I’M BACK!

­THANK GOODNESS IT’S SUMMER! I’ve been waiting to lounge around my house every spring break. No more due dates, projects, reading novels, math homework, and trying to grasp French! Yes! I can now start on my Korean now… Once I stop being lazy. I am also sorry about the rather long, almost two months, hiatus. School was just asking for so much out of me.

Well, the game plan is I wish to watch JIN 2 and possible post a shorter version of recaps. I hope that I will be able to just do major highlights for my recaps, because whenever I do write a recap I tend to write it in full detail like I am writing a novel. I tried doing a recap for Tumbling, that went terrible. I’m also contemplating if I should watch Lie To Me with my favorite Kang Ji Hwan and Yoon Eun Hye. City Hunter has also caught my interest, but I am a bit hesitant on watching it because I don’t want to end up losing my interest! Korean dramas just make it too easy for themselves since they take a couple of episodes (2 – 4) to actually start the plot. I cannot wait that long, I am impatient and I want the plot to start moving NOW! Yes, I know, I am too demanding and impatient, but that’s how I tend to stray away from watching Korean dramas because of that single element.

I am very glad to be back, however I have shied away from my love for dramas due to school and because I am focused on other things such as the hilarious Psych and amazing Avatar: The Last Airbender. A girl gets bored when she has no work to do and doesn’t feel like watching her Asian dramas. I know, for a fact, I will be getting into JIN 2 because of season one’s disappointing ending. I’ve also been reading a lot of good reviews for this season so that always makes me happy! I also did a review for the show, so if you’re curious: Violà! I will try getting in a Artist Discovery as well, Rie Fu has been in the spotlight  since I left… I love her, but I just need to have the spotlight on another artist. I will probably throw in a music review if I get bored this week. I’ll try having a post up by this Thursday or Friday, maybe even sooner! We’ll see, until then, see yaaa!~

 

Welcome Aboard, MyDramaList.com!

Now, I heard about this due to an announcement that DarkUmagon had made on DramaCrazy.

His friend has launched a site, MyDramaList.com, a while ago. Users are able to have a list of all dramas and movies ranging from Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Now as the title of the site hints, you can create lists for dramas and movies. There are 5 lists that you can put each drama or movie in: currently watching, completed, plan to watch, on-hold, and dropped. I admit, I actually do this on my Microsoft Word, but now, there’s no need for it now!

Wait, the site doesn’t end there. You can also write your reviews for these dramas and movies. The reviews can be in-depth, but must not include any spoilers, and even provides categories to rate the movie and/or drama: story (overall plot), acting/cast, music, rewatchable value, and overall. The scale ranges from 1 – 10, 1 being the lowest rating and 10 the highest. Before submitting your review, you must tell how many episodes you have watched for each drama. Finally, the users can choose if the review was helpful or not. Here is an example, I submitted for the fantastic Orange Days (click for better view):

Adding actors, actresses, movies, and dramas is created by users who are registered on the site. It goes through administration after it’s submitted. So far, I added a page for Kanno Miho and have just submitted one of my favorite Japanese movies, Swing Girls. There is also a feature that I love, a recommendation list for dramas or movies which is also added by users.

There is a forum section as well to discuss with other users, you can add users as friends, and visit their profiles to see their drama and movie stats. You can see the movies and dramas you both are watching or have watched. Let’s not forget, you can leave comments on each other pages.

MyDramaList is a fantastic way to interact with other Asian drama and movie lovers! I hope it grows as time goes by because this site has great potential! So check out the site and spread the word!

A Month Later…

So… Where have I been for the last month? I’ve been busy with life, mainly homework as usually. Luckily, I am on my spring break this week! Since I am in a land of laziness at home (aside with working out on the Kinect), I’ve been spending much of my days watching Korean dramas. I started watching 49 Days and FINALLY have gotten around to Secret Garden. That took me about an eternity. Heh.

The main reason I didn’t start watching Secret Garden is because the plot seemed to move slow for me especially watching those first two episodes. I’ve notice with Korean dramas I tend to have a dilemma with ‘em. They start too slooooow. I normally last within the first episode, but once I hit the second or third I lose interest. If the show is lucky, someone will recommend me to give it a second shot or I’ll garner interest in it… again. I’m currently doing this to City Hall (curse me!). I can watch Japanese drama and stick with ‘em because they get to the point more quickly than Korean dramas. Well, at least for me.

I was very surprised to see that 49 Days was able to snatch my attention within the first episode and I wanted to watch the next one! A miracle, indeed. I am on episode 2 and I would have gotten further but I was watching Secret Garden! :3

I know. I know. JIN! The review should be up by the end of the week at the latest. And oh my goodness, JIN 2 premieres on April 17! Gosh, I am so pumped! After that ending… Sheesh. Fortunately, the amazing team, Heiwa Fansubs, that provided subs for the first season will continue to do subs for the second. A bonus!

For my future projects, reviews for dramas will be slow and I’ll try to do more reviews on music if I can.

EOWO [3]: It’s Time to Get Medical!

Oh my gosh. I am so in love with JIN. I’ve never seen a medical or a historical drama (you can slap me now), throughout my five years of Japanese dramas. I am so bad. This drama is grand, except when they show all the surgery that Jin does. Things get nasty on my end, I nearly puked on the first episode. I tend to have overuse my imagination so I get myself nauseated when it comes to descriptive surgery scenes. I am getting use to it though! Yay, me! I believe I started this on…. Wednesday, stayed up until 11. I was so tired the next day since I had to get up at 5AM. I try to reward myself when I manage to complete my homework. On other drama news, I still need to watch Secret Garden. It seems all my friends have finished it, including Spoofnick and her mama. Still on episode 3. Haven’t budged an inch since last week. I’m also two other dramas on my plate.  Utsukushii Rinjin, Quartet, and the really long named one with Toda Erika and Miura Haruma. I saw that they were subbed so might as well watch ‘em sometime this week. Possible review, maybe even a recap. I also have half days on Thursday and Friday, so it could be possible! I know Quartet is not subbed all the way on Viki. I really wish their was a site like DramaFever for Japanese dramas. I wouldn’t have to surf the web so much for other dramas that aren’t getting subbed by a subbing group or someone. Then, I could watch Fake ~ Kyoto Bijutsu Jiken Emaki!

For those curious, I did my review for Guilty, Akuma to Keiyaku Shita Onna check it out if you wish to see the drama, there is minor spoilers so just skip on down to the OVERALL paragraph.

I had to change my theme because the other one was acting funky on my computer. It would like stretch out my page and my widgets were getting extended. So I changed it. As you can see, I moved Forthcoming page into a widget and I’ll try reviewing those Kazusa and Navi by Saturday. I was listening to Navi’s HELLO album and was surprised at how short it is. As for Kazusa, I found her on last.fm in December. A couple weeks ago I started listening to her debut album, and I love it! It came out in November of 2010. Hopefully, she releases some new material later this year because I love her sound. She definitely needs to get more fans, she is underrated! I seem to be listening to MiChi more this week. I love her “JUMP ON IT” song, it’s extremely catchy, If you feel like sh*t just jump on it!~

TOP SONGS OF THE WEEK (1/09 – 1/23)

1. Kazusa – Beautiful Soldier
2. MiChi – JUMP ON IT!
3. Janelle Monáe – Locked Inside
4. Winterplay – Cha Cha
5. MiChi – Love is

Baker King, Kim Tak Gu: Episode 27

Angst. More angst. A surprise. Than when I think it’s nearly over for one episode I get a slap across the face. Thanks Baker King for letting me know that things couldn’t get happy quite yet. We must suffer through the worse before thiings can get better! So here’s the belated recap that I promised, enjoy!

EOWO [2]: Guilty Pleasures Reemerge

I cannot believe I overlooked Guilty: Akuma to Keiyaku Shita Onna. Friday and Saturday night was filled with Guilty goodness. I manage to work my way up from episode 1 to 9 in two days. I should finish it today, unless I spend too much time studying. I have not gone in such a rampage since Personal Taste. I haven’t spent too much time watching thriller and crime Japanese drama, but Guilty packs itself good. It’s mysterious, intriguing, and complex. The elements I love about whodunit stories. I just keep coming back for more and want to uncover the mystery. It’s my first time seeing Kanno Miho and her performance is fantastic. I’m not going to give too much away since I wish to do a review, but I definitely recommend it for those who are fond of mystery.

No worries, Baker King fans that recap will be underway shortly. So expect episode 27 recap soon. The same goes for Face Maker. It’s nearly complete. Just need to get those pictures in.

On other news, Spoofnick has showed me Secret Garden. I love it so far. Currently on episode 3 and plan to watch after Guilty. Hyun Bin plays such an eccentric funny goofball, I love it! I encounter this video and cannot get enough of it. It’s too funny!

I have not started on any music reviews, maybe I’ll be able to do one this coming Friday. I really want to do Kazusa debut album, I just recently find her and have fallen in love with her voice! She is definitely underrated and not well known. I have never heard of her until I was interested in her debut album some months ago, but never really listened to it. Also, be prepared for an Artist Discovery coming this coming week. I’m thinking Japanese indie band, or Japanese solo artist. One of those two will be featured! So if you’re curious, stay tuned!

TOP SONGS OF THE WEEK (1/09 – 1/16)

1. Kazusa – Distance
2. Sesame and Cotton Candy – 이즐께
3. Chicago Poodle – ODYSSEY
4. MiChi – Love is
5. Teen Top – Supa Luv

PREVIOUS EOWO:

EOWO [1]

End of the Week Overview [1]

It’s 2011 and I need to start blogging more. I’ll update everyone on the dramas I’ve been watching (or plan to), music I’ve been listening to and plan to review,  and my future plans in reviews. This new segment of my blog is called End of the Week Overview (EOWO). Let’s begin!

I really want to watch Fake ~ Kyoto Bijutsu Jiken Emaki! It aired on Tuesday and unfortunately I have not stumbled into any forums where any subbing groups or a user has offered to sub it. Bummer! All the other Japanese dramas I wish to watch will be premiering sometime in January with the exception of Bartender, which starts February 4.  I’ll have to be patient and watch dramas from last year. So far, I have been able to get to FACE-MAKER, but only briefly because my laptop loads the video player extremely slow.  So I just fixed errors and made the summary shorter. Also, I am hoping I can get Baker King recap for episode 27 posted by the end of the month. I’ll have to try and finish that drama since I only have 2 episodes left to watch. I stopped watching it at the most intense cliffhanger! How could I?! Oh… yeah… it was my laptop that hindered my progress. Then I completely forgot about it. Oh, silly laptop.

I have started on Guilty Akuma to Keiyakushita Onna I cannot believe I had not taken a second glimpse of that drama when I saw the Juui Dolittle preview. Even though I am only half way done with the first episode, I like it. The drama stars Kanno Miho and Tamaki Hiroshi and tells a story of revenge with a slice of romance. Next on my list is The Quiz Show, I saw a small clip on it and I was interested. However, when I read the summary it intriguied me even more!

The Quiz Show features tormented characters in twelve episodes, with one common thread – the mysterious relationship between the deviant Producer and enigmatic Host of The Quiz Show. The Producer and the Host are both introduced in each episode in a dark asylum, the Producer look-ing put-together and strong, the Host ill-looking and without his memory. This short opening flashes into the dream-like set of “The Quiz Show.” Each week a new contestant comes to play on the game show – little do they know that a dark secret deep within their past will be tested throughout the game. Each contestant highlights one of the Seven Deadly Sins – pride, gluttony, wrath, greed, sloth, lust and envy. They hide their public image behind an unforgivable sin they have committed. As they are asked questions from the Host, seven questions in total, the contestants are slowly forced to reveal details of their sins – will they lie under the pressure, or will the truth of their irremissible acts set them free? -NTV

Onward to music. I’ve been listening to a bit of Korean music since I took a listen to JOO‘s mini-album Heartmade. I’m also debating if I should do a review on Infinite‘s Evolution mini-album, when they released First Invasion it was love at first listen. I may do a review on Mai Fukui‘s debut album MY SONG FOR YOU and perhaps some more if I have the time.

TOP SONGS OF THE WEEK (1/02 – 1/09)

1. Joo – 나쁜 남자 (Bad Guy)
2. JASMINE – ONE
3. Infinite – BTD (Before the Dawn)
4. Miliyah Kato – BYE BYE
5. w-inds. – Addicted to Love

Finishing 2010 with a Bang and Welcoming 2011!

[ 27, 213 views all-time | 344 (12/30) views on my busiest day]

Will Smith – Will 2K

It’s almost new year, less than nine hours for the Pacific Northwest. Let’s jam to a Will Smith track! Haha, I remember the days when I listened to his album Willennium! I’ll be enjoying the New Year with my family, so here are my greetings in advance along with my favorites of the year (after the cut):

Happy New Year! 
あけましておめでとうございます!
새해 복 많이 받으세요!

Oh, 2010, I have become quite fond of you. We had plenty of great times! I started this blog (and abandoned it, sorry), fulfilled my desire to go to Europe, obtained new and improved glasses (my other ones were in poor condition), discovered a ton load of underrated artists, and found a fun way to stay fit!  Unfortunately 2010, you did have your downsides Utada is going on indefinite hiatus, who knows when she’ll be back. AP classes are a killer, a warning would have been great. Sadly, I did not get Photoshop for Christmas as I had hoped, guess I’ll have to figure out how to work Gimp. Heh. It’s been a thrill ride 2010, but now it’s time to welcome your brother, or maybe its your sister, 2011!

I’m happy to announce we will have a new member on the site who will contribute. Her user name is to be announced sometime in January. I’m glad to have another member on the team so the site will be more diverse with its drama, especially since I do not watch a lot of Korean dramas. As I hinted, the newest member will mostly be covering Korean dramas. YAY!~

I’m awaiting the winter quarter for Japanese drama and hopefully I can keep up with one or two and possible do drama recaps if possible. It will probably be likely I’ll do a first impression and then review when the drama has ended. Oh yes, I am most likely going to do recaps of Face Maker, I’ve already started on the first episode. Let’s see how that works out. Maybe one will be out every week if I’m lucky. I would also LOVE to post this drama recap of Baker King‘s episode 27, but I cannot find a streaming site that has the episode. I already have the recap all written and polished since like… November. Not to mention I was able to get three screen caps before my laptop and charger decided to pull the whole “Let’s-burn-the-circuit” incident. Guess I will have to go snooping around for episode 27 and have the recap up by the end of January – hopefully.

Just a side note, there’s not a lot of drama favorites since I didn’t watch a ton load that 2010 had to offer…. sorry! Let’s review my favorites of the year:

Explanations, explanations….

It has been about two weeks since I have posted anything.  I have been busy and jammed with homework. I love having my days full of doing assignments and staying up late. What a wonderful life! And of course, that was sarcasm. I’m happy to say that I am switching out of one of my two AP classes. I’m hoping with this change in my school schedule I should have more free time to post and review on the blogosphere. I have tried to convince my friends to post reviews so people know that this blog is still alive while I’m away. They haven’t posted anything obviously, but I will have to consult with them to help out around Paradise. I’m crossing my fingers that they will distribute their reviews so Paradise can have more varieties in the dramas posted here. For me, my main focus is Japanese drama and I try to throw in Korean now and then. Spoofnick watches a ton of Korean dramas so I will convince her to write reviews….. One of these days….

Last week I was indulging myself in Q10 and I surprisingly like it so far. I have finished half of the first episode. As some of you may know, I have shied away from school dramas over the years. I am hoping I can review Q10 during the Thanksgiving weekend. Also, I doubt I will get my cord for my laptop by Thanksgiving. Most likely, by the end of December I will be getting it. Those wondering about Baker King, I have the drama recap for episode 27, however I cannot find any good quality videos to take screencaps. I will try to post a recap and that will be the last of Baker King because it has gotten hard to find since it stopped airing!

Teaser and Pictures for Mary Stayed Out All Night

Mary Stayed Out All Night has released stills for characters and now a teaser music video, starring all leads: Moon Geun Young, Jang Geun Seok, Kim Hyo Jin, and Kim Jae Wook. After the cut, see the video and a few stills of the characters.