Being hooked on a book is one of the best feelings ever. Flipping through every page, anticipating every chapter, we want each moment to last. Sometimes, we even hope our lives would mirror the stories we read.

Bela Padilla knows the feeling.

The film writer-actor-director-producer admits she often gets inspiration for her work from the books she reads.

Of late though, she is hooked on K-dramas.

A particular one in fact, inspired her to write her newest film, “Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko.”

She related, “I watched a K-drama called ‘Because This Is My First Life.’ It was so uplifting. It had no contravida. And it was very easy to watch. I said to myself I wanted to do something based on this K-drama with no contravida but addresses mental health issues.”

But why mental health issues?

“It’s not usually featured as topic in films here. So, naisip ko lang, ilagay. Para naman kahit paano people would think about it na it’s okay to talk about it.”

An official entry to the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, “Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko” follows Lisa (Bela), a writer who meets a Korean man named Kim Gun Hoo (Yoo Min-gon).

Knowing her fascination with everything Korean, Kim Gun Hoo bravely asks Lisa to go with him and visit South Korea.

Though reluctant at first, Lisa agrees and takes the offer.  Together they visit the places Lisa only used to read in books and see in her favorite shows and movies.

Will Lisa and Kim Gun Hoo’ story become one for the books?

Also starring Lorna Tolentino, Boboy Garrovillo, Hasna Cabral, Lee Suya, Boy Abunda, Malena Leonard, Goda Choi, Carole Dorothy Bowlby, Kim Jin Mok, and Raul Montesa, “Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko,” from Viva Films, opens in cinemas April 8.