Unboxing and Mini-Haul: Stylekorean

안녕 beauts, today I'll be doing a short review of Stylekorean. Stylekorean is an online store that sells korean skincare and makeup products. It offers a wide range of brands and products which are shipped directly from Korea. 

This is the second online store that I tried after Althea Philippines. If you haven't read my review yet, here's the link - Althea Philippines Review.

Price. This store offers affordable korean skincare and makeup products specially those that are under the clearance section. They also give out coupon discounts that makes it more affordable.

Shipping. They ship worldwide but it is not free which I think is the downside of this store. Shipping fee is calculated according to the weight of the products, the shipping destination and the shipping method. Mine costs $8.45 for the 4 products I bought (from Korea to Philippines). For more information about their shipping rates, check out their link (http://www.stylekorean.com).

Delivery Time. It took 20 days before I got my order - which I think is a bit long. I placed the order 2/28 and received it 3/20. You can track the delivery using the tracking number they sent.

Package. If you have tried purchasing products in Althea, you'll be disappointed when you receive the package from Stylekorean, well maybe it's just me. Hahaha! The products were bubble wrapped to protect the products from breaking or anything so I guess I am okay with that as long as the products are safe.

Verdict. Will I purchase again? Probably, if they offer free shipping. Happy shopping! 안녕!

BTW, here are some of the products I bought (nothing much).

I mentioned on my Althea review that this works wonders. I already used up the pack I first purchased so I restock! :)

Ugh well, I just want to try a new cleanser.

Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel soothes dry or sensitive skin - according to its claim. Well I totally agree as it is already my second purchase and definitely not the last. I love this product!

I've been reading a lot of good reviews about this OST Original Pure Vitamin C20 serum. This is the reason why I tried Stylekorean; this product is not available in Althea.

The claims: will deliver energy to your tired skin. Will whiten and tighten your skin like you were reborn as a new person (hahaha this is funny, I am not kidding - saw it on the site) and will shred the older and uglier skin. Promising, eh? Will it live up to its promise? Let's see if I will be reborn as a new person. Hahahaha!

Kdrama Review: Cheese in the Trap

Cheese in the Trap is one of the must-watch korean drama of 2016, well according to my google search. I honestly don't have any plan of watching this drama inspite of the hype surrounding it until I saw Seo Kang Joon as guest in The Return of Superman. I googled him right away (google is such a great help! 😂) and found out that he is on Cheese in the Trap. I gave this drama a try and now sharing a short review.

Cheese in the Trap casts

The story is quite ordinary. It revolves around Hong Seol - a university student living a life full of struggles; from school down to her family and Yoo Jung - a rich, handsome sunbae who has almost everything, who is loved by everyone. Familiar plot, eh? There is nothing special on the plot itself but nevertheless, I like how it showcased the main characters' slice of life - in school, family, friends and even their inner self and did not just focus on romance.

The characters set this drama apart. Why?  

1. Creepy male lead. Yes, he is so weird and mysterious. At times, I find him bipolar. Hahaha! He's the weirdest male lead I saw (so far). His character is disturbing but I think that piqued my curiousity enough that I had to watch until the last episode just to see how his character is revealed. Hands down to his acting though! It was realistic and believable.😱

I personally don't like Seol and Jung together, they are so shy and awkward (well maybe because Seol is Shy and awkward! hahaha) with each other. All throughout the drama, I was doubtful of Jung's love for Seol.

2. Introvert Female Lead Seol. I was surpised when she eventually gave in to Jung. I don't ship them, but I loved how her character was used to reveal Jung's identity. She wasn't the typical female lead who will have a huge makeover at the end (well physically) but she grew from that introvert girl to a girl who speaks her mind. Despite that, she proved that she is beautiful just the way she is which explains why the three men (Jung, In Ho, Young Gon) went crazy over her.

3. 2nd lead Baek In Ho. Of course I am bias here. I love Baek In Ho; his rugged yet yielding personality. Seol is more comfortable and carefree with him around unlike the awkwardness when he's with Yoo Jung. 😍

How I wish they end up together. Lol. 2nd lead syndrome here after Gong Tae Kwang. 

4. Seol's Cute stalker. Young Gon's acting was plausible! He is really scary and annoying, but isn't he too cute to be a stalker? 🙊Agree? 

5. Beautiful In Ha. She's undoubtedly pretty even with those strange outfits. I guess she's the only one who can pull it off. I love her fashion sense! 👧💄

Her acting as a crazy sister and lover is a bit over the top but she is totally convincing. I just love Lee Sung Kyung. 

6.Eun Tek and Bora. Seol is very blessed to have these two as her closest friends - uplifting her when she's sad and protecting her against weirdos. In spite of the fact that they were always with Seol, I am glad that they were able to expressed their feelings and had their own small romantic scenes.

The ending. I felt like it did not end properly. I was left hanging. Probably the writers chose that mysterious and artistic ending wherein the audience get to create their own ending. The limit is the audience's imagination. LOL! Season 2? Nah.. It's better left that way. 

Have you watched this drama? What are your thoughts on the ending?

Verdict. 6.6/10 I enjoyed the first half of this drama but it started to get boring. I was waiting for the climax until the last episode but I was disappointed. 이게 뭐야!! This drama could have been better if we saw development of the story.

Other reviews:
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
The Heirs
Legend of the Blue Sea

Photos are from the following links:
http://asianwiki.com/images/f/ff/Cheese_in_the_Trap-p2.jpg

Kdrama Review: Legend of the Blue Sea

You have probably heard about Legend of the Blue Sea already. With top Hallyu stars Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun as the main cast, this fantasy romance series has been at the center of attention. Since it is both their acting comeback, it was highly anticipated by many.

The story is pretty simple and predictable. A modern-day fairytale about a mermaid who fell in love with a human. A twist was added through flashback scenes to the Joseon counterparts which made me lose interest sometimes as I am not a fan of historical things. 😴 There were also few inconsistencies, but above all I still loved watching it. Wanna know why? Scroll down and find out!

main characters of LOTBS

1. Jun Ji Hyun as the funniest and prettiest Mermaid

I would definitely give the top spot to Jun Ji Hyun as she gave life to this drama. I can't get enough of her character as Sim Cheong. She made me laugh out loud so many times. 😂Aside from her excellent portrayal as a goofy mermaid, she also stunned many fans with her beauty even before wearing those fashionable clothes. She is still as gorgeous as before in her other shows - My Sassy Girl and My Love From The Star. I must say she is the epitome of beauty! 👑

Sim Cheong imitating the stop sign

Why is she still pretty even if she's eating like that?

She must like the cake a lot

Her first trip to Seoul

2. Lee Min Ho as Heo Joon Jae, a con artist 

He pulled it off effortlessly and won my heart on this K-drama. 💘 No wonder why girls all over the world (even the not K-drama fan) fall head-over-heels in love with him. I was addicted to him enough to find another drama (The Heirs) of his to watch while waiting for the new episode.

Oh my heart!

3. Sim Cheong and Heo Joon Jae moments

They are visually stunning together but sometimes they lack connection. However, this does not stop them from making their viewers kilig. I like the fact that Cheong is all over Joon Jae yet unaware that he already has feelings for her. Love it when Joon Jae stalks Cheong and ended up being caught! Also, the scene at the sauna when Joon Jae became overprotective. Sometimes secret love is much more fun!

4. Handsome Oppas

Tae Ho - Shin Won Ho is so adorable, plus points with his amazing hacker skills! His gestures are so cute especially when around Sim Cheong.

Who wouldn't notice this cute guy?

Fascinated by Cheong's beauty

Young Hoo Joon Jae - Jin Young can also pass as young Kim Soo Hyun. Omo omo! I think I found a new Oppa. ❤

Eyebrows on fleek!

Heo Chi Yun - Lee Ji Hoon is the good turned evil step brother of Joon Jae (Good looks run in the family). He may be a villian but he captured my sympathy and understanding of why he turned out like that.

Don't look at me like that!

Yoo Jung Hoon - Cheo Jung Suk plays a merman who taught Cheong on how to survive in the world of humans from earning quick cash to bringing out the possessive and jealous Joon Jae.

Cheong and Jung Hoon watching a sad movie to cry a pearl

5.  Cheong's unusual friends

Beggar - Hong Jin Kyung is Cheong's first human friend. She also played as her friend before in "My Love From the Star". I love their tandem! The fact that she is in denial that she is homeless makes her more funny. Aside from her fashion tips, she also has her words of wisdom when it comes to love.

Yoo Na - Shin Rin Ah played as an elementary friend of Cheong. They are quite opposite as Yoo Na acts like an adult and often gave her life lessons.

6. Bromance - I love Joon Jae, Tae Oh, and Nam Do together. They are just too cute especially when teasing each other.

brotherly love

7. Cheong getiing sucked into the overused K-drama plots

I bet we all could relate to what Cheong have learned after watching K-dramas. The male lead's father is always the CEO. His family is always against his relationship. With this, they will call her attention and try to bribe her with money. If she refuses, the glass of water at the table will be thrown at her. All of these were remembered by Cheong and by the time she met Chi Hyun (Joon Jae's stepbrother), she immediately refused to cut the ties with Joon Jae and continuously drank the glass of water on the table just to avoid it being thrown at her. HAHAHA 🤣

Rating: 8/10

Overall, LOTBS did live up to its hype. It has a beautiful cast which made it worth watching and it hit the right notes of the viewers. Although the ending was good, I felt like it still could have been better. I was a hoping for a potential reconciliation with his father and stepbrother. However, they still did a good job at wrapping up the story.

What are you waiting for? Grab your earphones and start watching!

Other reviews:
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
The Heirs
Cheese in the Trap

Must Watch Korean Variety Shows

Have you ever run out of kdramas to watch? I did, well i think I did. That led me to korean variety shows. I find their concepts new, creative and insanely hilarious.

Here are some of the Korean Variety shows that I've watched and I've been watching. My personal list of must watch korean variety shows.

1. 2 Days and 1 Night

The main concept of this show is to showcase different places in South Korea, their food, culture and their people. Casts stay overnight on a one night two day trip. During the trip they take part in a series of challenges and games such as Lunch, Dinner and Sleeping Games which is mainly determined by 'luck'.

I started watching this show because of  Jung Joon Young but as I watch each episode, I began to love the other members: The Grand Award Kim Jong Min, Laughing Monster Cha Tae Hyun, Mr. Devious Kim Jun Ho, Concerned Pig Defconn and Nicotinepath Kim Joo Hyuk (later replaced by Runner Yoon Dong Gu). Jung Joon Young was called The Icon of Luckiness because they say he is lucky. He wins most the games, making his hyungs  hungry and cold. 

2 Days and 1 Night Season 3 casts

There are episodes wherein they invite other celebrities but the laughter brought by the main casts is enough for me. They have different personalities and charm but I love how they connive so well. I watched every episode of season 3. That's how much I love this show. Remember each member! ♥

2. The Return of Superman

This is a show wherein celebrity dads  have to solely take care of their kids. These dads get to spend time and bond with their kids. Seeing dads cooking, bathing, disciplining and taking care of their childen is moving yet fun.

Of all the families, I particularly love Jumong Appa (Song Ilkook) and his triplets - The Responsible Song Daehan, Cute Song Minguk and Free-spirited Song Manse. I love how they run around, sing their hearts out and eat almost everything. They surely have the energy and the appetite! 

First episode of Song family

I always hear how cute the triplets are but I didn't believe it until I saw them. They are irresistably cute and smart too! You should see it yourself. You'll surely love them too!

Manse, Minguk and Daehan

Song family left the show last February 2016. Oh I still miss these little dinosaurs and dinosaur appa too! I already watched all the episodes with the triplets but I still watch them over and over.

3. Weekly Idol

If you want to see the witty and funny side of your favorite kpop idols, then you should watch Weekly Idol. The show is hosted by Doni and Coni; Rapper Defconn and the comedian Jeong Hyeong Don. These hosts are so funny.

I particularly love the Random Play Dance segment wherein idols dance to their songs that stops at a random point or changes to another song; they must dance with the proper position and choreography. The member who made mistakes will receive punishment from the team or from Doni and Coni. I also love the  x2 Speed Dance Challenge where idols dance to their song in double speed. It is cool when veteran groups like Sechskies, Shinhwa and Bigbang do this challenge.

Omo! Where are you going Jun Hyung?

I honestly don't watch every episode. I only watch episodes with WANNA ONE, BTOB, BEAST (now HIGHLIGHT), BIGBANG, SHINHWA, INFINITE, GOT7, SECHSKIES, BTS, CNBLUE and SHINEE as guests. Not a lot right? 

4. Battle Trip

Battle Trip is a traveling variety program where guests are divided into teams and embark on trips (mostly Asian countries). Afterwards, they get together in the studio to discuss their trips and determine the winner with the better traveling experience that is determined by the studio audience.

I came across this variety show because of 2ne1's Dara (Sandara Park) as she featured the beauty of the Philippines to the whole world which made me love her even more. 💕

Battle Trip in the Philippines with Sandara Park

This korean variety show is perfect for those who loves traveling.

5. Celebrity Bromance

Let's admit it! We love bromance. And if you're longing and wanting for more, then this korean variety show is for you! Celebrity Bromance shows friendship of celebrities that some are known to us like Nam Joo Hyuk-Jisoo and Jung Joon Young-Roy Kim but some are really unexpected. 😏 My favorite episode was Zico and Choi Tae Joon they are really fun to watch.

That look tho'

6. New Journey to the West

New Journey to the West is a korean variety show wherein the members go on a trip outside South Korea (as of season 4). I think it is a bit similar to the format of 2 days and 1 night because of the games and missions that determine their chance to eat lunch or dinner plus the members are from the past season of 2 days and 1 night too - Kang Ho Dong, Lee Su Geun and Eun Ji Won with the addition of Ahn Jae Hyun, Cho Kyu Hyun and Song Min Ho.

New Journey to the West casts

This show is really fun to watch as the members are very funny and seems really comfortable to each other and Song Min Ho's variety skills is just surprising. Lol!

If you want to rest from watching kdramas, try watching variety shows.

Photos are from the following links:
http://kshows.dramacoffee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/the-return-of-superman-logo.jpeg
http://ikshow.net/images/poster/weekly-idol-poster-20150812.jpg
https://happyhuhoho.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/superman-returns-song-il-gook-800x450.jpg
http://s28.postimg.org/pxvnkqekd/triplets1.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IPxC-qsByMs/maxresdefault.jpg
http://jp.mnet.com/data/www.mnetjapan.com/admin/000/171/735
http://68.media.tumblr.com/2e02efbb0ef849f5527e365f460c020c/tumblr_o60c8oOkFi1uwt1zwo4_1280.jpg