Michael Sager reveals how he got the lead role in “Shining Inheritance” remake
Sparkle artist Michael Sager is the next leading man being groomed by GMA-7, despite being in showbiz for just one year.
In September, it was announced that Michael will play the leading man in the Philippine adaptation of the hit 2009 K-Drama series “Shining Inheritance.” He assumes the role of Korean actor Lee Seung Gi.
His co-stars include Kate Valdez, Kyline Alcantara, and Paul Salas, with Coney Reyes playing an important role in the series.
In an interview with FreebieMNL and other entertainment reporters during the press conference of “Five Breakups and a Romance” on October 4 at GMA Network Center, Michael shared his excitement about doing the show.
According to Michael, getting the role of Yuan in the Philippine adaptation was unexpected.
He recalls, “I had a meeting the day before and then all of a sudden, I got called in again and it was for the screen test nga for ‘Shining’ daw.
“I was like, ‘Oh.’ Nagulat po kami ng managers ko. So, yeah, they called me in and after that, I waited for a few months for confirmation and luckily, natuloy.”
During the screen test, Michael admits that he instantly fell in love with the character as well as the story of “Shining Inheritance.”
“Nag-screen test po ako with Kate, parang then, I read the character and I fell in love with it. Ipinagdasal ko talaga araw-araw na gusto kong makuha ito and it’s something that ang ganda.
“After that, noong pinanood ko yung K-Drama, one episode lang just to get a gist, natapos ko in less than a week [yung buong series]! Ang ganda ng story talaga, nakaka-adik and nakaka-fall yung story.”
But having known the story of “Shining Inheritance” and the role that he is set to play, Michael admits he feels the pressure of headlining such a show.
He continues, “Noong nalaman ko officially that I’ll be playing Yuan, of course, it’s pressure kasi yung makakasama ko, Kyline, Kate, Miss Coney Reyes, there’s pressure.
“But for me, I make sure that the pressure is good in a sense na I need to prove the people right who put me in the position and to prove the people wrong that I will bring them down.
“This is my big break to really make a mark in this industry so, I’m really preparing and working hard for this.”
Michael started his showbiz career in 2022 when he was launched as part of Sparkada, the promising stars of Sparkle that year. Since then, he has been able to do projects such as “Luv Is: Caught In His Arms,” “Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap,” and “Sparkle U: Frenemies.”
He is also part of the “Eat Bulaga!” group Chaleco Boys with Kokoy De Santos, Yasser Marta, and Kimpoy Feliciano.
Michael recently had a stint in Alden Richards and Julia Montes’ movie, “Five Breakups and a Romance.” Aside from being a Sparkle artist, he is also managed by Cornerstone Entertainment headed by Erickson Raymundo.
READ ALSO: Get To Know The Chaleco Boys Of “Eat Bulaga!”
Working with Kate Valdez and Coney Reyes
Taping has already commenced for “Shining Inheritance,” which is an upcoming afternoon series on GMA-7 directed by Jorron Lee Monroy.
But prior to this, Michael and Kate have been undergoing workshops since it is the first time they are working together.
He shares, “First time ko makakatrabaho si Kate, we’ve been undergoing a few chemistry workshops and workshops with acting coach and directors.
“Si Kate kasi, noong unang screen test pa lang namin, tawanan na kami ng tawanan, ang gaan ng vibes namin together.
“So, the fact that ngayon, official partners na kami dito, we just want to give it our all sa mga eksena namin na magpakilig and magpasaya ng tao and of course, magpaiyak din kasi very emotional itong drama.”
READ ALSO: Issa Litton Has Good Words For “Unica Hija” Lead Star Kate Valdez
Michael is also now preparing for the complexities of the role, who starts as a bad boy but will later change and become a beloved character for the audience.
“What I really like about Yuan is his journey in the story, I mean, talagang maiinis ka sa kanya if you watch the K-Drama but during the end, makikita mo yung character development niya.
“For me, that’s something we would want as an actor kasi you can add layers to the character and me, given the opportunity to do that in this show, I’m excited para kung ma-hate man ako ng tao, effective. Pero in the end, sana mahalin nila ako.”
He has also started following Lee Seung Gi on social media to observe and study his character.
“Finollow ko rin po siya kasi nandito siya sa Pilipinas recently, e. Siya rin po yung one of the inspirations and role models that I look up to especially because he played the role of Yuan. Nakaka-inspire din po.”
But what excites Michael the most is working with veteran actress Coney Reyes, who will play his grandmother in the series.
So far, how are their working dynamics?
The Sparkle actor shares, “Noong first time ko siya ma-meet, kabado ako kasi legend po yun and napapanood ko noong bata pa ako. So, I really told her, ‘Miss Coney, I’m so happy that you’re my lola here, I’m so nervous at the same time.’
“But she’s so warm, talagang ang bait bait niya po. Talagang nakaka-excite na makatrabaho siya.
“Laging sinasabi niya, ang pogi ng apo niya so parang medyo kinikilig ako na, ‘Wow, galing kay Miss Coney Reyes yun.’ Ang bait lang niya and she’s the type na approachable and if she has something wrong [to say to] you, she’ll say it. Very vocal siya and I really respect that.”
“Shining Inheritance” is known as one of the top-rated Korean dramas of all time. It was first aired in the Philippines in 2009 on GMA-7 and was also a huge success in the ratings that it was replayed several times.
The Philippine adaptation is set to air next year on GMA Afternoon Prime.
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