Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu

I've been itching for Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu, or We Got Married as a Job, to end so I could hurry up and review it. I tuned in for the fourth episode or so, and I've been following since. It's nice to have so many things to say that I can't wait to put them into sentences.

School 2013 VS Who Are You: School 2015

Now that a School 2017 is in the works at KBS, I figured I'd write a comparison post for the dramas which inspired it.
  In the early 2000s, KBS released four segments of the School series, which is now known for launching some of the most popular Korean actors and actresses of the decade. Well, in 2013 it was revived with School 2013, and it's the drama we have to thank for all the Lee Jong-suk and Kim Woo-bin we see on our screens nowadays. Then Who Are You: School 2015 came about, sporting a plot about as different from School 2013 as possible. But which was better?

NOTE: The spoilers I've mentioned are crucial in understanding why these shows are or are not good.

Some Timewasting Web Drama to Digest

Web-dramas are always one of two things - fluffy timewasters, or sweet/interesting ideas without enough plot to fill sixteen episodes. In fact, many of the web-drama I've watched has been little shows made to promote upcoming pop groups, like 5urprise or EXO (more on that later), but after getting Netflix - who prefer posting cheaper web-drama rather than hit shows - I've discovered a side of web-drama I hadn't seen before. Don't get me wrong, though, that alternate side isn't what  I''m talking about today.
  Anyhow, if you don't have the time to make a commitment to a longer show, you can watch some of these bite-size dramas during your coffee breaks. That way, even if you're disappointed with how they turn out, it won't hit quite as hard.

NOTE: Don't confuse web-drama with mini-dramas or drama specials, which I intend to do a separate post for. In addition, this post is just for the web-drama used to introduce or publicize K-pop groups. Expect more web-drama lists in the future.

Princess Jellyfish (Movie Review)

Merry Christmas! I realise I haven't posted in a while (December is manic - I've had about ten post ideas which I haven't had the time to finish - expect a flurry of posts soon) so hopefully I can make everyone a little happier today with a movie recommendation. Today I want to talk about Princess Jellyfish, a film I watched last night and absolutely loved. I've come to the conclusion that anything starring Suda Masaki is worth watching. Onto the review!

NOTE: I have no intention of glossing any important details, so there will be spoilers.

Refresh Man: First Impressions (1-5)

I mainly dabble with Korean and Japanese drama, mainly because I think the languages and cultures of these countries are beautiful. I have been attempting broaden my horizons and try a Taiwanese drama for a long time but many didn't capture my interest. Then I found Refresh Man. I've actually been meaning to try this drama for most of the year but haven't been getting around to it, and then it was added to Netflix a few weeks ago and that was that.

The King 2 Hearts

The King 2 Hearts was a weird drama. I wasn't immediately drawn in, but once I was there was no escape, even though there were lots of aspects of the story I didn't necessarily like. It left a bad impression on me once it had ended, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't praise the things it did well.

NOTE: Major spoilers. One of the things I hate the most about The King 2 Hearts happened in the second-to-last episode, after all. Don't read the last two paragraphs if you care.

Shopping King Louie

Shopping King Louie of definitely one of the best Korean drama of the year, so far. Effectively candyfloss, this drama was the best pick-me-up I could find in between all the school related stress. Plus, I'll try any romantic-comedy with cute cohabitation antics. Anything.

Angel Eyes: First Impressions

I'm trying something a little new today with a first impression. My watch-list is a mile high at the moment, and with all of my schoolwork it doesn't look like it'll be getting shorter any time soon (I have to apologise for anyone anticipating new posts - there just aren't enough hours it the day), so for the time being I'll just have to be content with the ongoing drama. Anyhow, Angel Eyes sparked my curiosity after I discovered Kang Ha-neul and Nam Ji-hyun played the younger versions of the characters, but the often hard to hard to watch melodrama, so I'm putting it aside for a while. I've watched the first episode, and I'm definitely intrigued, but I have no intention to go on at the moment since I'm certain that it's going to get really angsty.

Sassy Go Go

School drama is like crack to me, I just can't get enough, and Sassy Go Go embodies a lot of what I like about school romances -more on that later. It's a little drama about love and friendship, and at twelve episodes (which is unusually short for a Korean drama, since they tend to be sixteen episodes or more) it's short and snappy, which I always prefer over the shows not run and run until they're no longer welcome.

High School: Love On!

I have this drama to thank for introducing me to Nam Woo-hyun and Infinite, so it's safe to say that High School: Love On! is a treasure of mine. It's also responsible for my love of Kim Sae-ron, one of the many talented young actresses right now. It's a fuzzy fantasy story, but it lacked tight writing. Alas, what might have been.

Some Cross Dressing Romance Drama to Taste

Ah, gender-benders. These kinds of drama come with their own brand of humour, hijinks, and their own approach to romance. It would be a lie to say they belong to the best sub-genre of romance - everyone has their preferences - but cross dressing romances are a close favourite of mine and today I want to share a few.

6 Times Seo In-guk was Captivating

I've loved Seo In-guk from the first glimpse I caught of him in I Remember You. I've watching the majority of the drama he's starred in since, and I have to say I'm seriously impressed. The boy practically came out of nowhere, and he's been churning out unforgettable performances ever since - here are a few to entertain yourself with. 

NOTE: This list is not written in order of which I liked the most, it is written in order of release date.

My Boss, My Hero VS No Dropping Out

I mentioned these two before on my Top School Drama post a long time ago. The two dramas bare so many similarities, and yet the undeniable differences in tone and content make it hard to compare them. But who wouldn't like a drama about an adult going back to school?

Summer Nude

Summer Nude was such a feel-good, pleasant surprise. With the title, I could have expected any number of things, but in reality it was a story of youth and moving on and finding happiness. It's safe to say I was impressed.

High School King of Savvy

High School King of Savvy is just as wonderfully outrageous and funny as it sounds. A sweet romantic-comedy dressed up in secret-identity clothing, this show was fresh and cute and hit all the right spots for me.

Atashinchi no Danshi

Atashinchi no Danshi, or My Boys, is just evidence of why Japanese drama makes a nice alternative from Korean drama. When you don't want to make a commitment to watching something long, or you just want something a little ridiculous, Atashinchi no Danshi is perfect and sells a bizarre premise in a Hana Kimi esque fashion. It's very easy to believe that the same team behind Hana Kimi created this.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal VS Moonlight Drawn by Clouds

Sungkyunkwan Scandal and Moonlight Drawn by Clouds are similar in many ways. They're both sageuks (a Korean term meaning a historical costume drama), set in Joseon, and feature a female lead who cross dresses as a boy. Both were incredibly popular and set high standards for the future, but which one did I prefer? Which was best?

Bride in Sneakers: Drama Special

Every so often, I watch a drama special. This is a drama which is usually only one episode long, and usually four episodes at the most. Most of them deal with controversial topics or unique storylines, and I don't always love the ones I watch. Bride in Sneakers was an exception. Jesus, this drama was cute. So, since it's not a long-term commitment I wouldn't normally have time for, I've decided to recap the special and then gave a few thoughts.

6 Times Gong Hyo-jin was Lovable

I adore Gong Hyo-jin. She isn't the cutest or the youngest actress, but she's definitely one of the best. I love how almost every project she chooses turns out fantastic, and she has a knack of choosing the best heroines to play.

Missing You

Missing You was definitely not a great drama, nor an award-winning drama. Anyone can guess that it isn't all smiles and sunshine. Rather, it's a bleak and bitter melodrama. But it's one I always come back to, for a few reasons, and whilst this drama is not cute, happy or fun, there are a few things it left behind that I love and can't forget.

Another Oh Hae-young

Another Oh Hae-young aired last year and became a ratings hit for tvN, it even surpassed Signal at one point (which I still can't believe, since Signal was a bloody masterpiece). With a breezy new premise and a stellar cast, it could have become the romantic-comedy of the year. Could have. 

NOTE: Spoilers, spoilers, everywhere. Feel free to read, but please, beware.

Orange Marmalade VS Webtoon

Orange Marmalade is one of the few vampire love stories I've actually enjoyed. To a point. I mean, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell was better in tens of thousands of ways. Anyhow, I read the webtoon and then found out last year that a drama adaptation was about to come out. Which version was better? Let's see...

NOTE: This post contains several important spoilers to the webtoon, although the drama section is virtually spoiler-free.

Shining Inheritance

Everyone knows Boys Over Flowers. But it's surprising how little international fans know about Shining Inheritance, which came out in the same year and pulled in staggering ratings. It was a mega-hit taht was extended by eight episodes and shot the leading actors and actresses to stardom.

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Now for something that never fails to cheer me up when I'm sad - Hana Kimi (full title, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e), my guilty pleasure. Although the show is completely absurd, it hits all the right spots for me from it's comedy to it's heartfelt moments. This is one of the few dramas I love in it's entirety, which means I watch it beginning-to-end all the time.

Top 5 Unconventional Japanese Romance Drama

Before I found Korean drama, I survived on Japanese romance drama. Eventually I ran thin and that was when I started exploring for new things, but here are a few shows which have never quite made any of my favourite lists before, but are definitely worth watching.

NOTE: Shows I'm constantly praising like Buzzer Beat are not here, this post is specifically for the shows I haven't mentioned before.

'Hana Yori Dango' (Japanese) VS 'Boys Over Flowers' (Korean)

Ah, Hana Yori Dango. I've mentioned before, but this was my first drama ever. While it isn't my favourite, it's still funny and cute and ridiculous so I often come back and rewatch snippets when I have the time. And then there's Boys Over Flowers - same title, different show - the Korean adaptation of a Japanese classic. Which is better? Well, I know which I prefer, but it's only fair that I balance the positives to the negatives of both before I make a conclusion.

Flower Boy Next Door

When I was first getting into drama back in late 2013, I started with all the popular romantic comedies, most of which starred Park Shin-hye. I was like, "Wait... Didn't I just see her in You're Beautiful? And wasn't he in Boys Over Flowers? Wow, Heirs is weird." After the torturous, angsty Heirs I found Flower Boy Next Door, which resonated with me far more than any other show I'd watched thus far. It still has a special place in my heart.

I Remember You

I Remember You, otherwise known as Hello Monster, came out last year and effortlessly climbed it's way onto my list of favourite shows - probably coming second to I Can Hear Your Voice.  Or first. I drift back and forth nowadays. Although it recieved lackluster ratings, it was a perfectly sharp and thrilling watch.

NOTE: There are some spoilers. I tried my best not to spoil anything important, but it's so damn hard! If you don't want any clues towards the bigger mysteries of the show, I suggest you watch the series first and then come back.

Some Time Travel Drama to Sink Your Teeth Into

God, I love time-travel drama, and I'm crazily excited for Tomorrow With You, a drama starring Lee Je-hoon which will air first-thing next year. In addition, Scarlet Heart: Goryeo is coming out soon, so with all the time-travel to look forward to I figured I'd make a list of other shows that will satisfy me - and perhaps you - until then.

Top 5 Older Woman / Younger Man Romance Drama

Noona romance is definitely my favourite subgenre of romance. Of course, it's only called that in Korea, and I have some Japanese shows to talk about as well, so I had to use a longer, more literal description with the title.

Gokusen VS Misaki Number One!!

Ah, Gokusen. It's still one of my favourites. It's a show about a teacher who kicks ass to protect her students - what's not to love? Well, I recently found a show called Misaki Number One!! and it's fairly new. It's about a hostess who becomes a teacher and brings her students together, and it bares many similarities to Gokusen. Naturally, my first thought was that was going to be a very sparkly copy, but regardless of whether it was or wasn't, I've definitely fallen in love with it.