Erik Matti under fire for calling K-dramas, 'faux cinderella stories with belo-fied actors whiter than white'

Netizens slammed Filipino director Erik Matti after he criticized Korean dramas (K-drama) in a tweet last Tuesday.

According to Matti, Filipino movies and television series are "doomed in the future" after learning that K-dramas were dominating Netflix's top ten most viewed content during the enhanced community quarantine, set in place to help curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

He said K-dramas are "faux cinderella stories with belofied actors whiter than white. And it's all about love in the midst of this pandemic."

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

In the Philippines, Belo clinics are well-known for its excellent cosmetic dermatology services, which explains Matti's term, "Belo-fied."

Some netizens replied to the director listing Korean dramas that he could watch to understand what it is about them that had put them in the Top 10 list in the Philippines.

Hi sir, may I suggest the following dramas (weren’t shown on Netflix realtime so they weren’t hyped but I believe they’re there). No love stories, just pure good storytelling ang acting.

- SKY CASTLE
- MISAENG
- REPLY 1988 (might have a bit love story but not the focus)
- SIGNAL

— KRING KIM ?? (@KringKim) April 17, 2020

 

Why belittle when you can instead take note of the reasons these shows are loved by so many? Not all the shows are faux cinderella stories, & not all actors belofied. Besides, so what if they are? Does that hinder them from being skilled at what they do? Hatred is uncalled for.

— Lena? ???? (@taegirlily) April 17, 2020

10 Kdramas I recommend Erik Matti to watch:
1. Sky Castle
2. Mr. Sunshine
3. Chicago Typewriter
4. Reply 1988
5. Signal
6. Hospital Playlist
7. Dr. Romantic
8. Kingdom
9. Itaewon Class
10. Prison Playbook

Nasa #Netflix lahat direk @ErikMatti

— Bean Jean #StayHome ???? (@c0rpuscallosum) April 17, 2020

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 ? (@jonasrookie) April 15, 2020

Luh I didn’t expect this from you, Sir Erik Matti. You sounded insecure.

Kdramas aren’t all about “faux cinderella stories”, obviously, you haven’t watched anything yet you’re spouting this nonsense. https://t.co/Qn7OaHmNxp

— kaye ? dg au (@ygfamtrash) April 17, 2020

It's sad that a respected director like @ErikMatti managed to flaunt his insecurity, insult the audience' intellect and be a insensitive, racist POS just by a single post. SK creators have achieved something that so many directors could only DREAM of achieving, PARASITE anyone?

— heeeeeee (@renzeeb21gmail1) April 17, 2020

As a student who studies film, I saw what Erik Matti was trying to say. There are many undiscovered Filipino films that we tend to overlook which has great cinematography and plots. But to downgrade a film genre just because it is doing well, is racist and xenophobic.

— france ? oisd ???? h&d (@lemonctea) April 17, 2020

Panoorin nyo po muna 'tong mga "faux cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors" kdrama series. Baka ma-inspire ka for your next film ????????? pic.twitter.com/VkNFb6slID

— StayIKONic (@STAYiKONic95) April 18, 2020

Dear Erik Matti ,
Can we just for once set aside the toxic culture of Filipino who claims just to be "nationalist". We're a viewer, kdrama happens to have unique plot, amazing cinematography and watching it doesn't mean we doesn't appreciate ours. We appreciate ART. Don't paint-

— ALHEA (@afptwt) April 17, 2020

Here's ERIK MATTI'S hate-filled, xenophobic tweet.

It reeks of narcissistic outrage against Korean telenovelas, & contempt for Filipinos, who love K-dramas. He even goes on to denigrate Korean actors for having whiter than white, Belofied skin.

GALIT ATA SIYA SA LOVE STORIES.???? pic.twitter.com/qzwVXLhC4t

— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) April 17, 2020

As of writing the Top 10 series on Netflix are mostly composed of Korean dramas including "Hi Bye Mama!," "Crash Landing on You," "Itaewon Class," "The King Eternal Monarch," "Fight For My Way," and "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim."

But other series and films from around the world figured in the Top 10 too, including "Prison Break" on #1, Filipino film "For the Broken Hearted" on #2, "Money Heist" on #6, and "Too Hot To Handle" on #9.

GMA News Online has reached out to Matti through his Instagram account. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News