Kdrama Review: School 2017

I think I have mentioned many times now that what got me into kdrama, kpop and Korean culture in general is Who are You: School 2015 (actually it was Yook Sung Jae of BTOB). I loved that kdrama so much so I was really anticipating for the next school year - School 2017.

 School is a kdrama series which mainly focuses on sensitive issues such as the corrupt education system, academy and tutoring culture in South Korea, bullying and common problems of teenagers in love, friendship and family.

 Simple plot. If I were to compare it to the previous installments, I must say that the plot of School 2017 does not really stand out; it is simple and predictable - which is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, such light and superficial kdramas are easier and fun to watch if well presented. And School 2017 is one of these kdramas.

 Relatable young love. School 2017 might lack story depth but Tae Woon and Eun Ho's young love and cute interactions will surely give you a mini heart attack. I love how the story was presented and how it was developed. It wasn't grand nor fast-paced but it was developed just right, along the way as they shared dreams and stuggles. I think their story is something that most of us can relate to.

 Kim Se Jeong's infectious smile. Kim Se Jeong's debut acting performance is not bad at all. I find it over the top at first but I started to love her as the drama progressed. Her smile will just melt your heart and will make you smile as well.

 Manly yet cute Tae Woon oppa.  I honestly don't want to watch School 2017 at first eventhough I've been waiting for this series because I don't find Kim Jung Hyun interesting but as always, I had a change of heart. He's one of the reason why I watched School 2017. 

He portrayed the rebellious and charismatic Hyun Tae Woon effortlessly. The scene where Tae Woon showed his Boy in Luv moves weakened my knees. LOL! Now, I am anticipating for his next kdrama.

Final thoughts? School 2017 is simple, there's nothing much to it but personally, I enjoyed the lightness of this kdrama. It is easy to watch and will leave you with smile and kilig in your heart. Yes, there are many loopholes and unanswered questions but who cares? If you want a light kdrama to watch, then I suggest you watch this. 

Apply for a Korean Visa for your Family

Last November 1, I was able to travel with my family in South Korea to see it's beauty during the autumn season. 🍁🇰🇷 For some of you who's planning to bring your family to South Korea, let me share the requirements we submitted.

So here's our case: I am the only one employed in the family, my mother is a housewife and my brother is Senior Highschool student.

Here are the documents I submitted: 

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture which I attached in the application form
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original Certificate of Employment (with my position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number, HR e-mail address)
6. Original Personal Bank Certificate (with account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
7. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
8. Copy of Form 2316

9. Copy of Birth Certificate

Documents I submitted for my mother:

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture which I attached in the application form
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)

5. Copy of Birth Certificate

6. Copy of Marriage Certificate

Documents I submitted for my brother:

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture which I attached in the application form
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)

5. Original School Certificate

6. Copy of School ID

7. Copy of Birth Certificate

Please note that these requirements are based on our family's scenario. Please do check the site for the detailed requirements applicable to you and your family.

✍🏻 Tips: 

1. No need to submit multiple copies of the financial documents if you are supporting your family's trip. Just attach them in your application form (assuming you are supporting their trip).

2. Be early. The embassy accepts application starting 8:30 AM and releases visa starting 1:30 PM but I suggest to be early to avoid long lines.

3. Write legibly and fill out the application form completely. If a field is not applicable, write  N/A.

4. Complete all the documents and sort it according to the list in their site.

5. You can check the status of your visa application here to alleviate the worry of your application status. 

❓FAQs:

How much do I need in the bank? There's no exact amount but it should be enough to support your trip. For us, I put 500 USD in the application (for 10 days). So I should have atleast 150 USD in my bank account, but I alloted 1000 USD for each of us (50k).

How soon should I process my application? Validity of visa is only 3 months from the issue date so I guess it's safe to apply a month before planned your trip to give you ample time to submit additional documents if the embassy request any.

Should I buy plane ticket and book a hotel before applying for the visa? Airline ticket is not part of the requirement so you can apply first then buy your ticket but usually for us who opt for cheaper airline tickets, we buy our tickets first (during seat sale) then gamble in the visa application. Hotel reservation are not part of the requirement as well but there is a section in the form wherein you can indicate your address in Korea (address of the hotel or guesthouse). Usually, I look for a guesthouse in Agoda with free cancellation and use it's address in the application.

Kdrama Review: Remember War of the Son

Remember: War of the Son is a kdrama that follows the battle of Seo Jin Woo as he seek justice for his father who was wrongfully convicted of murder.

This kdrama has a very common story but has a very interesting gist to it. Seo Jin Woo portrayed by Yoo Seung Ho has hyperthymesia wherein he remembers everything in enormous detail. I always hear the term "Photographic Memory" but was not aware that it is actually real. The hypethymesia detail on the story made it rather interesting.

 I randomly came across Remember: War of the Son's trailer in Facebook and was completely intigued after so I decided to watch it. I thought it will just be a light drama but watching the first episode already made my heart ache. ㅠ.ㅠ The first episode will grab your attention right away because of its quick pacing and interesting characters but it somehow began to slow down towards the end that I want the PD-nim to resolve and end Seo Jin Woo's revenge and misery. Remember: War of the Son has 20 episodes but I think 16 episodes was enough.

I applaud the actors and actresses in this kdrama for their effective portrayals -  from the lead to the supporting actors down to the minor characters. They all told the story effectively but one stood out - Nam Koong Min who portrayed the psychotic chaebol Nam Kyu Man. He portrayed his character really well that I still remember his facial expressions and his voice and I'm still mad at him. Lol. He's the first villain that I hated this much which means that he's really a good and effective actor. See it for yourself. 

I tried my best not to cry while watching this kdrama but I failed. Seo Jin Woo and his father's scenes were unbelievably tear-jerking and heart-warming. But eventhough there are lots of crying scenes, it is not tiring to watch. I cried with them. ㅠ.ㅠ

Another interesting part of this kdrama are the courtroom battles. It's fascinating to watch how the lawyers question the witnesses but at the same time, it is maddening to see the corruption within the justice system. It saddens me to think that this corruption may actually exist in our justice system.

There's not a lot of romance in this kdrama which I like since Yoo Seung Ho and Park Min Young in my perspective lacks chemistry. So I'm still satisfied on how their characters ended.

Remember: War of the Son is a solid drama that will make you cry and will make you mad. It was heartbreaking and so painful to watch but it was addicting at the same time. If you are not into heavy kdramas, then I think this is not for you.

Kdrama Review: The Best Hit

The Best Hit or in some translation, Hit the Top narrates the story of Yoo Hyun Jae, a famous idol from the 90s who travels to 2017 to rekindle his relationships with the people he hurt in the past and to uncover the mystery why he suddenly went missing in 1994.

This is the first kdrama directed by PD-nim Yoo Ho Jin (for those who watch 2 Days and 1 Night, I know you know him) and Cha Tae Hyun.

The Best Hits

The hit storyline. Time travel stories are not new to us but is actually a cliche that is heavily used in either movies and kdramas. I've seen kdramas wherein someone from the present travels back to the past like Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Faith but this is the first kdrama I've seen wherein someone from a not so distant past travels to the present which makes it rather new. 

And though this kdrama has that fiction flavor, I love that it also showed realistic scenarios which everyone can relate to. One can probably relate to Hyun Jae who has everything but feels empty inside, to Woo Seung who does everything  just to make ends meet, to Ji Hoon who's working hard to catch his dreams and to the other characters. Each character in this kdrama has a story to tell.

The Best Hit has a pretty simple and super predictable plot but it has an underlying mystery that kept me on my seat watching. 

 The hit newbie actor Kim Min Jae. I've been waiting for Kim Min Jae's next drama after seeing his short yet bold appearance in Goblin as the young Wang Yeo. I'm glad that I didn't wait long, he's back as the idol wannabe Lee Ji Hoon and Kim Min Jae went all out in showcasing his wide range of talents in this kdrama. The character of Lee Ji Hoon was perfect for Kim Min Jae and I'm sure you'll love him.

The hit charm of Cha Eun Woo. I've seen Cha Eun Woo with ASTRO in various variety shows and he's undoubtedly good looking but I didn't pay too much attention to him until I saw him in this kdrama. That rebellious character of MJ surprisingly suited him. I'm waiting for his next kdrama.

The hit variety show crossover. I felt like I'm watching the variety show 2 Days and 1 Night while watching this kdrama. Why? You'll see familiar faces such as Defconn, Kim Junho, Kim Jongmin and the international referee in their cameo appearances. I was happy seeing them in the kdrama showing their support to their brothers Cha Tae Hyun, Yoon Dong Gu and Yoo Ho Jin PD.

The Misses

Yoon Si Yoon as Yoo Hyun Jae quite a miss. I don't hate Yoon Si Yoon but I just think that the cheerful and quirky character of Yoo Hyun Jae does not fit him well. I found his portrayal unnatural - that "okay he's acting" feels. I remembered his character in the kdrama Flower Boys Next Door - the feels is similar. No hate. ✌🏻

 The main coupleis quite a miss. It's fun seeing Hyun Jae and Woo Seung teasing each other but their connection lacked depth. I prefer Lee Ji Hoon and Choi Woo Seung as a couple but I think the writer wants to tell us not to cross the thin line between friendship and relationship. LOL! Okay.

Missing performances. I think I was just looking for more performances from the actors since this kdrama is somehow revolving around Korea's entertainment industry. 

And I know JB is not the highlight of this kdrama but I was really anticipating for the performance of these two. I was quite disappointed that I didn't see them on stage.

 Final Verdict. The Best Hit may not be the best but it is a good kdrama to watch. It is simple and predictable but it is interesting as well. Let me know if you've watched this kdrama.

Kdrama Review: Cinderella and the Four Knights

I grew up hearing the story of Cinderella and her happily ever after. And though Cinderella was my favorite fairy tale I was not ecstatic when I first heard of the kdrama Cinderella  and the Four Knights. Probably because I am not very familiar with the casts but I had a change of heart after watching the first episode - I know! this happened to me many times now. Lol!

The Hits

An old and familiar story told in a new way. Cinderella and the Four Knights is somehow similar to the Cinderella story that we know - it is about a girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister while his father works away from home. Her life changed drastically after meeting the rich Kang cousins.

Aside from similarities of the plot in the Cinderella story we know, this kdrama talks about family that we all can relate to. It shows that no family is perfect, we argue, we fight but at the end of the day a family will always be a family; just like the Kang cousins.

Modern Cinderella Eun Ha Won. I loved the character of Eun Ha Won - she's nice, sweet, strong, hardworking, virtuous and stands for herself; she doesn't need a guy to rescue her. She's a perfect depiction of a millenial Cinderella. And Park So Dam portrayed her character very well. Her smile is infectious and just brightens up every scene. She's a gem, I love her.

Not just one but four knights. It's always nice to see handsome boys in a kdrama, agree? These guys are cute when they get on each other's nerves but it's cuter seeing them secretly looking out for each other.

Jung Il Woo portrayed the rebellious yet soft-hearted Kang Ji Woon. Though his character is rebellious, he didn't seem that defiant at all. I think that character does not fit him; the sweet and cute Kang Ji Woon suits him better.

I did not like his stiff character at first but he became absolutely lovable towards the middle of this kdrama. He's cute and his smile is just captivating.

Ahn Jae Hyun was the arrogant and playboy Kang Hyun Min which I think fits him perfectly. I was really convinced that he's a player. This guy really needs a beating and I'm glad that Eun Ha Won gave him that. He's my favorite knight tho.

 Lee Jung Shin as the affectionate singer-song writer Kang Seo Woo is uhm.. just okay. I love his song - Confession.

Choi Min as secretary Lee Yoon Sung was a surprise. Initially I wasn’t sure who the fourth knight was, but then I realize that it was him. He has a stiff and serious character but it's nice to see how he look after the Kang cousins and acted as the Kuya of the group.

The OST that just can't get out of my head. For You by BTOB will leave you with that last song syndrome. The song is just perfect plus it was sang by my dorky boys. Whoa..whoa.. Hearing the sweet voices of BTOB on the background makes my heart skip a beat.

The Misses.

The paasa love triangle. I started to love this kdrama because I found Kang Hyun Min and Eun Ha Won cute but they just drifted apart. Sad. It's like they promised you something that they can't keep. It was disappointing at some point. I really love their chemistry.

Damsel in Distress Park Hye Ji. I honestly grew tired of Son Na Eun's character here. I was tired of her crying scenes that I skip them. Jinjja! 

Do I recommend this kdrama? If you like something that has an easy-breezy story with lovable female and male leads then yes, I recommend this kdrama to you!

Photo credits:

http://dramawaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Cinderella-and-Four-Knights-Kdrama.png

Day 5: Ewha and Cheonggyecheon Stream

After getting our tummies full, we walked around Ewha Woman's University area, also known as Ewha Woman's University Fashion Street. As what we've read from other blogs, it is a shopping haven for women so we're so excited to visit this place!

How to go? Take the subway Line 2 to Ewha Station, exit 2 or 3. Then, head straight.

We were originally planning to visit the school but haven't had the chance since it is already night time. Hence, we just maximized our time shopping in the streets. I really felt the college vibes as we walked along the lively alleyways with the students. Plus, there were many small boutiques so what else can we do? Shop 'til we drop! Hahaha. In fact, we forgot to take pictures since we are so much focused in shopping. Most of the items here are sold half the price compare in Myeongdong because it is catered for students so it was indeed a good catch. Trendy and affordable! What more can you ask for?

So here are some of the things that you can buy in Ewha:

1. Bags. There are really tons of bags here! From girly sling bags to cool backpacks. Name it and they have it! 😉

2. Eyeglasses. If you really want to achieve that perfect korean look, you must really grab these glasses from Ehwa. Though I deeply regret that I was not able to buy one.

3. Contact Lenses. Another thing to use for your perfect korean look. Tons of choices and great deals!

4. Sweatshirts. I think the clothes display depends on the weather. It was autumn when we went so that explains it. I bought good quality sweatshirts for only 500php each.

5. Shoes. There are variety of shoes here - doll shoes, sneakers, boots, etc. You can all find them very cute and stylish.

Since it is still early, we took a short detour to the famous Cheonggyecheon Stream, a public recreation space which stretches over 10km long. A perfect place for a peaceful night stroll amidst the busy city.

How to go? 

Option 1. Take the subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station, exit 5

Option 2. Line 1 or 2 to City Hall Station, exit 4

Luckily, there was an event when we visited. As per my research, it is called "Seoul Lantern Festival", an annual festival held every November. The theme last year was "Historic Hangang River" which was evident in the pictures below.

 

 

 

  

   

Even though we did not understand much the theme, we are still grateful that we had the chance to witness this festival. How about you? Have you witnessed a festival in Korea? Tell us your story! ☺

Tips for First Time Travellers in Seoul

Travelling to Seoul, South Korea for the first time, as corny as it may sound,  was indeed a dream come true for us. It was an epic and memorable experience that we'll treasure for the rest of our lives. LOL! 

With more people like us planning for their own epic Seoul, South Korea trip, we've listed some tips that you can consider.

Save addresses in Korean. This comes handy in case you get lost. We were lost the moment we set foot in Seoul. LOL! We arrived in Seoul late that subway's closed and we only have the directions in taking the subway; good thing we printed the address of our guesthouse in Korean and just showed it to the taxi driver.

Check for discounts online and print coupons to save. We saved ₩2000 on our Petite France trip by printing coupon from http://vkc.or.kr/en/special-offers/discount-coupons/. If you're going to Everland or Grevin Seoul Museum, purchase tickets beforehand at Klook for discounts. There are other offers as well so you can check their site for their promotions.

Wear comfortable shoes. Trust me, there are lots of walking so wear your most comfortable shoes.

Squeeze in sunscreen, moisturizer and lip balm in your baggage to defend yourself against the sun. It is chilly but it is sunny as well. Our skin tends to dry out when exposed to cold air so do not forget to moisturize.

Change money in Insadong or Hongdae. We found good rates there - Php 1 = ₩23. If possible, do not change money in Nami Island Php 1 = ₩21 (same rate in the airport). I heard that you can convert Php to Dollar then to Won to get better rate but we have not tried this one.

Food is for sharing. If you don't mind sharing food then consider sharing as meals are good for two. The first time we dine out, we ordered two servings of meat and yes, we were too full to eat it all. However, better check first if restaurants allow sharing because some restaurants require one order per person.

 Download Subway Korea app. This is a life-saver since you'll be using the subway frequently and their subway system is huge!

Choose guesthouses near the subway to save time and energy. Ours is just 8 minutes away from City Hall Station Exit 7 so we really saved time and energy. It's also good to choose guesthouses near the tourist spots but those guesthouses can be pricey. Ours is near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Tower, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namdaemun Market, Grevin Seoul Museum and Myeongdong that we only walk to go to these places.

 Purchase T-money card. You'll save ₩100 every trip. Plus you can use it almost everywhere - taxi, bus and convenient stores. Plus you avoid the hassle of purchasing single journey ticket everytime you use the subway.

Get yourself a decent sleep. 7 days (for us) can be so tiring so rest.

Enjoy and share your experience to us! ❤If you've already been to Seoul, please feel free to add tips that worked for you in the comment section below.

Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe: A Taste of Seoul in Manila

Bingsu is a popular korean dessert made of flavored shaved ice topped with milk and different kinds of fresh fruits, rice cakes, brownies and the classic red bean.The closest Filipino dessert that I could think of that is similar to bingsu is our all-time favorite halo-halo though they are different in many ways.

And our favorite stop to satisfy our bingsu craving is Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe in SM Megamall and Reliance St., Mandaluyong City but my friends and I prefer the branch in Reliance St. as it is less crowded compared to the Megamall branch. BTW, it says Lee's Cafe in the front signage of the store in Reliance which is a bit confusing.

Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe

The place.

If you're a kpop or kdrama fan, then you'll certainly love this place as they play kpop songs and kdrama OSTs in their mounted flat screen TV with HD videos. But if you're not a fan, I guess you will enjoy this as well. You'll leave the place  with last song syndrome. The place is quite cozy and spacious, I can stay there all day. LOL!

Photo from Zomato 

The menu.

Below's their menu with flavors that suit Filipino taste buds which comes in regular and large size. I always eat with my two other chingus and two regular sized bingsus are enough to satisfy our cravings. BTW, there are other snacks available in their menu which we haven't tried yet.

 

Our recommendations.

I haven't tried other bingsus yet but I was pretty satisfied with the bingsu in Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe. Here are some of the flavors that we've tried.

Choco Brownie bingsu is our favorite. It has chocolate flavored shaved ice topped with chocolate powder and syrup, whipped cream, nuts and chunks of brownies. I love how each ingredient compliment each other and I like that it is not too sweet but is enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

 Matcha Red Bean bingsu is also a must-try. The shaved ice is sprinkled with matcha powder and topped with sweet red beans, nuts and a few chunk of rice cake. The sweet red beans and the matcha powder is a perfect combination! BTW, this flavor is not yet available in the Megamall branch.

Strawberry bingsu is topped with loads of strawberry slices, whipped cream and strawberry syrup. If you love strawberries then you'll definitely love this but if not, then this isn't for you.

Others

I always love the banana and mango combination but Banana Mango bingsu did not capture my taste buds. It's not bad but there's nothing special to it.

Mango Cheese bingsu is the last in our list. It's just that the mangoes were sour and unripe (I guess) when we tried this flavor. But I'm willing to give this another chance. LOL!

 

Final Verdict.

I love bingsus from Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe and have nothing bad to say about this store so I think I will always be a regular in their place, together with my chingus. ❤

Kdrama Review: Liar and His Lover

Lately, I've been running out of kdramas to watch (if you can recommend some, please!) until I came across The Liar and His Lover starring Red Velvet's Joy and Lee Hyun Woo.The Liar and His Lover is a tVN kdrama based on a Japanese manga which revolves around the romance of Kang Han Gyeol, a genius composer/producer of the band Crude Play and Yoon Soo Rim, a highschool student who dreams of becoming a singer. My thoughts on this kdrama? 🤔

A meh story.

The story of this kdrama is a bit weak. The narration is just steady and meh; there's nothing that kept me on the edge of my seat. If there's one thing that is unique about The Liar and His Lover's storyline is the part wherein it tackles Crude Play's issue as a band (I won't spoil you). It made me wonder if there is really something like that happening in Korean entertainment industry. Well, who knows?

Unconvincing main lead romance.

It's always cute to see young love but this kdrama did not deliver that kilig feels that I'm expecting. I think the main couple Kang Han Gyeol and Yoon Soo Rim lacked connection and chemistry. Their love story didn't feel romantic to me; it feels more like a friendly interaction. 💔

Lovable Second Couple.

Thanks to the secondary couple - Yoo Si Hyun and Soo Yeon's lovely romance that saved the kilig drought. LOL! This couple's short scenes are honestly more memorable than the main couple, well atleast for me. Unlike the main couple, these couple has a more convincing and well-developed love story which dates back to their highschool days. 

On point OSTs.

I've always loved musical kdramas or kdramas with musical theme such as Dream High 1&2, Monstar, Heartstrings, You're Beautiful and Shut Up Flower Boyband because of their catchy songs and The Liar and His Lover is no exception. The songs played by Crude Play are on point and will definitely leave you with last song syndrome. Some of the songs that I particularly love are I'm okay and Peterpan. Gwaenchanha, yeogie seo isseulge... Na..Na..Na..Naa... How I wish Crude Play was real.

Prepare your heart for the Second and Third Male Lead.

I was always persuaded by my friend to watch Uncontrollably Fond because of Lee Seo Won who portrayed as Suzy's brother but i refused many times. But after watching The Liar and His Lover, I got to understand her. His character was a bit immature and has kontrabida feels but even with that character, I ended liking him over Kang Han Gyeol.

 Gone are the days when kdramas have the main and second lead; having the third or even fourth male lead is now the new trend. And in The Liar and His Lover, I suppose Baek Jin Woo is the third male lead. Its cute how he gets jealous of the guys that surrounds So Rim. I honestly liked him more than Han Gyeol.

Final Verdict.

As I watched more kdramas, I learned that you need to find good things in it; something that will keep you on your seat, watching. And you really need to find that good thing in this kdrama. As for me, I find Crude Play's music and the secondary couple - Yoo Si Hyun and Soo Yeon and the secondary leads as reasons to keep watching. Honestly, if there are other kdramas that's in my list in the time I'm watching The Liar and His Lover, I will delay watching this kdrama. You know, priorities. LOL!

If you're a kdrama veteran, I think this isn't for you but if you have spare time and want something to watch, then you can go ahead and watch this kdrama. Let me know once you've watched this drama. 안녕!!

Photo credits: http://pm1.narvii.com/6461/83a78a9d3bb4870c501085d226ba3102cc6aebed_hq.jpg

http://watchfilmi.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/دانلود-سریال-دروغگو-و-معشوقه-اش-The-Liar-and-His-Lover-2.jpg