This is for @agdr03. We’ve been doing kiss analyses for almost 8 years now.

Nota bene: If you’re below 18 in years or intellectually, you’re not allowed to read my blog. Please go read a book. “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius is great book to start the new year with. I began reading that when I was about 16, and I still haven’t finished assimilating it.

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Here’s the conversation before the kiss.

Not to encourage any “shipping” here, but in one behind-the-scenes clip of this episode, Lee JaeWook was shown bursting into giggles once Go YoonJung launched into her angry tirade. When asked why, he said it was because it was the first time that he saw her character furious, and he found her so cute.

Cho Yeong: So that is why you came. I heard you loud and clear, so I will go now. I cannot wish you farewell, though.
Uk: (grabbing her wrist)
Cho Yeong: What is it this time? Do you want me to brace myself because you could have a change of heart? I better not see you ever again. Or I will take that stone out of you.
Uk: I am not done yet.

He means that he isn’t done speaking yet so please let him finish what he has to say.

Uk: (continuing) I told you the lantern was flickering.
Cho Yeong: So what?
Uk: So…when it is on, I am sane. It is clear to me that I must send you back as I promised. But I go insane when it turns off. I just pine for you. That is why I came to see you.
Cho Yeong: So? What about now?
Uk: If you are upset and want to leave, I should get a hold of myself and let you go.

His sensible answer signifies that the lantern is on. So she steps towards him and blows air. She doesn’t want him to be calm and reasonable.

Uk: What was that?
Cho Yeong: I turned it off. I wanted to turn it off.

You can watch the kiss scene from Ep 7 here.

Now, these are the reasons why I like this scene and why I claim that Go YoonJung just blew out Jung Somin’s weak-sauce kiss scenes in Eps 14 and 18.

The six elements of a great kiss scene:

1. Prelude to the kiss

Somewhere in my pinterest board is quote that the best kiss is the one that has been exchanged several times between the eyes before the lips have even joined together.

I take it one step back, however. There must be an understanding reached by the couple before any kissing. This understanding may be explicitly expressed in words (e.g., saying “I love you”) or it may be unspoken in that secret language of feelings. Either way, this understanding reveals itself through the eyes. That’s why eye contact is essential before the lip contact.

That’s why this prelude is good: the eyes connected.

When Cho Yeong reach up to blow air into Uk’s eyes, Uk doesn’t know what to expect. This is Cho Yeong acting randomly as usual. Remember? Uk has said several times that she catches him off-guard with her unpredictability.

Her words tell him though that she wants him to throw caution to the win. She’s giving him the go-signal to act impulsive and crazy. Then look at her facial features. Her face is still; her eyes are focused on Uk; her forehead has no creases; her lips aren’t moving; her visage is expressionless.

That, my friend, is the appropriate reaction.

Any “micro expression” (rolling my eyes!) would have been stupid as it suggests that she’s fidgeting, impatient or nervous. She must look like she’s carved out of stone because she’s holding her breath until Uk makes his next move. All her attention is on him.

And for a moment, he mirrors her emotionless face. Then, he kisses her.

2. Seamless transition

For me one of the most awkward kissing scenes is that rain-drenched smooch from the “The Notebook.” The way that Ryan Gosling just grabbed Rachel McAdams’ face, I was worried that he’d knocked her front teeth out.

That’s why I want a seamless transition. From a non-kissing position to a kissing position, I want a smooth landing. I don’t want to be reminded of car collisions and wrecked bumpers when those lips meet for the first time.

In this kiss, Uk swoops down for her. With careful editing, the kiss is seen from another angle, with a slower motion, so Uk doesn’t appear like he’s crashing onto her plump lips like a drunk driver. With the slight change of angle and pacing, we get the impression that Uk slows down to kiss her gently. Then as he deepens his kiss, his thumb grazes her cheek. That movement of his thumb reinforces the idea that he’s kissing her slowly, tenderly.

He isn’t manhandling her like Ryan Gosling did Ms. McAdams.

By the way, that thumb grazing? The visual of that physical touch is supposed to trigger ASMR or “autonomous sensory meridian response.” We’re supposed to get this tingling, goosebump-y sort of sensation while looking at it. Like we’re the ones being caressed on the cheek. Hahaha.

3. Breathe in, breathe out

I like that Cho Yeong is kissing him as much as he’s kissing her. They are in sync. And when they are in sync, it’s easy for me to imagine they’re breathing in and out together. I dislike kisses that look like one is gasping for air and the other is giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

I like to feel the heat of the kiss as well as the tenderness of the kissers. I get that bodies are supposed to melt into each other in a passionate kiss. But more than any physical melting, I want to see their consciousness – or their minds – surrendering to each other.

To me, this occurs when Cho Yeong and Uk pause in their kissing. She rests her head on the wall and he undoes the ribbon. This tells me that they both know what they’re doing and they’re consenting to it. When they kiss again and she clasps her hands around his neck, that’s a surrender.

4. Neck extensions

You know I’m big on necks, right? Didn’t we already have a discussion on hickies in some other drama?

It’s a fact that necks are sexy. You don’t have to be vampire to want to chomp on those long, exposed necks. When Cho Yeong kisses Uk, her neck is extended all the way. Not only does her neck look inviting but it also shows her openness to him…and his hickies. Lol.

Seriously, though. I like that how her neck is fully exposed and vulnerable. It’s just as tempting but a lot less vulgar than a cleavage.

Note: if the actress hides her neck like a turtle or stiffens it (cough cough, Jung Somin!), then she isn’t into the kiss.

5. The hand movements

Thankfully, most kdramas haven’t gone Hollywood yet, and lustful kissing and lewd postures are verboten.

To show passion, we see “tasteful” hand actions, like Uk wrapping an arm around her waist, and Yeong clutching his back.

This reminds me how discontented I was with Naksu in Ep 18 when she wrapped her sword around Uk. It was hardly romantic but whatever…

Moreover in Cho Yeong’s and Uk’s kiss scene, there’s a yin-yang movement going on.

For instance, he pushes her against the wall and tugs the ribbon off her garment. Note: this is kdrama; there’s no way Lee Jae Wook is going to be filmed sliding his hand down Go YoonJung’s chest. Pulling the ribbon is safer alternative.

In response, Cho Yeong then pushes him against the bookshelf and runs her hand down his shirt.

I had to laugh when she pushes him against the bookshelf. What the heck is she planning to do? Although it’s not comfortable, doing it against the wall is better than doing it against a bookshelf. For one, there’s no need to worry about splinters. For another, there’s no need to worry about an avalanche of books.

Inasmuch as much our eyes are glued on the lip-locking motion, it’s good to pay attention to hand movements for they tell us where the kiss is headed, and whether the kiss is reciprocated at all.

6. The flow

Lastly, I get annoyed when the kiss ends just as abruptly as it began. Kiss scenes should finish when a flow or a rhythm has been established.

Here, the end begins naturally as Cho Yeong runs her hand down his chest. She’s startled to feel the ice stone.

Cho Yeong: Just now, I felt the energy within you.
Uk: The ice stone?
Cho Yeong: Yes. What a powerful energy. Do you really think I will be able to control this and take it out?
Uk: I have always wanted to stop, but right now, I do not.
Cho Yeong: Do not ever think of that again. Although even if you do, I will never grant it to you.
Uk: I’m sorry…and thank you. (hugs her) Since we have stopped, let us think about how to deal with this situation.
Cho Yeong: Why? Why are you turning the lights on? Turn it back off.

She blows air on him again. He smiles at her and carries her to the table.

I like how the kiss comes full circle then. It started when he allowed himself to indulge in a little bit of insanity with her, and it ended when he hugged her.

So those are my six elements of a great kiss scene. If you notice, I didn’t mention that nuisance word “chemistry.” I think that’s a word over-used by fans to claim just about anything they want, in a contestable situation. I rarely allow its usage here on the blog.

I’ve to rest now. My meds are making me drowsy.