

Meanwhile, 59 percent of the show’s viewing audience was reported to be female and 41 percent was male.

By Chung Kang-hyun [spark0320@joongang.co.kr] via joongangdaily.joins.com

[Guest badhairday8]

--

--During the torture, the terrorist leader gets a call and I think he is told to let SH go. HJ and KSH take her to SW's home. HJ sits with her in the back seat and holds her tenderly. So sad, because she is not conscious and he cannot explain himself. He leaves her on SW's doorstep.

This part intrigues me. I wonder who called the terrorist guy to let her go. Also, does this mean that she is a spy for Iris? I'm pretty sure that since SW found out that CSH was captured, he found a way to ensure her safety.

[Guest alchocoholic]

EPISODE 13 (450p-HAN - Mediafire link) is up in the AM-ADDICTION forum

MU link will be up later when it's back to normal!

Alchocoholic I've tried to go to AM-Addiction... Is it the case that you need to have > 50 posts in order to get the link?

No, anyone can download normal HAN links... it's only the 720p section that needs 50 posts

[Guest joynara]

I am completely freaked.

As ruthless as SaWoo was charging through the compound (and I'm truly chilled by how cold-blooded he was), it almost feels like a kid's game compared to the way Baek San off'ed the doctor.

*deep breath*

I'll try & provide a summary as soon as I can. In the meantime, thanks, taizhu, for the recap. Will probably use yours as a springboard (and clear up a couple of things).

[Guest suiekou45]

I am completely freaked.

As ruthless as SaWoo was charging through the compound (and I'm truly chilled by how cold-blooded he was), it almost feels like a kid's game compared to the way Baek San off'ed the doctor.

*deep breath*

I'll try & provide a summary as soon as I can. In the meantime, thanks, taizhu, for the recap. Will probably use yours as a springboard (and clear up a couple of things).

i know...i hate scenes like that...it was ridiculous. and i thought sawoo going running through the compound but then when he has those four against the wall...i was like what the hell happened to him? also, hyun punching her 6 times in a row was brutal

[Guest Lilazinprincess]

This part intrigues me. I wonder who called the terrorist guy to let her go. Also, does this mean that she is a spy for Iris? I'm pretty sure that since SW found out that CSH was captured, he found a way to ensure her safety.

Interesting observation. My thoughts on this are:

Remember the scene where Baek San called the "man in the shadow with TOP?" From Baek San's voice, that man is his superior. I'm not sure on what BS told him but he could be the person that freed CSH. If this is the case, then yes I would believe that she is a part of IRIS. She probably has a small role in the organization. But when she found out (?) that they were going after HJ (remember the scene in Budapest when HJ told her that he was betrayed and that BS was there...she couldn't accept it), she started to go against their orders. She doesn't get severely punished but she gets yelled by BS for her "wrongdoings." BS can play her just as he is playing Sawoo. When Sawoo informed him that CSH was captured by the terrorists, BS was alert because he knows now because she is so obsessed with her love for HJ she will fully turn against him. He is probably afraid she might spill some info to HJ and help him with his revenge. (which I think is likely).

If it was the NK's agent, he ordered for her release because he doesn't want that situation to cause a big scene between NSS and the North, especially at a pivotal point when the two countries are trying to work together. One small rift and all that hard negotiations could be in ruins.

If it was from the NK agent's superior, then that order may have originated from the "man in the shadow." On how the order was delivered, whether it was from the superior directly to the terrorist or the superior to NK agent to terrorist, could be of importance. If it was the former then that would raise less suspicion on the North's side. If it was the later then the NK agent would be even more suspicious of his authority (since the day the agent found out that BS went to visit the NK superior personally).

Yes, Sawoo's reaction to CSH's capture was wow. He was so out there.

CSH's torture scene was great. You could definitely see how badly it hurts for both HJ and CSH. Their eye expressions were so on point!

Based on Ep.14's preview, we might get another OST soon.

[Guest beauwhale]

ep 13 looks interesting, screencap plz......i cant wait any longer to watch ep 13 :-)

[taizhu]

I am completely freaked.

As ruthless as SaWoo was charging through the compound (and I'm truly chilled by how cold-blooded he was), it almost feels like a kid's game compared to the way Baek San off'ed the doctor.

*deep breath*

I'll try & provide a summary as soon as I can. In the meantime, thanks, taizhu, for the recap. Will probably use yours as a springboard (and clear up a couple of things).

thanks so much joynara about improving my recap--and I want to agree with you about your comment. I was squirming the entire end of the episode and HJ cry of grief was exactly what I was feeling. It was truly chilling

I am truly impressed by the direction this drama took (even though this was a really harrowing episode). The writers/PD did not shy away from the ugly realities of the situation these characters find themselves in. There were no easy heroics.

[holden]

MU Link

IRIS.E13.091125.HDTV.X264.450p-HAN

IRIS.E13.091125.HDTV.XViD-HAN