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Post by Lucy on Mar 1, 2005 18:55:03 GMT -5
Come on, guys, let us know how you really feel! Actually, I mostly agree with FantasticEel, too, though I don't feel quite as strongly. I guess what mitigates it for me is the fact that the characters in all the Korean dramas I've seen have their own internal logic that doesn't make much sense in the real world. In this case, once Joon-sang and Yu-jin get together in the latter part of the drama, they acknowledge their unending love and swear to never be parted again. This I took as a sign that, unlike all the other lovers in K-dramas, they would not be going the renunciation/noble sacrifice route, and that they felt that they had already spent enough time apart and doing penance for hurting others. Well, lo and behold, they break up under a misapprehension (that they're siblings), yet when that all clears up, they don't reunite. She accepts his supposed wish that they not see each other. And I, Lucy, am left rolling my eyes and telling myself, "I guess the appeal of martyrdom is just too great for these people after all." So I didn't get angry with it, I just chalked it up to the usual K-drama stupidity. In a sense, I feel exactly as you do, but having put in my time yelling at the TV screen, I figure it's not worth it to fight silliness with sense. They've defeated my Western sensibilites.
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Post by BungalowDweller on Mar 1, 2005 22:42:13 GMT -5
Come on, guys, let us know how you really feel! Actually, I mostly agree with FantasticEel, too, though I don't feel quite as strongly. . In this case, once Joon-sang and Yu-jin get together they acknowledge their unending love and swear to never be parted again. Well, lo and behold, they break up under a misapprehension (that they're siblings), yet when that all clears up, they don't reunite. They've defeated my Western sensibilites. Lucy, FantasticEel--exactly!!! The biggest issue I had with all of this going back and forth and neurosis was the age old question that every drama teacher asks those who study with him---"Is it believable? Is what the character doing in keeping with the character he/she previously created?" Aye, there's the rub! Both Yujin and J-S are people who are incredibly strong,confident,stubborn. Why would they act so irrationally? To me the series began to fall apart with the episode at the seashore. O.K. I could understand J-S throwing the camera in the ocean, but the Necklace? Come on! I was frustrated because I felt that the actors were fighting against a script that was hastily and thoughtlessly put together. Yujin not contacting J-S for three years? He could have died and she'd never know. It's so simple. Would any of us do the same things these two did at the end? It's just not believable--that's what it comes down to. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who had a problem with the ending;I felt like such a party pooper.
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Post by Lucy on Mar 2, 2005 11:40:42 GMT -5
I know, I know! This happens so often in the K-dramas. Besides the weirdly random plotting and inconsistent characters, a prime example is the multiple-year flash-forward. Used once or twice, it's an interesting and rather experimental device. But used as often as it is by the Korean TV writers, it becomes a lazy trick that says, "We don't feel like writing it. Character development, plot development . . . eh, not worth it. Anyhoo, here's how it all ends up." They could have taken a lot of that time they spent on all that exhausting love-triangle business (including much of the time at the resort when everyone was trying to figure out if Min-hyung was Joon-sang and whether Yu-jin could leave SH to be with JS), and instead used it to move ahead and flesh out the relationship between YJ and JS, and maybe also that between YJ and SH. But it seems they would rather go for big dramatic fireworks and lurch from crisis to crisis rather than keep the integrity of the characters and, as you say, b-dweller, adhere to the scenario they've created for them. P.S. About that necklace, I feel bad that he threw it away since I have my Polaris necklace replica. It's like I have something that doesn't exist anymore. Poor Yu-jin sure doesn't have hers anymore. Maybe now that they've reconciled, they will go back to the store where he originally bought it and get her another one. Yes, I am a little confused as to what's real and what only exists on TV.
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Post by Alexa on Mar 2, 2005 12:05:22 GMT -5
What is crazy is that Joonsang and Yujin never really got to know each other. Before the accident they had only known each other for a few months, and hadn't spent that much time together. Then when he came back it was also only a few months before the left to the U.S. I wish that they would've shown how their relationship would've developed throughout time. And yes I don't understand how they would let 3 years pass by without knowing about one another. But I see it as fate, they were meant to be. Yes they didn't contact each other (that is really weird) but the fact that they happened to come across each other, to me is destiny. No matter what they did, they were meant for one another.
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Post by BungalowDweller on Mar 2, 2005 12:34:29 GMT -5
But it seems they would rather go for big dramatic fireworks and lurch from crisis to crisis ...P.S. About that necklace, I feel bad that he threw it away since I have my Polaris necklace replica. It's like I have something that doesn't exist anymore...they will go back to the store where he originally bought it and get her another one. .. Yes, I am a little confused as to what's real and what only exists on TV. I think that the flash-backs are an effective way to stay on budget and cut costs. It also is helpful if one misses too many episodes but I agree. Laziness or greed,doesn't matter which reason. . . Lucy, both me and my 11 year old daughter (also named Lucy,although we call her Lucille or Luce) was quite upset about the necklace and I told her the SAME thing--Back to the store!!! It's such a comforting thought. Throwing it away was so self-destructive and counter-intuitive! And you're not confused, Lucy---you were "in it". I can hear my old drama teacher now, "Good, Good! You were in the moment!" Great drama pulls us in,makes us a participant in the tale and changes us forever. I'll never think about winter in the same again nor will I ever look up at Polaris without a personal connection--WLS has given me something beautiful to remember and made my life better! Great art does that!!!
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Catalpa
Junior Addict
Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart. ~Lois Wilson
Posts: 207
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Post by Catalpa on Mar 2, 2005 13:28:04 GMT -5
Here are my musings ...
I loved it, even though I agree some of the criticisms like the plot dragged a little at times. The twist at the end of Yujin and Sanguyk w/the little girl was funny. Kept us guessing til the end!
I acknolwedge that perhaps the ultimate theme mirrors the old socialist theme of going for your dreams ends in disaster (just toe the party line and live your life of drudgery that the state, or in the case, family, selects for you). The point was not that going to the U.S. caused him to lose his sight -- it was his insistence to follow his dream of the love of Yujin and his stubborn search for his father -- both going against his mother's wishes.
I think Yujin went to France b/c Joonsang had asked her not to meet him again. Even though she found out about his medical condition, she realized he didn't want her to see him possibly die or go blind. This is definitely a cultural gap as to why it mystifies some of us. The ego is not supposed to be a major thing in Asian cultures; instead duty to family and society are supposed to supercede individual desires. I had to keep reminding myself of that when Yujin let herself be dragged away in several scenes. I imagine that made for a sympathetic character to people who are raised with less of an emphasis on individuality than us in the U.S. -- the quintessential individualists.
Now, the good parts of the show...
THE CINEMATOGRAPHY WAS FABULOUS. Some of those scenes were amazingly beautiful and cleverly composed. Two standouts in my mind: when they were both at their high school but didn't run into each other, the love scenes in the beginning by the lake, and, of course, the last scene.
THE MUSIC WAS AMAZING! It fit the scenes perfectly. The musical themes were strong and universally enjoyable. Even my 10 year old pop music addict would hum them for days. And what about the creepy music when they were in the church, saying wedding vows and Joonsang thought they were siblings?
THE ACTING WAS VERY GOOD for the most part. Sanguyk's dad was great, and so was Cherin and Yujin's roommate. I have to say that I thought Joonsang's acting was okay but not great. Yujin was pretty good, too. Yujin's mom, though, I don't know. Of course no one quite rivaled the master -- JangGeum's foster father!!!
So, what's next for Fri/Sat evening??
Colette
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Post by Lucy on Mar 2, 2005 13:31:21 GMT -5
I think that the flash-backs are an effective way to stay on budget and cut costs. It also is helpful if one misses too many episodes but I agree. And you're not confused, Lucy---you were "in it". I can hear my old drama teacher now, "Good, Good! You were in the moment!" Great art does that!!! Hi, BD. I actually meant just the flash-forwards, where they skip a whole bunch of years into the future so they don't have to go to the trouble of explaining how everyone got from point A to point B. I agree about flash-backs. Oh, I'm not really confused, lol. I'm just making fun of myself for wanting to pretend that Joon-sang and Yu-jin are real and in a position to worry about where that necklace got to and how to replace it. If you don't have the necklace yourself, maybe you could buy your daughter Lucy one and tell her that it washed up on the shore or something . . . I'll bet she'd get a kick out of that.
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Post by BungalowDweller on Mar 2, 2005 19:55:03 GMT -5
Hi, BD. :) If you don't have the necklace yourself, maybe you could buy your daughter Lucy :) one and tell her that it washed up on the shore or something . . . I'll bet she'd get a kick out of that. My darling hubby bought Luce and I both a necklace for Valentine's Day. In addition, the kid got the OST from yesasia with Ryu(?) singing and mama got the entire series. How's about that for a haul??? #nosmileys
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Post by Lucy on Mar 3, 2005 11:33:51 GMT -5
My darling hubby bought Luce and I both a necklace for Valentine's Day. In addition, the kid got the OST from yesasia with Ryu(?) singing and mama got the entire series. How's about that for a haul??? What a thoughtful and wonderful guy. I would love some of the Korean series on DVD, but my bulky, homemade tapes are good enough for the likes of me. How do you like your necklaces? I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality, considering the price, and I wear it all the time. As I said, though, I feel just a little weird about it since Joon-sang threw his into the ocean. I guess it keeps me from being able to pretend secretly that I'm Yu-jin (or her Caucasian substitute), since "she" doesn't have hers anymore in the alternate universe of the K-dramas. LOL. I am such a dork sometimes.
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Post by BungalowDweller on Mar 3, 2005 12:37:23 GMT -5
my bulky, homemade tapes are good enough for the likes of me. How do you like your necklaces? I guess it keeps me from being able to pretend secretly that I'm Yu-jin (or her Caucasian substitute), since "she" doesn't have hers anymore in the alternate universe of the K-dramas. LOL. I am such a dork sometimes. I wish I could take the time to learn how to tape on my vcr but I've yet to do it. I'll have to if I don't want to go broke. . .We love our necklaces and I just pretend that what we saw was an out-take!!
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Post by kathleen34 on Mar 3, 2005 13:30:01 GMT -5
Lucy... you are NOT a dork... I suggest that we form the official Non-Korean Polaris Owners (NKPO) ... we can tell our friends we got this lovely necklace from JoonSang. People who don't watch KBC-TV won't know any better and will ask W H O? Then we can launch into what a wonderful guy he is and how we met him at the coffee shop in Chicago.... endless stories to tell. so I repeat, Lucy - you're not a dork because those of us who purchased the necklace have exquisite taste.
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Post by Lucy on Mar 3, 2005 13:51:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kathleen. You know what you reminded me of? I used to have big crushes on actors all the time, and I would kid around about it a lot and say that, for example, a ring I had was an "engagement ring" from whoever I had a crush on at the moment. (No, I was not delusional but rather making a little joke on myself.) I'm not really what you'd call a BYJ "fan," I mean, I'm not in love with him or anything, but I do find him very appealing the more I look into his websites. He seems like an unusual guy, very circumspect and thoughtful. It struck me as weird at first that he calls his fans his "family," but he really seems to be sincere that he appreciates their love and wants to do his best for them. It doesn't seem to be because he wants to stay popular, but from things he's said, it sounds like he feels bad that he can't love them back, so he does the best he can in his work to give them something in return. I think it's kind of sweet. These "family" people are sweet, too, leaving little messages on his message boards (which he probably never sees) telling him to eat well and take care of himself, as lovers on our K-dramas so often do. Whereas on an American message board, you would find all kinds references to what they want to do to him and other non-wholesome reading.
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Post by kathleen34 on Mar 3, 2005 14:11:43 GMT -5
LOL! you're so right about an American fan board
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Post by moreshige on Mar 3, 2005 19:20:53 GMT -5
LOL! you're so right about an American fan board There are American fan boards for BYJ??? Hmm maybe yahoo has it. But even a board from yahoo seems to be populated by overseas fans who speak english. For example, I see fans from english speaking countries such as singapore, hong kong and the philipines.
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Post by moreshige on Mar 3, 2005 19:32:50 GMT -5
My last comment made me think about BYJ's popularity. Do you think had BYJ been an actor in America would he be as popular?
My opinion is that he won't have a leading role in american film and TV....he'll probably get more roles akin to a chinese take-out delivery man or a faceless evil gangster-thug type. And that just goes for about any asian male actor in america.
My other question is: If WLS were widely known in America would BYJ recieve as much adoration from fans as in Asia? I doubt it.
And how would BYJ compare to current Hollywood male stars? As a minority would he be a korean denzel? lol I doubt that too.
opinions?
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