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Director Erik Matti made his observations clear on the Top 10 Most Viewed on streaming site Netflix and the growing fascination among Filipinos in the K-drama genre.

On Twitter, the filmmaker wrote, “The daily top ten most viewed on #Netflix shows us how our movies and tv are doomed in the future. K-drama galore.”

He then described the genre as “Faux cinderella stories with Belo-fied actors whiter than white. And it's all about love in the midst of this pandemic.”

“Belo-fied” in this context would mean celebrities who have undergone glutathione injections or any cosmetic procedure to enhance their image.

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. 🥵😠😫😤

-- Erik Matti (@ErikMatti) April 14, 2020

As of writing, the "Top Ten Most-Watched Shows" list is composed of five Korean dramas.

One Filipino movie, Martin del Rosario-starrer Born Beautiful, is also included in the list.

For reference, here's the breakdown:

Prison Break, Hi, Bye Mama!, Money Heist, Itaewon Class, For the Broken Hearted, Crash Landing On You, Fight for My Way, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, Love, Wedding Repeat, and Born Beautiful.

Because of this, a few netizens have reacted to the tweet and defended the genre saying that Korean series provide a sense of variety not just love stories.

According to YouTuber and K-fan Kring Kim, “Hi Sir, may I suggest the following dramas [weren't shown on Netflix realtime so they weren't hyped but believe me they're there].

“No love stories, just pure good storytelling ang acting: Sky Castle, Misaeng, Reply 1988, and Signal.

“The actors there aren't young and I believe most of them didn't get cosmetic surgery.

"You might be surprised how well-made those are and might be an inspiration for you too.”

The actors there, too aren't young and I believe most of them didn't get cosmetic surgery (just naturally good-looking & have good skin). You might be surprised how well-made those are and might be an inspiration for you, too. They also earn millions of dollars in KR alone.

-- KRING KIM ⭐️ (@KringKim) April 17, 2020

A netizen even defended Park Seo Joon's recently concluded K-drama Itaewon Class for tackling different social issues such as social injustice, racism, class difference, which provides more than just a love story.

Itaewon Class which is filed under “K-drama galore”, tackles social injustice, racism, class differences, and transgender issues, more than a love story if we're not close-minded. I get your frustration but one might pick up a gem from that list.

-- Jonas Roque ➐ (@jonasrookie) April 15, 2020

While a few simply suggested that Matti watch those that were suggested so he can understand the fad and overlook his judgement.

The top 10 most viewed are for entertainment, for escape. They do not represent Kdrama as a whole. Reply 1988 and Chicago Typewriter are just a couple of kdramas you need to see to get rid of the notion that kdramas are all based on faux Cinderella stories. Also, -

-- binniejjang RN (@rmfoxm) April 16, 2020

Hindi nyo kasi ginagastusan ung mga movies/teleseryes natin. Puro third party/kabit, suntukan/sampalan.. Paulit ulit storya, wala ng bago tapos magtataka kayo bakit hindi tinatangkilik🤦‍♀️

And also read this 👇https://t.co/EJ5wekMKkk

-- Kryshia (@kryshia23) April 16, 2020

[3] Kung binigyan natin ng mas malawak na oportunidad ang mga kuwentista ng pelikula na muling hanapin ang kiliti ng kulturang Pinoy sa mga lente nito, malamang nakausad tayo kahit kaunti.

Ang problema. Mas priority natin ang Cannes at iba pang filmfest kesa ang magpasaya.

-- The Jack Logan Show 😎 (@jackloganshow) April 16, 2020

PH viewers have had enough of the mistress-cheaters-kidnapped heir/heiress stories. KDrama is entertainment we can enjoy anytime we want and stop watching when we want to, as well. The remote is ours.

-- Krissy Mcfly (@bookworm_krissy) April 16, 2020

Try niyo po Kingdom. 🙂 Medyo malapit sa repertoire niyo. Baka po Signal at Circle okay din sa inyo.

-- heartsinpencil ✏️💕 (@heartsinpencil) April 17, 2020

I'd rather see kdrama that has sense and depth and tackles taboo topics that I can gain knowledge from than the topics of the dramas in the Philippines that would ALWAYS have kabit, barilan, patayan, sampalan, kidnapping etc. So you want us to watch Tagalog dramas? Give us better

-- Trish (@ishayaq) April 17, 2020

Sir, your perspective is just the tip of the iceberg. and what abt kdramas? ni hindi nga makapag-perform ng tamang CPR and IV Line ang hospital scenes dito sa Pinas. Tsaka ayaw na po naming ma-stress sa mga nawawalang anak at mga kabit plots na paulit-ulit. 🙄🤷🏻‍♂️☕

-- jjjkkk ⁷ (@hardstanjjjkkk) April 17, 2020

In an earlier report, Filipino director Joey Reyes observed the fanfare of Filipinos with K-dramas.

On his own personal Twitter account, he asked his followers, “What makes Koreanovelas such favorites for Filipinos?”

The thread opened a lot of doors and conversations between netizens and the filmmaker.

He even blogged about it on his website, “Choking On My Adobo.”

Based on history, Korean dramas started broadcasting in the Philippines in 2003 with GMA Network airing Bright Girl starring Jang Na Ra, Jang Hyuk, Han Eun Jung, and Ryu Soo Young.

In GMA-7, the highest rated Korean dramas are as following: Full House, Stairway to Heaven, Jewel in the Palace, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Endless Love: Autumn in My Heart, Endless Love: Winter Sonata, and Jumong--all housed under Heart of Asia.

Direk Joey Reyes asks fans why Filipinos love K-dramas; gets funny replies

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