The Mysteries of Arang and the Magistrate—My Current Theories

  This post is chock full of spoilers through episode 6. Mostly I discuss what the deal is with the evil lady and Arang's death. I welcome any and all (respectful) discussion and dissent. But please explain your POV—I'm open to changing my theories if I find something that makes sense to me.

Haeundae Lovers Episode 7 Recap

  Another episode full of plot developments and hijinks. My favorite kind.

Panda and Hedgehog Episode 4 Recap

  Poor Won Il, he just doesn't get girls. And Panda is pretty clueless in relationships as well. 

Panda and Hedgehog Episode 3 Recap

  This episode gives us some background on our characters. Both guys make some moves toward wooing Panda, and the plot thickens. Also, there are plenty of delicious desserts showcased in this episode. Also, Won Il bites his lip. A lot. (I feel like such a creepy noona right now.)

Gaksital Gangnam Style

  I just had to share this. If you don't know the original, get out from under that rock, silly! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0
  There are some great spoofs of Gangnam Style, but my favorite is this remix with Gaksital. Sooooo perfect!

  The heys! The Count bouncing around! Kang To's general awesomeness! Kenji's rage! Awww, Kang San! 

  Also, I'm amazed at how well the Charleston fits this song. Who knew?

  But now we have this (skip to 1:35): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eirGlpQqZgw&feature=player_embedded
  *Happy sigh* My life is complete.

The Fantastical World of Arang and the Magistrate

  I am totally captivated by this show! Granted, that wasn't difficult, since I knew it was going to be epic. I mean, Shin Min Ah as a ghost, paired with Lee Jun Ki as the only person who can see her? Gold, pure drama gold. And there is a great deal of brightness and light in this drama to bring warm fuzzies, besides the chemistry between Eun Oh and Arang. Most of all, Arang's personality shines brilliantly, the Jade Emperor is resplendent (as long as we ignore the wig), the friendship between Eun Oh and Dol Swe is beautiful, and all the scenes in Heaven, or on the bridge between the worlds have their own otherworldly glow. (Plus, the camerawork here is fabulous!) Also, the comedy is done with a light touch—enchanting during the lighter moments, and contrasting nicely in more serious/creepy moments.

Haeundae Lovers Episode 6 Recap

  Okay, this episode really stepped up the funny. Every time Tae Sung cries (which is a lot in this episode), I die. Kim Kang Woo is gut-bustingly hilarious. He gets this look of desperation on the brink of insanity mixed with a childlike innocence and inability to deal with the situation at hand. There is this fantastic juxtaposition of the confident and capable Tae Sung and the Nam Hae who yearns to be like that, but lacks the experience and maturity that were lost along with his memories. 
  I'm sorry for doubting you, KKW. It's just that I haven't seen any of your other work (except Le Grand Chef, but you were so serious in that), so I didn't know the true level of your awesomeness. But I'm starting to get it now, and I give you full props. You are amazing. Jin jjah ye yo! A-ma-zing.

Haeundae Lovers Episode 5 Recap

  The diagnosis is in, and we have amnesia, people! Finally! And, as I hoped, this version of Tae Sung is much funnier. He may be a bit of a whiny brat, but at least his lack of basic living skills makes for good comedy. Plus, he can actually allow himself to like So Ra, now, without it feeling so wrong. I'm not sure she's game, but at least he doesn't have pesky memories of having a wife to interfere with his love life.

New blows to the head: 0

Panda and Hedgehog Episode 2 Recap

  Awww. Another episode brimming with cuteness. So many great moments!
  I feel like this episode really set things up. It had a lot of important scenes, and gave a good deal of background, so I hope in the next episodes, the plot will really start moving. I don't feel that these episodes were particularly slow, since the first two are typically introductory, but I can't wait to get to a bit more action, and more opportunities for Panda and Seung Ji to interact.

Crappily Ever After: Awful Endings in Dramas

  Do I have to post a spoiler alert? 'Cuz there are spoilers ahead. Major ones.
  After reading the recaps for the finale of Dr. Jin, I feel the need to address something. Seriously, what is the deal with dramas and their craptastic endings? It feels like a recent thing, but maybe it's gone on forever, and I'm just noticing the newest cluster of Terrible Finales. You can use more than one episode to wind down a story, people. You should know how you want things to end at least by episode 10, so you can start to resolve things before the last 15 minutes of the finale. Honest.

Panda and Hedgehog Episode 1 Recap

  After watching most of two episodes, I've decided I like this drama. Okay, it didn't take me that long to like it, or even to decide to recap it, but I feel more justified after what I've seen. It's very cute, as the name implies, and it's well done. I don't expect the plot to be too complicated or deep, but that's a big part of its appeal. It's just a straightforward, solid drama that I hope won't try to overreach its capabilities later on.

  We open on a flashback of a little boy intently drawing on the sidewalk. As the camera zooms out, we see that he is drawing cakes. (Adorable.) He looks up when he hears singing to see a little girl in a panda hoodie looking in the window of a pastry shop. He goes to talk to her, but is interrupted when a man runs out of the shop.

Haeundae Lovers Episode 4 Recap

  This episode had quite a lot of plot development. Amnesia, yay! Wait. . . . 
  Anyway, we get plenty of back story, love polygons are set up, and we find out why Skeezo has such massive debts. Also, shirtless Jung Suk Won! Need I say more?

Blows to the Head: Tae Sung:☻ So Ra:☺☺☺

The Good Old Relationship Contract

  This trope is so common in kdramas especially. It's generally used as a contrivance to keep an otherwise unlikely pair together for some reason and allow them some "fake" skinship, while acting as an obstacle and still allowing the possibility of a third (or fourth) party to interfere with our OTP.

Haeundae Lovers Episode 3 Recap

  I've realized I spend each episode waiting for the blow that will cause the impending amnesia. Will this fight be it? Or this one? Is Tae Sung going to get beaned by that stick, or have his head bashed against the ground? It feels like this drama is taking way too long to get to its major premise (the amnesia), and that makes it seem to drag a bit. It is funny how often Tae Sung ends up almost getting hit or actually bashed over the noggin, with no serious head injury to show for it. I think I'm going to start keeping track of just how many times he gets hit in the head per episode.

  Blows to the Head: ☻☻☻☻ (I think we're up to about 10 or 11 in just three episodes.)

Haeundae Lovers Episode 2 Recap

  This episode was better for me. It had more comedic scenes, and I may actually come to like this drama. We'll see how I feel after a couple more episodes.

Haeundae Lovers Episode 1 Recap

  Okay, so I've decided to try my hand at recapping. I think this show is a good place to start, because I'm not sure it will be all that great. However, this show may do a quick turnaround and prove me wrong. I sure hope so. 
Episode 1:

   Prosecutor Lee Tae Sung is on a stakeout for a drugs bust (yes, sometimes I think I'm British). Things go south and Lee Tae Sung goes all Rambo on the gangsters. 

The Glorious Costumes of Gaskital

  This drama has the greatest fusion costumes ever. There's so much of 30's fashion, but with modern twists and elements that keep the spirit of the 30's in mind. This isn't some weird melding that jars you out of the story and the period a la A Knight's Tale, rather a harmonious blend of past and present that adds to the glamour of the past and enhances the elements of fantasy in this drama. The costume designer had better win some awards for Gaksital, that's for sure.

The Man Who Can't Get Married Review

  Apparently, I'm in a Yoo Ah In mood today. Maybe I'll go three for three and write up a review on Sungkyunkwan Scandal next.

  Anyway, on to The Man Who Can't Get Married. This is a drama that I really enjoyed watching. It's funny, cute, and has some great acting. I already loved Uhm Jung Hwa and Yoo Ah In from other dramas, and in this drama I discovered how amazing Ji Jin Hee is. Really, truly amazing. Also, while I generally dislike small dogs (especially chihuahuas, with their beady eyes) I absolutely fell in love with Sanggu. He's adorable.