There are K-Drama fans across the globe who share the same passion. But on online platforms, it is hard to know about each other’ stories and tastes. Even if we are in the same fandom, it is hard to get to know each other. So at Kpopmap, we started the Kpopmap Fan Interview Project to get to know more about K-Drama fans from different countries. Just like the Kpopmap Fan Interview for idols, the Kpopmap Fan Interview for actors aims to open the opportunity for fans to promote, talk about, and share their love for their favorite actor/actress with our readers. Maristela is the next fan to answer our questions. She is a Filipino in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and her favorite actor is Seo InGuk! Check out how she became his fan, why she is a fan, the dramas she recommend, and much more insights about Seo InGuk. Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from? All my friends and Hearties (Heartriders) call me “Maristela”. I am from the Philippines. Who is your favorite Korean actor/actress? And how and when did you become a fan? My favorite actor is Seo InGuk, actually since birth (Just kidding!). I realized this only last 2021 when I watched his drama “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”. His character was Kim MooYoung. It was like magic because of his excellent portrayal of every character in his series. Plus we can’t forget how he reached the maximum level of his handsome face. What are the reasons why you love your favorite actor? He is not just a multi-talented actor or a great singer. He is a good, kind and a very humble person because the way he treated all his friends, staff and his fans are really amazing. Most of all, he is lovable son to his parents. Can you recommend dramas or movies starring your favorite actor for new fans? I will recommend for new fans the dramas “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”, “Squad 38”, “High School King of Savvy”, “Cafe Minamdang”, and for his movies, “Pipeline”, and the latest one, “Project Wolf Hunting”. All of these are really astounding because he can portray every role from romcom to comedy. from cool student to genius CEO, from detective to shaman. He can portray all kinds of roles without hesitation. He gives all his best for his fans. Do you have an all-time favorite scene? Can you describe it or share a video? Yes, I have a favorite scene. In his latest drama in “Cafe Minamdang” (available in Netflix), Nam HanJoon tells Han JaeHui “Even If I run, I’ll end up coming to you in the end”. What was your favorite answer given by your favorite actor in an interview? In a “Rolling Stone” interview, Seo InGuk said, “It’s okay to have a bad day, rather than feeling like you have to keep strong." That is very true in our daily lives, as we struggle in different situations. We have to keep going and be stronger. What is your favorite actor’s influence on your daily life or yourself? I think the fact that he never gives up, like when he was a contestant in “Superstar K”, for me, as an ordinary person, it encourages me to not give up and to keep going strong. Furthermore, since he has many dramas and movies, I self-study his language (Korean language), Hangul, to understand his interview, fan meeting, and the way he speaks to his fans. I also study Korean culture and history. What’s your favourite 2022 moment involving your favourite actor? I have lots of moment with my favorite Korean actor Seo InGuk. First, he made me happy everyday. Second, I decided to design my own bag that is Seo InGuk inspired. Then I had made a TikTok, Instagram and Twitter account for the first time in my life, just because of him (Seo InGuk). And then recently, I just joined a group of Filipino fans of Seo InGuk named SIG Angels Philippines. And I am so excited and am looking forward to my new journey being a Seo InGuk fan, together with my new found friends who are also a Seo InGuk fans♡. Is there any role you want to see your favorite actor do? I want to see Seo InGuk in an exciting role like a criminal lawyer, a priest, or a husband like Lee MinHo’s character in “Personal Taste”. If you could spend the day with them, what would you want to do together? Just only one day? Okay but make sure it is a whole day (just kidding). I want to have one group lunch date with him and my fellow heartriders, making good memories, plus do live video with him (with 100 selfies) because I want to show everyone, especially my children that my favorite actor is with me. For Kpopmap readers who are not familiar with Korean dramas/movies yet, please tell us what makes Korean actors and Korean dramas/movies attractive to you. To those who are not familiar with Korean drama/movies. The concept of their series is different from other dramas. Every episode, there is a twist and that makes you wait for the next episode. Sometimes, before the end of the episode there is an epilogue that shows additional mystery for the viewers. What genre do you want your favorite actor to appear in? What’s the reason? Zombie/ Horror/ Suspense genre like “Sweet Home” or like English movie in Resident Evil. I know that he’s versatile as an actor, who can portray every role assigned to him. Which actors would you like your favorite actor to act with? What’s the reason? Jung SoMin (“The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”) and Park BoYoung (“Doom At Your Service”) have the best chemistry with him in their drama series. Since your favorite actor is also an singer, which song by them caught your attention at first and why? All his songs caught my attention, because of his soft and angelic voice. Maybe the song ‘Flower’, which is my favorite, because he hit the high notes and also his perfect falsettos. Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? For new fans try to listen to his new comeback album “LOVE&LOVE” and his song ‘My Love’. For me, Seo InGuk expresses and touches your heart, and tells you to keep fighting, hang in there, to keep going, to stay strong, and never give up. These are the words that can cheer you up in a hearty way. Can you recommend a fancam, V-Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your favourite artist to our readers? As a new member of his Heartriders, I don’t have any video content except from our fellow Heartriders kooktime1023 and ingoogatt. I love all their videos. This video shows how he humble is and how he interacts with his fans. He is very charming and too kind. He is very nice to everyone, especially to his millions of fans. Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? From the song ‘Flower’ one of my favorite lyrics is: “Forever Love Forever Love 널 안아줄게 널 지켜줄게 (Forever Love Forever Love neol an-ajulge neol jikyeojulge/Forever Love forever love I will hug you so I can protect you)”. Do you feel there are any misunderstandings, things that are not well known, or any prejudices about your favorite actor/artist? Yes, I saw some comments about Seo InGuk, because they don’t know who Seo InGuk is. We cannot expect all people to love him as we do. Seo InGuk is a great actor, multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, and a wonderful person. An all-rounder man hehehe. Maristela’s message for Seo InGuk Dear Seo InGuk-oppa, Hi, how are you? I hope you are just fine when you read this (wishful thinking). I am sad because I only heard about you just recently. It’s like, where have you been all my life? Since you inspired me the moment I saw some of your dramas, I became part of every Seo InGuk Groups that I found in every SNS (social networking sites). Then, I found a group of Seo InGuk fans who represented your international fans, and then I became a member of Seo In Guk Angels Philippines - a group of Filipino Fans who, like me, adore and support you from afar. For us, you are not just a great actor but you are also a multi-talented singer, songwriter and rapper. I saw some of your music video in YouTube. And you know what, I am also into dancing when I was in my 20’s, that’s why whenever I saw your dancing videos I am really rooting for you. You are a versatile actor and I noticed that you are very kind to your fans. I hope that you will not change your attitude towards us as your fans. And stay as you are to your parents, being a loving son to them. I am looking forward to more fanmeetings, concerts, dramas, movie project, and more album from you in the future. I will always wish you all the best in your career, in acting or in singing because I know how you love both of these. I will support you all the way from buying your albums and any Seo InGuk merchandises. I will never lose my faith that one day, I will go to Korea to attend any of your fanmeetings, concerts and fansigns. Now, I am learning basic Korean language just for me to understand all of your songs, interviews and some behind-the-scenes clips. Be strong always InGuk-oppa. We are here for you, the Heartriders and most especially your fans from the Philippines, the SIG Angels Philippines. Stay sweet, playful and hardworking… And never ever get sick… Stay healthy always.. I will meet you someday! Saranghe Oppa♡ We love you from afar 🙂. Mahal kita and mahal ka namin from SIG Angels Philippines♡ Loving you always, Ma Ris Tela Thank you for answering our questions, Maristela. If you are interested in joining Kpopmap Fan Interview Project, please get in touch with us at [email protected] Everyone is welcome to participate.
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