The Sexiest HRH in TWSSG

It has become a trend that more and more movies and dramas are stuffing in more unnecessary violence or sex scenes, in order to boost up the box office or viewership. Gradually people are used to it and welcoming it and even expecting it more and more. Interesting enough, the TWSSG achieved much success without having to resort to any of those. Well can't disagree that there were some violent scenes, but this is a war theme, it is justifiable that those fighting and killing scenes are necessary and not overdone. Nevertheless, today I am talking about the scenes that are related to sexiness. The "statistics" showed that there was only one kissing scene in the entire drama, and that was not even "accomplished".

(The sweet moment between Jumoochi and Dalbi).

TWSSG proved that a good piece of work does not need to rely on the arousing scenes like kissing or bed-scenes, etc. Rather it is well received as exceptionally entertaining in terms of successfully stimulated viewer's senses AND mind. Good storyline, rich character development, proficient acting from almost all actors/actresses, extraordinary CG and sound effect, beautiful music, and especially the irreplaceable charming absorbing king BYJ, all are the keys to success. Of course we have to be thankful for BYJ's perfecting subtle performing skills. Even though there was no bed-scenes, the very existence of BYJ is sexy enough. So when I read somewhere about the "bed-scene" of TWSSG, I was quite curious and amused. Are people so craving for the sex scenes? Lo, and behold, they were talking about tis one :


Come on! Give me a break! I don't even see a bed! Don't even mention that this whole 20-second scene was made up of a contiguous shooting of the above still picture. I would rather call this the "still sleeping scene", quite straightforward, eh?

Is this closer to a "bed-scene"? At least HRH is on the bed, this very combination is already arousing, ya?




Although there were hugging and panting involved, it is pretty clear to me that this still does not qualify for a bed-scene. I'd rather call it a "nightmare comforting scene".

Looking for a sexy HRH in TWSSG? It's got to be tough if you only look for the obvious like a bed-scene. It's easy to show a brave Taewang, a heroic Taewang, a merciful Taewang, a diplomatic Taewang, a visionary Taewang, an emotional Taewang ... but a sexy Taewang, nm-nm, don't think the scriptwriter or the director had the particular intention for showing a sexy Taewang.

But again, who is BYJ? The very existence of BYJ is sexiness. Heehee... this is NOT an over-statement!

Now you are trying to decide in which scenes he was sexy? How about this?





mmm... this one I can stare for the longest time! Remember I love love love this man with eyes closed and chins up. Apparently his self-awareness did not fail him. He showed many of these mesmerizing chins-up-eyes-closed scenes in this drama, with clear intention to struck us down, but he did it so naturally.



Hmmm... I would call this the "wine-teasing scene". HRH was rather playful and naughty then sexy. Although this "O-Ho" scene was pretty fatherly and a tad sexy. I love it!


This "O-Ho" expression is brand new to me, I believe this is the very first time he used this new mass destruction bomb to us. I am completely blown down flat by his "O-Ho".

But desiring more than a fatherly "O-Ho"? Yeah, in my mind, there is a more sexy one. Thinking of this one?






Well, I can only call this "fuzzy flirting scene". Would HRH flirt like this in the real life? Damdeok looked playful and uncertain about his feelings to Sujini. After all, he is only a king of 20ish in age. A king with great mind but in a unsettled young age, not sure enough for a relationship yet? Mind still on Kiha?

We are getting closer to find the sexiest HRH if we look at this episode, when Sujini bid farewell to the HRH king, but keeping our king in the complete blue.


I do feel happy being served by a pretty girl like you, Sujini, though I am so used to you, but today you look different, do a better job this time, okay?



And this is the excuse that I grabbed your hand, I felt an impulse to hold your elegant gentle hand - "why are you so quiet? Tell me, you must have made some trouble?"



Hey, these arms are sexy. Crazy thought!


Hey Hey, Sujini's hands are beautiful. Those long fingers ... lucky enough to hold HRH's waist!


Are you crying? Damdeok felt foggy ...


Yeah! Crying big time! Sujini, you are such a pretty, lovely, talented girl! How come Damdeok has not realized that you are a treasure?



Let the king look at you (ya, a mighty young handsome king!), Sujini, look at me.



This is back to you (I am saying good-bye na my dear!)



Why are you doing this to me? I don't understand...


What is it that you are not telling me?


Please stay, I won't let you go (still holding Sujini's little hand? imagining wildly ...)



Good-bye my king, with a smiling cry, I am leaving ...



Something is going on outside the radar of this shrewd mind, our handsome king is puzzled. Have you ever seen a king as handsome as HRH? Never! This will never exist in the real world. I then love to live in the fantasy!



Your back has a nice smile, didn't you know? (Really? What product did HRH use for shower?)



I call this "Out-of-the-blue no-clue puzzling scene". Poor Damdeok, only Sujini dares to treat our king like this!

Here we are! I can not describe why I think the next episode showed the sexiest look of HRH in this drama. Can't describe. Pictures worth a thousand words. Here savor on them.

(Damdeok alluring Sujini ... )

(Sujini is under the spell ...)

(Errrr... out of word, out of mind, only one word remaining - sexy)

(Enchanted)

(Focus focus, let me focus on this work, trying to tie it properly ...)

(Silent ... captivated...)

(When he looks down upon you, hold your breath ...)

OMG, out of words, look at those eyes, if not sexy, what are they? How did he do it? One eye slightly narrower than the other, with such a subtle facial expression ... No wonder Sujini got struck like this ...



Said enough of the word "sexy", more than the total times I said in my real life. Shame on me, but he made me do that, and HE DID IT IN PURPOSE!

My Favorite Damdeok Wrath Scenes

Thought of writing down something over the weekend but time just passed with all kinds of "necessary" work at home, but not much seemed to be accomplished. Since woke up a bit early than usual, thought might be good to transfer some of my mind on TWSSG to this post.
Thank goodness for HRH to give us so many of his gracious precious appearances in a reasonably long drama. TWSSG presented so many of his looks and gestures and voices for us to study for the rest of the years before he gives us another new work.

Remember I was longing for his serious looks? I love love love his smiles, but I also missed his serious looks, since I believe when he is not smiling, he looks more manly. And when he is showing his anger, he looks more sexy.

There are about 5 places in this drama I can remember his outbursts. If I watched the drama a tad more times, I may find out more of Damdeok exploded in anger. So far I remembered 5 and the first 3 of these 5 wraths are my favorites.

1. Damdeok visited his father's tomb, learned from High Priestess that Kiha was the one who killed his father. He trusted Kiha so much, but High Priestess who has cared for him like a mother, and her witness prove to him that Kiha indeed was the "murderer", imagine how disappointed, angry he would be to Kiha and to himself! This was the first time Damdeok burst out in wrath. His angry roar was soooo soooo sexy. The action of throwing the sword and hit the marble pillar was mighty powerful.



2. Damdeok Taewang came back to the royal city in victory, but had to meet Kiha the new High Priestess in the Temple alone. The conversation between the two ex-lovers was a total disaster. The misunderstandings caused both to suppress their heartbreaking emotions and memories in the past, rather the words they spoke out to each other were quite hurting. The relationship was ended, Damdeok decided. At that moment, without a voice, the young king's suffocated fury was exploded by swinging his sword splitting off the golden string. No one can play this scene better than HRH. Now you got a taste of how he would look like when you break his heart. So don't do that!






3. In Episode 17, the ministers were surprised that Taewang treated them like loyal subordinates even after they were trying to kill him in the past. One of the ministers, seeing Taewang giving away the sacred symbols to the Hwachuan Leader, hoping to exchange for the minister's lives, he remorsed on his disloyal to the king and killed himself in front of Taewang. While Damdeok and everyone else were in shock, the second minister followed up, trying to do the same thing, in order not to burden the king with their unworthy lives. Taewang could not stand this any more, he burst out a mighty "NO!!! WAIT" and charge to the evil Hwachuan Leader! Wow, how much do I wish I could post the video clip of this raging outbreak, HRH's mighty roar was soooo MANLY!



4. Angry with General Gao for blocking him to rescue the two "dummies" Juno leader and Joomichi.



5. Angry with Gomul village folk not knowing where Sujini disappeared herself.




Er Er, I feel like I am this Gomul disciple - hold on, hold on your Highness, you are getting too emotional for this girl Sujini, sorry we did not know you want her so much! Easy, Easy! So HRH, we hope you'll find your sweetheart and never loose her.

Guess what, after screen captured and reviewed these raging HRH pictures, I really really really really miss his smiles. At this moment, my mind is locked on this cute picture of the young Damdeok on the palace wall with a smile that is such a rich charming mixture of childish, shy, mischievous, pure and more ...


HRH is such a sunshine! Do you like this smile better or Mona Lisa's? Tough question, eh? Being a simpleton, I answered without a blink, HRH's smile always makes me smile, of course I like this lively one better! I vote this the best smile of Damdeok in TWSSG.

Impressions of MBC Award Ceremony

Finally watched the 2007 MBC Drama Award Ceremony, of course I watched it just for BYJ. Got some random thoughts:

1. BYJ is the most dazzling man dropped from heaven into the crowd, wondering if the heaven is fair at all. No wonder there are so many people jealous about him. I started to feel that, how come every good thing falls on this one man, handsome, tall, elegant, bright, shrewd, diplomatic, humorous, humble yet dignified, gentle yet strong, Y, Y, Y, it's not fair!!! (pfff...)

2. As HRH advised Phillip Lee - working in entertainment biz world is a very hard job. You have to be patient to let people flash shots on your body, you have to maintain a good smile all the time, ever mindful that there is a camera focusing on you, you have to answer all kinds of questions, some are quite annoying, like "when are you going to get married". why? And worst of all, IMHO, as an actor you have to do some scenes you dislike, and you are made to believe that these scenes are necessary to the project. You have to kiss whoever you are supposed to be kissing, and you have to hug whoever you are told to hug. You have to tolerate people to "inquire" your body parts and have fun with them. But since this is your choice of caree, we know you are strong yong joon ssi, hang in there, I'd be glad to cheer for you and support you for whatever you decide to do.

3. Why was there not the music award? The TWSSG musics are so beautiful. Joe Hisaishi deserves the music award.

4. Where was Song Jina, despite the rumors and controversies, I respect her ability as a scriptwriter. Was there an award for scriptwriter?

5. Masters of 3 sacred symbols accompanied the king at the ceremony, where was Joomuchi? Cheoro (Phillip Lee) was the most helpful, almost like in the drama, he is always around to assist our king.

6. EJA did not show too much smiling that night, was she too serious, or too nervous, or just not in a party mood? It is so obvious that she is a smart girl, may be too smart, remember men are usually scared by the smart girl like what she appeared to be. Well BYJ is smarter to hire EJA in BOF.

7. BYJ's smile can brighten and soften so many women's heart. Yet sometimes when he is serious, I would imagine some girls would be afraid of him. His power is ever growing, he seemed to be very strict about what and how things should be done, appears to be a very demanding boss. It is obvious that he is not someone who can be easily accessed if he decides so. Was EJA afraid of him? He seems to set up an invisible wall around him to certain actresses whom he worked with. EJA, SYA, JDY, are you one of them?

8. I expected the MBC Drama Award Ceremony to be a bit more entertaining than just handing out trophies one after another.

9. Damdeok was handsome in TWSSG, but BYJ is more handsome and charming at the award ceremony. He appeared to be much younger, what did his mother feed him at home? How did he maintain his beauty and youth at the age of 35, he looks at least 10 years younger.

10. Phillip Lee seems to be a nice young man, wish one day he gets some awards, work hard young fella.

11. I do not like entertainment world. I would never be interested in working in it or to watch any award ceremony of such kind. I would never spend a second on any voting polls of such kind. But just for you BYJ, just for you my pal. I did my contribution of clicking the buttons whereever your picture appears. I am happy for your achievement. You deserve it!

Cheers.

Thoughts about BYJ the Biz Man

A regular "anonymous" made an interesting comment in my previous post "TWSSG Grading". (BTW, I think my grading was too critical if not harsh). Sometimes I am feeling funny about the word "fan". The definition of this word from my web search is " An ardent devotee; an enthusiast". You can easily see the normal BYJ fans, they devote their passions to support this guy they love. But do realize that there is another type of "BYJ fans", they devote their energies and emotions against BYJ and his "pro" fans, so they are called anti-BYJ fans. Admit it or not they are still BYJ fans because they spend so much time on him and even on his fans, the only sadness is that they are applying their energies against themselves - being so unhappy and insecure.

I happen to be a venting point of a certain anti-BYJ "fan". I don't see this as being a bad thing. The arguments are brought up to keep us thinking more about what we do here, they are actually quite normal points of a typical anti-BYJ fan. We can discuss the issues as long as we are conducting it in a constructive way. Here is my reply on her comments:



Hi "anonymous", with the New Year's Day break, I've got more time to think about your comments. If I read you correctly, I think you have two major issues with BYJ - One is that he is not good enough for you to be his fan and to many other people. Second is, he is not as "nice" as what the fans thought him to be, he is just a businessman, and you are feeling sick seeing him making so much money through his popularity.

My thoughts are, first, do not look for a perfect man on this earth. We call him "angel" but we are mature intelligent women who know clearly that he is not perfect, but the ways he tries so hard to be perfect and the ways he tries so hard to meet our expectations are showing his angelic quality. We love the virtues exhibited through him, that's the key! Hope you can see it. But there are so many good men with these virtues, why just BYJ? well, why did I fall in love and marry my husband? dunno, it just clicked. So here is the same case, it just happened he shot our hearts.

Second about BYJ being a businessman. This is a well-known fact, he is not only a businessman, but an excellent, successful businessman. He deserves the money he made through his prudent planning, self-management and hard work. And we fans just want to do business with him. The reasons? I decide what I want to spend money on and whom I want to do business with - to the ones I value and the ones I want to support. For any businessman, I look at the ways they used to get successful and what they do with their fortune at hand. BYJ matched my criteria, and I believe this is the same case to his many fans throughout the world. Noticed he got over 1 millions votes for MBC Most Popular Actor Award? Over 1 millions vote! well no one can beat this "painful" fact - he is not only rich with money, but also rich in owning all these fans hearts. It's very easy to provoke jealousy within certain people. I hope you recover soon from feeling sick about this, it ain't happy nor healthy!
Peace be with you.

A Wise Hubby Who Can Tell What is Good

Hubby has been a fervent soccer player. If he is not at work, or not on biz trip, you'll find him on the soccer field, either chasing a ball like a maniac, or coaching my sons and their teams.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), he had to wear a cast on his right foot for suffering from Achilles tendonitis caused by overpronation during extensive soccer playing. Now he has been banned from running or over-walking, prescribed casting for 2-4 weeks. All these happened in the same while he is not too busy with work and biz trips, so he has all his time to spare on me and kids.

By the way he decided to wear that cast for 4 weeks but I warned him ahead that he should be careful about his left foot being exerted due to un-balanced from wearing the cast on his right foot, as a 180cm 80kg big man, all his weight would be supported by that poor left foot now. And not surprisingly, after 2 weeks, I saw his cast being abandoned on the floor, guess what, he started complaining his left foot in pain now. So yong joon ssi, is it that your left knee got hurt? thank goodness that you have crutches to help moving around, but still please be cautious on not exerting your right leg too much, Okay? I don't want to see you having side-effect pains on the good leg after we took care of the injured one. Is that character Jaime and her clan doing a good job massaging your legs? I perform my good duty to my hubby's ankle, just to let you know how convenient to have your own wife.

All right, so hubby has quite a relaxing schedule towards the end of the year, other than doing all the chores such as fixing up the house, paying the bills, plowing the snow, watching soccer games on youtube, creating tricksy bewildering math problems for both kids, he unwillingly started watching the TWSSG with me as a token of "spending quality time with the wife". Heehee.. quality time for ME hehe ... As you know he is quite jealous about HRH sinking down many of the talented innocent women like his wife and her college friends ... so I am wise enough not to make any comments about that man Damdeok as long as he enjoys the story. I am convinced that this is a piece of work appealing to male just as much or even more than to the female viewers. It was the FIRST TIME that hubby could watch a drama/movie of any kind till 3am with me EVER in my life! He could not stop, and I did not try to stop him until that disk was done, we watched 4 episodes that night! I am curious if the DVD disk could hold all 24 episodes, when would he recollect his consciousness and stop watching.

We stopped at the high point of episode 15, when Damdeok visited Baeji alone for Sujini and obtained the Blue Dragon Sacred Symble. Such a dramatic exciting episode, full of paradisaical scenes and enchanting music, with heavenly Damdeok wondering about. This is one of my most favorite episodes.

At this point, hubby admitted that the Korean actors have better acting skills than most of the Chinese actors he knew. (What he meant Korean actors included BYJ I am sure?) And, he commented, the Koreans (at least in the dramas) are all so very courteous, respectful, well mannered. (Including wuri HRH, right? Not that I only care about HRH, but I do care only about HRH.) I thought it is quite significant and pleasing to hear hubby praising the Korean people and the Korean drama TWSSG 'coz for me anything Korean is related to HRHHHHHH. See even the most proud and critical soul like hubby has the wisdom to tell and acknowledge what is truly good, of course including wuri HRHxN.

A happy thought for the New Year's Eve. (Son asked me why don't we call it New Year's Adam?)

Chitchat with BYJ - Greetings of New Year 2008

By now postings of congrats are flooded in all HRH websites and blogs. For reference, here is Jaime's posting about HRH taking home 4 awards from Dec. 30, 2007 MBC Award Ceremony. Today I got informed (thanks Camille) that BYJ posted his New Year greeting to our family on KOB and JOB. tomato99 kindly translated it into English. Here is the copy, thank you so much HRH for sending us your love and care to the family and thank you tomato99 for helping us understand wuri HRH's words.

WISH EVERYONE INCLUDING WURI HRHHH
A HAPPY HEALTHY HARMONIC HOPEFUL NEW YEAR!

(have you noticed we use a lot of H's in the name we've given you (thanks bb)? We call you HRHHHHHH for His Royal Handsomeness Hotness Humorousness Heartwarmingness Hopefullness Highness... HRHxN )

Watch HRH's New Year Greeting on JOB here. As always, you looked so handsome and sincere.

45520 [trans]Greetings from BYJ on KOB and JOB [4] tomato99 2007.12.31 81

Dear Yong Joon, Congratulations for all your awards at MBC Drama Awards last night. I am so happy to know that all of your hard work has been appreciated by everyone. I pray your year 2008 to be filled with happy and healthy things. Will always love and support you. tomato (BIG THANK YOU TOMATO!!! Love ya!) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Bae family, Season’s greetings to you all, Wishing you happiness today, tomorrow, and throughout the new year. Please check out BYJ’s greeting message posted at “Greeting” section. Posted below is Japanese to English translation to the video posted at JOB. Please enjoy and have a great new year!! love, tomato +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Greetings from BYJ 2007/12/31 Happy New Year +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= source: JOB http://www.yongjoon.jp/meta/2008.asx Japanese to English translation by tomato99 Annyeon Haseyo, dear family, this is Bae Yong Joon. (Always love him addressing us as his family!) It has been a long time to send my greetings. (We know what you have been busy with, but you never forget us, how can we stop loving you?) I have recently finished drama shooting, (And don't forget you won 4 awards including the biggest most prominent award, congratulations! Wish I could pat on your lovely back!) I am at home reading books, listening to music, and watching movies. (Books, music, movies, you are always enriching your mind and spirit whenever you have time. Are you watching movies to learn new acting skills? You are always trying to perfect yourself, love it!) I am doing things that I have not been able to do. (Home sweet home, nice to be able to be yourself, please enjoy the peaceful time with your mom and all family members at home). I am meeting people who I have not been able to see for a while. (Able to meet a sweet girl yet, my pal?) Of course, I am curing my injury, and it is getting much better now. (Thank God! Do get better soon, ya?) There is only one day left for year 2007, it will soon become year 2008. Looking back this year now, it has been full of afterglow and regrets for me. (Don't worry about the regrets, I trust you can turn it into good some way or the other, you are such a bright man!) During the shooting of drama, there were very hard times and I did get some injuries, (My heart has always been with you and cries and prays for you, but I am so proud of you, dear brave lad!) but your support, trust and hope gave me power to complete the whole shooting. (That's what we are here for my pal, we will always be here fighting by your side! It is contending to know that we have been helpful to you in various ways!) I sincerely send my appreciation to you all. (My appreciation to you for your fortitude and for the joy you bring to my life.) The year is ending soon, (old is passing, new is coming with new hopes, 2007 is an exciting memorable milestone, thank you much much for your hard work!) I wish you and your family hope and happiness in the new year. (I love the word "HOPE" you brought up in your wishes. It lifted the New Year greeting to a higher level. You always amaze me in every big or tiny way. Love, Peace and Joy be with you!) (in Japanese) Dear family, Happy New Year! (Happy New Year to you our head of the family! Wish one day we can hear you speaking this in English, when we celebrate the New Year with your new achievements reaching out to this side of the world.) Peace, joy and Love be with you always! H. from the USA