Kim Hyun Joong shares how 'Boys Over Flowers' role changed his life during Manila visit
It was over a decade when Pinoy K-drama fans first got a glimpse of Kim Hyun Joong in the hit series Boys Over Flowers. Now, the Korean singer-actor, who first gave us the kilig (and the frustration) of the second lead syndrome, is finally in the Philippines to meet his fans and give everyone a dose of nostalgia.
On his latest guesting in Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Hyun Joong reminisced about the early days of his career, which consisted mostly of playing the role of Yoon Ji-hoo in Boys Over Flowers.
When asked by the “King of Talk” how this role changed his life, the Korean heartthrob acknowledged how the drama series boomed not just in Korea but worldwide, significantly affecting his career from being a singer-songwriter to an actor.
“Actually, sobrang sikat po all over the world talaga, hindi lang dito sa Philippines and Korea,” he said through his translator.
“Kaya 'yung lahat ng buhay [ko] talaga nabago, hindi lang sa acting and also sa singing din,” he continued.
Prior to his portrayal as Yoon Ji-hoo in the hit drama series, Kim Hyun Joong was part of a quintet boy band SS501. Although the group has been inactive since 2010, the Boys Over Flowers star has been active in releasing music.
There is no doubt that Hallyu wave is very much alive in the Philippines, and Hyun Joong said that it may be because of the similarities between Korean and Filipino culture, such as the love for Karaoke, singing, and playing billiards.
"Sa Korea, sobrang daming karaoke kasi mahilig kumanta, maraming billiards, dito meron din," he said.
"'Yung mga tao [sa Korea], masayahin. 'Yung mga Filipinos, napansin [ko] masayahin [din silang tao], he added.
Noting how Pinoys innately have "high energy," Hyun Joong assumed that it may not be long from now that a "Philippine wave" could emerge worldwide.
"Sobrang lakas ng energy ng mga Filipino, and in the near future, malapit na rin magkaroon ng Philippine wave kasi ang ganda ng energy ng mga [Filipino]," he said.
Aside from his role in Boys Over Flowers, Hyun Joong starred in the hit drama Playful Kiss and When Time Stopped. He recently performed in Manila on Friday, April 28 for his The End of A Dream tour.
