30 Day Kdrama Challenge: Day 23 Your Favorite Couple

Day 23: Your Favorite Couple

Well, back in February, I wrote a post listing my favorite couples (read it here). My FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE Korean drama couple is Shin Min Ah and Lee Sung Gi as Cha Dae Woong and Mi Ho in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Read the post I mentioned above for more of my favorite couples along with demonstrative YouTube videos. Watch these adorable Kdrama couples on DramaFever

30 Day Kdrama Challenge: Day 20 Your Favorite Actress

Day 20: Your Favorite Actress

Yoon Eun Hye in I Miss You

Shin Min Ah in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho

This one is a little harder for me to decide on than my favorite Korean actor. So, I choose the two ladies that I love the most: Yoon Eun Hye and Shin Min Ah. To start, Yoon Eun Hye is a goddess, and I even wrote a post titled that (read it here). As for Shin Min Ah, she is in two of my most beloved Kdramas: My Girlfriend is a Gumiho and Arang and the Magistrate. Obviously they are both extremely beautiful in different ways, and they possess the talents to mesmerize, but they are also very funny and sweet in a down-to-earth-way. Watch Yoon Eun Hye and Shin Min Ah's dramas on DramaFever

30 Day Kdrama Challenge: Day 12

Day 12: Your Favorite Story

Arang and the Magistrate had a really amazing story. The romance was electric, the mystery was thrilling, there were also funny parts and scary parts. From the beginning all the way to the final episode, it was a great story. As Kdrama fans, we all know that a drama can be really solid and then have a shit ending. Arang's ending was hopeful, romantic, and unusual. Also, the supernatural elements were done very well and didn't become cheesy. Even though this is a sageuk drama, I was never bored. Watch Arang and the Magistrate free and subtitled on DramaFever

30 Day Kdrama Challenge: Day 6

Day 6: Your Favorite Song From a Kdrama OST

I think my favorite song from an OST, for right now anyway, is "Winter Love" by The One from That Winter, the Wind Blows. I also LOOOOVE Shin Min Ah's "Sha La La" from the My Girlfriend is a Gumiho OST. There are so many, though, that it's hard to pinpoint just one. It really depends on my mood. I also really love the opening and closing themes of the Taiwanese drama Summer Fever, both of them are performed by Gui Gui.

30 Day Kdrama Challenge: Day 1

I was browsing on Tumblr, as I do, and I came across someone's post about their 30 Kdrama challenge. I've seen posts about these challenges before, but I never really thought anything about it. Tonight, though, I have decided to proceed with the challenge. Yes, this means I will publish mini posts every day for 30 days in accordance with the challenge.

If you want to join me, I will be using this challenge from heckyeahtumblrchallenges.tumblr.com. I will also post my daily challenge on my Tumblr.

So here we go...

Day 1: Your Favorite Kdrama

Shin Min Ah and Lee Seung Gi
source: me!

Well, my favorite Kdrama is still the very first one that I ever watched, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. It is comedy, tragedy, and romance in perfect harmony.The lead actors and secondary actors play their parts just right, and the whole drama gives off a radiant sincerity that I was (almost) instantly attracted to. I was baffled by the intensity of my emotional attachment to the characters, and I regret nothing. I am glad this is the first Korean drama that I watched because it encouraged me to watch more.

Watch My Girlfriend is a Gumiho on DramaFever

The Best Kdrama Couples

In honor of Valentine's day, since I have nothing better going on of course, I present you with my list of the best couples from the Korean dramas that I have watched. I am focusing on the main couples involving the lead characters for now, but I plan on making a list later of the best side-character couples because they can't be quite good as well (for example: Lee Jae Shin played by Lee Yoon Ji with Ein Shi Kyung played by Jo Jung Suk in The King 2 Hearts).

1. Mi Ho and Cha Dae Woong

Shin Min Ah and Lee Seung Gi are perfect together in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. I have watched it 3 times, and I just bought the DVD set on Amazon. Needless to say, this is my all- time favorite drama. The video to left features my favorite scene from the show (ignore the subtitles unless you read whatever language that is) when Dae Woong gives Mi Ho a recharge by telling her that he really really really really really likes her. Tears well up in my eyes a bit just from watching that little clip. DramaFever.com.





2. Kim Na Na and Lee Yoon Seong

Out of all of the dramas that Lee Min Ho has starred in, I think his coupling with Park Min Young in City Hunter makes the most sense. They are a very attractive couple, and I don't think I would have liked the drama as much if it were two different people. Na Na and Yoon Seong hardly had a chance to love each other in a normal way, but the rare intimate moments that they shared were made sweet by the adorable actors filling those roles. Watch it on DramaFever.com.






3. Go Nam Soon and Park Heung Soo

Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin are the "it" couple in the Korean drama world right now, so I can't fail to include them in my list. Their touching friendship in  School 2013 fueled the main emotional vein of the drama. In the interview that I have included here they basically sum it up by stating that they had great acting chemistry together and that they have known each other since they were young. Their love story is beyond the typical cheesy romance because watching them as Nam Soon and Heung Soo is like experiencing the ups and downs of a real friendship. Watch it on DramaFever.com.




4. Choi Hee Jin and Kim Bong Do

I say "fighting!" to this couple because they are still dating in real life. Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo are so genuine and adorable in this Queen In-Hyun's Man, that it's hard not to get sucked in and ignore the nonsensical time travel aspects of it. The video I have included has some cute moments with Lee Seung Gi's "Losing My Mind" playing in the background which reminds me of My Girlfriend is a Gumiho and makes me smile. Watch it on DramaFever.com.






5. Seo Eun Gi and Kang Ma Roo

I would like to categorize Moon Chae Won and Song Joong Ki in Innocent Man (Nice Guy) as the best "worst" couple. The two of them were a pair of fucked up kooks that put each other through hell, but I couldn't help rooting for them. Chae Won and Joong Ki look so good together even when they are beating the physical and mental shit out of each other and themselves that it makes the story more romantic than it actually should be. Watch Innocent Man DramaFever.com.






BONUS COUPLE: You + Lee Min Ho! Let's all take a moment (or twenty) and pretend that we are celebrating a romantic V-day in Seoul with Lee Min Ho, shall we?

Lee Min Ho in Faith

The Perfect Korean Drama

This summer I started to jot some ideas down for what I would like to see in a Kdrama. I never really went anywhere with it, and I only listed out a few bullet points, but I have been wanting to elaborate on that idea for months. Since the holidays are nearing and things are slowing down at work, I decided that I will start creating my idea of the perfect Korean drama. I don't know how far I will go with it, but I feel ambitious about this project at the moment. I will post continuously as I come up with more. Now, clearly it will all be written in English by an American person, so I guess it would be more accurate to say that I will be writing a Korea-style drama, and, obviously, it will star my favorite Korean celebrities.

Here are my ideas so far:

• I want to see Onew in a Kdrama, so he WILL be in mine. That's the first and most important idea that I came up with. I think that Lee Jin Ki is adorable and funny, and I want to see him in a Korean drama ASAP. He will also have at least 2 songs on the OST.

Lee Jin Ki aka Onew of SHINee

• I need Moon Chae Won. What female Kdrama fan wouldn't go gay for Moon Chae Won? Anyway, I digress. In my drama Chae Won will play an actress, and I want her to refer to the Chaeki ship in a funny way. 

Moon Chae Won as Seo Eun Gi

• Song Joong Ki will make a cameo appearance. Now, I should be saying that I want him to star in my drama, right? Well, I think that it would be cooler if he made a cameo as himself and has an encounter with Moon Chae Won who is portraying an actress who has a crush on him and wants to work with him, but she isn't making progress in the acting world yet.... something like that.

Song Joong Ki as Kang Ma Ru

• Lee Min Ho will be the lead and will have sexy kissing scenes with Moon Chae Won. This seems so obvious to me that I didn't even list it first. So, to clarify, I want Onew in my drama, but I don't foresee him as a lead actor, not yet anyway.

Lee Min Ho

• I want the drama to start in Seoul, but end up in the country. I love the beautiful scenery and the interesting country-folk characters.
• At first I thought I wanted a supernatural element (because I enjoy them) like in those time-travel or body-swapping Kdramas (see Rooftop Prince and Secret Garden), but I changed my mind on that, at least for now. The great thing about a Kdrama is that the supernatural element could also come in later.
• I want it to be funny and dramatic, but not depressing. What really turns me off about some romantic comedies is that they get too dark and sad around the end. Some dramas balance this well (like Dream High and Coffee Prince) while others make it unbearable (my example is Starts Falling From the Sky, it became way too depressing and not funny).

Here are some dramas that mine will be inspired by: Invincible Lee Pyung Kang, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Innocent Man (very slightly), The Vineyard Man, Answer Me 1997.

Shin Min Ah and Lee Seung Gi in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho

This is all I have for now. I came up with most of this while I was writing it, so some of it probably won't make sense to anyone except for me (even then...), but I hope to work things out as I forge ahead in my grand project. Bookmark my blog and keep checking back to see what crazy things develop in my mind as I try to create the perfect and best Korean drama.

The Best Kdramas of 2012 (preliminary)

So, the year 2012 is nearly over, and it is time to look back and begin to make judgement. I started watching Korean Dramas early on this year, therefore, I am new to the game. I have made my best efforts to catch up on the classics, but there is so much to watch and only so many hours in the day. What I am going to do now is make a rough guess at what will be my favorite dramas from 2012. Obviously I didn't watch every single drama that aired this year, so my judgement must be taken with a grain of salt. It is fun to make lists, though, so I will lay down the best Korean Dramas of 2012 here. Please weigh in with your favorites in the comments section.


1. Rooftop Prince

I genuinely love this drama. Mickey Yoo Chun and Han Ji Min make a beautiful couple. I find it to be a hilarious comedy and an emotional romance all rolled in to one. I am a sucker for the ever-funny scenes that take place when a person from the past is thrust into the modern world and bombarded with the substantial advancements of technology since their time. I think Rooftop Prince is by far the best of the time travel dramas that I have seen (Faith, Queen In Hyun's Man, and 3 episodes of Time Slip Dr. Jin).

Mickey Yoo Chun and Han Ji Mia

Watch Rooftop Prince with English subs http://www.dramafever.com/drama/4101/1/Rooftop_Prince/

2. The Innocent Man (Nice Guy)

The Innocent Man (Nice Guy) become a big part of my life for a while (as sad as that sounds). I originally had planned to watch it when it completed airing, but I started this blog on October 20th and decided I need to write about this show because it is daebak. I watched the first 14 episodes over the course of 2 or 3 days (it's all a blur now) and began my screen cap/ blog writing fury. Now that it is over, I feel an emptiness. I am not loyal enough to say that I won't be able to fill the emptiness left by The Innocent Man (Nice Guy), but it might take some time to be replaced in my heart. Song Joong Ki is amazing as Kang Ma Roo because he has an angelic baby face, but does some very bad ass things in the show. Also, I fell in love with Moon Chae Won while watching this drama. She is gorgeous, and I love when she gets to act strong-willed and ferocious.

Moon Chae Won and Seo Eun Gi

Watch The Innocent Man (Nice Guy) with English subs http://www.viki.com/channels/7995-nice-guy

3. Arang and the Magistrate

Arang and the Magistrate is one of the first dramas I wrote about. Watching Korean Dramas to write about them is a very different experience than just watching them, I believe. While I am much more efficient with my time when I watch a drama without worrying about what to write about it, I feel that I get a better insight into the drama when I stop and think about it. With Arang, I was able draw out many beautiful ideas and lessons from this drama during my writing process. It really makes me think about the power of desire and will and how considering other people can be the most rewarding way to live.

Shin Min Ah and Lee Jun Ki

Watch Arang and the Magistrate with English subs http://www.dramafever.com/drama/4133/1/Arang_and_the_Magistrate/


4. Queen In Hyun's Man

Queen In Hyun's Man is one of the best love stories I have seen in a Korean drama. Maybe not everyone will agree with me on that, but that's okay. I think that the love between Kim Bong Do (Ji Hyun Woo) and Choi Hee Jin (Yoo In Na) is pure and sweet. Unlike some Kdramas where the main couple starts off with
a relationship of hate and hostility, they were never tarnished by that dirty feeling of "are these people masochists or what?" that I get from some couples. As a time travel drama, it is almost (but not quite) as amazing as Rooftop Prince. I don't really like to compare these two dramas too much, though, because I think that they each have their own individual spirits. Queen In Hyun's Man is a must-see drama for any Korean drama lover.

Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo making out!

Watch Queen In Hyun's Man with English subs http://www.hulu.com/queen-and-i

5. Reply 1997

Reply 1997 (Answer Me 1997) is a treat. Sung Shi Won (Jung Eun Ji) is such a spunky, relatable female character that it is impossible (for people with warm blood) not to love her. She lives in the world of super fandom and worships her kpop idol with an extreme (almost dangerous) passion. This drama features an array of interesting and well-developed characters that interact flawlessly with each other in their realistic environment spanning from the late 1990's up to present day. The ending has a sweet twist that is both funny, and romantic (clearly, I love that combination), and there is really nothing but joy, youth, and fun (with some tears too) to be had.

Seo In Guk and Jung Eun Ji

Watch Reply 1997 with English subs http://www.viki.com/channels/9462-replay-1997-answer-me-1997

Honorable mentions: I do, I do and The Moon That Embraces the Sun

Right now I am watching Bridal Mask which seems to be another contender for my 2012 list. I am also watching I Miss You and May Queen too. I will try to get a few more Kdramas from 2012 in before the end of the year so that I can come up with a more accurate judgement of the dramas of this year. Please, please, please tell me if there is something great from this year that I should watch.

Arang and the Magistrate Final Review

If you are wondering whether or not you should watch Arang and the Magistrate, I will save you the time spent speculating. WATCH IT! SPOILER WARNING beyond this point.

Lee Jun Ki and Shin Min Ah as Kim Eun Ho and Arang episode 1

Shin Min Ah is perfect, of course. She is beautiful, but also tough. I think that she is my favorite Kdrama actress after watching her as Arang. Lee Jun Ki is great as well, I was affected the most not by the love story between Arang and Eun Ho, though it was beautiful, but by the pain KEH went through as a child and adult because of his mother's desire for revenge.

Kim Eun Ho and Arang episode 19

Desire was the star here. What is your greatest desire? I really began to think about this while watching. The characters were living and dying by their desires. In fact Mu Yeon's greatest earning was to have desire. But does getting what you want really satiate the appetite? I think the answer is no. Wanting for something is human (and apparently nonhuman as well), and it is not a part of living that can be avoided. I think this is what made me feel sympathetic toward Ju Wal. Even though he was killing innocent people to live a comfortable life, I could see the sadness in him. He made a choice to want to have what others take for granted, he can't be blamed for choosing that path as a young boy.

I don't think the point of this story is to make desire seem evil or selfish, though, because Arang's desire in the end to keep her love alive through her or KEH's memories was something she was willing to sacrifice herself for. It wasn't a selfish want, she was earning to leave the least amount of pain for KEH as she could. KEH, on the other hand, learned through Arang that caring more about other people is the type of desire that can lead to the most satisfying result, if not to complete satisfaction of the want. The drama started with KEH ignoring injustice and disregarding his oppurtunity to help those who were suffering through his power.After his time spent with a woman who was constantly struggling between life and death and heaven and hell, he realized that desire can be the best motivation when used correctly, unlike his mother's want for revenge.

I could go on for days about Arang and the Magistrate because there are so many amazing characters, relationships, and plot lines to discuss. There is Mu Young and Mu Yeon's relationship, the Jade Emperor, Heaven and Hell, Dol Soe and the Shaman, ghosts, and Lee Seo Rim and Arang's shared soul, but I need to think more about all of this. I may write more about it later, though. But, I would like to touch on the ending. I found it to be beautiful and unexpected, and it wasn't rushed. I think it implies hopefulness because the sweet and wonderful memories in life are what sustain us through the rest of it. If we can hold onto those memories even beyond this existence (wherever or whatever that beyond may be), then we are not merely marching toward death, but collecting treasure that we will hold onto for eternity.

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