South Korean superstar Lee Min Ho has finally returned to the Philippines after seven long years.
Min Ho graced the 65th anniversary celebration of SMDC as the special guest, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Sunday, October 15, 2023.
Read: Lee Min Ho reveals innermost thoughts about fame, privacy, food, sleep
Before the main event, Min Ho had the opportunity to reconnect with the local press during a press conference held at Conrad Hotel, also in Pasy City.
During the conference, he expressed how much he misses the country and his Filipino fans, especially after seeing some of them during his arrival.
He conveyed through a translator: "Of course, whenever I arrive here in the Philippines, though it's such a short period, I always receive a lot of energy from the Filipino fans.
"That's why I miss this a lot. And ever since my arrival last night at the airport, as soon as I came down the airplane, a lot of people were waiting for me.
"And there were a lot of fans waiting for me outside the airport, too.
"But it was such a shame that I wasn't able to meet them personally and greet them personally. But being able to see them, I was very happy and I missed it a lot."
Apart from his fans, Min Ho also also missed trying some Filipino food.
In fact, he had a craving for a specific Filipino dish and intended to indulge in it right after the anniversary party.
"Tonight, after our show, I'm actually planning to try some lechon," he revealed candidly.
LEE MIN HO: SECRET TO LONGEVITY
Min Ho acknowledged that he has been continually moved by the support of his Filipino fans over the years.
He also expressed gratitude that many of his fans still associate him with his character, Gu Jun Pyo, from the well-loved K-drama series Boys Over Flowers, which first aired in 2009.
He said, "There are still a lot of people who call me Gu Jun Pyo, and I'm very surprised by this. To think that Boys Over Flowers was aired 13 or more years ago.
"It's really amazing to see how a project that we did so long ago can be continuously influential to other people and also continuously be remembered by other people.
"That is why, like what I said a while ago, for my next season of Pachinko and my other dramas, upcoming dramas, I would always try my best for me to be able to create different projects that can also last for years and decades that people can remember."
When asked about the key to a long-lasting career, Min Ho couldn't pinpoint one specific factor.
However, he strives to take on projects that he hopes will leave a lasting impact, akin to his iconic role in Boys Over Flowers.
He said, "I think the secret for my longevity is the ability, of course, first, for those who are waiting for me...
"And also, whenever I try to do a new project, I do not try to set a new separate goal or a specific objective that I want to achieve.
"But I will always try to show my true self and always do my best through these different projects, too, and I think that helps me a lot."
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Members of the press also inquired about various aspects of Min Ho's life, including his lifestyle and acting projects.
Below are the questions posed to him and his responses, translated into English:
Q: What are you looking forward to with your upcoming projects? What do we have in the pipeline right now?
LMH: "So as far as I know, by next year, we will be releasing Pachinko Season 2 and another separate Korean drama...
"And I would love to tell you all that we've spent so much time and our best for us to create this wonderful project, so I hope everyone can be excited for this too."
Q: What is your typical daily routine?
LMH: "These days, I have been preparing for a new project for a movie. That's why I began to work out a lot.
"However, I cannot really say that I have a specific routine that I follow every day consistently.
"Especially whenever we would do new projects, there are a lot of times when my personal schedule and my routine for my work would clash.
"That is why whenever I have the time or the opportunity, if I would love to go biking, I would go biking.
"If I would go to do something else, I would do something else. I think I'm mostly on the spot."
Q: Filipinos have been huge fans of your K-dramas, starting from Boys Over Flowers and City Hunter. Why do you think Korean dramas are very popular now outside of South Korea?
LMH: "I cannot specifically say why K-drama is so loved internationally because if we were to look into that, we would have to be very technical.
"However, whenever I would receive a new project, my standards for choosing a new project is first identifying if how through this, what type of culture that I can learn, how we can share this...
"And I really want to see if this is a really good project through those different standards that I have."
Q: We miss Lee Min Ho film. What was the inspiration behind the series and are you planning to shoot and share more episodes?
LMH: "Lee Min Ho film is a very personal space for me and I would love to use this because every people, they have their emotional side and their realistic side.
"So, whenever I am in my emotional side, I use this as a gateway to express how I feel and to show what I am looking at, what I am feeling.
"So actually, I do not have a specific plan for this Lee Min Ho film but I think whenever I have the chance to express this, I use this."
Q: You said that you feel some pressure but in a good way. How do you use it plus the unwavering support that you receive from your fans to be a better actor?
LMH: "I think the good pressure that I receive is really helping me a lot because whenever I would have different projects, I would go to the different fields, work with dozens of people, work with different staff, also use different resources.
"It allows me to receive this good pressure and keeps me motivated.
"That is why whenever there are times that I feel loose or whenever I feel kind of lazy, these different pressures when I arrive at places where there are a lot of people or whenever we get to shoot new projects.
"It helps me a lot and it keeps me well."
Q: What kind of fulfillment do you get from doing charity work and what other advocacies do you hope to support?
LMH: "I think I'm very interested in supporting children.
"Of course, they are our next generation and it's very important for us to support our current youth that are really striving and going through a lot to keep this society well.
"However, we must also think about our children who will continue our next generation that is why for me, if I have the... in my own capabilities and in my own limits I'm trying my best to help children and also support them as much as I can."
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