So Your Bias Will Enlist...

Jun. K and Taecyeon on Taec's day off

Bet you didn't know that South Korea was in perpetual war with North Korea, when you fell into the kpop/kdrama Hallyu wave. Now, you are probably a full-fledged member of a fandom, your walls are covered with posters (or in my case you have framed the posters for future use), you have a special case for all those special limited edition releases, and even though you may never reach Korea for a concert you have your bands light stick...  only to find out that your bias of the group you love or that special actor has to enlist and will NOT have another comeback for 2 years.  OH, you didn't know... now you know.  Its hard, but they HAVE to enlist. The coming year will be especially hard for me as my bias (Jun. K of 2pm) will be enlisting soon.

A little tidbit about military enlistment: 

It is administered by the Military Manpower Administration. There are two forms of service: active duty or non-active duty service

Length of service varies according to branches:

♤21 months for Army and Marine Corps

♤23 months for Navy

♤24 months for Air Force.

♤The non-active duty service, e.g. civil service or public service worker, is from 24 months to 36 months.

So basically for TWO YEARS your bias will "sort of" be out of the spotlight. (I will explain the sort of part in a minute.) 

I think I have actually mentioned this subject before...http://kdramaseoul.blogspot.com/2017/02/2017-enlistment.html

Click the link above to see the 2017 enlistment list, your 1988-89 babies basically.  Of course, 2017 is almost over and 2018 will have a whole new group of beautiful biases.

It IS what it IS my dears. I am sad and I will be crying my eyeballs out, but after getting over the devastation of our biases heading over for military training, what can we do?  Let's make a list...

10.) Watch their catalog of Kdrama.
Taecyeon of 2pm enlisted in September and luckily he has a few dramas and movies. If you want to see your bias and you miss him go marathon his Kdrama. If your bias is an actor you may have already watch everything, but that's why you can watch it again and again and again and again. (If you are a 2pm fan you just sang that in your head)

9.) Listen to every song they ever made.
So if you are like me and your bias hasn't been in a drama, then listen to his catalog of songs. Korean, Japanese... heck they may even have a Chinese version.  Make a playlist of party songs or ballads. Don't just listen in your room with the speakers blasting, put your headphones on and listen to every changing chord. (His music is basically all that I have )

8.) Look for English translations.
I find that I listen to the music and I don't actually know what they are talking about. I make an assumption from the chorus which is usually in English. I have been trying to make an effort to look up lyric translations. 2pm being my bias group has songs spanning 2008-2017 as a group, in both Korean and Japanese. Including full albums, mini albums, and singles... so much to analyze.

7.) Check out the members.
Ok so... I am very LOYAL to my bias like VERY, like it's all about Jun 2 da KAY!!! BUT other members in 2pm have released solo albums as well. Junho and Wooyoung both have really good songs AND a couple were produced by JUN. K so why not give the other members some love, just don't go falling in love....LOL!!!

6.) SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH
You ever go to youtube and look up and 3 hours have passed... yes me too, but your bias is on youtube. South Korea is awesome because there are so many shows with celebrity guess. OR maybe like 2pm your bias has had tv programs. Well someone from the fandom who loves other fans has subbed it in English for you. Search and find. FANCAMS can also be amazing. Dailymotion also has videos, as a matter of fact, my international friends use Dailymotion.  Other fans have uploaded concerts for your viewing pleasure. Youtube is my friend.

5.) Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/ Other Social Media
Instagram is my BESTIE, twitter and I are getting closer. In this day and age, Social Media is what has increased the amount of knowledge we have about KPOP and Kdrama. Our biases have accounts. If it wasn't for Instagram I wouldn't know ANYTHING about the whereabouts of my bias. AS A MATTER OF FACT... my bias just uploaded a pic of him with your bias, that is if your bias is Taecyeon, remember that "Sort of " part I mentioned. Once upon a time the celebs would enlist and they were out of the spotlight, but with Instagram, we found out that Taec was able to take a day off and had coffee, lunch, dinner something with Jun. K.  Prior to that OkTroll tweeted to his bandmate a few days before their date. Siwon was also good about posting while he was enlisted. Jung Il Woo just posted recently as well. So although that can't make music or star in a drama they can post on social media. THANK GOD!!!

4.) Write a Fanfic.
So before Jun. K had his accident last year postponing his enlistment I was getting ready for it by writing a fanfic. I like to write and get crazy story ideas and sometimes I just have to get them out. Now if you don't like to write maybe you like to read. There are great fanfics and fanfic sites out there. (Or start a blog;) I post my fanfics on https://www.asianfanfics.com
I was working on one, but my real job took a lot of time maybe this winter break I will be able to get back on it... If you are into 2pm check it out: Taking Chances

3.) Powwows with other fans
I am so lucky I have friends around the world who love, Jun. K. Or 2pm. Granted these friends are in different time zones and we only chat through social media it's still nice to have someone who completely understands the obsession.

2.) Count Down the days
So I don't like this one very much, but I guess it helps others. SO many fans will count down right from Day 730 or 800 or whatever all the way to Day 0. I don't think I am going to be able to deal with seeing such big numbers. But if it helps you get through the 2-3 years by all means....

1.) Choose a new bias...
Chris Brown stated it like this: "These H*es Aint' Loyal." But the truth shall set you free. For those who can't wait 2-3 years... new groups, new actors are always coming out. Jun. K is my forever tho... LOL!!!! I am super Loyal... ok that is not true... I actually like Kim Hyun Joong BEFORE Jun. K, but with his scandal and everything.... I had to move on (not to say I don't appreciate his work.)

And there you have it... I hope that you are able to make it through your bias's enlistment. I hope I am able to get through my bias's enlistment.  

FINALLY... I made it to the Rainbow

Finally finished Golden Rainbow and all I can say is... that was an ordeal... It almost made me question why I watch Kdrama in the first place.
  I was going to write on and on about the drama and even have spoilers, but you know what if you want the experience of Golden Rainbow then go for it.  I am still stuck on the fact that I watch about 5-10 episodes of Kdrama where the main couple fall in love or something, only for that whole thing to be dismantled through 6-10 more episodes OR even more only for everything to end, happy or sad.
 Golden Rainbow... everyone was happy, someone was um how can I not spoil it...less mobile, but they were happy. I guess that is a spoiler, but when you take a Kdrama journey you already no you will be in for some twists and turns, one dead or five, love, loss, lost, amnesia, dementia, suicide, comas, etc etc etc etc....I mean there was one drama I watched and the dog died.
Anyway the point is... its a journey you take with the characters. The Golden Rainbow journey was just a long one. AND sometimes boring one, but I am glad I did it and finished it. 
My Kdrama excitement isn't there like it use to be. Maybe because I am in my own Kdrama, by the way of a long distance relationship with a Korean Man. (Korean by the way of Baltimore, Maryland LOL.) That happens as you grow and gain some things, a job, a relationship, friends, etc... you sometimes don't rely on the things that use to help you deal with the lack of thereof.... 
Korean Drama definitely came into my life when I was lacking in a more social life. I was working on my master's and could only see that in my future. Kdrama became my social life as I could live through the characters. What really made me happy about K-Drama is that it showed me a culture I had never experienced or maybe its not the best reflections of Korea BUT it took me away.
Flower Boy Ramen Shop made me laugh. Boys Over Flowers made me wish for a man to love me as deep a Goo Joon Pyo loved Jandi. It taught me to always watch my back and have evidence just in case that evil vile woman or man had it in for me who ever they are.... It took me to the Joseon Era, It made me cry when  Cheon Song Yi proposed to Do Min Joon, It made me cry when... a lot of times actually.... SMH.... I wanted to get through Golden Rainbow hoping that by finishing it I could move on to another drama that would give me feelz, but honestly I just feel overwhelmed to watch more and unfortunately I don't have the hours to sit and watch them like before. 
I was only able to binge watch Golden Rainbow because of a snow day.  Now I will not give up Drama I just need to learn how to watch it differently. When Kim Hyun Joong's drama came out, Age of Feelings, I was watching as the videos were available, which were Wednesday and Thursday. I need to get back to doing something like, every night have Drama time.  I will watch two episodes and stop. Wow I really am addicted. LOL!!! Golden Rainbow did have an impact on me... It made me look at how i need to start a new drama habit, and that i am getting old and should take care of myself, too bad i learned this in episode 41. Another thing i needed to remember is that all the drama will not be like Boys Over Flowers.... As much as I really wish they would be... OMG those rich boys took Jandi EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 Well Let's see where the next one takes me... The weekend is not over yet and I am still snowed in so what's up with that drama, "High End Crush" I think that is what it is called... I think us Drama heads are getting lucky because S.Korea is starting to go into web series that are shorter than the normal drama.... Until next time....  

Golden Rainbow...never again

Seriously I can't... I was supposed to finish this drama like last year and it has blocked me from starting other dramas. Never again will I ever watch a drama this long again... 41 episodes.... But that is not the only problem... toooooooooooooo much deceit it is killing me with the evil in it. I mean I feel like the "father" in this one is worst than Goo Joon Pyo's mom.... See Jin Ki I believe is his character's name.  In real- life his name is Jo Min Gi. I swear to goodness this he is killing me through the last 10 episodes of this drama. I am really trying to get through this mess tho. I love Jung Il Woo who plays Young Do, but this drama taught me that I can't watch a drama based on who is in it.       

I will get through it. I WILL!!!!!! I WILL!!!!!!!!! Only my love for Jung Il Woo will help me through it LOL!!!!! And then maybe I will finish Emergency Couple TOO!!!... I also want to finish to get to this one drama called... High In Crush, staring Jung Il Woo LOL!!!!!! HWAITING! 


SORRY Golden Rainbow fans/Jung Il Woo Fans....

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!!!

Noona and the Namdongsaeng

Even though Flower Boy Ramen Shop was my first Noona (Old sister/older woman)/Namdongsaeng (Little brother/younger man) KDrama romance I witnessed, Eun B. and Cha Chi Soo weren't the ones who really set this theme off for me.  The Noona/Namdongsaeng relationship that really wowed me was the "relationship" between Min Seo-hyun and Yoon Ji-hoo from Boys Over Flowers. It is safe to say that Boys Over Flowers will be used to discuss all the themes as it uses all the themes you could think of... including for a brief moment Noona/Namdongsaeng. Ji Hoo was really caught up on his noona. I mean Geum Jandi finds him at a bus stop looking like this:

I mean his face is up against an outdoor advertisement in like public. Smh... but more importantly I am sure fans can't forget this scene:

Now obviously in this senarios Noona is not always your real big sis. Noona is that women you looked at like a big sis when you were small and then somewhere down the line (puberty more than likely) noona became the woman you want to be with...I mean if you are are that guy. It might be the cougar in me but I love the idea of Noona/dongsaeng romances, no Korea Dramas like to have high schoolers fall in love with teachers, but that is way risque for me as I am a teacher...sure its fun to watch, but in America you will LOSE your job. Of course in Flower Boy Ramen Shop we see Eun B. leave the teaching profession, but that was more so to more the storyline towards the ramen shop.
Another thing that makes drama fans gravitate towards Noona/Dongsaeng relationships is the the passion show by the dongsaeng. I mean they really love noona. Please watch Ji Hoo in the above video again!!! LOL!!!  Or watch this....

The young boys swear they are in love. Which usually this turns out to be correct. Unfortunately even though I am clearly a noona myself, I haven't watch many Noona Dongsaeng situations, but for info check out this post that I found... which gives a list of Noona/Dongsaeng to try.
 http://www.dramabeans.com/2013/09/if-you-like-noona-romances/

K-Drama Themes: The Male Lead (and why we love him)

If you are a veteran K-Drama viewer than you are familiar with the Male Lead on a K-Drama. If you are a newbie than you need to get familiar with him.

First understand that there are actually two types of  the Male Lead. Type A and Type B, right now let's focus on Type A.

The Famous Goo Jun Pyo total type A!!!

Type A is the most arrogant, and cruel jerk that the female lead will always fall for eventually if not immediately.
Also as the meme above says  they are ridiculously rich. For instance K-Drama god, Goo Jun Pyo, Male Lead Type A of Boys Over Flowers, was the Heir to the Shinhwa Group, a huge conglomerate.
And of course as mentioned before Cha Chi Soo was another arrogant Richie Rich, who was the Heir of the Cha Group.
Even Lee Yoon Sung from the action romance thriller, City Hunter, was arrogant and rather rich, even though his storyline and reasons for existence are tad different from the flower boy characters above. (Lee Yoon Sung actually got his hands dirty).

Through the course of the drama the Type A will eventually learn to be kind and that money doesn't define him or love. He will only care about the female lead's well-being and making a way for them to be together, whether that means going against parents orders (that is another big theme) or going against another male lead (best known as the second male lead another theme) or they have to get over themselves, such as the biggest jerk (to me) Baek Seung Jo of Playful Kiss. It took 15 episodes for him to get over himself and tell Oh Ha Ni how he really felt. AISH!!!! Thinking about it angers me. I love Kim Hyun Joong (obviously) but that character AIGOO, he infuriates me (ok so he reminds me an ex no need to re-hash). Even after he expressed his feelings he still doesn't treat poor Oh Ha Ni very well, I mean his lines before their first time was not very caring.   

Do Min Joon Saving Cheon Song Yi

The Male Lead that we don't usually talk about (probably because we lump them in one catorgory) is what I will call Type B. He is of course gorgeous just as his counterpart. Type B may or may not have money. If he is rich than having the money is no big deal, in other words it doesn't define him. Sometimes the female lead (who they have fallen for) has money.  Type B is often not as big of a jerk as Type A. He may be a jerk, but this maybe due to different circumstances, than having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Take the current drama "My Love from Another Star" and the male lead, Do Min Joon. He tries to be uncaring towards Cheon Song-yi, but just in words and not in actions. Many times Type B has a mysterious or reckless past. For instance, Kim Tan, male lead from the recent hit K-drama The Heirs, was sent to America,  because of his illegitimate status as a son/heir. Although this character is similar to Goo Jun Pyo, Kim Tan is not a jerk toward his love interest. Also in My Love from Another Star, Do Min Joon just so happens to be a 400 year old alien, and has watched Korea develop over that time, of course this means in order to keep people from being suspicious he's had to have false deaths. Then there are those who have a reckless past such as the male lead in "When A Man Loves,"  Tae-sang, who was once the right hand man to a mob boss, is able to turn his life around and becomes a successful business man, pining for a young girl's heart. Similar characters can be seen in Jung Woo Sung's "Padam, Padam" and Jo In Sung's "That Winter That Wind Blows" where the male lead ha been a thug or is seen as a thug but is very caring and is trying to live differently.  There is also the unknowing type B lead. This can be seen in 49 Days with the characters, Han Kang and The Scheduler (who although is not the male lead is a huge presence and deserves to be mentioned.) In both situations they seem unknowing of what's really going on. Especially poor Scheduler. (Oh how I could cry.)

Scheduler and Song Yi-kyung (not the main couple but still male lead worthy to be discussed

No matter the circumstance the Male Lead, type A or type B is really just sort of a tragic hero (he just usually doesn't die). He starts as a person we really don't like at least we don't like his personality. This is his flaw. Then something happens to him and this evokes pity (or in the case of a K-Drama fan, love).  Unfortunately its been a long time since my High School Honors English class and also a long time since I studied Aristotle so all I can say is in the end the female lead (and us) fall madly in love with the Male Lead. We fall in love because of all of the above. NUMBER ONE these guys are like way HAWT!!! I mean come on they are usually gorgeous. Oh yeah and he has money DUH!!! Now I'm not saying I'm a goldigger, but look at all the fancy trips they take (usually to JeJu Islands), the cars they drive, and the make-overs they give (to the female lead).  In addition to good looks and money, once the male lead is in love with the female lead he does anything he can to have her. Goo Jun Pyo couldn't swim, but learned to swim for Geum Jandi. Why? Because he never wanted to have to see another man save his Jandi. Cha Chi Soo, gave up the Cha name, lost his inheritance and went AWOL from the military to have his Eun Bi. Eventually we have no choice, but to fall in love with The Male Lead, that is if we don't fall head over heels for the Second Male Lead. (Yoon Ji Hoo Saranghaeyo)  

Actor Spotlight: Jung Il Woo

Jung Il Woo

As I mentioned before Flower Boy Ramen Shop (2011)  is the K-Drama that changed my life and made me the K-Drama Fan that I

Charismatic Cha Chi Soo

am today. Much of that has to do with the Male Lead Character, Cha Chi Soo, played by Jung Il Woo. Cha Chi Soo was the average male lead. (You will soon learn if you haven't already that the male lead is usually a charming jerk, that is insensitive to the others around him, but in the end is actually a sweet guy who was just ignorant of things due to the sheltered lifestyle of the rich).  I guess because I saw that Cha Chi Soo, was ignorant of his feelings as in he didn't know that it was love that he felt and he had no idea how to handle it which led to hilarious antics between him and Eun Bi. I loved his acting so much I wanted to see him in more. That is when I found Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), although this time he had the role of the second male lead and worse the 2nd son (by another woman), Prince Yang Myung (a double whammy in the Korean Drama world as far as the fate of the character) the show only added to my love for K-Drama. I will discuss The Moon Embracing the Sun thoroughly soon.

Although Flower Boy Ramen Shop and The Moon Embracing the Sun were top shows it was Jung Il
Woo's breakthrough role as the "scheduler" in the 2011 Drama 49 Days that really  proved he would be ready for his role as Cha Chi Soo and later his role as Prince Yang Myung. As the scheduler he was a modernized grim reaper who would help a young woman who was in a limbo of life and death, but wanted
to live and had 49 Days to do so in her outer body state.

In just two years Jung, excelled at portraying 3 very different characters, which shows his skill as an actor. What is similar about all of his roles is that each character has some comical aspect as it seems he is the guy who is always trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

He is able to be funny in one instance, then serious in another, all the while his eyes are so expressive. 

Aside from the dramas mentioned Jung Il Woo has be in many other dramas such as, Unstoppable High Kick, The Return of Iljimae, My Fair Lady, and was also in the movie My Love.

In addition to his bringing his characters to life Jung Il Woo also has had songs on the OST (Original Soundtracks) of the drama's 49 Days and Flower Boy Ramen Shop. 

Currently Jung Il Woo is in the drama Golden Rainbow alongside K-Pop and K-Drama star Uee.

For more about Jung Il Woo check out these articles:
http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/13997/20140108/jung-il-woo-transforms-as-filming-director.htm 

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/71789/20140103/jung-il-woo-90-servings-of-rice-cake-soup-on-new-years-for-golden-rainbow-staff-team.htm

 http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/golden-rainbow-jung-il-woo-becomes-an-ice-062525712.html


Do you love Jung Il Woo? Why is he your favorite actor? Which is your favorite character? Are you watching Golden Rainbow? Which of Jung Il Woo's dramas do you want to try? Let me know what you think!

Where it all started: Flower Boy Ramen Shop

 Drama Title: 꽃미남 라면가게 / Kkotminam Ramyeongage/ 

Flower Boy Ramen Shop 

Year: 2011

Genre: Romance Comedy

16 Episodes

For me, Flower Boy Ramen Shop was the beginning of my life as a K-Drama fan, which is quite interesting as it is said that the hit K-Drama "Boys Over Flowers" is the gateway drug of a K-Drama addiction. Not this time, but don’t worry "Boys Over Flowers" has its own special place in my heart and will certainly find a place in this blog as well. 

Flower Boy Ramen Shop definitely stamped the Korean flag right on my heart as I followed Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah), a teacher intern (student teacher) who has doubts about being a teacher, but wants to be something in society as she gets over a break up with a long- time boyfriend and also deals with some daddy daughter issues. 

BUT WAIT…

First we meet the tall, slim, pretty faced Cha Chi Soo, (Jung Il Woo) who gets out of trouble by being cute and saying something charming. Females melt in front of him as he says something random such as: “That mole, it’s pretty” and then walks away looking back and giving the female a quick wink of the eye.

After Yang Eun Bi and Cha Chi Soo meet randomly (in a female bathroom stall) as the always insecure tomboy Eun Bi looks at Cha thinking he could be around his twenties. After an encounter with her EX she takes off with the unknowing Cha Chi Soo who is more concerned with his cashmere sweater possibly being stained than acknowledging the vulnerable Eun Bi. 

It isn’t until the teacher intern goes to her first day of work after embarrassing herself by calling Cha Chi Soo “oppa” (although Oppa really means older brother, it is growing as slang for honey/sweetie) before realizing he is in fact a student. Not only is he a student he is the richest student and his father’s company owns the school.  

Another thing you will learn about K-Drama’s is that there will usually be a second male lead. I will take the time to talk all about the beloved second male lead another time but with Flower Boy Ramen Shop the second male lead is Choi Kang Hyuk (Lee Ki Woo). Throughout the show he is known as Pillar. Yes ladies this is another tall and pretty faced man. Kang is usually found sleeping in a random place. Eun Bi didn’t even know he was there for a while. 

Through unforeseen circumstances, Eun Bi, Kang and Cha Chi Soo all become involved and end up working at Eun Bi’s father’s Ramen Shop. (I don’t want to give too many spoilers).

This show grabbed my attention because it was pretty funny. I could relate to Eun Bi. When I first watched Flower Boy Ramen Shop I was getting ready to enter my student internship. She also day dreamed which I do way too often. I also understand how it feels to be getting older without a boyfriend and without any prospects of getting married as many others are well on their way to marriage.  

BUT….

As you will find as you enter your own journey into K-Drama, the flower boys will get you every time. Cha Chi Soo ultimately stole my heart as I watched this rich kid fall in love and has absolutely no idea what he is feeling. He had never had such experiences having been sheltered and initially thought he was sick. (He went to the hospital saying a fist was in his heart).  Kang was also a great face and body to look at throughout the story line. As a reasonable woman I understood how it made a lot of sense to be with someone who would stand at a pillar for you. (Hence his nickname as pillar).

Again I am not into spoilers, but there is more to Cha Chi Soo than just a cute face and money. He has some secrets as does Choi Kang Hyuk. They both share a common bond (a shocking revelation) and a love for Eun Bi. By the way President Cha, Cha Chi Soo’s father doesn’t like the idea of being involved with someone who is below them on the caste system if you know what I mean. (Another reoccurring theme in K-Dramas). 

The cast members make the show colorful and keep the storyline moving and also are the reason for the show being called Flower Boy Ramen Shop as these cute young boys all find themselves working at the shop. There are also sub-plots as other characters help to Eun Bi with her problems and their problems are revealed. 

Jung Il Woo was so magnificent to me as Cha Chi Soo, so much so, I wanted to see him in more dramas, which will lead to my next review. Without even knowing anything about K-Dramas I could see genuine acting. I mean it takes skill to have the comedic timing for certain characters and to me he did well. He also was amazing with emotional scenes. We often see Cha Chi Soo with tears welled up in his eyes.  I even named one of my dogs, Cha Chi Soo, which was approved of as I showed my mother Flower Boy Ramen Shop and she also fell in love with the show and K-Drama, now she and I usually watch K-Drama together.  Imagine that K-Drama pulls families together.   

It was intriguing to see this Noona/Dongseng situation as well.  OH the Noona/Dongseng theme…yes…another topic I will have to discuss for another day as for now, it’s the older woman/younger man relationship.  In America this drama would have been more of a tragedy than a comedy (although Cha Chi Soo is 19, therefore of age). 

Be prepared to literally laugh out loud, cry, and root for Eun Bi to find her way.  Watch and tell me what you think.  Have you already watched it? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Who was your favorite character? Who would you choose?  Why?  

In the meantime check out a few trailers: