The South Korean actor Hwang In Youp returned to Manila and made his Filo fans filled with excitement and nostalgia. The actor who starred in the popular dramas like “Family by Choice,” “Why Her?,” “True Beauty,” and more had his fanmeeting “In Love” last January 25, 2025 at the New Frontier Theater. After over three years, Viu Scream Dates hosted the event, which marked his much-awaited return in the Philippines.
The Philippines is definitely a place that Hwang In Youp has always thought of as his second home. He became familiar with Filipino culture after studying here for years. He attended the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School in Davao, and then he graduated from the Pholippine Women’s College of Davao in 2012 with a degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Fashion Design.
From his first runway modelling gig in 2017 to his acting breakthrough in 2018 with his web drama “Why,” Hwang In Youp has gained loyal fanbase.
The fanmeet began with the performance of “Flowerpot,” a song he previously sung in his drama “True Beauty.” “Kamusta po kayo? It’s been three years since I last visited the Philippines, and I am really happy because it feels like my second home,” Hwang In Youp said.
During the “In Youp’s Favorites” segment, he amazed his fans by recallingw which are his favorite Filipino foods, including halo-halo, sinigang, and lechon. He also spoke of his desire to return to Davao, stating “I haven’t revisited, so I want to try Davao again.”
One of the most memorable moment was when lucky fans joined Hwang In Youp on stage for activities. Both Hwang In Youp and the fans reenacted famous positions from the his drama “Family By Choice,” which each poses being photographed on Polaroid and handed as a souvenir.
The fans’ energy peaked during the “Love U” segment when Hwang In Youp and fans engaged in entertaining activities such as Arm Wrestling, Basketball Relay, and Couple Jumping Rope. The fans then cheered more when Hwang In Youp said that he would do a Hi-Touch reward when after winning three of the five games. During the “It Starts Today,” Hwang In Youp made his way closer to the fans as he went down the stage. And he also performed “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You” and “Starlight” by BTS V.
His Filo fans also created a special video for the fanmeet that showed their unwavering love and support for Hwang In Youp. He then expressed his gratitude and gave them a heartfelt thank you for their efforts.
More memorable parts of the event, and one of it was when he bravely accepted the “Igloo” dance challenge from girl group “Kiss of Life” during his Q and A segment. He also shared some of his favorites like his comfort food “Kwek-Kwek.”
Ending the fanmeet, he left with goodbye saying “Mahal Kita. Thank you. It was really fun. I am really happy today. We will meet again next time.”
The fanmeet was more than just an event, it was a memorable night filled with love and laughters. As the fans wait for his next project, one certain thing remains— that the Philippines will always be a special place for Hwang In Youp.
