Ben X Jim

Ben x Jim is a 2020 Philippine boy's love web series produced by Regal Entertainment. Written and directed by Easy Ferrer, it stars Teejay Marquez and Jerome Ponce as childhood friends who fall in love years later in a reunion amid the confining space of quarantine in their neighborhood amid the pandemic.[1]

Ben X Jim
Genre
Written byEasy Ferrer
Directed byEasy Ferrer
Starring
Country of originPhilippines
Original languages
  • Tagalog
  • English
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes15
Production
Executive producersRoselle Monteverde
Lily Monteverde
Production locationPhilippines
Running time27–43 minutes
Production companyRegal Entertainment
Release
Original networkYouTube (Regal Entertainment)
Heart of Asia (season 1)
Upstream.PH (season 2)
Original releaseOctober 15, 2020 (2020-10-15) –
April 9, 2021 (2021-04-09)

The series premiered on YouTube on October 15, 2020, airing on Thursdays at 8:00 PM PST and ran for seven episodes.[2] A second season for the series was announced on January 16 by Regal Entertainment. The official trailer for the second season was also released the same day and it is set to release on February 12, 2021, via Upstream.PH.[3]

Cast and characters
  • Teejay Marquez as Benjamin "Ben" Mendoza, Jim's childhood friend and currently living alone next door
  • Jerome Ponce as Jimson "Jim" Alcantara, Ben's childhood friend and car enthusiast from Davao
  • Sarah Edwards as Yana, Jim's girlfriend
  • Kat Galang as Flo Guimary, Ben's very close friend
  • Ron Martin Angeles as Olan, motorcycle rider for Deliver Lover
  • Johannes Rissler as Leo Portugues, Ben's ex-boyfriend
  • Christina Simon as Elma Magtibay, Ben's neighbor and housekeeper next door, also Jim's former nanny
  • Royce Cabrera as Roy, Ben's current boyfriend
  • Vance Larena as Val, Jim's boss

Episodes

Season 1
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Love Returns"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerOctober 15, 2020 (2020-10-15)
Ben, a 23 year old guy who lives alone, is supposed to graduate from college after 8 years, but then the pandemic happens. As soon as the lockdown starts, he begins selling online to pay bills and prove his parents, who already reside in the US, that he can make it here alone. Then, he learns from his next door neighbor’s housekeeper that his childhood friend, who he had been harboring deep feelings for, will return to spend the lockdown. Suddenly, memories of old feelings return to him, making him anxious about how it’s going to be between them this time.
2"Banter Banter"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerOctober 22, 2020 (2020-10-22)
After finally meeting his childhood friend Jim again, Ben try to reconnect with him, despite the obvious distance they now have. Worse, when Jim learns about Ben’s true self, he begins making his days uncomfortable for the latter. Is this the end of their friendship, or will Ben’s hidden feeling finally coke through?
3"Getting Closer"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerOctober 29, 2020 (2020-10-29)
Just as about Leo is to bring a dark cloud to Ben’s life, Jim arrives and rescues him. This simple gesture leads to them reconnecting once again ang being comfortable to each other. Ben begins to hope for him and Jim to take everything to the next level. And then... the girlfriend arrives.
4"The Third Party"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerNovember 5, 2020 (2020-11-05)
Things were going right for Ben and Jim, but then Yana, Jim’s girlfriend arrives. Ben is once again brushed to the side. As Ben watches Jim and Yana with jealous eyes, he feels he is running out of time to have the chance to be with Jim. Will he hastily jump into making a move, or will he finally decide to let Jim go and bury his own feelings?
5"Jealous Moments"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerNovember 12, 2020 (2020-11-12)

The previous night was a very awkward moment, and it became obvious as there’s friction between Jim and Ben days after. They want to reconnect and talk, but it seems like to one has the courage to do so.

Jim feels Ben is slowly moving away from him, and an unexpected gesture from Olan makes Jim realize that Ben could slip out of his hand any moment, something that he’s not ready for.
6"Dark Night of the Soul"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerNovember 19, 2020 (2020-11-19)
Finally, Ben and Jim have told each other how they feel. This is not without all the complications and consequences. The moment of bliss between the two is to be cut short when all the outside forces come to haunt them; Jim’s relationship with Yana, Olan’s intention with Ben, Jim’s disapproving father, Leo’s return, and a dark painful secret lurking and just waiting to come out and haunt them.
7"The Final Chase"Easy FerrerEasy FerrerNovember 26, 2020 (2020-11-26)

The complications are rising for Ben and Jim as they decide to be together. They test them to the brink, until finally, it seems it was time to let go.

Will they be able to fight for their freedom to love, or will they give up to avoid more painful consequences.

Reception

YouTube views as of August 4, 2021:

EpisodeNumber of views
1: Love Returns2,529,758
2: Banter Banter1,991,725
3: Getting Closer2,827,166
4: The Third Party1,852,930
5: Jealous Moments2,056,582
6: Dark Night of the Soul1,829,944
7: The Final Chase1,606,350

Sequel

On November 26, 2020, after the premiere of the Season 1 Finale, Teejay Marquez announced via his YouTube channel on the comment section of Episode 7 that the series will have its second season.

A second season for the series was announced on January 16 by Regal Entertainment. The official trailer for the second season was also released the same day in celebration for Regal Entertainment's Youtube Channel surpassing the 2 Million Subscriber mark. The actors from the first season, Teejay Marquez, Jerome Ponce, Sarah Edwards, Ron Angeles and Kat Galang, will recur their roles along with new cast members Vance Larena, Royce Cabrera, Ejay Jallorina, Miko Gallardo, Darwin Yu, Anika Dela Cruz, Jomari Angeles. The season is set to release on February 12, 2021.[4][5]

Release

TV

On September 8, GMA Network announced that it is set to bring the hit BL series ‘Ben X Jim’ starting September 26, 2021, through Heart of Asia Channel in Digital TV Box Nationwide.[6]

Soundtrack
Song Title Performed by Lyrics by Music by Release date Platforms
Stars Align Swavesound Sam Marquez Sam Marquez October 15, 2020 Regal Entertainment

See also

References
  1. "LOOK: Jerome Ponce, Teejay Marquez start lock-in shooting of BL series in Antipolo". Archived from the original on September 3, 2020.
  2. "How Jerome Ponce achieved chemistry with Teejay Marquez in BL series 'BenXJim'". Archived from the original on October 14, 2020.
  3. "Regal Entertainment Youtube Community Page". Youtube. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. "Regal Entertainment Youtube Community Page". Youtube. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  5. "Former Bida Man contestant Miko Gallardo joins cast of 'Ben x Jim' movie". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. "GMA Network and Regal Entertainment seal biggest partnership". Manila Bulletin. June 28, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
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