Winter Lovers
DREAM HIGH
-What I loved:
- The music: The soundtrack is to die for. Every freaking song is awesome! I hadn't heard an OST album this good since, You're Beautiful. But I think it even tops that.
- The cast: Was my sole reason for even watching Dream High. Seeing that I'm a huge fan of 2PM, IU, Miss A and recently Eunjung of T-ARA. I also liked fresh face Kim Soo Hyun, who offered up a new look into actors with multiple talents (though he still needs work when performing live).
- The story: Is relateble and touching. I felt compassion for almost all of the characters, especially Song Sam Dong, whose story is the most moving of the main characters. There was a real since of growth from series as a whole.
- The characters: Were great to watch. I loved every couple, even the ones within the "adult" cast.
- Well there wasn't really anything I hated about this series. I just felt the ending left things a little too open. I would prefer a clear and concise end to stories of any kind. Like, what happens to the couples? Are they couples? That was the only thing I didn't like. Oh, and Eun Jung's character sometimes.
-Cast:
- Kim Soo Hyun as Song Sam Dong
- Ok Taecyeon as Jin Guk
- MISS A Suzy as Go Hye Mi,
- T-ARA Eun Jung as Yoon Baek Hee
- Jang Woo Young as Jason
- IU as Kim Pil Suk
- Uhm Ki Joon as Kang Oh Hyuk
- Lee Yoon Ji as Shi Kyung Jin
-Rating: 4.8/5
MARY STAYED OUT ALL NIGHT
-What I loved:
- The music: There is nothing I love more than seeing Jang Geun Suk singing and playing the guitar. Okay, maybe there is, but not in this series. I totally fell in love with his voice all over again, and just couldn't keep myself from singing his bands' songs. The OST songs were all pretty catchy and cute, but great to listen to. I'd buy the soundtrack.
- The cast: One of the best casts the early half of 2011 had to offer. I've been a fan of Jang Geun Suk since his short haired days in Beethoven Virus, and I've always thought Kim Jae Wook was pretty darn cute since Coffee Prince. I didn't become a fan of Moon Geun Young until this series, which allowed me to see what a talent she is. But the main characters aren't the only treasures within cast. The veteran actors also offer up a lot.
- The story: Is bittersweet, if you're a person like me, who ends up falling in love with the "Other Guy". Meaning the one you know always loses in the end. Other than that, it's your standard love triangle story, but twisted with some rock music, a production company, a promise to an old friend, and topped with jealousy. See, standard. It's engaging and paced appropriately.
- The characters: The characters are a joy to watch, except the mean girl of the series (but it's our duty as viewers to hate her). Kang Moo Gyul doesn't disappoint as an arrogant musician with mommy issues. Wi Mae Ri is Innocent, yet slightly vicious. Jung In is a tough, sad, puppy, that you just want to squeeze. Hyo Jin is that -something that rhymes with Witch-.
-What I hated:
- The ending, and no, it's not what you think. It's not that it ended off bad, it's just that it ended off too open, like so much more could have been said. I mean everyone had an ending, but not really. It was kind of like: "Life goes on. Lalalalala". Ambiguity equals LAME.
-Cast:
- Moon Geun Young as Wi Mae Ri
- Jang Geun Suk as Kang Moo Gyul
- Kim Jae Wook as Byun Jung In
- Kim Hyo Jin as Seo Joon
Summertime Lovin'
HEARTSTRINGS
-What I loved:
- The music: Three words: Jung Yong Hwa. After that need I say more. Yes? Okay. Like I've been saying with the other drama OST, Heartstings gives the goods. The songs are smooth, even those of the traditional Korean instruments.
- The cast: It what's the fans of You're Beautiful have been waiting for: The reunion of Shin Woo (Jung Yong Hwa) and Mi Nam (Park Shin Hye). I was actually one of those people. It also allows early FT Island fans see Oh Won Bin again, and he's looking good (for some reason he reminds me of Jang Geun Suk is looks). I only feel Woo Ri wasn't pretty enough for her roll. I mean, she wasn't what I'd expect that character to look like. Other than that, the casting director got it right with this bunch.
- The story: Cold boy, meets warm girl. They fight. They argue. They fall in love. It's your standard plot, but there where some other great elements and given more time those aspects flushed out to their fullest would've been great. The story is sweet and sometimes sad. It's the second time a drama plot has brought tears to my eyes that actually flowed out. Jung Yong Hwa has a promising future in acting.
- The characters: Sweet and lovable.
-What I hated:
- Hee Joo. I felt she wasn't good enough for Yeo Joon. In fact I had hoped Yeo Joon would end up with Kyu Won's friend, they seemed more compatible to me. I also didn't like Yoon Soo, the main villain of this tale. She was quite wishy-washy (you can't have your cake and eat it too). I also hate the fact that because it suffered low rating on the station it was broad casted they cut it short. It didn't deserve that.
-Cast:
- Jung Yong Hwa as Lee Shin
- Park Shin Hye as Lee Kyu Won
- Kang Min Hyuk as Yeo Joon
- Chung Sang Ui as Kim Suk Hyun
- Woo Ri as Han Hee Joo
- So Yi Hyun as Jung Yoon Soo
OJAKGYO FAMILY
-What I love:
- The story: A family on a rollercoaster of problems, and a girl sitting at the top of it. I love this story. Granted I was slightly mislead by the preview, which hinted at a love triangle type situation, but notheless it's all awesome. It's the kind of drama that will have you hating everyone at one point, then loving them the next. It's a plethora of plots, each one engaging as the last.
- The cast: Will change your mind. I used to be a Uee hater, but now I see her charm. The girl is sweet. Joo Won, I just thought he was cute, still think that and want to see more. In all, the actors play there characters well. If they didn't the drama would fall flat.
- The characters: You hate 'em and you love 'em. Period.
-What I hate:
- Get's repetitive towards the end. Thanks to the monumental ratings, the drama was extended 10 or so episodes, which lead to a few unnecessary moments and a lot of repeated dialogue.
-Cast:
- After School UEE as Baek Jaeun
- Joo Won as Hwang Tae Hee
- Ryu Su Yeong as Hwang Tae Bom
- Kim Ja Ok as Park Bok Ja
- Yeon Ujin as Hwang Tae Pil
- Jeong Ungin as Hwang Tae Sik
- Baek Il Seop as Hwang Chan Sik
- Choi Jeon Gyun as Cha Su Yeong
- Jun Mi Sun as Kim Mi Suk
Lonely Autumn Love
FLOWER BOY RAMEN SHOP
-What I love:
- The story: Is cute, even the opening sequence is so cute! This show is like a mix of two of my favorite dramas. It's Coffee Prince meets Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers/ Boys Before Flowers). It's funny, sweet, and sometimes a bit sad. It's the type of show that will have you rooting for both guys at the same time. The story is very captivating.
- The cast: Is so freaking hot! Now, I have never watched a drama with any of these actors, but after this, I'm so going to. The guys in this show are some of the best eye candy the end of 2011 could have offered. Lee Ki Woo, is the definition of Korean, tall, dark, and freaking handsome! Park Min Woo, is practically a Jay Park doppelganger, with is cute smile. Not to take away from Lee Chung Ah, who is cute in her own right and just really brings to life Eun Bi's character. Watching this your eyes are sure to be happy.
- The characters: Are cute. Cha Chi Soo totally reminds me of Tsukasa (Junpyo), except he isn't as dumb, but still pretty stupid. However, under his high and mighty ways lies a really sweet guy. Speaking of sweet Choi Gang Hyuk is the best husband EVER! I just love him, enough said. Kim Ba Wool is a bad boy with a pure heart, too bad his love isn't as pure (you're dumb Yoon So Yi). But in all, the characters are all pretty great.
- The music: There really isn't any, but the background music is really nice, and the opening diddy is as cute as the series.
-What I hate:
- I don't really hate anything, other than myself for going back and forth between Chi Soo and Gang Hyuk. So, I guess I don't hate anything at all. Wait, that's a lie; I do hate something. I hate that it ended.
-Cast:
- Jung Il Woo as Cha Chi Soo
- Lee Chung Ah as Yang Eun Bi
- Lee Ki Woo as Choi Gang Hyuk
- Park Min Woo as Kim Ba Wool
I'M A FLOWER, TOO
-What I love:
- The cast: Is fan-freaking-tastic! Three words: Yoon Si Yoon. Need I say more. I didn't even know an actor like him existed. I will say this, he can cry on a dime! And it's damn good. Lee Ji Ah, or should I say Doo Ru Mi [Beethoven Virus]. I haven't seen her in a while, looks like she's gotten better since BV. Everyone in this series did amazing at being funny and serious. It was a well balanced meal, except with acting.
- The story: I cannot express my love and obsession for this series. The chemistry between the main characters is the best! I, like many others probably, started out only wanting to watch for B2ST's Kikwang, but let me tell you something, he will not be the reason you stay and grow obsessed. I didn't know Yoon Si Yoon, but I love him now. The story is fresh, fun, sad, cute, and just amazing! It's all the things that drew me to kdramas, so JUST WATCH IT! It does not disappoint. Also has one of the best damn on screen kiss scenes I have ever seen!
- The characters: Are awesome. Need to say more.
-What I hate:
- Representative Park. She was a bitch 'til the end. Sorry for the flagrant language, but if the shoe fits. She'll go down in my -most hated drama villains for life- book. Also I felt because they cut it by an episode the writers were reaching a bit with the last episode. The wrap-up was a little too quick handed.
-Cast:
- Yoon Si Yoon as Seo Jae Hee
- Lee Ji Ah as Officer Cha Bong Sun
- Lee Ki Kwang as Officer Jo and Pink Chicken
- Han Go Eun as Representative Park
- Seo Hyo Rim as Gim Dal
- Jo Min Ki as Park Tae Hwa
Special Mention:
Ikemen Desu, Ne? (romantic-comedy, J-Drama)
The Musical (melodrama)
Man of Honor/Young Love Jae In/Glory Jane (melodrama)
The Princess' Man (melodrama, romance)
Baby-Faced Beauty (romantic-comedy) Spy Myeong Wol (romantic-comedy)
City Hunter (romantic-comedy, action)
What's Up (melodrama, musical)
