On The Big Screen, 2nd Edition: My Top 10 Korean Movies

As you may know, I’m a fan of Korean Pop Culture, and one of the things I like to do it’s watching movies. It has been more than a year since my last post about Korean movies, and since then I had was many movies. Here are my Top 10, hop you check them out and investigate a little about the Korean Movie Industry. 

1.        A Frozen Flower: The most viewed historical/erotic film of 2008. Directed by Yoo Ha, was set on the Goryeon Era and based on the regimen of Gongmin of Goryeon from 1330 to 1374, even though there isn't any historic fact of this kind of relationships. This romantic drama evolves around the King of Goryeon and his wife, the Princess of the Yuan Dynasty. However, there isn't any love or desire between them, the King's lover is the commander Hong Rim, who is set up for the Queen by the King to have intercourse for the sake of the thrown and his succession. What he didn't expect was for the Queen and his lover to fall in love. The King is portrayed by actor Joon Jin Mo, the Queen is actress Song Ji Hyo, and the commander is portrayed by actor Jo In Sung. The title of the film is based on a song from the Era, that talks about the sexuality between man and woman. The rights of the film has been sold to other countries in Asia and Europe.

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2.        Sunny: This film is written and directed by Kang Hyeong Cheol, released on 2011 and brings together the actresses Shim Eun Kyung, Kang So Ra, Yoo He Jeong, Jim Hee Kyung, and others. The plot of this film is about a group of high school friends that come together at their middle age. The time goes back and forth from the 1980's to their present time, a little like the USA film "Now and Then", but this time they come together for the sake of one of their friends deadly wish. The film was released in some states of the US, and sold 7.38 million admissions locally. The movie won the Grand Prize (Daesang) for film on the 19th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards on 2011.

3.        The Silenced: " Gyeongseong School: The Lost Girls" is a mystery/ thriller film by Le Hae Young released on 2015. The film is set on the 1930's, when the Japanese occupied South Korea, on a girls boarding school mainly for sickly girls. Je Ran (Shizuko) is send to this school and the Headmistress will "help" her get better with a special program based on a mysterious medicine. Yeon Deok is her new friend and tries to help her adapt to the new environment, but a serious of disappearing and after effects from the medicine starts to make her wonder what is really going on in that school. The cast from this movie consist of Park Bo Young as Je Ran (Shizuko), Uhm Ji Woon as the Headmistress, and Park So Dam as Yeon Deok.

4.        Train to Busan: Released on 2016, the film is a zombie/apocalypse action thriller. Directed by Yeon Sang Ho, it was release on the Midnight Screening at Cannes Film Festival on May 13 of 2016. The film broke the record of 10 million viewers at South Korea's cinemas. The film takes place at the "Train to Busan" which it's known as the KTX, the express train from Seoul to Busan, and how a "virus" has spread along the way of the railroad. This film received and standing ovation on the Cannes screening, for which multiple directors and filming companies were interested on the plot to make an English version of it at another country setting. The latest news about this topic is that a French company made the deal for the rights of the film, Gaumont, and will be adapting the plot in the United States. The cast of this film is well known in Korea, as well internationally, especially Gong Yoo who has captivated the hearts of many as "The Coffee Prince" and "Goblin". Alongside him we have: Jung Yu Mi, known for her character in the drama "Que Sera, Sera"; Ma Dong Seok, who made a great impact on his role for "The Nightmare" and "Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time"; Kim Eui Sung; Choi Woo Shik ("Fool's Love”); Ahn So Hee (former Wonder Girl); Kim Su An, as a child actress who made a great appearance as Gong Yoo's daughter who desperately wanted to see her mom in Busan. For me this movie was the best action/thriller that I have seen in a long time.

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5.        Red Carpet: A romantic/ comedy film directed and written by Park Beom Soo. Is about an adult film director who wants to crossover to independent filming, but the prejudice and bad fame of his work makes it difficult for him to do it. But when a former child actress cross his way the luck of both change as they help each other on their journey to success, and of course falling in love. The film was release on 2014 whit actors Yoo Kye Sang, Go Joon Hee, Oh Jung Se, Jo Sal Hwan, Hwang Chan Sung, Shim Ji Soo, Son Byung Wook, Lee Mido, Ahn Jae Hong.

6.        The Thieves: An action/comedy film directed by Choi Dong Hoon released on 2012. A Ocean Eleven feel film with an all-star cast taking place in Hong Kong, Macau and Busan. Two gangs of thieves, one from Hong Kong and one from South Korea, team up to make a big punch on a casino in Macau. With actors Kim Yoon Seok, Lee Jung Jae, Kim Hye Soo, Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Hae Sook, the film is the fifth highest grossing movie in Korea film history with 12.9 million tickets sales. A little inside from the film, the kiss between Jung Ji Hyun (Yenicall) and Kim Soo Hyun (Zampano), was her first on screen kiss, later on the two were cast as leads on the drama "My Love from Another Star".

7.        Tazza 2: The Hidden Card: Also known as "Tazza: Hand of God", is an action/drama film from 2014 directed by Kang Hyeong Cheol based on the manhwa from Huh Young Man and Kim Se Yeong. Is a gambling film where Ham Dae Gil (played by Choi Seung Hyun aka TOP) falls into a bad game and later on has to play one more time for his life and revenge. The first film of the manhwa series was a box office success in 2006. The sequel was planned to be released for 2008, but the director that was set for it backed out from it. On 2012 the new director hopped on the "Tazza 2" project, and the casting ended with leading man TOP on 2013, while the filming started on January of 2014. The film is based on the second part of the series of the manhwa with Dae Gil as the nephew of Goni, which was the protagonist in "Tazza: The High Rollers." Among the amazing cast we have Shin Se Kyung as Heo Mina, which is Dae Gil's first love; Kwak Do Won as Jang Dong Sik; Lee Ha Nui better known as Honey Lee, as President Woo; Yoo Hae Jin as Ko Gwang Ryeol; Kim Yoon Seok as Agui; Lee Geung as Kko Jang.

8.        Memories of the Sword: A martial arts/romance historical film from 2015, directed by Park Heung Sik, who also co-wrote it. Hong Yil is going to avenge the murder of her parents, that is why Seolg Ran has raised her for twenty years. What she didn't known was the story behind the dead of her parents, her dad was a swordsman who fought for the people of Goreyon. Poong Cheon was her father, while the other two swordsman were Deok Gi and Seoulg Ran, these two betrayed him, one for love the other one for power. Along the way Hong Yil have a series of encounters with Yull, who is one of Yoo Baek's (Deok Gi) soldiers, and both have a sort of attraction on the film but nothing conquers. A few of the incredible actors on this film are Lee Byung Hun, Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Go Eun and Lee Junho.

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9.        The Suspect: The Suspect is a 2013 South Korean spy-action thriller film starring Gong Yoo, and directed by Won Shin-yun. Ji Dong-chul (Gong Yoo) was once one of the top Special Forces agent in North Korea, but after a change in political power, his government while on a mission abandoned him. He goes on the run, seeking his wife and daughter who were sold as slaves to China, only to discover their corpses. When he learns that an ex-colleague was behind their deaths, Dong-chul goes on a vendetta for revenge, defecting to the South to chase his family's killer. Now living incognito, he searches for his nemesis during the day and at night works as a personal chauffeur for Chairman Park, a business executive with ties to Pyongyang. One night the chairman is attacked and killed by an assassin, but not before handing over a special pair of glasses to Dong-chul. The South Korean intelligence service, a member of which frames Dong-chul for the murder, goes on the hunt for the beleaguered former spy. The manhunt is led by Min Se-hoon (Park Hee-soon), a colonel and drill sergeant with whom Dong-chul shares a past, and Kim Seok-ho (Jo Sung-ha), the director of the NIS. Aided by a feisty documentary filmmaker (Yoo Da-in), Dong-chul goes on the run again while trying to recover top-secret materials that his dying boss sent him to find.

10.    Assassination: Assassination is a 2015 South Korean espionage action film co-written and directed by Choi Dong-hoon and stars Jun Ji Hyun, Han Jung Woo, Lee Jung Jae, Cho Jin Woong, Oh Dal Su, among others.The film is currently the seventh highest-grossing movie in Korean film history with over 12.7 million admissions. The story it’s set during Japan's rule over Korea in 1911, a resistance fighter named Yem Sek-jin tries but fails to murder the governor-general and a pro-Japanese businessman named Kang In-guk. That evening, Kang discovers that his own wife was helping Yem. Kang kills his wife but a wet nurse runs off with one of his twin daughters. By 1933, there are over 30 Korean independence factions operating in Korea, China, and Manchuria. Yem has become a captain in one of these factions, but his colleagues are unaware that he is secretly reporting to the Japanese, since he was submissive after torture back in 1911. Yem meets with some Korean politicians in Hangzhou, and is asked to gather three delinquent resistance members— Big Gun, Duk-sam, and Ahn Okyun— so they can enter Seoul and assassinate Kang, along with a general named Kawaguchi Mamoru. However, Yeom sells this information to the Japanese and attempt to find Ahn, but a skilled contract-killer named Hawaii Pistol helps her elude the soldiers. For his services to Japan, Yem was made head of the secret police. However, the Japanese are defeated in World War II and Korea is liberated. In 1949, a commission for war crimes investigates Yem— now a senior officer with the Korean police— who protests his innocence and points to his resistance service. The charges are dropped, but a surprise visit from someone of his past changes his faith.

Well, this is for now. I already have a new list of movies to watch, so maybe time will past fast and a new post would be around the corner. Thank you for reading and hope you like and share. Till next time!!  

Treasure A Shore

We woke up early morning, had our breakfast and got ready for our journey. A backpack, snacks and lots of sunblock, where our necessities for this trip. From Guaynabo to Aguadilla, it is almost a two-hour drive, and the destination was not clear jet. The final stop was going to be “Survival Beach”.

Since last year, I have been seeing a series of beautiful places around Puerto Rico on social media, but do not have the chance to visit them. That is why my sister and I decided to take the challenge to visit more of our country. At the beginning of the summer we went to “Mar Chiquita” in Manatí, and to “Poza de Las Mujeres” and “Cueva Golondrinas” which are also in Manatí.

We thought that our summer was going to be like that always, but both of us work and did not have the time that we wanted to do it. But not a problem, on weekends we can go around too. That is what we did. On Saturday, we pack our backpacks with a set of clothing, put on our swimsuits, took our snacks and headed out. In two hours, we were on Aguadilla, but the first stop there was “Surfer’s Beach”, which is next to our final destination. There we took some pictures and prepare ourselves for the journey.

I heard ahead that the way to “Survival Beach” was thru some trees on the coast, but not only trees, there were some huge rocks and even caves (small ones). You have to be careful where you stand, because it can be slippery and rocky, there is also some caves around the area. Do not use sandals for that journey, tennis shoes or some water shoes are the better option for that 10-15 minutes’ walk.

Second stop, “Tabletop Beach” or “Punta Agujereada”. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was amazing! The water so clear, the rocks aligning on an artistic way by nature and the beautiful sound of the waves. We took some pictures and that beautiful scenario on our minds, to later continue our walk for the final destination.

We had to go around a rock on the shore to be able to go into the cave. You have to get a little wet and it is a little complicated, but when we got there, the scenario was out of this world. The cave on the shoreline, the sound of the ocean echoing and that shade, that took us in after walking 15 minutes under the burning sun. Believe me it was all worth it.

After you get out of the cave you need to go around another rock, but this time I got wet till my waist (I’m 5’3”) to reach the beach. The outcome of the journey is wonderful, something like the Philippines but on a smaller version. For me was extraordinary, like out of a movie stamp. The water was so crystal clear, and you could see small fishes swim around. It was the perfect place to end that walk full of tree branches and huge rocks, I had no idea that on Puerto Rico you could find a place like that.

Two hours later, we took all our belongings and headed out back to the car. This time we decided to go on another route up hill, which left us soaking wet with sweat, but it was nice to see the incredible view from a higher distance.

After we changed our clothes, we decided to get something cold and delicious as a snack. We headed downtown Aguadilla, on the “Marina”, we found a series of food and snack stands along the shore. Our final choice, “Cafelados”. This coffee shop has 160 different mixes with the greatest expresso (as it says on their page), wraps, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, and gourmet desserts. We decided on the frappes, which were like heaven, creamy and with that incredible coffee taste. When we took that incredible ocean scent and had that pretty view on front of us for a while, it was time to go back home, with a bag full of memories and a camera with great pictures.  

**This adventure was before Hurracaine Maria, which hit the Island on September 19-20, 2017**
For more information about the catastrophe and how to help, you can go to:
Red Cross
Somos Una Voz
You Caring

Thank you for your time and hope you come back for more beautiful places and great adventures. Like and share!!

KPOP Charts 2017, 9th Edition: My Top 10

Even though it's a hard time for me since the devastation in Puerto Rico after the Hurricane Maria, I'm still in for another Top 10. Before all the communications dropped and after it was partially restored, I got the chance to listen new music for this post. So, here are my favorites for the month of September.

1.       "DNA" by BTS

The group made their comeback at the end of September, which debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200. The album "Love Yourself: Her" was a most anticipated album, after their success on the USA after writing "Top Social Artist" at the Billboard Music Awards 2017. On the Billboard Hot 100 the song, "DNA" debuted at #85. The song is on the trap vibe, which is one of the many urban sounds the group has adopted. The group also has won a series of #1 spots on music shows in South Korea.

2.       "POWER" by EXO

At the beginning of September, EXO, made their comeback with a repackage album of "The War" titled "The Power of Music". This new album has three new songs, with the title track "Power". On the MV of the song, the members are personating as superheroes on a scenario of space age with each of them having a special power. The song is an electro-house with a catchy strong chorus and a sway bass. The group has won #1 on a great number of music shows.

3.       "Runaway" by Bobby

One of the main rappers of the YG's group, iKON, has made his first solo album titled "Love and Fall". There are two title tracks for the album, "I Love You" and "Runaway". "I Love You" is a song, which talks about the sad love story of a couple. "Runaway" is a song that express the desire of running away and leaving all behind, escaping from everything. This last one was wrote by Bobby right after his debut with iKON. 

4.       "Rollin'" by B1A4

The group is coming back with their seventh mini album "Rollin'". They have comeback with a new sound, which is a little tropical house band, with a fun atmosphere, that is what the group stated on a live broadcast on Naver V. The song talks about falling deeper and deeper for someone.

5.       "Na B Ya" by Peejay ft Zion T

The producer Peejay, which is The Black Label's veteran, has release an animation story MV for the track "Na B Ya". This song features R&B artist Zion T, which is one of two tracks from the producer's second album "Walkin". This project contains nine tracks, with a mixture of hip-hop and R&B.

6.       "Last Night Story" by IU

IU's new album it's titled "Flower Bookmark 2", a follow-up of her remake album of 2014, "Flower Bookmark". Like the previous project, IU has selected her old favorites songs, and reinterpret them on a modern classic style. The album has six tracks, and some people say that this one is better than her previous cover project.

7.        "What You Like" by Lee Gikwang

The Highlight's member (previously BEAST) has made his solo comeback. Before being part of the group, Gikwang was a solo singer under the name of AJ, and now it's finally back. The song "Who You Like" it's part of his mini album "ONE". This song was produced by the Good Life team, which includes Yong Junhyung and Kim Tae Joo.

8.       "The Blue Night of Jeju Island" by Soyu

The song "The Blue Night of Jeju Island" it's a song from 1988 by Choi Sung Won. For this version we have the great vocals of former Sistar, Soyu.The track has an acoustic guitar and some hip-hop beats, which made it a soft pop song rather than a ballad.

9.       "When The Wind Blows" by Yoona

   The Girls' Generation's member, Yoona, has comeback with a solo track for SM Station. For "when The Wind Blows" we can hear Yoona's sweet vocals and an acoustic ballad song. The artist was part of the lyrics writing. On the MV we can see her going back to her memories of a fond lover.

10.   "Canvas" by Junho

"Canvas" it's the title of the 2PM's member, Junho, first mini album. The project has 7 tracks, and he released 3 MVs for the songs "Canvas", "Instant Love", and "Fine", along with a special clip for "Bye Bye". The track "Canvas is a mix of R&B and tropical house elements.

Well, this it’s what I have for now on the kpop lover scene. Now I will talk about what it’s happening in my homeland, Puerto Rico. On September 19 of this year, my beautiful Island has being hit by the Hurricane Maria and now it’s in great devastation. You can enter the follow sites to know more about this and how you can help for aid and reconstruction of Puerto Rico. Thank you for your time and I hope you come back next month for more great music. 

Red Cross 

Somos Una Voz

Hurricane Relief

CNN