One Zombie, Sharing Her Love of all Things Hallyu With The World
Alright, I know that when Pretty Man began, I was a little concerned about the direction of both the plot and the characters but I’m happy to say that after this week, my fears have been put to rest. Yes, the absurd plot-line is still there, as are the socks, but the development of the characters and their relationships has already exceeded my expectations and I couldn’t be happier.
Continue reading “Hallyu Zombie’s Drama Review: Pretty Man Episodes 5-6 (1/2)”
Last week’s episodes had us a bit worried about the direction of Pretty Man but episodes 3-4 have given us hope as they brought us Ma Te’s first real set of women challenges, a new conquest and a new hairdo!
Tanya: I seriously hope they change his hair with every woman. That would be epic… and hilarious!
Zombie: That would be fantastic!
Tanya: Bo Tong is still trying to sell those damn socks, but I personally think that sock.leg peacock is amazing… Creepy, but amazing. I’m still having trouble with the complete devotion that Bo Tong has for Ma Te even though there has never been any sort of relationship really.
Continue reading “Hallyu Zombie’s Drama Review: Pretty Man Episodes 3-4 (1/2)”
This week brought with it the end of KBS2’s most recent time-traveling drama, Marry Him If You Dare. As I’ve spent the past eight weeks writing reviews on each week’s episodes for DramaFever, I’d think myself a slacker if I didn’t recommend Marry Him If You Dare for your weekly dose of drama.
Starring Yoon Eun Hye, Lee Dong Gun and Jung Yong Hwa (swoon), Marry Him If You Dare tells the story of the time-traveling Na Mi Rae, a young call center employee who is surprised by a visit from her very disgruntled future self. Desperate to change her fate, the Mi Rae of the future braves all sorts of peril to travel back in time, in hopes of changing the past and therefore her future. What the future Na Mi Rae doesn’t know is that once she starts changing the past, there’s no telling what will happen to her future.
I could go in to all kinds of details about the characters and plot in this drama but I don’t want to ruin the suspense for those of you who are planning to watch it for the first time. (Well, that and I’ve already thoroughly dissected this drama for DramaFever’s Marry Him If You Dare Drama Club which you can read whenever you feel so inclined.) However, I will tell you that having the chance to watch Yoon Eun Hye and Jung Yong Hwa in the same drama is 
pretty darn awesome. I’ve been a fan of Yoon Eun Hye since I first saw her in Lie to Me and (if you couldn’t already tell) Jung Yong Hwa is one of my biggest biases. That being said, I started watching Marry Him If You Dare just because I was curious to see how two of my favorite actors would interact on-screen and my fangirl side was intrigued enough to watch this drama through to the end.
As much as I would like to say Marry Him If You Dare is one of my favorite dramas, the truth is, it’s not. Once you start watching, you’ll understand why. It’s not that the show is bad (though the 4.1% viewer rating it garnered with its last two episodes might suggest otherwise) it’s just missing that something special that endears dramas to their viewers. Still, there are some lessons to be learned from Mi Rae’s antics and an underlying challenge to follow your dreams and find the courage to change your stars, which I really liked. Ultimately, that’s why I encourage you to make Marry Him If You Dare your weekend marathon. I hope you’ll come back afterwards to discuss it with me as I’m always ready to chat (or swoon over Yong Hwa) and I’d love to hear with you think of this drama. If you’ve already watch Marry Him If You Dare, I’d love to know what you think and if you haven’t, come back once you’ve finished and we’ll chat. Either way be sure to leave your comments below! Daume ddo bayo!
With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, it’s only fitting that this week’s music spotlight should shine on one of the first new K-Pop Christmas songs of the season, which is why CUBE Entertainment’s “Christmas Song” is my tune of the week.
A perfectly harmonious collaboration of some of CUBE Entertainment’s top stars, “Christmas Song” is nothing short of Christmas magic. Featuring 4Minute, 
BEAST, G.Na, A-Pink, Huh Gak, BTOB, Roh Ji Hoon, Shin Ji Hoon, and Kim Ki Ri, “Christmas Song” is a warm and happy tune overflowing with Christmas cheer. Seriously, you can’t watch the MV of “Christmas Song” without being bombarded by a rush of warm-fuzzies as members of some of your fav
orite CUBE artists, smile and sing all of their Christmas wishes just to you. Well, that’s what it feels like anyway. If, like me, you love Christmas and can’t get enough of the holiday cheer, “Christmas Song” is certainly one to add to your Christmas playlist and if you’re one of those out there looking for a 
little Christmas cheer, be sure to check out the MV as it’s almost guaranteed to warm even the Scroogiest of hearts.
Of course there may be those out there who just can’t stomach such an overload of super-sweet adorableness and to you I am sorry but when a collaboration of artists of this caliber gets together, it’s just too hard to ignore. The MV of “Christmas Song” may be overly sweet but I’m willing to overlook it because it’s Christmas and in all honesty, I’m happy CUBE Entertainment has given me such a sweet 
song to add to my Christmas K-Pop Collection. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do and I’ll see you next week for another TUNE OF THE WEEK! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Zombie: So, you’ve had a chance to read my take on these first two episodes but we’ve yet to hear what you have to say. Two episodes in, what are your thoughts on Pretty Man?
Tanya: I have to say that I completely agree with your take. Selfish gigolo… I want to smack him. Creeper girl, kind of… I don’t even know where to go with that. These are such different characters than we are used to seeing from Jang Geun Suk and IU that I’m a little taken aback.
Zombie: They’re certainly not the characters I was expecting! I’m hoping that as time goes on, these two will develop into characters I can love and support…or at least care about. So far, the writers haven’t done much to endear their main characters to me which makes it hard for me to care about them or this show. Sad to say it but there it is!
Continue reading “HALLYU ZOMBIE’S DRAMA REVIEW: Pretty Man Episodes 1-2 (2/2)”
Hey chingus! Welcome to the very first edition of Tanya (of HallyuKnow?) and Zombie’s (of ZombieMamma) drama reviews. We’re very excited to be working together to bring you a weekly review of the latest episodes of KBS2’s newest drama, Pretty Man. The next eight weeks should be fun so let’s get to it, shall we?
Continue reading “HALLYU ZOMBIE’S DRAMA REVIEW: Pretty Man Episodes 1-2 (1/2)”
If, like me, you’re finding that the days standing between you and the latest episode of Answer Me 1994 seem to drag on for an eternity, I have a simple and entertaining solution for you…fill those endless days with episodes of the show that spawned Answer Me 1994, its equally hilarious and entertaining precursor, Answer Me 1997.
Originally airing on tvN in 2012, Answer Me 1997 garnered praise from critics and audiences alike, with its final episode recording, at that time, the highest ratings for a Korean cable drama. With so much praise for Answer Me 1997, I’m sure there a lot of you who’ve already experienced the joy of watching this drama but I know there are those out there (myself included) who have only just become familiar with the Answer Me world and if any of you are like me, you’re now completely hooked.
Trying to pinpoint what it is, exactly, about the Answer Me series that is so addicting, is as difficult as trying to answer the inexplicable question, “Why do you like me?” It’s nearly impossible to find a single reason why you like series, you just do. There’s something about the combination of reality, humor, awkwardness, drama, sincerity, sweetness and camaraderie that subtly draws you in and before you realize what’s happened you’re completely entranced by its spell; which is why I’m recommending Answer Me 1997 for this weeks drama marathon.
In true Answer Me style, Answer Me 1997 tells the story of six friends as the timeline moves back and forth between their eighteen-year-old selves, in 1997, and their thirty-three-year-old-selves at a high school alumni meeting in 2012, at which, one couple will be announcing their engagement. For those of you who are currently watching Answer Me 1994 but have never watched Answer Me 1997, you’re in for a pleasant surprise as you’ll quickly learn where some of your favorite elements of Answer Me 1994 originated. Love the bleating goat sound effect at all those hilariously awkward moments? It’s there. Love the baseball coach dad and the mom who cooks way too much? They’re there. Love the long-time friends who one day realize they’ve developed feelings for each other? Oh, they’re there! The humor, the pain, the friendship, the love, the sorrow, the heartbreak…they’re all there, in spades. Which is why you need to drop what you’re doing and start watching Answer Me 1997, right now. After all, what’s a holiday weekend without a little drama?
Find yourself wishing for a little drama during the week? You can join me in a discussion of the latest episodes of Marry Him If You Dare, in the DramaFever Drama Club here.
VIXX is back and darker than ever in their latest single, “Voodoo Doll.” A hauntingly addictive tune showcasing VIXX’s incredible knack for combining both the poppy and the macabre, “Voodoo Doll” is impossible to ignore, which is why I had to give them this week’s music spotlight. 
Written from the perspective of a voodoo doll in love with a girl bent on exacting revenge from every guy who has ever hurt her, “Voodoo Doll” is both unique and powerful on its own but when combined with the darkly cinematic MV the song hits a whole new level of incredible that has me spellbound. You can check the original version of “Voodoo Doll” out here but I should warn you, this MV isn’t for the squeamish or faint of heart. The girl in this video is exacting her revenge in some of the most gruesome ways possible, inflicting as much physical pain on the members of VIXX as they apparently inflicted on her emotionally.
This girl is dark and determined and this MV leaves very little to the imagination so if you’re one of those people who freaked out about the bugs in the “Hyde” MV, you’re probably going to want to skip this version of “Voodoo Doll” altogether. However, if you’re not afraid of a little mutilation and gore, go ahead and watch this original version. Personally, I’m mesmerized by this MV because the imagery is so poignant it adds an incredible amount of emotion and power to an already compelling tune but really you just need to watch it and see for yourself.
For those of you who weren’t able to stomach the original MV of “Voodoo Doll” have no fear, VIXX has released a MV for you too! Here’s their “clean” version of “Voodoo Doll” which, while missing the powerful imagery of the original, still entertains us with slightly creepy sets and
VIXX’s well executed (though disappointingly altered) choreography. Apparently the original choreography for “Voodoo Doll” was deemed too graphic to be aired on Korean television as three different networks refused to let VIXX perform on-air unless changes were made. Though disappointed by the networks decision, VIXX complied and all the squeamish of the world rejoiced as they now have a “Voodoo Doll” MV they can watch comfortably.
As if these two MVs weren’t enough, VIXX has also released a dance practice video for “Voodoo Doll” so you can imagine yourself sitting in the studio, watching these six cuties practice for their comeback on Music Bank.
So what do you think of VIXX’s “Voodoo Doll?” Like it? Love it? Hate it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
To keep my recent flower boy theme going, this Friday’s drama is the adorable Flower Boy Next Door.
Starring Park Shin Hye and Yoon Si Yoon, 
Flower Boy Next Door is the story of a shy freelance copy editor, Go Dok Mi, who spends her days locked in her tiny apartment, staring out her window at the world passing around her. Go Dok Mi’s particularly favorite view happens to be the handsome boy next door, Han Tae Joon but when an unexpected stranger shows up in Han Tae Joon’s window, things in Go Dok Mi’s little world suddenly get flipped upside down. Suddenly finding herself surrounded by a whole host of “flower boys,” Go Dok Mi begins to wonder if life would be better lived on the other side of her door.
If, like me, your week’s been a little rough, Flower Boy Next Door, could be just the drama you need to lift your spirits. It’s lighthearted fun and flower boys galore which make it an easy show to get into and is why it’s another of my favorites. (Though to be honest, I have a lot of favorites so maybe that’s not saying much…) Whatever the case may be, good week or bad, sit back, enjoy a little Friday Night Drama and I’ll see you next week!
For those of you screaming, “What? That song came out months ago!” I know, it’s been playing on my iPod forever. However, the M/V for “Who You?” was released last Wednesday and with it has come a whole new obsession with G-Dragon and this song which is why I chose it for this week’s tune.
The concept for the “Who You?” M/V is surprisingly simple, G-Dragon sings and dances in a giant see-through box while 1,000 lucky fans stand 
outside and film the video on their own personal devices, however the result is extraordinary. The look and feel of this M/V is so unique, it takes a simple concept and makes it unforgettable. Why? I think it’s because while we’re watching “Who You?” we feel like we get to catch a glimpse of the real G-Dragon. 
Without any high-budget production pizzazz to get in the way, “Who You?” provides a clear, unaltered view of the often overlooked, fun-loving side of G-Dragon, which is nice. After watching this video about a thousand times, I’m convinced G-Dragon would be an incredibly fun person to hang out with…maybe play some SoulCalibur with, challenge to a Dance Central dance battle, or just chat with while munching on some ddeokbokki. (I wonder if G-Dragon even likes ddeokbokki…)
So what do you think of G-Dragon’s most recent M/V? Do you love it as much as I do or do you think it would have been better with all of that high-budget pizzazz? Share your thoughts in the comments below and come back next week for a new Tune of the Week. Daume ddo bayo!