South Korean singer-actor Seo In Guk once again made hearts flutter as he reunited with his Filipino fans during the Manila stop of his “Heart Cookie: 2025 Asia Fanmeeting Tour.” Held on September 20 at the SM North EDSA Skydome, the event wasn’t just a showcase of talent.
Returning to Manila for the first time since being named the Philippines’ Celebrity Tourism Ambassador earlier this year, Seo In Guk was greeted with thunderous cheers and glowing banners from devoted fans, affectionately called “Heartriders,” many of whom had been waiting for this moment since his last fan meeting in 2023.
As he stepped onto the stage, Seo In Guk greeted the crowd in Filipino, expressing how much he had missed them and how happy he was to return. He encouraged fans to relax, enjoy the night, and create joyful memories together.
“Magandang gabi! Ako si Seo In Guk. Miss ko kayo!”
The fan meeting opened with Seo’s soulful performance of “My Love”, immediately setting a warm and intimate mood. Throughout the night, he performed a mix of K-drama OSTs and original tracks, including “Distant Fate” from Doom at Your Service and his single “Out of Time.”
One of the most memorable highlights was his special performance of Yeng Constantino’s “Ikaw”, which he had previously sung during his 2023 Manila fan meeting. This time, he prepared a new version of the song, impressing fans with his emotional delivery and accurate Tagalog pronunciation. He shared that he had prepared the performance as a heartfelt gift, wanting the audience to feel his sincerity.
The event was not limited to musical performances. Seo In Guk also took part in a variety of games and interactive segments, including Korean traditional games like Ddakji, Jegichagi, and Tuho, as well as a fun drawing relay. His playful side shone throughout these activities, as he engaged with fans and created plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
A Lucky Draw segment thrilled the audience, where lucky attendees received personal items from Seo himself. These included signed Polaroids, two sets of AirPods he had personally chosen, and even his favorite cap. He explained that he wanted to give meaningful gifts.
In the middle of the program, fans surprised Seo In Guk with a video presentation showcasing their charity projects and community outreach inspired by his influence. The video highlighted tree-planting drives, donation campaigns, and other social initiatives carried out in his name.
Clearly moved, Seo In Guk expressed his appreciation for his fans’ good deeds. He said he felt honored and deeply grateful, noting that their efforts were more valuable than any material gift. Seeing their commitment made him reflect on his own journey, and he expressed a personal desire to be someone fans could always be proud of.
He also took the opportunity to talk about his current projects. He shared updates about Twelve, a fantasy-action drama where he plays an angel character connected to the monkey zodiac, and revealed his involvement in upcoming romantic comedies such as Monthly Boyfriend and I Am Going to Work Today and Tomorrow. Discussing his role as a host on the dating show Better Late Than Single, he explained that rather than acting as a relationship expert, he saw himself as someone who offers comfort and support to others navigating love.
Looking ahead, he mentioned his interest in exploring more complex roles, including playing an antagonist. He expressed excitement about challenging himself as an actor and expanding his emotional range.
Throughout the evening, Seo In Guk spoke fondly about the Philippines and the warmth of its people. He described the country as a friendly and welcoming place, praising both the food and the kindness of Filipinos. He said he could genuinely feel the passion of his Filipino fans and that visiting the country always brought him happiness.
He recalled his time in Cebu with great fondness and even said he would love to one day take his fans there to enjoy the sea and local cuisine together. He also described his first visit as a tourism ambassador as one of his most memorable experiences, further deepening his appreciation for the Philippines.
Moreover, he shared that returning to Manila after a long time gave him a deep sense of joy. He felt that every visit created lasting memories, and he hoped to see his fans more often in the future.
As the fan meeting came to a close, Seo In Guk performed “Couple”, his duet remake with Jung Eunji, and “All For You”, a beloved OST from Reply 1997. At one point, he stepped off the stage to walk around the venue, greeting fans up close and creating unforgettable moments of connection.
In his closing remarks, he expressed his hope that everyone in the audience had created meaningful memories during the evening. He said he would treasure the experience as a personal gift and promised to continue working hard as an artist his fans could always be proud of.
Seo In Guk’s fan meeting in Manila was presented by L-Squared Productions.
