It’s official! Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards to star in Pinoy remake of ‘Start-Up’
Say hello to the Pinoy versions of Nam Dosan and Seo Dalmi!
After months of speculation, GMA Network finally confirmed that Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards will be starring as the leads in the Pinoy adaptation of the K-drama Start-Up. The remake was announced on GMA 7’s 24 Oras on Friday, Mar. 4.
Speculations on Start-Up’s Pinoy remake have been circulating on social media as early as January 2022. According to a Pang-Masa report, Alonzo and Richards are rumored to be in lock-in taping since February.
“Napanood ko rin po siya and excited ako, this is my first K-drama adaptation project. Parang ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na mabigyan ng opportunity to be able to do something na hinahanap ng audience,” Richards said.
Meanwhile, Alonzo revealed that Start-Up’s Pinoy adaptation had already been pitched to her before she signed with GMA. The actress officially joined the network in July 2021.
“Alam mo, nakakatawa kasi even before I signed with GMA, my first-ever meeting with the bosses, ito na ‘yung na-pitch sa akin. And it is one of the reasons why I decided to become a Kapuso. So finally, it is happening and I’m very, very excited,” Alonzo said.
The actress also admitted that she’s nervous to work with Richards because he’s a “brilliant actor.”
“Nakita ko rin siya sa workshops namin and talagang sobrang nakaka-impress ‘yung performance niya so kahit ako kinakabahan na makasama si Alden. Kailangan galingan ko din. Parang I have to be on my toes kasi magaling si Alden,” Alonzo added.
On the other hand, Richards said he’s been a fan of the actress ever since her popular onscreen team-up with fellow Kapuso actor John Lloyd Cruz.
“Noong nag-workshops kami for other projects, hindi niya pinapalagpas ang small details. Because ‘yung small details ang nagca-count sa portrayal ng role. Sabi ko nga, ‘Tama. Perfect match.’ Kasi parehas kaming hands-on sa trabaho when it comes to the creative side,” Richards added.
The co-stars of Alonzo and Richards, however, are yet to be revealed. Even so, GMA Network Entertainment Group senior VP Lilybeth Rasonable said the remake will feature “certain surprises” for fans.
In a separate report by PEP.ph in December 2020, Alonzo and Richards are also cast as the leads in the Filipino adaptation of the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember. The original melodrama stars Jung Woosung and Son Yejin.
Start-Up, starring Bae Suzy, Nam Joohyuk, Kim Seonho, and Kang Hanna, is a slice-of-life series that revolves around people working in the world of start-up companies.
Set in the fictional world of Sandbox, Seo Dalmi (Bae Suzy) hopes to become Korea’s Steve Jobs. She crosses paths with Nam Dosan (Nam Joohyuk) who’s the founder of Samsan Tech.
