[Review] The Liar and His Lover (J-movie)

I was browsing for some good Japanese movie recently and came across a few recommendations. I decided to write a review on this movie since I really love this movie among the recommendations I read. I couldn't find it on Youtube, so you can go to this site to watch it.

The movie was originally based on manga 'Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru' (literally means 'The Girl Who Loved Lies') by Kotomi Aoki in 2009.

SUMMARY

Ogasawara Aki (Takeru Satoh) is a talented songwriter and was the bassist of Crude Play. Crude Play consisted of his childhood friends; Sakaguchi Shun (Shohei Miura), Ono Kaoru (Kouki Mizuta) and Yazaki Teppei (Koudai Asaka).

The original members of Crude Play; (from left) Teppei, Shun, Aki and Kaoru

Aki decided to leave the group before debut because of some personal reason. He was replaced with Shinohara Shinya (Masataka Kubota), who is a professional bassist.

Crude Play was first discovered by a materialistic producer named Takagi Soichiro (Takashi Sorimachi).

# I am a fan of this actor since Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO). He's still hot for an ahjusshi/ojisan.

"Music.. has no meaning if you can't sell it"

Even though Aki has backed out from the group, he still wrote songs for Crude Play, which made the band famous. His identity was totally concealed from the public, though. Despite all his achievements, he felt empty inside and he don't seems to understand why too.

He seems to lose interest in music and plus, being the ghost-writer for his famous girlfriend, Mari (Saki Aibu), who ended up cheating on him with that producer guy.

Having your ex's face on billboards is the worse

At that time, he was heart-broken and coincidentally met with Koeda Riko (Sakurako Ohara), a normal high-schooler who is also the daughter of a vegetable store's owner.

Riko fell in love with the song that he was humming at that time. Riko is a big fan of Crude Play. Aki didn't want her to know that he's the mysterious songwriter of Crude Play. So he lied about his name and even his job.

"Why are you crying?"

He lied again saying he hates music and girls who sing. Ironically, Riko was someone who does sing but she kept it a secret from him.

Riko, Yuu, Sou

Things became more complicated when the evil producer scouted Riko and her friends on the street, on the way to Aki's place. At this point, the truth has to be revealed..

Mush & Co.

PERSONAL REVIEW:

I love the storyline and I have some weak spot for vulnerable guy like Aki. My heart hurts when I see Aki suddenly cries in front of Riko. And the kiss that follows make my heart flutters. It's too early for a kiss but maybe Aki was just carried away by the whole "I will protect you" phrase. I'll take it as a way of him saying "It's so sweet of you to say that, although you don't know me that much".

"I believe in love at first sight!"

I would say Aki was having some inner conflict with himself since he felt as if he is being used by the evil producer and Mari. Actually, the reason he backed out from the group was the fact that he felt offended because all the instruments were played by some professional musicians and they would need to pretend playing them on stage. For bassist part, Shinya was playing for him. So, might as well let him be in the group right? What's the point of becoming a bassist when you can't play the instrument yourself?

When he met with Riko, he thought he could run away from music. Aki started to fall in love with Riko for her cute and innocent personality. Plus, after he first listen to her singing, he began to enjoy writing songs again. Previously, he wrote songs because he was asked to but now it's because he wanted to.

I'm still confused on why he was so moody actually. I can make a few guesses initially but I became more confused as I listened to his explanations. I understand that he felt offended since he was asked to pretend playing bass. In the beginning of the movie, he said something about the value of music which I couldn't understand what his point was. Then, there was the scene when he told Shun that he was turning his back on music before he met Riko. Yet, he had wrote all these songs for Crude Play right? How is that called 'turning your back on music'?

He has the habit of closing his ears when a song came to his mind

Their love story is so sweet. Riko manage to see through Aki's deepest feeling through his song and Aki started falling in love with Riko because of her pure and innocent self. I envy Riko since she was able to reach out to someone who is struggling. I find it amazing since I am really bad at reading people. Like I said before, I love 'the broken ones'. I wish I could 'protect' someone too.

Overall, the movie left a very good impression on me. I read the manga after the movie and I would say the cast are similar to the manga's characters. The storyline in the movie might be slightly different than the manga but I was satisfied with the movie.

The only thing I would like to complain is the unnatural laughter of the actors. Their laughter was either too fake or not suitable for that situation. I'm referring to the scene when Riko dropped her stuff while running to Aki and when Shun found out that Aki uses Shinya's name to lie to Riko. Maybe the actors felt it's awkward to laugh at that moment too so they can't really laugh sincerely.

Trivia from manga:
• To read Aki's mood:
   Bad mood - he plays remote-controlled heli
   Confused - he eats chocolate
• Shun's family owns a confectionary factory and he was supposed to inherit it.
• Aki comes from a poor family so instead of cake, they had omurice for birthday.
• Dumpling are Aki's specialty. He can't cook anything else besides that.
• Aki also called Riko as 'Mush', before Shinya came into picture.
• Aki was reluctant to hold hands with Riko since he has sweaty hands.
• Shinya and Yuu also like Riko. Yuu had a crush on Riko for the longest time.
• Sou is Riko's childhood friend. In the manga, Sou is supposed to be chubby.
• Riko is known as a crybaby and that just makes Aki, Shinya and Yuu want to protect her.
• Riko is quick to understand the situation. It's almost impossible to lie to her.

Kpop Star 5 - Ranking Audition (Part 1)

[Kpop Star season 5 Ep 3]

Timbre Vocal Group

Kim Sara (22)

(Sofa - Crush)

■ She trained with YHY and received an elimination warning that's written 'Cliche'
■ YHY said when she moves between high notes and low notes, it sounded habituated and fixated
■ She tried to fix her bad habits but it comes unintentionally. When she tried to sing sincerely, it sounded bland to her.

JYP - "That was excellent"
YG - "I think you learn better with provocation"
YHY - "I can see the effort and struggle you went through"

Yoo Yoon Ji (17)

(Only You - Park Jin Young)

 ■ JYP previously commented she didn't deliver emotions well
■ She started to lose her confidence
■ JYP asked her to just lose herself when singing

YHY - "JYP should stop singing and just give his songs to other singers"
YG - "You could have bursted out during the climax"
JYP - "Finally you have released your soul"

Yoo  Jei (15)

(New York State of Mind - Billy Joel)

■ She chose the song to show how she loves living in New York
■ She becomes more cheerful and talkative after making friends with other contestants
■ She was chosen as the strongest contestant in the group

JYP – "This is the best performance on Kpop Star"
YHY - "You are unique, skilled and has great sensibility"
YG - "It's like seeing someone you dreamed of in real life"

#If her performance was the best, that means she just 'defeated' Katie Kim's performance for 'The Place You Should Be' by G.O.D

Unfortunately they did not show the full performance by the other three contestants:

Amy Jo (21)

Park Chan Hyuk (17)

Han Seung Yoon (17)

RESULTS!
1 - Yoo Jei
2 - Yoo Yoon Ji
3 - Amy Joo
4 - Kim Sara
5 - Han Seung Yoon
6 - Park Chan Hyuk >> [Eliminated]


Ranking audition Part 2
Ranking audition Part 3

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 3

[Kpop Star season 5 Ep 3]

Sophie Han [Passed]

(Girl On Fire - Alicia Keys)

◆14 years old, from Atlanta, US

◆ Her mother forbid her from pursuing singing

◆ She is a soccer player, loves to sing and dance

◆ She practices singing in her closet to avoid waking her parents up

✔ JYP - "You lack precision but with practice and experience, you can become better"

✔ YHY - "I enjoyed your performance"

✔ YG - "You need to learn to control your volume but I'm pleased that you are engaged with the song"

Hwang Min Young [Passed]

(I'm in Love - Ra. D)

◆ 22 years old, from Vancouver, Canada  

◆ She started her performance when all the judges were already tired. So, initially none of them paid much interest in her

✔ YG - "Your concentration was amazing. Your rendition was unpredictable"

✔ JYP - "I love it becoz you didn't try to impress us with skills but instead you want to deliver the emotions"

✔ YHY - "You're only teasing us before showing your true skills right?"

Kim Young Eun [Passed]

(I Loved Like That and Smile Like That - Bubble Sisters)

◆ 18 years old, daughter of Yesan County in Chungnam

◆ She has two older sisters

◆ Her family owns a pharmacy store

◆ She decided to audition becoz she wants to overcome her fear of singing in front of people

✔ JYP - "You truly sang from heart"

✔ YHY - "Your singing was the best out of all the contestants who sang ballad song"
✔ YG - "You probably sang well becoz my encouragement in the beginning"

Lee Si Eun [Passed]

(I Will Sing - Park Sae Byul ft. Christian Kim)

◆ 22 years old, from Ilsan
◆ She lives with her mom and an older brother
◆ The reason she auditioned was to make her mom proud
◆ Her mom raised her and her brother alone and always has two jobs a day

✔ JYP – "Among the 190 contestants we have seen for today, you have the best singing skills. Even a professional singer finds it hard to sing ballad the way you did"
✔ YG - "Her reason for coming and her happiest moment both related to her mom. But I think your mom would be the happiest when you are happy"
✔ YHY - "You sang a song that really suits you. Just keep on singing"

#Actually, I think her brother just steals the spotlight. =P

Bonus!

*In conclusion, out of 200 contestants, 71 were chosen..

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 2

[Kpop Star season 5 Ep 2]

Jin Yu Na [Eliminated]

(Problem - Ariana Grande)

◆ 7 years old, the youngest contestant of this season
◆ She said she was looking forward to meet all the judges, and the best judges she thinks was JYP
◆ She learned singing just by listening to the comments made by the judges from previous seasons

✖ JYP - "It's too early for you to compete against other older contestants"

✔ YHY - "I think you did very well for your age"

✖ YG - "You are charming and you have good sense of pitching but you're too young"

# I bet we'll be seeing her somewhere in the future.. I hope..

Son Ji Yeon [Wild Card]

(To You Who Don't Love Me - Lee So Ra)

◆19 years old, "Small pepper is hotter!"
◆ After getting bullied during middle school, she became shy and timid. She lost her confidence. So she decided to sing to comfort those who has the same experience as her
◆ She prefer singing song that instills sincerity in every word rather than having fancy high notes

✖ JYP - "You reminded me of some existing singer. You sang skillfully but it did not touch my heart"

✖ YG - "There's no sense of originality in the way you sang the song"

✔ YHY - "More than half of the panelist wished you to pass. You sing so well and I feel it's not right to eliminate you in the first round. I'm giving you my wild card"

#She's pretty but I wish she take off her Harry Potter spectacles

Lee Hyo Rim [Passed]

(Goodbye Sadness Hello Happines - Yoon Mi Rae)

◆ 24 years old, Lee Ha Yi's older sister

◆ She envy her sister for being able to become a star

◆ She felt burdened as the older sister and since Ha Yi said her older sister inspired her to be a singer

✔ YHY - She reminded him of his brother and himself. The same sibling rivalry

 ✖ JYP - "You sang the same way you speak but you lack something"

✔ YG - "Ha Yi has a unique charm and I believe you have it in you too"

Yoo Jei [Passed]

(Almost Is Never Enough - Ariana Grande)

◆ 15 years old

◆ She has stage fright so she never did any audition before but after seeing Katie Kim (from her hometown), she thought she should take the challenge

✔ JYP - "I think they have really good water in your town (coz she and Katie Kim can sing well). You have an attractive low and mid-range and you also can do high notes"

✔ YG - "I don't think you realize how special you are yet"

✔ YHY - "I think you sing very well"

Kim In Hye [Passed]

(Mother - Ra D.)

◆17 years old
◆ Her specialty is push-ups 

◆ YHY said he was impressed with her once she started singing 

◆ All of the panelist vote for her except Jung Seung Hwan. I guess he was too focus on her singing that he forgot to press the button.

✔ YHY - "Why aren't you confident of yourself when you can sing this well?"

✔ YG - "You passed"

✖ JYP - "You sing very well but I think you lack something"

Brody B [Passed]

(Dear Future Husband - Meghan Trainor)

◆12 years old, former Kpop Star contestant

◆ She grows around 7 inches = 18 cm

◆ She was extremely nervous and tense backstage

◆ JYP asked about her thoughts during the past 2 years and she said it had a good experience being on Kpop Star.

✖ JYP - "You're getting worse than before. The techniques are not yours yet and your voice are more unstable than before"

✔ YG - "Your voice is unstable but I want to see your performance again"

✔ YHY - "I guess I have some feeling of attachment towards you so I'll give another chance"

Park Min Ji [Passed]

(No More - Han Gi Ran)

◆ 17 years old

◆ She loves big vocal range songs and singer such as Whitney Houston and Beyonce
◆ She don't want to come across as a show-off, so she choose a low-key song

◆ All the panelist vote for her to pass

✔ JYP - "Your soul is beautiful that is why you sang beautifully"

✔ YG - "I disagree with JYP. I don't think you are beautiful. LOL! I was captivated by you half way through the song"

✔ YHY - "I just feel you are somewhat different, just how I felt about Jung Seung Hwan"

Shortcut to ~

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 1

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 3

Kpop Star 5 - Ranking Audition (Part 1)

Kpop Star 5 - Brody B.

Guess who's back?!

It's our baby Brody! She's all grown up now~

"Hi~"

# Her appearance in Kpop Star 3 ⇒ click here

■ The judges were pleasantly surprised to see her again. Just look at their expression above.

■ The surprising part is how tall she had grown over the span of 2 years. 

She said around 7 inches, which is around 18 cm!

■ YHY said she was like a baby before, but now she's a young lady.

■ She told that she's been going to school as usual while improving her voice.

She thought that being in Kpop Star before was a great experience.

■ She decided to audition again to showcase her so-called 'new' voice.

■ She sang Meghan Trainor's 'Lips Are Movin' during regional audition.

The producer praised that she has improved.

■ A lot of people recognized her in the waiting room. She was like a celebrity~

HOWEVER!

■ She became quiet as her turn getting closer. Obviously she was nervous and stressed out

with all eyes on her. Can she meets everyone's expectations?

■ The song she prepared was Meghan Trainor's 'Dear Future Husband'.

# If you haven't watch the performance, click the link here.

■ Before she could finish the whole song, JYP stopped her.

The judges expression did not look good. #Oh no!

JYP - "You were much better 2 years ago. You used techniques this time but 

it does not seem like yours yet. Your voice was unstable, your pitch were insecure.

Your performance did not match my expectations".

YG - "I will look at it from a different angle. I think she was frozen up today.

She must be very nervous coming back here after eliminated before.

Back then she was too young and fearless. 

I want to give her another chance".

YHY - "I met her the first time I join Kpop Star and I still remember it clearly.

I felt something bittersweet. She was getting better as she advanced to the next round,

In consideration of how much she has improved, I want to give a chance 

to show what she got". 

JYP [✖]  YG [✔] YHY [✔]

# I was not impressed with her performance too

but considering how nervous she might be, let's give her another chance.

Plus, I really miss to see her again~

Ranking Audition

*She was grouped with other contestants with similar age range.

Then they were given a ranking in the group.

The bottom rank has higher chance of being eliminated.

# Sometimes I forgot that she's only 12 years old (international age)

■ She choose to sing 'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cyrus.

The reason was to show her potential.

# Watch here

■ Ka Kyung and Kyu Won predicted that Brody was going to be rank first.

YHY - Same thing I felt last time. You were a little insecure in the beginning 

but you improve the next round. Today you did the same.

JYP - We're attracted to her because her eyes tell many stories. She looks like an actress. 

Which mean you have the best quality, that is feeling. 

But your pitch is still shaky although better than before. 

The only problem is you can't hold a note for long. As if you're short of breath.

YG - For me, rather than technical skills, I think it's more important to 

have the power to pull people in. You were unstable during the previous 

round and now I can see the immense improvement. 

You've become solid, confident, and mature.

# I really wish they don't mention about how pretty she is. 

This is not Korea's Next Top Model!

I do think she did better this round compared to audition.

RESULTS!

She was rank 2nd, after Kyu Won.

■ She was not around for Showcase round. It's not really an important round (# I would say)

since they were not judged. Just getting feedbacks from the judges.

Team Mission

C (=China), U (=USA)... C U Again!

#That's their group's name btw

■ She was teamed up with Yu Yu Liu (17). 

#I heard she called her Lexi. 

■ She was shy at first, but warm up to Yu Yu afterwards.

■ Remember the Ox Bone Soup (Seolleongtang) Restaurant she went last time 

with Almeng? She went there again with Yu Yu.

■ They choose to sing Michael Buble's 'Sway' since both of them never tried 

that genre before

#Watch here

# She looks tensed up compared to Yu Yu. She needs to be more confident!

YG - It's like an American singer collaborates with a Chanson(?) singer. 

I was surprised to see Brody mastering high notes

JYP - Maybe it's just me but I felt she was much better 2 years ago, even after the 3rd round. 

She get tensed singing middle and low tones. 

So her voice becomes extremely narrow and there's no resonance. 

You need someone to train you because your singing is going to a wrong direction. 

YG - In Brody's defense, I think this song is for YuYu Liu but not Brody. 

YHY - Every time I see Brody, I felt a bit of weird feeling. 

Last time she was here, she didn't know what's going on. 

But now I can see she's fighting with all her might.

■ They were battling against Kim Young Eun and Seo Kyung Deok.

■ C U Again lose the Team Mission and someone has to be eliminated..

That someone is.. Brody~  ㅠ ㅠ

■ Unfortunately we have to say another goodbye to Brody.

She did not cry after saying her goodbye.. as if she saw it coming..

Remember in season 3, when she was saying her goodbye..

#The editing team has to put the caption, 'She seems to be learning how to overcome pain'.

Aww.. Our baby really has grow up~ ㅠ ㅠ

# What Yoo Hee Yeol said after seeing her go really touches my heart..

"You want your kids to have more confidence but instead, they care

more about what other people think. That breaks my heart..

So, what I really want to tell them is it's not important whether or not

you're good. Don't pay attention to what other people think. 

But in the end, they do that because they really want to be VERY good".

Extra footage:
1

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 1

[Kpop Star season 5 Ep 1]

#The stage floor with shining stars indicate more than half the panelists are rooting for the contestant.

Woo Ye Rin [Wild card]

('Girl', own song)

 ◆ 20 years old, singer-songwriter

◆ She wrote a song after she had a dream of a girl with a dull sword while other people have a sharp knife. It reminded her of herself.

◆ Her mom always worried about her dream to be a singer since it's an unstable job

◆ She decided to audition since she wanted to know whether she is talented enough. This will also decide whether she should continue singing or not.

✖ YG - I don't think it will appeal to the masses.

✖ JYP - It could be more suitable for musical.

✔ YHY - This could be a new type of Kpop. 

In the end, YHY helped her out by giving her a Wild Card.

#In my opinion, she has a nice voice and the song does sound sad, although at first I have no idea of the lyrics.

Park So Yoon [Eliminated]

('Tomorrow' from Annie OST)

◆ 10 years old, the youngest daughter of singer, Park Sang Min

◆ Known as child prodigy for having a really good memory

◆ She said her father did not teach her how to sing and allow her to do whatever she wants

◆ She also danced to 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars

✖ JYP - If her dad asked him if his daughter can make it to become a singer, JYP would say she have more than potential. But, JYP thought she used too much of her head instead of her heart.

✖ YG - She got 100 points for dance but YG don't think she could proceed to the next round

✖ YHY - "Failure is an experience you needed."

Park Ka Kyung [Passed]

('All of Me' by John Legend)

◆ 12 years old, the eldest daughter of singer Park Sang Min

◆ YHY asked if she felt burdened by her sister. She said she sometimes gets annoyed because her sister became arrogant after being praised

◆ The sad thing is.. she even introduce herself as 'Park So Yoon's sister'. 

I can sense some sibling's rivalry here.

◆ When her dad asked why she wants to become a singer, she said since she's not good in making people laugh like her sister, she wanted to comfort them through singing. Her dad warned her it's going to be a tough road, but she asked her dad to just trust her. 

✔ JYP - JYP was glad she did not try to imitate the original singer. She is more delicate and subtle.

✔ YG - "I think it was you who inherited your father's talent"

✔ YHY - "It's important to pursue you dream step by step"

#You can even hear her gulping her saliva while singing. =P She has a beautiful voice nonetheless.

Seo Kyung Deok [Passed]

('Because I love you' by Yoo Jae Ha)

◆ 19 years old, part time kitchen assistant, preparing for college entrance exam

◆ The judges were pleased to hear his deep voice. JYP said it is rare for Asian to have such a deep voice.

◆ JYP said he sounded like Barry White.

◆ He decided to become a singer since he was a senior in high school

◆ He choose to sing this song because it's his mother favorite song. He wished to make his mother happy. 

◆ His happiest moment is when his mother said he sings the best

✔YHY - "No way he'd be a bad singer with nostrils like dat."  ROFL!

✔JYP - "He sang with his own voice and style, just like he was talking to someone"

✔ YG - YG dared to say this guy will be in the Top 3

Kim Sa Ra [Passed]

('But we used to love' by Lynn)

◆ 22 years old

◆ She was waiting together with Kyung Deok and she was relieved that he passed.

◆ She had teary-eyed because she felt she was lacking in terms of individuality compared to Kyung Deok

✖ JYP - Other singing competition would accept her because she has technical skills but she lacks individuality for Kpop Star. She reminded JYP of other popular singer

✔ YG - YG wished she could sing with her own sensibility. She is good enough to pass this round

✔ YHY - Since she opened up that she 'will find it (= her sentiments)', YHY offered to help by giving her a pass

Lee Soo Jung [Passed]

('Lay Me Down' by Sam Smith)

◆ 22 years old, singer-songwriter from Chicago

◆ Released her first digital single in US titled 'Thirst Trap'

✔ JYP - He's in love with her. She sang as if she's speaking while bringing out the soulful tone of the song

✔ YG - "Her singing style is not forced or affected"

✔ YHY - "She has a great sense of rhythm"

#She sings very well but she kinda rubs me the wrong way. Just my first impression of her.

Jung Jin Woo [Passed]

('Satellite', his own song)

◆ 19 years old, former Kpop Star contestant (Season 3)

◆ He had vocal cord nodules during the previous season and was eliminated before the 4th round

◆ After the competition, instead of feeling regretful, he took it as a time to re-evaluate himself.

◆ He decided to challenge himself again so he's trying out again but this time, using his own song

◆ The song 'Satellite' is about how he always hover around his ex-girlfriend

✔ YG was surprised how he could improve so much

✔ YHY was asking the process he goes through to create the song. Then, "Let's sign with Antenna" ♡

✔ JYP said he likes the fact he uses satellite metaphorically to relate to his heart-break. He later added that his song is JYP-styled 

and even refused to let YG speaks

#It was like watching The Voice since all the judges pressed their button during his performance

Shortcut to ~

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 2

Kpop Star 5 - Audition Part 3

Kpop Star 5 - Ranking Audition (Part 1)

Things to Know: Plan to Korea

This is just some random @ miscellaneous things that you might want to know when planning a trip to Korea:

1) Once you arrive in Incheon/Gimhae airport, how can you go to your guesthouse/hotel?

• From Incheon International Airport, you can take AREX Commuter Line. This train will go to Seoul Station and some other stations [link here]. Just look for the signage written 'Airport Railroad' on B1.
• From Gimhae International Airport, you can take Busan-Gimhae Light Rail to transfer to the Busan Metro train. If you are heading towards Busan Station, you have to make a few transfers. Look for the Purple Line [link here].

#MyExperience: It is a bit troublesome to drag your huge and heavy luggage around. Travel light and don't buy too much stuff when going back. ^_^

2) The first thing you need to look for once you touch down???

• T-money! 
• Buy one from any convenience shop (ex: GS25, Lotte Mart) and go find a top-up machine. You can find one near the entrance of any subway station. It is like a MetroCard (if you are from US) or Touch-N-Go (if you are from Malaysia).

>>>> More info on travel to/from the airport and T-money here.

3) Where to go to exchange money?

• Myeongdong
• Bank @ Seoul Station
• Namdaemun

Look for this symbol~

#MyExperience: I did try the one in MyeongDong and there's a lot of places to choose from and you can even compare between different money changer. Some even accept the not-so-famous currency. The guesthouse worker did recommend money changer at Seoul Station but I never get the chance to compare the rate. He said the rate is pretty cheap there. I've never come across a money changer in Namdaemun before but you could try to look for it.

4) How to choose a good guesthouse?

• My criteria would be $$$. The cheaper the better! However, I would rather pay extra rather than stuck in a dirty place. You can find the list of guesthouse and price for two person bedroom here.
• The location. It is much more convenient to have a guesthouse near the subway station, especially when it comes to dragging your huge luggage once you arrive and leave. Each subway station has elevators, so you can use that as you have a reason to. (WARNING: Some guesthouse is at 4th floor and they don't have an elevator. Good luck with your luggage!) Also, if the guesthouse is somewhere on a slope, it will be tiring for you to climb up the slope (psstt~ Even without a luggage to drag) 
• Mr Furry~~ Some guesthouse has pet around. So, please check with them if you have some allergy problem or just phobia. 
• Curfew?! Yes, some guesthouse has their own curfew. You might get lock outside if you didn't get back in time. Yikes! 
• Cooking.. If you plan to cook (to cut cost), you might want to look for a guesthouse that provide a kitchen. [Sila bawa sabun Taharah ye..]
• Washing machine. Only if you plan to stay long.. It's not free anyway. Bring your own detergent maybe.