Thursday, November 18, 2010

The KHJ Power Angels



In the mist of my Playful Kiss stalking craze among websites and blogs I stumbled upon one blogsite and its Kathy's Bench. This blogsite is dedicated to Kim Hyun Joong, anything and everything about him. And of course as KHJ was the main lead of Playful Kiss, Kathy's Bench were full of PK news, updates and goodies that any PKissers would like to see and know. As soon as I discovered Kathy's blogsite I become one of its frequent lurkers (ok, i did turn into a stalker!).

And as I usullay vist Kathy's blog I usually see the chatbox but I dont usually join chatrooms so I only read their discussions about KHJ to PK and any other related topics. Until 1 day I couldnt help myself as I read the chatters interesting discussions, I did register and log in and thats when all better things started.

I met wonderful people in Kathy's chatbox, different people, different personalities but were united by the love for KHJ and PK. As they have welcomed me with open arms I gradually got to know some of them whom have been regular chatters at the chatbox. And as the friendship forms our love for KHJ and PK grow stronger so we decided to call our selves The KHJ Power Angels! As of the moment as per my last head count the members of the KHJ Power Angels are 13 and still have semi-regulars at the chatbox.

The KHJ Power Angels also have codes/motto we we try to follow, and few of them are:

"Age is just a number but its the Heart that matters"
"RESPECT"

Now I wanted to introduce the members of The KHJ Power Angels.

1. Kathy -She is the owner of Kathy's Bench, the main blogger and the one we considered as the KHJ Guru for she almost knows all the possible news, tidbits and other stuff about KHJ and PK as well. Im really impress with this young lady, as she juggles work, home and blogging. Im really thankful that I did find her blog, as I said in my earlier post, her blog is like my ray of sunshine which brings smiles and laughter for me.

2. Ms Deanna or Ms D -She is the more "matured one" among the KHJ Angels. You can really see that she does have a great head above her shoulders by means of her messages but dont let it fool you because she is one of the coolest fangirl I'ved ever met. She's a certified K-drama lover as well. She loves KHJ so much that I bet she's willing to go to Korea anytime in just a drop of a hat just for KHJ. 

3. Grace Go- Grace as we call her is the  one of the original resident chatter together with Ms D in Kathy's blog. She's a certified KHJ fangirl. She's honest, funny and witty as well as she can kill you with her humorous one liners. Indeed this Grace is one of a kind fangirl!

4. Maricar -She's the other funny and endearing person in Kathy's chatbox. At first when you met her you will just thought she's all jokes and you wont get serious moment with her but no, when you need her to be serious for something important or worthy for sure you will learn a good thing or two from her.

5. Doc Vinz -She considered herself as a newbie in the field of Kdrama watching. In my opinion she's the who serves as the middle ground of the KHJ Power Angels. She usually have a rational thinking/opinions about things but it doesnt mean that she's exempted for being a fangirl to KHJ and the HyunMin couple. We do share the likes of dissecting news and scenes that we love from PK.

6. Abbie -The youngest among the KHJ Power Angels. And as the youngest she's has this bubbly personality that can be easily seen in her messages. Also, usually she's can easily be bullied by us (her unnies) but then her energetic chats and fast response makes the chatbox more fun and lively.

7. Brigitte -Like me, she's based on other country but it doenst stop her to be a K-drama lover as well. She has this honest and open minded opinions about anything. Also, she loves spazz worthy scenes as we love to discuss it and give different assumptions about it.

8. Mela -She's like Abbie, young, fun and endearing. A fast chatter indeed. And now she shown us her prowess in design (thru our shirt) which by the way we all love. Im thankful for the efforts she's doing for the sake of the KHJ Power Angels.

9. Gladys aka Markii -Also based on other country as well. She's very expressive, a quick thinker and great at analyzation type of KHJ angel which she shows thru her articles. We do greatly appreciates her insights about anything and everything related to KHJ, HYUNMIN and PK.

10. Happeeh -As her name implies she has this happy personality that brings laughter to us in the chatbox. It seems to me that she have this carefree personality and happy disposition in life which also give us the other angels different views and see things in different prospective.

11. Bheng -Also one of the fast chatter in the chatbox. She's fun to chat with and you can also have a banter session with her and for sure you'll never be bored again.

12 . Of course Me!!! LOL!!!

I got to thank PK and Kim Hyun Joong for leading me to meet these people but as I put it "I came because of PK and KHJ but i stayed because of the KHJ Power Angels."

I feel good knowing these wonderful people and I'll try my hardest to be a good KHJ Power Angels!

SARANGHAE KHJ POWER ANGELS!!!
AJA! FIGTHING!


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

My Playful Kiss Thank You'!

One of my fave scene of the OTP from the YT webisode
Im gonna miss them terribly!!!!


The Playful Kiss YouTube Episode 7 was already released and the run of the webisodes has finally ended. I know it would sound so emotional and cheesy but suddenly felt the sadness has wash over me.This is really the end of it but then I dont want to let myself to be sulking and lonely, I wanted to remember PK with all the great memories and the great things that it has brought me. So, I will save this post to say my Thank You's to all the people who make this experience more memorable.

First thank you to Javabeans and Girlfriday of Dramabeans for the recaps of PK. I know not everybody liked the way they have recapped PK, I myself sometimes cant seem to see eye to eye with them but then with the disagreements that I have with them I'ved come to appreciate PK more. I feel that because of the things that they had pointed out I feel more protective of PK and it lead me to love PK more.

To Ockoala of Ockoala's playground for the fun and constructive recaps which I throughly enjoyed. Also for being such a gracious host and letting us (PKissers) express our love for PK even though we were flooding her thread of recaps with our heaps comments. And then to my other co-commentors in Ockoala's like V, JJ, carol, lunybunny, yeisha and many others (you know who you are) for making recap reading a blast. Hope to interact again with you all!!!

And Lastly Thank You to Kathy's Bench! To Kathy, our main blogger and KHJ guru thank you for welcoming me in your community of Hyunnies and HyunMin Shippers, for sharing Kim Hyun Joong to all of us!!! You dont know how much I appreciate your blog, if Ockoala's is my happy place your blog is my ray of sunshine because it replaces my homesickness feeling with smiles and laughter. I never thought that I will find friends in your blog and luckily I did! To all the KHJ Power Angels namely Ms D, Grace, Doc Vinz, Abbie, Happeeh, Brigitte, Markii, Bheng, Maricar, Mela for the warm welcome and happy interactions in Kathy's chatbox. Im always looking forward for our daily chitchats, our dissecting sessions, drooling sessions, tagayan and katol sessions,the pagpapalit anyo during 12midnight,  the giddiness overload over of HyunMin and many more. You guys were the biggest gift PK has given to me and for that I will be forever grateful to PK!!! And I know even PK ended its run I know the friendship that we build will continue!!! Of course, KHJ Power Angels will prevail!!! Love you guys!!!

And to Playful Kiss again, thank you for all the wonderful and happy memories. Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min, I promise to support you guys til the end! I love these two to pieces!!! Even though PK has ended my love for this drama will remain.

Again, Thank you!!!
More power to Kathy's Bench!!!!
KHJ Power Angels AJA!!!
HYUNMIN FTW!!!
SARANGHAE PLAYFUL KISS!!!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

HyunMin COUPLE!!!

Please be advise that this post is save for the raving of a 25year lady possessed by a 16year high school fangirl. You have been warned!

Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min, I never thought that this names would create a big commotion in my K-drama watching life. As I mentioned in my earlier post when Playful Kiss started to air I didnt know that it would hit me bigtime. And it created a major fangirl conversion in their favor! As of the moment the Playful Kiss is aring its YouTube webisodes which features the glimpse of the married life of Baek Seung Jo and Oh Ha Ni. As Im writing this post the eposide 1 of the YT webisode is almost reaching its 1 million mark of hits and the episodes 2 and 3 are just tailing behind it! Its just amazing!!! The PKissers are doing the happy dance from glee of this wonderful news!!!

Well, as I watched PK series and currently the YT webisodes, I wonder why I keep coming back? Is it because of the story? I would say of course! I love the story of of PK but then I  realized that its not only the reason why. This is also the major reason why I love PK more than what I would have imagine!


They are so cute right?!
This two adorable individual have joined together to create such an endearing couple in a K-drama. I love Kim Hyun Joong already back in his Boys Over Flowers days and love him even more when got to know him more in We Got Married and his other musical talents with SS501.  He made Baek Seung Jo his own and oh boy I did love it!!! The way he portrayed his role as mean but lovable boy-robot-genius, its awesome!. KHJ playing the role of Baek Seung Jo had me converted from just a  regular fan to a certified fangirl! It solidified my love for him! And thats saying something because I dont usually joined fans club or stalked sites for the news on him but I got 180 degrees changes in terms of supporting a celebrity, indeed KHJ is one of a kind! And Im just so happy that KHJ is still reaching greater heights in his career. Go Leader you really deserve it!!!

Kim Hyun Joong, the Hyun of the HYUNMIN couple
In case of Jung So Min, basically she is a newbie in showbiz, but her acting chops in Bad Guy was so good I endured that one heck of a disappointing drama just because of her! (ok! and kim jae-wook as well). Seeing her play Oh Hi Ni with so much energy, joy and enthusiam it brings joy my heart. I love her take on Oh Ha Ni, she's slow on uptake but not dumb, have such a bright personality and full of heart which makes her so endearing. JSM embodies a young, sweet and graceful image that is so refreshing to see. I would really love to see more of her!

Jung So Min the other half of the HYUNMIN couple

One of the my fave stills in the Jeju island filming
And as they say it takes to two to tango, KHJ and JSM together, they created a wonderful and relatable couple. Its such a delight to watch them biker, tease, laugh, smile, have LQ, make-up and love each other. Their scenes together were my favorites in the series. It also seems that KHJ and JSM were so comfortable with each other that they look so natural on screen as if they were really the PK couple.The akwardness that we saw in the start of the series was long gone as if it never happened. And because of that many PKissers (what we call ourselves as PK lovers) are so happy and wishing that in real life they could be together! Well, I admit Im one of them!!!! That why some of the PKissers decided to give our lovable couple a name, and its HYUNMIN (hyun from KHJ and min from JSM)!!!  And besides those BTS and recent pictures of these two were adding to our delight as we saw how happy they were in the set even the filming were tiring. Now they are included in my own OTP HALL FAME. (its my list of my favorite OTP of all time!).


HyunMin Couple!
Well, as Playfull Kiss is wrapping up its YT webisodes on 18th November I will surely miss it but I will say bye bye with a smile on my face because I know its gonna be a happy goodbye. The show might end but the happy, giddy, sweet and loving momeries of Playful Kiss and the HYUNMIN couple will remain.

HYUNMIN COUPLE FTW!!!
AJA PLAYFUL KISS!!!
SARANGHAE!!!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Playful Kiss YouTube Episodes


Official Poster of Playful Kiss on the YouTube Edition


OMG!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!Hurray!!!! Hurray!!!


That was my first reaction was I read the news that Playful Kiss will push through the airing of the mini episodes on 02 Nov onwards. Well,its because there were some rumors that the airing of the mini episodes will be push back and to be air by mid November which I personally dont like to happen because I miss Playful Kiss so much! I think its safe to say that all PKissers around the world are having PK withdrawals and are still craving for more PK love so I'm just so estatic to know that I'll be watching the new mini episodes starting tomorrow!

And have read interviews from the press conference that happened today 01 November that these mini episodes will show the life of the newly weds. Also, based on tht interview Kim Hyun Joong mentioned that we, the viewers will be treated to more sweet and loving moments of our adorable couple Baek Seung Jo and Oh Ha Ni.

Based on the photos from the press conference both Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min are bit tired but seem happy to be back playing the happy couple that we all learn to love.


Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min in the press conference
They look so happy and adorable right?

Anyways, please be sure to subscribe on their YouTube account for the access in the Playful Kiss mini episodes. And below is the link for its preview with english subs. Enjoy!

http://www.viikii.net/videos/watch/112229/0/playful-kiss-youtube-ver.html



Can't wait for 02 Nov.!!!

AJA Playful Kiss!!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Mara Clara Revival

Mara Clara was the one of the longest teleserye shown in the Philippines. It started 1992 and ended 1997 which (do a simple math!) means it lasted 5 freaking years! Well that time Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes were still at their teens and TV dramas were supposed to long running and full of emotional roller coaster ride. And the infamous "Black Diary" of Kardo was one of the few things that steal the spotlight in the show. To people who watched this drama, you know what I'm talking about!

Now, ABS CBN wanted to re-introduce Mara Clara to the younger generation. This new version of Mara Clara will star two up coming tween stars Julia Montes as Clara Del Valle and Kathryn Bernardo as Mara Davis. If your familiar with Kapamilya TV shows you can remember them as a member of the Going Bulilit gang just few years back. Yup, you remember correctly, just few years ago these tween stars were just little kids making us laugh but not they are in the midst of being teenage life. OMG! I suddenly felt old!

To be honest I dont know if this generation will be interested in watching a revival of Mara Clara with so many dramas around, aside from the fact that their are many things that this generation are so busy about. I do hope that ABS CBN can find a way to keep the story tight and fresh so younger generation can appreciate the story and drama.

For the meantime, I'm gonna keep my eyes open and will try to watch this with open mind and fresh eyes!
Good luck to Mara Clara!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Imortal: First Impression

First, I would to make it clear that Im not a professional tv or film critic nor an expert in analization and evalution of any dramas or movies. Anything I that I will write is just my opinions and ideas about something that I watched. Now that I cleared that lets go and watch!

I know Imortal has been in primetime for almost 3 weeks now and someone gonna be asking just why now im giving my first impression about it. Well, honestly when they first aired im kinda swamped by k-dramas so got little time to really process what I have seen in Imortal. And then, its better late than never, right?

When I first heard that John LLoyd Cruz and Angel Locsin would team up in a teleserye, I immediately wonder what would be the concept of their project. The idea of them working together pumps up my anticipation because I know it would be a blast putting these two credible actors in one screen.

Well, everybody who knows me, knew that I love John Lloyd Cruz as an actor. He is one of the finest in his generation of actors. He has this sincerity and intensity when he acts that you cant help but be amaze on how he can do that kind of acting! Later on they revealed that the drama would be called Imortal. The Imortal story revolves the world of werewolves and vampires. How their world is related to one another and even though they despise each other. The main plot would be the story of JLC and AL's character being the "choosen one" of their respective nature (JLC-vampires & AL-werewolves) and how their fate will intertwine and how love will complicate their already complicated world. I was excited to see how JLC would fare in fantaserye (fantasy+teleserye) because as many dramas were done under his belt, JLC havent done anything like this before.

Angel Locsin on the other hand have been those actress that surprisses me with its brand of acting and charisma on the screen. Fantaserye has been her forte because she's done quite a few already. In fact her character here in Imortal was the daughter of her old character in her fantaserye called LOBO which were done with Piolo Pascual (papa P! LOL!).

I got to watched the first few episodes. They shown the background story of the vampires which indicated that they were already existented way back since I think before the civilization.
Then during the spanish era in our country, the characters of Jomari Yllana and Jake Roaxs were introduced. JR was a vampire and JY was he's supposed next victim but apparently before JR would take his life JY begged for his life stating that he have a son. JR who decided to spare his life just turned JY into a vampire as well. JR doesnt like to be a vampire but heck he cant do anything about right? It's been done already!

Ok, this was the time when I got so annoyed because I already saw where we were heading to. The time that Im watching this part I almost shut the tv off and pull the plug but I remember that im not the only one watching it so i cant do that because its gonna be rude. Well, just to summarize the scenes that made me so annoyed and disappointed at the same time, please see below.

1. JY doesnt like to kill humans just to satisfy his thirst so he just drink animal blood = Carlisle Cullen
2. JY gathered the vampires who dont like to drink human blood = Cullen coven
3. Lara Quigaman was introduced as a mortal who fell in love with JY which is a vampire = LQ =bella / JY =edward
4. LQ and JY had a baby that will turn out to be JLC as a grown up = JLC =renesmee
5. AL as the werewolf = jacob

Now, does those things ring a bell? twilight anyone?!  Well, as much as i love JLC and i know doing fantaserye was not an easy feat but aish! (thats the sound of frustrated viewer). I know it will sound harsh but the first few episodes were like a unofficial rip off of twilight series (I read the books so I kinda know a thing or two). Few changes has been made to make it different but all in all it seems like it falls back to the same thing. And the impression it left me was not the one im hoping for. After that I didnt have the enthusiasm to watch it again, got to catched few scenes again but I have not yet forgotten the first impression so i felt nothing about it, it doesnt make any connection.

But for these past few days my friend whose still watching Imortal religiously were raving about it and keep on saying that it was getting better everyday and cant see the touch of twilight anymore. She's convincing me to give it a second chance coz its worth it. Well, I said Ok, will watch it again in the name of my love for JLC's talent and will try to watch with an open mind and open heart. I do hope its worth of giving second chance.

So please Imortal, I do really hope its worth the second chance. Im counting on you!



Friday, October 22, 2010

Playful Kiss!

This is Playful Kiss my latest K-drama addiction!


As Playful Kiss wraps up its 16 episodes run, Im trying to convince myself that saying goodbye to this current favorite of mine will be easy but heck I know it will never be! For the past 8 weeks this Korean version of the Itazura na Kiss from the Japanese manga have been my constant companion during wednesday and thursday night. This k-drama have won me over in the 1st episode even though its bit dragging. It instantly became my latest k-drama addiction. And when I say addiction, I really mean it! You wonder how addicted I am? Well even though Im not korean and can barely understand korean language, I do watch it raw just to be updated to the scenes immediately and then re-watch it again when the videos already have the subtitles. I stalked/lurk around in the all possible sites that have or give infos, news and spoilers about PK! Waste my precious sleeping time just to watch for the updates, change cellphone ringtone to the OST of the drama, well the list goes on...

Anyway back to PK! I think this is my way of saying goodbye to them, giving credit to where its due.

Even though it was based on a Japanese manga, which means that they have a plotline/story that they need to follow thru, they managed to infuse their own style and charm to the story that i feel this drama can stand alone as a whole even without the background introduction where it was based on. 


Kim Hyun Joong as Baek Seung Jo and Jung So Min as Oh Ha Ni
They look so adorable, right?

The story of Play Kiss revolves around the love and life story of Oh Ha Ni and Baek Seung Jo. On how would they fall in love despite the fact that they have totally different personality. On how they would they grow as individuals and together as well. Also, in this drama, we dont really have the uber villians, or any life shattering stakes that we usually see in any drama which for me is like a breath of fresh air. 

Im not saying that this drama is perfect, to be honest its far from it but then what makes up for the bad editing (the odd-even scheme of bad editing/directing), the unclear time lapses and other drama glitches is the core of the drama which is its HEART. This drama has a lot of heart aka LOVE, not just for romantic love but all sorts of love like love for family friends,for one's self and many others. And because of its heart the drama evokes all sort of emotions from its viewers. This drama makes us laugh, cry, angry, sad, and all other emotions that a regular person could feel. Aside from the fact that this drama comprises sweet and touching moments. Also it has this slice of life approach which make it relatable and more enjoyable watch.


This drama were so lucky to have a such amazing cast to play its characters.I think if they dont have this wonderful people to the play the parts this drama would be totally different. Every character blended together so well that as a viewer you'll be convince that they are really indeed a family, friends or even classmate in real life.


Few of the cast of Playful Kiss
 To all the cast again, they are all wonderful from seung jo's mom (the coolest mom/mom-in-law ever in kdrama history!!!) to the dads (great dads!), to tennis sunbae(so funny!), to ju ri and minah (lovable girlfriends!), to eun jo (the cutest sourpuss ever!) and all other supporting cast, KUDOS to all of you for the job well done! 
Lee Tae Sung as Bong Joon Gu


Lee Shi Young as Yoon Hae Ra
 To our second leads, Lee Tae Sung won my heart for being the devoted boon joon gu, his portrayal was so convincing that sometimes you wanted to root for him to get the lead girl and have his happy ending. I will look up for more of your other projects because I havent watched you aside here in PK. I think i will enjoy your other performances as well.

Lee shi young in the other hand is the girl you will love to hate because of slightly b*tchy character Yoon Hae Ra.  I love how she played her character, she's the obstacle for our OTP but played with certain adorableness that you cant really seem to hate her esp. when she gracefully accepted defeat from Oh Hani. I'ved seen her other projects and I would say she's just waiting for her turn to the spotlight.


Our OTP (One True Pair)

 Maybe, what also makes me stay with this drama is also because of its leads, Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min. At first, I didnt expect them to have that kind of chemistry that you'll believe that they can be together but OMG it was a pleasant surprise when the chemistry was there and you can actually feel it right across your screen. It also doesnt hurt that your leads are such good looking young actor and actress. And together they created such an adorable pair. 

I think i'ved written this a couple of times already in different blogs and sites, but I would like to say it again KIM HYUN JOONG you indeed proved to us that you clearly deserved the role of beak seung jo. You have redeemed yourself for the first not so stellar acting gig of yours in Boys Over Flowers. We already love you as the performer/singer with your 4D personality, flower boy looks and many other musical related talents but taking this role and making it your own makes you more lovable. And created a mass fangirls conversion in your favor.I will look forward to your upcoming projects. But please dont forget to get some well deserve rest 'cause you have worked so hard!



JUNG SO MIN, I liked her performance in Bad guy thats why I'm positive that her take on Oh Hani will be wonderful. And I'm so glad that she nailed her character as Oh Ha Ni. She played the role with such joy and energy that you cant help but to root for her in everything that she does. She embodied the warmth and soul of this drama. She made her Oh hani so relatable that her every happiness, hurts and her other emotions evoked same feelings within ourselves. Im pretty sure that this girl's star will continue to shine brighter! And I'm looking forward to it!

I'ved watched many kinds dramas in my life and I could say that there are only few dramas that have touched me but PK have done more than just touched my heart but it also let me see myself and my world in a different perspective, it makes me appreciate it more. Just what like Oh Hani have done for Baek Seung Jo. Oh Hani showed Baek Seung Jo the alternative life that he could have which is a happier and more meaningful life.

 


Few of the sweet moments of our OTP
All in all, Playful Kiss will be in my top ten of dramas that have touch my life in all aspect. I will surely miss it but as we say goodbye to his drama, I will take with me all the little lessons of life they have imparted to me. I think that is the best appreciation I could give to PLAYFUL KISS.

SARANGHAE PLAYFUL KISS!!