South Korean actor and singer Seo In-guk made his return to Manila a warm reunion with Filipino fans, happily engaging with the crowd while sharing stories about fashion, food, travel and his latest projects.
The actor was in the Philippines for a special appearance with local fashion brand Bench, meeting fans at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium on Aug. 22 for the “One Step Closer with Seo In-guk” fan meet.
Dressed in a Bench ensemble, Seo In-guk appeared relaxed and at ease as he interacted with fans.
“It’s been a while since we last met. First of all, thank you so much, Bench. I’m so happy to have met my Filipino fans,” he said through a translator.
“I feel like it’s been such a long time since I’ve been here, and I’m really grateful to Bench for bringing me back to the Philippines. The fact that I’m able to be here today is also because of the fans. If I’ve been able to build such a good relationship with Bench, it’s all thanks to the fans, so I’m very, very happy to be here,” he added.
Much of the conversation centered on fashion, with the actor giving fans a glimpse into how he approaches his own wardrobe.
Asked whether he prefers casual or semi-formal looks, Seo In-guk chose the former.
“I really like casual style. What I’m wearing today is actually something that I wear a lot for my meetings. But if I have to go somewhere important or if I have an important meeting, then I do like semi-formal styling,” he said.
He also praised Bench for offering options that fit both sides of his wardrobe.
“In Bench, it’s easy to find both styles, like the casual one or the semi-formal. So I think it’s such a great thing because you can find all different styles in Bench,” he said.
For Seo In-guk, however, fashion is not necessarily about making a bold statement. He said he prefers clothes that look good in different settings while allowing him to remain comfortable and approachable.
“I think it’s like a style that won’t make me stand out. I can go anywhere in it and still look good,” he said.
The actor also had the chance to talk about his recent acting work, including his role as Park Kyung-nam in the Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand.”
He described Park Kyung-nam as someone who takes his emotions seriously, particularly when it comes to expressing his feelings to another person.
“In the case of Park Kyung Nam, he has a serious side. Whenever he has to express his feelings, he’s very, very serious about it. He also knows how to wait for the feelings of the person that he’s expressing to,” he said.
“He’s also very sweet, kind and very delicate. Delicate and sweet. That is the type of character Park Kyung-nam is,” Seo In-guk added.
When asked what qualities he personally finds attractive in a person, Seo In-guk again emphasized the importance of communication.
“I think someone who can have a good conversation is very attractive. I think someone who converses really well is very charming,” he said.
“When you have a conversation, it includes so many things. It’s like a humor code, like a person’s humor. Even if I’m angry at something, the other person can calm me down,” he added.
Seo In-guk also shared his idea of an ideal date. According to him, simplicity and consideration matter more to him than big plans.
“My perfect date? First, there shouldn’t be a fight. I’ll try to see if the kind of date I prepared matches the person’s taste, I’d rather have something very simple and something very easygoing,” he said.
“I think it requires a lot of effort for me to consider that person’s feelings, and for that person to consider my feelings, and to try not to walk on eggshells around each other. It requires a lot of effort,” he added.
In the Q&A that followed, Seo In-guk also revealed his fondness for the sea and recalled filming in the Philippines during a previous visit.
“I was so happy when we shot this. These were all shot near the sea,” he said, adding he would like to return to the location where the photos were taken.
Throughout the event, Seo In-guk remained animated and playful, readily responding to the fans’ enthusiasm and joining in the program’s lighthearted moments. He also warmly engaged with fans up close, willingly hugging them, holding their hands, and sharing face-to-face interactions. He also offered words of encouragement and affirmation that made the experience even more personal and memorable.
