The Korean oppa and Bench’s latest international endorser blew into town, winning more hearts and minds (and shrieks), as he went on a whirlwind tour to meet with journalists and fans, and visit Bench stores, including having a meal at Bench Café, where he developed a liking for two iconic Filipino dishes.
Text and photos by Alex Y. Vergara
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This saying is as old as the hills, but it may still prove relevant in gaining Ji Chang-wook’s attention and probably even his heart, as the South Korean actor and recent visitor to Manila revealed to journalists and fans alike two of his favorite Filipino food.
“I have tried halo-halo and sisig,” the 35-year-old actor, certified oppa and star of such hit K-drama series as Smile Again, Melting Me Softly, Backstreet Rookie and The Sound of Magic, among others, said through an interpreter. “I actually visited one of the Bench stores and, in the cafeteria there (Bench Café), friends told me to try halo-halo. And I liked it so much.”
He’s quite intrepid as well, daring to walk the previous night in the Greenbelt area at the risk of being spotted, recognized and mobbed by his fans. That was also when it hit him that he would want to see more of the Philippines if time allows.
“I’d like to travel around and see more of the country,” he shared. “In particular, I’d like to go to Boracay, a very famous tourist spot the Philippines is known for. And perhaps Siargao.”
Also nicknamed by his legion of fans as the “Wookie,” Chang-wook flew to the Philippines last week upon the invitation of Ben Chan, chairman of Suyen Corp., the company behind some of the country’s leading local and global brands, including Bench.
As Bench’s newest endorser, the actor also led in the big reveal of his images wearing the latest Bench fashion. They’re now splashed prominently on billboards along major thoroughfares and on giant video screens and marketing collaterals in all Bench branches. He spent the next day meeting and greeting fans in a number of personal appearances.
Ben had wanted to fly in Chang-wook much earlier, and finally the stars aligned before the year ended, allowing him to visit the Philippines and touch base with his adoring Filipino fans for the first time.
Bench also scored another coup for being the first company in the Philippines to sign up this SoKor hottie. And the actor confessed that he made the right decision, as the “hospitable and accommodating” Bench team “treated me like family.” The video, which was playing behind him on stage at The Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom, was proof-positive, he insisted, that he was comfortable, happy and inspired on- and off-cam while working on the ad campaign.
“Actually, I’m very happy that I was able to be welcomed by a lot of fans when I arrived in the Philippines. And I thought the weather was going to be very hot, but [so far] the weather has really [been] nice, too. So, I’m enjoying my trip here in the Philippines.”
Despite being based in Korea, Chang-wook is still surprised at the immense fanbase he has amassed the world over through the years.
“I’m only a working actor based in Korea,” he said. “The fact that I have fans from different countries is something I’m very thankful for. It has also served as an inspiration for me to work harder, try different things and to travel abroad [to touch base with fans].”
Chang-wook’s Manila visit is actually part of his Asian tour dubbed as “Reach You.” It’s been awhile, the actor shared, since he met his fans personally, so, when he finally had the chance, he and his team decided to do it in a big way. It’s his attempt, he said, to bridge the gap “when we were far away from each other” between him and his admirers, whom he adores in return.
After doing his native Korea, he flew immediately to the Philippines. From here, he would fly to Indonesia and then Japan. Although journalists were requested to limit their questions on Chang-wook’s career, the actor said he would be talking about “my personal life” and the projects he’s working on with his fans during his series of fan meets.
Although he did dabble into singing during the course of his career, he considers himself more of an actor. With regards to how he prepares himself for a role, a question personally posed by this writer, Chang-wook said he puts premium on communication with his team.
“It’s one key factor I always consider when accepting a role. I guess communication with the main director and the writers are the key points I consider when I take [on] a role. Whenever I encounter any obstacle, when I’m having difficulty approaching a certain role, I actually ask advice from these insiders to help me get through it.”
To ask him what his favorite role is so far is akin to asking a parent pointblank who his or her favorite child is. Because of the diversity of roles he has played and the fact that he puts his love into each and everyone one of them makes it quite hard for Chang-wook to pick a favorite.
In the same way that he finds it “hard” to pinpoint a particular character he has played in the past that closely resembles him in real life. The translation to his answer to this question was a bit circuitous, but from what we gleaned, Chang-wook sees himself as a well-rounded person, certainly more complex than any of the reel-life roles he has played no matter how well-written the characters were. One thing is sure though, he wants to continue working in front of the cameras, trying out different genres, as he widens his symphony of performances on his way to becoming an actor’s actor.
“I love what I’ve done so far, but I’m always open to new opportunities and possibilities,” the fresh-faced and smooth-as-glass Chang-wook said.
