Friday the First: You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin

Yeah...this probably isn't likely to be anyone's first Kdrama, to be honest...

It's not bad or anything...Some people have criticized it for its slow plot and character development, but that is less of an issue now that you have all fifty episodes to plow through at once as opposed to getting two episodes per week for five months.

Summary (from DramaFever):

Lee Soon Shin (IU) has difficulty living up to the legacy of her name. Despite being named after a powerful general, she's been coddled as the youngest sibling, and is the least successful in her family. When her father passes away suddenly, and the family falls into debt, Soon Shin finds herself desperate to help ease her family's burdens. Her sunny and spirited attitude attracts Shin Joon Ho (Jo Jung Suk), a talent agent banking on a comely return-on-investment. However, both of them get more than they expected when their partnership turns both of their lives around for the better.

(I've noticed that with certain shows *cough* Heirs *cough* it really does help me enjoy the experience more if all of the episodes are available when my finger first presses the "play" button. This is probably one of those shows.)

However, let me reiterate this: fifty episodes. That's over fifty hours, and dramas of this length require just a bit more patience than the Kdramas of the shorter variety. Honestly, I don't know how we got through Boys Over Flowers. And You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin is twice as long. *sighs exasperatedly*

Anyway, this almost was my first Kdrama, actually. I had been listening to IU for a few months by that point, and there also were only about eight episodes available at the time. So this could potentially be someone's first Korean drama. Any drama has this potential, in the end.

Where does this drama's first-Kdrama potential come from?

1) There's always someone to root for. (Or against.)

Most of the scenes in this drama are conflicts within themselves, and it's not difficult to find yourself cheering (or mentally punching) a character in almost every scene. Now, while the amount of second-hand encouragement isn't original, it does keep the energy (and frustration) alive.

2) IU.

Based on my bias for IU, is it any wonder why this nearly was my first drama? If a friend is into K-pop (more specifically, a fan of IU), get that friend to watch some IU dramas. If a friend is a total K-culture newbie, get that friend into both at the same time with an IU drama. She's cute, she's talented enough, and she has that unique ability to make you forget how jealous you are of her prettiness. Her character is growing up (as am I, hence why I relate to the character) and is still finding her way in the world amidst all the daggers everyone throws at her. Again, not exactly original, but certainly cute and catching.

3) As crazy as the drama can be, parts of it are relatable.

Again, this is not an original trait or anything like that...If there isn't at least something that is relatable about a drama, there isn't any way for we, as audience members, to connect with the characters. However, since the drama consists of 50 episodes, each character is given his or her time to reveal traits, pasts, and motivations to draw us in to his or her heart. (I personally related the most to IU, but that's a result of both her character and her identity, so such a revelation is kind of biased.)

4) As dragged-out as the conflicts are, the frustration and the hope that everything will work out is compelling enough to keep you watching.

What better way to be introduced to the immense frustration that threatens to send your computer across the room in fury than to watch a weekend drama? After all, frustration and length make for multiple character arcs (for each character) and conflicts that just scream, "Marathon until Conflict Resolution!"

5) Jaebangsa-ajussi.

Heck, all of the good guys, really.

Especially, you know, the one who is the male lead...

But Shin Joon Ho isn't nearly as sweet as this guy...

...or this guy...

...or Jaebangsa-ajussi.

"Jaebangsa" is the Korean word for "baker," as far as I could tell from the Internet. So for the past eight months or so, my nickname for Jung Woo - no matter how many other fans will call him Trash because of Answer Me 1994, which I haven't yet seen - has and will remain "Jaebangsa-ajussi." Jaebangsa-ajussi's character, Park Chan Woo, Shin Joon Ho, and Kim Young Hoon are the sweetest bunch of men a woman could ever want. Well, maybe not Shin Joon Ho as much, but he is the male lead, so I'll cut him some slack. In any case, if you want your first Kdrama experience to raise your expectations of men (if you like men, that is), look no further.

IU and the men pictured above are what make You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin a worthy contender for a newbie's or a veteran's viewing. There's also the opportunity to soak your feet in frustration, but who needs that when you have precious people turning you into a puddle?

Disclaimer: Pamela is not responsible for any arguments, addictions, loss of social lives, increased understanding, or ridicule that may result from this post.

-Pamela

Friday the First: Flower Boy Next Door

Why, hello there, Drama of Cuteness.

When I decided to watch this in the middle of the year, I wasn't sure whether it would be good or not. The reviews I had read had said that Flower Boy Next Door was difficult to watch (KDramaFighting! compared the drama to exercise) and that it was boring. 

I thought otherwise. I'm part of what I guess is the majority, apparently, as a result. Flower Boy Next Door is adorable (well...not necessarily fangirl-moment-inducing adorable, but laughably so). I found it easy enough to watch to almost ignore the faults in the last few episodes.

Summary (from Viki):

Dok Mi is a young woman with a comfortable routine - every morning, she wakes up and spies on her good-looking neighbor, Tae Joon, from her window and voyeuristically copies his morning routine. Unable to face people, Dok Mi works as a freelance copy editor with as little interaction with the outside world as possible. But her comfortable, predictable existence comes to a halt when her peeping is discovered by Enrique, Tae Joon's younger brother who returns from a year in Spain and moves in with him. Suddenly, Dok Mi finds herself surrounded by a menagerie of young, good-looking neighbors who will not let her live her life in solitute. Jin Rak, a web comic writer who lives next door with his drawing partner, Dong Hoon, is intrigued by Dok Me and develops a new web series about her. Watanabe, an aspiring chef, also moves in on the same floor. Will these pretty boys allow Dok Mi to return to her reclusive lifestyle or will they force her to come out of her shell?

This actually could have been someone's first Kdrama. Back in November, I was talking with one of the sophomores at my school, and she decided that, since I bring dramas into the conversation so often, she might try one. This made it to the final three, but her first drama - when she gets around to watching it *glares* - will probably be Soul...

Anyway, let's move on to why this could still have a chance to be another person's first drama...

1) The female lead is cute.

Even if you don't think she's cute, she's relatable, at the very least. Come on, admit it; deep down, you know you're alike! Loners unite!

2) The male lead is cute.

There are two types of people:
those who laugh at this scene for its adorable humor;
and those who laugh because of how uncomfortable they
now feel.

For some viewers, he is like frosting that has way too much sugar. That's how sweet and adorable he is. Kawaii. To. The. Max.

But there are two male leads, so I might as well throw in a picture with Kim Ji Hoon in this category...

3) Almost everyone in this drama is cute...

...and relatable. (Sleep, must you be so elusive?)

Sometimes nonsensically so. (Hello again, Kim Ji Hoon.)

4) The humor is mixed in with the cuteness to make for natural fits of giggling.

Idiocy and sarcasm make for great laughs.

As do arguments.

5) The female lead curiously spends her days wearing her winter coat, isolated in her locked apartment. Her observations about herself and about relationships are interesting, to say the least.

Metaphor Overload.

6) Honestly, this drama is filled with fluffiness upon fluffiness.

That's really the main thing I have to say about Flower Boy Next Door. Besides the emotional analysis the script brings to the drama, there really isn't much else to say, to be honest...

If you want an overwhelmingly sweet start, Park Shin Hye, Yoon Shi Yoon, and the rest of the cast may be a fitting choice.

Disclaimer: Pamela is not responsible for any arguments, addictions, loss of social lives, increased understanding, or ridicule that may result from this post.

-Pamela

Friday the First: I Hear Your Voice

It's the second time in a row that I've seriously pondered a rewatch around the time that the Kdrama in question is being featured on "Friday the First"...However, hopefully this rewatch will fare better than when I unsuccessfully attempted City Hunter's...(though I probably won't get around to it for a couple weeks :( ) (Update: or for longer :'( )

Now, this actually sort of works within the context, since I started this show because my friend recommended it to me when she came over to my house one day. I started I Hear Your Voice for Jang Yi, I stayed because of the awesomeness (and Socky Tree Monkey - a.k.a. Lee Jong Suk).

Summary (from Dramafever):

You're innocent until proven guilty, unless you're in the unlucky situation of being guilty until proven innocent. For these unfortunate souls, there's only a 1% chance of freedom, and it's up to a comically pugnacious crew of private investigators [to set them free]. Lawyer Jang Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young), along with her salty attitude, leads Cha Kwan Woo (Yoon Sang Hyun), a former-cop-turned-lawyer, and Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk), a mysterious teen with the ability to read minds. Together, this unlikely team turns convictions with unconventional methods and proves that while sometimes justice is blind to a fault, she can still hear your voice.

Are there any friends you'd like to rope into Kdramas? Well, for some, I Hear Your Voice is an excellent choice. (Ha ha ha, I rhymed.) After all...

1) The female lead isn't like most of those sweetly idiotic female leads in many Kdramas.

In fact, she actually starts off as a bit of a bitch.

But her character growth is pretty satisfying.

For those who aren't Kdrama fans yet, the idiocy of some of these female leads can be somewhat of a shocker. Jang Hye Sung conveys less of that stupidity, which is nice.

2) "Hey, you like those shows with those lawyers, right?"

There's a prosecutor - the character-type who's normally
at the center of Western crime shows.

There's the determined co-worker who usually ends up
as the female lead's love interest - and usually ends up with
said female lead. Nope.

Then there's this guy, who's just there for comic relief.

And how can I forget - the creepy man from the lead's past
who is out for revenge?

The drama partially revolves around crimes that need to be atoned for and people that either need to be put away or to be saved from being put away. There are workplace antics and dramatics in a setting that is familiar to audiences used to Castle- and Law & Order-type shows.

3) I Hear Your Voice provides two male leads whom both should be with the female lead. In other words...the love triangle is more o

"Do I still look like a flower boy to you?"
How to answer that...

Yeah, I'd say you do.

However...

*conflicted* Mr. New Guy who cares about you, respects you, works with you, protects you, and is mature enough for you? Or...Mr. Socky Tree Monkey who cares about you, respects you, learned martial arts to protect you, lives with you, has loved you for ten years, and is still growing up?

Come on, that has to intrigue a person a little. *nudge*

4) The first-leads' romance is adorable, but not drama-less.

The noona romance - or as non-Kdramafied Americans might call it, a cougar romance - grows in a way that left many of us jumping up and down from the cuteness and at the edge of our seats from the suspence (even if we knew everything would be peachy-keen in the end).

5) CAN YOU SAY "NO" TO THIS FACE? O~O

I think not!

Yes, the story behind this cute face and the resulting 10-year-long motivation can be considered a tad obsessive and creepy, but the natural innocence and the...prettiness...Lee Jong Suk brings to the screen pushes those thoughts back until they resurface later on as afterthoughts.

After all, Park Soo Ha is a fictional character. In the real world, his actions early on might not be as purely intended as one would prefer, and he would be getting some quality time with the police for a different offense.

Disclaimer: Pamela is not responsible for any arguments, addictions, loss of social lives, increased understanding, or ridicule that may result from this post.

-Pamela