[Rant/Review] - Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

Scarlet Heart - Ryeo

WARNING: Contains spoilers for ep 19 and 20 of the drama. If you haven't seen the full drama, this will spoil the ending for you! Read at own risk!

[NEWS] My Top 5 New Dramas (July Edition)

SUMMER DRAMAS WOOP WOOP!

Summer!!! It brings us (hopefully) warm weather, tons of fangirl feels and Taecyeon.

Hiya everyone! I hope you've enjoyed summer so far! I wish I could say mine has been full of sunshine and beach-chilling, but I'd be lying. Swedish summer sucks DX we get rain almost every other day <_<. But hey, it could've been a lot worse; It could've rained ALL DAY. every day, all year around. I guess the good part is that, since it's bad weather outside, I don't feel too guilty spending my free time watching dramas,; and I'll continue to do so seeing as that July will be an epic month full of drama goodies! <3
So let's see what this month has to offer shall we? These are the top 5 dramas I'll be checking out in the month of July.

[REVIEW] Hyde, Jekyll and I

Hyde, Jekyll and I (2015, South Korea)

Title: 하이드 지킬, 나
Also known as: Hyde, Jekyll and Me
Genre: romance, Comedy, psychological

Episodes: 20

Broadcast network:  Jan 21, 2015 to Mar 26
Broadcast period: SBS

Gu Seo Jin is a third-generation chaebol who runs the theme park Wonder Land. He seemingly has everything — looks, brains, and fortune. But a traumatic incident in his childhood resulted in Seo Jin having a split personality — one is a cold, ruthless man,while the other is the polar opposite, someone kind and gentle. Because of this, he vows never to date or marry. Seo Jin wants to get rid of the circus show at Wonder Land due to low ticket sales and high overhead costs, but he butts heads with circus master Jang Ha Na. Ha Na insists on saving the failing circus and dreams of revamping it back to its former glory. She soon finds herself falling for both of Seo Jin's personalities. - MDL

Overall Score: 6.5/10
Character Development: 5/10
Plot Development: 5/10
Acting: 9/10
Soundtrack: 5/10 (pretty forgettable, to be honest)

Omodramaland's 'Can't Contain The Feels' - Corner - Another Oh Hae Young (contains spoilers of the first 9 episodes)

Anyone else obsessed with 'Another Oh Hae Young'?

This currently airing korean drama has taken over my life. It has ruined all of my feels, all of my OTPs....Another Oh Hae Young is love. Another Oh Hae Young is life *_* I regret nothing! Are you obsessed with it too? If yes, yaaay, let's be friends! :D
Warning: this post contains spoilers of the first 9 episodes

[NEWS] My Top 5 New Dramas (April Edition)

My top new dramas (April Edition)

April comeback!! ~~ See what I did there? Yes? No? ow T_T Anyways, jokes aside, let's see what this month has to offer shall we?

[Drama Recap and Analysis] D-Day episode 6

D-day (2015, South Korea)

                                [SPOILERS BELOW] This is a recap and analysis of episode 6

[REVIEW] Madame Antoine

Madame Antoine (2016, South Korea)

Title: 마담 앙트완
Also known as: Madame Antoine
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: JTBC
Broadcast period: Jan 22th - March 12th

Go Hye Rim is a famous fortune-teller. She is known as "Madame Antoine" and insists that she is spiritually connected to Marie Antoinette, but that part is a lie. She can see through people and read their minds using "cold reading" as a technique (a set of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, fortune-tellers, mediums and illusionists to imply that the reader knows much more about the person than the reader actually does). She dreams of having love in a romantic film. Hye Rim then takes part in a psychological test project conducted by psychotherapist Choi Soo Hyun . His goal is to prove that true love does not exist. Coincidentally, the name for his psychological treatment center is Madame Antoine - MDL

Overall Score: 8/10
Character Development: 8/10
Plot Development: 8/10
Acting: 9.5/10
Soundtrack: 7/10

Omodramaland's 'Can't Contain The Feels' Corner - My Hopes/Expectations for 2016

If I had a say in dramaland 2016....

2016 has really started off with a boom, at least for me. I have so many dramas I want to watch I think I'll have to turn into a cat that has 9 lives just so I can end up finishing all of them X_x oh the life of a drama-fan is so hard D'x

But that aside, despite the fact that we've already gotten stellar casts in both airing and upcoming dramas, I decided that it'd be a fun to write about what actors and actresses I'd like to see do something in 2016 (especially since there are a handful of people that we haven't seen in A. VERY. LONG. TIME. -sigh- yes, I'm looking at you Yoon Eun Hye <_< I think it's time to get out of your cave now...no? Okay T_T). With that said, this is purely my own opinion, so the things I'll write below are in no way confirmed as real or based off of any kind of fact. I'm just playing around with the thought that "if I had a say in this, I'd make xxx return to dramaland in..." 

I guess this can be seen as a bit of a fan-casting too. Well, I hope you'll enjoy x'D

[NEWS] My Top 5 New Dramas (March Edition)

My top new dramas (March Edition)

A bit later than usual, but what can I say? Better later than never, right guys? x'D

Okay actually it doesn't really affect this month that much since most of the dramas I'm going to point out here haven't started to air yet (I guess I just got lucky there) haha xD Anyhow, let's see what our green month has to offer shall we?

[REVIEW] Remember - War of the Son

Remember - War of the Son (2015, South Korea)

Title: 리멤버 – 아들의 전쟁

Also known as: Remember

Episodes: 20

Broadcast Network: SBS

Broadcast period: Dec 9th 2015 - Feb 18th 2016 

Seo Jin Woo has the condition of hyperthymesia, which allows him to remember almost every day in perfect detail. To prove the innocence of his father, Jin Woo becomes a lawyer. He struggles to prove his father's innocence, but he slowly begins to lose his memory due to Alzheimer’s. - MDL

Overall Score: 8/10
Character Development: 10/10
Plot Development:  8/10
Acting: 10/10
Soundtrack: 7/10

[NEWS] My top 5 new dramas (February Edition)

My top new dramas (February Edition)

February is here folks! The month some of us have been waiting for ~ and the reason for that starts with Song and ends with Joong Ki. Hell yeah ~ Descendant of the Sun is finally going to air! *o* But that's not the only goodie goodies this month has to offer. Without further ado, let's check out Omodramaland's top 5 upcoming dramas of February ~

[REVIEW] Goong

Goong (2006, South Korea)

Title: 궁
Also known as: Palace; Princess Hours
Genre: romance, Comedy, manhwa

Episodes: 24

Broadcast network: MBC 
Broadcast period: Jan 11th - March 30th 2006

Chae Gyeong is an ordinary art high school student. One day, she hears totally unexpected news that, based on her grandfathers will, she must marry the unemotional Crown Prince Shin who attends the same high school as her. She resists the proposal, but reluctantly marries him to help her debt-ridden family. As she struggles to adapt herself to the proper manners and royal duties of palace life and to her disagreeable husband, Shins sentimental cousin and second-in-line to the throne Yul steps into her life. She feels like she can rely on Yul to help her, but can't help worrying about her haughty, cold-hearted husband. To help bridge this gap, the senior members of the royal family take some special measures to get them to spend the night together. - MDL

Overall Score: 5.5/10
Character Development: 6/10
Plot Development: 5/10
Acting: 6.5/10
Soundtrack: 4/10 (forgettable)

[UPDATE] [NEWS] Park Ki Woong Chooses Monster as his Return Drama

CHECK UPDATE DOWN BELOW!

That's right ladies and gentleman, my husband is back! -cough- okay, he's not technically my husband (obviously)...we're not married yet, just engaged XD, (Don't worry, we can share ~) 

For those of you who don't know Park Ki Woong rose to fame through Bridal Mask, alongside Joo Won, sadly he was already in his late 20's when the drama aired so he had to leave for the mandatory military service a year or so after. However, now he is finally back and I can't even begin to express how happy I am! He is not the first "kdrama hubby" that I've watched leave and return from the army (Lee Tae Sung was the first), so I guess his absence didn't hit me AS hard as I thought it would, but nevertheless I started to wonder what his next project would be upon return and turns out, the next project is already settled xD this man doesn't seem to know what the word "vacation" means as he's stil not officially discharged from the military and he's already jumped on-board MBC's upcoming melodrama Monster. 

The drama will a 50-episodes melodrama about a man who sets out to get revenge on societies elite. As the drama was formerly known as "Tyrant" I'm guessing some dark, corrupted shit to go down in this one. Park Ki Woong's character is probably the one who caught my attention the most: According to Dramabeans he will be playing a character who is cast aside by his family because he’s born to a concubine (er, I suppose that just means non-wife in this day and age, but chaebol clans do tend to mimic royalty), and he grows up with his mother in America. He comes back and successfully reclaims his position, evicting the opposition that had cut him out, and then transforms into a cold-hearted, dissipated tyrant. Hm, so perhaps he’s the one the former title Tyrant referred to, though it’s entirely possible that with so many corrupt chaebols running around, it could be any of a number of them.

Starring Kang Ji Hwan, Jo Boa and now Park Ki Woong, Monster has quickly become one of my most anticipated dramas thus far! *_* I mean, if the amazing cast-list doesn't ring a "OMG THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE AMAZEBALLS-bell", then the fact that the script-writers are the guys who wrote Empress Ki, Incarnation of Money and History of a Salaryman, certainly will! Random sidenote, but I love it when scriptwriters decide to cast the same actors in their dramas, apparently they were also impressed by Kang Ji Hwan's acting in Incarnation of Money <3 

Monster has yet to cast the leading lady, but I doubt they'll mess it up with a stellar cast thus far! (But never say never I guess...I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for Yoon Eun Hye, because you know....she hasn't done anything since 2013...it might be time to come back....hm? <_<) 

Anyways, this is definitely Park Ki Woong's grand return so you can be sure I'll spam more posts about this drama when more information comes out mwahaha.

UPDATE: Sung Yuri will be playing the main female. Hell yes!! Another grand return since her last drama, which aired in 2013. What else can I say? The cast-list blows my mind! *_* 

Source and quote from: dramabeans

[NEWS] Dramaland News 16th-24th january

What's new in dramaland?

Seeing how a ton of information have come out in dramaland recently, I decided that, instead of doing everything separately I'll write down the biggest headlines in one blogpost and talk a little about each one of them.

On the 16th of january, Mainland China announced that they'd be doing a sequel to the very popular historical drama Legend of Zhen Huan 後宮甄嬛傳. The drama will be named  Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace <后宮如懿傳, It's based on the novel by author Liu Lianzi who also wrote the novel that was used for the adaption of Legend of Zhen Huan. The drama will be set during the Qing Dynasty and will tell the story of Lady Ulanara, who was originally a concubine of the Qianlong Emperor, but who eventually got promoted to Empress after the death of his first empress. Besides Zhou Xun, who will be playing Empress Ulanara, the cast-list is still up in the air. 

I've seen Legend of Zhen Huan, so I think it'll be interesting to see a sequel, and find out about this Lady Ulanara, I've seen a few chinese historicals and one thing I can say is that it seems like China knows what they're doing when it comes to historicals, With that said, I'm anticipating more information about this drama xP

Source: Jaynestars

Another big headline was that Lee Min Ho got an offer to star in the new romance comedy drama, written by the the author of My love from Another Star. YES. IT ALREADY SOUNDS AMAZING. To make it even better, the guy who made City Hunter will direct the drama. YES. DOUBLE COMBO! Not much is known about the plot, and it seems like this drama won't air before summer, so we still have time to find out about all the juicy details, but this is definitely to be considered a good start. I hope Lee Min Ho accepts the offer. Honestly, it would be dumb not to, but yeah. He needs to do another drama before his army enlistment! That's all I'm saying.

Source: Dramafever

-Drools- how can SIG be so good looking? It's a freaking crime! Dx

Last but not least, Seo In Guk and Girls Generation's Soo Young got cast for OCN's upcoming comedy police-detective drama titled 38 Police Squad. The drama will be about 'the joining of Seoul City Hall's special task force and con artists. They will use their skills of deception in order to catch cheating taxpayers' of their delinquent taxes'. Hm, personally, the story sounds kind of meh, but if Seo In Guk is in it...I guess I'll have to check it out (lolz). I do hope he accepts the role, espeically since he is also due to enlist this year -sob- and I like Soo Young, I've seen her act before and I can actually see the two of them play alongside each other. I'm curious to see who else they'll cast, so I'll definitely update this as more information comes out xP

Source: Allkpop

Are you guys excited for any of these dramas, or perhaps all three of them? xP Leave a comment down below and let me know! :)

Omodramaland's 'Can't Contain The Feels Corner' - The baddie We Love To Hate

Nam Gyu Man - the 'stay away from the psycho' guy in the flesh

[UPDATE2] [NEWS] Ji Soo and IU confirmed for Bu Bu Jing Xin's K-drama Remake 'Moon Lovers'

The cast is slowly but finally getting confirmed ~

UPDATE(S) DOWN BELOW!
Yes, It seems like the cast for the very anticipated Korean remake of the popular Chinese historical Bu Bu Jing Xin is finally getting confirmed. It has been revealed that IU (Producers) has accepted the role of the female lead, and Ji Soo (Angry Mom, Sassy Go Go) is also confirmed for one of the main roles. Hong Jong Hyun, Kang Ha Neul, Nam Joo Hyuk and Byun Baek Hyun (EXO) however, are still considering their offers.

Some people have noticed that Lee Joon Gi has been removed from the cast-list on Mydramalist, which has caused a bit of commotion on the website, as people are starting to wonder if he's rejected the offer or if he was removed by mistake. I'm kind of worried about whether or not Lee Joon Gi will accept the role, now that IU is confirmed as the main lead. Nothing against IU, but I just don't like her acting and I just don't see her in a drama with Lee Joon Gi. I know she was in the producers alongside a famous name like Kim Soo Hyun, but ...I just can't.., so in a way I'm kind of unsure how I feel about this entire thing. But I won't draw any conclusions just yet, since nothing about Lee Joon Gi has been confirmed, and especially since there is still plenty of time for changes, as the drama is scheduled to start filming in February, and the airing date is set for September. I am still very, very excited about the story and that Ji Soo will be in it! *_* So will IU prevent me from checking it out? No way! But I will keep my fingers crossed that she won't make me head-desk too often through-out the drama. Then again, the producer team were the guys that made That, Winter the Wind Blows, and that drama was amazing.... hm...I guess my feels are a mess at the moment xD

UPDATE: Lee Joon Gi is confirmed as the main lead alongside IU. Filming will start on the 20th of this month, so it's only a matter of days before the rest of the cast is confirmed as well.
UPDATE2: Aaaaand I was right. Less than 24 hours after Lee Joon Gi was confirmed to the cast-list, it got announced that the entire cast has been set and here are the results:
Lee Joon Gi, IU, Kang Ha Neul, Ji Soo, Nam Joo Hyuk, Hong Jong Hyun and EXO's Byun Baekhyun! According to Allkpop, the roles have already been announced as well, Kang Ha Neul will play the role of "Wang Wook", the 8th prince. Hong Jong Hyun will play "Wang Yo", the 3rd prince, and Baek hyun will be "Wang Eun", the 10th prince. Nam Joo Hyuk, will play as "Wang Ook", the 13th prince, Ji Soo will be "Wang Jung", the 14th prince and last but not least, Lee Joon Gi, will be playing the 4th prince. Phew that's a lot of princes, but I'm so excited for this drama! (Yes, not even IU can ruin the hype for me) xD I have yet to watch Bu Bu Jing Xin but I'll definitely make sure to finish it before 'Moon Lovers' starts airing.

Are you guys excited about the final cast? Have you seen the original Chinese drama, or will you check out the korean remake first? :)  

Source: Soompi, Allkpop 

[NEWS] My top 6 new dramas (January Edition)

My top 6 new dramas (January Edition)

It's January, one of the months I've looked forward to the most in dramaland. There are tons of new dramas to look out for this month, and because we've now officially started 2016, I've decided to count down my top 6 dramas this time :)
Well, then ~ let's see what the start of 2016 has to offer, shall we?

End of The Year: Drama Awards 2015

Omodramaland's Super Special Drama Awards

Today is the last day of 2015, and so I kind of wanted to do a little wrap up when it comes to all the dramas that aired this year. With all the award shows going on, this is probably not something super duper original, but it is something I've wanted to do ever since I started this blog (I just love award shows you guys!! I can sit and watch it all + the red carpet footage and not get bored xD) so I decided to still have you read through one last award show of the year. Overall 2015 has been an AMAZING drama year for me. Compared to 2014, it completely blew my socks off, but of course, not everything can be pitch perfect. In this post I'll go through my favorite dramas of the year (Including Korean, Chinese and Japanese dramas. I sadly haven't seen any HK and Taiwanese dramas so I can't include those :s sorry), give out a best actress and actor award, best supporting role award, best villain award, best OST....as well as some new categories that I've come up with (because why not? xD) I would also like to apologize for the biased feelings towards Korean dramas, but due to easy access to subtitles, my love for the culture and language and actors, the majority of dramas on this list will be Korean.
Also, a quick mention.
1. Keep in mind that this is all based on my personal opinion and not on any viewers rating charts
2. No, -insert sad smiley that doesn't look like a stick with two dots- Six Flying Dragons won't be in this chart, since I don't think it's fair to give out an award to a drama that is barely halfway through the episodes. Therefore, it will be included in 2016's award post instead (and it's totally going to slay, am I right or am I right? -wink wink-)

Well then, bring out the flowers, because here are the winners ~ I hope you'll enjoy :3

[LET'S GET TO KNOW] Korean Sageuks' and In What Order You Can Watch Them (Part 2)

The continuation ~ The Goryeo Dynasty 

The famous painting by King Gongmin

Goryeo (Hangul: 고려; hanja: 高麗 (918–1392), was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by King Taejo (of Goryeo) also known as Emperor Wang Gun, and overthrown by Yi Seong Gye (who became King Taejo of Joseon) with the help of his son Yi Bang Won (later king Taejong) and scholar Jeong Do Jeon in 1392. The name "Goryeo" later gave name to the modern exonym "Korea". 

There hasn't been a lot of dramas done in this time period. I don't know why, I guess nothing major happened, expect for when the Yuan Empire took over Goryeo and the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty which is pretty much what I'll cover in this blogpost, and it'll go quickly:

Goryeo:

Emperor Wang Gun (the founder of Goryeo)

The Iron Empress (Wang Gun's granddaugther)

Soldier

(and then the dramas that I think you should watch to get a good overall view on this dynasty will be marked with a *)

Empress Ki * (focuses a lot on the Yuan Empire and the struggle between Yuan and Goryeo, as well as the fall of the Yuan)

The Great Seer (If you're interested in seeing how life in Goryeo was for both the king and the citizens during Yuan's harsh rule, check out Empress Ki or Faith instead. I know Ji Sung is in it, but I personally don't recommend this drama) 

Faith * (It's a time-travel - supernatural drama, with not much historical accuracy except that you get a good introduction to who King Gongmin, Queen Nagook and General Choi Young were) It's not super important, but I watched it before Six Flying Dragons, and you got a better understanding of General Choi Young, why the government was the way it was and as well as who the old kings that are mentioned in SFD were)

A frozen Flower (It's supposed to be about King Gongmin and Queen Nagook and their relationship, but it adapted from a fictional point of view, it's involves mature content, nudity and homosexuality, just so you know. It's not accurate to history but it's still a highly enjoyable movie!

Six Flying Dragons *** (Yes three stars are needed! All biased feelings aside, this IS the most important drama to watch, after probably Empress Ki and Faith if you decide to watch those, of this dynasty! I dare say that if you skip this drama you are pretty much skipping on an essential part of korean history. Just watch it! It's epic! (Yeah, I'll leave it at that since I think unless you're a new reader, you probably already know how much I've fangirled and spammed about this particular drama xD oh and if you're feeling hesitant because of Shin Se Kyung, don't worry, I used to dislike her actinga  lot too, but in this....she blows minds! Her acting has improved so much! So yeah, if this is holding you back, mark my words, you won't face-palm whenever you see her on the screen)   

Shin Don (Set in the same time period as Faith, it follows the life of the rumoured father of King U, who was one of the last Goryeo kings. I haven't seen it myself but unless you're hardcore and want to know every detail about what went down between the Empress Ki - Six Flying Dragons time period, you can skip this one, especially since I haven't managed to find it with subs ._. it's quite an old drama). 

Jeong Do Jeon (I'd dare say this is a twin of Six Flying Dragons, but only focuses on the scholar Jeong Do Jeon and his backstory. Sadly I have only been able to find the first episode subbed, but if you're fluent in korean, go ahead and check it out! 

Empire of Lust (movie) 

Non-historically accurate drama, but still set in the time-period:

Shine of go crazy 

So yeah, in my opinion if you just check out Empress Ki, (Faith), (A frozen Flower) and Six Flying Dragons you'll pretty much get the full picture of the important stuff in this dynasty! I hope you enjoyed :3 If you have any questions you're more than welcome to post a comment down below or contact me through my mydramalist! I'll see you in part 3 where we'll jump right ahead into the Joseon dynasty ~  

End of part 2  

Link to part 1 (The three kingdoms) 

Omodramaland's 'Can't Contain The Feels' Corner - Lee Min Ho: Arrogant Chaebol vs Badass Warrior Assassin?

A random Lee Min Ho-ish rant

So I suddenly fell into nostalgia-drama-mood and decided to start re-watching City Hunter. It was a brilliant idea because I actually really enjoyed that drama when I first watched it 2 years ago. And I missed it, but perhaps not the plot as much as seeing Lee Min Ho in that kind of role; and that's when it hit me. I actually missed THAT Lee Min Ho.

Lee Min Ho, to me he is a guy with potential but who is sadly trapped in the shadow of the role that brought him fame. Why do I say that? Because I feel like he mostly famous for his role in Boys Over Flowers, playing what is in my opinion, one of the most medocre-boring roles ever (the medocre-rating it got from me was purely thanks to the supporting-character Yi Sung),  It was in City Hunter that I first saw him, and I couldn't believe my eyes that a guy as talented as that got his break-through by playing a flat piece of paper, I still don't understand why he accepted that role in The Heirs. It was recycled but more clingy version of Gu Jun Pyo, only with more family drama. I couldn't understand why he went back to doing the boring recycled Gu Jun Pyo - now named Kim Tan -character when he had just finished two kickass dramas (City Hunter and Faith)? But that's when it hit me. The sad truth. It was probably because Lee Min Ho as the arrogant chaebol appealed more to the general public than the badass assassin/warrior Lee Min Ho. Why else would he instead of moving forward go back to the same role he did before?

Don't missunderstand, I did so-so enjoy BOF and Heirs, more on a guilty pleasure level though, and it was certainly not because of the characters Lee Min Ho played. And when you start to feel like the main characters are the most boring characters in that particular drama...then something is wrong. 

In City Hunter I didn't feel like that. Every character was interesting, and most of all Lee Min Ho shone with his acting from start to finish! And it saddens me so much that he kind of disappeared from drama-land, mostly because he realized that if he stayed there he'd only get cast for romance coemdy high school roles, because that's sadly what people remember him for, and that just breaks my heart. He is so much more than that. He deserves the credit he gets, but I feel like he gets it for the wrong roles. Like, according to Mydramalist, more have watched The Heirs than Faith. Why? Faith was awesome T_T (well in my opinion)
As an example, Ji Chang Wook is famous as the Healer, no one remembers much of his role as Taeyang from Bachelors Vegetable Store, But Lee Min Ho isn't remember for his acting in City Hunter or Faith as a badass, he is remembered for BOF, which led him to then accept the role for The Heirs because apparently that's what people wanted to see him do next (we want Gu Jun Pyo back...yaaay <_< Mina is not happy). I'm glad that he did Gangnam 1970 though, but it's still sad that he had to "run off" to the movie-industry in order to escape his BOF image (this is not a fact, but how I see it btw). I know there's probably other reasons for it too, like the fact that the salary as a movie actor is way higher than for a drama actor, but I'm almost positive that it was also because he was sick of being cast and getting fame for the same kind of roles, it's like a never-ending bad spiral. He is an actor who wants to try all sorts of diverse roles, so why does he always get remembered only for for playing an arrogant chaebol? 

I want my smexy warrior Lee Min Ho back in dramaland, just like how he was in Faith, or the badass assassin he was in City Hunter and this time I hope he gets more cred for it.

What do you guys think? Which Lee Min Ho do you prefer? This was just a random rant I decided I needed to do because the thought kept bouncing around in my brain like a crazy table tennis ball xD