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

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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.

REVIEW: High Society (Practically Spoiler-less)

I was so excited for this show when the announcement was made about the full cast. Three of the four leads already captured my attention in other dramas so I was really looking forward to seeing them again. After watching just a few episodes I knew the drama was going to be good and I was glad that the show kept my attention until the end.

First off, I have to say that I like that the show wasn't overly cliche. Korean drama writers seem to love the themes of money and love, so I was worried that this would be a mix and match version of so many other dramas I've already seen. I'm happy to say that it wasn't that. Of course, there were very familiar elements that I've seen time and time again but the writers, actors, directors, etc managed to give the show an appropriate amount of sprucing up so that I didn't feel like I was watching The Heirs, mixed with Secret Garden or something like that.

The fact that I was able to lose myself in the drama was a good sign. It meant that even if there were majors errors I didn't care. That's the mark of a good drama.

Aside from a well written and well executed show, the acting was just as I had predicted: A-Class. It's really funny how young, and in some cases, green, the leads are. Three out of the four leads didn't even start as actors yet they delivered performances that even veteran actors can appreciate. I applaud them for a job well done. My favorite has to be Park Hyungsik. The transformation he undertook to play his character is marveling. If we think about the last notable characters he played then I think it's reasonable to be shocked at the type of character he played in this show, and how well he played Yoo Chang Soo. I'm already excited about his next role and this one just ended. Uee's character wasn't much different from some of her other characters but she still shone in this show. I really like Sung Joon. I like the characters he takes on and how he seems to grow into a better actor with every role. This is my first time seeing Lim Ji Yeon and I am really excited to see her in more. She played her role really well and definitely made her character lovable to the very end. Overall, it was very good casting of the four leads and I also have to give a nod to Ko Du-Shim as Min Hye Soo (Uee's mom) and Yoon Ji-Hye as Jang Ye Won (Uee's oldest sister). They did a great job at scaring me with just their eyes. *shivers at the memories*

One of the best parts of the show was watching Yoo Chang Soo's relationship with his mom. In most shows about rich kids all we get is Evil Rich Parent vs Nice Poor Parent. I like that in this show we got to see a healthy relationship between rich child and rich parent. It was sweet and funny, but mostly it gave us a fair portrayal of parents. There are some mean parents, there are nice parents with expectations. I liked that the writers didn't just explore the love and relationships between the leads but between family members too.

Lee Ji Yi grew to be one of my favorite characters. She was bold but in the sweetest way and she didn't try to do what she couldn't. She was smart and knew when to let go. Her character knew her place and tried not to step outside of it too much. She was able to win over many hearts by being honest but humble. My other favorite character had to be Yoo Chang Soo. Not only was dude's hair game out of this world, but I actually liked that he tried really hard not go against his parents wishes. When his parents set a rule he wanted to follow it even if it meant going against what he wanted to do. Isn't that so normal. I really appreciated these two characters for being as normal as they could be while still keeping me excited about their journey through the show. I also really enjoyed watching the two as a couple and comparing their innocent love to the other relationships on the show. It was pretty refreshing to have them break up all the bitterness, even though they had their own set of problems to face.

If I have to give a critique about the show it would be the haphazard way they handled Jang Yoon Ha's (Uee) brother, Jang Gyeong-Joon (Lee Sang Woo) at the end of the show. They didn't give him any time to hash out his problems at all. They just kind of ignored the events that happened and I think that they hoped we would too. But that was the one thing that I was really curious about in the aspect of the show and they kind of swept it under the rug, and made his part pointless. Aside from that the rest of the show was worth watching.

If you are looking for a serious show that's realistic enough then this is the one. There are so many good aspects of the show: good acting, well thought out characters, and fair portrayals of all types of people that could exist in real life. However, my favorite aspect of the show is that it was it's own show. I wasn't sure how the show would turn out after the first episode but I am really glad that the writers didn't piece too many familiar aspects together and try pass it off as something original.

First Impressions: Last, Mrs. Cop, Yong Pal

It is once again time for another crop of dramas, and since it's summer the action dramas are almost nonstop. I have yet to see an action drama that I didn't like, but the jury is still out on three of the newest action packed k-dramas.

photo credit: asianwiki.com

Last is about Jang Tae Ho, a stock manipulator who becomes homeless after a deal goes horribly wrong. So far I've only seen two episodes but I'm already on the edge of my seat dying to know what will happen next. In just two episodes Jang Tae Ho has been murdered, come back to life, and is well on his way to becoming a crime boss among homeless men. If that's not intriguing enough for you then let me tell you about Kwak Ham Seung played by Lee Bum Soo. His character holds the most mysteries in my opinion. How'd he become like the king of homeless people? I really need to know how one makes something like that happen. There are so many questions but I think the most exciting idea from the show is the fact that there is hope in the bleakest of situations. We get to see how one man does what he can to turn his life back around. Of course, I don't think any of it will be legal, but it will be thrilling.

photo credit: asianwiki.com

Mrs. Cop is about Choi Young Jin, a female detective and single mom. I am assuming that the show will be about balancing life as a tough cop and life as a sweet mom. Already we see that Choi Young Jin has a hard time actually balancing the two roles and frequently chooses cop over mom. Although this is a very familiar concept it seems that it will definitely be one worth watching as we've already seen how much more focused on cop work than mom work the main character is. What I am hoping from the show it that it lacks as many cliches as possible. The whole woman-should-be-at-home-taking-care-of-her-child thing isn't wrong but this woman is a single mom, if she doesn't do her job then she really won't be able to take care of her daughter. So far, I've only seen one episode and from what I can see there is another theme that will be more impactful: life of a cop vs life as a father/husband/mother/wife, etc. I think that even though the show will mostly be focusing on Choi Young Jin's journey it will not neglect the other members and their journeys for balance as well. I am optimistic that the show's theme will be well written and I'm confident that it will be well acted.

photo credit: asianwiki.com

Yong Pal is about Kim Tae Hyun, a young surgeon who tries to make money to take care of his sister any way he can, including operating on gangsters outside of the hospital. So far, I love this show. It has thoughtful action, snippets of comedy, and of course lots of hospital scenes (I don't know where my preference for medical dramas is coming from these days.) In the first two episodes, the writers and actors have managed to capture my attention and I am so excited for the continuation of the show. The only thing I am not understanding at this point is Kim Tae Hee's role, but I am sure that will come with more episodes. I think the thing I like most about this show is Joo Won playing the genius surgeon who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, who seems cold on the outside but is actually very thoughtful, and who is cocky and arrogant but not afraid to beg when need be. He just one of those actors that you look forward to watching. I've only seen him in four other productions and in each one he's been someone different. That type of acting prowess is hard to come by these days so even if it's a commercial, if Joo Won's in it I will be watching it. 

First Impressions: High Society & Hidden Identity

When I saw the announcements for these shows I was really really excited. I honestly haven't seen Kim Bum in anything since I watched Boys Over Flowers (my fault for not being attentive). Also, I've become a fan of Uee since watching her in Hogu's Love and Park Hyungsik since watching him in The Heirs. I don't even need to talk about my excitement at seeing Sung Joon in something new. I was just all around ready for these two dramas and thankfully they have finally come to me. 

Cue my happy face. 

Anyway, I've watched the first two episodes of both shows and indeed I was not disappointed. For more specific details on how I felt upon first watching please continue reading. 

High Society (aka The Privileged)

So, I am not going to lie, I am getting serious Heirs vibes, but like a more adult version of The Heirs. Uee is playing a character very similar to her Hogu's Love character. She's blunt and not afraid of saying what she's thinking. It's always a bit refreshing to get female characters like this, but I think the thing that is going to make this drama special is that none of the characters are actually what they seem to be. At first glance Sung Joon's character (Choi Joon Ki) seems like a nice, poor guy who has to work his way up the ranks to get any recognition. However, he also seems to be calculative and cold in some ways. I am looking forward to seeing the future interactions between the characters and how they develop as they get what they want or lose what they wanted. So far the double life that Uee is living also seems to be on verge of unraveling and it's only been two episodes. As of now I know that 5 or 6 of the episodes have been released, so I need to catch up and see if any of my original feelings and thoughts will stick. I definitely recommend this show though, if nothing else you can at least count on some Grade A acting.

Hidden Identity

I had to take a pause and absorb the greatness that is this show after watching the first two episodes. I really didn't know what to expect from this show. So far, tVN nor Kim Bum have disappointed me but I wasn't expecting a show this good. Pretty boy Kim Bum, who has never been shy of using his fists in dramas, slimmed down for the role of a disgruntled cop. Even though the change was drastic and shocking, he now fits in perfectly with the darkness of the show. The show is well cast and at the moment it is well written. Every episode is like a mini movie full of action and suspense. I think the suspense is really killing me. It's only been two episodes and so many unimaginable events have occurred, waiting to see how they'll turn out has me on the edge of my seat. If you're a fan of the action dramas then you will love this show.

These were must-watch dramas for me so I am very happy that they are finally out. If you're pondering watching either then do not hesitate any longer. I definitely recommend both. I am watching High Society on Viki and Hidden Identity on DramaFever. 

First Impressions: Jeju Island Gatsby, Producer, Ex-Girlfriend Club

I spent my weekend like any true K-Drama fan: catching up and starting new shows that I've waited all year to see. I must say that these three shows definitely didn't disappoint. From the acting to the story line, I am officially on-board for these dramas.

Jeju Island Gatsby a.k.a. Warm and Cozy
So far I am totally in love with this drama. The thing I like most is the dynamic between the two main characters played by Yoo Yeon Suk and Kang So Ra. The working chemistry of the two actors is very visible but what's better than that is that the two characters are actually in an amiable relationship from the beginning. I think it's rare to have this type of drama to start off with the two leads not completely hating each other, but I think it fits the setting of Jeju-do. How can you hate anyone with such beautiful scenery surrounding you?

So far the story is off to a good start too. Kang So Ra's character, Lee Jung Joo, gets her house money stolen by her friends so that they can buy a cafe on Jeju. Fortunately she catches them and decides to make the house a cafe herself. Unfortunately, this doesn't really put her on the good side of the locals who also hate Yoo Yeon Suk's character, Beak Gun Woo. Though the drama starts off with Kang So Ra crying, a lot, it seems like it will be light and enjoyable romantic comedy.

Producer:
Although I am really excited to watch this drama, after watching the first four episodes I feel like it's missing something. I can't put my finger on it but I think it's missing some tension or something. I'm not really sure what it's lacking at this point, but I can tell you what it isn't lacking. Right now the show has an really interesting concept that I can't wait to see play out. It also has a very great cast that seems to work together well.

I've never seen Cha Tae Hyun act in anything but I can see why he is such a highly praised actor. I thought it would be awkward to watch him act after seeing him as himself on 2 Days, 1 Night but the way he is playing his character has totally sucked me in. I completely forgot that he's a clumsy father of three. I think my favorite thing is going to be a mean IU. So far she's acting out her character well and I hope that as she softens it seems natural and not forced. I also appreciate that instead of Gong Hyo Jin's character being the nice version of a female lead it's a strong and relatable character. I also like that Kim Soo Hyun's character is similar to his character from Dream High: clueless but talented. I have high hopes for this drama.

Ex-Girlfriend Club:
After just 4 episodes I am completely in love with this show. It's cheeky, funny, and on the tongue-in-cheek side of dramas. I also really love the theme song: Variegated by Jannabi. This drama is for all those people who are looking for realistic and strong female leads as well as a male lead that's strong enough to put up with it all. I think the thing that intrigues me the most is the friendship between the two leads played by Song Ji Hyo and Byun Yo Han. Instead of the writers forcing romance they are focusing on how they work well as friends. Of course, this is a k-drama, so I am expecting them to be coupled off but I am not focused on the fact that they aren't because watching their relationship as it is now is just as entertaining.

If you're looking for a drama to start I would highly recommend one of these. 

How to Fight K-Drama Boredom

Let's say you've been a fan of Korean Dramas for years and you've finally gotten to the point where the excitement has worn off. The recent set of dramas you've seen didn't take your breath away and you are considering giving it up but you really don't want to. What do you do? 

Even though I've only been a K-Drama fan for two years, I have hit a few slumps. The shows I wanted to watch didn't interest me as much as I thought they would, I am getting bored of the same story line, I hate the OSTs they choose, and the list goes on. However, I always find a way to renew my love for K-Dramas with these few tricks. 

1. Watch a drama from a country other than Korea. You can get dramas and movies from all over the world in subtitles for your language through multiple streaming sites. If Korea isn't holding your attention anymore then check out dramas from other countries. When I hit a K-Drama slump I usually turn to Taiwanese, Japanese, or American dramas. They are great at entertaining me until another K-Drama comes along that piques my interest. Also, it's fun to compare entertainment norms between countries.

2. Watch a few episodes of a drama you loved. Sometimes when I can't think of anything else to watch I watch a couple of episodes of a drama that I've seen already. I've re-watched the first few episodes of shows like Boys Over Flowers and Nail Shop Paris because they reminded me why I fell in love with K-Dramas. If you're not interested in re-watching whole episodes then find some clips from your favorite shows and relive the magic.

3. Watch other forms of Korean entertainment. Variety shows and movies are a great way to escape the monotony that K-Dramas can have. Variety shows are, for the most part, unscripted and often show a different side to the actors that you've come to love. Movies give you all the drama that you love in K-Dramas but in a shorter amount of time. At one point I didn't watch any K-Dramas, but instead watched like 10 Korean movies. It was kind of therapeutic. I got all that bad K-Drama taste out of my mouth and when I returned to K-Dramas I was able to see certain actors in a better light and really appreciate their talents.

4. Marathon a popular drama you haven't seen yet. There are always those dramas that people constantly talk about even years after it released the last episode. If you want to get out of a slump then I suggest power watching one of the shows you're most curious about. For instance, I got really into simulcast K-Dramas around the time The Master's Sun came out. I didn't watch it when it was out, but about a year later I just told myself to watch it and I FELL IN LOVE! Now whenever something comes out with the actors in it I am confident about the quality. So far following those actors has not steered me wrong and the show definitely restored my love for K-Dramas.

5. Take a break. I know you don't really want to give it up but if you're seriously not feeling it anymore then take an extended break. The few breaks I have taken have only been for a few days at a time, at most a week and a half but I enjoyed dramas much more after taking a little hiatus. You can clear your mind of all the sucky dramas that got your hopes up and really define what you'd like to see out of a K-Drama. Once you know exactly what you'd like to see you can search for shows that fit those parameters and restore your love of K-Dramas.

Here is a list of shows/movies that helped me get back to loving K-Dramas:

Running Man (Variety), Bitter Blood (Japanese), Just You (Taiwanese), Grimm (American), The Face Reader (Movie), My Girlfriend's an Agent (Movie), Architecture 101 (Movie), Misaeng (K-Drama Marathon), Marriage, Not Dating (K-Drama Marathon), Empire (American), Attack on Titan (Anime), Tokyo Ghoul (Anime), Dream Knight (Mini-Drama)

All of these shows were entertaining, introduced me to new actors, and gave me a chance to see a different side to some of my favorite actors.

Here's hoping that your K-Drama boredom will end soon!

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!

Monday Marathon: Be Arrogant (Dodohara)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday Marathon: Love Cells

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Korean Drama Inspired Prom Looks

Pretty & Innocent: Jan Di from Boys Over Flowers

When Jan Di was styled by her rich friends she would go from pauper to princess. However, she never lost her sweet and innocent look. 

Left: Amber-Cobalt Prom Dress for $89.90

Center 1: Gracelyn- White Prom Dress for $99.90

Center 2: Carrie-White/Silver Short Prom dress for $119.90

Right: Coletta-Black Prom Dress for $179.90

Glamorous: Pageant Contestants from Miss Korea

You can't get anymore glamorous than dresses fit for a queen, or in this case multiple queens. If you're planning on going glam then you'll want a lot of sequins, glitter, and some luxurious fabrics like satin, silk, and chiffon. 

Left: Juliana-Silver Long Prom Dress for $299.90

Center: Kiyomi-Black Lace Chiffon Strapless Dress for $139.90

Right: Vivianne-Royal Strapless Prom Dress for $199.90

Sophisticated: Tae Yi-Ryung from The Master's Sun

Even her casual clothes were elegant. She was the queen of sophistication in this show. She also managed to looked sexy without showing too much skin. 

Left: Cleopatra- Ivory Single Shoulder Dress for $199.90

Center 1: Tali- Black Sleeveless Long Dress for $36.90

Center 2: Camryn- Black/Nude Long Prom Dress for $139.90

Right: Selena-Red Prom Dress for $39.90

I apologize for the quality of character pictures. It's hard to take a good screen shot when they're moving. 

All dress options and pictures are from Windsor. The pictures are the property of Windsor, no copyright infringement was intended. 

Monday Marathon: Another Parting

A return to the miniseries. Another Parting is strange but really good.

Overview: "This miniseries is about a man and woman who decide to spend their last day together." Many of the descriptions went like this so I didn't exactly know what to expect when I started the show. I'm going to give just a touch more background so you will have a better idea of what's going on in the show. The main guy is an alien who takes over a humans body. He must carry out a mission on earth. He meets the woman (Hana) and spends the day with her in order to fulfill his mission.

Why It's Worth Marathon-ing:
1. It's really short. It'll take like an hour to watch the entire series which frees up time to freak out over how great it is.

2. SEO IN GUK! He's really great in this show. It is a different side from his usual sweet best friend roles.

3. The story line. It's a weired show, but it's a good weird. I don't want to spoil the show but I can tell you that after it's over you'll be like "That's was so off...but I liked it."

4. The OST. "Melody Day" is a sweet sounding song that fits the mood of the series.

You can watch it on YouTube!

Monday Marathon: Nail Shop Paris

Nail Shop Paris was my very first K-Drama and I'll never forget it. After discovering the K-Drama fandom, it was nice reading the reviews on the show. Although most of the reviews weren't positive I was still tempted to watch the show again and found a few good reasons why others should watch it too.

Overview: This show is about a young female author that is accused of plagiarism. Because of this, an offer to publish her work is rejected just as she is about to sign the contract. In order to get "original" material she follows a mysterious man she sees in the subway. She thinks he is some sort of spy/gangster but finds out that he is actually a male manicurist at "Nail Shop Paris," a high end nail shop which only has male employees. In order to get closer to the hero of her next story she pretends to be a guy and joins the staff. From there, hilarious and sometimes annoying high jinks ensue.

There are 10 episodes, each about 50 minutes long.

Why It's Worth Watching:
1. You don't have to think too hard to watch the show. Let's be honest some of us spend way too much effort thinking about the show we're watching instead of just watching it. This is a very light story so there's no need to over analyze every little bit of it. In fact, it's better that you don't try to analyze it at all because the moment you do, you'll probably stop watching and you may miss out on some funny stuff.

2. The cast. There are 2 idol/actors (Park Gyulee from Kara and Cheon Dung aka Thunder from MBLAQ) in this show and though their acting isn't all that great they're cute enough that I'll give them a pass. Besides them there is also Song Jae-Rim (Two Weeks, Inspiring Generation), Jun Ji-Hoo, Byeon Woo-Min (Tamra, the Island), Kim Chae-Yeon, and Han So-Young. 

3. The characters are a bit different from your usual line-up. There's a love triangle between the girl/guy and two guy/guys so that part is typical. However, the main guy isn't a jerky chaebol who falls for the girl and wants to force her to fall for him. And the second guy isn't that nice doormat that most second male leads tend to be. He expresses his feelings quickly and often. I didn't realize how refreshing that could be until I watched more dramas and saw how little that happened.

3. SPOILER ALERT: Second male lead gets the girl! If that's not a good enough reason to at least watch the first episode then I don't know what is.

Though I enjoyed the show I could clearly see the flaws in it, especially the second time around. The ending was a complete mess, the nail art was hideous, the lead female character's interjecting story line for her book got worse with every episode, and the fact that no one could tell was a girl was crazy because she wore tight pants and wedge sneakers all the time. Despite it's problems it was fun to watch and I have no regrets.

REVIEW: Medical Top Team Korean Drama

photo source: asianwiki.com

Medical Top Team is about a group of doctors at Kwanghae University Hospital coming together to form the best team of doctors and surgeons in the country. Their plan is to operate on complex surgeries and research rare illnesses, but all that idealism gets muddied by harsh hospital politics between the illegitimate son and the first daughter-in-law of the hospital's president.

It wasn't the best show or even the best medical show I've ever seen, but it wasn't the worst either. A lot of comments said that it was boring, but not every show can be a fantasy romance between a rich guy and a poor girl. It was a very realistic show in a lot of instances and that made it a little less entertaining but it had some enjoyable elements.

What I Liked:
1. The cast. The cast was full of great actors and great up-and-comers. It's lead? Kwon Sang Woo, who plays the kind hearted but straight forward Dr. Tae Shin Park. The second male lead, Dr. Seung Jae Han was played by Ju Ji Hoon, and the second female lead is Choi Ah Jin played by Oh Yeon Seo. The other cast members worth recognizing is the maknae (youngest member) of the group, Kim Sung Woo played by Choi Minho,  Shin Hye Soo played by Kim Young Ae, Jang Yong Sup played by Anh Nae Sang, and a whole bunch of other people. You can view the full cast list HERE. Anyway, the cast was pretty great and they're all really great actors that I would like to see in more things.

2. The couples. When I think of this show, I think about is all the adorable couples and the long amount of time that it took to establish them. I have no problem with a show being devoid of romance, but if there is the promise of romance then there needs to be romance! We kept getting close and then they kept pulling back. Talk about frustrating. Eventually, we did get some romances and thankfully it was the couples that I wanted to see.

What I Didn't Like:
Though I don't regret watching, not many people found the show to be worth the 20 hours. Here are some of my ideas why.

1. Lack of romance. As I said above there is nothing wrong with a show lacking romance but if you're going to constantly suggest it then make it happen already. It took almost the whole show for the couples to form. It was painful to watch them give each other those longing looks and then do nothing about it.

2. Heavy on Medical jargon. This show was definitely a medical show, there's no doubting that. It seemed as though half the script was made up of medical terms which makes sense but it dragged down the dialogue a bit.

3. No accomplishments, at least not really. There was a lot of fighting and battling going on but I don't think either side really came out on top. In the end, all of Dr. Han's clawing came out to the Medical Top Team disbanding and there being a battle within the team. Thankfully everyone made up in the end but the team had to start all over again making all the previous battling kind of pointless.

Though I was unsatisfied with the lack of romantic situations, it wasn't a bad show. It was a pretty standard show, not bad but not great. I don't regret watching it but I don't think I'd suggest it to other people or watch it again.

Monday Marathon: Aftermath

Hope it is another happy Monday for everyone. It was an action packed Monday for me because I marathon-ed the miniseries Aftermath starring Kim Dong Jun of ZE:A.

If you are looking for a ton of action in a little amount of time then this is the drama for you. I watched it on DramaFever.

Overview: This show is about a student that gets into an accident that nearly kills him. When he wakes up he realizes that he has the ability to see when and who will die or who will murder by the color of their eyes. How does he react to his new power? Well he uses it to try and save people, but he soon realizes that heroics aren't always easy.

Why it's Worth Marathon-ing:
1. The drama is full of action to say it's so short. It's two seasons: the first consisting of 5 episodes, the second, 6 episodes. Each episode is between 8 to 11 minutes long. However, that time limit did not limit the amount of fights, chases, and chaos that went on in the drama.

2. You should watch it because of Kim Dong Jun. He was really great in this show. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see anything else he's acted in but from what I saw in this drama he's very talented. He's also really cute.

3. The other cast members are also great. Kim Min Suk (Shut Up Flower Boy Band), Sun Joo Ah, Kim Geun Hyung, and Kim Ri Ah are all a part of the cast and they acted their parts out flawlessly.

4. You'll want more. A sign of a great show is never wanting it to end. This is definitely one of those shows.
A lot of the comments on the last episodes were complaints that it was too short, but also compliments on how much it accomplished in such a short amount of time.

So if you're tired of the cutesy miniseries and looking for a thriller then check out Aftermath.

Monday Marathon: After School, Lucky or Not

Happy Monday! I know there may not be anything happy about it if you're headed to school or work, but there's still something to look forward to.

If you are in need a good laugh, quickly then check out today's Marathon Monday pick--After School: Lucky or Not playing on DramaFever.

Overview: This manga/anime inspired drama stars Kim So Eun (Ga Eul of Boys Over Flowers) and members of idol Group 5urprise (Seo Kang Joon, Gong Myung, Lee Tae Hwan, Kang Tae Oh, and Yoo Il). It is about 5 friends who make up the "Lucky or Not Club" and invite a shy girl to join the club. The club completes missions every episode in order to fulfill the wish of their friend.

Why It's Worth Marathon-ing:
1. It's super short. The show only has 12 episodes and each episode is about 13 minutes, give or take. If you are at school or work you can easily watch an episode or two during your lunch break.

2. It's hilarious! Crude at times, but really funny. I couldn't stop laughing.

3. A lot of eye candy. Whether you're a guy or girl their are a lot of pretty faces in this show.

4. Awesome cameos. There are cameos galore, in every single episode, so there's always something or someone to look forward to with every episode.

5. It's sweet. Once you really get to the heart of the show you realize why these friends are going on all these ridiculous journeys together.

It really is an amazing show that not only shows off 5urprise's acting ability, but also their vocal talents. I wish them many successful years.

Monday Marathon: Ma Boy

Every Monday I will share a show that is short enough to marathon in one day. Why Monday? Well, I need something to get me pumped up for the week, plus I have Mondays off from work.

Today's drama is a really short show that is super funny and adorable. Ma Boy! I watched Ma Boy, subbed, on GoodDrama.net. Here's the link: http://www.gooddrama.net/korean-drama/ma-boy

Overview: It's your standard gender bender drama however, there is a twist. Instead of the cross dresser being a girl, it's a guy! The main characters are Geu Rim played by Kim So Hyun and Irene/Hyun Woo played by Sun Woong. Geu Rim and Hyun Woo attend a performing arts high school in hopes to someday become stars. When Geu Rim enrolls in the school she is roomed with the most popular girl in school, Irene. Little does she know, Irene is actually a guy--Hyun Woo--who dresses up as a girl in order to be a star. Obviously this causes for some misunderstandings that are hilarious to watch.

Why It's Worth Marathon-ing: For starters: There are only 3 episodes. You can get through this drama and then some. Me, I watched it twice. It was that great! Since, it's so short the story line doesn't drag on, but it also doesn't feel rushed either.

Next: It's amazingly funny. I cried while laughing, it was that funny. It's also super sweet but not in an obnoxious way.

Lastly: It's perfect for non-drama watchers. If you are trying to get your friend into dramas and they like romantic comedies then this should be on the top of your suggestions list. It's length won't overwhelm them and because it is so funny it is enjoyable for anyone.

After watching this drama you'll want more episodes, but you'll know that more episodes probably would have ruined such a perfect drama.

If you have some time, say 3 hours, and are in between dramas I suggest that you watch this drama. You won't be disappointed.

RANT: Miss Korea, Korean Drama, Was Not Boring

After watching the last episode I read a lot of comments saying that the show was boring and that it didn't meet expectations. However, I think that having expectations is what made the show less enjoyable for some people. Seriously, after realizing that it wouldn't be the same as any other drama I had to give up all my expectations. Once I did, I started to like watching it every week.

When I first started watching Miss Korea I didn't know what to think. It was unlike any drama I had ever seen before. It wasn't really a romance, wasn't exactly a comedy, and it definitely wasn't an action or thriller but it had elements of all wrapped into one. Though that combination can usually be a great one like in Master's Sun, it can also be a horrible combination if not done correctly. However, sometimes you need to forget everything you know, sit back and enjoy the ride. That's what I did with Miss Korea. After watching the first two episodes I realized there was no where to store it in my mind. So, I had to decide whether I would hold the show to standards that I created based on my previous experiences, or take it for what it seemed to be and enjoy what was in front of me. I decided to do the latter and that made the show much more enjoyable. 

I thought from the plot: a young woman wanting to go from elevator girl to "Miss Korea" with the help of her ex-boyfriend/deadbeat CEO of a cosmetics company, the show would be more dramatic or more comedic. There were definitely dramatic moments like him being beaten almost to death on more than one occasion or him having to go bankrupt from bad debts. There were also comedic moments like when Ji Young's family was interviewed for the "Miss Korea" broadcast. However, the show was also very dry and very realistic. I've noticed that most dramas are fantasy-esque and so they give viewers certain feelings even in the first episode, but this drama did not do that. If anything it just left me confused, but it also left me caring for the characters and wanting for them to succeed. 

The reasons why I don't think the show was boring are simple. For one thing it left me wanting to know what would happen to the characters. If a show can get you invested in the characters then it isn't boring even if it isn't exactly what you expected. 

It also gave us some pretty great glimpses into the beauty pageant world of the 1990's. Of course you can't take full stock in the the show's doings but it was fun watching the ladies prepare for the "Miss Korea." The crazy hairstyles, the painful exercises; it was really interesting to watch them go through that for their one shot. 

It was also very interesting to see the fashions of the show. I personally loved Madam Ma's outifts. They screamed "money" and sometimes they screamed "tacky." It was so much fun seeing what she'd be wearing.

My main reason for sticking around was the cast. I was thrilled to find out that Lee Sun Kyun (Coffee Prince) and Lee Ki Woo (Flower Boy Ramen Shop) were going to be in this show. Then after I started watching and saw Lee Mi Sook (You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin), Hong Ji Min (Style), and Oh Jung Se (Marry Him if You Dare) I just couldn't give it up. I wanted to see the show that brought all these people together. This was my first drama with Lee Yeon Hee, but I was glad to see her too. 

I think the cast really made me anticipate each episode. Their portrayals of the characters were great. Each character felt like a real person rather than just an archetype.  There was a limited amount of wrist grabbing, arrogant jerks, and idiot female leads. And situations actually made sense with the story line rather than being thrown in for a cheap laugh. I won't lie and say that the story didn't move slowly at times, or that I was on the edge of my seat every moment but, I didn't need to be. This drama told its story in a way that made sense with the story. It wanted to show us the trials and tribulations of a group of people struggling to make their way. It was actually refreshing to watch something relatable like that. 

If you were wondering if you should give this drama a try I would say you should, but be warned that it isn't going to grasp you and hold you the whole time. There are going to be boring moments just like there are going to be exciting moments. That's life though. Not everything should be about a handsome rich guy falling in love with a poor girl.

If you watched the show tell me your thoughts. 

Bride of the Century: First Impresssions

It's really great to see Lee Hong Ki again. The only drama I've seen him in was You're Beautiful in which he played the cheerful Jeremy. This drama is a welcome change of pace. His character is very cold and calculating--I am really enjoying seeing that from him.

Aside from Lee Hong Ki's impressive performance this show offers so many other enjoyable aspects and it's only been the four episodes.

Description from DramaFever:

"In this fairytale-like melodrama, Choi Kang Joo (Lee Hong Ki) is the cold heir of one of Korea’s most powerful conglomerates, Taeyang Corporation. He is engaged to an eligible young lady from a small southern island, Doo Rim (Yang Jin Sung), but there’s just one problem: the first bride of the family’s first son is always cursed to die. The curse began 100 years ago when the bride of the family’s first son had a tragic death. Suddenly, before the wedding, Doo Rim disappears and the company conspires to replace her with a look-alike, Yi Hyun (also played by Yang Jin Sung), who has a sinister scheme of her own."

It is planned to be 16 episodes and also stars Yang Jin Sung as Doo Rim/ Yi Kyung.

My Thoughts:

This drama started off so well and I am really hoping that things stay this enjoyable. It's funny and kind of scary (so many unexpected developments plus a freaky ghost). As I said above, I am most enjoying seeing a different side of Lee Hong Ki. He's still super cute, but I like seeing a mean side to him. Some comments have stated that he wasn't the right fit for the role because he is too cute, but I think that he is showing great range and this show is a good platform for him to show his potential as an actor. I also enjoy the character of Doo Rim who is well-meaning and sweet but is sometimes a little clueless. However, her innocence makes for some pretty amusing situations especially between she and Kang Joo.

The story line, at this point, is a bit predictable though. I can very clearly see that though the main characters hate each other now they will soon fall in love. However, it is still to be seen whether or not their love affair will be an easy one. There are some sneaky things going on that may cause a few hidden bumps on the road to marital bliss.

Despite that, I highly recommend the show. If nothing else, it is entertaining. I sometimes feel that fans of K-dramas over analyze the shows and talk themselves into disliking a decent show. These shows were created for entertainment and nothing more, there's no need to constantly dissect the show.

I am watching this show for two reasons: to see Lee Hong Ki and to laugh. After power marathon-ing Empress Ki I need some laughter in my life and thankfully this show has it. Also, the comedy isn't thrown in your face. the show isn't trying too hard to be comedic or serious, it just is what it is when it needs to be. I suggest that you take the ride.

Tell what you think of the show if you watched it.

Thanks for reading!

10 Dramas Perfect for Valentine's Day

If you're like me then you'll most likely be spending your Valentine's Day watching K-dramas. Even if I had a date I'd probably spend as much as possible of my V-Day trying to catch up on some show. Whether you're with a loved one or not this Valentine's day there are plenty of K-Dramas that can satisfy a need for romance. This is a list of 10 that I would watch out of the 51 dramas I've seen this far.

1. Lie to Me: Lie to Me has to be number one. It is one of the few K-Dramas where the main couple is a couple for most of the show, and it has some of the best kissing scenes of any K-drama. Lie to Me is perfect to watch if you have a date and want to introduce them to Korean Drama Land. It's funny and romantic and I think there's something for almost everyone.

2. Coffee Prince: It's Coffee Prince! If you've seen the show then you could probably guess why it's on the list: 2 of the steamiest kisses EVER! Aside from that it's quite a romantic show, but it's not overly sappy. It's something you could watch with a guy and even they'd get invested in the show.

3. Dating Agency Cyrano: This show is really cute and has some pretty great moments both romantic and comedic. It's perfect to watch with friends. It's fun to watch all of the couples develop and not get caught up in just one. Plus, there's nothing but eye candy in that show: Lee Jong-hyuk,  Lee Chun-hee, Hong Jong-hyun for the ladies and Choi Sooyoung and Ha Yeon-joo for the guys. There are also some really awesome cameos that will get any k-drama or k-pop fan excited.

4. Heartstrings: Heartstrings's romantic plot is pretty typical, but it's still worth watching. Jung Young-hwa and Park Shin-hye make such cute couple. If you were looking for them to be a couple in You're Beautiful then this will make you very happy. It's also set to some pretty great music.

5. A Gentleman's Dignity: An adult romance! You can feel free to wash your hands of all that high school drama and upgrade to something so perfect it will hurt. Okay, it won't hurt, but this show is enjoyable from beginning to end. It was funny, romantic, serious but playful and it has cute for everyone. If you're looking for something with more romantic substance then this is your best bet. Also, if you're career stalking Kim Woo Bin then you'll love seeing his face pop up every once in a while.

6. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho: This is for all of those who love the supernatural. It's not too romantic at first but when they finally get to all the romance it's a really sweet drama. Of course they hit some bumps and that makes for some pretty stressful feels while watching, but they make up for it and you'll leave feeling satisfied.

7. Last Cinderella: This Japanese drama is also for those looking for a more mature drama. It is about a woman who is a bit unkempt, but has a passion for her job and is always good to people. Despite her positive attributes she's 40 and single. Soon she finds herself in a love triangle with a much younger man and her boss. I loved this show. If you're tired of the PG Korean love scenes then this show will shock and please you. Aside from that it's fun to root for the good looking man you want to win most.

8. Secret Garden: Action and romance! It's a lethal combination, especially when you throw in an annoying mother. This show is great for Valentine's Day because it shows that love comes when you least expect it, with who you least expect it, and that love takes sacrifice. Sure, it's just a show, but there are some pretty important lessons you can take away from it.

9. Ma Boy: If you are a youngster or if you're trying to get your friends into K-Dramas then Ma Boy is a great start. It's sweet (not necessarily romantic), and it's short so if you do have a night out planned, but need a K-Drama fix. Ma Boy isn't a show that comes up often on K-drama lists, but it is a really great show. It's super funny and the confrontations between the characters aren't dragged out to the point where you feel like shooting your laptop out of frustration. I think the word that comes to my head most often when I describe it is "cute" because it's a high school drama, but I think that anyone can watch and enjoy this show no matter the age.

10. Heirs: Okay, so Heirs wasn't necessarily my favorite show of the year, but I must admit it had some pretty romantic moments that were enjoyable, like Secretary Yoon and Esther Lee's heated kiss. And it also has the cutest couple in the world: Chan Young and Bo Na. Even if you aren't into 20 episodes of painful staring, wrist grabbing and love bullying then you should at least watch for the cast. It was a really, really awesome cast so it is worth supporting them.

No matter how you spend your Valentine''s Day I hope it's enjoyable and full of love.