Big 11-12

  There was just so much awesome sauce packed into episode 12 of Big! I know a lot of people haven't liked the pacing of this show, and for them episode 11 was especially bad, but I felt it was necessary to get Gil Da Ran to where she needed to be. Plus, it led up to such a great ending for ep. 12, that I can't really complain. 
  I'm not saying Big is without its problems, but the overarching story is what I love, and I love that it's so focused on the characters. I guess in many ways it's like Coffee Prince that way. This brings me to my highlights of these episodes.

Making Evil Mother pay for her evilness.

Samusil: A Loving Tribute (The Office, kdrama style)

Episode 1:
  Pam, a cute and spunky but poor girl, is in desperate need of a job. She had to drop out of college because of her family situation—her father is a failed entrepreneur who can't find work and racked up massive debt, her mother works sewing dolls, and her younger brother is in high school, but wants to go to Seoul University. Pam has been in a relationship with Roy for three years. Roy is also poor, but ambitious, and may have more going on in his personal life than Pam realizes. It's Roy who got her an interview with the company where he works, although it's a different branch.

Meta References in Dramas

  I love meta references, and there are so many in asian dramas. They're like little easter eggs for me to treasure. The Hong Sisters are especially well-known for being self-referential, but there are many meta allusions out there, from actors discussing getting their own autograph to clips from related shows. There's even the more subtle and ubiquitous question "Are you writing/starring in/filming a drama?" Here is an open-ended list:

Lie to Me—the Drama I Adored Until I Realized There Are Better Dramas Out There

  Wow. What a long title. It's true, though. I watched this drama early on in my life as a kdrama addict. At that point I didn't really analyze much about the dramas I watched, but just let myself get caught up in the Need to Know that happens with dramas. Looking back, I'm not sure I would even finish this drama now. Except I probably would. Because it's drama crack.

Big Burdens and Fading Hearts

  This post deals with episodes 9 and 10 of Big, and all the things leading up to them. You have been warned.

(Gong Yoo can stare at me like that any day.)

Do Jin and Yoon Show Their Gentlemanly Side (ep 11 & 12)

  Finally, some real progress in the relationship between Do Jin and Yi Soo! The tension has been great, and it's led to some awesome squee-worthy moments, (see screenshot below), but it's nice that they're both on the same page now. I especially loved how sincerely Do Jin asked Yi Soo to be his future. I feel this is real progress for him in his life. He actually sees a future with just one woman, and, for the first time we know of, it's what he wants.

The Characters of I Do, I Do

  I think the best part of this drama is the characters. Sure, I enjoy the plot, the humor, and the chemistry between the actors. And let's not forget the amazing shoes—mmmm, the shoes (jerking out of glassy-eyed daydreaming), but it's definitely the characters that make this series truly awesome.