Korean drama ramble: 49 days

I just finished 49 days and would like to pen down my thoughts.........
Here are the posters:

Taken from http://www.koreandrama.org:
Synopsis
Shin Ji Hyun was enjoying absolute bliss as she was about to marry her fiancé, Kang Min Ho, but her perfect life is shattered when she gets into a car accident that leaves her in a coma. She is given a second chance at life by a reaper, but it comes with a condition: she has to find three people outside of her family who would cry genuine tears for her. In order to do this, she borrows the body of Yi Kyung, a part-time employee at a convenience store for 49 days.

Starring:

Lee Yo Won as Song Yi Kyung (Female on the right)

 I must say i'm highly impressed with this actress. In the beginning, i was reluctant to even begin to watch this drama. All because the story line and the female lead, Lee Yo Won, didn't really get to me. I watched the preview/teaser and i saw Lee Yo Won for the first time. Oh my, what a drab lookin' thing. And she's the lead?? Gosh! How terrible. Her features don't stand out and all in all she looks downright drab.

I'm glad i took the challenge and stepped out of my square thinking. As i watched, i thoroughly enjoyed Lee Yo Won's acting from drab queen to cheery lil' bird! Ah and she switches back and forth, back and forth  between these two characters effortlessly. What a wonder. Love her! I'm even impressed that she can look so young to be paired up with Jung Il Woo (1980 female vs 1987 male). She's married with a child too! Impressive. Look at the pic below and judge:

Nam Gyu Ri as Shin Ji Hyun

Nam gyu ri ............ sorry to her fans out there, but i think she's rather a spoiler for the whole drama. Her acting is a little out. I didn't really enjoy her. She doesn't seem to have chemistry with her own character as Ji Hyun. A little too childish and sometimes even overly trying-hard-to-be-sweet.


Jo Hyun Jae as Han Kang

This guy is ok, pretty funny overall. He gets especially funny when he realises who Song Yi Kyung is but cannot out-rightly acknowledge this fact.




Bae Soo Bin as Kang Min Ho

 I only remember this guy as the guy who always falls hard for Han Hyo Joo but never gets the girl. He would be the one doing all sorts of sweet things to protect and help Han Hyo Joo, but he will end up without her. So he gives me the impression of a rather pathetic one-sided lover (watched Dong Yi and Shining Inheritance).

 However, in this drama, he is the bad bad villain. Quite successful i would say. You'll feel like slapping him!


Jung Il Woo as scheduler / Song Yi Soo

Jung Il Woo is definitely the brilliant star in 49 days! If it weren't for him, i may have given up on the drama. I can't imagine another "scheduler" as brilliant as this hottie! Major cuteness!! The minute he appears.......... swoon!
 My oh my, and paired with the fun-loving, colourful character of "Scheduler", you won't be able to stop watching. His attire whilst as the "scheduler" is totally whacky!! Hah, really whacky!


Seo Ji Hye as Shin In Jung

 I only remembered her from Legend of Hyang Dan and she's got totally deer-like eyes in there!



I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy melodrama! It's great!
I'm sure everyone who watches this will have the same thoughts as i do, Jung Il Woo is the main shining brilliant attraction!! Bravo!Get a load of his outrageously colourful and whacky attire  in 49 days:

First off, the electric blue coat! and look at his electrocuted hair! hahaha, i couldn't believe my eyes when he appeared on screen.

Fur balled black coat! I thought only those grandmum singers would pull those out on stage!

Gypsy hippie wannabe!

Gosh, brightest yellow zipper jacket i've ever seen! and check out those flamin' sneakers!!

 Bright bright and i mean bright red trench coat with silken black scarf!

Aqua blue trench coat! Geez, you won't lose sight of him anywhere.

My gosh, 3/4 pants with those neon coloured sneakers..............


Ha, i'm at a lost of words to describe the Scheduler's eccentric fashion sense. Good one , he pulled through with flying colours.



I'm also much taken by Song Yi Kyung's fashion sense. Mind you, not the original Song Yi Kyung in drab, but the one possessed by Ji Hyun. It's totally my kind of style! And only 170cm long bean poles like Lee Yo Won can dress like that and look good. Uber comfy style and totally casual!

An almost knee-length floral waistless dress with an oversized fuchsia colored cardigan paired with ankle socks and flats. That spells total disaster!! Imagine how you'd look in that ensemble described. But not for Lee Yo Won. Only bean poles can pull this style through.

Vintage print floral chiffon knee length dress with jacket. Nice.

Dot print comfy cotton dress with casual denim jacket thrown over ........ and flats! i love it!

Comfy no-tight fit cotton print dress with knitted jacket.

Chiffon floral tunic with long knitted cardigan, ankle socks and flats......

 Fuchsia knee length dress with white jacket........ and flats! It's flats all the way for her.

This is one of fave styles! Chiffon floral skirt, comfy oversized tee and oversized mint knitted cardigan. Oh it's totally chic and looks really really comfy. I love her flats-wearing too.

This one is about colours. Bright red dress splashed with bright blue flats! To wash down the brightness the almond-coloured wind jacket was added. Nice!

 This is lovely style too. Green dotted cotton dress and scalloped edged knitted cardigan. Very nice.

Oversized printed tee with chiffon skirt. I really really like this one.

If only i could pull of bean pole styles like these. I really like loose fit clothing. This is how to wear loose fit dresses and Tees with style!


And finally, after a long long post, Jung Il Woo's OST for 49 days:

korean skin care review: first impressions on sunblocks

Will be doing a first impression review on 4 korean sunblocks.
1. Ohui sunscience perfect sunblock black EX + (B) spf 50 PA+++, waterproof
2. Ohui sunscience perfect sunblock Red EX + (R) spf 50 PA+++, waterproof
3. Charmzone Albatross Powder sun spf 41/PA++
4. History of whoo whitening sun cream , spf 45PA++



The four sunblocks in sample sizes:

A larger picture of the Ohui sunblocks:

2 pictures of the sunblocks' swatches:

From left to right: Ohui black ex (beige/skin tone), Ohui red ex (green tone), Whoo whitening sun cream (pink tone), Albatross powder sun (yellow tone)



Personal opinion:

1. Charmzone's Albatross Powder sun spf 41/PA++
High sun protection. Comes in a slightly yellow-ed cream-like texture that is not heavy. It goes on smoothly and is easy to spread. I really liked the fact that it not only whitens the skin, it also brightens! It does not sit into pores.  Just a touch of loose powder perhaps, and you are off to go. It leaves the skin silky smooth and matte. Very good make up primer/base.
However, since my skin is sensitive and dehydrated, i did not really like this as it mattifies too much for me. It makes my skin even more dehydrated. But i'd say it is perfect for those with normal to oily skin. This is really good. Alas that i have dehydrated skin.
Also note that there is a rather strong perfume scent to it.


2. Ohui sunscience perfect sunblock black EX + (B) spf 50 PA+++, waterproof
I have no idea why it is called black EX. I was thinking maybe it is for those with very dark skin or tans easily or even that the sunblock will be a black coloured cream!
Anyway, the texture is a cream like beige/skin coloured sunblock. It has a very nice and light scent. It does not smell like perfume to me. I feel it is more like a natural mild scent that is calming and very pleasant. And i really like the scent.
It spreads nicely and is not heavy at all. Blends in nicely into skin colour and evening out skin tone. It leaves a no-shine greaseless finish.
However, it is too drying for me. I think it absorbs too much of my natural oils and even my moisturiser underneath.
This is perfect for normal to oily skin types. Now how i wish i had tougher skin.

This leaves a very peculiar kind of feeling on the skin. It is labelled waterproof and i guess that is why there seems to be a sort of waxy feel to the skin. Nothing greasy or heavy at all. It feels as if there is an invisible shield on your skin. This is something new to me.

I would really recommend those with oily skins to give this a go as it is light and i doubt you will feel anything on your skin at all.




3. Ohui sunscience perfect sunblock Red EX + (R) spf 50 PA+++, waterproof
Red Ex. This is definitely for those suffering with redness. The tint of this is slightly green to help with redness. I'm sure this is for sensitive skin too since redness is often associated with sensitivity.
A nice cream like texture and the scent is wonderful. Just like the black ex, the scent is very natural, mild and pleasant.
 This is easily spreadable, no greasy after feel, no heaviness at all. However, again it leaves that peculiar invisible "waxy" waterproof shield as with the black ex described above.
Alas, it seems to absorb all my natural oils and even my moisturiser. Not a good one for me. Should be perfect for oily skin types.


4. History of whoo whitening sun cream , spf 45PA++
This one is the thickest and most difficult to spread. It comes in a light pink colour. This one has whitening properties as it comes from the all-famous History Of Whoo whitening line.
The pink tone is very flattering on the skin as it evens out and brightens skin tone.
However, i did not like this as this leaves a slightly greasy after feel. Also, it is slightly more heavier than the other 3 as in you will be able to feel a layer of product on your skin. The other 3 is more light weight.
This also leaves my senstive skin slightly irritated.
Did not like this at all.


Conclusion:
Of all 4 sunblocks, i would recommend the first three to all normal and oily skin girls. The final whoo's whitening sun cream, i'd give that a miss.
I'll have to stick back to my current fave Sum 37's sun away essential sunblock since all 4 sunblocks do not agree with my sensitive skin some way or another.

gmarket haul 7

Gosh i've been purchasing more stuff form Gmarket, my oh my!!




EMS parcel box: this time it wasn't that huge, just a small-ish haul

It is more skin care products and samples................ again! I'm so into skin care ............. sigh. What an expensive hobby.


So what do i have here today?

More sum 37!! the newly released waterfull line's gel cream!

Sum 37 Waterfull: timeless water gel cream. This is newly launched and it is a much lighter version of the earlier waterfull cream. The waterfull cream has also been upgraded but i have yet to purchase those. I'm thinking to finish this first as there are quite large sachets compared to the normal sample size sachets.
The texture is pretty light. I have yet to really fall in love with this one though. It seems it does not plump up my skin as much. But i'll give it longer try before i conclude.




Pore Care
Next up, i've been dying to try some korean pore care serums. So far i've used western ones like :
1. cellnique's sebum gel - it seems to be softening my blackheads but the black and white heads still persists
2. and even the exorbitantly expensive sothy's skin mattifying solution. - this is far too drying and expensive
3. Also tried estee lauder's skin refinisher. - this clogged up my pores! i think it's because of the silicone or some other ingredients. This is also expensive!

What did i purchase:
1. Hera's pore control serum (right on the pic)
2. Sum 37's pore corrector (left on the pic)

I will try these out and let you know the findings. First impressions: i like Sum 37's much better because it is a clear slightly sticky gel like texture that hydrates and plumps. Hera's really mattifies and is slightly drying. But i'm not sure of the effectiveness of each. Gotta give both more time to tell. So far i have no sensitive reaction to both.




And still on my quest for the perfect sunscreen:

1. Charmzone's albatross powder sun spf 41PA++
2. Ohui's newly released: Sun science perfect sunblock red Ex, SPF50 PA+++ waterproof
3. ohui's newly released: sun science perfect sunblock black ex, SPF50PA+++ waterproof

Look out for my post on first impressions of these sun blocks.





More Hera stuff:

Hera's aquabolic balancing water and emulsion. I figured that the aquabolic moisturising (for dry skin) is a little heavy for my combo skin so i decided to try the one for oily/combo skin.
Also, item on right in pic, Hera's white program effector. Hera's whitening line concentrated serum. Unfortunately this gave me bumps and it made my skin itch! how sad :-(



Hera:

I'm so in love with the aquabolic line that i stock up on the preperfection serum, aquabolic waterfall serum and the aquabolic waterfall cream. I don't think i can spend a day without these, especially the first two items. And i'm not prepared to be in a panic position where i have none left  and have to wait for a re-purchase from gmarket to arrive. No! not a day without these.



Some mixed samples and purchases:

Erm, I'm not really sure who the man is and what's in the packet. I suspect it's a man's sheet mask. This was a free gift from one of the seller's. I'll have to find a time when my man have some time in his hands to try a sheet mask on before i can rip it open.
Next to the mask, in the jewel floral encasement is history of whoo's secret court lip and cheek balm.
I also purchased history of whoo's whitening sun cream which has a creamy texture with a very light pink tint to it.
The other 4 items on the front of the pic are free samples with history of whoo's hwahyun serum and sum 37's wrinkle corrector. Does anyone know how to use the wrinkle corrector?



A more detailed view of history of whoo's secret court lip and cheek balm:

Isn't the casing simply beautiful?? it makes me feel so royal using it! It's got sparkly bejewelled-like floral gold round casing. The colour of the lip balm is simply gorgeous! i tried some on my lips and the colour is like you just ate some refreshing strawberries! it sure doesn't look like you've got any lipstick on. It looks pure natural healthy looking reddish lips. Have not tried on my cheek though.

A description on the box:

especially designed for both lips and cheeks. it will add not only color but also liveliness onto your face.

More english descriptioni from royalcosmetics.com website:

Secret Court Lip Balm
Secret Court Lip Balm is a super-moisturizing lip balm specially designed to protect your lips from excessive dryness.  Containing 32 herbal medicinal ingredients that were once available only for the court royal members, Secret Court Lip Balm will help to retain healthy and youthful lips.  Its condensed ointment type lip balm stays on your lips long enough to make your lips moist and shine all daySecret Court Lip Balm moisturizes and give elasticity to the delicate lips.  Heavily uses the ancient formula Milchaekdeol to quench the thirst of dry and dehydrated lips. 
Direction: Use as an intensive treatment before going to bed, and apply liberally in the morning to give the lips protection against the elements.




Secret key's honey bee venom AC control serum:

It's a set of AC control spot serum using bee venom to kill of your acne and pimples. They gave a free tube of bee venom foam wash which i don't think i'll be using. Somehow i have a feeling that it will be very drying for my skin type. Also samples of snail repairing essence and snail repairing cream.


An inside into the AC control serum box:

2 serums inside, labelled serum I and serum II.
You have to dab it on your spot and acne. Can't wait to try these bee venom stuff and see those ugly bumps get poisoned and stung by the venom!!



Secret key gave me more samples:

Great stuff! i've been wanting to try most of these and i'm so glad they gave me a variety of samples.
1. Snail repairing bb cream
2. Moisture cream
3. deep cleansing powder wash, acai berry (to brighten skin)
4. deep cleansing powder wash, rice
4. more snail stuff: repairing cream and the repairing essence, both of which i have full sized products


That's all for today!