This week has actually been a very subtle week when it has come to kdramas. A few started, a few ended, and one baby has stolen my heart (not that I would ever want another baby, even one with epic Elvis hair). Come on in and check out the best of the week and reminisce about the scenes and babies that stole our hearts.
Song of the Week
MBLAQ - Be A Man
I have slowly become a huge MBLAQ fan over the past year (don't know why it took me so long to try listening to their songs). This first song from their new album has a mature slow R&B vibe and showcases their great vocals and smooth choreography. Also I personally, am a huge fan of Thunder's new hair color, his pink phase was never my favorite.
#5 Father/Son Relationship in Bride of the Century.
We all know the stereotype of the rich Korean parent. 90% of the time they are greedy, mean, and anti anything that could provide their children with happiness. So it is a refreshing change to see such a different dynamic in Bride of the Century. Choi Kang-Joo and his father have a relationship where they actually "talk" to each other. I KNOW! Talking about important issues, what an odd thing to see in a kdrama. I also love how supportive the dad is to his son following his heart regardless of where it leads him. It just makes me saw AWWWWWW and earns the #5 spot on this weeks countdown.
#4 Celebration & Sadness
We have a new drama debuting this week! Wild Chives and Soybean Soup snuck into the currently airing kdramas without me knowing anything about it (those of you who have followed me for a while know that is rare). But luckily I was able to slip the first two episodes in this week and I actually enjoyed them (although with 50 episodes there is still a lot of time for this drama to turn stale). The scene that stood out for me was actually the opening segment of episode one. It is 2002 (and for those of you who are new to kdramas, all that you need to know about 2002 is that it was soccer fan chaos in S. Korea because of the World Cup.) All you saw was a sea of red and cheering Koreans, except in the hospital where Jang Kook's father had just passed away from a hit and run. It was fascinating how the director accentuated the loneliness and sadness of our heroine among the loud cheering and excitement from everyone else around her.
#3 Jealous Ex-Husband Hijinks & 2nd Lead Pianist
I have actually heard a lot of mixed feelings about episode 9 of Cunning and Single Lady. I am actually one of those that is in the "I LOVE IT" camp. But then again, I am always up for some over the top comedic moments. One of the things that has been the plague of this drama (at least in my opinion) is that it just does not know whether it wants to keep things more realistic or go with the funnier over the top revenge comedy route. A viewer could get backlash from the amount of times this show has jumped back and forth in its styles. However, I thoroughly appreciated seeing Jung Woo revert to his geeky past as he totally throws all of his polish out the window and goes full out crazy jealous. From competing in bonding work games to faking an injury to keep Ae Ra from being confessed to, his over the top actions kept me smiling through the whole episode.
Tied for #3 is another scene from the same episode (I know I know, but they both were so good I could not choose one and not the other). Our second lead Kook Seung Hyun
, who I am really starting to love, takes out Ae Ra on a work "date". There he lets his confidence shine as he goes up to play the piano and does a fake out followed by Yiruma’s “River Flows In You.”(one of my favorite songs by the way). I don't know about Ae Ra, but he totally won this ahjumma's heart and a substantial part of me would totally be ok with him getting the girl in the end.
Date that is not a date but really was a date clip:
#2 Cyber Anonymity
I was actually wondering how they were going to hook up the two leads in this drama. But no worries because they introduced sexual tension and awareness in a brilliant fashion. My husband is always teasing me that you never know who you are talking to online. He likes to say that my kbestie Angela is some random dude pretending to be a housewife, usually right after he rolls his eyes about something kdrama related. However, they actually did use that as a plot point in Secret Love Affair. For those of you watching, Sun Jae and Hye Won had connected online (where Hye Won pretended to be a 25 year old male pianist in order to give him advice) in episode 1. After his intense practice with Hye Won, Sun Jae gets online to gush to his "hyung" about the woman he met. He expounds how this woman is impressive, charismatic and elegant and is going to help him get a scholarship. Realizing that her online buddy is the boy she was just teaching, Hye Won is in the beginning amused and then shocked as the conversation turns more personal. It seems that our budding genius is also "in lust" with her and he tells his friend that playing with her is the closest thing to sex that he has ever experienced. Not to mention he now has a growing foot fetish due to her sexy feet. HAHA I thought it was a genius move for the writers to create sexual awareness for our older sophisticated lead, without having them constantly in each others presence. Just a good scene all around.
Cyber Connection Clip:
#1 Fortune Cookies of Reconciliation
I have to admit that I am not one of those people that is "in love" with this drama. I just don't like medical dramas. I get so annoyed and frustrated with all the medical made up hoopla crap they throw in (and I am not a doctor but even I know that a lot of what they throw out as their medical jargon is totally dramatized and or made up). But other then that 60% of the show, I actually enjoy it. The dynamic between the main couple got much much better after the first 4 episodes and I am actually cheering for them now rather than cringing. Yes, that secret kdrama magic of making me like someone I despised has happened again. I also like that the show is seriously delving into what would happen if they did get back together and everything crashes and burns a second time. They are taking a more mature and less impulsive dip into the relationship pool and I personally can appreciate the character growth that the show has provided. In episode 18 Jin Hee has decided to give their love a second chance, just as Chang Min starts backpedaling away in order to allow her to meet a "better" man. In order to get through his thick skull that she is interested she makes him a homemade batch of fortune cookies with cute sayings that related to their current situation. I personally found that a very touching and unique moment in a show filled with medical cliches. This drama is always at its best when it focuses on the characters outside of work and that is why this scene won my #1 spot this week.
Fortune Cookies of Love Clip:
Honorable Mention
BABY GOOK!!!!!!!
How flipping adorable is this baby. It is as if Elvis was just reincarnated into the body of a 6 mth Korean baby boy. I give props to casting, since the choice of this cutie was total genius.
And baby Gook closes out this weeks top moments in kdrama! Be sure to check back over the next couple weeks because we have a whole slew of kdrama turnover. Look forward to Gap Dong, Witch's Romance, Golden Cross, and Big Man all making their way onto the countdown. I am also hoping that I will have some kind of recap inspiration since I am all rested up mentally and ready to do a weekly recap again. And if you have not already checked them out, glance over at the new posts from Dongsaeng and Unnie, it is so great to see them back in the blogging world. I have missed their witty musings. Sincerely, Kmuse
Dramas that I am currently watching: Potato Star 2013QR23 Ruby's Ring (counting it as a currently airing drama since it had never been subbed til now) A Well Raised Daughter Bride of the Century Sly and Cunning Lady A Secret Love Affair Empress Ki Golden Rainbow Inspiring Generation Emergency Couple Beyond the Clouds/Full Sun Ghost Seeing Detective CheoYong Wonderful Days Three Days Cubic - Thailand Drama God's Gift: 14 Days Wild Chives and Soy Bean Soup: 12 Years Reunion Sweet Sweet Bodyguard
Socialite thugs, executed royalty, and a wedding are just the start of this week's Top 5 kdrama countdown. So push pause on your shows and come see the best kdrama moments of the week!
-Song of the Week-
Vallès Symphony Orchestra Flash Mob
It has been a really slow week in Kpop so to find something worthy of my top song, I actually decided to think outside the box and used a viral video that I love. It is truly a spectacular performance worth watching even if classical music is not your thing. In celebration of the 130th anniversary of the founding of Banco Sabadell a 100 people from the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Lieder, Amics de l'Òpera and Coral Belles Arts choirs joined to create an amazing flash mob.
#5 Sophisticated Women: Keeping it Classy.
Those of you following my blog posts probably already know that I really appreciate a strong female character. Nothing is more annoying then having a great script, an amazing leading man, and then you are stuck with a pretty bauble of an actress that is thrown in just as a visual accessory. Thankfully, there is no chance of that happening in the new drama "A Secret Love Affair". Strong women have the run of the story as we are introduced not only to our main female lead Oh Hye Won (Kim Hee Ae - A Wife's Credentials) but also her two bosses Seo Young Woo (Kim Hye Eun - Princess Aurora) and the mistress turned wife/stepmother Han Sung Sook (Shim Hye Jin
-A Tale of Two Sisters). Classy on the outside (seriously they are running one of the top musical arts school/charities in Korea) but pure thug on the inside. At a family game night the daughter and step-mother get in a physical fight which results in Young Woo getting her head pushed into a toilet in the women's lounge. HAHAHA there is something just awesome about seeing grown sophisticated women do something so undignified. But it is also nice that our heroine is no wilting flower and pushes her way forward to stop the fight and fix everything so the women can pretend that nothing happened as they rejoin the party.
Restroom Cat fight Clip
#4 The End of an Empress
For the last twenty episodes we have had to watch the regent and his evil family dominate the Yuan court in Empress Ki. But their comeuppance finally arrives and we get the execution scenes we have been waiting for. In episode 38 Danashri is finally sentenced to death for her murderous actions and I could not have been happier. And true to form the empress did not accept death with dignity. Instead she kept chucking the bowls of poison at the servants refusing to kill herself, forcing the king to declare that she would be hanged in the city square. Til the end the empress refuses to admit any guilt for any of her actions which makes it all the more fascinating. It was a great scene to end a storyline of a great evil character. I also would like to give props to Baek Jin Hee for playing such a
wonderful bad guy. She looks so sweet and innocent and I was not sure
if she could pull it off back in the beginning. But she has successfully
become one of my favorite villains with her irrational brand of crazy.
Danashri Dies Clip
#3 Piano - The Sexiest of Instruments
I am going to keep my comments on this in the PG range so those of you interested in seeing the very sexual overtones in this scene are going to have to watch the clip below. Lets just say that the two leads in the new drama, "A Secret Love Affair", really really really get into their piano duet. If you don't mind a slightly slower pace in a drama and enjoy a more artistic indie style of story, then be sure to check this one out. It is very good, Yoo Ah In is looking delicious, and the leads chemistry is explosive.
Piano Orgasm Clip
#2 An Unconventional Wedding
No Soo Young & Jang Yool have been dating for a good fifty episodes now and while they were not originally my favorite characters, they slowly grew on me. And their quirky and emotional wedding actually made my eyes tear up so it gets the privilege of being #2 on my weekly countdown. Going against Soo Young's families wishes, the couple decide to get married. The only problem is that they are now dirt poor and have only eight guests so no reception halls will host their wedding. Undaunted, they decide to get married on the rooftop of Jang Yool's apartment building. Which I think perfectly shows their personalities, unique and quirky. And due to some behind the scenes gossiping, rushing, and kidnapping all of her family was able to show up in support of their sister/daughter, regardless of their past objections. I truly love how this family fights all the time but when it comes to the important things, they are there for each other.
A Potato Star Wedding Clip
#1 Serial Killer: Behind Closed Doors
We have reached our #1 kdrama moment of the week, and it is a very intense moment. God's Gift - 14 Days continues to be my weekly favorite. It provides so much intensity in every scene that it boggles the mind that the writers can keep up this type of pace (knock on wood, cross fingers, throw salt over my shoulders.... don't want to jinx it.) Kim Soo Hyun continues to go head first in the quest to save her daughter from an unknown foe. However we get a huge hint as to who in episode 6 where we see her illegally search a suspects house. Here she finds a bucket load of crazy serial killer paraphernalia as well as a stalker wall of photos of her daughter. However the moment that really puts this scene into the top spot is right after the credits start, the scene pans out and we see a door slowly open revealing a silhouette of a man. When it comes to intense cliffhangers, this drama wins the gold. That last scene still randomly pops into my head a week later and I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.
Serial Killer's Lair Clip
I hope you all had a wonderful week not only celebrating great kdramas, but also the arrival of Spring. You know what that means for kdramas...... Every other scene is about to be shot among flowering tree branches. Bring on the cheesy romantic apple petal moments, warmer weather, and more spring dramas.
Kmuse
Dramas that I am currently watching: Potato Star 2013QR23 Ruby's Ring A Well Raised Daughter Bride of the Century Sly and Cunning Lady A Secret Love Affair Empress Ki Golden Rainbow Inspiring Generation Emergency Couple Beyond the Clouds/Full Sun Ghost Seeing Detective CheoYong Wonderful Days Three Days God's Gift: 14 Days
I really like how they are promoting the new drama A Secret Love Affair. Rather then just a few released stills and a teaser from the drama, the PR team has them out and about in magazines, interviews, and pretty much anything that shows their awesome chemistry. Earlier today I shared the photo's from their official news conference so I felt that it is only appropriate to share their joint spread in Elle Korea's April edition. I especially like how they are promoting Kim Hee Ae who just proves that sexiness does not stop after you are 40.
Can't wait until the 17th to watch their drama. Also if you are interested in seeing their 20 min trailer that has been released (actually just one scene from the upcoming drama) check out the clip below.
Usually I am one of those people that looks at the press release photos and kind of say "eh". Traditionally they are really stiff poses with stilted smiles but this week has had a plethora of cute couple shots from several dramas and they just make me smile. So since I have some extra time on my hands til I pick another weekly recap, I thought I would share.
Lee Dong Wook & Lee Da Hae - Hotel King
I have to admit that I am one of those people that is really excited for the reunion between Lee Dong Wook (Wild Romance, Scent of a Women) and Lee Da Hae (Iris 2, Miss Ripley). For those of you who are unaware, nine years ago they co-stared in the drama My Girl which was a ratings hit at the time. Now they are coming back together for the Melodrama Hotel King replacing Golden Rainbow in a few weeks.
Lee Hong Ki & Yang Jin Sung- Bride of the Century
These two are the total surprise couple of the year so far. They have chemistry that bursts forth from them on and off the screen. The powers that be threw a mid show media event and the pictures could not be cuter. Seriously these are photos of the leads just hanging out, having fun, and being adorable. You can tell why the drama is a success just looking at the ease between them.
Yoo Ah In & Kim Hee Ae - A Secret Love Affair
I am so excited! This drama starts next week and these newly released press photos have just made me more excited. Obviously the leads are very comfortable around each other and have a good relationship which I hope (crossing fingers, wishing on a star, knock on wood) will spill over into the drama. Especially since this is a really hard couple to sell with the huge age gap, but since both are such good actors I am expecting good things.
Let's all hope that the off screen chemistry continues on screen and that we can expect some great drama moments to come from it. Off to watch more drama, I fell so behind this week for some reason. Hope you are doing better then I am on watching everything. Be sure to check back for my weekly countdown this Sunday.
