Bests of the year: 2012

A guide for my favorites dramas aired on 2012! Why 2012? It was the year that I got addicted to dramas and was a year with one of my favorites dramas ever: Arang and The Magistrate. I'll not mention it here, since I talked about it on my last post (here).

South Korea

Innocent Man

Also known as Nice Guy, this revenge melodrama story has everything to worth your time.

Synopses: The drama is a melodrama which depicts the story of a man, 'Kang Ma Roo' who has been betrayed by the love of his life, 'Han Jae Hee'. Years after the incident, Ma Roo begins to live a life of self-indulgence. He sacrificed his well being for his girlfriend only to discover that she never looked back and married another man for wealth. Thus, he sets off to take revenge. And in order to execute his revenge, he approaches Seo Eun Gi, the resilient and cold daughter of the man she's married to. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this:  This drama has everything: revenge, bad/good guy style, brotherhood, strong female lead and surprising events! This drama was the one that introduced me to Song Joong Ki and to militar service at South Korea (I remember how much I missed him after this drama), if you're his fan this is a must watch performance. I really love to watch him and Kwang Soo together, since they're really good friends and they can pass it trough their acting. The female cast of this drama is very good too, specially Moon Chae Won as Eun Gi (personally this is one of my favorites performances from her). I love how we can see all the sides of each character here, although this drama is a makjang one I find the characters really real and human. I can't talk about this drama without mentioning the opening song of this drama: breaks your heart out (watch here). If you like the classic revenge with falling in love kind of drama, this is definitively for you.


• Rating: 10/10


• Rewatch value: I lost the count of how many times I watched this drama, one of my favorites.

 

The Moon that Embraces the Sun

The most beautiful performance from Kim Soo Hyun until now.

Synopses: Thirteen-year-old Heo Yeon Woo, the daughter of a high-ranking official, accompanies her mother to the royal palace to attend her brother, Heo Yeom's civil service examination congratulatory ceremony. By chance, she comes across Crown Prince Lee Hwon. They fall in love and Yeon Woo is chosen as the Crown Princess of Joseon. Before they can marry, however, the Dowager Queen secretly orders her death, in order to install Yoon Bo Gyeong, the daughter of a family clan, as Crown Princess, thus securing more power for herself. She orders head shaman to cast a spell on Yeon Woo to stricken her with an unknown sickness. After dying, Yeon Woo is resurrected from her grave, but loses her memories. All believe her to be dead, including the Crown Prince Lee Hwon, who refuses to love another. Eight years later, Yeon Woo returns as a shaman named Wol (meaning moon). Meanwhile the young king begins to investigate the death of his love after seeing the grown up Wol. But he is fighting against time, because the queen's powerful political clan wants him removed from power. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: Yeah, I know that I already mentioned this one at my last post but I didn't say everything that I wanted. Last week I caught myself watching again the last episodes of this drama. Besides being an amazing love story with the heart breaking performance from Kim Soo Hyun, this drama has the most enjoyable young side of the story that I've ever watched. If we look into the cast of the children, we can see all of them as adults now staring their own dramas!! They did an amazing job here, really amazing. I'll say again: The Moon that Embraces the Sun is kind of classic, it gives the feeling of a classic.


• Rating: 10/10


• Rewatch value: As I said, sometimes I get myself watching this drama over and over again.

Queen In Hyun's Man

A time travel romance with the a lot of kisses.

Synopses: Kim Boong Do is a scholar who had supported the reinstatement of Queen In Hyun when Jang heebin's schemes resulted in her being deposed and replaced as King Sukjong's queen consort. He travels 300 years into the future of modern Seoul and meets Choi Hee Jin, a no-name actress who is expecting a career renaissance through her role as Queen In Hyun in a TV drama. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: Besides being such a cute romance, this drama has one of my favorites OTP: Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na. OMG! They have an extraordinary chemistry! If you like a cute, light romance drama with a lot of kisses this is perfect for you.


• Rating: 9/10


• Rewatch value: It's a nice drama to marathon during the weekend!

 

King2Hearts

A south korean prince falls in love with a north korean soldier and they bring to us an amazing romance.

Synopses: Kim Hang Ah, is the legendary top female instructor working in North Korea’s elite special forces unit. With stamina, training tactics and strength in all areas, she is the perfect female soldier; however, she has never fallen in love before. Pure and candid, Kim Hang Ah’s goal is to fall in love and get marriedd to a man. Lee Jae Ha, is the prince of South Korea’s monarchy. His personality reflects his royal position, with refined humor and a handsome face; however, he has little interest in pursuing politics. Though he seems perfect on the exterior, Lee Jae Ha is actually very materialistic and blunt about his own desires. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch it: What I like more about this drama is the development and the growing in Lee Seung Gi character: Prince Lee Jae Ha. Besides being a romantic drama, it also has a lot of politics and family issues what make this drama more addictive. I must also say that I love Ha Ji Won here: it's really nice to watch her as a north korean soldier with a tough personality. If you like royal families, bickering love, politics, military and very cute brotherhood this drama is made for you. PS: If you're like me that enjoy handsome mans in a uniform: prepare your heart!


• Rating: 9/10.


• Rewatch value: I watched it twice, really dunno if I'll watch this again.

 

Wild Romance

I really can't understand why this drama is so underrated! T___T

Synopses: Everything starts on the birthday of Eun Jae's dad. Eun Jae ran into Park Moo Yul, who is the 2nd baseman of 'Red Dreamers', when she is drunk. Eun Jae who is a fan of 'Blue Seagulls', starts a fight with Moo Yul who led the 'Red Dreamers' to victory. The next day, internet is on fire with the video called 'Humiliated Park Moo Yul'. Because of this video, career of both Moo Yul and Eun Jae, who recently got a job as a bodyguard, are in danger.
In the end, they decided to put on a show against the public! They lie that Eun Jae is Moo Yul's private bodyguard and the video was recorded when Eun Jae was giving a self-defence demonstration to Moo Yul. Like this, Eun Jae becomes real bodyguard of Moo Yul. It seemed like everything worked out just fine, but the problem is that they can't stand each other's existence... (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: To begin I must say that I'm not a huge fan of the both leads here (Lee Dong Wook and Lee Shin Young), but this drama is so crazy and funny that I loved it! Yoo Eun Jae and Park Moo Yul are hilarious and very cute together. I really like bickering love when it's made in the right way, and here it is! If you wanna something funny, light and kind of cute this drama is really worth watching. Besides Scent of a Woman, this is my favorite performance from LDW and he's really handsome with this strange mustache. I remember laugh hard when watching this drama.


• Rating: 9/10


• Rewatch value: I think that I watched it twice, can't remember. ><'

 

The Bridal Mask

Also known as Gaksital, this historical drama is full of amazing performances and others not really much.

Synopses: Lee Kang To is an ambitious and callous Korean officer employed by the Japanese colonists. Despite his mother's disapproval of his work and his own brother's antagonistic history with the Japanese, Kang To continues to play by the colonist's rules in hopes of becoming successful and bringing his family out of poverty. However, a mysterious figure wearing a traditional Bridal Mask always seems to get in Kang To's way. The Bridal Mask appears as a Zorro-like figure who protects the people from the Japanese colonists' oppression and abuse of power. An unexpected turn events brings Kang To to cross paths with the mysterious Bridal Mask, changing his future and the nation's history forever. ~~ Based on the hit manhwa series of the same name. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: I'll give you two reasons: Joo Won and Park Ki Woong.  I mean, I didn't knew PKW until this drama and after that I became like a crazy stalker! His performance as Shunji was more than extraordinary, like he was a crazy mad dog. And with Joo Won as Lee Kang To, our ambitious "traitor" who becomes a righteous hero, this drama becomes complete. The plot here is just amazing, I loved everything about the development and how the characters start to change. The only thing about this drama that disappointed me was Jin Se Yeon as Boon Yi, her acting is just bleh and looks more poor cause she's beside amazing actors. This drama is a mind blowing one, if you like action dramas and politics this is just for you.


• Rating: 9/10.


• Rewatch value: I lost the count here, watched many times just for Park Ki Woong.

 

Drama Special Holy Land

This short drama brings to us a lot of action and street fights!

Synopses: A high school student, Kang Yu, doesn't fit in at school or at home and spends endless nights rebelling against society in the streets, picks up boxing and begins to learn his worth, picking up love and friendship along the way. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: This drama is about bullying, loneliness and finding yourself. This drama on the surface (it's an idol drama) seems to be about teens problems, but for me it goes beyond that. Is a drama about searching for ways to find what we really are. I loved it.


• Rating: 9/10.


• Rewatch Value: It only has 4 episodes, so it's nice to rewatch sometimes.

 

 Drama Special When I was the Prettiest

My introduction to Lee Jong Suk was this beautiful short drama.

Synopses: Yoon Jung Hyuk (Lee Jong Suk) is a young man that takes care of his sick girlfriend in the hospital. There he meets a woman named Lee Shin Ae. Through his interactions and relationship with Lee Shin Ye, Yoon Jung Hyuk grows as a man and learns what true love is. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: This drama is about choices, really hard choices. It's a deep and kind of sad drama with one sweet romance, it's definitively worth watching.


• Rating: 9/10.


• Rewatch Value: I watched it numerous times, Lee Jong Suk and Jeon Ik Ryung have a great chemistry.

 

Movie: A Werewolf Boy

Cute, cute romance staring Song Joong Ki and Park Bo Young.

Synopses: A mother moves with her older daughter and younger daughter to a large home in the country side. The older daughter suffers from a lung ailment and her doctor advised the family to move out into the country side. The home is provided by Ji Tae, the son of a business partner who worked with their deceased father. While the family gets acclimated to their new surroundings, the older daughter makes a remarkable discovery. Within a locked room in the barn lives a wild boy. The family takes him in believing he is just an orphan with little social skills. The boy with little social skills begins to take an interest in the oldest daughter. (font: mydramalist)

•  Why you must watch this: Song Joong Ki as a werewolf!


• Rating: 10/10 for their cuteness.


• Rewatch Value: Just watched twice, when I missed SJK I rewatched IM.

 

Movie: My P.S Partner

My favorite mature korean movie ever!

Synopses: Yoon Jung accidentally calls a stranger, instead of her boyfriend, and has phone sex with the unknown man. When Yoon Jung's relationship with her boyfriend turns sour, Yoon Jung meets Hyun Seung, the stranger she had phone sex with. Yoon Jung falls in love with the man. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: It's a funny and romantic comedy about finding love in a weird situation and they do have a lot of chemistry. Who doesn't want Ji Sung as their p.s partner?!


• Rating: 10/10


• Rewatch Value: A great movie for the weekend, watched numerous times.

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China

Movie: First Time

Coincidentally my favorite chinese movie ever was released in 2012 too!

Synopses: College student Shi has a terminal illness. There are experiences she knows she’ll probably never have, like falling in love. So when an old high school crush named Gong suddenly resurfaces, she is surprised and swept away by his interest in her. Because side effects of her medication cause Shi to suffer short-term memory loss, she recounts everything onto cassette tape to remember the details of their precious time together. -- EDKO (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: Don't watch this movie if you're not prepared to cry your heart out! The plot here seems kind of common, but it isn't. It's a beautiful story about love, all kind of love. Angela Baby is amazing here, seriously.


• Rating: 10/10


• Rewatch Value: Watched it a million times.

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Japan

Movie: Himizu

Here I go again: my favorite japanese movie ever was released in 2012 too!

Synopses: Set after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, all 14-year-old Sumida Yuichi wants to become is a regular boy and live a decent life. His environment though repeatedly drags him into the mud. He runs his parent's rental boat business, which is located next to a nondescript lake. His mother frequently comes home with different men and soon she leaves him entirely. His father only comes around looking for money. Chazawa Keiko is a classmate of Sumida Yuichi. She harbors a severe crush on Yuichi. Keiko's home life isn't much better than Yuichi's. Her mother builds a gallows with a noose in place for Keiko to take her own life. Her mother believes her life would be better off without Keiko. Under these circumstances, Keiko pays a visit to Yuichi's home. A group of people are lingering nearby who live in makeshift tents on the property. Keiko tries to befriend Yuichi, but she is berated and even physically assaulted. She doesn't get deterred though and sticks around. One day, the yakuza come by Yuichi's home. They look for Yuichi's father who is nowhere to be found. The men then tell Yuichi that he has to come up with 6 million Yen by tomorrow to pay off his father's debt. Yuichi already heartbroken by his mother's abandonment and abuse from his father nears a tipping point. A string of incidents then occurs that brings Yuichi's world to a screeching halt. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: Acctually this movie is really dark and broke me into pieces, but I guess that why I love it. I dunno why you should watch this movie, just watch it. It's the kind of movie that can change a lot of things in our mind, I guess this is it.


• Rating: 10/10.


• Rewatch Value: Just watched it once.

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Taiwan

Alice in Wonder City

Music, cold male lead and a female lead that piss you off.

Synopses: He Ting Yu is a famous violinist who's just returned from an overseas tour. Chen Hai Jie is a hardworking dreamer who came to the big city to become a world-class violin player. Lan Die Fei is a charming girl who has a beautiful voice and an ear for pitch. Alice is a mysterious girl from Japan who wanders the streets searching for the secrets of her past. The seeds of their dreams are planted in the city; they are all waiting to see if one day the seeds will grow to bear fruit. (font: mydramalist.)

• Why you must watch this: This drama has one of the most beautiful soundtrack that I found in dramaland, although I have a lot of problems with one of the female leads this drama is definitively worth watching. It's the only drama that I found Yan Aaron to be this amazing actor and this work is very different from his another works. The music is beautiful, the romance is nice and the scenery is charming. It's a good choice for a different taiwanese drama.


• Rating: 9/10


• Rewatch Value: If you can ignore the female lead, it's okay.!

 

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Hello chingus! It was a long reading, right?! Sorry about that! Hope you guys enjoyed it! So, what about you? What year was your first in dramaland?

Kissus!