Hwang In-youp talked about his new Kdrama, Human X Gumiho, and charmed fans with Tagalog and banter at his Manila fan meeting on October 31.
Hwang In-youp arrived at the New Frontier Theater on October 31 as a familiar face and left feeling a lot like family. His To You fan meeting in Manila, presented by L-Squared Productions PH, turned the Halloween and Undas weekend into an evening of kilig, teasing, and a hint of what could come next.
It was the Korean actor’s fourth visit to the Philippines, and the Filipino HIYILYs came ready. The fans were loud from the start. They proved Filipinos’ hospitality and energy, and Hwang In-youp gave them plenty to scream about.
Fun banter and kilig moments at Hwang In-youp’s Manila fan meeting
The night ran on easy back-and-forth between the actor and his fans. Hwang In-youp opened with a cover of BTS V’s “Love Me Again.” He also sang “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” which he said he always listened to when he was still studying in the Philippines. He also showed off his moves with covers of YEONJUN’s “Ice Cream” and GOT7’s “Stop Stop It.” When fans called for “Okey Dokey,” the song tied to his True Beauty character Han Seo-jun, he gave in, and the crowd happily joined him.
Food talk drew some of the loudest laughs. Hwang In-youp confessed his love for Jollibee and halo-halo. He even wished Jollibee had branches in Korea. He also shared that he bought lots of banana chips as pasalubong. Additionally, he admitted he hasn’t tried kwek-kwek or balut yet, and the fans eagerly urged him to try them as soon as possible.
The interactive segments kept the energy high. Three fans were picked for three-minute acting scenarios. The scenes included a Boracay getaway and a secret office romance, while the audience could only watch and wish they were up there. But what best displayed Hwang In-youp’s generosity was during the two-option quiz. Fans sat down after a wrong answer, and it ended with Hwang In-youp inviting all the remaining fans onstage for photos and hugs.
Hwang In-youp teases a Philippine project and a villain role in Human X Gumiho
Fans also got a preview of Hwang In-youp’s next project. He is stepping into villain territory for the first time in the fantasy drama Human X Gumiho. The series stars Ji Chang-wook and Jun Ji-hyun.
Ji Chang-wook’s name alone made the crowd cheer louder, and Hwang In-youp didn’t miss it. When the host asked whether he ever gets jealous, he admitted that he sometimes does. And although he looks up to Ji Chang-wook, he playfully claims the fans’ love and attention for himself.
The biggest tease for Filipino fans, though, was a possible project in the Philippines. Hwang In-youp said he’d be open to working on something set in the country. When he dropped ABS-CBN’s name, the audience reacted with excitement. He also had a scene in mind. He said,
“If there is an opportunity to do a drama where I can wear a Filipino-style school uniform and go to the same high school as the girl in my class, I think that would be very special.”
Nothing is confirmed, but the idea alone had the room buzzing.
Why the Philippines is Hwang In-youp’s second home
It’s a wish that comes naturally. Hwang In-youp studied in Davao City, and his bond with Filipino fans began with a fun meet in June 2022. He came back that August for his first official Manila fan meeting. Then returned in January 2025 for “In Love,” and is now on his fourth visit with “To You.” He also spoke to the crowd in Tagalog.
“Kung nasaan ka man, pupuntahan kita” (“Wherever you are, I’ll come to you”), and the audience roared in response.
Hwang In-youp also spoke about what comes after the lights go up. Fans will return to their daily lives, he said, and so will he, but he hopes to be an actor they will always be proud to support.
Before the night ended, he told the crowd he could return anytime if they keep looking for him. Ever the cheeky actor, he added with a laugh that it was fine if they didn’t. His final song was “Promise,” from Can This Love Be Translated?, which he used to share his hope that people who speak different languages can still feel each other’s love.
Pop Journal would like to thank L-Squared Productions PH for the media invitation to cover the Hwang In-youp 2026 “To You” Fan Meeting Tour in Manila.
Photos: Hilmar Dela Cruz
You must be logged in to post a comment.