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Heart Evangelista and Alexander Lee are happy with their 'good working relationship'


Lead stars of the upcoming Korean-Filipino rom-com series "My Korean Jagiya", Heart Evangelista and Alexander Lee said that they have a good working relationship.

At the press conference of the show on Monday, it was clear to see that their chemistry is undeniable off cam as well as on.

"We have a good working relationship and friendship," Evangelista said.

Alexander thinks Heart is of royalty, "she's too perfect, she's like a real-life princess I can say," he said.

Photo by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas | GMA
Photo by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas | GMA

Pinoy hospitality touched Xander's heart

K-pop star Alexander said that he was surprised at how hospitable and friendly Filipinos are, especially his co-star Heart who has been so warm since his first day in the country.

"It's very exciting because I was actually shocked at the beginning because the Filipinos are very welcoming, very friendly and very nice and Heart always takes care of me, I feel at home here."

The Kapuso actress recently hosted a lavish birthday party at her house for her leading man Alexander.

"From my birthday, from the first day, everyday she takes care of me, everywhere."

Lee said even before he received this project, he already knew about Heart, he said everyone in his school was talking about her.

"Before I knew about this project I already knew about Heart , she's  famous even in my school with international students, they were talking about Heart, her name is Heart and her last name is Evangelista and I really love that surname because I'm a semi-Christian and I really like it, so when I heard the project and she's gonna be in it I was like yeah I wanna do it, why not," Alexander shared.

Compared to his usual working environment in Korea, Lee said in the Philippines everyone is more open, with 'no ice to break' even during first meetings.

"The only difference is Koreans, we usually [build a wall], it takes us time to [tear it down] but Filipinos here, their hospitality is good, they are so warm, from the first day onwards everybody's like open, welcome, 'I like you', this is something that really touched my heart," he said.

The Korean star said  he is willing to stay in the Philippines for good, if given the chance.

"The food here is good, the people [are] good, the work is fun I mean why not, the biggest difference is working here we have air conditioned tent, this is something that we don't have in Korea, in Korea we only stay inside our van, it's a really good environment here."

 

Courtesy of Heart Evangelista | IG
Courtesy of Heart Evangelista | IG

Heart's working experience with Korean artists

Meanwhile, Heart said her experience working with Koreans is not far from what she's experienced with Filipinos, since both are fast-paced when it comes to finishing their jobs.

"Pareho lang e, kasi parehong mabilis magtrabaho and so nagkakasundo, yung lengwahe lang talaga 'yung naiiba pero yung iba jive na jive kaya nung umalis kami ng Korea parang sad lahat, siya nga sinsabi niya kung he leaves, he'll cry," she said.

Outside work and shoot, Heart said she and Alexander have built a strong friendship, she said, the Korean actor would even visit her home to chill out, have dinner and eat dessert.

"Na-enjoy niya, sobrang nagkakasundo silang lahat, lagi nga sila nasa bahay ko eh, as in 'yung hotel nila malapit sa bahay ko so every night dinner, dun sila nakikidinner, kahit tapos na sila mag-dinner, they'll go there dun sila magdedessert  tapos minsan tatambay kami ang 11, 12 midnight sobrang at ease sila,"Heart shared.

When asked if she will miss her Korean leading man, Heart said, she's more worried that he will miss the Philippines.

"Actually ma-mimiss ko lahat sakanya, pero mas nag-woworry ako na alam kong mamimiss niya ang Pilipinas, kasi sobrang ibang iba, iba ang Pinoy eh, very warm daw and so  I really hope after ng soap na to magkaroon siya ng something else."

She added, "sabi ko nga sa kanya it's time to learn Filipino so after this he can be paired up with other Kapuso actresses and do something here kasi sa ugali  niya, sa personality niya para siyang Pinoy so bagay siya dito."

 

Courtesy of Heart Evangelista | IG
Courtesy of Heart Evangelista | IG

K-drama fever in the Philippines

Both stars are aware of how well-followed K-drama is in the Philippines, Alexander thinks their new show will give a mix of two good things together, which he calls "KoPino" drama.

"Yes I know that K-drama is very popular in the Philippines and I know that because people also like Filipino drama here, and I'm very excited because when you mix two things together you put in a "KoPino" drama, it's like mixing the best of both things to give everybody," Alexander said.

Heart said she is not pressured knowing that most Filipinos are fans of K-drama, she said fans will even relate to her character "Gia" in the show.

"Nandito naman na 'yung pinaka K-drama na inaabangan nila, ako parang ako sila na fan ng K-drama as Gia and so they can really relate to my character in the show, kumabaga nagigin instrumento lang ako ng kanilang buhay," Heart said.

Kissing scenes

When the Korean actor was asked how their kissing scenes went, Alexander described it as "magical" and he couldn't deny that Heart is a "good kisser", he said she took the lead during their romantic scenes

"Heart is a good kisser, you know the first few days were too awkward for me, but you know 19 years in the field she took the lead, and she was really like relaxed and it was magical," he said.

Senator Chiz's reaction to kissing scenes

Heart said her husband Senator Chiz Escudero has always been open-minded about her job and what comes along with it.

"We've been doing it for 19 years, 20 years next year actually sa Feb, it's work you know," Heart said.

"I think from "Juan Happy Love Story" nothing can get worse than that, so 'yung "Juan Happy Love Story" kasi grabe yung kissing scenes, 'eto kasi yung kissing scenes namin yung mga naaksidenteng nahalikan," she added.

When she was asked if her husband Chiz would have issues about Alexander tagging her as a good kisser, she said, "you know sobrang open-minded naming dalawa ni Chiz na I think he will agree."

Senator Escudero also invited Heart's Korean co-stars to visit his hometown province Sorsogon. Heart said they are also planning to take Alexander to her favorite place, Balesin Island.

"'Pag pumunta kami ng Naga, pupunta kami ng Sorsogon dun sila mag-oovernight, may mall show kami sa Naga, tapos si Chiz mauuna na sa Sorsogon, mag-mimeet kami dun, ilalabas namin, papakainin namin sila sa Sorsogon, and hopefully 'yung iba pang mga beach nila,"

Heart is planning to take a year off starting in January 2018, to try and have a baby. — LA/KVD, GMA News

"My Korean Jagiya," directed by Mark Reyes, will premiere on August 21 on GMA Telebabad.

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