We Will be Remembered as Descendants of the Sun!

     I have been an avid Asian Drama Watcher for more than 4 years (my Husband can attest!). 

     And in that time there have been some favorites (Boys Over Flowers, Lie to Me, Master's Sun, Scent of a Woman and A Gentleman's Dignity) that have deeply stayed with me and I have re-watched all of these series to the point of memorization! 

     The stories I'm most drawn to are a balanced mixture of romance, sarcasm, sassiness, great writing and sincere acting. 

   The latest KDrama that has done this so magnificently has been Descendants of the Sun!

     Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki of Sungkyunkwan Scandal) and Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo of Ad Genius Lee Tae Baek) are brothers in arms who keep the peace...any way they can..(OMO!)

     *Interesting side note...this drama was filmed shortly after Song Joong Ki finished his military service!!   

      Sigh... Even on vacation Shi Jin and Dae Young have to right wrongs and catch criminals! 

     Whenever these two are left to their own deices they always get into some kind of trouble! (HA!)

     They were having some fun at the shooting range in an arcade when they catch Kim Ki Bum (Kim Min Suk of Doctor's Crush) as someone yells "Thief"!

     It's funny how they messed Ki Bum up and then they tried to fix him!

     As Ki Bum was being taken away by the ambulance he stealthily took Dae Young's phone as the dynamic and very handsome duo made sure that the thief survived the crash...

     ...I doubt that the stolen phone will come back and bite him...right?

     At the hospital Ki Bum meets Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Gyo of Hotelier) who is impressed and appalled at Ki Bum's condition...

     Ki Bum does everything possible to leave; so Dr. Kang takes his phone to make him stay...but it's not HIS phone!!

     Ki Bum knows that he's in trouble but he has to escape the hospital! 

     Not only is Dae Young going to want his phone back but there are worse things in store for Ki Bum...

     Shi Jin and Dae Young make their way to the hospital to retrieve Dae Young's phone but what they find is Dr. Kang...and her suspicions that they are the people Ki Bum is running away from...(how did this get soooo complicated?!?)

     Dr. Kang kicks Shi Jin and Dae Young out of the ER and they go hunting for Ki Bum...

     Dae Young, as an ex-gang member, knows the many pitfalls and wrong turns a person can take so he decides to take Ki Bum's side and stand up for him as his brother.

     What an unbelievably well written twist! Up to this point we hadn't really seen Dae Young's vulnerability and caring for another person! (WOW!) 

     I wonder where the story will go from here now that Dae Young has added Ki Bum into their brotherhood...?  
   

     ...ugh...After the fight they all go back to the SAME hospital!

     Dr. Kang is now convinced that Big Boss/Shi Jin is at the center of her patient's new bruises and broken body...

    You would think that after covert operations and a violent street gang Sergeant Major Seo Dae Young would never have any mortal fears...


     ...that is until confronted with his true love First Lieutenant Yoon Myeong-Ju (Kim Ji Won of Heirs)!

     As one pair of love birds prepare to fight a war another start their romance...

     After Dr. Kang Mo Yeon alibied Captain Yoo Shi Jin with the CCTV footage of the fight to save Ki Bum he asks if she could tend to his wound...?


     She believes he is faking and mocks his pain only to be embarrassed by his real need of medical attention! (HA!)

  As Mo Yeon re-stitches Shi Jin's cut they discuss how he got this and other wounds.

     Shi Jin flirts with Mo Yeon telling her tall tales of his bravery and she smiles and calls him on his lies!


     They are cute together and the sincerity for each other is heartwarming!

     Descendants of the Sun is a search for love regardless of what life may throw at you! It teaches about patience and forgiveness and letting go. 

     Writers Kim Eun-Sook and Kim Won-Suk created a realistic halfway point between an action and a romcom and I enjoyed the melding of these two worlds! 

     But the writing was consistently enhanced by the breathtaking cinematography of Directors Lee Eung-Bok and Baek Sang-Hoon. The directors rose to the challenge of the Writers and told the full intertwining stories that moved through so many lives...

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...   

Do You Know What's UP?

     Every major crossroad in my life has been influenced by the people who were making the same journey. 

     It is gravely important that we surround ourselves with those who make us want to be better and help us achieve our goals. 

     It is very easy to push each other to great heights or push each other off a cliff. 

     "What's Up" is the story of a group of musical theater students who must live, learn, and love as they reach for their dreams.

     As the story begins we find ourselves at the beginning of the semester as the students are called to audition for the Musical Theater Program for the University!

     Kim Byung Gun (Jo Jung Suk from "Oh My Ghostess") is an older student and trying a new career path.

     He doubts his self worth and his family has no idea of what he's up to...

     Will Byung Gun be able to find his voice? (I hope so!)

      The auditions begin! 

     While Byung Gun is having trouble breathing (at the thought of his upcoming audition) a fair breeze floats in as Eun Chae Young (Jang Hee Jin of "Big") tells Byung Gun that he's going to be ok.

     Byung Gun can relax now! He's found a friend in Chae Young!...right?

     In the audition we find out that Chae Young is actually a well known actress! (Omo!) 

     The audition committee question her reasons for coming to their department...mmm...I wonder too!

     As Chae Young's audition continues there are people who still haven't even found the audition building!


     Jang Jae Hun (Im Ju Hwan of "Oh My Ghostess") desperately tries to find the acting department but no such luck! (it doesn't help that his friend signed him up for Musical Theater! HA!) 

     On the other hand Park Tae Yi (Kim Ji Won of "Heirs") who's been to the school many times...is just as lost! (Oh no!)

     Tae Yi finally finds the audition room (with help from the University Security Officer) and finds a kindred spirit in Ha Do Sung (Kang Dae Sung of BigBang)! 

     Tae Yi and Do Sung had barely started their conversation when Jae Hun interrupts them to ask a very simple question...

...really...???

     I know that every Mother wants the best for her child but Oh Doo Ri's (Im Joo Eun of "Heirs") Mother is undoubtedly overbearing! (she makes you want to rebel!)

     Doo Ri needs this audition to help remove her from her Mother's grasp and allow her a moment to breathe...

     "What's Up" has a great ensemble cast of young actors who reminded me of my younger days and how I tried my best to see through my darkest times with empathy, humor, and sarcasm. (and I still do!)

     Director Song Ji-Won and Writer Song Ji-Na created a campus where the "teachers" taught each of the "kids" lessons about life, human nature, and strength of will! And how together they could figure out "What's Up"!

Weirdness Brings Us All Together...It's Okay, That's Love...

    Most human beings are in the search for love. Whether or not we achieve this elusive state of happiness has a lot to do with the people we surround ourselves with in our daily lives. 

     ...and making sure that our mental health is always working hand in hand with our hearts.

     Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) is a famous novelist and radio DJ. He writes about the darker aspects of the human psyche. 

     He's had plenty of chances to view the dark roads of humanity...just ask his brother... 

Hyung (Yang Ik Joon) Crashes the Party!

     Ji Hye Soo (Gong Hyo Jin) is a psychiatrist who shares a house with her mentor Jo Dong Min (Sung Dong Il) and a younger waiter Park Soo Kwang (Lee Kwang Soo)...who has a form of Tourette syndrome. 

     Their house is always in disarray and all the housemates thrive living in chaos. Yet, the one thing they do not lack is love.

     Sometimes it's tough love...but it's love.    

It's Complicated...

     Jae Yeol has weird sleeping arrangements and his girlfriend of 3 years Lee Pool Ib (Yoon Jin Yi) is frustrated and doesn't understand him! 
  
     It's easy to betray the one you love if he won't let you in. Jae Yeol won't lower his barriers for anyone ...not even Pool Ib. 

You didn't SEE that Coming?

     There are many cases that come to the hospital where Hye Soo works. Usually it's people who want help and work through their psychological problems.

     Other times patients come in who are standing at the edge of a great abyss and they are crying out to be helped. 

     Hye Soo has her own psychiatric issues and hopes to one day overcome them. Until then she helps those that she can.

The Doctor is IN!

     Hye Soo and Jae Yeol meet because they are on a tv talk show together! He's there to promote a new book and she is there to offer clinical psychological insight...

    What a ruckus they caused! 

     The sparks that where flying as they argued their points were visible!

     It probably didn't help that Hye Soo had caught Jae Yeol looking down the shirt of the lady that put on his makeup! (Gotcha!)

     As Jae Yeol makes his final (smug) point and promotes his book he winks at the audience and sees Han Kang Woo (Do Kyung Soo (D.O.) from EXO).

     Kang Woo is a "writing dongsaeng" that Jae Yeol is mentoring.   

The Fight is ON!

     After the tv show Hye Soo and Jae Yeol bump into each other at a nightclub and he tries to talk to her and she is not having it!

     They are quickly interrupted by Hye Soo's patient who gets violent with her.

     They both help subdue the patient and get injured as a result. Jae Yeol hopes that by helping Hye Soo with her problem patient he will be one step closer to being intimate with her.

     Nope!

     Hye Soo still treats Jae Yeol with professional courtesy and Jae Yeol becomes angry and sullen.

     Jae Yeol has an opportunity arise and he takes it to the next level! (Ha)

The Beginning...?

     "It's Okay, That's Love" delves into the psyche of what love means in all its facets. 

     Love for your friends, love for yourself, love for your job, and love for your partner.

     Love is never smooth and steady (especially not in KDramas). It is a very bumpy road to travel and Director Kim Kyu-Tae with the help of Writer No Hee-Kyung share not only their talents in this series but their love of their craft!

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. 

Sometimes All a Fine Instrument Needs is a Heartstring!

     Old-school versus New in this fast-paced musical romantic comedy. The two main characters, Lee Shin (Jung Yong Hwa) and Lee Kyu Won (Park Shin Hye), unwittingly have a meet cute while traveling on a bus in Jeju Island.

Meet Cute

     Lee Shin is a popular lead vocal/guitarist for a college band called the Stupid. (which fits since he is actually the leader of the popular rock band called CNBlue). 

     Lee Shin is arrogant and tired of "little girls" confessing to him their unending love.(...rolling eyes...)

Stupid

     Lee Kyu Won is training in traditional Korean Folk Music. Her Grandfather, Lee Dong-Jin (Shin Goo), is a world renowned Korean Folk Music Legend. He is most uncompromising in her studies and she is frustrated by him in many ways...but she still loves and respects him.

     Lee Kyu Won is well liked by most of the other students and is in the midst of raising funds, with her band WindFlower, to help pay for a professor's hospital bills.

WindFlower

     Lee Kyu Won is convinced, by the rest of her band, that if Stupid is added to the fundraising event they can sell tickets faster and raise more money to pay for the professor's bills. 

     Against her better judgment Lee Kyu Won asks Lee Shin to perform at her fundraising event. 

     The night of the event is upon both bands but Lee Shin is nowhere to be found. He is missing and no one is able to get a hold of him or get an explanation as to where he is. (oh no!)

     Lee Kyu Won and the expecting audience is angry and disappointed. Because Lee Shin never showed up for his performance Lee Kyu Won has to take responsibility and perform with his band mates.

Lee Kyu Won sings with Stupid

     Even though Lee Kyu Won's performance was unexpectedly good (that it even impressed a new professor greatly) she still had to apologize to the ticket holders for the inconvenience and lack of professionalism on the part of the Stupid's leader, Lee Shin.

     The next day Lee Shin is trying to give Lee Kyu Won the refunded money (maybe he's not such a bad guy?) so that she can pay the professors bills. 

     Lee Shin does feel bad that he wasn't able to make the performance and is trying to make amends somewhat. Lee Kyu Won is having none of it! (you go girl!) She is angry and hurt. 

     Unbeknownst to Lee Shin when Lee Kyu Won tried to go to the hospital last night to turn in the money she found out that her professor had passed. 

     Lee Kyu Won had no more need for Lee Shin's refunded money or room in her heart for any forgiveness. If she hadn't been cleaning up the mess he created by not showing up maybe she would have made it to the hospital in time to say goodbye. 

The Rivalry is Born

     Lee Kyu Won and Lee Shin are very well matched characters and it is great fun to see them bicker and get under each other's skins. They experience a lot together and have many growing pains. 

     Writer Lee Myung-Sook in collaboration with Directors Pyo Min-Soo and Lee Min-Cheol created a story that was funny, creative, and captivating. If Heartstrings is the result of these three great artists working in concert then I look forward to many more stories.