Following hits last year including Squid Game and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Netflix members across the globe have continued embracing shows from Korea in 2022. For 10 of the 13 weeks in 2022, Korean series have been #1 in Netflix’s Global Non-English series Top 10.
This week’s Non-English series Top 10 features six Netflix original shows from Korea, with Business Proposal claiming the top spot for the third consecutive week.
Business Proposal, a romantic comedy based on the popular webtoon, is also the third most-watched of all series globally this week, behind only Bridgerton (Season 1 and 2) with over 32 million watch hours. The show was also #1 in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and #2 in India and Sri Lanka this week.
The enduring popularity of Korean drama goes beyond romantic comedies, with a diversity of genres including a zombie thriller (All Of Us Are Dead) and a youth crime drama (Juvenile Justice) both reaching #1 in the Non-English series Top 10 this year.
All Of Us Are Dead, which premiered in January this year, has already become the third most-watched Non-English series of all time on Netflix.
You can view this week’s full Top 10 here. The six Korean series in this week’s Top 10 include Business Proposal (#1), Twenty Five Twenty One (#2), Forecasting Love & Weather (#4), Juvenile Justice (#6), All Of Us Are Dead (#7), and Thirty-Nine (#9).
The season one finale of Business Proposal also saw strong fan reactions across social platforms. The show captured the hearts of global fans with its gripping romance, fast-paced storytelling, and a charming ensemble cast. Here are some highlights from fans reacting to the final episodes this week:
Here are some reactions from fans around the world:
business proposal is that one kdrama when i look back in the future, i would think of something like 'ah, thank you for existing during the time i needed you the most'
#BusinessProposal finally ended. It's a feel good series with so much heart. The plot keeps you hooked. No upsetting plot twists just pure lightness and fun. 😭 A must watch if you just want to be happy. The casts are just perfect for their roles. 10/10 😭#BusinessProposalEp12pic.twitter.com/e1WF27gPvL
business proposal gave all the clichés, funny and heartwarming scenes, making it one of my comfort kdramas (it also made my mother a kpopper becos of sejeong 😂) it was a refreshing and entertaining ride indeed #BusinessProposal#BusinessProposalEp12pic.twitter.com/APcwRajdAs
Manusia ga ada puasnya. Di kasih sad ending, ngamok pengen happy ending. Ada yg happy ending ga sampe wedding, ngamok pengen ada wedding scene. Udah di kasih wedding scene, masih ada aja yg ngotot pengen season 2 nyeritain kehidupan rumah tangganya 🤣#BusinessProposalEp12pic.twitter.com/Q7uFLf5mHS
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
A new K-drama is heading to Netflix, bringing us grounded and comforting stories about people who are in different stages and must face different aspects of their lives. Set on the warm, lively Jeju Island, the omnibus drama Our Bluespromises a series of beautiful tales revolving around the island’s inhabitants.
Before the premiere of its pilot episode this April 9, we got to attend Netflix’s virtual press conference for Our Blues, where the creators and cast of the TV show shared some interesting details on how they formed the series and the characters that live in it. Check out the highlights of the presscon below:
Different stories tied together by Jeju Island
A refreshing format for a K-drama, Our Blues tells the stories of fourteen characters whose lives are somehow connected through the Seopseop 5-day Market of the Pureung village– some are friends, neighbors, and relatives. Each episode is told through the eyes of one or two characters, and with every episode, the viewers are given a glimpse of the lives of the other characters who have their own stories to tell in yet another episode.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
“An omnibus style is something that I wanted to try on a drama series for over ten years,” shared writer Noh Hee-kyung. “I kind of, got sick and tired of just seeing a male lead and a female lead. You know, we are all the main characters in each of our lives, but why is it that everything just revolves around two people in a drama? And that question has led me to choose an omnibus style.”
As for why the writer of the series chose Jeju Island as the setting for this drama, she answered: “I believe Jeju is a place where the very Korean and local sentiments remain intact. In Jeju, the whole neighborhood could be blood-related, and if not, they’re still very close to one another. And their close-knit culture was something I could really use to portray the Korean culture.”
Experiencing a series & film in one
Having a fresh format for a K-drama, Our Blues director Kim Kyu-tae also shared how he approached the direction of the show. According to the director, he saw Our Blues as a hybrid between a film and a series.
“When we were planning the show and I read the script, it felt like a hybrid of a drama series and a movie. It sat on a fine between the two,” Kyu-tae began. “So I also wanted to make sure that this provided the viewers two experiences– one of watching a film and the other of watching a 20-episode series. That is what I focused on the most.
“I [told] myself, let’s just get back to the basics. I didn’t want to go overboard to kill two birds with one stone. I got back to the basics, I wanted to go about it the classic way, and in a sophisticated way. So that was my focus. Nowadays we tend to see a lot of fancy video techniques, where we sometimes just go for instant thrills and stimulus. But instead of going down that path, I wanted to focus more on the characters, their stories and their emotions. And I didn’t want to force anything onto the viewers. I just wanted to let them watch and slowly immerse themselves into the emotions and stories in a more natural way. I think that’s what’s most important,” the director added.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
An exciting ensemble of stars
To bring the captivating stories of Our Blues to life, the production has gathered an impressive ensemble of actors, including Shin Min-ah (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha), Lee Byung-Hun (Mr. Sunshine, Squid Game), Cha Seung-won (One Ordinary Day, The Greatest Love), and Kim Woo-bin (Uncontrollably Fond). Also joining them are Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, Uhm Jung-hwa, Roh Yoon-seo, Bae Hyun-sung, Kim Hye-Ja, Ko Du-shim, Park Ji-hwan, and Choi Young-joon.
Shin Min-ah and Lee Byung-hun’s chemistry
Lee Byung-hun stars as Lee Dong-seok, an innocent truck driver who was born and raised in Jeju Island. Dong-seok stumbles upon romance when his paths crossed with Shin Min-ah’s Min Seon-a, the actress’ first role as a mother, who had to leave her child and move to Jeju Island.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Asked about his chemistry with Min-ah, Byung-hun shares: “Youthful and energetic was how I always imagined Min-ah, but through filming this drama I got to know that she had a very profound depth to her, and her acting has depth too. I was surprised and impressed, and I think we had very good synergy… She and I had great chemistry while filming, so it was exciting and I felt confident while working with her.”
Min-ah also shared her experience working with Byung-hun for the third time around in this new series: “This time in Our Blues we met again, and I felt like I had met three different people maybe because we had such different roles before. But I can say that I did feel slightly more comfortable with him, so I think that helped create the chemistry between Dong-seok and Seon-a.”
Shin Min-ah’s first mother role
Fresh from the success of last year’s Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Shin Min-ah returns to our screens in Our Blues, this time as a mother. During the press conference, the actress shares her experience acting as a mother for the first time.
“Min seon-a is a character who is still dwelling in her pain. This is my first role as a mother of a child. There was more pressure for me to depict Seon-a’s emotional changes and how she overcomes her pain rather than the fact that she’s a mother. I thought it would be very difficult. But weirdly, I had an understanding of her character and her mindset. I felt her pain. Her pain and her will to overcome that pain. Those two were I thought, would be exciting for me to depict and I wanted to take on this challenge. I guess you could say, Seon-a’s character was the biggest reason I took on this piece. Her emotions and her personality were relatable for me.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Cha Seung-won as the hardworking father Choi Han-soo
Cha Seung-won who recently starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun in One Ordinary Day, plays the family man Choi Han-soo. “From how I see it, Han-soo works in Korea to support his family abroad and to raise his daughter abroad. Even though I’m not supporting my family abroad personally, I still had a lot of similar feelings with Han-soo as a father. I brought those thoughts into my acting for this drama. There weren’t any particular directions or processes that I focused on. As writer Noh said, just going with the flow is the best direction for her drama. Her words and penmanship really shined through all the acting, so I really enjoyed that process.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Kim Woo-bin’s comeback as Park Jeong-jun
It’s been six years since Kim Woo-bin last appeared in a K-drama, and fans of the actor are surely looking forward to his return, especially with his real-life partner, Shin Min-ah, also playing a part in the series. In Our Blues, Woo-bin plays captain Park Jeong-jun, a romantic man with a busy life, from driving off sea divers who harvest Jeju’s sea life to selling fish at the market.
“I put emphasis on trying to put myself in Jeong-jun’s shoes,” stated Woo-bin during the press conference. “So to understand how he grew up and the emotions he feels. I just followed through writer Noh’s script. I followed the emotional journey of Jeong-jun. And while I was getting prepared for the role, I wanted to understand the environment that he lives in. So I went over to Jeju earlier than I needed to, to meet and talk with some boat captains and sometimes just follow around haenyeo divers to see how they commute, and also learn how to trim fish. So I put a lot of time into trying to understand him.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Where to stream ‘Our Blues’
More characters, each with their beautiful and fleshed-out stories, are coming to the K-drama Our Blues, which will premiere on Netflix this April 9, 2022. New episodes will be released every Saturday and Sunday at 10 PM, Philippine time. For more information, visit the show’s official page on Netflix.
ABOUT ‘OUR BLUES’ Director: Kim Kim Kyu-tae Writer: Noh Hee-kyung Starring: Shin Min-ah, Lee Byung-Hun, Cha Seung-won, Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, Uhm Jung-hwa, Roh Yoon-seo, Bae Hyun-sung, Kim Hye-Ja, Ko Du-shim, Park Ji-hwan, and Choi Young-joon. Distributed by: Netflix Release Date: April 9, 2022 (with new episodes every Saturday and Sunday, 10 PM Philippine time)
Streaming services have really redefined entertainment for everyone, and with more viewers exploring more shows across different platforms, the demand and competition between these streaming sites have resulted in a vast pool of content one can watch from their own TVs and gadgets.
If you’re always on the lookout for the latest releases on Netflix, HBO GO, and other streaming services here in the Philippines, we’ve got you covered! On this list, we round up new movies and series that are heading to your favorite streamers from April 4 to 10, 2022!
Green Mothers’ Club follows five mothers who became friends after meeting each other at their children’s elementary school. Together, the women navigate their lives with each other’s support, facing both challenges and triumphs.
Starring Ken Watanabe and Ansel Elgort, this film is based on Jake Adelstein’s non-fiction first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat, and his daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo.
This season of the HBO Original comedy series will feature sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis, and Quinta Brunson.
A convicted felon who got early parole after serving twelve years in prison vows to give his childhood love, now suffering from cancer, the best year of her life.
Based on the children’s picture book ‘The Princess and the Pony’, this animated series follows the adventures of the fearless Pinecone and her best pal Pony.
Alice in Borderland returns for a second season on Netflix this December!
Released back in December 2020, the live-action series about death games quickly garnered a following in Japan and around the world. The first season followed Arisu and his friends Chota and Karube, as they are suddenly transported to the mysterious Borderland, where inhabitants are forced to play deadly challenges to survive.
For the upcoming season, Arisu and his ally Usagi will play more violent games that will test their intelligence, strength, and teamwork, in the hopes of finding a way back to their original world. The 10 key characters who survived the last game of the first season have been confirmed to return. Watch the cast announcement below:
Based on the manga ‘Imawa-no-Kuni-no-Arisu’, Alice in Borderland stars Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Nijiro Murakami, Ayaka Miyoshi, Dori Sakurada, Aya Asahina, Yutaro Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Abe, Sho Aoyagi, and Riisa Naka. It is directed by Shinsuke Sato with a screenplay co-written by Sato with Yasuko Kuramitsu.
For more information, visit the show’s official Netflix page.
Since its arrival here in the Philippines, Netflix has been continuously bringing us great content to stream on our favorite devices. Whether it’s a compelling K-drama with interesting characters, a thrilling title that keeps us at the edge of our seats, comedies that give us our much-needed dose of laughter, or just anything that keeps us entertained on the couch or on the go, we surely can count on the streaming service’s rich library of shows and movies.
If you’re always on the lookout for Netflix’s latest releases, then look no further! We’ve listed down ten shows and films to anticipate and add to your watchlist this month of April!
This animated film follows Richard Linklater as a 10-year-old as he recounts nostalgic tales and a fantastical account of a journey to the moon and back.
Based on the bestselling novel by Sarah Vaughan, this limited series follows a woman’s dilemma when her politician husband becomes the subject of a shocking scandal.
This Breaking Bad spinoff is back for its sixth and final season. As the criminal lawyer’s fate as Jimmy, Saul, and Gene nears its conclusion, Mike, Gus, Nach, and Lalo are locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Based on the bestselling graphic novels from Alice Oseman, this series features the unlikely friendship between the gentle Charlie and rugby-loving Nick which soon blossoms into romance.
From the director of Attack on Titan comes this anime film that is set in Tokyo where mysterious bubbles broke the laws of gravity. When a young man plummets into a gravity-bending sea, he is saved by a girl with powers, not knowing that their encounter is fated to change the world.
Want weekly updates on your favorite streaming services? Check out our weekly list of online releases on Netflix, HBO GO, and other streaming platforms in the Philippines.
If you enjoyed Netflix interactive specials such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt where viewers can ‘choose their own adventure’ and decide what happens next, then Trivia Quest is an upcoming series that is something to watch out for!
Trivia Quest launches on April 1, 2022, with one new episode available every day for the month of April (that’s 30 episodes in total). Every episode features a set of 24 questions perfect for quiz and trivia geeks, with 12 standard and 12 hard multiple-choice questions across various categories such as history, entertainment, sports, and science. Trivia Quest is based on Trivia Crack, a popular multi-platform trivia franchise by etermax.
Similar to the other Netflix interactive specials, the upcoming quiz series has a narrative twist, with players on a mission to help hero Willy rescue the citizens of Trivia Land by racking up points. Stumped and didn’t get to answer some questions correctly? There will be an option to replay quizzes so you can get the correct answers and keep accumulating points.
You can play Trivia Quest on Netflix starting April 1st on all supported devices, which include smart TVs, streaming media players, game consoles, computer browsers, Android phones and tablets, and iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch). More details on supported devices can be found here.
Streaming services have really redefined entertainment for everyone, and with more viewers exploring more shows across different platforms, the demand and competition between these streaming sites have resulted in a vast pool of content one can watch from their own TVs and gadgets.
If you’re always on the lookout for the latest releases on Netflix, HBO GO, and other streaming services here in the Philippines, we’ve got you covered! On this list, we round up new movies and series that are heading to your favorite streamers from March 28 to April 3, 2022!
Mari Yamazaki’s award-winning manga continues its story in this new anime series, where the Roman architect Lucius travels through time and finds himself in modern Japan and the Edo period, inspiring him to build a bathhouse in ancient Rome.
A group of investors investigates the suspicious death of cryptocurrency multimillionaire Gerry Cotten and the missing $250 million that they believe he stole from them.
This animated film follows Richard Linklater as a 10-year-old as he recounts nostalgic tales and a fantastical account of a journey to the moon and back.
In a future where Mars has become habitable and is colonized by the best of humanity, two college students scheme together to get to the red planet and unite with their significant others.
In a bleak future where the human race struggles for its existence, 30 young men and women are bred to embark on a mission to colonise a distant planet. But as soon as their primitive instincts kick in, the mission descends into chaos.
This film follows the story of the 30-year-old climber Tom Ballard who went missing in 2019 while climbing the so-called killer mountain, Nanga Parbat.
In case you missed it, there’s a new season of Bridgerton and if you haven’t seen the first season yet, what are you doing??? The show is based on the romance novel series by Julia Quinn and produced by Shonda Rhimes a.k.a. Shondaland. *SPOILER ALERT* In the season finale, it is revealed that Penelope Featherington played by Nicola Coughlan is Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews). Who is Lady Whistledown, you ask? She’s the town’s anonymous gossip-monger who shakes up the ton with her scandal sheet. Juicy, indeed!
In a roundtable interview with select media from the Philippines, we sat down with Nicola Coughlan who shares her journey as Penelope Featherington, Lady Whistledown’s reveal, her friendship with Eloise, and more. Read the full interview below:
What do you think that of all the characters to be Lady Whistledown, it had to be Penelope? What pushed her to write on the subject of the ‘ton and in a manner that she does?
Nicola Coughlan: I think there are a lot of reasons why she writes Lady Whistledown. She is someone who feels like she doesn’t belong with her family. She is quite shy so she doesn’t express herself in person because that gets in her way. She was used to going around her family that would constantly snipe at one another, and she couldn’t do that. So she internalized it and brought it into her words because she loves to read. And then I think, because the ‘ton loves it so much, that pushes her forward even more.
What are your thoughts on Penelope’s journey this season?
Nicola Coughlan: I was really excited to go back and play her because her being revealed as Lady Whistledown at the end of Season 1 really opened up her whole world and opened it up to the audience. I was excited to see how she got away with everything and how she collected all the information, got it to the printers, and all that stuff. Coming back in and knowing I was going to get to play that, was really exciting.
How different it was to play Penelope now that her identity as Lady Whistledown was revealed?
Nicola Coughlan: It’s different in a certain way but because I always knew she was Lady Whistledown, that was always in my mind. A lot of season one was about keeping it under the surface and keeping it a lot in her head. It created new challenges which was so much fun for her — being clever and tricking people, moving around London in the nighttime, and all that stuff.
How has Eloise and Penelope’s friendship evolved in this season?
Nicola Coughlan: I think their friendship evolves a lot because Eloise enters into society and Penelope hasn’t had a friend by her side before. I think she likes that she’s there as a friend but then it also creates issues. She needs to collect information at these balls in order to write Lady Whistledown so having Eloise constantly attached to her, creates a bit of tension. And also, there’s an element of her that she really needs Eloise’s praise.
The first season focused on Daphne and the Duke, the second season Antony and Kate, whose story would you want to see more for the next season? Would we see Collin and Penelope?
Nicola Coughlan: Who knows? I guess that’s a question for Shondaland. We’re lucky enough that we know were commissioned for four seasons which is such a rare and lucky thing to have. So I do know Collin and Penelope’s love story is coming within that.
What are your thoughts on gossip culture? Do you think it’s helpful or are you against it?
Nicola Coughlan: I think it’s a thing that we pretend we don’t like, but everyone loves to indulge in a little bit of gossip. It’s something about this time in history that women had so little agency over what they could do in their lives, that this was one thing they could really have control of and be the queens of this domain of gossip. So I totally get why it was such a thing but also, I think nobody’s immune to a good, juicy piece of gossip.
This season explores feminism deeply, especially Eloise. If you could share a piece of advice to women, what would it be?
Nicola Coughlan: I think you’ve got to put yourself first because women have a habit of thinking of everybody else before themselves. But ultimately, when they say on a plane, you’ve got to put your own oxygen mask on before anybody else’s? Apply that to your life because when you’re taking care of yourself, you’re better to be able to serve everyone and everything you’re doing. But you got to put yourself first.
What onset secrets can you share with us?
Nicola Coughlan: I’m always trying to be as comfortable as possible because the costumes are not terribly comfortable. So at any scene where I’m sitting down for a prolonged period of time, I will always try and wear Ugg boots underneath the dress. So you’ve got this beautiful Regency ballgown
Nicola Coughlan: We got given a gigantic bag with a “B” on it. I think if we tried to steal one of those costumes, I’d get in a lot of trouble. They’re not the most inconspicuous so by leaving with a giant yellow gown, I think they’d be like “no, no, no!”
Bridgerton Season 2 premieres today, March 25, on Netflix. Stream here.
ABOUT BRIDGERTON RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2022 EPISODES: 8 episodes x 1 hour PRODUCTION COMPANY: Shondaland CREATOR/SHOWRUNNER: Chris Van Dusen DIRECTORS: Tricia Brock (201, 202), Alex Pillai (203, 204), Tom Verica (205, 206), Cheryl Dunye (207, 208) EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Chris Van Dusen, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica STARRING: Adjoa Andoh, Lorraine Ashbourne, Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Harriet Cains, Bessie Carter, Charithra Chandran, Shelley Conn, Nicola Coughlan, Phoebe Dynevor, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Martins Imhangbe, Claudia Jessie, Calam Lynch, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Thompson, Will Tilston, Polly Walker, Rupert Young, and Julie Andrews
After almost two years, Bridgertonis back for another season! A period drama that was compared to Gossip Girl, the Shondaland and Chris Van Dusen series took the world by storm with its storyline and steamy scenes. Set in the 19th century, Julia Quinn’s series is a collection of eight novels based on the eight Bridgerton children. The first season was based on Daphne and the Duke of Hastings, but it will be all about Lord Anthony for the second season.
Watch the official trailer of Bridgerton Season 2 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYNCws-a6CQ
In a roundtable interview with select press from the Philippines, we had a chat with Jonathan Bailey who reprises his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton, Simone Ashley, and Charithra Chandran who plays the new characters, Kate Sharma and Edwina Sharma. They talk about the lessons viewers can learn from their characters, what it was like wearing costumes, and if they got to keep anything from the show. Read the interview below:
For Simone and Charithra, what was it like joining the cast? For Jonathan, what was it like slipping back into the role and welcoming new cast members?
Simone Ashley: Oh gosh, it was so exciting. It happened to me really quickly so I didn’t really have a second to fully process it. I remember my first week of filming, we were all together filming a scene at the races and it was the perfect way to kickstart it all. The scenes we were playing with were just a lot of fun, I just came out of my shell and get to know everyone. They were super welcoming and warm, I wouldn’t have asked for a better start.
Charithra Chandran: It’s such a big show and it can be a bit intimidating at first but everyone was so welcoming. Even though there are hundreds of people on set, it feels actually really intimate on a day-to-day basis. It feels quite close and familial — so easy to get comfortable.
Jonathan Bailey: I was really looking forward to it. I think we were all excited to come back through the pandemic and also celebrate the show and what we had to experience when it came out the first time around.
What’s your favorite part in shooting Bridgerton season 2?
Simone Ashley: I love the days when we’re all together. So if we’re filming the balls or a certain scene where everyone’s in. I think we just have such a laugh and the best time. I think that’s a massive factor to this job in general, just all of us getting on and making the most of this.
Jonathan Bailey: And those ball days feel like Bridgerton at its absolute best. Not only for the viewers to watch it but it’s where all the departments are on set and everyone’s presence is huge.
Charithra Chandran: Everything is at its peak, isn’t it? The design, the costumes. Everyone’s there!
Simone Ashley: We always anticipate that week.
Jonathan Bailey: Yeah, they take a long time and they require a lot of stamina. It’s obviously brilliant to be involved in this production, but mainly you get to see the best people at the top of their game.
Lord Anthony and Kate’s chemistry is palpable in the show. How do you think that translated well on the screen?
Jonathan Bailey: I think the chemistry between Kate and Anthony is something that everyone has loved so much in the books. It’s so important for the romance genre, for the chemistry to be the underlying thing that carries these amazing love and sweeping stories. But I think what’s really interesting about these two characters is that they have so much to overcome. It’s the enemies to lovers trope which is tried and tested. It’s fascinating to me because it’s entrenched in something psychological, and the enemies to lovers show that there’s a big journey.
And so I think we were both equally matched in our enthusiasm for telling a story that is about yearning, it’s about withholding, and it’s complicated. The moment we met, it was a click. It’s also a testament to the show and the creative values that they can edit and elevate, and performance is only part of it. Every department is working at its absolute maximum to ensure the chemistry comes through. I’m glad you could sense the sizzle.
What do you think that people say this story of Anthony is the best of the series?
Jonathan Bailey: Obviously, I completely agree. I read the Viscount Who Loved Me before accepting the role and I always knew that this book was going to come second, much like in the same way that it does in the literary canon. I think Anthony has experienced a lot and that’s probably a reason why I’m drawn to him. What’s brilliant about Simone is that I think we would fight tooth and nail to prove that we are the biggest fans of Kate and Anthony, more than anyone who’s read the book. You feel really protected with the character and especially the characters that are so well loved. But you have to bring your own part, your own element to it, and hope that it also inspires in the same way the books did.
What are your thoughts on the Queen’s standard when choosing the season’s Diamond? Should women, in the Bridgerton set up, seek this much approval from her?
Charithra Chandran: I think the standards are kind of unattainable and ever-changing which is sort of the point of the Diamond. Perfection is expected yet perfection isn’t actually set or explicitly stated. And then the risk of that is that any woman can be tainted so easily by lies or by preferences. Certainly, the way the Queen uses these kind of expectations function in society can be a way to yield power over young women, by expecting us to uphold the standards whatever they may be. I think it’s controlling and it’s difficult for young women to find their independence and uniqueness within that. So I say, set your own standards and follow that.
Jonathan Bailey: And also with your performance. Because the arc of Edwina is so striking that is also another element of representation — seeing a female story within a world where gender roles are so specific and the outward affirmation is what drives all the young women to see Charitra’s character take agency, hopefully, will inspire as well.
What is the greatest lesson people could learn from your character?
Charithra Chandran: With Edwina, self-love is arguably the most important love. Often when you’re a woman, specifically a woman of color, your life can be determined a lot by obligation and sacrifice. And it takes a lot of courage to step out and choose yourself. So, choosing yourself takes courage — I’d say that’s the biggest lesson.
Simone Ashley: Follow your heart. Go and get your love. I think that was something Kate was afraid to do and do something for herself.
Simone Ashley: Wearing the costume was incredible. Just absolutely amazing color, design, the hand tailoring, everything!
Charithra Chandran: And it never gets old. You’d think after eight months, you wouldn’t be amazed by these dresses and then each time they smash it and keep raising the bar. So we’re very lucky. And they’re all couture so they’re all handmade perfectly for our measurements!
Jonathan Bailey: The character progression is also expertly reflected in design choices. We were filming in the pandemic and the supply change completely disintegrated, so it puts so much pressure on the costume department. And yet, they were so resourceful and they managed to get materials all over the world.
Charithra Chandran: All the jewelry is handmade for use. Some of the lace is from a specific mill in France and they create the design and get it done. It’s craftsmanship across the world that’s utilized for the show.
Speaking about wardrobe, did you get to keep anything from the show?
Simone Ashley: I’m gonna be really honest. Netflix kindly provided a taco truck on our last week and I think I had eight beef tacos. And then I had to do a scene where Kate is running around, panicking. Great time though!
Jonathan Bailey: I nearly got a plinth. All of the plinths were sculpted and there was one that was a sort of bust and there was a moment where I was like “I’m about to take it” but it’s quite a hard thing to sneak into. But I got given the watch. I felt connected with Anthony but there was just the gorgeous detail of the watch and I got it in a box.
Charithra Chandran: I did not take anything. Not because I didn’t want to or I have a thing against taking it but I was too afraid of getting caught. So if I knew I would get away with it, I 100% would have taken many things. But there are a few things that I hope I can ask for once the show comes out.
DreamWorks’ legendary panda is set to return in a new animated series from Netflix titled Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Varietyreports. Also returning to give life to its main protagonist Po is Jack Black, who voiced the character in the films.
The plot follows Po in his globe-trotting quest alongside an English knight named Wandering Blade, as they try to collect four powerful weapons before a mysterious pair of weasels could use them for evil.
The Kung Fu Panda film from 2008 has spawned two sequels and two TV series prior to Netflix’s new title. Nickelodeon’s Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness ran for three seasons while Amazon’s Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny ran for one season. Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight is slated for release in July this year.
