İyi Seyirler Dileriz.
Hana Yori Dango (2005, 2007, 2008)
Hana Yori Dango
花より男子
Season One 2005;
Season Two 2007;
Final Movie 2008
who’s in it
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi (Goo HyeSun – JanDi)
Matsumoto Jun as Domyoji Tsukasa (Lee MinHo – JunPyo)
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui (Kim HyunJoong – JiHoo)
Matsuda Shota as Nishikado Soujiro (Kim Bum – YiJung)
Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira (Kim Joon – WooBin)
Nishihara Aki as Matsuoka Yuki (Kim SoEun – GaEul)
(Equivalent Korean version Boys Over Flowers)
what’s it about
Real quick, I want to preface this review by saying that while I did watch Hana Yori Dango before Boys Over Flowers, the latter is still fresh in my mind and so I don’t think I will be able to resist making constant comparisons between the two…besides, this is a blog about Korean dramas so I thought it appropriate.
Here we go:
Makino Tsukushi (played by Inoue Mao) is a counter girl at a rice cake shop. She’s a simple girl but clear-eyed and undaunted by the hardships that come her way. She’s also a wrong-side-of-the-tracks poor girl attending an ultra privileged prep school by the title Eitoku High School. Things go awry for her when she butts heads with Tsukasa, the leader of F4, a quad of young men (yes, also students) who ‘discipline’ their peers under a “red notice” system. Simply put, piss Almighty Tsukasa off and you may get a red notice, and like a red card in futbol, this is not a good sending off. Basically, a crimson card dangling at the head of your locker means that the entire school will make your life at school a level in Dante’s hell, including beating the sh*t out of you. It’s quite frightening really. This school, for all its polish and shine, is quite lawless. Case and point, Makino almost gets raped by some overly-enthusiastic bullies…thankfully, violin-playing emoting hottie Hanazawa Rui prevents the worst from happening. Ah, did I mention he’s also a F4 member? But unlike their leader Tsukasa, this F4 guy isn’t that much into the intimidating and oppressing of people, especially women. Makino develops a crush on her pretty boy white knight. All the while, Tsukasa can’t seem to resist Makino’s unique oppositional charms. Apparently, a girl that hits him is a girl that keeps him.
commitment
Season 1: 9 Episodes
Season 2: 11 episodes
Hana Yori Dango Final: Movie
network
Tokyo Broadcasting System
wildcard factor
Inoue Mao, who played Makino, was terrific. Truthfully, I liked her take on this character far more than Goo HyeSun’s portrayal. She had a believable strength about her even when she kept finding herself in ridiculous scenarios. Believable is the key word in that sentence, by the way.
Nishihara Aki’s portrayal of Matsuoka Yuki (Makino’s best friend) was also very good. I loved the character Yuki as much as I loved her equivalent in Boys Over Flowers, GaEul.
after the first episode
I’d seen some of the anime beforehand so I was prepared for the flowerly fluff nature of the storyline…while I did not finish the animated interpretation, I thought that I could finish this drama. The lead girl was cute and it seemed like the show was going to be a real fangirl stage show. Four cute boys and a strong girl? What’s not to like?
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Hong Gil Dong (2008)
Hong Gil Dong
쾌도 홍길동
(Jan – Mar 2008)
who’s in it
Kang JiHwan (Be Strong, Geum Soon!, Movie – film)
Sung YuRi (One Fine Day, Prince’s First Love, former Fin.K.L member)
Jang GeunSuk (You’re Beautiful, Beethoven Virus)
what’s it about
Kang JiHwan plays Hong Gil Dong (a Robin Hood sort of fellow). Since the title of the drama is his name, we know he’s the man who’s gonna get the girl and win our support. He’s the bastard son of a noble dude in a completely classist society, so without a high and mighty name to brand him important, he’s pretty much a punk who isn’t worth knowing (according to the times). He lives an existence that is frivolous and drunken and carefree—or perhaps careless.
Sung YuRi is the street urchin that [eventually] falls for our dashing hero after initially being captivated by Jang GeunSuk, a young exiled prince who has returned to his homeland to wrestle away the throne from his [literally] insane half-bro. Before his mother sacrifices herself to save little princeling Jang GeunSuk, she tells him that he is the rightful heir to the kingship and must reclaim it when he gets big enough to kick big bro’s ass. Guess which angsty exiled prince has been thinking of nothing else since his dear mama burned to a crisp?
With the usurpers setting up camp in Kang JiHwan’s own backyard, our little Hong Gil Dong gets sucked into the political upheaval unfolding and the violent transgressions inflicted on his peeps—the common folk. And so he fights to change the world and to win peace for all mankind. Ok, I made the second part up, but he does want equality for all (but really, who doesn’t? That’s on my list of things to do, too!). This is how he becomes legend and as they say, the rest is history.
commitment
24 episodes
network
KBS2
wildcard factor
Personally speaking, Jang GeunSuk stole the show for me as the exiled prince returning to claim his throne. He definitely set the standard for stoic, dark-haired assassin-ish type characters. Although I did think his character was a little limited as there was scarcely anything for the prince to do near the end but be all stoic and serious as he sat at the sidelines and waited for Hong Gil Dong to deliver the throne to him. Meh.
after the first episode
Inter…esting—NOT
But seriously, who was this guy wearing the black get-up and sneer? I definitely took notice! He might just be worth watching…this prince guy played by Jang GeunSuk. I held hope that the whole show would improve with more plot mileage under its belt.
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Strongest Chil Woo (2008)
Strongest Chil Woo
최강칠우
(Jun – Aug 2008)
who’s in it
Eric (Que Sera Sera, Super Rookie, member of Shinhwa)
Goo HyeSun (Boys Over Flowers)
Yoo AhIn (He Who Can’t Get Married, Antique Bakery - film)
what’s it about
Hahahah. Haha. Ha.
Sorry, I got a bit of the chuckles, my eyes caught the poster for this drama again and tickled my giggle reflex. Moving on. This is a historical one – of the comedic variety (sometimes unintentionally). Ok, here we go: so Eric is some mid-level stooge in the Chosun times, a guy who’s had his family murdered back when he was a kid because they were the progressive type that established a sort of hippie commune type of settlement that the government found dissident and too radical for their liking. The entire village was exterminated. Now in an effort to appease his raging soul, something Eric’s daytime job as a government douchebag does not allow, he puts on a bandit mask and goes all Robin Hood, or maybe I should say he goes all Iljimae. Oh yeah, he loves Goo HyeSun, a scarlet letter woman who is harboring a dark secret from her past, one that is being monitored by the dangerous[ly delicious] Yoo AhIn.
commitment
20 episodes
network
KBS2
wildcard factor
Yoo AhIn – the only bright spot in this cartoonish romp
after the first episode
Laughter. Shaking of the head. Groans.
Oh…the…inappropriate…use…of…music and slow motion!
And everything else, too.
Oh, Eric, Eric, Eric. And I was so impressed by you after Que Sera Sera. Where has thou gone?
Look, girlie, he would probably reply, I was about to enter into mandatory military service in a few months time, don’t you think I had more important things on my mind than gallivanting around in a shabby black cape and pretending to love Goo HyeSun?
I would then say: Jolly good point, Eric-o. My apologies.
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Last Scandal of My Life (2008)
Last Scandal of My Life
마지막 스캔들 / Last Scandal
(Mar – Apr 2008)
who’s in it
Choi JinShil (Jealousy, Wish Upon A Star)
Jung JoonHo (IRIS)
Byun JungSoo (What’s Up, Fox?, Style, Pasta)
Jung WoongIn (Outrageos Women, Queen Seonduk)
what’s it about
So, Choi JinShil’s character is supposed to be “past her prime” and worn down by the trials and tribulations of her life but it’s sooo ridiculous because the woman is still beautiful and not even a mop perm and bug-eyed glasses could detract from her cuteness. Anyhow, Jung JoonHo is her leading man, a famous actor who hires on Choi JinShil to be his housekeeper out of pity, but the catch is this, these two are each other’s “the one that got away” person. THE first love.
Jung JoonHo is petulant, childish and bratty as the arrogant and over-indulged actor who is just beyond the age that is considered the prime of youth that Korea idolizes and Choi JinShil is a hard-working but ‘plain’ woman trying to get by in life. When these two reunite, old feelings are stirred awake, like hibernating dust under a sofa, and not just because Choi JinShil is a great housekeeper, if you know what I mean. Wink.Wink.
I will add, despite my description of Jung JoonHo’s character, he is handsome and likable in this role. Very handsome. I was surprised by how good he looks in a close-up.
commitment
16 Episodes
network
MBC
wildcard factor
I guess because it boasts of an older cast, some might flippantly classify it as an “ahjumma” drama, and by that I mean a drama that the younger generation might not take an interest in watching. Perhaps this is an unfortunate truth but it would be a pity if ageist prejudices kept someone away from this gem because it really was a gem of the rarest kind - a kdrama that was thoughtful and caring to its characters and not simply intent on cashing in on stereotypes of the genre. And sadly, while this is not directly relevant to the quality of the drama itself, but I do believe this was Choi JinShil’s last role before her suicide.
after the first episode
Pleasantly delighted. It was funny and sweet and I took an instant interest at the obvious quality in the writing and acting.
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On Air (2008)
On Air
온에어
(Mar – May 2008)
who’s in it
Kim HaNeul (Stained Glass, Secret, My Tutor Friend – film)
Park YongHa (Story of A Man)
Lee BumSoo
Song YoonHa
what's it about
A peek into the process of bringing a Korean drama to birth, from the writers to the directors to the actors and their agents. We follow the growing pains and heartaches of successful female drama writer Song YoonHa and her loyal drama PD Park YongHa as they try to produce a great kdrama starring mega-famous actress Kim HaNeul, who is of course a mega-famous actress in real life as well. HaNeul is good enough in this role that never once does it feel like she’s just playing herself.
Going by the title, I initially thought this drama was going to be about radio broadcasting. I was pleasantly surprised it wasn’t.
commitment
21 episodes
network
SBS
wildcard factor
Song YoonHa – she’s a likeable actress but her character did have a tendency to be grating. She was the main character so your enjoyment of the show may depend on how relatable you find her. In the end, I decided her delivery of this flawed and sometimes childish writer turned out to be heartfelt and endearing, but it would be a lie if I didn’t admit that, in a way, I preferred to see Kim HaNeul on screen more. Even though Song YoonHa did have good spark with Park YongHa, I thought Kim HaNeul had fire.
after the first episode
I knew almost right away that this one was going to be a very good drama and looking behind the curtains of the Korean entertainment world is always fascinating, whether factual or fictional.
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Iljimae (2008)
Iljimae
일지매
(May – Jul 2008)
who’s in it
Lee JunKi (Time Between Wolf and Dog, My Girl)
Han HyoJoo (Spring Waltz, Shining Inheritance)
Lee YoungAh
Park ShiHoo (How To Meet A Perfect Neighbor)
what’s it about
The story of a Robin Hood-esque figure named Iljimae (who looks like he just stepped out of a Ninja Gaiden Black video game), played by Lee JunKi, who is an ignoble clown during the day but gallivants around during the night as an anti-government bandit who fights for the people. His family was murdered when he was a child and now as an adult, he searches to find those responsible. Along his journey to free the oppressed, he begins to fancy a goody-goody noble girl, Han HyoJoo, who pretty much plays this same-same character in a lot of her dramas.
commitment
20 Episodes
network
SBS
wildcard factor
Lee JunKi
after the first episode
What can I say? A metal-masked Lee JunKi twirling and flying about the tips of hanok rooftops. To say I didn’t really like it, that would be the truth, but I thought that meant it had an abundance of room for improvement.
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The Grand Chef (2008)
The Grand Chef
식객 / Gourmet
(Jun – Sept 2008)
who’s in it
Kim RaeWon (Attic Cat, My Love Patzzi)
Nam SangMi (Sweet Spy, Time Between Dog and Wolf)
Kim SoYeon (IRIS)
Kwon OhJoong (Damo)
what’s it about
Kim RaeWon finds himself in a succession battle against his older brother to be the head honcho of Unamjung, a fine dining establishment that specializes in traditional Korean fare and even traces its roots back to the cooks of royalty. For an affable fellow who just loves good food and lacks ambition, it is a role he does not covet but ultimately cannot avoid. Nam SangMi is the kind-hearted but obstinate food critic who sees Kim RaeWon and Unamjung as the story that’ll give her career as a food columnist the boost it desperately needs.
commitment
24 episodes
network
SBS
wildcard factor
Kim RaeWon really brings Chef Lee SungChan to life and gives him a depth that may not have translated so well from paper had a different actor taken on the role.
after the first episode
I was very impressed. On the surface, Grand Chef looked like it would be a really boring drama, not good or bad, just boring, caught up in its own flights of pretentious fancy. Instead, it was very down-to-earth and it understood something very critical: the key component to the drama couldn’t only be the colorful and elaborate dishes being prepared, but the emotional connection between the people who made them.
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