Han Mania

Korean Stir-fried Rice Cakes with Noodles

2010-05-27T17:46:00.004+08:00

Finally, after months and months of craving, I was able to cook my own version of rabokki and tteokbokki! Woo-hoo!

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, tteokbokki is stir-fried rice cakes with gochujang (red pepper paste). I acquired a strong liking for this very popular Korean street food ever since I tried it a couple of years ago. I even consumed a very large plate of this spicy snack once at Sigol Bap Sang. I guess I really love the combination of gochujang (hot pepper paste), chewy rice cakes, and fish cakes (eomuk or odeng in Korean).

Rabokki, on the other hand, is spicy stir-fried rice cakes with noodles. It's basically tteokbokki plus ramyeun.

Last week, I was reading my favorite Korean food and recipe blog when I came across very easy tteokbokki and rabokki recipes, inspiring me to cook my versions at home. I immediately bought the necessary ingredients at a Korean convenience store, shelling out close to P500 for everything (approx. $10.60). It may seem expensive but considering I brought home a 500g pack of gochujang, 6 sheets of fish cakes, a small pack of gochugaru, 30 long sticks of garaetteok, and a pack of instant ramen that day, I was more than happy.

I successfully made rabokki, improvising a little on the recipe I found at My Korean Kitchen. Very spicy and yummy! I loved it so much that I didn't eat anything else that day. And since I had more than enough ingredients, I decided to cook a batch of tteokbokki for my family the following day. It was a hit! And I know they were not being polite because my nephew even had the audacity to touch my share of the spicy rice cakes. :D

If you are into spicy food, why not whip up your own rabokki? It's very easy to prepare and cooking time takes less than 10 minutes. Here's the rabokki recipe I used.

Recipe for Stir-fried Spicy Korean Rice Cakes with Noodles (Rabokki)

Ingredients for 3-4

gochujang (red pepper paste)- 3 tbsp
garaetteok (rice cakes)- 40 bite-sized pieces, soaked in water for 20 mins.
eomuk or odeng (fish cakes) - 4 sheets, sliced into medium-sized pieces, rinsed in hot water
instant noodles- 1 pack, seasoning not included
1 small onion- thinly sliced
1 stalk spring onion- sliced into medium-sized pieces
cabbage- 4 leaves, sliced into medium-sized pices
gochugaru (chili powder) - 1 tsp
brown sugar- 3 tbsp
garlic- 1 tsp, minced
water- 1 1/2- 2 cups
4 hardboiled eggs (optional)
sesame seeds for garnishing

Procedure

Make your sauce by combine the gochujang, gochugaru, brown sugar and garlic in a bowl. Mix well.
Boil the water in a pot.
Add sauce and stir well.
Add the instant noodles, cabbage, onion, rice cakes, and fish cakes. Stir well.
Reduce flame and stir well.
Add spring onions and eggs.
When the noodles are done, the rice cakes tender and the sauce thickens, turn off heat.
Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot.

If you don't want instant noodles with your rice cakes, then make tteokbokki instead. Just exclude the instant noodles and reduce the amount of water to about 1/3 cup. Also, do not forget to soften the rice cakes or garaetteok by soaking in water for about 20 minutes before cooking.

You can also control the spiciness of your dish by adjusting the amount of gochujang (red pepper paste) and gochugaru (red chili powder).

Enjoy your meal!

Personal Taste, Episode 1

2010-04-03T01:56:00.003+08:00

Thanks to blogs like Cashewmaniakpop and Dramabeans, I was able to watch and enjoy the first episode of Personal Taste -- a new k-drama starring Lee Min-ho and Sohn Ye-jin. Cashewmaniakpop provided the much-awaited links while Dramabeans delights her readers with her splendid recaps.

In Personal Taste, Lee Min-ho plays the role of Jeon Jin-ho, a dashing, no-nonsense architect who heads his own architectural firm. Lee Min-ho is perfect for the role of 30-something Jin-ho. And although I miss the overbearing arrogance of Jun-pyo of the Boys Over Flowers fame, Lee Min-ho as Jin-ho is just as cool and remarkable.

Sohn Ye-jin, on the other hand, takes on the role of Park Kae-in, a dense furniture designer. But I must admit that I had a hard time warming up to the character of Sohn Ye-jin because even if I really admire her as an actress, this is my first time watching her in this kind of role. I'm so used to her being beautiful and glamorous that it sort of irritated me at first seeing her in plain-looking garb and sporting a rather unkempt, unattractive hairstyle.

The first episode of Personal Taste went really well, with both characters figuring in a couple of hilarious encounters. And judging from what I've seen so far, the drama is very promising. The obvious personality differences between Jin-ho and Kae-in means more clashes and therefore, more fun in the succeeding episodes!

I'm not very familiar with the supporting cast, except maybe for Jo Eun-ji, whom I adored in 9 End, 2 Outs and liked in Lovers in Paris. In the drama, Jo Eun-ji is Lee Young-sun, one of Kae-in's friends.

Other characters who stood out in the first episode of Personal Taste is Han Chang-ryul (Kim Ji-suk), Kae-in's cheating boyfriend and Noh Sang-jun (Jung Sung-hwa), Jin-ho's friend and colleague.

Also entitled Kae-in's Taste/Personal Preference, Personal Taste currently airs via MBC during Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:55 p.m.

My Compilation of K-dramas and K-movies

2010-02-20T00:37:00.003+08:00

I checked the hard drive of my netbook and I found out that after more than three years of watching Korean dramas and movies, I have the complete episodes of 4 Korean dramas and 19 Korean movies in my computer. My internet connection at home is not that fast so it took me months to build my collection.

I want to add more dramas and movies to my collection especially Hong Gil Dong and Beethoven Virus and perhaps the movies Windstruck and My Sassy Girl. However, I only have 21 GB worth of free space so I guess I have to shell out some serious cash and purchase one of those portable external hard drives.

K-horror...Again

2010-02-19T23:36:00.003+08:00

My friends and I are going to watch asian horror movies sometime soon and I am thinking of recommending that we watch Korean horror movies. There are a number of movies that I have enjoyed watching but since we only have a few hours to spare, I have to narrow my choices to a maximum of 3 Korean horror films.

My personal favorites would have to be Phone, A Tale of Two Sisters, and Wishing Stairs. Phone is directed by the legendary Ahn Byeong Ki and stars Ha Ji-won and Kim Yumi. A Tale of Two Sisters, on the other hand, is a clever psycho-drama starring Im Soo Jung and Moon Geun Young. My last pick, Wishing Stairs, is a 2003 k-horror film shot in a very eerie campus. Wishing Stairs is a sequel of Whispering Corridors, a South Korean horror film released in 1998.

What To Watch Next?

2010-02-08T23:23:00.004+08:00

Now that Aja-Aja closed its doors to anonymous users, I have no idea where to get Korean dramas that I intend to follow. And Viikii isn't much help either because the videos that interest me are no longer available for viewers in my region.

I like to watch dramas and movies a lot and without my usual nighttime fix of k-dramas and k-movies, I tend to be cranky. Maybe I'm just bored so to amuse myself, I am thinking of watching anime online. Frankly, I haven't tried watching anime before although my nephews at home are totally into it. I am seriously thinking of watching Gurren Lagann. I heard the show's real good with the adventures Simon and Kamina.

And if watching Anime won't be enough, I guess I'll have to try other shows. There's Wipeout on Axn Asia to begin with. Currently on its second season, they say Wipeout is just as awesome and exciting as Fear Factor. What do you think?

Lee Min-ho to Star in Personal Taste

2010-01-27T11:16:00.010+08:00

Lee Min-ho fans, you definitely have something to look forward to!

Lee Min-ho, the breakout star of Boys Over Flowers (Boys Before Flowers),will start filming the rom-com drama, Personal Taste. Personal Taste, just like Coffee Prince, is based on a popular novel.

In Personal Taste, Lee Min-ho plays the character of Jeon Jin-ho, a straight guy who has to pretend to be gay so that he can move in with a woman (played by Korean actress Sohn Ye-jin). The woman, a trusting furniture designer, believed that Lee Min-ho's character is gay and readily accepted him as a roommate. Sounds interesting?

I would have wanted Yoon Eun-hye to be the female lead in this drama but heck, Sohn Ye-jin is a well-respected actress and I think the role fits her well. She always has this refreshing presence on-screen (even when she was being daring in My Wife Got Married). I liked her a lot in The Classic and I believe her pairing with Lee Min-ho will work quite well.

Personal Taste will start filming in February and if there won't be hitches, fans will be able to start watching it by April. I just hope that Aja-aja will open its doors to anonymous users by then so I can start watching Personal Taste as soon as it premieres on MBC.

Credit: Dramabeans, Lee Min Ho Japan (image)

The Dwaejji-Ttokki AKA Pig Rabbit

2010-01-21T04:25:00.004+08:00

I now have my own Pig Rabbit! Or dwaeji-toki as you guys might call it. Angel, also a You're Beautiful fan, shipped the Pig Rabbits earlier than expected so last January 10, 2009 the Pig Rabbit was delivered at my place. You have no idea how excited I was.

My pig Rabbit, Babbit, has the same black beady eyes, plaid bow tie, large ears, and pink piggy nose You're Beautiful fans from all over the world have grown to love. The people at home wonder openly why I purchased the plush toy but they will soon get it when You're Beautiful (He's Beautiful) finally airs in the Philippines via ABS-CBN.

Jang Geun-seok in The Happy Life

2010-01-07T23:01:00.009+08:00

One of the Korean movies I thoroughly enjoyed last year was The Happy Life starring Jang Geun-seok, Jeong Jin-yeong, Kim Yun-seok, and Kim Sang-ho. I really liked the movie because it sends a strong message that regardless of age and your status in life, it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

If you are a Jang Geun-seok fan, then you will definitely enjoy watching this movie. I know he impressed you as an A.N.Jell member in You're Beautiful but Jang Geun-seok playing lead vocals in a rock band is even hotter. I also loved the way he carried his clothes in the movie, especially those jeans and sleeveless tops.

Because I loved the movie so much even if I already watched it countless times, I joined Thundie's Prattle's blog contest because she was giving away The Happy Life DVDs. Luckily, I was one of the contest's three winners and last December 29, my The Happy Life DVD arrived from Singapore. Honestly, winning the DVD through Thundie's blog giveaway was one of the highlights of my k-movie and k-drama experience in 2009.

Credit: Image used in this blog post from AsianMediaWiki.

You're Beautiful on ABS-CBN

2009-12-28T21:49:00.009+08:00

So it's official. ABS-CBN will air You're Beautiful next year. Finally, Filipino viewers will be introduced to the fictional boy band A.N. JELL. I saw the teaser video and I am looking forward to it with a little trepidation. I hope they find the right voices for the characters this time. Remembering what happened to Go Jun Pyo's voice in the Tagalog-dubbed version of Boys Over Flowers makes me want to cringe. Please, do not ever mess with the A.N. JELL's voices, especially Tae Kyung's.

Also, when You're Beautiful will be aired in the Philippines, the title will be "He's Beautiful". Why they have to change the title baffles me. There should be a good enough reason behind it. For a YB-fanatic, You're Beautiful is You're Beautiful. How can YB be HB? Yikes.

I wonder how Filipino fans will receive You're Beautiful. Will they want Tae Kyung for Mi Nam or will there be more Shin Woo- Mi Nam shippers? I hope the ratings will be sky-high so that ABS-CBN will be able to bring the YB cast in the Philippines.

And since ABS-CBN bought the rights to air You're Beautiful in the Philippines I wonder if they will be doing a remake as well. This, I am definitely not excited about. Unless for a change, they conduct auditions first before deciding who will be casted.

On a side note, my dwaejji-ttokki (Pig Rabbit) will arrive in the Philippines on Jan. 10, 2010 so maybe I'll get my hands on it by the 12th. I ordered it from Angel, also a Filipino soompier and a YB-fanatic. I initially planned to order the Pig Rabbit from YesAsia but at $50, I had second thoughts. It is a good thing I found Angel's announcement at Soompi. She also sells other YB goodies so don't forget to check out her multiply site.

Credit: Image used in this blog post from SBS Official Site.

Still Watching You're Beautiful

2009-11-18T03:35:00.003+08:00

I'm currently following the drama You're Beautiful which airs over SBS on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I only have cable television at home and sadly, my provider didn't include SBS in my channel lineup so I have no choice but to watch the drama via online streaming. The problem is, my internet connection at home isn't fast either so I sometimes end up with a choppy playback.

I definitely envy those who have the luxury of watching their favorite shows via satellite TV such as Direct TV. Pay satellite TV companies like DirectTV just ushered a new trend in television viewing by offering the best in HD television programming. Imagine hours and hours of crystal-clear images and superior sound quality! And with the now affordable subscription rates offered by directv, high definition is the way to go.

Officially Obsessed with You're Beautiful

2009-11-04T10:38:00.010+08:00

Hey, I'm back! My last blog post was published last August 9 (clobber me, please!) and it was about k-pop girl group 2NE1. I know it's definitely bad blogging practice to go on long breaks but I deserve to be forgiven because now I'm back to blog about my current k-drama obsession.

The last k-drama I blogged about about Boys Before Flowers (Boys Over Flowers) and I truly liked Lee Min Ho's portrayal of Goo Jun Pyo. The drama, however, became somewhat boring after the first 11 episodes. The only saving grace was the cute and fun Goo Jun Pyo moments. I cannot find fault in Lee Min Ho's acting and maintain that he is the best thing about Boys Before Flowers.

But if I really liked Boys Over Flowers, I am liking You're Beautiful even more. You're Beautiful is a trendy drama by SBS. It is about the lives of the members of the idol group A.N.JELL. The drama premiered last October 7 Wed/Thurs 9:55 pm timeslot. It is written by the very popular Hong Sisters (My Girl, Delightful Girl Chun Hyang, Fantasy Couple).

I have done a lot of things just to have that much-needed k-drama fix but I am surprised that You're Beautiful more or less made me try out new things. When I started watching korean dramas, I was contented with watching k-drama at sites like MySoju and Dramacrazy and Crunchyroll (before Shinji removed most of her videos). When I discovered Boys Over Flowers, I frequented Viikii because the uploaders, segmenters, and subbers were really fast and it was the source of the BOF videos in MySoju. But You're Beautiful is something else.

I must hand it over to You're Beautiful because I watch each episode via TVAnts as soon as it is aired by SBS. I then download the episode as soon as the links are up and watch it raw after downloading it. Next, I wait for the english- subbed videos to be uploaded at Viikii. I also stalk the official You're Beautiful thread at Soompi to read all the spoilers, analysis, and drool at the pics uploaded by YB fanatics like me and head off to Dramabeans to read her wonderful episode recaps as soon as they are out. And oh, did I mention that I wait for high-quality subs to be released by WithS2 (days after an episode is aired) so that I can watch the subbed episodes again whenever I feel like it? Obsessed much, eh?

The reasons why I love You're Beautiful can be summed up in the following points:

Jang Geun-seok in guyliner! (the guy can sing, act, dance, and is smoking hot.)
Eye candy overload! (Jang Geun-seok, Park Shin-hye, Lee Hong-ki, and Jung Yong-hwa in smexy androgynous wardrobe! )
Everybody in the cast can act (unlike...**cough**).
The Hong Sisters are marvelous (I'm a fan of My Girl and Delightful Girl Chun Hyang).
Listening to the OST is bliss.
The overall tone of the drama is great, just the right balance of laughter and angst.
It is predictable and unpredictable at the same time (think new twists to age-old k-drama plots).
Beautiful, beautiful set.

You're Beautiful is currently on it's 8th episode and if you are into k-drama but haven't discovered this gem, you can watch it here and then read the episode recaps here and here. Also, here's a You're Beautiful video of A.N.JELL's live mini-concert from Raine210's YT channel. Enjoy!

Image and video used from sbs.co.kr

Currently Listening to 2NE1

2009-08-09T04:11:00.017+08:00

I can't say I don't care much about 2NE1 because the four-member hip hop girl group caught my attention while the Wonder Girl's Nobody took Philippines by storm.

I saw the video of Nobody sometime last year because although my exposure to kpop is kinda limited to k-drama and k-movie OSTs and Bi's albums, I can't help but somehow be updated with the phenomenal rise of the Wonder Girls. The Wonder Girls, after all, was created by JYP after Bi (Rain) left his lair.

So while 90% of the Philippine population dances to Nobody, here I am blogging about 2NE1, not because Sandara Park is in it but because I love the fact that this rookie girl group has become so successful shortly after their launch. I blogged about Sandara, CL, Minzy, and Bom in January and that was way before they were launched as 2NE1 (they were prematurely called SISTA). I never really thought that they will make it big as a group then but I am glad I took interest because 2NE1 has achieved so much in so short a time.

2NE1's digital single, Lollipop, was released in March and I found it just okay. Lollipop was a collaboration of 2NE1 and Big Bang to promote an LG phone so I sort of expected the mediocrity. It was in May this year when 2NE1 debuted with Fire. Fire, I think, is a pretty good song which is waaayyy better than Lollipop. Watching Fire's MV, one would instantly know what makes 2NE1 different from South Korea's gazillion girl groups.

2NE1 means New Evolution of the 21st Century (I had to laugh at this because I thought the group is called 2NE1 because of the members' age). I think it is a statement about the need for the group's departure from the cutesy image which is a common attribute among South Korean girl groups now. Watching videos of close to a dozen girls with identical hairstyles, facial expressions, outfits, and moves can be tiring and confusing.

L to R: Dara, CL, Bom, Minzy

I am glad YG Entertainment took in CL, Dara, Bom, and Minzy as trainees a couple of years ago and decided to launch them as a hip hop girl group. It was a very bold move by YG Entertainment but with 2NE1's overwhelming success (they conquered KBS Music Bank for the 4th consecutive week), it's probably the wisest decision ever made in Kpop history. Talk about stumbling upon a gold mine. And taking into consideration 2NE1's huge success, I won't be surprised if hip hop girl groups will just appear out of nowhere. LOL.

2NE1 is currently promoting their hit single I Don't Care which is part of their 1st mini-album. Of all the songs released by 2NE1, I like I Don't Care best (I listen to I Don't Care alternately with the songs included in my Jang Geun Seuk playlist). I really feel its reggae-cum-R&B vibe; reminds me of TLC and All Saints. Great lyrics, too.

IMHO, the most talented members of 2NE1 are the youngest ones, Minzy and CL. Minzy raps well and dances even better. CL, on the other hand, raps and dances really well and has a very strong presence onstage. Park Bom, the oldest member at 25, sings well earning her the right to be main vocals. And lastly, Dara (Sandara Park) is the cutest 2NE1 member and watching videos of her perform alongside other members of 2NE1 brings a smile to my face. She may not be the most talented singer or dancer in the group but she certainly looks like she's having the time of her life each time 2NE1 goes on stage.

Image used from YG Entertainment.

Hyun Bin Dates Song Hye Kyo

2009-08-07T03:32:00.007+08:00

I was having my daily dose of Korean entertainment news when I saw this comment by YGfangirl in one of the posts:

on another note…… Song Hye Gyo & Hyun Bin are dating!!!!

~ sorry, i just had to let it out….

his management revealed they’ve been dating for 2 months!!

I was like, ummm, really? I had to be a little skeptical since actors and actresses do resort to all sorts of gimmick for publicity. So what I did was to search for blog posts on this juicy piece of Korean entertainment news. A couple of blogs have reported that Song Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin have been dating since June. It is said that the management companies of both stars confirmed the reports.

Song Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin both starred in the Korean drama The World That They Live In (Worlds Within), which, everybody knows suffered a lot in the ratings game. I tried to watch the drama despite the negative feedbacks regarding Song Hye Kyo's acting. I really liked Song Hye Kyo in Full House and since my admiration for Hyun Bin hasn't waned since the first time I watched My Name is Kim Sam Soon, I made a go for it. Sadly, The World That They Live In is so uninteresting that I had to quit around Episode 4, I think.

I know lots of die-hard BiKyo (Bi and Song Hye Kyo) are probably seething in anger right now but what the heck, stars have the right to choose their own mates. If they are really dating, then fans and non-fans should just be happy for them. If Bi and Song Hye Kyo were meant for each other, then they should have dated by now. Maybe the attraction wasn't even there to begin with.

And as for myself, I am glad I have since redirected my fangirling to other Korean actors (current fave: Jang Geun Seuk) so I can be wholeheartedly happy with the news that Hyun Bin is dating Song Hye Kyo.

A Fresh Take on Korean Celebrities

2009-06-11T01:23:00.005+08:00

I was looking for articles on Lee Min Ho when I stumbled upon a new site with fresh articles about Korean celebrities. This entertainment site features the latest news about your favorite Korean celebrities like Solbi, Lee Min Ho, Bi (Rain), and Kim Yu-na. And aside from publishing well-written articles on the Korean entertainment scene, it also offers free Korean celebrity wallpapers for its readers.

Meanwhile, Boys Over Flowers has really taken the Philippines by storm since it premiered via ABS-CBN on May 11, 2009. In the most recent reports by TNS Media Research, Boys Over Flowers has been lording it over GMA's Hole in the Wall.

Boys Over Flowers has recently been moved to the 6:00 pm timeslot and is being aired five days a week.

Romantic Island

2009-05-27T06:35:00.010+08:00

I can't believe it has been almost two months since I last updated Han Mania. And during the rather long break, I have seen a number of Korean dramas and movies and have started admiring Jo In-sung and Kwon Sang Woo.

I was able to watch the movie Romantic Island a month or so ago. I got a copy of the DVD because my boyfriend was so excited about it. He was in Boracay during the time that Lee Seon Kyun and Lee Soo Kyeong were filming their scenes. In fact, he stayed the same hotel where the cast and crew of Romantic Island were staying.

Anyway, I totally liked Romantic Island, not only because it was filmed in Manila and in Boracay Island, one of the top tourist destinations here in the Philippines. The movie itself is very good and it's what a good romantic comedy is all about. Too bad it wasn't shown here in the Philippines. It is not only feel-good, it also provides a respite from all the so-so Philippine movies I watched over the years (the last ones I thoroughly enjoyed were Jologs and Ang Tanging Ina).

Romantic Island is about six people who went to Boracay Island in search of themselves. It is a story of love, introspection, and closure. You have to watch it to appreciate it. Romantic Island stars Kim Eugene, Lee Min Ki, Lee Seon Kyun, Lee Soo Kyung, Lee Mun Shik, and Lee Il-hwa.

I liked everybody's performance in Romantic Island. Kim Eugene's acting included. And I am not even a Kim Eugene fan.

Heartbreak Library

2009-03-28T02:50:00.005+08:00

I watched the movie Heartbreak Library starring Kim Eugene and Lee Dong Wook and frankly, I hated it. The story revolves around a young man (Lee Dong Wook) who has been spending lots of time in a public library trying to look for a message left to him by his girlfriend who deserted him. Since the young man doesn't know that the library has a photocopier, he rips off page 198 of every book he gets his hands on until he gets caught by Kim Eugene, a librarian. The vandal and the librarian formed a bond and she helps him look for the one book which will tell him his girlfriend's whereabouts. Enough said.

Heartbreak Library is one of the most boring Korean movies I watched. It was so superficial and boring that I didn't have the patience to finish it in one sitting. Oh all right, I don't like Kim Eugene but I have always been a fan of Lee Dong Wook, still, his presence in the movie didn't make a difference to me. Really, watching Heartbreak Library was a waste of time.

Another Side of Boys Before Flowers

2009-03-08T20:58:00.006+08:00

I was antsy since Wednesday as I didn't have a good Boys Before Flowers week. With Gu Hye Sun recuperating from injuries incurred from a traffic accident, the show experienced some filming delays. So instead of Episode 17 last Monday, they aired an F4 Talk Show Special. The special, while not exceptionally good, was entertaining. It was fun listening to the F4 talk about their experiences during auditions. And I especially enjoyed Kim Joon that night. He was so spontaneous.

And since I didn't quite like what happened during Episode 17 (Ha Jae Kyung is not cute anymore! Pushy!), the long wait for episodes 18 and 19 seems...unbearable? Oh well, so to lighten my mood, I checked Dramabeans for my daily dose of hallyu. And then..crap! The title of Dramabeans' blog update goes: Boys Before Flowers actress commits suicide, and here are some parts of the blog entry:

Jang Ja-yeon, one of the Boys Before Flowers‘ Jin-Sun-Mi trio of Mean Girls, was found dead in her home on March 7. Her death has been deemed suicide.

The police are still looking into the matter, but police have stated that after a first examination of the deceased’s body, there do not appear to be signs of foul play or struggle. Jang’s family does not want an autopsy, so out of respect for their wishes, none will be performed.

Jang Ja-yeon, Sunny in Boys Before Flowers, hanged herself in the apartment she shared with her sister. It was her sister who found her dead body last night, March 7. There was a mention of Jang suffering from depression. Truly shocking.

Boys Before Flowers is really making fans world-wide apprehensive and it's not just about new developments in the storyline or some improvement in the cast's acting. With the reported series of accidents involving stars Kim Bum, Gu Hye Sun, Kim Joon, and Kim Hyun Joong, avid followers of Boys Before Flowers fear for the cast and crew's safety.

Craving for Bibimbap

2009-03-03T02:41:00.009+08:00

I am so hungry right now and I want to have a large bowl of tolsot bibimbap. I went to this authentic Korean restaurant called Sigol Bap Sang last December and their bibimbap is so good! I remember how the combination of sticky rice, sauteed vegetables, fried egg, and gochujang tasted in my mouth. So delicious!

I had bibimbap a couple of times in three different restaurants but I never tried preparing it myself. I do have one of those little Korean cookbooks hidden somewhere so I might as well put it to good use. Nah, I can't cook so I'll just request somebody here at home use the cookbook in preparing simple bibimbap for me. Tee-hee!

Lee Min Ho as Goo Jun Pyo

2009-02-05T11:54:00.009+08:00

It has been more 21 days since my last blog entry here at Han Mania. Forgive me , but I was busy with my other blogs and listening to my collection of Twilight audiobooks. Anyway, despite the lack of blog updates, I have been following Boys Before Flowers without fail. I waited for the subs to be completed at Viikii and read the wonderful recaps at Dramabeans. Honestly, Mondays and Tuesdays are still my favorite days of the week.

Well, since Lee Min Ho is the hottest new Korean actor right now, you can definitely find an abundance of blog entries about him due to a growing fan base. Lee Min Ho's success and popularity is phenomenal that his profile page in DramaWiki ranks first in page results when you google his name.

Anyway, here are some tidbits about Lee Min Ho (source: DramaWiki):

Name: 이민호 / Lee Min Ho
Profession: Actor
Birthdate: 1987-Jun-22
Height: 185cm
Star sign: Cancer
Blood type: A

Dramas

Boys Before Flowers (KBS2, 2008)
But I Don't Know too (MBC, 2008)
I'm Sam as Heo Mo Se (KBS2, 2007)
Mackerel Run (SBS, 2007)
Secret Campus (EBS, 2006)
Love Hymn (MBC, 2005)

Movies

Our School E.T (2008)
Public Enemy Returns (2008)
Humming (2007)
Arang (2006)
Ghost Lives (2004)
Repechage (1997)

I have been meaning to watch some Lee Min Ho's other series and movies but apart from watching some clips of Mackerel Run at YouTube, I couldn't find any online sources. Lee Min Ho's character is so wacky and funny in Mackerel Run that at first I couldn't believe it was really him. Well, I believe this ability to breathe life into a character is what separates Lee Min Ho from other young actors.

There you go, Lee Min Ho fans. If you love this young actor so much, do not forget to watch Boys Before Flowers every Mondays and Tuesdays. They will be airing episodes 15 and 16 next week and things are really heating up. They just introduced the girl who will be Goo Jun Pyo's fiancee and I am bouncing off my seat in anticipation of the conflicts.

My Thoughts on Boys Before Flowers

2009-01-31T06:42:00.009+08:00

Mondays and Tuesdays are my favorite days of the week. The Korean version of Hana Yori Dango, Boys Before Flowers (꽃보다 남자), is broadcasted by KBS2 during the said days, that's why! Within five to six hours after the end of each episode, it is already available online. And in another day or so, the drama recaps are usually out and the subs completed. Really enough reason for me to be happy for the rest of the week.

Boys Before Flowers will be on its 9th episode already and so far the drama is really good. Addicting, in fact. Lee Min Ho is amazing as Goo Jun Pyo that I don't think anyone will disagree with me if I say that the drama revolves around him. The twenty-something actor is a good combination of good looks and acting talent. Lee Min Ho's portrayal of the Great Goo Joon Pyo is praiseworthy. Even if Boys Before Flowers is a romantic comedy, Lee Min Ho gives depth to Joon Pyo's character. Just by watching it, you instantly feel a connection with the character. Lee Min Ho, IMHO, is Doumyouji Tsukasa in the flesh.

As for Gu Hye Sun, I must admit I found her portrayal of Geum Jan Di somewhat irritating especially in scenes wherein she tries too hard to be funny. But I am slowly warming up to her after watching episodes 7 and 8 as she can be quite charming. My favorite Geum Jan Di (Gu Hye Sun ) moment has to be that hospital scene with her crying and Jun Pyo lying on the sickbed. Her expression was priceless when she realized that the F4 played a trick on her. Poor girl!

As for the rest of the F4 (Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Joon, and Kim Bum), I cannot say that I am awed by their acting skills. On second thought, judging from the episodes I watched, Kim Bum gives a rather nice portrayal of Yi Jung. The young actor has a strong screen presence. I hope to see more of Kim Bum in the coming episodes of Boys Before Flowers.

I am glad that Boys Before Flowers is a 24-episode drama because honestly, I am already saddended by the thought of it wrapping up sometime in March 2009. I hope they will immediately start filming Boys Before Flowers 2, 3, and 4 soon. Or any Korean drama. I don't really care as long as it stars Lee Min Ho, with or without the classic Goo Jun Pyo perm.

Learning Korean

2009-01-25T03:17:00.004+08:00

It is Sunday today and as I impatiently wait for episodes 7 and 8 of Boys Before Flowers and feast on Goo Jun Pyo (Lee Minho) yet again, I thought of my progress in learning the Korean language. Eversince I discovered Korean dramas, I became fascinated with the Korean language. Hearing Korean actors and actresses deliver their dialogues in Korean is simply music to my ears. In time, I became familiar with words like oppa, hyung, ajumma, agassi, ajossi, kamsahamnida, and the greeting annyong haseyo.

To finally act on my desire to learn Korean, I bought a Korean language kit ($30) for beginning and intermediate learners. The kit is part of the Teach Yourself language series and comes with an illustrated course book and two 35-minute audios cds. While the program is really comprehensive, I must admit it is not easy to teach yourself a language by listening to audio files, doing exercises, and reading a book. And so a year and a month after buying the Teach Yourself Korean language program, I barely got through the first audio cd and probably read 50 pages of the book.

Since I wanted to learn new Korean words even if I did not have the perseverance to take language learning seriously, I subscribed to two Learn Korean podcasts produced by SurvivalPhrases and KoreanClass101. I find both podcasts well-produced and I listen to their very lively audio shows using my iPod Touch regularly. KoreanClass101 also produces different lessons for newbies, beginners, and intermediate and advanced learners.

Early this month, I started using Declan Korean language software. Declan's Korean language pack includes four different softwares like ReadWrite Korean, Korean Hakgyo, Korean Dictionary, and Korean Flashcards. I have started on ReadWrite Korean and I'm currently in Lesson 8. Only four more lessons to go but I am thinking of giving it another run to really master Hangul. After learning the basics of the Korean alphabet, I can proceed to Korean Hakgyo. I already performed a trial run and so far, the interface seemed simple and the lessons fun.

I also plan to try using Rosetta Stone Korean Level 1 software. Rosetta Stone is a multimedia language software which is popular and expensive. It uses a different approach to language learning called dynamic immersion method. I hope it's any good so that I can use it with Declan's Korean language pack.

Tomorrow, I'll be having my weekly dose of Boys Before Flowers again. Since I got hooked on Lee Minho in Boys Before Flowers, Mondays and Tuesdays have become my favorite days of the week. But in the meantime, I'll have to get back to learning Korean.

Sandara Park to be Part of a Girl Group in Korea

2009-01-23T04:29:00.009+08:00

I have a piece of good news for all Sandara Park fans out there. It seems that the Philippines' Pambansang Krung-krung is all set to make it big in her beloved South Korea.

I know lots of Sandara's fans (or Parkers as they call themselves) have been terribly disappointed when she decided to move to Korea and leave the Philippine entertainment industry behind but they now have a reason to celebrate. YG entertainment will soon launch Sandara as part of a five-member girl group called SISTA.

With Sandara Park in SISTA is close friend Park Bom. Other members of SISTA are CL, Gong Min Ji, and another member whose identity is yet to be revealed.

I don't think Sandara sings that well but I want to give her the benefit of the doubt after seeing this YouTube video below.

She wasn't much of a dancer when she was still in the Philippines but if she's the girl wearing a white sash in the video, then she sure improved a lot! Furthermore, if her dancing improved by leaps and bounds then I believe it would be safe to assume that Sandara Park's singing improved as well.

Those who have watched Sandara Park perform once or twice know that although not exactly a singer by my most people's standards (although she did record a few songs), she can carry a tune. And with YG Entertainment's reputation to require their artists to undergo rigorous training before a big launch, I do have high hopes for her. And of course, she will be launched as part of a pop group so I don't think voice quality is much of a requirement. Also, I have seen some recent pics of her and I say she has become a lot prettier.

SISTA has started recording and the group's big launch is tentavely scheduled on April 2009. And considering Sandara Park do have fans in the Philippines, I hope SISTA will have a strong fan following here as well.

What do you think, Parkers?

Optimistic About Boys Before Flowers

2009-01-07T00:55:00.006+08:00

One of the few Korean entertainment blogs that I read, Dramabeans, will be doing recaps on Boys Before Flowers. I wonder how this Korean adaptation of the Manga Hana Yori Dango will fare compared to its predecessors, Taiwan's Meteor Garden and Japan's Hana Yori Dango.

I watched Hana Yori Dango and I didn't like it that much. I wanted to ditch the Japanese drama after the first few episodes and finished it wondering what's there to like about it. Same goes for Meteor Garden. But if I were made to choose between Meteor Garden and Hana Yori Dango, Meteor Garden wins over Hana Yori Dango because of the hunky male leads. The only thing I really liked in Hana Yori Dango is Makino's bento. Laird, yummmyyyy!

As for Boys Before Flowers, well, I believe that Gu Hye Sun and the rest will be able to pull it off. I'm not familiar with the male leads (maybe except for the guy from SS501) but they certainly look the part- rich, spoiled, and very good-looking.

I will be following the episode recaps of Boys Before Flowers. And I will watch it online as soon as the vids are available. In the meantime, I will have to make do with this Boys Before Flowers video clip from YouTube.

Korean Dramas I Watched

2009-01-04T20:47:00.009+08:00

It is the 4th of January as of this writing and since it has been almost nine months since I started this blog called Han Mania and two years since I started watching Korean dramas, I decided to list down all the Korean dramas I watched. And so, I racked my brain for Korean drama titles and after I came up with my tentative list of Korean dramas, I checked My Soju and Koreandrama.Org for Korean drama titles I may have missed. Below is a list of all the Korean dramas I watched these past two years (not in any particular order).

Attic Cat- Loved Kim Rae Won and Jung Da Bin here. Included in my must-watch list.
Coffee Prince- One of my faves! Loved, loved Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye here. Loved the OST! This drama led me into a Gong Yoo movie and drama marathon for weeks.
My Name is Kim Sam Soon- Another Han Mania favorite! The Hyun Bin and Kim Sun Ah tandem really worked for me. I love everything about this drama.
Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy- I just love Gong Yoo and Gong Hyo Jin here. This drama is in my must-watch list.
Wonderful Life- I am not a big fan of Kim Eugene but I loved this drama to death because of Kim Jae Won and the child actress Jung Da Bin. A bit of a tearjerker but this drama made me laugh out loud, too.
Great Inheritance- As usual, Kim Jae Won's hot in this drama. He proved that he can play the role of a gangster-cum-schoolteacher to a T.
Soulmate- I just finished watching this drama! Cleverly written and well-executed! I love Shin Dong Wook!
Lovers in Paris- I enjoyed Kim Jung Eun and Park Shin Yang's performance.
Lovers- I loved Lee Seo Jin here. Don't know why, Korean gangster dramas seem cool to me. At least those I watched, though.
Korea Secret Agency- I'll watch this drama for Eric Mun alone.
Super Rookie- This drama is fun to watch. Eric Mun as Kang Ho is really funny here.
Que Sera Sera- I loved this drama for its depth. Eric Mun showed another side of himself as an actor in Que Sera Sera. I would recommend this drama for those who want to do away with romantic comedies for a while. Simply intense without being overwhelming.
Vineyard Man- One of the so-so dramas I watched. It is funny but I know I've had better.
Goong (Princess Hours)- I liked Goong but I would have liked it better if Yoon Eun Hye ended up with Kim Jeong Hoon. I just don't get Joo Ji Hoon.
I'm Sorry, I Love You- This drama is really sad but it featured brilliant acting by So Ji Sub and Lim Soo Jung.
Let's Go to School, Sang-doo!- You'll love Bi here. He will make you laugh and cry.
A Love to Kill- One of Bi's best dramas for me. A Love to Kill is a dark drama with a sad ending but I liked it.
Full House- Full House is definitely in my must-watch list. Heck, even my boyfriend loves this Korean drama. Bi and Song Hye Kyo are lovable in Full House.
Snow Queen- Snow Queen is not one of my favorite dramas but you will see another side of Hyun Bin here.
One Fine Day- I only watched this drama because of Gong Yoo and I didn't even like him that much here. Maybe it's the hair. I don't know. The acting is still great, though.
Romance- If you dig May-December love affairs, then you'll appreciate Romance. Kim Jae Won is as cute as ever and Kim Ha Neul is, well, okay?
My Girl- Another Han Mania favorite! I just can't get enough of Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook in My Girl. They look so good together. This drama is a must-watch.
I Really, Really Like You- Lee Min Ki is great in this drama but there's something about Kim Eugene that turns me off.
Three Dads, One Mom- I watched a couple of episodes of this drama and I didn't have the patience to finish all 16 episodes of it. Kim Eugene's acting is irritating. And Jae Hee's talent is really wasted in this drama.
Sweet 18- This is another so-so drama for me. Han Ji Hye is cute as a button but I was never a big Lee Dong Gun fan.
9 End, 2 Outs- Or 2 Outs in the 9th Inning. I think this is one of the most underrated Korean dramas ever. Sue Ae and Lee Jung Jin (that other guy in Love Story in Harvard) will melt your hearts in this modern romantic comedy.
Ireland- If not for Hyun Bin, I wouldn't even watch this drama. And I still think it was a waste of time.
Cloud Stairs- As much as possible, I try to avoid "sad" Korean dramas but I had to watch Cloud Stairs because of Shin Dong Wook.
Delightful Girl Chun Yang- Jae Hee and Han Chae Young! I loved both in this drama. Even the OST rocks!
Only You- Quite enjoyable. Especially with Han Chae Young's pretty face.
Yellow Handkerchief- Now, this is not for those who are looking for romantic comedies. This drama is serious. Lee Tae Ran's performance is applaudable here.
A Rosy Life- This is a certified tearjerker. RIP, Choi Jun Shil.
Gourmet- I thought I wouldn't have the patience to finish this drama because Nam Sang Mi's acting is so irritating; seemed to me she had too much of caffeine. But Kim Rae Won's acting was so good that I just had to see him succeed.
Hello, Miss!- This is a waste. And to think I so love Lee Da Hae.
Love Story in Harvard- Just okay for me. The story and the acting might have been good but Kim Rae Won's english is aaaarrggghhh.
Which Star Are You From?- This is in my must-watch list. Good acting by Kim Rae Won and Jeong Ryeo Won. Because both actors can really cry, I cried buckets, too.
My Love Patzzi- Fun. You can't go wrong with Kim Rae Won, Jang Nara, and Kim Jae Won.
Robbers- Skip this. Sure, this drama stars Jang Hyuk and Lee Dae Hae but that's all there is to it.
My Sister-in-Law is 19- Funny with a number of heart-wrenching scenes. You will love Jung Da Bin, Yoon Kye Sang, and Kim Jae Won here. Really worth watching.
Successful Story of a Bright Girl- Not exactly one of my favorites but this drama is quite enjoyable. It stars Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara.
Thank You- This is in my must-watch list. Although I am not that into family dramas, Thank You is one of my favorite Korean dramas as Gong Hyo Jin, Jang Hyuk, and Seo Shin Ae were brilliant in this drama. And oh, this Korean drama will make you crave for chocopie.
Witch Yoo Hee- This drama is okay. I just watched this for Jae Hee anyway.
Who Are You?- You will love Yoon Kye Sang here. Just don't mind Go Ara's half-baked acting in some scenes. At least her pretty face can make up for it.
Breathless- I wouldn't recommend this drama. Not even for Eric Mun fans.
La Dolce Vita- While the actors really did well in this drama, I'm not cut out to watch true-blue tearjerkers especially if I have to endure 24 episodes of it. I managed to finish 13 episodes before I decided to give up altogether. I don't think I'll have the strength to go through 11 more episodes of sadness.

Before I started making the list above, I knew I have watched a number of Korean dramas but I never thought I totaled 44 Korean dramas. If an average Korean drama has 16 1-hour episodes, then I spent more than 703 hours (or 29.333 days) watching Korean dramas. And considering I have watched my favorite Korean dramas at least three times....Oh well, I already mentioned I am really into Korean dramas, didn't I? 'Nuff said.

I'm Sorry, Hyun Bin

2008-12-11T00:02:00.010+08:00

I tried to watch The World They Live In but I just couldn't get past the fourth episode. The two leads, Hyun Bin and Song Hye Kyo, are goodlooking as ever but the storyline is just, well, bland.

I'm very disappointed since this is Hyun Bin's comeback role. If I am not mistaken, he was last seen in The Snow Queen which he co-starred with Sung Yuri. Watching The World They Live In was like watching Robbers (starring Jang Hyuk and Lee Da Hae). My expectations were high and yet I just couldn't bring myself to really feel the story after the first few epsiodes. But I managed to finish watching Robbers. As for The World They Live In, well...

And so to cheer myself up, I searched YouTube for My Name is Kim Sam Soon videos to remind me of the Hyun Bin I have come to admire. Check out one of the videos below. And listen to the song. You just might like it.

Another Thing I Really Like About Coffee Prince

2008-12-10T19:35:00.004+08:00

I watched a couple of episodes of the television drama Coffee Prince (for the nth time, that is) and I cannot help but notice that Han Kyul, the character Gong Yoo played, lived in a very nice rooftop apartment. His apartment is anything but sprawling. In fact, it is just large enough for one or two occupants. But the home furnishings were so carefully chosen that I wouldn't mind owning a place like that.

The apartment, with it's neat minimalist home decor, was perfect for urban living. A comfortable medium-sized bed in one corner of the room was space-saving as it can be tucked into a hollow space within the wall. Neat! Even the no-frills decor is tastefully done. The beddings, pillows, and linens are all white and inviting.

In one of the scenes, Han Kyul prepared breakfast for Eun Chan in his rather spacious kitchen. I was rather envious of his state-of-the-art appliances, especially the refrigerator. Although I'm not good at preparing meals, to work in a well-stocked kitchen will surely motivate me to at least cook from time to time!

I'll have to really save up for at least 10 years to live like Han Kyul. It would surely be pure bliss to live in an apartment like that, don't you think?

The World They Live In

2008-10-28T20:10:00.006+08:00

It has been two weeks since I last posted an entry here at Han Mania. And imagine my delight when I learned from Dramabeans that the first episode of the Korean television drama The World They Live In (Worlds Within) was aired yesterday, October 27.

The World They Live In stars Hyun Bin (My Name is Kim Sam Soon) and Song Hye Kyo (Full House). I have high hopes for this drama as I like both actors.

Aaahh, another Korean television series to follow. And to think I'm not even past episode 4 of Kim Rae Won's Gourmet yet.

Image Credit: My Daily

Eric Mun Off to the Military

2008-10-12T15:19:00.005+08:00

Eric Mun, 29, started his military duty last October 9, 2008. Eric is the first member of the k-pop group Shinhwa to do so.

Eric will be assigned to a desk job owing to a hip and ankle injury due to an accident he met while filming MBC's Wolf two years ago.

Eric Mun was last seen in the KBS2 drama Stongest Chil Woo which aired from June 17 to August 19, 2008.

More Korean Celebrity Suicides

2008-10-08T23:56:00.007+08:00

And when I thought that it will be a long time before I hear another report about a Korean celebrity suicide, two other celebrities decided to end their lives just like actor Ahn Jae Hwan and My Rosy Life star Choi Jin Shil did. Ahn was found dead in his car last September 8. His friend Choi Jin Shil hanged herself on October 2, 2008.

Two other Korean celebrities committed suicide within the last few days. Transgender Korean television personality Jang Chae Won, 26, was found dead in an apparent suicide case on October 3. Three days after Jang's demise, the Korean entertainment world lost another celebrity in the person of 23-year-old actor and model Kim Ji Hoo to suicide. Kim Ji Hoo was part of MBC's Before and After Plastic Surgery.

In 2005, Korean actress Lee Eun Ju, 25, committed suicide due to depression. Two years after that, Attic Cat star Jung Da Bin and popstar Yuni suffered a similar fate.

What can I say? This is sad. Tragic, in fact. Whatever it is that drove them to give up, I hope that they have finally found peace.

Another Korean Celebrity Commits Suicide

2008-10-04T16:15:00.006+08:00

It is a pity that Korean star Choi Jin Shil ended her life last October 2, 2008. She was reported to have been found dead by her family at 6:15 am the same day.

I watched My Rosy Life a couple of years ago and I say the Korean entertainment scene lost one of its better dramatic actresses. My Rosy Life garnered high ratings when it was shown over KBS2 three years ago.

Choi Jin Shil must've been really depressed over allegations accusing her of driving Ahn Jae Hwan to commit suicide. Although she vehemently denied lending Ahn Jae Hwan money, rumours have been circulating pinpointing her as one of Ahn Jae-hwan's creditors.

Choi Jin Shil was last seen in the MBC drama The Last Scandal of My Life. She is survived by a son and daughter, aged 7 and 5 respectively.

Classic Kimchi Recipe

2008-09-24T23:19:00.010+08:00

Kimchi is one of my favorite foods. From an appetizer, it gradually became a mealtime staple for me. I have it with anything-- noodles, fish, eggs, vegetables, chicken, rice, or even oatmeal.

Not too long ago, I bought kimchi by the jar. This practice proved too costly for me as I paid approximately $3.60 (Php160) for each medium-sized jar. And to think one jar of kimchi barely lasted three days!

My father suggested that we make kimchi at home so that we can have our fill of it without straining our monthly budget. And so using a recipe that was given to my father by his Korean friend, we tried our hand at whipping up our version of homemade kimchi. The finished product tastes so good that I just have to share the recipe here:

Classic Cabbage Kimchi Recipe

1 large Chinese Cabbage (about 1 ½ kg)
3 liters (12 cups) water
250 g sea salt or coarse salt

Stuffing

500 g radish, ( peeled and cut into thin strips)
7 tbsps. Korean chili powder (gochugaru)
10 cloves garlic, minced 4 tbsps.
Minced fresh ginger root
250 ml (1 cup) fish sauce
1 onion, finely grated
1 bunch spring onions, cut into lengths

Preparation:

1. Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and halve it lengthwise. Rub a handful of salt between all the leaves. Set aside. (note: we tried slicing the cabbage into 2-cm lengths since it is hard to find large heads of Chinese cabbage these days. Looks and tastes the same.)

2. Combine the water with remaining salt in a large pot and stir until salt is dissolved. Soak the cabbage for 3- 6 hrs. Drain and briefly rinse the cabbage with water, allowing it to retain some of the salt water.

3. Prepare the stuffing by combining the radish and chili powder in a large bowl and mix well. Add all the other ingredients and mix well.

4. Separate the leaves of the cabbage and spread some of the stuffing between each, make sure that the cabbage leaves are coated with stuffing on both sides. (we tried putting the sliced cabbage and all the ingredients for the stuffing in a large mixing bowl and toss everything like we would a large bowl of vegetable salad)

5. Place the stuffed cabbage leaves in an airtight container and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours before storing in the refrigerator. The kimchi will keep for 3 weeks if refrigerated. (my father prefers to leave everything in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days before refrigerating)

We always have jars of kimchi in the refrigerator now. When I crave for spicy food and it is too late to have somebody cook something for me, I mix some kimchi with leftover rice, a few drops of sesame oil, and fried egg to enjoy my own version of kimchi bokkumbap. Takes less than 5 minutes to prepare but surely tastes as good as the real thing! Yummy!

Actor Kim Jae Won Says Goodbye to Korean Fans

2008-09-15T23:52:00.009+08:00

Actor Kim Jae Won won't be seen in Korea for a while as he will be leaving for China sometime this week. Known for his dazzling smile and boyish good looks, Kim Jae Won will start filming the Chinese television drama First Love.

As a big fan of Kim Jae Won, I am delighted for this comeback as his latest television drama, Hwang JinYi, was aired via KBS2 two years ago (this, I still have to watch). I just hope that First Love will be as good as his earlier dramas Wonderful Life and Great Inheritance

And so for those who are saddened by the actor's departure, here is a Jolin Tsai music video from YouTube. It's called Agent J and it features the Kim Jae Won we adore (Hurray!).

Video: YouTube
Image: Asia Economy

Kim Jae Won

2008-09-10T06:02:00.009+08:00

After enjoying dramas like My Love Patzzi, My Sister-in-law is 19, Great Inheritance, Romance, and Wonderful Life, I have to feature Korean actor Kim Jae Won's profile here at Han Mania. I have to say that the actor, popular for his dazzling smile and boyish good looks, shows a lot of maturity in his acting despite having debuted only in 2001.

Among Kim Jae Won's dramas, my favorite picks are Great Inheritance and Wonderful Life. In both dramas, Kim Jae Won shows an amazing onscreen chemistry with his co-stars escpecially children. You will definitely love him as an irresponsible father in Wonderful Life and as a gangster-cum-teacher in Great Inheritance.

And so to all of Kim Jae Won's fans, here are some facts about your favorite Korean actor:

Real Name: Kim Jae Won
Profession: Actor and model
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Birthdate: Feruary 18, 1981
Education: Sangmyung University (acting major)
Religion: Christianity

Movies

Shoeshine Boy (2006)
100 Days with Mr. Arrogant (2003)
Coming Out (2000)

Dramas

Hwang Jin Yi (2006)
Great Inheritance (2006)
Wonderful Life (2005)
My Sister-in-law is 19 (2004)
Beijing My Love (2004)
Alcohol Land (2003)
Romance (2002)
Rival (2002)
My Love Patzzi (2002)
Honey Honey (2001)
Wuri's Family (2001)

Kim Jae Won has an acting degree from Sangmyung University and is currently a talent of TJ Management.

Korean Superstar Rain Stars in SK Telecom CF

2008-09-04T11:24:00.007+08:00

Finally, something on Rain I can blog about. Hoo-hah!

I was so happy when I found this video on YouTube. This SK Telecom CF showcases Rain in his cutest form -- minus the hype, outrageous wardrobe, and shaved eyebrows.

Watch Bi dupe his friend into believing that he is in a sauna when in fact he's just at home enjoying a steaming bowlful of ramen.

Naughty, naughty!

Wonderful Life

2008-08-28T23:04:00.010+08:00

A couple of days ago, I watched the Korean drama Wonderful Life on a whim and actually liked it for the following reasons:

Kim Jae Won as Han Seung Wan, the irresponsible father of Han Shin Bi, is just adorable. Kim Jae Won acts so naturally that at certain scenes, he is even more childish than the child actress without overdoing it. He is really fun to watch especially when he dons the bear costume to comfort the very sick Shin Bi.
Jung Da Bin as Han Shin Bi is just brilliant. I wonder where the child star gets the inspiration. She has the ability to make viewers laugh and cry at the same time.
The drama has a happy ending. Although Wonderful Life has all the elements of a tearjerker and a tragic drama -- loveless marriage, unresolved past relationships, and illness within the family-- the drama ends leaving viewers happy and smiling.

Kim Eugene stars as the hardworking and good-natured Jung Se Jin (Shin Bi's mother and Seung Wan's wife). Other stars include Lee Ji Hoon and Han Eun Jung.

Hyun Bin

2008-08-24T19:47:00.009+08:00

I instantly liked Hyun Bin when I watched My Name is Kim Sam Soon. In fact, I liked his performance as the young restaurateur Hyun Jin-heon so much that I immediately researched on his television dramas and movies. I also searched online korean entertainment sites and forums for news and information on the actor.

And so for the many Hyun Bin fans out there, here are some facts about your favorite celebrity:

Name: Hyun Bin
Real name: Kim Tae Pyung (Gim Tae Pyeong)
Profession: Actor and model
Birthdate: September 25, 1982
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Height: 184cm
Weight: 74kg
Star sign: Libra
Blood type: B

Movies

A Millionaire's First Love (2006)
Daddy Long Legs (2006)
Spin Kick (2002)
Shower (2002)

Dramas

Friend, The Untold Story (2009)
The World That They Live In (2008)
The Snow Queen (2006)
My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005)
Ireland (2004)
Nonstop 4 (2003)
Bodyguard (2003)

Out of the movies and dramas listed above, I was able to watch My Name is Kim Sam Soon, The Snow Queen, Ireland, Daddy Log Legs, and A Millionaire's First Love. I liked Hyun Bin best in my name is Kim Sam Soon. He showed very good acting in The Snow Queen and Ireland but the storyline is just too depressing for comfort. A Millionaire's First love, one of his movies, was just okay for me. And although I did watch Daddy Long Legs, I had a hard time recognizing him as his role was just a cameo one.

Hyun Bin will be appearing in The World That They Live In sometime this year. His fans are so excited because it has been two years since he last appeared in a drama and because he will be paired with the very pretty and equally popular Song Hye Kyo of the Full House fame.

Hyun Bin is also slated to appear in another drama entitled Friend, The Untold Story in 2009.

Actor Gong Yoo Mourns Death of Friend Lee Eon

2008-08-24T13:53:00.007+08:00

Actor Gong Yoo was able to pay his last respects to friend and Coffee Prince co-star Lee Eon last August 23.

Gong Yoo and Lee Eon worked together via the trendy drama Coffee Prince in 2007. Gong Yoo was Coffee Prince's Choi Han Kyul while Lee Eon played the role of Hwang Min Yeop, one of Hang Kyul's employees.

Gong Yoo is currently on his 7th month in the military. He started his mandatory military service last January 14, 2008.

Lee Eon

2008-08-23T15:55:00.008+08:00

I have to make another Korean celebrity profile today and I believe the rightful spot belongs to the Korean model-turned-actor Lee Eon who passed away last Thursday, August 21.

As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, I liked Lee Eon's performance in Coffee Prince where he played one of Choi Han Kyul's (played by korean actor Gong Yoo) employees. Lee Eon was so dumb, funny, and incredibly sweet as Hwang Min Yeop and I can't help but laugh each time he tried to protect Go Eun Chan-- played by actress Yoon Eun Hye-- from Han Kyul. Ahh, the lovable brute Hwang Min Yeop was!

So, for all Lee Eon's fans who will be missing him terribly, here are some facts on the actor:

Name: Lee Eon
Real name: Park Sang-min
Profession: Actor and model
Birthdate: 1981-Feb-05
Date of death: 2008-Aug-21
Height: 188cm
Weight: 77kg
Star sign: Aquarius

Dramas

Strongest Chil Woo (2008)
Who Are You? (2008)
The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince (2007)
When Spring Comes (2007)

Movie

Like a Virgin (2006)

Ahh, I will be watching Strongest Chil Woo, a drama Lee Eon co-stars with Eric Mun, as soon as I get a copy of the dvd. Incidentally, the korean drama wrapped up last August 20, the day before Lee Eon died in a motorcycle accident.

Note: Image from Dramawiki

Coffee Prince and Stongest Chil Woo Star, Lee Eon, Dies at 27

2008-08-22T22:14:00.011+08:00

Imagine my shock when I found out that Lee Eon died yesterday, August 21. The 27-year old actor just finished the drama KBS drama Strongest Chil Woo and was on his way home from a gathering with Stongest Chil Woo co-stars when the motocycle he was riding crashed in Hanam-dong.

I really laughed at his antics as the simple-minded Hwang Min Yeop in Coffee Prince. It is a pity that the model-turned-actor leaves this world tragically and at a very young age at that.

Funeral service for Lee Eon will be on Saturday, August 23.

Jang Hyuk

2008-08-19T01:28:00.011+08:00

The whole time I took a long break from blogging, I kept myself busy by watching dramas and movies starring the Korean actor Jang Hyuk. This 30-something native of Busan has been in showbusiness since 1996 and has starred in the following dramas and movies:

Name: Jang Hyuk
Real name: Jeon Yong Joon
Professon: Actor
Birthdate: December 20, 1976

Movies

2008: Dance of the Dragon
2004: S-Diary
2004: Windstruck
2003: Please Teach Me English
2002: Public Toilet
2002: Jungle Juice
2001: Volcano High
1998: Zzang

Dramas

2007 SBS: Robber/Thief
2007 MBC: Thank You
2002 SBS: The Great Ambition
2002 SBS: Joyful Girl's Success Story/My Fair Lady
2000 The Wang Rung Family
1999 MBC: Into the Sunlight
1999 KBS: School Love Love
1996 SBS: Model

I enjoyed wathching Thank You, Robbers, Windstruck, Joyful Girl's Success Story, and Please Teach Me English. My personal fave, however, is the k-drama Thank You. Jang Hyuk as Dr. Min Gi Seo is simply amazing. He is awesome throughout the drama-- all 16 epidoes of it!

Jang Hyuk completed his mandatory military service in 2006. On June 2008, four months after the birth of their first child, he married Kim Yeo Jin, his long-time girlfriend.

Jang Hyuk's new drama, Tazza, will be aired on SBS sometime this September.

GMA's Ako Si Kim Sam Soon Sucks

2008-07-02T00:31:00.015+08:00

I am a big fan of My Name is Kim Sam Soon so I had high hopes for Ako Si Kim Sam Soon, the Philippine version currently aired by GMA. I think what gave me the false impression that the Philippine remake of my favorite Korean romantic comedy will be good - to say the least- is that Regine Velasquez plays the role of the heroine. I saw some of Regine's movies and she can be really funny. And then came the first and second episodes...

I say GMA did such a horrible job in their attempt to give Kim Sam Soon a Filipino heart and soul (as they unabashedly claim in their website). Methinks the executive producer, the director, the scriptwriter, the stylist, and even the makeup artist are sleeping on the job.

I was so appalled as I sat throughout Ako Si Kim Sam Soon's pilot episode. In fact, I hate everything about it . Kim Sam Soon looks like she picked her wig out of the garbage dump. And her makeup is ghastly, to say the least. Where in the world will you find somebody in a housedress wearing gold eye makeup? The first few episodes also portrayed her as a nonsensical, gullible, and glutonous person. Her relationship with Harvey (played by Wendell Ramos) was also made to appear like a product of a one-night stand. I mean, wtf?

And even Cyrus (the role of Hyun Bin in the original version), played by Mark Anthony Fernandez, was not spared. Instead of being the decisive, haughty, and handsome restaurateur, GMA transformed him into a cowardly, indecisive, and bumbling mama's boy who looks like he has been putting on a lot of his mom's lipstick.

Lastly, I think the people behind Ako Si Kim Sam Soon forgot that the drama is not about a stupid fat girl who happens to snag a good-for-nothing rich kid. It is about a woman of strength who tries to win life's battles despite the pressures of society. It is also about family, interpersonal relationships, and other ties that bind people together.

In my opinion, Ako Si Kim Sam Soon is not the Philippine adaptation of My Name is Kim Sam Soon. If the first two episodes are an indication of its worth, it is nothing but an awful distorted version of the Korean drama.

Geez, what an embarassment.

Lovers in Paris: A Modern-Day Cinderella Story

2008-06-28T19:36:00.012+08:00

Alas, although four years late, I finished watching Lovers in Paris starring Kim Jung Eun, Park Shin Yang, and Lee Dong Gun. I finished all 20 episodes of Lovers in Paris and it was okay for me. I found the scenes quite enjoyable despite its very typical modern-day Cinderella theme.

Kim Jung Eun's character is, as usual, funny and spunky but I think what made me finish the drama was Park Shin Yang. His performance as Han Ki-joo, the stiff CEO of GD Motors, was by far the best in the drama. It was so sincere that I felt Han Ki-joo's pain and anguish each time he asked Kang Tae-young (played by Kim Jung Eun) not to give up on their love despite what happens. My heart really melted when he was telling his sister/mom about the kind of pain he was feeling when Kang Tae-young broke up with him. Furthermore, I also couldn't stop myself from laughing each time he mentioned Piggy-- their fat, red piggybank. His concern for it can be likened to a father's concern for his offspring. Hehe.

Lee Dong Gun's performance as the bratty and very insecure Yoon Soo-hyuk is also worth mentioning. I think Lee Dong Gun did a very good job with Soo-hyuk's character. His performance is so convincing that I rooted for him during the first few episodes, hated him for hours on end, and truly felt sorry for him by the end of the drama.

Lastly, although I found Lovers in Paris' ending abrupt, I am still giving it the thumbs-up for it is also surprising and refreshing at the same time. I am not about to give spoilers for those who haven't watched the drama yet so for those interested, just watch the drama . Lovers in Paris may not be one of my personal favorites but it is definitely worth watching.

K-Horror, Lovers, and Lovers in Paris

2008-06-26T22:10:00.016+08:00

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, I watched Memento Mori and Bunshinsaba. As expected in South Korean horror movies, vindication for the sufferings of the characters is the main theme for both films.

Bunshinsaba (Ouija Board) is a 2004 horror film written and directed by Ahn Byeong Ki. It is about two souls haunting a village seeking revenge and vindication 30 years after they were brutally murdered.

Although not as scary as Ahn Byeong Ki Phone , I give Bunshinsaba the thumbs-up for creatively utilizing ouija boards, long-haired female ghosts, and eerie campuses to give the movie a more traditional horror 'feel'.

Memento Mori (Remember the Dead), on the other hand, is a 1999 South Korean horror film which depicts lesbian teenage characters. It is about a female high school student who commits suicide to prove her love to her girl friend and whose ghost wreaks havoc in her school. There's nothing spectacular about the plot but some scenes were really scary especially those shot inside a women's comfort room. Do watch Memento Mori if you really want to know what I am talking about. Hehe.

On a side note, I am taking a break from watching K-horror films as I am currently watching Lovers in Paris starring Kim Jung Eun, Park Shin Yang, and Lee Dong Gun. I know I am four years late but I believe that it's better late than never. I hope to finish the series in a week's time as I am taking it real slow. I do not want my tendinitis to act up again so I have to be contented with watching 1 or 2 episodes of Lovers in Paris before hitting the sack at night.

Incidentally, ABS-CBN just wrapped up Lovers starring real-life lovers Kim Jung Eun and Lee Seo Jin. Considering that it has been almost three months since Lovers started airing in the Philippines, I assume it fared well in the Philippine television ratings game to be shown in its entirety.

Loving K-Horror

2008-06-14T12:17:00.016+08:00

I don't know what's gotten into me lately but I took close to a week's respite from blogging. I took some time off to pursue yet another enjoyable aspect of my K-obsession-- watching K-horror.

K-horror simply means Korean horror films. K-horror movies focus on the sufferings and anguish of the characters, usually souls seeking revenge and vindication, and lacks that mythological touch found in Filipino horror films.

These past few days, I watched Wishing Stairs, Whispering Corridors, 4 Horror Tales, and A Tale of Two Sisters. I can't say I was spooked breathless but these films have shock value in their own right, that is. I mean, anyone watching horror films alone with the lights off should at least be spooked by one or two scenes, eh? But if I have to take a pick, A Tale of Two Sisters bags this week's Fright Night Award--scary, twisted, and one of the more 'intelligent' k-horror films.

Of all the Korean horror films I watched, Phone (Pon) is by far the scariest of them all. This 2002 South Korean horror film starring Ha Ji Won and Kim Yu Mi and directed by Ahn Byeong Ki. If you dig ghosts playing Moonlight Sonata, then you might just enjoy Phone as I did.

I researched on K-horror film titles and Wikipedia provided me with this rather long list. So for those who are NOT faint-hearted , here goes:

301, 302
Acacia
Antarctic Journal
APT
Arang
Bloody Beach
Bunshinsaba
Cello
Cinderella
Doll Master
Evil Twin
Face
The Ghost
H
Hansel and Gretel
The Host
Into the Mirror
Memento Mori
Muoi: The Legend of a Portrait
Nightmare
Phone
The Quiet Family
R-Point
The Record
The Red Shoes
Redeye
The Ring Virus
Save the Green Planet!
Say Yes
Sorum
The Soul Guardians
Someone behind you
Spider Forest
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
A Tale of Two Sisters
Tell Me Something
Three ("Memories" segment)
Three... Extremes ("Cut" segment)
To Sir, with Love
Unborn But Forgotten
The Uninvited
Voice
The Wig
Wishing Stairs
Whispering Corridors

As of this writing, I am set to watch Memento Mori and Bunshinsaba. I hope both are really scary. Tee-hee!

Eric Mun as Strongest Chil Woo

2008-06-07T06:16:00.010+08:00

Eric Mun will be seen in Strongest Chil Woo, a sageuk drama which will premier on June 9 via KBS2. Much has been written about the plot and cast of Strongest Chil Woo but I wasn't ecstatic, really. I come from a tropical country and with most of my days and nights spent in a sweltering room, please excuse me for cringing at the thought of having to watch Korean actors and actresses in layers of traditional Korean garb.

However, I am thankful that I recently signed up with ShinHwaChangJo.net. Sheesh, the site is a haven for Eric Mun (and Shinwha) fans like me. One of active forum posters left a link for a clip of Strongest Chil Woo on YouTube and I was totally blown over like rifraff at the heart of a tornado. The teaser convinced me to watch the drama as Eric looked so hawt in it. He looks so good enough to eat for breakfast with that endearing smirk of his. LOL.

In Strongest Chil Woo, Eric plays the role of Kang Chil Woo, a lowly court officer by day and a bad-assed assassin during nighttime. Basing on what's written in DramaWiki, I think Chil Woo is a cross between Robin Hood and Zorro, sageuk-style. On a side note, I wonder why writers always choose the last name Kang for Eric's characters. He was Kang Ho in Super Rookie and Kang Choi in Korea secret Agency. I'm not Korean so I don't know if Kang is specially significant in Korean. If you know something I don't, please enlighten me.

Also part of the cast are Gu Hye Sun, Lee Eon, and Kim Byul. Gu Hye Sun will play the role of So Yoon, Chil Woo's love interest in this comedic historical drama. Lucky girl.

My Take on Korea Secret Agency and Diary of June

2008-05-24T20:03:00.009+08:00

It has been a week since my last post and during that week-long respite, I watched a Korean drama and a movie--all starring Eric Mun.

In Korea Secret Agency (Invisible Parachute Agent), Eric Mun plays the role of Kang Choi, a slacker, who, by sheer luck finds himself employed by the Korea Secret Agency. Eric is quite credible in his role as a secret agent who became a fugitive on false accusations. I also found a lot of scenes funny especially that scene in which he had to resort to baby talk in order to sleep in the same room with love interest Gong Ju Yeon, played by actress Han Ji Min. Eric Mun is so cute in this drama that I have to share this video clip of KSA from YouTube.

I also watched Diary of June (Bystanders), a 2005 Korean movie Eric Mun co-starred with actress Sin Eun Kyeong. Diary of June is a police thriller with a social relevance and a hint of humour. In this movie, Eric played the role of a carefree detective who helps his senior track down a serial killer. Eric's performance here is not in any way outstanding, his role being a supporting one, but Eric sure has his own brand of making his presence felt onscreen. Oh well, Eric Mun is Eric Mun. He can just sit quietly in a corner and still be charming as ever. Below is the official trailer of Diary of June I found in YouTube.

Korea Secret Agency and Diary of June are not at the top of my must-watch list but both are highly-entertaining. If you are an Eric Mun fan, well, the fact that Eric Mun appears in both should be compelling enough for you to include watching Korea Secret Agency and Diary of June in your to-do list.

Eric Mun as Super Rookie

2008-05-17T14:27:00.007+08:00

I had been really busy this past week or so but I had the time to watch Super Rookie (all 20 episodes). The drama, methinks, is worth watching although Eric Mun is not his usual hawt self here but being so doesn't make him less endearing.

Playing the role of Kang Ho, the intellectually challenged worker who inadvertently lands a job in the prestigious LK Corporation due to a computer error, Eric Mun was cute. I never thought that he could play the role of a dimwit with flying colors. Indeed, there were a lot of scenes when I had stop myself from crying out loud as Kang Ho, with matching open-mouth and wide-eyed innocence, figured in very embarassing situations. Still, the drama's hero, through luck, sheer bravado, and the help of his friends, was victorious despite the many challenges he faced, including the love of Lee Ok, the naturally beautiful Han Ga In.

I won't give out the details, but I will leave you with this video of Eric Mun strutting his stuff on the dancefloor. If you like this particular clip, then you might want to watch Super Rookie. I guarantee it will be a refreshing treat.

Finally Done With The Vineyard Man

2008-05-04T13:31:00.011+08:00

I almost shelved my copy of The Vineyard Man starred by Yoon Eun Hye and Oh Man Suk. I had to reason to myself that I can't write an honest review on the series if I won't give myself a benchmark of at least an episode per day. But mind you, I even had a hard time complying with my own very lenient requirement.:)

The storyline of this adaptation of the book The Vineyard Man (written by Kim Rang) is very, very simple. It is about a city girl's (mis)adventures in her grandfather's very laid-back vineyard. Of course, to make her life more colorful, she has to spend months in the company of a farm-bred mentor whom she despises.

What I think made the series bordering on the unbearable for me is the fact that close to 6 episodes were spent on establishing how the heroine Lee Hyi Jun (played by Yoon Eun Hye) had a hard time adjusting to her new life as a farmhand. The endless arguments between Jun and Lee Hyi Jun and Jang Taek-gi about the former's adjustment to farm work and simple living is cute and funny but try watching the exchange for hours and you'll get bored sooner than I did.

Fortunately, the scriptwriter and director were enlightened in the middle of the drama and they decided to spice things up a little bit by bringing in love interests for the lead characters. As expected, Hyi Jun and Taek-gi begin to notice each other and so the infamous love polygon is formed, obviously. This very predictable development made the drama tolerable starting episode 9 until the happy ending.

Acting-wise, I think Yoon Eun Hye did a great job with her role as Lee Hyi Jun, a designer-turned-farmhand. She is really funny and cute with all her antics and in my opinion, the whole production team would've packed up if not for her big name attached to the drama. It pays to have an A-list star as part of the cast, eh?

As for Oh Man Suk, I really like the guy's portrayal of the farmer Jang Taek-gi. He sounded, acted, and looked every bit the farmhand that I had a hard time imagining him in a different setting. In fact, when the pretty city-girl Lee Hyi Jun fell in love with the nondescript Jang Taek-gi, I thought she must've really loved him if she managed to look beyond his looks. Both characters also cracked me up when they performed a song-and-dance number during a local festival (see clip of Episode 11 below). So embarassingly cute!

All things considered, The Vineyard Man is not in my must-watch list but if you are an indiscriminate lover of romantic comedies, you might as well give it a try. It is also refreshing to watch Yoon Eun Hye pre-Coffee Prince--long hair with long legs to boot!

Eric Mun-Yoon Eun Hye-Kim Jong Kook Love Triangle?

2008-04-29T06:55:00.007+08:00

This Xman video really cracked me up. I really dig how Xman explored the love triangle involving Eric Mun, Yoon Eun Hye, and Kim Jong Kook. Dang, watching the love exchange between Eric and Eun Hye gave me goosebumps! Eric Mun is so hawt! Even Yoon Eun Hye can't resist his animalistic appeal. By jove, you can almost feel the anticipation that gripped everyone in the show!:)

I also like Kim Jong Kook for being a good sport despite the very awkward situation he was in. Watch out for Jong Kook's really funny one-liners. Jong Kook saying, "The ending is that both of them (Eric and Eun Hye) will die in my hands", is my favorite!

Korean variety shows are really something. Xman rocks!!!

Currently Into Eric Mun

2008-04-28T15:41:00.009+08:00

I recently finished watching Que Sera Sera and I liked Eric Mun instantly. Why not? Eric Mun is a fine young actor with really, really good looks. Indeed, he rendered a remarkable performance in Que Sera Sera as the egotistical heartthrob Kang Tae-joo.

Another good thing about this demigod is that he is not afraid to shed off his hotness for the sake of a good project, be it drama or otherwise. I am currently watching Super Rookie so I have an idea of how dorky he can be if the role calls for it.

For those who want to know about Eric Mun, here are some facts that I gathered:

Eric's real name is Mun Chong Hyok
This singer, actor, and model was born on February 16, 1979 making him 29 as of this writing
Eric stands 180 cm (making almost 5'11") and weighs 71 kg.
His blood type is B
He is the last among 2 girls and 1 boy
He likes to play instruments and listen to music
He has a degree in Theatre from Dongguk University
He speaks really good english as he grew up in Fullerton, California
He is the leader/rapper if the k-pop group Shinwha
His tv dramas include:

Stongest Chilwoo (2008)
Que Sera Sera (2007)
Korea Secret Agency (2006)
Super Rookie (2005)
Phoenix/Bulsae (2004)
Banjun Drama (2004)
Breathless (2003)

Eric's movies include: Diary of June (2005), Bittersweet Life (2005), and Emergency Act 19 (2002)
Eric's increasing popularity in Korea and Japan makes him on of the A-list stars in Hallyu
Eric Mun has a really cool website (even better than Rain's or Lee Seo Jin's)

Eric Mun is scheduled to start his mandatory military service this year (noooo!!!). If you want to know the latest on Eric Mun, check out his official website here.

Que Sera Sera...

2008-04-24T01:36:00.012+08:00

I just finished watching Que Sera Sera. I wasn't too keen on watching it being unfamiliar with the cast, with the exception of Lee Kyu Han which I remembered from My Name is Kim Sam Soon. I don't know what prodded me to watch it but I am glad I did as the drama is truly realistic and engaging.

The plot is actually largely based on a love rectangle. A loves B. B is entangled with C. C loves D. D loves A. I have seen one too many of these very messy romantic entanglements but the fact that this drama isn't at all unique didn't lessen its appeal to me the teeny-tiniest bit. The director, Kim Yoon Chul (My Name Is Kim Sam Soon), cleverly created a balance throughout the drama that I watched the 17 full episodes straight. No dragging scenes, no attempts to keep viewers frenetic in anticipation either. The climactic scenes interspersed throughout the drama were successful in keeping me hooked until the end. The scenes were so perfectly executed that I felt like I had an inkling what's about to happen next but I was never too sure.

I can't give justice to this review without commenting on the work rendered by the main cast. Each gave a very realistic and powerful performance that I just had to say a thing or two about it.

Eric Mun as Kang Tae-joo. I became an instant Eric Mun fan as early as the first scene. The guy has a very strong screen presence that he didn't even have to say anything to deliver a meaningful performance. One look, a smirk, or a smile from him is enough to evoke a maelstrom of emotions. His performance as the flawed Kang Tae-joo was so natural and sincere that I felt the character's internal conflicts. Even as Tae-joo was professing love to the very plain Han Eun Soo ( played by Jung Yoo Mi), he delivered it in such a way that I didn't find it incredulous that such a gorgeous guy fell in love with an average-looking girl.

Jung Yoo Mi as Han Eun-soo. Jung Yoo Mi is perfect for the role of kindhearted Han Eun-soo. One look at her in the drama and she is the epitome of a nondescript female. She is not at all badlooking but you won't remember her for her looks either. I am cognizant that many think that Yoon Eun Hye would've been perfect for the role but I think otherwise. Of course, Yoon Eun-hye's name next to Eric Mun's would've done wonders for the ratings but come to think of it, even in drab clothing Eun Hye is still cute. Her pretty face would be a distraction. Jung Yoo Mi really acted and looked the part of the average-looking, naive, optimistic, and kindhearted Han Eun-soo. Even when she was clad in an elegant cocktail dress, her transformation was just a credible enhancement of features and not the mind-blowing kind.

Lee Kyu Han as Shin Jun-hyuk. Lee Kyu Han gave a convincing performance as the lonely, intelligent, decisive, and well-bred Shin Jun-hyuk. He was so good at appearing calculating without being callous that even if his character showed a mean streak in some parts of the drama, my heart still went out to him in the end. He was really good in the last episode's airport scene that I had to stop myself from crying.

Yoon Ji Hye as Cha Hye-rin. Yoon Ji Hye was every inch the strong-willed, attractive, and elegant designer Cha Hye-rin. I have nothing but praises for Yoon Ji-hye as she did really well as the goal-oriented Hye-rin who oftentimes used drastic means to get what she wanted. Yoon Ji Hye's acting was so consistent with Hye-rin's character that I can't seem to separate the actress from the character.

I also liked the way they ended the drama. Very realistic, nothing superficial. The four main characters came into terms with what's best for all of them. They gave themselves some time to heal before they sought each other out, not to become the best of friends but to be contented in knowing that all of them are back on their feet again despite everything they went through.

As for Kang Tae-joo and Han Eun-soo, well, I won't spoil everything by telling you if they did or did not have a happy ending. But I will tell you this much, they were back to where everything started. :)

Yoon Eun Hye: From Princess To Prince

2008-04-21T10:03:00.010+08:00

If there is a Korean actress I really admire for being versatile, it is Yoon Eun Hye. The young actress can sing, dance, act, and heck, she can even draw. Although her features aren't in any way near that of Song He Kyo or Kim Tae Hee, I find her pretty and very appealing.

I first noticed Yoon Eun Hye in Coffee Prince. Her performance in the 2007 trendy drama is laudable. In fact, I was even surprised that she isn't boyish in real life. Her portrayal of the role of cross-dressing Go Eun-chan was so convincing that I had a hard time connecting with the character of Shin Chae-Kyeong in Princess Hours (Goong). Not that her performance wasn't any good in Princess Hours. It's just that I have a super soft spot for the goofy Go Eun-chan.

Here are some facts about Yoon Eun Hye courtesy of d-addicts.com:

Name: Yoon Eun-hye
Nicknames: "JamGgoDae"(Stick), "Pooh"
Profession: Model, actress and singer
Birthdate: October 3, 1984
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Height: 168cm
Weight: 50kg
Star sign: Libra
Blood type: O
Family: Younger brother
Talent agency: Kraze Entertainment
Hobbies: writing letters, photography, watching movies
Diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia

This A-list star, rumored to have been paid 20 million won per episode in Coffee Prince, has a degree in Business Administration Major in Tourism Management from Kyung Hee Cyber University.

I'm Sorry, I Love You

2008-04-21T01:18:00.009+08:00

I finished watching I'm Sorry, I Love You (Mianhada, Saranghanda) this morning. This k-drama is top-billed by actress Im Soo Jung (...Ing, A Tale of Two Sisters, I'm A Cyborg But It's OK) and So Ji Sub (Glass Slippers, Memories of Bali). Although not exactly a must-watch, the drama is not entirely bad considering that I watched all 16 episodes straight.

The story of I'm Sorry, I Love You is simple and very predictable. It is about the great love between Song Eun-chae (Im Soo Jung) and Cha Moo-hyuk (So Ji Sub), two lonely souls kept apart by circumstances and internal conflicts. There are a number of loose ends throughout the drama but it is still worth watching especially with the acting of Im Soo Jung and So Ji Sub. Not in any way outstanding but very consistent with the conflicts the characters are going through. Even the performances of the supporting cast are credible. Each role, supporting or otherwise, is an integral part of the plot and has its own story to tell as the drama unfolds.

This 2004 KBS series is directed by Lee Hyung Min (The Snow Queen, Let's Go to School Sang-doo, Winter Sonata). Those familiar with his work may already have an idea as to where this drama is headed. By the mere mention of who the director is, there is no need for this blogger to provide you with spoilers. Hehe:)

I'm Sorry, I Love You (or MISA to fans) reminds me of another heavy drama, A Love to Kill, starred by Jung Ji Hoon and Shin Min Ah. Both have very sad endings but hint life-after-death unions for the miserable characters.

If you are an Im Soo Jung or a So Ji Sub fan, then by all means watch this drama. Im Soo Jung as Eun Chae is perfect as the frail-looking heroine with the gigantic heart and winsome personality. So Ji Sub, as he did in Memories Of Bali, will make you want to hug him as the pitiful Moo Hyuk.

A word of caution, though. This drama is not for those who have very sensitive lacrimal glands or those with heart conditions. Before watching this tearjerker, check your hydration status first or better yet, obtain a cardiologist's clearance (pun intended).

Lovers' Delight: Jarred Kang and Jackie Yoon

2008-04-15T21:06:00.008+08:00

I do not like to watch TV, be it cable or free tv. But eversince ABS-CBN started airing Lovers in the Philippines, I make it a point to watch television thirty minutes a day, mondays to thursdays.

ABS-CBN's dubbing team did such an excellent job in Lovers that I just have to watch the Tagalog-dubbed version even if it meant watching a few horrible scenes of the TV series Palos (For some inexplicable reason, this incredibly horrible TV series precedes Lovers.What a waste of precious airtime!).

The voices used in the drama, especially those of Dr. Jackie Yoon and Jarred Kang, fit the characters to a T. The scenes are rendered more colorful as the dialogues are delivered to suit the Filipinos' own brand of humour.

Just thinking of how ABS-CBN successfully added a Filipino touch to Lovers makes me sad that Coffee Prince was aired by another network. A big Coffee Prince fan myself, I found the Tagalog-dubbed version of the trendy drama utterly despicable. Gee, thanks for the botched job, GMA-7!

Jeju: The Island Of The Gods

2008-04-11T23:30:00.013+08:00

I am so giddy as of this writing. Why? I just picked my dream vacation. I was going to write down honeymoon destination but I decided against it. I'm afraid I'd be giving my boyfriend a massive heart attack if I do that.

Relax, langga. I'm not about to do a shotgun on you. Honest injun. Tee-hee!

I am blogging about my ultimate island getaway as I am dead-serious about going on this trip in five years. Too long a wait? Okay, in three years then.

Where?

Ja-jan! I'll be going to South Korea's Jeju Island, the Island of the Gods!

Why Jeju? Well, why not? Jeju is heavenly. In fact, it is Korea's top honeymoon destination (again, relax, langga...). It is included in UNESCO's World Natural Heritage list. Others may pick a European holiday in an instant but not this blogger. I don't care about Europe or Hawaii or the Bahamas. For me, Jeju Island is the 'it' destination, my dream vacation, and the ultimate island getaway.

I first learned about Jeju when I watched My Girl starring Lee Da-hae and Lee Dong-wook. The first two episodes of the drama were filmed heavily on Jeju Island. Another drama which left a rather lasting impression of Jeju Island is Which Star Are You From. The lead characters Kim Bok-sil and Choi Seung-hee played by Kim Rae-won and Jung Ryeo-won went on a Jeju escapade. That very touching scene atop one of Jeju's cliffs facing the beach wherein Seung-hee introduced Bok Sil to the departed Hye Soo was simply breathtaking.

But the drama that really convinced me to plan for this dream vacation is My Name is Kim Sam Soon. That soooo exciting birthday adventure Kim Sam Soon had on top of Mt. Hallasan is the last straw. After watching that particularly romantic scene, I just had to see Mt. Hallasan's peak. From afar, that is. While I am sure doing that 10-km trek would be fun, you won't catch me doing that 9-hr climb up and down that mountain even if Sam Shik (played by Hyun Bin) will be there waiting with a steaming thermos-ful of seaweed soup. No way!

So, here are the things that I will do in Jeju Island come March 2011:

Check out the magnificent Hotel Lotte Jeju (This is the hotel owned by Gong Chan in My Girl)
Have a fill of Jeju's famous tangerines (No, I won't do a Yoo Rin and steal tangerine from Gong Chan''s private villa.hehe.)
Tour Jungmun Tourist Complex (Scenes from My Girl were filmed here)
Buy some souvenirs from Jeju Teddy Bear Museum (What? I watched Princess Hours starring Yoon Eun-hye and Jo Ji-hoon)
Reach the foot of Mt. Hallasan (Like I said, I won't try to pull a Kim Sam Soon, Hyun Bin or no Hyun Bin)
Do some cam-frenzy in Paradise Hotel Jeju, Korea's only mediterranean-style luxury resort hotel ( Methinks this is where Sam Shik engaged Sam Soon's ex in combat gladiator-style)
Join the Jeju Canola and Cherry Blossom Festival (Both festivals fall on late March and early April )
Take some really breathtaking pics of Cheongjeyeon Waterfalls, Jeongbang Falls, Hyeopjae Beach, and Manjanggul Cave (That's if my boyfriend joins me in this trip)
Act like a dork in the middle of a magnificent field of yellow rapeseed blossoms (Just like Kim Bok-sil in Which Star Are You From?)
Watch the sunset from Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (In case the trip gets a little, er, romantic?)
Shove wiggly octopus parts drenched in sesame oil down my throat successfully (and hopefully some delicious seafood-based Jeju-style dishes along with it)

Well, I'll probably revise this list as the departure date draws near but the activities above will surely be the bulk of my Jeju Island adventure. Let's just hope I'll be able to save enough moolah to afford the better lodging facilities.

As to the possibility of going alone or with a companion, it is too early to tell. But I prefer to go with somebody I know. This person recently bought a Nikon D40, likes to go caving, and can't stop yakking about magnificent beaches and resort hotels. I want to him to go with me because having him around surely means twice the fun and of course, he takes really good pics and I so suck at anything remotely connected with using a camera, digital or otherwise:)

Let us just hope that this person is sensitive enough to take the hint, shall we?

Lovers' Delight: Kim Jung Eun

2008-04-09T03:50:00.009+08:00

Although Lovers is her first drama that I actually watched and liked, I am well aware how popular Kim Jung Eun is inside and outside hallyu.

In the Philippines, the name Kim Jung Eun may not ring a bell for many but their eyes will surely twinkle when you mention Vivian or Princess Lulu as Lovers in Paris and Princess Lulu were mega-hits when aired in the Philippines by ABS-CBN a couple of years ago. I believe that with Lovers, her ready smile and twinkling eyes will once again capture the hearts of Filipino fans.

Right, Dr. Jackie Yoon?

Having watched Lovers and actually liking Kim Jung Eun as she can really make me laugh especially in the series' many god-help-me-this-is-too-embarassing scenes, I decided do some reading on her and this is what I gathered:

Her full name is Kim Jung Eun and she was born on March 04, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea
This 32-year-old Pisces, stands 5'6" inches and weighs an enviable 105 lbs.
Kim Jung Eun has been acting for more than 10 years and she has received recognition for Lovers, Princess Lulu, and Lovers in Paris
Her most popular drama series by far is Lovers in Paris opposite Park Shin Yang and Lee Dong gun for which she was awarded Best TV Actress in the 2005 Baeksang Art Awards and Asia TV Awards also in the same year
Kim Jung Eun is currently busy with her TV music program Chocolate and will release her first digital single by the end of April
Known for being humble,good-natured, and hardworking, Kim Jung Eun is currently dating Lovers co-star Lee Seo Jin (update: they broke up late last late 2008)

Well, I hope Kim Jung Eun's fans appreciate this. And since I truly enjoyed Lovers, I will definitely find the time to watch Lovers in Paris and shout, "Aja!Aja!Fighting!"

Pretty Face, Luminous Skin, and SkinFood

2008-04-06T16:57:00.008+08:00

Pretty-faced Sung Yu Ri is the face of SkinFood, a Korean cosmetics label which is fast-becoming a global brand.

SkinFood, established in 1957, has stores all over Asia, including the United Arab Emirates. In the Philippines alone, SkinFood already has eight concept stores offering a wide array of skincare products specially formulated to protect and nourish the skin.

Known for her involvement with the now-defunct k-pop group Fin.K.L., Sung Yu Ri is also a popular actress and has starred in korean dramas such as Snow Queen and One Fine Day.

Yu Ri, 27, is rumoured to be dating One Fine Day co-star Yoo Ha Joo. She also dated Yoon Kye Sang. She has been receiving favorable reviews for her surprising performance in the recently- concluded KBS2 drama Hong Gil Dong.

Craving Seasoned Nori

2008-04-06T02:19:00.007+08:00

I've been craving seasoned nori for quite sometime now so I probably will buy lots of it first thing tomorrow. Hurray!

For those who haven't heard of it before, seasoned nori (or gim as Koreans call it) is actually seaweed dried in very thin layers and seasoned with sesame oil, salt, and spices depending on one's taste. This nutritious treat ( has lots of calcium, vitamins, and carotenes) can be eaten as a snack or as a side dish. In Korea, seasoned nori can be purchased at supermarkets, convenience stores, or from street vendors.

For those who opt to buy plain nori and do the seasoning themselves, just follow this fuss-free recipe:

Ingredients

4 sheets nori
2 tsp. sesame oil
salt

Procedure: Lightly oil and sprinkle salt on both sides of each nori sheet. Grill each side for a few seconds. Cut each sheet into squares. Serve immediately.

Each time I buy seasoned nori, I coax the people at home to have some. And all of them refuse as they can't stand the fishy smell and aftertaste. This, of course, just makes me ecstatic as I can actually pig out on my fave snack without having to share:p

Lovers' Delight: Lee Seo Jin

2008-04-04T19:36:00.015+08:00

I really liked Lee Seo Jin as Kang Jae in Lovers that I wanted to find out more about him.

Like I said in one of my entries, I do not know much about this guy so I decided to up my appreciation of the dimpled gangster by googling his name.

It was not difficult to find webpages entirely devoted to him as he already has a rapidly growing fanbase .

Here are some bits and pieces about him:

His full name is Lee Seo Jin, and was born on Jan. 30, 1973 (making him 35 as of this writing)
He stands 5'8" and weighs about 65 kg
He is an Aquarius and his blood type is A (in case you seriously consider donating blood if he needs it in the future.Hehe.)
He is the youngest among a brood of 3
He has a degree in Business Management from New York University (wow, kick@ss!)
He speaks Korean and English (surprised?)
He has a real cool website with lots of pics and free wallie downloads
He is a fitness buff, likes to watch movies, and surf the internet
He has been around for quite sometime having done a movie and two dramas as early as 1999
His most recent lead role is for the South Korean daeha/historical drama entitled Yi San, which is currently airing over MBC (timeslot: 9:55pm, Mondays and Tuesdays).
His acting has been recognized for his roles in Yi San (2007), Lovers(2006), Phoenix(2004), and Damo(2003)
He is used to date Kim Jung Eun (and seriously at that!) and is rumoured to be the ex-flame of Lee Hyori
His best assets are his dimples, according to female fans.

There you go, Lee Seo Jin fans. If you want more of this dimpled gentleman, do watch the drama Lovers. Very entertaining, honest injun.

Confessions Of A Reformed Jung Ji-hoon Anti-fan, Part IV

2008-04-03T06:32:00.010+08:00

This is the last part. Do I hear hoorays? Well, I think I have communicated adequately what I think of Rain as an actor, singer, and dancer. If by this time I haven't convinced you on how talented he is, I don't think I ever will unless you go through the same process as I did:)

Seriously, I believe that Rain will be here for a long time for reasons that go beyond good looks and talent. Of course it is undeniable that men and women alike find him goodlooking and that he is really talented but what makes him so special is that he gives his best in everything he does.

I am quite cognizant that many criticize him for dabbling in so many things but this is the very reason why I admire the guy so much. At such a young age, he knows that he has been given an opportunity to showcase his talent and it is but fitting that he maximizes his potential (this coming from a self-confessed bum:p).

Really, I don't think I'll get over this admiration I have for Rain. The guy's success is phenomenal and in effect, profoundly inspiring. Yes, I am actually inspired to find myself a job and earn some serious cash in case he includes the Philippines in his next world tour.Tee-hee!

Geez. I can already hear myself shreak, "Jung Ji Hoon! Jung Ji Hoon!", not the least bit embarassed.

Yep, I will probably do just that for the amazing Jung Ji Hoon.

Just Finished Watching Lovers - and I actually enjoyed it!!!

2008-04-02T22:43:00.017+08:00

On the suggestion of my boyfriend, I took a break from blogging about Rain and watched the korean drama Lovers starring real-life couple Kim Jung Eun and Lee Seo Jin. He took a particular interest in this 2006 SBS drama as it is currently being aired in the Philippines through ABS-CBN.

I was hesitant to watch it because although I know who Kim Jung Eun is and I'll be a total hypocrite if I'd say I have no idea how popular Lovers in Paris and Princess Lulu are in the Philippines, I never watched both dramas so I am not a Kim Jung Eun fan. I haven't heard of Lee Seo Jin before so all the more I didn't want to watch Lovers.

Still, I gave Lovers a chance and actually enjoyed it. I didn't watch all 20 episodes straight as I am still suffering from a bad case of tendinitis on both shoulders due to hours spent on watching k-dramas in bed but if I watched the first 8 episodes continuously, it must be really entertaining, right? Go figure.

Kim Jung Eun as the cheerful and kindhearted plastic surgeon Yoon Mi Joo is truly hilarious and endearing. She has this uncanny ability to be awfully disgusting and lovable at the same time. Her role as Mi Joo truly lacked finesse and yet you can't help but laugh at her antics. I found myself actually rooting for Mi Joo even if I find her annoyingly intrusive in many parts of the drama.

Lee Seo Jin, on the other hand, is just perfect for the role of Ha Kang Jae, the incredibly dapper gangster who holds a high position in the mob hierarchy. His brooding good looks, dimpled smile, and cool moves as Kang Jae will surely earn him a VIP pass to every k-drama fanatic's heart.

The plot of Lovers is, in essence, formulaic. I've seen too many of these 'wacky girl meets suave guy' korean dramas but still, I say that Lovers is a must-watch as it is highly-entertaining and engaging without being intellectually-puzzling. Furthermore, despite its being a love story, it effectively tackles thinly-veiled issues involving family, personal relationships, and social responsibility.

Finally, an interesting feature of the drama worth mentioning is that it kicks off as a romantic comedy, gradually shifts to melodrama as the plot thickens, and wraps up with a happy ending. Really, this is very clever as no viewer would want to watch a 20-episode drama and just end up depressed and gloomy after watching it.

Confessions Of A Reformed Jung Ji Hoon Anti-Fan, Part III

2008-03-31T03:30:00.014+08:00

This is Part III. The second to the last of this four-part memoir. Not that I won't be writing about Bi/Rain/Jung Ji Hoon after these confessions. Geez. Whatever made you think that?

I have written about 'Bi the actor'. But what about him as singer and dancer? Am I as enthusiastic about him as a performer? Well, I want to be as objective as possible so I won't be filling you in with nonsense about his vocal prowess and stuff. If you know Bi or Rain or whatever you call him, you should know better than that.

I listen to 74 of his songs and watch him perform in 18 high-quality video clips on my iPod Touch day in and day out. So I am quite aware that he can still improve in many areas as a singer. As a dancer, well, I can't say much, except that I am overwhelmed each time I watch him dance. I haven't seen any body dance like he dances. Of course, any person who can dance can copy his moves but nobody does it like Rain does.

In my collection is more than eighty minutes of Bi's Rainy Day Concert in Seoul and I watch it everyday. His performance throughout the concert is so heartfelt that he communicates his emotions through every song or dance number. Not one dull moment, I tell you. You can see the many facets of Rain as a performer. He was naughty as he danced with three very lucky Asian girls, unstoppable with his moves in It's Raining, kawaii when he serenaded a fan with Quiz (totally envious!), damned sexy as he wowed his fans with Last Handshake (oohlala!), boyishly irresistible as he performed I Do and Annyeongiran Mal Daesin, really sad when he sang Iksuchil Annaso ( truly sorry for the lousy romanization)...I could go on and on.

I'd like die if my laptop crashed or something happened to my iPod Touch. I'd surely go on an extended hibernation. Honestly.

It has been months since I had an english song on my playlist. I only listen to Korean songs now. My father must think I'm nuts each time he hears me shamelessly sing to Rain's songs.

Imagine listening to someone born monotonous who doesn't even speak the language sing oh-so-loudly in Korean.

Wait until he hears me yodel.:)

Confessions of A Reformed Jung Ji Hoon Anti-fan, Part II

2008-03-28T16:52:00.012+08:00

I was determined to work on Part II of this memoir (do i hear wtfs?:P) last night but Kang Bok Goo distracted me. Watching Bi play the role of that sinfully sexy bodyguard Kang Bok Goo in the k-drama A Love to Kill (Ijuksa) is really unnerving. To this day, I always chide myself for being drawn to Bok Goo like a moth to candlelight. What's so hot about a guy who looks like he hasn't had a decent bath for three days? Or that poster boy for Erik Erikson's (the psychologist) Trust and Mistrust? Beats me. Maybe sad and sweaty is the new sexy? Tee-hee!

The k-drama A Love to Kill is-- to my standards--a heavy drama, complete with imperfect, troubled characters and a very gloomy soundtrack. It leaves me with a different kind of sadness each time I watch it.

All of the 16 episodes are so depressing that, after watching it for the nth time, I always ask myself,

"Do I, for some sick reason, thrive on depression?"

"Am I a fan of combat sports who finds meaning in kickboxing and K-1?"

"Or can't I just have enough of the passion between Bok Goo and Eun Suk?".

And somebody inside my head shouts out,

"Admit it, girl! You have a soft spot for Kang Bok Goo.

You fell for the whole package: the moves, angst, funky hairstyle, and unmistakable maleness-- you loved 'em all".

And I'm like, "I guess so. And I sure do like it each time Bok Goo sucks the breath out of Eun Suk".

And the voice, incredulously, goes,

"Are you kidding me? It's not a simple case of liking it. You unabashedly lapped it up!"

Geez. Was I that transparent?:)

On a more serious note, though, why would a self-confessed sucker for romantic comedies actually like Ijuksa now having hated it the first time she watched it and is the very reason why she was initially a Jung Ji Hoon anti-fan? Simple. Jung Ji Hoon rendered a gut-wrenching performance as the angst-ridden Kang Bok-goo. He did it so well that you would have forgotten he did Young Jae in Full House and Sang-doo in Let's Go To School, Sang-doo.

'nuf said. Or you'd think I'm writing this piece for the Han Mania TV Drama Awards:)

More confessions from this reformed Jung Ji Hoon anti-fan on the next blog entry:)

Confessions of A Reformed Jung Ji Hoon Anti-fan, Part I

2008-03-26T23:33:00.023+08:00

I don't know when I became a certified Jung Ji Hoon fan but one thing I'm sure of, I once wondered what so many people like about him.

I saw a couple of episodes of the very depressing A Love to Kill and I didn't find anything spectacular with the guy. I didn't think he can compete with other Hallyu stars in the looks department and though he sure has a hot body, he certainly isn't South Korea's last surviving stud.

If I remember correctly, I didn't want to watch Full House. In fact, I dreaded watching the drama. It bothered me that each time I visit forums devoted to asian dramas, it landed a sure spot in each drama addict's must-watch list.

Heck, I just bought a copy of the dvd to let my boyfriend watch it. And when he started to talk about it for the simple reason that he likes it, I was like,"What the hell is he talking about?"

Grudgingly, I watched Full House. I liked the story. I liked Song He Kyo. I liked the OST. I even loved the whole Young Jae and Ji Eun love-hate thingy. "So what's the problem?", you might ask. Back then, only two things kept me from liking Full House the way I like My Name Is Kim Sam Soon: Bi and his outrageous wardrobe.

Months after watching Full House, I read a review of Bi's dramas and someone mentioned that Let's Go To School, Sang-doo is by far his best performance, even surpassing Full House. And I was like, whoa! I have to give it to the guy, no matter how I disliked him, he sure was funny as Young Jae. So out of curiosity, I watched the 2003 KBS drama and then it hit me. He sure is one hell of an actor. He made me laugh, cry, and stirred a motley of emotions throughout the 16 episodes.

I was so engrossed with the drama that I watched for more than sixteen (16) hours straight and ended up in a hospital the day after! You think I'm pulling your leg? Man, I surely hope so! That stiff neck and backache was so bad that it has been three months and I am glad I have fully recovered from it.

Funny,huh? I could go on and on but it's getting really late and I have a few tasks to accomplish. Besides, Bi/Rain/Jung Ji Hoon is the largest chunk of my Korean obsession so it will probably take me more or less a hundred posts to truly 'fess up. Tee-hee!

More confessions from this reformed Jung Ji Hoon anti-fan on the next blog entry:)

Watching Kim Rae Won's Plum Blossom

2008-03-26T02:09:00.007+08:00

I can't say watching Kim Rae Won's movie Plum Blossom was a delightful experience but it sure had the major shock-factor to it. Minutes into watching it, I even thought that the movie's real title is Plump Bottom as I swear there a lot of unnecessary exposure of body parts throughout the duration of the film.

The plot is pretty simple. It revolves around two young young men's experiences. Nothing fanciful to the storyline,really. Not at all intellectually or even emotionally engaging. But if you are of legal age and really dig 'first love' and some other 'firsts' in life, then by all means watch it.:)

Still, doing Plum Blossom was a wise career move on Kim Rae Won's part. Shortly after the release of the film, he won the Best New Actor in the Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2000.

If you like to read more on Plum Blossom online, go to HanBooks.Com. Or I could just give you a link so you can watch it free online but common sense tells not to do that. Tee-hee!

Frills, Bows, and Laces

2008-03-24T22:44:00.010+08:00

Korean clothing is really big on frills, bows, and laces. Lace-trimmed chiffon tops with ribbon detail are definite closet staples. They come in different colors and designs but share a commonality: timelessness and elegance.

Basing on the pictures I always see in Korean fashion blogs, Korean women like to wear frilly tops with distressed jeans for a relaxed but put-together look. For a more polished look, they go for a dressy top-and-tailored-skirt ensemble.

These chiffon blouses from Mix and Match sell for $62. A bit pricey but if I'll look good enough to eat , why not?:)

There's one big problem, though. Many Korean fashion labels sell one-size-fits-all clothes. The model, Mi Young, who weighs 46kg is a size 55 in South Korea. Roughly translated, she is a size 4-6 in US or S using the international standard. In other words, for me to be able to slip on those clothes, I must have a 25-inch waistline on a 5'4" frame!

Fat chance, huh?

credits: Mix and Match, Yesstyle

Missing Gong Yoo

2008-03-22T04:58:00.005+08:00

It has been more than two months since Gong Yoo started his military training. Yep, fellow K-drama addicts, he will be gone for a total of 20 months. It makes me quite sad to think that I won't be seeing any of him until 2009. It is a big problem, really. I think I watched each and every K-drama of his. Those readily available online, that is.

Of all the Gong Yoo dramas, I like Coffee Prince best. Gong Yoo as the hot-tempered but sensitive Choi Han-kyul is so endearing especially with those bulging biceps and really cool hairstyle. Gong Yoo in Coffee Prince is definitely one of the best kissers in K-drama history. Who would forget about that intense kiss he gave Yoon Eun Hye when they decided to do the, er, 'deed'? Really hot!

Another drama really worth mentioning is Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy. Gong Yoo's role as the high school student Park Tae-in glorified May-December love affairs. He was so cute and endearing in pursuing his teacher (played by Gong Hyo Jin) that it totally melted my heart.

For those who do not have the time to watch 16 episodes of Korean drama, I recommend the Korean movie She's On Duty starring Gong Yoo and Kim Sun Ah. Sun Ah is her usual funny self and Gong Yoo as the gangster-cum-student Kang No-young is as hot as ever. And yes, there are a couple of sizzling-hot liplocks, too!

Unkempt Hyun Bin

2008-03-16T22:28:00.013+08:00

Pretty Boy Hyun Bin did Snow Queen after My Name is Kim Sam Soon. His role as the perpetually depressed math-genius-of-a-boxer Han Deuk Gu is a far cry from the vain restaurateur of MNIKSS.

I can't say that he looked delicious enough to eat as Han Deuk-gu but just the same, the acting is superb, which, of course emphasizes how mediocre Sung Yu Ri's acting was the whole length of the drama. No offense to her fans but her acting in Snow Queen is simply ho-hum. If I have to give Sung Yu Ri credit though, I'd say her wardrobe in the series looked as if the producers commissioned Prada to clothe her. And of course, with her lithe body, she looked glamorous in expensive clothes.

Although I prefer Hyun Bin fresh and dandy, he is ruggedly handsome in Snow Queen. He is in tip-top form and exudes unmistakable masculinity even in bedraggled sweats. Even his unkempt hair adds a bit of sexiness to the role. And boy, you should see him box. Even the footwork is unbelievably cool! Go, Han Deuk-gu! I'd say you should go watch Snow Queen. I can't say it will be one of your all-time faves as it definitely not in my most-watched list but if only to see another side of the chameleon Hyun Bin, it is definitely worth watching.

MNIKSS: Un-thin Is In!

2008-03-14T00:17:00.004+08:00

After watching most of Kim Rae Won's dramas, I scoured the internet for k-drama recos by hardcore k-drama addicts. Since I was looking for series rom-com in nature, two stood out: My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Full House. And since I wasn't a Jung Ji-hoon fan at birth, I decided to watch My Name is Kim Sam Soon first.

The series, all 16 episodes of it, did not disappoint me. In fact, it is one of my all-time faves. The plot is simple. The lines are humor-laden. The twists and turns are so convincing that I know many not-so-sexy women out there acquired a new sense of empowerment after watching the series.

I don't find Kim Sun Ah pretty but I really like her. She has this innate ability to make fun of herself without a hint of awkwardness. Furthermore, her role as the plump, 30-ish Sam Soon strikes an unusual tenderness within me. Why? Hint: We have a lot of things in common. Tee-hee!

And of course, the cast included Hyun Bin. A true-blue pretty boy who can act. His role as the cocky Hyeon Jin hyeon made arrogance the new sexy. Even his wardrobe in the series fit him to a T. Sam Shik (the nickname Sam Soon gave him) looked so hawt in pink that I bought a couple of pink pique shirts soon after watching the series.

Also part of the ensemble are the gorgeous Jeong Ryeo Won and Daniel Henney. They played the roles of Hee Jin and Henry. Hee Jin is Sam Shik's cancer survivor of a girlfriend who disappered on him a few years before he met Sam Soon. Henry, on the other hand, is Hee Jin's attending physician who is hopelessly in love with her. The two carried themselves so well that they looked as if they just walked out of a Giordano photo shoot.

It was a long time before I moved on from My Name is Kim Sam Soon. If I am not mistaken, my cheap bootleg copy stayed in my player for two months (Yes--that long!). I was already hooked on all things Hyun Bin that I grabbed a copy of The Snow Queen to supplement that much-needed daily dose of Hyun Bin fix.

And since I gained a lot of weight, I just might watch MNIKSS again. I desperately need its own brand of girl power. For it is only in My Name is Kim Sam Soon where un-thin is definitely in!

V-day, iPod Touch, and Kimchi Bokkumbap

2008-03-11T04:24:00.005+08:00

My boyfriend went to Boracay Island with his family for Valentine's Day. I preferred to stay behind for two main reasons. First, that dream vacation is waaaayy oouuttt of my league. Inasmuch as I would've wanted to hit the sack at the posh Boracay Regency, the whole trip would've cost me my iPod Touch. Secondly, their departure date (12th of February) coincided with my mom's birthday.

Hence, I spent the 14th of February at home, not necessarily in loneliness, with my iPod Touch. I missed my boyfriend but the whole time he was away wasn't exactly unbearable. I filled my ipod with k-pop mp3s, k-movie clips, and hundreds of pics (Bi's, of course!). The four days I spent hibernating in my room was by far the most fruitful for me, in terms of internet use, that is. Well, who would imagine that the day would come when I would learn to download torrents, use video converters, or differentiate avi from mp4? I was the staunchest anti-techie you can ever imagine.

And as I allowed myself to be engulfed by my whirlwind romance with Steve Jobs' iPod Touch, I learned how to prepare kimchi bokkumbap. Kimchi bokkumbap is actually kimchi fried rice. It is so easy to make --just day-old rice, kimchi juice, some kimchi (spicy!), some meat, sesame oil, and fried egg. Truly no-fuss. For those who haven't tried it yet, you can use My Korean Kitchen's recipe. My Korean Kitchen features easy-to-follow recipes on Korean food, be it traditional or fusion.

And so, when my boyfriend came home, he was surprised to find the repackaged me. Yes, a net-savvy version of the girlfriend he left behind. He was truly elated that I am no longer idiotic when it comes to internet use. He is such a darling, isn't he?

And this, dear stranger, concludes my post on V-day, iPod Touch, and Kimchi Bokkumbap.

Hit by Hanryu

2008-03-09T04:06:00.008+08:00

Annyeong Haseyo!

This is my first post so I would want to tell you about the first time I was hit by Hanryu or the Korean Wave. It was not too long ago when my mom (I miss you, Mom!) asked me to buy some DVDs of her favorite Korean series. And I was like," Aw, mum!". God bless her soul, she was a huge Lovers In Paris and Princess Lulu fan.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but I truly despised (with emphasis on the past tense of the word despise) asian drama series. I never watched Meteor Garden so I was not an F4 fan. I managed to watch clips of Memories of Bali and I thought the male stars were cute and the female lead had a great wardrobe but that's all there is to it. I never knew that in this universe, Ha Ji Won, Jo In Sung and So Ji Sub are adored by many.

And then came My Girl. Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook made a great pair that I watched the series in its entirety over ABS-CBN here in the Philippines. Of course it was dubbed in Filipino but it was a job well done. And before I forget, I also watched Only You starring Han Chae Young. The storyline was simple but worth watching.

But what made me a true-blue k-drama addict was Kim Rae Won's Attic Cat. I watched the series (all 16 episodes) more than five times. Never mind that Jung Da Bin's (rest in peace, girl!) character is annoyingly unattractive. It is a bit formulaic (unattractive girl likes boy. boy likes a more attractive girl. another boy likes unattractive girl. and voila! boy notices unattractive girl..tee-hee!). Still, I got hooked as it showed me a glimpse of the Korean culture and introduced me to the Korean language which is just heavenly to my ears.

After Attic Cat, I scoured the internet for a list of Kim Rae Won's movies and dramas. And yes, I watched most of them; except those that are really hard to find. And then I discovered My Name is Kim Sam Soon but that's another story.

And yeah, I like Hyun Bin, too!