amrita828

Never a drama ending was more spoiled than this one. :P
If I ever had a grain of interest in it, now I'll be sure to keep a mile distance.

Oh, Violet, are we ever going to survive this drama?

Like it or not, there is more than one grain of truth in it. We, as European & Americans, haven't always been kind towards asians either. The fact that we, Laura and Rita, i.e. thinking people, are disturbed by it all goes to our merit as individuals, not as a mass.
When this drama was announced, many actors refused the part because of the delicate subject. South Koreans too are not too fond of the issue North-South and this is why this drama will never have top audience rating.
I personally think they are brave, although, I repeat, I hate prejudice from whatever side it comes.

Regardless of what I think about the N-korean government, I believe each country has a right to its pride. Who are we to decide how others should live?
When I lived in Malaysia - I don't know if I ever told you I lived and worked there for 2 years - I had the misfortune of meeting most of the "expats" living there. The majority came from England, Australia, the US, Canada, and then some from France, Germany, Austria, Holland and Switzerland.
Believe me, Laura, NEVER in my life I've cringed so much. Most of them live and think as though SE-Asia were their 18th century colony. They don't mingle with the local if not for work, they say asians are lazy, silly, can't drive, are childish, unreliable, dirty. It's horrible.
Therefore, don't take it too much to heart, my friend. What this drama is doing is painting a stereotyped westener in general, not the americans in particular.

I know how you feel. I shuddered too at some of the comments. Obviously, each one of us is more or less affected depending on the country/values which are mentioned, or bashed, or criticized. As an Italian, I'm very much used to every single country out there treating us with condescension at best, disdain at worst. In Europe, they all flock here to see the beauties of this country, but never miss a chance to paint us as untrustworthy, laughable, childish, unorganized, shallow. It's a very subtle patronizing way, usually accompanied by a grin, which offends me more than a direct critic, to which I could simply respond with a fist.
To be fair to the drama, I must recognize they have touched difficult, sensitive issues from the beginning. Jae Ha's behaviour towards N-koreans is the epitome of how the whole world sees them.

As I said, it is not a masterpiece, but it's very refreshing and perfect to fill my waiting week. ;)
Sorry for the length... :p

I find the plot needlessly convoluted and the villains insufferable. Plus the romance is a little too fluffy for my taste. I guess I'm just too old for it. ;)
As for Queen In Hyun's man, I like it. The drama gives me a strange feeling, as if it were done with a lesser budget than the usual k-dramas. Episodes are shorter, so the pace feels quicker. The time travel issue is treated in a way I like much better than TRP and the male lead - despite not being an eye-candy - is so incredibly smart and subtly charming, every woman on this site who's watching this drama is a little in love with him, including me (given that my heart is currently taken, I consider it a huge success of the character, lol). The advantage is, I like the female lead too - her character is not the usual dumb doormat, but a feisty one who takes the initiative.

I actually did something I usually don't: watch more than one drama at a time. The reason being that I'm currently obsessed with King 2 Hearts and my heart can only fully love one at a time, but the wait is long and I need something to calm my hormones down. ;)
This said, Shining Inheritance isn't impressing me. The female lead has her 10 minutes of down to earth, sensible, a little sassy behaviour in the first episode and then starts crying until... I don't know, because I haven't got that far. As far as I know, she's still crying. It seems to me the typical K-drama with massive doses of evil stepmothers, meddling relatives, corporate scheming and such. However I don't want to drop it, because it's long and I still have hope for some emotional improvement.
I dropped TRP because it's not my cup of tea. I love Yoochun, but that's the extent of it.

Hi Star!
How are you doing? Watching anything interesting?
I have finally started The Princess's Man. As I already told you, it's a little hard for me to really feel for these Joseon characters. I recognize the quality of the show, though: wonderful costumes, good acting, beautiful colours and well outlined characters so far.
I'm not attracted to the male lead (I mean his character, not the actor), but since I usually empathize with the female lead, I suppose I'll fall for him when she does.
In terms of plot, the premises are interesting, although not exactly new. But it's too soon for this.
I'll keep you posted, if you don't mind. :)

Happy Birthday, lovely Yosuke.
I wish you - and me - many more movies and dramas as the lead actor. Grace us with your talent!

Thanks for accepting.:)
You reminded me with your post that everything I discuss about right now airs on wed. and thu. Hahaha. Basically, we could establish a rendez-vous among us by the middle of the week. ;)

I will be around. No worries! Hugs :)

Hmmm, don't worry dear, I'm still around. ;)
This is how I envisioned you when I first started reading your posts: blond, with curly hair, pale. "Golden" (I always "see" a colour when I think of a person), probably shorter than you are in reality for some reason, and thought you had green eyes when you told me it's your favourite colour (I've noticed how the two things are often connected).
I can't tell you other details, because my personal vision of a person is usually... synoptic. I see rather a whole, not the single details. :)

Now you made me curious. How did you imagine me?

I actually suspect she didn't read all the subs but just deduced what was happening from facial expressions and voice intonation - which, thinking about it, makes her all the smarter. Whatever it is, she loved the first 2 episodes.
You're right: a drama will give her the time to adjust, get accustomed to the characters and the story.
It's so good to re-watch something I love through the eyes of someone else.
My dear partner in crime, now that your sketches are finished, you have to come here more often and discuss. I'd love that!
And I wouldn't mind if any time you appear we have a shirtless guy... :p

You were obviously right. So have you gone on watching? Because I am so crazy about this drama it's killing me.
By the way, the watching session with my mother was a success. I didn't need to explain a lot: she's a smart girl, my mom. ;)

Ahhhhhhhh, you finished it. Great review, very emotional like the drama itself. The bad news is, you won't find something similar around. Not one which touches your heart so deeply without ever becoming mushy, not for one second.
I must have watched the scene in which they greet each other with "Okairi" and "Tadaima" a 100 times.
And the ending is so open to speculation. The sentimental side of me wants to believe she didn't die and this was all a parallel reality in which they would have jumped if he had indeed lost her telephone number.
The more rational and yet optimistic me thinks these people will have to re-build the planet with the few resources they have and face all the hardships and the loss it entails.
Whatever the answer is, LLL is simply unforgettable.

Violet, dear, you WILL be in need of discussing the ending of LLL. This drama makes this to you, and you'll never forget it. If it can be of any consolation, I feel with you. :)

1. Oh, Twilight has infiltrated and vampirized Italy as well as the rest of the world, lol. I just didn't know the name of the actress, since I saw only the first movie and thought she's a bit stony... not to mention a pathetic character, but that's me.
2. England is indeed expensive. Another advantage of the countryside is that you can go lodge in beautiful BB which cost half the price as in London and the people are a lot friendlier. :)
3. I just read your review of Koizora and, again, agree 100%. It was one of my very first J-movies and I thought it was beautifully delicate. I love the actress since then. :)

LOL, I don't know who Kirsten Stewart is, but I have a feeling she must be known for her way of talking? ;) Actually, even when you write an article it's not so much a matter of what, but of how. The same news can be given in so many different ways, which is part of what attracted me in the beginning. But like you, at some point I just wanted to vomit words, lol.
I have a very good friend living on Vancouver Island, so I cherish the hope to pay her a visit one day. :)
I have been to the UK and loved the countryside the most. As exciting as London can be, nothing compares to those small villages nestled in greenery. Charming. Did you live there?

LOL, to think I already find it difficult to remember Lee Byun Hun.
The image of you sailing to China all the while staring into space thinking about Alain Delon cracks me up. Please don't do so while you're driving from Cuba to Venice on a moped... :P