K-Drama Movie Gems to Watch Free on Pluto TV (Part 2 of 2)

The list below is 5 Korean movies I have already watched or are on my watchlist. The “H” means the film is historical.

1. Castaway on the Moon (2009)
2. I Saw the Devil (2010)
3. Swordbrothers: The Showdown (2011)-H
4. Nameless Gangster (2012)
5. Perfect Number (2012)

♦ 1) Castaway on the Moon (2009)

Kim Seung-Keun (played by Jung Jae-Young) goes to a bridge over the Han River because he is contemplating suicide. He jumps but instead of dying he ends up stranded on a deserted island in the middle of Seoul. Looks like it just wasn't his day to die. Once he gets adjusted to his new life, he decides living a solitary life is not so bad, even though he still wrote out a message in the sand “HELP”, just in case.

Kim Jung-Yeon (played by Jung Ryeo-Won) also lives a solitary life and never leaves her apartment. Her hobby is taking photos of the moon. But one night she happened to see “HELP” written in the sand and a figure of a man walking on the shore of the deserted island.

It's a very unusual way for two solitary people to connect.

♦ 2) I Saw the Devil (2010)

This K-drama is a gripping and suspenseful thriller. So-Hyun (played by Lee Byung-Hun, “Concrete Utopia”, “Mr. Sunshine”) is an agent for the NIS (National Intelligence Service). When his fiancée is murdered by a serial killer, he uses his KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) as a secret agent to relentlessly pursue the killer. If he catches the murderer alive, the right thing to do is turn him over to law enforcement for trial and conviction. However, since he is a covert agent, he might blur the lines between right and wrong, and misuse his “license to kill”.

♦ 3) Swordbrothers: The Showdown (2011)

This is a Korean historical period drama, and the setting is Manchuria, China, 1619. Heon-myung (played by Park Hee-soon, “The Bequeathed”), Do-young (played by Jin Goo, “Shadow Detective”), and Du-soo (played by Ko Chang-seok) are three swordsmen from Joseon who are forced to come to China by the Ming Dynasty. They tried to take refuge in a tavern but found themselves cornered by Manchu forces.

Do you love intense sword-fighting scenes in historical K-dramas? Then you'll love this movie.

♦ 4) Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012)

Set in the 1980s, this gritty crime drama follows a corrupt customs officer who rises to power in the criminal underworld. Choi Ik-Hyun (played by Choi Min-Sik, “In Our Prime”) is caught accepting bribes. He wasn't the only dirty officer, but he is the one who took the blame. One night, while still being employed as a customs officer, he discovers a stash of illegal drugs in a warehouse. Since he had to leave his honest job where he was dishonest, he made up his mind to become completely dishonest. It turns out he's related to a crime boss, Choi Hyung-Bae (played by Ha Jung-Woo, “Narco Saints”), so they become partners in crime and take over the Busan underworld.

♦ 5) Perfect Number (2012)

This film is a mystery thriller. Suk-Go (played by Ryoo Seung-Bum, “The Berlin File”) is a math genius. That's the highlight of his life. He's good with numbers, but not much else, and lives as a recluse. Hwa-Sun (played by Lee Yo-Won, “The Great Queen Seondeok”) is his neighbor. He makes no effort to establish any kind of neighborly bond. She moved there because she was trying to escape her abusive, violent boyfriend, only he found her.

Suk-Go hears sounds coming from his neighbor's house, which are obviously the noises made when people are having a violent fight. Hwa-Sun manages to kill her ex-boyfriend. Suk-Go knocked on the door to ask if there was a problem, and when he entered the house, he saw the dead body.

Hwa-Sun does not try to stop him from calling the police, but she asks him if he would listen to her side of the story before making the call. Suk-Go decides to help her cover up what happened.

Hwa-Sun accepts his help, but later she starts wondering, “What's his angle”? She starts adding things up in her mind. Why did he help her? Does he have dark secrets? Is he a psycho who is worse than her ex-boyfriend? I mean … she didn't even know him, and he volunteered to. Things don't seem to quite add up. It's not just math!

This movie is based on the 2005 novel "Yogisha X no Kenshin" ("The Devotion of Suspect X").

Watch Free on Pluto TV: 5 K-Drama Movie Gems | https://t.co/gmI236IWvl https://t.co/vsiZIGKQrr

— Joie de Vivre Magazine (aka My Fox Nooze) (@FoxMarks_ATX) February 23, 2024

K-Drama Movies to Watch Free on Pluto TV (Part 1 of 2)

The list below is 5 Korean movies that are streaming free with ads on Pluto TV. The “H” means the film is historical. In the previous list published via PopGeeks, the movie gems were released between 2009 and 2012. The films on the list below were released between 2013 and 2021.

1. Killer Toon (2013)
2. The Sound of a Flower (2015)-H
3. The Swordsman (2020)-H
4. Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020)
5. Escape from Mogadishu (2021)

♦ 1) Killer Toon (2013)

A webtoon artist who becomes entangled in a series of gruesome murders because the real-life crimes resemble her fictional work. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers dark secrets and a chilling connection between her creations and reality.  This film is categorized as Horror, Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense.

• Detective Lee Ki-Cheol (played by Uhm Ki-Joon, “The Escape of the Seven”, “I Am Not a Robot”)
• Webcomic Writer Ji-Yoon (played by Lee Si-Young)

PAYNUX Movie. “Killer Toon 2013 Full Movie Trailer - Murder Tragedy Based on Comic Story.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 10, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChUrNinYNq8.

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♦ 2) The Sound of a Flower (2015)

This historical period drama is based on a true story, set in 1867 Korea. Jin Chae-seon is a Korean pansori singer. She disguises herself as a man in order to compete in “Naksungyeon”, a national competition of pansori performers. This historical figure is believed to be the first female master of a male-dominated genre. Born in the 1840s, she became a master of performing Simcheongga and Chunhyangga.

• “Pansori is a traditional Korean performance that combines singing, drumming, and body language to tell a story.” Learn more: [Visual History of Korea] ‘Pansori’ -- Musical storytelling across societal barriers | The Korea Herald

• Chae-Sun (played by Bae Suzy, “Doona”)
• Shin Jae-Hyo (played by Ryu Seung-Ryong)

CJEntertainmentUSA. “The Sound of a Flower Official Teaser Trailer W/ English Subtitles [HD].” YouTube Video. YouTube, October 30, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL_CP1sw9L4.


♦ 3) The Swordsman (2020)

After a king of Joseon was dethroned, the country's best swordsman, who had served him faithfully, vanished. His wish is to live quietly with his daughter away from the palace intrigue, corruption, and constant conspiracies. But his wish was not granted. There is a conflict between Qing and Ming Dynasty has thrown Joseon into chaos, and his daughter is kidnapped. He must pick up his sword once again to go save his daughter.  This film is categorized as Action and Historical Fiction.

• Tae Yool (played by Jang Hyuk, “My Country: The New Age”)
• Tae Yool’s daughter Tae Ok (played by Kim Hyun-Soo)

Well Go USA Entertainment. “THE SWORDSMAN Official Trailer | Directed by Choi Jae-Hoon | Starring Jang Hyuk and Kim Hyeon-Soo.” YouTube Video. YouTube, December 16, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMuBuL982iQ.

♦ 4) Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020)

A bag of money gets lost and the lives of several characters interconnect and intersect. The more greedy and desperate they become to find the money, the more they are willing to take extreme measures.  This film is categorized as Black Comedy, Crime, Thriller, and Neo-noir.

• Joong-Man (played by Bae Sung-Woo)
• Tae-Young (played by Jung Woo-Sung)
• Yeon-Hee (played by Jeon Do-Yeon, “Crash Course in Romance”)
• Mi-Ran (played by Shin Hyun-Bin)
• Jin-Tae (played by Jung Ga-Ram)

Artsploitation Films. “Beasts Clawing at Straws | Official Trailer.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 28, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQFyCvDgL7Q.
‌
♦ 5) Escape from Mogadishu (2021)

Based on true events. South and North Korean diplomats must escape from war-torn Somalia in 1991. The divisions of north versus south and political ideologies don't matter. In the midst of chaos and conflict, it's just humans working together to overcome adversity. Survival is what counts.  This film is categorized as Action and Historical, and has won 20+ awards, including Best Film and Most Popular Film.

• Han Shin-Sung, Ambassador, South Korean Embassy (played by Kim Yun-Seok)
• Kang Dae-Jin, Councilor, North Korean Embassy (played by Zo In-Sung)

Well Go USA Entertainment. “ESCAPE from MOGADISHU Official Trailer | Korean Action War Drama | Directed by Ryoo Seung-Wan.” YouTube Video. YouTube, July 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvNFzwKtSy0.
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Watch Free on Pluto TV: 5 Korean Movies Released 2013-2021 | https://t.co/gmI236IWvl https://t.co/hJj0uXHu6E pic.twitter.com/2uEPMglrhe

— Joie de Vivre Magazine (aka My Fox Nooze) (@FoxMarks_ATX) February 23, 2024

Classic Movie ~ Vintage Bette Davis : Jezebel (1938)

When I was growing up, Sunday afternoons were special.  My big sister and I loved to watch movies on TV. We both especially loved Bette Davis; whether she was a bad lady or a good girl, she was a SUPER STAR!! 

In this particular movie, she was Julie Morrison, a brazen, sassy, bold, and audacious Southern belle. She dared to be an independent woman with a mind of her own, who challenged society's norms. In the process of being rebellious, arrogant, and contrary, she caused a rift between her and her future husband. What did she do that was so outrageous and shameful? Uumm … she showed up to a party in a red dress!

I was very young at the time, and being that red is my favorite color, I didn't get what all the huffing and puffing was about. My older sister explained to me that refined and cultured women in polite society would never wear a red dress. That's the mark of a whore!! A wicked woman!! A she-devil!!

With that very clear and graphic explanation provided by my big sister, I was able to better understand this scene and this line in the movie, and that also explains the name of the movie.

“𝙄 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙄 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚.” ~ Bette Davis - JEZEBEL (1938)

♦ Bette Davis - "I'm Kneeling To You" from Jezebel (1938)

♦ Filmsite Movie Review: Jezebel (1938) ~ "The film earned a total of five Academy Award nominations with two major Oscar victories. Bette Davis won her second (and last) Academy Award for her portrayal of the tempestuous, manipulative Southern ante-bellum New Orleans belle for Warner Bros." 

Here are some fascinating, lesser-known facts about Jezebel (1938) with Bette Davis:

1. Bronze vs. Red Dress
   Although Julie Marsden’s iconic gown at the Olympus Ball is widely remembered as red, on film it was actually a bronze colored dress. The reason: bronze showed up better on black and white film than red would. (IMDb)

2. Delayed and Over Budget — Wyler’s Perfectionism
   The production ran 28 days behind schedule, and the film was significantly over its original budget (about $400,000 over). Much of the delay came from director William Wyler demanding many takes and insisting on precision, especially in scenes with Bette Davis. (Watch TCM)

3. Multiple Costume Workers & Expense
   About 75 seamstresses worked for roughly a month on the costumes. The film’s wardrobe budget was large, with some dresses (like the bronze /red dress) costing about $850 each. Overall, several thousand dollars were spent on costumes. (AFI Catalog)

4. Rushed into Production in Response to Gone With the Wind
   Warner Bros. moved Jezebel forward in part because they saw the success and impending cultural presence of Gone With the Wind. They wanted a Southern set, antebellum romance starring Bette Davis to hit screens beforehand. (Watch TCM)

5. Broadway Origins & Flop
   The movie was adapted from a Broadway play by Owen Davis Sr., which had opened and closed in 1933 after only 32 performances. Miriam Hopkins originally played Julie in the play. (Classic Movie Hub - CMH)

6. Casting Last Minute Changes
   Henry Fonda was not originally cast as Pres Dillard. He replaced another actor (Jeffrey Lynn) who could not be released from another commitment. (Classic Movie Hub - CMH)

7. Personal and Romantic Tensions Behind The Scenes
   On set, there were personal entanglements: Bette Davis and William Wyler developed a romantic relationship during filming. Also, there was tension with Henry Fonda early on about the many takes and schedule delays. (IMDb)

8. Wyler’s Directorial Insight vs. Davis’s Artistry
   One famous anecdote: Wyler made Davis watch dailies (the raw uncut takes) with him and showed her a take of Julie coming down a staircase — she’d been irritated by how many takes it took. But in the dailies, she saw a single take with a fleeting expression that captured the essence of Julie, and it changed how she trusted Wyler’s process. (IMDb)

9. Role of Close-ups Without Leading Man
   Because Fonda had a contractual commitment and had to leave before all of Davis’s close-ups were shot, some close-ups of Davis were done without Fonda opposite her. That meant she often had to emote and react off-screen, relying on direction rather than partner chemistry in certain scenes. (AFI Catalog)

10. Costume Continuity Goof (Sleeves Disappear)
    A small but interesting “goof”: In some shots of the gown, the red/bronze dress has sleeves, and in others (including the ball scene) it appears sleeveless. Continuity in costume wasn’t perfect. (IMDb)

—

REFERENCES:

“Jezebel (1938) – Trivia & Fun Facts.” Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Includes info on the 28-day delay, costume budget, red/bronze dress, etc. (WatchTCM)

“Jezebel – Catalog Entry.” AFI Catalog (American Film Institute). Provides production details including costuming, shooting schedule, completion date, etc. (AFICatalog)

“Facts about ‘Jezebel’ – Classic Movie Hub.” ClassicMovieHub. Various trivia tidbits: delays, stage play origin, etc. (ClassicMovie Hub - CMH)

“Happy Birthday, Bette Davis—You ‘Jezebel’!” Library of Congress – Now See Hear! Blog. Background on the Broadway play origins, Wyler’s interest in the play, etc. (The Library of Congress)

“Exploring JEZEBEL (1938)” – Kellee Pratt (blog). On Wyler’s directorial style, takes, costume details, and anecdotes about the film’s production. (Outspoken & Freckled)

Bette Davis Movies on Amazon Prime Video

Six (6) Historical Period Mystery K-Drama Films and Series

K-drama lovers are always delighted when historical period dramas weave a mystery into the storyline. Check out this watch list.

(1) DetectiveK Series (2011, 2015, and 2018)

• Plot Summary: Set in the Joseon era, these films follow a quirky detective and his sidekick solving bizarre cases. Sherlock Holmes meets a Korean period drama.

(2) TheFace Reader (2013)

• Plot Summary: A man with the ability to “read faces”, i.e., he uses the age-old art of physiognomy to discern a person’s character and fate by studying their facial features, gets entangled in ruthless palace intrigue and corrupt political schemes.

(3) TheTale of Nokdu (2019)

• Plot Summary: Assassins show up at a man's home, but they don't succeed. He realizes one of the group is a female and chases after her. She disappears into a widow's village. He disguises himself as a woman to infiltrate the village and uncover why assassins were sent to his home, and discovers a web of secrets, including his true identity.

(4) Secret Royal Inspector & Joy (2021)

• Plot Summary: A reluctant secret royal inspector teams up with a divorcee who has a natural ability to solve crimes, and together they uncover corruption.

(5) JoseonAttorney (2023)

• Plot Summary: A lawyer uses the law to seek justice for his family, uncovering deeper conspiracies. Sharp and layered with courtroom drama. His assistant is a princess.

(6) The King's Case Note (2017)

• Plot Summary: The king is not just an ordinary monarch of Joseon. He's very clever, educates himself in a wide range of subjects, and is relentless in his pursuit of justice and truth. He has the perfect assistant, a chronicler or historian who has a photographic memory. He only has to see something once, and he can recall every detail.

♦

11 K-Dramas To Watch If You Like These Series | Rotten Tomatoes

18 Korean Law Dramas To Watch That Will Make You Scream ‘Objection!’ At The Opposing Attorney | Middle Class

Original source

Movie: Bollywood: Chandni Bar (2001)

Watched “Chandni Bar” (2001) as a Friday night movie pick. Chose this film because I was not familiar with any of the Indian actors or actresses. As far as the acting, the script, etc. … it was fine. I say “fine”? But according to Wikipedia: “The film was a critically acclaimed hit and it won four National Film Awards.”

Well! I don’t want to spoil it for others who have not seen the film. Don’t get me wrong. The performances were award-worthy. It’s just that … if I were to use one word to describe the storyline, that word would be “hopeless”.

Throughout the movie, I kept hoping. But my hope was never fulfilled. I was very moved by the characters and the harsh realities of life they faced daily; especially as the threads of their daily lives were sewn into the fabric of the criminal underworld. Definitely not a Cinderella fairy tale.

Someone described it as a handbook to life in Mumbai. What do I know? I'm American and to me, it was a very sad movie with a very sad ending.

*** Original source

Search for #Bollywood movies on #AmazonPrimeVideo ~ https://t.co/A47IuCwJGZ @amazon @PrimeVideo #Entertainment #watchlists #watchparty #bingewatch pic.twitter.com/g1duxbV649

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) September 7, 2021

POPULAR BOLLYWOOD MOVIES ON NETFLIX
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— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) September 7, 2021

Movie: Three (3) Bollywood Films That Address September 11th

Do you like Bollywood movies? Bollywood is a name inspired by the word “Hollywood”, the word that is synonymous with American cinema, films, and movies. It merges “Bombay” and “Hollywood” and is used to refer to Hindi or Indian cinema. I enjoy watching Bollywood movies. The music and dancing are always great. The comedies can be very funny. The science-fiction flicks are kind of quirky. But the drama films? Oh, the drama!!! Full of life’s complexities. Mixed marriages: not so much interracial, but interfaith, i.e. two different religions. Main characters always faced with choosing sides: loyalty to family versus allegiance to country, or on a broader scale, to the world we live in. Having to answer life’s difficult questions:

● Where do I take a stand?

● How do I defend my loved ones?

● If I know or even suspect imminent danger, isn't it my duty to warn others, so they can protect themselves?

There are 3 specific movies that address and answer these questions. Producers and directors of Bollywood cinema did not shy away from the content but chose to address the post 9/11 environment in the United States, broach the topic of terrorism, and bring it even closer to home in three films: “Kurbaan”, “My Name is Khan”, and “New York”. Each film starts out with a loving couple, who should be like every other loving couple in the whole wide world: bonded together in a blissful union by promises of fidelity, secure in the hope of living happily ever after forever. The happily ever after part of their lives is going quite well until … 9/11 happens.

• Kurbaan is an intense Bollywood drama; a love story set against the backdrop of a terrorist plot.
• My Name is Khan is the story of a loving couple in this movie. Even though the man suffers from Asperger syndrome, he is very gifted in many ways. However, a tragic incident tests their relationship.
• New York is a movie about three all-American kids. Indian-Americans studying at a university, doing all the things that crazy college students do while pursuing their higher education, and then, 9/11 happens.

Of these films, my favorite is “My Name is Khan”. I’m not the only one who was impressed with this movie. Fox Star Entertainment, an American company, thought so highly of this foreign film that they bought the distribution rights to it.

Have you watched any of these films? If not, you should put them on your watch list.
♦♦

* * *

Original source

Search for #Bollywood movies on #AmazonPrimeVideo ~ https://t.co/A47IuCwJGZ @amazon @PrimeVideo #Entertainment #watchlists #watchparty #bingewatch pic.twitter.com/g1duxbV649

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) September 7, 2021

POPULAR BOLLYWOOD MOVIES ON NETFLIX
~ https://t.co/hvzqekN1H3 #watchlists #watchparty #Entertainment #horror #suspense #romance #comedies #truestories pic.twitter.com/or4YCpouBi

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Timeless Pages: A Vintage Book Collection

I have always loved most things vintage, but I have to define “vintage” in case you happen to be about the age of one of my kids. Vintage for them might be circa 1980 or 1990, and they may think vintage for me would be circa 1880 or 1890. Not so.

• Vintage, by my definition, is back in my day, the 1950s and 60s, or anything before that, but still in the 1900s.

Are we clear? Good!

One of my favorite things is “library trash”. Books that some public libraries throw away as trash because they do not have enough room on their shelves and have to make space for the “new”.

In my dictionary: old books = vintage books.

Of course, if it is left up to chance and you are searching for a specific book, the odds are not in your favor, and you may be waiting a while – wishing and hoping for that particular reading material to end up on the pile. Not all awesome vintage books are tossed by the head librarian.

Fortunately, there is a bookstore called Vintage Books, that has been around since 1954. It is physically located in New York, New York, but thanks to the wonders of information technology, you can peruse their bookshelf online. There are books listed by the usual genres from Art to History to Mystery to Travel. But you might find the selected works categorized in the Vintage Series worth examining. There are 5 different series: Civil War, Classics, Contemporaries, Departures, and International.

Vintage books are priceless additions to your own personal library and are great gift ideas. What is also great is that these published works are not very expensive, come in paperback or hardcover, as well as audiobook format or in the Kindle edition.

(NOTE: Vintage Books is part of the Random House/Knopf Doubleday network of book selling sites.)

Book Selections From the Vintage Series

♦♦♦♦♦♦

The Civil War Dictionary by Mark Boatner
(Vintage Civil War Library)

For almost thirty years The Civil War Dictionary has been the most complete, authoritative, and handy reference book on what has been called the Second American Revolution, 1861-1865.

Where Angels Fear to Tread by E. M. Forster
(Vintage Classics)

A young English widow takes off on the grand tour and along the way marries a penniless Italian. Her in-laws are not amused.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
(Vintage Contemporaries)

A love story woven into a novel about hopes and dreams, and redefinition of what it means to be American.

Cuba in Mind: An Anthology
(Vintage Departures)

Explorer Christopher Columbus described Cuba as “the most beautiful country that human eyes have ever seen”. 31 writers – poetry, fiction and nonfiction – agree.

Bombay Stories
(Vintage International)

1930s Bombay provided the author with the inspiration for this collection of short stories.

Thanks for visiting!

If you’re gifting vintage books, might as well throw in some vintage bookends and a desk! :)

Sauder Graham Hill Desk, Autumn Maple Finish

Decorative Heavy Duty Bookends – Metal Large Book Ends – Vintage Tall Books Stand

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

Music Lovers: My Top 5 Picks for Contemporary Female Violinists

A listing of my five (5) favorite female violinists, along with a few bio facts and a little bit of background information on how I discovered these fabulous musicians. 

(1) British Violinist Vanessa-Mae 

Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson is a British violinist known simply as Vanessa-Mae (?? Chén Mei). She was born October 27, 1978, to a Singaporean mother and a Thai father, but she was adopted by a British citizen and was raised in England. At the age of 4, she started playing the violin. My discovery of this talented violinist was accidental. Several years ago, I joined a music club so that I could buy world music at discount prices. I heard her play a song that was very popular during my teenage years. In fact it was one of my favorite pop songs and hearing her play it brought back a joyful memory for me. The name of the musical piece was “Classical Gas”, which was composed and originally performed by Mason Williams. When I heard her play it, I became an instant Vanessa-Mae fan. So I bought some of her albums to add to my music library. Her album sales were so phenomenal that in 2006, she was considered one of the wealthiest entertainers under 30 in the United Kingdom. Ms. Mae calls her musical style “techno-acoustic fusion.” I call it mind-blowing!

(2) American Violinist Karen Briggs

My late husband introduced me to the new age music genre and one of the best selling artists in this genre is Yanni. While listening to a televised Yanni concert that he was video taping (his hobby) so we could re-watch the program over and over, I was introduced to this fantastic female violinist: Ms. Karen Briggs.

Ms. Briggs is also known as the “Lady in Red”. She was born on August 12, 1963, in Manhattan, New York. She was blessed to come from a family of musicians. She started playing the violin at age 12 and at age 15, she decided that she wanted to play professionally. I had never heard of this virtuosa until I watched her solo performance on Yanni’s Live at the Acropolis concert. I could say she was splendid or even magnificent. But if you saw her perform you would say the compliment was insufficient. There are no words to sufficiently describe her. She toured with Yanni for thirteen years. Her latest performance was in 2019. She was invited to perform in Iraq and she was the only woman in the ensemble. Unfortunately because of COVID-19, her 2020 live performances have been canceled until further notice.

(3) Irish Violinist Máiréad Nesbitt

In America, we are fortunate to have a PBS station (Public Broadcasting Service) which airs most of the Celtic Woman concerts. I love these remarkably talented female singers. They voices are magical, even heavenly. Máiréad Nesbitt (pronounced like “parade” with an “M”) does not sing. However, this adorable violinist appears as a solo violinist at all of Celtic Woman concerts. Her parents are both music teachers and all of her siblings are musicians. She has been playing the violin since the age of six. The NY Times describes her as “A demon of a Fiddle Player.” I know they mean that as a compliment. However, I think the best word to aptly describe all of the performances that I have seen is … electrifying! She lights up the stage and literally dances all over the place while she’s playing. You can’t take your eyes off of her. Fans are encouraged to follow her Twitter feed (@MaireadNesbitt) to keep up with her activities.

(4) American Violinist Lindsey Stirling

My youngest daughter told me that it was impossible for me to say that I liked female violinists and not know about Lindsey Stirling. So I looked her up on YouTube. OK! So now I can say that I like female violinists. Ms. Stirling was born on September 21, 1986, and attended junior high and high school in Arizona. She is not only an excellent violinist, be she is a composer and a dancer.

According to her true life story, she said in an interview with NewMediaRockstars, an online magazine which shines a spotlight on successful YouTubers, “…ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wished that I could dance, but my parents said, ‘You [can] choose violin or you [can] choose dance, but we can’t afford both’”. She chose the violin, i.e. her parents paid for and supported her violin playing. However, when it came to being a dancer she didn’t give up her dream. It’s just that her parents didn’t pay for dancing lessons. Her YouTube music videos are enchanting; especially the Christmas videos. She started her YouTube channel in 2007 and she presents her very own choreographed violin performances. The YT channel is the best way to keep up with her.

(5) Lebanese Violinist Hanine El Alam

Once again my late husband gets the credit for discovering this jewel. He was searching for either Arabian music or Arabian artists (another hobby) and found Hanine El Alam. Words to describe her performances? Exotic. Exciting. Exhilarating. In a 2017 article published by Scene Noise, she is described as follows:

“Hanine El Alam is a fiercely talented and diverse violinist from Lebanon. Her “performances” are hardly just that; they are dazzling, larger than life spectacles, featuring adorned dancers, magnetic collaborations and a full band blending techno, Latin and Arabic flavors — not to mention the razzle-dazzle wardrobes. Her music videos are equally as dramatic and extravagant.”

That quote says it all. I could not have said it better. For more about her, she has an official website and you can find her on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

♦

Do you have a favorite female violinist?

My Fave Fab Five Female Violinists

Original Source By Treathyl Fox on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 (link to archived copy-site shut down)

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Ten (10) Korean Drama TV Series That are Binge-Worthy

Watching Korean dramas is my guilty pleasure. I especially like the historical period dramas, during the Joseon period. I have been contributing detailed reviews on PopGeeks.com since 2023.  But I share K-drama love everywhere I can. 

• If you have not watched these, you should add them to your watch list.

• If you have watched them, let me know if enjoyed them too!

(1) Tamra the Island (2009)

The main character is a feisty little innocent girl who is fiercely loyal to her family and friends, but has the courage, inner strength and determination to break with tradition, and find her own way in a cruel world that is not a very nice place for a low-born; especially not a low-born young girl.

(2) Dong Yi (2010)

This series is 60 episodes, with an extraordinary cast, and based on a true story. It is a real life love story between a king and a woman he took to be his concubine: Dong Yi (played by Han Hyo-joo) and King Sukjong (played by Ji Jin-hee).

(3) Chuno (Slave Hunter; 2010)

Plot Summary: Two men really love a woman and there's a cute royal baby that gets thrown in the mix.

There is a lot of stuff going on.

- The typical love triangle story and more love stories.

- Freedom fighters: Slaves who dare to fight to be free.

- Super seriously evil wicked government officials.

- The Chinese were the good guys. (Huh? That's a switch.)

- Ordinary people just trying to live ordinary lives.

- Intense fighting scenes. Loved the action!

- Awesome soundtrack!

(4) Gunman in Joseon (2014)

It's a love story with a bold and daring hero who is not only an expert swordsman but also knows how to handle a pistol and a rifle. His love interest is an intelligent woman whose father is a scholar and allowed her to learn (although she had to dress up like a man to attend school). They both dream of their country, Joseon, as a land that will one day be populated with free people. His enemies thought they had killed him, but he was saved and taken to another country. He returned to Joseon with a new identity and was determined to settle old scores. The first time his beloved sees him again, she faints. He may be wearing different clothes and using a different name, but he still looked to her like the man she loved. She thought she had seen a ghost.

(5) The Flower in Prison (2016)

A baby who was born in a prison turns out to be a princess. But before she learned her true identity, she was taught by a martial arts master and first learned how to kick butt!! It's a handy skill to have if you're going after the bad guys who caused your mother's death. The main character is Ok Nyeo played by Jin Se Yeon, who is on my list for favorite Korean actresses.

(6) 100 Days My Prince (2018)

A young prince witnesses horrific bloodshed and commands that it be stopped. Since he is a small child, his command is disregarded and he is returned to his father; only to learn that it was his father who ordered the bloodshed. To add insult to injury, his mother is “accidentally” killed (really she was murdered). From that day forward, he not only hates his father, HE HATES EVERYBODY! Everybody except his close friend. He was forced into a marriage of convenience. His wife, the princess, becomes pregnant by another man. In an effort to cover this up, the father-in-law (the father of the princess) attempts to kill the prince. The attempt fails. Trying to escape his assassins, the prince falls down a slope and hits his head. A poor man finds him, takes care of him as best he can while he is unconscious. When he regains his consciousness, he does not remember who he is. The poor man tells him that he is his daughter's husband-to-be and that they must marry immediately or his daughter will be flogged.

For 100 days, he lives the simple life of a commoner and falls in love. He is found by his father-in-law and brought back to the palace. His memory has not returned. But slowly bits and pieces of incidents from his past, like puzzle pieces, begin to come together. His story begins … AGAIN! He realizes who he is and what he needs to do. He also knows what he wants to do. He wants to marry the woman he fell in love with as a commoner, who is also the little girl he met when he was a child and had promised he would marry someday.

(7)♦ Queen: Love and War (2019)

A young prince meets and makes friends with a nobleman's daughter when they were children. An accident happens on a boat, and the girl he met is tossed overboard. Her father believes that she drowned. Her sister grows up, and the prince, now king, chooses her to be his bride; not realizing that she is the twin sister and NOT the girl he met when he was younger. Corrupt officials arrange to have both King Lee Kyung and his queen, Kang Eun Bo, assassinated on their wedding day. They succeed in killing the sister but the king miraculously comes back to life. The people are terrified of him. How can he possibly come back from the dead? The twin sister realizes that her sister has been murdered. She takes her sister's body and secretly buries it. Then she returns to the palace AS IF she has also risen from the dead, just like the king. The king not knowing that she is the young girl he had met as a child, also believes his wife has come back to life. However, the twin sister's main purpose for returning to the palace is to discover who murdered her sister. For all she knew, even the king may have been involved. But she eventually realizes his innocence and falls in love with him. The problem is that she has already deceived him into believing that she is the one who died. This makes their personal relationship very complicated. As if life in the palace wasn't already complicated with all of the scheming, conniving, ruthless, greedy politicking that was going on. Oh! Did I mention the prophecy?

►(8) Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)

Goo Hae-ryung is a female historian. Prince Dowon (or Yi Rim) is a young prince who has been sheltered from the outside world. These two main characters are adorably cute! But they have had some tragedy in their young lives. They both lost their fathers through violence. Of course, the adults around them try to hide the truth. But the two of them trying to uncover the truth makes for a good plot.

►(9) My Country: The New Age (2019)

The time is during the transitional period between the end of the Goryeo dynasty and the beginning of the Joseon dynasty, which is why it is “The New Age”. A king, princes, military leaders, all engaged in a power struggle to build a new country. Seo Hwi and Nam Seon-ho are two childhood friends have the power of their friendship “tested”. Things happen to them, they get separated, and become enemies due to a misunderstanding about "my country." One of them decides his country is “the country of the abandoned”.

(10)♦ Bossam ~ Steal the Fate (2021)

I learned a new word and a new custom.

“'Bossam' in the Korean title refers to a customary remarriage procedure that took place during the Joseon period. At that time, a widow could not remarry. A single man or widower would kidnap the widow and marry her. Some of the kidnappings were agreed upon in advance and others were by force.” (Quote Source: https://asianwiki.com/Bossam:_Steal_the_Fate)

Here's the story. Two friends earn their living by kidnapping widows. It's a steady-paying job because … evidently, a lot of widows want to be kidnapped and remarried. However, there is one widow who does not have this on her mind. She just happened to be sitting outside, and the kidnapper happened to go to the wrong house and … uh oh! … she is accidentally kidnapped. You think this problem is easy to solve. The guy made a mistake, so all he needs to do is take her back home. Right? WRONG! The lady who was kidnapped turns out to be a princess. Her father, the king, wants to see her. Since her father-in-law did not know how or why she disappeared or where she was, HE LIED! He told the king his daughter had committed suicide, having died from the grief of being a widow. The king finds out that his daughter is alive and wants to use this fact to trap the father-in-law and get rid of him for treason. The father-in-law also finds out she is alive and the entire series is him trying to have her killed so that he doesn't get caught in his LIE!

► = Netflix Original Series.

♦ = Search for more Viki TV Original Series.

So that's my 10 K-dramas that are binge-worthy. 

INTERESTING FACTS:

Chosŏn means “The Land of the Morning Calm.”

Interested in knowing something about the real history, as opposed to historical fiction? Learn more: "The Role of the Joseon Dynasty in Korean History | ThoughtCo'".

Original source 

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