Categories: K-dramas

Playful Kiss: So Long, Farewell, It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

Sixteen television episodes, 7 Youtube episodes, and 2 behind-the-scenes specials later, I stand here today finding it exceedingly difficult to send off Playful Kiss (Mischievous Kiss). What started as a quaint, mellow, and adorable little drama took on a life of its own, becoming the sum greater than its parts both in the legacy it leaves behind in the K-drama world, and in my little neck of the woods.

Everything must come to its rightful conclusion, even if the recollections of the moments that shaped the journey we took with Baek Seung Jo and Oh Ha Ni (and to a lesser extent, with Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min) feels bittersweet right now. PK was never loved by the greater drama world, but it was loved more than enough by the legions of PKissers that made up for the dearth in fans by a genuine groundswell of support. Today I’m here to celebrate and rejoice, to thank a drama that was so very ordinary, but had such an extraordinary impact on the few of us who really connected with it. The pictures that accompany this post all come from the BTS Youtube episode.

I’m not terribly fond of lists, but I feel like this occasion is perfectly primed for a list post that will allow us to memorialize our affection for PK. While some moments were more impactful than others, and many will fade away with time, when the memory is still fresh is when we should catalogue our feelings for PK, like snapshots we can pull up again when we feel the urge to revisit the drama.

Koala’s Top Five Favorite PK Moments (in reverse order):

(5) The Rain Kiss – it was the culmination of everything that led up to the breakthrough between Seung Jo and Ha Ni. Normally this would rank #1, except the delivery by both Hyun Joong and So Min were strangely muted (likely at the request of the PD), and the execution was so dreadful. Which reminds me, that damn monkey really needs to be strangled. Hope someone takes care of that matter.

(4) Ha Ni’s night-before-the-wedding talk with her dad – poignant and meaningful, a reminder that PK wasn’t just about Ha Ni and Seung Jo, but also about the people who love and cherish them.

(3) Seung Jo’s piggyback of Ha Ni from the tennis court after she sprains her ankle – so natural, so effortless, and the smile that comes unbidden made this small forward moment in their relationship feel like Ha Ni must have felt while she was on Seung Jo’s back, priceless.

(2) Seung Jo and Ha Ni’s CPR session – everything I imagine between them as husband and wife, the teasing, teaching, and loving affection, all wrapped in a giant ball of cute and funny.

(1) The walk to the movies – this scene was just perfect, from beginning to end. I couldn’t have wished for more fanservice, especially since it was so touchingly real and honest. So simple, yet so masterful in communicating how they love and adore each other.

I find PK was more enjoyable because I was recapping it and swept up in the momentum and the camaraderie. I’ll probably wait a good long while before rewatching it because I don’t want my PK experience dampened by a more critical eye towards the more glaring faults of this drama. In the end, PK was a drama that means more to me than I could have imagined when I started watching it. And that is a memory that will remain with me regardless of my opinion of PK in the future. Now let’s break out the champagne and toast the little drama that could!

ockoala

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  • I just want to thank you again for recapping. While Playful Kiss' main attraction for me is the chemistry between its lead stars, I have to say that the fans' responses and support for the show also added to the excitement of watching this drama.

    Anyway, I'll have to think by my own list for this show. Will return later ... :)

  • Ah....so it has come to this. I'm strangely subdued and nostalgic. But what the hey, I was the one who suggested this party in the first place, so I'm bringing out the bubbly....its time to parteeeeey everyone!!!!

    First of all, thank you ockloala dear for your generosity and for sharing this wonderful playground to all of us. I can't even remember what my internet-stalking was like before Sept 1 but I sure thank the internet gods for bring me here. *big hugs to you*

    Which reminds me...dear V. She was the one who directed me here in the first place. Thank you, V. Ganbatte kudasai!! We'll wait for you here so we can all celebrate together.

    And the rest of you my PK chingus...thank you, thank you for sharing this little fluffy fluff with me. I've said this before, PK took me back to high school and those times when we giggle over crushes and stay up late at night talking about loves and whatnot -- PK was really like that for me. And so much more. The range of discussions that we've had here was unbelievable. We really do feed each other's crazy and what could be more wonderful than that?

    So my dear lovelies, much thanks. For the endless chatter, the belly laughs, flights of fancy and loose associations and more. Boating, oranges, mini coopers, perms, robots, etc. will never be the same again. It sure was one heck of a fun ride!!! Cheers. Salud. Kanpai!!!

    xxoo,
    odessa/sf, california

      • *like button* is too, too funny! :)
        on my way to work and my not be back until laaaaater, so i'll just do my shout-outs while we're at it:

        :: JJ, ItadakimasU, lulybunny, kittykat -- big LOVEs.
        :: mayssenger, rush, kn, a_fan -- my sisterhood of the travelling boat. i'm not sure if i can keep up with you guys...we might have gotten all tangled with the flossing and sub-plots, kidnapping, and booze..bwahahaahaaa.
        :: rainyrain, allenif, comicsgilz, jeankaycee, endodo, pksotted..can't remember everyone's names....*hugs* big thanks!

        :: MinMin, my hero. i wish and pray that your star will shine so bright, if will make our head spin. you are truly talented and i love that you have a good head on your shoulders. thank you for giving us a Oh Hani whom we can cry, smile, squee, and jump for joy with.

        :: my dear KHJ. aaahhhh..where do i start? i always seem to end up writing a dissertation when talking about you but i will restrain myself and say that i'm so glad that you are in such a happy place right now. keep smiling, it looks so good on you. thank you for giving us a smirky-permy robot boy to fall in love with.

        :: and ahhhh, our favorite OTP. you crazy, crazy kids. go drive that mini-cooper of yours to a forest somewhere and fullfill all our steamboating fantasies for us. ;)

      • @JJ, we have to contact mayssenger for that darn manual. i haven't even received my copy yet.

        @mayssenger, whereareyou?!!! did you pass out from all that sujo? :P

    • @yeisha, I'm clean and sober thank you....it's the birds that are having a drinking problem LOL come join me in M3 miss youuu....

  • I’m sooo grateful about the whole PK experience, the drama, webisodes, ockoala’s playground, all the chattering and meeting awesome PKissers/PK-chingus! The webisodes were awesome, attending to our pk-questions about their married lives. I would have like to see the return of some people (Nori… BSJ curing the little boy, and BJG and YHR’s life after… but that’s too much to ask I think… from 7 10+ minute webisodes…) or the return of the stuffed doggy BSJ won for OHN… (I thought it was a very ugly stuffed animal but OHN clung on it as if her life depends on it :P… heck she even put her life on line for it!) I would have liked BSJ to give it to OHN for the second time (showing that he cares and is detailed)… sadly it didn’t… but that’s ok. I’m content with everything PK did gave us!!
    PK just touched my heart and every emote button on me: happy, sad, giddy, angry, proud, angst, shy, sorry, never-bored however!, relieved, cheerful, euphoric… expectation, anticipation… PK-ation ;)
    We started out skeptic, afraid that PK won’t meet our expectations or even pretended not to anticipation kissing-action just so we won’t be badly disappointed…. How PK, KHJ, JSM, the Lee’s, EunJo, Ommoni, the Dads, the Chingus + tennis sunbae and the filming crew… (-_- yes including the editor monkey…-_____-) kicked our butts!!!

    Aaaah, the very final ending of PK… there are these feelings of OTTOKEEEEE, of sadness… but somewhere down the line… I also feel a relief… Finally, I hope to step out of the PK-world and enter reality once again (I’ve been avoiding it a bit I think -_-) I’m going to tug PK along with its fond memories (playground, snacks, meeting PKissers, major increase of KHJ obsession) into the happy place of my brain and heart^^

    I don’t need any more from them… It’s been good… it’s been GREAT!! PK me loves you!!

    Ockoala… I think I’ve been taking up your space here a lot, screaming all over the place and repeatedly thanking you… but, yeah… once again: my sincere GO MA WO!!!. You’ve made this craze happen for me, make me appreciate PK to the fullest and I enjoyed every minute and second of it !! (¤^o^¤)/

    Also to thank are my fellow PKissers and chingus, craving, obsessing, praising, but most of all loving PK with me like else, there will be no tomorrow. Cannot leave this without mentioning I-miss-U-still-little-V of course… with her major impact on this blog!! Haven’t met anybody as crazy as you… well… maybe… me, but I didn’t meet myself ;) and am by far not as impactful as you are. Our talks… I’ll value them the rest of my life, I promise ;)
    Ah.. also special mention of JJ who introduced me to PK-faces, sharing her thoughts and insights with me…
    isshhhh while I’m at it: Lulybunny, Rainyrain, Yeisha, Kittykat, Fromspain and Allenif (with their king/queen avatar!! Their JJANGGG!!), mayssenger, ami, loveplayfulkiss, pksotted, goodange, teacup, rush, comicgirlz, anne, a_fan (with your wham more time -__-.. I’m so gullible ;P) (aishhhh ok I’ll stop here, taking too much space again…) anyway, every PKisser who crossed my path: major thanks!!!
    But also to all the others I didn’t speak directly to… every contributor to these discussions, talks, and spazzing: thanks for the joyride ;)

    AKP, PK (but sorry most of all) Kim Hyun Joong Shi (aishhh *shakes head*)…. SARANGHAEEEEEE^^

  • Ockoala...I don't think my PK -watching-experience would've been complete, if not for your insightful recaps & articles!!!
    You have "enhanced" & made me appreciate PK MORE because you didn't just recap it half-heartedly...& I'm sure there are thousands of PKissers who have benefited from them & are as appreciative like me... of all the time & effort you've poured into PK !!!
    It's so heartening to be able to share my LOVE for PK & KHJ with you & your readers!!!
    It was one hell of a roller-coaster ride & I enjoyed every minute of it!!!
    Kamshamnida, Ockoala!!!

    • I think I really like and totally agree on the sentence 'you didn't just recap it half-heartedly'. Ockoala, I have to say I've been hooked to your recaps eversince someone from the PK thread at soompi listed your blog as a must read! I've been to other blogs too which recapped our PK but I have to say, one particular blogger and most of the posters there made me feel distaste at their, well, snarkiness and virulent bashing, of not only the drama but the two leads and especially, our darling KHJ. Sometimes I kinda wondered rather amusedly, what did KHJ ever do to that blogger and posters to the point that they refused to even acknowledge that he has improved and in fact enthusiastically bashing him for being expressionless, stiff, yada, yada... Perhaps he didn't acknowledge or give them his autographs when they met him? LOL! Anyway, so sorry to give vent here when actually I wanted to thank you for all your wonderful recaps and also for letting me really enjoy your playground for these last few months. I also have to say that I greatly enjoyed reading the PK-lovers comments and had some crazy laughs by myself because of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I hope we'll be able to spazz some more for KHJ and JSM's future drama projects with your recapping. Bye for now!

  • it is hard to say goodbye to PK but we have to...i seriously love all characters in this drama and love the story line about a girl crush to an over-her-level kind of guy... love JSM and KHJ and wish them all the best...wish they could date for real too!!! :D

    in PK, there is so many sad and sweet moments that should be quoted and therefore i choose to say... PK IS THE BEST!! :D

    thanks to Ockoala for your hardworking and kindness in feeding us all about PK this whole time and spread us a colourful playground for us to play happily... :) for you and for all PKisser....lot of hugs and kisses from me~~ ^o^/

  • let's PArTy indeed!!!
    Thank YoU So MuCh OCKOALA for a job well done here! From your recap, to your thoughts, and to your spoilers, I enjoyed and appreciate it all very much. Your top 5 I LIKE!!
    I'll still definitely be lurking and stalking you here since I've just started watching M3 and find it quite addictive to say the least hehehe!

      • hahaha PARTAAAAY we shall!!!
        cuz i gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night!
        FILL UP MY CUP, MAZEL TOV
        LOOK AT HER DANCING, JUST TAKE IT OFF
        LET'S PAINT THE TOWN, WE'LL SHUT IT DOWN
        LET'S BURN THE ROOF, AND THEN WE'LL DO IT AGAIN!
        hahaha oooppps sorry i got carried away mah bad!

  • ♪♫♪♫ Aufwiedersehn
    Goodnight
    I hate to go and leave this pretty sight ♪♫♪♫

    omo... i really hate goodbyes.... instead I wanna thank you koala for your amazing and amusing recaps, previews and PK news. because of you and the rest of the boating, steaming, flossing gang (mayssenger, yeisha, itadakimasU, a_fan, J.J., rush, goodange…. etc etc) watching asian dramas for the past 5 years have never been the same again.

    i cried watching the last bts. i finally realized that this is it. no more PK episodes, webisodes, bts, most especially the cuteness and adorableness of the hyunmin couple. i've been watching countless of asian dramas for the past 5 years but never i've been so attached like this. PK indeed brought new heights to my drama watching experience. i found myself lurking to all possible sites for any related PK/KHJ/JSM topics. alas, i found ockoala’s playground… a haven for us PKissers. though i was just a silent participant most of the time, still i’m proud to be a PKisser. my wishes to all of you here:

    ► to ockoala – again, thank you so much and God bless!
    ► to KHJ – an international recognition of your talent and more acting jobs to hone your acting skills
    ► to JSM – you’re undeniably the breakthrough star… more projects to come and awards to gain
    ► to all PKissers – good luck to all your endeavors and hope to see you again here in ockoala playground

    KAMPAI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Oh man. I wish this were a real, live party! :lol: If it were, we could bring a projector, and we can have a PK marathon (all 16 eps and 9 YT specials). Lol. If this were a live party, I imagine it can go on for days.

    I was thinking about making a list like yours ockoala, but then, there's just too much to mull through. (Heh, I'm lazy.) The drama definitely has flaws and could use lots of improvement, but in all, I enjoyed it a lot.

    So, I'll just re-post my comment from Soompi:

    [i]It is definitely bittersweet. On the sweet side (in no particular order):

    1) Hyun Joong and So Min finally get some much needed rest.

    2) Hyun Joong, So Min, and the rest of the cast and crew have gotten to know each other and most likely have become very close and will maintain a close friendship after having worked on the show.

    3) So Min and Hyun Joong have added to their experience, both professionally and personally. Albeit the show had low ratings in S. Korea, this was still exposure for the two leads, and at the least, they do have some recognition internationally. Also, now, they have experience in carrying a drama as lead actors. And they've proven that they can carry a drama. So Min, in particular, has displayed her ability to be a versatile actress, while Hyun Joong has shown that he is capable of growing as an actor.

    3A) Because of this exposure, So Min and Hyun Joong will be offered even more projects

    3B) They've gained new fans. Consider me converted

    4) The PK fans' response and support for the show. Equally as fun as watching the show is being in the company of those who love it as well. The fan arts (MVs, banners, icons, etc.), the comments, sharing pictures, music, and articles ... all these have brought extra excitement to following Playful Kiss.

    5) Gushing over the sweet, sweet chemistry between So Min and Hyun Joong and guessing what the other thinks of the other and analyzing/studying their flirtatious gestures/behavior towards each other. After seeing the numerous BTS and the early promotional interviews, I have come to a conclusion that Hyun Joong is a fun flirt. Haha. Whether he was doing it intentionally or not, he was flirting with So Min. I don't think there was anything wrong with it. I think it made the chemistry between their on-screen characters much more endearing, relatable, and exciting. Off-screen, it made the working relationship between him and So Min much more fun, considering they were working exhaustively.

    The bitter parts:

    1) Being deprived of following this cute couple's endless marital journey.

    2) Being deprived of seeing more interactions between So Min and Hyun Joong--on and off-screen. I don't think we can talk enough about their chemistry.

    3) Simply the show ending. I truly hate feeling the withdrawal symptoms after having watched a very enjoyable show. It's like having hypomania! Why would we want to come down from such a euphoric high?! It is only a show, and there are more serious things in life that need our attention, but the drama has been a wonderful escape, however ephemeral. We have to take whatever little joy we can get, even in something as seemingly trivial as watching Playful Kiss. Watching Playful Kiss (and any other drama that we like) is not really time wasted as long as it brings a little bit of happiness to us. ( sorry to get all philosophical.) [/i]

  • I'm laying in bed, spent from yesterday's work, and nursing my body out of a cold, but my physical state is not the same as my heart. I refuse to go through the DABDA stages and just jumped through to acceptance--hence my perkiness last PK post.

    PK was an awesome ride, sure enough I came into it seeing who the heck would rehire Kim HyunJoong for another role LOL (and do remember I'm a fan) but was pleasantly surprised that he did indeed step up. Then it was an even more pleasant surprise that I fell in love with this "kiddie" story. I think I needed it in my life, right now, to remember to use my heart after using my mind for so long...

    A few inconsequential scenes that I love:
    - episode one- Grease Hani asks BSJ if he'd wanna date her and he gets into a coffin.
    - any and all scenes with the best friends. Especially the Giant Teddy Min Ah gave for pin-coushin practice lol.
    - Eun Jo watching yt baby clips.
    - BSJ holding Hani's hand when he made the proposal.
    - the crooked candles. That right there was a lot of depth for me, it passes right past mental calculations and straight into the heart. :)

    Finally, I want to post this question:

    WHAT WAS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU DID FOR PK?!
    I had several but the most "hard core" were:
    - my best friends felt i was neglecting them--which i sure was--banded together and said "for ever hour of PK you work out 2 hours. That's 4 hours of work out a week. Hours were also roll over." (if I didn't finish, it was added to the next week's) I once did 12 hours of work out because I had roll over and didn't watch for two weeks. T_T does that spell dedication? I had work (3 jobs) and school. LOL I love my friends, try watched PK along with me and made sure I did my hours lol... Even my sister joined in on the hour counting... -_-
    - something less crazy, I brought out PK during a class lecture discussion. It had something to do with peoples perception on romanticism, and I said "stealing one's first kiss could be romantic, but I'd honestly slap the jerk...which reminds me of this drama i'm watching...". Lol my professor was like "yeah... Um..."

    So there, a relative metal purgative of PK for me lol. I might add on to the list of favourite inconsequential scenes though... When I'm on the laptop.

    Love you ladies! Thankies for the fun times and the PK-obsession enablement!!! See you 'round for Athena! Woot!!!

    But last, and never the least, OcKoala, thank you so much for this. You were the train conductor and we the passengers to this crazy whirlwind ride. <3

    • I cracked @ur 'sure enough I came into it seeing who the heck would rehire Kim HyunJoong for another role' keke!!

      adding a random but memorable scene: OHN sulking@the staircase nearby the house and BSJ coming in and consoling her.. the way he does it.. Love how he was 'petty girl, you have nothing to sulk about I LOVE YOU' and then followed by soft words... the first time I really noticed him using it towards OHN

      considering my crazy stuff.... aside from my rituals waiting for PK
      (until tuesday i'd try to find as much PK/KHJ related stuff as possible, or do reruns of PK&WGM to kill time... on tuesday, watch the raws (wondering what the heck they're saying to each other if it's heavy on dialogue), read ockoala's recap (sometimes read recap first, then watch raw), wake up on wednesday and start my day with subbed ep... then do the same with wednesday ep.... after that... continue to anticipate impatiently... trying to find distractions from PK sigh) BUT the crazy thing must be exchanging conversation like writing essays (of at least 4 pages worth in ms word) with V!!! Throwing my life @her and receiving hers back ^^

      • Bwahaha. Yeah, I didn't much like Kim Hyun Joong in the beginning, but dang the drama gods! There is something cool about being proven wrong--it is a pleasant surprise.

      • @ ItadakimasU Te-he-he, remember, makane's the troublemaker. <3 Btw, our FB convos are getting long too~ LOL
        @ goodange, It was nice to be proven wrong. It was also nice to see a different side of him, like he promised.

    • @JJ, im so glad that your 1 of the few ladies that I'ved met here in Ockoala's, its been wonderful sharing insights with you!!! I know will still see each other here!!!

      See you around JJ!! Toast for PK!!!

    • literally cursing my net connection every wed and thurs nights bec i wont be able to watch it online and being up and awake all night til morning to watch the raw version even though i dont understand one word of what they're saying as i cannot wait for the subbed version...

      • LOL I used to watch BTS, clips, and even long previews on my cellphone during lunch. My boss was always wondering what the heck all the noise was about. "Did you choke on your lunch?" He'd ask from his desk, while I was sitting by the window eating/watching in the other room/section.

    • No problem. You're one of the many here that offer very thoughtful comments. I enjoy reading your responses.

      • LOL One does try. During the series I was up at 3/4 in the morning getting up at 7/8 to go to work all because of the chatter. XD How I was coherent during the day IDK. lol

    • Oh! Another inconsequential scene.

      When Momma Baek asks BSJ why he didn't take Hani home the first time and he was like "she can make it home" and momma replies "there's weird people in the neighborhood"... BSJ was outside sitting in the patio remembering the weird guy he saw in the bushes... He scrunches his face and goes "SO ANNOYING" and then "goes out to buy drinks/save Hani's behind." LOL

    • Let's see... my entire morning routine was set around the show airing. And since I change time zones for work, my first order of business was figuring out WHEN the show would air to then figure out when to get work done. (Ended up seeing the show in four different time zones)

      Also, clients took me to a Korean restaurant, and at entryway was wall-o-drama posters. Involuntarily *squeed* at the sight of Lee Tae Sung on some other drama poster, then having to take a pic to txt to roomy. Me = lame. Clients = amused.

    • WHAT WAS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU DID FOR PK?!

      omo... i forgot to answer that. ^keke since my boss rarely go to the office, all i do is lurking... lurking... lurking looking for any PK/KHJ/JSM related news, videos etc etc. the result is TADAAAH.... accumulated paper works in my tray which never happened to me before. :D

      • LOL. At least your boss doesn't hear you garble, spaz, and sigh... mine thinks I lost my mind--at least during lunch time. It wasn't as bad when I was waiting for Youngbae/Taeyang's album to drop. I was calling everyone--collect calls to friends in Korea (yes it was like 1 am their time 12 my time) to annoy/remind them lovingly to get the deluxe edition for me...

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Published by
ockoala
Tags: Playful Kiss
14 years ago

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