Single's Inferno's Jin Taek

Looking as dapper as usual in a white button-down and brown coat, Jin Taek greeted us with a smile from Cebu during this online interview. The Single's Inferno Season 1 celebrity was in the Philippines for vacation, squeezing in an exclusive meet-and-greet with guests at the five-star Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu where he stayed throughout his trip.

Jin Taek stayed at the expansive Villa 2, which features a private pool. On Instagram, he even shared snaps of his stay, where he was seen swimming, dancing, lounging, sunbathing, and taking mirror selfies (which gave glimpses of how beautiful the view was from where he was staying).

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Jin-taek enjoying his private pool of Villa 2 at Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu

Bathroom at Villa 2

'It's really good. Perfect,' Jin Taek commented when asked how his vacation was going. This Cebu trip marked his third visit to the Philippines. 'A long time ago, I went to Boracay and Manila,' he told us.

And with three trips to the country so far, we asked what he's come to love about the Philippines. 'The people, beautiful beaches, and mango juice,' Jin Taek quipped, adding that chorizo de Cebu and danggit (dried rabbitfish) are his favorite Filipino food.

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Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu also provides an authentic Korean culinary experience, with expertly prepared dishes ranging from traditional favorites like kimchi and bibimbap to special soju cocktails. This makes it a perfect home away from home for Jin Taek, who has expressed his delight with the extensive Korean offerings available at Fili Hotel. From the buffet breakfast at Fili Café to bar chows and drinks at Axis Entertainment and Sports Bar, and even Korean specialties for room service, the offerings cater to the tastes of Korean visitors and Korean food enthusiasts alike.

Dining area at Villa 2

Fili Cafe Korean Station

Axis Asian Rice Bowl

Though his Cebu trip was mainly for vacation, Jin Taek also maximized it by exploring potential collaborations with Philippine brands. He had trunk shows in the country before and shared that he now has Filipino clients for his tailor shop brand Ascottage.

Jin Taek is the co-founder and director of Ascottage, where he's in charge of the overall management of their stores and likewise functions as a style advisor. Jin Taek, who studied business management, has been part of the menswear industry since 2013. But it was only in 2020 that he and his colleague Geoffrey Shin established Ascottage.

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They specialize in timeless, bespoke, authentic British-style suits that undergo an extensive process, showcasing South Korea's exceptional tailoring skills. Ascottage used to only offer custom-made suits, but with the brand's popularity following Jin Taek's participation in the Netflix dating show Single's Inferno, they've also expanded to ready-to-wear pieces and now cater to the female clientele as well.

'Since Single's Inferno, our foreign clients have grown,' he shared. 'We have been more popular with the foreign market. It's very interesting.'

'The clients in Korea are very detailed while the clients in the Philippines are very cool and chill,' Jin Taek noted, describing the differences between the preferences of the two markets, especially considering the tropical weather in the latter. 'The last trunk show we did, we were actually promoting [the] Fall [collection] but, apparently, we should have just promoted the Summer collection.'

A jetsetter, Jin Taek shared that the top destination on his bucket list is Brazil. But recently, he was also in Italy for Men's Fashion Week, further solidifying his place in the industry. Whether he's in a full suit or a button-down-and-short ensemble, he always manages to look put-together.

No doubt, Jin Taek has exquisite taste in fashion. He's a perfectionist, as he mentioned in his introduction for Single's Inferno. So, we can imagine how neat his closet must be! He told us he organizes his clothes per color, but that he has too many clothes he's considering decluttering.

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Throughout the three seasons of Single's Inferno, Jin Taek stands as one of the best-dressed men. He turned heads with his fashion style, but he also made viewers appreciate his loyalty. After his stint in the show, he authored a book titled Courage to Love Again, where he opened up about his experiences, thoughts, and honest feelings.

Asked to cite a dating insight he learned from Single's Inferno, he said, 'When you're on a date, you just need to be sincere and you'll really get to know the person,' adding that the show taught him 'to be more detailed and observant.'

Sincerity is indeed important, but a good fashion sense when stepping out for dates never hurt, too. Clothes maketh the man, after all.

Photos courtesy of Fili Hotel NUSTAR CEBU