A year ago in early December, I was still at the beginning of my k-music journey. I was discovering groups left and right and one of the ones that stuck out to me was SHINee. I had watched them on a few variety shows and decided to check out their music. Color me shocked when they immediately became one of my top 10 groups. I started to say, if I was a k-pop fan 7 or 8 years ago, SHINee would be my ult group, that’s how amazing and affected I was.
But it was almost 2-3 weeks after I started listening to them, I heard the news that no one would have expected. On December 18th, Kim Jonghyun of SHINee had taken his own life at the age of 27.
I sat in shock. For some reason, this hit me harder than I would have thought. At the time, Jonghyun was just another idol, part of a group I kind of knew, and for the most part really liked. However, the moment I read the news, I was thrown into a deep dark hole of grieving for this man who I learned, had touched so many people. I cried at the mention of his name, any picture I saw had me needing to take a break. Every shawol in my orbit was hurting and it was something that couldn’t be ignored. I even became so obsessed with the whole funeral that I had to detox myself from anything related to Jonghyun or SHINee because of it. Eventually over time, I pulled myself out and became a stan of his and SHINee’s work. Even among the sadness that the thought of him gone brought me, his talents and legacy couldn’t be ignored.
At first, I didn’t know how to be a fan. I found myself sad every time his songs came on my playlists. Or I would find myself yearning to see him on a music show and then remembering the devastating truth. For months, dealing with the reality was the hardest. I questioned myself constantly, why did his death effect me this way? Ultimately, it came down to a combination of things. One, I myself was already going through the grieving process over my mother’s death. Two, I also suffer from depression and at the time, was really going through a down swing of things. Three, in that short period of time where I discovered the group, Jonghyun and his music really touched me in a way only a few other artist have. And finally, it was watching how this one person could have such a effect on every person who had come in contact with him. As I watched his friends and colleagues hurt and cry out for him, I knew that this one man was truly special. The last time I felt this hurt for someone I had never met, Heath Ledger had died.
Now here we are a year later. Jonghyun is nominated for an award, SHINee as a whole is moving forward musically, the members are having solo endeavors, Onew has just enlisted for his mandatory service. Life continued on for all. The guys don’t shy away from talking about their brother. They miss him as much as we do. And many have criticized them for continuing on, but I believe that isn’t what Jonghyun would want for them.
For some fans, this was the first time losing someone they looked up to or who had such an impact on their lives. the grieving process is one that is different for everyone and can’t be measured in time. As each day passes, we miss them a little more but hurt a little less. The best thing is to remember Jonghyun for how he lived and not for how he left. For how even now that he’s not physically with us, he will forever touch and inspire people to be their true artistic selves.
Each part of himself that Jonghyun had given us, will live on with every person who knows his name. So for every shawol or anyone that was touched by Jonghyun, prayers and love be with you.
I couldn’t in good conscience include this song in my list because it came out today HOWEVER, I am positive it will end up being my most played boy group song next to Tempo therefore I have to post it.
I know this was a bit excessive of a list, but I can’t help it hahah! Maybe next year will be different. Until next time! 😉
Welcome to the first annual (let’s see if I do this shit again) LUKA’s! Or the Lazy Unnie’s K-Music Awards. With a little inspiration from Sugar Unnie, I’m doing my own awards to wrap the year up, but instead with music! This year was big for me personally when it came to discovering new music. My playlists grew tenfold and my YouTube had more views than it did in the past. With it being award season anyway, it is a perfect time for this. Also, those awards always make me mad, so why not do one myself!
Only main criteria is that it was released between December 2017 and December 2018. Since there are so many categories (Once I started I couldn’t stop), here are the nominees first. I’ll be announcing the winners on December 24th!
Before I start, you’re probably wondering, “Where are the Love Alert recaps?” Well…. uMM.. You see…. You see what had happened was…..
Okay. So I will be honest with you, I haven’t had the time to sit and watch Love Alert to do full recaps. I will likely get caught up during my break from work even though the show will have ended by then but I stick to what I say dammit!
Now onto this post.. You can consider this an open discussion/opinion post that was prompted by something that I saw online while scrolling through twitter. (Okay fine, it was a Netizen Buzz comment that she translated and it got me thinking.. HOWEVER I DID NOT CLICK ON THE ARTICLE CAUSE NOPE! SHE IS A JENNIE ANTI AND WE DON’T FUCK WITH JENNIE ANTIS)
The article was about Park Min Young taking another rom-com role after Why Secretary Kim (I really couldn’t get into this one idk man) and how she is always doing rom-com roles; Is this even true? I mean this is arguable considering her role prior to Why Secretary Kim was Queen of Seven Days which is definitely not a rom-com. Below is the comment in particular that jumped out at me:
“What’s wrong with playing the same character? I notice these people even accuse singers of sticking to the same genre but it’s not like they’re the only actors or singers in existence. You can go to other actors for other genres. It’s not necessary to squeeze yourself into roles you’re not a fit for. I think it’s fine if you’re good at a type of character and play it off well.”
Now naturally I found that I had a lot of feelings about this in particular and I realized that I had a kind of ‘devil’s advocate’ type approach to this, for a lack of a better phrase.
Niche – If You Have Found Something That Works Why Not Stick With It?
Let us examine the large end of the spectrum, there are many actors/musicians/content makers out there that exist so if someone has a targeted audience or specialty why risk it? Why should a group like Twice that thrives with electropop/bubblegum pop sound and constantly makes hit after hit, switch it up with something new? They have their targeted audience locked. And if you as the consumer want something new, why not explore different groups that fit your taste?
There are actors who specialize in being comedic kings and queens, for example, Jim Carey or Mo’nique. They are the type of people that when you hear that they are cast in a movie you know right away the type of role they will be playing. Similar to the type of roles that we see Korean actors particularly shine in. Ji Chang Wook and Lee Joon Gi are great in action roles and if we hear of them joining the cast of an action movie or drama our expectations shoot through the roof. When I heard that Yoon Eun Hye was coming back in her rom-com I knew I would be getting bomb ass kisses and it is the reason I consider Marry Him If You Dare to be a blatant and terrible waste of my time. (Side bar: “Jeez Sugar Baby Unnie, how many times will you talk about Yoon Eun Hye?” AS MANY TIMES AS I FUCKING CAN!!!!!)
Slump – Instead of falling deeper and deeper into this hole, why not branch out?
In that same token, just because an actor or content maker is really good at something does not mean they should stick to that for the rest of their life. It gets boring, repetitive and predictable. No one wants to watch an actor play the same role project after project after project. You like seeing your favorite actors or musicians branching out and learning new things. I love seeing my favs get challenged with new roles. I anticipate all EXO releases because I know I get a huge variety of options when it comes to their music (stream Tempo and buy Love Shot on Dec 13th) . Yes, there are artists who specialize in the certain content that you can get for whatever fix you need, but like I also want to see my favs branch out and do something new because they may actually be excellent at it. It isn’t limited to just content in the media either, but even the jobs that people take and make careers out of. New experiences are always super fun.
So I guess what I’m saying is that it goes either way. If someone is comfortable doing their thing, then let them, but that also shouldn’t stop them from exploring other options. However, remember that not everybody has the range whether they find their niche or branch out.. Bae Suzy. Until next time!
After hanging a picture on my wall, placing three books on my bookshelf while aptly ignoring the huge box beside it, and baking banana zucchini muffins, I decided it was time to relax and unwind with Yoon Eun Hye. I grabbed my second bottle of soju, my mother (comments in bold are made by her) and my viki subscription! LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!
Woo Hyun starts episode 3 off, sawing wood and musing over his conversation with Yoo Jung from earlier in the night. This is where we find out that he did reject her offer at the end of episode two for them to date and the whole conversation kind of felt a bit exhaustive, although I did enjoy the atmosphere and a few choice gems that they shared with each other. I felt the emotions in the scene when she told him that he has never experienced the situation of having people he doesn’t know talking shit and spreading lies, making her out to be a bad person. FUCK KNETZ.
The scandal is becoming bigger than they all anticipated and now she’s suffering from cancelled contracts due to her image not upholding the “pure” standard. Let me pause for a second and say that I actually hate this shit so much. I am beyond irritated by this idea that a star in the public eye cannot openly do things like that (looking at you CUBE entertainment). Like jfc let people be happy ffs.
Anyways.. we then cut to Yoo Jung meeting the others for a meal and they notice how puffy her eyes are as she’s clearly trying to put on a brave front for her colleagues. Yoo Jung says to CEO that they should find another person because Woo Hyun will not crack and her brother hints at the CEO that it should be best friend, Sung Hoon which Yoo Jung adamantly rejects. Sung Hoon and Yoo Jung are now exercising with face masks on and he lets her know that he doesn’t mind being her scapegoat and she is still adamantly refusing. Eventually the conversation leads to Woo Hyun as Yoo Jung is clearly already smitten.
Speaking of Woo Hyun here he is taking care of burn victim’s foot and he looks so much like Choi Kang Hee here that I had to do a double take. Student shares with him that Yoo Jung also has a burn on her back and that she is afraid of fire. Of course, Woo Hyun sees similarity within himself and we are treated to him having a flashback of being saved from the fire and I am betting $100 that it was Yoo Jung’s mom that saved him and she is directly related to this some way, some how. Also homeboy just takes the dog tag? Just like that? Mmm k. THIEF. Woo Hyun leaves work and eats alone at home while reminiscing about the meal that he shared with Yoo Jung.
It’s the next day and Sung Hoon is meeting with Jae Kyung telling her that he will be Yoo Jung’s scapegoat. We all know that it is because he wants to instagram double tap that ass! The scene cuts to Woo Hyun at the hospital where we are introduced to his chairman daddy’s wife. Ngl. I love this actress! I think she was in ‘Lie To Me’ as well. Anyways she’s like “wah wah wah stay away! wah wah my son should be the successor wah wah wah.” He doesn’t care, ma’am. I did notice however that he didn’t promise her.. mmm. He’s so stiff and boring. Stop being so serious.
Yoo Jung looks like an absolute flower goddess! So freaking pretty! holy shit! I love the work ethic and her wanting to do well by requesting that they redo the shoot. However, mid preparations another scandal drops. This time it is saying that she is the woman who Woo Hyun’s half-brother, Se Hyun (I think that is his name I don’t know I am two bottles of soju in at this point), had an affair with. Naturally this affects her ability to work because now she’s a side hoe and ruined a marriage. She ends up falling from the swing and injuring herself. Super dramatic. In an attempt to save face, she tries to leave with her dignity in tact. We find out that the culprit behind this is Little Miss Desperate. NOW HOLD THE FUCK UP. I AM READY TO FIGHT THIS BITCH. IT IS ON SIGHT. ON MOTHERFUCKING SIGHT. How you just gonna run someone over with a truck like that? tf?? She doesn’t even know Yoo Jung! She doesn’t even know that Yoo Jung and Woo Hyun have a connection and she already doing this so imagine what is gonna happen when the fake dating news comes to light?? I AM GONNA POP YOUR ASS BITCH! SQUARE UP!
Yoo Jung ends up at Woo Hyun’s hospital for treatment because why not? He cuts her clothes and sees her bruise on her back and the burn from the fire. Can someone tell me why he had to cut the clothes and she couldn’t just take it off? Weird. He tells her that he doesn’t believe the scandal because he can read the kind of person she is in her eyes. She tells him about the fire and I FUCKING KNEW IT. Mom passed away from that fire and we all know that it is 1000% related to him. She starts sobbing uncontrollably and you can see that she’s clearly missing her mother especially at a time like this. I expect you to cry like this whenever I die.
LOL @ brother already in love with his soon to be brother-in-law. I am dying.
Mom is scheming with chairman daddy to have son be the successor and I am like very irritated by her. I take back all the praise I gave last week. She strikes me as a very immature person. She says that her and hubby #5 broke up because he cheated on her. Woo Hyun starts talking about how love is worthless and uses his mother’s situation as proof. He storms out. . Is that why you don’t have a boyfriend? Because I’m like his mother and haven’t had many good relationships with men? Mom shut up. You’ve been divorced once. At the hospital he sees a note from Yoo Jung and he starts smiling cause he whipped already and doesn’t even know. Hahaha.
Yoo Jung finally agrees to use Sung Hoon as she believes that ex-boyfriend is behind all of this. She apologizes to Sung Hoon, not knowing that dude is definitely sporting a hard-on at this news. HAHA. Okay the elephant thing is cute. You’re so corny. How did I give birth to you? The next morning the pair along with her brother, head out to visit her mother’s grave. Oh wow that scenery is beautiful.There is already flowers there and she gets really upset and I already know where this is going.
Woo Hyun is at the hospital because damn I guess he really is a doctor. He gets a call that his mother has cancer and I believe that .00001%. He’s trying to get in touch with mom and she’s not answering and this is so manipulative and gross.
Yoo Jung and Sung Hoon are taking staged photos to make it look like they’ve been secretly dating for a while, but it’s like so awkward LOL. STOP LOOKING AT THE CAMERA IDIOTS LOL. I did think the outside scene was kinda funny though. I think I like Sung Hoon.
Mom finally calls Woo Hyun back the next day and it’s a set-up. I am beyond irritated by this. She asks him to go on a date before they go to the doctor and this basically confirms my suspicions that it is a set-up. Give her the benefit of the doubt.
Oh mother,
Of course I was right because it so happens that the hotel that he’s meeting his mother at for dinner is where chairman daddy and company are gathered to make an announcement. In a total plot twist that everyone saw coming, Yoo Jung is also at that hotel. They coincidentally bump into each other and she thought fleetingly that he was there for her. As Yoo Jung walks into her press conference, he gets a call from the chairman’s wife and she lets him know it’s a setup.
In one conference room chairman daddy is about to announce that Woo Hyun is his son and his marriage to Little Miss Desperate. In the other conference room Yoo Jung is about to announce Sung Hoon as her boyfriend. Yoo Jung grabs the mic as Sung Hoon prepares himself to stand when Woo Hyun bursts through the door and tells her that they should be a fake couple together. Episode 3 ends there.
I paused Viki from auto playing the next episode because I needed to pee and tweet about how much I am anticipating Jennie from Blackpink’s solo debut song titled ‘SOLO’. (Yes I am shamelessly plugging it and what about it?) I also made popcorn cause I was hungry. Episode 4. Play!
Woo Hyun interrupts the press conference and announces that he’s the secret boyfriend and that they have been dating for six months. There seems to be an overwhelming amount of support to the couple and Jae Kyung and Reporter are very pleased. Chairman daddy is in another conference room and gets interrupted from making his announcement due to the news. Both him and Little Miss Desperate are like big mad.
Woo Hyun and Yoo Jung leave the press conference and he immediately lets go of her hand, but she tells him that they have to keep pretending even when there is no one around because that is how people get caught. As soon as the words leave her mouth, a swarm of reporters surround them asking a bunch of questions and his father emerges from his press conference. There is a tense moment and awkward stare down followed by Woo Hyun telling Yoo Jung that he would catch up with her later. He then proceeds to have an intense confrontation with his father and both my mother and myself are not interested.
Woo Hyun’s mom is in the hospital being a manipulative lying little GRRR! This seriously so irritating to me.
Yoo Jung is at the agency, not so casually eavesdropping on Woo Hyun’s conversation with his friend about finding funds to keep the hospital going. This makes her curious and assume that the reason he accepted the proposal to fake the relationship is because of the money. This does not go over well because as you know Woo Hyun is not that kind of guy and they end up in a bickering match. Both of them refusing to sign the contract like some fucking babies.
It’s the next day and they are reviewing the contract. Yoo Jung makes the suggestion that he should have input into it as well and Woo Hyun being basic af does give some kumbayah shit as his clause in the contract. I know he’s supposed to be like a just and righteous guy but he’s a bit annoying.
Oh look it’s Little Miss Desperate and I am instantly annoyed.Chairman’s wife shows up and starts giving her the business and I am living for it! She is a bad bitch! Like that is some straight up bad bitch behavior that chairman’s wife just exhibited.
I am so impressed by Chairman’s wife that I have decided that she is worthy of me learning her name for these recaps. Hello Kyung Eun! You may eventually piss me off but currently you’re on the nice list. Side note: I totally have those earrings that Little Miss Desperate is wearing.
VIP hospital is flourishing. They are booked and busy due to the reveal of the relationship. Woo Hyun’s friend is like elated by this news and I imagine that his wife is somewhere wetting her panties as we speak. (I am so sorry for being so crude). His friend is pressuring him for the details about what it is like to date a celebrity and then he pulls him aside and tells him that it is actually a fake relationship. Okay so I have two things:
Why is friend creating such an excitement over a fake relationship and saying he has never heard of that before?? Like bruhh?? This is the year 2018!
OHMYGOD DID HE NOT SIGN AN NDA? HOW YOU JUST GONNA TELL HIM AT THE HOSPITAL TOO! LIKE DO YOU WANT SOMEONE TO OVERHEAR THIS? Ajdbaskjfcsdj HE NEEDS TO GET SUED. PERIOD.
Next we see Jae Kyung and Yoo Jung having a conversation when they are interrupted by someone. He reveals to them that a number of their contracts have been cancelled. Instinctively I knew that this was Little Miss Desperate’ s doing because all the contracts are related to her company. This forces Jae Kyung to meet with the Reporter so that they can devise a plan to improve Yoo Jung’s image. They come up with the idea of doing an exclusive dating report to show the couple to the public in a way that makes them feel organic. Jae Kyung approaches Yoo Jung with the idea and she vehemently refuses as she doesn’t see why she should give a press conference about her relationship and I kind of agree. Unfortunately, her resolution is broken when more and more of her contracts are being canceled especially the Korean/English movie collaboration.
The next day they are sitting with Woo Hyun to tell him off their new plan and naturally he is being a wet blanket.He’s being really whiny.They butt heads yet again because of the whole sensitivity regarding money and okay lowkey it was funny the interaction with Yoo Jung and Jae Kyung about him just being prideful. Hehehe Jae kyung’s expressions were on point. Eventually he of course agrees because duh.
Little Miss Desperate is doing THE most to cripple Yoo Jung’s career and is looking into her background and being a little annoying bitch. I think I would like appreciate her more if she had any feelings for him and wasn’t purely doing it to gain status. We cut to his mother’s little lying ass self in the hospital and she’s convincing the doctor to tell Woo Hyun she only has months to live and I truly do not get the motivation for her to be doing this. Little Miss Desperate shows up at the hospital and the mom is all “wow you’re so pretty” and I feel like throwing up my popcorn and booze.
Our main couple is being presented their itinerary for their date. There is a whole ass storyboard and everything. They are to do typical date stuff and Yoo Jung tells him that she picked out clothing for him to wear at her house. At her house, they are trying on numerous clothing options for him and I’m gonna keep it real with you fam, none of these fits were a look. He starts to get frustrated and she settles on the first one. He asks why go through so many if they were going to settle on the first one and it’s like come on Woo Hyun! My brother tries on fifty outfits at a time to go out so I know men do that shit too. He asks her if she wants him to remove the scar from her back and she tells him no because she is afraid that with it gone she would forget her mother. I’m going to bed, let me know if anything else happens.
Brother and reporter are like totally gonna smash by the way. I don’t even understand what even occurred here for this to even be a thing but I mean, do you boo! They are watching our main couple from their car and tell them to do things that couples typically do. They request that they do skinship and it is so awkward but like in a funny way. I am really enjoying this especially when she like tries to get him to look like he’s in love and I really feel such an easy and comfortable chemistry here that I enjoy.
The next part of the date takes part at his home. They are discussing her trauma but it only lasts a short time and I am feeling a little aggravated becauseI know there’s more there and the little bits are like $%^@^%&@!! LOL. He moves to make them a meal and she picks up the card from his book and starts smiling and giggling like fool as if this is the first time she has read this, like sis, didn’t you write it?? They’re eating together and she’s having flashbacks of the ex throughout all the ‘date’ stuff that they’re doing…. I guess she really did love him. Wow.. Men aint shit.
She starts getting physically shaken up by this and Woo Hyun suggests that they stop for the night. Right before she leaves her cell goes off and she is frozen once she sees that it is ex-boyfriend. Woo Hyun, the valiant knight in shining armor answers her phone and the ex is yelling about what happened with his fiancee. Yoo Jung is having a little breakdown and Woo Hyun explains that the ex’s fiancee is one of his patients. I loved that he compared the ex relationship to trying on clothes and it made me forget that I was irritated by him earlier in the episode. Hehehe.
Brother is like straight up declaring his love to reporter and just WOW at this family. They fall for people faster than it takes me to finish a bottle of wine.
Yoo Jung is exercising and reminiscing on her time with Woo Hyun from the previous night and my point stands about how this family falls for people damn quick. CEO comes in and let’s her know that the reports seem to be doing well and they’re both happy. Yoon Eun Hye looks really hot in this scene. She takes out her phone to listen to something and IT’S THE FREAKING CONVERSATION WITH WOO HYUN AND EX BOYFRIEND?? Are you serious???
Nahhhhh. Okay listen, I know this is fiction and all but do not insult my intelligence like this. How in the hell did that happen?? PHONES DO NOT WORK LIKE THAT. I know how technology works. This is false advertising and bullshit. APPLE SUE THEM. How dare they??!! Like??? fUCK YALL.
Okay moving on. They’re on another date at a villa and it is hella cute! There are some other reporters there convinced that it is all an act which gives us more couple moments. They’re having dinner which is straight tragic like yall are a doctor and a superstar actress, that meal is a struggle meal. Also tf you mean about zero calories? THAT SHIT IS RAMEN YO! THAT SHIT IS PURE CARBS AND CALORIES. STRIKE TWO.
After the meal they part ways to sleep. She goes into the tent and he is in the car. The scene pans over the diminishing coal and then to a circuit which sparks, causing a fire that spreads almost as quickly as the Yoon siblings fall in love. The episode ends with Yoo Jung fainting after asking him to save her and he’s standing there, stunted.
Ah this is way later than I intended but like you see.. what had happen was… LOL. Listen I started writing this recap when we had the regular editors and not this block nonsense. I promise I will try to be on time with these recaps. Overall solid episodes I guess. I do enjoy the emotional scenes, I think YEH is hitting the mark with those. Episode 4 took a little more time for me to get through and I think it was because I was a little tipsy. LOL.
Ahh!! So I was struggling with deciding how to do these. I was inspired by my laziness and as such I am doing these recaps to cover both episodes. This is better for me because I am rather busy during the week so covering both episodes at once maximizes my time! Also this review is late only because I was recently moving so I had a ton of shit to do and I didn’t have the chance to sit and write this recap. I have also decided that these recaps won’t be in the style that you’re used to but it should be entertaining nonetheless! Let’s get into thissss.
Recap
We start off the premiere episode with Yoon Yoo Jung (Yoon Eun Hye) getting an award at an international award ceremony for best actress. Everyone was cheering and there was joy and happiness. After that Yoo Jung is all up on her presumed boyfriend (Choi Jung Won) at the airport in a pretty careless way that had me like ‘damn sis don’t you think you should like not do that shit out in the open?’ Hence why a pap was in the bushes snatching pictures. During this ‘cute fest’ we are given our first coincidental sighting of the male lead Cha Woo Hyun (Chun Jung Myung) who looks at them the way I looked at them, with pure disdain. He notices a crowd that’s waiting and cheering even though he didn’t quite understand that it was for our female lead. Through the cheering crowd comes his not that much older mother who lets us know that he won an award as well. He then proceeds to ask how her fifth honeymoon went and we find out that hubby number five is barely older than her son and honestly, hella goals Mom!! Get. It.
Yoo Jung says bye to presumed boyfriend whose name I can’t recall and don’t particularly feel like looking up and then she goes into her van where she is accosted by the CEO of her company, Han Jae Kyung (Han Go Eun) who proceeds to tell her that her actress persona and her true persona are very different from each other and sometimes she should class it up a bit. Jae Kyung also tells her that homeboy ain’t shit and if she feels the need to get experience to devote more to her dating roles then let her choose because Yoo Jung can’t pick men. Cue us seeing boyfriend getting a car from his girlfriend who is coincidentally a VIP patient from Woo Hyun’s hospital. Woo Hyun of course runs into them and immediately recognizes the boy cause he was all up on our sis a while ago. When VIP Fashion girl introduces him as her boyfriend, Woo Hyun was basically like:
Woo Hyun and his mom leave the parking lot and are in the car where we learn more about him which is basically ever Kdrama male lead ever who has a tense relationship with his father, doesn’t believe in love and blah blah blah. They end the car ride and he’s at his hospital where he’s loved, a patient comes in that his mom had set him up with and she was like hella desperate and my dude was like “ugh can you not?” He gets saved by this student who burned herself and needs immediate treatment.. I mean I’ve burned myself before but you haven’t seen me crying a river about it but anyways. We then cut to Yoo Jung and her CEO still bickering and Yoo Jung complaining about her back which seems to need treatment and which hospital do they end up? The one where our male lead works! I AM SHOCKED. *she says sarcastically*
At the hospital Woo Hyun treats the student with the burn who wants to become an actress and her favorite actress is non other than our resident superstar, Yoo Jung, who at that same time is paying for said student’s treatment because her mother left her wallet at home in all the confusion of the life threatening burn. When Woo Hyun leaves the student he has the intention to pay the bill but that’s when he finds out that it was already covered and so he decides to give Yoo Jung the special mask because she’s so nice. Daww. They walk by each other in slow motion like only kdramas could do and Yoo Jung heads to her room not before eavesdropping on a bunch of jealous bitches calling her a flop who can’t keep a man. She’s rightfully upset by this and spirals into a bit of self pity and honestly, so relatable!! She also overhears Woo Hyun being a know-it-all to the other surgeon and she’s enamored by that, so enamored that when she’s leaving the hospital she lets them know that he should be her doctor from now on. The nurses were like “he’s totes hot too!” and asked if she wants to meet him but then she gets a bootycall from boyfriend so she had to decline.
Yoo Jung arrives at boyfriend and is basically so in love and gushing about it being their 100 days soon and he was like “it ain’t that deep” and I didn’t appreciate that because 100 days is a big deal!! I can barely commit to a gym for that long. But poor Yoo Jung cannot read social cues at all cause that is a man that is definitely not feeling that gift of a watch. But listen… I would take the watch, Yoo Jung! He’s an ungrateful prick! She’s like telling him it’s time for them to go public and he’s basically telling her that he’s not worth it. He was practically yelling it.
Thankfully the awkward conversation is interrupted by Woo Hyun who apparently is looking at boyfriend’s house cause he’s selling. Unfortunately for Yoo Jung that means she has to hide, double hit of bad luck, the paparazzi from earlier is camped out across the street taking pictures through THE CLEAR AND OPEN WINDOWS! Can we discuss how these people are supposed to be celebrities but like have a total lack of awareness? Like??
It’s the next day and we’re witnessing the most awkward car ride. Fortunately we’re saved by Yoo Jung needing to stop to get something from the store, when boyfriend stops the car, she runs out and police tell him he can’t park there. Woo Hyun then pulls up in a pretty identical car to get something from the store as well. When Yoo Jung leaves the store she naturally just hops into the car and the scene which occurs is quite hilarious. Our first true interaction between the leads in which Woo Hyun says she’s stealing his car and she thinks he’s a stalker. Thankfully, boyfriend shows up again and they realize that it was indeed a huge misunderstanding and they go their separate ways.
Woo Hyun arrives at work and we’re treated to the drama’s portion of daddy issues. Woo Hyun doesn’t want to be used by dad and dad abandoned them and there’s some illegitimacy behind his birth and blah blah. Next.
Paparazzi girl has her pictures and enough story to drop the scandal and her boss is patting her on the back and she’s like “Yes! My rent is getting paid tonight!” Moving along.
Yoo Jung is with her CEO who is basically trying to tell her “hoe don’t do it”. She explains to her that she is a brand and that these scandals could affect her beyond her expectations and I couldn’t help but once again think of the actress herself and not the role. She’s telling her that she can date in due time with the right person but homeboy isn’t it. Jae Kyung’s worries were falling onto deaf ears cause girlie is in love and doesn’t give a fuck. She wants to admit to dating him at the press conference release the next day. Sighs. Yoo Jung is seen later also discussing this matter with her friend and fellow actor, Sung Hoon (Joo Woo Jae), who also thinks she’s batshit crazy. While they’re at the shoot preparing and filming the scandal breaks out and Yoo Jung could hardly contain her excitement. The poor fool. Meanwhile Jae Kyung is trying hard to keep it under wraps. Yoo Jung keeps trying to call boyfriend and he’s not answering his phone.. Oh no.
It’s the next day and Yoo Jung approaches boyfriend in the dressing room where he proceeds to dump her. Our little lovesick idiot is making up excuses and refusing to see it for what it is which is how we found ourselves collectively cringing at the press conference where she admits to being in love with someone only to then find out that her boyfriend is now engaged to VIP Fashion lady who gave him a car for his birthday.
This is Yoon Yoo Jung at the end of episode one:
The second episode picks up where our premiere left off, all eyes were on Yoo Jung as they awaited the explanation of who it is that she’s in love with since the rumors of her dating costar boyfriend could not be true as he is now engaged. Luckily, our CEO buys her some time by promising to give an exclusive interview much later. As Yoo Jung is leaving paparazzi girl says to her that boyfriend or rather ex-boyfriend was cheating on her cause she knows that they were actually together and Yoo Jung was like tearing into her and I wish she would bring that same energy to the ex boyfriend but nope instead we see her crying to CEO about him in the next scene because she believed that he really did love her and wasn’t using her for fame. She convinces CEO to give her a day to gather her thoughts and emotions and she agrees.
Hahaha paparazzi girl is being harassed by a man in uniform. The scene is pretty ridiculous because it’s Block B’s Pyo!! He’s pretty much yelling at reporter telling her she can’t just post what she feels like and they eventually end up at the police station where paparazzi girl is trying to convince the police to drop the charges. In comes his guardian who is none other than Jae Kyung because it turns out that uniform guy is Yoon Yoo Joon, Yoo Jung’s brother. Paparazzi girl clearly sucks at her job of being a snoop cause she didn’t even know she had a brother. She did take this moment to tell CEO of her plan to save Yoo Jung; finding her a secret lover.
Yoo Jung is sitting outside drinking heavily and talking to her mothers grave so we automatically know that this is gonna end really well especially when she starts going through his photos and reminiscing about their good times together. Damn men really ain’t shit.
Woo Hyun sees the nurses gossiping and is hella nosy too so he wants to know what’s good and they showed him the blog posts. He looks away pensively for a moment before little miss desperate shows up and they start talking. She explains to him that she is an illegitimate child as well and it’s like awww poor thing, he still ain’t gonna marry you though.
Her: We are perfect together. You’re the reason my family is noticing me right now.
Him: thank you, next
They end the conversation with her realizing that in order from him to marry her she should make him desperately want something and as such she gets him fired from his job. I mean… I guess???
Yoo Jung is drunkenly walking the streets and I am shocked that no one has snapped a photo to sell for money cause I honestly would. She ends up at ex-boyfriend’s house which is now Woo Hyun’s house and she lets herself in because he didn’t change his code cause he’s fucking stupid but I digress and she starts crying and breaking down. Luckily, it’s a nice decent guy who bought ex-boyfriend’s house and not a sociopath because in actuality this could’ve ended with Yoo Jung in a fucking body bag in a ditch, but that’s too dark.. LOL. We see him help her when she hits her head almost knocking out what little sense she has.
It’s the next day and girlie looks a hot ass mess. She wakes up and realizes that she was a hot ass mess last night and tries to sneak out but Woo Hyun was like “haha you thought” and tells her she was very disruptive last night. They have a semi bickering contest and he says to her that it’s okay and she can leave. She boldly asks him for a ride because she can’t let her company know she slept out. Eventually we see her begin to clean and he’s making breakfast. He literally puts two plates down on the table then talks about how he doesn’t eat with strangers and we see a real sincere bonding moment between the two which made my heart flutter (ohhh I get it now!). He sits down with her and they eat a meal together.
Meanwhile, Jae Kyung and paparazzi girl have decided on the perfect guy for her to fake date for three months and are on their way over to where she is right now to discuss a contract with him, Yoo Joon in tow. They think to themselves that perhaps Yoo Jung isn’t as stupid and is actually dating this other guy and not ex-boyfriend due to all the coincidences and I’m like umm nah y’all have known her your whole lives and think she’s that smart? I’ve only known her a hour and twenty minutes and know she could never. LOL. As our lead couple is exiting the building they’re almost ran over by her brother who exits the car and rushes straight into her arms. It’s high key kinda cute and very touching. They all introduce themselves and this is where Yoo Jung finds out that this is the dermatology specialist, Cha Woo Hyun.
CEO and paparazzi girl are sitting opposite of Woo Hyun and Yoo Jung, when they ask him to pretend to be her lover for three months. They’re both shocked. Of course he says no and walks away and Yoo Jung walks away as well. CEO suggests that maybe they should find someone else and paparazzi girl is like “NO! It has to be him!”
Woo Hyun arrives at a hospital owned by his former relative by marriage where he decides that he will work trusting that his patients will follow him there. We then see his father and desperate girl having a discussion about him in which desperate girl admits that she was the cause for him getting terminated.
Yoo Jung is in her dressing room looking at all the stuff that ex-boyfriend bought her and is wondering what she should do with them. GIVE THEM TO ME SO I CAN PAWN THEM FOR MONEY. As she leaves to film the final scene she approaches ex-boyfriend in his room and sighs. I cannot even. She stood there stunted as he basically degrades her and then tells her to keep her mouth shut or he’ll ruin her life and all I can say is that I can’t wait for him to suffer.
Desperate girl is on the phone with her lackey and tells him to buy the special program from Woo Hyun’s new hospital as it doesn’t matter anyways cause they’ll close down within a month. Lackey approaches the wife of the owner and she quite literally salivates at the thought of how much money they’re making. She goes to tell Woo Hyun about the person who purchase the program and at that moment Yoo Jung walks in leading him to believe that it is her to which she responds no and asks him if he’s up for a chat. They’re on the roof and Yoo Jung expresses how thankful she is to him for all that he has done and she asks him for one more favor; date her for three months.
First Impressions
OHKAYYYY. OUR QUEEN IS BACK! SHE IS BACK! guysss guys guyss! I can’t explain how there is just something about Yoon Eun Hye that these other actors aren’t touching! The character is so endearing and you can’t help but think up the parallels of the role with the actress behind it. There is really good chemistry between YEH and Chun Jung Myung that I wasn’t expecting. I am thoroughly impressed. This drama isn’t bringing anything new to the table but it is being done in an enjoyable manner. My only hope is for there not to be a lot of time spent on the mundane family inheritance conflict which unfortunately based on the preview for episode three will not be the case. I am glad that this drama was entirely preproduced although I do forsee that such a simple plot will likely go to crap somewhere near the middle. However, I am willing to stick with it through it all because I have missed Yoon Eun Hye so gotdamn much. I know there are quite a few people out there who believe that she isn’t a good actress, and I won’t be petty and call out a certain actress that is very famous but is not good PERIOD but let me just say this script isn’t calling for Oscar level acting so leave your acting concerns at the door. Also fuck all the knetz that only watched so they could talk shit. I hope she ignores them and continues to do dramas because as long as she’s the lead, I will watch. I mean I watched Marry Him If You Dare didn’t I?
It’s been a little over a year since I’ve gotten into KMusic. I don’t want to say kpop because I listen to a lot of different genre’s, even trot! I wanted to list some (100) of the songs that immediately were hits in my eyes. These are listed in no particular order.
As a rule of thumb, at least for me, rewatching is a chore. I’m not a fan because my initial reactions are my truest. Granted, I am a rule breaker and that extends to my own rules. Even though I’m not a fan of rewatching shows in particular, I do find myself hunkering down to watch some of my old tried and trues. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve watched ER for it would be too embarrassing.
Now when I started this journey of kdrama watching a year ago, my watchlist was lengthy. It still is; over 80 dramas to get to. I anticipated to make it through the list faster than I’ve been going, blame the variety shows I discovered and now the ending of dramafever doesn’t help. (Check out Sugar Baby Unnie’s rant on those matters) But lately I’ve found myself yearning to watch some of the shows that made me fall hard into this niche little hole. As I stated above, I’m not that big a fan of rewatching because my reactions and feelings tend to stay firm. However, with the following three shows, it put my beliefs to test.
The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince (2007) – First watched: September 2017; Rewatched: September 2018
I toyed with the idea of celebrating my year marker with revisiting the drama that started it all for me. This was first recommended to me by my best friend. Which in fact was recommended to her by Sugar Baby Unnie, so small world. It took me a while to actually get into it. I had watched the first episode and then kind of abandoned the idea of watching. Promises of going back were hanging in the air, but a boredom of regular television sent me back in its arms. And did it embrace me warmly. I devoured episode after episode, grew frustrated with some of the plot points (I mean how could he NOT realize Eun Chan wasn’t a guy?!), but somehow through all of that I became an addict. By episode 16, I was dying for more and praying it wouldn’t end. Once I was finished, I was completely in love with Gong Yoo and hopelessly devoted to dramas.
Fast forward a year later, and it was time to rewatch. Since watching Coffee Prince, I had watched 27 dramas other than Coffee Prince. Ones that weren’t as old as it and other genres. I was scared that my thoughts and feelings would be different and I wouldn’t even like Coffee Prince as I thought. When I did my first watch, it was rated 10/10. I’m usually generous with my rating, but this was ultimately everything that I would compare others to. When it came to the rewatch, at first I was a little bored. Bored? What?! I know, but I quickly remembered that when I first watched, I had feelings of boredom with certain plot points and development. But once I got into the nitty gritty of the drama, I quickly remembered why it is still one of my highly rated dramas. I got all the goosebumps in the same places and my heart clenched when Eun Chan looked longingly to Han Kyul. Ultimately, I was glad I took that walk down memory lane with this one.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016/2017) – First watched: September 2017; Rewatched: September 2018
Already being in my feels and trying to push through Hwarang for the 10th time it felt like, I needed something light and fluffy; Enter WFKBJ. I first watched this during my first phase of k-drama binge watching. I immediately fell in love with the story, characters and all the tropes they were throwing my way. The chemistry was off the charts and when I found out the actors were dating, I wasn’t that surprised. Everything about WFKBJ was perfect to me; the heartache, romance, comedy, and eye-candy was all top notch. When it came to rewatching, it felt like I was putting on a comfy sweater and curling up with a warm cup of coco. My first feelings matched my rewatch ones. For some reason, it felt like I fell more in love with it the second go round, which I didn’t even think was possible. Still a 10/10.
So far so good, right? Rewatching was going good, I was liking everything, I was happy. Why not rewatch one more show…
Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon (2017) – First watched: September 2017; Rewatched: October 2018
I love Park Bo Young. I love Park Hyung Shik. Those are just the facts. I didn’t even know who they were when I first started this drama, but I saw a gifset of Hyung Shik’s character freaking out over Bo Young in a wedding dress. I knew I had to watch it even just for that scene. However, when I started watching, something felt off. All the little boxes of things I loved in other dramas were checked. The plot was hilarious, a girl with super human strength and people who love her. Even had a creepy murdery sub-plot that really held my attention. Throughout the whole first watch, I fell for the cutesie scenes between the leads. But my heart never soared as high as I anticipated.
After rewatching WFKBJ, I wanted to keep with the light feeling. What I thought was going to happen, I was going to fall more in love with these whacky characters and their story. NADA. Boy was I wrong. I found myself pushing through each episodes, getting easily distracted, even skipping scenes! Something about the plot and the characters had lost their magic. Did I still love Bong-Soon and Minhyuk? Of course. Did I still find the serial kidnapper creepy yet oddly sexy? Hell yes. But somehow, it made me realize that not all shows are rewatchable for me.
Moral of this post? Don’t rewatch everything, and try to tackle my never ending watchlist.
Allo! I come to you, one week later and one year older (I recently celebrated a birthday) but anyways so I am like maybe one of like four kdrama fans left on this earth who are still very into Yoon Eun Hye. Call it nostalgia because she was the lead of the very first kdrama that I watched or call it a true appreciation of a kissing goddess, but I love that bitch. My good sis was such a liar though fam…. Like she said that she was coming back from 2016 and I waited and waited but finally, FINALLY, she will be back in a new drama called ‘Love Alert’ airing on MBN which Viki has gotten the rights to. I have been keeping a keen eye on the development of this drama for a while because I was still extremely skeptical of whether or not Yoon Eun Hye would indeed be making her kdrama comeback. I wasn’t quite familiar with the network, MBN, and ended up doing some research on them……. very underwhelmed by the products that I have seen attached to their name.. However, I do believe she made a good choice in choosing a cable network and I am actually really glad that she turned down that robot one that she was rumored to have been reviewing because robot dramas are usually a hit or miss and more times than not it’s the latter. ‘Love Alert’ was definitely the more appealing drama, a certified romantic-comedy with everyone’s favorite trope: ‘a fake relationship becoming real’. We have seen Yoon Eun Hye in a similar role before and even though I haven’t seen anything with her male lead, I read that this was a pairing that was destined to happen as he was supposed to be the male lead of ‘Coffee Prince’ which I owe my forever ship of Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye to! Yes, I know I am delusional, no I do not care. So basically what I’m saying is that I am giving this my views regardless because I miss her so fucking much! In honor of her return, Wednesday October 31st, 2018.. I present to you my definite ranking Yoon Eun Hye’s dramas and movies.
9. Na Mi Rae – Marry Him If You Dare
The drama was boring. Half of it didn’t make any sense. I was physically ill as I tried to finish this drama for Yoon Eun Hye. How dare you cast kiss queen and have no kissing but call yourself a romantic comedy? Get the fuck out of my face. Mi Rae was very.. uhmm.. plain? She was what I imagine that vanilla ice cream would be if it were a person.
8. Lee Ji Hyun – The Vineyard Man
I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t watch this drama. It probably could be better than the productions listed below, BUT I do know it isn’t any worse that the one listed above because I actually saw a picture that looked like they kissed and that’s already beating out Marry Him If You Dare.
7. Kang Hye Na – My Fair Lady
The drama itself was very difficult for me to get through because I do not like either male leads and as such could never actively root for any romance. Her acting did seem a bit immature and OTT here, but I theorize it to being the way the character was written. However, this definitely made me have a desire of seeing Yoon Eun Hye as a bratty character, perhaps with a better storyline and attractive male leads.
6. Han Min Joo – Legend of Seven Cutter
I enjoyed this movie for what it was and that is it. I do think Yoon Eun Hye has a certain charm when she plays a less than acutely girly character, however not much dynamic or range where this role was concerned. Still, it was enjoyable.
5. Lee Yoo Min – My Black Mini Dress/Little Black Dress
Ah! This was actually a really good movie because it contained a few other actresses that I found extremely likeable. I quite enjoyed the role she played here, it was something that someone in their mid 20s could enjoy.
4. Lee Soo Yeon/Zoey Lou – I Miss You
A melodrama role that had me extremely skeptical. The drama itself is actually pretty good. I’m just not a fan of Park Yoochun which probably explained why I felt the chemistry to be a little lacking. Overall she did a great job at portraying Zoey’s emotions and this was a role that showed a growth in her acting. It was such a shame she went downhill by choosing Marry Him If You Dare after …. Oh also she looked bomb as fuckkk!
3. Gong Ah Jung – Lie To Me
For the most part I genuinely enjoy this drama minus episodes 13 to 16 which were frankly just a waste of time. She had really good chemistry with her lead and the cocoa cola kiss was AMAZING!!! I definitely have a high rewatch factor for this one cause it’s Yoon Eun Hye doing what she knows best, having perfect comedic timing!
2. Shin Chae Kyung – Goong
This is another with an insanely high rewatch value! I am literally rewatching it as I write this post. The chemistry between her and Ju Ji Hoon was really good. Yes, it doesn’t really have the best acting, but it’s still better than most. The only unfortunate thing of this drama is how ridiculously long it is and how it kinda wouldn’t be a drama that could be dropped into today’s modern society. Overall though, Shin Chae Kyung was a pleasantly adorable character and fresh faced Yoon Eun Hye did what she came to do!
1. Go Eun Chan – Coffee Prince
OF COURSE THIS IS NUMBER ONE. THE BEST OF THE BEST. CREME DE LA CREME. I DESERVE A REUNION WITH HER AND GONG YOO BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW IF THE CHEMISTRY IS STILL THERE! There is nothing I can say about this drama that millions haven’t said before me. It’s really a staple in Korean drama and you’re a weak ass wack ass dumb ass bitch if you haven’t watched it as yet. This drama made Korea gay and that’s the true tea! Give me a Yoo/Yeh drama, movie, CF, variety appearance… anything really. I even took the win when they were both in the same magazine! I will take ANYTHING.
Well that’s it! If you want to check out the teaser for ‘Love Alert’:
Did I plan on my first post being about Dramafever? No, absolutely not but a bitch is heated. If you are like me, you logged on to your favorite streaming site for the best asian content (sorry not sorry Viki) to find that it has been shut down. Now, I have been a loyal Dramafever user since 2011 and I am in utter and complete shock at how blindsided myself and seemingly many others were by this. I was literally in the middle of watching a Chinese drama when my screen went blank, I hit refresh then I saw this message:
I am not going to pretend that I am some business savvy person and I understand anything about acquisitions and all of that. I am only here to complain and vent my frustrations. No email out? Yet I got an email every damn weekend in English and Spanish about which dramas were coming and what were finished that I could binge? This goes beyond me just being upset that I can no longer stream ‘100 Days My Prince’ but rather the radio silence that us as subscribers are getting? How is the refund process going to happen? WHEN will we get our refunds? We deserve answers! Warner Bros sucking ass as usual. Pfft that’s why Justice League flopped.
Okay well I guess I learned my lesson…..Never gonna watch anything legally every again!
The drama was boring. Half of it didn’t make any sense. I was physically ill as I tried to finish this drama for Yoon Eun Hye. How dare you cast kiss queen and have no kissing but call yourself a romantic comedy? Get the fuck out of my face. Mi Rae was very.. uhmm.. plain? She was what I imagine that vanilla ice cream would be if it were a person.
I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t watch this drama. It probably could be better than the productions listed below, BUT I do know it isn’t any worse that the one listed above because I actually saw a picture that looked like they kissed and that’s already beating out Marry Him If You Dare.
The drama itself was very difficult for me to get through because I do not like either male leads and as such could never actively root for any romance. Her acting did seem a bit immature and OTT here, but I theorize it to being the way the character was written. However, this definitely made me have a desire of seeing Yoon Eun Hye as a bratty character, perhaps with a better storyline and attractive male leads.
I enjoyed this movie for what it was and that is it. I do think Yoon Eun Hye has a certain charm when she plays a less than acutely girly character, however not much dynamic or range where this role was concerned. Still, it was enjoyable.
Ah! This was actually a really good movie because it contained a few other actresses that I found extremely likeable. I quite enjoyed the role she played here, it was something that someone in their mid 20s could enjoy.
A melodrama role that had me extremely skeptical. The drama itself is actually pretty good. I’m just not a fan of Park Yoochun which probably explained why I felt the chemistry to be a little lacking. Overall she did a great job at portraying Zoey’s emotions and this was a role that showed a growth in her acting. It was such a shame she went downhill by choosing Marry Him If You Dare after …. Oh also she looked bomb as fuckkk!
For the most part I genuinely enjoy this drama minus episodes 13 to 16 which were frankly just a waste of time. She had really good chemistry with her lead and the cocoa cola kiss was AMAZING!!! I definitely have a high rewatch factor for this one cause it’s Yoon Eun Hye doing what she knows best, having perfect comedic timing!
This is another with an insanely high rewatch value! I am literally rewatching it as I write this post. The chemistry between her and Ju Ji Hoon was really good. Yes, it doesn’t really have the best acting, but it’s still better than most. The only unfortunate thing of this drama is how ridiculously long it is and how it kinda wouldn’t be a drama that could be dropped into today’s modern society. Overall though, Shin Chae Kyung was a pleasantly adorable character and fresh faced Yoon Eun Hye did what she came to do!
OF COURSE THIS IS NUMBER ONE. THE BEST OF THE BEST. CREME DE LA CREME. I DESERVE A REUNION WITH HER AND GONG YOO BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW IF THE CHEMISTRY IS STILL THERE! There is nothing I can say about this drama that millions haven’t said before me. It’s really a staple in Korean drama and you’re a weak ass wack ass dumb ass bitch if you haven’t watched it as yet. This drama made Korea gay and that’s the true tea! Give me a Yoo/Yeh drama, movie, CF, variety appearance… anything really. I even took the win when they were both in the same magazine! I will take ANYTHING.
Unbothered Unnies 