Arzen Rose Dulzura

5 things we loved at Song Joong-Ki’s first Manila fanmeet

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>It’s been a week since South Korean actor Song Joong-Ki charmed fans at his first-ever fan meeting in Manila on May 24. As the beloved K-drama star finally connected with his Filipino Ki Ailes, fans are still reliving the heartfelt and unforgettable moments from “IAM Song Joong-Ki in Manila.”</p><p>From heartfelt interactions to his genuine curiosity about Filipino culture, Song Joong-Ki made his first Manila visit truly special. Here are highlights that continue to live rent-free in our heads (and hearts):</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Song Joong-Ki would love to visit to PH local markets</strong></div><p>After finally coming to Manila for the first time, Joong-Ki shared that he wanted to explore the streets of the city if given a chance to have longer stay in the country. During the media conference before the fan meeting, Joong-Ki revealed his curiosity and affection for local culture, particularly traditional markets.</p><p>“I am looking forward to seeing Manila streets and I really wanted to go to the traditional market here or supermarket,” he said as per the translator.</p><div>“Yung mga lugar na supermarket, mga places na Filipino locals really go on a daily basis. Those are the places (I) really wanted to look around, mga public markets, markets, the local restaurants, mga places that that the vibes where (I) can feel the local places. That’s what I really prefer when I go around the countries,” he explained.<span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748670636400IMG_3765 (1).jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Nikka Sabio</span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/25/song-joong-ki-on-family-ideal-ph-trip-vincenzo-1128"><strong><u>READ: Song Joong-Ki wants to do a vampire role, would love to go explore PH markets</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Song Joong-Ki wants to learn Filipino language</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:514px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748670530940IAMSongJoongKi_CharlesVillaruz-CVV05991.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photos courtesy of IAM Worldwide and PublicityAsia <br/></span></span></span></strong>Known for mastering different languages for his acting roles, Joong-Ki expressed admiration for the Filipino language during the event. The first Tagalog word he learned was “masarap” (delicious), and his curiosity didn’t stop there.</div><p>“Sobrang ganda ng pronunciation ng Tagalog, napansin ko,” he expressed.</p><p>“Ang ganda talaga ng pronunciation ng Tagalog words. Parang gusto ko talaga mag-aral ng Tagalog din kasi ‘di ba ang ganda ng Tagalog,” he mused.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKBwAZhSnjY/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A8288527.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="846" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Joong-Ki also learned Filipino words that connected to his iconic role in Vincenzo, including “kalapati” (pigeon), “apoy” (fire), “ginto” (gold), and “gusali” (building). He even picked up the Filipino slang “sumakses” (a playful adaptation of “I succeeded”) during a fun interaction with fans.</p><p>He later expressed different levels of affection using phrases like “Mahal ko kayo” (I love you all), “Mahal kita” (I love you), and “Mahal na mahal kita!” (I love you so much).</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKCZBWZhbbZ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A8266528.299999952%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Song Joong-Ki’s “sumakses” (successful) fans </strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:514px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748670357579IAMSongJoongKi_CharlesVillaruz-CVV06108.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photos courtesy of IAM Worldwide and PublicityAsia <br/></span></span></span></strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:514px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748670407978IAMSongJoongKi_CharlesVillaruz-CVV06167.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photos courtesy of IAM Worldwide and PublicityAsia <br/></span></span></span>It wasn’t just Joong-Ki who was overwhelmed by the love from the audience, fans had their shining moments too, especially those lucky enough to join him on stage for interactive games.</div><p>One standout moment came from veteran actress Janice de Belen, who has long expressed her admiration for Joong-Ki. Her fangirl dreams came true when she was selected to receive a bouquet during one of the segments.</p><p>“Kanina pa nag-eye contact kami. Kanina pa siya sobrang masaya siya kanina noong nag eye contact kami,” Joong-Ki said via translator as he spotted Janice in the crowd. He then kneeled in front of her to give the flowers he had personally arranged.<strong> </strong></p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKEZb8HyV2w/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A8243862.1999999285%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Janice took to Instagram after the show, gushing, “TONIGHT WAS A SUPER, SUPER AMAZING NIGHT!!! 🤩 I REALLY DID NOT EXPECT TO BE ON THE SAME STAGE AS MY CRUSH!!!😄 MAY BONUS PANG FLOWERS AT MADAMING YAKAP!!! HE IS MY ULTIMATE FAVE KOREAN ACTOR!!! 🤩”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKC60zQytD8/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A8223935%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="643" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Song Joong-Ki’s appreciation for Filipinos</strong></div><p>Though it was his first official visit to Manila, Joong-Ki shared that he already had a positive impression of Filipinos, thanks to his friends in Korea and Italy.</p><p>“I have some Philippine friends in Korea and friends when I stay in Italy with my wife. We have some friends there too,” he shared. “The image of Filipino people for us is so kind, so friendly so when I had the interview, I was telling them that I really want to got to the Philippines because I have a good image of the people.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKCAULgSLxA/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A8075464.6999999285%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>He reiterated this appreciation during the fan meeting, saying “Talagang first time ko rito sa Manila and actually, sa Korea and noong nasa Italy ako, may mga friends ako na Filipino and sinabi nila na Filipinos are really cool. Astig ang mga Filipinos, kaya I really wanted to come to Manila para makita ko ang mga Filipino fans ko.”</p><p>Joong-Ki also revealed he had previously vacationed in Cebu and would love to return with his family to explore more of the country’s beautiful islands.</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Song Joong-Ki’s series OST performed by Filipino artists</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:514px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748670265338IAMSongJoongKi_CharlesVillaruz-CVV05771.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photos courtesy of IAM Worldwide and PublicityAsia </span></span></span></strong>As it was a night in celebration of Joong-Ki’s first Manila event, event organizer IAM Worldwide surprised the actor with a pre-show performance of some of his series official soundtracks, as well as a performance of M2M’s “Pretty Boy,” Joong-Ki’s character song in his first Korean variety show, Running Man.</div><p>Filipino artists such as Sam Concepcion, Lara Maigue, and Kayla Rivera performed songs such as MAMAMOO Solar’s “Adrenaline” (<em>Vincenzo</em>), John Park’s “I’m Always By Your Side” (<em>Vincenzo</em>), Ailee’s “The Poem of Destiny” (<em>Arthdal Chronicles</em>), Paul Kim’s “The Miracle” (<em>Reborn Rich</em>) and Ateez’s Jong Ho’s “Gravity” (<em>Reborn Rich</em>).</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKB89KETLiI/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A8016039.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="548" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/5/25/korean-star-song-joong-ki-talks-about-vincenzo-learns-filipino-and-promises-to-return-to-ph-1418"><strong><u>READ: Korean star Song Joong-Ki talks about ‘Vincenzo,’ learns Filipino, and promises to return to PH</u></strong></a></div><p>As an appreciation for the gesture, Joong-Ki shared that he took a video of the performance and sent it to his castmates in <em>Vincenzo</em> and promised to talk with the production team on possible second season of the hit series.</p><p>“One of the works that I really love is <em>Vincenzo</em> and yung <em>Vincenzo</em> is loved by a lot of Filipino fans and the <em>Vincenzo</em> songs were sung by some by filipino artists kanina kaya I’m very blessed and very happy,” he stated. “I took a video of it and nagsend ako sa mga co-artists ko sa <em>Vincenzo</em> and they said thank you, thank you very much for singing.”</p><p><em>IAM Song Joong-Ki: Live in Manila</em> was presented by health and wellness brand IAM Worldwide.</p>

<p>Here are things that are living rent-free in our heads (and hearts) after Song Joong-Ki’s first fan meeting in Manila.</p>

Here are things that are living rent-free in our heads (and hearts) after Song Joong-Ki’s first fan meeting in Manila.