Review: We Got Married Global Episode 1- The First Meeting

Ok, I've seen people searching for Lee Hong Ki and his marital status on Google. And I must say that there are lot of you interested in him. (Myself included.) And, yes folks, he is "married". On a reality show called "We Got Married Global Edition" that is.

He is part of a pair of celebrity couples that are filmed in dating and married life situations. The series originally started with just Korean couples, but now they have branched out even further to Japan and Taiwan. You may recognize this show as a lot idols have participated in it. CNBlue's Jung Yong Hwa paired up with Girls Generation's Seohyun as the "Goguma Couple" or "YongSeo Couple". And 2PM's Nichkhun had paired up with f(x)'s Victoria as the "Khuntoria" Couple.

Global Pair #1: Ok Taecyeon (K-Pop Group 2PM) and Wu Ying Xie aka Emma aka "Gui Gui" (Taiwanese Actress/Singer)

Global Pair #2: Lee Hong Ki (K-PopRock Band FT Island) and Fujii Mina (Japanese Actress)

Their First Impressions
Of Mina- she had sent photos of different parts of her face and legs to Hong Ki's cell phone as a way of giving him hints about how she looked like. Hong Ki was very intrigued and thought she had a very nice smile. And her eyes turned down exactly the way he liked in a woman.

Of Hong Ki- for some reason, Mina already knew her who her husband was going to be. She's a fan of FT Island. While she was at the salon getting her hair done, she even sang a bit of FT Island's song, "Love Love Love" (Sarang Sarang Sarang) to the stylist helping her get ready for their first meeting.

Of Gui Gui- it was a first time for everything for Gui Gui. It was her first time to Korea and her first time getting "married". She was dressed in all white for her first meeting and showed up with a very bright expression. She doesn't really understand Korean, but her English is not bad, so she was able to converse somewhat with Taecyeon (He understands English since he was raised in Boston, Massachusetts for about 7 years.)

Of Taecyeon- Taec was very nervous meeting Gui Gui and he hoped that they would like each other. Gui Gui found him handsome, but misunderstood him a little bit at their first meeting.


First Meeting
The Bookstore- Hong Ki and Mina
Hong Ki arrived at the bookstore earlier than Mina and explored a bit. After buying a drink, he sat down to write a note to his soon-to-be-wife.


When Mina arrived, she tiptoed gently towards him so she wouldn't startle him. When they realized who the other was, they both hid their faces in embarrassment as they greeted each other.

Hong Ki was very surprised to find out that Mina could converse in Korean since she is Japanese. He was also very surprised to know that Mina knew of him (even though he didn't know her) and that she was a fan of FT Island. Mina surprised him with a little off-key rendition of "Love Love Love" (Sarang Sarang Sarang) and he was touched that she knew the words. He thought that she could've easily just said the lyrics, but instead, she sang it to him. (Side note: Some artists are particular about their songs and don't like people singing it to them. I'm glad that Hong Ki wasn't like them.)

Hong Ki had challenged Mina to a game of skills by presenting her with a postcard puzzle. He told her that if she put together the puzzle, he would grant her one wish. Mina blazed through the task and put it together in no time. Plus, she read the warm message he had written on the back. Her wish? To have him sing to her, which Hong Ki politely declined at the time since they were in a bookstore.

They found that they had many interest together and that Hong Ki could have had a special "sense" about her tastes. (He ordered her a caramel macchiato, which happened to be a favorite of Mina's. It also happens to be a favorite of Hong Ki's.) Overall their first meeting was very nerve wracking, but very pleasant.

The Shoe Cafe (Chougabi Shoe Cafe)- Taecyeon and Gui Gui
An intrigued Taecyeon arrived at a shop that sold shoes and coffee?? Eh? I guess anything goes in Korea. When Gui Gui arrived, it is apparent that there would be a language barrier. Although Gui Gui can speak English, she can't speak it very well. Not to mention, most of her knowledge of the Korean language and culture came from watching Korean dramas. For example, as they sat at a table getting to know each other, Taecyeon ordered a warm drink for the both of them. Gui Gui was puzzled as the hot chocolate was placed before them. She thought that it was strange for Korean's to be drinking a drink so large at that time of the day. She thought that the mug of hot chocolate was to be drunk in the same way one would take shots of liquor. She kept on saying "one shot" to Taecyeon and proceeded to down the whole drink. She encouraged Taecyeon to do the same. And a befuddled Taecyeon, who didn't want to be impolite, downed his hot chocolate. Later, Taecyeon explained that it wasn't supposed to be downed, but rather sipped at your leisure.

Another example was when they had moved to the shoe room floor. Taecyeon had asked Gui Gui to "window shop". Not understanding what "window shopping" was, Gui Gui's eyes fell on a pair of silver flats that she loved instantly and immediately asked Taecyeon to buy it for her. Taecyeon had to disappoint her by explaining that "window shopping" meant you could only look, not buy. And a disappointed Gui Gui felt he was being tight with his money. Overall, it was a very hilarious episode of Taecyeon trying to explain to Gui Gui in English so she could understand, and Gui Gui trying to get used to the Korean way of things.

After the kerfuffle regarding the shoes, they hit the slopes for some fun in the snow.


The couples had a short hiatus away from each other and return a bit later to find their new homes.

Thoughts: I have to say that these couples are so cute! Gui Gui can be a little annoying with her "oppa" name calling, but she is still adorable. And it's interesting to see how Taecyeon and Gui Gui communicate with each other. I'm glad that Taecyeon is so patient with her. He really breaks down English so she can understand better.

As for Hong Ki and Mina...isn't this kind of cheating? I'm sorry, when I think of Global couples, I think of couples that don't know the same language. Where's the fun in actually being able to converse in the same language? I'm just kidding. I'm not upset, but just surprised. There will be cultural differences that I'm sure will come out down the road. Although I must say...as a FT Island fan, my heart is breaking. Mina is one of the lucky girls that will actually get to know Hong Ki personally.  *Sigh* Ok, I'm over it. I am thoroughly enjoying the series so far and can't wait to see it through to the end.



More to come! Hwaiting!

(Images are not owned by me. Credit goes to their rightful owners.)