my new crack

[rosdrise]

Lately I've been distracted from Boys Over Flowers by another kdrama: Hong Gil Dong. I think it may be amazing, so I've put together a little introductory pic spam of the first couple episodes I've seen.

Let me introduce our hero, Hong Gil Dong:




Okay, okay, that's not quite fair. Kang Ji Hwan is actually a terribly attractive man, so here is another picture



Doesn't do him the justice that the pinstripe suits in "Capital Scandal" did, but it's a start.

Anyway, when we are first introduced to Gil Dong he appears to be a Robin Hood-like figure, then the narrative backtracks and we get a look at what his life was like before that. The majority of his time was spend as such:



Gil Dong is a total lazy bones who enjoys gambling...





Terrorizing the local merchants...



Who hide their expensive wares whenever he is around because his fighting, carelessness, and general tomfoolery usually ends in their destruction...



At least the mention of him keeps the children in line...



He may appear to be trouble, but really he just wants his daddy to love him (Gil Dong is the bastard son of a government official and thus can't be recognized as a son).

Then we have Yi Nok who has just returned from China with her Grandfather



They brought back Chinese medicine in the hopes of selling it for big profits, but learn they were scammed and it's totally worthless. So they decide to scam the unsuspecting public by having Yi Nok fight volunteers. Anyone who wins gets to marry her. Luckily Yi Nok is a decent fighter and holds her own (sometimes with a little help from her old man in the form of rocks directed at shin bones). They then reveal that her strength is a result of their 'medicine' and start to sell it. Unfortunately, Gil Dong hears that she knows Chinese and wants to learn himself, so he beats her (thus ruining their sales) and demands lessons.



Thus begins their friendship and future hijinks - including tiger hunting...



Yi Nok has got a lot of spunk and is the first person to show any belief and trust in Gil Dong, so he's a little soft on her. Plus, they're adorable together. I'm really hoping this doesn't end in heartbreak KOREA






Next we have the Prince, who is the rightful king, but the current king (his older brother and bastard son of the former king) had his supporters and mother killed. He tried to kill the prince in the same fire as his mom, but he escaped. All the murders have left the king a few nuts short of a bushel...





Anyway, the Prince has returned from China and is building forces for a coup. This is the prince:



This is the prince's ONLY EXPRESSION:



Last we have Eun Hye, the daughter of a State Counciler (Minister of the Interior? Hell if I can keep the different titles straight) and engaged to Gil Dong's boob of an older (and legitimate) brother.



She is... ah... different? When we are first introduced to her one of her parakeets has died and she decides to test the remaining bird's loyalty to his partner















I think her lady-in-waiting nearly shit a brick at that. Don't worry, she sets the bird free. But as you can see, bitch be crazy!

One of the things I love the most are the COLORS. I'm a sucker for bright, bold colors. So I love nearly every location and costume on this show...







Hong Gil Dong is what they call a "fusion historical drama", so there are lots of modern elements, like sunglasses and hip hop.



Even if there aren't fantastic colors for my eyes to consume the way nearly every scene is structured keeps me happy.



That's totally how I'd decorate my abandoned barn! Random draperies ftw!

Comments

[sailorgaia.livejournal.com]

I so wanted to watch this about the same time I first saw Painter of the Wind...but I go spoiled on the ending and well, couldn't. These are all so sweet though. I can't say anything though cuz I know you don't like spoilers. :X How close are you to the end? Let me know when you finish it and tell me if I should, okay? cuz I loved the idea.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

KEEP THE SPOILERS AWAY! Sometimes I'm okay with spoilers, like with BOF I don't care and sometimes search them out, but here and with Lost I run away as fast as I can. I'm only through episode 7 so it's still all pretty light-hearted and fun at this point. I've heard it veers toward melodramatic and people weren't happy with the ending. Even knowing that I'm still really enjoying it at this point.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Half of the acting in these dramas is done through ridiculous facial expressions. It can be really funny, but other times it can get old. Here they have a pretty good level of ridiculous.

I can totally burn you this when I'm done if you are interested.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Not at all! That just means more people I can flail about dramas with! :DDDD

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

HGD is in my top 10 kdramas of all time - it's hilarious and colorful but can also make me cry and had some truly interesting things to say (later) about power and rebellion and absolute nature of idealism. Btw, I liked the ending.

I went crazy when it aired- it's one of the few dramas I actually followed as it aired the whole way through - usually I lose interest unless I can binge.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Btw, I liked the ending

This is excellent news! I've caught glimpses of other people's opinions and then quickly scroll past them screaming because I don't want to know.

It's really difficult for me to follow currently airing shows as well. At least with broadcast TV you know when to expect the next episode, but when you are waiting on subs you never know when the hell you are going to get it.