Mini Movie Reviews: 2013 (Part 1)

Code Name Jackal (Jackal is Coming)
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Song Ji Hyo, Kim Jae Joong, Oh Dal Su, Han Sang Jin
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: An assassin tries to get rid of a famous pop star while being chased by the cops.
Mini Review: I found this movie a little hard to watch. There was little flow, but it was funny and entertaining.

Commitment
Year Released: 2013
Cast: T.O.P., Han Ye Ri, Kim Yoo Jung, Yoom Je Moon, Cho Seong Ha, Park Sung Woong, Um Tae Goo, and Dong Hyun Bae
One Sentence Synopsis: A North Korean spy is sent in to kill defectors, but ends up on the run.
Mini Review: It was really action packed but in a thoughtful way. Action movies can sometimes get carried away but this one maintained meaningful and plausible action that enhanced the story rather than distracting from it. T.O.P. always makes a very good bad boy.

The Face Reader
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Song Kang Ho, Lee Jong Suk, Jo Jung Suk, Kim Hye Soo, Baek Yoon Shik, Lee Jung Jae, Jeong Gyu Su
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: A father who is the best face reader in Korea wants to provide a better life for his son by reading faces and helping the government and King.
Mini Review: This movie got to me y'all. It was well written and well acted. It wasn't what I was expecting in the beginning.  I thought it'd start off being kind of depressing but it was very comedic. It was just the right amount of funny at the right moments. It also had very thoughtful amounts of action, but most of all it was heartbreaking especially at the end. This is a must watch movie.

The Fatal Encounter
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Hyun Bin, Jung Jae Young, Jo Jung Suk, Han Ji Min, Cho Jae Hyun, Park Sun Woong, Kim Sung Ryoung, Jung Eun Chae, Yoo Eun Mi
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: Depicts the plot to kill King Jeonjo by Queen Jungsoo.
Mini Review: This is a very well written and well acted historical action movie. The thing that I liked best about the acting was that it was all very quiet. Usually in action movies and historical dramas there's a lot of noise but everyone in this movie was quiet and methodical, giving a rather haunting feeling while watching it. It didn't have any cheap action thrills, there were very thoughtful bits of action, and the movie's subplots were well hashed out.

Friend 2: The Great Legacy
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Yu Oh Seong, Kim Woo Bin, Joo Jin Mo, Jung Ho Bin, Lee Cheol Min
One Sentence Synopsis: Like The Godfather but in Korean. lol
Mini Review: It was really choppy, but not even in a way that could be flowed like the first one. I think what it was missing was a narrator. Even though the first one was choppy, the narrator kind of helped it have some fluidity. Also, the flashback was totally lost on me, but I think all this might call for re-watching it. The plot was good though and so was the acting (obviously).

Very Ordinary Couple
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Lee Min Ki,
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: Follows the break-up and make-up of an ordinary couple.
Mini Review: The synopsis makes it sound boring but it was actually lovely to watch. The story flowed well and all the events seemed completely plausible, unlike that of most K-Dramas.

Secretly, Greatly
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Hyun Woo, Park Min Ki
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: 
Mini Review: In all honesty the plot of the movie wasn't the thing that impressed me and kept me interested. Instead it was the acting. All three leads had to pull off dual roles and be convincing at both. Especially to my surprise Lee Hyun Woo was really great in a serious role. My only time experiencing his acting was through To The Beautiful You, plus he's really bubbly in real life. However, he pulled off the spy/assassin role with true finesse.

Steal My Heart (Catch Me)
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Kim Ah Joong, Joo Won
Where I Watched: DramaFever
One Sentence Synopsis: 
Mini Review: I found this movie extremely hilarious. I liked seeing a different side to Joo Won even though he was still the hero, he was much more relatable. It doesn't catch you the whole time but the more you get into the movie the more you enjoy it.

No Breathing
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Lee Jong Suk, Seo In Guk, Yuri
Where I Watched: MyAsianTV
One Sentence Synopsis: Young swimming rivals meet again in high school and have to not only fight for their swimming titles but the girl they like.
Mini Review: Really enjoyed this movie. I really enjoy sports movies so this one was high on my watch list. I was so happy to see it especially since some of favortie young actors were part of the cast. The movie itself is funny at times, tense, at times, heartbreaking at times, but the great things about is that you get to see the protagonists grow up.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2016: May to August

Since 2016 is almost over I'm rushing to get my other lists about 2016 up. So please excuse me if there are any ugly typos. Here are my favorite Korean songs of 2016 from May to August! There's no particular order this time around. 

Save Me by BTS - BTS almost never disappoints me and this time is no different. I think the thing I liked most about this song is how calm it is compared to some of their other releases. I think I was able to fully appreciate there talents because the instrumental wasn't too overpowering.

Lucky One by EXO - Love this song! The disco vibe works really well on EXO. They have the power and the finesse to pull off a song like this.

Monster by EXO - This song is so lit. If you know people who like turn up music or amazing choreo then introduce them to this song.

All In by Monsta X - I love Monsta X. They are one of my favorite up-and-coming groups. They do a good job at sounding like a group, if that makes sense. To me you can really sense how close they are listening to some of their songs.

I Like That by Sistar - I'm so glad Sistar came back with a slightly different sound from their last two summer hits. They sound really great, everybody's talent was on display.

Cheer Up by Twice - I didn't like this song at first but the more I was forced to listen to it the more I got into it. I think my favorite thing about Twice is how easy it is to pick up their choreography. It's so much fun to dance along to their songs.

Why So Lonely by Wonder Girls - The Wonder Girls really impressed me with this song. Their 80s themed comeback didn't really grab me but this song has me obsessed. They did reggae really well.

Starlight by Taeyeon ft Dean - I am definitely becoming a fan of Taeyeon's music, but by adding Dean to the mix I fell in love. This song is so perfect in so many way, I can't even explain it, just go listen to it.

Butterfly by Beast - It was sad to see Beast lose one of its members but the great thing is that the remaining five members lack nothing in the talent department. I enjoyed listening to them in this song and hope that whatever they do is successful.

Emptiness by Madtown - I hope Madtown's star continues to rise. I know Jota is aiding in that department quite a bit but I want new music in 2017. This was their last release of 2016 and it's a great way to show their versatility.

Heartbreak Hotel by Tiffany ft Simon D - Gray is a master producer so you already know that the song was going to be good. Tiffany's voice and Simon D's rapping actually went quite well together. It's a nice song.

Where Do We Go from Here by G.Soul - I'm so in love with G.Soul's voice and it lends itself perfectly to this R&B ballad.

Far, Far away by G.Soul - Another reggae song!!! I was raised on reggae so I know how infectious it can be so I totally support the trend of Korean artists using the Jamaican staple. G.Soul definitely did the genre justice not just with his voice but also with the fun video.

woo ah by Crush - Our baby Crush has grown up so much. This was good song to usher in Crush's career as a full fledged adult. He continues to meet and exceed our expectations with his sweet voice and groovy music.

I Just Wanna Dance by Tiffany - Sometimes I want to dislike what any girl group member does but then I listened to it and ended up loving it.

Rose by Elo - Seriously, AOMG never lets me down, I don't care which artist it is I am never disappointed. Elo brought the heat with ROSE and his album 8 Femmes.

Chewing Gum by NCT Dream - I like it!!!! Usually a song like this would irritate me but for some reason I just fell in love with it and had it on repeat for the longest time.

Skip by Crush & Han Sang Won - Great song with a bit of a retro flair. Love it!

City Breeze by Jay Park - I repeat: AOMG never lets me down! Love this new jack swing song. It's a classic in my book. Of course the lyrics are cheeky but that's just Jay Park for ya.

Lotto by EXO - I kind of like the play of lotto/louder but more than anything this a good workout song. Wouldn't say that I haven't heard a song like this before but EXO does it so well that I can let it go.

And July by Heize ft Dean & DJ Friz - Heize and Dean's chemistry set off a lot of ships this summer. This song is undeniable. Not only does it have a refreshing hip hop instrumental, it has Heize and Dean's unique vocals. All of that together is pretty great.

Thought of You by John Park - John Park's voice honestly makes me melt. It's so soulful and it goes so well with this song.

Why by Taeyeon - The song grew on me. At first I was a little annoyed by Taeyeon's vocals but I couldn't deny her talent in the end.

Shut Up & Groove by Heize ft Dean - The song that started it all. These two make a great team, and I hope to see more of it in 2017.

Try by Jimin Park (15&) - I love Jimin's voice. 15& has two of the best vocalists in K-pop so it's no surprise that Jimin's strong vocals kick this song up just the right notch.

B L U E by Samuel Seo - This year I discovered Samuel Seo. He mixes a few closely related genres like R&B and Hip Hop with electronica and gets a really interesting and addictive sound. B L U E is just one example of his talents.

Rendezvous by Sik-k - This year I also fell in love with Sik-k. Unfortunately his time on SMTM4 was short but he was able to showcase his talents outside of the show with multiple songs and Rendezvous is just one of his addictive singles from 2016.

Can't Help Myself by Eric Nam ft Loco - I love Eric Nam and I am glad that his musical talents are starting to get more attention. This a is a fun song that suits Eric's voice well. No need to talk about Loco, he's awesome.

Girls I've Never Seen Before Are Pretty (Crush on You) Babylon ft Lil Boi - I love Babylon! His voice is amazing, dancing's amazing, circle of friends? AMAZING! Anyway, love this song it shows off all his amazing-ness in one addictive tune.

Good by Loco, Gray ft ELO - "Everything's Good!" I think that line perfectly explains this song.

Shut Up by Unnies ft Yoo Hee Yeol - This was supposed to be just a project for a group of variety show misfits but it became one of the biggest hits of the summer. I think the reason why it's so lovable is because it has a relateable message that was delivered by not only talented but very hardworking ladies.

Mei Guan Xi by Gary - Gary kept the promise he made on the Chinese version of Please Take of My Refrigerator. I still can't believe that he rapped an entire song in Chinese. I am also impressed at the production. It doesn't feel or sound like a throw away beat; he diligently worked on a track for his Chinese fans.

She is by Jonghyun - This kid! Love this song. The retro vibes have been flowing through SM all 2016 but nobody did it quite like Jonghyun. His voice matches really well with the sound. And he honestly gave me slightly Prince vibes.

Like You by Hoody - This song is a bit underrated in my opinion. I would love it if Hoody could get all the love and attention she deserves in 2017. This song is a calm R&B track that shows off Hoody's smooth vocals very well.

Fantasy by Fei - Even though it sucks that Miss A also lost a member this year I am happy that Fei and Jia could fully show off their musical talents this year. The video for this song was quite sexy which goes well with the song, but I wasn't expecting it because I view Fei as a pure person (at least when she's on variety shows). Really enjoyed the song though.

Love Paint by Nu'est - I really enjoyed Nu'est's sound in 2016. It was a nod to 90s R&b with a bit more updated edge to it in the more electronic chorus.

Think About You by Jun.K - This song really had me feeling some type of way. I was listening to it and all of sudden started screaming. It's so good. We already knew Jun.K could hold it down but he slayed us all this time.

Secret by Cosmic Girls - Cosmic Girls is another group that I hope delivers great results in 2017. I surprisingly liked this song upon first listen. If you know me, you would know that doesn't happen a lot with girl groups.

Ready for Your Love by J-Min - Very nice song. It honestly reminded me of something that a JYP artist would put out so I was a bit surprised that it was from SM, but it was a nice change of pace from SM's usual offerings.

Wave by R3hab X f(AMBER+LUNA) - SM Station has produced quite some entertaining tracks. This was one of my favorites, I really enjoyed it. I especially loved that we could see Luna and Amber showing off there musical talents more this year.

Boombayah by Blackpink - Probably the biggest rookie group of 2016. YG didn't disappoint, they really didn't. I will say that the song was off-putting at first because it's so similar to something that 2NE1 or Big Bang has already done but it's so fun that it just ends up being stuck in your brain.

Whistle by Blackpink - Whistle was a bit more original but it definitely has a familiar YG sound to it. Either way I think the two singles were a great way to introduce YG's newest girl group.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2016: January to April

It may be very late for this post but I finally have a laptop again so I am going post!

1. "The 7th Sense" by NCT U - Do you know how impressed I have to be in order for a rookie group to be my number 1 song? The answer is "very impressed." So, they're finally here: SM's massive trainee project group. Leading the pack is NCT U and may I say that if this is the quality of NCT hen I am most definitely on board. Upon first listen the last thing you're thinking is that this song was produced, not just performed, but produced by a bunch of rookie idols from SM. But lo and behold The 7th Sense. First of all it's "dee jaym." And second of all the choreography that these kids are stunting is just sdjhdfidhsfdefjiuhfhf. I'm kind of in love but in a strictly platonic way. You know what I mean? Anywho, if you're looking for a trendy song that will still blow your socks off then this is the one!

2. D (half moon) by Dean - I'm shocking myself by not having dean at #1, but what can I say? Those rookies raised the bar for all rookies, in every nation. But, Dean. Oh Dean. To me this child (I'm like 3 years older than him) can do no wrong, musically speaking. As if he didn't leave a big enough impression last year with songs like I'm Not Sorry, and Pour Up, he continues his quest for world domination with the absolutely lovely Half Moon D. The great thing about Dean is how his music just does something for you, you don't even know what it is but you know that it's his songs that are doing something. This particular song makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. Best part to me though is that the brother runs, he runs all over the song and being the American I needs dem runs.

3. I Am You, You Are Me by Zico - Zico's star continues to rise and his talent continues to shine as he takes on more and more genres. This time is goes for a more R&B feel and pulls it off quite well. Of course the song dominated charts in Korea, but it also dominated our hearts.

4. Don't Forget by Crush ft Taeyeon - I just love this song. He and Taeyeon sound so great on the same track, I didn't expect that. It's a sad song but also really sweet, it was on repeat when it was first released and months later I still listen to it often.

5. What 2 Do by Dean X Crush X Jeff Bernat - Such an awesome slow jam. These three are some of the best R&B artists out today and the fact that they collaborated just made me to happy. Like Crush's Don't Forget the song has a bit of angst to it but it sounds so sweet that you just can't stop listening to it.

6. Toy by Block B - BLOCK B'S BACK!!!!! Their sound this time around isn't as...aggressive as I'm used to but the song is just so good that I can't stop playing it. Leave it to Zico to write another hit and leave to Block B to execute it perfectly. Not one weak spot.

7. Sentimental by WINNER - Winner's long awaited comeback also deserves celebration. The unusual but totally awesome "cover teasers" that YG released made me want to listen to the song so badly, glad I wasn't disappointed. It's great song with a mix of rock and hip hop.

8. Fly by Got7 - I am so proud of Got7! For me, they have been ones to watch since 'A.' With each comeback they bring their a-game and continue to get better and better. I really think the song is a testament to their growth as group, nit just as singers and dancers and rappers but as a unit of 7 people from different backgrounds. I look forward to more awesome things from them.

9. bonnie & clyde by Dean - Had to do it. You know Dean is worth two spots in the top 10. The kid has been running non-stop since first coming into notoriety last year and I couldn't be more excited. Bonnie & Clyde sounds a bit darker but is actually quite romantic. Of course, can't leave his heavy electronic sound far behind and keeps the track very current.

10. Think by Reddy ft Jay Park - So despite it coming at #10 on the list this is one that I still vibe out to whenever I hear it. I love it so much. First of all you have Reddy's melodic rapping then you throw Jay Park's classic featuring in there to take it to another level. I'm just like done. Love this song so much.

11. Your Face by Louie X Lee Hyun Woo - You should have seen the look on my face when this song first started, and then the look on my face when Lee Hyun Woo started rapping. I thought for sure he'd get the bright idol treatment, but the song is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. And can I just say that Lee Hyun Woo held it down. Not just the singing, but homeboy actually spit a bit of fire. Didn't expect him to rap at all, and I definitely didn't expect him to be good at at. All I can say is bravo!

12. EPILOGUE: Young Forever by BTS - This is such a moving song. I literally cried when read the lyrics. As sad as the song is, it's also quite uplifting. It's like we know we all have to grow up sometime but we all need to hope that we never give up on our dreams. Love the message and BTS delivered it so perfectly.

13. Overcome by Nu'est - I am slowly but surely becoming a Nu'est fan. There's something explosive about this seductive R&B song that I just can't stop playing it. The video makes no sense to me, but what videos do?

14. woo hoo by Mamamoo - I am actually quite shocked by how popular Mamamoo is becoming. I am actually really glad they are getting attention they deserve. Their voices are just ridiculous and they are on full display in this song with their signature retro R&B vibe as well.

15. Still Alive by JYP - I think we should all give JYP a standing ovation for being the company president of many popular idols but still putting them to shame with his own skills. I actually don't think JYP is a good singer but this song is just so perfect that I can't help but love it.

16. Hogu by Giriboy ft Brother Su - Giriboy is always a good source for good music and he continues to bring some of the best this year. Hogu is a great song featuring his signature singing and his genius rapping skills.

17. Hello by Yong Hwa X Sunwoo Jung A - One of the first songs of 2016 and it's an icy break up song full of sentiment. Both of their voices sound great together so I can't help but like it.

18. What the Spring? by 10cm - Isn't jealousy great? Instead of a typical happy spring time song we get a spiteful one that sounds just as playful and "springy" as any. Love it!

19. Holding on to the End of This Night by Hwang Chi Yeol, leeSA - I know this is a cover, but it's such a good cover. Instead of sticking with the song's R&B sound, it instead has a more rock sound which lends itself perfectly to the singers' voices. And Hwang Chi Yeol straight up brought the house down with his powerful singer.

20. Baby Baby by Winner - This song! Even my mom likes it and that means a lot. If I'm being honest the singing parts of the song don't sound as great as they did on empty but the feeling's still there. It's Winner's first single in almost two years so it's hard not to love the bluesy track.

21. Drip Drop by Taemin - I didn't know how to fell about this song when I first heard it. It sounded like Taemin was singing over noise instead of music, but it quickly grew on me.

22. Breathe by Lee Hi - YG is finally letting Lee Hi back into the world as well. YAY! Breathe is a great ballad song showing off Lee Hi's maturity and her flawless vocals.

23. Hide & Seek by Astro - I didn't expect to like this song, especially if I was using other Fantagio artists as benchmarks but much to surprised I loved it. Not only is the video bright and fun but the song is as well. Plus, I just think these kids sound better then some of the other (to not be named) artists of Fantagio.

24. No-Yes by Big Brain - If you're looking for Korea's answer to Boyz II Men then you've found it. These dudes can really sang. They have the type of powerful voices that you just don't hear very often.

25. Good for You by Eric Nam - Love Eric Nam, at this point I don't think there's a person that doesn't love Eric Nam. But, this is the first time that I really loved one of his songs. Eric Nam has never had a bad song but they just haven't been earth-shattering. Good For You isn't necessarily earth shattering either but Eric Nam rocks the soft R&B sound making his voice seem more at home and the listening experience more pleasant.

26. Rough by G-Friend - G-Friend is one of those groups you just can't escape. With pretty much everybody in Korean entertainment making reference to them you're kind of forced to listen to their songs and eventually they grow on you. Rough, however is the first song that I liked from the first time I heard it. The EDM intro completely hooked me and I like the remainder of the song as well. Hope to hear more from them.

27. Night Drive by Echae en Route - This unassuming song is so great. The beautiful instrumental filled with violin, and the soulful delivery of the lyrics just kind of sticks with you.

28. Between Us by Babylon ft Dok2 - I really hope that Babylon just gets more and more attention as time passes on. He has all the talent from singing to dancing, and gets quite a bit of love from his colleagues in the industry so I hope that we get to hear him more and more. This song is just the perfect R&B song from the strong and smooth vocals to the sentimental lyrics.

29. No Love by Lucky J - I just really like this song. It sounds familiar and different all at the same time The great thing is that all the members of Lucky J sound really great together.

30. Feel So Good by B.A.P. - So, to be honest I like B.A.P. but I didn't like their first release after resolving their legal issues. This song I like much better for some reason. I think the other song was just a little too dated and even though this song is familiar as well, it feels a bit more on trend which works well for a group like B.A.P that's starting fresh.

32. You're So Fine by CNBLUE - I really like that CNBLUE doesn't shy away from different genres despite being a rock group. The songs big band/jazzy vibe makes it more bright then a typical rock song so I love it.

My Top 15 Songs from 2015

I know that many bloggers, youtubers, kpop enthusiasts have long since posted this but I can't just leave y'all hanging despite being extremely late. Any who, below are my top 15 songs of 2015.

It was really hard to narrow it down but I sobbed and sorted out these songs for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

15. "Just" by Zion.T X Crush

14. "Just Right" by GOT7

13. "You and I" by Crush

12. "4 Walls" by f(x)

11. "Cinderella" by CNBLUE

10. "Won and Only" by Simon D

9. "Call Me Baby" by EXO

8. "Bae Bae" by BIG BANG

7. "Good Times" by Palo Alto ft Babylon

6. "Take Care of You" by Giriboy

5. "Island" by Primary

4. "Automatic" by Red Velvet

3. "Solo" by Jay Park X Hoody

2. "View" by SHINee

1. "Your Love" by Elo

If 15 isn't enough for you then check out my playlist of my Top 100 songs of 2015. 

The list is sorted by number of views.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: September to December

The cooler months of the year had a lot of warm and cozy songs. It was really hard to choose from the awesome comebacks, debuts, and the new sounds from some artists. After much deliberation I present to you my ultimate favorite songs from September to December of 2015.

1. Dumb Dumb by Red Velvet - This is such a fun song with a captivating video. I fell in love as soon as I heard it.

2. Solo by Jay Park - Jay Park really does get better and better with every passing year. This year he also collaborated a lot with producer Cha Cha Malone who in my eyes can do no wrong musically. I've probably played this song more than 100 times since it's release, that's how much I love it.

3. Cinderella by CNBLUE - I was so excited for a CNBLUE comeback and of course they did not disappoint. This is a great song that has not only a rock sound but also a bluesy feel as well.

4. Airplane by iKON - iKON's releases were a little different than many fans expected but I think that they are continuing to win fans everyday. Out of their releases this one is my absolute favorite. It had all the elements that I like in an emotional tune including soulful rapping and singing.

5. Moonlight Sonata by Bigstar - I absolutely love this song. The R&B sound is one I really enjoy and Bigstar did it so well.

6. Lean On Me by Soyou and Kwon Jeong Yeol - Soyou is the queen of co-ed collaborations and she continued her reign with this emotional track perfect for fall. And if she wasn't enough Kwon Jeong Yeol's soft vocals will definitely make you fall.

7. If You Do by Got7 - GOT7 came back with a strong image this time and it totally works. From the commanding dance to the alluring singing and rapping. I think they are on their way to pulling off 2PM manly image flawlessly.

8. Get Some Air by Gary ft Miwoo - Kang Gary came back with such an awesome album this year. Every track had it's own charm that I couldn't help but enjoy. This particular song was characterized by Miwoo's unique signing on the chorus. It made the lyrics even more poignant.

9. You Know by Jay Park - I. LOVE. THIS. SONG. In all honesty upon seeing teasers and clips from the video I was prepared to listen to the song and dislike it. Jay Park has a tendency to use a lot of strong language so even though I usually like his music I tell myself not to listen to it. However, as soon as the song started with the "Oh oh oh oh oh oh ooooh" I was hooked. Jay Park's signing, Okasian's rapping, that Cha Cha beat! Everything was so perfect that I just lost it. I will warn you though, the video goes a little hard.

10. 6AM by MFBTY - This song off their WondaLand album (which I still haven't listened to) just has me feeling some kind of way and I like it. There was a lot of unique singing and rapping styles and they all worked well with the mellow R&B instrumental.

11. No Makeup by Zion.T - At first I didn't really like this song. There is nothing wrong with the sound of it and Zion.T's singing is as perfect as ever but the song was little ordinary. Even though Zion.T is an R&B artist he manages to have a charm in his music that most artists just don't have. Initially I didn't hear that in this song, but it's still a good song that I enjoy listening to plus I like the lyrics.

12. Jam by Dynamic Duo - This is another song that I just can't get enough of. Not only are Double D's skills on full display for all to enjoy, the video is pure joy. A must watch and must listen.

13. 4 Walls by f(x) - I'm so happy f(x) came back but so sad that they are missing a member. However, this song is so great. The retro sound and look is perfectly in line with many SM artists but also f(x)'s eclectic vibe.

14. Parachute by Code Kunst - Such an inspired creation, like, really. If Code Kunst's beat wasn't enough to make you nod your head in utter satisfaction then Oh Hyuk's soulful rasp will definitely have you going.

15. Twenty-Three by IU - I think G-Park managed to win her over. IU made a darn good dance song y'all. She not only asserts her adulthood in this song but also lets us know that she can pretty much do anything that she sets her mind to.

16. Insane by Ailee - I am a fan of Ailee's more R&B songs. For one I think they suit her voice best. She is fully able to show off all her vocals tricks without them seeming awkward or out of place. This song also gave me serious Mariah Carey feels.

17. Joa by Gary ft Jay Park - Again, I'm not supposed to really like this song, it's so sexy. However, I think that's why I'm drawn too it. Mr. Gae brings the sexy not only in his rapping but in everything going on in this song. You might have to cool yourself down after listening and watching this one.

18. Oo Oo Oo by Kassy ft Eluphant - This is such a sweet song. Kassy isn't a name I've seen a lot when on the search for Korean music but I am glad it popped up this time around.

19. Calling in Love by Suran ft Beenzino - Suran has been making her name known with her collaborations with popular artist such as Primary, Beenzino, and Zico. In her solo song she proves that she can hold her own. Her unique voice is completely captivating and the lyrics in this song are sweet.

20. Pour Up by Dean ft Zico - Dean kind of came out of no where but completely took over the R&B scene. Ever since the release of this song all of his previous works and his later works have received positive attention so I think fans can expect a lot from him in 2016 and beyond. As for this song it is just as bouncy and sexy as it wants to be. And of course Zico's rap gave it even bigger wings.

21. Anthem by iKON - I think this song was what fans really expected from iKON, but it must be noticed that it really only contains two of the seven members in the song. Anyway, I like it. It's kind of your typical hip hop idol song but because Bobby and B.I. are such talented rappers they sell it.

22. Like Ooh-Ahh by Twice - I tend to stray away from too poppy girl groups just because it's not a sound I really like but somehow I fell in love with this song. I am not sure what did it for me but I really like the song: it's catchy, and cute, and fun to sing along too.

23. 247 by Junggigo ft Zion.T, Dean, Crush - This song features all the kids I really like and of course you can't take anything away from Junggigo. The song is mellow but still soulful and each singer shines.

24. Ordinary Love by Kyung Park - This song is so cute. I listened to it often after it came out. Kyung Park does a great job singing and rapping and Park Boram brings it home with her own little rap breakdown and sweet voice.

25. Chained Up by VIXX - I'm not a solid VIXX fan but every once and a while they put out a song I just fall in love with. This year that song is Chained Up. My favorite part is the chorus.

26. Sour Grapes by San E and Mad Clown - San E and Mad Clown are too much really but in a good way. The song is pleasantly tongue and cheek and the video has a lot of fun moments including a flawless Hotline Bling parody.

27. Confession Song by Got7 - I honestly cried while watching this video. Whether it was real or fake it was seriously heartwarming. As for the song, GOT7 sounded as great as usual.

28. Rush by Monsta X - I am still waiting for that one MonstaX song that will make me want to drop everything and go to one of their performances, but in the meantime I'll just like this song. It's a nice hip hop track that most idols tend to go for but MonstaX, they have so many talented kids that I find it hard to ignore them.

29. Isn't There by Playback ft Eric Nam - Playback has managed to make me a fan with their sweet vocals and throwback sound. A little Eric Nam never hurts either.

30. Break by Beenzino - This was a different sound for Beenzino but with the theme of the song and his effortless rapping it totally works.

31. If It Wasn't for Music by Truedy, Cheetah, Verbal Jint - In all honesty not many songs from the second season of Unpretty Rapstar managed to to captivate me but I really like this song. I think it's the combination of Truedy, Verbal Jint, and Cheetah that really made me like it. But I always have a special place in my heart for chill Hip Hop songs with a nice groove.

32. Ssenunni by Jessi - This song is totally Jessi's style, so I like that she stayed true to herself while playing off of her new image and a popular sound.

33. Beautiful by Amber - Not only is Amber a pretty good rapper, but she also has a pretty singing voice that she displayed nicely with this emotional song.

34. Run by BTS - If you're not for BTS yet I'm not sure what you're waiting for but I really think you should get to being obsessed with them because they are fabulous. I think their charm is in the mix of their amazing talents with songs that have a somewhat familiar but a totally unique sound. It's just really hard to put them in a box sometimes and I like that about this song too.

35. Insensible by Lee Hong Gi - It's not even worth mentioning how amazing Lee Hong Gi's voice is because everyone should already know that, but if you really want to hear how powerful his vocals are then this is a great track.

36. Sing for You by EXO - The video and song alike are so sad, makes you wanna cry, but unlike some of their other sad songs everyone has a singing part and they kill it. Especially Chanyeol, to me.

37. Lonely by N. Flying - N.Flying is one of those bands that I am really excited to see get more and more popular. They're really talented and they manage to make the mix of rock and hip hop seem natural.

38. Chocolate by Kangnam ft San E - Kangnam has many noticeable qualities and it's great to see his singing get some love. The song is sweet and fun.

39. Congratulations by Day6 - Upon first listen this song doesn't demand a lot of attention but the more you listen to it the more you find yourself liking it. It gets caught in your head before long and you find yourself belting it out at the most random moments. I am really looking forward to their comeback.

40. New Days by Zzapa ft Microdot - Zzapa's unique voice and Microdot's cool flow come together in this sweet and addictive R&B track about every day being new and good when you're with the person you love.

41. Draw You by Ra.D x d.ear x Brother Su x Jooyoung - Another mashup of powerful voices in R&B. This song has a more ballad like vibe then 247 by Junggigo but it has all the honey voiced singers that I like.

42. Welcome by Big Brain - The song remind me of Boyz II Men and that alone is enough reason to love it. Big Brain has some serious vocal power so I highly recommend listening to them.

43. Nail by The Legend - The Legend group that is kind of hit or miss for me. I think what made me like this song was the smooth R&B sound.

44. Q&A by Seventeen ft Ailee - This is the first song that Seventeen put out that I liked upon the first listen. It's not exactly the most unique song but I like that it's cute and fitting for their image. Plus, it indeed shows off some of the group's talented members.

45. Money by Hyolyn, Jay Park, Geegoin (Prod by Cha Cha Malone) - I was really impressed with Hyolyn's rapping and I think the feature artist and producer further elevated the song.

46. Wow Wow Wow by Jun Jin - It's a track with a powerful sound that perfectly fits Jun Jin's voice.

47. Reborn by Click B - Continuing the trend of first and second generation K-pop comebacks, Click B returns. The sound of this song is perfectly theirs but has been updated just enough.

48. Closer by Oh My Girl - Much like Twice I just found myself surprisingly liking this song. The sound is nice and the vocal talent of the members is really good.

49. I by Taeyeon ft VerbalJint - Among all my friends that have heard this song I am actually the only one who likes this song. If this song did nothing else it made me really love Taeyeon's voice. She has an amazing set of pipes and they are displayed really well in this song. If I had one source o discontent then it would be Verbal Jint's rap. Usually Verbal Jint would be my favorite part of the song but his rap made the song even more cheesy than it already was.

I was beyond happy being a fan of Korean music in 2015. There were so many awesome songs and amazing musicians that it was really hard to choose my absolute favorite songs throughout the year. I'm really looking forward to 2016.

REVIEW: The Time We Were Not in Love (SPOILERS)

Photo from asianwiki.com

This show had all the trimmings of one of the best dramas of 2015. I mean you can't really go wrong with Ha Ji Won as the lead actress, right? Unfortunately, for me, the show fell flat half way through and I had to make myself watch the remaining episodes. Overall, it was an entertaining show with a lot of cute moments but there was a lack of tension and chemistry for me.

In the beginning, since everything was new and I was just excited to see the show, it was a really great ride. L was stirring up emotions and Lee Jin Wook was the masculine and caring male lead that we all love to see. However, there was a major event that shook up not just the characters but the show in general.

So, as much as I love seeing up and coming actor Yoon Gyun Sang in anything, his character kind of ruined the show for me. This has nothing to really do with his acting it's just that his character was really wet blanket. The character of Cha Seo Hoo was supposed to have our male leads battling to the death and our female lead really torn over who to go to, right? Well, what we get is Oh Ha Na being dragged along (again) by Cha Seo Hoo and Choi Won (Lee Jin Wook) fighting a battle all by himself (sort of). It was seriously like one of the hardest things to watch. To me it would have been better if at least Oh Ha Na seemed like she was secretly pinning after Choi Won or something but it felt like her character gave up which basically left the male lead that we were all rooting for in limbo. Ugh!

After that everything seemed like a half baked attempt to patch the original premise of the series back together. I have not seen the Chinese original yet, but since it has gotten rave reviews I am assuming that things were handled much better. If that wasn't enough however when our OTP does finally get together there were no sparks at least not from Oh Ha Na. Like pretty much all the relationships in this show (except Dae Bok and Eun Jung, and Mi Hyang and Park Jong Hoon) seemed one sided. Seriously, like no one liked the person that liked them. It was weird. It was even more weird that our leads who've built up levels of love practically their whole lives had no real romantic moments. I mean I guess you can count the wedding, but what wedding isn't romantic?

Now, it is possible that I am being overly critical/cynical of the show since it just straight up bored me near the end, but I have to say that if you are thinking about watching this show I say don't worry about it. Unless you're a super huge fan of one of the main actors you can pretty much skip it.

Please let me know what you think. 

And please let me know if I missed something that actually made this show magical.

First Impressions: Moorim School

After seeing all the trailers and explanations about Moorim School I had no idea what this show was about. After watching the first episode I still have no idea, but I think I might enjoy the ride. 

Not only does the show boast an impressive and diverse cast, it also appeals to the fantasy lover in me. So, what I gleaned from the first episode is that Moorim is a mysterious martial arts school. However, it seems to be much more than that and it looks like our two male leads (Lee Hyun Woo and VIXX's Hongbin) are in for a ride. 

The first thing that attracted me to the show was the chance to see Lee Hyun Woo in another drama, but as more of the cast was unveiled the more excited I got. I haven't been following VIXX fan for long but I can say that I am happy to see another member show off some serious acting chops. Also, our female leads (Seo Ye Ji and Jeong Eugene) have continued to show off their talents in project after project. I also know I'm not the only one who is super stoked to see Shin Hyun Joon and Sam Okyere in another drama! 

KBS has yet to fail me in a high school drama or a fantasy drama so I am looking for to this project as much as the next fan girl. If you were also wondering whether or not to make this drama your first of 2016 I say go for it. I'm sure that the show will be riddled with cliches but it also looks that it'll be filled with crazy stunts and shirtless scenes of Lee Hyun Woo and Hong Bin (I'm not joking).