The Heirs (상속자들) was the most anticipated drama of 2013. It's also the most overrated. With a star-studded cast and the screenwriter of hits like Secret Garden and A Gentleman's Dignity, it's expected that this drama will garner all the media attention. I will try to make this rant as positive as possible, but this drama disappointed in so many incredible ways.
The story revolves around Cha EunSang (Park ShinHye) who's tired of juggling part-time jobs. She wants to escape her poor life with her mute mother by going to the US to live with her sister. Once arriving in LA, EunSang's surprised to learn that her sister's life isn't so peachy either. After running into some trouble with the police, she meets Kim Tan (Lee MinHo), a Korean teen exiled to live away from home. Even with the short time they spend together, the two find solace and good company in each other. Once meeting again in Korea, they realize that society has more to say about their relationship.
This series was pegged to be the Korean Gossip Girl. It's said to focus on high school students who are inheritors in their own rights. They're basically the generation that will South Korea's economy in the coming years. It sounds interesting enough, because I wanted to see them prove how they'll try to be on top of their games.
I had high hopes that it will not be just another Boys Over Flowers. I've been told that I shouldn't expect too much. But alas, I was disappointed even when my expectations were already low.
I thought long and hard before considering Lee MinHo for my Monday Cutie. Not because he's not cute (because he definitely is!), but because there are a million good photos of him out there. How in the world can I just pick 15-20 pics?!?
Lee MinHo is THE Asian superstar. He's the actor that has become a household name in Asian countries. My mother who can't remember names of actors knows his name. That's enough proof for me that Lee MinHo is indeed popular. Haha. He only appears in one drama every year, then spends the remaining months going from one country to another having photoshoots, fan events, and fan signings. He spends a great deal of time signing endorsement deals, too. Well, if I have a product to promote, I think his face is the perfect one to print on the packaging. Ehehe. But one drama a year is NOT. ENOUGH.
I had a hard time accepting he's plastic, but I have learned to accept him for who he is. I mean, his beforephotos aren't so bad either! And it's his smile and his eyes that I love the most. Those are definitely NOT fake. I still love him to bits!
It's in Boys Over Flowers that I first saw him, and that's when I first declared him as the most good-looking Korean actor ever! I think it's the same for most Lee MinHo fans. But it's actually in City Hunter that I declared him to be my BIAAAAAAS (until SungJoon pushed him aside, that is). But I still love Lee MinHo. I mean, I could not have possibly finished Heirs if it wasn't for him! That drama's a train wreck but Lee MinHo is freakin' hot in every scene.
Here's my attempt to compress his handsomeness (is that a word? no? well, it is now!) in one single post.
Why, hello to this 14-minute trailer of Heirs that starts tonight! I didn't watch it entirely because it already felt like the entire episode! I'm not a fan of spoilers. But do watch it if you want, I saw a topless Lee Minho at around 3:15. Heehee.
First impressions first (ignore the redundancy!):
I expected a more boisterous Heirs, when it comes to tone and music anyway. Kim Eun-Sook, the writer, is also the one behind Secret Garden and A Gentleman's Dignity. If you've watched either, then you know the writer seems to like obnoxious male lead. Lee MinHo in Heirs seems to be different, which I like! I like bad boys in dramas, but I like softies, too.
Apparently, many people don't like Park ShinHye when she's crying, but I don't mind. I love how her character isn't squeaky clean like many female characters. She's not that much of a Candy, too!
That's it. I didn't watch further to see the other second leads. Haha.
It's not just Lee MinHo, though. I just watched episode 166 of Running man, and Choi JinHyuk is so kyot! I didn't expect it?! But seriously, he's so cute in the episode, it'll be hard for me to see him as the evil older brother. Ahuhuhu. Also, Woo Bin, saranghe~
I know that many people are getting turned off by the tons of teasers coming out every day. But I'm not, obviously.
So yeah, that's it! I'm excited! I hope the number of exclamation points is enough to prove how excited I am!!!!!!
I'm only watching one drama now (Master's Sun), but come October I'd probably be sleeping just an hour a day. Seriously though.
There are three fall dramas I'm excited for in varying degrees! Though more Kdramas means a happier me, I also don't have the time to watch them all. But for the sake of my Korean drama-loving heart, I will make time for them!
☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆
THE HEIRS
It has a much longer title (The One Who Wants To Wear The Crown, Bear The Crown) but I'll stick to the short one. It stars Lee MinHo in his first drama for this year, and starring opposite him is Park ShinHye, a.k.a. the luckiest Korean actress ever. Really though, just look at her list of co-stars and you just want to be her! And now she's teaming up with Lee MinHo. Ugh, so lucky.
I have many reasons to watch this drama but mostly because Lee MinHo! Apparently, the screenwriter wrote the role specifically for him. So I'm hoping for great things. I'm hoping for a role that will once again put Lee MinHo at the top of the ladder! I know Faith didn't do that well when it comes to ratings. I want this drama to succeed for obviously biased reasons.
Other reasons for watching this include Woo Bin. Heehee. There are tons of other fresh, young actors and actresses in this drama and I.CANNOT.WAIT. From the title itself, it's about young, rich kids and their plight. Just like what a reader from Dramabeans sad, a Korean version of Gossip Girl. That sounds exciting!
What irks me though is that Park ShinHye plays an ordinary girl. For once, I just want the lead character to be the Queen Bee, the ruler of the school, the jjang, the bitch if you may. I want her to be the richest among the characters. I want the girl to be as cunning as the other players. But alas, this is just like Boys Over Flowers. Well, hopefully not!
My friend said I shouldn't raise my expectations but it's Lee MinHo! I can't help but be excited.
☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆
REPLY 1994
The prequel to the much-loved drama last year is finally here, and it looks promising.
Reply 1994 is set three years prior to Reply 1997 (quick math lol), but it's set in a different town and deals with different characters. It's a different world altogether, but it's helmed by the same people who brought Reply 1997 to the mainstream public. I have high hopes.
It stars Go Ara in a boyish and cutesy role. It's so different from the pretty and feminine Go Ara I usually see! I have no idea how she acts but I won't judge too quickly. Starring opposite her is Yoo YeonSeok (Gu Family Book, A Werewolf Boy). He looks so cute in the poster, whereas I'm not really a big fan. Hmm.
Unlike in Reply 1997 where they focused on the start of KPOP in Korea, Reply 1994 will focus on another trend during that time: basketball. So it'll be a sports drama, but I'm pretty sure that it will just serve as one of the main themes.
TvN has been delivering one quality drama after another so I don't think it's too much to believe that this one will be good as well. I have no super crush in this drama, and if you know me, you'll know that I only watch dramas in which I like the actors. Haha. But I'll still watch this.
I seriously cannot wait.
☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆
BASKETBALL
Another basketball drama. And yes it's set on a different time period. And yes it's also form TvN. It sounds a bit buffling on how they can premiere two basketball-period dramas at the same time, but hey, fans like me are still itching to watch.
Set during the time from the Japanese occupation in Korea leading to the division of the two Koreas, basketball will serve as the ray of hope for our lead characters. It will be lead by Do JiHan, a new face in the land of the oppar.
What I love about TvN or cable dramas in general is how it gives chance to new actors and actresses to be the lead in dramas. Basketball will have a bunch of new faces, and it's interesting because it gives cable dramas a raw quality into it. And you see characters as characters alone and not as the actors who play them or the characters they used to play. I'm not sure if I'm making sense?
Anyway, it will be aired the same time as Reply 1994! I'm not sure how that will work. I hope audience will not get confused.
☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆
I'm not sure if I can watch it all while it's still airing, but I'm pretty sure that I'll watch all of it eventually. I work during the day and this week, I started my Korean language class, too. I wonder if I'll still have time for dramas. But hey, I had time for dramas when I was doing my thesis for college! So I'm pretty sure I'll still have time for my oppar.
I've been a bad blogger lately. I've been watching tons of Asian flicks but haven't blogged even one. Not that I've been lazy, it's just that work has been stressful! But I will work on rants and raves about those movies later this week (more like next week, tbh). For the meantime, I decided to start this series in which I talk about the things I'm into. I don't do that much blogging, but I certainly haven't been lazy on the watching part of being a fangirl.
That Winter the Wind Blows has me captivated. When I started watching this drama, I suddenly shoved Flower Boy Next Door to the side because TWWB is just so compelling. I usually hate spoilers but since I already watched Love Me Not (the movie version of this drama!), I already know what's going to happen in the end. I'm pretty sure my hoping and pining for a happier ending will be futile but I continue to hope and pine anyway.
Jo InSung's first drama after his military service is proving to be a hit in the ratings. It's also the comeback drama of Song HyeGyo and I can say that they made a good choice. The drama has a pretty tight plot, amazing writing, strong cast, and jaw-dropping cinematography. I think KimBum's too strong an actor to play a second lead, though, and I'm definitely not a fan of EunJi here. But overall, this is my favorite 2013 drama so far, not that I've watched a lot.
Also, the last episode I watched (ep. 9!) disappointed me a bit. But it still has my heart and I cannot wait for the next episode.
Tohoshinki's latest album T/ME is amazing! I'm no expert when it comes to music but their album is all I listen to lately. Since I've been a fan of DBSK since their debut, it used to irk me when they promote in Japan more. I wasn't a fan of their earlier Japanese singles. It was only after the split that I had a suddent appreciation for their Japanese songs. And from TONE, I realized that their Japanese albums are really miles better than their Korean ones.
So I had high expectations for T/ME and I'm glad to report that they're well met.
It took me a while to warm up to some songs but after hearing it the third time, I'm hooked! Fated threw me off a bit because it reminded me of Tri-Angle and even O Jung Ban Hap for it's epicness and grandiosity. But after a few more listens, I decided that it's tons better. Somehow, I cannot listen to the album without listening to it first.
My favorite songs are the mid-tempo ones because they make me so darn happy for weird reasons! Aitakute Aitakute Tamaranai has been my LSS for the past couple of days because come on, Aitakute is repeated a million times in the song! But it's really rather catchy. One More Thing is another upbeat happy song that I'd probably listen when I'm down. Some don't like In Our Time saying that it's pretty but boring, but I think just listening to would make you appreciate it more. And I've been listening to it a lot and it's niiiiice. Of the new songs, One and Only One is my favorite, and not just because it's ChangMin's favorite track, too, okay.
But of course, I Know will forever be my favorite ballad of theirs. After they released the PV for the song a couple of months ago, I've been listening to it everyday and I still haven't tired of it.
Tohoshinki is breaking their own records and making new ones. They're topping the Oricon charts and soon, they'll start their five-dome tour in Japan! I'm so happy with what they've achieved, and I know that they deserve it!
P.S. I cannot wait to get my own copy of the album!
P.P.S. ChangMin is so adorable on King's Brunch! If you haven't seen it yet, watch it here!
Last November, Lee MinHo went to the Philippines as a Bench endorser for some fan meeting and meet and greet. I had a couple of interactions with him and definitely one of the highlights of my 2012! Seeing the amazing Daejang in person is too precious a memory okay!
Recently, Bench released a DVD of the LMH's visit to country. Though I do not have a copy of the said DVD, someone uploaded a clip online. To my surprise, I was in the video! Though my friends and family are laughing at me for being such a fangirl and getting caught in the act, I am actually quite proud, okay.
Below's my mini appearance. You can see me at 00:53. I'm the smiling girl behind Lee MinHo. It was in the arrival area of NAIA and I have blogged about that little experience over here.
Hohohoho. This reminds me, I haven't written about the Bench Fun Meet and Meet-and-greet! Must work on that soon. Gah, my backlog is killing me.
It's confirmed that CNBLUE will have a concert in the Philippines on June, and my friends and I have been waiting for the ticket prices to be revealed. All this waiting is killing me because I really have to know how much it'll be so I can start saving! I've seen them perform live last June and I just want to see them again! Though I cannot say that I'm a Boice, I'm a big big big big fan of their music! In the KPOP world, it's safe to say that they're my second bias!
Yes, the exclamation points are necessary because I AM THAT EXCITED!
On a sadder note, Moonlight Prince aired their last episode last Tuesday. I am really sad about this because ChangMin's doing so well! It's just a literature variety program isn't something that the general public would like to see, so I'm not surprised with the low ratings.
I've been incredibly happy to see ChangMin doing so well, and I've taken a fancy with the other MCs. I don't find it boring, too! It's just a lot more subdued than other variety shows. /le sigh
But I guess it's all for the better since ChangMin will be busy with their Japan tour this April. But I will definitely miss Prince Shim and the other not-so-young Princes.
Wow, this post is longer than planned. I guess I can never keep my comments and rants short! haha. I promise to work on my movie reviews, but it will probably take me a week to post it!
Rating:☆☆☆☆ out of 5 Cast: Lee MinHo, Kim HeeSun, Ryu DeokHwan, Park SeYoung
Faith was posed to be the most epic Korean drama to date, and it sadly failed in all levels. The team behind the series used big words to entice the audience, with a promise that makes the audience set high expectations. Honestly, I don't think any of those expectations are met at all. It could have been a great drama, but it failed to deliver so many times. It's a shame since it truly has the makings of a drama that will leave you breathless, only if it's given a better treatment and a better pace.
So, did I like it? Yes and no. Yes, because there's still a lot to be loved. And no, because it really leaves you hanging time and time again.
WHY I LOVED IT?
Because of the characters
With a set of characters as amazing as the one in Faith, it really makes you ask what went wrong. I love so many characters in the series and I can't even pick which one is my favorite! But overall, the characters I enjoyed the most are:
Woodalchi - You adorable dorks who are supposed to be the best warriors in the land but fail everytime, I so love you. Woodalchi aren't exactly as good as everyone expected them to be, but that doesn't stop them from being the cute sidekicks to our Woodalchi general. DaeMan, DeokMan and the gang surely liven up the scene whenever they appear. This drama could have been a drab if these dorks weren't being dorks. Heehee.
Lady Choi - She's like the head of the household, but in this case, the palace. She keeps things in order and even the general of Woodalchi cowers under her stare! It's just enjoyable how she's an elderly who knows how to handle soldiers and how to pacify hot-headed men. You rock, Lady Choi!
Noguk - The queen is a badass and everyone should bow down to her. She doesn't take crap from anyone, not even from the king. She doesn't just sit around waiting to be ordered around and letting everyone do the works for her. She thinks of solutions herself and devises ways to help the king. She carries herself pretty well, but she's always a good supporter to the king.
Gongnim - The king is one of the best written characters for the drama. This drama is a good character study for the king in a way that we see him start from a weak king into one of the strongest in Korean history. In no way is he perfect but that makes his character even more amazing. He gets confused at times and craves for his people to trust him. But he holds his head high no matter what and when he trusts and uses the right people, he emerges victorious.
Choi Young - He's the anti-thesis of a hero. He just likes to sleep a lot and doesn't really care whether he lives or dies. He's just intent to finish one task after another until he can finally leave the life of a warrior. But when he finds something worth fighting (living!) for and a king worth to be supported and hailed, he rises gracefully and become worthy to be the Woodalchi general. The fact that he's not just good in combat but also quite brainy when it comes to politics and warfare strategies make me love him even more. Daejang, I love you.
EunSoo - The heavenly doctor is the life of this drama. I do not know what would have happened if another actress played EunSoo, but Kim HeeSun adorably portrays the doctor. In the present, she's a dermatologist who's only intent on finding a rich guy that can help her build her own clinic. But transport her to the past and she's the breath of fresh air. She brings humor to not-so-humorous situations and she uses her head at all times. I think it'll be different to hate her when she's basically being the most humane character in this series. She's not a noble idiot, that's for sure. She fights to live and she fights to be with the man she loves. When I grow up, I want to be EunSoo.
I'm looking forward to three Korean dramas this month and it's safe to say that I can't contain my excitement. Actually, I have different levels of excitement and different reasons why I want to watch each drama. Good thing the dramas I'm watching these days are ending and one has already ended. I have the tendency to panic when I have so many things I want to watch and so little time to do it!
-----
FAITH
Number one reason why I want to watch Faith:
It stars Lee MinHo, that's enough reason to watch this! Come on, look at that smile, wouldn't you be lured in, too? Heh.
Faith is set in something-something period (Goryeo Period, I think) but with a twist because there will be magic and powerful enemies and time travel. Okay, the time travel aspect isn't exactly new since it's been utilized and used as focus by three Korean drams this year: Rooftop Price, Time Slip Dr. Jin, and Queen InHyun's Man. Though the fact that time travel will play a huge role on Faith, it's actually one of the reasons why I'll tune in. I can't wait for them to bring something new to the genre. And I mean, it's Lee MinHo! I'm pretty sure he'll kickass as the King's loyal bodyguard. And his character description says he's not afraid of dying and his hobby is sleeping! Who wouldn't love a man like that?
But seriously, though. I think it will be my next favorite because it has a mix of action, comedy, fantasy, and some period stuff. I'm pretty sure it will be amazing! Also, Lee MinHo is rocking that hair! I just missed him, okay. City Hunter was my favorite series last year and it took him soooo long to go back to the small screen. I'm glad that he's back with a series that I have 80% chance of loving.
Oh, and uhm, I forgot to mention that Lee MinHo stars opposite Kim HeeSun, who plays a dermatologist. She's abducted by Lee MinHo's character and brings her back to the past. Pretty exciting stuff. Haha.
Wathc Faith's Official Teaser 4:
Faith premieres tonight on SBS and airs every Monday and Tuesday.
Shin MinAh is back, and this time, as a ghost. She plays Arang, a popular ghost in Korean mythology. She's brutally murdered and wakes up as a ghost with no memories of who she was and who murdered her. She ends up haunting every magistrate in town, urging them to investigate on her murder. Lee JunKi, of course, plays the magistrate. He can see ghosts but try hard to ignore them.
I'm the biggest fan of Shin MinAh and at this point, I'd probably watch anything she's in. She can turn on the cute one minute then be all badass and fierce the next. Have you seen My Girlfriend is a Gumiho?! She sure knows how to work on her charm. I feel like she'll be offered tons of mythical roles because it just suits her so well. I haven't even seen Arang and the Magistrate and I can already tell! As for Lee JunKi, I'm not the biggest fan. I know, right? What the heck is wrong with me! But I think he's a pretty good actor. He proves that in the movie The King and the Clown. I just think that he's too pretty sometimes that's why I'm glad that he took on a period drama for his comeback project. I think it's a pretty good career movie. He just got out of the army period dramas seem to be the "in" thing now.
I have high hopes for this because obviously! Have you seen the trailer? Have you seen the other characters? Have you seen the antagonists? Well, you should because that will probably convince you to watch it, too.
MBC's Arang and the Magistrate starts on August 15 and will be aired every Wednesday and Thursday.
If Japan and Taiwan already have an adaptation, then South Korea should follow, right? Right.
Here's South Korea's take on Hana Kimi, but with a different title. To the Beautiful You stars Choi MinHo (Shinee) and Sulli (F(x)) in their first lead roles. I think this is actually MinHo's first acting role! Or not, I'm not very updated with Shinee stuff. Also, a bunch of other SME artists are in this adaptation so expect tons of fangirls watching and probably a lot of awkward dialogues and hovering in the background. I'm pretty excited.
I'm not sure how I feel about this drama. I a big fan of the Japanese Hana Kimi that's why I didn't watch the Taiwanese version. Does that make sense? Well, I don't really like that they cast not-so-experienced actors for this show. Well, it has a pretty strong supporting cast but let's be real, it'll the lead role who'd be carrying the weight of the show.
The truth is, I have tons of reasons why I want to watch this show:
It's a high school drama! Who doesn't like high school dramas? A lot of people, actually.
MinHo's the only one I like in Shinee.
Sulli actually looks good as a boy. Wow.
Exo!
Chanyeol
Chanyeol
Chanyeol
Starting on August 15, To the Beautiful You airs on SBS every Wednesday and Thursday.
The fact that these three dramas premiere this week is enough to disorient me. I don't know how I'd watch it all! But for the love of Korean dramas, I will manage.
