Top 5 Kdrama Countdown - February Week 3

Evil Mother In Laws, Iconic movie reenactments,  Ghost..Ghosts.. & yes more Ghosts, and a sexy alien played by Seo In Guk can all be found in this weeks Top 5 Kdrama Countdown.   So sit back and enjoy the ride as I take you through the best moments in kdramaland during the 2nd week in February

I swear that all the drama writers were eating their awesome sauce this week.  It was so so so hard to choose only five favorites.  I felt like I was letting down all of the other dramas who truly moved me by their awesomeness.  With several new dramas added into the mix, along with all of our current airing dramas (many of them coming to the end of their run) the writers are for some reason throwing out all of their best work.  And while I was unable to put everything in this weeks countdown, I did whittle it down to some of the best of the best).

#5 How Many Times Can A Ghost Seeing Detective Get Hit in the Head in One Episode?

Ghost Seeing Detective CheoYong began airing (or at least subs finally came out for the first two episodes) this week and we were introduced to our hero.  A police officer (Oh Ji Ho - Fugitive Plan B) who solves crimes with the use of the ghosts of the murdered victims.  Due to losing his partner, in a posession ritual killing related accident, he gives up serious crime and becomes a traffic cop.  Five years later he is dragged back into the world of murders and ghosts and meets teenage ghost Han Na-Young (Jun Hyo Seong - Idol group Secret) who haunts the police station.  They team up to fight crime and it is all types of quirky.  I don't know why but they just make the cutest couple of crime fighters (not so much as any type of romantic couple, but more of a master and his unruly apprentice).  I have too admit that whoever the director of this drama is, he has a great and deep love with hitting people over the back of their heads with a wooden stick.  The amount of times our Hero gets knocked out got to the point that I even started to contemplate making it into a drinking game (for us non drinkers such as myself it could be a shot of Pepsi to help me stay up and watch everything. LOL)  So if you want to see a quirky show full of spooky moments, cute squabbles, and our hero developing stick induced brain damage, be sure to check out this new show.

Links for Eng Subs.  (darksmurfsubs also has this drama, but the subs are not great yet since they are still working on cleaning them up.)
Episode 1 part 1
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1c4wrx_engsub-ghost-seeing-detective-cheoyong-pt-1-1_shortfilms
Episode 1 Part 2
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1cbyc1_engsub-140209-ghost-seeing-detective-cheoyong-pt-1-2-of-2_shortfilms
Episode 2 part 1
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1d31ds_engsub-ghost-seeing-detective-cheoyong-pt-3-1_shortfilms

#4 The Women I Love to Hate

 (I wrote this after episode 13 and at this point of the show I still think my feelings were justified:)

When answering the question put forth from the title of the show "Can We Love?" for these women I want to shout a resounding NO!  Rarely have I ever loathed a female character as much as I do these three women (well really two of the women and annoying girl in training) from this drama.  Yes, you heard right, not just one character but three.  I am currently hoping that all three women somehow end up having to live together alone with no other human contact (because they are that horrible).  The first of the trio (thankfully she is getting better but still added her in since she was a pill up to episode 13) is the daughter of Ji Hyun, fifteen year old Se Ra who not only finds herself pregnant, but portrays what happens when you spoil your child.  Her level of selfish tendencies and cruelty towards her mother is unnatural.  And I know that a lot of you are saying to yourselves that she is having to go through a teenage pregnancy in an unforgiving culture.  However that does not excuse her horrible behavior before this became known nor after when she sees how her mother is treated.  I hope that they attempt to redeem this character for her mother's sake because you can choose your friends but you can't choose your daughter.

The second detestable character is Ji Hyun's abusive/psychotic mother in law Im Ye Jin.  In all my many many dramas I have yet to see a MIL so abusive and cruel as she is to her husband's wife.  And keep in mind that I have seen dramas where they fake affairs, force psychological illnesses to have the daughter in law committed, and a whole bunch of shenanigans in between and none come close to the evil that is this women.  Her crazy abuse is probably the main reason I would give Jo Hyun's character a free pass for all her past lies because no on deserves to be around that women.  The final women is one I have mentioned in past countdowns.  The mega (insert derogatory curse word of choice) that is Sun Mi brings the crazy B lead to a whole new level when she uses her pregnancy (NOT the main guys child) to break up her best friend with her soul mate boyfriend.  And she does it without an ounce of shame or guilt.  It would at least be understandable if she was totally alone and had no options but we have already seen her ditch two perfectly good men, instead deciding to try and take a man that is not hers.  I think I speak for all of us viewers when I say that even becoming an old alone cat ahjumma is too good for her.  I worry that she is going to find happiness in the end (since this is a Asian drama and they like to redeem people) but I wish that she could spend the next twenty years stuck  watching everyone else be happy around her.  All three of these women deserve a good slap from karma and if we are lucky it will by while we can watch.
The Most Evil Mother In Law in Kdrama History Clip

#3 Karma Comes to the Story of Empress Ki

Talking about karma, Empress Ki rewarded its viewers with the #1 Evil Overlord Family getting a huge heaping bowl full of it.  Nyang's plans come to fruition as the selfish empress is banished to the cold palace (kind of cracked me up that this palace was filled with spiderwebs and icicles yet was supposedly just in a different part of the compound) and began her suffering by having to sleep with no blankets and eat only gruel.  Her brother confronts Nyang who informs him (with the scariest look) that this is not the end of her revenge but just the beginning.  That she won't stop until he is left crying over the broken and dead bodies of his sister and father.  The Emperor is not staying still either and through a series of political moves and help from his supporters he is able to overthrow much of the regents power.  For followers of the show who have hated and screamed at their TV's as these people did horrible things, it was truly a great moment.  I have to admit I probably cheered out loud once or twice.
Nyang's Revenge Clip

The Emperor Takes Control Clip

#2 Bromance ET Style

It was so so so hard to choose a favorite moment from this weeks My Love From Another Star.  There was the great scene where Song-Yi went into super cute baby talk mode when demanding that her alien boyfriend come to her room right now (I think if I ever talked to my husband in that voice there is a good chance he would divorce me.  LOL  Yes it is that annoying).

Cutesy Song Yi Clip

Or the scene where Do Min Joon outs himself as a supernatural being to the world in order to save Song-Yi from dying of poison. You have to really appreciate a boyfriend who shows you and the world how he truly feels.
Our Alien is Outed Clip

But the scene that truly won my heart and is my #2 moment of the week was between Do Min Joon and his future possible brother in law Yoon Jae.  Min Joon manages to get drunk when getting permission from our heroine's father to officially court her.  And we all know what happens when our cute alien gets drunk.  HEHEHE  He flashes himself and Song Yi's brother from a phone booth into his apartment, totally outing himself (before he was officially outed to the world).  Now most people would be a little upset or weirded out by this turn of events, but not Yoon Jae (happens to be obsessed about space, astronomy, and all things alien related).   He instead treats the drunk Min Joon as if he is royalty and the next morning when he sobers up, Min Joon finds that his new friend only has one request.  He slowly puts out his finger and poor Min Joon winces as he reenacts the scene from ET.  This scene officially not only gets on my countdown for this week, but is possibly one of my top favorite moments from the whole series.  So congrats to all you viewers out there that enjoy a little Meta humor in their dramas.

ET Bromance Clip

#1 Seo In Guk!!!!

Did I mention that my #1 Bias was back on tv this week!  For those of you who were not following my blog posts, the web series Another Parting began airing this week and episodes 1-3 were AWESOME.  I was not expecting the story to be quirky nor about a Hul, body snatching alien who comes to earth to study the human experience and instead finds love with a suicidal idol Ha Na.  Seo In Guk steals the show with his animated expressions and charisma that pulls you into the crazy storyline.  And at only 10 minutes apiece, the episodes manage to pack in a whole lot of story in a short time getting you to hope that Ha Na and Hul can somehow pull off a happy ending.  I have all the links with subs in my blog recap posts.  For those of you waiting for the conclusion of the show, episodes 4 and 5 will be airing on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Recaps Episode 1&2
http://thecrazyahjummas.blogspot.com/2014/02/another-parting-recap-episodes-1-2.html
Recap Episode 3
 http://thecrazyahjummas.blogspot.com/2014/02/another-parting-episode-3-escape.html

Honorable Mentions

I want to do a quick shout out to a few other highlights of the week.  I know I know, but it just kills me to not reward excellence.  Feel lucky I stopped at only three.

Potato Star - Karaoke Wars

Several of the members of the Potato Star world travel together to enjoy some hot springs.  However due to infighting everyone is silent and angry throughout the whole vacation.  Determined to have some quality family time, youngest son Hye-Sung is devices a plan to bring everyone together.  He cajoles and begs til his family comes out to enjoy some karaoke but instead everyone uses this opportunity to sing out their issues with each other.   My personal favorite was when the garage ahjumma started singing to the mom (her boss) about how her house, kids, and money should have all been hers hehehe. 

Karaoke Clip

Beyond the Clouds - Revenge is Pretty

I am excited for this new drama now that I have finished the first two episodes.  They have really put some money into this drama since they shot on location in Thailand.  Can I just say that I love how they went that extra mile to actually go to another country to comply with the storyline.  It gave the whole show an extra exotic feel.  Add to that the fact that leading man Yoon Kye-Sang (Greatest Love- I am so excited he jumped out of the B Role zone) is knocking it out of the park in his portrayal of Jung Se-Ro, an incarcerated patsy for murder and a jewel heist and you could not have made me any happier.

Beyond the Clouds Trailer

Emergency Couple - Sexy CPR

I am pretty sure that no one has ever thought of CPR as being sexy before.  But that was before this scene in Emergency Couple.  Chang Min's emotions are slowly being reengaged for his ex wife Jin Hee.  However it looks like things might be heating up between Jin Hee and her boss Cheon Soo.  Or at least they are in Chang Min's overactive imagination.  I would just like to point out that the music used in this scene is HILARIOUS.  I will never look at CPR the same way.

Steamy CPR Clip

OK, OK, I am stepping back away from the keyboard because I think that I could continue to find scene after scene that I want to talk about this week.  I am giddy just writing about all the shows I love and now I want to go watch everything again.  Unfortunately that will have to wait and instead I will start watching everything for next week.  Who knows, maybe we will find A scene from our first Thailand drama mentioned on my blog now that I am watching the Thai Full House remake (just a quick mention that it is absolutely adorable).  And I am sure that we are in for a crazy finale from My Love From Another Star.  Not to mention we are heading to the final run with our dramas Lets Eat and I Need Romance 3 so maybe they will have some spectacular scenes that we can add to our countdown.  Whatever happens, I am sure I will enjoy every drama filled minute of it. 

Till next week,
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
Full House (Thailand version)- can find subs on Viki and Youtube.
Lets Eat
My Love From Another Star
Golden Rainbow
Inspiring Generation
I Need Romance 3 - Be sure to check out my recaps!
Emergency Couple 
Angel's Revenge 
Beyond the Clouds/Full Sun 
Another Parting (check out my recaps)
Ghost Seeing Detective CheoYong

Top 5 Kdrama Countdown : January Week 4

 This week's top five was actually hard to put together.  Due to the lunar holiday a bunch of episodes were preempted and if you add on my suddenly unexpected marathon of Prince Lan Ling (I seriously lost 10 straight hours of my life to that drama when I was just going to try one episode) it took some searching to decide on my countdown.  But luckily we also had some great scenes and things that I love and also a character that I love to hate so we are back on track and I am happy with this weeks top 5. 

#5 Yoon Hyun Min is Back on My TV

The cast of Inspiring Generations is HUGE....  and by huge I mean there are so many characters it took six episodes to introduce everyone properly.  And inside of that huge cast are an insane amount of pretty eye candy.......so much Korean male hotness that anyone could be forgiven if they strained their eyes.

But for me there is one stand out (after Kim Hyun Joong) of course and that is Aoki also known as evil grandpa's adopted son played by Yoon Hyun Min (Heartless City - He was also on my list of favorite breakout actors of 2013).  Yoon Hyun Min jumps off the screen with charisma and plays his character with all the charm and strength of his previous role in Heartless City.  And yes, I know I am totally biased since I loved that show, but he is just all kinds of awesome and I cant wait to see more of him and his cunning strategies in Inspiring Generation (and lets just admit that seeing him shirtless and fighting with swords doesn't hurt at all either).

 #4 How to Spot a Korean Serial Killer

For those of you who are new to Korean Dramas, I am going to give you tips on how to spot the bad guy.  This lesson is curtsy of Let's Eat episode 10 and our number four spot on the countdown.

Step 1 - There will always be ominous music......followed by the arrival of the "bad" guy.  If you are having problems visualizing this then think the music from jaws.

Step 2 - He will always be wearing a black hat and usually dark colored clothes, and if he is wearing a black mask (like those that you use for a cold) then just accept that you are going to die.

Step 3 - In the case of being on an elevator with before stated serial killer he will be going to the same floor as you and of course follow you in a slow pace in order to increase the fear.  Don't even think of using his slow pace as a way to quickly go into your apartment and lock the doors.  Oh no, use that time to frantically knock on your neighbors doors in the off chance they are not at work.

Step 4 - If Serial Killer Stalker takes off his mask and he is really attractive underneath then breath a sigh of relief.  It is a false alarm since of course a Serial Killer Stalkers could not possibly be cute.  Invite him into your house like nothing is wrong and of course be sure to flirt.

Scary Elevator Encounter ep 10 Lets Eat Clip

#3 Crying Wolf

My #3 favorite moment is yet again from the end of My Love From Another Star (it has become a permanent spot-holder in my countdown).  Cheon Song-Yi finally finds out the big secret, that Do Min-Joon is a 400 year old alien.  Not that she seems to care that much since she alternately flips back and forth between believing him and on top of that she really is more fixated on whether he likes her or not.  But by the urging of her comic book store owner bestie she decides to test him and his alien powers.  She hikes (in full movie star fashion...including huge heals) to the top of a mountain and starts screaming that she is in danger and to come save her.  LOL  Everyone just looks at her like she is crazy and the only response she receives is some cawing from a crow.   However at the end we see that Do Min-Joon did indeed come to her rescue he is just behind the bolder and is cranky that she called him up when she is not in danger he turns away grumbling to himself “She can’t just call me anytime! She scared me!” .
I'm in Trouble on the Mountain Clip

#2 Backstabbing BFF

Kim Sun Mi is one of those characters that I love to LOATH.... for those of you wondering, loath is above hate in my mind.  She not only realizes that her best friend is falling in love with the adorable and wonderful Director Oh, but she realizes that he is loving her back.  Now most people would totally be happy (even if they are a tad bit jealous) for their friend and back off.  But not Kim Sun Mi.  I am not sure if she is just delusional in her idea that if she tries long enough she can win/trick him into dating her.  Or if she just cant stand to see someone else get what she wants.  But regardless she sits her BFF Jung Wan down and informs her that not only do they like the same man but that she slept with him (I don't think they really slept with each other because he is was super drunk and she is a lying succubus) and he ditched her to run after Jung Wan.  And then went on to tell Jung Wan to please back away since she feels this is her last chance at a happy marriage (again how she went from him telling her to back off to marriage is beyond me).  The worse thing is that most of what she said was actually trueish but situated it in a way that made it impossible for Jung Wan to say she likes him since that would make her the bad guy.  Kudos on the writers of this show for making me hate one of their characters so much.  I personally hope that she ends up alone with her creepy dog since right now she does not deserve to be happy at the expense of so many of the people around her.

I Wish Someone Would Slap Her Clip

#1 Revenge is Better Then Love

 It is well known that I was not a huge fan of the whole lovey dovey Seung Nyang.  Especially when she was put into the position where she was letting the King and Emperor go around trying to make all the decisions for her.  So it was a HUGE relief when Nyang came back to the palace with a new kick butt attitude and plans to destroy pretty much everyone (minus the Emperor).   Instead of going back to the safety that the King represented she dove back into the lion's den and now is an official courtesan of the king.  She is also mounting a battle for control of the inner palace against the evil empress and her minions which makes me so happy.  I much prefer this version of her (even if she is not romantic with the emperor beyond using him to get power) then the mooning girl she was.  And we get the added benefit of seeing the bad guys get their comeuppance they so rightly deserve.  And that is why revenge driven Nyang deserves the top spot of the week since scene after scene she stole the show and moved the whole drama into a whole other direction.

Seung Nyang is Tough Even When Being Whipped Clip

Seung Nyang Taking Control of the Court Clip

This concludes the final week of January's top five kdrama moments.  Check back next Sunday to see if anything in the final episodes of Prime Minister and I catches my attention.  Also look forward to  some new dramas being added to my list in the upcoming weeks since Full Sun starts a week from Monday as well as the new OCN drama Ghost Detective.  See you next week!

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

A New Batch of Dramas

 

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.

Sincerely,
Kmuse

Top 5 Kdrama Countdown: Watching it all so you dont have too - January Week 3.5

 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