Super Rookie

Cast:

Kang, Ho (Acted by Eric)

He was born into an average family. Even though all his parents want from him was for him to be an A student, he seems talented in many areas other than in academics. His athletic talents were noticed when he was an elementary school student. The various sports teams at his schools offered him a chance to play all kinds of sports, but he got tired of their hard and violent training methods, so he always called it quits. He managed to go to a small and unknown college and majored in physical education. It took him twice as long as normal to get his degree since he spent more time playing pool and dancing in the clubs. He sends his resumes to almost all the companies around, but he isn't called in for a single interview. Being a freeloader, he doesn't mind buttering up his little brother to get some pocket money. However, he never feels bad about his situation and always keeps his spirits high. He spends his days reading comic books at his friend's comic book store. Sometimes, he makes up his mind and sends out resumes to prove to his family that he's not going to be freeloader for the rest of his life, nonetheless his family doesn't expect much from him. He was once popular with the girls thanks to his handsome appearance and athletic talents, but now he can't even afford to take a girl out for a cup of coffee. He runs into his high school friend, Bong-Sam and happens to apply for a job in the company where his friend is working. His life is about to turn upside down thanks to some mistakes.

Lee Mi-Ok (Acted by Han, Ga-In)

She was born into a poor family. Her mother raised her by working as a maid. Being a smart child, she learned at an early age how to take care of herself as well as how to do housework by helping her mother. By the time she finished elementary school, her mother fell ill and they moved to her mother's hometown. She helped her mother make a living at which time she couldn't even afford to go to middle school. As soon as her mother got better, she resumed her studies and graduated from a commercial high school. Since she was such a hard-working and smart student, she got a job with the help of her school principle's recommendation. She met Bong-Sam who was working at the same company and fell in love with him. She and Bong-Sam had a serious relationship, but Bong-Sam left her and was transferred to an overseas branch office. Since she didn't have a father when she grew up, she was more heartbroken when Bong-Sam left her. She went to the Han River to end her miserable life, but couldn't commit suicide because of Kang Ho. Working in the same company where she used to dream of a future with Bong-Sam is very hard for her, but she doesn't have any other choice. She just blames herself for trusting a man who didn't love her. One day, she finds out that Kang Ho, who saved her life, has started working in her company.

 

Park, Bong-Sam (Acted by Oh, Ji-Ho)

He seems to have it all. He has a good education and a sense of humor. Because of his parents' divorce, he was raised by his grandmother. After his grandmother died, he was sent to live with his alcoholic father. He's a person of strong will. Despite his terrible childhood, he's building a successful life of his own. Since he knows that his mother abandoned her family for another man, he doesn't trust love and he refuses to make a commitment in a relationship. Ignoring the fact that his sick father lives in a small shed, he leads a decent life style in his own apartment.

Seo, Hyeon-Ah (Acted by Lee, So-Yeon)

She's never been a genius, but thanks to her parents' attention and investment, she studied abroad after graduating from a prestigious university in Korea. Since she's always been the center of the attention, she tends to be selfish. She went to the same university with Bong-Sam. Later, Bong-Sam leaves Mi-Ok for her.

Official Site: http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/superrookie/index.html

Other Titles: A New Employee- the working title of this series

Summary:

A slacker gets his chance in the winning new MBC K-Drama Super Rookie! Eric Mun of pop group Shinwa stars as Kang Ho, an average guy who got a college degree in physical education - but took twice as long to get it because he was too busy fooling around! Kang Ho sends up resumes to many companies, but nobody gives him a shot because he has no experience and no apparent prospects.  Even his parents think he's just a freeloader. But one day, Kang Ho decides to apply to the large company as his successful friend Bong Sam (Oh Ji Ho), and thanks to a computer error, he's given a job! But is the company ready for this Super Rookie?
Co-starring Han Ga In and Lee So Yeon, Super Rookie is a hip new drama about growing up while never giving up, and serves as a telling but comic portrait of today's Korean youth.

What I Think:

The main reason I wanted to watch this series was cause of Eric. But I was quite happy that there are lots of, no make it more reasons for me to check this series out, Han Ga In, who is Yun Jung Hun's real life wifey (I really like writing their names together..) and who is so pretty is the lead actress. And another more, Nick Oh is in it too! I think I have seen Nick Oh act in Silver Knife before in arirangtv, I think that movie was a sex comedy film I really cannot remember. I just saw some parts and I saw Nick there and man was he cute!

Let's talk acting skills here. Eric, this is his third series (FYI: His first series was Breathless, which is another wonderful drama.) and he totally shined here. In Firebird he was the other guy, I haven¡¦t seen that series but I have read reviews that he was really good there, not too mention totally hot. Anything shinhwa is hot! ƒº One thing bothered me, the hairstyle! Oh holy heavens! He is sporting a long butterfly-style, kinda-nerdy hair here that almost covers his nice face. I do not know but that hair bothers me much! But Eric is a really good actor; he has improved so much from his Breathless days. He was so romantic, so nerdy, so funny, so cute! I was looking forward to the parts where he¡¦s suppose to speak English and all, but his character Kang Ho speaks totally sucky English so I guess Eric was told to be it, but there was one scene, his fantasy scene where he was able to speak almost-perfect English! Ahhhh! ƒº

Han Ga In, man this agashi is not only very beautiful and intelligent and soft-spoken, she is a great actress. I think she has won a Baeksang award before, I am not too sure though. She can cry easily too in some soppy scenes and the scenes where she gets dumped by Bong-sam! She can look like a total wreck in the beginning but when she morphed into this hot babe, god! Totally pretty! I like her style, the clothes she wore when she changed her lifestyle, she was totally pretty and powerful with the black long-sleeved turtleneck blouse! She looks so good with Eric Moon! But she is equally cute together with Nick Oh too! Nick is really tall, but when they stand next to each other, they look good together! She¡¦s got chemistry with both!

Nick Oh, okay Nick can look blank in some scenes plus there are other scenes where he was flaring up on Kang-ho, that look he uses when he is mad, with his eyes piercing, his jaw line and check bones totally emphasized too, he can get annoying sometimes. I like it when he prods Mi-ok, he is such a baby. ļ His clothes too, he makes his clothes look good. ļ

Scenes to watch out for:

@@@ The intro scene where Kang-ho (Eric Moon) does his infamous memorized speech and he mistakes Daesang company for Sinsung company. Hilarious! Imagine this, Kang-ho said ¡§ I want to part of the great company of Sinsung!¡¨ and he said that in front of his interview with the Daesang ceo!

@@@ Bong-sam trying to kiss Mi-ok, she closed her eyes, he kissed her on her forehead, said I Love You and kissed her sweetly on the lips! Turns my insides to mush! So romantic coz they absolutely look good together!

@@@ Kang-ho¡¦s dad gave him lunch money, Kang-ho looked down and noticed that his dad¡¦s shoes were totally worn out already. He gave him lunch money when he doesn¡¦t have money to buy himself a new pair of shoes. I cried a tear there, so touching.

@@@ Office workers spreading rumors that the 2 new employees would ¡§put Jang Dong Gun and Won Bin to shame!¡¨ Omg! I was totally laughing here!!! I am weird coz every time I hear Won Bin my mind just goes Din Ding Ding!! I don¡¦t know but Eric and Nick are really nice-looking honeys but come on JDG and WB!! Won Bin will always be my top 1! ƒº

@@@ Mi-ok changing into a vamp! Whew she looks devastatingly beautiful!

@@@ Bong-sam and Mi-ok dancing at the restaurant; and Kang-ho doing his break dance.

@@@ Kang-ho¡¦s fantasy where he was saying a perfect all-English dialogue at work. Omg Eric¡¦s English is just so heavenly! I imagine him saying all those raps on shinhwa¡¦s Young Guns MV! Han Ga In¡¦s English too was good and she looks hella hot wearing a black number there! Eric¡¦s English lines are heavenly!

@@@ MY FAVOURITE SCENE: Kang-ho waiting for Mi-ok even if she came home very late already. He fell asleep waiting for her.

Mi-ok: ¡§What are you doing here?¡¨

Kang-ho: I was waiting for you.

Mi-ok: Why?

Jang-ho: Coz I missed you.

AHHHHHH!!! Can someone put my jaw back coz it staying stuck. Hehehe¡K ƒº This was also the fave scene of Eric, he said so in the interviews.

@@@ MY FAVOURITE SCENE: Kang-ho walking Mi-ok home and telling her, ¡§From the moment I met you, you¡¦re the only one on my mind¡K¡¨ then he kissed her! This meanwhile, is the fave scene of Han Ga In. ƒº

Other Stuff:

If you have the bonus behind-the scenes cds, well it just contains some interviews of the 3 main actors, the supporting cast, and han ga in¡¦s wedding.

Han ga In¡¦s wedding was really beautiful, and her guests are her and yun jung hun¡¦s closest and cutest friends like Kwon Sang Woo (Once Upon a time in High School), Lee Dong Gun, Cho PD, Ryu Shi Won, Lee Dae Hee (Angela of Green Rose), Ha Ji Won (Memories of Bali, Daddy Long Legs)

It has also an MV of ¡§When you come to Me¡¨ sung by Choi Jin Young. I love this MV!

wedding of han ga in and yun jung hun she got married while she was just shooting super rookie:

Rating: 9 Korean Kimchis out of 10

Music Playing in the Background: Choi Jin Young ¡V When You Come to Me

 

MARS

Cast:

Vic Zhou Yu Min- Cheng Lin / Cheng Sheng

He is known as the bad boy in school and is very popular. He comes from a rich family. He is easy-going and friendly but sometimes he can be violent when he is angry. He loves to race motorcycles. He has a twin brother named Sei (Cheng Sheng). He also suffers from a multiple personality disorder.

Barbie Xu Xi Yuan – Han Qui Luo

She is a shy and quiet girl. She is very talented and exceeds in art. She has suffered much abuse in her life, which is the cause for her social phobia of other people.

 

Xiu Jie Kai - Da Ye(Cheng Lin's best friend)

He is Chen Ling's best friend. He has had a crush on Qi Luo since high school. However, when he learns that Chen Ling also likes Qi Luo, he holds asides his true feelings because he knows he can't compete with Chen Ling.

 

Megan Lai - Qing Mei

She is Chen Ling's ex girlfriend. She is very jealous of Qi Luo because Chen Ling treats Qi Luo very special. At first she is a bully towards Qi Luo but then comes to befriend Qi Luo.

 

Shone An Jun Can -Fan Tong Dao

He is a bit psychotic. He only sees the world as "black and white." He thinks that he and Chen Ling are the two cleanest people in the world. He has a soft spot for Chen Ling which causes him to do weird and unbelievable things in the drama. He is gay.

Summary:

An adaptation of popular Japanese manga MARS, the television series is directed by the acclaimed Cai Yue Xun. Vic plays two characters, a pair of identical twins with an exploding dark, tragic passion. Zero is reckless, brutal and passionate, losing himself in the speed thrill of motorcycles. Saint on the other hand is quiet and reserved, lives in satisfaction and peace, delivering his passion into drawing. They are a pair of loving brothers until the arrival of Saori, and when Saint cannot accept the fact that Saori loves Zero, he committed suicide. Zero is destroyed by the guilt of Saint's death, and ended up in a mental instituation for two years...until the arrival of Kira (Barbie Xu), who managed to find the deepest wound buried in Zero. Kira suffers from autism after a traumatic event from her childhood, can she discover the most beautiful thing in the world, love, again?

The production for the series is taken very seriously, and shots for the thrilling motorcycle racing is shot on location in Japan. Both Vic and Barbie received rave reviews for their performances, and with other young stars in support, MARS is undoubtedly one of the best Taiwanese television shows of 2004!

Mars Synopsis go here: Mars Synopsis

What I Think:

Out of all F4 series I have seen, I think this one tops my list! That's how beautiful this series is! Okay I know this review is a bit late, I have seen Mars early last year but I only got to do a review for it just now because I was just overwhelmed by the series after I finished watching it last year. I have lots of favorite scenes too.

The soundtrack of the series is very good too; the background music is fitting to the whole mood of the series. "Rang Wo Ai Ni," the closing credits theme song of the series, is so beautiful. It is a duet of Vic and Barbie, lordie they just click so well!

Some favorite scenes:

*** All the scenes in the first part of the series especially the scenes where Ling saves Qui-Lou.

*** Da Ye sitting out the school dance because he wants to be with Qui-Luo who doesn't want to join the dance. He likes her lot that he stayed out of the dance too. Sweet!

*** Cheng Lin gets back Qui-Luo's key chain after it fell into ditch.

*** When Ling knew Qui-Luo was raped by her step father. You just have to check out the scenes where he proved his hunches were right. Those are touching scenes, really.

*** Ling and Qui-Luo breaking up and getting back together.

*** Ling asking Qui-Luo to marry him.

*** Qui-Luo making love to Ling without her childhood fears of being raped. (My god it look like Vic and Barbie are so for real here already! They got the best love scenes! Hehehe!)

*** That Ling is the son of the CEO of O.A.K. group of companies! Year!

*** Ling, Qui-Luo and his father having dinner together and talking about their upcoming marriage.

*** Qui-Luo living in Ling's 'ridiculously big" house! They look like they are already a married couple; they look so sweet when they were talking in bed.

*** Qui-Luo discovering Sheng's hidden letter underneath his canvass.

*** The real story of Ling's mom's death.

*** Fan Tong Dao stabbing Ling! He looks like a total psycho, man he scared the wits out of me!

Stuff worth mentioning:

*** That Barbie and Vic are really together for real.

*** That they did all the scenes in Mars when Barbie was still dating Blue Lan. I never liked that guy anyway.

*** Da Ye is cute! Omg I think I am going to add him up in my other guy list. That list just goes on and on. There was a time in the series that I really wished Qui Luo would at least like him a bit… he looks kinda cute!

***Shone An (Fan Tong Dao) looks so gay in this series but by Buddha, I think he can look really cute too. But he really freaks me out in this series.

*** My favorite Machi member is in here too! Steven Lin plays a minor role here in Mars. Cool huh?

 

MARS OST:

Original Sound Track - OST

1. Ling (Zero) - Alan Ke You Lun
2. Rang Wo Ai Ni (Let Me Love You) - Vic Zhou Yu Min & Barbie Xu Xi Yuan
3. Bai Se Lian Qu (White Song) - RaRa
4. The Hardest Note - Lai Ya Yan (plays Qing Mei)
5. Shuo Ai Wo (Say You Love Me) - Liang Yi Zhen
6. Ming Tian (Tomorrow) - Da Di Le Tuan
7. Wo Ke Yi (I Can) - You Hong Ming
8. Ling (Ling's personality split song)
9. Wo Ke Yi (Da Ye's song)
10. Rang Wo Ai Ni (Qi Luo's suppressing feelings song)
11. Shuo Ai Wo (Qing Mei's desire for love version song)
12. Bai Se Lian Qu (Tong Dao's white song)

 Vic and Steven Lin

 with Megan Lai

 Japan Promo

 Thailand promo

 

       

credits: pictures from asianfantics,lastf4.com,ent.tom.com, krystalheart.com, vicpower.net

Rating: 9 Taiwanese Taicha out of 10

Music Playing in the Background: Barbie Xu & Vic Zhou – Rang Wo Ai Ni

PEOPLE!! I just got so excited when I read these stuffs!! Zaizai and Barbie looks so damn good together! For real!! Atche Cherry, I know you’ll kill me when I start posting these babies up but I cant help it they look so good! They are so engaged huh? The big engagement ring just pops my eyeball out of my eyes.... ehhehe

Barbie gets into zaizai's car...


in her new movie


barbie with allan luo... I can't remember Allan to be this cute.

Zaizai Thinking of Love, Bad Appetite

Vic Zhou, Zaizai and Da S in hot love, life short of one another, they'll become empty and un-interesting ! The night before, as Da S was promoting Ye Ban Ge Sheng in China, Zaizai's ways were a little abnormal. He drove his AudiA6 but did not speed, and only took a bowl of braised meat rice for his dinner. Not speeding, not thinking of his meals, his thought for love looks really deep !

When he finished fliming, he drove his A6 to TaoYuan to look for his friends. He was famous for speeding in the past, as his love wasn't around, his energy to speed seems to have gone missing. Reporter saw with their own eyes that even though the roads were huge with less cars, he drove with the limit. At dinner time, he had dinner with his friend at a roadside stall at Ci Wen Lu. He ate a braised meat rice.

Da S, who made Zaizai think of her have arrived back in Taipei the day before. She refused to comment on Da Zai Lian. As to rumours of her being pregnent, she minds alot.

Xu Mama yesterday scolded on behalf of her daughter, "I really feel like punching someone, Da S hates people to say she's fat, where is she fat ? And there's nothing going on (referring to her pregnency)! She'll let everyone know is there is. Stop following her!She's like a criminal!"

Thanks to Taiwan Appledaily.

 

 

 

 

Zaizai accompanys Da S to Hospital
Xu Mama : It's not to check pregnancy


Posted: November 21, 2005

Da S, who was once again being said as being pregnant, after spending a sweet night at Zaizai's MuShan's house the night before, the both of them suddenly went to Wan Hua Hospital yesterday afternoon. It made the reporter think they were going to do a check up of her prenancy. After the matter, they asked Xu mama about it. When she heard her daughter going to the hospital, she was very anxious, after asking, she realised her daughter actually went there to visit a lonely elderly.

Last week, before Da S went to China for work, she couldn't bear to part with her boyfriend, Zaizai. Zaizai even specially spend the night at Xu's place to accompany his girlfriend. After being in different places for a week, and Da S came back. The night before at around 9pm, good sisters of Da S like Fan Wei Qi, Ah Ya went to Xu's house to chat with Da S. When they left, at around 1030pm, Zaizai drove his car to Da S's house and Da S went up the car with a bag of stuffs.

At 11.20pm, both of them returned to Zaizai's MuShan's house. Only the next morning at 5.50pm, the lights went off in Zaizai's apartment, obvious that this couple had lots of things to talk about!

This little couple only went out the house at around 3.30pm yesterday with Zaizai's brother fetching them out. When they returned to Xu's house, this little couple, together with Da S's elder sister and the elder sister's boyfriend, they took a cab to Wan Hua Hospital. Reporters asked Xu mama if Da S went there to check her pregnancy, scaring her. After asking, she then knew that Da S and Zaizai actually went to visit a old elderly. That's because when her grandpa came from China with the government, he ever brought old soldiers. Now, many of them are lonely ones thus Da S and Zaizai took the time to visit them.

When Xiao S went back to her mom's house yesterday at around 6.22pm. Zaizai accompanied the 3 sisters out for a walk and he was even holding on to 2 dogs. All of them drove to Jiang Nan to visit friends and Zaizai mixed with the Xu's house people like a whole family. They talked and laugh as they went , a warm family scene.

Thanks to Zhi You Dian Zi Bao.
21st Nov 2005

Translated by Xiujuan @ OnlyF4

 

Credits: http://ent.tom.com/1306/1362/20051121-162022.html

How To Keep My Love

Cast:

Kim Jeong-Eun

Kim Sang-Gyeong

Oh Seung-Hyun

Summary:

In the film, Kim plays Hyun-ju, a kind-hearted subway worker who is rapidly approaching 30, a psychologically important age - or deadline - for Korean women who want to get married.

Although her job is modest and her friends are total losers, Hyun-ju seems happy since she has been with her faithful boyfriend, So-hun (Kim Sang-gyeong) for the past seven years. The only problem is that she doesn't know why her boyfriend has been hesitant to "pop the question."

It turns out that there's another drama unfolding for So-hun, a good-looking bug terminator. He works for a company specializing in spotting and eliminating insects, bugs or whatever else may be crawling inside offices or homes.

Enter Korea's Renee Zellweger of "Bridget Jones's Diary" (2001), a character who makes all kinds of embarrassing mistakes in the course of nabbing her true love. Here Kim Jeong-eun looks foolishly naive, rushing to confront Da-young in person and purchasing 3 million won worth of clothes to compete with her.

Despite the silly role she's given, Kim manages to shine with her impressive acting and ad-libbing. Even when she goes on the lingerie fashion show runway, being mistaken for a model, Kim bats her eyes charmingly and asks the self-evident question like "Ain't I looking beautiful?"

Kim's personal charm, indeed, is the only thing that props up the flimsy storyline. And this is why the first type of people, those who avidly watch every episode of "Lovers in Paris" and get thrilled when Kim is wooed by two ideal men, are the major target of this tweaked Cinderella story.

The second type of people, meanwhile, will feel a sense of solidarity when Kim fights hard to get back her precious boyfriend from the wicked you-know-what.

The underlying idea is that a growing number of Korean men are getting more elusive when it comes to proposals and are quick to come up with all kinds of excuses to delay marriage when confronted by their girlfriends.

Of course, there are no hard facts or statistics to prove this peculiar phenomenon, but some female viewers who enjoyed this film said it's true that more men are dragging their feet.

Girls who are dealing with elusive boyfriends, however, may find it hard to accept what the movie presents as a conclusion: our bug-destroying Prince Charming holds the key - yes, the ultimate key to resolving the conflict, otherwise known as a "pretty personal choice" between the two girls.

Whatever Hyun-ju does in the film, they have nothing to do with So-hun. It is the man who decides which girl he wants to rescue in the end, which is a laughable presumption, whether the critic is feminist or not.

credits to dvdasian.com

What I Think:

Kim Jung Eun is her usual wacky self. I just think that Kim Sang Gyung is just to stiff in his acting.  I just wanted to watch this coz the movie posters and the dvd covers seem to be so enticing and so charming and all... Storyline is shallow, watch this movie if you're really a big fan of both lead actors. Such short review, oh well.

credits: hkflix, hanboks.com for the pictures

Rating:  6 Korean Kimchis out of 10 

Music Playing in the Background: TVXQ- Through the Forest