Lovepark

Welcome to the second Lovepark End of the Year Award: where the awards don't matter, and nobody cares! Judges: Me (as always) NOTE: There are a couple of dramas that I've watched that weren't included, and there are a couple of dramas included that I haven't finished. Thus, while not everything is included, I did try to mention most of the dramas I enjoyed this year.

It pains me that I'm four weeks behind recapping this drama because with all its flaws and predictability, I'm enjoying all the quirky antics and adorable faces of the cast. I'll try to do a roundup recap this coming week, but I couldn't bypass this chance to squee over this episode. I'll do a more formal recap a bit later, but for now, time to gush!

After quite a busy streak with three films released this year alone, there hasn't been too much news about Jung Jae-young's new project (though I'm pretty sure he's either picking or negotiating since who wouldn't want to have Jung star in their film). Anyways, pic spam following the jump like always.

Tae-joo is making great strides, and his earnest, quiet confession to Kang-shim was awesome. Also, his relationship with Eun-ho is going strong. Thus, lots of good expressions by Tae-joo this episode! It looks like Baek's plans to interfere are being thwarted, but hopefully, the Chairman soon gets aboard the Kang-shim & Tae-joo ship.

Daddy Cha starts acting, and his children are finally reacting to him. It was nice to see the tense moments balanced with the humorous ones. Tae-joo brings on the funny, and Kang-shim maintains the heavy tone although she had some nice moments herself. I love the continued relationship between Tae-joo and Eun-ho and was sad to see that there was only one scene with them. I also want to see more of the Moon family (minus Baek, really), but this is about the Cha family, so I won't complain too much. I guess I should be thankful for even getting one scene. At least I adore Daddy Cha, so it's always good to see him on screen.

There were barely any scenes of Kang-shim and Tae-joo together this episode which is disappointing since they have to take a backseat for Daddy Cha's legal case. In the Cha household, I only really have deep sympathies for Daddy Cha, and it was heartbreaking to see him so depressed. However, if the Cha house was sad this episode, the Moon house was a bundle of giggles and fun! Tae-joo's slowly budding relationship with his family is heartwarming, and I am loving his relationship with Eun-ho so far. Hopefully, we get to see more of them in the future!

Another wonderful episode. Tae-joo grows momentously, and I really look forward to his character. Kang-shim isn't making much progress yet, but hopefully the turn of events this episode will facilitate her growth. However, the true star of this episode was Daddy Cha. He was sweet, lovable, and heartbreaking.

The funny is back with our couple! Tae-joo continues to be adorable, Byun is a jerk, and Kang-shim is not a very good daughter this episode. Fortunately, looks like a new bromance is brewing in the horizon which I'm looking forward to. Note: No Kang-shim picture up top because she was mean to Daddy Cha. I'm petty, too.

Quite a melancholic and contemplative episode for our couple. Though there are still some laughs, the overall tone is quieted, and the obvious decrease of exaggerated expressions and quirky sound effects hammer the point that the problems our couple is facing are serious. Kang-shim continues to struggle with her emotions which are complicated by Tae-joo's advances and Byun's sudden appearance, and Tae-joo finally gets a dose of reality which will hopefully spur him to reflect upon his intentions and actions. Side note: Apologies for the delay on episode 21. I haven't dropped these mini recaps (yet) and am working on episode 22 right now. More importantly, there's only a few gifs this time because the scenes seemed more appropriate as pictures than gifs. Anyways, onward!

This episode is cute but cringe-worthy. Tae-joo's now completely forthright with his feelings and actively sends signals to Kang-shim. While he might be quite doting and attentive, he still doesn't know how to read and understand Kang-shim's emotions. As a result, she keeps pushing him farther the more he advances. There's good progression this episode, and I'm glad the show is addressing some of the issues of their relationship before things start moving in earnest.

This was a more mellow episode for our couple since the focus was on the other two relationships who have more conflict at the moment. While Tae-joo is making leaps in the relationship, Kang-shim is backpedaling. Overall, not a super exciting episode for our couple, but there are interesting developments that suggest more fun and trouble in the near future.

This episode Tae-joo really shines. He acts selflessly and puts Kang-shim's interests before his. One of the many positive things about the leads not knowing their feelings is that their actions are done semi-unconsciously. Tae-joo helps Kang-shim not because he wants to woo her but because his heart compels him to contrary to what he thinks. We see a more vulnerable Kang-shim this episode, but in terms of their relationship, she hasn't been given much growth yet in comparison. Hopefully, we'll see more of Kang-shim's growth in future episodes, but luckily this episode served a healthy does of awesome and feisty Kang-shim.

I don't know how long it'll last, but I've decided to do recaps of/comments on Kang-shim & Tae-joo! They are adorable and quite dumb.

In the lonely corner collecting dust was my " Character Spotlight " (an attempt to highlight memorable side characters). Thus, this post is really just random, but the tag only had one entry so why not... Anyways, the beginning of episode 14 was EPIC. I couldn't stop myself from posting about it. Moon Tae-joo settles into his apartment, and hilarity ensues. (More awesome Kim Sang-kyung after the jump!)

The Korean drama landscape holds to a couple of steadfast practices and norms. One of them is the weekend family drama. There always seems to be at least one generational family drama playing on the weekends usually slated for 50 episodes (plus or minus a few episodes depending on ratings). They hold to the same conventions and can be seen as repackages of the same stories, characters, and settings with slightly different wrapping paper; but don't worry, the present is the same pair of socks you received last time. Yet, I don't hold it against this genre. Depending on how much angst or whimsy the production team wants to portray, tones sometimes drastically differ and the emotional resonance of one portrayal versus another leaves audiences cheering or reeling. Part of the charm of the generational family dramas is that despite the possible objective analysis of quality, there is a lot of room for subjective enjoyment that can attract various people. As a result, though I m...

The Divine Move is about professional baduk player Tae-suk (Jung Woo-sung) whose brother dies in a conspiracy in gambling baduk by Sal-soo (Lee Bum-soo) and his team. Tae-suk is then framed for murder and spends time in prison. After his release, he gathers professional baduk players from around the nation to face-off with Sal-soo. The trailers and stills have a comic book flavor which I like. It definitely looks like a summer action flick that's purely entertainment which is why I'm excited. It looks fast and fun with caricature characters. I haven't seen any of director Jo Bum-goo's movies so I don't know if it'll deliver, but the cast alone is a huge draw. Jung Woo-sung is gorgeous and seems to really throw himself into the action scenes. There's also Ahn Sung-ki who is simply amazing and charismatic, along with Ahn Gil-kang who consistently delivers. Kim In-kwon is mesmerizing on screen, and I'm looking forward to his character. However, I...

I know I'm bad about remembering birthdays but this is just ridiculous! I cannot believe I completely forgot to have a birthday post dedicated to Park Yong-woo. It's almost been two whole months since his birthday (March 16), but better late than never. Happy Birthday Park Yong-woo He finished the drama My Love, Madame Butterfly  last year spring. Later, he came on SNL Korea where he said he was going on a trip to rejuvenate. Also, he filmed a movie, Late Spring , which won the Best Foreign Feature at the 2014 Arizona International Film Festival. Hopefully, Park Yong-woo has more future projects in mind because he's an amazing actor, and I love watching him. There hasn't really been much news or casting about Park Yong-woo this year or last which is sad to hear as a fan, but I hope he's taking a good, long rest. Still from Late Spring Unfortunately, that's it for the pic spam because I don't have a lot of new pictures. Enjoy some SNL thi...

It was teased that Park Sung-woong might take a role in a movie with Kim Sung-kyun, but since casting rumors die as quickly as they spring up, I quelled my excitement. Well, no need for that now because it's been recently confirmed that both actors have agreed to do the movie. *throws confetti* Kim Sung-kyun's confirmation was announced first along with Kim Sang-kyung (yeah!) and Yoon Seung-ah (pass). The movie is called 살인의뢰 which on Dramabeans named it Murder for Hire , but I'm going to call it Request for Murder  until an official English title is released or an unofficial English title is agreed upon. Anyways, the movie is about a police officer and an average man who seek revenge on a serial killer. Kim Sang-kyung will play a police officer Tae-soo who loses his younger sister to the serial killer. His role sounds similar to his previous characters, but he's a solid actor I adore so I know I'll enjoy him. Kim Sung-kyun who's basking in stardom from...

Another bittersweet episode as we see dad deal with the news of his illness and get a better glimpse of his happy family. Dad's love for his wife and daughter are so apparent and that's what makes it so tragic. He doesn't have the heart to share the devastating news and chooses, instead, to hold onto the happy moments in his life. He is in denial of reality and wishes to let the warmth of the past remain intact. I can only watch as dad burdens his death by himself and can only weep alongside him for the cruelty of the world and the impending shattering of their family's quaint happiness.

The second season of the "SNS drama" Love in Memory aired last week. True to the Korean format, this season has nothing to do with the previous one. Love in Memory 2- Father's Note  stars Jung Woong-in, Yoon Joo-hee, Yoon So-hee, and Kim Hyung-Bum and is about a father's parting message to his wife and daughter. Ranging around fifteen minutes in length, the episodes are really vignettes that capture the final moments of one man's life and one daughter's discovery. The show is simple in plot and delivery but that simply emphasizes the poignancy of the scenes. Rather than watching a drama play in front of your eyes, you feel you've entered a moment of intimate privacy of heartache and acceptance.

Wow, it's already February and Valentine's day is upon us. More importantly, happy birthday wishes to my favorite actor, Park Hee-soon. He's turning 44 this year (45 in Korea) and still looking stunning. As always, pic spam following the jump. Enjoy!

For some reason, I always forget Park Sung-woong's birthday, so here is a belated post (again). Last year was a pretty good year for Park with a solid performance in New World  that gained him a lot of recognition. He has quite a few movies for 2014, and I'm looking forward to them especially The King's Wrath . Movie poster and stills of the above mentioned New World Here's pictures from the set of For the Emperor also starring Lee Min-ki. They surprised Park for his birthday.