Reviews written by numinair
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Lost and Found (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Lost and Found (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(2)Our Price: US$27.99List: US$33.99Save: US$6.00 (18%)Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:April 30, 2009 Jin-hee Park is tops as Ji Ho!The first movie I ever caught with Jin-hee Park was the moderate and charming “Promenade” and then under rated “Byul” and from these seedlings of her formative acting career Jin-hee’s since burst far more into the large arena with movies “Shadows in the Palace” and the TV drama “Money’s Warfare” and easy to see why as her acting talent is excellent. In genre she can drama, comedy, romance brilliantly and all with sharp equal measure! Jin-hee does it brilliantly again here too, and performs one exceedingly engaging and funny character as Ji Ho, a troubled and distressed single woman who feels so distraught that she’s destined never to find love, that she gets exceedingly drunk, and makes her point very loudly with concerned and ear bashed friends. All due to never succeeding to ask a boy out in her formative school years.
In flashbacks to her school years, Ji Ho had wanted to date Min Woo (Ki Woo Lee). But just at the moment of courage she sees MinWoo walk off with another girl, which breaks her heart. Ji Ho sends him an affectionate fluffy pink elephant in the mail, but never sees Min-woo again for 10 years. But in her adult years Jo Ho ‘bumps’ literally into the boy of her school hood dreams (now a successful interior designer) as Ji Ho accidentally hits and flies over the bonnet of Min-woo’s car while chasing a thief who’d stolen her handbag. Seeing this crossed path of fate as a window of opportunity not to be missed, Ji Ho (a little bit bruised but her heart pounding desperately ten to the dozen) immediately attempts to obtain Min-woo’s sympathy and favor (with frantic and worrying fervor) by telling big fibbies that the car accident had given her amnesia, so to obliging cause Min-woo to help her to regain her memory. Dong Sik (Hun Sun Jo) though whose shacked up with Ji Ho and her brother, is secretly in love with Ji Ho, proving that Ji Ho could be a bit wrong about getting frantic that a man (especially Min-woo) will never marry her.
Jin-hee’s character is superbly crafted here, with Ji Ho using amusing verve and eccentric desperation to find love. Extras wise, a number of deleted scenes are included, the always worth watching Poster Shoots plus some video footage of Jin-hee and Ki-woo making the MV song. Brown Eyed Girls also make an appearance in a recording studio session on a vocal version of the second MV. All worth seeing!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Davichi Vol. 1.5 - Vivid Summer Edition
Davichi Vol. 1.5 - Vivid Summer Edition
(8)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$18.99Save: US$5.00 (26%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:April 28, 2009 Play VersatilityTo answer the concern of playing Davichi’s CD on portable players I can say that I have these songs already on my PSP magic gate thingy, so no worries getting this CD for an MP3 player. You don’t have to blow the dust off your CD portables to carry Davichi around with you. It could also be possible to ‘record’ the mixed versions of the songs using Windows Recorder (need 16 bit sound though at least) for the M2 player multi tracks, so to add instrumental versions to a Davichi song collection.
Just for interest I have also the Davichi original "Armaranth" version now which also could be of interest as it comes in a DVD case with a card slip cover (similar to See Ya’s California Dream CD) and not the traditional jewel case. Doesn't have the remix song though.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Summer Whispers (DVD) (Korea Version)
Summer Whispers (DVD) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$27.99List: US$33.99Save: US$6.00 (18%)Related promotions:April 27, 2009 Communication to UnderstandingYoung Jo (Young Eun Lee), is a graduation student who is asked by her college professor (Jung Won Choi) to categorize his personal book collection for charitable use, while he’s away visiting his son in America. At his home Young Jo discovers an old typewriter and a wad of letters the professor wrote to his wife in his early days which intrigues Young Jo to read them. Along with a Siamese cat that brings Young Jo out in sneezing fits (which prompts Young Jo to shove the cat around with a broom), she also finds dissatisfied messages left on the typewriter by Yun Soo (Suk Jin Ha), a young man working at a flower shop who also assists the professor to attend his wife's plant orchids, often visiting the house to do this in Young Jo’s absence.
Although the DVD cover suggests romantic liaisons, “Summer Whispers” is a much different type of romanticism than a mere boy meets girl scenario. Here ‘relationship’ is more fleeting and suggestive, with Young Jo (Young Eun Lee) and Yun Soo (Suk Jin Ha), elusively communicating with the other by messages left on Professor Noh’s typewriter. The story is simple and pleasant, but the simplicity has deeper and inspiring touches by the character’s difficult backgrounds. Young Jo’s parents had died at an early age, and her only mentor is professor Noh who considers Young Jo by her loss and heartfelt poetry writing. Young Jo also communicates with a sponsor to her writing, who holds compassion for Young Jo also, and loves to share the beauty of how Young Jo views life.
By Young Jo’s communications by her poetic letters, reflecting the loss of her parents, concern the plights of old age and youthfulness, and of how understanding crosses age divides where personal loss is concerned. Loss is felt strongly by young and old and symbolized here by the summer of life after the nature of ‘autumn change’, but yielding mature findings from life adversities and truer meanings of the word love. Serendipitous love. Young Jo’s poetic and kind words work for others as much as herself. The lazy Sunday cinematography and warm setting make for a pleasant watch and the subtle humor adds youthful charm here. But certainly a film that asks for sympathetic understanding.
So not the usual relationship type, and Yun Soo and Young Jo don’t even meet until the latter part of the film. But it’s a good mature film to sooth the soul and soak in all the warm summer, no doubt.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Son Dam Bi Vol. 1 - Type B
Son Dam Bi Vol. 1 - Type B
(5)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$18.99Save: US$5.00 (26%)Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
April 27, 2009 Great Saturday Night Retro-Modern K-pop![Time : 37’50]
I noticed this album features the same sound bite intro that’s been featured lately on Brown Eyed Girls recent My Style CD and After School’s mini CD and here starting off the album (plus others). “Toyoil bame - Saturday Night” [T1] is a great beginner song, too, with straight to the beat disco 80s rhythm and mixtures of RnB, Motown and 80s rock to a catchy Wonder Girls(ish) rhythm. Great refrain too! As mentioned this album is more disco, Motwon flavoured with mild techno pop and catchy mid tempo rhythms, but also having a 90s Jung Hwa Uhm cybo electronic style such as “No Sympathy” [T2], and added U-Nee Code pop such as “du beonjjae rado” [T3] and the catchy “geu manhacha” [T7] and at the far end of the more power electronic DJ dance spectrum, the two great club-dance remix deliveries “Bad Boy” [T5] and “michyeosseo ”[T6]. Dam B (reminding me of actress Si-yeon Park) delivers nice confident singing with gentle and stylish vocals. The vocal refrain in remix T6 is great! Brown Eyed Girls sound like they’re featured on the small rap part of “Bad Boy”? I’m not sure about that though.
In the main Dam B’s “Type B - Back to 80s” album is disco dance seated on moderate electronic melodies and beats, but no doubt additionally laced with a 90s to modern dance electronic sound concerning the two remixes and synth programming sounds. And what remixes here! Hardcore electro-dance, no doubt! Its not all dance disco body jive though, as “neurigi ichgi” [T4] and “tuyeong ingam” [T8] give you two gentle inclusive ballad songs with [T4] having that final romance movie fulfillment by its light rock outro. Two nice generic ballads, too, but strikingly distinct by Dam B’s nicely ranged vocals.
Another luxury booklet here, too, care of those nice people at Leon. Packaging almost similar to After Schools 1st mini, with large booklet card cover and two sets of attached photo inserts on each cover side; one featuring colour and B&W full page photos of Dam B and the other a lyric booklet with more Dam B monotone piccies! Cool. Overall a very pleasing CD. “Saturday Night” is cool and two great remix's from Dam B’s previous mini CD and although not all new songs, its certainly a top recommended K-pop CD. Certainly recommend if you like Wonder Girls et al, Jung Hwa Uhm, U-Nee, Jung Hyun Lee’s “Love Me” album, Jolin T and HK’s recent G.E.M. mini album. So if you haven’t got this yet, your Saturday night pop album awaits.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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W&Whale Vol. 1.5 - Random Tasks
W&Whale Vol. 1.5 - Random Tasks
(1)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$18.99Save: US$5.00 (26%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
April 22, 2009 W&Whale are Se-Se-Sensational![Disk Time : 41’55]
With an already award winning album (as far as I’m concerned ^_^ ) with “Hardboiled” I couldn’t wait to get my mitts on this CD. Not only another “W&Whale” album, but an electronic mix CD (well mostly) and sporting two more versions of my excellent fav song “Rocket Punch Generation”. As you’d imagine by this alone, it didn’t take many seconds before Random Tasks was e-tailing it to my shopping cart! Absolutely.
Although logical to anticipate if an album measures up to your expectations, I was confident here and after hearing this Hardboiled+ album its not only good - its megafantiastic and another CD to shower this duo with praises they deserve. W&Whale are one of Korea's greatest modern musical talents! They write additively catchy pop, funky soul ballads, hints of rock, lounge, upbeat pop and stylish synth pop, but with irony and poignant clarity. Whale as such a sweet r’n’b laced light rock voice, too, and their syrupy brilliance of upbeat song mechanics and melancholia awareness is brilliant. New bittersweet songs like “Blue” and “Dirty Jean Blues” proving that!
Certainly a more electro-pop CD considering DJ mixed versions from “Hardboiled” and by half of W&Whale sporting Kraftwerk Man Machine era red shirts. But no doubting W&Whale write very melodious and lovely songs (also writing for drama and film music). Although a ‘mix’ album with stylish new electronic versions of “R.P.G (two mixs to each Hardboiled versions) “To Young To Die” and others, this CD graces additional brilliant new mid tempo soul lounge ballads and RnB with stand outs being “Blue”, “S**t Star” [track 5] and “Dirty Jean Blues”.
Certainly my upbeat electro-synth pop fix is well catered for (thank you guys) as all mixs are great. Love “Moonlight” and “To Young To Die” Six Feet Under mix! If you want a catchy new 80’s dance tune to repeat play though, just listen to the superb “High School Sensation” (Gee! So good!). Also “Random Track #2 Sound Train” is a corker” Pure 80s synth pop at its excruciating best that puts W&Whale well within the hit makers of great synth pop. I’ve listened to Random Tasks twice so far, and would have overlook stuff, but had to mention this CD being another highly recommended upbeat K-pop album. If you like Loveholic you also can’t fail to like this. Somewhat soul, lounge and funky too. W&Whale make everyday downbeat become transformed into upbeat positveness, albeit with irony. Love W&Whale!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Romantic Island (DVD) (Korea Version)
Romantic Island (DVD) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$14.99List: US$31.99Save: US$17.00 (53%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:April 20, 2009 Isle of RomanceAlthough Korean rom-coms are aplenty, here you have a very lively, luxuriously filmed and a crowd warming romance. Plenty of lovely Philippines and Boracay island scenery, too, and with likable characters including that really nice gal Yu Jin, you’re in for a pleasant late night treat here. It’s charming, funny, and of course romantic, as you’d expect, all in a good way.
About six characters with personal problems all decide (for various reasons) to jet off to the Philippines. Pop star Ga Young (Yu Jin) due to maddening concert and recording schedules, quickly blows a raspberry to it all and grabs a flight ticket! Soo Jin (Soo Kyung Lee) makes a getaway to escape her un-appreciative boss, parents and brother. Jae Hyuk (Seon Gyun Lee) relating to his estranged father and job-on-the-line problems and Jung Hwan (Min Ki Lee) for his job improvement woes and being dumped by his girlfriend. There’s also actor Moon-sik Lee (brilliant in “Fly Daddy Fly”) whose character tragically needs a brain operation but never tells his lady friend (Il-hwa Lee), and due to impossible loan re-payments for the operation decides to go to the Philippines to end it there. Trouble is his suicide attempts go fortunately wrong.
The cast are good and I really liked the pairings. Soo Jin is extremely sunny with a happy go lucky spirit and a great tonic for more serious and moody Jae Hyuk. Yu Jin and Min Ki are the young ones favorites here and their developing romance is funny, charming and cute. Plenty of goofy parts, like Jung Hwan getting his money swiped out of his hands by a passing scooter biker and romantic bits where both shout out into the sea their silly foibles and weaknesses.
An excellent tonic to while away a summer night (or any season), and maybe even a prompt to visit the Philippines in the bargain. Certainly the cast and crew were having a ball looking at the Making Of, and with such luxury settings who can blame them. Five stars cause it’s a good spirit lifter (especially in these credit crunch times) and the cast show a good healthy vibe by the fantastic setting they worked in. These guys certainly pulled out nice long straws when cast for this movie! Especially Min Ki who gets to go with Yu Jin to the Philippines! Bonus stuff is a short making of, two trailers and a MV, but the film is a keeper as there is such fantastic scenery to enjoy. Go on, let your sofa fly to the Philippines and settle back and enjoy this great DVD romance.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Mad Moiselle Mini Album
Mad Moiselle Mini Album
(1)Our Price: US$10.99List: US$14.99Save: US$4.00 (27%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:April 20, 2009 Awesome Electro-pop[CD time : 20’07]
Mad moiselle are DJ mixers Eon and Juno with girl vocalists Kyong-un and Ha-neul providing main disco-soul and moderate rap vocals. Having combinations of techno-house dance, K-pop girl band sensibilities and industrial electronics, this CD is crucially a more left field affair (especially with the brilliant Time’s Tickin’). But essentially an incredibly diverse rhythmic techno K-pop CD, that really blew me away. Loads of imaginative mixing; crazy vibrant electronics, clever vocal usage with superb poppy soul and bass drum beats, keeping the music upbeat, but keeping to its own crazy original off kilter fashion. Songs are fully charged techno, but blended with 80s styled electronic rhythms and modern K-pop girl band vocalising (Wonder Girls, After School) care of Kyong-un and Ha-neul.
A fantastic starter track with “Oasis” merging powerful industrial bass synth beats with K-pop girl band vocals and rap, in a Franky Goes to Hollywood song style. Awesome! Track 2 is pure 80s synth pop with a classic electronic melody akin to Pet Shop Boys, with soul-disco-rap vocals. Powerful, gritty and funky. The most interesting for me though is “Time’s Tickin”, which is fantastic. Far more left field with surly influences from UK synth music writer John Foxx by the filtered electronic vocals ‘people kicking, clock ticking etc’, and some synth parts. Also bought Goldfrapp to mind. The techno rhythm is manic, funky, machine like with some intense and crazy vocalization mixes. High pitched quick vocals and insane laughter with ‘tickin, tickin, tickin’, this can become really infectious! Just brilliant! “Machine Drum” is more highly rhythmic robotic electro-pop with rap sing-a-long and childlike voice effects about digital things; computers, sequencers, dance machines and one cool track. “Princess” finishes this mini off with a more electronic K-pop girl band sound with vocal rap.
All energetic off the wall slabs of funky electronics here. Packs a stunning punch with manically crafted sound layers and kooky dubbed vocal effects. Far more synth beat and no lounge grooves, just none stop techno that doesn’t simmer down until the CD stops. K-Synth pop heaven! Even if having only a slight interest in electronica - I still strongly recommend this!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Hello Schoolgirl (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Hello Schoolgirl (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$28.99List: US$34.99Save: US$6.00 (17%)Related promotions:April 16, 2009 Tender and SweetAnother film based on the electronic manwha comics of Kang Pool (which I know absolutely zero about I’m afraid) this film is based off his cyber space work called “Love Comic”. Like similar comic book film adaptations of Kang Pool’s such as “Ba : Bo” its also another interesting and different, albeit somewhat controversial, film.
Although having sensitive age gap themes, this all comes across well as a good heart warming and amiable romance. Aside to the tentative relationship of mannered social worker Yun Woo (Ji Tae) and plucky schoolgirl Soo Young (Yeon-hee), the story plot is also fairly shared with Yun Woo's co-worker Kang Sook (Super Junior’s Kang In) and of how he’s equally smitten with photo snapping Kyung Ha (Jung Ahn Chae), a slightly older and remote woman than himself he meets at a train station. These two differing and faltering relationships constantly switch as the film progresses.
All four characters are likable making for an easy movie to appreciate and with gentle consistent pacing and a charming plot, it’s an overall pleasing viewing experience. It’s sweet, funny and charming and although having obvious iffy relationship matter, it’s so tender that it can only possibly leave you with a warm afterglow by the finish. It can work, too, as neither Soo Young nor Yun Woo are too young or too old respectively, and five years on they would be fine (aged wise) as a couple. Kang Sook is equally endearing as he also tries earnestly to win pretty Kyung Ha’s broken heart, and tries earnestly and consistently to woo her.
All 4 actors get equal measure here and Ji Tae and Yeon-hee don’t steal the show from Jung Ahn Chae and Kang In’s own touching story. Its great to see Ji Tae back on screen too. It’s common now to hear of his directorial work with a number of short films already under his belt (which I’d certainly get the DVD if ever publicly released), and I’d also read of Ji Tae’s romantic supernatural stage play he’d directed some years ago. Thumbs up and well wishes with this directing move JT! Hopefully this new orientation won’t end the acting parts though.
A film maybe showing how genuine friendship can sometimes arrive not always how we expect. Full of charm and a happy conclusion, it’s a romantic sort that you’ll love from beginning to end! A 5 star film for “Hello Schoolgirl” here.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Antique (DVD) (2-Disc) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Antique (DVD) (2-Disc) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$29.99List: US$35.99Save: US$6.00 (17%)Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:2 people found the following helpful
April 3, 2009 Camp comedy, serious drama...cakesBy Antique having such a mix of contrasting film genre types, it could make you wonder how on earth all of this would work properly. Comedy, camp, serious drama and lots of cakes? But with a well-defined script, excellent acting and a director’s skill to blend these different film types together, makes for one of the most interesting Korean films of the year.
With parallels of sorts to the recent Coffee Prince K-drama by its serving shop setting (luxurious cakes this time instead of pricey coffee), this initially begins like a typical K-comedy. But with added breezy visuals and surreal theatricals (as much from camp-it-up Jae Wook Kim as the colorful cakes), this comedy soon switches genre gear into “Daesapo Naughty Fellas” with sudden bursts of dream like Busby Berkeley musical moments, by overhead synchronized dancers and multiple scene shifting stage theatrics. These musical aspects reflect the modern ‘theatre’ of TV cooking programmes with the multi colorful variety of cakes on display, and the paraphernalia involving four very eccentric and amusing characters. Along with this showy TV type advertisement inside the renovated Antique shop, this film illustrates a type of a “Moulin Rouge” Nicole Kidman surrealism.
But aside to the comedy and song and dance music, “Antique” also as some darker plot elements relating to Jin Hyuk’s past. In fact not far off the cake eating children scenario of Korean horror “Hansel and Gretel”. But although having dark tones, this film steps along to comedy shenanigans cadence than anything else.
All four main actors are perfect in their roles; a male gay queen cake maker who loves Jin Hyuk since school days, the irrational ‘girl rejected’ cake shop owner Jin Hyuk who as Jin Hyuk running after him than women, a cake chomping ex-boxer champ who is the shops apprentice and eats most of the cakes, and a deadpan body guard fella from Jin Hyuk’s past who is the quiet slow thinking type. The four’s perfect timing and camaraderie is excellent.
No doubt a film that requires an open mind set, but considering this is not a “No Regrets” type point maker, anyone can naturally enjoy the camp comedy and drama here like most other movies. But this isn’t any other movie though, as “Antique’s” finesse and quality firmly entrenches this into a sure fire Korean classic. Could even reap some awards, too.
Excellent 2 disk too with loads of extras worth seeing even without subtitles.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Humming Urban Stereo Mini Album - Xxxx
Humming Urban Stereo Mini Album - Xxxx
(1)Our Price: US$10.99List: US$14.99Save: US$4.00 (27%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 31, 2009 Cool Disco and Soulful Lounge Electronic[CD time : 24’19 - 7 tracks]
Humming Urban Stereo is fronted by music electronic syncopate Jeereen Lee who writes, arranges and computer programs various blends of disco lounge electronic dance music, and with a good seven track set of soul, disco, funk electronic songs here with various female guest singers such as Uta and Shina-E.
Although the best musical description for this mini album would be for its strong disco style of late 90s Jung Hwa Uhm era techno dance [tracks 3-6], the music also feature an eclectic blend of jazz, funk and lounge, with additional experimentation with ‘Ayurbeda Swimming’ [track 7], to contrast the 90s synth pop disco sensibility. But ‘XXXX’ features some really good dance floor disco pop, especially title song ‘XXXX’ [track 4] with its infectious stomp electronic bass drum beat, and disco funk favoring to make for one killa dance floor song here. Other techno soul beats come care of ‘Sophie Marceau’ [track 6] ‘Electronic Girl’ [track 5] and ‘No No No’ [track 3] with similar funky disco groves and soulful singing.
The initial two opening tracks however are quite contrasting, with a more lounge, jazz easy listening style that wouldn’t be out of place in a mysterious French romance movie. ‘La Barrosa 14horas’ [track 1] for instance begins with a bossa nova beat and single trumpet jazz rhythm with added subtle electronic sounds. ‘Fetish- piel’ [track 2] also features a bossa nova beat with (like a few other songs) some cute female vocalizing and sensual lyrics, that fazes into the albums first hint of the disco beat. The final track ‘Ayurbeda Swimming’ [track 7] is a gentle but more oddly pleasant slow instrumental beat, that closes the album.
Still, if you love 80s electronic pop, the sounds of Jung Hwa Uhm’s upbeat type 90’s Korean disco, you’ll certainly like ‘No, No, No’, ‘XXXX’ ‘Sophie Marceau’ and ‘Electronic Girl’ (is this related to the film ‘A Girl with a Synthesizer’?) here, and, well, Humming Urban Stereo’s largely electronic disco album really. It as a fair bit of eclecticism about it, that fulfills the dance spirit with the additional jazz funk ambience amidst the disco soul. If you want some easy going sophistication in your dance collection, Humming Urban Stereo’s ‘XXXX’ is a good quality buy.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Davichi Vol. 1.5 - Vivid Summer Edition
Davichi Vol. 1.5 - Vivid Summer Edition
(8)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$18.99Save: US$5.00 (26%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
March 30, 2009 Essential K-Pop album + Cool Song Mixer[CD time : 53’51 mins - 13 tracks]
[also PC Computer Player Song Mix Mode]
Davichi certainly have one superb CD album here with “Amaranth”. By the fantastically emotive opener “Mulpyeong” I instantly realized why this was a top rated K-pop album. Its full of lovely soulful refrains [like tracks 4, 10] and passion filled melodies [like tracks 1, 6, 9], and cannot fail to win over an easy listening or soul pop music lover, inducing many a pleasant goose bump moment. Both Min Kyung and Haeri have gorgeously harmonious and soulful vocals, blending beautifully and passionately with each song. Importantly the composers and writers are on high form, providing solid basis for Davichi’s debut here. There's a good mix ranging from emotive Abba soul type ballads, light orchestral string infused pop and dance floor 80s electro pop [tracks 2, 3] to vary the pallet. I love the great catchy rhythmic's like “Byeol-i Ban” [track 6] with its fantastic harmonic vocal refrain and the emotive and melodic [track 9] with its Scottish, Swedish folksy feel. Highlights for me are tracks 1, 6, 9, 2, 13 and 3, but all songs are solid. Davichi in fact are similarly to See Ya and Loveholic by their film and drama song types.
This repackaged version is a DVD sized digipack with attached booklet of fashion styled photos of the girls, with lyrics and info. There's also another aspect to this CD though. Not only can you listen to “Amaranth” as a traditional audio album, you can also (via a computer) change each songs ‘track’ layer for multiple listening experiences. The disk includes an M2 player, with two tabbed modes. In Music 2.0 mode are ‘Producer Mix’, where you can either listen to the songs in original, instrumental or instrumental with chorus versions and ‘Multi Track’, which is a basic 5 track mixer that lets you check boxes to switch on or off vocals and individual instruments, or move equalizer type sliders to fade and mix the separate 5 tracks. So you can alter any song (except 3), to have specific instrument(s) with or without vocals, or even just the vocals and no music. Or fade and make your own Davichi song mix like having track one with Davichi’s vocals and guitars only. The M2 player also shows different photos from the printed booklet to each track. Novel but cool stuff.
If you’re after a good easy listening K-pop album, with well sung and high quality songs, Davichi is your essential buy and (like See Ya’s first album) a classic K-pop CD.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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I Love You (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
I Love You (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(1)Our Price: US$12.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 25, 2009 A Love FeudAt first this film can be slightly muddling and throws a bit of a red herring as to who are the main couple here, as two accompanying actors take precedence to begin with. But in hindsight after watching this film, this discordant beginning is reflective of the disharmony the main couple show throughout most of this movie.
The film is about Yi a man with misgivings about getting married, but soon changing his mind after meeting Ji, a nurse at a hospital, and of how they quickly date, marry and live together in quick succession. Yi and Ju seem truly happy at first and vow to one another their true love. But this idyllic ambiance is soon broken by sudden discordance and argumentation, after one point when Ju as cosmetic make up applied at a store, upsets her husband to cold icy disapproval. Afterward their relationship becomes perpetually sour and argumentative for mundane and silly reasons.
As trivialities get worse, Ju continually complains that her love for Yi is true, but Yi doesn’t show the affectionate feelings he’d first shown to her when they’d first met. Yi is supposed to not feel love inside himself, and this frustrates Ju to almost insane levels. Perpetually Ju and Yi become like two repelling magnets, always shouting at the other, and as you watch you really will be aghast as to their reasoning. This pitch of arguing, beseeching, deploring and shove away negativity increases to intensity right up until the brittle end. This really is one long love feud.
Acting is excellent. Mid way the argumentative fever pitch reaches such a threshold that both Yi and Ju argue at the same time, with the scene eventually fading its sound as their perpetual ferocity continues.
Although somewhat irregular at the beginning, it does become an interesting reflection about a feuding couple and almost a duel psychological character study. Actress Xu Jinglei as Ju is excellent here and Tong Dawei is equally creditable by his acting skills. At first I only appreciated this film’s pitch as mediocre, but by the end I could almost believe that Ju was like this, and of course that's down to Xu Jinglei’s intense and brilliant acting. Its brittle, but is intensely reflective of what misplaced understanding in a relationship can procure.
Worth seeing for its acting quality and its reflection of how love can be terribly heart breaking at times.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Biuret Vol. 2 - Beautiful Violet
Biuret Vol. 2 - Beautiful Violet
(1)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$18.99Save: US$5.00 (26%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
March 25, 2009 A Good Mix of Soft Rock, Pop + Ballads[42’39 mins]
If you’re familiar with M-Net’s artist output you’d have a good idea what to expect on their label. Decent, good and well written songs, with artists like Davichi, See Ya, Big Bang, Kara, good OSTs like Over the Rainbow and some good lesser known rock bands such as the recent Pink Elephant CD.
Here M-net continue that consistent trend with soft rock band Biuret. Although similar to Korean rock band Cherry Filter, Biuret’s music here is balanced out as an all rounder with as much pop and ballad songs, like “If I Have” [track 5] and “Diamond” [track 11] than fast rock types. Certainly the opening songs are of a moderate pop-rock ballad mid tempo style before Biuret dish out the more faster rock songs like title track “Dreams Come True” [track 3]. It’s easy though looking at the bands Vol 1 CD promotional cover, and of not hearing them before, to consider Biuret in a more hard K-rock category. But their music’s emphasis is towards soft rock pop mid tempo songs, acoustic and uplifting melodies in the main, with the occasional fast ‘college rock’ type track.
The song output is entirely written and performed by the three members of Biuret, and feature some excellent acoustic guitar intros and catchy rock melodies from Kyo Won Lee and Jai Hyun An, with light pop and quite folksie ballad styled vocals from singer Hye Won Mun (with a hint of Debbie Harry here and there). Her singing is certainly up beat and bright but also bodied for the more folk-rock emotive ballad types. I personally liked “Haengbokhae” [track 2], the song “I can’t Stop Loving U” [track 8] with its Blondie type sound and vocals, the energetic title song and “No Pain No Gain” [track 7], another fast high school rock type. “Geuletel” [track 9] is somewhat more moody indie number, with a slower melody tempo. But overall this CD has a good solid and sweet set of songs.
So a cheery although emotive album here with accessible soft rock flavours, and M-Net K-pop as you know it really (with a bit more electric guitar and drum sound). I’d recommend it to K-pop fans as much as a rock fan, but I’m sure many will appreciate this CD’s easy going soft rock aspects, blended into modern K-pop formats. This CD is a normal sized gatefold digipack, with attached booklet inside featuring songs lyrics, notes and band photos. Really nice album!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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The ESP Couple (DVD) (Korea Version)
The ESP Couple (DVD) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(2)Our Price: US$26.99List: US$33.99Save: US$7.00 (21%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:March 23, 2009 A Wonderfully Charming MovieAlthough having fascinating subject matter (something I was into once, UFO’s, ESP, coincidences etc.) it’s the charm, humor and light romance that’s its key feature here and utterly endearing. Little actress Bo Young Park as the bundle of joy here is absolutely wonderful for one (in fact she could be a little Wonder Girl) and charismatic in her cheeky banter and methods of getting Su Min (Gin Gu) to do her bidding. Young K-fans should certainly be won over by Bo Young here, no doubt. Although the front promotional art cover photo may suggest a bit of crazy comedy type with wacky high jinks and the like, this is far from that type of film. It’s quite placid in fact and even though having kooky comedy here, you could almost relax and meditate to its charm and pacing. There’s also a nice animation sequence bridging the final moments.
The story is quite simple about a young man with ESP abilities who meets a young schoolgirl in an art gallery who takes a shine to him. The girl understands that Su Min has ESP abilities, and although he can ‘see’ other people’s thoughts he cannot actually read the girl’s mind. Su Min is a bit reluctant to have the girl follow him around and at times tries to break away from her, but the girl uses innocent blackmail tactics to keep them together. Mainly the film features these two characters with the girl getting Su Min to do her bidding; to eat at a posh restaurant, visit a zoo and also try to convince Su Min that he needs a girl friend. She also gets Su Min to test out his ESP, too, with humorous results. There is a bigger reason for her motives, but I wont say more as to spoil the plot outcome. But aside to the cheeky charm, there’s additional plot about a kidnapped girl who the police are trying to track and where the girl and Su Min become somewhat involved. The bumbling and quite charismatic police team are good, but unfortunately under used though. This kidnap mystery will seem predictable, but doesn’t really spoil the nice ambiance and charm of this film. I say charm, it does get a wee bit violent near the end stopping this film being an overall family movie.
Very easy going, pleasantly cute movie in a Disney type of way. It’s quite short at 1 hour 20 mins, but perfect timing for the type of story here. It also feels like a pilot episode for a crime solving TV drama series I thought (I’m only speculating here). Simple uncluttered story and a charming (ESP) couple here with a happy ending, too (awwe).Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Nobody's Perfect (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Nobody's Perfect (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(3)Our Price: US$13.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:March 19, 2009 A Bonkers Comedy SwitchA bit of a madcap pantomime type this, which does have some crusty and colorful language here and there, especially at the beginning. Stephy’s character Alexandra is quite the acerbic magazine columnist and certainly stands no nonsense (I was glad when she changed into Alexis). But after the introduction this film sort of mellows (emphasis on the sort of here) and is more concerned about Alexandra (Stephy) and Alexis (Kary) personal and strange circumstances than anything else. Further into the plot you also soon accept by this movie’s quirky gravity, that it’s all a lampooned type anyway. In fact soon after Stephy and Kary’s changing places bit in the elevator, “Nobody's Perfect” gets dafter by the minute, with Stephy and Kary at one stage pretending to be two possessed loony ghosts to avoid Alexis’ parents shop being bought out. S and K also go through a bit of farcical cat fighting just before they switch (go get ‘em tigers).
The story though never really goes anywhere, and anything substantial concerning the opener’s hint about scandals and entertainment problems quickly evaporates (probably just as well), and switches more into satirical drunken bunny gear, about two body switched former school chums learning of the other’s kooky life situations. Stephy and Kary have a fun type chemistry here though, and certainly must have enjoyed making this. In fact it would be nice to see Stephy and Kary act again together in a more sober affair. Or a least a more milder comedy.
It was interesting to see Kary NG here (whose ‘Lady K - Transformations’ album I like - a type of Uhm Jung Hwa dance album) and she plays well considering her duel role. HK trio girl band ‘Hotcha’ also appear again in cameos which is nice, and no doubt Stephy is always a welcome watch for me, and she does have good acting moments in her movies. But this as got to be Patrick Kong’s most bonkers film to date. It does have moments of credit, but you certainly have to approach this film as a harmless bit of dippy fun.
Interesting also that Stephy and Kary’s character names are both versions of Alex. Now what could have given PK that idea? So, recommended if you like Stephy, Kary and Hotcha and off the wall HK comedies. But its only a film to while away that 'I just feel like a crazy comedy' feeling, really.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Beautiful (DVD) (Korea Version)
Beautiful (DVD) (Korea Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$24.99List: US$32.99Save: US$8.00 (24%)Related promotions:March 13, 2009 Looking Through a Mirror DarklyIf “Beautiful” were only a psychological account of the one disturbed woman here concerning a post sexual abuse incident, this would be a very interesting analytical cine play. But the plot is situated beyond the mind of the unfortunate female protagonist, making for an entirely more cynically disturbing social affair. “Beautiful” focuses on negative male sexual impulses towards the very beautiful Eun Young. All men portrayed are shown as lecherous and helplessly sexualised monsters, that either directly or suggestively wish to abuse Eun Young’s sweet neutral beauty. As soon as they set eyes upon her, they become infatuated, impassioned and maddened towards her (and I thought only Tomie could do that). Men are no doubt viewed upon here as unstable creatures. This film even closes with an emphasis of sexualised male perversion by the attitude of two hospital workers. ‘Beautiful’ is certainly an ironic word here.
The brunt of this film though is of Eun Young’s sexual abuse by a one male suitor. An abuse where the man realizing his misconduct gives himself up to the police, with his own photographic evidence to account for his wrongful and shameful act. But although he atones for his sin, he also blames Eun Young for ‘luring’ him into forced sex by the nature of her beauty. Eun Young then slips into a maddening obsessiveness of changing herself by binge eating and vomiting herself into an anorexic stupor; believing that her beauty is cursed. She is befriended by a police officer who only wishes to help her, but he too eventually succumbs to sexual passion by Eun Young’s beauty.
“Beautiful” is well showcased, but mostly exaggerated. It’s accurate in part, but too cynically focused concerning irregular sexual misconduct. Not all males are maddeningly perverted like this and not all beauty suffers thus. Eun Young’s situations are a marginal and not universal description. Its certainly well directed by Juhn Jae-hong and actress Soo Yeon Cha really acts her heart out here! But this definitely requires an open mind to what is being said before empathizing too rashly, as “Beautiful” thrusts the viewer into an overdrive of an indignantly focused plot. You don't get much leeway for positive male consideration. Shame, because it’s a really good film.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Davina Vol. 1 - Black Label
Davina Vol. 1 - Black Label
(1)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$18.99Save: US$5.00 (26%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 13, 2009 D’s Varied Pallet of Electronicia[CD Time : 41’34 mins]
Being a companion CD of two, this being the Black Label to a sister White Label album also available by Davina, it includes a varied set of 10 tracks mostly in the techno-dance style and an album fully written, produced, performed, recorded and mixed by Davina herself.
The album’s varied set is mostly electronic techno dance mix (Moby territory), but also having catchy K-pop numbers in the form of 80’s styled disco “Crush” [track 6] and even a ballad. But although varied and vocal, its certainly routed into dance electronicia and Davina certainly pulls out all the stops when the techno dance lets rip. Like with the classical music inspired blistering techno blasta “Opus 916” [track 9], the absolutely brilliant soul lifting trance-dance “Breathing Without Air” [track 4] (this one definitely my favorite here) and the emotive trance-dance “Reflection of Sunlight” [track 7]. The album’s more in a ‘mix’ format sound, obvious by “Love Me” [track 1 and 8] by the two different fast and slow mixes and repeated ‘I can’t make you love me’ song lyric motif, and the overall feel of this album is diluted song lyric content with more back ground vocals and dominant synthesizer mix. Divina’s vocals are sparsely used on most tracks.
But 4 solid songs are included. These are “Fly Like an Angel” [track 2], a really nice vocal melody refrain mixed with a fast and swift techno-dance beat, the superb K-pop styled “Crush” which as such a catchy refrain that this could be a possible favorite for traditional K-pop lovers, the somewhat more funky electronic “Kiss Me” [track 3] and the one ballad offering of “Yearning” [track 5].
For me, though, this album took off with “Breathing Without Air”, which as such emotively sweeping synth chords and cool spacey melody I could play it all day. It’s so eye wateringly melodious. Fantastic! A final mention to the only Korean title track “dasi boayo” [track 10] which as such a lovely melancholic electronic melody that enigmatically becomes somewhat discordant at the finish, and closing this album off nicely.
I’d certainly recommend Davina’s CD to a dance-techno or electronic synth pop fan. But having other colours to her pallet, I think Divina can be accessible to many. Especially with “Crush” (if more heard this, it would be a mega) and “Fly Like an Angel” as being two very good pop songs. A nice album here! Have also sent for the White Label now.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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After School First Single - New School Girl
After School First Single - New School Girl
(3)Our Price: US$10.99List: US$14.99Save: US$4.00 (27%)Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:2 people found the following helpful
March 10, 2009 Impressive But Short DebutDisc Time : [10’48 mins]
With Korean girl band pop-lets taking over the world, After School add yet another 5 piece with a 4 track mini album debut, to whet appetites and increase already filled K-gurls music collection shelf spaces.
A.S are certainly a no nonsense assembly, looking ready to rock n roll and sounding like a mega mix of Wonder Girls, Brown Eyed Girls and Kara. But to what I have read, AS are more influenced by the Pussycat Dolls as their main template model and certainly have similar stage energy.
Sound wise there’s certainly a Wonder Girls vibe and also nods towards Brown Eyed Girls. In fact I knew I had heard that sound sample somewhere that starts off all 4 A.S. songs here, and I realized that it was used on “How” from BEG’s last CD “My Style”. But nods, appreciations and influences apart, A.S. do showcase a good solid sound set here. The mini album is short, though, with the first intro song “Play Girlz” only clocking a mere [1’30 mins], and no doubt a teaser version edit, hinting at a more complete version to come on a future album (or a New School Girl V2 “Teacher’s Pet” remix CD). The song is strong and moodily rhythmic with a good electronic melody. Second track “Ah” is the sweet and bouncy party number that’s pretty well the single here I thought. The third track “Bad Guy”, though, is more edgy with some serious vocal rap and quite dark lyrics about revenge. I’d imagine a song influenced more by “Oldboy” director Park Chan Wook than the Pussycat Dolls. Not sure about this one, but the musics okay. The fourth track closes with an instrumental version of “Ah”.
The booklet is excellent. You may get a modest navy blue card cover with a school blazer logo, but this ‘ordinary’ front piece is transformed into a full blown 18 paged glossy booklet with full page and colorful AS photos inside when opened.
Overall, a good solid ‘taster’ CD from A.S. who seem quiet the powerful girl band to hit the sound studios and stage, and I imagine destined to be popular with the best yet to come. They’re surely to be amongst fundamental K-girl wants lists, by their future releases.
So, you’ll love the songs and the photo booklet here. :)
But, you might be a bit niggled by the shortness of it all, with only 2 full songs to chew at. :(
But its a good short. Roll on the debut album, right? Although I’ve just read that Ga-hee, who was once BoA’s backing dancer, could also have a solo career.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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March 9, 2009 Correction for track 5
With my previous review below I made a reference to Hot Cha’s album track 5 “Bai Se Shou Ji” (which of course...isn’t a ballad), but I actually meant to reference the more mid-tempo track 6 “Wei Yi De Ni” as my other key favorite from the album and such an excellent song. All this came to light when I recently listened to the album on my PSP and realized my track error. Sorry about that.
Plus on top of that, considering I didn’t say much about the other songs, I would also recommend tracks 7 “Ni De Wei Dao” and 8 “Yan Huo Ji” as being wonderful mid tempo melodies and along with the rock sounding track 4 “Bu Yao Fang Shai”, makes for an all round wonderful canto pop CD. Its not just “Vanilla” and “Party Girl”, its an overall every song counts album.
Again sorry about the boo boo with track 5 (which is also excellent), all I can think of was that I by giving this 5 stars I got mixed up with track 5. Gimme 5, eh? Well, that’s my excuse anyway.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Sorum (DVD) (Korea Version)
Sorum (DVD) (Korea Version) DVD Region All
(1)Our Price: US$19.99List: US$23.99Save: US$4.00 (17%)Related promotions:March 9, 2009 Excellent Story of Dislocation“Sorum” is more a tragic social horror than the conventional K-horror type and about domestic violence, distorted love and past wrong doings. Certainly the film’s key feature of a dilapidated Silent Hill type apartment block provokes a mix of dark forboding and provocative aestheticism, permeating Mi Gum Apartment’s dark rusted walls. A stark beauty so contrastingly intense, uncomfortable but emotionally invigorating amidst the atmosphere and strange story line. The art direction certainly shows subtle devoid beauty. The shadowy corridors and jaundiced walls also reminded me of the similar decay in “Session 9”, a US movie filmed entirely inside an old disused mental asylum. But “Sorum’s” tragic and chilling plot of a taxi driver and violently abused woman can be an illusive one, of morally broken people amidst supernatural past evils, that so easily could have been an ‘happening’ that lurked behind un-opened doors in the similarly decayed apartments of Silent Hill 2. The sad music, the isolated abused woman and the neglected once orphaned Yong Hyun yearning for mutual love, also make for the most saddening, haunting and disturbing ‘feel’ I’ve had from a movie in ages.
The story centres around taxi driver Yong Hyun (Myung-min Kim) who moves into room 504 of the apartments, but discovers the previous owner had burnt to death in the room. Yong Hyun befriends a melancholic young woman (Jin Young Chang) who’s abused by her violent husband and also lost her young son. Eventually the taxi driver befriends the woman and helps her with her violent circumstances. He also falls in love with her. But by tragic guilt, abandonment and loathing, yields some intense moments near the conclusion.
The two main characters are played out as fractured and dislocated souls. Emotional distorted love is also a key reflection here with a conclusion that’s so brutal, tragic and sad. I was left with a very strange poignant ‘aftertaste’ of emotion when the film concluded, especially returning to the DVD menu screen and the emotional theme music. The emotive impact is such a crucial importance behind the grim story. A brilliant piece of dark Korean theatre here!
Actors Jin-Young Chang and Myung-min Kim perform brilliantly. I was shocked and sorry however to hear about Jin-Young’s illness last year, and I hope profusely she overcomes this awful disease, she’s a remarkable actress. Please get well soon!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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