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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo from asianwiki.com

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

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

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

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

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

Please let me know what you think. 

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

REVIEW: Ex-Girlfriend Club

Ex-Girlfriend Club was sadly cut by a whole four episodes, from 16 to 12. However, the sudden ending didn't seem empty and I got what a wanted, a happy but still funny ending.

I was really looking forward to this, mostly because of the cast. Song Ji Hyo seems to act in something like once a year these days so I really needed to see this show to support her. Also, this is Byun Yo Han's first leading role since enchanting us in Misaeng so I had to support him too. However, they were only two of the many acting jewels that were a part of this production.  For the full cast list CLICK HERE. Now let's get into the review.

Synopsis: A film producer, Kim Soo Jin, and a manhwa (comic) writer, Bang Myung Soo, who were once inseparable friends meet up again after a long break to make a movie based off of the comic. Everything seems to be pretty standard but Soo Jin's company is in danger of going under and if that wasn't enough Myung Soo's exes want a say in how the movie goes. Obviously this will result in some frustrating but also hilarious situations. 

Things I Liked:

1. The relationship between Kim Soo Jin and Bang Myung Soo. They're friends! I know it seems impossible but at the beginning of the show these two are adorable friends that reminisce about good times and fight like only real friends do. That adorable friendship or at least elements of their friendship remained to the very end and that made for a very enjoyable and realistic show.

2. The ex-girlfriends. As irritating as it would be for your exes to come out of no where and try to control you, your friend, and your project years after breaking up, these were not your usual exes. All three women were tough in their own right. The three exes had strong minds and strong opinions and they never missed a moment to share them. It was also really hilarious to see how three exes of the same man interacted with each other. There was a bit of cat fighting but also a bit of understanding and encouraging.

3. Kim Soo Jin. I don't think Song Ji Hyo plays weak characters. If she has I haven't seen it so it's no surprise that as cute as her character is she wasn't going down without a fight. Kim Soo Jin was the perfect example of what most women are like in real life. They can be sweet, but they also have their own standards and expect the people they hang out with to uphold those standards to a certain degree. Soo Jin was sweet most of the time but she definitely didn't stop herself from getting angry if need be. Toward the end of the show her character was mostly on the sweet side, but if things start to work out how you want in your life wouldn't you be on the sweet side too?

4. Bang Myung Soo. He wasn't the super mean jerk or the sweet pushover. He was a normal guy with normal feelings and it was great to see him get attention. Like Soo Jin, Myung Soo was like an actual human: he was sweet, he was outspoken, and he was hilarious. I guess it was the webtoon writer in him but he had a lot of comedic sense which also made the show very enjoyable to watch.

5. Understandable villian(s). There may have been more than one antagonist depending on how you look at the show. However, none of them were so bad that you were hoping someone would come out of no where and just kill them off. They were normal. They became mean because of understandable situations and they were a tolerable amount of mean. It all made sense!

6. The theme song. One of the best theme songs I have ever heard. It's a folk and synth mix that is bouncy and playful and perfect for the show as well as summer. Check out Variegated by Jannabi.

What I Didn't Like:
Basically my main complaint with the show it that it was cut short. I felt that the cut didn't completely harm the series overall but it did have some effect on it. The flow in the last few episodes became really weird. It wasn't a major problem nor was it super obvious but as a fan of the show I could see that some things were altered from the original plan. I really wish that the show could have kept its run despite the low ratings. It was such a great show and for it to be cut like that was really frustrating.

I think the keywords for this drama are normal, sensible, and funny. The drama wasn't an epic melodrama or anything but it had a lot of good moments and a good cast that made it enjoyable to watch. It was perfect for the sweet days of spring and the dog days of summer, and if you've been wanting to watch it fall isn't too late. 

If you're looking for a drama that you can just watch without aging or feeling exhausted after every episode then I recommend this show. The best part is that now that all the episodes are out, it can be marathon-ed. I think this is one of those underrated dramas that only people who don't fantasize about living in k-dramas can appreciate. If you're looking for a good show to marathon then I recommend this one. 

TAIWAN: Fall in Love With Me Review

After months of letting the drama's episodes pile up I finally finished it and just in time to wrap up 2014. It was quite an entertaining drama from beginning to end. Character development was natural, rivalries were fierce, and resolutions were happy. Overall I am glad that I watched it, I'm also glad that it was only 20 episodes, some of it was a bit too melodramatic for me.

What I Liked:
1. The Soundtrack. Sometimes the soundtrack gets really irritating because it's the same five songs played over and over again but this time I latched onto the soundtrack pretty quickly. It may be because most of the songs were sung by Aaron Yan, it could be that I just liked the sound of every song, either way I would recommend listening to the soundtrack outside of the show.

2. The male lead. I'm just a touch biased to Aaron Yan after watching him in Just You with Puff Guo. Like many fans, I feel in love with Puff and Aaron together, but I was very open minded about his pairing with Tia Li and after a while I found myself really liking that couple too. There are quite a few reasons why I like watching Aaron Yan, the first being that he's a amazingly good looking. Aside from that it's his queue of facial expressions that he doesn't mind busting out at any given moment. For a singer he's a pretty decent actor.

3. Lance. There's always a villain and Lance was a pretty good one, but in the beginning he didn't start out so bad. Part of the reason why I liked Lance is because it's not like he was wrong in his thinking. He may have been wrong in his actions but in all honesty he had some pretty valid points. From wanting Tian Xing to return back to the company he was supposed to be running to forcing his family to recognize that they're biased against him. To me he had the right to request those things and if people would have just listened to him he probably wouldn't have turned out to be such a bad guy. In the last few episodes, to many he might have been a complete jerk but for some reason I found the pettiness funny and a little bit enjoyable. I think it's because it was closer to real life than any other part of the drama.

4. Tao Le Si's Parents. So regular parents do exist in drama land! These parents were written perfectly. They knew when to stand up for their daughter and when to allow her to make her own decisions. They gave good practical advice and unlike some parents treated everybody with respect and kindness, even if they didn't exactly like them.

What I  Didn't Like:
I just thought about it and I can't think of anything I didn't like. When you get used to watching dramas you realize everything comes with a territory. I've watched so many forced kisses and wrists grabs, and secret plots that I think I've become immune to it. Though there were moments when I cringed and protested there was nothing that completely drove me up the wall so much that I have to complain about it.

There were too many enjoyable or at least understandable moments for me to have any big dislikes. There were things I disliked in the context of the show, but I found nothing wrong with the writing or cinematography. I just thought of one while writing this.

1. Lu Tian Xing's dandy clothes in the first half of the show. I am not a fan of dudes dressing overly eccentrically. His wardrobe in the beginning was just too much, it made me want to punch him the face. I know I should probably want to punch him in the face more over his attitude than his clothes, but seriously who dresses like that for EVERYTHING!

2. Thought of another one. Why did the writers have to write him to be such a jerk as Lu Tian Xing when he was capable of being nice as Xiao Lu and later as Lu Tian Xing. the bipolarity in all honesty didn't really need to happen. I know they were trying to establish two different characters within one person but they gave Lu Tian Xing no redeeming qualities in the beginning so of course Tao Zi wouldn't fall in love with him. But in the end it all worked out so I guess it wasn't that much of an thorn in my side.

Well, if you're used to Taiwanese dramas then I recommend you check this one out, however I would not recommend it to first time Taiwanese drama watchers. Part of the thing that made this drama enjoyable was recognizing the actors and seeing how the played these characters different from their other characters. If you aren't familiar with the actors then I would say that this drama should be put on hold. 

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!

REVIEW: Heirs or The Inheritors

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

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

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

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

There are so many scenes that I loved. 

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

Courtesy of DramaFever's Drama Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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My KPOP Playlist of 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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