I LOVE it, what a fabulous show!

[chigirl68]

In all, I am liking this show. The popy music surprised me as well. I am also not a big fan of too much of the flying / fighting scenes. I think this can hold it's own on the story and more true to life fight scenes. I will keep watchign this (an recording for future viewing).
Did anyone notice, did the credits show subs by our very own Michael. Not the subs from another channel or the ones sold on DVD.

[galacticchick]

Put me down for a vote against all the flying scenes. They are interesting, but I think they sometimes take up a lot of time.

One of the things I was having a really hard time with was the tiny, tiny footnotes. It's a good thing I had recorded it, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to read what it said.

[Albie]

OMG, it was great!!! The filmimg was amazing. I love the story line so far. I was confuse with soem things, but i get the feeling they will be cleared put later. It's so great to see a girl kick butt!!!

Well, for the record, I do like the flying fighting scenes, although they do seem unrealistic.

[jenny]

galacticchick said:

One of the things I was having a really hard time with was the tiny, tiny footnotes. It's a good thing I had recorded it, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to read what it said.

Bonus Michael Han moment: I was so happy to see the meaning of du-ryung-nim (sp?), "young master!" I never knew it was pronounced like that! Isn't that what Hee-soo calls her brother-in-law on MPC? I love that stuff!!

[hachiue]

I thought she called him toronim (sp?) (I assumed it was brother-in-law) but this makes sense. Because it's fun and respectful-ish at the same time. ;D

[Alexa]

Albie said:

It's so great to see a girl kick butt!!!

Well, for the record, I do like the flying fighting scenes, although they do seem unrealistic.

I like the flying scenes as well. It's just like the movie Hero, which I loved. And yeah it's always great to see a girl kick butt!!

[Lucy]

I don't understand the flying. I do tend to have a problem with suspending my disbelief when something that's otherwise realistic (i.e., not totally fantasy like "Lord of the Rings") incorporates stuff like that. So could someone enlighten me as to whether we're supposed to believe that flying is a part of their martial art?

[albanyparker]

I believe that the flying is, in fact, part of their martial arts. Some of what the show is doing is taking some of the action/fantasy tradition from Chinese, specifically Hong Kong, cinema and tv and using it as part of a historical drama! There are lots and lots of "flying swordsman/swordswoman" movies; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" are just two that have made to American theaters. I tend to think of it as the Asian version of superheroes.

A good Korean film that matches or out does Hong Kong in this genre is "Bichunmoo" which I think translates as sword dance, but my memory may well be wrong there.

[hachiue]

Lucy said:

I don't understand the flying. I do tend to have a problem with suspending my disbelief when something that's otherwise realistic (i.e., not totally fantasy like "Lord of the Rings") incorporates stuff like that. So could someone enlighten me as to whether we're supposed to believe that flying is a part of their martial art?

I'm not up to date on the thing behind the flying but it has something to do with them drawing energy and releasing it. That's why they sometimes crack the earth when they land - they draw their energy from the earth. I'm not sure what it is behind being able to change direction in mid-air or using something obviously to support their weight that obviously isn't adequate.

There may be some info (if we knew what the name of the fighting-style was!) on this on the internet.

[valtoy]

The first time I saw scenes like this was in Crouching tiger, Hidden Dragon and it became one of my favorite movies. I love the fantasy, mystical aspect of the martial arts, and I love seeing women as the main characters, equal to the men in their fighting skills!

Valerie

[Michael]

Flying martial artists are part of Asian traditional folklore. Theoretically, a person highly skilled in many of martial arts can learn the technique of good, balanced jumping for either defense or offense. However, according to traditional sources and popular mystical beliefs, a master who has achieved a certain "depth" by training himself in the art of meditation and martial arts is supposed to be able to jump like those found in Damo. I personally think some great thinkers, or contemplative meditators of the past in Asia were little confused between an altered state of consciousness and what can really be achieved in reality. May be it was that extra cup of soju...

[amber chicago NWside]

I react to the flying scenes in Damo much as Lucy. I feel like there's too much "kitchen sink" action here:
pop music, historical drama, the flying scenes, etc.-too many disparate elements in one show. Sobak is incredible enough without taking it to such extremes.
I really hated some of the music. But, hey, for those who like it, rock on!

P.S.: And a gripe re: Admiral Yi-His whole life was very
interesting, not just the last year they will show.

[galacticchick]

Guest-amber said:

I really hated some of the music. But, hey, for those who like it, rock on!

I didn't hate it, I just didn't particularly care for it. The one song out of all the soundtrack that I really, really liked is The theme song of Hwang-bo Yoon. I could hear that song over and over. I think it's so appropriate for his character: it's powerful yet the singer sings it with so much sorrow.

[Knov1]

Guest-amber said:

I react to the flying scenes in Damo much as Lucy. I feel like there's too much "kitchen sink" action here:
pop music, historical drama, the flying scenes, etc.-too many disparate elements in one show. Sobak is incredible enough without taking it to such extremes.
I really hated some of the music. But, hey, for those who like it, rock on!

I understand what you're saying but Damo was made to be different from other dramas. Personally, I don't consider Damo a historical drama. It's more Sci-fi fantasy. Historical dramas are based around real people who existed and tell you the overall history of a certain period of time. Damo is based on a comic book series, around fictional characters and focuses on a group of people rather than actual history. In a way, it's more like a movie that was turned into a series. Which would explain why it's fast paced and only 14 episodes.

In Korea, historical dramas in general get poor ratings amongst the younger generation. However, Damo was a big hit with younger viewers. Why? Because it was presented in a different way from other period dramas. Dae Jang Geum would probably been made more to be like other historical dramas if Damo hadn't been a big success. The pop music is another way of drawing of younger audiences and adding a different touch to the drama.

I realize I get a bit defensive when it comes to Damo. However, I'd just like people to realize that Damo was made this way for a reason. I mean, hey, if you don't end up liking the drama, that's fine. But at least give it a chance. There's a lot more to Damo than just the flying and fighting.

Guest-amber said:

P.S.: And a gripe re: Admiral Yi-His whole life was very
interesting, not just the last year they will show.

This should have been posted in the Admiral Yi board. However, just so you know, they do go back in time and tell you more about his life. The drama doesn't only focus on one period of his life.

[Alexa]

Well Knov1,
I really love this show. I really like the fighting scenes, and the fact that a woman can handle her own. After Jang-Geum I didn't watch anything else cause nothing else caught my attention. I tried watching Phoenix, but didn't like it. Damo, now that I like
I can't wait to 7:45pm so I can see what the heck is going to happen with Mr. Rebel as he breaks into that place where they have his friend!!!!!