Manila’s hot (yet rainy) weather was complemented by the warmth and joy that Byeon Woo Seok brought to the Philippines over the weekend for his SUMMER LETTER fan meeting in Manila.

The tall, handsome, and dashing breakthrough star of “Lovely Runner,” Byeon Woo Seok, made the press conference memorable. As his name was called by the lovely Kring Kim, he emerged from the right side of the stage, handing out yellow roses to the press while establishing eye contact that conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for their support.

After this “surprise of the century,” he was welcomed on stage and shared that being in the Philippines for the first time was an exciting and heart-fluttering experience. He expressed happiness with everything he had seen so far, a feeling that began when a multitude of Pinoy Tongtongs warmly welcomed him upon his arrival at the airport.

Kring taught the man of the hour the following Tagalog phrases: “Kumusta,” “Salamat,” “Uwi ka na, ‘di na ako galit,” and a Visayan word, “Padayon” (moving forward). After learning and enjoying from the brief Filipino lesson, they moved on to answer questions gathered from various media outlets.

After being in a romantic drama, what kind of roles do you want to do next?
He enjoys exploring various types of roles, but when he read the script for “Lovely Runner,” he instantly connected with Sung Jae’s character and fell in love with it. He doesn’t have specific roles or genres in mind; instead, his decision to take on a role depends largely on the script. If he feels deeply engaged or if the story resonates with him, he is likely to consider it. Given his fondness for romantic comedies, he is also eager to star in another one. Kring Kim added that the role he played seemed perfect for him, to which he responded with a heartfelt “Salamat.”

What is the most exciting part of doing a fan meeting in different places?
“Just the fact that I get to travel in different places is already exciting but most of it is that I get to see the culture of different countries, it is something that awakens my mind” . We will make sure that his fan meeting here will be very memorable, said Kring. Woo Seok then replied; “I will also try my best to be the best.”

We all know you did an excellent job in portraying Ryu Sung Jae, which dramatic scenes stand out to you or were the most memorable dramatic scene?
There were many memorable moments, but he chose his top three. First, in episode 2, the scene where Sung Jae confesses to Im Sol. Second, the poignant moment with his dad, sharing a drink and discussing things they had never talked about before. Lastly, in episode 10, the emotional scene where he hugs Im Sol and tells her that it’s okay if he dies, as long as she likes him. These are just a few of his favorites among many others.

If you are not acting, what do you imagine yourself doing?
“Maybe having a business/entrepreneurship, or having a coffee shop.” Many were surprised to know that he is not really fond of coffee but he likes the idea of being able to serve coffee. Ms. Kring then asked, “who are willing to fall in line for his coffee starting at 6AM?” Delighted, Byeon Woo Seok told everyone to “fall in line and get a number.” 

You’ve been an actor for 8 years now, you’ve reached a new height in your career – this year especially, and you’ve mentioned in several interviews how grateful you are with everyone’s love towards you. How do you want people to see and remember Byeon Woo Seok?
“I am very grateful that you all remember me, appreciate me, and show your love for me as Sung Jae of “Lovely Runner.” I think as an actor, one of the great achievements is that the characters that I portray are being cherished. In the future, for my next projects, I will appreciate and love it when you also fall in love with with my next character.”

Your chemistry with you co-stars is often highlighted, can you share how you build such strong on-screen relationship?
There’s no secret to how he built a strong on-screen relationship with his fellow actors and actresses. He credits meeting good co-stars who share the same passion for the drama and their work, which helped them connect well. “It just comes from the hard work and love for what we do,” said Woo Seok.

How are you adjusting to the the newfound attention/popularity and what aspect of this journey has surprised you so far?
“I am still adjusting to the sudden surge in popularity. Everything that happens daily fascinates me; each day brings new surprises. Just yesterday, I was at the airport and saw a huge crowd, which was quite astonishing. I had imagined being in front of everyone at a press conference, and now, standing here with all of you, feels like a dream come true. I’m still not used to all the attention I’m receiving; it all still feels like a dream to me.”

Out of all the dramas you appeared in, which one would you recommend to your new fans other than Lovely Runner?
“My drama before this, Strong Girl Nam Soon, and 20th Century Girl. Actually all the dramas that I’ve done so far is very precious on its own and its very hard to pick just one.”

How do you feel about the incredible success of Lovely Runner and when did you realize that the series created such an impact even overseas?
“I am overwhelmed by the incredible support I have received. Seeing so many of you waiting for me at the airport and meeting fans in other countries during my fan meetings has been amazing. I’m still not used to all the love being given to me, but I am very happy and grateful for it, even outside of South Korea.”

In relation to that, did you ever expect the success of “Lovely Runner” not just in South Korea but across Asia as well?
Byeon Woo Seok expressed that as this was his first starring role, he did not anticipate such grand success. While he thoroughly enjoyed preparing for and filming “Lovely Runner,” he simply hoped that others would love the drama as much as he does. The crew shared this sentiment, hoping that their passion for the project would resonate with many viewers. Now that this hope has become a reality, he is beyond grateful for the support and success.

What are you excited about while preparing for the fan meeting?
He doesn’t have a specific checklist for preparing for his fan meeting. Instead, he focuses on his thoughts and emotions, genuinely hoping that the time, money, and effort invested by everyone involved in organizing the event will be worthwhile. His greatest wish is for his fans to enjoy themselves, create lasting memories, and cherish the time spent together with him.

The press conference concluded with his message to his Filo Tongtongs: “Thank you deeply for your overwhelming love for Sung Jae and for embracing our project. Your support and affection mean more than I could have ever imagined. Please stay tuned for my next project, which will be released in a few months.”

Our time with Byeon Woo Seok gave us a deeper understanding of who he is — not just as an actor, but as a person filled with gratitude and passion for his craft. His tenacity and love for what he does are clearly evident in the fruits of his labor and we are looking forward to what he has in store for all of us in the near future.

Special thank you to PULP Live World Productions and VARO Entertainment for letting us experience a wonderful afternoon with Byeon Woo Seok.

Photos courtesy of PULP Live World and VARO Entertainment