Can a Monster have a Beautiful Mind?

     Every good story has a monster to fight. We the viewers need to see the leading man or woman defeat the odds and slay their particular dragon!

     But what happens when a story twists within itself and gives the monster a leading role in the heroine's tale?

     First, we meet Dr. Lee Young-O (Jang Hyuk Park), the cold arrogant neurosurgeon, who most definitely does NOT play well with others...

     It is devastating to be on the receiving end of his brilliance...and ambition!

     To balance Dr. Lee Young-O calculations is warm hearted Patrol Officer Gye Jin-Sung (Park So-Dam).

     Officer Gye has a very clear sense of right and wrong but she tends to believe in the general goodness of people.

     But don't underestimate her level of commitment...she always gets her man...

     At the hospital there's an opening ceremony that gets crashed by a very upset individual...

     Is this a crazy person or does he know what's REALLY happening at this seemingly benign hospital...?

     As the disturbed man is being taken care of by security Dr. Lee Young-O makes an even more absurd statement!

     He tells the celebrity speaker that he only has moments to live! (but no one believes him!!)

     After Officer Gye left the hospital she had more questions than answers! 

     And while contemplating her next move she witnesses something so evil that she is devastated by the truth and she begins an investigation that throws her onto the biggest roller coaster ride of her life!

     At the hospital Officer Gye meets up with Dr. Hyun Suk-Joo (Yoon Hyun-Min) who is working in the ER and is trying to revive the guy who Officer Gye found!

     To complicate matters Dr. Hyun Suk-Joo is Officer Gye's personal doctor...since she was a teenager and she has a MAJOR CRUSH on him...(unfortunately the show never really explores this...?)

     Officer Gye is dumbfounded when told that the patient she rescued of the street has died!!!

     It wasn't until much later that she began to suspect the new doctor who had operated on the patient...Dr. Lee Young-O! (Oh NO!)

  Beautiful Mind is the story of a man who fought to prove that he wasn't a monster...

     But Director Mo Wan-Il and Writer Kim Tae-Hee (Monstar) make us doubt his humanity at every turn!

     I also want to give a shout out to Bernard Park (Park Nak Jun) of JYP Entertainment for creating a wonderful and memorable OST for Beautiful Mind!

     This story was well told and my only critique is that Jang Hyuk Park as Dr. Lee Young-O was a little too well played. He was so cold blooded that I hated him through most of the drama! Why would I want him to win?

     The viewers had no "good guy" to root for! There was nothing but bad guys or good guys turned bad guys for most of the show...

     I felt that Officer Gye was being fed too many clues without her properly finding out WHAT was going on!! 

     It's unfortunate that this great premise unfolded as it did. The ratings were so poor that the original 16 episode drama got sliced to 14! 

     I don't think the extra two episodes could have undone what the story had already become...

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!

Will You Bend to My Personal Taste...?

     Sexual orientation can often be considered a taboo subject and many misunderstanding can happen if questions are left unanswered. 

     For one architect, Jeon Jin Ho (Lee Min Ho of Boys Over Flowers), letting people believe he's Gay is the only way his company can survive! 

     What he didn't plan on was meeting Park Kae In (Son Ye Jin) and having to continue the charade...when he obviously doesn't want to. 

Trying to get rid of Na Hye Mi...

     Kae In is an artisan furniture maker, accident prone, and has great difficulty in love. She is a human welcome matt letting the world step all over her...(sigh) 

     This does not deter her from trying to achieve her own happily ever after but she gets discouraged at times (even though she tries so hard!).

She is a MESS!

     Kae In meets Jin Ho through unfortunate circumstances (ofcourse) and believes that he has sexually assault her on the bus!

     Jin Ho cannot deny it fast enough and is troubled to have met such an unfortunate person as Kae In! 

Meet Cute...?

     One of the good things in Kae In's life is her boyfriend Han Chang Ryul (Kim Ji Suk of Cheer Up!)! He is a successful architect and heir to his Father's (Ahn Suk Hwan) construction business (also Jin Ho's business and love rival).

    Kae In's naivete in dealing with Chang Ryul is elevated as she misinterprets his words and actions as he tries to break up with her. (Ugh!)   

...is he going to propose?!?!

     Entering in the Seductress role is Wang Ji Hye as Kim In Hee! She is beautiful and destructive. Not just of those around her but herself as well...

     In Hee grew up with Kae In as sisters in the same house! Which Kae In's Father Park Chul Han (Kang Shin Il of Lie to Me), who is a famous architect and Professor, drafted and built. 

     So it is a great shock as Kae In walks into her sister-friend's wedding to see In Hee marrying her boyfriend! (Oh NO!)

BETRAYED!

      Personal Taste takes viewers on a hilarious ride through misconceptions, assumptions, and the hard truths about love.  

     Directors Son Hyeong-Seok and No Jong-Chan with the help of Writers Lee Sae-In and Kim Hee-Ju let us discover, through cinematography and the emotions displayed by these talented artists, that love finds a way through. Maybe not as you wished but definitely worth the sacrifice.

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.