Hooray for Hallyu

With a long, boring summer of reality TV and game shows, I decided to turn back to Korean dramas for my summer's entertainment.

K-dramas are mostly PG-13, focusing on how the relationship evolves without couples constantly finding any excuse to jump each other's bones. There is more agape than eros in the lead couples' relationship and that's quite wholesome for modern TV.  The sageuks are action-packed, full of martial arts sword-fighting (the gore takes some getting used to) but that happened in society back then and many of them depict real historical characters and real political intrigue - and there was always political manoeuvering for one faction or other to gain power. So here are the OST (without English subtitles) of three of the historical dramas I found addictive.

My interest in the genre began with the world-wide hit, Jewel in the Palace, which showed nationally. The blood-letting at the start was a turn off and I don't recall viewing the full episode, but ever wanting to watch at least 1 episode of a show, I tuned in for the next episode - and was addicted after that. I was fascinated by her knowledge of the nutritional qualities of different foods. That encouraged me to focus more on the nutrients found in foods, especially fruits, instead of just looking at the food groups. It was a life-changer for me.

Source: CH Respect

Then came my other major fave, Dong Yi, which I dubbed a Josean version of CSI. The cast was great. Han Hyo-Joo was brilliant as the heroine. Ji Jin-Hee (also the male lead in Jewel in the Palace) was superb as King Sukjong. It was the story of the elevation of a servant girl (and all her hair-raising adventures to simply stay alive) from water carrier to concubine and mother of the future Josean King Yeongjo.

Source: petibatyo

The third one, The Princess' Man, is a bittersweet tale of star-crossed love, when two young people from feuding families fall in love. Park Si-Hoo totally owned the character of Kim Seung-Yoo - every moment from cocksure, irresponsible youth to adoring sweetheart willing to marry below his social class for love, before becoming an angry, vengeful vigilante seeking revenge on those who had his father and brother killed. Loved his martial arts skills too! It makes a very emotional connection.

Source: JBSRILANKA

Whether contemporary, fusion or historical, all were great viewing. Many of the actors rocked their roles - Lee Min-Ho as General Choi Young in Faith, was "swaggerific". Although Lee Joon-Gi was ear-marked for the part, but had to take a smaller part due to military obligations, it's inconceivable to think of anyone else in that role. Lee Min-Ho was so good that I can't bear the thought of viewing other critically-acclaimed series in which the elder General Choi is executed! It's my favourite OST too, so enjoy.

Source:1theK

Other memorable portrayals are Lee Jin-Wook as the cool and aloof swash-buckling Crown Prince Sohyeon in a korean version of The Three Musketeers and in Dr. Jin there is Lee Beom-Soo deftly portraying Yi Ha-eun, an apparent drunkard, but with quite an astute mind, who grew up poor outside of the palace in spite of his noble birth and later becomes Prince Regent Gung.

Kudos to the various production companies and studios for these dramas that have created a multi-national following around the world. They've been so entertaining.