The Woman behind Love in the Moonlight (Moonlight drawn by Clouds)

Yoon Yi-soo is the writer of the web novel which became the original source material for currently airing hit youth sageuk Moonlight Drawn By Clouds. Moonlight Drawn By Clouds is a romance story about Crown Prince Hyomyeong (aka Lee Yeong, played by Park Bo-gum) and Hong Ra-on (played by Kim Yoo-Jung), a courageous girl disguised as a palace eunuch.

“Moonlight Drawn By Clouds is a special project for her since she started working on it in secretly for eight months after giving birth of her son. She had promised her husband to focus on child-rearing for two to three years, however, after eight months, she felt isolated and vanishing from the world. And started writing Moonlight Drawn By Clouds.”

Moonlight is her first web-based novel. The first chapter of the web novel was published on Naver in October 2013. Since then, it has accrued more than 5.4 million views, and the five-book paperback version has sold more than 250,000 copies.

“As of now, she have published twelve romance novels, but Moonlight Drawn By Clouds was the one she poured her heart and soul into. Even though she was tired physically and mentally while writing it, her heart warmed each week when the novel rose in the rankings. Thankfully, it was loved by readers until the end.”

With Moonlight Drawn By Clouds being such a huge success that it was adapted into a television show, it’s surprising that she did receive that type of negative treatment. So far the drama has held onto the number one rank in its time slot, breaking the coveted 20% ratings bar for the past couple weeks. KBS even wanted to extend it, due to its massive popularity.

When asked about the drama, she said, “she laugh and weep while watching it because she watch it from the perspective of a regular viewer. She view the drama and her web novel as entirely separate. Although her novel provided the basic groundwork for it, the drama is completely a production of the PD and the screenwriters. She's just a fellow fan. While watching the tenth episode, tears fell from her eyes when Ra-on was crying onscreen. She said "the actors are really superb.”

Her writing process is thorough because she wants to convey the best story possible for her readers. “Before she write a novel, she research carefully and extensively. She always listen to lectures on the traditions and ceremonies of the royal palace. She ask questions to cultural experts. She meet with historians, and look at ancient records at the library. She feel like she should know the historical context correctly in order to present it to her readers.”

Her passion for writing really shows in the Korean Drama "Love in the Moonlight (Moonlight drawn by Clouds). Thank you!

Love in the Moonlight (Moonlight Drawn by Clouds)

the famous "Kissing Scene"

Love in the Moonlight (Moonlight Drawn by Clouds) is a South Korean television series starring Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung with Jinyoung, Chae Soo-bin and Kwak Dong-yeon. It is a coming-of-age story and youth romance set during 19th-century Joseon Dynasty based on the novel Moonlight Drawn by Clouds which was first serialized on Naver in 2013 and consequently published as a five-part series of books in 2015. It aired from August 22, 2016 until October 18, 2016 every Monday and Tuesday on KBS2 for 18 episodes.

Despite the series being set in the 19th-century, it conveys a more modern-day message and yet preserves the culture and heritage of the setting and the people. It focuses on creating a romance that's beautiful and magical and yet has a bittersweet effect. It expresses strong emotions for the viewers to relate more to each characters.

The series gained praises by critics and audiences for its production, performances and music. It became KBS's highest-rated Monday/Tuesday drama since 2010 . It also dominated topicality, content and brand reputation charts in and beyond its run . It also gained topped viewership ratings since it premiered in March 2017 in the Philippines, dubbed in Filipino, on ABS-CBN.

As a viewer, I am able to know better the culture and heritage of the Korean people and at the same time was in love with the characters. Never that i missed a single episode of  The Love in the Moonlight (Moonlight drawn by Clouds). I even watched it several times even if it means sleepless nights. The actors and actresses portrayal of each character was exemplary that it made me laughed and giggled with an outburst of tears on scenes that were heart breaking. This is the third Korean drama I've watched (first - Endless Love, second - Legend of the Blue Sea) and I must say "it struck me to the bone". 

TRUE LOVE can only mean sacrificing yourself for the one you truly LOVED. Just like what Kim Yoon-sung (Jinyoung) did for Hong Ra-On (Kim Yoo-jung) for his great love and Kim Byung-yeon (Kwak Dong-yeon) for his friendship and loyalty to the Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo-gum).

Recommendation

A really must watched Korean Drama

 

 

Binibining Pilipinas 2017 candidates in swimwear

MANILA, Philippines — “Aside from fashion, I love pageants!” said award-winning fashion designer Jeffrey Rogador.

For the past two years, Jeffrey has been designing the swimwear for the opening videos of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. This year, he is tapped to do all the presentations with swimwear exposures---the press conference, TV plugs, official photoshoot, and coronation night.

“Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. called me and asked me to be the official swimwear designer for Binibining Pilipinas 2017,” Jeffrey says. “I’ll be doing five to six swimsuits for the official 40 candidates.” (Unfortunately, that number has gone down to 39 as one candidate has resigned or has been disqualified.)

Jeffrey also did the swimwear for two editions of Century Tuna Superbods and the recent Miss San Fernando, La Union.

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“I gave sketches and designs to [BPCI], most of them two-piece with cutouts and plays on patterns and colors, then they chose and approved a particular design for each event. I made young and modern designs in terms of colors, looks, cuts and details. They requested for bright and happy colors. I just infused my DNA as an urbanwear designer because I don’t know which ones will be approved. ”

For the press presentation, Jeffrey used Spandex with chiffon wrap and color-blocking of neons. When the candidates sauntered in at the ballroom of the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, their JR Swimwear caressed every curve and showcased their toned physiques. “We did three fittings before the press presentation,” Jeffrey shares.

“Madam Stella [Marquez de Araneta, BPCI doyenne] is very keen with the fitting and how the swimwear hugs the body of the ladies,” he says, adding, “She’s happy with the swimwear.”

What about the girls? “The candidates love the swimsuit.They were all asking if they can take it home.”

Can they? “I’m not sure. It’s the decision of BPCI.”

‘Philippines’ Next Top Model’ includes petite Pinays

MANILA, Philippines — In time for the return of supermodel Tyra Banks as “America’s Next Top Model” (ANTM) host, “Philippines’ Next Top Model” (PNTM) returns on TV to include petite Filipinas, PNTM director Mike Sandejas said.

“We lowered the height requirement to 5’4”, lower than the usual standards (5’9”), so more girls will have a chance to compete, so that those who do not have the traditional model height can dream to become models,” Sandejas told Philstar.com in a recent interview.

According to him, they did not open the competition to men and plus-sized models yet because they want to stay faithful to ANTM’s first season format.

“There are no plus-sized yet; we want the contestants to be fit kasi malakas ang fitness sense ng millennials eh,” he explained.

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The show recently named its 12 finalists, which include Ina Dominica Guerrero, which was in the same Binibining Pilipinas batch as Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. Other finalists who were beauty queens are Petche Ann Vale, a Mutya ng Pilipinas contender last year, and Jan Helen Villanueva, a part of Binibining Pilipinas 2013.

The finalists, said Sandejas, came from different classes and backgrounds from all over the world. There are half-breeds and Filipinos who grew up abroad such as Aivie Pahn from Canada; British-Filipino Adela Mae Marshall; and half-Swiss Angela Lehmann.

Sandejas clarified that this PNTM cycle is a TV5 production and different from the previous one produced by another TV network and with Ruffa Gutierrez as host. It is also not the same as “Top Model Philippines” hosted by Sarah Meier.

“America’s Next Top Model” premiered in May 2003. Banks, the show’s creator and executive producer, served as the head judge for 22 cycles. The model search aired semiannually until 2012, and then annually in 2013, the year British singer and actress Rita Ora replaced Banks as the head judge.

The Kapatid Network, which aired two seasons of “Asia’s Next Top Model,” announced auditions in early January this year after acquiring production and airing rights. Former Binibining Pilipinas-World Maggie Wilson now heads the panel of judges that will choose the winner among 24 contestants. Other judges include celebrity stylist Rain Dagala and Professional Models Association of the Philippines President Raf Kiefer.

“I want to go back into the original spirit of the series wherein it is in fact also a model documentary, parang ‘yung ugly duckling ba na we turn a diamond in the rough kind of person into a top model,” the director explained.

He assured that this PNTM reboot is different from other Top Model shows all over the world because of Filipinas’ different culture and dynamics. There are also plans, he said, for more seasons that will probably include male contestants and social media engagement, just like when ANTM had US-based Filipino blogger Bryan Boy as judge.

Some challenges, Sandejas noted, are inspired by the first seasons of ANTM. “We’re following the old Top Model bible…It’s not totally different from the first one, but there will be something new to learn every show. There’s a skill, a philosophy that we teach that you can adopt to your career if you want to become a future model.”

Will there be also naked photo shoots? “You have to watch to find out!” he said.
 “Philippines’ Next Top Model: High Street” airs every Tuesday at 8:10 p.m. on TV5.