Tag: Choi Hyun Wook

Eye Candy Friday: Ahn Soo Ho from Weak Hero, Class 1

Posted January 6, 2023 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

Eye Candy Friday is something that I’ve been doing since I first started my personal blog way back in 2003. That first personal blog is long gone but I’ve never really grown out of the eye candy phase. I’m always up for some eye candy. Whether it’s a character from a book (male or female, I don’t discriminate), a character from a movie or TV Show, if I loved them and want to gush about how much I loved them, you’ll find them here. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

This week, I’m featuring Ahn Soo Ho from Weak Hero, Class 1. If you’ve seen this drama then I feel like it’s pretty obvious why he’s this week’s eye candy feature. It’s funny to me that my introduction to Hyun Wook was him playing a piece of shit bully in Taxi Driver. I’m so glad that I watched Racket Boys because that introduced me to him in a different light and it is thanks to that drama that I became a fan and avid supporter of his career. He’s been such a rock star in every role he’s played and Ahn Soo Ho was such a winner of a character for me. Absolutely loved him.

I’m looking forward to the next season of Weak Hero because I need to know what happens with Soo Ho and where he lands. I actually cannot wait to see more of him. This character was my favorite character of Hyun Wook’s and that’s saying something because I completely adored him in Twenty-Five, Twenty-One. Ahn Soo Ho is just…everything and that’s why he’s this week’s eye candy feature.

Watch Weak Hero, Class 1

Weak Hero, Class One

Where to Watch: Viki
Starring: Park Ji Hoon, Choi Hyun Wook, Hong Kyung
Year Released: 2022
Genre: Action, Drama, Youth

Yeon Shi Eun is a model student who ranks at the top of his high school. Physically, Yeon Shi Eun appears weak, but by using his wits and psychology, he fights against the violence that takes place inside and outside of his school.

Until next week…enjoy!

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Review: Weak Hero Class 1

Posted December 29, 2022 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Weak Hero, Class 1

Starring: Park Ji Hoo, Choi Hyun Wook, Hong Kyung, Kim Su Gyeom, Lee Yeon, Shin Seung Ho
Year Released: 2022
Number of Episodes: 8
Genre: Drama, Action, Youth
Country: South Korea
Director: You Su Min
Screenwriter: You Su Min
Where to Watch: Viki

Yeon Shi Eun is a model student, who ranks at the top at his high school. Physically, Yeon Shi Eun appears like a weak boy, but by using his smarts, tools, and psychology, he fights against violence that takes place inside and outside of his school.

One of my favorite actors of this year and last is Choi Hyun Wook and the minute news dropped of his inclusion in this drama, I was in there like swimwear. Even though I’m kind of over bully stories, I was going to watch this no matter what and I’m SO glad that I did because this show??? Yeah, it’s that shit.

This is probably the best high school drama centered around bullies and violence that I’ve seen, period. I didn’t read the webtoon so I came into this drama completely ignorant of the story, the characters, and anything else to do with it so my thoughts are completely on the drama. My enjoyment of this drama was so high that I finished all eight episodes in one sitting. Of all the dramas that I watched this year, this is the drama that captivated me and had me at the edge of my seat through every single episode. The writers didn’t waste any scenes, didn’t waste any words, and didn’t waste any time with getting this show on the road.

This drama follows three high school students who become friends. Yeon Shi Eun is a loner who is just trying to graduate, get in college, and mind his business. He’s used to being on his own so when he becomes the target of harassment at school, he does everything he can to make sure it doesn’t escalate. That doesn’t go over well with his bullies who have too much time on their hands and of course, rich parents. Ahn Soo Ho is a coaster. He doesn’t care that much about school, is really only going so that he can graduate because it’s what his grandmother wants and he really loves his grandmother. He’s a really good fighter and that skill comes in handy when he befriends Shi Eun and the new transfer student, Oh Beom Seok. Oh Beom Seok is the son of a politician who had to switch schools because he was picked on pretty rough at his last school so he’s hoping to start new but when he gets roped into helping the bullies pick on Shi Eun, he hires Soo Ho to save Shi Eun.

The three become fast friends, even though Shi Eun did all that he could to discourage that connection as well. There’s no discouraging Soo Ho though. Soo Ho kept showing up until Shi Eun gave up. The thing about the three of these guys is that the school violence goes far beyond the school grounds. It felt like no matter where Shi Eun went, the bullies followed him and made it hard for him to live his life peacefully. The conflict grows when the trio befriends a young girl named Young Yi. When she joins the group, she brings about some internal conflict that seriously pissed me off at every turn.

There was so much conflict for such a short drama and despite there only being 8 episodes, I didn’t feel like the story suffered any because of that. I thought that the execution for this drama was done really well. It’s not an easy watch by any stretch but it was compelling as shit. It was dark, it was violent, but it was also gripping. This show had me in a chokehold and even though I wanted to fight everyone and their mom, I couldn’t stop watching. Park Ji Hoon did the damn thing in this one. I’m not sure if he’s in anything else but this will not be the last drama that I watch him in. I think he’s got a bright future in acting and I look forward to supporting his journey.

As much as I loved him and his portrayal of Shi Eun, Choi Hyun Wook was the highlight for me (who’s surprised?). I really, really, really, really loved his character and I cried buckets at the fight scene (if you know, you know) and I was so furious with Beom Seok that I had a hard time sympathizing with the kind of family life he had. He made it so hard to sympathize with him by acting out the way that he did…especially with Soo Ho. And his answer to Shi Eun when Shi Eun asked him why he did everything that he did? PISSED ME OFF EVEN MORE. I hated that instead of having a conversation with Soo Ho, he becomes the very worst version of himself and he did not deserve Soo Ho. He didn’t even deserve all of the chances that Shi Eun gave him.

I really enjoyed Shi Eun’s character. At first, second, and even third glance, you see a regular kid who doesn’t talk to others much and really minds his own business. He doesn’t look like a fighter and goes out of his way to avoid violence but seeing him driven to defend himself and his friends time and time again had me so soft for him. Like, I wanted to shield him from all of the hurts that this world kept dropping on him. I wanted to be on his side and be the support system that he so desperately needed. The acknowledgment from his parents came too little, too late for me but I did like that despite having shitty and neglectful parents, he still became such a strong and upstanding person.

I know that we’re getting a second season and I cannot wait. I need to know how this all turns out and what happens to Shi Eun, Soo Ho, and even Beom Seok after some time has passed. I’m curious to see if we see them all show up at Shi Eun’s new school. Overall, this was a pretty terrific drama and I’m so glad that I watched it. I’ll be waiting as patiently as I can for any kind of announcement for the next season so if you haven’t already watched this, I highly recommend that you do. This drama was nothing that I imagined it was going to be but I’m okay with that because it was so stinking good.

Final Rating

via GIPHY

4.5 out of 5

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The Monthly Recap: November 2022

Posted December 6, 2022 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

The Monthly Recap posts are a way for me to take a look back and reflect on my previous month in Korean dramas. I always lose track of what I want to watch and I need these posts to keep me honest with my damn self because I be forgetting shit.

You guys, we are 6 days into the last month of 2022. Where has the time gone? Shitballs. 2022 has been a doozy of a year and while there have certainly been a whole lot of ups, the year wasn’t without some pretty big downs as well. November, I didn’t get everything that I wanted to watch, watched but that’s okay…I’m still excited for what December brings.

I spent Thanksgiving with my family in California and while that was great, my sister was sick and missed Thanksgiving with the rest of the family so that was a bummer. She’s better now though so I’m glad. So let’s start this recap, shall we?

Monthly Stats

Dramas Watched: 12 | Dramas Dropped: 3 | Dramas Still Watching: 6
Dramas Reviewed: 7 | Boyfriend of the Month:
Favorite Drama: Weak Hero, Class 1 | Least Favorite Drama: Love is for Suckers

Dramas I Completed

Blind | 4.5 out of 5
Gaus Electronics | 4.5 out of 5
Love in Contract | 4 out of 5
One Oridinary Day | 4.5 out of 5
Rookie Cops | 4 out of 5

Weak Hero, Class 1 | 5 out of 5
Bad Prosecutor | 4.5 out of 5
Fan Letter, Please | 4 out of 5
When the Weather’s Fine | 3.5 out of 5

Dramas I Dropped

Love is for Suckers
Curtain Call
Grid

I quit the first two dramas because I just wasn’t into them. The main leads in Love is for Suckers drove me up the wall and I lost count of how many times I wanted to fight the female lead. She was such a shitty friend to the male lead and no matter how many times the male lead showed up for her, she instead only used him for her damn job.

Grid wasn’t a bad drama, I just wasn’t in the mood for a sci-fi kind of drama so though I dropped it, I’m planning on picking that one up again at a later time.

Dramas I’m Still Watching

May I Help You?
Behind Every Star
Revenge of Others
The First Responders
Reborn Rich

Dramas I Reviewed

Again My Life | 4 out of 5
Money Heist Korea: Joint Economic Area, Part 1 | 4 out of 5
Shootings Stars | 3.5 out of 5
Why Her? | 3 out of 5

Yumi’s Cells 2 | 3.5 out of 5
Soundtrack #1 | 4.5 out of 5
Love All Play | 4 out of 5

Actors that Stood Out

Choi Hyun Wook: I adored his character in Weak Hero, Class 1 and I need the second season of that show to come out so that we can catch up with his character. I’m pretty anxious about how his character will fit into the next season. Please, please, please be okay!

Do Kyung Soo: Jin Jung was such a great character. I loved how his moral compass was on tighter than a bowstring. He did what he felt was right even when it was hard and he made things fun as well. I adored the heck out of him and miss him now that the drama is over.

Yoon Park: I’m a sucker for a single dad trope and I really adored Bang Jung Seok in Fan Letter, Please. He was one of the last main leads that I loved since I watched his drama at the end of the month but he’s definitely a memorable one. I adored him and am already waiting for his next project.

How was your month, in all the things? Did you read or watch anything good (or bad)? Share in the comments, I’d love to catch up!

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Review: Twenty Five, Twenty One

Posted July 26, 2022 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Twenty Five, Twenty One

Starring: Kim Tae Ri, Nam Joo Hyuk, Bona, Choi Hyun Wook, Lee Joo Myung
Year Released: 2022
Number of Episodes: 16
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Where I Watched It: Netflix
Recommended By: N/A
Who I Watched It For: Nam Joo Hyuk, Choi Hyun Wook

In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.

Na Hee Do is a member of her high school fencing team. Due to the South Korean financial crisis, the high school fencing team gets disbanded. Getting through all the difficulties, she becomes a member of the national fencing team.

The South Korean financial crisis also causes Baek Yi Jin’s father’s business to go bankrupt. This leads to a life change for Baek Yi Jin, from living the life of a wealthy person to a poor person. While studying, he works part-time jobs like delivering newspapers. Later, he becomes a sports reporter for a broadcasting network.

I wanted to watch this show because both Nam Joo Hyuk and Choi Hyun Wook were in it. I was still riding high on my love of Racket Boys and wanted to support Choi Hyun Wook’s new project so as soon as the drama dropped, I was on it.

This drama follows a young protagonist who is determined to be the best fencer in South Korea. She meets a young man named Baek Ye Jin and becomes fast friends with him. Na Hee Do was such a vibe. I loved the hell out of young Hee Do. I also loved the hell out of young Ye Jin. Seeing them meet, bicker, and then become friends before developing romantic feelings for each other was a whole lot of fun. I adored the first half of this show. Seeing high school Hee Do battle her Mom to be able to keep fencing and seeing Ye Jin struggle to find his place in the world now that he wasn’t the rich kid anymore made tuning in every week a lot of fun. Things were hard for Ye Jin but I loved that he didn’t give up and he just kept right on grinding, even though he kept getting kicked down. I loved the friendship that blossomed between him and Hee Do, too. The faith that Hee Do had in him gave him the wings he needed to find his footing. I cheered for the two of them on their own and I cheered for them together.

The romance between these two was one for the books. I adored every moment they shared with each other when they were young. I was oohing and ahhing over every journal entry right along with Hee Do’s daughter. I kept hoping that they would somehow find their way back to each other even though current Hee Do and Ye Jin didn’t seem to keep in touch at all…and that’s where a lot of my issues with this show started and ended. The reasons they broke up and couldn’t be together made no sense with the kind of relationship that Hee Do ended up in. So they had this intense love affair and were each other’s whole world but couldn’t be together because they couldn’t do the long distance thing….and then Hee Do grows up and has a husband that works abroad? How does that make any sense? Grrr….I’m still not over my attitude about that. It sucked that we spent an entire season cheering for a couple, only for them to not end up together in the end. And the reason is just too stupid for me to understand.

Now, aside from my attitude over how everyone ends up when they’re older, my very favorite thing about this show was these guys…

This squad was everything. I absolutely adored these guys. It took me a little bit to warm up to Yu Rim but once she joins the squad, I came to really love her. Things were hard for her and my heart hurt for the sacrifices she felt she had to make for her family but I loved that she was just Yu Rim to these guys and even though I was really shipping Ji Woong with Seung Wan, I wasn’t mad that he ended up with Yu Rim.

As much as I loved everyone in this show, my favorite character was Moon Ji Woong. Hee Do was great. Seung Wan was great. Ye Jin was great. Yu Rim ended up being great. But Ji Woong? He was the best. He was funny. He was sincere in everything he did and I absolutely loved his man crush on Ye Jin. Every time he showed Ye Jin how much he loved him, I laughed so much. I loved how he showed up for his friends and I really loved the way that Seung Wan showed up for him. They were the definition of best friends and I really enjoyed their relationship.

There was a lot to cover in this drama and I thought the actors handled their jobs incredibly well. Had this had a better ending, this would have been very high on my favorite dramas of 2022 list. But I couldn’t get over that ending and the second half of the show made me want to kick a wall so while the first half was great, the second half wasn’t and that bummed me out.

The OST

There’s some great music on the OST though I haven’t added any of the songs to my k-drama playlist. Maybe that’ll change, I’m not sure yet.

Final Rating

via GIPHY

3.5 out of 5

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Eye Candy Friday: Moon Ji Woong

Posted July 15, 2022 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

Eye Candy Friday is something that I’ve been doing since I first started my personal blog way back in 2003. That first personal blog is long gone but I’ve never really grown out of the eye candy phase. I’m always up for some eye candy. Whether it’s a character from a book (male or female, I don’t discriminate), a character from a movie or TV Show, if I loved them and want to gush about how much I loved them, you’ll find them here. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

This week, I’m featuring Moon Ji Woong from Twenty Five, Twenty One. I adored his character so much and though I was hoping that he would fall in love with his best friend, I do love that he was forever faithful to the girl that he actually loved. He had such great chemistry with everyone on the show, even Baek Yijin and he brought such a happy vibe wherever he went and I just fucking loved him.

If you guys haven’t watched this show, you guys need to fix that, if for nothing else than to meet Moon Ji Woong. To know him, is to love him. I promise. That’s why he is this week’s Eye Candy Friday man.

Watch Twenty Five, Twenty One

Twenty-Five, Twenty-One

My Drama List | Netflix
Starring: Kim Tae Ri, Nam Joo Hyuk, Choi Hyun Wook
Year Released: 2022
Genre: Contemporary, Romance

In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.

Na Hee Do is a member of her high school fencing team. Due to the South Korean financial crisis, the high school fencing team gets disbanded. Getting through all the difficulties, she becomes a member of the national fencing team.

The South Korean financial crisis also causes Baek Yi Jin’s father’s business to go bankrupt. This leads to a life change for Baek Yi Jin, from living the life of a wealthy person to a poor person. While studying, he works part-time jobs like delivering newspapers. Later, he becomes a sports reporter for a broadcasting network.

Until next week…enjoy!

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