An Ode to Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum

I came to know about the Pakistani drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum from YouTube recommendations. This was one of those times when YouTube got its algorithm right.

I wasn’t initially sure whether I would like the drama, but once I started, I was hooked. It is no surprise that Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum has gained popularity in India. The reasons are plenty.

Focus on Relationships

The story focuses on everyday relationships. It does not aim to convey any profound social message. The drama is not entirely progressive, but as the audience, the onus lies on us to accept the fictional world of those characters.

We are at an age where we look into political correctness in every movie or drama. This mentality somehow has ruined the movie-watching experience for people like me who prefer rawness over perfection. Indian filmmakers have become too cautious and afraid to offend, which is understandable considering the polarized times we live in. However, they can still develop unique story ideas that are family-oriented.

Most Indian movies and dramas getting appreciated nowadays are dark. If, by chance, a love story gets released, people are quick to dismiss it as cringe, misogynistic, or fake. Box office numbers also reveal that romantic movies have lost their appeal in India. Or maybe it’s because we are not coming up with a captivating love story. Due to this, many filmmakers stay away from making out-and-out romantic, feel-good movies.

So, considering the lack of romantic content, it’s understandable why many Indians are drifting towards Korean and Pakistani dramas like Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum that keep the old-world romance and family-centered stories alive.

The primary takers of romance are women. Most of us understand that the romance shown in movies is make-believe and not realistic, yet we crave a world that we can deep-dive into when we are stressed. Unfortunately, there are not enough choices for us nowadays. This is why dramas like Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum come as a refresher.

Clean Love Story

Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum meets the bill of sweet, clean love stories that we used to enjoy in the past. No one is making out the moment they meet; no one has an “I am cooler than you” attitude. The chemistry is there for your eyes to see. They look lovingly at each other with slight smiles, enjoy quiet dinners sitting on their bedroom floor, and mesh into each other’s lifestyles even if they are poles apart. Small things that make a significant impact.

Beautiful and Relatable Styling

I absolutely love Sharjeena’s free-flowing Pakistani outfits. The styling gives you a feeling that you, too, can pull off the outfit. The hair is not overstyled; the fit is comfortable and suitable for all body sizes, and there is a feeling of relatability when you see it. Nothing seems out of reach for the regular person.

No Realism Fatigue

I personally do not wish to experience realism fatigue while watching a movie or drama, so a good balance of relatability and aesthetics is ideal. To clarify, you might have seen several scenes in Indian dramas/movies shot in the bathroom where the main character is shown answering nature’s calls. They are realistic but not aesthetic. So, in my opinion, such scenes are better avoided in a make-believe world. We don’t need to know if the character peed or pooped or has a runny nose or sweaty face. Some things are better left for the real world.

Conclusion

I believe Indian filmmakers should take note of the popularity of Korean and Pakistani dramas in India. They should recognize that there is a market for such content, which they are currently neglecting to cater to. To create such wholesome dramas or movies, first and foremost, we need better storytellers. Korean dramas are written by female writers, which brings a unique female perspective to the stories. Perhaps Indian filmmakers should consider hiring female writers to bring back the charm of feel-good content in our films.

An Ode to Coke Studio Pakistan

I haven’t posted in a while. Work was so hectic that I couldn’t find time to watch the news, binge-watch Netflix shows, listen to songs, or indulge in leisure activities, including writing on this blog. Now that I am back on track and slowly letting my panic mode subside, I am finding time again for the good stuff in life. As I was catching up on things I missed, something caught my attention – Coke Studio Pakistan’s new season!

I’ve always been a big fan of Coke Studio Pakistan. I loved most of the songs from the previous season, and they are still on my playlist. I often expect the same quality from Coke Studio in India, but the music doesn’t quite measure up. Pakistan truly excels when it comes to producing songs.

Here are my top favorites from Season 15:

Maghron La – Sabri Sisters x Rozeo

A song that celebrates women in all her free-spiritedness, swag, and glory. I have been playing Maghron La on repeat, and it currently tops the list of songs that spark joy. It makes me feel good – something we don’t get enough of in this day and age where dark content has become the norm, whether online or offline.

The video matches the vibe of the song. Exceptionally well shot. It could very well have been a video from India. The culture, language, and outfits feel close to home. However, we don’t get to see such videos in India anymore. We are, unfortunately, trying to emulate the West in the way our movies are presented, often ignoring distinct cinematic elements unique to our country, such as song and dance. The sad part is that if you miss these elements, you have no choice but to wait for them to reappear. In such a circumstance, you can imagine my joy when I come across happy and peppy numbers like Maghron La.

I couldn’t help but notice the woman at the end, looking longingly at the young, energetic girls dancing unabashedly. Is there a deeper meaning? Perhaps she craves a similar freedom that she was denied at their age. Maybe she wants to break free from the chains holding her back but considers it too late. The beauty of the video lies in its open interpretation, allowing viewers to find their own meanings.

Aayi Aayi – Noman Ali Rajper x Babar Mangi x Marvi Saiban

This song is special as it pays tribute to Thar. For the uninitiated, the Thar desert is shared by both Sindh in Pakistan and Rajasthan in India. The desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, spans an area of about 200,000 square kilometers (77,000 square miles) and forms a natural boundary between the two countries. However, despite the boundaries, the culture of the people on both sides of the desert remains the same.

I got goosebumps watching the video. There was an indescribable feeling of oneness. A tingling reminder that we were one once upon a time.

Chal Chaliye – Sajjad Ali x Farheen Raza Jaffry

This one is for the romantics. A slow, soulful song that nudges you to follow your dreams. Sajjad Ali and Farheen have the most beautiful voices. Together they create magic.

An Ode to Park Seo-joon’s Best K-dramas

I have been missing Bollywood romantic movies so much lately that I have delved deep into the world of K-drama. Korean dramas have everything I was missing in Bollywood movies – the feel-good, wholesome, and emotion-heavy element.

One of the actors I have come to admire is Park Seo-joon. He has sharp, expressive eyes that convey the world. It is always a delight to watch him, especially in romantic comedies. He grows on you, making an impact each time he appears on the screen.

If you are new to K-dramas, here are some Park Seo-joon gems you should check out:

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim

Park Seo-joon plays a narcissistic boss. His secretary, Kim, who has been with him through thick and thin, surprises him by expressing her wish to resign. He tries his best to keep her employed in his company. Emotions clash, and we also get subjected to a dark, mysterious past that has been haunting the leads forever. Park Seo-joon’s comic timing in the series is impeccable. Don’t miss out on his “aura.”

Fight For My Way

This is inarguably one of the best K-dramas I have seen. The lead pair is charming and one of the cutest I have ever witnessed. The series follows two friends with a very platonic relationship until the inevitable happens – their feelings get involved. Their protectiveness towards each other, constant bickering, support, and humor makes you crave such a deep friendship. Park Seo-joon plays an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter, and the irresistibly cute Kim Ji-won plays a wannabe anchor who is proficient with her words. Both are fighting hard to find their way in a world that makes it difficult for earnest people to survive.

A Witch’s Love / A Witch’s Romance

This series has quite a controversial subject, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A 25-year-old falls for a 39-year-old career woman who is considered a witch by her colleagues because of her ambitious, no-nonsense work ethic. Both characters are dealing with their own past heartbreaks – she was left on the altar by her beloved, and he’s emotionally scarred by a lover who died in an accident. Considering their age gap, Ban Ji-yeon (played by the charming Uhm Jung-hwa) finds it hard to reciprocate Yoon Dong-ha’s feelings. How they traverse this complicated situation forms the crux of the story.

This is one of Park Seo-joon’s earliest works, but there is no trace of inexperience. He handles the role with confidence, suave, and the boyish charm the role demands.

She Was Pretty

Ji Sung-joon (played by Park Seo-Joon) and Kim Hye-Jin (played by Hwang Jung-eum) were childhood buddies. They were each other’s first love. Then due to some twisted fate, they part ways. Years later, Ji Sung-joon reaches out to Hwang Jung-eum online via email and insists on meeting up. She hesitates. The issue – she is not as pretty as before. Her underconfidence and lack of self-esteem make her do childish things that snowball into a more significant problem. The story is engaging, and you will end up rooting for the two.

I like how the series emphasized embracing one’s true self and owning everything that makes us unique.

Don’t miss out on these K-dramas! They are like medicine for the soul.