KDRAMA: Must-see Upcoming Korean Dramas for November 2016

So the month of November already kicked in and of course, I got to have my own personal picks among the upcoming Korean dramas for this month. And here's my list! 

3. Hwarang

Park Seo Joon, Minho and V… need I say more?

2. Legend of the Blue Sea

I’m not really a fan of Lee Min Ho but I’ll watch this because of Jun Ji Hyun! Haha! I know this will also be really entertaining because I have faith on Ji Hyun.

1. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

I watched the trailer and it is so freaking hilarious! I liked Lee Sung Kyung since Cheese in the Trap and I’m so happy that she finally got her first main role! Her acting is superb so I’m really looking forward to this. Not to mention that she’s paired with Nam Joo Hyuk, one of the most in-demand actors (and my one of my favs!) these days. I have high expectations! This is probably the one I’m looking forward to the most among the other upcoming Korean dramas.

✪✪✪

I can't wait to start watching them!

Marya ♥

LYRICS: Kimi Deshita - Sakura Shimeji

Kimi Deshita (It Was You)

Aa mou

“Nani wo shiteta” tte kangaete shimaunda

Kimi no koto wo

Te wo tsunagitaitoka

Omocchaundayo

Aa

Hitori de ita kaerimichi

Kimi no senaka mitsumeta

Koe ni naranai mama fukuranda

Kono kimochi wo dou sureba ii

Orenji ni somatta kono sora ni

Yurayura ukanderu no wa

Watakashi mitai na kumo no yoko ni

Dareka to hanashite waratteru

Kimi deshita

Nani wo shiteta tte kangaete

Shimaunda kimi no koto wo

Te wo tsunagitai toka

Omocchaundayo

Aa kitto kore ga koi tte iu no ka na

Wakannai kuse ni

Mou tomaranai kono kimochi

Tsutaenakya tte omotteiru noni

Toomawari

Nee boku wa kimi to deatta hi no koto wasuretenai

Kimi no hou wa dou oboeteru

Kyoshitsu no madogiwa ano seki de

Guraundo wo nagameteru no wo

“Nani miteiru no” tte hanashikaketa

Furikaereba sono koro kara

Kimi deshita

Sasai na koto datte wasurete

Inainda kimi no koto wa

Kotae wa deteru no ni

Ienaindayo

Aa motto sunao ni narereba ii no ni

Narenai no sa

Hagayuinda kono kimochi

Sore nano ni shaberikakete mireba

Karamawari

Itsudemo kimi no koto omoi ukabetara

Yasashii kimochi ni narunda

Kyou mo tsutaeyoutte mata ushiro aruku

Ai kawarazu doushiyou mo nai

Boku deshita

“Nani wo shiteta” tte kangaete

Shimaunda kimi no koto wo

Te wo tsunagitai toka

Omocchaundayo

Aa kitto kore ga koi tte iu no ka na

Wakannai kuse ni

Mou tomaranai kono kimochi

Tsutaenakya tte omotteru yo

Kimi wa ima nani wo shite donna kimochi no natteru no

Hyotto shite boku no koto kangaetenai ka na

Aa mou

Hora mata kimi no koto bakari omotte iru yo

Hagayuinda kono kimochi

Sore nano ni sore nano ni

Tomaranai kono kimochi

Tsutaenakya tte omotte iru noni

Toomawari

English Translation

Ah c'mon

I’m done wondering about what you’ve been up to

Done thinking things like I wanna hold your hand

Ah

Walking alone back home

I stared at your back

And my mute voice expanded

What should I do about my feelings?

Across from the cotton candy clouds wobbling up in this orange tinted sky

I’m laughing with the person I’m talking to

It was you

I’m done wondering about what you’ve been up to

Done thinking things like I wanna hold your hand

Ah, is this really love

I’m not that sure

And yet I keep thinking that if I don’t tell you how I feel

My feelings won’t stop

But that’s the long way around it

Hey, I haven’t forgotten the day that we met

Do you still remember?

From that seat by the classroom window

I was looking at the sports ground

At that time, someone said

“What are you looking at?”

When I turned around

It was you

I haven’t even forgotten the littlest things about you

An answer comes but I can’t say anything

Ah, I should just be more honest but I can’t

I’m getting so impatient with my feelings

But even then, if I try to talk to you

It would all be for nothing

Whenever you come to my mind, I feel a sense of kindness

I’m gonna tell you today, so I’ll walk behind you again

And as usual, I don’t know what to do

Since it was me

I’m done wondering about what you’ve been up to

Done thinking things like I wanna hold your hand

Ah, is this really love, I’m not that sure

And yet I keep thinking that if I don’t tell you how I feel

My feelings won’t stop

What are you doing now?

What are you feeling?

I wonder if you’ve thought of me, by chance

Oh gosh!

It looks like I’m just thinking about you again

I’m getting so impatient with my feelings, but even then, even then

I keep thinking that if I don’t tell you how I feel, my feelings won’t stop

But that’s the long way around it

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Credits to meikatsudon for the English translation. I made a few adjustments but it was mostly hers.

I hope Sakura Shimeji become more famous! They 're too cute and talented, I want to adopt them! Haha!

UPCOMING JAPANESE LIVE ACTION MOVIES THAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCH

8. Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu

I never read the manga before but for the love of Chiba Yudai, I’ll watch it. Haha!

7. P to JK

I so love the manga. But because of the mangaka’s maternity leave, the manga was put on hold. I’m so glad that they’re making a live action adaptation. And the policeman is Kamenashi FREAKING Kazuya!

6. Fullmetal Alchemist

I don’t like Tsubasa Honda because of Aoharaido but my Yamada Ryosuke (my niban) will be playing Edward so I’m really looking forward for this!

5. Death Note: Light Up The World

After many years! Finally! This seems to be really interesting and the casts selection seems awesome! I’ve watched the trailer and I’m super excited! Plus Higashide is bae. Haha!

4.  Hirunaka no Ryuusei

This could’ve been my number one if Mamura Daiki’s character was played by Sakaguchi Kentaro but moving on, haha, I’m still looking forward to this because I like Nagano Mei. And I love Yamamori Mika-sensei and the manga so I’ll still support this even if this was my greatest heartbreak!

3. Peach Girl

I HATE the anime. So much. Momo is an indecisive bitch and I seriously hate her. Haha! But after seeing Inoo and Mackenyu in the trailer, how can I resist? HAHAHA. I’ve never seen Inoo so manly. He’s so adorable!

2. Nakimushi Pierrot no Kekkonshiki

This came out last September 2016 but since I live outside Japan, I have to wait for like 4 to 6 months for it to be translated in English. I’ve watched the trailer few months back and I’m hyped about this because of Mirai Shida. Though after watching Koe Koi and met Ryusei Ryo, I gained another reason to look forward to this!

1. Kimi to 100 Kaime no Koi

Sakaguchi Kentaro (my ichiban) is in it, need I say more? Haha! Seriously, I’m really looking forward to this! Finally! Guchitaro is the hero! The movie's theme seemed sad but what the hell! I don’t mind crying if it’s for Guchitaro. ♥

✪✪✪

I hope 2017 comes faster!

GIRLY STUFFS: October Favorites

 Hey guys~ 

So after posting about movie recommendations, reviews and a bunch of random Japanese-related stuffs, I decided to write about my favorites and not-so-favorite makeup/skincare products online. Aside from being a Japanese culture enthusiast, I'm also a skincare product (rarely makeup) enthusiast. Months ago, I blew off my savings because of them. Haha! And among the hoard of products that I bought, here are my favorites.

Dear Darling Water Tint

Brand: Etude House

This was a spur-of-the-moment kinda buy. I was hovering around Mall of Asia last September and saw Etude House. I've been wanting to buy a Korean roadshop lip tint for a long time and I finally bought one. The pigmentation is fine, lasting power is so-so but I still love it nevertheless. 

Price?

Around Php 200. Not that bad.

Will repurchase?

Probably not. I want to try other brands and other types, too!

Rating?

3.5/5

It's My Sun Cream

Brand: It's My

I'm almost done with this. I bought this last June, I think, from Althea Korea. I was just testing their services and I'm quite satisfied. What I liked about this product was it's not too sticky on my face. I have a really, really, really oily face that was why I abhor (wow, strong word. Haha!) anything that makes my face more stickier than how it should be. But this product is so lightweight so I really loved it. 

Price?

Php 240

Prices in Althea Korea are really cheap so you should definitely check them out!

Will repurchase? 

Probably not. I want to try more Korean sun creams so if you have any recommendations, tell me. 

Rating?

4/5

Broccoli Clearing Toner

Brand: Innisfree

Oh! I so love this toner. I also bought this from Althea Korea. I'm using it as a face mask. Lol. I take a few cotton pads, put this on and leave it on my face for like 10-20 minutes. It helps calm down my acne. And I really love the smell. It smells so nature-y but I'm addicted to it. I kept on smelling it over and over.

Price?

Php 370

Will repurchase?

Yes, why not? 

Rating?

5/5

Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

Brand: Innisfree

I really like this clay mask. It makes my skin feel so clean after leaving this on for about 20-30 minutes. Got nothing much to say about this but I'm using this and Broccoli Toner alternately once or twice a week. It doesn't smell that nice but you can totally live with it. Haha!

Price?

Php 520

Will repurchase?

Not for now. I want to try other brands first. 

Rating:

3.5/5

Aqua Moisturizer Whitening Vita

Brand: iWhite Korea

This is like my holy-grail since last year. I've been loving this and this has been my all time favorite moisturizer! Need I say more?

Price?

Depends on where you'll purchase it:

Watsons is around Php 20

Provincial drugstore is around Php 27

Will repurchase?

I buy this weekly.

Rate?

5/5

Pimple Concealer with Tea Tree Oil

Brand: Careline

This was supposed to be a concealer but I use it as BB Cream. Haha! I've been suffering from acne breakouts since last year because of some medications that I needed to take and it's horrible. I've tried using BB creams but it makes my face really sticky and oily. So this is what I use as an alternative. It is super lightweight. The coverage is light to medium but I still keep on using it. What I also like about this is that it has an applicator so I don't contaminate the whole stuff. 

Price?

Php 90 in provincial Gaisano Mall. If I remember correctly, this only costs like Php 80 in Watsons. 

Will repurchase?

I'm on my 3rd tube. :D

Rating:

4.5/5 (I would've given a 5/5 if it has full coverage)

100% Natural Sunflower Beauty Oil

Brand: Human Nature 

This is my ultimate holy grail. I seriously thought that my pimple scars are hopeless but this lovely being gave me hope. It minimized the appearance of my scars. It takes a bit of time before it effects but I don't mind waiting. 

Price?

Around Php 145 on Robinson's Department Store

Will repurchase?

YES!!!

Rating?

5/5

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You can shop in Althea Korea HERE. Their Free Shipping is currently just Php 999 which is Php 500 cheaper than when I bought products from them.

Disclaimer: All prices that are mentioned here are as of Nov 2016. And not because these products worked for me doesn't mean that it will work for you, too. But it doesn't hurt to give it a try. Especially Human Nature's Sunflower Oil. ;)

MOVIE REVIEW: Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita: Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai

Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita: Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai

Alternate Title: I've Always Liked You

Duration: 1 hr and 30 mins

Genre: Romance, School

Summary

Natsuki Enomoto, a third-year student at Sakuragaoka High School, has feelings of unrequited love for her childhood friend, Yuu Setoguchi. Unable to be true to her own feelings, Natsuki tells Yuu that she is merely using him as a stand-in to practice confessing her love to. As Natsuki continues to pretend not having any feelings for Yuu, her classmate Koyuki Ayase asks her out on a date. Will Natsuki ever be able to stop “practicing” and actually confess her love to Yuu?

(Source: Aniplex USA)

Review

I’ve been wanting to watch this for quite a long time now. I got addicted to Honeyworks a few months back but English subs for this movie still wasn’t available then. I forgot about the movie and only remembered watching it because one of my Facebook friends, Vianna, mentioned it on her recent Facebook status. So yey! Finally got the chance to watch it.

The story was about a set of high school friends that were secretly in love with each other.

This movie was cute. Yes, cute. It’s not something spectacular since you probably watched this kind of plot mostly on other animes but if you’re looking for something that has doki doki / fuwa fuwa feels, you’ll definitely like this. I’m a sucker for pure (lol) kind of romance lately so this was a good watch for me. The movie got its own charm despite the cliche plot. Animation was great, too! The art was aesthetically pleasing. And I’m so digging their seiyuu choice! Kaji Yuuki and Kamiya Hiroshi are like one of my favorite male seiyuus so that was totally a bonus point!

Overall, this a good watch if you want to pass time. And oh! I forgot to mention about the soundtrack! I’m loving Byoumei Koi Wazurai these days. It’s so cute and catchy.

Rating: 4/5

Watch Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita HERE

MOVIE REVIEW: Chihayafuru Second Verse Live Action

Title: Chihayafuru Second Verse

Alternate Title: Chihayafuru: Shimo no Ku

Original Work: Yuki Suetsugu

Genre: Sports, Shoujo, School Life

Summary:

Sixth grader Ayase Chihaya, a tomboy with no ambitions or goals of her own, gets to know Wataya Arata, a transfer student at Chihaya's elementary school and an outcast. Through Arata, Chihaya picks up karuta and they form a team with their other friend and classmate Mashima Taichi. After graduating elementary school, Chihaya continues to play karuta hoping for a chance to meet Arata again after he went back to Fukui to take care of his sick grandfather. As time passed and Chihaya enters high school, she starts a karuta club with Taichi so that they can finally meet Arata again.

Source: KissAsian (kissasian.com)

Review:

Since Heroine Shikkaku, this was one live action adaptation that I really enjoyed. Honestly, I had second thoughts about Chihayafuru having a live action movie. If you’ve seen the anime, you might get what I mean. The way how they take cards during plays was really epic. I was hesitant to give the live action movie a try but for the love of Arata, I watched it and thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed.

Chihayafuru Second Verse was a feel-good movie to watch. I thought they did great choosing the characters for this adaptation. Suzu Hirose was perfect as Chihaya. I rarely like Japanese actresses because I prefer the actors, lol, but as of now, the only Japanese actresses that I like are these three: Ayase Haruka, Kiritani Mirei and Nagano Mei. But Suzu effortlessly joined the bandwagon by making me instantly like her. The way how she acts was refreshing. I could really see Chihaya while watching her. And may I add that she is so freaking pretty! I couldn’t think of anything bad about her. Lol.

As for Shuhei Nomura, he’s great, too. Only, I liked Taichi 2D more. Not because Taichi 2D was way hotter (lol) but because I prefer the way how transparent Taichi was in the anime. I loved watching his unrequited love towards Chihaya. This was probably just me being too biased, don’t mind me. Shuhei did a pretty great job.

For Mackenyu… Oh, hell, I loved him. Haha! I’m a huge fangirl of Arata 2D. Gosh, I love his Fukui-ben on the anime adaptation (All hail Hosoyan!) that was why I was really excited to hear Mackenyu speak. I was so glad because Mackenyu didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t picture any other Arata than him. Okay, this blogpost might be just an outlet for me to fangirl over Mackenyu. Lol. I got addicted to his voice, too. I have this fascination towards Japanese accents because of Hatori Heiji from Detective Conan and Arata. It was really wonderful how Mackenyu pulled this off. I love him! Haha!

For other characters, Shinobu (Mayu Matsuoka) was perfect, too. I could’ve shipped him and Arata but I’m pinning for Arata to be with Chihaya. Besides, Shinobu 2D was not even interested in Arata that way so whatever. The one who played Ooe was cute, too.   

If there’s something that I’m not satisfied with, it was that they changed the characterization for Tsukue-kun and Nikuman-kun. They were better in anime. Period.

My Personal Thoughts:

You might be wondering why I reviewed this one instead of the first installation, Chihayafuru Kami no Ku. Well for one reason, I never really got the chance to properly watch Kami no Ku. What I did when I watched the first movie was scan it and skip on the parts where Arata (Mackenyu) appeared. Sorry not sorry for loving Arata this hard. Lol. Nevertheless, this was an example of a splendidly made live action.

Rating: 4/5

Watch Chihayafuru Second Verse HERE