First Look: On the Wings of Love

On the Wings of Love, OTWOL for short, is the only Tagalog TV series (teleserye) from 2015 that I managed to watch and for good reason. It is a slice of life into the average Filipino story told in a manner that is witty, engaging and unlike any other.

It really is no surprise that OTWOL became a mega-hit, catapulting Nadine Lustre and James Reid into stardom status rivaling that of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. Oh scratch that, I actually watched two teleseryes, the other one being Pangako Sa 'Yo, which I will leave for another day.

Episode 1 begins with the show's mantra, "Love like you would a bird. Love it with all your heart and should it want to fly, set it free because if it is meant for you, it will come back."

Leah narrates that she has learned this liberating kind of love at a young age when her mother left for the US to be an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), frequently showering her and her sister Tiffany with postcards and gifts sent via Balikbayan boxes.

One day, Leah's pet dove goes missing and she runs in a panic only to be met with the terrible news that her mother has died in an accident. The grieving family hold a funeral to an empty casket because it is simply too expensive to fly the remains back to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a kind-hearted boy finds and returns Leah's pet dove on his way to the airport. 

Years pass and a grown-up Leah (Nadine Lustre) applies for a US visa as part of a choir heading to San Francisco for a singing competition. Leah and her teammates ace their interviews by humming a few tunes while most other applicants that range from a shady businesswoman to a ditzy girl looking to marry her Facebook fiancee find their applications rejected, providing a satirical yet realistic account of the lengths people go through to get a visa.

On the other side of the globe, Clark (James Reid) participates in an oath-taking ceremony to become a US citizen though it is quickly revealed that he is still a green card holder who is only at the event in support of a friend.

Leah excitedly announces that her visa has been approved but her boyfriend Jigs (Albie Casiño) arrives with the longest face and Leah's father and sister exchange knowing glances. 

As it turns out, Jigs is somewhat of a jerk and he is in the foulest mood possible after having his visa application rejected once again. Pissed at Leah for deciding to go ahead with her plans to visit the US without him, Jigs breaks up with her and leaves.

Clark skypes with his grandma and younger siblings when Jigs, Clark's cousin, walks in still fuming about his breakup. In no mood to talk, Jigs ends up ruining the mood and it's saddening to see their disparities in lifestyle where Clark scrimps and saves, barely able to make ends meet from sending all of his money home; yet an immature and ill-tempered Jigs decides to give him attitude, grr..

Leah's father overhears her plan to stay in the US illegally as a TNT (tago ng tago, which, translates to hides and hides). Tatang (Joel Torre) is hurt, defensive, worried and extremely against the idea. He asks, "Am I useless, am I not giving you enough?" Leah assures Tatang that he has given plenty but it is her dream to work abroad in hopes of continuing her mother's dreams for the family. 

After a heartfelt conversation amongst father and children, Tatang finally agrees that letting Leah go is what's best for her provided she do so legally. Off to San Francisco she goes and the scene that everyone has been waiting for happens just around the corner.  

First Impressions: My youth consisted of long-running Filipino soaps until the onslaught of telenovelas from Mexico and its eventual evolvement into the more diverse teleseryes. Admittedly, life nowadays has been taken over by k-dramas and c-dramas so it was entirely by my friends' prodding that I decided to give the highly-talked about series a shot and boy, were they right as you can see from my wordiness. Yes, OTWOL made quite an impact.

I gobbled up episodes like there's no tomorrow though at 145 episodes and 40+ minutes each, it's still a long way to go. OTWOL is awesome with charming leads, talented veterans and solid writing that is relatable to many Filipinos; but at its core is a family drama and a romantic-comedy that is universally appealing. Because when you add singing to a drama, it's gotta be a winner, right? 

The family dynamics is what gets me the most with the loving dad just being a parent in claiming that he doesn't need all the wealth in the world because what's important is that the family stays together. It must be every parent's wish, isn't it? Yet he agrees to let Leah go since it will make her happy.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm not sure if you can tell but James Reid is a certified heartthrob in the Philippines and it's kinda funny and predictable that they would show off his goods every chance they get. Case in point below.

First Look: One More Happy Ending

One More Happy Ending takes a fresh approach on an existing concept to inspire something extraordinary. 

Episode 1 begins with a fairytale ending that is shattered to pieces when the heroine files for divorce, depicting a harsh but pragmatic reality regarding the extremities of a man and a woman post-marriage. 

The newly-available husband gallivants around young women while the newly-single mom is left with two kids, barely enough alimony, not to mention a deteriorating figure from child-rearing and one too many wrinkles, spots or both.

As the CEO of a matchmaking agency, Han Mi Mo (Jang Nara) has made a name by specializing in such cases but she is also a 34-year old divorcee excitedly anticipating a proposal from her boyfriend of two years. To which her friend and confidante Baek Da Jung (You Da In) warns, "You never know until the ring is on your finger."

Mi Mo and Da Jung were part of the k-pop group Angels that disbanded in a chaotic rumble when Mi Mo finally had enough of Seul Ah's bad attitude. Seul Ah (Sandara Park) went on to become a top Korean actress while the remaining members left showbiz for good. Now that the group is in their thirties, the drama will revolve around the 4 ladies and their relationships or lack thereof in Go Dong Mi's (Yoo In Na) case.

First Impressions: How often do you watch a trailer thinking yes, yes and yes! Whoever made the drama's teaser is pure genius because it showcased what so far the first couple episodes have proceeded to confirm (bdw, there's a music video too). 

Casting was spot on with Jung Kyung Ho, Jang Nara, Yoo In Na and many more but of course they had to top it off with cameos from Sandara Park (2NE1) and Kim So Yeon. 

If you have seen Jung Kyung Ho in Smile You, you'll know that he can do comedy, and do it incredibly well. He's one of those actors that can portray your average joe that's sometimes awkward, unintentionally funny yet somehow manages to come across as totally swoon-worthy at the same time.

Jang Nara doesn't even need an introduction since romantic comedy is undoubtedly her turf. I usually could care less about the ages of the actors and actresses but this is one where the main characters are really in their early thirties making the drama more genuine and heartfelt.

I must say, Jang Nara has never looked this good in a k-drama. From Audrey Hepburn glamour to runway fashion, her styling is amazing and she looks great, truly deserving to be called a baby-faced beauty.

Honestly, the plot wasn't all that interesting to begin with but it's the execution that's a winner, throwing in a farcical k-pop group and adding in all the quirky bits and pieces that make k-dramas so addictively appealing. 

What should have been a sad, down in the dumps love story turns into comedy gold that's honest to the core yet all in good fun. Is it for everyone? Probably not because it does lean towards the female demographic but you never know until you try.

One Happy Ending is getting trampled by Son's War and Six Flying Dragons in the daily battle for ratings but I really wish people would watch it since it deserves so much better. But then again, I watch Son's War too.

For synopsis,cast and ratings, see 2016 k-drama listing.

The Legend of Banshu

The Legend of Banshu aka Ban Shu Chuan Qi 班淑传奇 is a 38-episode Chinese palace drama starring Jing Tian as Ban Shu. It follows the story of the Legend of Lu Zhen and was conceptually created by producer Yu Zheng to compliment the former.  

Even though Yu Zheng has earned a bad rep as the destroyer of Jin Yong novels, he has had a number of successful projects under his belt. Nevertheless, his fame wasn't enough to hype up this drama given that it has been buried under the stack of so many high-profile period dramas these days.

Ban Shu grew up in the grasslands of the Western region until she was reunited with her family. In order to gain their approval, she enters the palace to learn proper etiquette but often ends up in amusing situations due to her unorthodox background.

The Legend of Banshu is headlined by a cast of unfamiliar faces except for male lead Zhang Zhe Han (Demon Girl) whom I recognized as the teenage counterpart of Hu Ge in Nirvana in Fire. I probably won't watch this unless I hear good things about it but if you are interested, the series just premiered last Feb 8, 2016 on CCTV8.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 popular cdramas.

Source: Duitang

First Look: Cheese in the Trap

There must be a hidden meaning behind the title but I'm a cheese lover anyway so I'll take it for what it is. Cheese in the Trap is a 16 episode TvN drama based on a much-loved webtoon. Even though I haven't seen the former, I think this might be one where the TV adaptation manages to live up to the hype.

Netizens initially had strong opinions over the casting of Kim Go Eun who is relatively unknown in k-drama land despite snagging multiple awards for her acting skills. Now that the first few episodes are out, I think everyone is in agreement that she deserves the crown. On the other hand, Park Hae Jin, the lovable second lead in You From Another Star, plays her leading man as the enigmatic college senior. I doubt anyone objected to that.

Cheese in the Trap had me grinning from the first few seconds. Hong Seol's drunken shenanigans peaked my interest and I wanted to know why she was pointing an accusatory finger at the seemingly-innocent Yoo Jung. 

Episode 1 revolves around the madness that comes with registering for classes on the first day of school. Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) is your average university student and she has systematically planned the perfect class schedule and secured a seat in Professor Han's class as a surefire way to keep her scholarship. 

Yet on the first day of school, Hong Seol is appalled to learn that someone maliciously used her student account to drop Prof. Han's class. The biggest suspect turns out to be none other than Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin) who has done nothing but smile sweetly at Seol. Nonetheless, the Sherlock in Seol tells her that there is something amiss behind that friendly facade.

First Impressions: I like how Seol's character can be so plain awkward yet adorable at the same time. I look forward to seeing the budding romance between the two leads especially since Yoo Jung is clearly making an effort to pursue Seol. The episode flew by in the sense that I didn't feel any minute was wasted, even Seol's friends Eun Taek and Bo Ra were hilarious (ahem, the classroom scene).

But then again, I confess to getting occasionally swayed by Seol's conspiracy theories. What if her often unfounded cynicism towards Yoo Jung turns out to be true? The appearance of siblings Baek In Ho and Baek In ha already foreshadows a backstory behind the mysterious Yoo Jung. Is this actually a thriller and not a rom-com? Is Park Hae Jin the cheese and Kim Go Eun the mouse to be trapped?

For the latest best K-drama recommendations, click here.

Review: Dream High

Plot Summary: Go Hye Mi (Suzy Bae) aspires to be an opera singer but due to financial troubles, she sets out to audition for a spot at Kirin Art High School instead. She meets a group of students with similar goals and we are taken through their journey towards reaching their dreams.

Comments: Part of my 2000-2014 best k-drama listing, Dream High 드림하이 is the answer for k-pop and k-drama lovers out there since it ingeniously combines both genres to make k-drama gold. If you want to watch a feel-good romantic comedy and be thoroughly entertained in the process, I highly recommend Dream High.

There was a time when I was oblivious to k-pop and it would occasionally catch my attention whilst playing in the background of some drama. Being Korea's version of Glee, Dream High doesn't disappoint with a selection of k-pop hits as well as renditions of other popular songs that had me humming for days.

As expected, the cast was mainly k-pop idols with 2PMs Taecyeon and Wooyoung, Miss A's Suzy, T-ara's Eunjung and solo artist IU. The only actor from the bunch is Kim Soo Hyun (You From Another Star), and he was one of the best decision they ever made. 

Dream High is a short 16 episode k-drama that's simple but sweet and at the heart of it is the characters. Each of them had their own struggles to overcome be it family issues, attitude problems or personal insecurities but they still come across as likable and relatable. Besides, who doesn't love an underdog? It was also one of those rarer moments in a k-drama where I wasn't sure who would end up with who but I'm glad they wrapped up the ending in a nice and pretty bow.

My Ratings: Must-watch (5/5)

Dream High OST:

A Part of This Dream - San E
Maybe - Sunye (Wonder Girls)
Dream High - Taecyeon (2PM), Wooyoung (2PM), Suzy (Miss A), Kim Soo Hyun and IU
Someday - IU
Winter Child - Suzy Bae (Miss A)
My Valentine - Taecyeon (2PM)
Dreaming - Kim Soo Hyun

Goose Dream cover by Suzy (Miss A)
Only Hope cover by Suzy (Miss A)
Genie cover by Suzy, IU, Kim Soo Hyun and Taecyeon

For more k-drama recommendations, check out:
2016 best k-dramas
2015 best k-dramas

Boys Over Flowers, Meteor Garden & Hana Yori Dango

Are there still any Meteor Garden (流星花園) fans out there? Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden was the first of its kind, creating waves across Asia. Originally a remake based on Japanese Manga Hana Yori Dango (花より男子), the style and feel of this drama was a fresh take that easily set itself apart.

2009 Boys Over Flowers (Korea)

2005 Hana Yori Dango (Japan)

2001 Meteor Garden (Taiwan)

Meteor Garden and its subsequent adaptations are about a girl who is struggling to make ends meet. Through a chance encounter, she ends up attending a prestigious high school where a group of students from the richest and most powerful families of the country rule the school.

It's a typical story about a mean guy who eventually falls for the girl that he torments yet it is the characters and their good looks that make the story so appealing such that so many swoon over F4.

If I had to nitpick, well I think men should always be gentlemanly and frankly the Flower 4 and their lackeys are such bullies.

Also worth mentioning are the stories they setup for the supporting characters and the actors who portray them.

So many memorable scenes, if you want to reminisce: See here for a complete list of Top Korean Dramas and Korean Historical Dramas.

I was browsing through some websites until I came across Bull Fighting (Dou Niu Yao Bu Yao), a Taiwanese drama starring Mike He and Hebe Tian in 2008. It was such a good drama back then but I remember feeling a sense of deja vu that reminded me of Meteor Garden.

The story begins with Yi Sheng Xue, a high school girl, who is an avid basketball fan. She meets high school basketball star Shen Ruo He whose group of friends are good-looking, sporty, adept at fighting and of course well-to-do. The started out at odds with each other but eventually fall in love. It's something I'd seen before but maybe because I have seen it in the past and it worked, which is why I ended up liking it just the same.
If I were to recommend other similar dramas, you can also try other Asian dramas remade from manga.