My Only One starring Lee Jang Woo and UEE

My Only One is about a woman's life gets twisted one day because of her biological father who shows up after 28 years of absence. He had been thoroughly hiding his identity, afraid that he might be an obstacle in his daughter's life. The father and daughter meet the "only ones" in their lives and put back together the pieces of their broken hearts.

Kang Soo Il (played by Choi Soo Jong), his real name is Kim Yeong Hun, and he is the biological father of Do Ran. Immediately after he was born, he was abandoned in front of an orphanage, so he doesn't know who his parents are. He has been a warmhearted guy since he was little. He took care of Dong Cheol, who was abandoned just like him, as if he were his little brother. He was accused of a crime that Dong Cheol had committed and was sent to a juvenile detention center. Life was not kind to him after that. He still managed to meet a loving wife, and they had a beautiful daughter. He worked hard for his family. His daughter was the new apple of his eye. But the happy days did not last long. His wife was taken with acute heart disease. While trying to earn money for her surgery, he inadvertantly committed a crime and ended up in jail. After 27 years, he gets out of prison, changes his name, and starts a new life. He hopes that no one would recognize him, especially his daughter Do Ran.

Kim Doran (played by UEE), she is the eldest daughter of Kim Dong Cheol and So Yang Ja, and Kim Mi Ran's older sister. She graduated from a mid-upper level university in Seoul with a degree in English education. When she was a freshman in high school, her father, who was an administrative officer of a small business, was laid off, and her family fell into poverty. She repeatedly took her semesters off from school and worked part-time jobs, barely managing to graduate 2 years ago. She is preparing for the law school entrance exam while working as part-time job. Ever since she was little, she did not understand her mother who always favored her little sister Mi Ran over her. She even asked her father once if she was adopted. Every time she asked him, he told her that she was definitely his real daughter. But after he got into an accident, her mother kicked her out of the house saying that she is not their real daughter. Dad, then whose daughter am I? One day, he runs into Wang Dae Ryuk and falls in love with him. 

Wang Dae Ryuk (played by Lee Jang Woo), he is a director at Bom & Food. As a child, he was a disciplined kid who always followed the teachings of his grandmother and father. He was a model student, and he fulfilled his military duty without pulling any cheap tricks like other rich kids do. He is an intellectual who got an MBA in America. He is good-looking, sweet, reasonable and skilled in business, making him a trustworthy son. He believes himself to be fair and reasonable. As the successor of Bom & Food, he has the ambition to make the company into a big one. That's why he is careful in dating women as well. Then he runs into a strange woman who calls him a "perverted seagull." What is this woman? He can't get Do Ran out of his head and end up falling in love with her. 

Jang Da Ya (played by Yoon Ji Ni), she is Na Hong Sil's daughter, Jang Go Rae's younger sister, and Iryuk's lover. She is a florist who runs her own flower shop. She grew up without a father, so she is emotionally deprived. Even though she enjoyed material affluence, nothing could fill the vacuum that her father had left behind. She has been friends with Wang Iryuk, her mom's friend's son, since she was little. They naturally grew into lovers and she took in their marriage as a matter of course. But Iryuk only wants to date! She demands Iryuk to marry her instead of hitting on other girls. But they unexpectedly run into the objection of Iryuk's family. In the midst of that difficult process, she learns the reason of her father's death, which eventually because of Kim Do Ran's father. 

Up until this week's episode, we still don't know whether it's true that Kim Do Ran's father intentionally murder Da Ya's father. But I am hoping it would be unintentional and there would be another verdict for Kang Soo Il. It's gonna take lot of emotional situation for the family because Kang Soo Il now works as Wang's family chauffeur, while coincidentally he can freely interact with Kim Do Ran, his daughter, because she is married with Wang Dae Ryuk without letting her know his true identity. I think Wang's family is gonna be terrified when they know that Do Ran's is the daughter of a criminal and the criminal itself is their chauffeur, which possibly they would thought both father and daughter work together to get their fortune by getting his daughter to get married wiWang's family son. Even though I think in the end everything is gonna be a happy ending, misunderstanding solves as Wang's family would think back about what Kang Soo Il has done for them. 

I've been getting annoyed seriously because of Jang Da Ya and her manipulative scheme which drags Dae Ryuk's Mom into hating Kim Do Ran. She's just jealous and so self centered. But I can't blame her, she is that immature and thinking back how she will feel she wins the world after knowing that Kim Do Ran is the daughther of someone who kills her dad, would make her hate Do Ran even more. In terms of her manipulating Dae Ryuk's Mom, I don't think that's necessarily because of Da Ya, she's just telling her the truth and in fact there are things I would be symphatize with Dae Ryuk's Mom. I can understand how disappointed she is when her beloved son who she expects so much end up marrying someone who doesn't know her true parents, even her dad is someone who has history with crime. That's just motherly love and how upset she is when Dae Ryuk doesn't even understand how she feels instead asking her always to just accept him and Do Ran. Well, that's a typical boy right? But yeah, even though Dae Ryuk asks her nicely, she won't even give her approval of Do Ran. I guess Do Ran has to sacrifice her life for her to be approved by Dae Ryuk's mom. 

I am curious as well with Go Rae and Mi Ran because both of them is really cute and I would be curious with how Go Rae's Mom will be shocked to learn the woman that his son love is actually the daughter of her part time's worker, So Yang Ja (which in fact, Do Ran's adoptive Mom), who asked Wang's Family as well before for the money she used to raise Do Ran. That's funny, what a mom. 

Overall, I like the tone of this drama. I always get so emotional when the story involves Do Ran's father and Do Ran, where her father tries to protect her but cannot let her know his true identity. I like the fact that this kind of weekend drama has a lot of people get connected with one another and have their important part in the story. 

If you like a family drama, I guess this is a good drama to watch.

My Golden Life Ending Speculation

With 10 episodes towards the end of weekend korean drama, My Golden Life, I've been thinking a lot and so curious with the ending. It's supposed to be a happy ending - or maybe it's what I want. Personally, I want a happy ending at least in the drama I watched. Our lives are hectic already, so for our entertainment, I think a happy ending story would be the best option to warm our life.

However, if it's a happy ending in 'My Golden Life', I guess, the story would not be real and be considered as a typical k-drama, whereby a chaebol heir be together with someone from a poor family. We know, we all don't want that kind of obvious ending.

Reaching ep 40 so far, the love story between Seo Ji An & Choi Do Kyung fell apart as Do Kyung realized that he couldn't bring happiness to Ji An's life by staying by her side. She once had taken her life because of what she's been through with that family. It's just a while that she's back being her. Would she ever take the risk again of entering the family that brings her so much memories of pain? Will she be able to overcome those depressing memories?

I think My Golden Life has a good story in Korean society nowadays and I am glad that the writer took a big courage to reveal the society problem that seriously need to be cared for. Depression, is a huge mental problem in k-society which has eaten so many people throughout decades. When you are trapped in that state, I guess there is no point to continue living on. This time, the writer gave us a glimpse of what will happen if you feel that you have no more meaning in living. Seo Ji An went to hide herself, after throwing away her phone, reminiscing about the happy memories in the past, she went to hike the mountain, took some pills and decided to take her life. Believing that no one could ever find her anymore. But then, the good thing, an old man found her and took her in his care, thinking that this young woman would do it again if he had not kept her by his side. The look in her eyes is lifeless and of course she has no meaning to continue living on. Maybe being alive or death would have no difference for her. But, let me tell you, THERE IS, at least when you came back alive, that means, you have A LOT more reasons to enjoy the life has offered.

The good thing is that, during those time, Seo Ji An has a dependable Sunwoo Hyuk, a good friend who helped her through the struggling. He was reaching to her, even giving her a place to stay when she has no where to go - the place that slowly be a source of strength for her. Knowing that we can look at different perspective in life. There is no such thing as right or wrong in living your live. It doesn't mean a business management graduate should find a job in major company. You have no idea where life could take you. Even an education graduate can become a carpenter. That's when Seo Ji An realized that she should find something she loves and live her life with no regret. I love how the writer put so much effort in developing the character, the growth either physically & mentally and how she made Seo Ji An's character stands out despite so many flaws. I just love Shin Hye Sun's character so much, no words could describe it. I guess, many female lead character I love has such typically the same kind of personality. This drama brings so much improvement and making Shin Hye Sun stands out in the midst of the competition nowadays.

In regards with how the story will end, I think it will take quite a while before the story gets a happy ending. If it's going to be a happy ending, I think it's gonna take a lot of courage for Seo Ji An to come out from her world, faced a lot more challenges from Haesung Family. However, as I saw it happened, it's possible there will be internal conflict in Haesung itself - specially Choi Jae Sung, the father of Choi Do Kyung confronted his wife, No Myung Hee and his father-in-law. There is certain possibility that Jae Sung could help Do Kyung to really live his life, not as his grandfather's puppet. But again, there is price we have to pay in this world, if you want to gain something. And so, the choice is yours...

But I would like it personally if it's an ending whereby the happiness is not perfect. It's unimaginable for me if the Haesung could gladly accept Seo Ji An and free their child to love anyone that doesn't bring any benefit to the family. I guess, an ending like Secret Garden would be perfect for this story ~

Korean Drama - My Golden Life Review

After 'Father Is Strange' finished its run back then in September 2017, a new family drama "My Golden Life" started its course. The good news is that, My Golden Life achieves highest rating with latest episode hit 43.2% bringing the drama closer to the 50 percent milestone.

I didn't follow this drama since September last year, but there are so many news regarding this weekend drama. Staring Park Si Hoo, Shin Hye Sun, Lee Tae Hwan and Seo Eun Soo, this drama brings back the classic birth secret since "Autumn In My Heart" in 2000 back then. But, even so, this drama portrays a much different approach which make it stand out even in the same kind of cliche.

My Golden Life depicts a story about a woman who has a chance to rise in status and a man who finds happiness in her. A mother's misguided love has caused her daughters to get swapped in status, and so the heroine Seo Ji An (played by Shin Hye Sun) enters the chaebol household to have a better life without knowing she is actually not their long-lost daughter, but her "former twin" sister instead. 

When the secret get revealed, will she be able to continue her life, and what will happen to her relationship with the son of chaebol family Choi Do Kyung (played by Park Si Hoo), whom she has gotten closer to as siblings?

Personally, I kinda interested with the storyline, making me curious as how it would turn out, though I bet that in the end, the heroine will find her happiness even though she is not the chaebol daugther and end up having a love relationship with our hero. But how would it be like that, that's what I am curious about. The background story may be the same, but how the writer lead to a beautiful ending, that's what most important in my opinion. 

With huge scandal back then in 2013, Park Si Hoo has been quite active with overseas drama, while this time, he made a comeback as male lead and it leads him to win Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama during 31st KBS Drama Awards. I quite like him though the last time when he appeared in Prosecutor Princess & Cheongdam-dong Alice, though he's still not my type of male lead in K-drama, but he consistently manages to make his way in the industry back then. If we compare him to other male lead like Song Joong Ki, Hyun Bin, Gong Yoo, Park Bo Gum and others, I would say, Park Si Hoo has a lot more to learn. He's a bit stiff with his acting actually, but this drama story line helps him. 

Meanwhile, with this drama, Shin Hye Sun rise in status as an actress. She had played several drama, that also includes The Legend of The Blue Sea with Lee Min Ho & Jun Ji Hyun, but this is the first time I saw her as a female lead and I love her character so much. She's tough, strong and knows what she wants in life. So when things fell apart, I love how she takes time to heal herself mentally and physically. Though I may not understand why the secret makes her to even commit suicide, making her as the most vulnerable victim, though the real daughter was not in such pain like her. My guess is that, she knows what Haesung Group could do to her life, so maybe living was pointless in her opinion. And during times like this, I love our second male lead, Lee Tae Hwan, our daddy-long-leg haha, a second male lead syndrome who always be there to help our heroine. 

If it was me, maybe I would choose Lee Tae Hwan instead of Park Si Hoo. Maybe that's my preference only. I love how dependable Lee Tae Hwan as Sunwoo Hyuk here. He may not come from chaebol family, but he knows exactlt what he's after for in his life. He keeps secret very well as well and concerns about his friend & older sister. He takes care everyone genuinely and cares for them, showing a more mature, confident and cool attitude towards his life. I think I would prefer someone like him instead of someone who has so much money but has no freedom & opinions. 

Anyway, the side story I like the most usually revolves around Choi Seo Hyun (or called Cinderella), the maknae daughter of Haesung Corporation & Seo Ji Ho (Seo Ji An's younger brother) because both of them are sooo cute. I would usually skip Seo Ji An's family scene & Sunwoo Hyun's older sister love story haha because it's just too mainstream :p

I am so curious how this series would turn out. Been addicted to this drama till I can't stop myself from watching each episodes like crazy, making me so addicted about what would happen next. The writer has such magic to pull the viewers into the story. Maybe that's why this drama receives a good rating & review. 

Anyone has free time, please do watch "My Golden Life" cos you wont regret it! Be careful not to over-obssessed with the episodes :p

Family Weekend Drama: Father Is Strange

After the end of Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, it is kinda hard to find a new drama to fix my schedule. Then I just randomly pick a new drama based on the title, Father Is Strange, which turns out to be a good pick for a long weekend drama. Father is Strange tells a story of a family that lives on the outskirts of Seoul. Byun Han Soo (played by Kim Yeong Cheol) is the father and his wife, Na Young Sil (played by Kim Hae Sook) is a dedicated, responsible mother to his three daughters and one son including Hye Young (played by Lee Yoo Ri), Mi Young (played by Jung So Min), Ra Young (played by Ryu Hwa Young) and Joon Young (played by Min Jin Woong).

Suddenly one day, Ahn Joong Hee (played by Lee Joon) shows up at the household, and declares that he is the son of the family. Joong Hee is an actor who used to be a member of an idol group. He begins to live with them…

Hye Young, the first daughter is a lawyer in one of the best law firm in Seoul. She is very confident with herself and holds tight what she thinks is right, including her principle of not getting married before you are sure with your life partner. This causes a whole mess when she dates her ex-boyfriend, a Senior during her University life, and started to live together before marriage. Meanwhile, both family also holds grudge against each other which make it more difficult to accept each others as in-laws. Well, I guess it will turn out well in the end though ~

The most difficult problem is Ahn Joong Hee, the idol turned actor who happened to be Byun Han Soo's illegitimate son who insisted on living together with the family. Actually, Joong Hee is not Byun Han Soo's son, instead he is someone else son, a friend of Byun Han Soo. The one whose name Byun Han Soo is already dead many years ago, and the one living with the name as Byun Han Soo is actually someone else. This happened because of the mistake on identifying each other during the bomb incident. I wonder what will happen when Ahn Joong Hee finally found out that his biological father has already dead and the one he thought is his father is actually someone else, who had no blood connection with him at all. But this might become a good chance and opportunity as he grows to love his own manager, Byun Mi Young (played by Jung So Min).

Byun Mi Young is an intern in an entertainment company and she was assigned to be Ahn Joong Hee's manager. She is a former judo athlete and is quite a tomboyish type. However, she is very kind and has a very soft side of her. In her childhood memories, she was bullied by her classmate who later turns out to be her sister-in-law, which eventually she forgave her. Because of her soft and understanding side, Ahn Joong Hee falls for her. Awww....

I know this drama would eventually work all things together for the family. I just love to watch each of their struggles towards life which reminds us always that life may not always go as the way we want, but we should embrace it and move forward for the better future. Because, after a rain, there is always a sun again :)

So, if you have time, spare some time to watch this! It's a good weekend drama with my most favorite couple is Lee Joon and Jung So Min. Another one is the youngest, Ryu Hwa Young and newcomers, Ahn Hyo Seop (soo handsome!!!). I have never thought that Ryu Hwa Young has an excellent skills to be an actress, Her acting was very natural and I love it all about her and Ahn Hyo Seop. Lee Joon also shows an amazing acting skills. He has improved a lot, though I don't quite like him when he is dancing here and there when he was an idol. 

One of the most annoying thing ever is the casting of Ryu Soo Young. Is it because there is no one who wants the character or what? He looks old already and I really hope he was replaced by someone else, as his acting is also kinda boring, but well, I might still okay since Lee Yoo Ri's acting is quite 'lebay' also. 

Family Weekend Drama: Father I'll Take Care of You Impression

I've been kinda free during weekend and found a good family weekend drama. Its title is 'Father, I'll Take Care of You' starring Kim Jae Won, Lee Soo Kyung, Park Eun Bi and Lee Tae Hwan as the main cast. The story revolves around a family with four children. After their four children become independent, an old couple decide to live for themselves. But one day, their four children come back to them.

Director Lee Dae Young said of the series, "It will depict the confrontation between generations and siblings caused by the grown-up children cohabiting with their parents and the story of a family that overcomes those troubles with love and affection", including a romance of the younger characters. He added that the drama portrays current South Korean society where rising housing costs have encouraged young married couples to live with their parents.

Meanwhile, the couple that got my most attention is Park Eun Bi and Lee Tae Hwan as the youngest unmarried couple on the show. Park Eun Bi acts as a heroine in the show, Oh Dong Hee, who grows up without parents and was raised by her grandmother. She did not enrol to college due to financial problem but her dream was to become one of the greatest writer in the film industry. Meanwhile, Han Seong Joon (played by Lee Tae Hwan) was the youngest in the family. He is the most courteous and works for a big company as a Director which makes his parents very proud of him. Seong Joon was liked very much by his company's chaebol, Bang Mi Joo who urged Seong Joon to get married to her. Unfortunately, after his meeting with Dong Hee during his stay in Taiwan, he fell for her right after their first meeting. It turns out that Oh Dong Hee is his family's in-law and she also lives on the rooftop of his family's house and gets to work at Seong Joon's company.

With all the coincidences, both of them starts to develop feelings for each other. I really like how Seong Joon looks at Dong Hee and it seems as if he is really into her. He protects and takes a very good care of Dong Hee. The most memorable one is when Dong Hee is not confident with her work and Seong Joon brings her to a library, telling her how writer from around the world makes effort to even make a great masterpiece. It touches my heart most when he would just advise Dong Hee to take it easy and keep on writting. Practice makes perfect. 

I just watched till episode 29 so far. But it seems as if there is some birth secret of Han Seong Joon, which I suspect that he is actually the brother of Lee Hyun Woo (played by Kim Jae Won), who is the Director of an investment company, Golden Street in US. Lee Hyun Woo comes back to Korea to take revenge for his late father who died unfairly. It happened that Seong Joon's adopted father is the cause of the death. Hopefully everything would turns out well in the end with many complications and cases. 

This is not my first time had watching Lee Tae Hwan with his acting skill. He once played in W:Two World together with Lee Jong Suk. Maybe it's just me who doesn't realize his skills or he was overshadowed by Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo, or maybe he was not given so many scenes. Whatever the case, I missed this guy before and just realized that he is a good actor though, looks manly and handsome, very charming. He has the face of Korean and I just don't believe it that he is just 22 years old! My gosh, he could pull off a 31 years old character really well. Good job, Lee Tae Hwan. 

If you are interested in this drama, you could try and check on this drama!