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.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: January to April

Korean Music has been so good to 2015 so far. We're only 4 months in and the list of songs that I have on repeat is almost endless. And much like 2014 we've heard epic comebacks and impressive rookies, making the selection of songs vast and varied. Check below for my favorite songs of 2015 from January to April, in order of most listened to, and linked. Also, just so you know this isn't even all the songs I liked from these four months, but I thought 52 songs was enough. 

1. Cheers by Gaeko x Yankie ft Babylon & Beenzino - Had to start of the list and of course my year. This is what I think we can all refer to as a "Turn Up Song." Every thing about it gets you in a celebration mood, from the sound to the lyrics, to the feature artists.

2. Good Times by Paloalto ft Babylon - Love the instrumental for this song, especially the intro. It gives off a cool west coast hip hop vibe but it feels unique to 2015.

3. Your Love by Elo - You really can't go wrong with something produced by Gray and of course Elo's smooth vocals just bring it all home. This song helped me convert a friend so I hold it in high regards.

4. Just by Zion.T & Crush - I honesty have some sort of disorder. Every time I hear this song and watch the MV I just want to cry, it's that amazing. If you've seen it you know how simple everything is for Cruch and Zion.T: all you need is smooth vocals, a slow and bouncy jazz/blues instrumental, and a black and white video. All the fancy sets, flashing lights--don't need 'em.

5. Deja Boo ft Jonghyun ft Zion.T - This is one of many songs from Jonghyun's BASE mini-album that I loved, not liked, loved. First off the jazz funk combination is becoming a mainstay in K-Pop and it's a sound that lends itself well to Jonghyun's vocals. Also, having Zion.T feature is like icing on cake, it's just as smooth but is doesn't overshadow the main artist.

6. You by G.Soul - 15 years! That's all I can think about sometimes when I listen to this song. I have to say that the 15 years of "training" didn't go to waste. G.Soul has an amazingly soulful voice, making the emotional R&B ballad hit home in more ways than one.

7. Interstellar by No. Mercy ft Yella Diamond - I didn't follow MONSTA X's journey into being through No.Mercy, however I will say that the show put out some pretty great music. I like that the song is upbeat and has a raw hip hop feel while taking full advantage of the brass band sound that a lot of songs are incorporating these days.

8. My Type by Jessi, Cheetah, & Kangnam - This song is great in so many ways. Not only does it feature two of the best female rappers that Korea's ever seen but it also showed off Kangnam's unique but steady vocal skill. I also can't leave out the fact that Verbal Jint produced a hard-hitting, club worthy track. It's hard not to like this song.

9. My Love by Eddy Kim - This song is so romantic and if the lyrics weren't enough to make you swoon then Eddy Kim's beautiful voice will. I like that it had a Beatles kind of sound too it, soft but still a bit rock n roll.

10. Mileage by Jun Yong Hwa ft YDG - Such a fun MV. The song is really cute and Yonghwa sounds amazing, but the MV is everything. It's cute, funny, colorful, and just plain awesome. A must watch.

11. Man of the Year by Hanhae ft D.meanor - This may not be the most unique song on the list but I like it for it's throwback sound. This song totally reminds me of early 2000s R&B/hip hop songs. It's slow but has a good beat, and Hanhae's flow with D.meanor's soulful voice is a great combination.

12. Life by Rubber Soul ft Mad Clown - If you've ever listened to a TLC song or watched a TLC video then this song will give all kinds of flashbacks to the 90s. At first I didn't really like it, but the more I listened the more it grew on me. Much like Man of the Year, I like that it reminds me of the songs I grew up listening to in the States (in the 90s) and of course the lyrics have a nice message.

13. Island by Primary & Oh Hyuk - I am so glad that Primary is back, it's been too long. Anyway, this is a very thoughtfully produced song. A lot of Primary's songs go for a R&B/hip hop/funk/jazz feel, but this one was a bit different. It definitely still had those elements in them but I feel like they were downplayed so that OhHyuk's voice and the lyrics could take center stage. I think that if you are a Sam Smith fan then you'll like this song, it has that feeling.

14. Automatic by Red Velvet - Red Velvet completely transformed themselves and I am not mad at them for it. This song is so sultry and smooth. Also, they killed their choreography.

15. Love Is Madness by 15& ft Kanto - So, I don't think you can ever really go wrong with a 15& song. The ladies just sang so well, I am in awe every time.

16. Zero Gravity by Zion.T - So, upon first listen this song doesn't seem like much. It's a typical Zion.T song--slow, jazzy, but incredibly catchy. Although the song isn't much of a break from Zion.T's usual offerings it is still an amazing song. The vibe is so chill and the video is really nice.

17. Apologize by Eddy Kim - Eddy Kim's go-to blues/soul style does not disappoint in this song. It's perfect for a break up song. I also really liked the video, it gave Eddy Kim a different and stronger image.

18. Pretty by Infinite H - I thought the video was really entertaining and I liked the 90s hip hop feel of the song.

19. Buckubucku by MFBTY - The greatest thing about this song is that they stuck to the basics and made something that any hip hop fan would like. And can I just say that though this was an MFBTY song, Rap Monster practically stole the song with his verse.

20. One Fine Day by Jung Yong Hwa - Yonghwa's voice must have been made for ballads. He sounds so beautiful and that's really all that matters.

21. Auditory Hallucination by Jang Jae In ft NaShow - I wouldn't usually include an OST (Kill Me, Heal Me) in this list but I had too. For one, the sound and lyrics of the song perfectly reflected the emotions in the drama. A lot of OSTs tend to be cheesy and sound really similar but this one was very fresh especially considering the drama.

22. Pillow by Soyu & Giriboy ft Kihyun - Soyu's beautiful voice, Giriboy's melodic rapping, and Kihyun's smooth vocals was a really nice combination, one that is really enjoyable to listen to weather you're a fan of Starship Entertainment's survival program or not.

23. Call Me Baby by EXO - Aren't we all just a little bit happier now that EXO's back? Well, I am. The kids killed it, from the sound of the song to the choreography. I found myself crying from joy after watching it the first time--that's how sick it is! A. MUST. LISTEN.

24. Unpretty Dreams by Jessi - Jessi's rapping is amazing but I have to say that her vocals over Gray's instrumental is what truly makes this song special. Somehow Gray managed to make a complicated instrumental easy to listen to and Jessi rapping on top of that made the song even more catchy. More than that though are the lyrics about Jessi's struggle and journey to success.

25. Your Number by SHINee - I didn't realize how much I missed SHINee as a unit until I saw this video and listened to the song. It's not actually K-Pop because the song's in Japanese but I liked it so much that I couldn't miss an opportunity to talk about it. For one thing SHINee killed their choreography--it was so smooth and they were so in sync that it made me really appreciate them as a group again. The song had the same effect--they were in such amazing harmony.

26. Ice Cream Cake by Red Velvet - The music box intro goes well with their sweet image and the song is furthered with a more pop sound that kind of reminds me of f(x).

27. Bawling by Primary & Oh Hyuk - The jazz sound I've come to love is back and I am glad to say that I still love it. Primary and Ohhyuk make such an amazing combination of smooth that it's hard to dislike. The pairing perfectly conveys the emotions of this song about growing apart.

28. I'm Bad by Nu'est - I don't know what it is about Nu'est that I find appealing. This song isn't all that special but there's something about it that makes it worth listening to. Maybe it's because the members actually sing really well. I haven't heard them live but when listening to them in music videos their vocals are always good.

29. Just Do It by Gray ft Loco - Had to have him on the list. These days it wouldn't be a favorites list if Gray isn't on their somewhere. I like that this song is exactly in Gray's style: bouncy hip hop with a mix of electronic and real instruments, a great beat, and melodic rapping.

30. Bang Diggy Bang Bang by MFBTY - This song is more on the pop side, but I'm not mad at it. It's a fun dance track with just the right amount of hip hop influence that gives it a bit more strength (trying to avoid the word "swag").

31. Too very so Much by MYNAME - So, the sound's a little typical, but it's still a fun song.

32. Lovekiller by Niel ft. Dok2  - Very unexpected collaboration but it totally works. Niel has a very unique voice (among idol singers) and it goes well with the sound of the song which is highlighted by guitar and accompanied by a very trendy snapping sound. Dok2 did a great job, he added a little edge to the song.

33. Coach Me by SanE, Hyolyn, Jooheon - A sensual R&B song that is taken home with Hyolyn's vocals, and SanE and JooHeon's rapping.

34. So What by Beenzino - Beenzino uses a very nice sound in order to tell people to leave him alone.

35. Bounce by Boyfriend - Now that Boyfriend's narrowed down their concepts to be more fantasy/fairy tale they seem to be gaining more traction in the industry. I think the 80s pop mixed with the brass band sound that's typical of funk was a good combination and one that look forward to hearing more of it's done this well.

36. Sniper by Shinhwa - Great comeback. I like this comeback because it's right on trend with current idol songs and concepts. Though I praise other OG idol groups for their throwback sound, the more modern sound is really attractive on Shinhwa.

37. Young by Giriboy, Mad Clown, Jooyoung ft No.Mercy - I don't think this one of the most unexpected combinations but is was a really good one. Each of the rappers had strengths that the others didn't so with each new verse there was a different feel. 

38. Take Care of You by Giriboy - I'm actually a big fan of Giriboy. This song is a great display of his charm which is a very melodic rapping mixed with singing that can only be done by him in his songs. Though the song is quite simple it sounds quite deep and full and it goes perfectly with the words.

39. Tell Me One More Time by Jinusean ft Jang Hana - I really love this song. I like that Jinusean brought it back in not only the sound of the song but also the video. Jang Hana may still be a trainee but I think she did an amazing job in this song. I also found all the celebrity cameos in the MV super entertaining.

40. Break Up with Break Up by Pretty Brown ft Kanto - It's an upbeat R&B song with a lot of soul. The video trend these days seems to be the fish eye effect (Also in NC.A's Cinderella Time)--it's kind of fun. 

41. blu by IRON ft. Babylon - Iron's long awaited debut finally comes to us. He's been keeping busy with many features, but his single was a great way to solidify his place in Korean hip hop. Though the song has a lot more pop and rock influence than maybe one would expect, it worked. It also seems that Babylon is also carving out his niche as a sought after feature artist on hip hop tracks. This is the third time he's on this list so who knows what more we can hear from him. I look forward to more of the both of them.

42. Ahh Oop! by Mamamoo ft eSNa - The 60s R&B sound that Mamamoo does so well is alive and well in this song. The song also has a bit of an edge that their other songs didn't have so it feels fresh.

43. See You by Primary ft BSK & Gaeko - This is Primary going back to basics and because it's him it works so well. Besides the funky sound Kim Bum Soo's vocals are just perfect for this song: their smooth but powerful so the song has a lot of soul.

44. Flower by Junsu (XIA) ft Tablo - A very powerful song in sound, lyrics, and delivery.

45. Me You by San E ft Baek Yerin - I honestly think San E is like the king of sweet hip hop collabs. Much like his collaboration with Raina (A Midsummer's Night Sweetness) this song is about a relationship and features an amazing female vocalist. A great springtime song.

46. Love Game by Lim Kim - If I am not mistaken this song is Lim Kim's first dance track. It's definitely more on the dance pop side of music but her unique vocals separate it from most mainstream dance pop songs.

47. Awoo by Lim Kim - I love it and if you're like me you'll love it to. She did a great job of making the song sound as flirtatious as the subject matter. I also feel like this song would be played a lot on American radios (you know if it were in English).

48. I Need U by BTS - I have to talk about the music video first. I am calling it the sequel to their Danger MV. It's kind of dark and has their usual theme of angst but it also reminds me a lot of B.A.P.'s One Shot, and the drama Shut Up Flower Boy Band. It's basically like their a bunch of punks that love being around each other, however somehow they sneaked in "I need you girl" which to me makes the MV a little weird but.... Now the song, it's a bit different from what they usually do but it's still a nice song and it showcases everything we love about BTS--great rapping, great vocals, and an edge that other idols groups may not have.

49. Apple by Ga In ft Jay Park - So, it's not that hard to decipher what this song is about, but I like the jazz/funk sound, it works well with Gain's voice and it goes well with Jay Park's rapping.

50. Spring Breeze by Lee Moonsae ft Naul - I truly love this song. This is my first time listening to a Lee Moonsae song (I think) and it's stirring a fan up inside me. The song is perfect for spring and has a chill surf rock vibe like The Beach Boys. Also, the music video is one of the coolest I've ever seen.

51. EOEO by UNIQ - Didn't know I'd like this song as much as I do before clicking on the link. The sound is kind of standard for many idol groups these days - hip hip/electro, but I still think this song has a great beat and the rapping is on point, so I am pleased.

52. Bae Bae by Big Bang - I had to include this on the list (just in time). For one thing, the video was just weird, I can't describe it any other way. You can go look in the comments because I am not alone in thinking that they were on something. Despite that, and the sexual nature of the song, I actually really like the sound of the song. It has a bit of a reggae undertone to it but it's also kind of electro-funky. It's good and it's so Big Bang.

More Drama Favorites: Rookies, OSTs, Fashion, and More

*Post contain some spoilers*

Favorite Rookies

Seo Kang Jun - Seo Kang Jun is very quickly making a name for himself in the acting world. He is able to bring second male lead syndrome to many with his roles and I am looking forward to the possibility of him playing a lead one day. He'd be great in a high school drama, he's young enough and he has a sweet and fun personality in real life (as seen in Roommate), which makes him all the more desirable.

Lee Tae Hwan - Seo Kang Jun's fellow 5urprise member has also managed to carve out a niche for himself in the acting world. It's hard to believe that this mountain of a guy is only 20, but because of his stature and impressive acting chops he has managed to go from goofy high schooler in King of High School to serious detective in Pride and Prejudice without skipping a beat. I hope that the future holds more great roles for him.

Ahn Jae Hyun - My favorite show stealer! Even though Ahn Jae Hyun was only supposed to be Jeon Ji Hyun's little brother in My Love from Another Star he quickly turned his character into the one to watch by not only being good looking but also being able to show a range of emotions in the little bit of screen time he had. His performance in the show quickly made him popular and also helped him garner roles alongside other swoon-worthy vets like Joo Won in the movie Fashion King, and Lee Seung Gi and Cha Seung Won in You Are All Surrounded.

Favorite OSTs
It's Okay That's Love - The entire OST was amazing. It was a great mix of popular pop songs and original songs in different languages. OSTs have a way of getting dull and predictable but this one never did. It had some really amazing songs but two of my favorites were Sleepless Night by Crush ft Punch, and It's Okay, That's Love by Davichi.

My Lovely Girl - Even though I didn't really like the drama, I did enjoy listening to all the familiar voices sing the songs of the show. My absolute favorite was I Want to Love You by Alex Chu. Alex's voice is so smooth, and the romantic yet bubbly song came in at all the right moments.

Fall in Love with Me - This OST had a great mix of pop rock ballads and sugary sweet pop songs. My favorites were This Is Not Me by Aaron Yan, The Unwanted Love by Aaron Yan, The Only Rose by Aaron Yan, Melted by Popu Lady, and The Warmth in the Pocket by Hebe.

Fated to Love You - I didn't pay that much attention to the entire soundtrack but I knew that every time Goodbye My Love by Ailee was on I was probably supposed to be crying. Such a heartbreaking song and Ailee's powerful vocals just made the song that much more emotional.

Pinocchio - I really like this OST. It's not overly sad or sappy sounding. It has just the right amount of slow songs to get your emotions in check. My favorite songs are Kiss Me by Zion.T and Non-Fiction by Every Single Day.

A Witch's Romance - My favorite song from this drama is You'e In My Heart by Park Seo Joon. Park Seo Joon isn't the most amazing singer but he held his own and displayed some pretty nice vocal talent. For some reason I just found myself waiting for this song to come on every episode.

Angel Eyes - An OST in English isn't uncommon but they very rarely make you want to sing at the top of your lungs over the dialogue. Run to You by Lasse Lindh was definitely that song for me.

In a Good Way - Good Morning Hard City by Adrian. This song was a nice mix of rock and pop and it popped up at all the fun moments of the show making it that much more enjoyable.

Partners by Blood - Do You Ever Shine by Mayday is one of the most exhilarating OSTs ever! It not only jump started the show but also gave every action scene the right dose of excitement. Though they used the English version in the show I think the Japanese version (linked) strikes the right notes too.

Healer - What the Eyes Say by Tei was my favorite song of this show. Tei's smooth vocals were perfect and bringing out the emotions of the show.

Favorite Drama Outfits
My Lovely Girl - Rain's Blazers
   Rain's multitude of snazzy blazers definitely striked the right balance between cool music producer and stern CEO. Although his wardrobe was pretty monochromatic it never looked boring.

Empress Ki - Nyang's Consort/Empress Wear
  I always love the costumes in historical dramas. Ha Ji Won looked pretty great as a boy but when she wore her most feminine outfits her beauty really shined.

Hotel King - Ah Mo Ne's Chairwoman Ensembles
   She may have dressed a little crazy at first but when she started wearing normal clothes she always wore something pretty that showed off her fit frame.

Miss Korea - The Pageant Gowns
   You can't really go wrong with the pageant gowns featured in this show. I think they were a bit more modern then the ones actually used in the early 90s but they were pretty and made even the poorest of girls look like a million bucks.

Favorite Second Male Leads
King of High School - Yoo Jin-woo
   Although I didn't like his character at all and never had any hopes for him getting the girl I still felt bad for him. He had such a horrible relationship with his father, and his poor mother...his poor mother. Anyway, I may not have wanted him to win the girl but I did hope that the rest of his life would pull together, plus it's Lee Soo Hyuk. Who wouldn't root for one of his characters?

Fated to Love You - Daniel
  As usual the nice guy does not get the girl. Daniel was your stereotypical second male lead. Super nice to the girl and wanting her even though he could see that her heart was somewhere else. The thing I liked most about Daniel though is that he never became too pathetic over Kim Mi Young. The "too nice" second male leads always become so desperate by the end, but he played it cool the whole time while making his feelings known at just the right moments.

Pride & Prejudice - Kang Soo
   Lee Tae Hwan is shaping up to be one of my favorite young actors so it's no surprise that his character in Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorites in the show. The thing I like about this character as the second male lead is that his affection is innocent. While Dong Chi is proving that he's not a murderer with kissing (because that makes sense), Kang Soo is patiently and quietly waiting for Yeol Moo to overcome her trauma. He's not trying to force anything. Of course, this makes him lose out but let's face it after all of this he was never going to get the girl anyway.

Fall in Love with Me - Leo
  Leo may not have won Tao Si over but in the end he got the right girl for him. I think that Leo was a great second male lead. When he saw that Tao Si was falling in love with someone else he prepared himself to let her go especially since Xiao Lu seemed like such a great guy. However, he stepped up when he saw that her heart was in danger and told Lu Tian Xing to back off if he wasn't going to treat her right like any long-time friend should do.

Trot Lovers - Sajangnim aka Jo Geun-Woo
  The reason why I liked sajangnim is because he was everybody's second male lead. He became a good friend and source of advice to both female leads. And though he only had romantic interest in one he handled the love square very maturely.

Pinocchio - Bum Jo
   So, I was never rooting for Bum Jo to get the girl. For me it was Choi Dal Po and Choi In Ha for life. But he still made a great friend and protector. I felt bad for him seeing the girl he liked go through so much guilt for the guy she liked. He did a great job at setting Dal Po (Ha Myung) straight too.

My Love from Another Star - Lee Whi-Kyung
   Why doesn't the nice guy ever get the girl?! Aside from following her around like a lost puppy for years, he also did whatever and I mean whatever he could to get her affection. How could she ignore such grand gestures coming at her for years? Even when he knew she liked someone else he still risked his life to save her. Why? Why? Whyyyyyy?

Tomorrow's Cantabile - Park Yoon Hoo
   I loved everything about his character mainly because the actor was so pretty. That cheeky smile did a number on me so I have no idea why Soel Nae Il wasn't affected at all. Anyway, Yoon Hoo was the epitome of sweet not just to Nae Il but to pretty much everyone. Even though you could tell Yoo Jin had pretty much given into the other characters from the beginning, the fact that he chose to remain so cold on the outside made the character really typical and for most part unlikable. Yoon Hoo was like a little burst of sunshine.

Favorite Second Female Lead
Doctor Stranger - Oh Soo-Hyun
   Very rarely do we get likable second female leads. usually they're manipulative and desperate but not so with Oh Soo Hyun. The things that made me root for her happiness more than her being with one guy was the fact that her father, step mother, and brother treated her very coldly and the fact that Han Jae Joon was using her. She had the attention of two great looking gentleman and even though you could tell she was falling for Park Hoon she never overdid it with her affection, at least not in Park Hoon's eyes. Of course, Han Jae Joon could see it pretty clearly, but in the end everyone ended up with who they were supposed to be with.

In a Good Way - Bai Xue
   At first I wasn't so sure if I would like Bai Xue. Although she was always nice she seemed to have a kind of witchy side to her that had yet to be revealed. I thought for sure that side would come out when Liu Chuan started falling for Jia En, but I'm glad that my prediction was wrong. Even though I didn't necessarily root for Bai Xue to be with to be with Liu Chuan I felt bad when she got rejected by him for the new girl. Thankfully she handled it like a champ and ended being the best friend to everyone.

Favorite Parents
Fall in Love with Me - Papa and Mama Tao
   Tao Le Si's parents were awesome. They knew when to stand up for their daughter and when to let her live her own life. They were a very realistic set of parents. They protected Tao Si when she needed them to, comforted her at the right moments, they were even willing to send her away to be with the man she loved despite the drama. They treated her like an adult while still reminding everyone that she was indeed their daughter and they had a right to have a reasonable amount of interest in her life.

Favorite Noona Killer
A Witch's Romance - Yoon Dong-Ha
   There was quite a number of noona romances put out this year. For the most part none of them disappointed in the romance department but what made A Witch's Romance great is that both of the lead characters were at great ages despite being 14/15 years apart. Dong-Ha was young but had also suffered his own ultimate heartbreak that made him more mature and wiser than most guys his age. I also liked that he never really hid his feelings. He was pretty confident in his feelings for her and confident that she also had feelings for him. They were on a good path before "polar bear" showed back up. Despite polar bear, Dong Ha's sincerity and persistence won out in the end. Yay!

More Music Favorites of 2014 - Favorite Rookies, Comebacks, and Solo Projects

Favorite Rookies

HIGH4 - I am really rooting for these rookies. Their first 3 singles were well received and I am hoping that the momentum continues into 2015 and beyond. If you listen to the album you'll hear them take on multiple genres and do quite well. They also have a knack for snagging great female features, I hope that trend continues in their music.

WINNER - YG newbies, WINNER not only managed to impress through the competition show Mix and Match, but also through their first releases. WINNER's singles quickly caught fire and rose to the top of charts. It's not only remarkable that their singles weren't typical pop/hip hop song, but also that they had a hand in writing and producing the songs off their first album. Not bad for rookies.

Akdong Musician - YG's folkly twosome ran the show for most of 2014. Not only did their music make headlines but also their cute personalities. These kids are just all kinds of adorable which, in all honesty, breathed life into the usual line-up that YG boasts. AKMU is also another set of rookies that had a lot of say in their music. From what I heard it turned out really well.

Got7- These rookies really did impress with great songs and choreography. So far they have yet to disappoint and I am hoping that as they continue to show us what they can do through their music and their time on variety shows.

Red Velvet - Though Red Velvet got off to a rough start, I think that they handled themselves well musically and performance wise. Their first single Happiness was really fun and catchy and showed off some serious vocal talent. Their second single Be Natural showed that they mastered that balance between sexy and classy. I hope they can keep a classy image into the new year.

Favorite Comebacks

Rain - Rain's 2 comeback songs managed to stay in my head the entire year. Although I am not familiar with Rain's earlier music, I knew how big a deal it was for him to release new music in 2014. Other than a new album, Rain also returned to the small screen in My Lovely Girl. The show was kind of disappointing overall but I am sure that avid Rain fans loved seeing him in something after such a long time.

Seo Taiji - I can't believe he hasn't put out an album since 2009. After hearing the 2 singles from his latest album Quiet Night it really made me a fan. The two songs were amazingly arranged and I finally got to experience what Korean fans have known all along.

g.o.d. - Another comeback that I am sure OG fans really loved. I listened to their entire album and thought it was nice to hear the same sound from their songs when they first began. It was a very nostalgic and fun album. I am definitely a g.o.d. fan now.

Epik High - Probably the best K-Hip Hop album of the year. I listened to a lot of hip hop albums from Korean artists this year and I must say that I most enjoyed this compilation of songs. Though I am really not a fan of cursing in music I think that the banging instrumentals and thoughtful lyrics made up for it.

Favorite Solo Debuts/Acts

Taeyang - It's not like this is Taeyang's first solo project but this one definitely showed his growth and maturity as an artist. I really enjoyed both of his singles, but their were songs on the album that I loved. His vocals are getting stronger and his incorporation of several YG artists show his gratitude and love for his agency.

Geako - I'm not that big a fan of the album but I really loved the 2 singles he released. They were perfect for the fall/winter season. The instrumentals were a little slow and cool, but also had that signature Dynamic Duo sound--a mix of R&B and hip hop that they master with each and every song.

Zhoumi - I don't follow Super Junior-M very closely but I am very impressed with Zhoumi. To be able to hold your own in two different languages is tough but he pulled it off flawlessly. Rewind is one of my favorite songs from this year.

Taemin - Taemin is known for having an amazing voice but it was on full display for all to enjoy in his solo album Ace. If you ever had any doubts about the signing abilities of the members of SHINee just listen to them separately. They are very good at what they do.

For a look at more favorites click the links below:
My KPOP Playlist of 2014
My Favorite Korean Albums of 2014
Favorite Songs of 2014: September to December
Favorite Songs of 2014: May to August
Favorite Songs of 2014: January to April

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!

My Favorite Dramas of 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!