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Here and Now: Bench Moments With Ji Chang Wook in Manila

The moment we’ve been all waiting for! The global bench setter, Ji Chang Wook, is back for a jam-packed fan meeting held on August 4, 2024, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila.

He is finally back after his fan meet “Reach to You” two years ago in collaboration with Bench. The Korean actor-singer Ji Chang Wook, who started in Healer, the K2, Welcome to Samdal-ri, and Lovestruck in the City, returned once again for another fan meeting in Manila with the leading clothing and lifestyle brand Bench. The event was hosted by Sam Oh, and there were segments that surely brought the fans and Ji Chang Wook closer. It was a spectacular moment for everyone when he performed ‘Kissing You’, an official soundtrack from the series 7 first kisses. Fans welcome him by saying ‘I love you’ in three different languages: English, Filipino, and Korean.

Everyone was anticipating him, and as the show started, there were segments called “Lovestruck with Bench,” in which we were able to see the photoshoot he had with Bench. The actor also mentioned his upcoming projects, including “Revolver,” starting on August 7, “The Queen Woo,” and “Gangnam B-side,” which will be shown on Disney+ in the latter part of the year, and a drama called “Sculpture City.” The next segment was entitled “Healer.” There were lucky fans who got a chance to personally share their thoughts and experiences with Ji Chang Wook, and in return, he was able to give them advice. He was thoughtful to his fans, as he was carefully thinking about it before answering their questions. I remember when fans ask about their insecurity that they feel, and it ends with her having low confidence in herself.

“It is more than enough that you are being yourself,” as it was his personal take on this. It was a precious moment for everyone.

What is a fan meeting without interacting with fans? Bench indeed made this event dedicated to making everyone have fun! There were fans who got the chance to have a heart pose in camera with Wookie, and aside from that, in the segment “If you wish upon me,” the actor picked 10 wishes from the audience, whether taking a selfie, dedicating a song, making birthday wishes, etc.

Ji Chang Wook is known to be a good actor; as a matter of fact, his Korean dramas were hits, and fans were loving them. For this segment, “Rookie Versus Pro,” there were scenes from his drama that needed to be re-enacted by some of the lucky fans in the audience. It was a heartfelt interaction when fans showed him the prepared gift for Wookie; it was a fan project, and there were people singing “laundry” by Lee Juck for him, and later on he also joined his fans.

Although it was about to end, Ji Chang Wook serenaded his fans by singing “Even Though I Loved You” from the musical “The Days” and “Watch Over You” as one of the official soundtracks of “Healer.”

Even though it was just an hour of incredible fan meetings, surely fans will keep these memories forever. Thank you for these special moments that were brought to us by Bench/.

Words by: Krisna Villanueva