East of Eden - End

Yes, it ended and Dong Chul died while he saved Dong Wook's life. It was such a sad scene that I cried out loud at one point. The Evil Baddie got killed by the Crazy Nurse, the disloyal sidekick got killed by the disloyal man of Weird Baddie. Everyone else lived happily ever after. Except my darling Dong Chol who... died.

I'm expecting major withdrawal symptoms.

Meanwhile in the absence of the Samsung tablet my co worker lends me in the shuttle bus to home (he sold it yesterday) I'm now not playing OKEY but actually reading Middlemarch - and it is not getting any better.

East of Eden Eps. 50-51-52-53

Things are slowly approaching to disaster. Ji Hyun finally saw just how bad Evil Baddie is (which is super duper bad) and after Myung Hun took her out of jail owning up to the bribery charges, she went to his (new) home and made up with Lee MiSok. She seemed to get over the rape - but I just couldn't.

Meanwhile Weird Baddie died imagining Dong Chul and Grace getting married before him.
I'm not going to say that I felt bad for him. He was a colourful character though.

Dong Wook is slowly turning into psyhco allowing his ambition for fame and respectability to rule over him. He didn't even help Ji Hyun, in fact he ignored her. Such an asshole.

Evil Baddie tried to kill Dong Chol and Lee MiSok - seriously Dong Chol just cannot get a break. Even Dong Wook hit him at one point.

Myung Hun is singing to the other DA who is very interested (in both putting Shin Tae Hwan in and taking Dong Wook down).

After Dong Chul and Lee MiSok (who finally saw her error - in living all this time for Shin Tae Hwan and ruining her boys's lives turning them into tools for her revenge) survived the murder attempt, Shin Tae Hwan the Evil Baddie thought of a better way to harm Dong Chol: Evil Baddie cooperates/pays to Macau Head Thug Jackie (a caucasian extra who cannot act but is hillarious when trying) to frame Dong Chol for drug trafficking. He even made the evil laugh.

God willing I'll finish this tonight but will probably suffer from withdrawal syndromes. This is so much better than Baker King Kim Tak Gu.

East of Eden End of Eps.49

This show is going to kill me since I watched 6 episodes on Saturday (ok I'm having a cold that has gone down at my chest) and 3 more on Sunday. I think if it was two years ago I'd have stayed all night and finish it. Now older and wiser I know it is better to keep the anticipation going.

Dong Chul is my ideal man. He has got a golden heart, very smart and great looking. His hairstyles get more ridiculous as we are nearing the end but he still manages to look hot.

Now everyone knows the baby switch and predictably Dong Wook is gone to the dark side. Well not to make another Starwars reference but this time it is not fear that leads but it is simple human jelaousy (which is brought by low self esteem I think) since Dong Wook gave Lee Mi Sok the ultimate ultimatom saying that she has to choose between him and Myung Hun (the way a real, loving son wouldn't do). I don't understand why he couldn't stay with them and also have Myung Hun (who is now near angelic but I can't seem to forget the rape) as the additional bro. Dong Wook is just not having any of it.

The terminal illness finally hit and the victim is Weird Baddie Chairman Guk. Finally as he is dying he consented to Dong Chul and Grace. But of course his greedy men kidnapped him and forced Grace to appoint the crazy Macau guy as the managing director. But just at the right moment Dong Chul arrived pushing the Weird Baddie in a wheelchair. Hero for the win!

East of Eden - Not Really Sure Which Episode

I have East of Eden in tears and with a reluctant heart last night.

Myung Hun finally told Dong Chol and he absolutely crushed under the reality. He was sobbing his heart out in his mother's garden. Everyone around him puzzled and worried since I guess they have never seen him like that. Poor thing at least looked and Dong Wook and told him that he is the person he loves best in the world and that is something no? I think my heart broke a little.

Meanwhile of course while he is dealing with all this Weird Baddie is attached and Grace is kidnapped. I'm hoping that this will be an outlet for him to let out his frustrations and he will be able to save Grace.

The good thing is that Lee Dae Hee finally found out that Dong Chol is Dong Wook's elder brother and it looks like she gave up on him. A very important silver lining, that one. For some reason I don't like her.

East of Eden Eps.32-33-34

East of Eden slowly takes over my life :)

Of course it has to be Myung Hun who finds out that Crazy Nurse switched the babies and of course he'd experience a shock and wouldn't be able to tell anyone, all the while I have been saying "go to Dong Chol, tell it to Dong Chol! He is your brother, he'll know what to do!"

And at the end of episode 35 he has walked to the casino holding the "bag" in his hands. The said bag contains information about tax crimes committed by Weird Baddie and could harm Dong Chol too.

At least now he knows that he man he was never able to like (although has tried to please numerous times) is not his father. I felt sorry for him and the actor really came through but I can't forget how he raped Ji Hyun so I was not crying rivers - like I do everytime something happens to Dong Chol. Also Lee Dae Hae is slowly creeping to Dong Chol's life repeating her earlier sob/mystery story of how there is a reason he has to study in the green house, nothings is as it seems like bla bla bla. Stay away from Dong Chol woman! Also how come they still haven't realised that Dong Chol and Dong Wook are brothers?

East of Eden - Eps. 31

Just as I feared that East of Eden is going downhill, drama leap back from the stumble. After a 5 year time lapse, Dong Chol is now combing his hair back and is a business owner but still works for weird baddie (doing errands or whatever WB wants him to do) He is just so cool and good hearted.

Grace has married Mike but Mike is having problems since he fights for being the sole heir of Steve Packer when there is a second elder brother who has ample triad backing. Mike only wants this because Weird Baddie puts him up to it. And Grace knows. Grace still loves Dong Chol and he loves her back but they cannot be together. Also Grace was mentally ill and had to be hospitalised 5 years back, only to be saved by her love to Dong Chol. But she and WB now understood that Mike doesn't have the skills nor drive to be an emperor (as subtitles say) so Grace said to her father that she will succeed his empire and she should let Dong Chol do his own thing. Taesung Electronics is up for sale (since Crazy Nurse initiated her revenge plan) and Grace wants Dong Chol to have it.

Meanwhile Weird Baddie finally understood that his daughter's heart will not change and now tries to matchmake Dong Chol with Lee Dae Hee (Hye Rin in the drama). I don't like Dae Hee's character and I don't like her acting in this. So I'm very unhappy with how the things are approaching since Dae Hee was dumped by Dong Wook and she dumped her fiance. I just cannot feel any sympathy towards her. Dong Chol deserves better.

Dong Wook on the other hand is showing his true colours. He is now a rookie but big shot prosecutor and he even pulled Shin Tae Hwan for questioning and acted like a jerk (Dong Chol on the other hand treated Evil Baddie with respect even when he had him in his hands) but Evil Baddie Shin is not going to go down yet.

Crazy Nurse activated her revenge plan by outing herself and demanding payment at the same time. I actually felt good when I saw Evil Baddie's face after he realised what has happened. It only lasted half a minute or so but I think I even laughed out loud. But of course the real revenge will come out when she announces how she switched the babies. That plan is flawed on so many levels but I feel sorry for Dong Chol and Lee Mi Sok since they didn't do anybody any harm. Well Lee Mi Sok did second hand harm to Ji Hyun but I don't think she deserves this sort of payback. Especially now that she is treating Dong Chol really well.

Of course as evident from this post, I'm head over heels in love with Dong Chol now.

East of Eden Eps 22-23-24

This is going so good. I was not able to watch yesterday - went to the b-day party of a friend's two years old and ate far too much. I have still not eaten anything as of 11.30 today - from 17:30 yesterday and I don't feel hungry at all. Also there was too much children's noise - my good friend's child is especially troublesome- and I felt like my head is growing twice its size. After my friend dropped me at the bus stop to continue for half an hour with the bus, I had to stand since it was really very very crowded.

When I finally arrived home at about 20:00 o'clock my mother was watching Turkish survivor c-list celeb edition. I actually wanted to crawl into my bed and sleep but my heart didn't want to leave my mother alone in her excitement (she loves Survivor) so I crawled into the sofa with a blanket and immediately fell asleep. Well at least I was there.

Today I have also shopped on line again which is becoming quite a habit. I liked what I had purchased (a trenchcoat, tan colour chino pants, a viskose dress, a v neck sweater - I have a weakness for those- and a khaki cargo skirt) but still I shouldn't have.

Middlemarch has finally started to be interesting. As a female I can't help but agree with George Eliott most of the time but still I think her style is too aggressive and she has a certain know it all attitude that turns me off. But I do like the story and the characters so I think I'll enjoy this better as a TV Series or something.

East of Eden Eps 19-20-21, 1N2D 152

Last night was a bit two sided. I laughed out really hard during 1N2D viewing - especially when Seung gi and Su Geun had to get into the cold water and the others poured cold water on them. Seriously, knowing that they are in on it but also suffering a bit was hilliarious. Especially Su Geun when he started to splash buckets of water on his teammates.

Then I have turned the computer off and started to watch East of Eden - and of course, predictable I have started crying. But Dong Chol keeps getting beaten up every episode. We left when Dong Wook and Hye Rin reconciled (he got mad after finding out about her parents but his heart softened when she told him she is a child born out of wedlock and never knew love etc. I'm not so keen on that storyline) but Dong Chol is being sent to jail by the goverment guy Evil Baddie is currently supporting hoping to curry favours. And Weird Baddie is not protecting him since - I think, I may be wrong- he thinks Grace will not go through with the engagement to Mike (georgeous Mike) if Dong Chol is available. But this had the reverse effect and the moment she saw Dong Chol's picture at the airport she has understood her father deception and took her engagement ring out (also we are given the signals of illness, this maybe due to her heartbreak but I wouldn't be suprised if it is terminal) also Lee MiSok saw the newspaper on the bus (the Evil Baddie actually threatened Dong Chol - when he was beaten and kidnapped by the rival gangsters) that he will call the reporters and his mother will see the photos - Dong Chol didn't give in to his threats, I like people who doesn't give in to blackmail/threats) and she harriedly got off and here I was thinking that she'll go to the police station or something (I never learn) but she ran to their restaurant and told her late husband's mistress (yes they are living together) to keep the news from Dong Wook since it will not be good for his future career to be associated with a man like Dong Chol (Lee MiSok come to your sense woman, I wonder what she'll be like when she finds out that Dong Wook, so treasured by her is her archenemy's son, well I still felt sad for writing it, so I guess I'm a softie or something).

East of Eden Eps 17-18

Well Dong Chul is finally in the big leage but he has to outsmart Evil Baddie (who is getting even more evil by the drama minute)

Don't feel like getting into details now but Dong Chul is trying to get a slot machine deal in Busan. Also he is trying to beat Ji Hyun to get the Olympics first hotel contract. Meanwhile Grace has made a deal with her father and now she understands why Dong Chul has to do what he has to do (even without knowing about the revenge and all). She agreed to marry Mike (oh Mike is simply georgeous) and in return wants Dong Chul unharmed - apparently Weird Baddie is very mean and scary.

Dong Wook got rid of JiHyun from his heart, slowly beginning to open up to Lee Dae Hee but she is pursued by her sister's fiance and he refuses to give her up. Dong Wook has gone through intensive torture barely saving his eye and while he is waiting in the hospital lobby to be dischared, he comes across Evil Baddie and Myung Hun (no matter how nice he is I can't forget about how he raped Ji Hyun) and started to shout at Evil Baddie (we know he is his father and I think Crazy Nurse is preparing for a big reveal)

East of Eden Eps.16, 1N2D

Last night I couldn't help but watch half of Episode 151 of 1N2D, a S.Korean variety show that is hillarious and interesting. So I stayed up later than I should have and combined with the sleeplessness of the night before (it was 01:00 a:m when I got ready to sleep) I could only watch one episode of my current beloved East of Eden.

Dong Chul is still struggling with:

* His mother who finally understood his reasons and feels ashamed that she was not able to protect her, also feeling guilty of his family being the reason of why he is currently doing what he does - hence treating him in an awful way, always nagging on him and shouting him to get out whenever she sees him.

* Grace who can't understand why he chose power over her (since he is not the type of man who'd do that) constantly pestering her

* Ex juvie buddy who has now became his enemy since he thinks that Dong Chul sold them out to get some gold (finally he understood it after he kidnapped DC's sister and the other henchmen told him the truth) and also working for Weird Baddie who is the enemy of ex juvie buddy.

* Strange Bank Manager who assigns him to manage the bank's branch in Korea. Oh this is also the crazy nurse who switched the babies to avenge the wrongs Evil Baddie did to her (having an affair with her, forcing an abortion on her and then dumping her in the fields)

I'm loving loving loving this drama.

East of Eden - Eps 13-15

I'm loving East of Eden.

After turning away from his brother like his mom did Dong Wook finally understood why he is doing what he did -after he bailed him out from prison where the military dictatorship was holding him.

But we have to rewind a bit. Now there is a 3 year time lap. Dong Chul rose very high in weird baddie's company ranks and now is No 2 (heh) but he is the one who is doing the dirty work (i.e yakuza connections and anything that needs that sort of manpower) Grace still doesn't understand why he chose this over her (why doesn't he tell her?) He loves her as much as she loves him, but he also needs to be powerful to bail his mother and brother out whenever they are in trouble, which is often. I'd like to think that I'm a person of principles too but these mother and son due really make me angry with their righteous act. Seriously people give it a rest. Leave my Dong Chul alone, he not even that big on revenge now and if Evil Baddie ever stopped harrassing them Dong Chul would probably put the whole revenge thing away. He has a kind heart and a forgiving nature (I love him)

Ji Hyun got married to Myung Hoon and her boy is now 3 years old. She is a smart, confident businesswoman who is liked by her husband's family too (Evil Baddie initially didn't want her but she convinced him)

Episode 15 ended with Dong Wook released from prison (and he FINALLY understood Dong Chul's motives for choosing the sad and illegal life he leads - no one knows he also sacrificed the love of his life but hey, that family wouldn't have appreciated it anyway). Lee Mi Sok came across Min Hyung and Ji Hyun at the hospital (their harabuji is there for gallstones) and attempted to spew some of her old venom but Ji Hyun is more than her match, although MiSok said that she can't really let go since there is a child there. After they have visited harabuji, who I like a lot, they have come across Dong Chul and he is very warm and civil to Ji Hyun (because he has had a talk with her before she got married and tried to convince her not to) but when Myun Hyung called him hyung he said "why am I your hyung?" YOU ARE HIS HYUNG Dong Chul, he is your chincha dongseng. Ahhh but no one is the wiser.

But Evil Baddie's wife (who is a it like Pharoah's wife and managed to remain a nice woman despite her husband) expressed that her heart really ached when she saw Dong Wook bruised and tortured saying that maybe because the boys were born on the same day. Harabuji told her that this is exactly how a parent feels and that got her thinking. Of course they have no way of knowing that the nurse in the hospital had an affair with Evil Baddie who later forced her to get an abortion and have her men dump her in the fields post abortion (to die??). And the nurse had the genius idea for "revenge by switching babies". How could she? She knows her husband is ruthless and merciless but she doesn't know that he is also a murderer and an adulterer.

East of Eden - Eps12, Drag Me to Hell, Just Go With It, US Shows

Drag Me to Hell I really liked this one. First of all Sam Raimi style that appeals to me were there, the story is interesting and relevant to me, the cast did a very good job. All in all, a satisfying experience.

Just Go With It The first time I watched this was on the plane ride to LA and I remember that I liked it very much. This second time I liked it even better. Actually this may be the only film where I enjoyed Jennifer Anniston's acting. I forgot that she was Anniston. Adam Sandler is someone I really like. All in all this one was a good one.

A Good Wife just when I thought it is getting weird, the show corrected itself in my eyes. Everything is tense and I love love love Bryan Brown. He has aged so well, so well.

Grey's Anatomy Well I still like this one although I don't really care for Owen and his storyline. Yang alone is great to watch but together with Owen -zzzzzzzzzz

East of Eden This one gets tears out of me at least once in every three episodes.

Dong Wook finally told his mama that it was him who has tried to burn Evil Baddie's house. But did it matter to Lee Mi Sok? Not really. I think that after so many heartaches and humiliations she has started to see her sons as instruments of revenge, rather than her sons. Her treatment to poor Ji Hyun is truly awful. The poor girl was tortured at the prison and then raped by Junior Baddie and you tell her to go marry the Jr Evil Shin? Knowing full well that you raised Dong Wook with the explicit intention of ruining that family? What kind of a stone heart you have woman? If you don't even have an ounce of sympathy to the poor girl, at least think of how your son loves her.

Even when she heard how Dong Chul escaped from juvie to find money for the operation to save her life, she still refused him. Only for the fact that he thought the revenge would be best performed using power rather than law. She thinks this is agains the principles of his father!! Seriously woman, have you once asked him how he feels? Have you tried to welcome him, treat him nicely and try to turn him against the road he has taken using good will and acceptance rather than blame and rejection? Seriously woman, that baby switch is going to bite you in the ass.
Lee MiSok btw is just an excellent actor and such a beautiful woman.

By the end of Episode 12 Dong Chul established himself with the weird baddie, broke all ties with Grace in order to be her father the weird baddie's man hence gain enough power and wealth to deal with Evil Baddie (who has more enemies than one can shake a stick at, daughter in law of Steve Packer is also someone he has wrong when young, but the evil he committed to her is not yet specified).

Lee Dae Hee is pretty but her character reminds me of the one in Sandglass only not as well scripted or acted. She is the illegitemate daughter of the Journo Baddie, very smart and capable and her heart is definitely in the right place. She confronts her dad and stepmom for being lackeys in the military government and use their means not for good of the people but to fill their pockets. She has feelings for Dong Wook but Dong Chul definitely impressed her (well if one is an alive woman Song Seung Hun will leave an effect on her, one way or another, he is just too pretty).

All in all I'm loving East of Eden.

Meanwhile now that my internet is back, I have started to watch 1N2D since I love reading the caps in Dramabeans. It is a funny show and it will probably help my Korean learning process (which is going painfully slow) too.

East of Eden Eps 7

Well I have also cried during Episode 7 and finally Dong Wook told his mother that he is the one who tried to burn the evil man's house.

The worst thing in these stages of the show is that Lee MiSok treats her own son (currently she knows him as evil baddie's son) very bad and vice versa. Evertime that stupid son insults her I cringe.

Meanwhile things are brightening up for our DongChul in Macau. Not only he saved Steve Packer's son (Steve is the contact for Evil Baddie and the other Weird Evil Guy's construction project deals in Macau - Steve is very rich and influential and has a son and a daugther in law who is also very influential and capable, in fact Janice (the daugther in law) is the one who runs the more important construction business while Mike - who btw is georgeous- runs the casino business. Meanwhile Mike's girlfriend Grace is actually the Weird Evil Guy's daugther and she so fell under DongChul's spell, well the guy has a big heart and great looking face not to mention killer abs. And she turned down Evil Baddie's son. Evil Baddie is trying to beat Weird Evil Guy in getting the construction tender. He thought that an arranged marriage would be a good way to make Weird Baddie to back off but Grace turned him down flat. The funny thing is when Weird Baddie tried to give her a hard time for her scandalous behaviour, she correctly deducted that he never meant to marry his daughter off to this type of man anyway. Grace is smart and I'm rooting for her. Yes she is spoiled but which rich 19 year old isn't. Plus she has the good sense to fall for our Dong Chul.

But as usual in this type of drama (this reminds me very much of Baker King Kim Tak Gu) Dong Chul can't get a a break. Just as he starts to work as a legit dealer in Mike's Casino, Evil Baddie finds him. How? He put a tail on Grace and found out from the half Korean half Chinese Macau gangster that this is a guy whose brother has won top spot in Korea Law School. Yes, Dong Chul got screwed up by his younger bro again (this time Dong Wok didn't do anyting on purpose).

On Dong Wook's side he stars school but at a turbulent time. Military rules in Korea in 1981 and the students are constantly protesting.

I'm really loving this show. Even though I fell asleep in the middle of Episode 8. This is just because I was tired I suppose.

Good news is that my internet started working again and I managed to register my Nano (which is ADORABLE) and were able to watch the upcoming drama trailers. My favorite is Rooftop Prince since I actually laughed out loud while watching the trailer. I really liked Equator Man and King 2 Hearts but I wouldn't care for King 2 Hearts if Lee Sung Gi was not starring in it.

East of Eden Eps 4-6

East of Eden's childhood/teen portions were simply lovely. I'm not really that hopeful for the adult parts of the show (about 90% of it - heh) but at least Song Seung Hun is really good looking.

Now Dong Chul is working in Macau as an illegal immigrant (doing deliveries, acting as a dealer at night etc.) and the poor thing has the same good heart as he did when he was a kid.

Dong Wook entered the University exam and came top (this is very much like Turkey, all the journalist etc. came to his house) and will go to Seoul Law School. I don't really like this actor but more importantly I can't understand why he still shuts up about how he tried the evil baddie's house and his older brother had to take the fall for him. I mean I would have told this loooong before. Now is it nurture or is it nature? Dong Wook is really evil baddie's child. Did he inherit his evil heart? But why then he acts so righteous and all?

Meanwhile the real Dong Wook will also go to the same Uni but Management branch. Mun Hyung is not a bad kid at heart but is fed by his fake father's lies and also she likes Jin Hyun and Jin Hyun likes Dong Wook.

East of Eden - Eps I-III

NOT the book (although I do love it) but the Korean drama series I have started yesterday. And it felt so good to cry my heart out for a whole episode. Finally my Korean drama love is back - after Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy I was getting worried that I overdosed.

The first three episodes are fantastic we have cute child actors, approved adultery, babies switched at birth, union vs.the bosses in a coal mine, forced abortion, murder, revenge, arson a most hateful evil baddie and Lee MiSook (I love her) - Makjang for the Win!

Inception

Inception is just as good as the second time. But this time I'm not so positive on the ending.

Meanwhile I keep trying to connect to internet but no luck. I'm guessing it may be my telephone line. We'll see!

A Separation, Various US & UK Shows, Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy

A Separation This one is really good and deserves all the praise it got. A story well told, I didn't even realise how the time passed.

A Good Wife just got better with the investigation turning to Peter. And right after he abused his position to get his kids into some private school too. And Kalinda and Alicia are slowly warming up to each other again! Way to go show.

Revenge is also going good, I turned it on 5 minutes in and it seemed that Amanda was not alone and made up with the gay rich dude. They seriously got rid of Tyler good.

Grey's Anatomy was also good but I want to see more of Karev.

Merlin Uther died. And Arthur's acting is a lot better now. I'm very fond of this show and just because I find Arthur very very handsome.

I also started another Korean drama called Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy (Student I guess?) Now it is not only an older woman younger guy, but also teacher and student. Normally I'd just love it but for some reason the show doesn't appeal to me at all. Everything is too bubbly, secondary guy is not handsome at all and I don't particularly care for Goo Yoo or Gong Hye Jin. But these may also be defense mechanisms, well one CD was missing in the box (Episodes 5-8) and since I won't be able to go to Hawaii just to change it back, I have to bear it.

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam I loved it. Guru Dutt is great.

Guide

Guide is alright and even interesting from the beginning towards the end but it sank real low at the end part. What was all that got to do with anything? Now this is the first time I have watched Dev Anand and he is not my type of leading man. Waheeda Rehman now is not only a very good actor but also a great dancer (and this is kind of important in this film) but I can't see any warmth in her. It is hard to describe but I feel cold towards her and only admire and appreciate her but I don't really like her. All in all this film is winner in the first half but loses its marbles at the end. So I recommend with reservations.