#WonderfulWorld

 #WonderfulWorld signing off

A professor-writer’s world turns upside down after losing her son to an accident. She is sentenced to prison for 7 years and her life gets entangled afterwards with a young man who is suffering from a similar pain.

Much has been said about #ChaEunWoo and his acting and how people are often divided on their opinions regarding this. Some say he doesn’t have to act; his handsome face and presence are enough. Some say his acting is repetitive, he shows no emotions, and his delivery of dialogue is dry. Actually, most of his roles require him to be cold and distant and handsome. So, what’s the fuss all about? Why are you complaining? Hahaha 😂

Another issue is he is too beautiful, and we need to pair him with equally stunning leading ladies, if not prettier. I think this also holds true with Rowoon and other ultra handsome idols turned actors.  So what seems to be the problem here, go and get prettier female leads, hello producers and directors! Hahaha 😂

And then we notice that he has been experimenting a lot lately – on roles, looks, style. Here in WW, he’s into grunge (?), maybe stylists are trying to distract viewers away from his good looks, that’s why they’re adding edgy or dark or gloomy thingies to his character like wearing baggy pants, baggy button-down shirts, a few metallic accessories, unkempt hair, a little bit of grease or dirt here and there. A few smirks and smug expressions. Rough and tough demeanor. Some muscles. And some slurping of Jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and gobbling up of Gyeran-mari (rolled omelette) and a mouthful of samgyeop-sal-gui (pork belly). And we swoon anyway. 🥰

Although I have only watched him in Decibel, True Beauty, Gangnam Beauty, Island, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, and A Good Day To Be A Dog (which I didn't finish because I couldn't stand his kissing scenes) prior to WW, I can say that this is his best drama so far. The test was if I would be annoyed at Kwon Seon Yool (the way I was with Lee Jun Young in Impossible Heir). And I was, how I was. So I was thinking of how effective his acting was to me when I started to really hate him. Yet, when we really deep dive into his character, all his life he felt pain and loss, a lost soul living within the dying. We saw him cry, get hurt, get mad, get strong, get even, get hurt again and yes, make things right. And I am glad that he was not too consumed with his anger and revenge plots as not to feel the kindness and warmth of Eun Soo Hyun (Kim Nam-Joo of Misty). He deserved to be okay, and to live his life the right way.

It’s my first time to watch Kim Nam-Joo and I think I will watch more. Her character, you can’t help but sympathize with her. And how she is too kind-hearted to everyone that it’s how people would always remember her. Especially in the end. How the people supported her reflected how she treated everyone all her life with her goodness and good ways. Good karma. As mentioned in my #ImpossibleHeir mini review, I liked that they did not depict prison life where the leads would get hurt by inmates or riots. Here, she found a friend in Jang Hyung-Ja played by Kang Ae-Shim, who was serving sentence for arson.

Others:

1. The twists that never end. Two thumbs up. Just when you thought you know everything, you don’t know anything.

2. That they didn’t insist on Soo Hyun getting back with her husband Kang Soo-ho (played by Kim Kang-woo #TheChilde). Of course, cheating is unforgiveable, especially because it happened with Han Yoori (played by Im Se-mi #WorstofEvil) whom she treated as a real sister. But I guess it’s all right that she was able to forgive them years after. For her own peace.

3. Support system of leads. Wouldn’t be fair if there’s no one with them as they go through pain and struggles. Two friends for Seon Yul and mom for Soo Hyun.

4. Speaking of, it’s a bit bittersweet that her mom Oh Go-eun (played by Won Mi-kyung) suffered from dementia, especially because I found her so sharp and smart, reading body languages, nuances and subtle hints. In the end, Soo Hun said that maybe her mom did not get sick, she just chose to go back to a time when she was happier.

5. Character dev – this is my favorite element in every k-drama. Her mother-in-law, for one who was b*tchy. Her dialogue in the end though. “I want to do better this time”, referring to how she would treat her 2nd son’s girlfriend. And Kim Joon’s enabler secretary (Lee Ji-Yeon). 

6. And it won’t be complete without a corrupt and evil politician congressman Kim Joon, played by Park Hyuk-kwon (his roles vary from good to not-so-good). What a powerful way to end his Blue House ambition. Still, he won’t show remorse. “Just because you got rid of me doesn’t mean the world will change.” Grrrrr 

7. Seon Yul’s words: But this world…there are good people out there. It’ll get better.

Naubos ang luha ko, mga mhie. That protest scene where everyone joined them. Waaahhhhh 😭😭😭

To everyone who’s having the hardest of times:

Seon Yul: "I hope people who were hurt and are in pain will gain the strength to rise back up."

Soo Hyun: “One day, the pain will lessen. I hope all those grieving find comfort. I hope the world will be more friendly to those in pain. I hope a beautiful world will come while you overcome your pain.” 

Fighting! 💪

Bonus: OST Never Again (Lim Ji Soo) and Cuz You (Park Hak-gi)

Catch Wonderful World in Disney+ PH 

#BuhayKPam

#HopeOnTheStreet

 #HopeOnTheStreet signing off

A six-episode dance docu-series featuring j-hope's humble beginnings and love for dancing as he begins a new journey on the 12th year of his professional career. This was also shown in time for the release of his special album ‘HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1.’

I am not sure if there are a lot out there who would bawl their eyes and hearts out after watching a dance docu LOL But I did. 

By humble beginnings, j-hope or Hoseok, his real name and as he is called then, returns to his roots, reunites with his former dance instructor, popping champion and popular South Korean street dancer, Boogaloo Kin or Kim Hak Nam. They meet in Osaka, and dance their way to Seoul, Paris, New York and j-hope’s hometown, Gwangju, along with other guests (Hak Nam was also his guest DJ in his Jack in the Box listening party almost two years ago) Akihito “Gucchon” Yamaguchi, legendary Henry “Link” McMillan, 1st gen hip-hop dance pioneer, and Neuron, the dance crew where he started.

I mean, we all know how great a dancer j-hope is, he is after all the dance captain of BTS. But we are still in awe. Alam natin na magaling na siya, pero omg, ang galing niya huhuhu He’s a perfectionist when it comes to choreography and execution. Sometimes, may napapanuod tayong performances related to BTS (case in point, SUGA’s dance crew in his D-Day Tour), and napapansin natin ang choreo and moves and steps, we ask ourselves, Papasa ba / Papasa kaya ito kay Hobi?

I am also awed and touched and moved by the way everyone seemed to agree that he is still the Hoseok they have known all these years. He was still the always smiling Hoseok. In fact, all his mentors said it for us, something like, “You can be cocky, you can be arrogant, but you’re not.” Talagang nasa DNA na yata ng BTS ang humility. Walang yabang.

And Hak Nam’s “You grew up so well” super tore me up. No wonder, j-hope also took care of his maknaes. Because that was the way he was also brought up, treated and mentored. 

The way he would always cheer us up ARMY, even while having issues on his own. How he was telling us how he struggled with hip-hop in Episode 5. And that sometimes he doesn’t know if he is enjoying his work or not. Our sunshine also has his dark days, too.

Isa pang super Like ko in this docu is the styling. Galing ng stylist. The colors, the outfits, super j-hope talaga. The way he and Hak Nam, including the guests, are dressed up and styled, ganda. Ang consistent.

Indeed, you grew up so well, Hoseok. And thank you for the hard work you put into this docu-series.

Hope on the Street Vol.1 track list:

• on the street (solo version)

• i wonder (feat. Jung Kook)

• lock / unlock (feat. benny blanco, Nile Rodgers)

• i don't know (feat. Huh Yunjin)

• what If (feat. Jinbo)

• Neuron (feat. Gaeko and Yoonmirae)

HOTS is available in 2 versions: VER.1 PRELUDE and VER.2 INTERLUDE. Contents include a CD, Zipper Bag, Photo Zine (80 pages), Lyrics Book (8 pages), Poster, 2 Photo Cards, Sticker and Hang Tag.

If you miss Hobi like we do, catch Hope on the Street on Prime Video. #BuhayKPam

#TheImpossibleHeir

 #TheImpossibleHeir signing off

❗️❗️❗️may contain spoilers ❗️❗️❗️

Classmates in high school - an ambitious intelligent boy and an illegitimate son of a wealthy chaebol family - become friends, grow up and team up to climb their way to the top to take over the throne.

I am actually a #LeeJunYoung fan (#Imitation), but ended up cheering for #LeeJaeWook (Alchemy of Souls, Extraordinary You) in this revenge drama.

As usual, I am perplexed as to how things are in Chaebol / South Korean conglomerate families. Well, the power struggle and the fight for money, siguro gets mo pa. But, just like my review on #FlexXCop, I can never fathom why and how people with the same blood running in their veins would kill each other (or hire people to do so) and would endlessly find deceitful and evil ways para maglamangan. Kakatakot hahaha pamilya mo na, kaaway mo pa na pwedeng wala kang malay.

But then again, fiction naman and laging sinasabi sa disclaimer na coincidental lang kung may similarity sa totoong buhay or sa totoong tao.

Anyways, back to the two Lees na sobrang lakas ng presence. Ang chemistry, mga beshie. Ayaw paawat. Ampopogi, ang tatangkad, ang gagaling umarte. This is my first time with LJW who plays Han Tae Oh. Si LJY (as Kang In Ha), lovable siya sa Imitation lalo na nung nainlove siya and nawala ang angas, #MayIHelpYou and #BadlandHunters. Kaya naging oppa ko sya. Ang galing din niya sa bad boy roles and nakakainis na characters #MaskGirl. Sa inis ko sa kanya dito sa TIH, yung LJY pillow ko, inilayo ko muna sa akin, at nagfocus ako kay LJW hahaha Context: whenever I currently watch a drama with one of my Oppas in it, itinatabi ko sa pagtulog yung pillow nila.

It’s true that the female lead (Hong Su Zu) needs more acting improvement, pero for the male cast, including Lee JiHoon and Jang MaRu, super sulit. Lee Ji Hoon as Seongju, the 2nd son who decided to give up his and his mother’s ambition na palitan si father dear. “Let’s stop, mother.” I really liked this scene. Kaya naman narewardan siya in the end, and tama nga na mas madali ang maging kakampi then kalabanin mo pa ang family mo. While Jang MaRu, hindi maitago ang charms nitong batang ito despite the strong presence of his Hyungs. A smart techie guy. Matapang. Loyal until the end. Kaya deserved ang bakasyon engrande.

And yes, cute yung role ni Choi HeeJin as HuiJu and her undying crush kay Tae Ho hanggang sa huli. Pero buti naman hindi nadedz ang role niya dito (Strong Girl Namsoon, Behind Your Touch).

Yung chaebol dad, matalino rin eh. Dapat ganun eh, may sariling pag-iisip and decisions. Kaya nga Chairman ka eh hahaha

Gusto ko rin na yung prison life, just like in Cha Eun Woo’s Wonderful World, hindi depicted as sobrang scary, yung nasasaktan sila sa loob at may nakakaaway na prison mates. In fairness, they even found good and loyal friends. 

Yung character ni In Ha, I didn’t see it coming. Ang saya and sweet kasi nilang magkabarkada. And yung plans nila mula pagkabata. Why the 360 degree-turnaround? Although inisip ko na aside from the love triangle angle, ano kaya ang magiging conflict pa nila ni Tae Oh? Yun pala, siya ang bwiset hahaha If this story was real, yun ang lesson dun eh. Andun ka na eh, naging greedy ka pa lalo. Talagang yang greed, deadly sin yan eh. Literally nakamamatay. Minsan ok lang na maging kuntento na. I just have one pending question: What was it that he wanted to tell Tae Oh when the latter visited him in prison? Sabi lang nya, “Never mind…”

And yes, I wondered and waited if I can finally see Tae Oh smile and I was not disappointed. At last, si Tae Oh na umpisa pa lang puro struggles, family issues, dreamed of bigger things at 18, went to hell and back, achieved everything in the end. Siya ang totoong title holder, ang legit na Impossible Heir pala. And of course, naki-iyak na naman ang tyahin nyo when this happened. With the fireworks and all. 

That, I believe, is the most fulfilling part of a being a k-drama fan or viewer. Yung nakiki-share ka sa triumphs nung lead sa bandang huli, sa pag-overcome ng hardships, yung rising again after setbacks. At tuwang-tuwa ka sa mga closures in the end. Lalo na when everybody seems to get what they deserve. When every piece of life’s puzzle falls into place.

(Incidentally, when this drama series started, nahaluan ng romance / dating news ni LJW and eventually, they broke up. Why oh why. Truth is really stranger than fiction. Fighting, Wookie!)

You can still catch this drama at Disney+ PH  #BuhayKPam