Retrospective: Ha Ji Won and Jo In Sung mise-en-scene CFs

These series of mise-en-scene CFs may just be one of the best K-drama inspired couples CFs I’ve ever seen. From the concept to the execution, everything was perfectly tailored for the couple in question – Ha Ji Won and Jo In Sung, who had just come off a sizzling onscreen turn as Lee Soo Jung and Jung Jae Min in What Happened in Bali. What happened was that they melted my screen, and gave the ahjummas of Korea collectively hot flashes and vapors with their indescribably sexual chemistry. It was raw, ragged, and totally riveting. I couldn’t stop watching WHIB.

After wrapping WHIB, they each bagged tons of awards and became CF darlings, individually and together. My favorite couples CFs were these from hair product line mise-en-scene. These CFs should be a case study in how to say a lot in 30 short seconds of air time. After watching the commercials, I immediately (1) wanted to buy the hair products because I was convinced I could have Ha Ji Won’s hair (and sex appeal), and (2) watched the CFs again.

Mise-en-Scene CF 1:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuXnIS5dtPI]

Mise-en-Scene CF 1:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86SDrp9L-hg]

When I watched WHIB, I never thought Ha Ji Won or Jo In Sung were secretly falling in love in real life, or that they ought to get together. What I did think was that these two people had an undeniable electric chemistry onscreen that was sizzling, and definitely not manufactured. To this day, I’ve seen pretty much all of their other works, and neither actor has created this level of unforgettable oomph with another co-star.

Jae Min and Soo Jung was probably the most toxic K-drama couple I have ever watched onscreen. Yet I could not help but be captivated and enthralled by them, and hoping against hope that maybe these two damaged individuals together could make it work as one whole couple.

One of the reasons (and there were many) that Secret Garden was such a uninspiring meta-failure for me was that Ha Ji Won was really playing the same character in WHIB, but with an easy-to-root for kindheartedness and some vocational training (and Hyun Bin was playing an even more messed up version of Samshik – but I’ll save that for another discussion). While Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won had great chemistry, for me it still couldn’t touch what she did with Jo In Sung back in 2004. There was not a single moment in the second half of WHIB where I didn’t believe 100% that Jae Min would literally die if he couldn’t have Soo Jung. Now that is some passion, folks.

Comments

Retrospective: Ha Ji Won and Jo In Sung mise-en-scene CFs — 39 Comments

sweetest tea on February 8, 2011 at 10:24 PM said:

ahhh WHIB madness is back.
Acting is just superb. It was a one of a kind drama. def on my top list and looking mighty comfortable up there

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estel on February 8, 2011 at 11:10 PM said:

She is definitely rocking the long hair. Is it shallow to say I could never really get into her Ra-im character because she had short hair? I didn’t really feel the chemistry between her and Hyun Bin, honestly, but these two have it in spades. Wowzers.

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- tangee on February 8, 2011 at 11:34 PM said:
  
  yeap, chemistry btwn her and HB was so-so.
  If you watch the BTS, HB seems to be close with her [like still holding her even after CUT scene has been called]and if he’s not with SHK, I would have thought that he’s making a run for her..
  then again, maybe, it’s just camaraderie..
  
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  - Raxelle on February 8, 2011 at 11:41 PM said:
    
    hi..do u have the link for the BTS of SG that you mentioned here..i soo want to watch it..thanks ^_^
    
    oh, these pics bring back the What Happened to Bali memories..they are in that drama together, right?..but sad ending though..
  - tangee on February 8, 2011 at 11:50 PM said:
    
    I actually click on one of the previous blogs here where it’s posted by one of the SG shippers.. Sorry, can’t recall which one though.. try BTS SG on YT…
    cheers..
tangee on February 8, 2011 at 11:14 PM said:

Dear ockoala
domo arigato for posting…
This DOES bring back the good memories.. They look hot together… Jo In Sung will always be ooohhh! one helluva of good looking guy to me.
cheers..

Oh.. BTW, when will he be discharged from his duties? anyone?

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miso on February 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM said:

gosh her hair is gorgeous. she looks so different with long hair. I was meh about her SG character, but mainly due to the way she was written. Have yet to start watching her other works.

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w. on February 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM said:

Is he back from military? WHIB was just scrumptious for Kaddiction. Someone has got to write a super script to unite these 2 for an even more intense drama. This ajumma here would be very happy.

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- w. on February 8, 2011 at 11:20 PM said:
  
  I happend upon “Frozen Flower” where Jo In Sung played the King’s boytoy bodyguard until he fell in love with the queen. It was pretty intense and probably rated R-17.
  
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  - tangee on February 8, 2011 at 11:46 PM said:
    
    Agreed… very intense indeed.. definitely an R..
endodo on February 8, 2011 at 11:44 PM said:

I still need to watch WHIB…..

Shame on me! Shame, shame, shame! XD

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idless on February 8, 2011 at 11:57 PM said:

Yes, WHIB is one of the most unforgettable K-drama for me, especially JIS and HJW chemistry. It was also because of this series that I became more interested in HJW works. Which led me to watching Hwang Jini and noticing JGS… but that’s another story to tell 😛

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Yong In on February 9, 2011 at 12:02 AM said:

yeah, in the early episodes of SG, i saw Ra Im similar with Soo Jung too. unfortunately, WHIB traumatized me with that tragic ending, so I wasn’t so hung up with said show. that was why I was so worried with the ending of SG, because of WHIB, lol.

miss Jo In Sung! is he coming out from military service soon?

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leila8mae on February 9, 2011 at 3:53 AM said:

Oh my GOODNESS!!! Jo In Sung is soooo hot, I can’t breathe.. air anyone??

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Ena Teo Jia En on February 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM said:

thanks for sharing! didnt watch WHIB but gonna go read the story and also consider watching it!!! 😀

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Dante on February 9, 2011 at 7:51 AM said:

I guess I need to add WHIB to my “to be watched” list.

*sigh*

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- tangee on February 9, 2011 at 8:13 AM said:
  
  Wise choice!
  
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joana on February 9, 2011 at 5:09 PM said:

I love Secret Garden and What Happened in Bali.
I love both Hyun Bin and Jo In Sung for Ha Ji Won.
I respect your opinion; but for me, SECRET GARDEN IS DEFINITELY “NOT” A FAILURE. 😉

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- mytruestyle on February 9, 2011 at 11:01 PM said:
  
  same opinion here.
  thanks for this post.
  WHIB is the first Korean drama that I liked watching. 🙂
  
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- jade on April 14, 2011 at 7:19 AM said:
  
  I definitely undeniably agree with you. Jo In Sung and Hyun Bin with Ha Ji Won is the best thing that ever happened to Korean drama.
  
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ais on February 9, 2011 at 6:46 PM said:

Agree!!! The chemistry between HJW and JIS in WHIB is just soo freaking intense.
JIS will be coming out of the military this April, I’m hoping for a reunion project for these two 🙂

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angelica on February 9, 2011 at 8:37 PM said:

dear ockoala… wow intense chemistry..where can i watch whib my soju vids seems to be not working…thanks

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nita on February 9, 2011 at 10:51 PM said:

Ha Ji Won is not glamuor girl, but…i don’t know…she look exclusive and classy. Girl on Top !

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faith notes on February 19, 2011 at 6:10 PM said:

ha ji won and jo in sung have that raw, stirring chem that needs to be showcased again and again… and again. cant wait to see another project of them

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Popcorn on March 20, 2011 at 3:45 PM said:

Love both WHIB & SG. Both JIS and HB are handsome, cute, and funny in their own unique ways. In my idea, JIS is some kinds of bad boy and a little pervert in his real life and in WHIB seeing from BTS. HB is some kinds of funny and gentle. They are in the same age range 29 yrs.

Want to see HJW acting with both of them in the next projects.

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GIANIS on April 14, 2011 at 12:41 AM said:

i love JO IN SUNG!!!!

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GIANIS on April 14, 2011 at 12:43 AM said:

i wish that JO IN SUNG will have some many movies soon!
I LOVE HIM! so much!

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GIANIS on April 14, 2011 at 12:45 AM said:

i wish i will see him soon! in KOREA! oh my gosh! i don’t know what to say! he is a great actor!!! i want more for JO IN SUNG!

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lulu on May 7, 2011 at 1:26 AM said:

Hello! I happened to stumble on this site. I’m from the Philippines. I watched from Arirang that Jo In Sung will be out of the military this May 4. I just wish that he’ll team up again with Ha Ji Won if he became active again in show business. I also learned from Showbiz Korea that he will have a show called Infinity Challenge waiting for him once he’s out of the military. Jo In Sung is truly handsome especially in his military uniform, a very stunning Sergeant. HJW on the other side is still very beautiful even with short hair in SG. I agree that HJW and JIS have a very strong chemistry. May there be another excellent script for the two of them. Can’t forget their Memories in Bali. It was the first Korean teleseries that I got hooked up with. I simply like both of them.

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xoxoyoobin on May 13, 2011 at 10:09 AM said:

Who knows? Maybe they’re together ..Hajiwon was spotted shopping at Cartier and a couple weeks later JoInSung was spotted wearing a ring. (i was going to put the link to the separate articles here but not sure if it’s allowed here, so i deleted it) Eventhough the management claims that it was a gift from his military unit but I find it suspicious. I mean of all things as a gift from the unit, why a ring? And dont you guys find it weird that despite the huge popularity of SG, Hajiwon did not even have a single CF with Hyunbin. To avoid jealousy from JIS? And she was recently spotted with a solitaire diamond ring (worn together with a fashion ring; to avoid ppl questioning about it?).
Just my thoughts..although I prefer her with Kang Dong Won or Hyunbin really.

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- suzyyy90 on December 10, 2011 at 1:05 AM said:
  
  Hajiwon & hyunbin didnt have a single CF because hyunbin was very busy at that moment and he had to go for his military service..
  
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beat_that on May 18, 2011 at 5:21 AM said:

Love.love.love this two forever. They totally rocked my K-drama world with their stellar performances as Jaemin and Soojung. You could really feel the jealousy and intense pain from their acting. Jo In Sung made the audience feel they’re the real Soojung that one couldn’t breathe with his possessive acting. Such power to pull the audience with him.

I really do pray and hope the big networks in Korea will give them a second shot. Oh my. Powerhouse couple. A run-away winner!

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JANNA on July 2, 2011 at 3:01 AM said:

HOPE THAT THEY HAVE COME BACK KOREAN SERIES

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SS Teh on July 24, 2011 at 8:54 AM said:

I just completed watching memories in Bali. Agreed with you all that HJW and JIS have superb chemistry, perhaps better than HJW-HB. Hope they will have opportunity to work together again.

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hesti...indonesia on August 15, 2011 at 8:40 AM said:

i love JIS n HJW. Wish them 2 b a real couple. The undeniable love and desperation from JIS 2 have HJW is soooo trustful…i rewatched WHIB many times coz till now i can ‘t except d sad ending T-T

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finfla on August 19, 2011 at 3:40 AM said:

i’ve have watched that WHIB aka Memories of Bali and… i was captivated by the love madness and hotness of the leads… and up to now, i still love this couple , even though now i’m in love in secret garden HB & HJW couple, i still can’t forget this JIS & HJW couple! well i wish the BEST for them, for HJW… she deserved to be so loved… & i wish i would see her walk down the isle sooner!!! ^_^

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ulul2211 on August 23, 2011 at 6:05 PM said:

WHIB couple, JIS-HJW is really make me crazy..
I watched WHIB for thousand times just because I want to see their love..

I think HJW-JIS is close, in many programs they mentioning each other..
In program Infinity Challenge, Jo In Sung mention HJW noona for his partner that have warm heart and nicest.. And still mentioning HJW for the most memorable steamy kiss scene, although it’s very long time ago..

In one program (I forget which program is), HJW also mentioning JIS for her fave partner on screen, and same with JIS, she also mentioning the kiss scene with JIS for the most memorable..

I think they have heart for each other.. And I really want to them to be together..

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superchiri on May 4, 2012 at 8:20 AM said:

By the way this news freaks me out about Jo Insung and Ha Ji-won look ->http://k-popped.com/2009/06/ha-ji-won-on-movie-haeundae-marriage/

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