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As 2009 comes to an end, it is prime time to reflect on a year of heartbreak, love, betrayal, excess, unrequited love and of course “drama.” Thankfully I’m not talking about my own personal life but two of my favorite dramas of the year: Boys Before Flowers and Shining Inheritance. From these, two Korean drama actors emerged as heartthrobs (the bad boys turned good kind): Lee Min Ho (Gu Jun Pyo of BBF) and Lee Seung Gi (Sun Woo Hwan of Shining Inheritance). But who reigns supreme as the Korean Drama King of 2009?

Following Boys Before Flowers, Lee Min Ho picked up 9 commercial endorsements as a result of his work as the cocky but irresistibly handsome male lead. In addition, the F4 leader also won the Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Award for his role as Jun Pyo (which oftentimes led to me resenting my own boyfriend for not taking me to New Caledonia for our anniversary). Boys Before Flowers definitely put Lee Min Ho on the star map but he has yet to do anything since BBF other than commercials (including a music video commercial with 2NE1’s Sandara Park) and print ads. But I’m not gonna hate (have you seen that Dunkin’ Donuts commercial? YUM!)

On the other hand, Lee Seung Gi had already established himself as a singer and as the loveable goof on variety shows before making the jump into acting. There was a lot of doubt that “huh-dang” Seung Gi could pull off the bad boy persona of arrogant, spoiled and emotionally closed off Hwan but Lee Seung Gi definitely had me throwing pillows at my television out of frustration with his character! In addition to starring in the drama, Lee Seung Gi kept himself busy with recording an album (released in the later part of 2009), filming hit variety show 1 Night 2 Days whose ratings boomed because of the “Lee Seung Gi Effect,” preparing for his comeback on the musical stage, and now co-MC’ing Strong Heart with 1N2D co-star Kang Ho Dong. Oh, and don’t forget the poor boy also got hit with swine flu.

In conclusion, the year definitely goes to Lee Seung Gi for taking the Korean entertainment industry by storm and showing no signs of slowing down. Lee Min Ho, you still have next year…so announce your next drama already!

Written by Vanessa Nguyen of Compassion in My Fingertips.

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This blog posting is part of The Ningin End of the Year Special.

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Thanks for the ‘What 2009 meant for Ningin and Asian Pop Culture’ article Jinra!


i’ve never seem any of these lol


Heart Breaker MV is like .. the BEST!


Oh man, mind as well put up my 10 best songs of 2009

1. Sorry Sorry
2. It’s You
3. Heartbreaker
4. Tell me your wish
5. MUZIK
6. Bo Peep Bo Peep
7. Abracadbra
8. Ring Ding Dong
9. Heart Beat
10. I Don’t care (Reggage Remix)


TOP 10 Ningin Stories of 2009; is also the most memorable! smile

Good stuff.


I watched the anime and read the manga. Didn’t like Greed Island and the anime stopped in the middle of it when I stopped watching.


^ Yeah, my bad on Cowboy Bepop. Have you ever read/seen Hunter X Hunter, Myles?


Lilsparky67 - 01/01/10 7:17 am

What about Death Note, Hajime no Ippo, Code Geass, Full Metal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Monster, Azumanga Daioh, Hunter X Hunter, and so forth?

I only read the manga for Ippo, Death note and Monster. Didn’t like Code Geass or Azumanga Daioh anime, the manga for Azumanga was much better. And Cowboy Bebop was last decade besides the movie so I wanted to include other stuff. FMA, Ippo and Monster would probably belong to the list though.


Lilsparky67 - 01/01/10 7:17 am

What about Death Note, Hajime no Ippo, Code Geass, Full Metal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Monster, Azumanga Daioh, Hunter X Hunter, and so forth?

death note is awesome! :D


i know kpop has gone through so much this is prob the worst year


1. TVXQ (Xiah Junsu, Micky Yoochun, and Jaejoong) and Super Junior (Hankyung) trying to opt out of their contract: SM needs to get it together and catch up with the times.

2. Jaebum Leaves Korea-2PM: I was sad when I heard this.

3. Lee Byung Hun Sleeps with a Girl: Just treat the woman right-do her justice.

4. UEE Nude Issue: Netizens did something good for once.

5. G-Dragon faces plagiarism and sexual content in concert: Again, Korea needs to keep up with the times and G-Dragon, check your work next time please.


What about Death Note, Hajime no Ippo, Code Geass, Full Metal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Monster, Azumanga Daioh, Hunter X Hunter, and so forth?


Hm...I’ve only heard and or watched some of these titles.


JinraIlustrisimo - 12/28/09 7:25 am
karens2 - 12/28/09 3:33 am
JinraIlustrisimo - 12/27/09 9:21 pm

Aw man, needs more G-Dragon.

True

Who would you have on your list Karen?

My list is rather-ly long raspberry!


did they ever reveal who it was?


^ Oh I remember something about that. Don’t know what happened.


Oh, what about that celeb having intercourse 3 times with an under aged girl (it was paid)… hmmm…


So many things happened this year in Kpop. It had it’s ups and downs, but it was still an amazing year. I can’t wait for 2010!


hmm. top pop acts of the decade? I agree with most of yours (although I have never heard of Tata Young and Lee Hom Wang). I think DBSK/Tohoshinki deserver a place on the list. I am not a fan of them, but you can’t deny the mega-popularity that group has received in all of Asia. for me, Utada is my number 1 ( First Love is amazing!!! plus, she was also my first bit of asian music).

here is my top 10 list: Utada, BoA, Ayumi Hamasaki, Rain, Namie Amuro, DBSK/Tohoshinki, Wonder Girls, Kumi Koda, arashi, se7en


you chose good games lillian smile


Great list for top asian pop acts of the decade Jinra. Yes, I would have bashed you if BoA wasn’t number one.


You extended your Top MVs list Danny raspberry
I’ve only watched some of them XD


Great list!
Here’s a list of the people who were infected by Swine flu in just the Korean music section alone Thanks to Kbites:

Swine flu infestation!
Kim HyunJoong
Jo Kwon
K Will
Lee Seung Gi
JongHyun
Onew
TaeMin
WheeSung
Alexander
Lee Joon
Amber
Sulli
Krystal
Kim Joon
Thunder


EOTY Asian pop acts of the decade:
AHA, you fear the wrath of BoA or her fans? XD!?? BoA hit you with an SUV escalade if she wasn’t on top the list, haha. Oh wait, that’s tigers wife XD

Yep I agree on Charice too, Although a bit new she definitely is star material!


EoTY: Top Asian Pop Acts of the Decade:

I’m glad you mentioned Charice. Unlike other artists, Charice gained not only in one or two countries but worldwide recognition with a completely unknown background. Props to her.


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