Top Time Travel Korean & Asian Dramas

Time Traveling, Mystery and Romance!!!

Time Traveling usually falls in Science Fiction category such as Quantum Leap American TV Series, Doctor Who British Series, Time Machine by Jules Verne and so on. But in Korean Dramas and other Asian dramas they are not only staples for Science fiction fans, it can be also love story, mystery plot line between Josean Era to Modern era. Here are some of my top favorite Time Travel dramas, some you may have heard of and other you may not have. I have seen majority of these dramas but not all as some are hard to find with English subtitle, necessary for non-native Korean speaker like me.

Top Time Traveling Asian Dramas:

Time Travel can be scary, fun as person from past trying to learn new and modern ways of people living, it can be fun to watch like in Rooftop Prince where they get stuck trying to change clothes in Elevator, or it can be frustrating to others where Time traveling princess from “Thousand Years of Love” does not know modern things. Time travel can be done from Modern time to past like in “Nine: Nine Time Travel” where time traveler would know things of past, making it somewhat easier for to handle life but not always.

1. Nine: Nine Time Travels (Korean Drama)

Nine: Nine Time Travels

is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Lee Jin-wook and Jo Yoon-hee. It aired on tvN from March 11 to May 14, 2013 on Mondays and Tuesdays for 20 episodes. I somehow did not bother to watch it during 2013 when it was released as I did not know the actors much. However after reading about it in other Korean drama blogs, I decided to give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised.

The Time Travel drama has adventure, romance, best kisses in it. Thi series is about a man who finds nine magical incense sticks that allow him to travel 20 years back in time. He attempts to keep his family safe in order to change the world he lives in today. However, this is not without consequences as his actions in the past affects the lives of many in the present, including his. As the show has a unique way of dealing with the concept of time travel, its ending is open to interpretation leading many to conclude it in their own ways.

2. Rooftop Prince (Korean Drama)

Rooftop Prince is a 2012 South Korean fantasy romantic comedy television drama, starring Park Yuchun, Han Ji-min, Jeong Yu-mi, Lee Tae-sung, Lee Min-ho (the younger one), Jung Suk-won and Choi Woo-shik. It is about a Joseon crown prince who, after his wife dies mysteriously, time travels to the future where he encounters familiar faces, modern-day devices, and corporate intrigue^. It aired on SBS from March 21 to May 24, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 20 episodes. Yuchun is my ultimate bias, so I see all his songs during TVXQ and JYJ and all dramas he acted. This is one of the best one which has romance, time travel, mystery, comedy and Joseon 4 also known as J4.

3. Queen In-hyun’s Man (Korean Drama)

Queen In-hyun’s Man is a 2012 South Korean fantasy-romance-action-historical drama television series, starring Ji Hyun-woo and Yoo In-na. The story centers around obscure actress Choi Hee-jin (played by Yoo In-na, in her first leading role) who falls in love with Kim Bung-do (played by Ji Hyun-woo),a time-traveling scholar from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) who jumps 300 years into the future to the 21st century.It was broadcast on cable channel tvN from April 18 to June 7, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 23:00 for 16 episodes.This series has lead who is smart, quickly adopts to modern times, best kdrama kisses, lovely romance and some comedic scenes, it is one of fan favorite as well.

4. Faith: A Good Doctor (Korean Drama)

Faith is a 2012 South Korean fusion fantasy-historical-medical television series broadcast by SBS from August 13 to October 30, 2012 on Mondays and Tuesdays for 24 episodes. It is about a modern-day plastic surgeon (Kim Hee-sun) who gets kidnapped and travels back in time to the Goryeo period, 700 years in the past. There, she meets and falls in love with a warrior who is the leader of the royal guard (Lee Min-ho) Choi Young, a real General who fought against Invaders from China. Lee Min Ho’s hair style changes, and Anime Manga like villain, especially one with flute. Either you will love it or hate it but see it for history and time travel fans.

5. Marry Him If you Dare (Korean Drama)

Marry Him If You Dare also known as. Mirae’s Choice or Future’s Choice is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Yoon Eun-hye, Lee Dong-gun, Jung Yong-hwa, Han Chae-ah and Choi Myung-gil. It aired on KBS2 from October 14 to December 3, 2013 on Mondays and Tuesdays for 16 episodes. Story is different as set in the world of television broadcasting, Na Mi-rae travels back in time to prevent her 32-year-old self from marrying news anchor Kim Shin, thus sending her past self down a different path and enabling her to pursue the things she really wanted in life. There was cop out ending which left viewers to wonder if the whole time travel was worth it not.

6. Time Slip Of Dr Jin (Korean Drama)

Dr. Jin is a 2012 South Korean historical television drama series, starring Song Seung-hun in the title role of Dr. Jin,a 21st-century neurosurgeon who travels back in time to the Joseon Dynasty. Also starring Park Min-young, Lee Beom-soo, Kim Jaejoong of JYJ and Lee So-yeon, it aired on MBC from May 26 to August 12, 2012 on Saturdays and Sundays for 22 episodes.

Based on the Japanese manga series Jin written by Motoka Murakami, the series is the third television adaptation of the manga following the Japanese television drama JIN, starring Takao Osawa which aired on TBS in 2009 and its sequel in 2011.^[3] “Revamped with Korean sentiment,” the setting was changed from the original’s Edo period to the Joseon Dynasty, during the reign of King Cheoljong of Joseon, and real-life Japanese historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma was replaced with Joseon political figure Lee Ha-eung.

7. JIN and JIN2 (Japanese Drama)

Jin is a Japanese television drama series, first broadcast on TBS in 2009 and a second season in 2011. It is based on the Japanese manga series, Jin, written by Motoka Murakami. It was one of the most popular dramas of the year and won many major awards. It starred, Takao Osawa as Jin Minakata, Haruka Ayase as Saki Tachibana and Miki Nakatani as Miki Tomonaga / Nokaze. Japanese Version was much better compared to Korean counterpart for some viewers.

8. God’s Gift – 14 Days (Korean Drama)

God’s Gift – 14 Days is a 2014 South Korean television series , starring Lee Bo-young, Jo Seung-woo, Kim Tae-woo, Jung Gyu-woon and Kim Yoo-bin. It aired on SBS from March 3 to April 22, 2014 on Mondays and Tuesdays for 16 episodes. Mother goes back in time to save her daughter from being kidnapped and killed. Kim Soo-hyun is a mother whose young daughter gets kidnapped and murdered. Discovering a miraculous ability to go back in time exactly two weeks before the event, Soo-hyun is determined to expose the kidnapping plot and save her daughter before she dies all over again. Helping her is Ki Dong-chan, a former cop turned private investigator out to prove the innocence of his mentally challenged brother, who is falsely accused of murdering Dong-chan’s ex-girlfriend. As Soo-hyun and Dong-chan race against the clock in the allotted 14 days, new light is shed on the crimes, and they uncover secrets far more treacherous than Soo-hyun could have ever imagine.

9. The Holy Pearl (Chinese Drama)

The Holy Pearl is a 2011 Chinese television series starring Gillian Chung as the daughter of an archeologist. She time travels back in time to discovers she is a reincarnation a warrior priestess. She teams up with a human-dragon hybrid, to recover a broken magical vase. The story is an unofficial adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s popular Japanese manga series InuYasha.

It starrs, Gillian Chung as Ding Yao: a normal college student who is taken back to the past by accidentally triggering the Nine-Star Wheel. Chung also portrays Xian Yue; Ding Yao’s previous life and former Grand Priestess of Nan Yue.
and Purba Rgyal as Wen Tian: a half dragon demon with human blood. He was sealed and imprisoned in the ancient tomb for 20 years until freed by Ding Yao. Wen Tian and Xian Yue were lovers until they were tricked by Shi Youming.

10. Chinese Paladin and Chinese Paladin 3 (Chinese Drama)

Chinese Paladin is a Chinese television series adapted from the original version of the Taiwanese action role-playing game The Legend of Sword and Fairy by Softstar Entertainment. The series was produced by Chinese Entertainment Shanghai and starred cast members from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. It was first broadcast on CTV and CBG in Taiwan and mainland China respectively in January 2005. The series was followed by Chinese Paladin 3 in 2009.

11. Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia (Filipino Drama)

Etheria is a Filipino fantasy television series that was produced by GMA Network. Etheria ran for 50 episodes from December 12, 2005 to February 17, 2006. There was a sequel Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas, which aired on February 20, 2006.

Being a prequel to Encantadia, the story takes place before the events in Encantadia, although it is technically a continuation of the story of the Encantadia series, because the story plot of Etheria starts with the four elemental Sang’gres (Pirena (Sunshine Dizon), Amihan (Iza Calzado), Alena (Karylle) and Danaya (Diana Zubiri) and Ybrahim (Dingdong Dantes) going back to the past when Etheria was in its full glory.

12. Palace and Palace II (Chinese Drama)

Palace, also known as Gong, Gong Suo Xin Yu, and Palace: The Locked Heart Jade, is a Chinese television series produced by Yu Zheng. The series was directed by Lee Wai-chu and starred cast members from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The series was first broadcast on Hunan TV in China in 2011. It is later followed by Palace 2.

Plot follows ,Luo Qingchuan is a simple and kind-hearted girl from the 21st century. One day she accidentally travels through time and ends up in the 1700s, in the Forbidden City, during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor. She meets her favourite historical figure, the fourth prince Yinzhen, the future Yongzheng Emperor. However, she has to learn the hard way that history books do not always tell the whole story and her broken heart might just be mended by the most unexpected person. Her wit and knowledge of the future puts her right in the middle of the heated competition for the throne. Will she able to change history, fall in love?

13. Thousand Years Of Love (Korean Drama)

This lesser known early So Hi Sub drama is about princess who travels 1300 years in to future, only to meet some of the people reincarnated from past who do not have recollection of past lives. Thousand Years of Love is a 2003 South Korean television series starring Sung Yu-ri, So Ji-sub and Kim Nam-jin. It aired on SBS from March 22 to May 25, 2003 on Saturdays and Sundays for 20 episodes. I am huge fan of So Ji Sub but I could not stand his very very bad hair cut and jerk attitude, instead I liked the second lead Kim Nam Jin better.

14. Proposal Daisakusen (Japanese Drama)

Iwase Ken and Yoshida Rei have been friends since elementary school. Ken, is obstinate and unskilled in love, but he fell long ago for the lively and cheerful, Rei. But Rei is about to get married to another man. While Ken and other friends from high-school attend the wedding ceremony, a fairy appears and sends Ken back in time, giving him a second chance to win the girl he loves.

15. The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow (Hong Kong Drama)

The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow is a Hong Kong television drama serial that originally aired on Jade from 27 January to 21 February 2003. According to legend, Yongzheng Emperor of the Qing dynasty may not have died of natural death and was actually assassinated. The plot is an imaginative time-traveling story based on the continuation of what happens after the assassination attempt. The story begins in Qing Dynnesty where emperor disguising himself among commoners saves a woman named Lui Sei-leung. Later during a ship departure, Lui approaches the emperor and thanks him for his deed. She suddenly reveals herself to be a Ming Dynasty revolutionist and attempts to kill the emperor. The boat is then all of a sudden caught in a time-traveling vortex/hurricane.

16. Myth (Chinese Drama)

The Myth is a 2010 Chinese television series based on the 2005 Hong Kong film of the same title. Jackie Chan, who starred in the original film, was credited as the producer for the series. The series was first aired on CCTV-8 in China in January 2010. The budget was estimated to be at 40 million yuan. Yi Xiaochuan finds a tiger pendant by coincidence and the pendant sears a mark onto his chest when he wears it on his neck. Meanwhile, Xiaochuan’s elder brother, Yi Dachuan, discovers a 2,000-year-old treasure box at an excavation site. Xiaochuan unlocks the box with his pendant and opens a time portal by accident. Unknown to everyone else, he is transported back in time to the Qin dynasty together with Gao Yao, his girlfriend’s brother.

17. Scarlet Heart (Chinese Drama)

Scarlet Heart, also known as Bubu Jingxin, is a Chinese television series based on the novel by Tong Hua. Filming for the series started on 6 December 2010 in Shanghai and ended on 22 March 2011. It first aired in China on the Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS) on 10 September 2011. Zhang Xiao, a worker from the 21st century (from the year 2011). After suffering a near-fatal accident, she has an out-of-body experience and travels back in time, becoming stranded in the 18th century for 21 years (1704-1725) in the body of a previous incarnation, Ma’ertai Ruoxi, the daughter of an 18th-century Manchu aristocrat. Despite her modern outlook, she is forced to adapt to live in the 18th century. Throughout the series, she is romantically linked with three of the Kangxi Emperor’s sons: Yinzhen, Yinsi, and Yinti. Ruoxi’s romantic entanglement with the princes is complicated by her knowledge of their future political struggles and feuds.

A sequel, Scarlet Heart 2, officially began filming in Tianjin, China, on March 2013, and first aired in China on the Zhejiang Satellite TV on 22 April 2014.

18. Step In the The Past (Hong Kong Drama)

A Step into the Past is a 2001 Hong Kong television series produced by TVB and based on Huang Yi’s novel of the same Chinese title. The series tells the story of a 21st-century Hong Kong VIPPU officer who travels back in time to the Warring States period of ancient China. He is involved in a number of important historical events that leads to the first unification of China under the Qin dynasty. The series’ first original broadcast ran from 15 October to 7 December 2001 on the TVB Jade network in Hong Kong.

19. Operation Proposal (Korean Drama)

Operation Proposal is a 2012 South Korean television series starring Yoo Seung-ho and Park Eun-bin. It aired on TV Chosun from February 8 to March 29, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 16 episodes. It is a remake of Japanese drama Operation Love (Proposal Daisakusen) that aired on Fuji TV in 2007.

Kang Baek-ho and Ham Yi-seul have been best friends since elementary school. Baek-ho has never acknowledged his attraction to her, unaware that Yi-seul has been in love with him for more than 20 years. Finally, at the wedding ceremony where Yi-seul is about to marry another man (Jin-won), Baek-ho regrets that he never confessed his love for the bride. A mysterious conductor suddenly appears and offers him a second chance to win Yi-seul’s heart. Baek-ho travels back in time to various events of their lives hoping to change the outcome of their relationship. But changing the future is not as easy as it seems.

20. Three Kingdoms RPG (Hong Kong Drama)

Three Kingdoms RPG is a 2012 Hong Kong television series produced by TVB, with Lau Kar-ho serving as the drama’s executive producer. It stars Kenneth Ma as Szema Shun, a young Hong Kong game addict, who accidentally travels back in time to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Vincent Szema (Kenneth Ma) is a game addict who goes back to the Three Kingdoms period, and meets many historical figures. He becomes Zhuge Liang’s trusted advisor and utilized modern strategies to overcome issues and obstacles. Vincent develops feelings for a female servant in the castle of Shu. Vincent was able to maintain contact with his sister through his smart phone and learned that the time warp would take place at the “Battle of Chi Bi.”

In Conclusion, Of course, there are many manga, Hollywood, British, spanish time travel dramas and movies that are intriguing, I wanted to mainly focus on Korean and Asian Dramas and shows gems that some of you may enjoy seeing. Some are popular Korean dramas so you may have heard of it and watched it, however there are many hidden time traveling dramas that are worth watching if you find them on DVDs or online streaming sites. Let me know if you have found other Asian and Korean Time traveling dramas that I might have missed.

Image sources: Wikipedia and TV Series promotional Posters

January 28, 2014January 18, 2014

Korean Drama: Full House Review

As far as I’m concern, this is the one of the best Korean drama ever produced next to the all time favorite, Jewel in the Palace. And no, I was not a big fan of Rain. What captured my attention was the chemistry between the two main characters, Han Ji-eun and Lee Young-jea. It was fantastic. Although the series was adapted from a 1993 comic, the story was ‘cooked’ to perfection with all the necessary ingredients of human emotions that made it an all time favorite.

Han Ji-eun and Young jea are two very different people from very different background. Han Ji-eun was an aspiring script writer who lived alone in a beautiful seaside bungalow her father built. Her loving parents passed away when she was about 17 years old. With no relatives to take care of her, Han Ji-eun lived alone and became attached to her friends from school. One day, out of desperation, her friends tricked her to leave for China for a week and then sold her beautiful property to a superstar actor, Young Jea while she was away. These two clowns needed money to prepare for the birth of their unborn child.

Full House OST

On the flight to China, Han Ji-eun sat next to Young Jea, who was filming a movie there. Han Ji-eun tried to make small talk but Young Jea was very aloof and a bit rude. As it was her first flight, Han Ji-eun became sick and accidently threw-up on Young jea’s shirt. He was very angry with her but when he returned to the seat after cleaning himself in the washroom, Han Ji-eun was asleep with her mouth open. He left his shirt in the seat pocket and alighted from the plane with his bodyguards while Han Ji-eun was still asleep.

Later it turned out, they stayed at the same hotel. It was at the hotel that Han Ji-eun met Min Heok, the handsome rich businessman who is also Young jea’s senior and best friend in school. Min Heok was at the hotel to meet Young Jea. When Han Ji-eun realised she had no money left for her filght home and that she was conned by her own friends, she decided to take a bold step by borrowing money from Young Jea.

She convinced him that she was Min Heok’s ex-girl friend who was unfairly dumped and needed help. He loaned her some money and she vowed to pay him back when she return to Korea. Young Jea had other plans in his mind. He was in love with Hye-won but she was in love with Min Heok. Hye-won treated Young Jea like a friend.

Onced back in Korea, Han Ji-eun got the shock of her life when she found her home was totally bare, her savings gone and her credit card spent to the max by her friends. She was furious and tried to find her friends and get her money back. Young Jea returned and was jealous to find Min Heok sharing a light moment with Hye-won at her boutique. He called Han Ji-eun and set-up dinner plans with Min Heok and Hye-won. He wanted to reveal Han Ji-eun to Min Heok, thinking that it would reveal Min Heok’s true colours to Hye-won. But, the plan failed and he found out that Han Ji-eun tricked him. They parted ways that night.

When Young Jea arrived at his new house, he was surprised to find Han Ji-eun at the front door with her lugage. She told him her story and he confronted his agent. The agent cannot explain the fraud but he had no choice but to throw her out. One thing led to the other, and he eventually agreed to let her stay but only as a housekeeper. Later, he forced her into a 3-year marriage contract where in the end, she gets to keep the house.

Han ji-eun eventually falls in love with Young Jea but tries to deny it. Meanwhile he continues to long for Hye-Won. Things became complicated when Min Heok falls for Han Ji-eun, Young jea’s parents involvement in their marriage and the return of her friends.

I cried and laughed while watching this movie, and I saw it three times. I’m not the kind of person to do this but this just shows how good the drama is. I must add that the music had played a large part in the success of this drama series.

Overall, this is definitely a box office drama series that shouldn’t be missed. I’d gladly give it a perfect 10/10.

Click here to get Full House Korean Drama (2004) with English Subtitles

Source written by CheAyu at Korean Drama reviews

January 27, 2014January 18, 2014

Korean Drama Humor Part II

Korean drama watching is serious thing for many of us Kdrama addict. Sometimes, I am sleep deprived from watching marathon of Korean Dramas, so waiting for helpful subbers to sub the newly released episode on the internet, or feeling sad about wasting time on not so exciting Korean drama can leave me pretty sad. I get sad also when my favorite Korean Drama gets done, I feel empty feeling inside.

I sometimes, look or need to look at humorous, funny side to watching Korean drama to lift up my mood. I hope it cheers you up as well. Enjoy the funny side of watching Korean dramas.

Via WithoutName Deviant Art

How Time is Spent in Kdrama Via Pinterest

Via DonnaPie

Donna Pie – Reason for Hope via Pinterest

January 26, 2014January 18, 2014

Master’s Sun Korean Drama

Master’s sun is is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Gong Hyo-jin and So Ji-sub The horror-romantic comedy is written by the Hong Sisters, and aired on SBS from August 7 to October 3, 2013 for 17 episodes. I generally like Hong sister’s stories, so I thought of watching the series, although I am a chicken and not fond of ghost stories or scary stories. I had not seen So Ji Hub drama before as he mostly does melodrama, but I had watched Gong Hyo Jin in Pasta and Greatest Love Korean Drama and liked her in it.

First episode beginning I got scared by scary looking grandma ghost, who becomes bit better after a few minutes, and watching drama at night time in dark did not help much. However, the drama is not scary and got better as time went along. Joo Joong Won (So Ji-sub) is a rapacious CEO who is only concerned about money. His secretary, Tae Gong Sil (Kong Hyo-jin) is a dark and reticent insomniac who is burdened with the ability to see ghosts. Joong Won and Gong Sil are an unlikely duo in every regard, but they share one thing in common: they are both intensely crippled personalities that need a lot of help. Can the money hungry Joong Won recognize priorities beyond the dollar sign, and can the lonely Gong Sil ever live a life without fear? Together, strange as it may be, it’s possible in this unique dance between yin and yang.

I like the second male lead and female lead both in here and did not hate. I also somehow did not have much opinion about evil girl Hee Joo/Hanna so much as she did not come across as powerful evil like some female characters from other Korean drama, or maybe I am getting used to all evil characters in Kdrama.

Would I watch it again? Probably not. It is a great for one time watch for sure and story did not get dull for me like it did with Cheong Dam Dong Alice. Seo In Gook, whom I had seen as supporting Character in Love rain, became much cooler and handsome guy in this series and I am happy to see him doing more roles.

While series is popular and hong sisters always adds cute trinkets in drama that I always feel like buying for myself or a friend. Here are cool Master’s sun product trinkets at affordable prices.

Korean Drama Master’s Sun Ring Set

Master’s sun Kong-Sil same style alloy silver- plating ring set
Gift wrap to keep the ring set in good condition
Opening ring adjustable size for most people
6 style for your to choose
Free handmade cute pendant gift

Click here to buy Master’s Sun Ring Set at discounted Price (Under $15): Master’s Sun Ring Set

The Master’s sun Korean Drama Vintage Eagle Claw Ring Set

Master’s sun Kong-Sil same style vintage eagle claw ring set
Gift wrap to keep the ring set in good condition
Opening ring adjustable size for most people
2 style for your to choose (Silver or Vintage)
Shipping within 2 days

Click here to get this set at discounted price of (Under $15): The Master’s sun Korean Drama Vintage Eagle Claw Ring Set

Korean Drama the Master’s Sun Titanium Couple Necklace

This is something I really want to get, so that I can touch and hold in to when I am uncomfortable situation just like in Drama. In addition it comes as a couple necklace, so you can share it with your loved one, isn’t that cute?

Stainless Steel, Laser Cutting
Men’s Pendent Size (0.7′ *0.65′)
Women’s Pendent Size (0.54′ * 0.47′)
30-Day Money Back Guarantee.
Stainless Steel

Click here to get discounted price on both Master’s Sun couple Necklace ($20): Master’s Sun Titanium Couple Necklace

January 25, 2014March 1, 2014

Boys Over Flowers Necklace

Boys Over Flowers Star Necklace

Earlier, I wrote about Boys Over Flower Review and one of the best Korean Dramas for Beginners and top high school based Korean Dramas. In Boys Over Flowers series, Gun Jun Pyo gives unique star necklace to Jan Di. It was supposed to only one like that in world and super duper expensive, that only rich person can only buy it. Not for long, there is a Boys Over Flower necklace you buy for under $20 and you know the unique thing?, you can get matching ear-rings with that too.

So, you do not have to be super rich to buy it for yourself or your special significant other.

Jun Pyo gives Jan Di the necklace and explains love

Boys Over Flowers Star Necklace

Korea TV Drama Boys Before Over Flowers Star Necklace
STAR NECKLACE WITH DIAMOND
The pendant has a much better detail in the center of the moon not visible in the photo image. It’s very cute I’m satisfied with the product.

Click here to buy at discounted price under $16: Boys Over Flowers Star Necklace

Boys Over Flowers Kissing Star Earrings

Now, this ear-rings were not given by Gun Pyo, but if you wanted the same matching earrings with star necklace shown above, you can have a whole set, at very much affordable price. The star earrings and necklace looks just like the one from the drama Boys Over flowers and looks expensive but it is cheap enough for any one to buy.

If you want to buy star earrings at current best value click here: Boys Over Flowers Kissing Star Earrings

You read about Boys Over Flower Korean Drama review here: Boys Over Flowers Kdrama Review

If you like to own this Cult Classic Korean Drama, currently it is selling at great discount. Click here for best price on Boys Over Flowers Korean Drama (English Subtitles)

January 17, 2014January 18, 2014

Things I Learned From Korean Drama

Until I started watching Korean Drama and became an addicted, I did not know many things about love and life as kdrama puts it. Here is wisdom and knowledge learned from watching Korean drama.

Asperusual.comic.com Via Rebloggy

Things I learned from Watching Korean Drama:

1. Love Square:

Korean Drama love triangle but Love Square, where 2 guys will be loving one girl and another girl would be loving one of the male lead. 85% Korean drama have “love square” that does not end well for 2 people.

2. Main Male Lead:

Main male lead would almost always good looking, super duper rich and jerk. He would be rude, jerk that will torment the main female lead and would be more good looking then girl almost always. He will have a mother issues, such as mother who left him or overbearing and evil mom such as one in the “Boys Over Flowers”. In end, you will forgive him for being jerk as he turns out he is “lonely” and needs love.

3. Second Male Lead:

Second male lead would be next best looking, and maybe rich too. However he will be most understanding and sympathetic guy who keeps on protecting the main female lead. However, main female lead almost never will return the kindness and friendship from him, and he will be “friend-zoned”. Second male lead occasionally can be jerk like drama “The Heir”.

4. Main Female Lead:

Main female lead, almost always will be dirt poor, have loan shark behind her family. She can start out as a feisty and independent girl, but she may end up crying and getting hurt by jerk Main lead in early episodes. She can eat a lot generally and still be thin. Even though, she is from poor family, she may have latest phone, shoes.

5. Second Female Lead:

Second female lead generally would be Main female lead’s ex. best friend turned evil, or sister who has turned evil like in “Roof Top Prince” and “Master’s Sun”. Very rarely, second lead would be nicer person that you feel for and do not hate her for example in “Marry him if you dare”, second lead was nice and I did not hate her.

6. Love at First Fight:

Korean drama love always starts with fighting, or mis-understanding between male lead and female lead, which eventually turns in to love slowly and jerk male lead becomes bit nicer.

7. Love means Being Mean:

In Kdrama world, the more mean the guy is to girl, is secretly means he loves her more, I would have never guessed this logic until watching Korean drama.

8. Parents, and Relatives:

The richer the parents, means they will try to control their kid’s education and love life so much that they will sometimes hurt female lead and her family. Girl’s parents are generally poor, eccentric, almost ignoring kids by working long hours daily but show love towards each other. Relatives can be supportive or evil if parents are dead.

9. Back hugs:

Back hugs are very popular and I did not know you can back hug until I started watching Kdrama. They seem so romantic that I asked my husband to give me one but without OST music in background and him being less rich and much less jerk did not have same effect.

10. Piggy Back Rides:

Piggy back rides are almost preferred way of transportation compared to taxi or car. Often times, girl would be living in a house on top of a hill, where a guy would have to walk up to thousand steps stairs while holding drunk female lead and her shoes and handbag also in hand. One thing is for sure, Korean guys must have lot of endurance to do it.

11. Arm Pull:

When male lead is asking female lead to “don’t go”, he usually does arm pull scene and gives her hug. I always thought that arm pulls are in-considerate if any guy did that me however, it Korean drama it shows, love and desperation for lead to make girl stay so it could be considered romantic in Kdrama land.

12. Kindergarten Level Kisses or No Kiss:

When I first saw Korean drama, I was used to Hollywood way of kissing, so I was shocked to see lips barely touching and both girl and guy closing their eyes as they went for kiss in slow motion. Now as a veteran to Korean Drama, I am used to lip touching or no kiss scenes between leading pairs like in “49 days” drama. Now I get shocked when I see some tongue action instead in Korean drama and I find Hollywood kissing too much.

13. Drinking and Karaoke:

Almost every Korean drama has a several drinking scenes, including singing Karaoke songs. Female lead getting drunk and throwing up on Jerk male lead is also very popular. After that guy has to piggy back girl to her house by walking.

14. Obstacles In Love:

Main male lead and female lead usually go through many obstacles before finding a bliss in love. First has to be guy being jerk, then parent’s interference and sometimes second evil female lead tries to break lovers apart. Social status of rich guy and dirt poor girl is not enough, there will be other Obstacles such as falling in coma, amnesia or in some occasion lovers turning about to faux sibling such as in “Winter Sonata”.

15. Korean Guys are Gender Blind:

Korean drama loves stories where girl disguises herself as a boy and joins all boys school or group and almost always male leads falls head over heels over this “Faux Boy” and starts to question his sexuality. Everyone can but male lead will not find out that “Faux boy” is really a girl until much much later such as in “Sungkyungan Scandal”.

What did you learn as you watch Korean Drama?

January 17, 2014January 17, 2014

Top Korean Dramas Based In High School

The Heir: Highschool Korean DramaKorean Drama are pretty cool, coming from Kdrama addict. Many of Korean Dramas are based in high school and have high school romance, triumph and trials period. At first I did not think high school drama would appeal to me, as I have passed high school decade ago and moved on. However, somehow I like high school age teen romance drama from Korea.

Top Korean Dramas in High School:

Korean TV networks and viewers does not seem to get tired of High school dramas, as there are plenty of Korean Dramas that takes place in high schools. How else can Lee Min Ho can play a high school kid in “Boys Over Flowers” in 2009 and again as 18 years high school boy in “The Heirs”? I totally buy it, he can pull it off, sort of. Don’t you think?

If you were in Kdrama High school, who would you meet? Here are some notable Korean Dramas where main characters played High School Students and some case University.

Boys Over Flowers:

Majority of the story takes place in Shinhwa Elite High School. Goo Jun-pyo is the leader of F4 and heir to Shinhwa Group, one of the most powerful business groups in South Korea. As leader of the most popular and powerful clique in Shinhwa High, he torments Geum Jan-di after she stands up to his bullying ways, but ends up falling for her instead.

Sang Doo Let’s Go To School:

Cha Sang-doo (Rain) and Chae Eun-hwan (Gong Hyo-jin) grew up as best of friends, who secretly have crushes on each other. Circumstances separates love birds and send Sang Doo to Prison. Whenhe comes across his long-lost first love, Eun-hwan, who is now a high school math teacher in his city. In an effort to regain her love, he returns to high school, first as a security guard and then as a student in her class .

Playful Kiss:

Oh Ha-ni is a not so bright girl and is the bottom of her class. She has a crush on Baek Seung-jo, the smartest and handsomest boy in the whole school. One day, Ha-ni decided to write a love letter for Seung-jo but Seung-jo rejected her through correcting the grammars of her letter. Fate happens when an earthquake strikes Ha-ni’s new buit home and they are invited to his father’s friend house, who turns out to be Seung-jo’s house.

Dream High (Season 1):

Six students at Kirin High School have the dream of becoming K-pop idols. During their school years, they learn how to develop their singing, songwriting and dancing skills while undergoing personal growth. They also go through their love life and start to develop feelings for each other.

Dream High (Season 2):

Like its predecessor Dream High, it follows a group of students at the Kirin High School of Art stars who pursue their dream of becoming K-pop stars. However, it has a slightly different plot with a completely new group of students.

School 2013:

The teen drama depicts the struggles and dilemmas that modern-day Korean youth face, such as bullying, student suicides, school violence, deteriorating teacher-student relations, private tutoring and other real-life high school issues, all within the confines of one small classroom at Seung Ri High School.

To Beautiful You:

The series centers on Goo Joo Hee (Choi Seol Ri), a Korean girl becomes attracted to one of the high jump competitors, Kang Tae Joon (Choi Min Ho). Tae Joon suffers an accident that could potentially end his career. However, Tae Joon attends an all-boys high school and Jae Hee must disguise herself as a boy to enter to help her idol

Shut Up Flower Boy Band:

When their delinquent-ridden school is forced to close down, A few students debate whether it’s even worth returning to high school at all. However, due to an outside confrontation with their new school’s current ruling band, Strawberry Fields, Eye Candy decides to attend Jungsang High out of spite so they can rule the school once again

Reply 1997:

This series that centers on the lives of six friends in Busan, as the timeline moves back and forth between their past as 18-year-old high schoolers in 1997 and their present as 33-year-olds at their high school reunion dinner in 2012, where one couple will announce that they’re getting married

God Of Study:

Based on the Japanese comic series Dragon Zakura, it is about a determined lawyer who takes up a teaching position at a failing high school. To save the school from the ax, he comes up with the unconventional plan of starting a special class curriculum devoted to getting the school’s five worst students into the country’s top university

I Am Sam:

The story focuses on the conflicts between the young teachers and the problems that high school students have. Jang Yi San (Yang Dong-Kun) is a timid and incompetent homeroom teacher who has to teach the only daughter of a highly dangerous mob leader, Jae-kon Yu (Park Jun Gyu).

Hello, My Teacher:

After overcoming numerous hardships and getting her GED, Na Bo-ri rejects job offers from other high schools and works on becoming a substitute teacher at her old high school so she can work side by side with her longtime high school crush, the art teacher Ji Hyun-woo (Kim Da-hyun).

Love Rain:

Story starts its first generation story in college. It’s love at first sight when Seo In-ha (Jang Geun-suk) and Kim Yoon-hee (Im Yoona) meet as shy university students in the seventies. Their love did not get happy ending, will their kids will get theirs?

Goong / Princess Hours:

Yoon Eun Hye plays poor, normal girl who by chance get to get married to royal prince in modern era. Prince is love with some other girl and prince’s cousin who also attends same high school as prince and girl falls in love with her to complicate matters further.

Heart Strings:

Set at an art university, the youth romance drama “Festival” depicts the sweat and tears of students who run towards their dreams of love and friendship. It includes modern as well tradition Korean music.

Tree Of Heaven:

Bright and optimistic Japanese teenager Hana (Park Shin-hye) lives at a small hot springs inn owned by her mother. When her mother decides to marry a Korean man, she tries her best to reach out to her odd, introverted stepbrother-to-be Yoon Seo (Lee Wan) more than one way. Story takes place in high school and continues after graduation.

White Christmas:

Deep in the mountains of Gangwon, the private, elite Soo-sin High School is attended by the top 1% of students in the country. Their stellar marks are the result of constant pressure and a strict punishment system, to the point where students avoid any activities outside of studying. It is in this atmosphere that seven students and a teacher remain at school for the winter break, joined by Kim Yo-han, a psychiatrist who was forced to take shelter with them from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day.

Jungle Fish:

A drama about school life that sheds light on the serious issue of cheating and falsifying grades, as well as the stress of entrance exams at ruthlessly competitive South Korean high schools.

Winter Sonata:

Story starts off as high school sweet and innocent romance between main leads and supportive characters. Story moves 10 years later to what happens in their lives.

The Heirs:

The Heirs also takes place in elite high school and stars Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye. But unlike Lee Min Ho character from Boys Over Flowers, here Lee Min Ho’s Character Kim Tan is more mature and level headed person,.

Reply 1994:

Set in 1994, six university students from various provincial areas (Jeolla Province, Chungcheong Province, and Gyeongsang Province) live together at a boarding house in Sinchon, Seoul, which is run by a couple with a daughter named Na-jung. The timeline moves back and forth between the past in 1994 and the present in 2013.

January 15, 2014February 2, 2014

Top Japanese Dramas To Watch

Japanese television drama also called dorama, are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others. Japanese drama series are broadcast in three-month seasons, with new dramas airing each season.

Japan has four television seasons: Winter (January–March), Spring (April–June), Summer (July–September), and Autumn or Fall (October–December). Some series may start in another month though it may still be counted as a series of a specific season. One characteristic of Japanese drama that differentiates it is that each episode is usually shot only a few (two to three) weeks before it is actually aired. Many fans have been able to visit their idols shooting scenes even as the show is still airing.

My love of Japanese drama started slowly, from a few Korean drama and Taiwanese dramas based on Japanese Manga and based on other drama lover’s recommendations. Many of the Japanese drama are based on Manga and high school based where teacher is trying to make difference to life of students. Some of the Japanese drama are down right funny.

Zenkai Girl:

Devoted to becoming an international lawyer, Ayukawa Wakaba is full of ambition. Her hard work pays off when she lands a job at an international law firm, but to her disappointment, the first prestigious assignment that is given to her is to babysit the boss’ 5 year old daughter, Hinata. Wakaba loathes kids and nursing, but unwillingly takes on the job as she is fixated on wealth and success.

One day when she goes to a preschool to pick up Hinata, she meets a man named Yamada Sota. Sota is a man without higher education, wealth, or a future goal, someone that Wakaba absolutely cannot stand, the complete opposite of her ideals. Once again, contrary to her will, she ends up looking after Hinata and a few other kids along with Sota. Despite being exhausted from all the first-time experiences in child care, Wakaba begins to realize what is truly important to her. A heart-warming comedy about work, relationships and love.

Click here to get and see Zenkai Girl with English subtitle

Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend):

Riiko is a girl unlucky in love. One day a strange-looking salesman gives her a business card for a website that sells “love figures” (androids designed for love-making). On the spur of the moment and without really understanding the implications, Riiko orders one for a 3-day free trial.

She forgets to return him before the deadline, and must then work out some way to return the one million debt she now owes without anyone discovering about this embarrassing secret. Meanwhile, robot boy also develops real feeling of love for Rikko. Love between a Robot and human can be possible? Watch it in Japanese Manga, which will make you root for Robot!

Click here to get Absolute Boyfriend with English Subtitles

Hana Yori Dango

This is a 2005 Japanese TV series based on manga Hana Yori Dango was serialized in Shueisha’s bi-weekly Margaret magazine from October 1992 to September 2003. This manga has been remade in Korean (Boys Over Flowers), Taiwan ( Meteor Garden and Meteor Garden II) , Japan (Hana Yori Dango Retruns 2007) and bad US version ( Boys before Friends). Story is about Makino Tsukushi who is a tough, hard-working, middle-class student at the prestigious escalator school Eitoku Gakuen. The elite school is ruled by the F4 or Flower Four, composed of playboys Nishikado Soujiro and Mimasaka Akira, introverted Hanazawa Rui and violent and bratty Domyouji Tsukasa. The F4, sons of Japan’s wealthiest and most powerful tycoons, bully fellow students out of boredom or malevolence until they are expelled or quit. The courtship between Tsukasa and Tsukushi is the main theme throughout the series. Various challenges threaten their blossoming relationship including Tsukushi’s wavering feelings for Rui, the envy of fellow Eitoku students, an obsessed childhood classmate, their differences in social class, Tsukasa’s brash and possessive nature, and the animosity of Domyouji Kaede, Tsukasa’s mother.

Click here to learn more about Hana Yori Dango

Majo no Jōken:

This drama aired in 1999. It revolves around Michi, a 26 years old high school teacher and 17 years old Hikaru and their love. As their relationship grows they realize that they both feel that they have lost themselves to the pressures of those around them, and it is this common bond that draws them dangerously close. What follows is a heart-wrenching story of forbidden love where Michi must face society’s judgement for corrupting a minor, abandoning her fiance, and disappointing her parents and co-workers. It was an interesting and forbidden love theme for 1999 time.

Click here for more information on Majo no Jōken

Orange Days:

This 2004 Japanese drama just popped up in search when I was watching another Japanese drama in youtube. When I searched the plot line, it looked interesting so I watched it. Yuuki Kai (Tsumabuki) is a senior at a university studying social welfare psychology and trying to find a job. One day, he encounters a girl, Hagio Sae (Shibasaki), playing the violin, and becomes intrigued. He eventually discovers that she has lost her hearing, and can now only communicate using Japanese Sign Language. Before they reveal what they think about each other, Sae and Kai must overcome a lot of barriers. They both become stronger along the way, finding their goals.

Click here to find out more about Orange Days

Proposal Daisakusen (Operation: Love)

Ken Iwase is at his friend, Rei Yoshida’s, marriage ceremony. However, he still loves her and regrets not having confessed his feelings towards her. A fairy helps him and lets him travel back in time and try one more time to get Rei’s heart. The lead protagonist of this drama. Ken’s biggest regret is never being able to confess his feelings to his Rei. Rei calls him Ken-Zou as a term of endearment. He was on the baseball team in high school and is currently a salesperson for electronic whiteboards. During Rei’s wedding, he is given the chance to relive key moments of his life by entering into different photos in one of the presentations. He is extremely kind-hearted, even helping Tetsuya Tada knowing that in the future, Tada will be his main rival for Rei’s affection

In each episode, Ken travels to each photo that will appear in the slideshow that Mikio made, so that he can correct his regrets in each photo. Will he be able to change the past? Does time wait for anyone?

Click here to get: Operation: Love With English Subtiles

Hana Kimi:

The drama is based on the popular comic of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya. I had seen the Korean Version of drama called “To Beautiful You” first even though Japanese manga and series came first. So, I had to check out the original version of the drama and I was not disappointed to watch this series with funny moments and made me a fan of Japanese drama.

Horikita plays the protagonist Ashiya Mizuki, a Japanese girl in the United States who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi compete in the high jump on television. She begins to idolize him. Sano gets injured one day in America while trying to help Mizuki escape from some gangsters. He stops high jumping ever since. Mizuki blames herself for the incident and decides to go to Japan and help Sano find his love for high jumping.

Click here to get Hana Kimi with English Subtitles

GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka:

Eikichi Onizuka is in his early twenties, never had girl friend or relationship and ex gang member.One day he meets a girl, who agrees to gi out with him and later to hotel with him. Onizuka fails to sleep with her when her older boyfriend and teacher shows up and she leaps from window to leave with that teacher. Onizuka, upon seeing this display of a teacher’s power over girls, decides to become a teacher himself. While he is earning his teaching degree, he learns he has a conscience and morals so he won’t be able to take an advantage of innocent and impressionable school girls but good looking moms to those schoolgirls are different matters. He enjoys teaching and, most of the time, he teaches life lessons rather than the routine schoolwork.

He sets out to become the greatest teacher ever, using his own brand of philosophy and the ability to do nearly anything when under enough pressure. He is hired as a long-shot teacher by a privately operated school, in Kichijōji, to tame a class. He embarks on a mission of self-discovery by breaking through to each student one-by-one, and helping each student to overcome their problems and learn to genuinely enjoy life.

Click here for more information on Great Teacher Onizuka

Rich Man, Poor Woman:

It is a modern Cinderella Story take between a rich guy and poor girl, a staple for many Asian Drama. Oguri Shun plays Hyuga Toru, an affluent CEO of an IT company whose personality with many flaws. A A woman who meets Toru and eventually becomes attracted to him is Sawaki Chihiro, played by Ishihara Satomi. Chihiro is a hardworking college student at Tokyo University who is looking for a job. Upon meeting Toru, she begins to unravel a genuine pureness inside him and solitude resulting from such pureness, which eventually draws her closer to him. The two repeatedly conflict each other, but little by little learn about one another to grow and develop together.

Click here for more information on Rich Man Poor Woman Japanese Drama

Ouran High School Host Club:

In the story, high school freshman Haruhi pretends to be a boy so that she can take part in the wealthy school’s Host Club, to which she owes a large debt.

Scholarship student Haruhi Fujioka has made the grade for the super-elite Ouran High School. Looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi runs into the six member Host Club – filthy rich young men with too much time on their hands who entertain filthy rich young women who also have too much time on their hands. Unfortunately, Haruhi accidentally breaks a very expensive vase they were going to use to raise money – and has to pay it off by joining the club. The catch? Haruhi is a girl. So begins her crossdressing adventures with Tamaki Suoh, the loud and overdramatic fearless leader; Kyoya Ohtori, the calculating veep who’s the most normal of the group; Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin, the mischievous, funloving twins whose world is turned upside down when Haruhi becomes the first person who can tell them apart.

Click here to get Ouran High School Host Club

Mei-chan No Shitsuji:

The plot seems like a typical and ordinary story however the drama actually is beautiful and has many comedic scenes. Only thing I would that English subtitles were translated bit poor, even non-native speaker would find. The story revolves around a young woman named Mei, who was rescued as a young girl by someone calling himself her “butler.” With only a vague memory, though, the experience seems like just a dream.

But one day, after her parents’ accidental death, he appears: Rihito comes from a line of outstanding butlers, and he has been appointed to serve her! Now her ordinary life has completely flipped, as she discovers that she’s actually the heiress to a fortune, and is forced to transfer to St. Lucia Girls’ Academy, where all the students have butlers! As a result, her childhood friend Kento decides to enroll in a butler school so that he can stay close to her.

Click here to get Mei-chan No Shitsuji With English Subtitles

Pet Lover / Kimi wa Petto:

Smart, successful and good-looking Iwaya Sumire works for a big newspaper. However, her boss asks her to leave for being too “perfect” a woman. Feeling angry and dejected Iwaya returns home depressed, and most of all lonely.

However, when she finds an unconscious young man lying in a box out the front of her home and takes him in. He looks like a dog she used to own called Momo. She dubs him Momo and decides to “keep him as a pet.” It’s the start of an unexpected life together as they overcome obstacles and become quite attached to one another. But can love like this exist?

The plot sounds corny to me, but when I watched it, this was a very fun and sweet romantic comedy that should appeal to many people.

Click here to get Pet Lover / Kimi wa Petto With English Subtitles

BOKU TO STAR NO 99 NICHI:

An inconspicuous body guard Namiki Kohei (Nishijima Hidetoshi) is assigned to be a body guard to a mega Korean super star, Han Yuna (Kim Tae Hee). Kohei is less than ordinary, a single man almost 40 in age working part time at a security company. Despite his kind and attractive looks, he is surrounded by people who boss him around with unreasonable demands.He keeps a dream to himself, a desire to someday become an astronomer and find his very own star. He justifies not being able to fulfill this dream to lack of funds and issues with his family.

Han Yuna, on the other hand, while having a perfect face and body, loves to eat junk food. She also has a kind heart for helping others in need. While every aspect of her life may seem like a girl’s dream come true, she feels a certain solitude being in the entertainment industry. As Kohei and Han Yuna come closer and closer to each other, they become an inseparable couple, discovering true love. Where will the couple end up after the contracted 99 days? A heart-warming love comedy that will make you realize once again how precious love can be

Click here to get BOKU TO STAR NO 99 NICHI With English Subtitles

Trick Japanese Drama:

This 2000 Japanese TV series based on novelizations and meta-fiction novels about a failed magician and an arrogant physicist who debunks fraudulent spiritualists. It stars Hiroshi Abe and Yukie Nakama. 23-year-old Naoko Yamada (Yukie Nakama) considers herself a talented magician, she is continuously fired and broke. Before firing her, her manager shows Yamada an ad for a physics professor, Jiro Ueda (Hiroshi Abe), a non-believer of all things magical, offering money to anyone who can prove to him that magic is real. Desperately needing the money, Naoko accepts the challenge, which is how she comes to meet Professor Ueda. Falling prey to her simple magic tricks, Ueda is impressed, and enlists the reluctant Naoko to help him uncover the tricks behind a local cult. Soon, they are debunking spiritualists. Eventually Ueda develops a reputation for solving supernatural cases, but his secret weapon is Yamada, who hates the work but needs the money.

Click here for more information on Trick Japanese Drama

Liar Game:

Liar game is interesting and intelligent drama about a few people chosen to play game, where they can lose or win big. At the start of the manga, a scrupulously honest college student named Nao Kanzaki – receives a package containing 100 million yen (about 1 million dollars) and a note that she is now a contestant in the Liar Game Tournament. In this fictional tournament, contestants are encouraged to cheat and lie to obtain other contestants’ money; those who lose have to bear a tremendous debt. When Nao’s first opponent – a trusted former teacher – steals her money, she seeks assistance from a con man named Shinichi Akiyama. Though they manage to defeat him, Nao and Akiyama decide to buy out his debt and advance through different rounds of the Liar Game Tournament against merciless contestants, while at the same time attempting to free their opponents from debt and to defeat the Liar Game organization from within.

Click here for more information on Liar Game

Surely I see more Korean Dramas but there are many good Japanese, Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Chinese Dramas that are fun to watch. If I find right dramas and with good English Subtitles I am going to try to see more good dramas. Which Japanese dramas you have seen that you like?

If you want to know more Japanese dramas to watch click here: Japanese Drama with English Subtitles

January 10, 2014January 3, 2014

Where To Watch Asian Drama?

Korean Drama: I Hear Your Voice Poster

I get asked this question sometimes, even when I started first watching Korean and other Asian Dramas, I too had similar question. While, I am no way an expert still, I found a few ways to watch Asian drama with English subtitles. Without subtitles, I can not understand much. I now know a few Korean Phrases but nothing remotely will make sense. Although, I do admit, sometimes, I have watched drama without subtitles as I had been too impatient to wait.

There are a few ways to watch Korean Drama:

1) Cable TV or Asian Network: A friend of mine, gets Cable network and she sometimes gets Variety shows and drama with English subtitles but it has not worked for me. So check it out, sometimes free local channels may provide Korean or other Asian network shows on certain days of week at some specific times based on local area.

2) Netflix: Netflix is best source of many Asian Drama and movies. I like that you can put your choices in Queue and it will keep coming to your house and you can mail it back from your house. Pretty convenient for lazy person like me and Netflix has many Korean, Taiwanese, Thai, Indian, Chinese Drama and movie to choose from.

3) Local library: If you live in area where is large Asian population, local library might be carrying Asian movies and drama. Not all may have English subtitles so check it. If you find it, you will get to see Asian, Korean dramas for free from your local library.

4) Local Asian DVD Rental store: In my area, there are a few Korean DVD rental place, where I can rent Drama but not all may have English subtitles so ask and you might get lucky.

5) Ask Kdrama Viewer friend: I have one friend who watches it, sometimes we borrow each other Drama series that we have purchased. For example, I have Rooftop prince, and she has other ones so we borrow each others sometimes.

6) View Instantly from Amazon: You can instantly watch some movies and drama as cheaply as 99 cents and more or you can buy dvd series for home. I have actually bought 4 Korean drama series via Amazon, as they are largest and trusted online retailer and carry many drama with English subtitles.

7) Watch it Online: I have kept best for last, as almost everyone (at least most) people have internet access at home or can get it at library or internet cafe, starbucks so watching online is easiest method for most people. Where in online to see it?

You tube: You tube sometimes has whole Korean and other Asian Drama complete series with English subtitles. Only bad thing is you have to search and it might not be there next day.
Dramafever: Drama fever has the most largest selection of Korean, Taiwanese drama. You have to either watch with ad or pay for membership. You can pretty much find any Drama you’re looking for in there.
Hulu: Somes you can finds whole Korean Drama and Movies on Hulu.com
Viki.com : I like Viki.com, the subbers usually work very hard to sub the new episode in a day or less. My favorite is timed comments at the top. You have pay membership or watch with ads.
Good Drama: This website has lot of Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese Movies and drama and anime as well. It runs on ads or paid subscription.
Han Cinema: I recently found out that you can watch it on Han cinema, but basically it links to Dramafever website.
Crunchy Roll: It has many Asian drama, anime as well
Veoh:This website is great for older drama and TV shows. Many has English subtitles.
Dramacrazy: Many Korean, Japanese Dramas and movies

Other Online Live Streaming websites:

I have not tried following websites, but writing it here for information as having an option where to see Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese Drama:

KoreanDrama. TV
Chia Anime Drama
epdrama.com
Drama.net
Mysoju.com (it seems defunct site now)
Drama Sub

Do you know any other ways to watch Korean drama, movies? Let me know in comments. I will update list as I know more ways to watch drama for you.

January 8, 2014January 1, 2014

Take KDrama Fan Quiz

Take Quiz To See If You Are True Kdrama Fan. How do you know you are Korean Drama fan?

Quiz Questions includes;
1. Korean Language Test
2. What is Gumiho?
3. Match Lee Min Ho’s Face shade with Correct Drama (This is tough!)
4. Another Name of Namsan Tower (Popular Kdrama place)
5. Match Halmoni’s picture with correct grandson actor
6. Why do Kdrama character come to US?
7. Which is best place to hide if you are in Kdrama?
8. Which statues has most cameo’s in Kdrama?
9.This stuffed animal comes in which kdrama?
10. Which airport is used most to fly to America in Kdrama?

Check your answers and points and see where you stand. Good luck.

How Did you do?

Source: MCM