Wednesday, December 31, 2014

My KPOP Playlist of 2014

Last year my playlist was dominated by YGE artists like Taeyang, G-Dragon, and 2NE1. This year not only is the list more diverse but it's also much longer. After being exposed to Korean music for a whole year I feel like I am in on something special.

Here are the 21 songs that I couldn't take off of repeat in 2014. 

Feel free to play the videos below to listen to the songs.

21. Some by Soyu & Junggigo ft Lil Boi

20. Metronome by Jay Park ft Gray & Simon D

19. Rewind by Zhoumi

18. Missing by Teen Top - Love

17. Mamacita by Super Junior

16. Go Crazy by 2PM

15. Her by Block B

14. Hug Me by Crush

13. Madly by Clazziquai Project

12. AEAO by Dynamic Duo & DJ Premier

11. Saturday Night by g.o.d.

10. Eyes, Nose, Lips by Taeyang

9. Bicycle by Jung In & Gary

8. 200% by Akdong Musician

7. A by Got7

6. Hold Me Tight by Loco ft. Crush

5. Just One Day by BTS

4. Empty by Winner

3. Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms by High4 ft IU

2. Spellbound by TVXQ

1. 30 Sexy by Rain

HAVE A K-POP NEW YEAR!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Favorite Songs of 2014: September to December


The last four months did not disappoint me. This season's crop of songs were characterized by sultry vocals and softer instrumentals meant to make you feel warmer or colder as the holiday season approaches. Of course, there were also your soon-to-be club favorites, and some fun tracks from some of your favorite rookies.

Over the last 12 months Korean Music has been good to me and I was happy to be able to spend an entire year exposed to it. I hope 2015's music is just as great!


1. Rewind by Zhoumi ft Chanyeol - It has a Big Sean vibe, doesn't it? Anyway, I liked this song as soon as I heard it. The beat is on point and Zhoumi's singing is quite nice. Chanyeol's rapping has been noted as being too weak for the song, but I don't have any problems with it. I also liked the Chinese version of the song.

2. NaNa by Jay Park - I think I'm becoming addicted to party tracks and this one is a pretty great one. Jay Park's rapping has become much stronger since his New Breed days but the highlights of this song are the instrumental by Cha Cha Malone and the rhythmic rapping of Loco. It's an addicting song and the MV features many familiar faces such as Dumbfoundead.

3. So Good by Jay Park - Everyone's been influenced by Michael Jackson this year, Jay Park is no exception. The familiar but fun song adds some brightness to Jay Park's lists of singles from this year.

4. Missing by Teen Top - I loved the song from the moment I heard it. Teen Top's harmonious vocals over the lush instrumental really make this song enjoyable. Though it fits in with the gloominess of the season the groovy tempo makes it a bit brighter.

5. No Makeup by Gaeko ft Zion T & Yenny - Gaeko's first solo release of 2014 did not disappoint. The rapping and feature vocals were great. The song really displayed why Gaeko is a mainstay of Korean hip hop. The slow instrumental driven by a strong drum beat and just the right chords on a electric guitar give the instrumental so many intriguing elements. The lyrics and style of the video are also really unique as it centers around a call between a woman and a man who's relationship has turned cold. The woman chooses to use the excuse of not having any makeup on to avoid meeting her boyfriend.

6. Go Crazy by 2PM - I'm so glad they came back with this track. It's fun and has the perfect mix of funk, disco, and pop. The MV is fun and makes you want to dance, but it also shows how tired 2PM is now. Nobody can be a beast idol forever.

7. 12:30 by BEAST - BEAST reprises their dark concept with this eerie MV and hauntingly beautiful song. If BEAST can be praised for anything it is that each of them have such strong vocals that really add to the charm of this song.

8. Pretty Age Twenty-five by Song Ji Eun - Song Ji Eun's first solo release of the year was bright and sultry. This coming of age song is perfect for making any woman feel confident and assured in the age that she is, and the amount of understanding and beauty amassed so far.

9. Rose by Gaeko - This dark R&B track is perfect for this time of year and perfect for exhibiting the feelings of a man who loves his girl more than she loves him. Gaeko's smooth vocals went well with the lyrics and made the song feel that much more intense.

10. Thinking of You by Seo In Young ft Zion.T - Seo In Young and Zion.T combine their unique vocals in this cozy fall song that expresses the longing for each other after a break up. The video is also quite pretty combining well filmed vignettes of the heartbroken duo with unique water color & kaleidoscope effects in the artists' silhouettes.

11. Christmalo.win by Seo Taiji - Seo Taiji works his unique magic in this mix of rock and hip hop. Weirdly enough the mix of Christmas and Halloween also makes the track great. The video is really creepy but kind of fun also.

12. Yanghwa BRDG by Zion.T - Zion.T slows things down as he reflects on the life of his father, family and self in this soft, simple but well orchestrated song. The song makes you feel warm.

13. Sofa by Crush - Though this is another song about longing, it has Crush's super strong vocals as well as a more up tempo beat making it a good, head-bobbing R&B track, rather than a typical ballad. The instrumental is very full with piano and strings, but when you add that beat it really takes the song to another place.

14. Thinking About You by Loco ft Jay Park & Gray - The sound of the song is quite familiar but also very addicting. Loco's always melodic rapping is what's really important in this song. His ability to almost sing the verses moves the song along in a smooth way.

15. Happen Ending by Epik High ft Cho Won Sun - DUDE! This is my song, fa reals. Okay, I'm back, but I said all I needed to say. This song is awesome! Despite the intense lyrics it has a bright tempo and the feature vocals are perfect.

16. Spoiler by Epik High - Epik High returns with not only great singles, but also a very good album. Though Born Hater was talked about the most, I became addicted to this song upon it's release. The deep voices narrate the sad ending of a relationship well. And Tablo's high singing in the chorus is very complimentary.

17. U by John Park - First off I must say that John Park's transformation into sultry leading man is quite alluring. His deep vocals and the soul/pop style of the song makes a pretty strong impression. The MV completes the dark concept.

18. Still I'm By Your Side by Clazziquai Project - I'll start off by saying that the MV was great, it was comedic, romantic, and had a twist ending. The song itself is a great mix of the funk, R&B, and electronic genres. Even though it's a softer song with silky smooth vocals it is super groovy making it easy to dance to which, I personally love.

19. This is Love by Super Junior - This smooth and funky song makes you want to fall in love. The soulful vocals and instrumental are fitting with the one shot filming of the music video and maturity level of one Korea's most influential male groups.

20. Call Me Back by Clazziquai Project - To me, Clazziquai can do no wrong. I just love the vocals of Alex and Horan. They befit the upbeat jazzy instrumental well.

21. I'm Different by HI SUHYUN ft Bobby - The cutest stalkers ever team up with the Korea's newest hip hop sensation in this bluesy/swingy track about trying to attract your crush with your awesomeness. I wasn't sure how well Su Hyun's vocals would go with Lee Hi's but I was pleasantly surprise. They actually sound really good together, and Bobby's slightly high pitched, raspy rap gave the perfect intermission.

22. Hormone War by BTS - The kids impress me once again. Their rapping skills are always a cut above most idol rappers, but what I really like about this group is their playfulness in the video. It goes well with the sort of tongue and cheek subject matter as well as the fast tempo rock style of the instrumental.

23. Good Boy by GD x Taeyang - So you say you want a club joint? Well, GD and TY decided to answer you with this wildly addicting hip hop track. At first I was a little disappointed in this highly anticipated song because it seemed too familiar (reminded me of MTBD by CL, among others). However, the more I listened to it the more I weakend my resolved. Now I bounce to it every time it's on. The fun and colorful music video as well as the dance practice video are receiving quite a lot of attention too.

24. Sogyeokdong by SeoTaiji - IUs version of the song got a lot of attention, but I am fan of Seo Taiji's cut. The nostalgic feel of not only the video but also the electronic instrumental makes the song perfect for Fall. Because I didn't grow up in Korea, I can't exactly relate to the whole of the video and song but the song calls to mind for everyone time spent in one's hometown.

25. Crave You by Clazziquai Project - Though the instrumental doesn't disappoint in this song I became convinced of Alex and Horan's vocal power after to listening to this song. Their harmony and their ability to soothe you and excite you at the same time is really impressive.

26. I'm Sorry by Teen Top - Teen Top impresses once more with a groovy track that expresses the apologetic feeling one has after neglecting their lover. I think Teen Top is one group that can seduce with their vocals alone. They have very tight harmony that they never fail to exhibit to give the song a fuller sound.

27. Error by Vixx - I am almost ashamed to say that this is my very first VIXX song. But what can I say, I am still new to K-Pop. I like that this song, like most of this songs on this list, feature a very unique element to the instrumental that takes it a notch up. They sing well together, but I like that they have notable voices when singing or rapping their own parts.

28. You, End, and Me by Raina ft Kanto - Raina's beautiful high pitched voice and Kanto's shockingly deep voice--it's a well-made match. The song sounds bright but is actually about breaking up. I don't think Raina's voice should ever be used for sad sounding songs no mater how sad the subject matter is, even though I have no doubt she'd sound beautiful. I am happy that the song was arranged like this, it gives off kind of a hopeful vibe.

29. Erase by Hyolyn x Jooyoung ft Iron - Everybody already knows that Hyorin has an amazing singing voice, but how many of us can claim that we knew Jooyoung had pipes like that? His soft yet masculine voice pairs well with her airy soulful voice. The jazzy instrumental also befits the theme of wanting to forget an ex. Iron was a nice surprise too.

30. The Space Between by Soyu, Kwon Sooil, Park Yongin - 2014's queen of the co-ed collab strikes again. Not only is the video just as cute and funny as the one for Some, but the vocal pairing of Soyu and the male vocalists of Urban Zakapa works just as well. It's a romantic song with a subtle funk undertone that actually narrates the hearts of a man and a woman as they fall for each other.

31. Stop, Stop It by Got7 - This song calls to mind the experimental sound of 90's R&B. It is a JYP song so that's not really surprising. It has a nice tempo and the kids killed the choreography. A+

32. Days Like Today by 2AM - One thing I really like about the video is the fact that the lead actor lip syncs to it as he goes throughout his day and thinks about someone. It a soothing and soulful song.

33. Not a Boy, Not Yet a Man by Cross Gene - Cross Gene released quite a few songs this year. Most of which were not all that great, but they all had really nice music videos. This song however is a bit different. Though the music video isn't as artistic as the others, the song is really nice. The song does sound a bit familiar but I guess that's just the sound of the season.

34. Home by Roy Kim - Even Roy Kim's sad sounding songs have a way of uplifting you. This encouraging song about going home when you're feeling weak is just beautiful. His soft vocals over his characteristic acoustic guitar sweep through the song as electric guitar and piano boldly comes in mid verse.

35. You're So Fly by BTOB - BTOB is one boy group that knows how to have fun in their MVs. Aside from that the song is quite fun as well, sounding very similar to to the electronic R&B/Pop tracks of the late 80s.

36. Day N Night by Huh Gak ft Simon D - It's kind of a typical R&B/hip hop track but Huh Gak's amazing voice and Simon D's deep rapping make the sad song feel rich. I do think that the instrumental is quite unique, including what sounds like tongue clicking and whistling.

37. Home Meal by Kim Bum Soo - Kim Bum Soo's soulful voice perfectly expresses the emotion of longing, longing not only for a home meal but for what comes along with it--fellowship with family and the warmth that only home and your parents seem to be able to provide, especially for a single male.

There you have it folks. My favorite songs from September to December in a neat little list that you can reference when you're looking for another artist or song to add to your repertoire. If you would like to listen to the song and watch the video, feel free to click the links attached to each title. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Monday, December 29, 2014

My Favorite Korean Albums of 2014

I love listening to albums because sometimes the best songs from an artist are the songs that aren't released as singles. To me, you really miss out on knowing what an artist's music really consists of when you only listen to the singles.

This year I listened to quite a few albums, from artists that I haven't heard of, and in genres that I don't commonly listen to. After doing so I feel much more certain of my music tastes, the artists I like, and the fact that Korean music is awesome.

Here are my favorite albums (EPs & mini albums included) of 2014, this doesn't include everything I listened to or even everything I liked, just my absolute favorites in no particular order.

HI HIGH by High4 - I was really surprised by the range of songs. The first two songs they released had more of an R&B feel, so I expected them to carry that sound out, but they successfully did funk, electronic, and even a ballad. I love every single song!

Crush on You by Crush - According to Taeyang, Crush is one of the "new Korean R&B cats." To me he one of the most talented artists to come out in recent years. After hearing Crush's voice of Gary's Shower Later last year I haven't been able to get enough of the kid. Anything he's on I want to hear. His album was ah-may-zing! It had a great selection of R&B songs and incorporated just the right amount of hip hop. One song that was really great was the new jack swing track Hey Baby ft Zion.T. Crush showed off his very best in this album and I can't wait until his next album.

Crush by 2NE1 - Though I am technically a new fan of 2NE1 they have yet to disappoint me. This was an amazing album full of great songs and great lyrics. One thing that always impresses me about 2NE1 is the combination of genres that they do so effortlessly. To have reggae, electronic, R&B, hip hop, and pop in one seamless album can not be an easy feat but they make it seem so natural. I always love that their lyrics are about typical female emotions without sounding whiny.

The Manual (Repackage) by Eddy Kim - This album is what you get when you pair absolutely beautiful vocals with soft and sultry instrumentals. Eddy Kim's mix of jazz and soul is really addicting. The album is soothing but not slow, and it picks up in all the right spots.

Red Light by f(x) - I doubted f(x)'s talent, but this album is so great that I could no longer question how great these ladies are. They're one of the few girl groups that have truly interesting songs, mixing multiple genres of music into one easy to listen to album. From the Bollywood inspired track Milk to the disco, funk track All Night, they manage to effortlessly combine many many different styles of music while maintaining a playful pop sound as well.

Spellbound (Repackaged) by TVXQ - This album launched my love affair with TVXQ, even though my first TVXQ song was Mirotic. This album made me want to listen to album after album and even sparked my interest in JYJ. Every song has a more retro sound, coming from genres like R&B, swing, disco, rock, dubstep, and electronica. It also has a great selection of soulful ballads and heart stopping love songs.

Overdose by EXO - My favorite EXO album to date. I love all of their albums, but the thing I like most about this one is that every single song had a different sound. However, I feel that the change in sound from song to song doesn't alienate any audience member. It shows fans that the members of EXO have grown as people and artists, and that they and the songwriters and producers they worked with are recognizing that.

Rise by Taeyang - There's not a song I don't like. This album received great reception not just from Korean fans but from international fans as well. After listening to the full album it's easy to understand why. The album is a great mix of dance tracks, hip hop tracks, and slower more soulful tracks. The first song usually sets the tone of an album and Rise definitely sets you up for an amazing listening experience.

2014 S/S by WINNER - YG was definitely on a roll this year. Not only did their mainstay artists shatter records and break boundaries but their rookie groups managed to claim top spots of their own. Much like most YG artists there was no barrier put on WINNER's songs. There's great range and the selection of tracks show off the talents of all the members.

Blink by Clazziquai Project - SUCH A GOOD ALBUM! I didn't even know this electronic/jazz group existed, but after listening to their latest album I've pretty much fallen in love with them. The thing I like most is the very thoughtful arrangements of their songs. When dealing with this mix of genres I feel like some people fail to truly combine them in an enjoyable way, but Clazzi has completely mastered it. The smooth vocals of Alex and Horan also accompany the instrumentals perfectly.

Play by Akdong Musician - These fun folk artists are also among YG's chart topping rookies. The album is really beautiful--enough said.

The Vgins by Ven - Mix R&B, hip hop, and a little dubstep and you get head-bobbing awesomeness. I like this album's bouncy tracks as well as it's notable features (Beenzino, Deepflow, Odee). Ven's vocals are very unique (reminds me a bit of Zion.T) and they pair really well with the percussion heavy instrumentals.

Go Crazy by 2PM - This album is like the 70s brought back to life. Almost all of the songs have a disco/funk sound. It's a really awesome album full of great dance tracks.

Ace by Taemin - Our little baby is growing up and talking about things! Anyway this album was a great display of not only Taemin's vocal talents, but also his talent as a performer.

These are some of my favorite tracks off of other albums that I really liked.
*Shoebox by Epik High: Happen Ending, Rich, Spoiler, Burj Khalifa
*Locomotive by Loco: Hands Up, You Don't Know, Thinking About You, No Manners, If I, Hold Me Tight
*Up All Night by Beenzino: How Do I Look?, Up All Night
*Full Moon by Sunmi: Full Moon, Burn, Who Am I, Frozen in Time
*Sugar by 15&: Star, Sugar, Oh My God,  Rain & Cry, Silly Boy, Somebody
*Inspiration by Louie (of Geeks): Where You At?, Are You Up?, Side Mirror, Walk, High, Change the Game, Secret

Monday, December 22, 2014

Monday Marathon: Be Arrogant (Dodohara)

This was one mini drama that I really wanted to see this year because it starred Kim Yura of Girl's Day. I don't follow Girl's Day very closely but I am familiar with the members and some of their songs so I wanted to check out how one of them would do as an actress. Spoiler: She did pretty well. 


Overview: Hong Ha Ra was left broke and alone by her boyfriend Noh Cheol (Yoo Min Kyu). Having to move out, she decides to move into the house of Do Ra Hee, Noh Cheol's older sister who Ha Ra finds out is actually his girlfriend of 6 years. Though Ra Hee and Ha Ra pretty much hate each other from the start they decide to start an online shopping mall together. They do pretty well and actually become sisters of sorts until Noh Cheol shows up again and shakes the relationship between the two women as well as his relationship with them.

Why It's Worth Marathon-ing:
1. ONE DAY DRAMA. With 10 episodes being between 20 and 25 minutes long it won't be hard to complete this drama. You would think that a complicated plot such as this one would fall short in this amount of time but it didn't.

2. REALISM. There are probably a few far-fetched concepts but they were written and executed in a believable way. It's probably weird that the girlfriends of one guy live together and decide to go into business together, but they never had any delusions about how they came to be business partners, nor did they try to hide it from anyone else. They maintained 100% honesty with each other and others they came in contact with.

3. LOVE TRIANGLE. *SPOILER ALERT* This was one of the weirdest love triangles ever. Why? Well, both girls were still in love with Noh Cheol, Noh Cheol likes both girls. So what did they do? They cried, and dated, and claimed to hate each other, and everything that just doesn't really happen in a normal love triangle. Because they became a little family they decided that they needed to sacrifice for each other even if it would hurt them. It was commendable and actually easy to watch. No second lead syndrome at all, at least not for me.

4. TWO TOUGH CHICKS. The female leads Hong Ha Ra played by Yura, and Do Ra Hee played by Shin So Yul were very strong female characters. They fought with each other, they fought with Noh Cheol, they fought the weirdness that was their relationship. Though fighting doesn't necessarily make one a tough girl it does show that the characters had no problem voicing their opinions rather then holding it all in and revealing their feelings when it was too late like some other characters we may know.

5. ENDING. I'm not going to say much about it, but I thought the last episode was funny and sweet. Somehow those three kept a healthy and sometimes loving relationship between them that was fun to watch.

Overall, I thought the acting was really good, the story line was well thought out, and that due to the short length it was worth watching. I was glad that the format of the show didn't affect the story or acting.  It didn't leave anything to be desired so I finished the show feeling very satisfied. 

If you're looking to get into a romantic comedy but don't want anything too sappy then I would highly recommend this mini-drama. 

Friday, December 19, 2014

My Favorite Korean Variety Shows (At the Moment)

Running Man
Where I Watch: YouTube, DramaFever

Overview: 7 MCs compete through a series of missions that keep them running.

Why I Like It: Running Man was the very first Korean Variety show I started watching. Even though I'm still new to the show I have watched all 219 episodes in just a few months. I like it because it combines comedy with action in a very real form. The MCs are super entertaining and I like seeing a different side to some of my favorite celebrities.

Roommate
Where I Watch: DramaFever

Overview: 11-12 celebrities live in a house together and interact on a daily basis. It's a look into how it would be like if celebrities lived in a boarding house.

Why I Like It: I was really excited about this show because the concept just seemed like such an entertaining one. How often would you get to see a bunch of celebrities actually living together? It was a "Must Watch of 2014" for me. I enjoyed the first season very much, everything happened pretty much how I expected. There were awkward moments, sweet moments, and heated moments but overall it was a very endearing show and cast. The second season recently started and I didn't know if I'd like it since I had gotten so used to the usual cast but I think I'm enjoying the second season much more. The cast seems a lot closer and like they're having a lot more fun together. I don't know if that is the work of the cast or the producers but I think the new format is much better.

Hello Counselor
Where I Watch: YouTube

Overview: Hello Counselor is a show where regular citizens send in concerns they're having and discuss it with the MCs and celebrity guests in front of an audience of 150 people. The MCs discuss about 3-4 concerns an episode and the concern that receives the highest number of votes wins a cash prize and the chance to compete next week.

Why I Like It: The MCs are hilarious but they also are very helpful to their guest. They try to lighten the mood as much as possible but they never take any serious concerns too lightly. As an international fan it is also really interesting to see the types of concerns that people from another country face.

Happy Together
Where I Watch: YouTube

Overview: The MCs including Yoo Jae Suk and Park Myung Soo interview celebrity guests. They do a lot of specials and invite guest that usually have something in common.

Why I Like It: It's always fun to get to know your favorite celebrities better and this show is one of the talk shows that give fans that chance. One of my favorite segments however, Late Night Cafeteria, has been taken away. That was the most fun of the show, but it's still a very enjoyable program. Both MCs and guests have good sense and good senses of humor.

Superman is Back
Where I Watch: YouTube, DramaFever

Overview: Fathers take care of their children for a 48 hour period without any help from the mothers.

Why I Like It: You get to see a softer and often funnier side of some of your favorite celebrity fathers so it's very entertaining for that fact. It's also fun to watch the children learn and grow and depend and communicate with their fathers. The show also tends to have a lot of celebrity guests that are just obsessed with taking care of the children as the fathers.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

12 Shows to Start Watching Before 2014 is Over

A lot of great shows were released in 2014 and though some of them were huge, some weren't so notable but still very entertaining. I was able to watch a great number of dramas this year and for that I am grateful. Now I have a slew of actors to watch as 2015 approaches. 

These are some television shows that I recommend checking out before 2014 is over if you haven't.

KOREAN
Birth of a Beauty
Birth of a Beauty stars Han Ye Seul and Joo Sang Wook and is about a chaebol designing the perfect beauty so that they can get revenge on the loves that betrayed them. The show is just the right mix of comedy, romance and revenge. The two main actors make a very charming pair. The pace of the show is also very enjoyable. The show is only 12 episodes in and slated for 20 episodes total. Each episode is just over an hour. I know for sure that the show can be watched on DramaFever and Viki.
Also Staring: Jung Gyu-Woon, Wang Ji-Hye, Han Sang-Jin, along with many others. 


Modern Farmer

Modern Farmer follows a rock band as they try to farm cabbages in order to gain the money they need to make their album. The show stars Lee Hong Ki, Park Min Woo, Honey Lee, Lee Si Un, Kwak Dong Yun, and several other familiar actors and actresses. It's a very enjoyable show. It's extremely funny, but also endearing, and in some regards quite suspenseful. The show is slated for 20 episodes and currently has 16 episodes released, which I know are available on DramaFever and Viki. 


Pride & Prejudice

Pride & Prejudice is Choi Jin Hyuk's last drama before serving his military service, so it must not be missed. Besides that it is an amazing show. It is about a rookie prosecutor played by Beak Jin Hee trying to piece together her brother's murder while still trying to be the best public welfare prosecutor she can be. The "sunbae" is played by Choi Jin Hyuk and there is some romantic tension between them but luckily the show is really good at trying to focus on the prosecuting process more than their possible dating life. The show also stars Choi Min Soo, Lee Tae Hwan (Surprise), Son Chang-Min, Choi Woo-Sik, Jang Hang-Seon, Jung Hye-Seong, Baek Su-Ryeon, and Kim Na-Woon. The show has also been receiving very good ratings and is slated for 20 episodes, 12 of which have been released. The show is available for Premium customers on DramaFever, and on Viki.

It's Okay, That's Love
Probably the best show of 2014. If you haven't seen it yet then you are definitely missing out. The show is about a couple struggling with their own psychological issues while trying to enjoy love for the first time. This is an epic show: it had an epic cast and even the premise of the show is epic. It stars Gong Hyo Jin, Jo In Sung, Lee Kwang Soo, Song Dong Il, D.O., Jin Kyung, Lee Sung Kyung, Yak Ik Joon, and Cha Hwa Yeon. The show has a very remarkable set of couples and shows the struggle of being in a relationship as well as the bliss. Another great thing about this show is that all the characters are extremely strong. No one is cowering to anyone just so they can feel love and acceptance. It also teaches viewers how tough dealing with mental illnesses can be but also how people with mental illnesses should be viewed and treated. I honestly think that anyone would enjoy this show. It was 16 episodes and is available on most streaming websites including DramaFever, Viki, and Hulu.


JAPANESE
Partners by Blood
Partners by Blood was a really great show packed with both action and comedy. It was also a very short series with only 11 episodes that were about 45 minutes long. It's the perfect series to marathon on a day off. I also think it's a great drama for Asian drama virgins. If you are just getting started or are looking for something that might interest your friends and family then I highly recommend this one. I know that it's available on DramaFever.

The Perfect Insider
The Perfect Insider is a relatively new drama that started in late October of 2014. It is a really entertaining and suspenseful crime drama. It is a bit far-fetched at times but the amount of suspense that this drama boasts will leave you hanging onto your seats and craving more at the end of every episode. Available on DramaFever.

VARIETY
Roommate
Although Roommate may not boasts super high ratings it does have a great cast and it is very funny and endearing. The concept of sticking celebrities that know almost nothing about each other together in a house is not a new one, but it never ceases to be entertaining no matter how many ways you spin it. The show is already in its second season and even though I as a viewer grew attached to the cast members of the first season I must say that the second season somehow feels more comfortable, not just for the housemates but also for the viewers. If you were thinking about checking it out but still haven't made the jump, I encourage you to at least check out the first episode. Available on DramaFever.

Superman is Back!
One of the cutest variety shows ever! Super Man is Back (or Superman Returns) shows celebrity fathers taking care of their children alone for a 48 hour period. It really is fun to watch the dads and their children become closer. The dads always seem to have so much fun watching their children grow and it's fun for the viewer to watch the family grow closer together with every new experience. The longest members of the cast are Tablo (Epik High) and his daughter Haru, Choo Sung Hoon and his daughter Sarang, Lee Hwi Jae and his twins Seo Joon & Seo Eon, and Song Il-Kook and his triplets Dae Han, Min Guk, and Man Se. Former members of the cast include Lee Hyun Woo and his two sons, Kim Jung Tae and his son, Jang Hyun Sung and his two sons, and Do Kyung Wan and his son. Most recently the cast has added Uhm Tae Woong and his daughter as Tablo and Haru depart. This show is very family friendly and you will find yourself smiling the entire show as you watch the children and fathers learn together. Available on YouTube.

SHORTS
Another Parting
This five episode mini drama packed quite the punch: from an impressive cast to an addicting story line. It packed that wallop in about an hour too. The show is about an alien that comes to earth to learn about humans. While trying to learn he encounters a woman and follows her in order to achieve his mission. It sounds sappy but it had a good bit of action and comedy that made it a touch better than your typical romantic drama. I reviewed the show already in a Monday Marathon post. You can watch this drama on YouTube with English subtitles.

Aftermath
This was another action packed miniseries made from a popular webtoon. The drama is about a high school student who wakes up after an accident with the ability to tell which people will die and which people will kill. The show is a total of 11 episodes with each episode being about 8-11 minutes long. It stars Kim Dong Joon of ZE:A and combines murder, mystery, and romance in a pretty enjoyable package.  I also reviewed the show for my Marathon Monday series. Available on DramaFever.

After School Lucky or Not
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This is one of the most hilarious shorts I've ever seen. At times it can be a bit crude, but it was so funny that it was easy to not get annoyed by it. It stars the members of idol-acting group Surprise, and in the first season Kim So Eun, in the second season Song Joo Hee (Alice of Hello Venus) and Han Ji Suk. The show is about friends who complete missions after school as a bucket list. As you can imagine this creates some pretty hilarious antics that really shouldn't be missed. I reviewed the first season in a Monday Marathon post. Available on DramaFever.

Love Cells
This short wrapped very recently and it was a very cute and fun romantic comedy. The main character was in danger of losing all his love cells but with the help of his cat he tries to save himself by winning over the heart of a k-pop idol. It boasts quite an impressive cast which I listed out in my Monday Marathon post. It was 15 episodes long that were about 6-12 minutes long. Available on DramaFever.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Monday Marathon: Love Cells

You know that I only watched the drama because the name "Kim Woo Bin" popped up on the cast list. Even though I came for Kim Woo Bin I stayed for the adorable main cast and the fun story line. 




Overview: A young man is in danger of losing his love cells because he has yet to date anyone. One of his love cells escapes and takes over his cat and coaches him on how to get the girl of his dreams who just so happens to be an untouchable idol.

Why it's Worth Marathon-ing:
1. LENGTH
The length is really a key point. The writer(s) managed to fit everything you might love or hate from a full length drama in about 6 to 12 minutes. It'll only take about 2 hours to watch from beginning to end but you can also watch during your lunch or study breaks if you can't find the time. I watched it on DramaFever.

2. CAST
There is a cast of wacky characters including the main character's next door neighbor played by Jang Hyuk and Park Joon Hyung as an ad model for all the special tools Navi has. The main cast includes: Park Sun Ho as Ma Dae Choon, Kim Yoo Jung as Navi (love cell/cat), Nam Ji Hyun as Seo Rin, and Baek Sung Hyun as Chun Ji Woon. The short also features Kim Woo Bin as the Love Cell Hunter.

3. PLOT
The main story line is pretty original, and the show was sweet and funny. Though romantic comedies are a dime a dozen this one has a pretty original concept. The idea that one has love cells that die off if you live your life as a single person too long is an interesting idea and one that I was happy to see played out. It was sweet in the fact that the romance never felt overly forced. From the beginning the concept was to force the romance so that the main character's love cells wouldn't die but it never got to a point where I cringed at it. It was very hilarious too see some big name stars act pretty wacky and it was funny to see the main character Ma Dae Choon try to win over the affections of Seo Rin, the idol he had a crush on.

4. ENDING
The ending was pretty surprising. I don't want to spoil anything but I will say that there was quite the turn of events near the end. The very ending also seemed to be promising a sequel in which the Love Cell Hunter's story would be told. I finished the drama feeling satisfied even if the story didn't exactly go as I planned in my head I thought the writer(s) did a very good job. 


If you are currently looking for your next short, I definitely recommend this one. I am actually thinking of re-watching it just so I can see it from beginning to end without a whole week between some episodes. 

I know it's been a a while since I've done one of these, but a whole bunch of shorter drama are starting to be released so hopefully I'll be able to keep Marathon Monday alive for a while.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Partners by Blood (Bitter Blood) - Japanese Drama Review

This show is by far my favorite Japanese Drama. It had everything one could ask for in an action/comedy. It was funny when it was supposed to be and packed with combat and explosions at just the right moments. And like all Japanese dramas it was short and sweet, which left me wanting more so I am hoping for a season two. 

Warning this review will contain a few spoilers. 




Overview: An estranged father and son become partners at the Ginza Police Station much to their dismay. They fight each other and their impending bond tooth and nail but they realize, case by case, that they care about each and need each other to survive the dangerous world of being a detective. I watched it on DramaFever.

What I Liked:
1. The actors were fantastic. I've noticed that in Japanese dramas, particularly comedies, things get really random but it didn't diminish the acting talents of the cast. Their comedic timing was just as great as their uncanny ability to cry over just about anything. I also liked that each character had a personality and a chance to show of their personality traits.

The cast included Takeru Sato (Natsuki Sahara aka Junior - Son), Atsuro Watabe (Akimura Shimao aka Gentle - Father), Shiori Kutsuna (Love Interest), Mitsuru FukikoshiTetsushi TanakaSarutoki MinagawaKeijiSuzu HiroseReiko KusamuraKatsumi Takahashi (Chief), and Mitsuhiro Oikawa (Villain).

2. The main villain. You know dramas, mostly Korean dramas, have a way of making you empathize with the villain in some cases, not all but some. This wasn't one of those cases. Even when the villain was telling his story I still thought that he needed to go. Of course, I don't feel like he ever really got the chance to explain his story but even if he felt wronged he shouldn't have done the things he did.

3. The action. This comedy had a lot of action and though having action in every single episode can be pretty unrealistic, it also made for very entertaining scenarios.

4. The theme song. Probably one of the best theme songs I've ever heard. It added impact to the show before the show even started. It's called Do You Ever Shine by Mayday. It gets you pumped up for not only the show but just for the day.

5. They didn't overly force the father and son relationship between Sahara and Gentle. They let them naturally start caring for each other and understanding each other. At the end of the show they still weren't super close but they were on their way there which gives me hope for a second season.

What I Didn't Like:
1. I felt like the villain never actually got a chance to fully explain his side of the story. We got a brief glimpse into his pain but that didn't help us understand exactly where he was coming from.

2. The unstated relationship between Sahara's sister, Shinobu, and Kota. Kota is the chief's son and after Sahara saved him he all of a sudden was in some sort of relationship with the sister which was never fully explained. Sahara and Gentle still don't even know that they're dating or friends or whatever they are.

In all honesty there wasn't much I disliked. It was so entertaining and just the right amount of endearing that I really have no complaints. I would totally watch it again and I suggest that if you're new to dramas you give it a try. A short drama like this is a great attention keeper.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Favorite Songs of 2014: May to August

It's now August! Another four months of hypnotic K-Pop awesomeness have passed and there were more rookie debuts, comebacks, and singles than I think I could handle. But I tried to keep up as much as possible. From the new songs I've listened to, in the months of May to August, here are my favorite songs in order by most listened to.



1. A by GOT7: This was the quintessential summer song. I think the word that best describes the song and its MV is "youthful." The song and video were so full of life and fun, it's really hard not to move whenever the song comes on. The MV showed off their dance moves in all the right places and also featured a different and diverse background.

2. 사람냄새 (Your Scent) by Gary & Jung In: I am loving this collaboration soooo much! Their first song of 2014 had me bobbing my head endlessly. Their unique voices go amazingly with the piano instrumental and the chill R&B sound.

3. Miss Right by BTS (방탄소년단): This year I have completely fallen in love with the Bangtan Boys. As a Hip Hop Idol group they really do combine impressive rap skills with sweet melodies. This song is a great example of that. 

4. 너를 원해 (Want U) by 정기고 ft. 빈지노 (Junggigo ft Beenzino): Junggigo has gotten a lot of attention this year for his duet with SISTAR's Soyu. He continues his strong presence with this groovy medium tempo song featuring the amazing  rapping skills of Beenzino. As much as I love Junggigo's unique voice in this song, Beenzino's flow is probably the most mind blowing part. 

5. Give Love by Akdong Musician: This adorable brother/sister duo continues their theme of unrequited high school love in this upbeat guitar driven song. I must admit that as lovely as the song is the music video is what really keeps me coming back for more. 

6. Hug Me by 크러쉬ft. 개코 (Crush ft. Gaeko): Crush's strong vocals, Geako's rhtymic rapping, and the multifaceted instrumental bumps this R&B song up a few notches. This song and the video is a display of Crush's many talents which include songwriting, composing & producing, and even dancing. Though this is one of the singles released from his album I will tell you that every single song on his album, "Crush on You," is special and worth listening to over and over again.  

7. 눈,코,입 (Eyes, Nose, Lips) by Taeyang: Probably the most internationally successful song out of this group, Eye, Nose, Lips is Taeyang's first single from his highly popular "RISE" album. The song is beautiful and easy to sing along to which is probably one of the reasons that it has been number one on the Gaon's weekly karaoke chart for months. 

8. 새벽한시 (1AM) by Taeyang: This more uptempo song, with the same message of a missed love, just has a hold on me. 

9. 해요 말고 해 (A Little Close) by 하이포, 김예림 (HIGH4, Kim Ye Rim): HIGH4 finally returned months after their instant hit Not Spring, Love, and Cherry Blossoms ft IU. They continue their trend of working with amazing female vocalists that not only provide sweet accompaniment but also a love interest. This song also continues in the groovy R&B/Jazz that separates them from quite a few idol groups. BONUS: the guys show off more dance skills in this MV.

10. Saturday Night by g.o.d.: This was my first taste of g.o.d. but it will not be my last. Aside from amazing vocals and an instrumental that would get even the oldest fan moving, the MV is just pure awesomeness as it features the members meeting up after years apart and talking about the lives they led. It is magic--a must watch!

11. Night & Day by Wheesung: This is only my second Wheesung song ever! My first was his cover of Insomnia. Wheesung has a very unique voice that lends itself well to this power ballad. 

12. Good Luck by Beast: It's a good pop song. The video's a little weird and I am not a fan of Junhyung rapping in English, but overall it's a pretty good song. 

13. 너란 여자 (Obsession) by 보이프렌드 (Boyfriend): Boyfriend is one of the more underrated boy groups but they are very talented and this song is proof of that. Their vocal skills and dance moves rival some of the best. 

14. 공허해 (Empty) by WINNER: All that teasing paid off! WINNER is still riding high at the top of charts since officially debuting. There is something really familiar about this song, but there is also something new and fresh about it. I think my sister described it best when she said "Same sound, different feel." It is really unexpected for a debut song but it is really addictive. 

15. 컬러링 (Color Ring) by Winner: I was not expecting this as a debut song from a YG group but it is such a good song. It's very soft and simple, but has very strong vocalists and rappers. 

16. Mr.애매모호 (Mr. Ambiguous) by 마마무 (Mamamoo): This song is a great throwback track to 60's R&B, one of the golden ages of Western girl groups. It's a fun song that gets you moving, while the video features some of your favorite artists like Baek Ji Young, Wheesung, Bumkey, and Jong Hyun from CNBLUE playing various roles as the group films their music video. 

17. Sugar by 15&: 15& makes a comeback and it is sweet. This song has a great soul undertone and the ladies have absolutely amazing voices. The video is fun too. 

18. 터치 마이 바디 (Touch My Body) by 씨스타 (Sistar): The song is really good, like really good. The sax in the back takes an otherwise pop-y song and gives it just the right kick. 

19. Solo Day by B1A4: The perfect road trip song of 2014! The video is really enjoyable--a must watch. 

20.  행복 (Happiness) by 레드벨벳 (Red Velvet): Despite all the controversy that swirled around this group when they debuted, I must say that they are one girl group that I am excited to watch. Their debut single was upbeat and catchy and had a decent message. Also, the ladies' vocal skills are quite impressive.

21. 달링 (Darling) by 에디킴 (Eddy Kim): My favorite acoustic vocalist returns with this simple and sexy song. I saw that there was some concern over the MV because of its multiple and various innuendos, but as a rather conservative American I must say that the video is not even close to being racy.

22. HER by 블락비 (Block B): Can I just say that Block B killed it with this song? I didn't really like Jackpot; I'm not a big fan of the chorus and verses sounding so different. But this song is much more consistent in sound and a lot more fun to me. The rockabilly sound with a kiss of hip hop is really great and the song is very well done. 

23. 자리비움 (Summer Time) by 다이나믹듀오 (Dynamic Duo): Dynamic Duo takes summer to the next level. I only recently became a fan of the hip hop duo, but I have listened to all their albums as a duo and most of the songs they've been featured on. I really can't get enough of the group. The thing I really like about DD is that their style of music is closer to original hip hop and a lot of times mixes in old school R&B with Hip Hop rather than going the electronic route. This makes the song easy to listen to and easy to understand (you know, if I spoke Korean). I also praise them a lot for using scratching in the song which is almost non-existent in popular Hip Hop tracks anywhere these days. 

24. 한여름밤의 꿀 (A Midsummer's Night Sweetness) by 산이, 레이나 (San E, Raina): I didn't realize how beautiful Raina's voice is. It makes this sweet song that much sweeter. San E's rapping skills are really impressive too. My parts are when they harmonize--so sweet!

25. 단발머리 (Short Hair) by AOA: I just got into to AOA this year and so far I have been enjoying their singles. This particular single puts in me in a really good mood just by the sound of it, and after looking up the translated lyrics I am in a better mood when I listen to it. 

26. 굿 바이 바이 (Good Bye Bye) by NU'EST (뉴이스트): This song has a very familiar k-pop sound with the ever so popular dub-step addition. Although the song isn't all that interesting and the video has the same dreary concept that so many videos these days have, I can't stop singing "Goodbye Baby, Goodbye Baby!" It's catchy and it's not a bad sounding song even if it's not spectacular. 

27. 괴도 (Danger) by 태민 (Taemin): SHINee's maknae comes out strong with this one. This song was a very good debut song because it was different enough from the bulk of SHINee's songs. It was a bit more edgy and sexy, but just as awesome. The song and the video showed off Taemin's various talents in a great way. I am also a big fan of the Michael Jackson-esque dancing and video.

28. Danger by BTS (방탄소년단): Their are so many dangerous artists in Korea and BTS is definitely one. The song isn't necessarily anything to write home about and neither is the video, however they didn't disappoint either. Even if you don't really like the song, you'll probably find yourself listening to it more than once.

29. 자전거 (Bicycleby Gary & Jung In (정인&개리): Gary & Jung In are killing it! My Korean music tastes are definitely shifting to more Hip Hop, R&B, and songs that infuse those genres in, so you can't really blame me for liking the duets of one of the most popular Korean Rappers and one of the most popular Korean R&B singers. Everything about this song makes the sad end of summer feel good.

30. 아야야 (MAMACITA) by 슈퍼주니어 (Super Junior): SUPER JUNIOR'S BACK!!!!! And just in time to make this list. Had this song come out sooner it'd be higher on the list, because I love listening to it. The sound is really familiar to me. I've heard a number of 90's R&B songs from America and Mexico that have a similar sound, and just like this song they were all really great to listen to, especially while driving. 

31. A Real Man by Swings (
스윙스) & Ailee (에일리): More Hip Hop, because it's that good! A very classic sound that is familiar to anyone who has listened to late 90's/early 2000's  Hip Hop/R&B collaborations from the West (or Ariana Grande). It's smooth with just the right beat. Ailee's vocals, though softer than usual are fabulous as always, and Swings' flow is still as good as it's ever been. Also, the song was produced by Gray, a master producer and a budding solo artist. If you haven't heard Gray's first EP, Call Me Gray, then now would be a good time to listen to it. I give this song 2 thumbs up!

Although these months were also riddled with tragedy I am grateful for the effort that all these artists put into to making sure that they please fans and succeed. I sincerely hope that we not only see more wonderful debuts, comebacks, and songs but that last few months of 2014 will be filled with nothing but happiness and triumphs for artists and fans alike.