Kapamilya stars Kaori Oinuma and Louise Abuel expressed their gratitude for the positive reception of the local adaptation of the Korean hit It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, which stars Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the two shared how fulfilling it has been to be part of a show that highlights mental health while embracing Filipino culture.
“At first, may kaba pa rin pero nung nakita naman namin ‘yung reactions ng mga tao, nakakatuwa kasi marami ring tao na nakaka-relate or may puso para sa Philippine culture na pinapakita rin namin. Of course, all about mental health din and nakakatuwa na minsan may nagsasabi sa’kin na 'nakaka-heal ‘yung series niyo!'” Kaori expressed.
.jpg)
Louise added, “Sobrang overwhelming kasi alam naman natin ‘It’s Okay to Not be Okay’ sobrang sikat na series sa Korea na nakilala sa buong mundo and ngayon in-adapt natin and kasama kami sa mga actors na ‘yun. Sobrang saya kasi nakakatulong kami at sana nakaka-inspire kami sa ibang tao na ‘yung pinagdadaanan nila ay maka-relate sila sa'min na it’s okay at kayang kaya siyang lagpasan.”
Kaori plays Gemma, a nurse at OK Hospital who looks after Samuel (Michael De Mesa), the father of Anne Curtis’s character Mia, while also developing feelings for Joshua Garcia’s Patrick. Louise, on the other hand, portrays Kai, a patient battling alcohol use disorder.
For Kaori, portraying Gemma came naturally because of their similarities.
“She’s caring, loving meron siyang puso para sa mga patients niya and sa people around her,” Kaori told PUSH ABS-CBN. “Oh yeah, I am! To the point na minsan parang I suppress my own emotion din. Me, personally, and somehow nakikita ko siya dun sa character na ginagawa ko.”
READ: Anne Curtis went all-in for ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,’ says director Mae Cruz-Alviar
Meanwhile, Louise appreciated how his role sheds light on the reality of alcoholism in the country.
“Ako siguro, ‘yung role ko rito, isa akong alcoholic, may alcohol abuse disorder, dahil siguro nire-represent ko sila. ‘Yung alcoholism kasi sa Pilipinas it is something na hindi natin pinapansin, tawag lang ng iba 'lasinggero lang ‘yan, ‘di ’yan tunay na sakit' which is problema talaga siya,” Louise explained.
“Kailangan talaga pagtuunan natin ‘yung mga kasama natin sa bahay kahit kamustahin niyo lang 'okay ka pa ba? masyado ka ng naso-sobrahan sa alak' mga ganung bagay. Nare-represent ko, ‘yun ‘yung naa-appreciate ko,” he added.
READ: Louise Abuel returns to indie spotlight at SineKabataan 2025
Despite tackling heavy themes, both Kaori and Louise said they also had fun moments on set, especially during their shoot in Siquijor.
“May time kami na available kami lahat, rest day ata natin ‘yun? Kami nila ate Alora, Aljon, nag Siquijor kami. Sobrang enjoy kami. ‘Yung cliff, ‘di kami naka-talon pero ‘yung ferry, enjoy namin ‘yun,” Louise recalled.
The two also agreed they would love to take Carlo Aquino’s character, Manong Matmat, to Siquijor.
“Parang ang gaan lang din kasama—gusto ko siyang i-tour sa mga pagkain dito makahanap siya ng pwede niyang idrawing ganun,” Kaori said.
READ: Kaori Oinuma's solo trip to Siquijor turns into a group adventure
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay airs weeknights at 8:45 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5, with advance streaming available on Netflix and iWant.