Kmuse's Musings: More Fashion Fails

I thought it would be a while til I had enough pictures to do another Fashion Fail post.  But never underestimate the ability of Korean stylists to really pick some ugly clothes for the hottest Korean stars.  If you have not read one of my Fashion posts before, I would like to say that the dislike of the fashion or elements of the photograph reflect nothing on the actors or idols themselves.  So please don't hunt me down and egg my house for not liking the look of any certain star.  This is all subjective and just my personal opinion.  

Kang Ji Hwan In GEEK’s June 2014

 He is a very very sexy man.  But the striped purple pimp suit is just not doing it for me.  

Park Shin Hye - Harper’s Bazaar 

Love the hair, love the skirt, love the bag (really love the bag) but then there is that mess of a shirt.  My kids played a game this Christmas where they had to wrap crepe paper around their sibling to turn them into  a Christmas tree.  The effect was very similar to this shirt, which looks like the designer went cutout crazy.  

Ji Chang Wook - CéCi’s June 2014

The first picture is so so, but that brown Hershey kiss hat has got to go.  That hat is all I stare at in the photo rather than Ji Chang Wook.  The 2nd photo's short unitard look is truly bleck worthy.  I like the Jacket and if he had been wearing dress pants or jeans instead I would have really liked the look.  But when you can't tell if the under-piece is all one piece or just ugly Urkel shorts combined with a dress shirt, than we have a problem.

Park Hae Jin - Instyle Korea

I'm pretty sure that poor Park Hae Jin is having an allergic reaction to all those flowers.  He especially looks uncomfortable and frantic in the 2nd photo.

Choi Jin Hyuk - Men's Health's June 2014

Love the color pallet of this photo shoot, love the clothes (looks so sexy in jeans), the one thing that makes me cringe is the bad use of accessories.  Each photo looks extremely awkward and I think it is funny that the picture where he is holding the gun, it gives the impression of a kid playing with a toy gun.  These pictures in theory should have worked, but just didn't. 

My Favorite Photos of the Week

Son Ye Jin - Traveller’s June 2014

These two photographs were by far my favorite of the week, if not my favorite of the month.  They are full of interesting aspects from the color, clothes, locations, and movement.  It just all clicks and joined to create something truly beautiful and amazing.


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When 2nd-Lead Actresses Start to Outshine the Stars.

We've all been there.  Here we are, a kdrama addict watching a new drama, everything is going great until our focus slowly begins to shift from the main lead to the 2nd-lead. Sure we know that they are never going to get the girl, whether they are just too nice, friend zoned, or even sometimes a member of the family that killed the leads father/brother/mom/family pet?  For whatever reason, it is not meant to be.   And no matter how much you might ship an alternate couple, you are doomed for disappointment.  However, it is very rare that it happens to me with the 2nd lead actresses.  Usually I either like the leading lady to begin with, am not emotionally invested so I just don't care, or accept that I hate the actress and suffer for the Khotties.  But this week I had some twinges of angst.  Angst that I was stuck with boring leads when the 2nd leading ladies were so much more interesting and dynamic.  I can honestly say this is the first time it has happened so I decided to put my thoughts to paper (or computer in this case) and blog about it. 

-BIG MAN-

The first show this happened to me was in "Big Man".  The story of an all around good guy with a slighty gray past (Kang Ji-Hwan - Lie to Me, Incarnation of Money) who is used and abused by a family who wants to literally kill him off and steal his heart for their ill son.  That's right, they plan on taking the beating heart out of his body and give it to their evil over-privileged son (Daniel Choi - School 2013).  Also involved in this shady plot (at least on a small level) is Kang Dong-Seok's secret girlfriend/secretary So Mi Ra (Lee Da Hee - Secret).  Due to his unexpectedly coming out of a coma before he is chopped up for parts, Ji Hyeok is passed off as a illegitimate secret son of the family to the press and starts living/working with the evil family from hell.  Everyone is flummoxed on how to deal with him (and by deal with him I mean get rid/kill him off).  And no-one is more upset than the youngest daughter of the family (unaware of the death plot) who had developed feelings for her "new" brother before he was her brother.   

The youngest sister, Kang Jin-Ah (Jung So Min-Can We Marry) is quirky, emotional, and funny.  A nice distraction from the single layered acting by leading lady Lee Da Hee.  This is Da Hee's first leading role, and personally I was fine with her staying in the 2nd lead zone.  She was perfect in her roles in I Can Hear Your Voice and Secret.  She did not have to show much acting range, and was perfectly adequate in those roles.  However when she is the one leading the female half of the romantic aspects of the drama, it is just too much for her acting style.  She has a very similar expression at all times and it is hard to tell if she is truly upset or just normal.  And don't even get me started on the lack of sparks between her and either man.  For someone who is supposed to be in love, or switching love interests, all we get are a lot bland angsty looks (the same look, since it never changes despite any nuances from the scene).   Look at the following three photos.  In one she is in love, in one she is upset, and another is just a regular scene.  Personally I don't see a lot of difference.

 I also like how much spunk Jin Ah has.  Not only is she not afraid to threaten her family and call them sewer trash for what they attempted to do, she also is willing to out them to the world in order to protect the man she loves.  It is also fun to watch her trying to constantly put the moves on her brother/not brother.  She is not at all subtle, but that is part of her charm which is all the more obvious when compared to our vanilla leading lady.  

-DR STRANGER-

For those of you who have been reading TCA for a while, you might remember the Shipping Wars of Reply to Me 1994.  We all were firmly on the Chilbong boat to the very bitter end.  Still cranky at that drama............But now there is a new battle brewing on the drama, Doctor Stranger.  Not between the two male leads (who are both beyond drool worthy, by the way), but between the two leading ladies played by Kang Sa Roo (Ugly Alert) and Jin Se Yeon (Bridal Mask, Inspiring Generation).  For those of you who have not been following any of the shows comment threads, fan pages, or blog posts, there is a massive battle going on about who Park Hoon (Lee Jong Suk- School 2013, I Can Hear Your Heart) should end up with.  Childhood sweetheart Jae Hee who died (I think that it says a lot about an actress if she is constantly killed off in every drama she stars in) and is suddenly back again as a North Korean spy Seung Hee (We don't know if it is the same character yet or two different characters.  But really does it matter.  I like neither version). 

Or new confidant female doctor Oh Soo Hyun.  The illegitimate daughter of the hospitals CEO who struggles with family issues as well as her need to make a name for herself in the hospital. 

I know that usually I would not even consider the 2nd lead as a viable hook up for the main guy.  But let me tell you why I like them together before you shake your head at my naivete.  1.They are hitting all the traditional OTP (One True Pairing) milestones.  Cranky and fighting all the time but eventually become friends.  Random moments of skinship including hugs, face touches (at least on her part), falling down together and having  awkward moments, she even slaps him and kicks him in the family jewels.  Also he walks in on her come out of a shower, does that not scream main couple? 

All these scenes usually scream OTP.  2. Add in the fact that the writers have focused 75% of the female development time on Soo Hyun, fleshing out her character and making us viewers really care what she is going through and how it relates with the leading man.  And I would be amazed if she did not end up in some kind of relationship with our hottie doctor.

The most we learn about Seung Hee/Jae Hee is that she was in medical school with Soo Hyun, was put in a concentration camp, and she likes to smile which is why he loved her.  Well sorry Soo Hyun, her smile does nothing for me, and I could care less about her storyline. I will be honest, a huge part of why I don't like her character is that I just dislike Jin Se Yun as an actress.  Her mannerisms and vapid smile just annoy me and it drives me crazy that she keeps getting cast in all these melodramas where she has to pretend to be upset all the time.  It has gotten to the point that I actually cheer when her characters get killed off (seriously, she has been killed so many times, it must be getting embarrassing for her) since then I am saved from her acting.  

So this viewer is going to stay Team Soo/Hoon til the very bitter end.  And even if my ship goes down in a ball of flames, at least I will know I went with the actress that can actually act, the one who moved me emotionally (and I am not talking the emotion of rage I get while watching JSY destroy yet another character.)  

Feel free to tell us what team you are on in the comments or on our FB page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-crazy-ahjummas/336988683021748?fref=ts .  We always love to talk dramas and love a good couple debate.  I hope you liked this post, and if you have any other 2nd leads that are really interesting then let us know.  Maybe we can start a support group for all us poor souls who like good acting over who is ranked as first and second lead.

Sincerely,

Kmuse

Happy Birthday Kang Ji Hwan

No I haven't forgotten about you guys.  I was just off watching Dramas & couldn't be bothered.  But I am taking a break before everybody gets home & so this week's WWU is actually going to be a tribute to one of my most favorite Korean Actors ever!  Kang Ji Hwan, who happens to be turning 36 today.  So Happy Birthday to just a most amazingly talented actor.  {{{psst...he's incredibly sexy too & he's my age, woot woot!!}}

If you read last week's WWU then you know I am currently watching his latest K Drama, as it airs, Incarnation of Money.  And LOVING every minute of it too.  But this is not my first K Drama w Kang Ji Hwan.  I first saw him in Coffee House.  A really cute drama.  Not my favorite but only because honestly I didn't care for the women in that one.  KJH was awesome.  And seriously dude rocks in glasses.  Dreamy, I tell you absolutely dreamy.  Next up I watched Lie To Me.  And while the drama itself was a little boring & predictable it had nothing to do w/ Kang Ji Hwan who showed me that there are some dramas where the "Kiss" can really knock your socks off.  And yeah, ummm... Kang Ji Hwan in a stylish, well fitted suit is to women; what women in lingerie is to men.

Sex in a suit!

His character, Hyun Ki Joon from Lie To Me was smart, cute, sweet, funny, romantic, stylish, sexy, manly & just everything else he needed to be to grab my attention & keep it for 16 episodes.

After Lie To Me I watched both My Girlfriend is an Agent & The Relation of Face, Mind & Love.  Both were excellent!  And so funny!!!  He is so incredibly talented.  I want to see his latest movie, Detective Cha, so very badly but alas out here in the middle of nowhere America they don't show a whole lot of South Korean movies at the theater.  {{Sigh/Cry/Sigh}}   I will just have to wait a little while longer to catch it on the Internet.  Until then, I plan on watching Rough Cut & continuing on with Incarnation of Money to pass the time.

He has amazing comedic timing which is my favorite thing in an actor.  You have no idea how hard it is to have good timing & talent when it comes to comedy.  They say 'drama is easy, comedy is hard' when it comes to acting.  So comedic actors have always been my favorite.  And let me say Kang Ji Hwan has incredible comedic skills but watching him in Incarnation of Money, as he enters the part of the drama where we have had to see sincere angst, heartbreaking drama & emotional turmoil, I am even further impressed by his acting skills.  Amazing, spot on performances from this guy, have lead me to believe he really can do any character he's given.  I appreciate versatility in a leading man.  It's important to be adaptable in life & in acting.  Kang Ji Hwan-ssi, bravo!

So everybody join me in wishing an amazing actor a very Happy Birthday.

강지환 생일 축하합니다!!

Kang Ji Hwan-ssi Saengil Chukahahabnida

Happy Birthday Kang Ji Hwan

As it is already the end of your birthday in South Korea we hope you had an amazing day, filled w love, laughter & appreciation; surrounded by your family, friends & those who truly love you most.  May your 36th year bring much success, joy & good health.

사랑함니다

Saranghamnida

Love,

Don't worry I didn't forget our usual pictorial tribute! As if!!!

One of my most favorite (he's actual oppa) Oppas

Kang Ji Hwan in all his incredibly good looking glory!

Yeah the glasses really work on him. 

He proves that he can make jeans look as sexy as suits.

And to show off the abs....remember we're starting that petition for more choco abs all the time, right?!?!

Thank you Kang Ji Hwan for your "body of work". (^_~)

Have a great day AddiKts.