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Showing posts with label Virily. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virily. Show all posts

Sunday, November 30, 2025

For Music Lovers: Yanni Live at the Acropolis

Are there any Yanni fans in the house? There must be! 

This Grammy-nominated artist enjoys international fame and has held live concerts all around the world (30 countries on 5 continents). His music career spans almost 5 decades. One of my favorite performances was when he appeared at the Acropolis (recorded Sep 1993; album released Mar 1994). The show was spectacular! I have the album in my CD collection. 

Actually, I own several Yanni albums. But if you don't have any CDs, no worries. You can listen to many of his musical performances on YouTube. Lots of concert clips have been uploaded by his adoring fans. However, after listening, you just might be tempted to purchase some Yanni albums to have in your personal music library. You never know when you might lose access to the Internet and won't be able to view and listen to online videos.


♫ Yanni Live at the Acropolis, Greece - Santorini

♫ Yanni KEYS TO IMAGINATION

♫ YANNI - Within Attratcion - Live At Royal Albert Hall (Armen Anassian & Karen Briggs)

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Yanni Live At the Acropolis

10 facts about Yanni’s biography and career:

🌟 Yanni – Bio & Career Highlights

  • Birth and Early Life: Born Yiannis Chryssomallis on November 14, 1954, in Kalamata, Greece.
  • Musical Roots: Began playing piano at age six, self-taught and refused formal lessons Yanni.
  • Education: Studied psychology at the University of Minnesota before pursuing music full-time.
  • Musical Style: Known for blending jazz, classical, soft rock, and world music into instrumental compositions.
  • Career Start: Active since 1977, initially with the rock group Chameleon before launching his solo career.
  • Grammy Recognition: Nominated twice for Best New Age Album at the GRAMMY Awards, including In My Time GRAMMY.com.
  • Global Concerts: Famous for performing at iconic venues like the Acropolis, Taj Mahal, and Forbidden City.
  • Album Success: Has sold over 25 million albums worldwide, earning more than 40 platinum and gold records.
  • Personal Life: Once romantically linked to actress Linda Evans; has a daughter, Krystal Ann.
  • Legacy: A leading figure in New Age music, celebrated for bringing instrumental compositions to mainstream audiences.

📌 Quick Takeaway

Yanni is a Greek-born, self-taught composer and pianist whose career spans nearly five decades. With global concerts at historic landmarks, two Grammy nominations, and millions of albums sold, he remains one of the most influential figures in New Age and instrumental music.

REFERENCE:

Ayuba, Haruna. “Yanni Biography: Age, Net Worth, Albums, Concerts, Daughter, Linda Evans, Music.” TheCityCeleb, 23 Aug. 2025, https://www.thecityceleb.com/biography/celebrity/musician/record-producer/yanni-biography-age-net-worth-albums-concerts-daughter-linda-evans-music/.

Dash. “Yanni- Wiki, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth (Updated on March 2024).” Vox Hour, 18 May 2022, https://voxhour.com/yanni/.
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Thursday, November 20, 2025

Home and Garden Inspiration: What is Your Perfect Dream Home?

Our Dream Home was Temporary But Memorable

Several years ago, my family had a wonderful opportunity to live in what I would characterize as a “dream home”.  I was changing jobs and needed temporary quarters until my family got settled into a permanent residence. We rented a house with a short-term lease. It was a 6-bedroom house on a small hill located in Bethesda, Maryland, made even more beautiful by a blanket of snow outside and the warmth of a crackling fireplace inside.  This house even had a private library.  It certainly created a memory I’ll never forget.

Many people have their idea of a “dream home,” and these ideas are extremely varied.  Often, the dreams are based on a memory of a place they lived or visited, or on a particular location in the world where the dreamer wants the home to be located, or on a desire to keep up with the Kardashians, etc.

Do you have a dream home?



My preference is for a humble abode, sort of along the lines of a log cabin, they say Abe Lincoln (16th POTUS) lived in.  I would prefer that it be located somewhere where the weather is like the Bahamas or Hawaii.  But if it is in the mountains, it must have proper heating.  LOL.  Basically, I want to live in a simple house that does not require substantial upkeep and maintenance.

What about you?  

Luxury Villas? Cozy Cabins? Castles and Treehouses?


Source: Virily - Site shut down.
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Waterfront dream home in the Sunshine State?




A fairy tale castle that’s real?



A castle in the USA?



A luxury villa in France is irresistible.



A cabin in winter – comfy and cozy is a dream home for many people.



Tarzan and Jane never lived like this!


Not sure Tarzan and Jane lived like this either. (O.o)
This house is simple. Sort of.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Travel and History: Ten Facts About the Republic of Turkey

When you travel, it is good to know historical facts.  Modern-day Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a country strategically located between Europe and Asia, and its leaders have an integral role on the world stage. The Asian part of Turkey was at one time called Asia Minor and was a part of the ancient Roman empire. Later, Turkey became part of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. 

Its historical, religious, political, and cultural significance, including the fact that its largest city was once the capital of three empires ~ Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman ~ should not be discounted or minimized. The heritage of Turkey and its influence in today’s political and economic arena are intricately woven into world history and world affairs.


♦ Here are TEN FACTS About the Republic of Turkey:
  1. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is revered as the founder of the Republic of Turkey and is also called the “Father of the Turks”.
  2. The founder of the Republic of Turkey was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934.
  3. The current capital city of Turkey is Ankara.
  4. Istanbul was once the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman.
  5. Istanbul was once historically known by the name Constantinople.
  6. “Turkey entered World War II in 1945 on the side of the Allies, who secured an agreement that Turkey would become a democracy.”
  7. Even though Britain or the UK has voted to exit the EU (“Brexit”), Turkey wishes to be accepted as a member state of the European Union (EU).
  8. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an international alliance between European and North American countries and Turkey is a member state.
  9. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are all famous buildings in Turkey; must-see places for any traveler or visitor. The Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
  10. The Independent published a list of Turkey’s 7 most popular cities that attract tourists. Even though Cappadocia is located in Central Turkey and is mentioned in the Bible, this city was NOT on their list.
(Content previously published at Virily.)


Related Links:
* * *FOR YOUR READING LIST (if you enjoy a good mystery):














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Thursday, October 23, 2025

Society and Culture: Talking About My Generation

Years back, I stumbled upon a blog written by a young woman named Shaniqua. She was either in high school or her early years of college. She posed an interesting question, and it’s a question that no doubt is asked often and probably asked in every generation. She wanted to know:

I was born in the 50s. It’s not that the children or young people, PRE-1980s or 1990s were better off. It’s that … speaking from an American point of view … the world “we” lived in had very clearly defined “black and white, right and wrong” standards. These guidelines (or standards) made decision-making and not succumbing to peer pressure OR following the “in crowd” OR being tossed to and fro by any trend or movement, a little easier to make contrasts and comparisons for the purposes of making choices …that is to say, making wise life choices … speaking from my point of view. Would love to be able to boast that all of my decisions were wise choices, but I can not. That’s probably everybody’s lament.

 Nevertheless, when we started moving from the “black and white” into the “gray areas” where Walt Disney programs were replaced by uncensored programming being disseminated to the masses … things just weren’t so clear-cut anymore. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good to question accepted “norms” and ask WHY. But asking questions doesn’t automatically mean that everything “that is questioned” is wrong and needs to be changed to the exact opposite to make it better and right.

 According to Wikipedia, the term “anti-establishment” was first used in a British magazine movement in 1958, and there were or are such movements that occurred in Iceland, Italy, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, as well as in the USA. The Arab Spring is even categorized or described as anti-establishment.

 According to me, this was a popular term used in the USA, and based on the way I saw and heard the word being used, my interpretation was that you dared to challenge The Authority. Quite frankly, I think my generation (the 60s and 70s) took the anti-establishment movement in the USA a little bit too far off course. Of course, that’s just my opinion, and I could be wrong.

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 ♦ How would you respond to Shaniqua’s question about previous generations? Do you think they were better off or worse?

 ♦ What’s your opinion of the anti-establishment movement in America (or of a similar movement you may know of that happened or is happening somewhere else in the world)?

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 Links of Interest:

 Which generation am I? Boomers, Millennials, Gen X, Generation Z birth years – Business Insider

 The Generations – Which Generation are You?

 American Generations Fast Facts – CNN


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Content previously published at Virily.com

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Sunday, November 3, 2024

Floral Diversity: Transplant Flowers to Cure Homesickness

Florida was discovered by an explorer named Ponce de Leon. He named the state “Florida” which is the Spanish word for “flowers”, because, upon his arrival in this new land, he saw nothing but gorgeous flowers everywhere. I imagine one of the flowers must have been the hibiscus, a flower that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. In fact, as a kid, it seemed like this flower was everywhere!  We had hibiscus that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. Many hardy hibiscus are native to Florida; but for obvious reasons, the orange blossom was chosen as the state flower. But that's OK because ... the hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. There are seven species of hibiscus native to this state. Also known as pua aloalo in Hawaiian, this flower represents royalty and communicated power and respect.

hibiscus
Image credit: glitter-graphics.com

When I moved from Florida to Texas, shortly after my arrival, I was in a store shopping for items for my new home. I overheard a lady talking to another lady. She said she had just returned to her home in Texas. She had been vacationing in Florida and she was so excited because she had found this wonderful flower! She said she just had to bring this gorgeous flower back home to Texas and plant it her garden.  Being from Florida, my curiosity was peaked. I wondered what Florida flower had impressed her so much. Turns out that it was the hibiscus.  Not surprised.

Links of Interest:
  • CAUTION!  According to Medical News Today, hibiscus can interact with certain medications. For example, people who take chloroquine, a medication used to treat malaria, should not consume hibiscus because it may decrease how well the medicine works in the body.
I’ll never take the hibiscus flower from my childhood for granted ever again. In fact, if you ever relocate and feel a little homesick, try transplanting a flower that reminds you of the home you left behind.

If you have relocated to a new home, what are flowers that remind you of your childhood home?

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Friday, August 2, 2024

American History: Really Cool History About American Presidents

In my lifetime, I have lived through the administrations of presidents of the United States from Eisenhower to Obama. They left their “footprints” in America's historical records for future generations of citizens. Let's hope the country is still standing for those generations.


From my childhood to the present date, I can remember the following presidents of the United States:
  • Dwight Eisenhower (1953 – 1961)
  • John F. Kennedy (1961 – Nov 22, 1963)
  • Lyndon Johnson (1963 – 1969)
  • Richard Nixon (1969 – 1974)
  • Gerald Ford (1974 – 1977)
  • Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981)
  • Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1989)
  • George Bush Sr. (1989 – 1993)
  • William J. Clinton (1993 – 2001)
  • George Bush Jr. (2001 – 2009)
  • Barack Obama (2009 – 2017)
Donald Trump (2017 – 2021 )
  • Joe Biden (2021 - 2024)

At the time of this writing, it is March 2020*. We are in the midst of the presidential campaign process. Somebody has to be nominated as the Democratic candidate. That person will run for the highest office in this country and whoever he or she is, they hope “We the People” will vote for them and unseat our current Republican president, Donald Trump. Whenever this time in American history comes around, i.e. the political process of choosing a new fearless leader, I am always thankful.
  • I’m thankful Americans have the right to VOTE.
  • I’m thankful our POTUS is not a despicable king or queen who can’t be dethroned or worse a ruthless dictator who nobody can get rid of.
  • I’m thankful the U.S. Constitution limits the president’s term in office to 4 years and that the president can only serve for 2 terms.
  • I’m thankful I have survived all of the presidents as far back as I can remember and that our country is still standing.
  • I’m thankful that I’m living and American.
I found some really cool tweets that reflect interesting moments in time. The history covered in tweets is during the timeline from Eisenhower to Johnson. When Nixon took office I was attending university and I became discouraged, dissatisfied, and disinterested in American politics. I’ve never really quite regained my enthusiasm and interest. But I didn’t bury my head in the sand either. America is still the land that I love. God Bless America.

Cool Tweets About American Presidents


*Original content source:  Virily.com, March 5, 2020

Tuesday, 
November 3
Election Day (US) 2020 in United States


To ALL Americans who VOTE (and those who don't):

Remember this country's history.  Recall the aspirations and ideals of our Founding Fathers.  Remember those who shed blood for this land.  Not just those who fought as soldiers in the military, but including the original natives and those who were slaves.  America exists because of their sweat, blood, and tears.

Understand this.  You can not rely solely on a leader to make America a great nation.  Building this country is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.  The leader you choose does not carry this weight on his or her shoulders all alone.  The leader is an ordinary citizen, just like you and me, who should be humbled and honored to SERVE "We the People".  The elected leader should respect the oath of office and approach the duties of the office of the presidency with gravity and sincerity and a genuine heart FOR THE COUNTRY AND FOR THE PEOPLE. 

Know this.  A country is nothing without dutiful, loyal, patriotic citizens who love their country, live peacefully in their country, and work TOGETHER to build their country.

 Think about this when you vote.
Think about this even if you don't vote.


Original content source: Medium.com
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Monday, May 27, 2024

Buying a Home: Ever Fantasize About Having a Celebrity Neighbor?

Zillow is a real estate company based in Seattle, Washington, USA, that has conducted an annual survey for the past decade, asking ordinary people, that is, people who are not celebrities, which celebrity would they love to have as a neighbor. According to the survey results:
In 2018, the survey was modified. Instead of voting for real celebs as neighbors, people were asked who would be their favorite fictional TV character or characters. Leonard Hofstadter and Penny from the CBS TV-series “The Big Bang Theory” garnered the most votes.

Have you ever fantasized about having a celebrity neighbor?

 I participated in my own unofficial celebrity neighbor survey and these are my results.

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 Miami, Florida, is my hometown and the exclusive neighborhoods of the stars who live in Miami Beach include celebrity couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan (“Miami Sound Machine”). The Estefans would get my vote for most desirable celebrity neighbors in any year.  It’s my fantasy. They are in the first place.

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Also, after watching the cooking show, “Kimchi Chronicles”, two other celebrity couples were put in second place. World-class chefs, Marja and Jean-Georges Vongerichten would be my neighbors on one side; and actor, Hugh Jackman (aka “Wolverine”) and his wife, actress Deborra-Lee, would be on the other side. It would be awesome to have dinner with them every now and then.  Every now and then?  Uuuhh … OK.  Just once!  I’d be happy with one invitation to share a meal together.  Wouldn’t you?
♦



Source: Virily.com
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Friday, April 26, 2024

Auto History: Awesome Tweets About Classic Cars

In 1998, my late husband and I loaded up the trucks and relocated our family to Austin, Texas.  The first major expense that occurred shortly after we arrived was buying a car.  When I say “shortly” I mean that we had only been in the city for not even a few months.  My son was driving our old car.  He had an accident.  He walked away but the car went to car heaven.

'Classic Cars of Miami Beach' Photographic Print - Philippe Hugonnard | AllPosters.com
Image credit:  Classic Cars of Miami ... | AllPosters

Back then we were a one-car family and since the public transportation system in Austin was not all that good, we knew we needed to get a car and fast!  We could not afford a brand new car so we bought a used car.  The first thing that happened after we bought the used car was … it broke down!  Being brand new to the city we didn’t really know who to call.  I picked up a local publication, started browsing through it, and found the name of a guy who advertised that he fixed cars, 24/7 and that he came to you.  We were in a hotel.  He came to us to fix the car, in the parking lot!

 I called the phone number in the advertisement and talked to the guy before he came over.  When I hung up the phone, I said to my late husband:  “That guy sounds awfully young.  Do you think we can trust him to fix the car?”  My husband replied:  “Aw!  Don’t worry!  He’s probably one of those guys who like to work on classic cars.”

Turns out the young guy was terrific when it came to fixing cars.  It also turns out that he was one of those guys who liked working on classic cars.  LOL.

 That delightful experience is why I picked these delightful tweets about classic cars.


 Content first published at Virily.com
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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Bible Women: Women Named in the Lineage of Jesus

There are 4 books referred to as Gospels in the New Testament.  Only two of those gospels include the genealogy of Jesus.  Of course, whether a believer or a non-believer, the story of Jesus is known around the world and almost everyone knows that the name of His mother was Mary. A careful examination of the scriptures reveals the names of several women in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  One woman was a harlot (prostitute) and another was an evil wicked queen.

 These are 5 names that can be extracted from the gospel accounts:  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (“the wife of Uriah”), and Mary.

These are 12 names extracted from books in the Old Testament:  Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Naamah, Maacah, Azubah, Athaliah, Jerusha, Abijah, Hephzibah, Jedidah, and Zebidah.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons – “Ethiopia-Axum Cathedral-fresco-Black Madonna”

Content previously published at Virily.com

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Interesting Facts About These Bible Women:

  • Sarah was the wife of the Hebrew patriarch, Abraham; and her name means “Princess”.
  • Ruth was the great grandmother of King David, a notable king of Israel.
  • Bathsheba was the mother of King Solomon, a notable Jewish monarch.
  • Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah, a Jewish patriarch.
  • Rahab was a harlot who believed the reports about how God had delivered the Jews had been delivered from bondage in Egypt and was proselytized into the Jewish faith.
  • Rebecca was the daughter-in-law of the Hebrew patriarch, Abraham; and the mother of Jacob, the man whose name was changed to Israel.

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Related Links:


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Sunday, March 3, 2024

My Childhood Memories of Elizabeth Arden

When I was growing up in Miami, Florida, my favorite department store was Burdine’s. It no longer exists. It was bought by Macy’s. Macy’s may have bought the store but they did not buy my memories. I still have them and they are intact. One of my memories that is crystal clear was the perfume counter. You could find all kinds of high-quality perfumes and fragrances such as Elizabeth Arden. To me, the letters “E” and “A” in that name mean exquisite and alluring fragrances for women.

The real name of the woman who started this American company was Florence Nightingale Graham. She attended nursing school in Canada for a while, but eventually dropped out. She moved to America (Manhattan, New York), lived with her brother, and began to pursue her own interests in developing skincare, makeup, and other beauty products for women.



She entered into a business partnership with another woman by the name of Elizabeth Hubbard; however, the partnership only lasted for 6 months. From that point forward, she determined to establish her presence in the business world on her own. She took the first name of her business partner “Elizabeth” and the name of a farm “Arden” and created the trade name in1909. It is now 2019, which means that, for over a century, America (and the rest of the world, as her products are sold in over 20 countries), has associated that trade name with the most desired beauty products for women. Elizabeth Arden products include a wide range of fragrances, cosmetics, and skincare essentials.

Ms. Graham passed away in 1966 at the age of 87. She is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in NewYork. The name on her grave is Elizabeth N. Graham. She is without a doubt one of the most inspiring and phenomenal business women of the 20th century.
  • FUN FACT:  Ms. Arden was the 1st to introduce matching nail polish to your lipstick! #VintageAd

(Image credit: Elizabeth Arden Products Sold at Selfridges, Flickr.com) 

Original source

 View Elizabeth Arden products here.


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Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Entertainment: 6 Old But Gold Bollywood Movies With an Awesome Soundtrack

These days video rental stores are practically nonexistent because of online video streaming. But three (3) decades ago, video rental stores changed my life. How so? The stores introduced me to foreign films and in particular, to Bollywood films. What’s so great about these Indian movies? The music! Yes, the dancing is awesome too. But you can’t have dancing without music. Right? 

Many of these films have an awesome soundtrack. In fact, it’s fun to search YouTube just looking for the songs. There are lots and lots of films but these are my Top 6. Yes, 5 out of 6 are Priyanka Chopra-Jonas movies. I’m a huge PCJ fan.


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(1)  *Karam (2005 ‧ Drama)

A young married couple should be able to lead a fairy tale “happily ever after” lifestyle. If only the husband wasn’t a paid contract killer; a bad guy who made some other bad guys really angry. It made their lives really complicated.  Music video: Tinka Tinka performed by Priyanka Chopra-Jonas.


(2)  *What’s Your Raashee? (2009 ‧ Bollywood/Comedy)

A guy needs to find a wife or lose his inheritance. He decides to choose his bride according to her “raashee” (her astrological sign).

(3)  *Fashion (2008 ‧ Bollywood/Drama)

A young woman pursues her dream of being a top fashion model, making sacrifices and bad decisions, along the way to get to the top.

(4)  *Yuvvraaj (2008 ‧ Drama)

There were light-hearted moments. But there was nothing funny about the plot. There are 3 brothers. One brother is mentally challenged and when the father dies, he leaves all the money to this son. The other 2 brothers, who feel that have been cheated, scheme to try to get the inheritance.

(5)  *7 Khoon Maaf (2011 ‧ Thriller/Drama)

The film is called “7” because the woman has seven husbands. Each time she marries, she is certain the man she chose will be her soulmate for life. It doesn’t work out and she conveniently becomes a widow, albeit she is never charged with any crime. In the end, she does find her soulmate. To be fair, the other six had it coming.


(6)  *Dostana (2008 ‧ Comedy/Drama)

Two guys need to rent an apartment at a complex in Miami, Florida USA with one catch. They have to be gay. They pretend to be gay, sign the lease, and their roommate is hot young heterosexual female that both of them fall for; only she doesn’t know it because she thinks they’re gay. The movie is cute and funny!
Content previously published at Virily.com











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Wednesday, June 14, 2023

K-Drama: The Merchant: Gaekju (2015 Korean TV Series)

I heart K- dramas and especially the Korean historical period dramas;  movies or television series.  That's why I'm suggesting:  “The Merchant: Gaekju” (2015).


The English translation for the title is “God of Commerce” and it has 41 episodes.  With about 26 episodes left to view, I’m sharing this PRE-review.  By doing it this way, I’m less likely to accidentally blurt out the ending and spoil it for others who may want to see it.  

 In today’s American business, we have what’s called bulls and bears. Back in the 17th-century Korean business world, not sure about the bulls and bears, but there were definitely snakes and Shamans.






The main character is Chun Bong-Sam (played by Jang Hyuk), who never even wanted to be a merchant. Sadly his father died a tragic death when he was only 8 years old, and when he grew up, he stepped into his father's shoes and became a merchant too.

 I have only watched 15 episodes. It’s taking me a while to complete this series because the plot’s unpredictability is driving me nuts!  (O.o)

 You know how it is. You sit down to watch a movie or a series. You think you know what’s going to happen and how it will end and then … that’s not what happens!

 Well for me, that has happened in several of the episodes. None of my predictions about the outcomes were correct.

 Incredible! Doesn’t the scriptwriter know the rules of plot writing??!!!

 The characters I liked were being killed off!

 I’m only at episode 15!  I'm screaming! You can’t do this!! 

 It is very upsetting.  But each episode has a "hook" that drives you to the next episode because ... you just have to know how it ends!  

 Watch the trailer.


Content first published at Virily.com


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If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:

 K-Drama: Boys Over Flowers (2009 Korean TV series) Gets My Five Stars

 Six Flying Dragons (2015 Korean Drama TV Series) Worthy of 10 Stars

 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016 Korean Drama TV Series)

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