UnchartedThoughts

I think I need to say more. I LOVE REPLY 1997! The best drama of 2012. Really, you should watch it people.

TVN is making a wave with their original dramas especially this 2012. I’ve seen Queen In-Yeon’s Man and it was nice. The plot was creative, not necessarily about the fusion concept but the story itself—how it was hoisted from a controversy about Queen In-Yeon’sunfaithfulness to King Sukjong. It also mixes facts and fiction which made the drama quite simulating the true events even with the inclusion of magic.

By the same token, Reply 1997 is also imaginative and true-to-life in that manner. Its plot which rooted from the rising popularity of idol groups is real inventive and convincing. Just like Queen In-Yeon’s Man, this drama has successfully fused verity and imagination too. The flow of the plot was chronicled well that even with the utilization of flashback, it wasn’t befuddling. And its style being in that modus was extremely original. The whole narrative of Reply 1997 was picture-perfect. The final episode was more than satisfactory but without really losing that factor that makes one to anticipate for more. It is like a novel with a sufficient ending couple with a substantial epilogue. It’s definitely not the continue-in-your-head-happy-ending like most Korean dramas are. But as said, even with its perfect closing episode, it still brings audience to yearn for more.

In general, the plot was absolutely just what the doctor ordered. If there’s one thing I would have wished the drama had shown was a spin out and a turn of events on Joon Hee and Shiwon’s story. Yes, I’m knowledgeable enough to be aware that it would be really, as in to-the-highest-level, predictable and passé if something more emerged from their side. But wouldn’t it be nice if Joon Hee did really fell for Shiwon? Ah, those jealous streaks from Yoon Jae should that take place would be welcome scenes to watch for too.

Moving ahead with the over-all production of the details given to the setting—time and place—and props in the drama, I must admit that it’s exemplary. It’s laudable. Every detail, from the littlest to the most important ones was furnished as it should be. Mostly shot in the years around 1997-1999 theme, the technology (mobile phones, pager, VHS, tamagotchi, computer, etc.), fashion, and entertainment were all arranged to radiate the 90s aura.

Then, regarding the characters, I’m happy to say that they were all consistent and convincing. Sung Shiwon had been a very strong character since the beginning and it never changed ‘till the end. Comparing to other roles in a good number of dramas with powerful female protagonists like Jandi of Boys over Flowers who started fierce then droop low in the middle of the show, Shiwon is pretty unswerving. Thanks to the great acting from A-Pink’s Jung Eun Ji, the character was played with justice. In fact it was so excellent that I get the feeling that she’s not acting but being her true self.

Sung Shiwon is absolutely hers. She is born to be Sung Shiwon, no doubt on that—not even a little.

Yun Yoon Jae, on the other hand, was likewise a consistent and convincing persona—abrasive all the way. Other actors might be able to pull off Yoon Jae remarkably but they might not be capable to spring forth a fresh vibe to the drama the way Seo In Guk did it. He being long in the entertainment business is of course not a first time actor. But it’s not like he got to appear often enough in dramas as most actors do that the viewers wouldn’t be surprised or curious about him, right?

Anyway, if you might not know, the forefront casts of this drama were predominantly beginners or inexperienced as Hoya of Infinite is. Still though, he managed to carry out Kang Joon Hee’s identity. He too emits the impression of not acting a guise but portraying his own self. He is that good.

Admittedly, I think Hoya wasn’t very recognized in Infinite. But all thanks to Reply 1997, I believe he had finally walked a step to introduce himself alone to the audience. Personally, I started to notice him in Infinite’s MVs when I was viewing this drama. He became my personal favourite too due to this program.

I’d love to review and comment more on the other characters (Moo Yoo Jung, Bang Sung Jae, Do Hak Chan) and the actors who played them too. However, I lack the inspiration to do so. So I’ll just talk about the trifling things I appreciated in the drama. First was the posting of the popularity of Dong Bang Shin Ki. Hearing Hug on the background and seeing their posters on the drama caused the Cassiopeia in me to be pleased and sad at the same time. Listening to Kim Joong Kook’s Lovely too in one of the scenes was very relating. The comedic goat laugh too was an ingenious addition to the effects of the drama. It, most of the time, reminded the characters inside the drama and the viewers too about reality. Anyway, there are various other more little things I loved in the drama (like Hoya’s solo dance, Siwan of ZE:A’s very short appearance, Slam Dunk, etc.) and I could continue blabbing about them but that would be so tedious.

As a closing to this long review, I confess that before watching Reply 1997, I thought I’ve checked out all the good K-dramas of 2012. Obviously though, I was wrong. This is one of the best dramas ever! Its high rating confirms it (Note: It holds the highest rating for a cable drama in S.Korea). Accordingly, this success was due to A-Pink’s Eun Ji. But I argue otherwise. If I have to get down right to it, I should say that whole production team should be credited especially the writers. And with regards to the casts, I think Hoya of Infinite and Seo In Guk helped in popularizing this program too.

Nonetheless, to my fellow tumblristas who find amusement in K-dramas, if you haven’t looked into this, I swear YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT! You’re missing something big if you don’t.

P.S. I remember Seo In Guk from his Saranghae U music video. That’s why I thought he looks very familiar. Nagkita na pala kami dati sa Phuket, Thailand. Haha…

This book reminded me of Alice Academy, the anime show. It’s not because they share the same plot line but because it hark me back to a Natsume-and-Ruka situation again with Ky and Xander. Even with the physical appearances, it is still Natsume-and-Rukaall over again. Ky is the black haired Natsume while Xander is the blonde haired Ruka. And similarly to Alice Academy, I preferXander for Cassia just like how I want Ruka for Mikan. But, of course, originally, it’s Ky with Cassia and Natsume with Mikan. It’s not like I am displeased with Ky or Natsume for this matter, it’s just that what Xander and Cassia or Ruka and Mikan have, for this case again, came up first to me literally. In Alice Academy, I saw Ruka and Mikan initially. In Matched, I read about Xander and Cassia in the opening of the book. And I felt them. So I decided on them. And I thought they were actually the paired tandem since they were in the opening. But, sadly for me, they’re not.

Anyway, Matched is another dystopian novel but with less action and more solipsistic orientation contrasting to the usual dystopian of the Divergent Series, Hunger Games trilogy and Gone Series which are all brutal.Surprisingly though, it shares a lot of commonalities with Divergent (except, of course, violence). There’s a classification of people too in Matched—the regular, aberration and infraction. There’s also the Abnegation-like-controlling-attitude of the social order. The basically-it-is-in-the-society-where-the-problem-liesis another likeness.Various other more exist also butthey are insignificant and vain.But they are reallyalike that it makes one think that the other copied the other in some way or another. On which imitated which, well, I guess I could just say that Matched was published first.But of course, it’s holding to no water.

The plot actually of Matchedis set in a society that removed the “inconvenience” of making a choice in every aspect of life—what to eat, what to wear, and even who to marry. The latter, particularly, is one of the most important responsibilities of the society and the one that fuels the entire story of Matched.Cassia, the main protagonist, hasalways believedthat nothing is left to chance. So when she is matched with herbestfriend—Xander—as herideal marriage partner, she accepts it unequivocally untilshe plugs in her Match microchip and another boy’s face flashes on the screen. From there, Cassia begins to question the system of the predetermined life provided by their society.

Moving on with the characters, let us start with the lead protagonist—Cassia. It isn’t written in the book that she is intelligent. But, as I go reading it, I found that her character is definitely a smart one. She has a strong personality too like Katniss’but in a more inward-looking point of view. The same with Tris (of Divergent) though, I neither likenor dislike her. One thing’s for certain nonetheless is she’s trifler than Meaghan Chase (of Iron Fey). She’s absolutely and romantically in love with Ky yet she still wants to keepXander.

If that’s not sign of a player, then, pray, tell me what is?

The former guy, Ky, well, I think his character was biasedly written since his the love matched to the lead protagonist.I don’t know but aside from the fact in the book that Ky was an Aberration (someone who has a warning or almost committed a crime against the Society), there is no flaws really in his characters like he is smart and good looking and has sense. He is such an unrealistic character. I mean he’s being an Aberrationis part of the story like it compliments how the flow moves. So technically looking up at his persona, he has the perfect personality.

Then the latter, Xander, I think his character was biasedly written too. This is just my speculation but Ms.Condie might have known that many of the readers will fall for Xander immediately because he was in the opening part of the book and was described nicely so he makes him a little shallow—one who knows how to do what was just laid out for him—in the later part of the book. Yes, a negative side to the character is needed to hold it real. However, Xander’s was a little off. His perks and shortcomings don’t place correctly.

On the love tale, I do like subtle actions of love like holding hands, eye contacts, and what have you. And Ky and Cassia has been pretty like that which you would think would make me like them. But I also forgot to tell you that I like the first guy who made my heart skip a beat. So for Matched, it’s Xander. In that part where they were announced as matched, I know it’s him and Cassia I want all the way. Nevertheless, those restrained romance with Ky wasn’t bad.

As a final point to close this, given the synopsis of Matched, I surmise it pose to be an entertaining read which in my case it had even if my inside was hopelessly crying for Xander to win the heart of Cassia. On more sensible note, this novel brought out the importance of freedom of choice.

P.S. I finished reading this before What I talk about when I talk about running. However, I got done first with my review with the latter. So, I posted it first.

This is one angry song. It has a lot of angst and hatred. Rock and Roll beats definitely align perfectly with its kind of lyrics.Musically, the melody is catchy and deserves to be the front single of an album. Lyric-wise though, I don’t escalate this song that much.It tackles about refusal and rejection to accept something that happened. To be more specific, it is about someone who can’t accept that the one he or she loves has no more feelings toward that someone.

Again, personally, I must admit I don’t appreciate the lyrics since it bears hatred (which germinated from the refusal or the rejection thingy). But, in a more open-minded perspective, writing lyrics is a sort of means to express oneself in a more intimate or less dangerous (for wild emotions or the same kinds) way. So,considering that,I could say that I’m Sorry’s lyrics is tolerable. At least it doesn’t contain taboo words.

However, a part of the music video of I’m Sorry made the message of the song worst.In 2:35 to 2:38 where Jungshin strike the bouquet of roses on that pole inside the bus near the hysterical lady who appears (to me) as the leaving loved one who said “I’m sorry, it’s over” (in Jungshin’s case) is just too much of a bad impact on me. It shows a great disrespect to the woman population which of course is not okay.

Whereas, the rest of the individual scenes of the other members are pretty typical in view of the storyline inside the song. Yonghwa’s segment was somewhat similar to that one he had on I am a Loner—inside his room composing music and being emotional and all. The obvious difference only was that portion of his fit of anger. Minhyuk’s bit was reasonably apt for the music video too. Of course, it is common knowledge to know that nothing will come out good in disturbing or picking a fight, to be exact, on a person who is already in a bad mood. That scene on the bar where he was wallowing in sadness then some random guy approach him and Minhyuk got all angry and they had this almost fight punching situation then Minhyuk smashed the chair on top of the table where liquors and glasses were placed was neatly acted out.

Anyway, although I’m sorry was meant to showcase anger, rejection, heart breaking and loneliness, there were accidental slip ups in the video that was kind of funny. This is where Jonghyun’s share of individual moments enters. That act where he threw his guitar picker (the one used for strumming)was sort of off. He tossed it so hard which render it more awkward. It would have been better if what he heaved was his guitar or some other thing which is bigger or heavier than a guitar picker.

The next slip up I’m going to talk about has nothing to do at all with the MV. It’s with the way the song was sung. Yes, you got it right my dear people. It’s all about Yonghwa’s ‘Are you craze?’From the various lyrics sites I’ve visited the official lyrics for that was ‘Are you crazy?’ But we clearly hear Yonghwa’s ‘Are you craze?’ If it’s legitimately ‘Are you crazy?’ Why on earth don’t you pronounce it well? Isn’t diction a criterion for singing too? Yonghwa oppa, I’m a fan of yours but please give justice to the lyrics. Your singing doesn’tany go better if you don’t pronounce the words correctly.

On a separate note though, if what Yonghwa means was actually‘crazed’ like ‘are you crazed,’ then that’s the time the song makes sense. The term crazed, if you check the thesaurus, is synonymous to irrational, distraught, overwrought, demented, wild, crazy, cracked, inflamed, excited, and fevered. So, if Yonghwa really feels ‘crazed’ rather than ‘crazy,’ then they should have put ‘crazed’ as the official lyrics. Then no English-speaking people would laugh about their bad English.

So, for this song, I give:

                Lyrics – 3% out of 10%

                Music (as in the song in totality) – 23% out of 25%

                Video Content or Video Concept (the plot/style inside the video) – 20% out of 25%

                Effects (Special Effects, Gimmicks, Dance and the likes) – 15% out of 20%

                Originality (how unique the MV is) – 6% out of 10%

                Impact (Audience impact) – 8% out of 10%

In total, it’s 75% out of a 100%.

P.S. I’m sorry if the way I review isn’t a consistent method. I just feel that different songs cannot be reviewed the same way because sometimes one review style just won’t fit for all types.