Daring Bakers cake, Korean HYD, Dollhouse
Mar. 1st, 2009 02:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarea
I can finally reveal this month's Daring Bakers challenge: a Chocolate Valentino cake. It had 3, and only 3, ingredients: chocolate, butter, and eggs. You might guess it was a pretty rich dessert. <g> It's probably one of the very rare times I've ever enjoyed batter (I might as well confess -- I don't like cookie dough either!). More details here. I got a great shot of melty chocolate goodness.
Dollhouse ep 3: Thought it was a fairly interesting storyline, probably the best written of the 3 so far (and done by Jed & Maurissa). I liked the reveal of Agent what's-his-face's contact being a doll (though I don't get why he tagged him as a target in the first place), and the budding friendship Echo and Sienna (?) have started. I always thought the premise had Echo being the one to regain sentience, not all the dolls (the former meant there was something special about her; the latter means there's something wrong with thep programming), but from the last scene of Sienna happily veering toward Echo and Echo subtly shaking her head and Sienna understanding it, it seems that it's not just limited to Echo. Still, that last scene bothered me, because there's been no hints of Echo realizing, herself, what was going on -- so why would she do that (make the gesture)? It doesn't really make any sense.
The show's premise is also rather limiting in the same way that Prison Break was limiting -- once Echo regains sentience, what happens to Dollhouse? Is she going to be like Sydney, where she pretends to be a doll but really isn't one? Once you've broken out of prison, where else is there to go? Of course, Prison Break is still on the air (I think?) and they did go more than one season, so what do I know.
And finally, do the people who sign up for this gig know that they could die? Because I'm not really sure how many desperate people would sign up for something like this, or why.
All sets of Buffy except S1 have officially sold, which means that I can stop feeling that twinge of guilt for buying a whole other Buffy set just because I want to save shelf space. It actually went a lot faster than I thought it would; I wouldn't have guessed that Buffy sets were still so desirable.
I've started HYD the Korean version. Every time I watch shows like this, I feel so embarrassed at some parts ... embarrassed for them, and for myself. You know what I mean? :))
I've only seen half of the first episode, but here are my impressions so far!
- Yuki, or the girl who I think is supposed to be Yuki, is ridiculously cute. SHE should've been the main lead! I've actually liked both Yukis.
- It's going to take some getting used to the new names. Why couldn't they have just stuck with some variation of the Japanese names? I have no clue what "Domyouji" name is, especially in comparison to the other F4 guys.
- As with the Japanese version, I find "Sojiro" the cutest of the 4. The new Domyouji actor at least doesn't turn me off the way the Japanese actor initially did, but the latter endeared himself because he was so goofy. However I think akscully said that they had done away with that part of his personality in the Korean version?
- The "Makino" in the Korean version isn't nearly as endearing as the Japanese Makino actress.
- I kind of liked that they tried to explain how "Makino" got into the academy; that was never satisfactorily explained in the Japanese version (it wasn't like she was some super genius or anything), not that I really cared.
- Seriously, when the first of the "Three Beauties" said that her name was Ginger (one of the aforementioned "embarrassed for myself and them" moments), I was expecting the other two to be Baby and Posh.
- Do I remember correctly that it seems they're going to be less subtle in this version with the Sojiro/Yuki?
- Rui is, as usual, my least favorite of the 4. Eventually I grew to like him in the Japanese version, but I never found him attractive.
- I'm curious to see their actress selection for Tsubaki, as well as Sakurako. (Never mind, I've now seen Sakurako ... she's not nearly as cute as the Japanese actress! Even one of the "Beauties" would have been more appropriate. What were they thinking with this casting?)
- You know what's weird about good-looking Asian celebrities? It gets very difficult to tell their ethnicity! If you showed me a run-of-the-mill Asian person, I'd be able to guess their ethnicity with at least a 90% success rate. But the gorgeous celebrities? It's hard to tell. My theory is it's because we consider "good looking" people to have European traits like big eyes and such, so when you get to be in that range where you're good looking enough to be an actor/actress, you kind of look "the same" as the other good looking Asians, because you possess the same traits that make you "good looking."
- I both like and don't like that they're making Makino's family the same kind of crazy that they were in the Japanese version. I really loved her family in the Japanese HYD, and they're almost too alike. I know, not really a fair nit when they're probably basing it off the manga (which I haven't read in awhile).
- No guy is ever going to be as hot as Zhi Shu.
Dollhouse ep 3: Thought it was a fairly interesting storyline, probably the best written of the 3 so far (and done by Jed & Maurissa). I liked the reveal of Agent what's-his-face's contact being a doll (though I don't get why he tagged him as a target in the first place), and the budding friendship Echo and Sienna (?) have started. I always thought the premise had Echo being the one to regain sentience, not all the dolls (the former meant there was something special about her; the latter means there's something wrong with thep programming), but from the last scene of Sienna happily veering toward Echo and Echo subtly shaking her head and Sienna understanding it, it seems that it's not just limited to Echo. Still, that last scene bothered me, because there's been no hints of Echo realizing, herself, what was going on -- so why would she do that (make the gesture)? It doesn't really make any sense.
The show's premise is also rather limiting in the same way that Prison Break was limiting -- once Echo regains sentience, what happens to Dollhouse? Is she going to be like Sydney, where she pretends to be a doll but really isn't one? Once you've broken out of prison, where else is there to go? Of course, Prison Break is still on the air (I think?) and they did go more than one season, so what do I know.
And finally, do the people who sign up for this gig know that they could die? Because I'm not really sure how many desperate people would sign up for something like this, or why.
All sets of Buffy except S1 have officially sold, which means that I can stop feeling that twinge of guilt for buying a whole other Buffy set just because I want to save shelf space. It actually went a lot faster than I thought it would; I wouldn't have guessed that Buffy sets were still so desirable.
I've started HYD the Korean version. Every time I watch shows like this, I feel so embarrassed at some parts ... embarrassed for them, and for myself. You know what I mean? :))
I've only seen half of the first episode, but here are my impressions so far!
- Yuki, or the girl who I think is supposed to be Yuki, is ridiculously cute. SHE should've been the main lead! I've actually liked both Yukis.
- It's going to take some getting used to the new names. Why couldn't they have just stuck with some variation of the Japanese names? I have no clue what "Domyouji" name is, especially in comparison to the other F4 guys.
- As with the Japanese version, I find "Sojiro" the cutest of the 4. The new Domyouji actor at least doesn't turn me off the way the Japanese actor initially did, but the latter endeared himself because he was so goofy. However I think akscully said that they had done away with that part of his personality in the Korean version?
- The "Makino" in the Korean version isn't nearly as endearing as the Japanese Makino actress.
- I kind of liked that they tried to explain how "Makino" got into the academy; that was never satisfactorily explained in the Japanese version (it wasn't like she was some super genius or anything), not that I really cared.
- Seriously, when the first of the "Three Beauties" said that her name was Ginger (one of the aforementioned "embarrassed for myself and them" moments), I was expecting the other two to be Baby and Posh.
- Do I remember correctly that it seems they're going to be less subtle in this version with the Sojiro/Yuki?
- Rui is, as usual, my least favorite of the 4. Eventually I grew to like him in the Japanese version, but I never found him attractive.
- I'm curious to see their actress selection for Tsubaki, as well as Sakurako. (Never mind, I've now seen Sakurako ... she's not nearly as cute as the Japanese actress! Even one of the "Beauties" would have been more appropriate. What were they thinking with this casting?)
- You know what's weird about good-looking Asian celebrities? It gets very difficult to tell their ethnicity! If you showed me a run-of-the-mill Asian person, I'd be able to guess their ethnicity with at least a 90% success rate. But the gorgeous celebrities? It's hard to tell. My theory is it's because we consider "good looking" people to have European traits like big eyes and such, so when you get to be in that range where you're good looking enough to be an actor/actress, you kind of look "the same" as the other good looking Asians, because you possess the same traits that make you "good looking."
- I both like and don't like that they're making Makino's family the same kind of crazy that they were in the Japanese version. I really loved her family in the Japanese HYD, and they're almost too alike. I know, not really a fair nit when they're probably basing it off the manga (which I haven't read in awhile).
- No guy is ever going to be as hot as Zhi Shu.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-03-02 12:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-02 12:05 am (UTC)I'm not using any kind of special player, just watching it right in my Web browser. Hope that works for you!
no subject
Date: 2009-03-02 12:40 am (UTC)What I do like about Jan Di is that she knows, like, ninja moves. I never believed Makino hitting anyone in the jdrama version but Jan Di is always flipping out and doing kicks to the head :))))))
I don't think that Yi Jeong/Ga Eul is necessarily less subtle but it's a little more developed. I think Ga Eul is more interesting than Yuki, actually. She seems to have more personality.
wrt your last point--WORD.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-02 09:32 pm (UTC)I am really enjoying the Ga Eul/Yi Jeong so far; dare I hope they'll take it further than the J version or the manga? And yeah, I see what you mean re: Ga Eul having more of a personality -- though I do wish we got to see her more often.
I liked their crazy boss in the J version more though, with all her crazy stories of loves from the past. :))
Yeah, Jan Di's hair really is terrible. I'm not a fan of the actress, though I don't hate her or anything. But sometimes when she yells -- gah, it's like high-pitched screaming and the bass on my speakers does not enjoy it.
And Jun Pyo is definitely growing on me, he's quite the hottie. And I don't know what you mean re: downplaying his goofy personality, it's still so there! OMG at his freak outs every time an insect appears. And of course, always getting idioms wrong. :)) Also, there are certain shots, from afar, where he kind of reminds me of Zhi Shu; I think they have the same body type.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 01:24 am (UTC)Ugh, the competition is so stupid. Did that even happen in the jdrama? Didn't Rui just sort of accept Dom/Makino even if he wasn't too happy about it?
I know that some of the craziness is there with Jun Pyo but it didn't seem to be as much as it was with Dom! Or maybe it's because there at the fiancee part so I've been watching aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaangst for the past 12 million eps and I've totally forgotten any goofiness.
Do you know how the Yuki/Soujiro relationship ended in the manga? I mean, I do but I don't remember if you know. Anyway, get ready for some lolz when Yi Jeong and Ga Eul get back at her terrible boyfriend.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 02:42 am (UTC)I've totally forgotten about the fiancee part! Sigh. In the J version, didn't D. lose his memory at one point? In the K version, it was a big scam; not sure if they're going to do the 'real' amnesia later or not. I can't remember if that was in HYD part 1 or 2.
I don't think I know how Yuki/Soujiro ended in the manga because I read up to #18 and that wasn't the end. Has the manga series actually ended?
I had started documenting my thoughts as I went on, so here are my thoughts up to where I am now:
Also, seriously, the music needs help. They just keep doing refrains of the same 2 songs, the one w/ the girl singing about hearts and dreams or whatever, and then the "Almost Paradise" one, which, dear god, why WHY do that remake. I really wish Asian songs would stick to the Asian language rather than introducing English into them ... it almost always makes me cringe. Plus the melodies and the words I can't understand are so pretty. :))
LOL I've just gotten to the hockey scene, and I just love how Yi Jeong and "Akira" (do they ever say his name?) are usually just around to serve as paramedics.
OMFG that sushi dinner they had when they carved the fish right in front of them ... droooooooooooooooooool, that scene alone might make K > J.
LOLOL @ the car scene where they're like thinking about what's coming next and she's like, "Why's it so hot?" and meanwhile she's wearing a thick knitted hat and oh, TWELVE LAYERS OF CLOTHING.
Oh, poor Jan Di's dad when Jun Pyo polished off about 200 fish cakes, at least according to the pile of sticks on the table.
Seriously, the best thing ever is the phone call where Jun Pyo is trying to be cool: "Oh, Geum Jan Di? Who's that? Oh, oh, I remember!" Yi Jeong: "It's embarrassing that he's my friend." :))))))))
Wow that Yi Jeong has just busted out the sax and is like, "I'm just as talented as Ji Hoo, only I'm not emo about it all the time." They haven't actually given what's-his-face his come uppance yet.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 04:55 am (UTC)The sax part was the lulz I was talking about. One, who keeps a sax at a club??? Two, who actually decides to break it out to impress the ladies??? Three, what must the actor have been thinking about that? "You..you want me to pretend to play the sax. To impress a girl. And I'm supposed to be a player. Oooookay."
Yeah, in the jdrama D. did lose his memory but I don't think they're going to do it in the kdrama which I am fine with. Pretending not to know her is fine.
Okay, in the manga (highlight): Yuki tells Soujiro that she's ready to have "that kind" of relationship with him (ie. just sex) so they sleep together and that's the last you hear of the relationship. It's kind of bullshit. And yeah, the manga has ended.
ALMOST PARAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE! Yeah, get used to that song.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 04:59 am (UTC)That so doesn't seem like where it's going in the Kdrama -- so heartbreaking when she's there on Vday with chocolates and he brings home those 2 girls. Honestly, they ought to have a whole show on their own.
Meanwhile, the show has ended for me at ep 10. I'm just going to have to make up the rest, I guess.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 05:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 04:50 am (UTC)It's different from how all the others have been... there's no play button at the bottom, just in the middle, and asks you to select a subtitle language (though it doesn't actually let you). Pressing the play button just makes the word "Vickiiiiii" circle around and around and the vid doesn't actually play. >
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 04:59 am (UTC)hmmm, none of the viikiiiiiiiii movies are working for me but I just watched 16 so I know they were working at some point. I'll see if I can find alternates.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 05:04 am (UTC)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB0Y6SaBVD0
Youtube never lets you down.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dramanoella&view=videos
is a list of all the eng subs.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 05:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 05:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 05:31 am (UTC)Watching it on YouTube is kind of distracting, because the subber also puts their own notes in at the top, and so I'm being amused twice.
Like when Jun Pyo is trying to convince Jan Di to go to Japan for the weekend (honestly, who needs to be convinced?!), you see at the top: "Really Jun Pyo, maybe you should be broadening your horizon with some other girls. Girls who would never say no to you, ever. EVER."
And then when Ga Eul is at Yi Jeong's and he ducks behind a pillar so she won't see him: "Why are you hiding? She's the love of your life!! Grrrr."
:)))))
no subject
Date: 2009-03-02 08:35 am (UTC)2. I watched HYD a long time ago XDXD And Meteor Garden and .. Mars, or something. Haven't heard of anything that's as fun as those (and YES, I TOTALLY know what you mean by being embarrassed all the way around. It's an epidemic with these shows)