Being Me: 2017

Goblin 쓸쓸하고 찬란하神-도깨비

Goblins, Grim reapers, Reincarnations, Immortality ….what more could you possibly ask for in a drama? TvN brings you one of their highest rated dramas ever ‘Guardian: The Lonely and Great God ’which is a wonderful story about an immortal in search for his Bride who would finally put an end to his curse and return him to ashes. While on this journey, witness a budding romance that is destined to end in tragedy, a cute bromance that emerges between the Goblin and Grim reaper, sacrifices made for the one you love and much more

I made the mistake of not watching this one as soon as it came out cause I was preoccupied with other dramas that were telecasting side by side, but this one is a definitely the top dramas to watch this year. Why? Have a look for yourself

Gong Yoo as Kim Shin/Goblin (Dokkaebi)

A 939 year old immoral who is in search for his bride and upon finding her is hell bent on moving on to the afterlife only to realize that as time passes, he begins to fall for her. Perks of having him as your husband? Teleportation, freezes time, looks into a person’s future, makes it rain when he’s sad and flowers bloom when happy.

Kim Go Eun as Ji Eun Tak

A bubbly high school girl and modern day Cinderella has the ability to see ghosts ever since she was born. In fact she was never to be born however the Goblin had intertwined and saved her mother from dying and was hence was born with a mark on her back which symbolized his bride. One can never get tired of having her around and she is this bubbling presence in the drama. She first met him by blowing on a candle and making a wish on her birthday and hence this became a way for her to summon the goblin.

The Goblin Couple

Despite the age gap, Gong Yoo and Go Eun have an amazing chemistry on screen which just seems very natural. Popularly known as the ‘Goblin Couple’ these two share some adorable moments together and would go to through great lengths for one another. He acts as her ‘Guardian’ and looks after her and even took her in and provided her a place to stay with after being mistreated by her selfish aunt and cousins. I’m not giving any spoilers so why don’t you witness their amazing love story for yourself

Lee Dong Wook as Wang Yeo/ Grim Reaper (Jeoseung Saja)

It is said that the ones who have committed the greatest sin in their previous lives are born as Grim Reapers. With no recollecting whatsoever of their past lives, the grim reapers serve as an escort to the dead souls and shows them the way to the afterlife. Initially having started out on the wrong foot with Kim Shin, the two of them go out to a bromance like no other. But there are dark secrets, if unveiled, would soar their relationship.

Yoo In Na as Sunny

A beautiful owner of a chicken restaurant and is also the Grim Reaper’s love interest.

The Second Series Couple

There is that instant spark but what they don’t know is that they aren’t destined to be together. What will they do? Will they part ways or will they stay together knowing that it is only going to get problematic every time they are together?

The Third Series Couple

Fighting over every little things at the dinner table to who gets the deed to the house, is the most adorable couple of the series. Although they pretend not to care for each other deep inside they do and they find themselves constantly helping one another. Secrets from the past can sour their relationship, but will they learn to let go and start fresh or will their relationship be broken forever?

Yook Sung Jae as Yoo Deok Hwa

The BTOB’s Sung Jae plays a chaebol heir whose family has been serving the goblin for generations. Living under the same roof as the Goblin and Grim Reaper, learns of their true identities. His first love is his credit card which gets taken away from him on multiple occasion and does all sorts of thing to get it back from his grandfather. At a particular scene in the drama, he plays the role of a deity who takes over his body.

A few stills from the drama...

In all honesty, there were a few times where I felt the drama was a little dragging which is why I took a while to finish but nevertheless it’s one that makes you laugh, cry and wish it’ll have an alternate ending. Just when you think that it’s gonna end in a particular way, it takes a turn! The OST’s for this one are top notch, the most popular one being the one by Punch and Chanyeol (EXO). Rating- 7/10

That’s all for today! Will be back with one last blogpost before I go AWOL (Exams >_<)

Anhyeong

April 14, 2017
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Hwarang 화랑

K-Drama

“Hwarang- the Poet Warrior” is yet another historical drama, this time featuring the smallest of the three ancient kingdoms that make up Korea- Silla. The drama is set during the reign of King Jinheung (Sammaekjong) who has been kept hidden by his mother (Queen Jiso) till he comes of age. Feeling threatened by the nobles, officials and her even her own son, the Queen creates an elite body that would devote themselves to the faceless king and the people. Cutting across power factions and challenging the power of the nobles is ‘Hwarang’; a group of young men who would bring about a much needed change within the kingdom.

I personally have been waiting for another drama like ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ to comes along. Although it doesn’t match up to the level set by the former, Hwarang does have its own amazing moments right from its good looking cast, to its songs, to the messages that it relays to the romances and much more. I’ll try my best to do the review without much spoilers ^_^

Park Seo Joon plays one of the main leads as

Dog Bird- strong headed like a dog and free-spirited like a bird

Kim Sun-Woo- A peasant who dared to go beyond and enter the capital suddenly finds himself taking over the identity of his best friend Mak Moon (Kim Sun Woo). He vows to seek revenge for his friend and also promises him on his death bed that he would look after his little sister, Ah Ro

Moo-Myung- A nameless child? Well, as the series progresses, you'll find out the secret to his birth.

He lives like there is no tomorrow and goes by his life principles, all of which is jotted down in the dice he always caries around. He might seem like an aloof person, but once you become someone important in his life he would be willing to go through great lengths to keep you safe. As the series progresses he also finds himself falling for Ah-Ro and at the same time develops a deep brotherly bond with his rival in love, Ji Dwi.

Go Ara as Kim Ah Ro

The half-breed who does multiple odd jobs in order to support her family. With her very cheerful and bubbly personality, she tends to be a very approachable person which is what probably led to both the main leads falling for her. She takes after her father and later serves as a physician at the Hwarang House. She is used by the Queen as bait in order to keep Sun Woo in check and is later promoted to a Wonhwa which is yet another plot.

Caught up in a love triangle between her brother and Ji Dwi, who are you rooting for?

Park Hyung Sik as Ji Dwi/Sammaekjong

Now I won’t be ruining anything by telling you that he is king, cause this is revealed at the very beginning of the drama. Being hidden and protected by his mother ever since his birth, the faceless King lives his life in isolation and is looking for the right opportunity to take over the throne from his mother. He joins Hwarang posing as the fake nephew of Kim Wi Hwa, hoping that this experience would make him more aware and meeting Ah-Ro infact molds him into being a better king.

He openly confesses his feelings for her and would go through great lengths to protect her. Never having any friends, he finds one in Sun Woo and the drama sees a very strong of bromance amongst the two

Shinee’s Minho plays the role of Kim Soo Ho who belongs to one of the aristocratic families in the capital. He is best known as a womanizer/ playboy but in the end he is loyal to just one woman –The Queen. His lifelong enemy is Ban Ryu, although initially they cause multiple problems at the Hwarang House somewhere down the line they start to develop a deep friendship.

I feel that this genre in particular suited Minho a lot and to be honest, I thought he was the best looking Hwarang of them all.

Do Ji Jan plays Park Ban Ryu who has been bought up to be power hungry. He is cold blooded and competitive and loathes Soo Ho. He has two fathers, one his birth father and his adopted one, Park Young Shil, who has been eyeing the thrown and is looking for the perfect opportunity. Despite his behavior you notice him and So Hoo develop a deep friendship and he also finds himself falling for So Hoo’s sister, Kim So Yeon

Cho Yoon Woo plays the role of Kim Yeo-Wool who is a beautiful yet mysterious man. His mother infact was the sister to the previous king while his father’s identity remains a mystery. He is an extremely caring person and is especially close to Seok Han Sung

BTS’ (V) Kim Tae Hyung plays the youngest of the Hwarang- Seok Han Sung. He is this bright and innocent kid and one of the last true bloods of his family. He is constantly pushed by his grandfather to do better in order to raise the family status. He has a half-breed brother whom he treasures very much. Considering that this is his first drama and although he didn’t have that big of a role, I think he did pretty well

P.S tune into the OST that's sung by V and Jin from BTS

Sung Song Il is back again this time playing the role of Lord Kim Wi Hwa, Ji Dwi’s fake uncle. He is founder of Hwarang and was also made the First Chief by the Queen. He deeply cares for his boys and also is looking forward for a changed a new Silla

The Royal Family

Kim Ji Soo plays the role of Queen Regent Ji So. After the death of the husband, she took on the responsibility of ruling Silla herself until her son came of age and was seen fit and ready to rule. She is a heartless person which is quiet evident in the way she puts an end to those who even catch a glimpse of the faceless King. She is hated by many officials, instigated by Park Young Shil, who are pushing her towards seceding the thrown.

She in love with Ah Ro's father, Kim Ahn Ji and despite many years passing cannot forget about him.

Seo Ye Ji plays the role of Princess Suk Myeong. Trained in martial arts and archery, she is the half sister to the king and also his future consort. She is sloof and rude, which is especially meted out to Ah Ro cause she is the only one that Sun Woo sees. So basically, she has a crush on him, a big enough crush that sh is willing to throw away her marriage to the king. Under the Queen's order, she begins to live in the Hwarang House and later becomes a Wonhwa.

Others

Choi Won Young as Master Kim Ahn Ji

Father to Ah Ro and a physician who aids people for free. He was separated from his son Sun Woo only to reunite 12 years later under horrible circumstances. He takes in Dog-Bird and requests him to pose as his Son. Although once upon a time he loved the queen, this feeling soon turns to hatred due to the things she did for him marrying a commoner. However, despite this, towards the very end you see that he infact still cares for her.

Yoo Jae Myung as Pa Oh

Ji Dwi’s personal bodyguard who cares for him deeply. He is a funny character and even comes in as a trainee into the Hwarang House and is assigned to Ji Dwi to keep a closer eye on him

Lee Kwang Soo as Mak Moon/ the original Sun Woo

Dog Bird's best friend and has been with him since childhood. Separated from his family at a very young age didn't stop him from pursuing them. It finally led to them going beyond the wall and entering the capital in order to pursue his family. He adores his sister whom he has always wanted to meet. Yet sadly, before he reunites with his family he is killed for seeing the faceless king.

Here comes the Love triangle

Another love that blooms is the one between Ban Ryu and Soo Ho's sister, Kim So Yeon

Bromance: The Hwarangs started out the wrong foot with rivalries and disputes but as they are put to the test and when confronted with dangerous situations, they've always got each other's back. Thus begins their unusual friendships

Hwarang is a culmination of romance, drama, action, mystery and quest for power. With secrets being unveiled, the end of each episode only leaves you craving for more. So don't forget to catch on the must-watch historical cause if you've loved Moon Lovers then you're bound to love this one as well. Rating- 7/10

February 24, 2017
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Legend of the Blue Sea 푸른 바다의 전설

K-Drama

Korea’s most popular and loved actors Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun star in all new romance drama ‘Legend of the Blue Sea’ which isn’t just your average love story between a man and a woman. After witnessing their tragic end during the Josean Era destiny gives their love another chance as they are reborn in present day Seoul. The twist- He is a con man while she is a mermaid!

This is a special one for both actors as its Min Ho’s last drama before he goes for his mandatory military service and is Jun Ji Hyun’s first after the birth of her child. Now before I begin with the character analysis let's take a look at the trailer!

Lee Min Ho as Kim Dam Ryeong/ Heo Joon Jae

Words cannot even begin to describe how amazing he is and almost everyone who starts their K-Drama journey begins with one of his most popular dramas ‘Boys over Flowers’ and this is where every girl begins to fall for him. Each of his dramas portrays a different character and he always manages to bring justice to his roles and Heo Joon Jae is no less.

Having a pretty rough childhood and somehow ended growing up to be a con man, Joon Jae had only one goal in life- to find his mother until one day, after a job gone south, escapes to Spain only to come across a mysterious woman.

Jun Ji Hyun as Se Hwa/ Shim Cheong

Graceful and elegant as ever is Jun Ji Hyun who plays the role of the mermaid that decides to come up to the surface and somehow ends up in the closet of Joon Jae in Spain. She has ridiculous strength which is tested out on Joon Jae during their initial meeting and an enormous appetite.

From the moment they met, Joon Jae knew she was no ordinary woman yet for some weird reason he always found his way back to her. And if this wasn’t puzzling enough, she appeared to him in his dreams, where they lived another life and where the previous him warned him about an evil that was bound to come.

Filled with cute moments and a loads of comedy, witness the amazing love story between the two

Before moving on to the others, let’s take a look at the ones who played mini Sim Cheong and Dam Ryeong of the Josean Era

Park Jin Young plays the role of young Dam Ryeong/Joon Jae. As the former he was the son of a magistrate and soon to become town head. He comes across Se Hwa as a kid and befriends her. Back in present day Seoul, he is a troubled teenager who leaves home and is sought out by Jo Nam do and thus beginning his life as a con man.

Shin Eun Soo plays the role of young Se Hwa and comes out to the surface to follow her only love. As a mermaid she also has the power to read and erase one’s memory at will

Lee Hee Joon plays the role of Jo Nam Do and Park Moo (Joseon Era). Initially seems like a shady character given the history he had with Joon Jae as a kid. He has been Joon Jae’s mentor and promises to work alongside him while pursuing his mother side by side. At first appearances you never get to know whose side Park Moo is on, so tune into the drama to find out who he really is. No spoilers ^_^

The last of trio is genius hacker Tae Oh played by Shin Won Ho. A shy and quiet temperament and is always found with a pair of headphones and eyes glued to the laptop. It was only after Cheong arrived that he started to open up a bit.

There is always that one person in a drama that is after the handsome guy but never receives much attention and is friend-zoned. In this case it is Cha Shi Ah played by Shin Hye Sun, who went to the same university as Joon Jae and has had an unrequited love ever since. Being a researcher at KAIST she plays a key role in helping him discover his past and about his previous identity- Dam Ryeong. And naturally she is jealous of Shim Cheong

The cute stepbrother who seems to put up a good forefront but you never really know where his true intentions lie until the very end.

Lee Ji Hoon plays the role of Joon Jae’s step brother Heo Chi Hyun and remained a dutiful son once his brother decided to leave. You can’t really blame him for the way and all he has ever wanted was to be loved by his step-father. He plays the role of the antagonist during the Joseon Era.

Now coming to the mothers, let’s start with the nice one first

Na Young Hee plays the role of Mo Yoo Ran who is Joon Jae’s birth mother and is the first wife of a chaebol. After the divorce she led a miserable life and ended up being the housekeeper to the Cha Family and all the while the only thing on her mind was to find her son. Young Hee is one beautiful woman and emits a very graceful and elegant personality.

Now comes the evil stepmother Kang Seo Hee played by Hwang Shin Hye

One cannot even begin to describe the degree of evilness; she was Yoo Ran’s classmate back in school and went by the name of Kang Ji Yeon and despite being helped during the bad times she stabbed her and drove her out of the household. Probably the one thing that’s real is her unconditional love for her son Chi Hyun. She would do anything to ensure her luxurious life and make her son the heir. She goes as far as to hire a hit man to ensure Joon Jae is out of the frame.

And we see our beloved commander (Sung Dong Il) in Moon Lovers back only this time he plays the antagonist Ma Dae Young. A mermaid trafficker during the Joseon era and a criminal and hit man hired by Seo Hee during the modern one.

Featuring the so called 'family man'

Heo Gil Joong played by Choi Jung Woo (Joon Jae’s father)

The woman who cannot make up her mind as to which side she needs to be on but ends up choosing right

The annoying detective

Shim Cheong’s first friend

As their paths cross, their love is once again put to test. One interesting concept introduced in this drama is the interplay of the past and present. It does seem confusing at first but the whole idea is what makes it all the more appealing. It is filled with suspense all the way down to the last episode and being a successor to the much loved ‘Scarlet Heart Ryeo’, SBS has indeed come out with another amazing one.

Find out if luck is on their side this time round or will history repeat itself? The Legend of the Blue Sea’- Rating 8/10. Don't miss out on one of the best dramas of the year

January 26, 2017
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Being Me

Goblin 쓸쓸하고 찬란하神-도깨비

Hwarang 화랑

Legend of the Blue Sea 푸른 바다의 전설

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