Day 5 (Wednesday): The day was devoted to visiting the National Museum of Korea and shopping at Nam Dae Mun Market (South Gate Market). If you look closely, you'll notice the sign for the G20 Summit on the left-hand side of the banner. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised to recognize the main hall from the drama with Kim Sun Ah. :) Do you recognize it, too, from the photo?
I had a difficult time with the lighting on my camera for the picture right above; however, I wanted to try to at least get a shot of it to share with you all. It was quite impressive simply standing there erect in the middle of the open center.
While I was roaming through the many halls and rooms, I was surprised to run into the next picture...the museum had several of these rooms dedicated to allowing visitors to sit, rest, and chat with people:
The one right above is actually the video room, where visitors can watch documentaries and such. I think we were there too early for the museum to have started any of the short films. Typically, I like to roam through museums for hours on end, but I had to do a cursory walk through the major rooms that day because I was with others so I wouldn't have been able to watch anyhow. :(
Below is a photo of some items I purchased in the museum gift shop. If any of you get a chance to visit, make sure to check out the brochure in the information area because I was able to find a 10% discount on all my purchases! :) You'll have to excuse my dog...he insisted on getting in the picture. LOL
The next few shots are of the outside of the museum. It was incredibly peaceful outside, and the cool fall weather was definitely a plus!
Once we got done with the museum, we headed over to a nearby mall (iPark Mall affiliated with Hyundai) and took a much-needed rest after the crazy shopping (my sister splurged on all these cute winter coats!) to drink some coffee and chat in a coffee shop inside the mall.
I forgot to take pictures of Nam Dae Mun Market (was too busy shopping LOL), but below is a photo of the pig-rabbit I managed to find :) I took the picture right before I started this post, and as soon as I got done shooting it, my dog claimed it as his! LOL...he likes stuffed animals that can readily fit into his small Pomeranian mouth. :P (ugh...the photo did something weird and uploaded sideways...oh well.)
I rounded that evening with a nice dinner with a family friend in one of those Korean food chains:
On my way back to my hotel, I just had to take some photos of the artwork that was hanging up on the walls of one of the subway stations. I guess there had been an art contest of some sort recently, and the participants' works were being displayed. It was quite a nice way to end the evening, that's for sure!
Day 6 (Thursday): The day was spent primarily meeting my friend for lunch, moving into a new hotel in Gang Nam, and going to see the Korean cast production of Billy Elliot, the musical, which started off a bit chaotic, but by the end, it was worth the wait. The kids were phenomenal. Anyhow, below are some photos of Paris Croissant (bakery that I frequented) and the Grand Inter-Continental Hotel, which apparently was the same hotel that President Obama and a number of other dignitaries stayed during the G20 Summit...Cool! :D
I was having problems with the camera again so there are weird shadows and such on the photos. :P
Anyhow, I still have some exams to grade and class grades to post, so I'll have to conclude my break here. I'll get to the last two days soon...as for the Secret Garden recaps, dramabeans.com does such a great job, I may refer you to their site. :)
Great day, everyone! Hope you enjoy the photos and feel a part of Korea as you view them!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Grrrrrrreat News!
I just got a phone call! I made it through to the final round of interviews!! Woohoo!!! Thank you for all your well wishes...January 11th is the big day when I meet with the college president! :D What an incredibly awesome early Christmas gift!?!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Korea Photos...Days 1-4
I think I know how to post photos now...I think.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrived in Korea a little after 5AM without too much jet lag. As soon as we arrived in Seoul, we visited with relatives, had breakfast made for us by our aunt (my sister and I rarely eat a "full" breakfast but as the saying goes, "when in Rome..."), and then met up with a good friend who wanted to take us out to lunch. Below is the view from the restaurant (Marco Polo on 52nd floor) as well as some items that were on the table when I finally remembered to take pictures.
After the lunch, we roamed around Gang Nam area, in particular COEX. It had changed so much since the last time I had visited Korea (5 years ago)! By the time we eventually made it back to our relatives' house, it was pretty late, so we had a home-cooked dinner with the relatives and called it a night.
Day 2 (Sunday): The morning started off nicely with a church service. One of our goals while in Korea was to get our cousin, who had stopped going to church for 3 years due to some personal circumstances, to try out a handicapped church where he might feel more comfortable. What a blessing that place was! The atmosphere among the handicapped congregation was so welcoming. We had lunch there and then by the time we got back home to our relatives' place, it was time for my sister and me to meet up with that friend whose family wanted to take us out to dinner. Below is a picture of what the streets of Gang Nam, in front of Sam Sung Station, look like...I know it's not comparable to the streets of NYC, but I was entranced by it.
Dinner was a quiet but memorable affair at the Grand Hyatt up near Nam San Tower, which was one of the places on my absolutely-must-visit/see list for Korea on this trip. When I mentioned how much I was excited to be around Nam San, the entire family (despite their work schedule the next day) decided to go to Nam San Tower after dinner, even the father of my friend who wakes up at 4AM each morning! The cable car was too crowded for me to take a photo, but below is a picture of the "gazebo" that was up at Nam San Tower...it was shown on a number of dramas:
I didn't get a good pic of the fence of locks up there, but I did get to see more locks than I ever cared to see.
Definitely impressive, that wall of locks. LOL. Below is also a picture of Seoul from the observation deck from Nam San Tower itself...loved the clear, night view:
And guess who I saw up at the Tower?!
Or at least a representation of our boy from SKKS. LOL. Apparently JYJ is the spokesgroup for a cosmetic store (Nature Republic...love their waterproof eyeliner, by the way).
On the way out of the tower, I came across some furry little friends both in a window display in front of Nam San Tower's small Teddy Bear Museum store and smack in the walkway for all and sundry to see (yup, that's me with the big bears):
Day 3-4 (Monday and Tuesday): Since it was a work day for our friends and family, my sister and I roamed through Seoul, trying to act like natives. LOL. However, it was difficult to blend in when I insisted on taking random pictures here and there. Below is the one I took of the subway floor...I thought it was cute how there were foot markings on the floor so that people wouldn't get too close to the edge or crowd each other:
The next one is a picture of the COEX (from the outside) that I remembered to take:
The staff there was trying to put up Christmas lights/decorations, which is why you see all the metal contraptions in the middle of the walkway.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrived in Korea a little after 5AM without too much jet lag. As soon as we arrived in Seoul, we visited with relatives, had breakfast made for us by our aunt (my sister and I rarely eat a "full" breakfast but as the saying goes, "when in Rome..."), and then met up with a good friend who wanted to take us out to lunch. Below is the view from the restaurant (Marco Polo on 52nd floor) as well as some items that were on the table when I finally remembered to take pictures.
After the lunch, we roamed around Gang Nam area, in particular COEX. It had changed so much since the last time I had visited Korea (5 years ago)! By the time we eventually made it back to our relatives' house, it was pretty late, so we had a home-cooked dinner with the relatives and called it a night.
Day 2 (Sunday): The morning started off nicely with a church service. One of our goals while in Korea was to get our cousin, who had stopped going to church for 3 years due to some personal circumstances, to try out a handicapped church where he might feel more comfortable. What a blessing that place was! The atmosphere among the handicapped congregation was so welcoming. We had lunch there and then by the time we got back home to our relatives' place, it was time for my sister and me to meet up with that friend whose family wanted to take us out to dinner. Below is a picture of what the streets of Gang Nam, in front of Sam Sung Station, look like...I know it's not comparable to the streets of NYC, but I was entranced by it.
Dinner was a quiet but memorable affair at the Grand Hyatt up near Nam San Tower, which was one of the places on my absolutely-must-visit/see list for Korea on this trip. When I mentioned how much I was excited to be around Nam San, the entire family (despite their work schedule the next day) decided to go to Nam San Tower after dinner, even the father of my friend who wakes up at 4AM each morning! The cable car was too crowded for me to take a photo, but below is a picture of the "gazebo" that was up at Nam San Tower...it was shown on a number of dramas:
I didn't get a good pic of the fence of locks up there, but I did get to see more locks than I ever cared to see.
Definitely impressive, that wall of locks. LOL. Below is also a picture of Seoul from the observation deck from Nam San Tower itself...loved the clear, night view:
And guess who I saw up at the Tower?!
Or at least a representation of our boy from SKKS. LOL. Apparently JYJ is the spokesgroup for a cosmetic store (Nature Republic...love their waterproof eyeliner, by the way).
On the way out of the tower, I came across some furry little friends both in a window display in front of Nam San Tower's small Teddy Bear Museum store and smack in the walkway for all and sundry to see (yup, that's me with the big bears):
Day 3-4 (Monday and Tuesday): Since it was a work day for our friends and family, my sister and I roamed through Seoul, trying to act like natives. LOL. However, it was difficult to blend in when I insisted on taking random pictures here and there. Below is the one I took of the subway floor...I thought it was cute how there were foot markings on the floor so that people wouldn't get too close to the edge or crowd each other:
The next one is a picture of the COEX (from the outside) that I remembered to take:
The staff there was trying to put up Christmas lights/decorations, which is why you see all the metal contraptions in the middle of the walkway.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Interview Update
Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers! :) Yes, I feel quite loved by you guys. :D Just wanted to let you know that I just got out of my interview, and I think it went well. I was able to answer all the panel's questions, asked a few of my own, indicated how I wanted to contribute to the department, and finished the teaching demonstration (10 minutes) within time!
I will definitely keep you all posted...thanks again! Let's hope I make it to the next and final round.
Off to teach class now...have a good day, everyone!
I will definitely keep you all posted...thanks again! Let's hope I make it to the next and final round.
Off to teach class now...have a good day, everyone!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Secret Garden Episode 8 Recap / Summary / Link
Link to the raw episode:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/29185/11
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/29185/12
Yesterday's episode 7 viewing and recap was an interesting procrastination tactic. (LOL) However, as much as I would love to watch and recap episode 8 tonight, I just can't spare the time, especially with my upcoming interview and exams at my college...sorry. Above are the links in case some of you don't know where to look for the full episode...enjoy! I'm planning on watching and recapping episode 8 on this post once my interview and exams are done Tuesday night. :D (sigh...so looking forward to that time). Until then...stay warm and healthy, everyone!
Oh, someone asked about the pig-rabbit...the ones I bought were the phone charm version, which are about 4 inches tall, since I didn't have much space in my luggage. I got them at Nam Dae Moon Gate Market at one of the stores (perhaps through Gate 4?)...the vendor was selling bigger ones about 8 inches, but I don't remember seeing any the actual size of the drama pig-rabbit.
As for the rest of the comments, I'll reply once my exams are done...sorry! As always, thank you for all your wonderful comments. I love reading them on my breaks! :) I seriously cannot wait for winter break when I can go back and post recaps on Secret Garden episodes 1-6 and Mary Stayed Out All Night (brief recaps), upload photos from my Korea trip, and post the first installment of my story. :D All right, enough writing...back to grading and prepping. Good night!
Addendum @ 9pm (12/6/10): Someone left a comment on this post regarding episode 8...thank you! In case, you are all interested, episode 8 recap can be found at the sight below (and with pictures!):
http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/12/secret-garden-episode-8/
Tomorrow's the big interview...wish me luck! ;)
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/29185/11
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/29185/12
Yesterday's episode 7 viewing and recap was an interesting procrastination tactic. (LOL) However, as much as I would love to watch and recap episode 8 tonight, I just can't spare the time, especially with my upcoming interview and exams at my college...sorry. Above are the links in case some of you don't know where to look for the full episode...enjoy! I'm planning on watching and recapping episode 8 on this post once my interview and exams are done Tuesday night. :D (sigh...so looking forward to that time). Until then...stay warm and healthy, everyone!
Oh, someone asked about the pig-rabbit...the ones I bought were the phone charm version, which are about 4 inches tall, since I didn't have much space in my luggage. I got them at Nam Dae Moon Gate Market at one of the stores (perhaps through Gate 4?)...the vendor was selling bigger ones about 8 inches, but I don't remember seeing any the actual size of the drama pig-rabbit.
As for the rest of the comments, I'll reply once my exams are done...sorry! As always, thank you for all your wonderful comments. I love reading them on my breaks! :) I seriously cannot wait for winter break when I can go back and post recaps on Secret Garden episodes 1-6 and Mary Stayed Out All Night (brief recaps), upload photos from my Korea trip, and post the first installment of my story. :D All right, enough writing...back to grading and prepping. Good night!
Addendum @ 9pm (12/6/10): Someone left a comment on this post regarding episode 8...thank you! In case, you are all interested, episode 8 recap can be found at the sight below (and with pictures!):
http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/12/secret-garden-episode-8/
Tomorrow's the big interview...wish me luck! ;)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Secret Garden Episode 7 Recap / Summary
I can't believe I just watched and recapped episode 7! However, it was a nice break from the grading. LOL. Hope you all enjoy! Clarifying the characters was difficult since they switched bodies, so please bear with me...just pounded out the recap since short on time. :D
*Ju-Won (Hyun Bin’s character), Ra-Im (Ha Jiwon’s character)…I will use he or ”Ra-Im” to refer to Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body) and she or ”Ju Won” to refer to Ra-Im (in Ju Won’s body)...hope this makes sense.
Episode 7:
Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body) tells Ra-Im (in Ju Won’s soul) that he’s going to go wash up. When Ra-Im panics and protests, Ju Won taunts her and says that there’s not even that much to look at. Lifting up the t-shirt, Ju Won asks how a woman’s body can be covered with so many bruises. Ra-Im quickly tries to get Ju Won to stop looking at her body only to be rudely interrupted by the director, who insults Ra-Im and Ju Won. The scene ends with her discovering that Oscar has left for Seoul.
At the airport, Ju Won tells the action school people that he and Ra-Im have a life-important matter to discuss and drives her back to his house. However, they are met by Ju Won’s mother who rants and raves, demanding how often Ra-Im has been going in and out of the house that there is a closet full of her clothes (busted! LOL). Ra-Im learns that Ju Won’s bought those clothes for her.
As they drive away from the house, Ju Won makes a comment that he was happy for the first time that their souls were switched, so that Ra-Im didn’t actually have to be the target of his mother’s insults. She, however, says that she was more insulted by what he’s said to her in the past.
Sitting by the tree, Ju Won internet searches his family genealogy (Ra-Im’s shocked that his family can be found on the Internet) and debriefs her on his family: maternal grandfather and his fourth wife (Ju Won tells her that everyone’s waiting to see when they divorce), Oscar’s mother by a different marriage, his mother, and the department store parasite, who she is to keep watch over diligently. In return, Ra-Im mentions all the people Ju Won needs to know. When he asks her about family, she says that she doesn’t have any. They both decide to keep their own phones, communicate via text with other people and only talk with each other over the phone.
At Oscar’s house, the manager confiscates Oscar’s passport and van keys so that he can’t go anywhere.
Ju Won and Ra-Im stand in front of Ra-Im’s house as they prepare to part their ways, each giving the other words of caution/advice. As Ra-Im drives off in Ju Won’s car, Ju Won enters Ra-Im’s shack and is stunned by the roommate’s chest, word that the clothing incident at the dept. store was fodder for gossip, and roommate getting ready to wash. The roommate tells Ju Won that she had a dream about what happened in Jeju Island and how her deceased father was watching over them.
Meanwhile, Ra-Im gets nervous about Ju Won at her house and turns the car back. Ju Won’s secretary visits the roommate and gives her some expensive drink that Ju Won only drinks. Ju Won gets ticked that the secretary is bad-mouthing him and secretly seeing the roommate, so he texts the secretary, who replies with lies, denying all the suspicions. Into this scene enter Ra-Im, and the secretary drops to his knees in apology to his “boss” who has absolutely no idea what’s been going on between him and the real Ju Won.
Ra-Im takes the roommate outside and tries to warn her about Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body), saying that Ra-Im may act funny the next few days, so she shouldn’t go around in her underwear or sleep under the same blanket as Ra-Im.
When the roommate returns, she tells Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body) that she was told weird things about her. At this Ju Won tells her that he’s going to take a look around the neighborhood. As Ju Won sits under a tree in the fading sunlight, Ra-Im calls from in front of his house, asking for the password to his house. Ju Won pretends that the phone call gets disconnected and leaves poor Ra-Im shivering in the cold. As some employees come by, she asks where cousin Oscar is.
Oscar, in his house, is playing the piano and singing. This is the scene that Ra-Im walks in on and simply looks upon him with adoration. Oscar asks Ra-Im about the ramifications of his leaving Jeju Island and that the manager is threatening to sell all the stocks to Oscar Entertainment. Abruptly, Oscar stops playing the piano. (Dialogue is too funny…must translate)
Ra-Im; 34th track! I really love that song.
Oscar: You? (scoffs) What? You want me to sign a copy for you?
Ra-Im: Really?
Oscar: What?
Ra-Im: Huh? Oh…I’m really hungry. Have you eaten?
Ra-Im looks stunned at Oscar’s house.
Oscar: (to Ra-Im as she looks around) What are you doing? (To the employee) We’re going to be eating dinner. Can you prepare something for us?
Ra-Im: Wait…can I just….
As she expertly slices and dices vegetables, Oscar looks on in disbelief.
Ra-Im: Sit down. I don’t know if the seasonings right…why aren’t you eating?
Oscar: You eat first. You put poison in here, didn’t you? Did the manager ask you to kill me?
Oscar basically suspects Ra-Im/Ju Won of trying to harm him. He then inadvertently reveals to Ra-Im the bet that he and Ju Won had regarding Ra-Im back in Jeju Island (bicycle race).
After dinner, Oscar has Ra-Im listen to a track and asks what she thinks. When she tells him that it’s wonderful, he complains that it’s too similar to a song that he sang three years ago and that it looks like his seventh album is about to go down the drains.
Alone and lost in thought, Oscar reflects back on an encounter he had with the young singer at the airport. As Oscar prepares to run away somewhere, the young singer returns the MP3 to Oscar and says that there’s a song in there that Oscar should listen to…after saying this, the young singer walks away.
Back at Ju Won’s house, Ra-Im curses Ju Won for his meanness and is shocked when Oscar comes out of the very house that she’s been trying to enter to no avail. With no other alternatives open to her, she confesses hesitantly to Oscar that she’s not sure if it’s the stress, but she can’t seem to remember the password to the house…would he know it by any chance? At this Oscar gets concerned and asks if she’s seen Ji Eun, the psychiatrist. Frisking Ju Won’s body for the keys to the white car, Oscar takes off and tells her that he’ll return the car after a few days. In exchange, he tells Ra-Im the password: 36-24-36. Reminding Ra-Im that it’s Ju Won’s ideal woman dimensions, Oscar drives off and leaves Ra-Im worried for her roommate, who apparently has those very dimensions. (LOL) Ra-Im then spends some time familiarizing herself with Ju Won’s house.
Back at Ra-Im’s house, the roommate is getting ready for bed and asks Ju Won if he’s sleeping. She’s conflicted, thinking that Ju Won was using Ra-Im only to get to her. As they both sleep, the roommate ends up hugging Ju Won, who then tries to calm himself by reciting the Korean children's rhyme. Meanwhile, Ra-Im gets up from bed and notices the motorcycle key. Just when she’s about to have nice thoughts of Ju Won, Ju Won texts her with a hint that the password to his house is 4 digits. Ra-Im calls him a “jerk” and goes back to bed.
In front of Ra-Im’s house, Ju Won and Ra-Im argue about their outfits and other matters. Ultimately, Ju Won gets dressed in all the designer outfits that he bought Ra-Im, which upsets Ra-Im and causes her to put Ju Won in a headlock.
At the action school, the director receives a text from Ra-Im asking forgiveness for her curtness at the airport. When Ju Won arrives at the school, he is told that the role of Ra-Im’s dreams is available. As Ju Won makes flippant remarks, the director tells “Ra-Im” to meet him in his office. As Ju Won follows orders, he asks loudly if the director often called Ra-Im into his office privately (LOL). Once inside the office, Ju Won is handed the script. Reading the English action descriptions, Ju Won refuses and asks if the director is trying to get Ra-Im killed. As the director explains that he doesn’t want his personal concerns for her to jeopardize her future, Ju Won realizes that the action school director doesn’t just like Ra-Im, he’s in love with her. Ju Won then tells the director that since he’s been found out, the director should never confess his feelings for Ra-Im. (It’s so sad how the director was so happy to see “Ra-Im” carrying the bag he bought her but crushed when Ju Won carelessly tosses it on the couch. The director looked devastated when "Ra-Im" told him to never confess his real feelings in front of her...Ju Won's playing dirty, the big jerk!)
The manager and the MV director discuss Oscar’s disappearance. The manager says that they should just forget the MV altogether, but Oscar's first love retaliates and says she knows where Oscar is hiding right now. However, she’s not going to reveal anything to the manager because she holds grudges.
As Ra-Im drives up in the motorcycle, the secretary is surprised and the rest of the staff (particularly the snakey executive) is surprised by his change in routine: riding the elevator, greeting all the employees, opening his own doors, eating “common” foods, etc. (Love the cell phone ringtone! LOL Ju Won's fear of the elevator was known by the employees after all.)
Back at Ju Won’s house, the manager and “Ra-Im” discuss possibilities of Oscar’s whereabouts. The manager finally concedes that he can’t handle any more, so Ju Won should file a lawsuit. However, “Ju Won” says that he believes in Oscar and will definitely find Oscar. Ra-Im then confesses to Ju Won that the car didn’t run out of gas but that Oscar borrowed the car. Ju Won then reports the car stolen.
At the golf course, Oscar reflects back upon his time with his first love. When he is approached by two men, he thinks they are at first gangsters and then later fans. However, they are police officers who have come to arrest him for the stolen car.
Inside the police station, Ra-Im asks Ju Won if he really has to go this far with his cousin. Ju Won says that he’s only giving as good as he gets from his cousin. Once Oscar is behind bars, Ju Won tells Oscar that the charges will be dropped if Oscar will give up on Ra-Im and the bet he won in Jeju Island. Oscar comments that for Ju Won to act like this, Kil Ra-Im must have become quite special to him…however, Oscar, looking at his first love, comments that he cannot give up on Kil Ra-Im because she’s become that important to him as well.
*Ju-Won (Hyun Bin’s character), Ra-Im (Ha Jiwon’s character)…I will use he or ”Ra-Im” to refer to Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body) and she or ”Ju Won” to refer to Ra-Im (in Ju Won’s body)...hope this makes sense.
Episode 7:
Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body) tells Ra-Im (in Ju Won’s soul) that he’s going to go wash up. When Ra-Im panics and protests, Ju Won taunts her and says that there’s not even that much to look at. Lifting up the t-shirt, Ju Won asks how a woman’s body can be covered with so many bruises. Ra-Im quickly tries to get Ju Won to stop looking at her body only to be rudely interrupted by the director, who insults Ra-Im and Ju Won. The scene ends with her discovering that Oscar has left for Seoul.
At the airport, Ju Won tells the action school people that he and Ra-Im have a life-important matter to discuss and drives her back to his house. However, they are met by Ju Won’s mother who rants and raves, demanding how often Ra-Im has been going in and out of the house that there is a closet full of her clothes (busted! LOL). Ra-Im learns that Ju Won’s bought those clothes for her.
As they drive away from the house, Ju Won makes a comment that he was happy for the first time that their souls were switched, so that Ra-Im didn’t actually have to be the target of his mother’s insults. She, however, says that she was more insulted by what he’s said to her in the past.
Sitting by the tree, Ju Won internet searches his family genealogy (Ra-Im’s shocked that his family can be found on the Internet) and debriefs her on his family: maternal grandfather and his fourth wife (Ju Won tells her that everyone’s waiting to see when they divorce), Oscar’s mother by a different marriage, his mother, and the department store parasite, who she is to keep watch over diligently. In return, Ra-Im mentions all the people Ju Won needs to know. When he asks her about family, she says that she doesn’t have any. They both decide to keep their own phones, communicate via text with other people and only talk with each other over the phone.
At Oscar’s house, the manager confiscates Oscar’s passport and van keys so that he can’t go anywhere.
Ju Won and Ra-Im stand in front of Ra-Im’s house as they prepare to part their ways, each giving the other words of caution/advice. As Ra-Im drives off in Ju Won’s car, Ju Won enters Ra-Im’s shack and is stunned by the roommate’s chest, word that the clothing incident at the dept. store was fodder for gossip, and roommate getting ready to wash. The roommate tells Ju Won that she had a dream about what happened in Jeju Island and how her deceased father was watching over them.
Meanwhile, Ra-Im gets nervous about Ju Won at her house and turns the car back. Ju Won’s secretary visits the roommate and gives her some expensive drink that Ju Won only drinks. Ju Won gets ticked that the secretary is bad-mouthing him and secretly seeing the roommate, so he texts the secretary, who replies with lies, denying all the suspicions. Into this scene enter Ra-Im, and the secretary drops to his knees in apology to his “boss” who has absolutely no idea what’s been going on between him and the real Ju Won.
Ra-Im takes the roommate outside and tries to warn her about Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body), saying that Ra-Im may act funny the next few days, so she shouldn’t go around in her underwear or sleep under the same blanket as Ra-Im.
When the roommate returns, she tells Ju Won (in Ra-Im’s body) that she was told weird things about her. At this Ju Won tells her that he’s going to take a look around the neighborhood. As Ju Won sits under a tree in the fading sunlight, Ra-Im calls from in front of his house, asking for the password to his house. Ju Won pretends that the phone call gets disconnected and leaves poor Ra-Im shivering in the cold. As some employees come by, she asks where cousin Oscar is.
Oscar, in his house, is playing the piano and singing. This is the scene that Ra-Im walks in on and simply looks upon him with adoration. Oscar asks Ra-Im about the ramifications of his leaving Jeju Island and that the manager is threatening to sell all the stocks to Oscar Entertainment. Abruptly, Oscar stops playing the piano. (Dialogue is too funny…must translate)
Ra-Im; 34th track! I really love that song.
Oscar: You? (scoffs) What? You want me to sign a copy for you?
Ra-Im: Really?
Oscar: What?
Ra-Im: Huh? Oh…I’m really hungry. Have you eaten?
Ra-Im looks stunned at Oscar’s house.
Oscar: (to Ra-Im as she looks around) What are you doing? (To the employee) We’re going to be eating dinner. Can you prepare something for us?
Ra-Im: Wait…can I just….
As she expertly slices and dices vegetables, Oscar looks on in disbelief.
Ra-Im: Sit down. I don’t know if the seasonings right…why aren’t you eating?
Oscar: You eat first. You put poison in here, didn’t you? Did the manager ask you to kill me?
Oscar basically suspects Ra-Im/Ju Won of trying to harm him. He then inadvertently reveals to Ra-Im the bet that he and Ju Won had regarding Ra-Im back in Jeju Island (bicycle race).
After dinner, Oscar has Ra-Im listen to a track and asks what she thinks. When she tells him that it’s wonderful, he complains that it’s too similar to a song that he sang three years ago and that it looks like his seventh album is about to go down the drains.
Alone and lost in thought, Oscar reflects back on an encounter he had with the young singer at the airport. As Oscar prepares to run away somewhere, the young singer returns the MP3 to Oscar and says that there’s a song in there that Oscar should listen to…after saying this, the young singer walks away.
Back at Ju Won’s house, Ra-Im curses Ju Won for his meanness and is shocked when Oscar comes out of the very house that she’s been trying to enter to no avail. With no other alternatives open to her, she confesses hesitantly to Oscar that she’s not sure if it’s the stress, but she can’t seem to remember the password to the house…would he know it by any chance? At this Oscar gets concerned and asks if she’s seen Ji Eun, the psychiatrist. Frisking Ju Won’s body for the keys to the white car, Oscar takes off and tells her that he’ll return the car after a few days. In exchange, he tells Ra-Im the password: 36-24-36. Reminding Ra-Im that it’s Ju Won’s ideal woman dimensions, Oscar drives off and leaves Ra-Im worried for her roommate, who apparently has those very dimensions. (LOL) Ra-Im then spends some time familiarizing herself with Ju Won’s house.
Back at Ra-Im’s house, the roommate is getting ready for bed and asks Ju Won if he’s sleeping. She’s conflicted, thinking that Ju Won was using Ra-Im only to get to her. As they both sleep, the roommate ends up hugging Ju Won, who then tries to calm himself by reciting the Korean children's rhyme. Meanwhile, Ra-Im gets up from bed and notices the motorcycle key. Just when she’s about to have nice thoughts of Ju Won, Ju Won texts her with a hint that the password to his house is 4 digits. Ra-Im calls him a “jerk” and goes back to bed.
In front of Ra-Im’s house, Ju Won and Ra-Im argue about their outfits and other matters. Ultimately, Ju Won gets dressed in all the designer outfits that he bought Ra-Im, which upsets Ra-Im and causes her to put Ju Won in a headlock.
At the action school, the director receives a text from Ra-Im asking forgiveness for her curtness at the airport. When Ju Won arrives at the school, he is told that the role of Ra-Im’s dreams is available. As Ju Won makes flippant remarks, the director tells “Ra-Im” to meet him in his office. As Ju Won follows orders, he asks loudly if the director often called Ra-Im into his office privately (LOL). Once inside the office, Ju Won is handed the script. Reading the English action descriptions, Ju Won refuses and asks if the director is trying to get Ra-Im killed. As the director explains that he doesn’t want his personal concerns for her to jeopardize her future, Ju Won realizes that the action school director doesn’t just like Ra-Im, he’s in love with her. Ju Won then tells the director that since he’s been found out, the director should never confess his feelings for Ra-Im. (It’s so sad how the director was so happy to see “Ra-Im” carrying the bag he bought her but crushed when Ju Won carelessly tosses it on the couch. The director looked devastated when "Ra-Im" told him to never confess his real feelings in front of her...Ju Won's playing dirty, the big jerk!)
The manager and the MV director discuss Oscar’s disappearance. The manager says that they should just forget the MV altogether, but Oscar's first love retaliates and says she knows where Oscar is hiding right now. However, she’s not going to reveal anything to the manager because she holds grudges.
As Ra-Im drives up in the motorcycle, the secretary is surprised and the rest of the staff (particularly the snakey executive) is surprised by his change in routine: riding the elevator, greeting all the employees, opening his own doors, eating “common” foods, etc. (Love the cell phone ringtone! LOL Ju Won's fear of the elevator was known by the employees after all.)
Back at Ju Won’s house, the manager and “Ra-Im” discuss possibilities of Oscar’s whereabouts. The manager finally concedes that he can’t handle any more, so Ju Won should file a lawsuit. However, “Ju Won” says that he believes in Oscar and will definitely find Oscar. Ra-Im then confesses to Ju Won that the car didn’t run out of gas but that Oscar borrowed the car. Ju Won then reports the car stolen.
At the golf course, Oscar reflects back upon his time with his first love. When he is approached by two men, he thinks they are at first gangsters and then later fans. However, they are police officers who have come to arrest him for the stolen car.
Inside the police station, Ra-Im asks Ju Won if he really has to go this far with his cousin. Ju Won says that he’s only giving as good as he gets from his cousin. Once Oscar is behind bars, Ju Won tells Oscar that the charges will be dropped if Oscar will give up on Ra-Im and the bet he won in Jeju Island. Oscar comments that for Ju Won to act like this, Kil Ra-Im must have become quite special to him…however, Oscar, looking at his first love, comments that he cannot give up on Kil Ra-Im because she’s become that important to him as well.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Final Exam Mode
How did I lose track of time? By Tuesday of this week, I found myself being inundated with "to-dos" that I had forgotten about while I was in Korea...ugh...then to add insult to injury, two of my classes at one college are taking their final exams and submitting research papers this Tuesday (12/7) and the other three classes are scheduled for the following week. :P I have exactly under a week to get all the grading done! Ack!
How does this affect my blog some of you are probably wondering?
Very little writing will get done until final grades for all 5 classes are posted. :( Muwhaaaaaaaa...so sorry, but I must prioritize...I'm sure you students out there will commiserate with me. As much as you get stressed studying for exams and writing papers, we professors are on the other spectrum trying to finish our grading within the allotted time frame.
However, I may pop in for a sanity break this weekend to post photos...but I just wanted to take some time now to warn you all in case some of you find yourselves obsessively clicking the refresh button every so often.
On a more positive note, the first story for Twinkie's World is in my brain and just needs to be typed out. :D
Stay tuned in 2-3 weeks....
How does this affect my blog some of you are probably wondering?
Very little writing will get done until final grades for all 5 classes are posted. :( Muwhaaaaaaaa...so sorry, but I must prioritize...I'm sure you students out there will commiserate with me. As much as you get stressed studying for exams and writing papers, we professors are on the other spectrum trying to finish our grading within the allotted time frame.
However, I may pop in for a sanity break this weekend to post photos...but I just wanted to take some time now to warn you all in case some of you find yourselves obsessively clicking the refresh button every so often.
On a more positive note, the first story for Twinkie's World is in my brain and just needs to be typed out. :D
Stay tuned in 2-3 weeks....
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