A Filipino twist on a Korean classic
JUST in time for the month of love, Viva Films and TinCan are thrilled to present the much-anticipated Philippine adaptation of the most beloved South Korean romantic comedy film, “My Sassy Girl.”
Starring the refreshing duo of Toni Gonzaga and Pepe Herrera, written and directed by Fifth Solomon, this adaptation promises to capture the hearts of audiences across the nation.
My Sassy Girl has long been considered a classic, and this Philippine adaptation aims to bring a fresh perspective to the timeless story. The movie follows the journey of Pepe Herrera’s character, Junjee, a caretaker trainee, as he becomes entangled with Toni Gonzaga’s character, Sheena, a spirited and self-centered woman who humiliates him at every turn.
The Philippine adaptation aims to retain the essence of the original while infusing the rich and intricate cultural nuances that render Filipino storytelling notably distinctive.
“We keep the magic of the film and remained faithful to the original material. We made only minor tweaks to make it a Filipino version, but all the iconic scenes from My Sassy Girl are here,” Gonzaga said.
Gonzaga has gained immense popularity among Filipino viewers with her hit films “You Are The One” (2006), “You Got Me” (2007), “My Only U” (2008), “My Amnesia Girl” (2010), “Starting Over Again” (2014) and “You’re My Boss” (2015), among many others. In her return to the big screen, she testifies that it was her life-long dream to portray Sheena in the Philippine adaptation of My Sassy Girl.
“The project came to me unexpectedly. I’m at the point in my life that I surrendered that dream of mine — that was my dream in 2006. Twenty years after the film was released, I’m given the opportunity to play the role here in the Philippines. I consider it as a big blessing,” Gonzaga admitted.
Pepe Herrera, best known for his outstanding performances in both theater and television, expressed his excitement about the project.
“Let’s visualize — from now until our movie premieres, me, Fifth and Tin will be able to provide entertainment to a lot of audience, all in the name of love.”
After being in the can for almost four years, a lot has changed but, the film’s charm and magic remain the same.
After three years, I revisited this project. I feel fragile. We shot this in 2020. A lot has happened in our lives, but the excitement, laughter, and tears remain unchanged as I watch this film again. I am excited for all of you to see it,” said director Fifth Solomon.
My Sassy Girl is not just a romantic comedy; it’s an exploration of the complexities of modern relationships, sprinkled with moments of hilarity and genuine emotion.
My Sassy Girl opens in theaters today, January 31.