HOOKED ON KOREAN DRAMA

Virgin Snow [Korean Movie]

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:03:00 +0000

Indeed it is a korean movie -- but the lead actress is Japanese (i suppose so). The setting was in Japan so i assumed some of the cast are Japanese too.

The story revolves around the story of a korean guy who moved to Japan with his father and met a Japanese girl, Nanae. It was interesting how they communicate at first but it did not hinder love to develop between them.

The story was good -- there is the typical korean drama plot about pride and miscommunication --somehow, a common korean drama 'element'. The woman's character was simple and yet she was lovable. Not much twist on the story though. Just light for an afternoon pleasure of drama-watching.

Green Rose

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:47:00 +0000

Now, i'm into the 5th episode of another old drama - Green Rose -- aired in 2005.

Initial rating: 3/5 for the leads. The guy (Ko Soo) wasn't that attractive (probably because i had watched Kim Rae Won and Rain on the previous dramas) -- and oh my, he was paired with Lee Da Hae --from My Girl --not to mention how much i hated her in that series. But this time, it's drama, i might learn to like her.

Indeed, Green Rose is somehow different -- no love triangles (well, as far as episode 5), but somewhat a very depressing story. It was more like Snow Queen but the latter's more romantic. Well, am still on the early episodes, there might be some other surprises. I have heard this was extended from the usual 20 hrs to 23 hrs because it garnered high ratings.

Screenplay so far is quite better than the previous series i've recently watched. After 5 episodes - i'd give it a 4/5... we'll see if this will impress me until the ending. For now, i'll crawl on to episode 6.

Love Story in Harvard

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:29:00 +0000

I just finished Love Story in Harvard. If i remembered it right, this was released back in 2005. For someone who's totally engrossed in Korean drama and movies, for as long as the story is good and worth 20 hours of a week -- nothing matters. Not even how old the movie is.

It starred Kim Rae-Won (the charming hunk from the movie ...ing) who played as a Harvard law student. The story for me was 3 out of 5 -- simply because i can enumerate some distinct points i did not like. First, the Harvard medical student Soo In was so confusing her character kept on switching from the woman who fell in love with Hyun Woo but eludes him for reasons that only she will understand. It irritates me when this went on for i think a few episodes. Second, the casts' english was not that good - and sometimes came to point that it's incomprehensible. Well, except for Jin Ah -- the other woman in the love 'square'☺. And, the 'american students' had a lousy acting. I was also trying hard to listen to the sound track if it's in english. At one point it sounds english - at another point - i just couldn't figure out. Go check for yourself. lol.

Good thing about Love Story in Harvard though is that, the ending was quite satisfying. Satisfying in the sense that the story has a clear cut ending. It was not just a story that ends after the romance ends or after everything was told about the love story.

It is still a good pick, but only if you'll tolerate a little incomprehensible english.

A Love to Kill

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 07:19:00 +0000

The second drama i've seen Rain on but this has a bad beginning. First few episodes are boring. But eventually picks up pace after about 4 episodes.

If it is your first time to watch korean dramas - i won't recommend this. You might lose interest before you will finally have a grasp of the story.

The middle episodes were a lot better. But as it nears the ending, it drops again to dragging episodes until the last scenes. The ending is not that impressing too. It was just okay.

Full House is better. Well, probably because it was a lot more fun. But Rain is Rain. He was still gorgeous in this drama - but in some way, i had too much of his hot-tempered character which i saw in Full House -- but he still looks good.

Better than To Marry a Millionaire, i'd give this one a 6/10.

Sarang In Ga Yo [Princess Hours]

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:31:00 +0000

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Perhaps Love / Sarangingayo lyrics
Singer: J & Howl / Romanization by Kreah

On-je-yot-don-gon-ji / gi-yong na jin ah-na
ja-ku nae mo-ri-ga / no-ro u-ji-rop-don shi-jak
han-du bon-shik / doh-oh-ryu-dun seng-gak
ja-ku nul-o-ga-so / jo-gum dang-hwang-su-ru-un i ma-umpyol-il-I ah-nil su it-da-go / sa-so-han ma-umi-ra-go
ni-ga ne-ge ja-ku (ne ge ja ku)
ma-rul ha-nun / geh o-saeng-han-gol

Chorus:

sa-rang-in-ga-yo / ku-de nah-wa gat-da-myon shi-jahk-in-ga-yo
ma-mi jah ku gu dael / sa-rang-han-dae-yo
on se-sang-i dud-du-rok / so-ri-chi-ne-yo
wae i-je-ya dul-li-jyoh oooohh…
so-rol man-na-gi we-hyae / i-je-ya sa-rang cha-jat-da-go

ji-gum nae ma-umul / sol-myong-ha-ryoh hae-do
ne-ga nae-ga dwe-o mamul nu kki nun bang bop ppun in de

i-mi nan ni / a-ne / it-nun-gol
ni a-ne / ni-ga it-du shi
u-rin so-ro-we-ge (so ro we ge)
i-mi gil-dul-yo / jin-ji mo-la

Repeat Chorus:

Seng-gak-hae-bo-myon (saeng gahk hae boh myuhn)
Manh-un sun-gan-so-ke (so ke)
Ol-ma-na manhun (yeah) sol-le-im it-ot-nun-ji
jo-gum nujun gu man-kum nan do jal-hyae jul-kke-yo

ham-ke hal-ke-yo / chu-wok-i dwel giokman sol-mul-hal-ke-yo
da-shin nae gyote-so / ddo-na-ji ma-yo
jjal-bun sun-gan-jo-cha-do bul-an-han gol-yo
nae-ge mo-mul-lo-jwoyo oooohh…
Gu-dael i-roh-ke ma-nhi (gu to rok ma-nhi)
Sarang-ha-go wi-so-yo (gu dae yo ya mahn) i mi

...ing [Korean Movie]

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:14:00 +0000

Seems like i'm verging towards Korean movies nowadays. Still can't afford to spend another 20 hrs for another drama series coz of work schedule and some other travels here and there.

With a handful of movies to chose from, this movie wasn't on my first 'to-watch list'. You'll probably have the same reason as mine -- the title isn't that appealing. (Not so sure how they came up with the title.)

But not such a big deal. I recognized Im Soo-jeong -- from the last drama i watched Mianhada, Saranghanda [I'm Sorry, I love You] and she also starred the popular thriller Tale of Two Sisters. And i've recognized the charming guy from Love Story in Harvard (Kim Rae-won).

The story revolved around a dying teenager and how she spent the last few days of her life - and how much a mother would do to make the last days of her daughter the happiest. Not much twist though but it sure would touch that sentimental part of you. If you want a charming love story and a sentimental ending, ...ing is a pretty good pick.

Addicted [Korean Movie]

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:42:00 +0000

Because work schedule has become hectic now that i changed departments, i get to see movies lately than the usual 20-hr drama series -- and i happened to pick 'Addicted' on the dvd shop.

I'm not familiar with the actors but it sure looks interesting.

The story starts with how two brothers bonded together in their early years and then it tells a story of the brothers meeting an accident at the same time, in two different places. The elder brother, who was now married, has become comatose. The younger one was also in critical condition, but as soon as the younger sibling recovered, he was possessed with the elder brother's spirit.

Now the twist of the story is on how the elder sibling's wife would learn to accept her husband in the younger brother's body.

At some point there are a few R-18 scenes, because it tells a story of a married couple, but the story was great and, like the usual korean dramas, 'bewildering'.

In fact there was an american remake of this movie entitled 'Possession' starred by Sarah Michelle Gellar but instead of a love-story-type, they made it into a thriller. Haven't had the chance to see that though.

For a 2-hr free time, Addicted is one good pick.

atlanta georgia, from brother dear

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:23:00 +0000

yeah.., this little rascal went to atlanta for a 3-month work and he sent me these lovely pictures. He claimed he took some of the pics himself (i knew then he had that eye for beauty. hehehe). not much to say though -- a picture paints a thousand words.

... and more shots from the stone mountain. (wish i was there too..)

and more...

One Love - English Version (Spring Waltz OST)

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:52:00 +0000

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Higher than the sky above you
Clearer than blue
Brighter than the rays of sunshine
Warmer than what you feel
More than all the wonders you see
It's the most wonderful thing

Brighter than the living colors of flowers you see
Sweeter than the touch of water
Flowing from the mountain spring
More than all the wonders you see
It's the most wonderful thing

One love...
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
All we need is love
Real love

Marvel at the sight of green fields
Amazingly seen
Watch the colors of the rainbow
It's a miracle you see
More than all the wonders can be
But there's more than that

One Love...
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
All we need is love
Real love

Greater than what you can feel
More than what you ever dreamed
This is better than your everything

One love...
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one(8x)
All we need is love
Real love

One Love - Korean Version (Spring Waltz OST)

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:39:00 +0000

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Mar geh Geh in juh nope un ha neur geu peu reum boh dah
Bar geh Bi Choon Neun Boo shin het sar..
Geu dda seu hahm boh dah duh
Gah seum buck chan dan hah nah
Geu gun sarang ee get joe

Hwar jjack pee uh oh reun juh ggot cheh..
Geu hyang ghi boh dah
Choke Choke hah geh juck shi neun bohm bi..
Geu dar comb hahm boh dah duh
Gam mi roe eun dahn hah nah
E she sang hah na Bbeun in..

[Chorus]
One Love
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
All we need is love
Real love

Cho roak moor ghil num chee neun dur pahn
Geu suhl reh ihm boh dah
Hahn ggut soo noh ah jin moo ji geh..
Geu chan ran hahm boh dah duh
Ah reum dah oon dahn hah nah
E she sang hah nah Bbeun in..

[Chorus]
One Love
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
I love you so
Love is the beautiful one
All we need is love
Real love

[Bridge:]
Ohddon gam jong boh dado ohddon pyo hyun boh dado
Sesang ga jang ahreum saun gon saran ee jyo...

One love...

I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...
I love you so...
Love is the beautiful one...

Lee Dong Gun on Vocals

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:59:00 +0000

Lee Dong Gun - the popular hunk from 'Stained Glass', Lovers in Paris, Smile Again'. Listen to his version of 'And I love You So' from his movie My Boyfriend is Type B.

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And I love you so.
The people ask me how,
How I’ve lived till now.
I tell them I don’t know.

I guess they understand
How lonely life has been.
But life began again
The day you took my hand.

And, yes, I know how lonely life can be.
The shadows follow me, and the night won’t set me free.
But I don’t let the evening get me down
Now that you’re around me.

And you love me, too.
Your thoughts are just for me;
You set my spirit free.
I’m happy that you do.

The book of life is brief
And once a page is read,
All but love is dead.
That is my belief.

And, yes, I know how loveless life can be.
The shadows follow me, and the night won’t set me free.
But I don’t let the evening bring me down
Now that you’re around me.

And I love you so.
The people ask me how,
How I’ve lived till now.
I tell them, "i don’t know.

Snow Queen OST

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:02:00 +0000

One of the best korean dramas i've ever seen. Not to mention its heart-warming sound track. The story may be sad but every single scene of the drama is a masterpiece. My all-time favorite, Snow Queen is something I want to watch over and over again.

Listen to Snow Queen's Main Theme below and be captivated by the music...

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Son Ye-jin (Summer Scent)

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:11:00 +0000

Son Ye-jin plays Hae-won in Summer Scent.

Summer Scent

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:46:00 +0000

One of the endless love series, Summer scent is a story of a man who lost his girlfriend and who
coincidentally met a woman he did not know was the one who his girlfriend's heart was donated to... and they both feel strange about each other. Produced in 2003, the drama is one of the endless love series directed by Yoon Seok-ho with Winter Sonata, Spring Waltz and Autumn Love Story. The drama stars Song Seung Heon, Ryu Jin and Son Yae Jin.

MinWoo of summer scent...

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:25:00 +0000

Song Seung Heon plays Min Woo in Summer scent. Very good-looking and attractive!

Korean Version of 'Lost Without Your Love', Spring Waltz OST

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:37:00 +0000

SPRING WALTZ

[Listen to the song]

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Suhochonsa Lyrics (OST)
Singer: S.jin / Romanization by Kreah
Korean Version of ‘Lost Without Your Love’ by Bread

narul midoyo / unmyongun urol sogiji a-nhayo
kasume sangchogan namji-anh-torok
nae so-neul chabayo / ta nugyo jul-kkeyo

gasume twineyo / hangsang twi-ye-isso mollannapwayo
kilgo gin tonorul chinal-chu-mi-myon
na kobae-khal-lae-yo nol saranhandago

nae-gen sulpun kyo-uri
norul mannandwi gumchorom sarajyo
nayegedo pomi aju chonchoni
nae kasumsoguro sumyodul-go-isso
ma-ume saeng-gyotdon sarange kiyogul jul-kke

modun-gol dajulkke
ne gyote issul-kke midoyo…

English Version:

Lost Without Your Love

-Bread-

Lost and all alone
I always thought that I could make it on my own
Since you left I hardly make it through the day
My tears get in the way
And I need you back to stay

I wander through the night
And search the world to find
The words to make it right
All I want is just the way it used to be
With you here close to me
Ive got to make you see

That Im lost without your love
Life without you isnt worth the trouble of
Im as helpless as a ship without a wheel
A touch without a feel
I cant believe its real...

And someday soon Ill wake
And find my heart wont have to break

Yes Im lost without your love
Life without you isnt worth the trouble of
All I want is just the way it used to be
I need you here with me
Oh darlin cant you see...
If we had love before
We can have it back once more

Dramas with Annoying Leads

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Indeed, there are good dramas out there and those that are 'a little annoying' but i still want to watch... and there are those i totally reject after a few episodes because i can't bear being annoyed even by just watching the leads. Somehow, i have noticed some female leads having this distracting facial expression and pouting which i found very common in korean dramas and i hated it. here is my list:

1. Marrying a Millionaire - both leads are annoying. the female lead does this stupid pouting all the time and the male lead always has this crinkled-forehead look even if the scene doesn't call for it (or maybe this is just how he looks?). I don't know... but i hated this series.

2. Winter Sonata - i did not like the plot at all. Though the leads doesn't have the nonsense pouting but i hated the characters of the story. somehow i got bored just by watching choi ji woo in this series.

3. My Girl - the female acts so fake and silly. nothing more i could say about this. just hate the sight of her making her 'comedic stunts'.

My Girl [Romance, Comedy]

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:28:00 +0000

I was kind of disappointed with this one. The reviews i have read on this drama was good so i decided to put this on my no.2 watchlist. Sad to say, the female lead annoys me even from the start. Yes, i admit she was able to pull a funny scene at some point, like the one with the tangerines and the karaoke singing in episode 6, but it took me until episode 6 to at least find the humor in her. and all the rest of her acting was too annoying. she's trying very hard to pull a funny face and her expressions were just kind of crazy. she is beautiful, yes, but she isn't funny.

if you have already seen My Lovely-Sam Soon and Full House, you will be disappointed with My Girl. Its comedy is way too lousy and overdone. I couldn't help myself when i read one review of this drama saying the female lead 'looks like a turtle'..hehehe. nah, somehow, when she's trying to put that 'suppose-to-be-funny' face on, it doesn't just look right. it's really corny.

the male lead though is good-looking and his ex-gf is gorgeous. the storyline is okay - with the usual love triangles and the let's-pretend-you're-this thing... but because of the female lead, i did not like the series.

The bitter coffee @ coffee prince

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:03:00 +0000

I just finished The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince and it was good. The female lead was really really good - at first i couldn't imagine the 'she' in her, i was just wishing they'll have a scene of the feminine Eun Chan -- and they did. though she was balancing on her heels and awkward in her wig and all.

All in all, the series was good. I just hated the 'love scene' which, i think, is not at all necessary -- and ruined the 'wholesomeness' of the romance. It's not that i'm too conservative that this type of scene is a no-no. I just think it did not suit the romantic 'wholesomeness' of the story. The characters' playing around is even romantic in that setting and i don't think they need to let the audience peek into the more intimate side of the romance and made the series seemed like boring western love stories which never fail to peek into bedroom intimacies. sorry, but i do hope asian dramas won't evolve into something like those trash.

The funny lines of Kim Sam-Soon

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:08:00 +0000

This series really made me laugh out loud. I just couldn't control myself.

I really can't get over with Sam-Soon's line when she asked her boss to terminate their 'love contract' and her boss said she should pay the 50,000 she owed him, she just said:

'50,000 my athlete's foot!'.

LOL! i can't help it!
-------------------
Then there was this hilarious scene on the restroom. Sam-Soon was cursing her boss (she calls him 'Sam-Sik') while making poo-poo and she was just murmuring ' May Sam-Sik have the constipation!' LOL!

... and she did not know that her boss heard her from the other cubicle (also making poo-poo).

Her boss wanted to just keep quite but he ran out of tissue paper in his cubicle and he asked Sam-Soon to hand over some. Sam-Soon went laughing and told him different people have different ways to get out of that situation - and it depends on a person's blood type! hahaha.

Those with Blood type A she said, will search the trash can for used toilet paper;
Type B - will use his fingers and Type O would just leave and tell himself he can wipe afterwards anyway.

bwahahaha! in the end, she left her boss without any tissue paper. LOL! naughty Sam-Soon!

and she ended up wondering how he came out of the restroom! LOL!
-------------

My Drama Watchlist

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:38:00 +0000

I seem to not get enough of these dramas ... now, i'm jotting down my watchlist so i won't be bothered by surfing what to watch next.

1. The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince

- i've heard good feedback on this one. If this is funny, this would be the first on my list after i'm done with My Lovely Sam-Soon.

2. My Girl

- read good reviews also of this one. I'm curious how good this is. They say there's a touch of comedy on this one (?) Hmm.. i'll find out soon.

3. Thank You

- they say it's a good drama. I'll check this out after the series of funny ones.

4. Sorry, I love you

- reviews are overflowing on this one. And they say this one's a sad but very good drama. Hmm... i had recovered from the Snow Queen which was one good masterpiece indeed, but somehow it was a sad one. I felt so down after the final episode. Anyways, a dose of Sam-Soon lightened me up a lot.

5. 1 Liter of Tears

- i'm curious and wanted to watch Japanese Dorama - as it was popularly called. This one grabbed my attention based on viewer's reviews. I'd probably give this a try. I have tried to watch another dorama 'Long Vacation' that was said to be a 'hit' before but i wasn't able to finish even the first episode. Sorry to say but I was kind of disappointed by the looks of the lead actress (sorry, i should've been less judgmental). But, well, i was probably blinded by the 'korean beauties' after all.

i'll have these 5 for now...

Snow Queen (Korean Drama)

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:27:00 +0000

Hyun Bin as Han Tae Woong/Han Deuk Go
Sung Yu Ri as Kim Bo Ra

Episode 6 - every scene counts!

Deuk Go has remembered that Bo-Ra was the little girl he met at the airport years ago!

Then his mother came to visit him at the gym. lots of touching scenes!

Bo-Ra dated the doctor!

Great OST! JUST LOVE IT.

Oowww..he was watching her when she was asleep lying in the hospital room...just before Bo-Ra's doc-bf came...hmmm..

...and he's still there when the doc-bf tried to touch her face...ough! that hurts.

...and the song just goes ...'im scared of missing you...'

Gosh! doc-bf actually saw Deuk Go when he attempted to touch Bo-Ra's face! oh, my.

Episode 7

Deuk Go was still feeling Bo-Ra's arms on his palms! wahehehehe

Bo-Ra was sleeping on her book! ... and Deuk Go's watching her sleep! again!

...he touched her cheek!
he was feeling uncomfortable with what he did...! LOL.

The song plays again...'i'm on the verge of dying day to day'....

he went to see her mother. he just embraced her and said sorry...* tears*

he was asking Bo-Ra if he can be her friend...
he's staring again!!yaiks!
and he kissed her!!!!! oh my!

...and she slapped him!

poor boy.

but Bo-Ra was thinking about the kiss! ... and they both can't sleep... (owww...)

he cried when a classical music played. it was his friend's fave *tears* *tears*

until episode 7 ends....haii...
just can't get enough of this pair!

Sheet Music on the Web

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:03:00 +0000

If you think I am a Piano pro -- no, i'm not.
But i play the thing.

My younger sister had piano lessons -- and yes, i haven't had.

It just receive secondhand tutorials from my sis. Now, isn't that resourceful?

Well, at least i can play the thing and not just stare blankly at those white and black keys like before. I've been searching the net for some piano pieces that i can handle -- less sharps and flats of course and simple arrangements. Somehow, it feels scary to look at those tons of notes and sharps and flats (i keep forgetting them!) jam-packed in a music sheet.

I remembered my cousin who was just into learning the piano, she labeled the keys with numbers written in small strips of masking tape. I don't know what had happened after that. She probably plays better than me now. My sister always discourages her to do so though. She always wants us to read notes.

Notes, notes, notes ... sometimes, I would even pause to sing the Do-Re-Mi before finally recognizing the note...not to mention i usually got a finger stuck to a key when the note following is on the next page. LOL.

Somehow, there are still a lot of 'me's out there who want to continue with the learning, and someday, play the keyboard like Maksim, so i'm sharing some of the links where piano sheets can be accessed or exchanged.

http://solosheets.blogspot.com/
http://my-piano.blogspot.com/
http://www.freepianosheets.com/
http://www.pianostreet.com/
http://www.pianopublicdomain.com/

photo credit: +plus magazine

Korean Drama Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:00:00 +0000

Spring Waltz

Seo Do-young, Han Hyo Joo. The first one i have seen on DVD. Quite okay. The lead actor was a disappointment. Lacks appeal on his role. Daniel Henney on suporting role was better off than the lead. Though the first few episodes on the childhood events was too long for me, it was quite a tearjerker. Not to mention its heartwarming OST!

Crazy for You

Yoon Kye Sang, Lee Mi Yun. I got confused with the characters in the beginning. They seemed to look alike. Hehehe. I'm probably adjusting to the 'korean look'. Good actors. Thumbs up for the lead actor - i could not help my tears when he cries. Nice plot. Good actors. Quite boring in the beginning but a good drama overall.

Save the Last Dance for Me

Yoo-Jin, Ji Seong . One i most likely to watch again. The lead actors are lovable. Though the plot was a typical tv 'amnesia' story, the acting was good and entertaining. The whole package was just good.

Winter Sonata

Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo - said to a be a 'hit' in Asia - but it's just not an appealing plot to me. How could one cancel an engagement just because she thinks she saw her high school sweetheart who was known to have died 10 years ago? I just hate Choi Ji-woo's character and the plot. Not my cup of tea. Not for those who hate fickle-mindedness.

Hotelier

Bae Yong-joon , Kim Seung-woo , Song Yoon-ah. A more complex plot than the usual love triangle - you seem to have the feeling of who's gonna end up with. Bae Yong-joon is more appealing here than in Winter Sonata. He just doesn't look good with long blond hair.

The story revolving around the dynamics of being a hotelier was good. It's good to have a peek on how these people work behind these fancy hotels. Overall, the drama is worth watching, though i think it has a weak ending which left me hanging at the end.

Stained Glass

Kim Ha-neul , Lee Dong-geon , Kim Sung-soo . A story of friendship, love and obsession -- quite okay. Not too many twists in the plot; a little dragging in the middle episodes but it was good.

Full House

Song Hye Kyo, Bi (Rain). Loved both lead roles in this series. Such good chemistry between them. Good acting and lines are really funny. Makes me want to see more of 'full house-like' series. It became dragging in the last 3 episodes though... and the ending was not that satisfying.

Camiguin Island - From Volcanoes to Hot Springs, from Beaches to Waterfalls..

noreply@blogger.com (geeten) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:18:00 +0000

Camiguin is a small island (238 km in diameter) off the coast of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao and home to hot and cold springs, a number of dormant volcanoes, waterfalls and white sand beaches. Truly another island to explore!

Reaching the Island
From Cagayan de Oro City, we took a van bound for Balingoan which is about one and a half hour travel. Buses going to Butuan City and Gingoog City are also alternatives as they usually drop off passengers in the wharf. Ferries from Balingoan regularly sail off to Camiguin island in 1-hour intervals to either ports of Benoni or Guinsiliban. If you are heading to Mambajao, the capital of Camiguin, Benoni is closer -- but it doesn't make much difference though -- the island is small, and public transportation is available as soon as you got off the ferry. So we ended up travelling on a barge headed for Benoni. From Benoni, we took another van heading to the capital town of Mambajao which usually cost Php30.00.

The Accommodation
We wanted to book for a resort near the White Island so we ended up in Agohay Beach Resort. Too bad mosquitoes are everywhere! these bloody creatures could seem to feast on us the whole night, so we decided to transfer to a more comfortable Paras Beach Resort in Yumbing -- a few kilometers away from Agohay. We got a room fronting the pool and just had a wonderful late night and early morning swim. There were only a few guests so we enjoyed the whole resort to ourselves -- dined at the restaurant and enjoyed a game or two of billiards.

The Island's 'Must-Sees'
After a lazy morning at the resort, we went out to explore the island's must-sees and paid for a motorcyle to bring us to Ardent Hot Spring a few kilometers away from Mambajao. The resort was not quite developed but the waters are just sooo good to the senses. The pools are divided into two -- the bigger one was like the 'lukewarm' pool and the smaller pool is a few degrees hotter. At first, i thought I could not stand its temperature but dipping into the water gradually, i eventually had a good hot swim.

After a few hours in Ardent, we again hit the road for the next destination - the Sunken Cemetery and the famous walkway. So we took lots of pictures, drop by to check on some cool souvenirs along the highway and went ahead. We did not bother going far up to the walkway coz it would be a tedious steep kilometer walk throughout. So we went ahead, stopped at an old church ruin and proceeded to Sto. Niño cold spring -- the total opposite of Ardent's hot waters. The pool was quite creepy for me. The pool was fairly big but the bottom of the pool is all pitch black. Crazy things run into my mind -- there might be some hideous creatures below - or i might disappear anytime on these dark waters.

We strolled a bit in Mambajao - not too many to see anyway, just went to the bay plaza and again back on the road for Benoni. We left early for Benoni to drop by at J&A fishpen, a few distance away from the wharf and had a sumptuos meal of freshly harvested clams and squid. The restaurant was just amazing, you can feed the fishes in the fishpen and you can actually see the staff harvesting clams ordered at the restaurant. You can also dine at one of the nipa hut connected by the boardwalk from the main restaurant site. I have to mention though that the waters nearby the fishpen is a man-made lagoon and the sight was just wonderful without the waves.

Dolphin Show
At midnoon, we finally catch the ferry bound for Balingoan. It was one amazing ride! At a certain point, 4 young dolphins just popped out of the waters and made their own show! such an amazing sight! I was even worried when it seems all the passengers are flocking to the other side of the ferry to watch the dolphins which lasted for 2 to 3 minutes.

So we finally docked and head back towards Cagayan de Oro City and looking forward to another getaway.