Review: AKO SI KIM SAM SOON- Don't let the first few minutes fool ya, we have a winner.
"AKO SI KIM SAM SOON" is GMA-7's first offer for the surge of K-drama remakes in the Philippines. The first being ABS-CBN's MY GIRL which was turned into entertaining but rather empty teen fare fluff.
Remaking the phenomenal and heartfelt "My Name Is Kim Sam Soon" from MBC Korea is pretty much like reaaal big shoes to fill.
I remember feeling like it was totally lost if they even remade such a well-executed show, but the careful promos and the teasers kept me interested. They casted singer-actress Regine Velasquez for (the amazing) Kim Sun Ah's famous Sam Soon role, now geared in a fat suit (noooooo!) and kabuki-like makeup. I was a bit weary of how her characterization or her portrayal of such a memorable character would turn out.
I was initially drawn to this because of the casting of comeback actor, Mark Anthony Fernandez taking on the role of Korean hearthrrob,Hyun Bin's "Sam Shik" or in the Filipino realm, "Cyrus". So I anticipated the first episode.
In my first impression, AKO SI KIM SAM SOON is that it starts off rough and slow almost fast-forward worthy, but it quickly picks itself up from its rather rocky phase and gives as a smooth first episode of a remake. Which gave us an ESSENCE of the original (which, IMHO, MY GIRL overall lacks) but giving us a taste of what Filipino dramas are made of. Capturing the essence is not using the K-drama as a template but just finding the spirit of the characters and its story. So far, I can see the effort Director Dom in doing this.
In the first few frames of the episode we start in a wooden bridge, overlooking the high falls, steep rocks all over, and the water just gushing in. A haunting narration of a woman's experiences in a life filled with ridicule, burden but above all else, heartbreak.
We see her, rubenesque in a frumpy wedding gown that would make even the Bride of Chucky scream in horror. Mascara streaming all over her cheeks and lipstick that would make a prosti from the 80s scream "fashion victim!"
We meet her, her name is Kim Sam Soon Buyot (sp?) a woman cursed with a mabahong last name and a weird hybrid of names put together... Kimberly, Samuel, and Sonia... we blame the "Soon" because the midwife's Bisaya (cue in the canned laughter ).
The first few minutes of the drama, started rather slow, the extras had some real bad acting and I felt some of the comedy came off forced. Especially, the introduction of Kim Sam Soon Buyot and her supposed "funny" name. And how she screams pathetic old maid. Ya know, overweight, has a bad name, cannot brush her hair, eats with a napkin on her neck, old virgin--- yada yada yada.
She then meets a dashing but ultra greasy kind of "yummy guy" in Harvey (good -in -the -eyes- but-nothing-else-actor, Wendell Ramos). A guy who she met after having one of her eating binges in a restaurant. They had an instant connection, they promise to take things slow ...
but the next scene they were making out in the hotel room. (BWAH!)
yet, so sad she didn't surrender it all because he near breaks his back trying to carry her on to the bed.
So the rather awkward in love SamSoon falls in love quite quickly with the "deliciouuus Harvey".
The rather cheesy Harvey celebrates two-weeksaries (WTF) with her and gives her in with a whirlwind romance... giving an oh-so-romantic Barrel Man (BOIIIING) with a ring holding on to it. Now she's engaged to such a yum-yum.
Whirlwind romance much?
Samsoon has never been so thrilled that someone finally loved her. She assures her loud best friend that her mother will be very happy with her decision.
We then switch to a scene of her mother pulling the hair of Sam Soon Filipino melodrama... actually poking fun of the drama instead of being immersed in it haha.
Tessie Thomas is just brilliant and hilarious as SamSoon's crazy and loving mom.
But the scene stealer here is Jennica Garcia as Eliza, Sam Soon's sister. This beautiful young actress seems to take after her mother, Jean Garcia's screen presence and acting skills. Pretty good for a newbie.
Sam Soon's so excited for her now big church wedding, she eats tons more and she suddenly becomes centerstage into the whole process.
I love the Buyot family! They're just so adorable even when they're kind of sadistic.
We have the mom who is like a walking soap opera, possessing a generator-like snore, and always smacks her daughters with a roll of newspapers.
We have the pretty little sister---witty, loyal, high-maintenance, and a bit boy-crazy enough so to even crush on Harvey.
Then we have Sam Soon a klutzy woman, someone who loves her appetite and has a heart of gold.
Combine all three together it's a farkin' riot. The chemistry of all three of them works wonders. They feed off each other's energy and their timing is just enough to bring on the laughter.
Then, after all the planning... Harvey backs out ON the actual day of the wedding.
Leaving the confused Sam Soon seeking for answers.
I didn't really like how the first part of the hotel scene was executed, moreso in Regine's acting which was borderline comedic hysterics or just intense drama. Even how the scene was handled was as confusing, you're trying to think if they're making us laugh with her Corpse Bride screaming with the silly music or make us sympathize with her. It was weird... but she saves herself later on when she finally confronts Harvey.
Of course, he dumps her for another girl, his ex from Australia yada yada yada but I wasn't focusing on Harvey's sublot here, but I was looking at mascara-mess SamSoon. Regine was right on point with the emotions in this scene... this time, even when her look and clumsiness may scream comedy, her eyes, her faint voice, and her tears just made me feel for her. Empathy was with SamSoon and the dramatic music didn't even have to be cranked up a notch for me to feel for her. I actually felt uncomfortable for a while as if *I* was really watching her go through all this that's when I realized this scene worked very well.
But what I like about how this was directed was the DRAMA did NOT linger, we didn't have the bouts of long melodrama in between scenes we were given a chance to BREATHE and laugh for a while.
Especially with the sister, Eliza talking about how cruel and stupid Harvey is... but then she quickly says, "Ang gwapo gwapo nya naman!" (He's really so handsome!)
Even the SamSoon's bff saying she never trusted Harvey but all I kept thinking was how much she went on and on about his erm... delicious body.
Then there is the mother yapping and yapping about the whole thing. It's nice that the director knows not when to dwell on drama. Something Filipino shows seems to have as a burden.
Then, we go back to the first scene Sam Soon thinking about how cruel the world is... she takes a deep breath, and so long, farewell...
and she jumps.
and cracks her skull.
and blood spurting out.
Then, she realizes na panget nga pala siya if she dies such a violent death.
In her mind, she thinks of a "beauty death"...
Poison? FLASH! FLASH!
Bigti?! FLASH FLASH.
Maybe death isn't such a good idea.
By this time, I knew we had a WINNING remake.
Samsoon, zips in to another dramatic moment and throws her engagement ring ala Rose from Titanic.
Then, she realizes she can still use that thing. She reaches in, fats and bulges and all ---stretches real hard for the ring.
We oversee a Mercedes convertible driving (Sam Shik's driving?) around the area, a young handsome man, geared in a sleek suit,yells out for her to stop. He comes dashing in to help the suicidal bride of Chucky.
Right when Samsoon reaches for the ring, he crashes into her and holds her tight. They lay there... lost and staring at each other. Baffled. Then the music, "MAYBE IT'S YOU" clicks in. And dammit, oh so manipulated! I felt a cheap kilig thrill in that.
AKO SI KIM SAM SOON had its less than stellar moments especially the first five minutes-- but as soon as you get over the whole Harvey ordeal, you are whirled into a rather charming drama.
The dialogue is crisp and the editing is breezy but not convoluted. The direction gives us a simple but sweet feel that does NOT drag. The cinematography and placement of scenes all mesh quite wonderfully. The last zoom out in the romantic end of Episode 1 makes this evident.
There are still moments of mystery for the characters for us to be curious about them, and later on to invest for them.
I have mixed feelings about the caricature points of the portrayal of Kim Sam Soon but Regine gives life to the heroine with a big heart, her comedy is right on and has shown the right pivotal arcs in the dramatic scenes. Because of that we do forget the caricature. She should be careful on overdoing it, but so far she's done pretty well.
The chemistry of the cast is also what makes it work.
But for me, it's the overall treatment of the show, the handling of dramatic and comedic scenes were effortless. It also gives us a lot of heart. I like how the moments are short and sweet, we know SamSoon's family loves her lots without them trying to spell it out for us by 15 minutes of crying scenes.
AKO SI KIM SAM SOON is breezy fun but keeps its heart at pace. Don't let the first few minutes turn you off.
I'll be looking forward to the next episode. CYRUS is already dreamy.
Keep it up! I'm already watching.