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Direk Mae Cruz-Alviar and Anne Curtis on the PH Adaptation of ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’: 'It will be faithful to the core'

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>“It will be faithful to the core.”</p><p>This is the promise of director Mae Cruz Alviar and the cast of the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean drama <em>It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, </em>as they revealed the addition of Filipino touches to the much-anticipated series from Star Creatives.</p><p>During a recent media conference, Direk Mae emphasized that she didn’t want to merely copy the original Korean series but instead aimed to bring a version that feels more relatable and closer to home.</p><p>“If we just follow or copy what was in the original then we just change the actors and then you’re watching the same thing all over again. What’s the point in doing the adaptation?” Direk Mae explained.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLi8MHmzpXR/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A57698.5%2C%22ls%22%3A56568%2C%22le%22%3A57071.40000000037%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="567" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>“An adaptation is your own interpretation dn making it local, making it Filipinize and like what Anne (Curtis) said, new souls. These are different actors. They are breathing lives into these characters from their souls,” she added.</p><p>Direk Mae also shared how they made sure the show caters to Filipino viewers, whether they have seen the original or not.</p><p>“In terms of localizing it, in terms of the theme of the show, what is the acceptance of the audience sa mental health because that is the truth of the show and that is the theme. Kailangan natin i-ayon sa pagtanggap ng audience natin sa ganitong talakayan, sa ganitong usapan. Hindi ganoon kalaki ang awareness  and this is something new in terms of how big of a theme it is in the series,” she explained.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLXCFmfy_Wy/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A91087.5%2C%22ls%22%3A56568%2C%22le%22%3A57071.40000000037%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>She went on: “Kailangan natin ihandle na huwag natin biglain ang audience kasi baka ma-overwhelm so there is careful handling in telling the story but also keeping true to the core of the show.”</p><p>Direk Mae also shared the challenges of translating the original Korean context to something uniquely Filipino, while still holding on to the heart of the show about mental health, healing, and love.</p><p>“There were a lot of challenges. One is seasons because it played on seasons sa kanila may winter and went through different season, and winter was a big season sa story and we don’t have winter sa atin tag-ulan and tag-araw. Same din sa outfits, the flowers kasi sa kanila cherry blossoms sa atin bougainvillea,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLZm2aTyEQo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MWFkOHYydGhjb3J6NA=="><strong></strong></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLZm2aTyEQo/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A120700.30000000075%2C%22ls%22%3A56568%2C%22le%22%3A57071.40000000037%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="491" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>“It’s the nitty gritty, all the details. They have traditions and cultures too like tiong nabanggit na mangkukulam which is very Filipino.”</p><p>Direk Mae admitted that she initially felt pressured to accept the project, especially given how beloved the original is, particularly among Filipino fans. But she ultimately took it on with the goal of making something meaningful.</p><p>“Na-pressure? Yes,  of course. I almost did not accept it because of the pressure kasi you are always being compared as original. Ako I’m a fan of K-dramas too so parang may show na hindi kailangan ng adaptations and I feel it too. But, I took on the challenge to make this worthy of the adaptation. Ayon siguro yung naging motivation ko,” she expressed.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhoR96yuoS/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A151891.40000000037%2C%22ls%22%3A56568%2C%22le%22%3A57071.40000000037%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="567" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>Meanwhile, actress and host Anne Curtis, who plays Mia, the local counterpart of Ko Moon-young which was originally portrayed by Seo Ye-ji, shared that the series’ theme and storyline were among the main reasons she agreed to return to television.</p><p>“This is one of the reasons why I super loved it and I wanted to be part of it. I think it’s about time that we do have a series that tells, educate about mental health, how you can carry or be with someone who is going through mental health issues,” Anne said.</p><p>“It’s a great way to reach a wider audience. It’s not just something you see on social media. This will help you go through the journey with them. If you are someone who was going through it, you’ll be getting help,” she continued.</p><p>As a fan of the original Korean series, Anne expressed her excitement in joining its Filipino adaptation. She also shared that she occasionally brought up the original storyline in conversations with Direk Mae but was reminded that their version would be something new while still staying true to the heart of the show.</p><p>“<em>It’s Okay To Not Be Okay</em> is really one of my top faves because it tells a story that I love and something I could relate to so it was like kapag kinakausap ko si Direk Mae ‘Ay Si Ko Mun Yeong” but this is our story. It’s a different interpretation,” she stated.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/14/kaori-oinuma-aljon-mendoza-bianca-de-vera-share-favorite-it-s-okay-to-not-be-okay-taping-moments-1806"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Kaori Oinuma, Aljon Mendoza, Bianca De Vera share their favorite &#x27;It&#x27;s Okay To Not Be Okay&#x27; taping moments</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“For those who love the series just as much as I did, this is our take on it which is very Filipino. Don’t worry hindi siya magve-veer away masyado from the original but new souls that will tell a new story,” she added.</p><p>The Filipino adaptation of <em>It’s Okay To Not Be Okay </em>premieres on July 21 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, and TV5, airing weeknights at 8:45 p.m. Advance streaming starts July 18 on Netflix, and July 19 on iWant.</p>

<p>Local version of ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’ has Filipino touches that makes the series more relatable to Pinoys.</p>

Local version of ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’ has Filipino touches that makes the series more relatable to Pinoys.