Oh Merlin.

After 5 years, Merlin concluded it's run on the 24th December 2012. I started watching Merlin because I have always been interested in the Arthurian legends. Another factor is that it involves magic. I'm a sucker for any narrative that includes magic, especially when the world it inhabits is rich with characters and conflicts that I am invested in. Which is why it pains me to know that there will never be any new Merlin episodes with the cast and characters that I have grown to love.

Throughout its run, I have occasionally been let down and was upset with the show. I ultimately forgave it and trusted that the writers knew what they were doing. However, this changed. Drastically. After watching the finale episode I'm left with a very bitter feeling. I have never been so upset with a final episode than I have "The Diamond of the Day". The episode came in two parts, and it's the second part that makes me very close to regret ever watching Merlin.

Hence, the remainder of this post will be full of rants that I need to let out.

= WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD!! =

The battle that was constantly spoken of throughout the season finally occurred and man did I love the resolution of it. Merlin appeared (as an old man) and defeated the Saxons with lighting. That's right, lighting. He killed everyone in the vicinity of Arthur, and ordered the dragon away. It was epic, and nearly everything I imagined and wanted. If only he got Mordred... but then the prophecy wouldn't have been fulfilled.

Speaking of Mordred, he was a character who's role in Arthur's death was so hyped that when the reason behind his motivation was revealed, it felt quite weak. It was too sudden and all because of a girl? Sigh. If only Mordred witnessed Arthur's leniency and his offer to allow Kara to save herself. Arthur shouldn't be blamed for her death, she chose it after all. As for Arthur and Mordred's battle... it was such a disappointment. The only thing I can say is at least Mordred died. So much wasted potential when it came to Mordred and his character development was so so weak.

[I was also expecting Kilgharrah (Great Dragon) and Aithusa to battle it out, like the legends. But that never happened.]

Merlin: Why do  you want to do this?
Gwaine: Same reason as you. To help a friend.
Merlin: Arthur's lucky to have us.
Gwaine: Not Arthur.

A character that I quite liked died in this episode, for no apparent really except to add onto the pain. Gwaine was a great character and I loved him the minute he was introduced. He and Merlin hit it off immediately and remained quite close throughout the series.  I always felt that he was supposed to have a more important and prominent role in Merlin's life, but he was regulated to being just a Camelot knight. He was like a replacement for Lancelot, who sacrificed himself for Merlin (I cry inside because of Lancelot's death. HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE YOU STUPID WRITERS!!). I thought that Merlin was supposed to share with Gwaine his secret, but it never happened. Not only because they were close, but because of Gwaine's knowledge of magic. He would've been a fine confidant who would've accepted Merlin's magic quite easily. What a waste of potential...not to mention the waste of potential bromance.

Back to the  point, why on earth did Gwaine have to die? His death was due to his desire to kill Morgana, but was killed instead. As the scene unfolded before my eyes, I just couldn't stop thinking how stupid it all was. Gwaine isn't stupid. He knows that Morgana is a powerful sorceress. So what chance of survival did he have against her? I reckon that this was just the writer's way to let Morgana know where Arthur is. It's just too contrived to believe that Gwaine would be stupid enough to track down Morgana. Also, for Gwaine to die believing that he failed Merlin and Arthur? That's just horrible.

Now Morgana. How anti-climatic was her death? Killed by the sword forged from a dragon's breath. For 3 seasons, Morgana has managed to evade death. Her magic has gotten so powerful that she is acknowledged as a High Priestess and yet she was killed so simply and easily. If she was going to die by a sword, why didn't it happen earlier? Because we were expecting a full blown magical battle between her and Merlin! To finally settle who is the strongest and will be the last to survive (like Harry Potter and Voldemort!) I was also expecting a heated conversation between the two, but no. I got nothing. Like I said, very very anti-climatic.

Arthur: Why are you doing this? Why are you still behaving like a servant?
Merlin: It's my destiny. As it has been since the day we met. I do this, because of who  you are. Without you, Camelot's nothing.
Arthur: There was a time when that was true. Not now.
Merlin: There will never be another like you Arthur. I also do this, because you're my friend and I don't want to lose you.

Throughout the series, we are repeatedly reminded that Merlin's destiny is to serve and aid Arthur to unite the Five Kingdoms to become Albion. It is implied that magic will be able to roam free and be accepted once more. BUT THE SHOW F**KING KILLS ARTHUR OFF. HE DIES. SO YEAH. ALL THAT IS GONE. I feel so cheated because Arthur's death marks the end to any of the "prophecies" that's been foretold ever happening. Especially because throughout the years, I've been waiting for the day Arthur and Merlin unite the lands and for him to accept Merlin's magic. For Merlin to finally be recognised for what he is and live without fear of being persecuted. For Merlin to officially be Arthur's advisor and fulfil the other stories part of the Arthurian legends.

Consequently, I'm supposed to believe that the unification and acceptance of magic occurs off screen (through Gwen and probably Gaius). WELL SCREW YOU SHOW.  Which just reminds me, I only found out that Merlin was ending at season 5 half way through the show. After the news, I was seriously upset at the show because it had wasted episodes on stupid, meaningless stories. Who cares about Gwen turning evil for four freaking episodes when there's limited time to explore Merlin and Arthur's friendship when tested with the truth? Bromance over romance any day, especially when I dislike the romance to begin with. (It was seriously out of no where, and I thought they were like brother and sister more than lovers.)

But really, did Arthur really have to die (how the hell did a fragment of Mordred's sword manage to snap off and embed itself in Arthur's chest)? Was travelling to Avalon the only way to save him?  There have been objects introduced such as "The Cup of Life" that triumphs death. Or the healing powers of a dragon's breath, which was demonstrated in the final episode of season 4. Oh hell, couldn't Merlin use his magic? He IS the "most powerful sorcerer to ever live". How can a sword, even if forged from a dragon's breath, be a trial for Merlin? He's saved others from worse and dire fates than that! Also, if Avalon really was the only way to save Arthur's wound, couldn't Merlin have called for Kilgharrah (Great Dragon) to fly them  there and save time? He is a Dragonlord after all. Another mystery is why Kilgharrah placed Merlin and Arthur at the edge of Avalon, COULDN'T HE BLOODY PLACED THEM AT AVALON?! AND NOT TALK JUST SO MERLIN CAN DO HIS MAGIC?! ARGGGHHH. THEY NEVER WANTED ARTHUR TO LIVE!!

Anyway. the only scenes that redeems the show are those between Merlin and Arthur. They were poignant and beautiful, and I couldn't ask for more. Arthur's reaction to learning of Merlin's magic was realistic, and watching him accept and be thankful for it was wonderful. To watch him see what Merlin does for him on a daily basis was heart wrenching, especially when he realised just how important it really was. See, this is what I wanted more of. More time spent on Arthur's acceptance of Merlin's magic and one day bringing magic back to Camelot. But no, the stupid show only gave me 30 minutes worth of it.

Finally, the last few minutes of the episode really pained me to watch. To see Merlin as an old man, probably more than a thousand years old, roaming around waiting for Arthur's return was just heartbreaking. By then, he would've lost his best friend, his mentor and anyone he cared for. Since he is magic itself, it's not hard to believe that he is immortal. But with immortality comes the pain of living and losing all your dear ones. I just don't want to believe that Merlin's had to endure that by himself, waiting for someone who will probably never come. I hate you writers. (I also thought the scene was stupid and unnecessary the more I thought about it...)

Also, did Merlin ever return to Camelot? His friend is gone and there really isn't anything holding him there anymore. He might have travelled back to say farewell to Gaius and Gwen, but Camelot holds no meaning to him without Arthur. *cries* My poor heart. I can't take this anymore.

Another thing I keep wondering is just how powerful is Merlin? Touted as the most powerful sorcerer to ever live, I was never quite sure of his magical capabilities. It frustrated me to no end when he could do some healing spells in one episode but disregard them in another. It just made me believe that the writers purpose of doing that is so that any human that finds out about Merlin's magic can conveniently die. Also, can't Merlin like...apparate? Sorry, Harry Potter term. Um, can't Merlin disappear and appear in any location he desires? Seriously, what kind of powers does Merlin have?!

I chalk up all my frustration to the writers for their inconsistencies (seriously, what I've listed are but a few ways that Arthur's life could be save) and decision to ignore simple logic. Such bad, crappy writing. Another quibble I have with the writers is that they've deviated from the Arthurian legends for so long, why chose to follow it for the finale? WHY BITCHES WHY!?! Why not make another season to tie up all the loose ends and give me more Merlin and Arthur? BBC even offered you a sixth season but you declined, saying that you know how the end will unfold. BUT YOU DIDN'T, DID YOU?! Hardly any storyline was tied up and everything was rushed! I'm making sure to steer clear from this writing team from now on. I can't live through another messed up nearly perfect show like Merlin ever again. I just can't.

Answer Me, 1997 - an opinion piece

This will be the first time I've ever tried something like this. Bascially, I'm going to take some screencaps (probably make some GIFs) as I re-watch Answer Me, 1997. At the same time, I'll jot down some dot points that I probably want to further write upon. It's not a proper recap because I'll only be focusing on Yoon Jae and Shi Won. So, here it goes.

Note: This will be an ongoing piece. I can't be bothered writing about all the episodes in one go.

Episode titles taken from subtitles/dramabeans.
________________________________________________________________________

OLD GADGETS I FIND.



DDR, pager, CRT television, VHS tapes. ________________________________________________________________________

Answer Me, 1997

Finsihed watching the second last episode (ONE MORE EPISODE TO GO!!! *CRIES*) and there was a kiss in the preview. Guess who GIF-ed it :D

EDIT:
I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I'm obsessed with this drama. Here's another video I decided to sub. Sigh, if only someone could sub their variety show appearances. They're too long for me to do.


EDIT (16/09): Got some more subbed videos! This time, I used Aegisub instead of Subtitle Workshop. I never bothered with Aegisub cause it looked so bloody hard to learn. I got the basics down, just gotta get better at it now :D


EDIT (17/09):

Answer Me, 1997 - Behind the Scenes

This drama owns me. I've already re-watched the aired episodes at least 5 times. That's quite significant when you factor in how easily I lose interest in K-dramas these days. Anyway, I decided to sub a video for the drama fans out there, and thought I should post it here too.

Answer Me, 1997

I am currently obsessed with the adorable drama that is "Answer Me, 1997 (Reply, 1997)."

Here's a summary of the drama thanks to dramabeans. And for anyone interested, here's the link to the recaps.

The throwback drama features a group of teenagers who are all 18 years old in the year 1997, and while the story unfolds there, we get a How I Met Your Mother-esque flash-forward, where we meet them all again in 2012, as 33-year old adults. They gather for a small high school reunion dinner, and there, one couple will announce that they’re getting married. We just don’t know which pairing survives the 15-year gap. It’s a fantastic setup, especially for a drama that’s only 8 episodes long.

After the engagement announcement, it is revealed that a second couple has survived the 15-year gap. We just don't know who. But, my bets are on our main leads, Shi-won and Yoon-jae. Since I've been so obsessed with this drama, I've re-watched the episodes released at least 3 times. I've come to notice some details during the flash-forwards which just fuels my OTP love and reassures me that they will end up  together.

(The other contestant for Shi-won's love is Yoon-jae's brother, Tae-woong)

Something that I love about this drama is it's accuracy in re-creating the 90s. I love watching this and being able to point out "I REMEMBER THAT OLD THING!" Another is I am very familiar with the music by the 1997-idols. I grew up with some of them, thanks to my cousins, but they were inactive or broken up when I became their fan. (There's also the issue of just how much was accessible to international fans at that time[1]). Watching this drama allows me to live out something that I missed out on because I was too late and the opportunity just wasn't there. Essentially, it's like I'm living out an alternative version of my childhood.

Words cannot describe just how much I adore this drama. But one main reason is that I firmly believe this is a drama about best friends. The ones that have been with each other all there lives without realising just how compatible or perfect they are for one another. The ones that don't realise that they're halves of a whole. There's just something about best friends getting together that speaks to me. Maybe it's because I've always imagined my boyfriend being my best friend. Or it's because that's how my parents started out. Either way, I'm rooting for Shi-won and Yoon-jae as if my life depended on it.

I have considered what would happen if Shi-won ended up with Tae-woong. I'll probably grudgingly accept it, especially if it's narrative to that conclusion makes sense. But even so, I'll probably be off in my own happy land and pretend that my OTP ended up together and lived happily ever after. I've done it many times before, no reason why I can't do it again.

Below are the "evidence" I've found (or delusioned myself into believing) that suggests Shi-won and Yoon-jae being the end game.

The first three pictures show how Shi-won is eating and sitting next to her is Yoon-jae.
He sees that she's struggling to finish so he lifts the bowl up, making it easier for her.
This is just an example of how Yoon-jae is consistenly sitting by Shi-won's side
and always seen caring for her and watching over her.

The second part shows her friend returning an ultrasound sonogram to Shi-won's husband.
Both Yoon-jae and Tae-woong are putting something back into their pockets.
However, the 5th picture shows that Tae-woong is on the phone.
Which means, to me, he was putting his phone in his pocket.
And Yoon-jae was putting the sonogram away.
Hence, YOON-JAE IS THE HUSBAND!!
WOOT! MY OTP!!
:D

[1] Even now, there is still A LOT of information being kept away from international fans. However, speaking from experience, when something drastic occurs to a certain idol group, some information gets leaked out (i.e 2PM). In most cases, information will reach the international fans years after it was originally released (i.e. DBSK). Most of the time though, the information kept from from international fans is to protect the idol's image. When these idols do something very severe (read, piss fans off), the information may be leaked to further damage the idol. This is just one of the reasons why the relationship between fans and idols are so dysfunctional.

Dramaland

I try so hard to be committed to my dramas, but there comes a time when

1. Nothing makes sense anymore or the same plot points are being used again and again. It feels like the drama is making me cry/sad/angst just for the sake of it.
2. Drama extensions that aren't needed. If you don't have enough material for a 16 episode drama, what makes you think adding 2 or 4 more episodes will help?
3. I can't relate to any of the characters. If I can't root for you, then there's seriously something wrong because that means I don't even care what happens to you. I probably won't be interested or emotionally invested in any of your conflicts. You could die for some unexplainable reason and I wouldn't shed a single tear.
4. I don't understand the characters presented to me. I don't necessarily have to sympathise with you (hello anti-hero!) but I need to be able to understand the choices that you make. Your choices should be explained through the circumstances of  your life, and when it doesn't, I'm out.
5. I end up hating the heroines/hero with a passion. Heroine, STOP BEING A FREAKING DOORMAT. Hero, STOP BEING A COMPLETE JERK IN THE ARSE.
6. Everyone is crazy. 
7. A character changes completely for no apparent reason. I understand that a character can change due to whatever circumstances they're put it. But when your change is not mediated because of anything, apart from suddenly wanting to be a jerk or crazy, then you're dead to me.
8. The change in directors/producers/writers messes with everything. The vibe, the pacing, the editing, the everything.
9. A drama is a remake of a manga or anime that I love and messes with it until it's unrecognisable. Case in point, Boys Over Flowers. Whatever it was, it was NOT my awesome Hana Yori Dango. Boys Over Flowers just happened to share shallow similarities such as having four handsome rich guys being childhood friends that bully kids in their school cause they can.  

I generally try to watch a drama till the end when I start it, especially if I'm more than half way through, but life is too short. Why bother with something that I don't even care about? Dramas are supposed to be for my entertainment or for deep thinking so when it becomes a chore, I'm definitely re-thinking its priority in my life.

Anywho, the point of this post was to really start many (hopefully) drama posts to come in the near future on anything I'm watching. I'm hoping I can think and explore a drama more thoroughly if I write about it. Since I'm not obligued to write essays on themes, characters, significant symbols etc anymore, I think my analysis of such have become quite basic and it's something I want to change.

Hopefully I'll actually be able to go through with this.

SM's remake of Hana Kimi.

WARNING!
A VERY LONG POST THAT GOES NOWHERE.
IT'S ABOUT A MANGA AND IT'S LIVE ADAPTIONS.
It'll probably confuse you.

For anyone unfamiliar with Hana Kimi, it's a manga about a girl cross-dressing as a boy to meet her idol and learns that he has stopped high jumping. All sorts of hijinks ensues since she's attending an all boys school and living in an all boys dormitory. Here's a better summary:

Japanese-American Mizuki has gotten herself into a high school in Japan... but not just any school! To be close to her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, she's going to an all-guys' high school... and disguising herself as a boy! But as fate would have it, they're more than classmates... they're roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in the classroom, the locker room, and her own bedroom. And her classmates--and the school doctor--must cope with a new transfer student who may make them question their own orientation.

- Mangaupdates

This manga has been adapted as a drama 3 times. Once in 2006 by Taiwan, another in 2007 by Japan and remade in Japan again in 2011. I watched all three and my favourite by far is the Japanese version in 2007. I thought the 2011 remake was really unnecessary, but whatever, that drama introduced me to more awesome actors. Needless to say, I love this manga and the dramas its given birth to. Which is why when SM Entertainment announced they would be producing the Korean remake, I was a bit weary.

At first, I was weary of how many idols would be in it. Sure, Hana Kimi (2007 version) focused on pretty looking guys and Korean idols are definitely pretty, but most could act. From my experience of Koren idols, I would rather have them in supporting roles than main roles. Some are just so bad. I cringe when it's blatantly obvious that they're trying to act, and that's coming from someone who doesn't really set the acting bar that high. But in all honesty, I can live with bad acting, as long as the drama isn't full of it.

When the casting came out, I was alright with most of it. The deal breaker was who played Nakatsu, the guy who announces he is gay to the world after realising he has feelings for Mizuki. He embraces these feelings and watching him go through his conflict was satisfying. Since he's being played by an actor, the adorable Lee Hyunwoo, I was actually quite happy. However, I started dreading about the plot when character descriptions came out.

I was so stupid. The plot should've been my case for worry, not the casting. Another would be how the Korean adaption would change it to fit the Korean audience and how their drama story telling works.

[The portion below is a comment I posted on a site, just re-worded a bit]

I liked the Taiwanese adaptions because they tend to follow the original source as closely as possible. I like knowing what happens and the extra scenes they add in serve as a little surprise that I welcome. On the other hand, the Japanese adaption was a lot more comedic. It didn't always focus on our main trio, opting to show the bromance between the different dorms and how they were essentially at the whims of the principal as they competed for whatever the prize happened to be for that episode.

Despite any changes that these adaptions made, Hana Kimi was only changed to suit its target audience in its country. Taiwanese idol dramas are in abundance with overacting with exaggerated facial expressions, and that was the case for Hana Kimi. People who aren't accustomed to Taiwanese idol dramas will be turned off, but for those who are, it's just another manga adaption.

As for the Japanese adaption, it had the dorms competing for something in every episode because that's how Japanese dramas tend to be - episodic. Anyone remember Gokusen or G.T.O? One problem at a time. And well, the drama was pretty crazy which is characteristic with a lot of other Japanese dramas out there. Despite these changes, these dramas can still be recognised and considered as "Hana Kimi" because they are still true to the characters that make up the Hana Kimi world.

Overall, I understand that certain aspects need to be changed so that the source can suit the audience of its country, but only if it's still in the realms of the Hana Kimi world. This is clearly not the case for the Korean adaption, especially with the information we've been given.

Firstly, changing some important characteristics of Nakatsu, one of our leads, will without a doubt change the Hana Kimi story. The characteristics that belong to Nakatsu define him as well as the choices he makes and his reactions. If something so elementary is changed, then the Nakatsu presented to us in this Korean adaption is not the same. He will not be one of the first friends Mizuki makes who offers her his umbilical cord as a sign of friendship (Jiro), nor will he have nose-bleeding fantasies of her (Ikuta Toma).

Secondly, I'm guessing a lot of the homosexual relationships and elements will be removed for the benefit of the Korean audience[1]. This is an integral core of the manga. Removing it will lose a lot of what makes Hana Kimi what it is. Not only that but we can expect a lot of the sexual innuendos or pervy jokes to be scraped too. Also, the angst

By the looks of it, Hana Kimi will be changed to be any other rom-com out there in Korea. Like Boys Over Flowers, it will become a drama that will just happen to share some very shallow similarities to its original source.

The final verdict: I will watch it, but with very low expectations. I'm going to go into this and forget that it's even an adaption of a manga that I love.




The "semi-final" casting has been released (with teasers) and I would like to make some final comments.

• The character of Yamashina Rina plays a very minor role in the manga. If I remember correctly, she arouses the jealously of Mizuki but is never a threat to our OTP. Well, Korea has decided to upgrade her to second female lead. Typical of most Korean second female leads, she'll be the "crazy bitch" and come in between our OTP. This change is like a double edged sword. Second lead females are all "evil bitches" in dramaland in Korea, but it may actually play out well in this drama. Rina is a female who can easily be direct about her feelings for Sano, but Mizuki can't because she is cross-dressing. But Sano will spend more time with Mizuki because they're roomates and go to the same school...
• Can't believe they cast Kwanghee as Nakao. He's a homosexual that is short and effiminite looking. Kwanghee looks nothing like Nakao. Doubt he'll be gay. 
• DR. UMEDA WON'T BE GAY!
• Two additional characters have been added. Hm..
• Some very important side characters are no where to be seen. What happened to Kayashima (ghost guy)!?!?!? And Sekime!
• The teaser where I could see Nakatsu tells me he isn't acting like a jerk. YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! He really was the deal breaker for me.

____________

[1] South Korea don't believe in homosexuality. To them, it is non-existent. Possibly one of the reasons why you can see guys touching each other and no one cares.

Big

Despite having a very long backlog of drama waiting for me to finish, I couldn't help but start on one of the new drama offerings for June. I started this drama for one reason and one reason only. Big is the Hong Sister's offering for 2012. I became a fan of this duo after watching Delightful Girl Chun-hyang. Although I had watched My Girl first, it is Delightful Girl Chun-hyang that owns my heart. It is the Korean drama I go to in whatever mood I may be in. I tend to re-watch it every year and each time, I discover something new.

In recent years, I have not enjoyed their work as much as I would like to. I do laugh at their sense of comedy but there was always something missing. A spark, or something special, that I found in Delightful Girl Chun-hyang and hoped to rediscover in their later dramas. This is one of the main reasons why I continue to follow their work despite not being a major fan of their recent offerings. Another is that they're bloody good rom-com writers. Their dramas will always ensure a good laugh and it's got heart, which isn't something I can say for a lot of rom-com dramas airing in Korea.

Anyway, I've started on Big and it's just so good. So very very good. It's a lot more low-key compared to their recent dramas, and that's a good thing for me. I see a lot of familiar faces and it's so good to finally watch Baek Sung Hyun as an adult. I still remember how cute he was in Stairway to Heaven. Sigh. I shall always remember the buckets of tears I shed for him and Park Shin Hye.

I love that I don't know what's happening in this drama. I don't know who is going to end up with who. I don't know exactly all the character's relations to each other and I surely don't know what laws govern the body swap scenario. It's got me guessing and changing my views on the characters every so often. I love that.

I shall be off to make some gifs. Here is the first one I've completed.

So very close.

I have come back with more! I'm  getting a lot better at this. Practice does make perfect!

Our very first appearance of Gong Yoo.

And another one cause he's so handsome.

I want a green umberella  now.

Hello Shin Won Ho!

The Princess' Man

I didn't know how deeply I would fall in love with this drama - thank goodness I had all the episodes downloaded. I finished this drama with a time duration of approximately 2 days and 2 nights (in January). I was even tempted to just go back and re-watch it all over again, but my sanity needed saving.

This is one of the rare dramas where I'm rooting for the leads to be together. I'm actually invested in their relationship because I believe in their love and affection for one another. This is one drama couple who I sincerely hoped would get their happily ever after, no matter how unlikely. Furthermore, I could really imagine them being married... which doesn't happen often when it comes to drama couples.

There were many times where I wished they didn't have to experience the pain and obstacles that they went through. But it's because of their journey and growth that they become the people that they are. Strong, brave, forthright and determined. I'm still saddened by their loss of innocence. This is especially so when I flip through some episodes and realise the juxtaposition of the character's beginnings and endings.

I found the villain quite interesting in this drama, and I really do understand why our heroine can't hate her father. He may be the person who brings death to anyone who defies him but he is anything but towards her. She grew up with his love and adoration and it's because of this that she attempts (with her life) to return her father to the man he once was. However, I did eventually understand mass murder he causes... because any other clan would be willing to do what he did to them if the circumstances were reversed. This I don't doubt. Power is everything is historical dramas.

This also marks the second drama that sparked my interest enough to wiki the real historical mumble jumble of the period it was based on. The real historical facts were so delicately and creatively woven into this drama that I was left with the impression that all this could be real. By the end of the drama, I was set in the belief that these characters were real. Their love, in my eyes, deserved to transcend the barriers of time, space and fiction (this is also one of the reasons why I read manga). But yeah, got some sleep, got my sanity back and now I'm just happy that I found such a gem of a drama.

The music used in this drama is probably one of the best to date. It's not overused or intrusive and used well to effectively enhance the scene. The OST of this drama has been stuck on repeat for about a month now, and I'm still not sick of it.

For a more in-depth review: DRAMABEANS! :D

vola lassù
Fly up there
vola lontano a te
Fly far away from you

sol la tua voce che mi fa sentir vera
Only your voice makes me feel real
sol la tua carezze che mi fanno esistere qui
Only your caresses make me feel alive

mi fa sentir
You make me feel
mi fa veder
You make me seem
mi fa parlar vera
You make me speak, truly

non sento più
I can't hear anymore
non vedo più
I can't see anymore
non parlo più mai e
I can't speak anymore, never

non dormo più
I can't sleep anymore
non credo più
I can't believe anymore
non vivo più mai e
I can't live anymore, never

fammi morir
Let me die
fammi cader
Let me fall
fammi veder
Let me see

non resisto a vivere
I cannot live
senza il tuo amore
without your love
vola vola lontano a te a te
Fly, fly far away from you

It's just one of those moments where I realise my Italian isn't so bad after all. I pretty much understand all the grammar structure and more than half of the vocabulary being used. I wouldn't have mind continuing with Italian but I'm atrocious when it comes to listening and understanding. I'm perfectly fine when all I need to do is read and write.

Jade Palace Lock Heart

This will be a quick post, I'll come back to it later (maybe).

Anyway, you guys have no idea how much I love the OTP of this drama. This is the first time I've actually bothered to cut a scence (that lasts for 5sec really..) and make it into a GIF and upload it to youtube just so I can watch it whenever I feel like it. I sooo need to get better at making GIFs...

The Good Old Days (1996)

Ngày Mai Troi Lại Sang (Loạn Thế Tinh Thu)



I was only 8 years old when I watched this drama, but I remember loving it with all my heart. Of course, I don't remember anything at all, but it must have been really great to have left such a deep impression on me.

To this day I still remember a pivotal scene. I remember crying myself to sleep after watching it and always hoping to have a love so passionate and pure. The drama was based during WW2, before Japan invaded the country of Taiwan/China. The hero left our heroine to fight in the war. He lost his memory but eventually gains it back. However, he was hit by a bomb (not directly...) which has left him with severe burn scars etc.

I remember when our heroine found him, he was wrapped like a mummy. He told her to leave him be, that no one would ever want to be with someone like him. What happens next? The most romantic back hug I've ever seen.

To this day I have not yet found a drama that can replace this backhug.

For years I have been looking for the English/Vietnamese title of this drama. And finally, I have found it. It's 105 episodes long but hell, I swear I will find it and re-watch it. Oh, and I think this drama was the reason why I never really liked watching dramas based in this time period... my couple had to go through so much :(


EDIT:

Oh man, apparently my romantic backhug is from another drama :/ BUT, it's not my fault I got confused. This main couple has acted in 3 dramas together. And I'm pretty sure I've seen them all...which explains why I was so confused. And all 3 dramas are around the same time period with the similar clothing and hair styles...Oh wells, this means I get to enjoy this pairing in 3 dramas :D The only downer is that I'm pretty sure they're all tearjerkers :(

Detective Conan

I love this couple so much. They are so freaking adorable, pretending that what they feel for each other is nothing beyond "childhood friends". LIES I TELL YOU. I felt kinda weird shipping this couple in the manga, cause Shinchi is in kid form.

No, not as a chibi for a moment, but in kid form. For who knows how long. He was caught interfering with some criminals doing...stuff, and they drugged him and the next thing he knows, he's a kid again. That's the gist of it anyway, it's been a while since I've read it.

But man, I L.O.V.E Detective Conan. The mysteries and cases are soooooo intriguing. Anyway, have two gifs that I made cause I was bored, and the scene cracked me up to bits.

can you hear my heart?

Can you hear my heart?

gif made by me :D took me half an hour to make :/


Anyway, I didn't expect myself to love this drama so much. It's the first time where I have become so emotionally attached to a drama so quickly. Most of the time, I would become emotionally invested by the 2-4th episode but Can You Hear My Heart? has managed to steal my heart in the first half hour of its first episode.

My heart aches, breaks and beats for this drama right now.

After becoming so invested in this drama I've completely forgotten the other dramas I'm watching. It's like my mind can not think of anything but this drama right now. I've already cried a bucket load after watching the first five episodes, and I'm just scared shitless of what it will do to me for the next 25episodes.

Drama, I'm giving you my heart. Do whatever you want with it but make sure you give it back to me healed.

Alternative Version of MSOAN

I've enjoyed watching Mary Stayed Out All Night. It's very adorable but I'm not gonna lie, I do get agitated by it sometimes. But that's a simply problem that can be fixed. The fastforward button can be your best friend~

*_*

This fanmade video is amazing. It's got a different tone and is more romantic compared to the drama, but its equally awesome. GAH, this fan knows how to make awesome videos. Great choice of music and scene selection!

Amy Diamond - Bittersweet

It's hard to find the thing to say
I'm vulnerable and frail
So I wrap my heart in bubble plastic
Just in case it breaks

Before you and I go much further now
I'm asking you to tell me
Do you really want my love?
Is it really me you're thinking of?
When you smile at me
It's so bittersweet
Let me know
Before tomorrow comes along
Cause baby I'm already in too deep
Until then I love you bittersweet

I can't let go
But this I know
I won't let you stay
If you're not sure about the way you feel
About the two of us today
Before you and I go much further now
I'm asking you to please tell me

Do you really want my love?
Is it really me you're thinking of?
When you smile at me
It's so bittersweet
Let me know
Before tomorrow comes along
Cause baby I'm already in too deep
Until then I love you bittersweet

It's heaven when when you say it's you and me
But hell when you're gone mysteriously
I'd rather be alone than lost and torn
Maybe I must make it on my own
I'm feeling incomplete
Loving you is so bittersweet

Do you really want my looo-ooo-ooo-ooooooove?

Do you really want my love?
Is it really me you're thinking of?
When you smile at me
It's so bittersweet
Oh let me know
Before tomorrow comes along
Cause baby I'm already in too deep
Until then I love you bittersweet
Until then I love you bittersweet

Amy Diamond - Bittersweet