First Episode Recap: Cheese in the Trap

There must be a hidden meaning behind the title but I'm a cheese lover anyway so I'll take it for what it is. Cheese in the Trap is a 16 episode TvN drama based on a much-loved webtoon. Even though I haven't seen the former, I think this might be one where the TV adaptation manages to live up to the hype.

Netizens initially had strong opinions over the casting of Kim Go Eun who is relatively unknown in k-drama land despite snagging multiple awards for her acting skills. Now that the first few episodes are out, I think everyone is in agreement that she deserves the crown. On the other hand, Park Hae Jin, the lovable second lead in You From Another Star, plays her leading man as the enigmatic college senior. I doubt anyone objected to that.

Cheese in the Trap had me grinning from the first few seconds. Hong Seol's drunken shenanigans peaked my interest and I wanted to know why she was pointing an accusatory finger at the seemingly-innocent Yoo Jung. 

Episode 1 revolves around the madness that comes with registering for classes on the first day of school. Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) is your average university student and she has systematically planned the perfect class schedule and secured a seat in Professor Han's class as a surefire way to keep her scholarship. 

Yet on the first day of school, Hong Seol is appalled to learn that someone maliciously used her student account to drop Prof. Han's class. The biggest suspect turns out to be none other than Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin) who has done nothing but smile sweetly at Seol. Nonetheless, the Sherlock in Seol tells her that there is something amiss behind that friendly facade.

First Impressions: I like how Seol's character can be so plain awkward yet adorable at the same time. I look forward to seeing the budding romance between the two leads especially since Yoo Jung is clearly making an effort to pursue Seol. The episode flew by in the sense that I didn't feel any minute was wasted, even Seol's friends Eun Taek and Bo Ra were hilarious (ahem, the classroom scene).

But then again, I confess to getting occasionally swayed by Seol's conspiracy theories. What if her often unfounded cynicism towards Yoo Jung turns out to be true? The appearance of siblings Baek In Ho and Baek In ha already foreshadows a backstory behind the mysterious Yoo Jung. Is this actually a thriller and not a rom-com? Is Park Hae Jin the cheese and Kim Go Eun the mouse to be trapped?


For the latest best K-drama recommendations, click here.

Moorim School Ep 2-4 Highlights

After watching 3 episodes consecutively, the drama withdrawal syndrome strikes again. Episode 2 continues without managing to change my first impressions about the drama. But at least we finally get a glimpse of the school grounds of the mysterious Moorim School and I'm laughing because I look at the red brick walls thinking, isn't this Kirin Arts High School?

The two punks are at it again bickering over every little thing since they became each other's roommate from hell. Wang Chi Ang (Hong Bin) is forced by his father to be there while Yoon Shi Woo (Lee Hyun Woo) is going deaf and has nowhere to go after his scandal exploded. 

Granted Yoon Shi Woo's bad attitude doesn't exactly help his case, but It bothers me how the self-righteous Soon Duk was unabashedly unapologetic and refused to help him even after seeing that the false rumors she spread were ruining his life. I know she will obviously clear his name in due time but it was frustrating to drag things along and what of the constant fighting between the two guys who are looking more and more like brats, is it necessary?

Thankfully, the end of the episode sealed the deal for me and I remembered why I like martial arts dramas because that fight scene was pretty cool. You'll see >.<

Unfortunately for the boys, fighting is not allowed in the school so they are automatically expelled. Since neither refused to go willingly, Dean Hwang makes a deal with them that the person to bring back the markings from Moorim Peak can stay in the school. This was also the turning point of why I will continue watching this drama because finally, things are starting to get interesting - there's action, a budding bromance and a strengthening camaraderie between the four leads. If I can hope, please no love triangle, can't it be a square?

For my 2016 Korean drama recommendations, click here. 

Drama Review: Dream High

Dream High 드림하이 is the answer to k-pop and k-drama lovers out there since it combines both genres to make k-drama gold. 

Plot Summary: Go Hye Mi (Suzy Bae) aspires to be an opera singer but due to financial troubles, she sets out to audition for a spot at Kirin Art High School instead. She meets a group of students with similar goals and we are taken through their journey towards reaching their dreams.

Rating: Must Watch (5/5)

If you want to watch a feel-good rom-com that is thoroughly entertaining, I highly recommend Dream High. There was a time when I was oblivious to k-pop but Dream High changed it all, introducing a selection of k-pop hits as well as renditions of popular songs that had me humming for days. It is pretty much Glee meets k-pop and I love it.

The premise calls for an all-idol cast which includes 2PMs Taecyeon and Wooyoung, Miss A's Suzy, T-ara's Eunjung and solo artist IU. The only actor from the bunch is Kim Soo Hyun, which is a winning decision in hindsight because his heartfelt acting grounded the show and made it so much more real.

Dream High is a short 16-episode k-drama that's simple as it tackles more mundane plots in a manner that is so sweet and endearing. The actors or rather singers truly carry the torch on this one because I rooted for each and everyone of them and rallied behind their motivations and aspirations. Besides, how does one not love an entire series devoted to the underdogs?

It was also one of those rarer moments where I wasn't sure who would end up with who and I'm glad that it ended the way it did.

Dream High OST:

A Part of This Dream - San E
Maybe - Sunye (Wonder Girls)
Dream High - Taecyeon (2PM), Wooyoung (2PM), Suzy (Miss A), Kim Soo Hyun and IU
Someday - IU
Winter Child - Suzy Bae (Miss A)
My Valentine - Taecyeon (2PM)
Dreaming - Kim Soo Hyun

Goose Dream cover by Suzy (Miss A)
Only Hope cover by Suzy (Miss A)
Genie cover by Suzy, IU, Kim Soo Hyun and Taecyeon

Film Review: Volcano High

Volcano High is a reboot of every coming-of-age story about a martial arts prodigy but this time around, it is coupled with an exaggerated depiction of Korea's stringent educational system. The film has become somewhat of a cult classic that has heralded a new breed of martial arts school dramas. 

There are quite a number of works in this underrated sub-genre, of which recent k-drama Moorim School serves as the latest addition. I see plenty of similarities in both from the main guy's bleached blond hair to the foreshadowing of an immense power, which enticed me to re-watch Volcano High and it is still as enjoyable if not more thanks to a thing called nostalgia.

Volcano High was released in 2001 starring top Korean actors of today such as Jang Hyuk, Shin Min Ah, Kwon Sang Woo and Gong Hyo Jin who were in their teens or early twenties when the movie first came out.

Plot Summary: Volcano High / Hwasango / 火山高校 / 화산고 is in essence a school for the gifted. During a time when the schools are in a constant state of chaos, teachers and students participate in a never ending fight for supremacy and it is said that whoever acquires the Secret Manuscript can put a stop to the discord.

The story revolves around Kim Kyung Soo, a problem student who has been expelled from over eight schools and sent to Volcano High as a last resort. Contrary to common perception, Kim Kyung Soo is actually a kind-hearted kid who is generally non-confrontational if not for a freak accident that changed his life. As a newcomer, he attracts the unwanted attention of the school's most powerful clans where he must fight to survive. 

Rating: Must Watch (5/5)

If you like anime, wuxia or just action movies in general, then I highly recommend Volcano High. Jang Hyuk's character as the new kid on the block is hilarious from his every gesture to his nuanced expressions, which he manages to pull off with style. I really enjoy his comedic timing, over-the-top without going overboard.

As the protagonist, his journey towards becoming the hero that he is meant to be is engaging because it is metaphoric of every man's struggle in overcoming their own insecurities.

The rest of the cast does an equally amazing job bringing their respective characters to life. I will never forget Icy Jade Chae-yi, hot-headed Jang Ryang and the epitome of hotness Song Hak Rim. Not to be left in the cold are the band of evil teachers because I loathe them and that's a good thing.

I like the darker tone of the film and thought that the dimly-lit scenes meshed well with the overall vibe. After all, in spite of its ability to not take itself too seriously, the movie is still a martial arts flick where the stakes can be life and death. This is a film that is one for the ages, executed with flair and too cool for school.

For more movie recommendations, click here. Because I couldn't resist, a movie recap is in the works. 

First Episode Recap: Moorim School

KBS2 college drama Moorim School started airing last week. Moorim is the Korean word for wulin (武林), a word every wuxia fan would know. But for those who don't, Moorim School translates in English to school of martial arts. I normally don't find school dramas appealing anymore, but I'm a sucker for dramas with this kind of concept.

Episode 1 begins with an action-packed chase through the forest where a man carrying a little girl runs from a group of assassins. Fast-forward eighteen years later and we are introduced to Yoon Shi Woo, Korea's hottest idol whose peaceful sleep is disrupted by an ear piercing sound that seems to be a common occurrence for him. 

Lee Hyun Woo's character as Yoon Shi Woo is your quintessential male lead who has it all except for a nice personality whereas the female lead Seo Ye Ji as Sim Soon Duk is the exact opposite. She is bright, cheery and working non-stop to support her family. Of course, she also happens to be a student at the mysterious Moorim School, which we only hear about thus far. 

To complete the love triangle, Hong Bin portrays Wang Chi Ang, the illegitimate son of Chinese-Korean parents and heir to one of the biggest conglomerates in China. For reasons we do not know, his father is determined to send Chi Ang to Moorim School going as far as to arrange his son's kidnapping. Chi Ang almost drowns trying to escape but fortunately for him, he is saved by his new love interest Sim Soon Duk and even meets her quirky family in the process.

Last but not the least, the triangle might be a square after all with the addition of Jung Yoo In as Hwang Sun Ah, another student from Moorim School who saves Yoon Shi Woo from a falling strobe light. She is also the reason why he will decide to go to Moorim School. 

First impressions: Maybe my expectations were through the roof, think Volcano High, one of my most favorite movies ever. However, Moorim School falls short in the sense that it is not as funny, the actors are so-so and actress Seo Ye Ji's over-exaggerated expressions were a bit too much.

The main leads are all fresh faces to me except for Lee Hyun Woo who was the goto child actor in a number of dramas that it would be a crime not to recognize him. That said, it is too early to give a verdict and I haven't even seen the inside of Moorim school yet so I'm hoping next episode will be better. But seriously, check out Volcano High, a movie starring Jang Hyuk and Shin Min Ah way back when.

See episode 2-4 highlights. 

Release Date: January 10, 2016 (eng subs on viki)

Boys Over Flowers, Meteor Garden and Hana Yori Dango over the years

If there is a holy grail of idol dramas, then it has to be Meteor Garden (流星花園) because it is the kind of show that you can't help but fall in love with time and again, and I'm not exaggerating because it's been remade numerous times and it's a bona fide hit every single time. 

When the drama first aired in Taiwan, Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Ken Chu and Vanness Wu were so popular that they actually turned their drama personas into reality to form a band as F4, releasing a few albums under their name. Perhaps an even more telling sign that we're on to a phenomenon is the Korean drama Boys Over Flowers which turned Lee Min Ho into an A-lister, placed Kim Bum pretty high up as well and probably Kim Hyun Joong too had he not fallen from grace over personal scandals. 

It's the same tried and tested formula of four insanely good looking guys and a feisty lady, and it's quite amazing to see that one story can be culturally distinct but still fit all given that it has versions in Taiwan, China, Japan and Korea. Apparently, a remake is also due in 2018.

2009 Boys Over Flowers (Korea)

2008 Meteor Shower (China) 

2005, 2007 and 2008 Hana Yori Dango (Japan)

2001, 2002 Meteor Garden (Taiwan)

For those who don't know, the story is originally based on the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango (花より男子). It follows a very typical premise of a rich guy meeting a poor girl. He is an immature arrogant brat who eventually falls for the girl that he torments. As if to play into more cliches, there is an overbearing mother who will stop at nothing to keep them apart. 

The thing is, I can't pinpoint exactly what makes this work but it just does and it doesn't even matter that the actors hired for the role are usually not the best actors as long as they fit the bill. Even the supporting roles are a winner, when you consider that it was played by the likes of Rainie Yang and Kim So Eun. 

This may seem out of the blue but all this talk reminded me of Bull Fighting (Dou Niu Yao Bu Yao), another Taiwanese drama starring Mike He and Hebe Tian in 2008. It was such a good drama back that brought back feelings of Meteor Garden. 

The story begins with Yi Sheng Xue, a high school girl, who is an avid basketball fan. She meets high school basketball star Shen Ruo He whose group of friends are good-looking, sporty, adept at fighting and of course extremely well-to-do. They started out at odds with each other but eventually fall in love. Do you spot the similarities?

Source: Rainie Yang, Kim So Eun