There’s a reason why tissues were the giveaways at the movie premiere of Mujigae (which, fun fact, means “rainbow”) last October 9.

Directed by Randolph Longjas, the wholesome film stars Alexa Ilacad and Kim Ji Soo. Alexa plays Sunny, whose life turns upside down when her sister (Anna Luna) passes away, leaving behind a five-year-old daughter named Mujigae (Ryrie Sophia) to care for. Mujigae’s father (Kim Ji Soo) doesn’t seem to be in the picture, thus making Sunny’s father (Richard Quan) feel the need to bring Mujigae back to the Philippines after living in Korea.

The support for the cast was obvious, with fans bringing out signs and handing out handmade blue bracelets. Alexa’s song, “Laban Fighting,” played through the speakers as many sang along. And what’s more, even stars like Cedrick Juan and Charlie Dizon walked along the blue carpet to see the movie.

Both Ji Soo and Alexa expressed their excitement during the premiere, hoping that audiences would like it as much as they did.But is it worth seeing? The answer is a definite yes. Here are some of Metro.Style’s favorite parts about Mujigae.

Looking through the K-drama lens

The credit here goes to Longjas’ direction as well as those in the cinematography team. You can expect a similar, soft haze that seems to be an essential part of any K-drama which, of course, makes sense since a part of the film takes place in Korea. But it’s quite novel to see the same cinematic treatment in more familiar, local settings. It’s an entirely welcome change, with the softness of the picture adding more to the emotions of the story.

Learning more Korean words

More than simply how gorgeous the film looks, viewers get to learn a few more Korean words. K-drama fans have long dedicated themselves to trying to learn the language. Some even take lessons in order to read beyond the subtitles. And with Mujigae’s Korean dialogue sprinkled throughout the film, audiences will surely find the learning more digestible.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UXS, INC. (@uxs_inc)

Sharing family values

If one were to ask what the main theme of the film is, it’s no question that it revolves around family. More specifically, though, it focuses on motherhood. There are questions of whether or not it’s worth it to be a mother—especially since Alexa Ilacad’s character has to look after a child that isn’t her own, but is family nonetheless. It’s an interesting angle that allows for a lot of internal conflict. Other characters in the film, including Rufa Mae Quinto’s Kapitana character, feel like family towards the end as well. This only speaks to the natural family values that resonate so well with Filipino audiences.

Holding back the tears

Here’s where the tissues come in. The film itself makes viewers think about their own mothers and the kinds of sacrifices that they’ve made. After all, mothers seem to be the backbone of Filipino society. Mujigae shows, with profound care, the complexities of what it means to choose to be a mother. It’s the dreams they’ve given up, the personalities they’ve had before, the changes they’ve had to make—all of these shine through in Alexa Ilacad’s performance. Ji Soo’s scenes also add a delightful charm that highlights both the softer and more dramatic scenes.

Enjoying the lighthearted scenes

This isn’t to say that the film is sad all throughout. There are comedic scenes that lift the mood up—some of them even in the middle of more serious scenes. A couple of these lighthearted moments are fairly relatable as well. Of course, when the cast includes comedians like Rufa Mae Quinto, Donna Cariaga, and Cai Cortez, it’s pretty much a given that there would be a lot of funnier moments in the film.

But the best part about Mujigae? It’s now showing! You can watch Mujigae in SM Cinemas near you.

Text by Tim Marasigan

Photos from @uxs_inc

Related Story: Korean Actor Kim Ji Soo: Walking the Flower Road to a New Chapter