DADDY LONG-LEGS

J: As promise M, my next's plant is a movie, Daddy Long Legs.
M: DADDY LONG-LEGS? Isnt it that poisonous spider. I hate spiders!

J: 'Easy M, Daddy Long-Legs in this movie is not about a spider.It is a title given to a person who is extending his hand to someone to help, without expecting anything in return.

M: Like Santa Claus?
J: In essence but there's a big difference. Santa only give you a gift if your good. So be good or else Santa won't give you a gift this Christmas.
 

THE PLOT:
Daddy-long-legs is a movie about  a lass, Young-mi (Ha Ji-won),who losses her parents at a very young age. Struggling to survive by doing odd jobs, she one day receive help from a stranger. The stranger pays her tuition fees,buy her shoes and give her gifts. Though she try hard to find the identity of her helper, the postman said it seems impossible. Thus, she just let it be and just named her helper Daddy Long-Legs.

After graduating she work at the local radio station and soon then luckily accepted for her dream job as a program writer at a national radio station. Good fortune follows when the producer of the morning radio program knew that she live at the province and offered her to stay at a certain house for free, so that she won't be late for work. She was told that the owner is currently away due to health reasons.

But it all don't go well when her workmates,especially the radio DJ don't like her. This is because of the fact that  she graduated only from a provincial university and the rumors that she has a "backer" to enter easily into the company.

One night as she was using the house owner's computer, an e-mail pop out. The email was programmed to be received at that date though it was written a year ago. The emails are confessions of deep and unconditional love of the house owner for someone. Looking at a portrait in the house, Young-mi assumed that the house owner is a woman.The writer confesses that she has secretly been in love with a man since her school days. In order to be near him, she worked hard to obtain a place in the same course at the institution he was studying in. Although she didn't have the courage to introduce herself, she was happy to see him every day. The writer explains that when he got a job at a radio station, she followed him there. But then she was diagnosed with a terminal disease which would cause her to lose her memory and then die. The writer's greatest fear is not of dying, but of losing her memory, which is why she wrote the e-mail to be sent to herself in the future.

She decided to help her relay the message to the man she love by airing it in the station.

Meanwhile, Young-mi meet a man named Kim Jun Ho working at a librarian nearby. The two started going out and eventually Young-mi developed feelings for him. 

The Big Bear-another gift from Daddy-Long-Legs

The secret emails had become a sensation at the radio station that even the radio company manager congratulated them. It has also proved Young-mi's ability as a writer. But subsequently because of the wooden hourglass that plays significant in the e-mails, she discover that Jun Ho is the man the house owner is in love to. Quite guilty by using the e-mails to advance in her job she decided to distance from Jun Ho.

One night though, as they are partying for the success of their radio program, the producer slipped words that the reason Young-mi succeed is because of the help of the radio station's director.

I like Young-mi's reaction when she said "Will I really meet my Daddy Long Legs tonight?",as she ran to the radio station to meet the director. She confronts him only to be saddened by the fact that he was only doing it in behalf of his brother.

The Radio Company Director congratulating Young -mi for the success of their radio program

His brother is none other than--- Jun Ho. And to add more to the surprise, he is also the house owner. All her assumptions of SHE is a HE in that e-mail confessions (you should read the confessions again changing the SHE as HE). And that the portrait she saw at the house was in fact herself. And to top it all, the man doesn't remember her TODAY because of his disease.

There is a change of scene and we can see the two, star gazing spending the limited time left for him in world of the living. They saw a falling star and Jun Ho said that she can make a wish cause it will for sure come true. 

He fainted and rushed to the hospital.

I'm touched of  the hospital scene where he says that when he first met her at the elevator on her first day of work at the national radio station "SHE LOOKS FAMILIAR" (For him its their first meeting because he already forget her due to his illness). And he is not afraid to die but more afraid that he will soon forget her. While he was saying this, the camera focused on Young-mi's face whom I thought asleep. But it turned out that she's hearing it all and just cry in silence,her heart slowly breaking into pieces.

Scene change again and we can see Young-mi, star gazing alone, seeing a falling star once more. Then she said ,

"I know that falling star can't make a wish come true cause at that time when he asked me to make a wish, I wished that we can go back here together.It never came true and will never come true in the future."

She added looking at the sky,"Where are you now my Daddy Long Legs,I want to feel your help once more, can you again send me a gift?"

Then in a minuscule of seconds ----snow flakes started to fall. Letting her know that he is still there, looking after her, helping her and still loving her.

 

MY COMMENT:

J: I love this movie firstly because it's Ha Ji Won.

M: I don't think so, you watch it because of Hyun Bin.

J: Honestly, I didn't even notice Hyun Bin is the young Jun Ho until I search for info in the internet. On the other hand I started admiring Ha Ji Won since Hwang Jin-i and Something Happened in Bali / Memories of Bali.

M: I know, but it's Secret Garden that you've gone mad.

J: Well I am not the only one. You even made Bin's photo as your FB profile pic. 

M: Ok let's just admit we like both actors.

J: Agreeable. Back to the movie,I like how the events turn out, as if saying " it's not what you think it is girl".I even have to re-watched it for me to understand fully. 

M: Yeah you watch it for the 3rd time now.

J: But I still have this "Huh?!?!" expression because of the unexpected turn of events yet still touched by the ending albeit the fact that it's tragic. 

M: I don't like the movie.

J: C'mon, is it because it's Korean again?

M: No,it's the pacing---slow. It bores me. It's confusing and there are lot of symbols. You must have an analytical mind and focus.Plus melodrama's not my cup of tea. Look, my eyes are swollen. That movie is just too sad.

J: It's not sad, it's touching.

M: Whatever you call it, the common denominator is: it breaks my heart. If not for the sub love story of Young-mi's best friend and the company producer, my heart's been dust by now.
J: Yeah their story is funny and inspiring, a juxtaposition of Young-mi's tale of love.
M: I like that, a love conspired by destiny.

J: Oh, I don't want to talk about destiny at the moment. Let's just talk about the movie.

M: I have nothing more to say

J: Then rate it, atleast your not bias.

M: It's just a 7 for me. 
J: It's even higher,mine's just 6. But I can say, it is still a much watch.







 

My First Grab: You're Beautiful / He's Beautiful

 

M pop out...

M: Your first plant's a drama? (look up), I thought this is a 'movie' garden?

J: But this is my first grab.

M: First grab? You've watched Boys Over Flowers before this one.

J: I borrowed BOF, I've bought this one.

M: Bought for  $1 (laughs mockingly), your a disgrace to the enterainment industry buying them in bootl-

J: Hush..just bear this one okey. My next plant will be a movie.

M: Do I really have a choice?

FACTS:

You're Beautiful also known as He's Beautiful is a 16-episodes, South Korean drama.The series aired from October 7 to November 26, 2009 on the Korean network SBS. It starred Park Shin-hye, Jang Geun Suk, Lee Hong Ki and Jung Yong Hwa. Due its popularity in Korea and the rise of Korean drama here in the Philippines, ABS–CBN Broadcasting Corporation  bought the rights to air it.

The sound of a 'cross-dressing' show sounds interesting and funny based on experience watching Hana Kimi, a Taiwanese drama, and the fresh looks of the new Korean stars add more to the shows appeal that I decided to grab a copy.

A.N.JELL,Go Mi Nyu and President Ahn

GENERAL PREVIEW:
He's Beautiful is a story of a boy band A.N.JELL, compose of  Hwang Tae Kyung ( Jang Geun Suk),Kang On Yu / Jeremy(Lee Hong Ki) and Kang Shin Woo(Jung Yong Hwa ) . Because of  throat problem, doctors advice Hwang Tae Kyung  not to abuse his voice and refrain from singing live. Thus, President Ahn (Jung Chan) decided to look for a new member  and  subsequently choose Go Mi Nam (Park Shin-hye) to be the fourth member of the band. It turns out that Go Mi Nam is in the US because of "eye-surgery failure" and cannot close his eyes. Worried for Mi Nam's career, and perhaps for him too, Ma Hoon Yi ( Kim In Kwon) the manager of Go Mi Nam look for his twin sister Go Mi Nyu  to pose as his brother. Mi Nyu refused but upon knowing that his brother wanted to be a famous singer to look for their mother whom they never knew, she change her mind . She decided then to pretend as his brother during the contract signing before she fly to Rome for her final blessing to become a nun. But fate gambles with her that during her flight, she bumped into Tae Kyung and the other A.N.JELL members. Since she has nowhere to go, she was forced to pretend as his brother Mi Nam.

The "kilig" factors appeared as the three band members fell in love with her and a lot of funny moments as a to-be-nun Min Nyu try her best not to be caught as a cross-dresser. Adding twist is famous actress Yo He Yi played by singer actress UEE who unexpectedly fall in love with Tae Kyung and Mo Hwa Ran, Tae Kyung's mother  who keep a secret from the past, that involves the twins.

MY COMMENTS:

J: I don't know how to start my reaction to the show M,so let me just laugh (ha ha ha ha!).

M: (silent....focus on the portable's screen)

J: I thought you don't like dramas?

M: Who is this neat-freak?

J: Tae Kyung.

M: No the real name.

J: Jang Geun Suk.

M: He's cute *eye candy* and looks familiar.

J: I think I'll wait till you finish watching. Let's share our views.

After 16 hours...

M: I really enjoyed watching it that I finished all 16 episodes in just one day. 

J: Well, congratulations! but,  your sisters look mad. She'd done all house chores today.

M: Sorry sis!

J: So what can you say about the show?

M: What is so good about this series is the fact that IT CAN MAKE THE AUDIENCE LAUGH and gives you KILIG (a Filipino term for a shivery, fuzzy, chilling [positive] feeling when your thrilled, mesmerized and infatuated to someone or something). I was laughing, watching alone especially in the first three episodes that my grandpa even ask me if I am going CRAZY (laughs again!) 

J: Aren't we crazy enough talking to oneself? Is that all your reactions?

M: I like the portrayal of three varied characters which the three stars played excellently. The happy and bright  Jeremy, the serious and silent-type Shin Woo and an arrogant-perfectionist-almost childish- neat freak-yet charming Tae Kyung.These characters created  three different kind of love stories which is good for me as a viewer cause I didn't suffer that "sawa" and bored feeling. Plus the cuteness of Tae Kyung (swoon) did a great job in gluing me to the screen.

J: JKS is that cute little prince from Hwang Jin-i.

M: Oh really?That's why I thought he's familiar.Out of the three kinds of love though I like that of Shin Woo.

J: Too bad his the sub-lead. I also sympathize with him,loving and protecting Mi Nyu in silence and bearing all the pain all by himself knowing she love Tae Kyung, of all people.

 

M: Yeah, I  feel  sorry every time he is rejected but in the end it served as an an eye-opener for me. No matter how deep and unconditional your love for someone is, if he/she love someone else and their love is mutual,it will only end up YOU being a hindrance for their happiness. 

J: So, just like Jeremy and Shin Woo the only rational thing to do no matter how hurtful it is, is to give up and let her go M.

M:  Yeah, BUT it hurts, believe me, I know, that's why I can relate to him.

J: That's okey, after all there they say if you really love the person set him free. Anyway, I like the texture of the video, its clear. Music is great. The scene when Tae Kyung sing the classic, "Fly Me to the Moon" song is still lingering in my mind.

M: I love his english accent (giggles). The tone of the drama was all fun in its majority mixed with just enough "parent-child" issues to dig to someones heart. Costume design is appropriate, but I just don't like Tae Kyung's hairstyle.

J: Why?

M: I don't know, it's just, his big forehead is emphasized in that style. The execution of the male Go Mi Nam is really a hilarious scene. I like the editing on that part. 

 J: Park Shin Hye did a good acting in this drama, she's cute , but I can't just see her as a man. 

M: That's why his male version is hilarious. This brat UEE can also act. She can act the 'plastic' role well. 

J: She's hateful but I can't help but to like her in the end. For the supporting characters I'll vote for the mother of Tae Kyung as the most effective. She can make me  both hate and love her character.

 

M: I like the comic roles of Jung Chan whom I've seen play a serious role in a drama, Lovers and Kim In Kwon who act as the hilarious manager of Mi Nyu.  

A.N.JELL and Manager Ma

J: The ending is just too "bitin".

M: Agree. I was like, is it the end?. I was left hanging and wanting for some more.

J: So,what's your verdict?

M: I'ts just an 8 out of 10. Ten as the highest. How about you?

J: You know I'll rate all K-dramas a 10.

M: That's prejudicial. Is this drama recapped in Dramabeans?

J: I don't know, just check it.

He's Beautiful Cast