The K2 review

Drama name: The K2
Country: South Korea
Year: Sep- Nov 2016

I came across this drama while seeing some comments regarding it. It was like K2, K2 ,K2... I was like what show is that?! I thought it was a K9 unit police show kind of thing at first... :D 

So, what's this drama about?

Basically it's about a guy being in the wrong place at the wrong time and saw something he should not have seen. Kim Je Ha, an ex- black ops military soldier was on the run after being falsely accused of civilian murder in Iraq. He made his way from the Middle East to Barcelona, Spain. While in the subway there he helped a young woman as she was being pursued by several men. Je Ha decided to help her as she was a fellow countryman, a Korean. But after realising the men were actually policemen, he decided to abandon her. 

Fast forward six months later, back in South Korea... Je Ha is now a banner hanger guy. He was called to fix a loose banner at night and it was there that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and saw the thing he should not have seen. Je Ha finds himself smack right in the middle of a political war between two presidential candidates- Assemblyman Jang and Assemblyman Park. 

The story goes on with Je Ha being recruited by Choi Yoo Jin, the wife of Assemblyman Jang as a bodyguard for the illicit daughter of the assemblyman. It turns out that young lady, Anna, was the same woman Je Ha left behind in Barcelona. Je Ha agrees to the job as he was bent on revenge after finding out that the rival candidate Assemblyman Park was behind the death of his ex-fiancee. 

Overall thoughts?

This drama started off with a bang. It had the cinematic feeling and I actually thought I was watching a movie at first. The first few episodes were very thrilling with the intense fight scenes. I didn't like Madam Choi Yoo Jin at first as she was the evil villain. But as the story progressed, I found myself liking her so much. To be honest, she was the reason I continued the drama. The political story was far more interesting than the romance between Je Ha and Anna. 

Best parts of the drama?

The fight scenes: Ji Chang Wook did a great job delivering those intense combat scenes. Love his long legs flying in the air... ;D You won't be disappointed! 

Uber sexy shower scene: Okay, some viewer advisory needed here... I know a lot of girls have breathing difficulties after this scene... ;P 

Umbrella scene: My favourite scene of the entire drama... Je Ha saving Madam Choi from an attempted power seizure by her family... 

Mirror: Madam Choi's very own Siri... haha! A very powerful artificial intelligence system... The interior is fascinating with the motion sensor LED lighting... 

Conclusion

Politics is always dirty. This drama touches only a bit behind the fight/ struggle/ race to the top... The story gets a bit complicated as it neared the end, it has a sub-plot within a plot and a bigger plot... Ironically, as this drama was being aired, South Korea's current female president is also under a big scandal. I wonder how it will turn out in real life... 

Madam Choi was truly the star in this drama. She played the role really well. Though she has a sad ending in this drama, I do believe that she was not an evil person at the beginning. Circumstances made her to be the woman she was in order to protect herself, her position and her power. 

Would I recommend this drama? Well, depends... If you are a hardcore romantic K-drama fan, you might love the cheesy scenes between Anna and Je Ha. But if you are like me, you'll probably find yourself skipping all those parts and just focusing on the political story. Still a worth watch, especially the fight scenes. 

With that said, let's have another look at my beautiful Madam and Je Ha! :D

She Was Pretty review

Drama name: She Was Pretty
Country: South Korea
Year: Sept- Nov 2015 

I stumbled across this drama while watching W-Two Worlds, someone commented that the two cameo characters appeared in "She Was Pretty", so I went and looked up this drama... 

So, what's this drama about?

It's about a lady named Kim Hye Jin, who has yet to secure a full-time job... She struggles working part-time at a bar and has a beautiful, rich bff name Min Ha Ri. They live together and have been best friends since young. Hye Jin was once a pretty young girl, but when she hit puberty, she became more like her father who has frizzy hair and lots of freckles. When she was younger, she had a chubby boy named Ji Seong Joon, living next door to her. Hye Jin became close with Seong Joon as he was constantly bullied by their classmates. She shared a special relationship with him and they parted ways when he had to leave for the States. 

Seong Joon is all grown up now and he came back looking for Hye Jin. The thing is, that chubby boy grew into a handsome, successful man. They were supposed to meet at the park but when Hye Jin saw him, he walked passed her as he did not recognise her at all. At that moment, she felt so ashamed and hid herself. She got her bff Ha Ri to pretend to be her and meet Seong Joon... Yup, this is where things get complicated... (because, it's drama... yes?! ;P) 

Hye Jin finally gets a job at a company but then she was loaned to another department, the Most magazine production team. To her horror, the new Deputy Editor is Seong Joon. He was sent by the New York headquarters to sort of "save" the magazine. The story goes on with how Hye Jin has to deal with Seong Joon who does not recognise her and her bff Ha Ri who eventually falls in love with Seong Joon. 

Overall thoughts?

This drama's story line definitely reminds you of Ugly Betty.  It revolves around a fashion magazine, ugly duckling girl transforms into a beautiful swan... Although there are some tweaks here and there. It's about first love, something that Koreans seem to have a big deal about. Also, the team members are not as nasty as in Ugly Betty. Even the Chief Editor Ra Ra is not b*tchy like Wilhelmina Slater. 

Actually, there is another drama which I watched earlier this year that is similar to this one as well. It's a Hong Kong TVB drama named Fashion War. Since this drama was out earlier, I would like to think that the Hong Kong version is based off this drama. 

Best parts of the drama?

The Most magazine office... (Yes, interiors again! ;D ) 

The second male lead- Jackson guy... (Played by Choi Siwon- I actually don't know who he is until my colleague told me he's from Super Junior... I'm like okay, I've heard of Super Junior but I seriously don't know anything about them) His character here is really funny and endearing. This is where you will get the 2nd lead syndrome... 

The Dr Marten's shoes ... Seriously, those shoes are awesome okay?! It's such a cliche that ugly girls only wear them and have ugly hair, wear spectacles... 

Conclusion

The ending is really sweet. Hye Jin and Seong Joon gets married and have a little girl that looks just like her mum! I think this is the first drama I've seen that the male and female lead get married and have a happy ending. Ha Ri becomes a hotelier with her own merit and has a younger man chasing after her. As for the Jackson guy, he continues his carefree life travelling the world and doing the things he love... 

I would recommend this drama if you love a sweet, light-hearted story... Although the plot is very predictable you will still have plenty of laughs from the Jackson guy... 

Shopping King Louis Episode 16 Food recap

Last episode! I can't believe this drama has ended... Ottoke! But no worries, there are endless new dramas to watch... ;D

Episode 16

1. No more plum preserve! - Mr Cha senior has finally had it with his wife's obsession with plum preserve... Hahaha!

2. Rainbow cake, Chocolate cake, Vanilla cake - The night before Mr Kim and Jung Ran's wedding, Louis takes Bok Sil out for some cake...

And he tells her not to eat too much... then why the hell did you take her there in the first place??!!

3. Fancy desserts - By the ahjumma trio, Vivian, Audrey and Cleopatra!

Notable scenes: Mr Cha as the new president of Goldline... I'm just tempted now to backtrack and screenshot all his dressing! He looks so stylish... love all his outfits...

Cute scene: The kids playing the child version of Bok Sil, Louis and Ma Ri...

That's all! The end.... Thanks for stopping by, until the next K-drama! Ahnyeong!!

That is one cute notebook. I'm sure it will sell by the loads after this drama...

Shopping King Louis Episode 14 -15 Food recap

Episode 14

1. American breakfast - Comprised of sausages, bacon and eggs. Louis offers to cook but in the end, Bok Sil was more tired than he was because she kept picking up after him! Poor girl...

2. Grilled meat and seafood - Louis kept a plate of food grilled by himself, he wanted Bok Sil to only eat the food he prepared...

Notable scenes: The handsome model Detective... Haha! And Mr Cha with Bruce Lee's signature jumpers running around the field with Abba's song in the background!

More of the watch product placement, this time on Mr Cha's hand:

My favourite scene: Perfect! 

Episode 15

1. Porridge - Bok Sil rescued after attempted kidnap by Mr Goo... 

2. Warm milk - Mr Kim brings Louis a glass of warm milk to help him sleep after the night's ordeal... 

3. Ramyeon - This series has so many ramyeon scenes... I wonder if it is sponsored by the ramyeon company?! 

Notable scene: Bok Sil's hair after Louis offers to tie it for her and the four maids... 

Unwanted scene: Why did the writers made Grandma pass away??!! And Louis, Bok Sil told you earlier not to give shoes to ppl because it will make them go away!! 

Nice pair of heels btw. ;D

Shopping King Louis Episode 13 Food recap

Episode 13 

1. Ramyeon - Louis cooks ramyeon for the uncle.. The uncle was so worried his secret will be out but Louis being his innocent self made it quite a funny scene...

2. Jjajangmyeon & Red bean sherbet - More black bean noodles... Louis now teaches Mr Cha to ask for freebies like dumplings...

3. Korean pears - I didn't know chestnuts and pears (I think in this case the name of the farmer) means pregnant... Haha...

4. Home cooked food, Fruit cocktails & bean sprouts - Bok Sil cooks meals for Bok Nam, The three ahjummas toasting to their new friendship and the two Mr Cha's peeling the bean sprouts

5. Chocolate - Mrs Baek gives Louis some chocolates reminding him of his childhood...

Notable scenes: 

Mr Cha singing and Louis on the piano. My colleague told me that Louis- Seo In Guk is actually a singer (halfway during the series) so I wasn't surprised when he started to play the piano and sang... He really has a beautiful voice! 

Cool gadget: I haven't seen this kind of watch before... yup, I'm not rich like Louis okay?! ;P

Best scene: Agent Double Axe!! She's sooo badass! 

And the ahjumma trio: Audrey, Vivian and Cleopatra!!