PrettyCarEye

That MJ didn't deserve KJ's mistreatment ... on that we completely agree. And like I said I wanted to kick him. At the same time as much I liked KJ & thought he was cool, I'm not loss on his profession. And apparently neither was he.

I'm only able to root for a gangster on screen. In real you won't catch me within 10 feet of one. Ever. And I wouldn't want anyone I care about being around a gangster either. I think KJ was thinking the same thing where MJ is concerned.

Even if he goes legit upon leaving prison it's a lifestyle that never really leaves you behind (even if you've left IT behind). With this in mind, he was imagining their future together. And so he treats her badly in the hope that she'd leave him, but obviously he underestimated MJ's love for him.

I know what you were hoping for (I would have been happy with the fantasy too), but for me this is a romance I could relate to because it could easily have happened IRL. In fact, it DOES happen IRL. Their dynamic, their passion for each other, their chemistry was just so amazing, and best of all the plot maintained a logical development. I know you don't agree, more or less, but it's okay! :p

By the way I agree with you about Pride & dramas like Aishiteru to Ikketure. Which is exactly why I appreciate Lovers. It took the same old drama troupes and breathed something new & fresh into them. I think Lovers is by far Kim Eun Sook's most successful drama to date, writing wise.

But don't you think KJ going to prison for being involved in organized crime is a realistic progression of the plot? I think so because when you're involved in criminal activity prison is a likely outcome (as is getting stabbed or shot at). Normally your loved ones are the ones left behind, mourning your loss or awaiting your return.

In that case I didn't mind the time skip, in light of the circumstances. It was necessary -- unlike the countless times its been used in other dramas but didn't make a lick of sense! I also didn't think MJ's behaviour was out of character. She understood KJ's motive for pushing her away, misguided as it was (it was his way of trying to protect her). I think that's why she toughed it out with his BS. Moreover, if she had abandoned him at his lowest moment wouldn't that have tainted her character?

No, MJ wasn't at fault at anytime, imo. It was KJ who was being a jerk. However, since his heart was in the right place I forgive him. All in all I didn't only like KJ, I respected him too. He's honourable & loyal. That is not to say he's perfect, but I appreciated the fact that he lived by a code of ethics that put the people he loves most first in his life. I wish real life were more like that.

I'll probably watch King's Wrath for Hyun Bin & Made in China might be of interest once I know more about the plot. So far the title has tickled my curiosity. The rest, though, are a no go for me.

I see where you're coming from. At the same time I still think that's how human emotions work. They're complicated & irrational. I love when romances fulfill a fantasy (for eg MARS), but I love them even more when there's a reasonable dose of realism too.

I didn't see it as KJ leading her on ... at least not deliberately. He wanted to be true to Ye Jin, esp given the fact that she was carrying his child, but it's hard to deny love once it has taken root in your heart. I think that's why he came across so wishy-washy. His head was in favour of being with YJ, but his heart belonged to MJ.

I can't remember what happened after he finally split with Ye Jin. Didn't they just hop in the sack? haha The only time I remember being frustrated with KJ was when he went to prison. I understood what he was trying to do for MJ's sake, but at the same time I was mad that he was being so stubborn & cold. He could have at least accepted her gifts & explained why he needed her to go away, instead of completely freezing her out.

Anyway, many people have charged this drama with dragging ... which makes me convinced that I must re-watch it at some point. When I first saw it, it didn't drag for me at all. In fact, I went thru it within 36 hrs. Maybe because I was so happy to see a mature, adult relationship after all the childish foolishness in other dramas that I may have overlooked its flaws? It's possible.

Ye Jin also knew that once there was no more baby, there was no more relationship with Kang Jæ. One of the reasons why I liked Ye Jin & felt bad for her was because she could've totally used the baby (even after the miscarriage) to trap Kang Jæ, but she didn't. And of course being a woman myself, I understand that it can't be easy being traded in for another woman after dedicating your life to this man. At the same time the objective side of me understands also that there are no guarantees in life, esp not in love & you can't begrudge someone their feelings. Well, you can but eventually you’re just gonna have to accept that it is what it is or you’re the one to suffer.

This could have easily happened to woman too ...
She falls out of love with a perfectly good guy & choose to take off with another. Happens every day, to men AND women.

For me that's why Lovers works so well. It's realistic, but provides enough escapism to get you caught up in all the passionate.

But he felt the way he felt about Mi Joo. Those feelings weren’t going away. In the long run if he had stayed with Ye Jin while still being in love with Mi-joo, Ye Jin would have suffered more because Kang Jæ would've eventually cheated with Mi Joo (I’m unbiased enough to accept that fact).

As it were, the break up happened the best way it could. I also think KJ deserves some credit here - he was a man in every way by stepping up to the plate when he found out she was pregnant. He stood by her despite his mad attraction to Mi Joo & struggled with those feelings. He tried to ignore them & do right by Ye Jin. I personally respected that about him a great deal.

I’m happy he didn't cross the line physically with Mi Joo. Remember they did nothing more than hold hands … once. For a large portion of the drama. He fought his feelings by giving Mi Joo the cold shoulder, but at the same time he couldn't help inserting himself into her life, he couldn't help the feelings of jealousy & possessiveness that he had no right to feel, but felt anyway.

This is what I loved about the drama. These very human, irrational emotions & the wicked sexual tension they created between the characters. The love triangle was excellently done, imo. Very mature, true to life & decent ... as decent as you can get in a situation like this.

Awesome sauce! I felt the same way about that drama. Try & see if you can squeeze in a re-watch of Buzzer Beat. I'd love to see if your feelings remains the same.

As for LOVERS ...

You thought he was cheating? Really? Well, perhaps emotionally.

The way I interpreted Kang Jæ & Ye Jin's relationship was one of familiarity and comfort. If Kang Jæ loved Ye Jin passionately at one point, that passion had long since subsided (irrespective of Mi Joo being in the picture or not). That's why in the beginning, before he found out she was pregnant, he continued to pursue her. She was familiar & safe, but I doubt his heart was really in the relationship. Now you can argue that after 8 yrs nobody is madly, passionately in love with their partner. Most relationships will end up at this very crossroad & Kang Jæ is a cad for moving along as soon as someone better (Mi-joo) comes along.

You could look at it that way. I chose not because 1) I wanted to follow the writer’s lead & not moralize their budding relationship and 2) life actually isn't ideal & perfect. We’d love for relationships to end without all these messy situations & emotions, but do they really? Rarely, I think. Life teaches us that sometimes we can't control our emotions or even our fate. When there's a break-up someone is BOUND to get hurt, maybe one more so than the other, but it's an emotional, disturbing situation for all involved -- for the dumper & the dumpee. We can hardly say that Kang Jæ didn't still care about Ye Jin. He certainly didn't relish hurting her.

Wait, you haven't seen Pride yet? Boy, get to it if you haven't! I think you'll like it? The fact that you didn't enjoy Buzzer Beat makes me a bit unsure, though. They're kind of similar, although the drama in BB was a bit more heightened.

I'd say definitely give Buzzer Beat a re-watch. It's such a sweet romance. I can't believe you didn't like it ... :(

I'm going to respond to your comments about Lovers in a separate post. I think we need to talk about this! :)

Please don't review dramas that are still airing. It's against the site rules. Thank you.

I haven't seen it, but knowing what you like & don't like I'd say definitely stay away as this is about a woman at a crossroads in her life. While she apparently doesn't have a physical affair with the other man, an emotional intimacy is developed & can be just as powerful so it might prove to be too much for you to handle.

Real's looking real.

You can always edit the review to reflect your true position.

Haha, Aaron! What tha ...? Dude, what's with the new name ... and THAT pic??? LMAO. You take off for a month and a half & you're like a new man. What happened?

Anyway, you finished Lovers & you're just telling me??? I see you gave it a 7, I guess it was just so-so for you then. Oh well. It isn't to everyone's taste. What did you not like about it?

Re You Who Come From the Stars ... really? Why do you say that?

Thx Skye! :)

LOL, whilst you were rummaging in your kitchen in an attempt to make something that resembles dinner ... bahaha! Not much of a kitchen maven are you? I was in la la land dreaming of hot ahjussis. Did you hear that ahjussi hottie Cha Seung Won is soon to be in a new drama? Apparently with Lee Seung Gi. A detective/romance drama of some sort. Hope it's good. I loved this man in City Hall! Anyway, people have been moaning about Park Min Young being the female lead. I'm indifferent since I've never seen her in anything. What's your take, if you have one?

Ah I see.
I have no preference when it comes to language. Well, I wouldn't watch a Thai drama with several hours of tonal screeching, but a 2 hr movie is totally fine. I think Arata is a good actor, but I don't fancy him at all looks wise.

I see you've added A Dirty Carnival. Great gangster movie. Maybe a little predictable, but an excellent cautionary tale. I loved it. And Jo In Sung is so hawwwwt here! Pure niceness. :)

Wæ? What made the synopsis turn you off?

Min Ki ssi doesn't look half bad. I'll be looking out for him now if ever I get around to watching Two Weeks. :)

Do you like Japanese ahjussis as well? Aside from mr. Takenachi Yukata I'm starting to really develop a crush on Tadanobu Asano! I just finished watching him in a Thai movie called Last Life in the Universe. He was brilliant! But I will always love him the most in A Taste of Tea. That's where I met him first & he's sooo funny there. LOL!

I'm working on an article. Having worked on it on & off for several months I have a goal to finish it by the end of Feb. Let's hope I make it! :)

Hehe ... it's alright if you do! No judgment. :)
Are you going to watch Ghost Seeing Detective? Under normal circumstances I'd never watch a drama like this, but I can't pass up on an opportunity to ogle Ji Oh ahjussi.

Jo Min Ki ... what's he in?

Omo! Ahjussi is 55??? Perhaps a little bit too much ahjussi for me right there! haha I love them most when they're in their late 30s, early 40s ... like my lovely Lee Seo Jin & your Ji Jin Hee. I also love Oh Jin Oh. That man is so sexy! Omoooo! :)