*March 2021 Update*
Alden Richards + Bea Alonzo fans, I'm sure you've already heard the great news: The two of them are going to be starring in the Filipino remake of the hit Korean film, A Moment To Remember! Here's everything you need to know about the OG tearjerker movie and the upcoming adaptation:
What's the original movie about?
The 2004 movie stars Jung Woo Sung and Son Ye Jin. In the film, "27-year-old fashion designer Kim Su Jin is betrayed when she finds out her lover is married. She decides to quit fashion and pursue her role as heiress to her dad's construction company, where she meets a familiar handsome face. Choi Chul Soo is a construction site foreman, whom Su Jin then begins to court. Despite their social class differences, they wind up getting married. But fate gets in the way of their happy ending." #SpoilerAlert: Their happy relationship is tested when Su Jin develops early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Reviews of the film over the years have called it "one of the best romantic dramas Korea has ever produced," "tragic," and "a triumphant success!" You can watch the OG movie trailer here.
According to My Drama List, the Korean movie is actually based on a Japanese TV series called Pure Soul, which aired in 2001.
Who will be in the cast?
Alden Richards and Bea Alonzo previously worked together for a shampoo brand commercial, but this will be their first film together! Bea will play Kara while Alden's character is named Francisco. According to PEP, the movie will be a co-production between Viva Films and GMA Pictures and will be directed by Nuel Naval. The screenplay is written by Mel del Rosario and they will officially start filming on March 14, 2021.
Guess what? Alden is one of the reasons why Bea said yes to the film!
In an interview with Summit Media journalists, Bea shared that prior to the announcement, she and Alden were already talking about starring in a movie together: "Pareho kami na may balak na makatrabaho yung isa't isa at some point. Pareho kami nag-uusap na, 'Sana, no? Sana we can have that chance to work with each other.'"
She added: "And then an opportunity occurred, a few months ago, there was a script from Viva. There was a story presented to me, and noong sinabi na it's going to be with Alden, I was so excited. Honestly, that's one of the reasons why I said yes, because it's going to be with him."
Have Bea and Alden seen the Korean movie?
Not yet, as far as we know! In a February 2021 interview, Bea shared: "To be totally honest, hindi pa. But I know that it's going to be an adaptation of a Korean movie, A Moment To Remember. The reason why I haven't seen it is because I want to be able to talk to the director first and Alden. So we'll know how to go about it because I don't want it to be a copycat. I want to read the script first before I watch the Korean version and the Japanese version."
In a March 2 report by GMA, Alden shared: "Since it's an adaptation, we agreed to not really watch yung Japanese version, yung Korean version, kasi parang, siyempre, kahit papaano naman, kapag may project na ganito, there's always a comparison. What we wanted, as actors, to do our take on how we understood the role."
How are they preparing for their roles?
In a February 2021 report by ABS-CBN, writer Mel del Rosario shared: "Nuel and I have met Bea to talk about the role. I sincerely felt her excitement for the project...She [came] prepared with her black notebook and asked questions about the role and how best to portray it. In fairness, she did her assignment studying the character." Bea reportedly had lots of questions when it came to portraying the "blank or lost look of an Alzheimer patient."
Are there other A Moment To Remember remakes?
An American remake of the film was announced several years ago. According to a 2016 report by Deadline, it will star Josh Hartnett and Jena Malone.
When's the release date?
No word on that yet, but stay tuned for updates!
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