Zanjoe Marudo
Joma
Overview
Troubled and alone, a boxer moves in with his long-lost mother and autistic pianist brother — but must fit in with a family he hasn't known for years.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Piano, the Gloves, and the Weight of What We Carry
I’ve seen this story before—a prodigal son, a broken family, the redemptive power of music. It’s the kind of narrative that risks feeling like a Hallmark card stretched to feature length. And yet, Keys to the Heart (2023) manages to sidestep the worst of those pitfalls, not because it reinvents the wheel, but because it understands the quiet alchemy of performance.
The film is a remake of a 2018 South Korean original, and while that pedigree might set expectations high, director Kerwin Go’s adaptation doesn’t so much break new ground as it does till familiar soil with care. The result is a film that feels less like a grand statement and more like a whispered confession between strangers on a long bus ride.
The story is simple: Joma (Zanjoe Marudo), a washed-up boxer with more bruises than wins, moves back in with his estranged mother, Sylvia (Dolly de Leon), after a lifetime of resentment and absence. There, he meets his younger brother, Jayjay (Elijah Canlas), a pianist with autism whose talent is matched only by his difficulty navigating the world. The film’s first act is a delicate dance of missteps and misunderstandings, as Joma struggles to reconcile his own failures with the family he abandoned.
It’s a premise that could easily veer into melodrama, but Go and screenwriter Pam Miras keep the tone grounded, even when the script leans on familiar beats.
What saves Keys to the Heart from predictability is its performances, particularly Canlas’s portrayal of Jayjay. There’s a moment early in the film where Jayjay sits at the piano, his fingers hovering over the keys before launching into a piece with a precision that borders on the supernatural. Canlas, who trained in classical piano for the role, doesn’t just play the notes—he becomes them.
His posture is rigid, his gaze fixed on some unseen point beyond the music, and his fingers move with a mechanical grace that feels almost inhuman. It’s a performance that could have tipped into caricature, but Canlas walks the line with a restraint that makes Jayjay’s moments of vulnerability all the more affecting. When he finally looks at Joma and says, “You’re not a bad person,” it’s not just a line of dialogue; it’s a revelation, one that lands with the weight of a piano falling from the sky.
Dolly de Leon, too, brings a quiet strength to Sylvia, a woman whose kindness is tempered by the exhaustion of a lifetime spent carrying the weight of her children’s mistakes. There’s a scene where she sits at the kitchen table, peeling an apple with methodical precision, while Joma unloads a decade’s worth of grievances. De Leon doesn’t say much—she doesn’t need to.
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Keys to the Heart (2023): A Filipino Remake with Star Power and Shifting Plans
The 2023 Filipino film Keys to the Heart, directed by Kerwin Go, brought together a powerhouse cast for a heartwarming story about family, redemption, and second chances. But behind the scenes, the project underwent notable changes before landing on Netflix, where it quickly became a hit with local audiences.
A Cast Shakeup and New Direction
Originally, Keys to the Heart was set to have a different production team and cast lineup. However, in 2022, director Kerwin Go stepped in, bringing a fresh vision—and a new set of lead actors. The film ultimately starred Zanjoe Marudo as Joma, a troubled boxer; Dolly de Leon as his long-lost mother, Sylvia; and Elijah Canlas as his autistic pianist brother 
. The shift in casting and producers marked a turning point for the project, though details about the earlier plans remain scarce.
Go himself hinted at the challenges behind the changes, telling PEP.ph that he couldn’t disclose the full story but acknowledged the adjustments were significant . The final lineup, however, proved to be a strong draw, with de Leon and Canlas delivering standout performances alongside Marudo.
A Korean-Inspired Story with Filipino Heart
Keys to the Heart is a remake of the 2018 South Korean film of the same name, though the Filipino version adds its own cultural flavor. The story follows Joma, a down-on-his-luck boxer who returns to his estranged mother’s home after a series of setbacks, only to reconnect with his family—including his younger brother, who has autism and a gift for music . The film balances comedy and drama, a tone that resonated with audiences when it premiered on Netflix.
The adaptation was produced by Reality MM Studios, Creative Leaders Group 8, and VIVA Films, a collaboration that helped bring the project to life . While the original Korean film had its own emotional weight, the Filipino version leaned into local nuances, making it relatable for Pinoy viewers.
Netflix Success and Star Power
When Keys to the Heart debuted on Netflix, it quickly climbed the charts, securing the second most-watched spot in the Philippines within its first day . The film’s success was a testament to its star-studded cast, which also included Tirso Cruz III, Michelle Dee, and Althea Pinzon. Marudo, in particular, earned praise for his portrayal of Joma, a role that showcased his range as an actor.
The chemistry among the leads—especially Marudo, de Leon, and Canlas—was a key factor in the film’s appeal. While the production had its share of behind-the-scenes shifts, the final product delivered a touching story that struck a chord with audiences.
Unanswered Questions
Despite its success, some details about Keys to the Heart remain unclear. The initial cast and production team changes, for instance, were only briefly addressed by Go, leaving fans curious about what might have been . Additionally, while the film’s Netflix performance was strong, specific viewership numbers or critical reception beyond its early rankings haven’t been widely reported.
For now, Keys to the Heart stands as a solid example of a well-executed remake, blending Korean storytelling with Filipino talent. Whether it will pave the way for more local adaptations remains to be seen—but for a film that nearly had a different cast, it’s a win for the team that made it to the screen.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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