Erik Matti says local movies, TV shows are ‘doomed’ because of K-drama hype

Erik Matti

Director Erik Matti (Image: Instagram/@erikmatti)

Multi-awarded director Erik Matti did not mince his words when he said that the current preference for K-drama in the country will lead to local cinema’s doom. Numerous netizens responded to Matti’s claim as they cited Korean shows that they think are more than just love stories.

After noticing that the top 10 most viewed shows on the streaming platform Netflix are mostly South Korean series and movies, Matti took a swipe at these shows on Twitter last Tuesday, April 14, describing them as mostly “[faux] cinderella stories with [Belo-fied] actors whiter than white.”

The daily top ten most viewed on #Netflix shows us how our movies and [TV] are doomed in the future,” Matti said. “K-drama galore.” 

“And it’s all about love in the midst of this pandemic,” he added.

Giving Matti some film recommendations, Twitter users cited K-dramas that they believe cover a wider range of genres and issues.

A certain Twitter user, @KringKim, for example, replied yesterday, April 17: “No love stories, just pure good storytelling [and] acting.” The netizen mentioned the TV shows “Sky Castle,” “Misaeng: Incomplete Life,” “Reply 1988” and “Signal.”

One Jonas Roque (@jonasrookie) suggested the TV series “Itaewon Class.” The show “tackles social injustice, racism, class differences, and transgender issues,” according to the netizen last Wednesday, April 15.

“I get your frustration but one might pick up a gem from that list,” he added.

A Twitter user also posed a question on Matti’s thread: “Bakit as [K-drama] nagagalit pero tikom ang bibig sa western series/films na trending?” @selyad0 asked. “[Diverse] ho ang storyline ng mga [K-drama. Filipino] primetime could never relate.”

(Why are we so angry at K-drama but our mouths are shut when it is Western series/films that are trending? K-dramas have diverse storylines. Filipino primetime could never relate.)

Matti is the director of the multi-award-winning action film “On the Job,” which stars Piolo Pascual. He was also awarded as best director in the 2015 and 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for his entries “Honor Thy Father” and “Seklusyon” respectively.

Matti, together with fellow directors Lore Reyes and Peque Gallaga, also bagged the best screenplay in the MMFF for the 1996 fantasy adventure film “Magic Temple.”  /ra

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