Month: May 2022

Posted in life

Our Blues – Down Syndrome story that made us cry

Posted on by M Artisans

This story deserves a dedicated post.

Latest episode aired this weekend made its highest viewership rating so far. And for me is a beautiful mix of heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Episode’s story is about Lee Young Ok (played by Han Ji Min), boyfriend – Park JungJoon (Kim Woo bin), and the appearance of Lee Young Ok’s twin – Lee Young Hee (Jung Eun Hye).

Lee Young Hee has down syndrome and many viewers were surprised to her appearance that added a beautiful touch to the series. Netizens’ comments after its airing; “I cried when I watched the broadcast then cried again when reading the comments”, Wow, I did cry a lot”, “This one drama makes me feel like watching the documentary ‘This is Life’ several times”, etc.

Of course we all cried!

I have a soft spot for people like Lee Young Hee, plus she is an artist and as an artist myself I was really touched by their story.

The reason why viewers got emotional was that Jung Eun-hye is actually a person who has Down Syndrome. Jung Eun-hye, who plays the role of Young-hee, who dreams of becoming an artist, in the drama, is actually a caricature artist who draws people’s faces.

Get ready to sob and cry all over again with more beautiful stories of this series.

❤

Posted in kdrama

Business Proposal review

Posted on by M Artisans

Okay, I’m quite late so will just give a quick review on the latest hit Kdrama – Business Proposal. Based on a webtoon of the same title by HaeHwa and illustration by Narak.

One of the best rom-com to date, this is one of my favorites too! The cast is just as wonderful that adds charm and fun to the series 🙂 Starring Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Sejeong, Kim Minkyu and Seol In-ah. This drama is the complete opposite of last historical series that i watched with Ahn Hyo-seop as Ha-ram in Lovers of the Red Sky.

It tells the story of Shin Ha-ri (Kim Sejeong), a hardworking employee who accepts to go on a blind date in place of her friend (Seol In-ah), but finds out that her date is actually her boss, the president of their company (Ahn Hyo-seop).

You may find the plot a cliche, the usual CEO falling in love to a commoner. But the main leads did a great job, quirky and really funny. Though a little short with only 12 episodes, was hoping for more, no wonder it’s been the most hyped in Netflix since it first aired last April.

❤

Posted in kdrama, life

Our Blues – personal take

Posted on by M Artisans

Came across this new K-drama in Netflix and it’s not your usual romance, lovey-dovey, action or comedy. Main OST (With You) was sung by Jimin of BTS and Ha Sung Woon. Another beautiful OST – Once Again by Winter and Ningning of Aespa and Star by Stay-C.

Instantly, I was moved by its trailer. A series with 20 episodes, with 2 or 3 episodes focusing on each character. Setting is in a quaint place of Jeju island. The main characters grew up in Jeju and the storyline evolved in this group of people.

My bias is the story of Shin Min-a, a mom with depression. Fighting over the custody of her son and at the same time fighting her illness. I won’t talk about how the series ended, we’re still in episode 13 as of this writing. But I’d like to commend how they depict depression.

Shi Min-ah as Min Seon-A

On a personal note, I can relate in the overall feeling of gloom. Min Seon-A (Shin Min-ah) when her illness attacks, her surrounding becomes suddenly dark, completely black and rainy. The downpour adds to its dramatic effect. And yes, depression is not about endless crying. It’s a lot deeper… The gloom, for most depressive patients, is when you seem to have an eye covering. It’s like an extra shutter or curtain and it blocks your sight. The heaviness that you feel is loneliness in a whole different level. It just happens, and you just feel sad without knowing why…

Enough with depression, will have a separate post in next Psychology blog.

Different stories, one with anger management issues, poverty, raising children, teenage struggles, relevant issues of the present. “Our Blues” is an omnibus-style drama that tells the bitter-sweet and sour life stories of a diverse array of characters, that are somehow interconnected, in one way or another.

With its award winning writer – Noh Hee Kyung and Directors – Kim Kyu Tae & Lee Jung Mook, this indeed is a wonderful series. Heart-warming and realistic, this drama has an amazing ensemble of cast including Shin Min-ah, Lee Byung Hun, Han Ji Min, etc. And if you are tired of watching rom-com, give this one a try.

❤

Posted in motivational

Life after Odette

Posted on by M Artisans

December 16, 2021 was a day we will never forget.

One of the strongest typhoon hit Cebu province and nearby islands. Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, there are about 40 storms passing every year. And Odette has been the most destructive event since 2013 with Yolanda (typhoon Haiyan).

Odette was internationally known as Super typhoon Rai. It brought violent winds that destroy buildings and infrastructures, knocked down posts and uprooted trees. I personally witnessed the strong winds rampaging our compound and we could hear the howling, roof flying and tiles being thrown around.

In my calendar, I marked that day, it was Thursday. We were supposed to close the store in the usual hour – 10pm. But due to the scary weather forecast, we are forced to close by 3pm. I remember clearly that the wind started to become stronger around 5-6pm. The peak was around 7-8pm and electricity was out by 9pm.

I have not seen such catastrophe and it’s like we were brought down to our knees to beg God for mercy. Thankfully, there was minimal damage in our property. But problems persist due to electricity outage. We lived through 6-7 weeks of no light. Water was also scarce, there was long queue in gasoline and water refilling stations everywhere. As if a doomsday scenario, and no this is not an exaggeration.

We witnessed first hand the wrath of Odette and it changed our perspective in life. Due to lack of water, we cherished every drop and bathed using one pail each. Signal was very bad and I wasn’t able to contact my family in Manila for the first 3 days. We lived one day at a time, everything was a challenge including cooking. That prompted me to try intermittent fasting. The inconveniences were too much, many people lost their houses and worst their loved ones.

Still grateful for the people who checked on us and some even offered to send help, I remember them all. My recollection especially during struggles and emotional incidents is at its height. Wishing to repay them someday. Kindness really is contagious.

Months after, and nightmare is almost forgotten but the lessons I’ve learned and the experiences are etched in my memory. I thank the Lord for all of these and for thriving with only our faith as lifeline.

❤