KBSWorld-Global Reach to Non-Korean Audiences Available on YouTube

Variety and other Interesting Shows Available on YouTube 

By KBSWorld

It seems that South Korea is finally recognizing the vast amount of non-Koreans that are watching their shows. A lot of shows and dramas may have been on youtube for awhile but it is only recently that more and more shows are now being made available with English subbing and some with Chinese subbing.  Here are just a few:

Lee Dong Hae will Join God's Quiz 4

Super Junior's Lee Dong-hae to star in OCN 

"God's Quiz Season 4"

Source: star.moneytoday and Hancinema

Super Junior's Lee Dong-hae has been cast for the OCN drama "God's Quiz Season 4". According to SM Entertainment, Lee Dong-hae stars in the drama as Han Si-woo, an elite rookie at the Korean University Hospital Law Department where matters of rare diseases were dealt with.

Top 5 Dramas for 2013

My Top 5 Drama Picks for 2013

These are my picks for the top dramas that I've seen from 2013. Again, they are not arranged in no particular order as I love them all equally. This year was probably the easiest to pick my top five. Sure, I liked a lot of dramas in 2013 but there were very few that I LOVED! Compare it with your list for 2013:

Drama News: You're Surrounded

Lee Seung-gi and Cha Seung-won to star in "You're Surrounded"

Source: News.Nate and Hancinema
Actor Cha Seung-won and Lee Seung-gi are starring in the new SBS drama "You're Surrounded".
Contracts are being signed and first meet-ups are being settled by this week.

Cha Seung-won is coming back with a drama for the first time in 3 years since the 2011 MBC drama "The Greatest Love". Lee Seung-gi starred in the MBC drama "Gu Family Book" last year. The female star is likely to be Park Min-yeong.

"You're Surrounded" is a 20-part romance drama about four rookie detectives running for their dream and becoming righteous keepers of the law. It is written by Lee Jeong-seon from the KBS drama "Ojak Brothers" and produced by Yoo In-sik from "Salaryman".

My Thoughts: Well it is definitely the male cast that will have me running to watch this drama weekly. Unlike everyone else, Gu Family Book just didn't click with me but King 2Hearts left me well satisfied. And Cha Seung-won, with all of his family issues, hasn't been on the screen in awhile so I can only be happy to see him return again! Again. no thoughts on Park Min-Yeong, I'm just not a fan. But with the writer from Ojakgyo Brothers also gives me hope!

Source: HanCinema- Korea's Top Ten Most Popular Films of 2013

HanCinema's Film News- Korea's Top Ten Most Popular Films of 2013

I've marked the ones I've seen in Blue

"My Daughter Seo-yeong". the highest rated drama this year?

"My Daughter Seo-yeong" 

was the highest rated drama this year

Source: News.Donga and Hancinema

KBS 2TV drama "My Daughter Seo-yeong" is the drama with the highest rating percentage this year.

According to Nielsen Korea, "My Daughter Seo-yeong" rated 40.7% on average from the 15th of September 2012 to 3rd of March 2013. Second in place came KBS 2TV drama "The Wang Family" and "Cheer Up Mr. Kim" rated 28.5%. This is according to an annual audience aggregation from 15 September 2012 until March 3.

One day, I will actually get to these on my PTW list!! It is FULL of these long, daily dramas!! The days are just too short.

Lee Bo Young wil star in SBS "God's Gift - 14 Days"

Upcoming Drama with Lee Bo-yeong coming in February 2014

Actress Lee Bo-yeong is coming back with the new SBS mini-series, "God's Gift - 14 Days". She recently starred in the SBS drama "I Hear Your Voice". Apparently, Lee Bo-yeong is the current blue chip of the entertainment biz and she thought hard about the offer and decided to star in "God's Gift - 14 Days".

Kim Jae Wook-When WILL the man EVER get the GIRL?!!!!

Always a Groomsman; Never the Groom..Change Agencies and Make the fans Happy!

Filmography (I've seen)
Upcoming 2014 Age Of Feeling (supporting role)
2013 Who Are You (supporting role)
2010 Mary Stayed Out All Night (supporting role)
2010 Bad Guy (supporting role)
2008 Antique Bakery
2008 The Kingdom Of The Winds (supporting role)
2007 Coffee Prince (supporting role)
2007 Dal Ja's Spring (supporting role)


Rant Begins:

Noonas Over Flowers" Available in US on Hulu from December 2nd!

Source: Hancinema

New Season of Hit Reality Show Follows Top South Korean Actresses Backpacking Through Eastern Europe. Not only does it hit the screen but it will be shown on Hulu! New Episodes Available Every Monday for HuluPlus subscribers and available for general users by Wednesday.

tvN is back with the second season of its hit star backpacking reality show, now called Noonas Over Flowers, airing on November 29th in South Korea.

Top Dramas for 2012

Top 5 Dramas for 2012

These are my picks for the top dramas that I've seen from 2012. Again, they are not arranged in no particular order as I love them all equally. This was almost impossible to list just 5 as this marks the year I started watching simulcast dramas instead of just ones that had already been shown. These five trickled to the top; some easily, some with difficulty! Compare it with your list for 2012:

Top 5 Dramas for 2011

Top 5 Dramas for 2011

These are my picks for the top dramas that I've seen from 2011. Again, they are not arranged in no particular order as I love them all equally. This was probably the hardest list to narrow down to 5 as there were so many dramas that I watched from this year that I loved but when I thought long and hard, it was these 5 that bubbled to the top easily. Compare it with your list for 2011:

Drama Gu Am Heo Joon-Final Thoughts

I ♥ Gu Am Heo Joon Korean Drama-Final Thoughts 

(Episodes 31-135)

Stars: 

Kim Ju Hyuk as Heo Joon
Park Jin Hee  as Ye Jin
Nam Goong Min as Yoo Do Ji
Park Eun Bin as Da Hee

My Anticipated Drama...Isn't Heirs

It's the 1940's era drama called "Basketball"

Source: Couch-kimchi

While everyone else waits with bated breath for the premiere of "Heirs", I am patiently (or impatiently) waiting for "Basketball". Unlike the other dramas, this doesn't have any big names to speak of. But what it does have is an actor, Do Ji-Han who some people who watched "Incarnation of Money" might recognize him as Kwon Hyuk, our prosecutor darling that some of use just fell for hook, line and sinker. The rest of the cast consists of fairly newcomers like Lee Elliya and former model Jeong Dong Hyun. The last leading role is Kim Bo Mi who has done a lot of dramas as a supporting or guest actor.

Jeong Dong-hyeon in his first role as Min Chi-Ho in "Basketball"

Looking Forward to "Basketball"

Actor Jeong Dong-hyeon, a former model takes on the role of elite star basketball player Min Chi-ho in the upcoming tvN drama "Basketball".

Kim Beom, on the set of "Goddess Of Fire Jeongi"

Kim Beom from "Goddess Of Fire Jeongi, poses like a model

Kim Beom from the MBC drama "Goddess Of Fire Jeongi", posed like a model on the drama site. In the picture, Kim Beom is sitting on a rock and gazing into the camera or posing like a Chosun model, looking chic.

What I'm Watching Now.. September Edition

Secrets (Secret Love)

Min-Hyuk was born into a wealthy family. He has everything including good looks, intelligence, but he doesn't have kindness. He loses his girlfriend in a hit-and-run accident. Yoo-Jung goes to prison, because of the hit-and-run accident that killed Min-Hyuk's girlfriend. Her boyfriend is the one that actually committed the hit-and-run accident, but Yoo-Jung took the blame. She is then betrayed by her boyfriend.

Upcoming Drama Watching October, 2013

Here's What I Plan to Watch Starting in October, 2013

Secrets (KBS2)

Begins Sep 25, 2013

Stars
Ji Sung, Hwang Jung Eum, Bae Soo Bin, Lee Da Hee
Plot Min-Hyuk was born into a wealthy family. He has everything including good looks, intelligence, but he doesn't have kindness. He loses his girlfriend in a hit-and-run accident. Yoo-Jung goes to prison, because of the hit-and-run accident that killed Min-Hyuk's girlfriend. Her boyfriend is the one that actually committed the hit-and-run accident, but Yoo-Jung took the blame. She is then betrayed by her boyfriend.

Medical Top Team (MBC)

Begins Oct 2, 2013

Stars Kwon Sang Woo, Jung Ryu Won, Joo Ji Hoon, Oh Yeon Seo
Plot "Medical Top Team" depicts the process of treating patients by a team of doctors, considered the best in their fields, as a power struggle ensues in the hospital.

Not Official Poster Yet

The Ghost Seeing Detective Cheo Yong (OCN)

Begins Oct 6, 2013

Stars Oh Ji Ho, Oh Ji Eun, Jun Hyo Sung
Plot Yoon Cheo-Yong, has been able to see ghosts since birth. Once the ace of the violent crimes unit, seven years ago he lost both his family and his partner in a traumatic incident that caused him to quit his department. Now he works as a district cop, but without any interest or will to engage with the world; “starved for love,” he’s completely lonely. Then one day, he accidentally talks back to the ghost of a high school girl, and things get complicated. The show follows Cheo-yong as he works with his female detective partner and that ghost girl to solve mysterious cases.

Basketball (tvN)

Begins Oct 21, 2013

Stars Do Ji Han, Lee Elliya, Park Ye Eun, Kim Bo Mi
Plot Drama series is set within the turbulent period between the Japanese colonial era and the division of Korea into North and South. Kang San is from a poor family. He struggles to get away from poverty. Through the game of basketball, he becomes successful and meets a girl from the upper class. He dreams of their love overcoming the disparity in their social standing

No Official Poster Yet

Doctor X-2 (TV Asahi)

Begins Oct 10, 2013

Stars Ryoko Yonekura, Naohito Fujiki, Yuki Uchida, Kenichi Endo

No Official Poster Yet

Empress Ki (MBC)

Begins Oct 21, 2013

Stars Ha Ji Won, Joo Jin Mo, Ji Chang Wook, Kwon Oh Joong, Jin Yi Han
Plot Depicts the loves and battles of Empress Ki who exercises her influence in the Yuan Dynasty. Empress Ki is from Goryeo.

My Thoughts Before you say it, no, I am not watching Heirs or possibly not  Reply 1994. Even though I watched  Reply 1997 and overall liked it, I was totally out of my league while watching it and I only knew of a couple of the actors and they were the reason I even took the time to watch; however, this time I know none of the actors so I don't plan on struggling through trying to relate to characters WAY younger than me. Now, that brings me to Heirs. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, I really don't watch high school dramas! My high school days are so far behind me that I've lost count of the years and really have no interest in watching what might be BOF part deux. Again, I'll enjoy your commentary and tweets; that will be enough for me.

I am really looking forward to the dramas above. Even though Secrets starts the last week of September, I'm including this because it is so late in the month. I watch everything with Hwang Jung Eum, so it was a given that this would be on my future watchlist. The same goes for Medical Top Team. I absolutely LOVE Jung Ryu Won. Even though I doubt this is a comedy, she is a great comedic as well as dramatic actress. I have to think way back in her career for something I didn't like. And like Ryu Won, I will watch ANYTHING with Joo Ji Hoon. Now if I can only get used to that freaking hair-do.

Before you say it, another ghost drama? Yes. But this time it is coming from OCN and when it comes to their dramas, I've yet to see one that I didn't like. I think I have plans to watch this more for the network and less for Oh Ji Ho who is, at best decent. But he has a lot to make up to me after that disastrous 3rd Ward that I sat through  (talk about a drama in the last 1/3 going down the toilet!!).

Basketball was a given for two reasons: I love sports dramas and I absolutely LOVED Do Ji Han in Incarnation of Money as Kwon Hyuk. The fact that at a mere 21 years old, he gets his first adult leading role and only second leading role speaks volumes of how good a job he did in that drama. So I'm psyched to watch this also.

Doctor X was excellent so it made perfect sense to watch the sequel. So far, I don't know where I will be watching this or when but if Viki or any other website carries this, I will be watching. Here's hoping I can find it.

Last but not least is my girl, Ha Ji Won, returning the screen in what I hope will fulfill my sageuk fantasy of a decent drama. Sadly, every saguek I started this year, I dropped out of sheer boredom and some, I didn't even bother starting because the comments kept getting worse and worse as the episodes continue. Ah, the beauty of twitter and followers, they watch so you don't have to.

So, these are the dramas that I plan on watching in the upcoming month.

What are yours?

My Top 5 Dramas for 2010

Top 5 Dramas for 2010

These are my picks for the top dramas that I've seen from 2010. Again, they are not arranged in no particular order as I love them all equally and are not limited to Korean dramas alone. Compare it with your list for 2010:

Keizoku 2:SPEC

Stars Toda Erika and Kase Ryo. Like the original series, "SPEC" will revolve around a pair of police detectives as part of a special division solving difficult cases (Mishou). Touma Saya is a woman with an IQ of 201 and an inability to "read the atmosphere" in social situations. Due to a previous case, her left arm is in a sling. Her partner Sebumi Takeru used to be the star performer of the Metropolitan Police. After some incident however, he was transferred to Mishou. Those two track down offenders with special abilities(SPEC) who managed to get away with their crimes.

Only a science fiction fan would love and appreciate this drama! So if you are expecting anything else, don't watch! I absolutely loved this! As a fan of the genre, it had every aspect that us Sci-Fi fans would be looking for; intrigue, lies, freaky characters and a story that you can follow. All is revealed as the episodes are watched. Again, if you are expecting romance, forget this! This was a Sci-Fi fans freaking dream come true! My appreciation and love for Toda Erika has increase ten fold. It started with Liar Game and continues with this series! Kase Ryo as Sebumi-san; you now have a new fan!!

Secret Garden

Stars Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won. The drama tells the story of Kim Joo Won, an arrogant and eccentric CEO who maintains the image of seeming perfection, and Gil Ra Im, a poor and humble stuntwoman whose beauty and body are the object of envy amongst top actresses. Their accidental meeting, when Joo Won mistakes Ra Im for actress Park Chae Rin, marks the beginning of a tense, bickering relationship, through which Joo Won tries to hide a growing attraction to Ra Im that both confuses and disturbs him. To complicate matters further, a strange sequence of events results in them swapping bodies.

I swear! Until these two marry other people, I will forever and forever 'ship' them as a couple! Kid you not!

This is one of the few dramas that I have seriously watched over and over again! Maybe not always from the beginning but I have repeat watched this drama in my boredom. The romance between Joo Won and Ra Im, just never bores me! And it has the distinction of having one of the better drama kisses I've seen! Believe it or not, this was the first drama I saw of BOTH Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won but this drama alone made me instant fans and immediately started my love for both of them.

Can these two just make all their fans happy and get married already?!!

God's Quiz

Stars Ryu Deok Hwan and Yoon Joo Hee. Han Jin Woo, Korea's top medical examiner, leads a team of experts in conducting a medical crime investigation after strange events and mysterious deaths occur in a hospital. He first clashes with but is later aided by Kang Kyung Hee, an attractive female detective who possesses excellent skill in martial arts and a strong sense of justice.

Close to perfect at times, the story. The acting was perfect for this drama. I asked myself why I hadn't watched this before. The title throws you off because you have no idea what it really is about. Let's start with the stand-out actors. First of all, Ryu Deok Hwan as Han Jin Woo was unbelievably good! From the first episode to the end. His portrayal of Jin Woo was spot on perfect. Yoon Joo Hee as Kang Kyung Hee was great! At times, she drove you batty with her police decisions which made no sense to me (or maybe I watch TOO MANY police and crime dramas) but overall she did a good job. The rest of the cast was fun and acted well. Every episode was a learning experience. Keep wikipedia/google handy. You will be doing a lot of searching! Again, I cannot believe I didn't watch this until 2013! And as you can guess, I went onto to season 2 and 3 (Thanks, Operation:Kdrama Chat)!

Gloria

Stars Bae Doo Na, Suh Ji Suk, Lee Chun Hee, and So Yi Hyun. Gloria is an intense tale of people who are fiercely devoted to surviving their rough lives, focusing in particular on the life of a nightclub singer, Na Jin Jin, who braves the difficulties of her work to provide for her mentally handicapped older sister, Jin Joo. She finds an unwavering source of strength and support from her loyal childhood friend, Ha Dong Ah, a third-rate gangster with a big heart. Jin Jin also meets a potential love interest in Lee Kang Suk, the president of Double Sharp Entertainment, who has his own problems to face as the illegitimate son of an entrepreneur.

Okay, this is one of favorite dramas! It was my first drama over 50 episodes that I marathon watched. I loss sleep, barely ate, you name it. This was my first introduction to Bae Doo Na as I started watching this because of Suh Ji Suk! I fell instantly in love with Doo Na's portrayal of Gloria. Not to forget about Suh Ji Suk as Kang Suk. I thought the chemistry between the two was magnetic! I was also surprised by the secondary romance between Dong Ah (Lee Chun Hee) and Yoon Seo (So Yi Hyun). Even though the main couple's relationship was not totally resolved until the end, I felt the story was absolutely fun to watch. 

One of the best scenes is when Kang Suk serenades Jin Jin when she thinks he no longer likes her. It is one of the most romantic scenes EVER!! As this is a melodrama, beware, there are some seriously twisted moments that make you want to wretch your hair out; but overall, this is one of the best! And it is the only 50+ drama that I have re-watched from start to finish.

Cinderella's Sister

Stars Moon Geun Young, Chun Jung Myung, Ok Taec Yeon, and Seo Woo. SA modern day adaptation of Cinderella with a twist as our Cinderella, Goo Hyo Sun, is loved by everyone whereas her stepsister, Eun Jo, has a dark past and struggles with the fact that her mother starts to care more for Hyo Sun than her.

This drama is where I differ from a lot of people because I simply LOVED it! From start to finish, LOVED it! It was my introduction to Moon Geun Young, who still remains my top favorite actress since I started watching dramas. Her portrayal of Eun Jo was so dark and so tortured. Her mother, played by Lee Mi Sook was one of the worse users you will see! What I especially liked was the chemistry between Chun Jung Myung and Moon Geun Young. His love for her and her hesitance to love was portrayed wonderfully. Seo Woo's Hyo Sun was so needy, you eventually learned to love her too. And of course I will never forget Ok Taec Yeon and his little dance with his 'little me'! So cute!

Honorable Mentions
Both of these dramas are very popular with others and while I loved them, it is always hard to pick your top 5: 

So What Are Your Top 5 for 2010?

Let me know in the comments!

My Top 5 Dramas for 2009

Top 5 Dramas for 2009

These are my picks for the top dramas that I've seen from 2009. Again, they are not arranged in no particular order as I love them all equally and are not limited to Korean dramas alone. Compare it with your list for 2009:

Shining Inheritance

Stars Han Hyo Joo, Lee Seung Gi, Bae Su Bin, and Moon Chae Won. Go Eun Sung's life is similar to Cinderella's. After her father died, her step-mother, Baek Sung Hee, took away all of her assets and her younger brother, Eun Woo, suddenly disappears without a trace. Despite this, Eun Sung preservers and works really hard to fulfill her dreams. When the CEO of a food company, Jang Sook Ja, suffers amnesia and can't remember who she is Eun Sung takes her in. However, Eun Sung does not know that she is the grandmother of Sun Woo Hwan, the man who she switched bags with at the airport. How will their constant bickering lead them to realize that they care more about each other than they let on?

There were so many actors introduced to me for the first time! Well, the entire main cast were new to me when I watched this. LSG with his smile was an instant love affair! Don't get me started on instantly crushing and suffering from second lead syndrome with Bae Su Bin! I won't forget the ladies as I had never seen any of them before and well, most impressive was definitely Moon Chae Won as the super needy, Yoo Seung Mi. I definitely won't forget the supporting cast, especially Kim Mi Sook as Park Seong Hee, the mother from hell and one of my favorite grandmothers, Ban Hyo Jung. All in all, a good drama from this year.

Jin

Stars Osawa Takao and Ayase Haruka. The story follows a brain surgeon named, Minakata Jin, who has spent the last two years in anguish, as his fiancee lies in a vegetative state after an operation he performed. One day, he faints at the hospital and awakens to find himself transported back in time to the Edo period. He is soon attacked by a samurai, but he escapes with the help of a man named Kyotaro. Kyotaro suffers a serious injury to the head while trying to protect him, but Jin manages to save his life despite a lack of proper medical equipment. Because of that, Kyotaro's sister Saki begins taking an interest in Jin and becomes his assistant. Meanwhile, Jin is determined to find a way back to the present.

I remember I started this Japanese version around the middle of the Time Slip Dr. Jin because people kept saying, you have to see the original. I kept thinking (and hoping) that it wouldn't be as horrible as the Korean version which if it wasn't for the funny as hell commentary while watching on Viki, I would have abandoned ship WAY before the ending! Thank you Viki commenters!. 

But back to this drama! Talk about compare and contrast?! These two dramas were so different but yet so much the same when it came to the basic story line. Where the Korean version failed miserably in acting; this excelled. Where the Korean version was so horribly executed; the Japanese version was near perfect! This was the first time seeing Osawa Takao but my 2-3 time seeing Ayase Haruka. Their portrayal of Jin and Saki were so spot on, I went on to watch the subsequent Jin 2 immediately.

You're Beautiful

Stars Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye. The management company of the idol group A.N.JELL insisted on adding a new singer to the group as the lead vocal, Tae Kyung's voice was hurting. However,the new member, Mi Nam, had to go to the States to repair a botched eye job just before signing the contract. His agent came up with the idea of having his twin sister, Mi Nyu,to stand in for him and pretend that she was her brother. The two of them grew up in an orphanage and Mi Nyu, who was all set to become a nun, agreed to this charade as she didn't want to spoil her brother's chance of fame which would make it easier to look for their mother.

Sometimes I watch a drama and I have no idea why I like it! Is it the music? Characters? Or am I just having fun watching it? Well, You're Beautiful is definitely in that category. Not likely that I will watch again but I do remember really enjoying it when I did. And of course it introduced me to Jang Geun Suk, Park Shin Hye and Jung Yong Hwa and did go on to watch their other works (admittedly, there will be nothing that will drag me to watch JGS's Beautiful Man if it ever gets released, I do have my limits!)

Autumn's Concerto

Stars Wu Vanness, An Ady and Bin Xiao Xiao. Ren Guang Xi, a cocky law student, seems to lead the perfect life. He's the sole successor to a huge and famous business and a talented ice hockey player. But in reality, his lonely life lacks joy, laughter and motivation. That is until he meets Liang Mu Cheng, the new bento seller at his school canteen. Although orphaned at a young age, Mu Cheng does not let her past affect her and lives life with great passion and determination. A harmless bet brings the two together and what happens next will change their relationship.

This drama, for me, was simply amazing! There were parts of the story line that had me twisted in knots and wishing that the writer had done it a different way but what I remember most about this drama is being totally blown away by a little 5-6 year old (at the time) named Bin Xiao Xiao. Sure, I had seen many child actors before in other dramas but this was the first time seeing a child having such a prominent speaking role! When Xiao Xiao cried, I cried, when he laughed, I laughed. His ability to project his emotions in a scene were stunning! I once read that during some of the scenes that the director became concerned because he was so drawn into his role.

This was my first introduction to Vanness and I must say, I still like this American born actor. As Ren Guang Xi, I felt his pain and definitely understood his anger through most of the drama. An Ady as Liang Mu Cheng was simply the most annoying character ever!! But that is a good sign of acting when even the lead actor can annoy you to no end. This was my first TwDrama marathon drama that I actually liked and finished!!

Boys Over Flowers

Stars Lee Min Ho, Koo Hye Sun, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun Joong, and Kim Joon. Set at a famous high school for the super-wealthy, this is a puppy love story centered on a poor girl and the F4 gang of rich kids headed by the rough and fearless Jun-pyo Koo (Lee Min Ho). Geum Jan-Di (Koo Hye Sun) is a girl from a poor family but has an unrivaled sense of optimism and drive and is by chance admitted to a prestigious private high school.
There she meets the infamous group of four astonishingly good looking and rich boys who are known as F4. 

The group's leader is Koo Jun-Pyo, who is a spoiled heir to world-leading conglomerate Shinhwa. He is joined by mysterious and breathlessly handsome Yun Ji-Hu (Kim Hyun Joong), So Lee-Jeong (Kim Bum), and Song Woo-Bin (Kim Joon). Their love story moves from Seoul to New Caledonia to Macau.

Before you say it, I'll say it: this is not a great drama; hell, it wasn't even a very good drama but what it was: the first drama EVER that I watched! We never forget our first and for that reason, I will never forget this drama. It introduced me to the fellows! I walked away with big love for two in particular: Kim Bum and Kim Hyun Joong! Sure, I liked Lee Min Ho and have seen him in everything he's been in but those two are the ones that won my heart. Poor, poor Kim Joon is the only ignored F4 member! Sadly missing in dramas and movies!  Yes, before you say it, I didn't walk away a fan of Koo Hye Sun. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've watched her in anything since (tried to watch Absolute Boyfriend, didn't get far). Haven't figured out what the disconnect is with me and her.

However, I will forever be thankful for this drama as it introduced me to the world of Korean dramas and I haven't left it since (maybe this is actually a curse!)!

So What Are Your Top 5 for 2009?

Let me know in the comments!

My Top 5 Dramas for 2003

Top 5 Dramas for 2003

These are my picks for the top dramas that I've seen from 2003. If you are wondering why I've skipped 2004, it's because I really can only talk about 2 dramas so until that list becomes complete, I'll not include that year...yet! Again, they not are arranged in no particular order as I love them all equally and are not limited to Korean dramas alone. Compare it with your list for 2003:

Good Luck!

Stars Kimura Takuya and Shibasaki Kou. Having achieved his life-long dream of being a pilot, Hajime (Kimura Takuya) is first officer on an international jetliner and is now working to become a captain. He can't seem to please Captain Koda, who has become an exacting taskmaster since an air incident many years ago. To complicate matters, he begins a relationship with stubborn and straight-talking mechanic, Ayumi (Shibasaki Kou), whose parents died many years ago in the plane crash for which Captain Koda feels he is responsible. What follows is a story of 21st century love, dreams, and passion.

This is a different kind of drama! In total JDrama fashion, this is a different type of story about people in general and their daily lives. This centers around pilots and attendants of the All Nippon Airlines. I love how in all Asian dramas, the terminology is defined for you. I also liked this drama because it focused on different human interest stories...from a man on a flight to save his business to a doctor trying to return to save a child.

The acting of Kimura Takuya as usual was great. I guess I have to say that I am an official fangirl of his!! Even though this is an older drama and it does not focus solely on romance, it is still a really, really great story! Well worth the 10 hours to watch!!

All In

Stars Lee Byung Hun and Song Hye Kyo. As a kid, all Kim In Ha (Lee Byung Hun) ever did was follow his uncle around and help him cheat in gambling. As a high school student, he hung out with his friends at the basement of a theater. As Kim In Ha gets to know Choi Jeong Won, a model student and also the son of a very rich family, In Ha tries to tempt him into doing mischievous deeds. . Then, he meets Su-yeon (Song Hye-Kyo) and falls in love with her. However, he is accused of a murder due to an incident and flees to the US. In L.A and Las Vegas he gets to know a poker professor and enters the gambling world.

Overall, this was not the best drama ever but what I did like about it was that you, the viewer, got to explore the world of professional gambling. Not too many dramas take on this subject matter and shows you the danger and excitement that the gambler can experience. This was one of the first dramas that I'd seen which was filmed both in the US and Korea. The acting by the main and the supporting cast was good. This introduced me to Ji Sung for the first time and made me look into other dramas that he acted in.

A Jewel in the Palace

Stars Lee Yeong-Ae and Ji Jin-Hee. About 500 years ago during the time of Joseon Dynasty, Korea boasted a rigidly hierarchical and male dominated social structure. Set in this period, "Jewel in the Palace" is based on a true story about a legendary girl (Jang Geum) who became the first woman to be the supreme royal physician of her times. Despite her poor condition as a low class girl in the male dominated society, Jang Geum  (Lee Yeong-Ae) overcame a series of social discrimination and landed herself as a royal cook, later becoming the royal physician, then ultimately the physician in charge of the king. She was even given by the king the title "The Great Jang Geum." The story of her checkered life on her success and breakdown as well as her love story beautifully unfold. "Jewel in the Palace" is sure to touch your heart.

There are too many dramas I've watched over 50 episode; hell, over 30 episodes that I've marathon watched. But, watching this one was simply a privilege! It had been on my watch queue for a very long time and once in a awhile I get into these must watch historical drama moods! Lo and behold, 5 days later, I completed this drama and now I am simply in love with Ji Jin Hee!! This was my first drama watching him as well as Lee Yeong-Ae who seems to be quite famous in her time. 

The love story between their characters; Sir Min and Jang Geum is simply one of the most romantic stories I've ever seen! The chemistry, the portrayal of these characters by the actors was simply amazing!! Amazing! Amazing!! I loved the story, it helped peak my interesting in learning more about the art of food and healing. It truly was a well told story with beautiful cinematography! This is a 2003 drama so if you are new to dramas, it will seem very different than the more modern ones; however, after watching this tremendous jewel, I now know what the ratings during its broadcast times was well into the 50% range! Excellent! Excellent! Stupendous! I will never forget this love story ever!

1% of Anything

Stars Kim Jung-Hwa and Kang Dong-Won. Kim Da Hyun (Kim Jung-Hwa) is a young and sincere middle school teacher, who has little interest in money. She is also extremely warm-hearted and loves to help other people. When she helps carry an elderly man's belongings from the train to another location, the elderly man is extremely thankful. This grandfather turns out to be the extremely rich owner of a well known conglomerate. His grandson, Lee Jae In (Kang Dong Won) is a quick-tempered businessman who rivals his grandfather, but in an almost comical way. In an order to "tame" his favorite grandson, the grandfather agrees to give his entire fortune to the person who marries Da Hyun, therefore forcing Jae In to meet the girl whom his grandfather chose.

I already know that a lot of people simply didn't like this drama; however, what I liked most about this drama was the lack of conflict between the characters and their love interest. This was a simple story about four people as they fell in love. Sure, the grandfather was the catalyst (or glue) for one of the relationships but it was really nice to see that rare KDrama where there is no antagonist/love triangle or some other ridiculous story line to send this drama down the makjang drama hole! 

Even though the acting probably wasn't the best (I'll be the first to admit that Kang Dong Won does better in movies), it was simply the story that made this one of my favorite re-watch dramas to this day!

Country Princess

Stars Bae Doo Na, Shin Seong Woo, Kang Dong Won, and Kim Yoo Mi. Two girls with a twisted fate, born on the same day, Lee Eun Hee (Bae Doo Na) and Lee Keum Hee (Kim Yoo Mi) live their lives as sisters. Living a life of poverty with their family, kind and considerate Eun Hee sacrifices her educational chances to better herself for her older sister Keum Hee. 

Eun Hee's true identity unbeknownst to her, one day a wealthy older man comes to their home requesting the return of his long lost granddaughter. Due to an accident that caused the death of her husband, in spitefulness, the girls mother returns the wrong granddaughter to the older wealthy man and leaves the real granddaughter in a life of struggling and hardship.

Let's just say Keum Hee got too much forgiveness at the end! I watched this for Bae Doo Na as Eun Hee who did an extraordinary job in acting! Extraordinary! She was funny! She made you sad. Boy, I lost count how many times I cried with her. I was pleasantly surprised with Kim Yoo Mi as Keum Hee; I never thought I'd hate someone so completely! And little would I know that years later, I would see her return as one of my favorite characters in a drama, Lee Jin Sook in Cruel City!! 

As far as the male leads, even though I love Kang Dong Won, it was an okay role; not bad. I felt Shin Seong Woo did a great job as the cold-hearted In Woo. To watch his transformation, okay, I know, you expected it but dang it, it was enjoyable to watch. He truly was despicable at the beginning! Watched this drama in 3 days. I did not expect that and for a 2003 drama, it was one of the best I've seen in awhile from this era.

So What Are Your Top 5 for 2003?

Let me know in the comments!