Monday, February 20, 2023

Learnings from Hometown Cha Cha

 


Finally had time to take time and watch Hometown Cha Cha. I was too indulge with crime-fighting kdramas that I have forgotten this gem existed. 

It was such a fun ride of all episodes. I was smiling from ear to ear at Shin Min Ah and Kim Seon Ho's chemistry. But what has even amazed me was the chemistry with everyone in Gonjin.

I was laughing at one scene where Hong Du Shik had shown Hye Jin his certificates, I remember my younger self telling my dream employers my skills hahaha ANYHOOOO>...


Hometown Chacha is one of the kdramas I could really add to my list of healing series. It's a kdrama full of quotes and lessons. 


1. Learn to apologize. 

“If you can’t pick up split milk, you should at least apologize to them for spilling the milk, rather than avoid them.” – Hong Du Sik

Apologize by heart. Sometimes as the elders say, it's easier to say sorry but not really mean it. At the same time it's always a huge thought process to admit that we are wrong and we are sorry. As humans, we are not perfect, we commit mistakes, we are sometimes wrong, because in the end we must take responsibility for the actions or words we have said or make. 


2. Life isn't fair for all of us. 

As everyone is taking on different paths; everyone is on a different phase, with different struggles, and different successes. But at the end of the day always choose to be kind, and just like what my mom keeps on saying "always put yourself in someone else shoes". Before you say anything, think about it first. 


3. You are bound to meet unexpected situations in life. 



We cannot control everything. There's this line Hye Jin said “I’m one of those people who plan every second of their lives” this reminded me of my teenage self who had her planner next to her at all times. But despite of planning, a lot of the notes I had wasn't really followed. No matter how hard you try, things wouldn't really be in the place you wanted them to be. I felt Hong Du Sik in these lines, whenever something didn't fit right, I never had the thought process of why. 

Sometimes I didn't like it about my personality, I was always going with the flow. I was making too much notes but ending it will postpone schedules and all. hahahahahah 

But in the end it always give me that will power of not losing hope and always think that "this is not my bus" so I really have to wait. One of the best things in life are the things we never expect, and the things we never expect are also the things that could hurt us. But in the end, we must always welcome the rain even if we'll end up getting drenched. 


4.  Money and Success aren't the only valuable things in life. 

   

My mom kept on reminding me of these words ever since I was growing up. But as a youngster, I used to retaliate with an answer "Pero money can buy dolls! So I am happy". Funny thing is that my parent never spoiled us with material things that whatever we have, learn to appreciate it, accept it from your heart. For me, I was blessed that it wasn't something a big of deal if I can't have anything. But of course when reality strikes, you will be really needing money. But at the end of the end it is money with contentment. 

5. Every day is full of excitement


Have you ever feel that? As I age, I started to act less and less and just thank everything that my eyes are seeing. For years it was all about finding what I wanted, reading a lot of self help books, having real time understandings in  life, etc. But now that I have aged, I feel like despite of what is going on Every day is always a good day :) I know that in the end I will always need this life lessons, but it's also nice to go with the flow once in a while. I can hear my younger self who really loved the word Every Day! She really believed that all every days are magic. 








Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Weak Hero Class 1

"What is this feeling? I'm getting goosebumps. What's your deal? You're being so soft right now. I mean the way you are looking at me, your behavior, the way you talk, your facial expression... It's making me feel gross."

— Soo-Ho to Shi-Eun


 Weak Hero Class 1 is based on a popular webtoon of the same name; features top-ranking student who seems so weak, but uses what he has learned in his lessons, to fight back against the bullies in his class.



Cast



It's my first time watching Park Ji Hoon, actually seeing him  (despite of tons of time that I saw him on Wanna One, my poor eyes, I'm so focused with Dae Whi and Jisung hahaa). His character portrayal didn't have any lose ends. He gave everything from episode 1 to 8, I really didn't see him as the boy who says Nemaum Suge Chong ja, he was really Shi Eun. I can't help but to feel sadness in his eyes, he really looks like a lead anime character with a tragic past that you wanted to help and you just can't really help but to protect him with all of your heart! 




Cho Hyun Sook, I saw him in Taxi Driver and he was the bully there! This kid has a photogenic face that his character changes the way he looks. I am kinda confused. I was like all throughout the series I was like I have seen this kid somewhere! ahahahha

His character is so angelic in this one. He is really the sunshine of the drama. And we all wanted to have a little spring of sunshine in our lives. He is the epitome of a friend that would always have your back  no matter what. 

Hong Kyung, I remember him in Innocence, (he's sooo goood there!) but before realizing it was him hahaha it took me until the episode he removed his glasses, and all I could say is I knew it! I love him first, he really gave that appeal to the audience that you'll really going to love him. And he did, and he really made a big mess up in his character that gosh the plot twist! From his young childlike look to an a**hole! 


The series starts with our protagonist Yeon Shi Hoon (Park Ji Hoon), that was introduced at Byeoksan High star student. His appearance may tell you his really a studious student, meek and quiet, but out of silence he suddenly proceeds to the back of the class and hit a student with a book. 

13 days prior to the book hitting incident, it showed the timeline of how everything started, and why he did what he did. Shi Eun's character showed that he is really a model student. His good in his studies, watching his mom (whose an academic lecturer) in between breaks and receiving a gold prize in a math competition.  Meanwhile, his excited, happy classmate (whom I thought was a happy child), Jeon Yeoung Bin (Kim Seo Gyeom), who got the bronze award, out of nowhere, he just threw a shoes at Shi Eun and that how everything between them got a bit out of hand. 


One of the best thing about this scene is when he told him to stop, a group of baseball players started looking for Soo-Ho (Choi Hyun Wook). 


I'll stop from here because I don't want to spoil anything for you guys. 



Verdict:

I have always loved school dramas, I feel like I am too old for school dramas but school dramas have a lot of learnings and realizations that sometimes I wish I have watched when I was younger. 

But since Weak Hero Class 1 has a rating of 18+ for violence and profanity, I guess this won't hit the watch list parents want their children to see, and it's eye-opening to watch it now that I am older. 

The main core of Weak Hero Class 1 is friendship, school violence, and bullying. And according to International Statistics (stopbullying.gov, Sept 2021), one-third of the globe's youth is bullied. In the Philippines, in the year 2018, 6 out of 10 Filipino students are bullied regularly, 

School violence is not a new theme for a K-drama. But instead, it diligently followed the characters' struggles by focusing reasons of the lasting effects of violence on a victim. Students, victims, experiencing this types of abuse may struggle not only outside the school walls but also outside their homes. 

Through the course of the series, we see each main character grow particularly Shi Eun, Soo Hoo, and Beom Seok, but we also have witnessed how their friendship grows and lasts. I must say that since Weak Hero Class 1 streams through the comforts of our home, I was shocked by the gritty, intense, dark imagery of violence that was captured through the camera lens. From its cinematography to the change of visual colors, to the emphasis on emotions of happiness, pain, and friendship, the series really showed moments per moment of guilt, triumphs win, and sanctuary, specifically the "hope" they give to one another. 

(SPOILERS AHEAD and my own point of view) 

The drama is rich with roller coaster emotions that you'll be wanting to finish the next episode. There's angst, there's friendship, there's betrayal, there's love, excitement and the cast had perfectly delivered everything that you couldn't ask for more. 

1. Social Media (it was slightly focused on Instagram follows) = COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY!

I just really felt bad that Beom Seok's approach to the friendship he built with Soo Hoo and Shi Eun was based on an Instagram follow. I just felt that this had something that could be talked about, but I also couldn't blame what's going through his life, I feel like this scene was a little touch on how social media could mess up with our brains. Who followed who, whose friends with who. But honestly speaking, social media could really mess up a friendship (because misunderstanding could follow). There will be some point where "why aren't you following me?" or why aren't we friends on FB. But at the end of the day, it is something to be talked about. No problem could be fixed without communication. 

2. When the weak fight back

As I was watching the first episode, without watching the trailer nor reading the manhwa or summary, it already gave me the gist of our weak hero. My heart was bouncing with glee when he had fought back but much to my amusement, I was shocked by how brutally bloody that scene was (if you guys know what I mean, and if you are going to watch it). I may say this kid may look weak but he is not! Looks are really deceiving. 

The fun thing about his character is he fights back with the knowledge he learned from books, basically science, and it's all gravitational forces and yes I have understand you Isaace Newton!

But as the weak fights back , there's also this connotation in the series which I could say "kapag tahimik nasa loob ang kulo", it's a Filipino thing when someone's quiet, there's something boiling from within them. As for Shi Eun, I couldn't blame him for fighting back, he warned them so many times, and he had enough. I thought as soon as the fight ends he will be the one being "suspended" or kick-out in school. Good thing that the school, his teacher has taken his side. 

3. Not all homes are safe. (What happens in the corners of our homes is not what we think it is.)

They say that our home is our sanctuary, our safe haven, a place where we could be whoever we want to be without the judgment of the world. But what if you are broken inside your own safe haven, that what seems to be a sanctuary is a place where you are unsafe, being scrutinized and judged. 

As we dwell into each character's progress, we found out that Shi Eun's family seems to be dismantled (his dad is an athlete or a coach, while his mom is a lecturer or a teacher that has videos online), and despite his dad being quite present, the echoes of silence that lingers in his home is deafening. And the only thing he could be good at is his grades. 

On the other hand, Beom Seok had it worst. Imagine being adopted and all you wish was a family that could care and love you like their own is far more worst than you could ever imagine. I am so angry watching his dad beat him, (I remember Nam Kyu Man in Remember; those beating gave me chills and anger) I feel his pain;. His actions may seem relevant due to what he is suffering at home, but at the end of the day, it's his choice to do good, and his choice to do bad. His really a good friend, really, it's just that his character was far way more than just a good friend. "Sayang" 

4. Family can be our friends = Surround yourself with good People.

As the series centers around friendship, we can basically see the love of these kids for one another, from forgiveness to excitement, to protection, to an unforgettable brotherhood. They say that friends are also our soulmates, and this series had shown us that in between all our fights and struggles friendship is remedies for broken souls. 

5. A little Kindness goes a long way

If it wasn't for Soo-ho's kindness to Shihoon and Beom Suk wouldn't experience having the fun of being with friends. Soo ho's kindness extended to Shi hoon that he would like to understand what's is going on in his life, and he would want to understand his feelings. But at the end of the day despite of the kindness the two friends showered Beom Suk, it's his prerogative (and the way he sees his friendship from the two of them). 


Overall, I really love the series! 1000/10!!!! 




Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Tomorrow Kdrama Review

"As long as you are alive, you have the chance to fix it" - Choi Jun Woong  


And my eyes were bawling like crazy. I have been waiting so much for this that I have waited for it to finish so I could binge-watch it. 


My tears are all high watching this series. This series starts with our main lead Choi Jun-woong (Rowoon) is a young job seeker who is unable to secure a job. I felt him so much during a scene where he is outside the company is seeking a job. That moment when you gave your all, finally wishing that this company will be your new company but ended up a failure. And because he's young ( I was young back then too), I have put pressure on myself thinking everyone is moving forward except me.



(this scene had reminded me of my younger self)

Rowon's character really gave me that comfort that everything will soon be okay and he had this reminder that as long we are alive we have the chance to fix it.

In his low moment, he accidentally meets Koo Ryeon (Kim Hee Sun), and Lim Ryung Gyu, Grim reapers from RM Team who prevents suicide.


Koo Ryoen, the grim reaper way back in Joseon Era and the team manager of the suicide prevention team. Its been a long time since I have watched Kim Hee Sun, I'm just so excited to see her again in PinK Hair too! I just love the tandem between her and the boys especially when she shares words of encouragement and wisdom on every case they have. She may seem grumpy at first but is a warm person I mean a grim reaper. She's super BADASS too!



Another member of the RM Team is Lim Ryung Gyu (Yoon Ji On)who also came from Joseon Era, is like the balance of the team. He might seem uptight but has this charisma of being "fun" too. It's nice to see Ji On again! I'm just happy for him since I saw him starting as side characters before. And I love his character in Memorist! (You can check out my review here on my blog).

Another grim reaper who will swoon your heart is Joon Gil (Lee Soo Hyuk). The main reason ahhaha why i have watched the series. Because fave. Despite his minimal screentime, and his stoic villain like character, there are a lot of words of wisdom he had shared with the viewers. There are certain instances I agree with him because of his stance of suicide and the pain he experience but every person has different dealings of life and thats the one thing the RM team have let him understand.

The Emotional Impact on the back stories made it even emotionally painful when they gave you snippets during the first few episodes and then give you the big reveal of WHY. Starting from Episode 13 to 15,

The series also gave us the moment of regret; a pain we can never escape. The never-ending question of our what ifs. What if I have done it in a different way? For me, in my case this is one of the biggest hindrances I have whenever I remember something that happen years ago. Like what in the world do I have to repeat scenarios that didn't even matter to other people. I remember my friend said about overthinking, that whatever I am thinking, feeling, is just me, no one else can see or hear my thoughts. I shouldn't be clouded with my past or whatever happened back then. Easier said than done but I am only human, but truthfully this is really the reality, what impacted me, may not be an impact to others. It may be small for them but it is big for me.

Easier said than done, We have hidden so much in our past that moving on is so hard to do. There was this line in Episode 1 that talks about bullying, "It was a moment for you, but for me, it was a lifetime trauma". This had hit me hard and this doesn't involve bullying itself but so much more. There are times when we talk without thinking about whether our words would pierce or not, it's just a matter of how we perceive things matter. If we can only spread kindness to our peers, to our friends, to strangers, to family, I really believe the world would be much safer and a better place to live in.

This series is tear-jerker for me. Pain doesn't imply on humans alone but also on our pet's as well.

From first to last. I have shed a tear no matter what. There are a lot of instances the series reminded you about kindness to everyone, at the same time that there are a lot of instances that a certain scenario may just be a moment for us or them but it can be a trauma, painful memory, or a lifetime to us.

I couldn't put much into words about what I feel about the series but I'm so happy I have come across this series. It was bittersweet but it gave me so many learnings and understanding of all causes of pains in life. Despite of all these painful causes, the magic of humans is "finding their own peace, finding their own paths, finding their inner souls". There may be a lot of tragedies, undermining pain and sorrows, life gives us but in the end, easier said than done, in the most inner part of our hearts we can survive this.


Thank you so much for dropping by and reading my blog! :) Have a nice day and I hope everyone is safe and healthy! 


Friday, March 25, 2022

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (little review)


And here it goes! It felt like a long time since I wrote a review for a kdrama that I have watched. One of the Drama's I have watched early this year is Bulgasal: Immortal Souls. My siblings and I waited for these drama to finish before sitting down and watch it. One of the funniest reason why we watched this drama is because of Kim Woo Seok (My brother's fave) and for me it's Kwon Nara :)


I won't pretty much go on the details of each character but on how I felt watching it. At first, while I was watching it, it gave me like a Goblin kind of feels drama. It started in the past and then it went on to the future. But what had amazed me was the great chemistry of Kwon Nara and Lee jin Wook. 

My brothers and I are so kilig even when they haven't seen each other. We were like having all emotions in one scene.


Cast of Characters



What I love about the drama 

Aside from the Chemistry between the main leads, I also love the chemistry of everyone I also love the cinematography, it actually built the magic between different era. 

It's my first time really seeing Lee Jin Wook I was so amazed on how his facial reactions change when he see's Sang Un versus when he sees Si Ho. This is actually the second time I have watched him, the first one was on Sweet Home. 


But their chemistry is soooo strong! I wish they'll have another Romance Series! Hahaha I think I have said this a while ago! hahahaha can't help it!


Kwon Nara is sooo Pretty Wow!! She's one of the reasons why I watched this drama! 






PLOT TWIST! I was like really?!?!?!?!?!?! But one things for sure, revenge doesn't really get you anywhere. Even if you spend a lifetime getting your revenge, it won't really do you good at same time it will take you happiness away from you. 






 

January Series Run down

I couldn't access my Blogspot since late last year, I couldn't upload my photos so I got frustrated I literally left it. But I guess blogging will always be one of my first love. My brain works as if writing is really needed in my life.  I breathe for writing? ahhahaha

For the first few weeks of January, we're all snuggling together since the surge of omicron became very rampant this month. We have been in our rooms for the whole month of January that we decided to just do some binge watching.


The world is a bit different from how it was before COVID-19,
but thanks to that we learned how precious an ordinary day can be.

One of the quotes that hit hard on me is how Covid-19 taught us on how precious life is. This quote made an impact and at the same time reminded us that even if we're going to live our life with Covid we should never waste our time but instead learn to live life as if it's going to be our last. 

First on the list was Happiness starring Han Hyo Joo,  Park Hyunsik and Joo Wo Jin. I have been patiently waiting for this series to finish because I have been hearing good reviews from the series. What made me attracted to this series was because it was a Zombie theme series. I am just happy that this series had a happy ending that it had resorted to a cure and because the virus was contained. I'm also excited watching Hyunsik and Hyo Joo because I haven't seen them since W and Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. I love their chemistry too! 

At first I was like there's no HAPPY in HAPPINESS! Like how could it be like this but until Hyunsik Said this line " I told you I fell for you the first time I saw you. I knew you were my destiny.
I said to myself that you were the one." Now that's your Happiness :) 



Embrace the mess, that's where the good stuff lives.

The trio seems to be an unlikeable pairing but little did they know a friendship had emerged in times when they needed someone. Despite of how gruesome things happen in the end they find strength in one another that every investigation was fun and good. It may be scary but it is where the good stuff happens. This also is applicable in real life, sometimes the prettiest things happened in between the struggles and pains we have faced. 

Finished this series within 2 days of my weird timeframe! Starring Steve Martin, Oliver Putnam and Selena Gomez. The crime investigatory start because of Tim Kono. Every episode is always a cliff hanger like dang I need to finish this as soon as possible! Like everyone in the building could and can be a possible suspect. And it's super fun to if you want crime investigatory slash comedy series!


Look at you Seul, you can handle this things pretty well on your own.

Sometimes there are things we fear that we couldn't face alone. There are a lot of moments in our lives when we feel like this thing wouldn't be easy and that's one of the reasons why we ran away, because the pain of the past haunts us. 

Starring Lee Dong Wook, Wi Ha Jun, N and Han Ji Eun, this drama is packed with action, drama, and comedy. I just can't stop laughing with all their funny antics! 


Another Zombie series! Me and my things with Zombies!

All of us are Dead is not just your typical Zombie Series but it's so much more than that. When I first saw the trailer it reminded me of High School of the Dead. There are a lot of things that you can take away from this drama, from friendships, family, sacrifices, school, and life. 

There are some scenes that reminded us of what had happened in reality and some learnings/takeaways from the series.  

1. For example that one scene in the classroom where the kids were taking video messages for their parents and it somehow showed that during the Sewol Ferry incident, students also took a video message for their parents. Same as this reality there were adults who were supposed to save them but instead abandoned them, same as the helicopter scene in All of us are dead.

2. Bullying is also one of the main intros's from the series, and it has always been one of the problems students face in school. 

3. Grades, the pressure in making students have higher marks to achieve bigger achievements as soon as they graduate from college. 

4. There's no greater love than a parent's love for their child, this is one of the scenes that also touched my heart and it showed two types of parents love. One parent created an epidemic to save their son from being bullied one parent would sacrifice everything to protect his daughter. 

5. Tough times bring out the best and worst in people, and it's not just about zombies but in general as well. 

6. You are your own Survivor, and in Zombie Apocalypse everyone is equal, so if you can help, help as many as you can. 

My siblings and I even made some little connections to Zombie series and movies in South Korea. Starting In Seoul where Alive happened and then Train to Busan, when they thought Busan was a safe place but wasn't because Hyosan was infected, but little did they know that history repeats itself because in the Kingdom Era there were Zombies, but in the end, they had find the cure and Happiness is really bound to happen. 



Lessons from everything, In order to live the life we should also cherish the happiness that is going on in our lives. We are always talking about Pain is demanded to be felt, but did we truly demand Happiness to be felt. It's also going to start with I. Am I okay with it? Am I happy? Am I fulfilled? This series reminded me it's always going to be okay to choose myself once in a while but at the same time, flow the kindness, happiness, faith, and trust to the people that surround me. I may be affected by the societal expectations from social media, family, friends, and society, I should know that I am my own person, and my decisions matter. I may falter but it's a part of being human as long as we learn from it and we take chances and we do the right thing, it's going to be fine. 


Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Squid Game


 I have watched Squid Game during its peak on Netflix and yes I gave in to the Bandwagon.  I became so curious that how in the world does a child's play becomes something sinister. But regardless of how the whole series was played in many intense episodes, the series has lessons, reflections, somehow parallel to our society. 

I would share some of the lessons I have learned from the series. I am sooo late in sharing what I have learned, but I hope it's not too late hahahaha

1. Money isn't everything in life. 

Do You Know What Someone With No Money Has In Common With Someone With Too Much Money? Living Is No Fun For Them. -Il-Nam

This is one of the things that was always been in my grandparent's breakfast conversation. Money is not everything. All throughout the series, money was always been the number one priority. If I can't have it out there why not make it here. But in life, the more money is involved the more we have to endure life sacrifices. And somehow I feel that every death in the series is every stress at work, home, a family that we lose that sense of balance just because we wanted to earn and earn money. 

2. Sometimes in life, it's all about LUCK. 

If it's for you, it's for you, at the end of the day if luck is on your side. I always believe in luck, and I know that there are a lot of things that are not meant for me but at the end of the day if luck is by my side it will, it can happen. Just like what happened with our main leads. It may look like all the odds can be in their favor but sometimes it's not. But there are a lot of moments when luck was also on their side. 

3. Sometimes, the biggest traitor is not your enemies but the people close to or next to you. 

I felt so much pain when Ali was betrayed, Sang Woo. There are some instances that in order to win Sang Woo made choices that were only of his advantage rather than advantages within his team. This is the saddest part of life because unfortunately, the biggest betrayal comes within our circle of family and friends. It's okay to be kind, but don't forget to be mindful about everything around you. 

4. Too much greed can kill you. 

Not literally and literally. Some of the characters had resulted in their greediness in order to be on the game. They don't care about others as long as they are playing the game. 

5.  Money is not everything.

“Do you know what someone with no money has in common with someone with too much money? Living is no fun for them.” - Ill Nam

-Do you think money can solve everything - Gi Hun

Of course, money is important. Without money how can we live?  It's also been one of the main topics when it comes to dramas, they always have this connotation of money is not the source of happiness but of it can buy you what you want and that's the same thing. But at the same time money is the root of all evil, if we became too much greedy for money what is the essence of life for us. But instead, strive to find purpose in living. Invest in things that would give us the reasons to live. 

6. No matter what be kind

Just like they say kindness begets kindness. I think this is always put into every movie or series I have watched. No matter what you do always be kind to others because kindness goes and comes around. In every movie, series and in everyday life, the people surrounding us remind us to be kind at all times. 

Take out with Squid game. It's fine to be nice but not too nice that you lose the sense of what's going around you. Every little thing we do is connected to a good and bad deed. Think twice before doing something that could affect not only your present but also your future. 






Sunday, December 12, 2021

Mean No Harm

So My siblings and became a fan of Penthouse. As we are watching we knew that this kind of drama is not new in Philippine Television but its so new in kdrama. There are so many unrealistic scenes that was like really???? But  every drama has their own way of capturing their audience. But the best thing about after Penthouse was their variety show of the main villains in the series, Joo Dan Tae, Dr. Ha Yoon Chul, amd Lee KyunJin. 


 

I was laughing and smiling all throughout the show because I have seen some of the characteristics these villains has. Hahahaha It’s actually a thank you show to everyone who had watched their series. One of my favorite was the cooking part of the show. I just want to do all the recipes Dr. Ha is making. I can't to wait make my own version of cooking.













I really enjoy variety shows than involves cooking 🧑‍🍳 If you want something that would give you laughter and joy watch this kind of show. I also loved the friend ship they have built while making the show. It's so sad to see them bid goodbye to their show. 

The variety show involves a day trip which they thought was "a trip" a moment of relaxation, but they are wrong. They tried preparing an old abandoned house, invite their friends at the same time lived in a province, the show was really fun and I really enjoyed watching it. I will miss this fun Ahjussi 's. Excited to see more from them. Maybe I'll be doing some binge watching of their series..


Featured Post

26 things I have learned in Life and in achieving my dreams

Happy Birthday To ME!! Feelings about being 26, well not that much, I still feel the same but this time I am a little bit of “gigil” in d...