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lorac Joined: 15 May 2004 Total posts: 499 Location: California Gender: Female |
 Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| Quote: | | have watched the Chinese-subbed version of Seodongyo. I must say the Chinese subbers have done a excellent job. |
Actually much of the understanding from the earlier episodes came from people watching the Chinese subbed version. Xia and a couple others at the Seo Dong Yo Soompi forum were instrumental in getting the discussion going, and eventually the Koreans jumped in.
The end result is that Priscilla has been translating and posting complete dialogue from the episodes. It has been a great help. My regret is that good English subs are not available.
I would have watched the drama in any event, but having dialogue translation and people to explain the ancient culture has been a god-send! I was a bit frustrated with Buyeo-jang once he became king, because I did not really understanding "what a king does" and it made me feel he was inneffectual. In reality he was quite clever.
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:33 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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Hi Lorac! I'm here!!! 
| Spielbol wrote: | My first post and I need to vent my frustration.
Summary: A crappy male version of Dae Jang Geum.
I must disagree as this frustrating drama is average at best as it certainly has some entertainment value, but great???
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Hellow Spielbol's, I've just read your comments, and just wanted to give my two cents... honestly, I'm not surprised by your assessment of Seo Dong... After reading tons and tons of Korean Viewers writings about this drama, I felt that for one, Korean viewers of period dramas are scaringly demanding and they too compared this with Dae Jang Guem and felt it lacking... and for two, this drama does bring out lots of 'emotional outburst.' For that, Spielbol, I'm thankful for 'benting' your frustration here and not elsewhere... But although "Dae Jang Guem" may be a better drama over-all, I was never as hooked about that as I am with Seo Dong...
Regarding what you said about Jo Hyun Jae's acting... I guess you have a point. I too was thinking like you while watching this 'superficially.' I was a fan even 'before' this drama, but I stopped watching this right when he came out on screen... feeling I'd be disappointed... and cuz I was watching other things...
But later, I started watching this more towards the middle... and I started to like this drama but I still felt that JHJ was 'too innocent' looking... so, against my own 'fan mentality,' I wrote that "Jo Hyun Jae's a misscast!!!" ~only to regret this later!!! Cuz, as the drama progressed... I 'saw' how this 'innocent' commoner was growing stronger by the minutes... and he was 'changed' right before my eyes!!!! Especially when I went back to the earlier episodes, I started to see the bigger picture, and to understand this character better. Then... Gosh!!! I felt then like apologizing to him for having said that he was a miscast!
I also disagree with your assessment on Jang's charater, especially on how you feel his character kept making stupid mistakes... while translating his dialogues, I was moved again and again by his depth of wisdom and forebearance... And just like 'Lorac' said, the words that would come out of his mouths spoke volumes of the man that was inside him, waiting to be discovered... This is why I want to go back to the earlier episodes and translate what he said... that the world may hear and understand also...
Although much constructive criticism was posted at the Korean Official Forum by the viewers regarding the 'silly battle scenes,' and the inaccuracy of many historical datas, etc... I feel that over-all... more viewers wanted to 'watch' JHJ even more!!! Thus, in the few episodes he didn't have much screen time, the ratings went down... and the Internet Board would be filled with viewers asking "We want to SEE Mu WANG!!!" 
BTW, there is a super-expert on K-entertainment who writes his weekly on Korean News, etc. His name's Mr. X, and he too wrote that this drama's producer Lee Byung Hoon's 'worst' drama in 10 years! This is how he said it at:
http://www.twitchfilm.net/archives/005421.html
| Quote: | | ... when it comes to Lee Byung-Hoon's 서동요 (The Ballad of Seo Dong). The show, which is a few episodes away from passing the ball to Gam Woo-Sung and Son Ye-Jin's 연애시대 (Alone in Love), might very well be Lee's worst in over a decade, but it's still a very exciting, well produced Drama. If anything, the fact it took so long to set things on fire might ruin its chances in the International market. Acting has improved quite a bit, even concerning Jo Hyun-Jae and Ryu Jin, and although there's still a few problems plaguing the show, compared to Lee's older works, 'Seo Dong' has become a very enjoyable show. |
THis was my response:
| Quote: | I guess I must agree. This is after all, an SBS period drama... And honestly, even Seo Dong Yoh addicts post at the official forum comments about 'mistakes' they find here and there... (and Korean fans are soooooo demanding!!!) And honestly, I don't think the 'money' was just there for this drama to be compared to PD's previous works... But what makes me sad when I read such comments is that this sentence can be so missconstrued by those who haven't watched this. This might be his worst, but it's still VERY GOOD!!! LEE BYUNG HOON PD's previous works were masterpieces that changed trends in Korea's thinking.. reviving interest for Chinese medicine (Hur Joon) or for the culinary arts (Dae Jang Geum). I watched both so I should know... I didn't watch SANG DO but I know it got great reviews too (though the rating wasn't that great).
Seo Dong's Song shows the sciences, which is not something that 'housewives' could learn at home... something that would change trends... On the other hand, although I do admit Hur Joon was his best drama ever, I don't think I was as obsessed with that as I am right now... You may think it's just because of Jo Hyun Jae factor... Nah... as much as I like him, I came to respect the writer a lot! I like her more than I like the PD! And as much as I love an actor, if the story doesn't appeal to me... I'd rather give it a miss!!! (I still haven't watched LAW FIRM...)
Finally, regarding JHJ's acting... I find it's soooooo funny that even people who writes comments like: "he should have said it louder," or "pronounced it clearer..." "that he looked too tired, etc, etc..." (and I read plenty of them at the forum, asides from the many accolates he gets...) many of the same people end up saying that there are very few actors in Korea his age who could have done it better!
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Then, Mr. X wrote back:
| Quote: | yeah, absolutely. Maybe I should be careful when I say it's his worst in 10 years, as he's like the Im Kwon-Taek of TV Dramas. I've seen a few episodes here and there of his 'Joseon 500 years' series from the 80s, and they were so great. He changed it all, essentially, if it weren't for him and a few others we'd still be seeing the same story over and over (Jang Nok-Soo, Jang Heebin, Prince Sado/Lady Hyegyung. Rewind. Repeat).
It's just that expectations are an evil thing, and SBS is frankly a little too superficial to take full advantage of Lee's talents. I'm just speculating here, but I think this'll be Lee's last Drama with them (and now I wish he directed 'Jumong'). I can feel they're limiting his choices. Acting doesn't really have to do with it, it's like they're telling him behind the scenes: "come on, don't go overboard, it's not only old geezers anymore, gotta please the teen crowd!". I would say it's not as good as 해신 (Emperor of the Sea), but for other reasons. If they let the writer and PD go full force, this could have been great, average acting or not. Jo Hyun-Jae's not really at fault, he was given a big role, and people often misunderstand characters, projecting the actors' images into the characters' personalities and expecting that (think Son Chang-Min in Shin Don's first half. People complained he didn't show charisma. Well, no ****. If they knew even a little about the historical figure, they wouldn't have been surprised.)
But I don't want to make it appear as if I don't like the show. I've been enjoying it a lot more than I could possibly expect as of late, and even think JHJ showed improvement. Will probably review it too, but I need to refresh my thoughts, and there's some other 'priorities' now... |
AND to all Seo Dong's fans, I could 'rant' on and on about this drama, but I've already written enough I guess... so if you want to read more of my 'babblings' regarding this drama and the actor... you can check this at my XANGA... I'm upgrading the Jo Hyun Jae section so I believe you'll have enough to read to keep you busy for a long time...
http://www.xanga.com/contentfolders.asp?user=Prisci4U&fid=75&tab=reviews&bflag=
CHEERS!!!
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kodokoJoined: 26 Dec 2005 Total posts: 105 Location: Singapore Gender: Female |
| Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:06 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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Thanks priscilla, for sharing the website about the history of Baekje. It really boarden my knowledge about Korea history. You and Mr X mentioned that korean audience are demanding and unforgiving towards historical drama. I guessed I share my views with them. I am also more unforgiving towards mistakes made in historical drama too. Can't really explain why, but somehow felt that when audience watched historical drama, they want facts on historical events and the producers should not misled the audience.
As for Jo Hyun Jae being cast as a prince, never once I thought it was a miscast. In fact, I cannot think of another better candidate than him. He has shown much improvement from when I first watched him on Love Letter and Star Echo. In Seodongyo, I saw him slowly growing from a mischievous lad to an ambitious crown prince. The frustration, anger, anxiety in him, he has handled it well. I love the part when he went to Princess Youyong and made her the offer of working together, the cunning, evil smile he had was really convincing! Actually, I expected him to slowly developed to a cruel but powerful king but was disappointed. Cos though many toils and snares, I think the character of Seodong should not remain as the gentle and mild-tempered king. I would expect anger from him especially when the royals forced him to marry Princess Youyong. This is one part I cannot understand. And are cousins allowed to marry each other in Korea or rather Baekje? I know in the olden days at Egypt, brother and sister were allowed to marry each other to keep the riches and power within the family.
Nevertheless, I feel something seems to be lacking in this drama. Was it the high expections I had from the producers of Dae Jang Geam or is it due to lack of focusness in this drama? Somehow, I expected to see how the King Mu(Seodong) united Korea. (now after reading the story of Baekje, realized it is not the case) But it was not really mentioned in the drama and instead the plot was side-tracked to focus more on the love of Seodong and his Princess Suhwa. The drama should emphasized more towards this area as I thought this is the promise SeoDong made to Princess Suhwa. Quote: "If we cannot be together just because you are a princess and I am slave, I will the King of Baekje. If we cannot be together just because I am from Baekje and you are from Shilla, I will united the two countries." I feel that this the most crucial part of the story as this is reason why Seodong wanted to united Korea but the writer choose to end with the princess sunhwa died of grief. It was a disappointment to me. 
After the success of Dae Jang Geam, it is not surprising that people will start to compare this two dramas. Although I personally prefer Dae Jang Geam, I still find this drama Seodongyo enjoyable.
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junebabyJoined: 15 Jan 2006 Total posts: 37 Gender: Unknown |
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sorasoraJoined: 17 Mar 2006 Total posts: 22 Gender: Female |
| Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| this has to be one of my new favorites!! it was gripping and fast paced!! nothing was boring or slow at all!! i think it deserves more popularity. i thought the ending was so sweet,,,, actually more like bittersweet, but overall a superb drama.
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| kodoko wrote: | | Can't really explain why, but somehow felt that when audience watched historical drama, they want facts on historical events and the producers should not misled the audience. |
Nice input! I like reading long discussions! BTW... I was curious to know how you got to watch this... Are you Korean? Or else... I was told there's a Chinese translation on this one... Wondering how good the translations were...
Also... I do understand that historical drama viewers are usually more 'serious' watchers... usually older and more mature... thus, they don't expect comedy or silly ranting... but I'm not sure if I agree with you about the 'fact' matter. This is a drama, and it was never the intend of the producer/writer to teach history. What they wanted was to create a beautiful story. It's based on history, but "what's NOT based on history?" This doesn't mean we should take everything we watch as facts. If that were the case... we wouldn't be able to watch anything. We may learn 'some' history, but we should always be weary that it's also mixed with fantasy. It is a known fact that BAEKJAE'S arts were very advanced back then, but I wouldn't think all the 'inventions' shown in the drama were true of back then...
| kodoko wrote: | | Actually, I expected him to slowly developed to a cruel but powerful king but was disappointed. Cos though many toils and snares, I think the character of Seodong should not remain as the gentle and mild-tempered king. I would expect anger from him especially when the royals forced him to marry Princess Youyong. This is one part I cannot understand. And are cousins allowed to marry each other in Korea or rather Baekje? I know in the olden days at Egypt, brother and sister were allowed to marry each other to keep the riches and power within the family.. |
King Mu was angry, but he had that anger 'hidden' under a stoic mask. You must understand he was like a poker player... even when he was letting his subjects 'do as they wanted' with him, he was playing his card... he was betting that princess Wooyung would give up... he came to trust her that much... So later, Wooyung tells you: "You knew I'd give up..." Or something like this.
One noble said before this: "We shouldn't let the king know how princess Wooyung feels..." (that she really loves him) Cuz then, the king would use that against them all. The problem was... he already knew.... so he was already planning...
For more on this topic, you can check:
My short summary on episode 53:
http://www.xanga.com/contentfolders.asp?user=Prisci4U&fid=244&tab=reviews&bflag=
Ending of episode 53 discussion:
http://www.xanga.com/contentfolders.asp?user=Prisci4U&fid=315&tab=reviews&bflag=
My translation of episdoe 54:
http://www.xanga.com/contentfolders.asp?user=Prisci4U&fid=245&tab=reviews&bflag=
| kodoko wrote: | | Nevertheless, I feel something seems to be lacking in this drama. Was it the high expections I had from the producers of Dae Jang Geam or is it due to lack of focusness in this drama? Somehow, I expected to see how the King Mu(Seodong) united Korea. (now after reading the story of Baekje, realized it is not the case) But it was not really mentioned in the drama and instead the plot was side-tracked to focus more on the love of Seodong and his Princess Suhwa. The drama should emphasized more towards this area as I thought this is the promise SeoDong made to Princess Suhwa. Quote: "If we cannot be together just because you are a princess and I am slave, I will the King of Baekje. If we cannot be together just because I am from Baekje and you are from Shilla, I will united the two countries." I feel that this the most crucial part of the story as this is reason why Seodong wanted to united Korea but the writer choose to end with the princess sunhwa died of grief. It was a disappointment to me. |
If I'm not mistaken, the original plot was going to be like this: Jang would become kingl like around episode 30. Then King Mu would unite the 3 kingdoms and Sataek-Giroo was going to help him! But the plot was changed early during the drama... I think mostly for 'historical accuracy' (since again, viewers complaint). Cuz according to history, King Mu reigned for like 41 years? followed by his son~ the last king of Baekjae. Shilla would invade Baekjae and conquer it. THis is why I found Sunhwa's encouragings words in episode 55 'prophetic.' She told her king that his legacy would be more than 'just conquering the lands.' His legacy would be that of 'creating' new farming techniques and better ways of living that would out-live any kingdom...
And yes... back then, cousins married each other to preserve the 'power' within the clan.
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:04 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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Jo Hyun Jae, chosen “The Man I Want To Marry”
(April 10th, 2006) Translated by Priscilla
[My Daily = Reporter Nahm Ahn-Woo] Spring is the wedding season, and entertainer Jo Hyun Jae has been picked as the male star most women would like to marry.
The Entertainment Poll Site VIP ran an April survey asking “Which male star would you like to marry?” Among the 13,348 internet voters, Jo Hyun Jae received 1, 170 votes (22.3%) positioning him as a most charming potential husband. Recently, the SBS TV drama “Seo Dong’s Song” ended in a popular note, where he played the character of a tough and yet soft-hearted “Seo Dong.” Through such portrayal, he won the hearts of female viewers, moving many netizens to vote for him.
In addition, the singer Bi, whose popularity goes beyond Asia, landing himself even in the American market, received 1,137 votes (21.3%) and rose to the 2nd position. The new entertainer Joo Ji Hoon, through his impassioned portrayal as a prince “Yishin” in the MBC TV drama “Goong” followed behind, with 4.3% of votes.
Aside from them, the lead voice of the singing group SS501, Kim Hyun Joong and the handsome actor Jang Dong Gun both received 3.7% of votes, landing them the 4th position.
[Entertainer Jo Hyun Jae, picked by the netizens as the male star they want to marry. Photo = My Daily DB]
(남안우 기자 naw@mydaily.co.kr)
(Reporter Nahm Ahn-Woo naw@mydaily.co.kr)
-#1 New Media News MY DAILY (www.mydaily.co.kr) Copyrights (c) 뗌絹?玖? - -무단전재&재배포 금지 -
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kodokoJoined: 26 Dec 2005 Total posts: 105 Location: Singapore Gender: Female |
| Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| Quote: | | This is a drama, and it was never the intend of the producer/writer to teach history. What they wanted was to create a beautiful story. It's based on history, but "what's NOT based on history?" This doesn't mean we should take everything we watch as facts. If that were the case... we wouldn't be able to watch anything. |
Yap, I know what you mean. I should have explained myself more clearly. What I am referring to is what Spielbog has written:
| Quote: | | don't know korean history may be someone can enlighten me how much of the inventions seen in the drama is real history such as if the credit of inventing what seems to be a katana belongs to korea? The military tactics seen is right out from romance of three kingdoms (borrowing arrows like kong min or giving up the emperor jade like sun ce did to borrow troops). |
In the olden days (about a thousand and seven hundred years ago), China was divided into three countries (Wei, Shu, WU). In the country of Shu, they have a very clever advisor KongMing (Zhuge Liang) who used this military tactic borrowing arrows from enemy. They tied small boats together and sailed them in foggy, misty weather along the river and trick their enemy Cao Cao (Country of Wei) into thinking they have laid an ambush and thus send out their army to shoot at the enemy’s boats at full force. KongMing “collected” the arrows and later used the arrows against their enemy Cao Cao. This is what I meant by historical facts. Fantasies, exaggerations are in fact necessary to make the drama more interesting but I feel that using other countries‘history to be used as one’s history would be misleading to the audience. Should 'nt be credit be given? Unless Korea has historical records of using a similar tactic, I will take it as my lack of knowledge.
| Quote: | | We may learn 'some' history, but we should always be weary that it's also mixed with fantasy. It is a known fact that BAEKJAE'S arts were very advanced back then, but I wouldn't think all the 'inventions' shown in the drama were true of back then... |
If you watch the drama more closely, most of the inventions they did not say they did the invention. But rather, they were improving on the existing technology and creating a similar product.
Fact : Paper- This knowledge of papermaking was used in China before word was passed along to Korea, Samarkand, Baghdad, and Damascus.
Did you remember the first prince (SeoDong’s eldest brother) actually complained Baekje is paying the Chinese a lot for the paper as Korea could not produce paper on their own?
Fact: Silk waving pattern machine - Chinese discovered silk and had their monopoly on silk production. Sericulture reached Korea around 200 BC, when waves of Chinese immigrants arrived there.
SeoDong and Professor Mokrasu was tricked by General Seon and thought the first prince traded the paper production in exchange to save them from being banished to the island. In the end, SeoDong and Professor Mokrasu created (NOT INVENT) silk waving pattern machine in order to compensate for the loss of the rights to the paper production. (Note: Profits for silk was much higher than paper.)
Cheers to the production team of Ballad of Suh Dong to give credits to the rightful country of the inventions. 
| Quote: | | King Mu was angry, but he had that anger 'hidden' under a stoic mask. You must understand he was like a poker player... even when he was letting his subjects 'do as they wanted' with him, he was playing his card... he was betting that princess Wooyung would give up... he came to trust her that much... So later, Wooyung tells you: "You knew I'd give up..." Or something like this. |
Mmm. I agreed with you, so he is using dare tactic he used with the Chinese envoy before. That 's very clever of him to make the Princess YouYong to give up her own. I guessed SeoDong really understands her. 
| Quote: | | If I'm not mistaken, the original plot was going to be like this: Jang would become kingl like around episode 30. Then King Mu would unite the 3 kingdoms and Sataek-Giroo was going to help him! But the plot was changed early during the drama... I think mostly for 'historical accuracy' (since again, viewers complaint). Cuz according to history, King Mu reigned for like 41 years? followed by his son~ the last king of Baekjae. Shilla would invade Baekjae and conquer it. THis is why I found Sunhwa's encouragings words in episode 55 'prophetic.' She told her king that his legacy would be more than 'just conquering the lands.' His legacy would be that of 'creating' new farming techniques and better ways of living that would out-live any kingdom... |
So in the end, they decided to change the ending to follow more closely to the Korea history. No wonder I had the feeling somehow they end the drama rather abruptly.
Btw, I am Chinese.
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
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loracJoined: 15 May 2004 Total posts: 499 Location: California Gender: Female |
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:40 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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CONGRATULATIONS jo hyun jae for winning the popular awards at the 42nd Baeksang Acting Awards!
Hyunbin won too, but I've been following the internet poll results, and according to it, JHJ was winning BY FAR, so he really deserves this, which is supposed to be given by the people!
I don't agree with many of the other results, especially since I was very sure Uhm Tae Woong was going to win best actors... but I was comforted by seeing sweetie jo winning for his role as Seodong.
Here's a treat for all of you Seodong's fans! Synopsis of episode 6. Honestly though, I find the earlier episodes less exciting... especially since Jang's charisma's still hidden. But episode 7 would start picking up... getting better and better. Till then... ;)
The Ballad Of Seo Dong: EPISODE 6. Synopsis & Highlight Translations
***By Priscilla
Priscilla’s Title: JANG, The Outsider II...
For more episode summaries and translations, go to:
Prisci4u Folder: Seodong's Song Episode Translations
Last edited by priscilla on Wed May 03, 2006 3:16 am; edited 1 time in total
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
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priscillaJoined: 27 Jan 2006 Total posts: 32 Gender: Unknown |
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