PrettyCarEye

I hear in Korea tats are a big no no! If you have visible tattoos on your body then people will think you're up to no good. It's interesting, isn't it? Here in the west pretty much everyone & his cat have a tattoo because it's soooo cool! And particularly for men it's an expression of their masculinity in some way. But in Korea you're immediately labelled a gangster if you have a tattoo. lol
As for the knifes, I actually didn't know they avoid showing knives on TV until I watched Lovers. When I saw that it was blurred out I was so shocked. LOL
I've also heard from friends who live in Korea that society is not as conservative as portrayed on TV. Apparently there's been a big problem with teenage pregnancy in recent years & high school boys getting into fights/gangs so maybe TV execs feel they have to take these measures so as not to further corrupt the youth. If that's the case, I guess the million dollar question is, does it work? :)

Man, I had to grit my teeth throughout AGD because of her! After that I was convinced. This actress is not my cup of tea! I'll never watch another show with her again.

In the very early days of my addiction I saw a movie called Closer to Heaven with Ha Ji Won. It's basically the ONLY thing I've seen her in where she didn't annoy me.

I just don't gel with their acting styles. And this is horrible because they seem to be very popular in the SK film industry. They both play against all the major male stars, including my some of my favs. So where does that leave me? Sigh ...

Another actress I dislike with a passion is Choi Jung Yoon. OMG, that woman's voice! And the roles she plays. Grrrr!!! I almost passed up watching Smile, You because of her, but some friends convinced me to give it a chance since she has a fairly small supporting role. Even so, every time she shows up on my TV screen I wanna punch her. lol

Hey, thx for the request! :)
Your profile looks awesome! And you're very lucky to have met some of your favourite bands! Did you see them in the States or somewhere in Asia? I'm not much of a K-poper, but I have a goal to meet some of my favourite Asian actors. Since I work in the film industry it shouldn't be too difficult. At least I HOPE it won't be! :)

Watching anything good?

I'm going to watch it! Probably not today or tomorrow, but one day soon. :)

Finally someone who understands my aversion to these actresses. I think they're waaaay overrated. I would have liked to watch Secret Garden just to see Hyun Bin, but the minute I heard Ha Ji Won was in it I lost all interest. Same goes for Kings2Heart (although the theme/setting played a role too).

I was barely able to finish A Gentleman's Dignity because of Kim Na Heul. I have NEVER watched her in a role I thought she was remotely decent.

Omo! I was never interested in watching that drama, but that scene makes me wanna watch it! hehe
Thanks for the tip! :)

Omo, omo, omo! WHAT drama is that your girl crush is being devoured in??? It does indeed look HOT! HOT! HOT!

I want to watch it! :P

Hi! Started out at Midwood then transferred to Brooklyn Tech! I moved from the United States pretty much right after graduation.

What about you?

Omo, me too! I can't tell the last time I watch a US show. I mean my drama addiction started just under a year ago. Prior to that I consumed Game of Thrones, Spartacus, Scandal, The Wire etc religiously. 2nd & 3rd seasons for the 3 first shows have been ordered & shot, but I have yet to see them. I know I'll get around to them one day, but it's so ironic how Asian cinema has pretty much taken over my life! :)

Moreover, they've helped me realize that I LOVE Asian guys. I didn't know I could be attracted, but wow! They are some really gorgeous men. You can see some of my favs on my profile, if you're curious! haha

As for love making scenes with Son Ye Jin? Really??? What movies are those? I've only seen her in AMTR actually & while there's some intimacy, there's no deep kissing or hardcore physicality. Just some cuddling & sweet moments of tenderness which is just as nice, mind you, but I wouldn't have minded something a bit more graphic! I love seeing my crushes in lovemaking scenes too & I've been lucky with a few! LOL, Rich, we're such pervs! :)

I forgot to answer your question about Lovers last time. Yes, this was overall just a perfect show for me. Read my review. After I finished it I had few complaints so I felt it deserved all 10s. It is not a show for everyone, particularly if you're not a fan of crime (gangster related) dramas. I love this genre, but more so I loved it for how it handled the romance, very much in keeping with a mature, adult relationship. Something we're not often privy to in dramaland, imo. I get sooo tired of the juvenile portrayals of intimacy that typify the romance genre in Asian cinema/TV. As a result I strongly appreciated the deep passion & intensity that permeated Lovers. I highly recommend it & would love to hear your feedback! :)

Happy Birthday, Reise! I just realized you're a Leo! :-)
I love Leos. You guys are so dynamic & fierce! In love you're also said to be the soulmates of Sagittarius (fyi, I'm a Saggi :). Haha!
Have a lovely day! And make the most of your 20s cuz let me tell you, once you hit the big 3-O, the years fly FASTER! :)

It's nice to meet a guy who is willing to admit he likes love stories just as much as us girls! :) Nothing wrong with that. Love is a beautiful thing! LOL And since you so bravely suffered thru my gushing I'll listen to you gush over Son Ye Jin. She seems very popular with the guys. I have another Son Ye Jin fanboy friend on here. You can fight over her with him! I'll mediate! ;) Haha

If you really like cute family dramas I really think you'll like Smile, You. It has certainly lived up to its name so far bcuz I smile, chuckle or LOL when I'm watching this.

As for City Hunter, well it's similar to Cruel City in regards to the romance. That's okay with me. Usually with this genre I like when there's romance included, but it has to make sense to the plot. In CC the romance was on the periphery. I would have been happy if they'd left it out because it didn't advance the plot in any way. But was just placed there bcuz a romance is expected given the genre. This is something CC suffers from in general. They included plot turns/twists/devices not because it's necessary or makes sense to the overarching story, but because they feel there are certain things that should happen in a noir. And if they're not included then it's not a noir. But this is nonsense because genre in & of itself is just a guide, not a formula set in stone. As artists filmmakers can/do/should use their artistry to deviate & create original content.

Anyway, it is what it is & when all's said and done the show IS entertaining. I guess for a lot of people that's all that matters when push comes to shove.

I've been eyeing Stars Falling from the Sky, but I've heard its pretty makjang so haven't added it.

I know of many good romantic movies! Let me know if you ever need a rec! :)

Hehe, I just noticed you updated your profile & you're a guy!
If you're straight, sorry you had to 'listen' to me gush over Lee Min-ho and Jung Woo-sung! LOL! :)

Yes, I'm not a fan of hers generally, but she delivers a solid performance in AMTR. And Jung Woo-sung ... swoon! Loved him in this. Real tough guy in the movie, but it was alternately sweet & heartbreaking to watch his transformation as the story unfolds. You're gonna love him! Aside from a great performance I've never seen him hotter! LOL ;)

I've been planning to watch City Hunter for the longest while just to 'meet' the scrumptious mr. Lee Min-Ho. This guy has got some serious hype surrounding him. I'm pretty sure it's mostly because of his looks! And I gotta admit he's criminally sexy! But to be fair I need to check out his work before I can judge his skills.

The crime genre is a definite fav of mine, esp when it's gangster related & has some romance thrown in (best eg of how I like it is the drama Lovers). But I like tough badass gangsters, not like those clowns in Cruel City. hehe

As for Smile You, I've heard from a pretty reliable source that it stays light hearted throughout. A few spots here and there where things might get a bit dramatic but mostly it's silly romcom mixed up with family politics. So far I've watched 10 eps & that description seems to be accurate. I'll let you know how it develops as I progress.

By the way, the lead male in SY is also the lead male in CC, but two completely, completely different characters. When I started Smile, You I was indifferent to him, but after CC I have massive respect for the dude. He has some decent acting chops, that's for sure.

What are you watching now? Is it good?

Ah, my bad! :)

The long drama I'm watching is called Smile, You. It's part romcom, part family drama. After 10 eps the characters are finally starting to grow on me & there have been some pretty funny moments so far. It's too early to say whether I'd recommend it or not, check it out & see if it's your cup of tea. I think it might be! :)

Cruel City is a gritty crime noir that recently aired. It's a decent show, lots of on the edge of your seat suspense, a dash of romance & one of the most fascinating lead characters I've ever had the pleasure to watch. That said, I only gave the show a 7 because the plot is illogical & all over the place, the cops & so-called gangsters are complete nincompoops & the ending sucks. I still loved it though & would recommend it if you're a fan of this genre.

Oh and A Moment to Remember is a must watch. Yes, it will probably move you deeply, but still it's definitely, definitely worth it! Take it from someone who hates melodrama & tragedy. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful love story & the only Korean movie that I've seen which feature a happily married couple. Please watch it, please watch it, please watch it! :)

Well, actually, no, not frustrating just ... unsatisfying. Another case in which the ending served the genre rather than story that was told.

I guess Koreans are just big on their formulas. They feel to deviate from that formula, to take risks & infuse something fresh/original in a story (or it's ending) might bring about World War 3 or maybe even the end of the world! lol :)

I Hate You, But it's Fine is one of your favs, but you gave it only a 4? :)

I must say I like your top 5 list. I'm pretty much planning to watch them all, except Spring Waltz. I've been considering that drama ever since I got on this site last year, but the slow pace that many complain of in the reviews kind of puts me off. Also it sounds awfully melodramatic. Is it? And how is the romance? It is very tame? Any good kisses? I like the lead actress Han Hyo Joo. I've not been disappointed by her so far, but I've never seen her in a drama, only movies.

I'm already in the process of watching a long drama so I'll wait a bit to start 3 Bros. I'll give Sweet 18 a go though, probably as my next (short) drama. Been struggling after Cruel City to find a drama that fills the void! :)

Looking forward to more of your reviews! :)
Do you like movies too or do you prefer dramas?

Well, I've liked all your reviews even though I haven't agreed with all of them (in those cases where I've seen the movie or show that is). I think you'd make a decent film critic, you already write like one! :) Your reviews are certainly a notch above the norm on MDL & you touch upon things that average viewers never think about. Hence the reason I sought out your opinion in an attempt to focus my own erratic thoughts on THV.

Offline I try to make films for a living. I, and most other filmmakers I know, have a love/hate relationship with critics! LOL The relationship is quite reminiscent of marriage, can't live with a person, can't live without that person either.

There are a couple of other films I'd love to hear your feedback on, but I hesitate so as not to burden (or bore you to tears) with an overabundance of arthouse film recommendations. I hope you'll watch In the Mood for Love, though! :)

I shall definitely look forward to your comments on Lovers! It is not a show for everyone, particularly if you're not a fan of crime (gangster related) dramas. I love this genre, but more than anything I loved the show for how it handled the romance, very in much keeping with a mature, adult relationship. Something we're not often privy to in dramaland, imo. I personally am sick of the juvenile portrayals of intimacy that typify the romance genre in Asian cinema & TV. As a result I appreciated even more the deep passion and intensity that permeated Lovers. Hope you enjoy! :)

Well, I can not comment on why you criticize a drama's flaws, but where I'm concerned I can say that I'm vocal about a drama's flaws if they were glaring to the point where I couldn't ignore them while watching. When I'm too busy questioning the show's overall logic & not being swept up in its characters & plot, there's a problem & one that should be voiced, imo! LOL

And I'm the complete opposite! I seem to be more critical of Asian series because they're fresher to my eyes. I've been watching Western cinema & TV all my life, then I'm exposed to this whole new world and everything looks different, done differently. Indeed, watching Asian shows have opened my eyes to how flawed Western cinema/TV in and of itself is. And I have to say as someone who makes films (or try to at least haha) for a living this is a good thing because you're then able to adopt the best from both worlds! :)

Psychiatry, oh dear. Sounds heavy! I can understand your feelings of overload! When I wrote my master thesis (in a far more agreeable subject, imo, Business relations) it was not my favourite period of study, let me tell you. I mean I liked my topic, but academia is not my thing. At all. Only long things I like to write are film scripts. lol

Hope all goes well though & that you get a good grade! Fighting! :)

Well, I'm not a fan of any of the cast members in HEIRS & the story sounds terribly uninteresting. Normally I wouldn't even bat an eye at show like this, but if I don't watch City Hunter by the time it comes out I'll watch it just to meet the ever scrumptious mr. Lee Min-Ho. The kid may be overhyped and possibly can't act to save his life, but no one can deny that he's wickedly HOT! Haha, so I think this is the year I should finally see him in action, rather than just pics.

I'm a fan of the historical genre & somewhat of a fan of Joo Jin Mo (he's foine looking! lol), BUT I really can't abide by Ha Ji Won so Hwatu unfortunately will not be going on my PTW list. And good thing Jang Yu Suk ... er ... I mean Jang Geun Suk rejected a role too because that would double the reason not to watch! Not that Ha Ji Won isn't already enough reason to avoid this like the plague...

I'll probably watch Age of Feelings ... just for Soo (Yoon Hyin Min)! Loved him in Cruel City & wouldn't mind seeing him again! :)

Oh Ji Ho would be the only motivation to watch the OCN drama, if I'm ever in the mood for a story like that. He's hot, he can sometimes act, but unfortunately he's never acted in a drama or role that I liked. Hopefully this one will be different.

Thx for the update! :)

Good to know! :)
But how about subsequent kisses? Hope they get better & better! LOL In case you couldn't tell, good kissing is a must for me! Haha

I see you're fairly new to your drama watching career. Do you have any other favs?

Wow, you've watched some really long dramas! I haven't watched anything over 58 episodes, but I'm not opposed to it if the story is good.

I've already stolen some entries off your list. Suspicious 3 Brothers for example. I love bromances so I was immediately drawn to it. Hopefully it isn't too melodramatic. If you like stories like these I can rec you Ojakgyo Brothers. Nice drama.

Sweet 18 was also of interest, but it's already on the list. Normally I don't like (huge) age gap stories, but I want to see this because I watched My Little Bride & really loved it. You should check it too! :)