[Drama 2019] Flower Crew: Joseon Matchmaking Maneuver Agency, 꽃파당 : 조선혼담공작소

[RPM]

 

 

 

 

[chuscho]

18 hours ago, lightbringer06 said:

@Jillia Oops.. that was me . My apologies...

 

Anyways, here's Ep 4 rating...

 

Thanks God, the percentage was increase even just a bit

[lightbringer06]

Ma Hoon is a smart cookie. He immediately put 1+1 together regarding Kim Soo. Surprisingly, I'm slowly starting to warm up to this drama. We finally see Ma Hoon's story about his brother and why he doesn't actually believe in love. For such a young age, that could indeed become very traumatic for him, esp. since it was her brother who brought and helped those couple together. 

 

I'm glad that Kim/Lee Soo finally starts to use the power he has as a king and finally accepted his fate as such. And this is where that synopsis of "king asks the matchmaker to make his love (Gae Ttong) a noble lady" comes. Looks like Ma Hoon is gonna be the first to fall first for Gae Ttong, and thus the conflict begins. Will he accept the king's request while in the process ends up falling for the girl?

 

I like how they build up Ma Hoon and Gae Ttong's relationship and I can see now the chemistry more. I mean, they even have chemistry both on and off the cam as seen in their behind the scene vids. I mean, look at this vid of them during their Elle photoshoot...

 

 

When Ma Hoon bought that red hair ribbon and put it on GT, I was kinda reminded of the red thread of fate? ..but only in the form of a ribbon..haha.. 

 

Oh, and that hug though in the preview. Ma Hoon is gonna have a heart attack if you do that to him, Gae Ttong-ie 

 

~~~~~~~~

 

 

@chuscho .. the ratings are pretty stable at 3 something percent since it's cable. It's like the average percentage. But yeah, a point increase is still a big thing ^^.

 

 

[rocher22]

It was a beautiful scene, but for a moment I thought  Joon

would do something crazy like Dong-mae in the drama ''mr. sunshine''. 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Okay guys, I'm warming up to this drama. I mean the editing is still a bit weird sometimes and I don't need the modern song cuts in it (except the nice nod to Mission Impossible during one of the BGMs)

 

I'm also very much warming up to Ma Hoon aka Kim Min Jae. Like his face is still PERFECTION and he is so torn between being the stoic yangban turned matchmaker and "What the heck is my heart doing when I look at Gae Ttong?"-Ma Hoon.

 

Like the little things he does (please don't tell me you didn't melt when he put that little step in front of Gae Ttong's room?). And that ribbon and you know... like I'm kinda on board now. Now we need Gae Ttong on board.

 

I know we're totally not there yet and of course Gae Ttong is still very much looking for Lee Soo. I also like we got an idea how she deals with the pain. She believes she is unlucky and is laughing but we now got a good amount of crying as well. I think she is dealing with being left like a human would sometimes: she is laughing in a situation when other people would cry. I totally get her. If you just cry how can you move on and DO something?

 

And of course we got the background story for Ma Hoon's relationship with his brother and his father. I like the drama isn't trying to sell it as a secret but explains it right away. Same goes for Gae Ttong, btw, from whom we got the background story as well.

 

As for Lee Soo, I have high hopes for his character to develope even further. It's very much realistic for him to want to be with Gae Ttong but at the same time he starts to think like a king and I feel he could be a good king. The question is how will this drama proceed in order for him to move on from Gae Ttong to being the king he is meant to be? Or maybe not.

 

I'm curious how Ma Hoon knows that Lee Soo is the king. I noticed he saw Lee Soo's "father" among the guards when he was escorted to Lee Soo. Other than that there is no way he was able to put 2 and 2 together. Or maybe the money which was paid was a hint to him? Nobody in the country would have that much money to pay double.

 

It's definitely going to be interesting.

 

[tinymel]

fluffy fun! to contrast with other current dramas I'm watching.

 

I am pleased that they aren't stretching any of the mysteries out. Makes me feel confident(eep, famous last words) that the writing isn't going to languish in the ep 10-12 portion of angst over mysterious backstories. Love angst I'm down for--love triangle being my all time favourite trope.

 

Any thoughts that we are going to have a "I need to teach you how to kiss" scene?

 

I'm disappointed that there won't be a girl for LS but v satisfied with out 2nd couple! cute!!!!

 

the flower crew still doesn't have me as convinced as Sungkyunkwan Scandal bromance but that was never going to be possible (SJK + YAI = forever OTP). 

[lightbringer06]

6 hours ago, rocher22 said:

It was a beautiful scene, but for a moment I thought  Joon

would do something crazy like Dong-mae in the drama ''mr. sunshine''. 

 

Ahaha.. I know that scene too. Well, this isn't as heavy as that so even if he does, I don't think it'll be that bad.

 

4 hours ago, Jillia said:

I'm curious how Ma Hoon knows that Lee Soo is the king. I noticed he saw Lee Soo's "father" among the guards when he was escorted to Lee Soo. Other than that their is no way he was able to put 2 and 2 together. Or maybe the money which was paid was a hint to him? Nobody in the country would have that much money to pay double.

 

I also think of the hairpin Kim Soo gave him that he returned. He recognized it's a hairpin only queens can have. Although he dismissed the idea by saying commoners can wear it during their wedding days. And when he was blindfolded as well, I think there's no other person who can do that other than the king, perhaps? I bet we'll see all that explained in the beginning of ep 5. And speaking of that blindfold, do they have to actually blindfold him? ha ha...

[raziela]

You know I was beginning to feel after episode 3 that this drama really should have picked one storyline: EITHER the blacksmith who finds out he is heir to the throne, forced to let go of everything he knows and become King OR the nobleman who defies society and his family to become a matchmaker but doesn't believe in love until he falls for his client.  Both could be a great starting point for a drama storyline. 

 

It just seemed in this drama both plot lines were existing in a vacuum separate from each other whilst simultaneously doing neither plot thread the full justice it deserved...BUT I have higher hopes after episode 4 now it It appears the two plots are going to intertwine and the original synopsis with Lee Soo asking Ma Hoon to help turn GT into a noble lady.

 

16 hours ago, lightbringer06 said:

Ma Hoon is a smart cookie. He immediately put 1+1 together regarding Kim Soo. Surprisingly, I'm slowly starting to warm up to this drama. We finally see Ma Hoon's story about his brother and why he doesn't actually believe in love. For such a young age, that could indeed become very traumatic for him, esp. since it was her brother who brought and helped those couple together. 

 

I'm glad that Kim/Lee Soo finally starts to use the power he has as a king and finally accepted his fate as such. And this is where that synopsis of "king asks the matchmaker to make his love (Gae Ttong) a noble lady" comes. Looks like Ma Hoon is gonna be the first to fall first for Gae Ttong, and thus the conflict begins. Will he accept the king's request while in the process ends up falling for the girl?

 

I like how they build up Ma Hoon and Gae Ttong's relationship and I can see now the chemistry more. I mean, they even have chemistry both on and off the cam as seen in their behind the scene vids. I mean, look at this vid of them during their Elle photoshoot...

 

7 hours ago, Jillia said:

Okay guys, I'm warming up to this drama. I mean the editing is still a bit weird sometimes and I don't need the modern song cuts in it (except the nice nod to Mission Impossible during one of the BGMs)

 

I'm also very much warming up to Ma Hoon aka Kim Min Jae. Like his face is still PERFECTION and he is so torn between being the stoic yangban turned matchmaker and "What the heck is my heart doing when I look at Gae Ttong?"-Ma Hoon.

 

Like the little things he does (please don't tell me you didn't melt when he put that little step in front of Gae Ttong's room?). And that ribbon and you know... like I'm kinda on board now. Now we need Gae Ttong on board.

 

I know we're totally not there yet and of course Gae Ttong is still very much looking for Lee Soo. I also like we got an idea how she deals with the pain. She believes she is unlucky and is laughing but we now got a good amount of crying as well. I think she is dealing with being left like a human would sometimes: she is laughing in a situation when other people would cry. I totally get her. If you just cry how can you move on and DO something?

 

And of course we got the background story for Ma Hoon's relationship with his brother and his father. I like the drama isn't trying to sell it as a secret but explains it right away. Same goes for Gae Ttong, btw, from whom we got the background story as well.

 

As for Lee Soo, I have high hopes for his character to develope even further. It's very much realistic for him to want to be with Gae Ttong but at the same time he starts to think like a king and I feel he could be a good king. The question is how will this drama proceed in order for him to move on from Gae Ttong to being the king he is meant to be? Or maybe not.

I agree with you both.  I really enjoy Ma Hoon's character, learning more of his backstory and watching him defrost around GT.  Kim Min Jae's acting and visuals are perfect and I'm glad to see his character fleshed out more this week.  I love how intelligent Ma Hoon is. He reminds me a bit of a less idiosyncratic Sherlock Holmes. 

 

GT is growing on me and I was glad that she regretted blowing up at MH at the end of ep. 3 because I also thought it was a bit of an overreaction. I was glad to see her breakdown this week because it was a realistic reaction rather than the happy-go-lucky, brash, slightly annoying facade she usually wears.

 

I'm looking forward to Lee Soo's development too now he is beginning to take his kingly role seriously and how this will co-exist alongside his feelings for Gae Ttong.  I hope we see him gain some more allies in the Palace besides his foster-father.  I want to see him share some more scenes with Gae Ttong as they have barely had a handful of scenes together.  Credit to Seo Ji hoon's acting who is really selling his love for GT even though the actors haven't had much screen time together.

 

I agree with @Jillia that I still have issues with some of the editing and as @luvtokki said I find the tone of the drama jarring in places as it jumps from serious drama to silliness and slapstick and back again but, overall, I quite enjoyed this week's episodes. 

 

5 hours ago, tinymel said:

the flower crew still doesn't have me as convinced as Sungkyunkwan Scandal bromance but that was never going to be possible (SJK + YAI = forever OTP). 

Same. I was anticipating bromance a la Sungkyunkwan Scandal the crew really don't have that chemistry or closeness so far.  It just feels like three very different co-workers who work together. I don't find either of the other Flower crew guys interesting or charismatic characters either in comparison to Ma Hoon. That might be a good thing because in Sungkyunkwan Scandal Song Joong Ki and Yoo Ah In charismatic characters totally eclipsed the male lead.

 

16 hours ago, lightbringer06 said:

.. the ratings are pretty stable at 3 something percent since it's cable. It's like the average percentage. But yeah, a point increase is still a big thing ^^.

I wonder if the ratings will be impacted at all by the The Joseon Romantic Comedy: Tale of Nok-Du.  It starts this coming Monday and it is also another Joseon romantic-comedy airing Mon-Tues in almost the same time slot.

[lightbringer06]

2 hours ago, raziela said:

You know I was beginning to feel after episode 3 that this drama really should have picked one storyline: either the blacksmith who finds out he is heir to the throne, forced to let go of everything he knows and become King OR the nobleman who defies society and his family to become a matchmaker but doesn't believe in love until he falls for his client.  Both could be a great starting point for a drama storyline. 

It just seemed in this drama both plot lines were existing in a vacuum separate from each other whilst simultaneously doing neither plot thread the full justice it deserved...BUT I have higher hopes after episode 4 now it It appears the two plots are going to intertwine and the original synopsis with Lee Soo asking Ma Hoon to help turn GT into a noble lady.

 

I agree with you both.  I really enjoy Ma Hoon's character, learning more of his backstory and watching him defrost around GT.  Kim Min Jae's acting and visuals are perfect and I'm glad to see his character fleshed out more this week.  I love how intelligent Ma Hoon is. He reminds me a bit of a less idiosyncratic Sherlock Holmes. 

 

I'm looking forward to Lee Soo's development too now he is beginning to take his kingly role seriously and how this will co-exist alongside his feelings for Gae Ttong.  I hope we see him gain some more allies in the Palace besides his foster-father.  I want to see him share some more scenes with Gae Ttong as they have barely had a handful of scenes together.  Credit to Seo Ji hoon's acting who is really selling his love for GT even though the actors haven't had much screen time together.

 

Same. I was anticipating bromance a la Sungkyunkwan Scandal the crew really don't have that chemistry or closeness so far.  It just feels like three very different co-workers who work together. I don't find either of the other Flower crew guys interesting or charismatic characters either in comparison to Ma Hoon. That might be a good thing because in Sungkyunkwan Scandal SJK and YAI charismatic characters totally eclipsed the male lead.

 

I wonder if the ratings will be impacted at all by the The Joseon Romantic Comedy: Tale of Nok-Du.  It starts this coming Monday and it is also another Joseon romantic-comedy airing Mon-Tues in almost the same time slot.

 

I feel the same way. When I was watching the scenes of Ma Hoon and Gae Ttong together, I somehow forgot about Kim Soo. And then when they showed Kim Soo, I then remembered he's still there.. ha ha. So like I said from my previous post, Kim Soo can stand alone as a different character or just like you said, it could have been a good separate storyline as well. But yeah, looks like next week, we'll finally come to see how both stories come together.

 

Kim Min Jae's acting is really amazing. I really admire these young/child actors nowadays. They've all grown up. He does really look like Yeo Jin Goo. But KMJ is more the cutely handsome guy while YJG is manly handsome. Even their voice really resembles each other's. Not to mention they're of the same age as well. YJG has now established himself as a lead man, so am happy to see KIm Min Jae finally recognized as a lead potential.

 

This. Probably why I felt that there's something lacking between him and Gae Ttong's so-called love for each other, since it seems like it's one sided (Soo's side only), esp. that it was said they've known each other for a long time, yet I didn't see it that way. Which is why I find GT's relationship with Ma Hoon, slowly and gradually developing, rather convincing compared to them.

 

For some reason, I also feel that it's a good thing there's no bromance here. Perhaps it's that chemistry that they lack, coz they do really seem more of like colleagues even though it looks like they've been together for quite a long time. Gae Ttong and Ma Hoon's is the only thing that I see chemistry with amongst the characters thus far. And maybe the secondary couple too. Their smiles here is sooo cute^^...

 

That is my concern as well , because I have been waiting for that one and it's in my dramalist, and I didn't expect them to actually air in the same time spot and even the same genre.. hehe.. I really want both to be successful in terms of ratings, though.

 

 

 

 

[RPM]

[anjelikaeyes13]

Okay so my baby Kim Min Jae is not anymore baby — he has proven so much so I will put him in my A list actors — the eyes, the voice, how he butterfly feelings, get flustered and get angry. Omy — the place reminds me of #HDMP but as expected from my baby he has gone to prove he can be a lead actor!  

[Guest]

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

I was wondering though... If Ma Hoon knows about Lee Soo's whereabouts and doesn't tell Gae Ttong it might lead to some tension between them in future episodes when she finds out.

[aznchic209]

5 hours ago, Jillia said:

 

  Hide contents

 

 

I was wondering though... If Ma Hoon knows about Lee Soo's whereabouts and doesn't tell Gae Ttong it might lead to some tension between them in future episodes when she finds out.

 

I’m now thinking about this also.. I’m thinking... what if he knew ever since Episode 2 when the slave told them that Lee Soo’s “dad” borrowed the horse and headed towards the PALACE.. and that’s why Ma Hoon has been insisting to GT ever since that Lee Soo isn’t coming back ever because he knows that Lee Soo won’t be able to come back... and he was just trying to protect GT from knowing the truth

[lightbringer06]

Behind the scenes 

 

 

 

[raziela]

On 9/26/2019 at 3:48 AM, lightbringer06 said:

 

I feel the same way. When I was watching the scenes of Ma Hoon and Gae Ttong together, I somehow forgot about Kim Soo. And then when they showed Kim Soo, I then remembered he's still there.. ha ha. So like I said from my previous post, Kim Soo can stand alone as a different character or just like you said, it could have been a good separate storyline as well. But yeah, looks like next week, we'll finally come to see how both stories come together.

 

Kim Min Jae's acting is really amazing. I really admire these young/child actors nowadays. They've all grown up. He does really look like Yeo Jin Goo. But KMJ is more the cutely handsome guy while YJG is manly handsome. Even their voice really resembles each other's. Not to mention they're of the same age as well. YJG has now established himself as a lead man, so am happy to see KIm Min Jae finally recognized as a lead potential.

 

This. Probably why I felt that there's something lacking between him and Gae Ttong's so-called love for each other, since it seems like it's one sided (Soo's side only), esp. that it was said they've known each other for a long time, yet I didn't see it that way. Which is why I find GT's relationship with Ma Hoon, slowly and gradually developing, rather convincing compared to them.

 

For some reason, I also feel that it's a good thing there's no bromance here. Perhaps it's that chemistry that they lack, coz they do really seem more of like colleagues even though it looks like they've been together for quite a long time. Gae Ttong and Ma Hoon's is the only thing that I see chemistry with amongst the characters thus far. And maybe the secondary couple too. Their smiles here is sooo cute^^...

 

That is my concern as well , because I have been waiting for that one and it's in my dramalist, and I didn't expect them to actually air in the same time spot and even the same genre.. hehe.. I really want both to be successful in terms of ratings, though.

 

Wow!  I love the way you colour-coded your response 

 

Yeah, like I said previously I wish they had made more of an effort to establish Soo and GT's relationship even with a few flashbacks about their past or something.  It just feels like GT doesn't care about Lee Soo half as much as he cares about her.  Even if she doesn't feel the same way romantically, he was the closest thing to family after losing her brother so would be nice to see more of their history, closeness and to see more affection on her part.

 

Just realised last episode that Ma Hoon is 25 so presumably the Flower Crew have been together for quite a few years. I thought they would be like childhood friends or something but they just seem like Ma Hoon's employees.

 

I hope the two dramas can co-exist in the same timeslot and neither ratings are impacted negatively.  I wasn't sure about  Tale of Nokdu but some of the supporting characters seem cool so I might try it out.

 

18 hours ago, Jillia said:

I was wondering though... If Ma Hoon knows about Lee Soo's whereabouts and doesn't tell Gae Ttong it might lead to some tension between them in future episodes when she finds out.

If that is the case I sense some juicy future conflict!  I am  also curious to see how Lee Soo's request is presented next week because it will rub me the wrong way if they make this deal behind GT's back without informing her.

 

16 hours ago, aznchic209 said:

I’m now thinking about this also.. I’m thinking... what if he knew ever since Episode 2 when the slave told them that Lee Soo’s “dad” borrowed the horse and headed towards the PALACE.. and that’s why Ma Hoon has been insisting to GT ever since that Lee Soo isn’t coming back ever because he knows that Lee Soo won’t be able to come back... and he was just trying to protect GT from knowing the truth

 He definitely is smart enough to have put the various clues together.

 

I love that smiling pic both @lightbringer06 and @Jillia posted.  It's so fun seeing Gae Ttong bring out that side of Ma Hoon.

[Guest]

 

There are actors who are perfect for sageuks and Kim Min Jae is one of them. Like his face.... HIS FACE!

Spoiler

 

I agree. I wouldn't like it at all if the "men" basically decide what to tell Gae Ttong and what not. I definitely think it's wrong of Lee Soo to bring Gae Ttong to the palace or a secret place like a concubine. I know he loves her and he is making decisions with his heart. But he doesn't take in consideration that Gae Ttong is already in danger and would probably not survive life in palace. But at the same time, she has the right to make her own choice. So I hope for the drama to make a smart decision there, writing-wise. (I was unable to tag you above my text, @raziela ).

@raziela

[Guest]

You know we can say a lot of about the editing in this drama and the not necessarily strong writing but the truth has been spoken in this scene by Ma Hoon:

Spoiler

Source: HERE (give this gif maker some love)

[mekeo117]

On 9/19/2019 at 2:11 AM, raziela said:

 

I agree with your observation about the different ways both men deal with GD's fear of the rain.  I liked seeing that subtle difference.

 

I saw this speculation on Twitter about her brother and I think they might be on to something...

 

I think the drama already reveal who is her brother  at Episode 4  .   its not the one that everyone speculate lol 

[raziela]

19 hours ago, Jillia said:

 

 

There are actors who are perfect for sageuks and Kim Min Jae is one of thm. Like his face.... HIS FACE!

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

I agree. I wouldn't like it at all if the "men" basically decide what to tell Gae Ttong and what not. I definitely think it's wrong of Lee Soo to bring Gae Ttong to the palace or a secret place like a concubine. I know he loves her and he is making decisions with his heart. But he doesn't take in consideration that Gae Ttong is already in danger and would probably not survive life in palace. But at the same time, she has the right to make her own choice. So I hope for the drama to make a smart decision there, writing-wise. (I was unable to tag you above my text, @raziela ).

@raziela

So....I'm guessing you like Kim Min Jae's face!

 

Agreed. Although I suppose that is accurate to Joseon attitudes toward women I really dislike the idea of the men making the decision for her.  Unless Gae Ttong has a birth secret too she can't be his  legitimate wife and Queen so they will be grooming her to be his concubine. It's obvious Palace life would not suit GT at all so I hope they give her choice in the matter.   Superficially, I am looking forward to seeing Gae Ddong dressed in pretty hanboks because the costume design for this drama is stunning.

 

I didn't make the connection before but this plot point is very My Fair Lady/Pygmalion.

 

17 hours ago, Jillia said:

You know we can say a lot of about the editing in this drama and the not necessarily strong writing but the truth has been spoken in this scene by Ma Hoon:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Source: HERE (give this gif maker some love)

 Thank you for the gif and link to the gif maker. 

 

To be honest, I wasn't really happy with how they handled this storyline: Ma Hoon's words are lovely but a Korean noblewoman pregnant with an illegitimate baby and marrying another man carrying someone else's child is very serious and could potentially get her and the baby killed.  They didn't follow through with her story so we have no idea what happened to her or her baby so I do wish they had chosen something a bit lighter (like the couple in ep3-4) to showcase Ma Hoon's skills of deduction.

 

9 hours ago, mekeo117 said:

 

I think the drama already reveal who is her brother  at Episode 4  .   its not the one that everyone speculate lol 

That was my post from last week.  I have already said in my post about episode 3 that speculation seemed to be incorrect.

 

1 hour ago, Lawyerh said:

I really enjoyed ep. 4. I thought the storyline was confusing at first. But I think I'm wrong, storyline is pretty good. The Ma Hoon past was quite touching. He has bitter experience to see couple pledging love, but when threatened the love crumbling. And his brother kind of died unnecessary. 

 

OTP was convincing too.. and quite heart fluttering. I thought the 2nd lead was sweet and I almost got SLS, but now im all with Ma Hoon 

Same with me!  I had second lead syndrome the first week but this second week I am now firmly on the Ma Hoon train (although I do still feel so bad for Lee Soo).

Thanks for sharing the gorgeous pictures.  They look really good together.

 

1 hour ago, Lawyerh said:

@Ameera Ali He always have flowers lol... Everytime he catch the girl fall, flowers petals will fall....

 

 The cheesy flower petals everytime he catches Gae Ttong from falling.

I prefer this cute jtbc promo video than last week's creepy one

[lightbringer06]

On 9/28/2019 at 12:01 AM, raziela said:

Wow!  I love the way you colour-coded your response 

 

Just realised last episode that Ma Hoon is 25 so presumably the Flower Crew have been together for quite a few years. I thought they would be like childhood friends or something but they just seem like Ma Hoon's employees.

 

I hope the two dramas can co-exist in the same timeslot and neither ratings are impacted negatively.  I wasn't sure about  Tale of Nokdu but some of the supporting characters seem cool so I might try it out.

 

HAHAHA.. for your easier read

 

I did feel that too. I know he might be the founder of the agency, so that is probably why there is still that "professionalism" or respect they show him. During the interview for the female matchmaker, we can see that Ma Hoon gets the last word, even though the other two is either against it or not.

 

I do hope too. Well, if you do check it, you can find me there as well . It's a refreshing fusion sageuk concept.

 

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I am glad to see people now leaning on the OTP side... ha ha.. Lucky for me, I was already onboard that ship from the beginning. Though I do really (really) feel bad for Soo's character, just in terms of the romance side but he can do better even without it. With those cat-like eyes of Seo Ji Hoon, I can't help it .

 

I really like Min Jae's face too.. cutely handsome guy.. he he. His acting is great that I'm totally loving his subtle expressions but very full of emotions.