Song Joong Ki in Manila: 5 memorable moments from South Korean star's fan meet
The Hallyu icon spent time with Filipino fans for the first time at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, greeting everyone with his charming smiles.
If you missed the event, here are five fun moments from the night.
1. Opening acts
Good energy filled the SM Mall of Asia Arena right from the start.
Sam Concepcion, Lara Maigue, and Kayla Rivera, accompanied by a live band and dance crew A-Team brought the good vibes with performances of songs like "Standing Next to You" by Jungkook of BTS, "Pretty Boy" by M2M, "I'm Always by Your Side" by John Park from "Vincenzo," "The Poem of Destiny" by Ailee from "Arthdal Chronicles," and "Gravity" by Jongho of Ateez from "Reborn Rich."
Justin Pinon, dubbed the mental assassin, known to read minds through psychological observations, performed mental tricks with volunteers from the audience.
Sam Concepcion, Lara Maigue, Kayla Rivera, accompanied by a live band and dance crew A-Team, open Song Joong Ki's Manila fan meet. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/jQOQESZhB1 — Nika Roque (@rqNIKA) May 24, 2025
2. Flower Boy
Song Joong Ki is called "flower boy" or "pretty boy" for a reason!
The actor charmed Filipino fans with his waves, looks, and smiles sent to every section of the arena. The smallest act, like catching his breath, making finger hearts, or waiting to speak is enough to make fans shriek or scream out terms like "saranghae."
3. Fans love
Song Joong Ki said he heard Filipino fans' cheers backstage, but was in shock to see the crowd as soon as he made his grand entrance when the stage opened with smoke and bright green lights.
The screams were nonstop, and at one point, Song Joong Ki also told fans, "Don't cry."
Pinoy fans also made sure to show Song Joong Ki a good time. Fans from the sections were chosen to play The Mafia Game or "Vincenzo"-themed charades.
Ten lucky fans were chosen to join their idol onstage to play Read My Mind, or a variation of This or That.
Janice De Belen was the lucky one who received a flower arrangement made by Song Joong Ki himself.
Filo and international fans also surprised Song Joong Ki with a special video, and he was touched by it.
Janice De Belen recieves flowers from Song Joong Ki ????????????@gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/1l9G7fkP7b — Nika Roque (@rqNIKA) May 24, 2025
4. Behind-the-scenes tidbits
Song Joong Ki shared some moments from his characters.
The actor said he thinks "Vincenzo" appealed to Filipinos because he is a bad boy.
"I was able to overcome the struggle of being a bad boy. I think I've done a great job naman sa character," he said with the help of a translator.
He also shared some of his favorite scenes from the show.
"Ang dami kong memorable scenes pero isa mga 'yun ay sa last episode, 'yung kiss scene," he said.
"Tapos 'yung sa first episode, sa winery, pagkatapos masunog 'yung winery. S'yempre ang dami pang scenes," Song Joong Ki added.
After hearing the opening acts sing songs from "Vincenzo" from backstage, Song Joong Ki said, "I took a video of it tapos nag-send ako sa mga co-artists ko, 'yung artists ng 'Vincenzo' and they said, 'thank you, thank you very much for singing.'"
And despite already playing a number of roles across various genres, Song Joong Ki said he wants to play a vampire in a fantasy, "'yung vampire na may Asian color din."
Song Joong Ki has also prepared for his next drama series titled "My Youth," where he learned how to make flower arrangements for the role.
"'Yung character ko dito ay florist. The story is about a male and a female, talagang [they] fall in love with each other," he said.
Song Joong Ki studied flower arrangements for his upcoming series, 'My Youth,' and he is showcasing his skills during his Manila fan meet. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/p9EV2aN84g — Nika Roque (@rqNIKA) May 24, 2025
5. Song Joong Ki gives love back
Of course, Song Joong Ki had to give love back to his Filipino fans.
He said that he has Filipino friends in South Korea and Italy, "kaya I really wanted to go to Manila para makita ko ang mga Filipino fans ko."
The actor said he loves the Filipino language, and made sure to learn words like "mahal na mahal kita," "masarap," and "sumakses."
"Sobrang saya 'yung pronunciation nung Tagalog," he said.
Before the show ended, Song Joong Ki got closer to fans from the stage to take photos with them.
More than that, he also made this promise. After watching the surprise video from fans, Song Joong Ki said he is very touched and said, "Sa tingin ko, babalik ako dito sa Manila."
"Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong suporta, pagmamahal sa akin. And I will give this back to you guys, s'yempre [by being] a good actor, [and have] good works as well. So sa tingin ko, dapat babalik ako dito sa Manila," he added.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
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