Midnight Foodstore Episode 32- 34 review

[Episodes 32- 34] Forget-me-not

Featured food: Ginger Fried Rice

Here is another episode which deals with social issues, this time about dementia or Alzheimer... (I forgot the translation! ^_^V) It was a bit difficult to watch this story because it reminded me of my family members who had suffered from it and had passed on... :'( 

The story starts with a middle-aged woman named Hai Fen dancing with one of the regular diners Ma Ling Ling, outside the midnight diner. :D Some funny moments here when Ah Xian tries to flirt with Hai Fen and got dismissed as being her son. Haha! 

Hai Fen is a divorcee and her daughter is getting married soon. She meets with her daughter, Xiao Li and her daughter's fiance, Jack. It's nice to see a familiar face, Jack has appeared in the Taiwanese drama Metro of Love. They met at the midnight diner to discuss about the marriage preparations and while they were there, the diner boss prepared for them the ginger fried rice. 

Hai Fen and her daughter goes shopping for items and Hai Fen had forgotten that she had already bought a set of cutlery the day before. Xiao Li and Jack realises that their mother is suffering from early onset of Alzheimer's. Hai Fen actually knows about this but she has kept it a secret from her daughter. 

More wedding preparations are underway, this time with Xiao Li's father, Li Kai. Li Kai has a new girlfriend and they meet up at the diner to discuss things. Haha, seems like the midnight diner is a famous place for discussions! Hai Fen has to face her ex-husband and had some disagreement with his new girlfriend regarding the wedding card... Oh dear... 

Li Kai wondered what was wrong with his ex-wife and Xiao Li finally told her father that her mum was suffering from the disease. Feeling remorse or somewhat? I don't really get this, maybe he still loved Hai Fen and somehow their marriage fell apart or something... Nevertheless, he found out about it and rushes to his ex-wife's side. Haha, some making-out part here... ;D 

Moving on with the wedding preparations, a sweet moment at the wedding dress shop... Xiao Li looks so pretty and Hai Fen too! Jack is looking handsome as well... :D

Meanwhile, Li Kai was still feeling distraught after learning about his ex-wife's disease. He goes to the midnight diner and the diner boss serves him the ginger fried rice. He took a bite and realises that the taste is the same as his ex-wife's fried rice. The diner boss explained that one day, Hai Fen came to his diner and taught him how to fry the rice. She did so because she was afraid she will forget how to make it and her ex-husband wouldn't be able to eat it anymore. Aww... 

Hai Fen's disease seemed to have gotten worse, one night while she was out shopping she suddenly couldn't remember anything. She felt so lost and started crying. Omoo! :'(( This part made me sad because there was one day that my mum came out of the kitchen with the same facial expression as Hai Fen. It scared me, she said at that moment she didn't know what, who or where she was... :O

The wedding day finally arrived but during the ceremony, Hai Fen had a break down and started blabbing nonsense. Her disease had struck her at the wrong moment... 

This story is quite stressful eh?! ;D Well, it does deal with reality... Li Kai's new girlfriend confronts Hai Fen. She thinks that Hai Fen is doing it on purpose to get her ex-husband back. But in the end, she left with words that will ring in her heart forever... Hai Fen said what good will you get if you forget everything and everyone that you love? Tough words... so sad...huhu.. The new girlfriend leaves Li Kai and he moves back in with Hai Fen to take care of her... 

Actually, the whole family stayed by Hai Fen's side. They labelled items around the house, took photos of themselves and pasted it on the fridge for Hai Fen to read whenever she forget them. Funny moment here where Jack wants a group hug too! 

Hmm, a sad ending for this story... I'm not sure if Hai Fen commit suicide or she was just wandering in her old memories and it ends with her reminiscing the romantic moment where Li Kai proposes to her by the beach... :'(( 

I've not had ginger fried rice before. But during the episode, it is stated that it helps with aches and pains during the cold months...something like that, I think! :P Feeling hungry now, I guess any type of fried rice would be great! ;D 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 31- 32 review

[Episodes 31- 32] Noona love

Featured food: Curry rice

Haha!! Yasss, something close to my heart... ;D Well, this is the opposite of the previous story about the old man and young woman. However, the difference is that there's no dirty stuff involved... just a pure and simple crush. Aww! 

This episode features of the regular diners, Ai Ma Shi or Hermes. She is a single woman who works in an advertising agency. She is part of the three single ladies seen in much of this diner series always hanging out eating and gossiping... Haha! 

Anyways, the story starts off with the lunar new year's eve... Where everyone would have gone home to their respective hometowns to celebrate the reunion dinner together. Hermes is at the diner as she didn't go back that year. The atmosphere at the diner was really empty and lonely, the diner boss tells her to wait for the rest to arrive... 

Hermes stares into space recalling her love story with a younger guy named Xiao Ai. Yes, you guessed right... it's the same cute delivery guy that appeared in the earlier episodes of this series! Yayy!! XD He was delivering a mobile phone one night at the diner and it turns out that one of the regulars there was his landlord. Xiao Ai decides to grab a bite and as he sat down, he noticed Hermes's coat was touching the floor. He folded it and placed it nicely on the chair. Oh yeah, Hermes was instantly attracted to him... Haha! 

Now, Xiao Ai is a very hardworking young man. He works many part time jobs, which include day and night time deliveries. He even walks dogs! I wonder how many bicycles does he have..

One night, Hermes was at the diner crying her heart out as she was having a hard time at work. It seemed like she had to resign and had no mood to eat. As she was leaving the diner, Xiao Ai came in with a depressed looking lady. Hermes immediately came back in... Haha!! 

Some nights later, as bad luck seem to hit you once you're down... Damn! :'( Hermes twisted her ankle while walking. She remembered that Xiao Ai runs a night time delivery and calls for him. He arrives thinking to pick up a package but apparently the package is Hermes herself! Haha, too cute... He cycles her home that night... 

Not clear how Hermes persuaded Xiao Ai to tag along with him doing the night deliveries. I mean, it's not easy cycling with another person in tow on the same bike! But it was their sweet moments together where they encountered all sorts of people. Some happy ones, sad ones, horny ones and some sweet family ones. I really like this part where they feature the job trade as a delivery person... 

They stopped for a quick bite one night at a food truck. Hermes noticed the Polaroid photos on the board there and it was Xiao Ai with another guy that looks exactly like him. Turns out it was his twin brother. Xiao Ai tells her about his story... Omoo... sad moments here... Xiao Ai and his brother were out mountain climbing and there was an earthquake. His twin brother passed away and ever since then Xiao Ai had been wanting to go back there to search for his brother's soul. Well, something like trying to fulfil his brother's last wish to climb the mountain. 

Hermes then understood why Xiao Ai would always order two servings of everything and the reason behind him working so hard... He was saving money to make that journey happen. Yes, she knew he would be leaving her soon... Nuuu! :'(( 

Alas, the time has come for him to leave. I think this was the sweetest part of the episode... Xiao Ai gave her a goodbye kiss on the cheek. Anyone screaming or crying yet?! ;D Heart break yo... 

Back to the present, everyone starts streaming into the diner. Diner boss gets the steamboat rolling while Hermes smiled thinking about her young love... Yeah, it's a bitter sweet ending to this story. Xiao Ai finally makes it up the mountain while Hermes is left wondering if he will ever return ... Aww...

They didn't feature much on the food in this episode. Curry rice was something that Xiao Ai shared with his brother during the mountain climb, and his brother promised him that they will eat it once they get down the mountain safely but sadly only Xiao Ai survived. So each time when he eats it, it brings another meaning for him. Oh so sad! :'(

Midnight Foodstore Episode 29- 31 review

[Episodes 29- 31] Spicy stir fry pork

Featured food: Szechuan style stir fry shredded pork with fish sauce and ginger

When you are about to throw in the towel on this series, they go and insert a guy which you like! ;D This episode features a famous Taiwanese singer/ actor named Richie Jen... Yayyy! 

One night, the diner boss receives a call for a reservation at the diner. It was from the office of the famous food critic, Wei Ran. The diner boss tried to tell them that the dish which they want is not available as it is not in season. Stubborn enough, Wei Ran did come to the diner only to leave after several minutes there. As he was leaving the diner, a busker came bursting in... Yes, it's Richie Jen! "Hello everybody!!" XD

Wei Ran recognises him immediately and decides to stay on. The busker is actually Gao Yuan, who used to be his neighbour and he looked upon him as a bigger brother... Hyung! Aww... Gao Yuan doesn't recognise him and ordered the Szechuan dish which he shared with Wei Ran later. Wei Ran was so happy to have met his long lost neighbour brother... 

Back to Wei Ran's world of food critic, he is a host and judge of a reality TV series named Devil's Kitchen. Ikr! Haha!! The latest season is underway and he finds himself in hot soup when one of the contestants blackmails him. She has evidence of him sleeping with a previous season's contestant and wants him to make her the champion of this season. He has no choice but to comply to her request...  

Meanwhile, Gao Yuan is a busker who works at a small neighbourhood restaurant. The business there wasn't so good and Gao Yuan decides to ask Wei Ran for some help by appearing at the restaurant to boost business. Wei Ran agrees but again he is blackmailed by that lady contestant... Dayum, what's up with this b*??!! She says that he is endorsing her restaurant and cannot appear at some neighbourhood food stop which will bring her business a bad name. *rolls eyes* 

As a result, Wei Ran didn't appear at Gao Yuan's workplace as agreed... But Gao Yuan saw him on the street arguing with that b*... Oh no... 

Wei Ran was in bad mood already and when Gao Yuan confronted him, he sort of let out all of his frustrations on Gao Yuan. He said he was disappointed in him that he's just a lousy busker with no future or money... Ouch.... ;'( Gao Yuan took it in stride smiling and disappeared from Wei Ran's life after that. Wei Ran felt so bad for saying all those things he tried to find Gao Yuan at the midnight diner but he was nowhere to be found. As usual, the diner boss becomes the counsellor... Haha! 

Wei Ran decides to clear everything up one and for all... He gave the wrong secret ingredient to the blackmail woman on purpose and she was shocked. She didn't win the title and starts to threaten Wei Ran. He replies her do it, he didn't care anymore as he was going to resign from the food critic world. Yeah!! In her face man... :D

Ah, it's a good ending everyone... Wei Ran finds Gao Yuan again, he was busking at a local park. Together, they started a restaurant which serves their favourite Szechuan dish. Surprisingly, the blackmail b* actually becomes good too! Haha!! She visits the midnight diner to eat the same dish and realises that food is about sincerity and honesty.... Oh wow... mind blown ya? ;DD 

Overall it's an okay episode, the big stars saved it somewhat. Richie Jen is reprising his role as the cool and casual guy from his movie Summer Holiday, which is nice. Lots of singing and happy vibes... Haha! I must say he still looks good even with grey hair, can't believe he's 51 years old! Wow... 

Not too sure about the featured food, from the translation it says that it is a fish flavoured shredded pork. But from the looks of the final dish, it has ginger strips in it too. Nevertheless, it's a spicy Szechuan dish... It looks yummy though! 

Mood of the Day Korean review

Movie name: Mood of the Day
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan 2016

Someone posted a thread review about this movie on the Disqus Korean channel which I am following, the plot seemed interesting and it captured my interest so I decided to give it a go. ;D

So,what's this movie about?

Bae Soo Jung is a team leader for a cosmetics company. She needs to secure a brand ambassador for her company in order to get a prime location at the department store to display the company's products. The company wanted to get the top basketball star named Kang Jin Chul to sign with them so she had to go to Busan to find him. 

Meanwhile, Kim Jae Hyun is a talent manager for an agency which manages basketball athletes. He is good friends with Kang Jin Chul and wanted Jin Chul to join NBA in the U.S. However, Jin Chul is not interested in NBA and Jae Hyun was also heading to Busan to try to convince him. 

As fate will be in all romantic stories... :D Soo Jung and Jae Hyun were sitting with each other in the train to Busan. (Hahaha! No zombies here...) Jae Hyun actually spotted Soo Jung earlier in the train station and when he saw her again, he started to hit on her. Well, Jae Hyun is actually a player, someone who sleeps around with many women.... 

He says to Soo Jung casually that she would sleep with him in Busan and she was horrified. Now, Soo Jung is in a 10-year relationship and it was shocking to hear such things. She tries to avoid him in the train but then she overheard his phone conversation regarding Kang Jin Chul. She follows Jae Hyun after that in hopes to get the contract signed. 

The rest of the movie goes on with their cutesy and funny moments in Busan trying to find Jin Chul and finally having a one night stand together. 

Overall thoughts?

It's a light, cute and fluffy rom-com movie. It has some nice autumn scenery and some famous places... i.e. the temple as featured in Temperature of Love as well. The plot is predictable but nevertheless I enjoyed it very much. 

Best parts of the movie?

I think the conversation between Soo Jung and Jae Hyun about one night stand and sex/ love is rather interesting...

There was this funny scene too... XD

And the sweet scene after their first "failed" one night stand... Jae Hyun didn't realise that he was falling for Soo Jung already... aww...

Notable scene

The highlight of their one night fling.... Haha... Soo Jung and Jae Hyun finally makes out in the community basketball/ gym building... Seriously, it's quite weird that the building isn't locked at night and wouldn't the place have cctvs?! But dayum yeah, just watch it for the hot steamy kisses! XD

Conclusion

They parted ways after their one night together... It was rather sad at the train station, but yeah it's a one night stand after all, no? ;'(

Don't cry just yet! It's a happy ending... ;D Jae Hyun finally accepts Jin Chul's decision not to join NBA and resigns from the agency. But there is good news, Jin Chul signs Jae Hyun as his own manager/ CEO and also the contract with Soo Jung's cosmetics company. 

Jae Hyun drops off the contract but then overhears a conversation at the cafe between Soo Jung and her friends. Soo Jung said that he was just a one night stand and it didn't mean anything. Jae Hyun was heartbroken...omoo!! 

Anyways not sure how long later that Soo Jung read the note which Jae Hyun left with the contract and it ends with the usual running to catch the person before he/ her leaves... Hahah! But this time it's not the airport, but the train station. Soo Jung manages to catch Jae Hyun at the Busan train station and this time, she's the one saying to sleep with him that night. The end! XD 

Afterthought

While watching this movie, I am reminded of someone recently. The main lead guy is actually a bastard if you think carefully, he casually sleeps with any women that catches his interest and even forgets the women he has slept with... Without any regrets or anything, he lives his life fulfilling his needs and desires. 

The conversation between him and the female lead is similar to the one we had as well. Although it wasn't about one night stand, it was about sleeping with the person you like... I said you don't necessary have to sleep with the person if you like them, and his response was it's not a crime to sleep with the person if you like them... Omggg haha! And one of his lines was exactly like this... 

This movie challenges you about values such as having one night stands vs long term relationships... And how love can strike at the strangest moments... falling in love with someone you just met and didn't know much of... 

Some of my online friends told me this, which is rather true... 

I am still pondering on this person's thoughts and views about life and relationships, love and sex... Strangely enough, I actually do feel moved just like Soo Jung.... But I guess I won't have the same happy ending like the movie... (Well, in real life there isn't any happy endings anyway) The person has disappeared from my life... Maybe someday he will be back... But yeah, you wouldn't want to end up with a player/ womaniser like that anyway... ;P