Latest news with #Daddy-Long-Legs'
See - Sada Elbalad
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"Sukkar 2" Gets Streaming Date
Yara Sameh The second entry of the Egyptian family musical film "Sukkar" will make its streaming debut exclusively on the "Shahid" streaming platform on Friday, June 6. The film draws inspiration from U.S. writer Jean Webster's epistolary novel 'Daddy-Long-Legs' and is touted as the Arab world's first musical film in the Western canon. 'Sukkar' features singer Hala Turk, who rose to prominence after being an 'Arabs Got Talent' contestant in 2011, in the lead role alongside a wide range of new young talents from the Arab world. The cast also includes Magda Zaki, Mohamed Tharwat, Reham Elshanawany, Yasmina, Mohamed Harby, Moataz Hesham, and others. The official logline for the film reads:"A beautiful day turns disastrous when the city is struck by a chickenpox outbreak, affecting children and workers at the orphanage. While a doctor develops a vaccine, the children seek help from a magician. Amid these events, Sukkar receives an invitation to the annual circus, where she uncovers a truth that turns her life—and the lives of her friends—upside down." The first entry hit cinemas across the Middle East and North Africa on October 12, 2023 by Beirut-based Empire Entertainment, which is one of the region's top movie distributors. It is scripted by Kuwaiti writer Heba Mishari Hamadai, helmed by Egyptian director Tamer Mahdy, and produced by Saudi-owned broadcasting powerhouse MBC Group in its first. 'Sukkar' also features original songs penned by Hamada and scored by Egyptian composer Ehad Abdel Wahed. The film's lead producer is Samar Akrouk, the group director of production at MBC Group, alongside MBC executive producer Lara Ghazal Nassif and MBC producer Alaa Awada, with executive producer Tamer Mortada and producer Mostafa Al Awadi from Egypt's Aroma Productions. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Korea Herald
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
What makes 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' globally popular?
Experts cite series' theme, pacing, motifs as reminiscent of literary classics 'The Little Princess,' 'Daddy-Long-Legs' Netflix Korea's latest sensation, "When Life Gives You Tangerines," was officially the platform's most popular non-English series as of Friday. The series, which traces the turbulent lives of the characters in Korea from the 1960s to present day, is making waves globally — a feat that carries unique significance compared to other global Korean hits such as "Squid Game" and "The Glory." Unlike its megahit predecessors, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is deeply rooted in Korean culture and history, showcasing traditional customs, gender roles of the 1960s and rural life on Jeju Island. Characters speak in heavy dialects and the narrative is rich with cultural references, such as the "haenyeo," or female divers who harvest seafood from the ocean, and old Korean songs that serve as its soundtrack in accordance with the show's timeline. Small details in scenes, such as women boarding ships being considered taboo and the belief that women should not place their shoes on the doorstep, also reflect deep-rooted Korean superstitions. "It's amazing," said Park Bo-gum, the Hallyu star playing the younger version of the two leads in the series, in a group interview March 24, when asked about what he thought about the series' success on the global charts. The series, which premiered March 7, had reached the No. 2 spot on Netflix's non-English series chart in the third week of March. "It's fascinating and surprising that stories of human connections and family, infused with Korean sentiment, can resonate even in (other) countries," he said. On paper, such deeply Korean elements might seem challenging for international audiences to connect with. While star power may have contributed to the series' global success — with Hallyu stars Lee Ji-eun (better known as singer IU) and Park Bo-gum leading the cast — fans point to the drama's universal themes of love and family to explain its appeal. Nadia, 27, a white-collar worker in New York, shared how the smallest details resonated with her. "There are many scenes that remind me of my parents, which keep me invested in the series," she said. "Moments as simple as my parents refusing to spend the money I send them hit close to home, making me see the characters' stories as my own." Sid Patel, 26, a graduate student in India, found the drama series refreshing for its blend of unfamiliar cultural elements and relatable family narratives. "I love watching K-drama, but I knew little about Jeju Island or Korean traditions before this. Seeing them interwoven into a story I could personally relate to — especially parents sacrificing everything so that their children can achieve what they dream — made for a unique viewing experience," he said. Experts add that the universally resonating themes being conveyed through impeccable pacing further contributes to the show's popularity. "Family dramas hold the greatest potential for success, regardless of nationality," said pop culture critic Jung Ji-ouk. "The fact that the whole family can watch it together and that it tells a family's story gives it a sense of universality." "Rather than having the plot move rapidly, focusing solely on events, or dragging on like a daily drama, causing emotional exhaustion, (the series) presents emotionally impactful scenes and then offers a moment of respite before moving on to the next," said Park Ki-soo, a professor in the department of culture content at Hanyang University. "After an emotional high, it ensures there's enough space for what we call emotional aftershocks to settle. This makes the drama linger with the audience for a longer time." Additionally, the series employs timeless narrative motifs that resonate across cultures. Ae-sun's journey, for instance, echoes the classic "The Little Princess," the 1905 children's novel about Sara Crewe, a young girl who endures hardship and displacement after being orphaned. "Ae-sun's journey begins with the loss of both parents, leaving her to be passed from house to house, almost like an unwanted burden," said Park. "This is a very common motif. A heroine facing hardship after losing her parents echoes stories like 'The Little Princess,' naturally evoking emotional resonance," said Park. "For the older generation watching this drama, such experiences were quite common in their time." Meanwhile, the Hanyang University professor added that Park Bo-gum's character embodies another familiar trope: the steadfast childhood friend who becomes a protector, reminiscent of the "tall, kind uncle" archetype from 1912 epistolary novel "Daddy-Long-Legs," which continues to resonate with female audiences. "As the universal aspect of family and the other universal codes are intertwined, there are definitely elements in ('When Life Gives You Tangerines') that people viewing from a global perspective can relate to," said Park.
