Melai is ‘Ma’am Chief’ on a mission in Seoul

Melai Cantiveros-Francisco had an insightful takeaway after playing Crisselda Kaptan in the Filipino-Korean action-comedy film Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul.

"Na-realize ko na hindi basta basta ang maging pulis (I realized it's not easy to be a policeman)," the comedian, actress and host said at the media conference of PULP Studios' debut film.

In the movie, Selda Kaptan is a courageous policewoman on a secret mission to South Korea, where she disguises herself as a tour guide in pursuit of a dangerous fugitive.

"Minsan nadi-discourage tayo sa mga pulis natin, pero dito sa movie na 'to magbabago ang mga tingin 'nyo sa kanila. Meron din silang soft heart. Their struggle is real. Akala n'yo matapang sila, (pero) meron din silang side na weak. Tao din sila (Sometimes we get discouraged at our police officers, but in this movie, your view of them will change. They also have a soft heart. Their struggle is real. You think they are brave, but they also have a weak side. They are people, too)," she said.

Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul also marks the movie comebacks of Bernadette Allyson Estrada, Jennica Garcia and Karylle. Estrada portrays the rich tita fangirl Gretch Villa while Garcia and Karylle appear as Selda's co-police officers Joy Salazar and Olga Tentativa, respectively.

The action-comedy film also features Alora Sasam, Dustine Mayores, Enzo Almario, Manel Sevidal, Pepe Herrera, Sela Guia and more.
Hallyu fans will be thrilled to know that it has special cameos by K-drama and K-pop stars Do Ji-han, Lee Seunggi, Rolling Quartz and Yuju.

For Happee Sy-Go, the film's executive producer and chief operating officer of PULP Live World, "We find joy in different things. I find joy doing K-pop events, listening to Korean music, and watching them. That makes me crazy, but it doesn't mean that I don't work hard, that I don't party hard, that I'm not serious. Through this movie, I want K-pop fans to understand that they could picture themselves as a businesswoman, as a teacher or any career but at the end of the day, when lights go out and the job is done, we find our own happiness to have energy the next day. For Selda, our Ma'am Chief, it's K-pop."

Go expressed the hope that audiences will embrace the film with as much love and enthusiasm as the creators had in making it.

Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul hits theaters nationwide on 15 November.