In Photos: Hallyu Stars Who Have Endorsed Philippine Brands And Global Brands' Local Counterparts
These local brands brought these Hallyu stars closer to the Filipino consumers
It wasn't enough that we saw them on our screens. Philippine brands and those with local franchises/counterparts knew that we needed to have Hallyu stars endorsing local brands everywhere in the metro! We still remember the joy that seeing their billboards, mall posters, and online advertisements featuring our favorite K-Idols gave us, and we'd love to treat you to a similar experience with this roundup of Korean actors and K-Pop idols who have endorsed Philippine brands as well as global brands' local counterparts.
Check out the gallery below to see (and relive) the Hallyu stars who endorsed these brands:
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Hallyu Stars For Local Brands
Hallyu Stars For Local Brands
By Metro.StyleFebruary 23 2021, 1:25 PM
Lee Min-Ho
Lee Min-ho has to be the OG Korean star-turned-Philippine brand ambassador! Fresh from "Boys Over Flowers" fame, we first saw him on billboards as a Bench model (a clothing and lifestyle brand he worked for more than once). He visited the Philippines in 2012 to promote his collaboration with Bench. In 2015, he also returned to Manila for an event for his endorsement with the local franchise of fried chicken chain KyoChon. Most recently, he was launched as eCommerce platform Lazada's 11.11 regional ambassador who appeared in ads with Filipina celebrity Kathryn Bernardo. What's next for Lee Min-ho is the Apple TV+ web series "Pachinko."
Photo Credit: @actorleeminho
Sandara Park
Filipinos can't ever forget Sandara Park. Rising to fame in the Philippines, the actress/singer returned to South Korea where she debuted as the member of the girl group 2NE1. Recently, she celebrated surpassing 1 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, "Dara TV." In 2015, she was launched as local clothing brand Penshoppe's endorser, who appeared in several of the brand's campaigns. In 2018, she graced a Penshoppe fancon event in Manila with fellow Hallyu star Nam Joo-hyuk.
Photo Credit: @daraxxi
Park Seo-Joon
In just one year, the "Itaewon Class" star scored two big endorsement deals in the Philippines: one with Smart where he promotes a new way to enjoy watching online shows and a second with cosmetics brand BYS Philippines as part of their "Be the Extra in the Ordinary" campaign. In September 2019, he was in Manila, too, for an event that promoted his partnership with Bench; he even vlogged about this trip on his YouTube channel, "Record PARK's." Park Seo-joon will star in the upcoming film titled "Dream" with actress IU.
Photo Credit: @bn_sj2013
Park Shin-Hye
Her most recent film, zombie flick "#Alive," had her playing a total badass, but Park Shin-hye was a different kind of girl when she modeled for Bench. Sweet, delicate, and a style chameleon, she's always a great fit for fashion brands. She visited Manila in 2017 for a series of events with Bench. Park Shin-hye has an upcoming film titled "The Call," which will be released next month.
Photo Credit: @ssinz7
Hyun Bin
Following the phenomenal success of the K-drama "Crash Landing on You," its lead star Hyun Bin was tapped to endorse not just one but two Philippine brands: Bench and Smart. With his clothing brand endorsement, he joins the roster of "Global Benchsetters." As for Smart, he made history as its first Korean ambassador. Both brands have promised to bring Hyun Bin to Manila as soon as it's already safe to hold events. Hyun Bin also graced the cover of Metro.Style last June with an exclusive video interview.
Photo Credit: Vast Entertainment
Son Ye-Jin
Does Son Ye-jin need any introduction? Riding on the success of "Crash Landing on You," Smart made her its newest ambassadress. She followed in Hyun Bin's footsteps, completing the picture for "CLOY" fanatics in the country. Recently, the skincare, makeup, and hair care products from the beauty brand Son Ye-jin endorses, Jennyhouse Cosmetics, were also finally made available in the Philippines via www.areumnl.com. And the women who brought this beauty brand to the Philippines were inspired to do so not just because of the quality of the products but also because they're fans of this Hallyu queen.
Photo Credit: Jennyhouse Cosmetics via Areum Manila
Lisa
K-Pop has gotten its time in the limelight too! BLACKPINK's Lisa was launched as a Penshoppe endorser last year, and it was impossible to not go anywhere in Metro Manila without seeing her billboards everywhere. Recently, this Thai singer, rapper, and dancer was introduced as the newest endorser of MAC Cosmetics.
Photo Credit: @lalalalisa_m
Nam Joo-Hyuk
After winning hearts over with K-drama "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo," Nam Joo-hyuk is set to inspire viewers with his character in the ongoing series "Start-Up." With the popularity he gained from "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo," he reached the radar of Penshoppe and joined its roster of international endorsers. In 2018, he joined Sandara Park for a fancon with Penshoppe in Manila. Aside from "Start-Up," he also has the six-episode series "The School Nurse Files" that was released last September 25.
Photo Credit: @skawngur
Ji Chang-Wook
We can only imagine how much Bench's fragrance sales shot up when they made Ji Chang-wook its newest endorser for its scents! Bench was supposed to bring the "Backstreet Rookie" actor to Manila but then COVID-19 happened. Ji Chang-wook is set to star in the 12-episode drama called "City Couple's Way of Love" with actress Kim Ji-won, which will be released this coming November.
Photo Credit: @jichangwook
Park Hyung-Sik
The "Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon" male lead Park Hyung-sik was nothing but pure charm as an endorser of Bench apparel. Last year, he was in Manila for a fun meet event with Bench. Park Hyung-sik is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service and will be discharged on January next year.
Photo Credit: @phs116
Twice
All-girl K-pop group Twice worked with Bench and was launched as its endorsers in December of last year. The result of which was a colorful and stylish campaign that's hard to forget when they were shown in billboards around the metro. The nine-member group just released their second Korean studio album, "Eyes Wide Open" with the lead single "I Can't Stop Me."
Photo Credit: @twicetagram
Blackpink
The girls of Blackpink have been very this year, with a much-talked about collab with Selena Gomez for the single "Ice Cream" as well as the release of their first Korean studio album "The Album" and their Netflix documentary called "Blackpink: Light Up the Sky." Last year, Blackpink was in Manila for an event with online retailer Shopee Philippines.
Photo Credit: @blackpinkofficial
Lead photos from BYS Philippines, Bench, and Smart
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