★★★★★★★★★☆
Episodes: 20
Runtime: November 13, 2010 - January 16, 2011
Secret Garden is about Kim Joo Woon (Hyun Bin) who runs the luxurious department store, his family owns. He is considered a smart and good looking man, and have a pretty bad personality thanks to it.
Kim Joo Woon's cousin Oska (Yoon Sang Hyun) is a well known singer in Asia. He asks Joo Woon to pick an actress up for him. While locking for this actress on a shooting set, Joo Woon misunderstands and pick up the stunt woman instead. She comes with him to the hotel and finally there, he discovers she is not the actress in request, but Kil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won). They don't like each other from the start, but somehow Joo Woon can't get her out of his mind, even when she's not his type. He tries really hard to get her out of his mind though, since she does not own a high status life nor is rich enough to be with him.
Later on he gives up and start visiting Ra Im at her "action school". Ra Im tries her best to ignore him, since she also knows they can't really be together anyway. And she thinks he is mostly a bother.
For some reason, while they are out in the woods on Jeju Island, they find there way to a weird looking house. The place is called "Secret Garden". While being there, they decide to eat something and ask for help. Since they are lost.
The owner of the place, seems to know both Joo Woon and Ra Im. She gives them some kind of alcohol as a present. When they get back to the hotel, Joo Won and Ra Im drinks the alcohol, at the same time in different places. And through that, something weird happens. Something they wont notice until they wake up again.
- I didn't expect the "switching souls" part to happen. So when it did, I got pretty disappointed. Since I thought it would be very boring from then on. It's such a used topic in movies and series already. But actually, they did it so well and it wasn't to much. When I kept watching it, I was not disappointed at all. I really like this drama. The main actors are great and they really do have chemistry. I love the fact, that they have very real reactions. And aren't afraid of showing love on screen.
Mary stayed out all night
★★★★★★★★★☆
Episodes: 16
Runtime: November 8, 2010 - December 28, 2010
Mary stayed out all night/Mary me, Mary is about Mary (Moon Geun Young) who lives alone with her problematic father (Park Sang Myeon). He brings a lot of trouble to the table, with all debts. But still, Mary loves him dearly. Mary have a pretty positive way of looking at life, and tries to keep her spirit high in all times. Since she can't pay her college tuition, she starts working. And without skills, she have to work at some weird places.
While she is out with friends she suddenly hits someone with her car. A man named Kang Mu Gyul (Jang Geun Suk). She freaks out since she can't afford anything, but Mu Gyul doesn't seem to care and says he's alright. Mu Gyul is the lead vocal in a band. He doesn't talk much and doesn't care for fame. He just wants to make music.
Suddenly Mary's father suggests to her, to marry a man named Jung In (Kim Jae Wook). He is the son of a friend to Mary's father. And through the marriage, Mary and her father will have their debts payed of. Jung In is the president of a music company called JI Entertainment, producing a music drama.
But Mary doesn't know him at all. So she asks her new friend Mu Gyul to take some fake wedding pictures with her, so she can get away with not marrying the other guy. But unfortunately, her father has already registered her marriage with Jung In.
Since Mary is not the kind of girl, who will just settle with something, she goes against it pretty hard. Even though she disappoints her father deeply.
Jung In then proposes - that she will spend 100 days of marriage with both men and decide from that, who she wants to be with. Before this, she also ends up working at Jung In's entertainment business, actually being really good at it.
The point is though, she doesn't really like anyone of them in that way. Since the pictures with Mu Gyul was fake, and Jung In is someone she doesn't know at all. But maybe things will change, when she have to be with them a little bit more.
- I love this drama deeply. It have a little bit of everything. The humor is great and the serious parts are just right. The three main actors are really good, and they all have great chemistry for it to work. You end up feeling for everyone of them. In the beginning, I got the feeling of it being one of those love story's when you can read out the ending right away. But this is pretty different. And with Mary's strong character, it ends up being one of the best. I adore Kim Jae Wook's acting in this. He is probably the one with most character development. And you get a really good feeling from all the friendship in this drama.
Oh! My lady
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Episodes: 16
Runtime: March 22, 2010 - May 11, 2010
Yoon Gae Hwa (Chae Rim) is a 35 year old "ahjumma", working as a housewife. She somehow get offered a job, for someone famous. The famous person in question is, Seong Min Woo (Choi Si Won), a very popular pop star who recently acted poorly in a drama. Little did Gae Hwa know, that Min Woo was a spoiled brat who couldn't take constructive critique at all.
Gae Hwa gets fired, but things suddenly gets a lot more complicated when a little girl, Ye Eun (Kim Yu Bin) shows up in Min Woo's building. And since Gae Hwa already have a daughter, Min Woo thinks its for the best that Gae Hwa takes her.
Gae Hwa obviously doesn't agree at all. With some sort of blackmail and agreement, it ends up with Gae Hwa taking care of everything while living in Min Woo's apartment. And along the way, she ends up being his manager - actually being good at it.
- I thought at first, that well... maybe this is interesting. But when the kid entered the scene, I thought that "Okay, this is gonna fall flat". But it didn't. It is a lot about Min Woo (Si Won) evolving as an idol and actor, and growing as a person. And also about Gae Hwa (Chae Rim) being a mother and working hard, and also showing that age doesn't really matter. Both of them, grasping what they want and working hard to get it.
This was the first drama I saw with Si won too. And surprisingly, he is a pretty good actor. Well, maybe that's not a surprise. But for me it was.
It's okay, Daddy's girl
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Episodes: 17
Runtime: November 22, 2010 - January 18, 2011
Eun Chae Ryung (Moon Chae Won) is the youngest daughter in her family. She is pretty pampered by her father Eun Ki Hwa (Park In Hwan), which make her rely on him completely. She have never worked and never taken care of herself.
Chae Ryung's friend and senior, Park Jong Suk (Jeon Tae Soo) is interested in her without her really realizing. His parents work at a prestigious law firm, and the fact that Chae Ryung doesn't care, makes him even more interested in her.
Park Jong Suk planes a wicked plan, when they go out clubbing. He pays Choi Duk Ki (Shin Min Soo) to take part and make a kidnap attempt on Chae Ryung, while she is outside. Jong Suk was supposed to come and rescue her, but her father gets there before him. A small tumult goes on between her father and Duk Ki, untill they all go home each on there own way. Chae Ryung and her father is upset and confused by the happening.
Park Jong Suk meet up with Choi Duk Ki, starting an argument. With Jong Suk's wicked mind, it ends up with him unintentionally killing Duk Ki. It isn't find out about until later, but Jong Suk runs to his parents right after he knows. And hes parents try to cover his crime up, until the last point. But they wont find the last piece of evidence - a bag.
Meanwhile, due to unfortunate circumstances, Eun Ki Hwan (her father) becomes the main suspect and is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Chae Ryung, of course tries to show his innocence, but it doesn't lead anywhere with no proof.
When the police is coming to get her father, he collapses with all the pressure. He is taken to the hospital, and it shows to be a cerebral hemorrhage. Eun Ki Hwan is unable to take care of his family anymore, and with no income and debts they stand without money.
Now, Chae Ryung has to grow up and stand on her own two legs. While her father is in the hospital, not being able to get up. Her sister Eun Ae Ryung (Lee Hee Jin) taking the big step of marrying the hospitals owners son, for help. And their mother being unable to deal with the situation completely, Chae Rung has to do something to help too. Unexpectedly, she gets help from the victim's (Duk Ki) brothers, since they believe on her fathers innocence. Choi Hyuk Ki (Choi Jin Hyeok) tries his best, to uncover the reason of his brothers death. While Chae Ryung works hard, for an income.
- It is kind of a heavy topic. And it really makes you think and feel what they feel. I thought Chae Ryung (Moon Chae Woon) would be a spoiled brat. But even though she was spoiled and not used to the work life. She was far from a brat. Sure, she have her moments... but don't we all. She was really believable and true. And a very strong character who grew a lot in her role.
Lee Dong Hae, is actually the other brother. But he doesn't really stand out that much. Choi Jin Hyeok do the part very well though. Being a brother, mourning his youngest brother. But tries to solve it, instead of sitting down and doing nothing.
A drama which left an impression.
Stars falling from the sky/Pick up the stars
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Episodes: 20
Runtime: January 4, 2010 - March 16, 2010
Bbal Kang Jin (Choi Jung Won) is a 25 year old insurance employee. She has a crush on the cold hearted lawyer, Kang Ha Won (Kim Ji Hun), from the company she works at. But she is aware of her not being in his league. She lives in the countryside with her parents, who have been adopting five children after her. She is the only one being their born child, but that doesn't really matter to them. Everyone is worth as much.
The days passes by as always until her parents doesn't come home anymore. They die in a car accident, and all of a sudden Kang Jin stands alone with five kids. More is, their house are not signed at them anymore and they have to leave as soon as possible.
With nowhere to go, and with no more income then her salary they try to keep living. Kang Jin takes them to a sauna for the night, but that wont work for long. She even considers to take them to a orphanage, so they can have at least a roof over their heads. But in the end, she can't!
She can't work as she used to, with a baby to take care of. And all of them struggle. When she gets a job as a cleaning lady, at Kang Ha Won's place, she actually sneaks the children in to live in her room downstairs. Children can't always be quiet though, so they are soon discovered one by one. Ha Won wont agree to them being there at all, but are soon talked over by his brother Jun Ha Won (Shin Dong Wook) and his cousin Tae Kyu Woo (Lee Kyeon) who lives with him. It ends up with a deal with a certain amount of time, for Kang Jin to find a new place. She has to work as a housewife to pay for their stay.
She tries to work hard at different places and take care of her siblings, and at the same time trying to find a new place for them to live. Which isn't easy with five kids.
- I actually don't like children. But this drama made it heartfelt and touching. And also charming in every aspect. I think it's pretty cliché somehow, that they end up in Ha Won's apartment. But what won't you do for your family. I like Kang Jin's (Choi Jung Won) strong mind through hard times, and that she actually is human enough to almost give up. I especially like Park Ji Bin's part as the oldest amongst the kids. I think he was 16 years old when he recorded this drama. And he did a great job putting certain feelings to happenings. Trying to be older than he is, to help out. A lot of feelings in this drama, as well.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Episodes: 20
Runtime: August 30, 2010 - November 2, 2010
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Kim Yun Hee (Park Min Young) is a very smart woman with a independent drive. With only a mother and a sick brother, she tries to work hard to support the family. She is dressed as a man, most of the time. Since women shouldn't be good at studying and such. She works in a shop, where she mainly translate books but also gets assignments, like the one which changed her life. A man asks her to help him with the answers for the men's only national exam, to Sungkyunkwan university. One of the best universities in the country.
On the day of the exam, Yun Hee goes there dressed as a man to deliver the answers. She then goes to the wrong man, and encounter Lee Seon Joon (Micky Yoochun) instead. Seon Joon, being a very righteous man, speaks out loud about all the cheating going on. Yun Hee succeeds in getting away in all the tumult, and the exam is canceled.
Through different events of happening, she meets Seon Joon again and ends up taking the exam as well. When the day of the new exams come, she is there with the name of her brother. Seon Joon comes from a privileged background and are pretty arrogant. While Yun Hee is kind of simple minded but hard working, so they don't really get along from the start.
Both Yun Hee and Seon Joon pass the national exam, and ends up living in the same room in the Sungkyunkwan university. Slowly, they become friends.
Ku Yong Ha (Song Joong Ki) is a new student at the university with them. He is popular with the ladies, and discover that Yun Hee actually is a woman pretty early. He decides not to tell anyone about it though. Since he finds pleasure in observing her through the school. Being the only funny thing there. Soon enough, they become close friends.
Moon Jae Sin (Yu Ah In) doesn't show up much in school at the beginning. He is rebelling against his father, who is a politician. He doesn't agree with his thoughts at all and pretty much hates him. He is already friends with Yong Ha, who seems to know about his secret rebellion.
When he finally comes to Sungkyunkwan university, to get even with his dad, he discovers that one of his roommates, Yun Hee, is a woman. Since he is not good with women at all. He decides to protect her with all his might. Starting to care more and more, for her.
Yun Hee works hard in school and goes through anything to be at the same level as the guys. She have a lot of trouble, keeping her secret. But thanks to her new found friends, she gets some help without her even realizing.
- This drama is strong! I really like that she is a woman, fighting hard. In this period of time, it was forbidden for women to study or even in some cases, being able to read. If she gets discovered, it is not just the punishment of quiting school. Her whole life depends on not being discovered, since she is most probably sentence to death. But through her studies, she gets a pretty big scholarship and from that she can buy medicine for her sick brother. So she risks it and stays.
And through this drama, you get to see great friendship. Especially Yong Ha (Song Joong Ki) and Jae Sin (Yu Ah In), they look so great together. They even won a price for "best couple". And speaking of Song Joong Ki, I adore him in this drama. His part in this is hilarious, and the entire drama have a lot of hilarious parts in it all together. The four friends act this drama out very well.
This drama should be one of the best, but thanks to being a little bit slow paced in the middle, I'll put it here.
I had to have this gif. It says so much, with so little.
Personal taste
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Episodes: 16
Runtime: March 31, 2010 - May 20, 2010
Park Gae In (Son Ye Jin) is a woman going through a lot. She lives in a big, old Korean styled house. Her father is the one who planned and draw the house. He is not being home a lot, since Gae In and him not really getting along especially well. That's, from a happening when Gae In was very young.
Jeon Jin Ho (Lee Min Ho) is a architect, being interested in the layout of Gae In's house for a project at work. He gets the assignment, trying to get the layouts. While many have tried, no one have succeeded. Gae In and her dad, holding tight and not giving anything out.
Gae In and Jin Ho happens to meet through different unexpected encounters. They learn to really dislike each other, being each others opposite. Little did Jin Ho know, that she actually is the owner of the house, he is after.
Somehow, Jin Ho happens to be in situations that looks pretty suspicious, countless times when Gae In sees him.
When Gae In gets dumped by her boyfriend and is at a very sensitive state, she tries to get a roommate. The one knocking on the door is Jin Ho, seeing his chance. Gae In doesn't want a man as her roommate after all the hurt though, but Jin Ho might work. Since she already gotten the impression that he is gay. Jin Ho goes with the flow, and pretends to be gay. This way, he might get his hands on the layouts. But things does seldom go as planned. Soon enough, they are each others best friends?
- This is a very entertaining and funny story. The weird things happening between them, when they just meet randomly. And later, the weird thing happening between them when they live together is hilarious. And then, with the friendship growing through time... it is heartwarming. They really become best friends, caring about each other through all. They both do a very great job, and have great chemistry so it's believable. I like the strong character and special woman that Gae In (Son Ye Jin) is as well.
Mischievous Kiss
★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Episodes: 16 (+ 7 special edition)
Runtime: September 1, 2010 - October 21, 2010
Mischievous Kiss/Playful Kiss is based on the Japanese manga "Itazura na kiss". Oh Ha Ni (Jung So Min) is a girl in F class. She is not very smart and wont get any good grades in school. Baek Seung Jo (Kim Hyun Joong) is on the contrary one of the best students in school. Being in A class, he rarely studies at all but still gets every answer right.
Oh Ha Ni have been in love with Baek Seung Jo, for a long time. And with the support from her best friends, she finally get the courage to confess through a letter.
Seung Jo, not being the nicest person, yells her name out loud and asks if it is her letter. He then reads the whole letter out loud and bash everything about her. Talking down on her and her so called grades.
Oh Ha Ni, tries not to be to sad and screams back that she will get better grades. And it ends up in bet.
Through unfortunate happenings, the newly built house that Ha Ni and her father lives in - falls down in an earthquake. They move to a friend of her father, which happens to be the father of Seung Jo.
Seung Jo tells her not to tell anyone in school, and he doesn't want to be seen with her. But eventually, he ends up helping her with the studies and they grow a little bit closer. Bong Joon Gu (Lee Tae Seong) tries to destroy this with all means though. Since he have been in love with Ha Ni, like forever.
- I really don't like "Itazura na kiss". I hate that the girl is so weak and just accept all the crap that the guy gives her. Because he doesn't really change at all. Sure, they get closer and eventually they marry. Other than that, he is still a piece of shit treating her like a bag of garbage. And she is just boring and whinny.
But, this drama does it so much better. They have actually put some spirit in to Oh Ha Ni, and she doesn't take it all without putting her foot down. And Baek Seung Jo, shows his appreciation to a certain amount. This drama is funny and works. It doesn't have as much annoying moments as the other ones. Probably trying to be more believable.
But I actually have to say, that it is not great. Like I said, it works but not more than that. It have some entertainment to it though.
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It seems like I always get caught up in dramas with strong female protagonists. That is probably what makes me interested. There are to many movies and dramas with weak females, that can't do a shit on their own. And it's just boring, when all they do is whine. So seeing the dramas and movies with women who actually can, and gives back hell if they are bashed down upon... that is somewhat a refreshing feeling.
Take in consideration, that this list may change.
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