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blueocean80 April 27 2010, 13:43:28 UTC
Heh, I have no problem with Kim Ji-suk for I've seen him in a number of things BEFORE Chuno and so I've seen how far he's come, acting-wise and I like him even better now. Actually, I think he's doing a fine job on Personal Taste. Mind you, I've watched up to ep 6 so I don't know if his acting will go downhill later on, but I think he's improving as the drama progresses. I mean, in the first few eps, the script required him to be so-so, imho, but in the last few eps, you could see his character is much more layered than previously thought and I LOVE when I see glimpses of that.

Overall, I liked Hotaru no Hikari, but 1)I was MAJORLY disappointed by the ending (I want a sequel, dammit!) and 2)yes, there are some similarities between HnH and PT, but they don't bother me as much as they bother you, I think. *g* If we want to be nitpicky, Amemiya was a rip off of Nodame right down to the slapstick over-the-top manga-like situations so *shrugs* not bothered. And Kae-in's house is a typical Korean house so again, not bothered.

As for the gay theme, it's going to take forever for the K-entertainment to touch gay issues with tact. Personally, I kind of like what they're doing with PT. It's still a step forward from the OMG GAY=MENTAL ILLNESS, Let's take character X to the hospital for a personality change, if you know what I mean? Yes, there are clichés (I cringed when Jin-ho's hyung pretended to have a lovers fight with him and his whole demeanor turned into "girly" and stereotyped), but I've seen similar things in American/Euro movies/tvshows so *shrugs* Imho, talking about these topics, even if not handled them perfectly well, is waaaaayyyyyy better than not talking about them at all. Also, Kae-in and her BFF were rather supportive and cool so that's a BIG plus, imho.

I'm MUCH more concerned about Prosecutor Princess lately, which I'm considering dropping. I ranted about it in one of my latest entries so I'll spare your journal from that tirade. ;)

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alexandral April 27 2010, 17:45:18 UTC
Heh, I have no problem with Kim Ji-suk for I've seen him in a number of things BEFORE Chuno and so I've seen how far he's come, acting-wise and I like him even better now. Actually, I think he's doing a fine job on Personal Taste.

I don't dislike the actor as such, it is just the character is such a slimy bastard, and a boring one at that. Also, he uses many of Wang Son's expressions taken to the "bad" extreme, and where I felt mild annoyance with Wang Son at times, I am really feeling almost nauseated in "Personal Preference".

1)I was MAJORLY disappointed by the ending (I want a sequel, dammit!)

Oh, why, if this is fine to ask? The similarities don't bother me too much, but I thought I should mention them.

Yes, I quite liked that no "OMG GAY=MENTAL ILLNESS" and such things happened yet, but then the creators had to go ahead and spoil it all by Ji Ho's lies. And where I would have been totally happy with Ji Ho lying that he is gay to get the bid, because this would have just showed his character's bad qualities, I wasn't fine with the way the drama had it: Ji Ho lied because he was such a good person. What is so good about patronizing lies?

Imho, talking about these topics, even if not handled them perfectly well, is waaaaayyyyyy better than not talking about them at all.

yes, may be. I should give the creators some credit.

I haven't started PP yet, but I must say that your posts have made me worried.

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dangermousie April 27 2010, 18:32:12 UTC
What is so good about patronizing lies?

Umm, *raises hand* As someone who has lied about liking someone and even went out with them before because I felt sorry for them (years ago, in college), I can totally understand JH's headspace and think it was nice of him :)

Re: HnH. Yeah, the ending. I hated the ending - nothing happened (a problem with a lot of jdramas) - no affirmation of OTP or anything.

Re: PP. I continue to love it the most of all kdramas airing right now but as you know we don't always agree so take it for what you will.

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alexandral April 27 2010, 19:23:33 UTC
Umm, *raises hand* As someone who has lied about liking someone and even went out with them before because I felt sorry for them (years ago, in college), I can totally understand JH's headspace and think it was nice of him :)

I don't know about your situation, but in the case on ji Ho/ the Manager:

a) it is a work situation

b) everything will be found out eventually (very quickly), and if in a situation of "pretend dating" you can just say "oh, we broke up", it is a no-brainer (I know Ji Ho is not a brain giant, but still) that this will mean:

- for the gay manager, a bit of extra scorn from his gay-bashing colleagues , of the sort "hahahaha, Ji Ho pretended to be gay and got a bid"
- for the gay manager - a bigger humiliation of thinking that Ji Ho only pretended to be gay for the sake of getting the bid
- for Ji Ho, definitely losing the bid. he can just forget it.

Leaving the differences aside, I would have personally hated and found it VERY humiliating if someone agreed to go out with me "just because they felt sorry" (excluding exceptional "pretend for crazy family gathering" cases).

Re: HnH. Yeah, the ending. I hated the ending - nothing happened (a problem with a lot of jdramas) - no affirmation of OTP or anything.

Definitely odd - OTP (did you ship the manager and the girl?) got together 100% sure. It is one of rare jdramas with a definitive ending (could have done a kiss, but, whatever).

I haven't seen PP yet. :D And I am definitely not disliking "Personal taste", I think I am just choosy nowdays.

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dangermousie April 27 2010, 19:44:04 UTC
Re; HnH. Really? Not how I remember it - they sort of went back to just being roommates. Unless I am really losing and and am remembering it wrongly.

Can't comment on PT situation (haven't seen those eps yet) but in my case, someone agreed to go out with me "just because they felt sorry" - this ixactly what I did. Dated the guy for a few weeks too, cause I felt bad dumping him right away and then I got all passive-agressive so as not to have an active-in-your-face-break-up. In retrospect - not so smart or nice and would not wish to repeat the procedure but due to that personal experience, cannot blame PT characters as what I've done was just as bad :P

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alexandral April 27 2010, 20:11:14 UTC


In retrospect - not so smart or nice and would not wish to repeat the procedure but due to that personal experience, cannot blame PT characters as what I've done was just as bad :P

I don't think that these are two of the same thing, not at all. You weren't applying for a job and then the chair was a lesbian and you said you are a lesbian just because she looked sad, did you? And then she shortlisted you and you went to see her but still didn't say that you are not a lesbian and accepted the shortlist?
The whole thing is crazy , actually, when I think of it , one of those "we must make this a set up so that the herouine continues to think Ji Ho is gay" arrangements.

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alexandral April 27 2010, 20:12:28 UTC
HNH, I am 100% sure they didn't just went to be roommates, the ending could have being done in a more direct way, but they definitely got back together properly.

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blueocean80 April 27 2010, 20:27:56 UTC
no affirmation of OTP or anything.

THIS! That's what bothered me. I shipped them, but I would have been fine if they just stayed BFF or if the got together, but the ending was kinda vague imho. I swear I stared at screen for a good 5 minutes like this 0__o IDK. This exactly why sometimes jdoramas are hit and miss with me: just when the story starts to get more interesting, jdoramas end. :/

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blueocean80 April 27 2010, 20:21:29 UTC
He was a terrible character in the other projects (ie The vineyard man) I saw him in ^^

Oh, why, if this is fine to ask?

It felt...unfinished? I mean, granted, Hotaru and Seiichi both grew up and changed and that's all good, and I know they love each other, but IDK, are they going to get together? Cos in the last scene he threatens her to kiss her and then she's all hopeful and expecting him to actually go and do that, but he looks appalled? IDK. I'm fine if they stay BFF, but I'd like to know? See, I'm kinda slow in getting things so I need everything spelled out to me. :D

this would have just showed his character's bad qualities, I wasn't fine with the way the drama had it

Heh, I haven't watched ep 7-8 so I can't say anything about that. I'll comment on this when I've watched the ep. :)

I haven't started PP yet, but I must say that your posts have made me worried.

I don't know what's the general consensus about this drama, and I was ok up until 4, but yeah, imho it has some flaws. IDK, maybe it's just me, but I was irked about a few things and it kind of ruined it for me, much like some things irked you in Personal taste. Heh. IDK. I'll give it another try and see what happens. Your best bet is checking what your other friends say about Prosecutor Princess, which it also has some plus (eg I like how the love rectangle is set up. It's very refreshing).

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alexandral April 27 2010, 20:27:41 UTC
HnH: they definitely got back together properly, it was just played out low-key, which I found fine because of her experience with the other guy.

I am definitely going to watch PP, I just didn't have time. I am A huge fan of Lee Min Ho, I mainlined "Personal Taste" yesterday and today I am in the mood for some more "Family Honour" (I just got to the good bits, my heart is skipping all over the place). And to be fair, I don't dislike PT , it is just one of those "totally devoid any logical thought or originality" dramas, but this never stopped me before.

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blueocean80 April 27 2010, 20:32:51 UTC
Um, I see.

LOL it's ok ^^ Is Family Honour that good? Gah, it wasn't on my list, but um, should it?

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alexandral April 27 2010, 20:39:30 UTC
family Honour is a good family drama, if you like this type of thing - extended family relationships, multiple OTPs, etc. I seem to like all the folks there, and I am re-watching it now properly , I had a fast watch on viikii previously. The main OTP is absolutely delicious. Do you like PArk Shin Yang?

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dangermousie April 27 2010, 21:54:58 UTC
Re: FH. Thanks for posting about it, I am in the mood to get back to it!

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alexandral April 28 2010, 20:54:19 UTC
I advise to ff to the point where they make the dating contract, up to that it is all just setting up (for the other characters too).

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blueocean80 April 27 2010, 22:19:27 UTC
I liked Sons of Sol Pharmacy. If FH is like that, I may give it a try. *g* God, I'm SO easy to convince. XD Oh yes, I do like Park Shin Yang; is he in FH, too? Dramawiki doesn't list him.

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alexandral April 28 2010, 20:55:45 UTC
Oh, noes, I meant Park Shi Hoo.

I must watch "Sons of the Pharmacy", I do like family dramas from time to time and that one was very popular.

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