DAEBAK FIRST SOUTH KOREA TRIP

As a Kdrama fan, one of my bucket lists is visiting the country of my oppas so at least I can breathe the same air they are breathing. Kidding aside, South Korea is a truly beautiful country which I dreamed of visiting.

I and several friends planned this South Korea trip on the very beginning of this year. We targetted the country's spring season so we booked for April this year.

We stayed for 5 days and we were able to maximize our tour, not spending too much money.

Here's the summary of our actual itinerary.

Day 1 Palace Hopping + Goblin Shooting Locations*

Gyeongbokgung Palace*

Deoksugung Palace*

Changdeokgung Palace

Deoksung Women's University* (Goblin's house)

Bukchon Village

Gwangjang Market

Day 2: Nature Trips

Nami Island

Garden of the Morning Calm

N-Seoul Tower

Tip: Entrance to the tower observatory is part of the  "Discover Seoul Pass".

Day 3 Kpop x Kdrama

MBC Tour

SM Town

Grevin Museum

Kstar Road

Tip: We have purchased "Discover Seoul Pass" (39,900 Won) which granted us entrance to most of these sites.

Day 4 Meetup with friends*

Jogyesa Temple

Ssamzie-gil Market

Kyobo Bookstore

Yesung's Coffee Shop*

Dongdaemun : Lotus Lantern Parade*

Tip: We have found great fashion clothes in  Migliore shop. Explore the other shops too.

Day 5 Last minute Shopping

Ewha Shopping Center

Ewha Women's University

In conclusion, I think we made the most of our trip. All the non-stop walking and nights with lack of sleep are worth it. We tried almost everything, from fangirling to eating out and shopping. There are a lot of places and things that are worth exploring in Seoul. We will definitely go back. 

Top Kdrama of 2016 with Disappointing Ending

Cheese in the Trap

Honest to goodness, I wouldn't have watched this drama if I didn't  hear my room mate ranting about its ending. I watched it because I heard it's "so good.. except the ending". The two leads are new to me so I didn't have favoritism or prejudice for them. I was drawn into  the mystery of the first episodes which eventually got me hooked to the plot. As always, the lead, Yoo Jung (Park Hae-Jin) looks like every girl's perfect oppa- mysterious, chaebol and handsome. Hong Soel (Kim Go Eun) is also your typical high school student but with a golden heart which, as always, made the male lead fell for her. I think this series has a lot of appeal for students/teenagers since they can relate to Hong Seol. We all have that senior crush in school at some point of our student lives. 

The character development is interesting for me. I like how Yoo Jung turned from a psychopathic mean guy to someone who truly cares for Hong Seol.  I stopped watching when they become girlfriend/boyfriend already. I mean what's the point of watching if I already know the ending which is not satisfactory? Anyway, I hope it's true that there will be a film adaptation of this series so they have a chance to redeem the ending. The new female lead will be different, though.

P.S. I just thought that Park Hae Jin looked like a younger version of Bae-Yong Joon (Winter Sonata) and Kim Hyun- Joong (Playful Kiss,Boys Over Flower). Don't you agree?

Park Hae-Jin

Moon Lover Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Yes, this series has low ratings in S.Korea but I loved it. I loved the casts and the plot. This was my first time watching Lee Joon Ki and I tell you, he is defintely swoon-worthy. It has insanely good OST tracks from famous KPop idols. I still experience LSS (last song syndrome) from its OST. 

credits to: Annyeong Oppa

The ending of this series definitely got the "cliffhanger ending" award of 2016. The rumors about a cut scene in the final episode made me and other fans begged for its release but nada. Even the petition for season 2 which got more than 58K signatures was just ignored. We were hopeful at first about the inclusion of the cut scene in the DVD edition but apparently, it contains exactly what was shown in SBS. So we just gave up. I'm sure, there are still fans out there which couldn't move on from its ending, but sadly, nothing can be done.

https://www.change.org/p/sbs-make-scarlet-heart-ryeo-season-2-possible

I am just looking forward to Resident's Evil Final Chapter in which LJK had his Hollywood debut.

Scarlet Heart Ryeo: The Undeveloped Character of Hae Soo

   Moonlover's Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is one kdrama that will be remembered for a long, long time. Not just because of it's terrible cliff hanger finale, but mainly because of the roller coaster emotions it invokes from viewers. Well, everyone knows that the series was forced to be jam packed into 20 episodes as contrast to it's Chinese counterpart which unfortunately led to lack of characterization and plot development.

Hae Soo dies in the arms of Wang Jung*

   The universe of the drama revolves around Wang So.  So’s character is complex due to his dark past plus his character’s transformation from a neglected and humiliated child to a feared king.If you assess it, only to him did the series allow us to peek into his childhood, his family issues and his personal struggles -naturally allowing us to understand him more than the others. The rest of the characters’ past is actually murky. Wang Wook for example, we know he’s been pestered and burdened by family responsibilities as mentioned in some lines, but we haven’t seen any of his past except the first time he met his wife which doesn’t provide explanations. And so people were shocked and quick to judge him after he abandoned Soo to protect his family. I think there has to be more behind Wook’s character other than his greed for the throne.

Hae Soo and Wang So*

   Unfortunately, the same case applies for the female lead, Hae Soo. What we only know saw about her past is that she had been in love but her boyfriend and her best friend betrayed her which actually should somehow explain why she has trust issues, besides the fact that she was heartbroken, abandoned, and betrayed by two men.

   In my opinion, she does love So deeply. Yes, it took her time to accept So’s love but being twice heartbroken, I think that’s just wise for her to do.So had saved her life many times as proof of his love but the story line just didn’t provide her a chance to exchange her life for his life. I mean she’s not like the 10th prince’s wife who was a warrior who can take a sword or arrow to protect the prince nor does she has significant power or influence to be able to save So if he’s in danger (unlike Eun Soo, the high doctor in faith). For me, her staying in the palace after King Taejo died and her support to So’s usurp of the throne is enough proof of her love. She has been traumatized from Lady Oh’s death and she knows that the palace is a scary place. If I were her, I would have avoided the palace like a plague.

  Unfortunately, I also have to admit that her character isn't as mature and helpful as someone who can actually be beside Gwangjong in the throne. Her will power is not as strong as compare to Yeon Hwa (as much as I hate her, I have to recognize that). BUT, let's remember that she indeed loved Wang So, not Gwangjong. Let's admit that since Wang So become Gwangjong, he has changed. He let his pride and anger ruled his decisions since that time when he did not allow Prince Jung to see their mother in her death bed.

Hae Soo in the 21st Century*

   I have long accepted that Soo and So can't have a happy ending in the Goryeo period. What's unacceptable though is SBS cutting a scene in the 21st century period  when Hae Soo returned to the present. I just hope that they will listen to the fans and let the cut scenes be aired anyhow.

*I do not own these pictures. Credit is given to SBS.

Why Jealousy Incarnate?

   I was actually surprised when I did not get bored watching the first two episodes of Jealousy Incarnate. Maybe it's because of Gong Hyo Jin's presence or Go Kyung Pyo's face value. Well, I decided to watch it while abandoning several Kdramas currently aired including The K2 and Moonlight Drawn by the Clouds. My first impression of this drama is about affairs and marriage woes aka heavy drama but fortunately, it isn't. It is actually a Romcom which is not so romantic but mostly funny. It doesn't have a great story but it has an unpredictable script that makes it great for someone like me who has watched a lot of Kdramas. Even great stories have dull and cliche moments but you almost can not predict what the characters will say or do in this drama. I'm always surprised at how the plot unfolds.

Pyo Na Ri and Go Jung Won*

   And didn't you hear about the level of second lead syndrome which is darn too high in this drama! I even fooled myself in believing he is actually the main lead. I mean just look at Go Kyung Pyo. Isn't he simply adorable?

*I do not own this picture. Credit is given to the owner.