Crush landing on you
I’m on my fourth episode of Crash Landing On You, and let me just say without spoiling anyone’s enjoyment of the Netflix original series that it all began with a paraglider. (According to online sources Crash Landing On You has achieved the highest viewership ratings in the history of South Korean TV channel TVN.) Starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, the series glided into Netflix history when the leading lady accidentally paraglides into North Korea and crash lands in the sturdy arms of a handsome officer.
It is the very first Korean telenovela I have ever watched (with hubby watching, too), and though sometimes the pace dragged in the first two episodes, the plot always gave me reason to stay on. The brooding stare and broad shoulders of Hyun Bin, too.
Aside from the chemistry between the feisty heiress Son Ye-jin and the strong silent army captain played by Hyun Bin, there’s also the chemistry among the other soldiers and the relatability of the townspeople. They have cliques among cliques and hierarchies even among the titas of the town. Women gossip. Men have affairs. Children are pressured to do good in school. One young soldier is a mama’s boy, another loves watching South Korean dramas. All the village women butter up to the wife of the highest ranking officer.
They make one think that North Koreans are not so different from you and me — I’ve always thought of North Korea as one big military camp, but the village where the captain lives is quite quaint and colorful.
According to online sources, the production team worked with guidance from North Koreans living in South Korea. Park Ji-eun, the drama’s screenwriter, was also introduced to North Korean defector turned film adviser and writer Kwak Moon-wan, who became part of the drama’s writing team.
Another source, Sokeel Park, who works with defectors, told BBC: “Its (the series’) portrayal of various aspects of North Korean society has clearly been thoroughly researched, resulting in the most three-dimensional portrayal of North Korean society of any film or drama to date.”
“It is refreshing how it portrays various aspects of North Korean society without unnecessarily passing judgement, and shows North Koreans as complex people who are ultimately relatable and even lovable, even if they are culturally different.”
And that’s the refreshing reality I crash landed on even in just the first four episodes of the series. There is a universal thread that connects people, no matter their race or ideology.
Aside from the refreshing reality, of course, of “crush” landing on Hyun Bin.
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So, you see, you may not land in the arms of your future beloved while paragliding or riding a hot-air balloon, but many things can happen when the skies are blue, the winds have purpose, and you have a competent pilot to take you on the ride of your life. Or, you can just treat your eyes to the spectacle of a “flying carnival,” which is what is happening in Carmona, Cavite from March 6 to 8. For over two decades now, the Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta, known as “The Weekend of Everything that Flies,” has been the most highly anticipated and longest-running sports aviation event in Asia. Over the years, it has stayed true to its longtime objectives: to spark interest in aviation; to instill discipline in young pilots; and to impart a spirit of volunteerism to the whole community.
Continuing to spread this advocacy across the Philippines, the organizers will be launching “The Flying Carnival 2020: A Weekend of Almost Everything that Flies,” a three-day spectacle of hot-air balloons, helicopters and air sport events, combined with aviation career seminars, fly markets, food booths and family entertainment! The event will be held at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite from March 6 to 8.
Set in a more comfortable viewing space, spectators will be treated to the sight of early morning balloon flights followed by non-stop flying exhibitions — paragliding, skydiving, helicopter demonstrations, RC control line exhibitions and kite flying.
Visitors can wander through a carnival setting, with food booths and entertainment for the whole family. Aviation souvenirs and unique finds can be bought at the Fly Market, and the weekend evenings will be capped off by a magical hot-air balloon nightglow and fireworks display.
Those considering a career in aviation can attend the Aviation Career Seminars to be given by renowned aviators and industry practitioners — fighter pilots from the Philippine Air Force; Air Group pilots from the Philippine Navy; a female captain from Cebu Pacific Air; and an air traffic controller from the Air Traffic Service. They will be joined by FAI world record holder from Spain Michel Gordillo; hot-air balloon pilot from the United Kingdom Pete Bish; and Capt. Joy Roa of Asian Air Safari. The seminars will be available to Business Class ticket holders. Seminar attendees will be given a certificate of completion, and can enjoy meals and gain admission to the event.
Those who wish to experience the carnival in comfort can opt to get the First Class ticket, which allows an all-access pass to the event, including meals, private viewing areas, and access to the aviation seminars and air-conditioned bazaar.
The event is co-presented by Okada Manila, the country’s ultra-luxury integrated resort, and Rewards Circle.
(For tickets and other information, visit www.philballoonfest.net. Check out @PIHABF on Facebook and @philballoonfest on Instagram to stay up-to-date with event information.)
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