Love it or hate it, the Philippine entertainment industry has a history of adapting K-dramas and movies. And there’s more on the way.
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Filipinos love watching a good K-drama or movie. So much so that over the past couple of years, the local entertainment industry has seen its fair share of local adaptations based on Korean titles. 2021 alone saw a slew of local adaptations such as A Hard Day, More Than Blue, and The Housemaid. While there is a discussion to be had about whether or not these local remakes are necessary or not, there’s no denying that a good remake is a worthy watch. Take for example The Broken Marriage Vow.
Technically, it is a remake of the BBC drama Doctor Foster. But most people know it because of its Korean version, The World Of The Married. So far, the Philippine adaptation has been receiving rave reviews thanks to its tension building, production, and especially Jodi Sta. Maria’s exceptional performance as Dr. Jill Illustre. With that being said, here are confirmed and rumored local remakes of K-dramas and movies coming soon to keep an eye out for. Fingers crossed that most, if not all, these projects end up being good.
START-UP
It has been speculated for months as to what project Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards are going to star in project together since Bea moved to GMA. And now we know one of them. It was recently revealed that the two are going to star in the local remake of Start-Up. The K-drama stars Nam Joo Hyuk, Suzy Bae, Kim Seon Ho, and Kang Hanna and is set in the world of tech start-ups. The slice-of-life drama follows Seo Dalmi as she navigates her way through the world of business, tech, and everything in between. Bea will play Dani Sison while Alden is set to take on the role of Tristan “Good Boy” Hernandez. Bea Alonzo actually revealed that before she officially became a Kapuso, she was already being pitched the project. The pitch impressed her so much that it was one of her main reasons why she switched networks. The series premiers this September.
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER
Start-Up isn’t the only Pinoy remake that Bea and Alden are going to star in. Back in 2021, it was reported that the two were set to star in the remake of A Moment to Remember, a Korean film from 2004, which actually is based on the 2001 Japanese drama, Pure Soul. The 2004 movie follows a couple who face hardships as a result of Alzheimer’s disease suffered by one of the characters. The remake is rumored to be called Special Memory and is reportedly already finished filming. But there is no official word yet on when it will come out.
FLOWER OF EVIL
A blonde Piolo Pascual? Yes, it’s actually happening. Announced in 2021, Flower of Evil is set to be the Philippine remake of the K-drama of the same name. The ABS CBN production also serves as a Viu Original and Lovi Poe’s first show under her new network. The original series follows Baek Hee-sung (Lee Joon-gi) a man who hides his identity and past from his wife Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won), a detective. Things seem alright for the couple, but when Cha Ji-won and her colleagues begin investigating a series of unexplained murders, she is confronted with the reality that her husband may be hiding dark secrets from her.
The teleserye is starring Piolo Pascual and Lovi Poe and looks to be following the same premise. From what we’ve seen, it looks like things are going to get steamy, action packed, and suspenseful. You can stream the series first on Viu beginning June 23.
RUNNING MAN PH
Don’t walk. Run! For Pinoy Running Man fans, this adaption has been a long time coming. Back in early 2020, GMA signed a deal with SBS Korea to produce a local adaption of the iconic Korean variety show. And now, Running Man PH is finally set to air this 2022. So far, we know who’s going to comprise the main cast. They are Glaiza De Castro, Ruru Madrid, Mikael Daez, Kokoy De Santos, Buboy Villar, Lexi Gonzales, and Angel Guardian. A pretty diverse list if we do say so ourselves. And making the show as authentic as possible, the whole cast is flying to South Korea to film for the series. We’re definitely curious to see how they adapt the show’s formula of fun hosts, special guest stars, and unique and exciting challenges. The show is set to premier on September 3.
A LOVE TO KILL
An oldie but a goodie, A Love To Kill is a K-drama from 2005 starring Rain and Shin Min-a. the story follows boxer Bok-Gu and actress Cha Eun-Seok. One day, Bok-Gu becomes the bodyguard of Cha Eun-Seok she starts developing feelings for her. But unbeknownst to her, Bok-Gu actually became her bodyguard so that he can get revenge for the attempted suicide of his brother, which was caused by Cha Eun-Seok leaving him. The Philippine remake is set to star Andrea Torres and Ian Veneracion and is set to begin filming soon. Aside from it being a remake, what makes this project special is that it is one of the first Philippine series created specifically for Netflix.
IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY
It’s been a while since Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil have acted in the same project. But if rumors are to be believed, their return might be through the adaptation of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay. The acclaimed K-drama is a romantic series that centers on Moon Gang-tae, a selfless empathetic caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital. He has an autistic older brother named Moon Sang-tae who he also takes care of. One day, Gang-tae meets Go Moon-young, an antisocial children’s book writer who suffers from an antisocial personality disorder. The two soon form a romantic bond and what follows is a story of emotional healing and dealing with past traumas.
A few weeks ago, Kapamilya Online World posted on Facebook that an adaptation was in the works and LizQuen were set to play the lead roles. Given how mental health has been an important issue for Liza and the series delves into that, it’s actually a fitting series for her. ABS-CBN then confirmed the adaption’s existence and that Enrique was indeed going to play the lead male role. Liza, though dropped out due to her commitments in Hollywood and there has yet to be official word on who will replace her.
HOMETOWN CHA-CHA-CHA
Is one of the most loved healing K-dramas of 2021 getting a Philippine adaptation? Many signs are pointing yes. It was already known that the charming love story of Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-shik was getting remade in international territories. And one of those maybe the Philippines. A teaser image from ABS-CBN that Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha hinted about a remake spread across social media. No word yet on who are set to star though the series is rumored to be in collaboration with Viu. Whoever ends up being cast though should have that A-tier wholesome chemistry that made the original so lovable.
VINCENZO
This rumor has gotten people talking with a supposed remake in the works. Just recently, reports suggested that GMA 7 was currently in talks to produce a Philippine remake of the 2021 hit legal drama Vincenzo. Rumors say that Maja Salvador and Dennis Trillo are being eyed to play the lead roles. The news of Vincenzo getting a remake is actually not that surprising since back in December 2021, it was reported that the people behind Vincenzo and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha were looking to produce international remakes. So if this is true, it seems that they chose the Philippines is in the running. TBH, we have mixed feelings about this. But Maja Salvador and Dennis Trillo are proven actors who can deliver, so we’ll just have to wait and see how this unfolds.
Continue Reading: Remember These Filipino Adaptations Of Korean Movies And K-Dramas?
