Almost Love

 

 

 

Cast:

Kwon Sang Woo – Lee Ji Wan

 

 

Kim Ha Neul – Jin Dal Rae

 

 

 

Summary:

Kwon Sang Woo and Kim Ha Neul, the popular stars of 2003's hit film My Tutor Friend reunite for writer/director Lee Han's 2005 romantic comedy, Almost Love! The two actors play Ji Hwan and Dal Rae, a pair of friends who grew up together in the same neighborhood and have been platonic pals ever since childhood. While Taekwondo student turned stuntman, Ji Hwan (Kwon Sang Woo) wishes to follow in the footsteps of his hero, action movie icon Jackie Chan, drama student Dal Rae (Kim Ha Neul) would like nothing more than to become an actress, although her eternal shyness during the audition process continually prevents her from landing any plum acting roles.

Although the two of them bicker incessantly, there's a mischievous, altogether playful quality to their arguments, and as the film develops, it becomes clear that they are great friends with a deep affection for one another. However, their friendship takes a turn for the worse when they each begin dating other people: Dal Rae starts seeing a handsome, athletic young man who happens to be a fellow member of Ji Hwan's Taekwondo group, while Ji Hwan himself begins going out with a gorgeous young woman with a figure to die for. It would seem that there shouldn't be any issue between these two about dating other people, but as soon as they embark on these new relationships, things start to get weird for these once good friends! It seems that everybody knows their relationship is so much more than friendship, except Ji Hwan and Dal Rae themselves! Will they figure out their own feelings in time, before it's too late

Credits: selaplana.com

 

 

 

 

 

What I Think:

People have been recommending this movie for months now, the reviews on showbiz extra in Arirangtv were good too so might as well give this movie a shot. I am actually looking forward to watching this movie with Kwon Sang Woo and Kim Ha Neul in their second outing together.

The storyline is good, and the actors are great.

Kwon Sang Woo, Dal Rae described him as a kid stuck in a man's body… at first I thought he was really a special child like the one in the movie "Marathon." I noticed when it comes to movies I have never seen Kwon Sang Woo do a dramatic role, his movies always has martial arts, fighting and kungfu in it like My Tutor Friend, Once Upon a Time in High School (my fave ksw movie) and this one. I bet Kwon Sang Woo is a big Kung fu fan. I hate his hair here; they could have let him be a big Jackie Chan fan without that horendo hair. It does not suit him. His body is awesome quite believable for someone who idolizes Jackie Chan much. His acting too is brilliant like when he realized he lost a leg, his acting was good.

 

Kim Ha Neul, after watching her in "Stained Glass" I have seen Kim Ha Neul in a new light. Before when I look at her, she looks old but in this movie her hair was short and she looks years younger here. When it comes to clothes, Kim Ha Neul never shows too much skin, her fashion style is more on the sweaters and the preppy side. Acting-wise, I can't seem to describe her. She looks like she's in a daze sometimes but in her depth she can convey stuff thru her acting. She and KSW seem to have a great chemistry.

 

Young Hoon is a cutie! Another actor added to my OG Other Guy List! He has a gorgeous bod too and quite tall, heck he is taller than KSW!

 

 

Some nice scenes to look out for:

@ Young Hoon trying to walk beside Dal Rae and he held her hand, she pulled her hand back saying people might see and he said " It took me 3 months to hold your hand." And he held her hand again. That was so sweet!!

@ Young Hoon (Dal Rae's boyfriend) gives her a piggy back ride home after she got too drunk

@ Ji Won losing a leg

@ Young Hoon telling Dal Rae *he gives her Ji Won's finished screen play* " That was the longest love letter that I have read…" and he turned around, walked away and cried. It was then he realized tht he had to let Dal Rae go. I love him for doing that. Young Hoon is definitely cute too!

 

 

Rating: 7 Korean Kimchis out of 10

It Started With A Kiss

 

Cast:

Ariel Lin as Yuan Xiang Qin

Joe Cheng as Jiang Zhi Shu

Jiro Wang as Ah Jing/Jing Yuan Feng

Tiffany Xu as Pei Zi Yu

Jason as Wang Hao Qian

Chang Yung Cheng as Jiang Ah Li

Cyndi Chao as Ah Li's wife

Tang Tsung Sheng as Yuan Ah Cai

Yang Pei Ting as Lin Chun Mei

Liu Jung Chia as Liu Ya Nun

 

 

Other Titles:

E Zuo Ju Zhi Wen

 

 

Synopsis:

Yuan Xiangqin (Ariel Lin) is a naive but optimistic high school girl. Ever since she met Jiang Zhi Shu (Joe Cheng) at the freshman orientation, she's fallen in love with the genius with an IQ of 200. After two years of having a crush on him, she finally musters the courage to confess to him at school. Zhi Shu is not impressed, and his cold-hearted rejection immediately turns her into the biggest joke of the school.

Misfortune comes in a pair: that evening, the new house she has just moved into with her father collapses in a minor earthquake. She and her father are instantly left homeless. Fortunately, her father's old high school friend extends a helping hand and invites both of them to live at his house. Little did Xiang Qin know that the kind Uncle Li is actually the father of Jiang Zhishu! Because of the unexpected turn of events, the two of them begin living their lives under the same roof.

Nothing has ever seemed too hard for Zhi Shu; he's overcome every obstacle in his life with a practiced ease. However, Xiang Qin's appearance is like a tornado, turning his perfectly organized life into a whirlwind of unpredictable events. Despite his initial coldness and annoyance, Xiang Qin's blind courage and determination causes him to re-evaluate and think about his own life and future.

Will this be enough to win Zhi Shu's heart? Or will Xiang Qin break down under the full blast of Zhi Shu's coldness?

Credits: dramawiki

 

 

 

What I Think:

If you are a big Korean series fan, then just like me, you will need much time to re-acclimatize yourself to Taiwanese series like this that are a little slow-paced, and will last for 30 episodes. I was used to watching K-series that has only about 12- 16 episodes but I remembered when I watched Meteor garden 2, that too was about 30 or 31 episodes, so this is quite average for a Taiwanese series.

 

The soundtrack is awesome! This has got to be the best soundtrack in Taiwanese drama ever! I love every song because it reflects every scene in the series. My fave songs are Say You Love Me by Lara and Jason and track 3: Yu Dao/Meet by Wang Lan Yin and Come a Little Closer by Lara. Every song especially Yu Dao/Meet is so crappin good! It knocks me off my feet! Wahhhh I think I have gone absolutely crazy for the Yu Dao song and the series!!!

 

I am absolutely overwhelmed by Joe Cheng! He looks a lot like Edison Chen but a lot cooler and he does not have the air. After watching their NGs with Ariel Lin in the end, he was like laughing so darn hard, the biggest laugh I have seen in Taiwanese series land, I love Joe Cheng!  I like Edison a lot but you know there are times when he comes across too loud and has a lot of air…Joe is different. J He is a good actor, I like the scenes where he initiates the hugs and the caresses and the kisses! Aish he has no inhibitions! You should see him and Ariel in episode 29 and 30! Hilarious, awesome, funny, romantic and wonderful! I think even his chipped teeth adds much depth and cuteness!

 

Ariel Lin…wow, this is the first time I have seen her in a series. I started watching ISWAK along with Secret Garden in CTV. She is adorable and she is such a good and versatile actress. The one thing that bothered me about her very long skirts! Man that was so hard to watch Hahaha! God she and Joe Cheng have really great chemistry together!  

 

My two favorite supporting casts are Ah Jing and Ji zhu’s mother. Ji-zhu’s mom was wonderful and such a welcome and awesome comic relief. I liked her more coz she was not a bitch at all, in fact she was the biggest Xiang Qin – Zhi Shu shipper. Ah Jing, at first I thought he was just one annoying high school loser but his character evolved and I ended up even liking him down the middle of the series. I love the fact that he has been pursuing Xiang Qin for a few years already and had loved her for the longest time. I liked it when Xiang Qin decided to give him a chance and started dating him, but what can he do her heart already belonged to and has always been with Zhi Shu. I liked the way he treated Xiang Qin, he was always perky and funny and resilient..and loved him even more when he let go of Xiang Qin. 

 

Some really really nice scenes:

@ The intro where Xiang Qin thought she got a love letter from Zhi Shu!

@ When the school announced that “Xiang Qin from lower class F wants to be in the top 100 and aspires to be in class A.” the way everything and everyone stopped! Hilarious and so embarrassing!

@ When the results were released, both of them passed. Zhi Shu was rank 1 and Xiang Qin was rank 100. She started reading from the top 1 then checked her name in rank 100. Zhi Shu started reading from rank 100 and went opposite to check his name in top1.the way they crossed paths! Aish!

@ Zhi Shu kissed Xiang Qin the first time at the class party. She was shocked!

@ Zhi Shu kissed Xiang Qin the second time at the hospital without her knowing, she was sleeping and he kissed her, but Zhi Shu’s brother saw it! So romantic!

@ The scene where Zhi Shu and Xiang Qin ran away from gangsters, they ended up getting stuck with each other, biking, laughing and getting soaked in the rain, stuck in a hotel.

@ Zhi Shu cooking for Xiang Qin in a tennis match out of town game.

@ Zhi Shu carrying Xiang Qin off court when she got hurt in the match.

@ Zhi Shu giving Xiang Qin a piggy back ride to Xiang Qin’s home and back to his home.

@ All the scenes where Xiang Qin was dating Ah Jing, I swear he was so wonderful!

@ When Xiang Qin slept over at Zhi Shu’s place, they slept in bed side by side; she was imagining all the stuffs that Zhi Shu might do to her! Haha! I thought this scene was romantic!

@ When Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu made up in the rain, he kissed her and asked her to marry him, she told him “that’s the SECOND TIME you kissed me.” (She didn’t know that Zhi Shu kissed her at the hospital) Zhi Shu said “Just kiss me, stop counting.”

@ When Zhi Shu asked for Xiang Qin’s hand in marriage from her father. She lost her consciousness.

@ Both of them sleeping in Xiang Qin’s room, he just slept there the whole night.

@ At work, Xiang Qin visited Zhi Shu; he was so exhausted; he just let his head fall on her stomach, hugging her.

@ Xiang Qin kneeling in front of the grandfather CEO, Zhi Shu joined her. Then both of them kneeling down in front of the grandfather CEO, asking him to forgive them.

@ When Zhi Shu’s mom changed their family picture from fantastic 4 now including Xiang Qin and her dad! So cute!

@ When Ah Jing knew that Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu are getting married, his world just fell down; he has been planning his life with Xiang Qin in perspective.

@ When Xiang Qin was trying on wedding dressed with Zhi Shu’s brother. The dress she last wore was actually my fave wedding dress cut!!

@ Before the wedding, when Zhi Shu’s brother whispered to her that Zhi Shu kissed her when she fell asleep in the hospital.

@ The ending! Hilarious! You gotta see this wedding!!

 

 

 

Rating: 10 Taiwanese Taicha out of 10

 

 

 

Other Stuff:

Watch IT STARTED WITH A KISS ONLINE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: HERE:

http://iswakcon.blogspot.com/

 

 

DOWNLOAD THE ISWAK OST HERE:

http;//chinesemusicblog.com/forum

 

 

IT STARTED WITH A KISS TRACKLIST (AWESOME OST!)

1. Dream Waltz -- (Instrumental)
2. Say U Love Me - Jason & Lara
3. Meet (Yu Dao) – Wang Lan Yin
4. Love Ocean (Ai Qing Hai)
5. Hear (Ting Jian)
6. Say U Love Me (Guitar version)
7. Come A Little Closer (Kao Jin Yi Dian Dian) - Lara
8. Can We (Neng Bu Neng) - Jason & Landy
9. The Whole World Could Hear (Quan Shi Jie De Ren Dou Ting Dao)
10. Peaceful World (He Ping Shi Jie)
11. Regret (Hou Hui)
12. Practical Joke - Wang Lan Yin
13. Sky [the English version of Love Ocean]

 

BROADCAST PERIOD:

2005 Sep 25 - 2006 Feb 12

 

Opening theme song: Say U Love Me by Jason and Lara

Ending theme song: (E Zuo Ju) Prank by Wang Lan Yin

TRIVIA:

*The series was based on the Japanese shoujo manga "Itazura na kiss" (Mischievous kiss) by Tada Kaoru.

*Itazura na kiss (1996) is the Japanese adaptation.

*The filming of It Started with a Kiss lasted one entire year. Some scenes were filmed in different seasons, which resulted in many goofs.

*The sequel is set to air in September 2007 due to the show's high ratings in Taiwan.

 

 credits: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/It_Started_With_A_Kiss

LINKS:

CTV Homepage (http://www.ctv.com.tw/event/2005/kiss/)

GTV Homepage (http://www.gtv.com.tw/Program/S051420051001U/index.htm)

 

 

Super Junior: Full House

 

Cast:

Eva – The Japanese-American girl

Anya – The Russian girl

Super Junior

 

What I Think:

This is a mini sitcom starring Super Junior as they play hosts to foreign guests who are staying over in their dorm to get to know Korean culture more. What a way to learn the Korean culture! Not the whole Su Ju bunch actually took part in the mini series; basically it is just Ki Bum, Hee Chul, Si Won, Dong Hae, Han Kyung Eun Hyuk.

 

The parts I really thought were funny was when they met their house guests at the airport, most of the boys do not speak English so they were bringing an English dictionary and they were like “Oh wait wait…what is your number?” No sense at all.

 

Shin Dong too, I think Anya asked him “Who are you?” then he ran to the other 3 boys and told them they told me “Who are you?” I swear that was hilarious! Only Kim Ki Bum (my fave Su Ju members by the way are Kim Ki Bum and Kim Hee Chul J ) can speak English to the girls. But the girls can speak little Hangeul though. I swear when Ki Bum started conversing with them in English I totally freaked out! He rocks at it!

 

Then back home they introduced themselves to the 2 girls, Hee Chul started saying “Poodle!” to Anya cause she has this thick curly Russian hair. Poodle Poodle! Anya did not get it, was like, “Poodle? Huh? Dog? Dog?” I think she is closest to Hee Chul, that is where their rapport started. Yeah, they are killing my poor heart…

 

There was another episode where the boys played prank on Han Kyung. Poor Han Kyung! He thought Ki Bum and Dong Hae were really having a real fight, he was so nervous and lost. More funny scenes followed after that.

 

The episode where they took the girls to the Ancient Palace, Kim Ki Bum, again in English, told them that whenever lovers passed thru that place, their love for each other are tested and they break up. I swear I am totally crazy over Ki bum in this part! I noticed, out of the bunch, Hee Chul was the craziest and the loudest, he seems to outshine the rest of the boys, no wonder the girls notice them, especially Anya who’s attached to him much. Eva (who I think was the prettier) was just cool. Kim Ki Bum on the other hand, is the most introverted and the most silent person in the group; he just smiles on the side.

 

The martial arts episode was funny too! Every serious martial arts move, they sang Su Ju songs whenever they did it. The little kids performed some movies for them; Su Ju asked them “Do you know us?” They said Super Junior! One of the Su Ju said you know us but you don’t know our names? One adorable little kid said, I just know Hee Chul hyung! I swear that was so cute!!

 

Another episode I liked was when Su Ju had a performance, the girls asked them to modify some of their dance steps, I think they specifically asked Ki Bum and Dong Hae to do the dare. The 2 boys were able to the dares to the girls delight. They even won the award! The girls cooked kimbap for Super Junior, Anya was looking for Hee Chul; Hee Chul was the host so he was not there. .

 

The episode where the boys were supposed to learn English was hilarious! Except for Kim Ki Bum, everyone was mispronouncing everything!  The episodes in the English village has got to be the wackiest! Kim Ki Bum! God I loved it when he spoke English! I absolutely love Kim ki Bum and Kim Hee Chul!! and by the way, Han Kyung does look a lot better with blond hair, I only realized it now.

 

The ending is very nice…both girls were already crying and laughing on Eva’s wacky traditional dance.

 

 

 

 

Rating: 9 Korean Kimchis out of 10

W-inds

 

Winds are: (L to R) Ryuhei, Keita and Ryuichi

 

 

This is like the first Japanese group that I have really liked.

I love the lead singer, Keita Tachibana! I swear to god, I am really crazy for Keita! When I first saw their rows of MVS, I was thinking these mvs look a bit old, could these little adorable boys be big men already? Sure they already are…I love their Pieces MV!!! That MV is making me loose my wits!!  Ryuichi’s raps were a cool addition.

Posting the profiles now…

 

 

 

Name: Keita Tachibana 
Birth Date:  16.12.1985
Birth Place: Fukuoka, Japan
Horoscope: Sagittarius
Hobbies: Singing and Dancing
Weight: 45kg
Family: Parents, 2 younger sis, 1 elder bro
Favorite Object: Watches
Favorite Music Genre: Soul
Favorite Singer: Da Pump, Yamashita Tachiro
Favorite Sports: Ball Games
Favorite Subject: Physical Education
Favorite Comics: Naruto, Brackcat
Favorite Season: Spring
Favorite Food: Spicy Food (Kimchi too)
Heroes: Dancing Teacher
Hates (food): Fish
Hates (people): People who don't keep promises
Ways to de-stress: Shout
Favorite Phrase: "Work Hard!!"
Goal: Sekai Ichi (World No. 1)
Talent: Sing 5 Octaves
First Love: Elementary Grade 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Ryohei Chiba 
Birth Date:  18.11.1984
Birth Place: Hokkaido, Japan
Horoscope: Scorpio
Hobby: Dancing
Weight: 46kg
Blood Group: B
Family: Parents and an elder sis
Favorite Music Genre: House
Favorite Singer: Da Pump
Favorite Sports: Soccer and Dancing
Favorite Season: Spring
Heroes: Dancing Teacher, A Junior High Teacher
Hates (food): Beans and Tomatoes
Fears: Worms and Spirits
Favorite Subject: Societal Studies
Favorite Place to Shop at: Harajuku
Favorite Phrase: "Dreams. Hope. Love"
Goal: Be someone whom people respects
          To start on nationwide concert (Japan)
First Love: Elementary Grade 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Ryuichi Ogata 
Birth Date:  17.12.1985
Birth Place: Hokkaido, Japan
Horoscope: Sagittarius
Hobbies: Comics, Guitar, Fishing
Weight: Himitsu (secret)
Blood Group: O
Family: Parents, 1 elder sis
Favorite Music Genre: Hiphop, House, Soul
Favorite Singer: Earth, Wind and Fire
Favorite Sports: Dancing
Favorite Season: Winter
Favorite Food: A lot
Heroes: Dad and Dancing Teacher
Fears: Spiders, Cockroaches
Hates which part of his body: Fats
Favorite Phrase: "Credit. Work Hard. Thanks"
Goal: Be someone whom people praises
First Love: Elementary Grade 3

 

 

Credits:geocities.com/winds_no_baso_e

The first time I saw them, I was totally over whelmed coz they are like 13 guys in a group! SM Ent has totally gone bonkers, but I had to admit after a few music videos, I started liking them they make my kpop viewing pleasurable. J I have to get this over with okay ---- I like Kim Ki Bum and Kim Hee Chul!! J Like what my friend said, I had to get the cuter ones in the batch hehe!

When they started, they all look the same that only Shin Dong, the chubby guy, stands out plus he hosts Show Music Tank. And Sung Min, yes look at his pictures, looks a lot like Rain. There’s one boy here who looks like a younger brother of TVXQ’s Hero and another who looks like Max!

SUPER JUNIOR

Hee Chul

Full Name : Kim Hee Chul
Singing Name : Hee Chul
Birthdate : 1983/07/10
Height/Weight : 179CM/60KG

Ki Bum

Full Name : Kim Ki Bum
Singing Name : Ki Bum
Birthdate : 1987/08/21
Height/Weight : 179CM/58KG

 

E-Teuk

Full Name : Park Jung Su
Singing Name : E-Teuk
Birthdate : 1983/07/01
Height/Weight : 178CM/59KG

Han Kyung

Full Name : Han Kyung
Singing Name : Han Kyung
Birthdate : 1984/02/09
Height/Weight : 181CM/66KG

Ye Sung

Full Name : Kim Jong Woon
Singing Name : Ye Sung
Birthdate : 1984/08/24
Height/Weight : 178CM/64KG

Kang In

Full Name : Kim Young Woon
Singing Name : Kang In
Birthdate : 1985/01/17
Height/Weight : 180CM/70KG

Shin Dong

Full Name : Shin Dong Hee
Singing Name : Shin Dong
Birthdate : 1985/09/28
Height/Weight : 178CM/90KG

Sung Min

Full Name : Lee Sung Min
Singing Name : Sung Min
Birthdate : 1986/01/01
Height/Weight : 175CM/57KG

Eun Hyuk

Full Name : Lee Hyuk Jae
Singing Name : Eun Hyuk
Birthdate : 1986/04/04
Height/Weight : 176CM/58KG

Dong Hae

Full Name : Lee Dong Hae
Singing Name : Dong Hae
Birthdate : 1986/10/15
Height/Weight : 175CM/60KG

Si Won

Full Name : Choi Si Won
Singing Name : Si Won
Birthdate : 1987/02/10
Height/Weight : 183CM/65KG

Ryu Wook

Full Name : Kim Ryu Wook
Singing Name : Ryu Wook
Birthdate : 1987/06/21
Height/Weight : 173CM/58KG

 

credist: www.homepagez.com/eternalgasoo/superjunior/sj.html