Announcement: Dr. Romantic Group Watch! [plus bonus Money Flower Group Watch!]

87 Replies

First of all, my sincere apologies to any of you who might have been saving your votes for the final day of voting; the poll closed earlier than I intended (at the beginning of 23 February, rather than at the end of 23 February), oops! 🤭 This is my first time using this poll plug-in, so I didn’t realize that that’s how the settings work. When I realized my mistake and tried to extend the poll, I found that I couldn’t. My bad, guys. I promise it won’t happen again! 😅

Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll; Dr. Romantic came out on top, with 136 votes, woot! In second place, While You Were Sleeping came in with 126 votes.

At the same time, while all the voting was going on, my fangirl heart was seriously swayed by all the effusive love for Jang Hyuk that was being poured out on the final Chuno Open Thread – and I couldn’t help but want to rewatch Money Flower, even though it was clearly not going to win the poll.

So.. we will be having not one, but TWO group watches on the site! Surprise..? 😉

The experiment

Ok, to be honest, this is all a bit of an experiment, because I’ve never actually attempted to host two group watches at the same time. However, I do think it’s a worthwhile experiment, to compare what it’s like to host a group watch where I haven’t yet seen the show, but the show itself is very popular and well-loved, and compare that to hosting a group watch where I have seen the show, and am confident that I will love it to the very end.

Feel free to join both group watches (like me! 😉), if you are able, since I think both shows are worthy watches, or, feel free to pick the one you prefer. Or, try both out for a bit, and then settle on one. I’m just very happy that you guys are excited to do this. ❤️

In the sections below, I outline for each show, the schedule, availability and reasons to watch. If you know of other streaming sources that I haven’t mentioned, or if you’re passionate about the shows and want to help stir up some excitement for them to draw in more group watchers, feel free to share in the comments below!

PS: Remember that you can always use Opera’s free, built-in, unlimited VPN to get around geo-restrictions. A tutorial on that can be found here, and an article on why it’s not illegal to use a VPN to access legal streaming content can be found here.

Group Watch 1: Dr. Romantic

Schedule: Wednesdays, starting 3 March 2021. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8)

Commitment: 20 episodes. 2 eps per week = 10 weeks

Availability: Available for free on Kocowa, iQIYI and Viu. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus.

Why you should watch: 

I hear this one is heartwarming, exciting and highly engaging, and is appealing, even if you aren’t actually a fan of medical dramas. Also, Han Seok Kyu is reportedly fantastic in this. I also hear that there’s some head-turning, crackling chemistry between Yoo Yeon Seok and Seo Hyun Jin.

(I’m sorry that I have less to say about this show than Money Flower, but that’s only because I haven’t watched it yet! 😅 Feel free to help me out in the comments! 😉)

Also, in case you’re wondering, I will not be writing a separate review for Dr. Romantic, because everything I have to say would already be in the Open Thread posts. However, I do plan to give it a final verdict and final grade in the last Open Thread.

Trailer:

Dr. Romantic Open Threads:

I’ll be linking the Open Threads here, for easy reference. You’ll also be able to find the Open Thread links on my Full List page.

E1&2 | E3&4 | E5&6 | E7&8 | E9&10 | E11&12 | E13&14 | E15&16 | E17&18 | E19&20

Special Episode 21

Group Watch 2: Money Flower

Schedule: Saturdays, starting 6 March 2021. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8)

Commitment: 24 episodes. 2 eps per week = 12 weeks.

Availability: Available for free on Kocowa. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus.

Why you should watch: 

Show is tightly written, gripping, and satisfying to the very end (unlike other revenge dramas I’ve watched), and has a hauntingly effective OST to score it all. Also, Jang Hyuk is truly fantastic in this. I always thought Chuno would hands-down be his most iconic role, but I was so blown away by his performance in this, that I had to reassess whether this outing is perhaps even more brilliant than his turn in Chuno. Ultimately, I think this outing at least matches his brilliance in Chuno – and is worth a watch on that merit alone, heh. 🤩 But Show itself is great too, and everyone else in it, honest! Lee Mi Sook is especially commanding and intriguing, and makes a great foil for Jang Hyuk. When they share the screen, it feels like electricity is always sparking beneath the surface, getting ready to blow up in your face. 🤩

Money Flower review is here.

Trailer:

 

Money Flower Open Threads:

I’ll be linking the Open Threads here, for easy reference. You’ll also be able to find the Open Thread links on my Full List page.

E1&2 | E3&4 | E5&6 | E7&8 | E9&10 | E11&12 | E13&14 | E15&16 | E17&18 | E19&20 | E21&22 | E23&24

In closing

..That’s about it, really! Now that we’ve got our group watch shows selected, please go forth and enjoy your first couple of episodes – and remember to tune in for the Open Thread posts, going live next week! ❤️

87 thoughts on “Announcement: Dr. Romantic Group Watch! [plus bonus Money Flower Group Watch!]”

  1. Pingback: Group Watch: What shall we watch next? | The Fangirl Verdict

  2. BE

    I do not know who is reading this thread now, but here we are in April and we have 7 postings on last MF episode thread and 8 on DR. I just want to thank KFG for all the time she spends with each episode on our behalf, but also to remind folks who are watching either still, beyond the folks who are faithfully posting, that if we want KFG to do more of these, it would do for more folks to chip in their own two cents. What made for such a successful Chuno watch was the enthusiasm of so many and some interesting back and forths as we went. It is true Chuno is a rather singular piece of work, whereas (imo) the two we are watching now have considerably less to chew on, but still there is enough in each to warrant, if we want such fora, more responses if our community wishes to have these things. My 2 cents.

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    1. manukajoe

      I am following along and reading the blog and the comments, but I just found i don’t really have much to say for the last few episodes. Partly because I watch them at the beginning of the week and by the time Wednesday rolls around I can’t remember the details.

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      1. BE

        @manukajoe: Well there is so much detail in DR, I understand. One of the probs with that show is I am seeing in other people’s responses, how fast paced show is. I always liked that about it, that kinetic quality, but I do see how it can make someone feel sketchy about responding. And one thing is KFG is giving such a blow by blow account, it helps to remember. My comment here was, a la stupid Dong Joo kinda input trying to help, but maybe not, I just see how hard KFG is working on these, and because I am rooting for her to succeed with our support.

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    2. kfangurl Post author

      Thank you for thinking of helping to rally the troops, so to speak, dear BE! ❤️ It has admittedly felt a little quiet on the Open Threads of late, and while I do enjoy my own watches of the episodes, it would be awesome to hear more voices on the discussions. Thanks for being such a pillar of support, I appreciate you!! ❤️🥰😘

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      1. Geo

        I must own up to being one of the delinquents for MF. I really couldn’t get into DR and by the time MF rolled in, I was into Love in the Moonlight and Nirvana In Fire. I’ve finished NIF now but I’m too far behind to catch up to really join the MF group watch.

        I haven’t been following the shows or the comments so I’m not sure what the issue is with the drop-off in interest or maybe it’s just in the comments? Perhaps as BE noted, there isn’t as much to discuss in the current shows as compared to Chuno..One solution maybe is to cover more episodes of one show rather than do two shows per week. This may provide more material for discussion and focus the group’s energy on only one show. Another solution maybe to choose more complex shows which usually result in different perspectives, a good basis for any discussion.

        I think NIF would make a great group watch because of the large cast of well drawn characters, plot complexities, the endless scheming and the many twists and turns.

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        1. BE

          @ Geo: I agree with you about Nirvana In Fire. I also think the same is true in My Dear Family, for different reasons, but mostly because of cast and characters rather than twists in story telling as in Nirvana in Fire. But the one thing I really like about doing it in the two episode convos, is that doing it this way has really brought to light how many, many shows because of that original way in which dramas are presented do, in fact, structure their story telling as a series of dyptiches. I am finding that especially so in Dr. Romantic, but also in series I am watching in real time currently. I am glad that K is enjoying both shows in the group watch right now, because she is putting in a great deal of effort with each to deliver really detailed reactions to both.

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      2. beez

        @lfangurl – You know I love to talk… and talk… and talk some more. But Dr. Romantic hasn’t pulled me in and while I do think Jang Hyuk was amazing in Money Flower, it’s one of the few shows he’s starred in that I’m not willing to sit through again. I’ve just been goading through the comments.

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        1. BE

          @beez: I am finding more than enough to talk about with Dr. Romantic, but I felt hesitant from the beginning because of show’s inherent limitations. I am liking the whole of it better on rewatch than I did the first time, but my overall grade for show would remain in the B+ range. I always thought Money Flower was a flawed piece, and did not understand why, other than the presence of its lead actor, so many loved it, but chalked it up to taste.
          In any case, I did not think there was anywhere near the there there to discuss when compared to Chuno, a show so large folks can quibble about the enactments of particular characters in light of whole show’s largesse without bringing others down. For example, no one is going to complain too much if someone thinks Tae Ha is wooden or Eon Nyeon is just too darned squeeky clean, or artist character too over the top, because there is so much everyone can admire, even among the secondary characters. Even if Left State Minister is a bit two dimensional, we have so many other characters so well presented. Even if one takes awhile to cosy up to Dae Gil, in the end show and Jang Hyuk do a wonderful job of ultimately making him a sympathetic character, not to mention a tragic hero.
          I do think there are nuggets about which to enjoy Han Seok Kyu in Dr. Romantic and Jang Hyuk in Money Flower, but also elements about each of their characters’ personalities that might alienate and dampen enthusiasm.
          Nonetheless, I did expect from the early enthusiasm about both being subject for a group watch that more people would stick with one or the other, as both have huge wider audience approval.

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  3. Elaine Phua

    Soooo good news is I got a good chunk of work done, so I rewarded myself by watching Dr Romantic (Wed deadline incentive!) Bad news is I promised to stop at two episodes. Then couldn’t sleep as I’d had tea late in the afternoon, and ended up watching another 4! Ack.

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  5. Laurie Adgirl

    Thanks. Just watching Dr. Romantic right now. Will watch Money Flower and be ready for the live.

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  6. Dhivya Raveendran

    I’ll join in for Money flower group watch. I think I voted for that too. I have already watched Dr. Romantic 1 and 2 and I liked both of them.

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  7. Laurie Adgirl

    I want to join in on both, if can. They are on my must watch list. I have not joined in on one yet, so how does it work? Do we watch at the same time individually where we can and the live comments have thread hereto? Or is there a watch party?

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      Aw that’s great that you’re planning to join, Laurie! There’s no watch party, I’m afraid.. but you can totally organize your own little watch party, if you have friends in similar time zones! 😃 We basically watch in tandem with one another, so that we’re ready to discuss 2 episodes a week, for each show. Dr. Romantic OT with my episode notes goes live on Wednesdays, and Money Flower, Saturdays, and we’re covering E1 & 2 for both shows this week! 😊

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  9. Elaine Phua

    I’m still so satisfied with Pinocchio that I don’t feel the urgency to start watching Dr Romantic yet! Probably just as well as work is a bit busy now. So I can’t read your show notes tmw. Maybe I’ll catch up over the weekend!

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      Aw, I can understand not feeling ready to move on from a beloved show! 🥰 Take your time to catch up, if that works better for ya! You are a little early though, in that the Dr. Romantic OT doesn’t go live until Wednesday, so you do have an extra day to play with, if you like. 😉

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  10. Geo

    I enjoyed the Chuno Group watch and I’m hoping to join both the Dr Romantic and Money Flower Group watches though I maybe hard pressed already. I’ve gotten deep into Love In The Moonlight and I’m really enjoying it despite the limited appearance of Chae Soo-bin. However, the male and female leads are very good in the show and they have excellent chemistry; Kim Yoo-jung’s cuteness quotient can rival Jang Na-ra and that’s saying a lot.

    Not sure how long I’ll last with Dr Romantic but I’ll be there definitely for Money Flower.

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  11. Kay

    Yes! I’m thrilled that your Money Flower love (aka Jang Hyuk love) allowed it to be a group watch despite not winning 😍 I’ll definitely be following that one. I rarely do medical dramas, so hopefully everyone else has fun with that one, which I’m sure they will since I have heard just how good Dr. Romantic is 🙂

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      I rarely do medical dramas too, so this is definitely a bit of a step outside my comfort zone, but I’m putting my trust in all the love that the show gets. 😉 YAY that you’ll be joining the Money Flower watch, I really think you’ll like that one! 😃

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      1. Kay

        Oh I already love Money Flower 😍 One of the best melos I’ve seen. And best performances of Jang Hyuk (though that’s almost impossible to rank, lol). I definitely don’t mind a rewatch of that amazing drama 🙂

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        1. kfangurl Post author

          Oops! I forgot that you’ve already watched Money Flower, sorry! 😝 But, YAY that you’ll be joining the group watch for a rewatch! Jang Hyuk’s performance in it truly is magnificent! 🤩🤩

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          1. Kay

            No problem. Believe me, I know how hard it is sometimes to keep track of what everyone else has watched. It’s hard enough keeping track of my own stuff! 😂 But yes, a truly magnificent performance by Jang Hyuk for sure 😍

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  13. Antonio

    Regarding “Dr Romantic” that I have seen in the last few weeks, I can tell you that the first episode is totally different from all the following ones. The show changes TOTALLY after the first episode.

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  14. Sarah lantz

    Love love love Money Flower!! Remember when I told you it wasn’t on your full shows? Such a travesty😱. But how does this work? Do we all get on discord or something? I’ve never done such a thing, please pardon my ignorance… and GMT +8 est is 3pm, right? Thank you!

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      Hi Sarah!! Yes, I remember! Thanks for alerting me to that – I must’ve been too happy to post the review, and forgot to update the links. 😝 Thankfully you had my back! 😘

      So how the group watches work, is that we all watch 2 eps of the show each week on our own, and then once a week (for Money Flower, that’ll be Saturday), I’ll post an Open Thread with my episode notes for the week’s episodes. That’s where everyone can come to read and comment and share and discuss! So it all happens right here on the blog. Which also means that time delays don’t matter, so you just come on and add your comments and respond to other people’s comments when you can. 😃 I checked and 8am for me, is 3am for you. But because this isn’t a “live” thing it doesn’t matter. Most folks on the previous Chuno watch chatted about the week’s episodes for several days at least – and sometimes even after the following week’s episode notes were up. 😊 I hope that helps to clarify! Do join the fun if you are able! ❤️

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  15. MC

    Hooray!! I’m so glad that Money Flower is in despite not winning, since I was the one who suggested it. 😅 I’ll try to join both (whew I’m not typically someone who watches multiple shows at a time ) but Dr Romantic sounds good too and YYS always is a bonus. Haha. Ok folks, see you all there! I’m assuming I should start watching now so that by time the threads are released on 3 and 6 Mar I can participate?

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      MC!! I was hoping you’d be able to make it, since you were the one who first suggested Money Flower! 😃 YAY that you’re planning to join both group watches!!! The answer to your question is YES, it’d be great if you could watch the first 2 eps of both shows, between now and when the Open Threads go live, so that you’ll be all ready to talk about it! 😉 Happy watching! ❤️

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  17. Ele Nash

    SQUEEE-EEK!! 😃 So excited! Third watch of Money Flower and I know it will still grip me! And very happy to see what Dr Romantic is like. Both are on Netflix in the UK so I am set and ready to go. Thank you so much, kfangurl! Xx

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    2. kfangurl Post author

      Tee hee! Your squee-eek made me giggle, you’re so cute! 😄 So glad you’ll be joining both watches, Ele!! ❤️Also, that’s great to know, that both shows are available on Netflix UK! That’s good information for everyone!

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      1. Ele Nash

        Oh no, Netflix in the UK has for some cruel, inexplicable reason removed Money Flower 😩 It still has Dr Romantic at least but, gah, I’ll make every effort to find a way to watch Money Flower too! I can’t not join in that group watch. It would be like watching other people eat chocolate without having any myself 😆

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        1. kfangurl Post author

          Dang. Sorry to hear about that, Ele! That’s pretty awful timing! 😳 Thankfully, you can easily access it on Kocowa just by creating a free account. 😅

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          1. Ele Nash

            Found it and watched first episode and noticed the subtitles are slightly different than the version I watched on Netflix. I should make more effort with learning Korean as it does make subtle differences having meanings slightly changed. And now I’m also worried, while I watched and marvelled at how disturbing the relationships are, and how painfully subtly Jang Hyuk plays Kang Pilju, others in the group watch might not “get” it and can I stand to read the criticism?! I guess there’s risk in group watching shows you love; not everyone is going to rate it the same way. Like Chuno, I’m very protective of Money Flower. I might have to just read your blogs and not the comments… 😆

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            1. kfangurl Post author

              I forgot to mention, Ele, that Netflix Singapore still has Money Flower. If you use a VPN (like Opera’s free built-in VPN), you can use your Netflix account to access Netflix content in other regions! 😃 Also, yes, good subtitles are very important, and knowing some Korean is very helpful. Hopefully the community experience will help everyone have insight into the nuances, since we will be able to share what we know with one another! 😉

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              1. Ele Nash

                Oh, yes, I will try that. Thanks, kfangurl 😘 and, ah, it’s such a great excuse to watch Money Flower again – I seriously think I have an addiction to Jang Hyuk 😊

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  19. beez

    Y’all know I’m a Hyuky fanatic so I’ll be rewatching Money Flower, and I’ll give Dr. Romantic a chance to grab me. I’ll try to read and comment when I can. If you direct something specifically at me, please include “@Beez” as the greeting so that when I check my email, it’ll stand out and I won’t miss it.

    “See” you guys next week in the open threads!

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      Aw, so glad you’ll be joining both watches, Beez! 😃 As phl put it, Money Flower is definitely worth a rewatch – or a third watch! 😉 Also, that’s a very helpful tip on using “@Beez” to get your attention. Good thing many of the OG group watchers are already used to doing that too! You’ve trained us well, Beez! 😉😆

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      1. beez

        Well, this is not my usual bossiness 😆 It’s just the email that the comments go to is so full of spam and the like that in order to see what I’m looking for I have to use the search feature.😵

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      1. beez

        @BE – capitalization doesn’t matter. It’s just that besides all the junk and spam, even once I search “Verdict”, which brings up all the comments, there are still too many for me to cope with so to be sure I don’t miss anything directed directly to me, I can at least see them so I can make sure I respond.

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    1. kfangurl Post author

      Yay that you’re planning to join both watches, Elaine!! 😃 Also, that’s great information about the shows being available on Netflix Singapore, thanks for that! ❤️

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  22. reaper525

    😂 tomorrow you will be like: „omg I have such a graving for … . And you will start a third group watch. ^^

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      1. reaper525

        And I thought there is always extra time for some more sexy dudes 😂 just like women have a extra stomach for desserts

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  25. BE

    I will be in on both if I can. Saw Dr. Romantic about three or four months ago, so I do not know if I have had the time since I previously watched it to be able, given I am watching other shows as well. It has been long enough since Money Flower so that I do not remember it that well, except to say it did not make the same impression on me that Chuno did on my first watch, but I can think of few dramas that have. And I am watching about three others right now, so I probably will be, thus, less talky, which will be a relief to everyone I am sure.

    However, I did get a kick out of the DR ensemble. And in preview, may I say SPOILER ALERT: Master Kim is one bad hombre! And ah, Friday nights at the Doldam! “Scalpel! Bovie! Metzenbaum! Suction! Cut! Cut!”

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  26. Ally

    I LOVE Dr. Romantic, and it is hands-down the best medical drama (and super realistic) I had ever seen before and since. The first episode where the female lead’s attending slapped her almost made me stop watching though. So trigger warning there. Also, she is suicidal, so second trigger warning. But everyone embodies their roles and as someone who has gone through medical training, they do an excellent job showing how tight knit you can be with your coworkers. So many great performances in this. And the chemistry!!! I won’t likely be able to join as I have two Wed-Thurs dramas on my plate already but I will be watching from the sidelines and joining the open thread if I can.

    But I’m ALLLLLL INNNNNN for Money Flower. I wanted to see this when it came out. Saw the awards shows that year (2017) where it like swept everything for the MBC awards and was like DANG!!!!!

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          1. BE

            He has had some sort of voice training. Few actors I have seen can do so much with voice as he can, why I thought this might be an influence.

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              1. BE

                @beez I wasn’t thinking of his singing, but his approach to voice projection in character. I have heard him speak several times and his speaking voice is rather soft, almost whispery, but in dramatic roles, especially in sageuks, he does all sorts of vocal gymnastics and the training for pandori singers, who are also story tellers, as presented in the vid, made me think he might have studied those techniques.

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                1. beez

                  @Snow Flower – I was actually looking for him singing “Creep” which he said is (was? Cause it’s been a while since that interview) his favorite “go to” karaoke song. As he sang it I was mortified that my bias’ singing is so bad. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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              3. Ele Nash

                @beez That made me laugh, thanks for sharing 😆 Jang Hyuk has a gorgeous tone and speaking voice, and bless him for not holding back, but the guy cannot sing 😆

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                1. beez

                  @Ele Nash – I wonder if he’s been taking singing lessons? 😆 I say that because in the past he sorry of mumbled and seemed really shy, keeping his head lowered into the microphone the entire time. But in this video he seems more open and confident. 🙂

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          2. phl1rxd

            Hi Snow Flower – I love Pansori too as I feel that it captures the soul of the ordinary people in SK. I am also a big fan of Samulnori because it is like a big street party. I was glad it was displayed at the wedding scene in Chuno. Then there is Gugak which seems very hard to sing. Song So Hee’s breath control is pretty amazing. Music is such a wonderful way to connect to a culture.

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    2. kfangurl Post author

      I agree with DF.. both are really excellent outings, but the two are completely different roles, despite both being antiheroes. I really hope you’ll enjoy Money Flower, Leslie – I loved it! 🤩

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  29. phl1rxd

    I am going to have to cave in and squeeze these both in. And for those of you who have not seen Money Flower – be prepared for stupendous Jang Hyuk-ness all over your screen. The music is perfect in every way so make sure you stay along for the ride ’til the end. I had to catch my breath in this several times. Excellent acting across the board and an excellent story. This is worth a third watch.

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