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dangermousieThis weekend I kept my sanity during packing with the help of Ariel Lin. Namely, I was watching her in two very different roles in two very delightful doramas: It Started with a Kiss and Tokyo Juliet.
It Started with a Kiss kept me sane during the weekend, with the move from hell. Doramas: cheaper and healthier than illegal substances. Also, more effective.
This is a rare drama where I could watch it almost indefinitely because I love the characters so much, I don't care what they are doing. There isn't much angst, but I love the world of ISWAK so much I don't care. Also, can I join a long list of women who want a Zhi Shu?
I give huge points to ISWAK because it's not just about our heroine's romantic tribulations. In fact, this story is as much the story of Zhi Shu trying to figure out what he wants and what kind of person he wants to be, and even figuring out adult world of emotions. Before Xiang Qin's entry into his life, he never had to analyze or think for himself. Everything was (as he said) where it was supposed to be, and precisely because things were so easy for him, he never had to truly challenge himself and fight for what he wants. I think if it wasn't for XQ's entry into his life, he would have gone through on auto-pilot, doing what his father wanted him to, being a good son and a clever man, but not truly living. But because XQ introduced emotions and uncertainty into his life, made him more human, made him thaw, it also made him realize that he might actually want something different than the nicely planned life, that he is ZS the individual, not merely an analytical brain on legs.
In a way, she made it possible for him to realize himself everywhere, not just on a romantic front. I love doramas in part because no matter how girl centric some of them get, a guy is never just an appendage to be trotted out as a trophy to the heroine. No matter how tall, good-looking, or loving the guy is (ZS gets two of three :P), he always has his own story and complexities and his angst gets equal (and sometimes superior) mileage to hers.
And ISWAK really is as much about ZS's joining humanity as it is about XQ's funny, optimistic attempts to win her dream man. In a way, while XQ might lack ZS's brains, she has something he doesn't: she has drive, she has goals. Her needs might be simple, but she goes after them with her whole heart, and I think that is something ZS envies. In fact, that's something he explicitly brings up (her strong character) to XQ's Dad as something he admires. I think ZS falls for her because she is precisely so different from him: no breaks, no hesitations, no reserve. She is all open, unlike him.
I love that ZS has a fight or two with his father about his plans for the future and not knowing what he wants to do (and I also love that his father is not some evil monster showing him the door). I often forget it, because ZS is so self-assured and composed, but he is a pretty young man (20), and his lack of experience and confusion is so age appropriate. I love the conversation he has with XQ's Dad in the onsen (btw, whoever came up with this, thank YOU. Naked, wet and sweaty ZS is a good good thing. And I crack up from Mom's attempt to bring ZS's attention to XQ's breasts. Hilarious thing is ZS totally wakes up :P), about XQ's Dad's dream to be a Chef. He is someone who realizes he has no driving passion in his life (like cooking with XQ's Dad or pursuit of him with XQ etc etc) and he is trying to figure out what to do with that lack. Of course, the fact that he doesn't want to be his parents' puppet actually works against poor XQ as part of the reason he is resisting is because his Mom wants it so much and he doesn't want to be her toy (the scene in his apartment when he and XQ shelter from the rain says it's all. He is pretty unguarded and he says it's not her he is annoyed at, but he doesn't want to make love to her because it would be giving in to his mother's scheming).
I also love that his moving out is not about XQ or wanting her or not wanting her or whatever. It's his attempt to figure out what he wants to do.
I love the scene where poor XQ sneakily follows him after his work and sees him go into Princess Girl's house and misunderstands and thinks they are living together now (and his robot shell is totally cracked. It's against policies but he asks her how YS is and he gives her desert as a takeaway for him). I feel so bad for her. But the thing I love is he finds out (her friends are good and hilarious) and he totally devises a sneaky way to let her know it's not the truth (because he is clueless enough about his feelings not to want to tell her himself because why should he, it's not like she means anything to him, but he can't bear to have her give up on him). And I love that he asks his little brother out supposedly to hang out but in reality to find out how XQ is. And he meets her in the park and arranges and 'accidental' meeting with PG and her sister that would expose the truth.
He is quite possessive of her and takes good care of her, even if he'd never admit it.
I also love the scene after she drinks too much coffee at the restaurant he works at and passes out from it. He is the one carrying her of course (and the interesting thing is, he'd never admit it, but he is keeping a really close eye on her: he certainly knows how much coffee she drank and tells her she shouldn't have so much. And all that while busy doing his job :)) And I loved the scene with the umbrella in the pouring rain (talked about it before but hey, I love it so much, I simply must mention it again) where he first holds the umbrella where they are both largely dry but a bit wet and then he sees her rub her arm because it's cold from the rain and he automatically puts the umbrella over her, even though he is getting soaked to the bone now. And she tries to correct it but he won't let her, and he keeps up with her sudden darts to get a taxi like a trained person and not a single drop of rain gets on her, and even when he steps out onto the road himself, he extends his arm so the umbrella will still be over her. And it's all done without a second thought, as natural as breathing. Whatever he thinks, his actions betray him, even if he doesn't realize what he feels himself.
The bit where they shelter in his house is adorable. When he tells her she is the first girl who came there, and she is so gleeful. Or her hilarious shower fantasy (ROFL) or the way she is giddy to be in his bathroom surrounded by his stuff. So been there done that.
The hilarious bit where she makes him give her the bed and sleep on the floor and then is 'are you OK?' and he replies 'first you yelled at me to give up the bed, now what do you want me to say?' ROFL. And they end up sharing the bed, too :P (Btw, the reference Ah Jin makes next morning about watching some touching Korean drama where the hero loved the heroine so he took her even though she was pregnant with another man's child? Heeee. It made me think of the plot of Joe Cheng's own Magic Ring :P. Not to mention that at some point in the hospital scenes later, the TV was playing his The Rose. I love in-jokes).
The manga club continues to be hilarious. Their shots of XQ in a bikini and their attempts to make her wear it? ROFL.
But then...but then...but then...
We get to the hospital scenes and I almost die. Yu Shu gets sick and XQ is the only one home and she thinks it's her own fault (of her cooking) and she calls ZS almost incoherent, scared and crying so hard. And I love how he is calm on the phone and tells her it's not her cooking because she is fine. And then he gets to the hospital and she is freaking out and apologizes and apologizes and apologizes, but he just thanks her and holds her very tenderly and strokes her hair. And he is so patient and so sweet. I really think that he can't bear to see her in genuine distress. Silly boy, now realize all that this means!
And then they watch by YS's bedside, and she insists she isn't going to sleep and isn't tired even though she so clearly is (and he is trying to get her to rest OMG) and is almost passing out and then she does fall asleep. And he just looks at her, and he has this tender look on his face and he goes 'this adorable hardworking idiot' and she is still asleep and he leans in and lightly kisses her. OMG OMG OMG OMG. And his face is totally unguarded for once.
And then we get the scenes in the hospital with the recuperating YS and the children's ward. ZS can be very kind (he is rather nice to those other kids). I love the scene when he sees her and Ah Jin help that one kid study. The look on his face! It's jealous and touched and everything else. Such a mix. And then agrees to teach the kids their schoolwork. He is miles from the way he was in beginning of the dorama.
I also love the scene where she tells him about how cool it would be if he was going to be a doctor (I know he becomes one later so how cool is it that she helps him find his calling). I love how he tells her being sad is not going to help the kid (one of the kids in the ward who's been there forever) and he is so gentle and it's clear he doesn't want her to blame herself. And he brings her food because she must not have eaten. EEEEEE!
I also talked at length earlier about how when he sees that younger guy (who is very cool btw) woo her, he does get quite jealous (even if he insists he doesn't) and possessively does the whole 'She only likes me so give up' thing in front of the new guy and Ah Jin, which is a cool foreshadowing of very similar words but his very different demeanor in ep 19. There, he is not so self-possessed at all (though even here, he is clearly trying to make sure his words stay true), in fact he is desperate and passionate and angry at himself and utterly lost. Reminds me of the thing with Akash and Shalini in Dil Chahta Hai where when he desperate crashed her engagement party and (he, who was always about image and facade) desperately pleaded with her in front of everyone in the same words he used fliply in their first meeting. I love such dramatic underscores.
I also love how when he joins his Dad's office, all the girls (and one guy) are so into him. Too often a fictional world is populated by drop dead gorgeous men and women but nobody notices the fact. Face it, if someone like Joe Cheng came to work at your office, and you were single and interested in guys, of course you'd jump through hoops to get him. Also, I crack up at the look at ZS's father's face when he sees all the attention hsi son gets. It's this subtle brief look of parental pride. Sort of 'young devil!' sort of thing. And I love the gay guy, Apple, thinking 'hmmmm, no girlfriend' :P (Also, ZS's father's 'you are going to work with him. But just work, OK' cracks me up).
I also love that it is actually XQ who comes up with that cool game to help the company. It's such a minicapsule of their relationship: he might come up with the business plan and the details and make it workable, but she is the one with the enthusiasm and the inspiration.
And I love that he looks out for her so. He might pick on her but no one else can. I love the scene where during a meeting the girls gang up on her because she spilled coffee and they are all 'useless, head full of rocks' and he looks up and very deliberately goes 'This useless, head full of rocks person is the one who came up with the game.' I went 'WHOA.' Because hey, not only does he not have to give up credit, and he also notices what goes in the back of the room because he has a XQ radar, but also, once again, he really can't stand people picking on her even though he does it himself (without realizing it). Protecting her is automatic.
Also, I love how she gives him a love note and he is all 'it's silly blah blah' but when she walks away he actually folds it and puts it into his pocket. He is so clueless about what he feels and what it means, it's rather cute. In some ways, she is much more intelligent than he is :P
Quote of the day:
XQ: Cooking is a woman's natural abililty!
XQ's Dad: After I've seen you I became an unbeliever.
Ariel is quite different in my other dorama of the weekend, Tokyo Juliet. There she plays an attractive, confident (and a good cook) design student. TJ is very different from ISWAK but it is also romantic and light and good.
Tokyo Juliet is one of my favorite things. Honestly. True, the whole 'I shall rule the world through fashion' is cracktastic (and I think the show knows that). And the fact that every man in Taiwan seems to be after Sui is a bit OTT as well (though to be fair, she is attractive and there are plenty of women after Liang). But TJ is one of the most cracktastic, fluffy, adorable dramas out there. And I am all about the OTP of our plucky heroine Sui and her boyfriend, too-hunky-not-to-ogle Liang, a senior in the design college Sui is in (in the alternate universe of TJ, male fashion designers are mainly straight. Hee).
Also, I just love all the kissing scenes in TJ. They are so many and they look so real. If there was some sort of an award for Best Kissing Drama, TJ would be in the run for the win. The only one I could see to compete would be Mars (Love Contract and DBY also have lovely kissing but nowhere near the amount here). And I just love that the kissing scenes look real. Every time he kisses her, he cups her face and he strokes her skin and it's really hot. Yum.
I also love how they are shown laughing half the time when they are making out. It's not one of those misty our-love-is-so-full-of-cleansing-holy-lught type things, but the sheer giddy of finding your SO attractive and having fun and the deliciousness of that. It's nice to have a dorama that has that.
But anyway.
Ep 11:
Love the scene when they come home and Liang is all jealous about the bra guy (who is, btw, one of the most annoying characters ever and should just die). And Sui knows he is annoyed and tries to do a little playacting 'don't be mad. if you are, here, hit me on the palms, but not too hard, I am afraid of pain' being all little-girlish and he exasperatedly replies 'Don't play dumb' and as he walks off he sort of shrugs and goes 'That guy? What's wrong with your eyesight? Oh my God.' Heeeeeeee.
And then she thinks he is still mad the next day but instead he is making her that dress (I love how whenever they have a row, and they have them periodically like all couples do, it doesn't last for weeks and weeks but they cool down pretty fast and half the time end up laughing about it). And then he calls her in the morning that they have to go to a family wedding so he left a dress for her upstairs and he'll meet her there. And she is half sleepy and she sort of grumbles to herself 'I can get my own dress' and then she sees it and it's white and very pretty and you see her face change from 'mmm, wish I got some more sleep and what IS it with the boy' to 'AWWWWWWWW.' And she shows up in Church and there is a small wedding going on and Liang is waiting for her and she asks whose it is, and Liang says 'It's a secret that no one knows but us, but it's ours.' EEEEEEEEEE! So they do the hippie thing of their own wows (repeating them after the bride and groom) and it's the most cute thing ever. And there is kissing. Again :P And he gives her a ring.
I also love how Sui never pays any attention to the bra guy (his Dad runs a bra factory). In fact, all she is, is annoyed at him for causing her and Liang to fight. I love the bit where she tells him 'there is a murderous atmosphere here, I wonder why' or something to that effect. I also love how she is self-confident and so when he tries to convince her to model a swimsuit for him he is all 'or is it because you are insecure about your body?' and she just shrugs and says 'Of course' and continues doing what she was doing.
Then later Liang comes by in school and is all 'I am going to have lunch with my gf, Prince of Bras' and puts his arm around her shoulder, good humored but possessive, the bra guy says 'OK, I'll come with' Heeee. And then he tells Sui he is wolfing the food down because his Dad told him to never waste food. So Sui goes 'Always listen to your Dad, right? I should get your Dad to tell you to leave me alone.' And Liang does a firm little nod. Heeeee. I love Liang. He is so good humored and amused and loves Sui.
And of course she ends up having to wear a corset of stage (long story) so he comes and physically picks her up and carries her out of there and he is all 'you actually went out in your bra!' (and she says in a small voice 'it was a corset, actually' Heeee). And then he adds 'Also, you are not supposed to other designers' clothes.' But it's clear he is jealous more about bra than designs. And then he starts cracking up and she stares at him as if he'd lost it and then he points out: 'You are wearing undies in the living room. People will want to take photos' and she looks over to the giant bay window they have. So she runs off and he continues to grin. He can never stay mad for long, can he?
And then he sneaks into a girls-only pool party organized by bra guy to make sure Sui is OK and heeeeeee. he makes a scarily pretty girl, especially with lipstick and eye shadow. And he helps Sui as she is being hounded and the look on her face as she recognizes him. ROFL. She dissolves into helpless giggles and goes 'You are so pretty' and he does this thing with the fake long hair and ROFL. They are both just dying and he is whispering 'calm down, I don't want to be tomorrow's headline.' Heeeee.
The preview for ep 12 looks dramatic as her Dad finds out about her living with Liang. Oooooh. But more importantly, they have a huge fight and Liang says she reminds him of the women around his father and that's a pretty horrible thing to say if you are Liang. If you know Liang's issues and trauma, than yeah, that's pretty bad. He used not to trust any girls other than his memory of Sui for a reason so let's see how that goes. Also, heavy kissing scene. What else is new.
Ep 12:
Ooooh, that fight is horrible. She gets totally upset and leaves a note saying she is going home but instead ends up at her gf's. He understandably has issues with women like the models around his Dad and she knows it so it's all kinda messed up.
But the apology scene is the sweetest thing ever. When her friend gets that screen where Sui apologizes and Liang sees it and his face. OMG. And then they start frantically looking for each other and I knew they were going to find each other, but still I was biting my nails. Also, that whole thing is a Takuya Kimura dorama ref, but I have no idea which one.
And I love how she goes to fetch food for her study group and meets him on the way back and she is surprised because she thought he was annoyed and he replies that if he let her know he wasn't 'then you wouldn't look as surprised as you do now.' Heh.
Then they get home, and he says he forgot his keys. and he suggests they not go back. (Her response: 'And leave those hungry crackheads there?????') and then he kisses her and she mock walks away muttering 'so annoying.' And then she runs back and kisses him and it starts out as playful kissing but soon they are seriously making out and giggling. I really love that the drama has them being into each other physically, not just some distant ideal. It's like when they are necking (on the street, too!!) and she breathes, between kisses, "I love this feeling" and he grins back "You like it? Then let's continue doing bad things." Heeeeeee. In some ways, this is the most realistic portrayal of a functional early 20-something relationship I've seen. And then he lifts her up to a bench (she is totally tiny next to him) so she starts teasing him 'I'm tall now, huh?' and it's to die for.
And I love that though he finds bra guy annoying, Liang is about helping Sui and he knows his jealousy is irrational so he'd do his best to fight it. And now he is going away for a few days and mmmmmm, the kissing scene! He is stroking her face as he kisses her and I just die. And he gives her a chain to wear the ring on (she was cutting something and cut her hand so she can't wear it on her finger) and I love Sui's thoughts 'Liang, you are so great' Heeeeee. of course, his evil father is trying to muddy the waters (what's with that. You don't like Sui, OK. But let your kid be happy. You arelady screwed up his childhood enough). So I see big trauma coming :P Haven't seen the last 10 minutes of the ep yet.
Also, this show's attitude to almost-rape (now it's the annoying bra guy) is really weird. I'll just chalk it up to manga stuff.
It Started with a Kiss kept me sane during the weekend, with the move from hell. Doramas: cheaper and healthier than illegal substances. Also, more effective.
This is a rare drama where I could watch it almost indefinitely because I love the characters so much, I don't care what they are doing. There isn't much angst, but I love the world of ISWAK so much I don't care. Also, can I join a long list of women who want a Zhi Shu?
I give huge points to ISWAK because it's not just about our heroine's romantic tribulations. In fact, this story is as much the story of Zhi Shu trying to figure out what he wants and what kind of person he wants to be, and even figuring out adult world of emotions. Before Xiang Qin's entry into his life, he never had to analyze or think for himself. Everything was (as he said) where it was supposed to be, and precisely because things were so easy for him, he never had to truly challenge himself and fight for what he wants. I think if it wasn't for XQ's entry into his life, he would have gone through on auto-pilot, doing what his father wanted him to, being a good son and a clever man, but not truly living. But because XQ introduced emotions and uncertainty into his life, made him more human, made him thaw, it also made him realize that he might actually want something different than the nicely planned life, that he is ZS the individual, not merely an analytical brain on legs.
In a way, she made it possible for him to realize himself everywhere, not just on a romantic front. I love doramas in part because no matter how girl centric some of them get, a guy is never just an appendage to be trotted out as a trophy to the heroine. No matter how tall, good-looking, or loving the guy is (ZS gets two of three :P), he always has his own story and complexities and his angst gets equal (and sometimes superior) mileage to hers.
And ISWAK really is as much about ZS's joining humanity as it is about XQ's funny, optimistic attempts to win her dream man. In a way, while XQ might lack ZS's brains, she has something he doesn't: she has drive, she has goals. Her needs might be simple, but she goes after them with her whole heart, and I think that is something ZS envies. In fact, that's something he explicitly brings up (her strong character) to XQ's Dad as something he admires. I think ZS falls for her because she is precisely so different from him: no breaks, no hesitations, no reserve. She is all open, unlike him.
I love that ZS has a fight or two with his father about his plans for the future and not knowing what he wants to do (and I also love that his father is not some evil monster showing him the door). I often forget it, because ZS is so self-assured and composed, but he is a pretty young man (20), and his lack of experience and confusion is so age appropriate. I love the conversation he has with XQ's Dad in the onsen (btw, whoever came up with this, thank YOU. Naked, wet and sweaty ZS is a good good thing. And I crack up from Mom's attempt to bring ZS's attention to XQ's breasts. Hilarious thing is ZS totally wakes up :P), about XQ's Dad's dream to be a Chef. He is someone who realizes he has no driving passion in his life (like cooking with XQ's Dad or pursuit of him with XQ etc etc) and he is trying to figure out what to do with that lack. Of course, the fact that he doesn't want to be his parents' puppet actually works against poor XQ as part of the reason he is resisting is because his Mom wants it so much and he doesn't want to be her toy (the scene in his apartment when he and XQ shelter from the rain says it's all. He is pretty unguarded and he says it's not her he is annoyed at, but he doesn't want to make love to her because it would be giving in to his mother's scheming).
I also love that his moving out is not about XQ or wanting her or not wanting her or whatever. It's his attempt to figure out what he wants to do.
I love the scene where poor XQ sneakily follows him after his work and sees him go into Princess Girl's house and misunderstands and thinks they are living together now (and his robot shell is totally cracked. It's against policies but he asks her how YS is and he gives her desert as a takeaway for him). I feel so bad for her. But the thing I love is he finds out (her friends are good and hilarious) and he totally devises a sneaky way to let her know it's not the truth (because he is clueless enough about his feelings not to want to tell her himself because why should he, it's not like she means anything to him, but he can't bear to have her give up on him). And I love that he asks his little brother out supposedly to hang out but in reality to find out how XQ is. And he meets her in the park and arranges and 'accidental' meeting with PG and her sister that would expose the truth.
He is quite possessive of her and takes good care of her, even if he'd never admit it.
I also love the scene after she drinks too much coffee at the restaurant he works at and passes out from it. He is the one carrying her of course (and the interesting thing is, he'd never admit it, but he is keeping a really close eye on her: he certainly knows how much coffee she drank and tells her she shouldn't have so much. And all that while busy doing his job :)) And I loved the scene with the umbrella in the pouring rain (talked about it before but hey, I love it so much, I simply must mention it again) where he first holds the umbrella where they are both largely dry but a bit wet and then he sees her rub her arm because it's cold from the rain and he automatically puts the umbrella over her, even though he is getting soaked to the bone now. And she tries to correct it but he won't let her, and he keeps up with her sudden darts to get a taxi like a trained person and not a single drop of rain gets on her, and even when he steps out onto the road himself, he extends his arm so the umbrella will still be over her. And it's all done without a second thought, as natural as breathing. Whatever he thinks, his actions betray him, even if he doesn't realize what he feels himself.
The bit where they shelter in his house is adorable. When he tells her she is the first girl who came there, and she is so gleeful. Or her hilarious shower fantasy (ROFL) or the way she is giddy to be in his bathroom surrounded by his stuff. So been there done that.
The hilarious bit where she makes him give her the bed and sleep on the floor and then is 'are you OK?' and he replies 'first you yelled at me to give up the bed, now what do you want me to say?' ROFL. And they end up sharing the bed, too :P (Btw, the reference Ah Jin makes next morning about watching some touching Korean drama where the hero loved the heroine so he took her even though she was pregnant with another man's child? Heeee. It made me think of the plot of Joe Cheng's own Magic Ring :P. Not to mention that at some point in the hospital scenes later, the TV was playing his The Rose. I love in-jokes).
The manga club continues to be hilarious. Their shots of XQ in a bikini and their attempts to make her wear it? ROFL.
But then...but then...but then...
We get to the hospital scenes and I almost die. Yu Shu gets sick and XQ is the only one home and she thinks it's her own fault (of her cooking) and she calls ZS almost incoherent, scared and crying so hard. And I love how he is calm on the phone and tells her it's not her cooking because she is fine. And then he gets to the hospital and she is freaking out and apologizes and apologizes and apologizes, but he just thanks her and holds her very tenderly and strokes her hair. And he is so patient and so sweet. I really think that he can't bear to see her in genuine distress. Silly boy, now realize all that this means!
And then they watch by YS's bedside, and she insists she isn't going to sleep and isn't tired even though she so clearly is (and he is trying to get her to rest OMG) and is almost passing out and then she does fall asleep. And he just looks at her, and he has this tender look on his face and he goes 'this adorable hardworking idiot' and she is still asleep and he leans in and lightly kisses her. OMG OMG OMG OMG. And his face is totally unguarded for once.
And then we get the scenes in the hospital with the recuperating YS and the children's ward. ZS can be very kind (he is rather nice to those other kids). I love the scene when he sees her and Ah Jin help that one kid study. The look on his face! It's jealous and touched and everything else. Such a mix. And then agrees to teach the kids their schoolwork. He is miles from the way he was in beginning of the dorama.
I also love the scene where she tells him about how cool it would be if he was going to be a doctor (I know he becomes one later so how cool is it that she helps him find his calling). I love how he tells her being sad is not going to help the kid (one of the kids in the ward who's been there forever) and he is so gentle and it's clear he doesn't want her to blame herself. And he brings her food because she must not have eaten. EEEEEE!
I also talked at length earlier about how when he sees that younger guy (who is very cool btw) woo her, he does get quite jealous (even if he insists he doesn't) and possessively does the whole 'She only likes me so give up' thing in front of the new guy and Ah Jin, which is a cool foreshadowing of very similar words but his very different demeanor in ep 19. There, he is not so self-possessed at all (though even here, he is clearly trying to make sure his words stay true), in fact he is desperate and passionate and angry at himself and utterly lost. Reminds me of the thing with Akash and Shalini in Dil Chahta Hai where when he desperate crashed her engagement party and (he, who was always about image and facade) desperately pleaded with her in front of everyone in the same words he used fliply in their first meeting. I love such dramatic underscores.
I also love how when he joins his Dad's office, all the girls (and one guy) are so into him. Too often a fictional world is populated by drop dead gorgeous men and women but nobody notices the fact. Face it, if someone like Joe Cheng came to work at your office, and you were single and interested in guys, of course you'd jump through hoops to get him. Also, I crack up at the look at ZS's father's face when he sees all the attention hsi son gets. It's this subtle brief look of parental pride. Sort of 'young devil!' sort of thing. And I love the gay guy, Apple, thinking 'hmmmm, no girlfriend' :P (Also, ZS's father's 'you are going to work with him. But just work, OK' cracks me up).
I also love that it is actually XQ who comes up with that cool game to help the company. It's such a minicapsule of their relationship: he might come up with the business plan and the details and make it workable, but she is the one with the enthusiasm and the inspiration.
And I love that he looks out for her so. He might pick on her but no one else can. I love the scene where during a meeting the girls gang up on her because she spilled coffee and they are all 'useless, head full of rocks' and he looks up and very deliberately goes 'This useless, head full of rocks person is the one who came up with the game.' I went 'WHOA.' Because hey, not only does he not have to give up credit, and he also notices what goes in the back of the room because he has a XQ radar, but also, once again, he really can't stand people picking on her even though he does it himself (without realizing it). Protecting her is automatic.
Also, I love how she gives him a love note and he is all 'it's silly blah blah' but when she walks away he actually folds it and puts it into his pocket. He is so clueless about what he feels and what it means, it's rather cute. In some ways, she is much more intelligent than he is :P
Quote of the day:
XQ: Cooking is a woman's natural abililty!
XQ's Dad: After I've seen you I became an unbeliever.
Ariel is quite different in my other dorama of the weekend, Tokyo Juliet. There she plays an attractive, confident (and a good cook) design student. TJ is very different from ISWAK but it is also romantic and light and good.
Tokyo Juliet is one of my favorite things. Honestly. True, the whole 'I shall rule the world through fashion' is cracktastic (and I think the show knows that). And the fact that every man in Taiwan seems to be after Sui is a bit OTT as well (though to be fair, she is attractive and there are plenty of women after Liang). But TJ is one of the most cracktastic, fluffy, adorable dramas out there. And I am all about the OTP of our plucky heroine Sui and her boyfriend, too-hunky-not-to-ogle Liang, a senior in the design college Sui is in (in the alternate universe of TJ, male fashion designers are mainly straight. Hee).
Also, I just love all the kissing scenes in TJ. They are so many and they look so real. If there was some sort of an award for Best Kissing Drama, TJ would be in the run for the win. The only one I could see to compete would be Mars (Love Contract and DBY also have lovely kissing but nowhere near the amount here). And I just love that the kissing scenes look real. Every time he kisses her, he cups her face and he strokes her skin and it's really hot. Yum.
I also love how they are shown laughing half the time when they are making out. It's not one of those misty our-love-is-so-full-of-cleansing-holy-lught type things, but the sheer giddy of finding your SO attractive and having fun and the deliciousness of that. It's nice to have a dorama that has that.
But anyway.
Ep 11:
Love the scene when they come home and Liang is all jealous about the bra guy (who is, btw, one of the most annoying characters ever and should just die). And Sui knows he is annoyed and tries to do a little playacting 'don't be mad. if you are, here, hit me on the palms, but not too hard, I am afraid of pain' being all little-girlish and he exasperatedly replies 'Don't play dumb' and as he walks off he sort of shrugs and goes 'That guy? What's wrong with your eyesight? Oh my God.' Heeeeeeee.
And then she thinks he is still mad the next day but instead he is making her that dress (I love how whenever they have a row, and they have them periodically like all couples do, it doesn't last for weeks and weeks but they cool down pretty fast and half the time end up laughing about it). And then he calls her in the morning that they have to go to a family wedding so he left a dress for her upstairs and he'll meet her there. And she is half sleepy and she sort of grumbles to herself 'I can get my own dress' and then she sees it and it's white and very pretty and you see her face change from 'mmm, wish I got some more sleep and what IS it with the boy' to 'AWWWWWWWW.' And she shows up in Church and there is a small wedding going on and Liang is waiting for her and she asks whose it is, and Liang says 'It's a secret that no one knows but us, but it's ours.' EEEEEEEEEE! So they do the hippie thing of their own wows (repeating them after the bride and groom) and it's the most cute thing ever. And there is kissing. Again :P And he gives her a ring.
I also love how Sui never pays any attention to the bra guy (his Dad runs a bra factory). In fact, all she is, is annoyed at him for causing her and Liang to fight. I love the bit where she tells him 'there is a murderous atmosphere here, I wonder why' or something to that effect. I also love how she is self-confident and so when he tries to convince her to model a swimsuit for him he is all 'or is it because you are insecure about your body?' and she just shrugs and says 'Of course' and continues doing what she was doing.
Then later Liang comes by in school and is all 'I am going to have lunch with my gf, Prince of Bras' and puts his arm around her shoulder, good humored but possessive, the bra guy says 'OK, I'll come with' Heeee. And then he tells Sui he is wolfing the food down because his Dad told him to never waste food. So Sui goes 'Always listen to your Dad, right? I should get your Dad to tell you to leave me alone.' And Liang does a firm little nod. Heeeee. I love Liang. He is so good humored and amused and loves Sui.
And of course she ends up having to wear a corset of stage (long story) so he comes and physically picks her up and carries her out of there and he is all 'you actually went out in your bra!' (and she says in a small voice 'it was a corset, actually' Heeee). And then he adds 'Also, you are not supposed to other designers' clothes.' But it's clear he is jealous more about bra than designs. And then he starts cracking up and she stares at him as if he'd lost it and then he points out: 'You are wearing undies in the living room. People will want to take photos' and she looks over to the giant bay window they have. So she runs off and he continues to grin. He can never stay mad for long, can he?
And then he sneaks into a girls-only pool party organized by bra guy to make sure Sui is OK and heeeeeee. he makes a scarily pretty girl, especially with lipstick and eye shadow. And he helps Sui as she is being hounded and the look on her face as she recognizes him. ROFL. She dissolves into helpless giggles and goes 'You are so pretty' and he does this thing with the fake long hair and ROFL. They are both just dying and he is whispering 'calm down, I don't want to be tomorrow's headline.' Heeeee.
The preview for ep 12 looks dramatic as her Dad finds out about her living with Liang. Oooooh. But more importantly, they have a huge fight and Liang says she reminds him of the women around his father and that's a pretty horrible thing to say if you are Liang. If you know Liang's issues and trauma, than yeah, that's pretty bad. He used not to trust any girls other than his memory of Sui for a reason so let's see how that goes. Also, heavy kissing scene. What else is new.
Ep 12:
Ooooh, that fight is horrible. She gets totally upset and leaves a note saying she is going home but instead ends up at her gf's. He understandably has issues with women like the models around his Dad and she knows it so it's all kinda messed up.
But the apology scene is the sweetest thing ever. When her friend gets that screen where Sui apologizes and Liang sees it and his face. OMG. And then they start frantically looking for each other and I knew they were going to find each other, but still I was biting my nails. Also, that whole thing is a Takuya Kimura dorama ref, but I have no idea which one.
And I love how she goes to fetch food for her study group and meets him on the way back and she is surprised because she thought he was annoyed and he replies that if he let her know he wasn't 'then you wouldn't look as surprised as you do now.' Heh.
Then they get home, and he says he forgot his keys. and he suggests they not go back. (Her response: 'And leave those hungry crackheads there?????') and then he kisses her and she mock walks away muttering 'so annoying.' And then she runs back and kisses him and it starts out as playful kissing but soon they are seriously making out and giggling. I really love that the drama has them being into each other physically, not just some distant ideal. It's like when they are necking (on the street, too!!) and she breathes, between kisses, "I love this feeling" and he grins back "You like it? Then let's continue doing bad things." Heeeeeee. In some ways, this is the most realistic portrayal of a functional early 20-something relationship I've seen. And then he lifts her up to a bench (she is totally tiny next to him) so she starts teasing him 'I'm tall now, huh?' and it's to die for.
And I love that though he finds bra guy annoying, Liang is about helping Sui and he knows his jealousy is irrational so he'd do his best to fight it. And now he is going away for a few days and mmmmmm, the kissing scene! He is stroking her face as he kisses her and I just die. And he gives her a chain to wear the ring on (she was cutting something and cut her hand so she can't wear it on her finger) and I love Sui's thoughts 'Liang, you are so great' Heeeeee. of course, his evil father is trying to muddy the waters (what's with that. You don't like Sui, OK. But let your kid be happy. You arelady screwed up his childhood enough). So I see big trauma coming :P Haven't seen the last 10 minutes of the ep yet.
Also, this show's attitude to almost-rape (now it's the annoying bra guy) is really weird. I'll just chalk it up to manga stuff.
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Date: 2006-09-25 10:33 pm (UTC)And the hotel scene and the way ZS opens up to XQ and nobody else and is telling her all these deep things about himself (and it all pretty much sounds like a love declaration) and she has a low self-esteem and all she can say is "sorry". AWWWWWWWWW! And the way she always makes him laugh
And - The puppy! Little Cutie! I was in hysterics when but at the same time it was so heart-warming to see the caring side of ZS. Honestly - this dorama is the best thing what happened to me for a long, long time.
And I crack up from Mom's attempt to bring ZS's attention to XQ's breasts. Hilarious thing is ZS totally wakes up :P)
This was HILARIOUS!! But on a serious note I like the way in this dorama they don't steer away from things like that.
So been there done that.
You know - this is what I love! So many things are just so much similar to my memories. Their first kiss makes me squee with glee!!!!!!
And ZS is so fantastic that I am totally joining the list. Magic Ring sounds very good but unattainable.
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Date: 2006-09-25 10:42 pm (UTC)Yup. And the hilarious thing is he doesn't realize it's a love declaration any more than she does. Not so smart now :P
So many things are just so much similar to my memories
There are all those little bits where I am so nodding my head and going 'OMG, I remember doing that.'
And I love the puppy. Awwwwww.
about finding your calling and about the fact that one's brains , though they are good to have, are not everything..
Definitely. In so many ways XQ is more equipped for the world than ZS.
this dorama is the best thing what happened to me for a long, long time.
EEEEE! Glad you are enjoying. It certainly kept me sane during the weekend from hell. The funny thing is, I am both trying to watch it as fast as I can and not want it to end.
P.S. Magic Ring
Date: 2006-09-25 10:42 pm (UTC)Re: P.S. Magic Ring
Date: 2006-09-25 10:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-25 10:56 pm (UTC)This is what I am totally hooked on – how confused he is about his feelings (and Joe Chang does a great job of acting it all). To kiss XQ twice and never realize what does it means!!
Glad you are enjoying. It certainly kept me sane during the weekend from hell. The funny thing is, I am both trying to watch it as fast as I can and not want it to end.
Packing = thing of EVIL. I just was thinking the same and it happened to me with MG before – I don’t want this to end!!!!!!! What I am going to do next!! ** Hear tearing ** Though there is a sequel which can potentially be good!!!
I also love that ZS has a strength of character to go and live on his own and of course he totally succeeds in it – have I ever seen such an immaculate flat as his?? I haven’t watched the end of their “rain hiding” yet but the fact that you said that they end up in the same bed feels me with glee. Tomorrow is going to be a good day :)
no subject
Date: 2006-09-26 03:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-26 04:04 am (UTC)Re: P.S. Magic Ring
Date: 2006-09-26 04:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-26 04:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-26 12:55 pm (UTC)One of my favorite things about this OTP is that even though they portray XQ as a stupid, useless kind of girl, the dynamic between those two really is a partnership, because their differences complement each other fairly nicely. And I love the absolutely FLOORED look on his face when she tells him it would be cool if he could be a doctor, like he'd never thought of it but it's the most perfect thing he could imagine (upon re-watching, they actually hint towards that a lot, like there's a few scenes where he's talking about medical stuff, and when he's talking to Yu Shu's doctors and knows exactly what's happening)... and that she's his biggest cheerleader, yet she's not pressuring him down any path like his parents are (well, except for the whole being-in-love-with-him thing).
You pointed out a few things I never really noticed, like his 'XQ radar' and his ability to zero in on her and notice what she's doing, and that just makes me love it so much more...
And, HEE, when she passes him that note at work and he's all snarky and exasperated, but then she leaves and he kinda sneakily puts it in his pocket? SO MUCH LOVE. And the way he's defensive of her (he can tease her and make fun of her, but no one else can!) and protective (like in the rain, with the umbrella, or all the other times stuff has happened - when she injured herself playing tennis, or even back in ep. 3 when he stood up for her when the guy was groping her), that he doesn't like it when she's sad and will go out of his way to make things right (like when he finds out she thinks he's living with that other girl, and his brother comments about how weird she's been acting and he arranges that meeting so that she can find out the truth without having to seem like he did it purposely for her) and in the end, just ultimately amused by her (I love all the hidden-smiles).
This show is such fluff-filled marathon of happiness, it always puts me in a good mood.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-26 12:57 pm (UTC)That is one of my absolutely FAVORITE moments EVER and the first time I knew for certain, without any shadow of a doubt, that he is SO in love with her, and not only that, but he KNOWS her!
no subject
Date: 2006-09-26 01:33 pm (UTC)And even there, she told the dreads guy if ZS really liked someone else, she'd let it go. She really is amazing to him. Because his parents are loving and sweet but oh boy are they also pushy and controlling (especially his Mom. That lady is a force of nature).
And I love the absolutely FLOORED look on his face when she tells him it would be cool if he could be a doctor, like he'd never thought of it but it's the most perfect thing he could imagine
I just love how it's because of XQ he found his calling. LOVE. She understands him so well even if she doesn't understand higher math or whatever.
And the way he's defensive of her (he can tease her and make fun of her, but no one else can!)
I just love that. And I love how he does it without a second thought and he doesn't realize what it means.
(I love all the hidden-smiles).
That's probably one of my fave things about ISWAK. He is not a person who seems to be amused a lot, but around her he always is.
it's just him acting on his feelings because he's alone and she's asleep and it's safe because no one else is around, but he totally gets busted by his little brother.
And his little brother freaks and it's hilarious.
Re: Christmas ep. Oh, he knows her likes and dislikes so well and I love that he won't admit that he left the party because he didn't want her to be alone on Christmas but even she understands that he came to hang out with her. And they eat the cake from the bottom out. EEEE!