Hyun Bin makes a smooth landing in Manila
Hyun Bin didn’t so much crash-land in Manila as he glided in.
Stylish and relaxed in a beige jacket, a simple shirt, and canvas sneakers, the South Korean star introduced himself to the local media without uttering a word. He just gave a polite bow and cast an intense gaze across the room—broken only by a genteel smile, revealing his famous dimples.
For once, the otherwise stately setup at the Solaire grand ballroom in Parañaque City last week—reminiscent of the classroom-style arrangement, typical of Korean press conferences—buzzed with excitement. There were scattered whoops and startled cheers, as well as giddy squeals, mightily hushed to maintain a semblance of professionalism.
It was Hyun Bin’s first time visiting the country. And while he hadn’t had much time to explore, he did enjoy the “quick, relaxing break.” That, and the much-recommended adobo, which he found delicious. But what really stood out in his short stay, he says, was the renowned Filipino hospitality.
“The Philippines was always on my list [of places to visit],” he says through an interpreter. “The way I was welcomed here was really heartwarming and more amazing than I expected. I was surprised by the warm hospitality and the bright energy I witnessed.”
Old school charm
With iconic dramas across two decades—including “My Lovely Sam Soon” (2005), “Secret Garden” (2010), and “Crash Landing on You” (2019)—Hyun Bin is one of the biggest celebrities Korea has ever produced, both in and beyond his native shores. He’s also perhaps one of that increasingly rare breed of old-fashioned celebrities with classic movie star good looks who still carries an air of mystery.
Much like the mature leading men he plays on screen, Hyun Bin, at 42, came across as respectful and gentlemanly. He was reserved, but not distant. He wasn’t one to embellish his answers to questions that warranted nothing more than a yes or a no. But he was considerably more generous and thoughtful on topics that demand introspection.
A watch, a cap, and a pair of sunglasses are some of his travel must-haves. And oh, he can’t forget his supplements—“nothing too surprising there,” he says in his deep, reassuring voice. He even makes sure to have a good sweat in before going to work, whether or not he’s preparing for something special.
His dream role is simply any role he hasn’t done yet. Does he see himself directing or producing his own project? It hasn’t really crossed his mind, he admits, but given the chance, he would love to do something “unexpected, or with a plot twist.” And if he can swap bodies with any Korean drama character, it would be Kim Joo-won from “Secret Garden,” because “he lived a spectacular life.”
Enjoy the moment
A big part of Hyun Bin’s allure is his lack of social media presence. He keeps a low profile and draws a clear boundary between his professional and private life. And by making himself scarce in today’s hyper-connected world, every public appearance he makes feel more special, and everything that comes out of his mouth is worth listening to.
When asked what he thpught enabled his acting to transcend language and cultural barriers, Hyun Bin, ever down-to-earth, downplayed his role in the storytelling process, pointing out that he’s but a cog in a greater machinery, which includes the director and his vision, as well as all the workers behind the scenes.
“I’m just an actor portraying a role with sincerity to bring the story to life for the people who are watching,” he says.
The question, “What piece of advice would you give your younger self?” has become a stock interview staple of these days. But when it connects, it truly hits home. This time, it stopped Hyun Bin in his tracks for a good 10 seconds and has him drawing a deep breath before mustering a reply.
If he could talk to his wide-eyed, hopeful younger self—after everything he has been through—he would tell him that it’s possible to work hard and still enjoy the moment; that you can soldier straight on with the occasional glance to the side.
“I didn’t really have the time to look around and enjoy the scenery,” he recalls. “I want to tell him to enjoy the crowd, the surroundings—rather than just going forward, toward your goal.”
After what had been a fairly subdued affair, it’s time for a group photo with members of the press. And just as host Sam Oh nudged Hyun Bin to stand at the center of the stage, he hopped down to the floor, prompting a chorus of shrieks. As he exited the room, he gave handshakes to those seated in front.
Outside, a gaggle of supporters gather behind stanchions, holding up banners for their beloved Hyun Bin, who graciously took the time to stop by and reward them with photo ops. At a nearby kiosk-style café, two women—drowning themselves in coffee and pastries after missing out on the raffle that granted entry to Hyun Bin’s fan meeting later that day—called out to us.
“Can we just at least see your photos?” they say, laughing, though maybe just on the outside.
His dimples, smile, and jawline
Based on videos uploaded by those lucky enough to get in, Hyun Bin appeared more relaxed, bantering and playing games with the crowd. Because he started out in show biz in the early 2000s, it makes sense that most of his following are older women—the “Titas of Manila” (literally, or just at heart)—who grew up watching him.
We can hazard a guess that, aside from Hyun Bin’s “chiseled to the gods” looks—as fan meeting host Martin Nievera put it—his clean image and the strong, protective aura associated with his characters also contribute to his appeal among that demographic. But perhaps it’s better to hear the reasons straight from the fans themselves.
“‘His dimples!’ ‘His jawline!’ ‘His smile!’ they shout over each other.
But for veteran producer-actress and ABS-CBN Charo Santos-Concio executive, who finally fulfilled her dream of seeing “my oppa,” her love for Hyun Bin goes beyond skin deep. “‘Crash Landing on You’ saved me during the pandemic in more ways than one,” she writes on Instagram.
In what turned out to be one of the night’s funniest moments, Hyun Bin was asked if he had ever kept any item from a drama set as a souvenir. The fans began shouting what they thought was the answer, but the actor couldn’t make out what they were saying. And so, he walked to the edge of the stage to get a better earful.
He could only throw his head back in amusement as he returned to his seat. “They said it’s my wife!” he says.
The “wife,” of course, is fellow Korean star and “Crash Landing on You” co-lead Son Ye-jin, whose on-screen chemistry with Hyun Bin famously blossomed into a real-life romance. Now, they’re happily married with a kid.
And it’s moments like these, no matter how rare, that remind Hyun Bin why he does what he does, and fuels him to become a better actor and person. “No words can explain how I feel,” he says. “In each and every project I do, the love and support from fans have been my strength throughout my career.”
