I don't know why, but suddenly I am having a huge case 2nd lead love in several ongoing shows. As a kdrama viewer I am usually 100% behind the leading man no matter how big of a jerk he is. I have never been one to coo and sigh about how sweet the other romantic interest is, why bother since it is doomed anyway. But with this last batch of shows I have seriously started to have some serious problems supporting the leading men. So I decided to list out my favorite B Crushes as therapy. It might not get them the girl in the end, but at least I can gaze at their pretty pictures a bit and dream of them getting their happy endings.
Ta Hwan - Empress Ki
I went into the drama anticipating that I would like it, it is written by my favorite kdrama writers after all. But I was not prepared to dislike the leading male quite as much as I do. Joo Jin Mo's (Frozen Flower) portrayal as Wang Yoo fell really really flat. The actor has one intensity and only a few expressions so whether he is in love, angst, or fighting it all felt the same. Add in the sappy Michael Boltenesque song that is his theme and I am happy to not see him on the screen. Lucky for me it seems that the writers agreed and as the show as progressed we see less and less of the moody king. Thank goodness because watching him try to portray angsty love makes me one very very annoyed Kmuse. Instead we get a good helping of Ta Hwan (Ji Chang Wook - Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Five Fingers) the emperor of Yuon and Nyang's eventualhusband. Ji Chang Wook is a very versatile actor and his ability to go from a sniveling weakling of a prince to a strong leader was truly a joy to watch. It also does not hurt that he has great chemistry with Ha Ji Won (Secret Garden). It would be interesting to see if the writers always planned to make the 2nd lead so prominent in the script or if it was revised when fans jumped on the Emperor/Nyang ship, either way we get a lot of my favorite couple and for once the 2nd lead actually does get the girl (at least if they follow history).
Han Yoon Chan (Lee Tae Kon) - A Well Raised Daughter
How I love Han Yoon Chan, let me count the ways. He is strong, intelligent, handsome, extremely tough, and ruthless. Add in that he is obviously a man and not some young idol boy actor and he becomes the perfect package. He plays the illegitimate son of SS CEO and half brother to the lead Seol Do Hyu. Where Yoon Chan moves heaven and earth to support our leading lady through all her troubles, the lead Do Hyu is the equivalent to a damsel in distress. Instead of standing up strong, he tends to wring his hands, ask his daddy for help, and mope around. And while I can appreciate the pretty "I'm in love" staring contest they do, that is not going to pay the bills when one's father leads a coup against your company. So instead of the tepid pretty I am going with the strong confident supporter in this drama. I can honestly say that watching him defend her honor/secrets by beating the crap out of people is truly satisfying and worth at least a hundred sonnets dedicated to the beauty of one's eyes.
No Min Hyuk (Ko Gyung-Pyo) - Potato Star 2013QR3
This is probably the character that I am the most surprised that I have fallen for. An uppity highly educated president of a toy company, No Min Hyuk was not even on my radar for the first half of the drama. It did not help that he had an accident that reverted him to his seven year old self complete with amnesia. However, even damaged as he was he slowly wiggled his way into my heart. And I say that if you can make me love you with the main girl even with amnesia and the personality of a kid then that is a huge accomplishment. It set the story up that by the time he regained his memories and transitioned into a more adult one sided love I was firmly a fan of Team Min Hyuk. We still have a solid 40 episodes to go so my hope that he wins the girl is still staying strong. MIN HYUK FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!
I know that I can't be the only one out there with a B lead crush. Who are your favorite men who are destined for loneliness? Do you think that we will ever have a rise of the B Leads just to shake things up? Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments, and have a wonderful weekend.
This is the first week where many of our shows have been preempted or delayed because of the Olympics (thankfully South Korea has a smaller Olympic team than the US so while some shows are preempted to watch competitions, the majority of our dramas are still airing) which has caused some problems in finding five "really epic" moments. Luckily we had an amazing performance by an Asian competitor in the Olympics so my top 5 was able to be rounded out without doubling up on any one drama. With that said, I hope you enjoy my countdown this week.
#5 I Love A Tough Female Character
So I will let you in on a secret. The actress that plays Gaya (Lim Soo-Hyang- New Tales of a Ginsaeng, I Do I Do) tends to play all of her characters very cold and wooden which usually annoys me. But luckily she was finally cast in as a character that is supposed to be very cold and wooden so it is no surprise that she NAILS IT! I have actually heard some people talk about how they don't like how the writers have made her so mean and unlikable. But I would say she is more strong and capable and surviving in a very harsh enviroment. She has that something that is almost always missing in historical heroines in dramas, intelligence and nerves of steal. There is nothing more annoying than having a girl go around ringing her hands and either whining or crying over life's hardships (I am looking at you 2nd lead Kim Ok-Ryeon) so it is nice to see a female character that not only is tough she is down right scary. In episode 10 we see Gaya arrive in Shanghai and then go alone into enemy territory. Also can I just say that visually this scene was amazing. The contrast of her in her beautiful Kimono against all the thugs in black was awesome and made her character look even more of a bad ass. So at least on my part I give kudos to the casting of Lim Soo Hyang because for once I am enjoying one of her dramas.
#4 Kim Soo Hyun's Tears
Is there something wrong with me that I kind of like to watch Kim Soo Hyun cry? Ever since watching him in The Moon That Embraces the Sun I just cant get enough of it. He not only does the pretty cry, but it eventually turns into an emotionally devastated cryfest that is raw and not pretty. Any time one of his characters does this it totally gets me sobbing right there along with him. We get to see a lot of crying in this weeks episodes of My Love From Another Star. It is no picnic having to tell your soul mate that you love her but you only have thirty days before you jump on your spaceship and disappear from her life. But his character does it with such emotion that I just adore this scene. That is why KSH's crying earns him a spot on this weeks top 5!
Angst and Crying Clips ep 9 & 10
#3 Valentine Bromance
Our #3 moment is brought to you from ep 12 of Let's Eat. It's Valentines Day and Lawyer Kim Hak Moon is feeling romantic (never have I seen a funnier lovelorn character). He is buying Soo Kyung some chocolates and runs into Dae Young who guesses correctly about his unrequited love. Our love sick lawyer confesses his concerns and Dae Young is able to give him a huge pep talk. The true joy of this scene is that while the two talk about confessing and love angst they get really cute and bromancy to the point that they themselves look like a couple out on valentines day. Lets Eat is such a cute show and while it is obviously forcing the bromance moment on us with the subtly of a speeding train, it still is adorable and hits all the awwwwwww cute/funny buttons for the viewers.
Bromance Support Clip
#2 What is a Power Hungry Dad to Do?
I am really starting to enjoy the daily drama A Well Raised Daughter. On one side we have Jang Ha Na, the main girl who is pretending to be a man. On the other side we have a chaebol father who is planning a hostile take over of Ha Na's Soy Sauce Company. To his dismay he finds that his oldest illegitimate son (who mostly has been raised to be his dads thug) refuses to do anything that might hurt Ha Na. His daughter declares that she is going to marry him/her since he is so pretty. And his other son (who is Ha Na's roommate and the current love interest) tells his dad that he is pretty sure he is gay and loves his roommate. One cross dressing girl causing havoc in this poor tycoons life is very amusing. It also helps that for once we have a father who actually loves/listens to his children to an extent which makes the whole situation more funny then angsty. If you want to check out this drama you can find it at darksmurf subs.
If you want a sense of the drama's romance then check out the below clip. Trying to make a condition conductive to cuddling (between main guy and their daughter) the evil mother ahjumma breaks the heat for the house. Ha Na goes to fix it and instead breaks a pipe. Her roommate/love interest also goes down to the boiler room to check on the heat and finds Ha Na drenched. Needless to say that sparks and water fly in this clip. Lets Cuddle Instead of Calling A Plumber Clip
#1 An Amazing Win at the Olympics
OK So I know this is not Kdrama related and that he is Japanese not Korean. But this guy's short skate program was amazing and one of the best things I have watched on TV this week. So Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu you are #1 on my list this week. Congrats to Yuzuru Hanyu on winning the Gold and breaking the record for the highest scoring short program in history!
Yuzuru Hanyu
Link for Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu world record beating Short Program (even if you don't watch figure skating this performance is very impressive so be sure to check it out.) http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/yuzuru-hanyu-explodes-short-program-world-record?ocid=yahoo
Be sure to check out the blog in the next couple weeks since there will be some fun changes happening and hopefully we Ahjummas will be able to entertain you even more than we already are. Not to mention I will be recapping Seo In Guk, my #1 bias's new web series Another Parting (Check below for trailer). So be on the lookout for that along with my usual recap of I Need Romance 3 in which hopefully we will start seeing the romance. Until then I wish you all a busy kdrama filled week.
Sincerely, Kmuse
Another Parting Trailer
Dramas that I am currently watching:
Potato Star 2013QR23 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 My Love From Another Star Golden Rainbow Inspiring Generation I Need Romance - Be sure to check out my recaps! Emergency Couple Angel's Revenge Full Sun Another Parting
Yuzuru
Hanyu explodes with short program world record - See more at:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/yuzuru-hanyu-explodes-short-program-world-record?ocid=yahoo#sthash.X843yJqz.dpuf
It has been several months since I last weighed in on the new dramas available for watching so I figure it is the perfect time to do some kdrama initial thought recaps. Just in case there are those of you out there trying desperately to find that next great drama. We have a wide variety of shows available, from romantic comedy, to fast paced action, and add in a couple new daily dramas to round everything out. There is a bit of everything in the mix.
Can We Love (Could We Love)
I LOVE THIS DRAMA......Seriously I truly love this drama. All of the cast is highly entertaining and somehow I have been sucked into their lives and trials and am very invested in how it all turns out. The story revolves around three friends (since they were in high school) and how at thirty nine their lives have turned out different then they expected. It is a rare drama where all of the men are highly likable and not only that but the women (despite all of their messed up women issues) are also likable. Rather then be over dramatic and depressing, you instead are able to see a reality to their lives that is often missing in kdramas. That is not to say that you still do not have some traditional kdrama elements, but they seem to be muted which makes a person a lot more invested in everyone's story. I suggest giving yourself three episodes with this drama and I bet you will find yourself surprisingly addicted (I say this from experience since I have suggested it to multiple friends so far and everyone has had the same experience). So if you are looking for something a little more realistic and less fantasy relationship then give this drama a whirl. You wont regret it and will be blessed to see one of the best kdrama kisses along the way (Check out my weekly countdown this week for the kiss clip).
Can We Love Trailer
Inspiring Generation (Age of Feeling)
There is nothing greater then being within the emotional grips of an
awesome action drama. And to be honest, while there have been some
great dramas that have included action scenes, there has not been a lot
of dramas that I would define as action dramas. Often if a drama is all
action then it loses out on the plot/writing (Iris 2) or tends to be
more of an intellectual fighting (Nine, Two Weeks). So it is with the
utmost pleasure that I have discovered that Inspiring Generation (Age of
Feeling) has the best of both. I seriously care about the stories of all the different characters, and if you have checked out the cast list you will see that that is an insane amount of characters to introduce. Whether it is the leads, the assassins/minions, messed up fathers, or murderous grandfathers, each character is introduced into the story and forms a connection with the viewer. And can I again point out how rare that is? So regardless if you are a huge action fan, or hate period pieces, give this one a chance, its amazing writing and directing might drag you into a great drama experience.
Inspiring Generation/Age Of Feeling Trailer
A Well Raised Daughter
If you took the feel of Baker King and Married it to every gender bender drama the you would pop out A Well Raised Daughter. They created a mix of charming, cunning, and family squabbles and the result is an entertaining drama that is not too stressful and the perfect for my weekend dramathon needs. The leading lady is the youngest of four daughters (just so you know daughters are totally worthless in this family) and because her mother can not produce a male heir she is kicked out when her best friend instead bears the needed boy. Her husband dies and she finds out that she is pregnant with another daughter, but in order to survive they disguise the child as a boy and get back into the grandfathers good graces. Raised as a boy, she must fight for her right to learn the family Soy Sauce business while avoiding love and discovery. I am enjoying this drama and its light plot really suits my tastes. And for some reason even the bickering/stupid mothers don't annoy me as much as they usually do. I would highly suggest this drama to anyone needing an easy filler and at forty episodes in, I am still a huge fan of the show.
A Well Raised Daughter Trailer
Angel's Revenge
For those of you who are new to following my blog posts, then you might not yet realize that I have a slight daily drama addiction. And by daily dramas I mean the one's that are aired Monday - Thursday and have 30 min episodes. They tend to have a large episode count (100-130) and are awesomely addicting. You never know if you are going to fall into a total gem of a drama like Ugly Alert, or one that is going to have you cursing the tv (Cruel Love). But regardless of how they end, they all provide one heck of a rush. The newest daily drama available is Angel's Revenge. It is about a women (who is on the cusp of taking the vows of a nun). However fate intervenes and her sister dies a tragic death. The main actress of course then throws off her habit to take revenge on the evil family that killed her sister. All while falling in love with one of the sons of so said evil family. They pretty much had me when they said Vengeful Nun. It just barely started so we are not yet to any smiting, but there have been a lot of cute OTP meetings and I am a fan of both leads previous work, so I have high hopes. If you are looking to check out this drama then it is being subbed on Youtube on the KBS youtube Channel.
Link for episode 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-2FwC0UbDY
Angel's Revenge Trailer
Emergency Couple
I am so sad that I am not enjoying this drama more and I can pinpoint one giant hunky reason why....Choi Jin Hyuk is a total complete whiny self absorbed jerk. And I know that having a total jerk as the male lead is common in dramas, so when I say he is a jerk I mean that there is no redeeming qualities to his person in the first two episodes at all. However if we ignore that large pretty mess of a character the rest of the drama is actually interesting. Song Ji Hyo has never been a favorite actress of mine (I pretty much like her in Running Man and that is it) but she is very entertaining and I totally find myself rooting for her character. She came out of a HORRIBLE MARRIAGE (did I mention these two should never ever ever be remarried) and built her life back overcoming a lot of hardships. I am interested in her interaction with the other doctors, including the other male lead (who I of course prefer), and cant wait to see what she does next. So in conclusion, if you are looking for a must watch drama then this is not it, but if you want something different then you might give this one a try.
Emergency Couple Trailer
I Need Romance 3
I wont spend a ton of time describing this drama since it is currently the drama I am reviewing for Crazy Ahjummas. Just know that it is awesome, beautiful, and has Sung Joon and his uber sexy voice in it. If you are not already watching it and modern comedy romances are your thing, then quickly get caught up and be sure to read my reviews (HINT HINT HINT.....obvious and non subtle promotion of my recaps HEHE).
I Need Romance 3 Trailer
Coming Soon
The Ghost Seeing Detective Yoon Cheo Yong
I have been waiting FOREVER for this drama to finally air. This drama has been pushed back at least once for sure and I cant help but feel like it was maybe even twice. It was scheduled to come out back when everything was ghost this and ghost that (Masters Sun and Who Are You) so it was probably in its best interest to give viewers a chance to recover. It is by far the creepiest if you are judging by the trailers. Add in that it is a cable drama (not to mention the awesomely scary trailers) and we could possibly be seeing some serious freaky deaky stuff coming our way. Be sure to look for this drama airing next month and it goes without saying that it will be joining in the competition to be featured on my top five countdown.
The Ghost Seeing Detective - Trailer
Full Sun (Beyond the Clouds)
We are surprisingly light on the melo revenge/tragic love style dramas right now. So those of you who love to cry should be looking forward to Full Sun (is possibly going to officially be called Beyond the Clouds but for now just going to stick with Full Sun). It has everything you could want. Accidentally killings, jewel thieves, falling in love with people you shouldn't, and some very pretty criers. From what I have heard our leading man kills the leading females fiancee and after he has served his prison sentence he comes back and falls in love with her. So more or less a reverse secret?? Whatever the plot I am always up for a pretty melodrama so I am in. Check out the beautiful trailer below and look for it to be out mid February.
Full Sun Trailer
This concludes my winter recap of airing dramas. I hope you can find a couple to try out and be sure to watch for my weekly top kdrama moments coming out every Sunday as well as my I Need Romance 3 and Dongsaeng's My Love From Another Star recaps. And if you have any dramas that I missing from my list please send me a quick note. Or if you are wondering where you can find subs for any of the dramas listed let me know since I am happy to give you all the links. Til next time, enjoy your dramas.
We are already three weeks into the new year (I know that supposedly last week was written as week three but I think I started the blog title on the wrong week so we are going to improvise) and it is turning into a never ending kdrama marathon because everything so far has been amazing. It is so difficult to choose only five moments to discuss so I have to admit that I combined a few into "themes" so that you can be sure to get all of what was great and watchable this week.
#5 Music, Music, Music
This week has been all about the music for me. I tend to really enjoy the OST's of the more melo focused dramas (the whole tragic love makes for some really haunting songs). However two new dramas have really stood out with their French and English musical focus. Can We Love and I Need Romance 3 both have expanded their traditional drama boundaries when it comes to the OST's by adding foreign music and I have loved ever minute of it.
Can We love has thrown American music into its OST like sprinkles on a cupcake. And thankfully they have someone on their production team who understands English since the songs all fit the mood and actions of the characters perfectly. Their main song by Bright#1 also has a Korean version that is used in the drama but for now I have hunted down (and it was seriously hard to find this song) the English version for your enjoyment.
Bright#1 - Everyday
I Need Romance 3 has decided to go with a more French inspired OST. It's whimsical songs bring a sense of beauty and romance to the drama that complement the very intricate dreamlike concept the director is putting forth. Even the main Korean song by Lee Hyori has a very French/European flare that you usually don't see in an OST.
Lee Hyori - Don't Cry
Papermoon - Peu A Peu
#4 Reverse Cinderella
There is a new drama, A Well Raised Daughter, entering our lineup for its top five debut. I have been loving this quirky daily and its girl lives as boy storyline immensely, but this is the first time I would say it had a stand out scene. We always see the big Cinderella moment where the girl (usually looking just average) is pampered and fluffed and dressed in designer clothes and suddenly she is the most beautiful women ever seen. It is a concept that is done in so many dramas (especially the gender bender ones) that you can predict them with ease. So I was very pleasantly surprised when A Well Raised Daughter decided to go a slightly different path. To set the scene you have to understand that Jang Ha Na has lived like a boy almost her WHOLE life. This is not one of those dramas where she is a pampered princess who cuts her hair because of a guy, nope she is a child that is so loyal and dutiful to her mother that she literally gave up anything feminine to grow up as a man from the age of seven. She does not have all the feminine tells that you often see and she acts, speaks, fights, and moves with ease as a boy. So when she comes to work in her spiffy new suit it is hilarious when both of the leading men totally go blank in the head at the sight of her. And since she in all ways but the physical thinks like a guy she is totally clueless. It is an adorable scene in a really cute show. I plan on doing a more in depth review of the drama in the coming week but if you are interested in watching it check out darksmurfsubs.com. You have to register (no money required) and it is worth it to watch the shows that only get subbed there.
Two Guys and a Guy (who is really a girl) clip
#3 The Cherry on the Drama Sundae
As usually it was so hard to pick just one moment from My Love From Another Star to put in my top five. So since I have two at the top of my list that have something in common I decided to combine them together. Can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the added endings in each episode. They add that extra oomph that just pulls the whole episode together in the end and makes your heart just start crying all over again for our star crossed lovers.
In episode 11 we are devastated as Do Min-Joon tries his hardest to push Cheon Song-Yi away (for her own good of course). His cold expression anytime she is around just breaks my heart and I was as sad as the heroine was when he coldly rebuffed her love and ordered her to leave him alone. She walks away from him devastated but little does she know that he pauses time and comes and kisses her one more time before she leaves. I can practically hear the squeals of fans everywhere while they watched the added bonus from this episode.
The next day in episode 12 our hearts continued to feel so many emotions as we finally were able to see what Do Min-Joon was feeling behind his stoic facade. Rather then taking it in stride it seems he is about to emotionally burst with the agony of leaving her. His crying is not pretty nor feels like it has been created to make him look good in a scene. It is heavy and heartbreaking and you can literally feel his agony as he sobs out that he does not want to leave her. This scene left me crying and with a whole new appreciation on Kim Soo Hyun's ability to act.
Stops Time Kiss Clip
Devastated Clip
#2 An Epic Jump
There is nothing greater then being within the emotional grips of an awesome action drama. And to be honest, while there have been some great dramas that have included action scenes, there has not been a lot of dramas that I would define as action dramas. Often if a drama is all action then it loses out on the plot/writing (Iris 2) or tends to be more of an intellectual fighting (Nine, Two Weeks). So it is with the utmost pleasure that I have discovered that Inspiring Generation (Age of Feeling) has the best of both. You have to give credit to a show that has you so involved that you hold your breath for three minutes as you watch the young hero Jung Tae almost die from being sucked under a train jump of a huge bridge and then almost drown in a fast flowing river. You even know that it is not going to kill him since he is the hero of the drama, but you cant help being swept into the emotions of the scene. For those of you who are on the fence about trying this drama (whether it is because of the actors chosen, or the bridal mask feel....even though it is nothing like Bridal Mask, just uses the same sets) take a leap of faith since this drama is worth it! Bridge Jump Clip
#1 Karaoke Kissfest
A week ago I had not even heard of this drama. A friend made an off hand comment about it and of course I had to check it out. I thought it was going to be a drama about the usually three female friends in their late thirties have to deal with hard lives, relationships, and each other. And on the surface that is exactly what it is, but i think the director must be adding in subliminal messages or something because this drama is insanely ADDICTING. So much that I literally felt an emptiness when I had caught up with all six episodes and was left shaking and wanting more. Since then I have tried my hardest to get all of my kdrama friends to also enjoy the addiction since misery loves company. In episode 5 we get one of my new top kdrama kisses. Main guy and main girl are cheering themselves up by going out to enjoy some karaoke
(OK......pause a minute for a quick American commentary on Asian's addiction to Karaoke rooms. What the heck is up with the need to sing whenever possible. For such a conservative culture they sure do lose their inhibitions anytime cheesy songs and a tambourine are involved. Personally being locked in a room one on one with a guy (even if he is not someone I am interested in ) and performing would make me break out into terror sweats and I would probably pass out. Yet they act as if it is totally fun and enjoyable. I just do not get it.)
Both in a good mood after they sing and shout to their hearts content, they then get on the topic of kissing. The main girl, being divorced, comments that she really misses kissing and he randomly suggests that she can use his lips anytime she wants. She then takes him up on his offer milliseconds later and then he returns the favor with an even more intense kissing session. And for those of you paying attention the song used in the scene is indeed the song listed in my #5 top things of this week. Making out Karaoke Style Clip
Yay, we have concluded another top five and our lives have all been improved because of it. I cant wait to find out what will be on next weeks countdown. Will I get some yummy Kim Hyun Joong action now that the older cast is starting in Inspiring Generation, or will Empress Ki come back on top now that we are hooking her up with the Emperor? Or will one of the dailies make its way into the lineup. You will have to check back next Sunday for our next top five to find out. In the meantime sneak a peak at my recaps on I Need Romance 3 and my special post (soon to come out) that reviews the newest dramas. Are they worth watching or should you shove them to the back of the "to watch" list. Find out soon.
Sincerely,
Kmuse
Dramas that I am currently watching:
Potato Star 2013QR23 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 Angel's Revenge
