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sassy4.jpgThis drama has given me hope that there is life after “My Girl” =) Thank goodness for that!

It’s the usual story of an arrogant, rich guy meeting a pretty, intelligent poor girl. They meet –> hate each other –> forced to stay together –> fall in love –> face obstacles –> live happily ever after. What makes it interesting was how the story was told.

Mong-ryong and Chun-hyang met and got married when they were high schoolers. Mong-ryong is a problem child of a police chief who always gets in trouble, while Chun-hyang is a studious and responsible girl of a cabaret singer. Due to some unexpected happenings, they had to get married to avoid a scandal but agreed to only stay married until end of high school then decide to go on their separate ways. Their life together were full of bickerings but through it all, they’ve grown to regard each other as friends. While together, Chun-hyang did her best to be a good influence to Mong-ryong, even helping him get accepted to a very prestigious school. The pair got accepted to the same college but Chun-hyang, being strapped for cash was unable to go. Since she didn’t want Mong-ryong and his family to feel obligated to fund her studies, she pretended wanting a break-up, then promptly disappeared.

Those scenes where she’s trying to say goodbye to Mong-ryong and his family was so heart-breaking =( Watching her pretend to be happy while giving up on her dream of going to college, leaving the comfort of her new family, and Mong-ryong whom she’s grown to love is so sad. I wanted to yell out, “just tell them already!” but then, the story would have ended at episode 4. =)

College time is where we see Mong-ryong actually grow up. Not exactly mature, but he figured out what (or who) he wants. And once he figured it out, he pursues with such persistence, you can’t help but root for him. No matter how underhanded and childishly he does it. Mong-ryong, swallowing his arrogance, all for his love for Chun-hyang is also very endearing. It’s probably the girl in me, but how can you not love a man who’s willing to do anything for the girl he loves? **sigh**

sassy1.jpgBut like in any korean drama, there is always the element of the love square in the form of Mong-ryong’s childhood love (Chae-rin) and Chun-hyang’s admirer (Hak-do). These two kept on throwing obstacles between the two that it took them almost 10 years before they finally had their HEA. Imagine, the story span is more or less 10 years, but I never got bored. The transitions where done beautifully, I never felt the jump in years to be unrealistic.

The wedding scene in the finale is so beautifully done. They’ve intertwined the wedding vows being exchanged by the old era and present Mong-ryong and Chun-hyang. They have made a promise of being together forever, until the next life. While watching it, it makes you feel that the vows made by the present “them” is a fulfillment their promise and fate has brought them together again. It’s sweet, and makes you feel that on another lifetime, it’ll be them again.

I think I’ve gushed enough, I’ll just put the rest in bullet-points:

  • Stand-out cry-out-loud scenes for me is where Mong-ryong got so drunk and passed out, and Chun-hyang crying beside him.
  • Mong-ryong on recognizing his one true love. After they got divorced, he was never interested in falling in love again.
  • I was so proud to see Mong-ryong succeed in life as a prosecutor. And even as a prosecutor, he never lost his arrogance. It made more appealing, with the bad boy/no-fear aura ;p
  • At the end of the drama, I was thinking back on where the story started and what happened in between and it made me feel nostalgic. To think that I finished the story in four days, but I felt that I went through their roller-coaster ride with them. I think that reflects on how good the story-telling was.
  • The old era spoofs are an icebreaker to all the drama.
  • They made a spoof on other dramas! That was funny =) It would have been funnier for me if I’m familiar with the dramas that were spoofed. I only recognized Full House, I think.
  • The action sequences are very well executed. I’m a chick flick girl but I especially liked the action here. Dunno why.
  • Mong-ryong’s dad here is the sleazy looking uncle in My Girl. It’s such a big contrast for me because I hated him in My Girl, but I adore him here. He’s so self-righteous but endearing at the same time. And no matter how hard he is on Mong-ryong, you would understand that it is all because he loves his son very much.
  • Seeing a happy ending for Dan-hee and Ji-Hyuk is quite satisfying. Though I don’t care much for Dan-hee, I’m happy to see Ji-Hyuk happy and successful in the end.

All-in-all, a very nice drama to watch. Now I feel guilty that I’ve done such a detailed review here and I didn’t do it for my all time favorite. I now have an excuse to watch “My Girl” again and do a full recap =D

Dangyunhaji is my favorite portion in Xman ‘coz this is where all witty one-liners come out. The opponents can try any trick to render the other speechless. It usually turns dirty as each try to outwit each other.For me, this episode is one of their best. Eric and YEH went down the romantic route that had everybody hanging onto their every word and most, rolling on the floor =) I could be biased, of course =)

Oh the drama! And the flirting! But the best were side commentaries and reactions which had me laughing out loud several times, it made me look demented. The MCs got so involved, they were jumping about and falling all over the place. And the others are behind MC Yoo waiting for the next line. I felt like I was sitting with them watching a very cheesy love drama =)

Eun Hye continues crushing on Eric, and she’s such a flirt =) Well, both of them are. The exchange they had before the game was so squeal-worthy, you can see their teammates are feelin’ the love, too.

Eric looked cute and shy when YEH danced in front of him, but he totally checked her out while she was walking away, heh!

And that smile! Eric’s killer smile! There’s something about it that’s very difficult to describe. He smiles so openly, but somehow he’s aura exudes mystery. I know, it doesn’t make sense but it kinda does ???

Coming up next: The Love Triangle

I can’t count how many times I’ve watched these clips on YouTube. I never get tired of watching them and the MCs are sooo hilarious!

Xman is a Korean game show where celebrities compete against each other to win “missions”. My favorite set of Xman episodes are those of where Yoon Eun Hye and Eric Mun interact. These two have so much chemistry, you can’t help but grin at all their “kilig” moments. I try and restrain myself from watching it in office where lots of people can see me. Otherwise, they’ll think I’m crazy for smiling like an idiot.

Well, here I am.. sharing the love! =)

Xman #20 — The Beginning

Where the caramel scandal started. Eric’s so handsome when he laughs, and Eun Hye’s adorable with her obvious crush. =) She keeps on blushing. And I keep on grinning. Ahh fool, me.

Side note: Ooohh.. MinWoo’s so jealous! ;p

Coming up next, “The Prequel to a Triangle”


Did you know that Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars fame has auditioned for the role of Chloe Sullivan in Smallville? How cool is that? Two of my favorite kiss-ass girls! Veronica Mars has always reminded me of Chloe, with their spunk, smarts and sarcasm =)

Credit also to Allison Mack for making Chloe Sullivan shine amidst crapping writing.

Not exactly an original topic but after watching a couple of korean dramas, I felt I have to make a list of my own.

So what makes a korean drama?

  • the two main characters hates each others guts in the first part of the series
  • somehow, they end up drafting a contract that would require them to be a pretend couple, or have an arranged / force marriage
  • rich guy – poor girl combination
  • there’s always a love square
  • there will be a karaoke mention / scene
  • there will be a soju drinking session
  • a piggyback ride is a must
  • a sudden u-turn while driving
  • the supporting actor is the caring, thoughtful, supportive guy that would make you root for him instead of the main lead.
  • while the main actor is arrogant, rude, selfish, self-absorbed, etc. Until he slowly changes ‘coz of the main actress’ influence.
  • one of the main lead gets fever / cold /cough
  • out of town scene (either vacation or visiting friends or business trip, etc.)
  • hand-grabbing scene –> girl walks away, guy grabs girls hand, two stare at each other, if they’re lucky, they kiss =)
  • the uncomfortable elevator scene..
  • running around airports / bus terminals but they end up missing each other

Soooo long. But I’ll probably add on to it later on. I’m sure I missed a few more things =)

I’ve started watching this new Korean drama series, “Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang”. I think I’m now at episode 4. Had to stop ‘coz real life is calling… hehehe.. So far, the drama’s keeping my interest. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me feel. I thought I’ll never be able to appreciate any other drama after My Girl.

Although, it having the same director as My Girl could possibly be a factor also =D

24
Mar

hotelier02-small.jpg

Has My Girl spoiled me for other drama series?Hotelier is another drama that didn’t pass the test for me. From the start, it didn’t give me that “must watch next chapter” feeling. Instead, I have this “when will this episode end” running at the back of my mind. I didn’t find any interesting characters, and the only one remotely interesting for me is a Jackie Chan look-alike =(

I don’t feel like giving a synopsis, this these are the points that stood out:

1. Didn’t find the main characters appealing. I didn’t like Jin Yeoung ‘coz of her facial expressions. Didn’t like Dong Hyuk ‘coz how could an American-raised person have a very bad English accent? Couldn’t they have at least worked on that? And they have zero chemistry. Gosh, watching their scenes is like rubbing two wet wood, praying for a spark. *sigh*

2. The interesting character for me is the secondary character and he looks like Jackie Chan.. so much for the kilig factor

3. Forced myself to watch because of Song Hye Kyo of Full House (I’ve yet to do a blog on that)

4. Watching a 1-hr episode felt like hours.

5. It felt sooo predictable. The CEO starts coughing — oh, she has cancer. Estranged father said he gave away a daughter for adoption in America — huh, let me see, daughter from America you say? How convenient is it that I know of a girl from America in this story as well? The only thing I cannot predict was who will the housekeeping manager end up with =)

I feel like I’m being too harsh. I dunno, maybe I should just watch My Girl over and over and over again… problem is, I loaned the DVD to some friends… well.. on to the next drama!

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