'Best experience': Jodi Sta Maria, Francine Diaz on working with Ji Chang Wook

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MANILA, Philippines — Actresses Jodi Sta. Maria, Janella Salvador, Francine Diaz, and Arci Muñoz relished working alongside Korean star Ji Chang-wook for the upcoming food variety show "Kumusta."

Chang-wook joined the four actresses and Chef JP Anglo for their show's media conference last March 14, where the ladies shared their experiences cooking and serving Filipino food in Korea.

For Jodi, the most memorable moment was putting together a bunch of strangers that eventually became a family because of the shared camaraderie.

Because most of the customers were locals, the actresses had to learn basic Korean to better understand conversations.

One table did not speak any English at all, prompting her and the customers to do charades just to explain what a calamansi is.

Another challenge was the cold weather. "Kumusta" was shot last autumn in Korea, but Jodi considered it a blessing being in the country for work.

"We've been blessed with so many people na napaka-hardworking. It's so good to be able to peep into the work culture of Koreans," Jodi continued. "And Ji here is like super busy juggling so many things, and yet when he gets to the restaurant, it's as if he's not tired at all."

Janella was the only one in the kitchen working directly with Chef JP despite having no professional cooking background.

"I was with Chef the whole time and... God, it was messy! Hindi siya pang-maganda," Janella laughed, quipping how difficult it was to cook the noodle dish Palabok.

The actress expressed renewed respect for those in the service and kitchen industry after working on the show.

Francine, meanwhile, felt she was taken care of as the youngest member of the team and while she was not feeling well during the shoot. She  accidentally revealed that she was allowed to take half a day off.

Arci shared that she was a late addition to the team. During the interview process, she expressed enthusiasm being a big fan of food and Korean culture.

"This is for me, by far, the best experience... natalo pa niya 'yung mga 15 na BTS concert na pinuntahan ko!" Arci joked.

The artist also detailed her excitement working with "oppa" Chang-wook, "When I got there, I didn't know how to react. I was stunned pero, 'Oh my God kailangan I have to keep my composure and act professional!'"

"Kumusta" premieres on Viu app in the Philippines on May 24.

RELATED: Ji Chang-wook compares Filipino, Korean culture; opted serving over cooking in 'Kumusta'