Korean actor Lee Jong-suk, star of the dramas “Big Mouth,” “Doctor Stranger” and “W,” showed another side of himself when he met fans in Manila over the weekend.  The Lee Jong-suk Fanmeet in Manila was held on April 16 at the jam-packed Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall.  Korean star Lee Jong-suk at his fan meeting on April 16 at the PICC Plenary Hall (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)
It’s been more than four years since he had his first fan meeting in the Philippines titled “Crank Up in Manila” on Nov. 18, 2018 at the Araneta Coliseum.  Pinoy boy band BGYO opened the event for Lee Jong-suk. As soon as Lee Jong Suk appeared on stage, fans started screaming and cheering for him.  BGYO (Jonathan Hicap) “I really felt your energy,” he said, adding that he rested well after arriving in Manila and exercised to prepare for the fan meeting.  He added, “First of all, I feel sorry for my Filipino fans who waited for me [to come back] as it’s been five years since we last saw each other.”  He was on the cover of the magazine L'Officiel, which organized the fan meet, in September 2021.  During the talk portion of the fan meeting, Lee Jong-suk answered personal questions.  When asked to describe himself in one word, he asked the audience for the answer and they shouted “gwapo” (handsome).  He shyly agreed, saying, “I’m gwapo.”  Lee Jong-suk revealed that during his free time, he watches shows on Netflix.  “Mostly during my day off, I really watch Netflix because I love watching dramas,” he said.  If he was given the option to travel around the world in his free time, Lee Jong-suk said he would opt to just sleep.  “Nothing. I just want to sleep and rest,” he said. 

Acting career

  He debuted as an actor in 2010 through the drama “Prosecutor Princess” and has starred in films and dramas such as “V.I.P,” “Decibel,” “I Can Hear Your Voice” and “Pinocchio.”  The star enlisted in the military in March 2019 and was discharged in January 2021. “Big Mouth” was his first drama project since his discharge.  He said, “I waited long to see you so I’m going to do another [acting] project.”  One of the most memorable projects he did was “I Can Hear Your Voice.”  “One of my happiest memories is because ‘I Can Hear Your Voice’ is already ten years. Recently I met the other lead. We had so many beautiful memories while shooting,” he said.  Last April 13, Lee Jong-suk uploaded photos on Instagram showing him with actress Lee Bo-young, and actors Yoon Sang-hyun and Kim Kwang-kyu, who were all in the drama.  He said the role that was the most challenging for him was the character of writer Cha Eun-ho in the 2019 drama “Romance Is A Bonus Book.”  “I enjoyed that role,” he said. 

Questions from fans

  During the event, fans were able to write questions for Lee Jong-suk. The questions were pinned on a board and he chose among them to answer.  Three fans whose names were picked went to the stage to personally ask Lee Jong-suk. As a bonus, they got to hug him while he had a selfie with them.  Lee Jong-suk also spoke Filipino including “Gustong-gusto kitang makapili (I really want to be with you),” “Mamahalin kita habang buhay (I will love you for the rest of my life),” “Pangako, babalik ako (Promise, I will come back).” He gave the fans gifts. 

He sings and dances

  Lee Jong-suk showed another side of him during the fan meeting. He sang Korean boy band g.o.d’s “Again.” He also had Korean actor Shin Ja-hae as a special guest at the fan meeting. The two stars were in the 2017 drama “While You Were Sleeping.”  “He is one of my loveable brothers and he is a rising star in Korea,” Lee Jong-suk said about Shin Jae-ha. 
Korean actor Lee Jong-suk (left) with surprise guest, actor Shin Jae-ha (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)
He said they would travel together before but recently Shin Jae-ha became busy with his career. So he asked Shin Jae-ha to come to the Philippines with him. Shin Jae-ha said this was his first visit to the Philippines.  Lee Jong-suk said he wants to visit Boracay in the Philippines and Shin Jae-ha said he wants to go with him.  He said his first fan meeting in Manila in 2018 was very memorable, the reason why he was excited to go back to the country.  Lee Jong-suk and Shin Jae-ha surprised fans by dancing to BTS’ “Dynamite” and NewJeans’ “Hype Boy.” 

Tasting Filipino food

  Lee Jong-suk and Shin Jae-ha played a game of tasting Filipino food. Shin Jae-ha fed a blindfolded Lee Jong-suk with Filipino food and he tried to guess its equivalent Korean dish.  He tried pansit, which is equivalent to Korea’s japchae; Choco Mallows, which tasted like Choco Pie in Korea; and espasol. Shin Jae-ha also had a shot of Ginebra San Miguel gin, which tasted like Korea’s soju, he said. 
At the event, a video was shown containing messages of love and support for Lee Jong-suk.  As a finale, Lee Jong-suk sang “Come To Me,” a song from the original soundtrack of the drama “While You Were Sleeping.”  The Lee Jong-suk Fanmeet in Manila was presented by  L'Officiel.