He's Beautiful

Sypnosis - Ko Mi-Nyeo & Ko Mi-Nam are twin brother and sisters (played by Park Shin-Hye), grew up in an orphanage. Ko Mi-Nyeo is set to become a nun and her brother Ko Mi-Nam, to become a singer. Due to Mi-Nam's minor surgery went wrong and had to be hospitalisation in America for awhile, Mi-Nyeo impersonate her brother as A.N.JELL member, after much pleading from her brother's manager, until he recover and returns.

Ko Mi-Nyeo is new to the world outside the convent. While impersonating her brother she befriended A.N.JELL band members and all develop feelings for her especially Kang Shin-Woo (Jeong Yong-Hwa), who first discovers Ko Mi-Nyeo's secret, but help her out without Ko Mi-Nyeo knowing. A.N.JELL's leader Hwang Tae-Kyeong (Jang Geun-Seok) a gifted musician, also discovers Ko Mi-Nyeo's secret. At first he tries to kick Ko Mi-Nyeo out of the band, but he becomes sympathetic to her plight when he discovers that she hoped to find her mother by appearing on television with the band, and decided to help her too and later developed feelings for her. 

This is a drama that grows into you slowly. In the beginning, I did not think I will finish watching the drama but from three chapters onwards, the characters got more upbeat and you just want to know what will happen between Mi-Nyeo and  Hwang Tae-Kyeong.  I particular love the ending song "What Should I Do" sang by Hwang Tae-Kyeong. The script writers were great as they are able to link this song in the storyline. Last but not least, the lovely cute 'Pig Rabbit' created by Tae-Kyeong to Mi-Nyeo.

Cast

Jang Geun Suk as Hwang Tae Kyung

Park Shin Hye as Go Mi Nam (Male) / Go Mi Nyu (Female)

Lee Hong Ki as Kang On Yu / Jeremy

Jung Yong Hwa as Kang Shin Woo

Production Credits

Director: Hong Sung Chang

Screenwriter: Hong Jung Eun, Hong Mi Ran

Recognition

2009 SBS Drama Awards: Netizen Highest Popularity Award (Jang Geun Suk)

Boys Over Flowers

Boys Over Flowers is based on the popular Japanese manga, Hana Yori Dango, by Yoko Kamio. This drama was first made popular by Taiwanese version, followed by Japanese. To date, Korean version dominated the ratings and continues to win fans. The lead actor, one with the weird curly hair in the show, became very popular after this drama.
Synopsis - A story about a girl from average family who goes to a well known university for the upper class of society. There she met notorious F4 leader and falls in love him eventually. Together they go through a series of challenges that tested their love.

 

I watched all three versions - Hana Yori Dango (Japan), Meteor Garden (Taiwan) and Boys Over Flowers in Korean is still my favorite.  All were great but I much preferred the Korean version as the other three actors in the drama each has their storyline and focal point, rather than just the usual the lead actor and actress get the spotlight. In my opinion, I think they should have chosen another lead actress for the Korean version. Overall, awesome drama with good-looking male casts. A MUST WATCH Drama!

Stairway to Heaven

Synopsis - Stairway to Heaven story opens with two childhood friends: Cha Song Joo (Kwon Sang-woo) and Han Jung Suh (Choi Ji-woo). Tragedy begins when Song Joo begins his studies overseas without Jung-suh. Jung-suh’s father remarries Tae Mira, who brought her two children from a previous marriage, Tae-hwa (Shin Hyun Joon) and Yuri (Kim Tae-hee). Yuri, who is envious of the life that Jung-suh leads, is determined to take everything away from her, including Song-joo. Tae-hwa, develops feelings for his stepsister, Jung-suh, but she still loves Song-joo. Five years later, Song-joo returns from his studies to meet Jung-suh, but jung-suh gets into a car accident causing her to lose her memory. Song-joo is led to believe that she is dead. However, when they meet again one day, he is determined to remind her of the love they had for one another. When fate finally seemed to be on their side, Jung-suh is diagnosed with eye cancer.

Stairway to Heaven was a big hit in 2003. It is typical Korean melodrama. Unless you are a big fan of Kwon Sang-woo or Choi Ji-woo, you would most probably find this story boring. I personally thinks that Ji-woo is too mature for Sang-woo in this drama. Be prepared to cry buckets because you will feel for Sang-woo in this drama.

Main casts:

Kwon Sang Woo as Cha Song-ju

Choi Ji Woo as Han Jung-suh

Kim Tae Hee as Han Yu-ri

Shin Hyun Joon as Han Tae-hwa

Production crew:

Director: Lee Jang Soo

Writer: Park Hye Kyung

Lovers In Paris

Synopsis -
Can you imagine what it would be like to become Cinderella in today's world?
Kang Tae-young (Kim Jung-eun), a simple yet spunky girl with optimistic outlook on life, carrying on her father’s wish and  studies cinematography in Paris. As she could not afford the living expenses in Paris, she gets a job as a cleaning lady for Han Ki-joo (Park Shin-yang), son of a multi-millionaire. Ki-joo is a bright and sophisticated gentleman with a sense of humor, who only one fear in life is LOVE. In the past, he went through a loveless marriage arranged by his parents that ultimately led to a divorce. Despite these factors, Ki-ju soon finds himself helplessly falling for the unsophisticated, yet genuine charm of Tae-young.

LOVERS IN PARIS, is a sophisticated and entertaining romantic drama filmed in the beautiful city of Paris… I can watch this drama over and over again because is is so captivating especially when you can feel the chemistry between Park Shin-yang and Kim Jung-eun. The best romance comedy ever. A MUST WATCH if you have not already done so. This is one Cinderalla story you do not want to miss. Though there is no real prince living in a castle.  The male lead actor, is suave, rich and smart, he is everything that you could ask for in a man. The lead actress, is a poor, optimistic lady with an enchanting smile that could melt any guy. Great scenery, sound-track, casts but the ending was confusing for me. I concluded that the writer wanted the audience to draw their own conclusion. Did the Cinderella finally has a happy ending?

Production Credits:
Producer: Kim Yang
Director: Shin Woo Chul
Writer: Kim Eun Sook, Kang Eun Jung

Trivia:
Park Shin Yang and Kim Jung Eun were awarded the Dae Sang at the 2004 SBS Awards (2004-12-31)
Lovers in Paris was awarded Best TV Drama and Kim Jung Eun was awarded Best TV Actress for her role in Lovers in Paris at the 41st Baeksang Art Awards (2005-05-20) as well as the 2005 Asia TV Awards.
Lovers in Paris is the first of the "Lovers" trilogy. The second drama is Lovers in Prague, and the third is Lovers.
Lovers in Paris was voted one of the highest rated dramas in Korea