[드라마] Greatest Love trailer

Greatest Love seems like a good drama. 1.) It’s Cha Seung Won 2.) It’s Yoon Kye Sang 3.) It’s Cha Seung Won + Yoon Kye Sang in one drama and 4.) It’s written by the Hong sisters.

To watch or not to watch? I have every reason to watch, but I have one big reason not to watch it – Kim Sun Ah, unfortunately, is not part of this drama. I’ve always wished, for many years now, that Yoon Kye Sang and Kim Sun Ah will have a drama together.

Kim Sun Ah visiting Yoon Kye Sang's filming

Now, her having a drama with both Yoon Kye Sang and Cha Seung Won would be heaven for me. It’s just a 39 second trailer but I feel jealous for Kim Sun Ah already. ㅠㅠ

I know it isn’t fair, but I have a tendency to not like seeing Suna Unnie’s previous partners (read: Hyun Bin and Cha Seung Won at least) acting opposite other actresses. I have endured Secret Garden. I actually wouldn’t have watched it in the first place if it wasn’t written by writer Kim Eun Sook. I don’t know if I’ll have the courage to watch Athena sometime in the future. Now, would I have the heart to watch this drama? It seems really really interesting and I don’t think I’ll let a Cha Seung Won-Yoon Kye Sang drama pass. I guess I’ll just have to endure it, especially when Cha Seung Won gets extra sweet to Gong Hyo Jin (keeping fingers crossed that there won’t be any bed scenes nor sweet kisses please!).

Why why why doesn’t Suna Unnie have a drama now?

Now, who said I’ll won’t watch a new drama until I’ve completed my unfinished dramas? 🙂

[드라마] 누구세요?

Finally! After almost 3 years I managed to finish the drama Who Are You?. Has it been 3 years? That’s how bad my procrastinating abilities are.  Me and my mom were watching it regularly and earnestly during the summer of 2008. We were on the 16th episode (of 17) when Kim Sun Ah’s When It’s At Night came. I got caught up with Suna Unnie’s drama (and involved myself into subbing it), got myself a new job, and continuously tells fools myself that I’ll finish Who Are You? soon. I changed jobs, Kim Sun Ah made another drama (and I involved myself into subbing it again), I quit working and I went back to school, Kim Sun Ah accepted and quit another drama (and yes, I have involved myself into subbing it too – and quit) – yet I haven’t gotten myself to finish it. Not until two days ago. Finally!

Long before Secret Garden, there was a good and heart-warming body-switch drama – Who Are You?. Alright, they didn’t really switch bodies, rather the soul of the dead Son Il Gun (Kang Nam Gil) goes inside Cha Seung Hyo’s (Yoon Kye Sang) body once in a while. But Hyun Bin’s funny antics and nuances in Secret Garden whenever he is Gil Ra Im is not new to me anymore because of Yoon Kye Sang and this drama.

Yes, Yoon Kye Sang is ♥! He is one of my (very few) favorite actors (along with Park Yong Ha, Cha Seung Won, Hyun Bin, Cha Tae Hyun & Lee Bum Soo). He is just so adorable in this drama, especially when Son Il Gun is taking over his body. And once upon a time I had wished Suna Unnie to have a similar role as Yoon Kye Sang ‘s. But that was before Secret Garden (so just imagine yet another frustration when I was watching Secret Garden). Now I just wish that she and Yoon Kye Sang will be in a drama because I think they look good together (Aside: Did you know that Kim Sun Ah was supposed to be part of g.o.d.?). I heard he’ll be starring in a new drama soon – Greatest Love. 꺄~! And with my other ♥ – Cha Seung Won. 꺄악~! But why is my Kim Sun Ah Unnie not with them? 흑흑흑

Ok. I was supposed to be writing about Who Are You? and not Kim Sun Ah.

So, I didn’t manage to finish Who Are You? sooner not because it was not good. I, in fact, find it really good. And I think that this drama is very underrated. However it doesn’t have the I-must-see-the-next-episode-now-or-else-I’ll-die feel on it that’s why it stayed on the back-shelf far too long.

Though I can still remember the story, I have forgotten a lot of scenes already. I only have to watch last episode, but I decided to watch episode 16 too so that I can get a feel of the drama again. It feels like I was watching episode 16 for the first time. I also noticed that I can understand their dialogues more than I did before. I remember this was the drama that made me not forget the word 그림 anymore. I would have liked it better to start the drama again, however despite the fact that I find it good, it is not something that I’m willing to spend another 17 hours of my life. At least not now when I have tons of things to do and hundreds of dramas to watch. Maybe in the future I will re-download and watch it again. Or maybe not. For now, it’s good enough that I have finished it. And so finally, I have deleted the last 2 episodes of Who Are You?. My hard drive is now 1.4GB freer. Yay!

좋은 아침

Today is a good morning!

Actually I almost missed the morning because I stayed up all night watching 9 Ends 2 Outs and reminiscing the SunBin couple (Kim Sun-Ah and Hyun Bin – My Name Is Kim Sam Soon). Anyway, I had breakfast in my mom’s store and we talked about our Korean dramas over breakfast. She’s FINALLY watching Secret Garden (after I literally harassed her into watching). She is already on the first body-switch so we just laughed all morning while we talk about Hyun Bin being Gil Ra-Im. I also told her about my new drama 9 Ends 2 Outs. If I’ll like it, I’ll probably lured her into watching it too. We ended up talking about out favorite pairing – Kim Sun-Ah and Hyun Bin in My Name Is Kim Sam Soon.

We used to watch dramas together. But since I returned to the university, our drama watching schedule doesn’t match anymore, so we ended up watching on our own. I kinda missed watching dramas with her. But talking about dramas over coffee is good enough. I’m loving my summer vacation.

Today, I also received my most awaited e-mail from a Taiwanese friend. She finally sent me my photo holding the gloves that Suna Unnie gave to me in Taiwan last year.

It just made my day! It was my only photo with those gloves. And it’s the first time I’m seeing it. It took me almost 10 months to track this photo down. If only I know Mandarin it would have been easier. Nonetheless, with the help of a good friend (cum personal translator!) I finally got hold of this (plus a few more extra photos from Taiwan). Now, I don’t have any more excuses not to write about my Taiwan experience in Suna Unnie’s fan cafe. I know it’s gonna be difficult, but I’m excited to practice my Korean writing skills again. I haven’t written anything long after my speech a few months ago.

Also, since it’s a weekday, I don’t have a part-time job in the morning – therefore more study hours. Yeah!

Anyway, enough prattling for now. Off to study Korean~ ^^ (and hopefully I’ll have extra time to blog some more before my part-time job starts later tonight)

30 Day Kdrama Challenge

I got this from tumbler. It was supposed to be a 30 day challenge, but I just want to try answering them now. I haven’t seen a lot of dramas yet, but I think this is kinda fun. 재미있는 것 같아요.

Day 01: Your Favorite Kdrama

My Name Is Kim Sam Soon

Day 02: Your Favorite Male Lead Character

Hmm… Jo Guk (City Hall) is the most romantic guy. Gi-Chan (Bad Couple) is the ideal-almost-perfect guy. Joo-Won (Secret Garden) is the most three-dimensional male character I have encountered so far.

Day 03: Your Favorite Female Lead Character

Kim Sam-Soon (My Name Is Kim Sam Soon) nonetheless!

Day 04: Your Favorite Male Third Wheel Character

Probably Kang Shi-Wan (When It’s At Night)

Day 05: Your Favorite Female Third Wheel Character

I usually hate all of them… but Yoon-Seul (Secret Garden) is loveable. Wait, is she a third wheel character? Maybe Wang Joo-Hyun (When It’s At Night).

Day 06: Your Favorite Song from a Kdrama OST

Aww, this is really difficult. I’ll name a few… please? Inside My Heart (My Name Is Kim Sam Soon) is just so special. 늦은 시각 (What’s Up Fox?) is a long-time favorite. 불안한 사랑 (City Hall) is such a beautiful one. 사랑하고 사랑합니다 (City Hall) is something that I can’t stop listening to. There are still more songs that I truly like… And I love Noh Young-Shim (musical director) so much!

Day 07: Your Favorite Line/s by a Male Lead Character

이런건 남자가 하게 해야죠.차문 열어줄때까지 타지도 말고, 손수건 안깔아주면 어디 앉지도 말고,숟가락 젓가락 안놔주면 밥도먹지말고. 한번도 안그래봤죠? 앞으론 그래봐요.여잔 스스로 귀하게 여길줄도 알아야해요. – Jo Guk (City Hall)

Day 08: Your Favorite Line/s by a Female Lead Character

Uhm… I can’t decide yet. But it’s gonna be either from Sam-Soon (My Name Is Kim Sam Soon) or Mi-Rae (City Hall). I’m still in the process of compiling them here.

Day 09: Your Favorite Line/s by a Male Third Wheel

Hmm… probably when Shi-Wan confessed to Cho-Hee (When It’s At Night), but I haven’t memorized the line.

Day 10: Your Favorite Line/s by a Female Third Wheel

Ah! I love a line from Yoon-Seul, but I have to check it again. I didn’t memorize it either.

Day 11; Your Favorite Dialogue

A lot? City Hall dialogues perhaps.

Day 12: Your Favorite Story

My Name Is Kim Sam Soon no less. (City Hall would be my favorite love story though)

Day 13: Your Favorite “I Love You”

None yet. But I have a favorite proposal (City Hall)! And favorite confession (My Name Is Kim Sam Soon)

Day 14: Your Favorite Kiss

Shin Mi-Rae and Jo Guk’s kisses. All of them!!! (City Hall)

Day 15: Your Favorite Ending

City Hall!

Day 16: A Kdrama you started but can’t finish

I have a few… but it were Worlds Within and Lovers that I have attempted to watch twice and I still can’t finish any of them.

Day 17: A Kdrama you’ve watched more than once

All of Kim Sun-Ah’s drama, My Name Is Kim Sam Soon being the most watched, followed by City Hall.

Day 18: The Worst Kdrama that you’ve watched until the end

Coffee Prince

Day 19: Your Best Actor

Cha Seung-Won

Day 20: Your Best Actress

KIM SUN-AH!

Day 21: Your Worst Actor

Kwon Sang-Woo? ㅋㅋㅋ

Day 22: Your Worst Actress

Lee Da-Hee? Eugene? Song Hye-Kyo?

Day 23: Your Best Couple

Jo Guk and Mi-Rae!!!

Day 24: Your Worst Couple

Han-Kyul and Eun-Chan (Coffee Prince)

Day 25: Your First Kdrama

My Name Is Kim Sam Soon

Day 26: Your Recently Finished Kdrama

Secret Garden

Day 27: A Kdrama loved by many but you don’t seem to like

Boys Over Flowers and Coffee Prince

Day 28: A Kdrama not loved by many but you seem to like

The Women Who Still Wants to Marry (because I’m sure a lot likes City Hall too, right? 🙂 )

Day 29: A Kdrama which made you so happy

City Hall

Day 30: A Kdrama which made you so sad

None? My Name Is Kim Sam Soon made me cry so much, but it doesn’t necessarily made me sad. I was a bit sad with disappointed for When It’s At Night. I usually feel sad whenever I finished watching a good drama. I feel empty.

Jeju Island

I have to finish writing a speech today in Korean. I have to write about a place in the Philippines or Korea. I find the topic a bit difficult because I usually write speeches about stuff that I am familiar with and I have experienced. For a homebody like me who rarely travel, this is quite a challenge.

If I’m going to write about a place in the Philippines, I wouldn’t know what place I should choose. My hometown? There’s nothing much to say about it. Manila? Possible. But I’m not that interested. Pagudpud? It’s pretty and all but I’m not really familiar with the place.

If I’m going to write about a place in Korea, what do I know about it? I haven’t been to Korea.

Can I write about Taiwan instead? Please….

I wish I can talk about Korean Dramas instead.

Then I suddenly got the idea of talking about Jeju Island – using My Name Is Kim Sam Soon’s famous confession scene as part of my introduction.

Finally, I have decided to talk about Jeju Island. However I still can’t get my ideas organized for the speech.

I am currently researching about Jeju Island and the idea of it being magical strikes me most.

Wait! Magical? Jeju Island? Secret Garden! 좋다! 좋은 아이디어! I love it. I just hope I can make it work.

But would that mean I have to let go of my first idea? I hope I can still include it. I’ve been anticipating to wear a dress similar to Sam-Soon’s after all.

[드라마] 왜 내 눈앞에 나타나 “Secret Garden” Episode 5

I’m officially hooked!

I guess…

Finally we are moving! And a lot of things are happening.

First off, I love love LOVE the OST! 다 좋아해요! 다 좋아하지만 특히 “그 여자”하고 “그 남자”를 좋아해요. I reminds me of Bad Couple‘s “사랑한단 말이야” (Dang-Ja said & Ki-Chan said versions).

And I love the fantasy side of this drama. I find it wonderfully created and written. I totally enjoyed it.

And of course the most awaited body switch! My hats are off to Ha Ji-Won. She was totally awesome as Joo-Won! The way she stance was just perfect! She’s indeed an excellent actress.

However, I’m still trying to reach out to Ra-Im. There’s still something missing in her character. Which is totally weird because I usually fall for the main female character rather easily. I’m also still not buying their love / attraction with each other. That’s why I wasn’t moved at all on their confrontation scene in the room. That’s when you are supposed to cry with the characters, but I just didn’t feel anything. I just feel bad because I wish I can cry with them. I love that feeling. ^^

Another odd thing. I was teary eyed when Oska and Joo-Won were alone on Oska’s room. I guess I was able to connect more to Joo-Won. I wasn’t surprised though because right from the start her characterization has been solid. However, I don’t usually connect with the guy characters in drama.

But this episode made me cry even if I’m still missing the connection to the romance part and to Ra-Im. Why did I cry? Because I badly want to watch the next episode, but I just can’t afford to do so because I still have loads to do!

어떡 해? ㅠㅠ

[드라마] On “Secret Garden” Episode 4

Why is it very sloooow? At least for me.

The only thing that is truly wonderful in this episode was the pregnant 아줌마!

“잘생기고 키크고 돈많으면 오빠죠!”

I just couldn’t stop laughing!!!

But other than that… it feels just like another Boys Over Flower and Lovers In Paris to me (the first one I didn’t even bother to finish, the second one was okay but I was pretty bored at some parts). A very very very poor girl meets an insanely rich guy (and his evil mother).

Good thing Joo-Won never fails to make me laugh.

Another consolation: I can smell the completion of “Finding A Bridge” trailer/s! (What’s Finding a Bridge? I’ll talk about it later. Summer vacation! I can hardly wait!)

I hope Episode 5 will be better. I’m still addicted to this drama, but I can feel that I’m about to loose my patience real soon.

Oh! And I so love the location they used as Joo-Won’s house HOUSE. I wonder where in Korea it is. Can anyone tell me? I will put it on my when-I-go-to-Korea-I-must-visit-these-places list.

[드라마] 당신 혹시 나 좋아해? “Secret Garden” Episode 3

I’m not very impressed with Episode 3. Maybe I was expecting too much since I enjoyed the first 2 episodes. I’m not saying Episode 3 is bad. No! Not at all. But it seems like not much happen on this episode.

I can’t help but remember My Name Is Kim Sam Soon with this scene though:

라임: 당신 혹시 나 좋아해? 나 좋아한냐구?!

주원: 내가 그렇게 미친놈같아? 아니 내가 어디 모자라보여? 나 같은 사람이 댁같은 여자 좋아하는거 봤어? 현실적으로 그게 말이 된다고 생각해? 착각하는거 같아 말해두는데 나랑 결혼하고 싶어 줄서있는 학벌집안외모되는 여자들 사진만 쌓아도 빌딩 하나 쌓아. 근데 그쪽은 집안학벌능력나이 뭐하나 괜찮은게 없잖아 혹시 해당사항 있음 손들고?!

아 진짜! Really! When Joo-Won raised his hand, I was half-expecting he’ll say Ra-Im’s hands are ugly! That they look like 족발.

삼순:  너 나 좋아하니? 너 나 좋아해?

진헌: 전에 얘기하지 않았나. 당신같은 여자를 누가 안고 싶어 하겠냐고. 당신… 내 타입 아냐. 왠 줄 알어? 손이 안예뻤거든. 족발이야?

Then when Joo-Won started raising his voice…

주원: 봐, 없지?

라임: 근데 왜 따라다녀

주원: 그걸 왜 나한테 물어?

라임: 그럼 누구한테 물어?

주원: 댁한테 물어야지? 자꾸 떠오르는데 어떡해! 안봐도 계속 같이 있는거나 마찬가진데 나보러 어쩌라고?! “김수한무 거북이와 두루미” 어?! 내가 이걸 밤마다 어?! 내가 오죽하면 이래? 당신대체 나한테 무슨 짓을 한거야 왜하필 난데?!

I was then expecting Ra-Im to answer, “알았어, 꺼져줄게”

진헌: 자꾸 생각나서 미치겠어! 왜 내 머릿 속에 들어와서  날 괴롭혀 왜! 차라리 꺼져버리든가!

삼순: 알았어, 꺼져줄게

It was a little bit annoying for a big My Name Is Kim Sam Soon fan like me… since they were not from the same writer. But it didn’t ruin my viewing. I am just nitpicking a little.

I still am not buying how Joo-Won can fall for Ra-Im so easily. Not that Ra-Im is not likeable. In fact she is. But it’s still so fast for me that I didn’t feel anything with the supposedly swoon-worthy sit-ups scene (that I’m sure a lot of Secret Garden fans almost died of).

But I did like it when Joo-Won pulled Ra-Im’s chair for her:

주워: 그 나이되도록 의자 빼주는 놈도 없었어?

Make’s me wonder, is Joo-Won perhaps not just Oska’s cousin but Jo Guk’s too?

조국: 이런건 남자가 하게 해야죠.차문 열어줄때까지 타지도 말고, 손수건 안깔아주면 어디 앉지도 말고,숟가락 젓가락 안놔주면 밥도먹지말고. 한번도 안그래봤죠?

I also still can’t feel anything for the characters. Joo-Won is insanely funny. And for the first time, I’m literally rolling on the floor laughing at the lead guy instead of the lead girl. But I still can’t get into him.

Nor into Ra-Im.

Which is weird. For Ra-Im seems to be a lovable and really cool character.

Now I’m trying to imagine, had Ra-Im been Kim Sun Ah, would it make any difference? I can confidently say NO. Sure I will have a bias towards Suna Unnie, but with that aside, Ha Ji-Won is actually playing Gil Ra-Im perfectly.

I just don’t understand why I still feel detached to the characters. Despite the fact that I’m enjoying this drama. Maybe I just need more time for the characters to grow into me.

Sorry if I keep comparing Secret Garden to other dramas, specifically My Name Is Kim Sam Soon and City Hall. I know it’s not very… uhm ethical? Next time I’ll make sure I’ll put a disclaimer saying that I’m not doing any reviews of this series, just simply prattling about it as I watch. 🙂

Oh, and did I mention I love THE bag?

Puberty

Puberty. The awkward stage when you are no longer a child, but is not quite an adult either. And I would like to consider my Korean is at that stage right now.

It’s been a few months since I last watched a Korean drama. And it was so much fun watching one again (especially since it’s Secret Garden!). And I was surprised with myself that I can actually understand much much more this time. I still definitely can’t get by without the aid of the subtitles and it was just too weird and uneasy too. A sentence that I can understand completely will be followed by a sentence whose grammar pattern I understand but not the vocabs, then will immediately be followed by a sentence whose words I know, but will be completely lost with the grammar pattern used. And what’s annoying is when these sentences just keeps alternating.

It also makes my drama viewing longer this time. Sometimes when things are easier to understand I get carried away that I fixed my gaze on the actors and/or the scenes and I will get caught off-guard with a sentence that I do not understand and will just realized it when the subtitles has disappeared already, thus having to rewind the scene. And sometimes I hear something familiar (or something new) that I want to confirm (or learn), thus another rewind. And sometimes I have to pause it while I consult a dictionary.

Although I’m at an annoying stage, it was really fun. In fact sometimes I get teary-eyed if I was able to unexpectedly understand something completely. Call me nuts, but it’s true! I guess I’m just a little too overwhelmed sometimes.

I can’t wait for the time when I can watch dramas without any subtitles. I know it’s going to take a lot of time, patience and hardships but this has been, and always will be, one of my motivations in learning the language.

 

WORD OF THE DAY:

사춘기 – puberty

[드라마] On “Secret Garden” Episode 2

김수한무 거북이와두루미 삼천갑자동방삭 치치카포사리사리센타 워리워리 세브리깡 무드셀라 구름이 허리케인에 담벼락

This episode drove me crazy! I watched it around 4:00 AM and it was very difficult to suppress my laughters. I didn’t know Hyun Bin could make me laugh so much!

I love the way they represent Joo-Won’s thoughts (by literally showing Ra-Im following him everywhere!).

Joon-Won is definitely a Sam-Shik when it comes to his arrogance and ignorance but a hundred times more naive. Plus a mixture of Jo Gukness – being sweet, concerned yet confused.

And doesn’t this scene…

reminds you of this scene?

I usually will be a little annoyed with these kind of close similarities had I not known that they have the same writer-director team.

The second episode was enjoyable as well. In fact more enjoyable than City Hall‘s second episode. But what I love most about City Hall is how we were able to closely and slowly look at how Jo Guk fell in love with Mi-Rae. It was a wonderful journey to follow on every episode and yet will still leave everyone unsure when did he exactly fell for Mi-Rae. I think that Joo-Won fell for Ra-Im too fast and too early. Well, it maybe necessary for there are a lot more to happen in this drama.

Creating romantic scenes and Cinderella stories are indeed Kim Eun-Sook‘s strength. The Cinderella part usually annoys me, but with her excellent romance-writing skills she can always get away with it.

Off to Episode 3 in a bit! ♥