Sep 24, 2014

Currently Watching: Discovery of Romance, She's So Lovable, Surplus Princess, Mix & Match


It's been awhile since I've blogged about my current dramas, so I'm not sure if I've missed out on any that I did get to watch but never wrote about. Hmmm...

Despite several dramas ending in the past couple of weeks, my plate is still full with new shows that are just as addicting. Here are the shows that are taking up most of my time right now.


1. Discovery of Romance - I love Eric and he's the main reason I'm watching this show. Not to mention I absolutely fell in love with his on-screen chemistry with Jung Yumi in Que Sera Sera and I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see them back together in a lighter drama. Granted, while the plotline of Discovery is not as heavy and agonizing as QSS, and therefore an easier watch, it's characters are also not as gripping. Good thing we have Kim Seul-gi and Yoon Hyun-min on board because those two are beyond adorable.

This is not to say I'm not enjoying the drama, because I am. I'm also behind Han Yeo-reum and Kang Tae-ha's love story 100%.  And every time Eric sheds a tear on screen, my heart breaks a little. It hurts so good.


2. She's So Lovable - I'm not sure why I'm watching this show but it's Rain's return to the small screen so I tuned in. Also, I kinda really like Krystal. It's a good thing then that she's doing really well in this drama and is making me forget about her idol self. She has good rapport with Rain, too, despite the big age gap. I'm just really iffy about the whole I'm falling in love with my dead sister's ex-boyfriend bit. It's a huge bit because that's basically the whole plot, but the side plots are interesting enough. I like seeing how the two are brought together by fate (or by that adorable dog, really) and how it all takes place in the music industry where we're given a small glimpse into the dark world of k-pop, plagiarism scandals and all.


3. Surplus Princess - I had no intentions of watching this show but I've been hearing so many good things about it and so I decided to download the first few episodes. I wouldn't say it's the best thing ever to come out of cable tv, but it is cute and I love the whole idea of coming together as a family with strangers you meet in a share house. (Which is what sold the whole idea of Roommate to me in the first place.)

It's a bonus that I love Kim Seul-gi and that she's being given more opportunities to make everyone else fall in love with her in all these dramas she's suddenly in. Also, Song Jae-rim. Honestly, I've never seen a single Song Jae-rim drama before this. I've heard many a people rave about him on tumblr and on dramabeans but all I know him from is 2NE1's music video of "Go Away" where he brutally smacked CL down to the ground. But then We Got Married decided to cast him on the show and I can honestly say I'm ecstatic to have been "introduced" to him (more on him later). He's adorable and I'm glad to have him (and his yummy apple-bottoms) on my screen so often.


4. High School Love On - Again, another drama I had no intentions of watching until gifsets on tumblr coerced me into downloading the first few episodes. Which I marathoned over a couple of days and now I'm on the edge of my seat every weekend trying to see if the new episode has been subbed yet. Too bad it's only aired once a week and we've already have had several interruptions (a football match and the 2014 Asian Games). I can't wait for the next episode and I've now learned to appreciate Nam Woohyun. I watch this with my younger sister and she likes Sungyeol more. She's trying to convince me that he looks like CN Blue's Yonghwa, but that's absurd.


5. Mix & Match - Call me masochistic, but I am willingly exposing myself to more of YG's cruelty and all I can do to escape this unscathed is to prepare myself for the onslaught of tears the finale will inevitably serve me. I mean, I was already tearing up towards the end of episode 2, how am I supposed to survive the entire thing? Damnit.

As much as I love B.I, it's Bobby who's giving me so much feels right now. He's a monster on stage, but behind the scenes he's always such a caring brother to the other members. He's a softie and is not afraid to cry, he's also sweet enough to truly worry over maknae Dong-hyuk and to comfort him with a hug and a "hyung is here." While B.I is that tough leader we all admire, Bobby is the respectable sunbae who reaches out a hand to the rookies with a huge toothy smile. Too sweet for words. Also, Junhoe. Junhoe's voice just kills me. Those high notes during "Mercy" were intense.

As for the new guys, I think I really like Chanwoo. And not just because I recognize him as an actor. I think he really does have the potential and I find it endearing how he's usually quiet and fearful around the hyungs but then looks totally at ease when he performs. Can't wait for episode 3!


6. We Got Married - I have to admit that I shed a tear or two when Wooyoung and Seyoung had to part. I really thought they looked good together and their relationship felt genuine. I know most of the show is scripted, but those reactions between the two always seemed real. I wish they maintain their friendship now that their time on the show has ended.

Jonghyun and Yura are as awkwardly adorable as ever. And I love seeing Jonghyun slowly breaking down his own walls. He's starting to feel more comfortable with Yura and he smiles and laughs more now. He's starting to initiate more conversations and skinship and I'm all for that. That tickling scene in the last episode made me squeal out loud. Seriously.

And last but definitely not the least, the new couple is totally awesome. Song Jae-rim and Kim So-eun were never really in my radar before they were cast on this show, but I'm happy getting to know them as they get to know each other. Jae-rim seems like a very playful and mischievous guy and it's cool how So-eun just seems to ride his vibe. I have a feeling I'm going to fall in love with these two as the months go by. I'll be bracing myself for eventual heartbreak then.

I have a full plate still, but I'm not one to complain. If anything, why don't we have more hours a day to watch all the drams? I still haven't started on Plus Nine Boys and the new season of Roommate and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. Aigoo.

Sep 18, 2014

K-Pop Bit #1


CNBLUE arrived in the country earlier today for their Can't Stop World Tour and Jong-hyun is looking fine. That haircut was long overdue and this new short 'do is gorgeous. I can't believe I'm not watching the concert tomorrow night.


On the other hand, I'm all set for Seoul and we leave in 3 weeks. This is what I gave up a bunch of k-pop concerts this year for. It'd better be worth it. I'm going to make it worth it.

Sep 12, 2014

YG Battle Round 2: Mix & Match


Here we go again. I say bring on the tears, because why fight the inevitable?

So through the new YG-Mnet reality survival competition Mix & Match,YG will be debuting their next boy group iKON. iKON. That name sucks, but then again, Winner isn't any better a name either.

Good thing Bobby and B.I, along with eldest Team B member Kim Jinhwan, have secured spots in the group. Now it’s up to the 3 remaining members, plus an additional 3 trainees, to battle it out for the last 4 spots in the group. Sooo cruel. Which means, iKON is a 7-member group and 2 of them will not be debuting.

Good lord. These poor kids. As long as Junhoe is able to grab a spot in the group, I will shut my mouth. If not, I will cry. Seriously.


Leading up to the show's premiere (the first episode aired in Korea last night), YG released a Team B digital track called "기다려 (Wait For Me)" which is now available on iTunes. As much as I love Bobby, B.I, and Junhoe, isn’t this track too early? It’s practically nipping at the heels of Winner’s debut. Way to steal their thunder, YG. You couldn't wait until after the show for this to drop?

The last time I went through this insanity, during WIN: Who Is Next?, I swore that that was the last time. But who am I kidding? Mix & Match is now on Mnet's YouTube channel and you know I'll be watching that, even though it's unsubbed. This is going to be my downfall.


Crossing all my fingers and toes so hard that Junhoe makes it all the way. His is the only singing voice, of the 3 younger vocalists who are without a spot in iKON, that I truly love. But you know, the 3 new trainees are adorable too and they could prove to be some serious competition. This makes me nervous. Here's to hoping leader B.I won't be giving them too much trouble though.

Still... Junhoe, fighting!


Sep 5, 2014

My Lists: Pre-2013 K-Drama Recommendations


I once received a drama recommendation request on tumblr and the response I typed out was insanely long that I thought I should post it here as well. Also, I thought that maybe some of the people who randomly drop by this blog would want to check out older dramas too. For the more recent dramas, it's easy enough to check my kdrama tag, but for dramas before 2013, here's the answer I posted on my tumblr blog and a short list of some kdramas that I think are worth checking out.
Question:
"[I] noticed you watch a lot of k-dramas. How do you do it? I sometimes want to watch some but there is so many and I'm really picky when it comes to watching things or listening to music. Is there any k-dramas that are really good that I should watch? I'm on break so I need things to watch until school starts again and takes over my life.
Answer:
I’m basically watching kdramas as soon as I get home after work; on weekends when I don’t have plans that involve me leaving the house; or sometimes, when I’m on the train to work, the shuttle back home, or wherever possible. I admit to watching dramas at work, when things are not as hectic. I’m churning out reports right now and I’m watching the most recent episode of Trot Lovers bit by bit on the side. I’m more than halfway through. Ha. 
I’m ecstatic that you’re asking for recommendations, but scared as well because… how do I limit my answer to just a handful of dramas?! Also, there’s always that worry that other people won’t enjoy something that once gave me so much joy. 
But since you asked for it, let me just do a run down of all my favorite dramas, in chronological order. 
Full House (2004) - Really cute, if formulaic, rom-com starring Rain and Song Hye-kyo. My first foray into contract marriages and forced co-habitation as tropes. I love these tropes. 
Delightful Girl Chun-hyang (2005) - A modern retelling of the classic Korean folktale The Tale of Chun-hyang, this was my first foray into the wonderful world of dramas written by the Hong Sisters. Funny, endearing, and witty, I must’ve seen this a handful of times by now. 

Que Sera Sera (2007) - This drama will not suit everyone’s taste. It’s a passionate, emotional, and twisted drama that’s more character driven than plot driven, and it unapologetically demonstrates unadulterated emotional abuse in relationships. All the characters are flawed beyond the realms of dramaland, in that they’re all so realistically broken. It’s so easy to hate all of them, even the two leads. But damn if the chemistry between Eric Mun and Jung Yumi was not scorching hot.  
Coffee Prince (2007) - Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye being super cute while breaking your heart into teeny, tiny pieces… And then gluing it back together in the end. What’s that Korean saying? He gives the disease and then gives the medicine? Yeah, that’s what this drama is. Also, my first experience with gender-bending Korean drama. 
You’re Beautiful (2009) - "I will promise youuuu…" I have to admit, this was the drama that got me addicted. It might not have been my first, but its significance in my drama-watching history is great. Jang Geun-suk, Lee Hong-ki, Jung Yong-hwa, and Park Shin-hye will always have special places in my heart. "Hyung-nim!" My second gender-bending drama, but A.N.JELL and the awesome OST takes center stage for me. 
Secret Garden (2010)- Not exactly the best out there… But I do admit that it was laugh-out-loud funny when it wanted to be, and wrought tears when it had to. Clumsy writing aside, this is a kdrama “modern” classic. This drama propelled several pop culture references: foam kisses, sit-up kisses, and "Kim suhanmoo keobugiwa durumi…"  

Dream High (2011) - Nothing’s better than a handful of misfit underdogs trying to prove to the world that they can be winners. Bring that premise to a performing arts school where beautiful idol kids roam, plus a wonderful soundtrack, not to mention amazing performances from Kim Soo-hyun and JYP himself… well, DRAMA GOLD. 
White Christmas (2011) - This is a wonderful whodunit-slash-murder-mystery-slash-psycho-thriller mini-series that propelled the acting careers of most of our favorite new generation male models: Lee Soo-hyuk, Sung Joon, Hong Jong-hyun, Kim Young-kwang, and Kim Woo-bin. 
City Hunter (2011)- Still my favorite Lee Min-ho drama to date. It’s action-packed, yet cute and romantic. It takes a while to pick up steam, but when it does… it’ll prove difficult to turn off the drama at every cliffhanger ending. 

Shut Up Flower Boy Band (2011) - This was probably my favorite of tvN’s Flower Boy series. Awesome music, gorgeous men, and the wonderful cameo by Lee Min-ki - what more can you ask for? 
The King 2 Hearts (2012) - With all around amazing performances from Lee Seung-gi, Ha Ji-won, Jo Jung-suk, and Lee Yoon-ji, this drama supposes a South Korea still ruled by its monarchy and the attempts to reunify the Korean archipelago by marrying off its arrogant prince to the tough daughter of a North Korean general. Comedy and heartbreak ensues. 
Reply 1997 (2012) - A coming-of-age drama that recounts the teenage years of a group of friends in Busan. Set in the 90’s, the joys and woes of friendship, family, and love is set to the background of boybands, silly hairdos, and 90’s Korean pop music.