Escapism Therapy: Run On, She Would Never Know

 So.... ECQ na naman tayo. Which also means more time for Kdramas, webtoons and movies- uninterrupted. I just wish that the government would really do something to solve this pandemic or at least curb the rise in cases. Baka naman vacation mode din ang mga hitad. Hay. 

Anyway, before I start with another Kdrama, I want to blog about the last two dramas I watched- Run On and She Would Never Know- both I really enjoyed. 

Run On

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I picked this drama because my peeps at dramabeans liked it. We're some kind of on the same Kdrama wavelength and this time, that proves it again. I was actually a little iffy because I sort of don't like Shin Se-kyung- nakatatak pa rin sa akin yung ginawa niya bilang bestfriend ni My Little Bride a bazillion years ago. LOL. But I've learned to set aside my biases and not not watch a drama or a movie just because I dislike the actor for I could miss out on good ones. 

I enjoyed this drama. Most dramas get dragging in the middle, but this one was steady lang. Ki Seon-gyeom and Oh Mi-joo's relationship started out as friends although we knew from the start that both already have feelings for each other but since they're unsure whether the other reciprocates this feeling, landi-landian lang sila ng slight. Hahaha. So eventually they get together and towards the end, Seon-gyeom's father became the MH (malaking hadlang) in the story. But I guess hindi siya ganun kalaking hadlang dahil the Seon-gyeom's mother supports the relationship (or whatever makes her son happy) and the girl who Seon-gyeom's father wants to marry him with is actually in a "developing" relationship. 

This girl who was supposed to enter this fixed marriage with Seon-gyeom is CEO Seo Dan-a, who just happens to be in a "situation" with university student Lee Young-hwa. I was more deeply invested in this subplot and find it more interesting. Mas may kilig factor. Must be the noona romance eme. Although I am not sure how big the age gap is. Feeling ko naman hindi ganun kalaki. Or maybe I just like it when the guy pursues the girl ardently? In this drama, the Best Kdrama Boyfriend Award goes to Young-hwa. 

Both storylines are our usual langit-ka-at-lupa-ako eme. Not very obv kasi maputi sila parehas. Kung dito sa Pinas ang setting, maputi yung mayaman tapos moreno/a yung mahirap. The disparity is not that noticeable. 

One of my favorite characters was CEO Seo's secretary. I like his walang personalan, trabaho lang attitude. He does what is asked of him efficiently, he's loyal to his boss AND he always has his boss's back. So I liked that he gets his own love story in the end ☺

Another thing I liked about the drama was it made me a bit nostalgic. At least in the beginning where Seon-gyeom was still in the national track team- it reminded me of my high school days when I was part of my batch's track team. 

It was a nice drama. I finished it quickly and with only a few breaks in between episodes (which is uncommon these days where I'm a little ADHD with my dramas when story gets a bit slow). 

She Would Never Know

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I got into this drama thinking it's a rom-com. And boy, was I ever wrong. Drama ito, besh. Drama! Almost dropped this one because I wanted to steer clear of dramas. Gusto ko ng feel-good, light, nakakakilig rom-coms. What made me stay was another awardee of The Best Kdrama Boyfriend Award. 

Our cutie Hyun-seung started working in Klavuu because of Song-ah. He started out as an intern/trainee under Song-ah's wing. Best foot forward si Kuya siempre pakitang-gilas kay Ate at siguro inspired na rin, LOL. He finds out that Song-ah's dating Jae-woon, who he eventually finds out was dating and was set to marry the CEO's sister. I actually didn't like what Hyun-seung did when he exposed Jae-woon to Song-ah, but maybe it was a necessary evil most especially when Jae-woon clearly wasn't going to end things with Song-ah soon or at least tell her that he's getting married to another woman. 

In this drama, we see that persistence wins. And maybe consistency na rin. Eventually, Hyun-seung wins the girl and proceeds to be one of the Best Boyfriend in Kdramaland. 

A few hitches every now and then but at the end it's all good. I liked that Song-ah still went to Europe for the job despite Hyun-seung's pleading for her to stay. For me kasi at least she couldn't put this one on him in the future. I feel that if she didn't take that Europe stint and she, somehow, becomes dissatisfied with her life, she might blame it on Hyun-seung. 

Majority of the story, it was the guy wooing after our female lead. All his decisions were all made with her in consideration. Siguro nga medyo unhealthy 'yun, pina-inog niya ang mundo niya kay ate girl. And maybe that's where Song-ah's frustration is coming from- yung hindi man lang nagagalit si kuya kahit obvious na may problema. All throughout the drama, we know that Hyun-seung likes Song-ah, but we're not sure if Song-ah really likes our male lead or it's just convenient for her because he's always there for her. So what I also liked about this drama was that towards the end, we saw Song-ah also putting an effort to salvage or rekindle the relationship. Well, alam naman natin na unting udyok lang eh bibigay naman si Hyun-seung, but at least it was her who made the first move. 

Moral of the story: Que será, será. Kung kayo, kayo.

-o-

Ayan, because of dramas like these distorted na naman ang ating standards when it comes to relationships. Not that I'll get in one soon, or ever. Ha. Basta ayun lang yung mga ganyang lalaki tulad ni Hyun-seung at Young-hwa- they've set the (unrealistic) bar too high. At least alam nating unrealistic. Pero libre lang naman mangarap. Haha. 

Another thing I observed was the issue of homesexuality in both dramas. Nagulat lang ako because before these two dramas, I can't think or at least remember any drama that has tackled the issue. And both dramas addressed the issue on a positive light with both of the gay characters' self-acceptance and also the acceptance of their family and friends. Sabi nila Korea is very traditional and homosexuality is a big taboo, so I see this a step towards Korean society's acceptance of the LGBT+ community. It'll still be a looong way for them, but at least they've started acknowledging the issue. 

-o-

Next dramas in line are either of the following: Goblin, Vincenzo or Hospital Playlist. I am currently watching my Western dramas, Dawson's Creek and Grey's Anatomy, kaso ang dadrama nila eh. Gusto ko nga feel-good, happy shows, diba? Lalo na 'tong si Dawson's Creek na 'to- naloloka ako sa teenage angst at sa laki ng problema nila sa mga lovelife nila. Season 2 pa lang ako sa Dawson's Creek. Mabigat siya so I watch in small doses. Nakakaapekto ang pagka-emo nila. Haha. 

Repeat After Me: Life Gets Better 💜

 A few days ago, I was reminded of my old blog. I started in 2003, right after college. Masyado lang akong maraming feelings and no one to talk to about it, so I made a blog where I can let it all out. It became an outlet for stress reduction. So ayun na nga, naalala ko bigla si old blogspot. I tried logging on and the first few tries were unsuccessful, but after a few more guesses nakapasok na rin ako.

KADIRI ANG EMO KO! Hahahaha. Ha. I think I was able to repost a few entries here in my existing blog kaya there are posts dating way back 2005 in here. But most didn’t make it. Most of my ka-emohan circa 2005-2006-2007 didn’t make it. Ang daming mga bagay na hindi na applicable today. Ang daming bagay na hindi ko gusto dati na gusto ko na ngayon, and vice versa. How time flies.

So here are what’s different from before and what’s remained the same…

• -        My love for K-dramas started 16 years ago. Kumbaga, teenager na siya. It started out with Meteor Garden, actually. Taiwanese dramas muna ako then a few Korean dramas hanggang puro K-dramas na lang. And 16 years after, I’m still at it. Not as addicted to it now but still very much into it.
• -        I don’t remember being so into Hyun Bin during his Kim Sam-soon days, but apparently, I was. Watched Crash Landing on You last year and he doesn’t have the same effect on me as he did some 12 years ago. At kung titingnan mo naman eh mas pogi siya now. Weird ko talaga.
• -        I used to not like boy groups who wear eyeliners, makeup, etc. Well, news flash- they all wear makeup. And oh, 16 years after, I am very much into boy groups who wear eyeliners, makeup and ETCETERA. Thank you very much 😊
• -        I was such a negastar back in the day. OMG. I hated my life. I hated Christmas (whuuut, right?). There was this entry where I posted my answer to online Friendster surveys and the question was “Do you think you’d die young?” And my answer was, “I always wanted to die young, but not this young. Around 30 siguro puede na.” WOW. HOW EMO CAN ONE GET?!? I’m so glad things turned around for me. I was 23 when I wrote that. Minsan gusto kong bumalik sa pagkabata kasi nga ang shonda ko na, kaso I think I’m okay with what I am now. I may be much older, but I am also happier. And I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I can’t even imagine my younger self not liking Christmas cos, it's like, the most wonderful time of the year.  But it was nice to know that even before I already loved celebrating my (and counting down) birthdays.
• -        One of my worries ca. 2005 was what if I don’t get rich in 5-10 years. Well, dear 23-year-old me, you are still not rich 16 years later. You can now afford more stuff but, definitely, hindi ka mayaman. These days (pre-pandemic, I mean), I can spare a little bit more. If I used to feel guilty for spending P500 for a whole day out, now I feel guilty for spending P500 on a meal. Of course that doesn’t happen all the time. Kapag nagma-Masil lang kami.
• -        Madami akong posts referring to crushes pero hindi ko na maalala most of them. Or at least to who I was referring. So from now on, I will use code names in my posts. With BTS naman no need to do that. As if they care. Well, even my erstwhile objects of affection wouldn’t care back then.
• -        I’m also surprised to read that I used to dislike reading fiction. But, why? Maybe at that time I just haven’t found my genre which is kilig-kilig Young Adult, by the way. Back then I liked reading about facts and trivia, essays and self-help books. Maybe if I had discovered YA books earlier, mas maaga rin ako naging happy sa buhay ko- live vicariously baga.
• -        23-year-old me didn’t like boys with abs. Pues ngayon, this ahjumma likes men (boys na rin paminsan) with abs. I guess it comes with age. LOLs.
• -        24-year-old me wanted to be a landlady of leisure. Still true.
• -        Also, 24-year-old me was told by a fortune-teller that I’d get married daw. Hmm… although I say that the probability of that happening is slim to none, aba malay natin. Hahaha.
• -        I was introduced to YouTube by Ycel last July 2006. First thing I watched on it was Daria.
• -        I discovered the wonders of kojic acid soap on my skin last 2006. It was the product that turned the state of my skin around. Well, that and Murad. Yung freebie lang na Murad, okay? Wala akong pambili ng full-size Murad product. I can’t even remember which Murad product it was, but that one cleared my nose of blackheads for good. Meron pa ring occasional blackheads, but pre-Murad, it was an infestation y’all.
• -        Not only did I have a blogspot blog. I also had a livejournal blog.
• -        “Kausapin niyo ang ingrown niyo!” This made me LOL, LOL :P Just a year into the nail spa business, I knew that the business wasn’t for me. I had four reasons: 1) I am not a people-person and I don’t like making chika to people I don’t really like; 2) Nababagot ako. I was with my nail techs from 2-9pm and I felt that there wasn’t much we could talk about; 3) I didn’t like that the business was too dependent on its employees and that fact gave your employees the upper hand; and 4) Ayoko sa mga customers na masusungit. I mean, your 70 pesos only paid for the service that you got, hindi yung pagkatao namin. But then again, if it weren’t for this business, I wouldn’t have had serendipitously discovered what I am doing right now. Ayun nga, I guess everything happens for a reason.
• -        I used to hate name-compounding keme of loveteams, like Brangelina. But now, I’ve indulged in the practice. Jadine. Kathniel. Sadyang may mga bagay na hindi na natin kayang labanan. Give in. Charot.

Reading my past entries, parang napaka-nega ko. Well, I don’t know if I’m less nega now. I’d like to believe I’m not anymore. It’s actually surprising that around 2006 to 2007 I was still feeling slightly miserable. Maybe because I didn’t like what I was doing- the nail spa. And the years in between 2003 to now, those were like the transition years. I’m in my happy place right now. Despite the pandemic, I am happy. I hope I remain in my happy place forever.

Another realization is one should avoid absolute statements. Words like always and never. People change. Preferences change. So ayun nga, napakadaming bagay about me that changed. Madaming bagay na ayaw ko dati, gusto ko na ngayon. Gusto ko dati, hindi ko na masyadong bet ngayon.

Basta masaya ako na masaya ako. At least, feeling ko masaya ako. I’m not sure what brought about the change, I’m sure it wasn’t overnight. As abovementioned, may transition period. Maybe because I’m more secure with myself right now. Maybe because I enjoy what I am doing. Maybe because I am earning while doing what I love. Maybe because I’ve learned to count my blessings and to be grateful for the smallest of things. I just hope that when I look back to this phase of my life 15 years from now, I’ll be in a much happier state. Dear self, cheers to more happy years! ♥

Almost Laya

Two days more and I'm done with my quarantine. And I haven't finished any of the things I said I want to accomplish while on quarantine. I still have a chance to finish reading one book. Let's see what this master procrastinator can do with the remaining two days. Ha. 

Bilang I'm already very much in this BTS rabbit hole, here are just random stuff:

• I am in love with Jungkook's backing vocals. Every time I hear him do second voice (harmonize) with another member, I fall so deeply in love with that beautiful voice of his. 
• Jimin's eyes sans makeup are beautiful. 
• How I wish the boys have their own Instagram accounts, especially those who like taking pictures. I would love to see things from their perspective. 
• All the members bring something to the table. They are ALL talented. Those who say otherwise are just sore losers who can't accept the success of others. Some say they're just lucky, but let us not forget what Mareng Oprah says about luck- “I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn't been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn't have been lucky.” 
• I am also in love with Taehyung's vocals. Especially in Sweet Night. Beautiful. 
• Blue & Grey is such a sad song, supposedly written by V (Taehyung). I hope this doesn't reflect his emotional well-being. If it does, I volunteer to be the angel he's looking for at the end of the day. LOL. Lech. 
• I am surprised that Suga doesn't have any tattoos. Yet. To our knowledge, at least. Just watched Bon Voyage S2 and him and Taehyung were talking about tattoos. That V wanted to get one and the same time, no. Then Kuya Suga said that tattoos are not a good idea and that he should settle for a henna one instead. Nagulat lang ako kasi mas siya yung parang rough and tough and most likely to get a tattoo. 
• I'm sad that I didn't discover them earlier, but as they say- you find BTS when you needed them the most. I am a new fan, officially (at least that was when I said it out loud, more like announced it on Twitter actually) last May 4, 2020. At that time, it was just the early days of this yearlong (and still ongoing) lockdown and we stopped all operations. Things were so uncertain, as it is now. That's when it all started. They were sort of an escape for me. They still are a means of escape from me until now. This group sort of softens the blows life is throwing at us. Ganun naman diba? You just have to find your bliss.

• I love them all! ♥ I do have my ultimate bias (Jungkook!) and my bias wrecker (Taehyung), but I love all the boys. Super. 

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, on to other topics.

My newest fave webtoon is My Secret Playlist. What is it with me and pining in secret? Haha. I just like the story. I may not be liking the wait, but gives me something to look forward to every week. Also enjoying Yumi's Cells- why didn't I discover this when there was no limit of two chapters per day yet. I'm sad that most of my faves are on hiatus. I just finished Nice To Meet You and I can't wait for the next season. Also waiting for the new season of I Love Yoo, Let's Play and The Second Lead Syndrome. Ang dami ko talagang bisyo na na-acquire during this pandemic. 

I also started watching Grey's Anatomy. Just finished season 1. Mas gusto ko pa rin si Emily Owens, MD. I don't know if I can keep watching until the latest season available on Netflix- 15 seasons in total! Ni hindi ko nga matapos ang Dawson's Creek- too much drama! And I don't need to think about other people's (fictional pa, at that) dramas. 

And oh, the box has arrived. May box-opening ceremony sana kami ni AC kaso siya naman ngayon ang naka-quarantine. An officemate she shared a room with last Monday tested positive. So nakakainis diba? I don't get it why these government offices insist their employees to go to work physically when they very well work from home. People are turning in their work from home. On time. Puede pakitigil-tigilan yang kaepalan na 'yan? We just hope that Ate is okay. Hope she didn't catch anything in the office. Will pray for this, too, among other things. Ultimately, praying for the world's healing from COVID19, from bad and corrupt leaders. 

In two days time I can move freely to the other parts of the house- YAY! Sana lang Ate will test negative. Ayun lang naman. We can get through this. Tiwala lang. 

Casi Un Año

 Almost one year since the lockdown/community quarantines began and it seems that things haven't improved still. People were actually more cautious back when there were still a few cases; ngayon na marami na namang cases, bahala na si Batman. 

I am currently on a two-week self-imposed quarantine after babysitting my nephew in Marikina while my sister was in the hospital (non-COVID case, btw).  Day 3. Bored na ako. But still nothing beats being in your own house, sleeping on your own bed. Technically it is not my bed since I'm staying in the guest room, but I guess you know what I mean. While on quarantine, I want to do the ff:

• finally finish reading Maybe in Another Life and finish two more books
• finish Run On, a K-drama I just started watching yesterday
• finish watching all BTS Bon Voyage episodes
• watch the soapmaking on-demand tutorial video I enrolled in
• finish making photobooks for Honkong and Taiwan trips
• make layouts for my bujo, at least until October 2021
• finish Anne's Jimin doll 

Tingnan natin kung may matapos ako jan. LOL. Of course I still have to work while I'm cooped inside my room. I am super duper grateful that orders are starting to pick up. Has something to do with the economy opening up and people are less restricted and can move around more freely. Personally, I feel that things should have been done gradually, lalo na at yung mga tao sobrang atat lumabas- ayan rampa! Sana may guidelines. Slowly but surely, ika nga. It came from them that the country can't afford another total lockdown, but what if things get out of hand and closing down everything must be done? Epal kasi ng gobyerno na 'to eh. Excellent daw ang COVID response nila. E di wow. Hay. Tama na nga ang BV. 

Moving on... today is Suga's birthday ☺ 생일 축하합니다 ! Siempre meron kaming handa- sushi bake, minty brownies and garlic parmesan. Boring lang since I celebrated by my lonesome self, quarantined in this tiny room. It would've been more fun eating with my fellow army-sister. LOL. 

It's only March and I've already finished four K-dramas. Again, I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. O eto na report ko sa mga natapos ko na dramas.

Penthouse

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Didn't really intend to watch this but when my friend said that she's watching this drama, I read the synopsis and watched the first episode- and the rest is history. I got hooked. Hindi ko naman siya like na like pero the storyline kind of hooks you into it? Inis na inis na ako sa lahat sa kanila, yung tipong gusto ko silang batuhin ng something kung puede lang... pero at the same time, gusto ko malaman kung ano'ng mangyayari. At ang malala, may season 2 siya!!! I don't know if I want to watch the second season though. Maybe when I'm done watching all the kdramas I really want to watch. 

Medyo eye-opener etong drama na 'to ha. Eugene playing mother roles to 16 year olds? Medyo ouch. Talagang ahjumma levels na 'to. 

True Beauty

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OMG I was excited over this drama because, 1) I am reading the webtoon and, 2) Cha Eun-woo. The webtoon is still ongoing and I thought it would be nice to know how they would end the drama. 

Out of 10 stars, I'd give it a 7. I didn't like Moon Ga-young as Jugyeong- ang pabebe ng bwiset haha. Maybe the role calls for it but it's super annoying when she talks like that. If it weren't for the eye candies, Cha Eun-woo and Hwang In-yeop, I would've dropped this series midway. 

I'm also starting to get tired of the webtoon. Masyado nang feeling si Lim Jugyeong. **SPOILER ALERT** In one of the chapters, she was meeting her blind date in a cafe. The guy looked different from his profile picture which irked your Ate Jugyeong. Well, the date was mej feelingero pero sana wala na yung comment na 'he looks oddly different'. Ikaw pa talaga ang nag-judge sa kanya for doing that, Ate Jugyeong? 

I enjoyed the drama naman but there are times when I get irritated at Moon Ga-young's manner of speaking. Sabi ni Ate, nerd daw kasi. I know a lot of nerds who don't talk like that. Now I want to try watching one of her dramas to know if she really talks like that. 

Mr. Queen

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Another drama that I didn't really plan on watching but ended up watching because read about it in dramabeans and usually those dramabeans peeps and I are one the same kdrama wavelength. 

I enjoyed this Kdrama so much, so funny. I just feel that when the real queen is back in her body, then that is not the queen that our king has fallen in love with. Maybe Jang Bong-hwan's character sort of rubbed off on the queen eventually pero still that is not her. Sabi nga nila 'wag masyado mag-isip, suspension of disbelief eme. And I'm happy to do so. Ayoko na mag-critical thinking, no? 

If it weren't for the dramabeans blog reviews, I wouldn't have watched this because I didn't really like the lead actress and I sort of have an aversion to sageuk dramas. Binasag na yan actually ni Hwarang and 100 Days My Prince, pero there's still this tiny part of me that doesn't want to watch the genre. 

Loved Shin Hye-sun in this drama. Bati na kami, haha. 

More Than Friends

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I started watching this drama early this year. Because of Ong Seung-woo. Oo, lalaki ulit ang dahilan. LOLs. But man, this drama was painfully sloooow- kung gaano si Kuya kabagal sa pag-realize ng feelings niya kay Ate Girl- so I just finished watching this drama yesterday. 

At dahil fresh pa sa aking isip ang mga pangyayari, mas marami akong feelings regarding this drama. 'Di naman marami, actually. 

First- at the beginning of the drama, Woo-yeon has this one-sided thing for Lee Soo. Well, if I were Woo-yeon I would also, sort of, would develop feelings for the guy. It is wrong to assume kasi nga diba sabi nila, if you assume, you make an ASS out of U and ME. Ganern. Pero besh, he's giving her special treatment!! O baka sadyang pa-fall lang si Lee Soo. Soooo... towards the middle of the drama when Lee Soo realizes he likes Woo-yeon in that way and Woo-yeon has, supposedly, moved on from him with Joon-soo eh ang sarap sigawan ng BEH, BUTI NGA. 

Although I sort of get din where Lee Soo was coming from. His parents' relationship was sorta malabo and maybe, unconsciously, he's been avoiding having relationships for fear of being in one that mimics his parents'. At saka, they're BFFs- hindi pa ba tayo natuto sa Friendzone that some would rather keep the friendship than risk going into a relationship and in the event that things don't go well, you lose the friendship as well. 

Second- gone are the days of asshole second-leads, no? Writers are making it harder for us viewers by giving us a cute, mabait and kind lead AND an equally cute (minsan cuter pa!), mabait and kind second lead as well. Case in point, Joon-soo. Wala ka namang maipintas kay Kuya except that our female lead is just not that into him. Ika nga ni Joshua kay Julia, sinubukan naman natin diba? Lels. And when Lee Soo and Woo-yeon were broken up, Joon-soo didn't take the opportunity to swoop in and get the girl. May sinabi siya pero nakalimutan ko na. Haha. Basta ayun, dilemma para sa ating viewers bilang nahihirapan tayong pumili sa kanilang dalawa. At mas malaking dilemma dahil sa totong buhay ay wala naman tayong pagpipilian. Hahaha. Lech.

Third- while Woo-yeon and Lee Soo were in long-distance relationship, the time difference was a big challenge for them. At first, they were handling it pretty well but eventually both their schedules got more hectic, their thrice-a-day phone calls turned into twice-a-day turned into once-a-day turned into missed/unreturned calls. Puede namang mag-text diba? Ng "sorry I missed your call. We were shooting my calligraphy eme for the movie." So na-frustrate si Woo-yeon because she feels that she's not that important to him anymore, that he's not her priority. So she broke up with him over the phone. Si Kuya naman madaling kausap, so sabi niya, Okay. Noted. So fast forward... Lee Soo returns to Korea, surprises Woo-yeon in her workshop studio. Hindi natuwa si Ate. Lee Soo wants to pick up where they left off, but Woo-yeon thinks she's had it. And here's my favorite scene- when Woo-yeon was pouring out her heart to their friend who owns the resto-bar, he told her this,

"If you are so quick to judge things from the beginning, 

no matter whom you meet and what kind of love they offer,

you won't receive it."

Boom. Galing ni friend.  Ayan, words or wisdom from kdramas. 

Out of 10, I'd give it a 6. Keri naman. Boring lang siya. And here I realized that I only liked Ong Seung-woo in A Moment at Eighteen. Of course I now know better than to judge a drama based on the actors playing the characters or based on genres. Dapat lang marunong ako mag-let go.

So there, kdramas I've finished so far. Right now I am watching three- She Would Never Know, Run On and a Japanese drama, Oh My Boss! Love is a Bonus Book. So far, so good. Maybe I'll do another not-really-a-review review post when I'm done with all three. 

Okay. Yun lang.