WHAT BECOMES?

I am just done with watching the finale of Discovery of Romance without subs. I don't know which amazed me more, the fact that I skipped episode 15 altogether or watching it without subs, and somewhat understood the whole episode with the minimal korean that I know.

I kept refreshing the forum during their live broadcast in Korea just because I could not stand not knowing who Yeo Rum was going to end up with. Sadly, I am not one of those who can stand not reading spoilers. Of course, within an hour, I knew who she ended up with. Obviously like all korean dramas, the OTP always got together (at least 99.9999% of the time) - but to my disappointment, it was only towards the last four minutes (quoted from a Soompier in the forum).

I don't know what came over me, but I really wanted to read the spoilers and everyone's comments on the finale. Unsurprisingly, someone posted a link for the raw file (i.e. without subs) and my itchy fingers got the better of me!!!

In conclusion, I can safely say this is my favourite drama for 2014. Eric has improved so much in his acting. Like by a million fold - and this is not a bias statement, I promise. His previous drama which was 3 years ago, was nothing compared to this. I really love the chemistry between him and Jung Yoo Mi. With their natural expressions and acting (pardon the pun), I really hope they are able to win some awards at the later part of the year.

MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Rewatched ep 10-14 like a record of 4 times? Gosh. I haven't done this for a super long time..

It's the final episode tomorrow and I am depending on the spoilers for today's episode since the subs won't be out till tomorrow. From what I read, things still don't look too good for TH and YR. Gaaah. For now I can only engross myself in their awesome soundtrack and dream of a typical K drama ending.

Shall end here before I end up ranting like an ultimate fangirl.

DISCOVERY OF ROMANCE

Currently watching: Discovery of Romance

Even if they fought, argued, and misunderstood, were doubtful and disappointed each other. But despite all that, they fought hard together to remain happy and in love. That's the ending I wanted. - Sol, Discovery of Romance

This tops my drama list for this year. I rarely rewatch an episode, but with this one, I've watched a couple just so I could see my favourite scenes again.

EMERGENCY COUPLE

Curently watching: Emergency Couple

It's been months since I actually followed a korean drama, which is very unlike me. The last I watched was The Heirs and Reply 1994 and I did not even watch the latter till the end! 

I started watching Emergency Couple partly because the sis kept telling me I should honestly just go watch it since it's good. Finally relented and did not regret watching this rom-com. Minus some gory parts, since it is still 1/4 a medical drama, but Choi Jin Hyuk makes up for it.

It is that entertaining to watch because I caught up the whole 9 episodes within a span of 4 days. Now the waiting game begins.

REPLY 1994

Current watching: Reply 1994 (Answer Me 1994)

I would be lying to say that I wasn't skeptical about the spin-off of Reply 1997. I mean.. it's a pretty well-known fact that spin-offs don't end up doing as well as its predecessor. I didn't want to judge it without having to watch it first so I did. Honestly, I wasn't impressed by the first few episodes and only got into the whole storyline from episode 6 onwards.

If you must know, the Reply series is famous for its 'Who's her husband?!' guessing game. Now, because I watched Reply 1997 a year after it aired, I was able to cheat on this part. Yes, on the day I couldn't bear to hang on and find out who was Shi Won's husband in the end.. I ended up skipping to the final episode just so I could know. Gaah! It's the same as flipping to the last page of a book because you are so curious as to how the story might end.

But I can't this time round because I'm watching it at the same time it is currently airing in South Korea. This guessing game is seriously killing me. 진짜!!!

Current earworm from Reply 1994's OST by Sung Si Kyung, a remake of 'To You' by Seo Tai Ji & The Boys.

THE INHERITORS

The hotness that is LMH.

The Heirs

Currently watching: The Heirs

Firstly, let me just say that I am totally digging Park Shin Hye's dress. 

The Heirs (TH) is one drama that has been heavily publicized even months before its airing date. I can understand why there's so much hype over this because of its heavily star-studded cast. Seriously guys, it's Lee Min Ho. Honestly, I am not exactly a big fan of him but there's something about his gazes that makes you swoon and melt like butter in a hot frying pan. 

I have skipped a couple of his recent dramas such as City Hunter and Faith probably because I didn't quite fancy the heroine (yes, it plays a part sometimes). But was never once skeptical to watch TH because it's Park Shin Hye and I am a sucker for 'poor-girl-meets-rich-boy' storylines despite it being repeated in God knows how many dramas already.

At first watch TH may remind you of Boys Over Flowers. Yes, they do bear some similarities such as the 'PGMRB' storyline and it being set in high school but I think that's about it. Park Shin Hye's character is vastly different from that of Geum Jan Di. She's poor yet feisty and doesn't appear all weak, which I find Geum Jan Di to be, sometimes. Lee Min Ho's character isn't the typical mean brat (cue Goo Jun Pyo, at first). 

Am excited to watch how their story unfolds.

King's Family

Currently watching: King's Family (The Wang Family)

KBS World, Sat and Sun, 6.45PM

The new KBS weekend family drama that replaces You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin seems promising. It premieres this week on KBS World, and has just recently shown its 6th episode last week in South Korea. I'm already done with the first two episodes and has been impressed so far. 

My favourite character so far is the third daughter, Gwang Bak, played by Lee Yoon Ji.

A heartwarming drama portraying the trials and tribulations of a family. Let's see how this drama unfolds. 

Reply 1997

Currently watching: Reply 1997 (Answer Me 1997)

Okay, it should be done watching. This drama was aired almost exactly a year ago, and when it was all the hype, I didn't bother to watch it. Main reason was because I wasn't a big fan of Seo In Guk or A Pink's Eun Ji back then. However, after watching Seo In Guk in Master's Sun, somehow I was attracted to his coolish vibe and then I remembered about how a good friend was telling me to watch Reply 1997 because it was good. 

Which I did. Yesterday. 16 episodes in total and I took the weekend to finish it. This doesn't happen often but it was tough to not keep clicking to the next episode... till the last. 

Anyhow, summary of the story is, it was a flashback of the 90s which obviously I can relate to. Tamagotchis, fangirl-ism, pagers, bulky handphones e.g. Motorola Startac (my very first phone!).. your first love. I felt like I was brought back to the 90s as well. No cheesy love lines, no typical chaebol story. Plus great chemistry between the group of best friends. One of the best dramas I've watched this year, to be honest. 

It is a waste not to watch this! I'm pointing this out to whoever is a kdrama freak that is reading my blog and have yet to watch it. You will not regret.

And when you are done, I assure you that you will be so into this song. 

서인국 & 정은지 - All For You 

First love is a time. Once it passes, it's gone. Now you have to give a new love and a new time a chance. It might not be the experience or the purity of first love, but out of that scar is a love that grows and becomes a little more mature - you have to wait for an adult love. Only those who wait can dream of love. - 윤재

Master's Sun

Currently watching: Master's Sun

I am not a fan of horror movies or dramas but the only reason I'm watching this is probably because of the chemistry between Gong Hyo Jin and So Ji Sub. Not forgetting the fact that the pairing of this couple somewhat reminded me of her and Cha Seung Won in Greatest Love. That comes as a no surprise because both dramas were by the same producers, i.e. Hong Sisters.

My personal rule is to never watch this at night because the ghosts appearances do freak me out.

Favourite tracks from the OST include:

Yoon Mi Rae - Touch Love
Sistar's Hyorin - You Make Me Go Crazy
Gummy - Day and Night

Very Ordinary Couple

On my flight back to Singapore from Seoul, I decided to watch one of the recent Korean movies being shown on KrisWorld. I had never heard of the movie before and only decided to watch it upon seeing that Kim Min Hee was the lead actress.

I really enjoyed the storyline as I felt it was very real. This shall go in my korean dramas taglist though it is not one, but I would really want to remember this movie.

Our love was not sweet, beautiful or full of excitement. It was a normal, ordinary relationship. But we were both sincere. We really loved each other. And this was the most magical thing that happened in my life.

You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin

Currently watching: You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin
KBS World, Sat and Sun, 6.45PM.

KBS weekend dramas never fail to disappoint me because their storylines are always geared towards family, plus they always deliver quality acting. I admit, I stopped following My Daughter, Seo Young (the drama before You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin) ever since Sang Woo and Migyeong had to forcefully break up. Because I am such a fan of both of them as an on-screen couple and after knowing he will end up marrying that stalker girl in the end, I decided that was it. Shallow, I know. Even the main characters and the sad (or rather depressing i.e. in the terms of feelings, not quality) story line couldn't stop me from not watching on tv. You couldn't have guessed who was the greatest fan of this drama. Paps. Yes, Paps. I am not kidding. Since I stopped watching the drama on tv, I ended up reading its recaps on the Internet instead, and love spoiling it for Paps since I'm always ahead of them. If you must know, KBS World broadcasts are lagging behind by a couple of weeks than the original channel showing in South Korea.

I digress. Back to You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin. I was skeptical about the drama at first because of its main characters. Not all idols are good actors, but I was hugely surprised with IU's acting. It wasn't the first time I've seen her in a drama - the first was in Dream High, but her role was a tad minute so I could not really judge her acting then. But in YTB, she really surpassed my expectations. One of the best idol actress, I must say. As for Jo Jung Suk, I've only seen him in The King 2 Hearts, alongside Lee Seung Gi. He had such a serious character then and it was weird seeing him play a funny character in YTB but I soon got used to it.

The good news is, the drama is subbed regularly online! It's usually difficult to find subbed weekend dramas because they are usually more than 50 episodes. I love it when I'm up to the most recent episode because sometimes the wait can be so frustrating and I will just end up reading recaps instead.

White.

Currently watching: That Winter The Wind Blows

I've been busy ever since I started studying again thus I haven't been able to keep up with any new dramas as of late. The last two dramas which I have been following diligently was The Great Seer (which didn't really end on a good note IMHO) and Flower Boy Next Door. There weren't any really good dramas with a strong story line. Most of them were lackluster. Nice Guy was probably one of the good ones towards the end of last year but I didn't watch it. Note to self: I will one day.

So I decided it was time to start watching at least one. I've been watching IRIS 2 on and off on cable and I don't think it lived up to its hype! For one thing, the storyline is similar to its predecessor. Another drama that has gained much hype was That Winter The Wind Blows. The fact that it's been so long since both the male and female lead have acted in a drama made everyone anticipate their comeback. Next week will be its last episode and I know this drama has gained top viewership ratings in their timeslot. People have wrote in to ask for its extension but the producer has turned down requests and has decided to go ahead with its slated 16 episodes. My korean-fanatic aunt has also given her thumbs up! And I thought, that's it. I'm going to start on it today and I've been on a roll since morning. I'm now up to the 6th episode and well, let's just say it's definitely a mover. Maybe it's the chemistry the both of them has, or the soundtrack. It's close to Secret Garden standard and it's been a while since there is one such drama that's up to there.

I have another 9 episodes to catch up on and I told my mom I'm going to be done by tomorrow. It's possible but I doubt I am going to from the headache that's slowly building up. Haha.

Flower Boy Next Door

Currently watching: Flower Boy Next Door

I loved Kim Ji Hoon in Love Marriage and was surprised that this time round he wasn't the love interest of the female lead (Park Shin Hye). His character is somehow less serious than his role in Love Marriage which I think is a good change! I've got to give a thumbs up to Yoon Shi Yoon's acting in this particular drama because he totally cracked me up. I had a realisation yesterday that he was the one who acted in King of Baking, Kim Tak Goo, as Kim Tak Goo. Oh my god, who knew that a radical change in hairstyle from that drama would make such a huge difference.

Although the plot is predictable, as always in dramas, I am excited to see how the love line between Go Dok Mi (Park Shin Hye) and Enrique Geum (Yoon Shi Yoon) develops.

Currently watching: A Gentleman's Dignity

I can get why this drama is currently enjoying high ratings in Korea. I was laughing from the start of the  very first episode.

One of my favorite songs from the OST is by Big Baby Driver - Spring I Love You Best.

Currently watching: Big

Big (KBS2, 2012)

The story tells of 18-year old Kang Kyung Joon, who is trapped in 30-year old Seo Yoon Jae's body after an accident. It so happens that Gil Da Ran is Kyung Joon's teacher, and to make things even more complicated, or rather, interesting, she is engaged to be married to Yoon Jae.

The story revolves around Gil Da Ran and Kyung Joon, both of them searching for answers to their respective lives and in the midst of it all, ends up falling for one another. It does sound like a typical plot, however having watched 12 episodes and that means approaching the end of this drama, I've yet to guess how the ending is going to be like. 

As I was searching more about Big, I realized the concept of the drama is pretty much similar to that of a 1988 movie starring Tom Hanks. In the movie titled 'Big' as well, Tom Hanks character was transformed to a 30-year old after he wished he skip past the whole phase of growing up.  

Of course there are other various reasons as to why I am glued to this drama every Tuesday and Wednesday (all thanks to Kimchidramas.net for their efficient subbing!). Spring/Summer fashion of Gong Yoo's and Lee Min Jung's characters and Big's power-packed OST.

Tearjerking tracks include:

Noel - If You Love

Davichi - Because It's You

Huh Gak - One Person

PP

beds.

Things to put my mind at ease since it is now currently filled with too many X's, and no, by that I don't mean the XXX stuff. I've never dealt with this much matrices before, and I am pretty bummed about not being able to solve for the XtX matrix for this particular question. 

I'm not sure if any of you have heard of the rise of swine flu cases in Melbourne, Victoria. Today I did a very bad thing. I was telling my sister that I am kind of hoping the situation would get serious so that they would somewhat postpone the exams. I know, right. How evil and sick can one get? Obviously I felt guilty after coming up with such sick thoughts, so I prayed that my wish would not come true. More for the 'getting serious' part, though I am still counting on the postponing of exams, but I very much doubt that will happen :/ 

Actually, I am feeling that I might come down with a fever myself..

Swine aside, QQ has been watching Love Marriage for the past 3 days, and I am glad she has finally finished the series. I can't stand that she always watch them like half-way, same goes for BBF. But anyway, LM reminded me of last spring, when I first watched it. Yes, the show has lots of meaningful quotes and phrases, and if you're deciding over which Korean drama series to watch next, please watch this one. It is something that me and QQ has categorised as 'Matured Love'. Haha! 

Here's my favourite quote from the series. Something which I had posted previously on my lj.

"When love ends, where does it go?" 

"When time passes, it erases."

"I’ve been thinking — love that’s over doesn’t disappear. Love turns you into the other person. As I dated you, I came to like the things you liked. The time I spent with you, our tastes, feelings — they all became me. At first they were only yours, but now they’ve become mine. They say that before falling in love, a man isn’t a man, and a woman isn’t a woman. Thank you. Through knowing you, I’ve become a woman, and through our breakup, I’ve become a person."

Anybody who wants to know about the latest Korean celeb-buzz, just like I am sometimes, okay most of the time, check this blog out, omonatheydidnt

Thanks to Nad for this!

Kkotboda Namja

I succumbed in the end. 2 episodes straight.

I love the ending (it spells sweet everywhere), and personally, it is definitely better than the Taiwanese version. Not sure how it compares to the Japanese version since I barely came to the point of watching the second episode. I can't believe 3 months have passed. I found out that they were filming the Korean version through ohnotheydidnt, and was quite skeptical about it initially. The series started airing on 5th of January, and I was hooked ever since. To put it more aptly, it was the sister who was so into this series, but as usual, halfway through it, she got bored (apparently it was because JP wasn't that harsh in his 'chase' as compared to DMS). Which of course, I beg to differ. Anyway, I bet her mindset's changed now. I reckon we should be doing a BBF marathon some time during the Winter holidays. 

Approaching 5 in the morning. I should be dreaming right now.