Archive for May 2020

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In a post I wrote months ago, I mentioned how intrigued I've been to watch Romance is a Bonus Book. But there was another Kdrama that I also looked forward to watching -- Her Private Life. When I read that Park Min Young is starring in the series, I thought that maybe I'll enjoy watching this one too as I have seen her other rom-com, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim.

Her Private Life tells the story between an artist and eventually museum director, Ryan Gold (Kim Jae-wook) and museum curator Sung Deok-mi whose "private life" is the center of this Kdrama because next to working for Cheum Museum of Art, she is a fangirl of a Kpop idol, Cha Shi-an of the group White Ocean. Trouble ensues when a rumor breaks out that Deok-mi and Shi-an are dating. So in order to protect Deok-mi from the threats of Shi-an's diehard fans, Ryan Gold suggests that he and Deok-mi pretend to date each other instead. Another challenge was when the previous director's daughter, Sindy, (who is also a Shi-an fanatic) gets to be an intern in the museum with a mission: to prove that Deok-mi and Ryan aren't really dating. But the question of where their play-pretend relationship leads them is worth watching as you move from one episode to another (at least, that's how it was for me).

I honestly thought I would quit watching the second episode because I got annoyed with Ryan Gold's aloof personality. But towards the end of that episode (and after knowing that there's such a thing as caffeine allergy which made me think of my coffee consumption for a moment), I just found myself watching one episode after another which made me disregard my "one episode per night" rule. The decision was worth it. In one of the episodes, I even felt like being slapped by reality over the subject of having a little courage-- especially when it comes to love. Yup, at some point it made me remember a former professor's advice: follow the path to romance!

Pardon me for the lack of words on how I could describe my thoughts on this series. I guess it's because things have yet to sink in as I only finished binge-watching the series hours ago. But next to feeling giddy seeing the chemistry between the two characters, Her Private Life offered some surprising twists in the story. I've always wondered why those "bubble-themed" paintings were that important to Ryan. Who is Lee Sol and Heo Yoon-jae? What is the significance of Lee Sol and Cha Shi-an to Ryan? In all those, I was left with a surprised reaction when the answers are revealed. But what made me cry the most was when Sung Deok-mi found out the truth about the child named Deok-soo and what happened to him.

In general, Her Private Life was worth the late-night binge-watching. I can absolutely give a thumbs up to the characters, the plot, the feelings it will give the audience and even the OST (Float and Maybe are my favorites-- I even play that on repeat!) Next to people who are after some feel-good romantic comedy, this show is ideal for those who are inclined to arts and the artistic life and if you are intrigued about the life and how it is like to be a fangirl.

I've been MIA from this blog for almost a month. As of this writing, community quarantine has relaxed a bit. In the area where I am now, we're under general community quarantine from being under enhanced community quarantine for two months. Some forms of transportation are now visible though it seems restrictions from moving out are stricter than the previous months.

Malls are now open though they operate at reduced capacity. Honestly, if you are to ask me how am I feeling with these changes, I could not say I am relaxed -- or if I can even be. Instead of feeling better with the downgraded state of the quarantine, I felt more terrified seeing how people rummaged through malls and supermarkets on the first day of the general community quarantine.

It's as if a real-life Zombie Apocalypse happening. I feel more paranoid leaving the house to buy essential goods even if it meant just being outdoors armed with face mask and alcohol for just two hours.

Compared to the situation now, I felt more comfortable during the enhanced community quarantine. I prefer the previous guidelines of having a market day scheduled for each baranggay, when you are not scared of being flocked by strangers and people. I felt people were more law-abiding and cautious then than now -- when they all behave like bumpkins, forgetting safety measures by flocking the malls as if those establishments won't be there tomorrow.

I don't want to sound pessimistic. But it seems this form of leniency would end up doing more harm than good.

They say a lot of things shall change and they call it the new "normal". Being the paranoid one that I am, I have yet to really leave the house fully -- I'm thinking of doing so maybe after two more weeks. I don't know how it will affect me but changes in my usual routine with likely occur -- including the possibility of shifting to work from home employment instead of working in an office which I did for eight years.

And I hope to land one as soon as I get to settle the needed logistics for it.