K-Drama Review: Boys Over Flowers, episodes 1-2

Contains Spoilers for episodes 1-2

Jandi is a poor high school girl who works part-time at her parents' dry cleaning business and part-time at a porridge shop. She's a cheerful person with a can-do attitude, but her temper explodes when she is delivering dry cleaning to the exclusive Shinhwa High School and has to save a boy from jumping to his death to escape the bullying at school. It turns out that the bullying was instigated by F4, the Flower Four (really? seriously? that's what these teenage guys are allowing themselves to be called?), who are the handsomest, wealthiest, and most snobby of all the handsome wealthy snobs at Shinhwa.

Jandi is all but ready to murder JunPyo, the cold-hearted leader of F4, but she has to dial down her rage when she is accepted into Shinhwa as a publicity stunt to cover up for the almost-suicide on campus. Jandi hates JunPyo and loves his best friend JiHoo, but soon it becomes evident that super-meanie JunPyo might actually harbor warm fuzzy feelings for Jandi. A few kidnappings, makeovers, and returned long-lost loves later, and the plot really gets underway. Only 22 episodes left to go...

While watching this show, it's important to remember that Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flowers/Boys Before Flowers isn't just a TV show; it was a manga series that ran for ten years in Japan, then an anime film, a live-action film, a J-drama (Japanese), a C-drama (Chinese) then a K-drama, and there are other spinoffs as well. It's seriously like the Twilight of Asia, so when discussing BOF we're really discussing a phenomenon more than a story.

I didn't personally click with this show and I didn't want to watch the whole thing, but I did read recaps of all 24 episodes, just so I would know how the series ended. It seemed important to have some knowledge of this story that so many fans have fallen for. You can read a superbly detailed recap of Episode 1 over here at Dramabeans.

Things I Loved:

1. Jandi. I like her hardworking nature and the way she sticks up for the underprivileged and never actually sees herself as underprivileged. She is often a voice of reason in this really loopy world of rich people, and she stands up to JunPyo like a tough girl should. I'm also a big fan of the actress Goo Hye Sun, though I prefer her acting in other dramas to this one. Still, it's pretty impressive that she was 25 at the time of filming and easily passed for a 17-year-old without straining credulity in the slightest.

Our Heroine, Pedaling Her Laundry Bike.

2. JiHoo. I came to this drama ready to adore him, because I heard he was the good guy in the love triangle, in contrast to JunPyo's total jerk of a character. However, whether it was a result of the acting, directing, or script, JiHoo wasn't as awesome as I'd anticipated. Yes, he does wear a white suit and play a violin in the forest (so artsy-cool!), but I don't really get much emotion from the character. He falls flat, but even then I'm glad he's around, just so we have a quiet personality to balance out the explosive tempers of the rest of the cast.

Bland, but Sweet.

 

3. Jandi's nutty family. Her parents and kid brother are ecstatic to have her go to Shinhwa. While the average mom and dad might understand their daughter's reluctance to go to a place where the students are wealthy psychopaths, but Jandi's folks know that Jandi's status and theirs will be improved if she takes one for the team and attends the Academy of Evil.

An Intensely Practical Family.

Complaints: 1. JunPyo's hair. The actor Lee Minho is an attractive enough person, but the sideswept wave-curls don't make sense to me. But I suppose it's a testament to the bigger issues I have with the show if something as simple as an offbeat haircut can make me want to turn away from the screen.

Not His Best Look.

Although, considering the hairstyles in the original manga, I should probably be thankful for the lucky break:

2. The cartoony elements. The original manga story began in 1992, so that explains some of the overwhelming dramatic elements.  Early-90's love stories, whether in America or overseas, tended to be a little more angsty and melodramatic than they are now, twenty years later. But even knowing that this show was an over-the-top story made in the style of the comics, I still felt stunned by the lack of realism. Jandi saves a falling guy who is twice her size (and who has already jumped off a building) just by grabbing his sweater? That's not an exaggerated moment made to suit the drama--that's more like cartoon physics.

Miraculously Rescued by the Strength of Jandi's Fingers.

3. F4's evilness/non-evilness. The guys never actually beat up another student, but when they decide to "red card" somebody, the rest of the school chips in to hit and humiliate that person until they leave Shinhwa. One targeted kid gets covered in blood from these fights and ends up trying to kill himself. And our heroes drove him to do this? But then they never truly seem like fully bad guys afterward, which is confusing. I don't mind anti-heroes in K-dramas, but this takes it to an all new level of cruelty, while still somehow keeping our main characters free of all guilt.

Themes:

The obscenity of wealth: I don't know if all viewers feel like this, but every time I see F4 spending their money in extravagant ways, I shudder. Jandi sees the overkill and protests it, but the show still wants to provide us with lavish costumes, exciting locations, and cool leisure activities, so the abundance keeps rolling in.

Standing up for the oppressed: Jandi is inclined to do this, and though she's only sorta kinda sometimes rewarded for her efforts, I think the audience is still supposed to see the value of her actions. It's how we know she's a true heroine.
Cultural Observances:
Hardcore college entrance exams: Normal citizens are angry that Shinhwa students automatically get into Shinhwa college without having to take the big, scary national exam along with everyone else.

New words: "Shinhwa" means "myth or "legend", which is appropriate because the high school is legendary.

Episode Evaluations: I didn't like it. I absolutely understand why BOF is popular and why other people love it, but unlike another ultra-hyped series, Secret Garden, I never caught the fire with this one. It's just not my style, what with all the kidnappings and past traumas, etc. I need something either more comedic or more realistic.

K-Drama Review: Boys Over Flowers, episodes 1-2 Link Free Download

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Philippians

Philippians is always an uplifting book to read because, unlike other churches Paul wrote to, the church at Philippi does not need a lot of chiding or correcting. Despite having a few small issues related to church unity, they are a well-adjusted church who love God and love other people.

Paul's introduction shows just how much he cares for these people: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (1:3) he says, and just a short while later, "I have you in my heart" (1:7). My own heart is touched when I read things like this. It really does seem like Paul views himself as their brother/father/friend, and he prays for the people at Philippi and longs to see them again. And he goes on to list his prayers for them, in a highly specific way which shows that he really does have their best interests at heart--he wants them to grow closer to Jesus and to "approve things that are excellent" and to "be sincere and without offence".

This particular letter is written while Paul is in jail, but he tells the Philippians that his imprisonment has actually worked out to help further the cause of the gospel because some people have now grown more bold about sharing their faith. Being in prison does not bother Paul very much. He isn't even afraid of losing his own life as a martyr for Jesus--in fact, he describes himself as being caught between actively wanting to leave this world and be with the Lord and wanting to stay and help care for the churches.

In chapter 2, Paul reminds the Philippians to remain united and to stand together in Christ. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (2:3-4). To me, this verse describes the very core of the Christian attitude towards others; I am not better than you, and I am going to think of your needs before my own. Humility and selflessness are traits to be prized and aspired to.

The closing part of chapter 4 is my favorite part of this book, and I've tried to memorize the helpful list of things on which godly people should focus their thoughts: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (4:8).

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Philippians Link Free Download

Announcing the Ultimate Reviewers Challenge!

It's time for the 4th Ultimate Reviewers Challenge! I co-host this event twice every year with by blogging buddies Lena from Addicted 2 Novels, Karen from For What It's Worth Reviews. Through the whole month of February, book bloggers are invited to review as many books as possible, then enter links to their reviews for a chance to win prize packs of great books and ARCs!

Karen's intro to the URC:

"How it works: For the month of February you can link your reviews on each of our blogs (our Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge posts will be up with a linky on February 1st) For every review you link you will be entered to win one of two prize packs. Each blog will have two different prize packs. At the end of the event, we'll each pick two winners.

Addicted 2 Novels & All-Consuming Media - US only
For What It's Worth - US and International"

"Better Know a Blogger" info: If Email me at leighofthestone(at)yahoo(dot)com if you'd like to do a short interview about your blog, to be featured here on  All-Consuming Media in the month of February. Remember, you can only be featured at one blog, so if you want to be interviewed at All-Consuming Media, it means you won't be submitting the same interview to Addicted 2 Novels or For What It's Worth

And here are the awesome prize packs offered!

1st prize (provided for me courtesy of Karen):

Pandemonium

A Touch of Mortal

Kiss Crush Collide

The Story of Us

Masque of the Red Death

2nd prize (provided for me courtesy of Lena):

Curveball

Rock On

Infinity

Rules:

*You must have a book review blog or Goodreads
*These must be real reviews, meaning more than just a couple of sentences describing the book. We'll be checking to make sure you're posting legitimate reviews!
*All reviews must have been posted for the first time during the month of February 2012. You can't just enter all your old reviews.
*No one review can be entered twice on the same blog. That doesn't mean you can't post the same review on each one of our blogs (for a total of 3 entries per review), just not the same review twice on one blog.
*This contest will be US only for All Consuming Media & Addicted 2 Novels, US and international on For What It's Worth

*The challenge ends on February 29th, midnight, CST.

*Rules and regulations are subject to change depending on current situations. Don't worry, you'll be informed

*There will be 2 winners per blog for a total of 6 winners.

And a big thank you to Sandy Scribing Shadows for designing our URC banner--it's the 4th banner she's made for us, and I think it's the cutest one yet!

Announcing the Ultimate Reviewers Challenge! Link Free Download

Song Review: Warrior by B.A.P.

I rarely review individual songs, but K-pop rookie group B.A.P. had such a fun debut song, I just couldn't wait until their official EP release to review it. It took me awhile to get used to their name because in my mind, B.A.P. stands for Black American Princesses, due to the the 1990's comedy movie of the same name (starring Halle Berry!), but in the case of this band, it's supposed to mean "Best, Absolute, Perfect". I don't know if they're perfect, but they're certainly the best debut band I've seen in K-pop.

I was slightly familiar with a couple of members of B.A.P. before their debut. Bang Yong Guk has had a solo release and been featured on a song with Yosoeb of BEAST, and I grew to appreciate his serious rapping style. Then Bang did a duo song called "Never Give Up" with Zelo, the youngest member of his own band, and I thought that song was pretty cute and uplifting even if it contained some clashing music styles (namely pop, rap, and gospel choir singing). I'm guessing that "Bang & Zelo" is an official subunit of B.A.P. and that they'll be releasing more duo music in the future, which ought to be something to look forward to.

Anyhow, with Bang and Zelo, B.A.P. has two very good rappers with distinct styles--Bang has a low rumble-roar of a voice, and since he's the first person you really hear on "Warrior", he catches your attention. Next are some nice, fierce stretches of singing in the verses, followed by an epic chorus. I feel like you could do just about anything difficult while listening to the chorus of "Warrior"--chop down a tree, climb a mountain, bake a souffle. Anything that's hard to do, this chorus will give you the adrenaline to face it. Waaarrrior! Digidigidom digidigidom. Waarrrrrrrrrrior!!!! I'm just plain partial to warrior-themed songs.

Zelo's rap section is faster, has more finesse, and practically begs to be memorized. Even across the language barrier, it sounds great. I also like Zelo's repetition of "get down", because when most people say that in a song, they mean "let's party and have fun!" In this song it feels more like a quiet, literal warning to duck out of the way of something dangerous.

Lyrics: The lyrics are definitely a social commentary of some sort, but after reading a few different English translations, I'm still not positive which issue is at stake. I think it may be about gang warfare? There's definitely some discussion of standing up for others, avoiding hypocrisy, telling the truth and being a "warrior". Though frankly, I'm just thrilled to see lyrics that aren't either about love or about bragging. It's a step in a more diverse direction.

English: There's a bit of English here and there. I would say that Zelo's pronunciation is better than Bang's, because when Zelo says an English word I always know that he's switching languages, but when Bang switches to English, I have to check the lyrics to make sure that it's not still Korean.

In summary: Now this is how you debut. I don't know much about B.A.P., but I do know that they have two good rappers and at least two good singers (though I don't know which two they are). "Warrior" is a bold song with a strong brass section, warning whistle noises, and infectious raps. No part of the song is repeated too often, so you're left wanting more rather than wondering why the song is going on for so long.

My grade: 4.5 stars for the song.

Watchable bonus: Here's the music video for "Warrior". I giggled a bit when I first saw it because it is so stylized and faux-ghetto, but it has since grown on me. Giant evil rabbits! Skulls, condemned cars, sledgehammers, wind, and fire! The most difficult thing about the MV is the inability to distinguish the members of the band. I had to keep doing recounts to figure if there were 5 or 6 members of the band because they blended together a little too well. But their puppet-dance is pretty great, as is the mimed representation of guns.



And here is a helpful lyrics video, complete with romanized Korean lyrics and English translations.

Song Review: Warrior by B.A.P. Link Free Download

Guest Post: "Going Forth with Resolution" by Marie Lamba, author of Drawn

Tiger: Good morning, everyone! I'm glad to be a part of author Marie Lamba's blog tour for her latest YA book, Drawn. Here's her awesome guest post on the subject of New Year�s resolutions. :-)

_______________________________________

Going Forth with Resolution
Guest post by Marie Lamba, author of Drawn

 

 

For a lot of us, January means more than just changing the way we date checks. It�s about change, pure and simple. New year, new goals. People quit smoking, hit the gym, start writing that novel they always vowed they�d write. They promise to change the way they view the world, or to take the world by storm in some way.

For me, for many years, my New Year�s resolution was: This year, I�m going to get a book accepted for publication. It was a silly resolution for many reasons. First of all, it was in too many ways out of my control. Sure, I could write the best book possible, and submit it to as many agents or editors as possible, but after that? Completely out of my hands. Second of all, it was a silly resolution because it could be seriously discouraging. How could I set a deadline for something that could take a month or 10 years to accomplish? Yet I made this resolution for myself year after year after year�after year. Until I just stopped making this, or any resolution at all.

Happily, I didn�t stop working on my craft or submitting my work. (Note to the nearly discouraged writers out there�my first novel took 10 years to write and never sold, but my second novel DID sell, and pretty fast�so please take heart and stick to your dreams no matter how long they take.)

Nowadays, I still don�t make resolutions. It�s not because I don�t have goals or things I want changed. I think it has more to do with the fact that I have TOO many goals, and I�m already just too busy trying to make all of them happen. A big goal this year is getting the word out about my newest novel Drawn, which is a paranormal YA about a teen artist who draws and then falls for a medieval ghost with a sketchy past. My other huge goals include teaching others the craft of writing through workshops and classes and conferences, and working extra hard at my newest career: that of an Associate Literary Agent for The Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency in NYC.

 

 

Plus I�m also trying to be a decent mom to my two daughters, to not neglect my rather nutty poodle Ella, and I�m trying to make SOME decent meals for my family so they won�t fade away while I�m lost hovering over my keyboard. Then there�s the war against the dust bunnies in my house. The bunnies are armed and dangerous, and are currently on the attack�hear that gacking sound in the background? That�s Ella the poodle choking a bit, alas.

Also, there�s that dreaded Y membership. The one my husband uses so much his membership tag has worn thin. The one I use so rarely, that when I do, people there say to me, �Oh, are you coming back to the gym now? Good for you!� The other day my dear husband informed me about a new study which proves that people who sit all day are much more likely to grow fat cells in their butt. When he told me this, I sat in front of my laptop blinking at him, trying not to ponder what, exactly, he was trying to communicate to me�

But ah well, right? No resolutions here. What will be, will be and all that!

EXCEPT, I would like to promise myself that this year I will come up with a brand new novel idea, and that I�ll actually start and finish said brand new novel. I�m tossing around an idea right now�sort of a Bridget Jones-ish type of character but set in Philly. I might call it The Temp�or not. IF I made resolutions, then this would be a good one. That I would squeeze between the dust-bunnies and the growing fat cells (so sorry for the unfortunate visual!) a new novel , and give it the time needed for it to develop and shape (stop thinking about those fat cells), and I�d clean the draft up (begone dreaded dust bunnies), and I�d send it out into the world, come what may.

Also, I would like to promise myself that I�ll actually get up from my laptop more often to step outside into the fresh air as a way of getting inspiration for even more writing.

But I don�t make resolutions. I DO NOT.

So, what sort of resolutions are you NOT making this year?

__________________________________________

Tiger: Thanks for sharing, Marie! I'm currently navigating my way around resolutions/non-resolutions, myself. Readers, you can look below for more info about this wonderful author and her newest book, Drawn!

 

 

Marie Lamba(marielamba.com) is author of acclaimed young adult novels including What I Meant� (Random House), Over My Head, and the new paranormal YA novel Drawn. When she isn�t writing or exercising like a maniac at the gym, she�s working as an Associate Literary Agent at The Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency in NYC.

 

 

About Drawn:

Teen artist Michelle De Freccio moves to England in search of a normal life...instead she finds a hot medieval ghost with a sketchy past.

It all begins when a strange guy appears in Michelle's drawings. When she actually meets him at the town�s castle, she's unmistakably drawn to him. But something is definitely not right. For starters, he wears medieval garb, talks of ancient murders and tends to disappear each time they kiss.

Could he possibly be a ghost? Could Michelle be losing her mind? Or has she simply uncovered a love so timeless it�s spanned the centuries�

Buy the book at Amazon.com

Praise for Drawn:

�A lushly romantic ghost story�captivating and haunting. I didn�t want it to end.� �Cyn Balog, author of paranormal YA novels Fairy Tale, Sleepless, and Starstruck

"...a wonderfully spooky tale of romance and discovery. It�s a magical exploration of the unconquerable power of love. Highly recommended!� �Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Rot& Ruin and Dust & Decay

�In DRAWN, Marie Lamba deftly entwines romance and mystery, past and present, into a page-turning adventure. Buy it today and I promise you�ll be finished reading far too quickly!� �Joy Nash USA Today bestselling paranormal romance author of The Immortals series, The Grail King and The Unforgiven

Guest Post: "Going Forth with Resolution" by Marie Lamba, author of Drawn Link Free Download

Book Review: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Young Jim Hawkins works with his father at the Admiral Benbow Inn, and his life is normal until "the old seadog" Billy Bones comes to stay at the inn. Jim is told to look out for a man with one leg, and soon the one-legged man begins to haunt his dreams, which is a good indication of the troubles to come. The next thing Jim knows, he's off on an adventure with a poorly-chosen crew of sailors, a few decent Englishmen, a map that is supposed to lead to a hidden treasure, and Long John Silver--a quirky and charming ship's cook who wins Jim's admiration, but who is hiding quite a few secrets.

I'm reading this book again as an adult, but what I remember most about reading Treasure Island in my childhood is how uninterested I was in it. I think by the time I read the book at age 11 or so, I had already seen so many adaptations, skits, and knockoffs of Treasure Island that reading the source material was a letdown. Plain old betrayals and treasure discoveries somehow felt anticlimactic. As a kid, I also resented the fact that there were no girls in the story (except for Jim's easily flustered mom). You can't really fault a story about sailors and pirates for not having any prominent female characters, but I still find that very few dudes-only stories manage to hold my attention. To really get into a fictional world, I almost always have to have somebody as my stand-in, some significant female presence affecting the story. But despite my initial apathy, I do think there are some nice points to Treasure Island.

Upsides:

-- Realism. Everyone's very dirty, with ratty hair, black fingernails, jagged scars, etc. This doesn't seem to be a romanticized rendering of pirates.

--Action. Though Treasure Island is descriptive enough, it's definitely not flowery and the author doesn't spend as much time as other writers of the same period on establishing the scenery, which I appreciated.

--Jim. He doesn't seem like an especially vivid character because he's mainly the lens through which we see the fictional world, but he is notably brave and he is very action-oriented for a boy who comes from a quiet country lifestyle.

--Little details. 1. I like how "Long John" is already a nickname, but the man gets a further nickname from his crew--Barbecue, because he's the cook. 2. Long John's parrot is named "Cap'n Flint" after his old ship's captain, which seems kind of irreverent and therefore perfect for a pirate's pet. 3. The fact that Jim thinks it's totally normal to jump into an apple barrel to find an apple to eat. Doesn't really sound like a clean practice, getting your clothes and shoes mixed up with your food. But hey, whatever it takes to get to the food that wards off the scurvy...

--Memorable side characters. Dr. Livesy is pretty tough--he doesn't suffer fools gladly and doesn't think much of loud ruffians. It's also great how obsessed Ben Gunn is with cheese. The abandoned man has been fantasizing about cheese-eating for three years.

To me, Treasure Island isn't really an entertaining read, nor is it high on the list of great literary works, but it's certainly worth looking at. Most of us have experienced a culture laden with references to the book and parodies of it, so it's a nice revelation to actually read the original and find out what parts have been exaggerated or altered in adaptation. Grade: B

Quotes:

--"Sometimes he would call for glasses round and force all the trembling company to listen to his stories or bear a chorus to his singing. Often I have heard the house shaking with "Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum," all the neighbours joining in for dear life, with the fear of death upon them, and each singing louder than the other to avoid remark." (pg 5)

The pirates use some great slang and onomatopoeia in this story...

-"I'm not afraid on 'em. I'll shake out another reef, matey, and daddle 'em again." (pg 15)

-"Budge, you skulk!" cried Pew.  (pg 24)

Watchable bonus: Yes, it's the least accurate adaptation of the classic, but Muppet Treasure Island remains my favorite, especially because of the songs. One more time now!

Book Review: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Link Free Download

K-Drama Review: Secret Garden, Episodes 3-4

Read Episodes reviwes for:

Secret Garden, episodes 1-2

Contains Spoilers for Episodes 3-4

JooWon has given up on trying to forget Raim, and now he's doing a very posh version of stalking. He managed to get some scenes for the film she's working on switched to his department store, just so Raim would have to run into him. And even after he reveals to her that he's an important CEO and not just some weird bum she keeps running into, he keeps coming to her stuntperson academy as if he's a genuine trainee. The guy's got it bad, but we're still a long, long way from achieving a happily ever after.

We finally get to meet JooWon's family in these episodes. He is praised as being a devoted son for going to his grandpa's house for their monthly dinner, to which he replies: "I'm not a devoted son. My mother's father always changes his will once a month--right after family reunions." Love it. Just when this show seemed sad and emotional, it suddenly becomes Arrested Development with competing relatives, all of whom have serious personality issues. It shows us why JooWon is such a jerk sometimes; he's a product of his raising. He and Raim have plenty of fights in this episode and he talks down to her like the snotty rich boy he is, but when she calls him on the phone, his face lights up and violins start to play. He's kind of in conflict with himself, here.

The big plot development in episode 4 is that Raim's action school of fighting extras are going to be part of Oska's new music video. And Oska and Raim are becoming friends, which doesn't sit well with JooWon.



Things I Loved: 1. JooWon. He's perhaps the most lovable yet unlikable character I've run across in a long time. He's not a good guy and we know this, but we're pretty sure he might be a good guy one day. Almost all of his virtue stems from the fact that the audience knows he must be falling in love with Raim, but he's kind of strange and inhuman even about that. But it's so cute. He even literally plays "She loves me, she loves me not" with a flower. And loses!

Stupid Flower.

2. The commentary on rich people. Almost every rich person in this show is wacky and dysfunctional to an extreme degree. For example, Seul's dad gives JooWon a present of about a dozen deer. Yes, deer. This prompts JooWon to wonder if he's supposed to kill and eat the deer. The show tells us that this is how rich people live: lounging in oversized pristine houses, giving each other presents of deer herds, and eating full-course fancy teas all alone. When Raim goes to see JooWon, she even has to ask the servants which building in a long row of fancy dwellings is his house. Answer: They are ALL his house.

3. English/Engrish humor. Raim's boss JongSoo narrows his eyes when Seul starts using really bad English to impress him. He responds with some totally brilliant English which is perfect in every respect because the actor himself is from America. Seul claps for him, then immediately switches the conversation back to Korean. To clarify, I think it's awesome when any character tries to use English regardless of how well they do, but Seul is a villainess who is intentionally flaunting her foreign language knowledge in order to sound important--but she looks bad because she doesn't know as much as she thinks she does.

Complaints: No actual story flaws. The things that frustrate me are just the natural products of the tensions among the characters. JooWon is infuriating because he spends most of the time being a total jerk, and trying to convince himself that Raim is not worth the time he spends going after her.

Themes:

Money fixes nothing: JooWon thinks that by waving around money and ordering candlelight dinners for Raim, he'll win her over. Dude couldn't be more wrong. Raim is impoverished, so his lavish displays of wealth just looks disgusting to her, and she thinks he's living in a fairytale world, which is correct. She extinguishes his fancy candles with a dinner spoon and walks away.

What Goes Around Comes Around:  It's amazing how JooWon can say all these snotty, dreadful things and yet he doesn't seem hateful--it's more like you hate what he's doing to himself. He's hurting Raim's feelings, but she'll be all right eventually because she's a soldier. He, on the other hand, is just a mess of a human being, and being nasty to Raim seems to incite his panic attacks and claustrophobia. He's bringing the pain on himself. Nastiness reaps nastiness, my friend!

Complex schemes: I don't know for sure, but I think Seul is trying to court and marry JooWon just to get back at Oska, her first love. It doesn't make sense on any level because JooWon wholeheartedly rejects Seul and she doesn't even seem to like him in the first place, but hey, this is a K-drama. Somebody has to scheme elaborately and for no discernible reason, or else we won't have a hopelessly knotty conflict.

I Thought of Twelve Revenge Plots, All Before Breakfast.

Running gags: Just when I thought that they couldn't make anymore jokes about JooWon's ugly blue jacket from the first two episodes, the gags pile up even higher. And you know what? It never gets old. When JooWon reveals his rich identity to Raim, he also makes a point of emphasizing the legitimacy of his pricey tracksuit. Then he shows up at Raim's action school in another even more unsightly shiny tracksuit, this time a leopard print, as if he's trying to imitate his cousin Oska.

First Among the Things Money Can't Buy: Fashion Sense.

Cultural Observances:

Pop star protegees: Oska wants to groom a pop star to be his successor, but he's not remotely serious about his music, so it's really just a way to keep himself in the news. Hilariously, the musical prodigy he picks to be his pet is not remotely interested because he's a serious musician/singer, unlike Oska. The only real K-pop protegees I can immediately think of are MBLAQ, who were kind of trained and sponsored by Rain, the godfather of K-pop.

The value of KRW: I have trouble remembering the conversion rates for dollars to won, but currently they seem to float at around 1000 KRW=1 USD. When JooWon tries to keep in touch with Raim, he uses the fact that she owes him money as a reason to meet with her. She owes him 40,000 won for a hospital visit, which is about $35. He's filthy rich, so it's clear that this debt is just an excuse to hang out.

Employment  is a big deal: Raim's best friend Ah-Young gets a special dinner from her boss and co-workers (complete with sparklers and hand-drawn signs) celebrating her five years of work at the department store. It's hard to explain the difference between the Korean version of celebrating steady employment and the American version of an office party, but there does seem to be a lot more weight and significance attached to longterm employment with an organization in K-dramas.

Happy Five Years of Employment To You!

New words: "Omo" is like Oh dear! or Oh my! Secretary Kim freaks out and says this when JooWon suggests eating the present of deer.

Episode Evaluations: When will the body-swapping happen? I don't know and I don't care. This is awesome and thoroughly engrossing. Boyish cousin Oska is in a position to grow, what with the protege, Raim, and Seul all interacting with him. JooWon's neuroses and snobbery are revealed to come from his whacked out family, and Raim is put-upon but still great.

K-Drama Review: Secret Garden, Episodes 3-4 Link Free Download

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Ephesians

Ephesians is a generally positive letter, since it doesn't have any specific church-related problems to address. More than anything, it seems like Paul just wants to remind the Ephesians of all the good things that they as Christians have going for them.

One of the extended metaphors Paul uses is the idea that before accepting Christ, we human beings (and Gentiles in particular) are like strangers/aliens/foreigners, but when we are redeemed by Jesus, we become the adopted children of God. As a member of an adoptive family, I have always been touched by this adoption metaphor. What better way is there to understand how a person can be a complete stranger and then suddenly be a fully accepted and 100% "real" member of the family? And we aren't just adopted--we get a family inheritance (heaven), too. The sentences in Ephesians can be a little difficult to decipher at times just because there are so many clauses strung together in the King James Version, but triumphant tone here is clear.

The power of Christ is also emphasized in this book. Chapter one mentions how God "raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (1:20-21). To me, this is emphasizing that "Lion of Judah" aspect of Jesus' identity. I usually think of Jesus' sacrificial aspect first, of the way he gave himself for the world, but beyond his status as the "Lamb of God", he is also ordained to rule over everything one day.

The stranger/adoptee metaphor switches to a death/life metaphor in chapter two, where Paul says that we are all like dead people until God changes us: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ" (2:4-5). Chapter 2 moves on to describe the peace and unity available through Jesus.

Ephesians has a lot of good, practical advice as well. In 4:1-2, Paul says "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love". That's a beautiful yet heavy request. How often do we think of our faith in Christ as our calling or our vocation? And yet, the importance of whatever we do in life pales in comparison to the importance of loving God and loving others through him. That's a pretty lofty vocation, but it's also one where there's no room for self-importance or pride--it's only through God's mercy that we are able to live out this high calling.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Ephesians Link Free Download

K-Drama Review: Secret Garden, episodes 1-2

Contains Spoilers for Episodes 1-2

JooWon is a young CEO of the LOEL chain of department stores, and he's well known for being a cold, imperious boss. Little do his employees know that his austere demeanor is a cover-up for his host of anxieties and psychological issues. His fear of small spaces is so great, he can't step inside an elevator and has to climb dozens of stair flights if he wants to reach the higher floors of a building. JooWon is busy combating his neuroses, running his company, and going on arranged-match dates in hopes of finding a lady to be Mrs. Super-Special CEO, when he meets Raim, a brusque stuntwoman who turns his world upside down.

Raim is barely getting by in life. She's a skilled stuntwoman (or "action actress", as she prefers to be called), but all her hard work scarcely pays the bills and she secretly yearns to be considered girly and pretty, not just tough and cool. Raim meets JooWon when he mistakes for the actress she's doubling for--an actress who is dating JooWon's pampered cousin Oska. Pretty soon after meeting her, JooWon is smitten, but he can't bring himself to admit that he cares for a girl with no family background and no education. Raim doesn't know how to deal with this guy who acts sweet and vulnerable half the time and prideful the other half.

When I first heard the synopsis for Secret Garden, I could not have been less interested. I heard it was sort of a paranormal romcom with mystical body-swapping between the hero and heroine. It sounded awful. Every American movie or TV show I've seen involving this premise did an awkward and unfunny job with it (okay, except for Star Trek Voyager). But after two episodes, the body-swapping hasn't happened yet and I'm so invested in the hero and heroine, I don't mind what zany places this story might take them. Now I know why this show was one of the most popular of 2010.

Things I Loved: 1. Gil Raim. She passes the Buddy Test--for me to truly care for a heroine, I have to believe that I'd want to hang out with her in real life. With Raim, I know I'd be first in line to be her gal pal. It's impossible not to love someone this cool and savvy, yet humble.

Gil Ra-Im Ain't Nothin' to Mess With!

2. JooWon. The actor (Hyun Bin) does an amazing job with this character. Just when you think he's another cold businessman character, JooWon shows off his eccentricities. And then when he's been a little off-balance for awhile, he flips back into serious mode. Interestingly, while most K-dramas seem to focus on the girl's POV or at least split time equally between the protagonists, I feel like Secret Garden spends about 2/3rds of its time with JooWon because his emotional journey is going to be a bigger one than Raim's. All she needs out of life is confidence and maybe a little more money, but he's the person who truly needs to undergo some changes.

Polished, Suave, and Slightly Crazy.

3. The JooWon/Oska rivalry. JooWon always has to outdo his popstar cousin Oska, but it isn't really that hard to do. Despite JooWon's occasional childishness, he still knows how to run a business and he's much more of a grown-up than his playboy of a cousin. These two guys are always grumping at each other and playing power games, but there's a twinge of underlying affection there, as evidenced by how JooWon is constantly asking Oska for advice, despite Oska's complete cluelessness. I don't know why he bothers.

It's Hard to Respect a Man in a Leopard-Print Scarf.

Complaints: None. The first two episodes are perfect in terms of plot, character development, pacing and humor.

Themes:

Power of Words vs. Power of Actions: Seul is a powerful woman, so she gets Raim kicked out of a department store and gets Raim's friend fired from her job with just a few pointed words. Yet, when Seul's friend's purse is stolen, Seul is powerless to stop the thief while the action-oriented Raim runs down the criminal and retrieves the purse. Words and actions are both powerful, but I prefer Raim's way of getting things done.

Smart, But Uses Her Brains for the Forces of Evil.

The Divide Between Rich and Poor: JooWon is so shocked by Raim's poverty, it's like he has never even thought that any lifestyles might exist outside his own posh, ritzy one. Raim's choice of food (fried pig intestines) and clothes (baggy, worn out, dark colors) is incomprehensible to him.

Running gags: JooWon's sparkly tracksuit. I thought his blue crocodile-looking jacket was kind of strange, but I was shocked to hear so many characters in the story making fun of the jacket. And when people make cracks about his attire, JooWon always has to reply by telling them that it's a very expensive tracksuit and the sequins were hand-stitched by a craftsman in Italy! It's even funnier because he's not a runner or an athlete by any stretch of the imagination.

The Hideous Tracksuit of Sparkliness.

Cultural Observances:

Arranged matches: Joo-Woon goes on mat-seon dates, special matches arranged with women who would make good potential wives--wealthy, educated women from important families. I think mat-seon literally means "marriage meeting". It's not like a betrothal because you can back out of it easily, but it's not like recreational dating either.

Hallyu wave: After many years of being on top of the music industry, Oska's popularity is waning in Korea, but he's still big in Japan. K-pop stars like to expand their audience to other countries, particularly Japan and China, so this is an accurate representation of how K-pop extends itself to other parts of the world.

K-pop socks: They may be tacky, but it's very popular to wear socks with pictures of K-pop stars drawn on them. Raim is an Oska fan, so she wears Oska socks, and JooWon rolls his eyes at this.

Episode Evaluations: So funny and so likable. Like I said, if I have to put up with zany antics and wacky hijinks to stay with these characters, I will. When you build an incredible cast, your audience will stick with you for the rest of the ride. Bring on episode 3!

K-Drama Review: Secret Garden, episodes 1-2 Link Free Download

Book Review: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911

Mary Lennox is a dreadful child. She's a sickly and frail orphan, but it's still not easy to feel sympathy for her because she has a strong streak of cruelty in her young personality. When a cholera plague strikes her part of India and kills both her parents, she is sent to England to live with her uncle Archibald (!) Craven (!??!) who I'm pretty sure spends his free time as a villain in the Marvel comic universe. She arrives at Misselthwaite Manor and meets the housekeeper Mrs. Medlock, but she is far from coming "home" because she's an unattended guest in a giant gloomy house full of dozens of locked rooms. 

But there are bright points. The housemaid Martha is a sunshiny older girl who speaks kindly to Mary. (Martha's lovely and nearly incomprehensible Yorkshire accent is wonderful.) She's a maidservant with the heart of a poet, and she'd make a great protagonist in another book. As it is, she's mainly a catalyst to get Mary to meet her younger brother Dickon, a 12-year-old who knows how to charm animals. Through spending time outdoors and spending time with Dickon, Mary's attitudes toward the world change and she finds herself able to help her uber-unpleasant cousin Colin by befriending him and showing him the secret garden she has discovered.

This is my fourth time reading this book, but my first time since childhood. Here are a few themes and subjects I noticed in this story this time around:


A Sense of Belonging: Mary wonders why she never "belonged" to anyone, because she sees children who seem to belong to their parents. However, she has never officially missed the sense of family camaraderie because she didn't know what she was missing. Martha and Dickon's family, the Sowerby's, are like the ultimate place of belonging--they reach out to others and make them equal to family. Martha's mom even uses money her family needs to buy Mary a jump rope because she feels sorry for the poor neglected girl.

Gothic trimmings: Somehow, moving to a 600-year-old gloomy mansion on the edge of a moor sounds awesome. Manor home full of locked rooms? Secretive uncle with a slight deformity and a broken heart? House with extensive gardens and a tragic history? Bring it on. Mary is rather excited about moving to such a mysterious and curious place, and I would be, too.

Unreasonable period of mourning: What is it with Englishmen and their unending grief in these old stories? In contemporary American stories (at least more romantic ones), a spouse dies and the remaining partner is conflicted about whether remarrying within the year is too soon. In 100-year-old British stories, a man loses his wife and spends the next twenty years ignoring his children, shunning his relatives, and generally making life miserable for everyone. Mr. Archibald Craven is a prime example of this phenomenon. His lovely wife passes away and he refuses to even see his ill son or his orphaned niece! Oy.

Growing up and growing healthy: Mary begins to physically grow at Misselthwaite, just as she is growing emotionally and psychologically. It's incredibly gratifying to see Mary becoming a stronger, faster and all-around healthier child even as she's becoming a more decent human being and developing her own personality. It's a wonder that she doesn't explode from all the positive changes she experiences on so many fronts.

Love of Nature: Mary's love for gardening is actually foreshadowed at the very beginning of the novel. When she is left alone to play in India, she sticks broken hibiscus flowers into the ground as if she's planting them. Mary has no idea of what to do with self-directed play and free time, but it's interesting that the first thing she tries is mock-gardening.

This book is just plain charming. You get a thoroughly unlikable protagonist who gradually transforms into a true young heroine. The garden scenes are breathtaking and every character, however minor, feels 100% real. This book is rightly regarded as a classic and it makes good reading for children and adults alike. None of us can ever get enough of fresh growth and personal discoveries.   Grade: A

Some quotes:

Ben: "Everybody knows him. Dickon's wanderin' about everywhere. Th' very blackberries an' heather-bells knows him. I warrant th' foxes shows him where their cubs lies an' th' skylarks doesn't hide their nests from him." (pg 41)

"Four good things had happened to her, in fact, since she came to Misselthwaite Manor. She had felt as if she had understood a robin and that he had understood her; she had run in the wind until her blood had grown warm; she had been healthily hungry for the first time in her life; and she had found out what it was to be sorry for some one." (pg 49)

Mary: "Dickon," she said, "you are as nice as Martha said you were. I like you, and you make the fifth person. I never thought I should like five people." (pg)

Book Review: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Link Free Download

Guest Post on Story Writing by John Michael Cummings

Tiger: Morning, everyone! Today I'm happy to be hosting a guest post on writing from John  Michael Cummings, author of the new book "Ugly to Start With". I hope you like it--it reminded me of the magic of story-writing, apart from just the mechanics of plot and conflict. Here you go...

____________________________________

I sometimes teach writing workshops to children, and I have to laugh. Who am I to do this?

Yes, I�ve published a lot of short stories, but I think I could live to be 150 and publish 1000 stories and, when asked to run these workshops, still feel like a common parishioner asked to be a biblical scholar.

I mean, doesn�t everyone instinctively know the basics of a story? Haven�t we all seen 1000 movies if not having read one story? Character and conflict equal plot and story, right? Develop it and resolve it. The end. How can one mess that up? If you want to know more, ask Steven Spielberg or Ray Bradbury, not me.

In front of these small groups, I talk about creating scenes that illuminate characters and their conflicts. I state tenet number one: create a sympathetic character, someone we can relate to, and want to follow through the story. Put forth: what�s the character�s problem? How does he or she solve it. Above all, make us care.

I have them take out paper and start writing on the spot.

"Get your story going with an event," I say. "Hit the ground running."

Start the adventure from sentence one. Remember, work on cause and effect. Each decision and action by your hero leads to the next. Each is a link in a chain, and the chain is your plot.

A few minutes in, I have them stop and read their passages aloud. Invariably I ask: Who are the villains trying to stop your hero? Who�s the Darth Vader in the story? Does your hero have an ally, as Batman has Robin? Is there a mentor, like Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars?

They continue scribbling.

"Keep your hero in the driver�s seat. But don�t be nice to him."

Stack obstacles in your hero�s face. Stakes are higher, rewards greater.

My advice is endless. Show, don�t tell. Make dialogue advance the story. Don�t forget, my twinkle-eyed youngsters, revise, revise, and revise.

Then I come to stop inside. I say to myself�wait a minute, are we building a radio or writing a story? Is this a popsicle and paper mache project or writing? Prose? Composition? Information?

I look around the room at the boys and girls. Her skin is brown. His white. She could be of Korean descent. He is black. She looks "Jewish." He is a little Arab boy.

"The best stories," I say, surprising them, "bring cultures together. Inform us of people we don�t know about."

They look at me.

"Stories are another world to enter. A way to share and let others step out of their lives."

Now I have their quizzical stares.

"Remember, your stories help us understand the �other,� the one who seems different from us, but we find out really isn�t. He or she really has the same issues�wanting to fit in, wanting to be happy. Those things."

They go on scribbling. I go on from there.
________________________________________


Tiger: Thanks for the great thoughts on writing! I think I'm going to co-opt a few of these discussion points to share with own middle-grade writing students. :-) 

Readers, here's some information about the author, as well as a rundown of his latest book, "Ugly to Start With"!

About the Author

John Michael Cummings' short stories have appeared in more than seventy-five literary journals, including North American Review, The Kenyon Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, and The Chattahoochee Review. Twice he has been nominated for The Pushcart Prize. His short story "The Scratchboard Project" received an honorable mention in The Best American Short Stories 2007. He is also the author of the nationally acclaimed coming-of-age novel "The Night I Freed John Brown" (Philomel Books, Penguin Group, 2009), winner of The Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers (Grades 7-12) and one of ten books recommended by USA TODAY.

For more information, please visit:

http://wvupressonline.com/cummings_ugly_to_start_with_9781935978084


http://www.johnmichaelcummings.com/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Michael_Cummings

?

Ugly to Start With

Jason Stevens is growing up in picturesque, historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in the 1970s. Back when the roads are smaller, the cars slower, the people more colorful, and Washington, D.C. is way across the mountains�a winding sixty-five miles away.

Jason dreams of going to art school in the city, but he must first survive his teenage years. He witnesses a street artist from Italy charm his mother from the backseat of the family car. He stands up to an abusive husband�and then feels sorry for the jerk. He puts up with his father�s hard-skulled backwoods ways, his grandfather�s showy younger wife, and the fist-throwing schoolmates and eccentric mountain characters that make up Harpers

Ugly to Start With punctuates the exuberant highs, bewildering midpoints, and painful lows of growing up, and affirms that adolescent dreams and desires are often fulfilled in surprising ways.

John Michael Cummings is a short story writer and novelist from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He is the award-winning author of The Night I Freed John Brown.

Guest Post on Story Writing by John Michael Cummings Link Free Download

K-Drama Review: Brain, Episodes 1-2

Contains Spoilers for Episodes 1-2

At the fancy Chunha University Hospital, brain surgeon Dr. Lee Kang Hun is hated by all. Well, maybe not hated, but the dude is seriously unpleasant and he's the bane of the interns' existence because he assigns extra work to already overworked young doctors. Dr. Lee never praises anyone, never tries to soothe his patients' feelings, and he always has to be right. He comes into conflict with Professor Kim, the best doctor at the hospital, who is a man who truly cares about educating others and about caring for his patients. The Professor thinks Dr. Lee is too arrogant, and he predicts that this arrogance will lead to trouble for the patients.

Dr. Lee is actually in a slow-boiling conflict with almost every character in this show. He resents Junseok, a happy doctor who never seems to have any problems, and he's mean to Ji-Hye, the only female intern at the hospital. Dr. Lee is even in conflict with his own mother, who always tries to bring him food and fresh clothes at the hospital, but he rejects her overtures of motherliness. When you add in a lot of hospital politics and people scheming for better positions, plus plenty of cranial traumas and operation scenes, you've got a very compelling medical drama.

I have a fondness for the medical drama genre, though the only medical show I ever truly followed was House (and Scrubs, which I don't think counts--it's more of a medical surrealist comedy). So since I didn't watch ER or Grey's Anatomy or any of the other popular long-runners, I'm not aware of all the standard plot points in a medical show, and as such I get to fully enjoy Brain and all of its intensity.


Things I Loved:

1. The high-stakes atmosphere. It isn't too long before the nail-biting sets in. "Oh no, the food-delivery kid was in a wreck!" "Oh no, Dr. Lee is operating when the Professor banned him from the operating theater for a week!" Most of the conflicts are actually on the realistic side, and the tensions and problems arise from the sort of things that would naturally happen in a hospital full of overachievers. And strangely enough, the tension in the show is not focused on the patients, and I'm actually more worried about how certain catastrophes are going to affect the doctors. It's a strange displacement because I feel like I ought to be sympathizing with the patients more, but Brain rarely takes time to establish the character and personality of the patients, like some other shows do. There is really no time or opportunity to invest in the lives of the patients because we are so in tune with the lives of the doctors. To me this isn't a flaw in the writing, it's just a choice about where to put the focus of the story.

This Show Is Not About Patients. It Is About Me.

2. Layered interaction. Nothing is perfectly simple. There's so much rivalry going on, but no one is really rivals in the exact sense because the Professor is more important than Dr. Lee, and therefore they aren't in a competition. And Dr. Lee is apparently more senior than Junseok and is out of his league as well, so these two aren't in direct competition, though Dr. Lee acts like they are. There isn't a romantic subplot yet (though there will be--I'm predicting Dr Lee--Ji Hye--Junseok), but when we get it, I'm expecting that it will be layered and complex because the people involved are complex.

3. Ji Hye. This show needed a girl in it, and she does pretty well. Even though she's attractive, she's clearly not an eye-candy doctor (you know, like when they cast a supermodel as a neurosurgeon?), and she seems to be successful without being crazily driven and type-A. When Dr. Lee is being a bad boss and grumping at everyone, Ji Hye calls him out for being a jerk. In return, Dr. Lee calls her out for her sloppy work, and says she relies on others to help her out. So she's skilled but has shortcomings, which keeps her from being too perfect. Good stuff!

Is Most Definitely Not a Mary-Sue.

4. Junseok. He's so sweet! He has a good relationship with his parents, he's unfailingly kind to servants and to patients, and he's helpful to Ji Hye. He's even understanding of Dr. Lee, so I'm waiting to see just exactly what Junseok's flaws are.

You Can Keep Waiting--I Have No Flaws.

Complaints: 1. Overacting. For the most part, everyone acts like they would in an American drama--emotions cranked up very subtly into a higher register. But a few character really overact with their eyes, especially Ji Hye and the other young interns. It looks more silly than emotionally gripping.


Themes:

Family Relationships reveal character. Dr. Lee's family relationships are out of balance, just like his life is out of balance. Junseok has a loving and respectful relationship with his mom and dad who clearly enjoy his company, and this balance carries over into his everyday life.

Power vs. Compassion: The Professor is more concerned with the well-being of his patients, while Dr. Lee only seems to care about patient survival as it reflects his own skill.

Cultural Observances:

The Oppa Whine:  In Korea, girls call their older brothers "oppa" instead of calling them by their names. But "oppa" his gradually come to mean more than big brother--it can mean, Close Guy Friend, Older Guy I Just Met, or Boyfriend, just depending. In most K-Dramas, one of the female characters will croon "oppppaaaa..." when she wants something, and her male friend or boyfriend will inevitably cave to her request. Dr. Lee has a teenage baby sister, so this show marks the first time I've heard the oppa-whine used from a girl to her actual brother. And in this case, it's a justifiable whine--"Oppaaaa, why won't you come home for dinner? Mom misses you."

Nicknames: Nicknames are pretty significant in any K-Drama. Dr. Lee asks an intern why he calls Junseok "Hyung" (big brother) when the intern only calls Dr. Lee "Doctor". The guy replies, "Erm, because I respect you the most!" No, Dr. Lee, it's actually because he likes you the least.

Bowing: Bowing is a standard greeting, so when the Professor snubs Dr. Lee by refusing to return his bows, it's a very harsh gesture. And it keeps happening. How many times is Prof going to snub Dr. Lee? Until he truly changes his bad attitude, I'm guessing. Bowing seem to happen in every other scene in this show or maybe I just notice it more when everyone's in white coats. When the gaggle of interns shows respect, it's like a fiesta of bows!

It's Also Great When They Walk Down the Hall in Formation.

Episode Evaluations: This is a good show. I like how it's focused on the doctors themselves, and seems to be delivering consistent storylines.

Watchable bonus: Here's a trailer for Brain.

K-Drama Review: Brain, Episodes 1-2 Link Free Download