Go Back Couple

Go Back Couple

I have to be honest, I am always reluctant to watch throwback k-dramas. If a drama is set in the 90's or so, I don't usually watch it because I miss out on that sense of nostalgia. The music, references, point of view etc make me feel less attached to the drama. However, heavy hitter Jang Na-Ra always keeps me on my toes, so I felt I owed it her to watch it. Boy am I glad I stuck to instincts. 

This drama is AMAZING. We are shown the angst and frustration of a couple who have lost their spark and connection to each other. As they finalize their divorce they are sucked into the past, where their love first started to bloom.and maturity to those who are important to her. 

Jang Na-Ra portrays an innocent housewife who is broken by the isolation in her marriage. As she navigates the young woman she once was, she shows immense compassion, love

I was also really happy to Son Ho Joon play a lead. He's been my lowkey crush ever since I saw him on an episode of "Three Meals a Day". He plays the character of earnest Choi Ban Do. Despite how sincere and hardworking Choi Ban Do is, he seems to fall short of his desired outcomes. Son Ho Joon performance was everything I could hope for, and I hope to see him in other leading roles in the near future. 

The second male lead, Jung Nam-Gil, was enough to give Second Lead Syndrom (SLS). This character seemed cold and aloof, but he was so sweet and tenderhearted. His performance was heartfelt and I hope to see Chang Ki Yong in other roles as well. 

The rest of cast was hilarious. I loved the depth of their individual stories and the illustration of their development and growth. 

I would definitely recommend to anyone who ready for a sweet tearjerker, be prepared to love on your mom!

The Package

The Package

I dove into this drama head first because my love CNBlue's Jung Yong Hwa was the lead. Like all of his projects, I was left completely satisfied.

 I got sucked in by the crazy range of Korean tourist taking their first adventure into France. This eclectic band of people made me laugh, cry and swoon. Not only are the tourist going through their own life metamorphosis, so is their tour guide. Yoon So So played by the beautiful Lee Yeon-Hee.  Yoon So So is sophisticated and charming as she leads her group to various locations. I loved her blunt, slightly scammy shenanigans. 

San Maru, played by Jung Yong Hwa is the heart and soul of this drama. This character is quirky, awkward and completely melts the heart. San Maru's journey to Paris is laced with sadness given that he was supposed to be on vacation with his girlfriend, who chose to work instead. He finds himself trying to balance his increasingly volatile work situation while on his dream vacation. His strange behavior and odd insights had me rolling with laughter and tears. This character is endearing, and I can't imagine another actor who could've executed this role with the amount of tenderness Jung Yong Hwa did. 

The chemistry between the two leads was palpable and we were rewarded with quite a grown, and steamy kiss. 

The rest of the cast was brilliant. The performances given were heartbreaking and gut-busting. Each backstory revealed how different, superficial first impressions are in comparison to the real story beneath initial impressions.

I definitely recommend this drama to anyone who likes a substantive rom-com. It leaves quite an impression. 

Because This Is My First Life Review

Because This Is My First Life

This Gif adequately portrays my love and excitement for Because This Is My First life.

Why? Because I watched one of the best dramas to ever hit my universe.

My first Korean Sweet Heart, the unforgettable Jung So Min plays  the lead. She has such a sweet presence. Almost every role I've seen her play, she has been demure, and sweet as apple pie. yet with each role, her characters grow more certain of how to navigate the train wreck that is K-Drama. This role as Yoon Ji-Ho is by far my favorite role of hers. Ji-Ho a drama writer who hails from a patriarchal family, is in need of housing. Nam Se Hee is a game developer on a budget due to a heavy mortgage. They accidentally become roommates and realize that they are very compatible. They eventually agree to a contractual marriage, fake marriage for cheap rent.

This drama weaves through, stalking, rape, marriage, family, friends, relationships, and many other topics, perfectly. I've learned so much from this drama.
Lee Min Ki gives an excellent performance. From the roots of his hair to the bottom of his soles he embodies a strange combination of stoicism and quirkiness. Blunt and dismissive on the surface does nothing to hide his warm heart.

For those who want substance in their romance genres, this is a perfect illustration. This made me analyze and question my own behavior toward my family and my romantic pursuits. This drama never ceased to satisfy.

 I mean it's from TvN... of course it's amazing!

Weight Lifting Fairy Bok Joo

Well, I've just finished Weight Lifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, and I have to say I feel so sweet I ache. This drama was such a great ride. It would've been so easy to dismiss it as a typical romance K-Drama. There were so many elements that we've seen before. However, the writer, Yang Hee- Seung gave us depth, and authenticity. Topics covered ranged from  self image,  chivalry, first crushes, life spiraling out control,therapy, family issues, depression and many more. Yang Hee-Seung did an excellent job of interweaving sensitive topics while keeping us bursting with laughter, and cringing at the aeygo. It was absolutely wonderful.

Kim Bok Joo is played by the ever gorgeous Lee Sung Kyung. As with any project, her acting style is unique and completely her own.I can't imagine any other actress executing this role with the  level of vulnerability and curiosity we saw. Kim Bok Joo grows from a tom boyish weight lifter, to a girl with a first crush, to experiencing heartache and depression, to plunging in the passions of first love, and finally becoming an elegant, strong, young woman.

This growth happens because of  childhood friend Jung Joon-Hyung. Though the rekindling of their friendship started off rocky, they quickly began to confide and rely on each other in a way that promised a deeper relationship than simple friendship. Jung Joon-Hyung's character is played by the charming and handsome Nam Joo Hyuk. This talented actor has the ability to express all range of emotion from a twitch of his eyebrows. His eyes showed everything from him being cheeky and mischievous, to utter emotional confusions when he's confronted by his mother, to heartbreak when he learns the truth about his family. The array of expression given to us, is amazing.

We also get to peek not only into their family lives, but also the structure of their friendships. These characters were fun and lighthearted, while keeping the leading couple grounded and focused on their athletics.

Over all, I was an absolute fool for this show, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to sit down and enjoy a feel good drama.

Things I didn't like about the drama was Kim Bok Joo's fathers reaction when her secret got out. I was unable to see him with the same affection as I had previously. But still a great drama!