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So we are still on lockdown. And despite certain restrictions being lifted, the vaccine is still so far away that it’s still best to stay at home. What to do? Aside from getting coronavirus TV news updates, Netflix marathon-watching is probably what most of you are doing. Based on my many conversations with my Netflix-loving friends, I present the three most popular shows to binge on while we are forced to stay safe indoors by this nasty pandemic.
CRASH LANDING ON YOU
This South Korean drama is popularly known by its acronym CLOY. This series is the third-highest rating Korean drama in cable history. It tells the romantic story of two star crossed lovers, a South Korean heiress and a North Korean captain of the police force.
CLOY has sixteen episodes with each episode ranging in length from around 70 to 110 lengthy minutes. You have to be patient with the first episode as it sets up the story and characters but once you get past that, each episode hooks you further into its elaborate cliffhanging plotline.
THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE
This is from the second season series offering of the FX American Crime Story anthology. It explores the lead-up and the aftermath of the killing of Gianni Versace by the serial killer Andrew Cunanan who is a half-Filipino American obsessed with the Italian designer.
The role of Cunanan is played by Glee’s Darren Criss, who is also half-Filipino. It also stars Filipino actor Jon Jon Briones as Andrew’s father Modesto Cunanan as well as big star names Ricky Martin and Penelope Cruz. The show has nine episodes and plays in a very interesting non-linear order. It has won many awards including an Emmy and Golden Globe for the show as well as for the very talented Darren Criss.
HOLLYWOOD
The latest Netflix miniseries hit is the latest offering from Glee whiz kid Ryan Murphy. It is a show about the Hollywood Golden Age during World War II following a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers.
The series has only seven episodes so far. It stars big names like Darren Criss, Dylan McDermott, Holland Taylor and Patti Lupone. Darren Criss plays a half-Filipino aspiring film director hoping to get a break in Hollywood. The show examines the power dynamics in that crazy Tinseltown and how it would look like without this phenomenon. This is one new show from our beloved Netflix that aims to satisfy your isolation needs.
There is a lot of trepidation in Hollywood in handling unsure material as CRAZY RICH ASIANS can attest. The last time an all-Asian cast modern-day Hollywood film was made was 25 years ago in 1993 with THE JOY LUCK CLUB, earning modest critical and box office success.
MATCHMAKING is an eye-opening, charming Romeo and Juliet story sans a tragic ending within Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community. A 2023 Israeli box office success, this modern-day romantic dramedy from director Erez Tadmor delivers an insightful exploration of the Jewish matchmaking tradition with a dose of social critique.
