Tag: Kim Go Eun

Review: Little Women

Posted December 27, 2022 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Little Women

Starring: Kim Go Eun, Nam Ji Hyun, Park Ji Hoon, Wi Ha Joon, Uhm Ki Joon, Uhm Ji Won
Year Released: 2022
Number of Episodes: Drama, Action, Mystery, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Director: Kim Hee Won
Screenwriter: Jung Seo Kyung
Where to Watch: Netflix

About three sisters with a close bond who grew up in poverty. It is the exciting story of the sisters as they get embroiled in a major incident and face off against the wealthiest family in the nation.

Kim Go Eun plays the eldest sister Oh In Joo, who wants to protect her family with money. Growing up in extreme poverty, her only dream was to live as well off as other normal people, but a major incident completely shakes up her life.

Nam Ji Hyun takes on the role of the second sister Oh In Kyung, a news reporter who does not want to bow down to money and aims to always do what’s right. When a mysterious case from her early reporter days returns close to her, she starts digging for the truth.

Park Ji Hu transforms into Oh In Hye, the youngest overwhelmed by the love of her older sisters who work hard for her. Although she has never even used decent art supplies due to their family’s financial situation, she enters an art high school with her natural talent.

I’m super soft for both Kim Go Eun and Wi Ha Joon so it was a no-brainer that I was going to be all up in this dramas business. Add in Nam Ji Hyun and it was a must watch for me.

This show centers around the Oh sisters. They grew up poor and though they hate it, they don’t know anything else so they just do the best that they can for each other. The oldest Oh sister, In Joo works a day job that helps pay the family bills but with irresponsible parents, she can never get ahead. She tries her best to help her sisters stay afloat but there is never enough money when there is enough money, the money comes with an onslaught of problems that sends her on a spiral of action to try to keep her family safe and out of harm’s way.

The second sister, In Kyung, is a reporter who is always fighting the good fight and reporting on it. She takes pride in her work and never lets anything bad slide and she kind of bulldozes her way through each story. She seems so strong and capable but she’s hiding a secret that will destroy all of that and when she runs into a story that she can’t walk away from, no matter how much danger it puts her in, she stands firm in trying to find out the truth.

The youngest sister, In Hye, is a high school student who just wants to paint and go overseas to an art school to grow her art. She loves her family but feels smothered from her older sisters’ care and love. When she finds a way for her to make money using her talents with art, she jumps at the chance and becomes involved with a family that is shady as shit.

The thing that I found interesting about this drama was how each sister had their own set of struggles but they were all knee-deep in the same drama. They were all coming at the drama from different directions and each of their parts in the story being told had me at the edge of my seat each week. Each week left me wanting more and though I spent a good deal in the beginning, confused as hell, the way that the overall story unfolded was neat and I was a fan. The characters that I’m supposed to love, I hella loved and the characters that I’m supposed to hate, I thoroughly hated their asses so each actor and actress served what needed serving. The way that this story wraps up was satisfying though I would have been completely satisfied had there been more romance between In Joo and Do Il and if there was more of a conclusion for them as well. But, I guess I’ll write my own ending for them in my head, haha.

Is it the perfect drama? Nah. But it is still super enjoyable and visually stunning. I really enjoyed this one and thought everyone delivered their roles really well and everyone looks really good in it as well. I totally recommend, especially if you like looking at Wi Ha Joon. 🙂

Final Rating

via GIPHY

4 out of 5

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Review: Yumi’s Cells 2

Posted November 22, 2022 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Yumi’s Cells 2

Starring: Kim Go Eun, Park Jin Young, Ahn Bo Hyun, Lee Yoo Bi, Mi Ram, Kwon Seung Woo
Year Released: 2022
Number of Episodes: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Director: Lee Sang Yeob
Screenwriter: Song Jae Jung, Kim Yoon Joo, Kim Kyung Ran
Where I Watched It: Viki
Recommended By: N/A
Who I Watched It For: Kim Go Eun, Ahn Bo Hyun

After suffering a painful breakup, Yu Mi’s love cells have shut down completely, but a chance meeting with the emotionally stunted game designer, Goo Woong, changes all of that. Waking up a number of each other’s cells, Yu Mi and Goo Woong find themselves drawing closer, but even with the revival of their long-dormant love cells, their relationship wasn’t destined to last.

Now a much wiser and more mature individual, Yu Mi finds herself willing to take on a set of challenges after an unexpected source of inspiration ignites her internal fire. Inspired by her co-worker, Bobby Yoo, Yu Mi and her hard-working cells set out to make all of her dreams come true.

I watched the first season of Yumi’s Cells and was completely surprised at the ending. It didn’t take me long to get over that ending, especially when we found out that there was second season forthcoming. I liked that the romance between Yumi and Woong wasn’t perfect and in my heart of hearts, I did like Ba Bi and wanted him to get a shot at trying to make Yumi happy…as long as Yumi eventually got back with Woong after Woong grew up so more. So I went into this show with high hopes of a new romance and an eventual reunion. Let’s get on with this review, shall we?

The Story

Yumi’s back and though she’s hearbroken over her breakup with Woong, we see her struggle but pick herself back up and move on. She’s still the same Yumi we know and love but this time around, she’s focusing on her writing and falling in love again? But this time, with Yu Ba Bi. You’ll remember Ba Bi from last season as the coworker that had a crush on Yumi but their timing was never right so they never became anything. While Yumi works on putting her life back together, it’s nice to be reunited with her cells.

I was a big fan of Yumi from season one and though she got on my nerves from time to time, I still adored her. This time around, we’re treated to more Yumi goodness with different characters and a new romance but does Yumi get her happy ending this time around or nah?

Main Male Lead

Yu Ba Bi. The minute that Ba Bi and Yumi get together, he is the perfect boyfriend. He’s making me swoon every other episode because he’s so supportive of all things Yumi. He was supportive of her work and when things weren’t going so well for her, he was there to pick her spirits up and help her find her way again. He was never overwhelming in his love and support of her so the whole thing with Da Eun threw me for a loop. It didn’t make sense to me. He’s so in love with Yumi and then one girl looks his way and bam, he turns into this person that is not the Ba Bi I have come to love.

I love Babi and I even enjoyed his love for Yumi and their relationship…but I hated the way that their relationship ended. I wasn’t a fan of the Babi that was jealous of Woong but held his tongue to keep the peace. I wasn’t a fan of the fact that he never talked about anything that bothered him with Yumi. They never fought and a huge reason is because Babi kept everything inside. He told Yumi what she wanted to hear, even if it meant that he hurt himself. It felt like he didn’t have enough faith in his relationship with Yumi and in the end, it cost him the relationship as a whole.

I haven’t seen Park Jin Young in anything outside of this series (both seasons) but I’m a really big fan of his now even though I ended up not caring for his character, Babi. Park Jin Young forever though!

Main Female Lead

Yumi is a lot more mature in this season than she was in the first one. A lot of that had to do with both of her partners in each season but that isn’t to say that she didn’t struggle. Kim Go Eun is a really great actress. I felt everything she felt, I rejoiced in her ups and cried in her downs and through it all, I wanted her to rise above and just body everything and everyone around her. Yumi is such a great character and I adored the hell out of her. Seeing her heartbroken hurt my heart but seeing how strong she becomes in the end made my heart soar for her.

She’s come a long way since we first met her and you could see the strength she develops at the end, when she makes her own choices without help from her cells? Man, that was satisfying as hell. She was in control of herself and of the choices she makes. I felt like a proud mama watching it all.

All of the red flags around Ba Bi made me sad for her because for someone who was so perfect, the red flags didn’t make sense. I loved that we see her struggle with loving him and forgiving him and then finally, letting him go. She went through a lot to be with Ba Bi and I loved that when she was with him, she was loyal to the soil. Even when Woong came sniffing around her again, she wasn’t ever unfaithful to Babi in word and deed and she a better woman than me cause I would have been trying to be with them both, red flags and all. So yeah, I love this woman!

Second Lead

It hurt my heart to see Woong back in action…as the second lead. Man, he loved him some Yumi and seeing him in a better place than the last time we saw him and being so low key supportive of writer Yumi made my heart swell over for him. All of the frustrations that I had with him in the first season went away because this was the Woong I wanted him to be for Yumi from the jump. It just really sucked that he was a walking green flag but it was already too late for him. Man, I thought for sure he was going to be the main lead in the end but the longer I watched, the more I realized that this show is about Yumi’s journey and not Yumi and Woong’s journey together. It ain’t gonna happen for my guy but I’m mighty curious to see if we get a third season and if we’ll see what happens with the character that is vaguely introduced at the end of this season…which I hear is Yumi’s man from the webtoon.

Anyway, Ahn Bo Hyun did a fabulous job as Woong and I adored him so much more in this season. I wish him the best and hope that he ends up with his own happy ending, as long as it ain’t with that hoe from season one.

The Cast

It was nice to see all of our old friends from season one, like Yumi’s coworker friends, Ruby, and even Louis. I also liked the new characters that we met for the first time, especially Control Z, and Ahn Dae Young. They were nice additions to the story and I was only a little mad when Sae Yi’s ass makes an appearance. I still don’t like her ass. Don’t care. But everyone else? Yeah, they’re nice so keep going.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this drama was fun but it also came with its fair share of annoyances. The whole Babi and Da Eun thing can take a hike and I was sad that we didn’t get more from Yumi and Woong but overall, Yumi’s story was a good one. Her character growth makes watching this show so worth it. There were plenty of laughs shared, lots of swoony moments, and I’m hoping we’re going to get a season 3. I need to meet this new guy. Please! I recommend.

Final Rating

via GIPHY

3.5 out of 5

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The Wednesday Five: K-Drama Romances

Posted July 20, 2022 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

I’m a list person. I have a list for every single thing in my life from a to-do list, a list of books that I want to read, a running shopping list, and in the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing different k-entertainment lists that I’ve been keeping track of. You’ll be seeing my top 5 lists of stuff like my current celebrity crushes, my favorite k-drama female protagonists, my favorite k-drama male protagonists, my to-be-watched k-dramas, and you know, stuff like that.

This week’s Wednesday Five will feature My Favorite K-Drama Romances. When I say k-drama romances, I don’t mean k-dramas that are romances. I’m talking about the romance between two characters in a k-drama. I hope that makes sense. I’m a romantic at heart and will sniff a romance out of everything that I consume so I’m always shipping characters together. Today’s list will be on the k-dramas that made me swoon so hard. Check out my list which is in no particular order.

1. Fight for My Way

My Drama List | Viki
Starring: Park Seo Joon, Kim Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hong

I’m not sure what it is about these two but I absolutely adored their friendship that led to more romance. They were just a lot of fun and their romance had its fair share of dramatics but also had a good amount of swoonworthy moments. Watching these two best friends fall in love with each other was so much fun and just super sweet. I’m a HUGE fan of this drama and an even bigger fan of the romance in this k-drama.

2. Goblin

My Drama List | Viki
Starring: Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook

This one might be a little controversial because of the age difference between the main leads in this drama but that didn’t bother me so much because nothing happens between the two while Eun Tak is in high school. Even when she’s grown up, Kim Shin is steadfast in his refusal to date her. She’s his goblin bride and you can tell that she’s very dear to him but the way that he watched over her, cared for her, and took care of her made their slow-burn love just that much more endearing to me. I ugly-cried so much throughout this entire drama but the romance was just *sigh* so stinkin’ good. One of my favorite love stories of all time.

3. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

My Drama List | Viki
Starring: Park Bo Young, Park Hyung Shik, Ji Soo

Oh goodness, I think this is the romance that I go back to re-watch the most. These two had such great chemistry and they brought their romance to light so freaking well. The way that Min Hyuk loved her on his own for so long before she finally wises up and realizes that he’s the one for her, not Gook Doo. The payoff here was so sweet. I just melted at every turn of this romance because I loved it so much.

4. My Roommate is a Gumiho

My Drama List | Viki
Starring: Jang Ki Yong, Lee Hye Ri, Kang Ha Na

I’ve only seen Lee Hyeri in one other k-drama (the guest star in Record of Youth doesn’t count) and I loved her ass so much. She just has this vibe that I adore so I went into this drama for her but came out, a huge fan of the romance between Woo Yeo and Lee Dam. A lot of my love for their romance was the chemistry between the two actors but I loved the fantasy behind it all as well. They worked through their issues together and I loved that Lee Dam, no matter how things looked, trusted in her love for Woo Yeo to get through everything. Woo Yeo didn’t deserve Lee Dam a lot of the time but he always did better and through it all, I never doubted his love for her. So their romance was one that I cheered for most earnestly.

5. Happiness

My Drama List | Viki
Starring: Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Shik, Jo Woo Jin

I adore both of these actors so I was looking forward to the two of them starring in a drama together and they did not disappoint. I loved this friends to lovers romance and I gotta tell you, Park Hyung Shik plays the smitten best friend really well. I loved seeing Sae Bom fall in love with Yi Hyun and I loved seeing Yi Hyun protect and love Sae Bom on his own, quietly until she caught up to him. The way that they were a true team that loved and protected each other against everyone and everything just made me love their romance so much.

So what are some of your favorite romances in k-dramas? Share them in the comments!

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The Wednesday Five: K-Drama Girl Crushes

Posted September 15, 2021 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

I’m a list person. I have a list for every single thing in my life from a to-do list, a list of books that I want to read, a running shopping list, and in the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing different k-entertainment lists that I’ve been keeping track of. You’ll be seeing my top 5 lists of stuff like my current celebrity crushes, my favorite k-drama female protagonists, my favorite k-drama male protagonists, my to-be-watched k-dramas, and you know, stuff like that.

This week’s Wednesday Five will feature my top 5 k-drama girl crushes.

1. Lee Hyeri

Filmography: Reply 1988, My Roommate is a Gumiho, Record of Youth, My Punch Drunk Boxer, Monstrum, When Flowers Bloom I Think of the Moon

Lee Hyeri is my top girl crush right now. I’ve only seen her in two dramas and I’ve never heard her music before but holy cow, the two characters that she played made me a huge fan of her work as an actress. My favorite character of hers is hands down Deok Sun from Reply 1988 but she was fantastic as Lee Dam in My Roommate is a Gumiho as well. She’s a gorgeous woman with great chemistry with all of the actors and actresses that she’s acted with and when she popped up in Record of Youth, I thought she was gorgeous and that was what prompted me to watch Reply 1988. I’m so glad that I did because I hella loved her and Park Bo Gum in that one.

2. Park Bo Young

Filmography: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Abyss, Oh My Ghostess, On Your Wedding, The Silenced, Doom at Your Service, Concrete Utopia

Bo Young made her way onto my radar in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. I absolutely loved that show and the chemistry between Bo Young and Park Hyung Shik was off the chains good. Because of that show, I’ve been watching her stuff and keeping track of when she’s got new things coming out. I haven’t watched all of her stuff but I do enjoy her acting and think she’s absolutely adorable. I’m a fan of hers and she’s definitely one of my girl crushes.

3. Park So Dam

Filmography: Record of Youth, Cinderella and the Four Knights, A Beautiful Mind, Parasite, Fukuoka, The Silenced

Park So Dam came onto my radar after I watched Parasite. I thought she was spectacular in that movie (she made me feel so many emotions!) and because of that, I watched Record of Youth, Cinderella and the Four Knights and then A Beautiful Mind. I enjoyed all of those shows though some of them ended on notes that made me scratch my head. I really enjoy her acting and her vibe so I’ve been crushing on her lately.

4. Moon Ga Young

Filmography: True Beauty, Recipe for Youth, Find Me in Your Memory, Tempted, Twenty Again, Eclipse

I really enjoyed Moon Ga Young in True Beauty. There were times when I thought she did a lot of stupid shit but overall, I enjoyed her acting and the chemistry she had with Cha Eun Woo. I tried watching Tempted but that was a disaster of the first few episodes so I quit it but I am looking forward to supporting Ga Young in her future projects. She’s great.

5. Kim Go Eun

Filmography: Goblin, Cheese in the Trap, The King: Eternal Monarch, Tune in For Love, Coin Locker Girl, Yumi’s Cell

I love this lady. I watched her in Goblin and thought she was fan-freaking-tastic so I just kept watching her stuff and watching her stuff and watching her stuff. She’s been pretty great in every single thing that I’ve watched her in and I am really looking forward to what else she’ll be doing in the future. I absolutely love her vibe both in her dramas, but also on her social media and photoshoots. She seems like such a sweetheart and I am a big fan of hers. Love this one!

Do you watch Korean Dramas? Who are your girl crushes? Share in the comments!

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Review: Cheese in the Trap

Posted October 8, 2020 by Rowena in Reviews | 2 Comments

Cheese in the Trap

Male Lead: Park Hae Jin
Female Lead: Kim Go Eun
Secondary Lead: Seo Kang Joon
Also Starring: Nam Joo Hyuk, Lee Sung Kyung, Park Min Ji
Year Released: 2016
Number of Episodes: 16
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Country: Korea
Where I Watched It: Viki
Recommended By: Kim Go Eun, Nam Joo Hyuk
Watched it For: Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim Go Eun

Are even the most unlikely of people destined to be together? Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) is a dedicated student who has just returned to college after taking some time off to work part-time jobs and make money to pay for her tuition. Nothing has come easy for her in life, but she is determined to study hard and overcome her impoverished background. Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin) is a handsome, athletic student who has returned to college as an upperclassman after serving his mandatory military service. Despite Seol’s best efforts, she keeps having unfortunate run-ins with Jung that irritates her while her friends, Jang Bo Ra (Park Min Ji) and Kwon Eun Taek (Nam Joo Hyuk), try to run interference. But when the broody Jung is somehow responsible for Seol being able to get one year’s free tuition, thereby eliminating her financial woes, Seol is confused by Jung’s actions. What will Seol do when she gets caught between the attentions of the mysterious Jung and his estranged friend, Baek In Ho (Seo Kang Joon)? “Cheese in the Trap” is a 2016 South Korean drama series directed by Lee Yoon Jung. It is based on a webtoon written by Soon Ggi. This series marks the television debut for film actress Kim Go Eun.

I watched this show because I’ve become a pretty big fan of both Kim Go Eun and Nam Joo Hyuk and they’re both in this show. I had really high hopes for this one since I’ve had a good running streak of really great Korean dramas set in college. I really enjoyed Weightlifting Fairy, Kim Bok Joo and so I was riding that high when I started this one.

So this show follows our main female lead, Hong Seol. She’s a struggling college student that is trying her best to stay afloat. She’s working, she’s studying, and she’s trying to figure out how she’s going to pay for next year’s tuition because she doesn’t have a lot of parental support. Plus, her family isn’t well off and whatever money they have was used to send her younger brother abroad to study in the states. So yeah, Seol’s on her own. She doesn’t have a lot of free time but the free time that she does have, she spends with her two best friends. When she meets Yoo Jung, a rich guy that all the girls love, Seol isn’t that interested. They have nothing in common and she keeps catching him doing weird things. Things that she’s not a fan of and because of that, she tries to steer clear of him…but he keeps showing up wherever she is and…he’s interested in her. Getting to know him wasn’t in her plans but because they keep bumping into each other, she gives him a chance.

This show started off really strong. The main character, Hong Seol did a great job of hooking me into what she had going on. Between her and her two best friends, I was really rooting for this show to be a huge success and it almost was. The lengths that the hero went to get shit done was low key a turn-off. He had a God complex that didn’t sit right with me throughout the entire show and even in the end, I wanted to knee him in the balls because ugh. There’s only so many times that I can forgive someone for doing some creepy shit and letting it slide. Even after understanding the way that he thought and the way that he was, I still didn’t like it. Or him for that matter. I was much more invested in Hong Seol’s relationship with Baek In Ho (the second lead) and that almost never happens. I’m usually a stickler for the main couple no matter how much I like the second lead but this is the first show where that wasn’t the case.

I wanted to like this show because of Kim Eun Go and Nam Joo Hyuk but even with that strong start, the middle and the ending didn’t do anything for me and that bummed me out. I can’t rate this one higher than a 2.75 out of 5 stars. Oh well.

Listen to the OST

Final Rating

2.75 out of 5

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