My Love From Another Star

Plot: My Love From Another Star is a 2014 South Korean drama produced for SBS. The main character is Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun), an alien that arrived on planet Earth 400 years ago. But, after staying behind to help a young window, he lost his chance to return to his home planet. It is now the year 2014 and he has an opportunity to return home in 3 months when a meteor shower passes by Earth. All he has to do is bide his time and wrap up his affairs quietly. His plans, though, are laid to waste when he crosses paths with actress Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun), who bears a striking resemblance to the widow he met 400 years earlier. As the pair develop feelings for each other, Do Min Joon is forced to come to terms with the meaning of life and the importance of love.

-1/2 heart because I don't like giving away all my hearts

Recommendation: This is a must watch and will probably top my list for the "best of" 2014 k-dramas. It really is the total package for a drama fanatic. There is plenty of romance, suspense, plot twists, and a very good looking cast of characters. It pushes the "supernatural" k-drama trend in a great direction with a well developed plot that doesn't rely on special effects and gimmicks. The cast as a whole is strong without any weak links. I really loved the contrast between the level headed Do Min Joon and the fiery actress Choi Song Yi - they struck a perfect balance together. The ending is also well rounded and thoughtful. The writers took it in a direction that I didn't anticipate so that was a nice surprise.

Full House Take 2

3 out of 5 - Full House Lite!

Recommendation: This is a fun drama that offers up more laughs than tears. There's not much that connects it to the original Full House and, if viewed solely on its own merits, it is equivalent to a drama like Pretty Man. If you need something to fill the time between currently airing dramas - this is it.

Plot:  Full House Take 2 follows the trials and tribulations of  the internationally successful pop duo Take One. Lee Tae Ik (No Min Woo) is the tall, dark, and handsome leader known for his prickly personality. Won Kang Hwi (Park Ki Woong) is the latter half of the team and best described as bubbly. By fate or coincidence, both members of the group connect with Jang Man Ok (Hwang Jung Eum), who inadvertently brings great change and success to their lives. How does it relate to the original Full House? There is a house also named "Full House" that was built by Lee Tae Ik's father.

What did I think?

Not too shabby. It was a great way to escape the polar vortex.

I was reluctant to give this drama a go because I'm such a fan of the original. But, really, Full House Take 2 could have been named Full House Lite because the sequel had all the trademark comedy of the original but without the same level of heartache and drama. I distinctly remember balling my eyes out when Han Ji Eun begged Lee Young Jae for the break-up because it was so painful for her to be in love with him. There was never a moment in Full House Take 2 where I felt that emotionally engaged.

Blondes do have more fun!

The real gem of this production, though, was Park Ki Woong. He played the second half of the pop duo, Won Kang Hwi. First, I want to say that I loved the blonde locks. I'm usually not a fan of it on Korean men but he wore the look well and it suited his character. There was just something about him that exuded charm and he stole the scene every time he smiled. His character should have come off as vapid but I found him totally lovable.

Hwang Jung Eum, as Jang Man Ok, really wasn't pushed to her full potential. If you've seen Secret, you will understand what I'm saying. She's an amazing dramatic actress and this felt like a role that only required about 50% of her full range.

The only real detractor from the drama was the music. Take One only has one song that they perform over and over again in different costumes. They save all the other songs for the second to last episode.