Can't escape the BIG one

The BIG one is coming! Headlines on National Post says : 'You'll be telling your grandkids about this snow storm'. On the net, the forecast says it'll be the biggest snowstorm in 50 years. It swept through the midwest US and has crippled Oklahoma and Chicago in the last few days. The heavy snow and wild wind caused blackouts for thousands of homes and hundreds of flights are cancelled. Just to let you see the scale and the wide coverage of this storm :


This BIG one is hitting Toronto tonight and tomorrow and is estimated the storm will bring 30+ cm of snow to the city. Environment Canada has warned the public about this storm since Wednesday, so we have ample time to change our plans and prepare. It seems that this year the weather has been exceptionally brutal. Ever since I got back from Tokyo on Dec 3, there have been snow/ice/freezing rain every other day and now this BIG one!


Lucky (hehe, for me) that hubby has returned from Tokyo last night and is here to ride this big one out together with his family. Today while we were out, we noticed so many people were buying rock salt and snow shovels. Of course, it adds to the rush and stress that it's only 10 shopping days away from Christmas and the stores were filled with desperate shoppers.


So dear Gosijo, Heippieh and all sisters who live in the affected area, please stay warm at home and hope we can survive this storm with no major damage. Love :)

Heart of an Angel

There have been a series of unpleasant news in the past few days :


First, there are talks that the real reason he left the hospital for home treatment is to avoid causing any disturbance to other patients by his concerned fans.

Second, MBC Workers' Union has published a very biased and unfounded letter titled 'Arrogance of TWSSG and the Humiliation of MBC' singling out that Yong Joon's 'sky-high' fee contributed to the high production cost of the drama. (Which part of it that these people don't get? Don't they realize by now : If there were no Yong Joon, there would be no Japanese and overseas demand. No demand means production cuts, and their jobs would probably be on the line!)

Third (which is the most heart breaking), is his knee injury is actually more serious than thought. He is diagnosed with a cruciate ligament rupture which will take longer to recover and may require a surgery (let's pray not).

Imagine all these events concerning our prince directly, physically and emotionally. We family cannot do anything for him except just reading, worrying, praying and waiting :( But our prince never fails to surprise and impress us!


Despite his own serious injury and emotional burden, he is still being so considerate and loving towards his country and his family. I just read the news about our Yong Joon's generous donation towards the massive oil spill off South Korea's coast. This man does not only have the face, but also the heart of an angel! He does not have to respond verbally to any accusation against him, his actions speak for himself!

Speaking of angels, I am posting two more wonderful drawings from our talented Rg. She used a very interesting technique to sketch JunSahng and Insoo, dots instead of lines. Did you outline the shape first, Rg? It's fantastic to see different sketches of him. Thanks for sharing, dear Rg, so refreshing :)

Introducing an Artist ...

I am very honored to receive some very beautiful drawings from a talented BYJ sister who likes to share her work with me. She prefers to be called Rg and she is gracious enough to allow me to post her works.

It’s my pleasure to introduce Rg : She’s been a BYJ fan for almost a year now. Like a lot of us, she’s captivated by the romantic love story, beautiful cinematography and the melodic tunes of Winter Sonata. Along with that, she has also fallen for our handsome prince and his wonderful acting. Rg loves art and enjoys drawing the most. These are among the first of her BYJ artworks. So Rg, can I safely assume there will be more coming?

I love the refined pencil strokes that Rg used on Damdeok’s hair and costume. Under that pink shade, Damdeok has this very delicate and peaceful countenance. She mentioned that she was listening to Winter Sonata’s ‘My Memory’ while drawing this. Breathtakingly beautiful!


Rg’s other interpretations of Damdeok using 2 different styles :




Dear Rg, thank you for sending your beautiful sketches to me. I wish I had more time to draw BYJ, what a wonderful experience you are going through. Since this post is all about you, please feel free to share anything about yourself or respond to any comments.

Broasia Christmas Giveaway

Dear sisters ..... have you signed on to WWW.BROASIA.COM lately? I notice they have a BIG sale on almost everything. When I say BIG, I meant Titanic scale (ok in modern day's term, it's still Royal Carribean's Freedom of the Seas, right?)of GIGANTIC!!! Just to give you an idea : his Image Photo Album from $149.99 to $44.99! The Joon Bear from $249.99 to $124.99, half price! and the 100 Days of Bae Yong Joon from $39.99 down to $2, they are practically giving everything away!!


Plus there are many packages of April Snow goodies which valued from $140.94 down to $14.99. This comes at the perfect time as you can order a few of these packages and send individual items out as Christmas gifts to your beloved faraway sisters!


I am sorry if I sound like a used car salesman. Boy, I bang my head on the wall (again!) that I have bought these exact goodies early this year to reserve them for birthday, Christmas gifts to other sisters later and now they are slashing prices like this. I know I know, it's not the value, it's the heart that counts, right? Too bad I cannot take advantage of these bargains now as I am in transition and I might miss the shipment. So sisters, please shop away, online Christmas shopping has never been easier! :)

Wonderful News

Hi Hi sisters .... You probably have heard the good news by now. Our dear prince is out of the hospital on Saturday, 8th. This news is released from BOF to a Newsen telephone report on the 9th. Yong Joon's knee is bandaged and the hospital will treat his injury through regular physical therapy. If the result is not desirable, then they will consider the option of a surgery.


Phew, what a big sigh of relief!!! Yong Joon ssi, keep up the good work, we know you can do it. Our hearts still ache because you are in pain, but at least we know you are on the road to recovery. I can count on you to be the most co-operative and obedient patient this time, right?

Look at the this face of determination and endurance. Yong Joon ssi, saranghaeyo!



original post - cafe.daum.net/byjgallery by mind
repost from baidu - wlbyj

Beauty beyond comparison

Just a treat from baidu's wlbyj. Now tell me, who can be more beautiful than this human being? Hehe, no need to say more, pictures are worth more than a thousand words, enjoy ......

Still my Greatest Hero!

Oh my mama (or more like Yong Joon's mama)! He finally revealed the condition of his injuries to us :(

My poor baby, how did he get himself into this state?!

Boy, you might as well put a spear through my heart now!

Imagine, a strong and proud man like our King had to lean on other people to support him.

The immense pain he endures to present his family with his masterpiece.

Despite that gentle manner and quiet smile; pain, fatique, helplessness and worry are written all over his face and posture.


You make us admire your determination and respect your work ethics even more. We know you are not doing this to fulfill your own glory or some perfectionism standards. You are always a considerate team player and a true professional, putting the big picture ahead of your own self. Along the way, hundreds of thousands of your family smile, laugh, cry and ache with you. We don't mind or complain because we love you so much like a real family. Yong Joon ssi, please rest well and I pray pray that you will not suffer any more pain and have no after-effects of any kind. You are not alone in this, we are all going through it with you. You are still the greatest hero in our hearts!

all pictures from baidu - wlbyj

The Ending of TWSSG

Warning : for sisters who prefer to find out TWSSG’s ending by watching the drama, please stop here. For sisters who like to continue to read my 'nonsense' analysis, please also stop here. Hahaha trust me, not that I know the details myself to warrant any intelligent analysis. I just can’t help but slip in my silly thoughts :)



To me, even though Damdeok is the chosen Jooshin King by heaven, unlike Lord Hwangwoon, he is still a human being. He feels guilt and remorse when he realizes he has accused Kiha wrongfully all along while she still loves him and even bears him a child. Our wise King has to make a royal decision on the spot after Kiha explodes into the black Joojak. After all, he cannot leave the fire-y Kiha dangling in the air for a few days while he takes his time to explain to his sacred guardians why he decides to destroy them. Or for that matter, to say a long lovey-dovey goodbye to his ‘2000 years’ love interest. So our dear Damdeok makes a quick noble and manly decision not to leave the mother of his child to die by herself, or should we simply assume that he gallantly walks into the affected site to try to extinguish the fire?? Maybe this later assumption is not that ridiculous since our Damdeok is always considerate and kind? Hehe, just kidding. I know this ending is probably more captivating than him and Sujini lived happily ever after in his palace, but still it’s heartbreaking to see our Yong Joon die one more time. It still bothers me to watch Cho Won and Jae Ho died, or even my beloved MinHyung going blind. Anyway, here’s my humble conclusion drawn from this last episode :

Damdeok is a fun buddy – he hangs out and laughs with his friends into the wee hours of the morning.

Damdeok is a protective boss – he fights for his employees’ territories and even their lives.

Damdeok is a faithful husband – he still loves the same woman even after 2000 years.

Damdeok will make a wonderful daddy – he teaches his son how to wash his hands before eating.

We will love and miss you, Damdeok! Yong Joon ssi, please rest well and have a speedy recovery :)

Pride & Joy of Korea

Wow, what a tribute to the TWSSG team from the Korean fans! As we know, they have been organizing a major effort to give BYJ his deserved support during this difficult time of his injuries. I sure hope our beloved Yong Joon's spirit is lifted and his heart warmed up after reading the love from his own country. What a wonderful idea ....

This is the full-page newspaper advertisement BYJ's Korean fans have been planning and it is on 2 of today's sports newspaper.

Our hot hearts, final report on support advertisement

It made a stroke
in drama history in our nation.

Tae Wang Sa Sin Gi.
Finished historic great march.
You really took much trouble all the while.

In Autumn in year 2007, we had 24 happy times.
We were enthusiastic about one piece of drama, and felt movement to the fullest of heart.
Dear entire production crew including Director Kim Jonghak and Writer Song Jina
and entire cast including Bae Yongjoon-nim!
You really took much trouble all the while.
Because there were your hot passion and efforts
during the past Autumn, we were happy as if we were dreaming.
Your unstoppable wills,
unbroken fighting spirits despite big and little injuries,
and the Tae Wang Sa Sin Gi..
We will remember for a long time.


Now, going beyond Korea
to Asia.. To the World..

To us, the Tae Wang Sa Sin Gi is
not just a piece of drama.
It is the Republic of Korea's sense of self-esteem,
the new direction for dramas,
and history and mythology.
We will dearly wish with hotter hearts than anyone
for the 'Tae Wang Sa Sin Gi' to make splendid expansion toward Asia and to World
going beyond Republic of Korea in the future.

All of Korean Fans who think dear of Bae Yong Joon

"Actor BYJ, who performed fierce acting to the end without succumbing to injuries, we pray and wish for your speedy recovery"

repost - from Quilt by Joanne
original post - on KOB by Ms White

Back in 1 piece

Hi dear sisters ….. I am back to TO safe and sound. Even though not as glamorous as I hoped for considering I had to slip, slide (even contemplating on crawling) across an ice-covered driveway to the front steps of my house. Nevertheless, I am back in one piece and I am thankful for that.


Yes, I managed to accomplish my mission in Japan. Normally I am a very indecisive person. It would take me half a day to decide what to order from the menu, even worse is I always regret it afterwards and wish I had the other person's plate! So I am surprised at myself that everything seemed so obvious and went smoothly for me this time. Maybe sometimes in life things are just 'meant to be', there is no need to try or think too hard. Why am I getting philosophical anyway?


The only thing that I regret is not having enough time to see the Japanese sisters in this trip. Sorry mymy and baba-san that we didn’t get to meet this time. I did see cloudnine onni (or should I say, oneesan?) and she is always so kind and hospitable. When she mentioned to me about the Untold Scandal screening on November 24, which happened to be on a Sunday morning; boy, was it a tough decision! Think about it sisters : a regular Sunday church service VS. this once-in-a-lifetime showing of our gorgeous HRH (um hm …. how should I put it) in his ‘full glory’ on a giant screen?? Obviously, I picked the prim & proper one and now I am still banging my head on the wall for missing it :(


Now, TWSSG has closed its curtain in Korea and has started its broadcast in Japan NHK on Dec 3, every Monday night at 10 pm. There is also weekly screening starting Dec 4 in Shinjuku Waldo cinema. I’ll be cheering for TWSSG’s huge success in Japan! Incidentally, just before I left my hotel room for the airport, the Megane-Ichiba CF came on TV! And to think I had been flipping channels continuously for the past 10 days hoping to catch a glimpse of it. Things just happen when you least expect it! Boy, I am getting philosophical again!


Last, I am relieved to hear that Yong Joon is admitted to the hospital awaiting observation and treatment now. Finally, he has some idling time for himself to think and do absolutely nothing but rest. You think maybe he is up for a joke or a riddle? ..... :)

Walking on the cloud

Thank you thank you my dear sisters for writing back to me. For someone who's away from home, your words are as warm as a down-filled blanket in a wintry night (or for princess bb, chinggu and sisters who are bathing in sweats now, like an air conditioner in sweltering heat, ok?) Well, eventhough I can't exactly complain that I feel lonely at all when you are surrounded by 12 million people (believe me, you Do feel it's like 12 million!) and I have been running around, meeting and talking non-stop to different people since I have arrived.


Well, I guess it's not really a secret anymore. Yes, I am on a mission here in Japan. Spying on national secrets? Hahaha no, not that kind of mission. My life is not that adventurous and exciting, my dear. My family will be moving to this beautiful country for a few years and I am on a mission here to check out the schools for my son. My hubby's company has assigned some people to escort my son and me around Tokyo and also act as my interpretor, haha, sort of like a 'Tokyo 101 for dummies like me'. For the past 2 days, this pretty, stylish young lady who speaks perfect English has been so patiently entertaining our curiosity.


For a start, I notice unless I have my chiropractor or massage therapist standing by every night when I get home, I'd better switch my high heels to orthopedic shoes. Tokyo is a city for 'walking', I mean hurried, long and endless walk. For an inactive Torontonian like me, walking usually means 10 steps from the car to any front door. Just yesterday, we flagged down a taxi because my 2 feet and 10 toes refused to co-operate anymore. I was about to relax in a long comfortable ride to my next destination. The traffic was moving slowly but it was not jammed, I noticed the taxi driver was talking to my guide and then she turned around and asked if I'd like to save time by taking the subway instead. Without even thinking for a single second, my feet took over my brain and I heard myself saying, "let's stay in the taxi". Are you kidding me, even 4 horses couldn't pull me away from my seat! But this taxi 'ajussi' was very persistent, he pointed to his GPS and gently explained to my guide again that it would be wise to take the direct subway. At thattime, my pain turned into laughter when I think how honest Japanese are. A cabbie in Manhatten would jump at this chance and happily let his taxi meter clicking away. I didn't want to insist anymore and put my guide in a difficult position, so I agreed to be let off at the nearest subway entrance despite my feet's protest that they will permanently detach from me.


There are so many interesting experience that I'd like to share with you. This afternoon I am so looking forward to meeting our ever-so considerate, kind and hospitable Japanese sister cloudnine again who's so caring and always try to see how she can help me. We had a nice, long chat over the telephone on (who else?) HRH a couple of nights ago. Ha, and then after that, I turned on the TV and voila, there was a Japanese special on TWSSG! The 2 male hosts were sitting with the background of Gosireh interior, showing charts of relationship between Damdeok, Kiha and Sujini. I guess there will be more and more promotional clips on TWSSG as it will be aired on NHK starting Dec 3 at 10 pm. Now I don't know if it will be daily, weekly or wonder if I can catch some of it when I return in January.


Sorry sister, have to go, no laptop for me during the day. Please take care, ok? Love you all.

OhaiyooGozaimasu

Hi Hi sisters ....... Hello from Tokyo! Much like my Kyrgyzstan's adventure, I have finally arrived in the the Land of the Rising Sun - Japan (except this time it's not a fictitious story anymore). Must be my luck with travelling, major international disasters, severe weather and long delays seem to time themselves around this infrequent traveller. The first major snowfall of this winter just happened the night before I flew. I normally welcome this 'choum' snow, thinking fondly of our gorgeous MinHyung strolling on the street of Seoul lifting his hand gently to feel the snowflakes. I guess to make sure I got to the airport on time and in 1 piece, the airport limousine company sent out a super stretch limo for my comfort! Wow, remember that's what I was expecting in Kyrgyzstan, instead I got a yak!

My son grabbed the side seat (as if anybody is competing with him?) and found it most interesting to stare at the bar (hopefully not at the alcohol) while I settled myself comfortably in the seat where the handsome Frank Shin met JinYoung hitching a ride in the hot desert of Las Vegas. Haha, am I too pathetic to link everything I do to a scene in HRH's drama? What's next, raise a few pets in my backyard like a blue dragon, a white tiger, a red phoenix and a turtle snake?? :)

Wow, it's off to a great start, but I guess the payback time came next. As if the airline people haven't looked outside the window the whole day, after we have all boarded and settled ourselves snuggly for this dreaded 13 hours-long flight, they announced that they had to prepare the aircraft's computer and engine for the weather and the wings had to be de-iced, so we were forced to breathe 3 more hours of recycled oxygen. Haha luckily we were very well prepared, my son and I were ready with our portable DVD player fully charged and our precious TWSSG DVDs, we began our happy flight :)

Boy, we must have watched for a long time. By the time I woke up, I looked up at he monitor on the plane. WHAT?! Why were they showing a map of Siberia, what documentary was this? I rubbed my eyes and looked again. No, that was an aircraft on the map over the Arctic Ocean heading towards Siberia?? Am I in an 'Indiana Jones' movie or what, did someone just hijacked the plane to Siberia?? No no no, it dawned on me that it is the route of this direct fight - over Alaska crossing the Arctic Ocean, headed into Siberia and towards Japan! The world is round, not flat; Siberia is actually directly north of Sapporo, Japan. Gee, I should really brushed up on my world geography.

We were overjoyed to see my hubby, and my son's daddy of course. It seemed like we had been apart for sooooo long. No matter how much I adore BYJ (and RSW hehe), there is just no one in the world who can replace your family and your love. Back in the hotel, mu hubby handed me a package and said smilingly, "I think you'll like this". I received it with a very questionable look but I know he wanted to show his appreciation for me handling the household matters while he's away. I opened up expecting it to be another art book, but voila, look what I've got!

Yes, this is Dong Gam - the music CD that BYJ graced the cover :

The side of the Dong Gam box with other Korean hunks :

I love this picture on the address book :

Another look at the box :

Yes, I know this is way back in 2005/6 but I am surprised that hubby even remembers BYJ's face and got this for me. Of course I do not expect him to know the latest and greatest of my idol's work and which one I don't have yet. Why, haha, because since I am in pseudo-Baeland myself, I can very well accomplish that task of filling up what is missing in my BYJ cabinet :) Oh, I love Japan!

Please take care, my dearest sisters. I will try to write soon. I love and miss you all very much :)