Lee Je Hoon is back in Manila after almost eight years.
The 38-year-old South Korean actor is currently in the country for his fan meet event titled Vacation in Manila.
The event organized by Live Nation Philippines and Viu Philippines will take place at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City on March 3, 2023.
On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Je Hoon met an intimate group of press people, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), at Shangri-la at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City.
The star of the hit K-drama series Taxi Driver greeted in Filipino his fans who were watching the live stream of the press conference, "Na-miss ko kayo! Mahal kita!"
Turning to the press, Je Hoon revealed with the help of a translator that he had traveled to the Philippines years ago for a charitable project.
He said, "Actually, it's not my first time in the Philippines. I have been to [the Philippines] just for a charity activity, for the victims of a typhoon disaster, and I was a part of the charity organization there."
That was in 2015 when Je Hoon travelled to the country as a participant in the "Love Challenge" charity project organized by OXFAM Korea and the Korean TV channel MBC.
During that trip, he assisted in replanting and reconstructing a mangrove project in Bantayan, Cebu, and also met with families who were affected by the Typhoons Ruby and Yolanda.
Read: Korean actor na si Lee Je-hoon, nadagdagan ang Filipino fans dahil sa Taxi Driver at Move To Heaven
PROJECTS AND MORE
At the presscon, Je Hoon said he's always been interested to do projects where he can showcase his acting skills, including Filipino-made movies or dramas if given the opportunity.
The actor said, "I keep on dreaming and I still wish to have some things. I dream of showing good acting either in dramas or movies.
"Not even in Korea but if there are good projects here in the Philippines, I am willing to join the project and I will take the opportunity."
Je Hoon already had worked with actors from the Philippines Ejay Falcon and Lauren Young in the Korean drama series Where Stars Land in 2018.
Read: Ejay Falcon, Lauren Young get praised for dramatic scenes in Korean show Where Stars Land
Currently, Je Hoon is busy with the second season of Taxi Driver where he plays the role of Kim Do Gi, a taxi driver who offers a "revenge-call" service.
To Je Hoon, portraying the character, which requires a distinct level of comedic sensibility, has been a more relaxing experience.
He said, "Before, I was too pressured to like have fun. I was just waiting for my script and memorize my lines.
"These days, I tend to throw some jokes to the staff and have fun there.
"And it encourages me to do my best and encourages me to have more fun."
Asked about how he relates to his character, Je Hoon answered, "In some parts, we're completely different.
"The character of Kim Do Gi is kinda hard to approach. And he looks scary.
"But at some point, there are some similarities like we both have warm hearts and we respect others.
"Personally, I think the character of Kim Do Ji in Taxi Driver is much better than myself."
With the success of Taxi Driver and his other web series Move To Heaven, Je Hoon expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to demonstrate his acting skills and vowed to give his best effort in his future projects.
He told the press, "Instead of pressure, I was really thankful for the love of the fans. I thought it would be the time for me to move forward and do my best in my next project.
"And I want to show myself in another good project. Please give me more love and support."
"VACATION" IN MANILA
For Je Hoon, whose fan-meet event in Manila is titled Vacation, "the meaning of vacation is letting yourself free after all the hard work regardless of time and place.
"Having a time looking back at the moment and reminding yourself what you have to do and you really desire.
"And having a time thinking of which life you're gonna have in the future."
He added that a vacation wouldn't be complete without good food, relating he had already tried Adobo on his way to Manila.
He said, "I flew [via] Philippine Airlines and the food that they served, I think it was Adobo because it was kind of like galbi jjim in Korea, which is like the Korean version of Adobo.
"And it was so delicious that I had finished it all."
Given time, Je Hoon said he wanted to see more places in the Philippines such as the Manila Bay, El Nido in Palawan, and the island of Siargao.
"I want to go to Manila Bay and ride some attractions and have fun there.
"I found that the beaches of the Philippines are really beautiful, and I want to go there.
"I want to walk on the beaches and have great food, enjoy the landscapes of the Philippines, and have fun with the staff."
READ MORE: