Korean star Ahn Hyo Seop visits Philippines for first time, excited to meet fans

MANILA, Philippines — The acclaimed South Korean actor and singer Ahn Hyo-seop is in the country for the penultimate stop of his “The Present Show” tour across Asia.

He will be at the SM Mall of Asia Arena later today to meet his legions of Filipino fanatics who grew enamored of his dramatic flair in such series as "Still 17" (2018), "Abyss" (2019), "Dr. Romantic 2" (2020), "Lovers of the Red Sky" (2021), "Business Proposal" (2022) and "Dr. Romantic 3" (2023). His latest drama, "A Time Called You," is streaming worldwide on Netflix.

“Annyeonghaseyo. Kamusta ka? Ako si Anh Hyo-seop.” The lanky actor, 28, greeted the media at a press conference yesterday, October 7, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taguig City.

He was wearing a white shirt, baggy jeans and white shoes, being a Global BenchSetter for the lifestyle brand Bench, which brought him to our shores.

“It’s actually my first time to come here in the Philippines and I’m really excited because I just arrived this morning,” a clearly tired Hyo-seop said.

How does it feel to finally be here? The articulate Philippine-based Korean host Sam Oh asked. Though he partly grew up in Canada, Hyo-seop preferred to answer through an interpreter.  

“Actually the past few years, I’ve been very busy due to different shoots for different projects. So there are a lot of things that I really wanted to do, really wanted to try. Through this opportunity, I’m really happy that I got to visit the Philippines as well.”

What is the inspiration behind your fan meetings in Asia and how did the concept of a fan meeting come about?

“So actually I really took time to really think about the concept of our fan meet. So the main concept or the main title of our fan meet became ‘Here and Now.’

“We use the title ‘Here and Now’ thinking about the idea that the most time that can feel happiness is right here and right now. That’s why you have to make the most of your time right here right now.”

The tour has taken him to Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila. Where to next?

“Actually being able to meet my fans this itself is a great love for me. While I was in Korea, while I was just working, I was really thinking: Do my fans really exist?

“But