a k o . s i . k i m . s a m s o o n

Like a bear preparing for hibernation I have been feasting on dramas to excess. It must be the allure of Math 107. Ah, the pain. But anyway I am watching some lakorns and Filipino dramas. Lobo was the first Filipino drama I watched. It was a little eh, but I only watched one episode (seems to be a problem of mine, no?). I was fascinated on how I could hear the outside influences in their language. The most obvious being English and Spanish. Whole phrases in English and words like "problema" and "doble" popping up. I thought I heard hints of Chinese and of a Middle Eastern language, and I was right. So I went bounding off to impress people with my knowledge. And I got the usual response, "Oh." Haha.

Well I heard it somewhere that the Korean drama My Name is Kim Sam Soon was going to be remade in the Philippines. And I guess it is airing currently (I heard it was supposed to end soon, but I heard it from an unreliable source) so I guess they weren't lying.

Kim Samsoon is a woman who has a flair for baking, but is generally unsatisfied with life due to her name, appearance and lack of a love life.

I'll be referring to the character from the two versions like so: Sam Soon (Korean) and Samsoon (Filipino).

Well, let me tell you I was not too impressed with the first two seconds of the show or the whole first episode for that matter. Kim Samsoon Buot (Regine Velasquez) is nothing but a clown in a fat suit. And that wig is so distracting. It doesn't even look natural. I wouldn't mind how big they made her or how crazy her hair looked as long as it looked natural and didn't distract me. I liked how in the Korean version her size was a big issue with the main character but her appearance didn't really distract the viewer from the story as a whole. The Filipino version makes it painfully obvious and a little ridiculous. But maybe they saw the original that way. They said they deliberately overacted to copy the original style. Is comedy overacting?

I have to compare the two dramas, I just have to. People always say to take movies/shows for what they are and don't compare them to originals. BUT I CAN'T HELP IT! The only reason I am watching the remake is because I liked the original, so I can't help but compare the two.

I liked how in the original we are not shown Sam Soon's past. We are just around for her sordid end with her cheating lover. But with the newer version we get a little half an episode worth of relationship and jilted lover stuff going on. It felt so rushed and I like the way the Korean version handled it. And when cheater boyfriend pops up again you understand the way Sam Soon feels because she has a long history with him not two weeks worth of history. I swear Harvey and Samsoon knew each other for two weeks and they were gong to get married. Are you buying it? And he even said he loved her, but that was before his ex called and asked to get back together. BS. Am I supposed to believe all of this?

Things started to improve when Cyrus Ruiz (Mark Anthony Fernandez) finally appeared. And no I am not wiggling my eyebrows suggestively right here. Haha. It was just a relief to finally know the true action (what action? story maybe?) was going to start.

Samsoon describes Cyrus as: Tall. Has smooth skin. Rosy cheeks. Eyes that want to say something. And yummy lips. I found this all very hilarious due to the fact I had this image in my head.

In this version we are led on to believe Samsoon was attempting suicide because of her name, but as the story went on you gradually forgot about her whining about her suckish name. So when she mentions she always wanted to change her name to Hannah it comes off as very...FALSE.

I think this drama airs Mon-Fri, just like a Telenovela! So as expected with get a few more characters and everyone may have more of a story to them. We will see. Wow, I feel as if I am running out of things to say.

Let's see, Harvey reminds me of Salman Khan for some reason. My favorite scene so far is the part when Cyrus gets a cake shoved in his face. And when Dina tastes the cake...had me cackling like a dying witch (okay maybe not the most fitting image, when do cackling and dying work?).

I am gradually warming up to this drama so I really don't know what to rate it. I think it has its funny moments. The actors are not bad. The story didn't improve in the new version, I think it got a bit sloppier. Due to my horrible memory the Korean version is just a vague impression in my mind so I do get to relive some good moments (I suppose...not that I encountered many, yet). I am torn. Is this a sign? Well I can always change my mind. I should just head over to Photoshop or something and get me a half a star. Haha.

I am watching the Filipino version of My Girl also. I have formed no strong opinions of it yet, but if I do I'll let you know. Ack, doesn't that sound ominous.


My Rating: ★★★★☆/★★★☆☆