Korean actor and model Jang Ki Yong finished his “Beautiful Day” Asia Fanmeeting tour with Manila as the final stop.
Jang Ki Yong (장기용), who starred in the dramas “My Roommate Is a Gumiho” and the Viu Original “Now That We’re Breaking Up,” met Filipino fans on Sept. 28 at the Samsung Hall at SM Aura.
It was a memorable event to cap his Asia fan meeting, which started in Seoul and brought him to Japan, Thailand and Taiwan before the Philippines.
It’s been five years since Kang Ji Yong came back to the Philippines after holding his “1st Fan Meeting: Filmography in Manila” at the same venue in 2019.
Korean actor Jang Ki Yong (left) at his “Beautiful Day” Asia Fanmeeting with Manila hosted by Sam Oh on Sept. 28 at Samsung Hall at SM Aura (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean actor Jang Ki Yong at his fan meeting in Manila on Sept. 28 at Samsung Hall at SM Aura (Jonathan Hicap)
He enlisted in the military in August 2021, was discharged in February last year and resumed his career.
Jang Ki Yong surprised Manila fans by emerging from the audience area before going up the stage and singing “Thought of You.”
“Kamusta kayo? (How are you?) I love the Philippines. I’ve been waiting for this day to come. It’s been five years. Manila is actually the last stop for my fan meeting tour and I kinda have these mixed emotions during the rehearsal as well.
Segments
The fan meeting showed a different side of Jang Ki Yong. From singing, dancing to playing games, he interacted with fans and looked back on what activities he did in the last few years including his military service.
In “Beautiful Diary,” he discussed photos, drama projects and his enlistment. In “My Roommate Is a Gumiho,” he co-starred with actress and K-pop idol Lee Hyeri, who is also known for starring in the hit drama “Reply 1988.”
“We support each other,” he said of Hyeri.
“My Roommate Is a Gumiho” stars Jang Ki Yong and Lee Hyeri (Photo from tvN)
Another photo taken on Aug. 22, 2021 showed Jang Ki Yong with short hair a day before he enlisted in the military.
“I did a photoshoot a day before I enlisted. Right after the shoot, I had to shave all of my hair,” he said.
Jang Ki Yong said one of the things that he regretted not doing before his enlistment was devoting time for himself.
“If there’s one thing I kinda regret or feel sad about about myself is that I wasn’t able to give myself time just for myself when it comes traveling or for self-development,” he said.
Korean actor Jang Ki Yong at his fan meeting in Manila on Sept. 28 at Samsung Hall at SM Aura (Jonathan Hicap)
About the drama “Now, We Are Breaking Up,” which was released when he was in the military and his other projects, he said he stayed in touch with his co-stars.
“All the actors that I’ve worked with, seniors and juniors, are great actors. I think it’s all my personality. I really like others like brothers and sisters, I really try to take care of them. I really love joking around with people, meeting people. The vibe during the shoot of the drama was really comfortable,” he said.
In the military, he starred in the musical “Blue Helmet: A Song of Meissa.”
“I’ve done a lot of movies and dramas but I never had the experience of going up on stage. It was a great opportunity and experience for me. And representing the Army as well, I really wanted to show a great performance,” he said.
He said he wants to try to perform in plays and musicals.
Jang Ki Yong said he really wants to go to the Philippines for a vacation and asked the audience for suggestions. Some of the fans suggested Amanpulo, Siquijor and Siargao.
In the “Beautiful Hero” segment, Jang Ki Yong reenacted four scenes in the drama “The Atypical Family” with fans whose names were selected through a raffle draw.
The next segment, “Beautiful Wish,” Jang Ki Yong did a morning call that fans recorded, saying, “Bebe, gising na (Baby, please wake up).” Next, he did five different heart poses for fans.
In the “K-pop Challenge,” Jang Ki Yong and a fan danced to NCT 127’s “Walk.”
He also read messages sent by fans during the “Beautiful Memories” segment.
Jang Ki Yong also surprised fans by announcing that all attendees would experience a hi-touch from him.
To make it happen, the fans had to win three games in the “Beautiful Zone” segment. Fans participated in games with him including stacking miniature chairs, and playing sipa and group jumping rope.
Fans presented him with a cake with the message “Beautiful Day in Manila” and a video containing their messages for the actor.
“Thank you so much,” he said.
During the fan meeting, Jang Ki Yong also sang “Twenty Five, Twenty One,” “I Love You” and “Paradise Tree.”
Korean actor Jang Ki Yong at his fan meeting in Manila on Sept. 28 at Samsung Hall at SM Aura (Jonathan Hicap)
Message for Filipino fans
As he wrapped up the Manila fan meeting, Jang Ki Yong said, “I want to do it again tomorrow.”
“That’s how I really enjoyed it. You know the time is very short and here on stage, I really, really enjoyed spending time with my fans. It’s been five years since I last visited the Philippines. When I first entered the door [of the venue], I kinda have this thought that this is really the energy of the Philippines. It really was a success,” he said.
Jang Ki Yong said he is currently shooting the drama “Pigpen,” which is set for release next year.
“As an actor, I will really do my best, and greet and meet my fans through different dramas and different works,” said Jang Ki Yong.
The “2024 Jang Ki Yong s Beautiful Day Asia Fanmeeting tour with Manila was presented by Viu Philippines through its Viu Scream Dates.
Korean actor Jang Ki Yong at his fan meeting in Manila on Sept. 28 at Samsung Hall at SM Aura (Jonathan Hicap)