mysecretsoul

Ah! How did I almost miss this message? So sorry Cheer!

I'll definitely be watching Saving General Yang; several days ago, it became available for rental from Netflix. Having caught my eye then, with your recommendation it's a cinematic priority. As to Reply, I ended up waiting until it completed because I was a little afraid of becoming too attached to the "wrong guy." Now that I know what to expect, I'll probably make a run at it and its predecessor -- though Prime Minister and I caught my eye somehow. XD I blame Lee Bum Soo.

Only 4 minutes of Yukawa?! It really was Galileo without Galileo. It's awesome that Kou did so well on her own though. Speaks to her power as an actress and the writing team as well.

Are you watching anything fun at the moment, or still deciding?

Absolutely! Actually, the most recent episode even delved into an shocking event which held the attention of the Taiwanese public for some time; without this drama, I think I'd never have heard of it. And I might be a little in love with Lego Li. But that's another story.

I also started Prime Minister and I, after feeling a little guilty about avoiding Korean currently-airing for so long. Shockingly easy to watch, though there are some problems.

Ah, that sounds like so much fun! You rated it rather highly too, I saw. After I make a little more headway into Introduction and knock out Seinaru, I definitely need to see it. I didn't really like the other Japanese android stories, so I've high hopes for a fun ride with Ando Lloyd. :3

Oh, absolutely. To think the casting department nearly missed out because they found him too short! When they finally heard him read for the role, they saw exactly what you mentioned and cast him right away.

I'm glad, because I feel as though relatability is incredibly important to any kind of story. Recently I was reading a novel series that came highly recommended; my total inability to relate to anyone in the novel complete destroyed any prospect of enjoyment. Well, that, and the style itself wasn't impressive. XD

Happy New Year! And no problem. Feel free to answer whenever time allows; I don't mind, though I hope things are going well despite being busy. :)

Every time I remember Nagase's dance, I tend to go listen to the Unubore Deka theme. It's like a learned reaction to the word "Nagase." XD

The two versions are very different, by the way; most notably, I think the detective is more sympathetic in The Devil. If you get time to watch it, feel free to share your thoughts on it. Many people I've spoken to have only ever seen one or the other.

As to dramas, I'm following Deja Vu and In A Good Way [Taiwan], as well as The Prime Minister and I [Korea]. Others are somewhat older titles. :)

Thanks so much for the site! I'll need to set aside some time to give it a proper looking through, though it seems like it'd fit my purpose splendidly.

Oh, the Graudate! It's strange to see him so young, right? I recall reading an audition book where the author remembered seeing Hoffman several times, but not knowing where to place him; eventually, they cast him off-type in that film, with low expectations. But it clearly turned out light-years better than imagined, haha~

I haven't seen many non-Asian films this year myself. I'm struggling to remember anything that wasn't sci-fi/fantasy (The Hobbit, Pacific Rim, etc) or watched for indulgence (Mama, for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) Looking through what has actually been released this year, there seem to have been a great many "sleepers," though.

In A Good Way is mostly similar in that it's a period piece which covers 1995 (though in Taiwan). There doesn't seem to be any mystery about couples, either; occasionally, the lead character narrates over the action, "later, I would find out x or y" but that's been toned down drastically in recent episodes. It has a very good pace (episodes fly by), and the cast is likable (especially the male lead, what a find!).

Oh, you started Ando Lloyd! I never made time for that yet, despite the Kimura-ness. XD

Thank you dearly for reading that article! That was so much fun to write; my friend and I perfected it for weeks, but it never once felt like work. You've seen the series then? It really drew me in, despite its various problems. Marked one of the few times I just looked at flaws and went "Oh, okay then." XD

William Feng was great in it though! It made me follow some of his films directly after, as well as Daniel Chan and his music.

Seems I was lucky to avoid 1994 as it aired then. In A Good Way, from Taiwan, has a very similar feel (or so I hear) to that series; however, the love interests seem more clearly defined and I've never been frustrated once. Which means I probably will be soon, XD

Between Garbage and Chilbong, she picked Garbage right? A huge chunk of my hesitance came from the husband game, but I kind of knew she'd choose Garbage just from reading the description. Which means avoidance is healthy for me -- I keep getting second lead syndrome lately ;A;

And Happy New Year! I hope you and your family prosper throughout 2014 and find new heights of happiness! Let's continue our good relationship as well, nee-chan~

Thank you so much for your sweet words; I wish you all the same and more. Let's definitely continue our fun and enriching relationship, even until the next year comes round! :)

I have never actually thought to keep track of my journey through film before. Suddenly I have a wish to, and television as well; sometimes I forget a film for some time out of nowhere, having seen so many. Hopefully you'll find your way back to Asian media soon, but a change in pace is always good. Seen anything interesting in the west?

It must say something for my current drama kick that watching that special did not immediately jettison me back into a British television phase, haha. Are you starting DK soon then? I really hope you enjoy it -- though after speaking with you, I think you will. Some time after finishing I still feel very fond of it, and sort of miss seeing Kusanagi-san frequently. Might be time to watch some of his which I've had on hold, haha.

I figure that reading frequently probably helps that; I've found that many of the better writers I've spoken with are voracious readers.

Oh, same here. Qi You has such soulful eyes too; the last bit of episode I saw (16 now), when he received the marriage orders, wow. When the show started with the silly angle, I never thought it'd develop into something so compelling. Everyone talks about Wallace Huo and suddenly here's Kevin Yan being incredible all the time, yeesh. And I'm also enjoying how they differentiate between princes (Big Prince/Little Prince) haha.

Oh, you finished 1994! How did it end? The right person win or not? I've been a little afraid of the series since the shipping wars started, haha.

Yup! I'd been trying to rush through certain titles before Christmas; my time grows a little tight until after the day has passed. Now it's time to choose a bunch and make up for a little lost time, haha. Might be time for another Sakurai Sho title -- been feeling a little stalky of him lately, haha.

Is it a movie mood for you then, Cheer? I've never heard of Saving General Yang, but after reading the description I'm definitely interested now. How did Kou-san do btw?

Also, hope the holidays are awesome for you, if you celebrate :)

I managed to nearly catch up to your previous landmark in Introduction of the Princess. It surprises me things have turned out in such a way; the initial tone of the drama never hinted at such a shift! I love it, haha. And Kevin Yan's character, am I crazy or is he crazy charismatic somehow?

I wanted to say more, but must be off again ;A; Definitely must wish you a wonderful holiday, Nee-chan! Hope you're having tons of fun. :)

Those ornaments sound too cute. I hope you still have that egg? It would be too sad to lose something like that. My mother actually still has all these ornaments I made as a little kid; somehow they look the same as then, which really speaks to her dedication in preservation, haha.

Oh, thank you for reading the review! I think I ended up saying too much as always, but hey. Too much is better than too little, ne?

I just wanted to stop by and wish you a Merry Christmas again! There was more to say, but the Doctor Who Christmas special just started so I'm off again. xD

Thank you greatly for the well wishes, Winnie! Hopefully the new year brings wonderful great things for you as well, in dramaland and out. :)

Glad you enjoyed the review. Dokushin Kizoku was one of my more unique watches this year. Hope you had a fine holiday season!

Thank you kindly for the friend request! Hope you're doing well and, if you celebrate, had a fine holiday season this year. :)

The philosophies of martial arts actually always fascinated me most about them though. For instance, after finishing Queen Seon Duk, I took interest in the Hwarang. Afterward I'd learned that a branch of Tae Kwon Do took up the name and their principles. That was really wild.

It seems somewhat wasteful to hire an actor without martial arts in his background for the role of Ip Man, though. Didn't Donnie Yen learn the skills before filming? Hopefully the acting is good at least.

Colors are super important to me when it comes to decorating anything. Yesterday, I remember switching bulbs here and there to spread different hues around. Avoided too much of red or green in one place, etc. Funnily enough, in coming home, I also found tons of old ornaments which brought back memories galore (such as this Hello Kitty one I'd bought almost 12 years ago now, sheesh). While on the subject, I'd like to return the well wishes in turn. :)

Oh, Ip Man? I had no idea they'd made a drama based on that premise, despite being familiar with the films. Martial arts history does interest me, though I have yet to do firm reading on the subject. I found the movies with Donnie Yen to be wonderful, but always took them with a grain of salt.

I had heard that there was another version of the films, a bit more accurate; like, they covered the fact he had a mistress at some point, etc.

Whoa, I better get rolling then: only made it to five. Each time I get a moment to settle down, it seems like I can only ever get one episode in. Being at home, I turn into my mother's kitchen slave, hahaha.

I'm all about good romantic developments though. I'll do my best to catch up tonight and send you a huge message which may or may not be mostly gushing. XD