Just thought you guys might be interested in this excerpt that Sonim, the "Japanese" actress who plays Mika (she's actually a 3rd generation ethnic Korean raised in Japan), posted in her blog last week after completing filming of Tree of Heaven. In light of all the talk of racism and whatnot, take it for what you will, but I think it's interesting to see how Sonim viewed this drama, seeing as how she has a greater personal connection to this collaboration than any of the other Korean or Japanese staff/cast...Sonim wrote:今回は日韓共作の韓国ドラマという大作だけあって、みんなが苦労する部分があったと思います。
その分、みんな仲良くて、国境を乗り越えてるってこーいう事だという事を、感じました。
撮影後、控え室で、監督が、私達日本キャストにお話をしてくれました。
その中で、最後にこういう言葉を。
『ぼくは、もう、最後撮影してて、みんなが韓国人に見えたよ』
国籍の隔たりがなく、みんなが同じ空気で芝居をしてたという事。
涙があふれてきました。
本当にこのドラマに出演できてよかった。そう、今思います。
Rough translation:
In the process of filming this joint Japanese-Korean Korean drama (or rather, epic) I think everybody had times when they suffered hardships. However, even during those times everybody cooperated/got along, such that I felt like we were also able to overcome national lines.
After filming was completed, the director came to have a few words with us (the Japanese cast). The last thing he said to us was, "Shooting the last scenes, you all looked Korean to me."
In other words, instead of the gap between nations, he saw us simply as colleagues/equals working together to produce a story.
I had tears in my eyes.
I feel truly glad for being able to participate in this drama. That's what I think....
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all edited
. At that age, we'll definetely see her again. The soundtrack was great as well. Watch it!
" and on the snow scenes,I was just wondering how COLD they felt lol
I like Park Shin Hye, and I thought she had some great chemistry with Lee Wan in STH. I loved them in STH, more than I did the Choi Ji Woo & Kwon Sang Woo pairing. Looks like poor Park Shin Hye's gonna be shedding endless tears again for this drama! 
I AgreeAND THEIR TEARS FaLL SO naturally they are really good!The best