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Who am I? I am a screwed-up blogger and an active blog reader since 2007. A soulful dreamer who believes that passion is life and a person who is looking for meaning, just like any other human being in this world. A super girl wannabe who is currently taking chances and chasing pavements, while keeping up with time and living life in general. This is me, and this blog is the outlet of my random thoughts. (^___^)
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Most of the posts in this blog revolve around Asian dramas, movies and pop culture, so please proceed at your own risk. Don't say I didn't warn you. Haha! Have a wonderful and blessed day! :)
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"Queen In Hyun's Man": A Pleasant Surprise
 Monday, June 4, 2012 @ 9:47 PM |
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"Why do I feel as if I've been captivated? This attraction is so strange." -Choi Hui Jin, Queen In Hyun's Man
What are the odds of meeting someone who once lived during the Joseon period in present time? In real life, well, I doubt it. But in dramas and movies, at least, there is. I've watched a couple of time travel dramas lately, but I have been pleasantly surprised of the effect that Queen In Hyun's Man, a TVN drama which has started to air not too long ago, has in me. I've just watched up to the fourth episode so far and I must say that this is indeed a must-watch drama. I am amazed by how well the actors are suited for their roles and how good they are playing them. Aside from the story which is a catch in itself (I am a sucker for time travel plots BTW), I am more hooked by the OTP of Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo Inna, the lead actors of the drama. Yoo Inna plays as Choi Hui Jin, a model turned actress who is waiting for her first big break. She finally lands in her first big acting project in a historical drama as Queen In Hyun, a famous figure during the Joseon period of ancient Korea. Through this role, she meets Ji Hyun Woo, Kim Boong Do, a scholar and nobleman who lived some 300 years ago during the same period Queen in Hyun lived. He travels through a talisman which transports him to the present time and that's how his world and her world collides.
They are so adorable and cute together that I just can't help but smile from ear to ear. It has been a while since I last saw a drama this quirky and fun. I have mostly watched tearjerkers for the first half of the year, and although they were good dramas, I still have not picked my favorite rom con of the year. There were a few good dramas this year which have wrapped up already, a few good ones which are currently airing, and a number of highly anticipated ones which are yet to premiere, but I am already raising my two thumbs up for Queen In Hyun's Man as early as now. I did not expect to see how pleasant Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo Inna's combination would be. They're very refreshing to see on screen, and I have nothing but adoration for this couple. I am not exactly a fan of both actors and I have not followed all of their dramas and projects but I have developed a liking for both Yoo Inna and Ji Hyun Woo as individual actors. I have seen Yoo Inna only in Secret Garden and Best Love and Ji Hyun Woo in A Thousand Kisses, which I have not finished yet (laughs), but I was already convinced that both of them have great potential to become even better actors.
I like how Ji Hyun Woo is the prim and proper scholar who clashes with Yoo Inna's fun and quirky character. It's strange how they communicate because he is from the past while she lives in the now, but in a strange kind of way, the two of them connect, and it's a lovely connection of all sorts. It's kind of Kate and Leopold-ish with a mix of fluff and the right amount of squealing all over but in a really cute way. Ji Hyun Woo is amazingly brilliant (and...errrrr...handsome) as the all righteous nobleman who lives in 17th century Korea, and Yoo Inna, on the other hand, lives up to the easygoing and free-spirited role which people were able to originally associate of her in Secret Garden. They live 300 years apart, but through a talisman, they are able to meet and exchange stories. The budding actress is trying to make a name for herself at present time by acting out a part of history where he is involved, while he, on the other hand, is trying to find the answer of the mysteries of his time, including his death. I like this drama because it makes everything ordinary seem romantic—telephones, telephone booths, and everything! I may be an anti-fairytale heroine but I will give Queen In Hyun's Man a try. I like the longing, the waiting, and the hoping combined. The depth of the characters and mystery that surrounds each suits my palate. Ji Hyun Woo, well, I have just decided less than 30 minutes ago that I am going to be a fan. HAHA! I just love love love the quirkiness and the sincerity combined. It's really weird, but I think I like this kind of weirdness. I hope this feeling that the drama gives off stays with me until the very end. To sum it all up, I have nothing but praise for the plot, the actors, and the OTP. Did I just say the OTP? Oh yes, I did. HAHA! I love the OTP and I'm shipping them from this day on.
Will there ever be a future for these two souls? That we'll have to find out. Heh. Before I go cray-cray, I have to catch the remaining episodes before 11pm. Meanwhile, here are some really cute stills of this lovely OTP below!
*The photos are not mine. All rights belong to their respective owners. Labels: A Thousand Kisses, Best Love, fantasy, Ji Hyun Woo, korean drama, Queen In Hyun's Man, Secret Garden, Time Traveling, TVN, Yoo In Na
Looking Back on Secret Garden
Monday, April 4, 2011 @ 4:54 PM |
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“What have you done to me? Why did you choose me to do this? You just hang up the phone whenever you feel like it. When I come to find you, you get angry. When I try to find you, you get angry. When I try to buy you food, you get even angrier. Even worse that, you hit me! You’re completely strange woman. But that’s exactly the problem, that is. You are so strange that i find you puzzling and amazing.” ~Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), Secret Garden
Korean dramas definitely know how to pull at the heart. That's true! That's probably the reason why a lot of people get hooked by it. The minute you start watching a drama, you'll find yourself looking for more. And mind you, it doesn't just stop there. Because once you get addicted into a certain drama, you'll most probably end up watching it, until you finish the whole series. Just like a book, say for example. When you reach a certain page that has the climax of the story, would you want to stop reading? Of course not! In my case, I waver! Grab a flashlight and bring my favorite book under the sheets, and read to my heart's content. Just like that, I read and read, without even realizing that it's already morning. And when I'm watching dramas, it's more or less the same thing as well. I just enjoy every scene and minute of it pass by, without even realizing I didn't eat for the whole day. Haha!
 If there's one drama 2010 wouldn't be complete without, that would have to be Secret Garden. The best drama of 2010, I must say. Complete with all the essential nutrients from A to Zinc, this drama will surely not let you down! The formula of it's success: Solid storyline + A-list actors and actresses + Good production + Excellent Cinematography + a good balance of comedy and drama + Hyun Bin's captivating and enchanting screen presence (You'll always ask for more!) = One word: Amazing!
It's from Kim Eunsook, one of the best writers in K drama history, who also wrote On Air and City Hall. The names of the lead stars Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won in itself, says a lot on the star quality and over-all appeal of the drama. I loved Hyun Bin since the 2005 drama, My Lovely Kim Sam Soon, where he co-starred with one of my favorite actresses, Kim Sun Ah. I loved that drama very much back then! And of course, more than Ha Jiwon's past dramas, I came to really like her through the movies that she starred in, in the previous years. Among those are Ditto, Phone, 100 Days With Mr. Arrogant and her latest, Haeundae (Tidal Wave).
Just by looking at the filmography of the two leads alone, your expectations will surely be pouring in, even before you actually get your hands on the drama. And true enough, this drama didn't disappoint. If you haven't seen (or have seen) the drama, and is curious (or suffering from the drama's Hyun Bin withdrawal symptoms) on what kind of entertainment (I'd probably say 100%!) would it bring you, then hop on, and read below! HYUN BIN as Kim Joo Won
The drama tells the story of Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), an arrogant and eccentric CEO who maintains the image of seeming perfection. He is one of the two heirs to their family businesses, the other being Choi Wooyoung a.k.a Oska, played by Yoon Sang Hyun, who you'll meet later in this post. As expected of a chaebol, I'm sure you can predict what kind of character he has. He is the epitome of the male Korean drama lead. Haha! The arrogant rich CEO who has everything. Girls, money, cars, name it! He has everything you could possibly imagine. His favorite line in the drama, "I have a lot of money!" And just when you taught he couldn't be any meaner, he doesn't stop bragging about his credit limit and spending capacity, to the point where he will say it to your face. Despite his cool exterior however, is a boy who survived in a tragic fire accident way back. That incident caused a big blow, leading him to suffer from claustrophobia, as the incident had happened in an elevator. His personality is mix of comedy and drama. "And check that tracksuit from a master craftsman in Italy who made training suits for 40 years by hand." LOL! XD (It's a not a fact though, just one of his lines from the drama.)
HA JI WON as Gil Ra Im
Now, let's usher in the female lead. She is Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), a poor and humble stuntwoman whose beauty and body are the object of envy amongst top actresses. By now, you're probably thinking, "Oh! It's a rich boy meets poor girl love story again!" but Ohhppps!...You wouldn't want to miss this, would you? She has all the qualities of the average Korean drama damsel in distress, expect that she's smart, she's not a pushover, and boy, she can kiss your ass! (Both figuratively and literally. ^ ^) This is by far, her best role in a TV drama. You'll love that she's independent, capable, and at the same time, fierce. Fierce enough to kick the male lead more than a hundred times a day! You'll love that she is not helpless, but strong-willed and dedicated in everything she does. She gets entangled with Joo Won one day, when he mistook Ra Im as somebody else. And this marks the start of their fairytale with a twist love story.
YOON SANG HYUN as Choi Wooyoung a.k.a. Osca
Next right up, is Osca (Yoon Sang Hyun). He is Joo Won's cousin that I'm taking about. His real name in the drama is Choi Wooyoung, but he uses the screen name Osca, perhaps because it's a lot cooler to be called that way, when in fact, it does sound ahjumma-ish (ahjumma = meaning middle aged Korean woman) to me. Haha! He is a conceited singer who's in the brink of losing his long flourishing showbiz career indefinitely. Did I mention that our female heroin is obsessed with him? Yes, she is. She even has her Osca socks with her to sleep. Talking about another level of fangirling! Haha! Despite his many loyal fans, his arrogance and 'star attitude' (he probably got it from his cousin, Joo won too! ^ ^), has caused him a bad name in the industry. Not just with his peers, but also his seniors and industry superiors. Not only that, his self professed Hallyu star status also lost him, his one great love, Yoon Seul (Kim Sa Rang) way back. And as he strives to win back her heart, he finds his fate entangled with a young and budding musician named Han Tae Sun (Lee Jong Suk), who you'll both meet later.
 KIM SA RANG as Yoon Seul
Next in line, is Yoon Seul (Kim Sa Rang). She is Osca's one great love. A professional and popular commercial film and music video director, who also comes from a rich family. She basically had this relationship with popular singer Osca, who also turned out to be popular with the ladies as well. Though they loved each other deeply, they also grew apart from each other gradually. A series of misunderstandings have led to the end of their relationship, without closure. As they reunite a few years after their break up, they find themselves at the crossroads of choosing whether they should just get back together, or give up on something they once taught was true. She enters our male leads life on the other hand, because of a series of marriage meetings where they bump into each other. She uses this to get back to Osca for once, but finds herself in a helpless situation, when he realizes she has to admit defeat from holding back her feelings.
 This drama stars a lot of A-list Korean actors and actresses, but I am not just talking about the leads. Coming up next are are four very important characters, for without them, the series couldn't have shined as brightly as it did. If you might have noticed, I normally talk about just the main leads in a drama, but this one is an exemption. From top left, we have Im Ah Young (Yoo In Na), who plays as the best friend of the female lead, who works as a desk officer at the VIP Lounge of the fictional Loel Department Store, a property of the male lead's family. She is quirky and fun-loving. You'd probably say she's the typical best friend of most Korean drama female leads that you have seen, but wait until you meet Secretary Kim (Kim Seung Oh), from top right. She shares a special relationship with him. Whatever it is, they are the only people who know best about it. He is the fiercely loyal and hardworking personal secretary of the male lead in the drama. You'd think he looks serious and all at first glance, but wait until he starts bickering with his boss, and you'll find out why they are the boss and subordinate tandem to beat. Haha!
From bottom right, we have Han Tae Sun (Lee Jong Suk). Yes, he is the young and budding musician I was talking about earlier on. Since he is young, frank, free-spirited, and is actually, quite talented in composing music. In the drama, he plays the character of a singer who freelances at various gigs in bars and the like. And since he is just starting out his singing career, he is looking for a label to sign himself. One day, he ends up bumping with Osca, and because of a series of unfortunate events, their lives get mixed up. So, he ends up spending most of his time, being pestered by the singer. Lastly, we have Im Jong Soo (Philip Lee) who is the director of the Action School where our female heroin is employed. He is her considerate boss, who secretly loves her from behind. (Ouch! I know, right? Hehe. ^ ^) Though the knight in shinning armor who has been waiting in vain for our sleeping beauty to wake up from her deep sleep has been there for her almost all her life, watching over her from behind; he finds himself in a difficult situation after our charismatic male lead slash prince charming professes his love for our damsel in distress. Talking about a tough competition right there!
My Thoughts on the Series... I love this series! So much that I watched it in both Korean and Chinese respectively, in its actual broadcast timeslot in Korea during weekends, and a day later in a a Chinese streaming site after every episode because it took almost five to more or less a week for the English subtitles to be available from kind Korean drama english subbers in Viki. And of course, I suffered from a lot, while watching it. Most of the characters in this drama speak quite fast, especially Osca (Yoon Sang Hyun). It gave me a hard time to catch up on what they were actually trying to say. And to make matters worse, it was a live broadcast, so there was no replay button. And since I am a beginner in both languages, I had to read episode recaps after each episode thereafter.
 This drama became an instant hit because of many factors. First up is the all-star cast, who definitely played their roles very well. Hyun Bin alone was amazing. Ha Ji Won in herself, is also amazing. What more if you combine them together? A good drama nonetheless springs from a good male and female lead choice. Those two, without a doubt, served them well.
 Throughout the whole broadcast period of this drama, there were episodes where I laughed to my hearts content, and cried my heart out at the same time. The drama has a steadfast surge and consistent balance of emotions that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Despite the premise of the drama being grounded in a romantic comedy fantasy genree, I must say that it is pretty much grounded to reality. When I watched the first episode, I was like, "Yay! This is a good drama," and from that moment on, I didn't miss a single episode. I knew that it was going to be good after I saw the fully-packed first episode, because there were already a lot of things happening. So much was already going on with the story, even without the twist in the middle part of it. I felt that it can stand alone and still be an amazing drama, even without it. However, the twist made the drama even more exciting after it happened. It was pure entertainment, I must say. No other Korean drama was able to do that, in recent years. You'll surely get a dose of everything you can possibly imagine, a drama can possess. Whether it's comedy and pure laugh trip, or romance and tearjerker scenes. This drama probably has it all!
 You'd think it's your typical cinderella story, but after the twist, things become complicated, and it'll make you wonder what will happen to the story in the end. Their crazy love story will make you laugh, and make you shed tears at the same time. I love that Hyun Bin in this drama, transcended to even greater heights, and topped the various expectations of a male drama lead actor in a million dollar production, compared to everyone else. He was just the perfect whole package! The perfect mix of arrogant yet lovable, and tough yet vulnerable. Vulnerable in a sense that he is so high and mighty, so he can command attention from everyone else. He is the CEO who is feared with respect, and yet, when it comes to the girl he likes the most, he can't waver even a single bit. He just finds himself lost, when he's with her. And that's the reason why he pretty much became everybody's 'Romeo' after the drama. Another thing would be, the fact that Ha Ji Won's character was kick ass. Like what I said, she's not your typical female heroin. She's the girl you'd love to protect and care for, but she's all good just by herself. Someone an overprotective and rich mother-in-law cannot bully. And I love that about her! The soul-switching twist was also another one.
The supporting cast were also amazing! Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won were amazing, but without them, I don't think it would be as successful as it was. Even I, salute the villains in this drama. It was indeed a job well done! Plot wise, acting wise, and everything in between. Of course, the drama wouldn't be complete without the noteworthy scenes, which skyrocketed it to fame. Two of which are the famous foam kiss scene, and the sit-up scene, which was parodied by some of the biggest names in the industry from CFs to concerts.
That's probably the magic that they call, Secret Garden. And like what I wrote in my opening line, Korean dramas definitely know how to pull at the heart. It's probably the number one thing in this world that we hate to admit we love. And yet even if we shun every K drama that comes our way, we always end up watching one from time to time. And Secret Garden was just one of them. Watch it if you get the chance. I'm sure it won't leave you disappointed. (Not in any way or whatsoever! :D)
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“There are about 230 languages in the world and someone like me speaks five languages. And still, there are no words to describe our relationship.” ~Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), Secret Garden
“When did I say I wouldn’t go on any more dates? Just not with women who go on about destiny and what not. But someone who raises kids well and who is a good wife. Her looks? Mom, do you even need to ask? Of co urse, she must be pretty. A chic, short, haircut, tanned skin, who doesn’t smile much. Gets angry easily, eyes that are a little sad. Someone who can’t run for Miss Korea because of a knife scar. Am I crazy? ~Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), Secret Garden
"We still don’t even have a single wedding photo.
Yet, we love and receive love everyday, living magical lives.
Perhaps, loving is like nurturing a garden.
We hope that in your garden beautiful flowers bloom, cool winds blow,
and the sun shines brilliantly.
And sometimes, that a magical rain falls." ~Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), Secret Garden
Check out some of my favorite OST Songs from the drama below!
4MEN - Reason
4MEN - Here I Am
Hyun Bin - That Man
Sung Si Kyung - You Are My Spring
Credits: SBS for the pictures* Labels: Ha Ji Won, Hyun Bin, Kim Eun Sook, Kim Sa Rang, Kim Seung Oh, Lee Jong Suk, Philip Lee, SBS, Secret Garden, Yoo In Na, Yoon Sang Hyun
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The Blogger
Not a lot of people know (or would even understand), but I am also a victim of drama obsession.  I've been camping in dramalandia since I was 13 years old, and that's where you will most likely find me when I have nothing to do.
One of the symptoms of this disease is daydreaming about dramas everywhere whether you are at work, walking down the stairs, sleeping, even as you are walking...creepy isn't it? Hahaha!
I am also a big Asian music fan and I think Asian music rocks! I go back and forth from Cpop to Kpop and Jpop, so I may be different (and strange) compared to other people that you can find around.  I am an elder sister  , a dreamer  , a believer  , a gamer  , wanderer  , blogger  , an optimist  , an ultimate foodie  and a, hands down, fangirl  . I love reading books  , writing  , music  , photography and traveling.
I am a nurse by profession  who is also a copy editor  and a freelance writer  . I enjoy learning how to play musical instruments  and learning various languages  . I am crazy, loud, spontaneous, free-spirited and most of the time, a klutz.
Eren Asentista a.k.a. Eray, 23, female, from Dumaguete City, Philippines. My personality...it's complicated. :D Believe me, you wouldn't want to know who I am. Hahaha! XD
I am currently watching...
In the coming days, I plan to watch...
In Asian Entertainment, I fancy...
(This is still lacking, but this is more or less it. LOL! I will most likely be updating this in the future to accommodate my growing list of biases but check em out!)
 
The things that I want to do before I die are the following:
 An Asian cruise.
Templestay in Korea.
An African safari adventure.
Backpacking to Europe.
Traveling through the European railways.
Contact Me
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"Queen In Hyun's Man": A Pleasant Surprise
Monday, June 4, 2012 @ 9:47 PM |
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"Why do I feel as if I've been captivated? This attraction is so strange." -Choi Hui Jin, Queen In Hyun's Man
What are the odds of meeting someone who once lived during the Joseon period in present time? In real life, well, I doubt it. But in dramas and movies, at least, there is. I've watched a couple of time travel dramas lately, but I have been pleasantly surprised of the effect that Queen In Hyun's Man, a TVN drama which has started to air not too long ago, has in me. I've just watched up to the fourth episode so far and I must say that this is indeed a must-watch drama. I am amazed by how well the actors are suited for their roles and how good they are playing them. Aside from the story which is a catch in itself (I am a sucker for time travel plots BTW), I am more hooked by the OTP of Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo Inna, the lead actors of the drama. Yoo Inna plays as Choi Hui Jin, a model turned actress who is waiting for her first big break. She finally lands in her first big acting project in a historical drama as Queen In Hyun, a famous figure during the Joseon period of ancient Korea. Through this role, she meets Ji Hyun Woo, Kim Boong Do, a scholar and nobleman who lived some 300 years ago during the same period Queen in Hyun lived. He travels through a talisman which transports him to the present time and that's how his world and her world collides.
They are so adorable and cute together that I just can't help but smile from ear to ear. It has been a while since I last saw a drama this quirky and fun. I have mostly watched tearjerkers for the first half of the year, and although they were good dramas, I still have not picked my favorite rom con of the year. There were a few good dramas this year which have wrapped up already, a few good ones which are currently airing, and a number of highly anticipated ones which are yet to premiere, but I am already raising my two thumbs up for Queen In Hyun's Man as early as now. I did not expect to see how pleasant Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo Inna's combination would be. They're very refreshing to see on screen, and I have nothing but adoration for this couple. I am not exactly a fan of both actors and I have not followed all of their dramas and projects but I have developed a liking for both Yoo Inna and Ji Hyun Woo as individual actors. I have seen Yoo Inna only in Secret Garden and Best Love and Ji Hyun Woo in A Thousand Kisses, which I have not finished yet (laughs), but I was already convinced that both of them have great potential to become even better actors.
I like how Ji Hyun Woo is the prim and proper scholar who clashes with Yoo Inna's fun and quirky character. It's strange how they communicate because he is from the past while she lives in the now, but in a strange kind of way, the two of them connect, and it's a lovely connection of all sorts. It's kind of Kate and Leopold-ish with a mix of fluff and the right amount of squealing all over but in a really cute way. Ji Hyun Woo is amazingly brilliant (and...errrrr...handsome) as the all righteous nobleman who lives in 17th century Korea, and Yoo Inna, on the other hand, lives up to the easygoing and free-spirited role which people were able to originally associate of her in Secret Garden. They live 300 years apart, but through a talisman, they are able to meet and exchange stories. The budding actress is trying to make a name for herself at present time by acting out a part of history where he is involved, while he, on the other hand, is trying to find the answer of the mysteries of his time, including his death. I like this drama because it makes everything ordinary seem romantic—telephones, telephone booths, and everything! I may be an anti-fairytale heroine but I will give Queen In Hyun's Man a try. I like the longing, the waiting, and the hoping combined. The depth of the characters and mystery that surrounds each suits my palate. Ji Hyun Woo, well, I have just decided less than 30 minutes ago that I am going to be a fan. HAHA! I just love love love the quirkiness and the sincerity combined. It's really weird, but I think I like this kind of weirdness. I hope this feeling that the drama gives off stays with me until the very end. To sum it all up, I have nothing but praise for the plot, the actors, and the OTP. Did I just say the OTP? Oh yes, I did. HAHA! I love the OTP and I'm shipping them from this day on.
Will there ever be a future for these two souls? That we'll have to find out. Heh. Before I go cray-cray, I have to catch the remaining episodes before 11pm. Meanwhile, here are some really cute stills of this lovely OTP below!
*The photos are not mine. All rights belong to their respective owners. Labels: A Thousand Kisses, Best Love, fantasy, Ji Hyun Woo, korean drama, Queen In Hyun's Man, Secret Garden, Time Traveling, TVN, Yoo In Na
Looking Back on Secret Garden
Monday, April 4, 2011 @ 4:54 PM |
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“What have you done to me? Why did you choose me to do this? You just hang up the phone whenever you feel like it. When I come to find you, you get angry. When I try to find you, you get angry. When I try to buy you food, you get even angrier. Even worse that, you hit me! You’re completely strange woman. But that’s exactly the problem, that is. You are so strange that i find you puzzling and amazing.” ~Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), Secret Garden
Korean dramas definitely know how to pull at the heart. That's true! That's probably the reason why a lot of people get hooked by it. The minute you start watching a drama, you'll find yourself looking for more. And mind you, it doesn't just stop there. Because once you get addicted into a certain drama, you'll most probably end up watching it, until you finish the whole series. Just like a book, say for example. When you reach a certain page that has the climax of the story, would you want to stop reading? Of course not! In my case, I waver! Grab a flashlight and bring my favorite book under the sheets, and read to my heart's content. Just like that, I read and read, without even realizing that it's already morning. And when I'm watching dramas, it's more or less the same thing as well. I just enjoy every scene and minute of it pass by, without even realizing I didn't eat for the whole day. Haha!
If there's one drama 2010 wouldn't be complete without, that would have to be Secret Garden. The best drama of 2010, I must say. Complete with all the essential nutrients from A to Zinc, this drama will surely not let you down! The formula of it's success: Solid storyline + A-list actors and actresses + Good production + Excellent Cinematography + a good balance of comedy and drama + Hyun Bin's captivating and enchanting screen presence (You'll always ask for more!) = One word: Amazing!
It's from Kim Eunsook, one of the best writers in K drama history, who also wrote On Air and City Hall. The names of the lead stars Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won in itself, says a lot on the star quality and over-all appeal of the drama. I loved Hyun Bin since the 2005 drama, My Lovely Kim Sam Soon, where he co-starred with one of my favorite actresses, Kim Sun Ah. I loved that drama very much back then! And of course, more than Ha Jiwon's past dramas, I came to really like her through the movies that she starred in, in the previous years. Among those are Ditto, Phone, 100 Days With Mr. Arrogant and her latest, Haeundae (Tidal Wave).
Just by looking at the filmography of the two leads alone, your expectations will surely be pouring in, even before you actually get your hands on the drama. And true enough, this drama didn't disappoint. If you haven't seen (or have seen) the drama, and is curious (or suffering from the drama's Hyun Bin withdrawal symptoms) on what kind of entertainment (I'd probably say 100%!) would it bring you, then hop on, and read below! HYUN BIN as Kim Joo Won
The drama tells the story of Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), an arrogant and eccentric CEO who maintains the image of seeming perfection. He is one of the two heirs to their family businesses, the other being Choi Wooyoung a.k.a Oska, played by Yoon Sang Hyun, who you'll meet later in this post. As expected of a chaebol, I'm sure you can predict what kind of character he has. He is the epitome of the male Korean drama lead. Haha! The arrogant rich CEO who has everything. Girls, money, cars, name it! He has everything you could possibly imagine. His favorite line in the drama, "I have a lot of money!" And just when you taught he couldn't be any meaner, he doesn't stop bragging about his credit limit and spending capacity, to the point where he will say it to your face. Despite his cool exterior however, is a boy who survived in a tragic fire accident way back. That incident caused a big blow, leading him to suffer from claustrophobia, as the incident had happened in an elevator. His personality is mix of comedy and drama. "And check that tracksuit from a master craftsman in Italy who made training suits for 40 years by hand." LOL! XD (It's a not a fact though, just one of his lines from the drama.)
HA JI WON as Gil Ra Im
Now, let's usher in the female lead. She is Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), a poor and humble stuntwoman whose beauty and body are the object of envy amongst top actresses. By now, you're probably thinking, "Oh! It's a rich boy meets poor girl love story again!" but Ohhppps!...You wouldn't want to miss this, would you? She has all the qualities of the average Korean drama damsel in distress, expect that she's smart, she's not a pushover, and boy, she can kiss your ass! (Both figuratively and literally. ^ ^) This is by far, her best role in a TV drama. You'll love that she's independent, capable, and at the same time, fierce. Fierce enough to kick the male lead more than a hundred times a day! You'll love that she is not helpless, but strong-willed and dedicated in everything she does. She gets entangled with Joo Won one day, when he mistook Ra Im as somebody else. And this marks the start of their fairytale with a twist love story.
YOON SANG HYUN as Choi Wooyoung a.k.a. Osca
Next right up, is Osca (Yoon Sang Hyun). He is Joo Won's cousin that I'm taking about. His real name in the drama is Choi Wooyoung, but he uses the screen name Osca, perhaps because it's a lot cooler to be called that way, when in fact, it does sound ahjumma-ish (ahjumma = meaning middle aged Korean woman) to me. Haha! He is a conceited singer who's in the brink of losing his long flourishing showbiz career indefinitely. Did I mention that our female heroin is obsessed with him? Yes, she is. She even has her Osca socks with her to sleep. Talking about another level of fangirling! Haha! Despite his many loyal fans, his arrogance and 'star attitude' (he probably got it from his cousin, Joo won too! ^ ^), has caused him a bad name in the industry. Not just with his peers, but also his seniors and industry superiors. Not only that, his self professed Hallyu star status also lost him, his one great love, Yoon Seul (Kim Sa Rang) way back. And as he strives to win back her heart, he finds his fate entangled with a young and budding musician named Han Tae Sun (Lee Jong Suk), who you'll both meet later.
KIM SA RANG as Yoon Seul
Next in line, is Yoon Seul (Kim Sa Rang). She is Osca's one great love. A professional and popular commercial film and music video director, who also comes from a rich family. She basically had this relationship with popular singer Osca, who also turned out to be popular with the ladies as well. Though they loved each other deeply, they also grew apart from each other gradually. A series of misunderstandings have led to the end of their relationship, without closure. As they reunite a few years after their break up, they find themselves at the crossroads of choosing whether they should just get back together, or give up on something they once taught was true. She enters our male leads life on the other hand, because of a series of marriage meetings where they bump into each other. She uses this to get back to Osca for once, but finds herself in a helpless situation, when he realizes she has to admit defeat from holding back her feelings.
This drama stars a lot of A-list Korean actors and actresses, but I am not just talking about the leads. Coming up next are are four very important characters, for without them, the series couldn't have shined as brightly as it did. If you might have noticed, I normally talk about just the main leads in a drama, but this one is an exemption. From top left, we have Im Ah Young (Yoo In Na), who plays as the best friend of the female lead, who works as a desk officer at the VIP Lounge of the fictional Loel Department Store, a property of the male lead's family. She is quirky and fun-loving. You'd probably say she's the typical best friend of most Korean drama female leads that you have seen, but wait until you meet Secretary Kim (Kim Seung Oh), from top right. She shares a special relationship with him. Whatever it is, they are the only people who know best about it. He is the fiercely loyal and hardworking personal secretary of the male lead in the drama. You'd think he looks serious and all at first glance, but wait until he starts bickering with his boss, and you'll find out why they are the boss and subordinate tandem to beat. Haha!
From bottom right, we have Han Tae Sun (Lee Jong Suk). Yes, he is the young and budding musician I was talking about earlier on. Since he is young, frank, free-spirited, and is actually, quite talented in composing music. In the drama, he plays the character of a singer who freelances at various gigs in bars and the like. And since he is just starting out his singing career, he is looking for a label to sign himself. One day, he ends up bumping with Osca, and because of a series of unfortunate events, their lives get mixed up. So, he ends up spending most of his time, being pestered by the singer. Lastly, we have Im Jong Soo (Philip Lee) who is the director of the Action School where our female heroin is employed. He is her considerate boss, who secretly loves her from behind. (Ouch! I know, right? Hehe. ^ ^) Though the knight in shinning armor who has been waiting in vain for our sleeping beauty to wake up from her deep sleep has been there for her almost all her life, watching over her from behind; he finds himself in a difficult situation after our charismatic male lead slash prince charming professes his love for our damsel in distress. Talking about a tough competition right there!
My Thoughts on the Series... I love this series! So much that I watched it in both Korean and Chinese respectively, in its actual broadcast timeslot in Korea during weekends, and a day later in a a Chinese streaming site after every episode because it took almost five to more or less a week for the English subtitles to be available from kind Korean drama english subbers in Viki. And of course, I suffered from a lot, while watching it. Most of the characters in this drama speak quite fast, especially Osca (Yoon Sang Hyun). It gave me a hard time to catch up on what they were actually trying to say. And to make matters worse, it was a live broadcast, so there was no replay button. And since I am a beginner in both languages, I had to read episode recaps after each episode thereafter.
This drama became an instant hit because of many factors. First up is the all-star cast, who definitely played their roles very well. Hyun Bin alone was amazing. Ha Ji Won in herself, is also amazing. What more if you combine them together? A good drama nonetheless springs from a good male and female lead choice. Those two, without a doubt, served them well.
Throughout the whole broadcast period of this drama, there were episodes where I laughed to my hearts content, and cried my heart out at the same time. The drama has a steadfast surge and consistent balance of emotions that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Despite the premise of the drama being grounded in a romantic comedy fantasy genree, I must say that it is pretty much grounded to reality. When I watched the first episode, I was like, "Yay! This is a good drama," and from that moment on, I didn't miss a single episode. I knew that it was going to be good after I saw the fully-packed first episode, because there were already a lot of things happening. So much was already going on with the story, even without the twist in the middle part of it. I felt that it can stand alone and still be an amazing drama, even without it. However, the twist made the drama even more exciting after it happened. It was pure entertainment, I must say. No other Korean drama was able to do that, in recent years. You'll surely get a dose of everything you can possibly imagine, a drama can possess. Whether it's comedy and pure laugh trip, or romance and tearjerker scenes. This drama probably has it all!
You'd think it's your typical cinderella story, but after the twist, things become complicated, and it'll make you wonder what will happen to the story in the end. Their crazy love story will make you laugh, and make you shed tears at the same time. I love that Hyun Bin in this drama, transcended to even greater heights, and topped the various expectations of a male drama lead actor in a million dollar production, compared to everyone else. He was just the perfect whole package! The perfect mix of arrogant yet lovable, and tough yet vulnerable. Vulnerable in a sense that he is so high and mighty, so he can command attention from everyone else. He is the CEO who is feared with respect, and yet, when it comes to the girl he likes the most, he can't waver even a single bit. He just finds himself lost, when he's with her. And that's the reason why he pretty much became everybody's 'Romeo' after the drama. Another thing would be, the fact that Ha Ji Won's character was kick ass. Like what I said, she's not your typical female heroin. She's the girl you'd love to protect and care for, but she's all good just by herself. Someone an overprotective and rich mother-in-law cannot bully. And I love that about her! The soul-switching twist was also another one.
The supporting cast were also amazing! Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won were amazing, but without them, I don't think it would be as successful as it was. Even I, salute the villains in this drama. It was indeed a job well done! Plot wise, acting wise, and everything in between. Of course, the drama wouldn't be complete without the noteworthy scenes, which skyrocketed it to fame. Two of which are the famous foam kiss scene, and the sit-up scene, which was parodied by some of the biggest names in the industry from CFs to concerts.
That's probably the magic that they call, Secret Garden. And like what I wrote in my opening line, Korean dramas definitely know how to pull at the heart. It's probably the number one thing in this world that we hate to admit we love. And yet even if we shun every K drama that comes our way, we always end up watching one from time to time. And Secret Garden was just one of them. Watch it if you get the chance. I'm sure it won't leave you disappointed. (Not in any way or whatsoever! :D)
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“There are about 230 languages in the world and someone like me speaks five languages. And still, there are no words to describe our relationship.” ~Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), Secret Garden
“When did I say I wouldn’t go on any more dates? Just not with women who go on about destiny and what not. But someone who raises kids well and who is a good wife. Her looks? Mom, do you even need to ask? Of co urse, she must be pretty. A chic, short, haircut, tanned skin, who doesn’t smile much. Gets angry easily, eyes that are a little sad. Someone who can’t run for Miss Korea because of a knife scar. Am I crazy? ~Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), Secret Garden
"We still don’t even have a single wedding photo.
Yet, we love and receive love everyday, living magical lives.
Perhaps, loving is like nurturing a garden.
We hope that in your garden beautiful flowers bloom, cool winds blow,
and the sun shines brilliantly.
And sometimes, that a magical rain falls." ~Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), Secret Garden
Check out some of my favorite OST Songs from the drama below!
4MEN - Reason
4MEN - Here I Am
Hyun Bin - That Man
Sung Si Kyung - You Are My Spring
Credits: SBS for the pictures* Labels: Ha Ji Won, Hyun Bin, Kim Eun Sook, Kim Sa Rang, Kim Seung Oh, Lee Jong Suk, Philip Lee, SBS, Secret Garden, Yoo In Na, Yoon Sang Hyun
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