Fashion Pulse | Easy Ways to Spruce up your Look.

Going to a cocktail party or attending a formal event can be a little confusing for many modern women. For some, a pair of slacks or a business suit would be more than enough for the occasion. The casual dresser, on the other had, would prefer a frilly top and a skirt or the usual jeans and shirt.

However, when you’re going somewhere a bit nicer, there are some big differences you need to think about. If you don’t, you could look really look out of place and feel incredibly uncomfortable throughout the whole event.

But don't fret. It is possible to quickly spruce up your look though. Here's a quick guide that can help you in choosing what to wear.

Yoon Eun Hye wears fur in the 2013 drama 'I Miss You'.

Think Fur
When you’re just about to step out the door and your look just doesn’t seem formal enough, what exactly are you to do?

One of the simplest and most elegant things you can do is to simply throw on a fur. No matter what your outfit is like, a fox fur coat or a faux fox coat can make you look like the most sophisticated woman in the room. Other furs can work well, but fox is a classic that’s also quite trendy right now.

Try Statement Jewelry
Like furs, jewelry can alter your look quickly. For elegant engagements, consider large pieces of statement jewelry like big necklaces. They don’t have to be covered in diamonds, but you do want them to make a visual statement and not be “everyday” looking pieces of jewelry. You want to stand out from the crowd!

Spazz Saturday #18 | Yoon Eun Hye Broadens Acting Career with Mature Roles.

As Yoon Eun Hye enters the eighth year of her acting career, she looks back at the days when she first entered Hallyu, after leaving the music industry and the girl group Baby VOX, where she was a member for almost six year.

“When I was younger, I was very careful about everything because I was afraid of creating misunderstandings. But now I’ve shed all those anxieties, and I feel much freer than before”, she recalls.

Yoon Eun Hye says she feels more confident about herself, now that she is entering her thirties and becomes more established in TV drama. Her latest TV drama, MBC’s “I Miss You” was a turning point for her. Yoon’s character in the drama is a woman who was sexually molested as a child and exhausted all efforts to bury her memories from the past. She said she initially struggled with the complexity of the character’s psychological issues, and found the experience so draining that she ended up in the hospital from fatigue and exhaustion.

Viewers, however, responded positively to her performance after immersing herself fully in the role. She was able to overcome cynical critics who had previously questioned the limits of her acting ability, garnering overwhelming positive reviews along the way.

“I’ve always wanted to play the kind of roles that were suitable for my age,” Yoon Eun Hye says. “The reason I’ve been looking forward to turning 30 so quickly is because I always expected it would open up a broader range of roles.”

Meanwhile, her short film “The Knitting” was part of the Busan International Film Festival last year, and the decision to challenge herself further by taking up film directing has helped her acting.

“I used to become very sensitive when I worked on projects, because I felt so personally responsible for whatever work I was engaged in, and this may have made life harder for those working with me,” she said. “But directing a film with a whole production crew made me think that I may have been mistaken in behaving like that. I realized that I need to be more flexible in how I approach things, and that helped me feel more at ease and go more with the flow this time.”

Despite only recently having wrapped up her latest production, she is already thinking about her next project. She said her confidence has been boosted by all the positive reviews she has received and now she wants to show audiences what she is really capable of.

Yoon Eun Hye says she wants to experience so many things, “because that enlarges and improves you as a person.”

Also published on Korea.com.

Spazz Saturday #11 | Lee Min Ho's Adobo, and Kdramas seasoned just right.

In case you haven't heard, Korean actor Lee Min Ho was in town as the latest endorser for the global brand, Bench. He had a meet and greet session for the said brand last Friday, and Araneta Coliseum was jam-packed with eager fans.

I wasn't part of that crowd, mind you. I'm not exactly a huge fan of LMH, although I liked him in City Hunter. I guess I still haven't gotten over the fact that Geum Jang Di didn't end up with my beloved Yoon Ji Hoo in Boys Over Flowers, lol. Still, I'm happy for my fellow Kpop/Kdrama fans who had the chance to see him in the flesh. And I find it adorable that LMH likes adobo.

Photo credit: @ActorLeeMinHo

On Saturday, LMH tweeted this photo together with the following message: I  would like to say thank you to all the fans who made out to the Bench event. Adobo ^^ Masarab! 반가웠어요 ^^ (Yes, he really wrote 'masarab'.)

So what if Lee Min Ho, Choi Siwon, and Lee Donghae all got together for one Bench event? It's gonna be chaos, I tell you! :)

Moving on to my Kdramas, Nice Guy/Innocent Man finally came to an end last Thursday. I began watching this drama with the fear that Kang Maru might suffer the same fate as the lead actor in Mianhada, Saranghanda. After all, the screenwriter of both dramas was one and the same person.

Kang Maru loves Seo Eun Gi ^^

But surprise, surprise! Kang Maru survived, and the drama had a happy ending! Thank you, writer-nim for not killing the lead actor! Yay!

Also on my spazz list is Full House Take 2, a remake of the 2004 drama which starred Rain and Song Hye Kyo. I am liking the current version better, despite No Min Woo's noodle hair and Hwang Jung-eum's afro.

Better than the first. :)

I've been a fan of No Min Woo since My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, so I guess I'm a bit biased with this version.  I like Park Ki Woong too, and in my opinion, he deserves a first-lead role in his next drama. Enough of the second leads! He deserves to shine! :)

As for I Miss You, I'm so looking forward to episodes 5 and 6. I reckon Park Yoochun and Yoon Eun Hye are finally appearing in the upcoming episodes, so I'm all antsy for Wednesday and Thursday.

I literally miss you, Yoochun!

How about you? What are you watching lately? :)

Yoon Eun Hye confirmed in new drama with Park Yoochun!

Actress Yoon Eun Hye's role in the drama 'I Miss You' has been confirmed, where she will work alongside JYJ's Park Yoochun. This upcoming drama will be Eun Hye's comeback to the small screen, after taking a break for almost eight months.

'I Miss You' is a melodrama about a couple reminiscing about their past, and looking back on the sad memories of their first love. Yoon Eun Hye will play the role of Lee Soo Yeon, a smart and determined woman who holds a lot of pain in her heart. She is also the first love of Han Jung Woo, the character played by Park Yoochun.

The drama's premiere is highly anticipated, as top star Kim Soo Hyun and young actor Yeo Jin Goo are also part of the cast. 'I Miss You' will be directed by Lee Jae Dong, who directed the dramas 'Can't Lose' and 'Thank You'. Working alongside as scriptwriter is Moon Hee Jung, who is famous for previous dramas 'Can You Hear my Heart' and 'Smile, You'.

'I Miss You' will air Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC starting this November.

Source: Nate

Now excuse me while I spazz, because Yoon Eun Hye is my most favorite Korean actress. :)

Korean Dramas of 2011: Hitting the Notes, and Missing the Marks.

When Korean dramas (Kdramas for short) made their way to the Philippines in 2003, I was nothing but a passive audience - the type who would watch only because I still happen to be awake at that time (ergo, the 2230H primetime slot). Back then, I had no favorite actor or actress, missing an episode or two was okay, and dialogues dubbed in Tagalog were all fine with me.

All this changed when Queen Seon Deok hit primetime TV in early 2010. I was so enthralled by the storyline and mesmerized by the casting (Bidam, portrayed by Kim Nam Gil - to be precise) that I found myself watching the drama on YouTube instead. Before QSD came to an end on local TV, I was already watching Kim Nam Gil's next drama, Bad Man, via live streaming.

Last year, I took my Kdrama addiction to a new height. I was able to watch 42 dramas in 2011. Yes, forty two. That's a combination of dramas that were airing during that time, some not-so-old but still very popular dramas (for instance, Boys Over Flowers and You're Beautiful), and one that was almost a decade old (Memories of Bali).

I can prattle about all these dramas, but it would take me more than just one article to do that. But since this is a year-end recap, I'll limit it to Kdramas from 2011. Narrowing it even further, I will point out the ones that I loved, the ones that bored me to pieces, and those that made a mark on me as Kdrama fan.

Stand-outs.


Secret Garden. (Hyun Bin, Ha Ji Won, Yoon Sang Hyun) This to me, was the perfect blend of drama, comedy, and romance. Even the fantasy aspect of the story worked for me. The chemistry between Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won was so perfect, you'd want them to be a couple in real life. Moon Boon Hong was the most terrifying mother-in-law ever that you'd think twice about getting married, especially to someone from an affluent family. Yoon Sang Yon made this drama even more memorable with his impressive singing, charisma, and Oska socks. But it was Hyun Bin's track jacket (and how a man in sequins can still look so hot) that left a lasting impression on its audience.

I actually memorized that 'Kim soo han mo' thing that Joo Won kept on murmuring in this drama.

City Hunter. (Lee Min Ho, Park Min Young) Halfway through the first episode, I was able to understand why this drama got high ratings. It had lots of explosive action scenes and a suspense-laden plot that would entice even the male population to watch a flower boy on the small screen. Of course there's the romantic aspect of this drama between Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young that sold to the females - ahjummas included. This romance eventually blossomed to something real, much to the delight of Lee Yoon Sung and Kim Na Na fans. Starting off strongly and ending with the same bravado, the twists in the story would leave you at the edge of your seats and make you look forward to what's heading towards you in the succeeding episodes.

Lee Min Ho finally grew on me with this drama. 

The Princess' Man. (Park Shi Hoo, Moon Chae Won) I love period dramas, and this gave me yet another reason to love them even more. This drama bears resemblance to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with its star-crossed lovers, ill-fated romance, and tragic deaths. Making this drama more compelling are political liaisons, the hunger for power, political dynasties, and the thirst for revenge. But the things that I love the most about The Princess' Man were: Park Si Hoo's gorgeous mane (coupled with the transformation from gigolo to rebel with a cause), Moon Chae Won's spunk and her ability to tackle a lead role, and the story's bittersweet ending.

Eat your heart out, Claire Danes.

Noteworthy.

The Greatest Love. (Cha Seung Won, Gong Hyo Jin) From the Hong sisters who gave us My Girl, You're Beautiful, and My Girlfriend is a Gumiho came another breakthrough in the romance comedy genre. Cha Seung Won made Dokko Jin a household name in this drama, together with little 'Ding Dong' and the story of azaleas.

Fake relationships in the entertainment industry. Piolo and KC, isdachu?

49 Days. (Lee Yo Won, Jo Hyeon Jae, Jung Il Woo) Death Angels are meant to be freakin' hawt to make 'fetching for souls' an easier task. Such as the case of Jung Il Woo who plays The Scheduler (aka Angel of Death). His pretty boy image and splendid acting made him the star of this drama, and not Jo Hyeon Jae (at least from my point of view).

Episode 19 broke my heart. :(

Dream High. When I started watching this drama, my only intention was to check out Kim Hyun Joong's cameo appearance, which came in the early part of Episode 1. Surprisingly enough, I found myself getting hooked to it as the drama progressed. Kim Soo Hyun's acting was indeed award-worthy - watch out Hallyu, here's your next big star! I can't say much for Suzy's acting (was she even acting?), but her rendition of Winter Child is, for me, the most beautiful version of the birthday song ever.

It came to a point when I ditched Glee in favor of Dream High.  

What A Waste.

Lie to Me. (Yoon Eun Hye, Kang Ji Hwan) Don't get me wrong, I love these two. I really, really do. And I wanted to love them even more because they're together in this drama. It's the drama itself that I consider a total waste of sheer talent. I mean, come on. These two are oozing with talent, and all that went straight to the dumpster with this drama's storyline. I've seen almost all of their previous works, so I know what Eun Hye and Ji Hwan are capable of. (If you can recall, Eun Hye rose to stardom with Coffee Prince, while Kang Ji Hwan will forever be remembered as Hong Gil Dong.) If not for the infamous cola kiss, I wouldn't even bother finishing this. Hurray for carbonated drinks, the saving grace of this drama!

I swoon.

Promising.

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop. Just to be clear, I haven't seen this drama. It was my intention to watch this after it has finished airing. That way, I can enjoy the drama from start to finish without the anxiety and anticipation for next week's episode. Judging from the reviews I've read online, and from fellow Kdrama addicts who have experienced the drama firsthand, Jung Il Woo (once again) shines through and outperforms the male lead. Why he chooses to play second lead in almost all of his dramas remains a mystery to me.

Next on my Kdrama queue!

I wonder how many Kdramas will I be able to watch this year. Will I be able to outnumber my record of 42? We'll know by this time, next year. Here's hoping though that there'll be more praiseworthy dramas and less (if none at all) of the ones that can turn my neurons to mush. (By far, nothing has toppled my harrowing experience with My Fair Lady. Ironically, it's another Eun Hye and Il Woo starrer.)

I can't wait for February. Because another brilliant actor is making a comeback after two years in the military. Come on come on come to J-style!