I’m definite, Boys Love drama is not just a fad or a passing fancy. It is here for good.
Some noteworthy recent successes of BL are Gameboys and Gaya Sa Pelikula that are taking center stage with their international streaming on Netflix.
Fanatics of XavMi are eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation’s playdate of Hello Stranger. The other most-watched boy-on-boy offerings such as Ben X Jim and Boys Lock Down are shooting their second season.
To herald the year with a BL bang on ktx.ph is Mel Magno’s Run, written and helmed by the seasoned theater director and filmmaker.
“Run’s story is close to my heart. Yes, it is about running, not just the competition kind of running, but on how a person runs his life, how he accepts and deals with its many givens and realities, how a person runs the game called life,” says Magno.
Its lead characters, Gene and Mark are played by JR Versales and Keann Johnson.
“They were natural and honest with the emotions they gave to their characters,” the director enthuses. “You not only see but feel that these two men need and wanted to love and be loved. With this pair of actors, the tenderness, kindness, the way they look at each other, the romance and the kilig you feel is instantaneous because they never faked it. Totoong naging sina Glen and Mark sila. They were wonderful.”
Johnson opens up being Mark. He says that he is a very strong and independent, open-minded, trusting character.
“His biggest strength is his optimism. I also love the fact that he is courageous. You will see in the drama how much Mark loves Gene. He knows that love is what brought them together,” the rising actor says.
“Gene loves his family so much that even with the extreme pressure from his father, he never took any bad blood to his dad,” Versales speaks about his role. “I sensibly empathize with that emotion as we know, our parents aren't perfect but we still love them as much. Gene loves profoundly. Although he came from a previous hurtful relationship, he didn't use it as an excuse not to trust and love.”
To him, his co-actor Johnson is the utmost professional, “We mutually support each other. We depend on each other's emotional sincerity in every scene which made our work easier.”
Why must we watch Run?
“In this day and age of instant relationships, seldom that you find people who will be completely selfless for the happiness of the person they care about, This is what everyone will view and experience in this drama,” replies Versales.
“Run is something sensible, real, and powerful. There is more to it than just kilig. You'll fall in love. I'll bet on that,” Magno avers.
Fourteen original songs by director Mel Magno are part of its soundtrack. Trailer is now playing on YouTube.
Run begins its screening on ktx.ph this Jan. 22.