Korean Drama10: Love Rain

Love Rain was directed by Yoon Seok-Ho, who is a well known director in Korea.  Love Rain is quite a new drama that started airing in this March.  Yet, this drama did not gain much  support from the audience. Before Love Rain was airing on TV, I had already expected to watch this drama. Of course, what firstly draws my interest to watch this is still because of my favorite handsome actor, Jang Keun Suk.
 Love Rain depicts a pure love of the 1970s and a love from the present day. The drama shows how the ill fated couple, who met in the 1970s, fell in love but could not be together in the end because of social pressure and the sickness of Kim Yoon Hee, the female character. They believe "love in the first sight" exist. Seo In Ha, the main character only spent 3 seconds to fall in love with Kim Yoon Hee, who is of beauty. Unfortunately they were fated to be seperated.

Now in the present 21st century Korea, Seo In Ha's son, Seo Joon (a liberal photographer) meets and falls in love with the daughter of Kim Yoon Hee, Jung Ha Na, a cheerful and energetic girl who's personality is different from her mother's. They did not get along well at first because Seo Joon is an egoistcal person and thinks women are touble makers. But, when he is complaining Ha Na, he gradually falls in love with her. Unlike to their parents, they get married in the end and live happily forever(Although I don't believe "happy ending" exists, they are depicted in this way.)

Although Love Rain had only highest viewership percentage of 7.3%, I think Love Rain is a good and very touching drama. Tears and happiness are included. Yet, I think my Keun-Suk should not always role as a prince, who is loved by women but at the same time, is a woman hater in dramas because he is, in fact, not this kind of person in the real life and I do not hope he is marked and mistaken as a "prince".

Korean Drama9: Cinderella's Sister

Cinderella's sister is normally stereotyped as an evil and negative character, but in this Korean drama, Cinderella's sister is so much like a female victim who was somehow "sabotaged" by Cinderella (for her, she thinks she was a victim.)  Cinderella's always the one who is depicted as a pure and a positive person who eventually lives happily with her love. Yet, who knows, in fact, Cinderealla's sister is, at the same time, eager to be loved?
This drama overturns some ideas of what we think of Cinderella's sister and somehow, viewers will look pity on her after watching this drama.
The story basically talks about  Song Eun-jo, who lives with her mother since years ago (and also her mother's lover), finally gets a new family and a home when her mother remarries to a kind man who owns a winery. At first, she was living in struggle and even attempted to escape rather than dealing with the attempt of being schooled. The cynical Eun-jo is unable to accept the affection of her new step-sister Hyo-seon  and step father Gu Dae-seong . Hyo-seon, with her bright character, is the apple in her father's eyes and Eun-jo's mother goes out of her way to fulfill the role of Hyo-seon's mother, causing her to neglect and act harshly towards Eun-jo. Yet, Eun-jo finds a friend, who is a college student working at the winery who becomes her own prince. Ki-hoon eventually leaves to take care of personal issues, but Hyo-seon, this Cinderella's  jealousy toward Eun-jo causes Eun-jo believe that he has abandoned her. The three characters reunite 8 years later to begin the main plot - a modern adaptation of Cinderella with a twist. Han Jeong-woo , a boy that Eun-jo considered her little brother 8 years ago, shows up in order to be near her and fulfills the role of a "fairy godmother" to her. A love triangle forms when Hyo-seon falls for Ki-hoon, who is still in love with Eun-jo. The feeling of betrayal lasts with Eun-jo, creating misunderstandings and difficulties. Yet, the kindness of Eun-jo's stepfather (Gu Dae-seong, Hyo-seon's father) begins to change everyone's lives.

Korean Drama8: Lie to Me

Lie to Me is also a Korean Drama that was introduced by my senior high teacher. This drama was airing on Korean TV in 2011 and I have finished watching right after those were uploaded on the Internet. Recently, I have noticed Lie to Me has been airing in Taiwanese TV, thus, I decided to watch this drama again.

The story is quite cliche but somehow, I am so much into this plot.

The story basically talks about the male and female characters' love are based on lie but gradually they fall in love with each other.

Gong Ah-jungis a fifth-level government employee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that mistakenly lies that she is married to Hyun Ki-joon, a rich man and president of World Hotel. As the rumour spreads, Ki-joon is totally falls into touble as his friends also believe he is married to Ah-jung. After a series of events, they both eventually agree to pretend to be married. Things get more complicated when Ki-joon's ex-fiance, and a close friend of his brother Oh Yoon-joo, returns from France. Yet, Ki joon found out his heart does not belong to his ex fiance anymore but Ah-jung's, he goes back to Ah-jung.

Different from other Korean Drama, this is not a long and tedious series. Each episode is short and straightforward which is also the reason why I recommand this drama.

Korean Drama7: Playful Kiss

There are several versons of Playful Kiss- Taiwanese one, Japanese one and Korean one. I have watched Taiwanese and Korean versions and I like both of them.
Korean Version

Taiwanese version



They both depicted fully the love and interesting story between the male and female characters and today, I am going to introduce Playful Kiss, the Korean version to you.
A high school girl named Oh Ha Ni who is in the bottom of her class has had a crush on popular and genius male student named Baek Seung Jo.  Ever since she saw him on the first day of high school, she had regarded him as her prince charming. Ha Ni decides to confess through a letter, but is rejected by Seung Jo, who tells her that he hates stupid girls.
Fate intervenes when a mild earthquake ruins Ha Ni's family's new house. While the house gets rebuilt, Ha Ni and her father stay at the home of her dad's childhood friend, who happens to be Seung Jo's father. Seung Jo's mother likes Oh Ha Ni very much and always considers her to be her real daughter. Living together for several years from their senior high life and university life, Seung Jo gradually falls in love with Ha Ni by her purity and innocence. Yet, Seung Jo did not confess his love to Ha Ni and because of that, they meet a lot of difficulties and obstacles in between.
At first, I do not like Ha Ni, who is labeled as a super stupid girl. Smart people and super dumb people are always paralleled but they bumped into each other which can not be happened in the real world. Yet, in the end, they are finally together and overturn what I thought.

Korean Drama6:Personal Preference

Personal Preference is also one of my favorite Korean Drama. The reason why I started to watch this drama is because of my teacher's recommendation. Also, I was attracted because of this handsome actor whose name is Lee Min Ho. Yet, the more I watched this drama, the more I felt I was not only obsessed to this handsome guy but also this whole story.
Jeon Jinho, a budding architect, is mistaken as gay by Park Gae In. In order to be roommate with Park, Jeon did not tell the true that, in fact, he was a straight guy. The reason why Jeon wanted to live with Park is because she was the owner of a mysterious house that has never been opened to outsiders. Jeon was known as a picky man who always wore a poker face. He always made fun of Park who did not know how to make herself up. At first, Park and Jeon did not get along well and they framed each other, but as time flies, they fell in love with each other while Jeon found out Park was so kind and so pure; Park found out Jeon was not that evil. Although he pretended to be gay, his feelings were exposed due to his jealous which is at first oblivious to Gae In. There were also some awkward moments which a girl wouldn't normally do or say in front of a guy.  Yet,Park was always positive and caring that Jinho felt the need to protect her from being hurt again. In the middle of the story, Park found out Jeon was not gay, she was happy but at the same time was angry that Jeon never told her the truth. Park believed love could not be built within in tons of lies, and that's why in the end, when she found out the reason why Jeon Jinho wanted to be her roommate was .in fact, having another intention, she bursted into anger and disappointment. In the end of the story, Jeon showed his sincerity toward Park and she realized how much she loved him. In the end, Jeon was forgiven and they lived together happily.

Korean Drama5:My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox

My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox is one of my favorite Korean Drama that I have watched in last summer  vacation.   The story is generally about a love story between a man and a nine-tailed fox and how he helps her to get rid of her tails and become a human.

Cha Dae-woong, the male character,  accidentally releases a troublesome Gumiho, a legendary fox with nine tails, sealed inside a painting by Grandma Samshin. The fox is, in fact, a kind and nice one who's trying to be a human being, but Dae-woong, at first, was afraid of her because rumor has that nine-tailed fox liked to eat the livers of humans. Yet, everytime when Dae-woong was in great peril, and even was going to lose his life, the fox always went and saved him by giving him "fox marble" which is the symbolic of fox's energy. Gradually, Cha Dae realized Gumiho was not evil creature, he fell in love with her and would like to help her out to change her into a human being.  He  stays with her and he tries to keep her happy, while hiding her true identity as a gumiho from all others by having her pose as his human girlfriend Mi ho.
As the story unfolds, Mi ho  pursues her goal of becoming human. Park Dong Joo who was  the half-human, half-monster informing her that to do so, she must drink human blood and allow a human to keep her fox marble inside their body for a full 100 days. Yet, Dong Joo did not mention that at the end of the 100 days the human will die. Loving each other deeply, yet, they do not know the consequence of fullfilling Mi ho's dream of becoming a human being.
I do not know if the ending is counted as happy one or sad one because Mi ho did not successfully become a "real" human being but there was still one tail left. But, finally, Cha Dae-woong could finally be together with Mi ho. I just wonder since Mi ho was still a "one -tail" fox, can they have baby after they get married? Then, will they be able to live together forever since Mi ho always remains to be young and Cha-Dae-woong, just like our human being will die in the end. Those are my questions that bumped into my mind when I finish watching this drama. lol

Korean Drama4: Marry Stayed Out All Night

Mary Stayed Out All Night is a Korean Romantic Comedy that was airing in 2010. The casts are: Jang Keun Suk, who's my favorite Korean actor and Moon Geun Young who is a popular movie star in Korea. The drama did not receive a lot of applause from the Korean audience, yet, miraculously, Japanese  audience love this drama and that's why Jang Keun Suk became well- known in Japan and is crowned as "Asian Prince".

The story is about Wi Mae Ri is the cheerful girl who had used to live in escaping life. She has a father who failed in  business and is in great debt. Even though Wi Mae Ri's life is quite tough, she always looks on a bright side. One day, she drives her car out and accidentally bumps into a free spirited singer, Kang Moon Kyul, and they soon becomes good friends. Meanwhile, her father Wi Dae Han is saved from his debtors by his old friend, Jung Suk, who had just returned from considerable success in the Japanese entertainment industry. Jung Suk, who had harboured a secret love for Mae Ri's mother, sets up a deal with Dae Han to have Mae Ri marry his son, Jung In. In her desperate to escape this predicament, Mae Ri begs Moo Kyul to pose as her husband, and finds herself in even more trouble than before when her father proposes a 100-day period that she has to divide her time equally between Moo Kyul and Jung In, and also decides who she is going to marry.
The reason why this drama attracts me is because of this handsome actor, Jang Keun Suk. I think the plot is quite fair and nothing special, but if somebody wants to learn Korean or see handsome guys, I would like to recommand this drama. Handsome guy, undoubtedly, is my Keun Suk. As for learning Korean this part, I think the actress, Moon Geun Young speaks quite slow and clear, that's why I learned some words from this drama.

Korean Drama3: Man of Honor

Man of Honor is also one of my favorite korean drama which is touching and good. The story is about that Yoon Jane is a hard-working nurse who does not remember her past. In fact She is the daughter of Yoon Il-Goo who was the president of a trading company. He was killed in a car accident with his friend Seo Jae-Myung and his chauffeur Kim In-Bae, whose son, Young-Gwang, met Jane at her birthday party. When Jane's mother Eun-Joo received news of her husband's accident she took Jane and drove to the hospital. Yet, because of the heavy rains, they got into a car accident, which separated the mother and daughter. Jae-myung ordered In-bae to send Jane, who had lost all of her memories at the time, to an orphanage, where In-bae told her to never forget her name. 17 years later, In-bae's son, Young Kwang, is a baseball player who had a fallout with his rival, Jae-myung's son, In-Woo. He was spoiled and arrogant, and when he was injured, he was brought to the same hospital. There, Young-Kwang met Jane from her saving him with a blood transfusion. Yet, In-bae was chased and died in an accident by Jae-myung's goons. Young-Kwang decided to quit being a baseball player and owning his father's noodle shop. Jane also quit her job as a nurse to find a job with Young-Kwang. In-woo found himself as a disowned son by his father for his unsatisfactory behavior and Jane,Young-Kwang and Il-woo find job at Jae-myung's officer Eun-joo awake from coma after 17 years. Seo In-chul had lover named Kim Kyung-joo who happned to be Young-kwang's runaway sister eventually Jane reigned her memories after she reunited with her long-lost mother to fight back her father's will and Il-woo discovered that In-chul behind his kidnapping as child. with help of officer workers both Young-kwang and Jane must challenge agnist Jae-myung who hid the secrets.

Honestly, when I was watching some of eposides, I felt the plot did not attract me especially when Yoon Jane gained her memory back and decided to revenge on those who flamed her. Yet, when the background music was played with the action, I was totally awake and the more I watcehd the drama, the more I was eager to know what was going to be the next. That's the reason why I recommand this koeran drama: Man of Honor.

Korean Drama2: City Hunter

City Hunter is one of my most favorite korean drama. There are 20 eposides and I finished them in last summer vacation while I was in Spain. (People all think I am a fool because I was always sitting in front of my laptop watching city hunter and did not want to hang out with them.)The reason why I like this drama is because I think the story is quite different from others--love story is not only included but also some fighting scenes. The story is based on the Japanese manga series City Hunter written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo.
The story is basically started from a war between North Korea and South Korea.in 1983(this is just a fabricated war.)South Korean officials plan a covert operation to enter North Korea and kill several top members of the North's high command, codenamed "Clean Sweep." Lee Jin-pyo and Park Moo-yul, two Presidential Security Service bodyguards and best friends who were presenting at the bombing, organize a 21-man team for the mission. Yet, as the team wreaks havoc in Pyongyang, the officials abort the plan to avoid an international crisis if the mission is discovered. Their major concern is that the United States will withdraw its nuclear protection if the mission is made public. Then the government killed those soldiers who were heading to North Korea. Yet, one of the soldier survived and decided to embark on his revenge.
Vowing to avenge his fallen comrades, Lee kidnaps Moo-yul's infant son. He flees to the Golden Triangle to raise the child as his own and trains the boy intensively in combat. Following an attack on a village they are living in, Jin-pyo confesses his long-term plan for revenge to the child, Lee Yoon Sung (Lee Min-ho).
Seven years later, after successfully finishing his college years and attaining a doctorate in the United States at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yoon-sung returns to South Korea to fulfill his step-father's plan for revenge. He enters the Blue House as an IT expert under the National Communication Network Team. He is warned by Jin-pyo not to trust anyone and never fall in love, as doing so will put the people around him in danger. Whilte he was working at the Blue House, he meets a bodyguard Kimm Na-na, and gradually falls in love with her. The story is touching. Kim Nana and Lee Yoon Sung love each other deeply, but because of those revengeous tasks, Lee had to hide his feeling to Kim in order to protect her. During the tasks, several people died and injured. In the end of the story, Kim and Lee finally could be together but there did not end up to be a happy ending-- Lee's stepfather got several shots and died in order to rescue Lee. (Touching~~~~~)

  

Korean Drama1: You Are Beautiful

You Are Beautiful is the first korean drama I recommand. The story basically talks about a boy band, AN JELL's relationship between a girl who disgused as a man and joined in this band to be one of the member.

Go Mi Nyu and Go Mi Nam are twins. Go Mi Nam is the one who  successfully auditions for the musical band A.N.JELL. But then, he is forced to leave for the USA to correct a botched plastic surgery. In order not to get any trouble, Mi Nam's manager comes and begs Mi Nyu  if she can disguise as her twin brother until Mi Nam recovers. Of course at first, Mi Nyu does not want to do this cheating thing but then, she thinks being a star may be the best one and the quickest way that she can  find her mother.  Now, posing as Mi Nam, Mi Nyu enters the group A.N.JELL and meets its members: Hwang Tae Kyung, Kang Shin Woo and Jeremy. At first, Tae Kyung does not like Mi Nam and mabecause he thinks "she" is not qualified to be a singer.  But then, Shin Woo and Jeremy are friendly to her. Somehow, after Tae Kyung discovers that Mi Nam is a girl and gradually falls in love with "her". In order to keep her secret, Tae Kyung sacrificed a lot, like he has to pretend that Yoo He Yi, who is an actress, is together with him so that he can get distract the media's attention on Mi Nam.
I think the reason why I watched  this korean drama at the beginning is  mainly because of the actor, who's name is Jang Keun Suk. He is the one who played Tae Kyung.  But the more I watch this movie, the more I feel I was not just watching my favorite korean actor but honestly,  I am totally obessed to the story. The story is basically about love and care. If I had a twin brother and we looked alike, I would like to disguse as him and see if I could meet any handsome men. HAHA~

Made in Spain

Made in Spain is not something that made in Spain in this blog, but this is a restaurant's name in Taichung. A few weeks ago, my friend discovered that there is a Spanish restaurant in Taichung and not so far away from Tunghai University. I was so exercised because I had not eaten Spanish food since I came back. So.....Today, I am going to introduce this restaurant to you.
Name: Made in Spain.
Address: Taichung city, west area, sian road, no. 165. (easy to be found)

Decoration: photos are around. Red chairs are around. Like a bar with dim light.... When you are in the restaurant, you will feel to be like in a latino world.
See the photo, you will know........

See? they like the red color because that is the symbolic of enthusiasm.

About the food? let's see..................

Firstly, i have to say that i really love the paella there, even more than that in Spain. Everything is just so match.

Paella in made in Spain. Maybe you think this is not enough for you, but you get full when you finish that.

menu..........................

The price is quite fair, but the food is good. I think you may be hungry after read this, because I am hungry now.

So, wanna go? please invite me to go with you. Thank You!!!

What we got in fiesta?

    Fiesta means party in English. When I was in Spain, we used to hold a party on Wednesday day because of the middle of a week. Spanish think of having fun as a important thing. They drink, they dance and sing. I remember we had different kinds of fiesta, for example, in the first week, every dance is accepted; in the second week, differently, we had to dance flamenco, one of the classical dancing in Spain; in the third week, we had karaoke contest; in the fourth week, we had Taiwanese style party(because students there are mostly Taiwanese.) Different kinds of parties, however, have the same purpose--- having fun. Having fiesta, of course, we do drink a lot of alcohol. Sangria, one of the famous Spanish alcohol is indispensable. And, now, I would like to post some photos of famous alcohol or beer in Spain.

Sangria~~~~ with a lot of fruits, red wines.... (if you want to see how to make one, see the previous article)

Shandy---this looks like beer, but shandy doesn't equal to beer. Shandy is sweeter. Somehow, I cannot buy any shandy out side of Spain.

vino de verano--- looks like sangria, but not the same. Vino de verano is more sour.

Three kinds of alcohols are my favorite. I hope you like them, too. If you don't know where you can drink spanish alcohol, let me tell you in the next blog.