Christmas is coming early this year for fans of “The Simpsons!” Today, Disney+ announced that the new short “The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in ‘Feliz Navidad’” will launch December 15 exclusively on the streaming service. In the upcoming short from “The Simpsons,” Homer surprises Marge with the ultimate gift: an unforgettable performance from Italian opera superstar Andrea Bocelli and his 25-year-old son Matteo and 10-year-old daughter Virginia. New key art featuring a first look at the Bocelli family in “The Simpsons”.
The festivities continue December 17 as “The Simpsons” celebrates 33 years since its first episode aired in 1989. The first 33 seasons of “The Simpsons” are currently available to stream on Disney+.
“The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in ‘Feliz Navidad’” is the latest in a collection of shorts from “The Simpsons” created exclusively for Disney+. The previously released shorts “Welcome to the Club,” “When Billie Met Lisa” (Emmy® nominated), “Maggie Simpson in ‘The Force Awakens from Its Nap’” (Emmy® nominated), “The Good, The Bart, and The Loki” and “The Simpsons in Plusaversary” are currently available on Disney+. All of these and more can be found in “The Simpsons” collection on the streaming service here: https://www.disneyplus.com/franchise/the-simpsons
The new Korean drama The Forbidden Marriage which is streaming exclusively on Prime Video recently held a press conference in South Korea to introduce the drama and answer burning questions. Set 7 years after the king loses his beloved wife, the kingdom of Joseon is impacted by a marriage ban set up in the aftermath of the queen’s passing. A swindling matchmaker gets arrested for her matchmaking work and ends up making up lies about being able to see the late queen’s spirit in order to get out of her predicament. Her lies get larger as relationships get entangled and romance grows.
Unique Characters
The main actors introduced their characters and they’re definitely unique. Park Ju-hyun said, “My character So-rang is someone I fell in love with as soon as I read the script. She’s very good with words, a smooth talker, and extremely quick-witted. She’s a cool woman who is able to accomplish whatever she sets her mind on.” You’ll have to watch to see how So-rang ends up making the king believe her schemes.
Kim Young-dae shared, “My character Lee Heon is a Joseon king, he loses his crown princess wife 7 years ago in a mysterious incident and falls into despair. After he meets So-rang, he rediscovers love and grows.” There have been plenty of kings in historical dramas, but a widower king who deeply loved his queen is pretty novel.
Kim Woo-seok explained, “He’s a royal investigator and his personality is warm yet cold, but ultimately he’s a warm character.” His character Lee Shin-won is the king’s best friend who is also looking for the woman he almost married before the marriage ban prevented him from doing so.
Full of Cheer
If you’re looking for a series that will make you smile and help you unwind after a long day, look no further. Director Park Sang-woo commented, “I think our series has a more carefree vibe.” Kim Woo-seok said, “So-rang’s personality is very lively and cheerful, there’s an unpredictable charm to it. I think that this blends well so that the series itself is very vivacious, fresh, and fun.” Park Ju-hyun added, “With our drama, you’ll be able to laugh a lot,” and, “We had so much fun on set, so I believe viewers will also have fun.”
K-Culture Centric
K-dramas have become increasingly popular globally over the years, and interest in K-culture has grown too. Director Park Sang-woo said, “I made a lot of effort to present K-culture in an audiovisual way.” Visually, there are many props and locations to enjoy that reflect Korean culture. The director also talked about how he “prepared music that heavily incorporates a lot of traditional Korean music instruments” for the audio element. He summed up, “I hope it can be a great series that portrays K-culture in a cool way.”
Historical But Relatable
While The Forbidden Marriage is a historical drama and set during the Joseon era, the series has a youthful and contemporary flair to it. Focusing on young, single characters who are navigating relationships, the story can be surprisingly relatable to today’s youths and singles. Kim Young-dae said, “When I read the script, I saw many fusion style elements. I thought the public could watch the series and could relate to it easily.”
If the interesting premise and up-and-coming actors aren’t enough to hook you, listen to Park Ju-hyun’s wise words: “There have been many historical dramas thus far, but none like ours.” The Forbidden Marriage incorporates all the facets of historical K-dramas we love while putting a unique and fun spin on the story and its characters. Don’t miss out and be sure to watch the series, only on Amazon Prime Video!
Disney+ released the trailer and key art for season 2 of acclaimed Lucasfilm Animation series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” season 2 stars Emmy Award® nominee Dee Bradley Baker (“American Dad!”) as the voice of the Bad Batch and Emmy Award® nominee Michelle Ang (“Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462”) as the voice of Omega. Emmy Award® winner Rhea Perlman (“The Mindy Project,” “Cheers”) returns to guest star as Cid, Noshir Dalal (“It’s Pony,” “The Owl House”) returns to guest star as Vice Admiral Rampart and Emmy Award® winner Wanda Sykes (“The Upshaws,” “Black-ish”) makes her guest starring debut in the series as Phee Genoa.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” is executive produced by Dave Filoni (“The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Athena Portillo (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”), Brad Rau (“Star Wars Rebels,” “Star Wars Resistance”), Jennifer Corbett (“Star Wars Resistance,” “NCIS”) and Carrie Beck (“The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars Rebels”) with Josh Rimes (“Star Wars Resistance,” “Star Wars: Visions”) and Alex Spotswood (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”) as producers. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer and Matt Michnovetz as story editor.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning January 4, 2023, with the first two episodes.
List of episodes and airdates:
Jan. 4 — Episode 201 “Spoils of War” & Episode 202 “Ruins of War”
Jan. 11 — Episode 203 “The Solitary Clone”
Jan. 18 — Episode 204 “Faster”
Jan. 25 — Episode 205 “Entombed”
Feb. 1 — Episode 206 “Tribe”
Feb. 8 — Episode 207 “The Clone Conspiracy” & Episode 208 “Truth and Consequences”
Feb. 15 — Episode 209 “The Crossing”
Feb. 22 — Episode 210 “Retrieval”
March 1 — Episode 211 “Metamorphosis”
March 8 — Episode 212 “The Outpost”
March 15 — Episode 213 “Pabu”
March 22 — Episode 214 “Tipping Point”
March 29 — Episode 215 “The Summit” & Episode 216 “Plan 99”
There’s just something so satisfying about a good revenge drama. From watching the downtrodden protagonists get their bearings and become this determinedly vengeful and scheming protagonist to finally witnessing the villains get their well-deserved comeuppance, revenge dramas show that sometimes you just have to take karma into your own hands.
With Viu, the go-to streaming platform for all things Korean and Asian entertainment content, fans of the genre can have their pick of the most nail-biting and addictive revenge dramas –many of which are played by some of the industry’s biggest stars.
If you’re on the lookout good revenge K-dramas, here are some of the biggest titles available on Viu – best streamed through the country’s fastest broadband PLDT Home.
Reborn Rich (2022)
In Reborn Rich, this year’s most anticipated series exclusively shown in the Philippines on Viu, certified K-drama hottie Song Joong Ki plays Yoon Hyun-Woo, a long-serving steward of the Soonyang Conglomerate. Finding himself falsely accused of embezzlement by the conglomerate’s family, he is killed by their youngest son Jin Do-Joon.
That should’ve been the end of his story, but fate has other plans for our wronged hero, as shortly after his death, Yoon Hyun-Woo wakes up in the body of his killer. Not one to miss a chance for revenge, Hyun-Woo decides to not only destroy the family from within, he also schemes to take over and run the company himself.
The Innocent Man (2012)
Song Joong Ki is no stranger to shows where he plays characters out for revenge. He is as equally broody and scheming in his debut drama from 10 years ago, The Innocent Man. In the series, Joong Ki plays a promising young student who gets betrayed by his lover who left him for another – richer – man. Years later, he becomes a bartender-gigolo out to exact revenge on his former lover. What happens next: The student becomes the master as he then seduces the daughter of the man she earlier left him for.
Lawless Lawyer (2018)
In the series, yet another K-drama heartthrob, Lee Joon Gi, who shows you how revenge is best served cold. A lawyer raised by his gang member uncle, Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi) uses what he learned – which often skirts the definition of what’s legal – to mete out justice. This, all while he’s investigating and trying to avenge his mother’s death.
Taxi Driver (2021)
Perfect for fans of true crime, Taxi Driver is a series based on recent crimes that happened in South Korea with the offenders being punished lightly or, in some instances, let go. Lee Je Hoon plays Kim Do Gi, a not-so-ordinary taxi driver as he is part of a company that provides “revenge service.” The underground group drives their taxis around the city hunting down criminals themselves.
The World of the Married (2020)
Based on a popular BBC UK drama, The World of the Married stars Kim Hee-ae as Ji Sun Woo, a successful doctor who discovers that her ideal life isn’t what it seems after she begins to uncover all the lies surrounding her and discovering her husband’s affair. They say hell hath no fury than a woman scorned with Sun Woo being the perfect personification. The show has become one of the highest-rated K-dramas in Korea and has spawned its own hit Filipino adaptation, TheBroken Marriage Vow.
Get your K-drama fix with your Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home – and win prizes!
Watch today’s top-trending revenge show Reborn Rich and more drama series through a Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home, the country’s fastest fastest and most reliable broadband service. With PLDT Home, enjoy more shows with no ads and with same-day subtitled releases for select titles at just P80/month – the most affordable Viu Premium subscription in the Philippines. Subscribe now at pldthome.com/viu.
This December, new and existing PLDT Home customers can binge more of Asia’s hottest entertainment content on Viu while getting a chance to win P5,000,000 cash in the PLDT Home Grand Giveaway. To know more about the giveaway, visit pldthome.com/grandgiveaway.
Celebrate a national dream in Thailand with The Lost Lotteries Now streaming on Netflix
Looking for a belly-aching laugh fest this holiday season? This is your winning ticket. Five unlucky strangers are brought together in their fight against a mafia boss, in order to steal back winning lottery tickets worth millions. Tapping on the national dream of winning lotteries in Thailand, The Lost Lotteries appeals to both domestic and international audiences through its delicate balance of various comedic styles that cater to different sensibilities.
Peek into the complex world of Thai boxing in Hurts Like Hell Now streaming on Netflix
With its humble origins in Thailand, Muay Thai has seen its influence spread across the globe. Get an up-close-and-personal look at the world of this beloved sport in Hurts Like Hell, a part-anthology, part-documentary mini series. Fans and even non-fans of the sport will be able to indulge themselves in tracing the sport’s history, as well as its entanglements with the underworld today.
Trapped in a flooded cave complex in the summer of 2018, 12 young Thai footballers had the world watching them over the span of 17 days. Helmed by award-winning director, Pailin Wedel, the compelling documentary, The Trapped 13: How We Survived The Thai Cave, reflects the perspectives of the survivors, delving into the intricacies of the dangerous rescue mission and how they survived this life-changing event.
If documentaries aren’t your thing, tune in to the drama series Thai Cave Rescue. Told with care, compassion, and a commitment to authenticity, this drama series sheds light on the real story behind the cave rescue, with real-life elements including scenes filmed at some of the boys’ homes.
INDONESIA
High-octane action and comedy in Timo Tjahjanto’sThe Big 4 Now Streaming on Netflix
Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Arie Kriting, Lutesha, and Kristo Immanuel star in the first action-comedy from Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto. The Big 4 sees four retired assassins joining forces to track down an elusive murderer. Faced with a straight-arrow cop, will this gang of experts be able to catch the killer?
Chase wanderlut in Bali in A Perfect Fit Now Streaming on Netflix
What if fate comes a little too late? A fashion blogger finds herself going down an unexpected path during a life-changing trip to Bali, where she meets a gifted shoemaker. The only question in this whirlwind romance is: can she keep her commitment to her fiancé?
PHILIPPINES
Snuggle up for an emotional story on second chances in Doll House Now Streaming on Netflix
We all need a good cry sometimes, and Doll House is here to help with just that. Praised as a heartwarming tale poignantly portraying the complexities of father-daughter relationships, Doll House’s sentimental plot will have you holding your loved ones a little closer this year.
BONUS: CHINESE LANGUAGE PICKS!
Get ready for heart-pumping action with Louis Koo, Sean Lau and Carina Lau in Warriors of Future Now Streaming on Netflix
When a meteor carrying a destructive plant strikes the world, a suicide squad is given mere hours to save their post-apocalyptic city from total collapse. As humanity faces the threat of extinction, can our heroes emerge victorious against powerful alien creatures? Featuring Hong Kong’s biggest names in the film industry, including Louis Koo, Sean Lau and Carina Lau, Warriors of Future is an ambitious production that is well-placed to live up to the hype.
Go on an emotional roller coaster in Shards of Her Now Streaming on Netflix
The line between what’s real and what’s not gets blurred in this Taiwanese mystery thriller starring Hsu Wei-Ning, Toby Lee and Wen Chen-Ling. After a coma leaves her with amnesia, an accomplished career woman finds herself navigating a warped reality where she is forced to revisit her painful past.
Laugh along with your favorite aunty as she explores the dating life in Mom, Don’t Do That! Now Streaming on Netflix
Everyone has that one aunty whose love life is constantly on the rocks. In this Taiwanese family dramedy, a widow sets out to find new love and comes head-to-head with her own daughter. Filled with hilarious moments while following the ups and downs of relationships, Mom, Don’t Do That! is a heartfelt lesson in sincerity and the value of family.
HBO has finally dropped the full trailer for their upcoming live-action TV adaptation of the hit video game, The Last of Us.
Combining the talents of the Emmy Award-winning creator of Chernobyl, Craig Mazin, and the creator of the acclaimed video game Neil Druckman, The Last of Us stars the Game of Thrones alums Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as the iconic characters of Joel and Ellie respectively.
Watch the trailer for The Last of Us below:
Alongside Pascal and Ramsey, the series also stars Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Anna Torv. It is set for release on HBO and HBO GO this January 15, 2023.
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“Since its premiere, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been bringing audiences together to experience the magic and wonder of J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnificent Middle-earth. To date, season one is the top Original series for Prime Video in every region and has been viewed by over 100 million people worldwide, a truly global hit that speaks to the universal nature of powerful storytelling. We welcome these wonderful actors to our ‘fellowship’ and look forward to telling more incredible Second Age stories in season two,” said Vernon Sanders, Head of Global Television, Amazon Studios.
The new cast members are: Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle, and Nicholas Woodeson. The role of Orc leader “Adar” has been recast for Season Two, and will be played by Sam Hazeldine.
Biographies and headshots for the newly announced cast are featured below. For additional series information, please go to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power press site.
Gabriel Akuwudike is a British-Nigerian actor who has appeared in the acclaimed series Hanna (Prime Video). Other TV credits include Ridley Road (BBC) and War of the Worlds (FX/Disney+). He has appeared in films including Sam Mendes’ 1917, and HBO’s Brexit directed by Toby Haynes.
Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour is most known for his role as “Coen” in Season Two of The Witcher (Netflix). He was also a series regular in Young Wallander (Netflix), playing the role of “Reza Al-Rahman.” He directed the film Good Intentions and was an executive producer and star of the film When the Screaming Starts.
Ben Daniels has had recurring roles in television including Jupiter’s Legacy (Netflix) as “Walter Sampson,” The Crown (Netflix) as “Lord Snowdon,” The Exorcist (Hulu) as Father Marcus Keane,” House of Cards (Netflix) as “Adam Galloway,” and Law & Order: UK (ITV) as “James Steel.” Film credits include roles in Benediction, Captive State, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The Exception. Ben is an award-winning stage actor who has appeared in numerous productions including The Normal Heart (National Theatre – Olivier Award Nomination – Best Actor, Critics’ Circle Theatre Award – Best Actor), All My Sons (National Theatre – Olivier Award – Best Supporting Actor), and Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Broadway – Tony and Drama Desk Nominations – Best Actor). Ben trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Sam Hazeldine’s credits include Peaky Blinders (BBC), Slow Horses (Apple TV+), The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Mechanic: Resurrection, and Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel. He currently appears in The Sandman (Netflix) and The Playlist (Netflix), and will next be seen in the upcoming Band of Brothers sequel Masters of The Air (AppleTV+) opposite Austin Butler and Callum Turner, and starring alongside Jonah Hauer-King and Dar Zuzovsky in the Casanova drama feature, A Beautiful Imperfection.
Amelia Kenworthy is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. While at RADA, she performed in numerous stage productions including Spring Awakening as “Anna,” A Midsummer Night’s Dream as “Puck,” Two Gentlemen of Verona as “Julia,” Pomona as “Ollie” and Against as “Shiela.” She has also appeared in short films IRL and Messenger. She will make her television debut in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Nia Towle was most recently seen in the Netflix film Persuasion. On stage, Nia debuted Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane at both the National Theatre and Duke of York Theatre. During her studies at Guildhall School of Drama, from which she graduated in 2021, Nia played leading roles in plays including Yerma, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Medea.
Nicholas Woodeson is a veteran English performer of television, film, and theatre. In television, his credits include Silent Witness (BBC), Baptiste (BBC), The Honourable Woman (BBC), Poirot (ITV), and Rome (HBO / BBC). He can also be seen in films including The Hustle, Paddington 2, The Danish Girl, Skyfall, and Conspiracy. His most recent theatre performances include The Two Popes, “The Duke of Norfolk” in The Mirror and The Light, “The Mayor” in The Visit, “Pope Francis” in The Pope, “Mr. Kidd” in The Room, and “Willy” in Death of a Salesman. Nicholas is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
All eight first season episodes are now available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories in multiple languages.
The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
The first season of The Rings of Power has been an unprecedented success, viewed by more than 100 million people worldwide, with more than 24 billion minutes streamed. The highly anticipated series attracted more than 25 million global viewers on its first day, marking the biggest premiere in the history of Prime Video, and also debuted as the No. 1 show on Nielsen’s overall streaming chart in its opening weekend. The show has also broken all previous Prime Video records for the most viewers, and has driven more Prime sign-ups worldwide during its launch window than any other previous content. Additionally, The Rings of Power is the top Original series in every region—North America, Europe, APAC, LATAM, and the rest of the world. The season finale also created a global cultural moment, with multiple series-themed hashtags, including #TheRingsofPower and others, trending in 27 countries across Twitter for over 426 cumulative hours throughout the weekend.
Season Two of the series is produced by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, and Gennifer Hutchison, along with co-executive producer Charlotte Brandstrom, producers Kate Hazell and Helen Shang, and co-producers Andrew Lee, Matthew Penry-Davey, and Clare Buxton.
If you feel like spending some of your free time this month of December on the couch, watching films, PBO Channel has you covered with their lineup of Pinoy movies. And to make it even easier for you, we’ve rounded up eight movies from their lineup that you might want to catch on your TV!
Check them out below:
Edward
December 1, 1:30 AM | December 7, 11:30 AM | December 17, 11:45 PM | December 27, 6:45 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_DjfJgVLWw
The Mall, The Merrier
December 7, 3:15 PM | December 18, 9:30 PM | December 26, 1 PM
Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B
December 2, 11:30 PM | December 7, 7:30 AM | December 17, 6:30 AM | December 26, 1:30 AM
Girlfriend for Hire
December 7, 9:30 PM | December 16, 5:15 PM | December 26, 11 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVNglZTD5Do
The Barker
December 8, 1:45 PM | December 23, 11:45 PM | December 27, 5:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1h_RB4HWko&t
Mang Jose
December 18, 1:15 PM
Watch Me Kill
December 8, 9:45 AM | December 19, 9:30 PM
The Write Moment
December 8, 9:30 PM | December 14, 9:30 AM | December 20, 3:30 PM
For more Movies on PBO Channel this December and for the daily schedules of PBO, click here.
[Note: schedules are subject to change without prior notice]
Netflix has dropped the official trailer for Emily in Paris season 3, giving us a glimpse of Emily’s latest adventures in the City of Love! Check out the trailer for Emily in Paris season 3 below:
In the latest season of Emily in Paris, we return to Emily Cooper’s life a year after she moved to Paris, France for a job opportunity. After the romantic rollercoaster ride in the first two seasons, Emily must now make a difficult choice between her romantic relationship and career, and ultimately decide where her future lies.
Emily in Paris stars Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Sylvie Grateau), Lucas Bravo (Gabriel), Ashley Park (Mindy), Camille Razat (Camille), Samuel Arnold (Luc), Bruno Gouery (Julien), William Abadie (Antoine Lambert), and Lucien Laviscount (Alfie). Award-winning creator and showrunner Darren Star also returns to helm the latest season of the show.
The third season of Emily in Paris premieres on Netflix this December 21. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!
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 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 December!
Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. explores the life and career of his father in this documentary that touches on art, mortality, and the healing of generational dysfunction.
Arisu, Usagi, and the other survivors of the first season finale are back to play more lethal games in the Borderland in an attempt to get closer to the real identity of the game master, and the truth behind the mysterious world they find themselves in.
A new adaptation of the beloved musical, Matilda The Musical tells the story of the brilliant and extraordinary girl Matilda who takes a stand to change her story.
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Blood Origin is a prequel to The Witcher series that follows the first prototype Witcher and events that would lead to the Conjunction of the Spheres.
