Will Tak Gu succeed as The Baker King?

MANILA, Philippines - The Baker King, also known as Bread, Love and Dreams in other countries, is not your usual Koreanovela fare. Airing locally on GMA 7’s Telebabad, it has captured the hearts of many Filipino viewers.

A working woman rushes home to catch the series after a long day’s work; a stay-at-home mom drops all her household chores to give her undivided attention to the show; a young student tells his friends he cannot stay and play computer games because he has to go home to watch the Koreanovela. The Baker King has found a way to penetrate and touch TV viewers from all sorts of background.

While some may think that the premise of a young man using baking to achieve his dreams is corny and cheesy, the fact that he could both be tough and charmingly adorable makes the story appealing. Viewers just love to follow the lead character, Kim Tak Gu, and his determination to become the best baker in Korea.

The Baker King, although told through the eyes of a man, still delivers on tons of tearjerkers: Tak Gu being terrorized by his father’s family for being a mistress’ son, his being separated from his beloved mother, his not standing a chance with his childhood sweetheart and many more.

The medium of baking is simply used as a vehicle to propel the story, showcasing Tak Gu’s ability to create beautiful and delicious baked goods amidst the hardships he encounters. Often, the series emphasizes how baking is similar to living in this world.

The average Filipino relates to Tak Gu as he rises above every challenge and achieves self-fulfillment in his life journey. Although he has talent in baking, learning how to bake did not come easy to him. He was discouraged by his boss and ridiculed by fellow bakers. He even experienced losing his sense of smell and taste for a time. But after all those, he was able to perfect baking and gain the respect of others.

Tak Gu also shows that it is possible not to resort to violence even when oppressed and maltreated. Although he is a strong fighter, he always recalls the words of his mother about not using his hands to harm others.

Tak Gu places importance on respecting others, even Matthew, his rival to the family’s baking empire. In spite of all the deception and belittling Matthew put Tak Gu through, the latter never retaliates with the same vileness. Tak Gu held on to family values, even when his own family inflicted him with pain.

Viewers may have pegged certain Koreanovelas to be too heavy or melodramatic but The Baker King handles Tak Gu’s difficulties and joys in a well-balanced, light-hearted manner. It elicits laughter and tears in a way that viewers continue to root for Tak Gu and his hoped-for success.

At present, The Baker King is one of the most loved Korean shows in the country. It highlights something that Filipinos understand all too well: An underdog in the person of Tak Gu and his struggle to succeed and make something of himself in an environment where everything seems to bring him down.

The finale week of The Baker King begins tonight after I Heart You Pare.