It was truly a special night for K-drama Filipino fans as Korean heartthrob Song Joong Ki held his first-ever fan meeting at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, 24 May.
Presented by IAM Worldwide, the Vincenzo star finally met his Filipino fans after a long wait, which made the event even more memorable.
With the fans greeting him with the warm Manila welcome, the actor was in awe, making his jaw drop. “When I heard the cheers backstage, it was very loud. The arena’s really full,” Song said in Korean, drawing another loud cheer from the crowd.
With the long anticipation finally over, the actor wondered what made Filipino fans love his character Vincenzo. The fans, eager to interact with the actor, answered that it was because of his “bad boy image.”
In the well-loved drama, the actor played the role of a consigliere or legal advisor for the Cassano mafia family. It is a mixture of action, dark comedy, and thriller, contributing to its worldwide success.
Adding to the event’s charm, the fan meeting also featured interactive games between Song and his fans. He also made a flower bouquet showcasing a new skill he mastered for his upcoming drama, My Youth.
The actor said he learned flower arrangement because of his role as a florist in his new series, which is about rekindling a long-lost love. In the future, however, Song said he wants to try a fantasy genre where he could play as a vampire.
In return for the actor’s gestures, the fans taught him Filipino words such as “masarap,” “sumakses” and “mahal kita,” making him appreciate the Filipino language.
“I really want to learn Tagalog too. Isn’t Tagalog so beautiful?” he said.
The interaction in Filipino further strengthened the bond between Song and his fans, as he repeatedly said “mahal kita” and “mahal ko kayo.”
Meanwhile, upset by the short time in the country, the actor thanked the fans for the memorable night and promised to be back.
“Thank you so much for an unforgettable memory tonight. It’s sad that my schedule in Manila is so short, but I’ll return to Manila next time. Thank you very much,” he said in Korean.
Local artists, such as Sam Concepcion, Lara Maigue and Kayla Rivera, also graced the arena with a performance of Vincenzo’s soundtrack.
Song is also known for his lead roles in Reborn Rich, A Werewolf Boy and Descendants of the Sun, among others.