If you need a break from all the maddening news around, (I know I do. We thought our troubles were over with covid subsiding after 2 long years. Nope. Fat chance.) let me, at least, recommend some new (and not so new) videos online and on popular streaming sites.
First on my list is a thoroughly delightful, funny (I was in stitches while watching the 1st 2 episodes), wholesome, cheesy, wonderfully directed, excellently casted Korean TV drama series – BUSINESS PROPOSAL. This K-drama is produced by Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) and stars relatively unknown (or at least does not have too many projects to her credits yet) Kim Se-Jeong and the charming Korean-Canadian actor, and erstwhile Toronto resident, Ahn Hyo-Seop. Both have tremendous chemistry that lights up the screen and makes you grateful that old-fashioned Asian rom-com is back! So corny, so out of this world but so predictable, and yet so relaxing and enjoyable. Makes me forgot for a whole hour (and the next hours) about Ukraine, Russia, NATO, war, geo-politics and what-not. If interested, you can check it out on Netflix. The series is still ongoing as it only just started airing in South Korea last Feb 28, same time as its debut on Netflix. As of today’s issue, there would have been 6 episodes aired already. Hats off to the director Park Sun-ho! From my viewpoint, he did an incredible job of bringing a fresh new approach to the stereotype storyline of BUSINESS PROPOSAL. So far, the series has been making my day. I just trust that it gets even better as the weeks go. 6 more episodes to go as there are supposed to be 12 episodes. Let us see how it develops in the coming weeks – 2 episodes (Monday and Tuesday) per week. Naku. Nakaka aliw talaga. I kid you not! The K factor is back – K meaning “kilig”.
(As an aside – eagerly awaiting the release online of the upcoming K drama SHOOTING STAR with Lee Sung Kyung of the 2016-2017 WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO, which I have watched over and over again. I loved the team up there of Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk. Kim Se-Jeong of BUSINESS PROPOSAL has that same sparkle and irrepresible charm of Lee Sung Kyung.) But I digress.
Second on my list is SKY CASTLE, a 2018 South Korean drama from South Korean television company JTBC. Wow! Talk about the intense competitive educational system in South Korea. Unbelievable. Maybe it’s exaggerated for higher ratings but I believe there is a grain of truth in it. I watched this before in 2019 on some free online streaming sites despite the annoying and strange pop-ups. It was one of those dramas that had me riveted to my laptop for days. Thank heavens it was not one of those super long Chinese dramas like RISE OF THE PHOENIXES with 70 episodes, or MING DYNASTY with 64 episodes, or EMPRESS OF CHINA which had either 96 episodes, or 82 episodes or 75 episodes depending on which television station it was on. Confused? I don’t blame you. Suffice it to say that none of the C dramas were less than 75 episodes. By the way, this last series EMPRESS OF CHINA starred the living legend (mixed with alleged infamy) of a beauty and actress – Fan Bing Bing. All three Chinese costume drama series’ were certified killers. I watched all the episodes. Believe you me.
Anyway, as I was saying, SKY CASTLE, thankfully, only has 20 episodes. It is now on Netflix, which is a relief. No more pop-ups and interruptions. So, I watched the series again. It is just as good as when I first watched it 3 years ago – pre covid. Be sure to check this out. I found it enormously absorbing. A combination of satire, drama, dark comedy, psychological thriller and mystery. At the time of airing in South Korea, it was the highest rated drama in Korean cable television history, and received positive reviews and several awards.
SKY CASTLE was also a big hit in China. Why? Because, as one write up from a critic said “ The drama explores the challenges facing anxious parents in Korea as they struggle to get their kids into top universities – many of which are familiar to parents in China” By the way, SKY is supposed an acronym for the country’s top three universities – Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University. Reminds you somehow of the college or university admission bribery scandal in the U.S. in 2019?
At the time of airing in 2018 to 2019, many viewers commented that the plot of the drama was better than the average romance story. I must agree!
I must also make special mention of 2 other drama series on Netflix which deserves my recommendation – a 2022 Turkish drama MIDNIGHT AT PERA PALACE and a 2021 Spanish drama THE COOK OF CASTAMAR (in Spanish, La Cocinera de Castamar). Doesn’t it sound more exciting and romantic in Spanish? The next thing I have to say, is even better – MIDNIGHT AT PERA PALACE has 8 episodes only while THE COOK OF CASTAMAR has 12 episodes. Did I hear you let out a sigh of relief?
I need not elaborate anymore. It remains for you to find out, if you want, why I am recommending them. These Netflix shows are giving me renewed confidence in their choice of programs to carry. I trust they keep up the good work!
Now, for those who are masochists, and don’t want a break (like me sometimes), then I recommend you check out some videos on sites which makes sense, allows you to keep a semblance of sanity with their balanced views, calm reportage sans the sensationalism that brings on the ratings ( sabi ng iba – pera pera lang yan. Is there truth to this? Maybe.). My go-tos are:
- Virtual tours of trains and ferries in Japan posted on You Tube (yes, my friends)
- NHK World News and videos like the High Heeled Monk ( yes, that’s what I said—the high heeled monk. Fascinating)
- CNA (Channel News Asia)
- CGTN (China Global Television Network)
- PBS News (PBS is the acronym for Public Broadcasting Service – U.S.)
- CRUX (a bit more stressful but I find balanced)
- UNTV Philippines (I find them with the least, if any at all, editorializing.
- GTNR (Global Talk News Radio) Philippines. With editorializing. Also stressful but gives me info/news on what is not usually featured in the usual mainstream Western slanted media. It is up to me now to vet further on my own. But, find that they make absolute sense. Plus I trust the hosts – Ka Mentong, Ka Ado and Ka Anna
With March break comes signs of spring. But before then, winter seems to be putting up a good fight. There was a steady fall of fine, soft snow last weekend. Very pretty but I think Winter knows that its days are numbered. Time to move on to the next season. And with that, we hope and pray the madness in the world also transitions to brighter days, literally and figuratively.
Speaking of brighter days here in Canada –
After a long hiatus of 2 relatively quiet covid years, the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Central Canada Region is now breaking out with a slew of exciting and meaningful events and activities for 2022.
First off, the induction of the new set of officers of the Knights of Rizal Central Canada Region on April 23, 2022 at the Kalayaan Cultural and Community Centre in Mississauga headed by Romy Sinajon, Knights of Rizal Regional Commander Central Canada Region.
(Place Photo here of Knights of Rizal officers with caption sent as 2 attachments)
Second on their list is a song writing competition for the young in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal and the ideals he espoused. JDL (Josie de Leon)Performing Arts School is teaming up with the Knights of Rizal Don Valley Chapter to launch and conduct KATHANG AWIT KAY RIZAL, a song completion for the young. Take note! If you have a talent and passion for song writing, watch out for the announcement of the details of this competition. The three top selected songs will be featured within the first ever television speciaL of the Knights of Rizal Central Canada Region – DR. JOSE RIZAL, THEN AND NOW – a television special honoring the life and ideals of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. It will be part of the celebration in June of Filipino Heritage Month and the 161th birth anniversary of Dr. Rizal on June 19.
This “piece de resistance” is the broadcast of a KOR produced 2-part television special DR. JOSE RIZAL, THEN AND NOW on OMNI Television, a free nationwide television station with a reach of 11 million Canadian households from coast to coast – British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and the Maritimes. The television special is a production and presentation of the Knights of Rizal Central Canada Region in partnership with the Consulate General of Toronto and Filipino TV. Here is the broadcast schedule of the TV Special on OMNI TV:
Dr. Jose Rizal, Then and Now
Part 1 – 8:30 pm Sunday, June 19 with a repeat on Monday, June 20 at 6:30 pm
Part 2 – 8:30 pm Sunday, June 26 with a repeat on Monday, June 27 at 6:30 pm
Expect even more meaningful projects of the KOR Central Canada Region in the near future as the newly inducted Regional Commander, Romy Sinajon, takes the helm and ably steers the KORCCR to new heights, together with Mitch Arrojado, Jun Calaguio and the rest of the Knights of Rizal Sirs and Ladies.
For now, I bid adieu or rather au revoir. More from me next issue. Trusting that we all have welcome breaks in our lives in the midst of the “kaguluhan” around the world.
Tessie Ochangco Taylor