First & exclusive: Hyun Bin lands on PeopleAsia’s cover

By Jose Paolo S. Dela Cruz

With more rare photos of the Korean superstar inside

After sending the Internet on a frenzy with the recent release of his television commercial and its accompanying behind-the-scenes videos for telco giant Smart Communications, Asian superstar Hyun Bin lands the cover of PeopleAsia magazine’s June-July 2020 issue ⁠—  his first on a printed glossy in the Philippines.

Hyun Bin on the cover of PeopleAsia’s June-July 2020 issue. Pre-order now at Lazada.

“It was both a smart and a sentimental decision. We chose Hyun Bin because as Captain Ri in the smash hit Crash Landing on You, he personifies an ideal —principled, valiant, gallant and protective of the woman he loves. All that plus his killer dimples and you have a cover for keeps!” says Joanne Rae Ramirez, PeopleAsia’s editor-in-chief.

Set for release next week, the magazine, which was produced in cooperation with Smart Communications, features rare photographs from Hyun Bin’s shoot for the “Simple, Smart ako!” campaign.

Smart-PLDT execs, including president, CEO and chief revenue officer Al Panlilio, SVP and head of the consumer wireless business Jane Basas, PLDT-Smart’s first vice president and head of public affairs Mon Isberto and vice president for corporate marketing and strategy Lloyd Manaloto, also bare their future plans for Hyun Bin and Smart — including a second commercial, a sure visit to the Philippines and a cryptic message from Smart’s Captain, Al Panlilio himself who said, “Captain Ri would be lonely if he’s alone so…”

Meanwhile, Hyun Bin finds himself in good company in this issue, which also trains the spotlight on the magazine’s “Men Who Matter” 2020 awardees. Just like Captain Ri, these outstanding gentlemen raise the bar with their integrity, dedication and passion for helping others, especially in the time of COVID-19.

Leading this year’s prestigious list is San Miguel Corp. president and COO Ramon S. Ang, who steadied his ship at the onset of the lockdown by assuring all the conglomerate’s 66,000 employees of full pay and assuring government it would settle its obligations on schedule, among other things.

He is joined by former actor and model Richard Gomez, who has showed his leadership chops as mayor of Ormoc City, which registered zero COVID-19 cases until recently; Vince Dizon, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and deputy chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response; SM Supermalls president Steven Tan; St. Luke’s president and CEO Dr. Arturo dela Peña; fashion designer and humanitarian Michael Leyva; Accenture country managing director Lito Tayag; broadcast journalist Alvin Elchico; solar energy pioneer James Buskowitz; Kawit Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo; furniture entrepreneur Eric Po; rising businessman and Habitat for Humanity volunteer Brian Poe Llamanzares and sardines magnate, a “captain” in his own right, William Tiu Lim, CEO of Mega Global.

PeopleAsia is also presenting a  special award to the MVP Group of Companies, for its invaluable contribution to society and the economy during difficult times such as the health crisis we are experiencing now.

To pre-order your copies of PeopleAsia’s June-July 2020 issue featuring Hyun Bin and “Men Who Matter” 2020 awardees please call or text Bong at 0920 773 8059 or 0922 877 6556. You may also message Stargate PeopleAsia via Facebook messenger, or purchase from Lazada.

For lists of outlets that carry the magazine under general community quarantine, please stay tuned to the PeopleAsia Facebook page for updates.