Saturday Poetry Corner 55: 따뜻한 겨울 (Our Season)

 

First, but it definitely will not be the last, appearance of Kim Jonghyeon here in the series.

TV Series Opening 22: Kingdom

The opening is simply beautiful.

Throwback Thursday Ep 04

This time - new arrangements of classics.

The reason? One day I listened to a marimba player and somehow fell in love with the sound of it, hence the theme for today's throwback - covers and rearrangements.

Lost in Translation

   Since I ordered myself some break, I will now, good readers, mention a bit what I'm doing every day. No, not shufflin'. Tranlatin'. It's not as visually catchy (although not new, MJ had this 20 years ago, but some Divas are 'too funky to be old'), yet it displays a full range of emotions. You don't believe? 

This is some kind of story and ramblings. I like to tell the stories, and I like to mock. Those who don't get my sense of humor may pss this.

My adventure called by evil brotherhood "translating" and by 'funky' crowd: "meh-any-cow-can-do-it" started probably during my... let's say first studies, let my past be mysterious, OK? I studied French, actually no, I fought to survive through this French. It was hell, decapitations, French Revolution even. But I can read now almost every article, although with dictionary help, and subjonctif-plus-que-parfait has no secrets from me.

Secret marriage, secret talent

   All Korean websites are buzzing today with news on Yi Jiah and Seo Taiji divorce. Why? Because no one even knew they were married. Getting any other news is not that easy today. 

Divorce aside, it happens, but keeping the marriage secret for years? I read they could meet in private only in US, so they spent some time there. Let me ask it one more time: WTF??

Upcoming drama

Uhm... After bland opening of the year it looks like the Spring will bring some more interesting dramas.  Ah, hell, I'm not counting the three of 2011 dramas, because I'm sure I will end up liking them in solitude. But it's not shooing the sleep away anyway. I realized, after the new semester started, that the more I have to do, the better I can manage my schedule. Suddenly I found time for 3 drama to watch. The fourth is coming tomorrow^^.

The Discovery of Affection - tells the story of an actress who is slightly over her glorious day and her relationship with an actor who is in the peak of his popularity. The screenwriters are... wait for it... Hong sisters! So I think everyone knows what to expect.

The Princess' Man - (after hancinema) A project that focuses on the tragic relationship between King Sejong's second son. General Sooyang and Kim Jong-seo. With the "Gaeyu-jungnan" as the basic structure, this is a historical version of "Romeo and Juliet" between General Sooyang and Kim Jong-seo, General Sooyang's daughter and Kim Jong-seo's son. This one is scheduled to July, so not that soon, and maybe even the title will change, but looks good. 

Korean monarchs

Gyeongju - Bulguksa

   I just gathered all tables and links and put them nicely in one place, and after that - saved it as a pdf file. I added also credits at the end of the file, and want to state that this one is only for scholar purposes. There are people who like historical drama and checking up the names all the time on the net may be tiring, so I thought one file would be useful.

I left only some hyperlinks, so in any case anyone may easily find more info on a certain historical figure.

Who Likes Flowers?

   I've been hovering over this topic for over a month now. We had this conversation on DA or msn not once, and after some time devoted to digesting all horrible pics and news, I decided to write what's on my mind.

Of course, some will just disagree for the sake of disagreeing, some will curse me for eternity, but I hope some just nod silently. It might not be a big deal, considering how wide K-entertainment is, but some issues keep bugging me and when I'm irritated I start to develop an anger. This is why I procrastinated. I didn't want to write in the heat of things, because it might happen I couldn't control my harshness. Now, since I'm preoccupied with usual, mundane work, I can look at the problem with a cool heart (oh, can you? Really??).

My problem? My problem is this beauty obsession in Korea. I have nothing against someone being beautiful, but we should draw a line between "famous because of the beauty" and "famous because of the talent". Talent and beauty are seldom walking together. Of course, entertainers are bound to look attractive and stand out against normal people, I understand that they are also working with their bodies. But putting the physical appearance on the worshipped altar of "popularity" is complete nonsense as for me.

I guess everyone knows the term "kkotminam" (꽃미남).

Lunar New Year - 설날

Tomorrow is Lunar New Year. So to those who celebrate - Happy New Year! And congrats to one special friend!!

And a small gift for those who learn Korean^^

Maedeup

   I remember when I was in primary school, we had some practical classes. We learned how to make screws, aprons, pickles, how to cut wood and so on. And one time we learned how to make macramé. I made a flower pot holder and it still is in my room, holding another pot with flowers. It's pretty. This is why this kind of art always appealed to me. Maybe this is why I loved Korean knots so much? First time I saw maedeup with hanbok was in some period movie, when I saw gisaeng's attire. Then I started to look for some more, but there is not a one page online with technique, only basic knots and links to books. So I started to contemplate buying a book on it.

Jeondeung Temple

  I came accross one article about the Annals of Joseon stored inside this temple complex while I was looking something more on historical accounts kept in Korea. Thankfully, 1181 volumes kept in the Jeondeung-sa on Ganghwa Island remain undamaged. If it wasn't for those annals, probably Dong Yi, or SKKS would have not come to life^^. This temple has a very long history, reaching back to the Koguryeo period and King Sosurim. It was built by a monk name Adowhasang.

The fortress that the temple is part of, is built with stone.

For more reading on this beautifully located and crafted temple and fortress: here.

And I have to say it with hand over my heart - I love the green and red combinations in Korean architecture. I like the colorful elements. When you look closer to the eaves and bracketing, you will see the intricate patterns and detail that can cause a whirlpool of colors before the eyes. And I like how they used stone in their work. It is often said that Chinese architecture is made of the brick, Korean of the stone, and Japanese of wood.

New Movies - info and trailers

   While waiting for Ahjusshi, and Recipe, some other movies to look forward to, hopefully. Sometimes when I start a movie, I can't believe it is made by the same nation as dramas. Korean movies are the epitome of freedom, comparing to dramas. This is understandable since dramas are broadcasted on TV. TV shows are watched by everyone, you can't put a monitoring device on the box to check who sits in front of it. In cinemas is easier - when you're under certain age - you can't buy a ticket. TV... Well, this is the main source of all of our frustrations lately. Because no matter how beautiful the sensuality between the people is, when it comes to kisses, suddenly everything just flats like a balloon. Yes, there are some nice, hot, great kisses in dramas, but in overall- there is a shortage of actors who can do it. And one of them is in the military, dumbass! Not his fault, I know... We agreed on this, first kiss can be awkward, but for our hearts and butterflies sake - don't make Amishes out of thirtysomething people living in a highly developped country!

OK, rant is over, because I could go on and on.

Upcoming movies

How do I put this. A gay movie. Not my fault that lately everything started to revolve around this. The Life Is Beautiful-gate hasn't ended yet. Damn, if they marry in this drama, I guess actors will be crucified. Crap, I made a religious reference, just sue me, please. And get over with it.
And don't ask me why there is a cat as the picture anchor.

Autumn thoughts

   So it came to this, we've been called homophobic on DA. If anyone gives a damn, please read this blog. Please read my posts on D-A, not just random ones gathered from the past 2 weeks, in one thread, OK? Then, if you find anything, you can call me a homophobic person. If not, don't even appear in the same place as me. Orion (ah, my Queen of Thorns), came up with the nickname for JKS: Gaysha. I find it very, very descriptive and accurate. Those who don't like it are either overreacting or play sensitive to any offensive word toward gays. I mean, is this some kind of sacredness that you can't make a joke? No, you can. You can make jokes of everything, just keep the jokes on the appropriate level. Hell, I like religious jokes, really, and I'm not a fighting atheist or anything. A joke is a joke. If I watch any GTM and I don't like it, I have to swallow my disappointment and just say it was awesome because I may offend anyone?

Noron and Soron

We are hearing this in SKKS a lot, and the tension between Jaeshin and Seonjun is based on this division. Well, Jaeshin added lately another reason to hate the stone Seonjun, heh.

During the reign of King Injo, two political factions were at power: seoin (western faction) and nam-in (southern faction) The political power of dong-in (eastern faction) was shrinkened. In 1659, a big feud started among the nobles, and the reason was the length of the mourning after the second son of the King. Nam-in faction was victorious in it (2 year-long mourning) and the power of seoin waned for the time being. In 1680 nam-in were cut from the power after being accused of the conspiracy. The triumphant faction seoin split into two: noron (the old reasoning) and soron (the new reasoning). The former demanded the severe punishment for the conspirators, the latter were more lenient. In 1696, noron were accused of non-existent conspiracy and temporary shifted from the power, and some of them lost their lives as well. Soron faction's victory didn't last long, King Yeongjo (1724-1776) put noron back to the power. The law was strict: anyone who accused noron was sentenced. Soron revolted in 1728. They paid a high price for this mutiny, but in overall, Yeongjo's reign was peaceful (tangpyeonchaek).

More manly voices

   No, no Mr. Hong Kwangho this time, but I found few other videos of that enchanting gentleman and I will present it in a short time^^...

First, Kim Dongwuk. We were talking with Peggy on D-A about some singers (mostly old ones, cause we share the same passion for the music of 20's, 30's and 40's) and she mentioned one video featuring his song. Seriously, I fell from my chair recognizing the song. Because this song, in a different arrangement was used in a dancing scene in No Regret. And since I love this movie to bits, the love for JK (Kim Dongwuk) followed.

His voice is coarse, sandy, strong. It may not be everyone's cup of coffee, if you prefer delicate, balls-less, airy singing - stay the hell outta here. Because Kim Dongwuk shows how to convey the emotions - despair, love, loneliness, happiness. Technically he's great. He is not afraid of experimenting with his voice, sometimes he leans on the tune, and sometimes the music leans onto him.

Singing Actors, Acting Singers

   As we all know, poor me is on the drama/movie shortage for the next 2 years. Iggi is slowly coming to me, so tomorrow I will probably pass out, but I can count on no more than 2 movies per year from that ungrateful JJY, so I started to watch musicals. Korean ones, to be exact. And... damn I love it.

And while watching one version of Jekyll & Hyde, I started to have some strange creeps. I was watching and I realised that I know the actor singing so fabulously. Jo Seungwu. I was in complete shock, He sang great in 70 70 Go!, but it was the movie, so, you know, studio recording can make everything. I can even sound like Aretha Franklin (maybe not, ok), but this was some live performance. I knew he was a nice actor (Jina-sshi, kamsahamnida^^), but somehow his singing abilities didn't strike me that much in this musical movie. The stage is different. The stage shows everything. If an actor is weak - it will strip him of any delusions (sure, some can just make it up by different aspects), if an actor is good - everything will just stop, and there will be only him/her on the stage and you. Not a person from the audience. You.

   I'm far from my point of this post. Actors in Korea sing. Better or less good (ah, I am so euphemistic, back to my normal self - they suck!), but they can sing, or at least hold a note. I was slightly biased towards singing during FM (fanmeetings), but KNG changed my mind. He doesn't have any spectacular voice in singing, he sings higher than his speaking voice, but clearly and not "airy", I hate airy voices. Plus, he doesn't make an idiot out of himself when he sings on the stage. Yes, I watched what I could, even from 2006, when he had his hand in the bandage. So... OK, without any inappropriate adjectives.

Godss, I lost my point again, damn you, Namgil-nim!

My point is - when you sing, sing well. I don't buy an excuse about the fatigue, I don't buy any excuse about "not being the singer". What a cosmic bullsh*t. If you record an album, or a single not as a part of the OST, you are moving toward singer-zone. Sorry. So do it well.

SEOUL DRAMA Awards 2010

 Voting for an Actor 

   That's it. They asked for it. I wrote the second mail, this time not asking for clarifications, but demanding the response. Whatever kind of. What are my points?

1. If you plan to go public, make sure "the public" will be entitled to participate in the activities. If they go with online voting, they should THINK about the whole world. You know, the world does not end on Jejudo! They made English version of the website, good, that means it is made for whom? For Koreans that prefer to cast a vote in English website than in Korean? Give me a break! 

And if you went public just to show how good you are with creating a website (yes, you know C++, I see, oh, that's great...) put a big banner reading: NO EUROPE/WORLD. That way we could just back off.

2. If you plan to kill two birds with one stone, it's better to make your oven bigger. Because sometimes the killed bird is not a sparrow as you expected but a herron. Then what? Put it on the stick? If you make a winning lottery of some kind, it's better to give a choice whether someone wants to participate in it and have a chance of winning something or not. I don't care! I don't want to win anything. (On the second thought, let me think... cozy room with a veranda for watching the moon, a bottle of wine (or a box)... not that bad...). I want to vote, for my mental health sake!

3. Stop screwing with Europe! I know, Asian culture and dramas/movies are not the same pulp as Hollywood ones, they are different (what a discovery, come on, I want a Nobel Prize!), and may be not everyone's cup of (green) tea, but hell, there are people who watch them, who love them, who buy them! We decided to give dramas a chance (even me, and I was strongly biased), and we demand the equal treatment! OK, we know, there never be an equal treatment, cause we are here, they are there, but at least try to understand our point of view. Korean fans are disappointed that their actors do not meet them in fanmeetings once a week? Kiss my Western a*s. This is the only answer I got for your whining.

4. At least answer when someone's writing. It's the principle of a good behavior. If not, trust me, sooner or later our wrath be upon you.


Who is now winning? Lee Seung Ki. Good that voting is not for the Best Actor, but for the Most Popular Actor. If it was the former, it's obvious who should win. I had even no idea who Seung Ki was until Baeksang Awards in March. So I watched 5 episodes of Brillian legacy. THIS is the rival of Kim Namgil-nim?? Oh, pleeeze... Just give me a rifle, I wanna shoot some squirrels! And third one is Lee Byung Hun, and if I know my luck, or Kim Namgil-nim's, I'm sure this will turn out bad. I have no idea who's more unlucky even. This doesn't look good.
But with recent scandal of LBH... hehehe... yess, poor, poor boy. The hell I feel pity! I feel no empathy whatsoever.

Update: OK, I got the response, I know everything now. I explained on DA^^

Imaginarium of Dr Delusion~.~

                                                           Reading on your own risk!

    Long time ago, far away from European plains and mountains, there was this land. The land was divided into many Kingdoms. Kingdoms were fighting each other over the fertile meadows and fields and its jewels, hidden deep under the feet of regular soldiers who knew nothing about them. After centuries of wars devastating this beautiful domain interlaced with times of peace, a great invention was brought to the Land of Morning Calm. A powerful invention, much more dangerous that any rifles and machine guns. And suddenly a celluloid flowers began to bloom. A mightly wave of Golden Age of Cinema swept away every country of the world. Land of Morning Calm learned fast. And when people started to breathe again with ease, a new wave rose like tsunami, covering neighboring countries. This time it was Hallyu, The Korean Wave. As every kid who learns Physics even a bit knows what is the wave. We have different waves: radio waves, acoustic waves, sea waves, Keunsuk's hair waves, oops, sorry, too early...

Korea magazine: Hallyu

I just received my printed copy of it, but you can download it from below here.

OK, the thing is: they are talking mainly about the Hallyu. And we see who? Lee Min Ho. Yes, my dear readers, Lee Min Ho rose as the star of a new Hallyu. On the bad side: it has also 2 pics of Kim Hyun Joong. Oh, ladies, not too fast! Don't block the bandwith, let the others to download too! Buahahaa!!

This issue is very interesting.