This week has actually been a very subtle week when it has come to kdramas. A few started, a few ended, and one baby has stolen my heart (not that I would ever want another baby, even one with epic Elvis hair). Come on in and check out the best of the week and reminisce about the scenes and babies that stole our hearts.
Song of the Week
MBLAQ - Be A Man
I have slowly become a huge MBLAQ fan over the past year (don't know why it took me so long to try listening to their songs). This first song from their new album has a mature slow R&B vibe and showcases their great vocals and smooth choreography. Also I personally, am a huge fan of Thunder's new hair color, his pink phase was never my favorite.
#5 Father/Son Relationship in Bride of the Century.
We all know the stereotype of the rich Korean parent. 90% of the time they are greedy, mean, and anti anything that could provide their children with happiness. So it is a refreshing change to see such a different dynamic in Bride of the Century. Choi Kang-Joo and his father have a relationship where they actually "talk" to each other. I KNOW! Talking about important issues, what an odd thing to see in a kdrama. I also love how supportive the dad is to his son following his heart regardless of where it leads him. It just makes me saw AWWWWWW and earns the #5 spot on this weeks countdown.
#4 Celebration & Sadness
We have a new drama debuting this week! Wild Chives and Soybean Soup snuck into the currently airing kdramas without me knowing anything about it (those of you who have followed me for a while know that is rare). But luckily I was able to slip the first two episodes in this week and I actually enjoyed them (although with 50 episodes there is still a lot of time for this drama to turn stale). The scene that stood out for me was actually the opening segment of episode one. It is 2002 (and for those of you who are new to kdramas, all that you need to know about 2002 is that it was soccer fan chaos in S. Korea because of the World Cup.) All you saw was a sea of red and cheering Koreans, except in the hospital where Jang Kook's father had just passed away from a hit and run. It was fascinating how the director accentuated the loneliness and sadness of our heroine among the loud cheering and excitement from everyone else around her.
#3 Jealous Ex-Husband Hijinks & 2nd Lead Pianist
I have actually heard a lot of mixed feelings about episode 9 of Cunning and Single Lady. I am actually one of those that is in the "I LOVE IT" camp. But then again, I am always up for some over the top comedic moments. One of the things that has been the plague of this drama (at least in my opinion) is that it just does not know whether it wants to keep things more realistic or go with the funnier over the top revenge comedy route. A viewer could get backlash from the amount of times this show has jumped back and forth in its styles. However, I thoroughly appreciated seeing Jung Woo revert to his geeky past as he totally throws all of his polish out the window and goes full out crazy jealous. From competing in bonding work games to faking an injury to keep Ae Ra from being confessed to, his over the top actions kept me smiling through the whole episode.
Tied for #3 is another scene from the same episode (I know I know, but they both were so good I could not choose one and not the other). Our second lead Kook Seung Hyun
, who I am really starting to love, takes out Ae Ra on a work "date". There he lets his confidence shine as he goes up to play the piano and does a fake out followed by Yiruma’s “River Flows In You.”(one of my favorite songs by the way). I don't know about Ae Ra, but he totally won this ahjumma's heart and a substantial part of me would totally be ok with him getting the girl in the end.
Date that is not a date but really was a date clip:
#2 Cyber Anonymity
I was actually wondering how they were going to hook up the two leads in this drama. But no worries because they introduced sexual tension and awareness in a brilliant fashion. My husband is always teasing me that you never know who you are talking to online. He likes to say that my kbestie Angela is some random dude pretending to be a housewife, usually right after he rolls his eyes about something kdrama related. However, they actually did use that as a plot point in Secret Love Affair. For those of you watching, Sun Jae and Hye Won had connected online (where Hye Won pretended to be a 25 year old male pianist in order to give him advice) in episode 1. After his intense practice with Hye Won, Sun Jae gets online to gush to his "hyung" about the woman he met. He expounds how this woman is impressive, charismatic and elegant and is going to help him get a scholarship. Realizing that her online buddy is the boy she was just teaching, Hye Won is in the beginning amused and then shocked as the conversation turns more personal. It seems that our budding genius is also "in lust" with her and he tells his friend that playing with her is the closest thing to sex that he has ever experienced. Not to mention he now has a growing foot fetish due to her sexy feet. HAHA I thought it was a genius move for the writers to create sexual awareness for our older sophisticated lead, without having them constantly in each others presence. Just a good scene all around.
Cyber Connection Clip:
#1 Fortune Cookies of Reconciliation
I have to admit that I am not one of those people that is "in love" with this drama. I just don't like medical dramas. I get so annoyed and frustrated with all the medical made up hoopla crap they throw in (and I am not a doctor but even I know that a lot of what they throw out as their medical jargon is totally dramatized and or made up). But other then that 60% of the show, I actually enjoy it. The dynamic between the main couple got much much better after the first 4 episodes and I am actually cheering for them now rather than cringing. Yes, that secret kdrama magic of making me like someone I despised has happened again. I also like that the show is seriously delving into what would happen if they did get back together and everything crashes and burns a second time. They are taking a more mature and less impulsive dip into the relationship pool and I personally can appreciate the character growth that the show has provided. In episode 18 Jin Hee has decided to give their love a second chance, just as Chang Min starts backpedaling away in order to allow her to meet a "better" man. In order to get through his thick skull that she is interested she makes him a homemade batch of fortune cookies with cute sayings that related to their current situation. I personally found that a very touching and unique moment in a show filled with medical cliches. This drama is always at its best when it focuses on the characters outside of work and that is why this scene won my #1 spot this week.
Fortune Cookies of Love Clip:
Honorable Mention
BABY GOOK!!!!!!!
How flipping adorable is this baby. It is as if Elvis was just reincarnated into the body of a 6 mth Korean baby boy. I give props to casting, since the choice of this cutie was total genius.
And baby Gook closes out this weeks top moments in kdrama! Be sure to check back over the next couple weeks because we have a whole slew of kdrama turnover. Look forward to Gap Dong, Witch's Romance, Golden Cross, and Big Man all making their way onto the countdown. I am also hoping that I will have some kind of recap inspiration since I am all rested up mentally and ready to do a weekly recap again. And if you have not already checked them out, glance over at the new posts from Dongsaeng and Unnie, it is so great to see them back in the blogging world. I have missed their witty musings. Sincerely, Kmuse
Dramas that I am currently watching: Potato Star 2013QR23 Ruby's Ring (counting it as a currently airing drama since it had never been subbed til now) A Well Raised Daughter Bride of the Century Sly and Cunning Lady A Secret Love Affair Empress Ki Golden Rainbow Inspiring Generation Emergency Couple Beyond the Clouds/Full Sun Ghost Seeing Detective CheoYong Wonderful Days Three Days Cubic - Thailand Drama God's Gift: 14 Days Wild Chives and Soy Bean Soup: 12 Years Reunion Sweet Sweet Bodyguard
Here are my top favorite Kpop MV's of 2013. They do tend to drift towards the humorous since that is what I like. So if you are looking for great ballads you should probably search elsewhere or check back for my favorite OST list coming out in the next couple of weeks.
#1 Swings featuring Seo In Guk - Would You
With its Jazzy slow rap and amazing Vocals sung by my #1 Bias Seo In Guk, this song and MV easily earns a spot on my favorites list. The colors visually pop off the screen and the story of a man bringing gifts to a picky injured girl is entertaining. And did I mention Seo In Guk is in this MV!!!!!!!!!!! He is so beautiful and charismatic. I can and have watched it over and over again.
Would You MV
#2 Miss A - Hush Hush
This wins my vote for sexiest female MV of the year. With the group dancing (in very odd locations................ subway, empty store, bathroom/shower stall which I find as being kind of an weird/icky place to dance) to a wonderfully up beat song that gets stuck in your head. I also like that unlike many other female groups, they looked like they were really dancing and not just roboticly copying each others movements. I also appreciate that they decided to do a sexy MV without actually having that random one guy theme that so many of these groups go with. Nothing is more distracting to a song/MV then watching a group of women/men all dating the same person.
Hush Hush MV
#3 MBLAQ - Smoky Girl
This was actually my first introduction to MBLAQ since I am fairly new to the whole Kpop scene. I remember seeing posts about their "comeback" song and how amazing the MV was going to be. And I for one was not disappointed. Bringing a mature smooth dance club vibe, the MV and the five singers slipped their way into my favorites list. I love the black and white theme and even the pop of bright pink courtesy of Thunder's hair. And their wardrobe was beyond sexy and for once consisted of normal clothes. Even months later I still am happy to hear it on my song rotation and their MV makes me want to go clubbing with a paint ball gun.
Smoky Girl MV
#4 Im Chang Jung - “Open the Door”
This is one of those MV's that is so epic you just want to share it with everyone (kpop fans and non kpop fans alike) I was so impressed with this MV that I made a post just to share it earlier in the month. It is so funny and filled with a whole truckload of cameo's (Super Junior's Heechul,
U-KISS, Kim Soo Ro, Kim Jae Dong, Cho Dal Hwan, Jung Sung Ho, Yoon Da
Hoon, Bobby Kim, DJ DOC, Solbi, Choi Daniel, Lee Jong Hyuk,Yoo Se Yoon,
and more). I joked with my mother that you truly have become Korean obsessed when you can start to enjoy trot. I guess after three years of dramas I am there sine I even enjoy listening to the song. So
please enjoy Im Chang Jung “Open the Door”.
Open the Door MV
#5 Heo Young Saeng -The Art of Seduction -
Prepare yourself for a fun video full of very bright sets and an even brighter wardrobe. Add in a fun storyline of one fan's fantasy/ kidnapper reality and you have an awesome MV. Musically it is an all right song but mixed with the MV it becomes one of my favorites. I imagine that many a fan has had similar fantasies and it is hilarious to see a stalker fan and Heo Young Saeng live in her fantasy world.
The Art of Seduction MV
#6 B1A4 - Whats Happening
This is one of those videos that you watch and then watch again and you are still left wondering "What the heck did I just watch"?????? A mix of super cute and super weird it is one of those MV's that you have to just sit back and enjoy without asking any of the hard questions like: What are they doing? What kind of house is that? Why do they have plastic Barbie neighbors? Where the writers drunk when they came up with this concept (the answer is yes yes they were very very drunk). It is especially a great MV if you have a younger child/friend/sibling you are introducing Kpop to. My 11 year old LOVES this MV.
Whats Happening MV
#7 Exo - Growl
Boasting some of the most innovative camera work in an MV this year, Growl makes a group dancing in a empty room interesting for once. I usually am not a fan of the empty room/dancing MV's but this one combined a great song, an awesome one shot rotating camera, and some amazing dancing into one hugely successful experience.
Growl MV
#8 Lee Hyo Ri - Bad Girls
Girl power done right is the theme of this MV. Following the life of one girl from birth to adulthood we get to enjoy a fun spunky storyline and a very upbeat song. Not to mention some awesome makeup and equally Dabaek eyebrow action.
Bad Girl MV
#9 Kim Hyun Joong - Unbreakable
So I totally watched this MV for its amazing hip hop vibe and artsy visuals.......... You know the visuals that are shirtless and sweaty and dancing. I declare that this is hands down the "hottest" MV of the year and Kim Hyun Joong makes us all want to push the slow-mo button and appreciate his many assets. So here is Unbreakable....be prepared to have the urge to rewatch it over and over. You know so you can understand the deep and important message that the MV is trying to portray.
Unbreakable MV
#10 GD - Who You
I had a hard time coming up with a 10th song that I really loved. So I decided to get some help from my awesome Kpop/Kdrama group on FB. We had a poll and they voted and GD's "Who You" wins! I personally had not seen this MV til now and was surprised at how cool it was. I love the concept of filming the whole video in front of a live audience and it goes to show you how talented he is that he can perform this way and not have any hesitation. He truly is a visionary.
Who You MV
So that concludes my Kpop segment of my favorites of 2013. Be sure to share the love since that is how we spread the word on how fun Kpop and Kdramas are. Nothing better then getting your BFF or family members hooked on your Kobsession. Have a wonderful Christmas and check back for My lists for least favorite dramas of 2013 as well as favorite actors.
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