Philippines taps South Korean actor as tourism ambassador

MANILA, Philippines — An entertainer from South Korea has been appointed as “tourism ambassador for the Philippines” by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The agency, through Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, granted the title to 37-year-old actor and singer Seo In-guk at an event at the DOT main office in Makati on Feb. 21.

The DOT, along with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Seo’s Philippine talent agency Neocolors Production and Advertising, signed a memorandum of understanding for his engagement as promoter of Philippine tourism for South Korean travelers.

Seo’s role will last for a year, said Frasco, noting he was “very highly recommended by our Philippine embassy in South Korea, as well as our Philippine Department of Tourism in South Korea,” being a celebrity with an Instagram following of 4.5 million.

“Seo’s artistry cultivated a deep connection with Filipino fans, as well as those from other nationalities, making him an ideal representative to share the wonders of the Philippines to the world,” she added.

The DOT would also “leverage the power of pop culture and digital influence to engage deeper with global travelers who share the passion for music, film and adventure.”

Frasco noted that as DOT’s ambassador, Seo would embark on an “experiential travel for the Philippines where he would not only enjoy our beaches and dive sites, but you also get to eat our food.”

Seo is currently in Cebu, reportedly shooting scenes as part of a new Netflix Korean drama series with the working title “Boyfriend on Demand” that will also star Jisoo, member of female Korean pop group Blackpink.

He has appeared in various television and film projects in South Korea since 2012.

Seo, wearing a black suit, said he enjoyed eating lechon and listened to Filipino music while dining in Cebu.

He also sang the chorus of the song “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino.

Through his appointment as DOT ambassador, Seo, speaking in Korean, promised to “give back all the love you gave to me.” He ended his short speech by saying “Mahal ko kayo.”

A total of 1,574,152 tourists from South Korea or 26.46 percent make up the total 5,949,350 travelers that visited the Philippines in 2024, making South Korea the Philippines’ top source of tourists, according to the DOT.