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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Universal Records Philippines) |
Universal Records, one of the biggest and most-known record labels here in the Philippines just produced its first-ever online mini-series and it’s set to launch on February 3, 2023 on its official YouTube channel. Of course, for a long-time and reputable organization that helped in bringing countless OPM hits for decades, this said show is aptly named after a famous song. This year, everyone is bound to witness a very sweet love story in “Pag-ibig Na Kaya”, led by the now real-life couple Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz. It is written by JP Lopez and directed by Niq Ablao.
The series will also be graced by a talented Korean actor, Kim Won-Shik, billed to be the second male lead for this show, which is all about love… and its many forms. According to the celebrity, you can actually call him Sam as well aside from his Korean name. In terms of acting in TV drama, he already has a handful of experience under his belt. He’s notable for his roles in the hit K-Drama series True Beauty (2020) plus the famous Netflix fantasy-romance Netflix series, Alchemy Of Souls (Season 1 2022). This project with UR is his absolute first time working with a Filipino production and of course, his first-ever experience acting with our talented Filipino stars. Being cast in this mini-series also paved the way for Sam for yet another break in his acting career. Won-Shik is now the latest addition to the growing Universal Records Philippines’ managed artists made possible by Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go. One fun fact about Kim Won-Shik; he can really understand and even speak the Filipino language since he was able to study here in the country for six and a half years.
According to Sam, he became easily invested in his role in “Pag-ibig Na Kaya” after reading the script and quickly felt that its overall treatment is truly inspired by K-Dramas. Although he admitted that he feels pressured since he needs to speak English and Filipino in most of his scenes, Sam considers filming this entire show a fantastic experience on his part and it greatly contributed to his growth as an actor. He’s very professional, warm, and kind all throughout the filming process of the mini-series. He’s always enthusiastic to shoot his scenes, very energetic in being in character, and always ready to bring good vibes on the set. The actor also said that he quickly agreed to take part in this project after finding out that Direk Niq is handling it since he shared that he already saw numerous works from the talented director. He shares, “It’s a good experience for me. It’s my first time working with Filipino actors. When I first read the script, I felt like it’s like a Korean drama because you know, there are so many similarities. I even asked the writer if he is inspired by some K-Dramas while making this. It was good! And I really wanted this role here in Pag-ibig Na Kaya”. “During our filming, they’re so kind to me, especially our director. I watched the music video that she made which is ‘Paubaya’ (Moira Dela Torre). Yeah, the color she uses and the storylines, it was really good! I really believe in Direk Niq that’s why I’m excited to join this series,” he adds. Also slated to be part of the upcoming online mini-series is South Korean/German singer JAYDEN considering that the Hallyu wave is really strong and alive here in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Asia's Limitless Star and the Kapuso heartthrob are taking their electric chemistry to the next level with the much-anticipated release of “Pag-ibig Na Kaya”, their first-ever official collaboration under Universal Records. This fresh musical team-up of JulieVer is a remake of the popular mid-2000s love song originally performed by Christian Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go. It also once served as the official soundtrack of the Korean drama series Princess Hours when it was aired here as a primetime show in the Philippines. They’ve been doing and posting fun and super sweet song covers online for a while now and had a very successful JULIEVERSE Concert last year so this beautiful love ballad effortlessly demonstrates both Julie Anne and Rayver’s vocal chops. It just proves that these two stars and now real-life couples don’t just look good together, their commanding harmony builds an irresistible sound that makes this rendition so good and genuinely appealing to hear. A two-part cinematic visual will also be unveiled to support and celebrate the release of this much-awaited rendition from the Kapuso dancer-singer and Asia’s Limitless star.
A few hours after the song’s release, it has already hit Number 3 on iTunes Philippines and is also part of the New Music Friday Philippines playlist on Spotify. Julie Anne and Rayver also prepared a special and kilig-filled performance video for their version of “Pag-ibig Na Kaya”. Julie Anne was so thrilled after the official release of her collab with Rayver. On her official Instagram account, she wrote, “This was taken and recorded last year and it’s now finally out! Proud talaga ako sayo @rayvercruz dancer-singer-actor-host-instrumentalist (the list goes on), and now we have a song together, ang husay mo.. you’re the best!!! It’s a milestone” as she shared some photos and clips of them together while recording the song inside the studio.
