JoyceTyler

Ha Ji-won confessed that she intentionally lost weight, saying, "The director said that Cho Sang-ah is sensitive and the desired image is extremely thin but well-maintained. However, even after I lost weight and did fittings, the director mentioned that the slip dress should look a bit more loose. (Laughs) "Since Cho Sang-ah wears a lot of slip-like clothing, I lost more weight."

"In the drama, Cho Sang-ah has a scene where she cannot eat-- like someone with anorexia. During that period, I felt the same emotions as if I couldn't eat. At that time, I thought, 'I hope we can finish filming this drama quickly.' Although I am playing the character Cho Sang-ah, I had to act within that role, making it psychologically challenging."

Having lost so much weight that people are calling her "bone-thin" these days, Ha Ji-won added, "There's about a 5 kg difference. I originally weighed 50 kg and lost weight down to 45 kg. I made my plump muscles thinner." She mentioned, "These days, I'm running and gradually recovering."
-https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2026/04/06/S32HGYG3ONC47MZ66CTVKQWA7E/

I agree that it's slow-paced, but it was quite a ride and I was interested to see who'd win in the end.

With its population of billions, China probably thinks it doesn't have to appeal to other Asian countries in order to attract viewers. But apparently Chinese viewers used to enjoy watching k-dramas before they were banned.

This is not about me, Tia.

Yes, I saw that drama. She's usually smart and low-key, and I like that about her acting.

Did. No longer.

The thing is, AI will "write" to the same formula, same tropes, etc., but get it done faster.

AI is one of the reasons my former union went on strike a few years ago and the actors union joined them.

Also Kim Nam-joo. I haven't watched her early dramas, but her comeback drama, "Misty" is one of my all-time favorites and her most recent one, "Wonderful World," is good.

True, but that rarely seems to happen before serious pain is inflicted.

That's a lot!!! If you have some particular favorites among their dramas, I'll try to find them.

Okay, so after re-watching The Great Queen Seon-deok, my favorite historical drama, I decided to watch some of Lee Yo-won's other dramas, and she's done some very interesting ones, in particular 49 Days, Avengers Social Club, The Running Mates, and Green Mothers Club.

Lee Yu-ri is the only one of those other actresses whose dramas I've watched. She's hilarious in Spring Turns to Spring, and I also like her melodramas. I've seen Lie After Lie, The Promise, Twinkle Twinkle, and the family drama, My Father Is Strange.

If it goes too far China will have to deal with billions of brave people out on the streets and willing to put their lives on the line in protest.

Something very sad happens, and her response had me in tears. Well, there always is controversy regarding historical inaccuracies in historical k-dramas. Like I said, the real Empress Ki wasn't a slave. In fact, she came from an aristocratic family, but she did begin her "career" as a concubine. But they usually indicate onscreen that it's based on events or inspired by the life of...etc.

The Story of Pearl Girl is my favorite of hers. She and the ML are in top form and the pacing is excellent.

Hey! Thanks for the flower. That's so kind of you.

I know China and S. Korea are investing big-time in AI, but I didn't realize China had gone that far with it. For some reason I don't think SK will. Writers have a powerful voice there, and they're free to raise it and get drama addicts on their side.

Exactly. I still watch the ones in which the leads have interesting personalities in real life, though. Zhao Lu-si is very funny and outspoken. She sued her former agency for physical and mental abuse. She became very ill but no way was SHE gonna commit suicide. She's a fantastic actress, btw.

Yes. Namib left me cold. Watched the whole thing because of Go, but I couldn't stand the ML's acting, and I was supposed to care about him, but I didn't. Reflection of You is a drama that seemed more like a k-art house movie. The two leads are both anti-heroines; one has taken everything that the other one has worked hard to achieve and in order for her to get those things, the other one has to "disappear." I loved Reflection of you.

They seem like a breath of fresh air to me. LOL. But I like many of the older k-dramas. Even though they're much longer, there's much less filler and the writers are just brilliant at coming up with compelling incidents that keep me (at least) watching.

But Damo, as you'll discover, is in a whole different category of "old." I mean, it's practically a Greek tragedy. And I couldn't believe what they were suggesting at the end. Ha Ji-won really knows how to pick controversial storylines. Ha Ji-won and Go Hyung-jung.... are my queens.