Why Alden Richards said yes to 'Start-Up PH'

When Alden Richards was announced as the actor to portray Tristan or Good Boy in “Start-Up PH,” it came as a surprise to most people.

In the original version, Good Boy or Han Ji Pyeong (played by Kim Seon-ho), is the second lead character. Although he is genuinely kind to the people he cares about, he can also be a bit cold, which is very different from Alden’s easy-going personality in real life.

It is actually because of this reason that Alden was so excited when the role was offered to him, because “it’s something new.”

“'Yung mga you roles ko before — even yung last ko with ‘The World Between Us’ — nagsimula kasi ako as 'yung kawawang-kawawa, 'yung laging nag-pu-pursige, tapos 'yung laging inaapi sa simula. As opposed to ngayon, simula palang masungit na,” the actor said in a press conference.

“Pero ang gusto ko kasi kay Good Boy, kahit gano siya ka-cold, gano siya ka-suplado, sumisilip-silip pa rin yung meron siyang mabuting puso kahit papano," he added.

Alden said that his character isn't really a bad guy.

"It’s just meron lang siyang problema how to express 'yung sarili niya sa magandang paraan kasi nga coming from all those challenges na pinagdaanan niya nung bata siya, medyo nahihirapan siya mag-express. Medyo hindi siya showy sa emotions kaya na-mi-misinterpret siya most of the time.”

Alden also said that in this version, “mas malalim yung hugot [ni Good Boy].”

“Na-appreciate ko rin yung ginawa ng creatives natin, mas pinalalim yung character ni Good Boy dito, na hindi lang in passing 'yung ibang mga detalye na hindi natin pinakita sa Korean version. So mas binigyang emphasis yun, and that’s the reason kung bakit mas reasonable yung ginagawa ni Good Boy nung lumaki na siya.”

Asia’s Multimedia Star added that he said yes to the project without question. It is his first time working on an adaptation and being able to retell the highly successful series “is a great opportunity.”

“We also want to show everyone kung ano naman 'yung take ng mga Pinoy sa series na galing sa Korea,” he said.

“Start-Up” became a global hit when it came out in 2020. The story follows a group of young entrepreneurs with big dreams, working towards successful careers in business. The series also discusses humble beginnings, hard work, romance, and heartbreak.

Directed by Jerry Sineneng and Dominic Zapata, the star-studded cast features Bea Alonzo, Jeric Gonzales, Yasmien Kurdi, Gina Alagar, Lovely Rivero, Gabby Eigenmann, Jackie Lou Blanco, Kevin Santos, and Jojo Alejar, among other actors.

“Start-Up PH” has yet to announce a premiere date, but filming began in April. —JCB, GMA News