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

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

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

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

 I Hear your Voice

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

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

Ugly Alert

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

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

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

Secret Love

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

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

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

Heartless City 

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

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

School 2013

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

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

CLIP 1

 Clip 2

Dramas That Came So Close:

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,
Kmuse

The Top Couples of 2013

There is nothing better then starting a drama and realizing that actors have amazing chemistry with each other.  It can make a break a good story.  This year there has been some truly exceptional performances and I had to really make some hard decisions on who was my favorite.  Surprisingly two of my top picks were not traditional OTP's, but when the bromance outshines the romantic storyline then you have to give them props.  WARNING THERE MIGHT BE SPOILERS IN THE MV'S.

#1 School 2013 - Go Nam Soon and Park Heung Soo

 At the start of 2013 two models turned actors (Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin) starred in an ensemble cast in a drama called School 2013.  Starting out as a story about students going through the rigors of school in Seoul, the plot quickly centered on the relationship between the two best friends turned enemies.   I laughed and cried with them as they went through the trials of betrayal and forgiveness and their chemistry together was tangible.  Never have I wished for two guys to be a couple then these two.   And in my mind they are off somewhere married to sisters and living in a huge communal home staying BFF's forever. 

Bromance Forever

#2 Kings Daughter Soo Baek Hyang - Solnan & Crown Prince Myung Nong 

Find a feisty street smart heroine (not to mention she is an unknown princess) and add a ruthless picky crown prince, throw them together and watch the sparks fly.  The storyline is addicting and this couple has some amazing chemistry together.  Not to mention some seriously messed up problems they have to overcome as a couple.  Being royalty is never easy, and royalty in love is even harder.  But these two have more guts and toughness then any ten other couples so I am crossing my fingers that they can make it work.

Our OTP's first meeting.  She fakes crazy and pretends that he is her husband to escape from her family's killers.

#3 Heartless City - Kim Hyun Soo & Jung Shi Hyun

 Deep undercover, cop Jung Shi Hyun uses Kim Hyun Soo as an in into the drug underworld of Seoul.  But from this lie a deep and unbreakable friendship is forged that nothing short of death can severe.  They are closer then the supposed OTP could ever be and, always supporting each other, they take on cops and gangs alike in their attempt to rule everything.   And it does not hurt that they both look amazing while doing it.
Epic Bromance MV Heartless City (never get tired of this video..)

#4 Secret Love - Jo Min Hyuk & Kang Yoo Jung

The most dysfunctional OTP by far this year, Min Hyuk and Yoo Jung fell in love despite a whole psychological slew of reasons that they shouldn't.  Taking the blame for killing Min Hyuk's pregnant girlfriend, Yoo Jung serves five years in prison.  Determined to get revenge Min Hyuk stalks her day and night when she gets out.  And what does every good Korean stalker do?  Why fall in love with the person they are obsessed with of course.  Just usually they wait until all the misunderstandings are cleared up first.  Unlike other Korean lead characters, Min Hyuk starts to fall for her while he is still under the impression that she is a murderess.  You have to give the writers and actors props for being able to make us want this couple together even though many of their scenes were slightly messed up and violent.  
[MV] Secret Love- No One Else

#5 Ugly Alert - Gong Joon Soo & Na Do Hee

 Jumping from our most dysfunctional couple we now get to talk about the most stable couple I have ever seen in a Korean drama.  Ugly Alert is a daily drama and while it has a solid fan base, it was under the radar for the average drama watcher.  About a boy who takes the blame for an accidental murder committed by his step brother.  Ten years later he is released and meets a lonely Choebal heiress Na Do Hee.  Following the initial trial of admitting that he is a felon they fall for each other and from start to finish continue to support each other through thick and thin.  Unlike 99% of other Korean OTP's they communicate and let each other know everything that is happening in their lives so as to avoid the major pitfalls of most relationships.  They are what every couple wishes their relationships to be and it was a pure joy to watch.
Compilation of some super cute cheek kisses 

This concludes my favorite OTP's of 2013.  We are already seeing some amazing couples shine in the new year.   Pretty Man, My Love From the Stars, and Prime Minister and I are totally sizzling with chemistry so I see 2014 continuing Korea's tradition of putting out couples that we love to love.  See you next time when I discuss the years top melodramas.

Sincerely,
Kmuse

The Kisses of 2013

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

Most Memorable Kisses

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

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

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

 

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Would Kiss you but you are About to Pass Out Kiss

 First Kiss

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

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

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

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

Secret Love (Hwang Jung Eum & Ji Sung)

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

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

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

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

#1 King of Dramas(Siwon & Oh Ji Eun) 

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

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

 

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

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

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

 THE BACK HUG

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

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

Heirs (Lee Min Ho & Park Shin Hye)

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

Secret Love (Hwang Jung Eum & Ji Sung)

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

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

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

Sincerly,

Kmuse