Lance Joseph Martinez

‘A Werewolf Boy’ Stars Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji Open Up About Pressure and Growth as a Love Team

Article (news)

Thrilling gift early this year? We are seated!2026 is kicking off on a high note for moviegoers as rising star Rabin Angeles steps into one of the most iconic roles in Korean cinema history for the Philippine adaptation of A Werewolf Boy. Joining him is his on-screen partner Angela Muji, marking their very first film together.<div style="text-align:center"> </div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRygye2CoE-/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A822738%2C%22ls%22%3A821723.0000000001%2C%22le%22%3A822729%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div> </div>Adapted from the hit South Korean film of the same title, A Werewolf Boy stars Rabin as the mysterious feral boy and Angela as the young woman whose life becomes deeply intertwined with his. With just a few days left before its nationwide theatrical release, the two stars—fondly called “RabGel” by fans—admitted that the countdown has been anything but calm. Instead of excitement alone, it has brought sleepless nights, anxiety, and overwhelming pressure.In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Angela candidly opened up about how nervous they are feeling now that their big-screen debut as a loveteam approaches.“To be honest, I’m losing sleep over this,“ Angela opened up. “Hindi ako makatulog no matter what I do, kasi iniisip ko, ino-overthink ko siya. Dahil first film namin siya, kinakabahan po ako kung mag-take off ba ’to, or if it’s gonna flop, that’s my biggest fear. I really don’t want that to happen.”Rabin echoed the same sentiments, admitting that the pressure has been intense, but unlike Angela, he finds comfort in his confidence in the film itself.“Ako rin naman, parang hindi ako makatulog, kasi pressured talaga ako na sobra, pero confident po ako sa nagawa namin. Kahit may pressure, sure po ako na maganda ’yung film,” he said.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767853480834Screenshot 2026-01-08 at 2.23.42 PM.png" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Living up to a global hit</div>Much of that pressure, the duo revealed, stems from the legacy of the original A Werewolf Boy, a global hit portrayed by South Korean superstars Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young. The 2012 film became a box-office phenomenon, earning approximately USD 46.3 million worldwide and cementing its place as one of the most beloved romantic fantasy films in Korean cinema.For Rabin and Angela, stepping into roles so deeply associated with such iconic performances felt both surreal and intimidating.The story follows a teenage girl who moves to the countryside with her family, where she encounters a mysterious, feral boy living in isolation. As she teaches him how to behave like a human, their bond deepens—but his uncontrollable instincts soon threaten the fragile connection they share.Knowing the emotional weight and cultural impact of the original film, Rabin and Angela admitted they never expected to be cast in the adaptation.Angela recalled the moment she learned she would be headlining A Werewolf Boy, describing it as unexpectedly casual, almost unreal.“Sobrang casual lang kasi sinabi sa akin. Pupunta sana po ako sa office to visit and say hi. Tapos, lumabas po si Boss Vic and all of the other big bosses and biglang niyang sinabi casually, ‘Oh, ikaw na si Sarah. Ikaw ’yung lead doon sa A Werewolf Boy na movie,’” she shared, referring to Viva chairman and CEO Vic Del Rosario Jr.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767853169916tempImageDKBvBu.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/> </div>While gratitude was her first reaction, it was quickly followed by fear and self-doubt as the gravity of the role sank in.“Sobrang saya ko po talaga, sobrang thankful ko po. And nu&#x27;ng napanood ko na ’yung film for a refresher, I wanted to know what it’s about again, na-realize ko na, oh my gosh, ang heavy pala nito. Hindi pala ito ’yung nakasanayan ko na medyo girly pop lang, pa-cute lang. It requires more skill,” Angela admitted.She went on to share how the realization led her to question her own abilities. “So doon ako kinabahan, kasi alam ko sa sarili ko na I just started acting. Parang, &#x27;Hala, binigay ’to sa akin, kaya ko ba talaga ’to?&#x27; Parang I started to question myself, &#x27;Kaya ko ba talaga?&#x27;”For Rabin, the challenge came in a very different form. At first, he thought playing the werewolf boy would be easy, as after all, the character barely speaks. However, as production continued, he realized the role demanded even more from him as an actor.“Noong una pong sinabi sa akin na &#x27;Ikaw si Boy,&#x27; sabi ko, ‘Wala akong salita.’ Inaaral ko na po siya. Kabang-kaba na ako, kasi hindi siya madali. Sobrang hirap niya,” he shared.Rabin explained that without dialogue, he had to rely entirely on facial expressions, body language, and emotional control.“Mas mahirap pala kung wala kang sinasabi kaysa sa marami kang sinasabi. Feeling ko dati, walang lines, parang madali. Ang hirap—grabe,” he added.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767853214014tempImageisPYVr.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Growth from series to big screen</div>Before A Werewolf Boy, Rabin and Angela first captured audiences as a loveteam in the Viva One series Seducing Drake Palma. Based on a popular Wattpad story, the romantic and daring series was a far cry from the emotionally heavy and atmospheric tone of their upcoming film.Seducing Drake Palma follows Alys, a bubbly girl who agrees to seduce the mysterious Drake Palma to help her best friend, only to find herself torn between loyalty and unexpected love.Comparing the two projects, Rabin and Angela noted just how much they saw each other grow as performers.“Sobrang laki po ng improvement ni Angela dito sa pelikula na ’to,” Rabin said, praising his co-star’s performance.Angela returned the compliment, pointing out Rabin’s emotional growth, especially during intense scenes.“Ang laki po ng improvement ni Rabin because sa Seducing Drake Palma po, nahihirapan po siya umiyak. Pero dito po sa A Werewolf Boy, mas nauuna siya sa akin umiyak. Ang galing-galing niya pong umiyak. Sobra. Tapos sa kanya po ako nadadala. Nadadala po ako sa emotions niya,” she told Metro.Style.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767853246875IMG_5702.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>From reel to real?</div>Beyond their on-screen partnership, Rabin and Angela’s chemistry is deeply rooted in real life. During the film’s grand media conference in December 2025, Rabin surprised many when he admitted that his admiration for Angela started long before they became a loveteam.“Ang chemistry siguro nandiyan 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 said.When asked again during the Metro.Style interview about what he liked most about Angela, Rabin’s answer was simple yet heartfelt. “Si Angela, gusto ko siya as Angela.”He went on to describe how her personality, strength, and values made him fall for her: “Malakas ’yung loob niya. Sobrang talino niya. Solid ’yung respeto niya sa lahat ng tao. Kung ano ’yung gusto niya, makukuha niya talaga. Parehas na parehas kami. May pangarap talaga siya sa buhay. And grabe ’yung pagmamahal niya sa family. Iyon ’yung pinakanagustuhan ko sa kanya.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767853275073tempImagehW1HMR.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div> </div>Angela, meanwhile, said that what she appreciates most about Rabin is the balance between their similarities and differences.“Ang pinakanagustuhan ko po kay Rabin is that, in a way, parang sobrang same kami pero sobrang magkaiba… Sobrang driven namin sa work. Pero kahit magkaiba ’yung personality namin, match kami. Parang we jive. Like, we vibe,” she said.She added with a smile, locking eyes with Rabin: “I just like his energy. I like the way he talks to me. I like the way he looks at me. I like every little thing about him, honestly. Even the bad ones.”As promotions wrap up and the film’s release draws near, Rabin and Angela also shared what they hope to do once things finally slow down. If given free time, the couple said they would love to travel together again, this time, returning to Japan.“Gusto po namin pumunta sa Japan. Mag-shopping, mag-bonding. Gusto ko mag-hot spring… gusto ko makita ’yung mga temples,” Angela said, sharing that she only traveled to Tokyo and was yet to explore the provincial areas in Japan.Rabin, on the other hand, said the destination doesn’t matter—as long as they’re together.“Kahit beach nga lang, pwede na e! Basta makapag-vacation po kami ng magkasama. Kasi never pa kami nag-vacation. Gusto ko magbakasyon na tayong dalawa lang,” he concluded.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767853328814IMG_5653.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><div>Directed by Crisanto B. Aquino, A Werewolf Boy is set to premiere in cinemas nationwide on January 14, 2026, promising an emotional, haunting, and heartfelt retelling of a beloved story, now with a Filipino touch.</div><div> </div>Photos by Lance Joseph Martinez

In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji shared their real feelings as their big-screen debut as a love team in "A Werewolf Boy" approaches.

In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji shared their real feelings as their big-screen debut as a love team in "A Werewolf Boy" approaches.