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One-on-one with Baekhyun: The K-pop superstar talks about Bench, crying fans, trying Jollibee, and making memories through photos

Published Feb 04, 2025 12:19 pm

As I walked into a one-on-one interview with Baekhyun, one of the top-tier K-pop talents in the industry, I was greeted with a handshake and bow by the refined, charming, and somewhat shy superstar. The 32-year-old singer looked so youthful, he could be mistaken for a teenager. After a while, he warmed up and chatted about being a Bench endorser, wanting to try Jollibee, being his own photographer, his Filipino fan experiences, and more. 

The first-ever K-pop concert I watched was that of the wildly popular idol group EXO. And what an introduction to K-pop that was. I didn’t know what to expect, but I left the concert a little bit shocked, amazed, enthralled, and even slightly feeling possessed. The production value was first class; the fans were wonderful and lovingly responsive (not to mention loud, I thought I would go deaf with their screams); and the talent was impressive. One of the standout vocalists was Baekhyun. Though part of a group, Baekhyun has a successful solo career. He is also an actor. I really liked him in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. He has won numerous awards and has chart-topping songs too many to mention. His fan base is crazy big, even here in the Philippines.

Kpop superstar Baekyun is the new Bench global ambassador.

And there he was in the flesh, right in front of me, for an interview.

Baekhyun, whose voice I can only describe as that of an angel’s, was being launched as a Bench global endorser. It’s exciting to know that Bench, a leader in local fashion, appointed Baekhyun as its brand ambassador, and was introducing him in a fan meet the next day. I have to say that Bench perfectly selects its global “benchsetters.” They have the pulse of “what’s in,” and beyond that, they also set trends. They’ve had K-pop and Korean celebrities as endorsers for years, long before it became commonplace.

As to the selection of Baekhyun as the Bench brand ambassador, Ben Chan, the force behind the fashion and lifestyle label, says, “Baekhyun is a global celebrity who is known for his proven talent and trend-setting style. He has a natural ease in his looks and can wear both editorial and casual fashion and look good in both. I think this makes him very relevant to the Bench lifestyle as he can be both aspirational and relatable.”

Baekhyun in Bench. “Before, I used to be very specific with brands. But now, regardless of the brand, I focus on the fit. Also, I now prefer a simpler style of fashion.”

And the feeling is mutual, as per Baekhyun, “What’s important for me is that fashion is focused on basic styles, such as Bench, which is why I love the brand. On normal days, I prefer to wear the basics that’s why Bench suits me.” 

As to his favorite piece, “In the shoot, I wore these active wear shorts which I really liked.”

Fit is more important to the K-pop singer than fashion. “Before, I used to be very specific with brands. But now, regardless of the brand, I focus on the fit. Also, I now prefer a simpler style of fashion.”

“What’s important for me is that fashion is focused on basic styles, such as Bench, which is why I love the brand”, says the Kpop idol.

Ben Chan recounts his choice of their latest brand ambassador and meeting him, “I’ve always been fascinated by Baekhyun and his talents from way back. It was exciting to finally meet him in Seoul for the first time before the start of our shoot. As expected, he was full of charisma and a natural style that makes him look good, whether he just dons a pair of tee and shorts or a full Bench set of jacket, polo and pants. We drove more than an hour away from Seoul to a very huge location that had elements of the studio and outdoor settings we were looking for. We even had a diner set-up, a Miami-style hotel vignette and a cool poolside set design for the shoot. We also did several video shoots that showed his personality on-cam and behind-the-scenes. I had a great time watching him with a serious model face on the monitor and then seeing his playful side after the take. He was such a pro and a good ambassador for Bench.”

Looking forward to meeting his Filipino fans again, Baekhyun remembers, “Last year, when I came to the Philippines for my concert tour, was the most memorable. Fans were passionately singing along to my songs, despite the difference in language. They were passionate in welcoming me, and there were fans who would cry or tear up. This made me think that I have to come back to the Philippines more often.” He was looking forward to the Bench fan meet, but would also like to try Jollibee while here.

Baekhyun surrounded by his passionate Filo fans at The Best Day fan meet organized by Bench.

What makes the K-pop idol happy? 

“Singing my music, preparing for this music, and meeting the fans, make me happy. Sometimes, when I am bombarded with all sorts of unnecessary thoughts and worries, I reach out to my fans on social media. Through that, I am able to focus and hold on to my direction.” 

So yes, he connects with his fans and finds strength in them. Well, the good news is, they will be able to see and connect with Baekhyun more as he is preparing for an album and a world tour this year.

I heart Bench. Kpop idol and superstar Baekhyun with Ben Chan at The Best Day fan meet.

In his spare time and rest period, Baekhyun usually listens to music and plays video games. But recently, he has thought of photography as a hobby or pastime. “Whenever I go abroad for activities, the memories will always be from fans taking photos. But I don’t have photos from my own point of view, or my own memories. That is why I want to take photos myself to treasure more my personal memories and moments.”

 As the interview continued, the K-pop vocalist, who was soft-spoken but chatty, revealed, “I’ve taken the MBTI test many times which says I’m an extrovert. But I have the personality of being shy when first meeting with people. No matter how many times I take the test, it comes out that I am an extrovert.” 

I saw that shyness, but he was also so polite, and he answered my questions with a quiet enthusiasm. His gentle personality, combined with his singing superpower, is why he is immensely popular and loved by his fans. 

And how does Baekhyun see himself five or 10 years from now? 

He chuckles and says, “I won’t be able to dance as strongly and as passionately as I do now. But I will surely be performing. I am a person who will continue to make music.”