ANNYEONGHASEYO, PHILIPPINES! South Korean star named PH tourism ambassador

National

SOUTH Korean star Seo In-guk is ready to bring the Philippines into the spotlight.

Seo, 37, was officially appointed as tourism ambassador for the Philippines during a special ceremony at the Department of Tourism (DOT) office in Makati on Friday, February 21.

The partnership between the DOT, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), and Seo’s Philippine talent agency, Neocolors Production and Advertising, aims to boost tourism by promoting the beauty of the Philippines to South Korean travelers.

During the event, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco praised Seo for his wide-reaching influence, especially his 4.5 million followers on Instagram. She emphasized his deep bond with Filipino fans and noted his broad international appeal, making him the perfect choice to represent the Philippines as an ambassador.

“Seo’s artistry cultivated a deep connection with Filipino fans, as well as those from other nationalities, making him an ideal representative to share the wonders of the Philippines to the world,” Frasco was quoted in a Philstar report.

As part of his role, Seo will take part in an "experiential travel" experience, enjoying everything from the country’s pristine beaches and dive sites to its delicious cuisine.

Seo, who is currently in Cebu filming his new Netflix series "Boyfriend on Demand" alongside Blackpink's Jisoo, expressed his excitement about the new role. Wearing a black suit, he shared his appreciation for Filipino culture, having already tasted the famous Cebu lechon and even singing a few lines from the hit Filipino song “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino.

With South Korea being the Philippines' top source of tourists in 2024, accounting for over 1.5 million visitors, Seo's appointment as tourism ambassador is sure to further strengthen ties and bring even more visitors to the Philippines.(MyTVCebu)