Released internationally on 2nd Jan 2020, Ashfall is a South Korean fictional disaster movie about Baekdusan, a real volcanic mountain seated on the border between China and North Korea.
Baekdusan tops lists of places that South Koreans hope to visit before they die. It hold special meaning to them and is even referenced in the national anthem.
I haven’t seen a movie on natural disasters for the longest time – let alone a Korean made film.
And boy boy boy boy boy, the CGI in this film was off the charts.
But it’s not all just about the disaster. SPOILERS ALERT.
I LOVE the scenes that are political and transnational – how this volcanic eruption has implications on those in power as well as the U.S. agenda.
Definitely recommend everyone to support this film.
I may be a little biased as the producer is the same as “Along with the Gods” franchise director Kim Yong-hwa, and stars the same lead actor – and my personal favourite – Ha Jung Woo.
And of course, top actorLee Byung-hun and my personal bias Suzy Bae (Woohoo!)
Actually little bumped out that Ma Dong Seok only plays a supporting role this time. As for Jeon Hye-Jin, I don’t quite know her… sorry!
My only disappointment is, like most Korean drama and films, the ending was super abrupt. (What exactly is about them that always give this “not nicely wrapped” feeling?)
In November and December, we saw some very high profile comebacks for Korean actors and that means exciting shows to keep us entertained.
I personally usually watch shows for their cast because I feel that I appreciate their individual acting as it is what really set them apart from other actors or other drama.
Sharing my favourites in the last quarter of 2018 (in order of preference)
5. About My Strange Hero (복수가 돌아왔다) :
Synopsis : When Kang Bok Soo (유승호) was a high school student, he was falsely accused of committing violence and kicked out of school. This was caused by his first love Son Soo Jung (조보아) and a male student Oh Se Ho (곽동연). Kang Bok Soo is a now an adult, and his life is messed up. He returns to school as a teacher, intent to seek revenge. However, he encounters unexpected circumstances.
Louis : I like Yoo Seung-ho – partially because I disillusionally believe I also belong to the category of 국민남동생 (which means the nation’s younger brother) HAHA. Anyway, this really just started and it seems like Yoo Seung-ho name always mean high viewership.
4. Encounter (남자친구) :
Synopsis : Cha Soo Hyun (송혜교), a divorcee and the daughter of a prominent politician who seems to have everything, meets and falls in love with Kim Jin Hyuk (박보검), a free-spirited young man, who seems to have nothing. They have to decide if it is worth throwing their lives away for each other.
Louis : I am quite mixed on this one. I mean TVN drama is always shoot extremely cinematically. But as the internet has spoken, the script for this drama is a bit too cheesy – I didn’t realise it until I read the comments online. It’s filled with dramatic pauses and intense OTT (over the top) stares. But then its freaking Park Bo Gum and Song Hye Kyo, I am definitely watching it to follow how the actors unravel the character’s storyline and loveline.
3. Top Star U-back ( 톱스타 유백이) :
Synopsis : Yoo Baek (김지석) is a former idol group member. He is now a popular singer and actor. Yoo Baek is self-centered and he is brutally honest to others even if it hurts them. He makes big trouble for himself and travels to a faraway island to getaway. There, he meets warm people on the island including Oh Kang-Soon (전소민) and Choi Ma-Dol (이상엽). Kang-Soon runs a small supermarket, dives to pick abalone and sea mustard, and is physically a very strong woman.
Louis : Due to the the strong island dialect and heavy korean accents, I find this drama more relatable and possibly popular amongst Koreans. I would say the cast here are experts of romantic comedy and thats why it deserves a watch! The fact that the setting is on an island with a small community of people, and touches a little on Haenyeo (Korean “mermaids’) add some spice to a very very flavourful cast and storyline.
2. Clean with Passion for now (일단 뜨겁게 청소하라) :
Synopsis : Clean with Passion For Now is based on the popular webtoon of the same title. Jang Sun Gyeol (윤균상) has mysophobia (fear of germs) and runs a cleaning company. He meets Gil Oh Sol (김유정). She has a bright personality and she does not mind getting dirty. With the help of Gil O-Sol, Jang Sun-Gyeol faces his mysophobia and also falls in love with Gil O-Sol.
Louis : Another long waited come back by Yoon Kyun-sang. I never quite see him in romantic comedy but paired with a powerhouse like Kim Yoo-jung, I am absolutely glued to my seat for this one. Its the kind of happy pill drama you go home after a long day to watch it with ice cream in your hands. Highly recommended.
1. Memories of the Alhambra (알함브라 궁전의 추억) :
Synopsis : Yoo Jin-Woo (현빈) is the CEO of an investment company. He has good sense at his work, a strong adventurous spirit and a strong desire for winning. Yoo Jin-Woo is going through a hard time emotionally due to things like betrayal from his friends. He visits Granada, Spain on business and stays at an old hostel run by Jung Hee-Joo (박신혜). There, Yoo Jin-Woo gets involved in a strange affair.
Louis : Finally, here comes my favourite. I am actually quite excited about this one (picked up by Netflix). Another set of power house actor pairing, this drama tops this list for its plot. The story is centralised on an evolutionary augmented reality game designed by a 17 year old boy (Yes girls, its Chanyeol from EXO), which means you get to see very interesting scenes on and transitions between reality and gameplay. Highly recommended because it has everything – interesting plot, amazing cast, good setting backdrop of Alhambra etc. Could possibly could be the successor of The Globin in the global media market.
Have you ever thought of sharing the things you do on your mobile with your friends? Full disclosure.
“Intimate strangers” is a recent Korean movie that touches the separation of your public life, personal life, and private life.
Masked as a romance comedy, the movie uncovers having our secret life and hidden side exposed to the closest people we have around us, which eventually end up in a tragedy (sort of).
I went to this movie without much expectation and was very surprised once again at how the Korean content industry works on the typical movie-making and story-telling format, but at the same give and add a lot more about their own.
It is quite a creative movie I would say.
So, if you like something for some light consumption but also like to walk away with some depth to think about, then catch this movie!
I am running little bit late but here is a catchy song from EXID just realised a few days back and already taking over the world as we speak.
In case you didn’t know EXID was out of action for a while as their main vocalist took a hiatus due to health reasons.
They may not be the most popular girl group (like Twice, ugh!) but their songs are sure a hella catchy and iconic(ally sexy) such as “Ah! Yeah” and “Up & Down“.
Some of you might know that I took Korean history and law in Seoul, and comfort woman is one of the difficult topics to learn about because of the atrocities.
Please share this video and let me know what you think.
Hi stylers! I came across this video I made back in Seoul. The quality is a bit low because it was school work. So, check it out and let me know your thoughts.
What do you think she saw? Shoutouts to Jane for staring in this.
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There are many clips online about living in Seoul – the beautiful scenic place, the food, the party, the beauty industry, and of course the K-pop culture.
But, here is my alternative interpretation of the life in Seoul, South Korea.
It often about fitting into trends and “categories” of people, and could be difficult and isolating for many – lonely even.
I just wanted to share the unspoken side of the glamour among of these good things. Nonetheless, I will always be loving Korea.
Click on the button below to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you like to see more! 🙂
Hey guys! Just wanted to share with you one of my proudest finds in Seoul. This is going to one quick post.
Drumroll please. It is Otto Kimbap, which is located along in a obscure corner in Itaewon known as Usadan gil. Usadan-gil it is definitely one of the most indie places in South Korea, Seoul. Here you can find cafes that have interiors designed very differently from other parts of Korea. They are creatively built places definitely worth your time.
You can find shops like music booths, bars, cafes, art and photography studios and Korean restaurants (I just really love this place!). Clickhereto see more photos of Usadan-gil.
Anyway, in my opinion, Kimbap is one of the most under-rated Korean snacks/food as it is commonly associated with the convenience food sold in GS25. But making a tasty and interesting rice roll requires a lot of effort in curating the taste with seasoning, sauces, spices and ingredient used.
Until I found Otto Kimbap.
Otto Kimbap is so beautiful in a rustic picturesque way that a photographer from the New York Times used in one of its articles about Korea titled “A Hundred Cities Within Seoul” – just take a look at the photo above!
Here is the part about the food.
Let’s get straight to the point. I don’t quite know how to elaborately describe or explain how delicious the food was (like really!) But i would say that it is just world’s different from the typical (mainstream) Korean fried chicken shops or Kimbaps stalls.
Food from Otto is simple and homely. That is it.
Owned by a lovely elderly couple, Mr Kim and Mrs Kim who really takes real pride in the concoction of their signature Kimbap and Chicken. Chat with them when you are there and you will soon find yourself falling in love with them and the place entirely.
Taste-wise, it clean and fresh. But the winning formulae is essentially in its sauce. I heard from Mrs Kim that she’d experimented a lot in ensuring the flavour from each ingredients are in perfect harmony and uses only traditional ingredients.
Here is a short video of the really cute kimbap place.
Address
용산구 한남동 764-14
1 Usadan-ro 10da-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
There are many clips online about living in Seoul – the beautiful scenic place, the food, the party, the beauty industry, and of course the K-pop culture.
But, here is my alternative interpretation of the life in Seoul, South Korea.
It often about fitting into trends and “categories” of people, and could be difficult and isolating for many – lonely even.
I just wanted to share the unspoken side of the glamour among of these good things. Nonetheless, I will always be loving Korea.
More on the Korean Life in my future videos. Click on the button below to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you like to see more! 🙂
@Louisjunho 