Logan Lee.

I started watching this new Korean drama a few days ago, and ooh wee, I've been completely absorbed in its fantasy world since. Apparently, it's like the hottest show in Korea right now.

Titled The Penthouse: War In Life and streaming here, it's 21 episodes long and SO frickin' good. Thankfully, the finale just came out this past Tuesday so I was able to watch it through without dying to know what happens after the end of each episode's cliffhanger.

In addition to its over-the-top and absolutely bonkers storyline, I really loved all of the talented actors it featured. And like any good Korean drama that's a time capsule in showcasing the latest pop culture, it did a great job in capturing the newest fashions, home decor, what cell phones people are using, and trends in general, to show someone like me on the other side of the world what's currently popular in the country. Overall, the show felt fresh, super modern, and was just excellently done. It’s been a while since I watched a Korean drama this good. I especially liked how the writing kept the story going at a pace that gripped my attention from the first minute. All of the non-stop plot twists made me wish I had been in the writer's room, because it's like, how do you even come up with something so twisted and genius?! And for 21 episodes straight! The plot was like a hybrid between a thriller and a soap opera, with plenty of funny moments where I had the time of my life laughing out loud so hard from its absurdity.

The story basically revolves around a few families who live in Seoul's most exclusive and super fancy (fictional) apartment building. Power, wealth, greed, bullying, murder, nepotism—it's all there. And of course, don't forget about the theme of revenge, which is pretty much the foundation to any good Korean drama. There's also the common Cinderella aspect where someone with no money is trying to move up in the world, along with a glimpse into shady undertakings of the ultra-rich in order to hold onto what they have. I'm normally more into rom-com Korean dramas that don't involve people getting killed, but this show definitely made it interesting and impossible to turn off.

Honestly, discovering The Penthouse this week was the best distraction from everything that's been in the news. I just finished the last episode right now and I'm already wanting more.

"I'm making spaghetti. You'd better come home soon."

Said by the character Eun Ho on the Netflix Korean drama: Romance Is a Book. Season 1, Episode 11.

When two characters in a Korean drama hug for the first time, you know it’s basically the point of no return.

"But don't run, even if it gets tough."

Said by the character Dongtak in the KBS series, The Unusual Family. Episode 88. 

Half the dialog in Korean dramas are characters talking to themselves out loud.

i was at my sister's house last week when i heard that choi jin-sil hanged herself in her apt in seoul while her mother was home. i loved choi jin-sil, she was one of the first korean actresses i started watching in the 90's and couldn't believe it when i heard the news of her suicide. i still can't believe she's dead and sometimes just obsessively google her name and the word "suicide" to see if there's any new information on her death.

i think the idea of suicide resonates so much with me because it makes me sad to think that there are people out there who feel that alone. reading back on this blog, i used to have such deep depression and feel lucky to have survived through those dark years in my life. it creeps back on me every now and then, but i feel like i've learned to cope with it better and i know what i need to do to make it go away. it doesn't always work, but i'm still in a much better place than i used to be. people say that suicide is the most selfish thing to do, and while i agree with that --- i also do empathize with people who feel such strong, uncontrollable pain and sadness in their lives and they don't know how to make it go away. when i get depressed, i get indifferent and question everything at the same time. why am i here? what is the point of my life? what would happen if i was dead?

but at 25, i've now come to learn that life is so great, no matter what you're going through. yeah-sure, things could always be better, but things could always be worse. maybe it's the fact that i'm in my twenties and i still have such hope and dreams for my life, but i know i'm going to be happy and i'll eventually obtain everything i've ever wanted.

talking about this is bringing me down again so i will end this post with a video. while i normally don't like to post videos here too often, the following is a clip from a korean drama in the 90's called "Jealousy" (질투) that is near and dear to my heart. i actually remember watching this drama as a little kid in the early 90's, and specifically remember the last scene because it was the best ending of a drama ever and became an instant classic when it went cut right to some footage of all the production crew. even watching the scene now, i can remember why i loved it as a 9-year old kid.

i came home after work and did a 4 hour marathon of the korean drama, "On Air," and was able to finish the show today. the drama was very good, i definitely recommend it to everyone. the only thing is that i didn't shed a tear once during the whole drama, which makes me sad because i feel like i need a good cry. watching it did make me miss korea though, i'd love to live there for a year or two later down the line. i guess we'll see if that happens.

work has been a bit crazy the past few weeks. i'm going to aspen next week for the number one food event of the nation that is run by the magazine i work at. among my many responsibilities throughout the 5 days, i'm throwing a party on wednesday that i'm hoping will have a good turnout. i'm definitely looking forward to getting the fuck out of nyc for a while, it's going to be nice being surrounded by nature. i also found out that i'm going to "the oscars of the food world," aka the james beard foundation awards, this sunday at lincoln center. i'm looking forward to the free food, drinks and drunken schmoozing. maybe i'll meet a nice chef, who knows? i just don't have any nice clothes to wear though, sucks.

with an outdoor, daytime wedding this saturday in what's supposed to be a 90 degree and humid day, and the award show on sunday, i won't have much downtime this weekend. then it's two long days at work on tues and wed, and then i leave for aspen 6 am on wednesday.

i guess losing sleep is worth it sometimes and being busy isn't the worst problem to have.

it's past 4 AM, and i'm still up because i just spent the past few hours glued to my laptop. this is why i try not to get into korean dramas, they're fucking addictive as crack and if the drama's good, it's always REALLY good.

i probably haven't watched a korean drama in literally years. i think the last drama i watched was "My Name is Kim Sam Soon" in 2005. i just started watching this newer one called "On Air," and it's about actors, writers, producers, and directors in korea's entertainment industry. oh mannn, it is soooo fucking good. i swear, the people who wrote this shit are geniuses. the plot is so twisted and amazing but believable at the same time and i feel like i'm really learning some inside stuff on what goes on there.

i started watching this a bit late so i was able to get the first 5 DVDs and watch them back-to-back. now i'm sad that i'm going to have to wait a week before i see a new episode because that's how often they air in korea and how they become available throughout the world.

sigh.