In the blink of an eye I got interested in upcoming K-drama Advertising Genius Lee Tae Baek, and its all thanks to the last minute addition of Jo Hyun Jae to the cast. He’s been filming C-dramas this past year (period drama Rouge Overlord with Yang Zi and modern drama Youth Storm with Selina Jen’s younger sister Kristen Jen) so … Continue reading →
It’s strange to watch Cheongdamdong Alice deflate slowly like a balloon in terms of tension and excitement. I’m still enjoying the watch somewhat but it feels like the majority of drama fandom has more or less set this one aside in search of crackier sustenance. It hurts that SBS maintains radio silence on this drama during the week, only grudgingly … Continue reading →
The story of real life BFF and famous Taiwanese actresses Janine Chang and Ivy Chen and one particular turning-30 trip is the stuff that makes me long for a similar experience. Back in November of 2012, Ivy Chen was still dealing with her Summer breakup with long time boyfriend Kun Da and had four days off so jetted to gleaming … Continue reading →
Ethan Ruan really is the top male actor in Taiwan right now. Despite being away for a year to fulfill his mandatory military service, the day after he received his discharge papers he was on plane headed for Milan to attend the Gucci Winter 2013 fashion show. As the face of Gucci in Taiwan and China, Ethan has been tied … Continue reading →
Missing You ended today after a 21-episode run that saw domestic ratings averaging about 10 but plenty of fodder for discussion. Starring three high profile Hallyu actors in Yoochun, Yoon Eun Hye, and Yoo Seung Ho in the K-drama staple melodrama genre, the ratings never attained its anticipated highs despite a valiant effort on the part of the cast to … Continue reading →
It’s coming. I feel this ominous gush of air headed towards me as Yu Zheng‘s upcoming The Swordsman gets an air date of February 5th on Hunan TV. While this drama filmed at the same time as Da Mo Yao, we haven’t seen any official stills or trailers from DMY because that drama still hasn’t passed SARFT review and gotten … Continue reading →
I always thought that there could be no genuine Bu Bu Jing Xin 2 (步步驚心) without the involvement of Tong Hua either writing the script or approving it. Yet here it is, with her going on record on her weibo page stating that she is not involved in upcoming so-called sequel in any way. I think the clearest indicator that this … Continue reading →
It’s the beginning of the year which means its time to take a Taiga temperature check. Last year’s Taiga Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛) with Matsuyama Kenichi was a huge bust ratings-wise since it was rather boring and blergh, but this year’s Taiga Yae no Sakura (八重の桜) with Ayase Haruka is off to a rollicking start premiering with a solid 21.7% … Continue reading →
The kiss scene at the end of episode 4 of Flower Boy Next Door was quite charming and quaint. Clearly manufactured but doesn’t come off as fake. That’s actually the vibe I get from the entire drama. You know this was written to tell a specific story but its quite believable and refreshing. Despite Park Shin Hye getting to Yoon … Continue reading →
Way to give me a treat with one hand and slap me in the face with the other, MBC. On the eve of the finale of Missing You, where now revealed to be a crazed serial killer second male lead Kang Hyung Joon clearly will not and should not ever get the girl in the drama, MBC released some heretofore … Continue reading →
Episode 4 of a 16-episode drama is usually the make or break it point for me as a viewer to consider whether to continue. It’s also usually when I have developed a strong enough impression to project whether this drama triggers one of my more intense feelings of love or hate. By its very construct Flower Boy Next Door is … Continue reading →
If even the prospect of listening to So Ji Sub rap is getting me this excited, clearly this is no ordinary MV I’m expecting to come out of the maestro roping in hot young things Yoo Seung Ho and Park Shin Hye to star in the upcoming MV for his new rap mini-album. I really do weigh actors on their … Continue reading →
While Flower Boy Next Door hasn’t hooked me quite like I wanted it to, I really appreciate how it adds to the K-drama world by being so unassuming in its own quirks. This drama doesn’t try too hard is how I would explain it best, and in a world of K-dramas trying so damn hard to make an impression, the … Continue reading →