Kim Hyun Joong returns the love of Pinoy fans

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is one country that Korean superstar Kim Hyun Joong loves to return to over and over again and he expressed this during a recently-held presscon at the Edsa Shangri-La to promote his first solo mini-album Break Down.

The love is a two-way street between Hyun Joong and his Filipino fans. He said he would try very much to come back to Manila for another concert.

“I will have an Asian concert tour in December and I will certainly work it out to include the Philippines in my tour,” an overwhelmed and happy Hyun Joong told reporters via his interpreter.

The heartthrob breezed into town to also perform for his Pinoy fans at the Trinoma Activity Center for the High Five Touch event.

At the press conference, Hyun Joong said he was happy to be back in Manila.

“I am overwhelmed at the response of the Filipino fans. At the airport, there were so many fans who welcomed me. I am very happy to be here again,” he said.

It was Hyun Joong’s second visit to Manila after performing with the K-pop boy group Beast in a benefit concert last year.

Pinoys are dear to Hyun Joong’s heart as also last year, he donated P1M from his personal money to a non-government organization that supports women with children out of wedlock and juvenile delinquents. The money was for the construction of a halfway house for juvenile delinquents who are seeking a second chance.

Hyun Joong himself had a difficult teen life. As a teenager, he ran away from home, worked odd jobs to support himself and went hungry and homeless. But through all the uphill struggles, he held on, persevered and worked hard to get to where he is now.

He said in a previous interview that he wants other young people to learn from his experience.

For his second visit, Hyun Joong performed as a solo artist after his boy group SS501, which spawned such hits as Because I’m Stupid and Making a Lover, disbanded last year.

Hyun Joong became popular in the Philippines via the hit 2009 Korean drama series Boys Over Flowers as the gentlemanly Ji-Hoo, which was aired over ABS-CBN. Last year, he starred in the Korean drama Playful Kiss as Seung Jo/Gelo aired on GMA 7.

At the press conference, Hyun Joong shared that singing and acting make him very, very happy.

“I feel ecstatic when I’m in front of my fans performing for them. Even though I am tired, I feel energized whenever I see their reaction and love for me,” he said.

In his new album, he displayed a different persona who is more mature and hot.

His two hit singles Please and Break Down have topped Korean charts and now his latest track Kiss, Kiss is climbing up the charts.

The title track Break Down is an upbeat, synthesized song with an urban style, which features the rapping of South Korea’s Double K and is produced by Ken Lewis, who has worked with Eminem, Kanye West, Usher and John Legend.

Hyun Joong also said he was very involved and hands-on in the album making of Break Down.

He worked closely with Japanese group V6 and KAT-TUN’s producer Steven Lee. Hyun Joong also conceptualized his MTVs for the songs in Break Down.

Asked if he plans to write some songs, he said he’d love to but now is not yet the time.

Nevertheless, plans are in the offing for a new drama series and probably, a new album, too.