Young love and transformation: Angeles, Muji lead 'A Werewolf Boy' Phl adaptation

The beloved South Korean fantasy-romance A Werewolf Boy is getting a Filipino retelling, and rising actors Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji are stepping into one of Asia’s most iconic love stories—armed with fresh energy, undeniable chemistry, and a desire to make the adaptation distinctly Filipino.

At the film’s press conference in Quezon City, both actors spoke candidly about the emotional and technical challenges of the project, revealing that their natural rapport became both an advantage and an unexpected source of inspiration as they shaped their characters.

A Chemistry Years in the Making

For Rabin Angeles, their onscreen connection didn’t begin at the first script reading—it started years earlier.

“Yung chemistry siguro nandyan na talaga. Kasi bata pa lang po ako, crush ko na si Angela. Nakikita ko po talaga sa studio. Kaya may chemistry, kasi titig ko sa kanya talagang crush ko siya,” he shared, drawing laughter from the room.

Angela Muji admitted that Rabin’s long-kept admiration was a revelation she only learned about recently—and one that left her genuinely flattered.

“Ang sabi niya at first is that nakikita niya lang ako and nagagandahan siya. Recently lang niya inamin na crush niya ako. Wala, kinikilig lang ako someone like Rabin says that,” she said.

Beyond the kilig, Angela also credited her co-star’s warmth and sincerity for helping her ease into their romantic scenes.

“Si Rabin he is very charming in all aspects. So hindi ako nahirapan kilig sa kanya. It comes out naturally kapag may eksena kami and during our workshops. He really makes me feel giddy and happy and that helps with our chemistry,” she added.

Transforming Into the Feral Boy

While the romance flowed effortlessly, Rabin’s portrayal of the film’s mysterious werewolf boy pushed him into the most demanding role of his young career. Unlike traditional dramatic characters, this role relied heavily on physicality rather than dialogue.

“Noong una sobrang excited ako gawin ’to kasi feel ko madali kasi wala akong linya. Pero sa totoo lang sobrang hirap pala. Ito pinaka mahirap kong ginawa. Hindi mo mapapakita emosyon mo kapag ’di ka nagsasalita,” Rabin admitted.

To embody the feral, animal-like movements of his character, he underwent extensive workshops—studying canine behavior and spending hours observing how dogs react, move, and connect with their owners.

“Kaya ang daming workshop pinagdaanan ko at palagi ako nanunuod ng mga aso. Tinitingnan ko paano sila gumalaw and paano sila sa amo nila. Sobrang hirap,” he said.

Angela Muji on Crafting a New Kind of Heroine

Angela, meanwhile, embraced the shift from television to film with equal parts pressure and excitement. She described the process as an artistic recalibration.

“Malaking difference po sa series at sa film. First of all, iba po yung acting sa soap, iba rin po yung acting sa pelikula, mas subtle, mas real, mas dama,” she explained.

The workshops demanded a deeper emotional grounding—something viewers will immediately notice in her performance.

“Pagdating po sa acting workshop, iba na po yung ginagawa namin. Ibang-iba rin yung feel ng production. Hindi same ng na-feel namin sa series,” she continued.

Angela assured fans that the Filipino version will carry its own identity.

“Since this is an adaptation, we don’t want it to be super copy paste. We want our flair, flavor,” she said.

“Sobrang pressured ko po talaga. Ang daming times na iniisip ko I’m not ready, pero I realized no one is actually ready. You just decide. You decide the job and you go. Natutunan ko po na okay lang maging matapang para sa pangarap mo.”

A Mutual Challenge, A Shared Journey

Rabin echoed Angela’s sentiments about the heightened demands of shooting a film.

“Sobrang magkaiba ang serye sa pelikula. Mahirap gawin ang serye, pero itong movie na ito, sobrang nahirapan kami,” he said.

“Sobrang pinaghandaan namin. Sobrang dami naming pinagdaanan bago kami isalang sa A Werewolf Boy.”

A New Filipino Fantasy Romance Begins

Directed by Crisanto B. Aquino, A Werewolf Boy aims to blend the emotional resonance of the original with the textures, sensitivities, and storytelling rhythms of Filipino cinema.

The cast boasts a formidable ensemble including Lorna Tolentino, Candy Pangilinan, Yayo Aguila, Jeffrey Hidalgo, and Albie Casino, promising a richly layered retelling of the Korean classic once led by Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young.

The Philippine adaptation of A Werewolf Boy opens in cinemas on January 14, primed to deliver a heartfelt fantasy romance that bridges cultures, honors nostalgia, and introduces a new generation of stars poised for bigger things.