[Drama 2009 Movie 2010] IRIS 아이리스

[Guest gwapa_ko]

Any news about IRIS 2?

[rubie]

May 5, 2011

IRIS airing in Vietnam starting May 5, info from article at www32.24h.com.vn, thanks to the highlight by youyo712 at twitter and bityxu at KSY thread for the gist.

[Guest Aice 29]

Okay, I finished this drama about eight hours ago and I just cannot stop thinking about it. I watched the entire series on hulu(the videos are really good quality there!) and everything in the drama just resonated with me( the chemistry of the cast, the powerful acting, beautiful OST, the twisty plot, picturesque settings,etc.) . i'm really picky with k-dramas but I feel this show will be one of my favorites for some time. Sure, there were some holes and ridiculous moments which you have to view with a suspension of disbelief. the whole mall segment didn't seem right. the terrorists got the hostages to pretend to be them?! I have to watch that part again.And I don't understand why T.O.P. was the one who killed Yeon Gi Hoon ( the NK party commiteeman). Why did he shoot him? Also, was Seung Hee the forbidden fruit Baek San was referring to? Overall, though, i believe Iris deserves all the success it's gotten/getting.

Regarding the ending...I read a spoiler beforehand by accident about the ending so I wasn't shocked or devastated as some other posters were...well, I read a comment a person wrote on a website speculating that Hyun Jun didn't actually...you know. So,I was basically waiting for him to be____ and just took the ending for what it is when it happened, an open-ended mystery. Byung-hun is rumored to be in the sequel, so who knows what happened next? The writers may not know themselves.

I know many viewers wanted a happy ending but honestly I don't know how the characters could rest or relax when IRIS was definitely not over. Hyun Jun knew that there were still members in existence and they would be pissed at him for all the casualties he has taken from the organization. There were bound to be repercussions. It's like terrorism in real life. Osama may be dead but his followers, etc. will continue his work. And seriously, any time either Seung Hee or Hyun Jun even mentions the word vacation, you just know something's going to go down. Maybe, this means Seung Hee and Hyun Jun being together was not meant to be?... Good, I'm more of a Hyun Jun and Sun Hwa shipper anyway lol. I liked Sun Hwa with either HJ or Chul Young. She was an awesome lady : ). I was disappointed when i heard her character was different in the movie and she was the one responsible for what happened to Hyun Jun in that version. That really made me go wtf when I found out because Sun Hwa loved Hyun Jun and risked her life for him but movie version of her may have portrayed their story in another way? However,in Japan, when Sun Hwa said she could not return to NK without killing him, Hyun Jun did say to Sun Hwa, " Then kill me. But not now. I've something to do. You can kill me after that." foreshadowing maybe? Okay, I'm getting carried away now hehe. I can go on and on about my thoughts on this drama since it's still really fresh in my mind but I'll refrain for the time being.

[rubie]

Hi Aice 29, welcome to the thread and thanks very much for the personal recap. I do agree that IRIS had been quite a roller-coaster ride when it was airing.. the good (acting).. the bad (writing).. the weird (loopholes) of the plot, all in all.. I guess.. makes it an unforgettable series. Highly-criticized and whatnots, the performance surely did not fail despite the yoyo-consistency of the writers.

Although I've actually exhausted myself talking about IRIS.. and yet like moths to the light, can't help myself reading fans' recaps and reviews.. and occasionally getting exhausted again when such terrible twist took the story down a different plunge (i.e movie plot). But yes.. while there were and still are constant rumors that Lee Byunghun might return to do the sequel (as what?! cameo in comatose state?).. the idea is actually diminishing by the minute because the actor himself will be busy filming other projects and it's not just him with a tight schedule. The IRIS production had made it sounded that the cast would return for the sequel but to spend another 10 months filming on the spot, it's such an imaginative plan at best. LBH had actually declined returning to IRIS 2 and if this decision stays (hope so!), there is really nothing much left for the sequel. Yes, IRIS the organization is still around.. Baeksan is still alive and kicking but it'll still be another roundabout torture time for Hyunjun for messing up the so-called forbidden fruit. He still didn't get the point (and Seunghee wouldn't give up Baeksan or IRIS either) despite going through hell on earth.. twice. Whatever for.

Nonetheless Taewon had came up with another plot of revenge altogether to keep their dream of the sequel burning bright. I'm not sure if you've seen or heard or read about Athena, the ill-fated spin-off of IRIS 2. Kim Sun Hwa had appeared as cameo in the series. And true to the conspiracy plot (as in making her someone else like in the movie).. a different Sunhwa is now the bait for IRIS 2. She had a new life in New Zealand and now with her seeking revenge for the killing of her hubby+baby.. it is hoped to be the kickstart for IRIS 2. Admittedly I am biased.. and I'm a Hyunjun-Sunhwa fan. With such an 180deg plot turnaround.. it's a matter of time that IRIS 2 (if it's indeed being planned).. repeating the same fate as the ambitious Athena.

However.. considering that Taewon had already announced that IRIS 2 will be aired in October 2011 (though no new updates of any cast returning, etc) .. we will just have to wait and see what happens. By now, the production is very adept in adjusting the storyline to fit the sticky movie, spin-off and sequel situation.

Btw.. do share more your drama thoughts here or if you like, at Kim So Yeon thread (link on my banner) for more HJ-Sunhwa moments. ^^

ps: Yeon Gi Hoon was killed because he had been exposed as the NK IRIS.. and in order to keep him quiet, TOP was ordered to terminate the general.

[Guest daragon0429]

Thanks so much to this thread! BTW, I noticed that PART 2 of Episode 6 (in the mediafire folder) is missing... could someone please reupload it?

thankies so much.... :3

[Guest gwapa_ko]

I really hope Kim Min Jong will be casted for IRIS 2. He played a North Korean agent in Athena. I soo love him there. Sunhwa and Min Jong kicking NK but*s I think both of them would be a great a pair plus Kim Seung Woo. I really hope these three will be casted again in IRIS 2.

[Guest daragon0429]

Isn't Athena Iris 2? Hmm that's what I know..

[rubie]

Isn't Athena Iris 2? Hmm that's what I know..

Athena was the SPIN-OFF of IRIS.

[Guest gwapa_ko]

Yeah, Athena isn't IRIS 2 it's just a spin-off but they are set in the same universe that's the reason of the crossovers of Park Chul Woong and Kim Seonhwa in Athena.

[rubie]

June 24, 2011

Korean wave is shaking up North Korea

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

The Korean wave has been sweeping the world from Southeast Asia to Europe and further to South America. This is no exception in North Korea. The wave has been confirmed to have been creeping into the country believed to be impenetrable.

“South Korean thrillers, IRIS and Athena are very popular there,” said Free North Korea Radio.

“The hair style of actress Song Hye-gyo from the soap opera, All In, is in vogue in Pyongyang, but the North Korean authorities are reinforcing its regulations,” said Daily NK.

News outlets handling news about North Koreans are delivering reports on the South Korean wave in the North through sources from the reclusive country.

Kang Dong-wan, professor of international relations at Dong-a University in Busan and professor Park Joung-ran from the Institute for Peace and Unification Studies affiliated with Seoul National University, have published a book, “Korean Wave, Shaking Up North Korea.” The book says, “North Korean citizens are admiring South Korea with the illusion of lives of it”.

According to the book, South Korean visual media is being distributed not only to the border province of North Hamgyeong, but also to the other nine southern provinces including Pyongyang and South Hwanghae Province.

The book is based on research with in-depth interviews of 33 defectors from nine provinces in North Korea. The research results emphasize that talk of the Korean wave is not exaggerated. It turned out 50 percent of defectors enjoyed South Korean visual media more than once a week before they fled to the South.

As South Korean movies and soap operas are becoming popular, entertainers from the programs are too. Daily NK, a specialist paper on North Korea, reported last March that “Two top popular TV hosts in the South, Kang Ho-dong and Yoo Jae-suk, were also famous in the North.” It also said that both would become ‘MCs of the Korean Peninsula.’ DVDs of entertainment programs, such as “Two Days and One Night” and “X-man” hosted by Kang and “Infinity Challenge” by Yoo, are selling well.

It was sailors who played significant roles in spreading South Korean Wave to the communist society. The book says that in mid-1990, the period of its worst economic hardship, North Korean sailors frequently crossed the border to Chinese towns to get food. During their visits, they were able to obtain DVDs and CDs from the South.

The book said that sales of South Korean DVDs make a good profit. This has prompted North Korea’s Workers Party members to jump into the business, also helping the Korean wave become prevalent in the North.

“South Korean visual media is another window of what North Koreans see the outside world through,” said professor Kang.

[Guest gwapa_ko]

I asked @KBS_drama about IRIS 2 and this is her reply:

아이리스2에 관련된 이야기는 아직 결정 된 것이 없으므로 말씀을 드릴 수가 없습니다^^

"anything related to iris2 aren't confirmed yet so we can't disclose anything yet either."

[Guest PMYLMH143]

I asked @KBS_drama about IRIS 2 and this is her reply:

아이리스2에 관련된 이야기는 아직 결정 된 것이 없으므로 말씀을 드릴 수가 없습니다^^

"anything related to iris2 aren't confirmed yet so we can't disclose anything yet either."

i hope IRIS 2 will push through. This time i will watch it on KBSw.

[rubie]

Source: Innolife,net / INSIDE JoongAng Daily

June 3, 2010

A peaceful riverside path for summer cyclists

By Lee Jeong-bong [estyle@joongang.co.kr]

At one riverside cafe, riders get a discount for wearing their helmets.

The Han River is home to several grand bridges connecting the northern and southern sides of the city. In the midst of these large structures, one small bridge seems to stand out.

Gwangjingyo is one of the most attractive bridges along the river and seems to beckon passersby to traverse its broad pathway during sunny afternoons such as the ones we are having these days. Construction of the bridge started in 1934 during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) and was completed in 1936.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1997 due to the rapid increase in traffic and various natural disasters and reopened with four car lanes in 2003. Last year, the government made it more people-oriented by reducing the number of car lanes to two and widening the sidewalk for pedestrians.

To fully enjoy this part of town, start at Cheonho Park and walk along the Gwangjin Bridge. The walk leading from the park through the Cheonho tool market is obstructed by construction of bicycle-only sidewalks, which has left less space for the cars squeezed onto the already crowded market streets. The best way to get to the bridge is to walk from the park, passing the Cheonho 2-dong Community Center. Then, go through the gap between Kia Motors and a cell phone store and take a right at Geoseong Supermarket, where you will see a quiet and empty street. Walk about 300 meters (984 feet) and turn right to go 200 meters more, and the southern end of the bridge will start coming into sight.

The bridge’s pedestrian walkway is wider than most would expect. Since the speed limit is set to 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour), there is no need to fear speeding cars rushing by as you enjoy every part of the Gwangjin Bridge experience. On the eastern part of the bridge, there is a bicycle-only track. Bicycles can be rented at Gwangnaru Bike Park, which can be reached by walking about 300 meters from the northern end of the bridge. The rental cost is 3,000 won ($3.00) per bicycle per hour. Two-person bicycles are also available to rent for 6,000 won per hour.

Also along the eastern part of the bridge, there is an observation deck as well as a resting spot called River View 8th Avenue. This observatory is the only one in Korea to be built underneath the bridge and is famous as one of the locations featured in the hit KBS drama “IRIS.” Also underneath the bridge, there is an exhibition and performance hall made out of glass. People can enjoy the artwork of Korean artists in the exhibition hall while feeling the thrill of seeing the river underneath their feet through the glass.

On the northeast end of the bridge, there is a bicycle-themed cafe called Velomano. The cafe has a special parking spot for bicycles and offers a 500-won discount to riders wearing their bicycle helmets.

Going away from the Gwangjin Bridge, there is a tree-lined street with lush ginkgo trees near the Gwangjang-dong Hyundai Apartment complex that is well worth visiting after your bike ride. The third and eighth buildings of the apartment complex have long lanes with rows of ginkgo trees, where a ginkgo picking festival is held every fall. Although the area itself is narrow, the secluded and tranquil atmosphere provides a good place for an afternoon walk. The area around building No. 8 is particularly striking. The 300-meter lane is bordered by a line of metasequoias that are over 20 meters tall.

There are two ways to get to the apartment complex from the northern end of the bridge. For a direct route, turn left at the Gwangjin District Citizens’ Sports Center, past Gwangnaru Station, and head toward the Olympic Road.

The second and more recommended path is to travel along the riverside road. You will find the road near the northern end of the bridge. Walk up the path that leads to Olympic Road and you will encounter another road that goes to Gwangnam Middle and High School. Follow the road into the school and you will soon come upon the tree-lined streets of the apartment complex.

The concrete and glass of the apartment buildings seem a little out of place amidst the grandeur of the trees. But if you take a moment to sit on one of the benches under the trees, with the sun dappling the ground through the leaves, you aren’t likely to notice.

[rubie]

August 8, 2011

Seoul shows its dramatic side

Korean dramas and a few scenic filming locations

By Michelle Kang [michyk@sba.seoul.kr] Contributing writer Korea JoongAng Daily

The observatory at Dream Forest in Gangbuk District, northeastern Seoul, is one of the locations where “IRIS” was shot.

A popular watercooler conversation in Korea involves dissecting the latest television dramas and guessing at the locales featured in previous episodes. And as Korean dramas gain traction around the globe, bolstered by great writing and beautiful locations, foreign viewership has increased. Even if your Korean is not good enough to follow the dialogue, it’s worthwhile to watch them for the locations in which they are shot, especially if you are living here and can see the places for yourself.

Here are a few dramas and their locations to get you started.

“The Greatest Love” & Choonwondang Museum

“The Greatest Love” aired earlier this year. The plot follows Gu Ae-jung (Kong Hyo-jin), who was a member of the fictional girl band National Treasure Girls that was popular 10 years ago. Now seen as washed up, Ae-jung is desperate to appear on any program to make a living. One day she meets a top star, Dok Go-jin (Cha Seung-won), by chance and overhears that he bribed a famous director to get a leading role in a Hollywood movie.

When Ae-jung unintentionally reveals the secret on a TV show, the two begin a tangled relationship. Meanwhile, Pil-ju, a doctor of Eastern medicine, appears on a dating program. He has no interest in the entertainment industry, but finds himself attracted to Ae-jung, one of his dating partners on the show. One of the backdrops of the drama was the Choonwondang Museum of Korean Medicine in Jongno District, central Seoul. This museum and clinic stand in for the site where Pil-ju sees his patients and dreams of Ae-jung.

Choonwondang Museum of Korean Medicine

The Choonwondang Museum is a traditional medicine clinic that also houses a museum of artifacts related to Korean medicine. In its 160-year history, the clinic has been run by the same family, most of whom are professional Eastern medicine doctors. With its transparent glass walls, the museum’s facade is surprisingly modern. The clinic boasts long-rooted but innovative facilities such as a medicine manufacturing lab and a pesticide control room.

The museum, located on the fifth floor, displays various medicinal tools and other cultural assets. The items found here include acupuncture needle cases, herb grinders, herb mortars and decocters (tools that extract medicine by boiling herbs) used during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Some 150 artifacts are on display, including silver spoons used to detect poisons, surgical tools, porcelain and celadon medicine cups, as well as maps of the human body’s energy pathways showing the pressure points to stimulate with acupuncture needles. Don’t skip the medicinal product manufacturing room on the third floor. In this room, patients can actually watch how the medicine they will take is being made.

Go to Jongno 3-ga Station, line No. 3, exit 3. Walk down the street to the Piccadilly Theater and turn left. The museum is about 100 meters away, before Chodong Church. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. Admission is 2,000 won ($1.90) for adults and 1,000 won for children.

“IRIS” & Dream Forest

“IRIS” is a drama from 2009 that has enjoyed enormous international popularity. With a huge budget of $17 million, the drama was filmed not only in Korea’s capital, but also in locations around the world, including Hungary and Japan.

Two best friends, Kim Hyeon-jun (Lee Byung-Hun) and Jin Sa-woo (Jung Jun-ho), are recruited into the National Security System, Korea’s intelligence agency. Even though they have to compete against each other to become the top agent, their friendship deepens. Unfortunately, they both fall in love with Choi Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee), another agent at NSS.

Hyeon-jun is sent to Hungary on a mission, but it turns out he has been trapped in a conspiracy set up by a military organization called IRIS, which is aimed at deterring the reunification of the two Koreas. While Hyeon-jun tries to outwit IRIS, Sa-woo receives an order from the NSS to kill his best friend. “IRIS” is action-packed, combining romance, suspense and an evolving conspiracy.

Among the local filming locations, one public park is worthy of notice: Dream Forest in northern Seoul. The observatory in the park is where Hyeon-jun secretly meets with the South Korean president.

Actor Kim Seung-woo looks out over the river from this steel structure, which sits over at the Han River

near the Hannam Bridge and became famous after it appeared in “IRIS.”Provided by Taewon Entertainment

Dream Forest

If you are looking for nature in the midst of your hectic urban life, Dream Forest is a great option. Once a theme park, Dream Forest has been renovated into a green park providing facilities and cultural activities.

An iconic landmark in the park is the observatory. To get there, you need to take the elevator from the Art Center. Unlike conventional elevators, this one runs on a diagonal. The angle changes from 16 degrees to 21 degrees in the middle of the track, and to reach the top it takes one minute to run the total distance of 67 meters. With an altitude of 139 meters, the observatory overlooks northern Seoul, with a panoramic view of Bukhan, Dobong and Surak mountains. The observatory is only open on weekends. The elevator and surrounding buildings are covered with photos of scenes from “IRIS.”

Dream Forest Park also offers cultural events at the Art Center, five botanic gardens and ecological programs befitting its image as a beautifully restored ecofriendly park.

Go to Mia Samgeori Station, line No. 4, exit 1, or Suyu Station, line No. 4. exit 3. From Mia Samgeori Station, take bus No. 9 or 11. From Seoul Station, lines 1 and 4, take bus No. 149 to Dream Forest.

“Personal Taste,” Rakkojae and Kring

“Personal Taste” is a convivial love story that aired last year.

Park Gae-in (Son Ye-jin), a furniture designer, is clumsy at everything, including love. She lives in a modernized hanok (traditional Korean house) designed by her architecture professor father that is closed to the public. This all-thumbs girl is dating Han Chang-ryeol (Kim Ji-seok), director of a prestigious construction company, but he is cheating on Gae-in with her roommate and even planning a marriage behind her back.

Meanwhile, Chang-ryeol is competing against Jeon Jin-ho (Lee Min-ho) to win a contract with the Dam Art Center. To win the project, Jin-ho wants to know more about the hanok, a construction style the Dam Art Center director has a deep affection for. It just so happens that Gae-in is looking for a roommate, and Jin-ho pretends to be gay in order to move in with her and dig up the architecture secrets. At the same time, the DAC director, who actually is gay, finds himself attracted to Jin-ho.

Kring art gallery, in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, was frequented by the main characters in “Personal Taste.”By Michelle Kang

Rakgojae

Rakgojae (Sanggojae in the drama) is the hanok in the drama series. Meaning “a place to enjoy tradition,” Rakgojae is a hanok guest house in Gye-dong, Jongno District, that offers a glimpse of the lifestyle of Joseon-era scholars. Renovated by master carpenter Chung Young-jin, a Korean human cultural asset, the traditional house incorporates fine art, music, dance and poetry, which guests can sample through colorful cultural programs such as a tea ceremony, ink-and-wash painting lessons, Korean musical instrument lessons and kimchi-making classes.

Go to Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 2. Walk toward the Board of Audit and Inspection. Turn into the alley in front of the Jaedong Building and walk for another five minutes.

Kring

Kring is a new cultural landmark in Gangnam. This creative cultural space showcases a variety of arts ranging from architecture and fashion to installations and digital art. The unique facade of the building is itself a large-scale urban sculpture. Circles are a theme throughout the building, but the front wall is reminiscent of stereo speakers, hinting at the name of the building. “Kring” means “circle” in Dutch.

The Atrium and Art Square on the first floor are open galleries, decorated with sculptures and installations by young artists. Kring Cinema contributes to art advocacy by offering independent and noncommercial films, with all the proceeds from ticket sales contributed to developing artistic movies in Korea. At night, Kring’s facade is lit with colorful lights, brightening the whole area.

Go to Samsung Station, line No. 2, exit 3. Walk straight about 200 meters and Kring is on your right.

The next time you’re sitting on the couch watching TV, check out some Korean programs. If the story doesn’t have you hooked, if the beautiful actors and actresses aren’t enough, check out the locations and you can tell your friends you’ve been there. They will likely be impressed.

[rubie]

November 17, 2009

Like the Fashion in IRIS? Not just a drama, but a trendsetter

by KewlMin785 allkpop.com l visitkorea.or.kr l macosadamas.com l 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l auctions.yahoo.co.jp

“If you build it, he will come” is the memorable quote from the movie Field of Dreams. In the case of KBS’ new drama IRIS, the phrase should be changed to: “If you show it, they will buy.”

Companies who have had their products such as shoes, clothes, and/or accessories recently featured in the hit drama have seen their sales increase drastically since the show’s airing. IRIS is receiving sponsorship from over 40 different fashion brands including Replay, Cartier, Emporio Armani, Nina Ricci, etc.

An example of a brand whose had huge success with product placement is Korean domestic jewelry brand, Macos Adamas. The company recently featured a necklace, which Lee Byung Hun wore on multiple episodes of IRIS; the necklace (~$168) since then has been sold out. Macos Adamas has also seen the sales for the “iron cross ring,” (~$150) which Big Bang’s T.O.P wore for the second episode increase six fold since the airing.

Consumers have also been clamoring for high-end luxury goods featured on IRIS. A representative for Chaumet has stated that interest in the Chaumet Dandy Chrono Steel watch (~$6,700), worn by Jung Jun Ho since the fourth episode, has increased three times.

This consumer demand for anything and everything IRIS-related has been dubbed the “IRIS Syndrome” by the people. A show that entertains and sets trends at the same time.

[rubie]

September 8, 2011

IRIS 아이리스

by artstarr HELLO KOREAN

Source via Nate

It’s been almost a week now that I have finished watching Iris and I needed these few days to clear my mind. It only took me a week to watch the whole show. I hadn’t felt that engaged with a TV show since Lost. It was so good …until it wasn’t anymore.

There were a lot of things that made Iris an instant hit with me, so much so that I had to watch several episodes in a row. The main reason was Lee Byung-hun. I knew him from I saw the Devil, where his character was pretty one dimensional. In the first episodes of Iris, he showed different sides: strong, romantic, funny and definitely sexy. We were on to a good start.

I don’t care much about romance when it comes to action movies/shows because most of the time it ruins the pace, but I could tell that the focus would be less on the romance than the strain it puts on two of of the main characters: Kim Hyun Jun (played by Lee Byung-hun) and Jin Sa Woo (played by Jung Joon-ho). Nothing like aiming a gun at your best friend to spice things up.

All the relationships in this drama were interesting, but often not developed enough. Even though I felt Cho Seung hee was a very weak character (she is meant to be the team leader but is walked on by everybody), I still liked the idea of her and Hyun-jun ending up together. Yet, my favorite relationship of the show was between Hyun-jun and Kim Seon Hwa (played by Kim So Yun), especially the whole part in Akita. I felt they shared a lot in common. Losing everything is not the best common ground to start a romantic relationship, but I was glad that friendship and trust were able to grow between them. The fact that Kim Seon Hwa remained silent even after she knew Cho Seung hee to be alive is almost endearing. She was the best female character of the show and Kim So Yun was the best female actress by far. I would have liked to know more about her.

Another character I would have liked to learn more about was the very mysterious Vick (Thanks to Iris, a new obsession with all things T.O.P. has sprung in me). So mysterious is he that you learn nothing about him even after his death. Seriously, what’s the point? So much could have been done with a formidable hit man who looks underage and sounds foreign to me (it’s not until I googled T.O.P. that I realised he was Korean and not American). Vick should have led Hyun-Jun to Mr. Black. That brings me to the main story.

The main plot was about a secret organisation, Iris, trying to create a war between North and South Korea. If not novel, it’s at least a great background for trust, doubt and betrayal to thrive. I have seen this done very well before in some seasons of Alias and 24, but Iris had the advantage of talking about a conflict I rarely hear about. While I feel the description of North Korea in the show was akin to propaganda, all characters were dealt with equally when it came to making good or bad choices.

Iris was (and maybe still is, I don’t know) the most expensive Korean drama and that showed. Every episode looked like it could be a feature movie. Each was shot on location from Hungary to Japan. That made the plot even more believable. The pace, the action and the whole look of Iris reminded me a lot of Alias. I loved Alias till the bitter end, but I felt Iris could succeed where Alias failed: with one contained season, everything would get resolved in the end. I would know who all the people in Iris are and they would get killed/arrested. Each episode ended on a cliffhanger, but each new one was also full of revelations and the plot was always moving forward. So I put all my trust into the writers.

But for me Iris ended after episode 17. In my alternative world, there would be a perfect episode 18 where all is revealed and all ends well. Instead I got three terrible episodes. First plot-wise, I just couldn’t care about whether the North/South Korea summit was going to happen or not. I have limits. The hostage situation in the shopping center? I do not care about a situation that makes me learn nothing about Iris! Even Sa Woo’s death was a bit of a slapdash job. He could have had a better dying speech.

But I have bigger problems than that. The terrorists who killed Sa Woo and then were killed by Hyun Jun were actually...the hostages. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. (Same happened to me with their non-explanation on how Seung Hee escaped the car before it blew up and how she never questioned Sa Woo about that.) Really Iris writers? This marked the beginning of the end in terms of believable plot. The writers needed the terrorists one more time to be there at the summit so we could see whether Seung Hee was a terrorist, as if that was even a remote possibility. We have seen her alone crying over Hyun Jun and trying to save him and suddenly, there is a chance she is the enemy? Please!

So what do you do when you are a writer of a drama and you have already ruined the last three episodes? Kill the main character of course! I was shell-shocked (i.e. I cried) by Hyun Jun’s sudden death on his way to propose to Seung Hee. I felt that after 20 hours spent following terrorist plot after terrorist plot I deserved a bit of happiness, in the shape of the main couple who fought through everything to get back together to end up happy. Alas, not only did Hyun Jun got killed, but no one tells me who did it or why (I have read spoilers about the movie that was released and I don’t even want to see it or talk about it).

What disappointed me the most though, even more than Hyun Jun’s death, was the lack of resolution when it comes to Iris, the secret organisation. Who is Mr. Black? It’s as if the writers decided that wasn’t important at all or worth such a huge amount of money that they could do a spin-off and a whole second series before solving anything. For me, unless Hyun Jun is not dead and Lee Byung Hun comes back for Iris 2, I am done.

[Guest kim_calvz]

do you have the link of medium file size?

[Guest lucky21]

omg, really good drama.

I first watched athena cause I couldn't find an online stream but recently this series has been added to crunchies drama section so i watched it in almost hd quality online.

Tbh, this didn't have as much action nor "realistic" or should i say physics in movements especially with the swat/nss tactical team I mean seriously the way they moved around and approached their enemies was jokes so it kinda lacked the real fundamentals of a special force team.

Romance in this drama was what kept it going while the main character had to struggle for survival and redeeming himself.

The ending was so unexpected, until when the music stopped as the car was in the highway. I thought to myself "hmm, why is there so much scenes with the main character driving around." and at that moment I thought to myself as a joke "okay he's car is gonna explode or something bad is going to happen." And just like that once the ost music stopped a couple sec later after the car was moving through curve BAM sniper shot.. I am still sorrow from this scene I MEAN WTF MOMENT!!! WHY!?!?! WHY WHY did it have to happen, worst part is that the IRIS 2 that "was" supposed to be released a month ago hasn't even been released. So I can't tell what is really going on.

I read numerous forum topics saying that IRIS 2 will only expand on mr.black and the previous nss director and not about kimtae hee and the main char (sorry i keepy forgeting his name). So that kinda pissed me off if it turns out to be true.

Athena was good but this drama is THE BEST drama i've watched. If the ending was happy for this drama it would have been perfect for me but I'm sure most other don't care or just wanted it to end bad or knew it will.

I'm wondering thought is the IRIS movie kinda not real to this drama? The ending of the movie doesn't make any sense, if the girl had died trying to save the main character the night where they were suppose to do the summit her mission would have failed, another is the DPR previous army leader who died from Vick, how is he still alive at the end in the IRIS movie???

What pisses me off the most is that kim tae hee (her character) couldn't see the car or even hear a sniper shot from all the way where she was and was all happy D=.

My heart is in pain still after last night and wish this feeling was gone .

Anyways awesome drama I recommend it to everyone, I would have never watched it if I didn't watch City Hunter because it was so popular on many forums/streaming sites. Athena was good too but IRIS is just a thriller roaller coaster to the max that will drive you nuts.

I'm kinda new to korean drams even though I have watched atleast over 10 but I came to conclusion that drama series in the sense that Korean industry makes them is superb. It's basically a long movie split into episodes that last minimum of 18-20 hours or more depending on how long the series is.

Thanks :)

[rubie]

^

lucky21.. that's a wonderful review & recap of IRIS, thanks for sharing with the thread your thoughts about the drama.

There hasn't been any English translation on the article.. so, hopefully this online gist will do for now.

December 4, 2011

Candy Kiss voted #1 as Best & Unique TV Kiss most copied by others

Source: Nate l gist by EverythingLBH.com

Related segment on Youtube

Survey result that was shown on MBC's Section TV Entertainment program aired on December 4 listed the best unique kisses as follows.

1. Lee Byung Hun-Kim Tae Hee (Candy Kiss in IRIS)

2. Hyun Bin-Ha Ji Won (foam kiss in Secret Garden)

3. Choi Jae Sung-Chae Si Ra (barbed wire kiss in Eyes of Dawn)

4. Cha Seung Won-Gong Hyo Jin (car-window kiss in Best Love)

5. Gong Yoo-Yoon Eun Hye (boy-"boy" kiss in Coffee Prince)

6. Lee Seo Jin-Kim Jung Eun (Lovers)

7. Lee Seon Kyun-Gong Hyo Jin (eyelid kiss in Pasta)

8. Daniel Choi-Hwang Jung Eum (scarf kiss in High Kick through the Roof)

9. Kim Rae Won-Soo Ae (underwater kiss in Thousand Days' Promise)

10. Park Si Hoo-Kim Nam Joo (Queen of Reversal)

[rubie]

December 12, 2011

From candy kiss to foam, gum and kimchi kiss

Source: Nate via Hancinema.et

The kiss between Sin Ha-gyoon and Choi Jeong-won in the KBS 2TV drama "Brain" is lingering in people's minds.

Neurosurgery specialist Kang-hoon (Sin Ha-gyoon) asked his junior staff Ji-hye (Choi Jeong-won) "Do you like me?" to which she replied, "Can't I like you?" and this led to him pulling her into a kiss. There was gum on her face and he took it off with a light kiss and then continued to a long and deep kiss.

There have been many different types of kisses using different props lately. What other kiss scenes are there?

◇ "IRIS" Lee Byeong-Heon and Kim Tae-hee's 'candy kiss'

The most dramatically used prop of all was definitely from KBS 2TV drama "IRIS". Lee Byeong-Heon and Kim Tae-hee had exchanged feelings for each other in Japan and shared a candy in their mouths while they kissed.

In the third episode of "IRIS" in November of 2009, Hyeon-joon (Lee Byeong-Heon) and Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee) gave back and forth to each other a candy as a White Day present.

As Seung-hee was expecting a gift but didn't get any from Hyeon-joon, she was very disappointed. He then passed on the candy in his mouth to hers. This scene created numbers of parodies and many more 'OO kisses' after that.

◇ "Secret Garden" foam kiss by Hyeon Bin and Ha Ji-won

The next kiss of issue was Hyeon Bin and Ha Ji-won's 'cappuccino foam kiss'.

In the SBS drama "Secret Garden" last December, when Ha Ji-won had foam on her lips after drinking her cappuccino and didn't wipe it off, Joo-won (Hyeon Bin) scolded Ha Ji-won saying, "What's wrong with women? They don't do that when they're by themselves". Then he held her chin and wiped the foam off her lips with his. Shocked, she asked, "What are you doing?" to which he casually replied, "You can't wipe it off with your sleeves".

This 'foam kiss' was parodied by many such as Yoo In-na and Kim Seong-oh, Big Bang Top and G-Dragon, Kim Tae-won and Yoon Hyeong-bin and many more in dramas and entertainment programs. Recently KBS 2TV "1 Night 2 Days" Lee Seung-gi pretended he was La-im and made his own 'foam kiss by myself'.

◇ "All my Love" Yoon Doo-joon and Lizzy 'spoon kiss'

Doo-joon and Soon-seok (Lizzy) 'spoon kissed' in the MBC drama "All my Love" in April.

Soon-deok told Na-yeong that she kissed Doo-joon to not get her fake relationship blown up. When Na-yeong asked her where she did it and how, Soon-deok just said, "Have you heard of the 'spoon kiss'?"

However, this was only in her head. This was a parody of Hyeon Bin and Ha Ji-won's 'foam kiss' which was the two putting lips together with a spoon in between.

◇ "Lie to Me" Kang Ji-hwan and Yoon Eun-hye's 'Cola kiss'

SBS drama "Lie to Me" Ah-jeong (Yoon Eun-hye) was drunk and had to spend a night at Ki-joon's (Kang Ji-hwan) house. In the morning, he shook up a Cola bottle and handed it over to a very thirsty Ah-jeong.

She was surprised at the bottle that popped open and Ki-joon laughed like a menace. While joking around in the Cola, they suddenly kissed without saying who was first. Ah-jeong then softly said, "It's sweet" after the kiss, referring to the Cola.

However, the 'Cola kiss' wasn't as much of a big hit as the others for the drama ended in misery for lack of progress, messy layout, romance disregarding emotions, random character changes, replacing of writers in the middle of the drama and many more.

◇ "I Need Romance" Jo Yeo-jeong and Kim Jeong-hoon's 'foam kiss'

tvN drama "I Need Romance" Jo Yeo-jeong and Kim Jeong-hoon had a 'foam kiss'.

In-yeong (Jo Yeo-jeong) had broken up out of anger but let in and forgave Seong-soo (Kim Jeong-hoon) when he asked her to let him stay with her for one night. She shaved his moustache for him and the two shared a real 'foamy kiss'. They kissed for about 25 seconds with the shaving cream all over their faces.

◇ "Flower Boy Ramyun Shop" Jeong Il-woo and Lee Cheong-ah's 'kimchi kiss'

The most recent kiss of all was the 'kimchi kiss' from the twelfth episode of tvN drama "Flower Boy Ramyun Shop".

Making winter kimchi with Yang Eun-bi (Lee Cheong-ah), Chi-soo (Jeong Il-woo) asked her to give him kimchi herself when she gave everybody but him. Then he sucked on her marinated finger and said, "Needs more salt". As she tried to move away from her position he dragged her waist and kissed her on the cheek where there was sauce on it.

Netizen's who saw this said, "How could anyone make such a heart fluttering kiss scene while making kimchi?", "Candy kiss and foam kiss away", "It's a beautiful kiss scene without the smell of Kimchi" and more.

"Brain" promoter 3HW explains, "When there is a modifier with the word kiss like the 'stairs kiss', it tends to become a bigger issue than usual. By using things we see in everyday life as a prop for kissing, the attention drawn is more effective and viewing percentages rise for that moment".