Jeric Gonzales unburdens self from imitating Nam Joo-Hyuk’s ‘Start-Up’ portrayal

CEBU, Philippines — Starring alongside Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards in the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean drama series “Start-Up” is Kapuso heartthrob Jeric Gonzales who will breathe life to Dave Navarro.

Dave is one of the founders of Three Sons Tech with college classmates Jeff (Royce Cabrera) and Wilson (Boy2 Quizon). In the trio, Dave is known as the brainy one.

Jeric – winner of the second season of GMA’s reality star search ‘Protégé’ – has been part of numerous teleseryes, but says that “Start-Up PH” is one he can consider a dream project.

During a media conference in Cebu, the actor shared his thoughts on working with stars who he used to watch on television before. “The whole cast, especially Alden and Miss Bea Alonzo na dati pinapanood ko lang…fan nila ako pareho,” said Jeric.

Taking on the role originally played by popular South Korean actor Nam Joo-Hyuk, Jeric shared, “My role as Nam Do San, ang hirap ng characterization niya kasi ang galling ng pag-portray ni Nam Joo-Hyuk. Na-realize ko na habang ginagawa namin ito, it’s not the character na kailangan gayahin, it’s our own version ng character dito sa Pinas.”

“So nakita ko na yung role as Davidson kailangan mailagay natin yung culture natin as a Filipino, yung pagiging mapagmahal natin sa family. Basically, naging challenge sa akin is to portray the role in our own adaptation talaga,” he added.

In a previous interview, Jeric shared that he would embody the Pinoy’s most likable traits – hospitality, and patience – to bring out the Filipino flavor in the adaptation.

Jeric is filled with gratitude not just to the directors of the show but also to the learnings he picked up from his co-stars.

Given that the show already has a fan base whose expectations for the Philippine adaptation is high, Jeric, along with his castmates, are sure that they will meet the standards.

“To be in this project, pressure of course, but it’s a good pressure kasi na tsa-challenge ako. At the same time natututo ako sa kanila. This cast talaga sobrang galling nila lahat so I’m happy na makasama, and I’m sure maganda ang kakalabasan nito,” said Jeric.

Because of the complexity of Jeric’s character, he binge-watched the Korean series and studied the original version thoroughly.

Aside from “Start-Up”, Jeric said he also enjoyed watching other Korean dramas like “Hotel Del Luna” and “Goblin”.