GMA-7 homegrown talents Yasmien Kurdi and Jeric Gonzales are confirmed to be part of the network’s Pinoy adaptation of the K-Drama series Start-Up.
Yasmien and Jeric are joining Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards, who were already announced to be part of the cast on March 4, 2022.
Their specific roles have yet to be announced by GMA-7.
In an interview with 24 Oras reporter Nelson Canlas, Yasmien expressed her excitement, having watched the original K-Drama on Netflix.
She is also looking forward to be working with Bea and Alden for the first time.
Yasmien said, “Noong kasagsagan ng lockdown, ito yung pinapanood ko talaga, kaya noong sinabi sa akin, regarding the show, sobrang na-excite ako.
"I'm so excited kasi it's a new set of cast, and it's very refreshing, very new. Ang saya lang kasi ang tagal ko na rin silang gustong maka-work, at finally makakasama ko na sila ngayon.”
As for Jeric, he admitted that there is pressure that he is part of a big project.
He told GMA News, "Andoon yung pressure, of course, always, but it's a good pressure na ma-challenge ako dito sa role na ito.
"I never imagined na mapapasama ako sa remake na ‘to sa Start-Up.”
What adds to the pressure, Jeric said, is that he will be working with “talagang magagaling at malalaking stars” in showbiz.
He said, "Since napanood ko yung Start-Up and ang ganda ng story and ang ganda ng character. Plus yung mga kasama ko, talagang magagaling at malalaking stars natin sa showbiz industry.
"Of course, they are great actors and actresses, dito ko matsa-challenge talaga yung sarili ko."
Start-Up, headlined by Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kang Han-na, and Kim Seon-ho became popular in the Philippines when it was aired via Netflix.
It tells the story of a woman named Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) who dreams of becoming Korea’s Steve Jobs.
She is also torn between Nam Do-San (Nam Joo-hyuk) and Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho).
Early this year, there were already rumors that came out on social media that Bea, Alden, Yasmien, and Jeric are the lead stars of GMA-7’s adaptation of Start-Up.
The news got a mix of positive and negative comments from netizens, especially those who have watched the series.
In a media conference on March 11, GMA SVP for Entertainment Lilybeth Rasonable assured fans that everything about the adaptation—particularly its cast members—was meticulously decided by its producers.
She said, “Actually, it was a long, tedious process of arguments between the production—iyong writers, director, kami, may kanya-kanya kasing idea kung sino ang babagay.
“Lahat, of course, nakapanood. Ako, personally, talagang I really loved the show so kapag nag-isip ka ng casting, gusto mo idikit talaga.
“So, at the end of the day, kailangan may consensus kami kung sinong pinakabagay, bagay din kay Alden at kay Bea.
"Sino iyong bagay na kapatid, sino pinakabagay na magpo-portray na grandmother, all of those things.”
GMA-7 has yet to announce more details about the local adaptation of Start-Up, including its director and airing date.