12 Things We Discovered About Song Joong Ki During His Manila Event | ABS-CBN
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12 Things We Discovered About Song Joong Ki During His Manila Event
12 Things We Discovered About Song Joong Ki During His Manila Event
Grace Libero
Published May 29, 2025 05:30 AM PHT
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Updated May 29, 2025 05:37 AM PHT
Song Joong Ki during his press conference in Manila | Photo by Pat Buenaobra
Song Joong Ki during his press conference in Manila | Photo by Pat BuenaobraSong Joong Ki finally met his Filipino fans last May 24 during his first-ever event in Manila, Philippines. Organized by health and wellness brand I AM Worldwide, the “I AM Song Joong Ki: Live in Manila” event was held at MOA Arena, where he bonded with his fans for more than an hour of fun-filled onstage chats and games.
Song Joong Ki finally met his Filipino fans last May 24 during his first-ever event in Manila, Philippines. Organized by health and wellness brand I AM Worldwide, the “I AM Song Joong Ki: Live in Manila” event was held at MOA Arena, where he bonded with his fans for more than an hour of fun-filled onstage chats and games.
Song Joong Ki is the face of three I AM Worldwide products: Amazing Pure Organic Barley, Amazing Choco Barley, and Amazing Caffe Macchiato. He said he likes these products not only for their benefits to his body but also how delicious they taste—we lost count of the times he said “masarap!” He said he usually prefers food that is good for digestion, so he’s into organic products, too.
Song Joong Ki is the face of three I AM Worldwide products: Amazing Pure Organic Barley, Amazing Choco Barley, and Amazing Caffe Macchiato. He said he likes these products not only for their benefits to his body but also how delicious they taste—we lost count of the times he said “masarap!” He said he usually prefers food that is good for digestion, so he’s into organic products, too.
When asked about the campaign shoot he did with the brand in South Korea, Song Joong Ki shared that he remembered it being really cold. Upon seeing how warmly Filipino fans welcomed him, he said through a translator, “What if dito na lang ako mag-shoot sa Manila next time?” And the audience erupted in cheers.
When asked about the campaign shoot he did with the brand in South Korea, Song Joong Ki shared that he remembered it being really cold. Upon seeing how warmly Filipino fans welcomed him, he said through a translator, “What if dito na lang ako mag-shoot sa Manila next time?” And the audience erupted in cheers.
Song Joong Ki is famous for K-dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal, The Innocent Man, Descendants of the Sun, Arthdal Chronicles, Vincenzo, and Reborn Rich, as well as movies A Werewolf Boy, The Battleship Island, Space Sweepers, Hopeless, My Name Is Loh Kiwan, and Bogota: City of the Lost. These projects have endeared him to fans across the globe, but especially to K-culture-loving Filipinos.
Song Joong Ki is famous for K-dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal, The Innocent Man, Descendants of the Sun, Arthdal Chronicles, Vincenzo, and Reborn Rich, as well as movies A Werewolf Boy, The Battleship Island, Space Sweepers, Hopeless, My Name Is Loh Kiwan, and Bogota: City of the Lost. These projects have endeared him to fans across the globe, but especially to K-culture-loving Filipinos.
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When Janeena asked him why he thinks his K-dramas are so endearing, Song Joong Ki turned to the audience to ask, “Why?” And from where they were sitting, the fans were shouting what Song Joong Ki and his shows mean to them. His work clearly had such a significant impact on the fans in ways he never would’ve imagined. Seasoned Filipina actress Janice de Belen, for instance, who attended his Manila event, later shared on Instagram that Song Joong Ki’s drama, Descendants of the Sun, helped her cope with grief when her mother passed away.
When Janeena asked him why he thinks his K-dramas are so endearing, Song Joong Ki turned to the audience to ask, “Why?” And from where they were sitting, the fans were shouting what Song Joong Ki and his shows mean to them. His work clearly had such a significant impact on the fans in ways he never would’ve imagined. Seasoned Filipina actress Janice de Belen, for instance, who attended his Manila event, later shared on Instagram that Song Joong Ki’s drama, Descendants of the Sun, helped her cope with grief when her mother passed away.
During the show, Janeena also told Song Joong Ki that Filipinos specifically loved his portrayal in Vincenzo because of his “bad boy image,” and he was delighted to know that.
During the show, Janeena also told Song Joong Ki that Filipinos specifically loved his portrayal in Vincenzo because of his “bad boy image,” and he was delighted to know that.
From his press con to his live appearance, fans got to know him better, and we, too, were delighted to have seen different sides of him through the stories and trivia he shared about himself. Here, we listed some of our discoveries about Song Joong Ki.
From his press con to his live appearance, fans got to know him better, and we, too, were delighted to have seen different sides of him through the stories and trivia he shared about himself. Here, we listed some of our discoveries about Song Joong Ki.
He found Filipinos kind and friendly, so he really wanted to come to Manila.
Song Joong shared with ABS-CBN News, “I have some Filipino friends in Korea through my friend. And then, when I stayed in Italy with my wife, we had some Filipino friends there, too. So, the image of the Filipino people for us is so kind, so friendly.” This good impression made him want to come to Manila, since it was about 15 years ago when he first visited Cebu, Philippines, for a vacation. Unfortunately, his Manila trip was short, so he couldn’t explore much of the country. “But next time, I really want to come here for my family vacation because I heard here, there are many beautiful islands,” he said, adding that he knows about Palawan.
Song Joong shared with ABS-CBN News, “I have some Filipino friends in Korea through my friend. And then, when I stayed in Italy with my wife, we had some Filipino friends there, too. So, the image of the Filipino people for us is so kind, so friendly.” This good impression made him want to come to Manila, since it was about 15 years ago when he first visited Cebu, Philippines, for a vacation. Unfortunately, his Manila trip was short, so he couldn’t explore much of the country. “But next time, I really want to come here for my family vacation because I heard here, there are many beautiful islands,” he said, adding that he knows about Palawan.
If he had more time in Manila, he would've wanted to...
...check out the traditional supermarkets to acquaint himself with the local products.
...check out the traditional supermarkets to acquaint himself with the local products.
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The role he wants to try next is…
…a vampire! Song Joong Ki said he wants to dabble in the fantasy genre. In 2012, he starred in the fantasy romance film A Werewolf Boy, and he shared that he really enjoyed his character there, and it made him think of doing a vampire character. “Pero s’yempre, dapat one of a kind ’yung vampire. Vampire na may Asian color din,” the interpreter said, translating Song Joong Ki’s comment.
…a vampire! Song Joong Ki said he wants to dabble in the fantasy genre. In 2012, he starred in the fantasy romance film A Werewolf Boy, and he shared that he really enjoyed his character there, and it made him think of doing a vampire character. “Pero s’yempre, dapat one of a kind ’yung vampire. Vampire na may Asian color din,” the interpreter said, translating Song Joong Ki’s comment.
His favorite season is…
…summer! When Song Joong Ki shared that during the event, Janeena joked, “’Wag ka na umuwi! Summer lagi dito!” Although the weather is hot, he feels like summer makes him feel alive. Janeena joked him once again, “Naku, ’wag ka na uuwi talaga. Dito ka na!” Quickly, he replied, “Okay!” He joked back, saying that he would call his wife and tell her he wouldn’t come home.
…summer! When Song Joong Ki shared that during the event, Janeena joked, “’Wag ka na umuwi! Summer lagi dito!” Although the weather is hot, he feels like summer makes him feel alive. Janeena joked him once again, “Naku, ’wag ka na uuwi talaga. Dito ka na!” Quickly, he replied, “Okay!” He joked back, saying that he would call his wife and tell her he wouldn’t come home.
The oldest thing he owns is...
...a car key!
...a car key!
His favorite scenes from Vincenzo are…
The interpreter translated Song Joong Ki’s answer to that question, saying, “Ang dami kong memorable scenes, but isa dun ’yung last episode, may kissing sa last episode. Tapos ’yung first episode, ’yung winery, nasunog. ’Yun din ’yung memorable sa’kin.” Song Joong Ki further shared that he really loved the script of Vincenzo and welcomes the idea of a second season for it. “In the drama, I was able to overcome the struggle of being a bad boy, and I think I’ve done a great job in that drama,” Song Joong Ki said, as translated.
The interpreter translated Song Joong Ki’s answer to that question, saying, “Ang dami kong memorable scenes, but isa dun ’yung last episode, may kissing sa last episode. Tapos ’yung first episode, ’yung winery, nasunog. ’Yun din ’yung memorable sa’kin.” Song Joong Ki further shared that he really loved the script of Vincenzo and welcomes the idea of a second season for it. “In the drama, I was able to overcome the struggle of being a bad boy, and I think I’ve done a great job in that drama,” Song Joong Ki said, as translated.
He said he likes the sound of the Filipino language and would like to study it.
A Korean’s fan meet in the Philippines isn’t complete without a segment teaching the artist some Filipino words. At Song Joong Ki’s event, he learned Filipino words like “masarap” (delicious), “kalapati” (dove or pigeon), “apoy” (fire), “ginto” (gold), and “gusali” (building). Janeena even taught him to say “kalma lang” (just relax) and “dahan-dahan” (slowly).
A Korean’s fan meet in the Philippines isn’t complete without a segment teaching the artist some Filipino words. At Song Joong Ki’s event, he learned Filipino words like “masarap” (delicious), “kalapati” (dove or pigeon), “apoy” (fire), “ginto” (gold), and “gusali” (building). Janeena even taught him to say “kalma lang” (just relax) and “dahan-dahan” (slowly).
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There was a segment during the “I AM Song Joong Ki: Live in Manila” called “Read My Mind.” Select fans were invited onstage for a game. There were two options presented for each round, and they had to guess Song Joong Ki's preferences from those options. They had to write their guesses on a whiteboard, and Song Joong Ki had to write down his pick, too! Here are the things we learned about him during this part of the program:
There was a segment during the “I AM Song Joong Ki: Live in Manila” called “Read My Mind.” Select fans were invited onstage for a game. There were two options presented for each round, and they had to guess Song Joong Ki's preferences from those options. They had to write their guesses on a whiteboard, and Song Joong Ki had to write down his pick, too! Here are the things we learned about him during this part of the program:
Between cats and dogs, he prefers dogs. He has an Italian greyhound named Nalla.
Between cats and dogs, he prefers dogs. He has an Italian greyhound named Nalla.
Between pizza and pasta, he prefers pasta.
Between pizza and pasta, he prefers pasta.
Between the beach and the mountain, he prefers the mountain.
Between the beach and the mountain, he prefers the mountain.
Between chocolate and vanilla, he prefers chocolate.
Between chocolate and vanilla, he prefers chocolate.
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Between coffee and tea, he prefers coffee. “I really love coffee,” he said.
Between coffee and tea, he prefers coffee. “I really love coffee,” he said.
Photos by Pat Buenaobra
Photos by Pat Buenaobra
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