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

 

Strong Girl Bong Soon (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon)

I started this at the same time that I watched Kill Me Heal Me because the former, I can only watch online while this one, I can watch downloaded episodes from Viu. Starring Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik and Ji Soo, this is one of my highly recommended dramas which I will explain later.

This was shown from February to April 2017 and became one of the highest rated Korean dramas in cable television history. If you watched it, you'll find out way.

Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) was born with superhuman strength. Because of this, she was able to get a job as a bodyguard of Ahn Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik) who fell in love with her. But she still has unresolved feelings for her childhood crush, In Guk-doo (Ji Soo). This all happens while she tries to catch a neighborhood killer/kidnapper.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT

This is the only series, by far, that I've rewatched more than two times and there are a lot of things to like about it. Sharing my Twitter thread about this series:

STRONG WOMAN DO BONG SOON
At finally, nakilala ko na si Paek Hyung sik! Kasama pa si 14th prince! pic.twitter.com/hcqZULtgKB

— Shine ☀️ 빛 (@sunshi_fairy) July 28, 2018

Park Hyung-sik

He was just so cute here and the reason why he made it to my #1 list of oppas which he currently shares with Park Seo-joon. I'm sore that I only discovered him now when he was just here late last year for a meet and greet. I would've been one of the thousands of fans swooning over him. I've been watching some of the clips during his M&G and I was giggling the whole time.
I love him here because it felt like watching the real PHS. Moreover, it's refreshing to see a guy be all kilig over a girl.

Case in point.

Park Hyung Sik Phone GIF from Parkhyungsik GIFs

Because of PHS, I visited the nearby Bench store and bought this:

The Story
It's a simple story but it's so light and fluffy that it will leave you with a happy heart afterwards. The chemistry of the two leads PBY and PHS will make you smile. I was a bit lost when the reason why Bong-soon was hired was immediately resolved but the writers managed to pick that up.

Moreover, I was very satisfied with how the whole series ended. If all dramas could end like that then I won't have any problems with closure. But this one and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, ended perfectly. That's why both of them are my most recommended K Dramas.

The OST

Park Hyung-sik's, Because of You, is on repeat on Spotify as I wanted to memorize it (which I already did). I'm not sure if this is really the official music video.

Other than Because of You, there are other songs from the drama which I love.

One of the songs, Super Power Girl is played everytime Bong-soon does something super-heroey. The melody is perfect as it's so catchy--if I could understand the lyrics.




Other songs from the OST can be found in the playlist from Warner Korea.




Park Bo-young
I belatedly realized that I already watched one of her movies before--A Wolf Boy--where she starred with Song Joong-ki. I didn't recognize her as I had my eyes then on SJK but I do remember her sensitive performance.
In this drama, she's delicate and fragile and she certainly looked the part especially when her 5'1" frame is standing beside the 6' PHS. Describing her as cute is an understatement. It's amusing that while PHS is all over the place expressing his kilig over her, she's just standing there as cool as she can be with a serene smile on her face while watching him.

Ji Soo
Ever since I saw him and his emotional scenes in Scarlet Heart, I wanted him to have his own drama. Though he's not the main lead, I was still happy to see him here. He's the anti-thesis of PHS' character. I enjoyed their bromance though.

Park Hyung Sik Cute GIF from Parkhyungsik GIFs

The Supporting Cast 
The people around the main characters were hilarious as well. There was a character there whose purpose I could not see the importance of (the fake Indian monk), but otherwise, they were really funny. Kim Won-hae was especially entertaining as he had to play two different characters.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT

None! There were some minute details but it did not stop me from enjoying the whole drama.

RATING
I give this a rating of five tissue boxes even if I did not cry over it. It's just a feel good series that will leave you smiling and happy afterwards. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Park Hyung Sik GIF from Parkhyungsik GIFs

Watched: July 22-July 29, 2018