Push Admin

5 Elements We Loved In 'Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko'

For K-Drama fans and love story enthusiasts, Bela Padilla and Yoo Min Gon’s movie, set in the romantic autumn season in South Korea, is a tearjerker with the right 

Article (news)

Grace C. Diez

<p><em><strong>Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko</strong></em> is a film written, directed, and starred in by <a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/fascinating-women-2023-bela-padilla/35194?utm_type=native" target="_blank">Bela Padilla</a>. While this can be seen as a litmus test of Bela’s capabilities as an artist and a creative, the overall feelings that emanate from the movie are the passion and the heart poured in by Bela in this particular project.</p><div><br/></div><p>Let’s start off with this fact: there is no shortage of romantic movies in the Philippine movie industry but the real challenge is how to make every love story out there fresh and something that will resonate with viewers. </p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"></div><div style="text-align:center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CquIKg4Irno/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CquIKg4Irno/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div> <div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CquIKg4Irno/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by VIVA Films (@viva_films)</a></div></div></blockquote> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/fascinating-women-2023-bela-padilla/35194" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fascinating Women 2023: Bela Padilla</a></div><div><br/></div><p>Thankfully, <strong>VIVA Films</strong> and Bela Padilla captivated the heart and imagination not only of those who favor a good romance story but also of ardent <em>Hallyu</em> (Korean wave) fans. After all, this film is inspired by the K-drama <em><strong>Because This Is My First Life</strong></em> and the book featured in it, and majority of the scenes are set in South Korea. </p><div><br/></div><p>They have thrown in elements that are not usually seen in Filipino movies such as having a Korean actor as a male lead, having your female lead star be at the helm of this film, showcasing the best of a highly popular tourist destination like <strong>South Korea</strong>, and running with an unexpected twist in the story.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqrjXOqIYeu/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638165000049043432%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2F2d55977bf571aed046bd24f6a1d9cd3043b11d90c01cde9c2393f1043#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A4560%2C%22ls%22%3A4492.799999982119%2C%22le%22%3A4505.799999982119%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="706" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> </div><div><br/></div><p><em>Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko</em> is about Lisa Villamor (Bela Padilla), a K-drama fan and published author, who meets a Korean fan of hers named Kim Gun Ho (<strong>Yoo Min Gon</strong>) during a book signing. Gun Ho braves and takes his chance to invite Lisa on what would turn out to be a life-changing trip to South Korea.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Metro.Style</strong> was able to catch the <strong>Summer MMFF</strong> (Metro Manila Film Festival) 2023 entry during its premiere night, and if the audience reaction is any indication, the film succeeded in its mission to please and touch the hearts of viewers. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>We listed down some of the noteworthy moments of the film that will surely stay in your mind long after the movie has finished its screening.</strong></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqcbPb5vFAm/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638164994072479990%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2F1da6f37516a04972566bcb495f697e072cb7a636a25b62070b822416d#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A5489.0999999940395%2C%22ls%22%3A3557.2999999821186%2C%22le%22%3A3810.7999999821186%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="879" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> <div></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The “meet-cute” and heart fluttering scenes between Lisa (Bela) and Gun Ho (Min Gon)</strong></div><p>For <em>Hallyu</em> fans and bibliophiles alike, meeting someone or specifically a really cute Korean guy during a book signing is the very definition of an ideal “meet-cute” scenario. The banter between Lisa and Gun Ho who, unexpectedly understood Tagalog, is a scene that inspired giggles and <em>kilig, </em>but that’s just a sneak peek. There were many scenes in the film that will make one’s heart melt such as the snacking on Pinoy and Korean treats together, the scarf scene, the “kiss on the doorway” that sent many viewers shrieking inside the cinemas. The musical scoring of <strong>Kean Cipriano</strong> helps in setting the mood for the pair, too.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9-aQ8uwlU/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638164996577239585%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2F5697e4bfde1cfb6bd2f2f9b351ad3796ad6c968b1489d895df54e5260#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A3061.4000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A2164.4000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2166.4000000059605%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1003" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> <div><br/></div><div><strong>The iconic K-drama locations</strong></div><p>Many of the film’s scenes are set in South Korea during peak autumn season, and the production team maximized this opportunity to the hilt and film these scenes gorgeously. Among the iconic locations that served as the backdrop to the Lisa-Gun Ho romance were the <strong>Deoksugung Palace Stonewall Walkway</strong>, the <strong>Fortress Wall of Seoul</strong>, and the <strong>Seoul Book Bogo</strong>, among others. Think of this movie as a chance to visit (or revisit) the beauty of South Korea in this glorious season.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp63uWevyol/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638165000049043432%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2F2d55977bf571aed046bd24f6a1d9cd3043b11d90c01cde9c2393f1043#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A5393.4000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A4492.799999982119%2C%22le%22%3A4505.799999982119%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> <div></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The plight of OFWs adding a layer to the plot</strong></div><p>Perhaps one of the most unexpected elements of the film is how it touches on something that’s culturally relevant for us Filipinos: a compelling side story on OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and their mental health. It’s emotionally affecting to hear no less than <strong>Lorna Tolentino</strong> (in a special role) say this as an OFW who had to leave her child in the Philippines to work abroad: “I think I’m a bad mother…” To which Min Gon’s Gun Ho replied: “You’re a bad wife, not a bad mother…” To find out more of the context behind the lines, pay close attention to the movie’s heart for OFWs.</p><div><br/></div><div></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqdIhCJPp8h/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638165009664077897%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2F7646db1bcfc205c8c62be4f2dc4658c8d7720f27d18f5d009d688017f#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3374.5999999940395%2C%22ls%22%3A2264%2C%22le%22%3A2265.800000011921%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="745" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> <div><br/></div><div><strong>Romance with a dark plot twist</strong></div><p>Every love story has conflicts, right? But in <em>Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko</em>, this turns out to be a plot twist that’s been quietly building up from the start; with the audience so focused on the romance, the seeds planted went generally unnoticed. It’s a twist to the story that moved the plot to a different direction. To some, the plot twist may not feel new but it’s just as heartbreaking. Prepare your tissues.</p><div><br/></div><div></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CquddrOPaQO/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638165010517745926%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2Fdad41041587058ba03b709e13c1928ce2723f073f57e645f5d1123a47#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2473.0999999940395%2C%22ls%22%3A2387.9000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2402.800000011921%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="879" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> <div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CquZdaxvy0S/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fpresentation.metro.style&amp;rp=%2Fcmsctx%2Fpv%2F38a326a7-4a96-4fd8-8638-2410a9496ef4%2Fculture%2Fen-US%2Fwg%2F2974396f-7afe-43ca-a738-703ce91e3eff%2Freadonly%2F0%2Fpts%2F638165010517745926%2Fea%2F1%2Fh%2Fdad41041587058ba03b709e13c1928ce2723f073f57e645f5d1123a47#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A2475.300000011921%2C%22ls%22%3A2387.9000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2402.800000011921%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="879" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe> <div><br/></div><div><strong>The satisfying ending</strong></div><p>Time heals all wounds, so they say, and the time jump certainly helped the movie reach an ending that feels satisfying for the troubled sweethearts. Again, as the title suggests, books played important roles in not just solving the conflict between the lovers but also in injecting the <em>kilig</em> and the unforgettable cinematic romance we crave from the two protagonists. Get <em>kilig</em> responsibly.</p><div><br/></div><p>If you’re open to watching a movie that feels like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, then <em>Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko</em>, primarily set in South Korea, is a beautiful destination. The film feels like a love letter of writer-director-actress Bela to fellow lovers of <em>Hallyu</em> and books, to OFWs, and to creatives who long to pour out their passions and interests in a project like this. </p><div><br/></div><div><em><strong>Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko will be released in cinemas nationwide on April 8, 2023 as an official entry to the first ever Summer MMFF.</strong></em></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>VIVA Films</strong> and background from <strong>Pexels</strong></p><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

For K-Drama fans and love story enthusiasts, Bela Padilla and Yoo Min Gon’s movie, set in the romantic autumn season in South Korea, is a tearjerker with the right dose of romance