We have another one Hall of Famer for our “Bitches’ Best Drama Boyfriends.”
There are three current members.
Xiao Nai from “Love O2O” (2016) inducted in 2019.
Lee Gon from “The King: Eternal Monarch” (2020) inducted in 2020.
Nam Dosan from “Start-Up” (2020) inducted in 2020/21.
The latest addition is none other than…(drumrolls please)
Kang TaeMoo from “A Business Proposal.”
I’m in search of volunteer to preside over the Kang TaeMoo’s Appreciation Club. Please volunteer. Thank you!
There are only two requirements:
a. Enthusiastic (but not creepy) fangirling. Cheesy fangirling is allowed given Taemoo’s character.
b. An essay sharing your reasons why Taemoo is a Best Drama Boyfriend
Here are sample essays from the other presidents of our Appreciation Clubs:
From @Phoenix Best Drama Boyfriend EVER!
From @Phoenix @Phoenix’ keynote speech on Lee Gon
From @Ella Start Up Appreciation Club; Eat your heart out JP fans!
There are more examples here: Start Up nominations
Those are just examples.
You’re free to tackle this subject in whatever manner you like. You may write about the examples of his gentlemanly gestures that made you swoon. You may write about the traits that differentiate him from other drama characters. You may write about his character development. You may write about the values he exhibited that you’d would like to have in a boyfriend or future son-in-law.
It’s up to you. Feel free to use these gifs as an “inspiration” to write about our Best Boyfriend Kang Taemoo.
gifs from devildrusje’s tumblr
gifs from dubudoughnut’s tumblr
Deadline is Saturday, April 9.
Nota bene. Please focus on the character, rather than actor himself.
If you notice, the BoD Best Boyfriend Hall of Famers are fictional characters. I want us to get used to separating the character from the actor. Although we wish Ahn HyoSeop all the best in future endeavors (who’s up for his next project?), we’re not entitled to his private life. His private life, especially his dating life, has little bearing to our appreciation of the character he so well portrayed in the drama.
That said, should Ahn HyoSeop engage in acts of criminality, depravity, or deviancy, then Kang Taemoo will be removed from the Hall of Fame. This is to avoid cognitive dissonance wherein we believe that the character is a super angelic, but we know that the actor is shockingly bad.
So what’s the benefit of being the President of Kang Taemoo Appreciation Club?
First, you get to join @Phoenix and company at our famous “Shallow Island” resort club.
credit: @Phoenix
Second, you get to pick two episodes you want to rewatch as a group. The date and time will be determined later.
Third, you’ll give us all heart’s ease. In stressing times like these, it’s nice to be able to indulge in a little bit of fun and daydreaming.
Why did I think that Captain Ri from CLOY was there? Wishful thinking I guess. Impeccable group, though. 🥰
Haha, packmule3, those free coupons are fabulous🤣🤣😍 It’s always grear to have more company on Shallow Island 🙌
I like Tae Moo too, though he is a bit too young for the kind of MLs I like. If I manage to finish the last two episodes by tomorrow, I might take a shot at this myself too if I feel inspired enough 😛
I’m happy we are having more nominations for Best Drama Boyfriends again!🎉🎉🎉
Love it – especially the free coupons! What a great tradition.
Can we get a yacht on Snarky Lake like the one Kang TaeMoo called in for in Ep. 7?
This is going to be exciting @pm3! Thank you for giving Kang Tae Moo this chance!
I will have a go but I think this will be a collaboration! 🙂
Kang Tae Moo Appreciation Essay
He dates with the intention of marriage
I thought this quality is very hard to find these days. He is not there to play around and waste your love and emotions. When he dates, he intends to marry you. Of course, not everyone or everything will work out, but with that clear goal in mind, that willingness to commit will help solve problem a long way.
He is realistic, not delusional and measured
When Taemoo wanted Hari’s dad for approval, Hari’s Dad asked for assurance that Hari will not get hurt and suffer dating him. Taemoo didn’t take the easy way and tell him what Hari’s Dad wanted to hear. He didn’t make empty emotional promise. He is honest and assesses the situation realistically. He is mature enough to understand people and media are not within his control. “No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop all of that”. Acknowledging the limit is much better than trying to change the world, often end up over promise and under deliver. Giving a realistic picture can avoid his girlfriend family’s disappointment later. Instead, he offered a solution that is achievable “But I promise I will always be by her side and protect her with everything that I have. I will be someone who stands by her and understands her.”
He is decisive and doesn’t muck around
He knows himself well. He doesn’t need too much soul searching and he can solve his emotional confusion efficiently. Once he works out his feelings for Hari, he doesn’t wait around. He acted swiftly. He came up with a plan (unsuccessful). He bought a new suit, jewellery, live music, nice restaurant and cake, everything an ordinary me would hope for in a proposal. He even rehearsed for it!
He is OK to fail, OK to say sorry and OK to try again targeting where the problem is
When the first plan failed, he didn’t give up easily and rebound. He looked for feedback and did more research. He came back with a better plan. I found out his goal is to make his girl happy and not to seek self-glory. He is the guy in the background ensuring his girl’s wellbeing. When he didn’t pick up Hari’s sickness, he admitted fault fast. When Hari rejected him, he read her emotions well. He understands she has unspoken fears and reassured her that they can work it out. Not everyone can read unspoken emotions accurately.
He has the look, the money, and the background but status doesn’t bother him
OK money isn’t everything, but with money life is easier. Not everyone has access to a lot of it, and often people have better access may feel superior. Taemoo may be a very confident guy, but I never found him looking down on people. He values people for their qualities. He has good eyes spotting Hari inner beauty. He is happy to drive for his secretary. He is happy to serve fried chicken to the hungry hikers.
He says cheesy lines with an earnest face
I don’t know how Taemoo does those cheesy lines without shivering. Every time he said something cheesy, he has that face as if he means it. He said it with such conviction! Naturally my heart skips a beat but also find it very amusing to watch. Even when he was just in the pretend boyfriend mode, I will never forget that line, his face and his tone. “Do you know what this credit card and my love for you in common? There is no limit!”
His way of destressing is tidying and cooking
With work, health issues, COVID, children and family, month end deadlines, reporting deadlines and any sources of stress you are currently thinking of… When the whole family is stressed, wouldn’t it be nice that someone will do all the housework and cook fantastic chilli pawns for you? What best is it destresses him too.
There are many other things I can think of too: He is very forgiving. He is humble and can express his deepest fear to his beloved one. His collection of suits. He can play the piano. He is very good at his job. He is (at least) bilingual. He has your back. He ties your shoelaces. He knows your size. He treats people around you well. He cares for his family… His archaeopteryx’s stare.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbtwwqKgcTs/
Awesome! Thanks, @Viva!
About Hari’s sickness, do you mind verifying that afterwards, he stopped competing with Minwoo over Hari? I think the lesson for him was not to let his jealousy get the better of him.
Yes to saying cheesy lines with a straight face! I like to think that he’s paying her back (in spades!) for that joke about her “Samantha and Rachel.”
Heeeeeyy, where’s your essay, @Eureka?
Kalimera Ladies!
Should I give it a try? Mmm…
@pm3 sorry for the misunderstanding, the other BODers are better than me (ha ha ha)! I have to learn more skills from the veteran contributors here! I can sometimes write poem whenever I can and if I get inspired by a kdrama character. And the only place to share it is here! I will try to make one for Kang Tae Moo (but it depends on my swinging mood). I’m just excited to read this post and whoever will be that successful volunteer to preside Kang Tae Moo’s appreciation club.
Go ahead, @Cleopatra.
Make it serious or make it funny. Or make it Greek.
If I were a cook, I’d compare him to different menus 🥞🍛🌯🌮🥗🍔🌭🥩🍝🥟🍜🍘🍤🦪🍡🍕🍟🍗🧇🍳 🍱 just to change it up. 😂
@Packmule3
Then, I have to concentrate and write something about our Archaeopteryx!🥰
I have already written a good line for you ladies! LMAO!
Why are you up early? 😃
I’m all for inducting Kang Taemoo to our Best Boyfriend in BODs. I know and feel that he certainly deserves it. 🙌🏻
He is innocent, kind, patient, understanding and loves with a pure heart. ❤️
Who would have thought that we’d get our fourth inductee for Best Boyfriend in ABP huh? ☺️
Jet lag, @agdr03. My body’s adjusting.
Yes. We need to add more Korean Best Boyfriends because the Chinese Best Boyfriends are going to catch up.
I have one waiting in the wings. There’s Lu Xun from “Legally Romantic” — ugh! The wrong grammar in the title is driving me crazy.
I can feel your UGH! All the way from here. 😂
Oh really? I haven’t seen any cdramas. I was surprised that I took up a few so after that I’m really not sure what to watch next.
I feel I can’t be detached to ABP for awhile. 😆
What a fun tradition! 🙂
@Vivia, love your essay! Totally agree with your points!
Our school is doing online teaching now and my eyes are sore from staring at the computer all day….so I’ll just read and enjoy what others share.
Enjoy the rest of the week BODers!
@pm 3, sure! 🙂 May I add this new paragraph below to the “He is OK to fail…” point:
Later when MW misunderstood Taemoo and Hari’s conversation, Minwoo punched Taemoo. Hari went away with Min Woo to clarify her position. Hari (and me too) were worried that TM would misunderstand that she was on Minwoo’s side. You know what, the beautiful plot twist is Taemoo no longer let Minwoo’s action clouded his judgement. His overcame his jealousy. His love for Hari wasn’t shaken. He is clear his goal is to convince Hari that they will work out, no matter what other people think and say. He decisively and boldly turned down the blind date despite under the pressure of the founder and Chairman of Gofood (aka grandfather). He tried again, waited outside Hari’s house and prepared to confess his love again. The result:
https://youtu.be/t95nwMvLIh0
I am very touched by Hari trying to “claim” Taemoo back, but I can’t help but cheered for Taemoo, too. He made a successful comeback because he listens, learns and corrects past mistakes.
Further appreciation :), carrying on from the last point he is at least bilingual.
Taemoo speaking English:
https://youtu.be/n1Zo8IiETHk
OK a mature(/or shallow) appreciation should include everything from his strengths to little annoying habits. 😂 I will add in Taemoo hair swipes:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcEh-1wARo8/
@Viva: You have brought up great points that are perfect for this appreciation post for Tae Moo. I agree with all of those 🙂
I finally finished all the episodes of ‘Business Proposal’ and am finally inspired to share my reasons for inducting Kang Tae Moo into our ‘Bitches’ Best Boyfriends Hall of Fame’.
……………………………
1) My grandmother used to say: “Find a man who puts your happiness over his and that is the best boyfriend any woman can get.” Kang Tae Moo fulfills that criteria time and again.
He does things he is uncomfortable or dislikes just for Ha-ri’s sake, such as rearranging his work schedule to spend time with her knowing that important business decisions may get postponed, and going for a date in the rain in spite of his negative associations with rain.
He waits for Ha-ri’s decision about them to be a couple; though he really wants to speed the relationship along, he holds back. What I like about this situation is that a boss-employee power dynamics can very well be misused by the boss. Kang Tae Moo never comes across as threatening, he always allows Ha-ri the freedom to makes her choices. When he says he will not give up on her in episode 7, he doesn’t try to kiss her and agrees to wait till she realizes her feelings because he knows that she does like him and is only stopping herself from responding because of what people will say about the differences in their socio-economic statuses. It’s only once Ha-ri takes the initiative and kisses him that he responds back.
He does not correct Ha-ri when she introduces him as her co-worker to her parents and not as her boyfriend; though he is not happy about it, he realizes that Ha-ri is not yet willing to acknowledge their relationship and bring it out in the open. He never throws his weight around in their relationship and keeps it on equal footing – that is the mark of a true boyfriend.
2) He always has Ha-ri’s back and supports her in all tricky situations, be it against her mean friends or his own grandfather. He fulfills Ha-ri’s secret wish to show off the perfect eye-candy-on the-arm boyfriend to her mean friends (because let’s face it, it’s bitchily satisfying to watch mean faces of fake friends go from gleeful to shocked 😛 ). He then proceeds to do everything that a desirable and devoted boyfriend should do. When Min-woo asks Tae Moo why he chose Ha-ri when with his wealth and status he could have had anyone as his boyfriend, he fiercely defends Ha-ri and tells Min-woo off for insulting his girlfriend, even though she is not there to hear it.
3) And now for the ultimate best boyfriend test in my ‘Secret Book of Bitches’. He cooks delicious looking (and complicated) dishes for her on their date, making all the cutting, chopping and sautéing look effortlessly perfect. He even indicates that he isn’t averse to cooking such dishes every day for all throughout their life together. His girlfriend may never have to cook anything in her life! That seals the deal. Every time. This boyfriend is for keeps – grab him, bitches, before any other shrewd girl does 😉
Ooooh yes! Hari knew it very well girlfriend @Phoenix so she didn’t let him go. Taemoo is the catch and The One forever. 🥰
I still have lingering feelings for this drama because I still have my happy thoughts of HaTae. I know they’ll have a good, trusting and loving relationship. I know that they’ll have a few kids because Haraboji wants a few. 😉
HaTae made me so happy and I hope one day we get to see AHS and KSJ in another drama. They really made HaTae one of the best OTP for me, I saw sparks and hearts galore when they’re together. 🥰
Yes, @agdr03, girlfriend, I was thinking of you when I wrote that post 🙌. Tae Moo is a perfect drama boyfriend for any girl and H-ri does realize it, if a little later than us😜
I imagined in my head a wedding and kids for these two, so I was happy 😛 Maybe that’s how the manhwa ended too. HaTae is one of the best OTPs for me too, girlfriend, who understand each other and support each other ❤️
@Phoenix nice nice nice! He always let Hari takes her time. 😍 By the way I love your picture of Shallow Island! Perfect description!😂
I think I first felt swooned for HaTae is in the concert, when Taemoo handed her the handkerchief. I initially found him too cold in episode 1. I didn’t see that coming. I am guessing Hari didn’t see that coming too. I was sad for Hari and glad for Hari at the same time. She finally got “released” from a 7 years crush and can be free to love someone worthy again. At the time, the potential person was sitting right next to her.
Also Taemoo shares his money in a nice way. When he is happy and wants to pay back people who are nice to him, he spends. Like buying food for everyone in the snack bar, giving a card for his future brother in law. I think he pays his employees well too. (talking about paying bonus time and time and Secretary bank book looks healthy). He is always willing to share his wealth in a cliche wealthy guy way.😂
HaTae is really one of the best couples in my view. Love is not just rainbows and unicorns. In my mind they will go strong and withstand any storms ahead. They have a mature and realistic approach on solving conflicts and problems. They are decisive and take actions. They are effective in supporting each other when needed. Their rainy day date has a special place in my heart. They really speak to each other’s hearts. I can stop praising them…🥰
Off topic, I have just started on Start Up seeing Dosan is a member of best boyfriends.
Whoops typo – what I want to say is I can’t stop praising them 🥰🥰🥰
Haha, @Viva, we do love our outings on ‘Shallow Island’ where we have not-too-deep discussions on how boyfriend-like a ML looked or acted. There is even a ‘Forest of Lurking Fan-Ahjummas’ on the island, along with ‘Eye Candy Bay’🤣🤣🤣
when we butches feel like we want to critique someone though, we head over to the twin island, ‘Cynical Island’ with ‘Snarky Lake’ and ‘Rant Road’ and have fun😛
We have had virtual parties on botg islands and invited our virtual drama boyfriends over😁😁
@Phoenix, and during our stay we can potentially do day trips. May be we can go to “Cliché Restaurant”. In there, all the delicious meals we see in the dramas ranging from high end meals to fried chicken to snack bar meals are available. Or go to “Spokesperson Perks and Product Placement Outlet” to shop discounted items, ranging from high end designer items to everyday life items (like Suzy’s handbag in Start Up, crystal jewellery and outdoor jackets etc). If we are really motivated, we can send our other halves to “Oppa conference” to hear some TED talks to upskill. 😂 😂 😂
Haha I love your idea of day trips to kdramaland, @Viva!!😃 Product Placement Outlets and Oppa Conferences will be fun🤣🤣
There can even be a Trope Tunnel where we get to experience scenes from all kdrama tropes like piggyback rides, firewaorks display where FL appreciates the view while ML looks at the FL, FL being clumpsy and stumbling on flat land and ML catching her in his arms etc.
You are welcome as a guest on our Shallow Island anytime, Viva 🙌
Enjoy ‘Start-up’, you can read all the posts here (there was a rewatch too). I have missed that drama, but will catch up by binge-watching during a holiday soon.
@Phoenix lollol Trope Tunnel! Brilliant! 🥳👍😍🤣 Thanks for the guest pass – You made my day! 😁😄😃
hi all, this is too good not to share: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcPylBHgxQ6/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
@swiss_postscrips, I saw that too yesterday, I’ve read a lot of comments and netizens love …. EXTRA DELICIOUS!
LOL @swiss_postscripts and @Eureka
Extra
Extra
Extra everything.
Haha @swiss_postscripts, that is too funny😛 x-tras on TaeMoo 🤣🤣🤣
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