A lot of typical Christmas love story in there, but the ending is really surprising! A really realistic one, which…
+Kat - Is it a sad ending? As soon as anyone says the ending's surprising and realistic I worry. :) BUT as it's got Ikuta Toma in it I'm torn as I really like his work.
I rewrote the description into a plotline we could all at least have a stab at understanding. hope it helps.
"Pho" is the only district in the central basin. While other waterfront communities are all turning to the land for an income, Pho is still maintaining its waterfront industry. However for this community access is difficult, but they manage. Local sources tell of the local mafia who make their living via illegal gambling and who are controlled solely by their leader, Mr Gold. Despite the gambling becoming an addiction and ruining local communities and families, no one dares to fight with this gang. Even the authorities wear safety gear in the vicinity.
However, one day a young stranger appeared. Tanu is easily irritated and has the kind of boxing skills that have never been seen before. He’s very harsh to those he meets, but seemingly unintentionally so. However, he is easily remember by all those he meets.
Lamai is the only sister of Lameiyn; athough sisters the two girls have extremely different temperaments. Lamai considers herself nobility and has the habit of being cool and quiet, but she has a good soul. Lameiyn is much more temperamental; she’s impatient and constantly pesters Lamai to date a favourite son of the local Mafia kingpin, Mr Gold.
Gold’s mafia are now involved in illegal business of all kinds. Lameiyn was once intimate with Boonsom; who became one of Gold’s most skillful opponents. No one knows how deep the feelings between Boonsom and Lameiyn went; some said almost to the point of marrying. It was enough that both were seen out together all the time.
However, it ended up with Lameiyn, looking with undisguised hatred at Boonsom, because she truly believed that he was a thug. In fact, the only one responsible for killing the girls’ parents is Gold, and Gold alone. This is because he learned the parents were upset at Lamai’s relationship with him.
There's a bit more but it doesn't make any sense that I can even try and understand - sorry.
MIssing 9 was entire UNIVERSES ahead of LOST because it had a real PLOT that actually followed a REAL story arc. It was NOT just random thoughts of the writers strung together for nothing with NO actual ENDING.....EVER. Sorry, sorry - but I was one of the sad and pathetic loser fans of LOST that watched for the whole six YEARS for NOTHING. So Missing 9, to me (and I'm sure many others), is what LOST could've and SHOULD'VE been.
I'm going to go watch Chou Nu Wu Di as I was a big fan of the US version of 'Ugly Betty' (though, again, I hated the ending; just give them the trademarked HEA for God's sake) and want to see how China handled their version. Of course you have to make allowances for cultural differences with different adaptations - She was Pretty is an example and certainly the Itazura na Kiss franchise is another perfect example - not only on countries but years; as older adaptations certainly seem to work better than their newer reboots (yes, I'm talking to you Taiwanese reboot called 'Miss in Kiss' - hang your head in shame).
Not really bothered by the others listed here (US or Asian) mainly because I'm just a sucker for romance. However, one thing I will say; when East Asia adapts a US drama/comedy, etc to their market (to me at least) it ALWAYS ends up better (ie Missing 9). BUT when the US adapts an East Asian drama/movie to THEIR market, it ALWAYS ends up WORSE. ie Boys over Flowers was UTTERLY and COMPLETELY DIRE as the US version Boys Before Friends. Seriously, it made me feel ill just to sit through the first 5 minutes of the first episode. I cannot warn people away from that true monster of a twisted excuse for a drama enough. It wasn't even 'so bad it's good' bad - it was just 'cut out my eyeballs and scrub my brain' bad.
Likewise, the US adaptation of the excellent South Korean movie, 'Addicted' - called in the US 'Possession', and starring Lee Pace and Sarah Michelle Geller - was horrible. Actually that's wrong - if you watch the movie until the point where the Alternate Ending can kick in and watch that ending instead it's pretty okay. If you watch it with the theatrical 'slasher/psycho' ending it's eye wateringly AWFUL.
I now regularly like to see East Asian adaptations of western dramas, movies, etc and yet avoid like the veritable plague it is the Western adaptations of East Asian movies, etc. Funny old world, right?
Any season 2? I've read online there's supposed to be, and a Thai friend said she read out there that there's supposed to be - but I can't find anything more than chit chat about a second series.......does anyone actually know?
I'm guessing no Mike and/or Aom as there's nothing on their MDL pages about starring in another further versions...... :(
Has anyone got any details for this like stars and plot so I can request it on Dramanice...? I've searched as much as I can and this page is all there seems to be.....
I really like Sawamura Ikki, but he's only got a supporting role AND it's 156 episodes. I doubt I'd stick it to the end, especially as subs tend to peter out too. But I probably start it anyway and then come back at the end - I mean it IS Sawamura Ikki. :)
Well, I do do that in my car, the supermarket and the queue at the post office, so it safe to say it wouldn't be beyond me to do the same if I was on a boat.
Though in the PO queue I don't sing loudly......I'm not THAT certifiable.
I really loved this drama - it was cute, sweet and with a sugary happy ending; best thing is NO CALORIES. Yan Jerry is brilliant in romcoms and it's made me keen to see him in similar roles; so off I went to see My Best Ex-Boyfriend. He's good in serious roles, like Loving, Never Forgetting, but the man really ought to do more comedy; his timing is perfect.
I'm at episode 28 and I just simply want to jump into the screen and murder 95% of the characters - I'd…
@Jaylan - yes, it does; it's fairly cute actually (well, I thought so). But I will warn you, the path to the HEA is stony; you will want to murder most of the characters on the way. lol!
Secret was really good and whilst, as a past victim of rape and domestic abuse, I do take on board a lot of what's said and whole-heartedly support it - one thing I've learnt the hard way is that East Asian dramas are based on a completely different cultural identity to the west's; however, it's even more different in dramas to East Asian Real Life for women.
I think with 'Black Devil and White Prince' it was clear to see that most women, even in RL in East Asia, would've given the Black Devil a slap and told him to get a life. But he did also protect the female lead on occasion and was quite possessive of her - she, for all her supposed 'fear' of him, did also stand up to him regularly; something he seemed to (albeit begrudgingly) respect.
The end was a nice 'turnaround' and proved a lot of what occurred was a front because he was merely afraid of being hurt and, when confronted by the lead female showing him affection he was actually quite shy. Certainly the drama proved something, though this is just my opinion - the 'white prince' was shown to be the 'golden boy'; someone that everyone thought was the nicest of the two - and he did, initially, come across like that. But, to me at least, he was much more manipulative than the 'black devil'. A lot of his 'niceness' was merely to get his own way. At least the 'black devil' was the other way round - putting on a hard mask so he didn't get hurt.
Secret was also good because, although some truly unspeakable things were done to the female lead by her ex and his family (and I really mean unspeakable - the whole damn family was toxic), ultimately, a satisfactory revenge - though I called due justice personally - was achieved and ALL through Ji Sung's character NEVER giving up.
He went from a grief stricken man intent on revenge on the person he holds responsible, to a man in love trying to prove the truth no matter the consequences to himself. From monster to hero basically. The second lead in this, for once, is completely reprehensible from start to finish and the male lead, again for a change, whilst he starts out horrible he ends up a really good guy - but there were were also times he wasn't the nicest to the lead female. What I liked about Secret was ALL the 'good guys' who were on the side of the lead couple, WON and all the 'bad guys' LOST. LOVED that. Didn't like that the main lead's ex just walked away after being such a female dog, but there you go - one baddie always escapes. ;)
After original K drama I thought I would always hate that story with passion, then was surprised by Thai version…
The Korean was good, but I really preferred the Thai one - I think it was because Aom and Mike D'Angelo had insane chemistry and genuinely got along; it somehow made the characters, and their triumphs, heartaches and love (as well as epic falling outs), so much more believable.
I love Rain, but his chemistry with Song Hye Kyo was just not there. I could not believe the romance between them and thought she gelled better with the second lead, Song Hye Kyo as Yu Min Hyuk. I think the animosity between Rain and Song was really made a meal of and so when the romance came it was unbelievable, Basically, to me at least, the hate was more real. With the Thai version it was clear there were soft feelings creeping in early on; so the romance, as it progressed, became believable.
I've seen trailers for this Chinese version and they seem to following the Thai format, so hopefully it will be as good. I like the Korean version, it's just not as good as the Thai one. :)
Did he fall in love with her when he was blind? because normally I don't like guy falls for someone like his dead…
No, they were actually identical twins, separated at birth and growing up unaware of the others existence - this is discovered during the drama. But both girls just happened to love the lullaby (hinting at a shared connection even when they were babies) and so both would sing it.
"Pho" is the only district in the central basin. While other waterfront communities are all turning to the land for an income, Pho is still maintaining its waterfront industry. However for this community access is difficult, but they manage. Local sources tell of the local mafia who make their living via illegal gambling and who are controlled solely by their leader, Mr Gold. Despite the gambling becoming an addiction and ruining local communities and families, no one dares to fight with this gang. Even the authorities wear safety gear in the vicinity.
However, one day a young stranger appeared. Tanu is easily irritated and has the kind of boxing skills that have never been seen before. He’s very harsh to those he meets, but seemingly unintentionally so. However, he is easily remember by all those he meets.
Lamai is the only sister of Lameiyn; athough sisters the two girls have extremely different temperaments. Lamai considers herself nobility and has the habit of being cool and quiet, but she has a good soul. Lameiyn is much more temperamental; she’s impatient and constantly pesters Lamai to date a favourite son of the local Mafia kingpin, Mr Gold.
Gold’s mafia are now involved in illegal business of all kinds. Lameiyn was once intimate with Boonsom; who became one of Gold’s most skillful opponents. No one knows how deep the feelings between Boonsom and Lameiyn went; some said almost to the point of marrying. It was enough that both were seen out together all the time.
However, it ended up with Lameiyn, looking with undisguised hatred at Boonsom, because she truly believed that he was a thug. In fact, the only one responsible for killing the girls’ parents is Gold, and Gold alone. This is because he learned the parents were upset at Lamai’s relationship with him.
There's a bit more but it doesn't make any sense that I can even try and understand - sorry.
I'm going to go watch Chou Nu Wu Di as I was a big fan of the US version of 'Ugly Betty' (though, again, I hated the ending; just give them the trademarked HEA for God's sake) and want to see how China handled their version. Of course you have to make allowances for cultural differences with different adaptations - She was Pretty is an example and certainly the Itazura na Kiss franchise is another perfect example - not only on countries but years; as older adaptations certainly seem to work better than their newer reboots (yes, I'm talking to you Taiwanese reboot called 'Miss in Kiss' - hang your head in shame).
Not really bothered by the others listed here (US or Asian) mainly because I'm just a sucker for romance. However, one thing I will say; when East Asia adapts a US drama/comedy, etc to their market (to me at least) it ALWAYS ends up better (ie Missing 9). BUT when the US adapts an East Asian drama/movie to THEIR market, it ALWAYS ends up WORSE. ie Boys over Flowers was UTTERLY and COMPLETELY DIRE as the US version Boys Before Friends. Seriously, it made me feel ill just to sit through the first 5 minutes of the first episode. I cannot warn people away from that true monster of a twisted excuse for a drama enough. It wasn't even 'so bad it's good' bad - it was just 'cut out my eyeballs and scrub my brain' bad.
Likewise, the US adaptation of the excellent South Korean movie, 'Addicted' - called in the US 'Possession', and starring Lee Pace and Sarah Michelle Geller - was horrible. Actually that's wrong - if you watch the movie until the point where the Alternate Ending can kick in and watch that ending instead it's pretty okay. If you watch it with the theatrical 'slasher/psycho' ending it's eye wateringly AWFUL.
I now regularly like to see East Asian adaptations of western dramas, movies, etc and yet avoid like the veritable plague it is the Western adaptations of East Asian movies, etc. Funny old world, right?
I'm guessing no Mike and/or Aom as there's nothing on their MDL pages about starring in another further versions...... :(
Though in the PO queue I don't sing loudly......I'm not THAT certifiable.
I think with 'Black Devil and White Prince' it was clear to see that most women, even in RL in East Asia, would've given the Black Devil a slap and told him to get a life. But he did also protect the female lead on occasion and was quite possessive of her - she, for all her supposed 'fear' of him, did also stand up to him regularly; something he seemed to (albeit begrudgingly) respect.
The end was a nice 'turnaround' and proved a lot of what occurred was a front because he was merely afraid of being hurt and, when confronted by the lead female showing him affection he was actually quite shy. Certainly the drama proved something, though this is just my opinion - the 'white prince' was shown to be the 'golden boy'; someone that everyone thought was the nicest of the two - and he did, initially, come across like that. But, to me at least, he was much more manipulative than the 'black devil'. A lot of his 'niceness' was merely to get his own way. At least the 'black devil' was the other way round - putting on a hard mask so he didn't get hurt.
Secret was also good because, although some truly unspeakable things were done to the female lead by her ex and his family (and I really mean unspeakable - the whole damn family was toxic), ultimately, a satisfactory revenge - though I called due justice personally - was achieved and ALL through Ji Sung's character NEVER giving up.
He went from a grief stricken man intent on revenge on the person he holds responsible, to a man in love trying to prove the truth no matter the consequences to himself. From monster to hero basically. The second lead in this, for once, is completely reprehensible from start to finish and the male lead, again for a change, whilst he starts out horrible he ends up a really good guy - but there were were also times he wasn't the nicest to the lead female. What I liked about Secret was ALL the 'good guys' who were on the side of the lead couple, WON and all the 'bad guys' LOST. LOVED that. Didn't like that the main lead's ex just walked away after being such a female dog, but there you go - one baddie always escapes. ;)
I love Rain, but his chemistry with Song Hye Kyo was just not there. I could not believe the romance between them and thought she gelled better with the second lead, Song Hye Kyo as Yu Min Hyuk. I think the animosity between Rain and Song was really made a meal of and so when the romance came it was unbelievable, Basically, to me at least, the hate was more real. With the Thai version it was clear there were soft feelings creeping in early on; so the romance, as it progressed, became believable.
I've seen trailers for this Chinese version and they seem to following the Thai format, so hopefully it will be as good. I like the Korean version, it's just not as good as the Thai one. :)