Part 1 is here: Just Bitching: Naked Torsos Alert

The Obligatory Post on  Shower Scenes is here: Just Bitching: The Obligatory Post on Shower Scenes

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At other drama forums, I could tell the maturity level of fangirls by the number of OMG’s they post at the sight of their oppa’s naked torso.

It amused me that these same viewers would turn their noses up at the Subway, Baskin-Robbins, and BBQ chicken product placements. They didn’t seem to understand that the same principle of marketing is in effect in those PPLs and the naked torsos. Both the advertisers and the directors are promoting a product to convince the viewers to buy them. The advertisers are obviously selling their brands by getting them integrated organically into the plot, and the directors are selling the kdrama by enticing the female viewers with the eye candy, and promising them more to come in the future.

I’ve said this before and I say it again. It is my opinion that an actor who strips for the drama doesn’t yet have enough clout to demand a nudity clause. He still needs the name brand recognition that comes with acting chops, acting experience and acting awards to draw the viewers in without disrobing.

Here’s my round-up of the naked torsos on dramas I’m watching right now. I have four awards to give the actors.

1. The “Mr. Shy Guy” Award goes to Go Kyung-Pyo. He must perform his shower scene but he’s too shy to show his front chest. So what does he do? He gives us his sexy back.

From “Love in Contract,” Ep 1, timemark 01:17.

Hmmm… did he even go to the gym to get six-pack abs?

To me, this shower scene is totally uncalled for and out-of-character. JiHo customarily sees SangEun out the door after their evening together. They bow their heads as a gesture of respect and thankfulness, then she leaves. So why is that, in this instance, he didn’t wait for her to depart before taking the shower?

The shower scene is a bait.

2. The “Mr. Super Cocky” award goes to Super Junior member, Choi Siwon. He has every right to be confident because he has a great body. He obviously works out and maintains his physique.

And as boy band member, he should be a pro at this sort of fan service.

From “Love is for Suckers,” Ep 1, timemark 54:00.

See the difference between him and Go Kyung Pyo? He has no problem stripping to his waist.

I like that the director thought this scene through. He showed that Choi Siwon was done showering. He didn’t make a mistake, like that director in “You from the Stars” of showing the actor showering while wearing a towel.

That was unforgettable.

I also like that the camera director shot this scene in monochrome, instead of bright color. You see, when male lead is in the shower, he’s supposed to be lost in thought and pondering over a problem. But when the cinematographer films in bright light, the scene looks more like a product placement for Moen or Kohler bathroom fixtures rather than a “zen” moment.

Black-and-white is brooding.

When I find a gif set, I’ll add them here.

3. The “Mr. Flex” award goes to Jung Il Woo.

Why can’t this guy just strip off his shirt and go under the shower like all the other actors? He must be flexing when he flaunts his naked body. lol.

Remember this from “Bossam”?

source: kateknowsdramas’ tumblr

Then, this is from “Good Job,” Ep 4, timemark 18:38.

We’re shown his back first.

Hahaha. There’s a river running through his back. I call it “back cleavage.”

Then we’re shown his side.

Notice the difference between this angle and Go Kyung Pyo’s side shot in “Love in Contract”? The director in GPY’s shower scene did a close-up shot so the nipples were out of sight. In Jung IlWoo’s shot, the nipple was a focal point.

Then, the character Sunwoo goes to his cavernous living room and tries on Sera’s dress.

There’s this hint of voyeurism too. The audience is supposed to be titillated just like the female lead, as she observes him naked surreptitiously.

4. Last, the “Please, put your shirt back on!” award goes to Dylan Wang. I didn’t need to see his body.

I told y’all that I stopped watching his Cdrama at Episode 18, right? Part of the reason is that I was distracted by his pale and skinny body — and not in a good way. He lost his monstrous image when he disrobed and displayed his white and undernourished torso.

From “Love Between Fairy and Devil” Ep 18, timemark 29:46.

gifs from da-qiang’s tumblr

No abs.

Lol. He has sinews of a chicken.

He doesn’t have broad shoulders. I think the director tried to cheat by slanting the camera to give the illusion that his shoulders were wider than they actually were.

Seriously, he needs to go under the sun and get a tan.

At the end of this scene, all I wanted to do was feed him red meat.

He looks better with clothes on. More romantic, more heroic, and more terrifying.

source: belmultifandommess’ tumblr

And that’s my naked torso recap for this season.

Somebody is notably missing from this thread. Did you notice it, too?

Wi Ha Joon.

He’s in “Little Women.” Did I blink and miss his naked torso moment? Where was it?

Oh well. We still have this pic from “Men’s Health” magazine, issued exactly 12 months ago.

I previously dubbed the magazine, the “Women’s Heart Attack” magazine for all the cheesecake …errr… beefcake photos.

As food for thought, I’ll leave you all with this quote often attributed to Mark Twain. He said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society.”