millennials-of-manila-blog

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Dangerous Woman, Album Critique by Kirstyn Gil

      Just four years and three records into her career, Ariana Grande has recognized that her increasing star power comes with a few requirements: She must live a life of direct attention, catering to an audience that has come to expect everything her brunette half-up-do represents, while at the same time finding ways to grow, both as a person and a musician. You get the sense that Ariana Grande spends those days and nights she sings about on “Focus” not just at work on an album, but on considering her position in the ever-shifting pop-range, and while there have, predictably, been personal and musical missteps, her willingness to experiment is what yielded the growth showcased on the impressive Dangerous Woman Album and has enabled her to continually exceed expectations for a twenty-three year old diva in training. When Grande first debuted with Yours Truly in 2013, she couldn’t escape Mariah Carey comparisons, compliments of her upper-whistle voice, four-octave range, and over reliance to showcase what that voice can do. That album though slightly unfocused in its blend of R&B and teen pop, laid the groundwork for Grande to inevitably graduate from doe-eyed school girl to a convincing Jessica Rabbit. On Dangerous Woman, she isn’t abandoning the teenaged tattooed hearts of her first album; she’s just switched up their placement to somewhere more risky. The Dangerous Woman album opens with the divine blue-eyed soul ballad and former track title, “Moonlight,”. Ariana makes her intentions plain on "Into You" the album’s electronic headrush, with “A little less conversation, and a little more touch my body,” while the album’s title track is pure pop-rock. Alongside Future, whom she’s essentially reduced to a single-word feature on “Everyday”. And on the bonus track “Touch It,” she’s teetering off the edge of self-control if left unsatisfied for too long. She’s at her best when she harnesses that desire and frustration into something personal. But beneath all-nighters there are brief revelatory moments. The synth-pop split bonus track “Knew Better / Forever Boy” sees her owning up to an inability to commit in relationships, only to finally allow herself to accept “happy ever after.” Then there’s “I Don’t Care,” one of her strongest Mariah impressions to date, in which she sings, “I used to feel so obligated to be so much more / I used to let some people tell me how to live and what to be / But if I can’t be me, then what's the point?” The irony of Ariana Grande calling herself "dangerous" and using nearly every variation of the word on the album isn’t lost on anyone, not even Ariana Grande herself. (“If you think you’re laughing at me, I promise I laughed first,”. To date, the most danger her career has incurred happened last summer, (back in 2016) when the singer and her backup dancer turned boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez (to whom she’s singing on most of the album) were caught on a surveillance camera licking donuts on display at a California sweets shop. “What the **** is that? I hate Americans. I hate America,” the audio picked up Grande saying to a server, which her first public apology clumsily tried to spin as her taking a stand against America’s obesity problem. “Some of the words she used in that shop were things she needed to address, and she did. But I also think, not about her, but just in general; we’re getting a little ridiculous when it comes to doughnuts and eggs,” Scooter Braun, Ariana Grande’s ex-manager, told the New York Times last December, referencing the actual danger Justin Bieber once did as well. In February, Grande dropped Braun as her manager. The next month, she made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut, opening with about how she’s right on schedule for pop’s rite of passage: her first adult scandal. She was treating her behavior with a little more danger. But the very act of titling her album Dangerous Woman, doubles down on that demand to be treated as a mature, focused adult rather than the diva with a ponytail she’s been characterized as since red haired Nickelodeon days. And, before then, a starring role on Broadway at 14. “Ain’t you ever seen a princess be a bad *****?” she asks on “Bad Decisions,” addressing those listeners who are stuck on an image she’s since outgrown. While it may take some child stars years to build a bridge from teen star to adulthood, Ariana Grande carefully avoided ever spending too long in one role, instead consistently adapting her persona to her age along the way. If it feels like she’s still overexperimenting, then, it’s because she is. Ariana Grande tries them on like headpieces custom-fit for her ponytail, making her experiments feel more like a broadening of her style than a departure from it. She knows what she came to do, and that is not gonna change, even as she does. At this point, there’s no question that Ariana Grande is a powerhouse vocalist, having earned her comparisons to Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. Ariana Grande’s impeccable control, and penchant for belting assures that no matter the lyrics or production, her music will always be strong in that regard. And as in her previous album My Everything, (which, by the way, was my favorite of all time) was full of bangers like the Zedd-produced “Break Free,” the production on her new Dangerous Woman is enormous, "Into You," might be Grande's best single since “Love Me Harder.” Out of all albums Ariana Grande had created, she had been nominated 116 times for many, many awards and had actually won 39 of them. And that was only as of November 2016. This truly shows and reflects her success as a Pop Singer because unlike many, her fame had risen up the fastest way possible because of purely her talent. Being only twenty-three years old and being this successful, I know her fame would grow greater and her success will rise throughout the upcoming years.

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The Album Worth Waiting For: Blonde by Frank Ocean, Album Critique by Ramon Paolo Garcia

          Frank Ocean’s Blonde might very well always be what was known at the time as one of the most awaited music albums of all time. Released in 2016, Blonde is the 2nd official album of Ocean, but is technically the 5th including unofficial releases and mixtapes. The chronological order of the album’s starts with his mixtape, Nostalgia Ultra which he released on the internet for free in 2011. The second album released, his first official album, Channel Orange, was released in 2012 and gathered mixed reviews. Nevertheless, it won a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2013. In between the release of Channel Orange and Endless, his “visual album” which many thought was the awaited second album, a compilation of 64 unreleased demos and tracks was leaked under the name: lonny breaux collection. Right after the release of Channel Orange, Ocean spoke about his follow-up Boys Don’t Cry. What many didn’t realize, was that they would be waiting another four years until the album came out on August 20, 2016 under its new name, Blonde.

           Blonde, in my opinion is the best album Frank Ocean has released so far. At the beginning of the album, on its first track, Nikes, when you finally hear Ocean’s real voice after it being distorted for about 2 minutes and a half, a sense of return comes over you, as if to say, He’s back. He’s really back this time. The rest of the album definitely does not disappoint. As you go through the 17-track album, you feel the emotion Ocean puts into his songs. Talking about love, fame, friendship, drugs, riches and so many other things. He speaks about his life and how much has changed in the recent years. He uses personal experiences to express certain topics and it works.

           The Rolling Stone reviewed the album saying:” The album is by turns oblique, smolderingly direct, forlorn, funny, dissonant and gorgeous: a vertiginous marvel of digital-age psychedelic pop.” But said the main topic discussed was romance. This is clearly stated in one of his songs, Ivy, where he says: “I thought that I was dreaming when you said you loved me”. This is can also be seen on the first track Nikes, where he says: “I’m not him, but I mean something to you”. Obviously, romance has played a big part in the Ocean’s life based on the way he talks about it in his songs.

           One article talks about how this album could represent what kind of person Frank Ocean is right now. “A time capsule of the last four years. This is seen in the way Oceans seems to pay more attention now to his lyrics rather than the beats he puts them on top of. He speaks freely about the world he lives in and how he has changed so much in the last four years. The album represents Ocean in his present state. A man who tries to not be changed by the fame he has brought upon himself, and a man who has become disappointed in the world he lives in and how bad the world is shaping up to be. He speaks of the change that needs to happen which no one can disagree with.

           I could say that Blonde is a great album in the way that, the instruments and melodies used on the album are so bare and minimal yet through his vocals and lyrics, he sews such a deep meaning into each song on the album. Even 40 second tracks like “Be Yourself”, which is a recording of a mother calling her son who is in college because she is worried about him becoming a drug user is so plain, yet the topic being discussed is a true and realistic one. Ocean brings into view, topics that wouldn’t normally be discussed so plainly.

           One minor topic talked about in the album is regret and how Ocean has so much of it. On the track “Self Control”, he says “Wish I was there, wish we’d grown up on the same advice”. Perhaps he is speaking to a lover about how, because of different morals or beliefs they have grown up living accustomed to, they are no longer together. He asks for his lover to “keep a place for me[him]”. This fact that he has to ask for his lover to keep a place for him shows that their relationship deteriorated or in fact completely dissolved over time.

           If there is one track on the album that shows the simplicity in the songwriting for this album it is track number 14, “White Ferrari” which has probably the most minimal instruments and vocals all the way up until the end when a distorted Justin Vernon’s voice starts to sing over the track. It is a beautiful track and proves simplicity does not have to be compromised in order to produce a great record.

           The most moving track on the album must be the album closer, “Futura Free”. The song has two parts, the first talking about Ocean’s development as a person. How he has started to change due to his fame but he refuses to let it change him anymore. He talks about before his fame when he had no money or even a car. He talks about when his now famous friend used to “sleep on his couch”, referring to how his friend might not have even had his own house to sleep in. The second part of the song is a recording of an interview with two kids. The first one’s answers are completely disregarded. The second kid’s answers are listened to in the beginning but they too get disregarded. I think this shows how sometimes you can talk about something but not really be heard. That might be what Ocean was trying to convey.

           Frank Ocean’s Blonde is an album that managed to discuss and dissect so many topics. It took four years for Ocean to produce this album. He really wanted to make sure that everything came out perfect. He put his heart and soul into every word he spoke on this album. This is album gave us a glimpse into the life of a man that no one had heard from in 3 years. He showed us how he changed in those 4 years. I think it is safe to say that it was definitely worth waiting for.

 References:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/frank-ocean-blonde-review-a-trickling-bubblebath-of-an-album-that-ultimately-runs-lukewarm-a7207766.html

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-frank-ocean-blonde-w435566

http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/frank-oceans-blonde-album-track-by-track-review-4057

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The Legend of the Blue Sea Series Critique by Reneanne Alejandro

     "Among the many words I have learnt after coming here, the best words are happy ending. I am sure this very moment is a happy ending. But the hope and despair that life gives you is that time keeps flowing and the moment passes. Behind the moment of brilliant happiness, no one knows what kind of moment awaits." Shim Chung from the series, Legend of the Blue Sea.

     When you watch the series Legend of the Blue Sea, starring Lee Min Ho as Heo Joon Jae andJun Ji Hyun as Shim Chung, you will know already that the series is going to be interesting. It is a korean drama about a mermaid who fell in love with a man; therefore, she went to the land and searched for him. It is somehow similar to a princess story, The Little Mermaid. The series is directed by Jin Hyuk and Park Seon Ho. The leading actors, Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun won multiple awards such as, Lee Min Ho for top excellence award, Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun as the best couple and as part of the top 10 stars and finally, Jun Ji Hyun won as the idol academy award for best eating.

     The series had two different stories. One is from an ancient time while the other story came from the present. At first, they see it as a dream, where they can see themselves from another lifetime. As time passes by they were able to figure out that they were being reincarnated. Confusions came and so are the questions. It is also shown that the character of Lee Min Ho is a conman, after he met the character of Jun Ji Hyun, he changed because he loves her and he would not hurt the love of his life.

     Perhaps, this is a message that the directors and the writers wants to convey with the series they made. That anyone can change, no matter what and / or when you are born. It is still your decision that can change your way of living, every single day. You are the only one that has a control over your life.

     The character of Jun Ji Hyun, the mermaid, she showed what true love can do. With great love, you can do anything. The directors also showed that when you love, you will still get hurt. No matter how much you try not to, it is inevitable. Getting hurt is the twin of falling in love. This is the lesson that everyone should know and should learn. Many of us kept on giving everything we have to the wrong person, not knowing it is only us who can feel the love and this is just going to lead your heart broken.

     Like the typical ending of a story, it is a happy ending. As cliché as it sounds, for me, it is the perfect ending for this story. After Shim Chung left and went back to the ocean so she can feel better after she sacrificed herself for Heo Joon Jae, she came back after three years and looked for Heo Joon Jae to let him know that she is finally okay. No one can remember her, except from Heo Joon Jae. When she came back, they lived in a house Heo Joon Jae bought for the both of them. It is by the beach, so that they can still be close to each other even if Shim Chung has to go back to the water.

     "Even though the windy rainstorm, even though the sun may be burning on me, though I am lonely and without anyone by my side and even if it is somewhere I have never been before, I will endure it all and be sure to go to you. I love you." Shim Chung, the character of Jun Ji Hyun to Heo Joon Jae, the character of Lee Min Ho.

     Even if you are not a fan of korean drama, you will still appreciate and be amazed of how good the story went. There are confusions at some episodes because of how they showed the back story, the past life of the characters, and how everyone knew one another. Besides all these confusions, kudos to the crew and to everyone who was able to put up the series, Legend of the Blue Sea.

     The technical group should also have some recognition for a job well done and for their hard works. All the effects from their series were great and especially the clips where Jun Ji Hyun had to be a mermaid and swim under that sea must be very difficult not only for the actors but also for the rest of the crew. Without them, this series would not be possible. They are the main foundation of this master piece.

     "Life is naturally all about something that is about to work out but then it may not. The most important thing is you should never give up on what you have chosen until it becomes yours." Heo Joon Jae, the character of Lee Min Ho.

     From this quote, perhaps it is also a message from the writers and the directors about hard work. There are a lot of messages from this series that you can learn from; messages about life, worm, love, family, loyalty, honesty, and so much more. Opening our eyes to what is the real messages behind all the sweetness of the characters is something we can bring to the rest of our lives. I truly agree with the directors and their messages to the viewers of the Legend of the Blue Sea. You can also learn how to appreciate your family more before they are gone. Forgiveness is also being taught here. Even the person you hate the most still deserves forgiveness.

     Not because they were able to prove themselves to you, but because you owe it to yourself. This series something you may want to watch over and over again because there are a lot of things you can learn from it.

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The Perks of Being A Wallflower (2012) Film Critique by Martin Bautista

         “We accept the love we think we deserve.” This blockbuster quote, which is popular among young adults, came from the book “The Perks of Being A Wallflower”. The Perks of Being A Wallflower (2012) is an American coming-of-age, drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky. The movie’s main stars are Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller.  This movie is an adaptation of the novel released in 1999 of the same name, written by the same director (Stephen Chbosky). This film has been officially released on the 21st of September, 2012. The movie and it’s actors have bagged several awards such as the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Drama (2013), Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Drama for Logan Lerman (2013), People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress for Emma Watson (2013), Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for Stephen Chbosky, John Malkovich & it’s production team (2013), Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Drama for Emma Watson (2013), People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie (2013) & GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release. 

       The actors of this film and the storyline of this film were major key factors to the film's success and awards. All of these were factors to why the film received awards, which were mostly from the "Teen's Choice Awards" and “People’s Choice Awards”. Knowing that this movie is an adaptation of the book of the same name written by Stephen Chbosky, which is also the director of the movie, it was not shocking to why this movie appeled so much to a lot of people, especially adolescents. A book which targeted the young adults, it wasn't surprising on why most of the received awards of this film came from the "Teen's Choice Awards". 

       The Perks of Being a Wallflower revolves around an introvert freshman named Charlie (portrayed by Logan Lerman), who is taken under the wings of two seniors, namely Sam (portrayed by Emma Watson) and Patrick (portrayed by Ezra Miller). Throughout the whole movie, Sam and Patrick introduce Charlie to what the real world is. They introduce to Charlie that “high school life”. The portrayals of the actors for this movie were really good, as they were able to act the character out exactly from the characters which were described in the book. The story was very relatable to my age, it was very appealing to high school students, knowing that the whole setting throughout the whole film were in a high school.

       Besides the acting, the effects, the cinematography, the color scheme of the film and most especially the soundtrack have appealed greatly to my attention. Throughout the whole film, I felt the late 80’s to the early 90’s vibe. The color grading of the movie complimented and matched the colors and shades in all scenes, and it had that feeling that just by watching it, it felt like you were totally transported in the past. It had that “vintage” effect by just observing the cinematography, which complimented the setting throughout the whole movie. Although besides these, among the technical aspects mentioned, the film’s soundtrack was the one that stood out the most for me throughout the whole film. The soundtrack was the one that really made me feel like I lived in the past, in the same time that they lived in in that movie. The film matched the songs from iconic artists during the 80s to the scenes, such as that iconic tunnel scene with the song "Heroes” by the late David Bowie. Besides Heroes, the film’s soundtrack was a compilation of some of the greatest hits during that time, such as Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners, Temptation by New Order, Asleep by The Smiths, which is one of my favorite bands, and the like.

           The script and the delivery of the lines, have also caught my attention while watching the film. As I mentioned awhile ago, the script writing was really good, to the extent that it has also caught the attention of the other viewers. Although some of these quotes came from the book, the quotes such as “We accept the love we think we deserve.” and “Welcome to the island of misfit toys.” rose to popularity again due to the movie. The production have visually presented the scenes excellently, which would include the quotes in the script. They have converted nicely the “feel” that was supposed to be feel while reading the book into a movie. The delivery of the lines was impressive, as the actors were able to say it, and act it out while portraying the character. The script was well written and was well-thought of.

           Overall, the director and the production team of this movie have done a very good job in the making of this movie. They were all able to interconnect everything from the storyline, to the setting, the technical aspects, and to the other aspects that one may think of. Throughout watching the movie, I haven’t felt a vibe or an aspect that was off, or something that didn’t match with the concept. Throughout watching the movie, I did feel like something was out of place, and missing at all. The film has caught my attention even from the beginning, and it was something that I would personally like. While watching the movie, I never felt like there was a scene or a part that was dragging. Even though that the film didn’t really have that much intensity in it, it was able to hit my emotions. This movie was truly greatly crafted, the production team have done a good job in the making of this movie. This will always be one of my personal favorites, as this would relate to me, as the storyline hit me so hard while watching this movie, and as if every aspect was fit and put right into place.

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The Legend of the Blue Sea Series Critique by Karina Rivera

     “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for. It is a thing to be achieved.” This is a quote by William Jennings Bryan that is very relatable and evident to the Korean series, The Legend of the Blue Sea whose original title is Pooreun Badaui Junsul. The Legend of the Blue Sea is a movie that stars famous Korean actors Lee Min Ho and Ji Hyun Jun. This series touches people’s hearts and brings both laughter and tears to anyone who gets a glimpse of it. Director, Jin Hyuk presents his audience a narrative expressing a different and unusual kind of dramatic love story. This series explicit 2 different stories which are related to each other because of destiny. The story is about Dam Ryeong, realizing and knowing that everything repeats itself, leaves an artifact which will soon be discovered by his future self, Jeon Joon Jae and because of dreams and these artifacts, Jeo Joon Jae will discover about Dam Ryeong’s world and put his best effort to stop his destiny and ill-fate. According to Wikipedia, the Legend of the Blue Sea and its actors won Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Genre & Fantasy Drama (Lee Min Ho), Special Acting Award, Actor in Fantasy Drama (Sung Dong Il and Lee Ji Hoon), Best Couple and Top 10 Stars (Lee Min Ho and Ji Hyun Jun), and Idol Academy Award - Best Eating Meokbang (Ji Hyun Jun) in the SBS Drama Awards. This series deserves these awards because how outstanding they put together the acting and story line. It aired in SBS (television network) every Wednesday and Thursday which started from November 16, 2016 until January 25, 2017. This series had a total number of 20 episodes.

     Even though the series is over, the effect of the plot and story line on people is not over yet. People have been searching the series and watching it online even after months after the series has ended. The chemistry and obvious connection between Lee Min Ho and Ji Hyun Jun plays a big role behind the series’ success. In the first few scenes held in Spain, although they were strangers, you could see the connection and the lovely contact they had with each other especially the scene wherein it was raining really hard and Heo Jeon Jae hurriedly went to Sim Cheong’s destination and picked her up with an umbrella. The way their eyes met and how Heo Jeon Jae picked her up from the ground, they were only together for a couple of days but the look in their eyes and their connection made it seem like they knew each other since forever. Their first encounter with each other in the series was unusual and strange wherein Sim Cheong, a mermaid fresh out from the water, unaware of how things on land occurs, gets inside Heo Jeon Jae’s place in Spain right beside the sea. Heo Jeon Jae calls the cops and gets Sim Cheong arrested, this escalates and gives way to better and more heart-warming encounters they had with each other. It’s unusual and unique story line, the unexpected plot twists and shifting of stories makes the audience not get sick of the series. There were many plot twists in the movie, but one of my favorites was when Heo Joon (Heo Jeon Jae’s best friend) almost killed him for fortune when everything was just an act to catch Chi Hyun (Heo Jeon Jae’s brother a.ka. enemy). What happens next is really unpredictable and that’s probably one of the reasons why the audience look forward to the series. A review from All Kpop states that he/she is so much absorbed from the dynamic plot of the series itself. From the intense rush of the storyline itself to the building up and suspense in each dialogue, the series brings him/her to an emotional ride. One of the parts of the series where the suspense could be felt was when Sim Cheong was swimming in the pool located in Heo Jeon Jae’s apartment and she has turned into a mermaid. When Heo Jeon Jae’s best friend, living in the same apartment, went in and almost saw Sim Cheong. He could have caught Sim Cheong and have sold her for fortune. Sim Cheong being a mermaid was the secret that they (Heo Jeon Jae and Sim Cheong) has been trying to keep the entire series. Another review from All Kpop stated how the series started off a little “crappy” and how it has proven itself to be a very captivating and not just a typical love story drama. Crappy probably because their first encounter with each other in the series was unusual and strange wherein Sim Cheong, a mermaid fresh out from the water, unaware of how things on land occurs, gets inside Heo Jeon Jae’s place in Spain right beside the sea. Heo Jeon Jae calls the cops and gets Sim Cheong arrested. The series had a typical ending wherein they lived happily ever after. Heo Joon Jae was successful in keeping Sim Cheong’s secret and not making the past repeat itself. They lived in a small and peaceful village beside the sea and had kids. It is really somehow a must for a story to end happily, but this ending is typical. They could have done or thought of something that would make the ending unique and not expected. Despite this, a review from IMDb says that the storyline was unnecessarily “childishly magical” for mature audience to watch. The viewer also stated in his/her review that she kept on asking herself “why a mermaid?” when they could have made the storyline more realistic and practical. Obviously, the series has a complex plot, disabling young ones to understand and comprehend the entire series, so they could have used a more mature concept for the characters.

     This series, together with the storyline, the screenplay, and the awards won, is very much recommended if in search for something unique and unusual. If you are sick and tired of the typical dramas, this is a must. An escape from reality given the fact that one of the main characters is a mermaid. The way the actors put together their acting is excellent and satisfying. I myself do not regret watching this film because not only is it a form of entertainment or leisure activity, it also serves as an inspiration. This movie gives hope and optimism about destiny. That no matter how ill-fated you feel right now, you could always do something to change it. Although this series is fictional, the thought that you could change your destiny and that you actually control your destiny and fate is somehow realistic. You yourself could do something about it. 

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Descendants of the Sun (DOTS) Series Critique by Ivesse Pallarca

                Reality, basically reminds me of how real each situation that happened in the episodes of Descendants of the Sun. When Yoo Shi jin said that “Guns aren’t like dogs, they don’t recognize their owners. If I shoot, you’ll get hurt” it reflects about how unexpected each situation in our life may happen. The quote turned out to be a reminder to everyone in a sense that we should not give our trust unless we are sure about the intentions of a person.  The director Kim Euo-sook did a really great job if in my opinion. Song joong ki who played the role of Captain Yoo Shi jin, who was a Soldier and while he was playing his role, he was able to live up to the role that he needed to play. Song Hye kyo who played the role of Kang Mo Yeon, who was a Doctor and she was able to capture my heart as she played her role. For the supporting roles jingo who played the role of Seo Dae Young and Kim Ji-won who played the role of Yeon myoung-joo was also able to play the role that they were asked to do in a really great level.

                 Kang Mo Yeon said that “I fight for life, but your fight is to protect others from death”. This is the reality of doctors. They fight for the lives of the people that they’re trying to save but there is no guarantee of survival. It was shown in the series that life can be taken away in any kind of situation and doctors will always try to save the patient.

                 Yoo Shi jin said that “ I believe I fight for the peace and freedom for the land we live”. This is what soldier’s fight for. They fight for the peace and freedom of their country. The series showed how much they need to sacrifice not only for themselves but for the honor of their country as well. There is no easy way to bring honor and safety all at the same time.

                 This series made me realize that everyone has their own battle may it be big or small there is a fight that they need to battle. “Love” it also played a really big role in making the story intact.

The way that they put the cliff hanger made every viewer more and more excited to watch what was going to happen next. Every episode had a lesson and not only about love but also about how you are supposed to stand up for what you believe in.

The editing and how each effect was put together. It could have been more realistic for some part but overall they did a good job.

The soundtrack was also a great part of the whole series. It gave meaning and life to every scene that it had to support. The song “Everytime” is one of the songs that gave impact to people which allowed them to give really great feedbacks.

                 The place was very aesthetic which captured the essence of each scene. Greece was one of the highlights of the series itself. The place was memorable as a viewer because the sights that they chose were unexpected and surprisingly wonderful. From Korea to Greece the transition of the places was great and astonishing.  

                 I can say the writers really did a great job in creating the script. The series came out to be memorable and loved. It was so realistic to the point that you’d wonder if those people are actually having a hard time in real life. The effort that they put in order for them to be able to come up with this realistic events really made those people who needed understanding more chances on explain themselves and their struggles as well. It is not a typical series because usually it’s focused on one side only but here it showed multiple ideas and side. The side of a doctor, soldier, a normal citizen, and a lot more was given justice in this series. It gave understanding and meaning to every single role that had to play in the series. Military theme is not usually scene in soap operas because it is not much loved by the viewers but this one turned out to be one of the best dramas that they have.

                 This drama turned out to be memorable because of the lines that were marked into some people’s hearts.

“The doctor will save her patient and I will protect what I have to (protect)”- Yoo Shi Jin

                 This line gave meaning to this series. It was able to give justice not only to the series but the character himself. The line serves as the rock of how hard the impact was. This drama justified the life of every doctor and soldier which has the same goal and that’s to save the lives of those in need.  This series made me realize how much it was for those people to actually save lives but with a counter part of sacrificing themselves as well.

The series was actually loved because the actors who were able to capture the hearts of many people. The series won tons of awards as well. It was the second time that the couple attended an award Awards and Korea Drama Award in October. Kim- ji won also won the award New Actress and Best Actress in a Mini-Series Award. Kim Eun Sook and Kim Won Suk also got the Writers Award. The couple was also awarded with the grand prize. The rating in Asia was really high, unlike any other drama which proves that this drama had an appeal to many people.

Everything went well for this drama in a viewer’s perspective. Some fans are actually hoping for a season two for this drama. I also wish that they will be having the same casts as the ones who will be playing the roles of the characters. It will be great to see the same actors doing the same roles for another season.

[millennials-of-manila-blog]

Beef Pepper Rice by Pepper Lunch

         After paying for our food, we waited for at least 10-20 mins for our good to arrive. When we received our food on a sizzling plate, the orientation of the food look like as follows: the beef is placed around the rice together with the corn, while the egg is placed on top of the rice in the middle of the plate.

         Upon the arrival of the food, we mixed it so that it will be cooked evenly. As we mix the food, we can hear the sizzling sound. You can also smell the vibrant smell coming from the food. The smell of the food is somehow spicy at the same time salty, because of the pepper and the aroma of the beef.

           While eating the food, the taste resembles to how it smells like. It taste a little spicy because of the pepper and it also taste a little salty. The sweetness of the corn and the sauce balanced the spice and saltiness off the food.

[millennials-of-manila-blog]

Bandwagon.

What comes into our mind when we hear the word bandwagon?

Some say that it's usually used when people start to "fangirl" about a certain person or thing.

Some would say that it's used when there's a lot of people involved to promote something.

Some would say that it's just used as an expression.

 But have you ever tried to ask yourself about what a bandwagon really is?

Bandwagon is a type of fallacy.

Fallacy? What is a fallacy?

Fallacies are beliefs that are not based on logic.

Bandwagon is a type of fallacy that makes people believe that popular ideas are actually or necessarily correct. It is something that is used usually when someone is appealing to popularity.  It is also adopting a popular point of view for the primarily purpose of popularity.

Examples of a Bandwagon:

1st Example: The Presidential elections. A bigger number of citizens will be voting for Candidate Duterte, therefore he is the best candidate. 

2nd Example:

We usually see an example of a  Bandwagon in commercials were in they include a big number of artists or people which may get the attention of the viewers.

3rd Example:

It can also be the posts we see on social media. There are several different kinds of posts; they are the false information, trends, “hugots”, and so much more.