Running Man

Synopsis:


Genre: Variety, Comedy

Korea's top MC Yoo Jae Suk, comedian Ji Suk Jin, singers Kim Jong Kook, Gary, Lizzy, HaHa, and actors/actress Lee Gwang Soo, Song Joong Ki, and Song Ji Hyo round up the cast of SBS' new variety show, Running Man. The cast, and a guest (usually one or two) are given tasks to accomplish in order to receive a Running Ball with their respective teams/names in it. At the end of the episode, a raffle of who is to do the punishment is done. Different games from Raise the Heartbeat, Photozone, and the now staple Bell Race make the show fun, entertaining, and different from other variety shows.

Love love love RM! It's so entertaining that I just leave the video open and listen to the cast while studying. It's just so fun to watch and it'll never fail to make you smile.

Closer to Heaven

Synopsis:


Genre: Drama, Romance

Ji-soo (Ha Ji Won), a funeral director, happens to oversee the funeral services of Jong-woo’s (Kim Myung Min) deceased mother. Being old friends, they are excited by the unexpected reunion, but the reality is more bitter than sweet. Jong-woo is suffering from the incurable Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Ji-soo has been through two painful divorces. Jong-woo lightheartedly asks Ji-soo to just marry him. Ji-soo is surprised by the offer, but it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea to her. She wants to start a new life with the love that is starting to grow inside her, while the fear of losing Jong-woo scares her as well. As Jong-woo’s symptoms begin to worsen with each passing day, Jong-woo gets easily irritable as he begins to lose control over more and more parts of his body. Even though he hurts Ji-soo’s feelings, all she wants is to stay with him and cure his disease.

I watched this the day before a final and could not sleep! I couldn't breathe because I was crying! Such a wonderful movie with great actors. You might recognize the main guy as Kang Ma-e in Beethoven Virus. For him to seriously prepare for this role, as you would see in the movie, he really is one of the most respected actors for me. Great movie but I suggest having tissues handy and not to watch this in the middle of the night! Oh! And if you know your current Korean idols, you might recognize a cameo of a certain saucy hip swayer!

Personal Taste (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Jeon Jin Ho (Lee Min Ho) is a straight architect who likes to be clean and neat. He ends up living with Park Kae In (Son Ye Jin), a lowly furniture designer/maker, who mistakes him as a gay man. Kae In just broke up with her boyfriend who never even looked at her as a woman, thus severing all good feelings toward men. With the knowledge of Jin Ho being gay, Kae In becomes comfortable around him. But how will Kae In react when she finds out Jin Ho isn't gay and has developed feelings for her?

Lee Min Ho! So cute! And a return to the light for Son Ye Jin! I'm loving this drama. Cute and funny moments, two antagonists (Ooooh), a crazy best friend, two love crazy people, and lots of misunderstandings make for a good drama. Go and watch!!

Will It Snow For Christmas? (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Drama, Romance

Cha Kang Jin meets a feisty girl, Han Ji Wan, when his family moves back to his mother's hometown. A traumatic experience and no support from her family pushes Ji Wan to run away, ending a possible relationship with Kang Jin. Now grown up, Ji Wan (Han Ye Seul) meets Kang Jin (Go Soo) once again... during her engagement party. Will the past catch up? What will happen to the torn lovers when everything around them goes against them?

My friend recommended me to watch this one, and I'm liking it. There are a lot of intense drama going on, and my heart can only take so much, so it took some time to finish this one (plus school is cutting into my precious drama time TT_TT). Great acting from the actors. Loving Go Soo! He's so cute and you can feel the love from him! Ahehe. Fan girling much?

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Takano Kyohei (Kamenashi Kazuya) is a broke student with a hot temper, Toyama Yukinojo (Tegoshi Yuya) is the cutesy childish one, Oda Takenaga (Ushi Hiroki) as the cool tempered one, and Mori Ranmaru (Miyao Shuntaro) is the hot blooded cougar magnet. These four men live under the mansion of Nakahara Mine and her son Takeru. They could get free board and room if they could fulfill Nakahara's wish: Make her gothic niece Nakahara Sunako (Oomasa Aya) into a Yamato Nadeshiko- the ideal lady. The men take on the challenge and discover what Sunako has in store for them.

I've watched and loved the anime, so I was anticipating this one. I was hoping for devastatingly handsome men to play the guys, but I could live with the actors they cast. Honestly, it carried it's own weight. I mean fitting a long running manga into 11 episodes is not an easy feat, so I think it was very decent work, good acting by the cast, and the story progress was fast but enough to tell a story. There were a lot of good and funny moments too! It's a fun and short drama if you're looking for something to pass the time before cramming for finals. Hehe.

Pasta (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Food

“Pasta” covers the dreams and success of a young woman who aspires to become an elite chef at La Sfera restaurant.

Seo Yoo Kyung (Gong Hyo Jin) started her career as a third ranked chef assistant at La Sfera restaurant. She eventually works her way up to become a chef.

Choi Hyun Wook (Lee Sun Gyun) is the top chef at La Sfera restaurant. He studied the culinary arts in Italy and started out as a chef assistant at a hotel in Sicily. Hyun Wook eventually worked his way up to become the most widely recognized Italian chef in Korea.

Add to that a repeat customer (Alex of Clazziquai) who has a mysterious background and a TV chef (Lee Han Nui) who has a past with Hyun Wook, the show would be delicious.

Aleeeex! Oh how I missed you! And Sun Gyun-shi! What a different feel and aura from you compared to Coffee Prince. Great cast, great storyline, awesome looking food... and Noh Min Woo!! Cutie!!

God of Study (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: School, Life, Comedy

Attorney Kang Suk Ho (Kim Soo Ro) and homeroom teacher Han Soo Jong (Bae Doo Na) takes on the challenge of making sure that five students (Yoo Seung Ho, Park Ji Yeon [T-Ara], Go Ah Sung, Lee Hyun Woo, Lee Chan Ho)-from a school on the brink of closing full of delinquents with no hope of getting into a good university running amok- would get into Cheon-Ha University, a prestigious school. The student's, and the school's, future hangs on whether the students would get into Cheon-Ha. Would all of them succeed?

Sooro oppaaaa! I get to see you outside of Family Outing! At least I can still see you even if FO has ended. *sad face* And Yoo Seung Ho! Who can pass up that cutie? I also got a lot of studying tips while watching this drama. It was perfect timing since I was studying for a midterm while watching. Ahehehee.

You're Beautiful (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music

A story about the behind-the-scenes life of an idol group called “A.N.JELL”, their difficulties, love and career.

Tae Kyung (Jang Geun Suk), Jeremy (F.T. Island's Lee Hong Ki), and Shin Woo (C.N. Blue's Jung Young Hwa) are in search of a new member for their idol group. However at the last minute, the member suffers an injury and his twin sister, Mi Nyu (Park Shin Hye), steps in to disguise as him.

OMG! Jang Geun Suk! I wanted to see this as soon as I saw his name. I was following the drama but I wait for the good subs so I can download it and watch it fully instead of watching it in parts, so sorry if I just posted this now! Jang Geun Suk, my baby boy! AND! Two new eye candies: Young Hwa and Hong Ki! They were fabulous!!! Love you Young Hwa! Ahahahaha. Watch it!

Hong Gil Dong (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Action, Fusion Historical

Based on a fictional book about a Robin Hood in Korea, Hong Gil Dong, this drama is very loosely based off of that book and the time it was set in.

While epic dramas are usually traditional and full of colorful history, this drama is the first of its kind to put a modern and comical twist to it!

Hong Gil Dong (Kang Ji Hwan) is nothing but a rather smart commoner who is despised by his second family. After all, he was born by a cheating father who had an affair with his mother! However, he ends up meeting a con by the name of Heo Yi Nok (Sung Yu Ri) and a known-to-be-dead prince Lee Chang Hwi (Jang Geun Suk) and ends up on a wild adventure! How he ends up being a hero is both the charm and mystery this drama will reveal as each episode unfolds. credit: mykofan

I got attracted to this drama by the song 'If', I heard Tae Yeon sing it in Family Outing but didn't really payed attention to it until now. So I then decided to check where this song came from and tadaa! Jang Geun Suk! Wahaha. I was sold by just seeing his name there! As I have said before, he's one of my favorite Korean actors as of date. I laughed, I cried, I felt sad and happy while watching this drama. Also, a lot of viewers have expressed their dislike in the ending of the series, but to me, I thought it was a good ending. It makes you imagine for yourself and end it the way you want it to. I think that was good enough for me, but I still felt sad. I hope you'll know why. Jang Geun Suk ftw!!


Listen to the song here.. plus some eye candy for you!

Queen Seon Deok (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Drama, Historical

During the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Deok Man (Lee Yo Won) was born a twin but was abandoned as baby. She was later brought back to the Silla palace, where she joined forces with her twin sister, Princess Cheon Myeong (Park Ye Jin), to oppose Mi Shil (Go Hyun Jung) who wanted to expose the twin birth and seize power. Mi Shil devised sinister palns to have the two Silla princess exiled from the kingdom, but Princess Deok Man shrewdly enlisted the help of General Kim Yu Shin (Uhm Tae Woong) and the battle begins.

Progress: Still watching...

Gasp! A period drama?! Why, yes! I was going to watch this in hopes of seeing Park Ye Jin in her area instead of constantly seeing her in Family Outing. I also knew that Uhm Tae Woong was going to be in it... and so I began watching. Love it! Go Hyun Jung is just a spectacular actress and an awesome choice for Mi Shil. The little brow movements just makes you more scared of her! Whew! It gets draggy at times, but what drama won't build up its viewers anticipation, right? So hang in there, there are 50 episodes. And I love Al Cheon rang!

Humming

Synopsis:

Genre: Romance

Jun-seo (Lee Chun Hee) is tired of the relationship he is in with Mi-yeon (Han Ji Hye). But one day she is in an accident and falls into a coma. Then, unbelievably Mi-yeon visits him the next day just like any other ordinary day. He starts searching for other traces of Mi-yeon and realizes how much he loved her. Will he discover the love he has never realized, which has always existed close by him?

Waa... Chunny in his domain! We got used to seeing him as the clumsy Chunderella in Family Outing, but he shows a different side of him in this movie. I cried! I loved Han Ji Hye's perf here... very emotional.

Antique Bakery

Synopsis:

Genre: Comedy, Drama What’s more delicious than cake?

Four scrumptious guys and cake (with coffee….on a comfy sofa together in a cozy private room…)

This story is about four men who work in a confectionary. Jin Hyuk (Joo Ji Hoon, Goong)is the owner; Son Woo (Kim Jae Wook, Coffee Prince) is the superb baker that has a mysterious and mesmerizing aura; Soo Young (Choi Ji Ho) is the waiter and close bodyguard of Jin Hyuk; and last but not least Gi Beom (Yoo Ah In), the ex-boxer who loves cake so much that he becomes a waiter at 'Antique'. This is a refreshing, yet heartfelt comedy about the 4 very unique personalities that work until the wee hours of the night at the small confectionary. The series follows the romance, family life, and most importantly friendship that these 4 men from different generations experience.

This is a confectionary with a "flavor" not like most. Located in the middle of an ordinary residential area, "Antique" stays open until 2 a.m. Every single thing in the shop is antique, in fact even the sherry glasses that water comes in look like they would cost 50,000 yen. On top of this, all the sweets that are sold are unbelievably delicious. The thing that is most peculiar about "Antique" though is that all 4 of the men that work here are very handsome, and each has an interesting past. Those that frequent the store also have a story to tell. (source: Avistaz)

This was actually a very nice and interesting movie! There are some "gasp" scenes for me but they are good "gasps"! I love the chemistry of all the men, yes, chemistry. Andy Gillet also makes chemistry with Jae Wook... so cute! Nyahahaha... Kissing scenes! Oops! Gave that one out!

Mei-chan no Shitsuji/ Mei-chan's Butler

Synopsis:

Genre: Comedy, Drama

The story revolves around a young woman named Mei (Eikura Nana), who was rescued as a young girl by someone calling himself her "butler." With only a vague memory, though, the experience seems like just a dream. But one day, after her parents' accidental death, he appears: Shibata Rihito (Mizushima Hiro)comes from a line of outstanding butlers, and he has been appointed to serve her! Now her ordinary life has completely flipped, as she discovers that she's actually the heiress to a fortune, and is forced to transfer to St. Lucia Girls' Academy, an all girls school where ladies of prestigious families would learn to become a proper lady and succeed their family's business... and... where all the students have butlers!

I originally thought that this was going to be a pretty average (boring) drama. Boy oh boy was I wrong! I love it! Mizushima Hiro's acting is different here. It has a mysterious aura (well, duh, his character is pretty mysterious). So that shows how far he's gone in acting. The lead girl is the bestfriend in Proposal Daisakusen if you are wondering why she looks familiar. Also, she's the twin sister of Jun Matsumoto's character in Boku wa Imotou ni Koi Suru (ooooh!). Love it! Go and watch!

Boys Before Flowers (Drama)

Synopsis:

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Jan Di (Goo Hye Sun) is an average girl whose family owns a dry-cleaning shop that is located near the luxurious and well-known Shin Hwa College. Jan Di meets the four most richest and spoiled boys when she delivers laundry to the school one day. The boys are known as the F4 (Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon) and cause trouble to those who speak out against them.

Yay! Korea has their own F4! I just added a synopsis that just scratches the surface of the whole story of Boys Over/Before Flowers. A lot of people will be familiar with the story of Hana Yori Dango but I think Boys Before Flowers will go much more in depth with the story and will shed more light on the things that were not in the Japanese version. Plus, Kim Hyun Joong (who will play Yoon Ji Hoo, Hanazawa Rui's counterpart) who has shared with us a lot of laughter with Hwang Bo in We Got Married. Yeah, he's what almost everyone is looking at right now. Anywho, we'll wait and see what this promising drama will bring us.

Hana Yori Dango Final

Synopsis:

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Domyoji (Jun Matsumoto) holds a big press conference to announce his wedding to Makino (Inoue Mao). The press is playing her up like a Cinderella of the day. Even Domyoji's mother, who tried to break them up doggedly, is now happy for them and offers Makino a family hearloom, a tiara worth 10 billion yen called "Smile of Venus". The tiara is believed to bring its owner everlasting love and happiness. However, a man in black steals the tiara! The trail to recover the tiara starts from Tokyo to Las Vegas, Hong Kong, a deserted island and more. But who is trying to separate the couple?

The movie was awesome! It's truly a good ending to a great drama. I love the suspenseful-ness of it all and I think most of the actors and actresses were getting better in acting. Go and watch it! Aww... I'm going to miss them... but on to the Korean version!!...weee!!