Have you ever found yourself watching a Korean TV series and thinking, "My life could totally be adopted as a K-drama"? You may have had a friends-turned-lovers scenario, reconnected with an ex, struggled as a woman in the corporate world, or experienced a melodramatic family affair. The creator and writers behind K-Love know this. And that's why they wanted to celebrate K-drama-loving Pinoys in the newest Viu Original series that just premiered on October 14.
K-loka by Cosmopolitan Philippines recently got the chance to sit down with the cast and got first dibs on the first three episodes of the highly anticipated series. The headliners and main crew members graced the media conference and screening event. Here's everything we learned about the series and what you should anticipate.
Meet the talented cast of K-Love and see them shine in ~lighter~ roles
The star-studded line-up of actors for the series is one to watch for. Most of them have played serious or even "dark" roles previously, as they’ve mentioned in the K-Love media conference. Iza Calzado and Jake Cuenca, for instance, have starred in several melodramatic teleseryes and movies with revenge or extra-marital affairs plots, including Starting Over Again for the glowing mom-to-be and Pasión De Amor for the Fil-Am heartthrob. They've also starred in local adaptations of heavy K-dramas like Iza in All About Eve (2009) and Jake in Green Rose (2011). Isabelle Daza and Sue Ramirez have both also shown their range in fantasy series and dramatic plots. Sue also played a mistress in the local adaption of A World Of Married Couple. All four of them have starred in Maalaala Mo Kaya episodes before. Gabby Padilla's background, on the other hand, is more on indie films like Billie And Emma (2018) and Goyo: The Boy General (2018).
What made each of them a top choice for the series were their immense talent and ability to adapt to many characters like a chameleon. K-Love creator, Corinna Vistan, revealed that Iza was really the first actress they cast for the series. Sue was another "must-have" on their line-up. The rest, as she put it, is history—Corinna says the cast was a match made in heaven.
Expect a unique viewing experience from the world-class crew
Aside from the stellar cast, there were big names behind the camera, too. As mentioned, the series was the brainchild of Corinna Vistan, who now heads the Originals arm of Viu and used to be a Director of Digital and Creative Content for Marvel Studios. The tandem of writers were sisters Tara Sering (who launched Summit Books with a line of contemporary women's fiction and was formerly a Managing Editor for Cosmopolitan Philippines) and Tweet Sering, a best-selling author with a number of literary awards including the Carlos Palanca Writers Memorial Award for advancements in Philippine Literature.
Cinematographer Ian Takahashi, seven-time Emmy-winning Director Bobby Yan, writer/producer Lea Dizon, and screenwriter/development consultant Katherine Visconti complete the impressive K-Love crew. These pros were all determined to take the Pinoy TV series experience up a notch and turn it into a truly world-class work.
It's far from your *ordinary* Filipino teleserye
On stereotypical Pinoy TV, you'll see a lot of sampalan between the wife and the mistress, bugbugan between the bida and the gang of criminals he's up against, and other sensational themes. What makes K-Love unique is how it romanticizes what seems "ordinary" to Filipinos. It puts a spotlight on everyday things that would inspire the everyman and everywoman.
In fact, Tweet shared how K-Love shows the heartwarming relationships between older and young women—how one looks up to, mentors, or grows with the other. We're bound to witness relatable, empowering, and romantic storylines that will move us, help us find hope, and make our hearts flutter.
The actors also shared how the making of the series is quite different from their usual teleserye experience. The lead crew, who were used to working on Hollywood films or series, made sure that each of the actors shined. They collaborated with the actors to develop the characters and made filming hugely enjoyable for everyone. Tweet hesitated but revealed, "It wasn't 'hard' work [to film the series] because it was so fun!"
Another thing that sets the drama apart: K-Love will be simulcast in 16 markets across Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa—all thanks to Viu. Users can also watch it for free (no subscription required—you just need to download the app!).
K-Love is a "love letter" to Pinoy fans
If there's anything that everyone who attended the media event could take away from the experience, it's that the entire project is a big tribute to Filipinos. K-Love pays homage to the average Hallyu fan in the Philippines, and it puts a spotlight on the beauty of our people—their resilience, creativity, and solid bonds with their friends and family. A bonus: The characters love (or learn to enjoy) Korean dramas, so the series essentially features K-drama fans, a.k.a. all of us!
In the exclusive interview with K-loka by Cosmopolitan Philippines, the cast and crew revealed some of the preparations they did for K-Love. They also shared their inspirations and the actors they admire. Dubbed the biggest K-drama fan in the group, Tweet mentioned watching a top-rated and memorable slice-of-life K-drama. Corinna shared how she was inspired by many of her friends who were big fans of Hallyu.
We asked about who they'd want to play as themselves if their life stories were ever adapted as a K-drama. Corinna said. "I'll go beyond gender and say Park Seo Joon. I wish I could have his coolness!" Jake revealed that he's more of a K-movie fan and picked Choi Min Sik. "I really look up to that guy!" Sue, who picked Kim Da Mi, expected Tweet to say Song Hye Kyo, but she actually selected Son Ye Jin. When it was Gabby's turn, she said, "I don't know who I would want to play as me, but I know who I'd want to play as my love interest: Steven Yeun." Iza likes him, too, but it was a toss between him, Gong Yoo, and PSJ. Belle, on the other hand, picked Sandara Park, who has made headlines for her recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week. "I love how she started in the Philippines," Belle adds. Iza agrees and raves about the singer's personality, too. "[Even if she's so big in the K-pop industry], she's still so nice!"
K-drama tropes exist IRL here!
You know those dramas where the boss and the employee have a genuinely good relationship? Or where ex-lovers rekindle their old feelings and where moms or hardworking single ladies struggle to prove their worth in society? Well, they happen among Pinoys, too. And, we don't want to give spoilers, so we won't say more than you can expect some of these tropes to be portrayed in K-Love.
So, if you're looking for a new, lighthearted rom-com that will brighten up your weeks, tune into Viu for K-Love! Each episode runs 30 minutes long and will premiere every Friday, starting October 14. Say annyeong (hello) to a new genre of Pinoy television and get #ReadyForKLove!
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