Over the years, many popular Korean TV series have been remade in other countries especially from Asia, a powerful testament that Korean content has strongly influenced the neighboring countries with its rich culture, brilliant narratives, and talented crews and actors. My Love From The Star (2013) in Thailand, Signal (2016) in Japan, Autumn In My Heart (2000) in Indonesia, She Was Pretty (2015) in Malaysia, are just some of the several hit Korean dramas that were remade into another language.
The consumption of Korean content in the Philippines is also high as the top TV series on Netflix in the country shows to be mostly Korean dramas, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when outdoor activities have been limited. Several Korean dramas have also been remade into their own culture and language, including Coffee Prince, Full House, My Love From The Star, Descendants Of The Sun, The World Of The Married, Flower Of Evil, to name a few.
In March 2022, GMA, a large network in the Philippines, has officially announced its own version of the most talked-about Korean series in 2020, Start-Up, a story about young entrepreneurs, starring Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seonho, and Kang Han-na. It became one of the most watched Korean content on Netflix worldwide and included on the list of Best Korean Dramas in 2020 by Forbes, South China Morning Post, and Teen Vogue. It also won the Outstanding Korean Drama at Seoul International Drama Awards in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Philippine version will be directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and Dominic Zapata and is set to premiere in September 2022 with the working title, Start-Up PH. Expectations are high and fans of the original version are wondering how it will be produced in Filipino way. With its star-studded cast and talented creators who prepared diligently for this adaptation, certainly it will be one of the hit Philippine remakes of all time.
Get to know the full cast of Start-Up Philippines:
1. Bea Alonzo as Dani Sison (Seo Dal-mi)
Bea Alonzo is one of the most beautiful faces and great female actors in Philippine entertainment. She has been in the acting industry since 2002 and best known as the iconic Basha in the megahit romantic film, One More Chance (2007). She has appeared in 20+ films and 10+ TV series including Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (2003), One More Chance (2008), I Love Betty La Fea (2008), The Mistress (2012), Four Sisters And A Wedding (2013), A Second Chance (2015), to name a few. Over the years, she has received 8 acting awards and 2 special awards including Movie Actress of the Year and Box Office Queen.
In the Philippine adaptation of Start-Up (2020), she has taken the role of Seo Dal-mi played by Bae Suzy, who won the “Actress of the Year” at Korea First Brand Awards in 2020 and “Outstanding Korean Actress” at Seoul International Drama Awards in 2021. Seo Dal-mi dreams of becoming the Steve Jobs of South Korea. She is a woman of determination who takes chances and never gives up until she achieves something from what she pursues. Bea Alonzo is Dani Sison in Start-Up PH (2022).
2. Alden Richards as Tristan Hernandez (Han Ji-pyeong)
Alden Richards is a top heartthrob actor from the Philippines who is also into music, hosting, modeling, and entrepreneurship. He has appeared in 15 TV series and 12 films including Hello, Love Goodbye (2019), which is the highest grossing Filipino film of all time. He is also known for the AlDub phenomenon, the loveteam that made history on Twitter for generating 40.7 million tweets during their “Tamang Panahon” event, which was also recognized by the Guiness World Records. Remarkably, he has achieved 90+ awards for acting, music, hosting, and modeling combined.
Besides his notable record as an actor, he also got the charms and the killer dimples. No wonder he was cast the role of Han Ji-pyeong played by a great talent and most handsome Kim Seonho, who won the “Character Of The Year” at Seoul International Drama Awards and “Most Popular Actor” at Baeksang Arts Awards in 2021. He was also a strong nominee for Best Supporting Actor at Baeksang.
Han Ji-pyeong, also known as “Good Boy” is an intelligent investor who sets high standards from details to planning to execution and plays a significant part in mentoring a group of young dreamers including Seo Dal-mi. Alden Richards is Tristan Hernandez in Start-Up PH (2022).
3. Jeric Gonzales as Dave Navarro (Nam Do-san)
Jeric Gonzales is a product of GMA Network’s Protege, a reality TV series that searches for potential celebrities. He joined the second season in 2012 and declared as one of the two big winners. Since then, he was cast in various TV projects and films, including the Filipino version of Start-Up (2020).
He will portray the math genius and founder of Samsan Tech, Nam Do-san played by Nam Joo-hyuk, who becomes a significant instrument in creating an app for people with poor eyesight, including Seo Dal-mi’s grandmother. Jeric Gonzales is Dave Navarro in Start-Up PH (2022).
4. Yasmien Kurdi as Katrina Sison / Ina Diaz (Seo In-jae / Won In-jae)
Yasmien Kurdi is a Filipina actress and singer who entered the world of showbiz through GMA Network’s StarStruck, a reality show on talent search. She joined the first season in 2003, achieved first runner-up, and since then appeared in various TV shows and films. She is best known for her works in Encantadia (2005), Anna Karenina (2013), Rhodora X (2014), Yagit (2014-2015), to name a few.
She will play the role of Won In-jae, the older sister of Seo Dal-mi who changes her last name and becomes her tough competitor in presenting the best startup project to the investors. Kang Han-na played as Won In-jae while Yasmien Kurdi will play as Ina Diaz in Start-Up PH (2022).
5. Gina Alajar as Ligaya/Joy Sison (Halmeoni Choi)
Gina Alajar is an award-winning veteran actress who is also into TV directing. She has achieved several acting awards at the most prestigious award-giving bodies in the Philippines such as the FAMAS Award and Gawad Urian Award. She has appeared in 70+ films, 30+ TV series, and directed 20+ TV shows.
She has taken the role as Ms. Choi played by Kim Hae-sook, the grandmother of Seo Dal-mi who named Han Ji-pyeong as “Good Boy”. In the Philippine version, she will be called Ligaya or Joy Sison.
6. Kim Domingo as Stephanie Rios (Jeong Sa-ha)
Kim Domingo is a model, actress, and vlogger from the Philippines who is also known for her appearances on FHM magazine cover and Ginebra San Miguel calendar.
She has taken the role of Jeong Sa-ha, the intelligent young lady who leaves her work as a lawyer and ventures into the world of startup companies. Stephanie Lee played as Jeong Sa-ha while Kim Domingo will play as Stephanie Rios in Start-Up PH (2022).
7. Royce Cabrera as Jeff Katipunan (Kim Yong-san)
Royce Cabrera is a model and actor known for his works in F#*@bois (2019) and Quaranthings (2020), to name a few. He will portray the role of Kim Yong-san, one of the bestfriends of Nam Do-san who suffers hatred for the painful death of his brother. Kim Do-wan played as Kim Yong-san while Royce Cabrera will play as Jeff Katipunan in Start-Up PH (2022).
8. Boy2 Quizon as Wilson Espiritu (Lee Chul-san)
Boy2 Quizon is an actor and producer known for his works in Home Alone Da Riber (2002) and 10000 Hours (2013). He is also a grandson of Dolphy, the King Of Comedy in Philippine entertainment. He was cast to play the role of Lee Chul-san, one of the bestfriends of Nam Do-san who falls in love at first sight with Jeong Sa-ha. Yoo Su-bin played as Lee Chul-san while Boy2 Quizon will play as Wilson Espiritu in Start-Up PH (2022).
9. Jackie Lou Blanco as Sandra Yoon (Sandbox CEO Yoon)
Jackie Lou Blanco is a veteran actress who has appeared in 10+ films and 30+ TV series including the hit shows Esperanza (1997-1999), Shake Rattle And Roll (2010), to name a few. As shared on her Instagram account, she will portray the role of Yoon Seon-hak, the CEO of Sandbox, played by Seo Yi-sook. Jackie Lou Blanco is Sandra Yoon in Start-Up PH (2022).
Photos: tvN Drama
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