Nae ireumeun Kim Sam-soon

My mother had actually watched umpteen times of this on the DVD she had bought. It almost incur the 'wrath' and became the joke of the family of her likeness towards to this drama/comedy. I am starting to really embrace the Korean wave and after seeing how much my mother loves it, I watched it too.

I had heard that this is somehow like a Korean version of sorts to 'Bridget Jones's Diary'. I had never watched that movie though.

Sam-soon is a single 30-year-old. Though her plump appearance may turned some down, she always take things in her stride. Being a baker has always been what she wanted to do and she did even went Le Cordo Bleu (fyi...it's one of the most famous cooking schools in the world) in France to realise her ambition.

At the beginning of the series, she realised her boyfriend had been seeing someone else and so she broke up with him. Imagine it happened on Christmas Eve. But, that is the start of the meeting with a hotelier's son who actually owned a restaurant on his own who needed a baker for his restaurant. With even the ex-boyfriend trying to get her back, it's kind of exciting and a little comical at times. Also even with the girlfriend of the hotelier's son coming back for a holiday from her studies in America, everything became almost so complicated.

I have to frankly admit, the guy playing the ex-boyfriend is actually kind of handsome as well, other than the hotelier's son. Okay, this is just me.

If you can find out that there's subtitles involved and/or dubbing included if your local TV station is showing, it's good if you are not so much aware of the Korean language. Given the DVD where I watched it from has Mandarin subtitles and dubbing as well, I can catch what is happening.

Really. Comical at its best. I don't know how many times I had laughed when watching. No wonder my mother is right about it...

Although an oldie, my name is sam soon is a goodie.

The story is simple and you know where it is heading. Sure, there were some cliches, that, fortunately, didn't take over the drama, thus, the story was more upbeat and fresh.

The comedy part, however, was the main star of the drama. The two characters, although they didn't overflow chemistry as a couple, were great as the two opposites that kept colliding.

In addition, a big part of the main drama was good, as it was closer to a slice of life than the romantic comedy genre.

Finally, the performances were really good.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

My Lovely Sam-soon is a 2005 kdrama rom-com whose lead is a brassy pastry chef named Kim Sam-soon played with gusto by Kim Sun-ah. Sam-soon starts the series being cheated on then dumped. Her public emotional reaction is watched by the spoiled cool President of Bon Appetit restaurant named Hyun Jin-heon, played by Hyun Bin. Sam-soon ends up involved with Hyun Jin-heon and their courtship ups and downs are the basis for this appealing show.

What I liked about the show a) Kim Sam-soon is a bit raw and willing to take risks for her career, family and love. She is the star of the show and the actress portrays Kim Sam-soon with appeal. Even when yelling, you see Kim Sam-soon cares through her passion. b) Hyun Jin-heon is one cool customer and the fact he is drawn Kim Sam-soon takes a while for him to accept. Once he is "all in" the relationship, he has his own quiet charm. c) Kim Sam-soon's mother and sister are embodied with similar zest and the ensemble family works. Hyun Jin-heon's devotion and respect (and some terror) for Kim Sam-soon's mother is wonderful to see. I want to karaoke with that family. d) Refreshingly the obstacles to their relationship didn't annoy me (unlike many kdramas). His mother, his ex-girlfriend, her ex-boyfriend, etc. were written so that they impeded but mattered to the evolution of their relationship. e) No subtitles needed when character Dr. Henry Kim was on screen (played by American born Korean actor Daniel Henney). I'd love to know how accurate the subtitles were for the English dialog. f) The first kiss scene sizzles and in a nutshell reflects the characters.

What I did not like about the show a) Fat? Kim Sam-soon is supposed to be fat in this series. She may be a couple of dress sizes larger than the other actresses, but she is in no way fat. The actress reportedly gained 15 pounds for the role. The references to size only heightened my awareness how thin all the other actors were. b) The "I hate my name" storyline never resonated with me.

Dear All,

My friends always asked me : "Why do you so like the drama "My Lovely Kam Samsoon" the most ?

A 30 yrs. woman parted with her boyfriend, lost the job & a series unfortunate can be found in her. Who is she ? She's Kam Samsoon, a fat & looks not pretty woman, what's going on of her ? Did she shocked her mind in addition, be retreated ? Absolutely, not, she faced to the hard time and sick of the tick, hate of the bully.

When she met Jin Heon and begins a new Chapter, He's a cool man and has a kind-hearted and a handsome, rich young gentleman. They've different background, however they're going together as Samsoon is a natural and frank girl. Samsoon has an optimist and so brave to face her true love regardless success or not. If I've the same situation, I may be to give up and choice to escape so that why I'm so constant to support this drama.

In the meantime, women always to face the high-pressure that come from job, family, marriage, especially for the single women. Not only in Korea, there is the same problem in Hong Kong and make us can't to bear it. In the drama, Samsoon always to join the marriage date and to face the harsh partner as she want to find the true love, actually in Korea it's the true life and that's why that drama is so popular in Korea and in Asia. If a woman over 30 yrs. is still single may be discriminated by the people in Asia. Oh ! That's so unfair to the women.

How a wonderful drama that make me so unforgettable and many circumstances are still in my mind and Samsoon teaches me to face the challenge and "just to do what you want" as time is not waiting for a man. So excited to watch that splendid drama, it always make me smile, cries, and feel aches. As the story required, SUNA needs to increase weight for a short time, actually she had increase 8 kg. during the filming period that makes her not well after which she also needs to loss weight. Oh ! What a professional actress !!

When I feel free, I'll to watch the DVD repeatedly to share the fun and the upset time. Be honest to myself, be trust for my ability, be frank to your relatives and face to the true love that all of this I learn from Samsoon. Be good done for our protagonist in our life.

May I to say that KIM SUNA is the best actress in Korea, her performance not only outstanding and she has a strong character that make me always feel that " My Lovely Kam Samsoon" is not a drama, it's the true life, in addition, she's a sexy girl, full of attractive and charming young lady. Don't ask me why I'm so constant to support & love her, as that no reason (maybe she has a very powerful voice that appeal to me, Haha...).

I like the most articles, namely :-

Love ... like love has never disappointed you, Work ... like you don't need any money, Dance ... like no one is watching you, Sing ... like no one is listening to you, live ... like you are in paradise

Today is a one yr. anniversary for SAMSOON, I want to say that "Happy Birthday to SUNA, Hyunbin & all their fans". It's a time for us to review the unforgettable memories, as so many circumstances always in my mind. I know Suna is ready to film a new movie, she plays as a solicitor & I look forward to watch it. Hopefully, it'll be broadcast in H.K., moreover, I'd like to wish Suna has a good health, prosperity & success in her future endeavors.

Best Regards, Yummy

How do you know if the series is doing well? For "My Lovely Samsoon", critics did not have to look far with the increase of inquiries on pastry-chefs, bakeries finding themselves running out of stock exponentially faster and even bookstores selling the German children's book "MOMO" caught off guard. When the locations of filming also because guided tour-sites, there was little left to wonder.

Such was the craze that swept South Korea and eventually many other Southeast Asian countries with the release of this koreanovella.

I was not a fan prior to watching "My lovely Samsoon". In fact, I was quite the skeptic. Knowing how Asia's film/series industry cater to unrealistic love stories I was actually getting ready to thrash this series to pieces.

Yet it was such a wonderful surprise as I finished the 16 episodes and now re-watching every single one for the umpteenth times! I don't want to bore you with big words and exaggerations.

Realistic dialogs, direct yet layered storytelling and cinematography, superb acting are only some of the delightful quirks and twists one will find this series.

I don't understand a word of Korean but it didn't matter.

Enjoy! ;-)