stroppyse

I just read another supposed plot twist which has Ha Neul actually being TK's bio daughter after all. However, I would be upset if that were the case. I feel that what the drama is trying to do to de-stigmatize single motherhood will be a total farce if they tie up the story line with HN being TK's bio daughter after all. Not to mention, I don't see how the time line would actually work.

Wrt the rumor, supposedly, YD doesn't realize that she had miscarried JH's baby, and that when she and TK had gone camping, she had actually gotten pregnant with TK's baby.

Honestly, this seems to me to be the wishful thinking of some k-netizens who want a 'clean' ending without the complication of JH being permanently in their lives, but that seems as if it would be a more realistic way to end it, with TK, YD, and HM being a family, and with JH giving up his parental rights, but having a relationship with his daughter as well.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I'm not sure if anyone else on this site is watching this drama other than me?

It feels as if the bromance(s) in some dramas are better written and more engaging than the romance(s) in those dramas.

Of course, there are some dramas that are all about bromance. The dramas that specifically come to mind are 'Prison Playbook' and 'Hospital Playbook'. PP was purely about bromance, while HP had some romance in it along with various ships, but honestly, the drama was fine as it detailed the long-term friendships of its main cast members.

Prison Playbook

 

Hospital Playbook

 

Then there are dramas which mix romance and bromance. Some dramas that come to mind are 'My Country' and 'Tale of the Nine Tailed'. In both of these dramas, it could be argued that the bromances far outshone the romances. In the case of TotNT, Season 2 basically dropped the romance in favor of exploring the relationship between the fox brothers in more depth.

 

 

What do you think? What are some of your favorite bromance dramas?

I appreciate the moments of warmth amongst our team members, but for some reason, I'm finding this season to be a lot creepier than Season 1. I keep wondering what would happen if the villains somehow managed to get hold of So Mun's power to call forth the Yung...

i have to think that the firefighter will somehow come around to the good guys side, though not sure how.

9 hours ago, ktcjdrama said:

I am happy to announce we’ve got a hug at the end of ep.91. Finally!! They’re moving quite fast and looking back I am actually quite okay with the way their relationship develop. Feels real considering all the “baggage” each of our lead has had. 

Ooh, I guess I'm looking forward to the next tranche of episodes then.

Also, it seems as if they are going to match up Joo Hyuk and Ye Joo?

Just recently started watching this so missed all the earlier episodes, but not really motivated to go back and watch.

On 5/22/2023 at 10:36 PM, ktcjdrama said:

It's taking too long for the leads to be together. I know this is a 120-episode drama and there are still many issues to resolve, but still, not enough scenes of the leads.

Just wanted to say that I've watched episode 86, and the leads are still not together. LOL  This is definitely a slow burn drama, though with plenty of plot twist elements.

The Love Triangle is a common plot device, definitely in rom-coms, but also in other genres. I'm honestly not sure whether I like them or not. More often than not, I feel sorry for the 2nd lead who tries so hard and yet doesn't get much of a second look from the person that they desire. I don't really get SLS (second lead syndrome) really, but I do feel badly for the person who is left out

These are some memorable love triangles for me.

 

'Love in the Moonlight' starring Park Bo Gum as Lee Yeong, Kim Yoo Jung as Hong Ra On, and Jin Young as Kim Yoon Sung. Lee Yeong is the young Joseon prince who learns to love the smart, pretty and feisty commoner Hong Ra On. However, the nobleman Kim Yoon Sung is the one who recognizes how special Hong Ra On is first, not to mention seeing through her disguise as a court eunuch. KYS tries so hard to be supportive for HRO, but the inevitable OTP means that KYS will never get the girl. There is a grim consolation prize in that he gets to die in HRO's arms, but in the rushed ending, it didn't feel as if his companions kept him in their hearts much.

'LITM' also had the dubious honor of having another love triangle develop with LY at the center when his intended bride Jo Ha Yeon (played by Chae Soo Bin) shows up as a contender for LY's affections versus HRO. I actually felt bad for JHY because she just didn't even have a chance or a clue.

 

'Naeil's Cantabile' starring Joo Won as Cha Yoo Jin, Shim Eun Kyung as Seol Nae Il, and Park Bo Gum as Lee Yoon Hoo. Cha Yoo Jin and Seol Nae Il plays the opposites attract in this drama about musicians at a performing arts school, while Lee Yoon Hoo plays a genius violinist who also falls for Nae Il and wants to help her. This drama was actually pretty middling, but it remains in my mind as the one where I did develop SLS for Lee Yoon Hoo.

 

 

'Answer Me 1994' was 1 of the Answer Me series of dramas which all played with the question of who is the OTP. However, 'AM1994' was memorable in that it did the best job of misleading who the OTP was going to be. The love triangle consisted of Sseureki (played by Jung Woo, Sung Na Jung (played by Go Ara), and Chilbong (played by Yoo Yeon Seok). I think it was perhaps because the first kiss was between SNJ and Chilbong and because he played such a classical male lead that it felt as if they could be an OTP. However, the other signals that were coming through between the older brother type Sseureki (I mean seriously, he was nicknamed "Trash") and NJ won out, and poor Chilbong had to settle for being a major league baseballer in America. Oh well.

So, what are some of your memorable love triangles? And, do you even like them or loathe them or don't really care any which way? Let us know!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

August 22, 2023!

JangHaven has been around now for 3 years! We started JangHaven as a place where people could discuss kdramas, cdramas, twdramas, jdoramas, et al to our hearts' content in a non-confrontational and non-judgemental way. We hope that we've succeeded at least somewhat.

Before we move on to our anniversary celebrations, we'd like to take a moment to remember Bairama, Not only was she a member of our staff who made plenty of contributions to this site, she was a dear friend and sister to many of us. She was active on JangHaven and on JangHaven Discord, not to mention twitter, youtube, and instagram. She was a bright and creative soul, who gave so much of herself to her family and friends. Bai's passing affected us greatly, and we will always cherish our interactions with her and remember her fondly.  Below are links to her profile here on JH and a thread that was created in September of last year when we lost her.

Bairama's Profile

Goodbye to Bai

*********************************

In celebration of our 3rd Anniversary, we have prepared a few events.

There are 2 new discussion threads:

The first is about Love Triangles, of course, which we feel is fitting with this being our 3rd Anniversary.

The second is about when dramas have better Bromance than Romance. We hope you will visit the threads and share your opinion!

There is a new quiz. Test your drama knowledge!

Drama Quiz

There is a group project to write a mini-drama. Get your inner creative juices to help us write the plot!

Group Story

We hope you'll have fun taking part in these events. Thank you all for being part of our community, and for showing us much love and support. 

23 hours ago, ktcjdrama said:

Haven't watched ep.38 yet, but ep.37 made my blood boil. There are so many people I want to reach into the screen and smack real hard. This show is turning into makjang, but I'm sticking around for TK-YD-HN.

I think that's true for all of the longer count dramas, e.g. weekenders and dailies. They inevitably add makjang elements to provide more plot points and keep viewers interested.

SBS tried to do a weekend drama called 'Glorious Day' without any makjang elements, and its episode count got cut to 44 episodes and had to wrap up early because its ratings were so disappointing.

23 hours ago, ktcjdrama said:

Haha, I have been thinking it would be better for her to move in with TK and YD when TK's mother asked the family to choose who to stay in the house. 

I've really been pleasantly surprised at the grandmother's evolution.

Preview for ep 39 with translation underneath.

TK to his mother: We should just live our lives separately.

TK Mother to YD: I’m going to make sure that you and Tae Kyung can’t be together.

Grandmother at table: How can I be comfortable when I have to be careful around the daughter-in-law all the time?
Note: Don’t look for me. I’ll be gone for a few days.
SJeong: Where could she have gone?
TK: Grandmother, what are you doing?

SG Father: It was definitely this face. (it looks as if SG's birth mother is making an appearance.
SG: Dad!

SJeong: Oh, a baby room?
HW: Could we just take a look, for some inspiration? (meaning ideas on how to do his own baby room)
YD: Well, that is…
Grandmother: Aigoo, my heart. Aigoo.

That's so funny that the grandmother goes to TK and YD's place. I know that there is more angst to come still, but I really hope that TK and YD will have more backers rather than people who want to tear them apart for whatever reason.

JK was finally invited to Suchwita, and it was hilarious mayhem. One of the highlights was JK and Suga doing the duet of 'That That'. Killer!

JK was having so much fun, he wasn't ready to leave, even after Suga had gone. So, he gave the staff a mini-concert singing along to a karaoke machine. Pure joy! This boy likes to sing! Thanks to the staff for giving us this extra clip of JK singing!

Also, not sure how long this fancam footage will be around, but JK just won on Inkigayo with his song. This is the clip of JK being so surprised to win, and then an epic encore. So much fun! How could anyone not fall madly in love with JK?

I was seeing some speculation online as to whether Yeon Doo's mother is actually Tae Kyung's grandmother's long lost daughter, the one she called "Strawberry". That actually makes sense to me that she is, and may provide another plot twist in the future episodes.

Btw, the word for strawberry 딸기 pronounced "ddal-gi" shares the same first syllable as daughter 딸 pronounced "ddal". the grandmother kept asking for strawberries because she was really missing her daughter. It seems that her mother-in-law gave away her daughter so that the family could focus on the son. The grandmother looked for her daughter, but eventually gave up. Since it was her MIL who gave her daughter away, the grandmother probably couldn't even speak about her daughter, and so took to talking about strawberries. I thought that was so sad.

The grandmother, as mean and vicious as she was at the beginning of this drama, is turning into a bit of a rock star in terms of acknowledging her own regrets over how she had treated TK and his mother when they entered the family, and wanting YD and TK to have a chance of their own.

I'm hoping that YD and TK will be able to stand firm against all comers this time rather than being torn apart, though it seems that the idea of being apart is going to raise its head again, at least from the previews.

8 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

BTW, Wi Gen's original host died but she was able to escape. How is it that this time all of the Chinese Counters died and none of their Yung counterparts survive? Though Wi Gen did get lucky and found So Mun in time before she perishes.

I think Wi Gen got lucky in finding So Mun. Also, there was something about So Mun calling out to Wi Gen to him (even though he didn't realize that he was doing that), rather than Wi Gen selecting SM as being an appropriate Counter.

With the other Counter pairs, when something happens to the mortal counterparts, the Yung counterparts are also endangered or die, unless they are able to transfer quickly to a new pairing.

8 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

Please don't tell me CEO Choi will die next.

NOOOOOOOO!   I really hope he doesn't need to be sacrificed.

8 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

Back to Kang Ki Young, love that he's so badass that he has gone to the noodle shop to meet So Mun and the two has a psychokinesis face-off then and there. Do you guys think this guy especially dislike kids? The moment he hears Min Ji said she is pregnant, it makes him more eager in ensuring she dies.

Perhaps it's just a hallmark of evil that they hate kids? I mean, most kids are open and innocent, the antithesis of evil. Other than demon seed kids, of course. :)

16 hours ago, Tofu said:

Kang Ki Young's makeup and styling for this drama is so fitting (even though we previously made fun of it). I completely buy him as the big baddie. 

I was shocked by KKY's transformation into the villain. I totally buy him as the villain. My Chinese is non-existent, so no comments on that one, but that's too bad that his Mandarin was so mangled. So, I guess it's good that I can't understand his terrible Mandarin which may interfere with my appreciation of him as the Big Bad?

16 hours ago, Tofu said:

Good to see that they confirmed Mun as the most powerful counter. I like this upgraded Mun and @mademoiselle, I think episode 2 showed more of what I remembered of Mun from S1. 

I like this version of So Mun as well. While Season 1 So Mun was more innocent, eager, and sweet, Season 2 So Mun has clearly been through a lot. He's gained some positives but still has a lot to learn even if his being the most powerful Counter has made him cocky. I think SM learning more will be a part of this Season's arc rather than just having SM be all powerful and all that. I mean, if one is the most powerful superbeing blessed by the heavens even, how do you make it challenging for him other than by exploring his humanity, with all of its flaws and beauty?

I wondered if SM being late all the time was a bit of a nod to the controversy surrounding the actor after Season 1, and the subsequent questions of whether he'll be a part of Season 2 or not. Glad to see him anyway.

On 7/30/2023 at 1:10 AM, 40somethingahjumma said:

I don't mind upgrade So Mun. The telekinesis was put to humorous effect. There's an edge to him which I like because it's a natural progression from a side of him that was seen even in S1 where took on the school bullies and just about killed them. I also like that he's less emotional. But he's still great with kids as he was in S1. 

Yes, what @40somethingahjumma said!

Anyway, I'm not sure that I'm as emotionally invested in Season 2, but then again, it's still in the early episodes. Plus, I'm really not watching much else other than "The Real Has Come", and that one is because I'm watching it with my mum.

On 7/20/2023 at 9:37 PM, 40somethingahjumma said:

Oh... Park Hae-jin and Park Sung-woong... together again in another drama. With a title and premise like that, it's definitely worth a look.

 

Sounds a bit like The Devil Judge but from a different perspective. 

Makes me want to rewatch 'Man to Man'.

@wink_, thank you for posting to this shrine, and I'm sorry you won't be updating it any more.

On 6/30/2023 at 9:46 AM, Nohamahmoud2002 said:

I really hope I am not getting out of the subject.

No such thing.

I remember watching 'Naeil's Cantabile' and really liking it. However, I developed second lead syndrome for Park Bo Gum's character in that drama...

The loss of loved ones stay with you for a long, long time. I hope that each day finds you being at least a tiny bit better, and that you are able to find some solace and comfort within yourself and those around you.

JK's new single "Seven" dropped, and it's an earworm, not to mention that it has both clean and explicit versions. They dropped 2 vids for it already.

Here is the official MV (clean version):

And here is JK's performance video (explicit version):

I miss the guys. This clip of them singing a new song that they prepared for their 10th Anniversary Festa just makes me miss them even more.

20 hours ago, Tudor Rose said:

Not really on to the storyline but the bromance of LDW and KB is irresistible.

Yes, I think most of us agree with you on that one!

21 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

I mean, Hong Joo's loyal servant dog was revived; the original mountain god came back to life, there's hope for Rang. He just needs to return in the "right" way so that King Yeomra and Taluipa can't deny it.

That's totally right! All these other souls came back from the dead, so there is still hope for Rang. Especially if there is to be a season 3. I'll say it again, I don't think I'll watch it if both Yeon and Rang aren't in it.

On 6/13/2023 at 6:54 PM, Tofu said:

I think that if they are going to bring back a season three, it's a must to have the brothers. I don't know about other people but they are the biggest draw for me -- the reason why I watched through those lackluster episodes. LOL!

I don't think I would watch a season 3 if it didn't have both Fox brothers. Their bromance was what made me stick with season 1 and watch season 2, and I enjoyed season 2 more because the bromance was more plentiful. Think I'll have to rewatch the whole thing again. 

On 6/13/2023 at 1:31 AM, mademoiselle said:

I prefer this. The writer can make up so much new stuff in S2 that isn't logically link to S1, I don't see why not she can't bring Rang back to life in the present. And I'm devastated to learn last night Kim Beom may not return in S3 because his wrap up message said it's the last one. That said, it was written in Dec 2022 so they may only confirm S3 in 2023. But then @Tofu did say in Joseon period, Rang would only be a child so that shattered my hope again...

The problem with going back in time is that it messes with the future stories where LR and LY are at odds with each other, at least at the start of the drama.

I'm thinking that they could do a time jump forward where LR is miraculously been restored again, LY and Shin Ju both have children (kits?) with their respective spouses, and everyone is balancing family and demons. Not sure how they'll bring back the mermaid for LR, but they would have to do that as well since apparently foxes mate once and for life.

On 6/15/2023 at 12:16 AM, abs-oluteM said:

True . I think what got me was the scene where they killed CEO Choi’s knifers. Especially the scene where he told his pregnant wife to call the cops & she was sobbing behind the door . 😭

I had to ff through episode 6.   It was pretty gut wrenching when CEO Choi and his knifers died. Even though as men of violence, they said they weren't afraid of dying and what not, it was still so sad. Especially, the married knifer. And, I mean, all three of them had put their violent past behind them (mostly) and were doing honest work and making lives for themselves until they decided they had to bring KMG down.

I also thought that episode 7 and 8 would have been stronger if HJ had stayed and the trio would have taken them down. Director Lee's granddaughter was not actually that interesting an addition to the group. I know that RL interfered with the original plotting, and I'm not condoning whatever KSR did (though not sure what she did or whether I care about it), but for the sake of the story, I wish the scandal would have broken after the drama had finished filming.

16 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

If I remember correctly in earlier episode, Yeon wanted to change Rang's future and Taluipa mentioned it won't change the future.

You're probably right, but if so, then all this prequel stuff makes Season 1 pretty illogical, e.g. given the relationship that Rang and Yeon forged in 1938, why would Rang be out for vengeance the way he was in Season 1? Though given that it's just a drama, I'm probably being too pedantic about it anyway.

16 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

However, what's this talk about the 4th Mountain God? Has that ever been mentioned in S1?

I'll defer to @Tofu on this one since I don't remember a specific number of mountain gods mentioned in S1.

However, I always assumed that there were more mountain gods. Given Korean folklore, almost every mountain/range had it's own regional god rather than there being a "One True Mountain God," so I had assumed that Yeon was one of those.

10 hours ago, Tofu said:

I was surprised by his power too. It makes me wish there was a redo of S1 so we can see this. Or maybe Rang will be reborn. Wait...I guess once he's reborn, he will lose his power so maybe not this. 

Well, season 1 would be a completely different story if Rang didn't harbor hurt feelings toward Yeon and was also more powerful.

I have mixed feelings on being reborn. On the one hand, Rang would probably lose his power and his memories, so he wouldn't have the bromance with Yeon. On the other hand, Rang wouldn't be completely dead to the world, so he and Yeon could find each other again in some lifetime.

And also, it's a fantasy, so we might as well wish Rang to be restored to life somehow so that the bromance can live on in the modern day as well.

13 hours ago, abs-oluteM said:

Really pity about Kim Sae Ron. I thought the trio had such a good camaraderie going on there , so I am a little disappointed they had to remove her scenes.

I agree. I'm not up on the scandal regarding KSR, but in terms of this drama, it's actually good as the trio, and I think it's going to lose something when KSR's character gets cut. The reason president Choi started all this was for the sake of his granddaughter, and he hired GW and WJ to protect her.

13 hours ago, abs-oluteM said:

And my dearest oppa SiWon - I am always intrigued at the drama choices he makes. But I have no issues with him choosing all sorts of roles.

I was surprised to see him in this drama, but think it's a good choice for him because it is very different from his leading man roles. I think that CSW is improving as an actor, but he could still learn a lot from the veterans like HJH and PSW.

To be honest, I actually think that CSW's more memorable characters are when he's a supporting character ('When She Was Pretty' and 'King of Dramas' anyone?).

Thanks for the shout out @mademoiselle. I'm on episode 4 of this drama right now, but I'm having a hard time watching because of the level of violence in it, though I realize that it's necessary for the story.

I was also surprised by Kim Sae Ron being on the drama since I thought she was taken off the drama because of a scandal? Also, she didn't get a cast credit in the intro.

I do rather love the bromance between GW and WJ. GW is the pure heart and WJ is the streetwise hustler, and they seem to complement each other so well.

Read the thread and noticed that KSR's character disappears after the 6th episode?

Also, is there a second part planned for this drama?

4 hours ago, Tofu said:

You know --- with all the changes present-day Lee Yeon did in 1938, I'm curious if it changed the future. We will never know, but my hope is that Lee Rang feels what it's like to love and be loved. 

I was wondering about that. How can the future not change with everything LY did in 1938?

For instance, I can't imagine that LR still has so much hatred for LY after what they went through. LY 1938 is a mean pathetic opium addict, however, LR now knows what LY will become, not to mention their bromance. I wonder if when LY finally gets back to his timeline, he'll find that things will have changed? Who knows, perhaps in the new timeline, LR is still alive with his mermaid.

I'm still playing catch up on this drama, but I am enjoying season 2 more than season 1. I think the bromance is better than the romance in season 1. I want LY to get back to his wife, but it would be strange to think that the world did not change somehow.

I didn't realize that there would be a season 3, but now, I'm very curious about it. I hope that HJ and MY come back for season 3 as well.

On 5/28/2023 at 4:12 AM, Chocolate said:

 

Haha, I will keep an open mind about the end result of the marriage. Each time Dr Cha tries to be break it off/divorce, something happens 😂

 

SIH clearly prefers to keep his family intact. But he hasn't figured out why yet. All these little things he is doing to try to get her to stay are things he thinks he should do, but he is not really doing it from his heart. I think with 3 episodes left, he will figure it out eventually. Whether it will be too late remains to be seen...

 

But that aside, I would take that 50% share of house and divorce later! 😂

 

I just saw the preview for episode 15, though have not bothered to watch the episodes themselves any more. It still feels as if they're trying to put SIH and JS back together, with SIH even wanting to donate his liver to JS finally. Still, it feels as if SIH is still a selfish git who is only finally realizing how much he has to lose and not wanting to lose his comfortable life. Plus, I do feel that once a philanderer, always a philanderer.

On 5/26/2023 at 12:19 AM, UnniSara said:

Roy Kim is just around as a potential love interest not an actual love interest because Doctor Cha isn’t ready to start a new relationship. 

I agree with you, especially since they never really fully developed Roy Kim as a character. I'm not sure what the initial intent was, but the focus switched to the love triangle between SIH, JS, and SH and stayed there for the most part.

I think JS really needs to be by herself and figure out what she wants from life for herself. Her children are old enough as well that they shouldn't need JS to sacrifice herself for their sake any longer.