Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Korean Drama: The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince



Rating: 9.0/10



The cast:


Yoon Eun Hye as Go Eun Chan
Gong Yoo as Choi Han Kyul
Lee Sun Gyun as Choi Han Sung
Chae Jung Ahn as Han Yoo Joo

About the Drama:






The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince (커피프린스 1호점, or Coffee Prince) is a South Korean drama that began airing on July 2, 2007 in South Korea. This drama is based from a romantic comedy manga by writer Lee Sun Mi (이선미). Ever been mistaken as the opposite sex?

Eun-Chan (Yoon Eun-Hye) the main character, encounters this as part of her everyday life as she looks and acts the average male while working hard to support her family. After her father’s death it was up to her to drop out of school and work in order to earn a living.

From being a delivery “boy,” taekwondo instructor, and even peeling chestnuts, Eun-Chan’s done it all! Even though she lives the hard life, she couldn’t be more than happy supporting her family.

Over an unusual turn of events, Eun-Chan meets Choi Han-Kyul (Gong Yoo), who assumes Eun-Chan is a boy, and decides to team up with him and pretend to be his “boyfriend” in order to chase away the many women who want to be his future wife, and of course so Eun-Chan can earn money while doing it! While Eun-Chan doesn’t mind pretending to be a boy and letting Han-Kyul assume what he wants about her sexual orientation, she slowly begins to develop feelings for him.




At the same time, Han-Kyul can’t seem to get Eun-Chan out of his mind which is driving him crazy! Han-Kyul is the most testosterone filled man there ever was, and yet he’s beginning to realize he likes Eun-Chan… This drama will beautifully portray the human characteristics of love, confusion, happiness, and self-identity as Han-Kyul fights with his own beliefs as he slowly falls in love with Eun-Chan. I really like Han-Kyul's character as he throws all his passion into following his heart and loving Eun-Chan. He was also very devoted and caring to Eun-Chan.

Comments:



I always thought the name of the drama is only "Coffee Prince" turns out that it is actually "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince", no wonder the ending part they were talking about the 2nd shop, wonder if there will be a sequal to it.

Another commical korean drama by one of my favorite actress, Yoon Eun Hye. I borrowed from a friend but one of the disc was faulty, so went and bought my own instead.

The part whereby Han-Kyul can’t seem to get Eun-Chan out of his mind was totally hilarious. Since he keeps thinking that Eun-Chan is a guy and worst part of it falling in love with him. Gong Yoo is clearly a genius at his acting as he clearly showed his confusion and delima in the show. Well done!! The part when he discovers that Go Eun Chan is a woman is shown in a very smooth manner. Very interestingly scripted.

I would say that the character Han-Kyul is really dumb since he is the only one who does not know taht Eun-Chan is a girl actually.

The story doesn't concentrate on just these two people, but also on the other people who frequent Coffee Prince. These people are shown one by one in a natural way. The story isn't just about romance but about the natural conflicts of all the characters. Very nicely done.




Love the cast in the shop, they work together very nicely at the later part. Makes it feels that the shop is a very cozy place.

Coffee Prince [Eng Subs](Complete)

Friday, June 25, 2010

Taiwan Drama - Number One in the World

Number One in the World / 天下第一



Rating: 8.8/10



Cast:



Li Ya Peng (李亚鹏) as Duan Tian Ya (段天涯)
Wallace Huo (霍建华) as Gu Hai Yi da
Michelle Yip (叶璇) as Shan Guan Hai Tang (上官海棠)
Roger Kwok (郭晋安) as Cheng Shi Fei (成是非)
Tammy Chen Chen (陈怡蓉) as Princess Yun Luo (云萝公主)
Damian Lau (刘松仁) as Tie Dan Shen Hou (铁胆神侯)

About the Drama:








The story is set in the middle of ancient China’s Ming Dynasty: Four martial art experts, led by emperor’s uncle, formed an imperial secret service, called them self "The Dragon’s Protectors."

Immediately after they have foiled the assasination attempt of the emperor, a complex and devious conspiracy of treason, which involved a Japanese Samurai gang, was also unveiled. Just as the team head into the clues and investigate deeper into the web, they soon discover a small connection linking them back to their own organization. As in result, each prominent member of the Protectors team must to use their skill, wisdom and expertise, to solve the mystery that threatens the very existence of the "Dragon’s Protectors."

Comments:

Very commical drama, Cheng Shi Fei (Roger Kwok) so damn commical, its extremely exciting to see him over coming all the different obsticles. His dramatic actions really tickles you.

Fedup how can they let Shan Guan Hai Tang (Michelle Yip) die? OMG!!! She is so important! Best part of it is that everyone just loves her.

Last part seems so impossible! How can someone actually cut off their own head??

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

霍建华和郭品超长得很象 (Wallace Huo vs Dylan Kuo)

我觉得霍建华和郭品超长得很象, 两人都很帅气。

郭品超(英文名Dylan Kuo)
DOB: 1977年6月8日
Height: 1.87m
http://baike.baidu.com/view/19156.htm#1
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Dylan_Kuo





霍建华 (英文名 Wallace Huo)
DOB: 1979年12月26日
Height: 1.77m
http://baike.baidu.com/view/9858.htm#1
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Wallace_Huo





Both are born in taiwan and age gap is 2 years old...How can 2 person look so much alike? After watching a few shows by them I thought they were the same person!! OMG...天啊!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Korean Drama - Couple of Fantasy

Couple of Fantasy/Couple or Trouble




Rating: 8.5/10




The Cast:



Han Ye Seul as Ana Jo
Oh Ji Ho as Jang Chul Soo
Kim Sung Min as Park Billy
Park Han Byul as Yoo Kyung Eun

About the Drama:



Recognition:

AWARD: 2006 MBC Drama Awards - Excellence Award (Han Ye Seul)
AWARD: 2006 MBC Drama Awards - Popularity Award (Han Ye Seul) and Oh Ji Ho)
AWARD: 2006 MBC Drama Awards - Best Couple (Han Ye Seul) and Oh Ji Ho)
AWARD: 2006 MBC Drama Awards - Best Drama




The fast-paced yet comical drama became quite popular, consequently turning its film locations of Namhae Island into famous tourist sites. This is a laugh-your-heart-out comical drama centered on these three characters in “Couple of Trouble.” Jo Anna is a successor of a tremendous amount of inheritance and has no peers above her here on earth or even in the heavens. Her husband Park Billy is not even a person worthy of her respect. He is a subservient fellow who always has to be aware of Anna’s moods.

Due to a quarrel with Billy that threatens to end their marriage, Anna gets drunk and falls overboard her yacht and falls victim to a bad case of amnesia. As Anna loses her memory and everyone thought she was dead, Cheol-Su took her in without realising that she is a woman without discretion and doesn’t know how to do anything.

Jang Cheol-Su who has no money, no education, and on top of that, three nephews to look after, he is a shameless money-lover. He had expected to save some money from hiring a maid to clean his house and take care of his nephews by getting Anna to do all the work.

From pampered and rich to blue-collar status, Anna finds herself slowly falling for Chul Soo when he starts to care about her.

Comments:



Was shown in Korea in 2006, I find it a funny and entertaining show. Its so extremely hilarious when you see how Ana (Han Ye Seul) doing all the house work and making a mess of everything.

Couple of Fantasy English Subtitle (completed)

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Korean Drama - My Name is Kim Sam-soon

My Name is Kim Sam-soon/My Lovely Sam Soon



Rating: 9.8/10



The Cast:



Kim Sun Ah as Kim Sam-Soon
Hyun Bin as Hyun Jin-Heon
Jung Ryu Won as Yoo Hee-Jin
Daniel Henney as Dr. Henry Kim

About the Drama:





According to a research, 73% of Korean women believe that they are fat. That's seven out of ten.

Our lead character Kim Sam-Soon is not an exception. She gained 7kg after having her heart broken. She is a 29-year-old single who has an average life. She didn't go to college. She doesn't have her own apartment or a car. Most importantly, or rather the worst of all, she doesn't have a boyfriend.

Although she doesn’t have a college degree, she has a a patiesseur certification with a Le Cordon Bleu, she got fired last Christmas Eve. She is a typical woman, she understand that like her dream of romance (which happens only in the movies), it won't happen to her.

Sam-Soon is an average fat woman who is always full of energy. Her father owns a rice cake shop and she's his third daughter. She used to be a basketball player in high school. When stressed out, she'll eat, drink and sleep. She loves food. She knows how she wants to live her life.

She was heart broken when her boyfriend cheated on her. She tried to get over him, but it wasn't easy. One day, Hyun Jin-Heon (her boss) asks her out and makes a proposal. But he doesn't want her to be his real girlfriend. He asked Sam-Soon to pretend to be his girlfriend for a while so that his mum will stop making him go for match making session. Sam-Soon deliberated over his proposal as she never liked her boss from day one. She swore that she would never fall for such a guy like him. To her he is selfish and cold. However, since she desperately needs the money to help save her parents' house. She finally decides to take his proposal and signs the contract.


Sam-soon & Jin-Heon's Rules (Contract) of Dating:
1. Hyun Jin-Heon and Kim Sam-soon voluntarily agree to pretend to date until December 31, 2005
2. Hyun Jin-Heon won't initiate any intimacy. The same applies to Kim Sam-soon.
3. If a display of affection is necessary it'll be done under consensus.
4. Kim Sam-soon will not ask Hyun Jin-Heon any intrusive questions. She won't ask again when he doesn't want to answer.
5. Hyun Jin-Heon will respect Kim Sam-soon's personal rights.
6. We'll only pretend to date but we won't really date, ever! No two-timing is allowed.

Hyun Jin-Heon suffers from his sad past. He had everything until the unfortunate accident 3 years ago. A handsome and smart man with promising future, having wealthy hotel owners as parents, it seemed that he had nothing to fear. 3 years ago, he made a mistake while driving, and the accident killed both his brother and his wife in the car. Jin-Heon injured his left leg from the accident. And later, his long loved girlfriend left him without giving him any explanation. He became cold-hearted and twisted after the accident. His feeling of guilt was too much to bear. He becomes to despise himself and convinced that he doesn't deserve to be happy. When he was in such great agony and pain, the woman he loved left him with no explanation and she only asked him to wait for 3 years.

Yoo Hee-Jin is a beautiful woman who is smart, kind and rich. She's the only daughter of a wealthy family. She was born with a silver spoon. She met Jin-Heon in high school and they were together for 6 years. They were deeply in love. When her parents moved to America, she decided to stay with Jin-Heon in Korea. She wanted to be his wife. She had to leave the country to cure her disease. She had several painful surgeries and 2 years of treatment. She fought her disease and fear of death. She only wanted to live so she could go back to Jin-Heon. Finally, her condition was remarkably improved. She goes back to Korea to see her boyfriend Jin-Heon.

Henry Kim was adopted when he was two years old by a very religious American couple. He lived in the States since then. He has practical and scientific mind yet warm and generous heart. He is a gentle person, but doesn't like to talk much. Since he grew up in the states, he doesn't speak much Korean. He fell in love with Hee-Jin when he first met her as her doctor. He did everything to cure her as a doctor. Although he knows that Hee-Jin doesn't love him as a man but only respects him as her doctor, he expects nothing from her. He knows that Hee-Jin is fighting cancer only to go back to Jin-Heon. He is just happy that he can help her and take care of her. When Hee-Jin suddenly left America without completing her treatment period, he follows her to Korea. As her physician, he stays at the same hotel with her and continues taking care of her. His only concern is her health and happiness. He truly hopes that Hee-Jin will be fully recovered soon and finally get Jin-Heon back.

Jin Heon then realizes that he is happier with Sam-Soon and can not stop thinking about her. He confesses his love to her after she tells him that she hates people who do not confess their feelings towards the person they like. Jin Heon finally ended his relationship with Hee Jin and Hee Jin asked Jin Heon to accompany her on her return to the United States, like a end of the relationship trip. Though worried, Sam-Soon allowed him to go, and he does not return within the promised duration. Sam Soon was heart broken and started going out with the guy she had once met in a match making session. Jin Heon returned and was bewildered, Sam Soon mum whom had always welcome him and sided him now treats him like a leech. Sam Soon found out that he has been sending postcards to the wrong address and so her mum and sister finally forgive him for returning late.

Sam Soon and Jin Heon attempt to get her pregnant, in order to convince Jin Heon's mother into allowing their marriage. The plan fails, but they remain together.

Comments:



A Romantic Comedy Full of Tastes...Watch this drama!!! You will love it!!

This is one of my favorite drama. Basically you laugh from the start to the end of the show. After watching a few episode on TV, I went and bought the box set.

The drama is full of interesting and attractive characters. All characters have unique personalities and intriguing traits. Even though the plot of the drama is simple, but it has something for everyone. You will be able to relate to some characters in the story.

Though not my favorite ending for a drama. I bought the CD then the DVD version of the drama. Lent it out and since it never came back and bought another copy of it again! LOL.
I guess this is the show for all average girls in the world...Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah) is a energetic and lively 29 year old...I like her character so much. Cheerful never fails to try her best. One of my friends told me that my character's very much like hers, how can that be?

Really respects the actress, heard that she puts on like 10 kg just to be fat and fits the show. She actually is a very sexy lady.


Sam Soon, with pure, innocent and cheerful character, respect her will power to become a pâtissier. She tried so hard to go and get her name changed. I wonder why? I thought the name Sam Soon's fine....finally got about doing it and her newly found boyfriend, hilariously trying all means to stop her from changing it. Damn funny. You see her trying so hard to sneak around to do it while her boyfriend engaged professionals to stop her.


One thing I cannot understand and does not believe is that the relationship Jin-Heon (Hyun Bin) and Hee-Jin can be gone in just 3 years, aren't they so call childhood lovers? Or their love is just some puppy love?


If you let me choose between Hee Jin and Sam-Soon as a guy, I definately choose Hee Jin since she is sweet and pretty compared to Sam-Soon (so vain I know...). One thing I do not understand is how can Jin-Heon fall in love with Sam-Soon when all the while he is still thinking of Hee Jin and loving her? His relationship with Hee Jin is longer then Sam-Soon, he seems to have loved her "all his life" (I mean since young). His feelings for Sam-Soon did not develop long enough since Hee Jin like comes back just when he got a little closer to Sam-Soon.

Nevertheless, I totally love Sam-Soon. Her character is something that you just can not stop loving. She is cute, strong headed, dreamer, funny and soft at the same time. Its so hard to discribe her! Do you call that silly? But her passion for making pasties and cakes lead her to study as a pâtissier makes her pretty amazing.

I can not understand why Hee Jin still insisted that Jin Heon to accompany her on her return to the United States and that Sam-Soon actually allow him to go ahead. Sam-Soon allows him to go, and he does not return within the promised duration. Can't he just give her a call at least? LOL



Daniel as Dr. Henry Kim, even though not a very prominent character in the drama, still a very loveable doctor. Love his looks and smile!!! Especailly the way he quietly love Hee Jin and care for her, how can she be so blind to his feelings towards her?! I did not see him as a lead actor for any show so far. Sadly...



Min Hyun Woo has such a disgusting character that I really feel like kicking his ass especially when he tried to imply to Sam Soon that he still loves her and wants her to be his mistress after he got married!! Still can remember the way he smile when he told her. How can some one be so shameless!!???!! OMG!! Great acting though! =)

Yoon Hyun Sook nonchalant behavior makes her extremely interesting and funny in the show and I love the way she say good bye to Jin Heon's mum, very short scene but leave a very strong impression.

One of the very meaningful thing you see in the drama is a verse on the poster: "Dance like no one's watching. Sing like no one's listening. Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt before. Live like there's no tomorrow."

My Name is Kim Sam Soon [Eng Subs] (Complete) or click here

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Taiwan Drama - Fated to love you

Fated to love you / 命中注定我愛你



Rating: 9.5/10



The CAST:



Chen Qiao En as Chen Xin Yi (陳欣怡)
Ethan Ruan as Ji Cun Xi (紀存希)
Baron Chen (陳楚河) as Dylan
Bianca Bai as Anna (安娜)
Na Wei Xun as Anson
Chen Wei Min (陳為民) as Wu Qi Qi (烏柒柒)
Luo Bei An (羅北安) as Wu Lu Lu (烏陸陸)
Tan Ai Zhen (譚艾珍) as Ji Wang Zhen Zhu (紀汪珍珠)
Tian Jia Da (田家達) as Ji Zheng Ren (紀正人)
Wang Juan as Ji Liu Xiu Ling (紀劉秀玲)
Yan Jia Le (顏嘉樂) as Rebecca
Patrick Li (李沛旭) as Gucci (古馳)
Lin Mei Xiu as Lin Xi Shi (林西施)
Song Xin Ni (宋新妮) as Qing Xia (青霞)
Zhong Xin Ling (鍾欣凌) as Feng Jiao (鳳嬌)



About the Drama



A really unfashionable working class girl Chen Xin Yi has the desire to tie down her handsome boyfriend to be with her.




Her boyfriend gets her to go on a love cruise and she started to ponder on how to lose her virginity to tie down her boyfriend. Xin Yi was feeling sick on board and ended up taking cold medicine which made her drowsy and went to the wrong room. She went into Ji Cun Xi's room.




Cun Xi is the sole male heir to his family's company and he has the power to decide the survival of an island undergoing developments. However a few islander wants to maintain the island's pureness and not let the island become destroyed as it turn into a tool for earning money. They had an incredulous idea of using females to lure Cun Xi into a trap and exchange for the stop to the island's development.

Being in love with his girlfriend, Anna, for a very long time, Cun Xi planned to propose to Anna on the cruise and he had set up a proposal party. However, Anna chose her career above her relationship with Cun Xi and she didn't even turn up on the cruise.

The group of islander added drugs into Cun Xi's drink and he became disorientated and returned to his own room. Xin Yi and Cun Xi ended up having a one night stand. Xin Yi later finds out that she's pregnant and Cun Xi's grandmother forces them to get married. The story revolves around this couple forced to marry for the sake of their unborn child. Will they find love with each other?

Comments:


Without second thought I went and bought the limited edition box set of this show as a friend told me it was really nice.

A friend of mine told me that at first Ming Dao is suppose to be the main lead for this show. However he was too busy with some other shows, so end up Ethan Ruan too over the role. I guess he did very well in the show. Some people say that their back looks a like, so there was one scene Ming Dao took over to just show his back. Was very funny a joke that the director and the actors played with the audience.






This is the one of the few Taiwan drama that I did not fast forward while watching. I watched from the begining till end.

It shows how a ugly, simple duckling ends up being a beautiful and confident lady. I mean of cos Xin Yi (Chen Qiao En) is a pretty girl herself, she just acted so well as a simple and silly lady at first.

I really like Dylan (Baron), he was quietly supporting Xin Yi even though she does not like him at all. Xin Yi's mum is so adorable, especially with the way she talks, I wonder if she is doing it purposely or she just talks this way.

This drama a very touching and commical drama, you can really laugh and cry through out the show. Get ready some tissue, as you really need them at some parts of the show.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Korean Drama - Princess Hour

Princess Hour / Goong (궁)



Rating: 9.0/10



CAST:



Yoon Eun Hye as Shin Chae-kyung
Joo Ji Hoon as Lee Shin
Kim Jeong Hoon as Lee Yul
Song Ji Hyo as Min Hyo-rin

About the Drama:





Goong (궁) is based on the same titled comic by Park So Hee.

Goong is a story about young love in face of tradition, politics, and intrigue. In the imaginary world, modern-day Korea is a constitutional monarchy and the Royal Family lives in a grand Palace, the Goong. Story opens with the sudden death of the reigning the King. Faced with the decreasing popularity among the public for the Royalty, a grand wedding for the Crown Prince, Lee Shin (Joo Ji Hoon), is decided to be the best publicity move to improve the image of the Royalty and at the same time prepare Shin for immediate succession.

The intended bride? The headstrong, awkward, and sweet spirited Shin Chae-kyung (Yoon Eun Hye) that just happens to go to the same exclusive art school. Chae-kyung was betrothed to become the next Crown Princess by her grandfather and Shin’s grandfather.

After 14 years of living in England with his mom, Lee Yul (Kim Jeong Hoon) appears all of a sudden. He is Shin’s cousin as well as the former Crown Prince. Everything seemed to be going normally until Chae-kyung’s optimistic spirit wins the heart of internally lonely, Yul.

As the Crown Prince Shin and simple-minded Chae-kyung’s relationship appear to developing deeper feelings, a series of scandals are exposed to the public right after the pair were officially announced married. Will love prevail all in a world of political pressures and martial hardships? Or will being in the spotlight of the public be too much for the young newlyweds to endure?



Comments:


This is one of the dramas that I have borrowed from a friend and later bought the DVD for it as it is really a humourous and romantic show. A very heart warming drama, something imaginary since there are no longer monarchy in korea, this is the first drama I've seen with Toon Eun Hye acting as the "bride of the prince", she is such a darling! Her lovely, cheerful character in the drama totally wins my heart.

Joo Ji Hoon, as Lee Shin the "Crown Prince", he look so high and all mighty, but you will eventually like him a lot. I especially find him lovable when he was doing all the thoughtful things to his wife.

Kim Jeong Hoon as Lee Yul seems a bit girly to me.

I find the King (bad husband and bad father) especially unfair to his son (Lee Shin) as he favors his lover's son (Lee Yul). Totally disliked the king's attitude. He is totally being unfair to his own wife.

Was very disappointed that they did not do a sequal for this show. Hope one day they will.

Princess Hour English Subtitles (Completed)