Viki Blog

Over the past few months, our language-learning journey has featured Asian languages such as Chinese, Thai and Korean. Now, let's transition to Indo-European languages starting with Spanish!

See below as we break down and translate some Spanish phrases into English from popular telenovelas found on Viki.

Wild Cat

Luis Mario (played by Mario Cimarro) and his wife, Camelia (played by Marjorie de Sousa), get out of the car to board a yacht for a romantic getaway. Before they take off for their “second honeymoon,” he asks, “Are you ready for the great adventure?”

Love Contract

Willy (played by Jose Angel Llamas) is under the gun to marry before he turns 30 or his grandmother is threatening to take away his inheritance. After placing an ad in the newspaper for a prospective wife, he waits at a bar for a woman with a white rose who responded to his ad. As soon as Mariana (played by Elizabeth Gutierrez) appears, Willy approaches her and says, “Hello, beautiful.”

Torrent of Passions

Ana Julia (played by Maritza Bustamante) gets into an accident and Bayardo (played by Ivan Tamayo) nurses her back to health. When it turns out that Ana Julia has lost her memory, Bayardo learns her identity from his sources. As soon as Ana Julia knows that she’s actually a fugitive, she decides to go to the authorities. Before leaving, she says goodbye to Bayardo and tells him, “Love is never wrong.”

Made in Cartagena

Watusi (played by Khris Cifuentes), Flora’s longtime boyfriend and Champeta dance partner, decides to propose to Flora, promising her a life of love, family, happiness and Champeta. On the beach, he gives Flora (played by Carmen Villalobos) a ring and says, “Do you want to marry me?” She accepts, but what she doesn’t know is that her life would change forever on the next day.

Eva Luna

Eva (played by Blanca Soto), her sister and father come to Los Angeles to live a new life, but Eva’s father really brought them to the city to tell them the truth about their biological mother. Hoping to make some money, Eva gets a job as a masseuse but soon loses it thanks to Daniel (played by Guy Ecker). At Eva’s next job as a car model, Daniel and Leonardo (played by Julian Gil) show up and start to flirt with her. She wants them to get lost and says, “I could care less.”

What other Spanish words have you learned while watching telenovelas? Let us know below in the comments!

Continue your language learning journey by heading over to Discussions to interact with fellow community members on interesting topics, such as “Basic words or sentences in your language” and “How often do you use your non-native language(s)?”

Some titles on Viki are not available in certain regions of the world. But Qualified Contributors (QCs) can view and contribute to most titles. Read this blog post to learn how to become a QC.

Happy birthday to Kim Woo Bin, who turns 25 on July 16! From his days as a model until now, Kim Woo Bin has been steadily gaining popularity and is now one of the hottest young actors in Korea! Bet you didn’t know these five fun facts about the birthday boy!

He Didn’t Want to Be Known as the ‘Other’ Kim Hyun Joong

Kim Woo Bin originally debuted with the name Kim Hyun Joong, but he changed his stage name to Kim Woo Bin at the end of 2011 before filming “Vampire Idol,” probably to avoid being confused with the other famous Kim Hyun Joong of “Playful Kiss” and “Inspiring Generation.”

He and Lee Min Ho Go Way Back

Kim Woo Bin had a cameo alongside Lee Min Ho in Sandara Park’s 2009 music video “Kiss.” Then the two paired up again in 2013, this time as co-stars in the drama “Heirs,” where Woo Bin made his mark as the rich bad boy Choi Young Do.

He Can Sing!

Kim Woo Bin has said that he’s not a good singer, but we would disagree. Check out his rendition of “I Didn’t Know That Time” at a Shanghai fan meeting to see what we mean!

He and Rain Traveled to Australia Together

Kim Woo Bin and Rain appeared together in a special episode of “Running Man” in Australia. They looked adorable while competing in kangaroo costumes!

He and Lee Jong Suk Have a Special Bond

The “bromance” between Kim Woo Bin and Lee Jong Suk on- and off-screen is famous among fans. To really appreciate their on-screen chemistry, you should watch “School 2013.” But if you want a quick taste of their off-screen camaraderie, check them out in this speed eating contest!

Congratulations to Kim Woo Bin on another successful year in his young career, and best wishes for the rest of 2014! Which of these facts was most surprising to you? Let us know in the comments!

Some titles on Viki are not available in certain regions of the world. But Qualified Contributors (QCs) can view and contribute to most titles. Read this blog post to learn how to become a QC.

Lee Min Ho may be the hottest Asian actor to grace the globe since … well, no one seems to make the Earth move and women quiver in their shoes quite like this young Korean celebrity. But some of us (okay, I ...) don’t understand the frenzy over the young Adonis. Give me a more mature, seasoned actor any day.

Although this is purely this author’s opinion, I think these six Asian actors working today are way hotter than LMH, and they deserve worship-worthy status in the place of — or at the very least — alongside Lee Min Ho!

Choi Jin Hyuk

Whether playing a brooding older brother in “Heirs,” a spiritual demon in “Gu Family Book” or a good-looking executive in “I Need Romance,” Choi Jin Hyuk can make a serious look super sexy!

The moody Choi Jin Hyuk in ‘Heirs’

Godfrey Gao

As a college basketball player in the Taiwanese drama “Bull Fighting” and a betrothed man in “Never Give Up, Dodo,” Godfrey Gao is pretty irresistible as a leading man! If you agree, see how you can win an autographed photo of Godfrey Gao below!

Oh, we quite agree, Godfrey Gao. We agree indeed!

Joo Sang Wook

Whether he’s playing an Internet genius in “Cunning Single Lady” or the chair of pediatric surgery in “Good Doctor,” Joo Sang Wook knows how to play a leading man with serious brains.

Joo Sang Wook is a slightly awkward CEO in ‘Cunning Single Lady.’

Kim Hyun Joong

As a tough street fighter in “Inspiring Generation,” the smartest boy in school in “Playful Kiss” or a bonafide member of the privileged F4 in “Boys Over Flowers,” Kim Hyun Joong shows that he can play any kind of a challenging role with almost chameleon-like transformation.

We wish Kim Hyun Joong wouldn’t leave us just yet in ‘Inspiring Generation.’

Mario Maurer

Whether he’s playing a dognapper in the Thai movie “The Dog” or a bad boy who always leaves his girlfriend waiting at home while he’s up to no good in “To Each a Flower,” see for yourself why this half-Thai, half-German actor and model is considered the hottest man in Thailand.

Mario Maurer exudes charisma onscreen, even behind glasses!

Song Seung Heon

With eyebrows that should be considered the best in the business, Song Seung Heon has taken on such diverse roles as a gangster-turned-successful businessman in “When a Man Loves,” a renowned neurosurgeon transported back in time in “Dr. Jin,” the all-too-serious heir to a conglomerate in “My Princess,” and a mafia boss seeking revenge in “East of Eden.” Whatever his role, his chiseled good looks win us over every time.

Song Seung Heon’s thick eyebrows and chiseled jawline would make any fan swoon.

Win an Autographed Picture of Godfrey Gao!

Win this autographed photo of Godfrey Gao

If you’re a fan of Godfrey Gao and would like to win this autographed picture of him, you’re in luck! Viki will give out autographed photos to a few lucky winners. Here’s how to enter:

Leave a comment on this blog telling us which leading man you think is the hottest and include your Viki User ID.

As the charming Korean actor Joo Sang Wook turns 36 on July 18, he may be one year older but he grows more handsome with each passing year. His fame seems to multiply with each passing birthday, but we bet you didn’t know these six interesting facts about him!

His First Leading Role Was in the 2011 Crime Series ‘Ten’

Joo Sang Wook took the role of a detective in “Ten” because he enjoys reading thrillers. However, in order to prepare for the role, he watched even more crime-solving dramas and films.

He Still Looks Good With a Mushroom — Or Bowl Haircut

In “Cunning Single Lady,” Joo Sang Wook plays the nerdy computer genius Jung Woo who meets his wife, Ae Ra (played by Lee Min Jung), at her family’s restaurant while studying for the professional engineering exam. As a poor student, he probably couldn’t afford a proper haircut but you still can’t hide the handsome behind that hair!

He’s the Perfect Combination of Sweet Face and Six-Pack Abs (Ladies, Brace Yourselves!)

Joo Sang Wook currently doesn’t have a girlfriend. He feels it isn’t the right time to settle down, or maybe he hasn’t met that lucky someone just yet. But that doesn’t stop A-list actresses, such as Ha Ji Won, from openly admiring him and confessing that she found him very attractive.

His Hardest Experience as an Actor Was on the Set of ‘Days of Wrath’

While playing a bullied student, Joo Sang Wook was getting hit with fake blows that didn’t hurt. However, he said in retrospect that those scenes were really hard. “I felt bad for the character,” he said. “I even thought why would he be hit so many times?”

He Loves Taking Selcas!

Selcas are self-camera pictures that you take of yourself. Would you rate him as an expert? Some tips we can share are to tilt your head, act cute, and work the angles.

Waiting on the set of the variety show ‘Running Man’

Enjoying a break from filming ‘Feast of the Gods’ with Sung Yuri

He Considers Lee Min Ho and Kim Soo Hyun as Rivals

In a recent interview, Joo Sang Wook mentioned that he never thought of competing with somebody. However, if he had to choose more threatening or intimidating rivals to replace Seo Kang Joon’s role in “Cunning Single Lady,” he listed Lee Min Ho and Kim Soo Hyun.

Happy birthday again to Joo Sang Wook! Which of these facts was most surprising to you? Let us know in the comments!

Some titles on Viki are not available in certain regions of the world. But Qualified Contributors (QCs) can view and contribute to most titles. Read this blog post to learn how to become a QC.

Regardless of how you felt about the winner of the thrilling final game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, get excited about the results of Viki’s #WorldCup2014 Celebrity Bracket! After weeks of anticipation, we have the results for your Overall Favorite Star!

The final match featured celebrities who got the most votes from the previous brackets:

Week 1: Drama Leading Ladies– Puff Guo
Week 2: Young Male Hotties– Jasper Liu
Week 3: Telenovela Queens– Blanca Soto
Week 4: Tall and Handsome Men– George Hu

So who took the crown for “Viki #WorldCup2014 Overall Favorite Star”? Congratulations to ... Puff Guo! She beat the competition with 51 percent of the votes! See why this Taiwanese actress is so irresistible by watching her recent shows “Love Myself or You,” “Just You” and “We Got Married Global Edition Season 2.”

Thanks, everyone, for casting your votes and following along! Did your choice take our celebrity bracket? Let us know!

We’re excited to announce that Viki will be attending the KCON 2014, the largest fan convention in North America for K-pop and all things Hallyu. The event will be held August 9-10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

Viki will have a big booth with a fun photo station, lounge, surprise guest visits and raffle prize giveaways for Viki merchandise and signed swag. Spot one of our street team members to win a free month of Viki Pass so you can binge watch all your favorite Korean dramas ad-free this summer.

Viki also will host the panel “How K-Dramas Worldwide Influence Food, Fashion and Fans” on Saturday, August 9, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. with special guest panelists Dramabeans and K-drama actor Sean Richard (“Feast of the Gods,” “Jejoongwon,” “Take Care of Us, Captain”).

Stay tuned for a special announcement about what Viki’s planning with a very hot K-pop guest at KCON this year! :)

This year’s KCON 2014 promises to be the biggest and best conference yet for K-pop and Hallyu fans, and Viki will be right in the thick of it. Joining Viki and reporting “live” from the red carpet will be none other than K-pop star Eric Nam!

The event — the largest gathering for K-pop and Hallyu fans in North America — will be held August 9-10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

We’re super excited that the “After School Club” star has agreed to host Viki TV at KCON. Even if you can’t make it to the event, you’ll get the scoop from some of your favorite stars, such as Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE, Lee Seung Gi, IU and more!

Want to meet Eric Nam in person? Come to one of our two “Selfie Station” sessions with Eric at the Viki KCON booth. Stay tuned for more details!

Watch Eric Nam with Mark and Jackson from GOT7 below!

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to meet Eric Nam or watch him host the exciting event on Viki TV!

Have you ever watched an Asian drama and scratched your head wondering, “What did she just say?” or “What does that mean?” Well, you’re not alone!

Oftentimes, the dialogue in your favorite drama makes references to common sayings or idioms that only people from that same culture may understand. Here’s a handy run-down of some bizarre sayings that have appeared recently in our favorite dramas and what they mean!

Can We Love: “Do you think I avoid poop because I’m afraid of it?”

In Episode 17 of the Korean drama “Can We Love,” Ji Hyun’s evil mother-in-law (played by Lim Ye Jin) ransacks Ji Hyun’s room and says, “Do you think I avoid poop because I’m afraid of it?” The comment refers to a common Korean saying that you don’t avoid dog poop because you’re afraid of it — but because it smells! In essence, the mother-in-law is telling Ji Hyun that she’s no better than dog poop and she’s in for a fight in Ji Hyun’s divorce from her son!

You’re All Surrounded: “You don’t catch and eat the house rabbit.”

In Episode 12 of the currently airing drama “You’re All Surrounded,” Soo Sun runs into Pan Seok while out bike riding, and they share a snack together afterward. When Pan Seok asks Soo Sun if she and Dae Gu are dating, she vehemently denies it. She says her mother told her before she left her hometown of Masan to come to Seoul that “You don’t catch and eat the house rabbit,” meaning that you should never date anyone from work.

You’re All Surrounded and Wonderful Days: “Your stool is very thick.”

When Dae Gu refuses to answer a question that Pan Seok asks in Episode 13 of “You’re All Surrounded,” Pan Seok says a Korean expression that literally translates to “your stool is very thick.” But because it’s a difficult expression to translate and can mean a few different things all at once, this drama translates it as: “You’re such an a--.”

But in Episode 4 of the family drama “Wonderful Days,” when Dong Hee uses the same expression while arguing with his grandfather, it is translated here as: “Your sh— is big,” meaning “you think you’re better than me” or “you’re such a smarta--.” Because there’s no direct translation into English, both translations can be considered OK to capture a portion of the expression’s obviously sarcastic meaning.

Jang Bo Ri Is Here — “Have you ever caught and eaten a tiger?”

In Episode 23 of “Jang Bo Ri Is Here,” Chan Woo (played by Kim Ji Hoon) rushes to a restaurant after getting a call from his father saying there’s an emergency, but the ruse ends up being a set-up for an unexpected blind date. Caught off guard, Chan Woo makes it clear to the woman that he has absolutely no interest in a blind date with her. The woman tries to reassure him and asks him to sit down because she’s not going to “eat” (hurt) him. Chan Woo responds, “Have you ever caught and eaten a tiger?” He means that she doesn’t know what she’s up against (she would never be able to catch, let alone eat, a tiger), and he has no intention of cooperating with this forced blind date.

Wonderful Days — “So good that you won’t even know if the person you’re eating with dies!”

In Episode 2 of “Wonderful Days,” the Korean expression that “If two people eat and one person dies, you won’t know” is used. It means that something tastes so good that you won’t even notice anything around you — even if the person next to you falls over and dies! Dong Hee hears street vendors yelling out this expression as they’re trying to sell sweet potatoes, but he’s so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he doesn’t pay attention.

Big Man— “Sometimes even dog poo can become medicine.”

Proving that Korean dramas love their expressions involving poop, another one such saying is used in Episode 3 of “Big Man.” Mi Ra asks her boss, Sang Ho, why Ji Hyuk was named president of one of the company’s divisions when he has no experience and is not qualified. Sang Ho responds, “Sometimes even dog poo can become medicine,” meaning that even something trivial can prove its value when necessary. The exchange alludes to the fact that the chairman has his reason for making Ji Hyuk president that could prove very useful in the end!

A New Leaf— “Clear out a ditch and catch a crawfish.”

In Episode 15 of “A New Leaf,” Seok Joo asks his best friend, Sang Tae, why he keeps coming to Seok Joo’s new office to help out when they don’t work together anymore. To which Sang Tae replies, “Clear out a ditch and catch a crawfish” and “Seeing lover while picking up mulberry leaves.” Both expressions mean to kill two birds with one stone. Sang Tae is happy to help out his best friend while also being able to see Prosecutor Lee, whom he has a crush on.

Trot Lovers— “Snake’s going to come out!”

In Episode 5 of the currently airing drama “Trot Lovers,” Joon Hyun is so happy when Chun Hee passes her first music challenge from their talent agency that he whistles while they walk home. Chun Hee tells Joon Hyun that the “snake’s going to come out” because of his whistling, meaning that whistling is bad luck because it’ll conjure snakes.

Which expression is your favorite? What others have you seen on Viki that you would like to have explained? Let us know!

We all know that we have to suspend a little bit of disbelief when watching dramas. I mean, all the lead characters are drop-dead gorgeous, surgeons are in their early 20s, and it takes half the series for characters to learn that they’re in love with the same woman/man or that the person in front of them is their long-lost father/mother/sibling. Am I right?

But the following dramas take crazy plots and storylines to a whole new level. We’ve deliberately excluded the time travel/body swap story lines because this blog would turn into a novel. The following series, though far-fetched, are so good that you won’t be able to divert your eyes for a second!

Here are seven dramas with crazy storylines that you have to watch to believe:

Big Man — Adopt a Man to Steal His Heart, Literally!

Super-rich people can do some scary things! They can make some Joe Blow off the street believe he’s their long-lost son because they want to harvest his heart. But when the street-savvy man proves to be a “mudfish” that the rich family then can’t get rid of, they may realize too late that they messed with the wrong guy! This is Korean drama suspense at its best!

Chairman Kang (played by Eom Hyo Seop) plots a dangerous game with innocent people!

Fall in Love With Me—Put on Glasses and No One Knows Who You Are!

When an obnoxious but brilliant CEO of an advertising agency decides to take a three-month break to get his mojo back, he is forced to take on a new identity. Just by combing his hair forward, wearing colorful clothes and putting on glasses, the guy fools everyone around him with his two identities. And when circumstances require both identities to be in the same place, the guy runs around like a madman changing clothes —but no one ever catches him!

Tian Xing transforms into Xiao Lu (both played by Aaron Yan) with a few easy tricks!

I Will Never Say Goodbye— Falling in Love With the Same Woman Over and Over!

A man blows into town, seduces a pretty woman, and promises to return for her. But the woman ends up pregnant and finds out later that the man is already engaged to another woman! To get her revenge, the wronged woman transforms herself into many different disguises. And the man falls in love with every one of the woman’s disguises and doesn’t know that it’s the same woman! Does he need glasses?

Juan (played by Luis Caballero) seduces the pretty Maki (played by Paola Toyos) and then breaks his promises.

Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team —Age 50 Years After a Dip in Water!

“Flower boy” (pretty boy) police detectives — at the height of their youth and good looks — investigate the case of missing businessmen that leads them to an old factory building. Inside, they discover two old men chained inside a giant aquarium with tags that say they’re in their 20s! When the four detectives all jump into the tank to try to rescue the men, three of them emerge having aged 50 years! We cried, too, when Choi Jin Hyuk turned into an old man!

Are these former pretty boy detectives doomed to live as grandpas forever?

Two Fathers— Two Educated Men Who Have Never Heard of a Paternity Test

A woman calls two ex-boyfriends and tells each that she’s having a baby and she doesn’t know which is the father. At the hospital, she leaves a note saying she’s leaving her newborn daughter in their care because she doesn’t want to give up her life. Once the men see the baby girl, they fall instantly in love with her and each claims to be the father. The next thing you know, they’re living together and raising the girl as two loving fathers. Yep, definitely makes sense —because that’s what we would all do in a situation like this.

A paternity test would have been so much simpler, no?

Wonderful Days—This Family Tree Has Many Strange Branches!

This Korean family drama takes four generations of a blended family to a highly entertaining, unbelievable level. Living under one roof are an invalid grandfather who makes everyone in the family clean up his poop; a long-suffering matriarch whose absent, philandering husband left her to care for his invalid father as well as their two sons and mentally handicapped daughter — and the son of his mistress; the missing husband’s twin brothers, who are both confirmed bachelors; twin 9-year-olds who think they’re the youngest children of the 65-year-old matriarch but are actually the children of the youngest son, whose wife left him after having the twins; and the son of the oldest son, who is 11 but is forced to call the 9-year-old twins his “aunt” and “uncle.” And did we mention that the missing husband’s mistress also lives in the house because she had nowhere to go after the husband left her, too — and she and the wronged wife share the same bed? Got that? Good.

The good-hearted matriarch (played by Yoon Yeo Jung) is everything to everybody in this crazy family!

A Hundred Years’ Inheritance—Torture Your Daughter-in-Law, Try to Lock Her Up in An Insane Asylum, Frame Her for Adultery and Then Try to Woo Her Back Because Your Son Can’t Live Without Her …

Yep, that pretty much sums up the crazy life that Chae Won (played by Eugene) has to endure while married to Chul Kyu (played by Choi Won Young) from her certifiably evil mother-in-law. But even after she summons the courage to divorce her husband, Chae Won can’t get rid of her crazy in-laws!

Chae Won (played by Eugene) lives through hell with her mother-in-law, but she won’t let her go after the divorce!

Which crazy drama plots were your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Hot Taiwanese star George Hu celebrates his 32nd birthday on July 24! His popularity continues to grow each day, and he even came in second place behind Puff Guo in the Viki #WorldCup2014 Celebrity Bracket: Overall Favorite Star. Check out these five reasons to love him even more!

He Is Fluent in 3 Languages – Taiwanese, Mandarin and English

George was born and raised in New York City to parents of Taiwanese descent. After signing a contract in March 2005, he moved to Taiwan to pursue an acting career. Since he spoke few words and couldn’t read or write in Chinese, he spent his first year learning the language and memorizing the lines to his first drama, “Emerald on the Roof.”

The ‘Emerald on the Roof’ cast (left to right): George Hu, Sun Li, Yvonne Yao, Wallace Huo

He Has Secret 6-Pack Abs (Ladies, This Is for You!)

George wasn’t always known for having a great body. He only started training to resemble a championship swimmer for his role as a swimming captain in the 2009 Taiwanese drama “ToGetHer” with Rainie Yang. We’d say his hard work definitely paid off!

He Knows How to Defend Himself and Protect Others!

At age 7, George began training in Chinese martial arts at the New York Wutang Chinese Martial Arts Institute. His mother was a huge influence on getting him involved because she had martial arts training herself. He participated in and received first place in several martial arts competitions. By age 17, he was appointed as an instructor at Wutang.

George meditating side-by-side with Annie on the set of ‘Love, Now’

He Is College Educated With a Degree from St. John’s University

In 2004, George graduated from St. John’s University in Queens, New York, with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphic Design. Shortly thereafter, he was scouted and asked to audition for a talent agency due to his boyish good looks and model height while he was visiting family and friends in Taiwan.

George Hu is pictured here modeling for MILK magazine

He Can Sing and Play Musical Instruments

With talents like these, get ready for romantic nights and serenades from George Hu! Well, we can dream, right? In his spare time, George enjoys playing the viola and electric guitar. His skills were put to the test after his first leading role in Taiwanese drama “K.O. 3an Guo.” He and his co-stars formed a five-member boy band called “Wu Hu Jiang,” or “Tiger Team” in English.

Watch him sing “Kiss Me” in English below.

Let’s all wish the happiest of birthdays to George Hu! What were you surprised to learn about the birthday boy? Feel free to share your love for George in the comments!

Summer is heating up already, but these celebrity couples are making it too hot to handle! In the past year, several stars have announced their relationships and weddings to the public. Bet you didn’t know about some of these couples below!

Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Jin Wook

Fans were shocked when Gong Hyo Jin (“It’s Okay, That’s Love”) parted ways with actor Ryu Seung Bum in 2012. Meanwhile, Lee Jin Wook (“The Three Musketeers”) dated popular actress Choi Ji Woo (“The Suspicious Housemaid”) for three years before calling it quits in 2011. There’s no better way to soothe a broken heart than by starting anew with someone else! In May 2014, it was revealed that Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Jin Wook have been dating since last year.

SNSD’s Taeyeon and EXO’s Baekhyun

You could hear the cries of fangirls and fanboys worldwide when it was confirmed that SNSD’s beloved leader, Taeyeon, and EXO’s cutie pie Baekhyun (“XOXO EXO”) have been dating since February. It’s been reported that Taeyeon provided moral support for Baekhyun when he was exhausted from late-night practices for EXO’s first concert. How lucky for Baekhyun that he’s with the girl he previously chose as his ideal type!

Joo Ji Hoon and Ga In of Brown Eyed Girls

A five-year age difference didn’t stop these steaming hotties from getting together! They’ve known each other for the past eight years but only recently became more than just friends. The turning point for them came when the two portrayed lovers in one of Ga In’s music video. We hope Joo Ji Hoon (“Goong” and “Five Fingers”) is as charming in real life as he is on the small screen!

Lee Seung Gi and Yoona

The relationship announcement that started a wave of others for the girls in the popular K-pop group SNSD: Yoona (“The Prime Minister Is Dating”) and Lee Seung Gi (“You’re All Surrounded”)! Whenever Yoona would guest star on the variety show “Strong Heart,” it was a running joke that Lee Seung Gi had a crush on Yoona. Well, now that crush has turned into reality as these two have been going strong for the past 10 months!

Jung Woo and Kim Yoo Mi

During Jung Woo’s time playing the role of Trash in the highly popular drama “Reply 1994,” news broke about his relationship with actress Kim Yoo Mi (“Can We Love?”). On a talk show, she confessed that Jung Woo was the first one to ask her out. They had met while working together in the movie “Red Family,” which premiered in November 2013.

Vanness Wu and Arissa Cheo

Actor-singer Vanness Wu (“Autumn’s Concerto,” “Ti Amo Chocolate”) tied the knot with his Singaporean girlfriend, Arissa Cheo, in Los Angeles in November 2013 in front of close family and friends. If you didn’t know already, he was born and raised in Santa Monica, California, before moving to Taiwan after high school! When exchanging vows, Arissa was moved to tears while Vanness comforted her with a kiss. Let’s wish the newlyweds a happy marriage!

Jay Chou and Hannah Quinlivan

Years ago, Mandopop superstar Jay Chou (“Pandaman Heroic Detective”) once stated that he would be married at age 35. It looks like he’s a man of his word as he announced last month that he would marry model girlfriend Hannah Quinlivan before his 36th birthday in January. Reporters inquired about the proposal, but he wished to keep it a secret. Aren’t you curious about how he popped the question? We bet it was really romantic!

Carmen Villalobos and Sebastian Caicedo

Carmen Villalobos (“Made in Cartagena”) and Sebastian Caicedo first dated for four years before breaking up. Time apart must have made the heart grow fonder as the pair started dating again last month. Hopefully, everything works out the second time around for this hot Colombian couple!

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes

After meeting on the set of “Dyesebel” back in 2008, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes are still going strong! Last month, Marian and Dingdong vacationed in New York City and stopped by the famous frozen hot chocolate spot, Serendipity 3. They also enjoyed other touristy locations, such as Gotham City and Rockefeller Center. It would be wonderful to see these two lovebirds tie the knot soon, don’t you think?

Which couple is your favorite? Share with us in the comments!

Some titles on Viki are not available in certain regions of the world. But Qualified Contributors (QCs) can view and contribute to most titles. Read this blog post to learn how to become a QC.

Until the end of July, you can show off your subtitling skills for a chance to receive Viki merchandise, or even a signed photo of Kim Woo Bin (from “Heirs”) or JYJ’s Jaejoong (from “Triangle”)!

Every day between July 24 and July 31, a gift will be given to the person who writes the most subtitles for that day. Better yet, you can even win on multiple days! Follow the instructions below to be eligible to receive a gift.

Instructions

Once a day, submit the number of subtitles you wrote that day in this form. Remember that you can subtitle in any language.

Submissions must be made by 11:59PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) each day.
To figure out what time that is where you live, use this website.

Check your PMs on Viki as we’ll contact the top subtitler each day there by the end of the next day.

Gifts for Subtitling

One lucky person will get to choose between a signed photo of Kim Woo Bin or JYJ’s Jaejoong. The other daily winners will receive surprise Viki gifts, such as T-shirts, pens, stickers and more. We’ll give away something different each day!

Remember, you can win on multiple days so submit your subtitling numbers every day!

New to Subtitling? Get Started!

Check out this Viki U Intro to Subtitling tutorial to learn how to use the Subtitle Editor.

Navigate to a video and get started. You can practice on an English-language news video. Don’t speak another language? Don’t worry — you can caption them in English!

Ready to subtitle a full-length movie or TV series episode? Use the Project Finder to search for videos that need subtitles. Again, subtitles can be in any language to be eligible for the gifts!

Where can you find your subtitle count? You can see how many subtitles you’ve written on your profile. Check the total number of subtitles you started the day with and calculate the difference at the end of the day.

Note: Popular movies or on-air TV shows are managed by volunteer “channel teams,” and only team members are allowed to subtitle those videos. If you want to join a team, just contact the Channel Manager!

Read our Subtitling FAQs to learn everything you need to know about subtitling. If you need assistance, please visit the Viki Help Center.

Good luck and happy subtitling!

This is what you’ve all been waiting for. We listened to your requests and it’s finally here!

Check out below as we break down and translate five Korean phrases from popular K-dramas airing right now on Viki.

Hi! School: Love On

Lee Seul Bi (played by Kim Sae Ron) is an angel sent to Earth to help guide people to heaven when their “time” comes. When she accidentally saves Shin Woo Hyun (played by Nam Woo Hyun) from a premature death, Seul Bi realizes that she now has a heartbeat, which means she has inadvertently become a human. Seul Bi tries to listen to Woo Hyun’s heartbeat, and he’s surprised by how brazenly she invades his personal space. He shouts, “What the heck are you doing!”

Fated to Love You (Korean version)

After their marriage, Mi Young (played by Jang Na Ra) moves in with Gun (played by Jang Hyuk) and his family. Given Mi Young’s pregnancy, Gun’s grandmother signs up the married couple for prenatal education classes. Following the first class, Mi Young says to Gun, “It was really great” that they could attend the class together for the baby’s sake.

Hotel King

Jae Wan (played by Lee Dong Wook) carries emotional baggage after being abandoned by his father as a child, but despite this, he has grown up to become the successful general manager of Hotel Ciel, the only 7-star luxury hotel in Korea. He’s tried to keep his distance from Mo Ne (played by Lee Da Hae), the hotel owner’s daughter, but they eventually realize their love for each other. As the two grow more emotionally attached, Mo Ne says to Jae Wan, “I trust you.”

Trot Lovers

When Chun Hee (played by Jung Eun Ji) fails to advance in Shine Star’s audition, Joon Hyun (played by Ji Hyun Woo) signs her to another talent agency, which forces her to perform at a nightclub. He runs away with her contract signing bonus but returns a few days later, deeply apologetic about his careless actions. Joon Hyun begs Chun Hee for forgiveness by saying, “Please give me one more chance.”

Marriage, Not Dating

Ki Tae (played by Yeon Woo Jin) has absolutely no interest in getting married, but he faces tremendous pressure from his family to settle down. To get his family to back off, Ki Tae deliberately introduces Joo Jang Mi (played by Han Groo) as his future wife, knowing that his family would never accept her. When Ki Tae’s mother invites Jang Mi to his grandfather’s memorial service, Jang Mi asks Ki Tae’s father after the service, “Please give me one more shot” of the rice liquor that is used for the memorial!

What other Korean words have you learned while watching dramas? Tell us below in the comments!

Continue your language-learning journey by heading over to Discussions to interact with fellow community members on interesting topics, such as “What languages do you already know or want to learn?” and “How do you keep yourself motivated?”

Some titles on Viki are not available in certain regions of the world. But Qualified Contributors (QCs) can view and contribute to most titles. Read this blog post to learn how to become a QC.

Last week, we announced that we’ll be bringing K-pop star Eric Nam to KCON 2014 to host the red carpet for Viki! And this is your chance to meet him at the Viki booth selfie station during the conference, which takes place August 9-10 in Los Angeles!

Viki also will host the panel “How K-Dramas Worldwide Influence Food, Fashion and Fans” on Saturday, August 9, with special guest panelists Dramabeans and K-drama actor Sean Richard (“Feast of the Gods,” “Jejoongwon,” “Take Care of Us, Captain”).

We have a special treat for Viki fans: We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to KCON 2014! For a chance to receive a pair of tickets, answer all the questions in this entry form. We’ll pick the winners and notify them via email on Friday, August 1!

You’ll find the answer to the first question on the form in Episode 6 of “Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team” below!

You must provide your own transportation and other expenses to attend KCON 2014. You also must meet a Viki representative at KCON to receive your tickets.

Good luck and we hope to see you soon at KCON!

In a span of two months last summer, a college student stumbled on an Asian horror movie that led to the discovery of K-pop and Korean dramas — which opened her eyes to a world of culture that she never thought imaginable from her home in Tennessee.

Ashley Bice (ashley_b_04), 21, is studying to become a medical assistant at her local community college in Tennessee. Her love of Asian pop entertainment started with the discovery of Asian horror movies on Netflix, which lead her to discover Korean dramas and K-pop on Viki, including her now-favorite Choi Min Ho of SHINee and “To the Beautiful You” fame.

In just the past year, the Viki Pass subscriber has spent about seven to 14 hours every week watching Korean dramas and Japanese films. Her favorite recent dramas include “Angel Eyes,” “Doctor Stranger,” “Secret Love Affair,” “Let’s Eat” and “Cunning Single Lady.”

Since Ashley has discovered Viki, her mother and two best friends also have become Viki users.

“I’m so thankful for Viki because without it, I wouldn’t have discovered what is now one of my favorite hobbies!” Ashley says. “Viki has helped me discover so much about myself and how much I truly enjoy learning about different languages and cultures. And watching dramas is a fun way to do it!”

Ashley heard about Viki Pass during the “Black Day K-Drama” Party live stream that was hosted on April 14, 2014, by “Eat Your Kimchi,” a vlog series produced by an ex-patriot Canadian couple living in Korea. She signed up for a free seven-day trial of Viki Pass and is now hooked!

Viki has broadened Ashley’s horizons and exposed her to the world outside Tennessee without having to fly there.

“Now, I am constantly striving to learn as much as I can about the world I live in,” she said. “I think that in its own way, Viki is truly a gateway to the world!”

Ruby Lin and Leroy Young play college sweethearts in ‘The Way We Were’

What choices do you make in life out of responsibility and obligation? “The Way We Were” is a Taiwanese drama about a group of friends who face love, loss and regret over a span of 16 years. The friends are played by Ruby Lin, Leroy Young (“Love Forward,” “Two Fathers”), Tiffany Hsu, Melvin Sia and Jason Zhou. Ruby Lin, who rose to fame as the main actress of “Princess Pearl,” also co-produced the drama with TVBS.

The story starts in 1998 and will touch upon historical events of the time, giving it a similar feeling to the “Answer Me 1997” and “Reply 1994” series from Korea. You’ll feel nostalgic for days past when watching scenes of hanging out at the pool, working part-time jobs, eating and drinking at the roadside, and taking rides on a motorbike.

Leroy Young in one of many nostalgic summer scenes from ‘The Way We Were’

“The Way We Were” is the Taiwanese drama that you don’t want to miss this summer. The show premiered last week, so check out Episode 1 now!

We can always turn to an Asian drama whenever we need a good cry. Crying and Asian dramas go together like peanut butter and jelly — or chopsticks and noodles.

There are some actors and actresses who can make crying look good. Let’s face it, Lee Min Ho never looks bad when he cries in his drama roles — with his restrained, moist eyes and controlled sadness.

Lee Min Ho’s moist eyes in Episode 12 of ‘Heirs’ after he breaks off his engagement

But many other actors and actresses just don’t have a good crying face. They are so immersed in their roles that they let it all hang out when the scene calls for crying. Here are 10 actors and actresses from our favorite current and recent dramas that prove that even great-looking stars can look ugly when they cry!

Endless Love— Hair in the Face and Too Much Teeth!

In Episode 1 of “Endless Love,” Kwang Hoon (played by Ryu Soo Young) is devastated when he sees his dead father. His crying scene is full of epic melodrama!

Fated to Love You (Korean version)— Dorky Cry

In Episode 2 of “ Fated to Love You (Korean version),” Mi Young (played by Jang Na Ra) cries after being humiliated by her “boyfriend” while on vacation.

Marriage, Not Dating— Tears Dripping Off the Chin!

In Episode 1 of “Marriage, Not Love,” Jang Mi (played by Han Groo) insists on seeing her cowardly boyfriend face-to-face after he broke up with her through a friend. But when she finally sees his face, she realizes that he never loved her and he was just using her.

Trot Lovers— Slimy, Sweaty Face!

In Episode 6 of “Trot Lovers,” Soo In (played by Lee Se Young) can’t handle losing to her female rival in singing ability and for the attention of their talent agency’s CEO.

Hotel King — Is That Nose Dribble?

In Episode 28 of Hotel King, when Jae Wan (played by Lee Dong Wook) finally confronts Mi Nyeo (played by Kim Hae Sook) with his true identity, they both have a good cry.

Love Myself or You— ‘I’m Scared of the Dark’ Cry

In Episode 5 of “Love Myself or You,” the lights go out in the restaurant while Zi Jie (played by Jasper Liu) is changing clothes, and the grown man is actually terrified of the dark! He begins to sweat and panic and maybe even cry a little!

You’re All Surrounded— The Nostrils Are Flaring!

In Episode 16 of “You’re All Surrounded,” Dae Gu (played by Lee Seung Gi) screams out when a fellow police detective is stabbed by thugs who steal a key piece of evidence.

Master’s Sun— Crying Like a Baby

In Episode 12 of “Master’s Sun,” Gong Sil (played by Gong Hyo Jin) can’t control her tears — or her face — when she thinks the man she loves is dead. We’ll have to see if she can top this face in her new drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love”!

Fall in Love With Me— A Good, Screaming Cry

In Episode 15 of “Fall in Love With Me,” Le Si (played by Tia Li) finds out the man she loves has become betrothed to another woman. She starts screaming and crying, but the voluminous tears can’t undo the engagement!

My Name Is Kim Sam Soon— The Dreaded Running Makeup

In Episode 1 of “My Name Is Kim Sam Soon,” Sam Soon (played by Kim Sun Ah) is devastated after being dumped by her boyfriend and has a good cry in a bathroom stall. The smeared eye makeup is every woman’s worst nightmare when the tears begin to flow!

Which crying scene was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

The-32-year-old Korean actor Lee Dong Wook made his acting debut in 1999 but found major fame in 2005 with the K-drama hit “My Girl.” In the nine years since he played an astute hotelier in “My Girl” and again played an astute hotelier in the just-ended popular drama “Hotel King,” Lee Dong Wook has proven his star power with the many diverse roles in between. He even showed his hosting chops as an MC of the popular variety show “Strong Heart” from April 2012 to January 2013.

See Lee Dong Wook’s character journey that shows why he is one of the most popular Korean actors working today!

My Girl (2005)

Lee Dong Wook plays a rich heir looking for his long-lost cousin. He asks a spunky tour guide (played by Lee Da Hae) to pretend to be his cousin because of her resemblance.

Partner (2009)

Lee Dong Wook plays the son of a founding partner of a top law firm who chooses to work at a smaller, less prestigious firm in this courtroom drama.

Scent of a Woman (2011)

In this touching melodrama, a woman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer decides to travel the world before she dies. On her trip, she meets Kang Ki Wook (played by Lee Dong Wook), her former boss’ son.

In 2011, Lee Dong Wook received the Top Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards for his role.

Strong Heart (2012)

Lee Dong Wook hosted this fun variety show full of celebrity guests. On each episode, 20 celebrities share their own stories and personal experiences. The celeb who survives the tough discussions and questions to win the most audience votes claims the title of “Strong Heart.”

Wild Romance (2012)

In this baseball rom-com, female bodyguard Yoo Eun Jae (played by Lee Si Young) learns she must protect Park Moo Yeul (played by Lee Dong Wook), the bad-boy shortstop from the rival team she hates. Eun Jae has to put her ego and temper aside to protect Moo Yeul from a dangerous stalker!

Kang Koo’s Story (2014)

Lee Dong Wook plays a cold-blooded, good-for-nothing guy. But when his friend dies, he steps up to take care of his dead friend’s sick sister.

Hotel King (2014)

“My Girl” stars Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae reunite for this revenge drama. In “Hotel King,” hotel general manager Cha Jae Wan (played by Lee Dong Wook) climbs the corporate ranks at a luxury hotel. But things get complicated when he falls in love with the hotel heiress Ah Mo Ne (played by Lee Da Hae), who is the daughter of his enemy.

Watch the exciting season finale of “Hotel King” now!

Which one of Lee Dong Wook’s characters was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Last month, we published the blog “6 Leading Men Who Are Way Hotter Than Lee Min Ho.” Many of you disagreed with me and said that Lee Min Ho is the god of all gods and will forever be No. 1 in your eyes. I completely understand his appeal, especially after seeing him in “Heirs,” and definitely didn’t mean any disrespect to his fans! But just as many of you agreed with me — but pointed out that there are many more actors that you thought should be on the list!

Although we can’t list all of the many great-looking actors you mentioned, here are your top 10 most-mentioned Asian stars that you think are way hotter than Lee Min Ho! And we applaud you, Viki fans, for having impeccable taste!

Kim Woo Bin

Kim Woo Bin has cornered the market on playing a high school student with attitude, such as his iconic roles in “Heirs” and “School 2013.” We can’t wait for him to graduate to leading-man status in more mature roles!

So Ji Sub

The versatile So Ji Sub plays a company CEO (“Master’s Sun”) and a gangster (“Rough Cut”) with equal ease, proving he’s a true leading man!

Kim Soo Hyun

One of the hottest young stars in Korea, Kim Soo Hyun has proven his acting chops with his leading roles that range from a high school student in “Dream High,” a crown prince in “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” or an alien in “My Love From the Star”!

Lee Jong Suk

This hot, young star has quickly risen from playing a high school student in “School 2013” to a high school student with a special talent in “I Hear Your Voice” to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon in “Doctor Stranger”!

Aaron Yan

Whether he’s a fastidious CEO of a marketing design firm in “Just You” or an advertising prodigy in “Fall in Love With Me,” Aaron Yan demonstrates true talent as a leading man who can make any fan swoon!

Lee Dong Wook

He broods his way through his role as a general manager in “Hotel King,” a baseball player in “Wild Romance,” the president’s son in “Scent of a Woman” and an attorney in “Partner,” but you can’t get enough of Lee Dong Wook’s devilish good looks! The talented actor also knows how to MC, as he did for the variety show “Strong Heart” from 2012 to 2013!

Lee Sang Woo

Lee Sang Woo has the approachable, boy-next-door quality about him, regardless of the complexity of his roles in “Glorious Day,” “A Word From Warm Heart,” “Goddess of Marriage,” “Feast of the Gods” and “A Thousand Days’ Promise”!

Jo In Sung

Whether he’s playing an arrogant crime novelist in the currently airing drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love” or a gangster trying to swindle a blind woman in “That Winter, The Wind Blows,” no one can make bad-boy characters look quite as sexy as Jo In Sung!

Kim Bum

The young Korean actor took China by storm with his role as a restauranteur in “V Love,” but he melts hearts in all of his Korean roles as well, including “Jung Yi, Goddess of Fire,” “That Winter, The Wind Blows” and “Boys Over Flowers.”

Lee Seung Gi

He may have played an angry police detective in the just-concluded drama “You’re All Surrounded,” a half-human in “Gu Family Book,” a modern-day crown prince in “ The King 2 Hearts” and a cowardly man in “My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho,” but Lee Seung Gi is all heart-throb to his many fans!

Which actor is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

During the last week in July, we invited Viki community members to subtitle as much as they could each day for a chance to receive a gift. The gifts were either Viki merchandise or a signed photo from Kim Woo Bin or JYJ’s Jaejoong!

The turnout was amazing! Some users even came close to reaching QC status within one day alone. Thank you to everyone who participated — we greatly appreciate the time and effort you set aside to contribute. Viki wouldn’t be the same without people like you!

Today, we’re happy to recognize the Top Subtitlers and their respective languages!

Thursday, July 24 – Eurasia, Dutch

Friday, July 25 – dramadwarfie, Chinese

Saturday, July 26 – yoona_choi, Polish

Sunday, July 27 – yoona_choi, Polish

Monday, July 28 – MusicROSE, Dutch

Tuesday, July 29 – zano_v, Vietnamese

Wednesday, July 30 – Dudie, Dutch

Thursday, July 31 – zano_v, Vietnamese

If you missed out on this sub-a-thon or want another chance to receive a gift, don’t worry! There will be another opportunity coming along soon. Maybe even at the end of this month! ;)

Learn These 5 Spanish Phrases With Viki!

5 Fun Facts About Birthday Boy Kim Woo Bin

6 Leading Men Who Are Way Hotter Than Lee Min Ho

6 Surprising Facts About Birthday Boy Joo Sang Wook!

Find Out Who Won Our #WorldCup2014 Celebrity Bracket!

Join Viki at KCON 2014!

Guess Which Star Viki Is Bringing to KCON?!

Say What? 8 Bizarre Asian Expressions Decoded!

7 Crazy Drama Plots You Have to See to Believe!

5 Reasons to Love Birthday Boy George Hu!

Summer Heats Up With These 9 Celebrity Romances!

Subtitle for Chance to Get Signed Photos — 1 Week Only!

Learn These 5 Korean Phrases With Viki!

Enter Our Ticket Giveaway to Attend KCON 2014!

Viki Provides Gateway to the World for a Tennessee College Student

Love, Loss and ’90s-Era Taiwan in ‘The Way We Were’

These 10 Drama Stars Prove Crying Can Get Ugly

Lee Dong Wook’s Road From Host to ‘Hotel King’

Your Picks: 10 Stars Who Are Way Hotter Than Lee Min Ho

Congrats to Top Subtitlers of July Sub-a-thon!