Sung Tan Chuk Ha

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This is Korean's Christmas greeting, Sung Tan Chuk Ha!

People around the world celebrate the birth of Christ. We may have different ways to celebrate and different languages as greetings but we have a common love and joy for the infant Jesus.

It’s nice to know that 25% of South Koreans are Christians and Christmas Day is also an official holiday there. Exchange gifts are also popular and they usually have snow at Christmas! Oh I would love to experience that. Korea is one of the countries on my to visit list. Watching Korean Dramas almost every single day made me accustomed to various Korean activities and way of living. Of course language would be a great barrier but if they have car rental South Africa then it may work out fine.

On Korean Drama note, I finished watching Flower Boy Ramyun Shop but don’t have time to blog my thoughts about it. It might be my last Korean Drama for this year (or may not) because of other commitments. And I’m working on my squidoo lenses which are all about the Top 10 Korean Dramas for 2011.

So once again Sung Tan Chuk Ha (Merry Christmas) and Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo (Happy New Year)!

Heroes of Sungkyunkwan

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Sungkyunkwan is the center of learning for scholars during the Joseon era (Korea 14th to 16th century). During this period, only males are given the privileged to study and hold positions on the government.

So the Sungkyunkwan Scandal is about one female who was able to break into Sungkyunkwan and change the history. Well, this is a fiction of course but I can't help to compare it with Mulan and thus the song Reflections kept playing in my head

I am now /In a world where I have to /Hide my heart /And what I believe in /But somehow /I will show the world /What’s inside my heart /And be loved for who I am 

I am glad I was born in this time where I can show what I really can do and not be restricted with the norms of the society. There are still some places where females are regarded as lesser but that's a totally different story.

Let's go back to Sungkyunkwan Scandal and the heroes that helped our female lead to achieve her impossible dream.

Our pretty female lead is Kim Yoon Hee, she used her sick brother's identity as Kin Yoon Shik and entered Sungkyunkwan. She had to take care of her sick sibling and widowed mother. She is bright, talented and determined that even the King took a liking on him (as male).

The dashing Garang (term for most eligible bachelor), Lee Sun Joon being the son of the Left Prime Minister, head of Norons. He is quite stoic and idealistic. He isn't afraid to challenge anyone on his beliefs and quest for truth and justice.

My love Moon Jae Shin or Geol Oh, the third wheeler but definitely the better choice (am I being obvious?). He is the Robin Hood/ bad boy here. His quest for justice for his slain brother and hatred for Norons drove him to be a vigilant.

Goo Yong Ha, the son of the richest merchant made him both street wise and a brat (but I love him anyways). He's been a friend and confidant of Moon Jae Shin; knows a lot as he is also very observant.

I am already on the last two eps but was afraid to continue as something bad might happen to Jalgeum Quartet. Pls spare these 4, no dying or I'll gonna be crazy!

Late Rave about Sungkyunkwan Scandal

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It's 3:20 am and I'm wide awake, feeling giddy while watching Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Am I crazy? I guess it's more of I am crazy about Yoo Ah In aka Moon Jae Shin! He's the third wheeler here, why am I always like this, falling more on the other guy. Is it pity? No, it's because they are more sensitive, understanding, thoughtful and not to mention more handsome than the lead guy. It's just that female leads fall on the bad ass guy. Hmp! I'll have you Moon Jae Shin any time of the day. 

Okay, there are cute moments (or here pictures) with the 3 plus the other friend.

 

It's a late rave because Sungkyunkwan Scandal was shown in 2010, more than a year had past. 

Currently Watching: Sungkyunkwan Scandal

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I am not much into historical KDrama, I think I only watched Dae Jang Geum or Jewel in the Palace among the many out there. So when Sungkyunkwan Scandal came out I didn't bat an eyelash even though I read positive reviews about it.

So why did I change my mind? Boredom I guess, since I only have Flower Boy Ramyun Shop on my current list. And I am glad I did because it was not the stereotype historical where it is heavy drama but more on a playful note. 

And the female lead is Park Min Young aka Nana Bear of City Hunter and the gf of Lee Min Ho. I assume I remember her because of the latter, imagine Lee Min Ho's girl? She sure is very very lucky.

I'll blog more when as I progress as I am still at ep 4.

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Details

Title: 성균관 스캔들 / Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Genre: Period, romance, comedy
Episodes: 20
Broadcast network: KBS2
Broadcast period: 2010-Aug-30 to 2010-Nov-02
Air time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55

Synopsis

Sungkyunkwan Scandal is set in Sungkyunkwan University in the late Joseon era during the reign of King Jeongjo, revolving around the exploits and love stories of four youths. When her younger brother's illness worsens and their family is in danger of being evicted from their house for lack of money, Kim Yoon Hee enters the school under his name, disguised as a boy in her desperation to support him. There, she becomes friends with the intelligent and upright Lee Sun Joon, the playboy Goo Yong Ha and rebellious Moon Jae Shin.
Cast

Micky Yoochun as Lee Sun Joon
Park Min Young as Kim Yoon Hee
Bang Joon Seo as young Yoon Hee
Song Joong Ki as Goo Yong Ha
Yoo Ah In as Moon Jae Shin
Seo Hyo Rim as Ha Hyo Eun
Kim Min Seo as Cho Sun
Jun Tae Soo as Ha In Soo

Details from Drama Wiki

Cuteness Overload: Puppies vs Babies

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This post brought to you by Puppies vs. Babies. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am dying of cuteness overload here. I've been staring at Jung Il Woo's adorable face, and I don't want to update my blog post for that reason. I want his picture forever engraved in my mind. And now I was asked to vote for Puppies vs. Babies online contest a battle in the cuteness category.

I am stuck. Why because I was imagining Jung Il Woo as a baby or if he has a baby and wonder how cute that would be. But it would be great if I am the mother of the baby. Then again I remembered he is actually a pet dog.

Help! I need some smacking on the head. Okay, I need to choose one and between Puppies vs. Babies I vote for Babies! I want one too, or maybe two in the future.

I guess this is really boils down to perception and experience. I have friends who are avid pet lovers and would definitely chose a puppy. Adorable, obedient and sweet puppy or dog. But for those moms out there there is no contest, definitely it's their babies. They say and I must agree that your mom is your number one fan. 

How about you? Which is cuter a puppy or a baby? Share us your thoughts.

My Flower Boy - Jung Il Woo is back

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Oh my! This is what I am waiting for! Almost 2 months of KDrama drought and Flower Boy Ramyun Shop had me with just this wink!

I am guilty of playing favorites with Jung Il Woo as one of my flower boys (Jang Geun Seok as the other one), having the title role and the male lead. Of course I would follow or watch blindly. But even though it is JIW, I find the first ep really really entertaining. JIW's rotten-bad-boy-spoiled attitude is so cute! I am still getting the hang of the female lead and the rest of the gang. For now all my eyes are glued to my JIW.

Could you blame me?

A Dry October

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October is a dry season (for me) in the KDramaland. Look I only managed to have 4 posts for October, this is the 5^th and 3 were kinda paid posts, while the other one was a meme. I tried watching ep 1 of Poseidon, Vampire Prosecutor and Can’t Lose, but couldn’t find the interest to go for the 2^nd ep. And maybe because I am also busy with my other blogs and a new online shop.

But definitely, on the last week of October I will be back with my oppa Jung Il Woo’s Ramyun Shop.

How to choose a Web Hosting Service?

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That was actually my question. However I can share some of my experiences.

Affordable

There are lots of web hosting services available, but for an up and struggling blogger like me I chose the lowest available package. I'm still not generating that much traffic and income, I just need a web host for my blogs, that’s it! But you also need to check not just the price but also number of domains and sub domain it can accommodate, the memory and other freebies. My current web host allows max of 10 domains for as little as a dollar a month.

Customer Service

I admit repeatedly that I am html code ignorant. So I rely on the customer service on my blog transfers. I have to pay extra but that saves me a lot of time and headaches.

Reliable

As I’ve said there are a lot of web hosting services out there. Big named sites also means higher costs. So if you’re like me who is on a budget, you have to look on alternatives like sub hosting. And check other bloggers who use the same services for any feedback or complaints. For now I haven’t got any on my current web host but before I really had a hard time. It’s because I sub hosted with a friend so I cannot demand prompt customer service. Sometimes my requests are attended after months, so I opted to change than let my blogs and myself suffer.

Blog post courtesy of Alma who writes for a promotional coupon blog catering to web hosting. Check out the latest 1&1 coupon and anhosting promotional codes.

Tracfone: Get into Everywhereness

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This post brought to you by TracFone. All opinions are 100% mine.

Missing in action? I guess my drama queen persona is tired with summer and such, that’s why I opted to just communicate using Tracfone. Tracfone is the least expensive way to own and use cell phones in America. The Senior Value plan can vouch for that, I can call anywhere around the globe with the same rate to 60 international destinations at no extra cost! The theme Get into Everywhereness is at first weird but now I get their point.

The whole family can enjoy the different Tracfone packages because for as $9.99 monthly you get 50 minutes for that. I guess that’s enough for your kids while wandering and enjoying their summer breaks. But for more active user like me I prefer the $30 monthly plan with 200 minutes. And it is guaranteed that there will be no hidden charge, no credit checks and no activation or cancellation fees.

For phone selection, there are many models to choose from. There’s the basic cell phone with call and text capabilities or you can opt for a smart phone. All come with affordable price.   

Even if I am missing in action, I still get in touch with my drama friends and is updated on the current K pop culture. Get into Everywhereness!

Tracfone makes it easy... by LittleBard95

Man of Honor: Sports Themed KDrama

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Man of Honor is a new Korean sports themed drama, with episode 2 already out I am still deciding whether to watch it or not. As you can see on my post or lack of it, I am in a drama drought since mid of September to present. There were dramas currently airing but none caught my attention.

Man of Honor is about a football player who got injured, in the process of healing and depression he found love. Cliché isn’t it? I have watched countless of sports themed drama from soccer, rugby, football, basketball ending with love. Well, love is everywhere and what is not to love about a passionate ball player?

I am still hesitant, I love the cliché and everything but I am not really into sports. I barely understand the terms and the technicalities. I am more into a love hate relationship of the leads. I have to wait for the other drama addicts to pick this drama and review, then I can have a better understanding of it.

Do I need to decide now? I have to see it for myself using some discount coupons.

Blog post courtesy of Alma who writes for a promotional coupon blog catering to World Soccer Shop and World Rubgy Shop. Check out the newest world soccer shop code and world rugby shop promotional codes.