Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Tae Ri, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Kim Woo Bin reportedly in talks of joining director Choi Dong Hoon's upcoming film

Original Source (Sports Chosun via Naver): [Exclusive] Jun Ji Hyun, might be able to see her make a screen comeback after 4 years...Final stage of discussion for director Choi Dong Hoon's new film

t/n: Choi Dong Hoon is known for directing 'Tazza', 'The Thieves', 'Assassination' and more. The upcoming film is reportedly a sci-fi film and the working title is 'Alien' (literal translation). 

1. [+2262, -129] Hul Jun Ji Hyun, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Kim Tae Ri - I feel like it's going to be so fucking fun

2. [+669, -40] Wow the casting is daebak

3. [+312, -26] Wow it's all my favorite actors and it's director Choi Dong Hoon, daebak ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ 

4. [+219, -52] Ryu Jun Yeol, Jun Ji Hyun, and Kim Tae Ri - the combination is daebak

Original Source (OSEN via Naver): Kim Woo Bin · Jun Ji Hyun · Ryu Jun Yeol · Kim Tae Ri, 'Choi Dong Hoon's new sci-fi film', will it become the dream casting?

1. [+719, -29] Jun Ji Hyun ㅠㅠㅠㅠ please ㅠㅠㅠ

2. [+662, -22] Wow... if it's these members, it's daebak..

3. [+364, -11] It doesn't mean a movie will do well just because they use top stars... The basic is that the script needs to be good

4. [+350, -18] I really miss Woo Bin ㅜ I hope this becomes his comeback project..

5. [+321, -22] Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Tae Ri daebak           

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[SPOILERS!!!][ddoboja reviews] Mr. Sunshine

When initial reports came out about 'Mr. Sunshine', I'm going to be honest - I wasn't that excited for it. Some of the reasons for my lack of interest was due to: my love-hate relationship with writer Kim Eun Sook's dramas and Lee Byung Hun's playing the main role in this drama. 

I think the reason I have a love-hate relationship with Kim Eun Sook's dramas is because I find some of her dramas childish or mediocre. 'The Heirs' reminded me of a bad rendition of 'Gossip Girl' where you just watched a bunch of immature characters fighting for the affection of a female character. I couldn't get into 'Descendants of the Sun' because the drama just felt like it was filled with fan service for romance drama lovers. The only drama written by Kim Eun Sook that I enjoyed from start to end was 'Goblin'. The reason I enjoyed that drama so much was because of the acting performance by Kim Go Eun and Gong Yoo, the cinematography (wow... those sageuk scenes tho), and the soundtrack - to this day I still listen to Ailee's 'I Will Go to You like the First Snow'. So after it was announced that Kim Eun Sook's next drama was 'Mr. Sunshine', I was a little bit interested because 'Goblin' really left me impressed but then it was announced that Lee Byung Hun was the male lead. 

Many people often say, "love the art not the artist." These words are usually used when the artist is problematic. I think it also perfectly describes Lee Byung Hun's career. Let's be real, Lee Byung Hun's acting is critically acclaimed. He never fails to impress viewers whether he's playing an agent who's fighting a cannibalistic murderer in 'I Saw the Devil' or a thug who loses his hand in 'Inside Men'. But it often seems like his personal life overshadows his performance. And I believe with 'Mr. Sunshine' Lee Byung Hun once again proved to viewers that he is actor Lee Byung Hun with amazing performance abilities and not actor Lee Byung Hun with a messy personal life. 

What I was looking most forward to was Kim Tae Ri. I became a fan of Kim Tae Ri the moment I saw her in Park Chan Wook's 'The Handmaiden'. Can you believe 'Mr. Sunshine' was Kim Tae Ri's first drama? Kim Tae Ri has filmed four movies in the past three years and they're all critically acclaimed. The reason I love Kim Tae Ri's performance in all her projects is because of her diction. Especially in 'Mr. Sunshine', she plays the role of Lady Ae Shin - she's supposed to be a soft-spoken lady that belongs to a high status noble family but every time Kim Tae Ri delivers her lines that are meant to attack her enemy, you can sense the anger but her tone is still clear and stable. 

 

I know many people weren't happy that three of the main male leads (Lee Byung Hun, Byun Yo Han, Yoo Yeon Seok) were going after the female lead (Kim Tae Ri). But I think this drama handles a love triangle/square really differently compared to other Kim Eun Sook dramas and Korean dramas. I think each male lead is in love with their own idea of Kim Tae Ri. Yoo Yeon Seok's character Goo Dong Mae was obsessed with Kim Tae Ri's character Go Ae Shin after their first encounter during their childhood and he looks out for her in his own way but initially, Ae Shin just thinks he has something against her and her status. 

Byun Yo Han's character Kim Hee Sung is drowning in his own regrets because he made Ae Shin (his betrothed) wait for him throughout a lengthy period and then she fell in love with someone else while waiting for him while Kim Hee Sung fell in love with Ae Shin the moment he saw her. 

And Lee Byung Hun's character Eugene Choi falls in love with Ae Shin, a woman who is from the country that abandoned him - the same woman who is trying to save that country. 

This drama really resonated with me because I'm Korean-American and the historical events behind this drama's plot is really culturally personal. Growing up Korean-American, I went through a phase that's very common amongst other Asian-Americans. You just want to be identified as American and not be labeled as Asian-American but I learned to grow out of this very sad mindset and have come to embrace and appreciate my culture. This drama also deals with a topic that many people aren't familiar with. Many people don't realize that Korea gained independence in 1945 after being under Japanese rule for 35 years. In my opinion, this drama was able to educate people on history that many people weren't aware of and that many have forgotten about. When this drama was airing, a lot of the comments I translated were about commenters saying that they can't forget what the independence fighters fought for so that they can have the Korea they currently have. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the writer Kim Eun Sook said that she got inspiration to write 'Mr. Sunshine' after seeing a picture of members of the Righteous Army at a museum. 

I also loved how this drama was able to make actress Kim Min Jung's acting shine. Kim Min Jung is a well-known actress but I feel like she's mostly known for her glamorous looks rather than her acting. But her performance as Yang Hwa really left me breathless as she played a character who was only living on with the hopes of finding her mother and to sabotage her traitor father's (Kim Eui Sung) plans.  

I think my favorite part about this drama would have to be the selflessness from many of the good-hearted characters like Hamandaek (Lee Jung Eun), Shin Jung Geun (Haengrang), Shim Jong Min/the tailor (Nam Chang Hee), and more. Many of these good-hearted characters weren't afraid to risk their jobs and lives in order for their loved ones to live in a better Korea and in this drama, they knew Ae Shin needed to survive in order to help Korea gain independence. 

Overall, this was one of my favorite dramas of 2018. The production, directing, acting, and dialogue really touched my heart one by one. You can feel whenever a character was going through a heartache after losing someone they loved (make sure to have tissues next to you starting from episode 14 and onwards). Even if you're not a fan of historical Korean dramas, I definitely recommend you to check out 'Mr. Sunshine'. There's still a modern twist to it so that the drama won't seem monotonous and you'll learn something about Korea that you never knew about. 

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This is a really belated review about 'Mr. Sunshine'

ㅠㅠ

I didn't expect it to take me this long to post this....

I don't think I can rewatch this drama anytime soon or else I'll cry like crazy again ㅠㅠ

And all the gifs in this post were made by me!

I made them for my tweets about this drama ♡ 

If you already finished this drama, help me go through my 'Mr. Sunshine' withdrawals ㅠㅠ

And if you haven't watched this drama yet, make sure to check it out!

(｡•́◡•̀｡)

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Kim Tae Ri looks like a classic beauty in New York

Original Source (MyDaily via Naver): "There's no Lady Ae Shin"…'Goes to New York' Kim Tae Ri, transforms from long hair → short hair goddess

1. [+5376, -99] Goddess of vibes/auras

2. [+4180, -111] With her matchless acting skills and mysterious image, I feel like there isn't going to be a competitor for a while 

3. [+3755, -57] Seriously, she gives off the vibes of an actress from the 80s and she has a lot of charm from many sides.... She has a face that you can't see these days..... I hope she keeps having a long run like this

4. [+1934, -62] Rather than saying she's pretty, she has a beautiful vibe ㅠㅠ I really like her 

5. [+1156, -65] The short hair really matches her ㅠㅠ She looks modern

6. [+322, -7] To be honest, I feel like Kim Tae Ri's pronunciation and vocalization is matchless      

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[SPOILERS!!!][Mr. Sunshine Roundup] Episode 24 (finale)

Original Source (Star News via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' Honorable sad ending..Kim Tae Ri joins the national independence army in Manchuria

Nationwide ratings for episode 24 (finale): 18.129% (cr. Nielsen Korea)

1. [+11650, -27] Thank you to the ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the country... And thank you to the actors for their enthusiastic performance.. 

2. [+5585, -32] I was happy because I was able to watch the drama 'Mr. Sunshine' and because I was able to feel it. I sincerely thank all the people involved 

3. [+5361, -46] A country where because they looked down on skills, looked down on the army, the ordinary people stepped in, grabbed guns and taught them, and volunteered in the front lines and died.... It's not so different from now.... I hope they pull out the chinilpas at least now so that they can release our ancestors' sorrow.... ㅜㅜ

4. [+3556, -30] It was sad and tragic.

5. [+2465, -109] Aren't they hanging the flag up backwards because the country was robbed? The day we take it (the country) back, the country will stand straight and the flag will stand straight.. Do you think they did that without knowing? In this type of masterpiece..

6. [+1591, -4] The thing I liked the best about this drama was the part where not only did they make a detailed reference to the Five Eulsa Traitors but also the Seven Jeongmi Traitors. I think that many people probably don't exactly know the Five Eulsa Traitors and probably don't know the Seven Jeongmi Traitors even more. Instead, I think it's important to take shameful history and teach us not to repeat that. 

7. [+1572, -8] This was the best drama of my life.. It was more vivid, beautiful, and heart-aching than any historical movie. While watching the drama, it was my first time thinking about the country. The actors' acting.. And the cinematography plus the directing and the subject matter.. It's a work of art that won't exist again!! Bravo!!

8. [+1486, -9] Until the ending, the drama was to the point where it was the best drama of the year but after the ending, it looks like it's a life drama. The lingering is no joke. During the scene where the train was separating, Kim Tae Ri's sobbing and Lee Byung Hun's acting is really engraved into my mind. And Goo Dong Mae and Kim Hee Sung's last moment was really like that life. Goo Dong Mae was a sad life but because he lived a life where people trampled over anyone and killed them it was sad but it ended pitifully. Kim Hee Sung lived a life where he was confined by his ancestor's wrongdoing so he lived while trying to atone for the wrongdoings but in the end, unlike his ancestors, he died beautifully like his life with nothing in return ㅠㅠ 

9. [+1348, -6] The captions at the end, "See you again in our country that becomes independent", thank you for letting us watch a drama like this... 

10. [+1333, -7] There weren't any kiss scenes but the love story was stronger than any other drama... 

Original Source (news1 via Naver): Finale 'Mr. Sunshine' Everyone dies in the war except for Kim Tae Ri…Honorable sad ending

1. [+798, -3] It was a masterpiece... 

2. [+430, -2] I would like to thank the members of the Righteous Army and independence fighters who let Korea exist until now, we can't let this drama end as a drama but need to make sure to receive a formal apology from Japan 

3. [+407, -2] Only Ae Shin survived but Yoo Jin, Dong Mae, Yang Hwa, and Hee Sung are all precious and are all alive in my heart. Starting from Righteous Army leader Hwang Eun San to Gunner Jang, Haman-daek, Haengrang, and all the Righteous Army members whose name we don't know, thank you. Those people are the history itself.. Goodbye.. See you again.. 

4. [+300, -4] This is the all-time best drama of my forty year life, it deserves to be called a drama

5. [+237, -1] I think it'll be hard for me to re-watch the last episode. Because my heart hurts..

6. [+56, -1] It's the best drama of all time, no it's passes a drama and it's a movie. It's a really deep drama that made me realize that Japan was a country like that and thanks to the members of the Righteous Army, we're able to live in a country that regained its independence, thank you 

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Oh my goodness...

My heart...

I'll try to upload my review on this drama by the end of this week, I need time to recuperate ㅠㅠ

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me ㅠㅠ ♡

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[SPOILERS!!!][Mr. Sunshine Roundup] Episode 23

Original Source (X Sports News via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' Kim Min Jung x Shin Jung Geun x Lee Jung Eun die...Kim Tae Ri ♥ Lee Byung Hun have a sad reunion

Nationwide ratings for episode 23: 15.419% (cr. Nielsen Korea)

1. [+7670, -37] I cried the whole time while watching. Especially during Haengrang, Haman-daek, and the palanquin carriers' ending.. They were on their way while risking their lives but how can they go with such bright faces. Even if it was a hopeless country, we're currently living in a hopeful country because at that time, you risked your lives and protected [the country]. Although it's just a drama, because of it, it's being carved into my heart... Thank you

2. [+5177, -96] It's not patriotic, I think of writer Kim Eun Sook who wrote a drama like this to be a patriot... It's such an amazing work that makes you feel a lot of things differently compared to her other works

3. [+3370, -36] Don't come to Jeju Island while raising your rising sun flag. Make them all sit down and play this drama. (t/n: Jeju Island is holding a international fleet review and the Korean public are criticizing Japan because they said they're going to bring their fleets that carry the rising sun flag. You can read about it here - X)

4. [+2577, -35] All the atrocities are too cruel and painful ㅡ In the middle, there was an ad for Asahi,, Miniso sponsorship,, that was more painful

5. [+2237, -26] They should've at least let Haengrang and Haman-daek hold hands at the end ㅠㅠ It's so cruel and sad ㅠ

Original Source (Sports Seoul via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' Kim Min Jung's sad death, even the living room cried…Ranked in 1st place among shows that aired at the same time

1. [+1115, -8] I can't picture Kudo Hina as anyone but Kim Min Jung. She's really graceful and charming. You're the best!  

↪ [+15, -0] Let's call her Lee Yang Hwa ㅜㅜ (t/n: This is the character's real name)

2. [+687, -10] Kim Min Jung did a good job at being a perfect match as the character Lee Yang Hwa, a really cool character who knows how to quietly, confidently, and clearly appeal her intentions

3. [+526, -15] From her time as a child actor and up to now, she's doing a good job with her acting career with no issues and because she's pretty, she's an actor I'm quite fond of... She was seriously just Lee Yang Hwa herself

4. [+371, -10] Min Jung who was just Kudo Hina herself! She was cool because she knew when to step back in front of love! I won't forget how Hina was passionate in every moment. Hina was beautiful in every moment. Thanks for the hard work!

5. [+203, -6] I hoped that everyone would survive, I'm just sad..

Original Source (Sports Chosun via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' The five main leads, the heavy resonance that going towards the end 'Emotional'

1. [+1554, -14] It doesn't feel like a drama.. it feels like I'm watching history, I'm grateful to the members of the Righteous Army who risked their lives to protect the country, I feel like the pain that's cutting into my heart is going to last for a long time 

2. [+787, -4] When Ae Shin sobbed after seeing Jang Seung Goo's hand, I cried with her ㅠㅠ

3. [+559, -6] Hina is such a sad character... ㅠㅠ 

4. [+291, -11] I hope Eugene doesn't die ㅠㅠㅠ I hope every lives 

5. [+239, -11] Please.. please don't die and live 

6. [+168, -0] When the older members of the Righteous Army died, I sobbed - fuck what kind of drama is this ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Seriously, we're all busy with our lives but we can't forget about this painful history ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ 

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[SPOILERS!!!][Mr. Sunshine Roundup] Episode 22

Original Source (OSEN via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' Lee Byung Hun ♥ Kim Tae Ri, separated for three years..Choi Moo Sung dies

Nationwide rating for episode 22: 16.588% (cr. Nielsen Korea)

1. [+12970, -151] My life drama was 'Signal' but 'Mr. Sunshine' is really.. a drama where it's not enough to describe it as a life drama and that feeling makes you emotional - I hope this drama is exported to a lot of foreign countries so that it can expose what kind of things Japan did 

2. [+9327, -79] Wow.. When he said, "I'm Ahn Chang Ho" I seriously got chills all over my body.. ㅠㅠ Today's episode was really sad in many ways ㅠㅠㅠ it's really crazy, ah it's so sad seriously 

↪ [+380, -3] When the hotel blew up at the end, the directing was insane

↪ [+274, -1] "I'm also one of them"

↪ [+144, -1] Ahn Chang Ho ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

3. [+6186, -83] Our writer-nim who immediately killed off the villain and not cooly.. Seriously, with today's episode, I was able to feel writer Kim Eun Sook's intention to show the pain of our history that it was really sad..     

4. [+5861, -42] It hasn't even been 100 years since Korea became independent from Japan. We can't ever forget their wrongdoings. The members of the Righteous Army are younger than this era's current soldiers... Imagine how scared they were at that young age when their country was already taken from them and they couldn't see the future.. But because we had individuals like them who risked their lives and fought, isn't that why we have today's South Korea? I really couldn't hold back tears with today's episode of 'Mr. Sunshine'. No, there's no reason to hold back tears. For the Righteous Army that fought.. Instead of comfort, I'm expressing it with these trivial tears and gratitude. Thank you very much. I am so proud. Long live Korean independence!!

5. [+4939, -114] I'm going crazy - because they're showing what exactly would've happened in history, I'm getting more mad. Starting from tomorrow, even if it's just my family, I'm going to boycott Japanese products

6. [+2002, -28] Let's not go to Nami Island!!! Amongst writer Kim Eun Sook's works, this drama is the most complete, each and every directing, each and every line, Lee Byung Hun, Kim Tae Ri, Kim Min Jung, Yoo Yeon Seok, Byun Yo Han, and a lot of the supporting actors are really perfect. I wish many people would watch the drama but.. I'm really sad it's a cable drama. It's to the point where I wish this drama was a weekend drama that had 50 episodes.. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Watching this drama after watching a makjang drama is really healing. For the people who haven't watched, make sure to download it and watch it!!!! This is seriously a movie.      

↪ [+179, -0] From what I know, the owner of Nami Island is the descendant of a chinilpa (t/n: chinilpa(s) are basically Korean people who sold their country. While other Koreans were suffering because of being colonized by Japan, chinilpas and their families lived perfectly fine and most still do - most of them are still wealthy)

↪ [+156, -0] Nami Island belongs to a chinilpa descendant. It's not the country's property but their personal property so all the revenue goes to the chinilpa descendant, it's to the point where they receive revenue every day from just sitting, they're living and eating quite well. Because of the drama 'Winter Sonata', they earned a lot of money. 

↪ [+216, -0] Descendants of a chinilpa are the owners of Nami Island and because their citizenship isn't Korean, they don't pay any taxes for the revenue and it goes all to them. Many people don't know about this 

Original Source (Sports Chosun via Naver): "See you" Lee Byung Hun x Kim Tae Ri x Yoo Yeon Seok x Kim Min Jung meet again in Joseon

1. [+488, -1] I would like to once again thank the Righteous Army and ancestors who passed away while fighting for the country ㅠㅠ

2. [+257, -4] For two hours, my heart was suffocating and my throat was in pain because it was burning... Just watching is hard but the people in that era... 

3. [+209, -0] The fact that this is our history is really sad.... Thank you very much to the Righteous Army who fought for the country ㅠㅠ

4. [+140, -3] The Japanese bastards and the Seven Jeongmi Traitors were really annoying and thank you very much to the Righteous Army (t/n: The Seven Jeongmi Traitors are: Ye Wanyong, Song Byung Joon, Lee Byung Moo, Go Young Hee, Jo Joong Eung, Lee Jae Gon, Im Sun Joon)

5. [+102, -2] I respect Ahn Chang Ho ㅠ  

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I literally got chills when Park Jung Min revealed to Lee Byung Hun that he's Dosan Ahn Chang Ho ㅠㅠ

I recommend y'all to check out Infinite Challenge's special episode dedicated to Dosan Ahn Chang Ho ㅠㅠ

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[SPOILERS!!!][Mr. Sunshine Roundup] Episode 21

Original Source (OSEN via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' Lee Byung Hun gives up on going to America..Remains by Kim Tae Ri's side

Nationwide rating for episode 21: 14.280% (cr. Nielsen Korea)

1. [+6452, -97] The cinematography that makes it feel as if you're watching a movie, the actors' raging, enthusiastic performance, the script and plot development that's deeply resonating and even the OST (soundtrack). I swear, this is really one of the best dramas....

↪ [+131, -3] The end where there's a two-shot of Eugene and Ae Shin raising their hands up keu~~

↪ [+149, -8] To me, Lee Byung Hun was just an actor who's good at acting but now he's all cool, sexy, and cute ㅜㅜ

↪ [+158, -0] The thing that's really sad is, it's a drama but, I'm sad because Joseon is weak....

2. [+3913, -55] My patriotism, that I didn't even know was there, was boiling while watching the drama ㅡㅡ Once more, I would like to thank our ancestors that were independence activists. It's so deafening and heart-aching that even during the scene where Eugene Choi and Go Ae Shin were taking a picture and laughing, I was about to cry ㅡㅡㅜ

↪ [+102, -0] The scene where they were at the photo studio and laughing was the saddest scene today, my heart was aching ㅠㅠ

3. [+3014, -45] The actors' acting is good too but director Lee Eung Book who makes the directing in every episode look like it's a movie is really amazing.. The final scenes' impact are always awesome!!.

4. [+2369, -134] Lee Byung Hun is really good at acting~ He's cool ㅜㅜ

5. [+1544, -44] It's the best drama

6. [+942, -5] When 'LOVE' turned into 'LIVE'.. it really hurt my heart. Seeing the preview, it looks like he's returning to Joseon, not as an American soldier but as a member of the Righteous Army.. Knowing the historical outcome, my heart really hurts.       

Original Source (Sports DongA via Naver): 'Mr. Sunshine' Yoo Yeon Seok's eye gaze did everything…'Deafening + Choked up'

1. [+893, -2] Don't die in Japanㅡㅡㅡ

2. [+599, -10] Even after the drama ends, I don't think I'll be able to forget about Dong Mae for a long time ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ He's a really charming character + the combination of his acting abilities and visuals... I feel like if there's a spin-off about Dong Mae, it'll for sure hit daebak 

3. [+416, -7] How can I watch the drama from now on... I don't think I can watch because more will die.. ㅜㅠ I hope no one dies and everyone becomes happy..    

4. [+265, -10] My woman was stolen by Dong Mae ㅜㅜ She only looks at Dong Mae and doesn't even look at me ㅜㅜ

5. [+224, -7] What luck does Ae Shin have~~~ 

Original Source (TV Report via Naver): Kim Nam Hee, the high quality actor 'Mr. Sunshine' discovered...Even his departure was intense

1. [+1408, -7] You outlived your wife for too long. Do you know this? You're really good at acting, let's meet again Kim Na Mi-san (t/n: In the original comment, the commenter wrote it in the way Kim Nam Hee speaks his Korean in the drama - it's hard to directly translate that pronunciation so I directly translated it into English)

↪ [+74, -1] How could he use his wife as a shield   

↪ [+36, -1] ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

2. [+1200, -7] I feel like there's no big or small role. The issue is how much you're able to express it. Making each and every role come alive is up to the actor. There's no separate main character. The main character changes every episode. From King Gojong to Lord Go, Haman-dak and more, it's the best.

3. [+674, -13] Eugene~ this is yours, that was intense~ Kim Nam Hee-ssi, I hope do well in the futur

4. [+595, -7] When Takashi was escaping, he sent his son off to somewhere safe and seeing how he used his wife as a shield, I was honestly disgusted.. Because he's good at acting, I think that's why I'm cussing more ㅋ

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OH MY GOD ㅠㅠ

My heart is hurting so much...

I just need my favorite characters to live and be happy ㅠㅠ

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