I realise a lot of people enjoy Korean dramas these days, and the wave looks set to be strong for some time. Unless the competition buckles up. But nah. When I say 'competition', I refer to what I have grown up with: Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwanese dramas. I don't have an opinion on Japanese dramas because I haven't watched enough to comment. As for mainland China dramas, well, they work sometimes, and it helps if you're a sinophile who likes history documentaries.
I'm always trying to pinpoint why Korean dramas tend to hit the sweet spot more than others. For myself, at least. But shall we just say, it's complicated. :) There are just so many good things I don't know where to start.
But one big difference I notice about Korean dramas viz-a-viz Singapore (i.e. Mediacorp) and Hong Kong TVB dramas is the number of shots the Koreans take for a one scene. It's their attention to detail and storytelling, really. Take Coffee Prince: a seaside scene of Hankyul looking longingly at Eunchan, the girl he loves (but mistakenly thinks is a guy). He reaches out to touch her hair (she's fast asleep) but shrinks back again, struggling with his emotions.
It doesn't take more than a few minutes. But the way they do it! First it's a scenic shot. Lets you build up an imagination of typical lovers' beaches in Korea. You see the meant-to-be lovers lying chastely next to each other on a mat. And they timed it perfectly, just the right pause so you have the context and can almost smell the sea salt sprays. It sets the mood and builds anticipation.
Next, the camera moves closer and you see his expression from a distance. Looking at her, he slowly reaches out to touch her hair (she's facing away from him). Then the camera angle changes completely. A close-up shot from the opposite side: you see her face now, and his hand lingering over her hair (his face is outside the camera's view). She's completely unaware and blissfully asleep, even scratching her arm absently now and then. The hand above her head trembles a little. And the camera pans out, this time showing him looking over her. Written all over his face is his love for her and his personal struggle (I don't think Mediacorp ever realised this, but good acting is important). And you just go "awww" inside.
Now, the reason I went to such lengths to describe the simple scene above is to highlight differences.
If the Taiwanese did it: He would verbalise his emotions instead of acting it out. So with his hand outstretched, he'll probably go, "Looking at you, my darling, I can feel my forbidden love for you grow! But I can't, I can't!" And to drive the final nail into the coffin of bad dramas, they will start playing a melodramatic Hokkien soundtrack that makes you wonder if you're in the wrong decade.
If the Hong Kongers did it: The whole thing would be over quite fast. Less shots, more economically done. But you will still get the gist of it, just not so conscious of the emotions in the actor. It's not so bad but you will feel a bit rushed, not having savoured the moment enough.
If the Singaporeans did it: Same economical style as the Hong Kongers, really, but with bad acting. So in the end, you wonder if he really loves her. Or worse, if she's actually pretending to be asleep. :D
December 6, 2007
December 5, 2007
The perfect X'mas gift for Gong Yoo fans
What's the one thing which allows you to see Gong Yoo each and every day of the 365 days in a year?
The answer should send all Gong Yoo fans to the stratosphere.
The answer is... the 2008 Gong Yoo Calendar.
Now to bring everyone, except the Japanese, back to earth. Only 2000 copies of the calendar will be printed. Not only that. The release is only for the Japanese market!
The Japanese are so blessed. They have their J-pop, Sony gadgets, PS3, and now, Gong Yoo's calendar!
I can only leave you with an image of what we will be missing...
The answer should send all Gong Yoo fans to the stratosphere.
The answer is... the 2008 Gong Yoo Calendar.
Now to bring everyone, except the Japanese, back to earth. Only 2000 copies of the calendar will be printed. Not only that. The release is only for the Japanese market!
The Japanese are so blessed. They have their J-pop, Sony gadgets, PS3, and now, Gong Yoo's calendar!
I can only leave you with an image of what we will be missing...
Who's yummier? The doughnut? Or 'yummylicious' Gong Yoo?
More images can be found at popseoul. Perhaps there's still hope for fans hoping to get their hands on the calendar. Yesasia seems to be stocking up on the calendar, and from its advertisement (no, I am not an affiliate), they seem to be shipping to countries other than Japan.
Hope all non-Japanese Gong Yoo fans have the perfect X'mas gift by getting their hands on the calendar!
Bae Yong Joon trade period costumes for hospital gown
MBC's drama The Legend has just aired its final episode yesterday as you read this post. While fans have enjoyed Bae Yong Joon's martial arts exploits in the drama, few will know that the actor has just checked into the hospital, after filming the final episode, to treat injuries that were picked up during filming.
Wrote about Bae Yong Joon's injuries perviously, and I have to say that artistes in the entertainment line are one professional lot. Professional hazards for folks like me include wrist strain from the overuse of the keyboard or slipped disc from sitting for too many hours in front of the PC. Different hazards for different professions.
It is important to recognise the dedication of these artistes is an important reason why we get an endless, well almost, supply of good Korean dramas daily on our TV.
Anyway, hope Bae Yong Joon recuperates well during his stay in the hospital.
Get well soon!
Wrote about Bae Yong Joon's injuries perviously, and I have to say that artistes in the entertainment line are one professional lot. Professional hazards for folks like me include wrist strain from the overuse of the keyboard or slipped disc from sitting for too many hours in front of the PC. Different hazards for different professions.
It is important to recognise the dedication of these artistes is an important reason why we get an endless, well almost, supply of good Korean dramas daily on our TV.
Anyway, hope Bae Yong Joon recuperates well during his stay in the hospital.
Get well soon!
Related article:
December 3, 2007
Sung Yu Ri's new drama - Hong Gil Dong (KBS)
Girls dressing up as boys seems to be the 'in' thing following Go Yun Chan's character in The First Shop of Coffee Prince. Now the ever beautiful Sung Yu Ri will do a "Go Eun Chan" in KBS' new series Hong Gil Dong.
(Source: sohu.com)In this 2008 drama series Sung Yu Ri takes on the role of Heo Yi Nok and stars opposite Kang Ji Hwan, of Capital Scandal fame, starring as the male lead - Hong Gil Dong.
"You may be pretty, but you sure are heavy too!"
(Image Source: KBS)
In the story, Heo Yi Nok is born into a respectable family but does not know of her past as after her family fell into disrepute. And since gallivanting alone along the ancient Korean streets is a definitely no-no for girls during the period the drama is set in, Heo Yi Nok dresses up as a boy so that she can explore the streets and have her fun.
Sung Yu Ri shows a grittier side to her repertoire of acting skills this time round as it was reported that she did most of the action sequences herself without a stunt double. You did not read wrongly, she did the stunts herself. Hmmmm... a Korean version of Hong Kong's Michelle Yeoh.
Nah...
I can't wait for Hong Gil Dong to air on KBS World. Think it should hit the small screen sometime in Jan or Feb 2008. What a way to start the year!
Aja!
December 2, 2007
Yoon Eun Hye and Rain voted top Hallyu stars in China
Read in a Tour2Korea article that Yoon Eun Hye and Rain have been voted by Chinese fans as the most popular Hallyu stars in 2007.
Having followed Yoon Eun Hye's career since watching The Man of the Vineyard, I have to say that she well deserves the manic popularity with her Chinese fans. Apart from her sweet good looks, her portrayal of Go Eun Chan in The First Shop of Coffee Prince showed that her acting skills have improved significantly since her debut in Princess Hours.
Can't really comment much on Rain since I have only seen him on Full House, which I am still watching. All I can say is that he possess a boyish charm which is a sure formula in winning the hearts of adoring female fans. That said, I do find him rather endearing as Lee Young Jae in Full House.
Here's leaving you a photo of our most popular Hallyu stars in China... Yoon Eun Hye and Rain!
(Source: soompi Forum)
Related Articles:
Having followed Yoon Eun Hye's career since watching The Man of the Vineyard, I have to say that she well deserves the manic popularity with her Chinese fans. Apart from her sweet good looks, her portrayal of Go Eun Chan in The First Shop of Coffee Prince showed that her acting skills have improved significantly since her debut in Princess Hours.
Can't really comment much on Rain since I have only seen him on Full House, which I am still watching. All I can say is that he possess a boyish charm which is a sure formula in winning the hearts of adoring female fans. That said, I do find him rather endearing as Lee Young Jae in Full House.
Here's leaving you a photo of our most popular Hallyu stars in China... Yoon Eun Hye and Rain!
(Source: soompi Forum) Related Articles:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)