Do you still have my LOVE LETTER?

If you are in Japan then you have been listening to Jun. K's Love Letter since 11/25/15 (25/11/15 for my foreign friends). You may have even had the chance to see him in concert and I am super jealous. Luckily I pre-ordered Love Letter and got it today 11/30/15 (30/11/15) and I am pleased... of course. His voice is so smooth. One thing I love about Jun. K is that he does the kind of music that he wants to do and I am just glad that JYP allows him that freedom... but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that JYP is Jin Young Park aka JY Soul. His music is on the R&B vibe as well.  Looking at Love Letter is exactly that...
A smooth Love Letter sang by one of Kpop's most soulful voices having grown up looking up to American Singers such as Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and Whitney Houston. At times his voice reminds me of  KC from Jodeci, but smoother and powerful making forget that 95% of the album is in Japanese, leaving the hooks in English. I am kind of surprised because I feel like Love Letter is much more mellow than his first Solo Mini Album Love Hate aside from Love Letter first single which is the track Love Letter, which listening to the song sound like a trip in time to Judy Garland's 1949 film, In the Good Old Summer Time, which showcases american standard, orchestra backed songs. In the video we see our lovely Jun. K cosplay as Charlie Chaplin and meshing 1920s-30s with 2015. I am just like how does he and Super Changddai come up with this sound AND how did the director come up with a video concept going along with it??? Moving on.... After  Love Letter the following four songs remind me of songs that would play on the radio station my parents listened to on our way back from Philly.  Better Man is simple,  beginning with an acoustic guitar allowing us to really hear Jun Min's (Jun. K's real name) voice. The english lyrics explain "You make me want to be a better man." I don't understand Japanese at all but you can hear a vulnerability in his voice. The simplicity of the composition allows for the listener to catch all his runs.  Following Better Man is a mid tempo jam that sounds like Jun. K and Changddai were inspired after a night of listening to the B side of various albums of the 80s and 90s. I don't know what the sound is called. Its Pop. Its got that 80s flavor, but 90s mid tempo... it doesn't know if it is a dance track or a slow jam. Regardless it is catchy.  Track 4 is called Walking on the the Moon. After Mr. Doctor on his first mini album I thought Walking on the Moon would be similar in the psychedelic hip hop trip that was Mr. Doctor (a song featured on Hot 97, like seriously a Japanese rap song on an American Hip Hop station that is a major accomplishment) but with his raspy voice I was again reminded of singers like KCi and Sisqo. Jun. K and another producer BoyToy put together a composition of trumpets, pianos, and drums creating a melodic true R&B/ Hip Hop infusion that although isn't as Psychedelic as Mr. Doctor it is still funky. Which leads us to the last track "Hold Me Tight" which is 100% slow jam, but because its Jun. K it is a little cabaretish too.... I get lost in his vocals, I can't help it. 

Jun. K with his dogs Denver and Noopy

Unfortunately I have to go buy the B version so I can get the songs Sorry and Love Game.... Jun. K always makes me feel warm and fuzzy.. like fuzzy socks... 

Gangnam Blues...

So I decided I better go ahead and use my Dramafever premium and I watched Lee Min Ho's big screen "Gangnam Blues."  I am so glad to have seen Lee Min Ho in as a character that WASN'T a FLOWER BOY!!! The movie was basically all about gangsters and how politicians used the gangsters to get where they wanted to be politically to build Seoul into a better capitol after the Korean War.  I have to say I really appreciated Lee Min Ho's acting in this movie. Of course I am so use to him and his acting so a lot of times when I come to a Lee Min Ho drama I avert my attention from him and look at others. I notice other actors. Lee Min Ho seemed to be a main character but the focus wasn't on him. Basically Lee Min Ho is in the movies and I am sure that help sell tickets but if you really want to see him on screen MORE than watch his dramas. Did I like the movie? Yes. Do I think you should watch it? Yes. Of course. I am all about getting people to watch k drama. I just have one question??? Why no love scene for Lee Min Ho? Seriously this movie had several love scenes because there is a forbidden relationship and the love scene has NOTHING on the love scenes that you would see in America, well I guess that depends on the movie. I really feel like there isn't as much on scene thrusting as there are in foreign films. American movies may have some female on top scenes, but the female is usually covered up. If I am wrong well sorry. American movies with more sexual encounters with nudity get different ratings. Anyway I am getting away from my question. Lee Min Ho did not get a love scene. I don't even think he got a girl. He did kiss a women but I think that was for "reasons" as my brother would say, but no love scenes. I wonder it has something to do with his future career. Because once you do a scene like the other actor Kim Rae-Won

did there is no return to doing High School drama's and let's face it Lee Min Ho has more High School dramas he could do even if you really want him to step away from High school drama and into more adult dramas, but I guess Lee Min Ho is different because his career is greater than high school drama even if he is best known for Boys over Flowers.  I wonder if we will ever see him do such a scene... he could always use a stand in lol!!! I decided to do a little research and found out the Lee Min Ho had a sex but it was cut out smh.... http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/68041/20150113/lee-min-hos-bedroom-scene-with-kim-ji-soo-was-edited-out-of-gangnam-1970.htm
  
To be honest I don't think I could handle a sex scene from Lee Min Ho as I stated he is most remembered as Goo Jun Pyo I don't want to tarnish my innocent memory of this character LOL!!! 

Finally getting closer to the end of the Golden

FYI: There are spoilers in this blog. So don't continue if you are planning to watch. I would read this if you have already started and need encouragement to keep going.

I started watching Golden Rainbow back in November 2013. I was excited to see Jung Il Woo in a new drama, but I did not know what I was in for and WHEW!! I tried to stay with it every week watching it but I would find myself falling asleep. The first 12 episodes and really 13, 14, and 15...were kind of boring. It started kind of exciting, A child from the the Golden Group is kidnapped. There is already history between the mother of the child and the grandmother who is the president of this golden group . Everyone appears to be an orphan and is looked down on as such. And  this continues with another bunch or orphans raised by the orphans. Are you confused? But it just so happens that one of the orphans is the kidnapped and thought to be dead granddaughter of the golden group. And of  course  unbeknownst to him Golden Group's black sheep son/grandson falls in love with his long lost 1st cousin. This is so wrong. I really wish I had of know it was going to take the writers of this drama so long to get to the climax right on episode 27. I mean I am a drama watching pro I have stayed up until 5am watching 10 episodes of a 16 or 20 episode drama.. With Golden Rainbow my fanatic drama ways are absent. But early this month (ironically November, 2015) I vowed to finish Golden Rainbow! It took a minute, but I am finally hooked. Although I am very very very worried because I am sure that this jerkface of  fellow orphan brother is going to kill his older orphan brother. BUT I am wondering how the writers were able to keep this drama going so . I don't understand some of the sub plots LIKE they fact that one of the orphans kids is gambling and has been with one of the golden group sons... like is that just to show how much the characters interact with each other?  And they all thought that Man Won and Baek Won were real blood related siblings but they aren't and Man Won loves Baek Won or as they like to say in Kdrama he now sees her as a woman.  I am sorry I love Jung Il Woo after all he was my first kdrama love BUT the guy who plays Man Won, Lee Jae Yoon IS HOT!!! 

Another thing that is funny about this drama is all the problems between the older people. Like this drama is not based on just the 20 somethings. One woman is being black mailed by a gold digger. That is another subplot. There is this uncle always trying to get over, his scheming wife is usually the one who gets it started and his fat son is busy eating.  The Golden Group's other son is a loser. Everyone is a criminal except Baek Won of course who was a police officer and Young Do ( or is it Do Young?) who is a prosecutor. Anyway I gotta get back into it. Episode 27 is going to be a game changer.....

Kim Jae Wook, where have you been?

He makes me want to sing Rihanna's song, because I haven't anything from him since he left his role in the Inspiring Generation, Kim Hyun Joong drama.  Where did he go though? He was spotted at an American Eagle event as reported by Kpopstarz. 

Apparently he was also in  the recent film Two Rooms Two Nights. 

This guy has stayed very low on the radar,  if the opportunity presents itself check out the mentioned movie and pray Kim Jae Wook will do a big drama and maybe he will casted as the lead. It seems he is stuck as the second lead.... 

Twenty.... Raunchy Comedy

Twenty

I was pleasantly surprised by this comedy. Before it started it warned of Raunchy humor and it was correct. I don't want to give it all away but I will say it was interesting seeing these actors in roles like this. Kang Ha Neul as the not sure of himself but most put together of the group was different from his small part in Heirs of the in love with a Noona I am going into the Army after high school guy. (OOps if you haven't seen Heirs I am sorry). Then there is Kim Woo Bin who plays the guy who doesn't want to grow up. So far away from his Young Do character from Heirs as well as his role in the movie Friends 2. He's played such rigid characters who have been um "d**ks" but in this role he is a not as rigid "d**k" LOL!!! And our Lee Jun Ho. I say our because he is a member of 2pm and as a Hottest I feel that he belongs to us! I never imagine our Jun Ho could act as such a character. I guess I should explain by Raunchy Comedy they mean 3 guys who feel like life would be different if they had sex.  In American terms this is American Pie reloaded.  It was just interested because I don't see any of these guys as sex driven maniacs. The storyline was interesting and it also had a Reply 1997 feel. If you can check it out one drama fever.  I would give it 2 stars over all but because there are 3 hotties I would give it 5 stars LOL!!!!! Check out the trailer.... 

2pm, the Director, and No. 5

In Koreaboo's lastest article "Netizens praise JYP Entertainment for their success this year" they note that JYP had a great year and some of the artist did so well.  Then we get this one comment...

[+ 95, – 7] JYP this year was amazing. If only it weren’t for that MV director 2 PM would have been more active as well. Let’s keep this going JYP !!!

UGH! The My House fiasco of the summer.  When the director pulled out of directing the video it set the boys back a bit. Check out this article from Koreaboo

Director who cancelled 2PM’s MV revealed to have produced BIGBANG’s “Sober” MV

Chincha? You cancelled to do BigBang's video.... aren't 2pm and Big Bang like rivals. So this was very frustrating for a 2pm fan. (And I am a 2pm fan) ESPECIALLY now since the reason for their lack was all because of this Director. BUT let me be the bigger person and think about it like this... if the song was HOT then wouldn't it have blown up regardless.... well here is another article on the issue... 

Netizens discuss the unfortunate circumstances of 2PM’s “My House”

Most netizens explain that it was a great song, but it was just unfortunate that they could only do a week of promotions and then off to Japan. 

Personally as a rather new fan of 2pm I have had to go back and learn about them and listen to old songs and I enjoy MOST of their music. I was excited about my house because to be honest I am not big on the Japanese albums and after Go Crazy was 2pm of 2pm and it was... ok...it took me a little while to get into the album mainly because Japanese lyrics are so different from Korean lyrics. I am sorry I just enjoy the Korean language (maybe cause I understand it a tad better as I am slowly learning it) So I was excited about My House and the No. 5 album.  Please watch the video real quick. 

I loved the theme of this video and I learn more Korean listening to these guys, because they make their songs in a way that you can really hear all the words.  Of all the kpop stars that I have listened to, 2pm has been the easiest from me to actually learn lyrics and sing along with them... I could totally go to a Korean karaoke spot and sing this song.  Jun. K wrote this song and produced it as he also wrote and produced Go Crazy 2pm awesome single from 2014.  I guess I am biased. I listen to Go Crazy until I hated it.  I have left Go Crazy alone. I chose 2pm's first album 1:59pm before Go Crazy because I killed Go Crazy. The album No. 5 was a breath of fresh air. Go Crazy was a party album. In my interpretation Go Crazy was the album that played at the party and got you dancing just TURN UP! No. 5 is what you put on once you got home after the party,  when you are trying to get the chick/guy you brought home to condone is some after party activity.  Seriously. Please check out the live footage from their song Good Man which is from the No. 5 album. 

It's starts slow but next thing you know at about the 2 minute mark there is a girl in a bed and so forth and so on.... No. 5 was a very sexy album and a little bit more relaxed aside from the songs, Magic and Jump.  

Part of me wants to think that the so called lack of success has more to do with the whole only one week of promotions BUT I think its just a difference in Korean taste in music. This was a beautiful R&B album that HOTTEST (2pm fans) probably loved. The Korean public I am not sure, I guess if they had of been able to do constant promotion on tv and everywhere in Korea then things would have been different so this is one of the albums that Fans KNOW it is a masterpiece and others just don't get.... 

In the meantime which HOTTEST wants to hunt that director down? I better stop because I am joking but I know there are some sasaeng fans out there who are ready to go!! SMH!!!  

 

PS:  Here is a funny quote: "[+41, -53] Honestly, 2PM’s been on the decline since Jay Park left" 

Chincha? can we just let Jay Park go? He has his own thing going on.... 

 

Korean Idols...Some well known Some not so much....

How do I even start...  Oh I know the beginning...

Jung Il Woo

Jung Il woo will forever be my favorite. He was my first Kdrama crush. I always will talk about Flower Boy Ramen Shop as it was my first drama and Jung Il Woo left a huge impression on me...so much that I watched The Moon Embracing the Sun and 49Days.  AND I WILL FINISH Golden Rainbow even through it is too much like an American Drama to me. Jung Il Woo is a great actor. He can be serious and he can be very funny with his talk lanky self. His  facial expressions are seriously Aegyo too!!!

Jung Woo Sung

Jung Woo Sung OMG what can I say about this Man.... OMG his role in "A Good Rain Knows" where he spoke English the whole time #YASSSSSS but the role that really got me well the 2 roles... His characters in A Moment to Remember and Sad Movie. If you ever have a moment check out these movies and remember your tissues, you'll need a whole box. If you want action then check out Musa or The Good, The Bad and The Weird.... He is a true Oppa tho he might even be an Ahjussi LOL (he is a little bit old)

Kim Soo Hyun

Do Min JOON!!!! LOL My Love From The Star was on of the best dramas of 2014. But I first saw this guy in The Moon Embracing the Sun! He was amazing! Plus he is super cute in a puppy dog way.

Kim Woo Bin... This guy came into my life as Choi Young Do the Second Male lead who you really wanted to get the girl. Kim Woo Bin has an excellent look he can either be a school boy like in the Drama School 2013 or become a Gangster like in Friends 2. He started as a model so that's why he know's how to werk the camera.

Also starring in Heirs....
Kang Ha Neul!! His storyline was quite odd as he was in love with his tutor and the main story line follow the characters played by Lee Min Ho (who will not be on this list) and Park Shin Hye and the lovely guy above. Hopefully I will get to watch the movie he did with 2pm's Jun Ho. Looking at him makes me think that my taste for Korean Idols are those who are more manly than flower boy....



 Here is a bonus pic of Jun Ho.  >>>>
He is a cutie too!








                   
And now....

Song Jae Rim who I first paid attention to him in Moon Embracing the Sun as the King's great protector. Apparently he was in Flower Boy Ramen Shop I later saw him in Inspiring Generation... Kim Hyun Joong's last Drama before his like went well... Baby Mama Drama... smh. He's been in a few other Drama's and was on a season of We Got Married! Song Jae Rim is a low key actor....

Well that is just one list of awesome actors I am sure that there are many more I can mention now but I will save them for later!!!

Why Japan? Why?

All I want to do is watch a music video of 2pm from their new Japanese single Higher. Why Japan? Why? Apparently it has something to do with record labels, privacy, blah blah blah.... They just want more money and because I am becoming a true diehard HOTTEST I am probably gonna buy more and more.  Smh... Has this been a problem for you? Let me know!!! Share your pain with me who understands. 

2pm and where my time goes....I will get back to Kdrama!!!

Kdramas have been hard to get into as of recent, I think the last one that I watched that was "new" was That's Ok It's Love and the sad thing is that was from a year ago. During this year's summer school I introduced my students to Pororo.
What a show! Its hilarious to see adults laugh at a blue penguin.

As far a new drama...a co-worker told me to check out Good Doctor and the hilarious thing about her suggestion is I kind of got her into the whole Kdrama thing. I pulled her in. HAHAHA my Korean "obsession" has stayed intact, because.... 





I have fallen hard for a kpop boy band called 2PM. 

This started last summer. I made a mix tape of my favorite kpop songs. One of the songs was ADTOY by 2pm. There was point where that was the only song I really wanted to hear. I watched the video and there was this one that stood out to me.... Jun. K... #yassssssssss!  

He is too Hot... which is why I am a HOTTEST!!! 

 And now I literally spend the last hour of my night looking at videos of 2pm or Jun. K, because I have missed 7 years of their activities. Like they have a show where they would literally just do mini challenges with each other.

 I really would love to get back into kdrama and I will. I have to finish some that I started... Like... 

I'm on episode 8 of 21

I have no idea... of 24

I am on 7 of 16

I am on 12 of 41

And I would love to watch:

She Was Pretty!!!

Personal Taste!!

The Night Watchmen!!

Cross your fingers that I will get back on track with drama...In the mean time I am waiting on a package from yesasia with 2pm's Higher and sometime in November I will get Jun. K's Love Letter. 

Relay For Life...Help Your Seoul Sister out!!!!!!!

K-drama friends-
I will be participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.   
I know too many people whose lives have been touched by cancer. I can't sit still and not take action against this disease that has hurt so many. That's why I'm participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® movement.

How many times have we watched a K-drama where our favorite character has cancer and we watch as love ones deal with this revelation and we cry with the characters. Luckily it is K-drama and just an actor acting, but so many people in real life are affected by cancer. 

Relay For Life is my opportunity to celebrate the true story of  loved ones who have won their battle against cancer, remember those no longer with us, and fight back against this disease that robs so many of so much.
More than just walking the track, I'm fundraising! Because of the donations I collect, more people in more communities:

• Have the information and tools they need to help reduce their risk of getting cancer or find the disease early, when it's easiest to treat
• Have a place to turn for help 24/7
• Benefit from the progress being made toward finding cancer's causes and cures
• Get access to lifesaving screenings and treatment

Please join me in fighting cancer and consider supporting my fundraising efforts by making a donation. Check out my dashboard : http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=39156094&pg=personal&fr_id=64046&s_src=boundlessfundraising&s_subsrc=bfDskFbPfSched

 Dollars raised bring us one step closer to a world with less cancer and more birthdays, a world where not another life is lost to the disease.

Thank you so much for your support. Together, we will finish the fight! 

HWAITING!!  After you donate comeback to check this cute GIF of Lee Min Ho and to read more from K-Drama Seoul!!

SS501 comeback? Probably Not...IJS

Kim Hyung Jun, maknae (youngest member) of the kpop group SS501 posted a pic on his instagram page that has bloggers and fans thinking a little too hard about a comeback. 

The wall seen here is covered with plaques of albums from SS501 days.

Koreaboo , a blog/website dedicated to all things kpop, kdrama, korean in general, thought that maybe the pic was a hint to maybe the group making a comeback, explaining that the caption for the pic was: "Will be filling up the rest of the spaces soon." 

 My reaction was: LOL!!! Smh... I am sorry. I love SS501. They were the first kpop group that I fell in love with... (well I knew about Shinee first) but I am not going to get myself all hyped up from a pic that could me LOTS of things. SS501 left their fans 5 years ago on a promise that they have NOT broken up as a group and that they would get back together one day. Since then we have seen solo efforts from each member. Leader, Kim Hyun Joong has had the most obvious success. First of all he's been in 4 dramas, including a sitcom called Can Love Be Refilled, the biggest drama of all time, Boys Over Flowers, Playful Kiss and Inspiring Generation. He was also on the first season of the reality show "We Got Married." He also released several solo mini albums, singles, and full albums. He's had major success in Korea and Japan, but his fans

Kim Hyun Joong

are all over the globe. Unfortunately the likelihood of him rejoining the group for a comeback is slim. At the moment Mr. Kim Hyun Joong is in the midst of a scandal. My last blog discussed the situation his has with a Miss Choi and getting her preggo. He was supposed to enlist in due to the Korean military mandate, but postpone that due to personal issues. Although a SS501 reunion might make fans feel better about him and this scandal, I'm not sure if it is the right move for him. He was in the middle of his our Tour and comeback when all of this scandal started. Kim Hyun Joong is complicated. I swear I think he got more plastic surgery on that nose. Is he bigger than SS501 at this point? Can he actually sing? Oh Hyun Joong I use to love you, but you disappoint.... Wait I must add that one of his Japanese single hit platinum status...so chughahabnida!?!

Park Jung Min

The Koreaboo article pissed me off because it didn't even mention sexy charisma member Park Jun Min. He has been in touring it seems non stop, even being the first Korean artist to perform in Russia. According to Kazok (his fan club) he has been in South America, but due to a back injury and health concerns thing has been difficult for Jung Min. It seems that he probably could get together with the guys but with health issues/injuries it could be difficult for Jung Min. 

Prior to enlistment Kyu released two mini albums.  Greenpeas (SS501's name for fans) were waiting for Kyu, to get out of the military. Finally he got out had a very intimate fan meeting and now it seems like he is either hanging out with producer Steven Lee (who produce alot of ss501's work and Kim Hyun Joong's biggest hits) or hanging out with Hyung Jun at times. I thought for sure he was going to jump on a song ASAP, but it's been quiet since he finished his military duty.

Prior to enlistment Heo Saeng released 4 mini albums and 2 Japanese albums. 
SHEEESH! Korean Military takes a kpop idol and turns them into regular guy with a quick hair cut. Heo Young Saeng is in the middle of his military service. Although he will be finished in July 2015 according to Koreaboo.

Kim Hyung Jun our Maknae and for me least liked. Luckily he has an instagram. I mean sure Kyu does too but Hyung Jun uses his regularly, which is the reason I am up now talking about ridiculous speculation.
I am saying he said he would be filling the wall up soon. Maybe he meant with just solo records. Maybe he meant with other pictures. I mean trust me... SS501 are living off of a dream and a hope. Any little thing is enough to help them hold on to the idea of a reunion. Can it happen? Sure. Will it happen? Can't say. Maybe Hyung Jun, Heo Saeng, and Kyu Jong will pull another trio effort like they did when Hyun Joong was working on a drama and Min Jung was in a musical. They were pretty successful with that. Maybe they could do one like they did for ss501 the solo collection.  I guess you never really know. In 2013 they were all able to get together and surprise fans for Heo Saeng's farewell (military going away concert). I guess even skeptics like myself will have to wait and see, but I'm not holding my breath.

I have the internet to forever remember SS501 in all their adventures. 

And if I want to remember Hyun Joong from a time in which I thought he was pure, I will watch Boys Over Flowers. In the meantime, 2pm is my kpop group at the moment. I know I am a terrible fan. Once a Greenpea always right??? LOL!!! I am a Hottest until someone in 2pm makes me mad. 

PS: A piece of me will always love Kim Hyun Joong no matter what.... even if he has douchey habits.... 

 But such star power... and performance, he has it regardless of scandal and that has set him apart.... 

Well SS501 FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

WAEYO??? OPPA??? Kim Hyun Joong gets ex girlfriend PREGGO

Ok so 용서 (yongseo, Forgive me)... As a full time teacher, I am just not able to watch KDramas like I could previously BUT the current headlines HAVE to be discussed.... 

KIM HYUN JOONG gets EX girlfriend PREGNANT!!!! 

Yes that is what the headline said! According to the article. Kim Hyun Joong apologized for hitting her... OH YeAH that happened... Last July an ex girlfriend of Kim- Ssi went to the police and accused him of hitting her and leaving injuries. He ADMIT to one instance of domestic abuse, but denied it led to any injuries. All she wanted was a public/private apology and she decided again pressing charges. He was still fined as he admitted to having assaulted her once. NOW after all of this which did not help his career and probably put a slight damper on his Mr. Perfect image it is now announced that he has gotten this same chick, who's is now known as Choi, PREGGO??? SMH. 

Oh Alien Prince... 2014-2015 just has not made any sense (to me at least). It seems that according to a close friend Kim who is probably most loved for his role on the Kdrama Boys over Flowers and being leader of the Kpop boy band SS501 was sincere about his apology and rekindle the love with the "victim" Choi. She is now 10 weeks preggo. Her due date is in September and families are on board with a future marriage... only problem... enlistment. He already postponed his October 2014 enlistment date to March 2015. Enlistment for 2 years in Korea is mandatory for every male. He has just recently ended his Japanese tour "Gemini" which went well... reception in Japan for KHJ is still very high. 

Seems like this year has been like a real Kdrama for Kim Hyun Joong. Although this is coming from left field, catching us off guard, I can only wish him and his family the best of the luck in the future. In the meantime I still need to process this whole thing. I think I will just remember the best of Kim Hyun Joong....

Hencia it will be ok!!!!