This is it!

All you loyal readers out there that have waited eagerly for each post and hang on to my ever word, this is it.  The one you have been waiting for. 

BOYS BEFORE FLOWERS COMPARISON, RATING, AND REMARKS!

Haha, knew you were excited.  You were just waiting for it, huh.

So here is the prequel post.

I've read a lot of the comic, but the thing is huge.  Tons of volumes.  So for now, lets just say that I got a good taste of the story from the manga.

I've watched the entire Korean version.

I've watched almost the entire first season of the Japanese one.

I've started the Taiwanese one.  As soon as I finish, as much as I am going to, I will give the official report.

Sneak peek:

My favorite Heroine: So far I prefer the Taiwanese girl.

My favorite Domyouji: Okay, come on.  You should already know this one.  Matsumoto Jun!  Sorry Lee Min Ho.

Story vs. Comic: Taiwanese seems the truest.

P.S. I'm planning on changing my blog in general around the same time.  Style, ratings, etc.  Look forward to it!

Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku: Summer Love Shines in Rainbow Color

Okay, there is one big reason why I watched this series.  MATSUMOTO JUN!  My first Asian Drama love... or was that Kame...  I think it was Matsumoto...  That was before this blog began so I can't go check.  Dang it.  Anyway, I just love him!

And this show was so gosh darn cute.  It was cute and silly Matsumoto Jun, adorable and lovable Takeuchi Yuko.  Two of my fave Japanese actors to watch.  No seriously, put them in anything and I will just stare at their cute smiles and awesome facial expressions.  Put them together as a couple, and I am melting into a warm pile of happy goo.  So what else can I say.  The story was cute, but not remarkable.  It was touching and ended happily.  It made me laugh.  I won't say it was the best thing I have ever seen, nothing epic or shocking, but it is one I would love to own and watch again.  And its short.  10 episodes.  I was surprised that she was finally admitting her love, and then I realized it was episode 8 already.  I'd just gone along with the current and got swept away.

If I keep writing, I will just keep saying the same things over and over again.  So 10/10, but realize that this is a personal preference rating.  Its largely influenced by my adoration for the actors.  I do not expect anyone else to feel the same way I do.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

I look back at my ratings here and I think, 'Man!  I am too lenient!'  I mean really, can I love all of these shows and movies this much.  The aswer is yes.  Oh yes!  And I have a new addition to my top rating list of love.
Think Hana Kimi + Coffee Prince + Hong Gil Dong + Confuscious + Korean History Lesson + Women's and Class Equality + The latest Political Debate.  Yep, that pretty much sums it up.
And I loved it!  I loved the characters.  The little roles the side characters play, the growth of the main characters and their relationships, the redemption of many, the final incarceration of one.  Heh heh, spoiler there.  No really, I laughed and cheered and winced and giggled and worried all my nails down to nubs.
And the main couple.  They've got the whole rivals and friends thing going for them that evolved into love.  Its so cute to watch them battle wills and ultimatel earn eachothers respect.  Sigh, I loved it.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!
And the ending.  Now, it may be that I watched the last 5 episodes while sick, but I was utterly satisfied.  Especially the last episode.  I didn't think they could wrap it up that well, considering what episode 19 left them with.  But sure enough, I was wrong.  We even got a glimpse into the future and... okay, not going to spoiler anymore.
I really do love this show.  I wanna watch it again, I want to share it with others, I want to watch DBSK Music Videos and ogle at Mickey (who really wasn't my favorite until I watched this.)
10/10

P.S. Favorite scene.  Geol Oh and Lee Seon Joon trying to wiggle eachother out of the center bed spot.  LOL. 

Too Beautiful to Lie

Cute movie!  Will rant somemore some other time.

8/10

Sophie's Revenge

Something new!  A Chinese movie!  Okay... not really different is it.  Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese... it was only a matter of time.  But this movie is so cute!  Its nothing terribly new.  A story about a girl who gets dumped and then teams up with another guy to get her boyfriend back and dump him in revenge.  But the girl, Sophie, is just so adorable with an amazing imagination.  She's really clutzy and silly in the extreme, but she balances that with sweetness and being genuine.  No wonder Gorden falls in love!  Anyway, cute girl, cute guy, cute story about true love.

9/10

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho

Wow, it's been a while.  I started things, and never finished them.  But this show is something that I couldn't stop watching.  Now that I have finished it, its very existence in this blog is going to shake everything up.  Because I really, really, really love this show!

I held off watching this one for several reasons.  1) I really didn't want to watch an ongoing tv show again.  It kills me to have to wait a week for the next episode and then its usually only on viikii which I believe I have stated my opinion about.  So I waited for it to be complete.  2) Lee Seung Ki, although extremely adorable, was not much of a draw to me.  I'd seen him in Shining Inheritance, and just wasn't impressed enough.  I still need to watch the last episode of that show.  For the record, my opinion has drastically changed.  2.5) There wasn't any other actors that I knew and loved to draw me in.

And to tell the truth, I'm glad I waited.  I had all the episodes, so I was able to stand the beginning where Dae Woong is such a doofus.  He really irritated me, which is great because that was his character's job, and I might have given up in frustration at him if I had to wait all those weeks.

So why do I like it?  The fantasy element that creates so many crazy and wonderful possibilities.  The silliness that kept the comedy true.  The character development that shows a couple really growing and changing for the better.  The emotion that almost had me in tears near the end.  The eye candy.  OMG.  As if Lee Seung Ki wasn't enough, No Min Woo is freaking beautiful!  And his role just really turned him into a delectable, sexy villian!  I almost wanted him to win, several times.

And yes, it was a typical drama.  I've seen so many that the sterotypes are beginning to bug me, but for some reason they didn't in this one.  I knew it was coming, but I didn't mind it when it did.  Maybe it was a strange enough story.  Maybe I just loved and trusted the characters enough.

The few things I wasn't in love with?  The Aunt and Director.  SO CHEESY!  But it was obviously supposed to be.  And Park Soo Jin's character was annoying as her role dictated, but nothing terribly special.  Not really complaining though.  The show is still amazing.

The ending was great.  Although it strings a poor heart along, the ending is beautifully tied up.  And happy!

Notice how this review was more of an opinion then a summary?  I wonder why I do that.

So obviously 10/10!  I'm telling you, every other show I have seen needs to be re-evaluated to this one.  It just made me so happy.

Jotei

Jotei means Empress.  This show is about a girl named Tachibana Ayaka who suffers tragedy in her life and rises above it to become something greater.  Basically, she joins the world of Hostess Clubs to follow her dreams of greatness and revenge.  Matsuda Shota plays a young man named Date Naoto who befriends her and follows her along her path.
This show is Drama!  Pure pure drama.  And boy the story swept me along.  It was powerful and full of triumph and defeat.  I really enjoyed watching it.  Really can't say much more, because I'm left with that 'wow' feeling.
7/10

Buzzer Beat

Romance, Music, and Sports!  I love, love, loved this show!  I mean, it didn't hurt that is had Yamashita Tomohisa in it, but this time I get to see him in a true romantic role.  And Kitagawa Keiko is adorable as Riko!  Which makes a beautiful couple in my book.

The show is about two people trying to follow their dreams, and feeling a little downhearted about their lacking ability.  Riko loves to play the violin, but she just can't seem to find a way to live off her music.  Naoki loves to play basketball, but he's low on confidence and feeling off his game.  These two dreamers find strength and support in each other that quickly grows from friendship to love.  But life and love isn't easy.

There, that's my summary.  Its a great show that stays on track, gives a believable and adorable romance, and best of all, a happy ending!

9/10 and an immediate add to my Amazon wishlist!

4th Period Mystery

For some reason, I suddenly felt the urge to watch some scarier stuff.  I watched Death Bell, which I am not going to blog about because it was rather disturbing despite the laugh I got during the ending credits, and then I decided to watch this.  Looked a little safer.  And yes, this movie is more mystery than horror.

Jeung Hun is the school's pride and joy being that he scored the highest in the nation.  Truth is, he's really just a boy.  He gets in fights and deals with adoring fangirls.  Da Jeong is a quiet, outcast in her class who is a crime fan to the extreme.  When Jeung Hun finds the murdered body of Tae Gyu, a trouble making boy from his class, he realizes that he is the biggest suspect.  However, Da Jeong stumbles on the scene too, and they decide to work together to find out who really did it.  Trouble is, they only have until 4th period is over.

As far as the story goes, its a classic mystery.  Its fun to see Da Jeong whip out her secret stash of detective skills.  It's even more fun to watch Jeung Hun gape at her in awe and quickly budding attraction.  I enjoyed watching this movie a lot!

10/10.  Lame review, but I really did love this movie!

Powerful Opponents

Great show!  This Korean Drama deals with the bodyguards of the Korean President.  Cha Young Jin is a feisty female agent with an ongoing rivalry against cold and arrogant Gwan Nam Pil.  To both of their dissappointment, they are assigned to guard the president's son, Kang Su Ho, together.  Kang Su Ho has no direction in life and suffers from a past he can't remember.  After several attempts to discourage his new bodyguards, particularly Young Jin, he finds that he may have met his match.

Yep, it's romance even though the summary is not really focusing on that.  There is a big, complicated story with secrets and such, but it really does have romance.  Just look at that trio.  Don't you see the love triangle.  And yep, I found myself rooting equally for both.  The side characters are fun, cute, or infuriating but all in all its a fun show to watch.

8/10.  Great watch, but I don't feel the overwhelming need to own it.

Fantasy Couple

This drama is known by two english names.  "Fantasy Couple" and "Couple or Trouble".  Either way, its a Korean Drama version of Overboard.  Jo Anna is tha same stuck up rich girl.  Jang Chul is the Jack of all trades with drool worthy muscles.  The biggest difference is the husband, Billy.  Billy is a coward and his desire to get away from Anna's overbearing personality is what causes him to take his time trying to find her.  Jo Anna has no family, so the rich mother isn't there to pressure him.  And Kang Ja is just a lovable addition for laughs and hi-jinks, plus the three boys (which are his nephews that he cares for, not sons) are so cute!  Love the counting to 100 lesson.
The story repeats a lot of its themes, which gets old, but the length of the show helps everything develop to the point that the last few episodes are absolutely fantastic.  I was frustrated that the romance took so long to burn, but the wait was worth it so I won't complain too much.  And I guess some loose ends weren't tied up very well, but still not a big issue.
Definitely a show worth watching.
6/10

My Lucky Star

I've said it before and I will say it again.  I find a lot of Taiwanese shows to be really silly, or the heroine is annoying.  But this show was absolutely great.  Ah Xing, the heroine, is so lovable and it is so easy to root for her.  and Tian Qi, played by Jimmy Lin, is a very good looking guy!  This show was fun and dramatic with a good balance between the two.
As for the side characters, Arrow Ou does a really good job at being despicable but sticking to her character.  Han Zhi was a little short changed.  I felt his character changed too quickly and without much development, but he is awfully sexy and makes a good addition to the story.  The uncle is a necessary evil, giving advice and causing trouble for the couple.  Ni ni is a cutie, even with the little you see of her.
The story is cute and involves a lot of handcuffs.  Unlike some dramas, I had fun telling it to other people.  The turn about in the middle was a great way to refresh everything and kept me watching.
I am definitely putting this one in my top list!
9/10

Liar Game 2

Told you that I had to watch it!  Now I've finished the second season and have to wait for the movie to be subbed.  Since it came out in March, I'm going to be waiting a while.  GOSH DARN IT!
Anyway, this season is as good as the first one.  Same intensity, same mind boggling games, same awesome Akiyama.  Only thing that changed for me was that I was less anxious because my faith in Akiyama coming through for Nao was solid.  I mean, the trust between those two is so strong.  And anyone who complains about the lack of romance, myself included, needs to realize that trust is where the emphasis must be.  It would be so easy to cross the line and make these two obviously in love with each other, but then trust isn't front and center like it needs to be.  Hopefully the movie will cross the line a little for us.
So yah, do you really want to hear my whining for lack of movie?  I'm trying desperately not to.
Some last notes.  Katsuragi is just as great a villian as Yokoya was, only we trade Y's evil laugh for K's cheshire cat smile.  But Nao is just as adorable as ever, with just a touch more backbone.  Just watch that stationary roulette.  AWESOME!

9/10

So, here is the Finale.  Just so you know, the trailer is all teasing.  Terrible, terrible teasing.  ARGH!  Yes, I'm disappointed but only because I wanted more of a bang.  Well... mostly a bang between Nao and Akiyama.  Sigh.
Really though, the movie is just like the episodes only there is plenty of time for a nice long drawn out game of backstabbing and lying.  So it's great.  And everything ends satisfactorily.
Sigh...
8/10

Liar Game

I have to hurry and write up my opinion because I want to start watching the sequel right away.  Not that the ending left a terribly dire cliff hanger, but because I just enjoyed this show.  Don't go looking for romance here.  I know that most of the dramas I watch are because of the romance.  This show is more about the thrill.  I would get so nervous for Nao, but I knew Akiyama would take care of it.  I love that!  Don't get me wrong, Nao and Akiyama forever!  But romance just isn't a big thing.  More focus on trust.

And thank goodness that I had all the episodes to watch.  You can't stop.  It's like Pringles!  There are 3 distinct arcs, or rounds, that split the 11 episodes.  Then for some reason the 11th episode goes and recaps them all...  Weird.  That's the only time I fast forwarded.  Now there is a second season and a follow up movie.  Here's hoping that they do a good job staying true to the feel of the show.
Also, there is a manga that this show is based on, but I haven't read it so I can't compare.

9/10

One Pound Gospel

Talk about your winning combination.  Rumiko Takahashi's (Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha) manga One Pound Gospel turned into a Japanese Drama with Kamenashi Kazuya!  I was simply destined to love this show!  Its full of laughs, full of Kame being cute, full of heart, full of Kame shirtless, full of... I am so distracted by the Kame-ness!
Come on!  It's a drama about a gluttonous boxer who falls in love with a nun.  Hijinks and awesome-ness are bound to take over.  Sister Angela is simply adorable, and Kame is just so energetically cute.  So go watch it while I try to dig up the manga and read it.

10/10 (P.S. I bought it.  The subtitles aren't wonderful, but I'm still so happy)

P.S. The theme song for this show, Lips by KAT-TUN, is awesome!

She is Nineteen

Drama, drama, drama!  Yes, this show is very dramatic.  Lots of secrets, lots of lies, lots of destiny tying everyone together so that they keep running into each other.  But I loved it.  I loved the actors, I loved their characters, I loved the way they interacted with each other.  I liked the deep connection and dark past that hid underneath the whole time.  I liked the use of time jumps, creating a difference between silly teenagers and struggling adults.  Was there anything I didn't like?  Well, around episode 11 I started getting anxious for the big reveal, which didn't come until half way through episode 14.  That was really the first time I felt the need to fast forward, but only because of my impatience.  And there was no kissing, save a little cheek thing.  Plenty of romantic heart-jumping moments, but no kissing.  Darn it all.

Remember, this is just my own opinion and once again I may have just been in the right mood, but I enjoyed watching this drama.

8/10

Project Makeover

I guess this movie is also called Go Go Sister.  Hmmm... not sure why.  Anyway, I liked this movie.  It was a cute take on the idea of going back in time to fix your regrets.  I'm not going to say a lot, but I really liked how everything turned out.  This movie felt very complete to me, with a happy ending that satisfied.

And to my friends that I sent messages about concerning a Korean Movie I loved, sorry for the confusion.  I was talking about My Girlfriend is an Agent.  But this movie is good, not as good but good, too.

7/10

My Girlfriend is an Agent

This movie rocks!  It has Romance, Action, and Comedy in a fun blend.  So before reading anymore and maybe hitting a spoiler, go watch this movie.  I have a link to the first part of it on youtube.

Okay, now all of you who are still reading, I did warn you.  I loved this movie.  The heroine is amazing!  She's the Xena Warrior Princess style agent.  But I don't just love her moves when kicking bad guy butt.  I love her vengeful woman on a rampage moves too.  She's just plain awesome!  Soo-ji, I wanna be you!

Jae Joon on the other hand is a semi-competent rookie.  His strengths do not lie in the combat category.  He isn't very smooth in disguise, and he screams like a girl.  I laughed every time I heard that.  But he has a whole lot of heart and brains, which is all Soo Ji is asking for really.
Those two aren't the only awesome characters.  Gotta love Won Sook!  I love the actor anyway, but I love the character too.  And that police guy! 
Now the plot is somewhat cliche, but it keeps moving.  Never felt the need to skip a part.  And I laughed all the time!  Its great!  So I totally recommend this movie and I give it full points and a top spot in my fave K Movies list (which hasn't even been made yet).  WATCH NOW!!!
10/10

Bollywood

Oh, I have opened up a can of worms.  Posting one Bollywood movie makes me want to rant and rave about all my favorites.  So I will just make a quick list here and promise to come back another time to give them their own posts.

Favorite Bollywood movies

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Veer-Zaara

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Duplicate

Om Shanti Om

Paheli

Kal Ho Naa Ho

U, Me aur Hum

Jaan-E-Mann

Now for something new.  Well, new on my blog... I haven't reviewed any of my Bollywood movies yet.

First thing I have to say is that this movie was extremely silly.  Through the first half hour I kept thinking to myself, "So weird!"  But when Champu and Suhan get to New York, I couldn't stop laughing!  I just think Salman Khan is such a fun actor to watch!  Wasn't in love with him before this movie.  Mostly because I'd only ever seen him in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and if you've seen that then you know that you are too busy drooling over Shah Rukh Khan to pay attention to anyone else.  However, I absolutely adore Preity Zinta!  She is so gorgeous.  She's really the only reason I gave this movie a chance.  Glad it didn't blow up in my face like last time.

Yes, this movie is cheesy.  It is silly beyond all comprehension!  So don't watch it too critically and you will be just fine.  None of the songs really stood out to me, but the ending was happy so that always is a good thing in my book.

I give it a generous

7/10

I almost forgot!  Here is one of my favorite scenes!

Love Queen

Writing about that last T drama reminded me of this one.  I have fond, and less fond memories of watching this drama, but I have to admit that despite the product endorsement, there was a lot of story and fun and character in this show.
The show revolves around these three girls who are roommates.  Jin Han is an embarassed divorcee who wants to get control of her life and love.  Jia Xin is a rich girl trying to prove she can live on her own.  Qiao Le is a young girl with a figure skating dream.  Mix in Shao Tang, an unlucky artist with a past with Jin Han, cocky Yu Xin, his fellow hockey friend, and Jin Han's Japanese manager, and you have a love story that weaves and twists and braids itself into a snarled mess.  But its a fun mess.
I liked Jin Han the most.  Her story was what kept me watching.  And I loved her interactions with Shao Tang, whether romantic or misunderstood or vengeful.  Thats mainly why I didn't like the ending.  I mean, sure it isn't too bad and it tries to redeem itself, but all I got was a feeling that I had watched 13 episodes and ended up back where I started.  So, fun ride with a jarring end.  But I guess I'm not regretting the time I spent watching it.

6/10

Summer X Summer

Look at this!  Finally, another Taiwanese Drama.  I was just thinking to myself that the Korean Dramas I had on here were catching up to the Japanese ones, but poor T Dramas are so far behind.  Well here's another one for the ranks.
T Dramas have a tendancy  to be a lot sillier.  They bravely cause their heroines to fall asleep in spaghetti or fall flat on their face while running.  Xia Ya is no exception.  Although I have to admit that the poo thing was a little too much for me.  Had to give this show a few tries before I could get past that.  But this show is cute.  Hijinks and misunderstandings abound, and Xia Ya puts up with far too much from Lei.  Not my favorite type of heroine, but I kep watching for some reason.  And Lei has such a dynamic face.  He can look so hot one minute, and so silly the next.
Not going to say much about the plot.  It was just one of those that worked to get the couple together, but the ending is good.

6/10

Personal Taste

Say hello to another top fave.  I started watching this show, telling myself I shouldn't watch it because it was still on air and I would have to wait for the episodes each week, but became hopelessly addicted anyway.  The whole concept of - misunderstandings of personal preferences - immediately promised hilariousness.  It didn't disappoint.  I enjoyed every episode.
And this show totally wins first place in best kiss scenes.  WOW!  For how absolutely sweet this show was, it also had some great tension which built up to excellent, satisfying conclusions.  Namely, great kiss scenes.
But before I melt into goo remembering those, I need to say that the characters in this show were fun.  Kae In and Jin Ho being the leads where automatically amazing, especially in the way they fit as friends and as a couple.  But In Hee was so fun to hate, and Chang Ryul was both pathetic and stubborn.  All these great characters interacting with each other is what makes this show one of my favorite dramas.

9/10

And I am so willing to give Lee Min Ho another chance now.  I didn't really like him in Boys over Flowers, but I adored him in this!

Stars Falling from the Sky

All I can say is- CUTE CUTE CUTE!  This show is so... cute!  I mean, look at those kids! 
Now I have some confessions to make.  When I first thought about watching this show, I started it and then immediately stopped.  I really did not like the first portrayel of the characters, and I just wasn't hooked right away.  But I have a blog that I like to read for Korean Drama Recommendations, and it convinced me to give it a chance.  Nevertheless, I completely skipped the first two episodes.  I read their summaries, but started on episode 3.  That is where I got hooked.
This show is so quirky!  There are just so many little things that make it such a joy to watch.  Each of the kids is adorable in their own way.  And when they all take sides on which guy their sister should end up with, I couldn't help but fall in love with everyone.  Especially Pa Rang with Kang Ha.  So cute!
The romantic leads are not fun to watch at the beginning, but to see Pal Kang mature, and Kang Ha melt, that is worth watching. They make such a great couple in the end.
I did fast forward any time I saw Jae Young or her mom on the screen.  I'm not the only one who feels that way about that side story.  They are just a really detestable bunch.  But even that adds something to the story.
And just because I can, I have to mention that Jun Ha is so hot!  Can't help it.  Loved the actor, Shin Dong Wook, in Soulmate even though I hated that show.  Maybe hate is a harsh word.
Yah, this is another post that I will have to clean up on a later date.  I do tend to ramble.  But as for my last word about this show, it had a happy ending.  An ending that I was completely satisfied with.  That immediately bumps it up in my book.

9/10

Oh! My Lady

This drama has a lot of things going for it.  It's cute, and I am not just talking about the kids.  It ended well.  Not explosively, but happily.  And Choi Si Won as Min Woo.  Boy, he is very, very good looking.  Took me a while to realize he was one of Super Junior, because that group just overwhelms me with good looking guys so that it gets hard to tell just how many there actually are.  But now I can pick him out of the bunch.  That smile.  I melt!

Back to the drama.  To be honest, I fast forwarded a lot.  I wasn't interested in the supporting romances, and the 'other guy' in the love triangle just wasn't much of a force to deal with.  He did make Min Woo jealous before he even knew why he was jealous, so it wasn't all for nothing.  But Kae Hwa and Ye Eun were just so adorably.  Kae Hwa is such a spunky heroine that it isn't hard to root for her at all.  Everyone should, and does, fall for her sweetness.  And when Min Woo starts acknowledging Ye Eun, I squeed to high heaven.

I really got into the last few episodes.  You know, yelling at the screen and everything.  I absolutely adored the idea of (SPOILER) Min Woo working so hard to convince Kae Hwa to accept his proposal.  Such a cute aspect!  The end wraps up quickly, and kinda unrealistically, but it does leave a body happy.

6/10

After saying all that, I bet you expected a high rating, but it isn't meant to be.  Nevertheless, good drama.

KAT-TUN

Another group that I need to post about, before I forget to completely.  I fell in love with this group for 2 reasons.  #1. KAMENASHI KAZUYA!!  #2. The theme song for Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, "Love Yourself", is by them.

Once again, I have some of the MVs on my youtube account, and I strongly suggest finding them subbed as well since "Love Yourself" is just such a great song made even better when you know what they are saying.  I'm really only into this newest album, and have yet to check out much of their older songs, but I love these guys!

Favorite Songs:

Heartbeat

Love Yourself

D-Motion

SS501

SS501 is a South Korean boy band with 5 members: Kim Hyun Joong (Leader), Heo Young Saeng, Kim Kyu Jong, Park Jung Min, and Kim Hyung Jun.

Because I really needed to post about them on here, and now is as good a time as any.  I found out about SS501 from Stacey, because Hyun Juung, who was in Boys Over Flowers, is a member.  That, and their songs are in the show as well.  So, as she became addicted to their music, she dragged me in with her.

They are such an energetic group!  I love their Music Videos because it is so fun to watch their movements along with the music.

And really, they are all very hot!  If you have to ask who my favorite is, I will say Kim Hyung Joon (GASP!  Not Kim Hyun Joong?) followed closely by Heo Young Saeng.

Favorite Songs:

Love Like This

Deja Vu

UR Man

Kurosagi

Kurosagi is a Japanese Drama about a boy on his quest for revenge.  He becomes a swindler in order to swindle other swindlers and return the money to those they swindled.  Its that Robin Hood kind of justice.

I absolutely love Yamashita Tomohisa in this role.  I've seen, and loved, him in other roles (especially Akira in Nobuta wo Produce) but this one is my favorite.  I can't really explain why.  Its the silliness seriousness oxymoron that he creates.  Not to mention that he is very, very good looking.  And I really do love him paired with Maki (plays Tsurara), but she's my favorite Japanese actress anyway so there is an element of bais.

If you're looking for romance, this one is far too subtle without any rewards.  The smiles are the highlights, but the relationship is adorable.  The action and humanity of this show is what really shines.

And the ending, lets just say don't expect a big life altering finale.  It gets intense, but when all is said and done, you could easily expect the series to simply continue on to the next episode... nothing changes.  Of course, this does leave lots of room for the imagination.  Its easy to think that these characters will keep going long after the credits finish.

I have to give it a 8/10 because I would watch it again and again.

BUT... be careful.  This series also has a movie continuation and I do not give it the same review.

Kurosagi, the Movie

Did I expect too much?  I watched it right after I finished the drama, but the movie just didn't have the same spirit.  I grew bored, actually fast forwarded through most of the swindle.  I was confused by strange portrayals of time and flashback.  There wasn't enough Tsurara, not enough comedy, not enough fun to balance out the seriousness.  A few scenes were worth it, but I was overall disappointed.

Maybe my review and rating would have been more favorable if I hadn't just finished the drama.

4/10 I just can't justify going any higher.

The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry

In a way, I am glad it took me awhile to start watching this drama.  Kinda not enjoying watching the new series as they come out, week by week.  But I didn't wait too long.  This show had its finale last month (and I'm already addicted to the show that replaced it).  Thank you to all those people out there who fansub these shows and post them ASAP.  I am your biggest fan.

Anyway, about this show.  I LOVED IT!  It had everything I've come to enjoy in an asian drama, including one of my favorite themes, younger guy falling for older girl.  I don't know why I enjoy that so much.  But this show had an amazing leading lady who had such strength and was so lovable.  The side characters were great too.  Da Jung may be pathetic in the beginning, but she really creates a funny and charming addition to the story.  And Boo Ki!  So awesome!!!  But really, all you needed was to mention that Kim Bum was in it, and I am there!  What a good looking guy!

The storyline kept me watching.  I never felt that some parts were drawn out or repeated.  There was laughter and worry in equal enough parts to satisfy me.  Near the end, the drama was starting to get too heavy, but I know they do that to make the ending so much sweeter.

10/10 and a spot in my top five favorites!

My Little Bride

Okay, this is not your usual romantic movie.  Especially since the girl is getting married at 15.  You have to rely a lot on aspects of Korean culture that we do not understand.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed this playful, cute story for its uniqueness.

So sweet!  7/10

Romantic Island

This Korean movie starred several actors I have seen in other shows (i.e. Eugene and Min-gi Lee from I Really Really Like You), so it was easy to decide to watch it.  The story is actually a whirlwind of three different couples that end up vacationing in the Philipines at the same time.  My favorite couple was Kang and Choi (or should I say Joseph and Alice!  hee!).
Very much a romance film, I was left happy and satisfied at the end.  There are some fun tricks made with chronology and flashback that simply improved the emotional value there at the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.  7/10