Hallyu Hooray

Hyun Bin is coming to Seattle to shoot a film! I repeat, Hyun Bin is coming to Seattle to shoot a film. I found this out through an e-mail I received regarding background extras for the film. Hello, me! Pick me!

This news came in after a day of my finding out that Rain is coming to Manila soon and will be staying at a certain hotel close to the family. If he had come on any other month besides December, I would've really considered flying home for a photo-op. Sayang!

Missed Opportunity

I finally got to watch Romantic Island last night. I had already known that the movie was shot in Boracay, but I was stunned to find out that the Manila scenes were partly at the PhilippinePlazaHotel! I swear, why is my timing always wrong for such things?! Why didn't they shoot the film when my days used to consist of eating breakfast there and bumming around until Ninang had to go home in the afternoon? Ugh! I could've met LeeSeonGyoon without even trying! Sadness talaga!

Smelled The Flowers

I have finally watched and finished all 25 episodes of BoysOverFlowers (in four days!). I can now partake in all conversations, debates, and parodies pertaining to that darn show. HaHa!

BoysOverFlowers or MeteorGarden? I thought MeteorGarden was way better in explaining the depth of the characters (when the heck did I become a film major?!). MG painted a better picture of SanCai's toughness and DaoMing's temper and why those two couldn't get along (because they were both inexperienced with love...yihee). BOF also left out all the banter between the guys; I thought all the Ken and Vanness exchanges in MG were important in getting that whole "boys will be boys" point of view across to the audience.

BoysOverFlowers is for...eyecandy. HaHa! The actors, sets, and locations are just simply...all good-looking. Goodness. And really, I heart the Koreans impeccable way of layering. Magkano kaya ang laundry expenses ng isang Koreano every month (KimBum, let's do our laundry together! LeeDongWook and KimRaeWon are away for two whole years)?

Fave scene? The zoo with JunPyo flinging that kid all over the place. Classic!
Least fave F4 character? The KoreanVanness. The boy didn't have a role in that show except for "Yo, yo, yo!" Sadness!
Fave F4 character? KenChu/KimBum forever!
Song that needs to be killed and buried? That Paradise song. Ugh!

Family Outing is In

Since 2004, Korean television shows to me mean Korean dramas like FullHouse, MyGirl, and MyLovelySam-soon. But after almost five years of English-subtitle-reading marathons, I'm now addicted to a new Korean show called FamilyOuting.

"Residents from the countryside are picked and given a free vacation for one night and two days. During this time, the [cast] and various additional guests form a 'family' and look after their house, experiencing the lives of these people. They must complete different chores and jobs, and play fun & hilarious games while they're at it."

And the show is hilarious indeed. So hilarious that I've found myself spending the weekends catching up on episodes (YouTube rocks!) and laughing out loud like a lunatic.

See, this is why I dig Korean TV shows more than Filipino TV shows: they're so original. While Philippine TV networks pride themselves in bringing home localized versions of foreign TV shows (like PinoyFactor, BigBrother, and Tagalized versions of Korean dramas), Korean TV networks seem to always think outside the box. I mean, take the concept for FamilyOuting. Who in the Philippines would've thought of bringing eight celebrities together, sending them off to the countryside for the weekend every week, and having them do chores that they wouldn't normally do on a regular basis? Genius. Add in a philanthropic spin to it and voila: one can't help but find meaning amongst all the craziness that goes into the show.

Pilipinas, get with the program and quit making foreign production companies richer. If you're really serious about all this network rivalry that's been going on forever, then do something about the quality and originality of your shows. Otherwise, I might be stuck in Korean TV land for a little while longer.

Jumong-ed Out

I did it! I finally finished watching Jumong, all 81 episodes! This is a big accomplishment from someone who starts getting antsy after 10 episodes of a Korean drama. So, how did I do it? Three words: Song.Il.Gook. Though, I only think he's hot when he's wearing his Jumong ensemble. (Anyone know who played "Songju" on the show? He's hot, too.)

I felt like half of my life passed by watching that show and I'm sure reading all those subtitles during a span of 6 months did something to my eyesight. I think I'll go ahead and find a new hobby for spring and summer; let's save Jewel in the Palace for next fall and winter. ;P

KPoppin'

You know what I've been wondering about for a few days now? I've been wondering if people in Korea can hold their own on the dance floor. It would suck if the country has all these great pop songs with great beats, but no one dances to them in the clubs. Sadness!

I never really got into Kpop because I wasn't into listening to songs that I can't understand (and guys with funky, dyed haircuts are just not my thang), but Pen's persistence has paid off. I've always liked Rain ever since I saw his "It's Raining" video in 2004 and for three years now, Kpop to me equaled Rain. Well, I've recently added Se7en to that category and two days ago, Shinhwa's 8th album made its way into my heart. My goodness, the fast songs from these artists are just the greatest! They make me want to go back to Korea and re-live my dream of being a backup dancer! HaHa! English teacher by day, backup dancer by night. Hmm...it's a good thing I'm over my quarter-life crisis or else my parents have something new to worry about. HaHa!

If anyone has Shinhwa's first six albums, kindly let me know. I would appreciate them very much...very, very much.

Fantastic Finds

I may not have had lunch with Mayie on our birthday this year, nor did I eat dinner with friends and co-workers, but rest assured that I was in good company today thanks to these two:

I got them for $30 each on eBay last week and they arrived today in like-new condition. They totally made my birthday! Now I wonder how many more sleepless nights I'll be having trying to get my very own copies of My Girl and My Lovely Sam Soon.

P.S. Is it just me or YesAsia boxsets have gotten ugly and cheap-looking? I remember when Pen showed me her Hotelier boxset (circa 2004) and I was wowed by the packaging/design. Nowadays, YA boxsets come in plastic cases with ugly inserts. Boo!

He's Coming

Oh my goodness! He's coming!

(Breathe in, breathe out)

After oh so many weeks of waiting (for that darn website to be updated), it turns out that Rain will be in Japan when I'm there (well, as long as I strategize!). This is the greatest going away gift ever! Ever, I tell you!

Or I can also try to catch him in Taiwan at the end of this month...but I don't know anyone who can buy me an advance ticket there so maybe that's not a good idea.

God, I have to see this boy live before I leave Asia! Please, please, please!