#choi jung won

[dangermousie]

Let's meet my favorite kdrama cursed prince - Muhyul as portrayed by Song Il Gook in The Kingdom of the Winds

Or more specifically, this very long-ass post is my attempt to convince people to watch this ridiculously underrated 2008 sageuk.

Why? Is it politics? Complicated families, cursed destinies, battles, or more hurt/comfort than you can want? Nope, none of these. I have my priorities straight and it's official. Muhyul/Yeon is one of my favorite period OTPs.

Take one Cursed Prince (who does not know he is one, and is brought up as a slave), add in one capable Enemy Princess who saves his life, add in ninjas (yes I know ninjas are Japanese but I have no idea what the Korean equivalent term is and I am too lazy to type in secret assassins every time), poisonings, intrigues, and a lot of hurt/comfort and we are set!

Once upon a time, there lived a man named Muhyul. He was only a slave but what he did not know was that he was actually a Prince who was given away by his family at birth because he was cursed to kill his whole family, people he loved, and to top it off, to destroy his country. Despite it all, he was still super-hot.

In the enemy nation of Buyeo, there lived a Princess named Yeon, who was ladylike, kind, a skilled healer....also a deadly ninja.

Point 1: Heal captured slaves from torture. One day they might be the Crown Prince.

Muhyul first sees Yeon after he has been horrendously tortured by Buyeo troops. He opens his eyes to see a heavenly vision quite competently stitching him up, so to speak. It is love at first sight for Muhyul. And who could blame him. He knows that with the director's troubling penchant for h/c, he will need a hottie healer around.

Point 2: "Heal a hottie and he is yours for life"

Muhyul spends some free time drawing her portrait. Without knowing who she is or if he will see her again. If the whole slave/assassin/king thing doesn't work out, he can always make money as an artist.

Point 3: "It's not stalking when he's hot!"

Muhyul is on an undercover mission in the enemy country but he forgets everything when he sees Yeon walking by (btw, he assumes she is just a commoner doctor). I love how he sort of stops thinking of anything else at all.

And then he thinks of her at night...

And lo and behond, their paths cross again when she heals a slave in the house he is staying in.

And he introduces himself to her and she is totally mesmerized. Who can blame her, it's freaking Song Il Gook!

And "rescues" her from evil Byueo soldiers. Only, oooops, they were sent by her family as escort and she is piiiiiiiiissed!

"Why did she slap me, whyyyyyy?"

Still, be happy, boy! Despite it all, she bailed you out of jail for assaulting the Royal Guards :)

Awwww, Muhyul doesn't want to leave...

Point 4: You know what makes anything better? Torture and homicidal angst

Did I mention the part where Yeon's Dad runs an Evil Assassin camp where they experiment on slaves with poisons and torture them? You see where this is going? If you do, then you have the mindset of both the writer of this drama and myself.

Muhyul gets captured by them (after losing the only person he ever regarded as family, but that would drag us into plot and this post is about the shippy):

And tortured for a solid year. If he ever marries Yeon, that might make for an awkward family Thanksgiving. "So, how are you, son?" "Well, I almost regained the use of my arms!"

Anyway, Yeon is visiting Daddy and sees some slave being taken out, after they have tried poisons on him. It's Muhyul, so it's Yeon to the rescue! Man, no wonder he loves her - it's self-preservation on his part!

(this shot here is for troubling reasons)

And then Muhyul is drafted by evil assassins (long plotty reason) with the only alternative more torture. The training is psychotic and gets Muhyul near-broken utterly but as a side benefit, makes him even more hot. If now mildly psychotic. As you can probably figure out by the end of the drama he's so hot he's a supernova

Also, as I posted earlier, gorgeous armored men on their knees looking up at their OTP who is teaching them foreign language (because Yeon is an Evil Assassin trainer for daddy) and thinking of the fact that they are a slave and she is a Princess (which is something he found out only in the ninja camp) is pretty high on the list of my favorite things.

Plus, Yeon takes him out for fresh air and exercise that doesn't involve being hung upside down and being ordered to off oneself. Score! She even makes him smile.

This is hitting the cap limit for continuing in part 2 shortly...

ETA: part 2 here:

(99+) Musings of the Obsessive Kind on Tumblr

And part 3:

(99+) Musings of the Obsessive Kind on Tumblr

[teashh]

I am so glad the new kdramas are bringing back the specific brand of loser men. You know which brand I'm talking about. The Ahn "min min" Minhyuk brand of loser men and I'm loving it. The "I worship this goddess and I'm so in love with her and I can't believe I get to love her. Oh my gods I love her so much" brand of loser men. And we're being fed so well with lovely runner, love next door, no gain no love, my demon, Cinderella at 2am, Hierarchy, Midnight Romance in Hagwon, doctor slump, Queen of tears, welcome to samdal-ri and even good partner (yes it's one sided but the dedication and yuri's couple too).

We need more fictional loser men who worship women to satiate our eldest independent daughter desires.

[anotherfanaccount]

Now are you really fated if you didn't pass your soulmate in passing as a child???

Also of course the sudden kiss and statue.

I really love it when the makers use these well. Like it doesn't seem clichéd even if it is for kdramas now. A lot of it is due to the chemistry I feel. They really are so cute together. And they're so good for each other.

Please please let Ji Woong know about her secret next week. We're already halfway. There needs to be at least 2 episodes of them being cute and dating before all hell breaks loose.

[iubar12]

Are the writers going to do us like that??

Jin I Soo and Lee Ganghyun go from bickering like kids to comforting each other at their lowest. Ganghyun goes from telling him to go home to texting him to come to the station because they got a new case. Ganghyun takes Jin I Soo to her comfort place so that he can clear his mind after learning the truth about his mother's death. I Soo saying "You trust your father, and I trust you" to Lee Ganghyun when she was on probation and desperately wanted to prove that her father was innocent and that he was framed. Ganghyun scolding him because he put himself in danger and I soo trying not to repeat that. And most importantly what about the fact when they almost drowned together while trying to arrest Bori?? What are you gon say about Jin I soo cupping her face and telling her to believe in herself when she told him that she couldn't swim ??? Carrying her over the water the entire time she was unconscious while he was struggling to breathe and stay over the water himself. Are the writers really going to do us like that?? T_T

"LEE GANGHYUN WAKE UP"

P.S : Jin I Soo being jealous over Park Junyoung and Lee Ganghyun and then asking Junyoung if they shared any feelings or ever dated and then getting flustered on being asked if he liked Ganghyun was the cutest thing everrr.

[kdram-chjh]

Kdrama: Miss Night and Day (2024)

This images shared on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist_eunji/

[dreamsandstars24]

nIGHT HAS COME-EPISODE 7,8,9,10 AND 11 (PART 1)

EPISODE 7 (Up there)

EPISODE 8 UP THRERE - I promise this is not a BL.

[stuff-diary]

Hierarchy

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Hierarchy (2024, South Korea)

Director: Bae Hyeon Jin

Writer: Chu Hye Mi

Mini-review:

Oof, what a disappointment. I feel like this wanted to be one of those transgressive teen shows we get in the West, but then it didn't have the guts to go all the way and ended up being like any other kdrama about the rich and the poor. And even then, it's just not good at that either. The writing leaves a lot to be desired, and it gets more boring with every episode. The acting is also all over the place; some of the actors do a solid job, but most of them are mediocre or downright terrible. Tbh, there are two things that save this drama from disaster: firstly, the director adds a lot of style and flair to the proceedings; secondly, sometimes it's fun to see a bunch of super pretty people all together in one place. But still, there are a lot of shows where you can find those things with much better quality. I wouldn't recommend Hierarchy, unless you really love someone in the cast...

[somanykdramas]

HIERARCHY

GENRES: Drama

SUMMARY: A bunch of rich kids go to school, bully the non-rich kids until one of them dies, and then kinda get away with it even after justice is served?

THIS SHOW HAS EVERYTHING: Fancy cars, classrooms that look like brutalist Hogwarts, ice cream, vacation homes, illegal recordings, cell phone charms, drugs, murder, art studios, absentee parents, hunting, emotional survival, and locker room pecs.

HOT TAKE: But really really, what was the point of this show other than to flaunt nearly a thousand brand names over seven episodes?

We start off with a murder mystery of an innocent student, get caught up in the class wars of a rich prep school and are forced to endure mediocre relationships, love triangles, and rivalries. We kinda get justice for the murder, but in the mean time are forced to choose which rich bully we hate the least which is a game with literally no winners.

I am justifiably annoyed that there is a post-credit sequence at the end of this series teasing yet another mystery I don't care to solve. Please, Netflix, leave this drama where it is. We don't need more.

Also, Kim Jae Won, YOU NEED TO BLINK. I can kinda look past the fact that you only have one expression for every emotion, but at least blink so we know you're human.

[dangermousie]

The Kingdom of the Winds OTP post - part 2

Continued from here:

(99+) Musings of the Obsessive Kind on Tumblr

Point 5: The family that ninjaes together, stays together

And then they are sent on a mission and she volunteers. Nothing like mixing a bit of deadly poison and being protected by your hottie forbidden OTP.

There is also this:

And then she bandages up his arm completely ignoring her own wound. Awwww.

Especially when he is reminded by everyone all the time that he is a slave and she is a Princess so he better give up. So he just stares angstily at her with the other hot and messed-up assassin instead:

(Clearly assassin org only hires hot men. As they should.)

Because seriously, how could you not love Yeon? She's literally the pink light of his tortured existence.

Point 6: If your father is executed for treason, your life will suck. But you'll get a hot guy out of it.

Yeon's ninja daddy is framed and ordered killed with his whole family - by Muhyul's elite ninja squad. But Muhyul rescies Yeon regardless in a spectacularly awesome fashion. Significantly, he does not rescue the Daddy and something tells me he doesn't feel too bad about his demise.

"Wherever you are, I will find you." Someone is channeling the Last of the Mohicans.

This does not make Muhyul's issues any better however. On the plus side, the more messed-up he is, the hotter he looks. As I said, with the amount of whump, h/c and general angst, by the end he's so hot he's a bio hazard.

Point 7: The pretty girl? Is made of grit. And the pretty boy? Is made of angst.

Yeon has nothing now: no royal status, no family, no money, and she is hunted. However, she is determined. And bookish. I love that she is on foot in enemy country, by herself, still with a book!

She gets caught and sold into slavery. But luckily the buyer recognizes her doctor skills so she becomes a money-earning venture for him and not a bedmate.

Just as well, because do you really want to mess with this guy?

In the middle of his spectacular break-down and kidnapping/regicide plots (because believe or not, this drama actually has a long and complicated plot), he takes time out to carve the figure of Yeon. Once again, a killer artist in more than one sense.

Here he is, finding out everything he dedicated himself to in the last few years has been a lie. This is not strictly ship related but it's hot so here you go.

Point 8: Hurt/comfort is still better than anything

Theis speaks for themselves:

And when he is better, she comforts him:

Point 9: But cuteness personified is even better!

Point 10: And so are hugs!

Point 11: Even plot helps the shippy!

He finds out he is a cursed cursed prince and...of course...seeks Yeon.

And she worries about his bloody hands.

And he asks her to go away with him and she says yes!

Point 12: Rescuing a woman from death is like foreplay

Case in point:

To be continued in part 3:

(99+) Musings of the Obsessive Kind on Tumblr

[asyasahinoglu]

241127 Behind the scenes of Family By Choice last episode. Final Shot and Closing Thoughts. 💙💖

I can’t believe it’s over. I’m gonna miss them so much. 🥹🥰

Cutest trio , they’re cried so much. 🥹😍

[sqjxnnie]

night has come icons

✰ please, like if you save

[anotherfanaccount]

Reflection of you is fascinating in a melancholic way. None of the characters are likeable but everyone's mysterious. And the vibe is gloomy but interesting. Even the kids have personality here. Pretty solid writing as of yet.

Let's see how I like it till the end.

[kdram-chjh]

Kdrama: Miss Night and Day (2024)

Getting caught flirting with a K-pop idol at the office #MissNightAndDay #Netflix

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gN6hBSw2Xf8

[iris-sistibly]

Throughout the years, King Cheoljong and Queen Cheorin ruled Joseon together. Peace reigned for many years, the country prospered, their people were happy, and so were the royal couple. The heavens blessed them with five healthy and handsome princes, and they have been happier than ever.

However, a couple of months before their 10th year of marriage, they found out that the queen has conceived once more, and on that very same day when her mother and father got married, the princess came into the world.

Of course, the kingdom rejoiced...

Lady Choi however, had mixed emotions, she dreaded the day that a tiny Kim So-yong would come into this world. The queen was already a handful, then the crown prince came. After that, a series of pregnancies and childbirths which brought the second, third, fourth and fifth princes, all born within the decade.

The queen didn't really expect to fall pregnant again, but Lady Choi did, especially when her majesty swore not to conceive again...a vow she makes every single damn time she gives birth. In all fairness, the queen loves all of her children more than life itself, perhaps she just hated the whole pregnancy process. The older lady couldn't blame her, no mother enjoys the nausea and vomiting, being sensitive to everything, weird food cravings, feeling tired all the time, back pains and so on. Not to mention the endless pre-natal education which she already memorized by now, and of course, labor pains and actual childbirth are always the worst.

The king had been supportive of course, always making sure to provide everything his wife needs, comforting her, being with her at the birthing bed while enduring her loud mouth (Lady Choi lost count on how many times the queen cussed her husband while pushing their child into the world). However, when the princess was finally born they were ecstatic, she inherited her mother's beauty. But Lady Choi swore she heard the king mumble a prayer for her daughter to NOT inherit her mother's...unusual personality, at least not all of it. For the record, each of his sons had gotten some of the queen's traits, but he has a feeling that the princess is going to inherit much more.

The royal couple always say that their children are the most wonderful gifts they've ever received, but for the nannies who look after the royal children, it's a nightmare. The chaos brought about by five young boys in the palace has become a normal thing, so it's no longer surprising for someone who sees or comes across a nanny running after or frantically looking for a royal child. They're at their wits end, and who understands them better than Lady Choi herself? That explains why she and the royal cook have been getting more company at the bamboo forest.

"I'll give her a year, when the princess learns how to walk, the new nanny will be joining us," said Man-bok.

Lady Choi scoffed, "Oh please, the moment the princess starts to crawl it will be hell for the nanny, I'd say it's about seven months," she said with confidence.

Placing a bet for how long a nanny would last until they snap had been the old couple's habit since the birth of the king's heir. So far, Lady Choi had a more precise prediction than the royal cook.

It wasn't long after they heard rustles, like someone was coming. To their surprise it was the new nanny, she looked like she hadn't slept for days and was clearly exhausted. "Oh my are you alright? You seemed so stressed out," the royal cook worriedly asked.

The new nanny looked like she was about to cry, "The princess is driving me insane! She really doesn't like me."

"How can you say that?" it was Lady Choi's turn to ask.

"She's the calmest baby when she's with her parents, but when she's with me she won't stop crying and squirming! And her brothers..."

"Why? What did the princes do?"

"They said their sister despises me," the nanny said miserably.

"Those little rascals," Man-bok muttered under his breath.

"Well...children do prefer to be with their parents than other people, the crown prince was like that when he was a baby," said the first prince's nanny, "Just give it some time, she'll get attached to you. I'm not saying it'll get easier after that, no way. In my case, I've been hearing complaints from some elders saying that the first prince is arrogant. But he's not, he's actually confident and assertive, kind, wise and just, he has all the qualities of a king this country needs."

The other nannies joined the conversation. The second child prefers being outdoors (meaning he escapes from the palace almost all the time which stresses the shit out of his guards and nannies), but his adventurous side has made him brave, bold, and street smart. The third born is a smooth talker, he knows how to get himself out of trouble with words, but he is the most level-headed and a true gentleman. The fourth son is usually quiet and prefers to read or practice calligraphy, but when he talks he is very direct and brutally honest. The fifth son, the youngest prince and a ball of energy can already identify almost all of the ingredients used to prepare their meals and likes to banter with the royal cook, however he is also the sweetest and most loving among the siblings.

They may differ in personalities but if there's one thing the boys have in common, it's their love for the king and queen. They have immense respect for their father and they take good care of their mother even at such a young age. Lady Choi commends how the king and queen are raising their children.

"The royal children aren't who you'd expect them to be, but when you really think of it, they're just...children," said the nanny to the second prince.

"They're not perfect, but seeing them grow into fine young princes, you'll realize that our job isn't so bad after all." said the fifth prince's nanny.

"Come to think of it, it's actually amusing how the queen birthed six charming yet mischievous babies, isn't it royal cook?" asked Lady Choi.

"Oh Lady Choi, we have the king to thank for their charms, and their mischievousness? We all know where they got it from."

They all laughed, the bamboo forest had been a safe space for Lady Choi since coming into the palace. It also brought her and Man-bok together, and now the nannies whom they have formed a close friendship with. At least now Lady Choi and the royal cook know that they aren't the only ones who are losing their minds yet still continue to serve the royal family as best as they could.

"But if it really bothers you dear child, you may let all of your feelings out, it will be our little secret," Lady Choi winked at her.

The new nanny nodded, took a deep breath and yelled as loud as she could. With her newfound friends and the bamboo trees as witnesses, "I can't wait until the princess gets older," Man-bok whispered to Lady Choi, they both snickered as they watched the poor young woman pour out her emotions.

She sure has a lot to rant about, and probably more in the future.

The Bamboo Forest (by: Iris)

*

This fanfic is solely based on the KDrama, Mr. Queen and has nothing to do with the real Cheoljong and Cheorin, as well as Korea's history.

Also, this has been sitting in my drafts for a couple of weeks. I've been imagining what Cheoljong and Cheorin's (from the show) kiddos would be like since I kinda feel sad that I didn't get to see their baby be born but...oh well.

[stuff-diary]

My Demon

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

My Demon (2023/24, South Korea)

Director: Kim Jang Han

Writer: Choi Ah Il

Mini-review:

Look, I'm not gonna lie. I started this drama for a very superficial reason: Kim Yoo Jung and Song Kang are one of the most gorgeous couples I've ever seen. And tbh, that's one of the things that kept me watching until the end. The first half was pretty fun, thanks to their will-they-won't-they dynamic and some really funny supporting characters and recurring gags. Unfortunately, it began to drag around the middle part, and then it got more and more boring with each passing episode. By the time the final episode came out, I no longer cared about the plot, the characters or anything else (although the ending itself was quite nice). With all that in mind, I can't help but think My Demon would have worked much better as a movie.

[passionforfiction]

Death's Game

Started it today and ended it today. This 8 episode long series is too intense to leave it for later. I binged watched it like I haven't done so in a while. It is the kind of series that is best to go into it without knowing much, unless you read the webtoon. I haven't read it yet, but it's a really short webtoon so I think I will probably read it.

Anyway, this series is not for the fainted heart. It has a lot of triggers and it can be gruesome and gory in some points. However, if you don't mind it, watch it. It is really good. It keeps the audience in suspense and it makes us cry.

The cast did an amazing job! Each person felt like it was Yi Jae.