On Bichunmoo, Latina chick lit, and other randomness

[dangermousie]

I have been reading two Latina chick-lit books both of which are delightful.


Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps is the better of the two.

Summary (from amazon) : With no marriage prospects and a high-powered career, Marcela Alvarez is already a spinster in the eyes of her traditional family. But when she finds out her deadbeat dad wasn't Latino, her problems only worsen. It's time for her to change some things and prove she still has Chicana roots with a fool-proof ten-step plan, including:

- Dating Mexican men. Her work crush, George Ramirez, almost fills the bill-except that he can't speak Spanish...
- Learning to cook, homestyle. Now, she can't even make mac and cheese without burning the house down. But that's nothing a few private cooking lessons can't fix, especially with a hot maestro...
- Mentoring an at-risk Latina. But with Lupe's switchblade and bad attitude, Marcela starts to wonder: which of them is more at risk...

And when she's done, she'll be able to out-Latina her sisters and cousins, no problem. But who knew being herself could be so much work?

I think I can identify a little because the big, ethnic family is kinda my lot too, even though in my case it’s not Latina. Plus, it’s great to see a heroine who is successful and together and not some sort of Bridget Jones clone.

Cinderella Lopez by Berta Platas is a sort-of-modern day remimagining of Cinderella. It’s an unabashed chick lit book but so fun. Leave brain cells at the door, but if you do, it’s quite enjoyable.

Summary (from amazon): Cynthia "Cyn" Lopez sweeps up after TV star stepsisters and attends the ball wearing glass Manolos in the latest Chiquita lit offering from Platas (Friday Night Chicas). Overworked, underappreciated 24-year-old Cyn meets her Prince Charming at a Starbucks, unaware that he is Eric Sandoval, 29-year-old CEO of AmerCon—the company that just acquired RTV, the television station where Cyn and her glam-fabulous VJ stepsisters work. Keeping their professional lives secret, Cyn and Eric begin a joyful courtship that comes to an abrupt halt at the RTV Music Awards, when dating and workplace politics, miscommunication and the jealous, meddling steps (armed with incriminating video) conspire to tear them apart.



Oh, and yes, am obsessing over Bichunmoo drama. I enjoyed the 2000 movie but it is not a favorite like CTHD or HOFD, in part because the ending is so OTT melodramatic, even for me (I want to smack both of them) and in part because the story is definitely crammed to fit the movie running time. You find yourself going ‘whaaaa?’ And both of these problems are taken care of in this adaptation. The OTP’s deaths aren’t ridiculous but noble, and the running time problem has been solved. Also, one thing I prefer is that, unlike meganbmoore, I am gleeful with the change of Xiu-Li (the heroine) to a warrior woman. In the original she is very ornamental and court ladyish, which might be more historically accurate but not nearly as fun.



You know, I realized something. In order for a period drama to hook me, I love it when the story starts at the end, and then flashbacks back (see Damo). Sort of throws you head-first into the mix and then shows you how everyone got there.

I love it in part because of my spoiler-loving nature, but also because I am free to wonder ‘why and how.’ I see what’s happening but now I am hooked trying to find out what led to this dramatic moment. In a way, it was a smart decision on the part of Bichunmu makers to start with the end. After all, the story is famous, so everyone knows how it ends.

So yes, five minutes into the first episode we know that Jan-ho (I’ve seen it spelled as Zhen-Ho but this is how my DVDs transliterate it) and Xue-Li are going to die together, charging an army alone.

But that really isn’t the point, is it? (The only way an OTP survives for happiness and sunshine in a period epic is if they are historical emperors or similar, a la Jumong. Which I need to finish btw).

The point is that seeing that gorgeous man (oh, Joo Jin Mo. Mmmmmm….Armor makes a hot guy hotter. I think I must do a JJM picspam) and the beautiful woman be all OTPish, and noble and so doomedly, suicidally brave, really gets my attention and interest. It makes me batten on it like a vampire. After all, one of my big problems with dramas (and shows) is that I get bored with slow intro and getting to know characters before I get to the good stuff. But here, my interest is grabbed.

And so is my curiosity. Here is where ‘why and how’ comes in. I want to unravel it. Fine, they are together, charging an army. But why? Who is this army and why does it want them dead? What have they done to piss off so many people in armor? Who are the guys backing them up and fighting with them? How did they get to this point? Why does she tell him they will never be separated again: how have they been separated before? How did their love develop to this awesome ‘I’d rather die fighting with you’ pitch (btw, I love that Jan-ho doesn’t fight her on this. She is grown up to make her decision)? Etc etc.

It hooks me and makes me patient as the story unravels, because I got my emotional high hit right at the start.

Oh, and I like what little I’ve seen of the fights so far. I loved ROCH but the fights got incredibly OTT. This is rather realistic, within confines of the genre.










OK, it’s from some press conference or whatever, but I like it:





OK, should stop and do a proper JJM picspam later.

So basically, I am actively watching three dramas right now, each hitting a different kink:

(1) Bichunmu: for the epic historical, fights and armor and costumes lover in me
(2) My Name is Kim Sam Soon: for the modern funny romcom craving
(3) Time of Dog and Wolf (I finally got all the eps): for the twisty story with complex angsty characters. Basically my ‘Lymond rocks’ craving.

Something tells me a lot of blogging on those to follow.

I adore Nine Tailed Fox, Hello Miss and Witch Yoo Hee but they have to wait a little.

In other drama news, anyone interested in checking out Legend Of Hyang Dan. It’s a short (two eps, think a movie) comedic Korean drama that has recently aired that takes the famous legend of Chun-Hyang and turns it on its head: Lee Mong Ryong love is not Chun Hyang but Hyang Dan (CH’s servant). For those unfamiliar with the legend about star-crossed lovers, think Romeo and Juliet retelling where Romeo was all about sweet Rosaline and just burdened with that bag Juliet.

Heeeee.

Considering that I loved the gorgeous, explicit, and violent movie Chunhyang (the very traditional retelling of the story) and that the drama Delightful Girl Chun-Hyang which is a modern reimagining, is one of my favorite dramas ever, this is an awesome addition.

BON Fansubs are subbing.

Here are some pics:













Also, I’ve been on a Russian forum and so much fun. People there like Goong and Heaven’s Tree. And were bashing the Logan/Veronica break-up (someone said Piz looks like a Down’s syndrome victim but it’s OK because Veronica is mentally challenged anyway. Heh).

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I thought of you while watching Moonlight tonight as Dohring is by far the most interesting thing on the show, as he's pretty much a grown up Logan with no issues.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh...Farscape icon. *squee*

I was going to check out Moonlight, but Best Friend, who has freakishly similar tastes to mine, didn't care for it, so I gave it a pass. Hmmm...maybe I'll check it out anyway for Dohring.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

It's pretty much watered down Angel, but Dohring is good; arrogant, charming and slightly hedonistic, but still a good guy.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Sold. You know just how to do it :)

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Just fast forward through anything that doesn't feature Dohring. It saves time and has the same result ;)

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

"You know, I realized something. In order for a period drama to hook me, I love it when the story starts at the end, and then flashbacks back (see Damo). Sort of throws you head-first into the mix and then shows you how everyone got there."

I feel nowhere near enough period dramas start this way. I'm also very fond of the one in Emperor of the Sea, which is actually midseries. We never actually see the exact scene it's from(though you know when it's from when you reach that part of the series) but it does a good job of setting the stage(and has Song Il Gook looking hot in the desert with a sword...how could it go wrong?)

If you think JJM is hot, you should watch Musa.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

EotS is on my list of dramas (though it would probably be 2009 before I get to it).

I really think the start at the end (or middle) really adds both mystery and immediacy to the dramas(I feel the same way about shows, often. See first season of veronica mars).

I had Musa for years but never got around to it. This might change...

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I think my next big period kdrama is Seo Dong Yo...I already watched a couple eps on real player before the Jumong DVDs came out...it also has a lot of the cast of the upcoming Lee Seo Jin period drama, amnd only Lee Seo Jin tops Song Il Gook in kdramas for me.

First season of VM was excellent in the flashback regard and absolutely crucial to the plot. It worked well in S2(though I hated seeing what sweet Meg became) but not as well.

I think I posted some Musa pics last week...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I posted some Musa pics too, a while back. The thing is, I normally prefer dramas to movies. But we'll see.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Dramas give you more room to get the whole story(but then-depending on the source-also sometimes mean unneccessary length additions) but movies often feel more like highlights, ESPECIALLY period movies...can you imagine what Kingdom of Heaven could have been as a drama?

Hmm...come to think of it, the PotC and LotR trilogies are really about jdrama length, in terms of commercial-free run time...ditto for both Star Wars Trilogies...

[fivil.livejournal.com]

Bichumoo (2000) was my firs Korean movie. My friend talked me into it and not only did the Korean names confuse the SHIT out of us, I think there was a scene cut where it's explained how hero takes up false identity.. So we were all "WTF why are they calling this guy with this new name???". I actually reviewed it on IMDb and was all "Okay, we had to watch this THREE TIMES just to get what the hell was going on.. This is not a very good movie." XDDD

Kind of an unsuccessful step into the world of Korean entertainment but my next Korean movie (Swiri/Shiri) I actually kind of loved, so it worked out.

Omg, Super Junior member in the new 2-part Chun Hyang remake! OMG. Count me in? :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I remember Bichunmoo, which was my second Korean movie, I think (first was Chunhyang, much superior). I was still not used to this so couldn't distinguish the women which led to much confusion.

Re: SuJu. Oh, that explains why the girls at soompi were swooning.