Review: Because It’s The First Time (2015)

Plot: It is a story of friendship among six young adults who are on their 20s and are at their point of the most exciting yet confusing part of their lives. They also have their own stories to tell.

Commentary:

I came upon this drama through Park So Dam since I loved her in Beautiful Mind so I thought of checking some of her projects to watch. I started this drama randomly without any expectations at all. Minute did I know that it is one of the fulfilling youthful dramas out there. There was no nostalgia that I felt like the ones I felt from Reply Me 1997 which is my favourite but it has a different feel that makes you realize of the present instead of your past and previous experiences. It goes to show that change comes while the present moment is unfolding and not when you are dwelling on your past. Though I believe that you also become who you are for the accumulated experiences that you’ve had, and being in the moment makes you change your future as well. 

'Doctors' Episode 9-12 and 'Beautiful Mind' Introduction to Episode 12

SPOILER ALERT!!!

First Impression

Episode 7-8

Commentary:

I watched four episodes straight because I missed it last week and I was caught up with my real life series. Also, I made a review of it the last time but I was really disappointed that I accidentally delete it. So I needed 2 days to cope up after. As I believe that writing is a feeling and when it passes, sometimes we are not able to convey what we truly feel on that moment. What a loss, indeed and I am still recuperating. But I have found the courage to write another one so I am making this entry. Though I feel that the last one was very expressive, I’ll try my best to make this one interesting as well. I hope you’ll be able to share your thoughts with me too. Please.

Review: Beautiful Gong Shim (2016)

SPOILER ALERT!!!

HalftimeReport

I finished the drama a few days ago and until now when I think of it, I’m still really not over how it ended. Overall, I think that I had a great time watching because it’s fun and when you watch it together with someone it makes it even better because I think that you both look at the perspective of the characters both at the same time and you learn something from each of the episodes. Also, this drama is full of positivity and lovely gestures that put warmth in your heart especially that the supporting characters were not the evil cruel that will consume the story. Even though that kind of element is not eliminated from the story, there is a force that puts the good in a better position than the bad. I also think that in a matter of perspective but this drama is really above the average to me. It’s not the best because there are clichés that every other Kdrama has but the delivery of each episode was also being considered well and if that was the case, then they really made a great romantic-comedy drama. However, if I have one complaint from the series, that is how they have ended it because they could have extended it more. Having said it that way is a compliment because I really wanted more of it and I really wanted to know how the characters have evolved after 1 year. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they should have shown Gong Shim and Dante having a family but in general, I wanted a preview of how they will start over again. So I felt that what they have revealed is not enough to suffice my thirst from it. The ending just reminds me of the last book I finished which is China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan where it was so nakakabitin (open-ended). You should check that book too if you have time and it’s also the sequel of Crazy Rich Asians. They’re really hilariously scandalous and fun book.

Review: Doctors Episode 7 and 8

Doctors First Impression

I couldn’t be happier with how episode 7 and 8 turned out. Doctors is a hot drama right now and it’s unstoppable with the team up of two Korean Drama royalties Kim Rae Won and Park Shin Hye. These two are great examples of experienced actors who can really make chemistry through every ounce of talent that they got. I mentioned before that I loved Kim Rae Won in ‘My Little Bride’ and now; I love him as much in Doctors if not even more. I think that he’s an actor with a true character from the role of Hong Ji Hong. He’s a believable actor as a doctor and I am impressed not only with his role but also to the script of the drama which I think is a great help to making it as real as possible.

In episode 7, Hye Jung’s friend Kim Soo Chul came into the picture putting Dr. Hong in a jealous mode and in addition to Hye Jung’s admirers, Dr. Jung Yoon Do is captivated with our heroine’s charm. The character of Soo Chul is supposed to be a threat to the romance of the one true pairing according to the perception of Dr. Hong which was dismissed by the reality of Soo Chul being divorced and having a son. Basically, I think that Soo Chul’s feelings for Hye Jung is still strong but now, he’s become mature so he’s also ready to letting go of her. Perhaps he just wanted to say goodbye before he moves on. Also, this character is a revelation of Hye Jung’s past which was being forwarded. It was revealed that Soo Chul lent a helping hand to her when she had no desire to live after her grandmother passed away. I feel that their friendship is bounded by a true foundation of it and so, Hye Jung showed him more compassion which she wasn’t able to show to her family.

First Impression: Doctors Episode 1-6

Plot: Two doctors met after 13 years of parting. Hye Jung was a troubled student back in high school whose life has been changed by her grandmother and her homeroom teacher, Hong Ji Hong. He is an aspirant physician who’s found passion in teaching.

Commentary:

KIM RAE WON. I’m not a fan of Kim Rae Won though I believe I have seen him in My Little Bride where I adored Moon Geun Young so much. But still I could not really decipher the hype of this Kdrama before I started to watch it because “It’s just another Kdrama about Doctors yet again”. Though I knew that Park Shin Hye is a talented actress whom I have adored in Heirs, I thought it was still not enough. But this is not a part of the impression that I have for this drama because it was worth it of the hype and high kick scenes that Park Shin Hye has done in the beginning.

I feel that this is the best that Park Shin Hye has become. I am a fan of her dancing and athletic ability in the past but now she has my total respect and she’s become matured and is brimming with passion. I am truly glad to have witnessed Hye Jung in her, be it as a gangster or as a compassionate doctor. She’s reached her best shape yet and I hope that she’ll continue to thrill the viewers with her action packed scenes.

J-drama SP: Anohana Live Action (2015)

Plot: One summer day, Jintan had an extraordinary experience when he heard a voice of a girl talking to him. The voice is from Jinta's childhood friend Meiko, but it is a strange moment because Meiko died years ago. She appeared in front of him to whom he first ignored wearing the same white dress when she died, but she’s grown older. She tells Jinta that she has a wish and that's why she came back as a ghost, but Meiko can't remember what her wish was. Therefore, Jinta along with their other friends, Atsumu, Naruko, Chiriko, Tetsudo and Meiko gather together for the first time in 7 years to grant Meiko’s wish. However, Jinta is the only one who is able to see Menma.

Comments:

In this kind of film, I feel that there is so much hope in this world that may only be attained when we realize the compassion from the people around us. It has a light story about friendship despite the unfortunate event that happened one summer day. I was so pleased to watch the series because I have encountered a lot of emotions and they didn’t get mixed up in a bad way but it showed the two sides of living life: one is living in the past and the other one is living in the moment while remembering the past and moving forward at the same time. The characters were very remarkable and they have contributed so much in bringing the right emotion in the context of losing a friend at such a young age. Also, this is not a depressing movie despite demanding the viewers to get carried away by so much crying that happened. It is not sad but rather heart-warming because it truly showed how they value the friendship that they have made in the past as young kids and how much that event had made an impact in their lives. Nonetheless, they still participated in helping Menma find that peace that she deserved.

J-Movie: Orange (2015)

In a Nutshell: This is a manga adaptation film which depicts friendship in a form of a parallel universe, where a message to her own self was transmitted through a letter by Naho’s future endeavor.

On her way to school, Naho received a letter from the future telling her of the sequence of events that will take place in school. She then shrugged the idea of it however she met a new transferee in her class, Kakeru. Later on, her curiosity arises as the letter gives her the decision to make in an event that she has to make one for herself.

Comments: Japanese films are generally about uplifting the human spirit and fighting your own evil. This film has a gloomy side which was portrayed through the character of Kakeru. However, evil can be altered through the presence of the people significant to Kakeru, his friends. Basically, it presents well the idea that when you took a matter seriously and urgently, you can make a difference to someone. This is what this film is all about – friendship over romance and friendship above everything else.

Kdrama Halftime Review: Beautiful Gong Shim

Plot: It is a romantic comedy series featuring two sisters who have differing looks and personality. Gong Mi is a lawyer with a pretty face while Gong Shim is a warm hearted younger sister who always put others first before herself. The story becomes more interesting with the addition of two handsome men in their lives who came from opposing backgrounds.  Ahn Dan Tae is a lawyer who takes part time jobs and but will be lodging at the rooftop owned by Gong Shim while Joon Soo is from a wealthy family and is the Director of their family business.

Comments:

It was a very catchy episode one for me so I jumped into the series as soon as I watched it. There is this quality in the character of Gong Shim that makes it feel believable. She’s a very adorable and kind character that you just can’t help but fall in love with. There is that kind of magic in her that makes her very effective for the role. I am truly pleased by Min Ah’s (from the idol group Girls’ Day) portrayal and it feels like she was just being herself with no pretentions. She was able to convey that kind of character which added spice on the story. Next is Nam Gong Min who’s embodied the character of Ahn Dan Tae. The last and only project I’ve seen from is Sensory Couple and he didn’t leave a good impression on me basically because he was a villain but I still remained hopeful for him in this one because it is a rom-com series and I just crossed my fingers that he wouldn’t fail me. Guess what? He delivered and he really has the team up with Min Ah that will crack you up. So I am gushing over their cuteness when they are together. I think their characters are something that could light up a very gloomy day, so that anchored my interest in this series.

At the moment, they have only finished up until episode 14 and I can’t wait for the next episode because the ending was a cliff-hanger. I wonder what would happen next and of course I wouldn’t spoil it to you. But to give a glimpse on what the characters are about, I will have to write about her Director Joon Soo and Gong Shim’s Family. I think that the Director is a cute guy and I have a second male lead syndrome next to the OTP syndrome. Seriously the guy is so nice and acting naive sometimes but you just can’t help but admire that kind of personality because not everyone who grows up from a wealthy home know how to befriend people like how he did with Dan Tae and Gong Shim. He’s a guy that no matter what happens, you can’t possibly hate because he’s a momma’s boy and he raised himself to be responsible. The friendship he’s made with the two of them is really admirable and I wish that I have a guy friend like him. I’m sure all girls would line up to get one but on the other hand, it makes me feel how lucky Gong Shim is because he’s a sweetheart and yet she also has Dan Tae. Oh my the love line is not as intense as other Kdramas are but it is one thing that I like about the series which is a lighthearted kind and they focused more on family, friends and character building.

Kdrama: I Have a Lover

It's been two months since I've been away from blogger sphere but I'm back now to give a review on the Kdrama that took 50 hours of my viewing time, I Have a Lover. So I want to show how much this Kdrama took over my life. But of course, I only watched this on my free time so I'm excited to recommend this to you.

Disclaimer: I am not a huge fan of Kdramas but there are forces that draw me into watching and one of them is that every Kdrama and actors that portray a role are special. In that sense, I feel that there has to be a connection between me and a Kdrama in order for me to like it. My second confession would be, I am not a huge fan of 50 episodes Kdrama, I avoid them even when the actors are the ones that impress me. So, I have been reluctant on this but since I realized after reading a book called "The Girl Who Played with Fire" which took me one month to finish, then I could do it to a Kdrama as well. Before jumping into this addiction, I was into Japanese movies first and I watched quite plenty of them like Anohana Live Action which is my most favorite, 5cm per second (anime), The Girl Who Leapt through Time, The Black Devil and The White Prince and No Longer Heroine to mention some. So I guess, it’s fate that I watched I Have A Lover because I am not jumping into melodrama but I dived into this which is quite amazing actually. I really liked it.

Plot: This drama is a romantic, family melodrama with a bit of comedy that revolves around Do Hae Kang (Kim Hyun Joo) and her husband Choi Jin Eun (Ji Jin Hee). Then there is a backstory to their families in which Do Hae Kang has a twin sister, DokKo Yong Gi (Kim Hyun Joo) and they met after 30 years.

Review: Descendants of the Sun Episode 5

 As expected, this drama gets better in every episode which is the reason for reigning on the top spot of the ratings battle that leaves its competitors behind by a huge margin. This is expected to continue next week however, with Goodbye Mr. Black's premier which is a comeback drama by Moon Chae Won (from Innocent Man) which is an exciting event because she will be facing off Innocent Man's co-star, Song Joong Ki. So I wonder how Lee Jin Wook and Moon Chae Won's pairing would fair among the K-netz. But I have seen snippets already and I must say that they have prepared a good competition for DOTS. But first, let me talk about how detail oriented this drama is and how it is put together once again. 

 Since everything happens for a reason, I have this gut feeling that Ye Hwa and her husband, Daniel are more than just passing characters to fill the gaps. Ye Hwa carries a gun in her sleep which is a sign that she must protect herself from imminent danger and her husband, Daniel who is a doctor definitely has a job that is more than complicated than what he is able to fix. Though, captain Shi Jin seems to trust them both, I am assuming that they are comrades of his. But I want to know the backstory of these characters and what they can further offer to the story. I hope that their story would be compelling as well.

 Furthermore, these two just kissed which left a lingering feeling for both. With how it looks like, these two didn't have a good night sleep because of each other. Though it's hard to put a wall between these two cause of their inevitable attraction, Kang Mo Yeon is taken aback by Yoo Shi Jin's breezy moves towards her. He is a very charming yet also, dangerous which makes everything hard for Dr. Kang Mo Yeon because of his line of work. I hope that these two would meet a common ground so that they wouldn't waste their feelings and the genuineness of their characters. Besides, these two are well loved for their amazing chemistry onscreen which is apparent on their kissing scene.

Review: Our Times 我的少女時代 (2015)

Plot: Lin Truly reminisced the fun times in her high school with friends. Set in 1994, the story takes you in the innocence of youth, beauty of first love, sting of a heartache and friendships made. Part of her memory was being a hardcore fangirl of Andy Lau and admiring Ou Yang as the school’s most popular guy. Moreover, he tamed the bad guy Hzu Tai You and became friends with him that changed the course of her life.

Commentaries:

The liberty of youth is one that cannot be exchanged by the complicated reality of the adult world. ‘Our Times’ is a story that is familiar scene among teenagers and at the same time, nostalgic to the young adult viewers. The movie is something that is irresistible to all ages as soon as you are appreciative of its witty, feisty and heartfelt offering. But why is this Taiwanese film a huge hit among East Asian movie-goers? Is it because of the gangster and the charismatic Hzu Tai You that girls are aiming to repeatedly admire on the big screen, or because of the warm-hearted and cute Truly Lin that has captured Hzu Tai You's attention? One thing is for sure and that is, this drama has made a storm because teenagers can associate themselves to the characters while millennials can’t help but enjoy the movie as much. On the other note, the story has a cliché plot where I was reminded of plenty of the dramas I’ve seen and loved such as “Crazy little thing called love” which is a teen romance movie from Thailand, “Reply Me 1997” which is a Kdrama hit in 2012 that established tVN’s popularity, “In A Good Way” which is a feel good drama about friendship set in the 90s and lastly, I couldn’t help but notice the similarity between Hzu Tai You and Dao Ming Shi from Meteor Garden wherein both are hot tempered characters.  So I made the research and according to the articles online, I shouldn’t be surprised because F4 used to be talents of the same agency as Darren Wang (Hzu Tai You) and Vivian Sung (Truly Lin) managed by Angie Chai. To be honest, Darren Wang has the aura of Dao Ming Shi not only as Hzu Tai You but as a person himself.

Review: Descendants of the Sun Episode 4

 This drama knows how to make a proper resolution to the problem and that is what episode 4 is all about. Shi Jin was summoned by his superior for defying a military order. After episode 3, we have measured the depth of Shi Jin's character for choosing to save a man's life and a doctor who might have been charged of a case that she did not voluntary do. The man is an influential leader of the Arab world and he needed an immediate medical attention so they landed in Urk for a treatment. However, the man's medical record was fabricated with diagnosis that he doesn’t have. Hence, the medical team led by Dr. Kang Mo Yeon assessed the patient and she suggested an emergency operation. However, his security insisted for them to wait for his Arab doctor despite of being in dire situation. It was an emergency case that needed to have someone to judge whether to listen from his security and a military order which tells the same thing or to save two lives that are in the line. Thus, Shi Jin commanded his men to point a gun to anyone who'll try to neglect the operation and took full responsibility for the outcome. Meanwhile, Kang Mo Yeon is a reputable doctor and she lived up to the expectations of Shi Jin. Through these debacles that they managed to surpass together, the connection between the two has gotten deeper.

Review: Descendants of the Sun Episode 3

Every second of this episode is worth the screen time and I love how everything makes sense from the input of events to the development of the characters. They also show the backstory in which the characters are introduced to who they really are which is a good thing guided by the story. I hope that they keep up with this kind of pace so they'd be able to justify each and everyone of them. Every detail that they incorporate in the scenes were made for a reason and that is a big plus points to them because not every popular K-drama these days have it. Moreover, it was easy to watch and felt like everything was done fast-forwardly in a good way. I dare say that the effort and the plot didn't go in vain. Definitely, because I know that this is a well thought production series and now, we just can't help but love it. 

It's been a while since I feel so into a K-drama in which everyone is watching, as I am aware of its popularity in Korea and to the international viewers. I think that one of the reasons why it is doing well is again, the story is commanding the viewers to watch because there're more to it than meets the eye - the gorgeous cast. 

So here are the screen caps I did for pleasure because the experience of watching this episode is just as intense as the first two where I can't stop grinning at the sight of Song Joong Ki. I miss him so much and I'm glad that he's very well acquainted with his character Captain Shi Jin. Every scene that he has is heart fluttering indeed.

First Impression: Descendants of the Sun

Plot: A love story between troop officer Yoo Shi Jin who leads peacekeeping troops in war and Doctor Kang Mo Yeon who dedicates her life to her career.

First Impression:

I didn’t know that this was a rom-com series because there are definitely more than just the snippets I’ve seen. I didn’t expect a lot since I’m in a K-drama slump last year and this year but surprisingly, Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Gyo were boosting with chemistry onscreen. This drama is one of those that you fall in love with at first episode. They also have that slow-motion effect which happens when you have crush on someone and had me grinning so hard.

Review: In Time With You (2011)

Introduction:

On her 30th birthday, Chen You Qing received a video greeting from Li Da Ren, a good friend who managed to stick with her through the years. The message depicted "the symptoms of premature aging" to which You Ching considered as a bitter reality to her womanhood - a single, career driven independent woman but at the same time, longing for a man's love. Little to her imagination, Li Da Ren is sneaky in showing his true feelings for her that developed ever since they were high school students. But how was he able to hide his 14 years of affection towards You Qing? It was that one moment wherein You Qing asked if he likes her and to his defense, he blurted a mistake that is "I will not fall in love with you" in which convinced You Qing to believe that there is no hidden meaning to their companionship.

It is a story of love, friendship and finding yourself in between the roles that you serve in the life of one another. Both are hopeful to preserve the memories they spent together as good friends. Will they able to look for the person to spend the rest of their life with before they grasp their essence to each other's life?

Fated to Love You First Impression (Episode 1-6)

In a nutshell: This is a Korean remake of the Taiwanese drama called Fated to Love You starring Ethan Ruan and Qiao En which was aired back in 2006. For the Korean counterpart, it led Jang Hyuk as Geon and Jang Nara as Kim Mi Young.

The story is about the entanglement of life between two individuals who met by chance in Macau after much confusion with the room number of the hotel where they both were checked in, but with different partners who eventually dumped them both. After spending a night together, this is where it all started.

Comments:

I haven’t watched the Taiwanese drama online but I remember catching up few episodes at the local channel where it was aired back in day (that sounds really old and odd to me speaking of which). So, I think that it’s a good thing because I will be able to predict less of the story and feel surprised with the events that could happen next. However, since I decided to watch this one and to be honest, curiosity is a normal phenomenon to happen since I’m fidgety at wanting to know what could happen afterwards though it might spoil me, I checked some clips on youtube. But of course I won’t spoil it here myself. And now I start to imagine my thoughts which I can’t divulge, “Ohhhh…” Anyways, I’m sure that if you can relate to it and you feel that you have the telekinetic power to reveal what it is, comment below. But that’s not the point I’m talking, because I’m excited to go all out and discuss it with you but I’m just weird like this that I can’t seem to know how and where to begin. I will just leave it to the fate, in the hands of the scriptwriter whatever that shall be revised and decided to be pursued from the original story.

Review: Witch's Romance

First Impression

Halftime Report

In a nutshell: A romantic comedy series between a 39 year old career woman Ban Ji Yeon and a 25 year old medicine student and part timer Yoon Dong Ha. 

I just finished this drama last week and I have been setting aside my commitment to write a review because I can't believe that it's already over. But now it's really sinking in that mondays and tuesdays will never be the same again, I think that it's time to make one. 

Throughout the series, there was never a dull moment that was wasted. I don't have anything to dislike about the series, even with the presence of "polar bear" because it became an affirmation regarding the romance shared by Ban Ji Yeon and Yoon Dong Ha. Furthermore, I thought that he wasn't a bad person after all, contrary to the hateful things that has done to Ji Yeon which damaged his image. Also, I felt sorry to him that he was late to be back for her. 

First Impression: Witch's Romance's Yoon Dong Ha, Park Seo Joon

I feel lucky this season and that K-drama gods has been so good to me as I found myself watching three series that are currently airing (Angel Eyes, Triangle, Witch's Romance). All of which are I'm excited to update everytime and the reason I think is that,as much as my preference is concerned, they are watchable. However, I also want to start so many dramas because of the promising competition and plot but I haven't found a time yet for follow up thus for now, I'll have to enjoy myself indulging to this madness without having to overwhelm my viewing habits. Other shows that I'm considering are Dr. Stranger, Big Man & You're All Surrounded. But, I'll talk about Witch's Romance first because it makes me grin to have found an underdog that is right down my alley. 

So what is it all about? This series is a remake of the Taiwanese drama called My Queen starring Ethan Ruan in the cable channel tvN, which is a story of a woman older by 14 years to a man whom he had an entangled fate with. When I say fate, I won't go through the details because we all know how fate works in Kdramas which is an infinite of possibilities so as much as I can, I wouldn't spoil it to my readers nor elaborate it because I think it's nothing special. I'm not really interested by the plot itself nor the cinematography but I'm most interested with the man who played the role of Yoon Dong Ha, Park Seo Joon. But before I start spazzing about his endless charm and charisma, let's look at the apple of his eyes, Ban Ji Yeon played by Uhm Jung Hwa. Surprisingly, these two have a chemistry together which is amazing and extraordinary. But for me, I give credit to their skills in portraying their roles because to be very honest, this is an unexpected pairing but it could work and it did. Maybe we can give credit to the writer, director and the production as well? Because of the tremendous job of making this happen with the casting. Nonetheless, the most amazing feat for this drama to be proud of for me, is 2014's rising star, Park Seo Joon. Yes, and I already gave that title to him because he deserved much recognition. Haha.

Drama Recommendation: Angel Eyes

Characters:

·         Lee Sang Yoon – Park Dong Joo / Dylan Park

·         Kang Ha Neul – young Park Dong Joo

·         Goo Hye Sun – Yoon Soo Wan

·         Nam Ji Hyun – as young Yoon Soo Wan

·         Kim Ji Suk – Kang Ji Won

·         Seungri – Teddy

In a nutshell: This is a melodrama about Yoon Soo Wan (Goo Hye Sun) and Park Dong Joo’s (Lee Sang Yoon) love for each other in the past 12 years,  and the fate that they have to face after so many years that passed by.

Shitsuren Chocolatier (The Finale)

First Impression

Episode 8

Episode 9-10

So the roller coaster ride of emotion has finally reached its finale which I thought is the start of more good things to come for Souta (Matsumoto Jun). I liked the concept of the ending. Souta became properly heartbroken, Saeko decided to face her reality which she has long ignored by running away and by indulging herself in chocolates. I’m happy for the characters, and overall, I had the realization as well that instead of wishing to see them change from being immature to a responsible adult, it’s better for the drama to show first the instances that made the characters who they are. Basically, I have so much good things to say probably because I liked how it ended.