Japanese movie Spring Snow VCD

Set in Japan 1912-1926 following Kiyoaki and Satoko as they grow from children and their relationship and feelings for each other. Even whilst young, Satoko's father disapproves of Kyoaki because of the behavior of his father, and tries to prevent Satoko falling for him. However, he fails in this Kiyoaki does not feel as strongly for Satoko at first, and even uses her to play a joke on his friend Shigekuni. As they grow older however, and others begin to take interest in Satoko, Kiyoaki falls in love with her. Kiyaki realizes that he is deeply in love with Satoko when it is too late, as she has already accepted a marriage proposal from another man.

Korean Movie Drama OST Winter Sonata

One of the first Korean serials that I watched. Of course this was also the serial that got me interested in Bae Yong Joon. Having watched a few more Korean love stories after "Winter Sonata", I'm beginning to wonder if Koreans are extreme people (sorry, this is not meant to demean the Koreans). From the serials that I've watched so far, they're either very very good or really really bad. Very sadistic and cruel.

Thanks to Bae and the lovely winter scenes, this serial is watch-able. However, the ending is like one viewer said, "blah". Why can't love stories end happily? Why must there be a downside to lovers who have suffered already? Really, I beg you, Korean scriptwriters, producers and directors, not to twist our hearts until there is no more joy and optimism in us. Let's get realistic. Viewers need a balance - so if we have been crying buckets earlier on in the show, let us at least have a memorable happy ending.

Choi Ji Woo is pretty in "Winter Sonata" but since this review comes after I've just completed viewing her other serial, Stairway to Heaven, I could not help but think she lacks varied expressions. She has this very sad, and sometimes bland-looking, face with a slight smile. This may not put her in good stead since the roles she can play are then limited. If I see that face again, I'm going to think: Oh no, not another sad show. Well, I sure hope to change my view of her acting ability.

Bae, needless to say, is a heart stealer. He has this face that suits glasses. Well done, Bae! I hope to see more of you.

Korean Movie & Original Soundtrack Princess Hours OST

Based on a comic book series, "Princess Hours" fictionalizes that Korea is still ruled by a royal family today.

As fairy tales go, the Crown Prince Lee Shin (acted by Joo Ji-hoon) is betrothed to Chae-gyeong (played by Yoon Eun-hye), a commoner. Apparently the grandparents of Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong were good friends and had made the pact before their deaths. Again as tales go, the betrothed couple do not like each other initially.

As love stories go, there must be a third party and "Princess Hours" throws in two third parties, one for the guy and one for the girl. So things get a little complicated. The third party for Lee Shin is Min Hyo-rin (acted by Song Ji-hyo) and the third party for Chae-gyeong is Lee Yul (acted by Kim Jeong-hoon). Yul, by the way, is Lee Shin's cousin, and the rightful heir to the throne had his father been alive. In a twist of fate, Yul and his mother had to leave the palace after his father died but they return to stake their rightful claim.

Understandably, "Princess Hours" is loved by the young generation of today because it uses the language of the day. The slang, the actions and body language among friends and schoolmates that spell camaderie and "we are one" are appealing and down-to-earth. The fictionalized work combining modern day Korea and the lifestyle of the common people with the protocols and stuffiness in a traditional (well, not quite, since the Emperor and some of the court staff are dressed in modern attire) monarchy setting is interesting and provide food for thought of what if indeed this is true today?

Korean Drama & Original Soundtrack My Girl

Synopsis by C Miquel :

In an effort to fulfill his dying grandfather's wish, Seol Gong-chan (LEE Dong wook) searches all of Pan Asia looking for his cousin; the daughter of his aunt which his grandfather had disowned. All leads turn up empty until he finds a doppelganger in tour guide/ hustler/ swindler Ju Yu-rin (SBS 2005 Performance Award Winner LEE Da Hae). He persuades her to pretend to be his cousin so his grandfather can die peacefully knowing that his granddaughter is alive and well.

Things take an unexpected turn as her 'appearance' causes his grandfather's condition to improve significantly and regain his health. Fearful that they both will be found out and needing to keep up the charade, Yu-rin moves in with his family.

From here, things get dicey as Gong-chan has to pretend that Yu-rin is his cousin, his affection for her gets blurred. It doesn't help that his ex-girlfriend, pro-tennis player Kim Seohyun (Park Si Yeon) re-enters his life wanting to mend their broken love and his womanizing friend Seo Jung Woong has set his sights on Yu-rin.

The comedy, albeit, rather cheesy at times, is still fairly entertaining. It's execution is a lot smarter then my initial perceptions that even its slapstick means something and is not just a sight gag. And even amidst the comedy, the serious dramatic moments are never a jolt.
At the heart of the series is this notion of lying to ones self in order to survive. For Yu-rin, lying is second nature, something Gong-chan has not needed to do because everything was provided for him. Add forbidden emotions to the mix and lying and telling the truth respectively becomes more difficult than they realize.

Da Hae's tortured liar Yu-rin would be considered the straight character amidst her wacky 'real' family and the wacky character amidst her straight 'bogus' family. It's an odd line to walk, but somehow Da Hae pulls it off without losing the audiences' attention. Dong-wook's Gong-chan deteriorates from a straight as an arrow dull workaholic to irresponsible, footloose rogue very convincingly. But perhaps the performance prize goes to the Joon Ki's womanizing Jung woong, who gets a taste of his own bitter medicine that continuously eats him up inside.

Korean TV Drama My Lovely Sam-Soon & Sound Track

Synopsis of My Lovely Sam-Soon :

Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah) is a baker who has a talent in making cakes and many other desserts. On Christmas Eve, she caught her boyfriend, Min Hyun Woo (Lee Kyu Han), cheating on her and breaks up on the same night.

On that same night, she accidentally went into the men's bathroom and cries in a stall, meeting a hotel owner's son named Hyun Jin Hun (Hyun Bin), a somewhat callous fellow but sometimes considerate guy. By some freak coincidence, Jin Hun needs a baker for his restaurant Bon Appetit and Sam Soon is unemployed. There, she is hired as their restaurant's cheif baker.

After a couple of days, she goes on a blind date and Jin Hun is also at the same place she is having her blind date. To annoy Sam Soon, Jin Hun ruin's her blind date and Sam Soon gets mad. Jin Hun doesn't want to upset her and wants to apologize so he follows her all day until Sam Soon gets drunk at a small eating place. Jin Hun carries her on his back to his apartment and spends the night there.

Then in the morning, Jin Hun's mom comes to his apartment and sees Sam Soon on the bed, thinking they slept together. So Jin Hun makes her his fake girlfriend to fool his mom. Sam Soon slowly falls in love with Jin Hun and gets even more intense when his ex-girlfriend Yoo Hee Kin (Jung Ryu Won) suddenly appears and ends up fighting for Jin Hun's heart.