Anne and Joshua Learn 'It's Ok To Not Be Ok' And Ask For Help

The Philippine adaptation of the top-rated K-drama "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" brings Anne Curtis and Joshua Garcia together for the first time, as two emotionally scarred characters who learn to heal through love and real connection.

- Nathalie Tomada

As the synopsis goes, Anne is Mia Hernandez, a popular children's book author with an antisocial personality disorder, while Joshua is Patrick Gonzales, a psychiatric ward caregiver who has spent most of his life taking care of his older brother Matmat (played by Carlo Aquino), who has autism. Now streaming on Netflix, "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" is helmed by directors Mae Cruz-Alviar and Raymond Ocampo.

Henry Quitain, the creative head at Star Creatives, the ABS-CBN production unit behind the show, shared with The STAR some details about the casting process for Anne and Joshua in "It's Okay To Not Be Okay."

"Anne really liked the project. It was an immediate yes (when it was offered to her). And when she (first) knew that an adaptation was being made, pinatanong talaga niya sa Viva (she had Viva, her talent management, ask about it)," said Quitain of one of the country's most bankable actresses.

"With Joshua — when you look at the original portrayal by Kim Soo Hyun — he really is the best (actor) to take on that character," he said, referring to the Kapamilya star, who had just come off the box-office success of the movie "Un/Happy For You."

To further ease whatever doubts there might be about their fresh pairing, Quitain proudly noted, "The chemistry is there, the kilig is there. They are perfect for the roles really."

"I'm not saying this because I'm the creative head. Walang halong bias because I'm a fan of the original..."