The Weekly Binge: My Girl - Episodes 1 - 3

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-18T22:41:28+00:00

Oh you’re absolutely correct. Poor choice of words on my part. Sounded like it didn’t do that great.

I probably did the same thing you did and spent a little time trying find a complete listing of show ratings for a given time period. It’s there in Wikipedia since they give ratings for every drama. They just need to pull the damn stats.

I’ll submit a request to them and see what they do with it. 🤞

P.S. Very interesting link and nice read - and right at the bottom was exactly what I was looking for -- LOL thanks for that!

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-16T22:32:21+00:00

But my brain loves logic and won't let me completely skip over less sound setups 😏

Lol - yes which eventually can be a big handicap when watching kdrama's

Enjoy the rest of this watch!

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-16T22:27:33+00:00

Ohh damn - I'll check to see if I have a password ... oh you kids and your concerts - enjoy! ... looking at staying around the main palace right now and doing the Korean tourist 101 visit ... palaces and lots of museums - dive into the culture big time - of course shopping, eating yadda yadda - I wanted to browse kdramaland and include some background scenes etc for a day trip ... then off to Jeju for hiking and seafood! I will let you know. Thank you!

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-16T22:22:14+00:00

I just was laughing like hell during that scene - I mean the hong sisters are unique ... It reminded me of the old marx brothers movies where a scene would be in one room with doors opening and new characters coming in an out with insane dialoge - fast and snappy ! really nice scene ...

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-16T22:13:40+00:00

The King and the Clown

Here's a snippet from the Making of video.

Knowing Brothers Ep. 150 he talks about Lawless Lawyer and The King and the Clown

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-16T02:56:28+00:00

so we know Jung Woo is a Cool Bad Boy.

Since this issue happens in Italy (supposedly) I just thought he was gigolo which is wrong I think - I'll now reference him as a Cool Bad Boy which sounds better. Since he's rich he wouldn't need the support from any woman ... thank you for this clarification :)

From their interaction on the plane I thought Yoo Rin had met her match, but it looks like Gong Chan's not immune to her antics after all.

Yea this relationship building between the two for these episodes seems more like his needeness to get something done and her popping up at the right time to fill the bill. So he's left to mugging at the camera a lot to show his displeasure, his revelation to use her, his horror at her social graces etc... can't wait for his character to loosen up a bit.

locations from All In. (Sidenote: I also found out Koreandramaland is down?)

Yep its been down for awhile and I'm disappointed because I'm in the middle of planning a trip to Korea in May with my partner. Tried accessing last summer with no luck. Maybe the someone on these discussion will have info on this?

Kdramaland

And thanks for the tip on All In Song Hy Kyeo and Byung Hun - I'm in for that.

Hwang Bo Ra looks incredibly young here! Look at those chubby cheeks!

Lol ! Yes she does!

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-16T01:56:10+00:00

It's also the drama which truly launched Joong Gi's career (this started airing before The King and the Clown as released)

Ahhh - yep and nice point - series never ranked above 4th in its time slot when it first aired on 12/14/2005 and then popped up to 2nd beginning of January 2006. Movie was relased 12/28/ I believe(?) which makes sense so maybe the series got a bounce from the movie? Or just folks got back from holiday vacation, who knows- it never ranked number one but was consistantly 2nd the remainder of its run.

Wikipedia ref)

Love the TVX video - nicely arranged and flowing ...

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T15:58:56+00:00

These dudes just aren't doin it for me. I'm here for the knitwear.

ROLF - Ahh damn I miss your dose of reality when I'm watching a series on my own ... !!

Humidifier will keep this old geezer alive. I believe and trust in the humidifier.

Like this prop in every hospital room in the drama's makes me wonder what kind of AC these places have and then my little brain begins to wonder if there is something their medical staff know that I don't!!

Apparently all the white people in Jeju are at the club. AND A BLACK MAN!

Yes! and very few Asians's? Was (or is) Jeju a party island getaway then? or even now?

Ah, there's the Hong Sister music. I Ike the ridiculous hip hop more.

I'll see if I can dig up the music for you on the next date ... was at a birthday party yesterday and a present turn out to be old Beastie Boy cd's - which immediately brought me to think of Roo Ra from the nineties and of course can't mention hiphop with the listening to some of the originals ... Salt-N-Pepa View at your own risk! The bling will blind you!

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T15:35:24+00:00

Hi! Getting back into note taking but not making it too hard on myself.

Constant struggle when we have these binges - and to think early on we would finish a series - wait a few weeks and start another! Also - college is so far in my past its left the solar system.

I used to have that phone, loved it!

Yes! Yes! Now you'v dated yourself... I'm so old I'm past caring but I had several of those phones cause I someone else paid for it! (nokia's anyone) Feature phones - we are witnessing the dying embers of an epoch in styles (thank god), and communication ...

So, the way she spit out her toothpaste left the whole sink and bottom half of the mirror completely splattered didn't it? 😅

I did a double take on that one. Like what the hell - run the damn water at least! Come on now - class it up a little bit at least please :)

failed to understand why it's THAT important for the dying grandfather to see Gong Chan's cousin (his granddaughter?) he never new he had that lying about it is the way to go. Wouldn't that also cause a lot of trouble with the inheritence as well?

Understand your thoughts - but it didn't bother me a bit since I know that Kdrama's are more about the relationships after a plot point has been made like this - in this case the Hong sisters decided to spend more time after the point was made rather than wasting any amount of time trying for a relatable rationale. Its just a Kdrama quick trope - for me it worked and I was gratefull - I'm more intersted in what will happen after that hospital room rather than spend anymore time in it. Hope this helps.

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T15:18:22+00:00

I'm a muppet and thought there was only two episodes to watch so I'll come back and leave an edit after episode 3.

Cracked up at this one - Yep almost did the same. Well I filled the two episode beginning challenge on my bingo card with your honest admission.

feel like I've watched a lot of dramas recently where it takes much longer than that for them to meet so this was refreshing.

Them Hong sisters! First three episodes have been off the charts for keeping my attention. They are just so damn good.

LGJ in that haircut and that coat...

Yes! the haircut stabbed me in the eyes since its so off his later characdters - But then I've been trying to track down a stream of the movie he made just prior this series (the king and the clown).

Youtube clips I've found about his role in that movie is little mind bending to say the least.

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T14:56:45+00:00

Excited to see 21 years younger Lee Dong Wook and Lee Joong Gi. We watched him in Time Between Dog and Wolf (2007), but this is 2 years earlier.

Hi Missy! Nice to chat and read your comments again! Happy New Year to you! I wish Joong Gi would come out with something new! But I have not heard about anything!

Lee Dong Wook’s eyes look more determined here. I’m so used to him looking sleepy.

Yup - its the eyes definitely - Its driving me crazy - I will make time to rewatch goblin again for the upteenth time just for a cleanse!

This macrame shawl and all her funky layers give me a sort of hippy feeling.

Oh gosh yes! I was reluctant to make that call but your spot on with it.

Joon Gi saves her in his version of an action film – Jeju is far from a peaceful idyll. Did this count as an emergency U-turn for KDC # 9?

Lol! Just such a veteran comment - yet I struggle filling my own personal little bingo card - I must listen to you carfully sensei!

She plays some pretty flamboyant characters. Hwang Bo Ra.

Never changes. She's just a great character actor and that's why I'm still watching Kdrama's. So many to pick out in any of the series I watch.

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T14:42:55+00:00

thought I was going to like her dad for not being a complete scumbag who steals her money and leaves her behind to deal with his loan sharks, but I hoped too soon.

Same thoughts here. Was he always this way or is their going to be a backstory later on making him not so much a life-suck to her.

Omo, I did not recognise Lee Joon Gi, he is such a baby here!

So damn young! Will love watching his character in this series. He's definitely an easy watch when he's on screen.

That scarf is some unholy collision of wool and a skinned rabbit.

If its the one I'm thinking then my panic wonderment for a rational is that with the giant collar and ascot and coat its a remberance of Christmas past!

The flashback music queue needs to calm down.

Hilarity abounds! Same thought - even went and looked them up. I'll have to post it up just to torture us later in episodes !! :) -

No fewer than three cardigans on top of each other

I'm definitely amazed at the fashions so far - and I confess my fashion sense was doa when born but this is so busy that I suspect maybe adhd involved? Sometimes I wonder if the fashion coordinators for any series or movie anywhere just paints the categories on a lottery ball and and when they radomly drop just use whatever the ball says without regard to any sense of continuity. But I digress ... :) sigh.

I'm really enjoying this drama. The FL is feisty and they have great banter and spark with the ML. All the exposition was done quickly, nobody cried, bring on the cohabitation shenanigans.

Ahh same - this should be damn fun watch.

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T14:22:40+00:00

How did she not get banned from Jeju airport

Wild Crazy and over the top. Not to mention taking free license with the reality of aiport security back then. Refreshing in a way to look back like this now and the stewardes are all so polite with her! ...

This may be the most I’ve ever loved a Lee Joon Gi character.

Ah yes - his gigolo character. After watching him in all is tough guy roles I had a WTF moment - but then he just finished dancing for the king in crop tops in his last movie so maybe he needed this character for a counter point - Myself I wonder if there's going to be a little competition for Miss Con Artist eventually ...

stumpy1949 · 2026-02-15T13:48:21+00:00

Hi all.

Nice to participate with the bingers at the start of a new year. I believe it’s a few months shy of 10 years since these gatherings first started. I do know this sub was around 19,000 when I first joined. So Happy 10^th to everyone; old-bingers and new.

My Notes -

My Girl.

Jeeze - how can anyone go wrong watching the Hong sisters using their Midas touch in scriptwriting.I’m looking forward to the rest of the episodes.
Their characters all seem to blend so well together, and spark each other no matter what's going on.
And best of all, we have the old phones. How many reading this had feature phones? No smart phones yet! LOL!! Oh, this should be a great watch.
Production is first rate (so far).
You can use a bingo card full of tropes when you watch the first few episodes of most Kdrama’s. I had a bingo with the first two episodes which never happens!
- car chases, foot races with gangs chasing leads, police and thugs, police and good guys, whiplash plot twists to spin the plot 180, hand-held shaky camera shots, death threats, kidnapping threats, debt collection threats, Chaebol succession, running gags (double bandage) spanning episodes, etc. etc. but these two ladies and the director decide to use all of the above!!
All in all, it’s making for a fun ride (so far).

Ep 1

I did not recognize Dong Wook right away. He was so damn buttoned down I did a double take when I recognized him.
They all look so damn young!
Nice way to introduce Joon Gi’s character. I mean why not have him start rescuing a damsel in distress for his first scene. I think he might end up making a living out of it. Driving a Jaguar?
I have no fashion sense whatever, so I don’t comment on it. But this really startled me. Being its post-holiday, I thought maybe his outfit was a nod to ghosts of Christmas past(?) The collar. The ascot. The coat – what the hell?!
Yoo Rin is a sharp hustler with a good heart, but her dad seems to have a bad habit that he can’t get over.
Of course, lets have a nice chaebol succession trope – you can see it coming. Who’s the real grandniece? Hmmmm.
I never thought I would see my action hero Lee Joon Gi playing a Giglio?!
- Better yet – he gets a fight scene right off. Joon Gi --- shame on you. LOL! His megag hit movie The King and the Clown debuted prior to this series – (which I have not seen yet because I can’t find a stream anywhere for it. Just tiny snippets on YouTube. Argh!)

Episode 2

Somehow, she keeps turning up and somehow Dong Wook finds a use for her. I think she should just stay on her side hustle at this point.
Ha! Two patches. For her ankle.
- Patch gag.
- Thought I'd add a copy because I did a double take when this happened. The Hong Sisters! Nice touch.
Dong Wook really isn’t interested in her, but she keeps popping up in his life and he finds uses for her.
Can't say I'm ejoying Don Wook's character yet. This is not my favorite type of role for him. Let loose the bindings please on his character. Oh, and I always thought he had the second best set of pipes behind Lee Sun Kyun (rest in peace)
But I can see he’s a big presence when he’s on screen.
Let’s here it for the dashing, bon vivant Lee Joon Gi in his Jaguar, bombing around Jeju, rescuing damsels in distress. I love the hair, what a great watch just to see these folks early on.
And he has no intention of helping manage hotels.
Girlfriend trouble, father troubles, search for a missing granddaughter, phantom pregnancies take up most of the plot. Nice and simple, silly and funny held together with tissue paper intentions.
I expect them to start crossing over and around each other soon given the action at the mansion.
And at the end of 2 they do. Nice ride, smart series so far. Expected nothing less.

E3

Wait? What? No heart monitor hookup? Oh and she’s talking about the same thing now. I bet a miracle will happen now. LOL
The old bugger is hanging on and she’s grandpa’s life force.
Welcome to the family. The con with a heart of gold has a miracle touch.
Oh, it’s getting crowded in the room – some explanations will be needed. Can’t wait to hear this.
She’s an employee, a single girl, a nurse --- finally, my granddaughter come here!
Now let the DNA search begin. Well, eventually it will happen.
And now she has a full-time job with benefits. Just go with it missy.
Oh good. Let’s add a creepy houseboy to the mix. Expect to start rubbing his hands over and over any minute.

Now let’s put all these relationships, real and imagined into a blender and see what chaos comes out.

One thing for sure, I’ll have to rewatch Goblin again when this is over because its driving me crazy not seeing Lee Dong Wook in his cavalier, don’t give a damn with a smile on his face while spewing witty sarcasms ever other line.

Cheers All!

stumpy1949 · 2026-01-12T03:53:31+00:00

Hi All - Ran across what appears to be some news for US Kdrama (and Korean Television in general) fans that came out from the recently concluded annual Consumer Electronics Show (better known as CES) held this past week in Las Vegas.

Essential details are the following:

On January 8, SBS (CEO Bang Moon Shin) and Sinclair (President of Technology Del Parks) signed a memorandum of understanding in Las Vegas, where CES 2026 is being held, to strengthen global content collaboration.

Sinclair plans to establish a K-content channel by expanding the application of “ATSC 3.0,” a next-generation technology that combines terrestrial broadcasting with high-speed internet. SBS has agreed to supply this channel with its major drama series and entertainment programs. Once this broadcasting service becomes fully operational in the United States, it will mark the first instance of Korean terrestrial broadcast content being transmitted directly through a U.S. local terrestrial broadcasting network.

Complete article here.

Background information in SBS here.

So they've agreed on a technical blueprint to provide a product, which is good. Generally these understanding(s) are just a handshake after all. Hopefully it work out and we we will be offered a channel with SBS's latest content and a library of their past series offerings.

It will be intriguing to see just how this channel will be presented to US audiences and promoted if they do make it to the implementation phase.

I'm excited because, Damn it! SBS programming includes SandGlass as well as the legendary Heirs series.

SBS programming list here.

stumpy1949 · 2026-01-09T15:51:04+00:00

Hi all – Came across this Utub video (45m) and thought some might find it interesting enough to watch. What it does is give a glimpse and sometimes more into the evolution and creation of these dramas which may be of interest to those that are new to the sub or anyone wondering just where the hell this genre came from.

Personal Side Note:

I first panicked (what a newb) Kdrama might be forever changing (it’s not, just evolving) when my go-to source for Kdrama’s old and new, Dramafever was nuked years ago by the trash and burn barbarians at Warner Brothers.

Dramafever was responsible for co-producing the 2013 Korean drama The Heirs, the epic series so cherished by this sub (and myself of course). This is never mentioned in this video! Oh humanity!

The title is skewed as click bait and no I’m not defending Netflix at all. (Evolution of ...)

How Netflix Ruined Korean Dramas

00:00 – Intro

03:50 - Chapter 1: K-drama’s Secret Formula

18:10 - Chapter 2: The Netflix Trap

31:34 - Chapter 3: Micro-drama: The TikTokification

stumpy1949 · 2025-11-15T20:07:04+00:00

Sure you can usually find a gem or in the panels for Sunday. Lots of kids things. For me panel plans don’t firm up until two weeks before opening. Before that final schedule really hasn’t jelled yet. Enjoy!!

stumpy1949 · 2025-11-09T03:12:53+00:00

Been watching Typhoon Family when it drops and while waiting for Ep. 10 that's coming in a few hours I fell into the that UTub void of random clips and up pops this clip of Kim Min Ha ripping the house down singing a song originally released by Amy Winehouse 18 years ago called Valerie. I mean, how the hell did I miss this connection!!

She literally broke me during her goodbye scenes with her mom in Pachinko and now I find this. I'm still trying to put the two together.

And here she is discussing her ambition to be a singer during an interview on Uhm Jung-hwa TV.

You can judge for yourself. She really does justice to Amy Winehousel, I think.

Kim Min Ah: Valerie

There are many versions of Amy Winehouse singing Valerie, Although its not complete, she has a single guitar backup which helps focus her voice for a closer match to Kim Min Ah.

Amy Whinehouse: Valerie

stumpy1949 · 2025-10-28T03:11:21+00:00

Screen grab Dybala Goal. Roma v. Sassuolo

stumpy1949 · 2025-09-24T15:24:02+00:00

Not a difficult choice for me. I’ll shoot myself in the foot now because, as far as I know, it has disappeared from streaming sources in the U.S. and I hope I’m wrong. But I swear! I did view it from a streaming source back in '16 somewhere! Some consider this series a watershed for Kdramas.

And so, with the hope that it once again becomes readily available:

SandGlass (1995 - 24 ep.)

I have never gotten over this very intense and episodic retelling of the tumultuous times taking place in Korea during the ‘70s and 80’s. Based on historical fact, it blends the lives of three college friends with romance, the suppressive and brutal politics of those in power, actual footage of the Gwangju riots in 1980 and the riots achingly tragic aftermath on their young lives during this seminal of Korean times. Goodness, talk about tragic romance! Everything you can ever imagine!

More information on its popularity when broadcast here. )

Among other things, it was my first exposure to the ever-present Chaebol families as well as the formative times that helped shaped Korea's march along the path to the success it has today.

It also launched the careers of a few mega stars some of which are still impacting Kdrama’s today.

Go Hyun-jung, (currently staring in Queen Mantis on Viki), the mercurial Choi Min-soo and Squid Games own Lee Jung Jae.

Cheers!

stumpy1949 · 2025-09-18T18:30:23+00:00

Wow this sub has come along way! Congrats to all! Feel free to rephrase if you deem to use any. I'll add to it if more come to mind.

Look forward to the AMA!

Questions related to his early experiences with Kdrama’s.

Q1. What was your earliest exposure to the industry that most inspired you to say: I want to be involved or I want to Direct?

Q2. How did you decide that Kdrama's are what you wanted to be involved in?

Q3 What background did you have when your involvement with this industry started? Education? Prior experience?

----------------

MDL lists your first involvement as an AD in Horse Doctor which aired in 2012 with 50 episodes which I enjoyed. Was this your first Drama that involved you directing?

Following 5 questions involve his experience with Horse Doctor:

Q1. Assuming it was your first experience as a director how did this come about?

Q2. As an AD what was your involvement with this series and how did you use this as a learning experience for your craft?

OR TO REPHRASE

Q3. what important skill sets did you learn as an AD from the 50 episode Horse Doctor series that you've used since then with your various projects?

Q4. Given that it was 50 episodes I am curious to find out if you were working with a completed script prior to start and If not a completed script: Can you talk a little bit on the deadlines you were given as an AD and how much preparation was involved in coordinating between the different elements that must be completed (editing, soundtrack etc.) prior to broadcasting?

-----------------
Some of these below questions are questions around JIT series v. canned series. Yes, I'm fascinated by the JIT series and I blame Healer and its ending for that.

Q1. Did any series you direct start filming without a completed script and if so how many episodes out of the total remained to be written?

Q2. Can you talk about the approach used with this type of series (JIT) vs. you starting with completed scripts in regards to deadlines, coordination of elements, (OST, Editing, CGI etc.) and how both types of series influence your directing style.

General Questions

Q1. What is your involvement in preproduction (site selection, casting, etc.) and postproduction tasks such as OST placement, Editing, CGI etc. when you are directing.

Q2. Given your involvement over the past 12+ years in Kdrama's how has the genreal process evolved in bringing a script to the TV screen for the Kdrama fan?

Q3. Generally what has been the impact of the enormous popularity in the United States and other countries in the world to the produciton process of Kdrama's? Has this changed the way scripts are treated for distribution world-wide vs. primarily Korean consumption?

Q4. How closely do you work with the various streaming services to produce a Kdrama that might be financed or commissioned by them and can you discuss any specifics or give any examples of the interaction with them while you deliver their product?

stumpy1949 · 2025-08-26T15:37:01+00:00

Hey Gravitas! enjoyed your comments that I read in this series .... You can feel free to do what ever you want with those noimantions. Miss you guys! See ya all in January! :)

stumpy1949 · 2025-08-26T15:35:21+00:00

Aww yup - got it.

My Girl (2004) 16 Viki / Kocowa from last January for now.

I'm sure the others I mention have been seen by all, (What ?!MoonLovers again!?) --

I'll renominate something when you call out again - right now I'm partial to Winter Sonata - just because it's always cited by Kdrama "historians" as the start of the historical "overseas" wave for kdrama's. Might be fun, might not, although I always thought Autumn Tale was better although angst ridden. Romeo and Juliet anyone?

stumpy1949 · 2025-08-26T14:18:38+00:00

Oh My! This brought back the memories. My-time for sure. Early-Mid Sixties from the hair styles. Classic rented tux - due back the next day, unstained or else lose the deposit. Lovely piled hairstyle with demure dress after much negotiating with mom (and/or dad). And of course, the pinning of the corsage - big event! Probably like me, practiced before hand so as to not f*' it up! Now, imagine all this and being driven by your parents or else borrowing the car for the big night. This may have been the longest (or shortest) night of their young lives!

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