So, how did you do on yesterday's Hallyu quiz? You aced it right? Just in case you missed one or two questions here are the answers with a little background so you can get an even better grade next time someone quizzes you on kdrama or kpop.
- c) It was the tender love story "Winter Sonata." The 2002 drama was such a big hit in Japan that it inspired Japanese tourism to Korea and the creation of a Japanese-Korean phrase book, something that had never previously existed. Some say the Hallyu really began with the historical drama about Korean cuisine, "Dae Jang Geum" that aired in 2003. It achieved high ratings and was shown around the world. "Boys Over Flowers" helped create a new wave of interest in kdramas and has been described as the kdrama gateway drug. Once fans got a glimpse of F4, they were hooked.
2. a) Taeyeon is a member of the girl group Girls Generation. She also has a few acting credits on her resume. She performed in the musical "Midnight Sun" and did voiceovers for the Korean version of "Despicable Me," as well as two drama cameos.
- d) Jang Geun Suk is a successful singer. Lee Hong Ki is the lead vocalist of Fantasy Island and Jung Yong Hwa is the leader of CNBlue.
- Of those answers, it's d) "Sharp," although he did have a small role in the 2002 drama "Romance." He catapulted to superstardom after playing Goo Jun Pyo in "Boys Over Flowers."
- Ha Ji Won played c) a film stuntwoman. Hyun Bin mistakes her for the actress in a film and that's how they meet. It's funny later on when they switch bodies and he has to attempt her stunts.
- d) All of the above. Park Shin Hye was an adorable idol boy in "You're Beautiful." Yoon Eun Hye made Gong Yoo fall in love with her even though he thought she was a boy in "Coffee Prince" and Park Min Young had Park Yoochun in love with her when she played a girl pretending to be a boy in "Sungkyunkwan Scandal."
- Again, d) all of the above. Jung Yong Hwa is in his third drama, "Future's Choice," following "Heartstrings" and "You're Beautiful." Kang Min Hyuk appeared in "It's Okay Daddy's Girl," "Heartstrings," "My Husband Got A Family" and now he's in "The Heirs." Lee Jung Shin appeared in "My Husband Got A Family," "My Daughter Seo Young" and "Blade and the Petal."
- d) 2NE1. That video really is "the best."
- d) "The Heirs" filmed most of the first episodes in and around Los Angeles. Part of the reason for their filming in the U.S. was that the drama is co-produced by DramaFever, a U.S.-based source of kdramas.
- c) Korean fans actually seemed more enthusiastic about G-Dragon's performance at Justin Bieber's concert than Bieber's and even the American singer was impressed. According to G-Dragon's management YG Entertainment, he did such a good job emoting in the music video "Crooked," he may one day try acting.
How well did you do on our quiz? Let us know.
