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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider K-pop idol Bae Jin-young urges Filipinos to visit Korea

K-pop idol Bae Jin-young urges Filipinos to visit Korea

Published Aug 23, 2026 10:29 pm
(Clockwise from top left) K-pop idol Bae Jin-young at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia, and the Yeongchumun, or west gate, of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea in winter (Jonathan Hicap)
(Clockwise from top left) K-pop idol Bae Jin-young at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia, and the Yeongchumun, or west gate, of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea in winter (Jonathan Hicap)

K-pop star Bae Jin-young encouraged Filipinos to visit South Korea and highlighted activities and food that they can enjoy there during the winter season. 

The singer, who became part of the K-pop boy bands Wanna One and CIX, flew to Manila for the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 held on Aug. 22 and 23 at the SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall and Central Atrium.  

Organized by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Manila Office, the two-day event showcased Korea’s tourism and 24 industry partners, including travel agencies, online travel operators, airlines, ski resorts, among many others.

On the first day of the travel fair on Aug. 22. Bae Jin-young performed and also participated in the opening ceremony together with Park Young Hee, director of the KTO; Kim Myeongjin, director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines; Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls; TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines; Christian Joseph Galsim, KTO K-creator; and representatives from the Korea Taekwondo Association and show “Nanta.” 

Other performers included the Korean dance crew Bank Two Brothers from the reality survival show "Street Man Fighter,” the Korea Taekwondo Association and Nanta.

For Bae Jin-young, winter in Korea is all about love and romance. 

“Because when it snows, it gives it a more romantic vibe,” he explained.

For winter destinations in Korea, Bae Jin-young recommended going to ski resorts. 

“Ever since I was young, I was able to have a lot of good and precious memories of staying in the area. So, if  my friends get a chance to visit Korea, I would definitely recommend them to have a visit to the ski area, too,” he said. 

During winter, the K-pop star loves sledding and ice skating, saying, “I do love ice skating as well because I do generally love sports activities in winter and I love to try one of those.”

For food to eat, he recommended the popular street food bungeoppang, a fish-shaped bread filled with red bean filling; hotteok, a sweet food pancake;  and eomukguk or fish-cake soup. 

Bae Jin-young also recommended that for Filipinos experiencing snow for the first time in Korea, they should build a snowman, saying, “It's quite cold to touch the snow, but when you endure it and you design a snowman the way you like, I think you'll feel very proud when you see the result.” 

The second day of the travel fiesta featured Filipino singing sensation Gwyn Dorado, who made her mark via the singing competition show “Sing Again 4.”

She won first place on the show “Top 6 Singers : Hit Song Wanted.” 
K-Beauty Zone at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-Beauty Zone at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-Beauty Zone at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-Beauty Zone at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-Culture Zone at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-Culture Zone at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The opening ceremony for the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia with Park Young Hee, KTO director; Kim Myeongjin, director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines; Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls; TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines; Christian Joseph Galsim, KTO K-creator; and representatives from the Korea Taekwondo Association and show “Nanta” (Jonathan Hicap)
The opening ceremony for the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia with Park Young Hee, KTO director; Kim Myeongjin, director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines; Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls; TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines; Christian Joseph Galsim, KTO K-creator; and representatives from the Korea Taekwondo Association and show “Nanta” (Jonathan Hicap)
SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin (Jonathan Hicap)
SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin (Jonathan Hicap)
The opening ceremony for the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia with Park Young Hee, KTO director; Kim Myeongjin, director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines; Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls; TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines; Christian Joseph Galsim, KTO K-creator; and representatives from the Korea Taekwondo Association and show “Nanta” (Jonathan Hicap)
The opening ceremony for the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia with Park Young Hee, KTO director; Kim Myeongjin, director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines; Joaquin San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls; TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines; Christian Joseph Galsim, KTO K-creator; and representatives from the Korea Taekwondo Association and show “Nanta” (Jonathan Hicap)
Korea Tourism Organization Director Park Young Hee (Jonathan Hicap)
Korea Tourism Organization Director Park Young Hee (Jonathan Hicap)
(From left) KTO Director Park Young Hee, KCC Philippines Director Kim Myeongjin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls Joaquin San Agustin and K-pop idol Bae Jin-young (Jonathan Hicap)
(From left) KTO Director Park Young Hee, KCC Philippines Director Kim Myeongjin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls Joaquin San Agustin and K-pop idol Bae Jin-young (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young talks about winter in Korea at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young talks about winter in Korea at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
K-pop idol Bae Jin-young performing at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Taekwondo Association at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Taekwondo Association at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Taekwondo Association at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Taekwondo Association at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean dance crew Bank Two Brothers teaching participants during the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean dance crew Bank Two Brothers teaching participants during the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Taekwondo Association at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
The Korea Taekwondo Association at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean food cooking demo at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean food cooking demo at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean dance crew Bank Two Brothers at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
Korean dance crew Bank Two Brothers at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines, and her family at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)
TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in the Philippines, and her family at the Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 on Aug. 22 at the SM Mall of Asia (Jonathan Hicap)

Related Tags

Bae Jin-young Korea Travel Fiesta 2026 Korea travel Korean visa Korea Tourism Organization SM Mall of Asia South Korea
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