Spotlight – Kwak Jae-Yong

This is something new I like to add to what I’m currently doing. These Spotlight post will focus on one individual or a team (if they consistently work together) that is involved with Asian cinema. They could be directors, actors and actresses, screen writer, or anyone else that could even slightly be involve. By writing these posts, both you and I will get to know more about the people behind a particular work. I hope you guys will find this informational and entertaining at the same time. I like to start out with director Kwak Jae-Yong who directed my favorite movie (can you guess what it is?) My Sassy Girl.

Kwak Jae-Yong

He was born on May 22, 1959. Thus, his Zodiac animal is the Pig and his astrological sign is Gemini. General qualities of the Pig Zodiac is a likeness to peace and tranquility. Pigs are entertaining and easily draw people in this way. They also tend to overindulge in something including their giving nature. Gemini are versatile, inquisitive, whimsical, and lively. Now, this doesn’t mean Mr. Kwak Jae-Yong have all of these traits, but with this information you can have a general idea of his personality. He works both as a director and a screenwriter. His debut work is the movie Watercolor Painting in a Rainy Day in 1989. Unfortunately, the two movies that he directed following Watercolor Painting were a flop at the box office. This lead to his 8 years of unemployment. Thankfully, he was able to bounce back with the massive success of My Sassy Girl in 2001. His newest movie as of now is Cyborg She / My Girlfriend is a Cyborg.

My Sassy Girl (2001)

My Girlfriend is a Cyborg (2008)

Densha Otoko – R

Broadcast in 2005
11 episodes
Overall Rating: B

Ito Misaki as Saori Aoyama
Ito Atsushi as Yamada Tsuyoshi
Miho Shiraishi as Kisuzu Jinkama

The title literally means “Train Man.”  Based on a true story that was posted online on a 2channel board in Japan (similar to a forum), the tale gained an immense popularity and spawn a successful novel, a movie, and finally this drama series.  Yet the story is very simple.  Yamada Tsuyoshi is an all-around nerd in the eyes of the Japanese community.  A nerd in America just means someone very devoted to something may it be Star Wars or comic books.  In Japan, it is a gamer, anime-obsessed, and adores computer.  On a train-ride home one night, he meets Saori Aoyama – a beautiful woman in appearance, posture, and way of speaking.  When a drunkard comes by and begins harassing her, Yamada, unable to contain himself, meekly tells the man to leave.  The drunken man then goes on to punch Yamada in the face.  However, his courage moves Saori and she sends him a set of Hermes Cup as a gift.  Not knowing what to do afterward, he goes online to seek some advice at a forum for lonely males.  The story expands to Yamada hilarious ways to impress the beautiful Saori.  Miho Shiraishi plays Kisuzu as a “friend” of Yamada.  Her brash and direct personality plays a deep contrast to the nervous-wreck that is Yamada.

Happy Birthday, Blog!

I can’t believe I almost forgot.  Around this time last year, I started this blog!  Thus, with this September, my blog is officially one year old.  I’ve never run an entertainment blog before so I was and is very amazed at the number of visitors interested in what I’m writing about.  Thank you to everyone who have visited and those who have left comments.  I especially thank those who regularly visit my blog – thanks!!

So after a year, I have some awesome stats I’d like to share.  As of today, my blog has registered 39,722 hits!  Yayyyyyyy!   March, April, and May were the busiest month with 5,000+ – 6,000+ hits each month.  Top three posts are my reviews for Hana Yori Dango, Hana Kimi, and the post about 2007 top JDrama.  The top three terms people used to find my blog via search engines are “coffee prince, hana kimi, and hana yori dango.”

This has been a very interesting year and I was glad to have watched a few awesome drama and movies from Asia.  Life isn’t always grand so I was happy to be laughing away with Fantasy Couple, Coffee Prince and getting my heart warmed with the likes of Hana Yori Dango and Absolute Boyfriend.  Also, movies like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Il Mare, and Grave of the Fireflies both moved my heart and inspired me in countless ways.  However, what makes me happier is knowing there are a growing number of people out there appreciating these cinematic works.

I’ll end this post with one of my favorite image from the awesome Kmovie My Sassy Girl – THE movie that got me hooked on Asian Cinema as a whole.

Beethoven Virus…nope it’s not a disease

A new Korean drama will be premiering on Korean TV channel MBC this September called Beethoven Virus.  From DramaWiki, the story line is about a strict conductor name Kang Gun Woo who, thanks to his rudeness and chilly demeaner, has little to no friends.  That all changes when he meet two talented musicians on the subway: a violinist name Du Ru Mi and a trumpet player name Kang Gun Woo.  Both has no musical training but the three eventually connect and join Kang Gun Woo’s orchestra.  Love triangle initiates and commences.

Now, doesn’t this drama sounds a little familiar to anyone?  Crazy but talented conductor who has no real friends meet talented musicians who moves his heart = Nodame Cantabile!  Though no one has yet to mention any similarities between the two shows, I’m sure the story of Nodame Cantabile has an influence on the writers of Beethoven Virus in some way.  Despite that, I am a big fan of any shows that involve the arts like drawing, cooking, or playing instruments.  Hopefully, it’ll be another great drama for this genre.

Main Cast:

Kim Myung Min as Kang Gun Woo (Conductor)
Lee Ji Ah as Du Ru Mi (Violin)
Jang Geun Suk Kang Gun Woo (Trumpet)