(SPOT.ph) Earlier in January, GMA announced that their Pinoy remake of hit K-Drama Descendants of the Sun will finally be airing in 2019. The project was first revealed in 2017 and since then, many names have been rumored to be taking on the roles of Captain Yoo Si-jin a.k.a. Big Boss and Doctor Kang Mo-yeon a.k.a. Beauty (played by now-married co-stars Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, respectively)—including Alden Richards and Dingdong Dantes. According to Pep, while the cast is yet to be finalized, there are already options as to who will be the lead stars.
"There are names but we cannot announce kasi wala pang desisyon, pinapa-approve naman lahat. Marami namang worthy rin dito sa GMA na leading men and leading ladies but siyempre, you want to make the right decision," says GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment Lilybeth G. Rasonable.Â
This isn't GMA's first time adapting a foreign series for Pinoy audiences. In 2017, they aired the remake of another K-Drama, My Love From the Star, which starred Jennylyn Mercado and became Gil Cuerva's big break. Descendants of the Sun might just follow suit and be the launchpad of the next big star. "There are four important characters in that soap, so it could still be a launchpad. Even if it's not given to the lead, there are two others. Pero we are looking with the mix of people."
It might be a while before official cast announcements will be made, but Rasonable assures that they're trying to be faithful to the story while making it their own. She reveals that they were allowed by KBS Drama Production to add their own Pinoy touch to the story. "We are writing it. Medyo mahaba-habang proseso yan dahil we coordinate with the owners of the franchise, e. The beauty of it is, although we have to be faithful to the soul of the story, they're allowing a little leeway to "Filipinize,"Â para mas naka-akma sa Philippine culture." She adds, "Pero sinusulat pa lang. It may look simple but there are so many big scenes in the show."
