The Legend – Bae Yong Joon – April Snow

[alexandral]

Korean drama "The Legend" keeps staying with me in a way ASOIF still does. When I am dozing off to sleep I am imagining future scenarios and savouring best moments of the past scenes. I have been trying to recommend it to everyone, even Mr. Alexander who HAD to watch a bit of it with me and agree that "this is good".

Also I am trying to figure out how a UK-based fan like me can meet Bae Yong Joon in person. I think chances of his visiting London are quite low. What is the next best location? USA? I haven't had such a desire to see an actor in person yet. If anyone knows of his close visits anywhere please let me know.

April Snow
This is a film with Bae Yong Joon made in 2005. It wasn't anywhere as good as Bae Yong Joon's previous film Untold Scandal for me but it had some good points, mostly in the cinematography which is laconic, austere and soft at the same time. The story itself have never been my favourite: two people meet after their spouses (involved in an affair) are in a coma after a traffic accident. On a plus side, the film uses snow and light quite creatively and this is so welcome.

Comments

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

**ack**, re: the last picture :D You're right about the cinematography. The screencaps are beautiful ^^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

he-he! I have removed the last one- I wasn't sure in the first place .:D

I never can get over how beautiful the films from Asia are - the_last_queen was mentioning this and I entirely agree. Vey much original.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

LOL. I didn't mean for you to remove it :) I think it's fine. It's just that it's such an intimate picture and since I'm a rather private person when it comes to physical contact, I couldn't help but think *ack* :D Bae Young-joon is a classically handsome man I think. His looks exude maturity and calmness, unlike other hunky-handsome-cheeky Korean actors. And I agree with you that many Asian movies/doramas are beautifully filmed. Most are Indian and Korean films, though. Japanese doramas/movies tend to have muted colours. Taiwanese are also colourful but IMHO Korean cinematography is amongst the best in Asia Pacific. Mind you this is totally coming from a novice in films hence a very subjective opinion, LOL.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am the same - I am fine with watching anything (as long as the scenes of sexual nature or violence are necessary to the story and tell me something and not just there for no reason :D) but in my "own" space I am rather shy. :D Just me.

I know that Bae Young-joon is very popular in Japan, I guess this is the same for Indonesia? I find his looks quite Roman-profile perfect. :D

Japanese doramas/movies tend to have muted colours. Taiwanese are also colourful but IMHO Korean cinematography is amongst the best in Asia Pacific.

Japanese films (especially their acclaimed horror flicks) are more colourful than dramas but I agree - Korean cinematography is wonderful. I was wondering to ask for quite a while - would you recommend any Indonesian films?

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

I guess I can be open in terms of physical contact but only if I am comfortable with the people around me ^^ I'm not too sure if Bae Young-joon is very popular in Indonesia but I bet a lot of people know and like him. I think one of his dorama (old one), Winter Sonata I think it was, became a pretty good hit in Indonesia.

I don't watch horror films very often at all (in fact I try to avoid it), hence I wouldn't have a clue if they're colourful or not. I'm even too much of a wussy to watch Deathnote, while it's not even horror, LOL.

I'm very flattered that you asked for recs on Indonesian films. You know we are actually moving ahead in the film industry and there are some good actors/actresses around, but I can't say that our movies are comparable to Korean ones, or even Japanese/Taiwanese ones. I do not watch local movies very often for those very reasons, but there are a couple of good ones, to name some recent titles: Arisan and Quickie Express. I'm not sure whether they are subbed in English though. Our films don't seem to have gone international yet :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I don't watch horror films very often at all (in fact I try to avoid it), hence I wouldn't have a clue if they're colourful or not. I'm even too much of a wussy to watch Deathnote, while it's not even horror, LOL.

Growing on Russian WW2 films made me very high in tolerance to blood, grimness and horror. I used to like horror films (as in one of my favourite genres) but as I am getting older I notice that this preference shifted. :D In a way this goes for bad endings in dramas. :D

Oh, I love films from different countries and I my belief is that every country has something to offer. I found that "Arisan!" had English release (which has a very good rating on IMDB, BTW : http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0374506/) . I'll try to find it on e-bay or Amazon. Thank you!!!

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Thanks heaps for the link! I must confess that I have only watched parts of Arisan but not all of it yet :D It was very, very popular when it came out, though. The director is well-known in Indonesia (and she's a woman too, yay girl power!!). I also had no idea that they have it in English subs. I would sub Indonesian movies if only to promote my country (LOL), but I have no idea how those subbers do it. Do you know what software they use? "Subbing" seem to be done in teams, though, doesn't it?

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am not sure myself how to make subs. I know scottishlass makes tem and rika_66. I don't think it is too complex, but it is may be very time-consuming..

I found a tutorial here:

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20050921_making_movie_subtitles.html

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the link. I'm going to bookmark it ^^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I hope it will be helpful!

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

I'm not big fan of the storyline either. :P But oh my.. that love scene was hot. O_O The cinematography was beautiful too. I don't know where he will visit but if i ever find out where i'll let you know. :)

*oogles are byj's flawless skin* XD

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I'm not big fan of the storyline either. :P

I mean - if the two protagonists fall in love the manner of their meeting cheepens their feelings for me. But it is just me. And if their affair is for revenge - I don't relate neither.

I don't know where he will visit but if i ever find out where i'll let you know. :)
*oogles are byj's flawless skin* XD

Please !!!!!!! I mean this is the first time for me - I MUST see this guy! Does he actually exist or this is an illusion (being that perfect)?? :D

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

LOL! I think we all won't be surprised if he is an illusion. :P Don't worry I'll let you know if i find out any details. :P I sure feel i shouldn't meet any drama actors in rl since i'll make a big fool out myself. XD

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Don't worry I'll let you know if i find out any details. :P I sure feel i shouldn't meet any drama actors in rl since i'll make a big fool out myself. XD

Why? We can go together and be very intelligent-like. :D

[joonni.livejournal.com]

How can you put up such beautiful caps? My goodness, I think my old obsession with BYJ is returning.

I heard he is coming to the states sometime soon in February. I read somewhere on soompi. Apparently both Lee Ji Ah (sujini) and Lee Phillip (Chuh Ro) are also in the states now.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

My goodness, I think my old obsession with BYJ is returning.

Mine too - he was the first Korean actor I liked. Even before I knew about the Asian dramas I saw him in "Untold Scandal". :D

I heard he is coming to the states sometime soon in February. I read somewhere on soompi. Apparently both Lee Ji Ah (sujini) and Lee Phillip (Chuh Ro) are also in the states now.

Hmm, too early!!!!!! I just submitted my citizenship application and even if everything is good I'll only be able to get the passport somewhere in summer.

But thank you so much for letting me know!

[mega-tenshi.livejournal.com]

Georgeous screencaps. This is one of my favorite movies. Love BYJ, and love the soundtrack too.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I so so glad you liked - I liked the peacefulness of the film. I think from what I have read about BYJ he is a similar character to the guy - quiet, relaxed..