#Choi Jung-Woo

[passionforfiction]

Call It Love

This is not the typical cross-lovers story. Shim Woo Joo - in her quest to avenge her family from her late father's mistress (and later wife) who took away their home - she meets Han Dong Jin (the woman's son). And in her attempt at revenge, she falls in love.

Even if the story sounds like the typical storyline, the execution is different. Here she has a male-best friend who is just a friend. There is no best friend-in love with her in silence troupe. They are truly best friends and he falls in love with her older sister. It explores what happens when a parent leaves home to be with someone else from different perspectives. Hae Sung (the eldest daughter) is always dating the wrong men but never gives up on being with someone. Yet, when she finds out that the man she is seeing is actually married, she feels horrible about herself because she has sworn never to do that. She knows how painful that is. Woo Joo took on the weight of the house, not going to school and working. She is the strong one, the one who takes charge, the one that suffers in silence while her older sister can play and her younger brother too. She is the one with the consuming anger, the one that knows the face of her father's lover, the one who confronted him and watched him leave with the other woman. And she is the one who seeks revenge when the woman throws them out of their home. Ji Goo was too little when it happened. He only remembers his father as a loving man. He never saw him with another woman, and he lives a pretty much carefree life. Their mother is also an elegant woman, who doesn't lower herself in front of the mistress or her unfaithful husband. I liked that too. I can understand their pain, I could relate to Woo Joo in many ways.

I could also see Dong Jin and how his mother's actions also affected his life. How he carried the shame of her unethical behavior, how he has to deal with the consequences of her actions. These are young people that are living with the hurt and pain, and I liked watching their healing process. I liked how the story unfolded, leaving cliché out of the equation. It felt real and its bittersweetness, mixed with the sweetness of hope, balancing the mood of the story.

I truly loved the story and recommend it.

Poster from iMDb -https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26228312/

[korelist]

DOCTOR STRANGER // KDRAMA DİZİ YORUMU

UYARI : Yazılar genel olarak spoiler içerebilir. İçermeyedebilir.

İmdb puanı: 7,4 Benim puanım: 7

Drama: Doctor Stranger (literal title)

Hangul: 닥터 이방인

Director: Jin Hyeok

Writer: Park Jin-Woo

Date: 2014

Language: Korean

Country: South Korea

Cast: Lee Jong-Suk, Park Hae-Jin, Jin Se-Yun, Kang So-Ra, Jeon Kuk-Hwan, Choi Jung-Woo, Lee Jae-Won, Cheon Ho-Jin

Doctor Stranger, 2014 yapımı tıbbi drama ve romantik gerilim karışımı bir dizi. Kuzey ve Güney Kore arasındaki siyasi gerilimleri tıp dünyasına taşıyan bu hikaye, ana karakter Park Hoon’un (Lee Jong-Suk) hem bir doktor hem de sevdiği kadına ulaşma çabalarını anlatıyor. Park Hoon, Kuzey Kore’de büyümüş bir dahi cerrah olarak karşımıza çıkıyor. Babasıyla birlikte zorla Kuzey Kore’ye götürülen ve burada tıp eğitimi alan Hoon, Güney Kore’ye döndüğünde aşkı Song Jae-Hee’yi (Jin Se-Yun) bulmaya çalışırken kendini bir dizi karmaşık planın ve hastane politikalarının ortasında buluyor.

Dizi, ilk bölümlerinde izleyiciye güçlü bir giriş yaparak dram ve gerilimi hissettirmeyi başarıyor. Ancak ilerleyen bölümlerde hikayenin temposu ve tutarlılığı sorgulanabilir hale geliyor. Özellikle karakterlerin aldığı bazı kararlar ve olay örgüsünün gidişatı, seyirciye “Ne izliyorum ben şuan?” dedirtecek kadar zorlama olduğunu düşündürtüyor. Bununla birlikte, 2014 yapımı olması dolayısıyla o dönemin senaryo yazımındaki eksiklikler, günümüz Kore dizileriyle kıyaslandığında daha belirgin bir şekilde ortaya çıkıyor.

Lee Jong-Suk, Park Hoon karakteriyle bir tık farkını ortaya koyuyor. Dramatik sahnelerdeki performansı, karakterin geçmişte yaşadığı travmayı ve Kuzey Kore’den getirdiği ağır yükü başarıyla yansıtıyor. Ancak senaryonun karakteri bazen aşırı abartılı duygusal tepkilere yönlendirmesi, Jong-Suk’un bu rolü tam anlamıyla parlatmasına engel oluyor. Jin Se-Yun’un Song Jae-Hee performansı ise maalesef daha zayıf kalmış. Jae-Hee’nin hikayede kritik bir yere sahip olmasına rağmen, karakterin yeterince derinlemesine işlenememesi ve oyuncunun duygusal bağ kurmakta zorlanması izleyicide güçlü bir etki yaratamıyor.

Yan karakterler açısından,Oh Soo-Hyun(Kang So-Ra) ve Han Jae-Joon(Park Hae-Jin) karakteri, hikayeye dinamizm katan unsurlar arasında yer alıyor. Özellikle Soo-Hyun’un içsel çatışmaları ve Han Jae-Joon’un karmaşık geçmişi, dizinin ilginç kısımlarından bazılarını oluşturuyor. Ancak, bu karakterlerin bile zaman zaman senaryo tarafından yeterince işlenemediği hissediliyor.

Tıbbi sahneler, o dönemin popüler tıbbi dramalarına uygun olarak oldukça abartılı ve dramatik bir şekilde sunulmuş. Bazı sahnelerde Park Hoon’un cerrahi becerileri mucizevi gibi gösterilse de, gerçekçilikten kopuk olması zaman zaman izleyiciyi hikayeden uzaklaştırabiliyor. Hastanedeki politik entrikalar, Kuzey ve Güney Kore gerilimiyle harmanlanarak hikayeye ekstra bir katman eklemeye çalışsa da, bu katmanın da gereksiz detaylarla dolduğu ve temponun düştüğü hissediliyor.

Dizinin çekim teknikleri ve görsel atmosferi, dönemin teknolojik imkanlarına uygun bir kalite sunuyor. Özellikle Kuzey Kore’de geçen sahnelerde kullanılan soğuk tonlar ve atmosfer, Hoon’un geçmişte yaşadığı zorlukları izleyiciye etkili bir şekilde hissettirebiliyor. Bununla birlikte, aksiyon ve gerilim sahnelerindeki müzik kullanımı, atmosferi güçlendiren unsurlar arasında yer alıyor.

"Doctor Stranger" çıktığı dönemde hem ilgi gören hem de eleştirilen bir yapım oldu. Bazı izleyiciler Lee Jong-Suk’un performansını överken, diğerleri hikayenin mantıksal eksikliklerini eleştirdi. Ancak, dizi o dönemde Kore dramalarının yurt dışındaki popülerliğini artıran yapımlardan biri olarak dikkat çekti.

Sonuç olarak, "Doctor Stranger", 2014’ün tıbbi dramalarından biri olarak değerlendirildiğinde izlenebilir bir yapım sunuyor. Ancak, diziden derin bir hikaye ya da kusursuz bir senaryo beklemek yerine, Lee Jong-Suk’un karizmasını ve birkaç etkileyici sahneyi izlemek için şans vermek daha doğru olur. Eğlenceli bir drama arayanlar için ideal, ancak mantık arayanlar için yorucu olabilir.

OST

Park JungA - Because of you

Doctor Stranger (2014) is a medical drama blended with romantic thriller elements. This story, which transplants the political tensions between North and South Korea into the medical world, follows the journey of its protagonist, Park Hoon (Lee Jong-Suk), as he navigates life both as a doctor and a man desperate to reunite with the woman he loves. Park Hoon is introduced as a genius surgeon who grew up in North Korea. Forced to move there with his father, he receives his medical training in the North before eventually returning to South Korea, where he finds himself entangled in a web of complex schemes and hospital politics while searching for his lost love, Song Jae-Hee (Jin Se-Yeon).

The series makes a strong impression in its early episodes, effectively delivering drama and suspense. However, as the story progresses, its pacing and consistency become questionable. Some character decisions and plot developments feel so forced that they might leave viewers wondering, "What am I even watching right now?" Additionally, when compared to contemporary K-dramas, the script’s shortcomings—understandable given its 2014 release—become more apparent.

Lee Jong-Suk brings a distinct edge to his portrayal of Park Hoon. His performance in dramatic scenes successfully conveys the character's traumatic past and the heavy burden of his North Korean upbringing. However, the script occasionally pushes the character toward exaggerated emotional reactions, preventing Jong-Suk from fully shining in the role. Unfortunately, Jin Se-Yeon’s performance as Song Jae-Hee falls short. Despite Jae-Hee’s pivotal role in the story, the character lacks depth, and the actress struggles to establish a strong emotional connection with the audience.

Among the supporting cast, Oh Soo-Hyun (Kang So-Ra) and Han Jae-Joon (Park Hae-Jin) stand out as dynamic additions to the narrative. Soo-Hyun’s internal conflicts and Han Jae-Joon’s complex backstory create some of the drama’s more intriguing moments. Yet, even these characters sometimes feel underdeveloped due to the script’s inconsistencies.

The medical scenes are presented in an exaggerated, dramatic fashion, typical of popular medical dramas of that era. While Park Hoon’s surgical skills are often portrayed as near-miraculous, the lack of realism can occasionally pull viewers out of the story. The hospital’s political intrigues, intertwined with North-South Korea tensions, attempt to add an extra layer to the plot, but this subplot often feels bogged down by unnecessary details and sluggish pacing.

The series’ cinematography and visual atmosphere align with the technological standards of its time. The cold color palette and moody lighting in the North Korean scenes effectively immerse viewers in the hardships of Hoon’s past. Meanwhile, the use of music in action and suspense sequences enhances the overall atmosphere.

Upon its release, Doctor Stranger garnered both praise and criticism. While some viewers lauded Lee Jong-Suk’s performance, others pointed out the plot’s logical gaps. Still, the drama played a role in boosting the international popularity of K-dramas during that period.

In conclusion, Doctor Stranger remains a watchable entry among 2014’s medical dramas—provided viewers temper their expectations. Rather than anticipating a deeply coherent narrative, it’s better approached as a chance to enjoy Lee Jong-Suk’s charisma and a handful of compelling scenes. It’s an entertaining choice for those seeking light drama, but those prioritizing logic may find it exhausting.

Raven Melus

BAŞKA NELER VAR ?

FOTOĞRAFLAR

[sof1eee]

Squid game twitter memes

[hagarsays]

DAMN!!! Gong Yoo like you trying to kill everyone

[anotterdays]

Friendly Rivalry (2025) 🥺❤️‍🩹

[midnight--sadness]

gihun's harem as "florida man" headlines

sangwoo

junho

jungbae

mr kim

deoksu

the salesman

wooseok

daeho

ali

inho

bonus: gihun

[j4desblurbs]

SQUID GAME RESTAURANT HCS

heyy this is literally a ripoff of @yurozo’s resident evil restaurant au but with squid game instead, hope you enjoy! go check hers out too it’s gold :)

this has got like…..every character i had even a semblance of a headcanon for LMAO (i’m sorry young mi and ji yeong fans 💔)

i am also sorry if this is inaccurate to actual restaurant roles and stuff, this is all for shits and gigs 🫶

ali abdul (player 199)

ali is a cook. he’s genuinely happy to be there all the time and never messes up a dish. everyone feels good about their days at work when ali is there because he sort of acts as everyone’s rock. he also has a stash of snacks for employees on their breaks, and remembers everyone’s birthday and gives them gifts.

cho hyun-ju (player 120)

hyun-ju is a hostess. a bit quiet but very sweet and people often leave great reviews because of her. she tends to be a little blunt when telling people about their wait times but no one’s ever complained about it.

cho sang-woo (player 218)

sang-woo is a manager. he mostly takes care of budgeting and handling vendors. rarely is seen anywhere but his office and by the back wall of the building when he’s taking his smoke breaks. he once caught su-bong with his vape back there but didn’t say anything to anyone because he was too damn tired.

choi su-bong (thanos, player 230)

su-bong is a cook. he tried to bring his vape in once and nearly got beat up by jung-bae. also tried to seize control of the speaker to play his own music and nearly got beat up by woo-seok. su-bong is surprisingly a decent cook. gi-hun definitely had his doubts about hiring him due to past…incidents, but his cooking makes up for it. he’s the best at dessert!

choi woo-seok (found the salesman in s2)

woo-seok has control of the speaker in the kitchen. he insists he can’t cook without a good track. at first he was very intense about his music, but eventually relented and let everyone but su-bong add a few songs to his playlist.

han se-mi (player 380)

se-mi is a waitress. she doesn’t make very much small talk and rarely if ever looks happy to be there but for some reason old people love her, so whoever happens to be the host on her shifts puts old people in her section. she pretends to be exasperated with this when talking to fellow employees but secretly doesn’t mind it.

hwang in-ho (frontman, player 001 s2)

in-ho owns the restaurant. he rarely comes in but when he does it's all hands on deck and everyone better be in line. even su-bong tends to shape up when in-ho's around. he's just got that kind of vibe.

hwang jun-ho (policeman)

jun-ho is the head waiter. people tend to think in-ho gave him the job just because he’s his little brother but jun-ho is genuinely good at this thing. takes no shit and will pull aside waiters who make mistakes to help/lecture them.

jang geum-ja (player 149)

geum-ja comes in every week when yong-sik is working so he can cook for her, since it’s almost always been the other way around. everyone looks forward to when she comes by because she’s basically everyone’s mom. brings everyone gifts around holidays and birthdays!

kang dae-ho (player 388)

dae-ho is the bartender. he is friendly and sweet and makes seriously good drinks. he frequently gets peoples’ numbers slipped to him on cocktail napkins because LOOK AT THE GUY. he also will make sure his marine tattoo is showing if creeps are bothering folks and will intervene if situations escalate. sometimes su-bong gets up to the bar and tries to sneak a few shots but dae-ho always turns him away. he’s serious about his job like that.

kang no-eul (guard 011)

no-eul mainly does scheduling and handles bigger parties/events at the restaurant. learned her lesson real fast after accidentally putting su-bong and nam-gyu on a shift together. almost never takes requests from employees to be scheduled with another employee because she knows that work will pile up if that happens. she hangs out with hyun-ju and gyeong-seok after work and will look after nayeon if gyeong-seok is working when she isn’t.

kang sae-byeok (player 067)

sae-byeok is a delivery driver. since she doesn’t really play well with customer service, gi-hun decides to start delivering. sae-byeok is real good at her job. she’s never been late to a drop off location; will stare at cooks who move too slow (su-bong.) until they start hauling ass and making an effort to finish cooking. often has her little brother in the backseat of the car. he’s on youtube shorts a lot.

kim jun-hee (player 222)

jun-hee is a hostess. she's one of the more quiet ones but is very particular about her job. takes into consideration every waiter's strengths + weaknesses and seats people accordingly. (except for myung-gi; i like to think she’d enjoy fucking with him). a bit more apologetic than other hosts, will seem genuinely upset if someone's got a long time to kill before they get a table.

lee myung-gi (player 333)

myung-gi is a waiter. jun-hee seats all the teenagers having nights out in his section because she thinks it’s funny. myung-gi does not think it’s funny. he thinks they’re too loud and too much and does his job as fast as he can while remaining polite to get away from them. has been reprimanded by jun-ho for checking crypto on his phone while on the job. he tries to take his breaks with jun-hee but she prefers taking them alone, much to his dismay.

nam-gyu (player 124)

nam-gyu is a dishwasher. once he and su-bong were scheduled to work the same shift and the ensuing chaos was so bad that they were never allowed to work on the same shifts ever again. since then nam-gyu is pretty quiet while working and usually has his headphones in.

park gyeong-seok (player 246)

gyeong-seok is a host. he also rakes in a ton of great reviews because he’s handsome and approachable. sometimes has nayeon with him and people loveee her. he never goes on breaks without hyun-ju or no-eul. is very meticulous with his work, never seats anyone with a waiter who wouldn’t be the best to serve them. #everyonelovesgyeongseok

park jung-bae (player 390)

jung-bae is the head chef. he runs a tight ship so orders are almost always perfect. once he had a chef under him that was so bad at his job (gyeong-su.) that he complained and complained to gi-hun until he got fed up and fired the poor guy.

(bonus: su-bong was not very happy with this and didn’t come into work for a couple days to “support his boy gyeong-su”).

park min-su (player 125)

min-su is a waiter and the newest staff member. despite being new he almost never messes up because he took training under jun-ho very seriously. he takes his breaks with se-mi and they run errands for each other/cover each other’s shifts. although he covers more for se-mi than she does for him; he rarely ever misses work.

park yong-sik (player 007)

yong-sik is a cook but sometimes does delivery driving too when sae-byeok can’t. really locks in when his mom is coming into the restaurant although he does his job well every other day of the week. as a delivery driver, he is definitely more approachable and chatty compared to sae-byeok, but he doesn’t love delivery driving because he prefers to be in the kitchen where he doesn’t have to interact with as many people.

salesman (ddjaki man, gong yoo)

the salesman always comes in at the same time, same day without fail. he orders one thing and one thing only and it’s usually black coffee or alcohol. never gets actual food. none of the waitstaff likes to deal with him because he’s almost too quiet. it’s unsettling.

seong gi-hun (player 456)

gi-hun is a manager. he’s mostly in charge of hiring, firing and dealing with customer complaints. he’s kind but gets exasperated pretty quick although he tries his best to hide it. out of the two managers he’s seen around more than sang-woo. never misses work but is interestingly not seen as much when in-ho swings by.

[burningembers91]

Fic Schedule: 22nd February - 28th February

Just want to preface this by saying I am SO EXCITED for next weeks fics. I'm really proud of them and I hope you guys love them :)

Saturday 22nd February

Hallasan - Kim Do-Hyun takes you on your first adventure, and has serious thoughts about his future as a mercenary.

Sunday 23rd February

Inside the Mind of a Killer - Resigned to a life behind bars for avenging his daughter's murder, Kwon Seok-Joo reigns supreme among his fellow inmates. When a beautiful new psychologist arrives, offering talking therapies to prisoners, Seok-Joo can't resist toying with you. Who will come out on top in a battle of wits? And could his little game turn into something more?

Monday 24th February

Opposites Attract - You like to play by the rules. Kim Mu-Chan likes to make his own. When you're paired together in Major Crimes it's a recipe for disaster. Or, will sparks fly?

Tuesday 25th February

Puppy Love - In a bid to help Choi Su-Bong move on from the heartache caused by his father, you surprise him with a new four-legged friend.

Wednesday 26th February

Crawl to Me (NSFW) - You can tell the Salesman is hiding something from you, and you know just how to make him spill his secrets. When he finally tells you what's on his mind, it changes the course of your relationship.

Thursday 27th February

Whiskey and Lace (NSFW) - As your love for Andrei grows, so does his concern for you. Your job is increasingly putting you at risk, and he couldn't stand to lose the woman he loves more than anything in the world.

Friday 28th February

Downward Dog - When Hong Woo-Jin makes the mistake of telling you your Pilates classes are too easy, you put him through his paces. But under the innocent teasing, feelings are beginning to emerge.

Cut From the Same Cloth - When trying to break up a fight, Hwang Yang-Jung comes to your aid. As the two of get to know each other, you realise you're more alike than you think.

[junkobato]

Upcoming Kdrama February 2025 💝

6/2: The Scandal of Chunhwa with Go A Ra, Chang Ryul, Son Woo Hyun. 10 episodes; historical, romance. Trailer

7/2: Newtopia with Park Jeong Min, Jisoo. 8 episodes; fantasy, thriller, romance. Trailer

10/2: Friendly Rivalry with Hyeri, Jung Soo Bin. 16 episodes; thriller, mystery, psychological. Trailer

14/2: Buried Hearts with Park Hyung Shik, Hong Hwa Yeon. 16 episodes; thriller, mystery, political. Trailer

14/2: Melo Movie with Park Bo Young, Choi Woo Shik, Lee Jun Young. 10 episodes; romance, melodrama. Trailer

15/2: The Witch with Roh Jung Eui, Park Jin Young. 10 episodes; mystery, romance. Trailer

17/2: My Dearest Nemesis with Moon Ga Young, Choi Hyun Wook, Kwak Si Yang. 12 episodes; rom-com. Trailer

21/2: Undercover High School with Seo Kang Joon, Jin Ki Joo. 12 episodes; action, thriller, rom-com. Trailer

More interesting shows are coming!! And finally my dear Seo Kang Joon is coming back... I missed him🧡

[arachnion]

Watching Squid Game 2 and wishing it was Sang Woo I was seeing instead of GiHun (who is a drunk irl and a woman beater who never experienced justice for his crimes but went on to win some international awards)? It makes me sick.

Like.... We really got rid of this character who was more complex, a better actor, more intelligent and cunning...

And kept this?? This guy who is a gross abuser of women and homophobic?

Make it make sense. I'm only watching this for Choi Seunghyun and when he dies, I'm out.

[sof1eee]

Squid game memes (again)

[sunset-sprinkles]

The theme of dual perspectives in modern k-dramas :

The idea of presenting stories from the point of views of both the male and the female protagonist sounds refreshing it also adds a layer of depth to understanding the dynamics of their relationships.

"Memories are unstable because some memories are only remembered by one person" - Serendipity's Embrace (2024)

This means that hidden feelings always make way for difference in povs. One might assume what the other feels , but in reality the povs always add a flavour to it. It brilliantly highlights the fact that one situation cannot be judged from the third person's perspective unless we hear both the sides of the same story.

The famous episode 2 of Lovely runner that presents with the pov of Sun-jae that he had always and always been in love with Sol just changes the way we see their love story. And the fact that writers have been continuously coming up with this theme screams that it's indeed the best when it comes to creating a tapestry of emotions and memories.

"Memories don't disappear, they're all smeared into one's soul" - Lovely Runner (2024)

The fact that all these four dramas have been not just plainly romcoms but also presents a source of "interest" in the characters who have known each other for a long time. Cause true feelings just grow and don't dissapear after some moments of staying away from each other.

“Everyone has unforgettable memories from a certain year of their life. They cherish those memories so much that it lasts a lifetime.” - Our Beloved Summer (2022)

All these stories have used "memory" as a tool for story telling. The use of memory as a narrative tool emphasizes the impact of time on relationships. The past isn’t just something that happened; it’s something that continues to live within the characters, influencing their decisions and emotions in the present.

The episode 4 ending of Love next door (2024) symbolizes this same idea when they show the transition from "past perfect -> present perfect continuous"

"Your memories don't mean anything. They are all in the past" - Love Next Door (2024)

By intertwining their perspectives with memories, the writer crafts a narrative that resonates with viewers on a personal level, reminding us of our own cherished or even painful memories and how they’ve shaped our lives. It’s a testament to the idea that we are all, in some way, a product of our past, and that understanding another person often means understanding their history as well.

Here , "First love" also eventually becomes a plot device for exploration. It becomes not just a memory but a recurring theme that influences the characters' actions and decisions. The beauty of exploring first love through two different perspectives is that it allows the audience to see how the same moments can be cherished, misinterpreted, or even forgotten by the two individuals involved. What might have been a fleeting moment for one character could be a defining memory for the other.

"I know all of seunghyo’s firsts: the first day he drank banana milk, the first day he started swimming, the first day he surpassed my height. the only thing I didn’t know was his first love” - Seukryu in Love next door (2024)

[We all know who his first love is though haha]

Therefore,first love, in these dramas, often serves as a touchstone for the characters' development. It’s something they return to, either consciously or subconsciously, as they navigate their current relationships.

[conscbgb]

They almost interacted a while ago when Woo Dohwan and Lee Sang-yi announced Ateez for an Award

[midnight--sadness]

i'm gonna ask something disgustingly horny so prepare yourselves 😤

[kdram-chjh]

Kmovie: Train to Busan (2016) | dir. by Yeon Sang Ho

Gong Yoo having fun filming ‘Train to Busan’

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bTCSEy68IOs