It’s Showtime host Ryan Bang never imagined that years of making Filipinos laugh would one day place him on a government-recognized list alongside some of South Korea’s biggest cultural icons. That surprise became reality after he was named among the personalities who positively influenced South Korea’s image in the 2025 Korea National Image Survey, released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Bang admitted the news caught him completely off guard—so much so that he heard about it not from official channels, but from his family back home.

“Nagulat ako kasi tumawag yung magulang ko, nasa news daw ako sa Korea. ’Yon pala sa survey ng government… na positive impact sa image ng Korea,” he shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
(“I was surprised because my parents called me and said I was on the news in Korea. It turned out it was from a government survey… about having a positive impact on Korea’s image.”)

The recognition felt surreal, especially when he saw his name placed beside global superstars.

“Nakakatuwa kasi lahat ng artista doon talaga, big and famous—BTS, Blackpink, Lee Min-ho, tapos napasama ako doon, nandun ang name ko,” Bang said, clearly amused and humbled by the company he was keeping.
(“It’s really fun because all the artists there are truly big and famous—BTS, Blackpink, Lee Min-ho—and then I ended up included there, my name was there.”)

For Bang, the honor goes beyond personal achievement. He believes the acknowledgment reflects his role as a cultural bridge between two nations he considers home.

“Na-appreciate siguro nila na ako ang tulay ng Republic of Korea and Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
(“Maybe they appreciated that I serve as a bridge between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines.”)

Over the years, Bang has quietly taken on responsibilities beyond entertainment—hosting cross-cultural events, engaging with diplomatic officials, meeting Korean delegates, and connecting with overseas Filipino workers. He sees these efforts as part of a shared exchange of goodwill.

“’Yong ginagawa ko lahat, yung good image ng Philippines sa Korea, siyempre gusto ko rin yung good image ng Korea dito sa Philippines,” he explained.
(“In everything I do, I want the Philippines to have a good image in Korea, and of course I also want Korea to have a good image here in the Philippines.”)

His gratitude was unmistakable, especially toward the audience that embraced him and allowed him to build a life and career far from his birthplace.

“Maraming salamat sa mga madlang pipol at mga Pilipino. Alam niyo namang Pilipino rin ako, kasi mas matagal akong nakatira dito kesa sa Korea. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang pag-promote ng kabutihan at kagandahan dito sa Philippines tungkol sa Korea,” Bang said.
(“Thank you very much to the madlang people and to Filipinos. You know that I’m also Filipino, because I’ve lived here longer than in Korea. I will continue promoting the goodness and beauty of Korea here in the Philippines.”)

The recognition has also opened new doors. Bang revealed that he has already received inquiries and invitations to guest on South Korean programs to talk about the milestone—an opportunity to share his story on a broader stage.

From a young Korean navigating a new culture to a familiar face on It’s Showtime, Ryan Bang’s journey has become a quiet example of how humor, sincerity, and cultural respect can transcend borders. This time, the punchline is not just laughter—it is diplomacy, connection, and an unexpected place in history.