I was never into KDrama until Crash Landing On You happened. At the height of the lockdown, I was swept up in the love story between the hardheaded businesswoman from South Korea and the idealistic soldier from the North, transporting me to another world outside the four corners of my home. It was like a cup of hot chocolate, hugging me.

Since then, whenever I would feel anxious or sad, I would watch CLOY and I would get happy all over again. Well, that’s not exactly true, sometimes I would just watch videos of Hyun Bin. Hyun Bin, behind the scenes at CLOY. Hyun Bin, at the press conferences for The Negotiation. Hyun Bin, singing That Man from Secret Garden. It’s pathetic I know but those videos never fail to make me smile.

When I found out that he was having an online fan event with Bench, I had to go. Of course! It was the least I could do for someone who had been so good for my mental health! Mwahahaha

And so, here are some things I’ve learned from spending 75 minutes with Hyun Bin. Okay, I watched him for 75 minutes in a pre-recorded interview which streamed over KTX but in my fangirling head it’s the same as being with him.

1 He seems incredibly competitive.

When asked to guess Filipino words/phrases including the now infamous adobo, he didn’t just say the first thing which came to mind in the spirit of fun. He went through a process of deduction, going through each choice presented. He wanted to get everything right.

2 He doesn’t like his dimples all that much.

While a lot of fans love, love, love his dimples, Hyun Bin doesn’t like them at times, specially when they get in the way of his acting roles. I guess they’re too cute when you’re trying to play the role of a wicked arms dealer or some such archetype.

3 He seems quite shy.

He might be a walking sex symbol and all, but you can sense he’s not all that comfortable when he’s being asked all sorts of personal questions, no matter how nice and friendly the interviewer was. He was always fidgeting with this hands.

4 He is quite OC.

Asked to pack gifts for three lucky fans, he placed each item on the box carefully, and took some time tying a ribbon around each box. It had to look perfect. Afterwards he apologized for not wrapping it all that well, but said that he was sincere in his intentions. He is just the sweetest! I die!

5 He is happy right here right now.

Hyun Bin, who will turn 39 on September 25, says he is now more relaxed compared to his twenties, and given the chance to travel back in time would rather stay in the present. He says, “I like the present as it is.”

True enough, the present is all that we have!

Till the next fan meet, Binnie!