It’s the time of the year again when establishments are decked with Halloween-themed decorations and are turned into venues of various fun and spooky parties in town. At the same time, a lot of people also flock at cinemas to watch the latest horror films, while others stay home to just binge-watch horror contents via online streaming platforms and free TV.

And just in case you’re one of those who are planning to just stay home, yet still looking for something to keep themselves occupied during the Halloween season, then you may want to consider watching the newest online series “Hex Boyfriend,” which is starred by Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza, and is set to premiere this coming October 20 at 6PM, on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel.

The following five “spooktacular” and “hexciting” reasons on why you should not miss may help convince you to not dare miss it!

It’s a KarJon reunion project

“Hex Boyfriend” is headlined by two of this generation’s most promising talents, Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza. Avid Kapamilya fans are certainly well-aware that these two have been shipped with each other ever since their remarkable stints in “Pinoy Big Brother Otso” due to their palpable chemistry.

They subsequently become a perennial loveteam, appearing in a slew of digital and TV projects together, such as “Sandugo” (2019), “Ampalaya Chronicles Present: Labyu Hehe” (2020), “PILIkula: Ghost of the Past” (2020), “Viral Scandal” (2021), “Hoy, Love You!” (2021-2022), and Maalaala Mo Kaya Lalabs Ko ‘To episode (2022).

Both of them went on to do separate projects for quite some time, and now, they are finally back on each other’s arms and are so ready to spread an eerie kind of kilig together as they bring a perfect blend of black magical love through “Hex Boyfriend.”

Karina Bautista takes on a totally different role

For those who are just beginning their journey in the entertainment industry like Karina, they’re usually given the so-called “tweetums” or teeny-bopper roles. It could be seen in the characters that she took on earlier in her career, which indeed didn’t fail to charm us.

But in the past two years, we’ve seen her versatility as an actress and commendable dramatic prowess through her impressive portrayals in “Viral Scandal” as the quite crabby and rebellious Bea, and most especially in the three-part special finale episode of MMK titled “Scarlet Women” wherein she astonished everyone with her performance as a Pinay prostitute in Cyprus named Iris.

And in “Hex Boyfriend,” we’re going to see a different Karina, as she plays a literally gothic character named Raya, a.k.a. “The Kulam Girl,” who hails from a clan of witches. This is going to be quite different from the vibrant and sweet characters that she used to usually portray because aside from being visibly cladded in black ensembles, she’s also going to be fiercer yet funnier in this spooky rom-com.

Aljon Mendoza is set to win our hearts again

He wasn’t called “Ang Shy Charmer ng Pampanga” during his “PBB Otso” days for nothing, right? With his sweet smile and striking handsomeness, it’s definitely not difficult for Aljon to capture our hearts, which he’s able to do in his previous projects through his dashing characters that either gave off cool boy-next-door vibes or knight-in-shining armor feels, such as in “Sandugo” (2019), “Hoy, Love You!” (2021-2022), “Viral Scandal” (2021), and “Teen Clash” (2023)

And in “Hex Boyfriend,”Aljon is apparently going to captivate us anew as he plays the role of Chris, a.k.a. “The Albularyo Son,” a young man who’s determined to make his dreams come true. It seems that many ladies in their humble town have fallen under his irresistible charm, with Raya being one of them.

Is Chris really going to be the one who can break through Raya's ice-cold heart? Well, that’s for us to find out.

It offers an eerie kind of kilig

As what we’ve mentioned, “Hex Boyfriend” will bring viewers a perfect blend of black magical love. From the title itself, it will bewitch us with kilig as it will follow the story of Raya and Chris, whose paths are going to intertwine after he became her instant knight-in-shining armor during one of her altercations with the characters of Ashley del Mundo and Angela Tungol. Based on the trailer, they would develop a close relationship when she unexpectedly becomes his personal Nihonggo instructor.

What makes this series deviant is how it incorporated the Halloween magic theme seamlessly and in an amusing way. Aljon and Karina are going to make us kilig through the black magic of love that their characters Chris and Raya will share.

It’s going to play with our imaginations as it possesses element of mystery and, at the same time, touch our hearts and souls with the heartfelt moments among the characters, especially between the main characters and with their loved ones. But it’s not only going to offer romance, horror, and drama, as it will also bring laughter and good vibes to the viewers due to its element of comedy.

Besides, regardless if you have supernatural powers or none, those who feel like struggling to fit in in the community they’re in can certainly relate with Raya, who’s apparently being bullied for being different. At the same time, those who are fighting for their dreams can surely see themselves in Chris.

Modern take on albularyos vs witches

We, Filipinos, grew up hearing, watching, and/or reading scary stories about mythical creatures and paranormal encounters. Furthermore, many of us, especially those who came from the province or were raised by traditional families, still believe in superstitious beliefs and supernatural powers, such as of mangkukulams (or witches) and albularyos (or quack doctors), even though we’re already living in a modern world.

And since the current generation are presumably not aware of it anymore, “Hex Boyfriend” is going to reintroduce it to them through the amusing stories of Chris and Raya who are both Gen Zs. It’s youthful, humorous, and contemporary take on albularyo and mangkukulam would probably make them less fearsome for younger people.

Catch “Hex Boyfriend” beginning October 20 at 6PM on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s official YouTube Channel.