I am NOT 'sane' enough to be coherent right now, so much spazzing, so many feels, so this is another gushing of thoughts and some very minor reviews...cause this Weebly WAS started up for reviews...it's just that I'm in my, very strong, fangirling mood. I have so many feels.
Miss Panda and Hedgehog
Title: 판다양과 고슴도치 / Panda and Hedgehog
Chinese Title: 熊貓小姐與刺蝟
Also Known as: Porcupine And Miss Panda
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: Channel A
Broadcast period: 2012-Aug-18 to 2012-Oct-07
Air time: Saturday & Sunday 19:30
Chinese Title: 熊貓小姐與刺蝟
Also Known as: Porcupine And Miss Panda
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: Channel A
Broadcast period: 2012-Aug-18 to 2012-Oct-07
Air time: Saturday & Sunday 19:30
Synopsis
Go Seung Ji (Lee Dong Hae) is a patissier who has been an orphan since young and behaviour like a porcupine.
He then meets and fall in love with an easygoing lady called Pan Da Yang (Yoon Seung Ah) who is the owner of ‘Cafe Panda’.
He then meets and fall in love with an easygoing lady called Pan Da Yang (Yoon Seung Ah) who is the owner of ‘Cafe Panda’.
Cast
Main Cast
Lee Dong Hae as Go Seung Ji
Yoon Seung Ah as Pan Da Yang
Choi Jin Hyuk as Choi Won Il
Yoo So Young as Kang Eun Bi
Lee Dong Hae as Go Seung Ji
Yoon Seung Ah as Pan Da Yang
Choi Jin Hyuk as Choi Won Il
Yoo So Young as Kang Eun Bi
Introduction
I've always been more of an anime watcher, and when it came to the romance sort of themes, I'd rather read them. At one point in time, I was a severe basher when it came to dramas of any sorts, I was so sick and tired of the SAME plot structures happening in almost every series, but, thought there WAS a very prominent love triangle in this story, it was easily strayed away when the relationship was set. MaleB (in this case Wonil) didn't instigate an outright, blood brawl upon MaleA (in this case Seungji) for the female (Dayang) cause he knew she loved Seungji. They even strayed away from the fact that Wonil wasn't the MAIN antagonist like most dramas are like.
Literally though, the only reason I began watching this drama was because of Donghae, I didn't care if the plot was going to be bad, or if the others acted stiffly, I just knew I had to watch it the moment Donghae came into the picture. I just had too. Fortunately, though , this drama didn't disappoint at all.
It doesn't ruin the experience by making you wrack through your brain trying to piece things together, they drop of easy clues for you to collect to build up to the main skeleton of everything, before confirming most assumptions with the big truth. So this was, once again, another one of those dramas I completely understood fully. Though, because Reply 1997 was a drama heavily circulating emotions, P.A.H can't really beat that sitcom in that field, but without hesitation anyway, I will outright say that Panda and Hedgehog was one of the best dramas I have ever watched.
And it's not just because Donghae is in it. DISCLAIMER : This article will have a good handful of spoilers, so if you don't want to be spoiled, I suggest you leave. Or continue on...be spoiled >: D .
Literally though, the only reason I began watching this drama was because of Donghae, I didn't care if the plot was going to be bad, or if the others acted stiffly, I just knew I had to watch it the moment Donghae came into the picture. I just had too. Fortunately, though , this drama didn't disappoint at all.
It doesn't ruin the experience by making you wrack through your brain trying to piece things together, they drop of easy clues for you to collect to build up to the main skeleton of everything, before confirming most assumptions with the big truth. So this was, once again, another one of those dramas I completely understood fully. Though, because Reply 1997 was a drama heavily circulating emotions, P.A.H can't really beat that sitcom in that field, but without hesitation anyway, I will outright say that Panda and Hedgehog was one of the best dramas I have ever watched.
And it's not just because Donghae is in it. DISCLAIMER : This article will have a good handful of spoilers, so if you don't want to be spoiled, I suggest you leave. Or continue on...be spoiled >: D .
Characters
Maculinea teleius, Aspidomorpha transparipennis, Rhyssa persuasoria, Homotrophus tarsatorius. - Thought it was a quote that was taught to him, he says it the most during the drama, henceforth I shall dub this one of his signature lines ever used in the drama.
1, 2, 3, go!
1, 2, 3, go!
Ko Seungji / Minwoo
by Lee Donghae (Super Junior)
Holy mother of Shisus, le Hedgehog >w< .
Despite what I've seen people say about him, Seungji was easily my favorite character. On the outside, he was often times prickly, rude, or somewhat insensitive, but deep down, he had a heart as or more beautiful than the wonderful cakes he had made. The only memories he could remember was everything from the day he awoke in a hospital bed when he was eleven, a bandage round his bleeding head. He didn't know who his parents were, who his siblings were; nor did he even know what relationships he had.
But even then, he displayed a strong, but rebellious personality to keep himself a-float. Though he loved his grandfather deeply, he was capable of prying himself away from the comforts of the home he knew so long just so his grandfather could take his daughter back into his home. Was capable of lying just so the daughter would even return to the shop 'Mozarto'. His battle in attempting to find a place to reside and work in for a good number of time had been a challenge, but it was a challenge he eventually won due to the cakes he had made.
The cakes that were a far cry better than the pastries made in the well known store 'Saint Honore'.
I don't think I would have gotten through the drama completely had he not been there, or if he wasn't even like how he was. Seunji was the beacon of strength that lit across the episodes whilst he fought the inner battles deep within him alone. Never really confiding in anyone due to his troubles. A diligent worker, this patissier, a very diligent all-nighter worker.
Also, he's such an adorable mess when he's drunk (after like, a small glass of beer? Seriously? That's adorbs >w<) All smiles, shouts and laughter. He sure is a strong, happy drunk.
((I have a vague feeling that the cakes made were sometimes made by Donghae, cause I recognize his hands, if it really was him making some of those cakes, oh Shisus, can this guy get anymore perfect?))
Despite what I've seen people say about him, Seungji was easily my favorite character. On the outside, he was often times prickly, rude, or somewhat insensitive, but deep down, he had a heart as or more beautiful than the wonderful cakes he had made. The only memories he could remember was everything from the day he awoke in a hospital bed when he was eleven, a bandage round his bleeding head. He didn't know who his parents were, who his siblings were; nor did he even know what relationships he had.
But even then, he displayed a strong, but rebellious personality to keep himself a-float. Though he loved his grandfather deeply, he was capable of prying himself away from the comforts of the home he knew so long just so his grandfather could take his daughter back into his home. Was capable of lying just so the daughter would even return to the shop 'Mozarto'. His battle in attempting to find a place to reside and work in for a good number of time had been a challenge, but it was a challenge he eventually won due to the cakes he had made.
The cakes that were a far cry better than the pastries made in the well known store 'Saint Honore'.
I don't think I would have gotten through the drama completely had he not been there, or if he wasn't even like how he was. Seunji was the beacon of strength that lit across the episodes whilst he fought the inner battles deep within him alone. Never really confiding in anyone due to his troubles. A diligent worker, this patissier, a very diligent all-nighter worker.
Also, he's such an adorable mess when he's drunk (after like, a small glass of beer? Seriously? That's adorbs >w<) All smiles, shouts and laughter. He sure is a strong, happy drunk.
((I have a vague feeling that the cakes made were sometimes made by Donghae, cause I recognize his hands, if it really was him making some of those cakes, oh Shisus, can this guy get anymore perfect?))
Additional Notes : G-danging it! I totally KNEW he was going to be Minwoo! I just knew it! When he started rambling that bug-line, I was hoping so darn bad that someone would stumble upon him and somehow just recognize that he was the grandson, son, half-brother and friend they had all been looking for, for like, what, twenty years? |
By the way, I'm an extremely emotional viewer, I've cried on many things before, such as the scene where Panda was reciting the song for the first time to Wonil when they met in the park to talk about Seungji's past, somewhat, and I teared up when she was praying beside le Hedgehog for him to never suffer alone again.
So naturally when I saw him bleeding through the head, again, (deja vu, yeh? *eyebrow wiggle*) I was filled with nothing but cold despair, then I saw Wonil crying beside him, then I started to cry. Then all of a sudden they skip to a scene where they are all looking very sombre in black suits, and I was like, 'Oh noes! Someone dies?!' buuut everything was peaches and cream afterwards. The Grandpa lived after being mauled too. :D |
By the way, OH MY GOD, SO MUCH BROMANCE, MY FEELS MAN, MY FEELS. There was SO MUCH bromance, everywhere. It came to the point I was almost shipping Seungji and Wonil more than I shipped the official couple, like, seriously. So much bromance, it was beautiful. TT________TT
By the way, his Hedgehog tattoo. :D
Ain't it cute?!
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Pan Dayang
by Yoon Seung Ah
Good lord this Panda/Woman has guts, strength and nerves of steel, with the capabilities of turning into a gushing, awestruck fangirl-esk woman in just a matter of minutes. In the beginning, she begins so strong, but hopeful, though in the end, after meeting and falling so deeply for Seungji, she instantly melds into this innocent house wife complex. The change is so sudden, I wasn't even sure it was there at the beginning, but after time progresses, her sweet personality in in full swing.
Now, normally I'm all game for changes, but in this case, I wasn't sure if I was going to adjust well to this sudden morph of personality, and even now, I'm still genuinely conflicted when it comes to deciding whether I'm into her change or not. And also, I was still sort of confused when it came to her job backstory, I think she was a journalist, right? Yeah.
...Wow, several paragraphs ago I said I understood this drama completely. OTL lets just pretend I said I understand the PLOT well enough.
When it came to romance, since she wasn't exactly experienced in that field, she showed realistic signs of being a slight air-head, and was often times, rather naive, but seeing as, like I said before, she was inexperienced when it came to love, this flaw was easily excusable, besides, it adds to her character. *eyebrow wiggle*
Also, it's amusing when your own girlfriend has a much higher alcohol tolerance compared to you. Like, I've never actually seen her legitimately drunk after chugging down alot of beer, the only time it happened was when she went all-out feast happy after trying to find her stolen Panda van that Seungji personally designed.
Now, normally I'm all game for changes, but in this case, I wasn't sure if I was going to adjust well to this sudden morph of personality, and even now, I'm still genuinely conflicted when it comes to deciding whether I'm into her change or not. And also, I was still sort of confused when it came to her job backstory, I think she was a journalist, right? Yeah.
...Wow, several paragraphs ago I said I understood this drama completely. OTL lets just pretend I said I understand the PLOT well enough.
When it came to romance, since she wasn't exactly experienced in that field, she showed realistic signs of being a slight air-head, and was often times, rather naive, but seeing as, like I said before, she was inexperienced when it came to love, this flaw was easily excusable, besides, it adds to her character. *eyebrow wiggle*
Also, it's amusing when your own girlfriend has a much higher alcohol tolerance compared to you. Like, I've never actually seen her legitimately drunk after chugging down alot of beer, the only time it happened was when she went all-out feast happy after trying to find her stolen Panda van that Seungji personally designed.
Additional Notes : Ffff, her sense of humor was amusing, the way she fends off prying friends and siblings is amusing, I think stealing Seungji's underwear for the love incantation sort of worked.
The ending made it seem like she's going to live a nice long fruitful life with her Hedgehog. Glad to see that the three of them became good friends, though I'd like to see Eunbi finally having her dreams come true. :D |
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W : Do you know how dangerous a man can be?
P : Then are you a girl? I have my thoughts and ways. I'm using Ko Seungji for a good reason.
W : So you already fired him? You didn't even recieve a registration form from him right? You don't even know his past life! See? You're so careless! When you hire someone new, you have to recieve a registration form and everything! Whether it's a big company of a booger-sized store!
(Afterwards, angered, Panda scolds him and storms off, leaving him to recollect the pieces of his mind, baffled.)
W : Aish, why would boogers come into this conversation? Am I crazy? *frustrated*
P : Then are you a girl? I have my thoughts and ways. I'm using Ko Seungji for a good reason.
W : So you already fired him? You didn't even recieve a registration form from him right? You don't even know his past life! See? You're so careless! When you hire someone new, you have to recieve a registration form and everything! Whether it's a big company of a booger-sized store!
(Afterwards, angered, Panda scolds him and storms off, leaving him to recollect the pieces of his mind, baffled.)
W : Aish, why would boogers come into this conversation? Am I crazy? *frustrated*
Choi Won Il
by Choi Jin Hyul
So if Seunji is the Hedgehog, and Dayang is the Panda, what would WonIl be? *ponders*
In any case, he's rough and whiny on the outside, but lovely and kind on the inside, though he knows that when a situation calls for absolute concentration, he becomes serious and smart. He's a blunt man that just strives for what is normally right, though in the early stages, when still attempting to get Dayang to love him, he grows slightly childish and desperate, consulting in a good friend of his for advice and confidence.
At the beginning, when he sees that Panda slowly but surely sway for Seungji, I had some genuine pity for him. Normally I don't like the second male cast, cause usually they're just rough on the edges, but because he was so lovable and such a whiner, he was truly pity worthy. But I am happy that in the end, he grew to accept that Panda doesn't love him, and he didn't hate Seungji because of that, and he didn't hate the one he loved for choosing another man despite the fact he tried so hard. Wonil is indeed, a very admirable person and deserves some love.
...Just hook up with Eunbi, for goodness sake! >:U
I am glad that, in the end, after all the guilt that consumed him, he was capable of eating cakes eventually, and it was all thanks to Seunji,that prickly Hedgehog. I would have liked to see him at least eat another cake in the end, but I suppose that it's already obvious he no longer hurls upon eating it cause he no longer needs to have guilt cause it wasn't his fault that Minwoo got lost in a pool of memories he could not remember.
LOL, apparently his alcohol tolerance was low, but dayum, he wasn't even remotely drunk when Seungji was instantly K.O'ed by the beverage, but wow, despite his robust form and tall lumbering height (or it's the fact that Donghae is really small), he can't fight for crud. XD
In any case, he's rough and whiny on the outside, but lovely and kind on the inside, though he knows that when a situation calls for absolute concentration, he becomes serious and smart. He's a blunt man that just strives for what is normally right, though in the early stages, when still attempting to get Dayang to love him, he grows slightly childish and desperate, consulting in a good friend of his for advice and confidence.
At the beginning, when he sees that Panda slowly but surely sway for Seungji, I had some genuine pity for him. Normally I don't like the second male cast, cause usually they're just rough on the edges, but because he was so lovable and such a whiner, he was truly pity worthy. But I am happy that in the end, he grew to accept that Panda doesn't love him, and he didn't hate Seungji because of that, and he didn't hate the one he loved for choosing another man despite the fact he tried so hard. Wonil is indeed, a very admirable person and deserves some love.
...Just hook up with Eunbi, for goodness sake! >:U
I am glad that, in the end, after all the guilt that consumed him, he was capable of eating cakes eventually, and it was all thanks to Seunji,that prickly Hedgehog. I would have liked to see him at least eat another cake in the end, but I suppose that it's already obvious he no longer hurls upon eating it cause he no longer needs to have guilt cause it wasn't his fault that Minwoo got lost in a pool of memories he could not remember.
LOL, apparently his alcohol tolerance was low, but dayum, he wasn't even remotely drunk when Seungji was instantly K.O'ed by the beverage, but wow, despite his robust form and tall lumbering height (or it's the fact that Donghae is really small), he can't fight for crud. XD
Additional Notes : Though he doesn't fight well at all, he tries, and when he really tries, he can do some pretty fantastic things, this man. The relationship he has with Seungji, of course, is absolute gold. It is also one of the reasons I watched the drama... egads! The bromance!
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Again, this drama would not at all be complete had any character been removed. There was a wide range of characters in this as each person filled a different role. There was comic relief, natural humor, the wise, ect. There was alot of amazing characters in this.
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Again, this drama would not at all be complete had any character been removed. There was a wide range of characters in this as each person filled a different role. There was comic relief, natural humor, the wise, ect. There was alot of amazing characters in this.
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Plotting
Seungji has never had the most fortunate life and has troubles recognizing his past, all he knows is that some had considered him a thug and his grandfather before had shown signs of avoidance for reasons unknown. Panda owns a cafe, the Cafe Panda, created for her by her late father so she may await her childhood crush who had gone missing after she had sworn his father had come to steal away her Minwoo, and until the truth was revealed, she still awaited him earnestly. Choi Wonil has returned from his overseas studies to aid his mother and to perhaps, take back Saint Honore from his shifty step-father as their relationship is painfully rocky.
They each undergo their own difficulties, turning from enemies and colleagues to best friends and lovers (lovers for Hedgehog and Panda, of course :o I don't mean to hint a threesome that never happened. *shot*) As they struggle through the hurdles life throws at them, perhaps they will reach the end of the tunnel to be greeted with a better tomorrow.
The romance in this story was a little mushy but it was what was needed for a drama like this where love was quite scarce compared to the cake making and competition that was in this series, but never the less, there was enough romance to keep those fangirl hearts going. And honestly, I wouldn't have wished for more, lest they cut the story short. I personally actually really enjoyed this series, there were minor flaws in the plot, but it was easily over looked by the mass of amazing scenes that tumbled along.
The romance in this story was a little mushy but it was what was needed for a drama like this where love was quite scarce compared to the cake making and competition that was in this series, but never the less, there was enough romance to keep those fangirl hearts going. And honestly, I wouldn't have wished for more, lest they cut the story short. I personally actually really enjoyed this series, there were minor flaws in the plot, but it was easily over looked by the mass of amazing scenes that tumbled along.
"Thank you for helping our Hedgehog endure the hard times on his own and grow to know how to make such delicious cakes and for allowing me to eat his cakes. Thank you. The secrets of his life that are hidden here in these, thank you for allowing me to learn them and share them with him. Please show him what an incredible person he is. The Hedgehog I see, the Hedgehog I know, compared to any man in this world I know, he is stronger, and cooler, and more amazing. Let him see that as well. Whatever his past, however Hedgehog feels about where he's been, the way I feel is... I wish I'd... It would have been so much better if I'd been by Hedgehog's side. I hurt so much. It's so pitiful that he cried all alone. My heart hurts for him. And I will never... never, never, leave him alone again." - Pan Dayang (Panda and Hedgehog ep 10)
Though it was probably hard to see if you were to swept into the magic that is their plot, they leave small clues for you to piece together in order to understand the nature of the truth ahead of time just to pump yourself up. All in all, this was a good story with an interesting, sort of unique plot that gets you working if need be so you wont just be sitting around staring blankly at the screen as scenes go and pass by your eyes.
As for the ending, where Seungji's real father dealt that last blow and the flashback begins where the very same thing happened when he was eleven, I can tell that his dad always regretted the times he hit Hedgehog, even after he was being dragged away by the police, I can tell he regretted his actions. That doesn't make him in the right, but it perhaps shows that he still care for the Hedgehog in his own, unique way and was still a father to the end.
Those minor shreds of emotions as they spoke, father to son after so many years, is sheer proof that perhaps, his dad really did care for him all those years and had he not been so caught up in fame, he might have really rooted around for Seungji.
Those minor shreds of emotions as they spoke, father to son after so many years, is sheer proof that perhaps, his dad really did care for him all those years and had he not been so caught up in fame, he might have really rooted around for Seungji.
My Ending Thoughts
From these words forth, I don't think I will be very coherent at all. I LOVE this drama, I aboslutely adore it to the point I don't even feel sane anymore. It had the perfect mix of humor, angst and coolness all mushed into one big lovely...cake. It was amazing and I will definitely miss this drama. The chemistry between each character was uniform and realistic, with a tinge of cuteness mixed in here and there, the cakes they made were pieces of art alone, the sort of cakes I'd rather just stare in awe at cause they were beautiful, and oh my goodness, that OST.
If they do not put out the official sound track, I will cry, cry harder than I have ever cried before, and it's not a pretty site.
If they do not put out the official sound track, I will cry, cry harder than I have ever cried before, and it's not a pretty site.
There, right there, that's my crying face. Put out the OST, please, if not the next giant tsunami will pursue afterwards, and this time, it will engulf the entire planet, the universe too, infact. I NEED that soundtrack, it was so beautiful!
Enough song spazzing aside, I'll remember everything, from the days they argued over little things, the day Panda attempted to discreetly steal Seunji's undies from his cabinet, the day Wonil got his ass handed back to him on a silver platter, the DAYS those two instigated their supreme bromance, and the love that Seunji and Dayang shared. Every moment, every touch, every sweet little moment where they could convince you perfectly well that they were, and might always be in love.
The feel I have gushed are enough to make a story. So I shall end it here, though my spazzing shall perhaps, carry on for a lifetime. Time to see if I can pre-order the drama DVD's early. I NEED the OST, and I NEED the drama.
Thank you for reading.
Enough song spazzing aside, I'll remember everything, from the days they argued over little things, the day Panda attempted to discreetly steal Seunji's undies from his cabinet, the day Wonil got his ass handed back to him on a silver platter, the DAYS those two instigated their supreme bromance, and the love that Seunji and Dayang shared. Every moment, every touch, every sweet little moment where they could convince you perfectly well that they were, and might always be in love.
The feel I have gushed are enough to make a story. So I shall end it here, though my spazzing shall perhaps, carry on for a lifetime. Time to see if I can pre-order the drama DVD's early. I NEED the OST, and I NEED the drama.
Thank you for reading.
BONUS! : Oh, some of the beautiful bromance scenes! Oh the wonder. These two display some of the best chemistry ever shown in drama history. I apologize for some of the unflattering pictures, I assure you though, it's lovely!
G : Did Seungji say "Lets go to grandpa's place." and brought you here?
W : No, he said he was taking me to a good bar with good service before taking me here.
G : That kid is playing tricks again.
W : I've been tricked a few times, grandpa.
G : It's because he likes you as a hyung.
W : But he doesn't call me hyung and calls me calls me by my name or 'Ya. Earlier he called me a bastard.
G : He's doing that cause he likes you. He always calls me 'grandpa, grandpa' and then goes to all his friends and uses banmal(informal language).
W : I guess it can be kind of cute.
((EGADS, THE BROMANCE.)) Soon to be OTP ... I can't believe this drama is already over. *le sigh* Was amazing while it lasted, of course.
MY SCREEN CAPS ALL COME FROM THE LOVELY DILIGENT KIMCHIDRAMAS, I OWN NOTHING BUT THIS BLOG AND THE THOUGHTS AND THE SPAZZING D:
MY SCREEN CAPS ALL COME FROM THE LOVELY DILIGENT KIMCHIDRAMAS, I OWN NOTHING BUT THIS BLOG AND THE THOUGHTS AND THE SPAZZING D: