GMA Network unveils its newest primetime offering for 2024, “Love. Die. Repeat.,” a heavy drama with an exploratory twist bannered by the returning Ultimate Star Jennelyn Mercado and multi-talented actor Xian Lim that premieres on January 15, 2024.

AN UNCONVENTIONAL TWIST

During the show’s grand media conference today, January 8, the Kapuso network revealed a glimpse of what fans can look forward to in an unconventional story that explores the idea of love and sorrow in an eccentric context of getting stuck in an endless time-loop, very much like ‘deja vu.’

“Sa movies lang talaga natin ito (napapanood), parang ngayon lang ata sa isang mahaba na series, so it’s a challenge for us, for me especially,” said co-director Jerry Lopez Sineneng when asked about the story’s plot that dares to contort timelines. 

It tells the story of Angela (played by Jennylyn) who is widowed by Bernard (played by Xian) due to a car accident. She wakes up in an absurd situation where she’s stuck in a time loop that forces her to relive the moment of Bernard’s death over and over again.

Speaking about the bold and experimental nature of “Love. Die. Repeat.,” Direk Jerry, who co-directed the show with Irene Villamor, has the script to thank in overcoming the challenges posed by a time-loop drama.

“Paano kaya ma-eengage yung audience nang hindi repeat experience lang yung mararamdaman nila, and napakaganda naman po nung script namin. Everytime may loop, may bago, challenge sa akin yun,” answered Direk Jerry.

A FUN AND SUPPORTIVE SET

“Love. Die. Repeat.” marks the much-awaited comeback of award-winning drama actress Jennelyn Mercado after a bit of a break from showbiz. She was last seen in the 2020 GMA adaptation of South Korean romance-action series, Descendants of the Sun.

Asked about the challenges she faced in doing this project, the Kapuso actress said there was struggle in portraying a role whose scenes mostly required intensely sad emotions. 

“Kita niyo naman, wala ata akong eksenang masaya. Sabi ko nga pagkatapos ng show, huwag niyo muna ako kausapin, matutulog lang ako,” quipped the Ultimate Star.

Jennelyn is ultimately thankful for a very supportive and fun-filled cast and production crew.

“Actually ‘di ko alam paano ko siya nagawa, laking pasasalamat ko na sila Direk Jerry, yung buong cast, buong production - andyan para alalayan ako,” she added.

Xian Lim echoed the same sentiment, adding that he initially thought it would be difficult given he and Jennelyn did not personally know each other prior to making this project.

“It really helped na nandoon yung suporta ng buong cast sa amin, alongside Direk Jerry, Direk Irene, who started the project, and of course Ms. Jennelyn na at first nakakahiya nga na pano ba namin to gagawin, na di kami magkakilala sa totong buhay pero simula pa lang ng series, nagmamahalan na kami,” shared Xian. 

“Nagtatawanan lang kami lahat (sa set), everyone gave us support,” said the multi-talented actor on a positive note.

“Love. Die. Repeat.” also stars veteran actors Noni Buencamino, Malou de Guzman, and Shyr Valdez, together with Mike Tan, Ina Feleo, and stand-up comedian Victor Anastacio. It will premiere on January 15 on GMA Primetime, Mondays to Fridays at 8:50PM with a repeat telecast at 10:50 on GTV.