The Best of the Best......... So hard to choose only five!

So this has been an amazing year for dramas.  At least one drama stood out with every batch and there was never I time when I had nothing to watch.  However some dramas are just a step above the rest.  Usually for me that means that the writers are really good and can write a script that avoids a lot of the standard Korean Plot devices/and or turns them around so they feel fresh and new.
Incarnation of Money

IOM is a drama that is not sure what genre it is meant to be.  Comedy, Action, Suspense, & Revenge were all tossed into a bag, shook up, and out came this amazing drama which had me hooked from start to finish.  Written by my favorite kdrama writers, Jang Young Cheol & Jung Kyung Soon (Empress Ki, Giant, History of a Salaryman), they did not disappoint yet again.  Orphaned with amnesia at a young age Lee Cha-Don (Kwang Ji Hwan- Lie to Me, Coffee House) must face a world run by greed and bribery.  He starts as a prosecutor who is so dirty he even has a nickname in the underworld he supposedly arrests.  However when he regains his memory he sets off on a quest to get revenge against the man who took everything from him.
Why you should Watch it
This show is hilarious and suspenseful and all things wonderful all at once.  Also seeing the various character grow (either stronger or more evil depending on the character) is so interesting.  There is so much gray in all the characters that you dont know if you always support their actions, but you always want to watch more.  This is Kwang Ji Hwan's strongest acting in a drama to date.  He had me gripped from start to finish.  I literally cried when this drama ended and I had to delete it from my watching file on MDL.   I would also like to point out that this is the only top drama that was not on my favorite couples list.  It was so good that the romance did not have to be the focus.

Usually this is where I put a MV for the drama.  However since this drama was not widely spread through the subbed sites it kind of went under the radar (HULU JUST PICKED UP THE SHOW THIS MONTH AND YOU CAN NOW FIND IT FULLY SUBBED IN HD).  So instead I am going to show a clip that every Kwang Ji Hwan fan should enjoy.  Here he is  dancing oh so so so sexy.  ENJOY.

 I Hear your Voice

One of the biggest hits of the year, I Hear Your Voice was an instant success with its mix of comedy and suspense.   A thriller courtroom drama with fantasy and romantic comedy elements. It depicts the story of Jang Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young), a bold, sassy, and materialistic public defender who becomes a lawyer after overcoming poverty and painful memories from her childhood. Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk), is a 19-year-old boy who reads other people’s thoughts and who has loved Hye Sung who since he was eight after she gave her testimony in his father's murder case.   This drama will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch them avoid a serial killer and attempt to overcome their age difference to find romance.  I know I am personally biased towards this drama since Lee Jong Suk is in my top 5 favorite actors, but you will not be sorry if you give this drama a try.  It will make you laugh, cry, and forever be scared of the Jackson 5's song "Ill Be There".
 Why you Should Watch It:
Lee Jong Suk could literally have chemistry with garden gnome statue and make it work for me.  He is just one of those actors that pulls you into his story regardless of what he wants you to believe.  Will I believe that he is a mind reading uber hot orphan who can do Jiujitsu?  Sure I will because I love him regardless of how implausible the plot is.

I did mention he could have chemistry with anything right?  Check him out looking romantic with a giant stuffed grizzly bear.  I swear some of the photography concepts can be so odd.

Ugly Alert

 Ugly Alert is a daily drama and while it has a solid fan base, it was under the radar for the average drama watcher.  About a boy who takes the blame for an accidental murder committed by his step brother.  Ten years later he is released and meets a lonely Choebal heiress Na Do Hee.  Following the initial trial of admitting that he is a felon they fall for each other and from start to finish continue to support each other through thick and thin.  Combined with an amazing supporting cast of very likable characters, this drama shows us that family can mean more then just blood relations.  And I for one enjoy a drama actually showing this rather then the concept that blood is the only thing worthy when it comes to family.
Why you Should Watch It:
Unlike 99% of other Korean dramas this one has their characters choosing to communicate and let each other know everything that is happening.  It has characters that put others needs above their own and also is the first time I have ever seen a Chaebol Korean family choose the good of people over the all mighty dollar.  Add in a slew of healthy normal relationships that you actually enjoy and some quirky friends and you have 130 episodes of pure gold.  From start to finish I loved this drama and the family that inhabited it.  I know that that many episodes can look daunting, but at only 35 min an episode the time goes by so quickly.

And another reason is that the skinship in this drama is often and adorable.  I found this other great MV but for some reason it would not load so if you want to see some clips of all three couples in the drama check out

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faVzHepOHio.

Secret Love

The most dysfunctional show by far this year, we watch the OTP Min Hyuk and Yoo Jung fall in love despite a whole psychological slew of reasons that they shouldn't.  Taking the blame for killing Min Hyuk's pregnant girlfriend, Yoo Jung serves five years in prison.  Determined to get revenge Min Hyuk stalks her day and night when she gets out.  And what does every good Korean stalker do?  Why fall in love with the person they are obsessed with of course.  Just usually they wait until all the misunderstandings are cleared up first.  Unlike other Korean lead characters, Min Hyuk starts to fall for her while he is still under the impression that she is a murderess.
Why You Should Watch It:
This show makes you cheer for the leading man even though you are pretty sure he should be in prison for his intense level of creepy stalking (seriously in the US he would have been arrested a billion times over for his level of stalking).  I love how the writers always keep us feeling like the relationship is just a tad bit warped and wrong and that we are also a bit of both for hoping the leads get together.  This drama was the eppitamy of guilty pleasure and I loved every dysfunctional minute of it.

     They were so connected in with each other and had amazing timing and chemistry.         

 The oxygen left the room anytime they were together on screen.

Heartless City 

Set in the underground world of Seoul's drug cartel, Heartless City is the story of one man's attempt to win against gangsters and cops alike.  It delves into the dark and cynical life of Doc Son and the workings of a city run by drugs, greed, and violence.  I love that this show is trying to actually bring something new to the drama world.  So often the characters of dramas are toned down bad guys but this drama you see all of the sins of all the players both the supposed bad guys and those.  
Why you should watch it:
The haunting music, the amazing side characters, and a gritty knife yielding hot lead make this drama a must watch.  Not to mention the steamiest kiss/sex scene I have ever seen in a drama.  If you are looking for something different, something that you have not seen already then give Heartless City a try.  I guarantee by episode four you will be hooked.

This is the scene that hooked my for the long hall.  There is nothing sexier then a man in a suit taking down 15 hardened thugs all on his own.  

School 2013

  I know that I said that this was my top 5 but really there is no way I can not have this drama in my best of list.  It was one of the very first dramas of 2013 and if it can stick with you 50 dramas later and still have a major impact on your emotions then that deserves  a ten on my list.
At the start of 2013 two models turned actors (Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin) starred in an ensemble cast in a drama called School 2013.  Starting out as a story about students going through the rigors of school in Seoul, the plot quickly centered on the relationship between the two best friends turned enemies.   I laughed and cried with them as they went through the trials of betrayal and forgiveness and their chemistry together was tangible.  Never have I wished for two guys to be a couple then these two.   And in my mind they are off somewhere married to sisters and living in a huge communal home staying BFF's forever.
Why you Should Watch It:
Remember how I said Lee Jong Suk could have chemistry with anything???  Well put him together with Kim Woo Bin who has his own brand of macho charisma (it is kind of getting hit over the head with a shovel, you will respond to him regardless of whether you think he is attractive or not) and it is electrifying.  

And since we are totally breaking all the rules I am going to add two MV's to showcase this couple.  Did I mention that I Ship them so so so so so much.  Months later when they were on running man (clip 1) I totally squealed along with them as the touched and jumped so cutely because of brain freeze.. 

CLIP 1

 Clip 2

Dramas That Came So Close:

 If this year had not had so many AMAZING dramas, then these three would definitely have made the cut.  I loved each and every one of them and would suggest they get put on your "must watch" list ASAP.
Masters Sun
Great supernatural romantic comedy from the Hong Sisters.  My only complaint is that they could have made use of the OTP's chemistry a little more and given their kiss scenes a bit more sizzle.

Nine
A roller coaster drama that makes your brain hurt trying to figure out all the time lines (but in a good way).  My only complaints is that I really don't like the lead actress (thankfully the male lead was so good that he did not need her to carry much wait in the story) and the ending made my mind go around in circles for days.

Two Weeks
A great drama starring Lee Joong Ki we get to watch a bad guy become a better person because of a daughter he never knew he had.  Combining great action, plot timing, and acting we get everything in this drama.  My only complaint is that some of the supporting characters were not fleshed out very well.  Everyone else seemed just a bit slow compared to the lead.

 The ends my list of the best of the best in the year 2013.  I cant wait to ring in the new year with a dramathon and the beginning of  a new list.  Be sure to check in later this week as I write my last blog post of 2013, The hottest khottie actors of 2013.

Sincerely,
Kmuse

Standout Actresses of 2013

So I will admit that I am kind of tough on my requirements for Korean Actresses.  Nothing annoys me more then seeing a girl get a role just because she is pretty (often with obvious plastic surgery so she will fit that pretty ideal) and stare blankly at the camera through the whole drama.  If you don't understand what I am talking about try watching the leads in Basketball and Who Are You.  So to earn a spot on my favorites list you have to actually be able to act.  And sometimes that is a skill that is hard to find amid all the idol turn actors and traditional leading ladies.  But I whittled down my list from the 50 or so shows that I watched from this year and these are my top 5!  If you think I have missed any or are way off on any of my choices feel free to comment:)

Best Female Villain
Seo Woo - King's Daughter Soo Baek Hyang

This is actually a case where I think the plastic surgery might have helped her acting.  Playing the evil sister Solhi who steals her half sisters place as the Princess Soo Baek Hyang, she is able to contort her face into a mask of pure evil.  It is easy to play pretty but it is very difficult to play pretty that turns ugly just from a shift in her facial expression.  There are times she literally gives me chills as I watch her character become more and more selfish and total bat crap crazy with each episode.  So now whenever I think of great Kdrama villains she will always be at the top of my list.

Ratings Queen
Lee Bo Young - My Daughter Seo Young & I Hear Your Voice

Playing characters in two of the highest rated dramas this year, Lee Bo Young proved that an actress can still be a draw even after marriage.  Able to play strong female characters believably but still be able to let their faults shine through she rocked both of her roles and gained me as a fan.  I know that some people were worried that her mannerism's would make the characters to similar but I think that after a couple of episodes she put those fears to rest.  She also rocked the kdrama world when it was announced that she had been in a secret six year relationship with Ji Sung and that they would be getting married in between their filming schedule.  Where usually the news of marriage take a hit on  actresses popularity, it did not seem to effect her ratings at all and I foresee some great dramas from her in the future.

Breakout Actress
Ha Yeon Soo - Monstar & Potato Star 2013QR3

Staring in the drama Monstars, Ha Yeon Soo became the new up and coming "it" girl of 2013.  Fresh faced and multi talented she was instantly offered various CV's and booked for photo shoots.  And then she followed up her Freshman role by snagging the female lead in Potato Star opposite Yeo Jin Goo.  I for one am very happy that she is picking smart characters from the start and avoiding anything flashy and poorly written.  I am excited to see her transition to more popular roles in the future but for now I am enjoying her quirky characters that just make me smile.

Most Improved
Hwang Jung Eum - Incarnation of Money & Secret Love

Hwang Jung Eum has been on the acting scene for quite a few years.  With dramas like Giant, Can you Hear my Voice, and Full House 2 under her belt, she has had her fair share of hits (despite the ugly hairstyles she has been forced to wear).  However I would not have ever said she was really a "great" actress more just a popular one.  I felt personally that she tended to over act most of her parts and while she was likable I would not watch a drama just because she is in it.  That all changed this year when she accepted the lead in Secret Love.  Personally I am not sure if she took acting lessons or just finally had a director who really knew how to get the best out of her acting skills, but her understated acting of a girl going to prison for her boyfriend's crime was pure genius.  I really hope that she is able to continue into her next role.

My Girl Bias
Jun Ji Hyun - My Love from The Stars & The Thieves

I know I know....... you are all probably saying to yourselves that My Love From the Stars just barely started and can we really count it as a 2013 drama.  Well probably not, however it is my blog post so I can do what I want.  And I totally love this actress.  Watching her star in the Kmovie "The Thieves" I was blown away by her spunky and funny character.  Not only that but for someone so pretty she sure is willing to make herself look ridiculous in order to get laughs.  Something that a lot of Korean actresses are not willing to do.  She pushes her characters just that little bit to far that take her from pretty to cooky and back again.  It has only been two episodes but it looks like she will again successfully kick comedic butt as Cheon Song Yi a gorgeous yet unintelligent ditzy top actress.  I am already counting down the days to the next episode and anyone that can stand equal to Kim Soo Hyun and not be overshadowed deserves a shout out.

This concludes my favorite actress list.  I thought of doing my least favorite as well but it was so long that it would be hard to pick one lackluster actress over another so I decided to stay with the positive and just hope that these actresses also do some good dramas in the coming year.

Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Kmuse

2013 - What happened to the Comedy genre this year?

I am just warning you all that I was not feeling very witty today while I was writing this.  Ironic since this is a list of my favorite comedies.  I have to imagine that this is what all the kwriters felt like this last year because I have just one question.  What the heck happened to the Romantic Comedy genre in 2013????  Did Korea forget how to laugh and be romantic at the same time?  Looking back I am amazed on not only the absense of humor but in the poor quality of many of the dramas that were catagorized as "comedies".   The several that I did like tended to be a mix of genre's not straight comedy.  For example, I loved I Hear Your Voice and yes it did have some truly funny scenes but the majority of the show was about them dealing with a Serial Killer and him trying to destroy/kill them.  Amazing drama, but not really one where I am laughing all the time.  Be aware that many of these could be slotted into multiple genre's.   However this is a best & worst list so I added these in because they made me laugh more then cry. 

WARNING: THIS BLOG CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS - ESPECIALLY ABOUT THOSE THAT ARE MY LEAST FAVORITE LIST

Favorites
All About My Romance 

This drama was a sleeper drama and many people had not even heard about it let alone watched it.  However it earned a spot on my list because not only was it a really really sweet romance, but it actually stayed pretty consistent from start to finish.  Kim Soo Young (Shin Ha Kyun - Harvest Villa, Brain ) starts to date Noh Min Young (Lee Min Jung - Big, Smile You) and both actors for once really work.  I know a lot of people hate Lee Min Jung but I promise she is much much better in this drama.  For once she is allowed to act like an adult and the cutesy stuff is eased way back.

Belonging to opposite political parties they are forced to hide their budding romance.  It is full hijinks and cute moments and is one of those dramas that just made me smile.  If you plan on watching expect a lot of political talk but if you can get past that then you are in for a great drama.

 Cute OTP

Flirting like a politician.

Incarnation of Money

 IOM is a drama that is not sure what genre it is meant to be.  Comedy, Action, Suspense, & Revenge were all tossed into a bag, shook up, and out came this amazing drama which had me hooked from start to finish.  Written by my favorite kdrama writers, Jang Young Cheol & Jung Kyung Soon (Empress Ki, Giant, History of a Salaryman), they did not disappoint yet again.  Orphaned with amnesia at a young age Lee Cha-Don (Kwang Ji Hwan- Lie to Me, Coffee House) must face a world run by greed and bribery.  However when he regains his memory he sets off on a quest to get revenge against the man who took everything from him.
Kwang Ji Hwan is amazing in this drama!  I have always enjoyed him as an actor but he really proves his abilities when he switches from a comedic buffoon to seriously dangerous in a blink of the eye.  And he rocked some seriously bad hair and that takes talent.   Add  a great supporting cast you get great scenes over and over.  I would highly suggest this drama to anyone since it is such a mix there is bound to be something that hooks you into this drama.

Incarnation of Money Trailer

I Hear Your Voice

One of the biggest hits of the year, I Hear Your Voice was an instant success with its mix of comedy and suspense.   A thriller courtroom drama with fantasy and romantic comedy elements. It depicts the story of Jang Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young), a bold, sassy, and materialistic public defender who becomes a lawyer after overcoming poverty and painful memories from her childhood. Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk), is a 19-year-old boy who reads other people’s thoughts and who has loved Hye Sung who since he was eight after she gave her testimony in his father's murder case.   This drama will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch them avoid a serial killer and attempt to overcome their age difference to find romance.  I know I am personally biased towards this drama since Lee Jong Suk is in my top 5 favorite actors, but you will not be sorry if you give this drama a try.  It will make you laugh, cry, and forever be scared of the Jackson 5's song "Ill Be There".

I Hear Your Voice Trailer

Romantic Cuteness - Seriously who would not love LJS's smile!

The Reality of Women

The Masters Sun

 Probably the most traditional comedy of the year was the Hong Sister drama The Master's Sun.  The story of Tae Gong Shil  (Gong Hyo Jin - Greatest Love, Pasta) who's life is falling apart because she is able to see Ghosts.  When she discovers that the ghosts disappear anytime she touches Joo Joong Won (So Ji Sub - Ghost), she becomes determined to stay close to him regardless of the costs.  While this drama has its share of spooky pop out at you ghost, it is more a romantic comedy then a horror drama.  Filled with witty sexual innuendos and classic physical comedy we get to laugh along with the characters. And if the laughs taper off a bit towards the end of the drama we can forgive them since it was so funny at the beginning.  The following is one of my favorites scenes where Gong Shil wakes up in Joong Won's bed and he proceeds to tell her about his sleepless night because she kept getting possessed by various ghosts.
Masters Sun Possession.

Least Favorite

I have to imagine that this is the picture that all the writers looked at while they wrote these dramas.  Instead of funny all of these following dramas were just a painful jumble of bad writing, bad characters, and just everything that is bad.......  Even those that started out funny evolved into sad serious emo dramas that still made no sense.

Cheongdamdong Alice
This drama looked like it was going to be so cute.  And even if Moon Geun Young is the Debbie Downer of dramas I had high hopes.  Park Shi Hoo's character looked like he was going to make up for her somber performance.  He was everything I loved in a character..... crazy, egotistical, and well just more crazy.  But then everything took a turn for the serious and MGY's character just became even more unlikeable then she already was and PSH's character lost all his sparkle.  This possible comedy became so blah that I just stopped caring about any of the characters and was just praying that it would end. However we at least got this cute dance scene out of it.........  the best 40 sec of the whole drama.

Flower Boy Next Door

Another drama that should have been a smashing success as a comedy.  It had Yoon Shi Yoon as the lead - a quirky man child who loved life and fuzzy animal hats.  Park Shin Hye (this was before I fell out of love with her due to her inability to have a romantic scene with a man) was the cute shut in stalker who stares at a hot neighbor from her window.  Add a great cast of cute sexy men and where could you go wrong?  Obviously when you decide to drop the funny and make it a sad drama with a very depressed heroine and an emotionally stunted bipolar hero.  I know there are people out there who loved this drama saying that it "had depth".  I personally would have liked less depth and more cute hijinks between the leads.  The constant crying did not do it for me. 

Nail Shop Paris
There are not enough words to accurately describe this psychedelic mess of a drama.  My 2nd lowest ranked drama ever, it achieves levels of crappiness that no drama should ever achieve.   I would purposefully watch it late at night when I was kind of punch drunk sleepy so I could get through it.  My drama BFF Angela and I  would always come up with reasons for the plot and I think we finally concluded that it was because all of the writers were drugged out on PCP.  There is no other explanation for these characters.  Said to be a romantic comedy revolving around flower boy nail artists and the happenings around them.  What it really ended up being was a drama about a bunch of nail artists that invaded their clients personal lives (in very very awkward and uncomfortable ways).  With a heroine who is a cross dressing half Gimiho writer who falls in love with the most boring vanilla character ever (oh and he is also a half Gimiho which is why she feels a connection to him).   The only good or interesting thing about this drama is Song Jae Rim as Kay (the B lead) who actually gets the girl.  As a character/actor he is very good but his talent just shows you what a crapfest the rest of the drama/characters are.  So take my advice and burn this drama out of your queue.

7th Grade Civil Servant

I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE Joo Won fan.  Up until this point he could do absolutely no wrong..... until I started watching this drama that is.  (I would just like to say that I thought even in this horribly written drama Joo Won still was amazing.  His character was likable and believable and I blame the writers and other actors for everything else that went wrong to make this such a bad drama).  I am not sure what the writers were going for?  Was it a satire of the Spy movie genre?  Was it meant to be a comedy and the acting was just so bad (EXCEPT FOR JOO WON) that it came out wrong?  Whatever the reason this drama made you laugh at it, not with it.  

Final Thoughts:

This concludes my list for my favorite and least favorite comedies of 2013.  However, there is a glimmer of hope for the kcomedy genre.  In the last month several really funny dramas have started, I did not add them to the 2013 list since they all overlap heavily into 2014 but I just wanted to give them a shout out. Pretty Man (you can catch my recaps of this drama on our blog), The Prime Minister and I (contract marriage hijinks), Let's Eat (Cable quirky food and single life comedy), and Potato Star 2013Qr3 (daily large cast family comedy) all provide a plethora of laughs and have made my weekly watching a lot more enjoyable.  Lets cross our fingers and hope that they and future dramas are better written and can keep us laughing.

Sincerely, Kmuse

The Kisses of 2013

So as you progress in your kdrama addiction you will find that you will start dissecting everything about a drama.  What clothes they wear, what phones they use, the style/cut/color of their hair.  And most importantly - how good was the skinship in the drama.  Was it something that I am going to rewind 50 times.  Am I going to put the clip in my youtube playlist for kdrama kisses and romantic moments (not that I am in any way admitting i have such a folder because that would just be crazy)?  So in this post we are going to not only going to delve into my favorite and least favorite kisses, but are going to add a few kissing categories along the way.  Because if you are reading this blog you are probably overjoyed to be watching clips of kdrama kiss scenes..........admit it .........  if only by adding them to your own super secret youtube kissing clip playlist.

Most Memorable Kisses

BEST KISS/SKINSHIP/BEDROOM SCENES OF THE YEAR AWARD.
#1 My all time favorite kiss of the year was actually on a drama that was more of a gritty noir action drama known more for its dark plot and characters then its romance.  But this kiss/bedroom scene that followed was EPIC and wins hands down:
Heartless City/Cruel City (Jung Kyung Ho and Nam Gyu Ri)

#2 This next kiss was in a drama that was mostly overlooked this last year.  Although it had its faults here and there, no one can deny that the skinship in this drama was truly well done.  It had that tiny hint of this is so wrong I am married and dont know you yet it feels so right like you are my dead first love crazy obsession feel that makes for a good kiss.
Shark (Kim Nam Gil & Son Ye Jin) - the kiss scene starts at 30 sec.  could not find a better clip.

#3 Our third kiss of the year goes out to a younger actor who obviously knows his way around a kiss.  In Potato Star the Earth (with South Korea at the epicenter) is about to be hit by a huge meteor from Space.  And what do you do in that moment you are about to die... Well if you are Yeo Jin Goo you start making out with your hot next door neighbor.
Potato Star 2013QR3- Ha Yeaon Soo & Yeo Jin Goo

 

#4 This kiss was at the very end of one of my favorite dramas of the Year.  Secret (Secret Love) was nothing if not intense and every moment the OTP were together on screen we were enthralled to see what they would do next.  But it was the last scene of the drama that has our best kiss #4.
Secret Love (Hwang Jung Eum & Ji Sung)

#5 This Noona romance stole us away into a world where a younger man can totally romance and get the girl.  Thinking he was going to be leaving her forever he decides to let her know about his love in the most direct way possible. From the waist grab, to the kiss, and the tear at the end this kiss was the best goodbye kiss of the year.
I Hear Your Voice ( Lee Jong Suk and Lee Bo Young)

The Kisses that left us going EH?????????EWWWWWWWWWWW???????? Or in some cases WHAT THE HECK YOU STUPID ACTRESS....... WRITERS............ DIRECTORS


So I will admit that usually if a show has a bad kiss I just gloss over it.  As long as the writing is good I am not going to can a drama or actor on a kiss.  However there has arisen one actress that has proven herself to the "THE WORST KISSER IN KOREAN HISTORY"!!!!!!!!!!  Park Shin Hye has been paired up with some of the hottest actors (not to mention they are all proven kissers) and yet she always looks as if she is about to throw up and or rotting fish flavor is wafting from the guys lips.  It is getting to the point where I dread her being the leading actress because I know that somehow she will ruin the make out scenes.  And this year has been nothing different.  Paired up in two different dramas she has succeeded in kissing her way out of the viewers hearts.

Flower Boy Next Door (Yoon Shi Yoon & Park Shin Hye) - notice the absolute lack of movement on her part.

And the scenes that have sealed her fate is her lack of kissing skills with Lee Min Ho.  I am pretty sure a dead person would come back to life for the chance to kiss him and yet PSH does not look like she is enjoying much of it. 

Heirs (Lee Min Ho-who is one of the hottest men in the world & Park Shin Hye - I cant kiss a man because I am pretty sure he is going to give me cuties and then I will die) - I included the almost kiss into the clips as well just to illustrate my point.

Would Kiss you but you are About to Pass Out Kiss

 First Kiss

 Lee Min Ho still trying to coax her with kisses. - PSH "why, is that rotted squid I smell upon your breath my love?"

 The director finally giving up on shooting PSH's reaction at all and is letting Lee Min Ho attempt to salvage the skinship of this drama.  But she still manages to look super scared and uncomfortable.

 To be honest for the most part the kissing this year has been okay.  With the exception of Heirs and Flower Boy Next Door there were never any other dramas that I really wanted eviscerate someone for messing it up.  So instead of trying to drum up bad kisses I decided to talk about the ones that although really good at getting the emotional reaction the show wanted were not necessarily romantic in nature.  I will be splitting them up into two categories.  The first being kisses that because of the nature of the OTP's relationship (at the time of the kisses) we were uncomfortable.  And Second those funny kisses that just make you want to laugh.

Kisses that make you feel all uncomfy inside (and not in a positive way).

Secret Love (Hwang Jung Eum & Ji Sung)

#1Not only are they on the best kiss scene list but they have made it onto this list as well.  Their first kiss was all that dreams (of the nightmare variety) are made of.  Ji Sung's character has been obsessed (and I am not talking the happy you are pretty let me stalk you way) with Hwang Jun Eum's character for years and has finally come to the realization that instead of hating her for killing his girlfriend and unborn child, he really loves her desperately.  This is the kiss that is the result of that messed up connection.  Kudos for the actors and directors for making us feel completely uncomfortable and unsure whether to say YAY or not.

 This next drama had us feeling a horrible mix of guilt and enjoyment for the skinship between the OTP.  In Winter the Wind Blow the lead man pretends to be the long lost brother of a rich Heiress who happens to be blind and very very very very sheltered.  Slowly they begin to be more and more physical with each other until you are ready to slap the main girl.  Seriously how close do you have to get with "your brother" before your incest alarms start ringing.  But since the viewers are in the know about the lack of familial relationship we are left with a lot of enjoyment marred by that little voice inside that says "dude you are making out with your sister" vibe for 80% of the drama.  The following is a compolation of the OTP

Winter the Wind Blows (Jo In Sung and Song Hye Kyo) - again keep in mind that almost all of these incidences happened while she believed they were siblings -INCLUDING THE KISS

The Funny Kiss: Kissing is oh so romantic, Unless it is meant to be Funny and or garlic is involved.

#1 King of Dramas(Siwon & Oh Ji Eun) 

Our funniest kiss comes from The King of Dramas and involves two secondary characters.  This show is totally meta and all about the trials and pitfalls of making a drama complete with a leading couple who DETEST each other.  In order to make the leading lady suffer Siwon spends a few minutes before they are filming to stuff his face full of garlic cloves.  He then goes out and forces the leading actress to do the uber super duper romantic make out scene garlic and all.

-----I do believe that we may now have a reason why every actor has such bad chemistry with Park Shin Hye.  They all hate her and are chewing garlic before their romantic scenes.....  I declare that to be the only explanation for her kissing abilities.  LOL -----

 

#2 Our other funny kissing moment comes from one of my favorite dramas of 2013 Incarnation of Money.  This kiss happened when a up and coming prosecutor decides to use his wooing skills  in order to get a girl to testify at his first hearing.  Unfortunately for him, he has to put out much more then he bargained for.  I had a hard time finding the clip for this drama so you can see it in this link to Viki :Incarnation episode 4 at time stamp 50:06 or in this fan made MV.  This kiss is towards the end at 3:10.  Enjoy.

Incarnation of Money ( Kang Ji Hwan & Hwang Jung Eum)

Incarnation of Money Episode 4 - Watch Full Episodes Free - Korea - TV Shows - Viki

 THE BACK HUG

So we have thoroughly covered the kisses of 2013.  However there is one form of skinship that the Korean's have perfected that has to also be appreciated and commented upon (and those of you that are true kdrama fans totally know what I am talking about).  The super amazingly romantic "Back Hug".  Now the back hug is not just any hug.  It is an angsty expression of affection given from one member of the OTP to another when things are going really really wrong and they dont want to let each other go.  So these are our 2013 top 3 backhugs!!!!!!!

#1 So even Park Shin Hye can not mess up the power of Lee Min Ho's back hug.  He is one of the top back huggers in the business.

Heirs (Lee Min Ho & Park Shin Hye)

  #2 Cheers for Secret for appearing in every catagory of our kissing/skinship list.  They have an amazing backhug where she is supposedly giving him up (for his own good of course) and instead of letting her get on that bus and out of his life he grabs her and pulls her down the steps into an awesome backhug.  I had problems finding a clip so here is a fan made MV that includes most of it at time stamp 1:42

Secret Love (Hwang Jung Eum & Ji Sung)

#3 Our third greatest back hug was also by one of our best kissing couples.  Nothing is better then when you know what your love is thinking and you can emote accordingly.  In episode 13 we see our young hero come up behind his noona and give her some serious hugging.  I love when you get that wow moment whether it is a kiss, confession, or a hug.  This show had all of those in spades. 

I Hear Your Voice ( Lee Jong Suk and Lee Bo Young)

 So thanks for joining me through this countdown of kissing clips.  Whether you loved them or hated them I am sure that they got you to feel a lot of emotion either way and I hope that 2014 has just as many great kisses awaiting us. 

Sincerly,

Kmuse

I Hear Your Voice - THE FINALE (ep 18): Dramatic Review

Oh.

My.

Wow.

Speechless.

And invariably overwhelmed by the massive responsibility of somehow wrapping this drama up in a manner deserving of it.  And completely unqualified to do so.

I finished watching episode 18 a bit ago and am still at a loss of just how to go about finishing up my review series.  This is always the hardest post to write - the end.  The one where we say goodbye to a host of characters and stories that have become part of our week for 9 weeks now.  Since it is so difficult to say goodbye, I'm going to try to put them (my goodbyes) down in writing.


Dongsaeng's Drama Dozen Divided by Dul for ep 18, the finale

1.  The Amazing Supporting Cast

Dear Supporting Cast,

You were fantastic and added so much to this drama.  "Electric Fan Judge" (as Hye Sung dubbed you on her phone), you and I have come a long way, haven't we?  I wasn't your biggest fan in the beginning, but you grew on me through the weeks.  Now I look at you as a dear, wonderful, goofy friend.  You were always good for a bit of comic relief.  And it was refreshing to see your human side come out after spending so much time in a courtroom with our amazing leads.  For your humor and goofball antics and for just sometimes being in the right place at the right time for a good laugh, I thank you. 

Attorney Shin, you started off as a gruff old man that was mean to our Hye Sung, but to see you soften and warm up and to see you're cute, soft, cuddly side emerge was a whole lot of fun.  By the end, you too had won my heart.  You are like this watchful grandfather figure, looking out for the younger generation as they face the adult world for the first time.  You were a true friend until the very end. 

Cutie Pie Mr Adorableness in the Defense Attorney's office whateveryournamewas, dude, you were hysterical and so stinkin' adorable from beginning to end.  Your one-sided bromance attempts with Attorney Cha still make me giggle.  And at the very end when you danced into the office all happy that Do Yeon was in trouble and everyone reacted in the exact opposite way -- man, that was a perfect way to end your role in this show.  Thank you for being there to always help lighten those heavy moments.  All the best to you my dear sweet boy. 

Judge Dad, seriously man, you screwed up and you lost your family and yet you're still being stubborn.  I don't even have words for you beyond pity that you're so blind and I'm grateful your wife and daughter had the good sense to not put up with it anymore.  Toxic pride has destroyed you more than doing the right thing would have done.  You're a jerk, yet I pity you in your ignorance. 

To the rest of the supporting cast, like you two who I admittedly short-changed in my attentions to you here in my reviews, yet thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless,

I appreciate you and your contributions as well.  Really, you were all fabulous.

2.  Do Yeon

Dear Do Yeon,

Sweetheart, you were another one that I didn't particularly care for in the beginning, but you certainly grew on me as the show progressed.  I know you've been through a lot and didn't always make the best decisions, but you finally showed your true colors as time went on and lessons were learned and sweetie, you're beautiful.  Deep down you are a dear with a good heart and a tough spirit.  Let the past go and continue on this path you have found for yourself.  Be strong.  Don't let fear or anything else cause you to ever doubt yourself again.  Everyone makes mistakes, don't let your past govern your future any longer.  Learn what you can and move on.  And find happiness.  Love yourself.  Love those in your life that are truer friends than you would have ever expected, and do good in the world.  You have it in you.  I'm sorry your career was derailed a bit, but you'll be okay.  You did the right thing and can take comfort in that and be proud.  Sorry your adoptive dad turned out to be such a douche.  Thank you for being there for your birth father in his final days.

3.  Min Joon Gook

Dear Psycho,

I have a bevy of mixed emotions when it comes to you.  I feel sorry for you and the pain from wrongs done to you, but everyone is right, you took the low road.  Revenge and anger destroyed your life.  I hope you can see that clearly now.  I hope that you can use the rest of your life behind bars and try to do something good with whatever time you have left.  If nothing else, you should serve an example of what not to do when wrong is done to you.  Your story is one of sorrow and warning.  You were a once decent enough guy who let tragedy ruin you.  And then you committed some major crimes, including taking of innocent lives and serious intimidation and blame-putting on other innocents.  I am glad that you are finally taking responsibility for your crimes.  You're still not a good guy, but at least some shred of humanity still remains in you.  I hope you're happy now that people know your side of the story.  Was it worth it?  Didn't think so.  Be grateful that your life was spared, but rot in jail using this opportunity to reflect on where it all went wrong and how others proved to just be better people at heart, even when under similar circumstances.

4.  Attorney Cha

Dearest Oska,

You are a hero in my book.  I am so overcome by all my admiration of you and the man that you are that I don't even know what else to say other than you are just amazing and definitely one of, if not the very best, character to come out of this drama.  I'm sorry you lost the girl, but man, you sure did it with class.  You were an all-around class act up until the very end.  You saved the day in many many ways.  I know that Soo Ha and Hye Sung expressed their gratitude, but allow me to do so as well.  You were beyond awesome.  I will love you forever.  And ever.

5.  Hye Sung

Dear Hye Sung,

You very well may be my official favorite drama heroine of all time.  You are at the very least at top contender.  I loved you.  I loved your weaknesses just as much as I loved your strengths.  I am glad you finally came around to Soo Ha and accepted him in your life.  Your begrudging confession at the end was classic Hye Sung and made me smile.  I love how you are both fragile and strong at the same time.  Your courage and strength won out in the end and you triumphed not only over the bad guy, but yourself and your own self-defeating tendencies as well.  That fighting spirit you had as a young girl may have hidden for a bit under the understandable fear you felt, but it came out and was resurrected once again in glorious style.  Thank you for the laughs, sorry for the fears and tears.  Do your momma proud by living an outstanding life, loving and going forth from here.

6.  Soo Ha

Dearest, most wonderful and magnificent Soo Ha,

I love you.  You my boy are one fantabulous and outstanding young man.  I am so glad you triumphed in the end, proving your true mettle.  Your devotion and constancy towards Hye Sung makes me melt.  You have to be one of the truest and purest humans to ever appear on my screen.  I will forever remember you fondly.  Congrats on getting into the academy by the way!  Good luck from here on out.  Love her as you always have and don't ever doubt, as I'm sure you won't, her love for you no matter what she says in those moments of self-doubt she will probably always be subject to.  She's got her quirks, but I know you know that and love her all the same which makes you even more awesome.  You both deserve happiness in life and with each other.  Just keep doing what you're doing, you've got this.  I will miss you and your sweet self so very much in these coming empty weeks.  Take care my dear, wonderful, amazing boy.

All My Love,
Dongsaeng


Okay.  I did it.  I said goodbye.  *sniff sniff*  Here we are now, at the very end.  Min Joon Gook, with the aid of Attorney Cha, is saved from the death penalty and sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.  Do Yeon gets demoted because of her decision to drop the case against her birth father.  Soo Ha's charge of attempted murder is dropped to unlawful possession of an illegal weapon and he will not be prosecuted (thanks to Do Yeon's going easy on him after a very convincing argument from both Attorney Cha and the judge), so he is now free to live his life and pursue his dream of making it into the police academy.  His and Hye Sung's relationship takes some major strides forward and they end up living together.  And having a crazy butterfly-inducing kiss scene that made me weak in the knees. 

Everything was resolved just perfectly and I have no complaints.  I do want to thank a friend for her heads up to watch through to the very end.  I almost closed it as the credits started rolling, but would have missed a wonderful moment if I had, so to her I say thank you again.  All in all, these past 9 weeks with this drama has been a superb ride and I thank you for joining me on it.

So, what's next from here as far as my next drama review?  I'm leaning towards Good Doctor with Joo Won and Moon Chae Won.  It looks intriguing.  Plus, I'm hoping to have a bit of redemption after Level 7 Civil Servant.  It begins on Monday (the 5th) so the timing couldn't be better.  It just fits.  Now let's just hope it pans out to be worth the hype, huh?  ;)   So, unless you hear otherwise, assume that's what's coming next Friday.  And, as always, thank you for stopping by.