Korean actor Hwang In-youp (aka Hwang In-yeop), star of the dramas “True Beauty,” “Why Her” and Netflix’s “The Sound of Magic,” held his first fan meeting in the Philippines, a country that is close to his heart.
The 31-year-old star got to interact with Pinoy fans at his BYS Fun Meet in Manila held on June 19 at the New Frontier Theater.
Korean actor Hwang In-youp answers questions at his press conference at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila on June 19 (Jonathan Hicap)
Before Hwang In-youp debuted as an actor in 2018, he studied in the Philippines. He went to high school at the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School and got a degree in Bachelor in Fine Arts Major in Fashion Design in 2012 at the Philippine Women's College of Davao, both located in Davao City.
Before the fan meeting, Hwang In-youp held a press conference at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila where he talked about his days in the Philippines, beauty regimen and his acting career.
He is the brand ambassador of BYS Philippines. Last September, BYS Philippines signed up Hwang In-youp as its endorser and headlined the #UncoverTrueBeauty campaign that coincided with the launch of the Skin by BYS Minis.
Hwang In-youp arrived in Manila on June 18 and said he was happy to see fans waiting for him at the airport.
“I am very happy to be back in the country that I love and last night I arrived at 10:30 in the evening and I was so surprised to see my fans waiting for me. I am very excited to be back, do things and see my fans,” he said.
He added, “I’m waiting for the day for my Filipino fans and friends to come to Korea and spend time over there.”
Hwang In-youp said he lived in Davao for four years and he keeps in touch with his friends.
“Yes I did live in Davao for four years and it has been ten years since I saw my friends but we still keep in touch. Some of them have become professors. Some of them are living abroad, working abroad and I love to go back in Davao although I love Manila too,” he said
According to him, “Davao has a special place in my heart because I lived there. The schedule for this trip is quite tight so probably I will not be able to go to Davao but probably I will make a side trip.”
What he misses in the Philippines
Having spent years in the Philippines, Hwang In-youp misses the food and the weather is quite pleasant.
“The Philippines is a little hot but I actually really love this kind of weather. I find it a little drier here and you are under the shade, it is actually very pleasant. I saw the pool here and I would love to go,” he said.
He added, “The Philippines has good food. In fact, after this, I will go straight having Filipino food. I really liked Jollibee when I lived here. But when I was learning English here, I had a tutor and she would make me mango float. I would keep that in the fridge and I miss that a lot.”
The actor also loves pineapples, dried mango and "kwek kwek," saying, “I think Philippine pineapples are very delicious so I miss that. Dried mango. In fact, when my friends found out I was coming to the Philippines, they wanted dried mango. It’s kwek kwek, right? I miss that. I used to eat that in the street.” Kwek kwek is a deep-fried hard-boiled egg covered in batter
Hwang In-youp said he would love to visit Cebu and Boracay.
“I haven’t been to Cebu yet. I haven’t been to Boracay. I have been to Baguio so I would love to go to Cebu and Boracay. When I take that secret trip to Davao, I will also swing by Cebu and Boracay,” he promised.
If he could take a friend to Korea, he said, “I love to take all of you, would you like to go to Seoul? To my house.”
Acting
About his major interests outside acting, Hwang In-youp said, “What I really like to do, I love the night view. What I like to do is at night, I like to get in the car by myself, put on some music and take a drive around.”
It has been four years since he made his acting debut and when he was asked what role or movie genre he wants to explore in the future, he said, “As you know, it has not been that long since I debuted.”
“Right now the focus is not so much on the kind of role I would like to portray but perhaps what genre I would like to explore. Even before that it is really more about me wanting to show you my skills as a talented actor. I think that has to come first,” he said.
Skin care
Hwang In-youp shared how he takes care of his skin.
“Of course, I have to use BYS. That’s the secret. As a young child, every time I would step out, my parents would always put sunscreen on me. And if I have an outdoor shoot and I’m under the sun a lot, and exposed to a lot of UV rays, I usually do a hydrating mask when I get home at night. And probably the most important thing is a positive attitude,” he said.
Among the BYS products he would like to recommend, he said, “It’s not really one product but it’s a regimen. It’s a line of products. I believe you need to use the toner, serum, lotion, cream to get the full effect. That is what I will recommend.”
BYS stands for “be yourself.” When asked what advice he would give to fans to be themselves, he said, “I think as you live life, you get to a point where you become credible of yourself, maybe even hate yourself.”
“I think it is really important to switch paradigm to loving yourself because it is only in loving yourself that you will be able to go to the next step which is loving others. And I think that is my philosophy on that, on being yourself.”
Hwang In-youp shared one secret on how he takes care of himself.
“When I take a shower at night, I always make sure to finish with a cold wash on my face. That is cold water always. And then lip balm is essential. I like to put on a lot of it. That is probably because in Korea there are four seasons. In the Philippines where it is hot, you probably don’t need that much,” he said.
As the press conference wrapped up, Hwang In-youp thanked Filipino fans for their love.
“I wasn’t expecting this kind of love so I’m very thankful for this great love that I am receiving from the Philippines. It’s especially close to my heart personally because this is a country that I lived in. To be receiving this kind of love is fascinating and I am also grateful for it at the same time. I am asking for your support for my current show. I wish you good health,” he said.