The Vineyard Man (포도밭 그사나이 / Podopat Geusanai -2006)

Starring:
Yoon Eun Hye as Lee Ji Hyun
Oh Man Suk as Jang Taek-Gi
Kim Ji Suk as Kim Gyung-Min
Kang Eun Bi as Park Hong-Yi
Lee Soon Jae as Lee Byung-Dal
Jung So Young as Kang Su Jin (30)
Jang Jung Hee as Lee Jang Daek (43)
Lee Dal Hyung as Oh Young Bae (39)

In this romantic-comedy, (an adaptation of the book The Vineyard Man by Kim Rang), Yoon Eun Hye plays Lee Ji Hyun, a clothing designer in Seoul, who reluctantly leaves home for one year to work at her grand uncle’s vineyard in a small village. However when arriving in the country, she reunites with a Jang Taek Gi Oh Man Suk, a local resident who had been wrongfully arrested in Seoul by police after Ji Hyun reported having a dress-which she had designed-had been stolen. The two clash frequently as Ji Hyun has a difficult time adjusting to life in the country and working with Taek Gi. However, after many twists and turns Ji Hyun adapts to rustic life while falling in love with Taek Gi.

LOL! This was a riot. Yoon Eun Hye, the queen of situation comedy, was brilliant. This had the making of a typical romantic Korean drama but the story itself was unique and original. Enough so, that I had to watch it in one go. Oh Man Suk, the not the most handsome of men, but cute as the shy, naive vineyard worker (Taek-gi) who eventually falls in love with Ji-hyun. The bickering that eventually led to understanding then to love was truly heartwarming. Hey, even the ending was nice. This drama not the greatest, but truly original, will gladly put smiles on faces and leave us with a beautiful sigh at the end.

You will truly fall in love with the characters. A very beautiful love story..............

I Really Really Like You (진짜 진짜 좋아해 / Jinjja Jinjja Joahae -2006)

Starring:
Eugene as Yuh Bong Soon (Birth name is Yeo Yoon He, 25)
Lee Min Ki as Nam Bong Ki (Bodyguard, 28)
Ryu Jin as Dr. Jang Joon Won (President's son, 31)
Bong Soon's family
Geum Bo Ra as Lee Han Suk (Bong Soon's mother, 47)
Shin Min Hee as Geum Soo Kyung (19)
Lee Sang Kil as Jo Hyun Joon (9)
Bong Ki's family and colleagues
Jang Yong as Nam Dae Shik (Bong Ki's father, 61)
Yoon Seung Won as Lee Sang Jik (Director Lee, in charge of security for the President, 48)
Yoo Tae Joon as Kim Joo Yup ( Bodyguard nicknamed Robocop, 28
Yoon Ji Hoo as Kang Moon Shik (Bodyguard: Bong Ki and Robocop's friend, 28)
Presidential family
Choi Bool Am as Jang Min Ho (The President, 59)
Kim Hye Ok as Oh Young Sil (Joon Won's mother, 53)
Jung So Young as Go Ji Soo (Joon Won's wife, 31)
Jung Da Bin as Jang Hyo Won (Joon Won's daughter, 4)
Staff people
Kwon Ki Sun as Ma Ok Hee (47)
Lee Young Ja as Song Un Joo (39)
Ahn Hye Kyung (안혜경) as Noh Jin Kyung (Nutritionist in charge of the canteen, 29)
Kim Chang Wan as Kang San (50)
Kim Gook Jin as Ki Hyung Do (35)
Kang In Duk as Bang Pil Do (59)
Yoon Yeo Jung as Goo Hyang Sook (55)
Others
Kim Hee Jung as Soo Jung
Kim Hyung Bum

Yeo Bong Soon (Eugene) leaves her mountain village and comes to Seoul to live and look for her parents after her foster 'grandmother' passes away. She finds a job as an assistant cook at the President's Blue House canteen and later, in the Blue House kitchen. She falls for Jang Joon Won (Ryu Jin), the President's son, a highly intellectual doctor; however, he is married with a five-year-old daughter. His wife is suffering from dementia. As Bong Soon finds herself falling in love with Joon Won, a love triangle builds up when Bong Ki (Lee Min Ki), the President's family's bodyguard, starts to fall for the hillbilly Bong Soon! The drama explores about how Bong Ki gets in touch with his own feelings and how Bong Song's generosity makes the men fall for her.

This was truly a beautiful story. A love triangle, yes. But not overly intense. I will say that the progression for Bong-soon's love for Bong-ki didn't really hit until the last 3 episodes and their were 34 episodes. Don't get me wrong, we see her change attitudes towards him during the whole show but it from total hate, to disbelief, to friendship.......just her love for him was just rushed at the end. That's how I felt anyway.

The whole show really showed how love can change and to love someone unconditionally while sick. I loved Joon-won's character. I really, truly did. You could feel the torment and guilt he felt for both Bong-soon and his wife. That character had depth.

I did not care for the wishy-washy character of Bong-soon. Once she found out about Joon-won's wife, you'd think she would back off. But instead she held on for dear life and didn't give Bong-ki the chances he deserved. They tried to portray her as a good girl but I think that fell through while dealing with Joon-won's character. That part left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Bong-ki. What can I say about him? Lee Min-ki is a freakin' riot. He always leaves me with a smile on my face. He has some great comedic timing and his facial expressions are a joy. He always makes me happy while watching him. I'd really like to see him in a serious role. No comedy involved. I wonder if he could pull it off. I think I might Dal Jal's Spring next just so I can get more of LMK. *sigh* How can someone be that cute?

Lee Min Ki