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PrettyCarEye
Ojakgyo Brothers Episode 51
3 people found this review helpful
I'm feeling a lot better after seeing E51.
Wow, Ja Eun and Tae Hee, man I'm loving these two to bits. The restaurant scene with Adele playing in the background ... epic! And the scene outside afterwards. This is a must see. Tears. 1 Litre of Tears.
And finally Tae Beum seems to be getting his balls back! I hope he keeps it up.
I'm happy! I'm happy!
Wow, Ja Eun and Tae Hee, man I'm loving these two to bits. The restaurant scene with Adele playing in the background ... epic! And the scene outside afterwards. This is a must see. Tears. 1 Litre of Tears.
And finally Tae Beum seems to be getting his balls back! I hope he keeps it up.
I'm happy! I'm happy!
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Ojakgyo Brothers Episode 50
3 people found this review helpful
This was one of my least favourite episodes.
Soo Young's mother ... damn! The woman is hilarious, but her atrocious meddling is starting to get on my nervous, esp when neither Tae Bom nor Soo Young has the balls to put her in her place. Although she means well she's a mother-in-law from hell. I'm slowly losing respect for Tae Beum. He's been thoroughly whipped. Sad. I liked him better when he told her to butt out of their personal business. I hope that Tae Beum comes back, somehow I don't think he will. Disappointed. I wonder if this show is a genuine depiction of in-law relations in South Korea? Grown adults having to consult and ask their parents for permission to do everything? In-laws coming and going as they please? If it is, madness ...
Anyway, constant screw up Tae Sik finally got something right! I feel good for the guy ... although with a face like his I still can't take him seriously. Haha.
I feel bad for Ja Eun. She's not at fault in anyway, but she has to suffer for other people's mistakes? Why exactly? No fair.
In the grand scheme of things the episode actually wasn't bad, but for the first time I wanted to stop watching and that's mainly because as my favourite couple I'm not happy with how Tae Beum and Soo Young deal with mom-in-law. That woman seriously has NO manners whatsoever and it drives me crazy that they just stand there and take it.
Soo Young's mother ... damn! The woman is hilarious, but her atrocious meddling is starting to get on my nervous, esp when neither Tae Bom nor Soo Young has the balls to put her in her place. Although she means well she's a mother-in-law from hell. I'm slowly losing respect for Tae Beum. He's been thoroughly whipped. Sad. I liked him better when he told her to butt out of their personal business. I hope that Tae Beum comes back, somehow I don't think he will. Disappointed. I wonder if this show is a genuine depiction of in-law relations in South Korea? Grown adults having to consult and ask their parents for permission to do everything? In-laws coming and going as they please? If it is, madness ...
Anyway, constant screw up Tae Sik finally got something right! I feel good for the guy ... although with a face like his I still can't take him seriously. Haha.
I feel bad for Ja Eun. She's not at fault in anyway, but she has to suffer for other people's mistakes? Why exactly? No fair.
In the grand scheme of things the episode actually wasn't bad, but for the first time I wanted to stop watching and that's mainly because as my favourite couple I'm not happy with how Tae Beum and Soo Young deal with mom-in-law. That woman seriously has NO manners whatsoever and it drives me crazy that they just stand there and take it.
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Well, no, it didn't happen, but Eun Chan & Han Gyul's lover's spat, even they didn't know they were having a lover's spat, was SICK! Never have I thought two people fighting could be this HOT! But it was because the sexual chemistry between the two was through the roof! You could FEEL their, especially Han Gyul's, monumental struggle with their growing feelings for each other. The argument was essentially a farce ... I'm sure what they really wanted to do was pounce on each other and just get the damn deed done and over with! I wish they woulda. Hahaha ...
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SPOILERIFIC ... beware.
Pride really is gonna kill these two, I swear to God.
There's a scene in the beginning of this episode that I didn't begin to appreciate until I viewed it for a second time. It revealed A LOT about what kind of people Halu and Aki really are.
For a large chunk of this drama you're fed the allusion that Aki is this sweet, gentle, dutiful, nurturing type of renaissance woman. And she really is all of those things and more so she'll always do the right thing, always do her duty.
Halu and his emotional journey is at centre stage and like him we the audience don't realize just how affected Aki is that someone she loved for a long time abandoned her and didn't even have the courtesy or decency to dump her properly. He just upped left without a word for two years because she's that insignificant to him.
Aki hides her feelings of hurt and abandonment well from everyone: herself, her friends and especially Halu. Aki, like Halu, is very scarred but she's too good at being a woman from the last century -- the dutiful, uncomplaining woman who is the perfect helpmate to her man -- to reveal how she really feels.
So when Halu goes to Yamato's place to get a change of clothes for him and runs into Aki he lies to her about revealing their intimate relationship to her now returned boyfriend. He does this in a roundabout effort to get her to realize ... okay Naksutawa (the boyfriend) knows the truth, he won't want me now that he knows I cheated on him with another man (Halu) so I'm free to go be with Halu.
But what happens? Aki doesn't take the bait. In fact she doesn't EVEN realize that she's been given a bait. Halu is SHOCKED. How can she not see through what I'm saying? Does she really love me? Meanwhile, all Aki sees is a man who's talking about her relationship with him as if he doesn't care ... asking her if she'll be able to patch things up with the boyfriend (Natsutawa) in spite of her indiscretion with him, Halu. WTF??? thinks Aki. Did he -- Halu -- ever really love me? Red flags are popping off like fire works in Aki's brain.
This scene was SOOO brilliantly executed. It reveals perfectly Halu's fear of opening himself completely to Aki and Aki's fear of just being used and discarded like Natsutawa did to her.
She wants so badly to take a chance on Halu, but she can't read him, she can't trust him 100% with her fragile heart. He says he loves her, but his attitude is aloof. He holds her at arm's length and she can't afford to take a chance on a guy who isn't willing to SHOW that he loves her. She's been there, done that and look where it got her. Abandoned, alone and lonely. No, she can't go down that road again even though she suspects that a lot of Halu's behaviour is BS, just posturing. She suspects, but she's not sure and she's too afraid to find out.
Halu on his side is going through the same whirlwind of emotions. Instead of making himself vulnerable and telling her point blank that he loves her and wants nothing more than to be with her he puts up this macho front. He cracks a door open and fully expects her to bust through and come to him, but he's not thinking that Aki too has her own emotional defenses that HE needs to break down.
He's too prideful and scared to bear himself to her. For the sake of self-preservation he wants her to be the first to declare to him that he's her #1 so he can maintain that facade of cool tough-guy, I don't really give a damn about nuttin'... like he's done to all his women prior to Aki. But he's not doing it out of cockiness or spite, but because he's truly scared of getting hurt by Aki just like his mother hurt him. I find it very symbolic that Aki's demureness and overall demeanour bears a striking resemblance to Halu's mother -- the source of all his emotional pain and suffering.
Wow, this is one pretty brilliant piece of writing AND excellent acting on both lead characters' part on top of it because that's how human beings truly are. Sometimes we let pride steer our lives too much. We act for our own intents and purposes without giving much thought to the other person and where they're coming from. Both Aki and Halu are guilty of this. They communicate poorly and neither one of them wants to take the first move in reassuring each other so misunderstandings abound, and they act in ways that frustrate the hell out of everyone around them, including us the viewers. Normally I HATE misunderstanding as a plot devise because it is often very poorly used. In this case however even though it's no less frustrating, it's very well executed. There's a SENSIBLE reason for the misunderstanding. It is not just a plot devise deliberately used to drag out the drama and torture the viewers. So just for this one scene in Yamato's flat I'm going to rate this episode very high.
The rest of the episode is also quite good. I love that Halu stood up for Aki. I found his actions very justified and appropriate. Now if only he could be just as bold with Aki herself everything would have been perfect.
As much as I want to rant and rail at how they're going on this is real. This is why men and woman misunderstand each other ALL the time. Pride, fear, insecurity, lack of good communication skills. Aki and Halu are like a mirror.
At this point, it could go either way. I don't know if these two will end up together or not. If this was a Hollywood series I probably could have made a pretty safe bet that they would, but with the Asians you can never know for sure. They can be cruel, just like real life.
Pride really is gonna kill these two, I swear to God.
There's a scene in the beginning of this episode that I didn't begin to appreciate until I viewed it for a second time. It revealed A LOT about what kind of people Halu and Aki really are.
For a large chunk of this drama you're fed the allusion that Aki is this sweet, gentle, dutiful, nurturing type of renaissance woman. And she really is all of those things and more so she'll always do the right thing, always do her duty.
Halu and his emotional journey is at centre stage and like him we the audience don't realize just how affected Aki is that someone she loved for a long time abandoned her and didn't even have the courtesy or decency to dump her properly. He just upped left without a word for two years because she's that insignificant to him.
Aki hides her feelings of hurt and abandonment well from everyone: herself, her friends and especially Halu. Aki, like Halu, is very scarred but she's too good at being a woman from the last century -- the dutiful, uncomplaining woman who is the perfect helpmate to her man -- to reveal how she really feels.
So when Halu goes to Yamato's place to get a change of clothes for him and runs into Aki he lies to her about revealing their intimate relationship to her now returned boyfriend. He does this in a roundabout effort to get her to realize ... okay Naksutawa (the boyfriend) knows the truth, he won't want me now that he knows I cheated on him with another man (Halu) so I'm free to go be with Halu.
But what happens? Aki doesn't take the bait. In fact she doesn't EVEN realize that she's been given a bait. Halu is SHOCKED. How can she not see through what I'm saying? Does she really love me? Meanwhile, all Aki sees is a man who's talking about her relationship with him as if he doesn't care ... asking her if she'll be able to patch things up with the boyfriend (Natsutawa) in spite of her indiscretion with him, Halu. WTF??? thinks Aki. Did he -- Halu -- ever really love me? Red flags are popping off like fire works in Aki's brain.
This scene was SOOO brilliantly executed. It reveals perfectly Halu's fear of opening himself completely to Aki and Aki's fear of just being used and discarded like Natsutawa did to her.
She wants so badly to take a chance on Halu, but she can't read him, she can't trust him 100% with her fragile heart. He says he loves her, but his attitude is aloof. He holds her at arm's length and she can't afford to take a chance on a guy who isn't willing to SHOW that he loves her. She's been there, done that and look where it got her. Abandoned, alone and lonely. No, she can't go down that road again even though she suspects that a lot of Halu's behaviour is BS, just posturing. She suspects, but she's not sure and she's too afraid to find out.
Halu on his side is going through the same whirlwind of emotions. Instead of making himself vulnerable and telling her point blank that he loves her and wants nothing more than to be with her he puts up this macho front. He cracks a door open and fully expects her to bust through and come to him, but he's not thinking that Aki too has her own emotional defenses that HE needs to break down.
He's too prideful and scared to bear himself to her. For the sake of self-preservation he wants her to be the first to declare to him that he's her #1 so he can maintain that facade of cool tough-guy, I don't really give a damn about nuttin'... like he's done to all his women prior to Aki. But he's not doing it out of cockiness or spite, but because he's truly scared of getting hurt by Aki just like his mother hurt him. I find it very symbolic that Aki's demureness and overall demeanour bears a striking resemblance to Halu's mother -- the source of all his emotional pain and suffering.
Wow, this is one pretty brilliant piece of writing AND excellent acting on both lead characters' part on top of it because that's how human beings truly are. Sometimes we let pride steer our lives too much. We act for our own intents and purposes without giving much thought to the other person and where they're coming from. Both Aki and Halu are guilty of this. They communicate poorly and neither one of them wants to take the first move in reassuring each other so misunderstandings abound, and they act in ways that frustrate the hell out of everyone around them, including us the viewers. Normally I HATE misunderstanding as a plot devise because it is often very poorly used. In this case however even though it's no less frustrating, it's very well executed. There's a SENSIBLE reason for the misunderstanding. It is not just a plot devise deliberately used to drag out the drama and torture the viewers. So just for this one scene in Yamato's flat I'm going to rate this episode very high.
The rest of the episode is also quite good. I love that Halu stood up for Aki. I found his actions very justified and appropriate. Now if only he could be just as bold with Aki herself everything would have been perfect.
As much as I want to rant and rail at how they're going on this is real. This is why men and woman misunderstand each other ALL the time. Pride, fear, insecurity, lack of good communication skills. Aki and Halu are like a mirror.
At this point, it could go either way. I don't know if these two will end up together or not. If this was a Hollywood series I probably could have made a pretty safe bet that they would, but with the Asians you can never know for sure. They can be cruel, just like real life.
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***Spoilerish***
Disappointed with the ending big time. Whoever is saying this is an open ending didn't watch the show. The guy is a goner. There are too many hints to be in any doubt or to interpret anything 'open' about the ending.
He was shot square in the heart. Ji Sook was decked out in full black paying her last respects to his shrine, speaking to him in the past tense. At his apartment, his spirit appeared to Soo Min before disappearing. The two little kids at the end symbolize Gyung Mi & SH together in death! Nothing about that is open! It's as closed as close can get.
I would have preferred a true open ending to this! I hate these type of endings! 20hrs invested in an amazing character, only for him to get whacked!
Not every gangster gets killed in gangland. SH was too smart to expire like that. He could have outwitted them and lived, just like he's been doing all along. Even if we didn't get a happy ending with him & Soo Min they could have at least spared his life, send him off to Japan or something. My heart is broken.
Disappointed with the ending big time. Whoever is saying this is an open ending didn't watch the show. The guy is a goner. There are too many hints to be in any doubt or to interpret anything 'open' about the ending.
He was shot square in the heart. Ji Sook was decked out in full black paying her last respects to his shrine, speaking to him in the past tense. At his apartment, his spirit appeared to Soo Min before disappearing. The two little kids at the end symbolize Gyung Mi & SH together in death! Nothing about that is open! It's as closed as close can get.
I would have preferred a true open ending to this! I hate these type of endings! 20hrs invested in an amazing character, only for him to get whacked!
Not every gangster gets killed in gangland. SH was too smart to expire like that. He could have outwitted them and lived, just like he's been doing all along. Even if we didn't get a happy ending with him & Soo Min they could have at least spared his life, send him off to Japan or something. My heart is broken.
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... and ruins the love story of our leads. Boy, these kids just can't get a break, can they?
But Naoki had to give her that option to leave, even though she said she wanted to stay with him. If he didn't, he'd have come across pretty selfish and that's not in keeping with his Mr. Nice Guy image, the Naoki we've come to know and love. So, yes, this was heartbreaking to watch -- I had hoped the writers would have come up with something fresher than same old separation cliche -- but at least it made sense why it had to be done.
My hope is that everybody gets what they want and it ends well. Will they give me that? I don't know.
But Naoki had to give her that option to leave, even though she said she wanted to stay with him. If he didn't, he'd have come across pretty selfish and that's not in keeping with his Mr. Nice Guy image, the Naoki we've come to know and love. So, yes, this was heartbreaking to watch -- I had hoped the writers would have come up with something fresher than same old separation cliche -- but at least it made sense why it had to be done.
My hope is that everybody gets what they want and it ends well. Will they give me that? I don't know.
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I wanted to kick Naoki for not going to Riko when she most needed him, but he redeemed himself in the end. He's finally stepped out of his shell. I hope he keeps it up!
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At least in this episode. I'm happy Naoki found out the truth. Now he's gotta make a move with Riko before Coach burns away his chances for good.
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So let me tell you, Coach is like ... smoking HAWT! Me likey. Kinda hate that he's in competition with our lead, though, cause how can I cheer him on then? Would have loved for him to have his own side story so I could swoon over him a bit more. Oh well...
I love all the drama that's brewing between Naoki and his girl. She's not coming across as the most likable person. I actually understand her need to have more excitement in her relationship, but the way she's going about it sucks. How about actually communicating your feelings and in way that shows some thought and respect for the person you claim to love?
At least she's opening a door for Naoki to run straight into Riko's arms! The next episode looks really good. I wasn't planning on marathoning this drama, but it looks like that plan is shot.
I love all the drama that's brewing between Naoki and his girl. She's not coming across as the most likable person. I actually understand her need to have more excitement in her relationship, but the way she's going about it sucks. How about actually communicating your feelings and in way that shows some thought and respect for the person you claim to love?
At least she's opening a door for Naoki to run straight into Riko's arms! The next episode looks really good. I wasn't planning on marathoning this drama, but it looks like that plan is shot.
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Queen In Hyun's Man Episode 11
2 people found this review helpful
So like everyone else I LUUURVED this episode! These two kids have mad chemistry, I love it! I really can't stand Han Dong Min ... he's always showing up at the most inopportune times and ruining everything, grrr! And that last scene in the rented apartment ... O.M.F.G!!! Best scene ever!!!
I CHANGE my mind! The actor who plays Boong Do is NOT ugly. I think the pic of him here on MDL is what led me astray. It's not a good picture of him at all. He's not drop dead gorgeous, no, but he's quite attractive in his own way. I'm loving his height and those pecs ... deadin'!
I CHANGE my mind! The actor who plays Boong Do is NOT ugly. I think the pic of him here on MDL is what led me astray. It's not a good picture of him at all. He's not drop dead gorgeous, no, but he's quite attractive in his own way. I'm loving his height and those pecs ... deadin'!
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Queen In Hyun's Man Episode 1
2 people found this review helpful
The first episode of most dramas rarely pulls me in and this was no different with QIHM. It's not because anything stuck out to me as bad, but because first episodes are always set up episodes that you have endure before the real drama begins. I'm excited to see how this fusion of modern and ancient times unfolds. I didn't like the half-assed fighting scenes in the beginning. I think they could have done a better job with the choreography & show us some real fancy marital arts. I want to keep watching, though, because I anticipate things will get better. Great set up of the main characters. You got a good sense of who they are as people, esp the heroine. I'm not really a fan of the actor who plays the hero (I'm sorry but I find him unattractive), but the heroine seems likable and quirky so I'm curious to see how things go.
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Autumn's Concerto Episode 12
2 people found this review helpful
I love the party scene with the villagers. The scene with Tuo Ye and Xiao Le broke my heart. I wanted to reach in and give Tuo Ye a hug. Even though I want to see Guang Xi and Mu Cheng get back together I really really like this guy and I think he'd make an excellent husband for Mu Cheng & father to Xiao Le!
Speaking of Mu Cheng, she needs to tell Guang Xi the truth! I can't bear to see that child crying after his dad like that and not knowing he's right in front of him. How can she do that to her kid?
I really hope something happens in the next episode.
Speaking of Mu Cheng, she needs to tell Guang Xi the truth! I can't bear to see that child crying after his dad like that and not knowing he's right in front of him. How can she do that to her kid?
I really hope something happens in the next episode.
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Autumn's Concerto Episode 3
2 people found this review helpful
Ep2 like Ep1 didn't get me excited, but Ep3 was quite good. The stakes were upped. For the first time I sat up and really paid attention to what's happening. I'm still not feeling the hero's acting, and his complete about turn from the jerk he was in the last two episodes is unbelievable, but ::shrug:: I'm glad he and the heroine are getting closer. On to Ep4!
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This episode was torture. At the moment Halu and Aki's lives are going in completely different directions. If only they could just find it within themselves to sit down and TALK honestly about how they truly feel. Sigh...
My previous suspicions from EP9 about Aki's internal struggle were confirmed in this episode. She really has no clue as to the depth of Halu's love for her and that ignorance motivates so much of her own unreasonable behaviour it's painful to watch.
Anyway, I liked seeing Yamato & Yuri together. I can only hope somebody gets a happy ending in this drama. Of course, I really want it to be Halu and Aki, but I have this sinking feeling...
My previous suspicions from EP9 about Aki's internal struggle were confirmed in this episode. She really has no clue as to the depth of Halu's love for her and that ignorance motivates so much of her own unreasonable behaviour it's painful to watch.
Anyway, I liked seeing Yamato & Yuri together. I can only hope somebody gets a happy ending in this drama. Of course, I really want it to be Halu and Aki, but I have this sinking feeling...
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SPOILERIFIC ... beware.
You gotta FIGHT for what you want in this life. Nobody understands this better than our hero so why ... WHYYY would he let go so easily?! Why won't he fight for his love? The thing he wants most in his life and he lets pride and most of all FEAR of rejection and abandonment hold him back from getting it.
Aki, as a woman I understand her feelings and that she has her own insecurities. At the same time, I'm a bit confused by her because Halu has already told her he loves her. Why then would she hesitate? I guess after going through what she went through with the ex, what she needs more than anything is ACTION not words. But Halu is too full of pride and fear to really SHOW her that he loves her.
I wish she would have fought too. She knows that outside of hockey Halu is very insecure about his place in the world. With a man so emotionally scarred you're forced to make the first move, but poor thing she's so sweet and unworldly ... truly a woman from the last century ... that she doesn't recognize the telltale signs Halu sends her. They're both waiting on each other to be the first to confess.
The only problem for Aki is that Halu isn't yet emotionally mature enough to give her what she needs, and after being burned so badly by the ex, neither is she. Sigh. They're at an impasse and neither is brave enough to take the first step to see what awaits around the corner.
Frustration abounds people, frustration abounds! My blood pressure has gone up 3 notches since I started watching Asian dramas. I swear. And there's no relief in sight!
You gotta FIGHT for what you want in this life. Nobody understands this better than our hero so why ... WHYYY would he let go so easily?! Why won't he fight for his love? The thing he wants most in his life and he lets pride and most of all FEAR of rejection and abandonment hold him back from getting it.
Aki, as a woman I understand her feelings and that she has her own insecurities. At the same time, I'm a bit confused by her because Halu has already told her he loves her. Why then would she hesitate? I guess after going through what she went through with the ex, what she needs more than anything is ACTION not words. But Halu is too full of pride and fear to really SHOW her that he loves her.
I wish she would have fought too. She knows that outside of hockey Halu is very insecure about his place in the world. With a man so emotionally scarred you're forced to make the first move, but poor thing she's so sweet and unworldly ... truly a woman from the last century ... that she doesn't recognize the telltale signs Halu sends her. They're both waiting on each other to be the first to confess.
The only problem for Aki is that Halu isn't yet emotionally mature enough to give her what she needs, and after being burned so badly by the ex, neither is she. Sigh. They're at an impasse and neither is brave enough to take the first step to see what awaits around the corner.
Frustration abounds people, frustration abounds! My blood pressure has gone up 3 notches since I started watching Asian dramas. I swear. And there's no relief in sight!
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