I thought Heart Cookie Manila would simply be my chance to finally hear Seo In Guk sing live. Instead, it became a story I’ll be telling for years.
Here’s the truth: I haven’t seen any of Seo In Guk’s dramas. But I’ve had “Couple” on loop in my playlist, and I’ve always wondered how he built such a devoted following in Korea and here in the Philippines, where he’s the Celebrity Tourism Ambassador for South Korea. That curiosity made me confirm my attendance only a day before the fan meet. What happened next? It turned into one of the most memorable chapters of my journey as a fan of Korean entertainment.
I arrived early at SM North EDSA's Sky Dome, eager to take it all in: the fan zones, message boards, the energy of Heartriders. I ended up playing photographer for fans from near and far, and even the guards and ushers joined in, offering to snap my photos. What struck me most, though, was the warmth of In Guk’s supporters, the photo cards handed to me in line, and the stories and smiles that felt like a welcome. I had missed his 2023 fan meet, ironically held in my part of the city, but I couldn’t make it then. This time, though, it felt different. Maybe the stars had finally aligned. It felt like I was meant to be there.
For this event, I was a plus-one, seated at the very back, where the crew passed and attendees came and went. Being petite didn’t make it easy, as headbands and phones always towered over me. But with a little stretch, I saw enough. From that distance, Seo In Guk’s voice was still flawless, his expressions raw with the kind of emotion only years of hard work and genuine love for performing can shape.
Hosted by Karen Bordador, Heart Cookie in Manila showed me just how much range Seo In Guk has as both an actor and a singer. But more than the interactions with the audience, what struck me was that he wasn’t doing this to stay relevant. He genuinely wanted to share his voice and his heart. That truth hit me the moment he sang Yeng Constantino’s “Ikaw”. And that’s also when I realized I had forgotten to press record! My horror was instant, while everyone else could replay that magical moment straight from their phone, I was left with nothing but the memory. Maybe that’s the price of being too caught up in the moment… or maybe it was proof I was already a fan.
I was still in a daze, so everything blurred until they called people onstage for games. I perked up, cheering for the row behind me, hoping they would get picked. Then Karen announced, “Zone C, Row 1.” I scanned the seats. Then: “Seat 5.” My seatmates screamed. My first thought: No way. I can’t!!! I even turned around, ready to swap, convinced someone else deserved it more. But the staff ushered me forward, and suddenly I was heading to the stage. The twist I never saw coming… and maybe the one I needed.
As the production staff and other winners gathered, I confessed to everyone that I cannot play jegichagi, Korea’s version of sipa. My teammates chose ddakji and tuho, so as the youngest, I figured, why not? It’ll be fun… or so I thought.
You’ve probably seen the clips of Seo In Guk trying (again and again!) to pass me the jegi. A whole minute later, I still couldn’t catch it. I kept apologizing, cheeks burning, while everyone laughed at my epic struggle. In Guk, though, he just kept smiling and reassuring me, even saying, “It’s okay!” He was patient, determined, and so gentle it couldn’t possibly be staged. Eventually, we moved on to the next round of the relay. Sure, our team missed out on the signed Polaroid, but we still scored a signed photo card, a handshake, and two hugs. Honestly? Not a bad trade.
What did I learn from this experience? Seo In Guk isn’t just talented. He’s generous. He spoiled us with hints about his upcoming projects, answered questions pulled from the message board with honesty, and shared a lot of insights about his current Disney+ show, Twelve. He sang OSTs like “Distant Fate” (Doom at Your Service), his single “Out of Time”, and even “My Love,” his duet with Kapamilya actress Francine Diaz. And as if that wasn’t enough, he gave away two pairs of AirPods he personally bought and signed, plus his favorite cap. During the Heartest game, he also revealed his artistic side, drawing sketches that he signed, kissed, and handed over to fans. If that’s not the definition of fan service, I honestly don’t know what is.
My moment with him was not over. The 37-year-old performer stepped into the crowd, singing “All For You” from his beloved drama Reply 1997, and walked right in front of us. To top it off, after the program, everyone got to part of hi-bye. When I caught his eye, I flashed my moving peace signs, my small way of sending thanks, and he mirrored it back. In that simple gesture, In Guk once again turned my September into something magical, like Christmas arriving ahead of schedule, filled with sincerity and warmth.
But more than my personal experience, I also want you, my dear reader, to walk away with one thing from reading this article. Life may be hard, and people will tell you that what you do or who you like is not worth it. But take it from me, the girl who just went with the flow of life once again, always be ready to receive the magic. When you open yourself to the unexpected, a disadvantage can turn into something delightful, and the stumbles can turn into sparks of joy. In my case, even failing at jegichagi can be a win, especially if it’s with Seo In Guk you are playing with.
Heart Cookie 2025 Seo In Guk Fanmeeting in Manila was presented by L-Squared Productions PH.