Here's To Dramaland 🥂

Keeping Buzzy took a trip around the world over the last few weeks. So I greet those who visited the page from: Barbados, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. 👋

Having missed a few month's entries, I am writing 2 for this month on a similar theme - favourite historical dramas - this time from the Western hemisphere.

So happy viewing...

Bridgerton:

I was late to the party. Having been preoccupied with the Korean dramas and not having subscribed to Netflix, when an Fb contact mentionned how much she was enjoying it earlier in the year, I wasn't even curious. 

Then, when my computer crashed recently and I had to spend a whole weekend not being able to watch anything on my computer, I decided to get a Fire Stick. Guess What? It had to be configured. So I went a weekend with no access to anything other than cable - yawn. The smartphone is old...not much memory...no help in this situation. 

My first subscription on getting back the computer and having the Fire Stick in hand - Netflix. First drama watched - Bridgerton! Colourful. Diverse cast. RJP as the Duke - 👍👍.Then there are my fave girls, Penelope and Eloise - both unconventional for their time. If you haven't watched it, I'll say no more. Click for the trailer.

               Rather than the Duke of Hastings, RJP turned his character into a Duke of Hearts!

Downton Abbey:

Before Bridgerton, there was Downton Abbey - 5 seasons of it. Stellar cast. Sumptuous costumes. Witty barbs from the Dowager Countess. The only series I've ever watched in parts more than once. 

The Downton Abbey Cast

Poldark:

Another British series developed from novels with a heartthrob for a male lead and an excellent cast. A tortured Poldark returns from fighting in the American Civil War to find his first love married to his cousin 💔. This marks the beginning of a new love story.

                                                     A much-loved couple, Poldark and Demelza

A Caribbean Dream:

Can any of you imagine a Shakespeare play with a Barbadian twist? That is what A Caribbean Dream is and it was brilliantly done. Check this trailer for the showing in the UK. Vibrant. Exotic even. Just wonderful to view. 👍👍

As Barbados will be declared a republic in 30 days, perhaps I should have led with A Caribbean Dream? Home drums should beat first. 

Stay safe.

Until next time...

Among My Favourite Things

A warm welcome to my readers from across the globe. Today I highlight those who visited the blog from: Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Vietnam, Barbados, Canada, USA, France, Russia, Germany, Ukraine.👋 

I know it's been a while, I did not get to do a post in September - my spare time online was spent watching k-dramas. Yes, I'm a fan of Hallyu as a prior post shows. So today, I'm going to share on some of my fave k-dramas and one classic Chinese drama. To view the videos, you can click on the links and they will pop up in a new window. I'm using this method as a friend said she doesn't see the videos when I embed them - and she is not the only one I'm sure. My goal is for you to enjoy the blog and get the full effect. 

Scarlet Heart

After watching the Korean version, I decided to watch the Chinese drama on which it was based - and it provided considerable clarity and much enjoyment. The Chinese version also had three beautiful ballads for their OST. This one, Seasons of Waiting, is especially catchy and a definite favourite.  

In this image 4th Prince Yinzhen (future Emporor Yongzhen) is imagining Rouxi dancing for his eyes only. It was a beautiful scene. 

Scarlet Heart Ryeo

So I can also share Three Inches of Heaven, I had to feature the Korean version - also quite entertaining. I put off viewing it when I saw a clip of what Wang So (4th Prince) did to not leave the palace. I cringed. Still it was the first time seeing actor Kang Ha-Neul and for such a young man he so rocked in the role of the 8th Prince that he won an award for the performance. Since then, I've seen him playing a schoolboy in The Heirs and most recently as the father of On Dal (the male lead), General On Hyeop (seen in the next video), in River Where The Moon Rises (which will become a classic in time).  

       The leads of Scarlet Heart Ryeo (l-r) Lee Joon-ki, IU and Kang Ha-Neul.

River Where The Moon Rises

This is a brand new k-drama, released earlier this year. The original stars were Kim So-Hyun and Ji Soo (one of the princes in Scarlet Heart Ryeo), however he was changed due to a personal scandal - and Koreans don't mess with actors involved in scandals, they are rejected from film projects. This turned off some fans, then the film's popularity just grew and grew with the new lead - Na In-Woo, who was so awesome in the role of On Dal that he received a national award nomination for Best New Actor.

             Na In-Woo and Kim So-Hyun in River Where the Moon (Dal 😏) Rises

18 Again

The actor who beat Na In-Woo to the award for Best New Actor was Lee Do-Hyeon who plays the 18 year-old version of the male lead. I saw 17 Again with Zac Effron and it was quite delightful so I could not miss viewing the Korean verison and it was very heart-warming. Do-Hyeon was outstanding in the role. Still, I would've given Na In-Woo that award though. Both young men are quite talented actors. I can't speak Korean but these dramas are very emotive and for the most part the subbers give a good enough translation for me to get the gist of what they're saying. Lee Do-Hyeon as second lead of sorts impressed in Hotel del Luna also. 

                                             Lee Do-Hyeon in 18 Again

I really shouldn't complain for who can resist that face? Click on the link above for a great intro to the drama.

These are just a few of the k-dramas among my favourite things. If I had to feature every one I like (and that is most of them) that's all I'd be writing about for the rest of the year. 

Until next time...

Shalom. 🙏