Kapamilya actor Jake Ejercito shared how he felt after not getting the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean drama series What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?.
In an interview with talent manager and entertainment columnist, Ogie Diaz, Jake clarified the rumors about being part of the new project with his Linlang co-star Kim Chiu.
“Maraming naging usap-usapan about it pero in the end, hindi ako ang napili,” he shared.
He maintained that he held no hard feelings about the decision.
“Naiintindihan ko naman yun. I trust the decisions of the producers and the management,” he explained. “Mas sila naman nakakaalam n’yan eh.”
“Baka hindi talaga siya para sa akin,” he added.
The actor expressed that despite not getting the lead role, he is not disheartened and still looks forward to future projects.
“I’m just looking forward sa susunod na taon,” he remarked positively.
Last year, ahead of the anticipated local adaptation series announcement, Jake was one of the actors who netizens speculated would take the role of Vice Chairman Lee, originally played by South Korean star Park Seo Jeon.
The actor was rumored to star alongside actress Kim Chiu, who will be taking the lead role of Secretary Kim, originally played by Park Min Young.
It was not a far-fetched idea as Jake and Kim had already worked together on previous series Fit Check and Linlang.
However, during the official announcement of the lead cast of the upcoming Kapamilya 2024 series, it was revealed that the role was given to his other Linlang co-star, Paulo Avelino, instead.
“I mean, Paulo Avelino. Sino ba naman ako kay Paulo, di ba? In terms of skills,” the actor said in the interview.
Jake is currently in his third year as a full-time actor. Since then, he has become part of hit television series and movies such as The Broken Marriage Vow, A Family Affair, Fit Check, Marry Me, Marry You and Linlang.
Last February, after going on a two-months vacation abroad, the actor came back as now part of the hit Kapamilya primetime series Can’t Buy Me Love.
“Actually, nagulat ako kasi nabigyan ako ng offer to do the show,” admitted the 33-year old actor. “Yung character ko is doon mapupunta sa mundo ni Irene at Snoop so interesting naman.”
Jake also shared how he felt being part of the series and working with the one of the series’ popular tandems, that of Maris Racal’s Irene Tiu and Anthony Jenning’s Snoop.
“Yung mahirap dito kasi bagong salta ka. Yung sila, kabisado na nila lahat, kilala na nila yung characters nila, tapos ikaw nangangapa on the first day,” he shared. “But si Anthony and Maris are so supportive naman. Galing!”
When asked what his thoughts were on his acting career, the actor stated that there are no certainties in the industry.
“To be honest, hindi ko siya iniisip kung nasa tamang direksyon ka kasi what I realized, although may mga plans ka, parang itong path ‘yung gusto kong tahakin for my career, I realized na parang nothing’s sure. Hindi mo siya mapaplano kasi napaka-dynamic ng industriya natin. You’ll never know kung anong mauuso kinabukasan,” he said.
He went on: “Ang pinaplano ko lang is just to work hard. That’s all I hope for: to have work and kapag nagtatrabaho ay to learn and to improve my craft.”
“In terms of foresight kung ano gusto ko mangyari, hindi ko siya iniisip. Kampante naman ako kung nasaan ako. I mean, I trust my handlers. I trust my management. I trust their instincts and their plans for me, so I leave it up to them,” he added.
