Dubbed the “Son of Netflix,” South Korean actor Song Kang gained a significant global following for his notable performances in several K-dramas, including Sweet Home, Nevertheless, and Forecasting Love and Weather. Filipino K-drama fans were no exception to his charm and talent as they showed the actor their support.
Araneta
“I feel like I have received so much love, but I have not been able to give back just because of the situation. I have not been able to come and see Filipino fans,” Song Kang said in Korean. But thanks to Korean skincare and manufacturer brand of cosmetics Deoproce, he had to opportunity to meet his Filipino fans last Sunday, March 5.
Although a bit nervous about the “fun meet” at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Song Kang doesn’t deny that he’s excited to see his Filipino fans and interact with them as much as possible.
Yet before he made his and his fans’ dreams come true, he shared some of his experiences in the Philippines when he landed. He arrived in the Philippines around noon on March 4, Saturday. His first item on his agenda was to see the streets of Manila, prompting him to go out and sample local cuisine, starting with Jollibee. It didn’t stop there, though, as Song Kang ate home-style cooking dishes such as halo-halo, kare-kare, and bulalo. For an extra treat, Song Kang admitted to enjoying dried mango.
Besides the food, Song Kang thought the streets of Manila were beautiful and enjoyed the Philippine weather. He shared it was the kind of weather he likes, cool and breezy. When the night came, during his Fun Meet, the warm cheers of his Filipino fans would welcome him.
The ‘Nevertheless’ lead star couldn’t help but get emotional with the overwhelming support of his Filipino Songpyeons – his fan base name – as he watched a video tribute especially made for him during the ‘fun meet.’
“I really did not think I was going to cry. I am really surprised,” said Song Kang.
It’s the first time that the 28-year-old actor visited his fans in the Philippines.
“I am always thankful for all your support. I hope you can all be happy and you can all be healthy. I am so honored,” the South Korean actor added.
Song Kang also expressed his amusement at how famous he is outside South Korea after seeing them up close during his fan meeting.
“I gain so much strength and energy from all of you,” granted Song Kang.
What is a fan meet without interacting with fans portions where they could interact with the Korean star? Songpyeons enjoyed segments such as ‘The Kang-munication Tutorial’ where selected fans taught him some Filipino phrases, and ‘Kang I Call You?’ where they got a chance to have a phone call with Song Kang and ask for advice on their career, love, and life.
During the question and answer portion, Song Kang also received a request to show a sample of ballet dancing which he gladly granted. Song Kang learned how to dance ballet as a requirement for his series Navillera.
He also brought his viral dance moves to Manila as he covered K-pop girl group New Jean’s’ “Hype Boy.”
Song Kang’s meet-cute with his Filipino fans ended with his message wishing them to stay healthy for a long time.
Song Kang started his career in 2017 in the drama series The Liar and His Lover. He began making his name in the Korean drama world when he starred in Love Alarm, Sweet Home, Nevertheless, Forecasting Love and Weather, and his latest series, Navillera.