#ji Ill woo

[binging-asian-dramas]

Hotel King. 7

Story: 8

Acting: 10

Chemistry: 10

Comparable to: Innocent Man (kdrama) ; Hotelier (kdrama); My Secret Hotel (kdrama)

A classic kdrama that is hella melodramatic. It has an amazing cast with a pretty decent storyline that gets amped up to 100% filled with betrayals, secrets, romance, murder, revenge, evil villains (like evil evil) and heartbreaking events. There’s also some funny situations to break up all the melodramatic moments. Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae is magnificent in this their chemistry together is amazing as well. My only problem is that the drama is way too long and would of been a ten for me if it was edited down to at least ten to sixteen episodes. There was way to much repetitiveness to it going back and forth with the same issues, where no development of characters were happening nor the plot. Eventually it did get there. Overall it’s a nice drama especially if you like over melodramatic ones.

[condraws]

very powerful rp moment happened in one of my WOD campaigns this week. have you ever tried to quell the apocalypse?

[kdramaxoxo]

Sorry if you've been asked this a million times, but who are your favorite couples from the last couple years?

Congratulations Anon! This ask is AMAZING and I've never been asked it before! Shocking right?? :P

My favorite K-Drama Couples 2023- Spring 2024

NOTE: I tried to include 2022 but my list got too long :)

Moving (Bong-Seok & Hee-Soo, Joo-Won & Hye-Won & Doo-Shik & Mi-Hyun): It's very obvious by this list how much I love this drama and how many blorbo-from-my-shows it created for me. And I know I'm only reviewing couples, but I was blown away by this drama. I don't even LIKE superhero shows, but I made an exception for this one and I'm so glad I did. If you like character development and plays on good vs. evil, I highly rec this! Bong-Seok and Hee-Soo are one of my favorite couples EVER and I loved the softness and epic romance of Joo-Won & Hye-Won. (And we all know that scene at the rainy window with Bong-Seok and Hee-Soo). These couples are really EVERYTHING.

Tale of the Nine Tailed: 1938 (Lee-rang & Yeo-Hee): This is the only time I've ever watched a season two and liked it better than season one. It's probably because it featured my favorite tragic half fox Lee Rang and gave him a love line with a mermaid. The two are SO sweet together---SOB!

Tell me That You Love Me (Mo-Eun & Jin-Woo): Wow. Maybe one of the softest couples I've ever seen in existence. Just watching them together was like a warm blanket in front of a cozy fireplace. I didn't like the ending choice which is a shame, but the drama was super well done and I still think people should watch it. There is also a very cute high school couple too!

The Eighth Sense (Jae-Won & Ji Hyun): not to be dramatic (just kidding!) this is the best bl kdrama I've ever seen. Literally this is it! I don't even want to tell you about the couple because I want you to just watch it! I'm dying for the writer to make another one because we need more queer media like this one!

Crash Course In Romance (Haeng-Seon & Chi-Yeol): Give me a noona romance featuring a man who has not felt warmth in 1000 years (ok not literally but this dude needs to have a warm meal made by an amazing lady!) This drama fell apart at the end (this seems to be a theme this year) but the couple makes it worth watching.

King The Land (Gu-Won & Sa-Rang): If you're looking for a low stakes, totally fluffy, rom com with TONS of chemistry (featuring MY BIAS!), King the Land is for you. Amazing skinship, kisses and just like a really fun duo to watch. Plot? Not so much but there are a billion good moments-- just look at the tags: They are full of cuteness.

Love After Divorce Season 4 (Benita & Jerome): Listen, I know I'm cheating by putting a reality tv show on this list but if you're in the mood for one, I highly recommend this season (it's on Netflix). Benita and Jerome will steal your heart and they are still together! I'm rooting for them. <3

See you in my 19th Life (Ji-Eum & Seo-Ha, Da-Hoon & Cho-Won): My bias Shin Hye Sun kills it in this drama featuring past life romance. Honestly it's not fair because this drama is totally my vibe so I'm obviously going to love the mains. But when a drama gives you more than one love line and they are both interesting and lovely?? Chef's Kiss!

Dr. Slump (Jeong-Woo & Ha-Neul): This drama TOTALLY fell apart at the end and left us all very disappointed, but that's not because our leads weren't a perfect couple! They bonded over mental illness and even took their meds together. Communication: check. Comfort/Healing: check. Chemistry: check!

The Story of Park's Marriage Contract (Yun-Woo & Tae-Ha). You probably don't know this but I've been following Bae In Hyuk's career since we was in silly little web dramas. Seeing him as a lead is really wild! To be fair, he's not nearly the actor that Lee Se Young is, but do we care about that when there's a time slip romance drama featuring a historical lady who's been thrown into the future and has to fake marry someone who looks just like her de*d husband for reasons??

Thank you so much for this ask - it was super fun!! Maybe I should do 2022 next?? :D

[iris-sistibly]

I saw a post on Instagram saying that Park Ji-eun originally intended to write a sad ending for QoT, Hae-in was supposed to die in 2034 after her cancer relapsed then Hyun-woo continued to live on until old age and reunite with Hae-in in the afterlife. But then she decided to do otherwise because she saw how fans reacted so she decided to give us more of a ✨happier✨ ending instead.

I can't confirm whether it's true or not, but perhaps that was the reason why Eun-seong's villain arc was dragged to the end because they had to scrap the original plan out? And we didn't get to see more of BaekHong moments with baby Soo-bin because the story of Hae-in's cancer relapse would have taken some time to tell.

Realistically speaking, the original would have made sense since her illness (even if it's just some made up disease) was very rare so it's really possible that she might get sick again after some time. Some fans say that the original plan would have been better, but honestly I don't think that it would have made much difference with how it ended, because either way, Hae-in was gonna go first so might as well give them some more time to be together. After all, they deserve it. The only difference really is that Soo-bin would have lost her mother at such an early age which would have been so cruel.

So...yeah, if Queen of Tears ended the way it was allegedly supposed to be, it would take me awhile to recover.

[world-smitten]

uneasiness is the word for Queen of Tears. This show makes me uneasy. I felt it in the first episodes where a group of men lament having to cook for the Hong's family memorial service (cooking! horror!), I felt it when Soo-cheol opened his big mouth to call Africa barbaric, and I'm still feeling it 6 eps in while Hae-in cavorts around Germany with her lousy husband.

I haven't dropped the show yet because I find it entertaining, and I have no self-discipline. What I like: Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in. The ensemble cast is big and probably expensive, but the money is paying off. They're all individually strong performers, and they work off each other expertly. I like the Hong family, and I like their soon-to-be usurpers. I like how the camera moves - I like how funny the writing can be. I love the soundtrack. Hae-in's fake illness is one of the more compelling fake illnesses in k-dramas. I think everything around her character is sharply drawn, and most of that lies in Kim Ji-won's performance, who knows exactly how to ride that fine line of irony and earnestness. She knows Hae-in is out of touch and vain, and plays those moment with subtle self-riducule, but she also acknowledges that Hae-in is trying, if not necessarily successfully, to be a better person.

Her husband though - lol. Baek Hyun-woo starts out as someone with a degree of responsibility and morality that his in-laws severely lack. Much of the first episodes is playing up his alienation as a decent, modest middle-class lawyer who marries Hae-in, a woman from a vastly rich family, and learns quickly that the companionship and support he thought he'd receive from her isn't there. He decides to get a divorce after he finds out that his wife didn't put him in her will - the last straw, and ultimate proof that she no longer loves him. Fair enough, thought I. Then he finds out his wife is dying. His reaction: stash away the divorce papers and lover her up so bad she'll fall for him again and put him in her will. Okay...interesting! thought I. It was a refreshing turn in his character, having our nice lead be as self-interested and petty as the in-laws he looked down on. And at that point, the writing was vaguely, vaguely aware that he was a prick for it. But it also gave him an out - see, it wasn't really Hyun-woo's idea, but his friend's, whispering in his ear like Lady Macbeth to topple the faithful King Duncan, so y'know, this conniving isn't really Soo-hyun's nature. He's definitely not that kind of guy.

The funny thing is that Hyun-woo's selfishness is the only believable thing about him. Early on, it's hammered in that working for this family is eating up at his sense of justice, but there's no underlying reason or conviction as to why or where he has this sense of justic from. I can believe more that he is a deeply materialistic man, who says the "moral" thing, but ultimatley still cares about status and money and reputation. After all, the moral compromises he regretted making for his in-laws no longer mattered when he was busy chasing Hae-in's bag lol. And like his ethics, his love for Hae-in feels similarly hollow - when he starts to see her through sun-lit filters and flares with ballads in the back, it all reads like artifice attempting to simulate a sincere falling-back-in-love, and I don't buy it. I don't believe that he's a good man, and I don't believe that he loves Hae-in. I cannot believe that people were harassing Kim Sae-ron, a real woman with a real connection to Kim Soo-hyun, over this pairing. Stand up.

In fact, this show is a lot like Hyun-woo - hollow, saying the "right" things re: wealth, but meaning nothing. The villains are grasping class upstarts. The chaebol family are so dysfunctional and bumbling that they become like children, pitiable and endearing. There's a show in here that's brilliant, and I keep seeing flashes of it because I've seen it in other brilliant shows. An upwardly mobile lawyer marries into a conglomerate, and their corruption chews him up and spits him out - Stranger. A chaebol family whose stupidity and pettiness is genuinely disturbing and suffocating - Secret Love Affair. And if you want to ogle and jeer at rich people, then Mine is as indulgent, as excessive, as voyeuristic (bordering on exploitative) as QOT while still having a moral spine. Of course, those shows had very different writers, different aims and tonal registers to Queen of Tears, which is first and foremost a brassy, sweeping crowdpleaser. But QOT wants us to take it seriously - it wants us to at least believe in the romance that it's selling. And well...I don't know if I can manage that. Personally, I'd have cut Hyun-woo out all together, make Eun-sung/Hae-in and Soo-cheol/Da-hye the main pairings (while keeping Eun-sung and Da-hye as two-faced as they already are), and have the messiness of the plot spill out from that.

I think this is all a sign to watch My Liberation Notes again.

[m-jelly]

Love's thorny grip - Chapter 4

Incredible banner by @ladycheesington <3 I adore it so much. She's so incredibly talented. Go follow her! I wonder what he's thinking...

Pairing: Levi x Reader

Genre and tags: Royal AU, romance, falling in love, soft yandere Levi, plot development, fluff, rough Levi, angst, emotional, confessions, smut, rough smut, possessive sex, fingering, multiple orgasms, creampie, talks of contraception, use of contraception, aftercare.

Concept: You meet another potential husband and things seem to go well with him until you get ill from your corset being too tight. Levi saves you from your tight corset almost breaking your ribs. You and Levi have an emotional chat as your feelings about your life come out and Levi feels guilty. You go on a date with your potential husband and see his true colours. A jealous Levi confronts you as you both share an emotional moment before kissing. You both confess to a few things before parting ways, but Levi returns later and takes you back to the palace and makes passionate love to you in his study.

AO3 Link

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 The end

Ola yanked your corset hard making you whimper. “Sorry, my lady, but my lord asked for you to be dressed in your best.”

You panted a little. “I know, but my corset is really tight.”

“You have to have a good figure. Your father hopes this one goes well because it’s so important.”

You winced when you felt your ribs on the cusp of snapping. “Okay.”

She grabbed your dress and helped you into it. “There, you look like a delicate flower.”

You sat down and groaned. “Thank you?”

She put your hair up nicely before doing your makeup. “This guy is wonderful. I know you have been sabotaging the other dates, but you should give this man a go. He is stunning and from another land. He’s a dream.”

You let out a long sigh. “Sure.”

She stepped back and smiled. “There, close enough to beautiful.”

You pouted a little. “You have such an attitude sometimes.”

“I like to keep you on your toes.”

You walked with Ola through your home and down to the back garden to see the tea area was set up under a canopy. You let out a long sigh and prepared yourself to reject your next potential husband. You heard a nice deep laugh from a man. You stopped in your path and Ola hurried over to your parents and announced your presence.

Your heart throbbed in your chest as you saw a man rise to her feet. You watched a man wearing long light lavender robes move closer to you. You blushed as an elegant tall man walked closer to you. Part of his black hair was tied up in a little bun with a silver clasp on it, the rest was long and stopped just above his bum. He was wrapped up in his perfect robes with sashes added to keep them together.

He stopped in front of you and bowed as he said your first name. “I am honoured to finally meet you.”

You jumped a little before bowing to him. “Uh, nice to meet you.”

He hummed a laugh. “Wonderful bow, great form and you bowed so low. I am honoured you think so highly of me.”

You looked up at him before standing. “I uh…”

He placed his hand on his heart. “Prince Ji-Woo Min. You may call me Ji-Woo.”

You fiddled with your dress. “Is that not rude? I mean, I was told in your country I am supposed to address you by your title and last name.”

“I want you to call me by my name.”

You gulped hard. “All right, Ji-Woo.”

He offered his hand. “Join me for tea. I have brought some wonderful things from my country.”

You took his hand and walked with him to the sitting area to see your very happy parents waiting, a table covered with food you’d never seen before and two servers. You blushed as he pulled your chair out for you and let you sit. You fiddled with your dress as the Prince poured you a cup of tea for you both. You felt nervous because you didn’t want to offend the Prince in any way. You saw your parents seemed so happy.

Ji-Woo handed you the cup with no handle. “Go ahead.”

You held the cup and blew on the hot tea. “Green tea.”

He nodded. “That’s right.”

You sipped it under his keen gaze. “Mm, it’s lovely.”

He offered you a plate of cookies. “Try a Yakgwa. It’s a honey cookie.”

You picked up one and took a bite. “Mm, I like it.”

“I am glad.” He reached over and tucked a loose strand of your hair back. “Your hair is so soft.”

Ola bowed deeply. “Forgive me, your Prince Min for missing that part of her hair.”

Harold hushed Ola. “Don’t speak to him unless he asks.”

Ji-Woo ignored Ola and noticed your chest was heaving more than what should be normal. “Are you all right?”

You smiled at him. “Mhmm. I’m good.”

Harold grinned and called your name. “I met the Prince here when I went to his country for trading. We have a contract with him, one that you made up for me.”

Ji-Woon chuckled. “You are a very smart woman.”

You blushed a little. “Thank you.” You winced a little and rubbed your stomach. “I hope you do not mind, but I need to go for a walk.”

Ji-Woo stood up and offered his hand. “Allow me to escort you.”

You took his hand and marvelled at how soft his skin was. You walked with him away from your parents and noticed a big umbrella held above you both by one of his attendants. “Do your attendants always hide you from the sun?”

“Yes. I enjoy being pale.”

You hummed. “You do have very lovely clean and soft skin.”

“Thank you. Plenty of soaks in milk and honey baths.”

You smiled softly at him. “I’ll take note.”

He paused and touched your cheek. “You don’t need any special baths. You really are a vision.”

You turned your head from his touch. “Why would a Prince like you be interested in a woman like me? I’m just a daughter of a sugar trader.”

“You are still a woman of status if you were in my country.”

You nibbled your lip. “I suppose.” You gazed at him. “I am sorry I don’t have much confidence. I mean, my father has been setting me up with many terrible people, so excuse my hesitation.”

He chuckled. “Don’t be sorry. My father is the Emperor of my country and he has been trying to set me up with many ladies, but you are the first I’ve actively gone for on my own.”

You smiled at him. “I’m not as great as my father may have said I am.”

“You’re better.” He frowned a little. “I was meant to get a painting of you, but it seems someone has bought your painting.”

You laughed a little. “I can’t imagine who bought my painting.”

“A lucky person.” He walked up to you and cupped your face making you look up at him. “I can get a painting commissioned again. Your beauty should be captured.”

You placed your hands on his and removed his hands from your face. “Thank you, but I don’t need it.”

He hummed a laugh. “Very well.” He placed his hand on the middle of your back. “Let us sit together.”

You watched as his assistants rushed around to put a sitting area on the floor. “Oh, how nice.”

Ji-Woo sat down on the cushions and pulled you close. “Sit with me.”

You worried a bit about your corset, but you didn’t want to be rude. You carefully sat down and kept your back straight. “Thank you.” You looked up as the wind rushed through the trees. “It’s nice here.”

“Indeed. I will take you to my country and show you the wonderful nature there.”

You hummed. “I can imagine it.” You blushed when you felt soft warm lips against your cheek. You turned your head and blushed as Ji-Woo pulled back. You looked at his slightly pink lips from a special lip colour. “Did you just kiss my cheek?”

“I did.”

You touched your cheek a little. “Oh, well thank you.”

Ji-Woo moved closer to you making you flinch and move back from him. “Don’t run. I won’t hurt you.”

You yelp and fell back on the floor as your ribs hurt. “Ow.”

Ji-Woo’s eyes widened as he said your name. “What’s wrong!? What happened?”

You cried at the pain in your ribs. You didn’t think you broke anything, but it hurt like hell and the more you cried the more it hurt. You were in so much pain that you couldn’t speak to Ji-Woo to tell him what was wrong. You rolled onto your side and looked to the side of your garden to see Levi running over.

Levi jumped over the small fence and sprinted over to you. He shouted your name before dropping to his knees. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” He studied you and noticed your breathing was off and you were patting your waist. “Her corset. Her corset is on too tight.”

Ji-Woo blushed. “We can’t touch it. It would not be proper of us to do so!”

Levi rolled you over in his arms and opened up the back of your dress. “I’ll do it.” He looked at the tight knots. “Knife! Have you got a knife?”

Ji-Woo nodded and pulled a knife off his belt. “Here.”

Levi yanked it from him and sliced the ribbon tying your corset together. He tossed the knife and yanked your corset open and smiled when he heard you gasp in relief. He eyed your back to see red marks all over it. He rubbed one spot making you hum in delight. He rolled you over in his arms and held you as you lay there panting.

You opened your eyes and smiled. “Thank you.”

Levi rubbed your cheek. “I’m glad I got to you in time.”

Ji-Woo gazed at you. “What would have happened?”

Levi smiled at you. “Broken ribs and they could have shattered and pierced her organs.”

“Such horrible things. Why was it so tight?”

Levi glared at Ji-Woo. “It was done to impress you. Ola her maid was probably ordered by the Lord to make her look as appealing as possible to you.”

Ji-Woo’s eyes widened. “That’s not who I am.”

Levi didn’t like Ji-Woo because there wasn’t really much wrong with him. Levi had researched as much as possible, but he couldn’t find a single thing and it pissed him off. “She needs new clothes.”

Ji-Woo turned to his assistants. “Dress my date in our traditional clothes.”

The female assistant offered her hand to you. “This way, my lady.”

You held your dress against you and walked behind a little screen the other held up. “Thank you.”

She bowed and bound your breasts before wrapping you up in a dress. “Is this okay, my lady?”

You nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

She let your hair down. “You and the Prince are perfect for each other.”

You smiled as you thought of Levi. “Yeah, we are.”

“I’m glad you think so. You’ll make a fine Empress.”

You frowned. “Empress?”

She nodded. “Yes to my Prince.”

You hummed and thought about Ji-Woo. It was true Levi had never offered to marry you that you knew of, and Ji-Woo seemed so kind to you. You smiled a little and bowed your head. “Thank you.” You walked over to Ji-Woo and Levi. “These are nice.”

Ji-Woo blushed. “You…you wear my people’s clothes so well.” He smiled at you. “You are so beautiful.”

Levi gazed at you with wide eyes. He thought you were stunning, but he also hated it because it made you look more like you belonged to Ji-Woo. “You…hm…” He looked away as he felt a dark voice screaming in his head about you and him. “Perfect…”

You walked closer to Levi. “Are you okay?”

He nodded sadly. “Mm.”

You held Levi’s hands. “I have an idea.” You turned to Ji-Woo. “My friend is upset. Do you mind if I go with him to help him?”

Ji-Woo walked closer to you and kissed your cheek. “Friends are important. I will take you on another date soon.”

You smiled at him. “Thank you.” You put your arm around Levi and walked with him towards the woods. “Talk to me.”

Levi gulped hard. “It’s just…you wear those clothes so well.”

You let out a long sigh and held his hand. “When I was little, I wanted to be this brave hero so badly. I saw all the boys acting this way and I wanted to as well. It wasn’t fair I had to be this proper cute thing.” You stopped under a tree and ripped your dress so your legs were free. “I used to rip my dresses a lot so I can do things like this.”

Levi watched you climb the large oak. “Careful.”

You looked down at him. “I used to climb things all the time. One day, I fell from such a height that it terrified my parents.” You stopped and sat in the tree and sighed. “They thought something like that would scare me, but it didn’t. When I got better I climbed a tree again, a bigger one than the one I fell out of.”

Levi sat next to you. “So, you’re a stubborn brat.”

You hummed a laugh. “I am and for a small moment, my father saw me for what I was. A person with a passion and a fire to push the boundaries. Unfortunately, it didn’t last. He changed his mind after some time and he’s gotten worse.”

“I’m sorry.”

You stared out at the land. “I know people have it harder and I shouldn’t complain. I just thought I’d share my worries with you so you don’t feel so alone.”

Levi hummed in response. “May I ask you something?”

You nodded. “Anything.”

“Will you be going on another date with him?”

You laughed a little. “Like I have a choice.”

He gripped the branch. “You always have a choice.”

You welled up. “He’s the only one I have left!” You looked at Levi as you cried causing his heart to break. “All the men put forward to marry me have all runaway or disappeared.” You shook your head. “Honestly, I don’t blame them. I’m nothing special, so it makes sense they didn’t want me. Ji-Woo is the last one. So, it’s not like I’ve got any options.”

Levi softly said your name as he felt a heavy weight of guilt. “I…”

You heard Ola call for you. “My father wants me by the sounds of it.” You smiled at Levi. “Sorry for making the mood bad and taking the moment from you.”

Levi shook his head. “Don’t be sorry, okay?”

You leaned over and kissed his cheek. You smiled sadly at him before mumbling under your breath hoping Levi wouldn’t hear you, but he did. “If only you offered marriage.”

Levi’s heart jumped in his chest. “Ah…” He watched you hurry off to Ola. “Shit…shit, shit, shit, shit…”

You walked with Ji-Woo and smiled at him as you looped your arm over his. You looked up at the umbrella and heard Ji-Woo’s chuckle. You blushed a little and looked away from him. “I’m not used to it, okay?”

“It’s adorable.” He stopped and took you in. “You look enchanting in this dress I gifted you.”

You fiddled with the traditional dress. “Thank you.”

He lightly caressed your cheek. “Truly you are a divine goddess.”

“You’re too kind.”

He hummed a laugh and held your chin. He lifted your head a little and leaned closer. He paused a moment and stopped himself from kissing you. “Forgive me. I was about to force a kiss on you.” He kissed your forehead. “I want you to care for me. I want this to be good and romantic.”

You giggled. “You’re a sweet man, you really are, but I truly think you deserve better.”

“Says who?” He put his arm around you. “Come, let me show you the ship I arrived on. I bet it is like nothing you’ve seen before.”

You smiled softly. “I’m excited to see.”

He led you to the pier full of Levi’s impressive ships and there to the side of them was another massive ship with grand decorations. “What do you think?”

“Oh, wow. This is magical.”

He smiled and walked up the platform and pulled you along. “I want to show you around. Come.”

You blushed as the sailors gazed at you in awe. You blushed a little and stopped walking. “Ji-Woo, I don’t know about this.”

“Don’t pay them any attention. You are higher than them. Plus, they have never seen me with a beautiful woman before.”

You released a long sigh. “Are you sure?”

He nodded and pulled you along. “Come.”

You looked over at some sailors speaking in a different language you smile at them and saw them blush hard and bow to you. “Why are they bowing?”

Ji-Woo chuckled. “They believe you will be their next Empress.”

You walked with him inside the ship. “Ah, but I haven’t accepted your proposal.”

He stopped by the slide doors. “I know, but they don’t know that.” He moved open the slide doors to reveal a royal futon on the floor with drapes, along with a table on the floor and a sitting area. “Let’s sit for a moment.”

You nodded and walked with him expecting him to lead you to the sitting area, but instead, he took you to the bed. You sat down and felt a little stiff. “This is lovely.”

Ji-Woo undid his outer robe slowly. “Thank you, but our palace is finer.”

“Our palace?”

He nodded as he removed all but his lower robe. “Yes.” He sat on the bed next to you. “What is mine will be yours, but you won’t have equal power. I will lead the country and I just ask for you to look pretty and provide me with an heir.”

You locked eyes with him. “But I want to help. I don’t want to sit around all day. I want to work.”

He reached over and pulled on a tie on your robes. “You don’t need to. I will support you.”

You stopped his hand and held it. “I’m sorry, I need to think.”

He pulled back. “But.”

You rose to your feet. “This is a big commitment. You are asking for me to give up part of my personality and passions. I don’t want to be some doll that only makes babies. I do want babies, but I also want to help with policies and changes. I want to feel equal with my husband, not below him.”

He stood up. “You won’t be below me. You will be above me. You’ll be a goddess among men. People around my country will worship you.”

“I don’t…” You turned to him. “I need to think. I’m sorry.”

He released a long sigh. “Very well.” He took your hand and kissed the back of it. “I await your return.”

You smiled and then frowned when something hit your thoughts. “Wait…we’re you trying to have sex with me?”

He blushed. “My apologies. I let my dark desires get the best of me. You should go.”

You stared at him. “You…I thought…so, you just wanted my body.”

He shook his head. “No! No, that is not…I am sorry. I am truly sorry. I believe we should have a restart.”

You held back tears. “I need to go.”

“Do what you need to. I support you.”

You hurried out of his room and off the ship with your outer robe pillowing open. You rubbed your tears away and hiccuped as you felt confused and broken. You didn’t know what to do with yourself. You jumped when Levi appeared next to you saying your name and looking angry. You rubbed your tears. “I’m not in the mood for teasing, Levi.”

He growled. “I need a word.”

You came to a sudden stop when Levi stood in front of you. “Leave me alone.”

“Never.”

You turned and hurried into the woods along a path you’d used often. “I have told you, I am not in the mood!”

He noticed your dress was open and felt enraged. He ran after you and grabbed your wrist. “Hey!”

You struggled in his grip. “Stop it.”

He released your wrist. “Would you just let me speak!?”

You stopped and panted. “What? What do you want? I’ve had enough demanded of me, so why not add more to it.”

He stared at you. “Your outer dress is open. Did you have fun with your Prince from another land?”

You scoffed. “What is your problem?”

“You’ve been running around with him and acting all happy and silly.” He walked closer. “You enjoy playing house with him? Did you enjoy him touching you? Did you enjoy him fucking you?”

You slapped Levi across the face and cried. “I expected this from others, but not from you.”

Levi touched his cheek before glaring at you. “What. Did. He. Do.”

You shook a little. “Why do you care? You just play with my emotions. You don’t care about me. I’m just a fun toy for you.”

Levi stormed towards you but you backed up. “Answer me! What did he do!?”

You bumped into a tree. You squeezed your eyes tightly and broke. “He tried to fuck me!” You shook and started crying. “I thought he was different, but he’s just like everyone else.” You put your head in your hands and cried. You explained what Ji-Woo told you as Levi quietly listened. You poured your heart out to Levi as you sobbed. You told him your desire to marry someone who will treat you as an equal when it comes to working. “I’m tired, Levi. I’m so tired of it all.”

Levi pulled you into his arms. “I’m sorry.”

You clung to him and sniffed. “I don’t get it. Why are you so nice to me?” You pulled back from him. “I don’t get it. You’re so nice. You tease me. You play with me. Am I just a toy to you?”

He shook his head. “No, you’re not a toy.”

You rubbed your tears. “Then what am I? If am not then why haven’t you offered marriage? If you don’t want me, please stop.” You looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please stop. I can’t take empty flirting anymore.”

Levi stared at you and felt like it was now or never. He wrapped his leather-gloved hand around your neck and pressed you against the tree making you whimper. He eyed your lips and crashed his own against yours before you could say anything to him. He pulled back a little to test you.

You grabbed Levi’s blazer and tugged his body against your own. You pressed your lips against Levi’s and moaned. You tilted your head to the side and flinched a little when Levi nipped your lip. You mewled at Levi when his tongue pressed into your mouth. You shivered in pleasure as he pressed his body fully against your own and took control.

Levi was in pure pleasure-filled bliss as his tongue moved with yours. He had followed you, watched you, and protected you from bad dates for months and months. He couldn’t believe his dream was coming true. He was finally kissing the woman who had command over his heart and soul. He finally had you. He knew he had to confess the truth to you about everything, but he’d do that in time.

He pulled back from your lips and enjoyed your gasp and pants as air rushed into your lungs. He leaned closer and lightly kissed your lips. “I suppose I should explain myself.”

You nodded. “You should or I will slap you again.”

He sighed as his hand released your neck and ran down a little to your chest. He hummed as he tried to organise his thoughts. “I have asked for your hand in marriage.”

You blushed hard. “You have?”

He nodded. “I asked your father the same day I brought you home from my palace. I knew I wanted to spend my life with you at the ball and after.” He smiled a little. “Something hit me.”

You snorted a laugh. “I hit you.”

“Mmm, that was it.”

You giggled a little. “Wait, so you asked?”

Levi moved his hand up and rubbed your cheeks. “I asked your father and he banned me from seeing you, which is why I keep sneaking around. It is also why I’ve been working my ass off.”

Your eyes widened. “Wait, so you working hard for over two months and not seeing me was to impress my father?”

He nodded. “I know I could probably just grab you and marry you, but I want your father’s approval because he’s pushing marriage so much.” He held your hips. “You mean so much to me. In the months we’ve been around each other…” He smiled a little. “It’ll be a year in two months.” He locked eyes with you. “Well, in that time I have fallen so madly in love with you.”

You gazed at Levi and welled up. “Me too.” You cupped Levi’s face. “I’m in love with you. I’ve been dying for you to offer a marriage proposal because I want to be with you, but I never knew all this was going on.”

He smiled softly at you. “If you only knew the things that have been going on.”

You gazed at Levi, your eyes searching his as a cold wind drifted past you both. You smiled at Levi before jumping into his arms and holding him tightly. “I’m so happy.”

Levi squeezed you tightly and smiled. “I am too. I have you. I finally have you.” He released a long sigh. “I should get you home. You need to rest after what you’ve been through.”

You slipped out of Levi’s arms. “I am rather tired.”

“You need plenty of rest.”

You rubbed your eyes. “Yes.”

He held your hand and walked with you through the woods to your home. “I’ll free you, I promise.”

You stopped below your window and gazed at Levi. “I know. I believe we’ll be together.” You held Levi’s hands. “I mean, you can always kidnap me again.”

Levi stared at you. “That is very tempting.”

You hummed a laugh and kissed him. “It’s just an idea, my love.”

“My little kitten could be all mine.”

You giggled. “You’re cute.” You kissed him and moaned against his lips. “I would love to run off with you, but I should get some sleep.”

He nodded. “Yeah…” He watched you climb up into your room before leaning out and blowing him a kiss. Levi blew you a kiss back and watched you go. “Fuck…I miss her.”

Levi backed up and returned to the palace. He sat in his study and began working on his papers and thinking of ways to hurt Ji-Woo without starting a war. He let out a long sigh and stared at his file on Ji-Woo. He wanted and needed something, anything to get back at the man who made his precious little kitten cry her eyes out.

He sat back in his seat and grumbled a little. He shot up from his seat and went to a locked room. He slipped inside and stared up at a painting of you. He smiled softly at how beautiful you looked in it, but he preferred the real thing. He left the room and locked it again before returning to his office. He paced the room and stopped by the wall made of bookshelves covered in books.

Levi touched his lips and thought about your lips and tongue. He shivered and moaned at the thought of you. An idea flickered in his head like a flame on a candle. He thought about touching himself, but now you and he had confessed your love to each other he just wanted to go see you as soon as possible. He glanced at the time and saw it was the middle of the night, but he just needed to get to you.

He climbed out of his window and ran through the night in the rain to your home. He clambered his way up the building and fell through your open window making you jump. He stood up and panted as he stared at you sitting in your bed with a book. He gulped hard seeing you were still dressed and you too couldn’t sleep.

You blushed a little and closed your book. “Levi, you’re back.”

He panted as he gazed at you. “You should be asleep.”

“And you should be back at your palace.”

He gulped hard. “Well, I couldn’t stop thinking about you so I came here.”

You smiled softly. “Well, I couldn’t stop thinking about you so I stayed up.” You got off your bed and walked over to Levi. You grabbed his waist and kissed him. “Take me back to the palace, please.”

He nodded before grabbing your hand and running with you towards your window. You climbed onto Levi’s back as he moved down the house and onto the ground below. You dropped off his back and held his hand tightly before running with the crown Prince in the middle of the night while the rain poured down on your both. You both giggled playfully as you made your way to the palace.

You climbed onto Levi’s back and smiled as he made his way up the wall and onto the balcony of his study. You stumbled inside and hummed at the warm air due to the crackling fire. You hugged yourself and looked around as Levi yanked off his wet blazer and boots. “So cosy.”

Levi looked over at you. “You should take off your shoes and outer dress before you catch a cold.”

You nodded and kicked off your shoes. “You’re right.” You reached behind your back and huffed. “I can’t reach the ties on my dress. Could you help?”

Levi’s hands shook as he slowly opened the back of your dress. He shivered when your back and corset became exposed to him. He moved before his mind caught up with him. He pressed a gentle kiss against the crook of your neck as his gloved hands moved under your dress and across your corset. He gripped you and yanked you roughly against him making you moan so deliciously for him as your dress dropped in a heavy wet heap on the floor.

You panted and sighed as Levi sucked and kissed your sensitive skin. You turned your head as he kissed up your neck. You gazed at Levi before turning around and kissing him passionately. You both sighed in contentment as your lips and tongues moved together in pure love for the other. You bit Levi’s lip making him flinch at your action.

Levi licked his lip and purred at you. “Oh, so you want it like that, huh? Well, I can play along, kitten.”

You gasped as he slammed you against the bookshelf making a few books fall from their slots. Levi’s lips crashed against your own in a fiery heated passion that burned in both your souls. You moaned against his lips as his body grinded against yours causing friction of desire for something more heated between the two of you. You clung to your lover’s shirt and held on in sheer desperation that he wouldn’t just disappear any moment.

Levi released your lips and panted heavily, his normally tamed hair a wild mess, his pupils wide. His eyes bore into your heaving chest as an idea burned inside him. He grabbed the edges of your corset and tore the thick fabric open leading to your plump breasts to funnel through the parting of clothing like they were rushing to escape. Levi was in awe of your delicious soft breasts now revealed to him. He was salivating at the mere sight.

His leather-gloved hands gripped onto your sensitive mounds and began to massage. He delighted in your whimpers and moans of pleasure from his loving touch. You tangled your fingers in his wet raven locks and tugged playfully as one of your nipples entered his mouth. He sucked and hummed as his dreams came true. He delighted in your sweet moans, which were far better heard this close than through a bathroom door.

His mouth moved from breast to breast as if he could not possibly get enough of either. He kept sucking and eventually started biting to form love bites all over your soft breasts. Each mark upon your skin was a public declaration from Levi that you were his and only his. He showered your chest in love and affection before his hunger turned to need something much more.

You threw your arms around Levi’s neck and kissed him in desperation. You adored his attention on your boobs, but you needed more attention on your lips. You felt yourself melting into his kisses because his feelings for you burned into your skin and through to your bones. You could feel that this man truly loved you with every soft moan and needy kiss. You needed him. You needed so much more that you felt like you were burning.

His gloved hand dove below your bloomers and sought out its wet and hot prize. He smiled against your lips as his fingers ran slowly over your slit and felt how smoothly they moved, meaning you were positively dripping for him. He moved two fingers up and down your slit and parted your lips. Your delicious juices covered his gloved fingers allowing them to glide smoothly against you.

You moaned in pleasure as two gloved fingers rolled your clit so delicately as if it was a precious jewel to be marvelled at. You shivered your legs open to allow the man you loved to move his fingers against your clit. You whimpered as his fingers moved quicker and set in motion your build-up to a body-shivering orgasm. You felt your whole body tingle and your vagina pulse with a need for something big and thick to be plunged deep within it.

You clung to Levi and cried into the kiss as pleasure rushed through your body at two of Levi’s fingers pushing deep into your pussy. You slapped a hand against Levi’s back and tugged on his shirt as his fingers pumped themselves in and out of you. You wiggled against his hand as his thumb rolled against your clit sending more pleasure through your body.

Levi smiled against your lips when you rocked your hips against his fingers. He moaned in bliss as you started to use his fingers for pleasure. He moved with you and matched your motions causing you to moan higher in pitch into the passionate kisses. He moved his other hand up to caress your body before pinching your right nipple between his finger and thumb. He growled against your lips as your pussy walls clenched his fingers over and over as your body rushed towards your blissful completion.

You moaned against Levi’s lips as your coil snapped inside you. You bucked against Levi’s hand as your orgasm washed over you like a tidal wave of hot water. You tugged and gripped at Levi’s shirt as his hand kept moving to help you ride out your orgasm for as long as possible. You hummed as Levi’s fingers slowed their movements until he finally dragged his finger from you.

You released Levi’s lips and panted. “Fuck.”

Levi licked his fingers clean before your eyes. “Mmmmm, you taste delicious. You are a fine delicacy of a meal.”

Your cheeks heated up. “Th-thank you.” You grabbed his shirt and yanked him close into another deep and loving kiss. You moaned against his lips as you felt his erection in his trousers press against you. “Mm, Levi. Please.” You fumbled with his trousers. “Levi.”

Levi panted against your lips and took over dealing with his trousers as you yanked your bloomers off and tossed them. He yanked his big thick erection out and pumped it in his hand a few times. He lifted you and rammed his cock deep into your pussy making you scream in pleasure and cum hard around his cock as books fell off the bookshelf. He panted as your walls spasmed around his member as your orgasm consumed you. He purred as he felt your delicious juices pour from you and wrap around his cock.

He purred against your lips and spoke in a teasing tone. “Is that how you liked to be fucked?” He thrust once, into you and moaned. “Like this? Hard and rough?”

You whimpered against his lips. “Y-yes.”

He kissed you roughly. “Well then, if that’s what the love of my life wants, that’s what she gets.” He spoke against your lips. “Hold on tight.”

You kissed Levi just before he started roughly pounding his thick cock into you making books fall to the floor. You moaned into the kiss and held onto Levi for dear life as he ravaged you so passionately in his study against his beloved books. His fingers pressed into the plump skin of your thighs as he held you tightly in place. You shivered and shook in place as your body was overcome with many feelings. Levi’s talented tongue moving with yours was soothing, but his rough hip thrusts were mindblowing and set your body aflame.

You whimpered as your body finally fully registered what was pounding in and out of your pussy. You clenched Levi’s cock a little to feel every inch of him. You moaned in delight at how his thickness seemed to stretch you just perfectly. He wasn’t too long or short, but just the perfect length to bury deep within your silken walls and to kiss your cervix. You were in awe of his incredible cock ramming into your dripping pussy. You were overwhelmed with pleasure.

The room was filled with the sounds of the crackling of wood burning in the fireplace and the rough slapping of Levi’s body against your own. Both of your moans were muffled due to your lips and tongues never breaking. Your kisses were never ending as you both felt captivated by the other. You wanted to never break apart. Levi kept roughly bucking hard and fast into you as his obsessive love for you pushed him to ravage you as much as possible.

You squeezed your toes tightly as you felt another wave of euphoria rushing towards you. You shifted just a little in Levi’s arms as your body screamed at the intense pleasure shooting through your veins. You moaned into the kiss as Levi kept you still and continued his actions to push you over the edge into orgasmic bliss. He wanted you to melt under his touch. He wanted you to never need another man again and only seek him out for all kinds of pleasure.

You cried out into the kiss as pleasure hit you so hard it took your breath away. Your legs shook around Levi as you lost control of your body. You pulled from his lips and threw your head back. You panted and moaned in the room as you felt blindsided by your orgasm. You hummed as Levi stopped moving his hips so you could gather your senses again.

You lowered your head and panted. “Fuck.”

Levi kissed you lightly on the lips. “Are you okay?”

You nodded a little. “Y-Yes, just…that was intense, but in an amazing way.”

“I’m glad.” He carried you to his desk. “Want to keep going?”

“Please.”

Levi shoved the things on his desk to the sides and lay you against it. He looked down at you and panted. His eyes dragged down your body to your pussy and where you were both connected. He moved his hips slowly and watched his pussy cum glistening cock drag out of you with your pussy opening clinging to him. He plunged back in slowly and felt your walls drag him back inside as if you wanted to keep him in you.

He grabbed your thighs and parted them before pushing them down a little towards the desk. He bucked hard into you making the table scrape on the wooden floor below it. He panted and began pounding his cock into you again and ignored the groaning of the table below you due to his rough actions. He gazed at your stunning face as your mouth hung open and delicate moans poured from your beautiful mouth. He marvelled at how stunning you were below him as he ravaged you and he gave you pleasure.

Levi gripped your legs tighter as his possessive side wrapped itself around his soul. As he fucked you with love, he was also reminding himself that you were his. He had you. He was the one fucking you against his desk. He was the one that had you moaning oh so deliciously to the room. He was the one that was putting a pleasure-filled smile on your face. He was the one who had his cock buried deep inside your pussy.

He watched your breasts bounce and jiggle between parts of your corset. He wished he’d ripped the whole thing off so he could enjoy all of your wonderful body. He grunted and looked up at your face again and enjoyed the pleasure on your face. He felt his heart racing, but not from the fun athletic activity of fucking, it was you in all your glorious beauty. He adored how you moaned and shivered against his wooden desk as his cock ravaged your pussy.

You gripped Levi’s desk and held on for dear life as it moved backwards and forwards across the floor. You wiggled your legs and felt so wonderfully trapped between your lover’s incredible cock and the hard desk below you. You felt yourself drool in happiness at being fucked so perfectly. Never before had you felt so good in the hands of a sexual partner. Levi was the best you ever had and he was going to be the only one you ever have for the rest of your life, you were sure of that.

You reached up and grabbed Levi’s arms. “Oh, f-fuck! Levi.”

Levi released your legs and grabbed the table edge on either side of your head. He panted as he looked you in the eyes. “I love you.”

You whimpered to Levi. “I love you too.”

Levi slapped his hips against yours adding more erotic sounds to the room. His lips crashed against yours as he took your breath away with passionate kiss after passionate kiss. He pulled back and moaned. “You feel so good. You’re so perfect. You’re my everything. Mine. Mine. Mine!”

You arched your back off the table. “Yes, Levi! I’m yours!” You shivered and wiggled under him. “Mmm, so g-good.”

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ngh.” He tapped his forehead against yours. “Fuck. Your body is incredible.”

You tangled your fingers in Levi’s hair. “Yours too. You’re perfection. I only want your body for the rest of my life.”

Levi kissed you roughly as he bucked harder and faster against you as your words fuelled him. “Yes! Yes!” He moaned your name. “Mine.”

You clenched your toes. “Mmm, I’m close. Don’t stop!”

Levi kept his actions up and didn’t change anything. He panted and watched your face as he watched a shiver slowly go up your spine. “That’s it, my love, enjoy yourself.”

You moaned out as your orgasm rushed through you. “Ah!” You gasped as pleasure fired through your nerves and shook your body. “Levi!”

Levi grunted as your pussy massaged his cock. “F-Fuck.” He bucked a few times before pressing deep into you. He moaned your name lovingly as he poured his cum into you. “Ah! Mmmm.” He slowed his hips and pumped his hips a few times before stopping. He covered your face in kisses and sighed. “I love you.”

You went limp under his as you felt exhausted. “I…love…you…”

He kissed you sweetly before pulling his cock from you. He tucked himself away before picking you up like a bride. “Forgive me, I went too rough.”

You hugged Levi. “It was perfect. It was just what we both needed.” You smiled at him as he carried you through the halls. “We had so much pent-up passion and love for each other, it just kind of exploded out of us.”

He hummed a laugh. “You’re right.” He took you to the bedroom you had first stayed in and sat you in the bathroom. “Let me clean you up and then get you to bed.”

You yawned. “Okay.” You moaned at the wet warm cloth wiping you up. “Nice. Thank you.”

Levi kissed you and cleaned himself up. He grabbed a medicine out of the bathroom cupboard and put it in two glasses of water. He offered you one. “This is a contraceptive medicine Hange invented. It’ll prevent us from having kids so soon. There are no side effects.”

You downed the water. “Mm, tastes nice. Wait, how come you’re drinking?”

He sighed after downing his. “It works for me too. I want to protect you.”

You blushed. “Thank you.”

He put the glasses away before picking you up and taking you to bed. “The medicine works straight away. So, we can both be loving with each other without the worry of having a baby too soon.”

You smiled at Levi as he helped change you into a nightdress. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He kissed the end of your nose. “Now, I have a very messy study to clean.” He held your hand. “But I won’t go until you get off to sleep.”

You hummed a laugh. “Thank you.”

He lay on his side next to you. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“Does anything hurt at all?”

You shook your head. “No, I’m perfect.”

“Are you sure?” He shuffled closer. “I want to make sure you’re okay. I love you so much that I just want you to be well. I love you and you’re my everything.”

You giggled. “I’m perfect, just tired, okay? I need sleep.”

He kissed your hand. “My sweet kitten. Mine.”

You slowly fell asleep. “Yours.”

He smiled as he watched you drift off.”

[coreancitizen]

First impressions: 'Marry My Husband'

SYNOPSIS: Terminally ill Kang Ji Won (Park Min Young) is killed shortly after she catches her husband in bed with her best friend in their home. She comes to in the middle of her former office and, after a totally understandable freakout, realizes she's back in 2013, 10 years before her "death." She begins to plot her revenge against the two who'd wronged her.

THOUGHTS: With the similar setup (maltreated heroine gets a chance to fix her life after some time traveling), there's no avoiding the comparison with the delicious "Perfect Marriage Revenge." Especially with the ML sporting oversized suits that could have come straight from Seo Do Guk's closet.

SPOILERS AHEAD

But there are enough differences in the first two episodes for MMH not to feel like a slower-paced rehash. A key one: There are rules in this time-traveling scenario. In PMR, once Yi Joo broke off things with her fiance, the timeline already deviated. In MMH, things that are supposed to happen still happen, BUT they can happen to somebody else. Ji Won still got her knee skinned, but she managed to avoid the scarring on her arm when the general manager stepped in and shielded her from the coffee pot. He got the scar instead. The series leans heavily on recreating the past and giving different outcomes.

The biggest difference I'm kinda worried about is the lack of an over-the-top antagonist like Lee Jeong Hye. MMH's villain duo seem a bit lightweight; I don't see anyone flinging lawn chairs in a ballgown in the middle of an afternoon. They're more annoying than entertaining.

Look, it's Park Min Young so the acting is on point. Ji Won is starting to regain a bit of her old self, thanks to some self-help books and some new allies (a rather timid manager and an exuberant younger co-worker). She's also getting more encouragement at work from the general manager, Yoo Ji Hyuk (Na In Woo), who seems to know waaaay too much about things and about Ji Won.

I'm definitely wondering if he's also a time traveler. He was there to save Ji Won throughout her whole freakout (Coffee pot? Check. Flight of stairs? Check) And how did he know about the dreaded school reunion?? I'm betting he met with that popular chef who seems to be from the same class as Ji Won (and seems to be her first love?) to set up a more positive experience for her.

There's enough in the first two episodes to make me curious, so I'm sticking around for a bit. I'm not expecting the breakneck pace of PMR but I do need the show to pick up its speed a little.

[rei-does-stuff]

Watching more of Crash Landing On You and the main character is so fucking funny I love her, she’s putting EVERYONE in their place and is so smug about it she is my everythinggg

“I’ll make sure I give you Ji-woo’s autograph!”

“Really??? When????”

“After the reunification! :D!”

“D:” LIKE DAMN HE WAS SO EXCITED GIRL RELAX 😭

She’s such a good contrast to the main love interest too, I am already yelling at them to kiss or something

The side characters are really funny too

“I’m definitely not gonna tell anyone! I’m gonna just get amnesia when I return home!”

“She’s telling the truth! If you watch South Korean Dramas 9/10 are suffering from amnesia, its a common illness in capitalist countries!”

“Is it because they drink too much American soda??”

I <3 them

[sixcostumerefs]

Performance Stats: 2023 South Korean Production

A few notes:  - this includes the performances in both Seoul (Mar-Jun) and Sejong (Jul) - There are likely some mistakes. I only have limited information from social media.  - If you use this information, please credit and tag. sixcostumerefs here, six.costume.refs on Insta.

Performances by actor: Aragon: - 이아름솔 (Lee Arumsoul): 51 performances, including 2 in Sejong - 손승연 (Sonnet/Son Seungyeon): 50 performances, including 2 in Sejong Boleyn: - 김지우 (Kim Ji woo): 45 performances - 배수정 (Pae Su-jeong): 56 performances, including 4 in Sejong Seymour: - 박혜나 (Park Hye-na): 40 performances - 박가람 (Park Ga-ram): 61 performances, including 4 in Sejong Cleves: - 김지선 (Kim Ji-sun): 47 performances, including 2 in Sejong - 최현선 (Choi Hyun-sun): 54 performances, including 2 in Sejong Howard: - 김려원 (Kim Ryeo won): 58 performances, including 2 in Sejong - 솔지 (Solji): 43 performances, including 2 in Sejong Parr: - 유주혜 (Yoo Ju-hye): 54 performances, including 2 in Sejong - 홍지희 (Hong Ji-hee): 47 performances, including 2 in Sejong

Performance combos: Out of 64 possible combos of queens for any one performance, 41 combos were used. Another 4 combos were scheduled to happen, but the cast for those changed prior to the performance due to injury/illness. The combos that were scheduled to happen but did not go ahead are:

The other 19 combos did not happen at any performances. Those are:

Every queen did get to perform with every other queen several times.

[cantsayidont]

MY NAME (2021): Pulpy, violent, derivative Korean crime drama about a young woman named Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) who sets out to avenge the murder of her gangster father by joining the gang of which he was a member and then, at the behest of the organization's crafty boss, Choi Mu-jin (Park Hee-soon), infiltrating the Inchang Metropolitan Police under an assumed name to find her father's supposed killer, a senior narcotics cop (the avuncular Kim Sang-ho).

The plot (whose major beats you'll likely anticipate just based on the preceding synopsis) is kind of a gender-swapped riff on the Hong Kong film INFERNAL AFFAIRS (remade in the U.S. as THE DEPARTED), with some echoes of John Woo's Hong Kong classics (in particular HARD-BOILED), albeit executed with far less thematic unity. There are some stylish moments, but MY NAME never finds a consistent groove, and it only occasionally goes hard enough to compensate for its awkward pacing, clunky structure, and numerous lapses in plausibility and plot logic. Only in the finale does the show serve up the emotional grandiosity needed to give the bloodshed some real juice, and it's still let down somewhat by a weak coda.

Park's cool charisma is a major load-bearing element throughout, but Han, curiously, is more convincing in the action scenes than the quieter moments, perhaps because the scripts struggle to give Ji-woo (or any of the show's very few female characters) any meaningful interiority. An ill-advised early time-skip also undermines the clarity of her motivations and priorities, which too often leaves her seeming like a supporting character in her own story. CONTAINS LESBIANS? There are barely any women other than Ji-woo. VERDICT: Moderately diverting if you can stomach the brutal violence, but even its strongest moments feel recycled from earlier, better examples of this genre. CWs apply for attempted sexual violence in the first two episodes, and episodes six and seven include some scenes of graphic self-harm.

[watsonneith]

Everyone saw Train to Busan before me, but I need the internet to know that I am here for Korean zombie shows in a way I will never be for American zombie shows. American directors shamble around their architectural critiques of capitalism; Korean directors just say, "Let's have the four-year-old call out financial trading. You suck, daddy."

Also, life goal: be Ma Dong-seok's character when I grow up.

My other favorite is Kingdom. Most shows overlook historical costuming when they design their zombie set, but this story is just as much costume as it is running and screaming and trying to avoid being bitten.

[rughydrangea]

2022 drama year in review

Normally I’m very good about getting this in by the new year, but I had a few 2022 dramas to catch up on, so I’m late. I’m glad I took the time to catch up, though, as it’s got me excited about dramas for the first time in a long while. They’re still good! (Even if there should be more sageuks.)

Joining the pantheon of my favorites:

Little Women -- Hands-down the best adaptation of Little Women I have ever seen. The acting, directing, music, plotting were all superb. But there are two aspects of the show that really stood out to me: 1) Little Women is a novel about sisters born into poverty, who have no clear path out of that poverty. They all spend much of the novel learning the difficult lesson that being poor isn’t a state they will someday be liberated from but the noble condition in which they will live their lives. And poverty is explicitly linked with virtue in LMA’s worldview--when Jo starts to write racy stories to earn money, when Meg resents being the wife of a poor man, these are portrayed as moral failings that must be corrected. And though Amy does eventually marry into money, it’s not a road without hardship--she essentially has to salvage the man that Jo threw in the trash and teach him how to be a human again. Bless this drama, then, for refusing to romanticize poverty and ending with the sisters thriving off their stolen money. Living in this painful, heartbreaking, corrupt world as poor girls did not purify them, it merely hurt them. Stealing money from those who made them suffer may not fit LMA’s vision of ethical living, but it’s what In Joo, In Kyung, and In Hye deserved. Long may they enjoy their ill-gotten gains! 2) Finally, a Little Women adaptation willing to make the objectively correct decision and let Jo and Laurie end up together. Every other adaptation and the original novel found dead in a ditch. All hail Jung Seo Kyung.

My Liberation Notes -- Following up My Ajusshi was kind of an impossible task, but damn if Park Hae Young didn’t manage it. A thoughtful, heartfelt, deliberate show that never took the easy away out and somehow found the beauty in the small, painful, confounding details of life. I have like Kim Ji Won since Heirs and adored her since Fight My Way, but this drama showed an entirely different side of her, tamped-down and bitter and wonderful. And though one could argue that the show glamorized alcoholism (I don’t think you can drink that much soju and still look that good), it was all worth it for Mr. Gu. May we all get an alcoholic gangster hottie who worships us on command.

Through the Darkness--This drama was a lot more gruesome than I thought it would be? But it was also smart and deliberate and compassionate. The entire cast was great, but Kim Nam Gil was incredible, doing so much with silence and stillness.

Quite good:

Alchemy of Souls--So stupid. So fun. What is there left to say?

Love Like the Galaxy--It kind of lost me in the middle, but I was back on board for the end. Unexpectedly, my favorite part of the show hands-down, and the only story to make me cry, was the emperor and his doomed love triangle. Is this how I know I’m getting old?

Under the Queen’s Umbrella--Silly and heartbreaking in equal turn. Every time a mother hugged her child I melted. Lots of good, rounded, complicated characters but then there were also a few who were pure, cartoonish evil, which was less fun. The acting saved some of the more confounding writing decisions.

Not bad:

Strange Lawyer Woo Young Woo -- It started out so strong, but really limped to the finish line. I simply have no patience left for heroically idiotic breakups.

WHY??!?!?

*** ***** -- It turns out that when you watch a show that is absolutely not for you, you are not going to like it! I’m glad for the people who loved this show, but every time I saw a novel-length essay explaining how dramatically flawless it was, I truly felt like I was living in an alternate universe. Some of the acting was good, but a lot was aggressively not. The product placement was dizzying. Every single aspect of the premise and a lot of the conflict felt like it was scripted by aliens who hadn’t quite grasped human behavior. Still, I am grateful that it gave me something supremely silly to focus on at a very stressful point in my life, and it’s tough to fault a show that is pretty clearly for a younger age bracket for not appealing to me, an old person. The secondary couple ruled, though.

[anditendshowyoudexpect]

when i started watching Agency i couldn't imagine i'd end up enjoying it so much, probably the most i've enjoyed a kdrama this year. really did not see that coming

Strangers Again kept me entertained but i fast forwarded a bit through the last few episodes. the lead actors (i loved Kang So Ra in Misaeng and it was nice to see her again, while the male lead was an unknown. those eyes! soulful, someone said) were great and had just the right chemistry of two people who had known and loved each other for years, and i think this drama could have been really good if it had dug deeper and meandered less. to its credit, it ended how i hoped it would. all in all, not a waste of time but not something i would watch again either.

now, how the makjang of Red Balloon will end this weekend, i can't predict. my ardent wish to see everybody burn is still very much ardent. i can't believe i'll finally be free of it. human condition, so much human condition. let's kill them all, because they are too real and recognizable

the first two episodes of Call It Love were good. well done show, luring me in with all the My Mister stuff (i laughed when it turned out that Woo Joo, while dressed almost exactly like Ji An, did not possess her stealth and ingenuity. and why would she). no, seriously, they were good, and not nearly as depressing as some comments made it out to be. but surely we can't trust it yet. never trust a tv show. it will find a way to let you down. anyway, will definitely watch next week. i am mildly curious as to what this relationship will be like, but tbh for a drama with 사랑 in the title, that's the last thing i'm finding interesting about it for now. side note: the person who came up with the idea of using this god awful purplish filter and all those who thought it was a good idea should be forced to wear tinted glasses of this color for the rest of their life, even in the shower. and see all their dreams through this filter too.

CCIR: i would watch Kyung Ho (hey stupid android stop autocorrecting, he is not a lying ho) and Jeon Do Yeon, and the four teens being cute for ten hours straight, but i think it's safe to say we all know what's coming. the honeymoon is over! oh well. someday i will get my proper middle-aged romance. as it is, you're just making me want to watch Should We Kiss First? again. i mean, SWKF has terminal illness BUT NO ONE FUCKING DIES. also i love it smth silly.

OH! speaking of which, i almost forgot. i did finally watch Recipe for Farewell a few days ago. well, three episodes of it. now this one is definitely my thing, terminal illness notwithstanding. i only stopped myself because it was almost 7am and i wanted to binge the rest (and i will. it's so nice to know i have it waiting for me)

[drama-suggestions]

Rom-Com Dramas

Extraordinary attorney Woo (2022) (16 episodes)

9/10 rating on MyDramaList and 8.7/10 on IMDb

Extraordinary Attorney Woo is the story of Woo Young-woo, an autistic lawyer raised by her single father. She graduates at the top of her law school class and obtains her first job at Hanbada, a large Seoul law firm. Her intelligence and photographic memory help her become an excellent lawyer, but her communication is initially seen as odd and awkward. She also encounters people who are prejudiced against her and others with disabilities, such as her fellow colleague Kwon Min-woo, who often tries to sabotage her. Her approach is often unique and helps resolve cases in unexpected ways.

2. Business Proposal (2022) (12 episodes)

8.7/10 rating on MyDramaList and 8.1/10 rating on IMDb

Shin Ha-ri goes on a blind date with Kang Tae-moo, CEO of Go Food, but it goes awry when her date turns out to be Kang Da-goo, the chairman of Go Foods parent company. Young-seo tricks Ha-ri into meeting Tae-moo at his request. Ha-ri lies to Tae-moo and bribes him into pretending to be his fiancée in exchange for 800,000 won per date. Despite feeling betrayed, Tae-moo still loves Ha-ri and they become a couple. Young-seo moves out of her father's house and finds out that she is now Sung-hoon's neighbor. Sung-hoon is upset with her for deceiving his boss, but eventually realizes his growing affections for Young-seo and they get together.

3. Crash Course in Romance (2023) (16 episodes)

8.5/10 rating on MyDramaList and 7.8/10 on IMDb

Nam Haeng Sun, a former national athlete, now owns a side dish store and is attracted to Choi Chi Yeol, a popular and hardworking private instructor known as the "1 Billion Won Man". Despite his reputation, Choi Chi Yeol has become increasingly aloof and irritable due to his growing success. Nam Haeng Sun embarks on a new career in the private education field and discovers a deeper connection with Choi Chi Yeol. However, their relationship is not without challenges, as they must learn to confront their own shortcomings and trust in each other's strengths. It has a satisfying ending that resolves the issues of the characters.

4. I’m not a Robot (2017) (16 episodes)

8.4/10 rating on MyDramaList and 8/10 on IMDb

Kim Min-kyu lives a luxurious but isolated life due to a severe allergy to physical contact with other human beings. Jo Ji-ah is trying to create businesses based on her inventions. KM Financial owns the Santa Maria team headed by professor Hong Baek-gyun, who has secretly created an advanced humanoid robot called AG3. To convince Min-kyu not to sell the team, Baek-gyun sends the robot to him as a demonstration, but it short-circuits and Baek-gyun asks Ji-ah to pose as the robot, giving the team time to repair Aji 3. Ji-ah impersonates Aji 3 and Min-kyu falls in love with her, believing she is the robot. He is disturbed by this and "reboots" her, erasing the robot's memory. Baek-gyun then replaces Ji-ah with the real Aji 3, and Min-kyu discovers Ji-ah's deception and nearly kills him. Ji-ah confesses her love to Min-kyu and they rediscover their love. Aji 3's secret cache is hacked, revealing Min-kyu's illness, which is used to attempt a take-over of KM Financial and complete the sale of the Santa Maria team and Aji 3. Min-kyu manages to thwart the attempt and restores Aji 3 to the Santa Maria team. 2 years later, the Santa Maria team successfully launches a new robot and Min-kyu and Ji-ah are happily living their changed lives.

5. True Beauty (2020) (16 episodes)

 8.3/10 rating on MyDramaList and 8.5 on IMDb

Lim Ju-Kyung is a high school student who has been discriminated against by her family and bullied by her peers in previous school due to being perceived as ugly. She masters wearing makeup and quickly rises to fame. Su-ho is a student of Class 2-5 in Saebom High School who is popular for his handsome looks and being the top of his class. His dysfunctional family and a tragic incident from a year ago have turned him into an ice-cold boy who hates being the center of attention. He is formerly best friends with Seo-Jun and shares Ju-Kyung's penchant for horror comic books. This series, which has an entertaining bromance, explores Ju-Kyung's life and her aspiration to become a cosmetologist.

[myechoecho]

I don’t know what it is with me and dramas right now but here I am watching another drama that’s not particularly good and I’m probably going to watch it to the end.

Love is for Suckers started out well enough but ehhhh, it just sort of plodding along. I kinda don’t care much about the main couple, Yeo Reum and Jae Hoon. Like they are fine, but I don’t really look forward to their scenes or anything.

Instead, I find myself more drawn to Ji Wan and John/Joon. I know he treated Yeo Reum poorly, but he apologized to her and it seemed genuine. And he’s treated Ji Wan well and is kinda done with what Tae Mi is offering. I don’t know, I just really like them.

I positively loathe Chae Ri, though I suspect she’s not too far off of how some actual directors for reality shows are. I should have known better that to think she would have learned something when Sang Woo got hurt. Woman literally had shit thrown at her and nothing changed. Plus I am really angry at how she is trying to use that one contestant’s mental illness as a catalyst for drama in the show.

I will say that I like the married couple and i like how they actually discussed IVF since it’s not something I’ve seen before.

[bengiyo]

Once Again Eps 5 & 6 Stray Thoughts

There's so much to watch on Thursday nights. I'm never going to catch up on non-BL stuff. Let's get to the time travel show that is going to make me sad.

I don't remember them drinking this hard at the end of the last episode.

This building manager definitely knows a BL moment when she sees one.

I wonder if Thailand gets its penchant for all the busy editing from Korea. I'm watching Midnight Diner, so all of these cuts in a scene of just one person holding on to a finger feels like a lot comparatively.

Is the warning about a kiss going to be a K-BL trait? It's interesting! I like Kang Ji Hoon's initial surprise turning into curiosity.

Joo Hyung Jin is honestly so funny. He's a great mood shift for this show.

Shin Jae Woo scaring the bejesus out of his younger self after a cute scene is traumatic.

I do like seeing Kang Ji Hoon piece this narrative together.

The discovery of the picture and news clipping was well done.

Oh this confrontation is ill-advised.

On to episode 6!

Oh no. We're confirming that the loop is preserved. It's so tragic that the ve y actions he plans to take to save Ji Hoon may be what leads to his death.

Oh lord he got a knife.

You know, if Jae Woo knows about the kidnappings, why doesn't he just tip the police off with the information he knows? A direct physical confrontation with a violent criminal is so stupid.

And now he has the knife that will kill Ji Hoon.

Oh, Joo Hyung Jin, you're such a nice man. That was very kind of you to try to cheer up the kid.

And now Ji Hoon is enamored with the devotion.

Next episode is them having cute dates? It's gonna get so ugly afterwards.