You’ll love ‘The Lost Recipe’ if you have the so-called K-drama ‘second lead syndrome’

GMA’s upcoming fantasy-romance series “The Lost Recipe” is about an ambitious young chef who falls in love on his way to pursuing his dreams.

This delicious new drama coming this Monday, Jan. 18, on GMA News TV stars Kelvin Miranda as Harvey, who crosses paths with an aspiring chef named Apple played by Mikee Quintos.

Mikee, however, is pursuing her own dreams alongside Frank (Paul Salas), who has always been a good friend who stuck by her side since they were young.

You know what that means.

Much like the hit Korean drama “Start-Up” and other classics like “Boys Over Flowers,” a love triangle in the story just might start an intense debate among fans about who the female lead should end up with.

Team Harvey vs Team Frank

If you must know, the Harvey vs Frank element in “The Lost Recipe” was kilig enough to send the leading lady herself into an internal debate of her own.

“Nagugulat ako sa nararamdaman ko sa [mga] eksena eh,” Mikee told GMA News Online.

“Napaisip talaga ako… sinabi ko talaga na, kung ako as Mikee playing Apple, nalilito at parehong may nararamdaman ako. Sana ma-transcend ’yun sa screen at maramdaman din ng viewers ’yung malilito din sila, so right now wala pa ’kong sagot kasi parehong may nararamdaman talaga!” she added.

Thea Tolentino, who also stars in “The Lost Recipe,” can relate to the “second lead syndrome.”

“Nai-in love ako sa mga second lead actor kasi ’yung character niya, parang nakikita niya ’yung worth noong leading lady, and parang ang sarap tuktukan nung bida na lalaki kasi hindi niya makita,” she said.

“Pero, ang hirap eh, sa story na ’to. Tignan natin!” she added.

Under pressure

When asked if they were ready for the feedback on their characters’ rivalry, both Kelvin and Paul admitted that they were already feeling the “pressure” while filming.

The two actors—who are friends in real life—recalled shooting one particular scene that they apparently took three hours to get right due to the nerves.

“Noong sa first eksena namin ni Kelvin nung nag-lock down kami ni Kelvin, three hours namin na nakuhanan ’yun kasi may pressure kami na naiisip,” Paul told GMA News Online.

“Tama si Paul,” Kelvin said.

“Parang [I told myself] ‘ano ba?’ Ganito ba ’ko katanga? Sabi ko, ‘sorry, pero ano ba anong nangyayari, Paul, tama ba? Hindi ko na naaalala. Ang naaalala ko, ganun ’yun tapos after ng eksena, ‘tatlong oras na ’yun, tol!’ Anong nangyayari sa atin?” he said.

Eventually, Paul and Kevin realized that they should always stick to their characters the best they can.

“Para sa amin naman po, nung nagawa namin ’yun, na-realize namin sa isa’t isa na, ‘oo nga ’no? ’Wag na nating isipin 'yung pressure na ’yun.’ Kumbaga, gawin na lang natin, pakita na lang natin kung sino ang character ni Frank [at] kung sino ang character ni Harvey para sila na ang bahala kung anong isipin nila basta naipakita po naming ’yung character,” Paul said.

“After naman po nun siguro mas naging (confident) na kami sa isa’t isa ni Kelvin kasi sa totoong buhay, may argument na ganoon, parang hindi naman natin nagagawa ’yun eh, so nahirapan lang kami dun,” he added.

Kelvin also shared how their being friends sometimes made it difficult  to play rivals.

“’Di parin mawawala minsan ’yung ano, kasi ilang beses lang ’ata kami nag-eksena ni Paul, ta’s more on personal, tapos nakakalimutan namin ’yung character namin,” the actor began.

“Parang, ’pag may eksena na kami, minsan may nakikitang si Kelvin at si Paul … alam mo naman ’pag magkatropa kayo, masyado kayong relaxed, masyado kayong kumportable, nawawala ’yung dapat makita ng audience. Parang ’yung, ‘hoy, nag-aawan kayo ha, hindi kayo ano …” said Kelvin.

“‘Hindi kayo magkaibigan,’ ganon!” Paul finished.

So, are you guys excited to see whether you’re Team Harvey or Team Frank?

Don’t miss “The Lost Recipe” on weeknights at 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 18 on GMA News TV. – RC, GMA News