TV: Game of Thrones

If you enjoy movies such as Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter - I recommend you watch "Game of Thrones" on HBO. The show is a fantasy series, set on a mysterious land ruled by Kings and Queens. There are Knights, sword fighting, and even dragons.

There were 10 episodes on Season 1, and it's currently on Season 2 episode 5.

Drama Review: Greatest Love (최고의 사랑)

Yoo In Ah, Yoon Geh Sang, Cha Seung Won, and Gong Hyo Jin. "A" list celebrities take over this drama, along side a very long list of special cameos (ie. Lee Seung Gi).

The synopsis. 10 years after a kpop girl group is disbanded, one of the ex-members who has had a miserable reputation for doing the wrong things meets Korea's #1 actor.

Of course, the story isn't that simple (com'on.. it's a K-drama). Too lazy to write all of the other details. What i will tell you is that it's a romantic comedy. I laughed plenty while watching this - and time actually flies while you watch it. In other words, there aren't any boring parts throughout the entire 16 episode series. I remember only fast forwarding through one part.

There isn't much to change for this drama. The male lead was perfect! However, I personally didn't like the female lead. She reminds of someone.. like literally looks almost the same and it freaked me out. I had to go through 2 episodes to settle down. Doesn't she look like the doll Chucky from that scary movie.. ?

Rating: 9/10

Drama Review: Midas

One of the hottest rated girls in Korea right now is Lee Min Jung. She came out in Boys over Flowers, and i didn't get a very good impression of her. After watching Midas, i understand what all the hype is about. She currently has the girly, cutesy, type of image that many top stars have; such as Kim Tae Hee and Song Hye Gyo during their earlier careers. It doesn't hurt that she is also very attractive.

The plot of the drama is about "money". The drama focuses mostly on the bad side of money such as greed and corruption. The story of a brilliant man unfolds as he tries to reach his dream of becoming filthy rich by selling his soul (not literally) to a wealthy family.

I think the main character was poorly selected. I didn't like his acting, and i think a better fit would have been Lee Byung Hyun. The story unfolds in 21 episodes which was a bit long. I did enjoy all the betrayals and revenge plots.

Overall, it was a decent drama. Could have been written much better IMO. Worth the watch? Yes. Mostly if you enjoy revenge plots. Honestly, i fast forwarded through most of the dialogue, so keep your fingers on that FF button. Lee Min Jung doesn't come out that often, so don't expect to see much of her.

Rating: 6.5/10

TV Show Review: Boys Before Flowers

I heard so many good reviews on this k-drama that i had to watch it. It's currently on Hulu with English subtitles. Just do a search for "Boys Before Flowers". It is a rather long mini series with a total of 25 episodes. You will have to stick with 45 second commercials. For every 1 hour episode there are about 6 commercials in between.

The synopsis is about four boys that go to a private high school just for rich kids. Eventfully a commoner girl ends up going to the same school and the drama unveils the story between each of the kids. For the first half of the series, the story is funny, full of life, and entertaining. The second half is sappy, and lovey dovy - with lots of make up and break up. Typical k-drama.

구혜선 (Goo Hye Sun) who plays the main heroine does a pretty good job with her role. Her cute smile and energetic character is charismatic. She has one of those smiles that just brightens up your day.

I was debating on what rating to give this drama. It lost a few points because it just dragged on a bit too long. 20 episodes would have been perfect. I honestly didn't see the last 5 episodes as necessary.

Rating: 8/10

TV Show Review: Dream High

I admit, the only reason i began watching this was because of the cast. Suzy, IU, and Eun Jung. The synopsis of the drama is about students attending an art school that specializes in creating new celebrities in Korea. The 16 episodes all lead into a climax when they try to achieve their "Dreams" of becoming famous and debuting as an artist.

What you can expect is LOTS of tears.. i think crying scenes were WAY overdone. Acting was sub par. Half the cast is from JYP Entertainment. JYP himself is one of the main cast members. Humorous. You will laugh more than a dozen times.

Interesting note is that IU went to JYP in real life a few years ago to get cast as a singer. She was denied. She eventually became an internet star after releasing home videos of herself singing cover songs of popular groups like Big Bang, and SNSD. JYP publicly went on to say that he regretted not realizing IU's potential at the time. In the drama, this revelation is comically embedded into the story.

Overall, i'd say it was worth watching. The story isn't the greatest. There were obvious tells that the writer was swayed into changing bits and pieces towards the end likely due to pressure from producers or fans.

Rating: 7/10

TV Show Review: 나는 가수다 (I'm a Singer) Survival

There is a new TV show out in Korea. I don't know the exact rules, but it's a survival type of show where i believe each week one contestant is voted off the show. There are some really big names that are participating, all of whom i like.

Baek Ji Young
Lena Park
Kim Bum Soo
Kim Gun Mo
Jung Yeop
YB Band

Out of all of these singers, Kim Bum Soo kinda stands out for me because he has made 4 of my all time favorite sad ballads:

1. I want to see you (보고싶다)
2. Memory (매모리)
3. One Day (하루)

Some of the episodes for "I'm a Singer" are on YouTube so go check it out. Also check out the originals by Kim Bum Soo!

Drama Review: My Princess

I just finished all 16 episodes. Cute drama. I actually liked the fact they dragged out the ending to show the lovey dovey parts. Watching Song Seung Hoon makes me want to get a European fit suit.. time to go check out Zara @ 3rd st.

Kim Tae Hee comes out unbelievably cute in this drama, and plays the sassy part very well. During many of the scenes i just wanted to pinch her cheeks!

Rating: 8/10

Drama Review: Secret Garden

So i spent the past week watching all 20 episodes of this drama. And i must say it was enjoyable. Ha Ji Won and Hyun Bin create a good chemistry and believable characters.

The plot of the story is about a billionaire Hyun Bin who falls in Love with a stunt woman Ha Ji Won. Their love face lots of obstacles including, changing bodies, hate from Hyun Bin's mom, love triangle, etc. There are some slow parts that i fast forwarded, but overall the drama was solid and not dragged out.

I wish i had Hyun Bin's hair.. haha. Anyways, i recommend this to anyone that enjoys love story K-drama's. SPOILER! Its a happy ending :)

Lastly, i think this drama had one of the best OST's i have ever heard. It features song remakes by Bebe Mignon of One Man by Kim Jong Gook and another 4Men song. It also has a hit single by Baek Ji Young "That Woman".

Drama Review: Athena Goddess of War

Athena is a Korean drama spinoff after the successful hit "Iris". The storyline takes place a few years after Iris. A few characters from Iris return, but most of the main characters are new. Iris 2 is supposedly scheduled to start shooting after Athena is finished. Iris 2 will also bring back all of the original cast back.

The synopsis of the story is about a secret society named Athena that is trying to control world energy with a newly invented technology. The scientist that developed the tech, is being secured by NTS (National Anti Terror Service) - and there are different groups trying to snatch him away.

I've watched up to episode 10.. and it seems like the series will lead up to episode 16. From the looks of the cast, cars, explosions, scenery, etc.. they went all out on production. I imagine it cost a few million just for the first episode.

If i had to pick, Iris was better - but Athena is very well worth watching.

The cast is awesome. The female leads are:


Lee Ji Ah

and


Soo Ae

Soo Ae comes out as the stronger female role and as Jung Woo Sung's love interest. I was hoping Lee Ji Ah would get that role, but it doesn't make a big different. Both actresses do an excellent job.

Lastly, the OST for this drama resembles it's predecessor. For Iris, they had a hit with Baek Ji Young's "Dont Forget". Athena has Tae Yeon from SNSD singing "I Love You":

TV Show Review: 제빵왕 김탁구 (Bread King Kim Tak Goo)

This drama finished a while back. I just finished watching all 30 episodes, and it's been a while since i watched a good drama like this. I was hesitant at first because i wondered how good a drama regarding baking bread could be. I heard this drama got over 30% viewership in Korea. That's a pretty big hit.

The quick synopsis is about a boy trying to find his separated mother. His path eventually takes him to a bakery where he finds his passion.

I think they could have cast a better female lead role instead of Eugene from SES. I hate her acting.. and she's a bit old for the part she played. The drama does conclude in a happy ending which tickled my funny bone.

TV Show Review: Hawaii Five O

If you haven't seen it yet.. go download the first two episodes on EZTV.  Basically it's a remake of the classic show from the 70's.  Surprisingly there are two Koreans in the cast (Daniel Kim and Grace Park) - i never liked Daniel Kim in mainstream TV Shows particularly because there are many better looking Korean actors. After his big hit with "Lost" his being recognized.. but i think the show could have used someone else. 

In the first episode, Grace Park is told to get undressed to check for a wire tap.. which she does, and then is told to do a full body turn.  She works out.  Nuff said.

Fast paced show with lots of action.  Going to enjoy it.

On a side note, there are two other new shows i added to my list:

• The Event
• Nikita

The Event is a Lost wannabe show about aliens that live among us.  It tells a storyline of a few characters going back and forth between the past and the present to explain the plot.  A lot like Flash Forward. 

Nikita has Maggie Q.. nuff said.  I'm afraid the show may get canceled though cuz the plot just doesn't have the "umph".

Korean Variety Shows!

Here is a list of the Korean variety shows i currently watch.  They are not in any particular order.

1. 1박 2일
2. 헤피투개더
3. 영웅호걸
4. 스타 골든밸
5. 스타 킹
6. 러닝 멘
7. 무한 도전
8. 우리 결혼해서요
9. 뮤직 벵크
10. 꽃다발

영웅호걸

Have you seen any other Korean variety show with so many beautiful girls?  영웅호걸 had a slow start, but it's been getting slightly better.  Hopefully it doesn't get canceled early like Family Outing season 2.  The show is based on 2 male MC's and 12 female celebrities that split into two teams and compete.

The best part about the show is that i found new interesting celebrities.  Here are my top picks:

정가은 Jung Ga Eun
IU
지연

Hell's Kitchen

Anybody else watch this?

I think it's an interesting show.  They can do without all the profanity though.

The Best Moment in Naruto

I'm sure many of us read Naruto.  The most memorable moment ever in my opinion was this:

Favorite TV Shows

There are shows that you just cannot live without.  Some are funny, some exciting, and some just tell a really good story.  Most of us (if not all of us) watch Television regularly and have our own set of shows we watch on a weekly basis.  I generally download all my shows because i enjoy having control over when and where i watch these shows.  If you don't own a Tivo, EZTV (google it) is a great place to download some of the more popular shows.