10 Things We Learned About Hyun Bin

Hyun Bin crash-landed into the hearts of Filipino viewers through the wildly popular Korean romance series Crash Landing on You. That love grew even stronger when he met fans in person at Solaire Entertainment Resort last weekend. I have to say he’s one of the most effortlessly charming Korean celebrities to have visited the Philippines. While naturally formal, he makes a sincere effort to let his guard down and connect with his Filipino fans. And if you were at Solaire last weekend, you know exactly what we mean.

Here’s what we discovered about the Korean superstar during his Philippine tour:

1 | He once tested a movie disguise in real life. “We were shooting a movie and, for one scene, my character had to be in disguise. During a break, I wondered, ‘What would happen if I went out like this?’ So I tried it. I was disguised as an old man, and nobody recognized me,” he revealed during the fan meet.

2 | He’s a foodie who loves fried chicken wings. Though he rarely cooks, he enjoys making wings when he can, and eats almost anything. While in the Philippines, he got to try adobo, and found it “very delicious.”

3 | He still gets nervous on set. Even after 22 years in the industry, he admits to feeling nervous before filming scenes. “Yes, always. I think it’s a combination of many things—wanting to express the scene as best as I can, and the lingering nervousness that’s always present on set,” he shared during the fan meet. That honesty only adds to his appeal, showing that behind the superstar image is an actor committed to his craft.

4 | He has a new political drama coming. Hyun Bin is set to release a new series by the end of this year. Titled Made in Korea, the story is set in the late 1970s and centers on his character, a man with political ambitions. “You’ll get to see different sides of me in a role I haven’t taken on before,” he said. Season 1 will premiere on Disney+ before year’s end, and filming for Season 2 is scheduled to begin this autumn.

5 | He finds acting inspiration through conversations. Talking to both friends and strangers helps him portray different characters. "Each interaction gives me new ideas,” he shared, adding that the roles he plays contain a bit of his my own vibe and personality, "so I think a part of me is always blended into each role.”

6 | His style is understated and practical. He prefers comfort over flashy fashion. “Of course, I have my watch, sunglasses, and cap,” he replied when asked during the press conference about his fashion must-haves. At both the media event and the fan meet, he wore a cream suit with slacks, a white inner shirt, and sneakers.

7 | He’s grateful to his fans. He says their love motivates him to be a better actor. “No words can truly express how I feel. I’m speechless about the amount of love and support I receive...From the moment I arrived here, everyone has been so warm and welcoming. I’d heard many good things about Manila, but experiencing it for myself—it’s even more wonderful than I expected,” he said.

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8 | He has learned to slow down. He values hard work but now understands the importance of slowing down and enjoying the journey. “Enjoy the moment—that’s the one message I’d tell my younger self,” he reflected. “Looking back, I realize I was always moving straight ahead, focused on the work. I didn’t take the time to look around and enjoy. I’d tell myself to enjoy the moment, the crowd, the surroundings, instead of just rushing toward my goal.

9 | He’s health-conscious. "I always take supplements, and if my schedule isn’t too hectic, I make time to work out and sweat it out before going to work,” he said. Another sport he enjoys is playing golf.

10 | He’d love to live as Kim Joo-won from Secret Garden. “The character, as you know, has a very spectacular, roller-coaster life. I want to try living that life as well,” he said. In the romance series, he portrays a wealthy, arrogant, and eccentric CEO who falls in love with stuntwoman Gil Ra-im (played by Ha Ji-won).