High ratings and absolute casting got me a whole lot excited about seeing this drama. Unexpectedly, it did not live up to my expectations, but maybe it’s just the high bar I’ve set for this drama to jump over.

Even more than I care for romantic relations are relationships between friends and siblings. The show has thoroughly embraced the loyalty and love between friends and siblings more than it has weaved the relationship of Hwon and Yeon Woo / Wol. That is the factor that makes this drama a winner.

Opposite to what most say, I found the story very cliché among the love stories told out there. What wasn’t out of the ordinary was the little involvement the rival. As a drama told during the Joseon era, the show gave off the usual problems - politics and greed - which are always the root of all problems in historical dramas. Nonetheless, it was a romance drama which proved itself towards the end.

The episodes were very well written, but I have a problem with the slow progress of the story. Unlike other dramas that resolve problems right away, this drama has left much hanging before everything is solved in one go. I thought that with the 20 episodes of the drama, I would find different stories and sides of the circle; but I was met with disappointment with the story revolving around the main characters only.

Starting the drama was confusing. We have people talking and suddenly killing. Although the happening comes to light later, it would have been nice to have a little narration at the start, not for formality but for understanding. But I guess that’s just because of my lack of knowledge on Korea’s culture during that era.

In the middle of the drama, I almost thought of giving up but I didn’t want to leave the drama with a disappointed face. I had to give it the chance to make up for itself. Most of the happenings seemed pretty exaggerated and unnecessary. Not a lot of scenes can be considered essential and most could be skipped for the sake of telling the story directly (since they were doing it that way anyway). Those scenes just felt like necessary in order to develop Wol on remembering herself as the Crown Princess.

A lot of characters could have been developed or given a proper ending such as Prince Yang Myung and Seol. Seol, without any warning at all, suddenly dies. She lived a life of honor and loyalty, but was this really all that she amounts to in the drama that she had to die? Prince Yang Myung (whom I admired the most throughout the series) made a bold decision to put his sword down and die to remove the further chaos that could happen with his existence. But when you think about it, aren’t those that were against the King already killed by him? Was it necessary to die when the bad guys were already dead? Disappointing, really. The only justice I got from his death was his dramatic last speech that was the main attraction of the drama for me. I felt a bit of comfort with his death as his last words proved just how highly I should think even more of this character. Power will never amount more than his brothers and friends. His last memory, the thirteen year old Yeon Woo, just told me that he had to die because there was no way to comfort his broken heart. Yoon Bo Kyung, on the other hand, did show her pride by choosing to die as the Queen rather than dying because she was abandoned - which was good for me. At that point, I thought that she wasn’t as bad as she was made out to be. The real criminal in the story is still her father who inflamed her greed. It’s just unfortunate they had no better way to end the story for most characters. Seems like they just wanted to tie up all loose ends and dying was the easiest way.

Even though there was an important character that did not die, there was no resolution. Woon was not given anything but a loyal trait nonexchangeable for anything. Perhaps it was a fault that they never really did explore his essence being part of the story. I think the best ending any drama can have is to rightfully show the importance of the characters that were involved in the progress of the drama.

With the rightful queen finally wed to the king, the mood suddenly goes to a light comedy make everything seem happy. We were also met with the fate of the marriage of Heo Yeom and Princess Min Hwa. The conditions weren’t perfect, but it was given light that things will be okay with the family hug (which was adorable, btw).

Kim Soo Hyun - what can I say, excellent acting (especially crying). I always thought he was a good cry-er ever since Dream High. This project takes him to another level. Han Ga-in was not the strongest person who could have played out Yeon Woo / Wol but you feel the sincere and strong acting. I wasn’t pleased with every scene but I think she acted very well. Jung Ilwoo was excellent like Kim Soo Hyun. His stare can say a lot. Although he did not have as much scenes as the former two, he proved his mature and strong acting with his playful character that has always had a broken heart and fragile emotions inside him. The rest of the actors/actresses were definitely not the best but acting out their best. This drama definitely has chosen a great cast.

The Moon That Embraces The Sun goes from the children who play out the puppy love cheesily but do give it justice somehow to the serious passive adults. I was quite confused with the mood the drama and how they wanted the audience to view the change of the characters in eight years, but as it was a romance drama they gave what it had to. The show definitely did not hit the spot for me, but if you’re looking for strong love that proves unbeatable to tragic fate, you might just want to watch this. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a drama that will give you everything just right, you might have second thoughts watching this drama. In the end, this is a drama that drew me not for it’s main purpose (the love story), but rather the beauty of brotherhood between Hwon, Yang Myung and Woon.

Kor-Eng: Egle @2pmalways 

JUNSU

To All The HOTTEST in the World.

Everyone!

It’s been almost 4 years since our début already.
During this time we have experienced many moments of joy and happiness, hardships and suffering, but I am really grateful you have shared it with us. The 6 members of 2PM are now here, because HOTTEST has always been together with us. I can do nothing else, but thank you for always believing in us.

Also, creating music and performing on stage bring me the biggest consolation and strength. This year I was suddenly overwhelmed by a tremendous wave. I could be seen drifting inside of it. But I had a dream, I could write music and because there were also all of you who would love that music, I felt I was bound to stop drifting away this very instance.

Thank you for giving me strength.

I will come back once more having developed more, having an ability to reach your hearts!

I love you.

Be happy, everyone.

Jun.K

……………..

NICHKHUN

Hello!! Our lovely and World’s Best HOTTEST~!

You’ve missed us right? We also miss you!
I’m so sorry for having made you wait for so long~ ㅠ.ㅠ

Even so, thank you for always loving and supporting us~!♥

You have to always take care of your health, and you must eat properly!

No matter what happens in the future, I’m really happy to have been able to spend this moment here and now with you all ♥

Hottest, I LUV YOU!

Nichkhun

…………….

TAECYEON

To everyone who has bought Member’s Selection Album! I love you~♡

Using a little bit more mature voice I tried and re-recorded the songs that have been first recorded at our beginnings while listening to Jinyoungie hyung’s scolding, when I knew nothing at all!

I think it has been and is possible to work this hard because back then and now we have you by our side!!

Fighting for the future as well!!

It’s been almost 4 years and I think IT’S ABOUT TIME TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK to our HOTTESTS!

HOTTEST! WHAT TIME IS IT?
IT’S 2PM!

2PM’s Taecyeon

…………..

WOOYOUNG

Soon it will be 4 years since our début. If it hadn’t been for your support all this time, we - 2PM - would’ve been exhausted with hardships. I am offering my sincere thanks to you all, having been moved by your sincerity. Let’s try and do well in the future as well ^o^

2PM always thinks only of you.

Everyone~! You know that, right? >.<

HOTTEST, I love you~ ♡

Wooyoungie

…………..

CHANSUNG

Member’s Selection!!

Thank you everyone for loving our album! I came to think that ah, I really gave much thought to the 4-year-old singer 2PM. My singing and rap from 4 years ago…!! Listening to it once more it feels rather new and yet ah… I was really lacking in so many ways… Actually, at our beginnings I knew very well, that I was highly insufficient, it was the truth and, personally, I tried very hard to shake it off. I’d like to think that the end of it all is the present me, who is still working hard in order to develop himself further on.

If I see that the fans at least acknowledge that I am trying hard to show everyone who keeps on watching me my best form as a singer and even as something else, that acknowledgement, I think, becomes the driving force that keeps pushing me forward…^^ I am really thankful. Thank you for reading these ugly letters. Unlike my handwriting, I will become a distinguished Chansungie, a person whom you will be able to praise over and over again without feeling any regret in doing that ^—^

Everyone, I really love you all ♡

Chansung

…………..

JUNHO

Our Hottest!

This is Junho.

When I look back at the last 4 years, I think it’s really been a great time. The days have gone by, seasons changed, we grew older year by year, but the only thing that hasn’t changed was you all.

Naturally, facing violent winds in a form of many hardships 2PM tree didn’t break and managed to withstand it all, because we had you for our roots.

Even I have trouble reading this poor handwriting. But it would be great if I were able to let you know my true feelings! I am forever thankful to our precious Hottest!

Let’s try and go together as far as we can ^__^ ♡

2PM loves you!

Junho
❤❤❤ 

Being a Hottest for almost 4 years, these simple messages literally took my heart away. I couldn’t stop smiling reading them (especially Junho’s!). “The days have gone by, seasons changed, we grew older year by year, but the only thing that hasn’t changed was you all. Naturally, facing violent winds in a form of many hardships 2PM tree didn’t break and managed to withstand it all, because we had you for our roots.” We’ve been through some rough times, right Hottests? But we’re still here, standing tall.

We may have lost some Hottests along the way, but it’s how the process goes right? The old leave, the new come and fill up that space once occupied by the old. Time goes by, we grow up; but real Hottests wouldn’t forget the love we have for these boys. I’m not talking about romantic love, but love as in respect and admiration.

Personally, 2PM might not know us but their hearts that have been receiving our love will probably never forget us. I want to be proud and have my grandchildren look at 2PM - what they have thought me to become. With these boys, I learned to embrace myself and work hard all the time. I realized the importance of friendship (brotherhood, in their case). Some people may still look down on us but we should look up and stand stall because we survived.

Four years seemed to have passed by so fast, but everyday I get more eager to see what 2PM has to bring. As Junsu once said, I hope that even after settling down, getting married, having kids and stuff, they’ll be around to reunite and just perform to remember the times like today. (Maybe, even do acrobatics. Lol. Just kiddin’.)We don’t have to make sure they won’t fall down, we just have to remind them that we’re always at their backs to catch them. We still have a long way to go, Hottests. Let’s slowly go through this journey together with our boys. ❤ 

If you were given a chance to redeem yourself from death within 49 days, would you do it?

49 Days is a 20-episode drama I’ve been busy with the past three days. I don’t exactly remember anymore what made me watch this, but it must have been fate. Jung Ilwoo initially brought me, I ain’t going to deny; but as the drama progressed I grew more fond of the concept.

Although this was aired last year in Korea and was already aired in the Philippines (by the name Pure Love), it was only now that I have realized what a waste of time I did by waiting for this moment to watch it.

A chance to escape death by collecting three pure teardrops from people who sincerely love you (excluding parents and siblings) by using another person’s body when s/he’s asleep - sounds easy when you feel your world is perfect, right? The protagonist, Shin Ji Hyun, thought so too. However, what happens when she finds out her fiancé has actually been cheating on her with her best friend?

I would like to quote out what dramabeans has to say about this drama, because I think they explain exactly my thoughts on it.

It also delivered the message that ultimately, the value of life can be judged on whether or not you were loved, and loved in return. And that love sometimes comes from unexpected places.

http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/12/2011-on-the-sticky-scale-year-in-review-part-1/

 Jung Il Woo was a hoot to watch; he made death cool, and I don’t think I’ll ever say that sentence again.

http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/12/the-good-the-bad-and-the-hmmm-of-2011-year-in-review-part-2/

The drama ultimately combined a lot of elements and I could’ve cried a whole lot but I didn’t seem to have the heart and just sadly stared at every moment a character shed tears.

In comparison to other dramas, things seem to unravel faster but it definitely does not disappoint (at least me). I held on tight to every episode and always got the opposite of what I expected. As I expected death, the show gave life and when I was expecting life, it gave death. The sudden last twist to the story seemed liked it was necessary but the show would seem incomplete without it.

Throughout this drama, we’ve had the motif of mirrors and circles, both as a visual motif and figuratively as a theme, in characters facing each other across the divide and living parallel lives. It’s a theme that is rendered so poignantly, because it’s a simple one: that life is circular; that life ends in death, but death brings new life; that the way you live this life affects the life you live after it.

In the end, Ji-hyun makes it so that Yi-kyung can live, while at the same time, Yi-kyung helps Ji-hyun to move on in the afterlife without regret or remorse. It’s the idea that regardless of the moniker “life” or “death,” that each is a road and a journey, and that you can’t go from one to the other without letting go.

There must be death to make new life, and it’s the same in love. You let go of your last love, in order to love again. The last scene sets up Kang and Yi-kyung not necessarily to be lovers, but in the position to be able to love again, which is what’s important, and what Ji-hyun and Yi-soo made possible in the way they left the ones they loved.

http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/05/49-days-episode-20-final/

The ending ALMOST brought tears to my eyes. I swear I could’ve cried but for some reason, it felt as if everything was okay. Although things were bittersweet, it couldn’t have turned out better.

Writer So Hyun Kyung definitely does not disappoint. I’d give this drama a huge round of applause.. No, a standing ovation. It does not hit the spot on every angle but the twists and turns of this drama with a very well-thought concept was it’s prize winning feature.

Jung Ilwoo, we shall meet again in another drama.

Yesterday, I definitely felt the distance that grew between me and my cousin. It totally signaled me that I’m no longer in High School. Like my mom said, kami yung magka-ututang-dila (We were playmates or bestfriends). But the times we’ve not seen each other for long has helped the distance between us grow. It’s a sad thing really.

Another reason might be ‘cause of the education / generation gap. Don’t get me wrong. We’re a year apart. I’m a ‘96-er and she’s a ‘97-er. But our educational years are so apart! By June, I’ll be a college student while she (and my sister who’s a ‘98-er) will be a sophomore in high school. Well, she took grade 7 and I didn’t. My cousin should be starting out as a junior already and I should be a senior, but everything got all mixed up. I just realized.. It’s my problem. Lol. If I wasn’t ahead a year. xD

I mean we still talk about some stuff, but it’s not the same feeling as it used to be. Our likes and dislikes have also changed. Then it was just all about Barbie, but now it’s about her love for Lady Gaga and mine for other bands out there (well, what can I say.. I like a lot of music).

Well, I don’t think we necessarily need to go back to our childhood days but it’d be nice to “connect” again. And I have a good feeling we will. I’m not certain yet when but it’ll happen someday. Someday. :)

(left to right) LD, Joharra, Jessa, Therese, Me, Lola, Terre, Nikki, Angelli, Mic, SunHa, Miam

04/21/2012 | Shercon Resort and Ecology Park

Because I love this photo so much. Too bad not everyone’s in it. >__< I’mma miss this class so much!

It’s been a while.. :) So much has happened, but I’ll keep it short. :D

Passing away of my uncle. It was so unexpected. A lot of thoughts ran through my head. My uncle has always been special for me. He worked hard in everything. I got a sense of relief when his corpse looked like he was happy that he has finished his calling here on Earth. There were these green bone things that they found too (they said it symbolizes good deeds). While as it rarely appears and some people are even desperately looking for it, my uncle had a lot. At that moment I thought, “Ah. He led a good life.” Although I feel sorry for their family’s loss, I think he was lived well and deserves the rest. He will forever be remembered.

Graduation - it was so bittersweet! Not to mention our teacher got into an accident days before the big day. It was a huge relief she was okay and she saw us all walk down that aisle, get up on stage and grab that diploma. Our valedictorian’s speech may have the most touching part of the event. It was indeed a huge inspiration to run towards our dreams and discover ourselves. The possibly last formal time I sung our Alma Mater was also a huge thing for me - it just had that feeling. I can write the longest message of thanks to every person I got acquainted with but it will never express the happiness I felt those four years just being in La Salle. Even as I move on to a new chapter in my life, I know a part of me will always be Lasallian at heart.

College. Well, I guess I’m all set. University of Santo Tomas - College of Rehabilitation Sciences - BS Speech Pathology. I’m so excited and nervous for it at the same time. Hopefully this will be a new start for me. Also another challenge that I will overcome with confidence and humility at the same time.

Randomly, I just wanted to type out and here’s what happened. Okay.. It’s getting longer now. ‘Till then. :)

dy103:

dy103:

dy103:

dy103:

February 14, 2012 [3:00-4:00 PM] - Economics Reporting (may possibly be until the 15th)

February 16, 2012 [7:40-8:10 AM] February 20/21, 2012 [8:40 - 9:40 AM] - Physics IP Defense

February 18, 2012 [10AM] - UST Interview (Why require interview UST-CRS? I passed already, didn’t I? /: )

February 20-28, 2012 - Station ID making

February 27-29, 2012 - Final Exams

February 29, 2012 [2:00-3:00 PM] - English Research Paper / Thesis Defense

March 1-2; 5-8, 2012 - Stallion meetings

March 9, 2012 - NAT

March 15-16, 2012 - Grad Ball

March 21, 2012 - Card Giving

March 21-22, 28, 2012 - Graduation Rites / Recognition Practice

March 31, 2012 - Recognition Day

April 2, 2012 - Graduation </3 + Release of Interview Results

02/18/2012 - updated.

02/25/2012 - updated. Things are really starting to come to an end, eh. </3

02/29/2012 - Official school year is over.

03/19/2012 - Wow. </3

Anonymous asked: 26,31,35,39,57,71,99

• 26 - Name someone pretty: Well, there are a lot of pretty people. xD For example Allison Harvard, Jessica Serfaty and Hayley Williams. 
• 31 - What kind of person do you want to date?: Hmm.. I’m not really particular with standards, but I just want a guy who listens and understands. Of course, I’m not going to lie I want someone good looking but I always count personality more.
• 35 - How’s your heart?: It’s okay. Still pumping blood. Hahah. My heart feels calm and open.
• 39 - Do you have any phobias?: Oh, I’m acrophobic.
• 57 - Have you ever done something bad but you don’t regret?: I’ve done some stuff that someone can consider bad but sure as heck don’t regret it. I won’t go into detail. :)
• 71 - Are you a KPOP fan?: I think my posts answer that question (not to confuse it with dramas, though). But lately, I’ve been getting out of it. It used to be my breath of fresh air, now it’s more like a past time.
• 99 - Name one of your ex-boyfriends/ex-girlfriends.: Hah. To see if I dare eh. I don’t want to mention names, and besides, it’s pretty complicated to explain why I don’t want to. Sorry. :))

I’m just curious who this anon is. xD