My Love From Another Star

With a title featuring the word 'Love' I believed this was a romance story and just like a majority of romance dramas, there's a love triangle! But you shouldn't judge too quickly, this is no conventional romance. In fact, it's no conventional anything! It's a pastiche of every genre you could think of: romance, drama, detective, sci-fi, thriller, comedy and it's even a bit historical!
To set the ball rolling on this mix-match of themes, this drama is about an alien. That's right, an alien who crashed on earth and quite conveniently looks like a very attractive young man. Also, he has magic powers.

Taberu Dake

What is it about Japanese dramas that make the so unusual? Unlike the omnipresent rich-man-poor-girl trope of Korean dramas my experience of Japanese dramas is much more diverse. I've seen dramas about High School Host Clubs, music school students, elementary students with precognition and monster-fighting magical girls. This time around, I've found a drama about eating. No, it's not about cooking, it's about eating.

The Heirs

There's been a lot of hype around this drama since April because of it's all star line-up! Lee Min Ho (Boys Over Flowers and Personal Preference) Kang Min Hyuk (Hearstrings and drummer for CN Blue) and Park Shin Hye (You're Beautiful and Heartstrings) all feature in this drama alongside many more big actors and idols. about the love and friendships of some very rich high school student. In fact, given my great anticipation to watch this drama I've broken my 5-episodes-for-a-review rule so I can tell you about this drama only 4 days after it's premier.

Monstar

A group of out-casted teenagers each with their own tragic back story are put against the odds to make the best musical performance they can. As they form their bonds they find their talents and find that they can heal their psychological scars through music. But the love lines formed don't quite match up and rifts are formed in the group! Will they still be able to make their performance the best and win the competition? No, I'm not talking about Glee! They don't have instruments in Glee, after all!
Yoon Seol Chan is a member of the idol group Men In Black. After receiving some bad press his company decides that the best way to change his image is to send him to school. Also new to school is Min Se Yi who transferred after spending time in New Zealand talking to sheep. The two become desk mates and are joined by a silent gangsta, the 'cool' class president, a bullied nerd with a passion for singing, a tough bully and the token fat girl to form a band. They're blackmailed by they're teacher and must cooperate to get their performance ready in time.

Golden Time

Golden Time or 'Golden Hour' refers to the vital period of time where the doctors medical treatment determines the life or death of the patient. Min-Woo is well aware of that, medical drama junkie and country side doctor encountered a traumatic incident lost him a patient and his confidence in his work. Still unsure of why he wants to become a doctor, Min-Woo returns to a city hospital to complete his residency in ER. Working alongside him is Jae-In. The complete opposite of Min-Woo, Jae-In is determined to become a doctor so she can support herself while helping others. The drama and stress mounts up quickly on interns in ER though and if he wants to survive Min-Woo needs to take control of his wispy emotions and get his priorities straight because when a moments hesitation makes the difference between life and death there is no room for the uncertain. It aired just last year and it's my first ever medical drama. So be sure to read on!

Love Rain

Expo was Yesterday!!! But I was more in the TV shows scene this time (Adventure Time, Teen Wolf, etc.) so I won't clog my blog up with a post about that!! Instead, enjoy this review while I get on the train to go to my mum's! :)

Love Rain is a masterful drama that depicts a cycle of misfortune starting in 1970's and repeating itself in the present. It starts when Seo In Ha falls in love with beautiful and kind Kim Yoon Hee, and she falls in love with him. However Seo In Ha's best friend Lee Dong Wook falls in love with the very same girl making Seo In Ha choose between the two. He tries to escape by enlisting in the army and Kim Yoon Hee has to move to America to get treated for her illness. After a long time with no news, every one assumes that Yoon Hee passed away and Seo In Ha tries to make a family for himself but when he finds her in Korea again he's determined not to let her go again. Although not as sweet when they're middle-aged, their love is so pure that you just have to wish for their happiness but with In Ha's ex-wife involved, no-one's going to be allowed happiness. A parallel story of love and pain occurs when Seo Joon and Jung Ha Na meet. Joon falls for Ha Na's cheerfulness and quickly wins her over with his undeniable charm however it's not that simple because Seo Joon is Seo In Ha's son and Jung Ha Na is Kim Yoon Hee's daughter. It's so tragic because no matter what happens you know it's going to end badly! No matter how much you wish for both couples happiness you know it's not possible so through out there's this feeling of dread that almost makes me not want to reach the end!

Jang Ok Jung

After LOENENT released a MV for Dream On You I was captivated by those beautiful scenes of cherry blossoms and Korean History so I had to look into the drama! It's based in Joseon, a state in Korea between 1392 and 1897. It's a pinnacle point in Korean History not only for the great technological advancements but   it's traits from this era (etiquette, language, cultural norms, etc.) that have most influenced modern Korea. It is commonly used as the best example of traditional Korean culture and has become a somewhat romanticized time period. Much like the Victorian age for us Britons! Even better, the characters are based off real historical people! My knowledge does not extend far enough to tell you how historically accurate it is, but it does add a whole new level of realism.
Now you're probably wondering when I'm actually going to start reviewing! The answer is: right after this synopsis!

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon

If you haven't heard of Sailor Moon then I advise you stop living under a rock! She's the most iconic girl in the magical girl world and the anime is such a classic! But I'm not here to tell you about the amazing 200 episode long anime that EVERY ONE should watch, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon is the live action sailor moon. All the characters that you know (or should know) and love but as real people! The plot is obviously very similar to the anime but there is still a lot of difference. After Usagi Tsukino finds the magically talking cat plush named Luna (yes, it's a plush and not a real cat) she's transformed into sailor moon to fight the evil youma. She quickly finds Ami Mizuno, Rei Hino and Minako Aino to fight along side her as Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter. Now they fight together as the Sailor Soldiers of Justice. Although the first few episodes seem almost identical to the anime it's after Sailor Jupiter joins in that the there are some major plot difference. They have to find the Mystical Silver Crystal before the enemy and the story place a lot more importance on this crystal than the anime does. And also, it's more character based then the anime so there is a lot more depth to the characters. There's lots of extra stories for friendship bonding and character development which were definitely missing in the anime. It;s really interesting and every episode gives you something new: about the mysterious Tuxedo Mask, the even more mysterious Sailor V or about the origin of the Sailor Soldiers. Although the whole plot is a lot more condensed (only 51 episodes!) it somehow feels like there's a lot more in it! But then, it is only the first story arc.

Akumu Chan

Guess what I found, a drama that's NOT a romance!! I can finally stop my run of similar sounding drama reviews with this Jdrama; Akumu Chan. The drama is about dreams and premonitions and here's some fun trivia: akumu is Japanese for night mare! And this is hot off the press guys! Only 7 episodes and counting!

So anyway, the plot is about Yuiko a transfer student at elementary school. Her home room teacher Ayami pretends she is the perfect teacher, always smiling and being friendly to every one. But really, she's a bit of a psychopath so to her Yuiko is just a bother. But it really becomes a bother to her when Yuiko starts telling Ayami about her nightmares. More than just nightmares, Yuiko has prophetic dreams and with her grandfather's research her dreams can be recorded and watched. After convincing Ayami to help, the trio try to understand Yuiko's symbolic dreams and prevent misfortune. Every week there is a different person to save, but they don't feel like stand-alone episodes because of the underlying plot (e.g. Ayami's lucid dreams and sleep walking and Yuiko's grand father's assistance). In fact, so much more gets added per episode I struggled to slim it down for you! I like the mix of having one problem resolved every episode while still having an ongoing plot. It stops me getting dangerously addicted to the series and keeps it quite fun because with out something going right the whole drama could get really depressing. Most of the prophecies are about Yuiko's class mates but the dreams are really rather frightening with murder and kidnapping and the such! It's almost disturbing!

Secret Garden

Guys! I really need some more recommendations!! Leave them in the comments below!

Another drama based around a rich man and a poor woman. Just like 90% of the drama's I have watched, but really, it can't get old can it!! Gil Ra Im is a stunt woman and proud of it, even if it doesn't give her much money, Kim Joo Won is a multi-millionaire CEO who looks down on every one. But when he mistakes the stunt double with the actual actress he is shocked by his profound interest in her. Thus starts they're strange kind of relationship which can never work out because of they're difference in lifestyles. Kim Joo Won's feelings become even more prominent when Gil Ra Im becomes acquainted with her ultimate idol Oska. Jealousy runs wild and suddenly Gil Ra Im is involved in some pretty complicated love affairs. Things only get more confusing when series of events lead to Kim Joo Won and Gil Ra Im swapping bodies. Rich man, poor woman, I've seen before. As have I seen all the misunderstanding that occur in such situation. I've even watched gender-bender dramas! But NEVER have I seen a body-swap! I can't decide if that novelty is entertaining or just silly.... but it is certainly unique.

Playful Kiss

I did say I'd review this. Remember? When I reviewed the Taiwanese version "It started with a kiss..."! Well, now I have watched it and really, I can't see why this one's more popular... Obviously the plot is basically the same but things happen a lot quicker. Oh Ha Ni leaves a note in Baek Seung Jo's locker but is publicly humiliated when he returns the letter with corrections marked on. Her troubles only get worse when her new house falls down in a minor earthquake so her and her father are forced to stay under the protection of her father's friend who, as fate would have it, is Seung Jo's dad. But unlike It started with a kiss, the plot quickly progresses to when they enter University and we see a lot of Seung Jo's caring side (read It started with a kiss review for a more detailed summary). The nature of this drama is very believable, ignoring the scene when Oh Ha Ni's house falls down. It's a bit too believable really and decisively neutral. Where's the drama? The exaggerated reactions? The too sad/happy moments that make you scream at the computer? I'll tell you where, in the longer plot. They've made everything happen too fast so there's no tension, which is a shame because this show has so much to offer. Namely the acting.

Nodame Cantabile

I haven't really ventured much into Japanese dramas much, but I have heard a lot about the general idea of them. Instead of tear-jerking love stories and soap opera tragedies j-dramas are full of slapstick comedy and silliness. This particular drama is based in a music college that Chiaki attends. Originally bought up in Europe, he had to move back to Japan when his parents split up. Somewhere on the way though, his plane had an emergency landing and he feel out of a boat, so with those haunting memories he is now stuck in Japan (easily the worst bit of the plot, a plane crash AND drowning!). He's from the piano division and his known through out the school for his brilliant piano but also his astounding good-looks. Nodame is also plays piano at college but she's a freshman and labelled under-achiever. The two are set the task of playing a duet together and as they are neighbours begin to spend a lot of time together. Thus the two obviously, and quite suddenly, fall in love (really, it was like they blinked and suddenly appreciated one another!). But Chiaki doesn't want to be a pianist, he wants to conduct, so when a famous conductor comes to school Chiaki immediately wants to be his pupil. The madness that follows would have to be seen to be believed. The plot has innumerable flaws and the romance doesn't have enough drama in it but it is unbelievable funny. I just sometimes wonder if I'm laughing at bits that are supposed to be funny....

Personal Preference

This is my third drama with homosexuality in it, but this time it's very different because there is no cross-dressing people, just some big misunderstandings. Jeon Jin Ho is a budding architect who wants to enter the Dam Art Gallery Project. This project is supposed to be based on the Sanggojae but this makes it very difficult for every one as the Sanggojae has always been locked to outsiders. The owner of said house is Park Gae In and after being betrayed by those closest to her she has no choice but to sublet one of her rooms. Of course, a lady living on her own couldn't rent the room  out to a man. But what if the man was gay? Then there wouldn't been a problem, so after several misunderstandings Jin Ho has to pretend to be gay to stay with Gae In. But with Gae In being such a careless loud mouth Jin Ho is constantly forced into awkward situations. Thus, start the chaos! There is also the addition of Chang Ryul and In Hee who cancelled their wedding because they both had other lovers. Trying to work out the true intentions of theese two is difficult because although Chang Ryul refuses to let go of In Hee he keeps returning to Gae In, his other lover. I'm not even going to get into the criss-crossed love square that's formed!

Me Too, Flower!

This weeks k-drama is very different to any other k-drama I've watched. There's a lot of difference but basically they all stem to the age difference. Most shows I watch are about older teens, I've watched a couple with young adults, but I'm a Flower too has a heroine of 31 years old! Cha Bong Sun, officer at her local police station, feeling distressed and wronged after missing out on her promotion she's sent to counselling sessions with Hwa Young. She also finds herself having numerous encounters with Jae Hui who appears to be a valet parker and barely paying his rent. But in actual fact, he's a billionaire and secret co-founder of Perche. Representitve Pak, who founded Perche with Jae Hui has been extremely messed up since Jae Hui accidentally ran over her husband. She's also Hwa Young's cousin. You can quickly see how tangled this web of connections gets, especially when you add in Bong Sun's step-sister in who finds herself quite involved with Jae Hui, Representitve Pak and Hwa Young.

It Started With a Kiss...

My friend has struck again!! Yup, it's another Taiwanese drama from Bte! Can "Taiwanese drama" be shortened to "T-drama"? Hmmm....

This story is actually more popular in it's Korean version, "Playful Kiss", which I was already planning to watch! Yuan Xiang Qin is from F class (the bottom of the school) and poor. Jiang Zhi Shu, is the top of A class (the best class) and decisively rich. So when Yuan Xiang Qin confessed to him it's hardly surprising that he just ignores her! To make Yuan Xiang Qin's day even better, her house is suddenly the epicentre of an earthquake that sends her house tumbling to the ground. Yeah, it's a very ridiculous first episode, but don't pass judgement yet! Her father's friend hears about the disaster and insists they stay at his house for the time being! And what do you know? Yuan Xiang Qin suddenly finds herself staying at Jiang Zhi Shu's house! It's so comically ridiculous, you have to find it entertaining! So, while Zhi Shu's mother dotes over Xiang Qin because she's always wanted a girl, Zhi Shu tries to avoid her as much as possible. Although, that's quite hard when hi parents have already made plans for their wedding. So, the plot is absolutely ridiculous, outlandish, verging on atrocious....

Hana Kimi

Ooooh this is new! A Taiwanese drama! As recommended by 'Bte'.

It's another gender-bender, but this time more serious! Lu Rui Xi deliberately disguises her self a boy to enter an all boys school all for the sake of being in the same school as Zuo Yi Quan a high jumper that Rui Xi idolises. However, by the time Rui Xi transfers she finds that Quan has already forsaken high-jumping, so, as his number 1 fan she sets about getting him back in the game. Meanwhile, in a soccer match with her new friend, Jin Xiu Yi, Rui Xi gets knocked unconscious, and when Quan lifts her to take to the sick bay he works out that she's a girl. Since they are room mates he thinks it'd be awkward if he knew so he keeps his discovery to himself and just watches Rui Xi's attempts at manliness.
Rui Xi goes through numerous trials to keep her gender a secret and Xiu Yi has to battle with his 'homosexual' feelings. Although it is quite romantic and a lot of lovey-dovey feeling develop about, it's more focused on the comedy and the problem of faking your gender. Which you may know is what I wanted more of in Coffee Prince!

Coffee Prince

Coffee Prince is a Korean Drama that was highly recommended to me by my friend.
Go Eun Chan is a 24 year old from a poor family, she has to take up several part-time jobs to be able to keep a house with her shopaholic mum and younger sister. Choi Han Kyul is the polar opposite. As the son of a rich food company, he does no work and always plays around. But their paths start to cross, it brings about a very curious turn of events. Convinced that Go Eun Chan is a boy, Choi Han Kyul employs her to be his fake gay lover to avoid his grandmother's arranged dates. When his grandmother's plan to get him married fails, she decides to make him work instead. He has to renovate a local Coffee shop and make triple the investment. He employs Go Eun Chan, still convinced she's a guy, and sets to work. Mostly the show is about everyone struggling with the shop and struggling to get along with each other. But there's also this kind of side story about the guy who Go Eun Chan delivers milk to. Choi Han Seong, who just happens to be Choi Han Kyul's cousin, starts chatting with Go Eun Chan and they get along quite well, but unfortunately for Go Eun Chan, he has a girl friend. His girl friend also happens to be Choi Han Kyul's crush. So everything's a bit knotted up!

You're Beautiful

Yes! It's another K-drama! It's only my second one but I'm starting to really look forward to them!

You're Beautiful is a drama about cross-dressing and stardom. Go Mi Nyeo is a sister-in-training and is soon travelling to Rome to complete her training. However, on her while performing tasks for her Superior Mother a strange black van starts following her. As it turns out her twin, Go Mi Nam, as been offered a once in a life time job oppurtunity: to work as a singer for much-loved boy band A.N.JELL. Unfortunately Go Mi Nam had an incident with some cosmetic surgery and can't make it to sign the contract. So Go Min Nam's Manager, Ma, persuades his sister to sign it. But what Go Mi Nyeo doesn't realise is that once she's signed that contract she is part of the band, that means living in the dorm and following the schedules like all the other members.

Ouran High School Host Club (Live-Action)

Once I heard that they were going to release a live-action of OHSHC I got quite excited! I already have the manga and the anime, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, now I also have the live-action to enjoy!!
The plot is the same as in the manga and anime. But it's not boring because having real people give it a entirely different feel. It's actually rather refreshing.
Basically, Ouran high school is one of a few elite schools in Japan. But 6 good-looking boys get bored with to much free time, so they make a host club to entertain the also bored lady's. But when Haruhi, the poor scholarship student, breaks an 8 million yen vase she's forced to pay with her body. So, against the lady's knowledge Haruhi cross-dresses and performs host activities. The whole anime is about all the trouble the host club causes Haruhi.

Boys Over Flowers

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This is a complete Asian review now, so, bring on the Korean Drama!

My friend recommended me this one for the fact that it has hot guys. Well, it does have hot guys but it has a lot of other great factors to! It's set around Shinhwa high school, a school for the rich and famous. There Gu Jun Pyo [Lee Minho], heir to the world renowned Shinhwa group, is a senior. With his friends Yun Ji Hoo [Kim Hyun Joong], So Yi Joong [Kim Bum] and Song Woo Bin [Kim Joon] they form an unstoppable group of Korea's rich and handsome: F4.

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Geum Jan Di [Ku Hye Sun] is the daughter of a dry cleaners who only just earns enough money to feed the family. When Jan Di goes to Shinhwa to deliver some laundry, she ends up rescuing her customer from suicide. Thus, Jan Di, the poor nobody, gets a scholarship to Shinhwa, the most elite school in all of Korea. Unlike everyone else who admires F4 and ignore the horrible things they do, Jan Di stands up to them. And so, the drama starts. Pushing and pulling. Mistakes and Misunderstandings. Bad timing and soppy romances. All the things needed in a drama.