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. 

Bromance to Romance in 19 Episodes or Less...?

     What happens when the culture you are born into has rules and regulations that can shape your life to an almost alternate state? That's exactly what happened to Pi Ya Nuo (MeganLai)! 

     When she was born her parents, who are truly trusting and loving, went to a fortune teller to get advice on their newborn child (feels very fairy-tale like...). 

     They were told of great misfortune for Ya Nuo in the future if they did not take steps to change her fate! (oh no!) 

Tricking Fate?

     On a parallel storyline Du Zhi Feng (BaronChen) also had a rough start in life and was rescued from being an orphan by a generous mafia family! (ok...I know how it sounds but they're nice!)

     Zhi Feng is facing challenges, on his own, since his Father disappeared 7 years ago...does tragedy follow this duo throughout the drama?

Love Thy Father

     As Ya Nuo continues to hide who she is (for almost 26 years) she has lived her life as full as she could. Her best friend, Liao Guang Chao (YangMing Wei), helps to create laughter and a sense of stability in her life.     

Working Man

     As the story unfolds Zhi Feng is keeping his Theme Park running and waiting for his Father to come home...but rivalries won't leave him alone! All he really needs is a friend to have his back...(mmm...wonder who that could be?)

Gentleman in Distress?

     Zhi Feng and Ya Nuo hit it off but Ya Nuo doesn't want any rewards for helping Zhi Feng. 

     But when Ya Nuo rescues Du Zi Han (Elleya Tao),  Zhi Feng's  sister ...things get really complicated! 

(...and funny!)

Sworn Brothers!

     Bromance is a hilarious view on the gender bender theme (when a character dresses/acts like the opposite gender) that many Asian Dramas have.

     I find this Taiwanese twist delightful because Ya Nuo has been living this lifestyle for almost 26 years and has become adept to the role! She truly is a boy through and through. 

     She fights, has swag, and drinks just like all the male characters! ...sometimes better! 

     Watching this drama was addictive most especially since Ya Nuo got to rescue her "Prince" on more than one occasion and I loved to watch her kick butt!

A Gentleman's Dignity is Sometimes the Last thing he has Left...

     Loyalty and friendship go hand in hand in this 2012 bromance romantic comedy. Kim Do Jin (Jang Dong Gun), Im Tae San (Kim Soo Ro), Choi Yoon (Kim Min Jong), and Lee Jung Rok (Lee Jong Hyuk) have known each other since high school. 

     They consider each other family and go to great lengths to help and cover for each other (the good, bad, and sometimes very ugly! HA!). They have been there for each other through heartbreak, military training, and death. 

4F (just older?)

     Kim Do Jin has two chance encounters with Seo Yi Soo (Kim Ha Neul)... but they keep missing each other... Is this destiny or just not meant to be? 

He Missed his Chance

Meet Cute (well...not for her...)

     Seo Yi Soo is the Ethics Teacher at an all boy's school and a group of her boys has an altercation with Kim Do Jin. She needs to talk with him to try and talk him out of suing her students but he refuses to speak to her (or even listen!).

Their Punishment!

     They finally meet because Seo Yi Soo's the umpire at their baseball games! He tries to get her to notice him because he recognized Seo Yi Soo as the woman that he couldn't catch and has been on his mind...
 

Homr Run?

     Kim Do Jin FINALLY figures out that the pretty (ippuda) umpire is the same teacher, of the delinquents who were harrassing Kim Do Jin and Choi Yoon! (Oh No!) Kim Do Jin is kicking himself for not giving in to her sooner...

Who is She Again?!? 

     To add more complications a boy, Colin (Lee Jong Hyun), appears out of nowhere claiming that one of the four is his biological father...?  

 Colin (Lee Jung Hyun)

     This KDrama called to me because, even though it had a lot of sweet romantic moments, it definitely had a lot of adult themes that are not seen commonly in popular KDramas. 

     Writer Kim Eun-Sook and Directors Shin Woo-Cheol and Kwon Hyuk-Chan captured great moments in these character's life and reminded us that its never to late to have fun with life and have A Gentleman's Dignity.

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.

We can All Become...Monstars!

        Growing up has enough baggage to literally last a lifetime. The kids at this prosperous school fight to learn about themselves and their lives through music, laughter, and a few heartaches. 

     Yoon Sul Chan (Yong Joon Hyung) is trying to be the perfect son. Obviously not everything is falling into place and his temper always seems to get the better of him. 

     Yoon Sul Chan's production company compels him to go back to school after an...incident. Maybe school is where he'll find what he's been missing...? 

The Star - Yoon Sul Chan

     Min Sae Yi (Ha Yeon Soo) is mourning her Father's death and trying to get away from her Mother. As a compromise Min Sae Yi is sent to her Aunt Dok Ko-Soon (Lee Hee Jin) who teaches at a special music arts school.  

The New Girl - Min Sae Yi

     New to the school, shy, and told (by her Aunt Dok Ko-Soon) not to reveal that they have a relationship Min Sae Yi quietly walks into her classroom....what happens next shocks her into action...

The Introduction (KimMin Young as Sim Eun Ha)

Radio Suffers (KangUi Sik as Park Gyu Dong)

Radio rebels

They fight back - Together

  

The Challenge (Kang Ha Neul as Jung Sun Woo)

     Writer Kim Tae Hee and Director Kim Won-Suk showcase each of these characters as they strive to be themselves, even when confronted by their greatest fears and failures, watch as they become Monstars!     

Sometimes all She Leaves Behind is Her Scent...

      Working at a travel agency should be glamorous. But not for Lee Yeon Jae (Kim Sun Ah). She is yelled at, overworked, and she has been inappropriately touched by her Boss (Ewww...). Disappointed in all that life has had to offer Lee Yeon Jae she trudges along with little hope of happiness.

Her Boss's Mistreatment

     Her co-workers use and degrade her and she stays quiet. She believes that she is being a "good" person by taking the abuse; just keeping her head down and trying to get by. Her life is no fairy tale and she is no princess.

I am not a welcome mat

     Lee Yeon Jae meets her longtime (if not clearly remembered) friend Chae Eun Suk (Uhm Ki Joon) who is a doctor at her local hospital. He desperately needs to talk to her (as if her life wasn't bad enough) to explain to Lee Yeon Jae that she has Gallbladder Cancer.

The truth will set you free

     Devastated with the news that she only has six months to live Lee Yeon Jae starts questioning the way she has been living her life. She finds the strength to tell her Boss off, to put her co-worker's in their place, and to finally believe that she is the Heroine of her own story!

The Makeover

     As Lee Yeon Jae reinvents herself (and gets a little male attention...) she decides to go on a vacation (probably her last one) since she had never taken one in the ten years that she worked for a travel agency. She visits Jeju Island looking for adventure...and a piece of paradise.

The Meet Cute

     Fate is a funny thing. While Lee Yeon Jae finds fun in life (although her time is running out). Kang Ji Wook (Lee Dong Wook) shuffles through like a bratty child suffering to do his homework. They find in each other strengths and kindness (with a little heartache) and the will to be better for each other. 

     It is incredibly interesting the chemistry that these two characters have with each other. Scent of a Woman is filled with a special passion that Writer No Ji-Sul and Director Park Hyung-Ki put on the screen and it is breathtaking (especially when they dance! Yum!).

Love Now...there may not be a Later...

     How do you get a workaholic to take a time out to smell the flowers? Convince her she only has six months to live! (Oh no!)

     Yang Yi Ru (Annie Chen) is on her very first vacation in years because her Sister, Yang Yi Qing (Yang Yong Cun) and Father, Yang Hao (Shen Meng Sheng) have convinced her, for her own good(really?), that she only has a few months to live!

The Scam!

   The downside is that she meets Lan Shi De (George Hu), who falls for her in three seconds (or less), and wants to spend all his time with Yang Yi Ru. The romance is put on hold however when Yang Yi Ru breaks down and confesses about her impending death.

The Confession...

   Lan Shi De makes the next few days an incredibly fun filled and sexy vacation turned honeymoon...(Oh My!)

Let's Get Married

   

Great Adventure!

     Unfortunately for the pair of lovers Yang Yi Ru's family's deceit comes to light and she is too ashamed to face Lan Shi De. (even though NONE of it was her fault)

     Yang Yi Ru tries to get her life back together (trying to forget Lan Shi De - good luck with that!) and back to work with her boss Sun Qi Ming (Bobby Dou); who was also in on the scam to make Yang Yi Ru forcibly take a vacation.

The Lie stops Here!

   Oh! To make matters worse Lan Shi De is the owner of a large family owned business who is suing Sun Qi Ming's production company!! (yup! Yang Yi Ru is in for a nasty surprise) 

     Love Now is a great Taiwanese Drama that is filled with humor and heartaches which created an unforgettable story thanks to the writing team behind these lovable and endearing characters. (Writing Team: Shao Hui Ting, Lín Pei Yu, Zheng Ying Min, and Huang Xiang Min)