Name: Riffs and Runs
Genre: Romance
Released: 2026-01-01
Rating: 5.5
Cast: Darryl Yap, Jesse Guinto, Loren Marinas, Romance, Short Length Series

Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (5)

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Manila's underground music scene, 'Riffs and Runs' follows aspiring singer-songwriter Diego (Darryl Yap) and brooding guitarist Kai (Jesse Guinto) as they're thrown together for a high-stakes battle of the bands competition. Diego's soulful melodies clash with Kai's raw rock riffs, but their creative friction sparks an undeniable chemistry—both onstage and off. As they navigate grueling rehearsals, creative differences, and personal demons, the line between rivalry and romance blurs. With only five episodes, this Filipino miniseries captures the electric thrill of musical collaboration and the quiet vulnerability of falling for your creative opposite. Featuring original songs and breathtaking cinematography, 'Riffs and Runs' is a heartfelt, music-driven journey about finding harmony in the most unexpected places.

Darryl Yap

Cast

Jesse Guinto

Cast

Loren Marinas

Cast

Romance

Cast

Short Length Series

Cast

E01

Riffs and Runs Episode 1

Season 1 · Mar 01, 2026

~ min

E02

Riffs and Runs Episode 2

Season 1 · Mar 08, 2026

~ min

E03

Riffs and Runs Episode 3

Season 1 · Mar 15, 2026

~ min

E04

Riffs and Runs Episode 4

Season 1 · Mar 22, 2026

~ min

E05

Riffs and Runs Episode 5

Season 1 · Mar 29, 2026

~ min

5.5

out of 10

637

478

1116

956

cinematic_bl_fan

Feb 14, 2026

7/10

I came for the music and stayed for the gorgeous cinematography. Every shot feels like a carefully composed photo—the warm lighting during their jam sessions, the neon reflections on wet streets. Yes, the plot is minimal, but as a visual experience, this series is a feast. The leads have decent chemistry too, even if the pacing drags in the middle.

musiclover_88

Mar 2, 2026

8/10

The original songs in 'Riffs and Runs' are absolute fire! Each track captures the emotional arc of Diego and Kai's relationship perfectly. The acoustic version of 'Run to You' gave me chills. If you love BL dramas where the music is more than just background noise, this is a must-watch. I've already added three songs to my playlist.

bl_newbie_95

Apr 10, 2026

9/10

I'm obsessed with Darryl and Jesse's chemistry! The way they look at each other during rehearsals feels so real—I was literally blushing through half the episodes. It's a short series but every moment is packed with tension and sweetness. The ending had me tearing up. Definitely a hidden gem for fans of slow-burn romance.

plot_police_kai

May 5, 2026

4/10

I honestly don't understand the hype. This is basically a 2.5-hour music video strung together with filler conversations. The storyline is almost non-existent—character motivations are vague, and the dramatic conflicts feel forced. The ending is bafflingly abrupt. Beautiful shots can't save a script that has no substance. Very disappointed.

consent_crusader

Jun 1, 2026

6/10

While the series tries to portray a tender romance, I noticed some uncomfortable power dynamics in the early episodes—especially when Kai pressures Diego into sharing personal trauma. The lack of clear consent communication in their first kiss scene felt off. It's not malicious, but for a show targeting LGBTQ+ audiences, I expected more nuanced handling of boundaries. Still, the leads' later emotional growth is somewhat redeeming.