The Philippine remake of South Korea’s acclaimed drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is diving deep into mental health, using its ensemble cast to explore stigma, trauma, and healing.
Set largely inside the fictional OK Hospital, the series introduces support cast like Bianca de Vera as Bella and Kaori Oinuma as Gemma Bautista, a nurse navigating the challenges of caregiving.
Albie Casiño plays Benjamin “Junjun” Martinez Jr., the troubled son of a politician admitted with manic syndrome, a condition linked to bipolar I disorder. His role adds a political twist to the drama, underscoring how privilege doesn’t shield anyone from mental illness.
Xyriel Manabat joins the cast as Madeth, secretary to Anne Curtis’ character Mia, bridging the stories inside and outside the hospital walls.
The show does not shy away from tough themes. Disorders such as autism, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and antisocial personality disorder are addressed through different characters, with the cast undergoing psychiatric seminars to prepare for their roles.
But amid the heavy subject matter, romance is brewing. Joshua Garcia’s guarded Patrick finally begins to thaw under Mia’s persistence, with Curtis and Garcia’s slow-burn chemistry drawing fan buzz.
The full cast includes Maricel Laxa, Michael de Mesa, and Agot Isidro, alongside rising stars Louise Abuel, Mark Oblea, and Alyssa Muhlach. Carlo Aquino, Rio Locsin, and Enchong Dee play pivotal roles that complicate Patrick and Mia’s relationship.
New episodes air weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, TFC, and Kapamilya Online Live, with advance streaming available on Netflix and iWantTFC.
