Phil. Daily Inquirer, July 4, 2008
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http://showbizandst yle.inquirer. net/entertainmen t/entertainment/ view/20080703- 146286/Visiting- Kim-Samsoon>
Visiting Kim Samsoon
by Marinel Cruz
MANILA, Philippines - "Ako si Kim Samsoon" may be an adaptation of the
Korean soap series "My Lovely Sam-soon," but the finished product is Pinoy,
said director Dominic Zapata.
"The framework is the same and all the key characters are present. But, we
embellished it with new characters to make it more Filipino," Zapata told
Inquirer Entertainment during a visit to the set at Canyon Woods in Lemery,
Batangas, last week. "We also focused on the subject of family and infused
our own kind of humor."
"GMA-7 acquired the rights to make the local version of the widely popular
2005 Korean show. The network earlier aired adaptations of the Mexican drama
program "Marimar" and the Japanese action-adventure series "Shaider" (shown
locally as "Zaido").
Zapata said very specific guidelines, laid down by the Korean producers,
were followed while shooting the series. "These policies were made so we
don't commit grave mistakes," he explained. "But we made sure there was
enough room to improvise as much as possible."
Zapata continued:
"They will be very pleased when they see our product. I'm
so confident about this, that I don't mind sharing it with other Asian
countries, maybe even with Western audiences."
Playing the role of Samsoon, the middle-aged and overweight baker, is
singer-actress Regine Velasquez. Mark Anthony Fernandez takes on the role of
the rude and angsty French restaurant owner Cyrus Hyun. Wendell Ramos is
Harvey Min, who breaks Samsoon's heart by ditching her on their wedding day.
Also in the cast are Tessie Tomas as Samsoon's mother, Mrs. Sonia Buot;
Carmi Martin as Cyrus' domineering mom, Mrs. Ruiz; Eugene Domingo as Chef
Dina; Nadine Samonte as Cyrus' ex-fiancée, Hannah; Pauleen Luna as Harvey's
fiancée, Cherry; and Maureen Larrazabal as Samsoon's best friend Maureen.
"Ako si Kim Samsoon" airs weekdays on the Telebabad block.
E-mail mcruz@inquirer. com.ph
REGINE VELASQUEZ
Regine Velasquez said she can relate to her character, Kim Samsoon, in a lot
of ways.
"I don't think I'm fat, but a lot of people say I am. Samsoon and I are both
comfortable with our weight. We're both happy with the way we look," the
singer told Inquirer Entertainment.
Kim Samsoon is 30, single and overweight. She loves baking and dreams of
owning a shop of her own. She lands a job in the French restaurant owned by
the grouchy Cyrus Hyun.
Kim Seon-ah, the actress who played the role in the Korean series,
reportedly had to gain 15 lbs. to play the role. Regine opted to wear a fat
suit.
"There's also the aspect of age. In Filipino society, when you reach a
certain age, you are expected to be married, preferably with kids. People
pressure you into finding a partner," Regine noted.
In fact, she said, she is repeatedly asked about marriage plans with her
boyfriend, singer-composer Ogie Alcasid.
WENDELL RAMOS
When the cameras were not rolling, Wendell Ramos wore a sling.
The actor had dislocated his shoulder due to a bad fall while playing
tug-of-war at the recent 2nd "Kapusolympics" in Calatagan, Batangas. "I lost
my balance and my sneakers skidded-so I fell," he recounted. "Masakit pa rin
s'ya. My doctor says it will take one more week before I can start therapy."
Wendell said he was "very thankful" to his Kapuso bosses for giving him the
role of Harvey: "I didn't even have to audition for it. To think that there
are a lot of actors who can probably play it better. I'm happy that GMA-7
trusted me this much."
EUGENE DOMINGO
Eugene Domingo is on cloud 9.
Her role as the Physics teacher Ms. Casas in Aureaus Solito's "Pisay" has
given her two Best Supporting Actress trophies-one from the Entertainment
Press Society and another from the Philippine Movie Press Club.
"It's like planting good seeds," the actress explained. "I've gone through
droughts and stormy seasons. Now it's harvest time."
Eugene, known for her work in various ABS-CBN productions like "Ang Tanging
Ina," "Volta," "Kampanerang Kuba," and "Kokey," said she was ecstatic to be
working with GMA-7.
"I wanted to explore other worlds, meet new people. I didn't want to be
stuck in one place," she said.
DOMINIC ZAPATA
."I'm sure she won't be doing anything that will shock me out of my wits,"
said Dominic Zapata of his girlfriend, actress Krista Ranillo, who agreed to
pose for the cover of FHM in August.
"I trust her," Dominic added. "She did that because photographer Jake
Verzosa was her friend. The magazine had been wanting to put her on the
cover since she was 18."
Dominic also said Krista's "daring" role in Joven Tan's "Paupahan" was done
in "very good taste."
He pointed out that the role called for Krista to bare some skin. "Plus,"
said Dominic, "who would pass up the chance to work with the Romy Vitug (the
movie's cinematographer) ? It would be such an honor, for anyone, to work
with him."
MARK ANTHONY FERNANDEZ
Mark Anthony Fernandez is thankful that work keeps him from missing his dad,
the late action star Rudy Fernandez.
Mark plays Cyrus, Samsoon's temperamental boss and object of affection.
"I try to channel my depression into something positive," Mark told us. His
father passed away on June 7.
"The same thing happens at home," he added. "We try to act normal, even
though we know that, without Papa, things will never be normal again."