Gaksital - Getting Better and Nastier!

If (pause) you've (pause) only (pause) seen (pause) episode 17, dfkladslfjapdf!  ITS SO FREAKING AWESOME! And its starting to take its toll on me by craving for the next episode and cursing Olympics!  Never in my life that I hated Olympics.  I mean it happens every 4 years and a lot of countries bid for them to host the event and after winning, they will build new structures to accommodate Olympics! Our beloved Kdramas were not spared from giving way to its coverage with the explanation that I had earlier.  If you don't know Olympics shame on you. But really Olympics why now? Why?

[SPOILERS, you've been warned!]

I failed to write about my thoughts in episodes 15 and 16 for a stupid reason now (thought I was doing a noble thing by catching up with I do, I do and BIG - the BIG disappointment!). We were left with Kang-to asking Damsari where is Mokdan, that left beaten-to-death Damsari asking Kangto in full disbelief if he likes his daughter and Kang-to even used her real name, Boon Yi. As I said, the show was so bad that it let Shunji (now I kinda love him in episode 17) over heard the conversation that mounted to a mountainous suspicion that Kang-to is Gaksital. Really Shunji, you can simply ask Kang-to to yell "GAKSITAAAAL!" and you'll get your answer! hehe.  And with that we were left with the scene below, Kang-to dragging Mokdan from the restaurant to escape. Of course Shunji pointed the gun to Gaksital Lee Kang-to! Bleh!



The ever witty Kang-to said a very fine excuse, "I love Mokdan!" Another bleh! for you Shunji! I first learned about Kang-to's excuse as I we (together with Shaui) were reading the live recap.  In case you don't know a site is doing a live recap and even would post screenshots of an ongoing drama you simply can't imagine how earnest those girls are.  However, with such writing, the intensity of how Kang-to uttered his confession in front of Mokdan and Shunji's gun, was not relayed nicely to non-Korean speaking audience that can't wait for it to be recapped by dramabeans or subbed in kimchidramas or dramacrazy. And that is a big bleh! for us.  After that we, vowed not to read live recaps anymore.  I don't know why reading recaps in dramabeans doesn't ruin the episode that I will watch later, though it sets the mood for me and it greatly influenced my drama choices.



Come episode 16.  See that look on Damsari's face after Kang-to shot one of his comrades from behind to save the fake wife of Damsari. Shunji is quick to follow and whew! Kang-to hit Damsari to Shunji's full view. This being-caught-tortured-escape-and-caught-again dance number can get you bored at times, it just that the drama was so good that you'll forget about all those things. Mokdan dared to enter the tortured cube on her own, after the Chief decided to interrogate her. Mokdan was told by her dad that she can trust Kang-to.


So now episode 17.  I actually thought that it will be like death this week, meaning no Gaksital, due to Olympics coverage preemption, but I read it wrong.  Still we have one episode a very good one and as what was said in dramabeans, its worth 2 episodes. That's how rich episode 17 is.


Shunji is another clever person in the house, he ordered Mokdan to be taken somewhere, well apparently to the hotel.  Which our never be outsmarted Kang-to able to locate. Two significant conversations happened, Mokdan and Shunji and the other one Kang-to and Mokdan.



This is the first time that Shunji were able to explained to her why he wore the Imperial uniform.  I suddenly want to shift to Team Shunji for a moment there.  But he smeared Kang-to-ya's character. Mokdan told how her mom were tortured and dumped into the well just gives me chill (reminded me of Sadako) and let Shunji realized how Mokdan hates the invading Japs and now he is there convincing her to trust him. At the end, Shunji powerfully slapped her. Pain.. pain.. and more pain.  Our resident poker faced samurai, heard everything, and reported to Ueno Rie.  Still dressed like a geisha (minus the white make up), she comforted Shunji and asked for the head of Mokdan.  I really liked Shunji again, because he is not afraid of Rie, and even told her how pitiful she is. Bleh! I am still thinking of the real essence of Rie in this drama, and I kinda guess that she will later on be on the good side, after all she is a Joseon, but of course she'll die.



Down to Mokdan and Kang-to conversation.  It was graced by the flashback of how Young master, asked his dad to take Boon Yi.  Kang-to told Mokdan that he is the Young master.  My heart goes for Mokdan as she can't believe what she is hearing from Kang-to.  I know Kang-to had been itching to tell Mokdan that he is the Young master after he had seen the knife from their catch-me-if-you-can encounter at the hotel. Kangto at the verged of kneeling to beg for Mokdan to believe him and tell her where is the rest of the rebels, was interrupted by Shunji. Did he hear everything?



Goodness! Thanks to a No what-are-you-doing-here-and-great-excuse-of-Kang-to kind of scene! Kang-to went to Damsari. Why Abe is not suspecting Lee Kang-to? I love his loyalty and his cuteness! Damsari told him where the rebels are, after the now famous Egg and Boulder talk. hehe!



And now we see, GAKSITAAAAAL! with the rebels to plan on how to save Damsari on the execution day. Look at the face of the rebel after Gaksital walked into their den.




Rie is on the move of killing Mokdan which we know that will never happened, not in this episode, NEVER! unless the writer wants to screw us on the ending and get institutionalized after for being crazy. She reported to father Kimura about Shunji's love for Mokdan didn't waver. Samurai brought unconscious Mokdan like a sack of cloth and Rie told the samurai to kill Mokdan.  Do you think Gaksital will see this just seating down? Something hit the samurai from behind the doors and comes our GAKSITAL!


SWORD vs METAL FLUTE! Daddy Kimura also grabbed a sword! Oh no! And also Rie after daddy Kimura was knocked off. They ran outside.  Mokdan vs Rie and Gaksital vs Samurai! Our hero was triumphant but was badly hurt and asked Mokdan to run! First time for Gaksital to utter something. Did Mokdan recognize the voice?



She did and run into the woods waiting for Gaksital with the palms of her hand pressed together on a prayer. A horse came with the unconscious and pale Gaksital.. OMO OMO.. We have a clever horse too!




Answered prayer for Mokdan! Can she take these? What are you doing?!


She unmasked Gaksital only to see Kang-to-ya! Judging from how big her eyes now, she will have a nervous breakdown. She'll go from denial to flat crazy! haha! And so I am and all who is under Gaksital spell. We have to wait for next Wednesday for the episode 18! Booo!

Dear Nichkhun

Dear Nichkhun,

As I write this letter to you, I realized that I've been spelling your name wrong.  I am conveniently typing "Nickhun" to guide me in pronouncing your name properly.

Why did you do that? Why did you try to pull a Lindsay Lohan stunt? Drunk driving is serious and could be fatal to you and others, which you probably know very well now.  I am not writing to you to add to the tons of harsh words you receive.  We both know how unforgiving those netizens are.

I am just saddened with the turn of events in your career. Just last night I saw you in Running Man and winning for the Idol group is purely daebak!  Now news about editing you out of MBC's Idols Olympics and would not be appearing at any shows for the moment are circulating and is expected.

 I have a secret crush on you. And I am not admitting this to my KPop friends Shaui and Odie till now. And with that hope you'll feel better and advice everyone of not driving when your drunk or consumed alcohol.

XOXO,

Coby

Catching up - Big

As I want to write something my kdrama life which as I mentioned on one of my post is taking a quarter of my time and if that continues, quarter of my life!  No complaints there as I am really entertained and learn some things here and there, and probably a third language for me.  I realized that there's a lot of kdramas and in a year, they make roughly 4 dramas in one timeslot, and that is with different TV Stations not to mention cable TV.  So that tons of new drama for you! me! Before, I just pick what is shown in Philippines in Tagalized version (Tagalog dubbed) and since its shown in a slow pace with hundreds of commercials in between, you will end up downloading the drama.  That is never engaging as you will wait for the next Tagalized drama on Philippines local TV.  Now that is a thing from the past, as number one, I don't live in Philippines anymore and second I am a revitalized kdrama addict!  Now aside from kdrama, I have another life of course and with that reality, its difficult to be updated with the on-going dramas in South Korea that I hope to visit on April (shall I make some preparation now?).  My current kdrama love affair is Gaksital as you can see it graces my banner.   GAKSITAAAAAL!


I still have to make a post about episodes 15 and 16. Now filling in the gap for Gaksital aka Bridal Mask, I watched I do, I do that ended last week, now I am watching Big! Might see some spoilers.. you may wanna watch it on kimchidramas.net or dramacrazy.net



I didn't get to see Secret Garden, but I know that there's body switching.  Now Big have that premise, body switching.  At first I thought its gonna be like those things in Hollywood, one suddenly became an adult, but its not.  Though its a must see as it is from Hong Sisters - if you've been in kdramaland for quite sometime, you know who they are, my love for Hong Sisters dramas where overtaken by Gaksital and even I do, I do (which I regret now).


I'm just in episode 10, and so apparently they are "brothers", and their soul (I'd rather use that) got swapped by an accident. Gil Da Ran (Lee Min-jun), the teacher was engaged with Yoon-jae (Gong Yoo --haaar!) and Kyung-joon (Shin) was her student.  Now Kyung-joon I think when he saw Da Ran on the bus, he had small crush already to the naive and gleeful Da Ran.  O kdrama how I love it when you use rain + umbrella! Its like a cue that its L-O-V-E!


The conflict now is Ms. Teacher is actually falling in love with Kyung-joon with the face of two-timer-ass-fiance-but-looks-like-not0really-because-he-bought-a-ring (we have to wait for him to wake up). The drama showcases a lot of love story side dishes that are so intertwined like crazy.  Never seen a show with much "connected" characters: Starting from the principal and Da Ran's dad and her mom and Kyung-joon's uncle.  Dunno if that is really necessary.  The story of the PE teacher and Da Ran's co-teacher/friend "romance" angle is tiring to watch.



But overall its a BETTER drama than I do, I do for now (I just managed to watch till episode 12). I'm loving Suzy (Mari) and Baek Sung-hyun (Choong-shik).  I love the part when he rips off his school uniform ala Superman to show Mari the shirt she bought for him.  I hope that the story of these two will be good. Gong Yoo's aegyos are so adorable.




[caption id="attachment_2122" align="aligncenter" width="623"] Puing-Puing[/caption]

Banner Added and Thoughts on I do I do

Really when will I produce a better banner.  I have a lot of things in mind but dunno how to use photoshop that well, not to mention the words used in the menu 80% of it are gibberish to me. I only know about layers (what are they and how to manipulate them), I know how to set canvass size, I know what is opacity but for "hues", "saturation", "contrast" I have no idea and for me they are all the same! LOL! I know I know, I know there's the good-ol google, I tried but doesn't stick to my brain.


Anyway, as I said before, that bingo-cute still image from Gaksital will grace my blog's banner so... there! Its late and I want to have a decent sleep.  I just went to have my eyes checked and it worsen a bit. Thank you Kdrama!


While waiting for Gaksital's new episodes this week, I filled my drama life, with I do I do.  I didn't get to see  Kim Sam Soon, but I heard that its hilarious and a very good one. Kim Sun Ah is one great actress and Lee Jang Woo is just super cute! No, Lee Jang Woo is cute. Period. The story is nothing new.  This is not the first time that you'll get to see an older lady and pretty young man, found love.  Its a light drama that touch real life issues such as single motherhood and abortion and its packed with great main leads.  I spotted Lee Jang Woo in Glory Jane while I am on vacation on cable but I had my eyes glued on Chun Jung Myung for that cutie  guy was from Whats up  Fox, a drama that I liked. I remember marathoning that drama after my night shift from call center! haha!


So really, I do I do nothing special except for the 2 main casts.  The second leading man, is not someone that you would want for yourself. The one that you will not fall in love with. He is not like Yong Hwa in You're Beautiful, or Kim Hyun Joong in Boys over Flowers.  And goodness, the antagonist of this drama needs to enroll in How to be a super bitch.  She should ask where did Sena from Roof Top Prince gets all the bitch spirit. She looks sweet to be a bitch for me.  Dunno who I'll blame, the actors or the bad writing of its character? Am I already calloused with the second lead being the better choice?




[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="717"] got me teary eyed too![/caption]

Questions towards the ending of the drama:

  • Will Tae kang will go to US?

  • Will they get married?

  • Will they make their own brand and name it "Ankle"?

  • Will Na Ri will be really be the CEO and be happy about it and ship to being good?

  • Will Dr. OB-GYNE and best friend of Hwang Ji Ah (she's been missing in too many episodes) will be a couple? hehe

  • Is Jake gay? (oh he already went back to US)




OMO! This maybe cheesy to some, but when Tae Kang starts to propose, he sings!

Unforgettable woman in the rain
I cannot forget that woman
In a beige trench coat
I cannot forget her dark eyes
She kindly smiles at me
and holds up the umbrella
As we look at the falling raindrops
without words, without words we walked
Unforgettable woman in the rain
That woman...


SWOON! Haaayyyy... really I want to proposed with a song! no matter how cheesy it will sound but it will surely swoon me.. Calling a God fearing, tall, has Asian eyes, nice set of teeth, can sing decently, has a good sense of humor with a good paying job and will let me watch kdramas and would not mind me squealing Yonghwa! Joo Won! Seung Gi! hehehe!


photo credits: dramabeans.com

Goodbye Jeanette! - Reality Bites

As I sink (I think) a quarter of my life now a days to Kdramas and Kpop.  Its rather living in a fantasy and I must admit that getting into those things are just excuse of not facing the real deal. Today, I got a message, a very sad one that puts me back to reality. A message from one of my friends listed in Facebook (really how many friends are really your friends). Emer, an old colleague told me to look into the wall of my friend, Jeanette.  It gave me a shock to read RIPs, condolences and only good works about Jeanette.  I did not cry right away as I cannot believe what I just read and convincing myself that its not her, but it is.  I cried inside the toilet.  I cried because I will miss her. She is one of the colleague that became a friend. I cried because of regrets, I failed to see her the last time I went home for vacation. I cried because I do not know if she trusted Christ as her Savior and that I did not share it (salvation) with her.  She said that she is agnostic at one of our conversation, it broke my heart back then but did not press on the issue of trusting Christ.




[caption id="attachment_2102" align="aligncenter" width="401"] with Jeanette (left) at Vigan[/caption]

I suddenly remembered how she laugh, her infamous mole, how slow she eats, how tasty is her Bicol Express, how generous she was, how hard working, how fast she fall asleep in the bus station's waiting after I left her to get our tickets (which is just 2 minutes), that she is such a magnet of thieves, our days in PLM and of course in Informatics.


Hinetz , thank you for being part of my life, I will not forget you.  Its too bad that we weren't able to do some of our plans together, as I didn't know that we do not have much time.

Gaksital Ep 13 & 14 - SO BAD!

So bad that it let me bit my nail, scream dali, dali! (faster, faster!) and worse, even said the F word!  The word that I managed to get out of my vocabulary simply blurted out of my mouth. Never watched a drama that I got so involved.  There's some spoiler below, better watch it with subs at kimchidramas.net or dramacrazy and to be entertained with recaps and viewers comments, go over to dramabeans.



After the brief romantic scene of Gaksital and Mokdan, its all business now!  The Oplan Ruin the Annexation Commemoration Celebration is to be realized.  And yes, Shunji yells, GAKSITAAAAL!


Its all success for the Gang and Gaksital but Damsari was caught.  Really with that kind of security and lack of gadgets like what we see in M.I. how can you escape.  I really like how Kimura found Kang-to lying on the floor beaten as well.  I don't care how he managed, that but our Kang-to did!  hehe!


It just killed me upon seeing Leader Jo, inside the torture cage with big spikes all over!  And to top that, Shunji is rocking the box with Leader Jo inside, looks a little bored and is like giving his legs an exercise! (this is the part where I said it) When a liquid flowed under the box, I thought that he peed due to to pain and die, but its just blood and he still alive and agreed to cooperate.  Dunno if its part of the ingenious plan (I hope it is) of Mokdan to lure Shunji and rescue his dad.

This show is so bad that they left us with Shunji, overhearing Kang-to asking Damsari where is Boon-Yi and that she is in danger! Show why? Why would you left us with that and let us yearn for Wednesday to come, totally ruining my other dramas.



[caption id="attachment_2091" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Kang-to you should be more careful[/caption]

I can't wait for Wednesday and I bet everyone that watches Gaksital, screams for the same thing!

Again - Yonghwa in Running man!

Woooohooooo! Yong filming for Running Man! Nobody can argue that Yong is one of those guests that gets into the game. Meaning he takes his guesting seriously. And that adds up to many reasons to love Yong. I am We are so looking forward to see Yong again for RM!

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Jaworski!

I grew up loving basketball. I remember saving money for magazines and cuting the pages for a scrapbook and even rolling a tube of perfume so that it will smell good. Only to realize that it will ruin the paper!

Of all teams in PBA, I rooted and placed bet on Ginebra! Well it is my dad's team, I don't know why I did not choose another team but l'm glad l didn't.

Today, we (l put we as l am writing a post) pay tribute to the number 7 Jersey.


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The Barangay is so noisy in twitter. If only Filipinos are as united as the barangay Ginebra fans, Philippines will be a better place.

To Jawo, though your not really my favorite player but you have been part of how I loved Ginebra. *APPLAUSE

Gaksital - Wishing its always Wednesday!

I stopped at episode 6.  By the way this might contain spoilers, better watch it with subs at kimchidramas or dramacrazy.

I refrain from watching it week by week for I know I will find it difficult to kill my anticipation for the next episode. But the feeling of being behind in appreciating a very good drama, kills me even more, so I promised to see the episodes that I missed. Next week will be episodes 13 and 14.  Will they have a kiss this time? They just manage to embrace, that melted my heart.



I love how this year, I manage to catch good dramas, a very good drama for that matter.  When it comes to drama, action is not really my cup of coffee (hehe), but this one just give the right amount of drama that I need, and right amount of action.



I still don't know what this lady-from-noble-family-turned-geisha-daughter-of-samurai-club-leader role in this drama. Maybe the slapping of Chief Kimura.  I am glad, whenever he gets a slap, for she is the only one that can do it. I'm hoping for a mind blowing twist for her character.  Though we already know that she has some crush on Kang-to and us too! Let me correct that I loooooveeeee Kang-to.

One thing that I like so much in this drama is that nobody is acting fool.  Details that were put in each scene will be explained later, which will complicate things!  I like it when Gaiso, spotted how our Kang-to reacted (he reached for his gun) when Shunji is about to slice the head of Boon Yi aka Mok Dan, aka the ultimate bait for catching Gaksital.  Its good that this spy/leech circus member which I don't bother to research her name, is finally caught by Kang-to.  I laughed at myself when I am screaming at my screen "Kang-to, don't fall into their trap!' while biting my fingernails.


My chest hurts when Shunji told Kang-to how he feels.  A complete deja vu for Kang-to.    Its beautiful how the drama told us about the same agony of the then Gaksital to our present Gaksital.



Sniff sniff at the scene when Kang-to realizes that Shunji is becoming like him, the Kang-to that is so obsessed at finding Gaksital.And even worse, he (Gaksital) is so close and even shares the same room with him. Waaaahhhh!


This entry can go a mile, for I watched 6 episodes, 2 last night and 4 today. its 1am and still have to work tomorrow.


As I write this, I am listening to Ulala Session's "Goodbye Day", Gaksital's OST.  I love this song so much.  Of course this drama is packed with good OST, the musical score is just fantastic! Can't wait for the full OST. Speaking of Ulala Session, I didn't expect that I will like them.  I saw theM wearing colorful suites, in My Immortal Song 2, singing against K. Will. Of course I cheered for K Will, now when I see them again, for sure I will now cheer for them.


Last note, Joo Won, my hands are down with your acting, really I heart you!

Strike 2 - Starbucks Dubai Bad Customer Service

I remember when i first gotten into blogging that one of my long entry was about how i got a bad customer service from Starbucks. Now Starbucks us not really my favorite coffee shop, its just that they are everywhere. I got over of that experience and started to patronized it again for its availability.

Got my usual iced Americano at starbucks. I was influenced by Yong and I understand why he loves it so much even that it is bad for his throat condition. This time it was special for I added vanilla syrup which is an additional 5 dirhams. After I finished the jumbo hotdog from fat burger I sipped into my coffee to my hearts content. But only to realized that its 90% ice!


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I felt cheated and so I complained. Its not really a complaint but rather informing them that they put a lot of ice (more than the usual that I get every week). And add so I asked if he (the only barista there at that moment that I can speak to) was the one who made my coffee. He answered me coldly, "no" and smirked. Its like the very cold drink that I have because of the grande ice that they gave me instead of just an iced coffee. He forgot ownership. As I worked as a customer service rep, we were always reminded in taking ownership even its not yours because you and your other colleague are part of one company. And the fault of one usually represents the whole company and so taking ownership is important.

I really don't know the standard of Starbucks when it comes to iced coffee but based on my frequent orders of that beverage, I believe that they put more. Now I know that they are just probably tired its 7 in the evening on a Thursday night and there's a lot of people. And they are only three barista. All I wanted is an acknowledgment that indeed they put a hell lot of ice, an apology and even a fake smile will do.

With this experience I will avoid Starbucks for the second time for their bad customer service.

This image

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This image had invaded my desktop, phone's lock wallpaper and my facebook cover and soon this blog's banner. yay!
I first saw him in Baker King in a character that you will easily hate. However, in my case I simply cannot for he is gorgeous. Period.

Got it!

Typing this using my new phone! I didn't get the pink one for the price is way higher. I still have to get used in using a full touch phone. And the large really its LARGE screen make browsing more fun. After I looked into my old phone, I realized that its small!

So far I just downloaded FB, wordpress and a Bible. Dunno what other apps I will dOWnload. And l'm sleepy.

Hello July!

There you go, half of the year just passed like that.  My 8th day of this year let me experience Kpop at its best at least for me - CNBLUE's Bluestorm concert in HK!  Like most life, its a mixture of ups and downs, bitter and sweet, from ecstatic feelings to torments.


So July, lets beat my June posts.  March is still my winning month in terms of no. of posts.  I wonder am I not that busy at that time?