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Post by jewel on Sept 10, 2014 23:45:10 GMT -5
Episode 5: Very, very good! What can I say? I loved every minute of this episode. It was so sad when Seung Yu says to his friend, "Let's shut our eyes to our fathers' world." You know when his friend tries to apologize to him for his father wanting to put Seung Yu to death. It's so funny, you'd think a king is all powerful. Yet this king has virtually NO powerful. I mean, he says he likes this one guy for prince consort and Su Yang immediately says he thinks the other is more suitable. And then everyone backs him up and the king has no choice but to agree! I understand it's because he's worried about the crown prince but will being all weak now help his son when he's gone? Just wanted to tell you, Birdy, one translation was really wrong. When the two prince consort contenders were presented, Su Yang says in the translation, " Neither of these two are well-qualified to be prince consort." But what he really said is, " Either of these two are well-qualified to be prince consort." I don't know if it matters to you but I felt it was important. The ending of this episode almost gave me a heart attack. Why do K drama people have like NO peripheral vision?? I mean they're standing RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER and they don't see each other?? I was tearing at my hair!!! Thank God they finally did see each other or I might've had a seizure!!!
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Post by TheBo on Sept 11, 2014 12:18:41 GMT -5
Did anyone answer about costume color? The colors appear to me to have more to do with the set of conventions set up by early sageuk writers than anything else. My feeling, after watching many of the dramas and visiting museums and seeing early physical examples of Korean and Chinese clothing (admittedly not much available though), is that the writers looked at what people wore generally and used that as a guide rather than a rigid template. Obviously, they would have royal portraits and the paintings made by the court painters to look at, too. They also would be interested in classifying people in recognizable groups for the viewers, because casts are so huge. So depending on the drama, colors appear to be assigned by rank. As for the common people, I have read that Koreans are sometimes called "white people" because of the peasant habit of wearing white, which makes it simpler for the writers and costumers. And yes, I meant to say "peasant," not "pleasant," although it was also a pleasant habit in my view.
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Post by jewel on Sept 13, 2014 18:39:13 GMT -5
Episode 6:
Very exciting. I didn't expect Seung Yu to react so coldly to Se Ryeong when they finally met again, but it was understandable. I don't know how I feel about her. My feelings keep going back and forth with her - sometimes I really like her and sympathize with her; other times I'm impatient with her and find her annoying...
I actually liked the princess better in this episode. I can't hate her when she is loving to her brother the crown prince, and I'd be pissed at Se Ryeong too if I had the chance to marry Seung Ye and ended up marrying that silly Jeong Jong because of Se Ryeong's switching idea. I also liked her because even though she's trying to hate her cousin, she can't fully do it. And she's really good at showing that inner conflict.
The boat ride across the water was beautiful but the scene was too short. I would've loved it if it showed more at the queen's final resting place too. That was really pretty. The gorgeous outdoors sort of reminded me of "Arang and the Magistrate." I really should finish that drama some day. Did you ever finish it, Birdy??
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Post by jewel on Sept 20, 2014 11:35:22 GMT -5
Hey Birdy, what's going on? You didn't bail on TPM, did you? My husband is away for the weekend so I'm doing a K drama marathon. But I didn't wanna get too ahead of you with TPM so am watching another drama. Will you let me know if you stopped watching TPM. Or if you don't mind me going ahead on my own?? Am watching "Wonderful Days" over at Viki. Really really good! Love Lee Seo Jin. Think he's gonna be added to my ever-growing list of my favorite K actors.
Also without giving anything else away, can you tell me is Park Si Hoo is the lead guy in "Cheondamdong Alice" or second lead? You told me you saw it, I think. I thought he was the lead... He does win the girl at the end???
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Post by bird11 on Sept 20, 2014 12:41:27 GMT -5
Sorry Fiona, I have definitely NOT bailed on you or this drama. I have been busy around here and at work-- I feel like not having power for one weekend has put me so behind in things around I have been watching "The Snow Queen" when I do have time since I don't have to play really close attetnion to the action since there are no posts involved..... Hopefully I will get to TPM this weekend..... (Yes, Park Si Ho is the male lead in Cheondamdong Alice-- but to tell you the truth, I don't remember how it ended, but I did really like watching it)
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Post by jewel on Sept 21, 2014 0:27:04 GMT -5
I asked about CA cuz when I looked at the Second Lead Syndrome article that Bo posted, one of the pictures was of Park Si Hoo and it said it was a scene from CA. I have that drama queued to watch but I wanted to make sure he's not the SL who loses the girl at the end. I couldn't bear to see him sad at the end. He HAS to have a happy ending. He has such a sad face, any time he cries I automatically start crying with him. He always looks like he's just a second away from bursting into tears.
Did you ever watch, "Queen of Reversals"? It was soooo good. PSH is so adorable in it. His character is just so quirky!! He had me laughing so many times. Also very sad at times too. "How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor" was very good too. Anything with PSH is wonderful! (so far). Besides TPM, I only have "Prosecutor Princess" and "Cheondamdong Alice" left of PHS's dramas, so I have to save them.
I tell you, Birdy, am so loving "Wonderful Days." It's a really great drama - i really chose well for my marathon. The main story is beautiful, but the little side stories are just as interesting too. All the characters are so fun. It's a 50-episode drama but am loving it so far. Really enjoying "Yi San" as well (on episode 8). I really, really like Lee Seo Jin. Whenever he smiles and those dimples appear - oh. my. gosh. - be still my heart! Don't know if I love watching two different dramas starring the same actor, but oh well...
Okay, for fun am gonna give you my updated "Fiona's Top Five Fave K Actors": 1. Park Si Hoo (yes, alas he knocked my beloved So Ji Sub to second place...) 2. So Ji Sub 3. Joo Sang Wook 4. Lee Joon Gi 5. Lee Seo Jin (he knocked my pretty boy Jang Geun Suk to sixth... boo hoo...)
Oh mommy, look at the time!!!! Gotta goto bed. Nite-nite!!!
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Post by bird11 on Sept 21, 2014 9:37:06 GMT -5
I made it thru ep 6 and 7 last night.... It was so sad to see Seung Yu and SeRyeong acting so cold to each other. Whenever I watch a drama like this I can't help but think "this is why goverments can never get anything done" there is so much conflict over who is doing what and to whom that solutions seem far and few between! This drama is so well written, one minute I can't stand the way someone is treating someone (like the Princess and SeRyeong) and then they do something completely differnt! I think the Princess is doing an awesome job and showing her emotions-- she wants to hate SeRyeoung for putting her in this situation, but she can't help but appreciate all the good things SeRyeoung is doing for her. Her facial expressions are just wonderful! I also like Seung Yu-- even when he isn't talking just looking at his face gives so much meaning into what he is feeling. That poor Prince-- your father dies and you become King and you have no idea what to do! There is many times when I have watched dramas like this and I wonder why is there is even a King? They never seem to make any big decisions, maybe it is all part of the story, but it seems that way in many a drama. In the begining of Ep 7, SeRyeong had a chance to tell the truth and she did not-- I see now it is making the story better, but considering her lying almost got Seung Yu killed you would think she whould quit lying. In this situations, it would be very difficult to tell the truth-- but still I thought she should have done it. I agree with your opinion of the Prince consort-- you knew the writers would chose someone not so appropriate as Seung Yu, but this guy comes across as so immature and goofy it's a bit unbeleivable, hopefully he gets a backbone soon. The whole scene with him in the Princess's room with the rings -- shouldn't he be allowed to do pretty much what ever he wants as her husband? The princess treats him like a slave. One of my favorite parts of dramas is when they film outside scenes. The scenery is so beautiful! (which reminds me of another point-- that boat ride and Seung Yu protecting her from the "scummy" male boaters-- really not necessary) The music at the end of Ep6 and begining of ep 7 was just beautiful.... (never went back and finished "Arang", yet) Favorite K-Actors??? Somedays, I would say any one of them that is breathing! The guy in "The Snow Princess" is really got me hooked....... (Wow, a k-drama marathon weekend.... maybe I should put that on my bucket list!?!??! )
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Post by jewel on Sept 21, 2014 15:35:17 GMT -5
One of my favorite parts of dramas is when they film outside scenes. The scenery is so beautiful! (which reminds me of another point-- that boat ride and Seung Yu protecting her from the "scummy" male boaters-- really not necessary) LOL, don't know why but I found what you said above so funny! I guess now that I think about it, you're right, it was not needed, but what about it exactly that bothered you? Just really curious. Did you feel the scene was saying Seung Yu and Se Ryeong were too good to ride with the peasants? Episodse 7: Well, overall I enjoyed this episode. But I did have some problems. I really am trying not to nitpick too much but I can't help it. First of all it is very hard for me to go along with Seung Yu still believing that Se Reyong is a servant when she is attired in the most luxurious noblewoman dresses (and he makes a comment about it himself) and when she can read and write and understand all that fancy poetry. Secondly, I find it hard to believe Sin Myeon is harboring love for Se Ryeong (which apparently he is since he's starting to show signs of jealousy). It just seems to have come from nowhere and I felt they didn't really have any interaction between them to develop much feelings. Lastly - was it just me or was there excessive numbers of flashbacks in this episode?? It seems like every other minute there was a flashback and sometimes there were flashbacks of something that happened JUST A MOMENT AGO!!! That almost drove me bonkers!!! Other than that it was great! The kissing scene was very cute. You know, with the fan and all. And yes, I LOVE all the outdoor scenes - really beautiful. Loved the way the episode ended. Very exciting. Still haven't recovered from the shock that a father could be that cruel to his own daughter. Totally uncalled for. Why raise her hope by telling her he would try again for the marriage proposal with Gim Seung Yu when he's planning to kill him all along? What was the point of that? I totally fell for it thinking, "Aww, his child DOES come before desire for power after all." Yeah. Right. Yes, my K drama weekend marathon was absolutely fabulous! It is, however, quickly coming to an end. Hubby coming home any minute now. I didn't tell ANYONE he was away this weekend so no one would bother me - hee hee! It's too embarrassing to tell you what episode I'm on in "Wonderful Days." I'm whipping through it - really loving it. Lee Seo Jin is a cutie-pie! p.s. Totally agree with you about Se Ryeong not fessing up to Seung Yu by now about who she really is. It's getting to be almost inexcusable now.
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Post by truth on Sept 21, 2014 17:51:02 GMT -5
I know you guys probably don't care, but I just want to point out few historical errors. 1. The costume style they are dressed in didn't come until 1600s(1700s for the women's costume). They should actually be dressed like the costume in KBS Jeong Dojeon or Great King's Dream. 2. There's a serious age flaw. King Sejo was not that old when he became king. The guy who played him in the film The Face Reader perfectly fits his real age. His wife is depicted as some really old lady but she was only like 32 or 33 in actual history lol. princessyunjie.tistory.com/11853. It wasn't Kim Seung Yu who had a thing with the princess but his son Kim Cha Dong.
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Post by bird11 on Sept 21, 2014 22:06:24 GMT -5
I had almost a whole paragraph typed and the phone rang, I must of hit a key when I got up because it was all gone As far as the boat scene, I was already believing that Seung Yu was going to protect Se Reyoung, so there was no need to show him protecting her from the "sleezy" boat guys. It never occurred to me that the scene was suppose to show that they were too important to ride a boat with common people-- What would the Princess have done? If you got to cross the river, you got to cross the river-- at the least the Princess would have kicked everyone out of the boat (hopefully before it was in the middle of the river ) To me, Se Reyoung is smart, educated women, having her get hassled by the guys on the boat was demeaning and really was needed for the story, yes, it was a bit funny, but it was so obvious when they showed the guys on the boat that I knew what was going to happen. Yes, the kissing scene was great-- love the use of the fan. Do you know why he is always shown with a fan? I always associate a fan with a female, but here he is the only one that I can recall using a fan, and a male... The ending was very surprising. Almost afraid to see what happens next-- especially if they realize that she overheard the whole conversation......Sin Myeon I was not too suprised by Sim Myeon's apparent jealously. In the past when he has seen Se Reyoung, he showed some interest in her, especially when they have had their somewhat short conversations. I am still not sure how much I trust this guy-- he just kinda rubs me the wrong way....Do you think he feelings have changed because he knows he is to marry Se Reyoung? Hey Truth, thanks for the info. I can't say I would have really cared about the costumes being up to date, but I do really like what they wore. Do you know why the men wear the hats with the "wings" on them? They look so silly, but I am guessing they must have some kind of function?
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Post by jewel on Sept 21, 2014 22:39:58 GMT -5
You make a very good point about Sin Myeon, Birdy. I guess I thought because he was best friends with Seung Yu and because he knew Se Ryeong was Seung Yu's girl that he knew she was off-limits. I guess I assumed too much! About the fan, I could be very wrong about this but I think in Korea at that time, men used fans and women did not. I know in Victorian England women used fans, in fact it was almost a part of their ensemble when dressing up.
I care! I care! I don't know if you know, Truth, but I read all your posts devotedly. Whenever I have time to spare I read your past posts too - love them. Especially about kings and their wives. I find royal family lives fascinating, can't get enough of it. I know all about Henry VIII and his wives, about Elizabeth I, about Eleanor of Aquitaine, about William the Conqueror, etc. I like the political and military aspects alright but mostly about family life. I'm a huge Anglophile. Or should I say now - I USED to be a huge Anglophile. Now I'm a dedicated Koreophile - hee hee.
Who is King Sejo you're talking about? Is that Princess Gyeong Hye's father? I don't even remember seeing his wife in this drama...
I'm so slow-witted!... When I read this, my heart jumped with joy as I thought, "Oh goody, Seung Yu lives long enough to have a child!! (Because I've been toughening myself up for a really sad ending since I read somewhere that it has a Romeo-and-Juliet-esque ending.). But you're saying this drama is somewhat inaccurate... I was totally missing the point!!!!...
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Post by truth on Sept 22, 2014 0:40:02 GMT -5
bird11 It's a court official hat which was adapted from the China. I'm not sure why they wore the wing-style though. I guess that was the thing back then or something lol. jewel Nice to hear that you like my posts. I didn't bother to update anymore on Jeong Dojeon historical information anymore since nobody left any comment, but I guess I might start posting again if there's someone reading it. King Sejo is the father of Princess Se Ryong, the evil king. Princess Gyong Hye's father wasn't as old as he is in the drama either by the way. He was only about 41 or 42 when he died.
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Post by bird11 on Sept 22, 2014 6:46:26 GMT -5
I agree with Fiona, I read all the posts-- even if I am not watching that drama. I will admit I have a hard time with the order of things, names sound so alike at times-- I have a hard time with names/faces in my every day life, let alone in a drama where they are dressed so similar! I do enjoy hearing about what they wore, there is so much detail in dramas, that I just feel there has to be a reason-- like the differnt beaded cords that that men wear, or like Fiona asked earlier, the colors of the clothes, ect. Getting dressd for anything seems like a production. I really liked what the Princess wore in this drama when she got married-- Any knowledge of wedding clothes?
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Post by jewel on Sept 23, 2014 20:55:07 GMT -5
like the differnt beaded cords that that men wear, or like Fiona asked earlier, the colors of the clothes, ect. Getting dressd for anything seems like a production. I really liked what the Princess wore in this drama when she got married-- Any knowledge of wedding clothes? Do the different beads have meanings? That would be so interesting to know what they stand for. I thought they were just decoration. A few years back I went to Korea for my youngest uncle's wedding (my mom's brother). It was really beautiful, and as interesting as it was to me then, I know I would find it a hundred times more interesting now. What a pity I didn't appreciate it more fully then. So the beginning of the wedding ceremony was all western-style. My uncle wore a tux and my aunt wore a white wedding dress and they got married in a Catholic Church. (We're all Roman Catholics.) Then at the hotel where the wedding party was held, the married couple changed into the Korean traditional wedding costumes for bowing to the parents and the ceremonial drinks and all that. Afterwards when the party began, the couple changed again - he into a suit and she into a party dress. Then when they were leaving for their honeymoon, she changed AGAIN into a travel outfit. I think she spent more time changing than anything else! She was really beautiful in everything, tho. My uncle is 20 years younger than my mom (yes, they have same parents! - he was a mistake, but a very good one) and my aunt is 10 years younger than my uncle. So she's just a year older than me. It was fun calling her aunt and embarrassing her at that time. She would keep telling me to treat her more informally but I wouldn't listen to her. If anything I would ham it up and be more formal just to tease her. It was fun. My uncle just became a full-fledged doctor at the time they were getting married so he never had time to date, I guess. He met his wife by arranged date, set up by my grandmother. So yes, all those blind dates you see in K dramas really do happen.
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Post by jewel on Sept 23, 2014 21:18:33 GMT -5
jewel Nice to hear that you like my posts. I didn't bother to update anymore on Jeong Dojeon historical information anymore since nobody left any comment, but I guess I might start posting again if there's someone reading it. I have two reasons for not leaving any comments: One is half the stuff I read, tho I enjoy them all tremendously, I don't really understand. The other is I feel that I might be butting in where I shouldn't. Anyway, from now on I'll try to leave a comment even if it's just to say I liked what I read.
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