mysecretsoul

Ah, your icon! Ladyhawke~

Kucheon makes me giggle like a schoolgirl, haha. Love his gentle personality, and that smile! Honestly, it surprised me when she ended up with him though o_o I'd initially pegged this as one of those times when the king forcibly marries the woman, and then thought the daughter was his, etc. Totally off, ne?

What happened with the general was definitely sad. The lady seems like a strong woman indeed, and his current queen is the total opposite of what the country needs (sweet as she appears). I'm a little worried about romance in this one however, as sometimes I forget which prince is which and who is related to whom. XD

I just realized I had no idea that Seoyoung was partially a revenge drama, haha. Ought to add it to my PTW; sounds interesting enough. ->

...which has led me to use Amazon more and more frequently. Sort of like perpetuating the problem in a way, ne?

There's this super fascinating shop about 40 minutes away, though. It's privately owned and very quirky. The owner has stacks and stacks, rows and rows, shelves and shelves...all very lightly organized. The owner is this adorable old man, who leaves funny signs all over the walls to guide those potential buyers to the general area of whichever genre. XD

They also do a free book shelf for those who can't afford them. It's very sweet.

Odd that you should mention spring cleaning. Today, I spent quite a bit of time doing just that at home. Accompanied by King's Daughter on the television, since Fermentation Family wasn't working properly. XD You were right about the mute character, by the way. I adore him, though I'm not sure yet how his character progresses from here.

Genuine lies? That does sound odd indeed. Do you mean she's sort of an earnest type that believes such lies are for the best? Even without being a darker character, it does sound unique either way. My attention perked up a bit at the mention of a strong father character; those always affect me so much. >_<

That's so true! I would spend hours in old bookstores, much to the chagrin of those accompanying me. Unfortunately, almost every single one has shut down in my area ->

Hello again! I finally got started on King's Daughter, though a bit unexpectedly. Already finished up the "parent's story" part that's essential to any sageuk, and it seems solid thus far. There appears to be some pretty cute and interesting characters, and the episode length makes it a very easy watch. Barely any drag at all.

Definitely! What would be the point of Star Fleet if membership does not guarantee copious amounts of candy?! XD

By the way, I may or may not have spent an inordinate amount of time on your profile watching the new gif. Might have giggled a little when Fukuyama-san popped up. There is no actual proof of this, however. >_>

Ah! So she's the bad sort of liar? Those are definitely rare for leads in Asian dramas. I wonder if the plot will allow her to continue the lying, or force her to reform. It always seems as though a lie can never stay just that in these. I think I would probably gravitate toward the honest person as well. My preference seems to run toward the "hero," and "goody-two-shoes" types lately, haha.

Right? Gunshi Kanbee was a stroke of luck, indeed. I'll stay optimistic, too, then. If it doesn't happen, there's still Kim Myung Min's new drama to look forward to. :,)

Oh, Ja Myung Go? I considered watching that some time ago, but always got distracted. Is the writing not tight, then? Perhaps with the more modern setting and easier-to-access historic material, they'll do better. For instance, I enjoy writing fantasy, but I think that trying something set in my own hometown in the present day would not go well >_>

Haha! I'm glad to have reminded you. They're a touch slower than some of the other groups, but can't complain.

Busy, but good. Seems like there's an infinite amount of dramas and films still to see. The luck of a relative newbie, ne? Though occasionally I find myself a little overwhelmed. "Should I watch this mega classic next or follow this new one?" XD That sort of thing.

Once, on Halloween, we all got the Star Fleet uniforms in the different colors. Ended up being considered one of those fun group costumes, and the Trekkies gave us extra candy. XD Good times.

Ah! Diamond's Age. That and a similar-sounding title, have been recommended to me several times. The more recent one was written by a budding UK author, if I remember correctly...someone who hadn't done science fiction before, at the very least. My memory isn't quite reaching deep enough, though.

That's often what I heard about Seoyoung; people tend to adore the secondary leads much more. The theme seems a little unique, but I confess that lying drives me up the wall at times. XD As long as it's not noble idiocy, I'm usually fine, in any case.

Right? After typing it, "The Elusive Dazai" seems perfect for a mecha anime. Perhaps the "ace" pilot character, or even just A flagship. But then they would have to name other characters and ships after famous Japanese authors. Would be only right, ne? XD

Transporters would be incredible, yes! I've never liked driving, so it would be a complete lifesaver for me. But I do watch (and occasionally read) science fiction. In my household, all of the children were pretty much nursed on Star Trek, haha. Have you ever read Frank Herbert or Isaac Asimov, by the way? They're two of the best sci-fi writers in my opinion, completely crazy about their respective worlds.

Ah! You started something new after all. I've seen a few people working through My Daughter Seoyoung recently, with mixed results. How are you finding it thus far?

Oh, right? I reckon that's the case. It's only human, really; I've even found myself thinking: "How could you score it so high/low?!" though I'm not one to press on an opposing opinion. Beyond that, I kind of hope they'd allow us to change our "vote" someday. There was at least one review I wanted to say was helpful, but totally missed. ;A;

Dazai is being elusive? I think he'd have liked that kind of title, haha. "The Elusive Dazai." Don't feel bad about mistaking the directories; I've totally done that myself on multiple occasions and never learned from my mistakes. XD
That would be funny, though. Just hop in the car, then arrive in the other town much later, carrying in water and seaweed from the ocean XD "Give me everything Dazai!"

Oh, yikes! Which dramas did she work on previously? When searching before, I also found that KBS wanted Into the Flames first, under the title The Iron King. Unfortunately they passed on it because of an election of some kind, feeling it might alter public opinion of one of the candidates. o_o Too bad. Might have helped guarantee subtitles. Especially since about 90% of all Choi Soo Jong dramas were only subtitled by WITH S2 in the past. Argh.

What a bad time to stop subbing, ne? XD

Right? That happens to me a lot, especially when I see favorable casting news. "Ah, Ajusshi!! <3" just pops up in my head without warning, haha.

Good choices! I'm looking at Lost Days too and, to a lesser extent, The Last Policeman. The subtitles aren't quite done yet, though, so there's no reason to rush. :,) Watashi's almost done though, so you're in good time.

Did notice a few easy tens flying about though, haha. I suppose any show has that.

Thanks so much for your kind words as always, haha. Sometimes I get a little discouraged writing them, like with One Kind Word. Totally stand by that opinion no matter what, but sometimes I wish they'd change the button from "not helpful" to "I disagree," you know? XD

Or they could have a third button: "Omg Reise no more longwinded commentary" haha.

Right? I've actually fallen behind on my western film intake, though I finally was able to see 12 Years a Slave, Gravity, Wolf on Wall Street, and Dallas Buyers Club. None of them were particularly easy to watch, honestly. Gravity actually scared me at some points, but I'm kind of easy to freak out nowadays. XD It does bother me that people look at that person and see someone to emulate. There should be some requirement to read, but I suppose when school goes so does that.

I'm slightly disappointed too, haha. Other than Mana-chan's strong performance, there was a pretty interesting adult actor. Mikami Hiroshi, I think it was. As soon as I completed Ashita I wanted try his other dramas, but there don't seem to be many titles to his name. It's not a bad show by any stretch, though. With some altered expectations I suppose it'd be much better. ->

Whoa, what?! People are taking the lifestyle depicted in The Wolf of Wallstreet postively?! It's unfortunate that satire can be taken in such a way for some.... Women and money are well and good, but the rest of it was just awful. I actually had trouble watching it at times, since that kind of behavior makes my teeth grind. >_>

Same. Actually, when Kojima-san's son confessed that he found her stifling and was actively avoiding her, I almost got misty. For a woman like that, even able to smooth over the truth of her husband's affair, losing the idealized image of her son was really rough. The actress is pretty amazing. About the detective: usually, he'd be the main character, what with the objective gaze into the situation. It was brave to go another route, with Endou-okaasan our primary eyes.

Ashita was such a difficult show. With all the controversy, it makes one brace for something it wasn't. I expected be some contentious and dark depiction of the foster system in Japan, but instead found it a little like "A Little Princess" with the occasional horror elements strewn in. Someone said it felt like an anime at times, and it really did. The message was sound, though. ->

Right? To be honest, I have trouble remembering most of them myself...music of what I remember after a drama is, oddly enough, the soundtrack. Which makes me chuckle, since the theme for YK is called "Voice," and we were chatting about the voice in writing. >_>

Those snippets that stood out for me were primarily Shinji's and Kojima-san's; hers, primarily because it was just too sad. Despite her awful behavior, she was one of the most pitiful people in town. I was also ready to write off Endou-otousan, though <_<

Is it possible the detective seemed better off, because he wasn't involved with the situation as much as the others? He investigated, but never really became "part..." and if I remember correctly, despite his own issues, he also didn't live in that exact neighborhood. That's kind of fun for thematic reasons, anyway.

If you do watch Fierce Wife, let me know how you find it~ :)

I've often dreamt about writing seriously, but time after time have found my style lacks stability and mettle. Well, when it comes to working with full length works anyway. Reviews are more comfortable in that they're basically my opinion alone, describing what is already present. Other than for pleasure, I tend to read more frequently to practice my skills...which is probably a mistake, though it does help with breaking the limits of vocabulary. Reading House of Leaves, recently, I've learned quite a few odd words. XD

But voice is definitely a monumental concern of mine also; so many writers exist in this world, many of them distinctive indeed. They make it seem so easy, ne? But that's when, I suppose, one must step back and realize many of them are also very, very, old, and thus very, very practiced. XD Let's both keep at it~ Truth in writing is something special in of itself. ->

That does seem odd. I wonder if that indicates the writers are newbies? All I've heard about the narrative until now, besides the summary, is that it'll be based off a true story. Which is pretty fun, since they normally don't do that with more "modern" historical figures.

Haha! Me either. But like you, whenever I truly love a character, sometimes it can't be helped. :,)

You're catching up fast! It's lucky not to have such a big wait between episodes at your pace, ne? Sometimes I wish I'd waited on many of the currently airing ones, since week to week drives me crazy. XD

Right? I was excited to read that. Their pace really isn't that bad at all, perhaps a little off the airing schedule give or take a few weeks. I'm currently playing catch-up on the winter season as well. Which are you looking at first?

I believe The Fierce Wife is more of a melodrama. Well, the series, at least. It's supposed to be one of the better T-dramas, and the two leads (Sonia Sui and James Wen) are definitely pretty good performers. I'm not sure, though, haha. Never seen it myself.

Ah, writing? Creatively or more academically? I confess, I scared myself out of it again just the slightest bit...every time I read something excellent, there's a little of what I call "emulation" depression, where I just can't bear not being able to write as well. XD

Ah! You know, this is part of why I enjoy our conversations so much. You often seem to put into words my feelings on a subject much better than I can. I say part, because you'd be excellent to speak with either way, haha. It's really awesome to see Japan branch out a little with their murder mysteries, because it gives rise to great things like YK. I love detectives, but there seem to be so many in recent years D: By the way, was there one of those "interview" prologue shots that affected you more than others? Some of them were pretty hard-hitting for me, especially learning what we do about each character.

That! I wonder if there's a term for that. It's the worst feeling in the world, sometimes. "Will I ever watch/read anything that good again?" And then there are those times it ruins the next one, even if carefully selected, just a little. ->

Right? Seems as though many Japanese dramas are like that. While included themes and characters remain relatable, the social situations which make the plot possible would definitely be difficult to reproduce elsewhere. I suppose this is what makes these stories so unique, after all.

I'll make sure to keep your words in mind when I finally get around to Soredemo. It definitely sounds like something that will keep both my mind and emotions busy, and I'm excited to see Eita and Mitsushima-san again.

Glad you had a good time with Yakou Kanransha in general. :) It was probably one of the best J-dramas from last season. So glad it got subbed, if late; better than never, ne? What do you think will be your next conquest? :)