Actor-director Xian Lim takes on a new challenge as he directs the mystery-crime thriller “Project Loki,” praising the passion, discipline, and energy of its young lead stars ahead of its February 21 premiere.
Xian Lim is embracing a different kind of spotlight as he takes on the role of director for “Project Loki,” an upcoming mystery-crime thriller jointly produced by Viva Television and MediaQuest.
Set to stream on Viva One and CignalPlay starting February 21, the series marks another milestone in Lim’s steadily growing body of work behind the camera.
The project brings together a young cast led by Jayda Avanzado, Marco Gallo, and Dylan Menor, with Menor stepping into his first-ever title role.
For Lim, working with a new generation of artists proved to be both exciting and unexpectedly rewarding.
Xian Lim on directing the new generation of stars
At first, the idea of directing younger performers came with a hint of uncertainty. Lim admitted that he found himself wondering how they would approach the work and whether they would simply do what was required and leave once the cameras stopped rolling.
Those doubts quickly disappeared once production began.
“Of course, it’s such a joy to work with them. Iyon ang masasabi ko kasi iba ang energy na binibigay nila sa set. I would say para lang kaming mga bata na naglalaro ng mamahaling gamit. Ganoon po ang vibe,” Lim shared, describing the atmosphere on set.
He went on to praise their commitment, noting how their enthusiasm never faded even during demanding scenes. “They’re very enthusiastic, each and everyone of them. Kahit mahirap ang mga eksena, magaan naman. It’s such a blessing to be with them. I hope maramdaman n’yo rin ito while watching our final product,” he added.
What stood out most for Lim was the cast’s discipline and hunger to learn. Rather than rushing through scenes, they came prepared and eager to explore the material further.
“Showing the right attitude, coming to the set prepared,” he said, emphasizing how their mindset elevated the entire production. “Ayaw nila umuwi. Gusto nila magtrabaho. We have the perfect canvas to paint on.”
Bringing the “Project Loki” book to life
“Project Loki” continues Lim’s evolution as a director. Before this series, he helmed a diverse range of projects, including the Cinemalaya entry “Tabon,” the comedy film “Hello, Universe!,” the horror feature “Kuman Thong,” an episode of “Wish Ko Lang,” and the music video for Glaiza de Castro’s “Tawid Dagat.” Each project allowed him to explore different genres, experiences that now inform his approach to long-form storytelling.
The series is adapted from a book, and Lim stressed that staying faithful to the original material was a priority for the team. According to him, the production involved constant collaboration and careful review of the source material to ensure accuracy.
“We do our best to make it 100 percent accurate, and while we were shooting we cross-checked the book. What was written there, we checked with the team. It is a very collaborative work also with all the artists,” he explained.
With its young stars, grounded performances, and a director deeply invested in both story and process, “Project Loki” is shaping up to be a notable addition to the local streaming landscape. The series will premiere exclusively on Viva One and CignalPlay on February 21.
Of course, it’s such a joy to work with them. Iyon ang masasabi ko kasi iba ang energy na binibigay nila sa set. I would say para lang kaming mga bata na naglalaro ng mamahaling gamit.
Xian Lim
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