Surprise-Lobotomy

Thanks so much for the recommendation. So simple, yet hauntingly beautiful. Indie / artsy romance is my favorite western movie style, so 3-iron was a perfect fit.

Nothing worse than a kiss scene where it looks like the guy is devouring the girls face and she's just sitting there straightfaced. The little things like you mentioned are what I appreciate most - I don't like how the little things are glossed over so that you get the idea that the leads are uncomfortable with each other. Can you truly love someone and not feel completely natural around them?

I know (speaking from real relationships) that having a girl curl up next to me and rest on my chest is one of the best things. When you're in love, you want to be next to the person at any cost. The awkwardness is only there BEFORE you both fall in love, and comfort comes way faster than it is played out in a lot of Asian dramas.

I want to see the day to day interactions more than anything else. I am glad someone else agrees with that.

I'll probably have time to watch a movie tonight unless something comes up, so I will give it a shot.

And that sounds great, considering most Kdramas act like holding hands is akin to losing your virginity. I loved those scenes in NT3, I really think it's ridiculous to portray romance without heavy skinship because it just isn't realistic. You'd think South Korea had some law of mandatory celibacy or something with how some dramas approach the topic. People are passionate creatures and they need an outlet for that - you better believe I would have some issues being in a relationship with a girl that was too shy to even hold my hand after a few months.

It's only 6PM here, so I will be up for a while.

I may have phrased that slightly wrong - I was talking about the ending like Aishiteru where one party leaves for whatever reason only to return a year or two later to find that that person has been waiting for them (I could probably list 10+ dramas that do this.) It seems every drama (especially jdramas) tend to do that. Involuntary separations don't bother me as much - but you'll see what I mean.

Don't be afraid of it. It's definitely a happy ending and I didn't feel robbed at all. The worst thing that might happen is that you are left feeling slightly confused, but only because of the last scene. I'll tell you how I interpreted it after you finish it.

I haven't watched 3-iron, but i've heard of it. I haven't bothered with movies on my list yet.

I thought the ending was perfect - it wasn't predictable and it left me feeling very satisfied. It has a happy ending, although not a textbook one. I don't think it could have ended any other way without taking away from the story.

NT3 has a better ending than Aishiteru, unless you are expecting cliches. There is no obnoxious trial separation or betrayal they have to overcome, and I can't think of a way it could have ended and still have the same message. I will try not to give away anything away to spoil it, but it's the kind of ending that fits a well-made time travel drama. If you watch it and still have issues with it, I can explain further why I liked it so much once I can include spoilers.

I'm shocked that so-so dramas like Secret Love and The Master's Sun are rated higher than this one.

I disagree completely. I loved her. It took a few episodes, but she really grew on me.

I love jealous/possessive leads, particularly when they haven't come to terms with their feelings yet. I'm also a big fan of protective leads, especially when the woman is protective of the man (The Princess' Man) since that is rarer. I don't mind damsels-in-distress, but badass women that would do anything for their man are really sexy. I also love when the leads heal each other (MARS, Orange Days.) The whole "us against the world" thing is so romantic - that's why I prefer conflict in romance to come primarily externally, instead of conflict caused by the two leads misunderstanding/mistreating each other. When I think about my favorite style of romance, I imagine two people that, when together, can conquer anything.

Sexual tension and longing are also two things that make my heart beat faster.

Lovers is excellent so far, Mi Joo is growing on me and I like the dynamic between the two. I haven't had much time to sit down and watch anything for a few weeks now, but I should have some time after the holidays. I'm still not at a point where the romance has really "picked up" between the mains yet, so I don't know how I will feel. I do think they have potential - I feel like Mi Joo and Kang Jae are a good fit for each other and despite any real "romantic" moments yet, they have a great amount of on-screen chemistry. The only thing I am apprehensive about is the pregnant girlfriend situation because it has the potential to make Kang Jae look like a jackass, but I have a feeling it will be resolved decently.

Personally, I thought the ending for NT3 was great. I was very content - I can't predict how you will feel, but I think you need to watch it. They are such a cute couple.

Kang Jae is such a bad ass. Action / Romance has always been my favorite - it's really a shame there aren't more great love stories that have an action or crime subgenre. It seems the ones I have found and haven't watched all end with one of the leads being killed off. No thanks.

I will update you when I finish Lovers and we can talk about it.

Thanks, I shaved two or so months ago so my picture was misleading.

It is from Missing You. A Gentleman's Dignity -> Missing You -> The Moon that Embraces the Sun -> The Princess' Man

I'm actually surprised Sukitte Ii na yo hasn't had a live version yet, it would definitely translate well. On the flip side, though, I couldn't imagine a live version of Spirited Away.. I have a feeling I would be really disappointed. Seems like it would be very difficult.

Definitely! What kind of books do you enjoy most? If two of your favorite dramas are Love Shuffle and The Princess' Man, we probably have similar taste in things.

I read a lot of fiction (mainly literature, some sci-fi and fantasy) as well as popular science (mainly Psychology, Biology, Anthropology and Linguistics.) Recently I've fallen in love with Haruki Murakami and have been reading a lot of books by him. He writes primarily surreal / magical realism fiction and they are wonderful. I've been trying to read books from different cultures and step out of my very westernized comfort zone.

I've postponed my social life for a few months so that I can binge on dramas and good books - don't tell my friends

I just did a double take at the size of your plan to watch list. I am impressed. That is some serious dedication!

I'm imagining a group of executives sitting around a table.

Exec 1: "How can we take this wildly popular Asian drama and adapt it for American audiences?"
Exec 2: "Well, for starters, let's change the name for no reason."
Exec 1: "Boys Before Friends? That sounds stupid enough, let's go with that!"
Exec 3: "I love it! We should also get, I don't know, a dude with a ponytail. That sounds good."
Exec 1: "As long as he's about 30 years old, I'm sold!"

and that's how America declared war on Asian television

I somehow missed that the name was changed to "Boys Before Friends" the first time I looked this over. Boys Before Friends? Might as well call it bros before hos and air it on MTV. And are they really using a 30 year old with a ponytail as a high schooler? Really? Really?

...really?
My head hurts now, I should probably go lay down.

So they take a show that is hardly watchable in the first place and make it even worse, A+ effort guys

I was enjoying it, I just put it on hold because I was in the mood to watch more serious dramas when I had free time. I liked the lead girl a lot and will probably finish it in the next few weeks if I get a chance