Wilbert Ross makes international film debut in Korean action thriller ‘The Guardian’

The Filipino star joins Nam Woo-hyun in a Korean-Filipino film set in Manila, hitting Philippine cinemas on September 2.

Wilbert Ross is crossing borders.

The Filipino actor and singer is making his international film debut in the Korean-Filipino action thriller “The Guardian,” which is set to hit Philippine cinemas on September 2.

Viva Films unveiled the movie’s official poster, billing the project as a “major Korean-Filipino cinematic action event” and teasing audiences with the line: “Risk everything for the one you love.”

Directed by South Korean filmmaker Jeong Jang-hwan, “The Guardian” brings Ross together with a multinational cast led by INFINITE member Nam Woo-hyun, alongside Park Eun-hye, Han Jae-seok, Yassi Pressman, Eric Ejercito, Heart Ryan, Fatima Anonuevo and Ashtine Olviga in a special role.

For Ross, the project marks another career milestone as he expands from Philippine television, movies and music into an international production.

A Korean action story set in Manila

“The Guardian,” also released in South Korea as “Kidnapping: 48 Hours,” follows Park Do-jun, played by Nam Woo-hyun, a talented Taekwondo athlete who gives up his dreams in South Korea and moves to the Philippines to support his mother.

His life takes a violent turn when his mother, Kim Mi-jin, played by Park Eun-hye, becomes entangled in gambling debts and is abducted by a Korean criminal syndicate operating in the Philippines.

Do-jun is given just 48 hours to save her, forcing him into Manila’s criminal underworld with his martial arts skills becoming his greatest weapon.

The film was shot partly in the Philippines, giving Filipino actors prominent roles alongside their Korean counterparts.

A big step for Wilbert

Ross has steadily built a career across acting and music, but “The Guardian” gives him something new: a place in a movie designed from the beginning as a cross-border Korean-Filipino production.

It also puts the Filipino performer alongside established Korean stars, including Nam Woo-hyun, whose role marks his major feature-film debut after becoming widely known as a member and main vocalist of K-pop group INFINITE.

“The Guardian” already opened in South Korean cinemas on June 17. Its Philippine release now brings the collaboration to the other half of its cultural equation.

For Ross, September 2 will therefore be more than another movie opening.

It will mark the moment his acting career officially goes international.

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