The Romantic and the Idol Season 2 Episode 7

Photo:theromanticandidol.blogspot.com

Ahhhh....the last episode!  They finally get to pick their final selection.

Before they show where they left off in the previous episode, the start of this episode shows all the idols leaving Jeju Island.  You really can't tell who is paired up with who and they are looking friendly and playful.  Well, the ones that they filmed leaving: G.Na, N, Eunyeoung, Yewon and Kevin.

So, after the Truth Room, the PD tells all of them that tomorrow they can have a free date with anyone they want and do whatever they wish.

Jonghoon and Yewon spends the day together bike riding and going to a cafe to eat.  They even spent some time taking pictures together.   I got irritated with JH because even though he waited impatiently for her, when she asked if he waited long, he told he waited an hour.  Then he complained that he had the day planned but won't be able to do all of it since she took too long to get ready.  Hmmm...not a way to impress a girl, making her feel bad.

N gets to go out with both G.Na and Eunyeoung.  Kevin had to go back to Seoul to do a schedule but should be back for the final selections, so he didn't have a free date.  So I'm guessing N didn't want to leave someone without a date, he took both of them.  They go to a cafe to eat.

Jiwon goes out with Min Hyuk.  This is the first time they got to spend some time alone together on a date.  They go to a stable.  They took pictures together.  They sit around and just talk.  Jiwon even says that she still feels awkward around him.  It's like they are each others' ideals but they are not comfortable around each other and they want to be.

When it's time to go and do their final selection, they show everyone being driven to the location of the final selection.  While in the van, Min Hyuk confesses that he is still unsure of his choice.  Jonghoon voices his surprise.

Now, the final selection.  Each girl is standing in a designated location, apart from each other so they can't see the other person.  The 4 guys will walk together to each girl, meet her then, after the PD counts to ten, if the guy(s) picks the girl as their selection, they stay.  If not, then the guy(s) should walk away.   Then after another count to 10, if the girl selects the guy, she will hug him. If she doesn't select him, she shakes his hand.  Ahhh...this seems so cruel.

The first girl the guys walk up to is G.Na.  You can tell, all the guys are relaxed except Jonghoon.  He looks so tense.  She is so nervous and wants to turn around and not watch.  As the PD counts, Jonghoon bows is head.  At the end, N and Min Hyuk are the first leave, then Kevin.  There is a pause and as G.Na looks up as Jonghoon turns to leave as well.  G.Na explains that she would have picked JH because she been on the most dates with him, she's comfortable with him and he treats her well. Even on their last date to the cafe (the song selection) he was really nice to her when she expected it to be awkward.  She said that she expected it but it still feels weird.  Then she starts to cry and said she doesn't know why.  I think even though she expected it, there is always a tiny bit of hope that he would stay.

The second location had Eunyeoung.  Eunyeoung is nervous and jumping around.  As she sees N, she's really happy.  When it's time for the boys to select, Eunyeoung looks down.  Jonghoon then Min Hyuk leaves, as expected.  N, who Eunyeong selected, turns to leave as well. He seemed really regretful knowing that Eunyeoung likes him but she wasn't his final selection.  Kevin, who had the most dates with Eunyeoung, hesitates then walks up to her and hugs her.  He then tells her "I'm sorry" then leaves.  She crouches on the ground and still with a smile on her face but you know she's hurt.  In the end she ends up saying, that hope they all don't get picked.

Next is Yewon.  As the boys walk towards her you see Jonghoon is all nervous, as well as Min Hyuk. As they approach her, she is surprised that all 4 boys are standing in front of her and she wonders why.  As the count down ends both N and Kevin leaves.  As they look back N is surprised that both Jonghoon and Min Hyuk are staying.  I think they believe that Min Hyuk would go to Jiwon as well.  Jonghoon looks upset that Min Hyuk stayed as well.  Yewon asks if she could ask a question.  "What's the reason that they picked her?" JongHoon says that since the first time they met, he had his eyes set on her and felt closer to her as they went on their dates.  Min Hyuk says me too, that he was confused for a while but decided to go with his feelings.  He wanted to go on dates with the others to see how he feels but he always selected her on the dates. As Min Hyuk talks you can see Jonghoon is upset and as the countdown proceeds, he is looking really upset and can't look at Yewon.

Then it cuts to Jiwon's location.  She says she is torn between Min Hyuk and N. Then the 2 boys final guys show up, Kevin and N. As the countdown proceeds she starts walking towards them then turns around.  The PD tells her she can wait until she's done counting.  When it's done, Jiwon hesitantly walks up to both of them.  She shakes Kevin's hand.  He then smiles as she turns to N. N also smiles. Then Jiwon also sticks her hand out to shake N's hand.  Her final selection was not either of them.  In the last interview, she said she came to a final conclusion when they walked up and her thought was "Ahhh...he didn't come."  She wanted Min Hyuk.

Then it cuts back to Yewon's location and her final selection.  As she walks up to the 2 guys, she says that at the moment she is going with her feelings.  She knows if they had more time, it might have been different but now she's just going with her feelings.  Then she hugs Min Hyuk. He smiles. You can see Jonghoon is upset.  When she turns to shakes Jonghoons hand, he shakes her hand then turns his head.  He can't even look at her.

My thoughts:  As I was waiting for the last couple of episodes to be subbed, I had started watching the first season of The Romantic and the Idol.  The second season participants seemed to take this show a bit too seriously.  Based on the comments I've read, people were hating on Min Hyuk because it seemed like he was playing around with Yewon and Jiwon's feelings and focusing on one person, like Jonghoon.  In the end, I understand why he did that and can't fault him.  In a couple of days, how can you seriously fall for someone and just decide this is the person you want to be with.  I like how he just want to meet everyone first before deciding who he likes the best.

For JongHoon, I wish he had looked around instead of being stuck on Yewon once he saw her at the airport.  I don't think he endeared himself to Yewon on one of their dates, I believed he kind of irritated her.  He even got irritated when she was late for their free date.  I think he should have  tried harder to get to know Jiwon and Eunyeong.

I think Kevin may have been good with either G.Na or Eunyeong and N with Jiwon.  Yewon and Min Hyuk are a good match because they seems to act the same way.

Well, that's it.  If you haven't, watch the first season.  I like that season better than Season 2.

The Romantic and The Idol Season 2, Episode 6

Well, I've been very behind on my Episodes.

This episode starts with the couples, Min Hyuk/Yewon, JongHoon/G.Na and N/Jiwon on their mini-song selection date.  It's a moonlight date with no crew but their own handicam.

Min Hyuk and Yewon seemed very comfortable together at a cafe.  On a side note: they do seem to be very concerned with how they look, ie. constantly fixing their hair, looking at their reflection, etc. when they are together.  They seem to have a very comfortable skinship, Yewon touching Min Hyuk's face when he pointed out something on his face.  He also touches her face.

On Jonghoon and G.Na's date at a ramen-like cafe, it looks like Jonghoon is trying to be a good date.  Very attentive.  It seems like he's giving G.Na mixed messages on this date.  At first you can see he's disappointed and wanted to hangout with Yewon as they walk from the cabin. At this restaurant, he's being really nice, like he wants to please G.Na.  It's kind of like what he told Min Hyuk not to do on one of the earlier episode.  Do not confuse the girl by being really nice.

N and Jiwon's date at a restaurant, this is where N tells Jiwon when he started liking her.  At one point they turn off the handicam to just talk privately. Hmmm...

Then they showed Kevin and Eunyeoung at a restaurant since they were not "coupled" with anyone.  Eunyeoung was telling Kevin her feelings and Kevin trying to comfort her.  Personally, I wish she would open her eyes and look at Kevin.  I think they would be good together.  Ok, I'm switching my opinon now that I see Kevin and Eunyeong together.  Kevin looks like he would be very attentive to Eunyeoung if they got together.

Then the moonlight  mission: the piggyback.

G.Na is so against this.  She even suggests she piggybacks Jonghoon and doubt that he can carry her.  In the end, Jonghoon gives G.Na a piggyback.  She even looks like she's enjoying it.

N was really nice and gave Jiwon the piggyback saying she's not heavy after she apologies to N as he was giving her a piggyback.  They looked like they were enjoying this mission.  Real cute together.  I think they would make a nice couple.

Min Hyuk made it like a drama.  Yewon looking for someone to give her a piggyback and "spots" Min Hyuk.  Poor thing, you can hear Min Hyuk panting and see him having a hard time carrying her.

As they return to the cabin, they have another mission.  It's the midnight confession in the Truth Room.  They all gather in front of a room at a distance, so that everyone can see in but they can't hear what the couples are talking about.  Each person gets to select someone to bring into the room and discuss anything and the answer has to be the Truth.

First up is Min Hyuk who selectes Jiwon.  Yewon looked upset.  He asks Jiwon why she selected him in the mid-selection. She tells him he's her ideal but feels awkward around him when they are together.

Next is Kevin, who also picks Jiwon.  He tells her how he feels and how inexperience he is at dating.  He's so shy and awkward.  Jiwon didn't say anything since Kevin didn't ask her anything. He just confesses to her.  Poor thing, Jiwon is interested in N or Min Hyuk.

When it's N's turn he picks G.Na.  Eunyeoung and Jiwon looked surprised.  G.Na got all excited when N asked her about Jiwon, since he's interested in Jiwon.

First girl to pick is Jiwon and she picked Min Hyuk. She bluntly asked Min Hyuk who he likes and why was he interested in her.  If his opinon changed from before.  He told her he was still confused and these talks are making him more confused.  They do confess to each other that they still feel awkward around each other. Hmmm...why pick someone if you feel awkward around them?  They seem to like each other just because of the other person's image and they look like their ideal.

Next is G.Na and of course she picks Jonghoon.  Here she confesses her feelings to Jonghoon.  She keeps on talking and doesn't let him speak.  Although I don't know what he can say other than   saying sorry for being too focused on Yewon and not interested in her.  =P

Jonghoon then picks Yewon and basically complains to her that she didn't pick his song in the song shuffle and she should have waited and not pick the first song.  At least Yewon got to talk a little to Jonghoon.  He told her that he hasn't changed his mind.  Wow, a lot of pressure on Yewon.

Yewon picks Min Hyuk for the Truth room, to the disappointment of Jonghoon and Jiwon.  In the room,  Yewon bluntly asked Min Hyuk his feelings.  He still says he's confused.  Yewon was disappointed but says now she not confused anymore, since his feeling may have changed.

Next,  Eunyeoung picks N. She clarifies her feelings to N.  N, so uncomfortable since his feeling for her has changed.

The session ends with them gathered together to talk.  Everyone was gathered at the table except for Kevin.  I wish Kevin participated with everyone.


I know there were comments about how Minhyuk was flirting with Eunyeoung but I don't think so.  It just looked like he was playing with her and tried to make her relax.  She was always quiet around everyone because she's the youngest the the most rookie.  She was always more relaxed in the interviews and one on one with a person.

The end of the episode shows them in the car traveling to where they must pick their final selection.  MinHyuk still unsure and Jonghoon flabbergasted that he hasn't decided yet.

Romantic and the Idol Season 2, Episode 5?

Well, I'm completely confused on the episodes numbering.  I just noticed I'm off on the episodes.  The first episode was introducing the idols.  Episode 2 was going on their first date, their first meeting.  Episode 3 was the necklace selection for Date #2 and filming of their mid-selection.  Episode 4 was their mid-selection and and Date #3, the sweater selection.

I thought this was Episode 5 that I'm going to write about but based on the video I'm watching, they are labeling it as Episode #4. So confused.  In any case, I'm going to call it Episode 5, unless someone corrects me.

Min Hyuk and G.Na went on their first date together.  It seemed like they were more friends hanging out together than going on a date.  G.Na even said to Min Hyuk that she was more relaxed with him and it felt like they were just going out to play instead of being interested in each other.  They went to a go-cart track.  They called N and Jiwon to join them there.

Lucky Jonghoon got to date Yewon and went to a museum then a forest park.  Kevin and Eunyeong went on a boat ride.

Then the mission... a kiss on the forehead.

Kevin and Eunyeong, I think, was the cutest and looked the most romantic.  I think because Eunyeong is the youngest in this group and Kevin is so unsure of himself because he never dated. I like their shyness.

N and Jiwon was funny.  N had a place in mind and took Jiwon there.  He even told Jiwon to close her eyes and to keep it closed even after he was done because he would be embarrassed. He ran away right after the kiss. hahaha.

Min Hyuk and G.Na.  It was like parent kissing a kid.  G.Na did the kissing and told Min Hyuk that he was all grown up.  He was surprised at the kiss, I think because G.Na didn't tell Min Hyuk about the mission.  And the guy was suppose to do the kissing.

Then there's Jonghoon and Yewon.  He did one kiss but it didn't count because they were suppose to film it.  They had to do it again, which I don't think Jonghoon didn't mind.  Even though he wanted to do it, he was still embarrassed the second time when it happened and even ran away once it was done.  It seems like Yewon's opinion of Jonghoon changed on that date and not for the better.  After the kiss, he kept on saying things that irritated her.

At the end of the day, there was another date shuffle.  The music selection.  The each guy picked a song. The girls will each sit in separate rooms in the cabin.  While each guy waits out on the lawn, their song choice will be played.  If any of  the girls like the song, they will come out of the cabin to meet with the guy.

I think this is the cruelest selection.  If no one comes out then the guy doesn't get a "night" date.  If two girls come out then he gets to picks one of them and the other girl gets nothing. Why can't they just send them back so everyone gets matched in the end?

Min Hyuk got Yewon, again.  Jonghoon got G.Na, again.  Fate???

Lucky N got both Eunyeong and Jiwon.  N ended up picking Jiwon.  Eunyeong was very unhappy and started tearing up and couldn't stop.  Poor Kevin had no one left since he was last and all the girls had left the rooms.  He ended up hanging out with Eunyeong who couldn't stop crying.

One thing I thought was amusing was Jiwon.  During the whole time of the music selection, as she was listening to the music in her room, she was folding her clothes or smelling her lotion. hahaha.

After the selection, Min Hyuk, Yewon, Jonghoon and G.Na walked together.  Poor G.Na, she was left walking by herself as Jonghoon kept up and walked next to Yewon.  I understand that JH likes Yewon but like the other dates, he should at least be considerate to G.Na and not blow her off.

At this point, Jonghoon is getting on my nerves.  Well, actually, so are G.Na and Yewon.  I wish they would look around and see if anyone else may interest them.  This is the time they can freely "date" or talk to others because when they go back to their "Idol" lives they will have a hard time dating.

Eunyeong is in the same situation but somehow I just feel sorry for her.  She's so young and really fell hard for N.  Plus, N really liked her at the beginning but starting to find someone else that he's attracted to.  I hope she doesn't get hurt too badly.

Right now, I don't think Jonghoon and Yewon match.  I kinda like N and EunYeong pairing.  Min Hyuk and Yewon?  or Jiwon?  I like Jiwon better with Min Hyuk. The rest? Well, does everyone really need to be paired up?  I don't think so.

 Episode 6 is up and with translation. YEA!

Photo source: tumbler.com

Romantic and The Idol Season 2 Episode 4

Episode 3 ended with the start of the mid-selections.  Everyone sitting to watch the videos they shot at the aquarium which would show who they like so far.  They only showed Jiwon's selection... Minhyuk.

The start of the 4th episode, sheesh...showed the dinner before the mid-selection.  What a way to prolong the selection. Darn PD.  hahaha.  Then they showed each video.

Jiwon, who was sitting next to Yewon, picked Minhyuk, who looked surprised.  How awkward for Yewon to see that especially when Jiwon started to lean on her giggling and embarrassed.

Eunyeong, picked N. Her video was cute because it looked like she was trying to video behind her and focusing on either Jonghoon then maybe Kevin then N.  Finally it stops at N. He looked really happy.

G.Na picked, of course, Jonghoon.  And Yewon picked Minhyuk.  Jonghoon looked disappointed but he said he wasn't, just flustered.

The guys picks were:

First, Kevin picked Jiwon.  Then N picked Eunyeong  Yea! A real couple who chose each other. Next is Jonghoon who picked, who else? Yewon.  Finally, Minhyuk picked Yewon.

After that, you could expect awkward moments together afterwards. What really struck me as kind of disappointing was a brief interview with Jonghoon.  The PD asked what if he never gets Yewon as a partner. He said that he would stay solo, he doesn't have a second choice.  I hope he has a change of heart later in the show or he'll lose his opportunity in dating different girls, which is the point of the show.

Next morning, Date#4, the sweater selection. The girls selected sweaters and the guys had to choose which style that they liked. Jonghoon, Minhyuk and N all picked the same sweater and had to do rock-paper-scissors to choose the sweater.

N got Jiwon, Kevin got Eunyeong, Minhyuk got G.Na and Jonghoon got Yewon.

The sweater selection finally got the couples all mixed up and they got to experience going out with other people.

G.Na, who had her pride hurt since JH didn't pick her as his mid-selection, wanted to date someone else.  Yewon, said she wanted to date Jonghoon since she liked both Minhyuk and Jonghoon evenly and wanted to date JH once.  Also, I think, her pride was a little hurt because Minhyuk treated Jiwon the same as her.

Minhyuk said that he wanted to try and date all the girls to get to know them more.  I think he has the right idea.  I wish Jonghoon would be less focused on Yewon and be more opened to the other girls.  At one point he even told Minhyuk that he should not be acting so nice and close to each girl or they would get the wrong idea.  It almost sounded like Jonghoon was also telling Minhyuk to pick one now and not lead the others on.  Aish! Isn't this a dating show, where you're suppose to date others and then have a final choice?  Hopefully, the guy and girl pick the same person?

I am getting frustrated with Jonghoon but I can understand where he's coming from.  Hopefully his date with Yewon will get him less obsessed and open up to the other girls.

Kevin, sigh... I hope he learns to date here.  He said that he wasn't disappointed by not being picked by anyone for the mid-selection but I think anyone would be just a little bit disappointed.  It looks like he knows that he needs to improve on his dating skills since he never dated before and he's using this show to learn how.

Well, looks like the raw footage for Episode 5 is out.  I hope the English sub will be out soon too.    Cross your fingers!

Photo source: maniackorea.com

CNBlue In London!

The Olympics are over, but there's still more to come from good ol' London!

South Korean band CNBlue will be heading there to do a concert on September 22nd! How exciting! Makes me kinda jealous, but I will get over it since there are hardly any Asian concerts in Europe.

I'm hoping this will set the stage for more groups to follow suit and thus extend the popularity of K-PopRock.

I think it's absolutely awesome that they are getting out. They had a successful joint concert in March with fellow FNC group, FT Island and had a successful run of promotions for their recent album, Ear Fun. They've also been working hard individually. Min Hyuk and Jong Hyun have been polishing their acting chops in their dramas "You Who Rolled in Unexpectedly" and "A Gentleman's Dignity" respectively. Jung Shin has been studying hard and taking on the occasional photo shoot. (He's getting quite popular with his model like looks) And leader Yong Hwa has been working hard in the studio composing songs, helping out his fellow FNC'er Juniel and (haha) working hard in the gym to umm...better himself.

All the fans in the U.K. are you ready? Make some noise!