Sungkyunkwan Scandal and the Jalgeum Quartet

The Jalgeum Quartet 

From left: Moon Jae Shin (Yoo Ah In), Lee Sun Joon (Micky Yoochun), Kim Yoon Shik/Hee (Park Min Young) and Gu Yong Ha (Song Joong Ki)

Me heart Jalgeum Quartet of Sungkyunkwan Scandal!! Among them, I love Moon Jae Shin (Yoo Ah In) the most. Just because he read all the books at the library - my kinda men..hhahaha. I  mean, a sexy man in ninja suit who loves books? Where can you find a man like him, right? LOL

Omo..omo..I should go back to reality.

For the past one week, I tried to cram all the 20 episodes of Sungkyunkwan Scandal in a few days. That's the reason I was kinda lazy to post anything in my blog. I was infected by Sungkyunwan Scandal fever. Argghh..I need an antidote, please!

Truthfully, most of the time I stray away from watching sageuk (historical/period) drama especially those with heavy plot and Korean dialects which are not familiar to my ears. Rest assured that Sungkyunkwan Scandal does not fall in that category. ^^ It dictates the life of four students of Sungkyunkwan University and how they tackle missions given by King Jeongjo during Joseon Dynasty.

If I should say, the plot consists of:

20% friendship

20% Joseon history

20% academic and life values

20% Ha In Soo's piercing stares ^^

20% Kim yoon hee / shik's and Lee sun joon's intelligence or...love story?

Hence, the story is not a heavy sageuk for me. I am glad no one is dead at the end! ^^

Although I hate history (as a subject in school), but I would like to point out the historical plot in the drama.

(Spoiler Alert: Don't read if you just want to enjoy the drama).

The story started during Joseon Dynasty with Kim Yoon Hee (a lady) entering Sungkyunkwan University bearing her ailing brother's name Kim Yoon Shik and cross-dressed as a man. Women was forbidden from entering university back then and it's a big no no for women to be cleverer than men especially academically. (Hmmm..I wonder how women would turn out to be now if they already start learning during that period?).

Joseon Dynasty is considered one of the great Korean Dynasties during Korean historical period. The four students: Kim Yoon Shik/Hee, Lee Sun Joon, Moon Jae Shin and Gu Yong Ha bonded well in Sungkyunkwan University during this period and later their friendship was tested because of Geum Deung Ji Sa; precious remnants left by the late Crown Prince Sado.

The ruler at the time was King Jeongjo the son of late Crown Prince Sado; whose death is forced upon by King Jeongjo's grandfather - King Yeongjo. The Norons were believed to be the prime suspect behind the death. Hence, King Jeongjo requested the jalgeum quartet to find the Geum Deung Ji Sa in order to clear his father's name and consecutively create a new Joseon Dynasty (perhaps letting women to enter university? ^^). He intended to move the current government to Hwaseong because of his late father as mentioned in one the episodes but was opposed greatly by the Norons.

I will write about Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon and King Jeongjo more comprehensively at another post later.

IMHO, finding Geum Deung Ji Sa is the sole reason why Kim Yoon Shik/Hee and Moon Jae Shin could or SHOULD be together hehehe.. I am their worshipper instead of Kim Yoon Shik/Hee with Lee Sun Joon. Dang! ^^ Anyway, that's about it..I don't want to spoil the story further for the rest of you who haven't get addicted to this drama yet.

Isn't Park Min Young lovely? Put her plastic fantastic aside, I would like to applaud her for her acting ability and how well she commanded the screen as the witty and bright Kim Yoon Hee/Shik. Funny how she wore the student robe with the fur shawl, eh? I bet this picture was taken when autumn reached Naju/Jeonju - where they filmed the drama.

About the drama

The drama is based from the novel The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars 1 and 2 written by Jung Eun Gwol. Bad Milk has written a comprehensive translation of the novel in his blog here.

Drama download - Medium Quality

Subtitle download - Sungkyunkwan Scandal Soompi Forum 

Official Website: KBS

Dramawiki

Sungkyunkwan University Official Website

I got a glimpse of Sungkyunkwan University with my good friend Chi Won in December 2009. Read all about it here.

How to go to Sungkyunkwan University / SeongDae (Seoul Campus)

Go to Hyewa Subway Station, Line 4, Exit 1. Then, walk to SKKU / Sungkyunkwan University bus stop in front of Dunkin Donuts. Ride the shuttle bus for 300 won.  The shuttle bus runs on Mon. - Fri. 07:00~23:00 / Sat. 07:00~19:00.

Read More …

Dongdaemun's Twin

I found Dongdaemun's twin in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur. ^^ Ironically, the shop is named Dong Teh Mun..hahaha.

This is the real Dongdaemun in Seoul.

Dongdaemun with T&H

How to go
Dongdaemun Subway Station or Dongdaemun Stadium Subway Station, Line 1 or 4

What to do in Dongdaemun

• Retail buying at APM, Doota and Migliore
• Wholesale buying at the smaller shops around APM, Doota and Migliore - I walked along Cheonggyecheon stream and found a stretch of smaller shops on the road to Dongdaemun. Merchandise from books, clothes, toiletries and etc sold in these shops. I longed to read English materials at one time and luckily met a used book store here ! Eureka..I found another gem in Seoul or so I thought to myself. ^^

Check out KNTO article about Dongdaemun here.

Read More …

Alcazar Cabaret, Pattaya : Thailand

The Alcazar Company was founded on November 8, 1981. Under the concept of The Phettrakul Family whose own the successful construction company name “Samprasit Partnership Limited” which is located on Pattaya 2nd Road

. Originally, it was a small theatre of 350 seats with 40 employees on almost 20 years ago. The floor, stage & technical equipment were rudimentary and in fact the business was not so successful in that early day, however, the family never gave up and continued to improve and upgrade its facilities until Alcazar Cabaret Show became "World Famous"!

The Alcazar Show has been delighting audiences from around the world of almost

20 years. Thrilling 1,000,000 with laughter & impressions. Entertained with music, lipsings, dances and various shows played by many perfectly beautiful female actresses (these female actresses were actually male from origin)

The magic of Alcazars state of the art computerized lighting system and be dazzled bythe effects of its Circle surrounding sound DTS system, but that's only the beginning.Prepared to be entertained in grand style by its 400 staff wonderfully talented artists and entertainers.

Today's Alcazar features a Grand Beautiful Theatre with a capacity of 1,200 seats & 440employees. With state of art light & sound system featuring the ultra high tech "Circle surround sound DTS system" & the most modern computer technology. Today, the Alcazar Cabaret is "World Class"!.

Alcazar Cabaret of Pattaya is now well known throughout most of the "INTERNATIONAL" in equivalence to both Lido & Moulin Rouge of Paris. ButAlcazar is different that Lady-man stages it. Alcazar can successfully blend the art of acting, stage design, costumes & the sequence of the shows so well to be impressed by every one of all ages. So Alcazar is a must to visit for both Local & Foreign Visitors.

Alcazar expended more business activities in also same area then call under the name of the "ALCAZAR UNITY"
Experience the new wave of entertainment.  You should not leave Pattaya without seeing our Alcazar Show. A Memorable Experience of a Lifetime! The greatest show in Asia which is a legend of Pattaya, join our audience for the wonder of lifetime.  Touching the marvelous combination of Music, Dance & Costumes. We'll Touch Your Very Soul! With Alcazar's famous reputation for "Satisfaction Guaranteed", you are sure of an amazing night out to please & amuse you.

Time:

Includes:

- Air conditioned vehicle with English-speaking guide.
- Admission fee as mentioned on this program.
- Transfer from/to hotel in Pattaya.

Excludes:

- Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, insurance etc.
- Other service not mentioned on this program.

Read More …

7 Must See Bridges of Han River (Hangang)

I have not had the time to discover this yet but I will check these beautiful bridges if I go to Seoul again.

Ever wonder why the bridges (portrayed in drama or movie) in Seoul are breathtakingly beautiful? Some Korean movies or dramas frequently potray the main protagonist having a fun time or even crying under the bridges while basking on their woe or sadness. They would sometime rest near a pojang macha (make shift stall) drinking soju and eating egg rolls/banchan (korean side dishes).

There is a total of 27 bridges cross the Han River in Seoul National Capital Area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon), South Korea. (Source: Wikipedia)

Yanghwa Bridge 양화대교

By Subway

Line 9 to Seonyudo Station, exit 3, walk 15 min
Nearby attraction: Seonyudo Park
Source: Wikipedia

Hangang Bridge 한강대교

By Subway
Line 4 to Ichon Station. Exit 4 and walk for about 12 min.

Dongjak Bridge 동작대교

By Subway

Line 4 to Dongjak Station. Exit 1 for Gureum, Exit 2 for Noeul and walk for about 3 min

Hannam Bridge 한남대교

By Subway

Take Line 3 to Sinsa Stn. Exit 4, or to Nonhyeon Stn. Exit 6,7, then take a transit bus

Jamsil Bridge 잠실대교

By Subway
Line 2 to Jamsil Stn, Exit 7 and walk for about 10 min towards Jamsil Bridge

Gwangjingyo Bridge 광진교

By Subway
Line 5 to Gwangnaru Station, Exit 2 or to Cheonho Stn. Then walk for about 15 min
Read the article about the bridge by JoongAng Daily here.

Banpo Bridge 반포대교와 잠수교

Banpo Bridge Fountain is very original of the kind. 380 nozzles equipped along the both sides of of Banpo Bridge (570m each, 1140m in total) pump up the river water which will fall from the top toward the surface of the river 20m down.

Mon - Friday : 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 20:00, 21:00

Directions
Terminal Express Bus Station, Seoul Subway line 3, Exit #8 >> 5min walk >> located across the underground path
Source: KNTO and  Banpo

Dongho Bridge 동호대교

This bridge is just beside Oksu Station. Whenever a train runs through it, blue lights will light up on its side. Once the train passes, the blue lights will disappear. (Source: Chaemii)

Check out the the article by KNTO on the killer views from observatory cafe's outlooking these gorgeous bridges here and Han River water taxi here.

Read More …