STICKY: Coffee Prince Watchalong - Week 1. Episodes 1 and 2

[dangermousie]

So, watchalong is here. This week are episodes 1 and 2. You can post anything in replies - thoughts, comments, caps, whatever. Have fun :)



Right off the bat, we establish that Han Kyul is a charming flirt who doesn't care who ogles him and whose gender norms are pretty fluid (his reaction is to preen when he thinks a 'man' is ogling his junk. It makes sense that he'd need to be this fluid to come up with a plan which involves every girl thinking he's gay) and that Eun Chae is mistaken for a boy as a matter of course and that fact doesn't bother her much, except as it interferes with her making a living. That's a pretty unusual trait in a heroine. I thought so then and still do so now, many years and dramas later.



I think this was Yoon Eun Hye's best role. In fact, I haven't liked anything she's done since, more's the pity.

It was a fun surprise to see this actor:



Years younger but playing a bad Daddy, of course, That's quite a career.



You know, the first time I watched CP, I was sure that Han Sung and Yu Ju would end up being your typical kdrama interlopers and was resigned to it. Who knew that they would end up having their own complicated relationship, very different but just as interesting as that of the leads.



And speaking of, I love how oddly real this drama feels, including not shying away from physical passion. It feels as if it features real people with real desires.



In conclusion, RIP Lee Un. I still miss you!




Your turn!

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

"I think this was Yoon Eun Hye's best role. In fact, I haven't liked anything she's done since, more's the pity."
I couldn't say it better and RIP Lee Un, gone too soon.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes. I love her to bits but her choice of roles since hasn't been my thing.

[(Anonymous)]

damn I'm so twmpted to try but my schoolwork is killing me right now.....maybe i'll jump in a few episodes down the line...and about Lee Un *sniffle*...I didn't know he had passed away until after I watched this drama, Idk how I'd feel watching him now

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yay, jump in!

[kilerkki.livejournal.com]

This was my second Kdrama--started with Sungkyunkwan Scandal, fell in love with the medium with Coffee Prince. I thought the first couple of episodes were a little rocky, production values not as high, editing sometimes choppy, but the characters were enough to pull me along. Han Kyul manages to blend equal amounts charming and jerk and I loved having a heroine as unconventional and tough as Eun Chae. I'd love to see a heroine like her in Western media--someone who's unconcerned with what other people think about her, willing to do anything for her family, and totally into food!

Also, I loved Han Sung and Yu Ju. Just as you said, they felt very, very real. Han Kyul and Eun Chae are both a little larger than life but Han Sung and Yu Ju felt like they could be my neighbors. If I lived in a ritzier neighborhood. ;)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes. I loved how messy, angry, happy, imperfect yet hopeful the relationship btw HS and YJ was.

[once-a-weaver.livejournal.com]

Not only the secondary couple, but many of the other characters felt like genuine if odd souls wandering days like anyone. With some dramas, I might fast forward past certain character stories the second time through (or even the first), but with CP I enjoy them all. They feel as messy and full of character as the places they spend their time.Eun Cha

But fun as they are, I'm watching for Han Kyul and Eun Chan. They're both so alive, even when they don't know it yet.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's one of the most fun, wonderful main otps ever.

[once-a-weaver.livejournal.com]

Favorite scenes in episode 2:

Eun Chan riding in his convertible, having the time of her life, and making him smile as she does.

Their first kiss: no closeup, no focus, just a hurried moment among many in a wide open space.

Carrying him how many blocks back and forth? That's dedication.

And the next day: Han Gyul sees how busy she is, how much more she does than he ever has.

(Her sister is talking about taking singing lessons, but can't sing later on in Dream High. I don't know why that amuses me.)

I love the ending too, with both of them realizing with some horror how their lives have just changed.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I love all the scenes you named. Such a perfect drama.

[rectherapyfreak.livejournal.com]

The 2nd episode is great!!

I love the goofy part too when they just get Eun Chan the suit and they are walking around town and the wind keeps blowing and they do a little manly hand shake at one point. It makes me lol.

[once-a-weaver.livejournal.com]

That scene always feels a bit over the top for me, except that they make it work with all the adorable teacher/student rapport. They're just so cute together.

[rectherapyfreak.livejournal.com]

that is what I like about it the teacher/student stuff!!! The wind is over the top but I like it because of the awesome chemistry between the 2. They are so funny.

[your-insomnia.livejournal.com]

Ah, still my favorite Korean drama to this day.

I would love to do a watchalong, just don't know if I have enough time. Hopefully I can catch up!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yay, hope you can!

[kainee.livejournal.com]

Ah the memories of Coffee Prince.

LOL, I also love how the misunderstanding about her gender was totally his fault in the beginning although she did decide to go along with it when he insisted on continuing with his wrong assumption.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes - totally his fault, lol. Not that I can blame him, she does look like a guy.

[doozy05.livejournal.com]

Aw, Coffee Prince! Love the show and its soundtrack, one of the best drama OSTs ever.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yessss.

[rectherapyfreak.livejournal.com]

Lee Un!!! wahhh! :( I miss his awesomeness! RIP :(

I agree with you about Yoon Eun Hye! She did such a great job in this show. I have not completed "Take Care of the Young Lady" yet but I was dying to watch it and have since been side tracked a bunch of times. I do plan on completing it eventually. I liked Lie to Me but it was nothing spectacular.

Enjoying this show a lot again!! Thanks for the idea of the rewatch!!!

[(Anonymous)]

wow my first kdrama and how i fell in love with it..me and my friends watched it non stop till my poor laptop gave in...han kyul was such a player but a cutie..after few episodes we were totally owned..yeh was great in it..

[adeline liew (from livejournal.com)]

One of my favorite scenes? When Halmoni works out her strategy on how to get HK hitched. I love the relationship between these two crankypants! Halmoni's grudging affection and HK's shameless efforts to charm the old lady -tempered by his very sincere fondness for her and his mom, in spite of his cynicical detachment towards others. It's a dynamic I enjoyed throughout the series.

Episode 1 also marks our first introduction to the quirky, gross and irresistible Manager Hong! What a character!

[princesagr.livejournal.com]

Rip :( I was so sad when I first read these sad news.

Back the show, I almost have nothing to say in the first episodes of each show, especially when we are introduced to characters not new to each other.

What I loved in the first episode tho, was shirtless and wet Gong Yoo. Can I ask for more?

I loved YEH's role in LTM, but didn't like My Fair Lady's one.
LTM was just cliche, will in Fair Lady, it didn't make sense AT ALL.
She did her best though