Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Synopsis:
Li Mu Bai is ready to give up his quest of revenge for his master and settle down to a life of peaceful meditation, perhaps even consider a relationship with the woman he’s been in love with for years.  But when his powerful sword is stolen from a friend’s safekeeping, China again requires his help to keep it safe.  With the wise and skilled Yu Shu Lien at his side, they must find the sword, confront the villainous Jade Fox, try to help young Jiaolong find purpose and balance in her life, reunite lovers, and last, but not least; determine if their long friendship will become something more.


Review:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon had been on my To Be Watched list for a long time before I saw it several weeks ago.  It was a typical wuxia in a lot of ways: the fate of the world hanging on a legendary sword and an expertly trained hero, hidden love, forbidden love, old love, young love, enigmatic sayings, blood, poison, and fighting.  This movie had one of the most interesting wuxia fight scenes I have ever seen - both intriguing and ethereal, required a hefty suspension of disbelief and displayed impressive stunt skills.  (I believe all of the actors did as many of their own stunts as possible.)

The characterization was excellent and the actors managed to convey much about their characters in few words and eloquent body language.

The cinematography was good.  Many of the scenes were darkly lit, and I liked how that symbolized the plot progression.

It also has great costuming.  I would happily wear any of Yu Shu Lien's or Jiaolong's costumes.

Scenery is one of my favorite parts of Chinese movies and CTHD did not disappoint in that regard; from the starkly rugged beauty of the desert to the lush forest in the mountains.

Black hats worn in the drama: 4-5, between monks, Jiaolong's travel cap, and Jade Fox.

Favorite Characters:
Yu Shu Lien - highly trained swordswoman, honorable, calm, smart.  She only fought when she needed to, she deduced things quickly, and she had a wisdom that outmatched everyone else in the movie.  She was also very forgiving, despite legitimate reasons to hate those whom she forgave. 

Dark Cloud - the striking, lonely, orphan bandit chief with a heart of gold for his men and their families and a silver code of honor toward women.  I would watch the entire movie just for him.

Quotes:
~ When it comes to emotions, even great heroes can be idiots.

~ Fighters have rules too.  Friendship, trust, integrity.  Always keep your promise.  Without rules, we wouldn’t survive long.

~ A sword by itself rules nothing.  It comes alive only through skillful manipulation.

~ The best way to trap a fox is through her cubs.

~ Crouching tigers and hidden dragons are in the underworld, but so are human feelings.  Swords and knives harbor unknown perils, but so do human relationships.

Warnings:
There were two scenes of characters sleeping together and one of a couple bathing together, none of which were graphic. They were well handled, and made sense within the flow of the story. 

Conclusion:
I would rate it 9 stars out of 10 for enjoying it a lot but not adoring it to the point of incoherent squealing.  I do not recommend it for anyone under sixteen due to violence and sexual content. 

All in all, it was easy to see why this is the most well known Chinese movie in the Western Hemisphere.  If you’re looking for classic wuxia with good acting, fighting and cinematography, I recommend Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Eight

I can hardly believe we're at the halfway point already.  This drama could go several directions from here and while I'm a little apprehensive (please, drama, stay amazing) I'm chomping at the bit for the next two episodes to air.

Ye-hwa: Come on, you should live up to your looks.  What else are you going to use them for?
Daniel: I will use it for you.  I will use it to make you my wife.
Ye-hwa: I dare you to keep calling me your wife.
Daniel: You just allowed me to call you that, right?


Mo-yeon: Don’t look at me.  Is there any quiet place around here?
Shi-jin: That sounds like something a man would say.  Do you want me to pretend as if it’s someplace quiet?  You did a good job today.
Shi-jin: I can’t wipe your tears since you didn’t answer my question.  Look at me.  *points to the sky*
Mo-yeon: Wow.  Shame on them.  It’s like they don’t know what happened down here.
Shi-jin: I thought it would be comforting.
Mo-yeon: I’ve been comforted already, by you.  Thank you, for coming back to me.  Had it not been for you, I might have run away today.
Shi-jin: If you want to run away, make sure to take me with you.  It would be much better if we ran away together.


Young-soo: What a weight off my shoulders.  You should’ve done this sooner.  Let’s dig straight into the office.
Dae-young: Okay, stop.  Pull out the heavy machinery.  Team Alpha will begin searching for survivors.  Medics on standby.
Young-soo: What for?  What is there to look for?
Dae-young: Three men are still unaccounted for.
Young-soo: What’s wrong with you?  In this condition, missing people would’ve died already!
Dae-young: The doctor makes that call.
Young-soo: Hey, you.  Three Stripes.  You must be in charge.
Soldier: Please leave.
Young-soo: Again??  Am I wrong?
Dae-young: Anyone missing is still alive.  We do not give up on survivors.  Let’s begin the search.  What’s impossible....
Soldiers: We make possible!


Shi-jin: Where is he?
Myung-joo: Basement level three.  Team Alpha’s securing a passage.
Shi-jin: Tell them I’m coming.
Mo-yeon: I’ll come with you.
Shi-jin: Give me your kit.  You wait here.
Mo-yeon: I need to see the patient.
Shi-jin: The first rule is not to create new patients.  Until a passage is secure, the rescue team will administer first aid.
Dae-young: Wolf to Situation Room.  Do you read?  I’m five minutes from the survivor.  Send down a first aid kit.
Shi-jin: Roger that. I’m on my way.


Shi-jin: His vitals are good.
Mo-yeon: Give him glucose and painkillers through an IV drip.  Wait.  Do you know how?
Shi-jin: I do.
Mo-yeon: Have you done it before?
Shi-jin: I learned what to do.
Survivor Kang Min-jae: Have you really done this before?
Shi-jin: Why does everyone underestimate me today?  It’s either your arm or your forehead.  The forehead hurts worse.
Min-jae: My arm then.


Myung-joo: Are you all right?  Captain?  Speak up.  Captain.  Captain?!  We lost contact.
Dae-young: Big Boss, Big Boss, do you read?
Soldier: Mr Jin’s digging through the rubble.
Dae-young: Bring that scumbag here right now!
Soldier: Stop that immediately.  There’s someone down there.  Sergeant Major Seo, we got the jerk.
Dae-young: Lock him up somewhere so that he can’t run away.  If something goes wrong, I’ll smash his head in.  Team Alpha, gear up.  We’re running out of time.


Min-jae: Ahjussi.  Ahjussi.  Are you okay?  Are you dead?  Get up, will you?  Hey.  Is he dead?
Min-jae: Hello?  Is anyone there?  Someone is dead in here.  Help!
Shi-jin: Don’t call me Ahjussi.
Min-jae: Are you okay?  Ahjussi?  I thought you were dead.
Shi-jin: Don’t call me that.
Min-jae: Why does that matter?
Shi-jin: It always matters.  Are you hurt?
Min-jae: You shouldn't worry about me.  Look at you.  You're a mess.  You're bleeding from your wrist.
Shi-jin: I can see that.  Your foot came loose.
Min-jae: Ouch.  So what.  The entrance is blocked.  We’re still trapped.
Shi-jin: This is Big Boss.  Does anyone read me?  This is Big Boss.  Situation room?  Team Alpha?
Min-jae: I wondered why I was so lucky.  Forget about it.  Consider me dead.
Shi-jin: You won’t die.
Min-jae: I will.  We lost radio contact.
Shi-jin: We’ll get out.  You must have a girlfriend waiting for you.
Min-jae: I don’t have one.  Do you?
Shi-jin: Did you hear that lady doctor’s voice a while ago?  I like her a lot but she rejected me three times.  Should I die?
Min-jae: How are you still alive?  I’d be dead of embarrassment.
Shi-jin: And yet, I keep going.


Min-jae: I told you I’m going to die.
Shi-jin: You are not going to die.  Don’t you trust me?  I’m told that I look very trustworthy.
Min-jae: You don’t.
Shi-jin: It’s because you’re ill.  Anyway, I trust my comrades.  So you should have some faith in them, too.


Shi-jin: It really stings.  Are you doing that on purpose?  Or are you just only good at surgeries?  That stings. 
Shi-jin: I came back alive, but you won’t even answer me.  What a cold woman.
Mo-yeon: Why are you joking around?  You nearly died out there.
Shi-jin: I told you that it stings a lot.
Mo-yeon: I was terrified.  You could have died.
Shi-jin: I went in because I believed in you.  You wouldn’t leave me to die.
Mo-yeon: You always risk your life like this, don’t you?
Shi-jin: I’m a man who’s great at his work.  It’s included in my work that I don’t get myself killed.
Ki-bum: Captain, Battalion Commander has arrived.
Shi-jin: Now?  Where is he?
Mo-yeon: Please lie down.  He shouldn’t ask a patient to come over.
Shi-jin: A battalion commander is allowed to do so.
Mo-yeon: You need complete rest until you’ve finished the IV injection.  If you want to continue the task of putting your life in danger, lie back down.  Please tell the battalion commander that if he has something to say, he should come here to say it himself.
Ki-bum: I should tell him that??!
Shi-jin: Do you want me back in the guardhouse?


Lt. Col. Park: Have you been severely injured?
Shi-jin: No.
Mo-yeon: He has been severely injured.
Shi-jin: I have definitely been severely injured.


Young-soo: I’ll take this to court.
Lt. Col. Park: All right, let’s take this to court.
Young-soo: That sounds good to me.
Park: In an army controlled area and at a civilian rescue operation site let’s see how the court feels about someone that put people in danger.  After we’re done with both the civil and criminal suit, I’ll bring you to military trial for attempted murder.  So make sure to get a few copies of your medical diagnosis.
Young-soo: I'm not a solider.
Park: Is that so?  You men, you of all people, living off of taxpayers money, should have known better than to have lost control of a civilian in an operational area.  Pack your military gear, right now!
Shi-jin, Dae-young and Sergeant Choi: Yes, sir!
Park: Run 100 laps.  Except for the patient.  Shi-jin, finish your IV injection.
Shi-jin: Yes, sir.
Park: Instead, run 200 laps after you’re done with your injection.
Shi-jin: I’ll run with my comrades this instant, sir!


Dae-young: Make sure you count the number of laps we ran.
Sergeant Choi: We ran seven laps, sir.
Shi-jin: Did we run twenty-seven laps already?  My goodness.
Choi: No, sir, that was seven laps.
Dae-young: If this man says it was twensty-seven laps, we stick to that number.
Choi: Yes, sir!


Mo-yeon: You took off your IV.  I wasn’t lying when I said you needed to rest.
Shi-jin: Then you shouldn’t have come.You are my biggest problem when it comes to resting.
Mo-yeon: What have you done wrong to deserve this punishment?
Shi-jin: I haven’t done anything wrong.
Mo-yeon: But you're doing this because it’s an order, right?  You people are extremely unreasonable and rigid.
Shi-jin: It means that rules are being kept.
Mo-yeon: I don’t care much for rules.  I just wish that you’d stay alive.


Mo-eyon: A plane has been set up for the medical team to return to Korea.  Our volunteer period is over, so you are allowed to return.  And you can also choose to stay.  If you do not decide to take this flight, I do not know when the next flight will be available.  Things were thrown into our way until yesterday, but today, you have a choice.  If anyone wants to stay, raise your hand.
Ja-ae: We need to run the patient on bed eight through a detailed MRI.  Please give my seat to send that patient to Korea.  I have work to do.
Min-ji: Please give my seat to the patient on bed ten.  If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on a patient.


Shi-jin: This is the captain of Mowuru company.  Here is the report of today’s search.  We have one survivor who is undergoing treatment and two deceased.  They were identified.  There are no longer any missing personnel at the power plant.  I officially announce the end to the search of missing personnel at Mowuru Power Plant as of 11:00 today.  I thank the medical team from Haesung Hospital and the people of Taebak Corps for doing your best under such harsh circumstances.
Young-soo: Now, the official responsibility for this power plant is transferred back to Urk Electric Power Corporation for sure.  Whether I dig this place up to make a palace or not, I do not want to see any doctors or soldiers here.


Min-ji: I heard that you are good at fixing stuff.
Daniel: You’re at the perfect place.  I am good at fixing people and machines.  I’m good at fixing stuff.  The one thing I can’t fix is... a woman’s mind.


Myung-joo: Shi-jin, it’s the commander, and he wants to talk to his son-in-law.
Myung-joo: Oh.  Hey.
Shi-jin: Did you just hang up on the commander?
Myung-joo: No, I hung up on my dad.
Dae-young: The son-in-law.
Shi-jin: I think you may have misheard.
Dae-young: I can’t trust anyone in this world.  Is this how you play around?
Shi-jin: We never played around. 
Myung-joo: Doesn’t it sound like somebody is jealous?
Shi-jin: Not now.  She’s the one who said it.  Why are you taking it out on me?  You never say anything to her.  My gosh.  You are such a coward.  I have to go get a medical treatment.  My heart is extremely hurt.
Dae-young: Do you always enter a man’s room without knocking?
Myung-joo: I guess somebody really was jealous.  Go on.
Dae-young: What will you do if I really was jealous?
Shi-jin: I will reward you with all my heart. You can look forward to it.

 

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Seven

This drama continues to step up to the plate, bringing great dialogue and greater character interactions every week.

 

Shi-jin: Are you telling us to save paperwork and delay saving people?
Jin Young-soo: Hey you, you are mistaken.  The person who is in charge is me who is the chief manager of the Urk Electric Power Corporation.  So you have to do what I tell you to do.

Shi-jin: The commander of the rescue team takes control in a disaster area.  And that’s me.  Who on earth let a civilian enter a rescue area?



Mo-yeon: Daniel?  Thanks for the radio.  You saved my life. 
Daniel: Then please permit the usage of the operation room.  We have a patient with massive bleeding and skull fracture.  They said I can’t use the operation room without your permission.  I’m about to do surgery at the entrance.
Mo-yeon: It sounds fit for a medical litigation.  Can the nurse hear me?  You’re listening right?  Why aren't you letting him in?  Do you want him to make an appointment or what?  Do you think we’re in Seoul?
Nurse: I’m opening the operation room right now.


Young-soo: We don’t know when the airbags will burst.  And you're saying you’ll crawl under the layers of concrete being held up only by airbags.  Who would do that unless they want to die?
Shi-jin and Dae-young: We will do it.


Mo-yeon: Is there a problem?
Shi-jin: The problem is that the two sites are connected.  If we lift the concrete slab that fell on Mr. Ko, the beam will rise.  It will go right through the other patient.  This will change the structure’s center of gravity. 
Mo-yeon: Are you saying that saving one will kill the other?
Shi-jin: There is no other way.
Mo-yeon: I have no other option either.
Shi-jin: In this situation, we follow the rules of rescue.The doctor decides who is more likely to survive and we save that person.
Mo-yeon: Are you telling me to decide who to kill and who to save?
Shi-jin: Yes.  That is what you have to do.  We’re prepared to save either one of them.


Young-soo: You’re a soldier.  Shouldn’t you put your country first?  Why do you care whether a few manual labor workers live or die?
Shi-jin: Hey.
Young-soo: 'Hey?'  Did you just say...
Shi-jin: Yes, I'm talking to you.  Our country.  What is it, exactly?  Our country puts its peoples' lives and safety first.  That means that when a jerk like you is in trouble we will do whatever it takes to get you to safety.  As a soldier, nothing is more important than saving the life of a Korean citizen.  If you need your papers, dig them out yourself.
Young-soo: This is unbelievable.  You made a big mistake.
Shi-jin: Great.  Get lost.


Myung-joo: Get this guy to buy you a meal if he lives.
Ki-bum: Will he live?
Myung-joo: You're saving him.
Ki-bum: Am I?  Lance Corporal Kim Ki-bum is actually saving a person?  Can I tell Sergeant Major Seo?
Myung-joo: Wait in line.  I’m first.


Mo-yeon: If you were me, who would you save?
Shi-jin: Why are you asking me?  You examined them and diagnosed them.  Now make the call.
Mo-yeon: But you have more experience than I do. You might be able to make the best decision.
Shi-jin: The best?  Do you think that this is what we can call best?  There is no best decision at a rescue site.  We just solve the problems that are in front of us.
Mo-yeon: I know that but I've been treating people all day without structure or protocol.  I don’t know if I'm doing....
Shi-jin: You're doing fine.  Despite the poor conditions, you either do your best, or do nothing and let them die.  It’s either one or the other.  There’s no time to whine.


Chi-hoon: Is it all finished?
Sang-hyun: Yes, a little while ago.
Chi-hoon: Is the patient alive?
Sang-hyun: For now.  But are you....
Chi-hoon: I don’t have a lighter.
Sang-hyun: My goodness, what kind of question is that?  I was going to ask if you are all right. 
Chi-hoon: Give me a cigarette, too.
Sang-hyun: What kind of doctor smokes?  Quit smoking this instant.


Ja-ae: This is Miss B.  There’s a patient here dying from wanting a nutrient injection.  If there’s a doctor that is dying of boredom, could you please come over?
Doctor: Is that so?  How’s the patient?
Ja-ae: He looks like he immediately needs to see an eye doctor.  If he isn’t blind, he could see the conditions of the patients on the beds.  But he says he’s dying of fatigue.  His mouth seems well alive though.
Doctor: He must have gone completely insane.
Ja-ae: That’s what I said.


Young-soo: What’s your name?
Ja-ae: Ha Ja-ae.  What did you say your name was again?
Young-soo: What?  Did you just talk down to me?
Ja-ae: Since you talked down to me first, I thought that you wanted to be friends.  We’ve already exchanged names.  How old are you?
Young-soo: Why these little....


Shi-jin: We will be assigned to the rescue operations tomorrow as well.It will be a rough day, so as soon as you finish dinner, go to sleep as soon as possible.  Don’t think too deeply about what happened today and the current situation we’re in.  Empty your mind.  Just obey your orders.  I will give only the right orders.  Understood?
Soldiers: Yes, sir!


Myung-joo: Are you here on your own account or on my father’s orders?
Dae-young: A commander has to send the best troops to the most intense battlefields.


Chi-hoon: She fractured her foot.  She wasn’t anesthetized when her bone was put back in place because she was pregnant, but she did very well.
Mo-yeon: Your child is very energetic, too, Miss.  Chi-hoon, is that your mobile?
Chi-hoon: I had some classical songs on it. I wanted to help calm the baby.
Mo-yeon: You’re a great doctor.  And you're a great father, too.


Sergeant: Wasn’t your shoulder hurt?
Shi-jin: Right.  could you take a look?
Sergeant: How did you bear the pain?  I think you need stitches.
Shi-jin: No wonder.  It hurt a lot.
Sergeant: I will get the medical team.
Shi-jin: No. it’s all right.  I’ll go myself.
Mo-yeon: I will treat him.


Mo-yeon: What happened?
Shi-jin: I was rescuing people without taking caution.
Mo-yeon: I am fine.
Shi-jin: How did you hear that?  I was asking you that inside my head.  I am very thankful that you are here.  Thank you for fighting with us.
Mo-yeon: Thank you, too.
Shi-jin: I didn’t intend to sound very mean before. 
Mo-yeon: I know.
Shi-jin: Do you?
Mo-yeon: Do you know how long I have been working as a doctor?  Doctors see more people die than a soldier with a gun.
Shi-jin: If my comfort fell short, just disregard what I said.  But, I really want you to be all right, with all my heart.
Mo-yeon: Then do something you are good at, instead of saying weird things to comfort me.
Shi-jin: Something I’m good at.  What could that be?
Mo-yeon: You’re good at making jokes.  I think what I need the most is a joke.
Shi-jin: You look very pretty right now.
Mo-yeon: You can’t see me.
Shi-jin: I saw you before.  You’re a person who is likely to stay pretty.
Mo-yeon: That’s a truth.
Shi-jin: It was a joke.


Shi-jin: I really missed you.  No matter what I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.  I tried tiring myself out.  I tried very hard to forget.  I drank and did everything I could.  But I still missed you a lot.  Was this something you never thought you'd hear?  Then you should think on it.  This time, I am serious.

 

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Six

This episode continues to prove the drama's excellence, surpassing the overall ratings of popular drama My Love From Another Star, and keeping the Empress and I squealing to each other in all capital letters while watching it together.

Mo-yeon: You are very charming.  You are charming but dangerous.  And because you are dangerous, I don’t like it.  Every time I catch your eye, I am charmed.  I hoped there was more time.  So I could simplify my complicated mind, get rid of fear and take the time to think if I could become a girlfriend of this dangerous yet charming man.  But you keep on leaving like this.  I can't get angry at you for leaving nor can I ask you not to leave.  I feel like a fool for having been complicated all by myself.  At the moment, I just simply don’t like you.


Shi-jin: I did as you taught me.  Please be proud. 
Mr. Yoo Sr.: In the path of a soldier, there are days when going to the guardhouse is more honorable than being promoted.  You did well.


Dae-young: Do you want to kill me?
Soldier: Yes, sir!
Dae-young: You can’t kill me with that stamina.  I give you 30 seconds to go and come back from the main gate.


Shi-jin: The handsome trainee, ready for descent.  Descend!
Dae-young: Recruit, stop acting up and descend.  Watch carefully, men.  This is the perfect posture for Adding Friction Rappel.
Dae-young: Aren’t you off duty?  What are you doing here?
Shi-jin: I had to come.  I missed you so much.  When are you finished?  Let’s drink soju after you’re done.


Shi-jin: Do you know them?
Dae-young: I was their evil instructor.
Soldier: You are Sergeant Major Seo Dae-young, aren’t you?
Shi-jin: It seems they found you.  Where is the retreat route?
Dae-young: It’s at your five o’clock
Soldier: You are him.  You are Sergeant Major Seo Dae-young.  You gave us your word when you were the instructor.  You promised to pick a fight with us regardless of rank.
Dae-young: I said when we meet outside.  We are not outside right now.  We are inside.


Shi-jin: You count numbers in a weird way.  Since when is three after one?
Dae-young: I am not good at mathematics!  You should’ve counted if you were that good at it.


Shi-jin: It feels like I get dumped by a girl whenever I am on vacation.  I still miss her, but I will be fine pretty soon.
Dae-young: Little strokes fell great oaks.
Shi-jin: You can’t say that.  You don’t make even one little stroke.  It is not convincing.
Dae-young: It’s not that I didn’t make a stroke.  The problem is that I made a stroke on myself.
Shi-jin: I think we are stupid.
Dae-young: It creates a synergy effect whenever we are together.


Pyo Ji-soo: You are coming back to Korea soon, aren’t you?  I've got good wine for you.
Mo-yeon: I don’t drink with a woman.  Prepare a man for me instead.  A good man.
Ji-soo: What about the man you met on the other side of the world?  He is not your type as you see him again?
Mo-yeon: That's not it.  He was the best.  I shouldn’t have received an apology.  I should have held him.  And I should have confessed my love.  I’m the one who missed all the opportunities.


Mo-yeon: You can translate, right?  If you lick things like this, your tummy will hurt a lot.  Promise that you won’t lick things like this anymore. 
Shi-jin: (in the Urk language) If you lick things like this, I will shoot you.
Mo-yeon: Before you eat, you must wash your hands.
Shi-jin: If you don’t wash hands before you eat, I will shoot you.
Mo-yeon: Why did they laugh?  Did you say something silly? 
Shi-jin: Kids at that age laugh a lot.


Myung-joo: We’ll never meet again, so can I ask you something?
Mo-yeon: No.  The IV drips are....
Myung-joo: Do you like Shi-jin?
Myung-joo: That face says everything.  Thanks.
Mo-yeon: For what?  I didn’t answer.
Myung-joo: You did.  With your whole body.  Just a minute.  What timing!  It’s him.  I’m glad you called.  Dr Kang, Ms Kang or Mo-yeon- I don’t exactly know what to call her yet, but does she like you?
Mo-yeon: Myung-joo!
Shi-jin: Shouldn’t you answer the phone with a salute?
Myung-joo: What are you calling as?  A friend or a senior officer?
Shi-jin: A neighborhood friend.  I'm having coffee with Dae-young.  He’s having an espresso.  I doubt he even knows what he’s drinking. 
Myung-joo: He knows.  I taught him. 
Shi-jin: What were you talking about?
Myung-joo: I just wanted to fluster you a bit.  I’m in the middle of a battle of nerves with Mo-yeon. 
Shi-jin: You shouldn’t bully civilians.


Soldier: We reached the Corps Command but not Lieutenant Yoon who’s in Mowuru.  We’ll focus our efforts on locating Lieutenant Yoon. 
General Yoon: Don’t waste time on one Lieutenant.  She’s there on duty. 


Sergeant Choi: I already said you can’t.  We were told to put you on the plane.  Get on board, while there’s still a way out.
Mo-yeon: Why do you make me repeat myself?  Must we waste precious time?
Sang-hyun: We’ll take full responsibility.  Take us back. 
Sergeant Choi: I can’t.  Get on the plane.  I was given orders....
Mo-yeon: I’m in charge of my team.  Any natural disaster creates the need for a medical team.  Half of my team is back there, too.  We won’t leave without them.
Sergeant Choi: You always do things you can’t.... I really don’t like you.  Do you know that?
Mo-yeon: I do now.  Let’s discuss that later. 


Dae-young: Did you give up your vacation?
Shi-jin: I did what I had to do.  But you can still admire me. 


Mo-yeon: I have been granted the permission to become a doctor.  I faithfully vow to give my life to serve humanity.  The health and life of my patient will be my priority.  I will faithfully carry out my duties toward my patients, regardless of their race, religion or nationality.  I will not use my knowledge inhumanely even when I am under threat.  I hereby take this oath on my account and on behalf of my honor.


Shi-jin: I heard everything on my way here, so no report is needed.  We will begin our rescue plan on the power plant.  Is there anyone who needs to be excused?
Soldiers: NO, SIR!!
Shi-jin: Good.  There is only one thing you should look out for.  Do not get hurt.  If we get hurt, we cannot save the people who need to be rescued.  Do you understand?  That is all.  Return to your posts.


Dae-young: It’s good to see that you are okay.  I was very worried about you.
Myung-joo: Sergeant Major Seo Dae-young.  Do not get hurt. This is an order.  Keep that order with your life.  Do you understand?


Shi-jin:  Thankfully you aren’t hurt.  I’ve been regretting not saying goodbye to you before I left on that day.  I can’t be with you.  So please, be careful.
Mo-yeon: You too.

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Five

Conflicts come full circle and characters must confront the most troublesome thing of all... their own hearts.

Shi-jin: Did you sleep well last night?
Mo-yeon: You didn’t let me sleep.
Shi-jin: About last night....
Mo-yeon: I’m trying not to talk about it.  Don’t you see that?
Shi-jin: Why are you avoiding it?
Mo-yeon: Because I’m confused.  I will try to avoid it until I get myself sorted.
Shi-jin: It is okay to avoid it or get angry at me.  But I don’t want you to feel bad about last night.  I finally did it after hesitating like a thousand times.


Kim Bum-rae: At 9:40 pm I caught his eye.
Myung-joo: What?  I envy you.  And?
Bum-rae: He is walking toward me.  Step by step.  What should I do?
Dae-young: Hang up the phone.
Bum-rae: Lieutenant Yoon is a Lieutenant.  You are a Sergeant Major.
Dae-young: What is the first thing to do when you get caught by the enemy?
Bum-rae: Surrender?
Dae-young: Do whatever you are told.  What were you told to do?


Mo-yeon: I’ve been curious about this.  Why did you become a soldier?  Don’t say because of the uniform though.
Shi-jin: Someone has to be a soldier.  You don’t seem to like my job.  That’s why you are confused now.
Mo-yeon: I think that you are so patriotic that you risk your life for the country.
Shi-jin: What is patriotism?
Mo-yeon: You love the country and are loyal to the country and the people.
Shi-jin: Why would you have to be a soldier to do so?  I’m not sure what you think patriotism is.  But the belief that I have to protect children, beauties and the elderly, the courage to meddle in when you see high schoolers smoking cigarettes, the belief that you wouldn’t change even in front of a gun, the honor of a solider you save that way; that is the patriotism in my mind.


Mo-yeon: How do you know Captain Yoo?
Daniel: I guess I should say we meet at funerals.  In Iraq, Afghanistan and then here in Urk.  We meet at funerals.


Soldier: Our man is safe.  We’re pulling back.
Shi-jin: There’s one more prisoner. The missing Delta Team captain.
Soldier: There’s no time.  This place will be bombed in 5 minutes.
Shi-jin: Then we must hurry.


Shi-jin: What happened to you?  Your call sign is still legendary in Delta Force.
Argus: But being a legend doesn’t pay.  Listen carefully, Captain.  There are many bad gangs in this neighborhood.  And they have no fear, no rules, no honor.  They have no country to serve.  This is your last warning.  Mind your own business.  Even back then and now, you're far too empathetic.
Shi-jin: You’re right.  I shouldn’t have gone against the gods’ will.  A dying man must have been dying for a reason.


Daniel: Do you have any more questions?
Mo-yeon: No.  That’s enough.
Daniel: Enough for what?  To understand?  Or to stay away?


Mo-yeon: I can’t do this.
Shi-jin: Look at me, Doctor Kang!  Look into my eyes.  You can trust me.  Hold my hands tight.  Close your eyes.  I will get you out of here.


Shi-jin: Take this.  Your shirt is see-through now.
Mo-yeon: Why didn’t you give me this sooner?
Shi-jin: Because I saw evreything already.  And I don’t want anyone else to.


Mo-yeon: On the cliff.  Do you know that you risked your life to save mine?
Shi-jin: You told me to save you.
Mo-yeon: When we first met, you said that you ran through a shower of bullets to save a comrade.  About you going to save Private Ryan.  It wasn’t a joke, was it? 
Mo-yeon: So, did you... save him?
Shi-jin: I did.  For the first time today, I regretted that I did.


Mo-yeon: How much do we owe you for the car?
Daniel: I’ll try my best to fix it first.
Mo-yeon: Can you fix it?
Daniel: Even if I do fix it, it won’t be the same.  I regret the things I didn’t do for it.  I didn’t even have it painted.  Nor had had I filled it up with high-grade gasoline.
Shi-jin: Cheer up.  Since this might be the last time you see this walkie-talkie, say your last words to it.


Shi-jin: I’ve been curious.  What’s between you and Doctor Kang?
Myung-joo: Did you happen to meet Kang Mo-yeon here by coincidence?  Or were you seeing her and reunited here, feigning coincidence?
Shi-jin: Do you think I’m like you?  And why are you addressing her like that?  She’s older than you and a senior of yours.
Myung-joo: Whose side are you taking?
Shi-jin: Stop changing the subject.  What’s between the two of you?
Mo-yeon: Don’t think that you are a match.  I object to her becoming my sister-in-law.
Shi-jin: What are you talking about?  I thought you came here to marry me.


Shi-jin: Have you talked to Sergeant Major Seo over the phone?
Myung-joo: What do you think?  He won’t answer my cals.
Shi-jin: He won’t answer your calls?  He answers my calls just fine.  Actually, he’s the one that calls me all the time.


General Yoon: Myung-joo thinks my transfer order was unreasonable.  What do you think?
Dae-young: I share Lieutenant Yoon's thoughts.
General Yoon: I am willing to go into an investigation.  You may report me if you wish.
Dae-young: That will not happen.  I have lost this fight.
General Yoon: Is that so?
Dae-young: You have a weapon in  your hand which I cannot go against.  That is, your sincere heart.  You are sincerely concerned about Lieutenant Yoon’s future and you sincerely do not approve of me.  That’s why I share the same thoughts with you, Sir.  That is why I have lost this fight.  I will lose this fight for Lieutenant Yoon’s sake.


Myung-joo: I am sorry for running to you again knowing this will happen.  I am sorry for running into your arms with all my heart.  I am sorry that I regret not holding your hands enough and not hugging you enough.  I am sorry that I still love you.


Chi-hoon: I have a question, because I have to go to the army very soon.  Do army doctors get a gun?
Myung-joo: Army doctors are soldiers, too.
Chi-hoon: I see.  What if a war breaks out?  Do we not treat the enemy?
Myung-joo: Army doctors are doctors, too.
Chi-hoon: That’s so cool.
Myung-joo: Are you flirting with me?
Chi-hoon: What?  That’s a misunderstanding.  I was just saying an army doctor's dilemma is very cool.  And also, you aren’t that pretty.
Myung-joo: Are you talking about me?
Mo-yeon: My goodness, you have a good eye, Chi-hoon.


Sang-hyun: Don’t you think there is something going on between Captain Yoo and Mo-yeon?
Ja-ae: Why is that?
Sang-hyun: Well, it’s something similar as the thing between us.
Ja-ae: What’s between us?  Regrets?
Sang-hyun: Regrets?  I hope you have a hard time cleaning up this huge mess.  Goodbye.
Ja-ae: My goodness.  He’s so juvenile.


Shi-jin: I’m going back home tomorrow.  I heard that you already know.
Mo-yeon: Right.  I was the last one to know that out of everyone in this camp.
Shi-jin: I tried to tell you yesterday afternoon, but you ran away from me.  Do you remember that?
Mo-yeon: You should have run after me.  If you can save Private Ryan, you could have caught me.
Shi-jin: I am not so sure, but you being angry at me does seem to give me the upper hand.  Am I right?
Mo-yeon: You are wrong.
Shi-jin: Is your mind still complicated?
Sh-jin: I see.  Let me ask you a question.  This may be the last time we see each other.  It’s about that kiss.
Mo-yeon: Do not bring that up until I....
Shi-jin: What should I do about it?  Should I apologize... or confess my love?

Secret Garden

Secret Garden 2.5-3.5 stars
PG-13 for adult-ish content and implied things. *spoiler alert* male and female lead swap bodies a few times due to special circumstances. *end of spoiler* Also, there is one homosexual minor character.
Romance and Chemistry: Chemistry was good, this is a rom-com so it certainly had that element, and a few nights sleeping together *SPOILER* though it was obvious they saved themselves for the wedding night which I really appreciated.*SPOILER END*


Secret Garden, is an interesting drama, to say the least.
I was in a unique mood starving for something fluffy, fun, yet deepish
I stumbled across Secret Garden and decided to give it a go.
If I had known that they swapped bodies...I might not have, but I am glad I did.

The further I was immersed in the drama it almost felt like a modern Pride and Prejudice retelling.
Kim Joo Won is a chaebol version of Mr. Darcy in shiny sequined and leopard print track suits, from Italy.
His older step-brother a Hallyu star,  would do nicely for a for a mix between Bingley and Wickham--separated from his first love he turns scamp--but will he ever be reunited with his first love...or....there are so many possible ships in this show.

Even though he is a washed up Hallyu Star, he's still totally loveable and is soooo needed in this drama!

Also, we have the perfect Mother to take the place of Lady Catherine de Bourgh--who threatens beloved Gil Ra-im MULTIPLE TIMES! (Lizzy Bennet, you got off easy.)

The main reason I watched this drama is because I adore Ha Ji Won  (I watched her in Damo) who plays Gil Ra-Im. She performs flawlessly beautiful, feminine, sweet, yet tough as nails women with a captivating elegance and candor that makes you fall promptly in love with her characters. 

Gil Ra-Im is a stunt double working with one of the most wonderful guys in the cast. It's obvious early on that there are several ships that Gil Ra-Im can sail away on...this is one of them. Caring deep, he easily falls into the "big brother" category, but with a nudge, he could easily fall into husband material.

Gil Ra-Im is impressive in her stunt work, she's an amazing actress, and it's beautiful to watch her swing swords and shoot her way through scenes; though I must admit I prefer her historical costumes, which are beautifully revisited for one episode! Which I totally fangirled through.

She is so epic!

He is such an easy Chaebol to like.
Usually, I scream at chaebols and call them idiots.
He didn't fall into this category...most of the time.

 However, it was the  relationship aspect that kept me going through this drama. It's Pride and Prejudice feelings, and Little Mermaid reoccurring theme drew together a beautiful and complete story. Keeping you on the edge of your seat, as the scales tipped and dipped in various directions. 

Their body swaps complicating their lives, throwing in life threatening and career changing choices into the others unaware hands. It didn't help that their personalities were as different as night and day. 

She is sweet and sincere.

He is heir-ogant.

She's fearless.

He's afraid of elevators.

She'll say she's sorry even if it's not her fault.

He'll never admit he was wrong.

She's hoping for a role in a movie.

His job is on the line...

She gets the audition...

He has an important meeting...

She takes the elevator as him...

Car accidents...

Choices of who will live, and who may never recover.

How can they break the curse?

It all blends together into perfection.

THIS SCENE!
I loved that he recognized how selfish he was being,
yet the reason was also so selfless
 it was beautifully emotionally confusing and yet perfect.

However, the longer they were together, you feel that it is indeed destiny that ties their fates together. 

Just, how will it end?

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Four

Shi-jin: From this moment, the safety of the medical team and the patient will be our top priority.  All team members line up with gunpoint facing forward.  From this time forth, you are permitted to fire back at anyone who threatens their safety.


Mo-yeon: This patient will die if I take my hands off because it is dangerous.  We have no choice as doctors.


Arab Guard: If anything goes wrong you will pay for this.
Shi-jin: Inshallah.  It is left to the hands of God


General Yoon: Sergeant Major Dae-young.  Captain Yoo Shi-jin will be dismissed from his post for insubordination.  Have him detained in the barracks.  I know that you did the right thing as my guys.  I appreciate it.  But the order remains unchanged.


Dae-young: Today, every call my superior officer made was right and justified.  And today, every call my superior officer made was honorable.  I will see you in Korea, Captain.
Shi-jin: Drinks are on me.  For 72 hours.


Mo-yeon: The patient hasn’t woken up yet.
Shi-jin: Don’t you think you worry about too many men?  Don’t be such a flirt.  As of this moment, you can only worry about me.


Mo-yeon: Why did you do it?  You were able to make a choice.  This didn’t have to happen.
Shi-jin: I told you.  Beautiful women, children and the elderly must be protected.  That’s my rule.  A beauty and an old man.  Two were right there.  I had to step in.


Staff Sergeant Choi: The VIP left for the city with his doctor.  The surgery was a success and they seemed please.  It’s all done.  You have nothing to worry about.  Get home safely.  I’m with a whining little baby so I’ll put you on speaker.
Ki-bum: I’m Lance Corporal Kim Ki-bum.  How can you do this?  You left without a word!
Dae-young: What else should I do?  I put a dictionary in your locker.  Use it to study for your GED.  Staff Sergeant Choi, make sure he studies.


Myung-joo: Why hug me?  Why touch me?  Take ownership of your actions.  You said seeing me like this makes you sad.  You're so nice to other women.  Why not to me?


Myung-joo: What exactly did you say?
Dae-young: All I said was, “I’m dating Lieutenant Yoon.”  Just that one sentence.  That was our deal.
Myung-joo: So why is there a rumor that we slept together?
Dae-young: Because soldiers are imaginative?
Myung-joo: Staff Sergeant, is this funny?
Dae-young: It’s not boring.


Shi-jin: I wanted to say this but didn’t find the chance to.  I wasn’t serious when I said some doctors should do broadcasting.  I hope you don’t hold on to that.
Mo-yeon: Well, it’s not entirely incorrect.
Shi-jin: It is incorrect for a doctor that worked to save a patient even with a gun pointed at her.
Mo-yeon: Well, if you insist.  I think you’re right.  But they wouldn’t really have shot at me would they?
Mo-yeon: Wait.  I don’t want to hear this.  Don’t answer.


Shi-jin: War is easy and peace is always an issue.  Perhaps that is why dictators live long.


Mo-yeon: You must be insane!  You used up the business card just to go on a date.
Mo-yeon: But wait, I never agreed to go on a date with you.
Shi-jin: I didn’t ask for your approval.


Mo-yeon: Why do you always want the upper hand?
Shi-jin: Because my work itself gives me the lower hand in this relationship.


Shi-jin: It looks like you know that Dae-young went back, since you aren't looking for him.
Myung-joo: I met him at the airport.
Shi-jin: I thought so.  Is the airport doing okay?
Myung-joo: Whose side are you on?
Shi-jin: I’m always on my country’s side.


Shi-jin: Do you remember my gunshot wound on the day we first met?  One of my superiors told me this on my first day as a captain of the special forces.  “Soldiers always live with a shroud on.  When you die in a nameless land for the sake of your country, the place of your death becomes your grave and your uniform becomes your shroud.  This should be your mindset whenever you put on your uniform.  If you have put it on with such a mindset, be honorable at every moment.  There is no reason to fall short."  No matter how big or small, all my decisions include my comrades honor, glory and their call to duty.  That particular situation was the same for me.  I have made a decision based on those things and I do not regret my decision.  However that cannot cover up the fact that I violated the military law.  Things of the military will be taken care of within ourselves, and that means you will let it be, Dr Kang.


Dae-young: Salute.  Where are you?
Shi-jin: Did you have a safe trip?  I am on a road right now.
Dae-young: A crossroad?
Shi-jin: No, a road.  Just a road.  I am on a road which leads me back to the camp.
Dae-young: Are you on your way back to the camp?
Shi-jin: No.  I'm just on a road.  Just a regular road!
Dae-young: Oh, whatever you say.  Have you seen Myung-joo?
Shi-jin: Is that so important right now?  I just lost my promotion and my salary, too!
Dae-young: Well, you deserved it.  You’re paying a huge price for that woman. 
Shi-jin: I didn’t do it because of that woman.  I made the decision as a soldier who protects people.
Dae-young: Yes, and ‘people’ was pretty.
Shi-jin: What are you trying to say?  Is this why you called?
Dae-young: Not exactly, but I might as well while I'm on it.  So, have you seen Myung-joo?
Shi-jin: Sergeant Major Seo.  Do you know how expensive international calls are?  You’re paying a huge price for a woman. 


Mo-yeon: You look good in your dress uniform.  I don’t think it’s proper for me to say that to a person who just received disciplinary measures in it though. 
Shi-jin: How did you know this was a dress uniform? 
Mo-yeon: Why wouldn’t I?  Girls fantasize about uniforms. 
Shi-jin: That’s why I became a solider.

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Three

Note to all drama watchers: don't watch this drama late at night if you live with other people... unless you have a pillow nearby with which to smother your laughter.

Lee Chi-hoon: I guess we stay over there.
Surgeon Song Sang-hyun: I don’t want to stay in the field in my 40s.
Chi-hoon: I like it.  It feels like I’m on a camping trip.
Sang-hyun: Who is your mom?  Just how did she raise you to be like this?



Soldier: Let me see the camera.  Delete the pictures immediately.
Chi-hoon: You don’t like it?  Do you want me to take it again?
Soldier: No.  We’re not supposed to be photographed. 
Chi-hoon: Why is that?
Soldier: I can’t tell you.  It’s policy.
Mo-yeon: That’s how they are.  They are so mysterious.  They can’t tell us anything.  It’s policy.
Chi-hoon: How did you know that?


Shi-jin: Aren’t you opening it?
Dae-young: I will open it later
Shi-jin: No, you can’t.  What if they are chocolate cookies?
Dae-young: It’s more likely to be a handmade bomb.
Shi-jin: Don’t be ridiculous.  A man can die but once. Open it now, like a man.
Shi-jin: Red ginseng? It must be for Staff Sergeant Im.
Dae-young: This is for Staff Sergeant Choi.  Drama DVDs for Sergeant Gong.
Shi-jin: You broke up with her, yet she still takes care of your guys.  Myung-joo is really something else.
Dae-young: It makes me sad.
Shi-jin: What about me?
Dae-young: *hands him the empty box*


General: As I told you before, I like Yoo Shi-jin better.  He is general material.  I want him for my son-in-law.
Myung-joo: You know that you are giving Seo Dae-young a hard time.  You can’t treat him with personal feelings as his superior.  Do you want to lose another excellent subordinate?
General: Seo Dae-young decided to stay in the army, taking my advice.  I have never lost my guys.
Myung-joo: He decided to stay not because you are a great superior.  He did it because he is a real soldier.  That is why I love him.  That is why I can’t let him go.  If you stop me again, you will lose both Lieutenant Yoon Myung-joo and your daughter Yoon Myung-joo.


Shi-jin: (in another language) Go to the training ground and enjoy the party.  Ask for Staff Sergeant Choi. 
Mo-yeon: What did you say?
Shi-jin: That I’d shoot if they didn’t leave.
Mo-yeon: That’s a lie.
Shi-jin: I call that a joke.


Shi-jin: Don’t move!  You just stepped on a land mine.
Mo-yeon: A land mine?!
Shi-jin: With your right foot.  Don’t move.
Mo-yeon: Did I really step on a land mine?  What will happen to me then?  Will I die?
Shi-jin: I’ve been in this field for 16 years and no one lived to tell the tale.
Mo-yeon: How dare you say that!  You’re a soldier.  Do something!  You’re Special Forces.  Special Forces guys in movies disarm these things with Swiss army knives all the time.
Shi-jin: I’ve been an outdoors guy for 25 years, and I've only seen one guy disarm a mine with a Swiss army knife.
Mo-yeon: See, it can be done!  Who is that guy?
Shi-jin: The guy in the movie you saw.
Mo-yeon: You jerk!
Shi-jin: I'm the only one who can help you.  Did you just curse at me?
Mo-yeon: You just said you can’t help me.  What else should I do?


Dae-young: Is something wrong?
Shi-jin: I made her cry.
Dae-young: Already?
Shi-jin: I’m shocked at myself.


Min-ji: Will we get to see this every morning?
Mo-yeon: If they do this at night, too, I might just move here permanently.
 

Mo-yeon:You’re their boss so you should go first.
Mo-yeon:  It’ll sting a bit.  That’s strange.  Where’s the vein?
Shi-jin: Officers carry a gun.  And it’s loaded.
Mo-yeon: It is?  Shoot me then.
Mo-yeon: Is this it?
Shi-jin: Ow.
Mo-yeon: I didn’t even poke yet!
Shi-jin: If you’re still angry with me for what I did yesterday....
Mo-yeon:  I wouldn’t hold a grudge about something like that.
Mo-yeon: Is this it?
Shi-jin: My vein’s here.


Dae-young: There’s an internet cafe in town.  That’s where our Captain is going right now.  He could give you a lift.  Couldn’t you, Sir?
Shi-jin: Did what you eat for breakfast not agree with you or something?
Dae-young: Don’t worry about me, Sir.  Have a nice day.  Salute.


Shi-jin: I guess he wasn’t a nice guy.
Mo-yeon: I wouldn’t be here if he was.
Shi-jin: I didn’t give up so you could date guys like him.
Mo-yeon: I didn’t date... it’s a long story.  And not exactly a beautiful one.


Ri Ye-hwa: What do you need anyway?  I have everything but Daniel.


Shi-jin: Don't start a fight.  She has a gun.


Mo-yeon: Are you jealous that a close colleague will head home earlier than you or are you sad that he’s leaving?
Shi-jin: I’m just frustrated because the order is unjust.
Mo-yeon: I thought that you obey all orders?
Shi-jin: But this order is not from a commander but a father.
Mo-yeon: The melodrama starring Myung-joo’s father must still be screening I see.


Dae-young: What’s the matter?
Myung-joo: Congratulations on your chance to ruin your ex-girlfriends’s wedding.  Coincidentally, I’m off duty today.  Isn’t that great?
Dae-young: I asked what the matter was.  Was my question too difficult, Lieutenant Yoon Myung-joo?
Myung-joo: Was my answer difficult to understand?  If you ruin the wedding your way, the woman will be glad that she got rid of you, not regret it.  But if you take me, you can make her regret all night.  That was what I meant.
Dae-young: I’m interested.
Myung-joo: But under one condition.


Mo-yeon: Wait a minute.  So Myung-joo, Sergeant Major Seo and you are in a love triangle?
Shi-jin: Yes.
Mo-yeon: Still?
Shi-jin: Yes.


Mo-yeon: Why is this ship sitting here? 
Shi-jin: It’s been bewitched.  This is the end of something when it’s bewitched by a beautiful thing.
Mo-yeon: Have you ever been bewitched?
Shi-jin: I have.  I think you’d know.


Chi-hoon: My goodness.  How can these people who call themselves doctors eat out of one bowl?  It’s not sanitary.


Chi-hoon: Captain you’re amazing.  I’ll go get the medicine.
Shi-jin:  Le me know when he’s awake.  I can speak a little of their language.
Mo-yeon: Thank you for your help.  However the medical team will take care of it.
Shi-jin: You can just be grateful for things you’re thankful for.
Mo-yeon: What are you trying to say?
Shi-jin: You said life is precious and nothing is more valuable than life.  I’m trying to say that you seem like a different person than the person I used to know.
Mo-yeon: Anemia due to malnutrition is rare to be found in Korea.
Shi-jin: And they are as common as a common cold in this country.  It would have been better if a doctor who knew about these symptoms came here.
Mo-yeon: Of course.  But not all doctors of this world are like Albert Schweitzer.
Shi-jin: Of course.  Some doctors go on TV.  I’ll see myself out.


Sang-hyun: What’s with them?  Is there a battle or something?
Chi-hoon: Then I’ll save the enemies, too.  I took an oath to do that.


Mo-yeon: There are more lies than truth on VIP’s charts.
Chi-hoon: How can you write down lies on a patient’s medical records?  What kind of an insane doctor does that?
Mo-yeon: People like me.


Mo-yeon: Prepare the operation room.
Chi-hoon: Yes, Doctor!
Arab security guard: Hands off!  I can’t let you do that.  I can’t let you operate on him.  The president’s doctor will be here in an hour.
Mo-yeon: What do you mean?  He won’t last an hour  If I don’t operate now, not even 20 minutes.
Guard: I can’t allow just anyone to put a knife through the leader of the Arab World.
Mo-yeon: You are not listening!  He’ll die if I don’t operate on him within 20 minutes.
Guard: Hands OFF.  Only Arab doctors can operate on president Mubarat.  Everyone take your hands off and move back.
Mo-yeon: Fine.  I'm not trying to change history here.  But as soon as I take my hands off, he will die.


Lieutenant Colonel Park Byung-soo: Listen carefully.  His life is not the important thing right now.  The important thing is to discern who’ll be responsible for this.  Let the Arabs have their way.  If the president dies, we can put the responsibility on the doctor who did not operate on her patient.  We military forces must not step into this incident.  That’s an order.


Shi-jin: Can you save him?
Mo-yeon: I’ll only know for sure when I open him up, but it looks like he has....
Shi-jin: I don’t care for your medical jargon.  Tell me, can you save him?  Tell me as a doctor.
Lt. Col. Park: What do you think you’re doing?
Shi-jin: Answer me.
Mo-yeon: I can save him.
Shi-jin: Then save him.

ReQuotes: Descendants of the Sun ~ Episode Two

Back with Episode two of Descendants of the Sun!  This episode is when I realized I was solidly in love with this drama as I laughed my way through Shi-jin's snark, grinned at the camaraderie of the doctors and admired the quality of some of the dialogue.

Kang Mo-yeon: If one is in the Special Forces, do you get picked up by a helicopter and sometimes get shot with a gun?
Surgeon Song: No one in the Korean military gets shot with a gun.  The only things that hit your body are rain and snow.


Soldier: He’s going to get himself killed. 
Dae-young: He might kill or be killed.  When Special Forces meet for the first time at a joint operation, they get into their own battle to test each other to find out if the other is skilled enough to be trusted.  This isn’t sparring but the actual battle.  You have no say in this.


Lee Chi-hoon: Mo-yeon, I heard you wanted to talk to me.
Mo-yeon: (to Chi-Hoon's fiancee) We need to talk about a patient.
Chi-hoon: It's about a patient’s privacy.
Mo-yeon: It’s something about doctor-patient privilege.
Hee-Eun: Okay, I will see you later.
Mo-yeon: What’s wrong again?
Chi-Hoon: I lost the ring!
Mo-yeon: What?  Are you out of your mind?


Shi-jin: I'm just really curious.
Mo-yeon: Don’t be curious.
Shi-jin: As if you know what I’m about to ask.
Mo-yeon: You look like you’re just dying to tease me.
Shi-jin: What do you mean?  It’s just a handsome face.


Military Commander: You took part in many operations both domestic and abroad.  So I decided to send your team on the eight-month holiday.
Shi-jin: Where to, Sir?
Commander: To Urk.  You have two weeks off to meet your girlfriends and family.  Pack up and leave as soon as possible.  Dismissed.
Soldier 1: What holiday lasts eight months?
Solider 2: We’re being deployed.  A deployment is a holiday.


Mo-yeon: Are you in the Special Forces?
Shi-jin: Something like that.
Mo-yeon: You said you do some labor.  Having a gunshot wound means you got shot at.  So, you shoot, too?  That means you could kill or be killed.  That’s what you do, isn’t it? 
Do you only fight bad guys?  I spend 12 hours a day in surgery fighting to keep people alive.  That’s what I do.  I fight for life.  But your fight is to protect others through death.
Shi-jin: I'm a soldier.  Soldiers follow orders.  Sometimes what I believe is good and right means something else to another.  Even then I follow orders to complete my mission.  So far, I lost three comrades during such missions.  The reason we do what we do is because it must be done.  My family and I, your family and you, everyone that we hold dear; I believe that I fight for the peace and freedom of the land we live on.
Mo-yeon: I’m a doctor.  I believe life is sanctified and that no value or ideology is above it.
Shi-jin: I see.


Soldier: Piccolo to command.  We located an explosive.  I repeat, an explosive.
Shi-jin: Are the fuses live?
Soldier: What should we do?  If we report this, we’ll be told to stay away until the US troops get here.
Shi-jin: Staff Sergeant Choi, what is my motto?
Sergeant Choi: Go easy and all will be well.  Avoid hard work.
Shi-jin: Staff Sergeant Im, what is hard work?
Sergeant Im: One: sending memorandums.  Two: sending memorandums.  Three: Sending memorandums.
Shi-jin: Right?  Let the US troops defend world peace.  This is our job.  The commander on site will take full responsibility.  That’s me.


Superior Officer: Who was it?  Which one of you was it?  Just because you’re out there on your own doesn’t mean our instructions can be ignored like a barking dog.  You can dispose of duds, but call the US troops if you find a live one.  Which of you got us into this huge mess?
Shi-jin: My second in command didn’t stop me.  (to Dae-young) Why didn’t you stop me?  You know how much I love to write out memorandums!  Gosh.  I thought the memorandum was on its way, Sir.  Why?  Because my second in command writes well.  You’re the Tolstoy of memos; master writer Seo Dae-young!
SO: You punks!  Pack your gear!
Shi-jin: (running laps) Aren’t you glad we got off with this?
Dae-young: Do you really want to get physical?


Kim Eun-ji: I bet you tell people you’re a doctor.  What are you looking at?
Mo-yeon: You.  You aren’t a doctor either.  You’re just your dad’s daughter.


Shi-jin: Guns are not like dogs.  They don’t recognize their owners.


Chairman Han: We're not here to just eat dinner.
Mo-yeon: I thought we were going to a sky lounge. 
Chairman: There’s the sky and a lounge.


Chairman Han: Are you going to hit me?
Mo-yeon: Yes.


Pyo Ji-soo: Did you really hit the chairman?
Mo-yeon: I almost killed him.  Do you think he’ll fire me?  I’m the star of this hospital, after all.
Ji-soo: He is the chairman of this hospital after all.
Mo-yeon: You’re right.  I have to go into a meeting.  How will I face him?
Ji-soo: You should glare at him.  Glare at him like you’ll kill him.  It hurts to be glared at, you know.


Dae-young: Have you seen the list of medical volunteers?
Shi-jin: I have.
Dae-young: Isn’t the team leader that doctor?
Shi-jin: Yes.
Dae-young: Does she know you're here?
Shi-jin: I don’t think so.
Dae-young: I guess you two weren’t meant to just pass by each other.
Shi-jin: I think we’re bumping into each other as we pass by.


Surgeon Song: Hello?  Who is this again?  Chairman?  Chairman of what?  Han who?  Oh, you're Han Seok Won.  Yes, Han Seok won is the chairman. 
*look of horror spreads over his face* 
Oh, hello, Mr Han.  I’m sorry, my mobile was acting a bit weird.


Mo-yeon: Kang Mo Yeon speaking.
Chairman Han: Isn't it scorching hot?  You can still change your mind.  I have many good reasons to bring you back to Korea.
Mo-yeon: No, thank you.  I realized you weren’t much when you called me to the hotel, but I didn’t know you could get this low, Mr. Han.
*shocked looks from team members at her backtalk*
Mo-yeon: This is why I’m telling you this.  I’ve been on TV and I have my VIP connections too.  Maybe it’s time for me to open my own clinic.  As soon as I am finished with this trip, I’ll go throw my resignation in your face, so wait for me.  Do you understand?

Angry Mom / 앵그리 맘 / Aenggeuri Mam

Plot: 

Mother with a troubled past finds her daughter is being bullied at school and goes undercover as a student to find out what is going on. 

Kang Ja, titular Angry Mom

Main Characters: 

Jo Kang Ja: second drama mom ever to get the Black Hat Award from me, and the first to get it for being an undercover punk a la City Hunter, Healer, and all my other favorite heroes. XD Her past and her daughter's present and her family's future are all tied together...she had no one to fight for her when she was a teen, but now that her daughter is in trouble, she refuses to back down. 

Oh Ah Ran: Kang-Ja's daughter...troubled teen who realizes exactly how much her mother has not told her, once they begin fighting together.

Han Gong Joo: Kang-Ja's best friend...the one who knows almost all her secrets, and who is willing to join the fight however she is needed

Park Noh Ah: New teacher at Ah Ran's school, whose innocent view of the world makes him of no use whatsoever...until he learns how to fight darkness with righteousness.

Go Bok Dong: fellow student of Ah Ran's...and someone who finds himself in a very similar position to where Kang-Ja was when she was his age - because of the same person who tormented her. Further complicated by the fact that he gets a crush on Kang-Ja, thinking she is his age. 

The main villains you'll learn quickly enough... :P 

Bok Dong

Cautionary notes:

Be warned: It's dark. It starts out with a teacher/student relationship (one that is finally played for the utterly creepy thing it should be, instead of some of the more cutesy love-lines sometimes seen in dramas), major school bullying, and murder, in short order. Quickly moving on to brutal beating, more murder, and attempted rape in flashbacks. Depending on how you count it, 8 teens died during the drama...and the repeated physical abuse of one woman was a lot easier to skip than watch. 

I don't think any of the above is overdone or gratuitous, though - it's what the story is about and the story is very well done. (I might think it was overdone if things like the Sewol Ferry disaster were not obvious signs that these things are actually happening and attention needs to be drawn to them.) 

Otherwise, there are the usual modern kdrama problems - excessive drinking, bathroom humor, etc - plus some attempts at seduction that are supposed to be more funny than successful, and some oddness, given that Kang-Ja's best friend runs a very weird business and is technically a gangster. (Don't ask me how or what business exactly she runs.) 

mother-daughter scenes also my favorite...

Favorite Scene: 

Bok-Dong moving from offender to defender, so basically any scene where that happens.  :) 

Least Favorite Scene: 

....I wasn't a huge fan of the awkwardness between Bok-Dong and Kang-Ja (for one, she's married; for another, she is absolutely old enough to be his mother, which is probably why she did not notice the crush starting; for a third, mom or not, she shouldn't walk in on people in the bathroom). But the abuse scenes probably were the pieces that bothered me the most. 

Quotes:

Do you know what the fate of the best one is? In Chinese, it’s a four-character idiom “Live alone, die alone”. No matter what others say, just live your own way. Be strong to people who are strong, and be weak to people who are weak. You must be loyal and fight against injustice! If you’re that kind of person, then no matter what anyone says, you are the best, even if you are alone.

"In a land of one-eyed people, the one with two eyes is the strange one."

"All this time, in your greenhouse, I lived very warmly. Because of you, I believed that there still was warmth in the world. Because I had that belief, I didn’t get hurt and I could stay strong until now. Thank you, father. But now I will go out of your shelter. I won’t remain like a kid where my father’s words are my entire world. Because my children are in a cold place with no one to protect them. Because they are in a dangerous place."

"I’d like it if there were many more strong ones [kang-jas], and I’d like if it would hurry up and come sooner—the world where the ones who love more win."

Noh Ah and Kang Ja

Overall:

So, so, so much love for the  mother-daughter relationships and all the female friendships and the general message of moms having power and a;lsdkfja;sldkjfa;lsdfjk

I love that while it has that strong message - sometimes coming right out and bluntly saying it, almost to the point of preachiness - yet there are boy-crazy girls and girls who betray their friendships and moms who don’t care enough about their children and moms who care too much about their children and not enough about others and other women who are simply horrible people. And the awesome female characters all have their own flaws and weak spots. Plus, I adored the concept of a mom going undercover to school to protect her daughter. And it really is flat-out awesome to see her decking the bullies, no matter their rank or place. XD

And, while there are many lousy male characters (okay, the number of truly terrible fathers is a bit overkill...), there is still the shining light that is Noh Ah, who once he decides to step out of his hothouse and refuses to allow himself any longer to be blinded/shielded from the evil around him, is completely beautiful. And there is Bok-Dong, adorable child who’s been given every reason to go wrong, and then is given a chance to go right…the other characters I ended up really liking I won't say, because of spoilers. :) 

I also loved how the dynamic between the strong woman that is Kang-ja and the weak man that is her husband ended up playing out. You don't get a mom going undercover in an attempt to save her child when her husband is any kind of a protective force...but how their relationship worked was fascinating, and incredibly well done.

I really enjoyed that the drama is able to so strongly give its message, but without totally resorting to making it an all-men-are-evil-all-women-goddesses propaganda film - it doesn't stoop to falsifying the story to make a point.

Verdict: 3/5    

It's not a perfect drama...but if you're looking for something different, particularly a female-centric drama with tons of awesome friendships and a beautiful mother-daughter story...this one stands out.