South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun was warmly welcomed by Filipino fans upon his return to the Philippines ahead of his highly anticipated BENCH x Kim Soo Hyun fan meeting, Our Forever With You.
The Queen of Tears star faced the local media and a group of fans on Thursday, October 1, 2026, before taking the stage at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on October 2 for his fan meet with Filipino supporters.
The event also marked Kim Soo Hyun's return to public appearances after a 16-month hiatus from the entertainment industry.
Greeting the audience through a translator, the actor shared his excitement about being back in the country.
Soo Hyun said: "Hello. This is actor Kim Soo-hyun.
"Because of the Bench event, I was able to visit here in the Philippines again, and I hope we all have enjoyable and memorable day together. Thank you."
At the start of the press conference, host Sam Oh asked Soo Hyun random questions starting with what skill he would like to master if he had 400 years to live, much like his iconic My Love From the Star character Do Min-joon.
He answered: "Since that is a plenty amount of time, I think in that scenario, I think it would be great if I could master around five languages.
"So everyone here in the audience, and everyone here, we all have our different languages too, right?
"And in that sense, I think I'll be able to communicate in a much deeper context, and of course communicate in a more cultural way, in a much deeper context, and I think that would be more better."
Sam also asked Soo Hyun about his current comfort snack, which is ice cream sandwiches.
Soo Hyun shared: "These days I'm kinda into the ice cream that is in sandwich shape...
"Since a lot of my fans are saying to eat a lot, so I've been eating them a lot recently, too."
KIM SOO HYUN ON FILIPINO FANS
When asked about the first thing that came to his mind after arriving in Manila, Kim Soo Hyun immediately recalled the reception he received from fans.
"The moment that I got out of the airport, I was able to see fans, you know, cheering for me and waiting for me, showing their expressions for me.
"And I was even able to see some fans who were, like, waving their hands for me, but some were, like, stomping their feet for me.
"So all those moments and expressions that the fans have showed for me, those were really memorable in my mind."
The actor then revisited a description he had previously used for Filipinos during an earlier BENCH visit.
"And I think it's a word or expression that I actually have every time I visit here in the Philippines because, the eyes of the Philippine people are... they're very sparkly.
"And actually, in my previous visit for Bench, I mentioned it that they have the eyes of an angel. And I think that expression stays the same to this visit as well."
Asked to describe his Filipino fans in three words, Soo Hyun highlighted their warmth, sparkling eyes, and passion.
He said: "Of course, the first is the warmth that I'm feeling from my fans, and of course the sparklings... of their eyes and, the passion that's coming out from them."
He also revealed what he has always wanted to hear from his supporters in the Philippines.
The My Love From The Star actor told the press: "I was able to mention it earlier, but, I actually wanted to hear from my fans that... to tell me that they miss me."
KIM SOO HYUN: OUR FOREVER WITH YOU FAN MEET
With the fan meeting titled Our Forever With You, Kim Soo Hyun thanked fans for their unwavering support over the years.
"So first of all, I want to say thank you for the love and support you've been giving me so consistently for such a long time."
As for what he was most excited about at the fan meet, the Korean actor admitted he was eager to see a special surprise prepared by his fans.
"It's a secret for now. It's actually something that I'm very looking forward to as well because...
"I heard that the fans have prepared a special segment for me, which I am very looking forward to... And I think we can all figure out together tomorrow."
He later reiterated the same sentiment when another reporter asked what he is anticipating most about the event.
"Just like how I mentioned earlier, the segment that the fans have prepared for me, it's what I'm looking forward the most.
"And of course, when I stand up on the stage and interact with my fans, the good energy that I'll be receiving from my fans is something that I really look forward to."
MORE ABOUT KIM SOO HYUN
Members of the press and Soo Hyun's fans got to learn more about the actor beyond his on-screen roles during the press conference, as he opened up about his travel habits, personal style, and a hobby he recently revisited.
When asked how he would spend a free day in the Philippines, the Korean star said he would love to explore Cebu and enjoy its scenery.
"Is there a, uh, Bench branch in Cebu as well?" he asked the crowd.
Soo Hyun continued: "It's not planned yet.
"One trip that I... that came to my mind is maybe I could actually visit Cebu, have to sightsee the sea and feel the wind...
"And if there is a store of Bench, maybe I could also give it a visit as well."
The actor was also asked to describe his everyday fashion style, which he said is centered on simplicity and comfort.
"I think I tend to prefer a very simple and neat style, but of course it has to accompany with the comfortability. It has to feel comfortable."
As someone who frequently travels for work, Kim Soo Hyun revealed that a travel pillow and fitness equipment are among the essentials he always packs.
"So, actually, there are pretty much things to bring when actually I'm going to abroad.
"It could be the pillow, or it could actually be the fitness equipment that I need to bring abroad, or it could be like an oil for massage, and it could be various.
"But I think I would say that... the small travel pillow and the fitness equipment are the most important things that I actually take when I'm going abroad."
The Queen of Tears star also shared a lesser-known side of himself, revealing that he has recently rekindled his interest in photography, a hobby he first enjoyed in his 20s.
"So one thing that I could tell about... is that it's been a very long time since I actually brought out the camera out of my closet.
"And I actually... have used to have this habit in my 20s, but after so long time, I was able to bring it out again.
"And because of having photography as my... one of the hobby recently, I actually find it different... to how I look at things because I've been having a habit of observing my surroundings more clearly.
"So wherever I go, I naturally check how the light is falling and how the shadows are being made.
"So yeah, those are the things that are really, really... new kind of habit or routine that I actually have recently."
To cap off the press conference, Kim Soo Hyun delighted fans with a short message in Tagalog.
He said: "Mahal ko kayo. Maraming salamat po. Miss kita. Kita kits."
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