#BonAppetitYourMajesty mini review Part 2

Aside from Chae Min, another strength of the drama is the food preparation for each meal and in the cooking competition, showing the contrast between tradition and innovation; modern culinary knowledge meeting ancient ingredients and practices; the lavish palace banquets, the elaborate arrangements - all these are reflections of how food was used to project power, authority and status during the Joseon dynasty.  Not a popular opinion, but for me, even if there was no romantic plot line, if they gave more emphasis on the culinary theme and the skills of Ji Yeong, BAYM would still end up as a feast, highlighting food as a powerful catalyst for change, with the king and his chief royal cook collaborating to challenge the court politics and corruption. 

But of course, we cannot deny that the royal romance has more appeal, and to satiate that deep human hunger for love, we needed a more acceptable or believable way to soften a tyrant’s heart (on top of his stomach), providing a sweeter, more palatable ending.

And to those who wanted to know how the king time-traveled to the future, konting imagination na lang mga mhie, gusto ninyo pa ipakita bawat detalye, sabi na ngang secret eh hahaha naiwan ung punit na page, tapos paulit ulit si Ji Yeong sa pag-chant nung longing words sa Mangunrok:

"My dearly beloved, if you were to read this someday, may you come back to my side…"

Lahat na lang ba dapat spoonfeeding ihhhh mag-kimchi nga kayo, kaumay. Hahaha

📌BAYM is now tvN drama 's 7th drama with the highest rating of all time.

📌All 12 episodes of BAYM are available for streaming Netflix 

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#BonAppetitYourMajesty mini review Part 1

🍲The people who give you their food give you their heart.❤️

Every once in a while*, we are served with a k-drama that feeds all four: mind, body, heart and soul. Recall how we were saved and healed by:

• #CrashLandingOnYou, the star power and on-screen chemistry of Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin who later became a couple IRL;

• #HometownChaChaCha in 2021, starring Shin MinA and Kim Seon Ho, a feel-good story giving us hope and warmth during uncertain times;

• #LovelyRunner in 2024, offering a much-needed sense of comfort like a warm hug that resonated with many, significantly boosted Byeon Woo Seok's career, leading to his stardom, and gave Kim Hye Yoon her first ever Best Actress nomination at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards; and 

• #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines this year, with strong performances from leads IU and Park Bo Gum, tackling parental sacrifice, family bonds, and enduring love.

Abovementioned dramas won not just viewership ratings but also the thumbs-up of its global audience. And before 2025 could end, we were given a Chef’s Special: #BonAppetitYourMajesty.

(*Note: I am only citing dramas from 2019 to present, which I have watched. I am pretty sure there’s more.)

A drama that they didn’t expect to be such a huge hit, what with controversies from the get-go - the original male lead being replaced by a younger newbie actor, alleged historical inaccuracies, accusations / backlash from C-netz, and the 10-year age difference between the lead actors, BAYM tells the romantic story of a modern chef who time-travels to the Joseon era and becomes the chief royal cook. The series, known as The Tyrant's Chef in Korea, quickly gained international popularity, topping Netflix's Global Top Ten chart after its first two episodes were released. The plot centers on the unexpected romance between 21st-century chef Yeon Ji Yeong (Im Yoon-A #BigMouth #KingTheLand) and King Yi Heon (Lee Chae Min #Hierarchy #Crushology101  #CrashCourseinRomance), a tyrant ruler loosely based on a notoriously cruel historical figure. 

BAYM is a love story unfolding in a fictionalized version of Joseon history. While it draws on the reign of King Yeonsangun, 10th monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea, it takes creative liberties, interpreting historical events and characters to craft an alternate story, with food as a love language, the means through which the chef and the king - two people from completely different eras- connect.

While Yoona's performance has shown significant growth and her presence (being a member of Girls Generation, 2nd gen k-pop girl group) adding to its global popularity, it is really Chae Min's portrayal of the king that made the big difference, destroying the initial doubts on his last-minute casting and limited acting experience. This successful break-out role solidified his reputation as a rising star (reminiscent of what Lovely Runner did to Byeon Woo Seok, who incidentally is in the same agency, Varo Entertainment).  

• Emotional depth: He skillfully executed the king's violent, angry side and his deeper, vulnerable side, marked by grief, sorrow and sadness.

• Charisma and intensity: His intense gaze, strong voice, and steady tone (and loud guffaw), aside from his height and strong visuals, captured the hearts of the viewers.

• Dedication and hard work: According to reports, he was given only a month to prepare for the role, and he used that short time to learn skills such as horseback riding, archery, and traditional dance. 

I also loved how, despite the culture of venality during this era, loyalty and brotherhood can still grow and survive. 

• At first, we hated Royal Secretary Im Song Jae (Oh Eui Sik), but in the end, he and his father Im Seo-Hong (Nam Kyung Eup), along with the Chief Eunuch Chang Seon (Jang Gwang) and Chief Court Lady Choi Mal Im (Park Jun Myun), died for their loyalty to the king. 

• The friendship of Ji Yeong and Gil-geum (Yoon Seo Ah) due to shared hardships and experiences, and the transition of the royal kitchen crew into a team of innovation and harmony. 

• With appearances from Ko Chang Seok (craftsman Jang Chun Saeng). 

• And special mention goes to the hot yummy-licious court jester Gong-gil (Lee Joo Ahn) and Chief Royal Guard Shin Soo-Hyuk (Park Young Woon). 

To be continued...

#Mantis mini review

As a fan of #KillBoksoon, I was excited to see its spin-off, #Mantis (not to be confused with the ongoing drama #QueenMantis, also in Netflix). What, with #ImSiwan in the lead 🥰🥰🥰although I wasn’t looking forward to see the female lead. So far, wala ako nagugustuhan sa mga portrayals nya hahaha. O baka nga kasi effective 😂 Sorry na.

Just like its predecessor, Mantis is an action thriller film about a contract killer industry, and Mantis, his nickname, played by Siwan, is an ace assassin who comes back from a hiatus only to find a chaotic hitman world after its leader, Cha Min Kyu, dies. 

I’m not sure if it’s me but I found the spin-off kind of tamer, or milder. Or was I getting immune to seeing violence and killings? Anyway, kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko ma-feel si Park Gyu Young who plays Jae Yi (Celebrity, A Good Day To Be A Dog, Sweet Home, Squid Game, Nine Puzzles), I’m sure though she is a good and popular actress and I admit I was impressed how she could speak English fluently, having studied the language when she was in high school. 

Jae Yi has been harboring ill feelings against Mantis, or Han-ul, because no matter how hard she tried, she would always be 2nd place to him. Mantis, on the other hand, has been in love with her for ages, and this same love seems to be his downfall, as he will always prioritize her and do favors for her. Up to the end. We didn’t see much though bakit ganito ka-special si Jae Yi sa kanya. Kulang yung build up? And I will never understand why mas kinampihan niya itong si girl over his mentor. Nakakabulag talaga ang pag-ibig ano ha.

What I like about Mantis:

1. Siwan, as always, is charming on screen. Obvious bang Oppa ko siya? 🥰 LOL He is not as bad as the role may seem. In fact, Han-ul is portrayed as "a warm-hearted, human killer who hides his gentle nature." Despite what seems to be a limited material, very evident naman talaga ang ability niya to play a variety of characters, mapa-kawawa (Misaeng, Boyhood), mapa-villain (Unlocked, Emergency Declaration), mapa-weird (Strangers from Hell), mapa-rich kid (Run On), mapa-pogi (Summer Strike). 

2. Cast is awesome. And before you ask yourself, saan ko nga ba sila napanuod, o eto na: Jo Woo Jin (Narco-Saints, Harbin, Happiness, Gangnam B Side) as Dok Go, Choi Hyun Wook (Twinkling Watermelon, Weak Hero Class, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Dearest Nemesis) as Benjamin, and Sul Kyung Gu (Kill Boksoon, Hyper Knife) as Cha Min Kyu.

3. Ok naman ang action hahaha a genre na I didn’t know I could enjoy as much as rom-coms. Yung paggamit ng “sickles (or blades)” as his weapon, sayang, parang kulang pa yung pag-highlight. Kaya nga siya Mantis eh. How he looks wielding those twin sickles, the character's visual signature or fighting style, resembles the way a mantis uses its forelegs daw. It was said that in preparation for this, Siwan underwent extensive training at an action school to get accustomed to handling the dual sickles.

4. And another trivia, namention na si Mantis sa Kill Boksoon, a role which, they said, was destined for Siwan.

5. Boksoon, played by the phenomenal Jeon Do Yeon, does a cameo. I literally gasped nung eksena niya, nagulat ako talaga. Although maraming references talaga sa kanya and sa original film.

So eto na lang muna. Nabitin ako kay Mantis hahaha it leaves me “praying” for more. 

Catch #Mantis if you can Netflix

#BuhayKPam

#Twelve mini review

‼️ contains spoilers‼️

Despite so much fanfare and publicity when it premiered, #Twelve ended quietly, living up to the conceptual idea that angels are messengers of divine silence.

There was so much hype, attention and great expectations when Disney+ announced this K-hero fantasy series, with a star-studded cast line-up with no less than #MaDongSeok (or Don Lee of Eternals, Train to Busan, The Roundup, Badland Hunters) and #ParkHyungSik (whose Buried Hearts’ finale closed the season with a nationwide viewership rating of 15.4%), in his villain era. 

The show draws on Eastern zodiac mythology, following 12 angels sent by the Light to protect humanity from evil. It is a high-concept action-hero series that unfolds a universe from ancient times to the present day. Losing 4 angels, the surviving eight angels also lost their powers when Hellmouth, a supernatural portal to hell, was sealed, along with the power of evil. They began living on Earth as ordinary people (loan sharks actually), with Marok, a human with special abilities, but are forced to fight the awakened demonic forces, this time in the modern world.  

As a Park Hyung Sik (PHS) fan, I was confused why after 6 episodes, I still wasn’t connecting with the drama, for the life of me. Usually I get affected a lot, cry at the sad scenes, sympathize with the characters, rave about it most especially, and wait for the next episodes like crazy. I stopped and thought, why wasn’t I feeling anything? 

How can it go wrong? The cast included #SungDongIl who is literally everywhere (The Art of Negotiation, The Tale of Lady Ok, Han River Police, Curtain Call) and #SeoInGuk (Doom at Your Service, Reply 1997). Is it bad acting? Slow pacing? Too much CGI? Lack of character depth? Wala akong emotional investment kahit na andami nang episodes, and I can’t think of just a single reason. Maybe a dozen? 🤔

Looking at the other “angels”, I don’t know why I couldn’t find them fascinating. I’ve seen the actors in other dramas, but they didn’t seem to have chemistry, despite their being together for many years.  I didn’t like how they were exchanging lines with each other, so awkward and unnatural, the girls were not killing it; plus, the worn-out approaches or effects na showing their powers one at a time, hindi ba pwedeng sabay sabay na lang na lumalabas yung weapons nila hahaha and yung mamatay-matay na halos sa pagtakbo yung “victim” tapos yung humahabol na villain or evil eh cool na cool lang naglalakad. Typical. And then there’s Mirr, played by #LeeJooBin (Queen of Tears, Divorce Insurance, Money Heist Korea), who had the soul stone that the fallen angels wanted, for greater power. But all Mirr ever did in the final episode when they were supposed to be battling the evil spirits, fighting for humanity and saving the world, was to lie unconscious, oblivious to everything. Sayang lang hahaha Siya pa naman yung dragon angel. Naging jowa lang siya ni Ogwi (PHS). Nagising na lang siya nung tapos na hahaha

And here I am, writing a mini review (when I couldn’t do it for some of the dramas I have watched and adored like Mercy For None), dami ko nasabi for such disappointment.

Angels are supposed to be messengers, the medium for divine and spiritual communication. But...did we ever get the message? 

All 8 episodes are available for streaming on Disney+ PH

#BuhayKPam

#BeyondTheBar: Law and Love at Its best Bar None

‼️May contain spoilers‼️

Synopsis: A young intelligent rookie lawyer joins a top law firm, navigating the complex legal world under a stern but talented mentor; aka Esquire.

Cast:

• #LeeJinWook as Yoon Seok Hoon– Squid Game, Sweet Home, Doona

• #JungChaeYeon as Kang Hyo Min – Golden Spoon, The King's Affection

• #LeeHakJoo as Lee Jin Woo - The Potato Lab, My Dearest

• #JeonHyeBin as Heo Min Jeong - Revolutionary Sisters

While many were disappointed because they were shipping the leads, hoping that the two would end up together in the finale, I was happy with the ending. 

This is a legal drama after all (please, we have enough rom-coms and love dramas), and for me, any romantic angle between them was just a side dish, pang-kilig factor seeing that there is chemistry between the actors, despite their age gap - both in the story and in real life. 

In an interview, LJW said the original script’s romantic line had been “softened”, and they thought if there was future relationship between the mentor and the younger colleague, it would be subtle and mature and didn’t have to be rushed, and that love is a process of growth, commitment, and mutual support.

Unlike typical dramas, the highlights of #BeyondTheBar were more on understated gestures of care and support, showing how love can be shown through action and shared experiences rather than grand or loud declarations. Case in point, when Jin Woo was proposing marriage to Min Jeong, he ended up not reading what he wrote and rehearsed but spoke of his love from the heart.

In Episode 7, the metaphor "Love is a rainbow" was used to describe how love evolves through a spectrum of emotions, with each color representing different feelings or stages in a relationship: Red for passion, Orange for warmth, Yellow for happiness, Green for peace, Blue for trust, Indigo for depth, and Violet for mystique.  That even if we move from one color (or stage) to another, it doesn't mean our love is lost, or has disappeared.

Even Seok Hoon, having gone through a divorce, has his version: “I think marriage is based on love. Over time, that love just changes shape. Love between a couple starts with passion, goes through reality, and ends in solidarity. Losing passion doesn’t mean losing love.” Solidarity. Loyalty. Belonging. These are all different forms of love.

The drama series was popular, that not even the old scandal  that resurfaced involving the male lead could affect the high ratings. The cases were all interesting and I loved how they were tied up and connected to each episode’s theme. 

For Hyo Min, from their cases, she was able to learn about love – love between a man and a woman; love of parents for their children; love of children for their parents; and the love between spouses. Even the love we show to others. Love takes many forms, and that wounds that come with it can be healed. 

While she was enumerating these, this wrapping up brought me to tears - with all their clients being shown how they are now, how it’s going, how they’re living their lives in the present – after their legal entanglements. 

This ending wrapped things up nicely and in a heartwarming way, leaving us with a conclusion that Beyond the Bar is one of the better K-dramas this year.

Law and Love – are they mutually interdependent? 

Love should not be blind to the Law, and Law is the guide for love…love should not disregard defined standards; in the same way that such standards are designed to establish the norm for appropriate conduct, and demonstrates how love ought to manifest itself in tangible ways.

All 12 episodes of Beyond the Bar is streaming Netflix 

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