Magically Dramatical Mistakes: 2012

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Bad Girls

Bad Girls *\ (Taiwanese)
Not to be confused with the Korean Drama by the same name.
Movie 85 mins

Ella Chen as A-Dan

Well, it was rather cute, I suppose. The acting was so-so. There wasn't anything sparking between the two main characters at all, their kiss was a bit more like an awkward bumping of faces then it was an intended kiss. The storyline didn't hold much interest for me... maybe there wasn't enough time to get to know the characters or something, I'm not sure.. Well, I think the whole movie could have been better. and... as an aside,.. (roses are not eatable? says who? look up a recipe for 'candied rose petals' and consider rethinking those words. and yes, they can be good in bread as well.)

Tomboy a-dan is out for a little vengeance vs guys that pick on girls and stops only for the delicious taste of bread. Her little sister though, is a bit mischievous at times, and they end up crashing a filming going on at her school. After having inadvertently stepped on the leading lady, a-dan finds herself having to take leading place as compensation, opposite the handsome leading actor, Justin, in a romantic story of athletes falling in love.

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Saturday, December 22, 2012

My Dear Desperado

Gangster Lover/ My Dear Desperado/ 내 깡패 같은 애인/ Nae Kkangpae Kateun Aein ** (Korean)
Movie

Park Joong-Hoon as Oh Dong-Chul

A woman, loses her job to bankruptcy, and is forced to downsize her living, to raman and a tiny basement apartment. Then, amidst her struggle to win another worthy job, she meets her upstairs neighbor. The guy upstairs is a small-time aging gangster who is starting to realize his time spent behind bars was a waste. He begins to see others just starting down the path he knew all to well. As the girl tries for a worthy job interview, he helps out, hoping to push others onto a different road from the one he took.

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Friday, December 21, 2012

Our Slightly Risque Relationship

Our Slightly Risque Relationship/ 조금 야한 우리 연애 /Jogeum Yahan Woori Yeonae ** (Korean)
1 episode

Lee Sun Gyun as Ki Dong Chan

Trying to juggle work at a TV station, and quietly pining for a woman having her wedding day, earns Dong Chan a trip to the doctor's office for a soup-burned lap. He is then temporarily sent to a country station and has another run-in with the woman who caused his hospital stay. In spite of the growls and hisses between them, their mutual attraction is undeniable.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

Sungkyunkwan Scandal/ 성균관 스캔들 *** (Korean)
20 episodes

Ahn Nae Sang as Jung Yak Yong

An adventuresome and romantic story with a few comedic scenes. The acting was well performed and the storyline moved right along. Even the cross-dressing Yoon Hee, was fairly believable, especially in the beginning, because of her 'no-nonsense' firm attitude causing a slight roughening her high voice.
Fav scene(s): Making the grade, unwillingly, The uncomfortable attraction of a gisaeng. A marketplace confession, man to man. A player's lime-lit 'pass or fail'.

A woman, dressed as man, while fighting to pay off her family's debts, and her brother's medicine before she is sold, agrees to 'stand in' for someone taking the university entrance exams.. There she meets a nobleman who takes it upon himself to see her into school and further hone her talent as a scholar. The king as well, further encourages the two of them to enroll and before long, she meets her new roomies.. in the form of the straight-laced noble, the rebel 'crazy horse' and his playboy follower. The four of them become close friends while trying to keep their dreams alive against the violable president of the student counsel, the politics of the crown, and the sad happenings of the past. Then one evening, the King presents them with a secret quest that might just have them pitted against their own families and the loyalty they have for one-other.

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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Arang and the Magistrate

Arang and the Magistrate/ Arang Magistrate Story/ 아랑사또전/ Arangsaddojeon **\ (Korean)
20 episodes + special

Han Jung Soo as Moo Young the ghost hunter

There were a lot of good elements to this drama. I greatly enjoyed it. Lots of adventure, romantic tension and comic moments throughout. Favorite character(s): The Magistrate, his father, and the Jade Emperor

When a wandering nobleman and his servant take refuge from the rain in an old building, the gentleman makes the uncomfortable acquaintance of a ghost looking for memories of who she is and how she came to be in her current state. In efforts to get her to leave him be, he agrees to help her.. under the unlikely condition that she makes him the town's magistrate. That evening, he is kidnapped, tied up, and set to stew in the magistrate's office. The next morning, those sure he was killed by the ghost, as had several potentials before, are surprised that not only is he still alive, he's piping angry about being held hostage by a ghost. Keeping to his agreement, he soon uncovers her remains and many more questions about her death and the village's greatest secrets.

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Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Wedding Scheme

The Wedding Scheme/ The Marriage Plot/ 결혼의 꼼수/ Gyeolhonui Kkomsoo ** (Korean)
16 episodes

Lee Min Woo as Seo Jang Won

The head of a hands-on Kimchee company and a mother of several daughters hatches a plan to marry off her daughters before she dies, by opening a boarding house for eligible bachelors. On the one side, it's effective in gaining the girl's attention. on the other, she discovers a 'spy' in their midst in the form of the son of the man who is responsible for her widowhood. The Spy though, has fallen head over mutual heels for his company 'boss' which is her ambitious 2nd eldest daughter.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A man called god

A man called god/ 신이라 불리운 사나이 / Shinira Bulriwoon Sanai ** (Korean)
24 episodes

Han Chae Young as Jin Bo Bae

This drama might better have been called Rise of the Immortal Phoenix with the way peter pan kept 'resurrecting'. I know it was not a comedy, but some of the situations got fairly ludicrous after awhile. The 3 girls-in-love were nearly stereotypical and I was outright annoyed at their simpering overuse of his name. I consider this drama about as romanceful as an old James Bond movie and about as action-filled as well. Light on one and heavy on the other. There are a number of deaths in this drama. Fav scene(s): Grampa's 'sign' message for the son of the bad guy at the meeting.

A son, who is witness to the death of his parents by stabbing and house fire, vows vengeance on the people responsible. When the day finally arrives and his plan unfurls, he is given a few surprises.. in the form of a jealous betrayal from within and the news of his little sister's existence in the world.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Ohlala Couple

Ohlala Couple/ 울랄라 부부/ Woollala Bubu ** (Korean)
18 episodes

Kim Jung Eun as Na Yeo Ok

Romantic comedy. Loved Soo Nam's goofiness. Somehow I wasn't really satisfied with the ending, seemed the storyline had nearly gotten stuck with Yeo Ok's stubborn unforgiveness then somehow jumped to a happy ending. Least Favorite character(s): Ki Chan For general mean spiritedness and insensitivity for his parents, especially toward his dad.

An unhappy couple divorce after the husband's adultery with a hotel co-worker is discovered. The matchmaker of fate and the goddess of love decide it was time they lent a hand to the star-crossed twosome. In an effort to teach the two a many-lives lesson, Their souls are switched and they are forced to work together to be able to keep one-anothers jobs.

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Faith

Faith/ The Great Doctor/ 신의 (信義)/ Shinui **** (Korean)
24 episodes

Kim Hee Sun as Yoo Eun Soo

I don't normally enjoy historicals, But made exception with this drama. A beautiful romantic adventure with a bit of a time twist and a wonderful soundtrack. Fav scene(s): Convincing the General that his new recruit is moving in with him. Telling off the Prince of the court.. in "heaven" words. The banging of pots and dancing to distract and irritate the white-haired flutist. and The 'affair' kiss.

A general practitioner-gone-plastic surgeon is kidnapped by a famous historical figure who is desperately looking for a 'heavenly' doc to help the ailing queen. After which, she gets caught up in political intrigue of the royal court... a young King still learning what it means to be a country's leader, a greedy uncle coveting the crown, an obsessive prince with armies at his command, and the growing love she shared with the general of the Woodalchi guard.

"Move & Run"

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Rich Man Poor Woman

Rich Man Poor Woman/ リッチマン、プアウーマン ** (Japanese)
11 episodes

Ishihara Satomi as Natsui Makoto

This first episode and a good part of the second, seemed scattered and difficult to understand (tech talk).. It did pick up rather nicely though. Good Comedy Romance.
Fav scene(s): finally! He admits it!

Clumsy unemployed and struggling girl, meets a rich to ruin computer wiz company president with a repelling attitude. somehow, even through all of the trouble love does indeed blossom. Questions are.. how to get back on their feet, and how to get them both on the same page together?

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

9 End 2 Outs

9 End 2 Outs/ 2 Outs in the 9th Inning/ 9회말 2아웃 ** (Korean)
16 episodes

Lee Tae Sung as Kim Jung Joo

It had a few comedic moments, especially so at the start. It nearly got to the TV shouting stage, but by the time that occurred, I was too bored to try. It got to dragging when the two main character's were missing the timing one after the other and I started wondering just when the misery would end. Squeaked by with 2 stars.. just barely. Fav scene(s): the actual, long-awaited, dual acknowledged, kiss.

Girl moves in with her best friend to get out from under the place she lived and told no-one but for that of her then boyfriend, her junior in age and a rising star baseball player. Her best bud though, attempts to keep his one-way love for her under wraps. Although the love turns out to be mutual between them, others stand in the way of any chance of a relationship.

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Unstoppable Marriage

Unstoppable Marriage/ 못말리는 결혼/ Motmalrineun Gyeolhon ** (Korean)
(Not to be confused with the Kr drama by the same name)
Movie

Kim Soo-Mi as Shim Mal-Nyeon

Amusing Movie. Seemed a tiny bit disjointed in places.. but I bet it was because of the movie's time constraints.Interesting to see the lady with the 'bad English slang outbursts' again "shuta up!". Favorite scene(s): Mom and dad, lacking sound to go with the hidden video feed to the girl's workshop, make up their own dialog of what they 'think' their kids are saying.

Rich guy, meets a traditional doll maker via a paragliding event that has him wailing in fright. She makes him join her classes to pay off the cost results of the event. After a night of indulging, the guy is intro'd to her father. So, deciding its only fair, he intro's her to his mom. Mom is looking to complete a golf course in the area and is having issues with the dad over his property. Unwilling to give up property and project, both parents decide they had better break the two up.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Panda and Hedgehog

Panda and Hedgehog/ 판다양과 고슴도치/ Pandayanggwa Goseumdochi ** (Korean)
16 episodes

Pastry yumm. Was a good storyline. Panda was alright, for a soft-spoken, struggling type. I really enjoyed Hedgehog though. Even with his cartoon tattoo and 'tough' friends. His father was the best, I thought. He really cared for hedgehog as if he was family, even though he wasn't regarded as so by others at the time.

Pan Da's folks opened a little cake shop for her before they passed away, her patisserie was a name only and she found herself in need of a better baker. Along comes the hedgehog, a wandering youth with a prickly attitude, a golden sense of pasty making and a grudge to pay on the Saint-Honoré bakery for refusing him earlier.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Romance Town

Romance Town/ Maids/ 로맨스 타운 ** (Korean)
20 episodes

Kim Min Joon as Kim Young Hee

First sight of Gun Woo, must have near spoiled me, because I kept seeing his pointed ears and pudgy jowls from that point onward. The money battle sure got embroiled. Fav character(s): The painter's grandson.

Girl meets guy, years later, Guy returns home to find girl in family maid position. Girl then wins the lottery. At first she tries to keep it to herself, then when the other maids in the area find out, they demand a part of the winnings, then so do others and before long the households on the street are in an all-out war over finances and status.

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sprout

Sprout ** (Japanese)
12 episodes

Jinguji Yuta as Katagiri Kou

Short and rather sweet really. First loves aren't always the one and only.. and yet sometimes, feelings are enduring.

The days seemed to flow by without a hitch for Miku, until her folks decided to open their house to boarders. Of significance, was a guy called Souhei. Miku fell head over heels the moment her hand touched his. she knew he was the one, trouble was, he had a girlfriend. And to add complication, another of the school's hunk's (and a seeming playboy), Hayato, finally let on that he liked her. While she seemed flattered and touched by a first confession, she was hopelessly pining for her next door housemate!

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Thousandth Man

The Thousandth Man/ 천번째 남자/ Chunbunjjae Namja ** (Korean)
8 episodes

Nam Woo-Hyun

Good story. Good characters. Thought the fox's super jumping was funny. It had a rather bittersweet ending, I thought.

The fox family, has yet one girl, who hasn't yet eaten her last liver of 1000 of 1000 years to become human... but she just can't seem to find the right sort of guy.. someone willing to give her his liver. And then she meets a sick fellow who looks exactly like that of her husband from a long time past. Will she make it in time to become human, or will she fail and become nothing more then dissipating mist? time is swiftly running out.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Love in Disguise

Love in Disguise/ Lian ai tong gao **\ (Chinese)
Movie

Leehom Wang as Du Ming-Han

What a wonderful Romantic Comedy! A little kooky, a little sappy, and altogether, a good watch. Even the music was good.

For DMH, the vision of musical fluttering butterflies was all it took for him to realize he had bumped into his soulmate, a traditional music student called Song Xiao-Qing. So he quickly hatched a plan to disguise himself as country bumpkin, Duh, and enrolled to learn more about her and the music she loved.

"All The Things You Never Knew"
by Leehom Wang

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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

My Dear Enemy

My Dear Enemy/ One Fine Day/ Beautiful Day/ 멋진 하루 / 멋진하루/ Meotjin Halu *\ (korean)
Movie 123mins

Ha Jung-Woo as Cho Byung-Woon
Jeon Do-Youn as Hee-Soo

it started slow, moved along slow, and ended slow. A slight feel of depression to this movie... It's tough for everyone. Little plot, little to move it along, and the ending was rather ehh. Guess it was ok, if you didn't mind the vague feeling of having wasted the time of watching it.

A cynical girl seeks out an ex-bf who had owed her money from a good year ago. As he doesn't have the money on him, he offers to go around an collect it from those he knows. At first she is rather paranoid about letting him out of her sight, thinking he will just disappear with the debt unpaid. But As they go through the day together, she learns a bit more about him from the eyes of those they encounter.. gathering a little here and a bit there.. giving what they could for such a valued and optimistic friend.

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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Miss Kim Makes 1 Million

Miss Kim Makes 1 Million/ Ms. Kim's Million Dollar Quest/ 파란만장 미스 김 10 억 만들기/ Paranmanjang Miseu Kim 10 Eok Mandeulgi ** (Korean)
16 episodes

Kim Hyun Ju as Kim Eun Jae

its the day before her wedding and Eun Jae couldn't be more nervous or happy to be married to her long time boyfriend. Only, unknown to her at that moment, he had been swayed away by the rich niece of a president to the company they both worked for. Soon after, a rich to sudden rags playboy finds his family home in jeopardy from a loan shark working under the niece. So the girl and guy team up to make enough money in time to free his home from the enemy's clutches.

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Haeundae Lovers

Haeundae Lovers/ 해운대 연인들/ Hae-woon-dae Yeon-in-deul **\ (Korean)
16 episodes

Kim Hye Eun as Yook Tam Hee

Even though she wasn't the best character in the story in my mind, I did find the fire-sass temper of Tam Hee of the Yang family(married in) quite interesting to hear for her colorful accent which came out strongest at those times.

A Prosecutor, undercover in search for damaging evidence on a gang family, moves into a seaside fishery under an assumed name. He meets there the daughter of the once 'boss' of the ex-white sands gang. The little family is doing their best to survive and hopefully make enough to wrest control of the Haeundae hotel away from the Yang family... who had taken it from them in the first place.
After a near drowning accident leaves him with no memory of his past occupation edge, the little family takes him in and he falls in love with So Ra, eventually 'fake' marrying her to save face after she was taken for quite a bit of money by her scamming boyfriend.

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Monday, September 17, 2012

Secret Investigation Record

Secret Investigation Record/ Joseon X-Files: Secret Book/ 기찰비록/ Gichalbirok (Korean)
12 episodes

Im Jung Eun as Heo Yoon Yi
Kim Ji Hoon as Kim Hyung Do

Not really a romance even though there was the occasional 'hidden' glance from Yoon Yi... so this drama remains unrated in this review. It was quite a bit like a historical version of x-files I liked the mystery concept, such as UFO's, appearing in ancient accounts. The ending was rather confusing though, causing more questions then answers in my mind, There are, of course, tragic events in this drama. Fav Character: the scrambling, jittery, chicken, and yet forgiven sidekick.

A noble sees an unexplained happening one day over the ocean, as he and several others attempted to poison a man who claimed ufo's existed. In turn, after giving his report to the emperor, he is severely punished for spinning tales in a plot. An inspector, known for his straight-laced ways, attempts to discover the truth behind the stories and discovers a vacated town and a royal attempt to cover it up. He is then given no choice but to create a reasonable explanation for the fire in the sky many saw. Then he is set on a new mission working in secret with a small team to learn more about the strange happenings in the area.

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Saturday, September 15, 2012

Konkatsu!

Konkatsu!/ Marriage Hunting!/ 婚カツ！ **(Japanese)
11 episodes

Ueto Aya as Tobita Haruno

Mildly funny romance. Somehow My eyes were always being drawn to the main male lead's hair... it just.. idunno.. it looked weird. Fav character(s): yasu and spunky Haruno.

Having walked away from a previous job in efforts to save the job of a co-worker, Kuniyuki desperately looks about for a new job. finally finding a temporary possibility he tells a fib to pass the 'marriage' requirement. Then finds himself having to back it up before the company president finds out.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Lost and Found

Lost and Found/ Sweet Lies/ 달콤한 거짓말/ Dalkeumhan Keojitmal ** (Korean)
Movie 113 mins

Lee Ki-woo as Kang Min-woo

Funny little romance. Girl was a dorky clutz yet full of spirit... especially when she 'pulled faces' for the camera and nearly got caught doing so several times. Favorite quote(s): "I can remember a time when I was in love with you." "I can't remember a time when I was not."

Girl with a long-time crush on a schoolmate is having a terrible day. First, she awakens late from a drunken stupor and is fired from her job, then she gets her purse stolen by some guy on a motorbike... as if that were not enough, when she goes to chase the purse-snatcher, she runs into an abruptly appearing car. She awakens to discover that the guy who hit her is none other then her crush! ..so she feigns amnesia and having no choice, he takes her to his place. There she lives in bliss for 2 days before once more reality crashes down on her in the form of an old friend who takes her home again and attempts to jog her 'unwilling' memories.

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Daddy-Long-Legs

Daddy-Long-Legs/ 키다리 아저씨/ Kidari ajeossi ** (Korean)
Movie 99mins

A sort of melancholy romance story. Implied tragedy. I did like how when the truth became known, they re-showed the flashback scenes with the two in switched places. Fav character(s): The director and his brother.

A somewhat sheltered little girl loses her loving parents at a rather young age, but She manages to meet life's changes head on. One day, she received a gift of shoes from an unknown admirer.. when she arrived at the collage admin in a rush to pay the tuition, she found it had just been paid. She thought to find the person who paid it only to meet a dead end.. so she accepted the help from her unknown "daddy-long-legs".
After collage time was over, she gains employment as a staff writer for a radio show and is given an offer to move into a place close by while the unknown owner was away on sick leave. Soon after, a friendly co-worker moves in, and she falls in love with a guy who works the counter at the company record store.
Then one evening, after her laptop broke, she switched over to the owner's computer and saw timed emails show up, the owner had written letters to herself? In these letters, the owner describes a one-way desperate love and a horrible disease that would soon rob her of her memories. Unable to find the guy described, she decided to air the letters on the radio.

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Friday, August 24, 2012

Can Love Become Money?

Can Love Become Money?/ For the Emperor/ 사랑도 돈이 되나요/ Sarangdo Doni Dwoinayo ** (Korean)
20 episodes

Neato to see the lead actor for Vampire Prosecutor playing in a warm romantic comedy.. even as his character was cold and curt most of the time. On the other hand, I wasn't too pleased with the character's chosen match... even as I enjoyed the storyline. she seemed soo.. frumpy and lost waif-ish to me. Me-thinks she needs a wardrobe update.. stat! favorite character(s): Chairman Ma.

A cold and calculating chairman of a hotel business, is faced with an inheritance stipulation that would require him to marry. In spite of his refusal, his uncle hatches a plan to train someone as a secretary with the purpose of getting close to him. A down-and-out desperate Da Ran is secured and trained to handle the irritable chairman with the promise of paying off her father's debts to a loan shark if she succeeds. To add to this, there is a skeleton bumping about in In Tak's closet that when let loose, may just cost him everything and a purposefully found cousin whose true intentions are yet to be brought into the light.

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

A Gentleman's Dignity

A Gentleman's Dignity/ Gentlemen's Class/ Grace of Gentleman/ 신사의 품격/ Shinsa-ui Poomgyuk **\ (Korean)
20 episodes

Ji Hyun Woo as Kim Boong Do

One would think this drama would be a little draggy, but I thought it fairly evenly paced. I really enjoyed the rapport between the guys as well as the eventual inclusion of the girls. Favorite character: Collin

Story of 4 best friends, 'growing up and falling in love' after middle age.
architect Kim Do Jin, falls for Seo Yi Soo, a teacher and part-time umpire,
Im Tae San is in a chilly relationship and wondering who else there might be, Choi Yoon, a widower of 4 years, who tries as he might not to fall for a complicated younger generation, and Lee Jung Rok, something of a playboy, in a rather loveless marriage which he might just lose to divorce. Add to that, one first love, and a young man claiming one of them is his father.

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Saturday, August 4, 2012

Powerful Opponents +

Powerful Opponents/ 강적들/ Kang Jeok Deul/ Powerful Opponents/ Rivals/ Adversaries/ Formidable Rivals ** (Korean)
16 episodes

Lee Jin Wook as Kang Su-Ho

Good Drama.. Had some comic moments, had a bit of romance.. and a fair bit of action. Only one 'yell-at-the-screen moment for me.. it was the thought that that 'bad guy' somehow t-ported out of that room, because really, that was pretty much the only way he was likely to get away without sprouting several new body vents for the effort...well I guess its also possible if all the guards gasped and dropped their weaponry at the same time. -.- It was a clear case of "Girl Chooses Neither".

A female bodyguard and her class rival are teamed up to protect the son of the prez.. a free-wheeling, immature, playboy, with a chip o the past on his shoulder for the girl's partner.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Why Did You Come to My House?

Why Did You Come to My House?/ 우리집에 왜 왔니 / 우리집에 왜왔니/
Woori jipyeo wae wassni? * (Korean)

This movie is unrelated to the Korean Drama by the same name.

Movie 107 mins

Kang Hye-Jung as Su-kang

Depressing movie. I didn't care at all for the sad tragic hopelessness of the character's situation all around.

A guy, still unable to get over wife's untimely death, attempts to kill himself and is interrupted by a 'crazy beggar' entering his house. When he comes to, he is tied up and she has the run of things. Eventually her story comes out.. she has been stalking his neighbor, her first love, for the last 10 years and plans to do away with him.

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Someone Special

Someone Special/ 아는 여자 ** (Korean)
Movie 110 mins

Jung Jae-young as Dong Chi-sung
Lee Na-young as Han Yi-yeon

Slightly depressing romance... of sorts. Guess it was alright. Fav scene(s): The Guy commenting about the lame movie he watched.

A baseball outfielder with something of a dead-end life/love life, Learns he has only so many months to live. So he goes to a pub as usual, and gets drunk. He then awakens the next day, in a motel room the bartender has rented. It becomes apparent that she has been in love with him for some time, always quietly watching from a distance. Her care wins over his heart without his conscience knowledge, since he has never been truly in love before. But what to do with such a short time left?

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