Alexa Ilacad Embraces Motherhood in Fil-Korean Family Drama "Mujigae," Showing Exclusively in SM Cinemas Starting October 9

A film created for all mothers.

Those who want to become mothers, and...

Those who choose to be mothers.

Starting October 9, a Filipino-Korean family drama entitled Mujigae (무지개), which means "rainbow" in Korean, is set to a nationwide released exclusively in SM Cinemas.

The film stars Kapamilya star Alexa Ilacad, Korean actor Kim Ji-soo, and rising child and former "Mini Miss U" from Cavite Ryrie Sophia.

They are joined by a talented supporting cast, including Rufa Mae Quinto, Anna Luna, Donna Cariaga, Kate Alejandrino, Richard Quan, Cai Cortez, Roli Inocencio, Peewee O'Hara, and Lui Manansala. Helmed by known film and commercial director Randolph Longjas.

Synopsis:

After losing her Filipino mother in South Korea, 5-year-old Mujigae - half-Korean, half-Filipino - finds herself in the care of her estranged Aunt Sunny in the Philippines. As they navigate this unexpected journey, they confront grief, unravel cultural complexities, and discover the transformative power of family and community. Through their poignant exploration, Mujigae learns to embrace change through courage and resilience, finding her place in the world with a strong chance at life.

Garnering millions of views in its first week on social media, the official trailer of Mujigae 무지개 offers a glimpse into the heartwarming journey of how a child's love can heal broken bonds, highlighting the transformative power of innocent and unconditional love.

In the trailer, Sunny (Alexa Ilacad) grapples with the sudden responsibility of caring for her niece, exclaiming, "Gagawa-gawa ng bata, ta's ipapaalaga sa iba!" (The gall to have a child and then pass the responsibility onto someone else!).

Overwhelmed, Sunny continues, "Choice ko: ayoko ng bata! Ayokong magkaanak. Ayoko sa responsibilidad. At ayoko talaga sa bata!" (It’s my choice: I don’t want kids! I don’t want to have a child. I don’t want the responsibility. And I really don’t like kids!).

However, as fate intertwines their lives, Sunny soon discovers the beauty of life as seen through Mujigae’s eyes.

Their growing bond is put to the test when Mujigae’s biological father, Ji Sung Park (played by Kim Ji-soo), enters the picture, sparking a series of events that will challenge the definition of family and force Mujigae to choose between two homes.

In one emotional scene, Mujigae tearfully cries out to Sunny, "Bad ka, Tita Sunny! Ba't mo 'ko ipapamigay!" (You're bad, Aunt Sunny! Why are you giving me away?), as she seemingly faces the dilemma of staying with her aunt or returning to South Korea with her father.

"Nakakaiyak!" was the common sentiment shared by netizens. One comment standing out was "Trailer pa lang, naluha na ako! Gosh! Pa'no pa kaya kung pinanood ko na ang buong movie? Need ko ng madaming tissue niyan!" (Trailer pa lang, naluha na ako! Gosh! Pa'no pa kaya kung pinanood ko na ang buong movie? Need ko ng madaming tissue niyan!)

Many viewers have praised Alexa's performance, with some predicting award nominations for her portrayal of a young mother figure. "This is Alexa’s best performance in her career. I'll vouch for it," director Longjas even said in a statement.

Another commenter shared, "Feeling ko para sa 'kin 'to. Ayoko talaga ng bata at responsibilities pero ako [ang] favorite tita ng 12 kong pamangkin." (I feel like this movie is for me. I really don’t want kids and responsibilities, but I’m the favorite aunt of my 12 pamangkin [nieces and nephews!]).

Director's Statement:

Director Randolph Longjas, known for his previous work Star na si Van Damme Stallone (2016), returns to the big screen with Mujigae, a project that marks his comeback to full-length filmmaking. For him, creating Mujigae was like reliving the experience of making his very first film. "It’s been a while since I made a full-length film, and to be honest, I’m overwhelmed with emotions. This project means a lot to me," Longjas shared.

He also expressed deep gratitude for his team, saying, "Together, we moved mountains to bring this story to life and saw the ‘mujigae’ (rainbow) at the end of it.

On creating a safe and playful set, especially for child actors, he added, "I didn’t just dictate what I wanted. I encouraged them to own their characters, and it amazed me how they stayed in character even after scenes wrapped."

He hopes the audience will connect emotionally with the film, explaining, "I think viewers will go through a rollercoaster of emotions depending on where they stand on having kids. I’m not here to tell you when to laugh or cry, but I promise there will be moments that resonate deeply."

Producer's Statement:

Madonna Tarrayo, the producer of Mujigae 무지개, brings her own personal reflections on family to the project. Coming from a closely-knit family, Tarrayo shared that the film’s message about finding family in unexpected places resonates deeply with her. "While I come from a family that loves and accepts each other despite our flaws, I’ve also accepted that not all families are created equal. Family can come from anywhere — friends, co-workers, even pets. That’s what Mujigae means to me," Tarrayo said.

As a producer, she also advocates for stories that explore the flaws and cracks of human emotions, focusing on how emotions heal through connection. "Mujigae, our little hero, is that connection. Her love and resilience will bring people together," she added.

"I believe every film deserves to be seen in cinemas. It’s still the go-to screen for films, and that’s what we’ve aimed for with Mujigae — to make a film that feels both expansive and intimate, to create a truly cinematic experience."

With over 37 years of experience, UxS continues to evolve, producing content that remains relevant across all digital platforms. Tarrayo furthered, "We are always watching out for new trends, and we continue to be there — whether it's an ad, a series, a film, or any form of digital content."

As Ryrie cheerfully says in the final moments of the trailer, "My name is Mujigae! Excited po akong maging friends kayo," (I'm excited to be friends with all of you,) she warmly invites moviegoers to join her on this adventure. — LABAN, FIGHTING!

Mujigae is brought to us by the returning UxS (Unitel x Straightshooters), who last produced the horror film Maledicto in 2019 and known to brought us some award-winning films like "Crying Ladies," "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank," "Santa Santita" and many more.