Jo Seung-woo the Daesang Recipient

End of the year means end of the year awards. One of them being the MBC Drama Awards. While I haven't really watched any MBC dramas this year (I know right?), I think it's okay if I write this right? Don't kill me okay. I'm not judging the dramas. What I am trying to say is that Jo Seung-woo, my favorite almost ajusshi actor won a Daesang! Hooray!

Double the Sunggyu, Double the Fun

There could never be enough Kim Sunggyu around here and apparently, people over at LOEN TV agrees with me. Not only do we get an interview of him, he gets to interview himself. Weird? Yes. Awesome? Totally.

I Have A Contact Page!

I feel like as a blogger I should be easily contacted. And while I did provide you some other places you can find me, it's not exactly a straightforward system. Not everyone has Twitter. And there may be questions you want to ask me not through the post comment section.

And so I come with a new contact page! I'm not even sure if anyone actually wants to email me at all but hey, let's leave the door wide open. If you have any questions, comments, requests, or anything of the likes, please send me an email and I will come back to you!

It's on Google Docs Drive so it might be weird. I tested it out and it's not as cool. But it'll do for now. If you have other better ways of putting up a contacts page, please let me know.

The Wrath of the MBC Axe

There will come days in a K-drama fan's career where crazy things just happen. It's part of life. And lucky for you, and me, we get to see another psychotic situation happening just across our drama screens. It created quite a fuss and I think it'll be fun to talk about it here. It's none other than the axing of a few MBC shows that sent shockwaves across the world. Not really. But it's pretty crazy.

The First Ever K-pop Idol Wedding

Modern K-pop has evolved immensely since its birth. Not only music-wise, but also culturally. From shrouding the idol in mystery, to putting their lives out for the public to see. Known for their strict rules where the idol has become almost a public property, things have shifted slightly more and more towards "free" idol. And nothing says this more than the recent news of Wonder Girls' Sunye getting married.

Song Joong-ki, the Man of the Hour

Hot off my Nice Guy high, I've decided to make a whole post about the pivotal actor of the series. Of course none other than Song Joong-ki. He has come far since his debut in the ero-sageuk movie, A Frozen Flower. Only back in 2008. And 4 years later, he has risen as one of the best young Korean actors out there. Here I am today singing high praises for him.

Drama Review: KBS Nice Guy

There's no such thing as nice guys in this world. Believe it or not, that's the official full name of this KBS drama, Nice Guy. It stars the fantastic Song Joong-ki as Kang Ma-ru who uses Seo Eun-gi (Moon Chae-won) to get back on his former love, Han Jae-hee (Park Si-yeon). A twisted tail of ill-fated love, greed, and what evils money (or the idea what it will get you) brings all of our characters into this tormenting but very fun roller coaster ride. (Includes SPOILERS)

Album Review: Kim Sunggyu's Another Me

It's a Kim Sunggyu love fest around here. I can't help it, okay. If you don't like it, well, maybe we shouldn't be friends. Just kidding. But seriously, take a listen to INFINITE's resident grandpa hamster leader on his fabulous first solo mini-album attempt. Because Another Me deserves another listen. Again and again.

First Take: Sunggyu has 60 Seconds

The time has come! INFINITE's resident old man has finally released his own music video. A pop rock track and a cute member to boot, Sunggyu is doing well with 60 Seconds. I didn't know he was going to make this song his single. I thought it was going to be 'Another Me'. Nevertheless I'm happy that the music video is out anyways.

Dramas I Haven't and May Never Finish

If you've ever visited any blogs that focuses on dramas and movies (specifically Korean ones), you'd probably see more than once that those blogs have a list of things they've finished watching. And probably contains the ratings and reviews too, if you're lucky. But what about those other dramas whose ending have never seen the light of day? With this I will tell you those dramas that is too much of a waste of my time amongst all the things I do to waste my time.

INFINITE's Sunggyu's First Solo Album. For Real.

I don't think I've been too silent about my love for INFINITE's Grandpa Leader Kim Sunggyu. I mean, it's hard not to love this guy, really. Him being the sole person reeling me into the world of INFINITE. I know I've been going at it about wanting him to have his own album because I can't get enough of his voice. He did have his stint as a solo singer on Immortal Song 2 but you know that's not enough. So get ready for this, all you people out there. Woollim Entertainment has confirmed his solo debut album through the beauty of an album cover.

First Take: Can We Get Married?

See? I told you I'll do it. This will be my First Take on jTBC drama Can We Get Married? starring an ensemble cast, including Lee Mi-sook, Jung So-min, and Sung Joon among others. A story about four couples and their struggles in their relationships, let's see how the first episode pulls off.

Model-Actor Boys on Ceci and Getting Married

Weird title? Probably. But it sums up the whole photo shoot well. Model-turned-actors Sung Joon and Kim Young-kwang strut their stuff on their new spread for Ceci Magazine. Oh also, did you know that they're both in the upcoming drama Can We Get Married?

YouTube Things For 'Can We Get Married?' and 'Peach Tree'

No, this post won't be overridden by cats, although they can be hilariously cute. This will be the post where I will be sharing some stuff from YouTube that I'd like to share but won't make into a full post. Because one, it will take to long to make a dedicated post. Two, it will save your eyes from reading my crazy rants. So off we go!

First Take: Naul's Memory of the Wind

One of the vocalist of my favorite vocal group probably ever, Naul of Brown Eyed Soul, recently came out with a solo album entitled Principle of My Soul. Its lead single, 'Memory of the Wind' stars actor Lee Ki-woo as the dreamiest prince you will ever find. Seriously.

Peach Tree is Finally Here! Sort of.

Okay it's finally here. The wait is almost over. Goo Hye-sun's The Peach Tree is finally getting a wide release! I think I've mentioned it in a Jo Seung-woo post somewhere in my past, but it doesn't hurt to say it again. Plus, this one has some goodies!

Jo Seung-woo Eye Candy + Horse Healer Update

You know I'm all over this. My ajusshi crush, Jo Seung-woo, is coming to the small screens in the sageuk tale of Horse Healer. And with that, some pretty spreads courtesy of Cosmopolitan Korea the October issue comes our way. May the Drama Gods bless you.

Casting News for Cable Drama 'Can We Get Married?'

What is up with me and casting news lately? By all means am I no more enthusiastic at drama castings as some of you. Actually, maybe some of you care about it more than me. But considering this particular casting news is a standout I guess for me, then we shall proceed. And if you're wondering, it's the casting for cable drama Can We Get Married?

Yoo Ah-in Will Be Back in a Movie as a Gangster

It's been reported that one of my favorite, Mr Yoo Ah-in, is coming back with a movie currently known as Tin Head. It tells a story of a former gangster who goes to find a more morally acceptable job in order to finance his sick mother. It's described as a human story, which basically has your usual moral of the story, triumph, heartache, and all that hotness shifting of hearts.

Looking Forward to 'Nice Guy'

I know, you'd probably think I should've learned my lesson with picking dramas based on the horror that is Fashion King. But I think this one should do the trick. I hope. It has Song Joong-ki being an ass. And if that won't reel you in, I don't know what would. I guess maybe the title Nice Guy but don't ever let that ruin you.

Cast of 'Horse Healer' Learns to How to Poke Your Skin

I've finally found a good English translation for the drama, The Horse Healer. Thanks so much, Dramabeans, as always.

First Take: BoA's Only One

Kwon BoA, mononymously known simply as BoA, is back. Oftentimes known as the Queen of K-pop, BoA brings back old school sweetness and back to basics music. After almost a year of absence from the cut-throat world of K-pop, she is back with 'Only One', featuring one of my favorites, Yoo Ah-in.

Drama Review: White Christmas (2011)

Are monsters born or are they made? This is the main question in the mystery drama White Christmas. The drama isn't a regular drama per se, as it is only 8 episodes long (whereas a regular mini series is at least 16 episodes). If you like mystery type genres filled with psychological twists and turns, this drama is for you.

First Take: JYPE Showdown of Wooyoung vs Jo Kwon

As most of you K-pop lovers out there, you'd know that two members of the JYPE* team, Wooyoung from 2PM and Jo Kwon from 2AM are currently going through their solo rounds these weeks. It's a bit of an odd move from the company to make these two go head to head in the solo game. But nonetheless, this just means we have to do a bit of a showdown. It's brother versus brother; Wooyoung against Jo Kwon. Who will come out on top?

My Sunggyu Solo Dreams Come True

Well sort of.

If you've been following my blog, then you'd know my tiny obsession with INFINITE's leader, Kim Sunggyu. I even dedicated a whole post on him. Seriously. To me, he is that cool. And if you read that post, you'd also know my burning desire for a Sunggyu solo work. He's done a solo song before, but to me it's not enough. I need an album. But now that INFINITE is picking up speed as a group, solo album might be the last thing on Woollim's mind. The next best thing? Have him compete in a singing competition.

Kim So-eun Added to the 'Enchanted' Mix

Remember the casting announcement that shocked my world? No one really cares about it that much except me. Well, I think I can somehow convince you to be excited with me because Kim So-eun might join into Enchanted!

More Faith for 'Faith'

Seems like there's a magical fairy luring in movie actors into small screens these days. Because dude, I didn't know Ryu Deok-hwan is going to be in Faith. This just makes things so much more interesting. At least for me. Ryu, like his brother from another mother Jo Seung-woo, has never done dramas before. At least network dramas. He's in the current cable drama God's Quiz (which is in its 3rd season by the way. Unheard of in Korean dramaland. Congrats!), but that's cable. A totally different game.

First Take: Wonder Girls are 'Like This'

What a crazy day two days ago with the release of music videos from two of Korea's hottest idols of today. Big Bang got my attention yesterday, and it's now the Wonder Girls' turn to take their spotlight. And after these two videos, I feel happy being a K-pop fan. Here is Wonder Girls with 'Like This'!

First Take: Big Bang's Monster

Korean group Big Bang spared no time in releasing a new single, this time with 'Monster'. The song comes off of their new special edition album, Still Alive. In under 24 hours, the video has gained over 2 million views which to me is quite impressive. According to allkpop, the video also had quite the budget (sadly unspecified) and is up to far to Hollywood movies, whatever that's supposed to mean. Anyways, this is my first take on Big Bang's newly bred 'Monster'.

Big News for Big

Just for the record that title sucks, but I wanted to join in on the punny party led by the lovely ladies at Dramabeans. Boy do I love the puns we can squeeze out of it.

Anyways, the drama I'm talking about is Big. Yes, that's the title. It's another drama by the magical, hilarious sisterly duo commonly known as the Hong sisters. The are the mastermind behind one of my favorite dramas of all time, Sassy Girl Chun-hyang and maker of other super dramas with My Girlfriend is a Gumiho and Best Love as their two most recent. There's many, many reasons why I'm so excited for the drama. And here's why!

Blogger Hates YouTube?

Is that a bad title? But it really does have something to do with Blogger (the blogging platform, not me as a blogger) is having problems with embedded YouTube videos. A few of my older videos which previously have embedded YouTube videos, mostly the First Take music editions and some movie trailers, just disappeared without a trace. Does anyone know why that happens? I searched Google for answers but nothing came up.

Anyways, with this I need your help. If you happen to spot a post where the video disappeared (every First Take music edition has an embedded YouTube video), please comment on the post itself or inform me via Twitter @conanblue32. Or better yet, if anyone knows why this is happening and how to fix it, please do tell! I don't know if the missing video is annoying to you, but it is to me and mostly because I don't want to present you a post that's supposed to have a video in it but it turns out it doesn't.

So that's it for this post. Sorry if any of you were expecting reviews and whatnot. Just a heads up, I may not be able to post anything in the next couple weeks due to finals. I'll try to squeeze in something. Hopefully there's a cool MV out so I can write a First Take on it. And that's the blog-related announcement of the day. Have a great week everybody :D

First Take: INFINITE's The Chaser

After spending a few months in Japan in attempt to take over the world one country at a time, INFINITE is back with a rockin' new Korean song. 'The Chaser' sounds very INFINITE and it's not a bad thing. And if there's one thing that is different, it's their maturity. So check out this song!

First Take: Nell with The Day Before

Korean rock band Nell is a rarity in the world of Korean music because they have a solid fanbase and has had it for years (over a decade!) now. And it's not just the fans they had in the late 90s, early 2000s that love them. Many people do, whether old or new. It's not really strange, because they have music like The Day Before. Filled with sorrow yet eerily soothing, this song showcases the awesomeness that is Nell.

Jo Seung-woo is Not Just Doing Movies and Musicals

Oh wow. I am pretty much speechless right now. For some reason this is huge news and it really is. Maybe for me and no one else but this is still humongous huge. Mr. Movie Star Jo Seung-woo is taking his first shot in, drumroll please, a drama! That's right, he's coming to a small screen near you! Yes, it's the crazy, luck of the draw, no sleep for months Korean dramas. And he's doing it out of friendship. Of course you are.

48th Baeksang Arts Awards: the Red Carpet Fashion

Continuing our 48th Baeksang Arts Awards coverage, we continue on with the fashion! Despite multiple categories in both film and TV, there doesn't seem to be a lot of people in attendance. Or at least not that many people walking the red carpet. This is pretty usual in the award lands of Korea where empty seats are common. But why skip the red carpet where you can show off the latest spring fashion is very nice weather unlike the other ceremonies where you have to walk through minus something degree weather?

48th Baeksang Arts Awards Winners

The ceremony has come and gone and the winners have been announced. I think it's fair to say that I totally missed out on the winners. My predictions were quite, er, really off. But no matter. Because, well, I didn't watch 90% of the movies there. If you wanted to know what my predictions were, head on over here. But the important thing tonight is the winners! And here they are, the winners of the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Fantastic First Look at the Return of Geollim

I am so excited to share with you all the news I have right now. Seriously, it's epic. Like beyond what you can imagine. Who do I want to badly pair again since 2010? That's right, Yoo Ah-in and Song Joong-ki who made the cracktastic pair Geollim from the super drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal is back together. OMG!

48th Baeksang Arts Awards Nominations

Different than in the US where awards are usually scrunched up together within a few months, South Korea has awards all over the place. Well, most of them are in the same few months (November, December). But there's one award show that wants to be a little different. And this award show is the Baeksang Arts Awards which will be held on April 26, 2012. So mark your calenders everybody!

Apologies and Change of Plans

Hello everyone! For those of you who have been reading, or perhaps even looking forward to, the Fashion King recaps, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to keep up with that. I've been swamped, drowned, and all those things, by school assignments. I haven't even watched anything beyond episode 7. It's a combination of a pile of school work and the ridiculousness of the show that makes me stay away.

Recap: Fashion King Episode 6

The circle is complete. If in episode 5 the sparks are just randomly flying, in episode 6 they are officially connected to each other. The relationships are also taken to a new level where not only are they strictly romantic, but are starting to become more business related. When you mix emotions with work, the game starts.

Recap: Fashion King Episode 5

The drama god of love has rolled the dice! All the characters are now intermingled with each other, being cozy and close. Not that cozy and close. But more cozy and close than before. And no crazy family matters this time! Okay, maybe a little crazy. But it's Fashion King so I guess we should expect some craziness. Hell, what am I talking about.

Scandalous Yoo Ah-in and Hyun-ah for High Cut

I'm going to be one of those blogs that have photo shoots now. I've become like this. Oh well, these are pretty hot though. I couldn't pass out. At least one half of so called couple in this photo shoot is hot. And you know who I'm talking about.

Recap: Fashion King Episode 4

We have kick-in-the-face action in this Fashion King universe. Literally! The four characters make their transition from New York City to Seoul in classic drama fashion. Lots of face slapping, heart stabbing, hair grabbing, and tofu eating in this episode. Oh, and a drama kiss you won't want to miss.

Recap: Fashion King Episode 3

Set in the world of fashion, Fashion King attempts to capture what it would be like to play in this worldwide game. I've written my first thoughts on this drama on a first take. This time around, I won't just be first-taking but also recapping. Wish me luck.

First Take: Triple Shot of Big Bang

One of Korea's biggest boyband of the new century, Big Bang, just came out with a mini album, Alive. Okay, so it's been out for a while. And along with that album came out not one, not two, but three really interesting music videos. I will try my best to review all three. Considering that, please be patient with the length of this post. I'll try to keep it quick and painless.

Fashion King Hotness on April's Esquire

I think I have to give thanks to Esquire magazine. For their April issue, they brought not only one, but two hot stars of Fashion King. Even though the drama isn't my cup of tea as of the first two episodes, these two men are probably my main reason of treading through the ugly. But hey, if being on a fashion drama is going to get these boys more spreads, then bring it on.

First Take: Fashion King

Finally the first episode of the long awaited Fashion King is out! This is Yoo Ah-in's first drama in two years, since the successful (and crack-tastic) fusion sageuk Sungkyunkwan Scandal. The first episode reeled in a good 10%, while the second slipped to an 8,2% in ratings. A drama filled with fashion and youthful glory, how did this drama fare on its first episode?

Sunggyu Successfully Ran Away from the SM Machine

Apparently my favorite INFINITE member, Sunggyu, once auditioned for SM Entertainment. I guess who wouldn't. But is it bad that he got turned down by perhaps one of the biggest idol factory company in all of Asia?

INFINITE Will Be Back. In 2 Months.

After a super week of blogathon last week, I am back to my regular programming. Which is talk about K-pop and all that. And when I say K-pop, I mean INFINITE. I don't really listen to newer K-pop these days, because well, they suck. But I know I can depend on these guys for super awesome music at all times. Good news is they'll be back! Bad news is I have to wait two months. Thanks a lot.

Impressionable and Recommendable Korean Movies

We have finally come to the end of the blogathon week. Wow, what a week indeed. I did miss out on one day but I made two posts the next day, so don't kill me. So if anyone is counting, I've done 6 reviews in one week. That's probably the most reviews, or posts, I've ever done ever. I may need to give myself a pat in the back. So today, instead of writing a review, I'm going to write about my top Korean movies.

Movie Review: Cyrano Agency (2010)

Continuing in my crazy two-review night, I will continue with the romantic comedy, Cyrano Agency. If there was an agency like this in my town, life would've been a lot easier. Or would it?

Movie Review: Christmas in August (1998)

Ah, forgive me for not writing yesterday. But to compensate, I will write two today. Hopefully I can pull through. Anyways, for this post I'm going to review one of Korea's beloved films, Christmas in August which was released back in 1998 and directed by Hur Jin-ho. A quiet, slice of life movie that gives a punch, this is such a lovely movie that any Korean movie lover should get a chance to watch.