Visiting Kim Samsoon

{mosimage}“Ako si Kim Samsoon” may be an adaptation of the Korean soap series “My Lovely Sam-soon,” but the finished product is Pinoy, said director Dominic Zapata.

“The framework is the same and all the key characters are present. But we embellished it with new characters to make it more Filipino,” Zapata told Inquirer Entertainment during a visit to the set at Canyon Woods in Lemery, Batangas, last week. “We also focused on the subject of family and infused our own kind of humor.”

“GMA 7 acquired the rights to make the local version of the widely popular 2005 Korean show. The network earlier aired adaptations of the Mexican drama program “Marimar” and the Japanese action-adventure series “Shaider” (shown locally as “Zaido”).

Zapata said very specific guidelines, laid down by the Korean producers, were followed while shooting the series. “These policies were made so we don’t commit grave mistakes,” he explained. “But we made sure there was enough room to improvise as much as possible.”

Zapata continued: “They will be very pleased when they see our product. I’m so confident about this, that I don’t mind sharing it with other Asian countries, maybe even with Western audiences.”

Playing the role of Samsoon, the middle-aged and overweight baker, is singer-actress Regine Velasquez. Mark Anthony Fernandez takes on the role of the rude and angsty French restaurant owner Cyrus Hyun. Wendell Ramos is Harvey Min, who breaks Samsoon’s heart by ditching her on their wedding day.

Also in the cast are Tessie Tomas as Samsoon’s mother, Mrs. Sonia Buot; Carmi Martin as Cyrus’ domineering mom, Mrs. Ruiz; Eugene Domingo as Chef Dina; Nadine Samonte as Cyrus’ ex-fiancée, Hannah; Pauleen Luna as Harvey’s fiancée, Cherry; and Maureen Larrazabal as Samsoon’s best friend Maureen.

“Ako si Kim Samsoon” airs weekdays on the Telebabad block.

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