i will take your word for it Queenbee... this is very great cultural perspective... thanks so much for that insight!!

finding a suitable partner for one's child is one of the most important tasks a korean mom will take on. i lived through it and have witnessed it through my friends, cousins. every mom looks at the perspective mate's birthday compatibility, family root, education, social position(money, reputation & connections). the future son/daughter in law marries into the family. moms seek help not only from friends & connections but matchmakers. fortune tellers help moms determine whether or not the match is good. you noticed that i've only mentioned moms, not dads. of course they have a say in it as well, but mom rules the house.

mama jang rules her house. she will have final say, not her husband nor her son.

@ Dorothy's post #13621

Just some thoughts...
Studio shots are generally not cropped. The most common cam would be a Medium format so large size photographs is possible. And it seems that it would be on a tripod so I'll go with a 99% no crop at point of shoot. So yes they will be aware that hand-holding shot will be published for sure. Also its possible instant prints are made to make selection faster or even where necessary change or more shots if the previous was unsatisfactory. (digital age. its faster to check all shots on location)

IMHO, I think the photos 1 2 3, might have been shot the other way round. in sequence of 3 ,2 ,1
3 being a posed shot thus the almost identical expression
2 being a closer pose
1 being a candid when KS laughed and pulled away

Logically, the photographer will give cues like 'closer', 'back to back', 'hand hold' ? etc. Facial expressions and body gestures are generally dependent on the models. In this case, both SH and KS are top notch models adapt at facial expressions... Its amazing when you see the way they pose in their photo-shoot videos. Their faces always change with little need for adjustments.

They're really veterans/pro at this..... But I think because they're so close to each other IRL, their expressions matches very easily... Ahh its so hard to read

@ eiram888
I watched that part too! Was so funny XD

Actually other than those funny unexpected comments from the hosts, KS probably already decided who he will select at the end. It has to be diplomatically correct and non-disputable non-scandalous etc etc. the drill...

But he already was scandalous telling half the world fans that his mom likes SH ... ... Its the most unnaturally open thing he's done so far and the only reason that kept me wondering about their relationship... ... I mean would you tell strangers that your mom likes this girl very much and still be merry about it. Its like there's some engagement or something...

Though I noticed that he mentioned every ANJELL member except SH during the Singapore FM. That made me wonder if he got reprimanded from SH when he went home after Beijing

and i do want to note that JKS said that his mom "loves" Shin Hye given the background Queenbee provides, using that verb is pretty strong if it was just Queen Jang having a fancy for Shin Hye as a person or in an informal way, right?

Queenbee, please keep the cultural perspective coming.

My previous post took very long and suddenly there's this new insight! thanks for sharing~

I suspected the same since my korean friends shared very traditional insights of their parents when it comes to things like marriage and family etc. and as a chinese, i just cannot imagine myself telling the world that my mom/dad likes this person v much and has checked and declare we will be a great couple. thats like telling ppl, i'm getting married woohoo...... i guess thats why speculations on chinese bbs is also very very very high that something is going on ^_^

it is obvious that SH is on top of her list, maybe the only girl on that list. hard to beat "perfect natural match." all korean moms would love to hear that for their child. to use the word "love" suggests she really is impressed by what she sees in SH and thinks this union will be ideal for her son. somewhere in the past i read that mama jang thought SH had the "prosperity look" that is, she will bring good fortune wherever she goes. mama jang wants that for her son. if she is a typical korean mom which i believe she is, she will do her best to realize her goals for him.

Oh Queenbee..you are korean,i love your perspective from the cultural sight..Sukkie always reveal his moms loves Shin Hye everywhere..in public,to the world,according to your perspective this is not just fan services this means 'something' and he said this infront his mother considering she's always attended at FM,and now we read that he even said it directly to Shin Hye,this means alot
and how you mention going to the fortune teller is serious is another wow..heehee

QB.. omo... u r korean?! what shd i call u..? i feel very honored to hv an English speaking korean here in PSHIC.. so glad to hv u with us!

thanks for sharing ur thought bout how influential is a mom twd her son's future in d aspect of marriage. this made me can't wait for Japan.. Mama Jang will definitely b there with her beloved son. n she must b excited too to meet Shinhye.. owh, what wud b their conversation about?

marriage in korea is a contract between 2 families. parents will direct you to the few approved candidates and hope one will work out. it is no fun going through it. very embarrassing and awkward. you sit there at some coffee house with the moms knowing full well why you're there.

Reminds me of japanese Omiai (match making) and also chinese families have it to a lesser extent depending how traditional... I'm 3rd gen so its not so pressuring... I nearly had to go to one though... my grandaunt wanted me to meet some guy, distant family ... >_< .. thankfully he's on the other side of the globe.... i managed to escape.

must have been hard on you queenbee -pat pat-