Song Joong Ki charms fans by learning these Filipino words

K-drama superstar Song Joong Ki has long since captured hearts with his unforgettable roles in Vincenzo, Descendants of the Sun, and Reborn Rich.

But during his recent visit to the Philippines, he charmed fans not just with his screen presence, but with his sincere effort to embrace Filipino culture in a heartfelt way.

Held on May 24, 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, IAM SONG JOONG KI: Live in Manila marked his first-ever fan meet in the country.

Organized by IAM Worldwide and Publicity Asia, the event turned into more than just a celebration of his career. It became a touching moment of cross-cultural connection as Song Joong Ki expressed a genuine desire to learn and speak the Filipino language.

A GENUINE FASCINATION WITH FILIPINO LANGUAGE

Right from the start, Song Joong Ki was eager to pick up Filipino words, beginning with a classic expression that resonated well with the audience: “masarap,” meaning “delicious.”

Teaching him Filipino 101 was the perfect icebreaker as he seemed genuinely fascinated by how Filipino words sounded when spoken.

“Sobrang ganda ng pronunciation ng Tagalog, napansin ko,” he remarked in Korean.

With the help of his translator, Joong Ki added, “Parang gusto ko talaga mag-aral ng Tagalog din kasi, di ba, ang ganda ng Tagalog.”

His appreciation of the local language earned loud cheers and applause from the crowd.

JOONG KI LEARNS FILIPINO SLANG

During the show’s more playful segments, he came across a uniquely Pinoy slang word “sumakses,” a fun twist to describe one’s sense of accomplishment.

Joong Ki repeated the word with visible amusement, earning laughter and rounds of applause from the audience.

It was a lighthearted moment that underscored how easily he could connect with fans by embracing even the quirkiest and most uniquely Filipino parts of the language.

But the learning didn’t stop there.

In one of the interactive games, Filipino fans cleverly tied Filipino vocabulary to his iconic Vincenzo character.

Joong Ki listened attentively and echoed back the words kalapati (pigeon), apoy (fire), ginto (gold), and gusali (building), each relating to key elements from his mafia consigliere role.

These words, shared with such intention and appreciation, demonstrated how language can bridge fiction and reality in the most personal and powerful of ways.

JOONG KI SPEAKS LOVE IN TAGALOG

Beyond vocabulary, Song Joong Ki also embraced deeply emotional Filipino phrases—ones that go straight to the heart and carry more meaning than simple translations can convey.

With a warm tone and sincere expression, he said, “Mahal ko kayo,” meaning “I love you all,” followed by “Mahal kita” and then the even more heartfelt “Mahal na mahal kita!”

The way he delivered these lines—without hesitation, with full sincerity—made the moment unforgettable for fans.

Overwhelmed with kilig, his Pinoy fans responded with loud cheers, applause, and even tearful smiles—proof that they were touched by his effort to connect with them.

Before the night ended, Song Joong Ki shared his hopes of returning to the Philippines, leaving the audience with a promise: “Of course, I’ll be a good actor and do good in work as well. That is why I think I’ll also return here to Manila someday. Thank you so much.”

Overall, IAM Song Joong Ki: Live in Manila turned out to be more than just a fan meet; it became a beautiful celebration of culture, language, and shared love between a global star and his Filipino supporters.

Through every new word he learned, every phrase he spoke, and every moment of authentic connection, Song Joong Ki proved that even small efforts to engage in someone else’s culture can leave a lasting impression that transcends language barriers—and touches the heart.

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