South Korean actor Choi Jin-Hyuk graced his first-ever fan meeting/concert in the Philippines with his magnetic charm and immense gratitude.
Ovation Productions organized the "fan-con," aptly named Day and Night after his latest K-drama, Miss Day and Night.
The event took place at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City on November 9, 2024, attracting enthusiastic Filipino fans eager to see the multi-talented actor and singer, renowned for his roles in The Heirs, Zombie Detective, Emergency Couple, and The Last Empress.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was at the scene, capturing the memorable moments from Jin-Hyuk's fan-con.
CHOI JIN-HYUK: DAY AND NIGHT IN MANILA
Jin-Hyuk kicked off the evening with a soulful rendition of “Best Wishes to You,” from the soundtrack of his 2013 drama Gu Family Book, instantly setting a heartfelt tone.
His powerful, warm vocals and the emotional depth of his performance resonated with the audience, who had long awaited his Manila debut.
After his opening, he expressed his joy at finally performing in Manila by warmly greeting the audience with, "Thank you so much for coming" in Korean.
He went on to say, as translated in English, "It feels great to finally be here in Manila for the first time. I've prepared many songs for you, and I hope you enjoy them throughout the event."
The concert, which lasted over three hours, showcased not only Choi’s musical talents but also his thoughtful connection to fans.
He followed his opening song with "I Miss You," a beloved ballad by Kim Bum-soo, famously associated with the classic K-drama Stairway to Heaven.
This song was special for Choi, as he picked it to show how much he missed his Filipino fans and to bring back fond memories for those who love Korean drama soundtracks.
CHOI JIN-HYUk ON WORKING WITH WITH JI EUN-JI
In between songs, Choi revealed anecdotes from his life, career, and thoughts on his recent projects.
He shared his experience playing the lead role in the fantasy romance drama Miss Night and Day, giving fans a deeper look into his process and the bond he formed with his co-stars.
"When I first saw the script, I realized it was quite fun, and I think it will be interesting to try it. I really had fun reading the script,” he said, as translated in English.
He further praised his co-stars, particularly singer-actress Jung Eun-ji, saying, "Jung Eun-ji is my [sibling] now. She's actually a very kind and great actress. We got so close to the point that we're like [siblings] already.”
This moment added a touch of humor, letting fans glimpse the actor’s warm personality and how deeply he values his on-set relationships.
FAN INTERACTIONS
Jin-Hyuk spent time answering fan questions in a laid-back and open interview session, sharing insights into his life both on and off the screen.
The K-Drama actor revealed that he had actually visited the Philippines previously. He recalled playing golf in Clark, Pampanga, and shared his excitement to finally connect with fans in Manila.
"I visited Clark City before to actually play golf once in the Philippines before," Jin-Hyuk told the attendees, as translated in English.
He also recounted his appearance in the Filipino variety show It’s Showtime on November 8, 2024, where he experienced firsthand the remarkable energy of Filipino audiences.
"Two days ago I arrived in the Philippines. I attended the show called It's Showtime and I felt the passion of the Filipino fans is really different... I love the energy so much,” he noted with a smile.
His responses showed an authentic appreciation for the Filipino fan community, adding to the warmth and sincerity of the evening. Adding an interactive element to the fan-con, Choi engaged in lighthearted games with his fans.
The games ranged from bottle flipping to the delicate task of transferring monggo beans using chopsticks.
The actor was impressively agile, winning each game to the delight of the audience.
One lucky fan even got the chance to act out a romantic scene from Miss Night and Day with Jin-Hyuk onstage, earning a warm hug from the actor—a highlight that drew cheers and laughter from the crowd.
DAY AND NIGHT: HEARTFELT FINALE
The energy of the evening shifted to high spirits as Choi returned to the stage with more live performances.
He sang “Standing Next to You” by Jungkook, delivering a lively performance complete with dance moves, followed by Day6’s “Time of Our Life,” a track that brought a pop-rock vibrancy to the setlist.
He closed with “I’m Saying” by Lee Hong Ki, a song cherished by many from The Heirs, as well as “Sudden Shower” from Lovely Runner, displaying his vocal range and emotional versatility.
Choi then performed his own unreleased song, “I Want to Run and Hug You,” a special composition for his 2024 Fan-Con Tour, as a parting gift to his fans.
With this original piece, he shared a piece of his heart, and his fans responded with resounding applause and heartfelt messages.
The evening concluded with a touching surprise from fans—a video compilation expressing their love and admiration.
Jin-Hyuk, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude, as translated in English, "The love that you are giving to me as a foreign actor is really amazing and unbelievable. I’ll keep this in my heart as well."
He further assured his fans of his commitment to creating more meaningful projects, adding, “If there's any opportunity, I would definitely come back to Manila to have a better time with you guys."
READ MORE:
- Choi Hyun Wook's agency reacts to actor's viral nude reflection
- Korean actor Song Jae Rim dies at 39
- K-drama actor Kim Ji Soo officially signs with GMA's Sparkle
- Lee Dong Wook reveals why he is still single: “I'm too lazy...”