Celebrate with me! This is a double first for me: my first Year-In-Review, AND, my first guest post too! 😀
This guest post is especially close to my heart because how it came about is actually the origin story of this blog.
THE ORIGIN STORY
Up to about 2 months ago, I had been a persistent lurker in the kdrama-verse. For most of my six kdrama-watching years, I visited lots of blogs regularly and kept up with the k-entertainment news and lapped up other people’s views and reviews, but I almost never commented on anything. Once in a long while, I would leave a comment somewhere, but mostly only if I had something that I was just burning to say.
I’m an introvert at heart, though most people who know me in real life wouldn’t guess it, and this was my inner introvert acting out.
One day close to Thanksgiving, I encountered a moment where I did burn to say something.
It was on Stephanie’s blog Crazy for Kdrama, and she was asking for votes on which drama to marathon over Thanksgiving. One of the choices was Queen In-hyun’s Man, which was a show I really, really loved, and I decided that I just had to step out of the lurking closet to endorse the show.
And then some time later, Stephanie decided to embark on some serious marathoning to bump up her number of watched 2012 shows, and asked her readers for opinions and recommendations. I decided unlurking had been quite fun, and jumped in to give my 2 (or 5! or 10!) cents’ worth. One thing led to another, and Stephanie soon asked me if I’d be interested in doing a guest post for her 2012 Year-In-Review series.
I jumped at the chance to actually do a guest post. It all seemed so novel and cool, especially since I didn’t even have a blog yet at the time!
The more I thought about it, though, the more intrigued I was at the thought of what it might be like to actually have my own blog.
Stephanie’s invitation was the catalyst that caused various pieces of the puzzle to come together in my mind.
PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
I’ve kept a personal journal for quite a few years now, and among writing about all the other things in life, I do also journal my thoughts from watching kdrama. Sometimes I only journal my thoughts after completing a show, but often I will also put down my thoughts and reactions during the course of watching a show. I thought, why not share those drama thoughts with other drama lovers? That’s one big part of the puzzle.
Another piece was, I was inspired by one of my favorite reviewers, Dnoella at KDramaGuk. She is so witty, so engaging and so insightful! She’s on hiatus now, but I love her blog so much that I’m keeping it as a long-term feature on my blogroll.
It was because of her reviews that I found some dramas that I really loved, like Chuno and I Live in Cheongdamdong, and I wanted to create a blog in the same vein. Not a blog that keeps up with the k-entertainment news, coz I don’t have the time to keep up with writing on that very dynamic scene, but a blog that features reviews that would entertain others and perhaps help them make their drama decisions.
The last piece of the puzzle is, I enjoy writing, and always have, but in recent years, I hadn’t really written anything. Not too long ago, the writing bug bit me all over again. I had this inexplicable desire to write, and even started writing a children’s book. I’m still writing that book, but this blog is also a major outlet for me, to let that desire to write come to life.
POKING AROUND
I first started poking around in Blogger in early December, just to see what it would be like to have a blog. I put up reviews and tinkered with the settings, trying on two different templates to see what it was like, but neither template quite satisfied me.
In the end, I did some research and some experimenting, and I found that WordPress let me create my own Gong Yoo banner. YESS!! Well, I think it’s possible to do it on Blogger, too, but I didn’t know how, and I figured it out on WordPress first.
Two WordPress templates later, here we are.
SETTLED DOWN, FINALLY
You’ll have noticed that this blog is mostly reviews-driven, and occasionally I include a musings post when I’m inspired to write about something.
I believe that a good review has longevity – though “good” really is subjective! – coz not everyone watches the dramas right away when they’re first broadcast, and I hope that everyone who comes here will find a fair amount to enjoy on this blog.
Clearly, I’ve gotten very used to unlurking, and I’ve embraced the Kdrama-verse with gusto. I’m even on Twitter now; did you notice? 😉
This is, obviously, a brand new experience for me, and I’m learning a lot and meeting lots of really cool people in the virtual drama-verse who share a similar passion for kdramas and other related k-stuff. It’s been a whole lotta fun, and I sometimes wonder why I waited this long to jump in. But hey, I refuse to have any regrets, coz y’know, why waste (more) time? 😉
Also, thank you for your tremendous support for the blog! As I post this, this blog has had 1,155 views in just 25 days! That’s really pretty decent, right?? THANK YOU, for contributing to that! 😀
THE BIG REVEAL
Finally, without further ado, you can check out my historic, first guest post (WOOT!!) on Crazy for Kdrama (reuploaded here); the guest post that helped to spawn an entire blog..! 😀
Feel free to comment either here or there, I’ll check in on both ends 🙂
Love! ♥
Love! ♥
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Worlds Within is my favorite project of him. Love the chemistry with Song Hye Kyo. Real Life story drama with a great dialogue. I love the Cinematography too. You might be bored with too much narration but if you try to go deep into those lines, you’ll understand the most inner thoughts of the characters.
Love the Kim Samsoon drama too…
I am not a fan of fantasy drama so I’ll pass with SeGa. ✌️
I am not a fan of HJW acting too ✌️
I just found your blog (and honestly clicked on it because of Gong Yoo!) but started reading and your writing is so approachable, that I’ve found myself really enjoying it! I’ll be seeing you around!
Aw! That’s so sweet of you to say! Thanks for enjoying the blog, I’m so happy that I’ll be seeing you around these parts! 😀 WELCOME!
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Thanks for sharing this! 😀
Glad you enjoyed the read! ^^
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“I’m an introvert at heart, though most people who know me in real life wouldn’t guess it” … lol
Ha. Actually, now that statement would also apply to people who know me virtually as well, come to think of it!! XD I am so NOT a lurker anymore, what with the blog and everything! XD Still, I AM and continue to be an introvert at heart, for sure, heh. Some things just don’t change ^.~
PS: I’m an INFP, so we have some things in common! ^^
well, (imho) it’s great you’re doing what you like/love while balancing out your personality traits (as a side effect). best wishes for you and your blog!
ps: i laughed because i would have said the opposite about me: “i’m an extrovert at heart, though most people who know me in real life wouldn’t guess it” … even though i’ve always scored over 87% in all four categories (I,N,T,J)
Aw, I don’t know if it’s actually balancing out my personality.. They say that you never change your MBTI type, ie, it’s inherent in you. I just need to find other ways of expressing that “I” in me I guess! ^^
Lol that you feel like an extrovert at heart, even though you’re scoring over 87% as an “I”! And. I understand. In an opposite sort of way, hee. ^.~
Hey! I noticed that you’re a fan of I Live in Cheongdamdong. I just recapped Ep 101 (why is there such a dearth of ILICDD!?). Check it out if you miss that show. 🙂 http://therighthandcorner.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/i-live-in-cheongdamdong-episode-101-recap/
Thanks for sharing the url – heading over to take a peek! ^^
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I can’t believe you started this blog in late 2012! Your blog is amazing and your posts are always a pleasure to read!
Aw, thank you misscupcakees! (LOVE your handle, btw, it’s sweet & feels adorable!) Welcome to the blog! 😀
Yes, I can hardly believe that it’s been just 3 and a half months since I started the blog! Thanks for your encouraging comment, it means a lot to know that people are enjoying the posts! It spurs me on to want to keep at it, and do better! ^^
Ahahahahas, handle? LOL
Yeppps! Keep up the good work! (: Your blog is beautiful! And I can’t wait to read more of what you have to write!
Oh, haha! I meant your screen name ^^
Thanks! I’m looking forward to chatting more with ya! 🙂
Ahahahas! Thanks! (: And with you too! We shall become great buddies!
Aw YEAH!! LOVE the sound of that! 😀
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Welcome to the blogging world! I can totally relate your origin story because I used to lurk around just like you, reading other blogs but never commenting. When I realized that I wanted to join in and discuss dramas just like other drama-fans on the internets, I decided to settle down and blog. And just like you I was also further motivated by KDramaGuk’s blog and her reviews, which I love (even though she’s not active these days, *sadface*). So I just wanted to say, keep up the good work 🙂
Oh, and I liked your drama awards-review, epecially the categories for Most Addictive Ignore-The-Weak-Writing Romance and Best Chuck-Your-Brain-At-The-Door Drama. So true.
Thanks, Indigo!! 🙂 I know, Dnoella’s great, isn’t she? I absolutely love reading her writing (such a delight, really!), and I really hope she’ll start blogging again soon! *crosses fingers and toes*
So glad you enjoyed my Year-In-Review, and YAY that we agree on Moon/Sun and TTBY!! They’re not perfect, but somehow so addictive! I was completely entranced by Kim Soo Hyun in Moon/Sun! 😉
Awww…. I’m glad to have had even a little part in your blogging world. I’ve really enjoyed your post–and your comments. I wish you all the best! Keep out of that lurker closet!
Aw THANKS Stephanie! You know you’ll always be the one who sparked this all off! 😉
Hi kfangurl! Thanks for dropping a note to visit…I’ve come a-calling to say hello! Wow, you are so generous and kind to say such nice things, I don’t know if I deserve any of it, but thank you. =) *sheepish* I think YOU are inspiring ME to write again. Your sparkling new site looks fantastic. I’ll add you to my blogroll, too; and I look forward to reading more of your kdrama thoughts in the future. I’m sure you’ll guide me toward kdramas I’ve overlooked, too. Congrats again on your new blog. Good luck! PS, I agree with you on Dream High 2.
Dnoella, I am SO stoked that you came to visit!! 😀 😀 😀 I wasn’t sure that you’d see the comment since you’re on hiatus and may not be checking in on your blog much, so YAY that you saw it!!! 😀 And THANK YOU, for stopping by!!
And absolutely, you RAWK, and are absolutely deserving of everything I said, and then some!! 😀 I look forward to your hiatus ending, so that I can lap up your writing again, you’re always such a great read in so many ways! Thanks so much for adding me to your blogroll – such an honor! (Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would be having this conversation!)
And Dream High 2.. I sympathize that you spent time on that turkey too , LOL 😉
HA. Your posts are always a delight to read ^^ and like you I was one of those that lurked around [Oh noes, that sounds really creepy] LOL.
But I also put my thoughts and whatnot down too but only for myself until I realised why not share it with people who might actually read it? AND WAH-LA! LOL, I love your awards post too. However, every time I post a comment it keeps giving me errors. Grrrrr >.<
Lovely posts m'dear. Do keep them coming ^^
AWW.. THANKS bimbobunny!! 😀 This must be the sweetest, most encouraging comment, ever! 😀 I feel inspired to write more, post more, coz I feel like the end result is being appreciated! <3
So glad you enjoyed the awards post! I had a blast writing it! Bummer that you had trouble with commenting – but YAY that this thread is an alternative & you managed to leave your comment here without problems! 😀
I think it's so cool that we both lurked a lot before starting our own blogs! HIGH FIVE, bimbobunny!! Reformed Lurkers unite! XD
Woot!! I’m SO glad your reply on the other thread got through!! It’s the most epic reply ever, I think! 😀 I wrote you a reply there too, but somehow it shows up as a brand new comment. I thought I’d let you know here too, just in case you miss it! 🙂
Love!
hey….liked your review of 2012….. 🙂
Aw.. thanks rainbow! Glad you enjoyed it!! 😀
Yay! I am glad that you stopped lurking! Funny enough QIHM is the drama that got bustered and I to finally decided that our joke that we would start a blog should actually become a reality. We had spent months messaging back and forth on Facebook about K-drama and K-pop, and we thought we should start to share some of our fangirling love. And I really liked your guest post ^^~
Aw, thanks!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I was so excited that it was finally going live, since it played such a pivotal role in my decision to actually start blogging! 😛
Also, there must be something extra special about QIHM, eh?? In effect, it’s spawned both our blogs – who knows how many other blogs were started this way?? 😉
Hahaha – who knows!