Kdrama Recreation Therapy: First Half of 2023

I remember complaining that January 2023 felt so loooong, and now here we are done with June and the first half of the year. Things are better compared to the first half of the year but not exactly good. I'm still surprised and confused as to why we don't have benta. As in. Is it us? Is it the market? Is it the economy? I'm almost convinced that it is the economy but when I was in SM North last June 28, I think it's just me. Maybe I've been watching too much Kdrama kaya I didn't get much work done? Or, maybe I don't have enough orders that's why I have too much time to watch Kdramas? I think it's a tie.

Anyway, kung Kdrama lang ang pag-uusapan, I think I've watched a lot this year compared to last year. As of date, I have seen 

The Glory 1 & 2

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I liked it. Medyo heavy lang most especially that it's my first Kdrama for 2023 and I guess it sort of set the tone for the year. I won't comment on the actors' acting cos I'm not an expert on that pero I guess okay naman, except I feel there were scenes where Lim Ji-yeon was OA. 

What's shocking about this drama is that it was based on real cases. Terrible. How can people be so mean? Hindi lang mean- THEY ARE EVIL. And to think these were done by teenagers? What's the world coming to? Baka kaya sobrang init na ngayon- this is literally HELL on Earth. Half charot. 

What I also realized from this drama is that I am old. Song Hye-kyo doesn't look a day over 40 (over 30, even!) pero I remember vividly watching her in Full House which was shown 19 years ago. Has it been that long already? Just wasting my life away watching Kdramas, reading webtoons and drinking iced coffee? Although, they say that time you enjoy wasting is not wasted at all.

I get why Dong-eun wanted revenge. Pero parang hindi ba nakakapagod that your entire life has revolved around it? At least successful siya diba? Albeit successful, I don't think she felt good after. Vindicated, yes. But, happy that she's finally gets the justice she thinks she deserve for being maltreated- feeling ko hindi. This is where Lee Do-hyun's characters comes in handy. Or his mother, actually. Cos if it weren't for them, she might have ended her life after exacting her revenge.  

I liked the ending. It's not happy-happy, but it's real. Although I wanted sana a friendship between Dong-eun and Hyun-nam. And if it were me, I would have chosen Ha Do-young over Yeo-jung, hahaha! Pero that's just me kasi ang pogi. LOL. 

Anyway, where does Dong-eun get all that money? 

Misaeng

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I liked it. I just found it a bit slow-paced. 

I started watching a few Kdramas this year thinking they were comedies/romcoms and this is one of them. May comedy naman but the overall feel of this drama is sad. Definitely not feel good, which what I was looking for when I started watching it. This drama sort of depicts real life- it's not what you know, it is who you know pa din. You can be very hardworking pero kung hindi ka bet ng boss mo, waley. 

I felt bad for Jang Geu-rae's character at first but I feel he's actually lucky. He may have had it hard at first, but in spite of the odds being against him he still was able to get in One International, he had a boss that supported him and he had colleagues who helped whenever he needed help. I love Jang Geu-rae. I wish I had Jang Geu-rae's willpower. I'm so happy that good things happened to him. It wasn't all roses, but still he got to work in a big, stable corporation and he had good people around him. So ayun, swerte siya. 

My favorite character aside from Jang Geu-rae was Oh Sang-sik. I loved how he supported Jang Geu-rae even if at first, he was also skeptical about him. He saw Jang Geu-rae's potential and that he just needed guidance to be able to do a good job. Minsan mas maigi pa na hindi gaano kagalingan pero willing to get one's hand dirty compared to someone who thinks he's too good to do mundane tasks like Baek-ki for example. I felt sad for him that even if he was good at his job, he still wasn't promoted because he wouldn't kiss ass. I felt bad for him that he had to sacrifice quality time with his family for a job that didn't value his worth. 

So ayun, my key takeaway from this drama is life is not fair. 

Crash Course in Romance

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The first half was entertaining bilang I am a fan of bickering leads who eventually end up together ;) But the second half of the drama I found boring.

I cannot fathom why these mothers/parents subject their children to too much academic pressure. Aside from school, they have academies pa after until around 10 in the evening. Kung may work-life balance for the adults, kids should also have school work - life balance. Plus, kids are meant to enjoy their youth. How can they when they're too caught up with their studies? Good grades and getting into good schools are important but aren't our kids' mental health and happiness more important? Ayun lang. Ang OA lang na wala silang ginawa kung hindi mag-aral. And the lengths their parents would go through. At hindi pa ako nakapanuod ng Sky Castle sa lagay na yan ha. 

Love to Hate You

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Fun romcom plus it's only ten episodes! 

My Liberation Notes

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Opened this draft today- August 24- and now I barely remember anything except that I liked this drama. It's sad but I loved it. It has a happy ending though which was one of the factors why I liked it. Also, how to have Mi-jung's boldness? Hahaha! I have a person in mind na gusto kong sabihan nang "worship me and make me feel whole" emeruts. Actually, I feel whole naman. I just want someone to worship me. Hahahaha!

Call It Love

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Another sad drama. Usually talaga I steer clear of sad dramas cos kdramas are supposed to be my escape, but I don't know with 2023- halos puro sad/heavy yung themes ng pinanuod ko. 

I liked Call it Love although all throughout the drama, I felt that Woo-joo's misery was self-imposed. She and his siblings, with their mother, could have moved on with their lives... I know easier said than done. Bwiset naman talaga yung tatay nila (plus the querida), pero mas lalong nagwagi si querida kung naging masalimuot yung buhay nila, diba? I sort of understand Han Dong-jin's misery though- ganun ba naman nanay mo tapos wala ka pang kapatid. Woo-joo and Dong-jin's relationship may have been complicated, but at the same time I feel it was easier to reconcile since Dong-jin doesn't really like his mother... I guess the conflict nga was more on Woo-joo's family's reaction to their relationship. Okay tama na, magulo na haha. 

Queenmaker

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I liked this one. Although masyado siyang malapit sa realidad- it was actually too close for comfort. Medyo fresh pa sa isip ko yung 2022 elections and this drama was mej too similar to what happened and is happening. I was actually wondering if this drama was inspired by the Philippine politics LOL. But I guess all governments are corrupt. Depende na lang kung gaano kagarapal. 

Under the Queen's Umbrella

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I liked this one, too. Akala ko comedy pero ayun nga isa pa uling masalimuot ng sageuk. Again, I am baffled as to why people would like to subject their loved ones to such a life (royalty), when it's a life filled with betrayal and fear- walang peace of mind. I'd rather live in the mountains peacefully than live in a palace pero hindi ka naman makatulog nang mahimbing. 

Aside from the story, of course contributing factor ang mga cute na princes, most especially Grand Prince Sung Nam (played by Moon Sang-min). And I'm happy that he ended up with someone he really likes.

That's it- proud of how many kdramas I've finished the first half of 2023. Ang hindi proud eh yung wallet ko na palabas ang pera at wala masyadong papasok kasi hindi ako nagtratrabaho. But it's almost Christmas and orders are starting to come in... not exactly for Christmas yet pero at least meron. Please keep 'em coming ☺

I Got the Blues

 Why do I feel sad these days? 

Itigil ko na dapat itong overthinking ko eh. Not good for my mental health. 

I blame the string of sad Kdramas I've seen consecutively- The Glory, Misaeng, My Liberation Notes and Call It Love. I said I'll watch something light and funny next so I am currently watching 18 Again and surprise! it is not feel-good at all. Funny, yes. But definitely, hindi siya emotionally light. Midlife crisis na ba ito? 

I swear napakahina kong nilalang. Parang gusto ko na lang talaga tumira sa bundok o sa gitna ng bukid sa isang fully-furnished na kubo (HA!) at gumawa ng scented candles. Bakit parang sa Pilipinas lahat ng bagay mahirap? O ginagawang kumplikado? Why can't we make simple, easy-to-comply-to systems? Yung hindi nakakatakot magkamali? Gets ko na why Elvis would fake his death. LOL. 

Anyway, I'm just alarmed that I feel like crying every once in a while. Ayoko ng ganitong feeling. Maybe because of impending changes in my life pero parang napakababaw naman nun. At this point in my life, inaabangan ko na lang ay yung mga concerts na papanuorin ko at kung kailan ako makakapag-barista's drink sa Starbucks. I think I'm happy when I'm with family and friends pero 'pag ako lang, nalulungkot ako. 

I feel I need to keep this journal active again for my mental health's sake. This is my outlet, where I can vent. 

Hay basta. I need something feel-good to watch and I need to stop overthinking. 

New Year New Emz

Day whatever of just winging the new year. Been without kasambahays for two weeks now and it's killing meeeeee! Normally, it wouldn't; however, the parents are sick and aside from making sure we have food to eat (I don't cook so I just buy online in the village marketplace), I have to take care of them. It would also be easier if things weren't happening in the time of COVID. I made myself sleep in the room right above theirs so I can hear them at night. The other night, my Dad had been coughing continuously at 3am in the morning. I woke up right away and went down to their bedroom, asked how he's feeling and made him take mucosulvan- THANK GOD IT WORKED! I tested Mommy pala and she's negative for COVID, tester her twice so it's not COVID. It was Mommy who got the sore throat and started coughing first. Must be the weather or some other kind of flu. Anyway, while undergoing this ordeal, I was able to come up with a short list of reasons why I'm still grateful ☺

• My sisters! They're not here with me physically, but it's such a relief to know I have four more persons to rely on. I have four other persons to ask help from kahit not physically taking care of our parents, but in tending to our needs like meds for Mommy and Daddy, our food for the day, etc. Kahit yung may makakausap ka lang sobrang malaking bagay na 'yun. I am glad I have four ☺
• My new assistant. He's (yes he's a he, but identifies as a she) doesn't know much housework, but he's been a big help pa rin. He helps with a few things in the shop (I don't let him do a lot of things yet since he hasn't been "trained" to do those stuff, so I assign to him very easy and hindi naman kailangan masyado ng skillzzz) and he does the dishes after every meal and he cooks the rice. He's not Manang nor Meme, but malaking bagay na he's here to help me. Ayoko po sana na pumunta siya agad dito kasi feeling ko I can manage the business alone until April or May- galawang kuripot ba. Haha. But yeah, I'm glad he's here now. Kahit he's going back to school on June and I have to find a new assistant before he leaves. I just hope I do find a new one before he leaves and I hope that the new one will be masipag, mabait, may kusa and honest. 
• Manang, Meme and Nonoy may not be perfect but I am so grateful for them for making our lives SO MUCH EASIER. As in. I swear, God didn't give me a family of my own or kahit children man lang, cos he knows I can't handle it. He knows my time management skills is zilch. Ang dami kong reklamo sa kanila, but right now I realize how much convenience they're providing for our family. I sort of realized that before during our first bout with COVID here in the house, but this time I feel it's more difficult cos my sister's not here.
• BTS. Tama yung sinasabi nila na you don't find BTS, BTS finds you just when you need them the most. Well, as for me, I've been a fan since April 2020 (I just made it May para isang celebration na with Mommy's birthday), but it's only now that I feel the comfort of being their fan. Their videos have been keeping me company, making me laugh in this sorta-mej sad period of my life. I love the boys so much and I really wish I can see them perform live in-person when they all finish military service on 2025. I'll be 43 then. Hehehe. 

That's it for now. I wrote down three things I'm grateful for everyday but I can't remember it all now and I'm sure not everything I can write down here. So anyway, it's past my bedtime (yes, I've been sleeping earlier now- bagong bisyo ng tander me) and I have to bid you adieu, my online self. 

It's Been A While

In today's post, I aim to write about:

• general life updates
• my (non) reviews of k-dramas I've finished 
• life's worries

Entonces, vamos a empezar...

My last post was last September 6, my birthday, and just a few days after my dad tested positive for COVID. The next day, it was AC who tested positive. A couple days after, it was Meme. Mommy and Manang tested positive the day after that and I was the last to test positive in the household. Meanwhile, in other households- AD also tested positive and Hen and the boys. In other words, we're all in this together. Haka-haka namin was we got it from an Uncle who had colds at the time of my birthday dinner. We could've gotten it from V pero if it was from her, then Hen and the boys would've gotten it earlier than Daddy did. We're just thankful that we only had mild symptoms. I guess thanks to molnupiravir. I was worried when Daddy tested positive cos then we wouldn't really know how it would affect him- he had fever, coughs and colds. Maybe it helped that he took meds right away. My only symptoms were super super slight body ache, colds and I only coughed at night- no fever, no sore throat. Thank God. 

After our bout with COVID, we're a bit braver with going out and eating in enclosed spaces- take advantage of our natural immunity, LOL. Had I known that I'd contract it early September, I would have tried my luck at the BTS Busan concert. Hindi nga siguro ukol. I'd see the boys on 2025 then. Patience is my virtue. Ha. 

My friends were able to watch the concert. Super happy for them but at the same time I'm sort of inggit for missing out. However, I've been working on this motto- what's meant for you won't pass you by, so it's maybe it's not meant for me. I just got to carry on and hope for my turn to come. For now, I'm happy with my pasalubong- sandamakmak na photo cards!

Love it! 

*DNF* 

Yo shawty, it's mah birthday ♥

Celebrated my special day with my loved ones and with food, food and more food ☺

Breakfast was tuyo, rice and nilagang saging- our usual. With the parental units.

Had late lunch with Mommy and Daddy, AD and Cio at Barcino UPTC. I wasn't able to take photos of the appetizer dish which was my favorite. Food was okay, medyo umay factor kicked in early. Coke could have helped but I was trying to cut down on my soda intake (at yung babayarin!) 

Dessert was milk tea from Coco. Last time I had milk tea from Coco was before the pandemic pa. My preferred milk tea is Macao. Anyway, I was reminded today why I'm not a fan of milk teas. Buti na lang.

Arrived in my sister's house at 4pm just to leave at 4:45 to reach Makati at 7pm in time for dinner. Dinner with my sisters, my parents and the husbands of my sisters who have husbands. Teehee. Sans AB who was in the States. Kids weren't in attendance since it was a school night. Thai food at People's Palace. Yum ♥

Everything was delicious, but my favorites were the pomelo & shrimp salad and the tom yum soup. 

pomelo & shrimp salad

kanin pa lang, ulam no *LOL*

pad thai

tom yum

I also had Thai iced tea which was way better (and way more expensive) than the one we order here at the neighborhood Thai food supplier. I think Coke would complement the food better, but I can drink Coke anytime.

The day was capped with a barista's drink from Starbucks. 

Busog. 

Tapos na birthday ko. 

The good thing is I still have something to look forward to tomorrow. THIS CAKE. 

A gift from my BFF and her sister (who's also a co-Army). Parang ayokong sirain pero ang silbi ng cake ay para kainin, entonces... magtutuos kami bukas ;) 

A birthday well-spent with family and good food ♥ I just wish myself joy, good health and financial freedom for the rest of my life- and also wish the same for my parents and my sisters and their families as well. 

I AM GRATEFUL. 

But also, dapat mag-exercise na ako bukas. 

In 4... 3... 2... 1

 P*****t.

Stepping into a new decade of my life in less than two hours. I used to feel dread turning 40, but my sister pointed out that not all are given the opportunity to reach this age. I realized I should be grateful. And I am. I have SO much to be grateful for. The older I get, the more I realize that I have been blessed with so much- my parents, my family, my friends, that I like and enjoy what I do for a living, that I've had reliable people help me get me to where I am (which is not that much naman, LOL). Masaya ako with where I am now. 

But at the same, I am also fearful of the future. Ayoko na in-enumerate pero madami akong scenarios na naiisip and I hate myself for it. Balik na lang tayo sa happy thoughts-

Thank You, Lord, for everything. Thank You for all the blessings. Thank You for all your provisions. I pray that You won't tire of showering me, my family, with blessings. THANK YOU ♥

Escapism Therapy 2022: Second Quarter

Ang bagal ko na sobra. Super daming distraction. Haha. Baliktad na. Trabaho na ang distraction at kdrama na ang priority. For the second quarter of this year, just finished three kdramas and one US series. 

Twenty-Five Twenty-One

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Super cute story. Well, it started out as a cute teenybopper romance but later on became more serious as they got older and entered new stages in their lives. These days I live for feel-good romcom dramas but if you knew me way baaaack then, I used to like tragic love stories. Hindi naman ako natutuwa na hindi sila nagkakatuluyan o may namamatay, but there's something beautiful in tragic love stories- yung F na F mo sakit, cathartic baga. 

I loved the relationships among the characters- between Hee-do and Yi-jin, between Yu-rim and Ji-woong, Hee-do and Yu-rim, and their friendship in general. 

I loved how Hee-do and Yu-rim's relationship has evolved from fan and idol turned rivals turned close friends. I liked Yu-rim and Ji-woong's relationship has blossomed over time- in fair kay kuya, matiyaga siya. And last but not the least- Hee-do and Yi-jin's relationship >> spoiler alert << may not have stood the test if time, but theirs was beautiful while it lasted. Although I think sayang yung friendship nila, hence the question whether best/good friends should cross that line. 

Beautiful Gong-shim

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It started out good but towards the end, medyo 'meh' na siya. 

This kdrama has 20 episodes and I feel there were many scenes they could have done without. This drama would be totally fine with just the usual 16 episodes. 

My favorite and most abhorred characters were, surprisingly, not the leads. Gongshim was endearing at first, but started to annoy me towards the end kasi wala lang annoying lang siya. Anyway... my favorite character is Jun-su. Umpisa pa lang he's been this very kind and down-to-earth chaebol, very different from his parents. I felt sorry for him that his halmone has been treating him with disregard just because she feels he's the reason why Jun-pyo vanished- malay ba ng bata! I was actually conflicted, I know I should root for the male lead but I really really want our second lead, Jun-su, to get the girl. And also, been wishing and hoping that he doesn't turn to the dark side- which he almost did, buti na lang natauhan. 

My most abhorred character is not the evil uncle, actually. Eto ay si Gongmi, Gongshim's older sister. Ang inggitera, kaloka! I mean, why would you be okay with turning your sister's room into a walk-in closet and have her sleep in it? Kadiri. Also, she tried to "steal" Jun-su away from Gongshim. Buti na lang si kuya hindi mabilis masilaw ng patpat, hahaha 😂 She apologized to Jun-su, but not to her sister. Walang character development- selfish pa rin hanggang sa huli. Kung ako lang, she doesn't deserve a happy ending although masyado naman atang harsh 'yun so she doesn't deserve Jun-su na lang. 

Shooting Stars

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Nakakilig. And you know me, I live for kilig. Always. I can always suspend disbelief when it comes to kilig. 

When I started watching this kdrama, I didn't even know who are the actors in it. Lo and behold, it's this guapo boy 💗

and one of my fave female leads- Lee Sungkyung💗

I found out from google that cutie male lead was also the cutie sungit boy from Penthouse. His cuteness wasn't enough to make me watch the second and third seasons of Penthouse- too nega and, actually, too Probinsyano-ish. LOL. So anyway, eto nagtagpo na kami ulit and in better circumstances- in a romcom! 

Soooo, ayun I liked this drama most especially the first half of it. Mas kinikilig talaga ako when it's a love-hate relationship between the leads 😁 Giddiness galore! 

Just wondering if big stars really get into relationships with employees or staff in their agency, or at least find them interesting. Feeling ko hindi. 

My takeaway from this drama is the same as my takeaway from Record of Youth- mahirap mag-date ng artista, a top star at that. Actually in their case, it's easier. Oh Han-byeol has been going to Tae-sung's house even before, but now kasi there's guilt factor. But still, it's easier. They can always say it's PR-related. Dramas like this one is for us delulus, LOL.We should know lang when to snap out of it ;) 

Only three dramas- THREE! I promise to make bawi this third quarter before the Christmas season kicks in this September. As of press time (naks!), I'm almost done with Kiss Sixth Sense and am currently watching Extraordinary Attorney Woo which is still ongoing. What is productivity? 😅