Worlds Within

Bad Guys Review (2014)

2015-03-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: ***
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Team lead Oh Goo Tak is given a chance by the Police Commissioner to form a team composed of convicted criminals to help the police force catch other nefarious criminals. Will this odd arrangement work out or will it lead to further problems?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: B-

The overall story arch linking all the characters in the series together was reasonably well planned and pieced together. Individual episode plot execution was good but all throughout, I couldn't quite get past the fundamental premise of the drama. The formation of this criminal 'police' team was interesting though highly questionable and I had a hard time with the concept even in a TV universe (given the can of worms such a scenario raises and the consequences which were hardly addressed to any satisfaction in the drama).

Characters:
Kim Sang Joong as Oh Goo Tak: B-
Ma Dong Seok as Park Ung Cheol: C (Only because his character wasn't overly difficult to pull off)
Park Hae Jin as Lee Jeong Moon: B-
Jo Dong Hyuk as Jung Tae Su: B
Kang Ye Won as Yu Mi Young: C-

Cast chemistry: B-

There were a lot of subtleties in playing several of these characters and the cast generally did admirably well. The three convicts were probably the best and most convincing characters in the lot as Oh Goo Tak has a penchant for overacting (though acceptable). Their chemistry with each other wasn't bad and perhaps was what kept the series interesting. Kang Ye Won underperformed as Inspector Yu Mi Young as she really seemed too naive for her role considering her supposed ambition.

Music:
OST: A- (Very suitable, though sometimes too simple, instrumental soundtrack)

Verdict:
Of the police dramas I've seen, this one had the most interesting premise of using convicted criminals to form a special investigations unit. While the idea was novel, the explanation and reasoning in the drama to address the issue was inadequate. This undermined the whole series since the plot was loosely dependent on addressing this issue as well. Acting-wise, the criminal trio probably did the best with their roles while the others left something of a gap.

Marriage Not Dating Review (2014)

2015-03-09T09:56:00.001-07:00

Drama Rating: *****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Gong Ki Tae, a plastic surgeon, is constantly pestered by his mother to get married. To obstruct her plans, he happens to meet Joo Jang Mi and manages to convince her to pose as his girlfriend/fiancee. How successful will they be at deceiving his friends and family?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: A-

Wonderful storytelling with well thought out scenes. The pacing, timing and resolution of critical plot milestones were nicely done. Aside from minor things here and there, this was a very entertaining script!

Characters:
Han Groo as Joo Jang Mi: A-
Yun Woo Jin as Gong Ki Tae: B+ (Only because his character wasn't as challenging to play)
Jung Jin Woon as Han Yeo Reum: C (Again, his was not a very complex character)
Han Sun Hwa as Kang Se Ah: B-
Huh Jung Min as Lee Hoon Dong: B+
Kim Hae Sook as Shin Bong Hyang: A-

Han Groo & Yun Woo Jin chemistry: A-
Overall cast chemistry: A

A very strong overall cast performance! I could almost say that the leads were a match made in heaven with a superb supporting team. Everyone convincingly brought their characters to life though Han Groo and Kim Hae Sook deserve special mention for their respective portrayals.

Music:
OST: B+

Comedic and light, perfect for the job.

Verdict:
An unabashedly humorous, charming and comedic drama! Things are kept fairly simple and straightforward which in this case works out wonderfully since there was no need for overcomplications. There is a good balance of seriousness and humor spread throughout and the cast very naturally brought the script to life. Great team effort!

Empress Ki Review (2014)

2015-03-05T23:04:00.000-08:00

Drama Rating: 7.5/10
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
In her quest to avenge the death of her parents, Ki Nyang becomes entangled in a complex love triangle between the Toghon, the Yuan Emperor and Wang Yu, King of Goryeo. When she enters the palace complex, things get intricately more complicated amidst the power struggles, factional rivalries and ever-changing relationships.

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: B

Period dramas are inevitably long given the 'history' they're trying to tell and actually the first 40 episodes or so deserved an 'A' for the storytelling. But things went downhill after that once there was no longer a clear goal and the tightness of the script began to unravel. Personally, I think the writer should have just stuck with the historical characters and developments rather than open up the plot to further embellishment relating to the additional fictional characters (like Wang Yu, Yon Fei Su or Kolta). The end result was somewhat of a detriment to the overall storyline.

Characters:
Ji Chang Wook as Emperor Huizong: A-
Ha Ji Won as Empress Ki: B+ (a decent job in very complex role to play)
Baek Jin Hee as Tanashiri: A+
Jeon Guk Hwan as El Temur: A
Joo Jin Mo as Wang Yu: C+
Kim Young Ho as General Bayan: B-
Kim Suh Hyung as Empress Dowager: C
Jin Yi Han as Tal Tal: C
Kim Jung Hyun as Dang Ki Se: B

Ha Ji Won & Ji Chang Wook chemistry: B- (Ji Chang Wook put out a lot of emotional 'feelers' throughout the series but reception from Ha Ji Won was a bit on and off)
Overall cast chemistry: B

Generally a great cast performance with some great performances by Baek Jin Hee and Jeon Guk Hwan. Ha Ji Won's acting was good but her character's mood sometimes changed overly abruptly whenever a significant event takes place. The character's more gradual evolution was the key piece that was missing there, something that Baek Jin Hee did pretty well at.

Music:
OST: A-

Pretty strong OST that mirrors the events of the drama nicely. Enough diversity as well that nothing felt too repetitive.

Verdict:
Generally a solid historical piece with splendid costumes and sets. Casting was solid with some very strong performances. A shame though that the series didn't end on its high note around 40 episodes. Despite the further heightened drama in the last 10 episodes of so, too much artistic license by the screenwriter, especially regarding the additional fictional characters, took away from the pacing and tension built up to that point. A simpler, more straightforward resolution would have been nice.

Healer Review (2015)

2015-02-28T15:03:00.002-08:00

Drama Rating: ***
Personal Rating: Enjoyable

Story:
Healer is a night courier, a mysterious for-hire messenger who runs various tasks for his clients. Chae Young Shin is a budding reporter working at a third-rate entertainment news company looking for her first big scoop. Both their lives begin to turn upside down when they meet Kim Moon Ho, a famous reporter, who is digging up the truth of what happened in 1992.

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: B-

This series felt like what City Hunter should have been (ironic given Park Min Young was the lead actress for both). Most of the series was well planned and executed and the emphasis on the emotional aspect was fairly well done. The main disappointment was with the ending which left plenty of loose ends that never got addressed (what happened to the 'Farmers' for example?) and didn't really give much closure to a number of the side threads.

Characters:
Ji Chang Wook as Seo Jung Hoo: B+
Park Min Young as Chae Young Shin: B
Yoo Ji Tae as Kim Moon Ho: C+
Park Sang Won as Kim Moon Shik; B-
Ki Mi Kyung as Jo Min Ja: A (delightfully memorable scenes)

Ji Chang Wook & Park Min Young chemistry: A-
Overall cast chemistry: B

Park Min Young has improved immensely from her days in City Hunter, being much more relaxed, assertive and confident than before. In fact, she and Ji Chang Wook have a lot more chemistry going on and make a great on-screen couple. I have to say though that Ki Mi Kyung though definitely takes the cake for her wildly quirky role as Jo Min Ja.

Music:
OST: C+

The music was rather off for this series. While there were some good songs in the soundtrack, the music generally didn't go well with the onscreen action in a number of scenes.

Verdict:
This drama had both things going for it and against it. In terms of writing, it was generally pretty good but crashed out at the end with a fairly hefty lack of explanations and a number of loose ends. Cast-wise, Yoo Ji Tae was the only one who struck me as being weaker than the rest with his strange facial expressions and demeanor when he needed to portray different emotional states (though he was certainly not as bad as Mike He in Go Single Lady). The music arrangement also felt incoherent and didn't seem to be too well thought out nor written with the scenes in mind. Overall, a slight disappointment but I did enjoy Ki Mi Kyung's performance immensely!

Punch Review (2015)

2015-02-24T00:21:00.001-08:00

Drama Rating: *****
Personal Rating: All time favourite!!

Story:
Prosecutor Park Jung Hwan spent the last several years of his career helping Prosecutor General Lee Tae Joon get to his current position and was poised to rise even higher in the ranks when he unexpectedly gets the news that he has less than 6 months to live due to a brain tumor. What choices will he make in the short time he has left?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: A

I'm a bit antsy when a thriller comes along as they usually come in two varieties. One type starts off with a promising storyline but starts unravelling toward the end (either under the weight of the plot complexity a la City Hunter or Black & White or through a disappointing ending a la Sign). The other type manages to unwind the plot complexities in a realistic but thrilling manner and leaves you quite satisfied (with Ghost and Three Days both falling in this category). Punch, being part of the latter group, blows both of those dramas out of the park with a roller-coaster ride of a drama that keeps you completely hooked until the end.

Characters:
Kim Rae Won as Park Jung Hwan: B+ (strong performance but didn't truly feel like he was atoning for his past)
Kim Ah Joong as Shin Ha Kyung: B+
Jo Jae Hyun as Lee Tae Joon: A
Choi Myung Gil as Yoon Ji Sook: A
Park Hyuk Kwan as Jo Kang Jae: A+

Park Jung Hwan & Shin Ha Kyung chemistry: B+
Park Jung Hwan & Lee Tae Joon chemistry: A+
Overall cast chemistry: A

One of the strongest casts I've seen in a long time paired with a bombshell of a script. Park Jung Hwan's indefatigable character teamed with Shin Ha Kyung's persistence made for a good pairing. However, Joe Jae Hyun and Choi Myung Gil's convincingly powerful characters made for some menacing opponents, keeping the tone fairly dark throughout much of the series. Cast interactions were superb on the whole though.

Music:
OST: A-

The music is intense throughout the entire series keeping the excitement and thrill alive and kicking from start to finish.

Verdict:
Solid acting by the entire cast even if the story was more intensely plot-driven than character-driven. Choi Myung Gil best portrayed the evolution of her character while Jo Jae Hyun kept us all delightfully entertained with his colorful conversation. Sequences between Kim Rae Won and Jo Jae Hyun were particularly memorable as their characters dealt with their changing circumstances throughout the drama .

The Admiral: Roaring Currents Review (2014)

2014-09-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: ****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Reinstated Admiral Yi Sun Shin is faced with an seemingly insurmountable task of defending Joseon against the invading Japanese navy. His force of 13 warships with very low morale faces a Japanese navy of over 300 ships intent on sailing straight to Hanyang. The King had already issued an order to abandon the ships while the units under his command are wavering at the insurmountable odds. How will the Admiral make this last stand?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
This adaption of the consequential Battle of Myeongnyang depicting the legendary Admiral Yi Sun Shin certainly met the high bar of expectations. The gravity of the historical setting is clearly conveyed to the viewer and the storytelling is excellent. I did have two minor issues with the adaptation that perhaps are just stylistic differences but took a little away from the story for me. With regard to the explanation of tactics towards the end of the battle, I was following most of the tactical developments until near the end when I became unsure where each of the ships and fleets were positioned. This was not explained further as more action takes place but it would have been nice to clarify it for those interested. Secondly, I felt the use of the civilian refugees were a little melodramatic; personally, I would've opted to go without them.

Characters:
Choi Min Sik gave a commanding performance as the titular admiral depicting his courage, tenacity and wit in the maelstrom of battle. He exuded gravitas and leadership throughout and gave a resounding portrayal of a universally hailed hero. Ryu Seung Ryong did a good job as his adversary Kurushima although his helmet was a tad distracting. There were a number of recurring supporting actors who all did a decent job without taking away from the main performances.

Music:
I have to say I was quite impressed with the musical direction. Aside from the fairly solid pieces used for the action sequences, I was particular struck by the careful and deliberate use of silence at selected points in the movie. The sudden dynamic contrast in the music and sound effects contributed towards some very effective scenes. Emotions are heightened and the rapt attention of the audience is clearly drawn. Superb work in this area that made for a compelling watch!

Verdict:
To be honest, I was moved to tears several times in this movie. The rallying of the troops scene, the first glimpse of the Japanese navy and the admiral's flagship standing alone all had this effect. The storytelling was powerfully poignant and the initial storytelling to describe the setting was wonderfully done. Aside from the minor qualms I had with the slight melodrama and the confusion over the exact final battle tactics, this movie definitely achieved the effect it was aiming for and was a great pleasure to watch.

Embassy Suites Anchorage

2014-09-11T23:24:00.002-07:00

The Embassy Suites Anchorage is located fairly close to the airport although you will need a shuttle to get to the hotel. Make sure to give them a call when you arrive as the shuttle does not run periodically. The hotel is located a few miles away so it will take some time for the shuttle to arrive at the airport.

As a Category 8 hotel, one night did cost a pricey 50,000 Hilton HHonors points (although you will find most other Anchorage hotels also charging exhorbitant amounts for what they offer as well). Likely the best compromise would be the Sheraton Anchorage which probably offers better value for their points. Sadly, I had already run out of SPG points so I had 'settle' for this hotel.

There was a dispenser with refreshingly cold, lemon tinged water near the elevators where two bears stand guard.

The hallways were clean and they had a neat Alaskan animal pattern on the carpet although the murky color mix didn't really help to liven up the place.

The room suites are comfortable but not terribly large with a living area/mini dining area that is about the same size as your average Residence Inn. The furnishings and decor were reasonably well maintained although the age is definitely starting to show, particularly in some of the furniture like the sofas or the kitchen table.

As a Hilton Gold member, I had selected the two bottles of water and fresh fruit amenity which I definitely valued over the 500 additional Hilton HHonors points in this case as I was pretty much starving after a long plane ride.

The bathroom was stocked with Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado toiletries although I was surprised they didn't have any shower gel (only bath bars available). I still prefer the lemon based Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries at the DoubleTree, Embassy Suites sister chain, more.

Breakfast was a delightful affair as there was a nice buffet selection of hot items as well as a very efficient omelette station with plenty of toppings to choose from. There were plenty of tables in the seating area although they do get fairly full throughout the entire morning service.

I didn't get a chance to use it on this trip but the hotel also featured a small gym with the basic equipment and they also have a pool and hot tub area.

All in all, the stay was comfortable and pleasant with all the basic amenities I required although I definitely don't see how this hotel ranks as a Hilton category 8 property. I dare say both the Category 7 Embassy Suites Montreal and the Hilton Tokyo offered better value for the same or fewer points. I personally would only rank this as a category 6 property but I suppose this is due to the regularly high market demand caused by the large number of cruising guests staying here before or after a cruise.

Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport

2014-09-07T23:26:00.000-07:00

Last year when I was looking for a cheap points redemption in Vancouver, one of the properties that stood out was the Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport. At the time, it was an SPG category 2 property requiring just 4,000 points on weekdays and 3,000 points on weekends when it regularly goes for ~$140 USD giving a fabulous redemption ratio of ~3-4 cents per SPG point. It has now (as of 9/7/2014) gone up to a category 3 property requiring 7,000 points per night which is still reasonable but not as good of a steal.

The hotel itself is located fairly near YVR Vancouver International Airport and operates a half hourly shuttle which is shared with the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport. Given that this hotel recently completed renovations, the lobby looked contemporary and fresh with a polished glow that made it feel closer to a Sheraton than a Four Points property.

The front desk staff was knowledgeable and polite and supplied plenty of information about the attractions around town. As I was checking in at 10:30 am, I was half expecting to have to leave my luggage there while waiting for my room but was lucky enough to be able to check right in.

The elevator lobby, hallway decor and lighting had a very warm, contemporary look to them that made this hotel feel much more upscale than the image I had before of a Four Points property (I'm looking at you Four Points San Francisco Airport). The hallways were light and airy and the housekeeping staff I walked past were pleasant and courteous as well. At this point, I was quite impressed with the hotel as they were surpassing all my expectations for a basic airport hotel.

The room featured 2 double beds with some nice wooden furniture. Everything looked fairly cookie cutter though the quality was better than I had expected for this brand. The only disappointment was that the room was just supplied with a single complimentary bottle of water. Fortunately, this was mitigated by the fact that they had water dispensers on the 3rd and 5th floor.

The washroom was very clean and fairly minimalist with a basic sink area.

The spacious shower area felt like a nice modern design with sliding glass panels and shampoo/soap dispensers which I suppose really helps the housekeeping team (when restocking) and keeps the hotel more environmentally sustainable.

The last comment I have about this hotel have to do with its location. The first is that the walk to Lansdowne Skytrain station is probably more of a 10 minute walk than a 5 minute one particularly as it does take some effort to get around the hotel grounds and onto an actual sidewalk that reaches the Canada Line. So do give yourself a little extra time the first time you are making this trip.

The second aspect of the location is far more favorable. The hotel appears to be located smack in the middle of Richmond's Chinese restaurant district as it is surrounded by plaza after plaza of Chinese and other asian eateries. So if you're craving some dim sum, this hotel is located in the right place!

Outbound Love Review (2014)

2014-08-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: ****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Travel agent/guide Law Sik Sik is sent on a (mission impossible) business trip to Malaysia to establish partnerships for a potential tour operation for her company. However, her work is continually disrupted by the incorrigible Luk Kung Chi, her local guide in Malaysia. While there, Law Sik Sik receives a surprise proposal from her boyfriend Ching Zin Bok and also manages to successfully accomplish her work goals. Unfortunately, when she gets back to Hong Kong, she is in for the shock of her life!

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
While not Korean, this drama bears all the hallmarks of your garden variety modern Korean romantic comedy with all the back hugs, the requisite shirtless scenes, the jealous former boyfriends and the cliche romantic scenes. This certainly wasn't the most accomplished script ever written but it was a good, solid piece of work. And despite the lack of a truly exceptional cast, the script made it possible for the drama to shine even with a relatively average cast. The story is well-told, well-paced, well-planned out and has no lack of creative inspirations.

Characters:
While Aimee Chan certainly isn't going to win any awards for her performance, she puts up a reasonably good show to not drag the drama down with her. Ruco Chan clearly steals the show as the leading man in this series. His charm is glaringly evident and it makes his acting feel completely natural. Lin Xiawei, Tony Hung, Elaine Yiu and Matt Yeung round out the rest of the key supporting cast and despite their characters' generally dislikeable traits, they portray their roles fairly well.

Music:
Surprisingly, the soundtrack for this drama is fairly suitable in an amateurish way. While there's still plenty of room for improvement, the soundtrack bolsters the drama scenes nicely and don't sound too out of place. The theme song in particular, 很想討厭你, is a catchy tune that is wisely used as a unifying element for this series. The overall musical direction for this drama was fairly well done and definitely contributed towards establishing a warm atmosphere for the series.

Verdict:
Its certainly refreshing to watch a HK drama that includes good screenwriting, decent music and decent acting. This drama does not disappoint and despite a fairly average cast (with perhaps the exception of Ruco Chan), its solid storyline truly shines. Most aspects of the drama were done fairly well and while not outstanding by any means, this drama certainly captures the essence of a modern romantic comedy. I would be delighted to see more dramas like this one!

The Hippocratic Crush Review (2012)

2014-08-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: **
Personal Rating: Decent

Story:
A new set of medical interns have joined the medical staff at Mercy Hospital for their rotations. As they work with their seniors/mentors, aside from facing the challenges treating patients, they also encounter and have to deal with events in their own personal lives. How well will they cope?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
This drama starts off with some focus and direction but soon enough begins to meander and disintegrate into a mishmash of short stories. The main focus (if there ever was one, would be the on and off relationship between Dr Fan Tze Yu and Dr Cheung Yat Kin) continuously gets shuffled aside while bringing to the fore the individual trials and tribulations of the rather large number of side characters. In this case, if the drama is dependent on multiple stories as opposed to a single overarching storyline, the entire cast needs to be strong to support the storytelling but given the weak cast, it simply makes the drama come across as messy and directionless.

Characters:
The casting for this drama was quite mediocre. Aside from the two 'leads' whose acting was merely passable, the acting of the supporting cast generally left a lot to be desired. For some reason, HK dramas seem to give less screen time to the leads than dramas from most other dramas I watch and I'd actually be fine with that if only the acting didn't range from average to just plain bad. Tavia Yeung's Fan Tze Yu was probably the strongest cast member although her character sometimes felt a tad inconsistent (more of the screenwriter's problem). Kenneth Ma was passable as Dr Cheung Yat Kin but the rest of the supporting cast goes downhill from there. Shockingly, there were times when I really felt like I was watching actors reciting lines rather than acting.

Music:
Like most HK dramas, the soundtrack wasn't very impressive. The pieces that were created for accompaniment felt simplistic, cheesy and one-dimensional. It certainly felt as though little thought was put into composing the melodies and harmonies. Further, the music arrangement was done only in a very basic, simplistic fashion. The one redeeming factor likely was the fact that it didn't interfere with the storytelling and maintained its role in the background as a support.

Verdict:
This drama started off with a promising start but gradually fell apart under its own weight. IMHO, there were far too many distracting short stories in the series without one clear, overarching story or theme tying them all together. The stage seemed more like a revolving door of characters and individual stories without a clear goal. This was only made worse by the substandard level of acting within the supporting cast. This combination unfortunately dragged the drama's entertainment value down significantly.

Park Hyatt Paris Vendome

2014-07-26T16:39:00.001-07:00

Its been a little while since the trip but I'm finally getting around to posting the pictures of my stay at the legendary Park Hyatt Paris Vendome, one of the top hotels in France. As we went during peak season at the beginning of July, rates were quite high at $700+ per night for a Park Queen room and I was very glad that I was exchanging two night earned from the Chase Hyatt credit card signup bonus and another two nights at the incredible rate of 22,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points! (which have since been raised to 30,000 points per night)

The Park Hyatt, one of the few select Palace hotels in the city, is conveniently located near Place Vendome and just two quick city blocks away from the Opera Metro station. Its location makes it perfectly situated for getting around to the Galeries Lafayette, the Musee du Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens and very close walk to the Seine river.

Likely one of the most aspirational hotel properties in the world within the Hyatt hotel chain, we were certainly not disappointed. The hotel had a very graceful, modern touch with classical influences that made the look and feel very aesthetically appealing. The other thing that will strike you the instant you walk in is the strong Blaise Mautin-created 'parfum', a fragrance that permeates throughout the property.

I had checked in by utilizing my high school French and I am sure the front desk was rather amused. They offered very politely whether I would like to continue checking in in English or French and (more for my own sake!) I asked to continue in English, to make sure I did not miss anything. Once the process was complete, we were offered to be personally shown to our room.

The elevator waiting area on the 4th floor was very classy, almost as though you are in a museum of sorts. We were struck by the silence and serenity of the hallways compared to the hustle and bustle of the street outside. It definitely felt like a sanctuary within the city.

When we were taken to our room, we were happily informed that we had been upgraded to a Park Deluxe King room which offered a spacious living area and that was larger than the regular Park Queen rooms. The unique gold and brown decor, the stylish statuettes on the wall and the luxurious furnishings gave the room a very sophisticated and refined feel.

The bathroom was very spacious with a large rainforest shower and bathtub along with its own private sink and mirror! The bathrobes and towels were very large and comfortable.

The room was restocked daily with two bottles of Evian water and there was a selection of coffees along with a Nespresso machine. Evening turndown service is also available.

A welcome card was waiting for us in the room with a postcard-perfect picture of the Place Vendome just outside the hotel. A box of galettes (butter biscuits) was also awaiting us on the table and they made for a delightful snack.

Our room faced inward toward the courtyard restaurant below and the lack of streets outside the window was a welcome surprise as we would be sheltered from the street noises outside.

The onsite facilities were remarkably classy and despite the small size of the gym, there was a decent selection of equipment. Plenty of water and fruit were also stocked on the side.

The spa definitely ranks as one of my favorites in the world. Again, despite the small overall size, the atmosphere was warm, relaxing and somewhat surreal. The soft, soothing music playing in the background and Blaise Mautin smell quickly transports you away to this sanctuary of rest and relaxation.

Next to the hot tub, there is a tea station set up where you can just lay back and enjoy the almost mystical atmosphere. The facilities also include a sauna and steam room replete with a starry ceiling that melds well with the overall spa design.

With no doubt, this hotel property is one of my favorites in the world and so far in my travels, might only be matched by its sister property in Japan, the Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Warrior Baek Dong Soo Review (2011)

2014-07-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: **
Personal Rating: Decent

Story:
Baek Dong Soo, who lost his father and mother, was saved from the clutches of the evil Minister of State Hong Dae Ju by his father's sworn brothers and raised learning martial arts. Under their guidance and tutelage, he strives to become the best swordsman in Joseon to protect the future King Jeongjo and the people he loves.

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: F

Having watched a number of sageuks and historical dramas from other countries, this particular script merely kept the boat afloat but fell far short of the standard set by dramas like Queen Seon Deok or Tree With Deep Roots. In not just one but several instances, major plot resolution sequences were poorly planned and executed. The rationale for some of the characters' actions were not well justified and felt quite contrived to move the story along. There was also a lack of realism in those scenes in favor of 'emotional' close-up character interactions which sometimes made the scene rather laughable (despite its seriousness). The side thread development of Yeo Woon was particularly weak and very unsatisfactory. There were so many holes in his story that it seemed the screenwriter had no idea what to do with his character or how to develop it aside from requiring a rival for Baek Dong Soo. And I have to say, from a storytelling point of view, the developments of the final episode were totally uncalled for from a storytelling perspective. Perhaps I'm being too harsh as the overall plot/script was fairly reasonable but these problems clearly held this drama back.

Characters:
Ji Chang Wook was a pretty suitable Baek Dong Soo. His youthful exuberance was a highlight for his character and he executed that well. Yoo Seung Ho's acting as his friend/rival Yeo Woon was somewhat weaker as it was difficult to to observe his inner battle between good and evil. I know that was the intent of the screenwriter (to make it seem like he was battling his inner demons) but he just simply did not convey this and seemed to drift aimlessly (as opposed to portraying a conflicted character). Most of the supporting cast did a reasonably good job with their characters although again, there were holes and weaknesses in the script with regard to some of the decisions made by those characters (an issue more to do with the screenwriting staff than with the actors).

Music:
I'm going to have a hard time getting this soundtrack out of my head. Quite honestly, this drama grossly overuses its themes. Especially for a drama with a length of 29 episodes, re-using the same themes over and over made it annoyingly repetitive and gag-worthy by the end. It would really have helped if they had created more background material as accompaniment to inject some freshness and variety into the viewing experience.

Verdict:
Several weaknesses pervaded this series and severely limited the heights to which it aspired to reach. I had a hard time getting past the resolutions of the major story arcs due to the implausibility of the characters' actions and their unexplained rationales. Yeo Woon's drifting/directionless character also made for a tough pill to swallow. And lastly, the repetitive music just made me want to barf. So despite the reasonably decent acting performances from the rest of the cast and the attraction of the overarching storyline, I was quite disappointed with this series.

Sly and Single Again Review (2014)

2014-07-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

(Also known as Cunning Single Lady)
Drama Rating: ****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Na Ae Ra and the geeky Cha Jung Woo were enjoying their married lives together when he decided to quit his job to work on his own start-up. After a miserable couple of years and drowning in debt, Na Ae Ra calls it quits and divorces her husband. Little did she know that Cha Jung Woo's start-up would literally find success overnight and her former husband would become CEO for his thriving company. They finally meet each other a few years later but will Cha Jung Woo and Na Ae Ra be able to start anew?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
This drama takes a delightful spin on the romantic comedy genre with its charming treatment of predictable but well-worn cliches. The screenwriter clearly has some fun with the main leads on this as they work their way through the typical romantic comedy hurdles of mix-ups and the jealousy of romantic rivals. The plot is fairly standard and doesn't go too far outside the box for the content and ends on a fairly predictable note. Sadly, the other story threads all seem a tad shortchanged at the ending without a good satisfying explanation/resolution (eg. there definitely should've been some closure on Seung Hyun and Yeo Jin's mother's return). The only other fault for which I have a minor bone to pick are the absurdly frequent 'coincidental' chance encounters at the elevator. Perhaps the screenwriter should have brainstormed a bit more to come up with more believable pretexts for Na Ae Ra and Cha Jung Woo to meet up.

Characters:
Lee Min Jung was superb as the indefatigable Na Ae Ra with a glowing, hardworking spirit. Her portrayal was certainly one of the stronger lead actress roles I've seen in recent days. Opposite her, Joo Sang Wook was wonderfully adept as the nerdy CEO Cha Jung Woo. His charming delivery of lines made for great comedic material and gave the drama a very light touch. The rest of the cast were fairly decent in supporting the main leads and letting them bask in the limelight. L was likely the one noticeable weakness as the particularly youthful Secretary Gil. As the CEO's personal secretary, his character always seems to be off somewhere and when he is around, never seems to have any work to do. Perhaps the screenwriter should have given a bit more thought about what his character's role really was for aside from being eye candy.

Music:
The soundtrack for this drama was generally very warm and comforting, befitting a romantic comedy of this nature. Melodies ranged from the tension-building, anticipatory pieces to the sentimentally sad pieces to the jazzy romantic themes. The music was paired well with the various scenes (as is generally the case with korean romantic comedies) providing a suitable backdrop to the events happening on screen without detracting from the story.

Verdict:
Aside from the awkwardly named title, this is yet another solid romantic comedy. While the storyline about re-igniting an old flame should sound fairly familiar by now, having much in common with Emergency Couple, Can't Lose and Get Karl Oh Soo Jung, the pairing of Lee Min Jung and Joo Sang Wook had some great chemistry and certainly was a joy to watch. The somewhat disappointing ending left a slightly sour note at the end for not tying up the loose ends with regard to the supporting characters but it fortunately doesn't detract too much from the main story.

Sign Review (2011)

2014-06-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: ****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Newbie Dr Go Da Kyung joins the NFS after being inspired by the straightshooting and direct Dr Yoon Ji Hoon. Her persistence and enthusiasm combined with his determination to find the truth make the pair a great forensics investigation team. Coupled with help from Prosecutor Jung Woo Jin and Officer Choi Yi Han, will they be able to put their biggest criminal foes behind bars?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: B+

This is the third drama I've watched penned by Kim Eun Hee (the other two being Ghost & Three Days) and also the earliest of the three. She is fairly unmatched in her ability to keep a firm grasp on the plot in order to create a captivating, yet believable thriller. While I can see her work in Ghost and Three Days are more mature, the groundwork is already there in this drama and I was quite pleased with most of the writing for this series. Many of the crimes were quite engrossing and very well filmed (with subtle clues being provided to the viewer if you're alert). Unfortunately, I have to say that the ending was very unsatisfactory and completely ruined the whole flow of the story for me. Although creating a surprise ending is desirable in some cases, this ending definitely had solid alternative conclusions that would have made the viewing experience much more wholesome and complete. Bizarre is the closest description I can find to describe this unexpected finale.

Characters:
Park Shin Yang as Yoon Ji Hoon: A
Kim Ah Joong as Go Da Kyung: B

Park Shin Yang & Kim Ah Joon chemistry: D+

Park Shin Yang plays the prickly and uncompromising Dr Yoon Ji Hoon who gets paired with eager rookie Dr Go Da Kyung played by Kim Ah Joong. Both do an exemplary job with their characters and although their romantic chemistry is a bit weak, their collegial relationship help to make this an entertaining experience. I have to point out Park Shin Yang's most notable scenes in this drama are likely his comedic moments, which are priceless and totally unexpected. Uhm Ji Won and Jung Gyu Woon do a great job as the main supporting leads and even the rest of the supporting cast deserve kudos for a very solid performance (including everyone who played criminals - those were excellent portrayals).

Music:
This OST provided a very appropriate soundtrack to a very thrilling drama. The use of the violin in some of the tracks was definitely a good choice for a thriller. The sense of urgency and anticipation is conveyed throughout the music and paired quite well with the events of the drama.There were also some unique choices such as the use of a remixed version of 'Der Erlkonig'. That was a very inspired selection given the eeriness of Schubert's composition matched well with the dark, foreboding nature of some of the criminals in this drama.

Verdict:
I wanted to like this drama very much given the strong start and the impeccably fine level of control the screenwriter had on the script (which is often rare for thrillers). Sadly, the flow and energy started dissipating near the end and completely ruined it for me with a totally unsatisfying conclusion. This was made worse by the fact that a more appropriate, albeit predictable, conclusion could easily have capped off the overarching saga. This wasn't a case like Black & White where the screenwriter was clearly drowning in the complexity of the plot. No, this was simply a case where the more straightforward conclusion was unfortunately traded off with one that tossed in the element of surprise and unpredictability. IMHO, this was a poor decision that marred what was otherwise a very satisfying run.

Emergency Couple Review (2014)

2014-06-01T15:10:00.002-07:00

Drama Rating: ****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Divorced couple Oh Jin Hee and Oh Chang Min reunite after six years as interns working in the same hospital's ER department. Fireworks immediately begin to fly but will they be able to move beyond their past and develop a less antagonistic working and personal relationship?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: B

The screenwriter clearly took the whimsical route with this script and it shows from beginning to end. The drama takes a strongly comedic approach and it leads to a light, enjoyable watching experience. I also have to mention that this director seemed rather intent on re-creating those cliche timeless 'romantic moments' that are becoming a fixture of Korean romantic comedies. While I'm alright with their usage, at times they appear quite contrived and you might have a chuckle or a groan when you get to those. Otherwise, the writing was fairly solid, although noticeably more so in terms of character development than the plot, but both moved along steadily at a good, leisurely pace.

Characters:
Song Ji Hyo as Oh Jin Hee: B+
Choi Jin Hyuk as Oh Chang Min: B-
Song Ji Hyo & Choi Jin Hyuk chemistry: A-

Song Ji Hyo and Choi Jin Huk make an adorable and very dynamic couple! Song Ji Hyo's acting was very genuine and highly amusing as her facial expressions are truly priceless. Choi Jin Hyuk surprised me after his showing in Heirs, exhibiting a radically different demeanor as the much less reserved Dr Oh Chang Min. Lee Pil Mo puts in a decent performance as the talented ER Chief Dr Gook and Choi Yeo Jin does a fabulous turn as Dr Shim, my favorite role in the drama. The balance achieved in this drama was very well done with the supporting cast playing a strong supporting role and never overshadowing the leads.

Music:
The soundtrack for this drama was a bit unusual for a medical drama since the storytelling focused more on the relationship between the leads rather than the usual medical focus. As a consequence, the music was aptly more hip and more reminiscent of a typical romantic comedy. I quite enjoyed the relaxing vibe given off by the music making the watching experience almost feel like an outing with an old friend.

Verdict:
Exceptional this drama was not but it was definitely a very solid romantic comedy. Song Ji Hyo and Choi Jin Hyuk have a great chemistry going (between their bickering and their teasing) and to top that off with the great side story threads made this a refreshing drama watching experience. The series was peppered with many humorous moments and despite the topic differences, the relationship reminded me frequently of another fun series Can't Lose. So if you're in need of a romantic comedy fix, this is definitely a solid choice.

Three Days Review (2014)

2014-05-04T17:14:00.002-07:00

Drama Rating: *****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Han Tae Kyung, one of the Secret Service's most dedicated agents, is devastated by the loss of his father, the Finance Minister and is in mourning when the President goes on a short retreat at his villa. Not long after he arrives, gunshots are heard, the Secret Service agents closest to the President's location are dead and the President himself is missing. What could have taken place at such a secluded location? Tae Kyung is determined to find out.

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
The screenwriter Kim Eun Hee is certainly no slouch when it comes to writing thrillers. Having watched her previous series Ghost, I was certainly curious how 3 Days would turn out and was not disappointed in the slightest! The scripts keeps you on edge and hungering for episode after episode with the classic good guy-bad guy routine but with an absence of plot holes that ruins the credibility of many similar thrillers. She is clearly very adept at managing a complex set of story threads and making them converge or diverge as needed to move the plot along and bring the story to a clean, final conclusion.

Characters:
Park Yoo Chun plays the exceptionally loyal and dedicated Secret Service agent Han Tae Kyung with lots of vigor and passion, far from the abysmal performance by Park Min Young in City Hunter as another agent. Park Ha Sun makes for a very persistent Officer Yoon Bo Young and Son Hyun Joo channeled well the conflicted President Lee Dong Hee. Choi Won Young was deliciously evil as the villainous mastermind Kim Do Jin, throwing the protagonists roadblock after roadblock in his zealous drive for supremacy. The rest of the cast, both on the side of the protagonist and the antagonist, fulfilled their roles well to create a solidly believable crisis atmosphere where it was difficult to discern the good guys from the bad.

Music:
Riveting and dangerously exciting are descriptions that come to mind when thinking about the drama OST. There is an edginess to the soundtrack that keeps you continually unnerved and on the edge of your seat. The music and sound effects are very effectively aligned with events in the drama to create a very suspenseful viewing experience.

Verdict:
This is definitely one of the best drama suspense/thrillers I've watched to date with an exciting, fast-paced storyline but still leaving some room for character development. Dramas like these are often susceptible to major plot holes that ruins the entire watching experience and I was very glad this one did not turn out to be one of those. Incidentally, comparisons with City Hunter are inevitable and I can't help but to bring that up again as an example of how not to write a thriller - *THIS* is what a real thriller should be like. So definitely give this a try if you're looking for some on-screen excitement!

Good Doctor Review (2013)

2014-04-26T18:31:00.002-07:00

Drama Rating: ****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
Park Shi On is an autistic child who, aided by his incredible spatial intelligence due to Savant Syndrome, dreams of being a pediatric surgeon. The director of Sung Won University Hospital brings Shi On, a child he helped raise, to his facility in the hope of helping him achieve his dream. Will Shi On be able to reach his goals?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
I was glad to see the screenwriter's primary focus for the drama was Park Shi On's development as a doctor and a person. Although the struggles of the hospital and the various patient cases provided plenty of material to help move the story along, this primary thread progressed steadily. On the other hand though, while several of the character's past histories certainly provided good starting points for the drama, I feel like their resolutions were a tad anti-climatic. Park Shi On's dad was one example, Dr Han was another and the general financial situation of the hospital was a third. Somehow, there just wasn't the satisfying resolution to those threads that I've come to expect after a lengthy buildup of tension.

Characters:
Joo Won's performance as Park Shi On was truly commendable, with his character exuding a particular charm that just makes you want to like him. Moon Chae Won was a worthy co-lead with them developing some good chemistry throughout the series. Joo Sang Wook's performance as Professor Kim Do Han was likely a more complex one to play given his initial dislike of Shi On but he carried it out admirably. The camaraderie among the rest of the staff and patients in the pediatric surgery department was fairly evident and you'll certainly grow attached to some of these characters.

Music:
The drama soundtrack was generally light and airy and generally served its purpose to reflect the light moments. Tense situations were often left silent and mainly used sound effects to perhaps give the situation a more naturally tense feeling. I can certainly see the merits of this as the director may not have wanted to detract from the scene but it did leave the drama feeling a bit empty sometimes. There was an absence of any substantial or memorable themes that often pervade through other dramas.

Verdict:
I quite enjoyed this drama series. Joo Won was a very inspirational character and his notable portrayal was definitely key to the story. His relationship with the rest of the pediatric surgery department and how it slowly evolved overtime was another attractive element that gave a very human perspective to this drama - that alone is sufficient for me to recommend this drama. But while the drama was really rather enjoyable, there just wasn't enough in the drama to merit a higher rating.

My Love From Another Star Review (2014)

2014-03-21T23:06:00.000-07:00

(Also known as You Who Came From The Stars)

Drama Rating: *****
Personal Rating: Loved it!

Story:
College professor Do Min Joon is actually an alien who arrived on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty with supernatural powers. In the present, he happens to chance on Cheon Song Yi, a popular Hallyu star who bears a striking resemblance to a beloved young girl who was saved by him and in turn died for him not long after he arrived on this planet. By chance, she moves in next door to him and the sparks begin to fly...

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: A

From beginning, middle to end, this drama was solidly written. There was a good balance of historical and modern scenes to provide context when necessary and the mini-interviews at the end of each episode were an absolute delight. References to other korean dramas were a hilarious touch and the abundance of comedy made for some supremely satisfying scenes. And despite the huge potential to screw up notions like supernatural powers (eg stopping time, teleportation), the author took care to minimize their use as much as possible to craft an ending that didn't seem totally out of this world (pardon the pun!) but didn't require a sudden leap of faith. The screenwriter clearly took a very whimsical and inspired route with this script and it was greatly appreciated.

Characters:
Kim Soo Hyun as Do Min Joon: B+
Jeon Ji Hyun as Cheon Song Yi: A
Kim Soo Hyun & Jeon Ji Hyun chemistry: A

Do Min Joon and Cheon Song Yi quite likely rank among the most memorable and well-loved couples in recent kdrama history. Jeon Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun's characters have a wickedly amusing relationship and the director makes use of their chemistry to the maximum extent possible by infusing the drama with their continual romantic development. The supporting cast was perfect in the sense that they did a great job in supporting the leads but never overshadowing them.

Music:
OST: A+

I was quite impressed with the OST to this drama. There was a wide range of melodies that were peppered throughout the drama from the dreamy to the stately to the unsettling. One of the highlights was the numerous times throughout the series when Cheon Song Yi themes appear with their mischievous, Puck-like tones, that well characterize the female lead and her idiosyncrasies. And I think any fan of this show can hum the tunes to My Destiny, a romantic ballad that appears every so often to represent the love between the leads. Overall, I think the soundtrack was very well designed and paired nicely with the scenes in the drama.

Verdict:
I must admit I was a little hesitant at the beginning after hearing about the strange alien plot and was somewhat skeptical the supernatural power aspect would be handled well. Happily, my fears were unfounded and instead, this drama succeeded immensely at creating a classic piece of work to which I'm sure many other dramas will be compared. Definitely a two thumbs up from me and I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

The Heirs Review (2013)

2014-01-24T23:46:00.000-08:00

Drama Rating: ***
Personal Rating: Decent

Story:
Park Shin Hye is visiting California to look for her elder sister who's ditched her family when she chances on Kim Tan in Los Angeles, an unlikely heir to Jeguk Group, a chaebol back in Korea. Through their coincidental circumstances, they are reunited in Seoul and their love continues to blossom after their return. Rarely do things go so smoothly and as expected, they run into stiff opposition from Rachel, Tan's fiancee, Choi Young Do, Tan's former best friend and Tan's father, the chairman of Jeguk Group. See how things unfold in this answer to the age-old question, will love conquer all?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Screenwriting: C

The plot generally revolves around a well developed love triangle between Kim Tan, Cha Eun Sang and Choi Young Do as well as Kim Tan's general struggles against his father. Accompanying story threads are neatly woven into the plot fabric to provide supporting material for this main story arc as needed. However, it would have been more desirable had there been some further development of the many side stories as they were very entertaining; it felt like a real waste to toss out such rich drama content. For me, as with most dramas, the ending generally makes or breaks the story and unfortunately, this one falls in the latter category. I was quite disappointed with the anti-climatic denouement given the large amount of buildup. So although Kim Eun Sook came through with a decent script making good use of the acting talent pool, the story was generally a disappointment.

Characters:
Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye star as the primary couple in this much anticipated drama and I must admit Park Shin Hye does a great job portraying the subtleties of her character in moments of joy and anguish. Lee Min Ho's acting leaves something to be desired as his acting rings a bit hollow especially when compared to the rest of the cast. Kim Tan's love for Cha Eun Sang is either not always felt (he comes across more as a player at times) or doesn't feel genuine especially when compared to Kim Woo Bin's convincing rival performance as Choi Young Do. His initial interactions with his brother also comes across more as gay romantic love than brotherly affection. The rest of the younger generation supporting cast including Krystal, Kim Ji Won, Kim Woo Bin, Kang Min Hyuk and Park Hyung Shik was surprisingly very strong playing every bit their parts. The elders were obviously quite polished and rounded up a very solid cast.

Music:
The musical selection for this drama was generally quite upbeat and matched the tone of the series quite well. However, like much of the series, it felt a bit too cliche and commercialized to make a deep impact on the viewing experience. In the end, the OST makes for a decent accompaniment to the drama but like the story itself, leaves very little lasting impression.

Verdict:
I must admit when I first started the drama that I was a bit leery of another rich and poor storyline and so this drama took quite a while before it started to grow on me. To add to that, Lee Min Ho was reprising a similar role (aka Goo Jun Pyo in Boys Over Flowers) so I was quite hesitant even with Kim Eun Sook penning the script. By the middle of the drama, I was hooked by the engaging storyline and by the strong acting of most of the cast. I wanted to like this drama from the beginning and was glad I got into it by the middle. But by the end, I grew rather frustrated by the disappointingly weak resolution and the fact that there were too many loose ends left. Sadly, this adds to the collection of dramas that gets your hopes up but lets you down at the end. The only redeeming factor was the surprisingly strong cast performances (aside from Lee Min Ho) that made the drama somewhat likeable.

Starwood Hawaii Sweepstakes

2013-11-09T09:26:00.001-08:00

Starwood Hawaii and Hawaiian Airlines are pairing up to give away free points to use on a Hawaiian getaway. The grand prize winner will get a total of 80,000 SPG points and 80,000 HawaiianMiles. The airline miles are sufficient for two roundtrip Coach SuperSaver awards from North America and 80,000 SPG points can get you anywhere from 10 nights at the Category 4 Sheraton Kona on Big Island to 2 nights at the Category 7 St Regis Princeville on Kauai. (Remember if you redeem 4 nights, you get the 5th free!)

As a reminder, Starwood has the following properties in Hawaii:

Category 4 (10,000 points / night)
Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa, Keauhou Bay

Category 5 (12,000 to 16,000 points / night)
Sheraton Princess Kailuani
Sheraton Waikiki
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Category 6 (20,000 to 25,000 points / night)
Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Ka'anapali

Category 7 (30,000 - 35,000 points / night)
The St Regis Princeville Resort
The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas

Although I haven't had a chance to visit the other islands, I had a wonderful time at the Westin Princeville and would definitely recommend a visit to Kauai. Both the Westin Princeville and the St Regis Princeville are incredible Starwood properties and you definitely won't go wrong at either one.

Sign up here before Nov 16, 2013 for your chance to win! Travel must commence by Oct 30, 2014.

The Master's Sun Review (2013)

2013-10-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

Drama Rating: ***
Personal Rating: Decent

Story:
Joo Joong Won, Kingdom's CEO, chances across Tae Gong Shil one evening as she's running away from ghosts. He learns that she suffers from her sixth sense of being able to see ghosts and that any contact with him would make them immediately disappear. Given this ability, he and Tae Gong Shil gradually become closer and eventually falls in love with her.

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
The concept for this drama was rather interesting and certainly a unique twist on your run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. The drama started out well by introducing Gong Shil's sixth sense and making use of it to bring the leads closer together. There was some initial build up of Joo Joong Won's past and I had thought there would be a fairly big story behind it but was sadly let down by the rather shallow resolution of that story arc. The action slowed toward the second half of the series and I must point out that I was particularly unimpressed with the second last episode. It was clearly did not have the same flow and planning behind it that was fairly evident in the other episodes. Perhaps this may be attributed to the late one episode extension of the drama.

Characters:
Gong Hyo Jin's portrayal of Tae Gong Shil's transition from a sleep-deprived ghost-harassed girl to a significant person in Joo Joong Won's world was very well done. Her acting had a very warm charm to it and felt quite natural. So Ji Sob, on the other hand, almost felt like a caricature in his role as Joo Joong Won with his rather unnatural mannerisms like waving his hands around and speaking in halted phrases. Aside from that however, these two leads have a bit of chemistry going and generally kept the drama from falling to pieces as the rest of the supporting cast was rather weak and provided little added entertainment.

Music:
The primary theme song, Yoon Mi Rae's Touch Love, is prevalent throughout the series and used often as Gong Shil and Joong Won's theme song. It was nicely interspersed throughout the series and it never seemed to get old even though it was used quite frequently. The melodies snugly fit the drama and particularly with the lead actress, giving off a warm, cozy feeling. The rest of the OST was fairly well adapted for this series and generally provided a consistent sound that conveyed the essence of the series.

Verdict:
Nothing wrong with the drama itself but it just feels way too touchy-feely for my taste. I was not a fan of Joo Joong Won's deliberate halting speech nor the weak addition of his aunt and her husband, neither of whom did a great job with their characters. The second last episode stuck out like a sore thumb from an overall plot perspective and the drama sorely lacked a strong raison d'etre. In light of this, the leads did a reasonably good job portraying their love story and the music took to the couple just like a fish takes to water. Not a bad drama overall but there are definitely much better ones out there.

Win a Dream Trip to Dubai with Emirates!

2013-10-21T23:54:00.003-07:00

Virgin America is celebrating its new partnership with Emirates by offering a chance to win a dream trip to Dubai! Enter now through Nov 21, 2013 for a chance to win a pair of round-trip economy tickets from San Francisco to Dubai on Emirates Airlines (with connecting flights provided by Virgin America to San Francisco for flyers in other destinations), a three-night stay at Atlantis, The Palm, located on Palm Island, a chance to swim with dolphins and a dune dinner safari. You can sign up here for your chance to win and you'll get 250 Virgin America Elevate points just for entering, definitely a great way to reset the expiry timer on any Elevate points you might have.

Two Weeks Review (2013)

2013-09-26T22:57:00.001-07:00

Drama Rating: *****
Personal Rating: All time favourite!!

Story:
Jang Tae San, an underling of Chairman Moon's gang, is framed for a murder he did not perpetrate. Unfortunately, he is apprehended soon after he finds out he is the bone marrow donor for his recently reunited daughter with the operation taking place in fourteen days. As the mystery deepens, Jang Tae San realizes he can only depend on himself as there's seemingly no one he can trust. Meanwhile, Detective Im Seung Woo is focused on pinning the murder on him. How will Jang Tae San clear his name?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
The plot for this drama was intense from start to finish and definitely ranks among one of the most thrilling thrillers I've seen to date. Typically good guy/bad guy chases (think Fugitive or Black & White) begin with a nail-biting opener but fall by the wayside as the story slowly unravels due to the lack of thought behind how the story would conclude. Major plot holes begin plaguing the drama by the mid-series and pretty much falls apart by the end so that, despite the best efforts of the screenwriter to keep the story under control, too many loose ends and unanswered questions remain at the conclusion. Happily, this was not one of those dramas and in fact tops even Ghost, one of the better thrillers of late. Significant plot holes are generally avoided and the audience is kept riveted throughout the satisfying, 16-episode thrill ride. Well done!

Characters:
Lee Jun Ki shines in this cop thriller as fugitive Jang Tae San. He was perfectly made for this role and does an exemplary job as a fugitive on the run who gradually learns the severity of his situation. Costars Park Ha Sun (as Seo In Hye), Kim So Yun (as Prosecutor Park), and Ryu Soo Young (as Detective Im) make up the rest of the stellar team that really make this drama sparkle. All three mastered their characters convincingly and indelibly reveal their imperfections and weaknesses. The devious Congresswoman Jo Seo Hee is played by Kim Hye Ok, who gave a superlative performance that vividly captured the emotions of her character while Jo Min Ki was no less sinister as gang boss Moon Il Seok. Overall, this was great performance by a top-notch cast with plenty of acting chops to boot.

Music:
While the soundtrack was not particularly groundbreaking, there was no need for it to be. The plot and suspense in the writing already created an awesome thriller and the music director simply made the most of that. Romantic scenes were appropriately matched with sappy, sentimental tunes and ballads for which Korean composers are so skilled at creating. Tense situations were made all the more so with unnerving, energetic selections that created an atmosphere of anticipation and urgency.

Verdict:
One word - intense! No doubt one of the best and most well-crafted thrillers I've seen ever. Plotlines were solid (or as close as they can get, realistically speaking anyway) with some great acting by the cast making this series VERY exciting to watch. A sense of urgency is continually felt throughout as the drama waxes and wanes through numerous climaxes and building up toward a much anticipated conclusion. It was a brilliant idea to keep the story down to two weeks so that the plot has a limited but manageable scope without making story threads overly complex and helping to minimize the risk of creating large plot holes. All in all, for sure one of the best dramas of the year!

Grand Hyatt Incheon

2013-09-19T16:10:00.001-07:00

Having seen pictures of the Grand Hyatt Incheon (formerly the Hyatt Regency Incheon), awarded Best Airport Hotel' by Global Traveler magazine and ranking #4 on Tripadvisor's Top 25 luxury hotels of South Korea for 2013, I had made sure to include this hotel as part of my trip to Seoul during my stopover in Incheon. As a category 2 (which deservedly moved up to category 3 earlier this year), this hotel was an amazing value for just 8,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points (and I would argue that it still even at 12,000 points)! There is a lot of focus on service (almost too much I'd say) when there are at least 3 people greeting you as you enter the lobby, asking if you need help with your luggage and leading you to the check-in desk (which was not difficult at all to locate).

I'd arrived a couple days after Christmas so (yeah, it's been a while since the trip, took my sweet time to get around to writing this), fortunately for me, they hadn't had a chance to take down the gorgeous Christmas tree in their multi-story lobby.

The check-in desk is off to your right as you enter although you'll have no trouble finding it with all the staff members lined at the entrance greeting you and helping you find your way over to the desk. This does feel a little over the top as you are greeted at least 3 times as you enter though.

A view of the atrium lobby from the second floor and of the elevator area. The lobby also leads to the casino built right into the hotel in case you wanted to try your luck.

The hallways are nicely lit although the corridor does feel a little bland.

The room is quite spacious and roomy. There isn't much of a view however as the hotel is just 5 minutes away from the airport and there's pretty much nothing located nearby.

On the counter, there was a very nicely presented tea set on the counter for your use and the room also came with some complimentary bottles of water which was greatly appreciated as the hotel is in a rather remote location not near any grocery stores, supermarkets or convenience stores (as you can see from the view from the window). So in case you're hungry after you get off the plane and not feeling in the mood for hotel food, you might want to grab something at Incheon airport first (which has a pretty good selection of restaurants).

The bathroom was pretty standard and they seem to offer their own brand of toiletries.

I had redeemed the room on points and given that I was just a Hyatt Gold member (base level), I was pleasantly surprised to get a letter from the GM, some fruits, chocolates and a bottle of wine to thank me for my points redemption and loyalty to Hyatt hotels. Score!

The hotel also features a fitness complex called Club Olympus, which includes a large pool and a gym next to it in case you can't get any sleep or want to fit in some exercise while you're there.

My favourite part of the stay, however, was the hotel's own mini-version of a jimjilbang which included washing facilities, a warm and cold pool and a steam room and sauna as part of Club Olympus. All of these are also accessible via the change rooms. Don't forget to scrub before going in for a soak!

All in all, even though I was just there for one night layover, I was very impressed and definitely count this as one of the best, if not the best, transit hotels I've ever stayed at!

Galileo 2 Review (2013)

2013-09-17T22:59:00.004-07:00

Drama Rating: ***
Personal Rating: Decent

Story:
Professor Yukawa returns in this second season of Galileo to help the police solve more cases involving strange physical phenomena. Utsumi leaves for the US and is replaced by Kishitani who picks up where she left off. Will the pair get along and how will Kishitani get Professor Yukawa to delve deeper into her cases?

*Spoiler warning*

Plot/Script:
Galileo 2 follows closely to its predecessor both in form and style. The episodic challenges that arise are quite formulaic although the science behind some of the phenomenons were perhaps more interesting than before. The undergraduate or even graduate level understanding required to understand the physical phenomena presented lent the drama more credence than before. Fortunately, layman explanations are provided for the audience's understanding. Incidentally, the tone and style of this series reminded me somewhat of the 'Trick' series particularly some of the earlier cases they took on.

Characters:
Fukuyama Masaharu plays Professor Yukawa much like he did before in the first series. His expressionless professorial tone is quite convincing and provides the series with a steady guiding light. Yoshiko Yuritaka's Kishitani replaces Shibasaki Kou's Utsumi in a fairly similar, elementary role that didn't carry too much weight with it. Kishitani's job mainly consisted of continually bugging Professor Yukawa until he accepted the challenge which really doesn't allow for much in the way of character development. Her acting was passable at best, often exuding a seemingly forced, confident tone meant to convey her competence as a police officer yet coming across more as a pouty, know-it-all high school girl.

Music:
The primarily instrumental soundtrack was light and a tad mysterious which fit in well with the series. While lacking any deeper meaning, its distinctive melodies made for a lighthearted and fairy-tale like accompaniment although it was used a bit too often for my liking and felt a bit too formulaic. For example, the buzzing of the electric guitar signifying Professor Yukawa's breakthrough was fun to hear the first few times but its touch faded as the episodes wore on.

Verdict:
This series followed fairly closely with its predecessor with Kishitani replacing Utsumi in bothering Professor Yukawa with her cases. While the physics involved in some of these cases was fairly advanced (kudos to that), it was fairly well explained to the audience so it served a good educational purpose. However, as a drama, character and overall plot development was sorely lacking. Yuritaka's acting was also just so-so and definitely less enticing than Shibasaki Kou in the previous season. All in all, a fairly average drama.