Kdrama month prompt 30: A Kdrama that made you sad

 I have two once again:

Autumn in My Heart (Autumn Fairy Tale)

This was a sad tragedy, but the actors did a great job making the audience believe in the complicated past and binding fate that brought these characters together again. All of the symbols of Autumn meant something important to the story and created the atmosphere of a sweet love story. I liked all of the season based dramas made by the same writer who wrote Autumn in My Heart, but this story was the most sad of the four in my opinion.
Quote:  “I want to be reborn as a tree; that way I can plant my roots down, never move and can never be separated from the ones I love.”

49 days (Pure Love)

This was such an amazing  drama, and even though the ending wasn't unexpected, it was hard to accept. Ji-Hyun and the Scheduler found all the answers they needed, but the way of the world doesn't change. The characters most affected by this resolution were Hang Kang and Song Lee-Kyung. The ending of 49 days was realistic, and moving. But it was the saddest ending I ever saw in a Korean Drama.

Kdrama month prompt 29: A Kdrama that made you happy

Rooftop Prince

From the classic frying pan scene to the Joseon Power Rangers, this drama was a comedy, historical story and a mystery. The prince and his subjects getting used to the future had me giggling endlessly. Not to mention Park Ha's babysitter role in the first five episodes to show them the ropes and help them blend in. I really enjoyed this drama because it was a different type of genre, and it had many great symbolic and well written scenes that helped you figure out the mystery in the end.

Some funny stills :)

Frying Pan

Learning about the Escalator

Crane machine

Job interview

Kdrama month prompt 28: A Kdrama not loved by many, but you seem to like

I have two:

Goong S (Prince Hours)

I loved this drama. It was more light hearted than Goong and Yang Soon Ae was a strong female lead character.  I also liked Shin Sae Ryung in the end because she had her own story and character arc that helped her understand that she didn't have to pursue royalty in order to be happy.

Big

This drama was cute, sweet and really funny. I loved Kyun Joon's character and watching him find a family of his own was really moving. All the fun Kdrama references to The Moon That Embraces The Sun and Queen Inyun's Man were great along with the random English phrases Kyun Joon would say when he was upset, really happy or confused. The mystery of Yoon Jae's past was also intriguing.

Kdrama month prompt 27: A Kdrama loved by many but you don’t seem to like

Secret Garden

I tried to watch this one, but I couldn't get past the first three episodes and I have yet to know why. This drama is highly praised, so I'm sure I will give it another watch, but for some reason I couldn't become invested enough in the characters.

I'll add one more: Playful Kiss

There are a lot of fans for this drama, but like I said earlier, I couldn't relate to the main characters and I didn't understand their relationship.

Kdrama month prompt 26: Your Recently Finished Kdrama

A Gentleman's Dignity

I really enjoyed this show. It was complex at times because of all the different characters, but I enjoyed the clever dialogue and the ending was amazing! Best proposal scene in a Korean Drama ever. This show was really about growing up, facing fears and living life. It was focused on the many challenges you face in order to get by and the plot revolved around coping with many difficulties that life throws your way and making life fun at the same time.

Kdrama month prompt 25: Your First Kdrama

Goong, Palace, Princess Hours

This is the show that introduced me to Korean Drama. It started with the Manwha and then my friend introduced me to the show. After that, I watched until it was over. This was another form of therapy from College. I loved the idea of a modern prince and a down to earth girl as the crown princess. The royal life is fascinating, and High School has always been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Putting these together made an interesting story with lots of comedy and history. I also loved the music which was a mixture of classical and historical Joseon era  music. The teddy bears were also cute and cleverly put to retell moments in the show.

Kdrama month prompt 24: Your Worst Couple

I really don't like what I call "bully couples" where the guy is downright mean, and the girl just takes it. There are two examples of this in the K dramas I've watched.

The first is Geum Jan Di and Gu Jun Pyo from Boys Over Flowers

I had issues with this couple because Gu Jun Pyo was a bully, and when he finally liked Geum Jan Di, he still let her get pushed around and insulted by his mother. Not only that, he acted aloof, almost married someone else and literally forgot her. I lost count of all the things that Geum Jan Di put up with, but it irritated me that she waited and waited and waited while Gu Jun Pyo did whatever he wanted. It seemed like Gu Jun Pyo was too selfish while Geum Jan Di was too selfless.

The second example is Baek Seung Jo and Oh Ha Ni.

Oh Ha Ni was literally obsessed with Baek Seung Jo and that bothered me, but what really bothered me was the way he treated her. Baek Seung Jo was downright mean and rude. He graded her love letter, ostracized her, treated her like she was stupid, constantly put her down and of course the classic, messed around with her feelings. He would be nice one moment and cruel the next. He would tell her one thing  and then act completely different. The one other thing that irritated me about this couple was that Oh Ha Ni only wanted to marry Baek Seung Jo. That's it. She had no other goals or dreams, and it took a long time (more than half the show) for that to change. 

Kdrama month prompt 23: Your Best Couple

Ko Seung-Ji and Pan Da-Yang

These two may meet on a bit of a cliche, but their relationship grows from being business partners to friends and possibly more than that. They seem very real. They fight, they get along, they plan fun days together, they go through challenges and do what they can to overcome them.

I'm adding a best secondary couple here:

Jason and Pil-Suk

These two had a lot to learn about singing and performing from each other. Jason taught Pil-Suk to believe in herself and follow her talent. Pil-Suk taught Jason to respect other people's talent and appreciate working as a team player.

Kdrama month prompt 22: Least Favorite Female Character

Hong Se Na

She wins the worst sister ever award. Not only did she burn her sister's face in order to become crown princess, but she lied to her husband and let her sister take the poison she was going to give the crown prince. Her karma gets worse in the modern day story when she constantly insults and bullies Park Ha and goes further than that to ensure that no one will know her relation to her at all.

Kdrama month prompt 21: Least Favorite Male Character

I don't really have a "worst actor". I guess there are a few characters I don't like, but the actors play so many different roles. So I will change this prompt to least favorite male character, and do the same for least favorite female character. Okay here is my least favorite male character.

Kang Min-Ho

He cheated on Ji-Hyun and conspired with her best friend, In Jung to get her fortune. You can't get much lower than that. What's funny about him though, is he can't make up his mind. He falls for his fiance all over again without even knowing it, and still tries to string In Jung along. Seriously the worst male character I have ever seen in a Kdrama. It was frustrating to watch him act like the good fiance while he continued to try to get Ji Hyun's money and take advantage of her parents' grief.

Kdrama month prompt 20: Your Best Actress

It's a tie.

Park Shin Hye and Shin Min Ah have performed different roles that are complex and at times seem a little challenging. My favorite role of Park Shin Hye is Ko Mi Nyeo/Ko Mi Nam. My favorite role of Shin Min Ah is a tie between Miho and Arang.

Kdrama month prompt 19: Your Best Actor

It's a tie.

Both Jang Keun Suk and Kim Soo Hyun have acted in a variety of roles and performed very complex and impressive lead roles. Sam SongDong and Tae Kyung are my favorite roles they have performed.

Kdrama month prompt 18: The Worst Kdrama that you’ve watched until the end

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop

I just couldn't get into this drama. Cha Chi Soo was so mean, and condescending that I stopped watching for the story and began to watch for Choi Kang Hyuk. There was such a difference in the maturity of the main characters, that I didn't believe their relationship, and some of the scenes had too much going on.  The love triangle was annoying at times and the plot was really hard to identify aside from the constant conflict between the characters.I will say there was a fun Greatest Love cameo that made me laugh, but the only character I liked over all was Choi Kang Hyuk.

Kdrama month prompt 17: A Kdrama you've watched more than once

My Princess

This Korean Drama is so sweet and fun that I have watched it several times. It was my therapy during finals week in College. I also watched the entire thing with my Mom, and I watched some of it with friends and finished it again anyway. The dialogue is clever and the story is very cute and fun. Stories about royalty are always interesting, and this story is more than The Princess Diaries. There's a mystery involved in Lee Seoul's past. There is some politics between Park Hae Young and Lee Seoul. But the center of this story is growing up, becoming responsible and balancing happiness with duty. This is why My Princess is one of my favorite Korean Dramas.

Kdrama month prompt 16: A Kdrama you started but can't finish

Love Rain

I really liked the first main characters, before the story went into modern day. The story itself was interesting, with an unsatisfied first love that is later resolved in the next generation, but the characters were so different.   The seventies timeline was more interesting than the 2012 timeline. Because Seo In Ha begins the story, it was very easy to view him as a sympathetic character. The introduction to Seo In Ha's son was so different that I preferred the past to the present character. This was the same situation with Kim Yoon Hee's daughter. Both characters were sweet and gentle, but their children were loud and a little obnoxious.

Kdrama month prompt 15: Your Favorite Ending

My Girl: episode 16

I really love the way this episode summed everything up and drew a conclusion to Yu-Rin's situation. I particularly loved the snow globes that she found on the roof, that Gong-Chan had collected for her since she had to leave. But my favorite scene is the conference that Yu-Rin sets up. She plans on telling a lie in order to "scam" her way out of Gong-chan's life and remove herself from her situation as an imposter. After she goes so far as to make up a plan, the lie is so ridiculous that Gong-chan's family finally realizes that Yu-Rin actually cares about them. It was an important lesson for Yu-Rin, who never relied on anyone, that she could be accepted as she was.

Kdrama month prompt 14: Your Favorite Kiss

Bus kiss from Dream High episode 16: Last episode

There were many things I liked about this scene. When Sam Song Dong first meets Go Hye Mi, she is trying to persuade him to go to Dream High and pursue his dream as a singer. Sam Song Dong has a crush on Go Hye Mi from the moment he meets her, and even through he knows that she is only acting interested so she can go to Dream High also, he decides to follow her to Seoul. Even going to Seoul, Sam Song Dong hides another secret besides his crush on Go Hye Mi. He is losing his ability to hear, which puts him on a self discovering story arc where he must overcome not only his crush on Go Hye Mi, but his fading ability to listen and enjoy music. In the last episode, he is revealed to be the mysterious pop star K, which shows that he can still pursue his dream. Go Hye Mi realizes just how much he goes through and just how much he likes her in the last half of the story. It is only then that she realizes she may like him back, after all they have been through. What have they been through? Bullying from Go Hye Mi's ex friend, ostracization from the teachers and students, dancing and singing competitions, getting lost in Japan, Sam Song Dong's hearing loss episodes and the ultimate competition to become the next big Kpop star. This kiss echoes their first meeting and shows their new relationship. Though Go Hye Mi will miss Sam Song Dong, she doesn't want him to give up his dream, because she really loves him, and lets him know before he leaves. Both characters have changed so much, but their intimacy can no longer be ignored by Go Hye Mi when she realizes that Sam Song Dong has overcome a major obstacle, and he has an opportunity to live his dream.
In conclusion, this kiss was meaningful and so beautifully done that it concluded the confusion that was originally introduced in their relationship and played with throughout the story.

Kdrama month prompt 13: Your Favorite "I Love You."

Kim Do Jin- "I'm going to start a one sided love."
Seo Yi Soo- "Who is . . .?"
Kim Do Jin- "You."
Seo Yi Soo- "Me?"
Kim Do Jin- "Don't reject me."
(From A Gentleman's Dignity, Episode 3)

This is one of the most cleverly written confessions, and well performed moments in a Kdrama that I have ever seen. What I love about the dialogue, is that Kim Do Jin already knows that Seo Yi Soo has a one sided love with her friend's boyfriend, and is very careful to keep that secret. Once Kim Do Jin finds out about it, he uses that fact about her to determine her view on relationships and love, and approaches her in a way that she can deal with because of her pessimistic expectations. One sided love soon becomes a frequent topic between them, and Kim Do Jin claims to never have had that problem. Then he falls for Seo Yi Soo and, knowing that she is dealing with feelings for another, is determined to prove her wrong about her view on love. As the series progresses, he even gives her a manual to follow, based on his own experiences, and tells her to use it if she does fall for him.

Manual for One-Sided Love by Kim Do Jin

1. Think about me all day without eating or sleeping.
2. If I don’t answer the phone or respond to a text, get hurt and be anxious.
3. Try hanging around my office or house while hoping you run into me.
4. Even if you see me, watch me endlessly from far away. Lovingly.
5. If I talk to another woman, become crazy with jealousy and consider crashing into her with your car.
6. Obtain my elementary, middle and high school graduation photo no matter how and put it in your wallet.
7. Come to my house abruptly sometimes and make my heart flutter.

Kdrama month prompt 12: Your Favorite Story

 49 days

There is no competition.

Not only was the story creative and engaging, but the characters were so human and complex that they all had a story arc of their own within the main plot. The story of this drama is an interesting picture of the afterlife and an in depth  look at what it means to live. It also had an underlying theme of consequences and acceptance that each character had to overcome in their own way. The most interesting story was the Scheduler, and how he grows to be human once more. This drama was one of the most inspiring stories and contains the most real characters I have ever seen.

Kdrama month prompt 11: Your Favorite Dialogue

My Princess: Episode 4

The scene where Lee Seol's letter is read as a prayer request while Park Hae Young and Lee Seol are trying to get her letter back before her mother reads it. Still one of the most memorable scenes in the drama :)

Priest: This person wrote a letter. It is not important how long it is, but what the heart has written. Okay, I will begin reading. Mom. It's me Seol.
(Lee Seol's mother looks at her in surprise.)
Priest: I guess this person calls the Lord "mom"
(Lee Seol's mouth drops open and she waves at the priest, as if to quiet him)
Priest: Well, mother or father  . . . I will continue reading.
(Lee Seol crosses her hands and shakes her head)
Priest: First, go to the kitchen.
(Park Hae Young sits down next to Lee Seol)
Park Hae Young (whispering): Hey it wasn't there. What happened?
Priest:  . . . get a glass of water
Park Hae Young (whispering): What? Do you have to go?
Priest: If you open the drawer without the handle, you'll see the medication to calm you down.
(Lee Seol's mom looks at her again)
Priest: What is this person saying? Take that first. Did you take it? Then, calm down and keep reading.
(Lee Seol bows her head in shame)
Priest: Mom, by the time you read this letter, I'll be on a plane headed to Egypt.
(Park Hae Young's eyes widen and Lee Seol shakes her head while her mom listens)
Park Hae Young (whispering): How did this happen?
Priest: Truthfully, I've always wanted to go.
(Now Lee Seol's mom has caught on)
Priest: But because you might be heartbroken, I couldn't say anything. From what I have read, I think this person is trying to run away from home.
(Park Hae Young nudges Lee Seol)
Preist: Seol's mother. Isn't that congregant Kim Da Bok? Are you here today congregant Kim Da Bok?
Seol's Mother: Yes . . . I'm  . . . right here.
(Park Hae Young nudges Lee Seol again)
Priest: It seems your daughter has run away from home.
Seol's Mother: Well that is . . .
(Park Hae Young and Lee Seol bolt for the door. And Lee Seol's mother turns around.)
Seol's Mother: Seol! You! You two better stop right there!
(She chases them out to the front of the church.)

This was one of the best scenes and so unexpected. 

watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXWRFlyeus8

Kdrama month prompt 10: Your Favorite Line/s by a Female Third Wheel

"Star. It’s nice when you’re looking at it from afar, but when you look at it up close… it really isn’t anything special." -Rian- Dream High 2

I like this quote because it shows that Rian is wise. She finally learns that just because she is a star, it doesn't mean everything will go her way. This quote speaks for many things. Sometimes we forget that the people we admire were once like we are, still at trying to achieve the dream, and at the end of the day, they have the same hopes, dreams and cares that their fans do. Rian learns this by understanding how life works, and once she moves past her ideals, she discovers her own way to achieve a happy life.

Kdrama month prompt 9: Your Favorite Line/s by a Male Third Wheel

“Don’t bow your head to anyone. Don’t Cry. Don’t kneel for anyone. It will become a habit. Once it becomes a habit, it will be hard to fix.” - Moon Jae Shin


 This quote means a lot to me because it is very true. This is also a way that Moon Jae Shin remembers his brother and follows his brother's advice so his ideals will not be forgotten. His brother always told him not to make bad choices a habit. In this particular moment, Moon Jae Shin is telling Kim Yoon Hee not to let anyone walk all over her, and in doing so, he has expressed a deep concern for Kim Yoon Hee's struggle to win the archery tournament. This line also reveals an important aspect of Moon Jae Shin's character. Around the school, he is known as Crazy Horse, because he never showed up to classes on time or in uniform. He did whatever he pleased and stayed that way, even though he was smart enough to be the head student, he focused on what was important to him, keeping his brother's dream alive, and watching out for Kim Yoon Hee.