Long Time No See

~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Hello everyone! Chelsea here. Wow, I’m so happy I have the log in to this account still. I’ve gone through a lot over the past few years, I can’t believe it has been that long, and I want to give the blog game a try again. I’ll be continuing alone, so I will make a few changes to the page, to update some things. But I will be adding some new features and continuing some of my prior ones as well. If there is something kpop/kdrama/book related that you would like to see here, please feel free to reach out and let me know! I’m going to spend the day revamping everything. I also will apologize ahead of time, but I will be spamming with posts today, I have a lot. I want to do. I’ve been battling a lot with my depression and I think this may help me stay on track with things that help keep me happy. I’m also going to try and cross post my youtube content here as well, hoping for a way to keep myself accountable. So here’s to happy blogging.

Chelsea

Review: The Guardians

~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

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The Guardians 파수꾼

Original Air Date  May 22, 2017 – Jul 11, 2017
Country: South Korea
Total Episodes: 32
Genre: Thriller & Suspense

When both the police and the prosecution give up on a case, the victim’s family has no choice but to fight for the truth themselves. In a world where justice does not always prevail, these individuals strive to right the wrong. The Guardian is about such group of people whose worlds turned upside down by the sudden loss of their beloved ones. The main character, Jo Soo Ji, loses her one and only daughter after she falls from a building. To make it worse, it was not an accident but a homicide. She finds out that the killer is a young boy whose father is a very influential being. After the loss of her daughter, Soo Ji decides to only live for her late daughter and to keep the promise they made. Through their full control over the CCTVs, hacking phones and computers, and strong motivation to punish those that the law could not, the Guardians become the protectors for the weak.

So this is going to be my first official review on a drama, so hopefully I can do well with it. After finishing this show I had to give myself a little bit of a break just to be able to process everything that happened in this show.

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This drama is filled with suspense starting right from the beginning. Our main character is Sooji who has lost her daughter and is now willing to do whatever it takes to get justice for her littler girl. Unfortunately, the murderer has strong connections and feeds on the corrupt administration that is currently in place. With the help of some unknown people, Sooji disappears for a year and begins to work unknown to the police to get that justice. I can’t really speak too much more on this without taking away the entire mystery aspect of what was going on during this show.

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Now, for the reason that I started this show in the first place. Kim Kibum, aka Key from SHINee, is one of the main roles in this drama. Brought together is Sooji, Kyungsoo and Bomi share an equally horrible past life and have all been brought together by one mastermind to realize their own personal vendettas from these past traumas. These storylines are what kept me hooked the entire time. Not only were they working on getting their own justice, throughout the show they were working to get justice for other people that were unable to do so for themselves as well. Wanting to know who done it and what was going to happen to get justice.

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Then we have Jang Do Han, a view from the other side. A Prosecutor that is slowly trying to work his way higher, and at possibly something else?? I have to say, Kim Young Kwan’s acting in this drama was brilliant. He really made me have a multitude of conflicting emotions on his character throughout the entire show. Honestly even after the ending I’m still not sure how to feel.

The ending is VERY open ended. So if that is something you do not life then I would suggest avoiding this. Things all come to a conclusion, whether they were good or bad, but some things we are left in the unknown about, or at least that’s how I took it. Overall I liked the storyline of the show and how things progressed. At some parts things seemed a little sloppy and rushed, but at other parts things just worked. In the end, I would recommend this to someone that enjoys thrillers, and needs a break from the romance of most shows.

Overall I ended up rating this drama 8/10. It kept me wanting to continue watching after the end of every episode. I NEEDED to know what happened. While I may not have been happy with absolutely everything, it still made for a very good show. If you are in to Asian dramas and have yet to check this one out, I would add it to your list and give it a go.

Chelsea’s Currently Watching

~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Hello again! I’ve been spending a lot of my free time, and time when I should be sleeping, watching a lot of Asian dramas and variety shows. I’m having a hard time with just focusing on one at a time so I have quite a few going instead of just one or two. I figured I would share what the ones I’ve been the most invested in with you all. Once I finish some I’d like to do reviews as well!

Itaewon Class
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This one has been on my currently watching list the longest. I’ve made it through the first 5 episodes, which is almost an entire third of the show! But I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I just really dislike some of the characters that’s keeping me from continuing, because I love Park Seo Joon and have watched a LOT of his prior dramas.

Goblin
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I know I’m really behind on the times when it comes to watching this drama, but I’m only about a year and a half in to watching Asian dramas, so I have a lot of things to catch up on while they continue to give us new shows! I’m 6 episodes in to this one but I’m also watching it with a friend so I don’t watch it as fast as I probably would when I watch alone, because I am really enjoying it so far and super interested to see how it goes

Extraordinary You
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If you know me in the slightest, you know my massive love for Lee Dawon who is a vocalist for the group SF9. So of course it’s a no brainer that when Rowoon from SF9 was cast in Extraordinary You I just had to watch it to support it. With 32 episodes I expected there to be a long journey. The last episode I watched was 18, and I have to say, this show is so good I don’t want to finish it because I don’t want it to be over. I’m basically right in the middle of all the drama that is happening, and know there is more to come, but it’s just such a beautiful show I’ll be so sad when it’s over. I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Rowoon during a fan sign with SF9 and his laugh when I mentioned how much I didn’t want to finish this show and have nothing left still rings in my ears. Although he did say to please support SF9 and his future dramas, as if I wasn’t already planning to do that!

Shopping King Louie
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To be 100% honest, I only started this drama because of Seo In Guk and how much I love his music. I’m only 1 episode in as well, but there’s only 16 in this series so it’s a typical length for a Korean drama. Nothing crazy has happened, and I’m sure I will get to the plot eventually, but I am really enjoying everything that I’ve been given so far!

Mystic Pop Up Bar
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Another Sungjae drama! (He’s in Goblin as well) I have to say, I barely knew anything about BtoB before this year because I’m terrible, but I do really love their maknae Sungjae and his acting. This is one that Taylor and I are watching together, and I absolutely LOVE the fantasy elements of this. We’re 4 episodes in to 12 for the entire series, and I cannot wait for us to get to watch more!

Hotel Del Luna
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I didn’t realize until now how many Fantasy related dramas I’ve been watching. This one is yet again another really hyped drama, but after watching the first episode I can see why. You may be asking “Chelsea, you’ve only watched the first episode?” and the answer to that is yes. Both Taylor and I are watching this together with another one of our friends so being able to have time for all three of us to sit down and watch a show together is kind of difficult around all of our work and personal schedules. But do not worry! I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode and cannot wait for us to get the chance to watch more!

TOO Mystery: Zombie War
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Currently my only Variety show AND actively airing show that I am watching. This is just following the rookie group TOO while some of them become infected as zombies and the rest of the group works to find a cure for them. I’m not sure how many episodes we will get, but so far there have been 6 (2 a week) and I am having so much fun. I’ve ulted TOO so to get to see them interact and play games and have fun is just so nice for me.

The Secret Life of My Secretary
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Ahhhh and now it’s time for my current binge project. I started this show just yesterday and am already ready to start episode 9 of 32. Sometimes when they break the episodes in 2 pieces so we get more it makes me feel a little upset where one episode ends off, and I’m finding that with this show. But other than that I am super happy with things and just know there are going to be some sticky situations coming. I started this after finishing The Guardians earlier this week where I fell in love with Kim Young Kwang and his acting. So naturally after seeing he was in this drama from last summer I started to watch it, and have become very engrossed in it.

 

 

Have you watched any of these shows? Are any of them on your To Watch List?? Let me know below, or if you have some suggestions for some shows for me to check out let me know as well, I am very much a rookie when it comes to Asian Dramas! I also clearly can’t stick with just one and would love to add more to my watching list.

August 2020 Comebacks/Debuts (UPDATED)

~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Hello again everyone! So to stick with the theme of my life being taken over by Kpop, I want to bring back this feature that Taylor started earlier this year. The past couple months have been so full of comebacks and debuts because of the lack of touring thanks to Corona, and August is no different. So here are the Comebacks & Debuts that we’re really excited about this month!

 The listed comebacks and debuts are not all of the ones happening for the month of August, these are just the ones that Taylor and I are looking forward to most. This post will also include the Japanese releases.

What you will see for the comebacks is the previous title track. For debuts, there will be trailers or teasers listed. Linked in the group name is their Kpop Profile’s page.

If the date has passed, the MV has been updated to the MV that was released

August 2nd

Hong Eunki (comeback)

August 3rd

Kang Daniel (comeback)

(G)i-dle (comeback)

August 4th

1Team (comeback)

Rocket Punch (comeback)

Taemin (Comeback)

August 6th

ENOi (comeback)

Cherry Bullet (comeback)

August 7th

Treasure (debut)

Ravi x Yeri x Wooseok (special summer song)

Kenta of JBJ95 (single dedicated to his late mother)

August 8th

1the9 (disbandment song)

August 10th

ONF (comeback)

Han Seung Woo(solo debut)

August 13th

Lucy (comeback)

August 14th

SuperM (Single)

August 17th

Dreamcatcher (comeback)

Itzy (comeback)

August 19th

Oneus (comeback)

Tomorrow X Together (Japanese)

Hyolyn (comeback)

August 24th

Cravity (comeback)

August 25th

Yohan (solo debut ahead of Wei debut)

August 27th

OnlyOneOf (comeback)

Date Not Confirmed

MCND (Comeback)

Floria (debut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Iv5ZYbAU9s

Black Pink (Single)

Wonho (solo debut)

A.C.E (comeback)

Kard (comeback)

Day6 (unit comeback)

BXK (debut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhcIxF-Boi4

LUNARSOLAR (debut)

Chelsea’s August TBR

~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Let’s be honest. I’ve had a pretty rough year when it comes to anything that isn’t work or kpop related. I spend a majority of my time involved in those two things and the rest of my time sleeping, if I get good sleep as it is. So I’m deciding since we’re more than halfway through this crazy year I’m going to try to focus more on all the things I used to love to do. That means reading, and blogging, and hopefully even more things. So to start I’m going to give myself a TBR for the month of August. I’m not sure of any readathons happening, so what I’ve decided is I will give myself a couple of ARCs I have sitting around as well as maybe a couple re-reads or some books I know that I really had wanted to get in to before I just stopped reading. This way I don’t have a lot of pressure, and I still have some sort of goal to reach! I’ll probably be flooding you with posts here over the next couple of days, so let’s get right to my books!

 

ARCs

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Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Don’t Read The Comments by Eric Smith
Kind of A Big Deal by Shannon Hale
It Only Happens In The Movies by Holly Bourne

Re-Reads

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Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

New Reads

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I love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
Dear Heartbreak
Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia

June 2020 TBR

~ Taylor ~ Leave a comment

So, long time no see! Taylor here with my June TBR. June is also Pride Month and that is hella exciting! Bisexual me is living for my first Pride Month out and proud. This month I am trying to focus on mainly LGBT+ reads. I have one book that I need to finish from starting last month. I have many plans but since I have been mood reading I gave myself a large TBR that I can pick and choose from. Here all the books I want to try to read in the month of June!

  1. Joyride by Anna Banks
  2. Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
  3. Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh
  4. Docile by K.M. Szpara

5. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
6. Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
7. Starworld by Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Gardner
8. Of Ice and Shadows by Audrey Coulthurst

9. This Coven Won’t Break by Isabel Sterling
10. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsin Muir
11. The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopus
12. Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

13. The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
14. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
15. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins-Reid
16. The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

What books are you planning on reading in the month of June? I know for a fact I will not get to all of these books but I am hoping to get to a handful! Between audiobooks and having some down time to read at work, my goal is six of these books!

Tag Tuesday: Anything but Books Tag

~ Taylor ~ Leave a comment

This is a tag that I found from Ali at HardbackHoarder. The tag’s creator is ReadorRot. I thought this would be a quick and fun tag to do today! Also something a little different.

1. Name a cartoon(s) that you love
Hi, my name is Taylor and I am a weeb. The only cartoons I find myself watching these days is anime. My all time favorite anime is Tokyo Ghoul. I BINGED that show a couple years ago. I really love Vampire Knight as well.

2. What is your favorite song right now?
Right now the song I find myself going to listen to is Am I the Only One by SF9. IT IS SO GOOD OH MY GOD.

3. What could you do for hours (that isn’t reading)?
Something I can sit down and do for hours, that is not reading a book, is sit down to watch K-Dramas or C-Dramas or J-Dramas or Thai BL Dramas.

4. What is something you love to do that your followers would be surprised by?
Sadly, there isn’t much that is surprising about me. I have the tendency to be good at videos games sometimes. I tend to beat a Fire Emblem game in under two days.

5. What is your favorite unnecessarily specific thing to learn about (this can do with books, I guess)?
I love learning about the human body and how it works. I don’t want to work in the health industry (been there, done that) but I do love how the body works. I also really like learning about ghosts and old, vacant buildings.

6. What is something unusual you know how to do?
This might not be unusual but I can shoot an empty can with a pistol from across an empty field. I used to live in the middle of nowhere and that was one of the things my fiance and I would do when the weather was nice.

7. Name something you’ve made in the last year (and show us, if you can)
I don’t make many things besides food and I can’t show that. I eat it shortly after.

8. What is your most recent personal project?
My most recent personal project is trying to plan my wedding.

9. Tell us something you think about often (maybe while staring out of windows)
I don’t stare out the windows often but when I do it is usually raining or snowing and I find myself thinking that it looks cold outside. I’m pretty lame.

10. Give us something that’s your favorite, but make it something oddly specific, not like your favorite food, but like your favorite food when you’ve been studying for hours and forgot to eat. Or, you know, something like that
My favorite things is a feeling I get when I am with Chelsea. We can either be at a show or we can just be hanging out at her apartment or mine. The feeling of acceptance and a lot of laughter. It is a hard feeling to explain but I feel it every single time we’re together and it makes me so, so happy.

Taylor’s Weekly TBR 02-10-20

~ Taylor ~ Leave a comment

This is a start of new week and the start of a readathon, so here are the books I plan on reading.

Tome Topple began on the 7th and will be ending on the 20th.

So far, I have been working on Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness via audiobook. I would use this for “tome audiobook” and “adult tome”. I finished it Sunday morning while I was at work.

I will be moving on to the final book in the series. Book of Life will be used for “tome from a series” and “tome from a genre not usually read”.

Physically I plan on reading The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern. I will be working on it during the remaining days of the readathon since I have more audiobooks to pick up after I finish The Book of Life. This book will fill the challenge of “standalone tome”.

January 2020 Haul

~ Taylor ~ Leave a comment

We are just a couple days into February so that means it is time to share the books as well we the albums I got in the month of January.

First, we can look at the books! I got nine from either friends, Walmart, Amazon, Barnes and Noble.

Walmart Books

Amazon Books

The book I received from a friend

Barnes and Noble books

Next we can take a look at the albums I bought in January. These are either from Depop, FYE, or Amazon. Some of them were gifted to me from Chelsea as well.

Gifts from Chelsea

FYE (Coconuts)

The album from Amazon

Depop albums