First things first: this is not an official list. It’s a result of an unofficial survey done to a number of people a.k.a not backed with scientific data a.k.a just for the sake of remembering some good series that made Pinoys laugh, cry and fall in love. (And if you haven’t watched any of them, they are available on the Viu app by simply texting VIU (space) PROMO (space) ON to 2948 for SMART users.)
Now, without further ado, here are some of the well-loved Korean dramas by Filipinos from the not-so-distant past:
Image: K-Pop Herald
1. Boys Over Flowers
Lee Min Ho’s claim to fame in Philippine soil, “Boys Over Flowers” is based on the Japanese shōjo manga series written by Yoko Kamio. The Korean series is the third television adaptation of the manga; the first was done in Taiwan (Dao Ming Zi, red tag, San Chai, remember?) and then Japan.
Plot: Shinhwa High School is a school where children of the rich and powerful attend. The four successors from the powerhouses in South Korea are named F4, the symbol of Shinhwa High School. Gu Jun Pyo, the leader of F4, is deeply attracted to an ordinary girl, Geum Jan Di. Jan Di is an outgoing girl and the complete opposite from the wealthy. Their encounter starts a modern story of Cinderella.
Stars: Lee Min-ho, Ku Hye-sun, Kim Hyun-joong (of SS501), Kim Bum, Kim Joon (of T-Max) and Kim So-eun.
Image: Viu Philippines
2. Secret Garden
“Secret Garden” is considered as one of the most successful dramas in history, winning a number of awards including “Grand Prize” (Daesang) for one of its lead stars Hyun Bin. In the Philippines, it aired on GMA Network back in 2011, had a re-run in 2015, then a re-airing from Oct. 17 to Nov. 25, 2016. Due to this, six years after Filipinos met the characters of the series, they still remember the story and its stars.
Plot: Handsome, wealthy and well-educated, Kim Joo Won is the CEO of a high-end department store. His elder cousin Oska is a famous Hallyu star who is involved in a scandal. To help Oska out, Joo Won goes to the filming site, but he takes a stuntwoman Gil Ra Im away by mistake. Soon, Joo Won is deeply attracted to Ra Im, but there is a huge gap between them that prevents them from getting closer. Later, Joo Won, Ra Im, Oska and some other people gather in Jeju Island for different reasons. There, Joo Won and Ra Im’s souls are exchanged unexpectedly; because of the unexpected exchange of souls, they can finally be close to each other. (viu.com)
Stars: Ha Ji-won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun and Kim Sa-rang.
Image: K-Pop Herald
3. Coffee Prince
It was 2016 when the hit movie “Train to Busan” gave Filipinos a wonderful, two-hour emotional rollercoaster ride in the cinemas. It was also the same year when Gong Yoo became a household name in the country, because of his portrayal as the Goblin in another phenomenal project, “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”. A lot were a bit amused to find out how easily they forgot that he is the same actor in the hit series “Coffee Prince” (which explains why he looks familiar to many).
Coffee Prince aired in the Philippines on GMA Network from Jan. 1 to Mar. 19, 2008, and received high ratings during its run. In 2012, it was remade by GMA Network, after purchasing the formal rights to produce the show. The Philippine remake starred Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Max Collins and Benjamin Alves.
Plot: Coffee Prince revolves around the love life and dreams of four young people who meet at a cafe. Han Keol is a smart young man who hates to be tied down to one career in his life. Abhorring the idea of joining the family business, he is ordered by his grandmother to manage a cafe. Being unable to disobey his grandmother, he reluctantly takes over the responsibility of running a cafe and begins to immerse himself in the gourmet coffee business. One day, he meets Eun Chan, a cheerful girl with an unpredictable personality, and learns the meaning of true love.
Stars: Yoon Eun-hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun-kyun and Chae Jung-an. JB
Watch these dramas on Viu! Upgrade to VIU Premium for a special promo price of only P30 per month! Experience unlimited download and watch offline, HD viewing and limited ads! Upgrade now to VIU Premium by just simply texting VIU (space) PROMO (space) ON to 2948 for SMART users!
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