My First KPop Concert EVER~~B.A.P Party Tour 2017

B.A.P Party Tour 2017
Washington D.C.

There is no party like a B.A.P tour party! What a way to pop the proverbial KPop concert cherry! That’s right! I said it! This was my first EVER KPop concert and I can tell you after the blast I had, this will NOT be my last! I had such a great time with Nelly, Jaeswoon, and Van! What better way to start out the evening but at Momofuku’s in D.C. Though the food was tasty, it truly is a bite-size meal. Luckily I was too excited to care! Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal but now it was time to walk the few blocks over to Warner Theater. Continue reading

Movie Monday – No, Just How I Survived My First (and Last) GOT7 Fan Meet

GOT7 Turbulence in D.C January 22, 2017

GOT7 Turbulence in D.C
January 22, 2017


So, as you can see there is no Movie Monday post. Why you ask? Because I’m still recovering from my first and (mostly likely) last fan meet! No, it wasn’t because I had a bad time, I had a wonderful time. No, it wasn’t because it isn’t memorable, it was. No, it’s not because we stood in line, in the rain for 5 1/2 hours BEFORE we were even close enough to get in the building. The major problem is when you’re not of teenage age and you have to be in a venue with standing room only with aggressive and quite rude U.S teenagers, patience and politeness simply don’t exist. Continue reading

My Weekend with Kang Dong Won!

My Weekend with My Number One: Kang Dong Won


Yes, I admit it. I have a HUGE crush on Kang Dong Won. I even know when it started. I watched the drama, 1% of Anything and it was by chance. I had just finished watching Sorry I Love You last year and I really needed to peak my spirits after being thoroughly depressed by that drama. I happened across this and watched it in 2 days! I thought it was quirky and such a cute story as the two main characters developed feelings for each other. I also highly recommend it. 
Then what happens? Jules, one of my tweet buddies, writes an article called The Thursday Three and asks the question: which are your top 3 comfort kdramas? Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was this drama. So, what began as a weekend of Revenge dramas and movies, turned into a weekend with my sweetie, Kang Dong Won. 
1% of Anything
 So I began to re-watching 1% of Anything.  The first 10 episodes were done and done.
Voice of a Murderer

I interrupted my re-watch and watched a movie called Voice of a Murderer. Like other reviewers will say, this is a movie never to be seen twice! As this is a true story, you go in knowing that and the events that lead up to little Sang Woo’s (the boy in the movie) kidnapping, it makes ask yourself the question: What would you do? Would you allow your child to stay so long outside? Would you never check on your child who is at the playground right outside your window

This movie definitely brings out the questions AND the tears. The ending when Sang Woo’s Dad, played by Sol Kyung Gu is on the air; never will I need to see those emotions as well as the pain and sorrow emitted by both parents throughout the movie again.  

 Even though Kang Dong Won only played the voice of the murderer, believe me when I say, you will never forget him. What was really frightening was at the end, they played the actual voice recordings of the murderer and his tone and resonant was definitely recreated by Kang Dong Won This is definitely not a movie that would attract everyone to see. But I must say it was a GREAT movie!!

Alas, I returned to 1% of Anything, I could not stay away and went on to watch the next 16 episodes (yes, this drama is 26 episodes) to again finish it in 2 days.
Our Happy Time (Maundy Thursday)
 Next, I watched Our Happy Time.  Yes, definitely a watch one time movie for me! This told a story! It told a story of what can go wrong in life and when you get those single moments of hope in life at the end. This wasn’t really about redemption but more about recognizing that there is forgiveness. Kang Dong Won as Yun-Soo was flawless. 

He portrayed Yun-Soo as starting out, a angry and hurt young man facing death to a man who finally knew what love was again. Lee Na Young as Yun-Jung was marvelous! Simply marvelous! Here was a woman who had attempted suicide 3 times! But when you find out the reason later in the movie, it helps you to understand this tortured soul. 

These two were so mentally tortured, they truly were able to heal each other. As Yun-Soo says at the end, to Sister Monica (played by my favorite actress, Yoon Yeo Jeong), you sent me an angel. Warning, this is not a movie for everyone but if you are a Kang Dong Won fan, this is a MUST-SEE.

One last thing, telling a prisoner that is about to face death that they have a visitor, not sure what to think about that. Maybe, it’s the Korean system’s way to let them know what it feels like to suffer an unexpected death. What do you think?

M

Last movie was M. I’ve been looking for this for a long time. This movie was a cinematographer’s dream! The use of lighting during a lot of the scenes was amazing. 

From sunlight, to moonlight; every single type of lighting was used. There was one scene in a bar where, at first you see nothing but darkness and you hear Min Woo (Kang Dong Won) narrating in the background but then suddenly, his image fades into the screen as if the sun is slowly shining on him in the darkness. The Director and Camera Men were very, very clever. I have to admit, this movie is very film noir. I kept getting the Sin City vibes as I watched. There was a scene where Min Woo lifts his head to the camera and the scene so reminded me of this scene with Elijah Wood:

And let’s not forget the use of mirrors and shadows. I think any student of film MUST see this film! Not only will they appreciate it but they will definitely recognize the genius of the cinematographer! Again, this film is very, very artsy! But one thing it shows you, is the amazing acting ability of Kang Dong Won! If nothing else, Kang Dong Won in glasses is a sight to see!

Other Kang Dong Won Movies you MUST-SEE:
(and if you ever find Camelia, let me know!!)
w/Kim Han Neul
 



He plays simply an adorable guy!





w/Jo Han Sun and Lee Chung Ah

He plays a High School student.







w/Ha Ji Won



He plays a mysterious assassin called ‘Sad Eye’ (They sizzle together!!)








Jeonwoochi : The Taoist Wizard

He plays a Taoist wizard!

 

 

 

w/Song Kang Ho

Secret Reunion

He plays a ex-North Korean spy!

 

 

 

Psychic/Haunters 

He plays a REALLY sadistic character!

 






Azumi-Japanese Bloodfest. ENJOY!

Azumi Series

Gore and Blood fest!


Azumi
Stars:
Ueto Aya as Azumi
Odagiri Joe as Bijomaru Mogami
Ryo as Osowareru Haha-Oya
Narimiya Hiroki as Ukiha
Oguri Shun  as Nachi
Ishigaki Yuma as Nagara


Plot: Azumi begins the film as the only girl among 10 warriors who have been trained from childhood by Jiji, a gray-bearded samurai. One day, Jiji tells them they must pass a final test before they embark on the mission they have prepared for all these years. He pairs them up and only five survivors pass, including Azumi. Led by Jiji, this small band descends from the mountain that is the only world they know. Their mission, we learn, is to stop a nefarious plot to unseat the current shogun. They are out to prevent a civil war of the kind that devastated their own families before Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasy wrested power from his rivals at the battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and imposed peace.


My ReviewWhat a blood fest! From the beginning to the end! It was nice to recognize a few actors here and there from their earlier years. This is not for the light at heart. There is a lot of killing. A LOT! The choreography of the fight scenes was amazing! The crazy white robed assassin will long be remembered as the craziest villain I’ve seen in awhile! Again, this is strictly for the fans of the martial arts and period movies.

Azumi 2: Death or Love

Stars:

Ueto Aya as Azumi

Ishigaki Yuma as Nagara
Kuriyama Chiaki as KozueOguri Shun as Ginkaku/Nachi
Plot: Young assassins Azumi and Nagara continue their mission to prevent a civil war. In their hunt for Masayuki Sanada, who is protected by both an army and a dangerous clan, they meet Ginkaku, a person who shows a remarking resemblance with former friend Nachi.


My Review: As long as you suspend disbelief on some of the action; especially the ending, it is a very good; brutal action movie. As usual the stunts and fighting sequences were definitely fun to watch. From beginning to end, the action was there. But beware, if you seen the first, this is a little bit more gruesome than the last. It is definitely a martial arts fan’s dream! If you are looking for anything other than action, you may want to skip this.



Movie Review-The Scent (2012)


The Scent

Stars:
Park Hee Soon as Kang Sun Woo
Park Si Yeon as Soo Jin
Joo Sang Wook as Detective Han Gil Ro
Kim Jeung Tae as Detective Seo
Lee Han Wie as Chief Detective Sa
Lee Kwang Soo as Gi Poong (Sun Woo’s assistant)

Genre: Murder/Suspense/Comedy
Rating: R nudity, language, violence; you name it, it’s got it!

Popcorn Ratings


Movie Synopsis: A detective Seon-woo, who moonlights as a private investigator, has a beautiful new client Soo-Jin. The woman asks the detective to take photos of her husband in the midst of having an affair with another woman. When the detective goes to take pictures he discovers that the woman’s husband is already dead. Now the detective becomes a suspect. The detective is chased by another detective Gil-ro. He must now set out for the real killer. Written by Stanislav S, Sochi, Russia


So What’s Good About It: This movie had a little bit of everything: sex, violence, murder, suspense, and believe it or not: comedy. 

This was my first Park Hee Soon experience and I must say it was a good one. The story starts out one way and before you know it, its flipped to a who-done-it or how did they do it movie! Park Si Yeon as the sexy wife? No words! 

And my sweetie, Joo Sang Wook was more of a supporting cast but I enjoyed his character throughly. He was tough and oh-so straitlaced compared to our Sun Woo (Park Hee Soon’s character).

How can I not mention Gi Poong! Not only is he Sun Woo’s side-kicks but his antics and scenes are basically funny, funny, funny! I loved his quirky character!

The nice, little final twist at the end? Loved it!  From start to finish, a very, enjoyable movie.