Local movies and TV shows are "doomed in the future."
This statement is from Filipino filmmaker Erik Matti, who says he based his opinion on the top 10 most-viewed shows on Netflix.
The streaming platform houses a wide library of Asian and Hollywood films and television series, including hit Pinoy shows from the small and big screens, plus several Korean drama series.
Matti himself has two films showing on Netflix: Kuwaresma (2019) and BuyBust (2018).
On April 16, 2020, Matti took to Twitter to make his observations about the popularity among Pinoys of the K-dramas on Netflix.
According to the director, these K-dramas have "faux cinderella stories" and "belofied actors."
["Belofied" is Matti's reference to the biggest beauty and cosmetic house in the Philippines, Belo Medical Group.]
He also notes that, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, viewers choose to watch love stories.
His tweet reads: "The daily top ten most viewed on #Netflix shows us how our movies and tv are doomed in the future. K-drama galore. Faux cinderella stories with belofied actors whiter than white. And it's all about love in the midst of this pandemic."
As of April 16, 2020, the Top 10 Most-Watched Shows on Netflix consist of K-dramas, Hollywood shows and movies, and Pinoy films, in that order.
Out of the 10 shows, five are K-dramas: Hi, Bye Mama! (2), Itaewon Class (4), Crash Landing On You (5), Fight For My Way (7), and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (9).
In the Philippines, the top Netflix show is the 2005 American crime drama Prison Break, while two Spanish Netflix Original series, Money Heist and Elite, are in third and 10th place, respectively.
The Netflix Original film, Love Wedding Repeat, is in sixth place, while Born Beautiful, the only Pinoy film on the list, is in eighth place.
Matti's tweet drew mixed reactions from netizens.
Some said that watching K-dramas offers an escape during the unfamiliar and unwanted period of quarantine.
Some netizens recommended these two Korean dramas for Matti to watch: Itaewon Class, which tackles "social injustice and racism"; and Hospital Playlist, which is about the "reality of medical doctors."
Others believed that Matti hasn't really watched K-dramas. Otherwise, they said, he would not describe them as "faux cinderella stories."
Some also said they've gone to see Matti's films, but also still enjoy K-dramas.
More passionate fans of Korean content expressed that K-dramas are definitely better than Matti's 2004 film Gagamboy, a movie he directed starring Vhong Navarro.
But, there are also a number of people who agree with Matti's tweet.
In an earlier interview, Netflix Korean Content Vice-President Minyoung Kim talked about the popularity of K-drama on the streaming platform.
He said, "It's amazing to see how these Korea films and TV resonate with audiences around the world—from Korea to South East Asia and the Americas.
"By making it easy for people to watch films and shows from other countries, we can help them build empathy and develop a shared understanding of the world."
Tonight, April 17, Netflix is set to release the new Korean drama series, The King: Eternal Monarch, which marks the much-anticipated comeback of Lee Min Ho.
The actor, who is well-loved by Pinoy audiences, last starred in the 2017 hit drama, Legend Of The Blue Sea.
