You would think that with five kids my parents dealt with more than enough drama to last them several lifetimes over. However, each night we sat together as a family to watch Mexican Soap Operas that kept us entertained for at least an hour before bedtime. Whether it was a telenovela my parents had seen as children and were sharing with us, or it was a completely new storyline, we all paid very close attention to the screen. The plot twists are enough to entangle you and get you hooked on the story that's happening before your eyes. Here are my five personal favorites that I would still sit down and binge-watch today:
1. "Rebelde"
"Rebelde" is a Mexican soap opera that aired in 2004 for two years. The targeted audience for this show was a young Mexican audience. The plot for this telenovela follows six students who find a common interest in their love of music. If you love sassy characters with "fresa" attitudes (think snobby personality) then this is a show for you! If you happen to finish all 440 episodes too fast, I'd recommend going on to listen to the band "RBD." They no longer are a band but used to be a recurring band on MTV Tres. Let me just go ahead and say that as a kid, I literally wanted to be Maite Perroni who played "Lupita." I had all the dolls and most of the posters, so safe to say I was a tad bit obsessed.
Rate: 4.5/5
2. "Lo Que La Vida Me Robo"
If you are all for the cliche of "What Goes Around Comes Around" and the common storyline of families climbing social statuses through marriage, then this is a telenovela you don't want to miss out on. Roughly translated, this soap opera's title is "What Life Took From Me," and it is centered around a gorgeous young woman raised to believe that social appearances and wealth are the most important things in life. Though she's discreetly in love with a man, she is coerced into marrying another for his money and a more promising future. The drama is unbelievable. I won't lie... the following scene had me on my toes the first time I watched it.
Rate: 4.7/5
3. "Alegrijes Y Rebujos"
This show was just like a Disney fairytale with a haunted mansion, the stepmother, and the many adventures. Backstory - Alegrijes are known to be the "Happies" that are able to push through and never lose their hope in life despite the hardships, as opposed to Rebujos, who are "Grumpies" through and through. As a kid, watching the TV show's theme song with kids on roller skates and scenes of the kids running and having fun made me jealous of the main character Sofia who found the freedom to discover the many wonderful and, at times scary, tadventures of the mansion! Soon the main character's best friends come to share these amazing journeys with her. Not to mention the fact that I most likely loved this show as a kid because I very much liked the character Alcachofa, but we won't talk about that.
Rate: 5/5
4. "Amy, La Niña De La Mochila Azul"
Okay, so this show ended up replacing "Alegrijes Y Rebujos," which I was never upset about because it also had many adventures, a mystic mermaid, and a very happy tom-boyish girl with the soul of an angel. Although the show only lasted a year back in 2004, the theme song is something that gets stuck in my head every once in a while with it's sweet, boppy melody. While there is definitely a ton of drama, most of it is centered around the adults while the kids are off meandering and adventuring. Amy and her friends also end up doing a special guest appearance with the kids of "Alegrijes y Rebujos." Definitely something to look out for!
Rate: 4.5/5
5. "Atrevete A Soñar"
And we go full circle back to a private preparatory college in Mexico that deals with two extremely cliquey groups. Las Divinas with Antonella as the leader (I usually compare them to The Plastics from "Mean Girls" but way more dramatic) versus Las Populares with Patito (the ugly duckling) as theirs. While they all go to a school that wants inclusivity and equal representation, both leaders of each group are not in agreeance with each other at all. They spend most of their time trying to show each other who is bigger and better in their school. Their school year is filled to the brink with teenage drama, pranks, and lots of singing. The show lasted a full year back in 2009 and is also an adaptation for an Argentine soap opera known as the "Ugly Duckling." Fun Fact: the main character in "Amy, La Niña De La Mochila Azul" is also the main character in this show!
Rate: 5/5
