KDrama: Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

This is a repost from my drama blog that was posted on August 2012.

Main Characters:
Micky Yoochun or Park Yoochun as Lee Sun-joon (nickname: Ga-rang')
Park Min-young as Kim Yoon-hee (nickname: Dae-mul)
Song Joong-ki as Gu Yong-ha (nickname: Yeo-rim)
Yoo Ah-in as Moon Jae-shin (nickname: Geol-oh)
Genre: Historical, Romance Comedy

I finished watching this drama last year but just thought of posting a review of it today. If I am not  mistaken, this was the first drama i've watched of Micky Yoochun (forgive me but I was no big fan of Kdramas before until Boys Over Flowers) and he got me impressed by his acting right away, making him one of the K idols I am fantasizing nowadays.  Park Min Young, on the other hand, shouldn't be left out because aside from this drama's catchy synopsis, she is one of the main reasons why I started watching this.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal is not the kind of scandal you might be thinking right now. I found it a one interesting drama, worthy of note. My respect goes to the main casts for they really were great. This drama tells how the smart and clever scholars of Sungkyunkwan University survived every trials laid upon them and in the unfairness of society in general.  Each portrayed the role convincingly well. If Boys Over Flowers had Flower4, this drama had Jalguem Quartet or the Joseon F4.

The Jalguem Quartet: Sun-Joon, Yong-ha, Jae-shin and the pretty Yoon-hee.
You must know them for they were the scholars your eyes could feast on.

Micky Yoochun portrayed Lee Sun-joon, a trophy son to one of the most respected and rich noble family in Joseon. He was an upright, intelligent and somewhat emotionless character. He always had on a serious face and an authoritative manner In display. He was a picture of an ideal man, and I wanted him for myself. He was either respected and envied. He was the lead guy in the drama opposite Min Young. They were a perfect couple.

One unforgettable character in this drama was Jae-shin portrayed by Yo Ah-in, Sun-joon's rival to Joon-hee's heart. You can drool over his sexiness in this drama, really. He showed his long-haired, ruggedly handsome side in this drama and at one point I wished he was the lead guy for I couldn't hate him. Jae-shin was the rebellious among the quartet. He fought for what is right and did it in his very own way, unknown to anyone, when darkness embraced the Joseon sky.

Song Jong-ki lived up to his being a pretty boy in this drama. He portrayed Yong-ha, a playboy who always had a way with girls, and women alike. He is the prettiest and the most fashionable among the quartet and that added to his charm that seemed to magnet women. He also was the most clever.

Park Min Young portrayed Joon-hee, the only girl among the quartet. She brought scandal to Sungkyunkwan, an all-boys University when she braved herself in disguising as a boy, bearing her brother's identity. In her portrayal in this drama, she had proven her versatility. Although her face was too pretty to be a boy, she sure was convincing enough.

So what is the drama about? 

Law, Politics, Education and a little bit of romance. It was a period drama set during the Joseon era, the time when society prohibited and looked lowly on women who take the major responsibility of a family. Women were not allowed to to be educated and employed. They were prohibited to learn skills outside the household ground. They existed only to look after the house and their husband and to bear them children. 

Yoon-hee, having no father to take the family's responsibility, and with a sickly brother, left with no choice but disguised herself as her brother to be able to work and earn to support her family. She did odd jobs, tough ones and anything she could handle. On one occasion, she was hired to be a substitue test taker for the entrance examination to the prestigious Sungkyunkwan University. She got caught by Lee Sun-joon, the top scholar who later acknowledged her talent. Thinking she was a boy, he encouraged her to enter the Sungkyunkwan University. Joon-hee refused knowing the trouble she would get herself into but with Sun-joon reputation, he got her in as Sungkyunkwan's scholar. How did she managed to move around a place where nothing but boys and thier ego?

What I like about this drama?

The main casts and the effortlesss chemistry between Yoochun and Min Young. There are only smack kisses in this drama but even with the absence of those "eye candies", they still made me giggle. I as well was amazed with the twists and turns, the puzzles and the debates. And of course, I like Yo Ah In's sexy stunts. He is my gladiator!

Links to watch the drama for free online with English Subtitle:
http://www.mysoju.com/korean-drama/sungkyunkwan-scandal/ http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Sungkyunkwan_Scandal.php http://www.epdrama.com/drama/sungkyunkwan-scande

My Say on The Innocent Man

This drama started with a climax and I expected that as it progressed it would offer something more...but it didn't. It had some thrills and puzzles, which would make a viewer think, entice to watch farther and expect. And for me, every episodes promises nothing but boredome. Please don't get me wrong though, It wasnt the actors coz I love them and there was no problem with their acting.  The problem is the story. It didn't meet my expectation basing the plot. It seemed like this drama was aired only to advertise Song Joong Ki's freshness. Lol!

I was entertained by it there is no doubt but I did not totally fall in love with the storyline. I'd expected a much better filmography from that of the plot. I expected more action from Song Joong-ki and this drama made him do nothing but be cute in front the camera (well, at least there were those scenes). I as well expected more action from the lead girl. Gosh I liked how tough she was at the start...and then later on, after the few powerful episodes, the story turned her into a lame heiress. Tsk!

The leads: 

Song Joong-ki and Moon Chae-won 

as Kang Ma-ru and Seo Eun-gi

The story has a lot of dragging scenes. It was one thing I noticed. I even made a joke to Rina,  my mom's elderst adopted child, that I've seen a lot of walking scenes in the drama. Dull, sad walking scenes in the rain, there were a lot.

Park Si-yeon as Han Jae-hee

Han Jae-hee was the most unforgettable character in this drama. She was bitch behind her angelic face. She is pretty, tough, determined and VERY ambitious. Despite that, I just couldnt hate her to death.

Although there were not so many romantic scenes between the lead stars, their kissing scenes look real compared to some Kdramas I had seen. This dramas was not as good as some dramas you have probably seen but if you are a SJK fan you definitely wouldnt want to miss this. This drama left me hanging at the ending but oh well, this drama likes to leave you something to look forward to every episode!

The Innocent Man

If you are a fan of Song Joong-ki, this is the drama you shouldn't miss. So Joong-ki's handsome face,  his neat and oh-so-fresh appearance was always a sight worth to see. It is like he's gone through a series of long bath before filming this drama.

Nice Guy | The Innocent Man

Title: Nice Guy | The Innocent Man (2012)
Genre: Melodrama
Casts: Song Joong-ki as Kang Ma-ru, Moon Chae-won as Seo Eun-gi and Park Si-yeon as Han Jae-hee.

The story is about a nice guy Kang Ma-ru (Song Joong-ki) who turns into not really a bad bad person but into someone who is stern, with a heart full of hatred, unforgiving, and vindictive. In a shorter sense, a used-to-be nice and respectful guy Kang Ma-ru no longer existed after a sudden turn of event in his life. And that was after his girlfriend Han Jae-hee turns his back on him for a rich man, choosing money over love. After 5 years of serving in prison due to admitting a crime done by the ex-gf Jae-hee, sacrificing his dream of becoming a doctor, he plans on getting back at her by using the ex-gf's step-daughter Seo Eun-gi, the heiress to a large corporation Taesan. Eun-gi, not knowing his real motive, falls in love with him while he as well falls in love with her in the process that he would do everything to keep Eun-gi safe from his monster ex-girlfriend. This drama is about love, sacrifice, betrayal, revenge and power.

I've finished watching Nice Guy or Innocent Man just a few hours ago. I've been watching this drama for I think a week now. I watched 2 to 3 episodes per night but I watched all first 5 episodes on the first night. The first few episodes of the drama were really interesting. I got hooked. Thus, I watched next episode every after the other.

The first few episodes I've watched showed how nice guy Kang Ma-ru is to take the blame for a crime (murder) done by his reporter girlfriend Jae-hee and to sacrifice his dream to become a doctor. By admitting the crime, Ma-ru was dropped out from his medicine school and was sent to prison for five years. Jae-hee then betrayed him by jumping into a very rich older man who is a president of Taesan.

Six years after, Kang Ma-ru is a changed man. He became a stuck-up (as I've observed), a snob and someone who plays a woman's heart. He works as a bartender and a gigolo at a bar and does a part-time scam job to earn money. His life has no sense anymore and continues living only for the sake of his sick sister. I was heartbroken at how Jae-hee turns him into.

Darn, it's when I started hating Jae-hee. She's a monster in disguise. But is Jae-hee that bad or Ma-ru is just plain stupid to give out all his love for Jae-hee that he can even leave his sick sister just for her? Trying to get back at the monster ex-girlfriend, Ma-ru uses Eun-gi, Jae-hee's so-called step-daughter and an heiress to a large corporation called Taesan.

Seo Eun-gi who has been groomed to be a successor of  large corporation is a picture of a tough woman, overworked, has no friends, someone who shows very little emotion, and works hard to keep her father's corporation at its best. Although she shows off a tough expression, she's naive when it comes to love. She falls in-love right away to Kang Ma-ru. 

Okay, I haven't noticed I've babbled long enough. I must stop here now...I must leave the rest of the story for you to find out but check out next post to read my say about the drama.

Where to watch?
http://www.epdrama.com/nice-guy/
http://www.dramacrazy.net/korean-drama/innocent-man/

Flower Boy Ramen Shop

Title: Flower Boy Ramen Shop | Flower Boy Ramyun Shop (2011)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Written by :Yoon Nan-joong
Directed by: Jung Jung-hwa
Episodes: 16

Main Casts:
Jeong Il-woo as Cha Chi-soo, Lee Chung-ah as Yang Eun-bi, Lee Ki-woo as Choi Kang-hyuk, Park Min-woo as Kim Ba-wool and Jo Yoon-woo as Woo Hyun-woo

Synopsis:
A romance between a 19 year-old high school student and a 25 year-old student teacher, both ended up working together in Flower Boy Ramyun Shop.

Yang Eun-bi (Lee Chung-ah) is a struggling university student in her mid-20s preparing for her civil service exam with the dream to become a high school teacher. She accidentally encounters Cha Chi-soo (Jung Il-woo), the arrogant heir to the biggest food conglomerate in South Korea on his first day of arrival from New York escaping his watchful bodyguards.

That sudden encounter isn't the last because Eun-bi finds herself assigned as student teacher to a high school owned by Chi-soo's family. And not only that, she is assigned to Chi-soo's homeroom where she finds out Chi-soo is only 19 years old and is one of her high school students.

Chi-soo with his young and innocent heart is troubled about his attraction to Eun-bi but strongly denies it as love interest. He ends up obsessed with her and earnestly persuades her in his own unique way. Eun-bi,thinking Chi-soo's only toying with her fights her growing attraction towards Chi-soo. To aid his growing obsession, Chi-soo decides to work in Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, a ramen shop left by Eun-bi's late father to Choi Kang-hyuk's ownership and management who is Cha Chi-soo's older half-brother. It's where the love triangle started.

Who will Eun-bi choose? Will the 19-year old pretty boy Chi-soo leave his extravagant life for Eun-bi? Watch it!  

Note: Ramen is pronounced as Ramyun.
Watch this Korean drama with English sub:
http://www.dramacrazy.net/korean-drama/flower-boy-ramyun-shop-episode-list/
http://www.epdrama.com/flower-boy-ramyun-shop/

My Fair Lady

Title: My Fair Lady | Take Care of My Fair Lady (2009)
Also known as: Take Care of the Young Lady, Take Care of Agasshi or Lady Castle
Director: Yeong-su Ji
Writer: Eun-kyeong Yun, Eun-hee Kim
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16

Main Casts:
Yoon Eun-hye as Kang Hye-na
Yoon Sang Hyun as Seo Dong-chan
Jung Il Woo as Lee Tae-yoon
Moon Chae Won as Yeo Eui-joo

Synopis

Of the high-rolling top 'hot celebrities' of the wealthy upper class in Korea's high society, Kang Hye Na (Hena) is the one desired by the men, feared and hated by the women. Being the only successor to the largest conglomerate company, Kang-san Group, Kang Hena has both the looks and the background. She is the owner of the ‘Lady Castle’ and lives a ‘princess-like’ life with her servants. Until one day, out of pure coincidence, she comes across Suh Dong Chan who turns her life upside down. Not only does he make her do community service, he even kidnapped her... and now he's the new household manager!!! Even after stepping on him, crushing him and biting him, he still doesn't run away. She may have finally met her match. (source)

This Korean drama series started airing in the Philippine TV Channel ABS-CBN on September 19, 2011.

Names of the main casts:
Kang Hye-na - Hanna Kang
Seo Dong-chan - Johann Seo or Butler Seo
Jung Il Woo - Rovic Lee
Moon Chae Won - Nica

Watch this Korean drama online with English subtitle:
http://www.epdrama.com/take-care-of-the-young-lady/
http://www.koreanmovie.com/My_Fair_Lady_drama_videos325/
http://www.viki.com/channels/336-my-fair-lady

Butch Turns 25

You may wonder who this Butch is, well I am not referring to any lesbian butch in the family (lol) but a brother who was given Butchie as a nickname by our late father. Our late father made him into his junior giving him the privilege to use his name Ramier hoping they could be buddies but the brother grew up to be a black sheep. Instead of being buddies, the two always ended up in a fight. Despite that, I knew they loved each other.

He turned 25 today, June 07, 2013. He spent his birthday in a simple yet meaningful way. He visited our father's grave around 3:00 p.m. He stayed there for about half an hour. I can imagine what he was doing while there in 30 minutes. He was sobbing while talking to father's grave, asking for forgiveness probably and some guidance and strength. When he came back home, we already had our little birthday preparation for him set and ready. The preparation wasn't much but he was very thankful.

At 25, I know that he is starting to feel the pressure and the responsibility of being a man in the family. After our father's death, he sure felt the fear of responsibility being the only man to stand up for the family and to protect. I know that he was very sad about our father passing that's why he keeps visiting the grave. He feels like a bird with a broken wing now. No father will protect him now, a father who'll leave a job just to rush a son to the hospital after a bike accident due to a stupid bike racing, who'll bring his son a delicious lunch in school complete with a bottle of soda and who'll bail out a son from a jail for stupidly punching someone. He is very remorseful until now about how bad of a son he was. If only he could only turn back time, he should have been a very good son to him, a son that father would be so proud of. It shouldn't be too late. He can still be a good son to our mother and a good and dependable brother to us.

We only wish for him to have a goal in life for he shouldn't to depending to me and my mother forever. Soon, he'll start his own family and grow his own children. He should start making a plan for himself and work that plan out! We wish he'll grow up into a man!

Mango Bonding and "Cam-Whoring" with Little Sister

My bad! I was invited to a baptismal ceremony on Saturday as one of the godmothers to my college friend's son but sadly, I had to accompany my youngest sister to a dentist on that day. It was bad of me because I didn't inform her (my friend) that I won't be able to make it to the ceremony. Still though, I am counted as a godmother. It is funny I am counting godchildren but I don't even have my own child yet. Soon....hopefully. I want a baby girl!. 

Anyway, my youngest sister (in red) and I had a really awesome bonding on Sunday. We bought about 10 kilos of apple mangoes and we munched on it until we get fully loaded. We were belching mangoes afterwards. Lol! We just couldn't get enough of the mangoes. Yum and Sweet!

My youngest sister is still enjoying her school break with us though she is making sure she finishes her dentist appointments before her school begins. Last Saturday was her last dentist visit so by Sunday, we were able to bond before she left for the city on Monday. My other younger sister actually was jealous of our bonding but she was busy helping at her boyfriend's eatery at the city and I bet she likes it with him better than with us. [[[grumpy face]]]

Eating those sweet mangoes was not the only thing we did, my sister and I as well went "camwhoring". We are crazy cam-whores...we enjoyed every bit of it as much as how we enjoyed the mangoes.

Lacking here is our other sister who is also a crazy cam-whore. Lol. Oh, I am telling you she was all green with envy when she saw our pictures on FB. If you are a blogging friend of mine and frequent visitor of my sites, you sure know half of my life already. You sure know that my little sisters are my angels, my babies and my bestest friends. I am more than happy to be their big sister that if I were to be born again, I would choose them still as little sisters.

This one is my favorite among the photos taken. It was a very awesome night for me being able to bond with my little sis. We were munching on the mangoes still came 12midnight while watching I Miss You, a Korean drama. If you like to be updated with my not-so-interesting life, please like Chiessy on Facebook.

Crazy Days and My Pink Frankenstee

Goodbye May, hello June! Wow, it is amazing how time flies! It is the first day of June and it is Saturday. Since it is Saturday, it means time for Chiessy to share something pink. And not only that, it is the first day of the month to share a photo for the ever-loved daily meme, the 366 Blog Photo Challenge (hosted this month by Emzkie). Yey, I have something to write here. It is a very good thing for my mind really can't think of a nice topic to talk about at the moment.

So it's Pink Saturday and the first day of the month for the 366 Photo Challenge. My share for this day would be a flashback. Recalling the days with the really fun and crazy friends can only make me wish I have the power to turn back time. How I really wish! Like that day for instance when we drunk Emperador nonstop for two days at a friend's house and were crazy the next day taking crazy photos after we've sobered up.

This one's one of those crazy photos. I got a really nice glasses on in this picture, don't you think? 

Now, time to be cute for the camera. Pabs, who's been a really good friend of mine looked cool in his girly eyeglasses. It suited "her"... I mean him. 

Oh gosh, I felt so bulgy but who cares, I was in my pink Frankens-tee. Was just trying to show the rocker side of me..though I was wearing a pair of wedges. Lol!

With the gang. From left to right: Pabz, me, Arturo (Alice In Wonderland guitarist) and my younger sister Cheem (RI). 

I am linking this post to:

366 Blog Photo Challenge

and