Sunday 25 November 2012

IMW - Kami no Shizuku


I know this drama wasn't and isn't on the of my Currently Watching on this blog..... I actually watched it on impulse, well it was sort of good, because I got to buddy watch it xDD.

First things first ---> Trailer 

Details
Title: 神の雫
Title (romaji): Kami no Shizuku
Also known as: Les Gouttes de Dieu
Format: Renzoku
Episodes: 9
Broadcast network: NTV
Broadcast period: 2009-Jan-13 to 2009-Mar-10
Theme song: ONE DROP by KAT-TUN

Cast---
Kamenashi Kazuya --- Kanzaki Shizuku
Tanabe Seiichi --- Tomine Issei
Naka Riisa --- Shinohara Miyabi
Toda Naho --- Kiryu Ryoko
Masu Takeshi --- Kawarage Shigeru
Taguchi Hiromasa --- Honma Chosuke
Sasaki Nozomi --- Sara
Hirakata Genki (平方元基) --- Kido Ryusuke
Hagi Mika --- Minamoto Saori
Uchida Yuki --- Saionji Maki
Tatsumi Takuro --- Fujieda Shiro
Takenaka Naoto --- Doi Robert
Furuya Ikko --- Kanzaki Yutaka
Guests
Masuoka Toru --- Watanuki (ep1)
Motokariya Yuika --- Watanuki Suzuka (ep1)
Kato Ai --- Mizusawa Kaori (ep2)
Miyake Hiroki --- Kaori's husband (ep2)
Matsuda Satoshi --- Takasugi Shinichi (ep3)
Sunaga Kei --- doctor (ep7)
Satoi Kenta --- waiter (ep7)

Production Credits---
Original writing (manga): Kami no Shizuku by Agi Tadashi
Screenwriter: Watanabe Yusuke
Producer: Kuwabara Joya (桑原丈弥), Akimoto Takayuki (秋元孝之)
Director: Nakajima Satoru (中島悟), Ishio Jun (石尾純)
Music: Fukujima Yuko (福島裕子), Nakashima Yasuo (中島靖雄)

Synopsis----
The story revolves around Kanzuki Shizuku, a young man who was estranged from his father, a world-famous wine critic. When his father passed away, he left behind a wine collection worth a fortune, but in order to inherit it, Shizuku must solve a series of puzzles left by his father to identify 6 wines. His competitor was Tomine Issei, a prominent wine critic, whom his father adopted before his death.
(credits - DramaWiki)


Review ----
 As I've written above already, I buddy-watched this drama. Well..... There's also the presence of Kamenashi Kazuya ~all smiles~ And as usual his acting was GOOD!!!


The English translation of Kami no Shizuku, is the god of Wine..The synopsis has said the basics. KnS revolves round wines, everything going on here is about wines and the aim, is to know the god of Wine, this is a title given to the most superior wine. This Kami no Shizuku is the last puzzle Kanzuki (Kame) has to solve before he can inherit the wine collection his father left behind.  


Kanzuki wasn't on good terms with his Dad till he died, so there were thousands of unanswered questions and the only way Kanzuki could get answers is by solving each and every puzzle his Dad left him. Apart from this, Kanzuki has vowed not to drink wine again at his 20th b'day, but in order to solve these puzzles he will have to at least taste various wines, because the puzzles were centered around some particular wines.


KnS is really educational, they were using wine terminologies and not lay man's language which I really found interesting. There were also side notes LOL!!!! Well, believe it or not I took notes of almost every side note :p. Funny right?? What is left now, is for me to organise a trip to France and spend a year polishing the skills I got from a Japanese drama of 9 eps lol!!!


Kami no Shizuku isn't all about wine, there's of course romance, comedy and family issues also. I'm seriously waiting to watch a Japanese drama without family-related matters!!!! There's always something about it.



The Tomine Issei guy was grating on my nerves at first, he really portrayed what it meant to be a wine critic and there's Miyabi, her over-reaction, could be funny, but at times, it's just purely bleh.... 


Notwithstanding, KnS is really a good drama!!!!  After watching this drama, you won't be able to drink or look at wines the same again. Well, for me it has changed my whole perspective about wines. So, if you're interested in seeing how good an actor Kame is, or you want to test your knowledge about wines, please do go ahead and watch this drama!!!



IMW - Reply 1997



Woow!!! The long awaited review of Reply 1997.... I didn't want to watch this drama at first. Firstly, they are all new faces, and the theme is school-related and all. But with everyone getting hyped about the drama, K-pop idols were even at the edges of their seats (Well, I wasn't there, but that's what I read lol!!!) just to watch the drama. I decided to give it a shot and I'm very happy I did.

Before I start typing what and what not, take a look at the trailer/teaser. After searching for some extra few minutes I found one. xDD


Details----


Title: 응답하라 1997 / Eungdabhara 1997
Also known as: Answer to 1997 / Reply 1997
Genre: Youth, romance, comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: tvN (the last two episodes also aired on Mnet, OCN, and O'live at the same time)
Broadcast period: 2012-Jul-24 to 2012-Sep-18


Cast----
        Main Cast
Jung Eun Ji as Sung Shi Won
Seo In Guk as Yoon Yoon Je
Shin So Yool as Mo Yoo Jung
Hoya as Kang Joon Hee
Eun Ji Won (은지원) as Do Hak Chan
Lee Shi Un as Bang Sung Jae
         Extended Cast
Sung Dong Il as Sung Dong Il (Shi Won's father)
Kang Kyun Sung (강균성) as young Dong Il (ep 9)
Lee Il Hwa as Lee Il Hwa (Shi Won's mother)
Park Cho Rong as young Il Hwa (ep 9)
Song Jong Ho as Yoon Tae Woong (Yoon Jae's brother)
No Ji Yeon (노지연) as Jang Dan Ji
Jung Kyung Mi (정경미) as Kyung Mi / Eun Dok Ki
Sun Ah (선아) as Sun Ah / Eun Gak Ha

Synopsis ---
This drama will focus on the extreme fan culture that emerged in the 1990s when idol groups took center stage and K-pop was blossoming. It tells the story of 6 former high school friends from a school in Busan who meet again in 2012 and brings back memories to 1997 when they were still high school students. Moving back and forth between the ’90s and today, the story centers on the life of Sung Shi Won (Jung Eun Ji), who idolizes boyband H.O.T., and her 5 high school friends. --KimchiDrama
(credits - DramaWiki)



My review---
Okay, I forsee a long review LOL!!! First of all, I didn't include all the cast, those left are cameos and that list is exceptionally long >.< I'm going to be post some wonderful quotes and images from Reply 1997 in between the paragraphs.


I really need to complement Eun Ji, Seo In Guk, Hoya and the rest of the cast on their acting, it was really good, JJANG!! I couldn't find faults with acting at all, but I'm sure it's not as flawless as I think. The OSTs and quotes or sayings were just awesome!!!! Between Eun Ji reminds me of Min of Miss A.


As the synopsis reads, at first it's about the extreme fan culture... This drama also shed light on the competition between the then super k-pop idols HOT, Sech Kies, FIN.K.L and SES. Not only do one get to know about the rise of fandom, but also a little about the history of K-pop in Korea. 


With that been said, as Reply 1997  takes us through all this details, the First-Love concept is introduced and as the drama goes on, one gets to understand what it means to have a first love and the reasons behind why First-loves never really blossom, with some exceptional case of course. 


Reply 1997 doesn't stop there, it also highlights family issues - what it means to have a family and be in one, why you should love and take care of them (family members) now that they are still alive or around you. 


I could somehow relate to the latter one, sometimes I just get unnecessarily too busy and I don't call home or sometimes I just do some stuffs haphazardly, because I think they (family members) will always be there, or because I feel there will always be another time. But the truth of the matter, is that, there's a 50% chance of a second chance and no second chance at all. 


There's also the friendship theme, R 1997 shows us how long and lasting friendships can be, it also shows the individual journey of each of these friends. Even though they all have their separate paths and ways, they were still together, if not together, as in the same place but in their hearts (I did really envy their friendship). I'm beginning to really type too much, there's just a lot to write about.



One other thing I love about Reply 1997 is the way, the scenes were moving back and forth from the 90s to the 21st century.... It helped me stay focused!!!


I almost forgot something this.... There's this sound, like a goat bleating LOL!!! Anytime that sounds comes up I automatically laugh. It comes up when something stupid or unexpected happens. I also got emotional while I was watching this.


This is a drama every teenage and youth should watch, not only can one learn from it, but there's this eye opener that comes along with it - Friends, Families, Future ambition (A realistic future ambition, not something like wanting to marry a K-pop idol or something one has no idea about, but one thinks it sounds cool).



This review was quite long!!! LOL I sincerely hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did. ^_^





Happy Sunday #11


Hello ~waves~ I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving with their families and friends!!!!

I really want to share this song, I saw it on YouTube. It's from a Japanese boy group under Johnny Entertainment, Kis-My-Ft2.


I really don't know what to make of the song.... Bottom line - I find it funny and cute LOL!!!

I've added a couple of stuffs to each of the Pages. In order to make it easy to use, I've arranged all the lists alphabetically. The links in the Pages are also doing okay now.... You can browse through them, instead of checking the archives.

I REALLY REALLY want to re-watch A Gentleman's Dignity.... I love that drama!!! I guess I'm going to post about my favourite dramas for this year lol!!! This week is totally the week of OSTs.  Hmmm..... all of a sudden my brain is coming up with so many ideas, I better note them down, before they vanish into thin air again.

A friend posted a YouTube video about some funny scenarios and stereotypes in Korean drama. It would be a crime, if I don't post the video. So, here it is... Oh, the guy was talking a little fast, so you might want to hold in your laughter till he's done xDD.

I was reeling with laughter (Is there an expression like that?? ~shrugs~) LOL!!

Weekly dose of quotes and images




For the next Happy Sunday edition, I would be posting some recipes.... Look forward to it!!! (^_-)

So, I said something about the week of OSTs (soundtracks).... This OST is from the drama A Gentleman's Dignity that I'm dying to re-watch, but I can't ~sighs~ My *PTWL list is overflowing with dramas I need to watch.



Updates -- I posted something about MY TOP 5 KOREAN ACTRESSES, do check it out, and do let me know about your favourites. I will also be adding 2 new drama reviews - Reply 1997 and Kami no Shizuku.

Anyone interested in cookies or cakes??!!!




Weekly dose of eye candy; she's my favourite K.actress - Yoon Eun Hye


                                         Have a WONDERFUL week!!!!
*PTWL - Plan To Watch List.

Thursday 22 November 2012

RS - Top 5 Korean actresses


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!
I have to post this before posting anything.

I'm going to share to ya'll my top 5 Korean actresses (there's enough fangirling and tumbling over actors :p)..... Introducing my girl-crush..... Let the count down begin (I'm a little too excited hehehe)!!!!

5. Park Shin Hye

She's really cute and she's someone I would love to have as a sister. She's also pretty diligent and hard-working!!! Park Shin Hye has featured in several dramas and movies, mostly has the main character. Some of her popular roles are Go Min Nam in You're Beautiful and Lee Kyu Won in Heartstrings. Her recent roles (2012) are Kim Yeon Hwa in Don't Worry, it's a Ghost as the main character, an actress (that's her role - she was featured as a cameo) in the currently airing drama The King of Dramas. Her upcoming drama The Flower Boy Next Door is said to air next year.... Do look out for it!!! She will be acting along side the best baker in the world Yoon Si Yoon hehehe!!! 


4. Lee Da Hae

Cute isn't a description I would use for her, however she's a top actress in Korea..... Her first drama I watched was My Girl and I just sorta liked her..... I felt she really portrayed her role as Joo Yoo Rin soooo well. Lee Da Hae is also good with languages, which I find really cool. Her upcoming drama is IRIS 2, she will be acting along side Jang Hyuk.


3. Kim Ha Neul

I really don't think Kim Ha Neul is receiving the attention she needs, but she's a rare GEM!!! I've watched most of her movies and she's acted with so many A-list actors, Jang Dong Gun and Kim Soo Ro (A Gentleman's Dignity), Kang Ji Hwan (My Girlfriend is an Agent), Kang Dong Won (Too Beautiful To Lie), So Ji Sub and Yoon Kye Sang (Road Number One), just to mention a few. She's also very pretty!!!! Her recent drama A Gentleman's Dignity is MUST-WATCH drama, it's so interesting!!!


2. Ha Ji Won

I so love this actress, I really wonder how come she's still single.... The big guys in the industry must be blind or something. Ha Ji Won is an AWESOME actress. Plus she performs a lot of stunts in her roles. Her recent drama King2Hearts is a hit. She has also acted with a lot of A list actors, Hyun Bin (Secret Garden, which is pretty popular), Lee Seung Gi (King2Hearts), So Ji Sub and Jo In Sung (What Happened in Bali) and a lot more!!!! She is also really beautiful (boyish natural beauty) and has a down to earth character.


1. Yoon Eun Hye

She's my favourite actress. Yoon Eun Hye has it all, you just name it.... She has her own company, she was one of the highest paid actress at age 23, she's has this natural beauty. She's just sooo solid!!!! I won't mind meeting her in the nearest future. She hasn't really acted much dramas or movies compared to Ha Ji Won and Kim Ha Neul. Some of her popular roles are Go Eun Chan in Coffee Prince, Shin Chaegyung in Goong..... She's also one the main casts in Missing You / I Miss You which is currently airing. The drama is in it's 6th ep or so.... Try to check it, if you haven't!!!! I really do love her <3 <3

There are actually more K-actresses, but these are my top 5 actresses!!!!

Also let me in on your favourite actresses, it doesn't necessarily need to be a Korean actress :))

Sunday 18 November 2012

IMW - Mujhse Dosti Karoge


I can finally review this..... Seriously, does anybody know the cure for procrastination?? I really need it. I know I should have posted this years ago.... I hope no one is holding any grudge against me!!!!! The first time I watched Mujhse Dosti Karoge, it was without English subtitles.... One, I don't speak Hindi, but nevertheless I was glued to my seat and my eyes were locked on the screen. Ever since, I've re-watched it countless of times, because the whole movie is so intense and I wanted to understand properly what the heck was exactly going on. Nevertheless a site put an end to my misery!!!!

Trailer!! 

 Details
Director --- Kunal Kohli
Producers --- Yash Chopra
                  Aditya Chopra
Written --- Aditya Chopra
                Kunal Kohli
Starring - Hrithik Roshan
Rani Mukerji
Kareena Kapoor
Music --- Rahul Sharma
Cinematography --- Ravi K. Chandran
Distributor --- Yash Raj Films Pvt. Ltd
Release date(s) --- 9 August 2002
Running time --- 149 min.
Language --- Hindi

Cast ---
Hrithik Roshan --- Raj Khanna
Rani Mukerji --- Pooja Sahani
Kareena Kapoor --- Tina Kapoor
Satish Shah --- Mr. Sahani
Himani Shivpuri --- Mrs. Sahani
Kiran Kumar --- Mr. Khanna
Smita Jaykar --- Mrs. Khanna
Sachin Khedekar --- Mr. Kapoor
Uday Chopra --- Rohan Verma (Special appearance)
Parikshat Sahni --- Mr. Verma
Maya Alagh --- Mrs. Verma
Namuna Nembang --- Piya Kapoor



Synopsis
        Raj Khanna (Hrithik Roshan), Pooja Sahani (Rani Mukerjee) and Tina Kapoor (Kareena Kapoor) are childhood friends. While Raj has always been attracted to the vivacious Tina, he is completely unaware of the quiet Pooja's love for him.
      Raj's father (Kiran Kumar) decides to move to England with his family to take up a new job, so Raj has to go away from his friends. He makes Tina promise to write to him via e-mail. But Tina soon becomes occupied with other things, so it's the loyal Pooja who writes to Raj; but she always signs with Tina's name to help Tina keep her promise. Raj and Pooja have many things in common, and their e-mails bring them very close to each other. A decade and a half later, Raj returns to India for a short vacation. By now, he's in love with the girl he has been writing to, and believes he can recognise her at first sight.
      When the three of them finally meet, Raj, to Pooja's disappointment, completely ignores her and is besotted with Tina, who is as vivacious as ever. However, during the two weeks of his vacation, he cannot help but notice that the real Tina is completely different compared to the person he has been exchanging mails with. Will he ever know who it really was?? If he does, how will the whole issue be resolved??


Review---
Those details above have a way of making someone tired.... Hmmm, according to my short history with MDK above, I'm a huge fan of this movie. I don't know if I've written this (I know I can scroll up, but I'm pretty lazy atm), MDK is a Bollywood movie.





The storyline is the case of mistaken identity, the person in whom Raj falls in love isn't the same person he thinks it is. The only difference, is probably, the three of them have known each forever. The whole movie revolves round the love triangle between Raj and Pooja, Tina and Raj.



Raj is someone that is ready to give his all for the person he loves, but underlying his happy and bubbly attitude, he can also be cruel. Pooja is the loyal and quiet one, while Tina is outgoing and sometimes wants to believe the world revolves around her.


Soundtracks.... This is a Bollywood movie I'm taking about, there's absolutely no where I can leave out the soundtracks.... That would be a huge crime on my part. The soundtracks where really good and I loved it.



Why do I like MDK so much??
Roshan is such a wonderful actor, he's got the looks and the skills (fangirl hormone kicks in)..... His acting was just too good, how he talked, those glares, stares, singing, dancing and all. His glares where so INTENSE. Tina and Pooja didn't fall short either. Apart from their acting, the soundtracks where really catchy and you really want to dance along (I actually dance along, anytime I play the soundtracks hehehe). The whole packaging of the movie is also so good, you wouldn't even notice, that you've been sitting in front of your screen for more than 2 hours.... It's really that interesting.



What I didn't understand is the giving-up-your-love-for-friendship theme they went for...... Don't get me  wrong, that theme is good. I'm just thinking that could have simplified the whole situation (Well, if they had, I doubt if MDK would be this interesting). Mujhse Dosti Karoge also reminded of this saying ''You can't reap, where you haven't sown''.


I urge you all to give this a short, I'm absolutely sure you will find yourself watching snippets of it everynow and then. You can watch it here. The earlier the better, Bollywood movies online seems to have problems with copyright infringement SMH....



Here's my favourite soundtrack  in MDK, it's actually a medley.