On Bichunmoo, Latina chick lit, and other randomness
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).
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).