{Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng}: What the What?!

Dear AddicKts,

As addicKts, we have at some point or another learned a hard lesson.  The hard reality that is Korean dramas - sometimes a drama that has proven to be exemplary for 15 episodes - leaves us falling flat on our face on the very last episode.  We reach that moment, so excited to see the dramatic conclusion, only to walk away afterwards feeling cheated and wondering what we are doing with our lives.  Staring blankly at a computer screen as it gradually dawns on us that that is it.  There is no more.  That's where they're leaving it.  We are disappointed.  We are frustrated.  We may even be a little angry for we have invested so much of ourselves in to this story only to leave us dangling and empty.  We here at TCA understand.  We too have been there.  That dreadful moment that all drama addiKts fear when taking on a new drama.  Will this one leave us battered and bruised at the end or fulfill our wildest dreams and fantasies?  It's a gamble we all take when embarking on a new and untested drama.  This dreaded moment has struck many of us recently.  Yes, fellow addicKts, this ahjumma has heard and has felt your frustration with the 16th and final episode of a particular show this past week.  Yes, Big, we're talking about you today.

One reader said it perfectly with the following insightful query, "What the What?!"  Yes indeed, what the what was that? is the question on all of our minds.  What kind of ending was that?  What loose ends were tied?  Pretty much nothing.  Does anybody end up with anybody?  Who knows.  About all that we do know is that Yoon Jae and Kyung Joon do end up switching back to themselves, neither one of them having memories of events post accident.  Ooohkay....so as far as he knows, Yoon Jae is still engaged.  Does he not contact Da Ran?  Does his family tell him there's another guy (oh, and by the way, it's your little brother)?  What about the other characters?  What is it, a year goes by and.....  What?  What the heck is going on?  Gil Da Ran is teaching at that other school.  Okay.  Then there's the "reenactment" of the first time she met Kyung Joon on the bus.  In and of itself, it's pretty cool.  I even kind of liked the back and forth between Kyung Joon when he was still Yoon Jae and her talking about what they would do.  It was all good.  Except there's no real resolution.  At all.  And we never ever even see the face of Kyung Joon - just a body shielded by an umbrella.  Any face shots are Yoon Jae.  Poor Shin Won Ho (the guy that plays Kyung Joon) - other than the first episode, the guy gets no screen time awake and speaking (well, other than the occasional flashback).  Almost his entire appearance in this drama is spent asleep in bed.  I really, really wanted to see him come back.  Was it just too icky to actually show the teacher with her student?  Maybe.  I mean, that kind of really did bother me a little throughout the show as they were falling in love.  I could never quite get past that hurdle of "but she's his TEACHER!"  So I suppose that was a reason why they don't show them together.  Well, that and the fact that when you have a leading man such as Gong Yoo, you don't give the final scene to a younger lead.  I get it, but c'mon!  There had to be some way of fitting him in.

And don't even get me started on the whole "treatment" and "mystery disease".  So, can anyone explain to me how Yoon Jae started receiving treatment but then stopped?  For a long time.  And then he went off to Germany to finish it?  What?  That whole thing was just confusing.  I understand for the plot's sake that he had to still be in Korea for the part where they start to switch back but Kyung Joon says he needs more time.  Speaking of what I'll just call Treatment #1/the ALMOST switch...  Why was Kyung Joon's body in bed while Yoon Jae spoke to himself?  Well, while the Kyung Joon Yoon Jae spoke as the Yoon Jae Yoon Jae reached out his hand and said not a word.  Why three people in that scene?  Why not Kyung Joon speaking to Yoon Jae as himself?  They really must not have wanted to give poor Shin Won Ho any speaking lines past that first episode.  That whole scene was hard to follow, trying to figure out who was who.  Sure, the Kyung Joon Yoon Jae's hair was more rumpled whereas the Yoon Jae Yoon Jae was all nicely coifed and "doctory" so that made it sooo obvious.  ????  Weird.  Anyway, so obviously, they still needed to be in Korea and close to Da Ran so that Kyung Joon could wrap things up there.  For some reason.  Could that not have happened before?  What purpose was served by him coming back and supposedly forgetting, only to turn around and not have forgotten?  Practice round I guess???  By this point I was already lost. And confused.  But then they take off to Germany for the treatment, I suppose again, for the plot's sake to get away from Da Ran.  To get characters where they needed to be for the storyline.  But why not make the story fit one location whether Germany or Korea or the friggin moon?  I hate it in shows where the continuity goes out the window in order to make situations work.  Write it better, don't just randomly jump back and forth to make it fit and expect us to just accept it without a second thought.

Big had potential, but now it's just another one on the list of Unsatisfying Endings.

I think the Hong sisters and I may just have to part company.  I might give them one more chance, but they're really going to have their work cut out for them to convince me.

In other drama finales, I also finished I Do, I Do.  That one was a decent enough ending.  Nothing spectacular, but not horrible.  One little issue....  Okay, so Ji An decides to become president of the shoe company while Tae Kang starts his own line of heels for pregnant women.  He had asked her to join him, but she ultimately decides that her time at the company isn't quite over yet.  Fine.  All good.  But then we have a 5 month time jump.  And when we reconvene, we are given the impression that in those 5 months, our two leads haven't seen each other.  Almost like they broke up.  I understand you were both extremely busy being a CEO and starting a new business.  But really?  5 months with no contact?  Is work truly that all encompassing?  Granted, it's a sweet reunion with a yummy SWAK moment.  That SWAK moment is made even better when her water breaks at that moment and she is rushed to the hospital.  I loved how she was in labor and screaming at him for doing this to her, but then she proposes.  I was a funny scene.  Wayy too overdone in labor scenes across the world, but still, cute.  But did anyone else notice how afterwards, everyone runs into Ji An's room and not a single person asks about the baby?  Maybe it's different in Korea, I don't know.  I've only given birth twice, but both times the baby was kind of the star of the show and the person everyone wanted to see.  As the mother, you're there as the bringer of the baby, not much else.  All attention is focused on that new little life.  But in this scene, the baby was like an after thought.  Just struck me as odd, that's all.  Not really trying to complain, just curious if anyone else had noticed it.  I was sad that we didn't get to see the family together at the end, other than a "dream" by Ji An where "Ankle" was already like 5.  Never do we see the new mom and dad lovingly cradling their newborn.  That magical moment where three people become a family.  Sigh.  Oh well.  I'll just have to imagine it in my head.

All told, it wasn't the best ending, but it wasn't the worst either.  It just...was.  I enjoyed this drama but think that overall it will fall away to the "I don't really remember much about it" recesses of my memory like so many others.  A few stand out as either amazing or not-so-amazing where the others just kind of meld into a "sure, it was good but don't ask me anything about it because I don't remember much" category.  If you like shoes, watch it.  If you like a few romantic moments, watch it.  If you think Lee Jang Woo is just the most adorable if not entirely sexy guy, watch it.  If you are a fan of Kim Sun Ah, then sure, watch it.  If you don't like her, whether in this drama or others, don't watch it expecting her character to change and suddenly become bubbly and cute.  It doesn't.  She pretty much stays constant throughout.  I know that her character threw a lot of people off.  Personally, I was fine with her, but I can see where she might be a little off-putting to others.  She warms a little towards the end, but not a whole lot.  So, do with that what you will.

Now that 2 of my 5 drama slots are empty, I've had to look for replacements.  I've jumped back into Bridal Mask and am still playing catch up with that one.  I believe I'm somewhere in episode 10 or 11.  So far, so good with that one still.  I do have one little sniggling issue with it.  Why does NO ONE ever notice the fact that the new Bridal Mask is like half the size of the old one?  Especially Mok Dan who has been the closest in proximity to him on multiple occasions?  For people who seem so finely tuned to minute details in faces and body shape (who ever looks swollen in the face to you when they are supposedly swollen from crying or eating ramen? - just saying), they are oddly blind to the fact that Kang To is a lot smaller than Kang San was.  Like a LOT smaller.  And thinner.  And their faces look totally different, even in the mask.  But not one person picks up on that.  Not very observant, are they?  Other than that little teeny tiny issue (and obviously for the story's sake the characters shouldn't pick up on it - they are all to still believe that there is only one Bridal Mask and he hasn't changed, but still....), I am loving this drama.

I've also added a new drama to my currently watching list and that is I Need Romance 2012.  Never having seen or even heard much about I Need Romance 2011, I didn't know what to expect, but a friend was watching it and loving it, so I jumped on the bandwagon.  I am really enjoying it.  It's a lot more mature than any drama I have ever seen (read: they talk a lot about sex).  I think of it as the Korean drama version of Sex in the City.  I'm somewhere around 6 or 7 episodes in and am a fan.  I especially like that it's one of those rare dramas where each episode is only 45-47 minutes long instead of the typical 1:05-07.  It makes it clip along at a nice pace and is easier to fit in to a schedule.  I love the main female lead, Joo Yeol Mae played by Jung Yoo Mi.  She's beautiful and fun to watch.  And the two men in her life, Lee Jin Wook as Yoon Suk Hyun and Kim Ji Suk as Shin Ji Hoon are hot and gorgeous of course.  About half the time I sit there and wonder how they got so much past the censors (some of it makes Junsu's Tarantallegra look like bubble pop), but I guess the censoring doesn't work like I think it does.  Maybe it's like here where they can do pretty much anything they want as long as they slap the TV-14 or TV-MA on it and show it late enough at night.  Maybe.  Probably.  But never having been there, I can't say for certain.  Either way, it's a drama that is helping me get through my Gentleman's Dignity withdrawals.

And that does it for me and my ramblings this morning afternoon.  I hope your weekend was fantabulous and that your Monday is stacking up to be a winner as well.

For today's Monday morning prescription, I leave you with an oldie, but goodie - DBSK's Mirotic.

Sometimes you just need to hear a familiar song and see some familiar caramel abs faces to help you through your Monday.

I have an assortment of viewing options here for you today - the original MV, the dance version and then the Korean version, so take your pick.  Or do what I did and watch all three.  On a continuous loop.  Eyes wide open, mouth agape, drooling slightly.
      

P.S.  I am so relieved that I came into the KPop world post-DBSK break-up, otherwise I think my heart would have been shattered by it all.  I am a big JYJ fan and I like TVX2 okay, put them all together and... wow oh wow.  I join with the throng and hope that someday the 5 can reunite, though honestly, as time passes, that looks less and less likely.  :(  It would be a dream of mine to see DB5K all on stage together.  They have a great sound all together that you just can't get in the splinter groups, as AWESOME as they are.  Sigh.  Oh the sad sad life of a Cassie, huh?  Either way, I hope you enjoy a little Mirotic on this Monday Morning.

Until next time,

{Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng} More Bonus Reviews

Remember how I'm watching 5 dramas right now?  And how I'm reviewing my least favorite of them all?  And how it's killing me because I really, really want to talk about the ones that I'm watching and loving, not just the one that I'm watching and tolerating?  Well, this week on MMT, I'm going to give in and once again spend some time chatting about these shows.

Consider yourselves forewarned, however.  Unlike the last time where I just gave a very brief and general synopsis of the story lines and my brief and general opinion on the shows, this review will contain more spoilers.  I'm going to treat this more like I would my Friday review and speak as if you are watching these right along with me and are as caught up as I am.  Pick and choose amongst the shows here you want to read about.  I've got I Do I Do, Big, and Bridal Mask for you.  I skipped A Gentleman's Dignity for obvious reasons - Unnie's got that one covered already.  But know that I like it.  A lot.  It's still my favorite out of all of them even though we're in the middle of the sad break up episodes.  

I Do, I Do

I Do, I Do, indeed.  Love this show that is.  I'm eagerly awaiting ep 13's completion later today.  At last check it was at 37%.  I'm sure I'll have more to add once it finishes and I watch it, but for now, I can chat about the first 12 episodes.

We have two characters, Ji An and Cutie Pie Tae Kang.  We all know that Ji An was knocked up by Mr Cutie Pie, right?  Only Mr Cutie Pie doesn't know that he's a daddy yet.  He is still crazy in love with her though and is planning on proposing to her after this big collaboration project is over.  There might be a teeny tiny issue as he has been offered this amazing job in America working and training with a top shoe designer (the guy he's in competition with at this collaboration).  He's so young and has so much potential - would it be right to tie him down with a wife and child at this stage in his life?  (Not making any personal commentary on unwed parenthood and the whole marriage debate here by the way - it's just kind of the theme of the show and where I predict they're going with it - that he's not in a position where he should be getting married quite yet, baby or no baby).  Then there's Ji An's doctor, who has also proposed to her a couple of times, but who she has refused.  She's smitten with her baby daddy.  And determined to raise the baby on her own.  Even if it means she loses her job.

How crazy did that Madame President suddenly turn by the way?  Holy smokes.  Talk about a fair weather friend.  She's like this mother figure to Ji An, taking her under her wing and preparing her to take over the company, until the second Ji An tells her that she will be keeping the baby.  Then suddenly she's warned that she will be fired if she does so?  For taking responsibility for her child?  Oh, but then it gets better.  Now Madame President is all cozy with the Vice President, Na Ri, who she formerly scorned for being, as best as I can tell, the child of her husband's mistress or new wife.  Did I get that relationship wrong?  I'm still a little fuzzy.  I know that Na Ri calls her "mother" but that she isn't really her mother and that she is mercilessly cruel to the girl emotionally.  She flaunts her affection for her "favorite" (Ji An) in front of her just to make the point that Na Ri is garbage in her eyes.  Yet suddenly overnight that changes and Na Ri is now being treated more like a proper daughter?  Wow.  I really didn't see that switch coming from her.  I should have.  But I didn't.

I am dying for the truth to come out - for Tae Kang to learn that he is actually the father.  I wonder if the doctor suspects it?  Do you think so?  I think he has an inkling.  He's been looking at him with that look -- that look that says, "Hmm...something tells me you're more than just an employee".  He at least knows that Tae Kang likes Ji An.  That part is pretty obvious.  Did I mention that he is just such a CUTIE PIE?  I adore him.  I really truly do.  He's so sweet and caring and thoughtful and wonderful and funny and adorable.  He makes me smile, especially after their two kisses when he is just so over-the-moon happy.  If I were her I'd just kiss him all the time in order to see that reaction.  My favorite moment though in the whole show and the one that still gives me butterflies every time I think about it was their almost kiss when she was sleeping on his shoulder in the park in episode 9.  

Funny transitional screencap. I loved how he lightly brushed her lip though and just had to include it even if it is superimposed.

Kiss her kiss her kiss her
No!  She woke up.  Bummer.  So close.  Better luck next time.

Then of course there was the first kiss scene in the shoe closet in episode 10...yum!  He finds the sketches she did of him and asks her what they're all about.  She tries to cover it up, but he says, "Let's be honest for a minute here about what they really mean", and then pulls her in and SWAK!  I think I felt a lot like him afterwards - so happy I thought my heart would burst!  How cute was he?!  Adorable!

I also loved the part where they are waiting for the results of the collaboration.  She's nervous, so he reaches out and lays his hand on hers.  She then actually turns her hand and they hold hands!  Holding hands isn't normally something that I would think of as so incredibly romantic, but in this case, as in other dramas, it definitely was.  What is it about these shows that can take something so simple and make it worthy of screen capturing and sharing on a blog?  ;)

And how about this one, after they have been declared the winners and are in her office?  They are giddy and hug and carry on all cute until someone walks in.  Again, adorable!

So, now by this time I've obviously watched episode 13.  I'm somewhere in 14 right now as a matter of fact.  In 13 we got a marriage proposal.  The sweetest and most wonderful proposal.  He's set up a spot and decorated it with memories of their relationship like the table umbrella from when they met and it was raining.  You know, right before Ankle's conception?  He then kneels down in front of her and starts singing.  Aw!  Melting here! He produces his grandmother's ring and promises to be a wonderful dad for Ankle.

She of course then responds with the news that she had planned on telling him...

You're already the father.

And no, I don't plan on marrying you.

Oh my goodness!  He is shocked and angry that she didn't tell him sooner, that she let him believe that the doctor was the father.  They have a huge fight.  And stay mad almost through the whole episode.  She says awful, cruel things to him.  He decides to run off to America and take Jake up on his offer.  And then, he starts to think.  He starts to figure things out.  And then he runs to her and asks her the right question...instead of "why didn't you tell me?" as he asked earlier, he asks, "why did you tell me?".  Only a minor difference in the question, but makes a huge difference.  She told him because she loves him.  She doesn't say it in those words, but her actions speak louder than words.  She's head-over-heels for him and it scares her.  But she lets her guard down and he goes in for another yummy yummy SWAK moment.  

I loved how she actually put her arms around him and was, shall we say, an "active participant"?  No lame arms hanging by her side while he does all the work, no siree bob.  See, this means she likes him.  I'm starting to learn my drama body language well.  Arms by the side?  She likes him enough to not stop him, but is a little surprised and unsure of her feelings.  Arms around the neck?  Oh yeah, she digs him.  And knows that she digs him.  It's a wonderful moment.  And a great place to end this review.  Aw!  But... I want more! There's still another episode!  Yes, children, there is, that is true, but this ahjumma hasn't finished watching it. Sorry.  I can't talk about it yet.  If I get my chores done for the day and can carve out a little time, I'll come back to it, I promise.  But for now, enjoy the pretty pictures above.

Oh, alright, since you asked so nicely, I finished 14.  It was all for you and had nothing at all to do with avoiding my huge long list of chores.  No trying to avoid reality here for me.  Nope.  It was just because I didn't want to leave you hanging.  ;)

The main points I want to mention about episode 14 are that 1) people are starting to find out who the father is.  Her parents, his dad and the VP now all know.  And apparently the President, but I don't know how she found out.  Must have missed that one.  Zoned out for a moment I suppose.  It happens.  The 2nd thing I want to mention is that Ji An wants Tae Kang to still go to the US and become an accomplished designer and a more fit father for Ankle.  The 3rd is that now that word is starting to spread, the VP is warning her that she, Tae Kang and Tae Kang's father will all lose their job.  She suggests that Ji An resign before word gets out in order to at least save Tae Kang and his father.  We'll just have to see what happens there, won't we?  It doesn't look too good right now.  Even though everything was done honestly and all on the up-and-up, it's true that it won't take much for rumors to start flying that state otherwise.  And the fourth and final things I want to say about ep 14 is that Tae Kang really steps it up and becomes an amazing support system for Ji An.  He sets up a napping spot for her at work.  He arranges for the pig feet lady to come in and teach the doctor how to make pigs feet so that she can have it when he's in America.  He even gives the doctor his "permission" to be involved in Ji An's life and to help her out, though he does set down a few ground rules.  He's too cute!  What a sweetheart he is! I heart you Tae Kang!  We end the episode with Tae Kang meeting his daughter for the first time...on an ultrasound.  Aw!  Heart melting once again!

This show is wonderful and I'm loving it.  I truly am.

Big

Let's recap where we are here, up through episode 10 at this point.  Kyung Joon, 19, is in the body of Yoon Jae, doctor and fiance of Gil Da Ran after an accident involving both men.  Yoon Jae saves the life of Kyung Joon, but dies in the process.  At least he's dead until Kyung Joon's soul enters his body.  Now the body of Kyung Joon lies in a coma for no medical reason.

Gil Da Ran is head-over-heels in love with Yoon Jae, so much so that she is blind to his, shall we say, "distracted nature"?  Something is up with him.  He's hiding something from her.  We aren't quite sure what it is.  We aren't quite sure if he truly wants to marry her.  He hasn't even told her that he loves her.  They haven't even kissed.  It appears to be a very one-sided relationship.  And then there's the possibility that he's messing around with another doctor at the hospital.  She's definitely in to him and pursuing him heavily, we just aren't sure what his side was in the whole thing, and Dr Lady isn't spilling (which tells me that he hadn't actually cheated).  As all of this comes to light, and with her fiance currently housing the soul of an 18 year old student, the wedding is called off.

The next thing we see, a year has passed. Yoon Jae still has not returned to his body.  Kyung Joon has been living with Yoon Jae's mother as she tries to "get him back".  She doesn't know that it's not really her son, just that he's not the same since the accident.  Mom wants him to be with Lady Doc.  He doesn't want to, and so he and Gil Da Ran eventually decide that they will marry in order to get Yoon Jae's mom off his back.    In all of this, there is yet another character of significance, Kyung Joon's ex-girlfriend from America, Jang Ma Ri.  Ma Ri eventually discovers the secret that Kyung Joon is in Yoon Jae's body.  She sits by Kyung Joon's body in the hospital.  She hangs around Kyung Joon and Da Ran, never giving up on her love.  There's a rift between them, as Kyung Joon partly blames her for the death of his mother.

In episode 10 we finally learn of the relationship between Yoon Jae and Kyung Joon.  They are not mere strangers of course.  No, they are half-brothers.  Apparently when Yoon Jae was 12, he was sick and they needed a sibling in order to save him.  Yoon Jae's mother was unable to produce this sibling, so Yoon Jae's father had a baby with "the woman he loved", Kyung Joon.  He was uninvolved in his second son's life, seeing him only once after birth.  It looks though as if he and Yoon Jae had begun searching for Kyung Joon just before the accident once they heard of Kyung Joon's mother's death.  There is the magical, mysterious illustration that links the two brothers and appears to be responsible for the body switching somehow.  The Lady Doctor learns of the connection between the brothers.  Meanwhile, Kyung Joon has returned to his body a couple of times, the second time for a longer duration then the first.  It appears that the body switch is coming to an end.  Lo and behold though, through all of this, Gil Da Ran has started to fall for Kyung Joon.  Kyung Joon who has feelings for her, but has repressed them, knowing that she loves Yoon Jae.  Kyung Joon who is pretty much alone in this world and exists only because he was needed for spare parts.  I wonder how he'll take that news when he learns of it.  That's got to be awful.  He misinterprets Da Ran's sadness as missing Yoon Jae, when in fact it's because she is realizing that she likes Kyung Joon.  Is she upset just because he's so young?  Or is it because she knows he's going to go away?  I don't know.  I don't know what either of them are thinking at this point.  I don't know if they know what they are thinking.  I'm pretty sure Kyung Joon is in love with her and she with him.  He's more or less confessed, but agreed to take it no further, right?  It's all just a big old mess.  I just really worry about him.  He's been through so much already and I don't want to see him hurt any more.

*Update* I just finished episodes 11 and 12.  Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  Drool!  That kiss at the end of 12?  Nice!  That's right - Gil Da Ran falls for Kyung Joon despite her desperate attempts to wait for Yoon Jae (her technical husband)'s return.  How can you not fall for sweet, caring, loving, wonderful Kyung Joon?  Only little snag along the way, besides you know, the whole married thing, is that Da Ran discovers some things about Yoon Jae.  Turns out he was faithful to her all along.  At least as far as we know, according to the lady doc and the old artist.

Other than the relationship drama, there's some interesting familial happenings happening as well.  Kyung Joon/Yoon Jae's father is hell bent on both of his sons knowing the truth while Yoon Jae's mother is hell bent on them NOT finding out about each other.  Not only that, but she wants to completely ignore and abandon poor Kyung Joon yet again, knowing that he is alone in this world.  I really don't like her.  At all.  She's making me mad.  Ooh, lady, you donst want to make me mad!

Kyung Joon is about to come in to a lot of money.  It's his birthday on June 24th.  He's becoming of age and stands to inherit about 4.5 million dollars.  He, posing as Yoon Jae of course, has made the legal arrangements to make this happen.  I foresee some issues here - what with Yoon Jae being, from what I can gather, the executor of the estate until Kyung Joon returns.  Where there's a large amount of money floating around, there's bound to be trouble.  Guess we'll have to wait and see where this one goes from here.  It's anybody's guess at this point.  Just like the whole show.  One thing you have to admit about Big is that it's not as predictable as other dramas can sometimes be.

Bridal Mask

Okay, so I'm still really behind in this one. And more episodes are coming out starting today.  Yikes!  Stinkin' real life getting in the way yet again!  I am about 13 minutes in to episode 9.  Bridal Mask, Lee Kang San, has been killed by his brother, Lee Kang To.  Their mother died at the hands of Kimura Kenji, who was one nasty, nasty piece of work, but who was then brutally killed by Lee Kang To's bare hands (in a scene that still disturbs me when I think back on it - the blood gushing out of his mouth at that last fatal blow - gah!) as he was dressed as Bridal Mask.  Now Kenji's brother, Shunji, Lee Kang To's best friend, has taken his brother's place as head somebody at the police department.  He's in charge, but not as in charge as his rat ****turd father.  How's that?  And he's going to be hunting the Bridal Mask to seek revenge for the death of his brother.  But now his best friend is Bridal Mask.  Oh, and they both love the same girl, Mok Dan, who has been waiting for Kang To to return since she was a girl and he gave her a dagger and told her to hold on to it until he returns.  As fate would have it though, around the same time, Shunji met her and fell for her and has been carrying a torch for her ever since and now she is back in his life.  She thinks Bridal Mask is her long-lost love, but he really wasn't, he was his brother, but now he is, but she hates Kang To, not knowing that he is really the boy she's been looking for.  Follow all that?  And that's only the tip of the iceberg.  The intricate twists and turns of these relationships can be hard to follow and keep straight, but they make this show the amazing drama that it is.  If you're head isn't swimming as you try to piece all of this together, whether you're watching the show or not, then you're pretty amazing, because my head swims as I try to keep it all straight.

Anyway, where we stand now, Kang To has adopted the Bridal Mask persona in place of his fallen older brother.  At the same time, he has taken a Japanese name and seems more dedicated to his job with the Japanese police force.  In fact, he was slated to take over Kenji's spot when Shunji, a schoolteacher, was weaseled in at the last minute by his weasel of a father.  I should also mention the Kishokai organization which was responsible for the death of Kang To's father and who Kang San was getting revenge on as Bridal Mask.  That's what started the whole Bridal Mask thing to begin with - going after this secret organization of evil in order to seek revenge for their betrayal and death of his father.  Kimura Taro, Shunji and Kenji's father, is a local leader of that group there in Korea.

My opinion on this one?  I think I've said it before - I love it.  I absolutely am enjoying it even if I'm taking it a little slower than the others that I'm watching.  It's just so intense and complicated that I'm taking it at a slower pace.  And I'm easily distracted by the fluffier, flashier shows.  Fluffy distracts me.  Fluffy takes less brain activity.  But in no way does that mean that this show is less worthy of applause and accolades.  It is a roller coaster of amazing and quite the squeal-inducing ride.

{Monday Morning Therapy with Dongsaeng} Bonus Reviews

Obviously I've been watching and reviewing Dr Jin these past few weeks, but would you be surprised to know that it's not the only (or even my favorite) one that I'm watching right now?  So, you may be asking yourself, what else has Dongsaeng been watching and how does she feel about it/them?  Well, wonder no more good readers, for I shall tell you!  I've been wanting to talk about some of these for some time now but just haven't found the chance to fit it in, until now.  Hip hip hooray!

I, like Unnie, have been watching and LOVING A Gentleman's Dignity.  I'm all caught up and the week is sooo long in between episodes.  This one has not disappointed me in the slightest since it started.  I love the tension and romance between the lead characters, Do Jin and Yi Soo.  I watch and rewatch all of the breath stealing moments.  I have laughed until I have cried.  The Husband would call it more of a cackle really, but I'm a lady and ladies don't cackle.  I mean, c'mon....  I don't like Tae San and can't wait for Yi Soo to get over him and go for Do Jin.  And while I don't know about them ultimately getting together, I sure would love to see a nice SWAK scene soon between Meahri and Yoon.  I just love the more grown-up vibe of this drama.  After a plethora of teen/20s dramas, it's a nice shift.  Nothing against the teen/high school/20s/college dramas, I just like to add a grown-up variety into the mix.  This show is awesome and I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it and am at times insanely jealous of Unnie that she gets to review it.  But then I remember that it's a lot more satisfying to just watch it for fun and not "work" and then I feel lots better.  ^-^
*This just in!  I just finished watching episodes 9 and 10.  Wow!  First I was up, then I came crashing down.  And what was up with that ending?!  Don't they know I have to wait a whole entire loooonnnngggg week now?!  Why?  Why do they do this to me?!  Wae?!  Feel like throwing a Yi Soo-style meltdown fit right about now.  This show!  Agh!  I love it so.  It may torture me, but I keep coming back for more.  And more.  And more.  I won't jinx this one by saying it's in the running for a top all-time favorite, because every time I do, it always backfires on me.  The story stalls.  Something goes wrong.  So I won't say it.  I'll wait until the last episode to decide where this one falls in the history books.  Either way though, that was one crazy ride and it is going to be a really, really long week. sigh.  AGD, why you gotta play me like that?*

Another one that I am watching is Big.  I know some people that are not too into this one, but I have to say that, for the most part, I am really enjoying it.  The main female lead character, Gil Da Ran, at times really annoys me because she is so blind in her relationship with her fiance.  She's obviously way more invested in the relationship than he is but she's oblivious to this fact.  She's so naive that I just want to shake her and tell her to wake up.  Problem is is that she's a fictional character and so that's not possible, try as I have.  Good thing the writers then have included Kang Kyung Joon to do it for me.  He's the 18 year old kid that switches bodies with Seo Yoon Jae.  I love how he can see off the bat what is going on with his teacher and where she's screwing up and tries to help her.  I think that this drama holds a lot of promise and I look forward to seeing where they go with it.  My only big complaint is the English of Kyung Joon who is supposed to have been raised in America and not know Korean very well.  Dear people that make dramas, I'm sorry, but you have to choose.  Either do away with the concept of "lived/studied abroad" or find actors that can actually portray that kind of character.  I don't mind in general if they're Korean and can't speak English - that's not a problem.  They're Korean, not English.  Got it.  If they learned English in school in Korea and struggle with it, that's absolutely and totally fine and acceptable.  But if they're supposed to have spent a great amount of time living and learning in an English-speaking country, please make it believable.  That's all I ask.  It's like the non-American "American" accent that pops up every now and again (King 2 Hearts, I'm looking at you!).  Fit the accent to the character's back story/identity if you want me to buy it.  Otherwise it's like nails on a chalkboard.  It's that simple.  Okay, rant over (for now - bwahahahaha!), time for more drama talk.

I am also watching I Do, I Do.  I really like this one too.  Chincha.  I have heard people complain about the lead female role of Hwang Ji An in this one, but I have to say that contrary to their opinions, I actually like her character.  A lot.  Now, before you immediately tune me out and declare me insane, hear me out here.  No, she's not bubbly and effervescent like we're used to.  She's hard and stoic.  But, see, the thing is, I get her.  I do.  It's all about the walls of defense.  I see her as a sensitive person who has to wear the tough exterior to protect herself.  I feel so bad for her when people call her Medusa or when she tries to reach out to her employees and offer to treat them to dinner for example, only to have no one show up.  Does she moan and complain or blame them?  No.  She knows why they don't come.  And she tries to change.  Real cold-hearted people first of all wouldn't have tried in the first place, but secondly, if people didn't show, they'd get angry and punish them and try to force them in to liking/respecting/supporting them.  She doesn't ask this of them.  She's hurt by it but knows why they feel the way they do.  How about in this last episode where they choose teams and everyone (well, almost everyone) opts out of being on her team?  Did you see how hurt she was?  It broke my heart.  She's not a cold-hearted shrew - she's a sensitive soul with a tough shell.  I think that the two men, Tae Kang especially, see that in her which is why they are so drawn to her.  She has a lot of depth and warmth to her, it just takes somebody patient and understanding to draw it out and allow her to let her guard down.  Her life, that she has fought tooth and nail to build, is crumbling around her because of one stupid, drunken night.  She's scared and alone and making life-altering decisions that she herself isn't fully aware of the impact of.  Until she proves me wrong, I will defend her character as likeable and loveable and this drama as watchable and enjoyable.

The final drama that I am currently enjoying is Bridal Mask.  Unlike the other four mentioned, this one I'm not fully caught up on.  As I write this (on Saturday), I am only in episode 5.  I am in love with this drama.  As much as I like it though, I find myself watching the rom-coms first (and Dr Jin because I have to) which is why I'm behind.  It's not because I don't like it, I just like to start with the fluffier stuff first.  The more I watch, the more I fall in love with it.  I was initially drawn to it because of the time period.  It happens to be the time period and setting of a book I am currently reading and is therefore that much more appealing and relevant to me.  While some of the characters, politics and history so far are confusing or lost on me, I get the general idea just fine and understand enough to enjoy it.  I can tell it's going to be another heart-wrenching and heart rate increasing drama, much like King 2 Hearts was for me.  I love the conflicts revolving around the life of Lee Kang To.  Talk about being between a rock and a hard place - sheesh!  This poor guy just can't win.  He's screwed on all sides, at least right now.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you're watching it, you should know what I mean.  Here's another perfect example of a character that I'm probably supposed to hate, but instead feel nothing but sympathy and sorrow for.  Even through his violent actions, I am still rooting for him.  I guess I'm similar to his mother and brother in that I hate what he does for a living and hate some of the choices that he makes in carrying out his duty, but I can see that as a man, he is doing what he feels to be the best under the circumstances.  Plain and simple, it's a rotten time to be Korean no matter what side of the fence you find yourself on - supporting the Japanese Empire or fighting against it.  He's made his choice and I have the feeling he's going to have to make another choice pretty soon - a final choice on where he truly stands and what kind of man he truly is and will become.  His proverbial fork in the road is coming and I am so curious to see where we go from here.

And there you have it.  This is a first for me.  5 currently airing dramas at once!  I've never done more than 2 before and that was only because of this blog.  In the past I usually avoided the currently airing ones until they were completed or at least near completion because I am impatient and hate waiting for new episodes.  It wasn't until Rooftop Prince and King 2 Hearts that I even dedicated myself to two, but now here I am with 5 and no plans to give up on any of them. But that's okay, now I can chat with you, my favorite readers, about any of these 5 dramas.  Makes me more relevant and current, right?  Haha!  It's all for you guys.  That's how much I love and appreciate you.  See that?  That's a whole lotta love right there that is.  So, let's chat.  Are you watching any of these?  Are there any you'd like to see more regular reviews on?  Curious about how I would rank these in order of favorites at this point as we near mid-season with them?  Well, I'll tell you.

1st - A Gentleman's Dignity
2nd - I Do I Do (a near tie with Bridal Mask, I Do I Do edged out in front only because it has given me more romance so far and that's the ultimate clincher for me)
3rd - Bridal Mask (has great potential to sky rocket up this list though once I catch up in episodes)
4th - Big
5th - Dr Jin

I'll probably stick with reviewing Dr Jin since I'm already invested this far, but might consider blurbs on the others every now and again since they're more fun to talk about.  Sorry Dr Jin.  I am trying, I really am.  Isn't it enough that I've stuck around through thick and thin (or thin and thinner)?  Do I get bonus points for that?  Not every drama is for every person.  It's nothing personal.  Well, except that you're not very good.  Other than that though... oh who are we kidding?  It's not me, it's you.  You have potential, just step it up for me and then my weekly reviews will be less of a chore and more of a cheer fest.  I'm here - a wannabe cheerleader - just waiting in the wings.  Give me something to cheer about and I'll be all over that.  Honest.  I don't like to give negative reviews.  You might have to start calling me Medusa though because I'll do what I have to do.  Dongsaeng is my name and honesty is my game.













You didn't really think that I would leave without filling your prescription for this week, did you?  My sister (remember her?  Ms Luckypants McGee?) sent me a video that I thought was cute and wanted to share with you.  It's from a group called Wong Fu Productions (maybe you've heard of them - I hadn't until today).  They're not Korean, but this video is fun because they are giving themselves KPop makeovers - in other words, dressing and posing like KPop stars. There's even a special "guest appearance" by a certain group.  Check it out!  It's pretty fun stuff, if for no other reason than it's three grown men trying to dress like KPop idols.  Take your theraputic medicine and have a wonderful Monday everyone!


On a personal side note, this store is in San Francisco and the fam and I are heading there soon!  Oh, Honey....guess what we need to add to our San Francisco To Do List!  ;)  


And if you liked that one and want to see more, this one is not Korea related, but still funny and a great commentary on stereotypes and silly assumptions that we sometimes make about people.  Enjoy a giggle or two! (Oh, and I apologize ahead of time for the language at the end - I don't want to offend anyone. I don't like foul language myself.  A lot of it is bleeped, but of course you still get the idea.  So, if it's a problem, you'll want to mute it from 4:12 - 4:35).