River Joseph is on a roll — from nonstop workshops and tapings to flying across provinces for shows, the PBB Celebrity Collab Edition alum is living his busy era, and he’s nothing but grateful for it.

“I’ve been really busy the past few days, which I am really grateful for. From doing workshops, taping, and flying to different provinces to do shows,” River shares. The rising star’s packed schedule is proof that his hard work inside and outside Pinoy Big Brother’s famous house continues to pay off.

Looking back on his PBB journey, River admits that the experience played a big role in shaping who he is today. “The whole PBB journey definitely made me grow more as a person. We faced many challenges inside that house that definitely pushed us all out of our comfort zone. I learned a lot about myself and at the same time, I learned to just be myself,” he says.

He adds, “The experience shaped me to become more mature, stronger, more confident, more grounded and more self-aware.”

Now, River’s taking that same energy and passion into new opportunities. He’s set to appear in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Call Me Mother, starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre. “We also started filming for the new collab serye The Secrets of Hotel 88 which will be shown next year,” he reveals. “In terms of personal goals, I just hope to improve on my craft and explore as much genres and characters as I can.”

And when asked what K-drama he’d love to lead in a Filipino adaptation, River doesn’t even hesitate — Lovely Runner immediately comes to mind.

“If I were to star in a K-drama adaptation, I think it would be Lovely Runner,” he said to DAILY TRIBUNE. “It’s one of the most recent ones I’ve watched and I connected with it as well. I like how it talks about time travel and second chances. The show is emotional, meaningful, and it kind of reminds you that life sometimes gives you another shot to make things right.”

For those who haven’t watched it yet, Lovely Runner is a 2024 Korean drama that captured global attention with its heart-fluttering mix of fantasy, romance and healing. The story follows Im Sol, a passionate fan who is devastated by the tragic death of her favorite idol, Ryu Sun-jae. When fate gives her a second chance through time travel, she returns to their teenage years, determined to change his destiny and save him from heartbreak — and herself from regret.

The show stars Byeon Woo-seok as Ryu Sun-jae, whose charm, warmth and emotional depth made him an instant fan favorite. With his soft yet striking visuals and natural sincerity, Byeon breathed life into Sun-jae — the kind of character who’s effortlessly charismatic but carries hidden pain.

Interestingly, River Joseph shares some of the same qualities that made Byeon Woo-seok’s portrayal so memorable. Both exude a quiet charm and boy-next-door appeal that easily draws people in. River’s expressive eyes, emotional range and genuine personality make him a fitting choice to take on a Filipino version of Sun-jae — or as fans might call him, “Sungjae-ya.”

If given the chance, River could bring a distinctly Filipino flavor to the role — one that balances the kilig and depth that made Lovely Runner such a hit, while resonating with local audiences who love a good story about love, fate, and second chances.

With his grounded attitude, passion for growth and eye for meaningful stories, River Joseph isn’t just chasing roles — he’s chasing purpose. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see him running through time, too.