Despite being more ~low-key~ compared to her celebrity friends, Juliana Gomez never fails to make headlines for her extensive list of accomplishments. In fact, the Gen Z it girl made history in February this year when she bagged the first UAAP epee fencing gold for the University of the Philippines—a feat that she describes to be an emotional moment in her sports career.
She’s definitely getting the recognition she deserves. Case in point: Juliana just graced Candy’s April 2023 cover with a super cool photoshoot!
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In the photos, the student-athlete was a real-life Na Hee Do of Twenty-Five Twenty-One. In case you didn't know, the hit 2022 K-drama starring Kim Tae Ri also tells the story of an aspiring fencing champion. Juliana channeled her inner Na Hee Do wearing a striped long-sleeve polo and her very own fencing uniform for the layouts. Some of the shots were also direct references to the show's iconic scenes. So cool!
Naturally, the internet was ablaze with comments raving about her Candy cover shoot and calling Juliana the Philippines' real-life Na Hee Do.
“Loved the 2521 reference,” one user wrote.
“Na Hee Do ng Pilipinas,” says another.
According to Juliana, she gets flattered when people mention her resemblance to Kim Tae Ri’s character, who’s also a fencing prodigy herself.
“It’s the first K-drama that I have watched and finished,” the celeb daughter shares. “It’s so true to life in a sense that the challenges that you get from an individual sport are incomparable to other challenges that you might face in school. It’s really a test of mental toughness.”
Additionally, one thing Juliana learned from Na Hee Do’s struggles is the fact that there are no shortcuts to success. “I had access to the best coaches in the country but so did everyone else. It’s just that I did my best with the cards that I was dealt. I took every opportunity and every chance to do better,” she says.
“In sports, to be able to excel and become a champion, there really are no shortcuts. I wish my dad could pass to me his fencing expertise and skills, but that’s not the case. I really had to work to get where I am at fencing now.”
We're so proud of you, Juliana!
*This story originally appeared on Preview.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
