Love Rain episodes 5 and 6

[dangermousie]

These episodes switch the focus from the 1970s to the present, from muted soft colors of the fall to the crisp clean colors of the winter.




I loved this drama from the first minute of the first episode, but it was with this week's episode that I became truly obsessed, upset that I didn't have all the episodes to marathon at once. We've left the dreamlike world with its shy, almost mute lovers and are now in the less charmed present - everything has acquired sharp edges - the characters, the relationships, even the cinematography that sometimes makes this feel like an indie movie. In Ha and Yoon Hee were the nostalgic dream but Jun and Hana are the present, the reality, people I can see passing by on the street. He's an impatient cynic who has little interest in love, his dreamer tendencies hidden, and it makes his utter helpless smitten state with Hana and refusal to process it, even more delicious. She is quirky, hot-tempered and blunt. In Ha's and Yoon Hee's relationship was simple, straightforward - all that stood between them was their desire not to hurt their friends - the relationship itself was pure and uncomplicated. But this won't be the case with Hana and Jun. JGS and Yoona give great performances - I see them as entirely different in this incarnation than in the past. YSH knows how to get the best out of his actors.

But you know what? Even with the modernity with its complexities and guardedness ever-present, this is still swoonily romantic - the most romantic thing I've seen all year. Nobody does the feeling of love the way YSH dramas so.



I just have these because the cinematography is to die for. This is ep 5:









And this is ep 6:





The romantic crescendo starts small but is reinforced both by the cinematography and the acting...














I love the parallel with In Ha drawing Yoon Hee:











This was one of the most gorgeous and romantic scenes - in which Jun tries out his 'three second' trick on (unimpressed) Hana and then she tries it right back and you see the exact moment he falls in love and cannot even process the enormity of it. He might have a lot of sexual experience, but emotionally, he's even more of a novice than she is. (I also love how three seconds thing in the 1970s was this romantic thing and in the present day it's one step short of a party trick that Jun uses to get willing gals into bed. The cynicism of the new generation. Only not really). I just capped the part where she tries it back and he is smitten.















































I love how poleaxed he's by his feelings...







He takes her off for lunch even and sneaks a look at where she is staying. And they look to turn back at each other. Give up, darlings!













Even their fights are surrounded by angry chemistry. It's giving me totally non-PG thoughts...







And he makes excuses to see her by giving her a shirt (and totally puts his foot in his mouth, LOL)



This scene was just gorgeous. His assistant asks him if he's actually interested in someone for real for the first time and Jun tries to maintain his cool cred and mouths off that Hana is gullible and boring etc etc etc only she overhears. And tells him off! And his face! How can I not ship them?





I find it interesting that Jun's relationship with both of his (divorced) parents is not good and he clearly has issues. It's got to be tough to be the result of an afterthought of great love - the outcome of love thwarted, of people settling for second-best but never forgetting it.





Older In Ha:



I've seen complaints that these eps were slow but I don't see it - I wouldn't cut out any of the scenes or speed them up. I love YSH because in this age of frenetic dramas, he actually allows his stories to breathe.



I need the next ep asap.

Comments

[your-insomnia.livejournal.com]

Woah, Jang Geun Seok is looking mighty handsome in this drama. I'm especially loving the chain piercing.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Your icon is very appropriate :)

Yup, he's looking ridiculously RAWR-worthy. (Also, as soon as I saw the piercing, my mind went straight into the gutter as far as Jun/Hana entertainment activities were concerned and stayed there. Is it wrong that I want to write prOn based on stuff by the four seasons' writer? That feels somehow...wrong).

[your-insomnia.livejournal.com]

Nah, I don't think that's wrong at all ;) Korean dramas are way too innocent in any case so at least we should be able to imagine all the things we want!

And I'm happy he started downplaying his mane. He looks so much better with the modern look!

I'm waiting for your verdict once you finish this drama, btw, to determine if I really want to watch it.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

So far, it's excellent and I find YSH dramas very consistent (no drop off in quality partway or insanity at the end) but I'd hold off because you never know if he's going to kill one of the leads off.

[your-insomnia.livejournal.com]

I've only watched Spring Waltz courtesy of your recommendation and I liked it a lot. But yeah, killing off the leads is not good so I will wait.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Most of his dramas end happily but Snow Queen made be bawl forever and I know all about Autumn in My Heart so I am a bit wary.

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

Oooh present day sounds interesting. the 70's part was too idyllic for me. i need more edge. but I dont know if I can pick this up and just skip to the present day scenes because these types of dramas move reaaaaaally sloooooowly. and I have a gnat's attention span. its terrible. I am totally a product of my generation LOL. Ugh but Jang Geun Suk looks so ultra fine in the present day, his hair <3 his clothes <3 his prissy bitchface <3 We'll see, I'm not above judicious fast forwarding. (it does look SO pretty too)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

FF is your friend if you need faster pace :P You can skip to the present w/o missing plot btw.

[(Anonymous)]

I want his banjoran earings so bad....I've wanted them from the very first time I saw them but now I want them even more after seeing these caps...preferably with Jang Geun Suk, of course..speaking of which..how are you finding the acting from both leads so far....how is Yoona doing?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I think they are both doing a very good job. I am more impressed by Yoona because I find JGS a generally solid performer, but I hated her in Cinderella Man so to see her do a good job is a pleasant surprise.

[(Anonymous)]

Where are you watching it subbed so fast?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

viki. It's subbed in less than 24 hrs there.

[mindy (from livejournal.com)]

Episode 5 is the best. I can understand if people complain about ep 1-4 being slow ( which i disagree ) but ep 5-6 the pace is just right and actually fast. I finally see more chemistry I think Yoona acts better as Hana while Jang Keun Suk is always good.

I think ep 5 was totally hilarious and ep 6 was funny too. the 3 sec hug was one of the most romantic scenes so far. I totally love JKS performance here. Though the father also falls in love in 3 sec, i think Seo Jun 3 secs was more memorable.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I know, that hug scene was incredible. I was pretty much melting...

I agree, I see more chemistry too.

[once-a-weaver.livejournal.com]

I'm tempted to try this out. Maybe I will, since I'm dropping RP.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yessssssss. Do itttttt! If you find the 70s part boring, skip to ep 5 :)

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I didn't read anything in this post after the cut because I just saw the first three episodes last night and don't want to spoil myself very much. But I'm very much looking forward to moving into the present. The 70s episodes have been so heartbreakingly beautiful and dreamlike that even though they move fairly slowly, I haven't been impatient. But while I'm mesmerized by the beauty of that world, like you I can't say that I'm obsessed. I hope when I get a chance to watch the present-day episodes it sweeps me away like it has you!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oooh, did you watch the eps after 3 by now? Because so awesome!

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I finally got a chance to watch them on Friday! And yes, I'm totally won over now! I really, really enjoyed the first four episodes and their swoony beauty (the softness! The autumn colors! I looooved the 70s clothes, too!). And while I definitely thought that In Ha and Yoon Hee's romance was sweet and wanted them to be together, they almost seemed too passive for me to really be obsessed with them.

But no such trouble with their kids! Yoona's angry!face is my new favorite thing ever. I hope that Jun keeps making her angry just so I can see her making angry!faces!

This was one of the most gorgeous and romantic scenes - in which Jun tries out his 'three second' trick on (unimpressed) Hana and then she tries it right back and you see the exact moment he falls in love and cannot even process the enormity of it.

That was probably the moment where I threw my hands up and surrendered to loving this completely.

(I also love how three seconds thing in the 1970s was this romantic thing and in the present day it's one step short of a party trick that Jun uses to get willing gals into bed. The cynicism of the new generation. Only not really).

That was perfect.

Romantic melodramas are pretty hit-and-mess with me--there were things I loved about Spring Waltz and things that drove me crazy, and while it was very pretty I couldn't stand Tree of Heaven (too much crying). But this is hitting a sweet spot for me. I'm definitely in it for the long-haul with this one.

[eta] Have you ever seen the movie Bright Star? Because I feel like you would love it with all of your soul. Cinematic swoon indeed. Plus: literal poetry as well as the visual kind!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I loved Bright Star so. It's pretty much my perfect movie!

[popaddict.livejournal.com]

Okay, I ignored this series because it seemed a bit too twee for me but this post may have convinced me to watch.
But how, I am following so many dramas right now, korean and western.
Must learn to manipulate time.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Borrow the Doctor's time machine? :)

[thinking-lotus.livejournal.com]

When I saw the presscon pics of JGS' hair I was like noooooo, not goofy asian idol boy hair! but he looks pretty good in the drama.

have dl'd eps 5-6 and the subs, looking forward to them tonight. Must also write a post (haven't been moved to post on a drama for QUITE SOME TIME now ...)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It's just such a gorgeous drama. sigh....

[lilaviolet.livejournal.com]

Beautiful screen caps. I love this show so much I can't believe people thought episodes 5 and 6 were slow. 5 went by fast for me and 6 was just the right pace. Thank you so much for a being a place on the internet where I can see beautiful screen caps and read positive comments about this underrated drama.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

This drama is so underrated.