Wishful Thinking

My cousin affectionately tagged me in her contact phone details as “cuz adik,” referring to what she described as “a little over the top infatuation” to Korean Telenova.

Whenever we have the opportunity of catching up on the latest K-Telenova, and she would mention a title, more often than not, my usual response is “done!”

So pardon this dude around town if I can’t get over Hyun Bin’s engagement as the newest marketing ambassador of Smart Telecommunication.

As the metrpolis shifts to more relaxed environment of community quarantine, I am excited to see the large billboards along the main EDSA thoroughfare featuring Binnie endorsing Smart LTE.

Most of my peers and friends, take note, I only have a handful, knew of my addiction. It is no wonder to them that I can discussed single handedly what’s the trending K-telenova in Netflix. CLOY (Crush Landing on You) where Hyun Bin plays the lead role as North Korean army Capt. Ri continued to remain among the top.

Now, I am faithfully following The King: The Immortal Monarch with Lee Min Ho on the lead. The story revolves around loyalty, betrayal, treason, greed, and deep-seatedlove. It’s the number 1 trending K-telenovela in the country and Lee’s first foray in show business after he was honorably discharged from the military service. It occupies the top slot in Netflix with Last Dance taking the second slot. Still holding on the top ten is CLOY that premiered December last year.

Late last month, almost simultaneous with the disclosure of Smart, local clothing brand Bench poked netizens about its newest endorser. On its IG account, Bench, owned by Ben Chan, brother of Special Envoy to China Ambassador Carlos Chan of Oishi snack brand, provoked the netizens with this video disclosure: "We won't let you move on. After months of keeping it a secret,%u2060 the wait is almost over" against the backdrop of camouflage print.

Most of the reports believed the teaser is in reference of Hyun Bin as its forthcoming clothing brand ambassador. Park Seo-joon lead star of “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” and Itaewon Class is the current Bench endorser.

There are instances, though, that I just want to differ. This is one of those. Or is it sheer wishingful thinking? It may also be possible that Lee Min Ho could return as bench endorser.

Remember, sometime back, eight years ago, he endorsed Bench for the first time. Lee, back then, emerged as one of the biggest K-telenova GOAT (greatest of all time) after success of Boys Over Flowers series.

Please don’t get me wrong here, I love them both. Though, I’m a bit biased with Capt. Ri simply because his facial features are softer than the high-aqualine nose, slit-eyed Lee.

I could be wrong. Although, it could also be possible, considering he has just been discharged from military service. But then again, in the King: the Immortal Monarch, he never wore a camouflage but a “white duck,” which is usually worn during formal functions like weddings and formal diners.

In the same breathe, will Globe mount a coup d’ grace by engaging Lee’s services as its product endorser? Again, just wishful thinking.