SITEX Fair Part 2

--Expo--
Went to Expo earlier today, the place was already packed with cars at 10.30 plus..haha! Luckily I told Mr Chean to drive straight to Hall 7 carpark. Well, went back to the two Dell booths to check out Dell Studio 15. The freebies and stuffs were totally different from the 1st day. So folks....next time try to go to IT fairs on the last day.
The Dell dealers were as "giam" as usual..both of them threw out 3 yr international warranty (which was what we really wanted.) Butta, only one of them continued to give the mouse & thumb drive for freebies, while the other didn't give anything, wants us to pay surcharge if we use credit card, AND WE GOTTA GO FUNAN TO TAKE THE LAPPIE! WTH!
Haiz...I wonder why Dell don't want to make their own laptop case...u see Sony Vaio...their case and mouse are custom-made leh. Anyway, we didn't buy the case...coz' it's expensive and heavy.
Finally, mission completed....time for Mr Chean to fix the stuffs..ho!

Rabbit Without Ears

Never watch a German romance comedy before..so gave it a try. Well, the plot was standard hollywood style. Basically it's fairly simple....an "ugly" girl could finally take revenge on that guy who bullied her, but she fell for him instead. Though the plot was simple, it's still quite enjoyable to see Ludo (Til Schweiger) interacting with the female leaad Anna (Nora Tschirner) and the kids at the day care centre. I was laughing when Anna told Ludo to pee at the "Snow White". Lolz! So that's how they teach kids to urinate accurately. Hahaha! Also, the "rabbit" sewed by Ludo was really ugly...and without ears. Butta I think thanks to the "rabbit", it brought Ludo and Anna closer lo. There were some sexual scenes, but it's very obvious that they were not doing the real thing...and bed scene b/w Ludo & Anna was really crap...lolz! (So don't expect too much la..they only kissed and the next scene..slping together..that's very conservative for a European film.) Actually this movie was scripted and produced by Til Schweiger himself, and he acted with his four children together. (Really cute kiddos...though I dunno which one..lol!) He's quite dashing despite his age...hehe! Nora looked kinda like "ugly betty" style...but I think she's pretty in real life. I like how Anna handled her crush on Ludo...really funny. Haha!
Well, only GV Cinema Europa is showing this...and I don't think this movie worth 10 bucks. But still, it's worth watching. (if you can watch like what i did....for free..hehe!)

Sunset

@ 7.06pm

SITEX Fair

--Expo--
Went to check out on the stuffs today with E.W. Mr Chean insisted that he wanna go on the last day, so....I gotta accompany him again on sun la! Haiz..
Anyway, checked out the lappies available...it's now Dell Inspiron vs Sony Vaio. (I think Mr Chean wants to buy the 15 inch lappies for Tuan..)
As for me leh? Bought Tuan her advanced 21st birthday present...which costed me nearly 200 bucks! Ho! It's the Samsung YP-P2...full touchscreen MP3/MP4!!!! Wah so nice to use leh! I like the bluetooth function (can use bluetooth headset and call people), and the interface is super stylo. (butta, Audio House only selling 2GB...and it's in white..so sian!)
When Tuan comes back...new handphone, new mp3 and new laptop! Wah envy sia!

TV Drama Review #161 - The Drive of Life 岁月风云

No.of Epis: 60
Year/TV Station: 2007/TVB
Cast:
Damian Lau ~ Hua Wen Han
Michael Miu ~ Hua Wen Shuo
Sheren Tang ~ Wang Shao Fen
Raymond Lam ~ Hua Zhen Bang
Charmaine Sheh ~ Rong Xiu Feng
Jessica Hsuan ~ Hua Qing Yu
Joe Ma ~ Wei Yong Biao
Myolie Wu ~ Fang Bing Yi
Feng Shao Feng ~ Hua Zhen Min
Liao Jing Sheng ~ Hua Wen Hong
Ron Ng ~ Xian Jie Qiang
Toby Leung ~ Hua Qing Lin
Synopsis:
In the early 90s, Hua Wen Han is the CEO of Guo Wei, a big company in the steel industry. His 2nd brother Wen Hong resides in Beijing and he's in-charge of his father-in-law's car factory. Han's 3rd brother Wen Shuo is the GM of Guo Wei, and his wife Shao Fen is the daughter of the founder of Guo Wei. After several incidents, Shao Fen's father passed away while Han gain full control of Guo Wei. Both Shuo and Fen hated Han and migrated to Canada.
Han's eldest daughter, Qing Yu works as an accountant in Guo Wei, while his youngest son Zhen Bang returns from his studies and eventually work in Guo Wei, with his good assistant Zhi Ming & secretary Bing Yi. Bang engages in property speculation with Xiu Feng, and causes Guo Wei to go into liquidation. Han started a new small company with the help of his capable assistant Yong Biao and Yu. Bang is send to Beijing to work under Hong, but later he suggests to set up Hua family's own factory. Han supports his idea and gave up his steel company, causing Biao to be upset and later works for his scheming uncle, Wei Tian Xing, who's Han's enemy. After learning about the truth of her mother's death, Feng annouces that the wedding is cancelled and she will take revenge on her wedding day with Bang. The three brothers finally unite themselves again and set up Hua Zhe automobile. On the other hand, Feng and Biao, who hated Hua family find themselves fighting against each other on Tian Xing's will.
Slacker's review:
This is one of the TVB big productions together with China's CCTV. Sometimes it was compared with "Heart of Greed" as they were both "mega dramas with top artistes". Personally, I think TDOL's storyline is much more interesting than HOG. TDOL's storyline stretches from the early 90s all the way to 2007. There were lots of developments, and twists & turns to the characters and storyline. Although the drama is rather predictable in terms on the story flow, we still get to enjoy nice performances from the cast.
For once, I finally saw a TVB drama where most of the characters were not one-dimensional. Nearly all of them had moved along the lines of "Good & Bad". There were only a few pure baddies, like Wei Tian Xing and Joe Ma's Wei Yong Biao (though they eventually turned good the last minute). There were a few pure good ones too, and out of them, I really disliked Jessica's Qing Yu. (I had been scolding her from the day she decided to be with Biao..lolz!) I really like how the drama progressed after the 40 mark. The intensity built up as we saw how Biao started to play his revenge "sweetly" on everyone. Actually I thought Joe's performance was the best here, coz' Biao's such a scheming fella till he can lie with a straight face. He can still lie to his most beloved person and never realised that he's digging a grave for himself. (Though I really wished that they wld let him go on with his mistake in the last epi, "turn into a new leaf" is not a bad option la.) The veterans, like Damian, Michael, Sheren etc were equally good in their acting. I like how Damian's Han decided to do something illegal for Feng's mum. That's a drastic change for a super strict good guy. Even Han's wife's character was not always good...that made the couple interesting. Michael's character was more challenging when he's a slacker till his failed suicide. (After that, he FINALLY bucked up...but that makes him "less interesting" too.) Sheren's tai-tai image really didn't look good to me, but I like her character transformation...from a tai-tai who didn't know anything to a professional who worked in a bank. Charmaine's character was not that interesting until she "turned bad". Personally, I think her sudden hatred for the Hua family was kinda unrealistic. Feng kinda over-reacted...Anyway, Charmaine's acting was not bad la, she gotta act revengeful while still having Bang in her heart. Raymond's character seemed suitable for Ron Ng, who used to have a playboy plus slacker image. However, we had a switch this time round, Ron got a super nice guy character, but Raymond's equally good in portrayal of Bang. I didn't really like Bang..he's too rash, too ambitious (without thinking of the consequences), and he just "gave up on himself" after Feng cancelled their wedding. He's one guy who always fight for justice (tt makes him in the "pure gd guys league".) Sadly, Raymond was outshadowed by the other actors. Jessica...I don't know why she accepted this role...it's really a "no-kick" character for her. (And she reminded me of her role in another old TVB drama where she fell in love for another baddie..) I disliked how Yu disapproved Bang and Feng getting back together. (She has forgotten how her family objected her relationship with the evil Biao.) So, she has actually no right to say anything at all. I also disliked how Yu "psycho" herself to believe that Biao is innocent...really felt like using something to knock her to her senses. Lolz!
Myolie, Ron and Toby's role were much smaller here. Actually i was rooting for Bang-Yi couple, but I already knew that they won't end up together..soobbzz. In the end Yi was paired up with Min, which I think they cld have developed it abit more. (Coz' it seemed kinda sudden for Min to like Yi la..they looked more like friends..) Ron's character was made to "sleep" towards the end of the drama, but luckily they decided to "wake him up" in the last few epis. Ha..I still didn't like Toby, she's younger than Ron but she looked so much older than him. Acting wise, ok la..but not much improvement.
The other Chinese actors were alright, though I had to get used of listening to their real voices while switching to the dubbed voices for the HK actors.
Themesong "Tian Zhe Yang Lan" is a half canto, half mandarin song by Hacken Lee and Steve Chou. I am sad that they didnt use Raymond's "Ai zai ji yi zhong zhao ni" as insert song! Instead, they throw lots of insert songs by those Chinese singers...yaks!
Well, TDOL is one above average drama from TVB...worth to catch!

Sunset

--6.57pm--
Long time didn't see such a nice sunset.
Same sunset in sunset mode...

Dharma Class Graduation

--Fu Hui--
This year gotta become volunteer to "look after" the kiddos...abit sianz since i dunno how to handle them. Ha! I was in charged of the P2 class with another volunteer, minus off those who were performing and the student who was to get his award, only 2 turned up. Lolz! So I had an easy time as compared to PF. Hehehe!
As usual, hardly any souls from my class turned up for the grad...minus off those who were performing & volunterring. In the end, our AM decided to keep our certs for us till next yr...bengz!
Met my teacher at the canteen..and she cld hardly recognised PF...lolz! (PF u must be crying sia..) She said she won't be our teacher for next yr liao...(looks like E.W's inside info is rather accurate...ho!)
Going on to my 3rd yr soon...time flies~

CC Gang Gathering: The Good, The Bad, The Weird

--Cineleisure--
Met up with PY and SC first...had a little chat at Mong Kok Cafe..didn't eat anything, just had a "not very cheap" iced peach tea. Lolz...anyway, nice catching up with the gals while waiting for miss GC.
--The Good, The Bad, The Weird--

Well, I didn't expect so many people do watch this film. (The cinema is small, but full house, so I think if they use a bigger cinema, more ppl wld be watching lo..) Anyway, this is a korean action-comedy movie...starring 3 big names..which probably most of you wld only know Lee Byung Hun. But that's ok...the movie "killed" him in the end...soobbzzz! The action scenes were not too bad, but I agree that they shld have hired some Chinese martial arts pro to teach them the stunts...which I think, wld be more exciting. The movie was filmed mostly at the desert in China, super rugged landscapes with lots of cactus. And lots of horse riding scenes, though not magnificant, the impact was great.
I liked how Jung Woo Sung (A Moment to Remember) swinged around the place and used his other hand to kill the pathetic fellas at the bottom. Haha...Suave man! Anyway, he got a "clean" image compared to the other two. It's nice to see him not dirtied by mud or covered by blood. Lolz! Song Kang Ho (The Host) is as funny as usual...really hilarious! Hahaha...but he's also very skillful & smart la. I really wanna "humptump" him when i saw him still alive when the 3 of them fired at each other...he had a "bullet proof" metal under his shirt! As for Lee Byung Hun (JSA, All In)....damn shuai in his "baddie" suit and hairdo. But he had many bloody scenes which I really didn't dare to see. Lolz! He's one "kill people without blinking his eye" fella...he didn't even spare an insect. Ha! Super accuracy in using knives and guns.
I was telling SC how weird was to see JWS and LBH having super white teeth in the movie....it just seemed odd...as their teeth didn't match their appearance. Lolz! Actually there weren't many dialogue in the movie, as actions speak more than words. Well, I am quite glad to catch this movie la...had fun for 135 mins.
--Aftermath--
Today's gathering was a short one...the gals all got something on later, so I have to go back and buy my own dinner. Ha!

PY left to get her car, while the rest of us get to see the rainbow outside Cine. The rainbow was fading when i took the pic..so not very clear la. Long time didnt see such a nice and big rainbow liao...hehe!

Da Slacker Talk #10

--Being Alone--
While watching "Match maker's Lover" yesterday, the scenes of Kang Hyun having a one month break and doing things on her own inspired me alot. (I can't help being inspired by her again..Haha!) Actually, I have been thinking about doing things alone recently. Ho...that's why it's so nice to see Kang Hyun trying new food by herself, read a book at the cafe, went shopping at an unfamiliar street etc. She tried to do a thing per day...but I don't have the luxury of time. Lolz!
Saying about going solo, personally I dislike doing things alone. I don't like to eat alone, neither do I like to go out by myself.
Butta, I have been going to school and attending classes alone this yr, and I've been going to CGH by myself too. Besides that, I hardly do other stuffs without E.W, Tuan or my friends.
So, how come I have this sudden interest to do something by myself? No idea.
I have thought of watching a movie alone, eating some nice food at some unfamiliar places, going on an excursion and explore the nature by myself...
Looks like I should find a day and try going out by myself. I have a little plan on my mind, but I think E.W will be puzzled. Lolz!!!

TV Drama Review #160- Beethoven Virus 贝多芬病毒

No.of Epis: 18
Year/TV Station: 2008/MBC
Cast:
Kim Myung Min ~ Kang Gun Woo / Kang Ma-ae (Conductor)
Lee Ji Ah ~ Du Ru Mi (First Vionlinist)
Jang Geun Suk ~ Kang Gun Woo (Trumpeter/Conductor)
Synopsis:
Du Ru Mi is a music graduate who can't find a job and becomes an ordinary office worker in the city council. She's in charge of the city-funded orchestra and they are busy preparing for a concert. Just then, the conductor embezzled the orchestra's funds and the musicians are not paid. The musicians decided to leave and Ru Mi have to re-assemble her orchestra, and she's missing a trumpeter. She finds out that a neighbour cld play the trumpet, and it turns out to be Kang Gun Woo, a policeman. When Gun Woo learns that Ru Mi has invited maestro Kang Gun Woo to be their conductor, he became very angry...
Kang Gun Woo, aka Kang Ma-ae is an elitist and never settles for second best. With an oversized ego, he has a righteous attitude and thinks he’s superior than everyone else. He does not like to socialize with people and he believes that there's a need for talented players in order to give marvellous performances. Thus, he abhors players with mediocre talent and treats them with disdain.
Later,the new orchestra faces lots of problems, while we get to know more about the individual members, plus the love triangle b/w Kang Ma-ae, Gun Woo & Ru Mi.
Slacker's review:
Before BV was aired, the drama was linked to "Nodame Cantabile" as they both were music themed. However, don't expect BV to be like Nodame, coz' they're simply different. Actually I was hoping that BV wld be a more light-hearted drama, but then we know the style of Korean plot, it's not like the Japanese, so no super exaggerating comical stuffs, no silly plots or characters etc. Though BV's theme is refreshing, the typical korean plot just sets in and dragged the drama. We get to see Kang Ma-ae picking on the unprofessional orchestra players one by one. We also know that the orchestra will face lots of problems, from individual problems, to fine-tuning their playing, and the mayor keeps coming up with some trouble, then we have Ru Mi who's deaf at times, and the two Gun Woos who kept arguing with each other, though they also respect & admired each other. Romance took the second seat here, and I think they focus alot more on the two Gun Woos' teacher-student relationship. Somehow, music is more like a backdrop, and I am a little disappointed with that.
Kim Myung Min's performance was actually very good. Kang Ma-ae seems to be a cold-hearted man with little expressions. Personally I find Kang Ma-ae quite a boring character, though we can still see a little emotions underneath his skin. Haha! We get to see how he sees the talented Gun Woo and how he handled Ru Mi's feelings for him. One scene i particuluarly liked was when Kang Ma-ae realised that his music had changed...the internal struggle with himself was nicely done. Honestly, his chemistry with Lee Ji Ah is soso, maybe there's not enough scenes to show more on their relationship and they don't seem quite matched to me. I think KMM had better chemistry with Jang Geun Suk, as Kang Ma-ae valued his disciple alot more.
I didn't watch Lee Ji Ah's first drama "The Legend" which starred Bae Yong Jun. Her performance here was not too bad, but not very spectacular. I think she still has room for improvement. Du Ru Mi is quite a cheerful character initially, but we get to see how she coped with her deafness and how she gathered the new orchestra players who were from all walks of life. We also see a courageous girl who dare to let her feelings known to Kang Ma-ae.
Jang Geun Suk's performance was not bad too, but his character is not that interesting to me. Kang Gun Woo and Nodame shared one similarity - both of them can't read scores. Hahaha! I wonder is it a pure coincidence. Anyway, we get to see him being a trumpeter and a conductor as the same time, it's not an easy task. Well, it's great to see JGS trying new and distinct characters from time to time...shall anticipate his new drama. Hehe!
The support cast did a great job, without them, there wld be no story to tell. Ha! I like that veteran actress who played the cello...(she reminded me the gd old days I had being a cellist. Hehe!) The other main support cast-the flutist, the grandpa who played the Oboe, the other trumpeter and the double bassist were also given the chance to develop their stories.
OST is alright, but I think the drama has not come out with a full classical music ost yet.(Perhaps the music pieces they performed weren't alot...)
Well, it's unfair to compare BV and Nodame Cantabile. BV is a much more serious drama. It's interesting to see unprofessional musicians forming a orchestra, regardless of age, profession etc. However, I gotta admit that I did felt boring as BV progressed. I missed how "Nodame" made classical music so much interesting. I missed how S-oke performed their music pieces and how the drama brought me so much fun.
BV is still a watchable drama, but if you have never watch a music themed drama before, I wld recommend you to watch "Nodame Cantabile" first.

Tuan's new hp

--M1 Roadshow @ PS--
Ha~! I was browsing yday's papers when i saw M1 having a roadshow at PS. Good news is I don't have to travel to Paragon next time liao, PS got a M1 shop. 2ndly, Tuan's Samsung F480 got new offer!!! Wah seh today last day leh! Chiong down with Mr Chean to grab the phone @ 268 bucks. It was originally 348 bucks with 2 yr contract. Hehe! Well, the phone is quite easy to use, need time to get use to the sms ba. Too bad no stylus. Haiz...
I still gotta wait for next yr lo...shld have lots of new touchscreen phones by then. Hehe!
--Aftermath--
I was waiting at the traffic lights when i think i saw my friend's car drove passed me. Car model and car plate seemed to be her leh...lolz!

Skip Beat!

Yday I was changing channels when i saw "Skip Beat!" showing on Okto channel. So, i just checked it out and it turns out to be interesting. Hahaha! Well, I have never watch a complete anime after "Hana Yori Dango", so maybe, I will be catching "Skip Beat!". Lolz! Friday 11pm @ Okto wor!
Now gotta chiong the previous 5 epis..lol!

Da Slacker Talk #9

--What kind of people are you?--

“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.”
- John M. Richardson, Jr

Sadly, I think i am the third kind. (Lolz)
I don't know what lies in front of me.
I don't know which path would lead me to a better future.
"Future" seems near yet faraway.
Instead of thinking what will happen in the future,
might as well think of the present.
Coz' we won't know what will happen to us in the next minute.

Da Slacker Talk #8

--Feeling Helpless--

“For the ordinary man is passive. Within a narrow circle (home life, and perhaps the trade unions or local politics) he feels himself master of his fate, but against major events he is as helpless as against the elements. So far from endeavoring to influence the future, he simply lies down and lets things happen to him.” - George Orwell

Recently, a bunch of us are having a common worry in our minds. Actually the problem always existed, but it has become serious. We have no solutions to the problem. It's not we don't know what to do, in fact, we did all we can. Only you can find that key and unlock yourself from unhappiness. If you don't want to do anything, then others can't do anything too.

I don't like feeling helpless, coz' I felt I didn't do anything to help you.

Hope things will turn better for you.

Take care, my friend.

Quantum of Solace

--Eng Wah @ Suntec--
Mr Chean "fly me aeroplane" today, so end up E.W and Aunt Jo accompanied me to watch Mr Bond. Lolz! Well, the movie started off right after the ending of "Casino Royale", so it cld be kinda blur for ppl who didnt watch the first one. Even I was kinda blur too...coz' it was 2 yrs ago u know. Hehe! Anyway, the movie was not that bad, action scenes were well done. Butta, our James Bond didn't seem quite the same as last time...finally I understand why the critics said there's a lack of glamour in him. Well, this time round we got to see a more cold-blooded and revengeful Bond. I think Daniel Craig's acting is getting better....though he seemed to be less expressive. Our bond girl didn't seem very chio right? Haha.. Olga is from Ukraine, but she didn't seem like an ang moh in the movie, coz' she gotta act as Bolivian la, so she looked so tanned. Hahaha..not much intimate scenes b/w her and Craig...(so not JB style..) and I think somehow JB movies thesedays focused less on intimate scenes. Lolz! Amalric's Greene was just those standard baddies in the movie, nothing interesting la. I still rmb the gal they killed by pouring oil all over her body, that image was just...WOW! Again, we get to "travel" to different countries again, from Italy, to London, to Bolivia, Austria and Russia. I didn't know Bolivia got desert lo! Sua gu! Well, i don't think we know who's the mastermind in the end, wondering if the next Bond movie wld be a sequel again....Anyway, i am anticipating the next one in 2 yrs time.
--Aftermath--
Checked out Winter Times sales again...pathetic 10% storewide discount, which I think it's nt really cheap anyway. Haiz...

Yeah! New Cardigan!

I think the cardigan is too hard to see due to the colour..lolz! I've been looking for a knitted cardigan for quite sometime. Finally, E.W found one from DP @ OG Chinatown. Hehe! Actually both of us saw another stripped cardigan from DP as well, but E.W said that one is T-shirt material. Hohoho! Happy!

TV Drama Review #159 - Hot Shot 篮球火

No.of Epis: 16
Year/TV Station: 2008/CTV & GTV
Cast:
Jerry Yan ~ Dong Fang Xiang
Show Lo ~ Yuan Da Ying
Zhou Cai Shi ~ Zhan Jie Er
Coco Jiang ~ Li Ying
Wu Chun ~ Wu Ji Zun
Michael Zhang ~ Can
Synopsis: (edited from Dramawiki)
At Pi Li University, where academic reigns supreme and sports are relegated to a dusty corner of the campus, Li Ying, a NBA coach, vows to revive the basketball team by volunteering to be the head coach. Her first member is Yuan Da Ying, a country boy who is passionate for basketball but has no skill. Their recruitment goes into high gear when Dong Fang Xiang, a legendary basketball player, transfers to their school.
Yuan Da Ying falls for Zhan Jie Er, a scholarship student who reminds him of his childhood friend. Her father works for Dong Fang Xiang, whom she also grew up with, and Dong Fang Xiang likes her.
After conquering the uni basketball competitions, the team has to face their ultimate competitor, "Tian Sheng Wu Ji" team, created by Dong Fang Xiang's grandfather.
Slacker's review:
I've expected this drama to be exaggerating in terms of how they play basketball, from street bb to standard bb, the way they presented was "manga style"....unrealistic to me. I am watching this for Jerry, so I just try to bear with the bb scenes. Lolz! This is one idol drama where romance is not a big factor here, there's more focus on bonding b/w the team members, rivalry b/w the characters and of course, bb competitions. I wld say the plot was alright, nothing too spectacular or surprising, but the romance scenes were handled well. Though personally i think the drama didn't have enough scenes for Jerry and Cai Shi to build up their chemistry. Scenes b/w Cai Shi and Show are alright, I think Show handled his emotional scenes well enough. However, Show is more like a joker most of the time, which I didn't quite like it. I think his character is in contrast with the more serious Jerry la, so no choice, you can't expect Jerry to be Joker right? Lolz! Jerry's character Xiang has some shades of "Dao Ming Si", but sometimes he act cute. Ha! Well, I think it's time Jerry stop acting such characters, coz' he's not that young anymore. He shld go for more sophisicated characters la. Sadly, Wu Chun is only a support cast, with his major scenes in the last few epis. Wu Ji Zun is not an interesting character, not much expressions, and not much depth. Well, Wu Chun's performance was alright la, but I think Michael Zhang outshined him. Maybe because Can is a more striking character. However, I don't understand why they allowed Can to play in standard bb, he has hidden weapons, is that fair? As for Coco, she's looking good, though it seemed abit far fetched for her to be a NBA coach. (Not convincing enough ba.) Well, it's quite clear tt Li Ying likes Da Ying, but too bad there's no furter developments b/w them, as we know what wld happen to her. I like how the director handled Li Ying's last scene. The last ep was a little surprise for me, coz' I thought the ending wld tie up all the lose ends. I like how the drama ends, but i think most of us wld wanna know who win in the end, and if Xiang ends up with Jie Er.
Themesong is "Hot Shot" by Show, and ending theme "Yi Ban" by Jerry.
Overall, it's still a watchable drama, just that they shldn't have extended it, coz' it seemed to drag in the middle of the drama, thus making me bored.

慵懒的星期天下午

阿清八成是有问题，竟然去煮了一锅蘑菇汤。
哈哈！
应该要尝试别的牌子了，好像不是很好喝。

TV Drama Review #158 - Golden Bride 黄金新娘

No.of Epis: 64
Year/TV Station: 2007-2008/SBS
Cast:
Lee Young Ah ~ Nguyen Jin Joo
Song Chang Ui ~ ang Jun Woo
Choi Yeo Jin ~ Ok Ji Young
Song Jong Ho ~ Kim Young Min
Kim Hee Chul ~ Kim Young Soo
Han Yeo Woon ~ Kang Sae Mi
Synopsis: (edited from Dramawiki)
Jin Joo is a half Korean and Vietnamese girl who marries a Korean man, Kang Jun Woo, in order to come to Korea to look for her biological father who abandoned her & her mum. There is bad blood between the two families, Kim and Kang, as Jun Woo's mum used to date Young Min's dad before Young Min's mum stole him away from her. Things got worse when Ji Young, who caused Jun Woo to suffer from illness, marries Young Min. Jun Woo's younger sister Sae Mi and Young Min's younger brother Young Soo are dating and want to get married, but both families oppose to their marriage which leads the couple to elope. Finally, Sae Mi's family decided to agree on the marriage, but Young Soo's father still strongly objects, as he has a secret which he tried so hard to keep.
Slacker's review:
Korean family dramas are rather typical in plot, but they just manage to keep you still on your sofa. I hardly watch family dramas, so u know Golden Bride must have something to catch my attention. Well, at least there were some depth given to the main characters. Thus, they are not one-dimensional and boring. It's kinda unrealistic to see two families entangled by so many hatred and stuffs. However, without all these links, it wld be hard to build up the tensions b/w the families and characters.
I was interested in Jin Joo and Jun Woo part, coz' Jin Joo gotta cope with cultural differences, and she has to take care of her "looks normal, but sick in the heart" husband. There were many sweet & sad moments b/w them, but that's what made their relationship so strong. I like the chemistry b/w them, though LYA's acting was not that ideal. Her facial expressions were kinda stiff, especially during her crying scenes. Dunno why, she really doesn't look good when she cries. When she starts to get agitated, her expression was also kinda unnatural. LYA did quite well to portray Jin Joo though, from dressing, to behaviour, to the way she speak Korean. She suited the character quite well. I noticed she tends to look different from different angles, but she definitely looked better with her curvy hair. Ha! Jin Joo would start to get focus again when she found her father, which is the more challenging part of her character.
Gotta mention, both LYA & SCU were in "Wedding" before, but small characters, so i didn't notice them. SCU's performance was great. Basically the difficulty of his character Jun Woo was at the beginning, so I think he handled his emotions and expressions well enough. After Jun Woo recovered, I think there's not much challenge to this character liao. While his chemistry with LYA was great, I like his scenes with Ji Young. U can feel the intensed emotions & hatred b/w them, and I always felt disgusted with Ji Young's thinking and actions.
Here comes another couple from "Surgeon Bong Da Hee". Hahaha. Choi Yeo Jin's acting was really good, and i think she gotta thank for the developments written for Ji Young. I already start cursing her from Day 1..hahaha! JY is really a mad woman, and pretty thick-skinned. I shall not say how kns she was, it's for u to watch. Well, it's not easy to portray such a "crazy" character, and i think it's very tiring to do so. So thumbs up CYJ! Great improvements. Song Jong Ho was not bad too, Young Min is a more quiet and reserved guy, but when he decided to do something, u know he mean it. I cld see the transition of Young Min through SJH's acting. Though he hated JY so much, you cld still see his longing eyes for her. Poor guy...
The other support cast are terrific. Gotta mention the other couple who took up much of the screen time-Young Soo & Sae Mi. I hardly recognise HYW, who acted as the assistant baker in "Sam Soon". Lolz! She's so much prettier here! I finally get to watch solid performance from her, from a worry-free youngster to someone who fights for her only love. We get to see her grow up and become more sensible. Kim Hee Chul, member of Super Junior, is not new to acting. I find him alright initially, but he got better when the couple eloped. Young Soo is tt kind of rich kid who only knows how to enjoy his life and slack. The major change of Young Soo wld be when his family was shattered as his dad's secret was revealed.
The others, like Jun Woo's elder sis Won Mi and family, his aunt Koon Ja & husband, are responsible for comic relief. Thanks to them, I always had a good laugh. Solid acting from the veterans, I bet many of u wld recognise Young Min & Young Soo's mum Kyun Mi Ri, who acted as the evil Choi Sang gong in "Dae Jang Geum".
Ending was brought forward by 4 yrs...super happy ending. Everybody was doing so well until i felt it was so exaggerating. The Kang family moved to a bigger house, with Jun Woo becoming a manager, and he has his own chauffeur wor, no need to drive by himself anymore. Lolz! Jin Joo and Koon Ja couple were busy with their cake business...they expanded with 12 franchises leh! OMG. Won Mi's husband finally becomes a public prosecutor, while Sae Mi is working hard at a boutique shop. Young Soo returned from US and is a famous photographer..bengz! How i wish the ending cld be more down-to-earth...simple and sweet.
Anyway, if you are free and wanna chiong drama...Golden Bride is one good choice.

Da Slacker Talk #7 - Slaves of Branded Goods

--Materialistic teens--
Quite recently, E.W told me about a translated article in zaobao. It was translated by Wu Qing Kang, a famous reporter cum song-writer. I didn't read the original article in english. Anyway, it's about an interview with a 1st yr NTU undergrad. The reporter asked what she carries to sch, her expenditures, pocket money etc. So, this gal was saying she just need to get money from her parents, and she even told her friend, who wanna do part-time job to earn pocket money to do the same. Then the reporter asked how she wld spend her 1st salary....she said she wld buy a Gucci bag costing 4000 bucks...plus more branded goods and watches. What's more? This gal only lives in a 4-room HDB flat, not born with a golden spoon in her mouth leh. And, her handphones are like clothes ah, change every few mths. Bengz!
Ok la, this just goes to say how our young peez are thinking and doing now. If you're this gal's mum, I think u will faint la. Hahaha!
After reading it....I told E.W, I wld save up half of my salary....to achieve my next aim. Lolz!!! I am not saying that I'm not materalistic, but it seems dumb to spend all your money on branded stuffs. $4000 Gucci bag...I can go overseas a few times leh. Haha! I got nothing much to say abt getting money from parents, since most of my stuffs are STILL paid by my parents. But at least, I look at the price tags. Lolz! Anyway, gotta pay everything by myself when I start working liao, don't want to land myself into a "debt-ridden" state. (U know credit cards are the "sweets" from the "legal loan sharks".)
Well, it's totally fine to buy branded stuffs to pamper yourself, but don't let it become an addiction. What's the point of owning so many of them? Can bring into coffin ah? And don't use investment as an excuse lo. U might as well invest in gold. Haha!

阿清的星期天

--福慧讲堂--
今天跟太后和丽君阿姨一起去佛堂帮忙义卖会游戏的筹备工作。谁知道，一待就待了整个下午。阿清真的是太胖了，蹲久了脚就酸。哈哈哈！过后，我们跟蒋先生和两位老师们一起去吃晚餐。
咳~！真累喔！

Family Day

--Changi Airport--
Went to T2 to send off aunt's maid Ritchie. U must be wondering why we went to send her off. Haha! Well, she had served my aunt's family for 10 yrs, and we knew her for 10 long years. I guessed it's a nice gesture of us to send her off anyway. Well, take this chance to see my aunt's family as well. WT was studying hard for her Social Studies paper. Good luck ah girl! All the best!
--Ikea & Giant--
Went to walk around with Mr Chean & E.W. My first visit to Giant @ Tampines, really big ah. Lolz..Anyway, bought some stuffs before we head back home.
--Dinner--
Tada! "Deluxe" Sushi set for Mr Chean and me.
--Tuan--
She's coming back on 10th Jan! Hehe! No more China Eastern Flights for her...so happy!
--Nov Babies--
5/11 - Aunt Jo
8/11 - GC
12/11 - SH
Happy Birthday!!!