Random Review

Initially I'm planning to review each and every korean drama I've watched. I can't find time to create a thorough review as of now.  I'll just go through it randomly (I've watched a handful not all are included, here). Here it goes...

My Name is Kim Sam Soon - Romance- Comedy 16 Episodes

Casts: Hyun Bin and Kim Soon Ah

The story is about an almost 30-ish patissier, single, unattractive who got dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas eve. That same day  she accidentally went into a man's restroom and there she met a rude and yet considerate guy who is younger than her. Through another coincidence, she (Kim sam soon) needs a job and he (Hyeon Jin Hun) needs a patissier for his shop. They end up having a dating contract to for 50 million won ($50,000). They then started to have feelings for each other, conflicts and other twist follows. 

I'd say..: The lead actress is not the usual, pretty, slim, young and refined woman.(trivia- KSA added 7kgs for this role, I still think its not that fat) Hyun Bin's handsome face is a given fact to love this drama, but he's not all looks. He portrayed the character as a serious lets-talk-business restaurant owner. The casting was excellent, and their chemistry rocks, the lines are funny and witty. This story only goes to show that age and money doesn't matter when it comes to love. Its a feel good drama that everyone would enjoy, teens and adults alike.

Princess hours  (Also known as Goong) 24 Episodes

Casts:Yoon Eun Hye and Joo Ji Hoon

The series starts of about the news of the King being seriously ill. The crown prince Shin (Joo Ji Hoon) needs to find a wife for him to be capable of taking over the throne in any case something bad happens to the king. Shin, inlove with a talented ballerina, Hyo Rin proposed to her to be his wife, but got turned down because Hyo Rin still have lots of plans and dreams for her future than to stay inside the palace. Shin was betrothed to marry a commoner as per an agreement made by the old king to show his gratitude to the man  who saved his life, Chae-Kyong's( Yoon Eun Hye) grand father. Shin, being rejected decided to marry a commoner despite initially feeling nothing for each other. Eventually being with the cool and funny Chae-Kyong, they develop feelings for each other.

I'd say..: It  seems boring at first with all those fussy stuff of Royal Family culture and what not, but I guess it helps us to understand a bit of how they live. The fresh faces of the lead roles, Yoon Eun Hye and Jun Ji Hun, added fun and excitement. Being new comer, they've proved that they are worth it of being the lead roles, they portrayed the roles as a pro. It's a great drama to watch, it may looked "for teenagers only" but adults would enjoy it too if they want to fall in love over again.

Jumong - Historical Drama  -81 Episodes

Casts: Song Il Guk and Han Hye Jin

Summary: Jumong was the founder of the Goguryeo in 37 BC. He was the son of General Hae Mo Su and Lady Yoo Hwa, and was raised by King Geum Wa who took him and his mother in when Hae Mo Su was believed to have been killed in an ambush by the Han Dynasty. So Seo No was a merchant's daughter who helped Jumong in realizing his dream to build a new country, and later became his second wife. - This one is very long but its worth it but it will take you some time before you can finish this drama. For those who do not like action, historical drama then this one is for you.(excepts from wiki)

I'd say..: 81 episodes.. whew! I was able to watch it and spent sleepless nights with my mom just to finish this epic drama. The heroic character of Song Il Guk (with matching pretty face) will definitely melt your heart. His brilliant mind and braveness to face all struggles just to fulfill his dreams of creating a new kingdom, is really inspiring. It may seemed boring to those who doesn't like  watching historical drama. The story is not just about fighting, it involves love and relationship, family, betrayal and the like. From the cast, costumes, plot, and location its one great epic drama.

Boys Over Flowers -25 Episodes (teenybopper)

Casts:

Koo Hye Sun - Geum Jan Di

Lee Min Ho - Gu Jun Pyo

Kim Hyun Joong - Yoon Ji Hoo

Kim Bum - Kim Bum

Kim Joon - Song Woo Bin

Everyone loved Meteor Garden based from the manga Hanayori Dango. After Meteor Garden, Japan released their very own version with the same title as the original manga "Hanayori Dango". Now, Korea released their very own Hanayori Dango. Featuring fresh faces that captures the teenage viewers. The story somehow is almost the same, poor girl (JanDi) meets 4 of the richest boys in school known as the F4(Flower 4) .JanDi is the only one who stood up against them that pisses off the F4 leader Go Jun Pyo.. who eventually fell for  her.

I'd say..: Just as we have loved Meteor garden, and Hanayori Dang just with different casting. The same story never fails to make us laugh and cry and fall in love all over again. It may have a few changes but its stil the same feel good drama. The same girl (Jandi/Sancai/Makino) we have loved eversince. I've noticed the similarities with  Lee Min Ho and Dao Ming si in terms of looks. No matter what version, Korean, Taiwanese, or Japanese, I always and will always love the second lead character Huazelei/JiHoo/Rui *wink

Shining Inheritance / Brilliant Legacy - 28 Episodes

Casts: 

Han Yeo Joo ( Go Eun Sung)

Lee Seung Gi (Sun Woo Hwan)

I have no plans of watching this drama at all. I was on vacation and saw that my mom is watching a tagalized version. I sat and watch.. just a few scenes and I got hooked. The story evolves around Go Eun Sung and Sun Woo Hwan.Go Eun Sung,  a lovely, kindhearted rich girl who studies in New York, went back home for vacation and to take her brother Go Eun Woo to study music in the US. Herbrother is autistic. Her love interest, Sun Woo Hwan, a spoiled, rich boy who hates the company his grandmother is managing. He's also a student in New York. They met because their luggage accidentally got switched. Eun Sung's life changed drastically when her father died, they were thrown out of the house by her stepmother, and she lost her younger brother Sounds like a Cinderella type of story.. yes a bit but not quite. With the sudden change of her status, she was never dishearthened, instead she works hard and perseveres to be able to find her brother and continue living their lives. She then met an old woman who suffered temporary amnesia, because of her good heart she took care of the old lady that turned out to be the CEO of a food company. From then on starts the twists and turns of events for her.
 

I'd say...: The way the story goes is like a modern day fairytale. I don't like the chemistry between HYJ and LSG, I'm wishing she'd be paired up with Junse-oppa, and  I think the idea of making a love-square (as opposed to love-triangle) is not really that good. The characters are very much effective, you'd either love or hate them. The step mother is really such a pain and I hate her for the things she did. As much as I hate the stepmom, I've grown to love the grandmother. She's typically cool and full of tricks on her sleeves. Its still worth watchin although at some point it gets dragging, but its still the kind of drama that  you'd still get curious to find out what will happen next.

Take Care of the Young Lady - 16 Episodes

Casts:
Yoon Eun Hye - Kang Hye Na

Yoon Sang Hyun - Seo Dong Chan
Jung Il Woo - Lee Tae  Yoon
Moon Chae Won - Yeo Eui oon (she's also in Brilliant legacy)

I really like Yoon Eun Hye, from Princess hours and Coffee Prince. she's always been cast as one of the poor girl heroine. This time, she played the role of Kang Hye Na. She belongs to the wealthy upper class society, living a "princess-like" lifestyle. She's successor to the largest conglomerate group in Korea Kang San group.She's got both the looks and the the family background, the education, except for one, she has an attitude problem. Growing up with all those servants surrounding her, with a grandfather who gives whatever she likes, she's a conceited, selfish woman who thinks the world revolves around her. While carelessly driving, she knocks off the flowers that was to be delivered and made the driver Seo Dong Chan, furious. This was their first meeting that she will never forget. He made her life miserable and put her to shame by declining a settlement and putting her on community service.All plans of getting even with him, turned out eventually to Dong Chan being her new household manager.

I'd say: YEH, never failed to impress me, be it a naive commoner, a boyish poor girl or a sophisticated elite princess with an attitude, she definitely pulled it off. I love her fashion statement here. Even if her hair is short and a bit fussy and wavy she can carry it effortlessly. The story is very entertaining and enjoyable. Although I don't really feel the chemistry that much from Eun Hye and Sang Hyun (he looks too old for her), still their love and hate relationship made me laugh. I must say... you should watch this.

You're Beautiful / He's Beautiful - 16 Episodes
Casts:
Jang Geun Suk - Hwang Tae Kyung
Park Shin Hye - Go Mi nam / Go Mi nyu (Gemma)
Lee Hong Ki - Jeremy Kang
Jung Yong Hwa - Kang Shin Woo
This is a story about a fictional band called A.N.Jell who is currently in search of a new member to back up Hwang Tae Kyung, since he is currently having issues with his voice. Go Mi Nam, was selected to be the new addition to the group, but he went to US to have his eyes corrected. Mi Nam's manager searched for his twin sister, Go Mi nyu who is currently a novice nun-to be. The manager convinced her to pose for her brother just for the signing of contract, but led to her becoming the newest band member since her brother cannot return in time. She met the three members of the group and have shown less interest to Hwang Tae Kyung, the band's leader and the same way he hated Go Mi Nam and think of her as trouble. Prior to the launch, Shin Woo eventually found out that she's a girl and kept it to himself. As the story progress, Hwang Tae Kyung did find out about Go Mi Nam's secret but decided not to get invloved whatever her business is. Eventually, Go Mi Nam (Minyu) developed feelings towards Tae Kyung and she was then struggling into a love triangle between Shin Woo, Mi Nam and Tae Kyung.

I'd say..: Although this drama is about Kpop Idol band, which most adults 35-above won't enjoy,  the story is exciting and enjoyable to watch. The chemistry between Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye is amazing. You would definitely love the pouty lips of our Tae kyung and the naive Go Mi Nam. To top it all, their soundtrack was the best. their OST sold 20,000 copies on the first week it was released. You would definitely enjoy watching this kdrama.