Korean Food--Bibimbap

So let's pretend you're a kdrama character. Something has gone horribly wrong in your life, and all those looming catastrophes have finally come crashing down on your head. THE PLOT CONFLICT HURTS.

What do you do? If you were American, you might go for the tub of ice cream. But if you're a k-drama character you grab...

Bibimbap! Of course you do. 

Wait, and let's not forget one of my favorite scenes from Fated to Love You. This had me rolling. Pregnant chick sneaks into the kitchen to stuff her face, and then gets caught doing it. It didn't help that she hid under the table.

I've been curious about how this stuff tastes, because honestly, it looks amazing. It's all moist and chewy, and you can grab giant spoonfuls of it to drown your problems. So naturally, I asked my Korean friend San to help us make some, and he happily agreed that we should try it. The important thing you need--if you can find it--is the sauce that makes it that orange color. Go Ju Jang. I just happened to find it at a pricey market near my house, so we were good to go. Here's how it turned out before we mixed it all up:

Bean sprouts, mushrooms, cucumber, spinach, beef, and egg on rice

After we mixed it all up, it looked exactly like the bibimbap I saw in dramas. And man was it GOOD. Better than I imagined, actually. It's really fresh (depending on the ingredients of your choice of course. Bibimbap just means mixed rice, so if you throw goldfish and doritos in there it probably won't taste the same. Fair warning.), and the spicy go ju jang sauce gave it the perfect kick of heat. I will definitely be making this again very soon!!

Thank you San!!

I think the next food we need to try is that grilled meat that you see characters chowing down on when they're trying to get drunk.

If its good enough for adorable Mi Ho, I'm sure it's good enough for us right? ;)

If you have anything you would like to ask my friend while he's still here, please ask away! I know I've dropped him with tons of questions like, "Do you actually get naked with strangers in the bath houses?" and "On a scale of 1-Fires of Hell, how evil is your Omonii?" Kidding with that last one. His mom is adorable.

Have a great week!

My Korean Visitor!

Hey there Netizens!

No, I didn't give up on my bog a week after I created it. (Not that I've never done that...you could say I have commitment issues). Actually, I've been distracted by a visitor. And not just any visitor! I have...

A Korean Visitor!

San with my daughter, Lilianna

That's right! My friend San (shortened version of his real name to protect his privacy) flew over from Korea to visit us here in the States. He's currently trying to pass the TOEFL so he can go to college in the U.S. We all thought that maybe if he stayed in America for a month, he would advance his language skills even further. 

But more than his desire to better his English, he's here because he's our friend! It's SO FUN to exchange information with him about what is similar and different between Korea and America. He brought us a ton of delicious Korean snacks, ramen, and even chunky sweaters like they're wearing in dramas these days. He's so nice, and we're all having a great time exchanging cultural similarities and differences. He even consented to watch that new Hyun Bin drama Hyde Jekyll, Me, even though I could tell he thought it was kind of too mushy for him. He's a good sport like that.

We will post more pictures and stories later on, but for now my Kdrama fans...

Is there anything about Korea you would like to ask San? 

  

I figured it might be kind of fun if you, my fellow netizens, had the chance to ask him any questions! It's not every day you get to speak to a native Korean who was born and raised in Korea, and is visiting America. 

Let me know, and the Ahjummas will be back very soon with more reviews and fun posts!! 

 

Which Kdrama to Watch?

When someone says they want to watch a kdrama, but they don't know which one...

I've watched more than 50, and counting. Just shoot me a message peeps, and I'll help you find the right kdrama to fit your mood!

Pinocchio Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis

10/10 
  _________
 

Overall: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

 Plot: 9/10

Feels Factor: 10/10

Reviewer: Alyssa

 

Yes, you are seeing that number correctly. I gave this kdrama a perfect score! I don't do that lightly, either. For me, it was the characters and the acting that really cinched the deal, but the drama as a whole was just so smoothly written and executed. I do wonder if I might be a little amped up about it because a.) it just finished and b.) I watched it every single week religiously starting from episode one. But, then again, I wouldn't have done that if I didn't enjoy it. I'll try to give you an unbiased review. (Although really, if you're reading my reviews, you probably realize that they are skewed far away from the logical side of the spectrum, and a little closer to the amygdala of my brain if you know what I'm saying.)

The Bad: Pinocchio might not be to everyone's tastes, and here's my guess as to why (because I personally can't find much fault with it.) The beginning is a bit of a slow uptake. In fact, I actually wasn't sure if I would continue with it after episode two. Then after episode three I was hooked. Also Dal Po's hair was...wow...

Don't worry he cuts it later.

Also, this drama is very (eerily) similar to I Hear Your Voice, not only because it stars Lee Jong Suk as an intelligent but poor young man with a disturbing past, but also because the pace, intensity, and "search for answers plot" feel familiar. If you did not like I Hear Your Voice, then its probable you will not find this one terribly interesting. And the writers knew it, because guess who showed up in episode 12?

Yup, that's Lawyer Cha from I Hear Your Voice! I got up from the couch and actually whooped and did a ridiculous GEEK OUT dance when I realized they had done a show cross over. He acted as lawyer for one of the main characters in Pinocchio.

Wait why is this in the bad section? Oh right, in case your heart is made of stone and you didn't like I Hear Your Voice and the charming Lawyer Cha.

One other downside might be that this plot centers around reporters instead of detectives, and they aren't exactly out to put people behind bars. It's more about reputation and honor than life and death--although there's plenty of life and death situations regardless. And the middle dragged a little bit for me when the main characters did that thing where they had to pretend they didn't love each other. Classic kdrama move. 

The Good: I'll start with the characters. The main girl, In Ha, was played by the very famous Park Shin Hye. Now, I'm not (or wasn't) a fan of Ms. Park, so I was unsure going into this drama. I mean, have you seen how she kisses? It looks like she's in pain.

But imagine my shock when Park Shin Hye not only played her role as In Ha to perfection (including realistic looking hiccups every time she lied. Props for that.), but she delivered some FABULOUSLY romantic kisses with her leading man!

Not one or two, but several kisses at that. One of the things I loved best about this drama was its ability to balance the intensity of its gripping plot with the sweet romance that we all wanted to see. They managed to focus on both without detracting from either one.

As for the plot, let me throw this out there. What if there was a plot based not on misunderstanding, lies, and near misses, but on truth, the consequences of making good decisions, and the struggle to be honest with those around you? TA DA. I give you Pinocchio. This was the opposite of the plot line that I hate the most. I detest lies and misunderstandings used as conflict. What I found incredibly intriguing was conflict that came from the main characters always choosing the right path, but having to deal with the ripples those steadfast morals caused. Fascinating, and absolutely refreshing to me.

I would love to see more heroes and heroines being honest with each other, and facing their problems head on like In Ha and Dal Po did. Right on, guys!

In the end, its all about the feels factor. For me, this drama gave me all the right emotions, and I was left satisfied and even triumphant on behalf of the characters.

My final opinion: If you're human, you've got to like this one.

I Hear Your Voice Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis

 9/10

_____________

Overall: 9/10

Characters: 9/10

Plot: 9/10

Feels Factor: 9/10

Reviewer: Alyssa

 This is one of those incredibly solid, satisfying dramas that totally deserves all the hype it got. I remember watching this, and being on the edge of my seat for almost all of it. This is one I would call a BUTT CLENCHER.

The Bad: It might be a little bit slow to start. You have to invest at least two or three episodes into this drama in the beginning before it fully hooks your interest. Not that it's boring in the beginning, but there's a lot of set-up that has to take place, and all of it is important.

Another downside, since there is a lot of legal drama involved here, is you can't really know if this is entirely plausible plot-wise or not. I kept getting this feeling like maybe they were making up laws and stuff. I was suspicious of that.

But since I can't say for sure, it really didn't bother me that much. They probably made up stuff. Who knows? (More to the point, who cares?) It's not like I watch dramas for their gritty portrayal of the real world.

Another downside for me that made it just too hard to give it a 10 (even though I was really very tempted), was the rare skinship. I mean, these two lived together, and they obviously liked each other. But it wasn't until the very very end that they started to hug and stuff, and I just wish there was a teensy bit more of it.

And lastly, I had to get over my aversion to the noona romance. This was my first noona romance, and it wigged me out that not only was the leading lady quite a bit older than the main guy, but he was still in...High School...

They pulled it off somehow, and then I got over it because our main man, Park Soo Ha, was such a capable guy that the age difference sort of melted into the background.

The Good: First and foremost, Lee Jong Suk completely impressed me. He played the part of Park Soo Ha so well, and I sort of actor stalked him after this because I was so pleasantly surprised by his acting. I remembered him from his small role in Secret Garden, but I guess he matured a lot since then! His chemistry with Lee Bo Young (who plays Jang Hye Sung)  turned out to be entrancing.

I liked that Park Soo Ha loved and respected Jang Hye Sung for many years before he met up with her again. Not only that, but she was the cold one, and he was the character that needed to thaw her out and bring out her compassionate side again. That felt really different and fun to me!

Oh, and I can't believe I haven't mentioned it yet, but Park Soo Ha can hear peoples thoughts. He can read minds, yo! How cool is that? If a writer throws in a supernatural element to a drama, then chances are I'll be all over it. And if you're anything like me, then you're probably thinking, "Well what kind of antagonist could present a challenge against a guy who can read minds?"

My friends, I give you this guy.

 He ramped up the villain creep level to 11. THIS. GUY. is so dastardly, I actually convulsed on the couch in outrage several times. And it was brilliant! (His acting. Not my convulsing.) I don't know about anyone else, but this is an antagonist that will always stick out in my mind are particularly evil. He made an impression on me, and he's the reason this drama flew by at an incredibly speedy pace. From start to finish, I had to find out what would happen, and if our two main characters could overcome the obstacles.

Also, I canot forget that Yoon Sang Hyun played an entertaining character as well.

If you've seen Secret Garden, then you'll be like me and shout "OSKA!!!" at the screen.

In the end, this drama turned out to have basically everything I could ask for. Action, supernatural abilities, romance, and a well-written script.

My verdict is that you have to watch it. It's entertainment at its best!

Full House Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis!

Alyssa's Review

Overall: 5/10
Characters: 6/10
Plot: 7/10
Feels Factor: 4/10

I feel like a lot of people are going to hate me after I do this review. This is, apparently, a well-loved favorite of many viewers. And I didn't like it...

Please don't hate me too much. I love Rain! Really I do. But I do not love this drama.

The Bad: Jeez where to begin. I'm not even going to list their clothing as a negative, because I was able to see past that and realize that it's an older drama. Plus I'm not exactly a fashionista. What I can't get past was their total lack of chemistry. I felt like I was watching siblings learn how to get along. I even thought maybe it was me, and put the drama away for a few weeks, and then came back to it.

Nope, still no chemistry.

They bickered the whole way through, and even when they were "in love," they were picking at each other and annoying one another. Ugh, it was frustrating. I'm just not a fan of that kind of relationship. I don't think its funny or cute when people nag and pester each other. Unimpressed Alyssa was unimpressed.

Also, it was just too slow for me. This was all one giant misunderstanding plot. All they did was argue about pointless things, misunderstand each others intentions, and hurt each other in the process. Once again, a plot where the "drama" could have been avoided with communication skills even my 5-year-old possesses. I personally need a real antagonist in a plot to enjoy the story. And by real antagonist I don't mean "their own insecurities."

The Good:  There were moments. Little moments that made me continue to watch it even when I didn't particularly want to. I kept going because I was hoping to see Rain's character become loving and caring. He honestly didn't quite get there for me, but he did change! And they had some sweet moments.

Also Rain. He's a big plus:

And that's about all I can remember being good. It was too much quarreling for me. Back and forth, him being mean, and her being spiteful. It was a little exhausting honestly. The reason I gave it a 5 and not something lower is because I liked that she was a writer, and that she had real goals. I liked that he changed as a person, and she did too. I LOVED the premise. Such a good idea, and I've heard there are other versions I might enjoy trying. But the whole storyline of the two leads having to live together due to "circumstances" is a favorite of mine. And this story showed good promise, but it just didn't follow through in the way I had hoped.


So, here's what Ahjumma says about Full House: If you like couples who bicker and needle each other, and you get a lot of laughs from watching them stumble their way through a comedic, but otherwise loving lifetime, then you will enjoy Full House.

Faith/The Great Doctor Review

Click the Pic for a Synopsis

Alyssa's Review

Overall: 9.5/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Feels Factor: 9/10

Oh, this glorious drama. If I wasn't already in love with Lee Min Ho after Boys Over Flowers and City Hunter, this show made me absolutely smitten with the guy. This isn't a drama so much as a journey, my friends.

The Bad: I guess if I have to list off the "bad" things, I'll do it, but this is one of my all-time favorites. Just throwing that out there. So if you are easily bored, this might not be your drama. It's not slow by any means, but it keeps a pretty steady pace, and sometimes they don't make progress. I do remember getting a mite frustrated by a few circular plot points, if you will. There's a lot of going in circles with the bad guy before the happy ending.

I love adventure and fantasy (see my published works. No surprise there.) but if a believable "realistic" plot is what you're after, then this might be a disappointment. There's not a lot of realism in this time travel adventure. And there was a good bit of cheese but I like cheese. Who doesn't like cheese? Cheese is delicious.

Also--and this is why the feels factor got knocked down from a 10 to a 9--there's only one kiss. And it's not the best kiss I've ever seen in a Kdrama. Not the worst (I'm looking at you Park Shin Hye), but it wasn't as satisfying as it should have been. And for how much this couple loves each other, and how much they overcome, there should have been a lot more skinship involved, I think. So its a bit low on the skinship.

The Good: But what it lacks in skinship, it makes up for in chemistry, and romance, and just pure emotion! I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. First of all, Lee Min Ho plays a smoking hot, super fit ninja, captain of the guard, soldier guy. And he kidnaps a female doctor from the 21st century to save his queen. She's all flustered of course, and tries to run away, and so I give you this:

I mean really. Look at him.

Anyway, so that was a great start to the drama, and it just kept getting better. The plot sucked me right in, and the action combined with the chemistry between the leads made for a drama I literally could not stop watching. My kids watched so much TV that first day, I'm embarrassed with myself.

Kim Hee Sun played the female lead, Yoo Eun Soo, and did it so well, I have a hard time believing she's not actually that way in real life. Yoo Eun Soo's character managed to be appropriately bewildered by the circumstances, but level-headed enough to make some good decisions. I felt like she really cared about the people around her. She brought out the best in her stodgy, hard-to-love but impossible-to-resist soul mate, General Choi Yeong. 

And it wasn't just the leads who were enigmatic. All the side characters were just as interesting, and that's rare for me. I usually don't care about side characters, but in this case, the side plot with the King and Queen falling in love was adorable (look them up, they were a real couple in history!), and the unit of soldiers Choi Yeong commanded were just the best.

If only they had put more skinship in there, this drama would have been basically perfect to me.

I could keep singing the praises of this drama, but suffice it to say, it's a favorite. So what's my final say on Faith/The Great Doctor? If you are anything like me, you will love it. It's a must-see.

Emergency Couple Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis!

Alyssa's Review

Overall: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 6/10
Feels Factor: 8/10

Obviously this drama didn't quite make it to my "top 20" list or anything. Maybe I'm a little harsh on it because at the time I wasn't as in the mood for this kind of storyline, but despite the "meh" score I gave it, this drama was well-written and well-executed. But just so you get all the facts, here's the bad AND the good so you can make a decision for yourself!

The Bad: Slow. This show was just...on the slower end. It started off at a pretty good pace, but especially at the end, I skipped a lot, and ended up feeling like, "Okay, blah, blah, blah they give in to their OBVIOUS feelings and happily ever after. Moving on." It lost a spark for me after like episode 10.  I think partly because I felt like some of their arguments were incredibly childish, and as a married woman myself I found myself just kind of rolling my eyes and muttering, "Seriously? That's why you two couldn't work this out?"

I just wanted to grab these (fully grown, almost doctor) adults and give them a good shake. And as far as "misunderstanding plots" go, this one was up there with the frustrating factor. I am fully aware that married people have a hard time communicating, and in fact this drama did touch on some really realistic issues, but most of it would have been solved with a good marriage counselor. Or, you know, any human relations strategies at all. In any form.

Basically, this couple is married beforehand (that's not a spoiler, I promise), and they meet up again as residents in a hospital they both just happened to start working at. Old feelings flare up, and with it old arguments. It's about them working through their issues, and interacting with the people around them at the same time.

I also kind of wish there had been a little more medical in this medical drama. 

The Good: This show was dang funny. I laughed out loud several times, and I'm pretty sure I even slapped my knee like an old timer. Choi Jin Hyuk and Song Ji Hyo had the most hilarious chemistry, and there were some times I thought it would be a total classic. I think if the show had kept going as strong as the first 10 episodes, it would have been up there. If you like love/hate relationships, I think you will really enjoy this one. It's got some quirk, some humor, some serious issues, and then some adorable romance to boot.

By far my favorite part of this series was this guy:

OH MY GLOB is that not the cutest baby you have ever seen? (Well except my kids, obviously. But you haven't seen them.) This little guy completely stole the show for me. I won't tell you who he is or what have you in case I give spoilers, but man, I just could not get over those chubby cheeks. Cute.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Choi Jin Hyuk is one of my all time favorite actors. He's the reason I watched this drama in the first place ;) So this show was worth it just to watch this adorableness:

I'll end with saying that while this drama was really fun, and had great laughs, it also touched on real issues I appreciated. Marriage is tough, and when the two people involved are not emotionally prepared to be completely selfless and open in communication, they're going to hit snags. I appreciated that we got to watch this couple grow out of their insecurities and initial problems, and learn how to love one another again. Oh the feels!

So what does this Ahjumma say as a verdict? If you are in the mood for a "growing together" drama (and an adorable baby), with well-written dialogue and witty banter, then this is a good bet. 

Coffee Prince Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis!

Alyssa's Review

Overall: 8.5/10
Characters: 9/10
 Plot: 7/10
 Feels Factor: 9/10

I watched this one a long time ago, but the happy feels are still there, friends. This was such a great drama, and I haven't re-watched it yet, but I know I definitely will come back to it when I want a feel good story. This was the first drama I watched starring Yoon Eun Hye, and it made me an automatic fan. She was completely brilliant! As with all dramas, there's some bad, and a whole lot of GREAT. Here's my comprehensive review.

The Bad: This was another "misunderstanding" plot drama in a lot of ways. At first the tension came from her being a girl, and him thinking that she was a boy, and her having to keep the pretense up. Which was great! I loved it. But then it dragged out a little too far. The main conflict became that our main man, Gong Yoo, thought he was gay, and when he found out she was a girl GASP, was really super mad at her. What I didn't understand was why she kept hiding it. They made up some weak excuses, but in the end, the drama could have been avoided with a few well-worded sentences from her part.

This, in turn, made the middle drag just a tad, which is why plot had the lowest score. It started off really strong, and super fantastic, and then they dragged out the issues a little longer than they should have. This was also the case for the ending, which was not the most satisfying tidbit. One of my least favorite ending strategies, without giving too much away, is when they separate the couple and have them meet up again after x amount of time to have a fresh start or something. LAME. I wasn't very happy with that.

The Good: Despite all that, I still absolutely adore this drama. I will say it again: Yoon Eun Hye was a genius in this show. She brought a delightful quirk to her part. I remember having some misgivings when starting the drama because I feared she would be the kind of tomboy that insists she doesn't want to be girly, and stomps her feet when she has to look cute. This character, Go Eun Chan, not only didn't mind getting all dressed up once in a while, she actually kind of craved it. But because she's so boy-ish, she doesn't often bother. It added a nice layer to her character that I enjoyed very much.

And as a woman, Go Eun Chan had some serious chemistry with her male lead Gong Yoo, played (fabulously) by Choi Han Gyul. Maybe chemistry isn't the word...

MORE LIKE VOLCANIC REACTION

I realize this is not a volcano

These two had super hot, crazy awesome chemistry. The kisses are still some of my all time favorite, and they kept that tension alive the whole way through. So even if the plot was a teensy bit drawn out, I didn't really care. I just wanted to keep watching these two do what they were doing.

This drama was all about the characters. There were two side characters that had their own plot going on, but I didn't care about them at all. I skipped a lot of their scenes after a while. What I mean by characters is really just these two:

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnggggg yo. Is it hot in here?

So what is your ahjumma friend's verdict on this one? Wait, just watch that gif up above there one more time. Take it in. Yeah, that's why you should watch this drama.

City Hunter Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis!

Alyssa's Review

Overall: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Feels Factor: 7/10

Wait, before we start we all need to take a second to appreciate how funny it was when they said "City Hunter." In the Korean language, they have a hard time getting that hard "s" out there, so the "s" in "city" came out sounding like a "sh" sound. Say it to yourself. Okay, good, I got that out of my system. It was funny.

Moving past that, this drama was great, everyone! Action, suspense, romance, facemasks...

Where do Korean up-to-no-good-ers find these things? Anyway, besides Lee Min Ho looking great in a mask, this drama had a lot of high points for me. Here's the good and the bad.





The Bad: I am a sappy romance kind of person, and while this drama did have a fair amount of romance in it (enough to appease even me), it wasn't as focused as I would have liked it to be. There was only one kiss in this drama, and at the very end they weren't exactly running into each other's arms. Granted, a lot of sad and heavy things happened, so I'd imagine neither of them were exactly feeling it. But a *touch* more would have made me happier.

The other negative thing I might say about this drama was that it was kind of slow to start. For me, anyway, having an entire first episode of set up was a bit draggy. It took me a while to get into it. And although the plot is very gripping, I actually left this one to watch other things in between. So it wasn't a "can't put it down" kind of drama for me.

The Good: Pretty much everything else you can think of, this drama nailed it. Music? Gripping. Plot? Entrancing. Chemistry? Totally hot. It's an action drama with a great romance weaved into it, and I think it would appeal to a wide audience. This is the drama where I fell in love with Lee Min Ho, because his performance was just spot on. Kim Na Na, the main girl, was very cute, and she played her role perfectly. I already loved her from the first drama I had watched ("Sungkyunkwan Scandal"), and her feminine but capable character in this drama suited her well. Lee Min Ho's character Lee Yoon Sung also fit him nicely, and the acting all around was--from my limited knowledge--pretty flawless.


The whole drama was just different enough to feel a bit refreshing, but still familiar enough that you know you're watching a classic Kdrama. To make it even better, there's a satisfying ending, and the bad people end up where they ought to, and the good people come out on top. But they throw you enough curve balls that you don't feel like its too predictable or stagnant. And that's why I had to give this an 8, even if its not up there in my "grand romances" list, it's up there in my high production value, high rewatch value list.

Your ahjumma friend's verdict: Watch this when you're in the mood for a thriller.

Boys Over Flowers Review

Click the Pic for Synopsis!

It seems fitting that one of the most famous dramas would be the first review I knuckle down and write for this website of ours. The christening drama. The first. For many, the best.

But not for me.

Anyway, I'll get to that. Since both Ahjummas saw this review, you will get both takes on it.

Alyssa's Review

Overall: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 7/10
Feels Factor: 9/10

Let's make one thing pretty clear: I love Lee Min Ho. Seriously, he's gorgeous, he picks awesome dramas, and overall he's just a Korean heartthrob. I will admit, however, that this drama is not what made me fall in love with him. Especially because of that hair. Guys, that hair though.

Not my favorite. That said, this was inexplicably one of those dramas I just could not put down. Even the second time around when I showed it to my mom, I couldn't look away. It actually defies logic because really, the plot wasn't that great, the leading girl was pretty annoying a good 80% of the drama, the kisses were stiff and awkward, and their relationship was downright strange at the best of times. Was it the gorgeous F4? Was it the fast pace? Was it the fact that the characters just REFUSED to quit despite every impossible challenge?

It's hard to say.

What I can say is that overall I actually enjoyed this drama. If you're wondering whether or not its worth a try, I'll tell you that this drama is kind of the gateway drama you have to watch at some point. Like a rollercoaster you have to ride before you officially enter Kdrama Land.

The Good: This drama starts at a fast pace, and pretty much keeps that pace through the whole thing. And right off the bat we get sparks flying between the two main leads, and some simmering feels between the main girl and the second lead. And speaking of second lead WOW. If ever there was a painful second lead, Ji Hoo is it. There are few dramas where the second lead has metaphorically stabbed me in the heart like Ji Hoo did. I actually had to go and watch "Playful Kiss" right after this one because I needed to see him "get the girl" so desperately.

Also, if you love the damsel in distress thing, there is plenty of that in this drama. (Too much? No, what am I saying--there's no such thing.) The F4 has to save the leading lady a lot, and that's my kind of my thing, so I enjoyed it immensely.

And without giving you spoilers, there's a feel good ending, so that gets two thumbs up from me. That's another thing I look for in my dramas, personally. The tone was equal parts light and fluffy, and dramatic and heavy at all the right parts, and the "villian" so to speak, was appropriately treacherous. All great things.

Also, Lee Min Ho. What a dream boat.

The Bad: I almost dropped this drama after the first episode because Geum Jan Di, the main girl, was too painful to watch. The overacting, the ridiculous...whatever it is that she is...I couldn't...

Yeah, I almost dropped it. But I persevered! I got used to Geum Jan Di eating like a camel and wearing her hair like a four-year-old. She lacked a lot of...everything. But the F4 are so perfect, they completely make up for anything this drama might be missing. They are the real reason you'll watch this drama.

Another thing I wasn't so happy about was the fact that this is what I like to call a "misunderstanding plot." I really rather detest that usually. This is when a plot is based almost entirely on the main characters misunderstanding one anothers intentions. They say one thing, but think something entirely different, and thus fight over...well...nothing. Things that don't exist. For example, Geum Jan Di doesn't think she deserves Goo Joon Pyo, so she runs away. But he thinks its because she doesn't like him, so he decides to be cold toward her. This, apparently, passes for tension. I don't know. I got over it because like I said above--there's just *something* about this drama that pulls you in.

So there you have it. Overall, does your Ahjumma friend think you should watch this? YES. Go watch it.

Who Are the Ahjummas?

Annyeonghaseyo!

We are the Ahjummas, and we welcome you to the manifestation of our insane Kdrama addiction. We assume that if you are here, you also love all things pertaining to Asian dramas, so thank you for dropping by and perusing our site.

First things first, why the name Ahjummas? For those of you who have been in the Kdrama world for a while, you will recognize that this term is used for old women. I know I might look fabulously young...

But I am, in fact, an old married woman. My Korean friend was quick to agree when I joked that if I'm married that must mean I'm an Ahjumma. He just said, "Yup." Ouch. So this married chick, combined with my (still very young looking) mother...

...makes two Ahjummas.

We LOVE Korean dramas.

Eating Jjajangmyeong while watching My Love From Another Star

And music.

Wearing EXO shirts

But for real, we get SERIOUSLY into those dramas.

Our feels while watching "Shining Inheritance."

 And as long as we're obsessing about it and having a great time, we figured we would share it with you. We will both add reviews for all the dramas we have watched, and we will continue to add them as we go! And there will be some blogging and reaction videos too because, hey, that's a blast.

So grab some ramen and stay a while!