Reliving Your Teens: K-Drama Review - Twenty Again

To the people who were years away from their early twenties, have you ever thought of going back to the day you first started college? Or maybe, have you ever thought of regaining those unbelievably strong energy you had within you years ago? 

While most of us of the current generation are lucky enough to live the life we wanted, our parents (and grandparents) don't seem to have the same privilege. We have the choice to go to college and choose our own desired major. What more is that quite a number of us are lucky enough to not worry about the costs. 

Our parents, on the other hand, had a life which is the exact opposite of ours. Going to college is not a matter of "do I want to or do I not want to", it's actually a matter of "can I or can I not" - and no, I am not only talking about academic excellence here. Some of our parents may have excelled in their college entrance exams but ended up not going to college. Why? Because they have to sacrifice the opportunity to further their study for something they deem as more important.

It's been a long time since I sat down and watch my Korean dramas. The list keeps going on but I have no time to enjoy them (same goes to my books - I try not to remind my Mum how many books I have on my shelf, unread). And recently, I decided to invest my precious time into something I really enjoyed and from a random list of downloaded dramas, I chose tvN's <Twenty Again>, and trust me when I say this - it was the best choice I have ever made in the past year!

tvN's <Twenty Again> OST Poster Cover (Photo Credit: Google)

Brief Synopsis 

This romantic comedy stars Choi Ji Woo, the star who caught her fame in famous melodrama <Winter Sonata>, as the main lead of this drama - Ha No Ra. No Ra is the 38-year-old mother of a 20 year-old and the wife of a university professor. Her husband filed for divorce on the grounds of "inability to communicate". Therefore, with hopes to save her marriage, she decides to enroll herself for the national college entrance examinations. She eventually got a spot at Woochun University, the same university her son got into. What's worse is that her husband has transferred to Woochun University as well - coincidence much huh.

When both her husband and son got to know the news, they strongly disagree with her attending university, especially when they are all going to the same university. However, when No Ra was mistakenly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she decides to attend university - as it was one of the items in her newly-written bucket list. 

Ha No Ra's "College Look" (Photo Credit: Google)

The story goes on to depict how a 38-year-old fits into the social circle of the 20-year-olds. This was when she (and I) started to realise how different are the mindsets between people of two generations. Oh not to mention, she met her childhood sweetheart, Cha Hyun Suk (played by Lee Sang Yoon) while studying - but now, as her Theater Studies lecturer. 

Ha No Ra and Cha Hyun Suk reminiscing the old days with a song they both used to love (Photo Credit: Google)

Overall Verdict

I shall not let out further details - what I can tell you is that the two are going to bicker like any other characters in rom-coms. But what I can assure you is, this drama is worth your 16 hours. For those who are born before the 80s, you will find Ji Woo's interpretation of No Ra really palpable. As for those who are born after, it's time to understand the inner thoughts and desires (not in a bad way) of your elders.

After finishing this meaningful drama, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Though I am currently still in my early twenties, I have so many items pending in my bucket list, and time is running so fast that I am hitting 24 very soon. I have yet to publish my very own book,; I have yet to watch a musical in Broadway; I have yet to get involved in a theatrical or TV production (whether acting or producing) and there is so much more I would like to do. Most of the items in my bucket list are pretty much related to literature, music and drama. If not, why else did I start this blog? - it's because "writing to connect" is my passion, and it's a passion I would never forgo for another.

Ratings:

Casting and Acting: 9/10

Story and Screenplay: 10/10
Setting and Background: 9/10

Screen Direction: 9/10

Overall Performance: 9.5/10.0 - A MUST WATCH!

Who would be the King and Queen of the Star Awards 2013?

The long-awaited Star Awards 2013 is starting in a few hours time! Are you excited? I certainly am! 

XinMSN of Singapore made their predictions for the awards tonight. No fret, because we, the Singaporean Drama Fan Club will also give you our predictions for the show tonight.

Best Actor 最佳男主角

Predicted Winner: Dai Yang Tian (Poetic Justice)
Dark Horse: Chew Chor Meng (Joys of Life)

Yeap, your eyes were right - we think Dai Yang Tian really stand a chance to win this time. Although many viewers would say Christopher Lee, but we really think DYT deserves the award instead. 

Indeed Chris did a great job in portraying a pre-gambler who mended his ways. Lots of tears were involved in his character as well. But, there were no changes in the character's personality from start to end. He remained as a pitiful father and husband until they finally live happily ever after at the end of the drama. He acted very well, but the character has lesser fluctuations, and therefore, not what the judges may have liked.

As for DYT, his character started of as a playboy who care less of his life since he has tonnes of money which he possibly won't be able to finish. But, after he fell in love with Luoling, he became a more serious chap, and after he fell for Yanzhi, he is as serious as he never be. When he was in between both ladies, when he has a hard time making a decision - all these are emotional techniques. And the great thing is, his age in acting is only 4 years. Don't forget the moment when he realised that he lost his memory and he is partly responsible for Zhonglun's flee.

We chose Chew Chor Meng as the Dark Horse because he were attracted to his joyous and cute character in Joys of Life. In Joys of Life, there were happy moments, sad moments, angry moments and even shy moments which Zhao Dagou has to go through. And Chor Meng portrayed the character well. With his acting experience of over 20 years, he too has a high chance to win this award.

Best Actress 最佳女主角

Predicted Winner: Kym Ng (It Takes Two)
Dark Horse: Cynthia Koh (Show Hand)

I think everyone still remembers how does Luo Na so-called "tortures" and scolds her husband, children, and mother-in-law as well. She is one of the exceptions where the mother-in-law is afraid of her instead of the other way round. She left a very strong impression to viewers with her bossy, naggy and naughty character. And not to forget, Kym is a variety host, not a professional actress. If a host can leave a good impression to viewers because of her acting, this proves that she is good enough to bring the award home.

About this Dark Horse, she was once a winner of the Best Actress Award in 1999. I struggled quite a while to decide whether she should be the dark horse or the winner. Her winning point in this drama is, she not only manage to deceive her husband (saying that the debts were his previous debts), she deceived almost all of the viewers. We never realised the fact that she has become a gambling addict who bring tonnes of debts back home until we reach the middle of the story. She has to act pitiful and deceiving at the same time, which is something not easy to achieve. So, if Kym didn't win, she is the next in line.

Best Supporting Actor 最佳男配角

Predicted Winner: Huang Wenyong (Joys of Life)
Dark Horse: Tay Ping Hui (Unriddle 2) & Romeo Tan (Joys of Life)

Like every other viewer's expected, we think the award should and must go to the late veteran actor, Huang Wenyong. However, we have to clarify that we didn't say he would win just because of his death. We actually thought he would win this award even before he was nominated. 

Wenyong has made an impression to viewers in the 60s blockbuster drama, Joys of Life. Seeing how he scolds his wife and daughters and his disrespectful attitude towards others really made us hate him to the max! With this point itself, I think he is a well-deserved winner of this award. When you are able to make your audience hate you because of your character, you're good.

There are two dark horses for this category, because both of us (my sister and I) could not decide who to choose. So we put both our choices here.
Pinghui's acting was superb all the while, I bet no one disagree to that. With only 7 episodes of appearance, he clinched a nomination to this award - which proves that he's really good. 

As for Romeo, although he is relatively new, his acting in Joys of Life really surprised us. He acted like a nobody from the start, where none of us will put any attention on him but later, all our eyes are on this villainous character. I still think Romeo is still young and therefore he has many years and chances to come. So if Wenyong Dage didn't win, Tay Ping Hui should be the next. And if both of them didn't manage to win, then Romeo must be the winner.

Best Supporting Actress 最佳女配角

Predicted Winner: Jin Yinji (It Takes Two)
Dark Horse: Lin Meijiao (Game Plan)

Since everyone remembered how Luo Na tortured her mother-in-law, I believe everyone also remembered how pitiful is the mother-in-law as well. Jin Yinji just portrayed this cute and yet pitiful character very well. I think no other actress could replace her for this role - which is why the winner of this award should be none other than Jin Yinji.

But, the dark horse for this category is also has a strong position. Lin Meijiao did a very good job in portraying the trickster's assistant, Zhang Shiyun. She is actually acting a "drama" in a drama. When she is on a mission, she would have to transform herself into a particular character, just so that she could trick the target. Also, when her son found out about her wrongdoings, she suffered quite awhile due to emotional breakdown. That is quite a change in the character's tricky personality - and Meijiao made the change very naturally. This is why I think if Jin Yinji doesn't win, she will be the next in line.

Best Newcomer 最佳新人奖

Predicted Winner: Ian Fang (Don't Stop Believin')
Dark Horse: Shane Pow (It Takes Two)

Our predicted winner for the Best Newcomer Award is the favourite of all teens out there (especially females) - Ian Fang. We are choosing him not because he is popular, it is because he really have what it takes to be a successful actor. He cries naturally (although I do not know how he shed his tears, but it looks natural) and he has no problems showing suitable emotions. He is still new, so we can't ask from him much. But he is doing well enough to bring this award back home.

Our dark horse for this category is also a very talented actor indeed - it's Shane Pow. It Takes Two is one of his first few dramas and it's the first drama where he had a slightly more important role than his previous dramas. In fact, he actually has lesser experience than Ian but his acting was very natural indeed. So, if Ian didn't win, Shane must be the one.

-END-

That's all for our prediction. We are from Malaysia so we could not comment on the variety shows and so on. So everyone, stay tuned to Star Awards 2013 Show 2 tonight to see how close our predictions are! Broadcasting channels and time are listed below.

Broadcasting Channels and Time - 28 April 2013 (Sunday)

Singapore - Channel 8 

5:30 PM (Walk of Fame) & 7:00 PM (Awards Show)

Singapore - Channel U 

10:00 PM (Post-Show Party)

Malaysia - Astro AEC & Astro Quan Jia 

7:00 PM (Awards Show)

CNY 2013 Drama: It's A Wonderful Life (SG)

The usual theme that a CNY Drama would always have is - Family Reunion.

This drama mainly revolves around two families which have both have relationship problems within - the Hao Family and the Li Family.

Hao Huixian has two sons, one being his stepson - Gu Zhiji (Elvin Ng) and another being his biological son - Hao Fuqi (Desmond Tan). The story focuses on Gu Zhiji who hated his stepfather since he was young and because of that, he left home and wandered around the street as an artist.

It is a little hard to survive as a street artist in Singapore, especially when you have no tertiary qualification. Though the reality was clear, Zhiji still insisted that he could achieve success with his own bare hands because he believe that his talent and passion towards art is the only thing he need. However, things are not that easy in life; Zhiji did not realise that Huixian was silently helping him all along.

Zhiji is not the only problem of the Hao Family. Huixian's niece - Hao Ping'an - who came back from Canada just to meet her uncle was chased away by Huixian himself once he realised her identity. The reason behind his rude attitude is because he always thought that Ping'an's father is a unfilial son. He thinks that his brother did not intend to see his father for the last time even though he knew that his father was terminally ill. However, Huixian soon found out that things are not as simple as he thought and accepts Ping'an as his niece.

However, things get a little complicated when Zhiji and Ping'an went into a love relationship and they went through some hardship before they could officially be a couple.

As for the Li Family, Li Yunshun (Huang Wenyong) and Fan Wenxiang (Chen Liping) have a son - Li Siyuan (Zzen Chong) and a daughter-in-law - Isabella (Paige Chua), who bears a grandson for them. Although the family seems complete, havoc starts to happen continuously from the day Yunshun and wife moved back to live with his son and family. Coincidently, Isabella's mother also planned to live with them. When the two mother-in-laws meet, that is when the battle begins...

However, like most CNY dramas, the ending was a family reunion in both families, including their neighbours as well. And like all fairy tales, Zhiji and Ping'an are happily married and they lived happily ever after =)

Now, it's time to rate the drama:

Story - 6.7/10 

It has all the elements of a CNY drama: joy, laughter and reunions and is a little lacking of some surprise element. But, the overall story line is moderate - it's still worth the watch. 

Casting - 8/10

I find the cast really interesting. Chen Liping was a very good actress for roles like "bickering aunties" and "bossy mother-in-laws". Lin Meijiao also did a great job as a strict and pitiful wife of a husband of no hope. Huang Wenyong made some laughs when he always collaborated with his on-screen wife as the "it's all about my wife" type of husband. And here comes Ha Yu again as a gamble and useless husband and father, just like how he acted in "Love Thy Neighbour". Zzen was a good choice of "teacher" material and Paige looked and sounded like a modern mother. And of course, there were more. Overall, it was quite a great cast.

Theme Song - 7/10

Most of the marks are for Cavin Soh, for his wonderful voice which matched this song perfectly. However I think the lyrics of the song do not really have the "reunion" feeling although it does quite matched with the drama.

Other aspects (Editing, Effects, Background Music and etc) - 7/10

I can't comment much on directing, but the editing was quite well done. The background music was well placed at the right time and there were not much special effects on this drama which I could comment on. But, the one thing I realised was - remember the Sunflowers Zhiji drew for Ping'an? It was supposed to be drawn on the wall - as per the script. But, if you look closely, it was a little too obvious that the Sunflower art piece was pasted on the wall - as the curls of the paper were quite clear. But overall, it was alright.

Predicted Nominations for this drama:

Best Actress: Chen Liping as Fan Wenxiang

Will a woman's scent change if she has cancer? (KR)

The title is a question, to all men. Will a women's scent change once she is diagnosed with cancer? Or, is the scent always the same to a HE who loves HER?

What I want to ask is, if a man loves a woman, will her scent be always the same (no matter what happens) to him?

Think about this question as I will share with you the answers of the leads of Scent of a Woman :)

Lee Yeon-jae (Kim Sun-Ah), a woman who was always busy of her job, has never spend enough time and money on herself. Awhile later, she found out she is diagnosed with gall bladder cancer from her doctor cum primary school classmate, Chae Eun Seok (Uhm Ki Joon). And of course, she find it very torturing because she hasn't led a life. She haven't fell in love, she is still not married and many more.. So, she sets up a bucket list of 20 items on things to do before she dies...

Before she knew she had the cancer, she fell in love with her department head on first sight. And of course, the Department Head is none other than Kang Ji-wook (Lee Dong-wook) who is engaged with Im Se-gyeong (Seo Hye Rim) for business reasons (with no romantic essence involved). When Yeon-jae found out she got cancer, she really hope that she can date Ji-wook. And it so happened that Ji-wook was so madly in love with her too.

Later, both of them are together but Yeon-jae did not want to continue this relationship because she do not want to hurt Ji-wook when she dies. So, they broke up and Ji-wook was so sad and not into himself after the break-up. When Ji-wook finds out that the reason of the break-up, he stills decide to stay at Yeon-jae's side until she leaves this world....

This is Ji-wook's answer: When a man is deeply in love with a woman, the woman's scent will never change...no matter what happens to her...

So what is your answer?

Want to know more about this drama, click here :)

This drama is currently airing on Astro CH393, ONE TV ASIA HD,
Every Wednesday and Thrusday, 9:10 p.m.

If you want to download this drama, you can get the links from me :)

My ratings: 9.4/10 (Highly recommended to all :D)

中西合拼，行吗？To combine both Western and Chinese practice, will it work? (SG)

We all know if you are prescribed to Western medicine, we cannot take Chinese medicine at the same time. But in China, they are trying their best to combine both practices. But in many countries, some people, including Western medical practitioners, cannot accept Chinese medicine.

A Singaporean drama, 《行医 The Oath》is used to portrayed the situation above. This drama tells a story of a man, Wu Guo'en (portrayed by Christopher Lee) who was expelled from medic school for performing emergency rescues without a medical licence. After that, he went on to learn Chinese medicine in China since he is now not eligible to become a western doctor.

After 6 years of hard work, he came back to Singapore as a very outstanding Chinese sinseh. But, his life began to change when he met two women who was and will be the most important woman of his life. One, a competent lawyer, Ye Zhiyi (portrayed by Ann Kok), the girlfriend who broke up with him 6 years ago because of she fails to understand Guo'en's wish to study medicine in China. While the other, a lady doctor who dislikes Chinese medicine, Yang Minfei (portrayed by Jesseca Liu) and soon became the love of his life.

Guo'en's life reaches a conflict when he found out the Zhiyi's depression is caused by him. But of course, he did not give up Minfei. But, Minfei, knowing she has terminal disease, insists that they should break up, using Zhi-yi as an excuse. So, what did Guo'en do to solve these conflicts?

Another important character of this drama is Guan Dewei (portrayed by Ix Shen), the number one surgeon of the hospital where Minfei works in. His mother is the dean of the hospital and also a professor who admires Guo'en very much because Guo'en was her best student. Dewei, as her son, keeps thinking that his mother is always siding Guo'en instead of him. And also, he thinks that Guo'en also outrun him in everything when he thinks he is way better than Guo'en. So, Dewei did lots of irrational things just to get back on Guo'en. And trust me, you will hate Dewei very much by then. But when the drama comes to the end, I think your hatred towards Dewei will evolve into tears...

Think you did not get enough details from me? Want to know more about the drama? Want to watch the drama? Go to Christopher Lee's tieba to search for the links (you can FB me or comment on this post for the link).

This drama is currently airing in Astro CH324 Shaung Xing, Monday to Friday, 4:30pm :)

My ratings: 7.7/10 [Recommended to those who like medical-themed dramas :)]

A story of four mothers - Smile, Mommy! (KR)

A heartwarming drama which describes the life of four mothers and the life of their children. Each of them lead a different life but what I can be sure of is, they all live for their children :)

Jo Bok Hee - the over-protective mother, who does whatever it takes to make her children happy

Bokhee is a mother of two children, Shin Meoroo and Shin Dalrae. She also has a step-daughter, which is her husband's illegitimate daughter - Shin Sora. Her son, Meoroo always wanted to be a politician and she did whatever she can do to help him out. She even agreed with his son divorcing with his wife, Kang Shinyoung and indirectly agreeing to Meoroo's affair with Hwang Bomi (who can help Meoroo in his politic career). Shinyoung always did a very good job as a mother, wife and a daughter-in-law, but her marriage was ruined because of Bomi and also her mother-in-law herself.

Dalrae is very talented in drawing but her mother forced her to be a singer cum actress just because she did well in her school performance when she was little. Dalrae looks happy being a actress but her mother actually forced her to date the director of the talent company just to boost her popularity.

It seems that Bokhee is forcing her children to live the way she wants. But when she was diagnosed with a terminal disease, her attitude towards life has changed, and of course she tries her best to make it up to her children and her ex-daughter-in-law, Shinyoung. And at the end, she finished her bucket list (a list of things she want to do before she dies) and died without any regrets. ='(

Ban Son Ja - a mother who feels apologetic to her daughter

Sonja is a mother of two children, a son and a daughter. Her daughter Kang Shinyoung led a very miserable life because of her husband and her in-laws. Sonja always feel very bad because she always put more attention on her son, Doyoung than Shinyoung. So, she always find ways to protect her daughter by letting the world know her daughter is one of the best mother and wife ever!

Yoon Min Ju - a mother who neglected her children

Minju is a single mother of 2 children, Baek Yeonwoo and Baek Yeonsoo. She was dumped by her husband for another women. Both her children did not have a good relationship with her because they think that she did not do her obligation as mother. But actually, she did. She worked very hard just to give her children a better life.

Later, when she found out Yeonwoo and Shinyoung were together. She objected strongly. This is because she cannot accept the fact that her friend's (Bokhee) daughter-in-law is going to become her daughter-in-law. In addition, Yeonsoo also did not agree to her brother's relationship with Shinyoung. But their relationship was accepted by all in the end.

Minju's life come into a climax when she is in a relationship with her 25-year-old student, Lee Gangso who is the younger brother of the women who "stolen" her husband many years ago. When her relationship with Gangso became public, the dean of the university sacked her due to her so-called "unaccepted and illegitimate" relationship with a young student. Due to all the shock, Minju was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at a young age of 50. And from that point onwards, her life starts to change. But at the end of the drama, she was happily together with Gangso with all their happy memories gives her the power to keep moving on :)

Kang Seo Poong - a mother who was finding her daughter for the past 30 years

Seopoong is the aunt of Doyeong and Shinyeong, and also Sonja's sister-in-law. Seopoong was pregnant with a child at a very young age. When the child was born, her brother sent the child to the orphanage immediately to prevent this child from spoiling her happiness (as in marriage and relationships). But, for the past 30 years, she was never in a relationship or married because she is destined to search for her daughter. Near to the end of the story, she found out that her daughter is Bomi, the women who spoils the marriage of her niece, Shinyoung. She tries her best to balance her emotions between her daughter and niece; there were times where she struggles between right and wrong. When her family finds out that her daughter is actually Bomi, they really cannot accept her at the start. But, things changed slowly when Bomi realises that there are still people who care about her. So Bomi finally admits Seopoong as her mother and both of them were happily reunited. =')

For more details of the story, do watch "Smile, Mom!" - also available in PPS (微笑妈妈)

My rating - 8.0 (Recommended :D )


More details about the drama, click here :)

Do comment after reading, your comments are much appreciated :)