Chocobana

I'm the same. Can't wait to see YAI as a villain. He seems really psychopathic.

And I still don't really understand the thing with the brother. It felt like a (predictable) plot device since it was only used to further the drama and get YH in the company (another thing I didn't see the point of). Then he just waltzes back into everyone's life and he's suddenly all about the company when he never was? Dunno. Very pointless.

It's just...all over the place.

We don't see much chemistry between the main leads for the majority of the show, and it's very hard to sympathize with Joon-ki. The company politics never go anywhere (what exactly was the purpose of that unresolved thread, again?), the family drama is BS (everyone has issues and needs counseling but nothing the family does makes sense), and although the second leads' romance was enjoyable, they did break up and get together an awful lot of times (with the accompanied angst every time) before they finally got together for good.

I gave it a 7 and I was being generous since I did enjoy the first couple of episodes.

You can find it online on gooddrama.net or download a torrent if you want better resolution.

So after two years, it's finally being subbed on Viki (up to episode 13 so far):

http://www.viki.com/tv/27353c-the-war-of-beauties?q=the%20war%20of%20beauti

It might be unfair to compare the two because they're so different. JIN was more philosophical than anything really, plus the focus was more on the mechanics of time-travel and its repercussions. It gives you food for thought. NC was not really like that, and while I wouldn't go as far as to call it 'low-brow', it was simply made for entertainment. The reasons why I appreciated JIN are completely different to why I liked NC.

No, it's not the same story but there were several references to characters from the j-drama so better watch that first. It's not the same story but I find many elements to be the same. The endings both here and in the j-drama are bittersweet.

The show was all over the place. They built the whole story over the concept of two destined for each other, but then they give us a half-a**ed ending that did not make sense anyway. Did they see each other at all after they separated? It seemed like they met in the after-life. And Wang So with the heavy beard seemed tired and awfully sad, caressing Yool's wedding dress. I don't think they really got to be with each other after Wang So became king, so WTF, show? Where's my emotional payoff?

This was so good! It went over my expectations and mixed comedy and sincerity, and the characters had so much depth. I loved it. Great show.

Honestly, the first 10 episodes frustrated me a little because they dragged the reveal of many secrets. But once everyone is on the same page, the show picks up and doesn't relent.

The show is great and all that, but there's something that makes me break out laughing ever episode. Anybody else noticed that there's at least one scene per episode with Huang Xiao Ming shirtless? XD Not that his abs are not drool-worthy, but you don't have to bring out the big guns every time, show.

I was waiting for that too. Like, maybe he got drunk somehow and they slept together. But it's too makjang. Whether geum-dong is his son or not doesn't matter at this point. Ho-goo was his parent from day one.

OMG, I am soooo excited about this although I never really go for live-action movies/shows. People are going to have their hopes up about this so the production must have a lot of pressure to deal with. Well.

Hmm. Depends on how you see it. He did not actually get the reassignment surgery but he got so close and then shit from his old life just ruined it for him. It's sorta bleak but very in-tone with the movie. Like, it had a greater emotional impact than it would have been had the movie picked a happy ending. So I felt alright with the ending, personally, though it did not make me happy.

I still think you should decide for yourself. I loved the sensitivity with which transsexualism was treated. It was not a shot at something "deep" that is just ultimately emotionally manipulative--you honestly feel like this movie has a story to tell, a message to get across because it matters.

From the way they're marketing it, this show is a must-watch. Black comedy? Check. Controversial issue(s)? Check. Family drama? Check. Social commentary? Check, check, check. :P It also has a star-crossed lovers feel so yay. This better not disappoint *fingers crossed*

Yes, exactly! Conflicts can keep a show going, but here conflicts crippled it. The characters get no slack and something always goes wrong for them without any respite. It's emotionally exhausting to watch the characters go through endless drama because we do want to cheer for and sympathize for the underdog. I just feel manipulated at the end.

There's also lots of cheese in the first episodes (the cringe-worthy stuff) though it lets up once the show gets serious.

I'm a bit on the fence with this movie. It shows us snippets of the lives of three generations of women and the movie is not linear--it goes back and forth between generations so it's more interesting. It's also pretty emotional and sympathetic and it got me to cry at one point.

The cinematography and directing though are pretty weird. It feels like a mix of amateur and old-school. Sometimes the camera would be focused on a character's face as if he/she is talking to us, which is awkward. And the movie made the 1930s part in white and black, the 1960s part in dull colors that are reminiscent of movies in that era, and the modern part in normal palette. It's an interesting choice and I guess some people would find it a nice touch of authenticity, but I did not really like it.

So yeah, that's what I thought about 'Flowers'. I think you'd be able to empathize with each character's story.

Hahaha XP Alright. To each his own :)

Episodes 1-3 are subbed in English, but the entire show could be found subbed in French.

Why? There are some pretty good historical dramas. Just curious. If you're interested, I could recommend some :)