There’s an upcoming webcast drama 7 First Kisses that “boasts a cast beyond your wildest kdrama fantasies: Lee Joon Gi, Park Hae Jin, Ji Chang Wook, EXO’s Kai, Taecyeon, Lee Jong Suk, and Lee Min Ho” per Kay’s article from Kdramakisses. I’ve been reading about this webcast drama and you may have too. When our kdrama watching buddy and cool commentator Beez suggested a post on who I’d like to kiss first, that got me thinking. What if I took kdrama categories, rack and stack three characters to determine who I’d kiss first?
To test the waters, I’ve selected 3 of my favorite Historical leading men. Your choices might be different. Let me know. If there’s interest, a second round of Historical leading men could face-off with my choice.
Who Would I Kiss First? Round 1 – Historical Honeys
| Criteria | Wang So (Lee Joon Gi) | Lee Dae Gil (Jang Hyuk) | Baek Dong Soo (Ji Chang Wook) | Winner |
| Swoon Factor | Wildly romantic focus on the woman he loved | Never stopped searching for his love, then let her go | Young puppy love, not passionate love | Wang So (Lee Joon Gi) |
| Looks | Good Looking | Killer body with handsome face | Handsome | Lee Dae Gil (Jang Hyuk) |
| Edgy / Passion | Had a wicked edge | Hard-edged character | Believed good would beat evil | Wang So (Lee Joon Gi) |
| Noble | More self serving | Would die for those he loved | Walked the right path | Baek Dong Soo (Ji Chang Wook) |
| Fighting | Wicked with a Sword | Swords, Fists, Marital Arts | Taught by legendary Swordsman | Lee Dae Gil (Jang Hyuk) |
| Smart / Tactical | Smart but forced to serve others to save those he loved | Savvy in what motivates people | Had a hard time beating evil | Lee Dae Gil (Jang Hyuk) |
Wang So (Lee Joon Gi) Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Wang So is the freshest in my mind and a character that I adored. It hurt watching him be used as a figurative punching bag by other characters. I have NEVER seen a character that was so swoonable. What do I mean by that? This character was fiercely romantic in his actions and made me swoon again and again. This was my first introduction to Lee Joon Gi. I didn’t think there was another actor that could give Jang Hyuk a run for his money in subtle facial impressions and presence, but Lee Joon Gi did.
Sample Kiss: This kiss is when Wang So finally gets mutual consensus from the object of his affection, Hae Soo.
Lee Dae Gil (Jang Hyuk) Chuno (2010)
Chuno was my second kdrama and my first introduction to the magic of Jang Hyuk. The fact that Jang Hyuk does all his stunts (even today) stuns me. The fighting sequences in this series are simply the best. The intensity of this character swept me up. Dae Gil was a force to be reckoned with from start to finish. His passion, his fighting, his honor was sublime.
Sample Kiss: This kiss is highlights young love story between Dae Gil and the object of his affection, Un Nyun. They would later be separated. His hunt for her is the driver for Chuno.
Baek Dong Soo (Ji Chang Wook) Warrior Baek Dong Soo (2011)
This was my first introduction to the manly and cute Ji Chang Wook. This character is at a disadvantage with the other two, who are more complex and compelling. That being said, Baek Dong Soo had an unerring belief that he was awesome. Ji Chang Wook made him fun to watch. Baek Dong Soo evolved away from cockiness as he journeyed to his true self. He committed and diligently trained to be the best swordsman around. You could see Ji Chang Wook improve as the series progressed. I’ve followed him ever since.
There is no sample kissing scene for Baek Dong Soo. Yes, the show blew a golden opportunity! To be fair, this show focused on the bromance not the romance (the incredibly stiff actress that was love interest wasn’t a winner, so less was more).
Who Would I Kiss First?
Given the opportunity, I’d kiss all three of them. Here’s the order I’d make them line up.
| Lee Dae Gil (Jang Hyuk) | Wang So (Lee Joon Gi) | Baek Dong Soo (Ji Chang Wook) |
| First Place | Second Place | Third Place |
| 💋💋💋 | 💋💋 | 💋 |
Asian drama fan. I watch and blog dramas on https://kjtamusings.wordpress.com/.
amusings 
Thank you for making this choices, but since I am a huge fan and I have a really really big crush on JiChangWook I would kiss Baek Dong Soo first, then Lee Dae Gil and Wang Soo!
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I respect your order. You cannot go wrong with any of the three.
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Baek Dong Soo is at a disadvantage without a visual sampling. I find it interesting that both the kiss clips have the female initiating the kiss. This is a tough choice but I am going with all three in the following order: 1) Wang So; 2) Lee Dae Gil; and 3) Baek Dong Soo.
Please do this feature again. There are so many options!
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I agree no kiss for Dong Soo was a negative. Beez suggested the video clips and then I realized no kiss clip for him. The best thing about creating your order is you can’t go wrong. 🙂
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Ahhhhhhhrk! I’m racking my poor brain. It’s so hard to separate the actors from the characters. I need more time and I’ll get back to this. *goes away muttering “The Wolf is so intense …Dae Gil is so manly…but Baek Dong Soo’s body…Dae Gil’s skin is perfectly sun touched…JCW’s cute bubble lips…but Dae Gil is Jang Hyuk doh!”
Yeah, I’m gonna go eat breakfast and come back to this.
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No need to stress, it is not which one to kiss, but rather the order to kiss them. There are no losers here!
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Ahhhhhh…The timely wisdom of kjtamuser (it also helps that I’ve eaten to level out my blood sugar).
Okay. So, setting aside the actors (and keeping in mind that my un-modest thoughts are really thinking of something else in place of “kiss”, I’d “kiss” Wang So first and make him my man because of his devotion that no matter what anyone else says or does, he’d be standing their protecting me under his cloak of crazy.
Dae gil was a close second because I’m really attracted to that little bit of crazy. (I hate cheaters but, if Dae gil were passing through town, I would have to allow myself to indulge, even knowing that Wang So would cut us both to ribbons if we are caught.) *stars in my eyes*
Baek Song Do really only has the actor going for him because while that character would win both the beauty contest and Mr. Congeniality award *yawn* he has no dangerous sizzle.
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You know, kjtamuser, after watching the Chuno clip, I’d forgotten the sweeteness of the star-crossed teenagers; but upon watching it here, it actually changed my mind about the entire series! I can now accept certain things that were so hard to accept after being reminded of the couple’s early relationship. Not trying to turn this into a Chuno thread so…might I suggest that one day, when your schedule let’s up (or during a lack of good kdrama lull), those of us Hyuk obsessors organize a rewatch and you might possibly find the time to recap so we can discuss this series? I’m assuming most of you guys are like me and didn’t watch it during its original broadcast so to have the chance to discuss it episode by episode with other Hyuk-Dae gil fans (and ‘amusings’ crew) would be amazing.
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What I’ve thought about is recapping from the point dramabeans stopped their recaps at episode 15. I have not found a complete Chuno recap and I’d like to contribute to make a complete series recap. So I’d recap episodes 16-24. Doing the whole series…hadn’t considered that. The dramabeans 1-15 recaps are good. But the ability to recap the entire thing with community discussion has merit. The time is the issue…are you going to hire me a stenographer to dictate my thoughts to?
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haha! Maybe you could just post a short 2 paragraph summary per eps 1-15 and as we all progress in the joint rewatch, begin full recaps with 16? or just continue with the summaries. \_(ツ)_/¯
But you’re right ’cause I don’t know where you find the time with all the recaps that you do, and as quickly as you do them.
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something to consider…
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What, you have no voice recognition software? My old computer had voice recognition software that would work with word processing–while it was not always accurate, it was helpful. *SIGHS* I miss my old computer…I kept procrastinating making a back up.
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I’ve tried a voice recognition software but it didn’t deliver the accuracy. I can type it with more accuracy in less time than the voice recognition which requires more editing. Could be operator error on my part, but the fantasy that I could speak my recaps did not come true.
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Pleassssseee do this!!!!!
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Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! *banging my cup on the table cheer*
We just want somewhere to discuss the greatest saeguk Kdrama of all time (up to that point and in my opinion) with an actor at his peak, bringing an intensity that I don’t think Kdrama had ever seen before. *sigh*
If you post a summary (heck, it could even be a summary off Dramawiki or AsianWiki. Then we could all rewatch episodes during the same week and comment. It could even be one episode a week instead of the taxing two. (I don’t know why Kdrama producers do that to themselves and the cast & crew.)
I’d love to know what other people thought during the series. Were they as frustrated as I was with the near meets between the two lovers? I swear I almost pulled my hair out and swore after every episode that I was DONE! But, of course, I couldn’t stop.
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@Beez We was definitely at his peak in terms of abs lol (but he trained physically specially for Daegil) and Chuno had the advantage of being unintentionally pre produced, but I honestly think acting wise, he reached new peaks with FTLY and recently Beautiful Mind (despite the unfair response) Those three are my favorite performances of his (with honorable mention to Robbers) BTW, is anyone watching Voice? Oh wait, I don’t want to turn this into a Chuno or Jang Hyuk thread either btw, so maybe we shall meet in another post.
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I know. I’ve been trying to hold back. lol
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Jang Hyuk was stunningly romantic in Fated To Love You. Jang Hyuk was confident yet vulnerable in Beautiful Mind, quite a feat to portray.
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@kjtamuser – and don’t forget “scary”. JH was hella scary in some scenes in Beautiful Mind.
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You are correct, he was scary too! Terrific character when you list everything there was to portray!
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actor at his peak, bringing an intensity that I don’t think Kdrama had ever seen before
Jang Hyuk proved he was a pivotal, dominant actor in this series. Intensity is a perfect word to describe what Jang Hyuk brings to his roles. Chuno gave Jang Hyuk a character with so much to sink his teeth into. Plus the production values, story (for the most part), and ensemble of actors, was superb. I wish every series he graces had all those boxes checked.
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I’m game for watching Chuno together; give me a heads up!
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I’m so excited! I hope we can do it. And I’ll try to get my son to watch. He’s super busy right now but I know he’d love it. (And maybe he’d stop thinking I’m crazy for watching foreign shows with subtitles.) 😀
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I’m thinking about this. Need to get through this heavy recap rotation to free up some time.
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Totally understand. You work hard, kjtamuser.
Fighting! Hwaiting! Aja! You Go Girl!
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Appreciate that Beez!
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Really liked this post! Three great actors each with their own charms. I’m still thrilled that you loved Lee Joon Gi so much in Scarlet Heart. People like him and Jang Hyuk are in their own league when it comes to conveying emotions through subtle facial expressions.
I’m actually about to finally watch Warrior Baek Dong Soo in a couple weeks, and I am so excited! It’s been on my list forever. Also, really looking forward to that little web drama too 😉
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@kay – Scarlet Hearts has made me a Lee Joon ki fan too. I’d only seen Scholar Who Walks The Night, My Girl and the King and Clown movie before but now I’m interested in seeing more of his past projects.
NO SPOILERS BUT…Let me give you some prep before going in on Warrior Baek Song Do so you can appreciate it for what it is, and not be disappointed for what it is not…
It is totally not a love story and falls so woefully short in the romance department that, what there is of it, should’ve been left out completely do as not to get any expectations up.
The fight choreography is REALLY good.
I found the story to lack focus but did find something to enjoy in the ongoing parallels of Baek So and the friend he’d been raised side-by-side juxtaposed with the relationship of the two aging warriors that runs through the series.
Hope that helps you enjoy it without looking for anything more. I was happy just because I got to watch Ji Chang Wook be his likable self.
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Yay, another Lee Joon Gi fan! He’s really good in Time Between Dog and Wolf if you can find that one. Two Weeks is also a really solid drama on it’s own, but even better because of Lee Joon Gi.
Thanks for the heads up 🙂 Luckily, I really liked this writer’s most recent drama Daebak, and it was also really lacking in the romance department. A lot of people didn’t care for it, but I loved it! And I’ve heard more positive things about Warrior Baek Dong Soo, so hopefully that works in my favor. It’s always good to have the proper expectations when going into a drama so that possible disappointments won’t ruin an otherwise good drama. I’m looking forward to it 🙂
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The fight choreography is REALLY good.
I’m a fight fanatic (though I never ask myself why). The fights were superb.
The rest of your comments are spot on.
While this series had issues, which mostly stemmed from the extension and ending, it got me hooked on JCW.
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When you watch Warrior Baek Dong Soo follow Momosan’s recaps. Super writer with a real passion for the show. I read them faithfully as I went through the series. I’ve got them linked on my series review or go to the archive of Thundie’s Prattle…another great blogger…
Review with links: https://kjtamusings.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/warrior-baek-dong-soo-review/
Thundie’s Prattle: https://thundie.wordpress.com/
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Lee Daegil forever and ever and ever…
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He’s so alpha male in this series. His rocking body cannot be ignored either!
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Great options! I like your table…I might borrow that idea later for a which Oppa I would kiss first…would that be okay?
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Appreciate you asking. Enjoy the format!
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