embracing the korean lifestyle . . .
 
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[ L O V E S T O R Y I N H A R V A R D ]
Leobeu Seutori In Habeodeu

NETWORK : SBS
RELEASE: 2004
EPISODES: 16
WEBSITE: http://tv.sbs.co.kr/lovestory
LINKS: Hancinema | KoreanWiz | Soompi | OST | SPCNET.tv | AsianFanatics | JKlover | iGMA.tv | Tsinoy.com | fanlisting

STORYLINE

Nobody could stop Hyun-woo in achieving his dreams of becoming a Hardvard graduate - not even an Alex Hong or a Professor Keynes. He managed to survive the demands of a law student even if things started off for him. His determination to excel has captured Soo-in's heart.

Alex witnessed how Hyun-woo changed from being an underdog to a top notch. Having to succeed in both his studies and love, Alex couldn't be more envious of Hyun-woo. He considered him as a competition until the day they graduated and made his Harvard years difficult.

Soo-in has always been there for Hyun-woo but her desire to become a successful doctor has kept them apart. Hyun-woo was enraged when she went abroad without even saying goodbye. He was able to endure the pain after years of emptiness. He became a lawyer and came back to Korea. He took over a case that caused the mysterious death of his lawyer friend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: SPOILER ALERT :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Hyun-woo represents the residents of ShinBaLin against DA Chemicals for causing them untreatable diseases. Coincidentally, Alex is working for the defense. While dealing with the case, Hyun-woo found out that Soo-in is back in town to do a research projects sponsored by the Hamilton Company. She was chosen to be the head doctor to treat the residents for ShinBaLin.

Hyun-woo didn't accept Soo-in but eventually forgave her in fear that he'll loose her again. They promised to be together until the end even if they are apart. Just as when they are getting into a new start, their relationship is once more tested. Soo-in was diagnosed to have a malignant disease that she could have gotten from working in ShinBaLin.

After finding out the connection of the Hamilton Company to his case, Alex wanted to pull out. But when his life was threatened, Hyun-woo and Soo-in's too, he decided to continue handling it as long as the company will do everything to find Soo-in a cure.

Despite of what they've been through, from Soo-in's sickness to Hyun-woo being a suspect of a murder, they still pushed through with marriage. Seeing that both deserve happiness, Alex finally gave up. Instead, he helped Hyun-woo win the case and stood by Soo-in's side. Luckily, they found a donor for Soo-in, which gave her another chance to love Hyun-woo even more and become a mom to their triplets.

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CAST
Kim Rae-won
as Kim Hyun-woo
Kim Tae-hee
as Lee Soo-in
Lee Jeong-jin
as Alex/Hong Jung-min
Kim Min
as Yoo Jin-ah
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REVIEWS

At long last, I found somebody who clicks with Kim Rae-won. I know from the start that Kim Tae-hee will be the best "other half". They look nice on-screen and with the personalities they play, it makes their chemistry work. I even prayed that nobody would die in the end. When they are together, it seems like they are natural with their feelings. I like the way they compliment each other. I see their connection when doing romantic scenes or even when just playing around. And speaking of fooling around, it's funny when they grab each other like kids. If Rae-won doesn't give mercy to a girl, Tae-hee has no respect to Rae-won. They throw and pin each other in the ground. Although it looks painful and too physical, it seems like they are having fun. And when they both sneer, they look cute. Rae-won can make you fall for him and Tae-hee, she is such a teaser. Her smile alone is so powerful that even if she doesn't talk, she still leaves an impression. So convincing and funny especially when she tries to allure a helpless Rae-won.

Hats off to the main characters. When they deliver their lines, they are into it. It's like they are not acting. You could feel their happiness and anguish. Every scene brings out the best in their performances.

There are a lot of romantic scenes and unforgettable quotes. But the best was when Tae-hee was alone in the bus and Rae-won was writing sweet nothings. How I wish I am the one he is calling "ANGEL". And the kiss, what an unforgettable scene.

Although this series has become one of my personal favorites, there are still some small glitches. For one, it is annoying to see scenes you barely seen like 2 minutes ago. In short, there are too many flashbacks. Come on, it's still fresh in my mind. No need to remind me not unless I want to memorize the lines. If they take away some of it, I guess, this would be a 14-episode drama. That's how many the flash backs are.

Another thing that I didn't like is how they edited every episode. The endings don't leave a mark. Not powerful enough to make you want more. Sometimes it is better to give you a hanging scene so you would be all excited to wait and watch for the next ones but in this case, they always end up with a character just plainly staring at nothing. Not so creative.

Trivia: During the Harvard library scenes, while Kim Rae-won is studying, I see the same guy in a knitted hat for more than three times.

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ARTICLES

'Love Story In Harvard' Garnered Highest Viewer Ratings In Korea Last Week
Harvard Crimson Online [12.23.2004]

Forget reality T.V., in Korea all eyes are on Harvard. "Love Story in Harvard," a new Korean TV drama set on the Cambridge campus, received the highest viewer ratings last week among all programs in the same time slot. "Korea has its own prestigious universities," said Junseok A. Lee '07, member of the Harvard Korean Association, "but the perceived gap between Ivy League institutions and their universities has grown drastically since the show started." The show features a love triangle between two male Harvard law students and the object of their desire-a female doctor-to-be enrolled across the river at Harvard Medical School. But Korean viewers are tuning in for more than just the drama. Several Koreans aspiring to the Ivy League watch the show hoping to pick up on cultural insights and admissions tips as the plot develops. The show stars three young Korean celebrities-Kim Tae-hee, Kim Rae-won and Lee Chong-Jin-and contains numerous scenes in English. Filming of the show takes place more than a stone's throw from the yard on a set in Los Angeles. The show's immense popularity is part of a continuing trend of interest in Harvard and its aura of prestige for Koreans.

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OST

  Shuffle
  Play  

01. Title
02. Love Theme 1
03. Campus Theme 1
04. So In Love - Kim Jung Woo [ lyrics ]
05. Campus Theme 2
06. Contradiction
07. My Life [ lyrics ]
08. Love Theme 2
09. Right Beside You - Park Young Min [ lyrics ]
10. White Smile
11. Sarang Anesum Swida (Breathing In Love) [ lyrics ]
12. Campus Theme 3
13. Tears
14. Love Concerto
15. Run
16. By The River
17. Alone
18. Rain
19. Shaken

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SCREENCAPS [ click on the thumbnail to enlarge ]
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TRANSCRIPTS warning: may contain spoilers

ALEX: So, as far as I know, you don't have a boyfriend. Am I right?
SOO-IN: Have you done a background check on me?
ALEX: I decided to take the time to get to know someone. I told you before that I get very conscious about time I spend. Even so, I want to get to know you better. I'm as good of a man as you think I am. Perhaps, even better than what you think right now.

ALEX: Spanish is all about rhythm. That's why they say it's the best language to talk about love.
SOO-IN: For a man who doesn't waste time, you do have a romantic side?
ALEX: Try to know me better. I told you I'm better than you first thought.

HYUN-WOO: I was in need of some vitamins. You're my vitamin. I want to be the vitamin for you as well. The vitamin that can ease your worries and give you strength. Am I your vitamin or not?
SOO-IN: You are.
HYUN-WOO: Keep your spirits up.

[ SOO-IN'S THOUGHTS ]
Hyun-woo, I'll be leaving in a week. Your hands are really warm. I'm holding onto them right now. Even when I leave, I'll be holding your hand in my heart. I don't know how to say goodbye. I've never wavered from my dream to help those in need. But I've become very hesitant after meeting you. I'll remember this trip forever. Thanks. I'm really thankful. And I love you Hyun-woo.

SOO-IN: You sure it'll be all right if I leave? OEP? Even if it takes a year or two? I really love you. You know that, right? If you ask me to give it up, I will.
HYUN-WOO: Why'd you bring that up all of a sudden? When will you be leaving?
SOO-IN: Someday.
HYUN-WOO: So when is this "someday"?
SOO-IN: When we least love each other.
HYUN-WOO: Well, since we'll love each other for a long time, if you need to leave, I guess now is the time since it'll be the time when we least love each other.
SOO-IN: Really?
HYUN-WOO: Really! You don't believe that we'll keep on loving each other?

[ SOO-IN'S LETTER ]
You're right. Now is the time I'll love you least. I know that I'll love you even more as time goes on. Thanks for letting me live my dream. I thought about it for a long time. I never dreamed of getting married and having a family like you have because I'm not good enough to live my life as I want to. I didn't have the courage to form a family as the woman of a man. I didn't think marriage would exist in my life. If I stay here with you, as our love grows, I fear that I'll leave a permanent scar on your heart. I'm happy that I've met you. I'll always remember you as my one love. Sorry, Hyun-woo.

[ HYUN-WOO ON SOO-IN'S ABSENCE ]
After Soo-in left, I frequently looked at a map of South America and stared at Bolivia where she was volunteering. I began to form pictures from the nation where I've never visited before. I couldn't understand why she had to leave. And in my heart, a cold winter was approaching. Harvard without Soo-in would be constantly winter.

HYUN-WOO: I still can't understand. I thought our relationship was deep enough that we could discuss our futures together. If you really had to leave, you should've at least given me the time to reflect and understand. Have you even thought about how hard it would be on me after you disappeared? I'll never endure another such shock the rest of my life. Did you even think about me?
SOO-IN: It would be a lie to say no.
HYUN-WOO: I never thought about you. I vowed not to do so. That's how I even endured to this day.

SOO-IN: I realize that you're uncomfortable meeting me. However, this isn't a meeting between you and me, but between a doctor and an attorney. If this makes you as uncomfortable as you seem, our hospital will find another attorney. Or, I'll excuse myself from the case. What would you have me do?
HYUN-WOO: I see you haven't changed. Incredibly calculating and still strictly separating personal life from business. How can you be so cold? Is it that easy for you? I'll have you know that on the way here, I pondered for hours on whether I should act friendly or composed. But when I saw you, everything went blank. All the things I vowed for hundreds, no, thousands of times they all vanished as soon as I saw you. But you, how can you act like nothing has ever happened? Who am I to you exactly? Did I even exist in you life?
SOO-IN: It's just as difficult on me as well.
HYUN-WOO: Then why did you leave? Why the hell did you leave? I slept all night holding unto you. But when I woke up, you weren't there. Your warmth, your smell was still with me. But you weren't there. You know that's not what I meant when I told you that you could leave. You know that!
SOO-IN: I missed you too. You said it was a harsh winter, but I longed for the harsh winter of Boston.
HYUN-WOO: Then if that's true, why the hell haven't you even bothered to contact me?
SOO-IN: I was scared. I was afraid that if I heard your voice I'd give up everything and run back to you. I picked up the phone and put it back down hundreds of times. For a time, I didn't even go near a phone.
HYUN-WOO: That's the difference between you and me. While you tried your hardest to get my face, my voice, and me, I was desperately trying to hold unto your smile, the warmth of you hand, even your warmth of your body. You had no intention of loving me, did you?

SOO-IN: (drank, alex giving soo-in a piggyback) Hyun-woo used to give me piggyback rides as well. You didn't know right? When he laughs he gets four wrinkles on his face. Two on his right, two on his left. His fingers are so long. He can cover my entire face with his hand. And you know? He's just awful at making kimchi soup. He thinks you can just pour water on kimchi and it'll be kimchi soup. And then he claims that he makes the best kimchi soup in the world. I wonder what he actually did well in. Oh yeah. He's really good at kissing.
ALEX: (soo-in fell asleep) When I think about it, I was always a step behind Hyun-woo. From first meeting you, to liking you, to even at the disciplinary council. You might have known this but I was also at the disciplinary council. Of course not, you couldn't have. since Hyun-woo was the only one you'd recognize. Soo-in, I might have always been a step behind Hyun-woo but I love you.

[ SOO-IN IN THE BUS, HYUN-WOO WRITING SWEET NOTHINGS ]
Angel, My Precious Angel. My Bright and Shining Angel, Lee Soo-in. I love this angel. If I could break the wings of the angel to force her to be with me, I guess that would just be my greed. Fly high, my angel. Fly high and far. And whenever you are in need of rest, come back to me. I Love You.

ALEX: Are you supposed to be meeting Hyun-woo? Somehow, I got to you one step ahead of him today. The ring I'm wearing right now, it's not a sign of love, but of my vaulting ambition. I can take it off any time.
SOO-IN: What you just said it's something neither Jin-ah nor I would want to hear. Since you're a logical person, I'm sure the decision was made logically. I hope you claim responsibility for your decision.

] HYUN-WOO TO SOO-IN ]
I can't change anything by getting angry. No matter where you go off to, I can just keep you in my heart and live on. Since I know that you love me as well, I'll wait and when you come back, I'll live as happily as we did the last week. And if you don't come back, I'll just keep on waiting. Take care of yourself. If we were to meet again, you'd have to be healthy. I don't think I can see you leave but I'll come and greet you whenever you come back. Just call me whenever. If you ever come back to Korea, I'll be the first person you see.

JIN-AH: I think we should relieve ourselves of this case now. At this rate, we may get in too deep and end up dying.
ALEX: No, I'll finish this. If you want to stop, you go ahead. From now on, we're merely business partners… an evil lawyer and his evil partner. Doesn't this suit us better than the label of lovers? The one I truly loved was Lee Soo-in only.

HYUN-WOO: Will you marry me?
SOO-IN: You should be concentrating on your work right now. Marriage, we can talk about that at another time. All right?
HYUN-WOO: Are you doing this because of your diagnosis? Why didn't you tell me? What prevented you from telling me? I told you I love you till death, till after death, eternally. Why were you agonizing on your own? You should have told me.
SOO-IN: I couldn't precisely because you'd react this way. Why are you hurrying all of a sudden? I'm not going anywhere. I won't die.
HYUN-WOO: Then nothing changed. We can go as planned.
SOO-IN: You have enough burdens on your shoulders as it is. I can't be a burden as well.
HYUN-WOO: Who said you were a burden. Who called you a burden?
SOO-IN: You're making it really difficult on me right now. I don't need your sympathy.
HYUN-WOO: What do you mean sympathy? Does it look only like sympathy to you?
SOO-IN: We should stay apart for a while. I started chemotherapy. It's going to get really hard and you'll be busy with your case. I don't want my sickness to be… I'll get better. I will so win this case. After that…
HYUN-WOO: And after...? And get back together after that? What are you saying? Avoid each other because it's difficult? How is that love? Love is being supportive in times like this.
SOO-IN: It's difficult enough for me to look out for myself right now. I don't have the luxury to be supportive of you.
HYUN-WOO: But I can. You just need to be there for me.

[ HYUN-WOO TO SOO-IN ]
I don't know when I will be thrown in jail. Neither do you. Both of us have been forced to our limits. If we don't hold on to each other now, we will certainly fall into the abyss. Marry me, Soo-in. I don't know when I'll be thrown in jail. Can you accept me? Even if I become arrested for murder? Regardless of what happens, can you promise never to leave me?

SOO-IN: I have a favor to ask you. Didn't you say that you wanted to save me? If you want to save me then help Hyun-woo. As long as Hyun-woo can live, I will live on as well. Please help him.
ALEX: You are really something. Manipulating my love. How can you be so cruel to me?
SOO-IN: You're the cruel one. You're one who caused the problems. Is it not enough to revoke his lawyer's license? But also to frame him for murder?
ALEX: If I save Hyun-woo, what will you do for me? Can you leave Hyun-woo and come to my side? You love him that much? Am I asking for too much? What aspect of me isn't as good as Hyun-woo? You think Hyun-woo loves you more than I do? While trying to succeed, I worked tirelessly. Yet he had everything. He didn't need to hesitate to be with you because he had everything.
SOO-IN: The fact that your life is difficult does not give you the right choice. Don't complain about the path you chose. Jung Min, I'm begging you. If something happens to Hyun-woo, I don't think I can live. Jung Min, help me. I liked you once. I truly did. I don't want to hate you anymore. I trust you.

JIN-AH: I thought I clearly told you never to appear in front of Jung Min again.
SOO-IN: Do you just not have any self-confidence? With your abilities, you don't have to be so paranoid. Don't make it sound so arrogant. I have always acted properly in front of you. Your worries are not because of me but because of yourself. If you are not using love but other methods to hold on to Jung Min, I suggest that you give up on Jung Min. Even without you, he is stressed enough.

SOO-IN: (fitting a wedding dress) How is it?
HYUN-WOO: Indescribable in words. This feeling will disappear if I say them.
SOO-IN: You still have to tell me.
HYUN-WOO: Wasn't there that person? The famous director who filmed Ben Hur? After he watched it, he said Wow! My God! Did I really film this movie? That's how I feel right now. Wow! My God! This girl is my wife?
SOO-IN: I'm a gift from heaven for Kim Hyun-woo. The kind hearted Kim Hyun-woo. The lively Kim Hyun-woo. The sweet Kim Hyun-woo. If someone takes life as seriously as Kim Hyun-woo, then he will receive a wife as beautiful as me.

ALEX: Do you still remember the first class with Professor John Keynes? Everyone was so nervous about preparing for that class. He started the first class with an out of the blue topic: Thomas More's "Utopia". The lawyer is an insect, which produces all evil and no good. In More's ideal society, the lawyers weren't confined by limits. During that time, my heart always fostered some of those harmful insects. Ambitious insects that cannot distinguish between love and obsession. Vengeful insects. Because those insects grew bigger, now I've become an uncontrollable monster. When I have the courage to exterminate the insects in my heart, I will reveal everything regarding Jason an the connection between Hamilton Organization and DA Chemicals. We're already 3 hours late for the wedding.
HYUN-WOO: They'll wait. At least my bride will wait.

SOO-IN: I will definitely become a grandmother with a lot of wrinkles and with lots of white hairs. Even then, are you going to love me as much as you do now?
HYUN-WOO: Of course. Like I've said, this moment is when I love you the least. When you become a grandmother, my love for you will have grown immensely. You may not even be able to bear it.

JIN-AH: What I wanted to do is now impossible. I've always been in the leading role but this time I was only a supporting character. Do you know what it feels like?
ALEX: I know. It was the same in my love life. I've always had the leading role.
JIN-AH: Then why did it have to be like this? You can properly take the leading role by marrying me, working in James Yu's firm. Why can't you do that?
ALEX: You should know already. You couldn't force yourself to love someone.
JIN-AH: That's true. I can't force someone to love me either.

[ SOO-IN TO HYUN-WOO, AFTER DROPPING THE CASE ]
I can't accept the surgery. I'll just die like this. You can't drop the case. If you withdraw, I won't be able to recover my lost dreams. You should know how hard I studied, how difficult it was to become a doctor. But despite this, Jason used and deceived me. And now I still have to live respectably. How can I keep living? Wronged and angry, how am I to live like this? If you accept my life as part of a deal with Jason and let him get away, you'll never understand the crime you've committed. In the future, you'll deceive more people like me and manipulate people like me. After making a deal with a person like that, how can you still defend others? You would sacrifice your right to be an attorney and I would sacrifice my dream. Then what purpose would our lives serve?

SOO-IN: I can't help but feel sorry. Was it because of me that you chose a road you didn't want to go down? You knew it was the wrong path but there was no turning back. No such thing.
ALEX: Loving you was also for myself. Even if it was the wrong path, I definitely do not regret it. How can you say that?
SOO-IN: I know why you worked with a guy like Jason. Jason was using my life to make a deal. I don't want to live with the burden that you sold your soul for me. There can be death while living. And there can also be eternal life after death. Do you want me to live without meaning?
ALEX: If you're going to talk like this, you should leave. I don't care what you say. I just want to save you. It doesn't matter if you don't understand. I will love you in my own way.

HYUN-WOO: Any regrets?
ALEX: Yea, I do. Because of my choice, I've lost all hope of being able to love Soo-in.

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MISCELLANEOUS

VIDEOS:
 
 
 
behind the scenes
posted by: shecuty
behind the scenes
posted by:mitzikko
GALLERY: [ click on the thumbnail to enlarge ]
 
 
source: hancinema
source: hancinema
source: hancinema