Kapuso producer Bang Arespacochaga on Friday, June 24, explained that the Korean-based TV network Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) had a hand in choosing the cast for the Philippine version of the reality game show Running Man.
The stars of the show are Glaiza de Castro, Ruru Madrid, Lexi Gonzales, Kokoy De Santos, Angel Guardian, Buboy Villar, and Mikael Daez.
Arespacochaga, in the virtual media conference of the show, said that these Kapuso stars were best suited to play their South Korean counterparts Yoo Jae-Suk, Jee Seok-Jin, Kim Jong-Kook, Haha, Song Ji-Hyo, Jeon So-min, and Yang Se-Chan.
“Running Man is a franchise, so mayroon talagang character or personality na ang bawat member na pipiliin. Kumbaga sa bible ng Running Man, pinili talaga sila specific for the characters—like there’s a captain, there’s a ganoon. So if you’re familiar with the show, may ganoon.”
“So, talagang madami kaming kinonsider for every role-playing nila. Sila ‘yung napili, majority, and of course, approved ng top management,” she continued. “Ang creative team ni-recommend sa top management, and top management, approved kasi bumagay naman talaga sila sa role na ipe-play nila. Kasi may role-playing sila lahat.”
Meanwhile, SBS had a say on the casting. According to the producer, GMA Network, with some recommendations, sought the SoKor network’s inputs to have de Castro, Madrid, Gonzales, De Santos, Guardian, Villar, and Daez lead the show.
“As far as the stars are concerned, we submitted to them all the artistas that are approved. They have their input because we have a regular weekly meeting with the SBS creative team and producers.
“So it’s really a collaboration between SBS and GMA to come up with the cast members. Of course, it was highly recommended, of course, na they have to be a Kapuso star, siyempre para sa Network.
“Siyempre, may mga suggestions din sila from the lineup that we gave,” explained Arespacochaga.
The cast members of Running Man PH are set to fly to South Korea to start their taping.
On the other hand, its premiere date is yet to be announced.
