Did I Really Just See That?!

Trigger warning: discussion of sexual abuse.

  If you've read my blog before, you may be wondering why I'm writing about such a serious subject, especially since I haven't written anything in such a long time. I mean, my blog is all about analyzing tv shows in a lighthearted and probably much-too-invested manner. I try not to spend too much time on serious issues, and I really try to avoid controversy. But this is something that I want to write about, because it's something I feel is important. 

Only in Dramaland. . . or Dramaland Cliche Game Ideas

You're Beautiful (So many cliches in one shot.)

  Dramaland. A world where no cliche is too overused, no kiss too thematic, and no character too cookie-cutter. It's a place where no idea can ever be overdone, even if it is a horrible idea/cliche, because if "they" use it enough, "they" will either gain popularity by association with those who have used it well, or they convince themselves that SOMEDAY, someday they'll find a way to make it awesome. This is the Land of Dramas. 
  The Land of Dramas is a special place, where we can lose ourselves for a time in the characters and stories we come to love. We can even predict many of the things that are likely to come up in any given series with a surprising level of accuracy. And it's not just the Asian branch of Dramaland—some (many?) of the cliches I've listed here can be found in movies, stories, and tv from all over the world. 

My Theories on the Mysterious Master in Dating Agency: Cyrano

  There is some serious mystery going on with resident mob boss/super chef Master (aka Cha Seung Pyo), and he is truly a fascinating character. From the beginning his motivations have been hazy, and his background is definitely shady. There's a big secret regarding his true identity, and I think I know what it is.
  If you don't want spoilers up to episode 10, don't read on.

Last Cinderella Episode 9 Recap

Episode 9: I Love You

Last Cinderella Episode 8 Recap

Episode 8: Farewell. . . and Thank You.

Last Cinderella Episode 7 Recap

Episode 7: Naughty Kiss

(I'm pretty sure that's a completely different show, but at least it's from the same network.)

Last Cinderella Episode 6 Recap

Episode 6: Major Turbulence! The Explosive Love Triangle!

Last Cinderella Episode 5 Recap

Episode 5: Feelings Start Running. . . ! The Shocking Destination of Love!! 

Last Cinderella Episode 4 Recap

Episode 4: "Forbidden Kiss"

Last Cinderella Episode 3 Recap

Episode 3: The Old-man Woman's Huge Struggle?! The Couple's Night 

Alone. . .! 

Last Cinderella Episode 2 Recap

Episode 2: The Great Reversal of Love and Life! The Younger Man is a Prince?!

Last Cinderella Episode 1 Recap

Episode 1: The Old-man Woman's Love and the Naughty Prince Who Appears; A Clumsy Love Begins

I'm Back (Again), and I'm Ready for Some Fun

Via

  Wow. I've been so inactive here, it's a wonder my blog still exists. (Haha.) If you want excuses, the major one involved dropping my laptop, which led to the necessity of major surgery (on its poor neck hinge!). (I really didn't want to write on my phone, since I have more limited styling and formatting options on it, and I'm very specific about how things look. Plus, swiping that much is just too daunting a prospect.) I also had a couple busy weeks at work and then took some time catching up on watching dramas, which combined with my natural laziness to make it a whole month since I've blogged. A. Whole. Entire. Month.

Kekkon Shinai Episode 11 Final

  Wow, I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to recapping this last episode. I apologize to anyone who's been waiting for the ending. Sometimes I just have a hard time letting beloved fictional characters go.

Incarnation of Money: An Update on My Opinion

  Those of you who read my previous entry on Incarnation of Money (link here) may be wondering if my opinion has changed at all. I had a slew of issues with this drama, but there was still something there that made me want to like it. I really really wanted to feel a desire to keep watching. I gave it another week to win me over. 

The Horse Healer Guide to Facial Expression(s)

Via

  There's just something about this drama. I like it, but I'm not entirely sure why. It's not the acting, which is okay but not great. It's not the writing. (Again, decent, but nothing special.) And it's definitely not the directing, which is usually quite heavy-handed. (Actually, I blame most of Horse Healer's faults on the directing.) Although I'm unfamiliar with many of the actors, those I have seen before are not showcasing their talents in this particular drama.
  But despite all its faults, there is something that I find very engaging about Horse Healer. And maybe I should blame that on the director as well. I'm not entirely sure what that ineffable something is, but for now I'm hooked. I can't say that I love this drama. Nor do I feel like it's drama crack. But I enjoy watching it, and I find myself looking forward to the next opportunity to watch more.

Incarnation of Money is Really Just an Incarnation of Stereotypes and Insipidity

  Seriously, what is WITH this show? The promotional material explained that it was going to be a drama about a man in a mental institution who is broken out by the daughter of a loan shark who needs him to help her take over her mother's operations. It's written and directed by the same people who brought us the awesome and unpredictable History of the Salaryman. It stars Kang Ji Hwan, who makes everything he's in sparkle and shine, even if it's not very good. It also stars Hwang Jung Eum, who easily won me over in Full House Take 2 despite my great reluctance to like anything about that show. There's also murder, intrigue, betrayal, and murder. This drama should be amazing, right?

Kekkon Shinai Episode 10 Recap

  The penultimate episode. Finally, a little honesty up in here.

Kekkon Shinai Episode 9

Episode 9: The Roller Coaster Ride of a Woman's Friendship! Tears of the Slap?! (What does that last part even mean?)

Alice in Cheongdamdong Review

  I went into this drama with a lot of trepidation. I couldn't help feeling that the premise left me doubting that I would like it, since it made this drama sound so much like it was trying to set feminism back 100 years. I worried that Han Se Kyung would be the antithesis to independent women everywhere, and that this drama would mostly promote materialism, greed, and shallowness. I was never happier to be proven wrong. 

Kekkon Shinai Episode 8 Recap

  I'm finally back to the world of the blogging! I guess I just have to acknowledge that the holidays are really over and get back to normal life.
  I did use some of this time to marathon another jdorama—Guilty Akuma to Keiyakushita Onna—which also stars Kanno Miho and Tamaki Hiroshi, but is a dark revenge drama. It's not my usual thing, but it's good, and compelling. Thank you to Anonymous, who recommended it to me. However, after watching so much heartbreak between Tamaki Hiroshi and Kanno Miho, it's great to get back to the happier and lighter story of Kekkon Shinai.

Coming out of Hibernation

  Some of you may have noticed that it's been a while since I posted anything. Like a month. Don't worry, I didn't die, or get sick (a cold doesn't really count), or have anything dramatic happen. I've just had a severe case of the lazies since Christmas.