Thursday 31 December 2015

December 2015 Choices - Videos, TV Shows, and more!

Every Breath You Take - feat. Various
Glad You Came - feat. Oh My Venus
Wonder - feat. Oh My Venus
Stand By You - feat. Remember
Battleships - feat. Reply 1988
They Want Me To Be Perfect - feat. G-Dragon of BTS

Newtmas (Newt x Thomas)
I have only seen and read the first Maze Runner in the series, but after watching various fan made videos by a subscription of mine, I fell in love with the Newt and Thomas ship. It's so cute and their relationship is just perfect. And I loved how they messed around in the bloopers, sometimes showing themselves in a "romantic" relationship.

Best and Worst of 2015 Life [Part 2]

Now it's time for a life post, yay! I don't know how 2015 has been for everyone else but it's been a pretty shit one for me. I can even say that it's in the top two worst years of my entire life, up there with 2010 - the year I moved from Belgium to England away from my friends, homeland and dad and the year I started my last year of primary school at St. Joseph's.

Wednesday 30 December 2015

Best and Worst of 2015 Life [Part 1]

Today and tomorrow, I'll be writing about how 2015 has been for me (it's honestly been quite shit - just hope 2016 is better, which I doubt with exams and not being able to see half of my friends anymore because of college). Anyway, I'm writing the first part today - which is a k-drama exclusive - and the second part tomorrow - which is about my own personal life. So here's the best and worst of the 2015 K-Drama Life.

Tuesday 29 December 2015

End Report: Top K-Dramas of 2015

Over the next week or so, I've put together a series of posts to do with both my life and k-drama related articles (which will include choices and upcoming January 2016 dramas). Anyway, I'll be talking about the best dramas that this year has given us. I don't know how other years have gone, but I'd say 2015 has been pretty good for Korean dramas. Anyway, here they are, my 10/10 dramas for this year.

Tuesday 22 December 2015

2015 Beanie Awards: K-Drama Edition (My Choices)

Favourite Drama Series of 2015 (choice of 5):
  • OH MY GHOST: Possess my heart.
  • KILL ME, HEAL ME: Does my vote count 7 times?
  • MASK: Don't mask your love for me.
  • CHEER UP: Vote for the underdog! You can do it!
  • WHO ARE YOU: SCHOOL 2015: Head of the class.
Favourite Action or Thriller Drama: I REMEMBER YOU: Forgotten thrills.
Favourite Comedy Drama: CHEER UP: Cheering on the laughs.
Favourite Historical Drama: SCHOLAR WHO WALKS THE NIGHT: Hellmouth of yore.
Favourite Family or Weekend Drama: MY HEART TWINKLE TWINKLE
Favourite Melodrama: MASK: It hurts because there's an evil guy trying to destroy us.
Favourite Lead Couple (choice of 3):

Sunday 13 December 2015

Trying Something New + Update

Okay, as you people know, my blog is mainly focused around Korean dramas. But due to the amount of things happening in my life and the posts I've cut down on, this blog is rarely active now. So I've decided to make this blog a more personal blog (aka writing about stuff happening in my life) than an information blog. I'll still probably do reviews, choices, upcoming dramas, etc., but I need a place to put down some of feelings when there's no where else to talk about them.

So yeah, look forward to more life posts from me.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Most Anticipated Upcoming December 2015 K-Dramas

Remember
Airs: December 9, 2015
Every Wednesday + Thursday on SBS

Seo Woo Bin has the condition of hyperthymesia, which allows him to remember almost every day in perfect detail. To prove the innocence of his father, Woo Bin becomes a lawyer. He struggles to prove his father's innocence, but he begins to lose his memory due to Alzheimer's.

Monday 30 November 2015

November 2015 Choices - Videos, K-Dramas and more!

Battle Scars - feat. Cheer Up!
Fly Like An Eagle - feat. Various
I Don't Need You - feat. She Was Pretty
Uptown Funk - feat. Various
Certain Things - feat. Oh My Venus
Can't Take It - feat. Missing You
Save a Life - feat. Cheer Up!

Oh My Venus (2015)
A lot of people who are watching Oh My Venus aren't enjoying it very much because the only thing original compared to other romantic comedies is the story for the main female lead to lose weight. Everything else is cliche and unoriginal, however, I can't help finding myself enjoying this drama. It's cute and quite sweet. Plus, the main male lead is hot as anything.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

24th Completed Drama: She Was Pretty

She Was Pretty
Synonyms: She Was Beautiful, Puzzled Lovers
Episodes: 16
Country: South Korea
Aired: Sep. 16, 2015 - Nov. 11, 2015
Network: MBC
Duration: 60 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Viewers Rating: 8.5/10
My Rating: 8.5/10

Synopsis: Kim Hye Jin was a very pretty girl from a rich family. After her family's publishing company went bankrupt, she experienced hardships then lost her beauty too. Ji Seong Joon was an unattractive boy with low self-esteem, but grows up as a handsome and successful editor.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

23rd Completed Drama: Cheer Up!

Cheer Up!
Synonyms: Starting Now, Cheer Up!, Sassy Go Go
Episodes: 12
Country: South Korea
Aired: Oct. 5, 2015 - Nov. 10, 2015
Network: KBS2
Duration: 59 mins.
Genres: Drama, Romance, School, Sports, Youth
Viewers Rating: 8.5/10
My Rating: 10/10

Synopsis: Set in a highly competitive school that emphasizes achievement and scores above all else, the drama will lay bare the absurdities and hypocrisies of the education system while also featuring the growth stories of the students who struggle to move forward, one step at a time.

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Currently Watching: The Village: Achiara's Secret

The Village: Achiara's Secret


Warning: this article contains spoilers and if you have not watched the first six episodes of this drama, you may want to stop reading now.

Firstly, this is my first article that I have done so I apologise in advance if my writing style is not to your taste. Anyway, the main reason I started watching The Village: Achiara's Secret is because of Yook Sung Jae. I have been a fan of his since his debut in 2012 with the rest of his group, BTOB. And for those who have watched his previous dramas will know that he has broken the idols-can't-act stereotype. However, this drama itself did interest me as well because I'm a sucker for anything horror or thriller themed. I believe that thriller dramas bring out the best in actors and I just love the suspense as well.

Sunday 1 November 2015

My Most Anticipated Upcoming November 2015 K-Dramas

Oh My Venus
Airs: November 16, 2015
Every Monday + Tuesday on KBS

Kim Young Ho is a personal trainer for Hollywood stars. Even though he comes from a wealthy family background, he suffered a devastating injury during his childhood days. Now, he overcomes his problems with patience and stubbornness. Kang Joo Eun is a 33-year-old lawyer who has struggled to support her family. Now, she's overweight and not so attractive.
These two had a connection when they were younger. Now as adults, they meet once again. They both go on a diet, which leads to them becoming healthier and having a romantic relationship.

Cast: So Ji Sub - Kim Young Ho
Shin Min Ah - Kang Joo Eun

Saturday 31 October 2015

October 2015 Choices - K-Dramas and Videos

Cheer Up! (2015)
I didn't think I would like this drama as much as I am, but this is just amazing. I think I must love school dramas a lot because all of the ones I have watched have been absolutely superb. Also, Cheer Up! (mainly known as Sassy Go Go) has led me to a new experience. This has been the first time in my life that I have loved everyone in a whole love triangle. I love the main couple together (Kim Yeol and Kang Yeon Doo), but my heart is also falling for second lead syndrome again (Seo Ha Joon and Kang Yeon Doo). I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE.

Set in a highly competitive school that emphasizes achievement and scores above all else, the drama will lay bare the absurdities and hypocrisies of the education system while also featuring the growth stories of the students who struggle to move forward, one step at a time.

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Patriarchy, Abuse and Gender Roles in Asian Dramas

WARNING: This article contains sensitive content
Note: Also, I'm aware that some of these dramas have good aspects as well, but I'm going to focus only on patriarchy, abuse and gender roles. I'm also aware that what I'm talking about here is not restricted to Asian culture only, so there is no need to get insulted if it so happens.

Asian dramas in general are very entertaining, however, there is a dark side to almost everything, and that includes Asian dramas and some of the values and relationship models that have been promoted by them and media. This topic is not related to the Asian entertainment industry alone, its roots are deeper and they lie in Asian culture, history and gender issues.

Saturday 10 October 2015

22nd Completed Drama: Mrs. Cop

Mrs. Cop
Episodes: 18
Country: South Korea
Aired: Aug. 3, 2015 - Sep. 29, 2015
Network: SBS
Duration: 1 hr. 5 mins.
Genres: Action, Crime, Detective, Investigation
Viewers Rating: 8.0/10
My Rating: 8.0/10

Synopsis: Choi Young Jin is a female detective squad chief. She also raises her daughter Ha Eun. At work, she deals with brutal crimes with her senior detective Park Jong Ho and squad members Min Do Young, Han Jin Woo, Jo Jae Deok and Lee Se Won.

Saturday 3 October 2015

21st Completed Drama: Yong Pal

Yong Pal
Synonyms: The Gang Doctor
Episodes: 18
Country: South Korea
Aired: Aug. 5, 2015 - Oct. 1, 2015
Network: SBS
Duration: 1 hr. 5 mins.
Genres: Action, Drama, Medical, Romance
Viewers Rating: 8.1/10
My Rating: 7.0/10

Synopsis: Kim Tae Hyun is a talented surgeon. Desperate for money to pay his sister's medical bills, he adopts the code name Yong Pal and offers his medical skills to those in need of medical attention but who cannot do so publicly, dealing with gangsters and corrupt plutocrats. It is while making such a house call that Tae Hyun rescues "sleeping beauty" Han Yeo Jin, a chaebol heiress, from a medically induced coma, leading to unintended consequences.

News Articles #20: October 3, 2015 - Kim So Hyun in Upcoming Web Drama with BtoB's Minhyuk; BtoB's Comeback and Teaser Photos + "The Village: Achiara's Secret" Releases New Still and Poster

BtoB Releases New Teaser Photos for Upcoming Comeback
Boy group BtoB will be returning with their seventh mini album, I Mean. On October 1, BtoB released a surprise teaser image for their official social media accounts to announce their comeback with the mini album. The seven-member boy group's title track from their upcoming mini album will be another ballad track, perfect for the fall season. The group's latest album, their first full-length album Complete was released in June of this year.

BtoB's I Mean will be released on October 12.

Thursday 1 October 2015

My Most Anticipated Upcoming October 2015 K-Dramas

Glamorous Temptation
Airs: October 5, 2015
Every Monday + Tuesday on MBC


The drama will center on a man's revenge story, and will cover ambition, greed, and the truth.

Cast: Joo Sang Wook - Jin Hyeong Woo
Choi Kang Hee - Shin Eun Soo
Cha Ye Ryeon - Kang Il Joo

Wednesday 30 September 2015

September 2015 Choices - Videos and K-Dramas

Coffee Prince (2007)
As some of you may have seen previously, I finished and wrote a review for Coffee Prince about two or so weeks ago. It was an amazing drama to watch. It was hilarious, heart-breaking and adorable all at the same time. It definitely tugged at some of my heart strings. And plus, the actor Gong Yoo (who played Choi Han Kyul) was such a strawberry (terminology I use for a hot/cute guy). Coffee Prince is a must-watch for romcom lovers.

A tomboy is mistaken for a young man, but maintains the deception for the sake of employment. The situation is complicated when her male boss begins to develop feelings for this "boy".

Sunday 27 September 2015

Karma

I don't remember what I've done or said for karma to bitch slap me in the face, but it's hit me hard today. Really hard. It's nothing depressive or aggravating, so don't worry your cotton socks.

As some of you may remember from a while back, in my first ever monthly choices post, I posted about getting my 'The Amazing Tour is Not On Fire' tickets. That day is soon approaching (12 days!), and I'm super excited for it. I've actually have a countdown in my planner since April of this year, counting down the days until the 9th of October. 

Thursday 24 September 2015

20th Completed Drama: Coffee Prince

Coffee Prince
Synonyms: The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince
Episodes: 17
Country: South Korea
Aired: Jul. 2, 2007 - Aug. 28, 2007
Network: MBC
Duration: 1 hr. 5 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Friendship, Romance
Viewers Rating: 8.4/10
My Rating: 9.0/10

Synopsis: A tomboy is mistaken for a young man, but maintains the deception for the sake of employment. The situation is complicated when her male boss begins to develop feelings for this "boy."

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Happy Belated Birthday, Lee Jong Suk!

I already knew on the 14th that it was Jong Suk's birthday, however, I wasn't in a great mood to be writing a post on it, and I was like that yesterday as well. I don't really know why, but I did the same thing with Joy's birthday on the third of September (but I didn't post about it because it was too late by the time I got round to it). Anyway, here's to my second favourite actor since my k-drama debut in January! Happy Belated Birthday!

Saturday 12 September 2015

19th Completed Drama: I Remember You

I Remember You
Synonyms: Hello Monster
Episodes: 16
Country: South Korea
Aired: Jun. 22, 2015 - Aug. 11, 2015
Network: KBS2
Duration: 1 hr. 10 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Investigation, Mystery, Psychological, Romance, Thriller
Viewers Rating: 8.7/10
My Rating: 8.5/10

Synopsis: A romantic thriller about a mystery solving duo who bicker and fight but end up developing feelings for each other. A complicated love story between a criminal profiler who uses his sharp eye to analyze crime scenes and an investigator female cop who stalks him. The two solve crime cases together while hiding each one's true heart, going through the love-hate relationship and healing in the process.

Thursday 10 September 2015

Small Announcement

As some of you readers have hopefully noticed, pretty much since I started this blog, I've been doing the monthly CFs (commercials) from South Korea and picking my favourite ones. However, due to me being in Corfu for the end of August (when the list of CFs comes out), I was unable to do a post on it. I was getting slightly bored with it anyway, so I have decided to stop doing them. That's all.

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Red Velvet

At the moment, I am only a fan of one female kpop group, and they are Red Velvet. They are a pretty new group, that was only formed a year ago. The reason why I am talking about them now is because they have just released one of their singles that will be complied together in a new album: The Red. Red Velvet is a very popular group, despite being so new, because their previous single, Ice Cream Cake, was a massive hit.

Wednesday 2 September 2015

18th Completed Drama: Oh My Ghost

Oh My Ghost
Synonyms: Oh My Ghostess
Episodes: 16
Country: South Korea
Aired: Jul. 3, 2015 - Aug. 22, 2015
Network: tvN
Duration: 60 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
Viewers Rating: 8.8/10
My Rating: 9.5/10

Synopsis: Bong Sun, a timid young woman, is possessed by the ghost of a lustful virgin. She has zero self-confidence, and because of her extreme shyness, she doesn't have any close friends. At the restaurant where she works as an assistant, she's not particularly good at anything, and mostly just gets yelled at a lot. Her grandmother was a shaman so from a young age she's been able to occasionally see ghosts, though it's not until she meets the lascivious ghost that she gets possessed totally. Sun Woo is a conceited star chef who's overflowing with confidence in his food and his skills. Bong Sun harbors a secret crush on him, though he doesn't take much notice of her for two reasons: because he's always surrounded by women and because he's hung up on an old flame. But the one day, Bong Sun starts acting differently, shedding her mousy personality, and ends up constantly on Sun Woo's mind.

News Articles #19: September 2, 2015 - Yook Sungjae Cast in "The Village: Achiara's Secret" + Lee Sung Kyung Cast in "Cheese in the Trap"

Moon Geun Young and BtoB's Yook Sungjae Confirmed for "Village"
The two actors have been confirmed as the leads of the new Wednesday-Thursday evening drama after previous reports of their casting offers. Moon Geung Young will portray Kim So Yoon, an English teacher who is transferred to the town of Achiara. Yook Sungjae will play cop Park Woo Jae, who has finally accomplished his dream of becoming a policeman after failing the exam three times. The two will join forces as they discover the secrets behind the mysterious corpses that are unearthed in the seemingly peaceful, quiet town of Achiara.

Tuesday 1 September 2015

My Most Anticipated Upcoming September 2015 K-Dramas

She Was Pretty
Airs: September 16, 2015
Every Wednesday + Thursday on MBC


A romantic comedy about two past acquaintances who meet again after they've gone through a reversal of fortunes and appearances, set in the backdrop of a fashion magazine's publishing office. Kim Hye Jin was a very pretty girl from a rich family. After her family's publishing company went bankrupt and her father died, she experienced hardships then lost her beauty too. Ji Sung Joon was an unattractive boy with low self-esteem, but grows up as a handsome and successful editor.

Monday 31 August 2015

My August 2015 Choices - Specials, K-Dramas, Books, and more!

Like I have mentioned before, I've been in Corfu for the most time of this month, so there is not much I have fallen for, but there is still a few things that I can talk about. Anyway, here goes nothing - my choices for this August.

We All Cry Differently (2014)
While I was away, I never had the time to watch even one episode from the dramas I was watching. But while browsing through YouTube, I discovered on the KBS World TV channel, they have every single drama special since 2011. And so, I have watched three on that list so far: We All Cry Differently, I'll Die Soon and When I Was the Prettiest. The last two weren't very good, especially the last one (and that one had Lee Jong Suk in it!). I won't be doing reviews on them because it's only one hours worth of content, and not enough for me to review on. Anyway, the first special was such a good watch and I'll leave the whole video below, so you can watch if you want!

Off Hiatus

I'm finally back from my holiday! Yay! I do loving going to Corfu, but going for a whole three weeks was too much. But now I'm just glad I'm back. As you may have noticed, I haven't been as inactive as I said I would. I have posted a few reviews of books I've read while I was there, and I plan to still post them in the future (although, they will be rare as it does usually take me a while to read one book). I did have to repost The Maze Runner review because it was being shitty when I tried to edit it earlier, so I redid the whole post.

2nd Book Review: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: Oct. 6, 2009
Pages: 384
Setting: The Maze, Dystopian Universe
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 0385737947
Readers Rating: 4.02/5
My Rating: 3/5
Goodreads Link

Synopsis: If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human. When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone. Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade. Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive. Everything is going to change. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying. Remember. Survive. Run.

Monday 24 August 2015

4th Book Review: All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places
Author: Jennifer Niven
Publisher: Knopf
Publication Date: Jan. 6, 2015
Pages: 388
Setting: Indiana, United States
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 0385755880
Readers Rating: 4.21/5
My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him. Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.


Tuesday 18 August 2015

3rd Book Review: The Art of Being Normal

The Art of Being Normal
Author: Lisa Williamson
Publisher: David Flickling Books
Publication Date: Jan. 1, 2015
Pages: 368
Setting: Eden Park, England
Price: £9.99
ISBN: 1910200328
Readers Rating: 4.37/5
My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Two boys. Two secrets. David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl. On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal – to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year eleven is definitely not part of that plan. When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long…

Wednesday 12 August 2015

1st Book Review: Attachments

Attachments
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Publication Date: Apr. 14, 2011
Pages: 323
Setting: Nebraska, 1999 (United States)
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 0525951989
Readers Rating: 3.97/5
My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives. Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now - reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers - not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke. When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained - and captivated - by their stories. By the time Lincoln realises he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

Sunday 9 August 2015

3 Week Hiatus

I'm just making a small post on here to say that I won't be able do anything or post for the rest of this month because I'm on a 3-week holiday to Corfu. I have downloaded the dramas School 2013 and Reply 1997 to watch while I'm there, so I will probably make one or two posts on here while I'm away, just for their reviews. This also means that new articles won't be updated until September, and any major news while I'm away will have to be found somewhere else.

On-Hold Drama: The Time We Were Not in Love

The Time We Were Not in Love
Episodes: 16
Country: South Korea
Airs: Jun. 27, 2015 - Aug. 16, 2015
On-Hold Date: Jul. 11, 2015
Network: SBS
Duration: 1 hr. 10 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Viewers Rating: 7.4/10
My Rating: 7.0/10

Synopsis: Choi Won is "the perfect guy" - good-looking, tall and fit with an amicable personality. Although he is very popular with women, he can't have a proper relationship because of his friend, Oh Ha Na. A romantic comedy about a man and a woman who have been best friends for 20 years (7000 days). They turn 34 and make a pact to be married before 35, and race each other to the altar while "helping" weed out potential suitors. They find that they're constantly dissatisfied with each other's boyfriends and girlfriends, because they've been in love all this time.

Friday 7 August 2015

A Significant Life

"One way to get out of a nightmare is to wake up. But if I can't wake up... the nightmare continues." - Jang Hyuk Rin, Yong Pal

"After seeing the results, things that seem unrelated come together to form one, and unimportant moments all feel like destiny." - Park Yeon Seon, White Christmas

"When we were in school, you studied really well, so I had a hard time, because I had to go to the same college as you. Even though it was annoying and difficult, I followed you. But for over half my life, I followed you. I didn't realize that me following you around wasn't a habit, but love. For not going anywhere and sticking to my side like gum, I'm grateful." - Park Ji Eun, Producer

Tuesday 4 August 2015

17th Completed Drama: White Christmas

White Christmas
Synonyms: Monster
Episodes: 8
Country: South Korea
Aired: Jan. 30, 2011 - Mar. 20, 2011
Network: KBS2
Duration: 1 hr. 5 mins.
Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
Viewers Rating: 8.7/10
My Rating: 9.5/10
MyDramaList Link

Synopsis: Susin High School, nicknamed "Prison High," is an elite school attended by the top 1% of students in the country. Their stellar marks are the result of constant pressure and a strict punishment system, to the point where students avoid from any activities outside of studying. It is in this atmosphere that seven students and a teacher remain at school for the winter break, joined by Kim Yo Han, a psychiatrist who was forced to take shelter with them after he was involved in a car accident nearby. At a time when everyone else is celebrating Christmas Eve, the students realize that the anonymous letters they each received were not the result of a harmless prank; there was a murderer in their midst. A question lies unspoken: are monsters created, or are humans born monsters?

Monday 3 August 2015

News Articles #18: August 3, 2015 - New Songs for "High Society" and "Scholar Who Walks the Night" + Nam Joo Hyuk Joins "Cheese in the Trap" Cast

Park Hyung Sik Lends His Voice to OST of "High Society"
On July 27, the High Society production team released a surprise OST Part 4 album single. The song featured in this single, You Are My Love was revealed to be composed and written by Kim Changwan. 

Sunday 2 August 2015

16th Completed Drama: Mask

Mask
Synonyms: Doppelganger
Episodes: 20
Country: South Korea
Aired: May 27, 2015 - Jul. 30, 2015
Network: SBS
Duration: 60 mins.
Genres: Drama, Melodrama, Psychological, Romance
Viewers Rating: 8.2/10
My Rating: 10/10

Synopsis: Byun Ji Sook has always had a hard life with her father constantly going into debt and being chased by loan sharks. She desperately wants to know what life is like if she was born into a better family and didn't have to worry about money all the time. When a series of circumstances brings Ji Sook to Seo Eun Ha, a woman from a wealthy family who strongly resembles Ji Sook, she grabs hold of the chance for a better life and assumes Eun Ha's identity and begins to live her elite life. She meets Choi Min Woo, a chaebol heir who is mistrusting of the people around him. But when he realizes that Ji Sook is not like the other women he has met, he is drawn to her. How long can Ji Sook keep up the charade and hide her true identity?

Best K-Drama Moments: July Week #4 - Oh My Ghost, I Remember You, High Society + Mask

Oh My Ghost
Jealousy is an evil thing, honey.

Sun Woo prides himself on being a fair boss. He's the type of guy who works his employees hard because he believes in them and gives them room to fail as he knows that success doesn't usually come after one try.

Saturday 1 August 2015

My Most Anticipated Upcoming August 2015 K-Dramas

Mrs. Cop
Airs: August 3, 2015
Every Monday + Tuesday on SBS

Choi Yeong Jin is a female detective squad chief. She also raises her daugther Ha Eun. At work, she deals with brutal crimes with her senior detective Park Jong Ho and squad members Min Do Yeong, Han Jin Woo, Jo Jae Deok and Lee Seo Won.

Friday 31 July 2015

My July 2015 Choices - K-Dramas, Songs, Videos, and more!

Lots of things have happened over this last month. I did my work experience, I've had a few days out with my friends and family, I made up with my former best friend, I got the hilarious card game: Cards Against Humanity, and I've been able to see my dad earlier than expected (which was late October). Anyway, here are my favourites of the month!

XXZANABAEXX No.4
It's the fourth month in a row since I've started featuring this YouTuber, and I'm still addicted to watching her videos. Every time I see her new video in my subscriptions feed, I have a small fangirl attack. And each time I finish watching it, I have completely fell in the love with the video - even if I'm not watching the drama she has edited.

Thursday 30 July 2015

July 2015 CFs: My Favourites of the Month

For those of you who are melting due to the sizzling summer heat, there are a plethora of July CFs (commercial films) full of your favourite K-Pop stars that will help cool you off. Plenty of beverage CFs aim to quench your thirst this month.

Ji Sung (played as Cha Do Hyun in Kill Me, Heal Me) for Del Monte:
Despite having released this commercial back in April, it remains popular and is currently airing in Korea. The popular actor gives last month's juice CF stars a run for their money.

Wednesday 29 July 2015

15th Completed Drama: High Society

High Society
Synonyms: Chaebol's Daughter; The Privileged
Episodes: 16
Country: South Korea
Aired: Jun. 8, 2015 - Jul. 28, 2015
Network: SBS
Duration: 60 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Melodrama, Romance
Viewers Rating: 7.6/10
My Rating: 6.5/10

Synopsis: Jang Yoon Ha is the youngest daughter of a chaebol (family owned conglomeration). Even though her family is extremely wealthy, she holds a part-time job at a food market. She hides her background as an heiress and attempts to find a man that loves her for herself.

K-Drama Trend: Famous Chefs

Cooking and male chefs are all the rage in Korea right now. This not only translates to celebrity chefs but also to the increase of male chefs as characters in K-Dramas. There are chefs that you wish would cook for you, chefs you would want to date, but what chefs you would want to work for? Here's a list, rated out of 5 stars.

Sunday 26 July 2015

Best K-Drama Moments: July Week #3 - Mask, The Time We Were Not in Love, Oh My Ghost, High Society + I Remember You

Mask
Save me, but don't leave me.

Min Woo and Ji Sook hit a rough patch when Mi Yeon exposes our heroine's fraud. This gets Min Woo mad and he distances himself. Ji Sook has to divorce Min Woo to keep evil Seok Hoon from killing him to get his inheritance through her. However, Ji Sook is in a bind and feels she can't fully confide in her husband which frustrates him. So, they go through a hilarious couple counseling where they insist that they must divorce while showing that they are absolutely in love. It all comes to a head on their way to finalize their divorce. After Ji Sook confesses that looking at her husband's eyes gives her strength, he turns around and tells her that he loves her - not as Eun Ha but as Ji Sook. He reveals that her leaving him will be tantamount to killing him, so, if she wants to save him, she must stay by his side.

Saturday 25 July 2015

Dragon's Loyalty Award - Dorama Minaoshi Ver.

Rules
1) Display the award on your blog.
You'll find the award linked in my personal posts tab.

2) Announce your win with a post and acknowledge the person who nominated you.
Thank you muchly Eve, from Pen & Key! I've been long waiting to do another post like this, and you've made that happen! Thanks again!

3) Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers.
Emma (EmsyThorne)
smilesifyXO (Smiles No Matter)
And that's it...

Friday 24 July 2015

Ship It: Park Shin Hye Edition

Park Shin Hye's path to stardom started young in a music video, grew together several hit dramas, and has hit its peak with each of her recent works becoming a huge hit. Watching her grow into the actress she is now - both talent-wise and beauty-wise - had been such a treat as a fan. And as she grows, her list of ships with popular actors grows as well. Here are some of her most recent boasted exceptional chemistry with actors.

Wednesday 22 July 2015

News Articles #17: July 22, 2015 - Jun Ji Hyun is 10 Weeks Pregnant + Kim Woo Bin is Dating

Actress Jun Ji Hyun is 10 Weeks Pregnant
The news comes three years after Jun Ji Hyun's marriage to Choi Joon Hyuk, and the actress is currently 10 weeks pregnant, due in the beginning of next year. A source close to Jun Ji Hyun spoke to Dispatch, and said, "It was news they've both been waiting for. They really wanted to have a child this year, and they're really happy that things are going as planned."

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Shizuku Takahashi - Hiding Behind a Mask

I discovered my addiction for the internet during my last year of primary school, 5 (technically 6 now that Year 10 is over for me) years ago. The first thing I did was sign up on Facebook and add all of my friends, from my school and from my past friends in Belgium. However, after that, I wanted to join more social media, like Google+ and Twitter, but because of a tiny incident in past, I didn't want to use my real name. Around that time, I had also discovered anime, and it was probably around at that time I was watching Bokura ga Ita (We Were There) and Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. And I came up with the idea of using a Japanese styled name as a persona on the internet, and so, the name Shizuku Takahashi was created.

Sunday 19 July 2015

Happy Belated Birthday, Kim Woo Bin!

Kim Woo Bin
Nationality: South Korean
Gender: Male
Born: July 16, 2015
Age: 26

Previous Dramas:
2013 - The Heirs (Main Role - Choi Yeong Do)
2012 - School 2013 (Main Role - Park Heung Soo)
2012 - A Gentleman's Dignity (Supporting Role - Kim Dong Hyub)
2011 - Vampire Idol (Supporting Role - Gabri)
2011 - Cupid Factory (Supporting Role - Roy)
2011 - White Christmas (Main Role - Kang Mi Reu)

Saturday 18 July 2015

Best K-Drama Moments: July Week #2 - Mask, Oh My Ghost, The Time We Were Not in Love + High Society

Mask
I love you.

After a rough start, Min Woo and fake Eun Ha have found common ground and fallen in love. When Ji Sook overhears the evil Suk Hoon instructing someone over the phone to finish someone off, she understandably freaks out upon learning that Min Woo is hurt. She runs to him only to arrive at the hospital and find him with a tiny bruise on his head. When her now worried husband asks her if she's okay, she confesses that she loves him. It's about time and just what these two need to conquer the evil coming their way.

Wednesday 15 July 2015

News Article #16: July 15, 2015 - Super Junior is Back With Their New Action-Packed "Devil" MV [100 Posts Special]

On July 15, the group dropped their tenth anniversary special album Devil, which includes songs from all their sub-units, including Super Junior T, SJ M, and SJ K.R.Y. The album features tracks written by Jaurim's Kim Yoon Ah, Rose Motel, Lee Seung Hwan, and Epitone Project. The group has also released their hugely anticipated music video for their title track Devil. It features the members starring in their own miniature movies, complete with fun posters and lots of action.

Monday 13 July 2015

Infinite

As July seems to be the month all kpop bands are making their comeback, I've latched onto a new group: Infinite. As I watched their latest music video of Bad, I recognized two of the members very easily, and when I recognize an actor in a band, I will probably start to love that group. Those two actors were Hoya and Myungsoo (L), but I'll get to them two in a bit.

Infinite
Origin: Seoul, South Korea
Genres: Kpop
Years Active: 2010-present
Labels: Woollim Entertainment + Universal D
Associated Acts: Infinite H + Infinite F
Debut: June 9, 2010

Saturday 11 July 2015

Who Are You: School 2015 Ending Rewrite - The True Ending (Part One)

Eun Bi and Yi An stood together on the bridge of many events. The bridge that first gave Tae Kwang his romantic feelings towards Eun Bi, the bridge that Eun Byul finally confronted Yi An on after she disappeared for months on end. And now, they both stand there again to tell each other what needs to be said.

“I didn’t realize you would be leaving so soon.” Yi An finally started to stop the awkward silence. Things had been so difficult for them both recently, especially with Eun Byul’s sudden reappearance and So Young’s constant threats towards Eun Bi, that they both weren’t in the greatest place.

Friday 10 July 2015

Best K-Drama Moments: July Week #1 - The Time We Were Not in Love, Warm and Cozy, Mask, I Remember You, Oh My Ghost + High Society

The Time We Were Not in Love
Love is sneaky.

During another crisis with her broken heart, Won dashes to be with Ha Na, and he cheers her up with the best way he knows how - with beer. In her hotel room, the two twig lots of brew, play games, get very loud, and trash the place in between some serious, heart-fluttering talks. The next morning, Won opens his eyes to find his best friend next to him, asleep on his arm. His mild surprise is quickly substituted with awe, as his eyes gently sweep over her lovely face. While he lightly brushes her hair back, his lips curl up in a smile. Won snaps out of the moment, though, when Ha Na begins to stir awake.

Wednesday 8 July 2015

A Meaningful Life

"She never felt like she belonged anywhere, except for when she was laying on her bed, pretending to be somewhere else." - Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park

"Now all you can do is wait. It must be hard for you, but there is a right time for everything. Like the ebb and flow of tides. No one can do anything to change them. When it is time to wait, you must wait." - Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

"...I sometimes think that people's hearts are like deep wells. Nobody knows what's at the bottom. All you can do is imagine by what comes floating to the surface every once in a while." - Haruki Murakami, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

Tuesday 7 July 2015

It's Okay - BtoB

Boy group BtoB has released a dance version for their latest title track, It's Okay. Previously, the group released an omnibus-style music video for the single, which showcased all the seven members of the group acting in their own story-line.

Sunday 5 July 2015

K-Drama Trend: Noona Romances

Over the past years in K-Dramas, a particular romance concept has risen in popularity known as the "noona romance," a relationship in which the man is younger than the woman. Some K-Dramas known for having noona romances include A Witch's Romance, High School King of Savvy, I Need Romance 3, Birth of the Rich, Let's Eat, and I Hear Your Voice. Even now, noona romances are being featured in some of the most popular and highly-anticipated K-Dramas. Producer featured one when Baek Seung Chan (Kim Soo Hyun) tried to romance Tak Ye Jin (Gong Hyo Jin). The recently premiered The Time We Were Not in Love also established a noona romance with Oh Ha Na (Ha Ji Won) and her co-worker (L from K-Pop Group: Infinite).

Saturday 4 July 2015

14th Completed Drama: Warm and Cozy

Warm and Cozy
Synonyms: Agreeably Warm; Jeju Island Gatsby
Episodes: 16
Country: South Korea
Aired: May 13, 2015 - Jul. 2, 2015
Network: MBC
Duration: 1 hr. 10 mins.
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Viewers Rating: 7.8/10
My Rating: 9.0/10

Synopsis: Baek Geon Woo, a man that has everything that a woman wants in a man: good looks, eloquence, and a gentle manner. Although he's the grasshopper type who only does things he wants to do, his honest personality is his charm. A clever man who knows his assets, he is unexpectedly innocent, opening a restaurant in Jeju Island just because the woman he likes is there. Lee Jung Joo, a woman who has struggled and worked hard all her life but never has a break, resulting in exasperation. She plays the grouchy ant in the fable. She puts up a front of confidence and pride but is actually weak and delicate. Never missing a day of work during the 7 years at her company, she starts a new life in Jeju Island after losing her job, house, and boyfriend in Seoul. Geon Woo and Jung Joo meet in Jeju Island.

Friday 3 July 2015

Best K-Drama Moments: June Week #4 - Mask, The Time We Were Not in Love (x2) + I Remember You

Mask
I am his wife.

I've been pulling my hair in frustration, waiting for Ji Sook to fully embrace her Eun Ha persona and stop letting the pathetic loan sharks and her awful brother-in-law, Seok Hoon, intimidate and manipulate her. Finally, there might be hope for her. In an earlier scene, Eun Ha told Min Woo that a wife takes care for her husband. So, when she barged into a shareholder's meeting that would strip him of his position as director and announced that she's his wife, I practically screamed. Because that could mean she's about to take care of business and protect him.

Thursday 2 July 2015

Is It Real? Are Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye Dating?!

As most fans of the two celebrities know, there have been a large amount of rumours about the two brilliant actors dating, however, it's not been confirmed that they are. I would have definitely loved this to have been true, but all we know is that they have been very close friends for a long time and they've been meeting frequently. Here is two articles combined explaining the situation as we know it at the moment:

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Happy Birthday, Ahn Jae Hyun and Leeteuk!

We only have three pending birthdays this month, and July 1st is a dual birthday! It's my vampire oppa, Ahn Jae Hyun and Super Junior's leader, Leeteuk's birthday! The last birthday that will be celebrated this month is Kim Woo Bin's, but that isn't until the 16th, so I don't have to worry about it at the moment. Anyway, Happy Birthday you two!

My Most Anticipated Upcoming July 2015 K-Dramas

Oh My Ghost
Airs: July 3, 2015
Every Friday + Saturday on tvN

Bong Sun, a timid young woman, is possessed by the ghost of a lustful virgin. She has zero self-confidence, and because of her extreme shyness, she doesn't have any close friends. At the restaurant where she works as an assistant, she's not particularly good at anything, and mostly just gets yelled at a lot. Her grandmother was a shaman so from a young age, she's been able to occasionally see ghosts, though it's not until she meets the lascivious ghost that she gets possessed totally.
Sun Woo is a conceited star chef who's overflowing with confidence in his food and his skills. Bong Sun harbors a secret crush on him, though he doesn't take much notice of her for two reasons: because he's always surrounded by women and because he's hung up on an old flame. But then one day, Bong Sun starts acting differently, shedding her mousy personality, and ends up constantly on Sun Woo's mind.

Tuesday 30 June 2015

My June 2015 Choices - Variety Shows, Songs, Videos, and more!

Already half a year has flown by, and my Year 10 school experience will be over in two weeks. It's quite saddening to think that I will only be having one more year until the end of secondary school, but I'll be going to sixth form, so I'm sticking with the school for another three years still! Anyway, as a soon-to-be tradition, it's time to tell you about my favourites of the month!

Saturday 27 June 2015

Best K-Drama Moments: June Week #3 - Producer (x2), Who Are You: School 2015, High Society, Mask + Warm and Cozy

Producer
My habit is loving you.

Joon Mo has been working tirelessly behind Ye Jin's back to get her streetlights turned on, cluing her into his real feelings. So basically, this poker-faced guy who edited out her confession really does love her, huh? She calls him up in the middle of the night to kill a mosquito. When he makes the 30-minute drive, she gets him to admit to getting the lights turned on. She asks why he would spend several days making complaints to get lights turned on for a street where he doesn't even live. And why he would make a 30-minute trip from one phone call from her. With no escape in sight, he confesses. He tells her that he's spend half his life following her from college to KBS, and he's realized that it wasn't just a habit but actually love. He explains that the reason he's taken a long time to get to this point was that he was worried that if they dated, she'd dump him. However, now, he's grateful that she didn't let him go.