What a great week to be a kdrama addict, filled with lots of action, sexy hairstyle changes, angst, and underwater kinda kisses we have a little bit of everything in our top five countdown. For those of you joining us for the first time, this is my blog post where I let you know what my favorite scenes of the week are. I am one of those people that literally tries to watch everything which luckily provides me with a lot of awesome scenes to choose from. There is no drama, regardless of genre, that I wont watch so check in and see if this inspires you towards a great drama. I have also started recapping I Need Romance 3, so be sure to check out my musings on episodes 1 & 2.
#5 The Prime Minister Goes Clubbing
Our number five spot goes to the drama Prime Minister and I. In episode ten we see the Prime Minister and Da Jung get into a fight and she storms off running into a dance club. When he (and his many bodyguards) try to follow, they are turned away at the door for being too old and fuddy duddy for the clubs atmosphere. So what is a poor uptight politician supposed to do? Why he goes next door and buys a new outfit for himself and his bodyguards so he can follow his wayward bride. Not to mention he somehow also gets a sexy makeover for his hair as well (HE LOOKS HAWT!!!!). Appearing ten years younger in his leather jacket, scarf, and jeans, he arrives just in time to save her AGAIN from some clubbers who don't understand the words "I have a husband" (seriously this girl needs a lot of saving...... thankfully she is a
sweet character and it is not as annoying as it would be with a more
poorly written heroine).
Prime Minister Dresses for the Club Clip.
#4 A Siblings Arrest
Golden Rainbow is a drama about a man who takes in a ton of orphans............lots of angsty stuff happens and the end result is that the "father" spends most of their growing up years in jail. Raising his younger siblings alone, Kim Man Won is forced to use his fists to earn money and rises in the ranks to become head boss of a local crime organization. His younger sister, Baek Won, goes a different route and becomes a police officer who is determined to prove her fathers innocence. Being that this is a kdrama, you know that eventually this is going to go bad and in episode 21 we get the plot payoff. Man Won has decided to turn himself in for his crimes, but just before he is heading to the police station a friend of his is kidnapped and he is forced to go save the day. Just so happens that his sister is staking out the rival gang that he is beating up and she is forced to arrest him. The realization of her brother belonging to organized crime sends Baek Won over the edge and we get a great episode full of tears, anger and eventual acceptance. And it also helps her to let her shields against our hunky hero drop and we get a great kiss scene at the end where she gets "hoovered" (Thanks Jen for the awesome term to describe a Jung Il Woo kiss).
#3 Who's Faster? An Elevator or An Alien
I am enjoying the whole evil dog/human serial killer vs alien dynamic more and more with every episode. Until now the two men have been just circling each other with no direct confrontation but that all changes in episode 8. Using his super senses, Do Min Joon hears Lee Jae Kyung (aka Psycho or creepers) singing out Song Yi's name next door. Thinking she is still MIA Jae Kyung starts to leave but his elevator is stopped by our super sexy in his sweater alien. Jae Kyung smirks and starts to bait Min Joon about how he can kill him and Song Yi at anytime and how they are alive just because he has not made up his mind yet. He continues to smirk as his elevator descends. However his expression changes when he arrives to the Lobby floor only to be confronted by a calm and collected Min Joon. Min Joon leans in and in a very serious/and slightly scary way tells him that he is impossible to kill so stay away from Song Yi. I seriously cheered on this scene and was amazed at how much hotter our Alien got when he goes all super protective macho man. I also really enjoy this match up because unlike in other dramas, both characters are intelligent, tough, and let nothing stop them. Cant wait to see what happens between these two in the future.
What Goes Up Must Come Down Clip
#4 Our Very Own Korean Fight Club
I will admit that I did not start watching the new drama Inspiring Generation with many expectations. I have never been a huge Kim Hyun Joong fan. I liked him all right in Boys Over Flowers but was not impressed with his leading character in Playful Kiss. He was always (at least as an actor) been so so in my mind. So when I heard he was going to be the lead in this drama I just put the info on the back burner of my mind. Even when the drama came out this week I kept putting it off thinking "I will get to it sometime" (probably would still be in that "will watch it someday" stage if I was not keeping up with everything for this blog post). But am I ever glad to be proven wrong. This drama.... at least so far..... rocks. And it has earned my #2 spot on the top five. Rather then pick one scene I just decided to say every action scene in the first two episodes are worthy of a spot. This drama brings back the classic kung fu style of fighting that I remember watching in Jackie Chan and Jet Li movies (before they become Americanized). It is a fast paced, sweaty, and rough type of fighting that you don't see often in kdramas. Not that I don't enjoy the more rhythmic stylized type of fight scenes that we usually see, but there is something about a good all out dirty brawl that makes me happy. Now if they can just overcome the so so female leads that are in the drama I just might add this to my "favorite kdrama list". Crossing my fingers, toes, and wishing on a star that this drama maintains its current feel.
P.S. It also does not hurt that Kim Hyun Joong has grown up from the cute flower boy that we knew into one amazingly built hunk of a man. Even if his acting has not improved I might not be able to notice because I am too busy staring at his chest. LOL
Fight Scene Ep 1 Clips
#1 Underwater Kiss/CPR............IT STILL COUNTS.
I have never made a secret that I personally prefer the combination of Ta Hwan and Nyang on the drama Empress Ki. And yes, I know that she "loooovvves" the annoying king Wang Yoo but that does not make me enjoy the Emperor's scenes with her any less. In this weeks episode we see Nyang injured and on the run bump into Ta Hwan who helps her to his bath chambers to hide from the bad guys. Trapped with no where to hide the Emperor quickly strips down and throws Nyang and a bunch of rose peddles into his bath. When the bad guys enter searching, all they find is a very yummy emperor lounging in his bath (it also lets us all get some major enjoyment in seeing Ji Chang Wook shirtless. Kudos on the directors for finding a way to make it happen even in a Sageuk). Unfortunately Nyang is not part fish and starts to pass out because the bad guys are being super slow. But this gives our hot emperor an excuse to dunk himself under the rose peddles and blow/kiss our heroine. Is it really romantic? Nope, but it still makes me super happy to see her with someone other then the neanderthal king they want me to like.
CPR Kiss clip
And with the most beautifully directed CPR save in the history of kdramas our top five is concluded. I hope you are enjoying my countdown as much as I am getting to do it. Have a wonderful week full of kdramas and I will chat with you next Sunday. If you have any request or questions on any of the dramas I am watching, feel free to comment and I will respond ASAP.
Sincerely,
Kmuse
Dramas that I am currently watching:
Potato Star 2013QR23 (subs are behind in relation to the filming schedule) A Well Raised Daughter (subs are behind in relation to the filming schedule) One Warm Word Can We Love King's Daughter Soo Baek Hyang Empress KI Lets Eat Prime Minister and I My Love From Another Star Golden Rainbow Age of Feeling I Need Romance - Be sure to check out my recaps! Emergency Couple (Starts Next Week)
Since I just finished with my review of Pretty Man I am now left with no weekly drama to recap (at least until I am inspired to review a new one). I kept trying to decide what I wanted to blog about in the meantime. I could review older shows that maybe have not gotten much notice (and I might still do this now and then) but that did not sound like much fun to do weekly. So instead I decided to start my very own Top 5 Countdown. Since I watch a lot of currently airing dramas (See the list at the end): I have a lot of options to choose from and it also gives my readers a tiny glimpse into the style of different dramas. I really don't have any type of specific theme to the top 5. Mostly just chose those moments that I thought were really well acted, written, or both. So without further ado, here is my first top 5 kdrama moments for January week 2!
#5 Prime Minister Plays White Knight
I know I have mentioned it before but this show totally gives me the warm fuzzy's. It is like a bowl of hot homemade soup on a cold rainy day.....absolutely satisfying. In episode 9 we see Nam Da Jung (Yoona - Love Rain) and Kang In Ho (Yoon Si Yoon - Flower Boy Next Door, Me to Flower) set up in a compromising position at a hotel. Fleeing from a hoard of ravenous reporters they head to the stairs which have "conveniently" been locked. Stuck and discovered they are cringing at the accusations of cheating when the Prime Minister (Lee Beom Soo - Iris 2, History of a Salaryman) arrives looking dashing, calm, and collected to save the day. He says that he had reserved a room for a romantic get away with his wife and his aid was escorting her to him. He thereby saves the day, makes the reporters look like idiots and gets some quality alone time with his fake wife in a hotel room. A win win for everyone involved. And again the best thing about the scene is that he looked so suave while doing it. Love him so much.
I hate when I cant get the youtube video to link up. However if you are interested in seeing this scene for yourself here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdWuahL_Ws4
#4 15 seconds in heaven
I am not sure if there is an actual scene in either of the two episodes that does not deserve to be in my top 5 (which is why two scenes have made it onto my list). The first of the scenes is the ending of episode 8 where we get our first "serious" kiss. Song-Yi is completely miffed as to why her sexiness does not seem to effect Min-Joon....I think she is also still upset that he said that he compares her to a pretty vase or a plant, pretty but does not really cause his heart to flutter...... So she orders him to stare at her for 15 seconds and if he does not feel anything by the end then she will believe he is not moved by her. We see her do seductive model poses and then go to the cutesy expressions. Just as the time runs out and she starts to turn away, Min Joon grabs her, pulling her towards him and kisses her. And when I say kisses her, I mean the boy all out sizzling kisses her leaving fans of this show squealing with happiness. Also if you have not already watched this moment, be sure to stay tuned for the little clip at the end where he talks about living for the moment. It just adds the extra amount of awwww that you wanted.
Best Kiss of the WeekClip
#3 Sharp Dressed Man
Lets Eat is another one of those dramas that has a ton of possibilities for my top 5 list. There is the scene where the main girls BFF's husband eats eel tail (I guess that is a romantic aphrodisiac? Why are so many supposed aphrodisiac's so gross) and decides to get frisky in his wife's apron. The scene where the son of before mentioned couple decides he has a crush on Yoon Jin Yi resulting in a hilarious display of player moves.
But the real shining moment of the drama was the opening sequence where secretary Lee Soo Kyung was clothes shopping with her twitterpated narcissist boss Kim Hak Moon. When setting the scene imagine that you see an upscale men's suit store in the background plays the song Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison. A sexy young lawyer tries on suit after suit doing a whole catwalk performance to show off the cut of his awesome potential suits, and his crush/secretary is...........falling asleep and drooling on her hand. HAHAHAHA Seriously was such a great moment, made even better with the running joke of her having to return the suit he buys and then re-buy the suit a second time as punishment for her lack of appreciation. (there is no clip for this scene but if you want to watch it then check out episode 7 time stamp 2:44)
#2 Saving the Damsel in Distress Alien Style.
My number two pick this week goes to our most awesome drama My Love From Another Star (has a million other titles as well but for now this is what I am going with). Cheon Song-Yi has been kidnapped from the hospital by lackeys of our resident serial killer. Taking her to a cliff they disable her car, put her behind the wheel, and push it toward the edge. Waking up just as she starts to move she scream Do Min-Joon's name in terror (how cool was it that she called out for him when she was in trouble). Hearing her with his super alien senses he transports himself, dropping right in front of her car and doing an awesome Edward Cullin twilight impersonation, stopping the car just before it careens off the cliff. This is how a sci-fi/action drama should be shot. Great action, minimal special effects, amazing directing, all combined to equal a top notch action sequence that was unexpected in a weekly drama. I could not have been more thrilled and probably watched it again enough times to see it in my sleep.
This is how you Save a Damsel in Distress with Style Clip
#1 Confessions, Kisses, and Blue Lips = Epic moment.
King's Daughter Soo Baek Hyang is one of the best Sageuk's that I have watched in my kdrama watching history. And the strength of the drama is mostly because of an amazing OTP. Through 65 episodes we watch them fight, flirt, and eventually discover love and I would not give up one moment of their relationship. It all culminates in what I consider the most sincere and heart wrenching confessions. Kidnapped and stored in an empty warehouse by enemies to the crown, Seol Nan and crown prince Myung Nong starve and freeze for 2 days trying to keep their spirits high even at the face of impending death. The last night as they struggle to stay awake for fear they will die from hypothermia, Myung Nong gathers Seol Nan tight and admits that he loves her and wishes that he had told her sooner before they were so close to the end. He then kisses her forehead and then her lips for the first, and what they assume to be last time. They then fall asleep in each others arms. I was truly touched at how beautifully simple the scene was. It did not need that dramatic sizzle moment since their love was enough to make the scene shine without the extra bells and whistles. Luckily for us they did not die so we now get to watch them attempt to be a couple in a court full of intrigue.
There is nothing like death to help one confess - Clip ep 65
I hope you all enjoyed my first ever countdown. I look forward to being "forced" to watch everything each week to give you the best up to date input on the must watch scenes. Someone has to do it so it might as well be me! Be sure to check in next week for my second Top 5 and also for Dongsaeng's upcoming reviews on My Love From Another Star. I cant wait to see what insight she brings to this awesome drama.Have an amazing week
Sincerely,
Kmuse
Dramas that I am currently watching:
Potato Star 2013QR23 (subs are behind in relation to the filming schedule) A Well Raised Daughter (subs are behind in relation to the filming schedule) One Warm Word King's Daughter Soo Baek Hyang Pretty Man (ends this week) Empress KI Lets Eat Prime Minister and I My Love From Another Star Golden Rainbow Age of Feeling (Starts Next Week) I Need Romance 3 (Starts Next Week) Emergency Couple (Starts Next Week)
So about 2 months ago a huge amount of dramas all started at the same time. And while I eventually chose Pretty Man to do weekly reviews on, there were still a lot of quality dramas out there and I dont want them to be missed because of a lack of info or chatter. So since I have this strange obsession to watch everything (you do not want to even imagine the time I spend watching dramas every week) I decided to do a quick synopsis of your currently airing options and whether they are worth checking out or not.
Prime Minister and I
This drama is my pick for sleeper hit of the winter kdrama season. As i had mentioned in an earlier post, there was a ton of raised eyebrows when it was announced that Yoona would be playing the female lead. In case you are unaware, in her past dramas she has not always been that well received as an actress. And while I never really had an opinion about her, when it comes to someone playing opposite Lee Beom-Soo (who I TOTALLY love) then I get a bit picky and she was not my idea of a good match with him. HOWEVER.......... I totally take back all my prejudices because this couple is awesome applesauce on custard. Every week they become more and more charming as a couple and the huge age gap between them is nonexistent. With minimal angst and amazing chemistry, this would be my choice for drama that would be to almost everyone's liking. It is the perfect cozy romance to fulfill your romantic comedy needs.
My Love From Another Star
If Prime Minister and I is a cozy romantic comedy, then this one is the Drama you want when you want to be on pins and needles during every scene. Talk about actors sizzling with chemistry, you don't get more sizzle then between Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun. The take romance to a whole different level as the tug and pull in an intense romance that has a million and one hurdles to overcome. How are they going to get them together long term when she is human and he is an alien that lives forever and never ages. How are they going to not get killed by the puppy/people killing machine that is Lee Jae Kyung? Is she ever going to be able to eat chicken and beer whenever she wants? Hopefully we will get the answers to all these questions and more as we watch and love the roller coaster ride that is this drama. It has been a long time since I have wanted to re-watch a show the second I am done watching it the first time, so this is on my MUST WATCH IT IS GOING TO BECOME A KDRAMA CLASSIC list.
Empress Ki
Oh Empress Ki how I really want to be in love with you, but there is just something stopping me from that last commitment. I am pretty sure it is the neanderthal king that you keep trying to make me like... Yup, that's the problem. What is a girl to do when you like one of the love triangle over the other and that is not the one that the show is trying to sell you on, why you get really cranky of course. The sets, costumes, and cinematography of this drama is amazing. Visually it is beyond stunning, however some of the choices the writers have gone with I have a problem with (keep in mind that this is just a problem I personally have, this is one of those dramas that you are definitely going to have a bias one way or the other so my problems might not be your problems). In the first 12 episodes or so I loved the female character. She was tough, fearless and smart. But then they put her in a dress and dumbed her down....a lot....... It is something I have always had a problem with in Sageuk dramas, they start with strong women but eventually everything they do revolves around some man. This drama so far is no different. Whenever she thinks, sees, or hears about the King she turns into a moping sissy girl that is all things annoying. However, I am hoping that since this is a 50 episode drama we will get past this and get some of the feisty female power back once she becomes empress. In this case I would much rather watch court intrigue then the lackluster romance.
One Warm Word
I will be honest, I usually avoid the whole cheating spouse horrible divorce dramas like the plague. However a friend of mine told me that I had to at least give this one a chance and so here I am reviewing it. It was surprisingly well written, acted, and very interesting. Rather then focus on the beginning of an affair and all the lying and horrible things that come about because of it, this one starts at the end of an affair and a women's efforts to fix her marriage. I have found myself really interested in finding out what happens to both couples and while this is not a must watch ASAP drama, I do enjoy seeing what happens each week. It is very well acted and I find myself hoping that certain couples do work out their problems.
Let's Eat
Never will you watch a show that sexualizes the eating of food more then this drama and it is freaking hilarious. With a whole slew of quirky characters, this drama is one of those hidden gems that is flying under the radar right now. It will have you laughing and craving food with an intensity that will surprise you (they even made seafood look good and I am very anti-seafood). I was hesitant with the casting of this drama but after enjoying six episode (only airs one episode a week on Thursday) I can totally suggest this drama to anyone who wants a fun guilty pleasure.
Let's Eat Opening MV
Golden Rainbow
My last drama I want to discuss is Golden Rainbow. The drama is about a man who adopts 5 orphans and their interconnecting lives with the owner of a fishing empire. While this drama does have its faults (personally there are a lot of extra characters that I could care less about) it does have a very solid core story and the OTP is very very interesting. It is probably one of my favorite family dramas that has been released this year and so I would suggest it to those that don't mind a longer drama and a little bit of plot filler. It is worth it just to watch Jung Il Woo romance the girl.
UPCOMING:
I figured I would do a quick shout out to the new dramas that are being released this month. As usual I am planning on watching them all, although at this moment, none of them are really making me excited beyond the fact that they are starring some actors I like.
I Need Romance 3
I am so hesitant to watch this drama. Mostly because I was NOT a fan of the first two in the franchise. I was always upset that the women would be in these very very dysfunctional relationships, go out and find new men, but then end up back with the losers they originally were with. AGAIN I STATE I WAS NOT A FAN. However, I really love Sung Joon (White Christmas, Shut Up Flower Boy Band, Gu Family Book) so I am going to bite the bullet and give this drama a chance. On an up note it looks like he is the rebound boyfriend so at least we don't have to worry about her going back to her original loser relationship (if they do go that direction I might have to send the writers some hate mail). Not to mention that this is going to be a noona romance and I am a total sucker for noona romances.
So I was totally being a good Kmuse and finding the trailer for you guys but the video uploader was being horrible and refusing to do it for me. So please click on the link above and put it into your web browser. It is an awesome trailer. And just to make up for it I will add a pretty picture of Sung Joon coming back to Korea:)
Emergency Couple
What happens when a couple marries young, divorces, and then finds themselves reunited at work? We will find out when this Tvn comedy starts airing in two weeks. It looks cute and I am very happy that Choi Jin Hyuk is back on a drama so soon after Heirs ended and even happier that he is finally the male lead. However I have never really been a fan of Song Ji Ho's dramas in the past, but the fact that this is a comedy and not her usual historical/melodrama might make a difference. Fingers crossed, this provides me with something entertaining to watch on the weekends.
Emergency Couple Trailer
Age Of Feeling
I dont know why I am not more excited about this drama. I love historical dramas and action dramas and these looks like it is going to be both. I personally thing that Basketball has made me weary of any drama set in this time period. Adding the fact that one of my least favorite actresses (Jin Se Yun of Gaskital and Five Fingers) is the lead and my interest just starts to wain. But I will give it a chance and hope that like in Gaskital the lead actress loses focus as the drama goes forward. Age of Feeling Trailer
This concludes my midway review of the winter 2013/2014 dramas. I hope that this has helped you pick out your next drama and that you let me know if you like any of them or if i missed something in the comments. Also since Pretty Guy is finishing this week I will be deciding what to do next. Since I am really unsure about the upcoming dramas I have decided to do a Top 5 moments of the Week post every week until I start a new recap. I hope that this way I can share some of my favorite moments in currently airing dramas and maybe interest people into giving new dramas a try. Hope you have an amazing week and be sure to check back for my conclusion to Pretty Guy.
