My Sister In Law is 19

My Sister in Law is 19 : Juicy !!

I did'nt really put high hopes when I bought this drama, simply because it has both Kim Jae Won & Jung Da Bin in it.. and I have yet seen any serious dramas from them, so I thought it would be one of those light comedies with probably a little pinch of romance here and there. Well, obviously after watching it, I admit that I was wrong. This drama was more than what meets the eye.

The drama was actually more complicated than just a love triangle between two brothers played by both Kim Jae Won & a new comer, Yoon Gae Sang with Jung Da Bin. And when the test of brotherhood was placed at the highest bet, twist of fate has brought back mistakes from the past which eventually traumatised all the lead roles. Not much of suspense elements in the drama, and the whole plot is not only heart wrenching but heart warming as well.

When it comes to acting, this would be a more challenging role for Jung Da Bin. As about Kim Jae Won, his taste in roles has always been stereotype, with no exception to this drama. However, I would like to place my highest praise to Yoon Gae Sang, as being his first debut, he was able to touch the hearts of many. I definitely look forward to see much more of himsoon.

Overall, there's no reason for me to "dislike" this movie. It has a good but predictable plot, and the juicy bits of putting your emotions on a roller coaster ! Not bad at all.

My Little Bride 

My Little Bride : A Cute One !

Both Kim Rae Won & Moon Geun Young have a great chemistry in this movie. Even though the story is a bit too similar to one Hong Kong movie that I have seen not too long ago (can’t really remember the title but starred Ekin Cheng and one of the Twin girls), I must say, I wasn’t disappointed at all watching the Korean version. The first time I watched it, I fell in love with it.. and after a year.. I still feel the same way.

The story is about Sang-Min (Kim Rae Won) who was an attractive young man and had things going on for him, of course being in the “golden year” of adulthood. Then, he was summoned home by his family only to learn that they had initiated a plot to marry him to none other than sweet Bo-Eun (Moon Geun Young). Of course being only 16, it was not easy for Bo-Eun to accept the idea of marrying someone she has known since she was little perhaps as her elder brother. Both came from two families who were really close and Sang-Min’s grandfather really wanted to see them together so badly that he tricked them into agreeing on getting married by pretending to be ill. Succeeding the plot, both Sang-Min & Bo-Eun got married, only to discover in the end that this may not be a bad idea for both of them after all as love started to blossom through. Having said that, there were of course many other incidents that took place between these two young couple which made them realized what they meant to one another especially Bo-Eun.

I must say that this is indeed a “cute”, relaxing and “worth to watch” movie. I loved the leading lady so much and I find her really cute and talented. The first time, I get to see MGY was when she starred in Autumn Story as the young and convincing role of Eun Suh. She has grown so much ever since and her talent seemed to shine even better now. As about KRW, have seen his performances in Red Bean Girl alongside Jang Na Ra & Kim Jae Won. Then, there were many others like “Snow Man”, but the most popular drama of his was Attic Cat against Jung Da Bin. He may not be that good looking but I look forward to his dramas & movies all the time. There’s this charm about him, of course the acting was good too.

Just having KRW & MGY in this movie is a good enough reason to watch this. Apart from that, it is one of those movies that would leave you smiling in the end. Who wouldn’t like that ?.. I know I certainly would! Let’s face it, after a long day at work.. and things are probably starting to suck around you.. there’s certainly nothing better than to cool off with a good happy ending movie !

The Guy Was Gorgeous, He Was Cool : What Can I Really Say ?

First of all, I would definitely be bias in terms of evaluating this movie simply because it has Song Seung Heon in it. And I must say, the title describes SSH really well. Apart from looking really good, the shorter hair cut has made him look much younger and even though I thought he wouldn’t be convincing enough as a high school student, I was wrong.

This movie was about Han Ye Won (Jung Da Bin), a plain looking high school girl who by coincidence crossed path with Eun Seong (Song Seung Heon), a handsome yet notorious high school student. And like any other romantic comedy, they fell in love right in the end. I must be honest, I bought this movie simply because of SSH and after 20 minutes of watching it, I was practically fast forwarding it until the end. It has nothing to do with the acting, but the story itself to me is rather dull. The pairing up of SSH & JDB did not excite me at all and sometimes, it gets on my nerves to watch movies with no originalities. Probably, it’s unfair to say this, however, I have just been watching so much of the same kind of stuffs and I got really bored with it. Nevertheless, if I had to go through this all over again, I would still grab this movie at the movie store without any hesitation. And that’s the magic of SSH ! So would I recommend it in the end ?... Ah… here’s probably the bias part.. not unless you are a big fan of the main two lead !

He Was Cool 

100 Days with Mr. Arrogant : Good but just not my cup of tea!

I can barely remember the details of this movie. But I do remember that it was not a bad one. It starred Kim Jae Won & Ha Ji Won, taking the lead roles and it has a soft comedy approach on its storyline. Something about a young high school girl who got dumped by her boyfriend and while letting out her frustration on an empty can by giving it a nice long kick, it landed on KJW’s fancy car. Upset with her, he traced her down and made her agreed to a pact as a way of her paying back for the car damages. The pact was to become his slave for 100 days.

Well, it’s a romantic comedy so it will have a happy ending. Within 100 days, both fell in love.

I didn’t really like the movie, and not because it didn’t have an appealing story, in fact it did. I just find that there were not many efforts made to build the story until the end. It was like going into a fancy restaurant, reading a list of fantastic menu, had good main course, but no good deserts to complete the dinner and poor service as well. Nevertheless, both leading actors carried their roles well. Good for some laughs but just not my cup of tea !

Slave Love / 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant 

My Sassy Girl & Windstruck : Creativity that never ends...

I would love to pay tribute to the writer of these two movies. I have never seen any movies of the same class. The sequel which was released late last year was actually the beginning part of the earlier movie released few years back. It was a bit of a test on the memory lane while watching the second one though.

These two movies, highlighted a story that centered on Kyungjin (Ji Hyun Jun), an ‘attractive’ lady who has a really ‘weird’ character. The first movie, My Sassy Girl, talked about her coincidental meet with the lead actor CTY which again blossomed into a love story. She was portrayed as a very sad soul and good natured Cha Tae Hyun has stepped into her way to free her out of the unknown depression. Then, somewhere in the end.., the reason behind her sadness was revealed. The man in her life has died in a tragic accident. It took her time, to get over the pain.. and to love again. In Windstruck, we were then told of the love she shared with the man in her life (the charming Jang Hyuk), how they fell in love.. and later how he died. The clever part of this movie was somewhere in the end when there was a final scene that actually tied this two movie together.

Acting and casting in these two movies were good. I have no complaints for that at all. Somehow, even with a tragic end in Windstruck, I didn’t feel that bad cause I knew there would be a happy ending later for the leading lady.

These two movies also captured beautiful sceneries apart from some soothing OST. I personally find that to really feel the magic of these two movies, one has to watch both. Otherwise, I don’t find each good enough to stand on its own. Recommended only as a twin pack !

Windstruck 

My Sassy Girl 

Ditto & Sympathy : Not bad, but not good either...

This movie is about a love story between a couple, each representing North & South Korea. Cho In Sung as Chui Soo, son of a rich businessman in South Korea, and Kim Sa Rang as Young Hee, daughter of a North Korean diplomat. Both with their very own agenda (one to get better school results and the other to escape a marriage proposal), crossed path in an archaeological expedition. Then, the lead actor fell in love with the lead actress.

I would think of this movie as an indirect sarcasm to describe the political relations between North & South Korea. There were some juicy humor here and there, but not good enough to allow this movie to stay in ones memory that long. And as I was almost pushing myself to the limits trying to recall the story, it would be really hard for me to recommend this movie to anyone. Not that its bad.., its just isn’t good enough.. even with the handsome Cho In Sung in it !

Ditto & Sympathy /Love of North & South 

Happy Ero Christmas : Gosh, they can really think of anything to make a movie, don't they ?

Seriously, even with the adorable CTH, I wouldn’t think much about this movie. It has a crappy story and it was just not good.

Yearning to be a respectful cop to vanquish evil since young, Byung Gi (CTH) is a patrolman in a village. One fateful day, he crossed path with Min Kyung ( Kim Sun Ah), an employee of a nearby bowling alley and immediately fell for her. Though he tried, his attempts to win her heart were in vain especially the boss of a local gang Suk Doo fell for the same girl. I really wouldn’t know how attractive the catch could be, when the leading lady had plans to lose her virginity on Christmas Eve. Oh my God, I was like, what was that ? And then, there was this irrelevant scene of a porn movie director talking to potential porn actors on his upcoming movie. What was that all about ?

I can’t really say much about this movie, its not even funny.. in fact, I find it a little degrading. The only good part of it perhaps was having CTH there. Oh my God, which reminds me.. what was he thinking ?

Happy Ero Christmas 

The Classic : Excellent Masterpiece !

To me, this movie is a MASTERPIECE ! For that I SALUTE the whole cast..crew members, scripts writer, director, producer ....for creating it. It has a RICH blend of themes in it, with PLENTY of SAUCY emotions that would certainly mesmerised the audience. Plus, the beautiful scenaries, sound track and the artistic way the film is captured, all adds up to the high sweetness of this movie. Highly recommended indeed!

The Classic 

My Tutor Friend : This is a good one !

No matter how long time lapse, I would never forget Kwon Sang Woo & Kim Ha Neul in "My Tutor Friend". Of course, for the most obvious reason.. that I love them both. What can I say about the movie, I love the cast ! The pairing up of KSW and KHN was good. Story may be rather light weight, but good enough to tickle the audience. With big names like KSW & KHN, this baby sells itself !

My Tutor Friend 

Cute Jang Na Ra

To be fair, the acting was good. Story wise.., it may be rather extraordinary for a woman to go through what the leading lady went through to win the heart of her loved one. However, that's what builds the theme of the story. I adore Jang Nara. Apart from her movies, I'm a fan of her music as well, so no complaints about this one. The first time I saw the leading actor, Park Jung Cheol was in the drama "Hotelier", then again in the drama "Age of Innocence". No preferences of any kind, but personally, I would rather have Jang Nara pair up with other male actors cause I really feel that the chemistry between the two leading figures were missing some sparks. Anyway, as I was saying.. I simply adore Jang NaRa and her acting would always put a smile on my face. For easy viewing, this may not be a bad choice after all.

Oh Happy Day : Sweet JangNara 

Crazy First Love : Touchy Humor...

I remembered how it was really heart warming to see one guy's love and devotion towards the apple of his eye, which was potrayed in this movie. For that one reason, he has to go through quite a number of impossible hurdles to win the leading lady's affection. And who else could play such roles with intensity, none other than Cha Tae Hyun, who captured the heart of many others in his role in "My Sassy Girl". The leading lady herself is one of the most recognisable faces in the "Korea Movie Front", after her successful roles in "The Classic", and the popular drama "Summer Scent". I liked this movie, but again I found the ending...hanging neither here or there. Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but I would prefer an ending to be more definite.... but there's a question mark in this one. Nevertheless.. still a good one...

Crazy First Love 

Please Teach Me English 

Please Teach Me English : What Can I Say...its simply Jang Hyuk!

Frankly speaking, the ONLY reason why I waited so eagerly for this movie last year was because of the lead actor. How can one forget the charming and irresistible Jang Hyuk alongside Jang Nara in the Successfull Story of a Bright Girl drama. However, as for the movie itself, it was entertaining in a "mild" and "moderate" way. The movie tells me a bit about how Koreans perceive the usage of English...and in between that, what others were willing to go through to learn and master it, which may I add, is respectfully commendable. Other than that, there was some romance element added in between the main two actors. I have never seen any movies by Lee Na Young before, so I really couldn't comment further on acting. Nevertheless, its good enough for light viewing..

Too Beautiful to Lie : Such Clever Comedy

Gosh, I will never get enough of Kim Ha Neul. She is just so "good". I watched this movie so many times, that I lost count. I remembered the first time I watched it was during a weekend last year, after crying my eyes out watching Stairway to Heaven. It was indeed one of those good movies that I would highly recommend. The acting was brilliant to me. There were some funny scenes, but all done in what I would refer to as coincidental humor. I loved it, as it was naturally funny. Apart from that, it has a good and touchy drama in between. This was also the first time that I get to watch the acting of Kang Dong Wan and he really played his role well. Very good indeed !

Too Beautiful To Lie 

Spirit of Jeet Kun Do 

Spirit of Jeet Kun Do : Dull One

KSW, a name that is big enough to attract viewers to watch this movie. Not a martial arts fan like myself, I immediately bought this movie sometime last year upon reading KSW's name. The casting was good as well.. and Han Ga In was indeed a good match to KSW. However, the story itself is neither entertaining nor amusing. Apart from describing the influence of Bruce Lee's movies to the younger generation of Koreans in the 1970's, I really don't get the love triangle story in between. The acting is good however and the main casts are well suited to their chosen characters. Unfortunately, that was the only good side of it.

Lee Dong Gun & Han Ji Hye in Little Bride 

Little Bride

I've been hearing some very good reviews of this drama, and that has enticed me further to watch it. Personally, I have never watched LDG in any dramas before, as for HJH, this would be the second drama after Summer Scent. In Little Bride, she plays the role of an 18 year old school girl who fell in love with LDG, a guy who is 10 years her senior. The interesting part of this drama is how these two learn to adapt to one another after marriage and the fact that love can actually be nurtured further after marriage life. To most people perhaps, love begins before marriage, however, for these two... their love life only starts after the wed lock and I find that as an interesting point in this drama. There are numerous funny scenes in here, and acting wise.. is not bad at all. HJH played a believable role of an 18 year old, a "happy go lucky" young girl who to me, has no passion at all for other things in life, except for "love". She is indeed the happiest character that I have ever seen on Korean Dramas & Movies combined. She even look like she is smiling when she cries...(though, I dont really know if this is a positive point at all). As for LDG, can't say much about his acting cause this is the first that I have seen. Overall, I will give a rate of 6.5 for this drama. It has a happy ending in the end, pleasant to watch but aint strong enough to blow you away.

First Love of a Royal Prince 

KSW & HJW in Love So Divine  

First Love of a Royal Prince

When I first learned about this drama, I was not "that" interested to watch it. I suppose, to me the cast was not the usual "actors" that I like and I didn't really read that much about this drama elsewhere. Even though, having CTH in the cast was an attraction, still it was not strong enough to attract me into buying and watching it. I have never watched SYR before (Didn't get to watch Love of Thousand Years) and I had a little glimpse of KNJ in Spring Bear Love, but I guess, the attraction was just not strong enough.
However, it was a dull weekend, and the drama I had intended to buy was not available with subs that I could understand( Snow White ), I took the chance and bought First Love anyway. Now, I realised that it was not only an entertaining drama, but it was really a meaningful one too.
The drama had beautiful scenes from Japan, Korea, Bali Island (Indonesia) as well as another Island in Tahiti (If I'm not mistaken). Its a love triangle story but not just about young hearts, also about the relationship of two brothers who happened to fall in love with the same girl. The climax would definitely be the part where SYR realised that she had feelings for both of them, and her confusion made life rather difficult for all three of them. Nevertheless, I watched this drama 4 times .. and I really did enjoyed it. CTH was really funny, and the way he expressed his affection to SYR was really hilarious which made this drama an enjoyable piece. And even though, KNJ's acting was rather a bit too "dull" for me, I would highly recommend this drama !

Love So Divine

Let's face it, I would probably buy anything with KSW in it, eventhough I may have read a bad review about it from film critics. How can one resist... its KSW.
After waiting for weeks, its been finally released. Storyline, not bad at all. Basically, its a story about a man who has spent his entire life (perhaps) being "in love" or believe to be "in love" with God. KSW played a role of a "trainee minister" and he needed to pass one last hurdle before qualifying as a "real" minister. However, as it turned out to be.. that hurdle was Ha Ji Won. HJW played the role of a heartbroken young lady who came back from US to be with her loved one, but was turned down. Thanks to her uncle ( who happened to be the Community Church Leader where KWS was assigned to ), she stayed around and worked as a domestic helper to earn enough money for her air ticket back to US. Bubbly and outspoken, KSW faced the challenge of influencing her into the Christian way & agree to be baptised. Along the way and though not easy, both fell in love. Next, would be one of the most difficult thing that KSW had to do, choose between his love for God or HJW.
Not a bad movie to watch. KSW, what can I say.. acted really well and potrayed his role in the best way possible. This is the second movie of HJW (the first being 100 days with Mr. Arrogant) that I've watched, and she acted well too. ( Though I would prefer Kim Ha Neul taking the part ).
But again, its pretty bad for me to say this.. but who would notice her that much with KSW around ?
With all said, I would give this movie a rate of 7 out of 10. Good and entertaining.. but not something that would blow you away...

KSW in 'Stairway to Heaven" 

SSH in "He Was So Cool" 

My Handsome Tootsie 

The Two Best Friends 

My Cute Momo 

My Beautiful Lulu 

Between Song Seung Hun & Kwong Sang Woo

I keep telling my friends that these two actors are my favourite actors in Korea. They asked me what is so special about these two. All I can say, is that SSH speaks to my heart with his eyes, and KSW, with his charm.

In "Autumn Story", then "Summer Scent" and then back to noltagic refreshments in "Happy Together", then after "Pop Corn", I can't help but to notice that SSH has a pair of eyes that can basically speaks to me. When I watched his dramas and lately his films ("Ice Rain", "He was So Cool"), I find that his eyes are probably the most expressive ones that I have ever seen both on the silver screen as well as real life. Which is why, perhaps.. sometimes one may find his facial expression a bit "less impressive" as compared to those of KSW or maybe those in the same league as he is. Simply because of his expressive eyes! He can basically bring me to tears or laughters, or even in some circumstances, to intense moments.. through eye language (if there's such thing). :)
And KSW, didn't notice him much when I first watched "We are Dating now", "Into the Sun" and started to notice him more after watching "My Tutor Friend", and after Stairway to Heaven, he just took my breath away. His acting has improved so much and one can actually see his acting evolvement. After watching STH, I wacthed him in Jeet Kun Do, and eventhough I didn't enjoy the movie, I can basically conclude that he is one good actor. He has this "remarkable charm" that the camera loves and it attract the audience the same way as bees to honey. Can't wait to see his " Love So Divine" soon.
I was devastated to know that SSH will not be in Sad Sonata with KSW, it would be a great combination. It would be great to throw in Kim Ha Neul as well, cause she is one good actress. Hopefully to see them three in a good drama soon!

Why Autumn Story is still My Favourite ?

When my friend Lily told me about Korean Dramas 2 years ago (as she was watching them shown on tv), I was thinking that watching foreign films will never be my cup of tea. I simply find it hard to enjoy a movie by reading subtittles or trying to understand the translated version. The acting could be good but sometimes bad efforts on traslating them might affect the drama itself (and this include the background music, using unsuitable voices to translate, and God knows... many others). Then, there was one night when nothing interesting was shown even on cable TV, that I tuned in to watch a Korean Drama and my whole perception about foreign films changed overnight. My friends at work called it a disease .. something that is responsible of waking me up as early as 4.30am in the morning to watch the video version, after wathing the same episode on national TV the night before. To me... its called the Autumn Story Disease which has paved a way for me to see, feel and understand another level of enjoyment that I have never experienced before. Its funny how many others feel that this is a tragic love story that probably shouldn't be crowned as the best considering the tragic end. To me, Autumn story is a beautiful love story which has it all, and the ending is beautiful as well. The fact that the main two actors are re-united in the end, simply shows that nothing could stand in between true love, even death. I remembered how this drama has raised many questions in me, on to what extent a man may love a woman and doubts on the logical part of every tragic elements. And after watching it many..many times, I am not just watching it anymore, but I am feeling it. And after two years of collecting and watching many other Korean Dramas, the Autumn Story will still remain as the best one that I have ever seen.

The Beginning

I have always love writing and thought it would be great to share life experiences as well as other interests with those who may like to share theirs as well...