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Cove Manila at Okada Manila has hosted its share of dazzling spectacles, but on September 13, 2025, it became the stage for something more intimate: Xohee Loved Ones, the first Manila fan meeting of South Korean actress Han So-hee. Presented by L-Squared Productions, the evening blended performance, conversation, and play, in an environment designed as much for fans’ comfort as for their idol’s spotlight.
The choice of venue was not incidental. Fan meetings in the Philippines often unfold in conventional theaters or large arenas, spaces where proximity to the artist is defined by ticket price and distance from the stage. By contrast, Cove Manila, with its dome ceiling, cabanas, and night-sky views, suggested that this gathering was meant to be more than a show. It felt curated to immerse fans into Han So-hee’s orbit.
The actress herself has become a global figure through works that traverse genres. From the fractured marriages and betrayals of The World of the Married, to the romantic indecision of Nevertheless, to the gritty action of My Name, and the horror-infused Gyeongseong Creature, Han So-hee has demonstrated range. The Manila event offered a different role: herself, unmediated by script, costume, or co-stars.
Getting to Know Her
Han So-hee’s entrance set the tone. She appeared in full white, elegant and radiant, a vision that drew immediate applause. “I’ve been to the Philippines for work and pleasure but never for a fanmeet,” she told the audience, her tone a blend of nervous anticipation and warmth. This acknowledgment of firsts established intimacy from the outset.
What followed was a self-produced short film projected on the large screen. High in quality and striking in tone, it juxtaposed whimsical imagery with darker undertones, revealing a more layered artistic vision than viewers might expect from a typical fan event. Its closing line, “Waiting for the day to hold hands,” lingered in the air, read by fans as both a poetic flourish and a personal gesture.
Throughout the segment, Han So-hee nodded to her past roles, playfully slipping on boxing gloves in a gesture that recalled her fierce performance in My Name. It was a reminder of the physicality and range she has brought to her characters, now reframed as part of her personal narrative.
Later, in the Xohee’s Awards segment, she was asked lighthearted questions about her screen characters. Which one, for instance, might make the best travel companion? Han So-hee weighed her options with deliberate pauses, drawing laughter as she contrasted their strengths and flaws. In another moment, she spoke about her desire to stretch her craft. “Wanna play a psychopath. There’s different emotional factors. I think I can do it very well,” she said, half playful, half serious, giving the crowd a glimpse into her ambitions.
Playing With Her Fans
Fan meetings often move in predictable beats, but in Manila the rhythm was shaped by fans as much as by the program. In All About Xohee, an elimination-style game, the audience held up “X” or “O” boards to guess her preferences. Wrong answers meant elimination, creating waves of laughter as fans misjudged her choices and cheers when they aligned with her instincts. The effect was communal, a room discovering her together.
The program also surprised with a performance element. Midway through the show, Han So-hee danced for her fans, covering Jennie’s “Seoul City” and aespa’s “Whiplash.” The set was brief but electric, showcasing her charisma and willingness to step outside acting into another form of expression. The choice of songs, contemporary and kinetic, spoke directly to her audience’s cultural pulse.
Later, during a segment where attendees posted their messages on a board, Han So-hee surprised the crowd by stepping down from the stage itself. She crossed to the audience area, posed for a selfie with one fan, and embraced another seated in the front row. These gestures, unscripted and personal, carried more weight than any rehearsed exchange. They transformed the encounter into something tactile and human.
The setting reinforced this intimacy. Unlike cavernous arenas, Cove Manila offered cabana suites to XOXO package holders. Accessible from 4 p.m., these private spaces were not hotel rooms but lounges designed for rest and connection before the event. Groups of fans decorated them, shared meals, and coordinated chants. For many, the suites blurred the line between pre-show waiting and the fan meeting itself. “The fan experience extended before the show even began,” one attendee remarked. “It felt like we were part of her world for a day.”
Even for those in general seating, the architecture provided comfort. The dome ceiling and wide glass walls framed the night sky above, softening the spectacle with a sense of openness. Although the venue was full, the audience never felt compressed. L-Squared’s decision to partner with Cove Manila gave fans a sense of spaciousness, a rare commodity in crowded fan events.
The Tearful Close
As with many fan meetings, the climax arrived with emotion. A fan-produced video played on screen, layering artwork and messages over the refrain “It’s okay to rest.” The reminder struck a chord. Han So-hee’s eyes welled as she covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the sincerity of the gesture.
When she spoke again, her voice wavered. “And of course, the loud cheers and energy that you have given me, thank you very much as well. Today really will be an unforgettable day for me and for my entire life, really. We’re gonna meet again, right? Till the next day, we’ll see each other again. Stay healthy and always be happy.”
The moment reframed her screen image. Known for playing women who carry grief, rage, or resilience, Han So-hee here appeared simply as herself, grateful and vulnerable.
A Fan-Centric Benchmark
By the time the lights dimmed, Xohee Loved Ones had made its case as more than a Manila debut. It demonstrated how the fanmeeting format, often criticized for predictability, can be reimagined. Cabana suites became social spaces rather than exclusive boxes. The dome ceiling transformed spectacle into openness. The structure of the show balanced performance, play, and heartfelt confession.
In the end, Han So-hee promised to return, her words punctuated by cheers that seemed to ripple through the venue long after she exited the stage. The night had not only connected star and fans but also offered a blueprint for how deeply and intelligently these encounters could be designed. Manila did not just host a fanmeeting. It raised the standard for what such an event could aspire to be.
For Han So-hee, it also underscored her stature far beyond the Philippines. She has become one of South Korea’s most recognized actresses on the global stage, admired not only for her striking screen presence but for the emotional honesty she brings to each role. That same quality carried through in Manila, where she was not simply an actress meeting her audience but an artist affirming her bond with them. The evening confirmed that her influence now stretches across borders, and that wherever she appears next, she will be met with the same anticipation and devotion that filled Cove Manila.
Special thanks to L-Squared Productions for the invite and The Cove in Okada Manila for the hospitality.
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