Secret Garden EP 19

Joo Won regained his memory and kissed Ra Im after teasing her. Photo - courtesy of thedramascene.com

Don't ask me why but they don't have to kiss deeply to move me. Such tenderness expressed through the peck on the forehead. Sigh...

I can't help myself.... I just need to talk about Secret Garden Ep 19. In fact, I would love to chat about Secret Garden the drama series. I suspect it is my way of saying goodbye to this addictive drama.

First and foremost, kyaaaahhhhh!!! *Fangirl scream* I LOVE ep 19. It made me smile, laugh and cry. And Yes! the Bling Bling tracksuit made its appearance too.

I love it that the lost of memory on Joo Won's part did not play out a cliche storyline - eg. the leads struggle in agony over the lost of memory. On the flip side, in Secret Garden, the lost of memory lent much to make the drama hilarious. I love the fact that Ra Im left a deep enough imprint on Joo Won, such that the 21 year old Joo Won couldn't understand why he felt this deep attraction against his logical deduction. It is most refreshing to see the hormone-raging 21 year old Joo Won trying to get physical with Ra Im (getting her wet and in the pool with him).

I love how Ra Im recited Joo Won's rhymn to reign in her desire when Joo Won leaned over to ask about whether they had kissed. She explained that he had recited the same rhymn in a bid to control his desire too out of respect for her. I was laughing when the 21 year old Joo Won, expressed shock and disbelief at this piece of news.

Ep 19 also provided the explanation of how Ra Im's father died to save Joo Won. It was most touching to see the rescue scene. Really, Hyun Bin's acting brought tears to my eyes. He can sell me a plain stone and pass it off as a precious diamond and I will buy it. Gosh! He is that good!!!

Joo Won regained his lost memory even that of him being rescued by Ra Im's father. I love how he tenderly kissed Ra Im on the forehead explaining that it was on behalf of her father whose last words were that she is loved...

Both Ra Im and Joo Won paid a visit to Ra Im's father's niche where Joo Won expressed his love and desire to marry Ra Im to her father. Joo Won also visited his mother and expressed his desire to marry Joo Won. I LOVE how he put it:" I have spent 34 years of my life being your son, now I am going to spend the rest of my life being her husband." That clearly spelt out his intent and emphasis on priority.

Finally, 2 interesting and curious notes:

1) A Young had a dream. We all know how accurate her dreams had been. She dreamt that in front of a tall black gate, 3 children dressed in white with tears in their eyes. Joo Won was at the side with his hands over his mouth and tears rolling down. Ra Im was bawling... What does that mean? I see triplets in Ep 20! Woo Hoo!!!

2) Joo Won apologised to Ra Im's father when Ra Im and Joo Won visited his niche. Apparently, Joo won had visited Ra Im's father's funeral wake but did not get to pass his last words to Ra Im. Hmmm... why, what happened? I wonder whether Joo Won's mother have a part to play in this.

Sigh... Ep 20 is airing in less than 7 hours! I want to hear what you think about it. Let's talk about Secret Garden...

MIshounen Produce Chapter 17

Dear Fans of Mishounen Produce,

Next chapter will be the last chapter of Mishounen Produce. Wow! I didn't see that coming. I thought there can be further development but the mangaka wants to start something new or take a break...

Anyways, here's the latest chapter.

This chapter begins with a conversation between Kousei and Kako when they were children. Kako, dressed in a new dress, blushing, asked Kousei whether she looked pretty. Kousei replied a brisk "No" and quickly turned away. Unbeknownst to Kako, Kousei was blushing...

Back to the current, after her sucessful audition, Kako went backstage to find Kousei who had helped her earlier. She could not find him...

She saw Roi kun and asked whether he saw Kousei. Roi kun told her he had not seen him. He asked whether something had happened as Kousei was not home yesterday.

Kako went to the Producer to look for Kousei. The Producer replied that he did not see him too.

Roi told Kako not to worry as Kousei was only away for 1 day. He asked Kako how Kousei was when she last met him.

Kako was reminded of Kousei telling her that she looked very pretty then... She thought that Kousei behaved very differently from his usual self.

Scene switches to Bright Productions. Kako was given her schedule for the day. She was to prepare for a shoot...

Back at the Producer's office. Kousei turned up and the Producer told him that Kako, the bespectacled girl was looking for him. Kousei corrected the Producer and told him that Kako was no longer the bespectacled girl.

Furthermore, Kousei thanked the Producer for his support and help in the past. However, from now onwards he would...

Scene switches to Kako at the dressing room. Shinobu san was in the same room waiting. Kako broke the silence and commented that it looked like they would be working together. Kako asked whether Shinobu was there to audition for a student role? Shinobu told her she didn't think it was an audition but more like was invited to test for the role.

Shinobu told Kako that if they were to appear for an audition, Kako would not be her match. Intimidated, Kako asked what is she in for. Tomoe who heard the conversation and just entered the room told her that this audition is for a Bright's Production movie...

Upon seeing Tomoe, Shinobu pushed Kako aside and flew to Tomoe's side. Giving him her radiant smile, Shinobu expressed that Tomoe must be acting in it.

Ignoring her, Tomoe told Kako that he thought the role suited her. It is a love story between a young man and young woman...

... This couple came from a village and they had been together and cared for each other since they were young children. This story was their story, about them arriving at the city and falling in love with each other. Thinking that this story was like Kousei and her story, out loud, she told Tomoe that it seemed like a shoujou manga story.

Feeling jealous and slighted, Shinobu told Kako that she believed Kako would do an excellent job as she's most suited to play village bumpkin. Afterall, it was just a make-over that cover up her awkward, bumpkin self...

Kako:" What you said is true. I'm sure the character in the movie must have encountered people saying such things to her and her confidence may have been affected. However, she need not be discouraged and depressed due to such negative remarks."

Kako made further comments about Shinobu being more effective and natural playing the role of a bully rather than a sweet, innocent person. Kako asked Shinobu whether she felt stressed and stretched having always been cast to play a role of someone who is innocent and sweet. Shinobu upset upon hearing that shouted at her.

Tomoe laughed and agreed with Kako's observations.

Tomoe told Kako he would not be acting in the role. Kako was curious as to who would be the male lead... Tomoe replied that they had one in mind but he rejected their offer. Now, they are in the midst of searching for the right person.

Tomoe chased Kako off to her work and asked her whether she would like to see the audition of the male lead later on.

Kako thought that Kousei would fit the role perfectly. She wished Kousei was here with her. She would have advised him to take up the role.

Kako's phone rang and she answered the call. It was Kousei. Kako told him she has been worried about him, not knowing where he was.

Kousei interrupted her:"Kako, about transforming me into another person, can we stop that?"

Kako:"Why? Wait a minute, I want to ask you something else..."

Kousei:"Are you working now?"

Kako:"I'm suppose to act in this movie by Brights Production about the love between a couple from the village... Will you act in it too? "

Kousei:" I dislike it that you are moving further away from me and into the entertainment world... I called you immature and attempted to hide you away from the world... I've been so selfish... I apologise...I did this because... I love you."

Kako:"Why are telling me all these over the phone..." Kako wanted Kousei to tell her all these in person, directly...

Kousei:"And because of loving you, I have hurt you... I hate and dislike myself like that..."

"... a man like that is not suitable for you.... so please stop transforming me." With that, Kousei hang up the phone.

At that moment, Kako was asked to go to the studio for the photo shoot with Shinobu. At the photo shoot, Kako mumbled something. Irritated, Shinobu told her to speak up. Kako shouted at the top of her voice:" Don't make such a decision without consulting me!!!"

Kako thought that Kousei not liking himself was too much for her. To her, it was too uncharacteristic of him... Shinobu, shocked by Kako's behaviour, timidly asked her whether she was ok. Kako hugged her and told her that they should continue with the photo shoot and pretend to be on good terms...

Kako decided that she would go to Kousei and talked to him. She would let him know her feelings.

Kako approached Tomoe to let him know her intent of leaving and not staying to view the audition...

At that moment, the interviewer called for the next candidate...

Interviewer:" Ok.. Next is Yagami Kousei kun..." Kako's head turned at the mention of his name...

Kousei:" I've been told I became an actor because of my relationship with certain person. Now, I would like to depend on my own ability."

Judge 1: "Aren't you Yagami kun from Jumon Boy...?"

Judge 2:"Why are you without a manager or representing company? And what's with your attire?"

Meanwhile a shocked Kako stared on....

Kousei:"There is no point being accepted and celebrated when I'm hiding behind a mask. This is a story about a country bumpkin conquering the world!"

Nice Chapter! I like how both Kousei and Kako came to accept their identities separately. Can't help but find the drawings of the bishounens arresting! Sigh... this series will end with the next chapter... I'm going to miss the two bishounens.

Updates!

Hi All!

Been so busy with watching Korean drama series and work. I have neglected my manga summaries. Sorry...

Anyways, here is a list of summaries to come:

1) Kinkyori Renai

(Yes, I've just acquired the missing chapters. The coming chapters will reveal more of Haruka's past especially his relationship with his father!)

2) Pure Love Labyrinth

3) Mishounen Produce

(It is coming to an end!)

4) Kami-sama Hajimemashita

These few will keep me busy over the next 2 weeks. Hope to get one of the summaries out before the end of the week.

迷雾中的蝴蝶/Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru Chapter 21

Hi All,

This is the latest chapter of KwUwA. Sigh... it is rather short but shows us how Aki is coping thus far...

When Aki woke up, he looked around and thought that he was in hell. Around him were empty cans of beer and bottles of liquor. He saw half-played board game sets. And Shun's sleeping form... He eyes settled on something gross beside Shun's sleeping face... Aki could not stomach the sight. He made a dash to the toilet and threw up...

He tried to recall what happened. He remembered losing the game to Shun. He commented then that even in the game of life, he could not read the situation.. Aki continued to mumble to himself that he had carelessly changed his occupation to become a stay-home man and had to run away from suspicion of tax evasion...

Aki used his leg to nudge Shun to wake up. The phone rang. It was Senzaki from Takagi office. Shun had invited him over to clean up the house.

Aki let him in. Senzaki mentioned that he would need about 2 hours to finish cleaning. Aki replied that he would be going to the nearby convenient stall. Aki left the apartment.

As Aki was walking away from his apartment, he checked his handphone for new messages and found none. He signed as there was no new messages. Suddenly, Aki became aware of his surroundings and wondered where he was...

To his surprise, he had unknowingly walked to Riko's parents' vegetables stall. Aki commented to himself that he must be drunk. What is he doing at Riko's place? This must be Riko's father and he had just spoken his thoughts out loud?!!

Riko's father asked Aki whether he was Riko's aquaintance. Aki blushed and bowed:" Please to meet you for the very first time. I..." Aki felt nauseous...

Next scene... Aki is back in his bed, staring at his ceiling... He imagined Riko pointing an accusing finger at him and called him a gross person with serious and bizzare vomit habit.

Instead he wanted Riko to say this...

Aki imagined Riko to say:"Are you ok?"

Aki thought about Riko treating him kindly and smiling at him. It was unbearable to think about her like that...

Suddenly, he heard a sound...

Aki opened his eyes and saw a fierce-looking cat. It looked suspicious... Suddenly the cat stretched out its claws... how horrible!!!

End of the chapter... Frankly, it is really short. Nothing much except that Aki is harboring feelings of guilt towards Riko. Sigh... the mangaka is too slow. I hope she will pick up speed. I'm getting bored... However, the coming chapter seems to be about Aki and Riko's dad. That will be interesting...

Secret Garden

(oooohhhh... hotness!!!!!)

At one point, I was so tired of the recent Korean drama series, I could not bring myself to watch any. Then lo and behold, I got wind that Hyun Bin, one of my fave Korean actors is starring in Secret Garden, I was tempted to steal a glance. I never looked back.

Although the storyline is a little cliche... the usual, rich guy falls in love with the penniless girl... But the delivery is less than cliche. Hyun Bin's character insists that his love for his poor, lower class fellow human being is part of noblesse oblige. Talk about denial! To add to the hilarity, a strange sequence of events resulting in them swapping bodies! Gosh it was so much fun to watch them trapped in different bodies! To top it all, the songs of this series are beautiful...

I'm so in love with this drama. Love the sense of humour, special little moments (eg. the walks he takes imagining she is beside him, how the titles of his books form a poem...). This series is really made for die hard romantics! Most importantly, the chemistry between the 2 leads is sizzling hot!

Here's one of my fave MV from Secret Garden.

迷雾中的蝴蝶/Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru Chapter 20

Dear fans of this series,

I apologise for the long wait and the long exodus. With this, I hope my momentum for summarising manga series will pick up.

The chapter begins with Shinya's perspective of the past. This is back to before Shinya was Crude Play's bass player.

Shinya was in the recording studio with Takagi. Shinya recalled that the first time he heard Aki's music, he was 17 years old. Takagi handed to Shinya a copy of Crude Play's song and asked whether he could help to play this song's bass.

At that time, Shinya's job was to listen to debut songs of newcomers. As he listened to Crude Play's demo tape, he commented that Aki was a good bass player. Takagi commented that Aki was 18 and of the same age as Shinya. Shinya corrected Takagi. He clarified that he was 17 and Aki is one year his senior. Shinya recalled that he was probably feeling competitive towards Aki even during then.

Takagi continued to ask Shinya what he thought of the song. Shinya told him he thought that Aki was very talented and that the song would sell well. Takagi brushed him aside and told him that he wasn't asking about that but his feelings about the song. Shinya wondered about Takagi's intentions...

Takagi pressed and asked Shinya why it is so difficult for him to answer that question. Shinya replied that he love the song and asked whether that was the answer Takagi was asking for.

Takagi ignored his outburst. He exclaimed that it was great that Shinya love the piece so much. Shinya replied that it is not important whether he love the song or not. Takagi explained that it is very important as he believed that the person who really loved the song should play it.

As Shinya observed Takagi's behaviour, he thought that the reason why Takagi was surrounded by people was because of his enthusiasm towards music...

Takagi told Shinya to listen to the whole song thoroughly. Shinya commented that Takagi seemed to really like the song very much.

Shinya remembered that at that time, Takagi looked really proud and satisfied. As Shinya listened to Aki's song, he commented that Aki was really very talented and gifted.

At that time, Shinya put in all his effort to play that piece as best as he could...

...it was his way of showing his love and appreciation for the song.

The first time Shinya met Aki, he could tell that Aki seemed uncomfortable. Shinya thought it was because Aki did not like the way he played his song. Shinya tried to experiment other ways of expressing the song to get Aki's satisfaction. He told Aki, he would play until Aki was satisfied.

Aki responded by asking Shinya whether he could do him a favour. Shinya gladly replied that he would do anything.

Aki asked Shinya to replace him as a member of Crude Play as he would never perform again. Shinya was shocked...

Takagi told Shinya that things turned out well afterall. He felt that Aki would be puffed up if everything went well for him. Takagi added that this humbling encounter may help Aki to write better music.

As Shinya listened to Takagi, he thought why no one bothered to ask him about his feelings.

Shinya thought that he was but an instrument that was selected to help cultivate a genius; he was the "hateful" character.

Shinya recalled that when Crude Play gave their debut performance, fans were screaming for Aki. They shouted that Aki was better. Aki fans had followed him since before the group was talent-scouted by Takagi.

...although he was not welcomed and loved, yet Shinya had to force himself to go out and perform...

The third single was Crude Play's number 1 single. And Crude Play became number 1 because of that song.

Shinya recalled that it was about that time that Mr Taki passed away. Mr Taki was a famous and accomplished bass player...

Shinya noted that although many famous stars appeared at his funeral, the media did not report this event. Shinya could not help but think that Mr Taki died an unknown hero.

Mr Taki left messages to many people including Shinya. Shinya looked into the note and saw the message for him:

" Shinya

Find your partners"

Since then, Shinya had been planning for his new band. Whether the name of the band is in English or Japanese, the letters must come before Crude Play. Shinya has also been scouting for a lead singer, someone better that Shun of Crude Play...

Shinya thought that no matter how talented Aki was. The band would not be so popular without a good singer. In one their practice sessions, Shinya could not help but conclude that Shun was a very good singer... Takagi laughed and commented that Shun has very good showmanship. Shinye concluded that would make Takagi the genius of spotting talented people.

At that time, Aki's music was about friends, family and day to day events. Shinya wondered whether Takagi introduced his own lover to Aki to help him further his music-writing career (to help him find love and write about love).

Shinya could not help but wonder whether to Takagi, Aki was that important.

Shinya continued to wonder whether Takagi planned everything. To introduce Aki to love using his own lover and to forcefully take her away from him so that he would experience a broken heart. And all this to help Aki write better songs... He wondered whether Riko was part of Takagi's plan to help Aki write better songs...

Shinya recalled the time when Riko took his hand and agreed to be his protege, he was so excited and happy then.

He recalled Aki stating that Riko is his girlfriend... Shinya thought that he would have to break them up. He absolutely MUST break them up...

What an interesting chapter! Takagi is such a scary character. Manipulative and crazy. I have no pity for Shinya. Although he was made used of by Takagi to further Aki's talents, Shinya had a choice. No one put a gun to his head and forced him to be Crude Play's bass player. Shinya is responsible for his choice and not Aki.

I hope Shinya will not end up the ultimate villian.

In any case, the story is picking up. Shinya has declared his intentions of breaking Aki and Riko up. Show time...