Tag Archives: Bench

Hallyu

Kim Seon-ho Returns to Manila for Love to Meet Our Good Boy Fan Meet

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Filipino Seonhohadas had been eagerly waiting for Kim Seon-ho to come back after his first fan meet in January. Thanks to clothing and lifestyle brand Bench, the South Korean actor met his fans during a sweet and fun “Love to Meet Our Good Boy” fan meet at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 22.


When Seon-ho took the stage, host Robi Domingo asked the fans to greet the actor with “mahal kita” (in three languages!). The “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” and “Start-Up” actor replied with “mahal ko din kayo,” to the delight of his fans. He walked across the stage so that Seonhohadas could see him up close and take photos of him. Robi also asked Seon-ho to repeat a couple of lines from his latest project “The Childe,” an action/thriller film. Seon-ho obliged and said, “Ngumiti ka naman dyan. Ako’ng bahala sa’yo.”


At one point, Robi asked Seon-ho, “How do you feel?” The K-drama actor replied with “Masaya.” And for the rest of the night, both the actor and his fans made each other smile. It was such a delight to watch.
The first part of the fan meet was a short interview, and photos of Seon-ho were displayed on screen as the actor talked about his projects, including “The Childe” and “Touching the Void,” a play based on a 1988 book. Seon-ho also said he couldn’t choose a favorite actor because there are a lot of great ones in the industry. Because of these senior actors, others could learn from them and become better actors. Seon-ho is known as a versatile actor and his signature dimples. He shared that he was insecure about his dimples when he was young because some people made him feel like they were an insecurity, but now, he’s learned to appreciate them.


They started the games with Seon-ho as the only participant. He played “Spot the Difference,” and he got all items correctly. He even complimented the production team for doing a great job with the photos.
With the second game, three lucky fans went on stage to play “Pictionary” with Seon-ho. The actor drew, while the fans guessed what they were. All of the fans guessed them correctly, and as a prize, they got to keep Seon-ho’s signed drawings. Seon-ho seemed shy and very down-to-earth, and interactions and conversations were easy with him.
The third game was “Pinoy Henyo,” and Seon-ho guessed all the words flashed on screen. Like with the previous game, all the words were related to the actor’s projects.


Seon-ho earlier mentioned that he wanted to try halo-halo, and for lunch that day, he was able to try the Filipino dessert and also lechon. He talked about Korean food and his favorite: tteokbokki. So for the next part of the fan meet, he cooked tteokbokki, and one fan was able to try what he made.


For the last game, three fans were picked to share a scene re-enactment with Seon-ho, bringing extra kilig to the night.
Before the fan meet ended, Filipino Seonhohadas prepared a fan project for the actor. They gave heartfelt messages of gratitude to the actor, who have made their lives even better in various ways.


“All of your warm welcome, support, and love for me make me super happy. Thank you so much,” he said through an interpreter.
“It was really unexpected that I would cook tteokbokki in front of a lot of people, play games, draw, and have a lot of conversations with the fans. We are one big family, and I’m so happy to be part of this family. I would also like to sincerely express my gratitude to the Bench team for making this possible and for the unforgettable memories with my fans.”


Even with such a huge venue, the fan meet felt intimate as Seon-ho took every opportunity to be close with his Seonhohadas. “I will cherish today as an unforgettable memory. Salamat po,” the actor said.


As for his fans, there was no doubt that meeting their favorite Good Boy was also an unforgettable memory for them.


Love to Meet Our Good Boy: The Kim Seon-Ho Fan Meet 2023 was presented by Bench.
Words by Ava Sharra
Photos by Kris Rocha

Hallyu

Kim Seon-ho on Being an Actor, Returning to Manila

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South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho returned to Manila for a successful fan meet on July 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This was the second time the “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” and “Start-Up” actor visited Manila for a fan meet — this time organized by lifestyle and clothing brand Bench.


The Bench global ambassador met the media at a press conference before the fan meet. Seon-ho talked about being an actor, style, coming back to Manila, and more.


The actor introduced himself in Filipino, “Mabuhay! Ako si Kim Seon-ho.” Through an interpreter, he added, “I really feel blessed and grateful that I [am] able to visit you guys again through Bench today.”


Seon-ho said that he wasn’t able to go to different places and experience different things in the Philippines when he visited for his first fan meet in January, but this time, he wants to try halo-halo.


Known as a versatile actor, Seon-ho shared his process on how he prepares for a role. He said he looks for references to get into a character and that he has discussions with directors. It takes about one to two months for Seon-ho to get into a certain role.


“There is so much versatility to the characters, but the character starts from me. Just like clothing, it is kind of a different look and style when I wear it. So that’s how I see the individuality of the character,” he explained.


“Being an actor, [I am] prone to having new challenges every time I get a character. This makes me a bit worried, but at the same time, excited. So as an actor, I try to always have a new challenge to connect to the character.”


Seon-ho also talked about the moniker “Good Boy,” which came from his character Han Ji-pyeong from the 2020 drama “Start-Up.” He said that the elderly usually use the term to describe young people as innocent, naive, or pure. “Since I was really into [Han Ji-pyeong’s] character, when I hear the term “good boy,” it really makes me emotional as well,” Seon-ho added.


However, the actor said that his character Hong Du-sik in “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is the most similar to himself because he likes having conversations with different people in a light environment.


His favorite scenes are those that involve normal everyday life where viewers can relate to his character more. “Rather than talking about the genre, I really appreciate and find it special the scenes where I’m having conversations and showing people my ordinary side.”


When asked about his hobbies, the actor said that he likes taking walks while thinking about his worries and his day. He likes observing what people do to be aware of what’s happening in society.


“I try to push myself to be a better actor every day, but I think I am a lazy actor. There [is] a lot of room for improvement. But I am very optimistic of myself as an actor, so I would like to request [that everyone] look forward to me being a better actor day by day.”


Seon-ho said was happy to be back in Manila and was grateful for the warm welcome that he has received.

Love to Meet Our Good Boy: The Kim Seon-Ho Fan Meet 2023 was presented by Bench.
Words by Ava Sharra
Photos by Kris Rocha

Concerts & Music Festivals, Hallyu

GAMETIME WITH WI HA JUN

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On May 21, Korean actor Wi Ha Jun held his first ever fan meet and concert in Manila at the New Frontier Theater. The event was organized by bench/ as part of him being a global ambassador for the Filipino brand.


The event was a huge success, with fans of all ages gathering to catch a glimpse of Wi Ha Jun. The actor charmed the audience with his good looks, impeccable charisma, and unique charm. His time on the stage was spent on fun games with his fans, a ramen date and a showcase of his dancing skills.


During the fan meet part of the event, Wi Ha Jun shared stories about his life and career, and answered questions from event host, Sam Oh. He revealed fun facts about him like how he loves reading scripts, how his fans motivate him in his fitness journey, and his love for his hometown back in Korea.


Wi Ha Jun’s articulate answers and strong stage presence proved once again that he is not just a talented actor but also an amazing performer. He thanked his fans for their support and love, promising to use the energy and love he got from his fancon to fuel him in th betterment of his craft.


Overall, Wi Ha Jun’s fan meet and concert in Manila was a memorable experience for both the actor and his fans. It showcased his versatility as an artist and his genuine appreciation for the people who have supported him throughout his career.

SPECIAL THANKS TO BENCH
Words by Manila Concert Scene
Photos by Seth Valenzuela

Hallyu

An Afternoon with Wi Ha Jun

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Wi Ha Jun, the breakout star from the hit Netflix series “Squid Game,” has recently visited Manila for a series of engagements with Filipino fans and media. The South Korean actor arrived recently and was welcomed by select members of the press on May 20, 2023 – thanks to lifestyle brand, bench/.


“I am thrilled to be in Manila and to meet my Filipino fans. I never expected that ‘Squid Game’ would have such a huge following. I am grateful,” said Wi Ha Jun during the event. And his excitement is palpable considering the fan meet would be his first ever fancon.
The quick session with the press also gave us a glimpse into some of the actor’s impressions of the country. Replying to the questions set by event host, Sam Oh, the actor revealed some fun facts about him.

He shares that he’s surprised by the warm weather and calls it “welcoming”. He too would love to see more of the country. If given the chance, we would take a trip to Cebu and Boracay. Wi Ha Jun also expressed his appreciation to bench/. Being one of its global ambassadors, he took a liking to how comfortable the clothes are and how they are sporty and casual at the same time. He also shared that his fans have been tagging him in various billboards and in-store visuals.

 
Questions as well on how “Squid Game” propelled him to stardom were also discussed. Wi Ha Jun acknowledges the show as a cultural phenomenon and acknowledges the fact of how it has positively affected his career.  On which he add, “I’m really thankful and grateful” . You can also look forward to his upcoming show “The Worst of Evil”. Despite his fame, the celebrity still takes some time to stay grounded by spending time with his family.

After a splendid afternoon, Wi Ha Jun waved goodbye to us and took his well-deserved rest after his trip. We’re pretty sure this break will make him ready for his press event the following day. And the fans surely can’t wat for his game day.

SPECIAL THANKS TO BENCH
Words by Manila Concert Scene
Photos from BENCH

Concerts & Music Festivals, Hallyu

The ITZY Wannabe with Bench Fan Meet in Manila

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ITZY has proven to be a popular and unforgettable K-pop girl group since their debut in 2019. Their unique and bold style made them stand out in the K-pop scene and became a fan-favorite among many countries across the globe. In line with their international success, ITZY recently returned to Manila for a fan meet held last April 23, leaving Filipino fans eagerly awaiting for their return thanks to Bench.


A day before the event, the girls met with the press for a mediacon. The 5-member group were met with that signature warm Manila welcome. Answering questions and sharing some interesting info about them. One of which when asked who among them is the most fashionable, the group pointed to Yuna and Lia. Another one, when asked what they love about Bench, the group replied “comfortable and fashionable”.
The anticipation for ITZY’s show went full frenzy on the day of the fan meet. Fans have taken to social media to express their excitement along the while raking in massive attendance to the event. The Mall of Asia Arena became host to the thousands of MIDZYs eager to see their favorite idols.


The fan-meet was full of fun challenges, onstage antics and fan banter – Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna also treated fans to several musical numbers. With their upbeat performances, distinctive style, and empowering messages, ITZY once again won hearts and ignited smiles in the Philippines. Moreover, Filipino fans were showered with the positive message from the group, as ITZY delivers their signature “love yourself” and “be confident” messages during the show.

With another successful Philippine show under their belt, ITZY again showed why they have the it factor. And we can’t wait to catch the next one.

Special thanks to Bench.

See more photos from #ITZYxBENCH Fan Meet event here

Concerts & Music Festivals, Hallyu

Stay With Bench: Stray Kids Fanmeet in Manila Experience

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“We’ve been very very good because we are in Manila!” Bang Chan, Stray Kids’ leader, enthusiastically declared during their fan meet last January 20 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Together with his co-group, Hyunjin, Felix, Lee Know, I.N, Han, Seungmin, and Changbin, the South Korean act were all smiles and excited to be in front of the their adoring Pinoy fans.

After opening with a performance of ‘God’s Menu’, the fanmeet consisted of 8 different and unique segments wherein fans were able to interact and get to know the members even more. The first segment was called ‘I am who’, where the members must guess which member is being impersonated. This was followed by a game of jengga with a twist; that being the jengga blocks were much bigger, hence the segment being called ‘Giant Jengga No Easy Challenge’. An additional mechanic was also introduced: each block would either have the word ‘safe’ or ‘mission’ written on it. If a member gets a block with the word safe, they can simply place the block on top of the tower. If a member gets a block with the word mission, they have the option to do a mission as a team or as an individual, which added both more fun and difficulty to the game.

Next was the Domino Challenge, where the group with the most number of dominos toppled down wins, and as a reward, gets two free bench shirts. By the 4th segment, the members had to say I love you in four different ways: cute, sexy, crazy, and serious. The 5th segment was called the ‘Secret Secret Whisper Challenge’, which is basically a lip-reading game, the challenge being the noise-cancelling headphones the members must wear. In Cheese: Draw My Photocard, the 6th segment, 8 easels were placed onstage with bench shirts as their canvas. A photocard of a Stray Kids member would be attached, and the member would have 3 minutes to paint whoever is on the photocard. Eight lucky fans would have a chance to win a shirt from a random draw.

In the 7th and penultimate segment, Spot Choreography, a random part of one of their songs would be flashed on screen, and the members must perform the correct dance moves along with it. Loveline was the 8th and final segment, which was followed by a closing performance of ‘Case 143’, the perfect way to not only end and wrap up the fanmeet, but to also make Stays excited and look forward to the group’s return for their Maniac Tour on March 11 and 12, 2023.

Bench opened 2023 by bringing Stray Kids back to Manila in one of a kind fan meeting event.

Special thanks to Bench for making this event possible and for giving Filipino Stays a chance to see the members live!

See more photos from the event here

Foreign, Hallyu

Kumusta. Ako si Ji Chang-Wook

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Korean actor and heartthrob Ji Chang-Wook was in town last November for his “Reach You” fan meet made possible by BENCH/. Held at the Mall of Asia Arena, the 35 year old actor was met with that signature warm Filipino welcome and excited cheers. The show title is a reference to how the actor feels when distance causes people to be apart, and to reaching them brings so much joy.

Kicking off with a performance of “Do You Believe in magic” from the hit Netflix show, “The Sound of Magic”, the South Korean stunner was exuding with charm. Sharing a joyful aura for his first Manila event. Of which he shares “I’m feeling very good right now”. Alongside the song number, Ji Chang-Wook was too all smiles as he took questions onstage and shared candidly some highlights from his career and future projects as well.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a fan meet without the much awaited fan games. And it truly did not disappoint! Ji Chang-Wook actively participated in the event’s activities still donning that adorable smile throughout. Indeed, his presence was infectious. By the time the program ended, Ji Chang-Wook warm heartedly opened up to his fans and shared “Till we meet each other. Salamat po”. With that, we can’t wait for his return.

REACH YOU: Ji Chang Wook Live in Manila was made possible by Bench.

Hallyu

Bench presents Ji Chang Wook: Reach You in Manila

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K-Drama actor Ji Chang Wook is coming to Manila this November as he headlines the Mall of Asia Arena for a fan meeting event sponsored by Bench. He rose to fame for playing the lead role of Dong-hae in daily drama series Smile Again (2010–2011), and had notable lead roles in television series such as Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011), Empress Ki (2013–2014), Healer (2014–2015), The K2 (2016), Suspicious Partner (2017), Melting Me Softly (2019), Backstreet Rookie (2020), Lovestruck in the City (2020-2021), and The Sound of Magic (2022), and If You Wish Upon Me(2022). He won numerous awards including Best Actor at the 2019 Asia Artist Awards and recently at APAN Star Awards for Global Star Award.

Bench presents
JI CHANG WOOK
Reach You in Manila
November 6, 2022 – 5pm
SM Mall of Asia Arena

ADMISSION MECHANICS
PACKAGE 1: VIP – PHP12,500* ( SEATED )
Freebies and prizes to be claimed during the event:
• ONE (1) VIP TICKET
• ONE (1) BENCH/ JI CHANG WOOK SHIRT
• ONE (1) JCW POSTER (UNSIGNED)
• ONE (1) GUARANTEED WAVE OPPORTUNITY SLOT
• Chance to win ONE (1) OF 150 PHOTO OPPORTUNITY SLOTS
• Chance to win ONE (1) OF 100 JCW-SIGNED POSTERS TO BE GIVEN BY JI CHANG WOOK

PACKAGE 2: PATRON – PHP10,500* ( SEATED )
Freebies and prizes to be claimed during the event:
• ONE (1) PATRON TICKET
• ONE (1) BENCH/ JI CHANG WOOK SHIRT
• ONE (1) JCW POSTER (UNSIGNED)
• ONE (1) GUARANTEED WAVE OPPORTUNITY SLOT
• Chance to win ONE (1) OF 50 JCW-SIGNED POSTERS TO BE REDEEMED AT THE DESIGNATED BOOTH care of BENCH TEAM
• Chance to win ONE (1) OF 200 SEND-OFF SLOTS

PACKAGE 3: LOWER BOX – PHP6,500* ( SEATED )
Freebies to be claimed during the event:
• ONE (1) LOWER BOX TICKET
• ONE (1) BENCH/ JI CHANG WOOK SHIRT
• ONE (1) JCW POSTER (UNSIGNED)
• ONE (1) GUARANTEED WAVE OPPORTUNITY SLOT

PACKAGE 4: UPPER BOX – PHP3,800* ( SEATED )
Freebies to be claimed during the event:
• ONE (1) Upper BOX TICKET
• ONE (1) JCW POSTER (UNSIGNED)

PACKAGE 5: GENERAL ADMISSION – PHP1,200* ( SEATED )
Freebies to be claimed during the event:
• ONE (1) GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET
• ONE (1) JCW POSTER (UNSIGNED)

*TICKETING CHARGES APPLY

TICKET SELLING
• Customers can purchase their Ji Chang Wook Fan Meet tickets at any SM Tickets outlet nationwide and smtickets.com.
• The ticket selling for VIP and PATRON sections runs from October 11 until 5:00 PM of October 29, 2022.
• The ticket selling for LOWER BOX, UPPER BOX, and GENERAL ADMISSION sections runs from October 11 until 5:00 PM of November 6, 2022.

CLAIMING OF TICKETS
VIA OVER-THE-COUNTER (SM TICKET OUTLET):
• Tickets will be issued immediately upon purchase.

VIA ONLINE (SMTICKETS.COM):
• The customer must print the TICKET CLAIM VOUCHER issued by SM Tickets and present it to any SM Ticket outlet along with their valid ID.
• Should the participant opt to assign another person to claim their ticket, the representative must present the printed TICKET CLAIM VOUCHER, a valid ID, the participant’s government-issued ID, and an authorization letter

MECHANICS FOR THE BENCH/ LIFESTYLE APP RAFFLE REGISTRATION (FOR VIP AND PATRON SECTIONS ONLY):
• To join the electronic raffle, participants who purchased VIP and PATRON tickets from October 11 to 28, either via SM Tickets or SM Tickets online, can register their TICKET ID NUMBERS on the Bench Lifestyle App two (2) days from date of purchase UNTIL 10 AM OF OCTOBER 31. Meanwhile, those who purchased VIP and PATRON tickets on October 29 must register their TICKET ID NUMBERS on the Bench Lifestyle App from October 30 until 10 AM of October 31, 2022.
• Once registered, a confirmation prompt will be displayed on the app.
• The TICKET ID NUMBER printed on the ticket will be used in raffling off the ticket inclusions.
• Each Bench Lifestyle App user can register multiple tickets using their unique TICKET ID NUMBERS.
• The electronic raffle draw is on October 31, 2022, while the announcement of winners is on November 2, 2022.
• Per DTI rules and regulations, winners will get notified through call, SMS, AND email on November 3, 2022.

REDEMPTION OF RAFFLE PRIZES AND FREEBIES
• Participants must claim all freebies and raffle prizes on show day at designated redemption booths in SM MALL OF ASIA ARENA.
• Raffle winners must present the screenshot of their winning confirmation, physical JCW event ticket, and one (1) government-issued valid ID to claim their respective prizes. They will also receive their event wristbands on show day.
• Should the participant assign another person to claim the prize/freebies on their behalf, the claimant must present one (1) government-issued ID, an authorization letter with the participant’s valid ID, a winning confirmation screenshot, and a physical JCW event ticket.

MODES OF PAYMENT
VIA SM TICKET OUTLETS
• Cash, Local and International-issued Credit Card or Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB etc.), and Digital Wallets (PayMaya, Gcash, Grabpay, etc.)
• BDO Credit – Installment basis is allowed (0% interest: 3 mos. installment) with a minimum spend of Php3,000 for over-the-counter transactions only on selected outlets.

VIA SM TICKET OUTLETS
• Local and International-issued Credit Card or Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB etc.,), and Digital Wallets (PayMaya, Gcash, Grabpay, etc.)