White Tower debuts on AZN channel

White Tower
Title: 하얀 거탑 / White Tower (Heoyan Geotab)
Episodes: 20
Broadcast network: MBC
Broadcast period: 2007-Jan-06 to 2007-Mar-11
Air time: Saturdays & Sundays 21:40
Related TV shows: Shiroi Kyoto (1978), Shiroi Kyoto (2003)
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/White_Tower
http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/whitepower/index.html (in Korean the drama WEBSITE)

Cast: Jang Joon-hyuk (general surgery professor): Kim Myung Min (Immortal Yi Soon-shin)Choi Dong-young: Lee Sun KyoonNo Min-kook: Cha In Pyo (Fireworks)Lee Yoon-ji (Prof. Lee's daughter): Song Sun Mi (Secret Lovers)Kang Hee-jae: Kim Bo KyungProf. Lee Joo-wan: Lee Jung Gil (Lovers in Prague)Woo Yong-gil: Kim Chang Wan (Prince's First Love)Prof. Oh Kyung Hwan: Byun Hee Bong (Second Proposal)Min Soo-jung (Joon-hyuk's wife): Im Sung Eon Min Won-jang (aka Min Choon-sik): Jung Han Yong (Stairway to Heaven)Joon-hyuk's mom: Jung Young SookYeom Dong-il: Ki Tae YoungHa Eun-hye: Lee Seung MinYoo Pil-sang: Lee Hee Do (Glass Slipper)Yoo Mi-ra: Jang So Yeon Park Gun-ha: Han Sang JinHam Min-seung: Kim Yong Min

http://www.koreanwiz.org/at/drama-whitetower.html
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So I have been watching WHITE TOWER right after Jumong. Last night was episode #5, I have no reference to the Taiwanese Drama and the original Japanese drama and novel. But they try to pack alot in every episode to make it more of a nail biter.

On one of the episodes, one of the characters was similar to a situation occurred on the same day no less and to Dr. Lee's daughter too!!!! Overall I think it is all right, I like JUMONG or KIM SAM SOON more. But I did like last night's episode when they explained very well what was being done during the triple organ transplant--liver, pancreas and kidney. Plus the pros and cons of each procedure that was being done. For that, I enjoyed it alot more than "ER" and "GREYS ANATOMY" because you are not bludgeoned with medical terms and that is it.
I guess AZN is figuring out that Kdramas are HOT and they are showing two NEW ones back to back. I do find it frustrating now they do not repeat all the episodes. I have a strong suspicion they will replay both again (a la "Emperor of the Sea", "Kim Sam Soon" etc).

I find it interesting seeing the social structure and how status and "face" are very important in relationships. Similar to "guanxi" in Chinese culture. It is all about who you know not only your ability too (which is very western and American).

**The actor who played Joon Hyuk won an acting award for his great performance as the cold surgeon who does not hesitate when it comes to achieving his goals.

TVB Hong Kong authentic food show

TVB show on eating authentic food in Hong Kong... "A Taste of Home"

A Taste of Home (原裝入口) Hosts: Kathy Chow (周汶錡), Otto Chan (陳志健)

Recently my mom has me watching this HK show about these two lucky hosts a guy and a gal. They talk to alot of expats who introduce them to great places in Hong Kong where they get authentic cuisine from their homeland. Then at the end, a recipe is made and everyone gets to eat. Per my folks, a few episodes were made and no longer done.

I have thus far seen Japan, Italy, France, Germany, India, Thailand with Mexican coming up but I was tired. The expats spoke very good Chinese (Cantonese) and the best was the Indian guy. My mom told me he was born and raised in Hong Kong, but the others spoke good Cantonese but it was after at least 10+ years living in Hong Kong. (I must admit, Cantonese is NOT an easy language at all with 8 tones --4 more than Mandarin. Plus the wealth of similar sounding words that are only separated by their TONES makes it even harder.)
But it is a great show!


food.tvb.com (check out this website---all in Chinese)

Random musings on South Korean media...

Found this MV and it is cute surfing an asian site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOpYiZFxvNI

Reportedly, the singer Magolpy (South Korean) sung this song (she is not in the video)-The song is “Bi Haeng So Nyeo” (or “Bi Heng So Nyo,” which means flying girl)… caused a stir as she was "mysterious" and her CD cover did not show her face clearly.

Some famous Koreans in this ad for IVYCLUB--musical group stars SHINWA and actress cuite Moon Geun Young.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbSzgO8dWqI



I want to see this movie:중천 (中天) (Joong-cheon) 2006 which was in the movie theaters in Korea when I was there visiting last December.

The Restless or “Jungcheon” is a fantasy action movie. The other film at the theaters I wanted to catch was 200 Pounds Beauty aka Minyeo-neun goerowo (KR 2006)

http://www.asiandb.com/browse/movie_detail.pfm?code=6132

(It is an adaptation of a popular Japanese comedy series by Suzuki Yumiko, which produces hilarious jokes about a beautiful woman who leads the life of an obese woman _ as she was. But the film version focuses more on how the obese woman tries to find her true self. )
I really like Ju Jin Mo and the lead song in the movie is cover song of Blondie's "MARIA" and I watched the MV a few times while in South Korea. Kim A Jung does a great job and this movie trumped "Restless" which had a bigger budget and higher star power! It basically chronicles a big girl who is the voice for a beautiful gal. She wants to be famous but before she can do that she goes through a big change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN26w0mxGPk (movie song sneak---in Korean)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZCvXd2pqHU (movie video cover of "MARIA" I saw whilst in Korea)

Plus I heard this song on the radio while walking around Seoul and saw the video with cutie hapa Dennis Oh in the MV for Korean band SG Wannabe (SG 워너비) with Kim Jong Gook 김종국--바람만 바람만 - Only Wind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fu69sRZiOU (with English translations)

As for this MV (Only The Wind), I don’t have much screencaps. go to the website/link below.

(source:http://reikanorakuen.wordpress.com/tag/dennis-oh/)

I liked the following words...

Chinese song....
I was surfing Xanga and got this from SHANSHAN's xanga site. I liked this after reading it.

我懷念的　是無話不說　我懷念的　是一起作夢我懷念的　是爭吵以後　還是想要愛你的衝動我記得那年生日　也記得那一首歌記得那年星空　最緊的右手 最暖的胸口　誰記得　誰忘了
我懷念的是你很激動求我原諒　抱得我都痛我記得　你在背後也記得　我顫抖著記得感覺洶湧　最美的煙火　最長的相擁

White Tower on AZN first episode tonight!

White Tower starting on AZN tonight!

So I realized the third time showing "Kim Sam Soon" a fave of mine on AZN ended last night. Today they are starting with "White Tower" a hospital drama based on a Japanese drama and there was a Taiwanese version of it too. It is done by MBC and supposed to be 20 episodes and just ended this past winter in Korea.

I am curious if this is good or not. I just dislike watching the episodes piece meal and having to be home to watch it. (Yeah no TIVO or vcr for that matter. )

drama blurb:

White Tower is a Korean drama series about two doctors who have contrasting personalities. Jang Joon Hyeok, a genius surgeon who is overly ambitious and will do anything to climb his way up the corporate ladder. The other, Choi Do Young, is a physician and is a kind and upright person who strongly holds onto his beliefs. The plot will reveal the power and emotional struggles within the white tower itself.
(www.azntv.com)

cast:
Kim Myung Min — Jang Joon Hyuk
Lee Sun Myun — Choi Do Young
Cha In Pyo — Noh Min Guk
Song Sun Min — Lee Yoo Jin
Kim Bo Gyung — Kang Hee Jae

Original Title: Shiroi Kyoto Korean Title: Hayan GeotapAuthor: Yamazaki ToyokoTranslator: Jae-hee Park

http://www.hanbooks.com/grwhto4se.html


http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200703/200703260027.html (article on Korean remakes of Japanese dramas)
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JUMONG (Korean Drama)
*just watched episode 40 out of 81 for Jumong. Prince Jumong had to say farewell to Lady Sosuhno of the Keru clan and was asked by Prince Taeso (Temporary ruler for King Gumhwa of Puyo) to go to Chang An to be the "hostage". I was heartbroken he had Mol Palmo make a steel sword for Taeso. (After all the beating he had undertaken NOT to help out Taeso.). 송일국 rocks!

To Grow With Love---TVB (HK's Bridget Jones version)

To Grow With Love---TVB 2006 Andy Hui and Myolie Wu

Title: 肥田囍事; Cantonese/Mandarin title: Fei Tin Hei Si / Fei Tian Xi Shi

I did start out watching a HK version of Bridget Jones--"To Grow with Love" TVB's 39th anniversary show. It has been EONS since I watched a TVB Drama! But she is more nicer, sweeter and wanting to avoid her meddling father to be married off. The lead actress Myolie Wu was second runner up in Miss Hong Kong Beauty Pageant in 1999. The gained a reported 50 pounds and after the drama lost it being the spokesperson for a weight loss product. (Something similiar to "Trim Spa" with Anna Nicole and Kristie Alley with "Jenny Craig"). While the Korean version with Kim Sun Ah a model/actress only gained 20 pounds for "My Lovely Kim Sam Soon" in the 2005 top Kdrama of that year.

I am more in tune with Japanese and Korean actors and actresses than in HK. I used to know them growing up catching the dramas with the "5 Fu" Felix, Andy, Tony, Michael (Mui Kui Wai ), and Hong Jun Yip (Barbara Yung's boyfriend).

So I read that Myolie gained 50 pounds for this role as Tina. Since the drama ended she has successfully lost the weight. I hope she did it in a healthiful way. She brought a cute energy to her role. I liked her alot. It was my first time seeing Andy as an actor. I remember him from his singing in the 1990s (I am also behind on songs in HK and TW too now) where I thought his singing save for a few songs were ok. Give me Leslie, Anita and Jacky anytime to be truthful on my fave singers! Andy did a good job. Overall I thought the drama flew by and I finished it quickly and there were only 21 episodes. Of course some of the story lines seemed a bit far fetched but cute enough. New comer Matthew Ko as Matthew was cute but not the best actor. Did not have many expressions in his range of acting. It was cool to see some of the TVB regulars whom I saw growing up such as Tina's dad or Fei Jai Hei's dad.

Plus I have to admit each episode is much shorter than Korean dramas so I whizzed through them too. Yeah!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Grow_With_Love (source)

To Grow with Love (Traditional Chinese: 肥田囍事) is an episodic drama produced by Hong Kong television station, TVB. It premiered on October 23, 2006. It is the Anniversary Drama for TVB, shown to celebrate its 39th anniversary.
Cantonese/Mandarin title: Fei Tin Hei Si / Fei Tian Xi Shi
CAST
Myolie Wu 胡杏兒 as Tina Ho 何美田 (AKA: 肥田)
Andy Hui 許志安 as Daniel Dai 戴喜
Claire Yiu 姚嘉妮 as Rachel Sung 宋曼頤
Selena Li 李詩韻 as Kwok Bo Lok 郭寶樂
Jack Wu 胡諾言 as 林冠希
Gigi Wong 黃淑儀 as 楊秀蘭
Eddie Kwan 關禮傑 as 蔣一鳴
Natalie Wong 黃紀瑩 as Carmen Lau 劉嘉敏
Chi Kwong Chiang 蔣志光 as Albert Dai 戴富
Matthew Ko 高鈞賢 as Matthew Chiang 蔣文俊

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Tina Ho is an overweight woman who is determined to find the person who is right for her. Her father is always finding men from all over the place and trying to get her married. Tina wants to find someone who thinks the same way she does and whom she can communicate with. She flees to Hong Kong to get away from her frustrating father. There, she meets up with her cousin, Kwok Bo Lok. Lok is a player when is comes to relationships. She is very pretty and has many boyfriends. She says she wants to marry by the age of 25 and the man she is to marry has to be rich.

Tina meets a fashion designer named Daniel. She gives him a nickname as "Dai Sei Hei". She works for his company D-Day but her designs are horrible. At first Daniel hates Tina, but he learns to accept her a little bit after seeing how much she has to struggle in Hong Kong. She has helped him quite a bit also. So Daniel is really nice to her, because he feels guilty about wanting to fire her. However, when Tina uses him to trick her father, he gets very angry. Tina claims Daniel as her boyfriend so she wouldn't have to marry. Daniel's girlfriend, Rachel, finds out and takes it the wrong way. However, Daniel fires Tina and insults her harshly, then tells Rachel that he has nothing to do with her. Tina is very upset and goes back home in The Philippines.
When Rachel goes to Philippines for a business trip. Daniel wants to give her a surprise and goes to visit her. He goes to a jewelry shop to buy a Rachel a present when he meets Tina's finacé. While talking, they both get hit by a car. Tina's fiancé falls into a coma, while Daniel loses his memory. Tina decides to use this to her advantage and get revenge on Daniel for all the awful things he has done to her. First, she decides to fatten him up (because she knows how much he hates fat people), and then makes him fall in love with her. She plan break up with him and break his heart. However, Tina found herself falling for him too!

Tina ends up deciding to give him back to Rachel explaining what happened. But Daniel regained his memory by himself and when he found Rachel, Tina was insulted yet once again and was left heartbroken. Daniel, who was on the plane back to Hong Kong with Rachel, suddenly remembers all the things that Tina did with him and the time they spent together. But will he go back to her? Or stay with Rachel?