Filipino Dramas

This is fantastic! There is so much to be found in this series. It is very rewatchable. There is a lot of symbolism that can easily go over your head if you're not paying attention. And little details that will pop up again later. 

Also, don't get me started on the soundtrack. Every song was perfectly chosen and fits the scene it was paired with.

This series also destroys stupid stereotypes and actually has some great conversations with teaching moments. This is not a series to skip! It deserves the hype and praise it has gotten.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMPz9QG8YAxJXvznmCorwY7N5ausnteMN

This lovely, heartwarming drama managed to perfectly capture the sparks of young love and the limited time of our youth that, in the moment, feels limitless.

It certainly doesn't hurt that it also made me squeal from pure cuteness!

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7SneaZWMW0otehz3rmR_7xVEaoW8yNVA 

I will be starting this today after seeing a friend was watching it on the feeds. It looks cute. And, it's only about 20 minutes per episode which works great with my schedule right now.

Update after completion:

At first, this drama started out as being quite silly and almost following the enemies-to-lovers trope. However, over time as more background and detail were revealed about the characters, this drama became much more than I imagined. The beginning premise is basic. But, the characters are real, raw, have baggage and many imperfections, and have many deep conversations with each other about themselves and life.

It's entirely believable when we start to see feelings develop between them. And it hurts when they make mistakes and say/do things to each other they shouldn't have. These characters work through a lot and we go through it with them.

I don't know if I'm doing this drama justice in the way I'm describing it. Anyway, this is a surprising 9.5/10 for me.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_V1avwPtt1NF0ZfBstql4gBsyt6HKQCA

This talks about relationships in such an open way that I don't get to see very often. It's definitely something special.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYYyUhZKiEj49tu0asFPwZLjievzp0SkQ

First off, it looked SO good! The lighting? So warm! Secondly, the chemistry? It was everything! Just  . . . Flashes of thunder and lightning when they make eye contact. They even managed to make cheesy pick-up lines seem so attractive, which should be impossible. Lol. Thirdly, the bits of symbolism? Such nice touches!

If I had to describe this I would say it was a mature down-to-earth romantic comedy. It gave just the right amount of quirkiness and realness. 

Brownie Points: Luna was an easily-shown Bi FL. Love to see it! Also, easy and well-done inclusion of a person with a disability.

Can be found on GagaOOLala

Well-shot, interesting, well-acted, and incredibly artistic at certain points. There is also an episode that . . . just . . . takes my breath away and makes me incredibly shy without doing much.

A must-watch in my book!

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKlzJNg2JLr-jToK9Kamwvu_zptdUVB5W

Surprisingly fun and sweet. I really liked how it showcased what was happening at the time and the real struggles and worries people had to deal with in the real world.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEr9FH7oPOQ5YCNTEiPzjrnIWP8G9zjjx

Or can be found on Netflix

It is a relatively slow-burn for the first 7 episodes. Then, prepare yourself. Their relationship does stay sweet throughout, but there are some moments. :)

Sometimes you start to see this series as a fairytale (which is why I put it on this list). I kid you not that there are some legitimately Disney-prince-like moments. There are overdramatic falls, dances, kisses, and an overdramatic score to match. On top of that there is a great deal of comedy sprinkled throughout. You will laugh your ass off, smile stupidly, and feel like you should cover your eyes because you're intruding on a couple's moment.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcQaxIPsTWdPw7qFtUfJKRNueYqeY10DX

I'm trying to find some more representation (or at least partially like representation) for myself in dramas, but it's slim pickings.

So I decided to start this and see if it was any good and could "scratch that itch," so to speak.

The comments and reviews didn't seem particularly encouraging. But, I was somewhat optimistic as I enjoyed Pearl's character in Gameboys.

It was a pretty promising first episode, in my opinion. The Biphobia was upsetting to see though. And, I felt like throughout the rest of the drama it wasn't as addressed as it could have been.

I should also add that the joking about "just make it a polyamorous relationship," wasn't appreciated at all. That is such a stupid stereotype for Bi people. At least those instances were fairly brief though.

I didn't mind the conclusion. But, the fact that they left it with a cliffhanger kind of spoiled what they were trying to do a bit.

I did like the honesty this drama promoted and saying its okay to not always know what you want but take some time to figure it out. However, Karleen's noncommitment and indecisiveness truly upset me. And, I did feel like Pearl lead Alex on at a couple points briefly. And, they should have shown a bit more of Alex's apologeticness.

That being said, it was a pretty fun watch with some likeable and emotional characters. I think it's at least a 7/10. But, for the enjoyment and smiles it generally gave me for some days, I will be giving it a 8/10. This is mainly due to Pearl's bright and fun personality.

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEr9FH7oPOQ5-G5qcbW-vTFYZgURm_vma

It was an enjoyable watch for an escape. Loved the side couple <3

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YasPlmnnMpQ&list=PLGeYurfvKJYkI76t30A4HONO_yA6Avm_z

The camerawork was a bit shaky at times, but the "cheap" way it was filmed sort of gave it its charm and made it really feel like honest and regular phone conversations between two best friends.

If you have the time you might enjoy giving it a watch. It was sweet, and the realization/coming out was also short and felt very real.

EP 1: https://youtu.be/lmGeBwm0-gI

EP 2: https://youtu.be/IbvXFhnT0QE

EP 3: https://youtu.be/ZIoxe0RDdyc

EP 4: https://youtu.be/In7fSrwecNA

While I would call it an interesting watch, I found the way it discussed difficult topics to, more often than not, be heavy-handed. And the ending just left me all kinds of confused.

Link to YouTube Playlist: Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNxZb-Y6YyNgTThhM2k1c3vOtpuq9FGdt&si=Mfh9dDwX4Xpk6b7-

It was an interesting watch. I did get upset at some of the arguments that took place. But I'm glad I watched it.

Link to Youtube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7SneaZWMW0qWbAp-SrXVa97weaM3Lpc7

Yes, I did watch it.

I am happy to say Worth the Wait is a bit better than (I guess the first part of) My Toxic Lover (MTL).

I think one of the reasons WHY is that Ethon and Martin feel more built up and have a bit more believable tension and chemistry. One of the things I didn't like about MTL was that it took so long to have Ethon and Bryce actually meet, and when they got together it felt like it came out of nowhere and also the way they did it was out of character for them, plus they didn't have good chemistry.

Among many many other problems with them as well as with production in general and other side characters.

However, Worth the Wait was by no means good or great. The first few episodes or so actually had some promise as Ethon and Martin's banter and back and forth was fun. There were a few times I actually felt... charmed... and invested? Believe it or not, yes.

Throughout this the other issues present in the first series persisted and eventually took over again. The lines and directing given to the actors weighed any positives down, the pacing was tediously slow, side characters were bland and badly acted; and the lighting, camerawork, and cuts were still way below standard.

I did like the song Martin sang, the first few episodes were actually pretty okay, Martin and Ethon did have some good moments where their chemistry shined, and there was one scene in a later episode that shocked me with how artistic it was. However, those were really the only positives.

I had to watch this on 2x speed eventually as I couldn't stand the bad acting, pacing, cringe, etc. The ending was also completely ridiculous.

A disappointing 5.5/10. 

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw4i6GQQCe-Sf_dWKTVTb-DvRRCnRyokp

Technically NOT DROPPED anymore.

I hate to drop things. I really do. But, I'm 6 episodes in and I'm just not feeling this.

I held out this long because I liked Aki Torres in My Day and wanted to support his next series.

But if I get to the point where it feels like work to get through an episode of a drama and I'm not looking forward to the next one (like today), then I don't think I should feel guilty for dropping it.

I think the main issue here was directing and writing. The sets are grand, the colors pop, the lighting is good, and you can tell the actors are really trying. But, if it's a bad script and the direction is bad then it's just not going to work. And I think that's what happened here.

This hurts me to say I'd give this a 5/10. But, it just hurt to watch.

Update: I finished it because I wanted to give Worth the Wait a shot. And because I am a masochist apparently. I am happy to say Worth the Wait, so far, is a bit better than this series.

Link to Youtube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw4i6GQQCe-QZYkiVqPh2l_tJ9TmTwBUW

On-Hold

Can be found on WeTV (with a subscription): https://wetv.vip/en/play/cly7rvko4v741l6-BetCin/u0040c12jve-EP1-BetCin

Go to wetv.vip/en/download on laptop and scan the QR code with phone to download the app. Then pay for VIP and binge it.