Personal Taste/Preference (2010) - Korean Drama

Personal Taste/Preference

2010 - Kdrama

Romantic Comedy

16 Episodes

Synopsis:

Personal Taste is a drama, which is based on a novel "Gaeinui Chwihyang" by Lee Sae In. The story is about a man pretending to be homosexual in order to become roommates with a woman who wants to live with a gay male friend. Jeon Jin Ho (Lee Min Ho) is a straight guy who pretends to be gay in order to become a roommate to his female friend, Park Kae In (Son Ye Jin). His hobbies include organization and ironing, and he’s known for his stoic poker face.

Review:

^___^ Ahhh...Personal Taste.

This was a GOOD one. I've been meaning to watch this for a long time, but I kept putting it off. After watching City Hunter, I wanted MORE Lee Min Ho, so I finally got around to it.

What I've been missing all this time--is a pretty good drama. Personal Taste had all of the makings of a good drama. It has an interesting, original plot, a great cast of lovable and believable characters, strong, pure chemistry and love between the lead couple and tons of hilarious moments. For 16 episodes, I laughed, smiled, teared-up, snorted, rolled my eyes and cried. The OST was also really good!

Yet there was still something missing throughout. My main issue is that the pacing was really slow.  I found myself fast forwarding quite a bit about half way through as the series kind of lost its steam. While I will not miss the series itself, I WILL miss Jin Ho and Kae In.

Personal Taste is a drama that I really enjoyed and believe to be worth watching.

P.S. The BEST place for watching dramas, is over at Viki.com. Users can leave comments as they watch. It's like watching with your friends--crazy, very unique friends! The comments are usual hysterical and totally random!

Here's the link: Get your taste of Min Ho here!

Heartstrings (2011) – Korean Drama

 Heartstrings

15 episodes + 1 special (2011)

Korean Drama

Romantic, Music

Synopsis:

Lee Shin is a university student majoring in modern music. He is also the vocalist and guitarist of the band "The Stupid." Shin is known for his good looks and strong passion for music, but in reality he is cold, lacks interest in anything unrelated to music and has neither dreams nor plans for the future. He initially likes Jung Yoon Soo, a dance professor at university, but this all changes when he meets Lee Kyu Won.

Lee Kyu Won is a bright and outgoing student who was born into a prestigious family and is majoring in traditional Korean instruments, especially the gayageum. Kyu Won's grandfather, Lee Dong Gun, is one of the top 3 traditional musicians of his age and his biggest wish is to see his granddaughter become a traditional music prodigy. Trying to live up to her grandfather's expectations, Kyu Won immerses herself in training and becomes a university student who knows nothing outside of her studies. As her friends are fans of "The Stupid", she was forced to go to the band's concert with them. There she saw Lee Shin performing live, and is immediately captivated by him.

Review:

I’m totally shallow, I admit, especially when it comes to my fave pretty korean boys. I decided to watch Heartstrings because I love love love Jung Yong Hw!. I first fell in love with him in “You’re Beautiful”, then I fell in love with his band CN Blue.

I think it’s lovely that Shin Woo (Yong Hwa) and Mi Nam (Shin Hye) from “You’re Beautiful” got a chance to star in their own romance! 

So, Heartstrings…. I like the characters. Yong Hwa plays his role as Lee Shin, a student majoring in Western Music very well. At the same though..it’s sort of who he is in real life, so I don’t think we can attribute much to his acting skills. That is NOT to say, I did not love his role and how he portrayed it..I DID! Lee Kyu Won was meh… I liked her A LOT more in “You’re Beautiful”. She does okay in Heartstrings, still pretty cute and did a okay-pretty good job acting. The character I really loved though was Cha Bo Woon, Kyu Won’s BFF4EVER! She was so adorably funny and such a great friend--always interrupting Lee Shin and Kyu Won’s couple moments and getting punished as a result by Shin! LOL

As this is a Music drama, we have to talk about the soundtrack. It’s pretty obvious what I think of it..it’s CN BLue’s Yong Hwa, after all! The soundtrack was GREAT! I really loved it. I paid more attention to the performances than to the plot to be honest.

The plot was a simple one…Music school, a performance, some jealousy, attempts to sabotage said performance etc etc Yet, I found myself fast forwarding..A LOT. In addition to the performance scenes, only parts I didn’t fast forward were the romantic scenes.

Overall, I give Heartstrings a "good" rating. While the soundtrack was Amazing, it alone cannot make a drama. Problem is that I can’t quite put my finger on what was lacking…the drama simply didn’t leave much of a lasting impression. I don’t have the feeling of lose one usually feels after a great drama and I certainly don’t see myself re-watching it a million times in the near future.

**Love CN Blue too? Leave your favorite song in the comments!

Down With Love (2010) - Taiwanese Drama

Down with Love

2010 - Taiwanese

16 episodes

Synopsis:

Shiang Yu Ping, a divorce and inheritance lawyer, is seen by others as cold, selfish, and ruthless. He had taken in his brother's orphans and was in need of a nanny. But after he exhausted his supply of nannies, he still couldn't find one who doesn't fall in love with him or gets scared off by the kids. Fed up, Yu Ping asks his secretary, Yang Duo, to find a nanny that meets his requirements. She recommends her younger sister, Yang Guo, for the job; assuring Yu Ping that her tomboyish sister will not fall in love with him by lying that she does not like men at all.

Review:

What I loved most about this drama was the lead couple! Yang Guo and Yu Ping were the one of the cutest couples I've seen. I loved watching the two of them together. I also loved the side characters, especially Yang Guo's family , her sister and father. This drama would have gotten a "very good" rating if not for the dang ending! It was HORRIBLY done, essentially false advertising (you'll know what I mean after watching, but keep the image above in mind)! The rest of the series was so well done and then to botch it up so much at the very very end was kind of unforgivable! :/ 

**Did you love Yang Gui and Yu Ping as much as I did?! Do your gushing in the comments! I'll join you! xD

[Book Review] The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner (Maze Runner Series, Book 1)

James Dashner

Blurb:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recolection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.
But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don's know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive at the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.
And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

Review:

"The Maze Runner" has been on my to-read list for quite a while. I am so glad that I finally got the chance to give it a try! I truly enjoyed this novel. What this one has going for it is an intricate plot filled with the perfect balance of suspense. It has been a long time since I last read a novel that hooked me, kept me on the end of my seat with my heart beating violently, as much as this one had. From page one, I was anxious about the fate of Tommy and the gang. The ending especially is an effective one for a trilogy. I cannot believe how much I feel the NEED to read the sequel. I mean it's 10 minutes before my local library closes and I'm VERY tempted to run out and go get "The Scorch Trials"! My only complaint about this novel is that it needs more fully developed characters. It would have been nice for Newt, Teresa and Minho to be more developed as characters and for readers to have been able to truly get into their and Thomas' heads. Overall, "The Maze Runner" was worthy of staying up late to finish! :-)


** Enjoyed the Maze Runner series? Abhorred it? Liked the Hunger Games exponentially better? Leave your rants in the comments!

[Book Review] Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

By: Ransom Riggs

Blurb:  

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Review:

Oh Riggs....why do this to me?

This book captured my attention because of the photographs--the intriguing, creepy, and well, peculiar photographs. The amateur photographer in me was giddy with excitement at the prospect of a great story told around these photographs. For that Riggs does a very good job. The images are very carefully and appropriately placed and the visuals really add more depth to the story. 

I enjoyed Riggs simplistic, but effective writing style, BUT (you knew it was coming) what the heck happened about half way through? For the first 150 pages or so, the suspense, tension and mysterious creep factor were captivatingly balanced, but then readers are handed a sparknotes version, giving all of the answers in one swoop. With all the mystery...demystified, the rest of the novel sort of plopped. I found myself speed reading just to see how it would end. Overall, it was a good try and I will still most likely purchase and read the sequel to find out the end of Miss P's peculiars and to see more of the amazing photographs. 

**Read Miss P's Home for Peculiar Children? Leave your thoughts in the comments! ^__^

Love Keeps Going (2011) - Taiwanese Drama

Love Keeps Going

Taiwanese Drama

2011 - 13 Episodes

Synopsis: 

A story of an egotistic guy meeting a girl who aimed to please. A casual comment from her boyfriend on wishing to open a bakery store of their own caused Mei Le to immediately abandon her lucrative job in fiance to pursuit a career in baking bread. But, her boyfriend still dumped her for someone else anyway. Her breakup directly impacted Han Yi Lie. First, her cheating boyfriend was his brother. Second, he worked better after eating her bread and couldn't function when she stopped baking it. So he decided to help her get over the unfortunate event.   

Review:

Ahh..Mike He..How I looves you! lol I haven't watched T-dramas in a while, but after watching "Drunken to Love You", I started missing Mike He something fierce as it was weird seeing Rainie and Kingone, but no Mike! So I went hunting for some newer series starring Mike He and lo and behold, I found "Love Keeps Going".

I really enjoyed this one. To begin with, the love between Mike He and Cyndi Wang is so authentic. This isn't the funny, fluffy, playful love stories you usually see in romantic comedies. Instead, it is a real love strengthened by adversity and near tragedy.

Speaking of adversities and tragedies, the plot was very well scripted and totally sucks you in. The characters are all well-developed and are "real" people on screen--some you love (like Yi Fe and Yu Cheng), some you hate (like Mother Han and the manager) and the really special ones that you at first hate, but then come to love (Xuan Xuan).

The soundtrack was okay, nothing spectacular (not like City Hunter's. God, I loved the soundtrack for that!), but it wasn't horrid.

The only small downside that I can think of is the very ending. I think things were wrapped up a little too neatly, too quickly. One more episode would have probably been perfect. Also, I hate the fact that the series ended without showing Mike's face! I won't say any more and risk giving spoilers, but it was just a bit upsetting! lol

Overall, Love Keeps Going  is a definite must watch. Worth 13 hours of your precious life! SO, what are you waiting for? GO WATCH IT! Look, I'm even making it easy and providing a link.

Clicky, Clicky!

Until next time,

Tuma

P.S. Already watched "Love Keeps Going" or want to recommend a drama I totally need to watch? Leave a comment!

P.P.S. Expect a ton load of reviews in the near future. Two weeks left in semester. Just need to survive..and make it to summer break, then I'm home free to BINGE on dramas! I have a LOOONG "To Watch" list! ^____^

Wild Romance (2011) Korean Drama

Wild Romance

Korean Drama

16 Episodes - 2012

Synopsis: Everything starts on the birthday of Eun Jae's dad. Eun Jae ran into Park Moo Yul, who is the 2nd baseman of 'Green Dreamers', when she is drunk. Eun Jae who is a fan of 'Blue Seagulls', starts a fight with Moo Yul who led the 'Green Dreamers' to victory. The next day, internet is on fire with the video called 'Humiliated Park Moo Yul'. Because of this video, career of both Moo Yul and Eun Jae, who recently got a job as a bodyguard, are in danger.

In the end, they decided to put on a show against the public! They lie that Eun Jae is Moo Yul's private bodyguard and the video was recorded when Eun Jae was giving a self-defence demonstration to Moo Yul. Like this, Eun Jae becomes real bodyguard of Moo Yul. It seemed like everything worked out just fine, but the problem is that they can't stand each other's existence...

My Review: I really enjoyed this one! It didn't end up being anything like I was expected.

From the synopsis, I thought it would be a nice, funny fluff series, but man does it get crazy as you keep watching!

And the lead couple is sooo flippin adorable, and I loved the second minor couple too!

Definitely worth a watch!

City Hunter (2011) - Korean Drama

City Hunter

Korean Drama

20 Episodes - 2011

Synopsis: The story takes place in Seoul, 2011. Lee Yoon Sung is a talented MIT-graduate who works on the international communications team in the Blue House. He plans revenge on five politicians who caused his father's death with his surrogate father Lee Jin Pyo and eventually becomes a "City Hunter."

My Review:

This was a reallly good one! I put off watching it cause I wasn't in the mood for an action-y drama, but man was it worth waiting for! It had everything a girl could ask for...handsome leads, really developed characters who had six different sides to them, awesome action scenes that had you holding your breathe or cringing, angsty romance that made you go through two boxes of kleenex and har-har comic relief scenes.

And did I mention the AMAAAAZING soundtrack? No, well it is. Amazing, I mean! One of best I've heard in a drama yet and I've watch alot of dramas! I mean this is one of those OST, that you just have to download. If for no other reason than for therapeutic purpose. You know that feeling you get after finishing a really great drama? One you've spent the past few months following anxiously and religiously? The feeling of being lost? Of thinking, 'shit, what will I occupy my time with now? That bittersweet feeling after spending 20 episodes falling in love with characters, just to be forced to say goodbye? Having the OST totally helps! There is almost nothing more moving than auditory memory. You will find yourself smiling involuntary for some tracks, tearing up in response to others, feeling giddy, excited...happy, at peace! ^___^

My only "meh" was for the very very end...which I felt was pretty unsatisfying. It just left you with a "wait? that's it? What happens to them now?" kinda of feeling, which sucks, cause there's no other way to know what happens next...unless there's a sequel! Overall, a DEFINITE must watch. I'll even make it easy for you and provide a link to go watch IMMEDIATELY!

Watch "Shitty Hunter" (viki insider) here!

Baby Faced Beauty (2011) - Korean Drama

Baby Faced Beauty

Korean Drama

20 Episodes - 2011

Synopsis: The story of Lee So Young, a 34-year-old woman who's saddled with family debt and only has a high school qualifications, but dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Her youthful appearance is her only advantage; she is mistaken for a 25-year-old university graduate and subsequently lands her dream job when she's hired by a fashion design company, where she meets Choi Jin Wook, a man who looks more mature than his young age.

My Review: Oh man! This was so damn adorable!!

It dragged a bit (not too much) and I found myself fast forwarding in some places, but the relationship between So Young and Jun Uk was just too cute for me to not watch til the end.

I especially liked the ending. It's been a while since I've seen an ending that was as satisfying. I love the whole '1 year later' gambit. It allows you to see how the characters you've just spent 20 eps falling in love with (and fall I did!) end up. Too often, you get a drama that ends vaguely, leaving you with a "so what happens to em now" feeling, which I hate.

Overall, this is worth watching simply for the dynamic between Soo Young and Jun Uk! They were like high school children with first crushes. Totally adorbs! ^__^

Drunken to Love You (T-Drama 2011)

Drunken to Love You

Taiwanese Drama

18 Episodes - 2011

Synopsis: 

Two strangers, both proposed marriage to their respective girl/boyfriend, were rejected on the same day. They decided that the best way to deal with the rejection was to get drunk, real drunk. During the 24 hours of their crazy drunkenness, these two stranger became fast friends and got married... to each other. When they finally sobered up, they embarked on a mission to undo every crazy thing they did while they were drunk and prayed that their girl/boyfriend wouldn't find out. However, it turns out that Jie Xiu's girlfriend, Ai Wei, doesn't want a scandal affecting her movie so she asks him to stay married to Xiao Ru for three months.

My Review:  

This one is somewhere between average and good. The series was about 6 episodes too long and filled with absolutely silly plot points, which shifts the rating closer to 'average'. BUT, Rainie and Joseph!! They had amazing chemistry and their couple scenes were so damn cute, I could die! There was also a lot of really funny scenes. Rainie and Joseph are the only thing that kept me watching til the end, though I fast forwarded through so much of it (watching all 18 eps in just about 24 hours). A Must Watch simply for the cutest couple of Taiwanese Drama History!!!! LOL

Black and White (2009)–Taiwanese Drama

It’s been way too long I know. I have such a long list of dramas to write reviews for, but I’ll get to them eventually. Today, let’s talk about my new two favorite buddies—Pi Zi, the Ruffian and Ying Xiong, the Hero.


Title: 痞子英雄 / Pi Tzu Ying Hsiung (Pi Zi Ying Xiong)
English title: Black & White
Genre: Police, action
Episodes: 24
Broadcast period: 2009-Apr-11 to 2009-Jun-27
Download: http://myac.asia/tw-drama-black-and-white-2009/
 
Synopsis: Pi Zi and Ying Xiong are two cops who are as different as day and night. One does nothing except for drinking coffee and living a luxurious lifestyle while waiting for information from dubious sources to crack his cases. Another believes law and justice are the pillars of society and is constantly on the street catching criminals… a little overzealously for his superior’s liking. When a case brought these two top crime solvers together, sparks flied and a little light peeked into this dark city where the nation’s President is on friendly terms with the local triad and twins kill people while drinking milkshake.

My Review: This. Drama. Was. Amazing! Black and White has been on my To Watch list for so damn long and I’ve been kicking my own butt for waiting so long to finally get around to watching it. I’ve been putting it off because it’s not like my typical Romantic Comedy, but boy am I glad I took the plunge and watched this. Black and White isn’t your typical crime drama. From episode one, it grabs you tightly by the collar and doesn’t let you go as you, with the help of Pi Zi and Ying Xiong, struggle to solve a crime that it a lot bigger than it looks and to survive.

The Characters in this drama are diverse and all equally captivating. The relationship between the three leads is very powerful to the overall storyline, but the supporting characters are also just as important. Each one plays such a vital part that the drama would definitely not be what it is without them. I especially love how much Pi Zi and Ying Xiong need and balance one another, despite their vast differences.

The Plot is the best one I’ve seen in any Asian drama that I’ve watched. What I liked best about this drama is the lack of dramatic irony (technique in which audience knows something that the characters do not). I felt a stronger emotional connection while watching this drama because of the fact that the clues were revealed to me as they were revealed to the characters. I felt that I was also cast into the role of a fellow officer and helping to solve the crime. The countless twists and turns in the plot were masterfully placed to keep viewers hooked (like a 2 dollar hoe on crack). Just as I thought I knew what was going on and who was responsible, I get slapped in the face with a “That’s what you think! This story isn’t finished yet”. Another great thing about the drama was the build-up and suspense. They managed to provide the perfect amount, not too much in which you begin to lose interest, but just enough to have you holding your breathe from beginning to end, just enough to have your hand tremble just a bit as you move to click on to the next episode, just enough for you to cry and smile bittersweet smiles because it’s not all over quite yet.

The Soundtrack wasn’t anything special but then again I don’t think a good soundtrack is very necessary in an action drama like this one.

Overall, Black and White deserves to be number uno on your Must Watch list. Don’t put off watching this one like I did…. What are you waiting for? Get to it!

P.S. For those of you who have already watched it, what did you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments! :)

See you again soon,
Tuma

My Princess (2011)

It's been forever, I know! Sorry, super busy for school and life. Doesn't mean I haven't been watching dramas (nearly impossible), just that I haven't been blogging about them. So, I have a lot to catch up on!

Title: My Princess
Year: 2011
Episodes: 16
Genre: Romantic Comedy (Do I watch anything else? lol)
Starring: Song Seung Hun as Park Hae Young and Kim Tae Hee as Lee Seol

Synopsis: An ordinary college student, Lee Seol, finds out she's a princess. The grandson of Daehan Group, Park Hae Young, is put in charge of educating Seol on proper etiquette. However, Hae Young is put in a precarious situation when he finds himself drawn to Seol, the girl who will take away his inheritance if the monarchy is restored.

Romance/Plot: This was a very sweet story and pretty good. The progress of the romance was nicely done and subtle. Both the viewer and the characters weren't sure how or when the leads had fallen in love, just that they had. This princess plot is a bit different from others I've watched, which is nice. For one, the romance isn't between a commoner marrying into a royal family due to some promise (Goong), nor is it a romance between a princess and prince both fighting for the inheritance (Romantic Princess). In My Princess, Lee Seol is a typical, if slightly quirky, college student who finds out she's a princess and eventually falls in love with her tutor. There's some angst and political agendas, but most importantly a sweetly budding romance between her and her advisor.

Mood/Tone: What I like best about My Princess is that after all of the issues and problems, the relationship between Park Hae Young and Lee Seol is more playful than passionate. They tease and annoy one another, which I found totally cute!

Visual/Aesthetics: The castle was beautiful and so was Lee Seol's clothes. Hmm...nothing much as to say. This wasn't a drama relying on stunning scenes (not like Secret Garden).

Soundtrack: Oh man! Since I took so long to get around to writing a review, I don't quite recall the soundtrack and whether or not it was good. I'm assuming it was horrible, since one tends to remember very bad soundtracks, but I can't say it was amazing.

Overall: This is mostly definitely worth watching. The plot is interesting enough, but the lead couple if what makes this worth watching. They're so cute together.

Laters,
Tuma

“Chasing Fire” by Nora Roberts

 

Title: Chasing Fire

Author: Nora Roberts

Year Published: 2011

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons New York

Pages: 472

 

Synopsis/Blurb: 

Little else in life is as dangerous as fire jumping. Flying past towering pillars of smoke, parachuting down to the edge of an all-consuming blaze, shoveling and sawing for hours upon hours, days at a time, all to hold the line and push back against the raw power of Mother Nature.

But there's also little else as thrilling - at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are one of the most exclusive fire-fighting squads in the nation, and the job is in Rowan's blood: her father is a legend in the field. She's been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home - even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering in the air.

Fortunately, this year's rookie crop is among the strongest ever - and Gulliver Curry's one of the best. He's also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kid's arcade. He came to Missoula to follow in the footsteps of Lucas "Iron Man" Tripp, yet he's instantly more fascinated by his hero's daughter. Rowan, as a rule, doesn't hook up with other smoke jumpers, but Gull is convinced he can change her mind. And damn if he doesn't make a good case to be an exception to the rule.

Everything is thrown off balance, though, when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year's tragedy. Rowan knows she can't complicate things with Gull - any distractions in the air or on the ground could be lethal. But if she doesn't find someone she can lean on when the heat gets intense, her life may go down in flames

My Thoughts:

As always Nora Robert s writes a beautiful love story with awesome, interesting, lovable characters, and equally interesting plot backdrop. I really liked this one as I like all of Nora's work, but this doesn't get 5 stars because of the ending. I feel that it ended too abruptly. Almost like Nora thought "Oops, don't wanna pass the 500 page mark, let's wrap this bad boy up". The pace of the last chapter was fast forwarded 8X compared to the rest of the novel. But still, did I say that I really enjoyed it? Rowan and Gull made the best couple! I loved them together. And the supporting characters were equally fun. Guess you gotta be a lil nutty to be a Zulie!