Are you...Jealous?!?

     Many things seems unattainable for Pyo Na Ri  (Gong Hyo Jin from Master's Sun & It's OK That's Love). She tries to be the best weather girl possible but she has to humiliate herself just to barely stay on the air.

     And if that isn't enough she does any odd job needed for the station in order to make ends meet for herself and her younger brother, Pyo Chi Yeol (Kim Jung Hyun - 1990).  

     Across the water Lee Hwa Shin (Jo Jung Suk from What's Up? & Oh My Ghostess) is an overseas reporter in Bangkok awaiting to be called back home after his time in exile.

     Fortunately for him his television station is trying to promote the anchors and reporters to boost ratings and get a better selection of incoming candidates for their job postings. 

     The station sends a small crew to shoot Hwa Shin for the promo spot. What he doesn't know is that the woman who's had a 3 year crush on him will be part of this group! (Yup it's Na Ri... Omo!)

     Na Ri is trying her best to be of assistance to Hwa Shin but she can't help that she irritates and angers him. (What is his deal?) 

     She is in charge of getting him ready for the shoot, per the Director's instructions, and Hwa Shin is not agreeable to any of their foolishness! (Does he NOT want to be part of the promo?)

     But in their tug of war with his white shirt Na Ri cuts him! She tries to tend the wound on Hwa Shin's chest..(Yowza!) Na Ri takes her time feeling his chest and is puzzled by what she finds... 

     As the day goes by Hwa Shin is met on set by his best friend - Go Jung Won (GoKyung Pyo from Flower Boy Next Door & Tomorrow's Cantable). They catch up and reminisce. And then Na Ri finds them.

     Na Ri is captivated by Jung Won. Not only is he young, handsome, and rich but he gave up his seat on the airplane for her when they were flying together on their way to Bangkok!

    Hwa Shin sees this close interaction and immediately gets jealous! So much so that he takes Jung Won away from the set...and Na Ri. (HA!)  

     Back in Seoul Na Ri accidentally meets up with Hwa Shin as they are both headed to work and she takes advantage of the opportunity and feels him up again!  

     This second more careful examination confirms what she thinks she knows is happening to Hwa Shin.   

     Hwa Shin is finally fed up with Na Ri's antics! He grabs her and pulls Na Ri behind a TV in the lobby of the station where they both work.

     Hwa Shin demands an explanation for all the touching and groping that she has done to him and states that if she still likes him that this was NOT the way to show it! (Arrogant much?)

     Na Ri tries to explain that she doesn't like him and he doesn't believe her...until she explains why she has been feeling his chest all this time...   

      Jealousy Incarnate is a story that is relatable. Whether you've ever felt jealousy over a friend, lover, or crush we have all been on one side of this coin or the other.

     And the beautiful complication of a possible fatal disease has all the earmarks of KDrama fun! (It gives me the feels!)

     Director Park Shin-Woo and Writer Seo Sook-Hyang created many memorable scenes where love is given deeper meaning and weight because of the pain that the characters have to endure.

Fantasy Online and Off in Love O2O!

     For those of us who love to play video games (I'm a Nintendo and Online gamer!) this next C-Drama is right up your controller sticks! 

     Love O2O is a drama that goes into a popular online historical action game called, "Chinese Ghost Story". Here players join clans (or gangs), battle players and monsters, have quests, and they can even get MARRIED!

     Reed Wei Wei (ZhengShuang) is the only top 10 female player and she is married to Zhenshui Wuxiang (Zhang He) and they rack points and kick butt!

     Unfortunately, every time Zhenshui Wuxiang asks Reed Wei Wei for a photo or to meet IRL (in real life) she always declines... 

     This is wonderful bumbling sidekick is Zhao Er Xi (Mao Xiao Tong) she is Reed Wei Wei's (or Bei Wei Wei - offline name) BFF!

     She is clumsy and Bei Wei Wei is always bailing her out from one jam to another...lol   

     After Zhao Er Xi killed Bei Wei Wei's laptop she dropped it off to get repaired and went to an online cafe to get her game ON!

     What Bei Wei Wei could not have anticipated was that Xiao Nai (YangYang) - the most popular boy at her university - was having a meeting at the same place! (What!?!) 

     I absolutely love the cinematography in this series! For me it became another character to play with the narrative...this is seen when the two leads kinda meet for the first time.

     The first thing Xiao Nai notices about Bei Wei Wei is her hands! (Wow!)

     So...since Zhenshui Wuxiang had been making no headway with Reed Wei Wei he asked for a DIVORCE in the RPG (role playing game). What he forgot to mention is that he already had someone he wanted to marry instead of her.

     I absolutely LOVE Reed Wei Wei reaction when he divorced her and then she saw his marriage train with his new bride - she did NOT care. For Reed Wei Wei it was all just a game! (HA!)

     On the bright side another interesting character pops up and asks Reed Wei Wei to marry her! 

     Who?...none other than the number one top player Yi Xiao Nai He!

     Meanwhile, back in the man cave Xiao Nai calmly explains that he can no longer fix any random girl's computer because he is now a Married Man! (...things that make you go mmm...?)

     I did want to take a moment and talk about two characters that I absolutely loved in this series. Hao Mei (ZhengYe Cheng) and KO (Zhang Binbin)!

     There are many flower boys in this series and the bromance is brimming on a saturated cup but these two characters touched my heart dearly. 

     Hao Mei and KO  share a caring and sweet almost romance that is not always seen this clearly in Chinese Dramas. I'm grateful it was present in this one.

     Definite kudos to Director Lin YuFen for having great vision and to Writer Gu Man for an imaginative story!

Dream High 2...(Where's 1?)

     As I was re-watching (yes...I do that...frequently) Dream High 2 I knew that I wanted to tell this story because there is one character in this series that I identify with very much.

     This person has a lot of obstacles to overcome through the series and I can feel the (eternal?)struggle as this character tries (with varying degrees of success) to achieve their dreams... Can you guess which one it is?

     The series starts showing musical talent with a Girl Kpop group by the name of "HershE" (like the candy bar) and they are at the top of their game!  

     This group consists of SISTAR's Hyolyn and Ailee as well as T-Ara's Jiyeon as  "HershE" Members Nana, Ailee, and Rian. 

     Rian is struggling with becoming more than the "Face" of "HershE" and dumps fellow alum JB to focus more on her acting career...(Omo!)

   "HershE" and the duo "I:dn" (Eden) were both raised through OZ Entertainment.

    "I:dn" is made up of two artists JB (from GOT7) and Si Woo (Park Seo Joon  of "Kill Me, Heal Me").

     JB and Si Woo see their respective careers extremely differently. JB is the rule follower (and has a relationship with Rian) and Si Woo is the rebel always getting into trouble.

     So it is a shock when JB breaks the rules...and the consequences are felt by ALL!

     As JB's extreme fan (watch out JB!) Shin Hae-sung (Kang So-ra of "Warm and Cozy") goes greatly out of her way to make an impression.

     Unfortunately, it's not always the best impression...

     Hae-sung feels a connection to these artists that she's come to support and watch because she is training to become one herself!

     Hae-sung is studying at "The Kirin School of Arts" to become a world class singer and no one is going to stop her...

     On her way back from the concert Hae-sung meets up with Jin Yoo-jin (Jeong Jinwoon of 2AM and "Madame Antoine")...unintentionally...

     Yoo-jin is a child star and talented musician. You would think that would make him arrogant but it just keeps him rebellious! (HA!)

      Yoo-jin has very specific ideas of what he wants to do musically and refuses to let anyone have artistic control over him...

    Hae-sung gets caught sneaking in (but not  Yoo-jin!) and tries to dispel any bad karma with a spell...?

     When her room catches fire she forces her whole dormitory to evacuate including Teacher Yang Jin-man (Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment) who just wants to be left alone until retirement...(LOL)

     Obviously, Hae-sung's luck won't change unless she tries to change it herself! And with that thought in mind she tries to create a song, by herself, to submit for a contest at school.

      Hae-sung asks Yoo-jin to help make her song better but after he listens to it Yoo-jin belittles her efforts! (Really?)

     Then he harshly compares her meager attempt to write a song with her favorite artist's, JB's, last published song stating that it had been plagiarized!

     After all the trouble that his artists were making and the new law for underage entertainers President Lee Kang-chul (Kim Jung-tae of "Oh My Venus") of OZ Entertainment came to "The Kirin School of Arts" to set some things straight.

     Principal Joo Jung-wan (Kwon Hae-hyo of "Lie to Me") was minding his own business when President Lee  popped into his office to drop a bomb...

    From this day forward "The Kirin School of Arts" belongs to OZ Entertainment and all their artists will be attending this school!

     Dream High 2 is a RomCom Musical that never gets old. Writers Heo Sung-Hye and Jang Eun-Mit tell timeless stories of each person's journey as they grow and reach for their dreams. And Directors Lee Eung-Bok and Mo Wan-Il showed us through great cinematography that the story is also found in its silent moments...   

A New Spin on DramaWorld!

     As you follow my blog you'll start to notice certain similarities in a typical KDrama. 

     Poor girl meets rich boy, then she has unrealistic expectations that he'll love her forever, and there's always someone to mess with their relationship! (Monster-in-law, 2nd male lead, the Temptress). 

     "DramaWorld" starts EXACTLY like a typical KDrama...

                                                                                  ...then EVERYTHING changes!!

     Viki has broken all the KDrama rules and has given all KDrama fans an incredible treat! This web series crosses cultures, languages, reality, and worlds! Set in Los Angeles and Seoul, the first-ever American-Korean mashup (Omo!) 

     Claire Duncan (LIV HEWSON) is a 20 year old college student who works at her Father's cafe. She feels invisible and her only way of coping with her life (or lack thereof) is by living vicariously through the KDramas she watches. 

Addicted to KDramas!

     Chef Joon Park (SEAN DULAKE) is Claire's favorite actor and plays the male lead in "Taste of Love" the hottest KDrama at the moment! Claire has been following the KDrama religiously and knows something is wrong... 

Meet the Love Triangle...Maybe?

     Claire continues her lonely existence as she tries to figure out what's wrong with her series, "Taste of Love".

     She tries to explain that there is a problem with the KDrama to the many customer's at her Father's cafe but all she does is drive business away.

Claire explains...

       Episode 12 takes a nasty turn in "Taste of Love" as someone kills Chef Joon's Father forcing the story into a darker course. And the love triangle takes a turn for the worst.

The tale continues...

   As Claire re-watches episode 12, trying to catch anything she could have missed in the plot, her Father furiously takes her smartphone in an effort to make her wake up and start living life in reality.

I want to be in KDramas!

     Unable to let the KDrama go Claire watches the next episode as she cleans up. Unfortunately, a spilled mop bucket fuels Claire's desire to stop Chef Joon and the Temptress (KIM SA HEE) from kissing and transports Claire into "Taste of Love"!

Dream come true?

     Claire wreaks havoc on “Taste of Love”. Her only ally is Seth Ko (Justin Chon), a fellow "real" person who also landed in DramaWorld, and is a "facilitator". Seth keeps all the KDramas on track to their happy ending. 

     Seth insists Claire help him because her interference has created an off-balance which is causing other dramas to splice into the series !

     With as many Asian Dramas that have been produced the creation of DramaWorld was clearly anticipated and greatly welcomed by all KDrama fans (Me included!)

     This wonderful series was written by Josh Billig and Chris Martin.  Chris also directed the show and he's been in the industry for about 10 year! I had fun watching it, laughing at all the KDrama rules, crying with all the heartwarming scenes and seeing how much fun Josh and Chris had with the series...

     Many fans are clamoring for a season 2 and I clearly anticipate the possibilities!

I Don't Care WHO You are...You're Beautiful

     This KDrama pushes the possibilities of reality to the its very limits (I love it!). In true Cinderella-esque fashion a nun-in-training meets three hot guys in a rock band when she pretends to be her own twin brother!(Oh No!)

     Park Shin Hye (from Heartstrings) plays the part of Go Mi Nyu-the pure hearted (but always making trouble) soon to be nun. She reminds me a lot of the character Maria from "The Sound of Music"!

I'm not late...Your just All Early...?

     Meanwhile, Hwang Tae Kyung (Jang Geun Suk from Mary Stayed Out All Night) the Leader of the band A.N.Jell is an arrogant yet highly talented musician, composer, and lyricist! 

     Unfortunately, Tae Kyung's personality leaves a lot to be desired and he makes life hard and miserable for all those around him including his band mates Kang Shin Woo (Jung Yong Hwa of CNBLUE) and Jeremy (Lee Hong Ki of FT Island).  

Rockin' in Out!

     These two vastly different worlds collide when Ma Hoon Yi (Kim In Kwon) who is Mi Nam's manager locates Go Mi Nyu at the Nunnery to plead for her help.

     Hoon Yi tells Mi Nyu that Go Mi Nam is in the hospital getting work done and will not be out in time to sign the papers to join the boy band A.N.Jell-which is Mi Nam's biggest dream!

     After much fighting Mi Nyu gives in to Hoon Yi's demands and pressure to help her brother...just this once (yeah...right).

Begging on My Knees!

     As "Go Mi Nam" was signing the papers for the contract to join A.N.Jell Tae Kyung barges in and demands that "Mi Nam" show him and the rest of the band his singing talents! (Omo!)

I Don't Want You in MY Band!

     "Mi Nam" was accepted by the band members! Just one problem...the REAL Go Mi Nam won't be able to join the band for some time YET!

     Hoon Yi begs Mi Nyu to play the part of her brother so that he doesn't lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in his musical career. 

     Mi Nyu is having none of it! She is on her way to Rome to become a nun. Pretending to be something and someone she's not is against everything that she stands for!

What is HIS will?

     In true KDrama form Mi Nyu bumps into Tae Kyung at the airport and drops her airplane ticket in the process (Yikes!). 

     As he tries desperately to find her and give her back her ticket she equally and desperately tries to avoid him! Mi Nyu fears that Tae Kyung will recognize her and she will be in trouble.    

     Tae Kyung cannot wait forever and departs on his flight with Mi Nyu's ticket! Now she cannot go to Rome and continue her studies. 

     Mi Nyu reflects back on her conversation with Mother Superior about following God's will and decides that helping out her brother must be part of His plan.

Family comes First...

     Park Shin Hye as Go Mi Nam and Go Mi Nyu gives this KDrama a new twist on the Gender Bending trend in You're Beautiful. 

     There were many moments that I loved during this series. One of my favorite scenes is when Jeremy confesses to Mi Nyu on the bus. He completely broke my heart. I have watched this show time and time again and I still rarely watch this scene. 

     Director Hong Sung-Chang and Assistant Director Park Yong-Soon collaborated with Writers Hong Jung-Eun and Hong Mi-Ran to make this RomCom into a delightful, heartfelt, and very funny story.