It was a moment that made fans swoon — and rewind — but for Joshua Garcia, that now-viral shirtless scene in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay wasn’t just about flaunting abs. In fact, as he humbly and humorously confessed, there wasn’t much to flaunt at the time.

“Wala talaga akong abs noon eh. Isa lang — absent,” the actor quipped during an intimate media roundtable for the highly anticipated Filipino adaptation of the K-drama classic, where he stars opposite Anne Curtis.

Garcia plays Patrick, the local counterpart of Moon Gang-tae, originally portrayed by Korean superstar Kim Soo-Hyun. The role demanded both emotional vulnerability and physical commitment — especially for the iconic shirtless scene that has become a rite of passage in many romantic dramas.

“Ah, maraming push-ups,” he said, laughing, when asked how he prepared. “Pero parang nag-work naman.”

While fans and viewers may have zeroed in on his physique, Joshua was quick to point out that the heart of the scene goes beyond skin-deep appeal.

“I think kasi, hindi naman yun yung point. Para sa iba, of course abs yun, pero yung scene naman, iba naman yun,” he shared.

The actor explained that the scene — while visually striking — was layered with emotional subtext that reflected the mental and emotional barriers his character was confronting. It was a pivotal moment in the story, meant to highlight vulnerability and trust more than vanity.

Known for his naturalistic acting and charismatic screen presence, Garcia brings a new dimension to Patrick — grounded, quietly intense, and wholly Filipino. Working alongside seasoned actress Anne Curtis, he said, helped elevate his performance.

Their on-screen chemistry, already earning praise from early viewers and critics alike, is just one of the elements that makes this reimagining of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay a standout adaptation. But behind the buzzworthy moments and fan-favorite tropes, Joshua Garcia is clear on his commitment to truthfulness in performance.

“At the end of the day, kailangan mong intindihin kung bakit ginagawa ng character mo yun. Hindi lang para sa eksena — para sa kwento.”