JeJu Island Gatsby

Hello, DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the romantic comedy: Jeju Island Gatsby.
Starring Yoo Yun Suk, Kang So Ra, Kim Sung Oh, Seo Yi Ahn, Lee Sung Jae, and Jung Jin Young.
Written by Hong Mi Ran and Hong Jung Eun, this 16 episode series aired in 2015.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian.

Lee Jung Joo (Kang So Ra) has been hard at work her whole life and as a result becomes grouchy and pessimistic. After a series of unfortunate events, Jung Joo leaves the city of Seoul and moves to Jeju Island for a new start. Baek Geon Woo (Yoo Yun Suk) owns a restaurant called ‘Warm and Cozy’ on Jeju Island as a way to get away from his wealthy family. But when Jung Joo runs into Geon Woo, her first love, there is an unexpected meeting as the two clash with their polar opposite personalities. But will they start to build a romance as they continue to meet each other?

Jeju Island Gatsby by itself has a beautiful location on a quaint island resort. The two leads, Kang So Ra and Yoo Yun Suk, have an undeniable chemistry together and add to the mix the delicious food being served at ‘Warm and Cozy’ this is the perfect drama to watch on a spring afternoon with a nice breeze with some good food.

Madame Antoine

Hello, DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic-Comedy: Madame Antoine.

Starring Han Ye Seul, Sung Joon, Jung Jin Woon, Hwang Seung Eun, and Lee Joo Hyung.
Written by Hong Jin Ah, this 16 episode series aired in 2015.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, Netflix, and KissAsian.

Go Hye Rim (Han Ye Seul) is a famous romance fortune-teller who has made a name for herself by claiming her ability has come from a connection to Marie Antoinette. But really Hye Rim’s ‘powers’ are just from her keen observational skills. Choi Soo Hyun (Sung Joon) is a skeptical psychotherapist who doesn’t believe in Hye Rim’s powers of finding true love, or true love in general. When Hye Rim offers her abilities to Soo Hyun’s psychological test, her career is put in jeopardy.

Madame Antoine is such an interesting idea for a drama. It has all the aspects of a usual romantic comedy with the two leads falling for each other, even if at first they aren’t fond of each other. Han Ye Seul and Sung Joon have such an interesting chemistry from a romantic perspective and a comedic sense. I recommend this to anyone who loves the idea of a ‘LoveHate’ relationship and those who are interested in the ideas of powers or abilities.

 

Coffee Prince

Welcome DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic-Comedy: Coffee Prince.
Starring Yoon Eun Hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun Gyun, Chae Jung Ahn, Kim Chang Wan, Kim Ja Ok, and Choi Il Hwa.
Written by Lee Jung Ah and Jang Hyun Joo, this 17 episode series aired in 2007.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian.

Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) is a tough, hardworking employee with multiple part-time jobs. Working as a delivery boy Eun Chan is often mistaken as a boy when in reality she is a girl. When on a delivery she meets Choi Han Kyul (Gong Yoo). Han Kyul is the son of a wealthy family of hotelier’s, and with his good looks has gotten used to living the life of a bachelor; while his mother attempts to pressure Han Kyul to marry.

When Eun Chan and Han Kyul meet one night after a possible theft, Eun Chan stops the thief but lets him go as he is enamored by her younger sister. Even though Eun Chan gives back the purse, Han Kyul can’t help but think that the accident and theft were planned and gives Eun Chan his card for when she wants to be reimbursed. With the scooter damaged Eun Chan gets fired from her workplace and debates if she should get the money or keep her pride. Desperate for money she calls Han Kyul and sees him at his hotel while he is meeting with blind dates for his mother’s sake.  After countless attempts to get his attention, Han Kyul asks Eun Chan, thinking she is a boy, to be his gay lover so he doesn’t have to go on blind dates.

After watching the first episode I am so excited to continue watching. Overall this seems like a light-hearted KDrama with laughs and giggles as well as intense romance. Coffee Prince is known as one of the most talked about dramas in 2007 because of its dealings with the ideas of being gay and in a homosexual relationship (even though the two leads are male and female). Yoon Eun Hye is one of the most convincing female stars I’ve seen that can so easily pull off being a boy. While Gong Yoo is attractive and hilarious to watch as he questions Yoon Eun Hye’s character.

I recommend this to anyone who is just starting to watch KDrama’s as it is light-hearted and doesn’t seem to be too dramatic. Plus it is only 17 episodes, which is quite short compared to dramas that last 21 episodes. But I think this is an amazing drama that will be fun to watch and share the experience of watching with others.

 

Pinocchio

Hello again, DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic Drama: Pinocchio. 
Starring Park Shin Hye, Lee Jong Suk, Kim Young Kwang, Lee Yoo Bi, and Byun Hee Bong.
Written by Park Hye Ryun, this 20 episode series aired in 2014.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian.

Set in a universe where there is a rare illness called the ‘Pinocchio syndrome’ where if someone lies they hiccup, Choi In Ha wishes to be a reporter but cannot lie without breaking out into hiccups. Thus it is seen as impossible for In Ha to become a reporter. At the same time Choi Dal Po, In Ha’s adopted brother, has been scorned by the media and wishes to have nothing to do with news outlets. But when In Ha goes to work for a news station, Dal Po follows her. Together they learn how media and news can be corrupt and learn their true feelings for each other.

This is an interesting drama to watch. The idea of the ‘Pinocchio syndrome’ and how it can halt a person’s career is strange to watch but also fascinating to see how In Ha wishes to use it to her advantage. Although it is strange how Dal Po and In Ha have possible relations, it’s important to remember that they aren’t actually related and have a mutual understanding towards each other. Overall this seems like a fun and unique drama that many will enjoy.

Doctor Crush

Welcome back DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic Drama: Doctor Crush.
Starring Park Shin Hye, Kim Rae Won, Yoon Kyoon Sang, Lee Sung Kyung, Kim Ji Soo, and Moon Ji In.
Written by Ha Myung Hee, this 20 episode series aired in 2016.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian.

Hye Jung (Park Shin Hye) was a rebellious teen who has been abandoned, become cold-hearted, and fights. When she is abandoned by her father and left with her grandmother in a small town she meets Jong Ji Hong (Kim Raw Won), a high school teacher and neurologist. Ji Hong helps Hye Jung with her studies and changes her from a school rebel to a student who cares. Years later Hye Jung is now a doctor who’s first priority is to help people as much as she can, although she is still cold-hearted and won’t let anyone close to her. When Ji Hong appears back in Hye Jung’s life, can he change her cold heart to one that lets people in?

This is a very addictive drama. It has romance, drama, and cool action sequences. Although it’s a bit weird that the two main leads are student and teacher, I think there is a certain chemistry between them that keeps the show lively and wanting more. I recommend this drama to anyone that enjoys medical dramas as well as a second chance love story.

Cinderella and the Four Knights

Hello again, DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic Comedy: Cinderella and the Four Knights.
Starring Jung Il Woo, Park So Dam, Ahn Jae Hyun, Lee Sung Shin, Choi Min Sung, Son Na Gun, and Kim Young Gun.
Written by Min Ji Eun and Won Young Sil, this 16 episode drama aired in 2016.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian.

Eun Ha Won (Park So Dam) is a modern day Cinderella, having lost her mom as a young child she is forced to live with an evil step-mother and step-sister. The only difference between Ha Won and Cinderella is that Ha Won is not waiting for a ‘Prince’ to come rescue her. She is hardworking, tough, and fierce. One night while delivering a pizza she encounters Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae Hyun), a possible heir to the Kang Family Fortune, who is intrigued by her tough personality. The next night she meets Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il Woo), another heir, who is a loner and has a mystery behind his birth. When Ha Won is roped into living with the Kang family, she ends up in a romantic quad between the Kang cousins.

This drama seems like it’s going to be hilarious and heart-wrenching at the same time. I’ve never heard of a drama that has a ‘quadrangle’ between the main female lead and four leading men. But I think that it will be interesting to see how each boy makes their move and will either be rejected or accepted. Cinderella and the Four Knights while it has a similar plot to other drama (rich boy meets poor girl) I think adding the factor that Ha Won is a badass will make the storyline much more interesting.

Descendants of the Sun

Hello, DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic Drama: Descendants of the Sun. 
Starring Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Gyo, Jin Goo, and Kim Ji Won.
Written by Kim Eun Sook and Kim Won Seok, this 19 episode series aired in 2016.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, Netflix, and KissAsian.

Descendants of the Sun is a war drama telling the story of Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki), a Special Force Captain and Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Gyo) a medical doctor. After Mo Yeon treats Shi Jin’s wounds, he starts to fall for the beautiful doctor who healed him. But for Mo Yeon there is one problem, she is a doctor who wants to save lives while Shi Jin is a soldier who takes them. But when the two are stationed at the same base, sparks start to fly between the two.

This was one of the most talked about drama’s when it first aired in 2015. With the writers (Kim Eun Sook) dedicated fan base and impressive resume of dramas (Secret Garden and The Heirs) fans were already excited for a new drama from Eun Sook. This drama is a heartwarming drama of second chances and finding love even during the worst of times.

Cheese in the Trap

Welcome back DramaSpot readers!

This week I am reviewing the Romantic-Comedy: Cheese in the Trap. 
Starring Kim Go Eun, Park Hae Jin, Seo Kang Joon, Lee Sung Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk, and Park Min Jin.
Written by Kim Nam Hee and Go Sun Hee, originally based off a webtoon with the same name, this 17 episode series aired in 2015.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian.

Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) is a hard working university student who is just trying to do the best that she can in school. After taking a year off from school to earn money for her tuition she comes back to find that Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin), Hong Seoul’s senior, is being surprisingly nice to her. After witnessing a darker side to Yoo Jung, Hong Seoul is cautious around her senior and is also finding herself falling for him.

This seems like a really fun, yet intense, show. I was a bit confused in the beginning of how Hong Seol knew Yoo Jung, but I also find myself wanting to see how their relationship can grow and become something interesting.

My Shy Boss

Welcome back DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic-Comedy: My Shy Boss.
Starring Yeon Woo Jin, Park Hye Soo, Yoon Park, Gong Seung Yeon, He Ji Won, Hun Jung Min, and Han Jae Suk.
Written by Joo Hwa Mi this 16 episode series is currently airing now.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, and KissAsian. A new episode is available to stream every Monday and Tuesday.

Eun Hwan Ki (Yeon Woo Jin) is the boss of a public relations office but is dealing with crippling social anxiety making him extremely introverted and shy. Since Hwan Ki doesn’t interact with his employees they think that he is cold hearted and angry. Chae Ro Woon (Park Hye Soo) is the opposite of her new boss, Hwan Ki. Ro Woon is energetic and extroverted making her appear to be arrogant. When Ro Woon takes Hwan Ki’s introverted behavior as a personal attack against her, she makes it her goal to expose her boss’s true personality.

I recommend this drama to those who feel like they are extremely introverted or extroverted. This is a hilarious drama that shows in an exaggerated way the different social personalities that make people who they are. I think that this is a perfect example of how cat people (introverts) and dog people (extroverts) differ from each other but also bring out the best qualities within each other. So sit down one night with your friend who is introverted or extroverted and laugh together.

Boys Over Flowers

Hello, DramaSpot readers!

This week I am recommending the Romantic-Drama: Boys Over Flowers.
Starring Gu Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, and Kim So Eun.
Written by Yoon Ji Ryun this 25 episode series aired in 2009.
Watch it on DramaFever, Viki, Netflix, and KissAsain.

Geum Jan Di (Gu Hye Sun) is a poor girl who gets a scholarship to Shinhwa High School, after saving the life of a student, where only the wealthiest children in Seoul attend. At the forefront of the school is a group known as F4, a group of four boys who torment those who are not as rich as they are. When Jan Di faces F4’s leader, Goo Joon Pyo (Lee Min Ho), she enters a new world of torment and scrutiny. But Jan Di doesn’t give up hope and continues to spread her happiness around winning the heart of many, including the cold Joon Pyo.

This is known (from what I heard) as one of the classic Korean Drama’s. Featuring common themes of KDrama’s such as a rich guy falling for a poor girl, love triangles, flower boys, unrequited love, and so much more, this is definitely a drama you don’t want to miss out on.