Korean Movies

The King and the Clown poster

Currently I am overwhelming myself with Korean dramas to watch. I am trying to finish Love Rain and May Queen. I am also watching I Miss You, Cheondong-dam Alice, and King of Baking Kim Tak Gu. Despite my feeling of being swamped with things to watch, I have decided I want to start my Korean movie list. Technically I started it last Friday when I saw A Werewolf Boy in Seattle, but I am officially putting this project into motion tonight. Why did I wait so long to start watching Korean movies, you ask? Well, that's because of the aforementioned chaos of my Kdrama schedule. Trying to work full time, have a bit of a social life, and keep up with Korea dramas is already hectic. But, I will forge on in my quest to amass an epic Kdrama, and, now, Korean movie list.

So, the movie I decided to begin this project with (A Werewolf Boy aside) was The King and the Clown. I have heard good things about it, and I am a fan of Lee Jun Ki. I think this was a great place to start. This movie explores the relationship formed between the Chosun King Yeonsan (Jung Jin Young) and two wild clowns (Lee Jun Ki and Kam Woo Sung). Jun Ki plays the feminine Gong Gil whose portrayal of the King's royal consort earns his majesty's attention. The King, clearly a troubled fellow, begins to look for Gong Gil constantly. I am haunted by the things that the King did based upon the performances by the clowns. This film captures the insanity of the man's life. Sadly, the innocent Gong Gil is pulled into the King's chaos and so the clowns suffer. I laughed, I cried, and I also thought about the danger of power. 

Next I plan on watching My Sassy Girl, Cyrano Agency, and The Thieves with Kim Soo Hyun.

Full House Take 2 Final Episode 32 (16 part 2)

Hwang Jung Eum as Jang Man Ok and No Min Woo as Lee Tae Ik

I try to act cool and tell myself that I didn't like this drama because it is so cheesy, but I have to be honest with myself now guys. I did enjoy it. Now, to clarify, I wasn't impressed with the overall plot, and there were things that didn't really make sense (Kang Hwi's family story seemed important, but the surface was barely even scratched), but the show had two things going for it. First there is Park Ki Woong, who is adorable and bursting with charisma, second is No Min Woo's excellent ability to portray a complete DIVA as Tae Ik.

Park Ki Woong as Won Kang Hwi and Tae Ik

In this final episode the story jumped 6 moths into the future to reveal how the conflicts have come to a resolution. In the end Baek Go Dong (Lee Seung Hyo) found fame as the replacement for Kang Hwi next to Tae Ik in the group Take 2 (how original?), Han Ga Ryun (Kim Do Yun, love her!) continued to stalk Kang Hwi and Take 2 with the French-speaking girl and that con artist for their publication, Kang Hwi got the eye surgery and was able to see again and perform with Tae Ik as Take 1, and Man Ok worked at the Tae Kwon Do  house while studying fashion. It ended exactly as I imagined, everything was tied up in a nice bow and everyone was happy (except LJ, of course, because he's the bad guy). Obviously Man Ok and Tae Ik ended up together and Tae Ik gained back ownership of Full House also. I got a little teary-eyed at the very end because of how sweet Tae Ik ended up being to Man Ok, but I'm still team Kan Hwi, don't get it twisted.

Man Ok and Tae Ik love

So, I am glad I watched this drama, but it's not one that I will watch again. And if I were to have directed the final episode, I would have ended Take 1's performance with Kang Hwi and Tae Ik kissing again because that was honestly the best part of the show.

My sweet Kang Hwi

Watch Full House Take 2 with English subtitles http://www.viki.com/channels/536-full-house-2

A Werewolf Boy

Song Joong Ki as Chul Soo the werewolf boy

My getting to see this film has an entire back story. First of all, the closest theater to me that is playing it is near Seattle. I live a bit outside of Portland, OR, so my friend Warren (check out his blog http://warrenelburrito.blogspot.com/) and I drove for about 4 hours to see it. Once in the theater, we were two of four non-Asian people in the showing. It was quite an adventure, and the drive was well worth it to experience this movie. Also, this post contains no spoilers!

Park Bo Young as Soon Yi and Song Joong Ki as Chul Soo

This film truly showcases Song Joong Ki's subtle awesomeness. Even though his character Chul Soo isn't completely human, he manages to display a full range of human emotion with great depth. I must also note that Chul Soo speaks little more than a dozen words in the entire movie, so Joong Ki is conveying every feeling through facial expressions and body movements. The way he begins to shake slightly and his eyes light up when Soon Yi (Park Bo Young) enters the room is adorable like a happy puppy. And when Soon Yi is in need of protection, Joong Ki is also able to become a frightening monster with hatred burning in his eyes. I think this movie when paired with Innocent Man (a Korean Drama also starring Joong Ki) proves that he is a greatly talented actor and someone who can capture the hearts of people around the world.

Soon Yi and Chul Soo

Other than Joong Ki's amazing-ness, the story in A Werewolf Boy is lovely as well. I won't say that it is anything that hasn't been done before, but the perfect execution of it in this film shines. Joong Ki's expressiveness combined with Park Bo Young's quiet sadness is heart wrenching. I will say that this movie lacked sexiness. I never felt anything more than innocent sparks fly between Soon Yi and Chul Soo, but I think that's for the best given their situation. They certainly loved each other, though, and they found ways to communicate that transcend the norm. Since Chul Soo was not educated by humans and couldn't speak, read, or write, him and Soon Yi communicated with each other through trust. Their connection overpowered the forces working against them.

Soon Yi and her werewolf boy

Overall, I am very glad that I drove 8 hours round trip to see A Werewolf Boy. It has funny, scary, and sad moments, and the countryside scenery is breathtaking. I kind of wish this were a drama so I could watch 18 more hours of it.

North American release of A Werewolf Boy:

November 30, 2012

Los Angeles, CA – CGV Cinemas
Irvine, CA – University Town Center
Fullerton, CA – Regal La Habra
Las Vegas – Regal Village Square 18

December 7, 2012

San Diego, CA – AMC Fashion Valley
San Francisco, CA – Century 20 Daly City
Seattle – AMC Alderwood
Dallas – AMC Grapevine Mills
Chicago – AMC Showplace Niles
Atlanta – AMC Colonial
Philadelphia – AMC Plymouth Meeting
New Jersey – AMC Ridgefield Park
New York – AMC Empire
New York – Cinemart Cinemas 5
Honolulu – Consolidated Pearlridge
Vancouver – Cineplex Silvercity Coquitlam
Toronto – Cineplex Odeon Yonge & Dundas
Toronto – Cineplex Odeon Sheppard

Cheongdam-dong Alice episode 1

Park Shi Hoo as Cha Seung Jo

I will get the obvious out of the way first, yes this show is just like every other Korean romantic comedy so far. Since I have only watched the first episode, I am basing this off of very little, but I don't imagine anything groundbreaking and innovative happening in this drama. This drama does not seem to be promising anything new either, though, since the title is a play on the old fairy tale Alice in Wonderland. This first episode of Cheongdam-dong Alice begins by introducing Jean Thierry Cha (Park Shi Hoo) who is passionately explaining the importance of price to Korean women for luxury brand items. As we learn later on in the episode, Mr. Cha is a little bit nuts and is out for revenge against a gold-digging ex-girlfriend and his father. So far he has had a few chance run ins with the female lead Han Se Kyung (Moon Geun Young) in which he misunderstands her, and she becomes overly emotion in front of him.

Moon Geun Young as Han Se Kyung

Se Kyung is introduced first in a job interview at GN Fashion where Seung Jo's (Jean Theirry Cha) ex-girlfriend, who also happens to be Se Kyung rival from school, is the Madame. Yes, it is another drama in which the female lead wants to become a fashion designer despite her poor family background and lack of personal contact with luxury products. Not that this is a common theme only in the Korean media, (because it is also prevalant in American entertainment as well ala The Devil Wears Prada) but it will be intertesting to see if they can take it in a different direction in this case. Generally this theme at first seems to point out the flaws of judging a woman solely on her ability to procure luxury brand-name items, but then it quickly circles back and shows that if a woman works hard she can have these items and look pretty too for the guy she likes to notice her. I hope that Se Kyung is able to gain recognition on her own accord without leaning upon the assistance of crazy Seung Jo's revenge against Seo Yoon Joo (So Yi Hyun). I also hope that Se Kyung doesn't end up showing up to a fancy party wearing designer clothes for Seung Jo to realize she's pretty (bleck).

Park Shi Hoo acting delightfully insane

To put aside the criticism, so far I am entertained by this drama. The first episode is eventful to say they least. There is a car crash (Seung Jo and Se Kyung's first meeting), a break up, wildly-expensive diamonds, crazy laughter galore, and a cat-fight with girls dressed in school uniforms. Clearly this introduction episode is begging to attract viewers attention. So, with the combination of Park Shi Hoo's dazzling teeth and Moon Geun Young's bad luck, I am definitely enticed. I am ready for more.

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Watch Cheongdam-dong Alice episode 1 with English subtitles http://www.viki.com/channels/10591-cheongdam-dong-alice

My Chronological Kdrama List (with statistics!) OUT OF DATE

Lee Min Ho in Personal Taste

I haven't revealed this to anyone until now. It is the list of Korean Dramas that I have watched with the dates that I finished them. I think it certainly proves how serious my addiction is at this juncture in my life. Keep in mind that I did watch many of them in a marathon fashion, but some of them I did start and then watch slowly over a period of time, so the finish date may be a bit deceiving on a few. The list is formatted with the drama name, the number of episodes, and the date that I completed it (Drama | number of eps | date). Some dramas are listed multiple times because I watched them multiple times. The dramas at the end of the list haven't been completed and only list the amount of episodes I have watched out of the total amount there are.
Visit mydramalist.com

I've been watching Kdramas for: 1 year 5 months
Total hours watched: 2079
That's about: 87 days
Last updated: August 29th

1. My girlfriend is a Gumiho | 16 | 3/8

2. Secret Garden | 20 | 3/14

3. Shining Inheritance | 28 | 3/19

4. Lie To Me | 16 | 3/21

5. Coffee Prince | 17 | 3/22

6. My Princess | 16 | 3/27

7. Boys Over Flowers | 25 | 3/29

8. Protect the Boss | 18 | 4/1

9. Playful Kiss | 16 | 4/3

10. Personal Taste | 16 | 4/5

11. Pasta | 20 | 4/7

12. Flower Boy Ramyun Shop | 16 | 4/11

13. 49 Days | 20 | 4/13

14. City Hunter | 20 | 4/18

15. Scent of a Woman | 16 | 4/19

16. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho | 16 | 4/24

17. You Are Beautiful | 16 | 4/25

18. Heartstrings | 16 | 4/28

19. My Girl | 16 | 5/1

20. Shut Up Flower Boy Band | 16 | 5/3

21. Prosecutor Princess | 16 | 5/11

22. Personal Taste | 16 | 5/18

23. Sungkyunkwan Scandal | 20 | 5/24

24. Rooftop Prince | 20 | 5/25

25. My Lovely Sam Soon | 16 | 5/29

26. Mary Stayed Out All Night | 16 | 6/4

27. Queen In-Hyun's Man | 16 | 6/11

28. Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge | 10 | 6/16

29. Hana Yori Dango | 9 | 6/20

30. Dream High | 16 | 6/24

31. Princess Hours | 24 | 7/6

32. Wild Romance | 16 | 7/19

33. I Do, I Do  | 16 | 7/20

34. Big | 16 | 7/24

35. I love Lee Tae Ri | 16 | 7/25

36. Hello Miss | 16 | 7/27

37. Hana Kimi | 12 | 7/31

38. Office Girls | 25 | 8/1

39. The Moon That Embraces the Sun | 20 | 8/7

40. Invincible Lee Pyung Kang | 16 | 8/9

41. Spy Myung Wol | 18 | 8/14

42. Stars Falling From the Sky | 20 | 8/22

43. Creating Destiny | 31 | 8/30

44. K-pop Strongest Survival | 14 | 9/4

45. The Vineyard Man | 16 | 9/6

46. Coffee Prince | 17 | 9/16

47. The Greatest Love | 16 | 9/24

48. Haeundae Lovers | 16 | 9/26

49. King 2 Hearts | 20 | 9/27

50. Full House | 16 | 10/1

51. Couple Fantasy | 16 | 10/4

52. To the Beautiful You | 16 | 10/4

53. Answer Me 1997 | 16 | 10/8

54. Baby Faced Beauty | 20 | 10/14

55. Arang and the Magistrate | 20 | 10/21

56. Panda and Hedgehog | 16 | 10/24

57. Faith | 20 | 10/30

58. The Princess' Man | 24 | 11/10

59. Innocent Man | 20 | 11/16

60. I Need Romance | 16 | 11/27

61. Bridal Mask | 28 | 11/30

62. A Gentleman's Dignity | 20 | 12/7

63. Full House Take 2 | 16 | 12/14

64. Love Rain  | 20 | 12/15

65. Take Care of the Young Lady  | 16 | 12/22

66. Bread, Love, and Dreams | 30 | 1/5

67. Becoming a Billionaire | 20 | 1/8

68. The King of Dramas | 18 | 1/8

69. I Miss You | 21 | 1/18

70. Autumn in My Heart | 16 | 1/26

71. School 2013 | 16 | 1/28

72. Rooftop Prince | 20 | 1/29

73. Me Too, Flower | 15 | 2/3

74. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho | 16 | 2/10

75. Tamra, the Island | 16 | 2/17

76. Can You Hear My Heart? | 30 | 2/24

77. What's Up Fox? | 16 | 3/1

78. Innocent Man | 20 | 3/3

79. It's OK, Daddy's Girl | 17 | 3/14

80. I'm Sorry, I Love You | 16 | 3/17

81. Flower Boy Next Door | 16 |  3/22

82. Padam Padam | 20 | 3/29

83. That Winter, the Wind Blows | 16 | 4/3

84. Summer Fever | 30 | 4/6

85. Delightful Girl Choon Hyang | 17 | 4/12

86. Fated to Love You | 24 | 4/19

87. Incarnation of Money | 24 | 4/26

88. Ice Adonis | 108 (half hour) | 5/20

89. All About My Romance | 16 | 5/31

90. Gu Family Book | 24 | 6/26

91. When a Man's in Love | 20 | 7/21

92. We Got Married Global Edition | 15 | 7/30

93. Something Happened in Bali | 20 | 7/31

94. Heartless City | 20 | 8/1

95. Shark | 20 | 8/ 2

96. Innocent Man | 20/20 |

97. May Queen | 17/38 |

98. High Kick | 4/167 |

99. Ouran High School Host Club | 3/11 |

100. Cheongdamdong Alice | 10/16 |

101. IRIS | 12/20 |

102. Level 7 Civil Servant | 1/16 |

103. What's Up | 7/20 |

104. You're the Best Lee Soon Shin | 5/50 |

105. Substitute Princess | 11/20 |

106. Personal Taste | 15/16 |

107. Crazy Love | 71/100 (half hour) |

108. Glass Mask | 70/122 |

109. Love Around | 11/15 |

110. Loving You a Thousand Times | 22/55 |

111. Golden Empire | 5/24 |

112. I Hear Your Voice | 16/18 |

113. Barefoot Friends | 5/100 |

114. Good Doctor | 8/20 |

115. Master's Sun | 6/16 |

116. Who Are You | 10/20 |

117. Two Weeks | 1/20 |