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Forever the Moment (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Moon So Ri (Actor)
| Cho Eun Ji (Actor)
| Kim Jung Eun (Actor)
| Lim Soon Rye (Director)
When it comes to typical sports dramas, the plot usually begins with a team of underdogs who end up reaching the finals after conquering insurmountable obstacles. Forever the Moment is no different from its predecessors, but the film does a fine job of overcoming its awfully predictable story by offering enough genuine emotional uplift and good, tasteful humor. Inspired by the true story of the 2004 Olympics Korea Women's National Handball Team, the story begins with a team of exuberant players celebrating their victory at the women's handball league's championship game in front of empty stands. Clearly handball is not one of Korea's most popular sports. And not a moment too soon, the cold... [read more]
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Money War (DVD) (End) (Multi-audio) (English Subtitled) (SBS TV Drama) (Malaysia Version)
Park Shin Yang (Actor)
| Park Jin Hee (Actor)
I love Korean dramas but I must admit I do get tired of the same old formula now and then. So when SBS kicked off its early summer lineup with Money War (a.k.a. Money's Warfare) in 2007, I was pleasantly surprised by what I now consider to be by far one of the most unique Korean dramas I have seen in years. In its groundbreaking blend of comedy, tragedy, and social satire, Money War tells a heartening tale of ordinary citizens who suffer from major debt hangovers. They often fall prey to unscrupulous moneylenders who charge extortionate interest rates, which in turn traps them in a vicious cycle of debt. And it doesn't get any better as these bloodsucking sharks will use every possible means... [read more]
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On Air OST (SBS TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack
| Song Yoon Ah
| Park Yong Ha
| FTIsland
It's been awhile since I came across a drama that really caught my attention - so much so that I fell in love with its soundtrack as well. A drama within a drama, On Air takes you behind the making of a fictional Korean soap opera while dissecting the intricacies involved in carrying out a TV production. The story revolves around the personal and professional lives of four key players in TV entertainment - an actress (Kim Ha Neul), a manager (Kim Bum Soo), a writer (Song Yoon Ah), and a director (Park Yong Ha). By offering heaps of hilarious parodies and flashy cameo appearances by stars like Jeon Do Yeon, Lee Seo Jin, and Lee Hyo Lee, the drama instantly became somewhat of a sensation in... [read more]
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My Father (DVD) (Director's Cut) (Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Kim Young Cheol
| Daniel Henney
Clearly, there is more to Daniel Henney than meets the eye, but that wasn't always the case. This drop dead gorgeous model-turned-actor became the symbol of metro chic after the massive popularity of My Lovely Sam-Soon, the 2005 Korean drama that marked Henney's first acting gig. With his instant stardom came a flurry of typecast roles that naturally focused on his obvious assets, but My Father alters his career trajectory. My Father does for Daniel Henney what Friend did for Jang Dong Gun and King and The Clown for Lee Jun Ki. Henney stars as James Parker, a Korean-born American adoptee who volunteers for the U.S. Forces in Korea to look for his biological parents. His journey is soon met... [read more]
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Baek Ji Young Single - Gypsy's Tears
Baek Ji Young
Sometimes when I'm really down, what gets me going is a strong, heavy dose of depressing music. Sounds rather kooky, but these sad songs actually work their magic by turning their ears to my private sobs, becoming very much like my dream therapist - effective and cheap. In my own collection of therapeutic songs are many of Baek Ji Young's ballads including all three tracks from her latest mini album Gypsy's Tears. While her earlier hits were predominantly Latin-influenced dance numbers, Baek successfully transformed from a sexy dancing queen to a ballad diva with her 2006 hit Sarang ahn hae("I Won't Love") which drowned me in a flood of tears for days. The reason behind her appeal goes... [read more]
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Davichi Vol. 1 - Amaranth
Davichi
A few weeks ago, I lost my voice due to a nasty cold. Though weeks of fatigue and sleep deprivation drove me bonkers, one good thing came out of the misery - the husky voice that I had always wanted. Quickly preparing myself for what I envisioned to be my best karaoke performance, I started making a mental list of those who bear the likeness to my newfound sexiness. Several artists crossed my mind such as Lee Hyo Ri, Baek Ji Young, Park Hwayobi, and of course, Davichi. A female pop and R&B duo consisting of members Lee Hae Ri and Gang Min Kyung, Davichi made their debut in early 2007 with Amaranth. The richness of their distinctive, husky vocal timbre and the depth of emotions give the duo... [read more]
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Ratatouille (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Brad Bird
I watched Ratatouille with a 3-year old who is currently obsessed with super heroes. Hey, want to watch a movie about a rodent who becomes a super chef? "Yeah, hee!" came the big response; whereas I cringed at the idea. What will Pixar think of next? A cockroach barista? Rats conjure up images of the Great Plague, disease, and so forth - nothing too positive. To see a whole army of rats swarming around the sacred kitchen is not my ideal night of entertainment, but that's exactly what happens in this brave new animation. Having an extremely keen sense of taste as well as a passion for culinary arts, you can say, Remy is not your average rat. But in a world driven by humans, an eccentric rat... [read more]
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Kang Chae E Vol. 1 - Addicted To Love
Kang Chae E
Some people just have the knack for picking out the next American Idol out of a massive pool of contestants - me. From Kelley and Ruben, to Fantasia and Taylor, I nailed them as the winner right from the get-go - along with millions of other viewers, right? Recently, I came across a new singer discovered by Yang Hyun Suk and I knew exactly why the renowned producer had given this young girl a shot at her own music. Her name is Kang Chae E which bears the meaning of "two colors", or even "diverse colors". Incidentally, her musical talent is just that - multi-faceted. (A reminder to all would-be-parents: put some careful thoughts into naming your child). Filled with down-to-earth folk ballads... [read more]
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Ju Mong - Prince of the Legend (DVD) (Vol.1 of 7) (Multi-audio) (MBC TV Drama) (Taiwan Version)
Chun Kwang Ryul (Actor)
| Oh Yeon Soo (Actor)
| Song Il Kook (Actor)
| Han Hye Jin (Actor)
If anything, Jumong was one of the best history lessons I've had in years - an eye opener for a period that until now served merely as a little footnote in Korean history. I, along with more than half the majority of Korean viewers, made Jumong the highest-rated drama in 2006-2007. Coinciding with Sino-Korean strife over China's 2002 declaration that designates Gorguryeo as part of Chinese heritage, Jumong sparked a newfound interest in the earlier part of Korean history and a strong national pride. This fusion epic chronicles the life of Jumong (later known as King Dongmyeongseong), the legendary founder of the Gorguryeo Dynasty which expanded beyond the Korean peninsula into the vast land... [read more]
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Return (DVD) (Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Kim Myung Min
| Yoo Jun Sang
| Kim Yoo Mi
| Kim Tae Woo
If you are due for major surgery anytime soon, it is strongly advisable not to watch Return. Though there are those who dont mind watching Final Destination before flying or recycling Titanic during a carnival cruise, don't blame me for not having warned you. Return opens up with the bone chilling tale of a screaming boy who, despite having been put under general anesthesia, stays fully conscious during his operation. Unable to communicate to the doctors as he is paralyzed from the muscle relaxant, the boy experiences unimaginable pain and explicit recollection of surgical details that subsequently lead to post-traumatic nightmares and killings. This frightening paranormal condition known... [read more]
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Lovers in Prague Original Soundtrack (2CD+DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack
Pictures and music go hand in hand, as seen in the well-crafted soundtracks for hit dramas like The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, Dae Jang Geum, and Winter Sonata. Another soundtrack that beautifully renders its partner's appeals is the Lovers in Prague OST. A contemporary Korean version of Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday, Lovers In Prague sees recently crowned Cannes queen Jeon Do Yeon playing Korea's First Daughter who falls in love with a quirky but charming detective portrayed deftly by Kim Joo Hyuk. Speaking of love that conquers all, Lovers in Prague entrances you into the romantic, historical atmosphere of Prague for which the drama does an excellent job as tour guide. Musical director... [read more]
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Koyote - Dance Best and 9.5
Koyote
Famous for their trademark catchy dance/pop songs reminiscent of '80s music, Koyote has emerged as the genre's enduring darling over the last decade. Their long standing career stems from the ability to retain mainstream appeal with their addictive sounds, unassuming and down-to-earth mannerism, dynamic and vibrant stage performances, and last but not least, Shinji, their lone female member and the group's lead vocalist. Almost ten years have passed since she made her singing debut at the tender age of 18, but Shinji certainly needs no tuning up. The multi-talented singer digests every high key with such ease and finesse, delivering her signature husky, splitting tones whenever needed. Not... [read more]
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Tazza: The High Rollers (AKA: War of Flowers) (Special Edition) (Korea Version)
Kim Hye Su
| Cho Seung Woo
| Baek Yoon Shik
| Choi Dong Hun
Very few movies can live up to their hype, but Tazza: The High Rollers does its job in delivering the goods. Based on Heo Young Man's popular comic book of the same name, Tazza (which means "master of tricks") is a gripping, dynamic, high-stakes tale set in the organized gambling world of hwatoo, a traditional Korean card game. It depicts the fast lifestyle of underground gamblers and their propensity for ruthless violence and decadence. Goni (Cho Seung Woo) loses his life savings to an infamous card sharp in a rigged game of hwatoo. Enraged, he roams around the country searching for the very man who cheated him. Along the way, he runs into Pyung Kung Jang (Baek Yoon Shik), a legendary... [read more]
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Thank You (DVD) (End) (English Subtitled) (MBC TV Drama) (US Version)
Kong Hyo Jin
| Jang Hyuk
| Kang Boo Ja
| Shin Sung Rok
Who hasn't had a painful experience in their life? It seems with every hardship comes the challenge of testing your mental limit. Often times, remedy is found in the simple things in life - and in TV dramas! Introducing Thank You, an exceptionally well-crafted tale about human endurance and hope that aims to lift up one's broken spirit. The story begins with Ki Seo (Jang Hyuk), a distraught, self-loathing doctor who wanders into a tiny rural community where tough, spirited single mother Young Shin (Kong Hyo Jin) lives with her HIV-positive young daughter Bom (Seo Shin Ae) and Alzheimer's-stricken grandfather Mr. Lee (Shin Goo). Young Shin does everything to ensure that Bom is allowed to live... [read more]
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Brown Eyes Vol. 1 - Already a year...
Brown Eyes
There are very few albums out there that you can listen to over and over again and never feel the need to push the skip through button. This is just that album. The originator of the Korean mid-tempo R&B ballad, Brown Eyes offers a good blend of Korean sentiments and R&B soul music. Their soulful sound stands out amongst the monotonous humdrum of R&B. Earning themselves a diverse fan base, the duo set the stage for the birth of a mid-tempo ballad phenomenon in Korea. Undoubtedly, current chart-topping ballad groups like SG Wannabe, See Ya, and KCM owe a great debt to Brown Eyes. In the wake of pop heavyweights like Kim Gun Mo, Brown Eyes' 2001 debut album Already a year... ranking in at #5... [read more]
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Fearless (Director's Cut) (Hong Kong Version)
Jet Li (Actor)
| Nakamura Shido (Actor)
| Harada Masato (Actor)
| Collin Chou (Actor)
No disrespect to Jet Li, but after watching a string of his past movies like Unleashed (2005), The One (2001), and Romeo Must Die (2000), my impression of the actor was limited to his martial arts skills. Honestly, how I ended up seeing Fearless was nothing short of a coincidence. Basically, it boiled down to two choices: lousy first row seats for Pirates of the Caribbean 2, or a three-hour wait until the next screening of Perhaps Love. Then there was Fearless offering ample seats; thus began my rediscovery of Jet Li. Touted as Jet Li's last film in the martial arts genre, Fearless chronicles the life of legend Huo Yuan Jia who found the progressive Jing Wu Sports Federation at the turn of... [read more]
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Secret Sunshine (DVD) (Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Jeon Do Yeon
| Song Kang Ho
| Lee Chang Dong
At first glance, Secret Sunshine seemed like a movie too heavy to swallow. The brilliant Song Kang Ho, no-nonsense director Lee Chang Dong, actress Jeon Do Yeon who clinched the Best Actress award at Cannes for her role as a mother of a murdered son, and theology. From the start, Secret Sunshine was going to be an emotionally drenching movie requiring hours of recovery time. The story begins with a widow and her son. Shin Ae (Jeon Do Yeon) and her only son, Joon move into a small provincial city called Miryang, which literally translates to "secret sunshine". It is here in her deceased husband's hometown that she and her son start a new life. She meets Jong Chan (Song Kang Ho), a charming... [read more]
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The Legend (AKA: Four Gods) OST (MBC TV Drama)
Korean TV Series Soundtrack
| Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ)
Four Gods OST is one to gush over and rave about. Almost all of its 19 tracks (and I will explain later why I say "almost") are bathed in the mystical warmth of a historical fantasy. It offers plenty of evocative sounds that capture the essence of this year's blockbuster drama Four Gods (a.k.a. The Legend) starring Bae Yong Joon (Winter Sonata). The instrumental score is definitely pleasurable on its own as orchestral music. Although the songs will resonate better if you have watched the drama, the score alone tells the whole story. The score for the drama has been raising eyebrows ever since Four Gods first aired in September of 2007. Joe Hisaishi, arguably Japan's most prolific and... [read more]
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Alone in Love (English Subtitled) (SBS TV Series)
Gam Woo Sung
| Son Ye Jin
| Gong Hyung Jin
| Oh Yoon Ah
"...then they lived happily ever after. The end." Ah, if only life could imitate art in that sense, then there would be no tears, no heartaches, umm...no Oprah. Maybe that is why love is so complicated - so people can indulge in their guilty pleasure of watching someone else's love life in shambles. Some say love is momentary, like a flashing light with only the memories and unbroken promises prolonging the experience. Others ask why people bother defining love - it's overrated! Fortunately, Alone In Love offers heaps of realistic insights into not only love but marriage and divorce, minus the usual pop-ins by chaebol, scandalous affairs, or melodramatic deaths. With a cast like Son Ye Jin... [read more]
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Kim Gun Mo vol.7 - Another days...
Kim Gun Mo
No, this is not the latest release by Kim Gun Mo. But start digging into your memory all the way back to the year 2001. Remember the song "I'm Sorry"? If you just said yes, then you must be as old as I am! In those days, you could not walk the streets of Seoul without hearing Kim Gun Mo's hit song "I'm Sorry", or step into a karaoke without seeing a middle-aged man chugging down soju while serenading "I'm Sorry" to his wife, who was probably leaving her twentieth "where-the-heck-are-you?" message on his mobile phone. The all time best selling album in Korean history to this date goes to Kim Gun Mo's third album Wrongful Meeting, which has sold over 2 million copies in 1995. Kim's success has... [read more]
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