I was curious about the Korean series that ended last Thursday on GMA. The network titled it The Emperor Ruler of the Mask (a literal translation in English of the Korean title Gunju – Gamyeonui juin) starring Yoo Seung-ho, Kim So-hyun, Kim Myung-soo, Yoon So-hee, Heo Joon-ho, and Park Chul-min.
This was aired in Korea in 2017 but Netflix has acquired it and is now available for streaming.
I didn’t bother to watch the Tagalog-dubbed version on GMA for two reasons: one, it’s not telecast on HD. When it’s not, the images are distorted. If you have a flat-screen monitor bigger than 32 inches, you will see the faces of the actor in a different perspective (the broadcast term for it is “stretched” which they look chubbier than when it’s in the normal aspect ratio); and second, I can’t relate to the translation from Korean to Tagalog. I’d rather watch it in its original language (soundtrack) with English subtitles (which are fairly okay and understandable).
What a discovery, I should say, this Korean series. While it is a costume drama, the intense dramaturgy wants you to binge-watch so you can reach the end.
In the GMA telecast, the series has ended and if you like to watch it again, you can’t because I think the network’s contract with the Korean companies that own the series is good only for one viewing. But it’s still on Netflix and you can watch it from Episode 1 till the end and you can watch the episodes again if you miss out on details to fully understand the plot development, character development, and the subtexts of each episode.
I am, so far, in the middle of the episode, where the lead character Crown Prince Lee (Sun Yoo Seung-ho) is now trying to get back into the palace of the capital (it is set in the ancient city of Joseon) with the help of Master Woo Boo (Park Chul-min) and take the crown from his former friend, the commoner Lee Sun (Kim Myung- so).
There’s also a budding love triangle among the Crown Prince, the fake Crown Prince and Lady Han Gae-yun (Kim So-hyun). And there’s another triangle between Gae-Yun and Kim Hwa-gun, the granddaughter of Kim Dae-mok (the leader of the evil group Pyunsoo group.
While I admire the acquisition team of GMA network for closing deals with Korean broadcast company MBC for most of its best-selling titles, I just hope they could put up an HD format broadcast that can be carried by cable TV services (not necessarily Sky) to firm up its audience that loves to watch Korean telenovelas. They’re definitely losing out on the Kapamilya network on this aspect.
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Smartphone leader in PH
According to the report released by Canalys, OPPO is officially one of the smartphone brand leaders in the Philippines besting its known competitors in terms of market share. OPPO gained 28 percent of the share; while Samsung cornered a total of 19 percent; and Vivo earned 17 percent of the share for the second quarter of 2019.
The report also stated that SEA achieved the most growth in Asia, and Greater China. OPPO shipped 7.3 million units in Q2 of 2019 in SEA, close to Samsung’s 7.7 million units record.
“We are humbled by this achievement given that we just came into the country just five years ago. As innovation is at the core of the OPPO brand, we value the importance of being able to provide only the best smartphones that will enable the Filipinos to move forward to achieve their goals. We promise that this is just the beginning as we’re fully committed to continue bringing the best smartphones we can offer to the Filipino people,” shared by Zen Han, OPPO Philippines Vice President for Channel Sales.
Recently, IHS Markit also released its list of the world’s top smartphone makers for the Q2 of 2019 where OPPO overtakes US-owned Apple to the 3rd spot joining the ranks of smartphone giants Samsung and Huawei which occupies the first and second spots respectively. OPPO is largely present
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‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ renewed on HBO
HBO has renewed the sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show for a second season, it was announced by Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming.
A Black Lady Sketch Show, which debuted same time as the U.S. on August 3, is a narrative series set in a limitless magical reality full of dynamic, hilarious characters and celebrity guests. The show presents sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including creator Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis and Quinta Brunson. Thede executive produces, writes and stars and Issa Rae executive produces.
Laugh-out-loud funny and not afraid to be controversial, A Black Lady Sketch Show touches on such culturally relevant themes as social norms, anxiety, religion, sex, dating and relationships. Each episode consists of five to six sketches, showcasing the comedic talents of Robin, Quinta, Ashley and Gabrielle portraying an array of dynamic and varied characters, as well as hyper versions of themselves in interstitials featuring four friends stuck in a house during an end-of-the-world event. Unprecedented in sketch comedy TV history, the show is created by, written by, directed by and starring an array of black women.
Stream the last two episodes same time as the U.S. on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and catch up on all past episodes from Season 1 exclusively on HBO GO.