My Favorite Dramas of 2013

There was so much to watch in 2013! Just when I thought I was caught up, a whole new crop of dramas came my way. Needless to say I missed a few shows, but I also managed to watch some pretty great shows from this year.

This is the entire list of Dramas that I completed from 2013 (Alphabetically):
1. A Clinic on the Sea
2. Answer Me 1994
3. Dating Agency: Cyrano
4. Flower Boy Next Door
5. Good Doctor
6. Heirs
7. Her Legend
8. I Hear Your Voice
9. Infinite Power
10. Marry Him if You Dare
11. Monstar
12. Nail Shop Paris
13. Two Weeks
14. Unemployed Romance
15. Who are You
16. You're the Best Lee Soon Shin

Out of those 16 there are 5 that I will recommend to anyone who hasn't already seen them.

5. Who Are You: This show was about a detective who could see the dead and solved crimes through and for the dead she saw. I was so excited to watch this show because of Taec Yeon. I've adopted him and really wanted to follow his acting career as much as possible (which is why I watch Cinderella's Sister). The concept for the show wasn't new, but it didn't matter because the cast and acting were pretty great. I like the overall theme of the show and although I could see some things coming, for the most part I was kept on my toes and I appreciate that.

4. I Hear Your Voice: One of the most raved about dramas from this year. It's about a teenage boy who could read people's minds. Unfortunately this talent gets him trapped inside an epic battle between he, the man who murdered his father, and his first love. It featured a strong female lead, Oska as Attorney Cha (Yoon Sang-hyun), and one of Korea's many heartthrobs (Lee Jung Suk). One of my favorite things about the show was definitely the female lead of Jang Hye Sung played by Lee Bo Young. She was a tough, take-no-prisoners kind of gal; someone I could actually tolerate watching even after half the show was over. 

3. Good Doctor: This was an amazing drama. It is about a young doctor with autism who becomes a resident at one of the best hospitals in Korea. Though he was able to overcome many traumas and obstacles he still has to fight his way to acceptance.  Joo Won's acting was so great, I totally believed him the entire time. The show did a great job of showing how people with disabilities can do great things and achieve more then people imagine for them. However, they didn't hold back on the prejudices he encountered which made the show seem more realistic. The best part, for me, was that nothing seemed forced. All of the relationships came about organically and people didn't just change because Dr. Park was proving them wrong. The dad stayed bitter and nasty the entire time, which sucked, but also spoke about human nature.

2. Two Weeks: If you're looking for action to check out from this year then this is one to check out. It is about a man who finds out that he has a daughter that has cancer. In order to save his daughter he must donate his bone marrow, but before that can happen he is framed for murder. One of the things that I liked about this show is the lack of romance. I notice that in dramas once you give the audience a little hint at romance that's all they focus on. However, that wasn't the point of this drama and I liked that though it was integrated into the plot at times it wasn't as much of a focal point. The lack of romance made you focus on the main character and his fight for the survival of him and his child. Also, the little girl who played Soo Jin melted my heart every single time.

1. Answer Me 1994: The much anticipated prequel to Answer Me 1997! Like Answer Me 1997 it's about a group of kids (college kids) living life in the 90's. It was fun playing the "Who's the Husband" game with the other viewers. I was strictly #TeamChilbong, but toward the end I was just hoping that Na Jung would end up happy. Thankfully the writers managed to give us that. I also appreciated the other characters and couples of the show. I have to say that the Sung Kyun-Yoon Jin pairing was amazingly adorable and every moment they were on screen, after becoming a couple, was gold. I definitely enjoyed watching the show from beginning to end.

I hope I didn't spoil any of the shows for those who haven't watched them yet.

Overall it was a pretty great year filled with great shows. I can only hope that 2014 is half as entertaining. 

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!

Late Bloomers: December Dramas I'm Enjoying

Prime Minister and I
This drama started on December 9. I am only familiar with the acting of Yoon Si Yoon (Flower Boy Next Door), Chae Jung An (Coffee Prince), and Lee Min Ho (Rooftop Prince). Though I have not seen a drama with Lee Bum Soo or Yoona in it yet after watching this show I am looking forward to seeing more of them. The show is about a tabloid reporter and the Prime Minister of Korea faking a marriage to get out of some sticky rumors. I am pretty sure that we can assume that as time goes on they'll have real feelings for each other. Though the premise isn't one of the most original, I am enjoying seeing their romance take form. The show is already 6 episodes in and I am excited about the next 5 weeks.

Miss Korea
It started on December 18. I am excited for this show for a few reasons. The return of Lee Sun Kyun (Coffee Prince) and his amazing voice, and the return of Lee Ki Woo (Flower Boy Ramen Shop) and his amazing height. And once I started watching the show I saw even more familiar faces like Lee Mi Sook and Oh Jung Se. I must say, I am excited about this drama because of the cast but after watching the first 2 episodes I don't know what to do with the show. I am thoroughly intrigued, but it is definitely in a category by itself. I can't predict anything about the show and it just puts me in a weird place. However, I look forward to watching it for the next 8 weeks.

My Love From Another Star
This show also started on December 18. Originally I wasn't going to watch it because I'm not a big fan of Sci-Fi television shows, but my urge to see Kim Soo Hyun (Dream High) in something else overrode my original opinion. So far I have nothing against the show and plan to keep watching it, but it isn't a show that I am freaking out over either. I am enjoying it and am having fun trying to guess what events will come about as the show progresses.

Bonus: I am loving this song which also was released in December: 

Super Junior Donghae & Eunhyuk_아직도 난 (Still You)

There are plenty of other shows that were released in December that I would like to see but I am trying to pace myself. 

Thanks for reading!

RANT: Ending to Marry Him if You Dare

So many comments have been made about the ending to Marry Him if You Dare. I am not understanding why people dislike the ending. Take into consideration the events that made up that ending. Just think about it!

Right before the show ended Mi Rae had finally given Se Joo a chance and she left the window wide open for him to come back to her. Plus she didn't close the window with Kim Shin either. When that happens I think it is to be expected that the ending be left wide open.

Many complained that there was no closure, but there was nothing but closure. We saw Mi Rae become a more well rounded person with a career she could be proud of, Se Joo finally got over himself and from under his grandmother's thumb, Kim Shin was able to cut his puppet strings, Yoo Kyung finally has her own show, and Mi Rae's brother finally had a family. We also know that little Gun was able to grow up, and that future Mi Rae was able to make it back to future Kim Shin. All that we can consider as closure.

I honestly think people were hoping for too much. I know for sure had there been a definitive answer about who she would pick at the beginning of the last episode then there could have been a definitive ending. It would have been impossible and made the writers seem dumb if out of nowhere she would have just ended up with one of them. I know what some people were thinking: "A time jump must mean we're going to see her meet up or holding hands with one of them." However, that would have been pushing it after she kind of kicked both of them to the curb. We would have missed the whole back story to their reunion. And then where would that have left us? With even more questions!

I personally think the ending was perfect for what happened. I had some reservations about how it would end especially since the show seemed to be taking some strange turns, but I was pleased. I actually left feeling very satisfied.

Thanks for reading!

REVIEW: Heirs or The Inheritors

So, I came for Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye, but stayed for everyone else. I must say that I was a little disappointed in Heirs as a series. It was hyped up so much that I expected a lot from it, especially considering the cast, however it didn't always deliver. It had some really great moments but overall I wasn't too thrilled or satisfied. 

Things I liked: 
I loved the side characters: Young Do, Myung Soo, Chan Young, Bo Na, Hyo Shin, Secretary Yoon, Hee Nam (Eun Sang's mom), and Ki Ae (Kim Tan's mom). They became more and more entertaining as the series went on, and by the end I was watching purely to see what would happen to them. Like I said earlier, the cast was made up of some great actors and actresses and I was really excited to see so many powerhouses in one series. They all definitely delivered in the acting department, even if the story line wasn't always a hit.

I also loved Kim Woo Bin's performance as Choi Young Do. Pretty much every review I've read concerning Heirs praises Kim Woo Bin. He is definitely someone to keep watching. He was like magic in this show; every time the story line was lagging a bit he would sweep in and add that spark that made me keep watching. 

The other couples. No one can deny the awesomeness and cuteness that is Lee Bo Na and Yoon Chan Young. They were the foil to Kim Tan and Eun Sang; a nice, normal couple that could just date without the fear of one of them disappearing or losing everything that they were planning to inherit. However, they weren't our only lovable couple. What about Hyo Shin and Kim Tan, Hyo Shin and Rachel, Hee Nam and Ki Ae, or Myung Soo and Young Do? The pairings outside of the main couple were so entertaining and definitely balanced out all the drama with just the right amount of comedy. Some spin offs would be much appreciated. 

There are so many scenes that I loved. 

The paint ball scene has to be one of the best moments of this entire drama. It was too funny! I loved how seriously some of them took it. I would watch the show again just to get to that one scene. 

Courtesy of DramaFever's Drama Club

Young Do dropping Eun Sang in the pool is probably number one on the list. I was rooting for Young Do to win the girl the whole time despite his bad boy behavior and the fact that it was pretty obvious that she'd end up with Kim Tan. In this scene when he grabbed her I gasped really hard hoping that he wouldn't do what I thought he was about to do, then SPLASH. I laughed so hard. I knew it was coming but I couldn't help but exclaim at the devious deed. 

I also freaked out when Eun Sang slapped Rachel. This is my exact reaction: *Eun Sang slaps Rachel* Me: Loud Gasp, followed by a really loud scream that I had to muffle because it was 2 in the morning and everyone in my house was sleeping. After that I paused the show so that I could laugh at my reaction. It was a great moment and I was so happy to see it. Rachel definitely got what she deserved. It wasn't Eun Sang's fault that Kim Tan didn't like Rachel. It was Kim Tan's fault. If anyone should have received abuse from her it was him.

Some of my favorite moments were when Kim Tan complemented himself. The first time he did he said that he came from a fairy tale. I laughed really hard at Eun Sang's lackluster reaction. Those moments were some of his greatest and sometimes made him a bit more likable.

I could go on forever about my favorite moments, but I highly doubt you'd want to read all that so I'll leave you with one final moment from episode 19. I almost choked to death while laughing at Chan Young's interaction with Bo Na's older brother. Chan Young must have taken a few jealousy lessons from Kim Tan because he freaked out really hard without even knowing the whole story. It was a side we hadn't really seen of Chan Young and I must say it was perfect.

Things I didn't like:
The first thing that really irritated me was the "Love is the Moment" OST. It's a high school drama! To me, that song was a little too mature sounding. It is a beautiful song, but the sound didn't really fit the show to me.

If you've seen the show then you know that one thing that was really grating was the English speaking actors who really sucked at acting. I don't know if it was because they had to speak slowly or if they just couldn't act, but they were horrible. Getting through their scenes was painful. Speaking of painful, some of the English spoken by the Korean actors, particularly Lee Min Ho, was really bad. It's not like I expect them to speak English perfectly, but without subtitles I wouldn't have known what he was saying. I've known foreigners who have lived in America for only a year and I can understand them better. He should be a bit better seeing as how he's been living there for 3 years and not really interacting with many Korean people.

The Chairman and Young Do's Dad: They're psychotic! It was interesting to see them against their sons, but why? What kind of parent puts that much effort into abusing their child. It was so unnecessary for them to be that way, but it explained so much about their children. After seeing the dads we could kind of figure out why Kim Tan, Kim Won, and Young Do were the way they were. They didn't really know any better, but still... Anyway, thank goodness we had a normal father figure in Secretary Yoon. His relationship with Chan Young was sweet and it again was one of the few normal relationships the show had to offer.

The kissing was also horrible. I've seen both Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye kiss others perfectly fine, but for some reason their kisses always looked really painful for Cha Eun Sang. She never had a pleasant expression on her face, and the one time she did it was so weird. I don't  know why they couldn't get it together.

I hated that Kim Won had to sacrifice himself and his happiness with Hyun Joo for Kim Tan. Why did they make it so that the only way he could redeem himself is to end up like his father. Thankfully Hyun Joo is smart and knew the deal, even though she was still hurt by it.

The ending was not my favorite. From Kim Tan's premonition of the future, to the the 2 minute montage of stares, to the very end of the show, I was left unsatisfied. It just ended so haphazardly. I know every show can't end cleanly and it's not like I expected people to just forget the events over the past few months but still, there were so many people left unhappy or left out in the cold. I just didn't feel quite right after the last episode.

Well, the show is over and I must say I don't regret watching. There are an entire crop of actors I now love and there were so many moments that will forever be etched in my mind. However, I'm not sure if I'd suggest this drama to K-drama newbies or non K-drama watchers. If they don't know or care about the members of the cast they may get lost.

Thanks for reading!

KPOP: SHINee's New Mini Album

I LOVE THIS ALBUM! Just thought I'd put that out there. As one of the most popular K-Pop groups, Shinee was bound to deliver, but they surpassed my expectations. I have listened to a few singles but never an entire album or mini album from Shinee, so I was pleasantly surprised when I fell in love with the entire album almost immediately. Well let's get straight into the tracklist. 

1. "Everybody": A very infectious title song. The word "everybody" will be permanently etched into your mind, but you won't mind because the song is good. It is your typical electro-pop song, with a futuristic tone. It's a great way to introduce the album because it's all about coming to life.

2. "Symptoms": Our first ballad and first taste of R&B in the album. The song sounds really amazing when it's playing on full volume. Each member's voice really shines and their harmonies were really tight during the chorus.

3. "Queen of New York": If you don't learn to love this song, then something's wrong with you. It is a fun and upbeat song about love at first sight and the EDM/disco mix works perfectly.

4. "One Minute Back": At first this song wasn't a favorite of mine. It was so choppy and weird, but the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. The lyrics are also worth noting. The song is basically about a cheating lover and them wanting to turn back the clock to before they found out. So I can kind of interpret the choppiness of the song as their expression of disbelief at the situation. Or am I reaching?

5. "Destination": Though it is a good song, it's not the most memorable. It fits in well with the other songs, but it's not one that I feel the need to listen to over and over again.

6. "Close the Door": My favorite song of the album and 2013. It honestly makes me swoon every time I hear it. My favorite part is Minho's rap. Usually I don't go for a rap in the middle of a soft song, but this one is perfect.

7. "Colorful": This song is so happy sounding. I definitely think it would fit in a High School Musical drama.

So, that is my run down of the Everybody mini album. Hope you give it a listen. If you've listened to the album tell me which song is your favorite in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

My KPOP Playlist of 2013

I haven't been a K-Pop fan long. I think it's been a little over a year since I heard my first Korean Pop song, but I have already developed a taste. I'm not one for latching on to the most popular idols, instead I choose who to like and what to like purely based on the songs. If I like a song then I will venture to hear more, and if I don't like a song I venture to hear more. I never count anyone out. Anyway, here are 10 of my favorite songs from 2013.

10. Who You? by G Dragon
I wasn't initially a G Dragon fan. I know he's a big deal, but I didn't really like the few songs I heard from him. Then I heard this song. I'm a sucker for a good melody and this song definitely has it. I also like the lyrics because it's a simple song about trying to get over someone and not really being able to.There are many other songs with the same message but the upbeat delivery is what sold me.

9. Rum Pum Pum by f(x)
I didn't like this song the first time I heard it. I'm not a big fan of girl groups so when I heard the chorus in that high pitch I gave up. However, a friend convinced me to give it another try so I did. And shockingly I fell in love with the song. I still can't explain my change of heart, but I'm pretty happy that I did. It's a great party song.

8. Gotta Talk to You by Seungri
I fell for this song the moment it started. It's slow and smooth but it still has a great beat that makes you want to move. Also, the fact the he says he's "hustlin" in English during the chorus really trips me out.

7. Ringa Linga by Taeyang
I don't usually go for rap songs, and Korean Rap songs confuse me more than English ones, but this song is really cool. A great beat, and the instrumental is a good mix between actual instruments and synthesizers so I appreciate it. Also, the way Taeyang raps is hypnotizing.

6. Gentleman by Psy
Had to throw one in there. I don't know why I like this song but I do. I like the way it sounds and the video is hilarious. Psy is one of the few Korean artists that is known to mainstream America so it's pretty obvious that I would know who he is, but I don't like the song because of his popularity. I like it because it's fun to sing and dance along to. Is that so wrong?

5. Gloomy Clock by IU ft. Jonghyun
I notice that a lot of K-Pop is upbeat and fast, even the sad songs sometimes trick you. However, this song is not like that at all: it's soft and slow to fit the lyrics of the song. When you want to listen to some really pretty voices, this song is the one to go to. IU has an amazing voice and it was nice to hear Jonghyun (SHINee) sing softly.

4. Falling in Love by 2NE1
I love the reggae tone to this song. It's awesome!

3. A.D.T.O.Y. by 2PM

They are most certainly grown now and this song makes it known to everyone. It's not a ballad, but it's not not a ballad--if that makes sense. Either way, the R&B vibe in this song fits perfectly with the lyrics and their voices.

2. Growl by E.X.O.
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!! This was my first exposure to E.X.O. and it was purely accidental but magical. I fell for them as soon as I heard the opening. Now I can't get enough of the kids. They sing well, look good, and their songs are a great mix of different sounds. This particular song's groove is what got me. It almost doesn't get any smoother than this song.

1. Close the Door by SHINee
Ballad! This song honestly makes me melt. Even if I didn't know what they were talking about, their voices and the instrumental alone would be enough. However, I love the lyrics too.

Do any of you have a favorite song from this year? Let me know in the comments. 

Thanks for reading!

KPOP: Miss A's Comeback Single--HUSH

After a very long wait, Miss A has finally returned. YAY!

Since their youngest member, Suzy, is now of age the group can go with a more mature look and they indeed did. The video that was released on YouTube on November 5, 2013 has already reached over 3 million views and seems to be promising. The video is super sexy but is also mysterious and minimalistic. The ladies are featured dancing provocatively in many dark and dingy sets. The choreography is much more grown up and fits in well with the sound of the song.

The song itself is quite different from some of Miss A's past songs. It has a bit of a softer sound and is definitely more mature. The group's voices shine, however I wasn't all that impressed with the instrumental. It is missing something, a little umph that would have made more intense. Eventually the song got a little bit more exciting but for some reason I was expecting something different. Not sure what, but...

Although I wouldn't say it is a bad song I wouldn't say it is a great song. Once you listen to it though it will probably get stuck in your head. The simplicity of it makes it easy to follow and pick up on, especially the chorus.

If you haven't listened to it yet or watched the video you can below. I'm definitely anxious to see what else will come from the group. Miss A is one of the few K-Pop female groups I like so I'm really hoping for some winning songs and music videos.

Tell me what you think of their new look and new song in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

JAPAN: A Clinic on the Sea

This show is really entertaining. It’s funny, but also kind of heartbreaking.

It is about a doctor named Sezaki Kota (Shota Matsuda, Nishikado Sojiro from Hana Yori Dango) who travels to remote islands in a hospital boat to help people who don’t have access to hospitals. However, Dr. Kota also spends a lot of his time looking for his future wife. 

The show is set up where pretty much anytime he visits an island there is a woman there that he decides to marry. It causes trouble for him and the other staff on the boat, but it’s really funny to watch. Though he is a skilled doctor he’s not so good at love.

I like the show because it is funny. So many shows take themselves really seriously and it can get tiring to watch after a while.  I also like rooting for Dr. Kota and a nurse in the hospital boat, Mako. Though she’s a tough girl and keeps Dr. Kota in line, it is clear that the writers want to develop a story between the two of them that goes beyond work.

The show has 7 episodes out and is slated to go another 5. In episode 4 we got a guest appearance from Abe Tsuyoshi who also played Mimasaka Akira on Hana Yori Dango. Had I not watched Hana Yori Dango before this episode I don’t think I would have been so excited to see the reunion of sorts. Unfortunately, Shota Matsuda and Abe Tsuyoshi didn’t have any scenes together, but it was still a nice treat.

In episode 7 we also received a cameo from Erika Toda who played Umi on Hana Yori Dango. We also get a little more insight into Dr.Kota’s past with episode 7. It was pretty entertaining, but also intense. I’m not going to spoil anymore of the show, so go watch it now. The show is available on DramaFever (where I watch it) and each episode is only about 45 to 46 minutes long.

If you’re looking for a Japanese drama that is light but still has an air of romance and mystery I think this would be a nice option. 

Thanks for reading. Please share with me your thoughts on the show if you're watching.

KPOP: EXO's XOXO Album (Repackaged--Kiss Version)

I have to start off saying that at first I didn't like the entire album. I really only liked "Growl," not because I thought the other songs were bad, just because "Growl" was so good. However, the more I listen to it the more I enjoy each and every song. Of course, I still have my favorites but the list has grown drastically.

Let's go through the track list. Shall we?

1. "Growl"

I first heard this song by chance. Thank God for YouTube! Had it not been for their suggestion I may not ever have heard it. When I first heard it I didn't really register it, I thought it was cool sounding, but that was the end of it, then I went back to listen to it and now it is like my favorite K-Pop song. I love it and the video for it was so cool. The dark room with the freaky lights has been overdone by SM, but the smooth camera work and the hard-hitting choreography left me very impressed and ultimately obsessed.

2. "Wolf" 

I don't like this song, however, the more I hear it the more I can tolerate it. This song is all over the place. However, the video for this song wasn't bad, it was quite exciting.

3. "XOXO (Kisses & Hugs)" 

I absolutely love this song! I slept on it the first time I heard the album but, the more I listened the more I picked up on it and now I love it. I'm a sucker for sweet songs and sweet voices. This song has both and that makes me happy every time I hear it. 

4. "Lucky"

This isn't one of my favorite songs, but I really like it. It has a nice sound and the lyrics are sweet. It is also a song that would work really well on a Korean Drama.

5. "Baby, Don't Cry" 

This song is a great R&B song. I like that something like this wasn't sung softly and really showed off the power of the group members' voices.

6. "Black Pearl" 

This was another song that wasn't on my radar at first, but the more I listen, the more I like. It isn't my favorite song, but it is still one that I enjoy hearing.

7. "Don't Go"

This song would be perfect for a K-Drama soundtrack. When I'm watching certain shows I sing this song during the parts where it'd be most appropriate. The sound would work well with a teenage drama and one drama that I would love hear this song on is The Heirs. Imagine it playing in the airport scene. FEELS! 

8. "Let Out The Beast" 

This song is right on with the "beast/wolf/growl" concept but it has a really dated sound. It's not a bad song, but I think that a few years ago the sound would have been more on trend. However, that's me speaking as an American. This song really reminded me of the movie Step Up. It would work so well in a movie like that or at any dance battle.

9. "3.6.5"

I honestly think that the sound of this song was inspired by One Direction. At first listen, it sounds almost exactly like "What Makes You Beautiful." However, it is a fun song that is straight pop and it's different from the other songs on the album.

10. "Heart Attack" 

MY OTHER FAVORITE! I am a sucker for song with a nice groove, a great R&B touch. This song and "Growl" have that which is probably why they're my favorites from this album. 

11. "Peter Pan"

Such a sweet song, but not one that I like that much. Do I dislike it? No, but it's I could live without it if I have to. It is, however, a really nice song.

12. "Baby"

I didn't really pick up on this song at first either. I thought it sounded fine, but it wasn't one that stood out to me. Now, I quite enjoy it and I often imagine this song in the background of some dramas.

13. "My Lady"
I really like this song. The blues sound of it is really distinct from the other songs on the album, but it still oozes the usual sex appeal that EXO has become famous for.

14. "Growl" (Korean version)
I like it. How could I not? However, the version with all 12 is better, but I think I believe that because I listened to that version first.

I have listened to this entire album over 20 times and I still think it is good. I have also listened to their first album and I must say that as a whole I like this album better. If you've listened to it, please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for reading!

5 Reasons to Fall in Love with the Villain

If Heirs has taught me anything, it is that the villain that you should hate can quickly turn into the person you love most. We can all admit that Choi Young Do (Heirs) is a pretty scary dude, but there’s so many things to like about him that I am actually rooting for he and Eun Sang. Crazy, I know, but hear me out. Here are 5 reasons why you can fall in love with the villain and not feel shame.

 1. They’re Hot

Let’s not lie to ourselves. Even the villain is good looking. That's one of the best things about K-dramas: all the eye candy. Even though you know the antagonist should be hated, when they make “that face” or wear “that” you can’t help but love their good looks.

2. They’re Misunderstood

A villain almost always becomes more tolerable when we get a back story that explains their mean-streak. For instance, think of all the junk that Young Do has to deal with on Heirs: his mom (supposedly) abandoned him, his dad is crazy, and his best friend lied to him for years about his identity. That’s enough to make anyone snap. Once you find out that the source of all evil on a show is simply misjudged or has gone through a lot and doesn't know how to deal, you start to lighten up on your criticism. Once you open your mind to them, it’s not too hard to open up your heart.

3. They Like Good Girls/Good Boys Too

Sometimes it is hard to believe that the jerk finds a spunky and somewhat disheveled person attractive, but it happens time and time again. Once you find out that the person they like is the person that is most likable (typically), you can sort of cut them some slack.

4. They’re Protective

The villain is always protective of whoever they decide is worth protecting. They should get points for that. Though the bad guy or girl can do some pretty shady things, when they decide to take up for someone or keep them from harm they go through all kinds of heck to do so. Take, for example, Gu Jun Pyo. I know that we don’t see him as the villain, but until he truly shows his love for Jan Di he is still the big bully. However, once he decides that she is worth protecting, he practically gets killed to keep her safe. That kind of love you can’t ignore.

5. They’re Funny

Many people cite “sense of humor” as one of the qualities they look for in a love interest. It may just be me but sometimes the villains are the most hilarious characters in a show. Let's take Lee Bo Na from Heirs, who is only one of the many characters we can't stand. She's annoying, clingy, and delusional (thinking that Tan is still in love with her), but all of this creates not just tension between she and Eun Sang but some pretty amusing interactions between she and Kim Tan, among other characters. 

Everyone loves a bad boy, but now you have some legitimate reasons to cite for liking the villain. Comment below about which K-drama villain you felt guilty about liking. It's okay, you're in a safe place. We accept you here.

Thanks for reading.

Rant: Unemployed Romance Episode 6

I got to start off saying that the back story is starting to bore me. I really hope they get to the present in this episode.

This is going to sound horrible, but I think that Jong Dae should of just called someone to take care of Seung Hee and taken his exam. It probably would have worked out better for both of them in the end.

Her laughing with the tall man would upset me too. And her attitude kind of sucks too. Wow, things are not going well for them right now. Now I can see how things turned out the way they did. Fast forward now!

Oooo, she looks cute!

Now they’re about to break up. Let’s watch… Whoa, she seems kind of cold. And break up! Wow, he’s kind of cheeky. “How about we break up now and when you pass the exam you come and see me?” She could have responded like that.

And the hand is snatched away.

Oooo, they look flirty. I can see how dude would get angry, but technically they broke up. Right? That dude is long. Awww, poor Jong Dae getting embarrassed like that. And Seung Hee running after him? Sad. Now we go to the present! Please!

We all know what happens next: she falls down the escalator and breaks her arm. Then she loses her chance to be the queen of drama. Now she’s…

So, I noticed that no one tried to help her not get murdered from falling down an escalator. That sucks even more.

Is something weird about to happen between those two? Why isn’t she telling him about the accident? Is she a woman scorned or concerned about her friend? It’s hard to tell with Seon Joo.

What is going on here!? Jong Dae must be…I was right: he was imagining things. Lol

Awwwww, poor dude. And that jerk Seon Joo! He stayed there all night! A love lost. L

I love that he wanted to be remembered as cool. Ha!

His friends are reacting really strongly. What happened to the dudes that wanted him to two-time?

And there it is!

Now they’re all sad? LOL

AND CALLING HER?! So many misunderstandings, it sucks.

He’s now in love with a rice cooker? I’m worried about him, as are his friends. This is really sad y’all. His friends really need to help him. It’s funny, but oh so sad. That poor rice cooker.

Awwww, he really wanted to take care of his parents and now they’re still cooking at restaurants. At least the dad seems happy. OOOOO. This place needs some work.

Uh oh! Never slyly insult another person’s child, that’ll get you cut. All that bragging she did and look at him. Shame! He does look kind of horrible. They really tried to play that off.

His poor papa, he’s too nice. That just made dude feel worse than he already does. Look at the tears!

He’s cooking, you idiots! LOL

Nothing makes people happier than grilled meat. That’s just a fact; at least it is for carnivores.

A year later and nothing but more grilled meat. Lol

Well at least he has a reasonable plan. Hope it works for him. FIGHTING!

Finally back in 2013! It may be working for him.

LOL. He’s at least 7. I got a real kick out of that.

Now I’m worried. Will anything work out for Jong Dae? Wow, this professor is ridiculous! Hopefully, he really will get to study abroad.

Look at his poor parents slaving away. Wow, the tables have turned. She is going after her “friend” mercilessly. I love the look on her face, she’s genuinely happy that she got to get her digs in. LOL

Can I just say that Nam Goong Min has a gorgeous smile? I’m going to say it anyway. He has a gorgeous smile!

“LOVE SHOT?!” He’s tripping! Poor Hyun Ji. Uh oh, Jong Dae should shut up now. I don’t think this will end well for Jong Dae. Oh noooooooooooo. I feel so bad for Jong Dae right now. Aigoo!

Wait, he can still study abroad? Oooooo, “on his own,” that sucks.  THIS CLOSE!!!!!!

She still has faith in her son: that’s sweet.

We’re almost to the end and still no unemployment office. Get to it already!

Do people really only think of blond girls when they think of the U.S.? Or is that just his horny friend?

So is this how Jong Dae ended up at the unemployment office: temporary worker to receive a national scholarship? It kind of makes sense now.

WE’RE STILL NOT BACK IN THE PRESENT! THERE ARE ONLY 4 EPISODES LEFT! WHO WILL SHE PICK, HOW WILL SHE GET TO A BETTER LIFE, WILL LIFE TURN AROUND FOR THE BOTH OF THEM? IS THERE EVEN TIME TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!

So it looks like things will go back to normal next week, however there’s a lot to fit in four episodes. I’m not saying they can’t do it, I think the question is can they do it right. I’m just hoping that Wan Ha gets the girl. Jong Dae can’t just sweep in like this. I’ll admit that it was nice to get the back story, but 3 whole episodes? That seems a little excessive to me, but now we know how they get to where they are now, which helps make sense of the people they've become. Let the drama (in the present) ensue.

What do you think? Was the entire back story necessary? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading. 

JAPAN: Hana Yori Dango

I have finally gotten around to watching the beloved Japanese drama Hana Yori Dango a.k.a. Boys over Flowers. I must say that I was quite pleased with the drama. As with the Korean adaptation I was really invested in the characters and felt pain each time they felt pain. One of my friends told me that this drama was better because it had more events in it however I am still biased toward the Korean version.

The things I liked most about the Japanese version:

1.       They gave Akira (Woo Bin) a family. Though it was implied that Woo Bin had a family we never got to see them. Seeing Akira’s adorable little sisters and his hilarious mom was refreshing.

2.       The “symbol among men” or something like that. The chest pound to the point that Domiyouji, Rui, and even Susumu (Makino’s brother) did. It was adorable! Corny, but adorable.

3.       Tama (head maid) showed more support for Makino. Though we could figure that the head maid from the Korean version supported Jan Di, they made it explicit in the Japanese version. Tama even cried when Makino broke up with Domiyouji. ~tears~

4.       The movie. I loved the movie! Even without watching the show I think I could have enjoyed the movie. WE HAD A WEDDING! We didn’t even get Jan Di’s answer in the Korean version.

Things I didn’t like as much: Though I liked the drama from start to finish, I think that the Korean version handled some things a bit better.

1.       Rui (Ji Hoo) playing the violin. It kind of just came up later in the first season and then it became a constant thing. At least when we’re introduced to Ji Hoo he is playing the violin so it wasn’t so odd when he kept playing it later on.

2.       Makino and Domiyouji’s relocation (Jan Di and Jun Pyo’s move to the apartments). I thought the Korean version presented it in a bit more entertaining way. From the housewarming party to the tearing down of the complex just to get rid of Jan Di. I was more entertained and frustrated by that situation in the Korean version than in the Japanese version.

3.       Sojiro’s (Yi Jung) lost love. It was kind of awkward in the Japanese version.

I also have to note that this may be from my bias to the Korean version, but I think the Korean cast as a whole was better looking than the Japanese cast. Don’t get me wrong, everybody was attractive, but the Korean cast was just a touch more attractive.

I also want to talk about my new favorite song: Utada Hikaru’s Flavor of Life. I was familiar with Utada before this because I own her album This Is the One. When the song first came on I recognized the voice instantly and became excited, but then I actually started listening to it and looked up the lyrics and now I LOVE the song. It’s so pretty, but sad. I’m not a big ballad person, but for the right song I always fall in love.

Overall, I really liked Hana Yori Dango, but I’m not so sure I can say that it was better than the Korean version. Right now they are on the same level in my mind.

What do you think? Is Hana Yori Dango better than Boys Over Flowers? 

JAPAN: Switch Girl Seasons 1 & 2

Switch Girl was my first Japanese drama. I was nervous about venturing outside of Korean Dramas just because I was getting so used to it. However, my time outside of Korea has been quit enjoyable, strange, but enjoyable. 

Switch Girl is a fairly recent drama (2012) and is about a girl named Tamiya Nika who has two different personalities. During the day she is a put together bombshell, but at home she's a super slob. In the process of her covering up her identity she meets Arata who also has hidden personality. Through a series of bad events they come to be closer and are eventually a couple by the end of Season 1. 

There are only 8 episodes per season and the episodes are only about 26 minutes long, so it is very easy to get through this drama in 1 day. I watched Season 1 in 4 hours on one Saturday and the next Saturday I watched Season 2 in about the same amount of time. Because it is so short it'd be easy to watch with someone who isn't really an Asian drama fan. I watched with my sister and we both had an enjoyable time. 

Though the series was funny, it was also pretty ridiculous. The events that they went through are a little far-fetched. Each season there was the threat of someone getting raped, the first season it was Arata and the second season it was Nika and her friend Nino in danger. Why is this show so obsessed with rape?

However, that is only the tip of the iceberg. I don't want to reveal anymore because that would ruin your experience if you decided to watch the show. 

The difference I noticed most between this drama and most Korean dramas is there openness about sex. When you're watching most Kdramas, you're lucky if you get to see the main characters kiss, let alone have them discuss sex. 

Overall, I think that the drama was pretty good. It did its job of entertaining even if it was a bit ridiculous and the actors kind of overacted. But it was a high school comedy so that’s to be expected, I think.

You can watch Switch Girl HERE

Have you seen Switch Girl? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

RANT: Marry Him If You Dare Episodes 7 & 8

EPISODE 7

Note: I am praying for them to do something with Mi Rae’s look. It honestly doesn’t make sense for a pretty girl to look so disheveled all the time.  For some reason I am really happy to see Jung Yong Hwa in this show. I have no idea why because it isn’t like he’s one of my favorite actors but I just love seeing his face. I hope his character prevails.

Yoo Kyung is so calculating. I can’t believe she’s actually going to act like a gold digger when she knows Se Joo hates that.

Are Kim Shim and Se Joo really going to obsess over Mi Rae in front of everybody? I was really hoping she’d sit next to her brother. Lol

They were just on a career high, and it was shut down. That sucks. Poor kids. L

When Miranda asked if they get energized by stealing they should have just said yes. Lol

Thank you Kim Shin! You have to actually play the game if you want to win.

The way Future Mi Rae is acting towards Joo Hyun makes me think that her brother may have died or something in the future.

Run FMR Run!

Kim Shin is hilarious. Homeboy gets jealous over everything.

I can’t believe Mi Rae has dudes coming after her left and right, while Yoo Kyung is left in the cold. If we’re being honest with ourselves we could see how YK would be someone’s ideal choice: she’s pretty and has her stuff together, but she gets no side glances. Hmmm.

Poor Se Joooooo!

I like Kim Shin’s two toned jacket.

It seems as if destiny is taking over anyway. FMR may not get her way no matter how hard she tries.

Park Se Joo is too honest. At least Yoo Kyung knows where she stands though.

Awww. She tried to protect his feelings.

Mi Rae is bold to ask Kim Shin out like that, it must be admired. Most heroines wouldn’t dare.

I feel kind of bad for Yoo Kyung. Though she kind of has the same gold-diggery thoughts as those past girls Se Joo mentioned, she at least liked him a little before she found out he was rich.

Yoo Kyung’s advice was good. I think she’s becoming a more tolerable person or at least trying to come off as a better person. I love her jesting Se Joo though: telling him he hasn’t put up any effort.

FMR is crazy to invite Kim Shin to the confession. I’m so interested in how this will play out.

Really? The confession party is so cheesy. He could have done a sleeker event. Yoo Kyung is so wrong for suggesting this. I agree that he needed to do more, but this was not it. It is so painful to watch. I don’t want to see him get rejected, but I can’t believe he did this. What makes it worse is Yoo Kyung being there. It should have just been those two. I’m about to break my own wrist watching the confession. It’s so impersonal and it is neither one of their styles. Nope, nope, nope, nope.

FMR is too cruel! Poor everybody! Kim Shin is so hurt. Ahhhhhh! I can’t believe! Now I feel so bad for Park Se Joo. This is too much to handle.

I can’t believe Kim Shin’s so closed minded. Dude if you like her, hear her out! Nobody ever listens in a Kdramas. They just scream.

I wonder if Park Se Joo will get over her.

Uh oh, looks like Yoo Kyung has an attitude problem.

I honestly have no idea where we go from here, but it doesn’t really look like anyone plans on backing down anytime soon. Though I’m rooting for Se Joo it would not shock me if she ended up choosing Kim Shin.

~sigh~

EPISODE 8

Uh oh! It looks like Park Se Joo is about to let his claws out. Hope Kim Shin is prepared to beg on his knees.

It’s so hard to tell when Yoo Kyung cares and when she’s plotting.

What is FMR doing? Is she really going to be like this. Maybe she should just let things unfold. At least Mi Rae is different now, maybe their lives can be better because of that.

What is Mi Rae wearing?! What is Kim Shin wearing?

Revenge? Childish. Yoo Kyung took the words out of my mouth.

None of their show ideas are interesting. At least Writer Bae makes sense.

Cute bunny! Housing? Hmmm. I’m intrigued.

Whoa! They’re getting close to the mansion! Ooooo, Park Se Joo may be found out sooner than we thought.

Miranda is so good. LOL. How’d she get a resume that fast?

If they don’t like the hair, then it should definitely be changed.

Miranda looks great! I love the outfit. Mi Rae honestly just pushed her on the bus. The bodyguards were standing there the whole time! LOL. Is she serious about approving Mi Rae?

FMR is so cold. “It’s not Park Se Joo…” That was mean.

Poor ahjumma.

Wooo! Go Mi Rae! I agree with Writer Bae: Why is he trying to stop his sister? Wooo! He came around. He shouldn’t have said “get anything you want.” She looks like she wants to buy one of everything.

Kim Shin will help. But why? Now, Park Se Joo will teach her. Awkward!

“…Inconsiderate, bad boy types.” HA! Poor Park Se Joo! I really don’t know how they’re minds are thinking, romantically speaking. I’m still rooting for Se Joo. Wouldn’t it be the most unexpected thing if he were the one? Ahhhh, it would be like the writers actually listening to the audience.

Yoo Kyung just can’t win.

Look at Mi Rae working hard and Kim Shin being jealous.

And now she’s on fire. She and fire, not a good mix, but they keep getting entangled. Hopefully she can pull through, poor kid.

FIGHTING! LOL

Kim Shin still made Mi Rae walk with a sprained ankle.

Kim Shin’s scared, only scared people brag about not being scared.

“What’s going on now? They’re too well dressed?” What’s that about? I agree with Yoo Kyung. Is her love affair with Se Joo over? Yoo Kyung did it. She’s smarter than she looks and nicer than she seems.

Even I would be paralyzed by a spider an inch in front of my face. Lol

Wow, Se Joo is really impatient.

Are there ways for both sides to win? You know, when it comes to love. Hehehe

Is Yoo Kyung bored with his story? Even I knew this was a story about persistence, but can he really not tell that Yoo kyung likes him and doesn’t really want to help him? Yoo Kyung venting to FMR will not end well. It’s true she did like him before she found out about the wealth.

OMO! Her hair is super gray!  She must be aging really fast now.

Awww, look at them being cute. It’s not like Joo Hyun knew, or did he?

Ugh! Her ankle’s bleeding something fierce.

Is it confession time for Kim Shin?

Yes please, tell us everything! We’re dying of curiosity right now. We already knew all that.

Kiss her, kiss her! Don’t kiss her!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~I’m really conflicted~

What do you think of the show so far? Thanks for reading!

My Gateway Drama: The One that Started It All

Every addict has a gateway “drug.” For K-drama fans it is that show that sets everything into motion. The show that is still number one to you no matter how many people bash it, no matter how old it gets, no matter how many other shows you watch. The gateway drama is the drama that will forever be in your heart. For me that drama is Boys Over Flowers.

My obsession with K-dramas started innocently enough. I was watching Nail Shop Paris at the time and I shared with one of my friends that I was watching a Korean Drama. Little, did I know, she was a K-Drama veteran. She got so excited that she sent me a huge list of dramas that I had to watch. Being that I was open to the experience and not wanting to disappoint her I started the list. The very first show on that list was Boys Over Flowers. Before I started watching, I did a little research to see what it was about. It sounded interesting enough so I went to Hulu (where I was watching Nail Shop Paris) to watch. After the first episode I was hooked. I pretty much did nothing but eat, sleep, and watch that show. It took me about 3 days to get through it, but when I was finished my eyes had been opened and the fire had been lit.

Since then, I have been a proud K-drama addict and a fan of Lee Min Ho, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun Joong, Gu Hye-sun, and Kim Joon. I’ve also been obsessed with the song Fight this Bad Feeling by T-Max. This drama did all kinds of things to me that no other television show or movie has ever done. I have cried, stopped breathing, gone off on rants to people who could care less, and honestly felt my heart break with each distressing moment. At one point I couldn’t even eat because I was so distressed over the show's events. I thought "If any show could make me feel that, then there must be something to this K-drama thing." And here I am now.

Although I am still a K-drama newbie I am quickly catching up and filling in the blanks. I definitely think I am working my way into the experienced mentor category. Hopefully, I can consider myself a veteran soon.

Please tell me which drama was your gateway drama. I’d love to know how you entered into the fantastic world of Korean Dramas.

Thanks for reading. FIGHTING!

Annyeonghaseyo!!!

Hello and Welcome to Kdrama High! This blog is where I plan to express my euphoria about being a member of the Korean Drama Community. I have been watching Korean Dramas, affectionately known as K-dramas, since May 2013. So though I haven't been an addict long, when I love, I love strong. And that is definitely the case for K-dramas.

My very first drama was Nail Shop Paris, not the best drama, but enough for me to give the K-drama world a chance. Though I enjoyed watching the show it wasn't enough to get me addicted. That spot is reserved for a little show called Boys Over Flowers. If you're a fan then you know why this is the drama that started my love affair. Since then I have been watching dramas almost nonstop. In about a four month period I have managed to watch 31 dramas from start to finish. This may not seem like a feat to many of you, but to a newbie this is a huge accomplishment, especially considering that I had to balance watching with work, school, and getting sleep every once in a while.

Since entering the world of K-dramas I have gathered a lot of opinions and I've been going back and forth on whether or not I should start a blog to share them. There are so many blogs and websites about Korean Dramas for American viewers and I wasn't sure if the market really needed another one but I can't hold my thoughts to myself any longer.

Hopefully you all will like what you find on this blog. I encourage you all to comment freely on my posts. One of the many things I love about being part of the K-drama community is the interactions with fans like me so, don’t hesitate.

FIGHTING!