If The Bold And The Beautiful is to Americans, Lovers In Paris is to Koreans, Marimar is to the Latinos, and Pangako Sa'yo is to Filipinos, then the Arab world has Gumus (or Noor in Arabic). It's no secret that I love watching soaps but lately I don't have the luxury of time to religiously follow one. So I thought it best to post my all-time favorite soap operas here where I can easily have access when my schedule allows.
I know some of you are not aware that the Middle East television audience is as vast and engaging as those in other parts of the world where watching television is an essential part of daily life. And the latest craze to hit them is this Turkish soap opera Gumus. The story revolves around its two characters, Mehmet/Mohannad (Kivanc Tatlitug) who offers its mostly female viewers something many lack in their lives - romance, tenderness and a supportive partner to his independent wife. In fact, Mohannad has become the standard against which many Arab men are being judged, much to their chagrin. The other person in the story is Gumus/Noor (Songul Oden), a farm girl and aspiring fashion designer who provides a positive female role model and encourages them to raise the bar not only on future spouses but themselves.
Mind you, Gumus is not your typical Arab soap opera as it cracks cultural norms in subtlety to some extent and its characters break with tradition in some ways. The result is a liberating feeling to its viewers who have been subject to various restrictions and for us outsiders, its a good way to learn new cultures and get to know more about a place/people so unfairly misjudged by society. Even though I don't understand their language, Gumus is a perfect example that love knows no boundaries. It speaks through the heart and stirs our emotions.
