On my Love for F4 and Barbie Xu

For all my love for K-pop and c-pop and Korean series and Taiwanese series, suddenly I just started missing F4 and Shancai. I wondered what happened to them. Where are they now in 2012?  Are you wondering too what is the latest news about them? Do post up comments if you know something new about them because I am eager to know. Sit up and enjoy this post!

Barbie Xu - she played Shancai

After her stint in Meteor Garden she was linked to all F4 members except for Ken Zhu I think. In real life, after she broke up with then-boyfriend, Blue Lan she dated Vic Zhou. They started dating after they finished the hit series, Mars. On November 16, 2012 after only 4 dates and 49 days together, she married wealthy Chinese businessman, Wang Xiao Fei in a civil wedding held in Beijing, China. She is now Mrs. Barbie Wang...2 years after the wedding they are still together. They had another wedding ceremony in Sanya in 2011 where her close friends were in attendance including Ella Chen (who is engaged to be married to Alvin Lai), Christine, Blackie, and  Aya.

I guess they already know what they are doing, Barbie is already turning 36 this October 6 after all! She looks youthful! Her husband is younger than she is.

Her girlband, ASOS with younger sister, Dee Xu is now long defunct.     

Barbie's latest picture:

Barbie with husband, Wang Xiaofei:

Jerry Yan – he played Dao Ming Xu

He turned 35 last January 1, oh what a wonderful birthday that is and a New Year celebration too! Just like Barbie Xu, he is already 35 years old. Oh my when I post their ages, I feel like an ajumma too! In celebration of his birthday, his fans built a hostel for the needy and a school, now that is one good man you can bring home to old mummy and daddy! He started dating actress, Lin Chi Ling but broke up with her while filming the series, The Hospital. IN 2011, he was linked to model; Ceclia Zhang but both denied the relationship. I guess this guy is meant to grow old alone.

Oh-so-famous Jerry Yan pic:

Vic Zhou – he played Hua Ze Lei

He was the first one F4 to release a solo album and is the youngest in the group. He is turning 31 in June 9 and is a graduate of Hsing Wu College. He has a new movie entitled Saving General Wang scheduled for release in 2012. I can still remember him singing the line, mek a wish, mek a wish from years before, now he is already quite old. How time flies. After breaking up with Barbie Xu, his love life seems to be non-existent these days as I cannot find any news about his love life. IF you know any then do post up.

Vic's Make a Wish Album cover:

Vic's new pic:

Vanness Wu – he played Mei Zu

He was also linked to Barbie Xu during Meteor Garden days, but everything seems to be not true. Then after the series he was linked to Vivian Hsu he looks so youthful but is actually older than him. Rumors that they are dating seems to persist, as Vivian Hsu always hang out with Vanness and his friends from the c-hiphop group, Machi. Oh I miss Machi too! Machi Didi is so big and grown! Vanness turns 34 in August 7. He finished the hit tv series, Autumn's Concerto last 2009, and will be showcasing his acting talent in the series, Ti Amo Chocolate. He has also collaborated with Bruno Mars for his song, Knockin and with Ryan Tedder of One Republic for the theme song of the series, Material Queen.  In 2010, he was linked to Arissa Cheo, a wealthy Singaporean heiress but they have broken up the same year as confirmed by his managers. Reason for their break up was that Vanness who is known to be a devout Christian pledged against pre-marital sex, while Arissa is known to post racy pictures of her in the net. Do not worry Vanness you will find yourself a good Christian girl with good moral values like yours. But as of January 2012, they were seen together again Taoyuan International Airport.

Vanness' old pic:

Vanness' new pic:

Vanness and on-again-off-again gf, Arissa:

Ken Zhu – he played Xi Men

He turned 33 last January 15. Out of the 4 F4 members, he has the least number of solo albums released, his last album was released 2009 entitled Getting Real. He shot a movie entitled Batanes with Filipino actress, Iza Calzado. Ken also gained a lot weight in his recent pictures. In 2010, there was an event slated to be a reunion for F4 but Ken Zhu declined to be part of the event as he says in his blog that he does not want to work a difficult member, Jerry Yan.

In 2005 he started dating actress, Kelly Lin where they lived together and rumoured to have married in 2009 but they broke up in 2010 citing personality differences. Kelly Lin has moved on and got married in March 2011. Ken dated actress, Maggie Wu in 2011.

If you have new news of Ken Zhu for me do post up. I like Kelly Lin she is so pretty!

Ken Zhu's old pic:

Ken Zhu's new pic:

Ken and ex-gf, Kelly Lin:

Ken and current gf, Maggie Wu:

Jun Ji Hyun ties the knot with Choi Jun Hyuk

On April 13th, actress Jun Ji Hyun married her husband Choi Jun Hyuk at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.  Ahead of her wedding, Jun Ji Hyun held a press conference to share her thoughts on getting married, being a wife, and more.

Her husband Choi Jun Hyuk is currently employed in the finance department at Bank of America, and he boasts tall height with good looks. The wedding was officiated by the Minister of Justice, and singer Lee Juk came to congratulate the new married couple with a song. The couple did not take any corporate sponsorship for their special day, and the wedding was rather simply and classly.

Jun Ji Hyun & Choi Jun Hyuk spent their first night at the hotel as well, and will be living at a villa in Seoul until Jun Ji Hyun begins filming her new movie ‘Berlin‘ towards the end of the month. 

SOURCE: allkpop.com

Congratulations and best wishes Jun Ji Hun and Choi Jun Hyuk! I hope they make more happy healthy babies! They should spread their genes on good looks hehe! IT is about time she gets married, she is not getting any younger. She has always been mum and silent about her personal life, it is only now that I know the name of her husband. I love Jun Ji Hyun.

Yellowshinsei Reached 500,000 Hits

When I started this blog site 7 years ago I never dreamed I would reach 500,000 hits.

Seven years ago was the climax of the Korean wave boom and the start of the c-pop and Asianovela invasion. It was but natural for me to start a blog talking about anything Asian, Korean wave, Korean pop (k-pop) and c-pop. I did not know what topics I would write about and niche I would conquer. All I know was I was definitely crazy for F4 back then, that was the start of the Meteor Garden mania, so that was how I started. Autumn in my Heart and Full House both starred by Song Hye Kyo basically started my love for Korean dramas and the k-pop. It was just a natural course for me to start watching some Japanese series and still the same, I loved those!

When I posted my first blog entry back then, I always checked my blog for new comments and shout outs from readers, it was when I started my first reviews about Asian dramas did my blog started to boom and get loyal readers. It was hard staring out, I need to devout time to watch dramas and post reviews for them.

When my blog’s hits rose, so did the spammers, everyone wants to post in a blog visited by a lot of people. It was really disheartening for me to see such baseless comments. I had to manually delete spam comments and shout outs. I am still trying to combat spam and looking for ways to eradicate those for good. Another problem for me was some readers copy my entries and reviews and pass them of as their own, posting my reviews in other forums...that saddened me so much, but thank God for some really good people who banned such actions and started crediting my blog as the one true source of such reviews.

So www.yellowshinsei.blogdrive.com is thriving! More years of blogging! I hope I will never grow old loving k-pop or anything Asian for that matter! I hope to be still blogging until I am already an ajumma! Kamsahamida everyone! Read on and post valuable comments! From this day, I will be commending and posting the most wonderful comments of the month from my readers!

SHINHWA IS MAKING A March 2012 COMEBACK

Shinhwa have officially announced that they will be making their comeback as a group next March!

On August 1st, Shinhwa’s representatives revealed, “Shinhwa will be releasing a new album next March. They will be launching a concert, as well as promoting actively on broadcast programs. Starting in March, they will have three months of promotional activities. An Asian tour is still under discussion.”

As the longest standing idol group in the K-Pop industry (13 years!), Shinhwa briefly halted their activities as a group when the members went away to fulfill their military duties. The group will finally come together in March with Lee Min Woo as the last discharge.

The representative continued, “It is true that the members have been holding positive discussions. After establishing Shinhwa Company, the members are working out the finer details of their return.”

credits: all kpop

Yellowshinsei’s Thoughts: For some reasons I am quite excited about the Shinhwa comeback not like any other groups or artists, this is great news because this is after all Shinhwa! Reasons why I love Shinhwa:

1. This is a different kind of reunion because they did not come back from disbandment or something; they came back after serving their military duties. It made me think that they made true in their promise that they will come back when after serving in the military.

2. They will be starting their comeback via their own Shinhwa Company. A company equally divided between the members, this company will take care of all their group activities.

3. They broke hearsay that go that male groups usually disband when they all enter military service. They are beyond that crap. They have survived hardships after SM, they have survived military service without losing members.  Shinhwa is a legend.  And as Andy aptly said “Shinhwa’s comeback is Epic!!”

Nae sarang Shinhwa! Okay back to my maniacal days going gaga over Andy and Dongwan!! I just realized that their once teenage fans who ogle over them before are now ajumas! Haha! I need to take out my Shinhwa albums already, they are the only Korean group whom I went crazy looking for their albums believe me. I am rolling on the floor laughing! Aja Shinhwa!! There is a reason why Shinhwa is my page header! I love them!

The Moon That Embraces the Sun

Other Titles: The Moon Embracing the Sun, The Moon and the Sun

Cast:

Han Ga In – as Heo Yeon Woo or Wol

She is the main protagonist in the series. When she was young she was a noble woman and was betrothed to marry the Crown Prince Lee Hwon.  The head shaman at the time of betrothal performed a deadly ritual and sent Yeon Woo to a deep sleep but not dead that when she woke up she would have no memories of her life as a princess. She regained her memories and was set to take back everything that she lost including the now reigning King Lee Hwon.

Kim Soo Hyun – as Prince Lee Hwon

He was a young crown prince when he chose Yeon Woo to be his crown princess. He loved her and she loved him back too they would have been a power couple to rule the kingdom. He is a very mild-mannered and wise king. He has never stopped loving Yeon Woo that is why he cannot give his love to his new queen.

Jung Il Woo – as Prince Yang Myung

He is the older brother of King Lee Hwon, is also a prince, he is one happy-go-lucky and light-hearted fellow. He helped Yeon Woo and is always ready to give her and King Lee Hwon a hand. He is sharp-witted and always seem to know what he wants to do. He also has good swording skills.

Kim Min Seo – as Yoon Bo Kyung

She rose to power as the new queen of King Lee Hwon when she, her father, the queen dowager and the head shaman tried to kill Yeon Woo. She has always liked the King Lee Hwon when they were young, he is her first love and she would do anything in her power to keep him.

Song Jae Hee – as Teacher Heo Yeom

He is a scholar and a personal teacher to the crown prince and he is the older brother of Yeon Woo. But he left the palace when he became the Uibin or the husband of the Princess Min hwa. They have a little boy together.

Summary:

Thirteen year old Yeon Woo is chosen to become the Crown Princess of Joseon until the Dowager Queen plots against her and secretly ordered her death. With the help of a powerful shaman's magic, Yeon Woo escapes with her life, but loses her memories. All believe her to be dead, including the Crown Prince she was to marry, Hwon. Eight years later, Yeon Woo returns as a shaman. She has not been forgotten by those she left behind, and her fate is still intertwined with Hwon, who is now king. In order to gain back his affections she must contend with the current Queen of Joseon, the Queen's Father, and the Queen Dowager in order to reclaim her rightful place as Queen of Joseon.

At their childhood days, there were premonitions of Ah Ri (friend of Shaman Jang Nok Yeong), that the child Yeon Woo will be facing hardships throughout her life. As Ah Ri is being framed of a crime (which is witchcraft). Yeon Woo's mother helps her hide at some time. When Lee Hwon found out Yeon-woo's identity he become angry with his grandmother and threatened to sent her to jail and Princess Minhwa who married Yeon-woo's brother who knows the truth. Queen Dowager realized her cruel plan to ruin her grandson's future and poisoned death by Bo-kyung's father and Yang Myung attempted coup against his own half-brother with help of Minister Yoon who found his daughter Bo-kyung killed herself and Yeom leave pregnant Minhwa who found out truth about his sister's death. Yeon-woo tearfully reunited with her mother and Yeom when Yeon-woo become queen and Minhwa vanished. Five years later Hwon and Yeon-woo become parents of crown prince and Yeom and Minhwa reunited with their son in the end Lee Hwon and Yeon-woo kissed for celebration for Yeon-woo's birthday.

Other Stuff:

-           

What I Think:

When I started watching this series It took all my will power not to read reviews and comments of other people in other sites just so I can give my own opinion on the series unbiased. Some of my friends liked the series saying it was so romantic and all.  But others did not like it because it has too much magic and unnecessary scenes when the only ending is just everyone bad has to die just so the leads can get together.  So let me think.

The whole feel and background, the setting of the series I have to say is spectacular. Korea is just so scenic! Even the castle and the hall inside of it is spectacular, it does not look cheap and unrealistic.

I like the opening and closing credits too and the background song that is played during the light and funny moments especially with Yang Myun. Some music makes me remember the funny moments in Princess Hours! I miss that series all of a sudden!

The wardrobe of the whole cast is great too look at. The Koreans have been doing this Joseon era series since forever they have to nail the wardrobe down pat. I love the colourful dresses of Princess Min Hwa and Queen Yeon Woo. I even dig the antique looking wardrobe of Prince Yang Myun.

 Now the main juice of the series the actors’ acting!

Han Ga In – Everyone knows I really like Han Ga In she is one of my favourite k-actresses. She is perfect to play the part of the queen because she is so darn pretty and she has those big button eyes that stare you till you break into pieces. I just think, she looks crappy funny when her eyes go super big in some scenes. She has lousy acting abilities, and is magnified in some parts. I felt she cannot convey the feelings too well, like she has no depth in her acting. Either she has weak acting talents or she was just overshadowed by the great acting from her co-stars like Jung Il-woo and Kim Soo-Hyun.

Jung Il-Woo – was my favourite character in this series! I super love how he plays with his character. He was loving and romantic and confessing his love for Yeon Woo one minute and is running around laughing like a crazy person the next minute! He was really good he moved everyone! He delivered better than Han Ga In.  I want to be part of his groupie now! Hahaha! This guy has really grown to master his acting craft. He is already set to be a lead actor in a series! Plus he looks so handsome how can you go wrong with him!

Kim Soo-Hyun – He was second fave in terms of acting. I never knew he could act this good. He can hold his own against the veteran Han Ga In and Jung Il-Woo.  I was quite sad when I deduced that Yeon Woo would not end up with Yang Myung but was quite content when she will end up the equally handsome King Lee Hwon.  He looks dashing in his king’s robes. He can be funny at times in some scenes too. This guy has a great acting talent looking forward to more acting stint from him in the future.

Some of my favourite characters are the young and the grownup Princess Min Hwa – played by Nam Bo Ra. She looks so funny when she cried to her papa that she wants to marry the handsome Teacher Heo! I love her bubbly and funny personality as an adult and I love her being a dutiful wife to her husband.  She has a very pretty and very angelic face to pair the acting talent.

I also like the King Lee Won’s assistant! His court crier, is that his role played by Jung Eun Pyo ...He looks so funny and is really funny, when he smiles exposing all his teeth, I laugh like a crazy person high on weed! Haha! He went up the roof in the end just to play the instrument for the lovebirds, King Lee Won and Queen Yeon Woo! He is the comic relief in the series!

Some scenes I really liked:

-          When Prince told Teacher Heo that he likes him! I laughed out loud thinking is he gay? Hehe! He sounded hilarious.

-          The scene where the Princess told the King why princesses can only marry ugly idiots! Hilarious! And cutie boy band material like Teacher Heo cannot be married into the royal family!

-          The teenage cast are awesome especially the Crown Prince

-          Episode 12: Prince Yang Myung told Yeon Woo he likes her so much. Poor Prince!

-          Episode 17: The King Lee Hwon embracing Yeon Woo when he found out she is indeed alive

-          Episode 18: The heart to heart talk between Prince Yang Myung nad King Lee Hwon was a good scene.

-          The whole of episode 19 and the ending!

Rating: 8 Korean Kimchi out of 10

Credits: Dramacrazy where I watched the series. J

CN BLUE

My newest craze is CN Blue! Not really craze but yes I like them. Because not only can they sing, they can play instruments too and they look good doing it! I just randomly saw their “Love Girl” mv played on tvn and I loved them ever since! Let the CN Blue craze begin! I love Jung Yong Hwa! And Mr. Drummer guy looks cute too!

CN Blue actually means Code Name Blue.

B is for burning

L is for lovely

U is for untouchable

E is for emotional

These code names just make me laugh they sound so corny! But hey anything for CN Blue.

Members:

Yong Hwa

Full Name: Jung Yong Hwa

Date of Birth: June 22, 1989 (1989-06-22)

Position: Leader, Rhythm Guitarist, Lead Vocalist

Height: 180 cm

Other: Played Kang Shin Woo in the SBS drama You're Beautiful and Lee Shin in the MBC drama Heartstrings. Appeared on the MBC variety show We Got Married with Girls' Generation's Seohyun.

Jong Hyun

Full Name: Lee Jong Hyun

Date of Birth: May 15, 1990 (1990-05-15)

Position: Lead Guitarist, Vocalist

Height: 182 cm

Other: Acted in the movie Acoustic.

Min Hyuk

Full Name: Kang Min Hyuk

Date of Birth: June 28, 1991 (1991-06-28)

Position: Drummer, Backup Vocalist

Height: 184 cm

Other: Played Hwang Yeon Doo in the SBS drama It's Okay, Daddy's Girl and Yeo Jun Hee in the MBC drama Heartstrings. Acted in the movie Acoustic. Appeared in Orange Caramel's "Magic Girl" MV.

Jung Shin

Full Name: Lee Jung Shin

Date of Birth: September 15, 1991 (1991-09-15)

Position: Bassist, Rapper, Backup Vocalist

Height: 187 cm

Other: Appeared in 4Minute's "Heart to Heart" MV.

Philippine clothing brand signs up Super Junior's Siwon and Donghae

MANILA, Philippines – It’s official: Philippine clothing brand BENCH has signed up Siwon and Donghae, members of popular K-pop boy band Super Junior, as its latest endorsers, seen as a move to capture the growing K-pop fan base in the country.

“ITS OFFICIAL!!! @siwon407 & @donghae861015 are the new members ofthe @benchtm family!  #BenchGoesKpop #BenchTwitterParty  #Bench25Years,” Bench announced on Twitter and Facebook.

Ben Chan, founder of BENCH, tweeted that they’re in Seoul, South Korea for the photoshoot of Siwon and Donghae for BENCH.

“Bench loves Dong Hae and SiWon! Amazing shoot day in Seoul today. Done with shoot! #SiHaeLovesBench just left the room & am looking at their photos! Watch out for their billboards w/ @benchtm soon!” he posted on Twitter.

SM Town posted a photo of Donghae during the BENCH photoshoot in Seoul.

The good news was certainly welcomed by Super Junior fans in the Philippines especially Super Junior United Philippines (SJUPH), the local fan club of the boy band, whose members also relentlessly campaigned for one year to convince BENCH to sign up Super Junior as endorsers.

“It has been almost a year since we started this. It’s nice to know that BENCH really did consider our requests. @benchtm rocks!” SJUPH posted on Facebook after the endorsement announcement by BENCH.

“We didn't only have Siwon and Dong Hae as our new addition to the family but the love and support of the ELF community too. THANK YOU,” tweeted BENCH.

Siwon and Donghae join the list of local and international superstars who are endorsers of BENCH including David Archuleta. Lucy Hale, Dingdong Dantes, Aljur Abrenica, and Jake Cuenca.

BENCH is promising full marketing and advertising campaigns for Siwon and Donghae.

“Billboards.Print Ads.Posters.Store Front. The whole shebang! Manila is ready 4 you @siwon407 @donghae861015 #BenchGoesKpop#SiHaeLovesBench,” BENCH posted on Twitter.

credits: bench official twitter and facebook page

ELF here we come! I am so excited to see donghae in Bench billboards! Yehey!

Heartstrings

Characters:

Jung Yong Hwa – as Lee Shin

He is an Applied Music Major student. Lead guitar and lead singer for the campus idol band 'The Stupid'.

Park Shin Hye – as Lee Gyu Won

She goes to the same university as Lee Shin and is in another class, she is a Traditional Music Major student.

Song Chang Ui – as Director Kim Suk Hyun

He is the director of Yoon-Su's College for its centennial performance. He is dating Jung Hyun soo

So Yi Hyun – as Jung Hyun Soo

She is a dance teacher at the college Lee Shin and Gyu Won attends. She is an aspiring ballerina and is Lee Shin's crush making her ¼ of the love square in this series.

Summary:

Lee Shin is a university student majoring in Western Music. He is also the vocalist and guitarist of the band "The Stupid." Shin is known for his good looks, cocky personality, and strong passion for music. Everyone sees him as a cold-hearted and distant, but he has a soft side inside him hidden away. He lacks interest in anything unrelated to music and has neither dreams nor plans for the future. He initially likes Jung Yoon Soo, a dance professor at the university, but this all changes when he meets Lee Gyu Won.

Lee Gyu Won is a bright and outgoing student who was born into a prestigious family and is majoring in Traditional Korean Music, her instrument is the gayageum. Gyu Won's grandfather, Lee Dong Gun, is one of the top 3 traditional musicians of his age and his biggest wish is to see his granddaughter become a traditional music prodigy. Trying to live up to her grandfather's expectations, Gyu Won immerses herself in practice and becomes a university student who knows nothing much outside of her studies. As her friends are fans of "The Stupid", she was forced to go to the band's concert with them. There she saw Lee Shin performing live, and is immediately captivated by him.

Yeo Joon Hee, a bumbling, shy and ever hungry boy who doesn't act his age. He has a complete child-like personality, shaggy idiot by day, Stupid's leader drummer by night. During one of his shaggy phases during the day, he comes across University Princess and chairman's daughter, Han Hee Joo, who he immediately falls head over heels for, calling her his "Natasha." However, there are dark sides to Hee Joo's personality than his naïvety knows, and in the series, he fights between his ever-growing feelings for Hee Joo and helping his friends as she threatens their university lives.

The time when Lee Gyu Won decided to join the performance for the festival, every one sees her potential talent and this triggers Han Hee Joo's mother who plans together with Tae Joon, one of the school's administrators, to destroy Le Gyu Won's and the Director's image for her to quit the upcoming festival in her fear that Lee Gyu Won might outshine her daughter Han Hee Joo.

Credits: Wikipedia

What I Think:

Thank God my reviews come first before the ratings haha! Before you big Heartstrings fans start bashing me for the rating please read my review first.

This series' storyline is quite predictable.  It happens in every Korean series I watch. The girl likes the guy, the guy does not like her, then the guy realizes he loves the girl, and so on and so forth. I cannot deny the oozing chemistry of Park Shin Hye and Jung Yong Hwa! They are great together! I love all the scenes of them holding hands, hugging and walking together, they look comfortable with each other. The kissing scenes lack hand action I would say. I absolutely cannot stand the guy kissing the girl passionately and all she does is stand stiffly there not even hugging, embracing, and putting her hands around him! They kissed a lot of times but Park Shin Yong does not even embrace him! Hug the guy he is your boyfriend holy clouds! Is this just me or I it really felt that the kisses sound like it is shared by kindergarten kids…it was that virginal! But I have to say when he stares at her and she squeezes his face, I get giddy and dance like a lunatic in my bedroom haha!

The soundtrack too is really good. Given that the lead actor is also a professional singer in real life then this ost better be good. Park Shin Hye has a good singing voice too. I just love Park Shin Hye! The songs fit the scenes and the mood, Jung Yong Hwa is such an awesome guitarist.

This series started quite slow, it took a few episodes for the plot to develop. It made me sleep in some parts but started picking up in the middle around episode 9 I guess. But episode 9 is quite long for the story to pick up. Watching Han Hee Joo perform be it dancing or singing, is such a pain to watch! She looks like a stick dancing from a pole, she is that thin! And her singing makes my eardrums cry for mercy!

Jung Yong Hwa – Who does not like this guy? Of course we like him because he is such a cutie. But acting is not his forte; he is a better singer than an actor. He has one facial reaction to all different feelings. He seems to be straight-faced most of the time. When he is happy he smiles a little, not laugh out loud. When he is sad, he stares into space thank God when he feels in love with Park Shin Hye he has some feelings when he starts kissing her! But judging from the outtakes and NGs at the end of the episode, he seems to be at ease with Shin Hye, he even lovingly squeezes him and playfully slaps his shoulder!

Park Shin Hye – I super love this girl! She was quite young when she became part of the first Korean wave! She is all- around awesome! Her acting skills have greatly improved, not that her acting before was crappy, but she was even better in this series. I am quite disturbed, as I cannot find other words to convey my feelings, disturbed about her fashion in this series. For most parts of the film she looks pretty but there are a few dresses that are too long for me, she looks so old and granny in those dresses. But her acting is great for me to be too bothered by her clothes hehe! And her chemistry with Jung Yong Hwa is just awesome!

For fans, just so you know the lovey dovey cute and oh-so-romantic scenes between the two start in episode 10 onwards. I enjoyed watching episode 10 – 12 a lot. Hehe!

Rating: 7 Korean Kimchi out of 10

Other Stuff:

Jung Yong Hwa and Park Shin Hye both sang songs for the series soundtrack. I actually like Park Shin Hye's voice she does not sound so bad.  She can sing and hold her own beside the singer Jung Yong Hwa.

F.T. Island sang songs for the soundtrack too making it a very good one and a very downloadable ost.

Some nice pictures:

credits: drama wiki, hancinema

City Hunter

Characters:

Lee Min Ho – as Lee Yoon Sung

He is the "City Hunter".

He is the son of Korean army, Park Moo Yul who died in a covert secret mission in Burma. He is adopted by his father's friend, Lee Jin Pyo that is why his name was changed to Lee Yoon Sung. He is an MIT graduate and works that the South Korean presidential palace, The Blue House.

Park Min Yong – as Kim Na Na

She is a pretty bodyguard and works with Yoon Sung. She is Yoon Sung's love interest. Yoon Sung's adoptive father warns him that pretty women like her will be Yoon Sung's downfall.

Lee Joon Hyuk – as Kim Young Joo

He is s good prosecutor who is against the corruption in South Korea. He has the same goal as Lee Yoon Sung but he wants to finish off his goals within the context of the law, he wants to do things rightfully versus the City Hunter's way of doing things.

Kim Sang Joo – as Lee Jin Pyo

The only survivor of the slaughter 28 years ago, full of anger, he wants to kill of the people who ordered the execution. He pretends to be an investor from America and starts his revenge thru his dead best friend's son, Lee Yon Sung.

Synopsis:

The story starts in 1983. The South Korean president and his delegates are visiting Burma (now Myanmar) when a bomb planted by North Korea explodes, killing some high ranking officials. This historical event is called the Rangoon bombing (also known as the Rangoon incident). To strike back, five South Korean officials plan an underground operation to enter North Korea and kill North Korean agents. Unbeknownst to the South Korean president, Lee Jin Pyo (Kim Sang-joong) and Park Moo Yul (Park Sang-min), two bodyguards at the Blue House (South Korean presidential palace), organize a 21-men troop to execute the plan. However, as the operation is taking place, five high-ranking officials change their minds and abort the plan in order 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.

The operation is successful, but as the troops swim to the submarine which is supposed to take them back to South Korea, snipers from the submarine shoot and kill all of the troop members, except Lee Jin Pyo, while they are still in the water. An already injured Park Moo Yul uses his body to shield Jin Pyo, thus saving his life. Jin Pyo swims back to shore and returns to South Korea, where he finds out that there are a total of five officials responsible for aborting the operation.

Vowing to avenge his fallen comrades, including his closest and best friend Park Moo Yul, he kidnaps Moo Yul's infant son and flees to Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle, specifically the mountainous Burmese-Thai border. There, he raises the child as his own and trains the boy intensively in combat. Following an attack on the village, 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 to fall in love, as doing so will put the people around him in danger.

In Blue House, he meets bodyguard Kim Na Na (Park Min-young). The story of love and revenge begins. Eventually Kim Na Na helps him to take revenge, as they discover that they have the same goal in mind. Both of them start working together, but problems occur during their revenge plot.

A twist occurs as the full truth is revealed. Lee Yoon Sung discovered that his biological father is the president, Choi Eung Chan, the last of the five council members who decided on killing the special ops team that was sent to Nampo waters in North Korea. Choi Eung Chan is also the last target of Lee Jin Pyo, and supposedly, the city hunter's last target as well.

Credits: Wikipedia

What I Think:

When I started watching this series I had high hopes because I was drowning in all the mush in romantic comedies k-series, I am ready to start watching some good Korean action series!

It was a big factor that resident Korean hottie, Lee Min Ho was the lead actor yeah way big! Thing is almost all my friends are watching this series so just to join the bandwagon might as well watch this too hehe!

Lee Min Ho – is it true that he is dating his co-star, Park Min Young? Yes they are, yes they are people. So this proves that he not only looks adorably handsome, he can act well too. This is a tough project for Min Ho being a flower boy and all; this is a breakthrough for him. He has shed his boy toy cute image for this rugged no non-sense action series and for that he has earned my respect.

He also has a great chemistry with Park Min Young I have to say, it does help that they are dating when they did this movie, they look like they are genuinely dating for real. They look at ease when sharing scenes together.

Park Min Young – One look at the girl and you will know she does not look the part; she does not look like a tough cookie. But she shatters all preconceived notions I have of her. She shines and did her character justice, which is quite difficult to do in this kind of series as it is action-packed and predominantly male. She looks so pretty and regal, and we cannot deny that she has oozing chemistry with Min Ho.

One of the earliest scenes is when Moo Yul shielded Jin Pyo and saved him from being killed in the waters. I swear I was already crying and I am still in the first episode. I felt that it was a premonition of even better episodes to follow.

Another scene that moved me was seeing Lee Jin Pyo fighting for his life at the last few episodes of the series, by using only a metallic cane was it? It shows how good he is defending himself, and the actor who played the part, Kim Sang Joong was awesome. He moved me. He made me cry in that scene.

The romantic kissing scenes of Park Min Young and Lee Min Ho ---I so like simply because when he kisses and plants lots of wet kisses on her, she kisses him back and embraces the guy! For once she responds, my pet peeve when it comes to watching korean series and love scenes is when the guy starts kissing the girl and the damn girl just stands stiff there with big button eyes stares at the guy, and hands on the sides doing nothing! Because if it were in real life the girl would kiss the guy back and hugs him, embraces and caresses him not just stands there like it were a military practice or something. So yes I like there kissing scenes.  

Overall, I like this series the background music and songs were awesome. Great acting from Lee Min Ho and especially Kim Sang Joo. They have good rapport and Mion Ho and Park Min Young have great chemistry.

If you need a break from all the mushy Korean stuff then this is the break that we have been waiting for. This action drama is a must-see!

Rating: 8 Korean Kimchi out of 10

credits: hancinema

Bigbang’s Blue MV

My fave Korean band is back on its heels! Bigbang has just released their new single and mv entitled Blue! Oh yeah, from what you can see in my blog you could deduce that I am partial to G-Dragon, because he is VIP! Haha kidding! But in this new mv, I have to say Seungri stands out! I have to give the props to Seungri Maknae!

He has really grown to be a matured young man and so does his voice. I am glad YG and G-Dragon has given him more singing parts and not just concentrate on Taeyoung when it comes to vocals. I am so excited for this mv! I am glad that Bigbang is so back after a hard and difficult 2011. So here goes the new video: Blue!

Bigbang is VIP!