Drama Recaps
Who Are You: Episodes 1 & 2
by | March 17, 2008 | 52 Comments
MBC’s new drama Who Are You? will probably not be a huge hit — On Air will easily claim that timeslot — and I doubt it carries the potential to join the ranks of the exceptional. The conceit is pretty clear — body-switching, and the hilarity that ensues — like... More »


Drama Reactions & Reviews
On Air: First impressions
by | March 16, 2008 | 87 Comments
Hm. Perhaps SBS and I are not meant to be on friendly terms. It’s not that there’s anything about the broadcast station in particular that I don’t like; it’s just that it’s been ages since I’ve seen an SBS drama I really enjoyed. And the dramas I’ve actively disliked recently... More »


Drama Casting & News
Chae Rim heads for the Blue House
by | March 16, 2008 | 36 Comments
Chae Rim, aka plucky Dal Ja of last year’s hit romantic comedy series Dal Ja’s Spring, has been cast to headline the new KBS Monday-Tuesday drama series Rivals [강적들], which takes place in the Blue House (Cheongwadae), Korea’s presidential residence, opposite Lee Jong Hyuk (sexy!) and Lee Jin Wook (cute!)... More »


Celebrity News
Song Il Kook gets hitched
by | March 15, 2008 | 72 Comments
Song Il Kook (Jumong, Lobbyist) is a bachelor no more. The 37-year-old actor married his bride in Seoul on the 15th in a mostly traditional ceremony (embellished with a few modernized twists to give it a “creative” fusion vibe). The event was closed to the public, although more than a... More »


Open Thread
Open Thread # 21
by | March 14, 2008 | 40 Comments
  Happy White Day everyone! (Although I think more of us probably don’t observe the holiday than do.) In case you’re not familiar with the concept, White Day takes place a month after Valentine’s, on March 14; and since V-Day is when girls gift boys with chocolate, White Day is... More »


Kpop News
Horan, the bookworm author
by | March 13, 2008 | 16 Comments
Did you know Clazziquai vocalist Horan was a book lover? Well she is, and now she’s got a book coming out. But before you disparage her move outside her native kpop (or, k-alternative or k-electronica, rather), first consider the following: Her dream in younger days was in “serious” literary writing;... More »


Drama Casting & News
Notice: Hong Gil Dong postponed to next week
by | March 13, 2008 | 16 Comments
Quick update: In case you’re expecting Hong Gil Dong‘s Episode 22 today… you’ll have to wait. Apparently there’s a baseball game (a qualifying round for the Beijing Olympics) between Korea and Canada. With sports taking up the timeslot, Hong Gil Dong gets pushed to next week. That begs the question... More »


Drama Recaps
Hong Gil Dong: Episode 21
by | March 12, 2008 | 57 Comments
Ooh. The plot takes an interesting turn! EDIT: Apparently this week will only show one episode due to a special sports broadcast on the 13th (Thursday). Episode 22 will air next Wednesday, the 19th. Boo! SONG OF THE DAY The The Band – “여자이니까” (Because I’m a girl) [ zShare... More »


Celebrity News
A summer baby for Seo Min Jung
by | March 11, 2008 | 11 Comments
Seo Min Jung is pregnant! (She’s reportedly five months along and expecting in the summer.) The actress was married last August to a Korean-American dentist and has since removed herself from the entertainment sphere, living with her husband in New York. Seo is most well-known for her role as the... More »


Drama Casting & News
Historical inaccuracy, or dramatization?
by | March 11, 2008 | 37 Comments
The following is interesting to me because I don’t know much of the Chosun background during which Hong Gil Dong takes place, and because I had this exact conversation with my parents in discussing the drama’s historical accuracy. On a separate level, there’s also the question of how many liberties... More »