Dannyka Manangan

Joshua Garcia opens up about the pressure of starring in 'It’s Okay to Not Be Okay'

Article (news)

Jemuel Tandoc

Push Team

Joshua Garcia has proven himself as one of his generation’s top leading men, and now, he’s stepping into new territory with his first K-drama remake with It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.He steps into the role made iconic by K-drama superstar Kim Soo-hyun — a challenge he admitted made him feel nervous.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752799784599joshua garcia.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>“Siguro kinakabahan ako na gawin pero parang natanggal na rin lahat ng kaba and hesitation pag dating ng shoot kasi pagka inisip mo pa yan, di mo na maiisip yung trabaho mo. So kailangan mong alisin yung ganong nararamdaman mo,” Joshua shared during the intimate media roundtable for their series.Beyond the pressure of portraying Patrick, the Filipino version of Moon Gang-tae, Joshua admitted that it was the character’s emotional depth and complexity that truly challenged him.“Mahirap lahat actually kasi ang daming layer ng emotion ng character ko na nahirapan nga rin ako ilabas, pero tinulungan ako ni Direk (Mae Cruz-Alviar) ilabas lahat yon. Mahirap lahat. Mahirap umiyak. Mahirap magpatawa. Mahirap magpakilig. Kasi may timing lahat. So challenge talaga siya sa akin,” Joshua admitted.<iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLwgz81yuLZ/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%3A962644.6000000001%2C%22ls%22%3A257247.30000000005%2C%22le%22%3A257695.80000000005%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>One of the most awaited parts of the series is the bond between brothers Gang-tae and Sang-tae, this time portrayed by Joshua Garcia and Carlo Aquino in the Filipino version. Joshua revealed how they developed the rapport essential to portraying the emotional connection between the two brothers.“Actually bago kami mag-start mag-shoot ng It’s Okay nagkaroon kami ng one-on-one (workshop) so nagkikita na rin kami don. I think yun yung malaking nakatulong sa amin. Mas naging open kami, kung anong emotional state namin, kung anong nararamdaman namin. I think yun yung malaking nakatulong samin ni Kuya Carlo,” he shared.He also recalled how Carlo Aquino supported him through many of his emotionally demanding scenes.“May one time na hirap na hirap ako umiyak talaga. And then nakasandal lang akong ganun sa pader. Wala akong pinapakinggan nga. And then biglang siyang yumakap sa likod ko. Hindi ko nakita na siya yun. Pero alam kong siya yun, kahit di ako lumilingon. Tapos yun, nagawa ko na yung scene,” Joshua revealed.He noted that their shared traits may have played a part in building a stronger on and off-screen connection.“Parang hindi ko siya ma-explain pero kusa na lang din akong naging open. Kasi siguro ang dami namin similarities. Parehas kaming ng introvert, hindi kami maimik na tao, hindi ma-share na tao. Siguro ang dami namin understanding sa isa-isa. And I think yan yung pinakamalaking tulong sa relationship na rin dun sa rapport namin,” Joshua said.

Joshua Garcia admits feeling the pressure of leading 'It’s Okay to Not Be Okay;. He also shares how he and Carlo Aquino built the heartfelt bond between their characters — a connection fans are eagerly looking forward to.

Joshua Garcia admits feeling the pressure of leading ' It’s Okay to Not Be Okay; . He also shares how he and Carlo Aquino built the heartfelt bond between their characters — a connection fans are eagerly looking forward to.