Tovic Salvador

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Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782794082274photo_2026-06-30_12-34-28.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Philippine-based South Korean actor Kim Ji-soo in a behind-the-scenes photo for the Viu original series &#x27;Love, Siargao.&#x27; Photo from Ji-soo&#x27;s Instagram account</div>After nearly two years of working in the Philippines, South Korean actor Kim Ji-soo says the country has become more than just a workplace — it has become a &quot;second home&quot; that has reshaped the way he lives and sees the world.&quot;For me, being in the Philippines, actually, it changed me a lot, like my lifestyle, my attitude,&quot; Ji-soo said in a recent interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila for the Viu original series &quot;Love, Siargao,&quot; in which he stars alongside Alden Richards and Nadine Lustre.For Ji-soo, life in the Philippines offers a more relaxed pace compared to the more serious culture he grew up with in South Korea.&quot;Since I came to the Philippines, I feel more chill, smile and playful,&quot; he said in the interview posted on Davila&#x27;s YouTube channel.&quot;It&#x27;s kind of [a] cultural difference. In Korea, we have a kind of serious culture, but here, it&#x27;s more like chill and smile, that&#x27;s why I like it. And people are very friendly here,&quot; he said.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f3nYx632lVg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>Ji-soo gained attention his roles in South Korean dramas such as &quot;Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,&quot; &quot;Strong Woman Do Bong-soon&quot; and &quot;My First First Love.&quot;In 2021, however, Ji-soo&#x27;s rising career came to a halt after he became embroiled in school bullying allegations, which he later <a href="https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/entertainment/jisoo-admits-to-bullying-promises-to-atone/10929239">reportedly admitted and apologized for</a> in a now-deleted Instagram post.Since 2024, he resumed acting in the Philippines, signing with GMA&#x27;s Sparkle talent agency.Ji-soo said he felt &quot;honored&quot; to work with the &quot;Love, Siargao&quot; leads.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782794150794Love, SiargaoAmazing people. Beautiful nature. Unforgettable memories. One of the Best times of (1).jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/>Ji-soo with his &#x27;Love, Siargao&#x27; co-stars and crew members. Photo from Ji-soo&#x27;s Instagram account</div>&quot;I&#x27;m really honored to work with Alden and Nadine, especially Alden, I can see [him] everywhere in Manila,&quot; he said.Working with the two also gave Ji-soo a deeper understanding of why they are so popular, adding that the experience taught him valuable lessons about character.&quot;They&#x27;re so friendly to me. And also, I&#x27;m a foreigner so they always take care of me,&quot; he said.&quot;They&#x27;re super nice, so I also learn from them. &#x27;Ah that&#x27;s why they&#x27;re superstars. Maybe I should copy them.&#x27;&quot;Set on the titular island famed as a surfing destination, &quot;Love, Siargao&quot; follows two people said to be afflicted by the &quot;Siargao curse&quot; as their paths cross on the island.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/6/26/nadine-lustre-alden-richards-love-siargao-premieres-on-viu-tonight-1532">READ: Nadine Lustre, Alden Richards&#x27; &#x27;Love, Siargao&#x27; premieres on Viu</a></div>

After nearly two years of working in the Philippines, South Korean actor Kim Ji-soo says the country has become more than just a workplace — it has become a 'second home' that has reshaped the way he lives and sees the world.

After nearly two years of working in the Philippines, South Korean actor Kim Ji-soo says the country has become more than just a workplace — it has become a 'second home' that has reshaped the way he lives and sees the world.

How working in 'second home' PH changed Kim Ji-soo

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How working in 'second home' PH changed Kim Ji-soo

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 30, 2026 01:08 PM PHT

Read More:

Kim Ji-soo

Ji Soo

Love Siargao

Karen Davila interview

Korean celebrities

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