MANILA, Philippines — What began as a guest stint on “Kumusta” turned into an unforgettable experience for Arci Muñoz, who found herself working in a Filipino pop-up restaurant in South Korea alongside fellow Filipino stars and one of her longtime idols, Ji Chang-wook.
The Filipino-Korean culinary reality show aired on TV5 and streamed on Viu. It also featured Jodi Sta. Maria, Francine Diaz, Janella Salvador and Chef JP Anglo.
“First of all, just being part of this show is such a blessing,” Arci told The STAR when asked about the response to the program.
“I always show my gratitude to everybody who considered me as part of it. I don’t know how to thank God enough because I was introduced to one of my idols. Not only that, I was able to share the kitchen with Ate Jodi and the rest of the crew, and they’re all really good people.”
“This experience po, I will never ever forget,” she added. “And I’m glad that they were able to make people happy.”
Arci said she has received positive feedback not only from Filipino viewers but also from audiences in Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and possibly Malaysia, especially after the program became available on the international streaming platform Viki.
“Ji Chang-wook is a global star, and I’m really grateful that I got to work with him because he has a really wide fanbase,” she said. “Of course, to be seen with him, kumbaga, nadadamay na rin kami.”
Arci explained that she was not originally expected to appear throughout the series. The program was looking for an additional guest when one of the people behind the show, whom she referred to as Ate Lyn, pushed for her inclusion.
“They were actually just looking for a guest,” she recalled.
The team had reportedly completed its guest lineup when Arci was interviewed, but eventually decided to add one more.
“Why not add one more guest?” she recalled them saying. “Si Ate Lyn talaga ang nag-push sa akin.”
According to Arci, Ate Lyn described her as the “pinaka-Koreana,” referring to her being a fan of K-pop and K-drama.
Some viewers later expressed disappointment that Arci did not appear in more episodes, with others calling for her to become a regular cast member.
Arci, however, said she was already grateful for the opportunity given to her.
“Go with the flow lang talaga ako. Kung ano ang ibigay ni Lord sa akin,” she said. “Ayaw ko nang ma-stress. Na-enjoy ko talaga. Sobra. Blessing na ’yun.”
Meeting her longtime idol
Arci admitted that controlling her excitement around Ji Chang-wook was initially difficult, especially since she had been following his work long before “Kumusta.”
During one of their first encounters, she could hardly believe that the Korean actor was standing close to her.
“Nasa likod ko lang siya. Sobra, my gosh! Ako na ’yung fan,” she recalled.
Arci even bought a Ji Chang-wook poster during a previous visit to South Korea.
“Sa Korea, sa mga subway, nakakabili ka ng mga poster ng artista. Bumili talaga ako noon because he was really my No. 1,” she said.
She nevertheless found herself becoming more relaxed around the Korean star because of the way he treated the cast and crew.
“Eventually, pinaramdam niya sa akin na sobrang simple lang niya and that he was also there to have fun,” Arci said.
She felt that “Kumusta” served as a break for Ji Chang-wook from the serious and physically demanding projects he usually takes on.
“Feeling ko break niya ang ‘Kumusta’ from all the intense things that he does. Tawang-tawa lang din siya and tuwang-tuwa sa ginagawa niya,” she observed.
She eventually found the courage to tell the actor that she had watched his projects, stressing that she admired him primarily for his acting.
“I told him, ‘I’m a big fan because you’re such a good actor… I watch all your shows,’” she recalled.
According to Arci, Ji Chang-wook’s humility made it easier for her to stop acting like an overwhelmed fan and treat him as a colleague.
“Pinaramdam niya sa amin na hindi ako dapat mag-fangirl,” she said.
Finding a bigger purpose
Besides meeting her idol, Arci said “Kumusta” reminded her to give her best regardless of the role or setting.
“What I learned from ‘Kumusta’ is that in everything I do, I should give it my 100 percent,” she said.
Arci served as an all-around crew member, assisting both in the kitchen and in the restaurant’s dining area. One viewer who had previously worked in the food-and-beverage industry reportedly praised her work ethic and told her that watching Arci at work made her consider returning to the profession after shifting careers.
The message made Arci realize that even a lighthearted reality program could make a meaningful impact.
“Even if it’s a reality show, kahit na the setting is in the kitchen, ganun pala — you can really touch people’s lives,” she said.
The response, she added, gave her a greater sense of purpose and motivated her to do even better.
She hopes viewers will also be encouraged to continue pursuing their own dreams, no matter how unlikely they may initially seem.
“Don’t stop believing and keep manifesting,” she said. “Imagine working with Ji Chang-wook… Don’t stop believing in your dreams and in your capacity to be able to achieve that.”
As for a possible second season, Arci clarified that nothing has been finalized.
She recently had dinner with some of the show’s Korean producers during a trip to South Korea and said they were also open to continuing the program. Ji Chang-wook’s busy schedule, however, could be one of the factors that would need to be considered.
“Baka busy rin si oppa,” she said.
Still, Arci is ready to return should another season push through.
“If ever there’s going to be a Season 2, I’m going to give it my all, like I always do.”