InFilm to Watch: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008)

Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008)

High school best friends Jai (Imran Khan) and Aditi are meant for each other – but it takes time apart for them to realize it. The story is told by their group of friends in a series of flashbacks to a newcomer in the group, (a girl one of the guys in the group is trying to woo), while they are waiting to pick up the couple from the airport. Jai is the secret prince of a sort of Indian mob family, and throughout the story he meets the three requirements for reaching manhood, according to his family's traditions.

*I really enjoy Imran Khan's acting. Fun music, an interesting way to tell a romance, not my favorite but I would watch this again.*

KDrama to Watch: My Princess (2011)

My Princess (2011)  

Grade: A

16 Episodes

Lee Seol is an ordinary adopted girl until Park Hae Young finds her and brings her to his grandfather. Park Dong Jae then reveals that Lee Seol is the great-granddaughter of Korea's last Emperor. The old man wants to reinstate the Korean monarchy and donate all his assets – including Hae Young's inheritance – in those efforts. Lee Seol is surrounded by enemies in the palace, including Hae Young's betrothed, Yoon Joo. (who happened to have a history with Lee Seol's history professor, Nam Jung Woo). Lee Seol has to decide if she wants to pursue the throne or go back to a normal life, all with Hae Young tormenting her and secrets from her past threatening to resurface and destroy her adoptive family. 

 

*A mostly fun drama with a good pace and very attractive main characters. The music seems minimal, either as a stylistic choice or perhaps an afterthought. There are hints of the Anastasia story throughout, making it fun for the viewer, and there is kissing! Top 5*

KDrama to Watch (if you have the patience): Creating Destiny (2009-2010)

Creating Destiny (2009-2010)

Grade: B

31 Episodes

The longest I have watched to date, this 31 episode drama follows the lives of Han Sang Eun, her family, and Kim Yeo Jun and his family. Sang Eun wants to marry an American boy, so her father sends her to Korea to stay with Yeo Jun's family, because their fathers are best friends. The two are forced to date, but eventually they develop real feelings for each other. Yeo Jun's sister, Yoon Hee, has an illegitimate child but the father wants to come back into the picture, despite Gyu Han's devotion to Yoon Hee over the past 6 years. Gyu Han's sister, Hye Rim, wants Yeo Jun for herself; both are close friends with the Kim family.

*Both leads are attractive and played their parts well. Because it was such a long series it felt like everything was being dragged out, through using ALL the typical Kdrama plot twists – first loves returning, birth mothers showing up randomly, etc. The ending didn't have quite as much resolution as I would have liked., but it stayed fairly lighthearted. I might watch this again.*