Musings of the Obsessive Kind

I think FWC insanity has driven me back to kdramas.



A pity none of my current favorites are doing well. Both Thorn Birds and Royal Family are being killed in the ratings (which are in the single digits) by Sign, the popularity of which I do not get - if I wanted to watch CSI, I'd just watch CSI. That's a pity because I really liked TB's first ep and, while I haven't seen RF yet, I cannot imagine it appealing to me less than Sign.

Next week, 49 Days takes over from Sign and we'll see how ratings shake out then. I hope at least one of these dramas is a hit though it's pretty hard for me to pick which one I'd root for seeing that I like Thorn Birds a lot already and want Joo Sung Wook's first starring role to be a success, 49 Days has a fascinating concept and a screenwriter I love (even if the leads - Jo Hun Jae and Lee Yo Won - leave me cold. Why couldn't Jung Il Woo be the main lead?), and Royal Family stars my crush Ji Sung and I am a sucker for dysfunctional rich family infighting stories.

I wonder how Crime Squad, which just premiered, did in the ratings? I am a lot more interested in it than its competitor The Duo, and I don't even know what the third rival is, so that shows how much I care about that one.

ETA: Midas. I think it's Midas. Talk about a drama designed not to appeal to me.

Oh, and the only weekend drama I am following, New Tales of the Gisaeng, is apparently averaging low teen rating, which I wouldn't think is too bad for a drama starring a bunch of nobodies and few sets (how expensive could this drama have been to make?), but apparently upsets execs because this writer's previous dramas have all been hits. I don't care if they cut the ep number down actually, as long as they do it enough in advance so the story could accomodate it. 50 eps is a LOT.

What are you guys watching/planning to watch?

I think FWC insanity has driven me back to kdramas.



A pity none of my current favorites are doing well. Both Thorn Birds and Royal Family are being killed in the ratings (which are in the single digits) by Sign, the popularity of which I do not get - if I wanted to watch CSI, I'd just watch CSI. That's a pity because I really liked TB's first ep and, while I haven't seen RF yet, I cannot imagine it appealing to me less than Sign.

Next week, 49 Days takes over from Sign and we'll see how ratings shake out then. I hope at least one of these dramas is a hit though it's pretty hard for me to pick which one I'd root for seeing that I like Thorn Birds a lot already and want Joo Sung Wook's first starring role to be a success, 49 Days has a fascinating concept and a screenwriter I love (even if the leads - Jo Hun Jae and Lee Yo Won - leave me cold. Why couldn't Jung Il Woo be the main lead?), and Royal Family stars my crush Ji Sung and I am a sucker for dysfunctional rich family infighting stories.

I wonder how Crime Squad, which just premiered, did in the ratings? I am a lot more interested in it than its competitor The Duo, and I don't even know what the third rival is, so that shows how much I care about that one.

ETA: Midas. I think it's Midas. Talk about a drama designed not to appeal to me.

Oh, and the only weekend drama I am following, New Tales of the Gisaeng, is apparently averaging low teen rating, which I wouldn't think is too bad for a drama starring a bunch of nobodies and few sets (how expensive could this drama have been to make?), but apparently upsets execs because this writer's previous dramas have all been hits. I don't care if they cut the ep number down actually, as long as they do it enough in advance so the story could accomodate it. 50 eps is a LOT.

What are you guys watching/planning to watch?

Withs2 picked Royal Family for subbing. Out of the new crop of the dramas, this was my most anticipated, so hooray!



Ji Sung, chaebol family manipulations, younger man- older woman! Bring it on, say I!

I also plan to check out 49 Days, Crime Squad and Thornbirds. I've given up on Midas (boring, plus a number of deal breaker concepts) and The Duo (I get my period drama caving satisfied through cdramas now) entirely.

1. If there is anything cuter than Yang Mi and Feng Shao Feng (a.k.a. my current obssession Qing Chuan and Eight a.k.a. period Makino and Domyouji in JPLH) singing together on some variety show, I have yet to see it.



I don't care about the weird background/dancers or the fact that FSF, while he sounds nice for not a professional, should stick to acting. I don't care. Because OH THE CUTE, IT KILLS ME. I want to squish them into one adorable ball of squee. When is the JPLH sequel coming out again? Not that I finished JPLH itself yet. Though I should probably stop haunting withs2 for more Jade Palace Lock Heart subs - if I check every few hours, the status won't change.

Semi-related, from browsing on-line, I noticed people either really love JPLH and think upcoming BBJX is not their cup of tea, or really dislike JPLH and really look forward to BBJX. There is not much overlap. Hmmmm. (Disclosure - I am fully in the former camp).

2. Speaking of cute couples I adore, I continued with twdrama Endless Love with Wilbur Pan and Sandrine Panna.



I saw the first three eps, fell madly in love, then got sidetracked and was waiting for a lot of dlable files/subs so I could binge. Well, I started the binge, am on ep 4 and still - I have no words for how much I love it. As ockoala is to Happiness is a Sunny Day is dangermousie to Endless Love. Most of my love is motivated by my ridiculous, irrational, protective love of Wilbur and Sandrine's characters - they are such lovely and realistic people (I especially love Wilbur's character - I feel ridiculously emotionally overinvested in him) - and their explosive chemistry. Nobody does a romantic drama quite like twdramas. I know this one is going to break my heart before giving me the inevitable happy ending, and I am ready for the ride.

( A few more unspoilery caps of the two )

And speaking of the two of them, even though I posted this MV before, I love it so much, it merits a repost. I dare anyone watching it not wanting to check out the drama.

( MV here )

3. I only had time for one ep of Young Warriors of the Yang Clan today. I finally understand why some fangirls ship Lady Blacksmith with Yelu Xie.



They do share a great deal of chemistry plus Yuan Hong is a good-looking and charismatic guy.

But I am still on the Five/Blacksmith ship. Seriously, hotness or not, Yelu Xie is sworn to invade and destroy Blacksmith's country, likely killing scores of her friends and acquiantances in the process. Not to mention he's palling around with the guy who killed her parents and has no problem with said guy offing tons of innocents to help him invade. Good boyfriend material he's not. Also, Five is not only righteous and upright but totally adorable.

( A couple of caps )

4. Dream High ended today. I completely lost interest in it during the second half (I think I am just too old for those types of stories). But I do plan to check out the concert special tomorrow. Singing and dancing yay.

5. The first two eps of The Holy Pearl are subbed on viki.

6. O-M-G. Unless I am very much mistaken, the below is Yu Yutong-centric MV from the 2009 version of The Book and the Sword a.k.a. the only Louis Cha novel I've read. Talking to hamster428 reminded me how much I liked the guy - he was basically my crush from the book. I mean, the scholar/fighter/flute player/likes to cut himself is a combo made just for moi.



I know that Jiang Hu is subbing this. Off to look as soon as I finish Yang Clan. Qing hairstyles bother me less and less.

7. And speaking of wuxias on my short list, my raging obsession with Peter Ho shows no signs of abating so I got my DVDs of Men and Legends out and plan to get on them after I finish Yang Clan - it will make a nice counterpoint to The Book and the Sword. Turn of the century! Dylan Kuo and Peter Ho! OTPs! From what I am aware of, Peter Ho and his OTP, who's a plucky reporter, are cute for most of the run of the drama until they get hit with the angst hammer and are beaten into bloody bits with it. Ah, yes, it's a Peter Ho drama all right.

( A couple of MVs )

8. Despite my misgivings, I decided to give the first ep of Midas a try. We'll see how it goes. Oh, Jang Hyuk, see what you make me do!

OK, this is getting very long, so good-night, everyone!

1. If there is anything cuter than Yang Mi and Feng Shao Feng (a.k.a. my current obssession Qing Chuan and Eight a.k.a. period Makino and Domyouji in JPLH) singing together on some variety show, I have yet to see it.



I don't care about the weird background/dancers or the fact that FSF, while he sounds nice for not a professional, should stick to acting. I don't care. Because OH THE CUTE, IT KILLS ME. I want to squish them into one adorable ball of squee. When is the JPLH sequel coming out again? Not that I finished JPLH itself yet. Though I should probably stop haunting withs2 for more Jade Palace Lock Heart subs - if I check every few hours, the status won't change.

Semi-related, from browsing on-line, I noticed people either really love JPLH and think upcoming BBJX is not their cup of tea, or really dislike JPLH and really look forward to BBJX. There is not much overlap. Hmmmm. (Disclosure - I am fully in the former camp).

2. Speaking of cute couples I adore, I continued with twdrama Endless Love with Wilbur Pan and Sandrine Panna.



I saw the first three eps, fell madly in love, then got sidetracked and was waiting for a lot of dlable files/subs so I could binge. Well, I started the binge, am on ep 4 and still - I have no words for how much I love it. As ockoala is to Happiness is a Sunny Day is dangermousie to Endless Love. Most of my love is motivated by my ridiculous, irrational, protective love of Wilbur and Sandrine's characters - they are such lovely and realistic people (I especially love Wilbur's character - I feel ridiculously emotionally overinvested in him) - and their explosive chemistry. Nobody does a romantic drama quite like twdramas. I know this one is going to break my heart before giving me the inevitable happy ending, and I am ready for the ride.

( A few more unspoilery caps of the two )

And speaking of the two of them, even though I posted this MV before, I love it so much, it merits a repost. I dare anyone watching it not wanting to check out the drama.

( MV here )

3. I only had time for one ep of Young Warriors of the Yang Clan today. I finally understand why some fangirls ship Lady Blacksmith with Yelu Xie.



They do share a great deal of chemistry plus Yuan Hong is a good-looking and charismatic guy.

But I am still on the Five/Blacksmith ship. Seriously, hotness or not, Yelu Xie is sworn to invade and destroy Blacksmith's country, likely killing scores of her friends and acquiantances in the process. Not to mention he's palling around with the guy who killed her parents and has no problem with said guy offing tons of innocents to help him invade. Good boyfriend material he's not. Also, Five is not only righteous and upright but totally adorable.

( A couple of caps )

4. Dream High ended today. I completely lost interest in it during the second half (I think I am just too old for those types of stories). But I do plan to check out the concert special tomorrow. Singing and dancing yay.

5. The first two eps of The Holy Pearl are subbed on viki.

6. O-M-G. Unless I am very much mistaken, the below is Yu Yutong-centric MV from the 2009 version of The Book and the Sword a.k.a. the only Louis Cha novel I've read. Talking to hamster428 reminded me how much I liked the guy - he was basically my crush from the book. I mean, the scholar/fighter/flute player/likes to cut himself is a combo made just for moi.



I know that Jiang Hu is subbing this. Off to look as soon as I finish Yang Clan. Qing hairstyles bother me less and less.

7. And speaking of wuxias on my short list, my raging obsession with Peter Ho shows no signs of abating so I got my DVDs of Men and Legends out and plan to get on them after I finish Yang Clan - it will make a nice counterpoint to The Book and the Sword. Turn of the century! Dylan Kuo and Peter Ho! OTPs! From what I am aware of, Peter Ho and his OTP, who's a plucky reporter, are cute for most of the run of the drama until they get hit with the angst hammer and are beaten into bloody bits with it. Ah, yes, it's a Peter Ho drama all right.

( A couple of MVs )

8. Despite my misgivings, I decided to give the first ep of Midas a try. We'll see how it goes. Oh, Jang Hyuk, see what you make me do!

OK, this is getting very long, so good-night, everyone!

1. The fantasy/comedy/melodrama (yes, all of these) Secret Garden about an icy businessman and a tough stuntwoman who swap bodies and fall in love starring Hyun Bin, Ha Ji Won, Yoon Sang Hyun and Lee Philip starts this weekend. They released this amazing, swoony MV. Oh, I am melting just thinking about it.



One distraction - Hyun Bin is normally drop-dead gorgeous, but he really needs to eat here!

2. The trailer for the drama about lives of college students in a musical department, What's Up is finally out. I am very excited in part because Im Ju Hwan is the lead and that man deserves more fame than he has, but even more so because it is written by the writer of Eyes of Dawn/Sandglass/Kaist/Legend/Slingshot, i.e. a woman who has yet to write a bad drama. I love the vibe of the trailer.



It is a bit weird to hear "This is the Moment" in Korean :)

3. This one is a bit mixed for me - the upcoming drama about the stockmarket, Midas has just landed Mr Intense, a.k.a. Jang Hyuk for the leading role!!!!!!!!! (So much more my thing than his earlier rumored now squashed participation in Poseidon). A fly in the ointment - Lee Min Jung is the leading lady. Now, I know a lot of flisties like her, but she is my least favorite drama actress bar none. I will grit my teeth and ff through her scenes and, who knows, maybe a miracle will occur and I will like her.

So far, these are the dramas I am following:

M/T dramas - the charming, quirky, irresistable Mary Stayed Out All Night and stomp-out-my-heart Giant are both a go. I also have the first four eps of Queen of Reversals all raring to go as soon as I finish my Gloria marathon. I love the cast so if the story is halfway decent, I am in. Which means I will be watching three M/T dramas, which is sort of insane. No Dr Champ for me though - it sounds about as much fun as eating paint.

W/R dramas - only Daemul for me. Love it so much. Fugitive is a waste of time and I can't even remember the name or actors in the MBC drama, that's how little it interested me.

S/S dramas - my obsession and true love Gloria. Plus when Secret Garden starts, it is a must (though I will wait for a batch of subs). I want to check out Let's Get Married, which is in full swing, because of the wonderful Lee Jong Hyuk having (finally) a leading role, but it may have to wait until a slot opens.

Random question - why are there no dramas on Fridays and what do they show then?