Julia Barretto inspired by her ‘Secret Ingredient’ character to leave comfort zone

Julia Barretto in a promo photo for “Secret Ingredient.” Image: Courtesy of Viu Philippines

For Julia Barretto, having the chance to dip her toes into the series “Secret Ingredient” — a production consisting of a Filipino, Korean, and Indonesian team — was an opportunity to spread her wings. Incidentally, this mirrored the path taken by her character, Maya.

The series tells the story of Filipina chef Maya who’s determined to move up the ranks despite the initial doubts of her boss Arif (Nicholas Saputra). She soon crosses paths with chaebol prince-in-hiding Ha-joon (Lee Sang-heon) who wants to live a normal life.

“When you’re working with fellow Filipino actors, you’re in a familiar stage. But when you’re working with new people, it’s so refreshing,” Barretto said at a press conference and advanced screening.

“I feel that despite the challenges we had in the kitchen, we became tighter. We became a team because we wanted to make sure to tell its story,” she continued.

Julia Barretto in a behind-the-scenes photo for “Secret Ingredient.” Image: Courtesy of Viu Philippines

Worth cherishing

Apart from the bond she had with her co-stars and production team, Barretto said she was “already onboard” as soon as she heard the story from the showrunners. It’s “rare” for her since she’s the type to see the script first before making a decision.

“This is one of the few projects pitched to me, and when I heard the story, I was already onboard. It’s a new opportunity and it’s not something you come across every day,” she said. “It’s still a challenge for Filipino artists to get on the global stage and work with different productions. Being able to be chosen to do this is valuable.”

(From left) Nicholas Saputra, Julia Barretto, Lee Sang-heon. Image: Courtesy of Viu Philippines

Touching on her character, Barretto finds herself drawn to Maya’s determined nature especially when she wants to reach a certain goal. “She’s so driven especially when she wants to achieve something.”

“When she dreams of something — even if she gives way at some point — just to achieve her dreams,” she continued. “Maya is important to me because it feels like I became the representative of the country and I want to give my hundred percent.”

So, while working with Lee and Saputra allowed her more opportunities to grow, Barretto said she hopes to have the chance for a possible season two or to even work on an Indonesia-based project someday. “I hope by some miracle, I can work there. If I have to learn Bahasa, I’m game,” she said when asked about the topic.

Julia Barretto in a behind-the-scenes photo for “Secret Ingredient.” Image: Courtesy of Viu Philippines

“Doing ‘Secret Ingredient’ as a global series and being able to work with Sang-heon and Nicholas, there’s just so much growth,” she continued. “You’re almost required to adapt right away. We all have our differences but we thankfully did get along.”

Screams erupted when host Dimples Romana and INQUIRER.net asked Barretto whom she preferred between Lee Sang-heon or Nicholas Saputra, whom she had smoldering chemistry with in the series.

A laughing Barretto said in response: “Kilig ako… sa dalawa.”

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