alexandral | Lobbyist + swallow the sun = wallow in man-pain

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Lobbyist + swallow the sun = wallow in man-pain

My heavy obsession with "Midas" sent me off on the path of watching as many dramas written by Choi Wan Kyu as I can find.

blueocean80 and I made a pact to watch one episode of "Swallow the sun" a day and I also re-started "Lobbyist" from the beginning. I whizzed through "Lobbyist" 2 years ago, but it didn't catch my attention back then. Now it seems that my tastes have changed towards dramas that have plot (as opposed to dramas that revolve around a romantic story), so I thought to give it a try again.

I have watched the episode 1 of "Swallow the sun" and the episodes 1,2, and 3 of "Lobbyist" yesterday and am happy to report that I am loving both.

Swallow the sun:

It is hard to tell what the mains story is about yet as the episode 1 was a part of the old events. It mostly told us an old story about a girl falling in love with an escaped convict, conceiving a child , having a baby and giving the baby away. I think the girl was the main character's (Kim Jung Woo, played by Ji Sung) mother, but we will see how it all develops. The short-lived romance between Mi Yeon and the convict whose name I didn't catch was poignant and beautiful. But it makes one wonder how sane should a person be to fall in love with an escaped convict.

The interesting moment was the explanation of the drama's title "I Swallow the sun for you" - apparently this is a version of "I will get the moon and the stars for you ", meaning "I will do anything for you". I have been always wondering what that means - interesting!

The main reason to watch Swallow the sun (apart from twisty plot):

Lobbyist

The first two episodes also contained Maria and Harry's back story. I thought that the part of it that was set in Korea was really strong. Maria's father discovers a Northern Korean submarine with spies on board, reports it to the authorities, but later gets the blame because the Navy doesn't want to look like idiots : "if a civilian found the submarine, where was the Navy? . Harry's father died in the military conflict with the spies, so Harry and his sister had to immigrate to USA. Maria's family was conned by an acquaintance and immigrated (illegally) to USA as well. This was the good part, but after that the story continues in the USA and becomes a little bit too over the top as well as hard to believe. I had a particular difficulty to believe that Maria's father (an illegal immigrant) was able to obtain a driving license. The level of accents both maria and Harry have is also unbelievable for someone who lived in the country for years.

Anyways, there was plenty of plot in the first three episodes and I love both Maria ( Jang Jin Young ) and Harry (Song Il Gook).

The main reason to watch Lobbyist:

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I wrote you a comment about the first ep somewhere on your journal. I figured you'd have the notifs on so you'd see it.

Anyhow, I loved the first ep os StS. Loved it. I know that ep has probably little to do with the modern story (and yes, the child born from the union of Mi Yeon/Il-hwan -I had to rewind the file to catch his name, I'm OCD like that- is the main lead, I'm almost positive about that), or maybe not, but I don't care.

As for the short lived love story between Mi Yeon/Il-hwan, I think it was nicely done. I mean, you could tell why he fell for her -she was the first one to show him kindness, that life was worth living etc- and she was sorta interested in him from the moment she saw him. I was kinda o_O about the first kiss, but there was no mistake she had feelings for him if her reaction to his capture was any indication of it. The thing I liked is that their story was raw and had so much untapped potential; I mean, if they have had time to really know each other, I'm sure they would have fallen even harder for each other, they would have grown together, he especially would have smoothed some aspects of his personality.

PS: Ji Sung is the actor, Kim Jung Woo is his character ;)

PPS: the guy who was in love with Mi Yeon and wanted to marry her? The policeman? Oh man, HE is going to make her son's life hell. IDK why, but I convinced myself he is the one why Jung-woo ended up spending time with gamblers and that ultimately pushed him in the direction of crime.

PPPS: oh lol, that pic of Lobbyist! Can I crack a terrible, terrible joke?

YAY! I have seen your previous comment. I am a bit poorly today, so I am mostly laying watching dramas, not posting much. D

I thought the parents' love story was haunting - so so sad! Il-hwan surely looks really gorgeous and so she noticed him first. :D Yes, the kiss looked like it had some violence in it at first , but it became tender later on. May be this was the only way he knew how to kiss? So sad.

Yes! Thank you so much! I have put the namings right.

It feels as is the policeman is going to appear again indeed.

ahahahahahaha! I can imagine your joke!

Oh! I'm sorry you don't feel that well. Marathoning dramas? Lobbyst?

Soooo sad. Haunting is the perfect word for that love story. *sighs* Why am I sucker for doomed otps? Whyyyyy?

I'm sure the policeman is going to show up again. He had THAT look on his face when he saw the baby.

It's not difficult to image at all.

Have you seen the episode 2? OMPH! I think I am going to like this. : a0 I like dramas set in Jeju island 2) I like Ji Sung 3) this is going to be plotty

Omo, I loved it!!!! I have a weakness for good guys who fall in with the wrong crowd and it looks like Jung-woo is going to be a tormented hero? I love him already! I love how he looks out of his childhood friends even if he has to get his hands dirty for them.

Incidentally, Ji Sung is hot. I never thought so, but omo omo *___* And even his haircut, which shouldn't work because it's frankly awful, somehow looks good on him? wow.

LEE WAN! Finally! Good smooching there. *g* What do you think will happen between his Tae-hyuk and Jung-woo? Rivalry, pure and simple? A bit of bromance thrown into the mix? I can't wait to find out. I also liked how he tried to warn Jung-woo.

PS the policeman who tried to help Jung-woo, to warn him about the ppl he was friends with is the same guy who fell in love with Jung-woo's mom, right?

I just finished the third episode. I can definitely tell that I am loving it too.

I am the same - Ji Sung always seemed such a baby-face but he so hot in this one! It must be the "bad boy with aa heart of gold" personality. And yep to the haircut thing.

Lee Wan looks like a complex character, but bromance YAY!

yes, this is the same guy who seemed to be a decent but unhappy person!

Yeah, me too. \o/

It's definitely that for me. I've rarely seen a kdrama where the male lead is not a jerk at the beginning. It's refreshing to see someone who's actually good but who has to commit petty crimes to help his "family" and omg he's probably going down a dark path, yes? What, with the killing thing? I haven't watched the preview cos I don't want to get too spoiled, but omg! I wonder if this is how he ends up in Africa? If this offer is the first step toward ending in Africa doing God knows what?

Re: Lee Wan's character. I think he is, but so far? I don't like this character much. He's much too spoiled. But yay, bromance. I'd love if the drama goes in that direction, but I think it'll go more toward love rivals.

Yes, the policeman is unhappy. And so is his wife. And dude, Jung-woo's mom is dead!!!! DDD: There goes my hope to see Mi-yeon/Il-hwan. Ooon I've got news. I poked around Dramawiki and it looks like we'll see Il-hwan again, most likely only in his adult version (unfortunately not played by the hot guy of ep 1)

I poked around Dramawiki and it looks like we'll see Il-hwan again, most likely only in his adult version (unfortunately not played by the hot guy of ep 1)</I. It would have been nice to see the hot dude again, would it not? Hopefully he will appear in some other dramas

Maybe. I hope so. He's been in lots of projects, but it doesn't look like he's got his big hit yet. It's a pity

I agree!

OMFG! I've JUST realized why I was all over the actor who played Il-hwan! I've ALREADY seen him in a PV and totally thought he was VERY intense and aaslkjdalkhlfaskdf aslkjdalkjdha sdOMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

One of my favorite k-bands, Monday Kiz, made a music drama using a few of their songs and Jin Goo, the guy who played Il-hwan, was the main star. I have the DVD, but...hmm, let me see if I can find you the clips.

If you can handle tudou vids, there are the same vids here, but without the vietsubs: Part 1 - part 2 (it's the whole thing, just split differently)

No wonder I had such a visceral reaction to Il-hwan! This music drama devastated me!

Music drama with terminal illness ** holds your hand *8

Yeah, I knooow. And he also gives his heart to the kid who called him oppa? Gah! Just kill me with the angst already.

Anyway, when he kissed her ex-gf who he clearly still loves and said ILY? Oh my, oh my!

** weeps **

Have you watched it? Where do I even begin? Sooo good!

In 4 eps, they've already broken the second (?) lead (Tae-hyuk) and got the lead on the path to damnetion and omg! *flaps hands*

I still don't like Tae-hyuk, but if he grew up with that father who is a psycho I can see why he turned out the way he did. And speaking of his father, HOMG I'm sooo curious to know who the hell is the guy he painted and why did he react that way? Sooo curious!

And Jung woo...oh boy. I can't even.

PS: loved that brief moment of bromance when Jung-woo helps Tae-hyuk with that fish. hee.

hehehehe! And it is only the episode 4!!!!

I am the same on Tae Hyuk - i think lee Wan does a great job to show his human side, but really -the guy is a sociopath, same as his father.

IKR!

Sociopath? He could be. I still think he's more of a brat who thinks he owns the world. I actually feel sorry for him. I don't like him, but I do feel that way. After killing his friend, he could either become just like his father or... he could become a decent fellow, seeing that Jung-woo sacrificed himself for him and maybe that will make him see the error of his ways? I think he'll turn into the former, but...you never know.

As for Lee Wan, have you seen Once upon a time with SCU *points to icon*? Maaaan.

I really warmed up towards Lee Wan's charcater after the episode 5. We will see how it all goes, but his life story was so saaaad!

I haven't watched it yet, sorry, sorry. I'll catch up tonight, I swear. It's just that lots of things happened at once. The review I had almost read for a comm I mod was eaten by LJ yesterday (OMGGG. I wasted so many hours on that thing and I haven't finished it yet since I had to start from scratch again) and then I got a call from the center where I do some volunteer work and they needed a banner stat and that's what I've been working on in the last oh...*checks watch* 3 and half hours. Gah! Adnt that's just 2 things. So many others happeed

Btw, I'm glad to hear we get more backstory for Lee Wan's character.

You were right about everything. I love this show and how complex the characters are. YaY for good writing.

OTOH, I really can't phantom how it's going to end.

How many eps have you watched? I lost track.

Btw, the issue about Jung-woo's father is driving me bonkers. I keep changing my mind about adult!Il-hwa. Sometimes I'm positive it's Tae-hyuk's father -what, with the picture of that woman he can't draw, the fact that he has admitted he has killed many people etc- and the guy who owns the fishing boat -he can fight well and he totally gives me a vibe that says he's good but also someone who's had a rough life- and omg, it's driving me insane! And there are little details that support BOTH hypothetis and omg, INSANE, i'm telling you.

FYI IDK who I'd like the father to be. If it's the evil chairman, driven crazy by his past deeds and his lost love, it'd be too makjang-ish, but then again it'd be poetic in a way -the father who unknowingly throws away his eldest son, uses him to save the other etc- on the other hand, he's frightening and when I think of adult!Il-hwa I'd like him to have redeemed himself somehow and the fishing boat guy looks like a good guy. IDK, IDK.

Personally? I'd like if there was more story about Jung-woo. I kinda like the female lead, but her character still feels flat to me. Like, I'm almost indifferent to her? I couldn't care less about her dreams (though watching the Cirque du Soleil people perform is awesome) and I admit I FF-ed a bit when she was on screen and you know how I don't usually do that.

Anyhow, how much did I like that Jung-woo's friends left with him?

Re: Jackson. Why did you say he makes you sick? Did I miss something big? Because it looks like he's actually trying to save whatshername, the stripper aka the daughter of the man who asked the evil chairman to off Jackson

I have seen 8!

Re: Jung-Woo's father: I have my lips sealed!

I am the same, I do not care too much for Soo Hyun. She seems to be one of those Mary Sue characters that every guy falls in love with. It is a good job that there are other interesting female characters (for example, I am much more interested what happens to Mi Ran or amy). But again, I never liked this actress too much.

I adore Cirque du Soleil bits, though. They are going to be in London in January 2012 a- I am trying to devise a plan to entice Mr.Alexander to go there. :D

Jackson: I love him!!! He might even be my favourite character and I love his OTP with Amy. I mean the charman's right-hand guy when I said that he makes me sick. He still makes me sick.

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, but LJ acted up all day!

Fishing boat guy? OMG I can't decide. alskfjdladkjflsfd

I think it's the actress for me. She's...meh. But yes, she's a Mary Sue, too.

I hope you can go see CdS. Their shows must be wonderful.

Aaaaah, okay. I thought you meant Jackson made you sick, not Manager Baek adn btw, I agree on both accounts. And btw, the guy who plays Manager Baek is good cos I thoroughly dislike his character whereas I've always liked all the characters he played, the good guys, so yeah, he must be doing something good. ^^

I actually find Manager Baek to be a very interesting character too, but he gives me chills. he was reminiscing about his childhood in the episode 9 (where are you with the episodes, shall I wait for you one day if we got out of sync?) and it was heart-breaking and creepy at the same time. the actor is doing a very good job.

Iìll watch ep 9 later today.

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I did!!!

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ep 4

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Ep 5!

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ep 7

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