Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino: What makes their loveteam work?
Are they or aren’t they? As they say, just read between the lines.
Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino are keeping fans intrigued about their relationship, many thanks to their undeniable onscreen chemistry. They first worked together in “Linlang,” a psychological drama series wherein they played a couple at odds due to a fractured marriage.
While they weren’t exactly positioned as a pair then because of the narrative, their chemistry still led fans to root for their team-up. This was followed by the Filipino adaptation of the hit K-drama, “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?”
And now, the two Kapamilya stars are topbilling the romantic-comedy “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” marking their first film together.
From being mere co-stars to becoming trusted scene partners, Kim and Paulo talked more about how their on and off screen relationship evolved over time during a recent STAR interview.
Kim agreed with this paper’s observation that they weren’t particularly close when they first started working together in “Linlang.”
Paulo chimed in, “I think it’s the same thing. Maybe people noticed — syempre, habang nakakatrabaho mo nang mas matagal yung isang tao, mas nakikilala mo siya. So I would say na mas kilala na namin yung sarili namin, at the same time, we’ve grown more comfortable with each other.”
Kim echoed this sentiment, sharing how their professional relationship naturally deepened.
“From ‘Linlang’ until now, I think we’re growing as actors. We’ve also become friends — friends na talaga kami. Natatantiya na namin ang isa’t isa kung kelan and kanino ang eksena na ‘to, kung kanino ang eksena na ‘yon,” she went on.
“Nagkaroon kami ng rapport. Kahit hindi namin sabihin na, ‘Uy ako na ‘to,’ parang naiintindihan na namin ang isa’t isa.”
Before they became comfortable with each other though, Kim and Paulo had initial perceptions of one another — some of which turned out to be quite different from reality.
“Oo! Yung pinaka-una, nakaka-hiya talaga kay Paulo. Nakakatakot or —” Kim recalled feeling initially intimidated and shy around her leading man.
Paulo jokingly protested, “Hindi naman!”
Kim continued, “Yung hindi talaga nagsasalita. Parang, ‘Oh my god, baka hindi niya kakayanin yung energy ko.’ Hanggang kinaya niya naman. So far ha. Okay ka naman no?”
“Nasanay na,” Paulo reacted with a laugh.
The actor, on the other hand, admitted that he thought Kim might have diva tendencies.
“My first impression of Kim — akala ko prima donna siya sa set. But I was wrong. She was the opposite — very professional at mabilis siyang kumilos (she works fast), which is one of her traits na gusto ko dahil very limited lang ang time namin sa set para gumawa ng maraming eksena,” he shared.
During the time of “Linlang,” neither Paulo nor Kim expected their tandem to take off.
“Actually, hindi. When we were doing ‘Linlang,’ our only goal really was to try our best to make it as nice as possible,” Paulo revealed.
Kim added, “We were not marketed as a pair there because there were three of us (in the series, along with JM de Guzman). Pero habang nasa kalagitnaan, nagkaroon na lang ng ‘ship.’ May mga nagsasabi na gusto nilang magkita si Victor at si Juliana (our characters) hanggang sa dulo. (We would be hearing comments) na uy sana sila na lang. Nakakagulat din.”
For her, being part of a love team is nothing new. Having been partnered with different leading men in various phases of her career, she still considers it a unique and fulfilling experience.
“Ako kasi, best in love team! I think, I’m already in my third era of being in a loveteam. Nakwento ko ‘to nung mediacon — when I was a teenager, I had a loveteam; in my 20s, I also had a loveteam; now that I’m in my 30s, I have another love team. Different decades of pampakilig!
“Nakakatuwa din kasi nandiyan pa rin ang supporters para sumuporta. Iba rin ang suporta na natatanggap namin ngayon — overwhelming! Pero syempre, nagpapasalamat kami,” she said.
For Paulo, however, this is rather a novel experience.
“Well, for me, it’s a bit weird because it’s new to me. Pero ‘pag nakikita mo na ang dami mong napapasaya at dami mong nai-inspire dahil sa ginagawa niyo, mas nananaig yung feeling na you’re making so many people happy,” said Paulo.
“You know that feeling of fulfillment when you see people smiling because they’ve watched our videos,” noted Kim.
Beyond the onscreen chemistry, Kim and Paulo have developed a deep admiration and respect for each other as co-actors.
“Si Pau, marespeto siya, magalang and he’s really very supportive,” Kim said.
Paulo, in turn, acknowledged Kim’s professionalism and kindness.
“Very professional si Kim. Mabilis siyang kumilos sa set. Gusto ko rin yung respeto na binibigay niya sa lahat ng tao, regardless of their position or social status,” he said.
As mentioned, Kim and Paulo — christened as KimPau by fans — will be seen next in Chad Vidanes’ “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” which will roll into theaters on March 26. The film will screen in cinemas in over 30 countries worldwide. Based on the synopsis, it tells the story of Sari (Kim), a woman “cursed” to make every man she loves disappear. She meets Jolo (Paulo), a despondent landlord looking for an escape from his heartbreak. As their paths cross, a connection inevitably develops, forcing them to confront their fears and decide if love is worth trying even if it might disappear.
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