Korean Dramas: Reel Life and Real Life

E. recommended me to watch "Marriage, without dating" (연애 말고 결혼) when I got bored and recently, I completed another short drama series "Noble My Love" (고결한 그대). Interestingly, I enjoyed both series very much and both have similar plots - basically a marriage contract signed so that the male protagonists, who are from influential families, don't have to go on blind dates and get married at their mother's whims. While "Marriage without dating" is longer (50min for 20 episodes) and more side stories, "Noble my Love" is probably a webcast and solely fixed on the couple (15min for 20 episodes). I believe that many Korean dramas also have this storyline but surprisingly, I don't seem to tire, probably because of the actors ;)

In both dramas, Cha Yoon Seo (Kim Jae Kyung) and Joo Jang Mi (Han Groo) are female heroines - one plays a vet, another plays a salesgirl from less well-to-do families, whose bubbly personalities attracted the rich and successful bachelors who aren't interested in marriage, Lee Kang Hoon (Sung Hoon) who is a CEO and Gong Gi Tae (Yeon Woojin), a plastic surgeon. Also, both ladies actually managed to save the guy in one of the scenes - Yoon Seo stitched Kang Hoon's wound when he was kidnapped and stabbed, while Jang Mi rescued Gi Tae when he was locked in his toilet (a little less glam). Both has the marriage contract in place where the guy later falls in love with the girl and evil mothers objecting to the marriage, although " Marriage" has it worse because the drama is longer. Well, be glad to know that both ended on a happy note :)

I must say that both dramas also have not one, but TWO cute actors fighting over the girl. How lucky is that. "Marriage" has Han Yeo-reum (Jin Woon from 2AM) also chasing Jangmi while "Noble" has Sang Hyun (Park Eun Suk) chasing Yoon Seo. I do prefer Kang Hoon's demeanor (and the formal suits-style) although Gi Tae's antics and colour shirts are kinda cute. Some eye candies here:

Interestingly, these are dramas I enjoy most - happy endings that are really sweet - and I believe, most Koreans do too, given the dramas' popularity and how scriptwriters are re-using such storylines so often. Sociologically speaking, perhaps these are storylines that invoke the imaginary hopes/dreams/fairy tale-like wishes in many people. And it probably does also reflect the beliefs/cultures of the Korean society, that moms want the best for their sons but very often this does backfire. True love also triumphs over all evil moms - more so or less, the guy is still the successful one who calls the shots. Real life probably isn't like that so maybe that's why people are still suckers for fairy tale like endings.

How nice if real life can resemble a Korean drama :)
보고싶어요 :/

A month post-accident...

Yes, I'm writing again. Somehow, emotions seem to be the biggest push factor to make me want to write. And somehow, I have not many other avenues to air these emotions, or maybe it isn't the same to air it to people who may seem as clueless as you, or paint an alternative picture which you don't really fancy.

It has been almost a month (minus 3 days) since the accident and I still feel things aren't back, or even nearing normal; even though people do tell me I look perfectly normal. Still can't do much activity, still can't run/swim/bike, still can't work properly without getting tired, still feeling bloated and fat, still feeling frustrated, still feeling left out and lonely. I really do hope I don't get any depression anytime soon :(

Things have been pretty aimless and there's nothing much to look forward to - which I realised is a huge push factor to make me more efficient to do things in life. I don't survive well alone, maybe it's alright for solo trips overseas, but definitely I need people around me.

Not too sure how is the collarbone healing - there's still a gap but it's not as painful, although I do get tired easily. Looking forward to physio next week to at least give me the go-ahead to do something more active. Maybe the doctor should have operated on me :o

I do need a miracle.

The "i'm bored" post

My first post of 2016 and currently Day 10 of post-accident; really bored at home - given the great procrastinator I am, I did manage to tidy up my cupboards and desk, read and blog given the time at home.

But I really want to note down some encouragements from service yesterday; hope I won't forget them and also some thoughts after reading some articles from: www.christianitytoday.com ; which can be useful reminders for myself and future bf/husband-to-be, given that I've been feeling quite discouraged from recent issues.

3 things not to lose in the New Year ahead:
1. JOY
Joy in whatever I do,which defines us as Christians. To remember joy is God-given.
2. PASSION
Passion in service, work, goals and aims in life.Without passion, life can be a real bore.
3.COMPASSION
There's a difference between treating others with compassion and just reacting to situations. Definitely, the former is more genuine.

Secondly, because E and I have touched on this topic before and I'm not too familiar, given that it is a 'taboo' topic,I thought it was rather interesting to read about the Christian perspective(s) in case we do discuss it once again. I guess, ultimately, from what I've gathered, is that:

1. God knows our desires and longings because He creatively placed them there.
2.Still a little confused about sexual orientation vis-a-vis certain occult preachings like Jesus having a feminine side
3. Christianity shouldn't be a set of restrictions but more meant to set us free from the ways/practices/followings of the world about sexuality-meaning all the extremist, normalised socialised views the world adopts in relation to sex, the do's and don'ts. This view is rather liberating but definitely there are boundaries, as set by God in the Bible (http://www.growthtrac.com/marriage-bed/#.VolB-fl97IU), rather than Man.
(http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2015/july/staying-faithful-how-our-sex-lives-matter-to-god.html?start=2). This doesn't mean that God doesn't value virginity/chastity but we shouldn't commoditise/put a judgement to it.
4. Body and sexuality issues matter to God