MANILA  -- Despite all the challenges and problems his company Careless is currently facing and fixing, James Reid has his hands full with projects left and right, especially with music.

“I have a fantastic EP mini album coming out soon. I'm very proud of it. It's some of my favorite work I've done so far with music,” said Reid.

“There are songs that I started in Tagalog. Kind of blending the old opium sound that I did before. Like with 'Randomantic' and those other songs. I've been working a lot with Sony Music.”

But to our surprise during our sit-down interview with the singer-actor, he revealed that a comeback in acting is in the pipeline -- with ABS-CBN.  

“I actually plan to work a lot with ABS. Yes, there are discussions already,” he said.

Reid is excited and revealed that meetings with ABS-CBN executives have started. “That's my plan actually ever since 2020. Everyone's asking, did you quit acting? Did you quit showbiz? I always said, no, I plan to go back.”

He said he just took time off from acting, to focus on his music.

“I needed a break. Especially coming from a love team, I was starting to lose my identity. It's tough. I don't think anyone, except for my other batch in show business and love teams, would possibly understand what it's like. It's tough,” he explained.

“Living up to all those expectations. Constantly being under public scrutiny. And all the rumors and stories. Fanfiction. And also the fans, it's living up to the expectations. It's a lot of pressure.”

“I needed a break. I think I did that. I had time to really discover myself through music. I faced a lot of challenges. Took a lot of risks. I don't regret anything.”

On his highly-anticipated comeback to acting, how open is he to projects that he’d like to do? 

“I just want to act again. It's where I started actually. And it's something I always wanted to do again. I'm excited for the projects that I have coming up,” he said.

Movie? TV? “Yes. I'm just happy to come back home,” he said. “And I feel like I still have a lot to contribute... Not just to music anymore, but also for TV and film.”

Asked if he’s open to doing a reunion project with his former on-screen partner and ex-girlfriend Nadine Lustre, he said:  “I don't think so. Maybe out of respect for my partner, my girlfriend. Also, for my mental health.”