Best Korean Drama of 2020 & 2021 (Must Watch)

Tale of the Nine Tailed (九尾狐传)
Ratings: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Review: Gotta love drama that made me tear so hard. Dong-Wook played his role surprising well as a "gumiho". The unmovable love towards the love of his life that lasts for centuries. All the sacrifices made just to see her live a happy life.

Title: 구미호뎐 / Gumihodyeon
Also known as: Tale of The Nine-Tailed Fox
Previously known as: 별에서 온 남자 / Byeoleseo On Namja (Man From the Stars)
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Romance, Drama, Suspens, Horror
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: 07-Oct-20 to 03-Dec-20 (Completed)

Cast:
Lee Dong-Wook as Lee Yeon
Jo Bo-Ah as Nam Ji-A
Kim Beom as Lee Rang
Hwang Hee as Goo Shin-Joo

Synopsis:
Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-Wook) was once the mountain spirit of Baekdudaegan. He sacrificed his life as a mountain god to resurrect the life of the woman he loved A Eum. Lee Yeon now lives his life as a nine tailed fox in human form. He has lived this way for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, Nam Ji-A (Jo Bo-Ah) works for TVC station as a PD of documentaries. She seeks out stories on the supernatural. Back in 1999, her parents were involved in a car accident in Yeou Gogae. She remembers a man that saved her in that accident. Now, Nam Ji-A reviews CCTV footage from a wedding hall where the bride disappeared. She sees the man that saved her as child walking out the wedding wall with a red umbrella. His name is Lee Yeon.

Mr Queen (哲仁王后)
Ratings: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Review: Work life has been really tense lately. With the Covid-19 situation prolonging and marking new high everyday, this comes in just in time to remedy the sore hearts, to put smile on everyone's face. Interesting time-travel and body switching plots. So funny to see Queen Cheorin behaving and thinking like a prurience man. Can't help laughing out loud.

Title: 철인왕후 / Cheorinwanghu
Also known as: Queen Cheorin
Previously known as: 
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Romance, Drama, Suspense, Horror
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: 12-Dec-20 to 14-Feb-21 (Ongoing)

Cast:
Shin Hye-Sun as Kim So-Yong (Queen Cheorin) / Jang Bong-hwan
Kim Jung-Hyun as Lee Won-Beom (King Cheoljong) 

Synopsis:
In the modern age, Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) is a chef who works for the country's top politicians at the Blue House. He has a free spirit, but he one day finds himself in the body of Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-sun) in the Joseon period. King Cheoljong (Kim Jung-hyun), the reigning monarch, is a gentle and easy-going person. However, he is only king in name. Queen Sunwon (Bae Jong-ok), the late King Sunjo’s wife, wields true power in the country and has relegated King Cheoljong to a figurehead. Her ambitious younger brother, Kim Jwa-geun (Kim Tae-woo), also desires power. Queen Cheorin soon discovers that King Cheoljong is not what he seems, and that he has a dark and suspicious side to him.

The King: Eternal Monarch (永远的君主)

Ratings: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Review: Intrigue opening that would keep you pondering and trying to relate to its growing storyline. It is mysterious, it is decent. Not the usual kind of light-hearted romantic K-drama. I was captivated by interdimensional travel when reading through the synopsis, even harder to resist when I saw "Lee Min Ho" in the casting list.

Title: 더 킹: 영원의 군주 / Deo King: Yeong-won-ui Gunju
Also known as: Queen Cheorin 
Previously known as: 
Genre: Romance, Fantasy 
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: 17-Apr-20 to 12-Jun-20 (Completed)

Cast:
Lee Min-Ho as Lee Gon
Kim Go-Eun as Jeong Tae-Eul 

Woo Do-Hwan as Jo Young

Synopsis:
Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), a modern-day Emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, attempts to cross the barrier into an alternate reality where the Republic of Korea exists in the Kingdom's stead. He comes across detective Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), whom he recognizes from an identity card he obtained during the turning point of his childhood: his father's assassination. Lee Gon's half-uncle, Lee Lim (Lee Jung-jin), who assassinated the previous king, Lee Ho (Lee Gon's father), is in hiding and assembling armies whilst traversing back and forth between the two parallel worlds.

Hotel Del Luna (德鲁纳酒店)

Ratings: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Review: One of the ghost scenes was actually quite real and scary to my surprise, for those faint-hearted viewers, gotta prepare well for that very episode. Pretty decent CG effects I must say. I enjoy fantasies like how I enjoyed this one here. How I wish that Gu Chan-sung is the reborn of Go Chung-myung as he loved and sacrificed that much for Man-wol, has been the one staying by her side over the centuries but turned out to be not. A tad bit of disappointing.... Love the soundtracks and Man-Wol's outfits.

Title: 호텔 델루나 / Hotel Delluna
Also known as: 月之酒店、月之客棧
Previously known as: 
Genre: Dark, Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: 13-Jul-20 to 1-Sep-20 (Completed)

Cast:

Lee Ji-Eun (IU) as Jang Man-Wol

Yeo Jin-Goo as Gu Chan-Sung

Lee Do-Hyun as Go Chung-Myung

Synopsis:

Jang Man-Wol (IU) is the CEO of Hotel del Luna. The hotel is situated in downtown in Seoul and has a very old appearance. She made a big error many years ago and, because of this, she has been stuck at Hotel del Luna. She is beautiful, but she is fickle, suspicious and greedy.

Koo Chan-Sung (Yeo Jin-Goo) worked as the youngest assistant manager ever at a multinational hotel corporation. He is a sincere perfectionist. He looks level-headed, but he actually has a soft disposition. Due to an unexpected case, he begins to work as a manager at Hotel del Luna. The hotel's clientele consists of ghosts.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay (虽然是精神病但没关系)

Ratings: ★★★★★★★★★☆

Review: Kim Soo Hyun is back with another big hit after 5 years! He appeared to be more natural in his acting with Seo Yea Ji, don't you think? I was hooked as soon as I watched the first episode not knowing the synopsis or how the story gonna turn out to be like. It's good to just sit down and enjoy the rollercoaster ride sometimes. Predictable is less thrilling. Two people who crossed path are destined to run into each other again after years of separation. Both had an agonizing childhood, they fell in love, hurt, and healed throughout the process.

Title: 사이코지만 괜찮아 / Saikojiman Gwaenchana
Also known as: Psycho But It's Okay
Previously known as: 
Genre: Dark, Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: 20-Jun-20 to 9-Aug-20 (Completed)

Cast:

Kim Soo-Hyun as Moon Gang-Tae

Seo Yea-Ji as Ko Moon-Young

Oh Jung-Se as Moon Sang-Tae

Park Gyu-Young as Nam Ju-Ri

Synopsis:

Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) lives with his autistic older brother Moon Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se). They frequently move from town to town ever since Sang-tae witnessed their mother's murder. Gang-Tae works as a caretaker in a psychiatric ward at every place they settle in. While working in a hospital, he meets a famous children's book writer, Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji), who is rumored to have antisocial personality disorder.

Circumstances lead Gang-tae to work at the OK Psychiatric Hospital in Seongjin City, the same city where they all lived when they were young. Meanwhile, Moon-young forms a romantic obsession for Gang-tae after finding out that their pasts overlap. She follows him to Seongjin, where the trio (including Sang-tae) slowly begins to heal each other's emotional wounds. They unravel many secrets, seek comfort from each other and move forward in their lives.

Sweet Home (甜蜜家园)

Ratings: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Review: First, I thought this is like one of those zombie dramas but surprised with all sort of fully looking monsters. Did a bit of Gooling to find that it is actually based on a 1.4 billion net views webtoon. Beginning was a bit dull but hang in there and you shall be hooked. A group of strangers coming together to fight for their lives and human dignity. Can't wait for Season 2 to release!!!

Title: 스위트홈 / Seuwiteuhom
Also known as: 
Previously known as: 
Genre: Drama, Horror, Apocalyptic
Episodes: 10
Broadcast Network: Netflix
Broadcast Period: 18-Dec-2020 (Season 1)

Cast:

Song Kang as Cha Hyun-su

Lee Jin-wook as Pyeon Sang-wook

Lee Si-young as Seo Yi-kyeong

Lee Do-hyun as Lee Eun-hyeok

Synopsis:

Hyun, a loner high school student who lost his entire family in a terrible accident, is forced to leave his home and has to face a new reality where monsters are trying to wipe out all of humanity. Now he must fight against all odds to try and race against the clock to save what is left of the human race before it's too late.

Winter in Nami Island (南怡岛)

What I love most after returning from Korea was my fair and baby smooth facial skin. Yes, only facial skin as the rest of body was itching like crazy due to skin dryness, I even had dandruff snowing down from my scalp after coming back to Malaysia T_T

I would put the blame on the drastic change of weather which caused me dandruff and my poor self to be sick for almost half a month o.O Not easy adapting between -12 to -14 degrees and 30 to 34 degrees.

Throughout our 6D5N trip, I did shower like usual, day and night, and washed my hair once in every two days despite the freezing cold weather. Tap water is cleaner, air is fresher, food is healthier, coffee is nicer... Sounds like everything is better in Korea huh? LOL. Pardon me for saying the truth, but one thing I must confess is that most of the Koreans we met here are not as polite or friendly as what we've seen in the K-drama / movies. We have been deceived all these years!!!

Day 1 in Korea ❤

Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan

Koh Ngai is a peaceful little island in Krabi Province. A hidden gem not commercialized with global visitors just yet. There ain't much to do on this island basically but swimming, snorkeling, sleeping, eating and doing nothing. Serenity is what attracts us and most of the tourists here I guess, apart from its natural beauty.

Koh Samui: Fisherman's Village and Bophut Beach

Sometimes, it can be pretty frustrating when you spent quite a certain amount of time to edit and upload the photos only to realize later that they have actually been re-sized in the first place during download. Or rather say, I downloaded the wrong image size without even realizing it!!! Grrrrrr... Time and effort well wasted, Christina! Please tell me that they look OK so I can leave them here as they are with less guilt =p

This takes us back to my Samui Island Trip back in the month of Christmas last year. We were killing time at the Fisherman's Village and Bophut Beach after settling down in our temporary "home". I believe no caption is necessary as most of the shots are candid.

Happy flyday and enjoy!!! ☺☺☺

Lipe Trip: Koh Rawi and Koh Hin Ngam at Tarutao National Park

Hey, hey! Happy Easter Monday everyone!!! *throws Easter eggs and chocolates*

Are you guys sick of my island post yet? I hope not シ 'cause what I'm about to do right now is to load you up with more and more of these images, until you get sick of it! LOL. Just kidding. I wouldn't go that far really. Just relax and enjoy scrolling them k?

Koh Lipe (Maldives Of Thailand) in Satun Province: Koh Khai and Koh Tarutao

The word "lipe" literally means paper in the local Chao Ley (Sea Gypsies) language. An island by the name of Lipe makes "Koh Lipe" — the Paper Island. *clap clap* Sound knowledgeable, don't I? Nah, praise Google and Wikipeda for sharing almost everything that we need on the internet nowadays 😄

Lipe Island was BEAUTIFUL and that I truly acknowledge it as "Maldives of Thailand".

I was blessed with the opportunity to visit there last February, during the Valentine's weekend and was assuredly lucky as well to be able to witness the most happening and heart-warming side of the island.

Koh Ngai (Koh Hai) in Krabi Province: Koh Hai Fantasy Resort & Spa

Friends and colleagues have been asking me why do I travel to the Kingdom of Thailand so frequently that I almost look like a half burnt gingerbread man now, except with long dark hair. LOL.

Island hopping is very much fun (well, who doesn't like traveling huh?) despite the fact that soaking your body in the sea water under the devilish hot sun can significantly boost up the entire tanning process. Not to mention the tormenting boat ride (if the sea is rough and rocky) plus long-hour road trip travelling to and fro. But they are all worth it!!!

It's the experience that counts right? ツ

Koh Ngai, which also referred as Koh Hai by locals, is a tiny island measuring 4 km long and 2 km wide in Amphoe Ko Lanta of Krabi. We got there via Pak Meng Pier in Trang Province. Approximately an hour boat ride for the 15 km route from mainland to island.

Happy Chinese New Year 2016

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR, 恭喜发财, Kung Hei Fat Choy, Kiong Hee Huat Tsai to my dearest friends and family, fellow followers and supporters!!!
I'm glad that you're glad to see me making appearance in my long abandoned blog once again. Thank you all, thanks for still having faith in me :p

I hope 2015 treated everyone well. We shall pray for more prosperity and wealth in this exciting new Fire Monkey year. Ah kong, ah ma, auntie, uncle, sister, brother stay forever young, handsome / pretty and healthy as always. The past twelve months have been a life changer for me but I do feel very much grateful for every lesson learned and the light and love that continues to guide me.

"Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching."

Explore the Beauty of Ipoh: MU Rooftop Bar and Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Haze is getting worse today with API (Air Pollution Index) spikes up to as high as 134. Sad to know that the reading has finally elevated from moderate to unhealthy range. Public is urged to minimize / avoid outdoor activities if possible. Most of the people around me are sick and I, myself feel uncomfortable in breathing as well. So peeps, do drink plenty of fluids and keep your mask on whenever exposed to the haze please. The last thing I want is seeing more people getting sick.

Now, my road trip to Ipoh continues...

Qing Xin Ling (清心岭) Leisure & Cultural Village Ipoh

We embarked on an unplanned trip to Ipoh just last weekend. It was a long weekend in celebration of the 58th Independence Day of our home country - Malaysia. I concerned a little bit at first as it was raining cats and dogs along the journey. The haze itself was bad enough I thought. But thankfully, miracle does happen and my prayer was answered. No more rain when we approached the old town of Ipoh. Tummies were well fed right before the walking and sweating begin.

Exploring Macau: Ou Mun Cafe and A-Ma Temple

Another month passed by, another post I write... Hey, wait a minute, it's been way beyond one month! Folks (sounding like my director *clear throat*), I promise to try my very best to come up with at least one post every fortnight as a commitment to myself, if time and my brain permit of course. Fingers crossed.

There were big and small trips in between since my visit to Macau and Hong Kong until now. I hope to conclude this one very soon so I may start writing about my next family trip to Sekinchan.

Out of the two mornings spent in Macau, Ou Mun Cafe (澳门咖啡) with a taste of portugal was the first we visited for breakfast. Click here for its Google Maps coordinates.

Macau: Ruins of St. Paul's (大三巴牌坊) Senado Square and Monte Forte

Watching “武则天” while writing this actually doubled up the time I usually spend to come up with a blog post. Macau was truly amazing. And right now, I'm about to show you some of the places we visited on the first day of our arrival. Such lovely weather to tour around the city.

Macau: London Hotel and Shanghai Gold Dumplings

Our Macau trip was a free-and-easy one. There wasn't much planning involved prior landing our feet on this quaint and beautiful piece of historical land. Most friends suggested no planning is necessary as it's very convenient to get around the city by taking shuttle buses. Bus fares are cheap for frequent bus lines. 

We took ferry from Hong Kong to Macau at the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal. From there, we hopped on a bus (make sure you have the right amount of change to pay the bus fare) to reach our accommodation for the following few nights. We walked quite a fair bit not knowing there is actually a bus-stop right in front of Ole London Hotel (澳莱英京酒店).

山顶 The Peak Hong Kong

Hooray!!! We've finally came to the most anticipated day of the week again!

Happy FLYYYYYYYYYYDAY, peeps! It feels oh so awesome to eventually get to write up a blog post in the most peaceful and relaxing evening.

The main difference between our previous and most recent trip to The Peak 山顶 is that we took a double-decker bus instead of a tram this time. Different experience and more cost-saving of course! Mum and everyone were freaking out throughout the entire ride up the hill, so steep and windy we thought our bus might not survive one of the sharp corners. But we did survive somehow =p

Aberdeen Harbour (香港仔) Hong Kong

Dear all who are still following and reading my blog, thanks very very much for your continual support. Thank you for sticking around with me despite the fact that I rarely update my blog as frequent anymore. For those newcomers, I'm offering you my biggest and warmest bear hug. Welcome to my life, literally =)

I seem to be having wanderlust again lately, to someplace cold and relaxing I wish. Hong Kong was chilly in the month of November but I wouldn't say it was a relaxing trip, considering the fair amount of walking involved to travel around this well-developed, fast paced country. We intended to visit "南丫島" Lamma Island at first, however, due to time constraints and lack of preparation, we chose to came to "香港仔" Aberdeen Harbour instead.

Ngong Ping Village: Po Lin Monastery & Tian Tan Buddha

Here I am, sitting in front of my lappie, blogging about my HK trip on Valentine's Eve with Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" forever looping in the background. Can't complain much as Mr. Choo will be on his way flying back to this Bolehland tomorrow.

We revisited Ngong Ping Village this trip in favor of mum and the rest of our family. We somehow managed to explore Po Lin Monastery (宝莲禅寺) which initially known as "The Big Hut" (大茅蓬) and climbed 268 stairs to the Tian Tan Buddha Statue (天坛大佛). The consequence is, I overstretched my leg muscles for climbing too fast and ended up walking like a granny for the following days. You deserved it well, Christina! 真活该=(

Leehom at EcoWorld Starlight New Year 2015 Concert Tour (星光耀世新年巡回演唱会) Penang

EcoWorld Starlight New Year Concert was a blast last night!!! Held at Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) or formerly known as the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA).

You know what? It's not often you get free admission to see live performance by international celebrity like Wang Leehom 王力宏. Yes, totally, absolutely FOC!!! The event planning, stage design, lighting and everything else were a huge success. Thanks EcoWorld and all the sponsors for making it happen! There were also entertaining performance by Melody Tan 陈永馨 (The Voice China's finalist), Daniel Craven (world-class magician / illusionist) and Najwa Latif (Malaysian singer and teen idol).

Tai O Fishing Village (大澳) Hong Kong

Tai O is the oldest fishing village located on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It was part of our schedule on day 2 to visit here before exploring Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery in Ngong Ping. Approximately 20-25 minutes bus ride back and forth between Ngong Ping and Tai O. We chose 1.30pm as our departure time.

The Venetian Macau: Back from MIA

Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a while, a long, long while since I last updated my blog. How's life? Mine's occupied with nothing but more and more work and sleep these days. LOL. I wonder if this has become a "standard" prologue for me to start my blog post already. Well, seems like it.

I went to Macau and Hong Kong last month. Yeah, it actually took me a month to dig out this picture below taken at the Venetian Macau. So grand and splendent that place, I wish I could spend the coming Christmas holiday rotting in there. Oops, not rotting, just rolling on the hotel's bed perhaps =p

Back to April: Sydney Once Again

Just touched down from "The Pearl of Orient" and landed on another "Pearl of Orient" two days ago. To clear up your confusion, I'm actually referring to Hong Kong which I revisited after 3 years and Penang where I lay my sore, tired body in my home sweet home right now.

Travelling can be pretty addictive. Each time it comes to the end of a trip, I would always secretly hope for another one to take place soon, like as soon as I unpacked and repacked my luggage xD.

In this instance, I wish I could fly myself down under to soak up the warm rays and enjoy the last nip of spring air before summer. How I've missed Australia, how I've missed you.