Updated, May 3, 2022.
Kim Sejeong posted on Ahn HyoSeop’s instagram. She wrote, “Ani, Taemoo-ssi” or “No, Taemoo.” I told @agdr03 that she sounded just like Hari. hahaha. She wanted Taemoo’s body just for her eyes only. Thanks, @agdr03 for the update.
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Congratulations to Viva, our new President of the Kang Taemoo Appreciation Club! She joins Phoenix and Ella as presidents of the Appreciation Clubs.
Viva explains why Kang Taemoo is one of our Best Boyfriend honorees in the blog.
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.
I see a few common similarities with our other Best Boyfriend icons, Xiao Nai (“Love O2O”), Lee Gon (“The King: Eternal Monarch”), and Nam Dosan (“Start-Up”). One, Kang Taemoo is a genius like the others. He’s not just a “face genius,” he’s also “business genius.” Two, he’s an honorable and upstanding young fellow. And three, he’s besotted with Hari.
We can do a rewatch this Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Just pick any two nights that you want. (The “W: Two Worlds” are NOT having their regular rewatch this weekend.) And pick the two episodes you want to have a rewatch on.
We’ll just play around with the time, @Viva.
I have to be done by 10am on Thursday and Friday (or 10pm in Singapore and Philippines), and 9am on Saturday (9pm in Singapore and Philippines). Ask @agdr03 what time is good for her.
Let’s see what time is convenient for most of you. You can always have the rewatch without me. I’ll just add my thoughts either before or after the rewatch.
Sigh. I think this is the moment when I first realized that he has a potential to be a Best Boyfriend. lol.
Congratulations,Viva, and welcome to Shallow Island❤
@packmule3, I’ll try to add another reason-he. Accepts HaRi’s help in dea,dealing, with his most important vulnerability; his pain dpwhen it rains because he associates rain with the accident that killed his parents. The scene where Hari pulled out the umbrella like a magician was pure comforting and a sign of pure love. She works her unexpected magic on him and he accepts her love. What a heart fluttering moment. To me it was also a sign that he viewed Hari as an equal.
Oops, I should have said @Viva.
Congratulations, @Viva. I really enjoyed your comments and everyone else’s as well.
Congrats @Viva! Well deserved!
Congratulation Viva!!!
Hopefully I could join the rewatch tooo..
And appreciate our Kang Tae Mo all over again hahaha..
Thanks @pm3 and everyone! What an honour!
@Phoenix yes I can join you and Ella now! Yay! 🥳😁
As for rewatch, I will go with the time that suits most people. I am in New Zealand so I am generally ahead. @agdr03, I am two hours ahead of you. What time works best? 🙂
I am four hours ahead of Singapore and Philippines, 9 hours ahead of Greece. So my 9pm would be 7pm for Sydney, 5pm for Singapore, 12pm for Greece and 5am for you @pm3. That would be my ideal time but I am not sure about the turnout rate 🤣
I just recovered from COVID so I won’t stay up late. I am more than happy to read your comments and catch up later 🙂
I am guessing the time that may suit most people:
A. Friday NZT 10.00pm, Syd 8.00pm, SGT 6.00pm, Greece 1pm, London 11.00pm, pm3 6.00 am;
B. Friday NZT 11.00pm, Syd 9.00pm, SGT 7.00pm, Greece 2pm, London 12.00pm, pm3 7.00 am;
C. Saturday NZT 10.00pm, Syd 8.00pm, SGT 6.00pm, Greece 1pm, London 11.00pm pm3 6.00 am;
D. Saturday NZT 11.00pm, Syd 9.00pm, SGT 7.00pm, Greece 2pm, London 12.00pm; pm3 7.00 am.
Please let me know what works with you all 🙂
Episodes I am thinking of are 10 (for the sweetest date) and 11 (for the obvious reason, I want to read your responses lol). Open to other suggestions too 🙂
Congratulations @Viva! I’m happy that Kang Tae Moo is one of the chosen one! I hope to join in the rewatch!
Congrats @Viva! 👏🏻 You deserve to be the President of Kang Taemoo’s Appreciation Club. Shallow Island is a happy place, full of well deserved men whose intelligent, kind, patient, loving and most of all very handsome. 🥰
I’m happy to do a rewatch on Friday either 8pm or 9pm. Unfortunately I can’t do this Saturday as we have a family birthday dinner.
Let me know ok. Episode 10 and 11 are great episodes.
Thank you. ☺️
Thanks @agdr03! 🙂 Is there any other day you would be free for one more episode?
@pm3, what time works with you? 🙂
@Eureka, hope to see you in the rewatch! 🙂
@Viva, I’m good for next Friday and the Saturday after that as well. April 29 and 30.
I can start at 6am so it won’t be too late for you.
Options A and C
Thank you so much @pm3! Option A for sure! That is:
Episode 10 – 22 April Friday
NZT 10.00pm, Syd 8.00pm, SGT 6.00pm, Greece 1pm, London 11.00pm, pm3 6.00 am; That
@pm3 Do we want to do one episode on either Friday 29/ Saturday 30 April so agdr03 can join? Would that suit your schedule?
Cheers!
I’ll check and get back to you tomorrow, @Viva. My assistant has a better idea of my schedule than I do. 😳
I finally got to read this thread. Congratulations @Viva, I so heartily agree with you, and with @OAL too. I really appreciate a man who’s not so full of himself that he doesn’t mind being weak before his lady, and accepts her help as well. The thing that is sometimes brought up into the open, but more often is present in the background of relationships, possibly contributing to their fragility, is that the individuals only want to show their good sides to each other (an episode of Yumi’s Cells comes to mind). This will amount to putting on a show, taking on unnecessary stress and even lying.
I like that this couple became super honest, at least to each other, after the deceptions were revealed. Even the reasons that TM gave to HR’s ‘lousy friends’ on the yacht were truthful on the how and why he fell in love with her.
I’ll see if I can pop in to join you on your rewatch. It will be so much fun!
Yes please @GB! Hope to see you there! 🙂
Understand @pm3 🙂 Hope assistant can find a spot for us!
@Viva, congratulations on rising to the presidency of the Kang TaeMoo Appreciation Club! Your analysis was well written, and I enjoyed reading it. I’m so glad you brought up the fact that he knows how to cook and clean. That’s a biggie in marriage. If only one partner does all that work, over the years it can cause resentment. I’m also glad the concept of pride to hide embarrassment was mentioned: that also can hinder a relationship: not only is transparency sacrificed, the pride can lead to selfish decisions. Despite his wealth, good looks, education, and confidence in his business acumen, TaeMoo at his core is a humble man. He’s not afraid to follow HaRi’s lead, even if he ends up in situations where he might feel silly.
Another thing I appreciate about TaeMoo is that he didn’t criticize HaRi’s fashion sense, even when she dressed as Geum Hui with the goal of shocking him and eliciting rejection. He kept his opinions to himself. Another plus is that TaeMoo was supportive of HaRi during a family situation involving her younger brother, and didn’t immediately cast HaMin as a bad seed despite seeing the security footage of his taking cash from the family restaurant’s till. I don’t think TaeMoo was uncaring or passive about these matters, but I think he was courteous and chose to trust HaRi. He was willing to accept Geum Hui / HaRi as she was, her difference from him being part of what he cherished. He was willing to get to know HaRi’s family on their turf, not judging them by outward appearances and circumstances, and not letting their mistakes color his perception of HaRi herself.
As for the rewatch, I can’t promise to be present as it is happening, but I can later read the comments and add my own. Unfortunately, 6am Eastern Time is 3am Pacific Time.
@Viva, I neglected to congratulate you on your new auspicious title. Your championing of our favorite hero makes me so happy. This drama was a source of pure joy.
Just found a hot photo shoot Ahn Hyo Seop did for Calvin Klein on Koreaboo that appeared in Dazed. I’m sorry but I don’t have the link except for koreaboo.com. For those of us on shallow island they are well worth a look. They also appear on Ahn’s instagram-@imhyoseop/Instagram. Hope this brings you joy.
Yes @AOL, I saw those photos on Instagram yesterday. My eyes are happy!!!
I’ve heard that 5 years ago Paul Ahn also did a photo shoot with Dazed. This time the photos look like an “extra extra everything” (quoting from @GB in another thread)
@Viva,
I can do next Friday, April 29, too. 👍
Pm3
Howdy. 👋🏻
So we are on tomorrow night yes? Is it episode 10?
I found this interview and it’s Business Proposal’s PD regarding the drama.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-k-drama-business-proposal-director-interview-1235132571/amp/
Yay yay yay! Awesome! Thanks @pm3! 🍬🍪🍩
That’s my understanding @agdr03 🙂
Episode 10 – 22 April Friday
NZT 10.00pm, Syd 8.00pm, SGT 6.00pm, Greece 1pm, London 11.00pm, pm3 6.00 am
Episode 11 – 29 April Friday
NZT 10.00pm, Syd 8.00pm, SGT 6.00pm, Greece 1pm, London 11.00pm, pm3 6.00 am
Thanks @Viva! Looking forward to it. ☺️
Thanks @Welmaris and @OAL 🙂
@Welamaris, it is tricky with 3am! The middle of the night is tough. I once stayed up at 2am for a call with Canada and totally couldn’t go back to sleep. I thought ep 10 is lovely because of the rainy day date. I felt it was one of the most meaningful dates I have seen lately. There is no need for dramatic and grand gestures to show love and there is no need to pretend to be tough. A nice role reversal too – it is the female lead protecting the male lead. I would love to read your analysis if you drop by later 🙂
@OAL @Eureka yes I saw that on Twitter yesterday! I think the fans are still talking about it today.
@agdr03 I thought that article is well written. That reminds me – I saw the same bridge (where Hari confessed to TM) in Wok of Love. The PD must love that bridge very much to reuse the location again.
I’ll post an open thread for the rewatch shortly. 🙂
@Viva, This PD did Wok of Love so heis familiar with idol actors. He ended up with two great ones; Seeing and JunHo. He seems to also understand how to work with individual actors try I enhance their skills. The Hollywood in Reporter article gave us a good look at his process. Having watched the many episode format of Wok of Love compared to the relatively short form of Business Proposal, I think this PD is very effective. Truth be told, I wish we’d gotten one more episode or an extended episode to give us viewers a tad more exposition, especially for more detail of the grandfather’s relationship to HaRi vis a vis his acceptance of her relationship with TaeMu. However as this drama was the PD’s first as a freelancer, he may have been confimed to a twelve episode contract and might not have had leverage to go further.
Congratulations @Viva and your lifetime membership to Shallow Island 🏝 Cheers to good k/cdrama boyfriends!!!
The rewatch is too early for me and sleep has been precious in these stressful days. Enjoy the rewatch folks!!! I like the rain date episode.
Thanks @Janey! I miss Fiji and Shallow Island is just as good! 🙂
@Welmaris tried a scene by scene comment method suggested by pm3 in our rewatch yesterday and that works well. If you have some time before the official start time come and join @Welmaris (in pacific time) and us in the next rewatch 🙂
Sorry I”m so late on congratulating you @Viva!! My time with the computer is very limited so had not had a chance to post.
Viva you are amazing. I am not able to write as well as you or other BODers here, but I enjoy it when I get to see all the delicious details posted. =)
I loved all your points and made me remember why this kdrama was so good. I love these types of kdrama boyfriends! Congrats again.
ugh adding that the only place I can write fast and comfortably is on the computer. My phone is not good for that lol
ok bye =)
Thanks @Carolina! 🙂 You are too kind!!! It is just so good that pm3 provides us a space to talk to other likeminded viewers! My writing is far from prefect, often with grammar mistakes here and there, but I will keep trying to improve :). BODers are the best! They are lovely and accepting.
There is a rewatch happening tomorrow so swing by if you have time 🙂
I’ll post a rewatch thread as soon as I get home, @Viva.
Updated to post the instagram message of Kim Sejeong to Ahn Hyoseop. Thanks @agdr03 for sharing.
Congratulations ladies! I enjoyed your posts! 🙂
This is AHS’ fan quiz on BP. Great memory hey 🥰
https://youtu.be/qkq4930HLo4
@Hatlady, So happy to see you back. I hope all is well with you and yours.
@agdr03, that was fun to watch!
@Hatlady, it’s nice to see your note.