Hyun Bin’s first official press conference in Manila was more than just an update on his latest work. It was a rare glimpse into the man behind the characters that fans around the world have fallen in love with.
Whether you remember him as the stoic yet tender Captain Ri in “Crash Landing on You,” the suave and witty Cyrus (Hyun Jin-heon) in “My Lovely Sam Soon,” or the eccentric yet lovable Kim Joo-won in “Secret Garden,” there’s always more to love and discover about Hyun Bin.
Here are some of the facts we learned from the Korean superstar’s sit-down with the Philippine media:
1. The Philippines has always been on his travel list.
Hyun Bin shared that visiting the Philippines has long been one of his travel goals.
“Philippines has always been on my list to visit and I did not have so much time yet to go around and experience the Philippines. But you know, the way they have welcomed me here in the Philippines is really heartwarming and it’s more amazing than I expected,” Hyun Bin said during a press conference held at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City on Friday, August 8.
He lauded the Philippines for its warm hospitality, saying he was pleasantly surprised by the heartfelt welcome and the bright energy he witnessed.
RELATED: ‘More amazing than expected’: Hyun Bin on his first trip to the Philippines
2. Adobo wins his heart.
Hyun Bin also expressed his delight at trying a Filipino dish many locals consider their favorite.
“We also had a meal, it was very, very delicious and amazing. I got a suggestion, a recommendation for Filipino food, which was Adobo. It was very delicious and I enjoyed it,” Hyun Bin shared.
3. He’s in the Philippines as a Solaire ambassador.
As part of his visit, Hyun Bin shared that he is representing Solaire Resort, which he described as “more than just an ordinary resort, where we can kind of make experiences or memories.”
The actor met Filipino fans who won raffle prizes from the resort’s special promo for his fan meet.
4. He’s starring in a new Disney+ project this year.
Hyun Bin shared that his next on-screen appearance will be the political drama “Made in Korea,” set to stream on Disney+ in the latter part of the year. The project marks another addition to his diverse body of work, from romantic dramas to action films.
5. His travel must-haves are surprisingly simple.
The actor revealed his top three fashion essentials for a trip to the Philippines: a watch, sunglasses and a cap.
6. His advice to his younger self: ‘Enjoy the moment’
For someone whose career has spanned two decades and produced some of the most beloved characters in Korean drama, Hyun Bin’s advice to his younger self is surprisingly simple: take it slow.
“You can still enjoy in that moment. And that’s one message I want to tell myself back in the in the past. Now that I’m looking back at what whatever was happening, I’ve only been going straight, not minding whatever’s on my side but really focusing on the work,” the award-winning actor said.
“So I really still have time to look around and enjoy whatever sceneries that I can enjoy. So if I were to tell myself in the past, I would tell him to enjoy the moment and enjoy the crowd, the surroundings rather than just going forward or towards your goal,” he added.
7. He’s still chasing dream roles.
Hyun Bin believes there are still many roles he hasn’t tried.
“The roles that I really didn’t have, I didn’t try yet are the roles that I want to challenge myself with and of course try as well,” he said.
8. He thinks sincerity is what makes Korean dramas connect globally.
The actor credited the universal appeal of Korean productions to compelling storytelling, the skill of directors and crew and his own approach of portraying each role truthfully.
He explained that Korean storytelling resonates because fans and viewers are deeply interested and fond of it, adding that the visual aspect is brought to life by staff who work hard to create a masterpiece.
“And of course on top of that is the director who produces this storytelling. And I am just an actor who is portraying, explaining the role with sincerity to put out the storytelling to the people who’s watching,” Hyun Bin said.
9. He’s open to producing but with a twist.
When asked if he would consider producing, Hyun Bin admitted he had never really thought about it before.
“You know, I think (I) really never thought about myself producing or thinking about this question (about producing),” he said.
“But if I were given the opportunity, then I want to have… like a plot twist. Yeah. Something that is very plot twist or unexpected kind of producing. This is something I want to try,” the Hallyu star said.
10. He’s committed to giving back to his Filipino fans.
During the event, Hyun Bin addressed Filipino fans directly: “You know, the unconditional and unchanging love and support that I received from the Filipino fans, am really, really grateful and honored to have this kind of support.”
“With that love, I would like to return it back to you to the Filipino fans with more projects and of course, a better actor as well. So thank you, thank you so much for all your love and support,” he added.
From career wisdom to his minimalist packing style, Hyun Bin’s Manila press con showed that the global star’s charm goes beyond his roles. It shines in his humility, sincerity and the way he treasures every fan who has been part of his journey.
For now, fans can only hope that he will crash-land in the Philippines again.
