We finally have our first look at the local adaptation of the South Korean drama Start-Up! Since the project was first announced in March 2022, Filipinos have been excited. GMA Drama released the first teaser last August 17 where we got to see Alden Richards and Bea Alonzo as Han Ji Pyeong and Seo Dal Mi. Is it everything Pinoy Start-Up PH fans dreamed it to be?

The teaser

#StartUpPH is a unique story about dreaming and loving starring Asia’s Multimedia Star, Alden Richards, and multi-awarded actress and box office icon, Bea Alonzo. #StartUpPH, world premiere this September only on GMA! pic.twitter.com/HpGImqOeDG

— GMA Drama (@GMADrama) August 17, 2022

The 30-second teaser introduced us to Dani, Alonzo’s character (played by Bae Suzy) who is an ambitious career woman. While spending time at the fictional Silicon Valley called Sandbox, she crosses paths with Tristan as Richards a.k.a. “Good Boy” (Kim Seon Ho in the K-drama). Tristan is a brilliant team leader with a sharp tongue who eventually falls for her.

We’ve yet to see Jeric Gonzales as Nam Do San (Nam Joo Hyuk) and Yasmien Kurdi as Won In Jae (Kang Ha Na). The rest of the cast includes Gina Alajar, Kim Domingo, Royce Cabrera, Boy 2 Quizon, and Jackie Lou Blanco.

Start-Up PH, directed by Jerry Sineneng and Dominic Zapata, Alonzo and Richards’ first TV series project together.

Pinoys have a few thoughts about it

The Internet is torn for the most part. Some people praised the adaptation and expressed their excitement while others had a few thoughts about the pair’s chemistry.

Pinoys on Facebook commented on the casting saying how Bea looked a bit mature for the role and that a younger actress would better fit the female lead. Some of the names that often came up included Julia Barretto, Kathryn Bernardo, and even Maine Mendoza (#AlDub fans, no doubt).

While others chose to ignore the naysayers and focus on their excitement.

An alternate ending?

Others also feared that Alden as “Good Boy,” which is the second lead in the OG story, might overshadow the main lead (Jeric). And they were right to fear it after what happened in the K-drama where fans were ferocious in their #TeamGoodBoy and #TeamDoSan agenda. The K-drama love triangle element successfully hooked everyone in.

While we don’t know the full plot for Start-Up PH, we do know that local adaptations have always had the freedom to tweak a few plot points. It’s a remake after all. And if the teaser featured only Alden and Bea’s characters, there’s a good chance of an alternate ending. Filipinos will have to wait and see what this one has in store for everyone.

What do the show directors have to say about the comments?

In a media conference for Start-Up PH held last June, Sineneng and Zapata shared what they think about the naysayers.

“Haters gonna hate. If you want to hate it, then do so. Direk Jerry and I are just staying true to the craft. We don’t take this major task for granted and [are giving] it our all. So I think the franchise that you love is in good hands,” said Zapata.

“We cannot make Alden act exactly like Good Boy or Bea to act like Bae Suzy. Pero may flavor tayong nadagdag na baka mas makakapagpasarap sa panlasa ng Pilipino,” he added.

They also defended Alden and Bea’s chemistry saying that “together, they have magic.” The directors owed it to the fact that even behind the camera, the two actors are true professionals and good friends.

Where can we watch it?

Even though Pinoys had a lot of comments about the Start-Up PH teaser, we’re confident that the show will be a great one. After all, if it’s led by amazing actors like Alden and Bea, we can’t expect anything less than stellar. Don’t knock it until you’ve watched it, eh?

Start-Up PH will start airing in September with a pending release date. As of writing, there is also no news yet about where to watch the remake but you can bet we’re keeping our eyes peeled for any announcement.

What do you think of Start-Up PH?

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