Dangermousie's Drama August

[dangermousie]

I am not particularly interested in Gumiho Girlfriend, which starts next week, but that doesn't mean August is a dead month for me, as far as kdramas are concerned. In addition to continuing with Baker King and finishing Bad Guy (unless the latter really screws up its ending), here are the three dramas I intend to check out this month:

I Am Legend - I like the cast and I like the kooky premise (a divorced high-society wife returns to her roots as a wannabe rocker) and the two minutes I managed to check out before viikii shut down on me seemed delicious. BON is subbing it. Or viikii has it, if you would rather stream. First two eps are out.

Gloria - I am in it for the writer (who did delightful Pick the Stars, How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor, and Family Honor) and for its leading lady, the criminally underrated Bae Doona. Plus, the story of various not-too-well-off friends and neighbors involving singers, gangsters, and illegitimate rich kids, sounds right up my alley. 50 eps is a bit long but on a weekly basis should be doable. Plus, Gloria promises me this:



Bring it on! Haru Haru fansubs are subbing and viikii has it as well. First two eps are out.

Giant - this drama has been airing for a while (I believe it's in mid-20s) but I initially had no intention of checking out this revenge-driven family saga despite the positive reviews I've seen on-line because it usually requires something extraordinary to get me to check out something this long. I was also not familiar with anyone in the cast and thought the leading man, Kim Bum Soo, was almost agressively ugly. But just a few days ago, wily ockoala informed me that the main love story reminded her of East of Eden's one and if you know me, you know how I was obsessed with Dong Chul/Grace. Further digging informed me that the protagonist of Giant is apparently in love with the daughter of the man who killed his father. That really got my attention. And the below vid convinced me that while KBS will never win a heartthrob status from yours truly, he looks well enough on film unlike in pictures. Withs2 is subbing.

So, that's my August. Yours?

Comments

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I'm sticking with the three or four J-dramas I decided to watch.


I'm also going to watch Gloria - I did at whole pimp post on it a few weeks back. I love the writer and the cast, so I'm looking forward to it. Plus, I loved Lee Chun Hee (man in the picture) in Smile, You, where he played the rich brother who falls for the orphaned ex-gangster girl. (They were so sweet!)


I might try I Am Legend. Other than that, I'm just waiting for What's Up? and Mischievous Kiss.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Your pimp post is awesome! I never did watch Smile (loooong plus I dislike beta males and Lee Min Jung) but I've heard good things about it.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Here was my thing with Smile, You - I think it suffered from the writing. The writer, in my opinion, spent way too much time on the main couple, and not enough on the other characters. I think it also suffered from the episodes - it was meant to be 24 episodes, then up'ed to 50, then pushed back down to 45; the writer didn't seem to know how to handle it. I basically watched for the secondary OTP.

He was the rich, immature son who wanted to be a golfer. And, he's freakishly tall at 6'1; she's so short at 5'4 - it makes me happy when they hug and kiss. She was a quiet orphan who was once in a gang; she's mature and hardworking. They work really well together. Very cute. I fast forward through most of the show and just watched them. I'm sorry for gushing, I just dug them a lot. His proposal to her is the sweetest thing, taking her back to her orphanage. ..it's beautiful. My icon is their first or second kiss.


Ok, sorry for ranting.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh, that looks adorable. If someone cut a version just of them, I'd watch.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I'm working on a Secondary OTP music video, so I may cut a few episodes. I'm also working on a pimp post for the awesomeness that is Secondary Couples, because I usually end up 'shipping them more than the main couple in dramas, so look forward to that.


Anyway, I just watched the trailers for Gloria and am now waiting for subs.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Is that true? If it was just 24 episodes it would have been such a stronger show. I loved both the main and secondary couple. But a shorter episode run would have meant less nonsense with the parents.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Yup. It was originally meant to be 24 episodes, but was expanded to 50, then dropped back down to 45. I honestly think that is why the overall story struggled - things were stretched out too much or things were ignored for too long. The writer thought she/he had more time to explore certain things, but she/he didn't - so things were ignored or rushed. Meanwhile, all that parent nonsense went on for way too long.

[mishane.livejournal.com]

I am definitely in it for Gloria, mostly because I was told the OTP is a childhood friendship kind of OTP and I adore those with all my heart.

That said, I have no other interest in any other dramas (except for Gumiho). It's weird. I've basically stopped watching dramas, except for Dong Yi, and none of the other ones seem very interesting. I Am Legend seemed slightly interesting, but I have a feeling it'll be too rahrahrah empowerment, which is good, but can get annoying if not done right.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I am not sure what the Gloria OTP is (so many characters) but we'll see.

In IAL - I really like KJE, the leading lady so I am all for it.

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

Can't wait for your take on Gloooooria (tell me if the song annoys the heck out of you, cuz it does for me). But still, Lee Chun Hee!!! Rawr. Nuff said.

And I'm planning to check out IAL as well, just letting Giant sink in for a bit first. It's so meaty my head is spinning still.

Lee Bum Soo is a very un-handsome man. There, I said it! Except each and everytime he is in a drama and on screen, I simply cannot keep my eyes off him. It's a combination of great actor + the indelible something extra that makes him instantly attractive as a MAN (not pretty boy). Hope that makes sense. I just know he's very attractive in Giant, probably the most attractive I've seen him (better than in On Air and Surgeon Bong Dal Hee).

I checked out Giant bc certain folks were growing increasingly raving about the great writing and directing. I personally didn't like the kids portions, but once the adults show up WHAM the drama takes off like lightning, building up intensity bit by bit with care and great twisty writing.

As for our OTP - LBS and Park Jin Hee, so far she's the weaklink acting wise, but still holding her own. Yup, their relationship would be if Grace's dad was the one who caused Dong Chul's pop's death. So there is class barrier, bodyguard/princess (tho not really, she is the daughter of the second wife hence not exactly daddy's precious pearl), AND "your daddy killed my daddy and caused my mommy's inadvertent death as well" angst.

Sorry for being an enabler on this one. Normally I wouldn't recommend Giant, it's phenomenal but not everyone wants a 50 epper epic with secrets and revenge and bucketloads of angst. But I thought since you liked EoE's OTP, Giant might be the thing for you. Watch out for eppies 18-20, it's what some folks wanted to see when Grace and Dong Chul ran off that one time. Sigh.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I've heard the song in promos and it's annoying me already. This said, half the songs in kdramas drive me nuts (that Paradise song in Bof - Argh) so that is no deterrent.

it's what some folks wanted to see when Grace and Dong Chul ran off that one time

R-rated sex scenes?

I am not really kidding.

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

Hhmm, the OST in Giant is neither super annoying nor is it outstanding. I liked the music in EoE a tad better. But after 50 eppies it all goes to hell anyways. That Paradise PoS song was horrible to begin with and then was used ever 5 minutes, no wonder it drove us all collectively nuts.

Hee hee, "R-rated sex scenes" - you bad bad Mousie! No, I was more hoping for making out, spooning, diving into the ocean to fish her out, marrying themselves in a church with vows that make you weep, going on the lam with the man you love...oh, only that kind of stuff. Remember, Giant is also a cross-era epic, so right now I think everyone is in 1981, so R-rated is X-nay.

I know you're not a stickler for spoiler hence my delivery of certain scenes, which I know you will still appreciate when you watch it (of course, that only means you'll get that far, Giant may turn you off way before then and you chuck it, which is totally cool by me). I actually like all three male leads, none are particularly good looking, but they have charisma and great controlled acting and depth.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I am all about spoilers - I love them so spoil away! (on rare occasions I stayed away from spoilers - e.g. first half of IRIS before I gave in to temptation, I usually warn people of temporary spoilerphobia because otherwise my entire flist knows I love being spoiled). That does sound lovely (the Giant scenes).

right now I think everyone is in 1981, so R-rated is X-nay.


I think the few times I've seen heavy-duty making out in a kdrama (Bad Love - now there was a drama amusing for all the wrong reasons; Lovers; IRIS) I nearly fainted from suprise. Kdramas are terribly prudish which is a little odd contrasted with the really explicit movies. So I am not expecting any.

I am sure I'll get to ep 20 - I love intergenerational revenge sagas to bits.

I am pretty music-indifferent so unless a soundtrack is truly horrific, I don't pay much attention. But even with my limited attention span, BOF soundtrack was like nails on chalkboard.

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

EoE's writing was terrible, they spent 20 episodes dealing with 1 issue, the boys switch (completely unrelated to OTP love in that drama, which if you shipped DC/Grace was well done). I was worried Giant would do the same, so avoided it until I heard the first whispers that the writing was tight and execution fluid.

Giant's ratings started at around 9 and today just passed 20, increasing steadily week by week, which to me, regardless of ratings really being not that much an indicator of quality as it is of popularity, means people are tuning in bc they've heard great things. Dong Yi's ratings are dropping and now they are 1-2 pts apart.

Anyways, Giant also has FREAKING awesome child-to-adult transition scene. I squeed through the entire sequence, and then squeed some more. Basically I've been reduced to squeeing everytime the OTP are together.

I also love intergenerational revenge sagas - which HK's TVB is best known for doing. EoE was an attempt at HK intergenerational epic, but the lattr parts fell back into scene after reaction scene.

Anyways, Giant just finished delivering an All In/Tazza jail sequence, and has currently pulled a Green Rose on me, so, yeah, I'm happy as any koala can be. Everyone is out for revenge, it is ridiculously awesome. And the female lead is one strong, aggressive and take no shit character. I <3 her!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Anyways, Giant just finished delivering an All In/Tazza jail sequence, and has currently pulled a Green Rose on me, so, yeah, I'm happy as any koala can be.

You've just mentioned my favorite dramas! (Wwll, not Tazza, because I got sidetracked and never got past ep 2). I tried to like Dong Yi but got horribly bored - I like my period epics to be like Chuno or Legend or Kingdom of the Winds - lots of battles.

I enjoyed EoE immensely - it was flawed but at least it was ambitious, but the first half was MUCH stronger than the second (I heard they switched writers mid-stream which would explain it). I was never interested in brotherly switch per se, except for the whole 'nurture v. nature' aspect. (I.e. I never cared whether Dong Chul ever learned the truth). I still haven't forgiven the drama's second half for "awwww, feel love for your rapist" storyline and just general loss of focus.

I've heard EoE was a rip-off of Sandglass in a lot of ways so I plan to watch Sandglass very soon.

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

Yup, both EoE and Giant have to thank their predecessor Sandglass, which I still need to watch.

I totally agree, EoE had a brain fart the second half, which happened due to internal wranglings (SSH did push hard for the Grace as OTP storyline, which did cause some plotting problems for LDH and some weird plot to come out of it), but mostly it was that which caused the writer to quit, which caused the entire second half to feel like it was written by another person, which it WAS! Apparently, the writer quit and then tried to come back, too! EoE was hilarious in the back room antics, I must say. I did like the first half.

But Giant just hit the 24 ep mark today, and I can safely say the first half is stronger as a whole plotting wise than EoE was.

Yeah, the "why doesn't she love her rapist baby daddy" stuff is pulled straight from a Thai lakorn mentality of victims being brainwashed to love an abuser simply bc he "loves" her. Yeah right.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

To be fair, there were problems in the first half - with the set-up in the way it would pay off - and even then I was thinking they would have problems resolving their story strands. Re: shipping. I think it's the writer's fault - SSH or no SSH, there would not even be grounds for shipping him with LYH if the writers didn't take their sweet time introducing LDH (I found her character really irritating, as well, so was glad she didn't get more time, but it was bizarre not to give her more from writing point).

In my fantasy world, Myung Hun dies of an illness and DW and JH get back together.

[jamieguo48.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to September dramas mainly, but might check out I am Legend, Bad Guy (waiting for last reviews on it) and Gumiho if they look good and get positive reviews.

Otherwise, will probably checking out Japanese and Thai dramas for something to watch.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

If you find any cool Thai dramas, let me know :)

[yunhalove.livejournal.com]

That is so bizarre! I recently discovered Giant and it gave me major EoE vibes (which I know you loved) so I was planning on asking you if you were interested in it- I'm glad to see that you are going to check it out. If anything really bugged me about EoE it was the fact that the show was rather overdramatic with its birth secrets and all, so this is more toned down/realistic in comparison.

From what I've seen of it (have only seen the up to episode 8, which are the childhood eps), it's a very well done drama and I think you'll enjoy it. It's set earlier(around Nixon's presidency) and the sets they have in the show are gorgeous (I heard somewhere the drama had the one of the highest production values this year, which says a lot about the visuals, imo). Initially I checked it out because Kim Soohyun (aka Mini-Kangjin in WISFC) was also playing a younger version of one of the characters, but I got pretty much hooked by episode 2.

I don't think the guy in your MV (Joo sangwook/Minwoo) is the main character though. He plays the antagonist or secondary love interest, iirc. Lee Bumsoo, who plays the main protagonist, is less physically appealing, unfortunately. D:

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Heh - it was embarassing to mix the characters (and mispell the names, too).

:)

[timescout.livejournal.com]

I've still got several ongoing dramas to watch (Bad Guy, Comerades, Gumiho Child, Baker King). I've been hoarding the episods to marathon. I'm still watching Dong Yi too but it's gone kinda boring. I'm beginning to think I've got another QSD on my hands (watch and grnd yout teeth), sigh. Bad Guy is on hold till I hear how it ends.

I've been eyeing Giant for a file now but I don't really have time for another long drama atm. It sounds like a good one though. Yup, that's not Lee Bom Soo in the vid but Joo Sang Wook. And Kim Bom Soo sings the song in the vid. Too many bom soos. :)

Planning on checking out both I Am Legend and Gloria at some point. Now that I've started digging into the List of Doom my plate is kind full. I keep picking these 35 epi dramas for some odd reason. ;P

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

At least QSD had battles :)

[smothered-pith.livejournal.com]

It's funny.
I tried watching the first episode of Gloria today to see if I'd like it.
I haven't seen Chun Hee in anything else but Smile, You but I loved him in it so much I thought I'd give this one a chance despite it being 50 episodes.

Smile You was my first weekend drama so I have a spot for it. Still it got pretty bad after the first 20 episodes. I never finished it but frankly by the end the only thing I was interested in was the secondary OTP.

So heh my original point was that being extremely frustrated today with viikii, I've decided to try the whole dld +subs method. If I'm going to watch 50 episodes of this show, I'd prefer not pulling my hair out like I wanted to today.
So how exactly do you download these eps? I've done jdrama torrents in the past from dramawiki. Not sure if that's what you usually do...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I don't torrent (d-addicts would have kdrama torrents though). Do you do direct downloads (from megaupload etc). If so, I can pm you links to sites which have dls.

[iheartkleenex.livejournal.com]

Well, let's see. August is the only month I have left before going back to school so I plan on cramming in as many dramas as I can.

I am (not very patiently)waiting for the end of Bad Guy and if that end isn't one I approve of there will be some serious blood spilt.

I just started watching King of Baking to see how and why does a drama about baking get so much rating, and I'm also watching the new drama with the very long tittle that Matsumoto Jun stars in. Oh, and I want to check out the second season of Liar Game.

I was also looking at Giant but when I saw 50ep I gave up since I'm watching EOE and I don't think I would have the patience for another long drama.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Also, Giant and EoE are pretty similar in premise so it would get confusing

[(Anonymous)]

Kim Bum Soo and ugly in the same sentence ? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH !

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

LOL, I put the wrong name, I meant Lee Bum Soo :)

[(Anonymous)]

Lol actually I did a mistake too. The actor who is in the MV is Joo Sang Wook. I thought his name was Kim Bum So (I wondered where I saw him before in but I figured out this was in the drama Queen Seon Duk). He is so sexy ! I love him sooo much and he is too beautiful for Park Jin Hee (sorry but she is inconvincing trying to act younger than her real age)

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

It looks like I'm leaning towards jdramas in August: finishing Yankee-kun to Megane-chan and watching Hotaru no Hikari 2, Unubore Deka, and GOLD. But I still need to finish Coffee House and continue with Gumiho's Child.

I'm been eyeing Giant, but I don't think I can make that commitment.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I need to finish Coffee Hose too. I got so sidetracked

[popaddict.livejournal.com]

I'm all over Gloria. Bae Doo Na is a goddess and I will watch anything with So Ji Suk just because he played Yun Ho in my fav daily drama of all time, Pure Heart.

Gumiho GF will get a look-see but the rest are suspect. :/

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I've never seen SJS before but I really like him here.

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

Yoo Hoo Mousie dearie.

The YT Vid you posted is of the second male lead Joo Sang Wook (who plays Min Woo) like Yunhalove and timescout also clarified.

But I'm here with a BTS vid showing Park Jin Hee (the female lead) and Lee Bum Soo (the male lead) in the aforementioned church scene. You can see what he looks like. The other third male lead plays LBS's older brother in this drama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xe9WYYqR2A&feature=fvw

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

One word - Smitten! Seriously. It's kinda embarassing to have to eat my earlier words but there it is.

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

Heh, I eat my own word ALL THE TIME. I don't mind at all conceding when my initial negative impression is wrong, because it just means more good stuff for me to enjoy, right? :-D