Samantha Onglatco

I'm a freelance writer and cultural strategist with experience in multiple publications and organizations looking for freelance or part-time opportunities. By day, I work as a beauty marketer, obsessing over consumer behavior. At night, I unofficially work as a fangirl over BTS. Off-duty, she likes to read non-fiction books, attend Zumba and Pilates classes, and binge-watch the latest K-dramas or chick flicks.

My Work

About Me

I'm Sam, a freelance writer, content marketer, and cultural strategist based in the Philippines, passionate about lifestyle & culture, beauty & fashion, and health & sustainability, with bylines in Vice Asia, Young Star, Esquire, and Cosmopolitan Philippines. 

During the day, I am a professional beauty marketer with experience in product marketing, brand strategy, and account management. Currently, I am the Retail Brand Manager for L'Oréal Paris, the #1 beauty brand in the world, where I handle the total offline business of the brand.

I am open to freelance opportunities related to lifestyle & culture writing, consumer insighting, and brand marketing. Below are some of the work I've done over the past few years. For any questions/opportunities, please reach me at samonglatco@gmail.com.

Esquire

Vice Asia

Canvas8

Young Star

These are some of the works that I've done for Young Star, the Philippine Star's youth publication. 

Philstar Life •

The culture of being everywhere and nowhere

My experience of Filipino culture is ingrained in my earliest memories: being forced to siesta every afternoon by my lola, eating extra-sour sinigang for both lunch and dinner, and playing Filipino street games like tumbang preso and patintero with my neighbors.

I realize most of these happened within the walls of my own country. But Filipinos are not just based in the Philippines—with Filipinos living in different parts of the world due to globalization, one might wonder: How do Filipinos, esp
Philstar Life •

It could’ve been us: Stories of star-crossed lovers

Imagine feeling an instant connection with someone. You fall in love and get into a relationship. But all of a sudden, a whopping enemy comes to ruin the bliss: time and circumstance. Circumstance has proven to be one of the greatest enemies of love. Literary scholars even coined a term for it—star-crossed lovers. The concept isn’t new—we’ve seen it in stories like Romeo and Juliet, movies and shows like Titanic, The Fault in Our Stars, and Love, Rosie. We’ve seen it in real life with people we
Philstar Life •

Being in my ‘Nothing New’ era at 22

Ten years ago, I was 12 years old listening to Taylor Swift’s newly released single 22. It fed into my fantasies of being a big girl. At the time, I had big dreams and wanted nothing more than to already be the accomplished girl similar to the professional women I kept seeing in romcoms. Playing the song and watching the party-themed music video on repeat was a formative experience for me. I thought becoming a young adult would be what the song promised: happy, free, confused, and lonely at the
Philstar Life •

I can’t be real on BeReal

I’ve taken the liberty of doing everything I can to maintain the image that my life is perfect. Whether posting life milestones on Facebook, picture-perfect selfies on Instagram, funny videos of myself on TikTok, and carefully-worded opinions on Twitter, I’ve done it all. When I first heard about BeReal, an app that supposedly promoted authenticity, I was immediately intrigued. The premise of BeReal is anchored on users capturing and sharing unfiltered photos at different times each day within t

Philippine Star Life

Philstar Life •

Finding growth in letting my inner child run free

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of depression and other mental health problems.

As a young girl, I was always excited about growing up, thanks to the numerous rom-coms I watched where lead characters seemed to have glamorous lives. Most of my childhood was spent daydreaming about becoming older so that I could have more control over my own life and fulfill other people’s dreams for me. At that time, I considered being a child as a hindrance to success and achievement.

Being the

Rappler

As a Lifestyle and Entertainment Intern, I wrote long-form articles on a variety of topics. I also wrote breaking entertainment news daily. 

RAPPLER •

Core memories: 2 Gen Z musicians reflect on the power of old, nostalgic songs

Our constant discovery of new music allows us to expand our worldview and appreciate different kinds of songs. Yet even with these constant discoveries, people still tend to gravitate to their old favorites.

Finding comfort in old forms of media, including music, is not a new phenomenon. However, despite its persistence, the idea of sticking to your old favorites can actually be met with disdain. In fact, not outgrowing your older music tastes can even be used as an insult.

But is it really, t
RAPPLER •

Tara, food trip! Must-try food spots in San Pedro, Laguna

From pizza, to kambing dishes, to inihaw delights, San Pedro is home to a variety of food choices perfect for a food trip!

MANILA, Philippines – Summer has finally arrived, and so has our adventurous spirit! For Calabarzon and Metro Manila folks itching to travel or discover new food, maybe you feel like going on a local food crawl or ordering some good food that’s not too far away – and we’ve got the perfect recommendations for you from San Pedro, Laguna.

Aside from being the boundary between
RAPPLER •

Erotic fanfiction: Boon or bane for young girls exploring their sexuality?

'It actually fools or sets your expectations so high that you tend to look for that kind of experience in real life,' one fanfiction reader admits

Almost every teenage fangirl has come across at least one work of fanfiction.

In the complex and diverse world of fandom, one of the most interesting practices that have emerged is the active role of fans in creating different types of content inspired by the object of their admiration.

Of the various types of content, perhaps one of the most notab
RAPPLER •

[New School] Navigating womanhood in a patriarchal Christian church

If you applied the Bechdel test – a measure of how women are represented in literature, determined by whether women characters talk to each other about something other than a man – to the stories in the Bible, it’s highly likely that it would fail. When I turn to the Bible, I can only recall a handful of women: Ruth, Eve, Sarah, Esther, and Mary, but even then, I know them in relation to the men they are affiliated with and not exactly for their story.

Meanwhile, there is no shortage of informa
RAPPLER •

Support more small businesses via GrabFood’s new 'Indie Eats' section

You can now order from over 80 small, local businesses through the Grab app

This has most probably come up in many customers’ minds after trying new dishes from small, up-and-coming online businesses for the first time.

As the food world shifted to deliveries and digital transactions in the pandemic, more and more home-based small businesses and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) began to emerge. Over the last few years, small businesses have captured the attention of the local market because of
RAPPLER •

'It should've been me': Netizens react to BTS V and Olivia Rodrigo Grammys interaction

SURPRISE. BTS member V and singer Olivia Rodrigo had an unexpected interaction at the 2022 Grammys.

The South Korean heartthrob also mentions that he wants to collaborate with Rodrigo

MANILA, Philippines – Every year, the Grammys come with a few surprises, which may or may not be controversial. Think of Taylor Swift and Harry Styles interacting, Lady Gaga entering the Grammys in an egg, and Madonna alongside Queen Latifah and Macklemore turning the ceremony into a mass wedding for 34 same-sex
RAPPLER •

Giving hope through skincare: This local brand caters to cancer patients with sensitive skin

This gentle, paraben-free skincare brand is made for those undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, and have other side effects from illnesses

MANILA, Philippines – Skincare is all about caring for one’s self and feeling beautiful, no matter what this fast-paced world throws at us. It makes us feel good on the inside and the outside.

There are so many skincare brands available nowadays, mostly catered to women who want to achieve glassy, Korean-inspired skin, look younger, or maintain their boun
RAPPLER •

Poke party! Where to get poke bowls for delivery in Metro Manila

Check out these local brands for your poke bowl fix, perfect for the Lenten season!

MANILA, Philippines – Whether it’s to celebrate Lenten season, eat less red meat, save up on cooking time, or enjoy fresh seafood, we’ve got the perfect recommendation for anyone looking for a healthier alternative to meat-heavy rice bowls: poke bowls!

Many people can’t get enough of the Hawaiian delicacy that is poke, and rightfully so. This regional staple typically includes diced raw yellowfin tuna or salmon
RAPPLER •

LOOK: Online app COOP Grocer takes pride in first 'phygital' store in BGC

It's a physical and digital shopping experience with real-time inventory, built for digital natives looking for quick cashless checkouts

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – After more than a year of bringing affordable locally-sourced fruits and vegetables to the doorstep of customers through its website and mobile app, pandemic-born COOP Grocer has every reason to take pride in its first brick-and-mortar, phygital store in Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City.

The visually captivating “phygital” (
RAPPLER •

Beyond girl boss: These K-drama characters redefine the 'strong woman' stereotype

MANILA, Philippines – For years, K-dramas have followed the foolproof formula of two men pining over a woman who has to choose between the two. More often than not, women are portrayed as a damsel in distress that needs saving or someone who is used for the character development of the male lead. Just think about all the classic K-dramas: Boys Over Flowers, Secret Garden, and Princess Hours.

Fortunately, this almost dreaded cliché has evolved in recent years as writers create more dynamic women

Breaking lifestyle & entertainment articles

RAPPLER •

PSY to release new single 'That That' produced by Suga of BTS

COLLAB. PSY is releasing a new single 'That That', produced by BTS' Suga.

Are you PSY-ched? PSY's first new single with Suga is debuting on Friday, along with a music video!

MANILA, Philippines – On Tuesday, April 26, “Gangnam Style” singer PSY announced the release of his new single “That That,” which is produced by rapper Suga of BTS.

The highly-awaited single is set to debut on Friday, April 29, accompanied by a music video. It is part of his upcoming full-length album PSY 9th.

The rapper
RAPPLER •

Why are 'Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan, producer Lawrence Bender in PH?

Both Kwan and Bender are also spotted at a brunch gathering with A-list Filipino personalities

MANILA, Philippines – Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan and Oscar-nominated American producer Lawrence Bender disclosed that they are considering making a movie in the Philippines!

“One of the reasons why we’re here is because we want to make a movie here,” the Pulp Fiction producer shared during a panel discussion on April 21 at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) global summit, where he a
RAPPLER •

Tropic like it's hot! Koomi offers new yogurt drinks for the summer

Love Koomi? Check out the yogurt drink's new summer flavors, using ingredients like KitKat, kiwi, mango, dragon fruit, and more!

MANILA, Philippines — Australia-based natural drinking yogurt chain Koomi is welcoming the summer season with five new refreshing flavors of their best-selling yogurt drinks.

Making use of Koomi’s signature quirky and witty names, the five drinks are called Lemon Bee The One, Berry Kiwissable, Tropic Like It’s Hot, KitKat You Outta My Head, and It Takes Passion to Ma
RAPPLER •

Rapper B.I. to return with 'global album project' in 2022

MANILA, Philippines – B.I is making a comeback! On Thursday, April 21, the South Korean singer-rapper posted a mysterious video announcement on his Youtube channel that teased a “global album project” in 2022.

The teaser contains themes of a cyberpunk, grungy aesthetic, which fans have speculated to be the visual aesthetic of the upcoming album. The teaser also revealed the name of the project, Love or Loved (LOL), as well as the plans under the project – a pre-release single and two EPs. Addit
RAPPLER •

2PM’s Junho, Girls' Generation's Yoona pair up for new rom-com series

New K-drama alert! 2PM member Junho and Girls' Generation member Yoona are set to star as the main leads of 'King the Land.'

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop stars Junho from 2PM and Yoona from Girls’ Generation are set to be the main leads of upcoming new rom-com show King the Land (working title), as announced on Wednesday, April 20.

According to a Soompi report, Junho, also known as Lee Jun-ho, is set to play the charming and intelligent Gon Woo, the heir to the wealthy King Group. Meanwhile, Yo
RAPPLER •

LOOK: New wedding photos of Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin released

The wedding photos are released the same day the couple flies to the US for their honeymoon

MANILA, Philippines – We’re still not over #BinJin’s wedding! The Crash Landing on You newlyweds Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin shared on Monday, April 11, new official pictures from their intimate and elegant wedding ceremony.

Hyun Bin’s agency VAST Entertainment posted the four brand new wedding photos on Instagram. The actor is a happy groom as he dons a black tuxedo, while the blushing bride is seen sporti
RAPPLER •

LOOK: Brie Larson joins the 'Fast & Furious 10'

'Excited doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about joining the Fast & Furious family,' says the actress

MANILA, Philippines – Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson is joining the Fast & Furious family for its 10th installment!

On Sunday, April 10, Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto in the movie franchise, broke the news to fans through an Instagram post. Diesel welcomed the Captain Marvel actress in the post, teasing how Larson’s character will be “timeless,” “amazing,” and someone that yo
RAPPLER •

Han So-hee is Penshoppe's newest face

The 'My Name' and 'Nevertheless' star joins the Penshoppe family for their latest minimalistic collection

On Friday, April 8, Penshoppe released a video to announce So-hee’s debut as their newest face, in which she sports the brand’s new curated line of minimalistic, neutral, and breathable pieces with her distinct style and grace.

“My personal style is very much aligned with the Penshoppe branding, so I get to dress up in clothes I love. It allows me to experiment with different styles, and i

Brand Content Writing

Cosmopolitan Philippines

Cosmopolitan Philippines •

10 Shops That Sell *Cute* Supplies For All Your Bullet Journaling Needs

2022 is right around the corner, and it's almost time to craft those New Year resolutions once again. Perhaps one activity several people have been wanting to try is bullet journaling. ICYDK, it's a method that helps you track the past, organize your present, and plan for the future. It's a planner, to-do list, and diary, all rolled into one! Not only does it document everyday life, but in a way, it can also help a person become more organized. If you want to really get your sh*t together, this
Cosmopolitan Philippines •

10 *Personalized* Holiday Gift Boxes Your BFF Will Absolutely Love

The holiday season is upon us once again. Believe it or not you guys, Christmas is right around the corner. I mean, seriously, where the heck did the year even go? Haha! And as the merriest time of the year enters, we can't help but get into the hustle and bustle of planning festive gatherings, preparing Christmas feasts, and last, but certainly not the least, buying presents! Let's be real: We're pretty sure we aren't the only ones who get excited over receiving the latest trendy home decor, pl
Cosmopolitan Philippines •

6 Couples Tell Us How They Met And Fell In Love Through Their College Org

To a lot of people, one of the best parts of college life is joining organizations whose advocacies match ours. It’s a place where you get to meet some of your closest friends while you work on projects that are dear to your heart. For some lucky ones, it's where they happen to meet the love of their life. We talked to five couples who met in their college organizations to share their *super sweet* love stories. Fair warning you guys, the ~kilig~ is real!

How did you two meet in the org?

Mica:
Cosmopolitan Philippines •

Step-By-Step: How To Apply For A Philippine Driver's License

Starting to drive can be one of the most exciting things you will ever experience while ~adulting~. But before you start getting on that driver's seat and hitting the road, you obviously need a driver's license—yes, like the one Olivia Rodrigo talked about in her viral song, LOL.

What is a driver's license and who can apply for one?

ICYDK, a driver's license is a government-issued document that can be used as a valid ID around the world. It authorizes you to drive a motor vehicle in the countr

Candy Magazine

Writes stories that the average college student can relate to, such as studying and adulting tips, as well as pop culture topics.

    Candymag.com •

    'I Let My Dream Course Go, and I’ve Made My Peace With It'

    Growing up, my dream career changed depending on my current obsession. At four years old, I wanted to become a princess. When I discovered Hannah Montana, I wanted to become a singer. When I realized I had a knack for writing, I wanted to become an author. It seemed like my interests were always changing, but I didn’t think so much of it. One day, I developed a love for watching movies. Then that was it. That’s how I knew that I wanted to become a film director. I was so sure I would spend my en
    Candymag.com •

    Everything You Need to Know if BS Nursing Is Your Dream Course

    Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions worldwide. In fact, the Philippines is also known for its world-class nurses, which makes it no surprise that we have so many aspiring nurses! If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in nursing or if it’s your dream course, then we made a short run-down of everything you need to know about BS Nursing to help guide you through the whole process.

    How do you become a nurse in the Philippines?

    Republic Act 9173, or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2
    Candymag.com •

    Curious? Here's Where + How Much It Costs to Get a Semi-Permanent Eyebrow Tattoo

    Sometimes it can get tiring to get made up for the endless amount of Zoom calls, but we have to do what we do to look like we just didn’t get out of bed. LOL! If you’re like me and your go-to no-makeup makeup look is filling in your brows, then you’d understand that it gets quite taxing having to do it every day and it actually is pretty time-consuming! But worry not, because the trend is on our side: Semi-permanent eyebrow tattoos are in now.

    More and more celebrities are getting their eyebrow
    Candymag.com •

    5 Interesting Games to Play on Discord and Zoom for Your Next ~Virtual~ Hangout

    After being stuck at home for almost a year, we’ve migrated a big chunk of our social lives to virtual gatherings on Discord or Zoom. Over the last year, we’ve found ways to make our virtual hangouts more fun—for example, having Powerpoint presentations for online catch-ups with our gal pals, or watching a TV show or movie with them through Teleparty or Scener. But at one point, you start running out of gimmicks to spice up the next gathering. We can only do so much when everything’s online.

    Lu
    Candymag.com •

    5 College Courses Related to Business

    Nowadays, people are slowly getting more and more interested in creating their own businesses. Teenagers and young adults alike have been achieving their dreams by establishing their own small businesses left and right. If your dream is to become the next Seo Dal-mi, then you came to the right place! Though you don’t need a business degree to become a successful business owner, it doesn’t hurt to pursue college courses focusing on business to better understand related concepts and help you becom
    Candymag.com •

    6 Things to Know About K-pop Group ENHYPEN

    ICYDK, Enhypen, usually stylized as ENHYPEN, is an up-and-coming Korean boy group that is beginning to make a name for themselves in the K-pop industry. The septet, composed of Jay, Jungwon, Heeseung, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Niki, were formed on the survival competition show I-Land which ended in September 2020. Even before their formal debut last November 30, 2020, the members of Enhypen have already caught the attention and hearts of fangirls and fanboys alike. If you’re curious about them

    The GUIDON - Broadcast News Editor

    As the Broadcast News Editor, I am in charge of producing, editing, and overseeing the staff's 6-7 multimedia productions such as video reports and podcasts that are published on the GUIDON's social media channels.

    The GUIDON - Broadcast News Correspondent

    As a Broadcast News correspondent, I wrote, narrated, and edited multimedia content such as podcasts and video reports that are published on the GUIDON’s page with an average viewership of 2,000 and explainers with an average viewership of 925.

      The GUIDON •

      The ugly road to recovery

      Trigger warning: This piece contains mentions of eating disorders.

      OPINION: I WANTED a cookie for breakfast. As I got up and prepared to shove a cookie into my mouth, I suddenly thought of how many calories I’d consume if I ate it. I would consume about 55 calories for one piece; 160 if I had three. Then I caught my line of thinking and reminded myself: You don’t do that anymore.

      I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with food since I was in high school. I’ve always been naturally big-boned, whic
      The GUIDON •

      Creating Safer Spaces in the Academe

      WARNING: The following episode contains mentions of rape and sexual abuse, which may be triggering to some listeners. Audience discretion is advised.

      Time’s Up Ateneo’s Danna Aduna and Protect Our Students PH’s Kit Andres join our second episode to discuss the experiences of students battling sexual misconduct in schools and the system’s flaws in handling these cases. As advocates against sexual harassment, they also talk about what individuals can do to carve out safer spaces in the academe. Join us as we go On Point with Danna and Kit.

      Psyche Today

      Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
      Psyche Today •

      Ko Mun-yeong from It's Okay to Not Be Okay: Mental Illnesses through the Eyes of K-dramas

      As we’ve learned in the two previous segments, the portrayal and representation of mental illnesses in K-dramas are visibly and steadily increasing. So of course, there’s no way to cap off this series without looking into none other than one of the most popular K-dramas that tackle mental health issues, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.
      Heads turned when the series introduced its controversial and unconventional leading lady, Ko Mun-yeong, a children's book author. But there is more to her character than just her fashion and bluntness: she is actually said to be suffering from antisocial personality disorder.
      This last part of the segment aims to serve as an analysis on how the show tackled Mun-yeong’s antisocial personality disorder, as well as well as a conclusion by emphasizing the importance of proper representation.
      Psyche Today •

      Song Shi-ho from Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo: Mental Illnesses through the Eyes of K-dramas

      Last week, we talked about the portrayal of Jang Jae-yeol’s schizophrenia in the K-drama It’s Okay, That’s Love. For the second installment of our interactive segment on the portrayal and representation of mental illnesses in K-dramas, we will be looking into the Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo through the character of Song Shi-ho, who is shown to be struggling with bulimia.
      Psyche Today •

      Jang Jae-yeol from It's Okay, That's Love: Mental Illnesses through the Eyes of K-dramas

      As K-dramas venture into portraying mental illnesses, it is important to look into how these characters are represented in mainstream media. For the first part of our three-part interactive segment where we will be looking into the portrayal and representation of different mental illnesses in K-dramas, we will be looking into the beloved character of Jang Jae-yeol who is said to be suffering from schizophrenia from It’s Okay, That’s Love
      Psyche Today •

      Mental Illnesses Through the Eyes of K-dramas

      With the ongoing rise of the Hallyu wave, not just in the Philippines but also worldwide, there is no doubt that Korean content has made its way into our lives. Korean dramas, or K-dramas, have recently been gaining more traction with its unique storylines capturing the interest of viewers. One of the more controversial storylines K-dramas have ventured into is mental illnesses, which is considered to be taboo in South Korean culture.
      Facebook •

      The Phenomena of Longing

      Reminiscing on the good old days? Scrolling through old photos to remind yourself of the normalcy you once enjoyed? Daydreaming about going back on campus? Missing people a little more lately? It's been a year since the last day of physical classes in Ateneo.
      These feelings of longing are no longer a stranger to us as we yearn for the life we once knew especially before the pandemic. These feelings may often seem daunting and overwhelming, and we may even struggle to understand them.
      What’s New In Psych Wednesdays presents an explanation on the phenomena of longing that aims to help us understand and navigate our feelings of longing amid quarantine burnout, as we have reached one year into the quarantine.
      Facebook •

      Coping with News Fatigue

      As multiple disasters have recently plagued not just our country but also the world, it has become a common sentiment to feel helpless and hopeless with the news we’ve been receiving. There is a term for this complex phenomena – news fatigue. This is essentially the feeling of being worn out by the amount of news there is.
      Amid these challenging times, it is important that we find ways to cope while keeping ourselves informed. This infographic hopes to enlighten readers on this phenomena and what we can do to counter it.
      Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of coping mechanisms, but some suggestions that can help you get started on creating healthy habits when consuming the news.

      Miscellaneous

      As a Health Promotions writer in Project LAAN, I have written modules that are heavily based on research. 

      Unpublished articles

      In my Journalism classes, some of my requirements were to create articles on various topics. These are some of the pieces I've worked on. All of these articles are unpublished.

      Mr. Worldwide, and No, It's not Pitbull

      I started attending an eccentric church called Church @ No. 71 that goes back to the basics of Christianity - gathering in a home to talk about Jesus, but for now, through Zoom. It is a safe haven for a hybrid of unique personalities to ask questions and share their insights. Among its attendees is Colin Mills, a white man living in Tondo, Manila. He spoke in fluent Filipino with a distinct fusion of accents. In his reflections, he often mentions creative and specific approaches to the world’s problems, referencing his time in different countries. Intrigued by the deeper context behind his stories, I found myself wanting to have a better understanding of what he does and where he has been.

      On behalf of an idol: the philanthropy of the BTS ARMY

      Although charitable acts are not new to fandoms, the philanthropy of ARMYs is note-worthy because of it being almost an essential part of what it means to be in the fandom. With their astonishing ability to garner attention towards social issues, there have been groups started out by ARMYs such as One In An ARMY , an initiative that aims to collaborate with nonprofit organizations around the world and encourages microdonations. They have also organized notable campaigns such as the #MatchAMillion in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The example BTS set along with the social undertones in the messaging of their music have inspired ARMYs all around the world to do the same and perhaps even more, but all in the name of BTS.

      The Crash Landing of K-dramas in the Philippines

      Korean dramas, more popularly known as K-dramas, have become a worldwide phenomenon that has infiltrated the hearts of Filipino people among others, as they have now become a contributor of Korean cultural content, one of South Korea’s major exports. Due to the rising allure of Korean entertainment and the popularity of award-winning film Parasite and critically acclaimed boyband BTS, the appetite for Korean content has never been stronger than it is today, which caused a steadily growing interest in K-dramas.

      The peculiar case of the megachurch

      Imagine this: upon entering a big building with world-class facilities, people are met with a welcoming committee accompanied by huge smiles on their faces. There is a bookstore, a handful of food establishments, and a surge of people coming in and out. On the way to find a seat at the main auditorium, a group of ushers escort attendees to a free seat. Then suddenly, the lights dim. A band comes on stage, prompting the audience to stand up. The first notes of an instrument play, and suddenly, a whole production is on for the next 30 minutes. When the music stops and the audience is asked to sit. A man in a suit comes up to welcome the audience, followed by a couple of announcements of their programs for the upcoming month. Afterward, a personable speaker comes up on stage, oozing with charisma. He gears up to speak for the next hour and a half on a book that is said to be the blueprint of how to live.