July 30, 2012
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Well, I’m glad I don’t have the Travel channel, cause my must-visit list would be way too long. I was looking at an old Traveler magazine and found an article about Slovenia. It is incredibly beautiful, low-key, and not very well known. I like that. When I went to Paris in 2003 I whined about seeing so many Americans. It was a little silly to feel that way considering I was there as well. If I go to Slovenia that will not be a problem. Slovenia is bordered by Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and Austria. It has a little coastline on the Adriatic Sea. In Slovenia I would go hiking in the Alps (err…not too high though), sail on Lake Bled, eat a lot, visit a castle, take pictures of old-time looking farms with cute sheep, soak at a sauna, and cross the border into Italy at least once. Here a a few more tantalizing photos 🙂 Continue reading
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July 28, 2012
If you know anything about Bollywood movies, you’re sure to know about Shahrukh and Kajol. They’re the equivalent of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, or Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (ouch). According to the internet they’ve starred together in 6 movies, including Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge, which ran for over 15 years in theatres! This movie couple’s chemistry is AMAZING. I’ve even had to look away during the more intense parts, not that they ever kiss! I’m currently watching Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (taking a break since its 3.5 hours!) and just had to stop and post about them. Also, I’d love to meet someone like Shahrukh. He comes across as this perfect blend of manliness, vulnerability, charm, and devotion with eyes that stare in your very soul. Superwoman from youtube was right. Bollywood movies are EVIL!
July 26, 2012
Well, after watching Big’s finale I wanted to do a little post on my favorite kdrama couples. This are the 5 that made me anticipate their every interaction, die from the cuteness, crumpled and stomped on my heart, and made me believe in love. Here they are in the order that I viewed them.
Han Gyul and Eun Chan– The Coffee Prince couple made me laugh, swoon, and feel exhausted. I remember walking around my apartment feeling as if someone stuck a blower drying inside my chest and set it on high heat. I was amazed at how much I felt their pain, especially Han Gyul’s (Gong Yoo). I needed them to be together so badly, despite wanting to marry Han Gyul myself. It was awesome and I won’t forget them.
Chae Kyung and Shin– Okay, the Goong/Princess Hours couple was probably infuriating for many kdrama veterans. However, Goong was only my third OTP (one true paring) ever and I was completely smitten by the story and the couple. I found Chae Kyung completely endearing and sympathetic. And I just begged Shin to open up to her. He could be really mean, but I kept rooting for them. I still think about them sometimes!
Eun Ho and Dong Jin– The Alone in Love couple was very unique in dramaland. They had already been married and divorced, yet stayed friends. They thought their friendship was simply out of habit, guilt, and because of sharing a terrible experience. Eun Ho and Dong Jin didn’t know their need for each other wasn’t just a crutch hindering future relationships and happiness. Alone in Love wrecked me good.
Chae Ohk and HwangBo (Naeuri)– What can I say…Damo sits like a thorn in my heart, but I want it there. Chae Ohk loved someone else, but would lay down her life without hesitation for her Naeuri. Naeuri was noble, intelligent, brave, and responsible, but would throw all his accomplishments away for a slave. In fact, dying for her would be an honor. DAEBAK.
Yeo Chi and Yoo Bang– I luft my History of the Salaryman couple so so so much. They were hilarious and each scene crackled with their spunky chemistry. Sadly, I think they were cheated out of more romance/cute times because Jung Gyu Woon, the sculpted-handsome-man, was one half of the other couple. I smell beauty discrimination!
July 25, 2012
I just finished the last episode of Big and my heart is all fuzzy with love and a sweet feeling of fullness. I love the Da Ran+Kyung Joon couple. They conquered their fears and chose to love each other. Yes, you could say this happens in every drama. However, Big was different for me. Da Ran and Kyung Joon made me believe in true love that overcomes family disapproval, an age gap, body switching, a comatose fiancee and amnesia. Sounds crazy, but it’s not. The Hong Sisters grounded this show with two genuine people experiencing a normal wonderful love. Was everything else perfect? No. But, I prefer to appreciate how much I cared about our couple and that happy rush I felt watching the new episodes each week. And Gong Yoo, I LOVE YOU.
July 24, 2012
I just finished episode 15 and whew! That was very slow, but well-acted. No one was stupid, thank goodness. And the ending was perfect. Da Ran is AWESOME. This OTP keeps proving their worth! But as this show winds down I’m building a wall around my heart against disappointment. How will Da Ran have a relationship with Kyung Joon in his body after being married to his brother’s body, Yoon Jae? It may not be illegal, but it’ll be very hard for the families to accept. But onto my prediction. After seeing the episode 16 preview, I think Kyung Joon’s body is going to die. His mother looks very worried and they keep showing the screen with his vital signs on it. And where will he be? Maybe Yoon Jae will step aside in the limbo-water-place and tell Kyung Joon to take his place. Whatever happens I just hope Kyung Joon is happy and alive.
July 23, 2012
So, about twice a year I become obsessed with bridal gowns and such. There’s no romance happening in my life whatsoever (besides living vicariously through kdrama), but I love bridal fashion anyways. Very soon I’ll tire of it, but for now I wanted to show you the Marielle Beaded Lace Cap by Enchanted Atelier. Isn’t it too lovely? Enchanted Atelier makes couture bridal accessories. You can visit their site by clicking on the photo.
July 20, 2012
Okay, there’s this young adorable Korean-American guy on youtube whose life’s mission is to make you smile; especially girls 😉 I really like his videos and find myself grinning throughout. However, I don’t recommend his shirtless videos. I don’t need that image in my head (I wanna be SAVED) and also b/c he’s my younger brother’s age! But, anyways…Amos will make you smile so check it out! I’m still smiling.
July 18, 2012
Did anyone else almost collapse from the pain of episode 13? Well, the pain was brought to you by Noble Idiot Syndrome. If you’re new kdrama this is when a character (the noble idiot) lies to the person they love to protect/help/push away that person. The idiot suffers silently and the person that was lied to suffers. This is a kdrama staple like childhood first loves or evil second leads. However, I think NIB syndrome works here. In episode 13 Da Ran had finally accepted her feelings for the most adorable man-boy ever and then finds out his parents are also Yoon Jae’s parents!!! Unless you want hurt both families, how in the world are you gonna divorce one brother and marry the other? And everyone will know that KJ and YJ are brothers! This is an impossible situation. Also, DR took into account that KJ said he wanted to ignore everything and wanted to be with her. DR lied because #1 She didn’t want him to die in YJ’s body by choosing not to save him.He might not switch back if he doesn’t save his brother, #2 If they try to be together after he switches back the family reunion probably won’t go so well and #3 It would be bad for Yoon Jae to die too. Then in episode 14 when KJ decided to run away Da Ran realized that only the truth would fix the situation. Unfortunately, this was after she caused more pain (Gong Yoo’s tears are like glass in my soul), but DR has never been a genius in the relationship department so it makes sense. Why is she always tricked by Ma Ri!
Is anyone else dreading next week final episodes? I am a little. I NEED Kyung Joon to be happy and I really want this awesome OTP together. If he forgets and they’re not together the glass in my heart will dislodge and cause a stroke. I’ll be paralyzed with grief. BTW, I’m still doing that nurse refresher course 🙂
July 14, 2012
I just started watching Gaksital (Bridal Mask) recently and why did I wait so long? It’s crazy exciting, heartrending, clever, and has a plot and characters with actual depth. It takes place in 1930’s Seoul, Korea during the Japanese Occupation. Kang-to is a Korean working under the Japanese as a detective. He is very loyal to Japan, but mainly because he wants to provide for his family and cure his pro-Korea brother who was tortured by the Japanese and has brain damage as a result. His best friend is Shunji, a sweetie pie Japanese guy, who teaches Korean children. Shunji’s father and brother are also policemen and have a hit out on Kang-to, whom they think is working with Gaksital because he hasn’t been able to capture him. And that is just one slice of the story. Joo Won plays Kang-to and he is killing this role. In the first two episodes you will root for him in one scene and want him to fail in the next. By episode 3 you won’t mind if the sniper doesn’t miss him, but he’s supposed to become the hero so…Well, like I was saying Gaksital is super keen and a real killer-diller! That’s 1930’s slang by the way 😉 Watch it at hulu, viki, or dramafever.
July 11, 2012
Okay, I thought I really liked Big and I loved our DR+KJ couple, but now I’ve fallen even harder. My heart has been set on DR ending up with KJ in Yoon Jae’s body, but now I don’t even care!!! I just want DR and KJ together no matter the body. Episode 12 was perfect. I took screen caps and just wanna go over my favorite moments.
#1- This was the end of 11 and the beginning of 12. Kyung Joon is tired of seeing Da Ran being hurt all the time. He promises to stick with her until Yoon Jae returns, but if she takes off the ring he’ll claim her for himself. Eeeeee!!!! If I were Da Ran I’d snatch that ring off sooo fast!
#2 DR and KJ fought because well…you know. Why is loving a young man in another man’s body so hard? Well, DR goes around the house collecting the things KJ has given her; the sunflowers, the China guidebook, panda bears, the fixed walkman. KJ wants to throw away memories of her too, but can’t find anything from DR. He leaves the house in a huff and DR feels that she hasn’t done anything for him. She puts the bag by the trash outside, but soon come back for it. She can’t let any of it go….sniff sniff
#3 When DR come back with her stuff she notices the empty bag KJ couldn’t fill up. She picks up the bag and says “I like you” into the bag. Even now that moment just gets to me. Then she puts the bag with the “I like you” outside with the trash…Poor DR.
#4 Later when DR is gone KJ decides to throw her stuff away, but when he enters her bedroom he sees that she brought her KJ bag back. He smiles and merrily goes around the house putting back her slippers, mug, and toothbrush. KJ is so cute I may die.
#5 I love Da Ran’s family. They ditched her and tricked KJ into coming up in a taxi so the couple would be stranded (sort of) at the campsite. I feel so spoiled by these scenes!
#6 KJ is one of the best kdrama leads EVAR. He’s not a total jerk, nor a wimp. He’s honest and thoughtful. After coming to bring Da Ran a lantern he promises not to visit the noonas’ tent and to wait for her until she returns from talking with her sunbae.
#7 KJ returned to his body for a moment and saw YJ’s parents in the hospital. Like the time before, the switch hurt a lot and he was very tired. Da Ran put him down in the tent. When KJ wakes up he puts his blanket on DR and lays behind her. He believes she is sleeping and softly asks her not to forget him when he returns to his body. A tear rolls down his face and then we see DR is awake too with her own tears. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
#8 Se Young meets with Kyung Joon to let Yoon Jae know that DR is cheating on him. As she’s telling him this Kyung Joon is putting it together and looking hopeful, but then she said the initials on the birthday present were KKJ and DR took off her wedding ring! The delight on his face…just awwwwwwww.
#9 So KJ goes to confront DR and he does so like never before. He knows beyond a doubt she likes him. DR nervously wants to back out for a second, but then she faces him. And they say without words “I love you”. Jeez, I love this OTP 😉
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