KDrama Review: Mother (2018)

Assalamualaikum and hi everyone. I would like to skip a post about my Korea exchange student program for a while. Because I cannot wait any longer to make a review on this drama.

The rate on google is 9.2/11. But personally, for me, it's 15/10. This drama definitely going to be one of my favorite drama ever. I'm not that type of person who loves family genre type of drama. I'm more into a romantic comedy, fantasy or crime.

The story

This story is about Kang Soojin, a bird researcher and enthusiast who became a temporary school teacher. While she became a homeroom teacher she was concerned with one of her student Kim Hye Na, who seems to be a little unorganized and sometimes her body was bruised all over. Soojin tries to befriend with her to help her even though Soojin has no interest in kids. Hye Na was brutally abused by her mother's boyfriend.

One night, Soojin went to Hye Na house to return her notebook that was left in Soojin's house. Before she gets to the house door she notices a moving black plastic bag. Hye Na was left outside and tied in a plastic bag. After seeing this, Soojin "kidnap" Hye Na to help her run away from her family. She changed Hye Na's name to Yon Bok and she became Yon Bok's mother. This story basically shows how Soojin and Hye Na was on run away because they are wanted by the police.

There's a lot more story to this drama that I do not want to spoil it to you guys. There are reasons why instead of seeking help from police Soojin just take her away illegally that you can only find out watching this drama.

Main Character

Yon Bok or Hye Na character was acted by Heo Yool was well portrayed. Despite her young age, I think she really did well. I was amazed by her acting as if she went through all those hardships. Hye Na / Yon Bok character was the one drive me into this drama. Kang Soojin was acted by Lee Bo Young, nothing to say much about her because she is a good actress.

Drama Messages

This drama also sent a lot of messages to the viewer. It shows how child abuse can consequence someone's life. It also shows how a broken family can harm their child emotionally and physically. The drama also gives a glance on mental illness that has been portrayed very well by Hye Na and her mother's boyfriend.

The most important messages that I can see in this drama is a mother's love towards their child. Being adopted doesn't mean biological parents hate their own child. Not every parent have an amazing life to keep their child by their sides. This drama shows a very strong message on foster mother's love towards their adopted child. Even the child is not from their own womb but their loves toward the child are much bigger. They are willing to go through a rough path to raise their adopted child.

I literally cried on each episode. This drama is so good I don't know if I am not aware of this drama or people don't really notice this drama internationally. This drama has won few awards in Korea so this a guaranteed a worth it drama to watch. I know I'm a year late to review this but I'm still doing it just because how good it is.

Have you guys watched this drama? What was the saddest part for you? If you haven't make sure to watch it! Share with me and let's cry together hahaha. See you guys in the next entry. Byee~

Winter Program in Korea (Day 4 and Day 5)

Assalamualaikum and hi! This entry will be the continuation from the last entry. I know it's been awhile, so forgive me. I was having finals so I cannot continue updating you guys about my journey. However, here I am to share with you guys my experience for the program on day 4 and 5

Our fourth day there happened to be on 31 December 2018 (Monday). So, you guys can expect a lot from day 4.

It is our first Korean language class. I've been watching lots of Korean drama and listen to a lot of Korean songs but do I know their language? Maybe. I knew certain words but I have zero ideas on  Korea alphabet (Hangul). Oh, I only know how to spell my name because I googled it. So the class became very exciting for me. The class starts at 9 a.m and end at 12 p.m. Tbh, if it is an accounting class I would be dead because 3 hours is not a short period of time. However, I enjoyed that class a lot because it is new for me and I think 3 hours is not enough. Our 선생님 (teacher) cannot speak in English so it was a little hard for us to communicate in class but she manages to teach us a lot. 

So this is the view of the class from my sit. Nothing much to see but a better view is coming in next entry maybe. 

After our class finished, we have free time we can basically go anywhere we like and we need to gather at 2.30 p.m for next scheduled. We always move to classes or for scheduled together just to make sure everyone was there and nobody was left behind. 

So at 3 p.m, we went to the city tour. Just to let you know that I always have a problem in remembering places name so, I'm sorry if I didn't include the places name (I try my best to google it.huhu)  However, all the places we went to that day are only in Daejon. Daejon are famous for its science and technology stuff so basically for the next city tour also will be related to science.

The first place that we went to was the Hanbit Tower and Expo Bridge. We need to do a task which is taking funny photos there. So, nothing much happened but it was fun. I'm not gonna include the funny photo because I can't find it and my group didn't win. Guess it is not funny enough.

Did I mention in the last entry that we need to walk a lot? Yea, we still need to walk a lot on this city tour. I remember exchanging cultural information with my Korean buddy. She was interested in Malaysia a lot. I think I do a pretty good job of promoting Malaysia. Hahaha. It was fun.

Then we go to a public hot water pool spa kind of place where people soak their legs in hot water. I personally didn't soak my water because I'm just too lazy to take off my shoes. It is a free time for us so we can either go back to the dorm or go anywhere we wanted but it's getting dark and we will be having another activity later on that night. So most of us decided to go back.

I think this is my most favorite event that happened for 2 weeks in Korea. We went to a New Year celebration in Daejon Town Hall I believe. I'm not so sure where is it specifically but it is in the center of Daejon. 

We went there by groups so my buddy decides that we gonna take the taxi because subway will be too crowded and we need to go earlier. So, we split into 2 groups to take a taxi. There was almost no taxi that night because it was a night before the new year. There was one guy, hmm.. an Oppa to be exact. He was a buddy to the other group but he was so kind that he wait with us till we got a taxi. He got his own car, he wanted to bring us all together but we just can't fit in. He was so kind T.T 

When we reached there, my group and his group walk together and it was so packed with humans. Literally PACKED! I don't know how should I describe to you guys but it was so so so so packed. Anyways we found a spot that is not so packed so we just stand there and listen to the performances. 

After the performances, the countdown begins and after the clock is 12 a.m sharp they (Koreans) release the balloons that they were holding as wishes for the new year. Then there was a speech by important people of Korea. hahaha idk who. And there was a lucky draw as well until 12.30 a.m. The most awaited moment, the reasons we went there is to watch firework performances.

The photo is all mine

The firework was based on the song that they played so basically the firework was dancing. hahaha. I got to improve my photography skill as well during the firework. 

After the firework end, we need to take a taxi back to the dormitory. Sadly there was almost no taxi. My buddy Seonmin, need to run all over the place to find taxis for us. I feel bad for her because it was so cold and late at night. I'm so touched when she working so hard to make sure we went back safely.  선민, 너 최고야! 

We reached our dorm at 2 a.m it was a tiring day but I enjoyed it so much. 

The next day, It's a holiday so there was no class. Our activity starts at 3 p.m. It was an International Day. We need to prepare a presentation about our own country. So my team present about Malaysian food and also a Malay song (which is Hari Raya song). We got to learn about other countries as well as German, Bangladesh, China, America and more. Guess what? our team got the best presentation! It was so unexpected. 

And yea we wear Baju Kurung in Winter. By the way, on the 5th day, 1st January 2019, I experience my first ever snow! I was so happy that day!

So, guys, that's all for this entry. Day 4 was a bit longer maybe because I enjoyed that day the most. You guys can go to my Instagram and checked out my Korea journey on the highlight area. I was planning to edit my videos for vlog but I'm not really feeling it. Need some motivations I guess.

Thank your for spending your time <3