Category: Just for Fun

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Win A Hallyu Star Makeover!

It’s the final week of DramaFever’s Hallyu Star Makeover contest and since it’s no secret I love DramaFever, I’ve decided to help them out a bit with their final push for the contest. If you’ve ever dreamed of dressing like your favorite Hallyu Stars, now’s your chance! DramaFever has partnered with YesStyle to offer you the chance to win a complete Hallyu Star makeover and all you have to do is recreate your favorite scene from your favorite drama, snap a pic and upload it here. (In case you need a little inspiration, I’ll give you a few scenes from some of this year’s favorite dramas while I give you the details of the contest.)

ice hugThe grand prize winner of DramaFever’s Hallyu Star Makover receives:

A 3 day / 2 night trip to New York City (for you and a guest)

A head-to-toe makeover styled by beauty guru Beautifymeeh!

Clothing sponsored by YesStyle.com

Special gifts courtesy of SokoGlam, and ToFebruaryeggs

A professional photo shoot

A night out in New York City with the DF team

Five Honorable Mention Winners Will Receive:

Beauty gift baskets from SokoGlam

$25 gift certificates to ToFebruary

cute couple kissWHO’S ELIGIBLE?

Must be a registered user of DramaFever

Must like the official DramaFever Facebook page

Must be 18 or older

Must reside within the 48 contiguous states in the U.S.awesome

    The contest runs through January 11, 2014 so there’s no time to lose! Grab a friend and let lose your inner Hallyu Star! FIGHTING!

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    CHRISTMAS TUNES THAT ROCK: August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album

    With Christmas only days away, I figured I still had time to sneak on more holiday album review in here before the big day. Last week I told you to check out my favorite Christmas album, Family Force 5’s holiday gem, “Christmas Pageant,” this week, I’m here to rave about my second favorite Christmas album, August Burns Red’s fifth studio album and only Christmas album, “Sleddin’ Hill.”

    Continue reading “CHRISTMAS TUNES THAT ROCK: August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album”

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    CHRISTMAS TUNES THAT ROCK: Family Force 5 “Christmas Pageant”

    I’m one of those people who absolutely loves Christmas. I start my list of goodies and treats I plan to bake in October. I put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving (gotta give the other holidays their dues) and I start listening to Christmas music in mid-November (my husband refuses to let me listen to any until after his birthday *sigh*). If left to my own devices, I’d listen to Christmas music all year round, I love it that much. There’s nothing better than listening to the crooners, young and old, singing classics like “White Christmas” or “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” is pure Christmas magic and nothing beats Thurl Ravenscroft’s “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch.” My  kids and I agree the Christmas season doesn’t officially start until we’ve listened to the Chipmunks “Christmas Song” and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” sung by Gayla Peevey. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas with the music and whether it’s old or new, traditional or a hip-hop remix, I love it all.

    That being said, each year I find myself falling in love with one particular album and this year, it’s Family Force 5’s first Christmas family force 5 1album, “Christmas Pageant.” Now for those of you who are die-hard Family Force 5 fans, I’m fully aware that this album isn’t new. Released in October 2009, “Christmas Pageant” was nominated for Christmas Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards but four years later, do we really care? What matters is this album is full of some of the best crunk rock Christmas song remixes you will ever hear; I honestly can’t find a track on this album I don’t like. My personal favorite is their original Christmas tune, “The Baby” because its reminds me very much of G-Dragon’s “R.O.D.” and you just can’t go wrong with that!

    I know this album has been out for several years now but if you’re looking for a Christmas album that’ll keep your holiday party rockin’ and don’t already own “Christmas Pageant” I recommend you download it now. I promise, you’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree all night long!

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    FRIDAY NIGHT DRAMA: Marry Him If You Dare

    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.

    awesomeStarring 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.

    meddler extraordinaireI 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 i'm your fatherpretty 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.

    mi rae and se joo on a benchAs 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!

     

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    HALLYU ZOMBIE’S DRAMA REVIEW: Pretty Man Episodes 1-2 (2/2)

    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.

    bo tong

    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)”

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    HALLYU ZOMBIE’S DRAMA REVIEW: Pretty Man Episodes 1-2 (1/2)

    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)”

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    Friday Night Drama: Answer Me 1997

    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.

    group shot

    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.

    why do you like me

    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.

    meeting 1

    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.

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    TUNE OF THE WEEK: VIXX “VOODOO DOLL”

    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. 6Written 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.3 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 and5 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!

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    FRIDAY NIGHT DRAMA: Flower Boy Next Door

    To keep my recent flower boy theme going, this Friday’s drama is the adorable Flower Boy Next Door.

    title screen

    spyingStarring Park Shin Hye and Yoon Si Yoon, caught youFlower 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.happy ending

    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!

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    TUNE OF THE WEEK: G-Dragon’s “Who You?”

    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.

    gd 3

    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 gd 2outside 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. gdragon 1Without 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!