Perhaps, there is always a kind of pressure in doing a remake of any K-drama hit. For Piolo Pascual and Lovi Poe, it was a positive one. They “felt a good pressure” while filming their first series together, the upcoming Philippine adaptation of South Korea’s crime-thriller drama Flower of Evil.
It follows the story of Jacob (Piolo) who has a dark past and tries to hide his identity. He gets married later and starts a family with his wife, Iris (Lovi), a police detective. Iris and her team begin to investigate a series of unexplained murders which leads to the discovery of her husband’s identity.
Lovi admitted that she is a huge fan of the show. “Siguro yung pressure naman is always good because sometimes, with that pressure, we create something beautiful and with a touch of our own emotions,” she acknowledged during the virtual unveiling of the official poster event last Monday.
“Kahit nakaka-pressure, I think it’s a good thing kasi we created something really amazing. That was just one scene (trailer). I’m excited to see everything na nagawa namin kasi napakaganda talaga, especially na nilagyan ng pusong Pilipino yung Flower of Evil version natin,” she added.
The actress also disclosed she has “reached a certain level of obsession with K-drama.” In fact, the series Flower of Evil is among her Top 5 Korean drama favorites and it was “such a dream” for her to be part of the Philippine adaptation.
Something in the Rain’s Jung Hae-in is on top of her list as one of the South Korean actors she would like to be paired with, followed by Park Seo-joon (Itaewon Class) and Ji Chang-wook (Lovestruck in the City).
On doing a Filipino version of a high-rated K-drama show and in handling the pressure, Piolo commented, “The Pinoys’ sensibilities are, you know... We are excited about (this). Of course, it’s a Korean series. (But) Iba yung the way we adapt (a series or a film), it is very Pinoy. ‘Yun yung nakaka-excite na part also. More than the pressure, it’s the excitement of coming up with a challenge na gawin namang pusong Pinoy, (or) our own version of a very beautiful story such as Flower of Evil.”
Piolo, who previously did the Philippine adaptation of 2004 South Korean drama series Lovers in Paris, opposite KC Concepcion, said he loves K-dramas and accepting the Flower of Evil project was a no-brainer for him.
“When this was pitched to me (Flower of Evil role), this was during the pandemic, I was just really excited to get out of the house to work, to do something. Right away, hindi ko na talaga siya pinagisipan. I watched the Korean version and I just simply fell in love with it. So, there was no doubt na, for me, that was the right thing for me,” he shared.
In the six-month period that Piolo and Lovi have been working on this project, they have discovered some admirable qualities in each other.
Lovi appreciates Piolo’s self-discipline. “I mean the moment he wakes up in the morning, he knows exactly what to do. He sets his mind into, like, taking care of himself. And then when he gets on set, he is always prepared. And the emotions that he gives me in every scene, talagang hindi ko na kailangan maghanap sa iba. All I have to do is look into his eyes, talagang nadadala na ako,” she said of him.
The actor has a “gift,” furthered Lovi. “Mabilis siyang makaramdam ng emotions,” she described her co-actor. “Yung character kasi ni Jacob here is he doesn’t really show that much emotions. Ang naging challenge for him (Piolo) is to do the exact opposite.”
“It’s nice to see that kasi a person who is very, who actually senses certain emotions of other people, just shows how much of an actor that person is. (It’s) like, how they are easily affected by other people’s mood and emotions and I think that is a good thing,” said Lovi.
For Piolo, it’s “all about discovery since day one.”
He described Lovi as “very humble” and cited her commitment to her work. He shared, “The way she approaches her work is talagang may passion siya na hindi siya napapagod, eh. It’s just so nice to see her really devote her whole self to this project. (It) kinda gravitates towards that... I’ve been around for quite some time (in the industry but) the way I feel (when) I am with her, parang we’ve known each other for a while because of what she gives me. (That’s) because of her commitment to her role, to her craft. So madadala ka na dun.”
“Every day is such a beautiful way to experience new things with her, especially when she gets to her world,” he commented. “Her character which is multi-layered, hard pero she gives (her best). Makikita niyo, nagta-transcend talaga siya sa screen and yung pagmamahal niya sa craft niya, for me, very infectious yun.”
“Hindi ko na kailangang aralin yung character ko because alam ni Lovi (ang) ginagawa niya. She is so willing to actually give more and be more. Ang open nung relationship namin and the way we relate to each other,” he stated.
Flower of Evil is directed by Darnel Villaflor and Richard Arellano. The cast also includes JC de Vera, Agot Isidro, Denise Laurel, Joem Bascon, Epy Quizon, Rita Avila, Jett Pangan, Pinky Amador, Joross Gamboa, Joko Diaz, and Edu Manzano. The series is set to premiere soon.