MANILA -- The hit Korean drama "Fight For My Way" will be having a Philippine adaptation starring David Licauco, Ashtine Olviga, McCoy de Leon and Aubrey Caraan.
On Monday, Viva One revealed the project and cast members of the series, which will premiere on November 20.
The 2017 Korean series, which tells the story of four friends who will fight for their way to achieve their dreams, starred Park Seo Jun and Kim Ji Won and Ahn Jae Hong and Song Ha Yoon.
In the local adaptation, Olviga will be portraying the cute and "walang inaatrasan" Aira, while Licauco will be the strong and "pogi" Hanz.
De Leon will be the smart and practical Manny, who is the brains of the group, while Caraan plays the simple girl Sally.
The four stars said they're grateful to be given the opportunity to star in the local adaptation.
"It's a good pressure. Mas okay na napi-pressure ka it just means the people care about this series and it's Park Seo-joon. I'm grateful," Licauco said.
"Nung nalaman ko po na nakuha ako for this, sobrang grateful ko po and sobrang happy ko po kasi I'm a fan of this series din. Pinanood ko siya way back pa. For preparation kailangan ko siyang i-rewatch para malaala ko ang lahat ng mga scenes. Alam niyo 'yung feeling na kahit ni-rewatch ko siya sobrang na-enjoy ko pa rin at mas na-inspire ako na galingan ko ang pag-portray sa character. And 'yung bonding, nag-workshop kami nina David at nag-dinner kaming lahat, kasama sina direk. So far nagki-click naman kaming lahat agad. Feeling ko nga po kababata ko talaga sila," Olviga said.
The upcoming drama marks the second time that de Leon and Caraan worked together.
"Very thankful kami sa prod sa gumagawa ng 'Fight For My Way' kasi pinaglaanan nila ng time, budget at nire-ready nila talaga para maganda. Kung tutuusin hindi naman kailangan pero binigyan kami ng bonding time, workshop. At doon sa workshop, doon ko mas nakilala si Aubrey at kung paano siya nag-evolve as an actor. Nakakatuwa na maka-work ulit at nae-excite ako kung ano ang pwede naming maibigay sa isa't isa," de Leon said.
According to its director Crisanto B. Aquino, the upcoming adaptation will feature the beauty of the Philippines, particularly places in Metro Manila. It will also shows Filipino culture and its food.
"When I talk to my group dapat malinaw' yung objective natin in doing this adaptation. Kung sa Korea the original, ipinakita kung gaano kaganda ang Korea, the culture, the place and everything. 'Yung sa atin gusto ko ipakita kung gaano kaganda ang Pilipinas hindi lang sa lugar. Ang ganda ng Maynila kailangan ipakita mo siya, 'yung ugali natin, our food. Siyempre ang food nila kimchi, soju, mayroon naman tayong balot, gin bilog. So kailangang maging mukha siya ng Filipino, parang hindi siya kinopya," Aquino said.
When it comes to the story, Aquino said that they will follow the original.
"Hindi namin pwedeng baguhin ang takbo ng kwento. Kasi buong-buo ang kuwento nila at ang ganda ng kuwento ng original eh. ... Ang talagang kailangan namin is 'yung Filipino culture," he shared.