Best K-drama Bromance

Sometimes it is not the romance that make our hearts flutter while watching kdramas but the bromance. Agree?

1. The Heirs - Kim Tan and Choi Young Do (Lee Min Ho and Kim Woo Bin)

 2. Sassy Go Go! - Kim Yeol and Seo Ha Joon (Lee Won Keun and Ji Soo)

3. School 2017 - Hyun Tae Woon and Song Dae Hwi (Kim Jung Hyun and Jang Dong Yoon)

4.  Suspicious Partners - Noh Ji Wook and Ji Eun Hyuk (Ji Chang Wook and Choi Tae Joon)

5.  Descendants of the Sun - Yoo Si Jin and Seo Dae Young (Song Joong Ki and Jin Goo)

6. Hwarang - Kim Soo Ho and Park Ban Ryu (Choi Min Ho and Do Ji Han)

7. School 2013 - Go Nam Soon and Park Heung Soo (Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin)

 8. Goblin - Goblin and Grim Reaper (Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook)

Who made your hearts flutter? 😂❤️

My Hanbok Experience - Oneday Hanbok in Klook

One of the experiences that you don't want to miss when in you're in Seoul is wearing a hanbok. Hanbok is a Korean traditional clothing currently worn on festive occasions or special holidays (Info from Visit Korea).

There are heaps of shops offering hanbok rental especially around Insadong and Bukchon but if you don't want to go to a random shop, you can try rental using Klook. My first hanbok experience was from a shop in Insadong. The ajummas there are nice and I thought we’re getting the rental for a great deal until I discovered hanbok rental in Klook.

On my second time (with my family), I tried availing a deal in Klook. The experience costs Php 750 for 4 hours, enough to roam around Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Museum and other nearby palaces. They have English, Chinese and Korean speaking staffs that assist the guests. By the way, I am warning you, there are many guests so you should be early.

I love that there are variety of accessories that you can choose from - from bags, flower crown and other head pieces. There is also styling room wherein you can curl, straight and style your hair.

Oneday Hanbok, hosted by Klook offers a wide array of beautiful hanbok; I love the designs and colors of their hanbok. I seriously had a hard time choosing what to wear. Plus it is located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, approximately 10-15 mins by foot. If I were to go back to Korea and wear hanbok again, I will surely get it in Klook! 👍🏻

By the way, check out our first hanbok experience here! 어때? What do you think? ✌🏻

K-Drama 101: Titles

If you’ve been watching Kdramas, I know that you’ve heard all or most of these words that are used to address someone. I’m not even Korean but sometimes, I use some of these with my friends. ❤️

Cha Eun Woo, My favorite oppa as of the moment 😂

Oppa (오빠) - older brother and it is only used by females to address a male older than them. It is also used as a term of endearment. Personally, this is my favorite word, it just sounds sweet! ❤️

Eonni (언니) - older sister 

Nuna (누나) - older sister 

Hyeong (형) - older brother 

Appa (아빠) - Dad 

Eomma (엄마) - Mother 

Ajumma (아줌마) - Middle-aged woman 

Ajeossi (아저씨) - Middle-aged man, mister  

Harabeoji (할아버지) - grandfather 

Halmeoni (할머니) - grandmother 

Dongsaeng (동생) - younger bother/sister 

Namdongsaeng (남동생) -  younger brother  

Yeoja Chingu (여자 친구) - girl friend 

Namja Chingu (남자 친구) - boy friend

Chingu (친구) - friend

Depyeonim (대표님) boss

Sunbae  (선배) - senior

Hoobae (후배) - junior

Haksaeng (학생) - student

Adeul (아들) - son

Ttal  (딸) - daughter

Nampyeon (남편) - husband

Bumonim (부모님) - parents

Samchon (삼촌) - uncle

Imo (이모) - aunt

Sajangnim (사장님) -  CEO, boss

Must See Korean Movies

The number of Korean movies I’ve watched  is probably no match to the kdramas that I’ve binged watched. The Korean movie world is a world yet to explore but here are some recommendations. Share yours too!

1. Hot Young Bloods is a cute movie starring Lee Jong Suk as Joong Gil, a famous playboy and Park Bo Young as Young Sook, a tough gang leader. Be ready to fall in love yet again.

2. My Annoying Brother is a film starring Jo Jung Suk and EXO’s D.O. It is about the love-hate sibling relationship of Doo Sik and Do Young. This movie will surely bring a good laugh and a bunch of tears too!

3. Along with the Gods is one of the top-grossing domestic film in South Korea. The story revolves around the death of Kim Ja Hong (Cha Tae Hyun) and the  three grim reapers who escorted and defended him in the afterlife. It’s an interesting movie with an interesting plot, death and afterlife. 

BTW, It’s nice to see Ju Ji Hoon oppa again after Princess Hours (that was long time ago).

4. Train to Busan is also one of the top grossing film in South Korea and I must say the most hyped Korean film of 2016. It is a zombie apocalypse film starring our dearest goblin, Gong Yoo. 

5. Werewolf Boy stars Park Bo Young and Song Joong Ki, two of my favorite actors. It is sweet yet heart-breaking. 

6. Miracle in Cell No. 7 is probably the most tear-jerking Korean movie I’ve seen. The story revolves around the relationahip of a mentally challenged man wrongfully accused of murder and his daughter. This movie is truly moving so be sure to prepare tissues when you watch this.

7. My Sassy Girl is first Korean movie I watch. It’s an old yet timeless movie starring Jun Ji Hyun and Cha Tae Hyun. 

8. My Little Bride is another “old” movie starring Kim Rae Won and Moon Geun Young. It may be as weird as it seems due to the age gap of the two in the story but it’s such a cute and sweet film.

9. 200 Pound Beauty is another oldie but goodie. It is one of   those that intoduced me to Korean movies.

10. My Love, My Bride starring Jo Jung Suk and Shin Min Ah tells the story of how sweet love is but later showed how marriage is not always a bed of roses. It’s a cliche yet meaningful story.

A Love So Beautiful - A Beautiful Introduction to Cdrama (Chinese Drama)

I’ve been watching kdrama for the longest time and I can’t even remember when was the last time I watched other dramas or series other than kdrama so I was a bit hesitant to watch A Love So Beautiful even though I’ve been seeing this all over Facebook. I am so happy that I tried. To self: Good job!!

A Love So Beautiful is a Chinese series starring Shen Yue and Hu Yitian. The story is about Chen Xiaoxi and Jiang  Chen who are neighbors and highschool classmates. Chen Xiaoxi is very vocal on her admiration towards Jiang Chen who is on the other hand cold and distant toward Xiaoxi.

Beautiful Story. The story of A Love So Beautiful is very simple and familiar to most of us - a cliché. However it is very relatable - from family, friends, school and of course, young love. It brought back so much memories from my highschool.

The plot of this series is quite similar to the plot of It Started With a Kiss (a Taiwanese drama) wherein the female lead is pursuing the male lead and it is also similar to the vibe and feels of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. It is light and easy to watch. I bet my fellow Kdrama fans out there will fall in love with this series as well.

To be honest, the pacing of the story of this series is a bit slow but for some reason, I enjoyed and liked how slow the story progressed. It gave me time to just savour each kilig moment of Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi.

I also love that this series did not focus on Jiang Chen and Chen Xiaoxi’s love story only but also on the beautiful friendship built within the characters. It makes me happy watching these guys Jiang Chen, Chen Xiaoxi, Wu Bosong, Lin Jingxiao and Lu Yang bond,  became parters in crime and genuinely support each despite the differences in their interest and characters. This is one of my favorite part in this series.

Beautiful Young Love. Xiaoxi’s feelings towards Jiang Chen was made very clear from the very start so what’s something to really look forward to is how Jiang Chen will respond to Xiaoxi and he didn’t disappoint. His small gestures, cute reactions and weird expression of his love is just too much for my heart to handle. Omo Hu Yitian!!

Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi undeniably brought so much kilig my heart but I can’t help but to feel bad for the second lead - Wu Bosong (I have such soft spot for second leads). **Huggss for Bosong!!

Beautiful Throwback. In this era of high tech gadgets and all, it was refreshing to see those keypad phones, with that **too too too toot  ring tone.. those recorders, and not so millenial fashion.. this series indeed made a major throwback which is a breath of fresh air! 

Beautiful OST. While writing this post, A Love So Beautiful’s OST is on repeat. It is beautiful, cute and catchy - makes me smile and relive Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi’s kilig moments.

Okay, A Love So Beautiful isn’t brilliant or anything unlike other series or dramas out there but it’s just so beautiful on it’s own right that I think I can’t move on that easily. I might look for other clips and cling to them until I grew tired of them (which I don’t think I will). 

Watching A Love So Beautiful made me realize that there is another world besides Kdrama. And this series is such a good introduction to it. Welcome to Cdrama world!! 

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.