The Time Between Dog and Wolf (3.8)

Lee Soo Hyun (Lee Jun Ki) met Suh Ji Woo (Nam Sang Mi) when they were still kids and living in Thailand. His mother, an NIS agent (National Intelligence Service) was murdered infront of his eyes. Thus her collegue, adopt him and brought him back to Korea. Kang Min Ki (Jung Kyung Ho) didnt mind having a brother in the household, he didnt hold a grudge even when Soo Hyun always excel bettter than him, he preferred his careless-worryfree lifestyles. They both grew up to become NIS agents; brothers, and best friends.

Soo Hyun and Ji Woo was brought together again when the beautiful Ji Woo caught the attention of playboy Kang Min Ki. The big hearted Kang Min Ki step back again when Ji Woo chose Soo Hyun over him. A mission made Soo Hyun faced his mother's killer and fueled his need for vengeance. When offered as an undercovered operatives to infiltrate the gang, he didnt hesitate to take up the offer and faked his own death.

When he finally gain the trust and get close to the man who murdered his mother, he found out that the man was Ji Woo's biological father, and Ji Woo was in danger from his gang's rival. For two years, Ji Woo was unable to let go of his memories and just when she was finally accepting Min Ki's sincerity, a man who was twin-ringer for Soo Hyun came and save her life. Soo Hyun's was hurt trying to save Ji Woo and come out with an amnesia. Thus, he truly became the gang leader's second righthand man.

Sigh! So many times Ji Woo was so foolhardy and put Soo Hyun's life in danger. I dont know if that is the reason I dont like the actress so much... she's not really a beauty, she just got the right facial features, and the body to go with it.... ^_^ While watching it, I thought to myself, one of them has to die, Soo Hyun or Min Ki, but kesiannnnnn if Min Ki, but if Soo Hyun, it's not fair jua, him being dealt the worse card throughout his life.... Sigh! and I hate Lee Tae Sung (Sangshik), hate him in '9 ends 2 outs', hate him here... however, the gang leader's first righthand man; 'giraffe' and his second wife; Oh Ming characters seem interesting.

The title of the drama was based on a painting, 'Time Between Dog and Wolf' (a black blob resembles a dog/wolf head on a blood-red background. It sorta tell the story of when its dusk and everything was red, and a man saw a shadow that he couldnt tell if it's his dog come to get him or a wolf. I think the hidden meaning is, it's a time where you can't tell good or evil, there's goodness also in evil, and evil intention in the good; nothing is black n white, there's shade of gray in between...maybe lah.....or maybe it's just simply you cant tell physically whether a 'thing' is good or evil... apperance can be deceiving...

Dalja's Spring (4)

Oh Dalja (Chae Rim) was 32 going 33, had never fall in love or even go out on a date. The later part I found to be over reaching; she's beautiful, had stable career, warm personalities (though a bit of a klutz), how could she never been asked out on a date???!!!

Mrs Go: Lower your standards, then you'll find the right man. Dalja: Its not about standards, its about feelings. Mrs Go: Watever! Feelings will only ruin your life. Men arent that special, they're pretty much alike. Dalja: I cant marry the first man I saw on the street. I waited too long and too hard.

It all started as plot for revenge when her playboy collegue dumped her for another collegue. She hired a young man Kang Tae Bong (Lee Min Ki) to pose as her lover. She said her pride was more important than love (Hmm...I dont know if I agree or disagree with that, they said "pride comes before a fall") . Later, her big heart turned the victims of her vengeance into her bestfriends, confidants and advisors. Then enter Mr.Eom Ki-Jung (Lee Hyun Woo), a successful, stable, handsome, calm and collected as "possible" and Tae Bong become her dating coach. Her bestfren raised a very to-the-point question, "If he's so perfect, he got the look, career, manners, why isnt he married or have gf yet?". You know, the familiar phrase nowadays in single woman lips, '...all the good man are either already taken or gay' - so you better look beneath the suface if a guy is too good to be true, there might be skeletons in the closet that drives other women away.... ^_^

Nearing the end of their contract, Tae Bong confess he was starting to like Dalja too. Dalja who was a confirmed spinster before, was now torn between two men. If you were in her shoes, who would you choose? A man with a stable future and kind, however you are not attracted to him and sometines he bores you with boring nonsense facts or a younger-than-you guy; who you dont have to act coy to, just be yourself; he was fun to be with, sometimes sprout out wisdom; however he had no job to speak of at the moment and were crashing at your house? To me, its the 'younger' part that turns me off; I shudder to think of 1 year younger, but 6 years younger????

Kang Tae Bong called her materialistic. Dalja called herself, realistic. She rather prefer safety rather than adventure. But Dalja's know her own mind (or heart), unlike the previous Kdrama I watch, she didn't juggle the two men, she made her choice and stick with it. That's make me like her character more. Chae Rim is just so cute with her round eyes, pert nose and nice smiles. Though many dont like her big curly hair, but I think she looks better with it rather than with her lanky straight hair. I love her wardrobe from her trenchcoats to her bags, and I really really like her necklace especially when she paired it with her small pearl strings.

Lee Hyun Woo looks good for a 42 year old man, and he's so sweet when he 'accidently' splash some wine to Tae Bong's ex-girlfren to gave TaeBong and Dalja some time. Though Lee Min Ki is soooooo cute, but he looks so much like a teenager that it really look like he was walking with his older sister, standing beside the baby-face Chae Rim. Mi Seon Joo and Shin Sae Do sorta grows on you, ....even the formidable Ms. Kang (their boss), she sang 'I'll Survive' at Dalja's farewell party ^_^

Chae Rim as Oh Dal Ja (1979-Mar-28)
Lee Min Ki as Kang Tae Bong (1985-Jan-16)
Lee Hyun Woo as Eom Gi Joong (1966-Mar-06)
Lee Hye Young as Mi Seon Joo (1971-Dec-22)
Gong Hyeong Jin as Shin Sae Do(1970-Apr-10)

As I watched episode by episode, I thought this script must be written by a woman, and surfing wiki proves my insight was right. I love many of the conversation here, it was simply right on. Anyway, I think Natasha Bedingfield's Soulmate is right for the drama....

Fall in Love with Nubhan's voice!!!

Konsert 1 - Ruang Rindu

Konsert 2- Tak Bisa Memilihmu (6ixth Sense)

Telah jauh terpisah diriku dan dirimu, dalam ruang dan waktu sendiriku jalani sepiku tanpa dirimu, resahku tanpa hadirmu, sungguh berat hatiku untuk merasakannya.

Salahku mencintai dirinya, saat jauhku terpisah darimu,dan hadirnya menyentuh hatiku,untuk cintainya, hatiku pun inginkannya, hingga runtuh setiaku kepada dirimu. Kusakiti hatimu yang tulus mencintaiku.

*Maaf ku tak bisa memilih dirimu, karena kuterhanyut mencintai dia, inilah salahku yang memberi ruang, didalam hatiku tuk mencintainya.

btw, whenever I see Nubhan, reminds me of my nephew... I dunt knw which facial features, his mom says its in his jaw.....

Memories in Bali (4)

I think I received many recommendation to watch this drama; from vcds' vendors to bloggers' recommendations, but since the lead actor is Jo In Sung who stole the girl from Ji Jin Hee in Spring Days and actress is Ha Ji Won, who I am not a fan of ( there is no emotion you can see from her face except anger and maybe hurt; when her eyes tears up) and then the boxset cover is also a turn-off... So I finally bought it when I saw it was sold at a reasonable price at some shop.

Its a story of two underprivileged souls and two upper class children who always get what they want. Yeah, rich kids have their share of misery too but its hard to sympathize with them when they have so many materials things ^_^. Anyways these two upper class couple were forced to get engaged, Jung Jae Min (Jo In Sung) didnt change his playboyish-couldnt-care-less-lifestyles eventhough he was engaged to Choi Young Joo (Park Ye Jin). Still in love with her ex-boyfriend, Young Joo flew to Jakarta in search of Kang In Wook (So Ji Sup). She's realistic that she could never marry In Wook so she decided to have one last fling maybe before she got married. But Jae Min spoils her plan by chasing her to Bali, there with the tense undercurrents he guessed that In Wook was not just a coincidental meeting and more than a friend. He hired Lee Soo Jung (Ha Ji Won) to be their tour guide in Bali. By the end of the day the two guys were in a fight over Young Joo and each of them found their way back separately to Seoul.

In Seoul, Soo Jung hard on lucks try to use her 'connection' with Jae Min to get a job, but he hardly remembers her and were not willing to help. In Wook after being recalled back to headquartes, ends up working under Jae Min and being Soo Jung's neighbour. Young Joo decides to break her engagement, and be with In Wook, but Jae Min's mother threatened to hurt In Wook if she didnt marry Jae Min.

Being neighbours brought In Wook and Soo Jung closer, while Jae Min becomes more attracted to Soo Jung with each encounters. I was at first rooting for In Wook because of So Ji Sup's sad eyes, but Jo In Sung's charming-self-satisfied-smirk cannot be taken lightly either. I like both the male actors, when they cry you just want to cuddle them up and comfort them. But the female actress just don't move me. You might say that is because we are of the same gender, but I had watched so many dramas, and 'feel' for the female also. Here, the females are too greedy, they want to keep both men for themselves. At times, if I can I would like to slap some sense into Soo Jung, 'make up your mind!'...although, I was a bit undecided myself whom to choose - In Wook or Jae Min, but thats because I hate to see either man get hurt, while Soo Jung seems to have selfish reason... and Young Joo's said to marry her, but continue his affair with Soo Jung, but when he does, she reports back to the family. Urgh! I think her pride got hurt where the two men who previously fight for her, now ignore her and was fighting for the other girl. Well, I also dont get it what did In Wook and Jae Min saw in Soo Jung...

I'm still feeling restless with the ending of the drama, but I dont know what ending could be satisfactory... I gave the drama a 4 because of the male actors ^_^

Love the OST...I have a thing for sad Korean song hehehe......

REMEMBER OH HYUN RAN * an dashi itgo jinetdon sesangul mannajyo jamshiItgo jinetdon nunmulgwa mannajyo negeNomu hengbokhetdon kumul kajin gojyoIruji mothal kuderankumulNan ta ijoya hanayoNe maumul dahedoKude ijone gieNomunado bujokhandeNan na kanjolhi parajyoNa saraon kiogulModuda irhoborigilNan ije honja issodo honjaga anijyoIjen kude opshido kuderul nukijyoNege sumul shiltemada millyodunun kudeNaye gasume salgo innundeNa ta ijoya hanayoNe maumul dahedoKuderul ijone gieNomunado bujokhandeNan nan kanjolhi parajyo na saraon kiogulModuda irhoborigilwoh..Wo wo oh oh ohNan ta ijoya hanayoNal borigo boryodo dashi nuntumyon negeChaorunun kude indeNan na kanjolhi parajyo na saraon kiogulModuda irhoborigilwoh

H.I.T (Homicide Investigation Team) - (3.5)

A serial killer was on the loose, in response to the media frenzy the police department set up a team fully focused on catching the killer. The Commissioner wishing the team would fail, pull together problematic detectives to form the team. The team was called H.I.T (Homicide Investigation Team led by Cha Soo Kyung (Go Hyun Jung). Soo Kyung's fiancee was murdered 14 years ago while chasing a serial killer, so she was bent on catching this serial killer whom she thought was the same killer that killed her fiancee.

The members of her team consists of Kim Jae Yoon (Ha Jung Woo) a handsome (he's cuter when he smile, rather than making a serious face) but just graduating prosecutor from the DA's Office, Kang Ol Ha (Choi Il Hwa) the veteren detective who was sued many times for using brutal force, Kim Il Joo (Jung Dong Jin) the handsome detetctive but the commissioner's spy, Shim Jong Geum (Kim Jung Tae) a bit crooked detective who use his connection with the petty criminals to gain financial benefits for himself and the honest-straight-arrow albeit slow Nam Sung Sik (Dong Suk).

Mistrust and selfish pursuit threatened to pull the team apart at the start but soon they began to understand each other and thus trust each other. Each team member contributes different strentgth and strategies in solving the cases they had been given.

What differentiate this from other korean drama, hmmm...maybe because it didnt focus on the two leading actor and actress lovelife. And eventhough like typical korean drama has its love triangle or rectangle, the clapping-with-only-one-hand-person was not mean that they would do anything to get their love, in here they bow away gracefully and accept it was not meant to be.

I really like the way Kim Jae Yoo describe Soo Kyung relationship with Kim Young Doo (Kim Jung Min), "A man who lost his friend, a woman who lost her lover, cherished and cared for each other, an yet couldnt let their feelings for each other develop into love because of feelings of loyalty to the dead friend and lover, but still they care deeply for each other". How I wish that at the end Kim Young Doo will end up with Jung In Hee (Yoon Ji Min), Jae Yoo's bestfriend..... I hate to see nice people don't have their own happy ending.......

There's a soundtrack that I like in this drama, the translation goes like this:

You want me to understand you *

you said that you'll never regret *

using these words to throw me away *

Now i have to forget you... *

the person who's only being cold towards me *

the cruel person who didnt want to open her heart for me *

that cold person that i love *

the person that i love so much *

the person that i miss so much *

its a simple lyrics, but it just make me think about what true love is, that you would stick to a person no matter if it makes you miserable, even if that person is cruel to you. You just cant let go. but is that true love or plain stupidity?

Gu Saram // J.M. romanization by: Sabby ~NBK~ (also credit: aheeyah.com)
Noryoghedo andoendanun mal * jakku mianhadanun gu mal, nan aniranun gu mal jongmal * dudgi shirhun mal * guron malman hanun chagaun saram * ajig boyojulge manhunde * olmadunji nol gidagil su innunde * gu gidarimun ne mogshinde * gugodmajyodo * hajimallanun nal magnun gu saram * negeman chagaun gu saram * ojig negeman chagaun gu saram * negeman maumul yolji mothanun chagaun saram * nega saranghan gu saram * manhi saranghan gu saram * negen jongmal guriun ne gu saram * ihehedallanun noui mal * huhoehaljido morundanun noui mal * guron maldo andoenun mallo * nal miro nen saram * ijen ijoya hal naui gu saram * negeman chagaun gu saram ojig negeman chagaun gu saram * negeman maumul yolji mothanun chagaun saram * nega saranghan gu saram * manhi saranghan gu saram * negen jongmal guriun ne gu saram *
Senggaghajimalja niga hetdon marul * negen piryo obnun mal * moduda hullyo borija * norul jogumman dol saranghandamyon * nochorom nado jogum do shwibge norul saranghessulthende *
Negeman chagaun gu saram * ojig negeman chagaun gu saram * negeman maumul yolji mothanun chagaun saram * nega saranghan gu saram * manhi saranghan gu saram * negen jongmal guriun ne gu saram * jongmal guriun ne gu saram

Que Sera Sera (4)

This is the story of two interlocking couples... love rectangle/square lah kali ah....

Han Eun Soo (Jung Yoo Mi) just arrived to Seoul and live next door to Kan Tae Joo. Though he appears to be a playboy- a selfish and rude - she can't help but fall in love with him. She ask him to date her eventhough he told her already that she's not his type - as in fast, un-naive, beautiful heiress. Anyway, they dated for awhile until an heiress proposition him to be her 'boyfriend'. So he dumped Eun Soo.

Now, the heiress, Cha Hye Lin (Yoon Ji Hye) was trying to get her adopted brother to be jealous - as well as getting back at her parents. She offers Tae Joo a year contract to be her boyfriend, life of luxury and a managerial job at her father's department store.

While. the adopted brother, Shin Joon Hyuk (Lee Kyu Han) who work in close contact with Eun Soo in the department store began to develop tender feelings for Eun Soo. Eun Soo try to appease her bruised heart by accepting Joon Hyuk.

Tae Joo (Eric Moon) realise that all that luxury doesnt make him happy, when he was so jealous seeing Eun Soo with Joon Hyuk. So on a work trip, he finally decided to forgo the contract and be with Eun Soo again.

Hye Lin initiate the contract to get Joon Hyuk's love back, but instead she falls in love with Tae Joo, so she beg him to come back and promised a chairman postion if he marry her. And the cycle begins again...

I didn't find Eric Moon handsome, that is why I was reluctant to watch this drama. (Hey! Liking the casting would make the watching more enjoyable). After watching this drama, it was an ok, though it didn't make me forgo sleep. Sometimes, feel like bashing in Tae Joo'e head when he's being a jerk or Eun Soo for being so darn stupid. I didn't understand though Tae Joo's motives for dumping Eun Soo the second time, is it really because he finds living without much money is tough or because he wants to help Eun Soo.

^_^ Lee Kyu Han is so cute and charismatic here...different from his personality in Love Needs a Miracle... Sigh! Me and the underdogs..................

The Story of the First King's Four Gods aka Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi (4)

A long long long long...time ago, a tribe that respected the tiger and controlled fire called the Ho-jok (Tiger Tribe), ruled the world. They eliminated and assimilated all tribes except the tribe that respected the bear, called the Ung-jok (Bear Tribe). The Tiger Tribe and the Bear Tribe fought, and Hwanung (The God's son) could not bear to see so many people getting killed. He brought the three gods of nature; Baek-Ho (White Tiger), Cheong-Ryong (Blue Dragon), and Hyeon-Mu (Black Turtle-Snake).

He removed the power of fire from the leader of the Tiger Tribe, Gajin, sealed the power into an artifact called the Heart of Ju-Jak (Red Phoenix), and gave it to the woman he loved; Sae-O. However, Gajin who was once mortally wounded while attacking another tribe, then healed by Hwanung, also fall in love with him. When her tribe wanted to take back the power of fire, attack the Bear Tribe and kill Hwanung, Gajin slays her tribe's council with her own blade, and escapes from her own tribe and headed towards the Bear Tribe, deciding to become Hwanung's woman. Alas, the god's son only had Sae-O in mind and declared his love for her.

Unfortunately, Gajin was watching them secretly when this took place,she was infuriated by this and began regrouping the Tiger Tribe to attack the Bear Tribe. She planned the attack to coincides with the time Sae-O giving birth. Gajin kidnapped the baby and told Sae-O to bring Hwanung and Heart of Ju-Jak in return for the baby. When Sae-O confronts Gajin without Hwanung, Gajin dropped the baby from the edge of the cliff, thus making SeoJini out of control and releasing the Heuk-Jujak (Dark Phoenix) - and even though Hwanung had saved the baby, she can't stop herself. Hwanung release the other three Gods, the White Tiger, the Blue Dragon and the Black Turtle-Snake to fought the Dark Phoenix, but were no match for it. Left with no choice, Hwanung had to used his Heavenly Bow and killed the women he love; the source of the power of the Dark Phoenix, and managed to seal it once again in the heart of Red Phoenix.

When its all over, Gajin jumped off the cliff because she "had no reason to live in this world any more". Hwanung sealed the powers of the 'Four Gods' (The Red Phoenix, White Tiger, Blue Dragon, and the Black Turtle-Snake) in certain artifacts and left them in the cares of certain people, telling them that they will wake when the King of Jushin is born, and the star of Jushin will be bright.

However, when the star of Jushin was shining, two baby boys were born, both the King's nephew, but one was born in the palace (Yeon Hogae) and the other (DamDeok) in the woods. Along with the births the artifacts shines brightly, thus putting the guardians in danger from the power hungry Fire Tribe.

During the raids, one of the guardians had two daughters, before they were slayed, the mother gave the JuJak pendant to her eldest daughter and told her to protect her baby sister no matter what. She hid the baby in a rice box, therefore when the Fire Tribe found her- wearing the pendant- laying unconcious because of the smoke, they only took her and leaving the baby behind. The baby was later found by the guardian of the Black Turtle-Snake and named her SeoJini

So the story start to repeat itself with a slight alterations here and there. At the end of this drama, I keep on thinking if only their Gods didn't interfere, if only they hadn't given hint of the fututre...maybe their life wouldnt be such a mess and misery. Cousins who could become the very of best friends, become sworn enemy , sisters torn apart and met as strangers, lovers turn to bitter competitors and all because of the prophecy....

To me the young actors/tress stole the show from the adults. Shim Eun Kyung who potrays the young SeoJini was so adorable while Yoo Seung Hoo as young Damdeok really tugs at your heart with his sad eyes as if the burdens of the whole worlds was thrusts upon him. The nickname Little So Ji Sup was so fitting... ^_^

Anyway, overall Ballads of Seo Dong still my no.1 choice of historical drama, follow by Dae Jang Geum, Lord of The Sea and Jumong. Still dont like the lead hero Bae Yong Jun though no matter what.......

A little bit of history lesson:

Who was Dam-deok (Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang): He was the 19th king of Goguryeo (lasted from 37 B.C. to 668 A.D.). During the time of Dam-deok, Goguryeo was the most powerful nation in East Asia (yes, even the Chinese dynasty couldn’t defeat Goguryeo). At age 11, he was made the Crown Prince and became King when he was 16. In 396, he attacked Baekje (a nation Southwest of Goguryeo) and took over the northern area above the Han River. He defeated the many invasions made by the Yeon Dynasty (China) after 400 A.D. During his reign, the number of castles he took over numbered in the hundreds and villages numbered in the thousands. However, he died at an untimely age of 39.