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My Thoughts on ‘Our Beloved Summer’

In a line or two: 

Our Beloved Summer was such a healing, therapeutic watch that did not hide the 'humanness' of love.

The story: 

The drama is about two exes--- Kook Yeon Soo and Choi Woong (high-school students when they began dating) who had a 5-year relationship and broke up. They meet 5 years later and agree (fact: are forced) to shoot a documentary similar to the one they shot in high school. What starts from a '100 Things I Hate About You' turns into an introspective, messy yet heart-warming return to each other.

My Thoughts:

1. I love the layers in Kook Yeon Soo's personality. She's smart, socially inadept, deadpan, and more sensitive than she lets herself acknowledge. I love how the flaws in her character actually make her more endearing and relatable.

2. Kim Ji Woong, our male lead's best friend, is actually the prettiest one here, according to me. He's at constant war with himself, but I also love how he returns to the camera to shoot people's raw selves and finds comfort in it. 

I especially love his friendship with Choi Ung, who despite knowing that Kim Ji Woong has feelings for Yeon Soo, doesn’t push him away.

3. I thought the drama would come to be overwhelming given its storyline. But surprisingly, I couldn't keep away from it because of how comforting I found it to be. 

4. Then we have K-pop idol NJ. She's such a fireball. She's funny, adorable, and yet so trapped and defined by people's idea of her. I love how Choi Ung and she decide to remain friends, comforting each other when things aren't going their way. 

5. Okay, I love Choi Ung's parents so much! Honestly, the idea of running a restaurant and feeding people good food is the definition of a beautiful life for me. However, their care for Ung and his art is so cute and heart rendering.

6. It was through NJ that I realized how joy-crushing fame can be. You forget who you are and try too hard to become someone else's expectations of who you should be.

7. I think Choi-Ung's definition of happiness: "To do lie down and watch the sunlight stream through leaves" was when I first fell for him. 

I love how he's never glorified 'living big'. He's so content with his wants. He knows exactly the kind of people he wants to be around and isn't afraid to go for an unconventional way of living if it makes him peaceful and happy.

8. When they all head for a 3-day trip for the shoot, I got really emotional watching Yeon Soo enjoy herself. It was so nice to see her smile and laugh and let herself free. 

That was the first time I realized how lonely she must have been all these years, handling responsibilities and pushing people away to avoid hurt.

9. My favorite moment of the series was when Ung is waiting for Yeon's answer: will she travel to Germany with him as he enrolls in the architecture program? They meet at Sol Yi's restaurant and Yeon Soo chooses to stay back in Korea because that's what feels right to her. 

There is this amazing moment where they know what they have to do for themselves and yet are so supportive of each other, without letting go of the love they've fought so hard to come back to.

10.Then we have Sol-Yi. I mean, who cannot love her? She's Yeon Soo's 'Reality Check Provider' and also her soundboard + BFF. I have to say I absolutely enjoy watching Park Jin Joo on screen. Even with her supporting role in 'Her Private Life', she was fabulous. 

Here, Sol Yi is spontaneous, has a I-am-the-love-guru vibe and is atrocious in her choice of men. She cooks mediocre food but she doesn't give up on her dream. She's sassy, rude, amazing, and absolutely honest.

11. Lastly, I want to say I came to love Chae Ran so much. She's assistant produce to Kim Ji Ung and is also his unmistakable 'soulmate'. She possess so much sensitivity and yet is so calm and cool. 

I love how she decides to wait for Kim Ji Ung to be in a better headspace before she confesses her feelings for him. That was such a mature, soft, 'ah' moment.

Learnings:

1. When the Universe gives you second chances, grab them with both hands and work to give them your all. People do not come into your life accidentally. Each one is there for a reason.

2. Love has a funny, soft, ridiculously amazing way to make itself known. Allow yourself to feel it when it knocks your door. (P.S: Open it wide and let love rain in your heart.)

3. Love is a fairytale, with all the sparkles, the imperfections, the laughs, the tears, the growth, the support, and the gooey-warm feeling you get when you're with someone right for you.

4. Forgiveness is hard. But regret is worse. 

5. Whoever you were has made you who you are today. But you can always change if you don't like who you've become.

Last Words: 

Oh, please watch this show. It is absolutely adorable, warm and mature.💕💕

~ My Thoughts on Yumi's Cells: Season 1 ~

I usually avoid ongoing dramas because I am more of a 'will watch once all episodes are out' person. But I couldn't wait to watch the show and so, I decided to go for it despite its bi-weekly episode releases. I am glad I did; I felt connected to the story for a longer period of time and it also gave me the room to let it ruminate and settle in my mind.

1. More than Yumi, I love her cells. I thought they were absolutely cool, amazing and it also made me realize how much work they put in to make a human function efficiently. I loved, loved the animations--- they were so funny and yet so human at the same time. I could totally relate to them, every single time and I laughed SO much.

2. My favorite cell hands down is 'Hunger'. I love the little ttetkeboki sign on its head, and I love how Yumi's palette and taste-buds are so in sync with her definition of happiness. 

3. Yumi is such a cool character. She is sure of who she is, is so no-nonsense when she deals with people and I love how she's still hopeful about love, despite her devastating heartbreak. It was so nice to see Kim Go Eun in this story setting because as much as I love her in 'Sea of Hope', I was waiting for her persona to translate into an onscreen one. I fell in love with the Yumi I watched.

4. My heart also goes out to her because the way she deals with her romantic relationships is very similar to how I dealt with mine. However, I love how she arrives at the conclusion that she should be her own priority and not a secondary character in her own tale.

5. I loved the pace of the show. There was no hurry to any aspect of the story. The progression was so natural, so comfortable and so detailed, yet smooth.

6. This also happened to be the first drama that I've watched which is so honest about the strength, the insecurities, and the beauty of human relationships.

GIF Credit: Tumgir

7. I could also related hard to the 'Emotion' cell because I know how it dictates my own life, lol.

GIF Credit: Ahgasewatchtv.com

8. Despite the fact that he is super unfair to Yumi as a partner, I like Woong. He's crystal clear about what he likes and what he doesn't. He's hardworking, a good friend. and also has a vision for where he wants to be professionally. I personally loved how non-floofy he is. I like his simple and straightforward way of being in the world.

9. I also love Goo Woong's natural and easy connect with Yumi. This is why it bothered me to see him not share what was on his mind with her, or to run away from difficult conversations. This is also why I understood why it was better that weren't together, as much as I'd wanted them to be otherwise.

10. With Bobby, initially I found him to be pitiable. He was struggling to keep his relationship alive, one-handedly. He was also fascinated with Yumi but maybe couldn't approach her because his heart was elsewhere. I loved how he was a cheerleader that brought back Yumi's writing cell from the graveyard, and how Yumi and him become friends more than colleagues.

11. There is a sensitivity to Bobby that was very tender to see. From noticing Yumi's talent through her social posts, to spotting the missing 'couple' photo on her desk, to telling her how he'd noticed her at the café the night his girlfriend broke up with him, there was no sense of judgment that I could find in him. He was open, vulnerable and invited Yumi to be the same.

GIF Credit: Ahgasewatchtv

12. Yumi's 'Writer' cell also has my heart, haha! I can totally relate because I write for a living and the creative ups and downs were represented so nicely. I also loved her heart-filled captions that she shared via her social posts.

13. Chae Woo Gi was another favorite of mine. I would have liked to see more of him.

14. As much as Woong and Yumi's breakup sucked, I loved how Yumi learnt to choose herself because of it. I loved how she decided to see a breakup as an option to step out of a dead relationship, an unhappy one, where she had to fear losing out on someone each time she voiced what she wanted. I loved how she appreciated her time with Woong, still loved him but loved herself more to let go.

15. It was one of my favorite drama watches of this year. There is one moment that stands out in my brain--- Yumi's fake reaction to the 'battery' birthday present by Woong. Hahaha, sure she discovered a lovely necklace in it, but her initial reaction was priceless.

~ At first, I thought I’d do a Jang Ki Yong appreciation post, but now, I think I’d be super unfair to not do an overall appreciation for ‘My Roommate Is A Gumiho’ because, all of them were SO stellar and loveable. ~ ❤

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Credits: 1: Tumgir | 3, 11 & 14:Bitches Over Dramas | 5: Kdrama Kisses | 7: Kdrama Quotes Galore | 13: @dramaintherain | 15: Soomi Forums | 16: Tumblr

‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’ Taught Me That to See the Good in the Bad is Indeed, a Very Brave Thing

‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’ is an absolute beam of light, there's no other way to describe the show. It is a haven for when you're lost, a huge hug of positivity when you're having low days and a thoroughly adorable drama.

The Story:

We have our lead protagonist, Gu Ra-Ra, a 24-year-old whose perpetually positive and cannot but look at the silver lining of every bad occurrence. She shines through adversity as she meets Jun Suwoon, a 19-year-old runaway who wants more from life than his family's stifling expectations.

It is in Eunpo, a little town away from Seoul, that the two meet accidentally. From here on we see the story of Ra-Ra and her jolting awareness of the real world as she loses everything she owns and has to now stand up on her two feet.

The show is so heartwarming because of the community of beautiful people Ra-Ra meets in her new, sleep town. Thanks to them (and a lot to Jun), Ra-Ra opens up her own piano academy 'La La Land'.

Dr.Cha: 

Jin Su-Kyeong:

Jin Ha-Yeong:

Lee Seung-Gi:

TWD: (The ‘Want Divorce’ Club)

Kim Man-Bok:

Detective Chu:

My Learnings from ‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’:

1. Take life one day at a time.

Life is utterly unpredictable so sleep your worries away, and take one day at a time, as it comes. Gu Ra-Ra's 'let's do what we can do today' mantra is gold.

2. Love. Love is what makes the stars go around and rewrite themselves.

Oh man, if I can just hug Jun Woo and Ra-Ra for the beautiful, beautiful love they harbor and nurture, I'd have broken my screen by now.

3. Sometimes, we don't find family, it finds us.

To all the lovely people of Eunpo, I am smitten by the way you found Ra-Ra when she most needed companionship, love and comfort. It made me believe that there is sometimes more than just one family for some of us, and that sometimes that 'other' family finds you in the form of new friends, neighbors and landladies.

4. People may forget the rest, but they will always remember that one, unexpected act of kindness.

Ra-ra’s father was her biggest cheerleader and that is what made Ra-Ra stick to the piano. That one moment when her father cheered for her, defines Ra-Ra’s attitude when things get rough. It is this unexpected act of love that shapes Ra-Ra’s way of seeing the world and it showed me how powerful kindness can be. 

My Last Thoughts:

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Credits: Picture 1: letsott.com | Picture 2 & 3: Twitter (Hani, KPopandKDrama) | Picture 4: IDN Times | GIF 1 & 8: Tumgir | GIF 2: @dramaintherain​ | GIF 3: southsounder.com | GIF 4 & 6: Gfycat | GIF 5: Netflix | GIF 7: WiffleGif | GIF 9: Bitches Over Dramas 

~'Itaewon Class’ Taught Me That As Long As You Believe, The Universe Will Make It Happen ~

I will get straight to the point: ‘Itaewon Class’ has been radical, powerful, inspiring and downright bomb. It is such a refreshing show and I am so glad to have watched it during this phase of my life.

The story centers around Park Saeroyi, a high school student who gets suspended for standing up against a bully and refusing to apologize for it. Even as life continues to knock him down, Saeroyi decides to get back up each time. His end goal is to bring down his rival, Chairman Jang Dae-Hee of the renowned food corporation, Janga.Co. As a part of his plan, Saeroyi decides to open his own pub in bustling Itaewon. Along the way, he meets and embraces a troupe of societal misfits who become the backbone of DanBam (his pub).

My Learnings from Itaewon Class:

1. Follow your gut, through and through.

I love Saeroyi for having such deep-rooted conviction in his beliefs and in his intuition. While he pursues his goal with logic and passion, it is his open heart that guides him through every rise and fall.

2. Be flexible; that's how you always remain a learner.

Another thing that I love about Saeroyi is the way he accepts new information and new mannerisms. He is open to suggestions, accepts when he is being stuck-up and rectifies his mistakes by learning how to be flexible.

3. Believe in yourself even when nobody does.

Man, this is such a spectacular thing to watch in Saeroyi, Yi-Seo and Hyeon-yi. Even when the world is against them, these 3 continue believing in themselves and that's exactly why they achieve remarkable things.

4. Have a vision for yourself.

It is delightful to meet goal-driven, visionary, Park Saeroyi even when he is far from where he wants to be. It is the vision that he's created for his life that drives him to be better and do better. Each act, word and thought is channeled for this vision and I loved, loved learning this from him.

5. Nobody can move mountains alone.

I love the DanBam family. I love how they have each other's back. I love seeing Saeroyi find a family once again. The people of DanBam prove that moving mountains is collective effort, not a solo job.

My last thoughts: 

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GIF Credits: GIF 1 - Annyeong Oppa | GIF 3 &5 - Soompi | GIF 4 - Giphy | GIF 4 - Kdrama Quotes Galore | GIF 6 - The Mind of a Maine Girl | GIF 7 & 10: Netflix | GIF 8: Kdrama Kisses | GIF 11: Soompi Forums

'I Am Not A Robot' Taught Me That Some People Are Worth Opening Your Heart For

This drama has a special place in my heart for the warmth and laughter it brought me. I recommend watching this show when you need a break from similar-trouped K-dramas and want to watch something light yet hearty.

The Story:

Kim Min Kyu is the Director of his father's firm, KM Finance. He's smart, witty and has absolutely distrusts fellow human beings. He bears a secret ailment where a single touch from another person can cause him a severe allergy resulting in death. Hiding his condition in order to continue keeping his father's company, Min Kyu keeps his distance from people.

After his father's death, he witnesses his father's closest colleague and confidant, Hwang Do Won, try to maliciously takeover the firm. Here's when Min Gyu pledges vengence against the man and his son (also Min Gyu's then BFF), Hwang Yoo Chul.

On the other hand, we have a team of fallen-from-fame scientists under the leadership of Hong Baek Gyun. Baek Gyun is a wiz and he's currently developing a humanoid called 'Aji 3' -- a robot that is created to resemble and think like a real person. For Baek Gyun, it is essential to secure a sponsor for releasing Aji 3 to the world. And in Kim Gyu, they find the perfect opportunity to do so.

However, things do not go as plan which is where our heroine, Jo Ji Ah comes in to the picture. On the day when Baek Gyun's team is supposed to send across Aji 3 for a live demo-testing to Min Gyu's home, a crucial part for the humanoid's functioning crashes. The scientists are desperate but Baek Gyun has a plan. Aji 3's physical looks exactly resemble those of his ex-lover Ji Ah and in order to save their hides, Baek Gyun asks her to step in as Aji 3's double.

Unaware of Min Gyun's disease, Ji Ah accepts the offer for the money she badly needs.

An inventor herself, Ji Ah has always been fascinated with making fun, wacky inventions that could also be useful to people. However, luck has not been on her side and Ji Ah is yet seeking her big breakthrough. Her big ray of hope lies in securing a prize at the annual competition for inventors sponsored by KM Finance. With her plans leading her to the very founder of the company she badly wants to impress, Ji Ah resolves to slyly deposit her proposal of ideas when she's playing Aji 3.

The story follows Min Gyu and Ji Ah's unconventional tale of friendship and love. Min Gyu's distrust of people slowly evaporates as he begins to spend more time with Aji 3. He also gradually opens up to the possibility that the world isn't as evil a place as he thinks it to be and it is safe to open his heart to it.

Side Characters:

I have an entourage of side characters that have added so much fun to the show.

There is Pi, Baek Gyun's first assistant who's a genius. She's been in love with her mentor ever since they began working together.

Then we have Hoktal, our blubbered, too-cute-but-doesn't-know-how-to-as-a-girl-out assistant. He reminds me of a lost puppy.

There is Ssanip, our youngest, funniest assistant in the team who has really bad comic timing. He's a complete softie.

Hwang Sun Hye is a tarot-card reader who also prides on giving the best relationship advice. Ji Ah's best friend, she's fierce, sexy and very charismatic.

Lastly, there's Jo Jin Bae, Ji Ah's brother. He works as Min Gyu's secretary and is extremely talented and smart. I love how he silently cheers Ji Ah on even though he's also the one who brings her frequent reality checks.

What I Liked:

~ I LOVED how this show cracked me up and was such an interesting story overall.🌼

~ Kim Min Gyu's 'Pretties' (a collection of all his precious gadgets whom he considers and talks to like one would with real people).🌼

~ Aji 3 and Min Gyu's super adorable friendship.🌼

~ Ji Ah's eccentric, never-going-to-stop-trying attitude.🌼

~ Ssanip and Hoktal's very fun bromance.🌼

~ Min Gyu's dazzling smile *take my heart, please.* 🌼

~ The slow, natural evolvement of relationships between all our  characters.🌼

~ Baek Gyun's journey to realizing the errors of his ways and owning his wrongs.🌼

~ Pi's no-nonsense crush on her boss.🌼

What I Didn’t Like:

~ I'd like to have seen more romance between Ji Ah and Min Gyu versus just Aji 3 & Min Gyu. I think that was missing for me.

My Favorite Learnings:

1. Trust is a journey. It doesn't happen overnight. 2. Let in people, especially if they are good for your heart. 3. Life is too beautiful to be afraid of, even when it hasn't been kind to you before.

My Last Thoughts: Aji 3's official enlistment as a 'pretty'.🙊

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GIF Credits: GIF 1, 9: @kdramareviews​ | GIF 2: Pinterest | GIF 10: We Heart It

~ Shin Hye Sun appreciation post for her absolutely delightful performance in Mr. Queen / Queen Cheorin ~ 💕

~ If it isn’t obvious, I am shipping Lim Ju Kyung and Han Seo Jun all the way. ~ 💕💕💕

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GIF Credits: GIF 4: Pinterest | GIF 5 & 6: Tumbex | GIF 7: Amino Apps | GIF 8: Hey Bae | GIF 9: Soompi | GIF 10: You Are A Wonder | 

~ Hwang In Yeop a.k.a Han Seo Jun appreciation post ~

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GIF Credits: GIF 2:  nicoledrg, Pinterest | GIF 3, 5: Tumbex | GIF 4: pinterest.co.kr | GIF 8, 11: We Heart It | GIF 9: Tumbral | GIF 10: @princesshibanaa​ 

~ If you’ve seen the ‘Let’s Eat’ series, you already know the level of GOLD Soo-Ji Baek’s eating skills are. She’s also the perfect actor-pairing with Dae-Young (a.k.a Yoon Doo-Joon) whose way of enjoying food can really make you fall for the man. 

Today’s to Soo-Ji and high-key tripping on her love for food. Of course, I had to do a series of her nom-nom GIFs. ~ 🔥

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GIF Credits:  GIF 1: Low Gif | GIF 2: MyDramaList |  GIF 3, 6, 8, 12, 13:  https://www.nemopan.com/ |  GIF 4: MLB Park | GIF 7, 10: Naver | GIF 9: SAYS | GIF 11: My Reading Wonderland | GIF 14: honeycam 

‘True Beauty’ Taught Me That You Have A Right To Be Seen & Cherished As You Are

Well, well. For starters, this was such a well-made show. Also, post gazillion discussions with my friend, we've concluded that K-dramas from 2019 have become more progressive, liberal and busters of their own stereotypes.

‘True Beauty’ was all of the above along with being funny, cute and addressing social issues head-on. Speaking of the last one, this show really puts into perspective the pressure of being conventionally 'pretty' and the nature of school bullying that leads to traumatic experiences in the life of young Korean adults. For this, I really applaud the show.

The story is about 'ugly' looking 18-year-old Lim Joo Gyung who is bullied by her high-school classmates for her looks and appearance. It is rather devastating to watch the first two episodes because man, they really open your eyes to the gruesome shit people do to other people.

Tired of being bullied and unloved, Joo Gyung decides to switch schools. In the process, she discovers make-up and its unruly power to help her transform her appearance from zero to hero(ine).

As she learns to master make-up skills, she is shocked by how she can manipulate and hide what she really looks like. Plot-twist: she's already met our hero Lee Su Hoo by now, who's seen her 'non-pretty' avatar and since her transfer happens to be in his school, he's already dubious about her made-up self.

This is where the fun begins. Joo Gyung slowly discovers that with the help of beauty products, she can finally be a ‘normal teenager’ who has friends. Lee So Hu confronts her with his suspicions and upon them being confirmed, helps her keep her secret.

What follows is how Joo Gyung battles her own insecurities about herself, how the story displays with beautiful delicacy what it means to be truly beautiful and how, the people who love you will always be there, because they can see who you are, bone-deep.

Rather than using make-up as a crutch to keep running away from her lack of self-worth, we see how our heroine comes to terms with this and how she strives to be beautiful in her own might.

I cannot proceed without proclaiming my indefinite love for Lim Hee Gyung, Joo Gyung's older sister and a powerhouse of a woman. What's not there to love about her? NOTHING. 

I love how she's 'manly' enough to chase the person she's fallen for and I love her relationship with homeroom teacher Han Jun Woo, which is a complete power reversal than what is usually shown in K-dramas. She's the man here, she wears the damn pants and looks hot in them while she's at it. He, on the other hand, has no shame in being completely vulnerable and letting her take the lead.

Lim Hee Gyung is everything I want to see in female drama leads. She's funny, digs intense video-gaming, smart, independent and a boss of a career woman. On the other hand, Han Jun Woo is kind, makes for a thorough poet through and through, is calm, composed and very sure of himself.

There is no denying how much I love Hwang In Yeop in Han Seo Jun's avatar. Man, little did I know that the swordsman from 'Tale of Nokdu' was going to be a stellar second lead.

Seo Jun is everything Lee Su Ho is not: funny, understands and respects boundaries, isn't an asshole on purpose, loves Joo Gyung, respects her secret, respects her choice to love someone other than him rather than 'fight' for her by forcefully getting in her way, doesn't proclaim his feelings until he's sure she's not seeing anyone and is in general, SO MUCH MORE FUN than our boring, boring first lead. Sigh.

Women (heroines) of dramas, please wake-up. I'm kind of tired of looking at y'all throw away the most beautiful of men because you think being with a stuck-up-arrogant-cold male lead is 'true love'.

It isn't. Really.

Also, I want to highlight how the show has women running the entire storyline on the forefront.

Be it Lim Hee Gyung, her mother Hong Hyun Suk who's the primary bread earner of the family, or Soo-Ah or Kang Soo Jin. 

I loved how adorable, funny and cute Hyun Suk’s husband --- insert *one of my favorite K-actors* --- Lim Jae Pil is. Damn, I love gender-role reversals and what a success this drama has been with them. *happy tears and cheers*

Lastly, let's get on to my favorite learnings from the show:

1. Your healing is your responsibility. 

Something we see so beautifully through the characters of Joo Gyung and Su Ho. With their own respective healing journeys, we see them own their self-discovery versus piling it on each other in the name of love.

2. Stop hiding your light.

After losing his closest friend, we see Han Seo Jun shut his heart to music despite it being his first love. But with time, Lim Hee Gyung and Su Ho convince him that it is a loss to the world to keep his musical gifts to himself and we see Seo Jun share his light once again.

3. Your heart is what is the most beautiful thing about you.

Not your clothes, not your talents and not your face. Who you are, how you treat others and how you love is what determines how beautiful or ugly you are.

My last thoughts thoughts, “... the ultimate dumpling war.” 

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GIF Credits: GIF 1: @cafe330 | GIF 2, 4, 5, 18: Aghasewatchtv | GIF 3, 14: Soompi  | GIF 6: @youthofmay​ | GIF 7: Bitches Over Dramas | GIF 8: Xenews.net | GIF 12: @ohh!kdrama! | GIF 13: Unbothered Unnies | GIF 15: @allnightontum-blr-blog​ | 

'Mr. Queen’ Taught Me “Be You. The World Will Adjust.”

I have no shame in proclaiming this so early into this year but… 'Mr. Queen' or ‘Queen Cheorin’ is my favorite drama watch of 2021.

Quite honestly, I don't know where to start with this show. There is so much happening in it, right from the very first scene and yet, it doesn't overwhelm or addle you (well done, team TVN).

A time-travel story, prominent Korean chef Jang-Bong Hwan's spirit suddenly transports back to the Joseon Dynasty and settles into Queen Kim So-Yong's body. Strangely, it is exactly at the same time when the Queen decides to jump into a palatial lake.

So what does a man from the 21st century do trapped in a woman's body from a couple of 100 years ago? Of course, he tries every possible trick in the book to swap back to his own physical being.

But the deities have other plans and we then see how Bong Hwan's spirit decides to own his role as a Queen until the heavens deem it right for him to return to present times.

I shall pause here and applaud the absolute brilliancy of actress Shin Hye-Sun who's done such a fantastic job portraying a narcissistic male spirit in a feminine form. She's a complete rock-star, our Queen Cheorin. She has zero hoots to give, she damns patriarchy in the face, she teaches the king a thing or two about how to run a goddamn country, she leads the creation of ramen as we know it today, she's bold, selfish and hellish funny.

King Cheoljung is another interesting entity. Sporting a façade as a 'puppet king', he's actually the mastermind behind the revolt brewing up among the masses. He was never really into Kim So-Yong because his heart is already tied to Jo Hwa-Jin. His marriage to So-Yong is nothing but an extension of court politics and this infuriates our very handsome but clearly-a-bit-twisted second lead, Kim Byeong-in.

In Byeong-in's defense, he's loved So-Yong ever since they were children and he's aware of her being despondent in finding no comfort or companionship in Cheoljong.

We then have two classic bitches-of-the-first-order in Queen Sunwon (great grandmother-in-law) and Queen Dowager Jo (mother-in-law). The former is supported by the slyest villain in the history of Joseon dynasty Kim Jwa-Guen and is evil enough on her own, mind you. Topped up with Queen Dowager's crappy antiques, the trio deserve an ovation for the amount of times they can piss you off.

The story follows the survival of Jang-Bong Hwan as Kim So-Yong amidst political intrigues and secrets that compose the palace and its people.

The show is hilarious. The comic timing, is absolutely woot-worthy and it just keeps wanting you to sit your ass down and move on to the next episode and then the next. Even through the darkest moments of storytelling, the show finds a way to make you laugh. And this, more than anything else (exception: Shin-Hye Sun's stellar performance) is the reason why I simply LOVE and adore the show.

I cannot not talk about Court Lady Choi-Hwa, a sensational, traditional mother-figure who's about to lose her shit thanks to the baffling antiques of our Mr. Queen. From walking with her skirt held up to her knees, from burping in your face, from taking over the Royal Kitchen and to dancing in the rain, So-Yong's sudden change of character causes Lady Choi to almost faint.

So-Yong, Lady Choi and Hong Yeon's femme bonding is one of my favorite parts of this entire tale, hands down.

There are so many sensational and cute side characters in the show but I'm going to list down some key learnings I picked up:

1. Have the courage to love yourself first.

Often, it is easier to love another before loving ourselves first. But to sit down with yourself and give yourself the love you crave for is a no-bargain deal, even if it means not having the space to love others.

2. Celebrate your weird, your crazy and your wild.

Life's really, really rather short to be anything but the whole of you. I love that about So-Yong: her ability to be radically herself and celebrate it.

3. You are only defeated when you think yourself to be.

No matter what life throws at you or if time has your back or not, you cannot be defeated until you allow yourself to be. I think this is one of my favorite qualities of King Cheoljung.

I'd like to rewatch this drama, at a slower pace, with large bowls of chili popcorn, now that the suspense is over and I know how it ends. My last words: So-Yong eating ramen. ❤

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GIF Credits: GIF 1 & 13 - Tumbex | GIF 2: Choi Jin-Hyuk y Dramas, Tumblr | GIF 3: @labelledejour​ | GIF 4: Aghasewatchtv | GIF 5: MyDramaList | GIF 5: Kenh 14 a | GIF 11: Dramabeans | GIF 12: Bitches Over Dramas | GIF 14: Tenor | GIF 15: @thingskateknows​ | 

Through ‘Goblin’ I Learnt Life Is Beautiful In Both, Colors Of Light & Dark

Ah, where do I start with this show? The 'Goblin' was my first 2021 drama pick. I had heard SO much about it -- one of the highest drama ratings ever scored, the love story of Eun-Tak and Kim Shin and of course, the hardcore shipping of Wang Yeo and Kim Sun. 

My YT recs were spammed with "Goblin: funny moments" featuring the Gob and Deok-hwa. And then, I happened to read a Google Review by someone who was raving about how the world built is so vast, so intricate and so fascinating. My mind instantly packed in high expectations for the show.

I get why Gong Yoo is so popular but can I say I love him more when he's doing off-screen interviews? (Have you seen his recent one with IU on Palette? *adorbs*)

The show has everything for a fantasy lover like me --- Korean mythology, magic, fantastical characters and badass Gods. 

What I didn't enjoy very much, contrary to popular opinion, was Eun-Tak's character. I found her obsessive and more of a crybaby than anything else. No offense to the actress, who I'm convinced is massively talented.

The story revolves around Kim Shin, a cursed 900-year-old Goblin who was a general-of-war in his last life and is seeking his wife in the mortal world. The latter is the only one who can help him end the treacherous curse and send him peacefully to afterlife.

Eun-tak, an orphan since she was 9, can see ghosts and converses with them. She's also very aware of her destiny as the Goblin's wife. A high-schooler, she meets her destined husband (Gong Yoo) and  soon enough, the tale gets complicated as the two battle fear of death, their growing love for a each other and the wretched curse.

There is Wang Yeo, a scaredy-cat of a king who is similarly cursed to be a Grim Reaper for repenting his past-life sins. I must say, the GR (Grim Reaper) is hot.🔥 He's also one of the most fascinating characters in the show for me -- shy, reserved, melancholy, with a soft lover's heart. 

Personally, I liked his bromance with the Goblin more than the latter's love story with Eun-Tak. (** insert: the MIB'ish slow-mo scene where the two of them walk towards Eun-Tak to save her. Also, the beaut BGM**)

But I am also heartily biased towards 'Sunny' aka Kim Sun, Wang Yeo's queen and Kim Shin's sister in her previous birth. Sunny is everything that Yeo is not -- bold, courageous, unafraid of chasing the man she dotes on and a strong woman with an even stronger pool of self-love.

The story is slow-paced, highlighting how transitory life is and how beautiful it is to be alive. We see the gradual progression of days as the Goblin and Eun-Tak fall in love and how the latter shows our hero what it means to live fully. Just following this up with some of my favorite learnings from the drama now:

1. You cannot change the past but you can learn from it. Something Wang Yeo does so beautifully when he regains his memories as a GR and repents for his past acts of cruelty and injustice.

2. Choose yourself, over and over again. Ah, I learned so much from Sunny, especially about how sometimes, forgiveness is not the answer and you cannot force yourself to offer it.

3. Through pain and discomfort, we grow. I could see this with Kim Shin's character --- first a deft goblin with a cocky attitude, we see his heart open up to the vulnerability of being human, of loving someone even when there isn't a guarantee of a happy ending and letting pain help him rise to be a better man, to himself and those he loves.

While Goblin is a fascinating drama, I wouldn't call it a favorite nor something I'd like to re-watch. Maybe because the expectations I set for it were too high and the show felt a little too long and intense. Another lesson learned: never read Google reviews of a drama before you happen to watch it yourself.

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GIF Credits: | 2 - Yahoo News Singapore | 5 - Wattapad | 6 & 17 - Giphy | 11 - Pinterest | 

Don’t Let Your Past Dictate Your Present Is What  I Learnt From ‘Chocolate’

For every drama I've loved so far, there's an inner Anvi screaming "O, my god! What a show! Go watch it!". It's screaming very loudly for this one as well.

My third drama to be precise and my first Korean one, ‘Chocolate’ (2019) had my heart in a knot and made me weep like a baby. It took every broken piece inside me and took its time in gluing it back with a little bit more magic and love.

Man, this show. Oh man, this show.

A tale of two childhood sweethearts, Dr. Kang and chef Moon Cha Young, the two reunite after nearly two decades with only Cha Young recognizing her first love. Dr. Lee Kang, an illegitimate heir of a big medical institution, lives with his step-family who wants nothing more than his inheritance. A boy who once dreamed of becoming a chef, Kang now seeks revenge for his mother's death.

Moon Cha Young has had it rough in life. A survivor of a terrifying building crash, she finds solace in food and cooking. Suffering from post-traumatic disorder, Cha Young keeps to herself, until Kang's best friend falls for her.

(I won't spill the beans further because that would just unravel the plot making it pointless to watch. Which is precisely what I don't want --- I want you to watch the drama and fall head over heels for it and cry buckets just like I did.)

Kang and Cha Young cross paths once again in a hospice for terminally ill patients and it is here, amidst stories of love, death, family and friendship that they begin to know each other.

The drama is tear-jerker, NGL. But I didn't mind that one bit. It isn't a light watch, it is mature and heavy and worth every minute of your precious time.

As is typical of drama male leads, Kang's initial treatment of Cha Young pissed the shit out of me even though I could understand where his attitude stemmed from -- Cha Young after all, broke the heart of his only and best friend. Still, I wanted to punch the man in his face a lot of times. And I also wanted to shake the hell out of Cha Young for returning to him time and again like a wounded puppy. Thank god she stopped after a while, thank god for some self-respect.

I also love, love the side-cast in this show. What freaking cool actors and boomers. I particularly love head nurse Ha Young Shi who's totally cool, gives zero shits about gender stereotypes and goes all in with her heart. Then there is Lee Joon who's narrative I particularly enjoyed, especially the way he chose to let his own heart guide him rather than his family's expectations of him. I loved Director Kwon Hyun Sik, a father figure to Kang and an absolutely beautiful man.

My learnings:

1. Some people are worth those second chances. 

Some people are worth placing your trust back into and trying once more. Some people are worth the fight. 

2. Don’t let your past dictate your present. 

Let your present dictate your choices, your heart. The past is long gone and if something from it comes revisiting, it is worth looking at in a brand new way.

3. It’s never too late to open your heart again.

For me, 'Chocolate' still remains one of my favorite dramas till date. I love the slow-paced nature of the show, I love how it wrings out all kinds of emotions from you and how it heals you in ways you don't even realize.

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GIF Credits: | GIF 2  - Soompi | GIF 7: Tumgir | GIF 11: Netflix 

Image Credits: Hancinema.net

'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo' Taught Me That When You're Tired, Rest, Don't Quit

I have a LOT OF FEELINGS for this show. I am going to leave it at that.

The Story:

Kim Bok-joo, our young weightlifter finds no greater joy than when she's lifting weights. Her ultimate dream is to bag a gold medal. She's loud, huge, can break a few teeth when messed with and has the softest, purest heart. Her father, Kim Chang Gul runs a fried chicken joint and is as animated as his daughter.

Jung Joon-Hyun, is an upcoming star-athlete in the swimming department whose main struggle is to not mess up during the start-time of a race. Being one of the prettiest boys on campus, he suffers from abandonment issues & a rough heartbreak. However, he's got a killer smile and a warm heart that's open to healing.

The story pans around different subjects:

From the life of university athletes, to how love can be right next to you even when you cannot see it,

From addressing what it means to 'be and look like a woman', to how friendship is the knight in shining armor during your darkest times,

From what it means to be a team, to how choosing yourself over others is sometimes exactly what you need,

From unabashedly chasing your crush to knowing how 'family' goes beyond blood.

This drama was such a wonderful surprise for me. It is hilarious, sweet, impactful and a deeply comforting friend, especially when you need a pick-me-up. I am already planning a slow re-watch so that I can truly savor it, once again.

My favorite bits about the show include: ~ Bok-joo's refreshing personality and her confidence in being who she is.🐷 ~ Her heartwarming relationship with her father, Chang Gul  🐷 ~ Coach Choi Sung Eun and her strength + badassery 🐷 ~ First love 🐷 ~ Chung Nan Hee's pickup line of the millennium: "Do you like Messi?" 🐷 ~ 'Swag' 🐷 ~ Joon-Hyun and Bok-joo (forever and everrrrrrrrrrr) 🐷

Learnings:

1. The questions is: how beautiful are you on the inside? It was so nice to see a female lead character that focused on being beautiful within. I loved how Bok-joo never lost her innocence or the essence of who she is. For her, all that mattered was having a good heart.

2. And when you're tired, learn to rest, not quit This was my favorite learning. As we watch Bok-joo struggle with her love for weightlifting and this deep, repressed desire to do things that girls her age explore, it is heartwarming to see her take a break from her passion without entirely giving up on it. I'd like to give a small shoutout to her father, Chang Gul for being an absolute cutie and supporting her.

3. Some people are like sunshine and they deserve to be kept warm Joon-Hyun is one such person who lights up in Bok-joo's presence, while she feels thoroughly comfortable in her skin with him. It is this ease and this love between them that makes you realize how people can be each other's suns and moons.

My last words:

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GIF Credits: | GIF 1, 7 & 13: Pinterest | GIF 2: Steam Community | GIF 3: gfycat | GIF 4: KpopMap | GIF 5: @kdramascenarios | GIF 6: A Gypsy Socresses’s Library | GIF 8: Kdrama Fangirls Review Stuffs | GIF 9: Coffeecaramello | GIF 10: Cosmo.ph | GIF 11 & 15: We Heart It | GIF 12: @seokjinings | GIF 14: Wattapad | GIF 16: OneHallyu

~ A small look-book of Jang Man Wol’s killer wardrobe and a big talent-appreciation post. ~ 

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GIF Credits: | GIF 3 - Soompi | GIF 4 - Blight @Wattapad | GIF 7 - KPop Map |  GIF 9 & 11 - Giphy | GIF 6, 10 & 12 - Dramabeans | GIF 11 - @foriu​ | GIF 13: Literature and Movies | GIF 14 - Pinterest | 

‘Dinner Mate’: One Of The Most Underrated K-Dramas Of 2020

My first access point to K-dramas has been Netflix, so it was quite a while later when I realized there are thousands of great dramas not listed on the platform that I could probably access elsewhere. Of course, there were a lot of trials involved in stumbling upon a high-quality, free streaming platform, but I managed.

The Story:

'Dinner Mate' a 2020 drama, fit the bill for my next watch. Two strangers share a meal coincidentally and what follows is a relationship where they refrain from sharing personal details as they continue meeting over dinner to enjoy food.

I came to love this drama SO much. Every element in the story has a purpose and a place. 

Dr. Kim-Haeyoung, a psychiatrist uses food therapy to heal his patients while Producer Woo Do-Hee breathes and slays B-Class tacky content at 2N Media Box. Both of them have survived terrible heartbreaks from long relationships.

What unfolds is not just a story of healing but also of how the acceptance of our pasts can allow us to make the most of the present moment. While their ex-lovers show up, demanding a place back in their hearts, it is wonderful to watch Kim-Haeyoung and Do-Hee let go of residual pain and hurt, as they begin to accept and flourish the love that's blooming between them.

I love badass characters, especially female leads and Do-Hee is one of them. She's bold, fierce, proudly weird and says exactly what's on her mind. Kim Haeyoung is calm, composed and yet bears a childlike curiosity that always leads him to unexpected adventures.

Jin-Eol and Jae-Hyuk, the ex-lovers of our protagonists map a trajectory that begins with entitlement to the love they once walked away from, to fighting a one-sided fight and finally, understanding the beauty of letting go. There's my favorite Nam A-yung, the 43-year-old CEO of 2N Media Box. She's as wild as her wardrobe but has a heart that's more open than any of the lead characters we see.

The story is simply beautiful with elements of humor, heart and emotion seamlessly supporting and elevating each other. Every episode is a delight to watch, every moment dripping with insight and meaning. 

This is one of those underrated wonders which I'd proudly download and re-watch over and over.

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Pictures | IQUI & Doodle App

GIFs | 1&2 - Dramabeans | 3&4 - Soompi Forums

~ Because, it was always about Nok-du and Dong-joo’s love.~ 

- The Tale of Nokdu (2019) - 

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Credits | 1 - @weguttersnipe, Tumblr | 2 - Omana, They Didn’t Live Journal | 3 - KpopMap | 4 & 10 -Tumbral | 5 - Amino Apps | 6 - @thingskateknows​ | 7 & 8 - Pannchoa | 9 - Soompi Forums | 11 & 13 - Tumgir | 12 - Bitches Over Dramas 

~ Some GIF-love from Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast (Season 1) ~

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Credits: GIF 1: MyDramaList, GIF 2, 3 & 4: Amino Apps