My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
Posted: September 5, 2010 Filed under: Dramas of the Fictional World | Tags: Drama: My Girlfriend is a Gumiho 3 Comments »A new drama starring Lee Seunggi and Shin Minah, “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (Nine-tailed Fox)” is a brilliant new drama from the Hong sisters, the writers of last year’s fantastic romantic-comedy drama “You’re Beautiful”. They also happen to be the writers of “My Girl” and “Delightful Girl Choon Hyang”, and that track record is certainly something to be admired.
But this drama… it is just. So. Good. Lee Seunggi plays Cha Dae Woong, a rich kid who acts all cocky in front of his friends, but is a huge wimp in front of the cute but carnivorous Gumiho, played by Shin Minah. What makes it so interesting is the unique dynamic between the leads, differing from the typical rich-guy-and-poor-girl relationship we see all the time in Korean dramas. This time, these two characters are equally strong yet equally dependent on each other, boosted by the great scriptwriting by the Hong Sisters. There’s even the wonderful Korean mythology about the Gumiho or the nine-tailed fox that is the basis for the entire plot, making the drama a wonderful modern adaptation of the fairy tale.
Watch it with English subs here: http://www.viikii.net/channels/goto/MyGirlfriend
My Girlfriend is A Gumiho is definitely not your typical angsty Korean drama, but it’s a light romantic comedy that will make you go “Awww…” with every episode. It’s currently still airing in Korea (the 8th episode came out last Thursday) but will finish soon at 16 episodes in 4 more weeks.
[J-Drama] Osen
Posted: February 6, 2010 Filed under: Dramas of the Fictional World | Tags: Jdrama: Osen Leave a comment »Wow. I just finished the whole thing after patiently waiting for hardsubs to come out, and it is totally worth the wait.
The drama is just… beautiful. That’s the best way I can describe the whole thing. The focus of this drama is traditional Japanese culture, especially food. It is set in modern times, but is all about a traditional Japanese restaurant, Isshouan, which upholds the very foundations of Japanese culture, prioritizing experience, quality and hospitability over profits (which is a very, very rare thing indeed).
The drama stars Aoi Yu and Uchi Hiroki, who are both experienced actors and have been in several dramas already. Aoi Yu plays the bubbly, but strong-hearted and wise (if you can use that word to describe somebody so young) okami, or proprietess of Isshouan, while Uchi Hiroki plays a chef-in-training who finds himself employed at Isshouan. There are also several supporting characters who are excellently portrayed as well.
What makes the drama so special and so refreshing is the way it is able to present Japanese culture in a very engaging, understandable manner, and so beautifully as well, making you fall in love with every single thing they do. The actors are all perfect (except for Uchi Hiroki who is a bit over the top, but I guess that’s what is required of his character), especially Aoi Yu whose smile just brightens up the whole situation no matter how grave it is.
Every episode is centered around one aspect of Japanese culture, and it thoroughly and beautifully explains and demonstrates what makes Japanese culture so unique and special. It reminds us (even though you are not Japanese) what makes these traditions so precious and important to us, and what it takes to protect them now in this age where we are slowly losing our traditions.
I would like to fawn over the cinematography, scriptwriting, set, casting and so much more of the drama, but really. Just as the drama tells us, words will never be able to express the experience completely. So watch it! It will be the most wonderful 10 hours of your life.
♥♥♥♥♥ (5 out of 5!)
Random things…
Posted: August 15, 2009 Filed under: Around the Net, Dramas of the Fictional World | Tags: Big Bang: TOP, Drama: I Am Sam, Team China Leave a comment »Tonight, I had dinner with Jes and Bea (TEAM CHINA!) and some of their Gracian friends at Tempura Banawe to celebrate Bea’s birthday, which is tomorrow! Happy birthday, Bea!!! :D
Rachelle was supposed to be there, para macomplete ung Team China (at least, yung mga nasa Pilipinas pa), pero for some reason napadpad siya sa Tempura Makati… in the end, she couldn’t come. SAAAAAAAAAAD. Rachelle, magpakita ka sa akin bago ako pumunta sa Hong Kong! Haha XD
For the past few days, I’ve been watching this Korean drama called I Am Sam(Sam means teacher in Korean) It’s actually pretty funny XD It’s about a loser teacher who teaches a class of failing students, who happens to meet the daughter of a gangster. Then the girl suddenly becomes determined to go back to school, and study under the loser teacher. Obviously, as proven by the numerous dramas that combine gangsters and school (Gokusen, My Boss My Hero, etc. etc.), lots of trouble, and of course fun, ensue from the combination. And no. I didn’t watch the drama just for T.O.P. (of Big BANG!) ♥
Bored…
Posted: July 21, 2009 Filed under: Dramas of the Fictional World, Hollywood! | Tags: Drama: Hana Yori Dango Returns, Movie: Confessions of a Shopaholid, Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Movie: Uptown Girls 4 Comments »I spent the day doing nothing. AHHHHHH so much fun! :D
I woke up about 9 am, and watched Confessions of a Shopaholic. Such a fun movie! I actually liked it better than the books! I mean, the books were good, but Becky was so annoying in the. In the movie, she was just crazy, but you can actually understand how she feels. Before, I was disappointed with the whole them not being British thing, but Luke’s accent in the movie makes up for it. Isla Fisher’s acting was splendid and now I can’t imagine Becky Bloomwood in any other way. It was a great movie, and it was the perfect escape after the whole JTA sem depression period. :)
Last night, I watched the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with my JTA blockmates. It was fun! It sort of felt like a horror movie, but it was proper to make it dark and foreboding because of the themes touched in the movie. It also had funny bits with Ron and Hermione and Lavender Brown and Luna Lovegood. Some people say it was really different from the book but the book was so long ago, I forgot what was in it, so I enjoyed this movie a lot. :) The movie also explained the plot really clearly, and although it rushed through a few parts, it also focused on the right parts, so that you can understand what’s going on even if you haven’t read the book. Some characters were completely underused. For example, Flitwick appeared for like, 30 seconds. We were able to see more of some characters who didn’t really make much of an impact in the last movies such as Fred and George Weasley, and maybe Draco Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. (FYI I haven’t seen HP5, but I plan to really soon. :) )
This afternoon I watched a few episodes of Hana Yori Dango Returns. It was a little too melodramatic for me, but I just really want to watch HYD Final so I’m forcing myself to finish season 2. :)
Once I got bored of HYD, I watched a movie that I downloaded a few months ago, Uptown Girls, starring Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning. Dakota Fanning is actually really cute. :) The movie was nice and inspiring and refreshing after all the senseless, meaningless chick flicks nowadays. Definitely worth watching. :)
And that was my day. :) I probably shouldn’t but I always feel this sense of accomplishment if I finish a day watching a lot of movies and dramas. :P
Kame turns 23! ♥
Posted: February 23, 2009 Filed under: Dramas of the Fictional World, Fangirling Leave a comment »Kame Kame Kame Kame!
Today is February 23! Today, Kame turns 23!!!
NOOOO KAME you’re too old for me! :((((((
And to celebrate, here is my ultimate favorite video of Kame!:
(Note: There is no video because for some strange reason, I can’t embed youtube files. :( next time na lang)
Why is it my ultimate favorite video of Kame-chan?
Because I hate roller coasters too! This means we are destined to be together! YES! That is true! I believe it with all my heart!
Kamenashi Kazuya-kun is my super favorite Japanese idol of all time! He is not just a super actor, but a super singer and totally gorgeous guy as well! (And he also looks like a girl, as my dear readers once commented when I introduced him to you. But that’s a good thing, anyway.)
Why is he a SUPER ACTOR?
- Gokusen 2 – This was his first big drama where he was the lead! He was only 18! He was the “emo dude” to Akanishi Jin‘s (♥) hyper character. As Odagiri Ryu, he was the foil of Jin’s Yabuki. :) And this was where Akame was born!
- Nobuta wo Produce - Super skinny Kame! According to him, he was less than 100 pounds while shooting this drama! Even though he is so unhealthy, he was still so dedicated to his work! Anyway, here, he plays Kiritani Shuji, the super cool popular guy who was actually hiding behind a facade, which was gradually broken as he became friends with Nobuta and Akira. He shared the screen with Yamapi and Horikita Maki, who were both on their way to being super big stars! :D
- Yuuki – Super tearjerker! Kame plays a terminally ill backpacker who touches the lives of the people he meets on his travels… His acting was so touching, I actually cried! (And trust me, I’m not a very cry-y person.)
- 1 Pound Gospel – SHISUTA ANGELAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Based on a Rumiko Takahashi (the creator of Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha) manga, the drama tells of Hatanaka Kousaku, a boxer who can’t seem to control his appetite (like meeeee!!!!! … Except i’m not a boxer…). And he falls in love with a nun (ohmygosh!) Sister Angela, played by Kuroki Meisa who is super super pretty, and looks like a foreigner (she looks a little bit like Megan Fox) so it’s kind of unbelievable that she’s a nun. But he’s so innocent and lovable that they end up together anyway (Sound of Music, anyone?). This is one of the best dramas I’ve ever seen! It’s so cuuuuute! :D And to think there is barely any touching between Kame and Kuroki Meisa, that makes this a really powerful love story. And it’s a story of growing up and being an individual, as well.
- Kami no Shizuku – ??? I haven’t seen it. But I will!
Why is he a SUPER SINGER?
- KAT-TUN – He is actually a Johnny’s Idol! And KAT-TUN is his group, and you can hear from their singles and albums that Kame is one of the best singers in the group. :)
- Shuji to Akira – Kame teamed up with Yamapi to sing the theme song of Nobuta wo Produce, Seishun Amigo, which was SUPER COOL! He was great, as always. :D
- Kizuna - This is where he really shone. His first solo song, released as a insert song of Gokusen 2, and in the Seishun Amigo single. His voice is really smooth and mellow. It’s great. :D
Why is he totally gorgeous?
- Because he is really cute! Especially when he smiles! (I’d post pics but I’m too lazy. Next time na!)
- Because he is a really nice guy! How do I know? I just do!!! Because he’s so nice to his group members, and he is really down to earth. As seen in interviews, his hosting stints, etc. So he is not just beautiful physically, but he is also a beautiful person deep inside. :D
To end, another super cute and funny Kame vid! (With Jin and the rest of KAT-TUN!)
(Ditto)
Happy birthday, Kame! ♥♥♥
Meet these guys…
Posted: February 21, 2009 Filed under: Dramas of the Fictional World, Life Experiences, Randomness | Tags: Ai 3 Comments »Um, the title sound likes a generic spam subject line. But never mind.
If you know these guys, that’s great!
The guy on the left is Kien Hong (I’m using Taiwanese names), and he’s the wife of Le Hun who happens to be the older sister of the guy on the right, Hong Guan.
What? Is this some weird Taiwanese drama?
Yes, it is. It’s a show called “Niang Jia” that my mom and my grandma watches (and perhaps even your own parents and grandparents). And I watch with her!
This is where all my time is wasted on! Gah!
(But like, they’re cute, right? Haha! :P)
EDITED March 22: Thanks to my dear sister, who pointed out that Ai was over like a few months ago. It’s Niang Jia. I think I confused some people out there. Haha!
“Smile”
Posted: February 13, 2009 Filed under: Dramas of the Fictional World | Tags: JDrama: Smile, MatsuJun 2 Comments »Jun Matsumoto is starring in a new drama called “Smile” where he will be playing a half-Japanese, half-Filipino guy.
Um. I don’t know. I don’t looooove Jun like other people do, but I like him. However, I’m not sure about this half-Filipino thing. It’s nice, I guess, to hear him speak Filipino or something (I doubt they will do this, as even American characters (e.g. Julia on Hana Kimi) don’t bother speaking even 1 word of English) but doesn’t it make you wonder why they’re doing this? Is it because Filipinos play a significant part of Japanese culture? Or are they simply pleasing Filipino fans who have been actively supporting Japanese dramas? Especially now that GMA and ABS-CBN have been taking up Japanese dramas.
And how do Japanese view Filipinos anyway? Perhaps (and I’m not saying this to be derogatory or stupid or stereotypical or anything. I’m merely hypothesizing.) there could be the chance that Jun plays the son of a Japanese man and a Filipina entertainer? (As before, there are a lot of Filipina entertainers in Japan.)
So, well. Hope they make this worth it. Fingers crossed. And smile! :D
