Drinking Solo

If Ha Seok Jin was not my number one oppa, I would've dropped this drama halfway. I was so annoyed with his character and it really dragged on. I do understand that he's "high class trash" but it was too much. The plot was also predictable and a bit cliche-ish.

The underlying theme of the drama shows why people drink solo. I like that little introduction at the start of the episode and how they end an episode with more drinking. It made me want to drink as well.

Ha Seok Jin plays Jin Jung-Suk, a first-class instructor at a Civil Service Exam review school and one who likes to drink alcohol by himself and with a ceremony to boot. While Park Ha-Sun plays Park Ha-Na, also another instructor but with less stellar credentials compared to Teacher Jin. The story revolves around their relationship as well as that with the other teachers and students. 

The supporting cast were entertaining to watch. Kim Won-hae as the CEO of the academy was hilarious as usual and my favorite would be Key of Shinee. I have low expectations for idols who transition to drama but his portrayal as one of the friends of Teacher Ha-na's student was just amusing. I won't easily forget his "tiriri" catchphrase. 

The cameos were also something to watch out for. Having Key's Shinee co-member Minho appear as an old classmate was just so funny! I was surprised that it was early on in the series but it was enough for me. There were other guests towards the end like 2AM's Jo Kwon and Ha Seok Jin's BFF, Kim Ji-Suk. 

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT

The cameos

Not only actors guested in this drama but some scenes from other dramas as well. There was one professor who spoofed drama/movie characters and used them in his lectures. I laughed when he parodied Park Bo Gum's prince character in Love in the Moonlight even showing a scene on his phone. 

Character Development

Am not sure if there was even one. Let's just say I liked it when Ha Seok Jin's character showed his non-asshole side. I relished seeing him display a different emotion when he and his brother fought outside his house, and of course, when he cried after breaking up with Teacher Ha-na. He's so effective because I cried with him as well.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT

Predictable Plot

I actually was able to predict most of what happened. When Prof. Jun-suk learned that his brother liked Prof. Ha-na, he broke up with her for his brother's happiness. My eyes couldn't stop rolling up to the back of my head. There were several scenes of him afterwards crying and drinking by himself while thinking of the woman he loves. I couldn't stop laughing at that one.  

Ha Seok Jin's Character

I felt that his character was poorly written. He was crass half of the drama and for him to suddenly do a 180 just because he fell in love was a major suspension of disbelief. Also, the reason for his boorish behavior felt rather shallow. It could be possible but I was not satisfied with the explanation.

RATING

Giving this three and a half tissue boxes because of Ha Seok-jin and Key. Also, there's this song that I like. 

Would I recommend? Depends. It's one of the last dramas that I would recommend for Ha Seok-jin fans but seeing Key here would be a treat. 

Monthly Magazine Home

I initially chose to watch this because my #1 oppa, Ha Seok Jin, appeared in a cameo. Moreover, the male lead is one of his good friends. I found myself enjoying the drama and even liked the chemistry of the leads.

Jung So-Min plays a "homeless" editor who was hired to write for a magazine that features homes. The paper was bought by a real estate mogul played by Kim Ji-Suk who planned to use it to market his investments. 

Their first meeting was hilarious and KJS managed to come up with catchphrases that really gave his character life. (Stop!) Moreover, even if I've watched JSM in other dramas before, but she became my girl crush in this drama. She's so pretty!

There were so many learnings from this drama especially if you're seriously thinking of buying your own home. Though it may come out as hilarious but the Youtube videos that our male lead churned out were actually very informative. Bottom line is, if you really want a house, you have to save up for it and that would mean sacrifices. 

Make sure you're not in the mood to buy anything when you watch this as you'll end up not buying it instead. :) 

There's a quotable quote at the end of the drama that I liked. 

Before this, Editor Na (JSM's character) narrated what would be considered a a good home. It can be a place that is clean and cozy. It can also be a place where you would want to invite close friends to. But she concluded, that a good home is a place where a good person lives. 

In the end, she was able to find the place where she really felt at home. 

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT

The cast

I was on the fence on Kim Ji Suk as the only drama of his that I've watched was When the Camellia Blooms and I wanted to hit him there. I tried Top Star Yoo-Baek but am stuck at Ep 3 though a lot have recommended that to me. He's growing on me now especially knowing that he's the BFF of my number one oppa. 

I also watched Jung So Min in Because This is my First Life but I fell in love with her here. There's a freshness in her that I really liked. Will watch definitely her drama with HSJ and see who she has more chemistry with.  

Loved that Kim Won Hae is here. He's one of my favorite character actors. Funny though that I was watching this together with Drinking Solo where he's also one of the supporting casts. I almost interchanged his characters as he's also animated there.

The houses

I was blown away when they featured the houses and the corresponding prices. I had to google the KRW to PHP exchange rate to understand the cost. Not surprising considering how beautiful and large the houses were. It made me think if I would really want to live in such a luxurious spread even if I could afford it. Again, we all go back to what is considered our own definition of a "home".

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT

The finale

I was really looking forward to the finale as I breezed through the 15 episodes. I wanted to find out what would happen to our leads. The writer had to insert that uncomfortable conflict at the end when there's not much build up to it. It took me by surprise and it did not invoke the right emotion from me. I should've cried but I'm my reaction was a "WTF just happened?" 

 

RATING

Giving this four tissue boxes. Even if I didn't like the finale, I enjoyed the whole drama. 

Watched: July 28 - August 6, 2021

 

Fangirling

My friends have mentioned that I'm the ultimate fangirl. I've done some pretty wild things in the name of fangirling for the simple reason that it makes me happy--the people I stan make me happy.

One way for me to stan is I follow my idols in socmed. I "like" their posts or sometimes, I strive to leave a well-thought off message. In one of Ha Seok Jin's vlogs, I left a comment and was happily surprised to see that it was liked.

Of course, since this is sort of a give-away contest, my comment might've been liked for tallying purposes. Nevertheless, the point that it was noticed was enough for me. 

Ha Seok Jin

 

I collect oppas and for the longest time, I never picked a number 1. 

Every year, I'd be forced to pick a top oppa for our oppa survey in an online Kdrama group that I belong to. I'd choose depending on who was my current "flavor-of-the-month". 

In my first year, I remember choosing Park Seo Joon. Then in the succeeding year, I picked T.O.P. Last year, I recall picking T.O.P. again (for consistency's sake). But this time around, I can proudly say that Ha Seok Jin is my top pick. It's the first time that I found myself "obsessing" over a korean actor. I turned on my Google alerts for him as well as Instagram and Youtube notifications. 

I'm trying to figure out what made me fall for him this hard. He has angles that are not flattering but I find him really handsome. I don't know if its because of his sexy brain which added to his charisma.