PRETTY MAN- EPISODE 1

Finally the wait for the first episode of Pretty Man/Bel Ami/Pretty Boy/Beautiful Man is here.

Here are a few scaps of the first episode and video unsubbed here- watch it here >>>> EPISODE 1

I will be updating it later on once I am done, and will do a quick first impression after watching it without English subtitles and review it after I watched with English subtitles. Updated with my review after watching without English subtitle. See below. More scaps,too in HD. 🙂

As always, Jang Geun Seuk is very much pleasing to the eyes with the swag he has- thus, this role fits him. Let’s see if the story is just as good as how he looks and the cast alongside him.

The first scene is him with one of the noonas who is obviously would kiss his foot if he asks her,too. LOL 

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Will update more scaps later and what I thought about it. (UPDATED)

It is visually appealing so far, I like the interiors of the rich women’s crib that Dok-go Mate is seeing and the flowers on their hair (Kim Bo-tong /IU’s and her mom) are cute plus his brother’s red hair with his karate outfit.

OKAYYY.. so I just finished watching the first episode of Bel Ami or Beautiful Man/Pretty Man.

So far so good, although I watched it not English subtitled but I can understand a bit of what was going on.

It is a given that IU’s character (Kim Bo-tong) is head over heels for JGS’s character (Dog-ko Mate).The first time she saw him riding the same bus she was in- that’s when all the stars came falling from the stars and she was smitten by him (just like all the other female around Mate-ah).

where Kim Bo-tong was love at first sight with Mate

Kim Bo-tong photoshop editing Dok-go Mate’s fanart

daydreaming while watching sexy man vid

Checking out Dok-go Mate on her laptop.

 

Coincidentally, Mate’s mom and Bo-tong’s mom seem to know each other and friends, so that gave Bo-tong a chance to be closer to him and know him better although Mate is obviously uninterested as he is busy luring rich women.

Then the beautiful woman that is Hong Yoo-ra portrayed by Han Chae-young appears and it seems like Mate is interested in her but she will be using  him to lure and know secrets and special abilites of these 10 women using his looks and charm.

Isn’t she pretty?

When Mate’s mom is in the hospital and he came with Yoo-ra, she seem to talk to her about something which made me suspicious as to know whether or not they knew each other and if she is there to extract revenge using Mate. (WHo Knows? will update this once I re-watch it with English subtitles, Gotta learn Korean now should I?)

JGS shows his acting ability when his mother dies, he is obviously devastated by her immediate death and who knows all his ambition of getting a lot of money was just for nothing- because who else is he doing all these things for? For his mother- I believe.

Without a mother, and under the mentorship of Yoo-ra, what will happen next to Mate? Of course, he has 9 more women to seduce and the poor Bo-tong who has a crush on him tagging along- what happens next would be interesting to watch.

Didn’t expect to see early shedding of tears especially from Mate, who showed his weakness and being just like any of us after all- especially when it comes to being a son, and losing a mother at that.

In the preview of 2nd episode shows the introduction of the 2nd male lead.

Let’s see where this series bring us to.

Hopefully it would be interesting and there would be more chemistry between IU and JGS because so far I don’t yet see any.

My First Korean FanFiction

Since I’ve been watching a lot of Korean tv series and movies recently, I decided (since I have been writing fan fiction/stories), that it was time for me to write a fan fiction.

 

Available on WATTPAD.

 

Title: CONNED LOVE

TWO WORLDS. A DOUBLE LIFE. A TWISTED PATH TOWARDS FINDING LOVE AND LEARNING SURVIVAL.

Xavier Chu is a Korean master con-artist, gambler and a womanizer. Dashingly handsome, he lives a dangerous life and unafraid of anything- even his own death.

Jasmin Guanzon is a model and a singer but works as an undercover DEA agent. Beyond her gentle and bubbly facade lies a fierce dedication for her undercover work and justice.

What will happen when the stubborn and arrogant Xavier meets the classy and beautiful Jasmin, egoes fly and nobody will back down- but can cupid play with their hearts and mind?

CHARACTERS:

Lee Min Ho as Xavier Chu

 

Sarah Geronimo (Filipino Singer/Actress) as Jasmin Guanzon

 

 

Kim Hyun Joong as Ji Hoon Park

 

Kim Woo-bin as Alexander Lee

 

Watch the trailer below:

Read the on-going story  CONNED LOVE on Wattpad

 

 

The Korean Actors’ Charm

Okay so I know I am in a state of Koreanized, if there is such a word just because of watching too much Korean tv series.

I began to understand basic words although I may not be able to write it but with almost 20 Korean tv series, a couple of movies watched, I began to know how they act and a lot of their mannerisms, acting and expressions quite adorable- both in the male and female category 🙂

Men almost always tend to just briskly pull the girls for a kiss or drag them- but I found that a lot of the Korean actors KISS very tenderly, at least the way they execute them, haha:-) (Will add clips and photos when I do find the time to add them here..promise)

So without any ranking, I have randomly selected (based on the series and movies I watched) the actors I thought are ALL  good looking, good actors and OMO adorably cute and most of them can SING,too!

MALE ACTORS- Oh, and most of them are cute, goodlooking and tall- with great physique. ( I think I am too old for crushes, or am I?)

LEE MIN HO – shall I explain? Maybe not, but I will anyway. He was GREAT with Boys Over Flower, City Hunter, Faith among others- and quite frankly I find him sooo cute and adorable especially with his mannerisms on film- it is quite endearing that’s why I think he has a HUGE following all over the world. Take a look…

In City Hunter

LEE JONG-SUK – watched him on I Hear Your Voice and School 2013. He has that boyish look that he seem not too age. He has that cute smile and looks good crying,too.

SO JI-SUB – watched him in the movie Sophie’s Revenge, series- Ghost, and he was known for I’m Sorry,I love you which I have to watch together with Cain and Abel, What Happened in Bali, currently he is on “Master’s Sun” series which is very good, funny and entertaining and I love his acting here, making him one of the few actors I am really getting familiar with and watch out for.

Jung Kyung-Ho – first saw him on Cruel City or Heartless City and right now trying to finish Smile,You – he is such a serious, dark, sexy actor in Cruel City that his role in Smile,You is refreshing to see his funny side, although I prefer his take on darker role than funny or goofy. He is one to watch out for sure if you haven’t noticed him yet;-)

KIM HYUN JOONG

Only saw him on Boys Over Flower and still yet to see Playful Kiss. He was boyish on his role for BOF but he changed tremendously over the years- busy with his musical career and seriescalled “Grateful Generation.”

HYUN BIN

He’s known for his role for My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Secret Garden <<—– this I just finished watching and I must say that he captivated me with his charm, looks and ability to act. He has a magnetic smile that easily makes girls swoon be it on screen or in person.

 

CHOI JIN HYUK

 I only saw him in one clip and I thought he looked so much like Lee Min Ho, and I guess the producers of the new drama Heirs saw that- although they are only stepbrothers in the upcoming kdrama, but the roles fit. Saw the clip of him in “Gu Family Book,”  and I knew he is one of the few I will have to watch out for in Korean tv.  I know, I am biased- he is cute though right..and a great liplocker on screen. What’s not to like? His picture below is very similar with that of LMH. Both great looking gents.

JO IN SUNG

He starred in the series That Winter The Wind Blows. He looks better as he gets matured. He even looks good crying. Lol

KIM WOO BIN

Saw him on School 2013 opposite Lee Jong Suk and he has that certain look that is dark, boyish and mysterious. He will be in the series Heirs,too.

SOONG JONG KI

He starred in the drama series “INNOCENT MAN,”  one of the few Kdramas that I saw which has a really good story. He is cute, charming, great actor and has an undeniable charm in this series.

le ce

LEE SEUNG GI

He starred in Gu Family Book, King2Hearts and more- he is a singer/actor who is one of the most likable celebrity and has numerous endorsements. He has that charming smile that captivates his viewers when he acts and perform,too.

DANIEL CHOI

He starred in the series, School 2013, Ghost among others which I have seen already. He has that smiling eyes and a good actor,too.

 

Will add more as I get to know more of the Korean actors and singers who are pleasing to my eyes haha. 

“Master’s Sun” – Korean RomComRor Series, An On-going Review

Master’s Sun

A mix of horror, comedy and romance tv series – Master’s Sun is an entertaining funny take on ghosts, wealth and love.

So Ji-Sub as the master, CEO Joo Joong Won and Kong Ho-Jin as Tae Kong-Sil as sun who can see and communicate with the dead or ghosts.

The serious master Joo Joong Won encountered the weird Tae Kong-Sil through a ghost which leads to discovering their connection to each other – being that the sun seeks solace from the master whenever they touched.

Reaching to an agreement which is both beneficial to each other- they were almost always with each other and the master who is rumored to be cursed by the death of his first love eventually falls in love with Tae Kong-Sil, although quite hesitantly still in denial about his true feelings for her.

Tae Kong- Sil on the other hand already comes to terms with her true feelings for him (master, CEO Joo Joong Won ) but tries hard not to let him know about it for fear of losing her source of peace away from the constant intrusion of ghosts.

The episodes 9-10 were revelations of the two main characters which included Joo Joong Won finding out what his true feelings for her and what she really feels for him- by means of a kiss although Tae Kong-Sil wasn’t herself when it happened.

So Ji- Sub’s ( Joo Joong Won) dry humor and the seriousness of his face when he acts make it more fun and entertaining to watch which will make you giggle whenever he interacts with his so called ” billion won radar” that is
Kong Ho Jin (Tae Kong Sil) .

Tae Kong Shil fits the part of the weird but funny medium who tries to find peace in the arms of her “secret hideout.”

” Candy Kang” Kang Woo played by Seo In-Guk who is the chief security for the master’s company Kingdom also falls for “sun” Tae Kong-Sil- which completes the love triangle.

Episode 10 showed how Tae Kong-sil must have felt when Joong Won came back from his Shanghai trip engaged to be married while he acts indifferent and in denial about his true feelings for her. Eventually at the end of the episode, Joong Won cancels her “fake engagement” and showed up at Tae Kong-sil’s reunion with her former classmates initiated by Tae Yi-Ryung, who was called by their classmates in high school “little sun,” while Kong-sil was the “big sun.”

Giving the impression that he is indeed Tae Kong Sil’s boyfriend infront of her old classmates, he rescues her from further embarrassment and make her take responsibility of the cancelled marriage he announced because of her. At the end of the episode, he asks her what will she do when he said, “I think I love you,” which shocked Tae Kong Sil and left her speechless.

Ahhh I wish they would kiss tenderly and hold each other in a tight embrace!(updated: here is a clip where they kiss or rather he kissed her while a ghost is inside her body, enjoy:-))

What do you think will happen? Either Tae Kong Sil will embrace him and maybe end up kissing each other or she will be left speechless, in disbelief and run away from him.

Either way, this is a must see series that will for sure make you giggle and feel light hearted.

Both actors execute their roles perfectly- and just saw that it will only run up to 16 episodes. So we only have 6 more episodes to go which for sure are well worth waiting for!

Oh and I like the soundtrack,too! I think it is entitled “Touch Love” and another is “Crazy of You.”

It was funny and cute when Joong Woo offered everything including a big house to Tae Kong Sil to make her into a normal “candy” girl so he can easily get rid of her when he wants to. Instead she replies quite innocently that if she gets a big house wouldn’t there’d be more room for ghosts to crowd around her which she vehemently tries to avoid thus taking refuge from her own personal breathing space- her shelter, her secret hideout, the charming and enigmatic Mr. CEO. LOL

Rating: Five Stars *****

Love it! Must watch!

I think this is the best Korean tv series I have seen so far although I must say every Korean drama or series I watched have unique and very interesting plots- Master’s Sun is definitely well written and done beautifully.

 

EPISODE 11 & 12 REVIEW

 

 

My New Addiction- Korean TV Series

Without much time for tv at home, I relied on watching movies and tv shows via Netflix and later on learning about free movies and tv shows to watch online- I came across the app Viki, which is available on iTunes, android devices and on the web.

Then my addiction to watching Kdrama or Korean drama, although some are romantic comedy- started.

So while on vacation I watched a few of them- a Kdramarathon, if there is such a term.

Although before this summer vacation I already watched a couple of Korean tv shows on Netflix and Hulu, but nothing compared to my sleepless nights just because I want to finish watching the episodes just because I was hooked to every story.

Here are a few of the ones I am already finished watching, and hopefully later on, provide you what my take is, on their stories and the actors behind the series: (Click the titles for the link to viki where you can watch the full episodes for free)

Ghost

An elite division of law enforcement goes after criminals who can’t always be seen or found. Kim Woo Hyun (So Ji Sub) is the son of a high-ranking police official who graduated from the police academy at the top of his class. He now works in the cyber investigation department of the police force. But while trying to track down super hacker Park Gi Young (Daniel Choi), Woo Hyun appears to be involved in some shady dealings with some powerful people. When a warehouse accident wipes out two lives, the hacker assumes the identity of Woo Hyun and is determined to investigate what the former Woo Hyun was up to. With the help of fellow cyber-detective Yoo Kang Mi (Lee Yeon Hee), who has an online reputation for being an “uljjang” (good-looking), and geeky Internet expert Jo Hyun Min (Uhm Ki Joon), can the new Woo Hyun discover the truth? “Ghost” is a 2012 South Korean drama series directed by Kim Hyeong Sik.

Genres: Korean Drama, Crime & Mystery, Drama
Cast: So Ji Sub, Choi Daniel, Lee Yeon Hee

That Winter The Wind Blows

Oh Young doesn’t believe in love. She lost her father and is estranged from her mother and older brother. She also lost her vision and doesn’t know whom she can trust or lean on, although she is forced to run a large corporation as the sole heiress. Then she meets Oh Soo, a high-stakes gambler and con artist who preys on rich women after tragically losing his first love. He sees an easy target in the young, blind woman and enters Oh Young’s life by pretending to be her long-lost older brother. Can Oh Soo finish the game he started, or will his feelings for Oh Young get in the way? “That Winter, The Wind Blows” is a 2013 South Korean drama series written by No Hee Kyung and directed by Kim Kyu Tae, who worked together on the 2008 drama “Worlds Within.” The new drama is based on the 2002 Japanese drama “I Don’t Need Love, Summer,” which was adapted into a 2006 South Korean film “Love Me Not.”

Genres: Korean Drama, Romance, Drama
Cast: A Pink, Zo In Sung, Song Hye Kyo, Kim Bum

Lie To Me

Gong Ah Jung, the young and beautiful level 5 Ministry of Culture official, gets entangled in a web of lies when she pretends to be married in order to deflect inquiries about her personal life. Her pretend husband is Hyun Gi Jun, a hotel president from an affluent family. Although unhappy at first about the rumors, Gi Jun goes along with the ruse. But their relationship gets complicated when Gi Jun’s ex-fiancée reappears in his life.

Genres: Comedy, Korean Drama, Drama, Romance
Cast: Ryu Seung Soo, Yoon Eun Hye, Kang Ji Hwan, Sung Joon, Jo Yoon Hee, Kwon Se In, Hong Soo Hyun

City Hunter

When Yoon Sung was a baby, his father was killed by the South Korean government after successfully carrying out a covert mission against North Korea. Raised overseas by the only surviving member of that mission, Yoon Sung is trained from childhood to become an elite fighter and highly educated in information technology. He returns to South Korea to work in the Blue House and exact his revenge on his father’s killers. But will falling in love with a female security officer complicate his plans? “City Hunter” is a 2011 South Korean drama series directed by Jin Hyuk. It is based on a famous novel by Japanese writer Tsukasa Hojo.

Genres: Korean Drama, Action & Adventure, Drama, Romance
Cast: Goo Hara, Lee Kwang Soo, Park Min Young, Lee Joon Hyuk, Lee Min-ho

The Great Doctor aka Faith

A modern-day surgeon is kidnapped and taken back 700 years to the Goryeo Dynasty in Korean history. Admiral Choi Young, a warrior, abducts Dr. Eun Soo and returns to his time period so that the doctor can save the injured Princess No Guk. Can Dr. Eun Soo do what is being asked of her and return to her own time period? Or will she have faith in her heart and stay in the past to help the king become a better ruler who cares for and heals his people?

Genres: Korean Drama, Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Costume & Period, SciFi & Fantasy
Cast: Sung Hoon Bang, Kim Hee Sun, Lee Min-ho, Lee Philip

Boys Over Flower

Boys Over Flowers is one of the biggest Korean drama hits of our time, sweeping ratings and awards across Asia in 2009 and 2010. Jan Di is an average girl whose family owns a dry cleaning store located near the luxurious and well known Shin Hwa High School. After saving a boy from jumping off the roof of Shin Hwa High School, Jan Di is admitted into the school on a swimming scholarship. At school, Jan Di tries to avoid confrontation with the four richest and most spoiled boys known as the F4, because she knows what happens to those that stand against them. However, when Jan Di’s friend, Oh Min Ji, accidentally gets ice cream on the leader of the F4’s shoes, she’s forced to declare war on the leader of the F4, Goo Joon Pyo. What will happen though, when she falls in love with someone from the F4 and Goo Joon Pyo starts feeling something for her too? Will the love triangle disrupt F4 and change their lives forever? Get ready for addictive drama, romance and comedy at it best.

Genres: Comedy, Korean Drama, Drama, Romance
Cast: Park Soo Jin, Kim So Eun, Koo Hye Sun, Kim Hyun Joo, Lee Min-ho, Lee Min Jung, Kim Hyung Joon, Kim Kyu Jong, Han Chae Young, Lee Si Young, Kim Joon, , Kim Hyun Joong

School 2013

“High school is one of the most tumultuous, challenging times of anyone’s life. The tough coursework, the turmoil, the power struggles, the crushes, and the unrequited love. Teachers Jung In Jae (Jang Na Ra) and Kang Se Chan (Daniel Choi) are teachers try to steer their students on the proper course. Classmates Ko Nam Soon (Lee Jong Suk), Song Ha Gyung (Park Se Young), Lee Gang Joo (Ryu Hyo Young), Park Heung Soo (Kim Woo Bin), and Kim Min Ki (Choi Chang Yub) try to navigate the ups and downs and survive the challenges of high school. “School” is a South Korean drama series that follows the trials and tribulations of high school students. The first four seasons aired from 1999 to 2002. After a 10-year hiatus, “School 2013” continues as the fifth season of the popular teen drama. It is directed by Lee Min Hong and Lee Eung Bok.”

Genres: Drama, Korean Drama
Cast: Jang Na Ra, Choi Daniel, Lee Jong Suk

I Hear Your Voice

Where can an accused criminal with all the evidence stacked against him turn for help? “I Hear Your Voice,” also known as “I Can Hear Your Voice” is a 2013 South Korean drama series directed by Jo Soo Won. The legal drama centers around Jang Hye Sung (Lee Bo Yeong), a brazen, sharp-tongued female attorney who says everything that comes to her mind with no filter. When she gets to the point in her career where it’s hard to muster up any enthusiasm for her work, she teams up with the serious Cha Kwan Woo (Yoon Sang Hyun), a passionate public defender, and Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk), a 19-year-old with a special ability to hear people’s inner thoughts. Together, they also must face a killer with a personal vendetta that entwines all of their lives. Can they bring the dangerous man to justice?

Genres: Thriller & Suspense, Korean Drama, Action & Adventure, Drama
Cast: Yoon Sang Hyun, Lee Bo Yeong, Lee Jong Suk

THESE ARE WHAT I AM CURRENTLY WATCHING:

Smile, You

Jung In’s perfect life disintegrates overnight when her family’s business fails. Her wealthy fiancé leaves her at the altar, her father is sent to jail, and her family home is sold from under them. Penniless overnight, Jung In’s family is taken in by their long-time chauffeur’s family, and they find themselves living among the common working class. Will her new life teach her the right values or will Jung In go running back to her old lifestyle when her ex-fiancé decides he wants her back?

Genres: Comedy, Korean Drama, Drama, Romance
Cast: Jun Hye Jin, Jung Kyung Ho, Lee Kyu Han, Choi Jung Yoon, Lee Min Jung, Lee Chun Hee

Two Weeks

An aimless man wakes up one day, in a pool of blood with a dead woman next to him. Jang Tae San (Lee Joon Gi) had always lived his life without much meaning, but all that changes on that ill-fated day. As he is wrongfully accused of murder, Tae San also learns that he has a daughter, Soo Jin (Lee Chae Mi), who has been diagnosed with leukemia. The next two weeks of his life will determine his fate and whether he can save his daughter’s life. “Two Weeks” is a 2013 South Korean drama series directed by Son Hyung Suk.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Crime & Mystery, Drama, Korean Drama
Cast: Cheon Ho Jin, Lee Joon Gi, Ahn Yong Joon, Song Jae Rim, Kim So Yeon/ Kim So Yun, Park Ha Sun

The Good Doctor

The world of pediatric surgical doctors who struggle by themselves for the children’s future and for the families’ happiness. A lot of people do not know the fact that pediatric surgery exists independently. However, pediatric surgery has existed all along and is quietly going about its way. Surgery on ball-pen sized premature babies with extremely low birth weight, surgery on fetuses inside moms’ bellies, etc. Phenomenal medical techniques we know not of are being achieved in pediatric surgery. Good Doctor is a work that deals with the world of pediatric surgical doctors who are saving lives out of a keen sense of duty and that deals with their anguish and sufferings. In addition, it plans to show unerringly the irrational medical insurance system, as well as pediatric surgery’s reality that cannot help but be inadequate because of hospital management that seeks only profit. Also, through the actions of doctors who assume responsibility for children’s futures since the treatments are not simple, Good Doctor will ask again what it is that adults should really do for children. The children of the pediatric surgical ward are all our children, nephews and nieces, and younger siblings. Through drama, Good Doctor wishes for these children’s recovery and future as well as a healthy world.

Genres: Drama
Cast: Moon Chae Won, Kim Young Kwang, Ko Chang Seok, Joo Sang Wook, Joo Won

Master’s Sun

What can a woman do when she suddenly develops a scary ability? In this part horror, part romantic comedy, Tae Gong Sil (Gong Hyo Jin) is a sweet secretary who works for a large retail conglomerate who suddenly develops the ability to see ghosts after getting into a bad accident. Her boss is the ambitious and cool CEO, Joo Joong Won (So Ji Sub), who loves money more than anything else in the world. But as the haughty executive learns to trust his quirky secretary and falls in love with her, can he help her resolve her new unwanted skill? “Master’s Sun” is a 2013 South Korean drama series written by Hong Mi Ran and Hong Jung Eun and directed by Jin Hyuk. The Hong sisters also wrote the recent successful dramas “Big” (2012) “My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox,” (2010), and “The Greatest Love” (2011), which garnered them the Writer of the Year Award at the 2011 MBC Drama Awards.

Genres: Horror & Supernatural, Romance, SciFi & Fantasy, Korean Drama
Cast: So Ji Sub, Seo In Guk, Gong Hyo Jin

So far, so good- Korean has a very unique way of telling stories, the actors are cute and unique and are very entertaining to watch- thus, my interest and fascination with the Korean culture and their language increased immensely.

Will update this more- as I watch more.

I am greatly pleased with their acting- special mention to Lee Min Ho, who is not only goodlooking, but who can act well and sing at the same time, I am looking forward to watching his next series- Heirs .

Korea has a selection of up and coming actors – plus they are all quite good looking and has cute and unique mannerisms only theirs. Thus, a millions are crazy about Korean drama and comedy etc- and I am added to the population, I must say. Can I be blamed? 🙂

On-Going Series I’m Watching

Master’s Sun- Five Stars, every episode is worth waiting for, great story, great lead actors, great selection of OST and well executed.

Empire of Gold- 4 Stars, Just started watching and it already looks promising, more reviews as I go further along with the story.