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5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s Viu Series 'Secret Ingredient'

Savor the flavor of great food and great storytelling at the same time with thisViu Original series

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Grace C. Diez

<p>It’s sizzling hot these days and expect temperatures to rise with a brand new, hot projectfeaturing Filipina actress <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/digital-covers/julia-barretto-beauty-quarantine-life-positivity/27864" target="_blank">Julia Barretto</a></strong>, South Korean actor <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/fast-facts-about-korean-actor-sang-heon-lee/37364" target="_blank">Lee Sang Heon</a></strong> andIndonesian actor <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/fast-facts-about-indonesian-actor-nicholas-saputra/37370" target="_blank">Nicholas Saputra</a></strong>.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Viu</strong> recently launched <strong><em><a href="https://metro.style/culture/film-and-tv/viu-poster-reveal-for-series-secret-ingredient/37733" target="_blank">Secret Ingredient</a></em></strong>, the first Viu Originalregional drama series to feature an ensemble Asian cast.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/17f65fa3-813d-47eb-a54d-73114c7ecebc_copy of si__0520_2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">From left: Sang Heon Lee, Nicholas Saputra, and Julia Barretto<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Viu  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><em>Secret Ingredient</em> follows the story of <strong>Ha-Joon</strong>, played by Lee Sang Heon, a Korean manwho seems to have it all–a top executive at a global 500 company hailing from one ofthe most distinguished families in South Korea and is consistently regarded as one ofAsia’s most eligible bachelors. He decides to leave behind the luxurious life he isaccustomed to in South Korea to find some answers and hopefully, rekindle the past. </p><div><br/></div><p>Hisjourney for answers leads him to meet <strong>Maya</strong>, played by Julia Barretto, and <strong>Chef Arif</strong>,played by Nicholas Saputra, who offer him a fresh perspective on life and teach himforgiveness, understanding and acceptance.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/3fd71035-4406-4ec9-af1f-3f483e745555_copy of si__0534_2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>This unique production done in collaboration with Unilever Nutrition SEA andIndonesia, features household favorites such as Knorr, Lady’s Choice, Bango, Royco,Sariwangi, and Buavita, promises an experience that goes beyond entertainment.</p><div><br/></div><p>Both Viu and Unilever Nutrition SEA andIndonesia expressed their confidence in its potential to connectwith audiences. &#x27;With its rich storylines, mouthwatering food shots, and undeniablechemistry between our lead actors, we&#x27;re confident viewers will be captivated by thisseries,&#x27; says <strong>Corinna Vistan</strong>, Showrunner and Executive Producer of <em>Secret Ingredient</em>.</p><div><br/></div><p>Echoing this sentiment, <strong>Macce Samarista</strong>, Unilever Nutrition SEA and Indonesia Leadfor Digital Marketing, Media, and Commerce, highlighted the show&#x27;s unique explorationof food and love.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/7b0e7bf0-5382-4441-83c5-94ce9b4c9e2d_copy of dscf6586.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“The unwavering love for K-Drama and food gave us a platform to create a digital seriesthat integrates love, drama, and food starred by a powerhouse cast from Korea,Indonesia, and the Philippines. All made possible with the creative magic of producerswith Hollywood experience that bring Asian stories to life and a Korean director toensure we have the K-Drama magic viewers are looking for,” Samarista states.</p><div><br/></div><p>The <em>Secret Ingredient</em> grand launch was held with a mall show at Market! Market! whereguests were treated to immersive experiences at various booths related to the series,amazing performances by P-Pop groups <strong>Paradigm</strong> and <strong>Alamat</strong>, Q&amp;A and games withevent host and Unilever endorser <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/dimples-romana-on-her-third-pregnancy-journey/33172" target="_blank">Dimples Romana</a></strong> and <em>Secret Ingredient</em> lead star JuliaBarretto. This was followed by a media conference and a private screening of the firsttwo episodes of <em>Secret Ingredient</em>.</p><div><br/></div><p>Asked how she felt about the project, Julia expressed her thoughts about the series.“It was so important [to get everything right]. I mean, this being my first global series.&#x27;</p><div><br/></div><p>This being a collaboration with Unilever whom I’ve been with this year for a decade nowand Viu who I’m working with for the first time, [showrunner] Corrinna and the family thatwe built on set and the friendships that were born out of it…these really made my year.I’m so proud to be a part of this and so proud to have worked with both Lee Sang Heonand Nicholas Saputra. This project means so much to me and while shooting, genuinelyeveryday <em>hindi ko alam parang</em> ‘how did I get to be so lucky?’ to be a part of a project asspecial as this is. <em>Masaya ako</em>,” the actress beams.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/be713075-971f-45f6-be25-ea215e32c2ad_copy of dscf5924.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Julia Barretto<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Viu  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lee Sang Heon, who wasn’t able to fly to the Philippines for the launch due tocommitments, gave a special video message for the viewers during the launch andshared his experience during the shoot.</p><div><br/></div><p>“I had a ton of fun spending time in the Philippines. The people there are so warm andfriendly. The food was delicious. I remember trying chicken <em>adobo</em>. I’ve tried it a fewtimes with <em>gising gising</em>, it was amazing. And there was another popular dish called<em>sisig, </em>I love that!” Lee Sang Heon shares as he thanks the creators, the staff and thepeople for the support.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Metro.Style</strong> was invited to the private screening of Viu Original series <em>Secret Ingredient</em>and with those two episodes in, we can confidently list down exciting reasons to watchthis one-of-a-kind series.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/1631b694-4d6f-45d7-9cb0-526ae29b5d54_copy of si__0569_2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6b079b87-17cd-4311-92d7-beee74ead6ad_copy of copy of si__0087_2 poster use.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>Enjoy a cross-country, cross-cultural series. </strong>Globalization and representation aregetting attention in the entertainment scene these days making the world smaller andmaking cross-country, cross-cultural production possible. It is truly an excitingdevelopment as <em>Secret Ingredient</em> was able to bring together the exciting stars ofPhilippines (Julia), South Korea (Sang Heon) and Indonesia (Nicholas) in this regionalproject. Watch different cultures come together in one big culinary adventure with thisshow.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Have a taste of the lead stars’ onscreen chemistry.</strong> With Julia Barretto’s sweetcountenance and acting prowess as Maya, Lee Sang Heon’s playful but mysteriouscharm as Ha-Joon and Nicholas Saputra’s manly and aloof portrayal of Chef Arif, expecta chemistry so new and so enthralling, you will most certainly be drawn to the series. Itdoesn’t hurt that they all look good doing their best jobs at acting.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/214664e7-8a62-40e1-b088-11be32df4665_copy of si__0532_2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5 Reasons to Watch Julia Barretto-Lee Sang Heon’s VIU Series " Secret=""/></span></span></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><p><strong>Mouthwatering food takes the spotlight. </strong>Apart from the lead stars, the real celebrity ofthe show is the food features. Given that it’s a series that revolves around the culinaryindustry, it’s going to be a feast for the eyes as the production treats us to the best foodshots and scenes. Sumptuous and well-plated dishes are paraded in just two episodesand we’re told to expect more of this visual feast. Viewers can expect satisfyinglyaesthetic and hunger-inducing food preparation and food shots as well as dining scenesin this uniquely flavored series.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><p><strong>Savor the compelling story. </strong>“Love comes in all flavors” is the premise and the promiseof <em>Secret Ingredient</em>. Viewers will experience the kilig of a budding and bloomingromance but from the two episodes screened, it also depicts real life struggles onworking overseas, dealing with family issues, competition in the workplace and theunavoidable politics in it.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Some parts of the series were shot in the Philippines.</strong> The first two episodes may beset in Jakarta, Indonesia but expect the Philippines to make an appearance as theseries progresses. Metro.Style asked Julia about the production team and her co-stars’experience in the Philippines and she readily replied with excitement: “[It’s very much anexperience], even just teaching them speaking Tagalog. It was fun <em>kasi parangipinapakilala natin</em> culture <em>natin sa kanila eh</em> and to even watch everybody like Nicholas,Lee Sang Heon, our South Korean director and you watch them try Filipino food andthey genuinely love it <em>tapos kapag kinukwento nila kung saan sila umiikot dito sa</em>Philippines during our day off, it really makes me happy <em>kasi</em> there are so many things tobe proud of about the Philippines. I like that, one person at a time, <em>nakikita din nila iyon</em>.<em>Ngayon</em>, global stage <em>na iyong</em> cuisine <em>natin</em> and I couldn’t be more excited.”</p><div><br/></div><div><em><strong><em>Secret Ingredient</em> is now streaming. The series will be available tostream exclusively on Viu with new episode drops every Tuesday.</strong></em></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/culture/film-tv/queen-of-tears-series-surpasses-crash-landing-on-y/37956" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Queen of Tears” Smashes Records and Surpasses “Crash Landing on You”</a></div>