all in
january 15, 2005
images from the official All
In website (in korean)
over the christmas holiday season, i acquired the korean drama "All In" to watch. i usually don't watch tv very much but i also know that when i DO get hooked onto something, i cannot stop myself. and that is usually the case with korean & japanese dramas. although i have hk dramas available to me everyday, there's something that i don't find very appealing about it. perhaps it's the acting or the cheesy backgrounds and boring storylines but it just doesn't do much for me anymore. i can say though that the older hk dramas really kicked ass but the ones nowadays are on the weak side.
"All In" was recommended to me by my lovely colleague Hana. she said that this was one of the ones she really enjoyed and since i really didn't want one of those childlish high school love story type of thing - she told me this one was about gambling, intrigue, romance, travel, deception and danger. needless to say, this had all the components to a great drama.
the story centers around the male lead Kim In Ha (Lee Byung Hun) and his love for the female lead Min Su Yeon (Song Hye Gyo) but due to many unfortunate circumstances, their relationship always goes awry. although it seems that they can never be together, their love remains true amidst all adversities. they meet during their youth and as he gets involved with gangs and later goes to prison, the story focuses on his life growing up as a "swindler" and later on World Famous Poker player. the story is filmed on location in Cheju (Jeju) Island, Los Angeles, Las Vegas & Grand Canyon.
i highly recommend this drama for anyone interested in korean soap operas. the pace could drag at times but overall, it's a great show to get caught up in. the theme song is great as well.
for more info on this drama - go here.
i know i'm a little behind on my dramas but by the time they come out with english subtitles, the dramas are anywhere from 1-3 years old. boo.
^ superman & leggy girl
we finally got a chance to catch up with superman & leggy girl tonight for dinner. it was with deep sadness that superman's dad passed away right before christmas and they had to leave for overseas during the holidays. we haven't seen them since before christmas and with work commitments, this was the first time we got a chance to meet up since they returned. although they were smiling and seemed happy, i'm sure there's no way we can help them take away the pain of losing a loved one. but we hoped that with conversation and good food - it will at least help them forget if only for a few hours.
since chinese food, family style, is always the most affordable, filling and appetizing way to go - we met up for a meal at a local chinese eatery. of course i HAD to order my favorite lettuce wrap. i also found out how many others secretly love this dish. most of the time if we're with the elders, they will snicker at us for choosing something so westernized. :p but i tell you, there's just something about eating that soft shelled chinese taco.
we started off with the fish maw and crabmeat soup which turned out a little bland tonight but the consistency was good and everything tasted fine. at least there's nothing a little white pepper, red vinegar and soy sauce couldn't do.
we then had my lovely lettuce wrap with minced chicken and hoisin sauce. it was perfect as always. a unique balance of crunch, texture, sweetness & saltiness.
the gwai fay gai was next. this steamed chicken served with the minced ginger, green onion oil was not overly cooked and very tender & juicy. there's nothing worse than dry chicken.
the tong choi with fu yue sauce and bits of slivered chili peppers really is great with steamed rice. it's a bit salty but with intense flavors of fermented bean, garlic and chilies. one of my favorite veggie dishes.
the eggplant & minced pork claypot came out bubbling. this dish is slightly sweet and one of those great dishes to serve with rice. claypot food is great on a cold night. it's like a little heater on your table and you can get a facial from the steam coming out of it.
the filet of sole with fermented bean sauce was a new dish that i never had before here. it was one of those specials written in chinese on the walls. not knowing what to expect and without any expectations - this dish turned out to be one of the best dishes of the night. the fish was firm enough without flaking but not too solid where it took away from the fermented bean sauce. the compatibility of the flavors were right on.
the (fatty) pork with preserved vegetables is one of those chinese dishes that everyone loves to eat but is afraid to eat because of the unhealthiness of it. think of it as thick slices of bacon that is stewed in a sweet soy sauce with preserved vegetables. everyone agrees that the fatty layer is what makes it so good but i try to refrain from eating that part and only dine on the lean meat of it along with the veggies. the sauce is what makes it unique as well. and is one of those sauces that goes SO great with rice.
the total came out to $25 per couple. and i forgot to take a photo of the claypot rice with minced pork and egg. there's always next time.
^ fishpimp & dkb helping us eat all this food.
