SeoulFire

Before I start I just thought I’d mention this awesome video. I was recently “surfin’ the net” (remember when that used to sound cool? Now it just sounds, to use another outdated phrase, “played”) and a blog I was reading brought to my attention this video. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what blog I saw this on (which makes me annoyed with myself) but I can say this video singlehandedly made me a Demi Lovato fan. At least for this one particular song. That’s how truly fantastabexelous it is. Enjoy!!

BTW….I was quickly scolded by my cousin on the last post. It turns out I came off as a “bitchy blogger” (A “BB”. Which coincidentally sounds like “baby” as my cousin also pointed out.) about the comments and trust me when I say that was not my intention. I appreciate all the comments you guys left and I especially appreciate you stopping by to read my ramblings. You guys rock my socks off whether you leave a comment or not. Thanks for your support!!!

This is it, folks. Episode 25. The last episode of this phenomenon called “Boys Over Flowers”. Yes, I know I’ve always called it “Boys Before Flowers” but the literal translation IS “Boys Over Flowers”. I decided to keep it as “Boys Before Flowers” because 1) That’s what I’ve called it since the beginning and I didn’t want to mess with the concurrency of Seoulfire and 2) At the end of the day, both translations mean the same thing, don’t they? Also, BBF sounds so much better than BOF. It feels like something I need to do around the house: “I need to BOF my cabinets today.” But I digress.

It feels surreal to say we finally made it to the end. We all knew we would get here but now that we are I feel like we’ve accomplished something that seemed unreachable at one point. If I was younger (and insane) I would pop in Vitamin C’s “Graduation” just so we had some nostalgia to accompany this celebratory mood. Lucky for us I lost my copy along with my NSYNC concert stub. Holy Bad Taste, SeoulFire Readers…….Thank God the year 2000 is over!!!

 

 

 

 

What is it with Joon Po and his ability to attract seemingly harmless women who instantly turn into overbearing, lying stalkers in less than 24 hours of meeting him? I guess that’s the magic of television.

Through it all Jan Di has always been my choice for Joon Pyo. Not just because she was the character the writers labeled as “the one” but because she didn’t hang all over him just so he would like her. Throughout the entire series she continued to be Jan Di (complete with her misguided decisions) and she was determined to be JUST Jan Di. It would be easy to be known as ”Joon Pyo’s girlfriend”. Many would respect her but not for who she was but for that mere title. And the fear she might sick an irrate Joon Pyo on someone if they treated her unkindly. I would be more afraid of the latter personally.

 

 

 

 

So after F2 (Yi Jung and Woo Bin) come in and do something weird in front of Jan Di and Ga Eul (devouring a bowl of porridge, that is, for you perverts out there) they inform Jan Di that Joon Pyo is being released from the hospital and they have come to pick her up. Luckily, for us Woo Bin’s lines were kept to the traditional short length. If Woo Bin’s lines were longer the writers might have gone overboard (seeing that this is the last of the show) and the nature of their visit would have been said like: “Yo, what’s up, Jan Di. Me and my boy came to take you to see your man who’s gettin’ out of the bighouse.”

You see?! I can’t even pull it off!!! Which is why Kim Joon should have never been asked to either. I love Kim Joon. I love Woo Bin. But every time he dished out another dose of English slang my eye automatically started to twitch. Coincidentally, I have the same reaction to his group’s song “Paradise”.

Meanwhile, Yi Jung came for another reason. He informs Ga Eul that he has to go to Sweden for four years (!) but that she would be the first one he would find when he returned to Korea. I’m assuming by her expression this is a huge gesture. I’m not going to lie, I kind of rolled my eyes at this one. She has to wait four years just so she can be the first one he finds when he gets off the plane? I feel like something should be happening in between that time. Maybe I’m not as romantic as they are (possible). Maybe I’m not that patient (quite possible). Maybe I’m just jealous she has the luxury to expect him to show up after four years (BINGO).

After Jan Di rushes over to Joon Pyo’s house she is greeted with not only a still clueless Joon Pyo but a now annoying Yu Mi accompanying him. They proceed to display a slight type of intimacy complete with shared bites of dessert, words said at the same time, and some minor scolding by Yu Mi when Joon Pyo is rude to Jan Di. It is, quickly frankly, sickening. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Jan Di walks out on this “touching” scene (who wouldn’t?), Yu Mi follows behind to tell her that not only that she knows Jan Di is the one Joon Pyo forgot but she thinks it would be better if Jan Di would stop visiting him. She then tells Jan Di that he still doesn’t remember her but she will keep trying to remind him of who she is. Yeah. Right.  That’s like telling someone that I’ll watch their steak for them while knowing that I am starving. What can say? I loves me some steak.

And, of course, Ji Hoo just happens to be stopping by Joon Pyo’s house (because this is BBF) as Jan Di is running out. Does he have a Bat signal or something that is raised whenever Jan Di is upset about something? How is it that he has perfect timing all the time? Makes me wonder what it will be like if Jan Di does marry Joon Pyo? Will that stop all together or will he be brought out for special occasions?

Anyhoo, when Ji Hoo( aka “Captain Save-A- “……I’ll stop there) brings her back to Joon Pyo’s room to confront him and his amnesiac madness they come upon another sickening scene (above). My blood pressure is slowly but surely rising just looking at it. Let’s move on amicably.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This may sound sick but I still get excited to see Jan Di so devastated and determined to have Joon Pyo back. Remember the days where she was still hung up on Ji Hoo and even when Joon Pyo was giving his heart to her on a silver platter she almost completely ignored him? So glad those days are over. We know she is in this for the long haul. Many fans are annoyed with the fact that she never expressed her true feelings to Joon Pyo the way Joon Pyo does to her. If you think about it this actually follows the personalities of each character. Joon Pyo says what he means while Jan Di buries her feelings in order to have the strength to get back up again. I’ve developed some respect for Goo Hye Sun in this series just because with this particular character all of her emotion has to come from her eyes and she pulls it off quite convincingly.

This being said I am, also, not a fan of Jan Di’s weakness in the “love proclamation” category. Which explains my affinity in appreciating the pain she displays when Joon Pyo is snatched from her in some way, shape, or form. So maybe that’s not really sick on my part but a desperate need to know they will end up together. Which may be sick on my part, still, considering I’ve been down this road before and I already know what’s going to happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I felt a slight tinge of deja vu during this scene. You know how you can watch someone make something that looks really good and SO easy that when you actually make it it comes out looking and tasting completely different from what it looked like on television? That’s kind of what happened here. The only difference is I never claimed to be Rachel Ray when I did that. And the people who tasted those cookies knew that. Which is why Yu Mi shouldn’t have tried to trick Joon Pyo into believing she made the lunchbox Jan Di left for him while he was at the hospital. Even though Joon Pyo knew something was amiss he instantly apologized for hollering at Yu Mi as soon as she started crying. 

It would have been good for Yu Mi to take the hint that Joon Pyo knew something was off then and there. Just like I quickly learned the difference between baking powder and baking soda the day I make those “cookies”. What?! Yes, I made that mistake!! Hey, at least I didn’t cry. Much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I won’t miss about BBF? The way Shinhwa High turns into a gaggle of Jonas Brothers concert attendees every time F4 is on the premises. It got old in at least episode……one. The other thing I won’t miss is Jan Di getting invited to ridiculous events like a pool party hosted by Joon Pyo and Yu Mi. All I have to say to that is…..WTH?!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day of the pool party (Who has pool parties anymore? I’m pretty sure the last time I went to a pool party all I needed to wear were the swimsuit bottoms because I had nothing to  warrant wearing a top. Can’t say I have much to cover up now though.) we come to find out that not only does Yu Mi clean up nicely (I know we hate her but she really did look nice) but she apparently plays the harp (because this IS BBF).Yu Mi follows Jan Di after she sneaks away from an admiring crowd (who wouldn’t?) to inform her that she has found that she likes Joon Pyo and they have an announcement to make so Jan Di might want to come back inside soon.

Did anyone else think this was another ploy by Joon Pyo’s mother? Yu Mi is seemingly harmless but when you scratch the surface she’s conniving, manipulative, and calculating. All without breaking a sweat. She sounds suspiciously like Mini Mama Kang and what better time to take advantage of your son than when he has forgotten the girl he fought so hard to love? Also, Joon Pyo would have to be a little off kilter to show any interest in a girl who’s just like his mother. His family would be thankful for all the money they have when they find out how much counseling he would need later on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We come to find that Joon Pyo and Yu Mi have planned to study in America together. And again my blood pressure is rising so let’s move on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know Jan Di is hurting in this scene and I know this is all fictional but I felt like I was hurting just as much as she was when Joon Pyo didn’t recognize the necklace he gave her. It seems like we’ve been on the roller coaster with her so we can sympathize with her when she cannot give up on restoring his memory of her. It’s the same way I felt while watching the video I posted above. I’m sorry to mention it again but it baffles me at how perfect it was!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most. Heartstopping. Moment. EVER. I love Jan Di’s determination. I love Joon Pyo’s memory returning just in the nick of time. Most importantly I love how Jisun’s song “What Do I Do” fit this scene so perfectly. I was already a fan of her music but she is on her way to being a soundtrack regular as a solo artist and I am not mad at that. 

Many of my friends who know about my love affair with Asian entertainment always ask me if I ever miss American television since I watch so much Asian television. The list is short of the things I miss about American television but I’ve always enjoyed how it incorporates new music that fits the atmosphere of the scene. Let’s face it, many KDramas, especially BBF, have the tendency to place pop songs in scenes where the atmosphere is anything but upbeat. I’m mostly speaking, of course, of the first half of BBF. I swear, they would’ve played “Paradise” if a tsunami broke out as part of the storyline. In other words, they played it a lot.

 

 

 

 

Joon Pyo’s memory returns just in time for Jan Di’s graduation. At least I’m assuming it did since they jumped to the scene where Jan Di apologizes to her mother for not having a plan after graduation and  she explains that she must take a test in order to get a scholarship to be able to attend medical school. I kind of forgot she was still in school. If I was her I’d forget too. Who has time to think about school when you’re surrounded by all this drama?! Again, the magic of BBF.

Another sign we’ve reached the end? New scenes that echo old scenes that remind us of why we fell in love with the series in the first place. Another JoonDi moment next to Joon Pyo’s “conspicuous” ride and another request made by Joon Pyo drowned out by a motorcycle engine with the worst timing. My only question is: What’s so hard about Jan Di saying, “What? I didn’t hear you!”? Is it a cultural thing or simply a plot mechanism invented to annoy the crap out of us? Let me know in the comment cellar.

 

 

 

 

F4 sends a limo to pick up Jan Di who had planned to skip the graduation festivities by helping at Ji Hoo’s grandfather’s clinic. Did you see the way limo driver just showed up and opened the day for her without saying a word? Jan Di’s parents apparently skipped the lesson on not getting into a stranger’s car. Although, the argument could be made that they should have taught her not to take pictures with strange men in kinkified warehouses for money first.

Jan Di then proceeded to have individual dances with each member of F3. I would post screencaps but you should have seen this by now and this doesn’t need any more commentary than that. If you’re picking up on an aspiration to move past this scene then you are right on the money. They did this in the other versions also (Believe it or not, I’m not sure about Meteor Garden. If you have the answer, let me know). Every time they do this the cheese factor was raised just a little more. Sweet cheese…..but cheese nonetheless.

 

 

 

 Eventually Jan Di figures out what Joon Pyo wanted her to do which was to meet him at their meeting place in front of the Nam San Tower.  She finds him there (looking at the tux he wore he apparently thought he was an matador that night) and he proceeds to recreate their first date. Again, signs that we’ve reached the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was online today taking my Korean class (I use Edufire.com. It’s cheap and all around awesome.) and one of the students in the class mentioned that they were upset that Jan Di refused Joon Pyo’s proposal in this scene. I quickly told them that she didn’t say no she just said she was too young to get married at that point and time. Their response was, “Well, she didn’t say yes.” I completely understand where they were coming from. While Jan Di didn’t say no to Joon Pyo she never did provide any indication that it would happen after the four years it would take Joon Pyo to return to Korea. While I do agree that they are young and have a lot to accomplish I also agree with Joon Pyo earlier when he asked Jan Di, “Who else are you going to marry?” No really, who else would she marry at this point?! It’s not abnormal for us to expect something a little more concrete but at least we know they are back together on a more permanent status. In other words, if they were on Facebook they would be ” In a Relationship”. And that’s serious.

You may not know this about me but I ADORE epilogues. I live for them. I’m that person who reads the endings of books before I actually buy them. Basically, I’m that person you hate in the bookstore. So it is my privilege to be able to write one here. Boys Before Flowers Epilogue: Four years later…..

Joon Pyo returns to Korea as Shinhwa Group’s Managing Director who has managed to pull Shinhwa together while in America by entering the software industry and has managed to make his way onto “three international economic magazines”. In other words, HOORAY FOR KOREA!! (We are watching a Korean drama after all.) When asked about his love life on what looks like his appearance on the Korean Oprah (KOprah?) he mentions that while he felt lonely from time to time he found comfort in a promise he made “someone”.

Joon Pyo’s parents watch his guest spot as Mama Kang takes care of Joon Pyo’s father. I don’t really understand how Mama Kang is suddenly this satisfied person while watching Joon Pyo on television. She never struck me as the type of character who was content with sitting around nursing her husband back to health. They did the same thing to the mother in “Hana Yori Dango: The Final”. After all the hell she put Makino and Domyoji through she was suddenly walking around with this huge smile as if they gave her an incomplete lobotomy.

Also, what a waste of coma awakening!! I was really looking forward to Joon Pyo’s father waking up and cleaning house. What did we get instead? Nothing!! Maybe they were saving that just in case they got that 6 episode extension KBS  had considered. If that’s the case, I’ll take the purposeless excitement buildup. I’ll find some way to deal with it.

Hello President of Shinhwa Group, Goo Jun Hee!!! The way it should be. Period.

 

 

 

 

Yi Jung returns from Sweden and keeps his promise to find Ga Eul first who is a kindergarten teacher (?). One of the children in her classroom ask him if he is the boyfriend Ga Eul mentioned who was living far away. Ge Eul weakly hushes the child telling her that she was not supposed to say anything to him. I’m assuming this means they are official. Can we consider this a closed ending or an open ending? I say it’s an ajar ending. What’s sad is that this is the farthest this couple has gone in the entire franchise. Rumor has it that a Chinese BBF is coming out soon. Maybe they can give us that closed ending we’ve all been wanting.

Jan Di is now in her third year of medical school after attempting the admittance test multiple times. She is scolded by her teachers but being the “weed” that she is she continues to work hard. 

Ji Hoo continues to perfect his stalking abilities by also joining medial school but since he was admitted on time he is now in the graduating class. Apparently, everyone who sees him still falls at his feet like the “second coming” they’ve made him out to be. From the way Jan Di was speaking it sounds as if his plan is to reopen his grandfather’s clinic once he becomes a doctor (grandfather was MIA at the time of this epilogue). But don’t worry, Ji Hoo’s not-so-unwillingness to repeat medical school just to stay with Jan Di proves that his thinly veiled love for her is still there.

Luckily, Joon Pyo arrives in a helicopter (because a car would be over the top) to not only break up the one sided love fest but to tell an unsuspecting Jan Di to meet him on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

So glad Joon Pyo is back!! I’ve read that some were upset that Jan Di never said that she missed Joon Pyo but did we really need her to say it? Again, Goo Hye Sun’s Jan Di is all about the eyes. There was so much emotion there that the words were unnecessary and I think Joon Pyo noticed it too.

And just when Joon Pyo pops the not so unexpected big question to Jan Di……

F3 shows up joking that Jan Di and Joon Pyo must get permission from them before she even gives an answer. If you were annoyed with their “impeccable” timing, don’t worry, so was I. But remember it’s all about Jan Di’s eyes. As far as I’m concerned the answer was in her eyes and what was she going to say? No? Seriously?

What a picturesque last scene, don’t you think? What a way to end the show. What a relief to know the madness is over. What a smartass thing for the production to do by playing “Parrrrradissssse…” just one more time.

Am I the only one who thought the writers held back a little A LOT. Some writers want us to interpret our own ending in order to make it feel like the show was somehow ours but the way they ended things was in a way that they were almost saying we already know how the story ends so we should just fill in the blanks. Yes, BBF writers, I know how this story ends but you can’t placate the fangirl within just to give me some peace of mind in return for hell you put us through for the majority of the show? You know, selfishness IS one of the seven deadly sins. I’m just saying.

So what did you think?! Did it meet all of your expectations? Yeah, me neither. Wow. Deja vu. I’m pretty sure I started the first Aftermath like this also. I guess I’m cashing in (not really) on some nostalgia like BBF did. Who says you can’t learn anything from television?

I gotta say…..this wasn’t my favorite. Believe it or not I’m sticking with the classic; Meteor Garden stays as my first pick in the franchise if only for the permanent space it holds in my heart. Second, comes “Hana Yori Dango” because the chemistry between Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun was undeniable. Also the Japanese version tied up many loose ends. While BBF comes in third I still respect it for what it was and it has hollowed out its own place in the “Hana Yori Dango” franchise. Thoughts? Comment cellar is calling.

GOODBYE BBF………HELLO CINDERELLA MAN!! PLEASE…..DON’T SUCK.

It’s amazing!! Even after the show is officially wrapped the cast of BBF is still the talk of the town. Granted it’s only been a week since the last episode but the hype for the show is higher now than it was when it was actually on the air. I never thought that was possible but apparently it is. I’m glad the cast will finally get some semblance of rest now that the show is over. Although, I already read that two of the cast members fainted: Hyun Joong and Kim Joon. Not to be insensitive but hearing this about Hyun Joong was not exactly a shocker to me. Did you see how much weight he was losing?! Now, the news about Kim Joon surprised me. Not just because he seemed like someone who was handling it better than the other cast members (disregarding the minor car accident) but also because…….he wasn’t exactly in as many scenes as the other members was he? Even then he was usually confined to a few lines that were composed of questions or displays of his “English speaking abilities tendencies”. I’m not trying to downplay his role in the show because I do love his character but, dude, really? 

And while I know not many of you leave comments (for those of you that do, you rock my socks off!! Yes, I just said that.) the blog stats show that many of you are still checking in and I am more than appreciative of it. Again, sorry for the delay. Hopefully Cinderella Man aka SeoulFire’s next feature will be delay free. I would usually follow this statement up with “Yeah, right” but the odds of that happening are better considering the lack of a job at this point and time. Anyhoo, here’s the Aftermath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who would’ve thought that Yi Jung would have been the one to commence a conversation about himself and Ga Eul? I think this shows real growth. And then he lets her walk away after she informs him that she will stop pursuing him. Oh, Yi Jung. One step forward, twenty steps back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It feels so good to have Kim Hyun Joo’s Jun Hee in the house on a  long term basis. While seeing her play the badass sister that Jun Hee is I prefer to have her showing the ever improving acting chops that she has displayed in previous works. While it wasn’t a huge hit like BBF, I personally enjoyed “In-Soon is Pretty” and was excited when I found she was playing this character. While having to play a badass sister may not be the hardest job in the acting world (or maybe it is. I’m, honestly, making assumptions on this one. Which is all I can do considering my “vast” acting experience as noted in a previous post.) but having to play a member of family in where your little brother has reached his breaking point (complete with starvation and run ins with the law) and a mother who hid the fact that your father is in a coma by telling you that he was dead must be a pretty daunting role to take on. She’s basically become the only sane person in her family. I wonder what that’s like.

If you’ve been following SeoulFire for a while you’ll know that I try very hard to look at all angles of each character. Although, with Mama Kang I am at a loss. All of the conniving things she does is simply for her pride. That’s it. No other reason. She doesn’t care that the people she is plotting against just happen to be her own children!! And where does that leave the children? You can’t disown your own parents. Well, you can but I don’t know many people that have turned out 100% healthy afterwards. Look at Macaulay Culkin.

So while Joon Pyo is seeing the body of a father who should be a ghost…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ji Hoo is having trouble with seeing the ghost of Jan Di past. One appears and disappears right next to him….

While one shows up on the evening news. Hey wait a minute!!

Just one question: What kind of local news do they have exactly in the BBF world? Every news channel I’ve ever watched has claimed to deliver full coverage but this news channel means FULL COVERAGE.

What?! Joon Pyo actually said something back to his mother. I in no way condone children talking back to their parents but there are times when I find it acceptable. The time where you find out the full extent of your mother’s deceitfulness against you and everyone you love would be the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to be angry with Joon Pyo when he refused to see not only his father but Ji Hoo’s invitation to go see Jan Di but I understood where he was coming from. He is at the point where so many of us have been before. As we get older there are many things we realize. Unfortunately, one of those things causes us to sit down, look deep within ourselves, and finally exclaim, “Wow. My family is really screwed up!” That’s the point that Joon Pyo has come to. It can make you feel like a large facet of your life has been a lie. I appreciate that while there is still anger there with Jan Di for leaving he is mostly keeping his distance because he can’t stand to bring her into the craziness of his family. That’s sweet and all but I think he should take Won Bin’s advice and give her the benefit of the doubt. Joon Pyo seems to forget the crap she’s had to endure just for being associated with him: harassment by an entire school, kidnappings, his mother, her mother, and an on-again-off-again relationship to name a few. I think she can handle a mixed up family, Joon Pyo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, of course, Jan Di’s mother’s excessive claim that Jan Di is the “future wife of Joon Pyo” backfires on them (surprise, surprise) and the town wants their money back. And while they were outraged by the fact that Joon Pyo had another fiancee as reported by a newspaper they found (talk about snail mail, right?) Jan Di still couldn’t tell them that they were wrong because she is in actuality not with him anymore. But of course who comes to save the day? That’s right. Ji Hoo sunbae. Is anyone else tired of hearing the word “Sunbae” come out of Jan Di’s mouth? Every time he shows up she’s always surprised and the first words out of her mouth is “Sunbae”. It’s a bit redundant. I believe this is the writers’ way of reminding us that while they have grown very close over this time their relationship is still rather formal. Technically, Jan Di should still call Joon Pyo “sunbae” since he is her elder but because they have a more relaxed relationship that formality was ignored ages ago. Yet another reason I am forever a JoonDi devotee.

I never noticed this before but do you notice the production has a tendency to give Ji Hoo a rather sacrosanct effect when he shows up? Just look at this scene where he shows up in front of the villagers. They treat him like he’s the second coming. He always shows up in white and his white shoes seemed to blend with concrete so it almost looks like he’s floating. It feels rather…..ridiculous sometimes.

As Ji Hoo “blesses” the villagers with his presence, a rather ominous figure watches from afar (Note:We saw him earlier but I didn’t want to mention him until he actually effected the plot. This would be the time to mention him). Of course, he’s out for revenge and, of course, he’s looking for Joon Pyo (well, not necessarily Joon Pyo but some way to get back at Shinhwa as a whole. Joon Pyo seemed to fit the bill.) I’ve noticed that Joon Pyo is like Angela Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher from “Murder She Wrote”: Knowing her meant your lifespan was reduced significantly.

 

 

 

 

 

Big props go out to Jan Di in this scene. I said it once and I’ll say it again, in another dimension, if things were slightly different, Ji Hoo would be a huge rival to Joon Pyo. Considering the state of things Jan Di could have accepted Ji Hoo’s proposal and no one would have blamed her. Except me. I would have blamed her profusely for giving up so easily but, lucky for her, she doesn’t have that problem. Double props to Joon Pyo for showing up even if it was from afar. Even if it was in a fairly bright car. Not exactly conspicuous on your part, Joon Pyo. He’s like David Starsky from “Starsky & Hutch”. They were supposed to be undercover cops but they rode around in this bright, almost offensive red Ford Torrino that was always shined up. I guess no one cares as long as it looks good on television.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not going to spend much time on this but I will say my heart skipped about 10-15 beats during this entire scene. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone congregates at the hospital as soon as they hear the news about Joon Pyo. Even his mother who hears the news, where else, but on the news (of course). Jun Hee kicks ass again by asking her mother if she knows anything about her own son and, of course, she has no answer for her. When everyone else know your son children better than you do there’s really no way to defend that.

 

 

 

 

Remember how I mentioned that the writer’s more than likely give Mama Kang the chance to redeem herself? Well, I think it’s fair to say that chance has arrived. Even though she did not stick around to see Joon Pyo rolled out of surgery like the rest of the characters, scenes like this make it slightly easier to forgive her….

 

 

 

 

 

KDramas usually go out of their way to drive home the mantra “Don’t have any regrets” which I’m sure Mama Kang has many of those. I must admit they are pretty successful most of the time. I always finish a KDrama the same way I leave church every Sunday: inspired, optimistic, and ready to love my fellow man. Then I leave the parking lot and cuss out the guy that cuts me off on my way home. This is similar to the effect KDramas have on me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another clue we are getting towards the end of a series? A LOT OF TEARS!! Hey, it wouldn’t be a KDrama if they didn’t make that last ditch attempt at pulling at the heartstrings would it? Am I the only one who was begging for this to be another sick joke by F4? I knew it wasn’t but I can dream, can’t I? What wasn’t a joke was that Joon Pyo made what he thought would be his last request that Ji Hoo would be the one to be with Jan Di in his absence. I know he’s said it before but for some reason this was more romantic than anything he’s ever done in the entire series. Maybe you disagree. Maybe I have a really dark view on romance. Who knows.

Back on Jan Di’s home front her family has been able to return to their home with her father to follow. This is simply the writer’s way to wrap up the family side of things so that we can get back to the couples. At least they know where the show’s priorities should be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here we are at the dreaded amnesia arc. I won’t say that I hate the amnesia arc but when you have suffered through an entire season of the amnesia arc **cough**METEOR GARDEN II**cough** you have a long sustaining prejudice against it. Plus don’t they think we’ve been through enough? An arc featuring the JoonDi couple finding their way back to each other would have been enough drama to carry us to the end. Simplicity can take us so far but not as as far an amnesia arc does wouldn’t you say?

My theory (and I always have a theory) is that before Joon Pyo passed out from the car accident he not only accepted that he would no longer be around but that he would have to relinquish Jan Di to Ji Hoo in order for her to be safe. But that’s just a theory. Any suggestions? Then the comment cellar is for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only comfort I find in the introduction of this character is that 1) Joon Pyo is simply “connecting” with her because she is slightly similar to Jan Di and 2) She doesn’t have enough time to be huge problem like, oh, Jae Kyung. The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is that we are right back to the Joon Pyo we met at the beginning of the series: rude, unpleasant, and an all around grandiloquent countenance about him. Awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s more funny in Jan Di and F3’s attempt to restore Joon Pyo’s memory? The fact that they thought that by reenacting these scenes everything would come back to him or the hilarious way Joon Pyo looked at Jan Di after each attempt? It’s obvious he really does think she’s crazy but who wouldn’t if they were in his state of mind?

Reason #452 I LOVE Ji Hoo: If he doesn’t like you, he doesn’t like you. The great thing about Ji Hoo is that he has never felt the need to put up any pretenses with anyone or anything. He sees beyond the surface and makes a decision about someone then and there. That’s one thing I do regret about Ji Hoo never having a chance with Jan Di. Ji Hoo liking someone as much as he likes Jan Di is as common as Haley’s comet. The only difference is that even when he has to let go of “his comet” the love never fades. He is still appearing to save the day when the one appointed to due so is “out of commission”. And that makes Reason #452 I Love Ji Hoo also Reason # 749 I can’t hate Ji Hoo no matter how much I try.

 

 

 

 

Big props to Ji Hoo for losing it on Joon Pyo and his acceptance of this random girl pairing herself with him right in front of Jan Di. “Hospital Couple”? I’m sorry, who are you?! No one knows who you are and you just put your claim on Joon Pyo knowing he’s in a “fragile” state. I try not to get too upset while watching this show because it is JUST A SHOW. Unfortunately it becomes difficult not to when you feel like you’ve invested so much into the particular show you’re watching: time, some money (I did buy something that was “subtly” featured on the show while I was in California. I won’t tell you what it is but I can tell you it will probably be collecting dust in the next few months here), and large amounts of my sanity in some cases (Example: Episodes 13-Present).

Next Aftermath is the last Aftermath for this show. Thank God. I’m sure many bloggers would agree with me on that.

Don’t get me wrong I had a great time “conversing” with you guys but trying to keep up with a high profile show like this one is exhausting. Not just because it seems like everyone was writing about the same show (and faster)  but also because this was my first attempt at actually documenting my thoughts on the show as it aired. You guys kept me going so please keep stopping by. See you on the next Aftermath!!

Ahhhhh……feels good to be back. And sober. And on dry land. I know most bloggers would write a post about their wonderful vacation and how fabulous it was but I’m taking a different route. Let’s face it, anything I could post would be moments only myself and my fellow “Mayercraft” participants could appreciate. If you’ve been on a cruise (or have seen a commercial for a cruise) you get the general idea of what’s involved. I will say this though:

 

1. If your experience in nautical travel is limited (like me), Dramamine is your friend. Although, if you’re legal, a Long Island iced tea is the best friend you’ll ever have!! Until the next morning. Where you’ll wish your “best friend” from last night was just a bad, bad dream.
2. I am convinced of this fact: Mango margaritas are MAGICAL.
3. Lastly, if you have the funds, go on a cruise. It’s the only sound investment you can make at this time. That and maybe the Snuggie. Afterall it is “the blanket with sleeves”.(NOTE: The Slanket is better. And it’s also the original. It’s just more expensive than the Snuggie.)(NOTE TO THE NOTE: No one has paid me to say this (who would?). It’s just a fact. And I only bring the facts to my fellow netizens.) 

 

While I’m sure that all of you reading this have not only finished this series but have watched it multiple times I still want to post the Aftermaths for the last three episodes. I also want to apologize for the HUGE delay. Going on vacation is no joke. Oh and finding out your job is laying you off the day you get back from vacation kind of puts a damper on things. That’s ok though. It means I get to spend more time with you and the wonderful world of KDramas. So here it is, ladies and gentlemen, episode 23: The Aftermath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The entire scene at the zoo was wonderful……unless you’ve already read the various spoilers (which I hate to say  I have) and you already know this is in the so called “calm before the storm” category. But boy, oh, boy is it a rather idyllic “calm”, don’t you think? Complete with a very cute little boy who looks like he could easily be theirs. Coincidence? I think not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, what perfect night wouldn’t be complete without a call from a largely overrated fact called reality? Complete with a another jab at advertising the many, MANY features of the ever popular Haptic phone by Anycall. The production crew knows how to hold onto their jobs don’t they? We get another episode of BBF while they get to cram another product down our throats. Everyone wins!! Except maybe our wallets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is anyone else tired of Yi Jung’s moping as much as I am? He has a serious case of “Charlie Brown syndrome”. But he has the amount of sadness found in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” while the JoonDi couple easily had the amount of sadness found in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, AND “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” COMBINED!!That being said, Yi Jung’s situation is not nearly as bad as he thinks.

 

 

 

 

 

Kim Bum is probably tired of staring at the same ceramic piece given to Yi Jung by his first love as much as Goo Hye Sun was tired of fainting everywhere. What makes it worse is that no one is dying!! There’s always someone who is depressed about something on the show lately and yet no one has been diagnosed with anything to cause all of this sadness. While the “incurable disease” diagnosis is overplayed in KDramas at least there is a sufficient reason for the melancholic overcast the writers subject us to. I guess I get upset about it because all of these things are fixable and I feel like we deserve some sustaining happiness in the last three episodes but I guess that wouldn’t make it a drama. I also hate to see Yi Jung/Kim Bum so depressed. I’ve grown very attached to him. Although, I guess without the angst ridden scenes he forfeits the chance for the many awards he could (should) receive for his angst ridden performance. Kim Bum FIGHTING!!!!

This is dedication!!! Dedication to what? I’m not sure actually. Ga Eul’s relentless search for what Yi Jung’s first love wanted to show him years ago could easily lead him back to his first love which would make the SoEul couple everyone loves so much eternally platonic. Even I don’t want that!!! While the search may not bode well for the feelings she has developed for him Ga Eul understands that in order for him to move on he has to discover what he missed that day. This simple fact makes her, quite possibly, the perfect choice for him. Her passion in refusing to accept his blatant abandonment of his pottery/life could make them a dynamic duo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would post the various flashbacks Yi Jung had of his first love who was basically giving him clues during their time together as to what she wanted to show him but I think it’s unnecessary. One of the tell-tell signs that we’re getting to the end of a KDrama is when they start dooling out an excessive amount of flashbacks. The other sign is when a seemingly healthy character suddenly has a previously absent symptom i.e. coughing, blurry vision, headaches, etc. I’m glad they went with the flashbacks option. Just keep in mind that hindsight is and always will be 20/20. I can say this was a great breakdown scene for Kim Bum. If he leaves next year’s award ceremonies empty handed I will be very, VERY upset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know the crew wasn’t really going for a comical angle on this scene but I couldn’t help but to laugh. I guess the humor came from the pure irony of the scene. How did something so wonderful turn into something so unfortunate? I guess Mama Kang has always had that ability though, huh? The other thing I laughed about is the fact that out all the things the local news had to capture they chose THIS. Last time I checked there are far more interesting things at the zoo to report about on the evening news. It’s the only place you can actually find lions, tigers, AND bears in the same place!! We all agree they looked like a “nice family” but I’m sure other things were happening in the world. For example, the fact that the merger between Shinhwa and JK Group is in jeopardy. Mama Kang might have actually turned off the television before they featured this “happy family”.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we were served with more flashbacks here but these were flashbacks that actually mattered!! Turns out the death of Ji Hoo’s parents was actually a terrorist attack against his grandfather who was President at the time. Hence,  the reason Ji Hoo’s grandfather blames himself for the death of his parents. Hence the reason why he left him after the funeral.

I just read out loud what I just wrote and…..wow. There should be a limit on how much drama one series should contain and BBF is dangerously close to what should be the limit. I’ve realized recently that explaining Boys Over Flowers ANY Asian drama is like trying to explain Twilight to a non-fan or trying to explain an inside joke  with your best friend to an “outsider”. Once the person receiving the explanation develops a blank stare and eyes that are glazed over you know it’s better to spare them and lend them the DVD. Have you ever tried to explain “Winter Sonata” to a KDrama non-fan? I have. And I’ll never do it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yi Jung’s back!! Well, sort of. Baby steps, Yi Jung. Baby steps. It’s good to know that Ga Eul is sticking around though. SoEul shippers, how ya doin’ out there? I feel like it’s my duty as a JoonDi alumnus to check in on you guys because, honestly, you haven’t had to experience the agony that comes with the prerequisite “teasing” that comes with each pairing. Fellow JoonDi shippers like myself have had to put up the writers’ sick idea of a joke by keeping Jan Di and Joon Pyo apart for SO long so I think we all sympathize with you when you’re handed the wretched “almost kiss”. What’s worse is that they were ridiculously close. Just keep in mind there’s only two episodes after this. In other words, the agony will subside soon.

One question though: What did she slip on?! She was stepping on clay, for goodness sake. While I’m sure clay is not completely void of some unctuous qualities it doesn’t warrant the slipping. Not at all. No but really-What did she slip on? Air? No, I know. Fate, maybe? Huh? Huh? Ok, that was bad. I’ll stop now. No, but seriously, any suggestions? Leave it in the comment cellar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, Mama Kang, you and your evil, evil ways. This kills me everytime. We all knew Mama Kang was going to figure out a way to push Jan Di out and she found it. It almost makes you wish Jan Di wasn’t so loyal to the people around her. Of course that would make us hate her and, in turn, the series would lose it’s appeal. Dang it.

 

Thanks to the few of you that responded to my “husband/soulmate” debate between Ji Hoo and Joon Pyo. It’s common knowledge which one is which between the two but I can’t say I’ve always been a fan of the separation. That doesn’t mean I haven’t tried to understand it though. The only way I can interpret this concept is the difference between your boyfriend/spouse and your best guy friend. Both of them are important to you but each serves a purpose in your life that the other would never be able to. Perfect example was this scene. Ji Hoo can protect Jan Di for the little things that might appear in life but would freeze up when it comes to the big things in life. Fortunately for Jan Di, Joon Pyo just happens to be well versed in handling the big things in life. Except for seemingly unstoppable arranged marriages. Joon Pyo needs a little help in stopping those.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joon Pyo also needs help in asking more in depth requests when speaking to his mother. She has obviously perfected the art of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”  I find it interesting that she is the only antagonist I’ve seen in a KDrama that is meddlesome just because she can be. Most characters would stop or leave (the latter being the preferable choice) after they realize their plans are fruitless but not Mama Kang. She has her own son trying make deals with in order to insure that she would leave the woman he loves alone and she, basically, lies without actually lying!! You’re the President of a huge company and this is what you have time for?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s scenes like this that make me wish the (not so) little old lady would hang around a little longer. Then I remember the slight “cheese” I found in this scene and I’m ready to move on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So as Jan Di is packing up (I’m assuming she has made the decision to leave town in order to protect her friends) she finds the box that holds various artifacts from Ji Hoo’s past and pictures (again, I’m assuming she drew these) of what his family would have looked like at each milestone of his life. That’s sweet and all but I really want to concentrate on this milestone….

Is that…..a tear? Did Hyun Joong just produce a tear from those seemingly unemotional tearducts of his?! Granted it was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tear but a tear nonetheless. I am slightly impressed!! Quick someone get a cup and display it in the Museum of Great KDrama Moments. What? That’s not a real place? Really?! Oh. Ok. Moving on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JanDi starts to see the after effects of “Hurrican Kang” and when she finds out that all of this is due to her being with Joon Pyo we all realize that she is going to make a major decision. Jan Di and her annoying conscious!!! Not even Ji Hoo playing some instrument can solve this problem. 

Thank God for inconvenient (?) acts of nature to disrupt unnecessary confessions from “Plan B’s”. Ji Hoo seems to be missing the fact that Mother Nature is trying to prevent any and all awkwardness that will arise between himself and Jan Di if he is succeeds is relaying his true feelings to her. That’s two different times he’s tried and two different times she didn’t hear it. Take the hint, Ji Hoo. Take the hint.

Just so you know: I’m not purposely trying to skip the longer than needed monologue Jan Di had with the man in a vegetative state she has been taking of or the fact that his hand moved after she left but I’ve decided to pay more attention to that particular plot when he finally wakes up. As of now that plot is in the “potential for excitement” category. 

What’s more important is the showdown between Jan Di and Mama Kang. At this point I feel like I have announced a “showdown” between these two more times than I can count but I think it’s fair to say that this was more of a showdown than the previous instances. Which is ironic considering this is the point in where Mama Kang’s search for Jan Di’s weakness was successful and resulted in Jan Di agreeing to leave town. To some this may seem like a defeat but in actuality it’s one of those moments in where the antagonist believes they are victorious but in actuality the victory is found in the protagonist’s nobility. Like “Rocky”. You know, going the distance. Eye of the tiger. All that crap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best scene in the series so far!! And, of course, it has to be the precursor to this unfortunate scene…..

 

 

 

 

 

We could compare every version of “Hana Yori Dango” all day long but I think all of us can agree that this scene is, quite frankly, painful. In every version I dread this scene. There’s a part of me that wishes Jan Di would have found a better way to do it but even I have a hard time suggesting other options that don’t end in Joon Pyo scrounging the earth to find her. She had to, basically, break his heart in order to protect not only him but everyone else around them. Hmmm. Is it just me or does this sound strangely familiar?

So while Jan Di “escapes” to live with her family in some fishing town in where her mother has told everyone she is practically married to Joon Pyo. Yeah, that won’t blow up in her face any time soon. We can always rely on mom to remind us of how rich Joon Pyo is, can’t we?……..

Ji Hoo and Joon Pyo are doing the only things they could logically do at this point….

Ji Hoo has turn into this automatonic version of himself by burying himself in paperwork for his family’s foundation. Paperwork he has never shown interest in since the beginning of the series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Joon Pyo is getting drunk with skanky women at questionable bars. And just to put the icing on the cake he decided to get arrested for beating up a video game on the side of the road. I don’t know about you but that’s the way I deal with a break-up. J/K.

If this was an American series, Bill Withers’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” would be playing right now. I’m glad it’s not an American series. I would be crying like a huge baby and I take pride in the fact that I haven’t had that moment just yet in this series. So thanks K-Pop dealing music supervisor for your prevention of my potential “Klennex moment”.

Writer’s retraction (Sort of): Well, it looks like an article was put out in which it was explained that Hyun Joong could, in fact, hear through his helmet to speak on his cell phone. This clarification has prompted me to acknowledge this fact in this post. I am not a fan of riding motorized bicycles with two wheels I must balance on which makes my knowledge of biker helmets almost obsolete. This being said I still stand by the fact that it is freakin hilarious to comment on it, hence, I will continue doing it. The article also happened to mention that the now infamous helmet cost 15,000,000 KRW (that’s a little less than $11,000 USD, folks)!! Please tell me the bike came with it. Please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprisingly, I think Jan Di was right in not answering Joon Pyo. If she told him to stop the wedding then they would be avoiding the bigger issue for the rest of their lives. That bigger issue being his evil mother and her “Mommie Dearest” ways. Speaking of Mama Kang….

 

 

 

 

 

I only have one word to describe Mama Kang at this point: sick. When you start kidnapping the woman you think is a threat to your son’s wedding that he doesn’t even want in the first place you are, for the lack of a better word, sick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love it when a wedding goes from somber to explosive all in less than a minute. I love it even more for the fact that it’s not MY family. I’ve learned from experience: alcohol + feuding in-laws do not mix well. To add multiple objections to the union during the ceremony, as we gladly witnessed in this scene, to the already tension filled formula would result in a guaranteed domestic disturbance call.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t it great to see Jan Di and Joon Pyo smiling again? I was starting to think they had Charlie Brown syndrome.

 

 

 

 

Again, Jun Hee watching over like the guardian angel she is. Again, one of the greatest Asian characters EVER!!

 

 

 

 

I find comfort in knowing that JoonDi shippers like myself are not the only ones being unfairly jerked around by the BBF writers. SoEul shippers, are you suffering as much as we have been for the past, oh, ten or so episodes?! I still have my doubts and I still think they will leave it open ended just like the other versions did. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong but……..I have my doubts. In the meantime I prefer to submerge myself in Kim Bum’s undeniable cuteness. Even when his character is shelling out BS like, “I don’t believe in happy endings .” Why does he have to be only 18 years old?! Even though I’m 22, I still feel like he could easily be my little brother. Getting older definitely narrows your options on younger men. 

I had to pull from my Drama experience in school in order to realize the brilliance of this scene. The meeting between the “Plan B”s. I’ve mentioned before for both Ji Hoo and Jae Kyung that if we had not been introduced to the chemistry/destiny between Joon Pyo and Jan Di firstly they would have been the ones to pick for the previously mentioned characters. To have both “Plan B”s meet really conveys how similar their loss is and, at the end of the day, their loss is the best for everyone.

Let me just say that my Drama experience is very limited although I did it for half of my life. It was usually confined to a non speaking part in which I was the graceful, oversized bird or the graceful, oversized tree. I began to notice a sort of typecasting so I moved on to the behind the scenes aspect in where studying a script and it’s general meaning was a must. In case you’re wondering, yes, I had to wear wings with my bird costume too. I haven’t been able to live it down til this day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWKWARD!! Courtesy of Jae Kyung.

BIG GUSHING MOMENT!! Why is it that I turn into a bonefied fangirl on these scenes? I can’t even control it. It just happens!!! Next thing I know I’ll be writing a blog in which I rant and rave about the happenings on the show!! Wait a minute……..

 

 

 

 

Oh, Jae Kyung, you will be missed. Please come back real soon. But only in the context of an advocate for the JoonDi couple. Otherwise feel free to stay where you are.

As one “wrench” soars away…….

 

 

 

 

 

Shinhwa’s merger with JK Group does anything but.

 

 

 

 

 

As if we need any more confusion in this already complex storyline!! What is the connection between Ji Hoo’s grandfather and Mama Kang (who’s first name is Hee Soo apparently)? Why did he have to tell Mama Kang about his plans to make Jan Di his granddaughter? And is there anything more awkward than the scenes after Ji Hoo’s grandfather informs him Jan Di is moving in?

 

 

For the “ladies man” that Yi Jung is he is simply a man when it comes to catching the clues. Or missing them I guess I should say. 

Don’t you just love “Alfred”. He’s the most discreet advocate for Jan Di and Joon Pyo but in many ways the most effective. He is the only one who realizes that the acceptance of Mama Kang will take time and many obstacles to obtain. Everything he says and does is for a reason. So when “Alfred” brings you to a man in a vegetative state and asks you to take care of him, gosh darn it, you do it!!

Finally “The “Confession” comes out. Too bad Jan Di was too tired to finally hear it. We were too, Jan Di. We were too. It’s not as if we didn’t know how he felt all this time. It was just a matter of waiting for him to say it so that we can see Jan Di’s reaction. I wish this was the only time he would declare his love but I have a feeling the writers won’t let us off that easily. It makes me slightly sad for Ji Hoo because I have grown to love his character. Is it enough for a full conversion to Jan Di/Ji Hoo ’ship hood? Absolutely not. Does this growing love make it easier to forgive Ji Hoo’s habit of staring off in space? A little. 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the fact that while Ga Eul is trying to help a seemingly hopeless Yi Jung she simply repeats all the things he taught her. Talk about your own words coming back to bite you in the @#&.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve always wondered what Ga Eul’s main motive was in her search for Yi Jung’s first love’s message she wanted to give him. Is she really that good of a friend or did she realize that he couldn’t possibly move onto someone else (her?) if he was still holding on to what happened years ago? I am going with the latter. What do you think? Let me know in the comment cellar.

 

 

 

 

How much can I pay Won Bin never to say, “Ok, let’s move out.” ever again? I will pay anything!!! As long as he can take it in installments. Oh, Won Bin and your English speaking ways. At least he’s good at quick get aways. 

 

 

 

 

Another big gushing moment. Go ahead. Gush a little. Or a lot. I went with the latter.

 Question of the Day: It has always been said that between Goo Joon Pyo and Ji Hoo one was the husband while one was the soulmate. Which do you think is the husband? Which do you think is the soulmate? I’m still on the fence. I always thought in KDramas it was always better when they were one in the same. Let me know what you think in the comment cellar.