Life has been serious enough lately. That's probably why feel-good rom-coms are finding their way back onto everyone's watchlist. Some days, we just crave lighthearted stories that make us giggle and forget about reality for a few blissful minutes. That's exactly the kind of escape "Will You Fake Marry Me?" brings.
The newest iWant Original microdrama series starring the unstoppable tandem of JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, a.k.a. JMFyang, serves up a refreshing mix of kilig and comedy that's surprisingly easy to get attached to. The first 15 episodes have already dropped, and let's just say, it only took five for us to get completely hooked.
It's not as predictable as you might think.
Sure, fake marriages aren't exactly new in the rom-com universe. But, trust us, "Will You Fake Marry Me?" has plenty of surprises.
Here’s a short recap of Episodes 1 to 5, without much spoilers. Fyang plays June, the effervescent promodizer trying to survive one bad day after another, and JM is Ping, the no-nonsense CEO who looks like smiling is somewhere near the bottom of his to-do list. On paper, they couldn't be more different. Which makes the ‘bangayan’ moments all the more entertaining.
After their meet-cute gone wrong (just on the first episode)—where Ping fires June from her job as a promodizer for his tocino brand because she used the stall as a clever marketing stunt for her own vinegar business—June comes home to her mom (Matet de Leon) and an unwelcome visitor, Judith, as in the dreaded 'due date' of bills.
Wondering how she'll bounce back from the series of bad luck, Atty. Sun (Alyssa Muhlach) arrives to inform her that she's the sole heir to her wealthy distant relative, Don Nato of the Rose clan, who tragically passed away that morning.
Happy ending? Not so fast. Because before June can inherit a single peso from the Rose patriarch, Don Nato's last will requires her to marry Ping, his ward.
JM and Fyang do what they do best
...giving us endearing chemistry! A fake marriage plot can only take off if the leads have enough connection to make viewers buy into every interaction. JMFyang definitely understood the assignment. Are we looking at the next-generation rom-com prince and princess? We'll let their performance do the talking.
"Will You Fake Marry Me?" has all the makings of your next mini-binge.
It’s vivid and full of life, which reminds us of K-drama-style visuals—zoom-ins, reaction shots, and cliffhanger endings that make it impossible not to hit play on the next episode.
Stylistically, it very much leans into the look and feel of today’s vertical dramas, with the acting a little extra (in the most fun, expressive way when they need to be) but never crossing into cringe territory. The reunion scene at the mansion in Episode 3 had us cracking up from start to finish. You won't want to skip that part!
JMFyang and the rest of the cast are so natural and satisfying to watch. Karina Bautista plays the 'kontrabida' secretary of Don Nato, but she's nowhere near as murderously terrifying here (IYKYK), just a little irritating with all the eye rolls and 'papansin' antics.
And best of all, the bite-sized format (episodes run for just two to three minutes!) makes it easy to keep watching without the dragging and unnecessary waiting, like, wdym June is already proposing to Ping by Episode 5 because she wanted to escape 'Judith'?!
Comforting, funny, and delightfully quick, "Will You Fake Marry Me?" reminds us why rom-coms never go out of style.
Ready for more? Stream the first 15 episodes of the iWant Original vertical series on the iWant app now, and we'll see you in our next review.
Catch Part 1 of "Will You Fake Marry Me?" out now, and the remaining episodes in Part 2 starting July 15—only on iWant, the Home of Filipino feels.
Episodes 6 to 30 of this iWant original are streaming exclusively on the streaming platform, starting at P35 per month in the Philippines, USD 12.99 per month in the United States, and USD 4.99 per month for the rest of the world. Enjoy all the feels you want on iWant. Download the app and subscribe via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
JM at Fyang, magpapanggap na ikakasal sa iWant vertical rom-com na "Will You Fake Marry Me?"
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