To those happily lapping up the Koreanovelas exploding in our TV screens, they can easily spot some familiar and formulaic elements of South Korea's arguably hottest export/s incorporated into "I Luv NY" for drawing power.
There's the overseas shooting location and quick-paced storytelling (finally, "over-staying" soaps are over) about, among others, love triangles, and feisty women and arrogant men falling for each other. Also, "I Luv NY" banks on a brand of romantic comedy-pop-up windows and all-that you won't really get embarrassed of enjoying in front of other people.
Plus, the casting is much less convoluted, with the (onscreen and off-screen?) loveteam of Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras and the resurrected pairing of Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin as its main stars.
Though everybody knows the two, in real life, are very much committed with other people, to those closely following their series, Jolina and Marvin's chemistry remains as contagious as before (their "kulitan" dialogue for the most part is improvisational, to think!) and is largely credited for the rating gains of the series.
I had a chat with the 27-year-old Marvin Agustin, made possible by Talk N' Text, of which he is one of the brand's endorsers for the longest time now. He, along with Vhong Navarro, Dominic Ochoa, Maureen Larrazabal, and Tuesday Vargas, were in town a couple of weeks ago to headline Talk N' Text's 6th year "Anniver-saya!" celebration.
While Jolina, in a past interview, sparkled and turned down no question about her lovelife, Marvin was politely evasive-but, of course, not so when he talked about fatherhood, Jolina and moving on to GMA 7. How do you find Cebu?
I could no longer count the times I've been here for either work or pleasure. Honestly, I find Cebu next to paradise because everything's in here including beaches.
How are your kids?
They're okay. My twins, Santiago and Sebastian, are already big now, more playful and naughty.
What's it like to be a dad?
It's exciting to be a father. I'm pretty much hands-on. And you've always heard it from others how happy fatherhood is but there's nothing quite like actually experiencing it. It is an unexplainable feeling, an unexplainable happiness.
Any marriage plans with the mom?
None yet. And I don't really talk about her because she's a private person and I'll leave it at that.
Are you officially a Kapuso?
Actually, I'm being managed by OctoArts-by Orly Ilacad. As for projects with GMA 7, I'll be definitely having more with them especially with the way they take care of me-masaya at masarap.
How did your colleagues and friends at your former network feel about your leaving?
Everyone is happy with my decision, even with how "I luv NY" is doing. So far we're the highest among all TV series and we're very happy. Actually at first, I already had a talk with ABS-CBN about GMA 7's offer. And they allowed me. Right now, they're happy with what's happening with my life.
What did you find in New York?
A lot of things-that Jolina is still very fun to be with. When doing scenes, even I couldn't help but laugh at her antics. We really miss our tandem. Actually, we're like playing; we're really having fun. So, it has really been a very enjoyable experience.
How did the shooting at New York go?
We stayed there for about a month. Everyday, we were shooting even during Holy Week. Once a week, we rested, but then even during that rest day, we get called to shoot again. But it didn't really feel like work because we were in New York, and I was with Jolina
Everybody knows you once hooked up with Jolina and broke up. Was reuniting with her in this TV series a "healing process" of some sort?
Not really, because our separation was nothing because of a personal reason. It was a professional and career move for the both of us.
How would you describe your relationship now?
It is much better now; we're more open now to each other and more mature at how we look at things that we no longer have qualms or arte when we need to do things to entertain people.
Any other projects that will keep you busy in the coming months?
I'm doing a comedy with Rufa Mae, which is titled "Oh My Ghost" under OctoArts, and which is scheduled for a September release. I'll also be doing a movie under Star Cinema with Anne Curtis, titled "Wag Kang Lilingon," I also just signed another contract with Canary films to do a sex comedy entitled "Shortcomings."