Fall TV Season: What I’m Watching (and What You Should Too)

Quick post because I really need to study—

Prior to the Azn, I was pretty obsessed with tv. I used to have like a list of shows I couldn’t go without every week, and when things overlapped (because oh yes they did), I always agonized over what to watch first. I know, I know, I led a tough life O__O. Anyways, I’ve cut back a lot since those days, but I still have a couple shows I can’t go without–

Gossip Girl (season premier TOMORROW OMG!!!) Like everyone else, the only reason I watch is for Blair and Chuck, and it’ll be interesting to see them together (for a little while at least). College has a way of ruining shows like this, but I’m gonna be optimistic. I really hope Dan and Serena are over for good, Nate gets something interesting to do besides look pretty, and Vanessa and Jenny get run over by a cab. Other than that, I’m up for whatever.

House (season premier next Monday) This used to be my favorite show ever, but the last few seasons haven’t been all that great. Still Hugh Laurie can just read the phone book, and I’d still watch every week XDD. That whole hallucination crap last season was kinda lame, but House being in the psychiatric ward to kick things off should bring lots of lulz. I hope this season they give Chase and Cameron better storylines, stop with House/Cuddy, give Fourteen like negative screentime, and of course, have lots of delicious House/Wilson anything. Fingers crossed for a good season!

I also really like Entourage (when is that coming back?) and 30 Rock, but I don’t really keep up with those. Anyways, what are you gonna be viewing this season? Also, any new shows worth checking out? My roomie has been trying to get me into True Blood, but I sort of have a negatively conditioned response to vampires (see: Twilight).

Oh, and just cuz this post is not enough Korean boyband— SJM mv tonight!!!!!!!!!! laskdjfakldsjfalskdjf

 

Let’s Go Watch Meteor Shower

That is the title right?

Anyways, long weekend so I decided to check this out.

It’s okay I guess. Better than I expected in some parts, and exactly as I expected in others. The dubbing freaked me out at first, but I got used to it. Other than that, it’s just really, really Chinese.

Breaking it down:

Plot Pretty different from the manga, and that’s probably a good thing. However, I’m so used to the original, I find myself constantly comparing this or that. I don’t think the storyline is as tight and cohesive as the original, but it has its moments. I know it’s China, but there is way, way too much focus on studying and getting good grades as a central plot point. No one denies that doing well in school a rl priority, but it makes for hellishly lame and boring tv.

Characters Bleh @ the main love triangle people and the older folk, but ♥’s all around for the remaining two boys (I don’t think they’re called F4 in this) and the older sis. On paper, the main girl should be way more annoying, but I guess it’s a testament to the actress that she’s actually tolerable ~half the time. Neither of the main guys are written well, but the main main guy is cute enough that I like him slightly more. I don’t think I’ve ever liked a Rui after Lei, and I don’t think I ever will. However, initial bias aside, this guy is just all over the place and omg shallow, but his hair needs to diaf sfm. I find the two other boys so adorable though; especially the one that falls for the main girl’s bf, he’s such a cutie!! Also, that other guy and the main guy’s sister– omg love!! Both characters are more developed in this, and honestly, I find their stories much more interesting than the main characters’. Finally, every parent/teacher needs to diaf. All too annoying in that stereotypical Chinese adult kinda way.

Filthy Rich Factor The wealth of F4 is like another important character, but this fails so hard at delivering. I get that budget is an issue, and at least all of the locations are gorgeous and fitting, but aside from that, I’m just not feeling it. The Korean and Japanese versions were obviously big budget, and the Taiwanese one wasn’t, but all the characters all did a good job of portraying the aloofness and disconnect with reality that comes with unimaginable wealth. I’m not feeling that at all with these guys, and without that, the story just doesn’t work. They just seem like ordinary, if not slightly better dressed dudes, and that defeats the purpose of the entire story.

Basically, I’m liking the side stories, and parts of the main love triangle are tolerable. If only they lightened up on the school school school aspect and made the guys’ wealth more exaggerated, I think I’d love this way more. Still, idol dramas are a big step for China. I remember years ago when MG came out, it was banned in China. Look where we are now. Idk if I have the patience to finish watching, but it’s been a fun way to kill some time this weekend.

 

Brilliant Legacy

Cliche and predictable, but oh so addicting.

Also, I’m sick of Kpop (for the moment) o__O. I just lost all of my music because my computer crashed, so maybe it’s a sign I should go find something new to listen to.

 

Kdrama: That Fool

What did I do this weekend?

Summary lifted straight from mysoju:

A story about a postman, Goo Dong Baek (Hwang Jung Min) and a top actress, Han Ji Soo (Kim Ah Joong) where their relationship begins because of a marriage contract for 6 months.

For the most part, I avoid Kdramas because if my obsession with Kpop is anything to go by, Kdrama fandom would be a very, very bad thing o__O. However, I was randomly surfing mysoju this weekend and happened upon this. I recognized Hwang Jung Min from his appearance on Family Outing, and Kim Ah Joong from 200 Pounds of Beauty, and well, boredom can be a very powerful motivator. Not powerful enough to get me out of my pajamas to do something productive or anything, but just enough to get me to watch this T___T

The plot is that of the most sacred in K-romantic comedies: the love contract. Okay, I know this is like a cliche beyond cliche, but what can I say, I loves it. The only Kdramas I’ve seen start to finish are Goong, Full House andBOF. 2/3 have the same plot as this so you know where my bias are XDD. I know That Foolwill never reach classic status like any of the above, but I have to say that this is actually my fave of all the Kdramas I’ve watched mainly because the actors are great. KAJ does a great job with her role as the spoiled actress, however, there’s no question that HJM totally carries the show. I’ve never seen anything else he’s acted in but I totally need to because he’s really fantastic^^. His role as the kind hearted postal worker is difficult to portray w/o going into campy, caricature territory, but HJM bring such a genuine humility to the role that it’s impossible not to fall in love with him.

Seriously, if you have a weekend to spare, I really recommend checking this out. Unlike 99% of Kdramas, I actually think this one gets better as it goes along and I’m not finding myself ff every two seconds. The main characters start out pretty broad and stereotypical, but they develop nicely and actually seem genuinelyhuman in the later episodes. My heart really can’t take all the amnesia and leukemia and alpha maleness that Kdramas are normally known for, so this is my kind of story. Idk, it’s just charming and cute, even if it’s totally cliche and predicable.

 

Ruffian Hero

simplelife1018 @ youtube

DramaWiki | asianfanatics | YouTube unsubbed episodes | Viikii subbed episodes

Zomg, just when I thought I was through with Taiwanese dramas, something like this comes up to suck me right back in o__O. Check out the trailer above and tell me you’re not foaming at the mouth already~~

I’ve only seen one episode, but so far, I’m already hooked. The drama is produced by the infamous Angie Cai, who is like the god of Taiwanese idol dramas. However, it is definitely not a typical Rainie/Fahrenheit idol spectacle. The cast is lead by now veteran actor Vic Zhou and a bunch of newbies who seem to have lots of potential. The series has been in production since late 2007, but they’ve encountered so many setbacks with cast changes and weather problems that caused the drama to be delayed until now.

So, it seems like Taiwan has finally caught up to the times and started producing police dramas that has long been monopolized by the Hong Kong and Mainland markets. So far, it seems that there’s a good balance of action, comedy, and srs moments, and although you can totally tell there’s gonna be boylovesgirl time, it’s not gonna be the central focus of the show (thank god).

I’ll admit it, I’m just a total sucker for a good ‘ol police drama, especially the campy, stereotypical, romance ladened ones that Asia churns out. I’d watch all the Hong Kong stuff, but since I don’t know Cantonese, it’s hard for me to know what the really great ones are. I don’t think RH is gonna be the best thing ever, but it’s a refreshing change of pace for Taiwan, and yes, I do enjoy all the eye candy thank you very much XDD

Vic Zhou has a knack for picking interesting projects that challenge himself as an actor. His carefree playboy character in this is so completely different from his character in Wish to See You Again, but it totally works. I like that he’s able to take on different roles, but always manages to retain some of that special Zai Zai charm that I find so irresistable.

So for now, gonna keep watching. Hopefully this drama will do well, and allow for Taiwan to start producing some more mature dramas instead of the usual crap.