#MMKSaranghae via the official Twitter account of Maalaala Mo Kaya

Ejay Falcon and Sunny Kim star as Tim and Jung Won in Maalaala Mo Kaya’s February 11 episode. Their story is definitely not a Korean telenovela. Theirs is a true to life story about love that thrives despite differences in personality and culture. Before they met, 25-year-old Tim was no gentleman at all. He was the happy-go-lucky type who liked sleep and the dating game all too much. When he encounters Jung Won (23), a social worker completing her hours as an intern in a non-government institution in the Philippines, things changed for the both of them. Stereotypes diminished and their love and acceptance for each other prevails. Although their relationship is not a bed of roses, choosing to love despite everything proves to be a guiding principle.

The episode also stars Isay Alvarez, Lito Pimentel, Lollie Mara, Tart Carlos, Kyline Alcantara, Kristine Hammond, Kenzo Gutierrez and Yohan Hwang. Ted Boborol directed the episode that Mae Rose Balanay and Arah Jell Badayos wrote.

Ejay Falcon (Tim) and Sunny Kim (Namu) are Lost in Translation

One word that describes Tim and Namu’s first encounter is the word “weird.” To Namu, Tim looks like an ostrich. He is lanky and downright funny. In contrast, Tim sees Namu as the most beautiful lady in the room. He is just plain lovestruck. He becomes Korean telenovela-ish as he realizes that he likes Namu a lot. Even if Namu wears plastic cups on her head, his eyes are glued to her. Things get interesting when Tim tries his best to make a move. Namu’s friends warn her about him calling him a womanizer. But since Namu is bent on finishing her studies, she assures her friends that she has got her priorities straight. As both Tim and Namu get to know each other, the language barrier gets in the way. When Namu speaks to him in Korean, Tim would answer back in Tagalog. The problem is, they simply do not understand each other. In time and with a lot of patience, though, they figure out how to understand each other. Just when things started going well, Namu needed to go back to Korea because she finished her internship and will be graduating. The next six months were difficult for both of them.

Adulting Gets in the Way of Tim and Namu’s Tale

After six months of being apart, Namu comes back to the Philippines. She has taken a job as a translator and while working, she spends time with Tim. Tim introduced her to his family and they are all appreciative of her because she has inspired him to finish school and strive hard. Now that Tim has taken over the family business, Namu all the more sees how much he has accomplished already. Apparently, time doesn’t seem to like them. Once again, her contract as a translator has ended so she has to go back to Korea to help support her family. To try to work things out, Tim says he will hold off Law school and work on his visa to follow her to Korea. In his efforts, he gets denied each time he applies. Tim gives up in utter frustration. They do not see each other for a year.

Namu is forced to take a regular job to earn more income while Tim is faced with trying to recover from a big loss in the family business. Law school also made things more complicated. In short, Tim and Namu struggle to keep the communication going, let alone trying to keep their feelings for each other alive. Their situation is difficult. To make a point, Namu files for a leave and visits Tim. Instead of being thankful to see each other, their discussion turns sour and Tim is confronted with his selfishness and irresponsibility. They part ways with a feeling of loss.

From Selfish to Selfless

Tim realizes that Namu was right about him. Because of this, he decides to fix the problem with the family business on his own. He did not allow his family to help him. His family is surprised at this and respects Tim’s decision. After some time, the business slowly picked up and then Namu visits the Philippines once again. When they meet, Tim hands her some flowers and tells her, “I will do better. I will be a better man for you. I promise.” In turn, Namu said that she cannot be happy with him. She admits she cannot live without “ostrich face.” They both realize how much they mean to each other and try to start anew. Namu encourages him that things will work out in time. She also says she is there to help him manage his business. To Tim, however, it is not just about the business. It is about his life. He then asks her to marry her and got married they did. Tim and Namu got it right. Their success in love affirms that love goes beyond language and culture. Today, the couple lives happily “na may kasamang away paminsan minsan.”

Korean Telenovela Land Speaks Up

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Kaye Leah writes to share conversations about coffee and everything that revolves around it. She tries to put the daily-ness of life in words through stories and anecdotes. If she isn't found with a book or a pen, she's teaching in the classroom or baking at home with her Tres Marias. Follow her via #kapekaye on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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