The Death of Dramafever

Is this the end of an era? The saddest news I have heard only I hadn't been using it very much. Even though I have been paying for premium service it became like another thing you take for granted until its suddenly gone and you regret how you hadn't given it any attention. Well honestly I felt like it was a matter of time until something happened, but I didn't think it was going to be shut down. So what can you do? Well if you are a for real drama bean then you already know... viki.com 
Or the DARK WEB *insert evil laugh* there are websites but beware of "cookie" and viruses. Good Luck my drama lovers. I hope you will be able to find all the drama you need at a cheap cost. I feel like this is the worst ending in the history of Korean Drama. 😢

Yeah Jun. K enlisted and....

I'll get back to that in a moment, but first, a fellow kpopper tagged me to a post from Buzzfeed discussing African American BTS stans who are dealing with Racism within the ARMY standom. Upon moving into these Twitter groups with Armies, these young ladies found themselves in a ball of hate as they were taunted and called n*****. This is not necessarily disturbing to me because the truth of the matter is that I have always known racism. I know that it exists. What sucks is that that once again African American WOMEN are finding themselves excluded from a group that they really shouldn't feel excluded from... The article stated that some had decided to come up with an African American Army subgroup.  Youngins' may not know this one but: "Can't we all just get along?" 

Stories like this are not new to me, but in all honesty, it hasn't happened to me...YET....  First, I am a Jun. K stan (FOR SURE), but I have pretty much kept myself in a small group, as a matter of fact, I have two VERY close Jun. K stan friends one in London and one in Singapore. For about 2 years now its been us in our own personal chat group. I consider myself the elder as I am the oldest and the 2 are my little sisters. I take it seriously as a friendship, created from an admiration of Jun. K but I hope it can continue as friends even after Jun. K. (WHOA way sentimental) (We talk about everything sometimes) 

Recently, I have dived further into the standom. My boy band is 2pm, our Fandom is called Hottest, We have all kinds of Hottests, Japanese Hottests, Indonesian Hottests, Pinoy Hottests, Arabic Hottests... It's worldwide... obviously. I started talking to more and more hottests because at a time like this...a generational shift which really means our boys will be on a long ass hiatus because of the Military we have to stick together to hold each other up while we wait. Hottests have been the best sweetest friends ever. Knock on wood. I haven't had a bad experience as a hottest dealing with race or anything else. I have never even been in an argument with Hottests. I think this is because most of us are older and by older, I mean like 50 with a daughter who is 25 and a granddaughter that is 4 and they all love 2pm. The Armies in discussion are teenagers or in their early 20s. 

AND...
I tend to have a different experience as an African American being that I am what they call high yellow... Personally, I like to think that Hottests are just good people. 2pm has shown us again and again and again and again (If you are a hottest you get it) that they are decent humans. Let's continue to be real Korea is an Asian country that has some strong nationalistic views and unfortunately believes some stereotypes about Black folks. (They had a famous blackface character up until recently.) A young friend of mine says it's getting better, and I have another friend, an awesome Melanin enriched chick who has made Korea her home. Another friend talked about how people literally gawked while she was on the metro. I have never been to Korea...YET... but because of my experience in the United States, because of the way I look I can only imagine people would still gawk trying to figure it out.... most people know I am "something" but there are questions like: What is she? WAIT STOP... just remember the most WOW moment with a Korean lady in the USA... She literally looked at my skin and looked at her skin then looked at my mom and wanted to know "What happened?" Because I was lighter than her (a Korean woman), yet my mom is brown skin as she is African American. (Mom was offended and I am just like welcome to my world). Yeah, there is that skin color thing in Korea as in getting your skin as close to milky is the best) I am reminded of a time that someone made a comment about Jun. K's completion in his music video versus in person and it was almost as if he apologized for having dark skin. AGAIN "Why can't we all just get along?

Trying to conclude: 
Why does this happen? Do we ask white people why do they like Beyonce or tell them that they can't like Beyonce? Why can't little black girls like Korean Pop artists? I can't even get into the appropriation of black music that is Korean Pop. Save that for another blog. The real question is why can't black girls be black girls and why are we ridiculed for the beautiful melanin of our skin? I guess the world will never know. 

Overall I love 2pm, I love my skin, I love my mom's skin, I want to touch Jun.K's skin, I love Hottests and I am glad to have all of it. 

If there are black girls out there who love KPOP but are hiding it... PLEASE let it be known... we can make our own group. Black KPOP Stans unite!!!! 

White washing...appropriation...you can't have everyone else's culture..어떻게?

Ok so let's start with whitewashing... It's a thing that has been going for what seems like forever...it started when Europeans came to North America, Carribean, and South America. You know when they said they discovered a land that was already occupied, but the people who occupied the land they called Savages and killed many of those Natives. They brought this idea called slavery and had people from Africa working the land...while they raped them, creating little half-breed illegitimate children which went on to create a sick psychological idea that light skinned is better than dark skinned. Ok, lets move on from that sick history and let's go to Hollywood the place that is creating the most whitewashing currently. Back in the day they would do something called black face... they wouldn't put black folks in a movie they would paint themselves....slowly they allowed blacks in film, but they basically legit have black, yellow, brown, red, etc face still to this day. Back in the day, they would do yellow face as in have a white person play as an Asian. The would even tape their eyes back. (Disgusting) It's still happening. There are so many roles given to white people enough the character is based on a person of color. The latest situation was Ghost in a Shell...the main character was supposed to be Asian. But the TRUTH is that the white execs in Hollywood don't believe people of color will make a movie successful. They look at the statistics (based on white survey) and basically say look at the stats, people of color don't sell movies or music. SO DUMB!!!!!! 
SO I SAY ALL OF THAT TO BRING US TO THIS: 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ikrd/onionhasaeyo?bffbmain&ref=bffbmain&utm_term=.ywo0GXJPl#.giv3p290a

An all white kpop group... omg I feel like I need go back into the history of kpop....I've been a kpopper for about 3-4 years now. Has influenced me... Hellz yeah from the way I talk to the way that I dress.... Do I want to be Korean... Hell no... I am black. I am an American Black. I am a Black American. Do I love Kpop? hellz yeah...can I sing in Korean... Hellz yeah... if my bias Jun. K said to come to Korea and sing on my record...HELLZYEAH!!! That still wouldn't make me kpop....BUT THE TRUTH DISGUSTING THING ABOUT THIS ALL WHITE SO CALLED KPOP GROUP is that for like 100 years people of color have been trying to break into crossover success. LISTEN to me.... there are legit great rappers ASIAN rappers and WE both white and black folks don't believe that these people can sell records which is why you don't see Asian rappers on MTV. They have tried but it never sticks.  There is true talent in Korea... Rappers, singers.... I didn't believe it either. But then.... 

(this one is for 19+) 

And this was just the guys... now don't get me wrong there are black producers and singers IN KOREA, Cha Cha Malone works with Jay Park. Recently this awesomeness was released...

Ok ok let's be real Kpop is a lot like hip hop/R&B and I could make the argument that Korean Artists and record labels have appropriated this style but I'm not.... I am not. That actually has happened in MANY COUNTRIES. Koreans have taken hip hop and R&B and made it into what they have today. BUT to take that thing they have made and put white folks in it... ugh... disgusting... BUT when I tell people that I listen to Kpop people are like HUH? I don't usually get into this stuff but wtf.... I guess I could say why even call it Korean Pop, it's all just music... you are so right... it is all just music...but I am not the one who created an all white boy group who decided to call my music kpop.... its sick... let's not.... This is just like back in the day when a black artist would make a song and then white producer use to have white singers re-release the song and it would just be the worst...this is the same thing....

This is what this (k) pop group has done.... you can take the idea but you can give it the same feeling.... PLUS girls like kpop for more than the music... um HELLO KOREAN MEN... if we wanted to listen to and wash white men... we have Nsync, Backstreet Boys and One Direction.... New Kidz on the Block...hell even O-town... 98 degrees... please do away with yourself EXP Edition....

K-Drama Seoul is back!!!!

Yeah I have been gone for a while now...probably since May, but I am back. I have kind of been away from K-Drama AND I miss it!!! A lot!!! The hustle and bustle of first year teacherdom turned out to be pretty crazy!! BUT I think I have it under control now... which means...I am ready to try to get back into the KDRAMA!!!! BUT I have no idea where to go... I haven't finished the Lee Min Ho collection I was working the old drama, I Am Sam, and I started Faith a while ago...Also I haven't seen Personal Taste yet, BUT I am thinking I want to see a new drama. Now Rain was in a drama recently called My Lovely Girl and although he is a fine specimen to look at I am not a fan of Krystal Jung. She did not move me in The Heirs. I feel like I have been away from drama. I have watched a few movies but I really want to take some of my Christmas break and just watch drama all day and all night long... So what should I watch Kdrama addicts! Please help me out!!! Comment and let me know what is the best drama I should marathon!

Cute post from Dramafever...

Some funny K-drama stuff.... from dramafever.com

Inspiring Generation!!! 17-22!!!

So I have to apologize... I went to a comic convention and never had a chance to #1 watch any episodes of Inspiring Generation and #2 I never had a chance to blog. So I have quite a bit to go over. So I'll do it the best I can with lots of pics...



Episode 17:

Jung Jae Hwa had his grand re-opening of the Shanghai Club. Ok Reyeon gets to sing but backstage.  It is during such time that Hwangbang threatens Leader Mo and forces him to fight Shin Jung Tae in order to regain some of his stability and to keep Hwangbang from killing his family. In a weird turn of events Shin Jung Tae beats Leader Mo. Also during this the Director of Intelligence Aoki has arrested Ok Reyeon in which Shin Jung Tae goes to get her, but gets caught by Aoki.

 Episode 18/Episode 19: 

In this episode Shin Jung Tae has gone after Ok Reyeon, but gets caught by Aoki. Shin Jung Tae then fights Aoki who punks out and brings out the firing squad, but before they can shoot Gaya sets the place on fire and they have to go take care of that, in the mean time DoGgo has

Ok Reyeon and cons her into signing paperwork for Hwangbang. So Hwangbang finds that Ok Reyeon is Shin Jung Tae's heart. Also Gaya reports to Il Gook Hwe everything that has occurred. Also On the low Hwangbang use a group of Mongolians to attack the people of Bamgsamtong and the actually killed about 10 people. This makes Jung Jae Hwa look to be a bad "owner." 

Episode 20:

In this episode Shin Jung Tae and Jung Jae Hwa have to fight. Shin Jung Tae beats Jung Jae Hwa and was trying to uncover what Hwang Bang had done by bringing the Mongolian who attack the town to confess who had told them to do it but before they could get it out the assistant leader of Hwang Bang killed them. Meanwhile at Il Gook Hwe the Boss is mad at everyone from Gaya to Aoki. He messing up Shinichi pretty bad making him unable to us his arm. He also puts out a hit on him, basically letting any and everyone know that if you see him take him out there is a reward. Gaya also comes at the big boss wrong as she talks all about how her mother loved a Joseon man (Korean) and was killed for it and she also says that she loves a joseon man (shin jung tae). Il Gook Hwe is falling. Also Ok Reyeon draws a map for Shin Jung Tae so that he can know his way through Hwangbang. While Shinichi brings some very important docs to Hwangbang.  A fight ensues.

Episode 21: First I just have to say Shin Jung Tae is a beast!!! He is a strong fighter and he thinks on his feets. He ninjas to HwangBang to save Ok Reyeon but ends up only really saving Gaya. (Go figure) But it is in this episode that with him, Leader Mo and the help of others he is able to create a plan that will cause HwangBang and Il Gook Hwe to attack each other in hopes to deplete Hwangbangs men while taking down Il Gook Hwe. We see Shin Jung Tae and friends blitz Il Gook Hwe. It is in this episode Shin Jung Tae and Gaya their first tender moment since their last when they were kids. AND!!!!! KIM HYUN JOONG's OST plays in the background yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OOOOOOOO and by the way AOKI kills Il Gook Hwe's leader Denichi. Takes him right out!

Episode 22:
The Plan goes into action and it is a success, they deplete both Hwangbang and Il Gook Hwe. In the light of victory Shin Jung Tae ask to marry Ok Reyeon and they are wed. That is the most Important aspect of the episode to me LOL!!! BUT what will happen next. I have seen some spoilers for episode 23 so I am ready to cry my eyes out :(

Kim Jae Wook drops out of Inspiring Generation

 After getting over my disbelief and doing some research it appears Kim Jae Wook has dropped out of Inspiring Generation.

According to www.kdramastars.com his management has this to say: "Due to inevitable circumstances, we've decided to drop out.  We're sorry because you must have had high expectations.  We're trying to come back soon with a great piece so please look forward to more with a patient mind.  We hope you continue to support "Generation of Youth.'"

Now I really didn't want to believe this as his storyline was just getting good and I was just beginning to like his character, but after doing a little research and checking his official facebook page, it appears this is very true.

According to Kpopstarz.com  Kim  Jae Wook said: "They say it takes time for an actor to feel comfortable acting again after his release from the military, but I thought I would be an exception. It turns out, however, that I do need time, and I′m still trying to adjust not only to acting but also to being a member of society again." Kim Jae Wook enlisted in the military  July 2011 to complete the mandatory 21 months of service. He was discharged April 2013.  This could have still been a problem for Kim Jae Wook as there are many fighting scenes and some violence, of course I don't know how much the South Korean Military gets in such situations I am sure they practice with guns and such but all seems quiet. Of course unless you have been in the military on does not know the changes that takes place in ones life after joining the military.

Before Kim Jae Wook left the show it was announced that there would be some changes with the writers as in the head writer left and a new writer replaced this head writer. More about the writing switch up can be found at http://www.dramabeans.com/2014/02/age-of-feeling-makes-sudden-writer-switch/ .

Fans were just getting to like Kim Jae Wook's character,Kim Soo-ok,  as he plays the second male lead (love interest) to the character Ok Reyeon who although in love with Kim Hyun Joong's Shin Jung Tae was beginning to cozy up to Kim Soo-ok.

Kim Jae Wook is known for his role in the drama Coffee Prince.

Inspiring Generation (Age of Feeling) is considered Kim Hyun Joong's big comeback to drama as he hasn't been in a drama since 2010's Playful Kiss.

Drama Queen with Seoul: An Introduction

Hello!!! 안녕하세요 Annyeonghaseyo!!!

I am known by many names, Danielle, Daneeyell, Miss Danielle (or Miss Daniel for some of my students who mispronounce), Miss Dawkins, Dawkins, Dani, Dani D. or Dani D. the Princess of Delaware…

… But for my fellow Drama Lovers I am: Noona (what a younger man/boy would call his older sister) or Unni (what a younger woman/girl would call an older sister).

K-Drama (Korean Drama, i.e. South Korean soap opera, telenovela) hit me hard and I fell in love. I was already a fan of all things of Asian Culture, especially that of Japan as I am a huge Power Ranger/Super Sentai fan, a fan of the Japanese artist Hokusai, and a fan/writer of Haiku. Even so I was skeptical of Koreans, primarily because of North Korea. Growing up I just felt that it was taboo to discuss Korea, North or South. A miserable stormy boring day changed all of that. Thank God for Netflix, which can at times, cure the common boring day. Somehow, I was led to Korean TV Drama. I saw many interesting titles, but one caught my attention. “Flower Boy Ramen Shop.” Flower Boy? I wondered, what could it mean to be a Flower Boy. More than that I wondered how there was something called a ramen shop. Ramen in America is not known as an entrée in a restaurant or diner (Unless you find a Ramen Shop which are around big cities). Ramen is more like an easy and cheap meal, you make at home that takes no more than 1-5 minutes. I soon found out that our packs of oodles n noodles don’t have ANYTHING on ramen made in a Korean Ramen Shop. Ramen aside I fell in love with the drama for so many reasons and learned so much about Korean Culture at the same time. 

 

I am a writer at heart (terrible at editing so be warned). I am a teacher by nature. So, when I find something that I think is great, I have to share it with the world. I have pulled my mother, my brother and others into the Drama World. Getting my brother being the hardest to impress, involved in watching Dramas, tells me that these dramas must be pretty good. I also believe that we can learn a lot about other cultures (positives and negatives). When we  learn we can use that knowledge to be sensitive to others and try to co-exisit instead of being racist or discriminating. Basically there is nothing wrong with loving our yellow brethren. (Trust me ladies and gentlemen; there are some gorgeous Asian men and women out there).

Before taking part in this blog it is important to know where you can find Korean Drama, just in case you become intrigued by any future post. As mentioned before my journey with K-Drama began with Netflix. Please take note in the fact that Netflix changes its listing every now and then. I started a drama on Netflix and the next day when I went to look for it, they had removed it. Luckily I found a website called: DramaFever (thanks to a friend who told me about it). DramaFever has a huge collection of Dramas and is always adding more. It is also a great place for K-Drama news. Of course just when you think life is peachy, someone decides the comeback drama for your favorite Korean Celeb will not stream on Drama Fever. (Seriously, I thought I was going to go nuts!)  To cure this situation I did a google search and found Viki, another website with Korean Dramas. The great thing about Viki is that there are people working to get subtitles in MANY different languages. 

I have watched many K-Dramas and with a friend’s nudge I decided to create a blog, in which, I can do the things I love (write and teach) with what I love (Korean Dramas). If you are curious, you should definitely follow this blog as I will be reviewing the old and the new, the good and the bad (although I haven’t found many bad). K-Drama Seoul (pronounced like soul) will show you a new culture and maybe you will gain a better understanding of cultures and people in general. Overall you will be fully entertained hopefully from my blog and later from actually going to one of the mentioned sites and watching a K-Drama. 

In the words of many characters from many dramas:

화이팅 Hwaiting!!! Fighting!!!!