Heads up, Chingus!Seo In Guk has been officially named the Philippines’ Celebrity Tourism Ambassador for South Korea by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Known for his work in various popular K-Dramas such as “Reply 1997” (2012) and “Doom At Your Service” (2021), Seo partners with DOT to promote the Philippines as a premiere destination for Korean travelers. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco led the memorandum signing with the actor and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) at the DOT office in Makati City last Feb. 21.
As part of the agreement, Seo will participate in a series of promotional campaigns featuring Philippine tourist hotspots such as Boracay, Cebu, and Manila. He will also be engaging in digital content creation and immersive experiences to highlight the Philippines’ vibrant culture, natural beauty, and world-class hospitality.

This collaboration aligns with DOT’s current strategy to expand the country’s global tourism appeal by leveraging pop culture and social media influence. An actor and singer of Seo’s caliber means he has an extensive fanbase with whom they could connect and share the wonders of the islands. The singer-songwriter just held his first-ever fan meet in Southeast Asia in Manila last August 2023, proving his close ties with Filipino fans.
The actor expressed his gratitude at the meeting, as he promised to promote the Philippines and encourage more Koreans and other foreign nationalities to visit the country. His heartfelt message has been translated on DOT’s Facebook post:
“Thank you, and it feels very nice, and it’s an honor for me to be on this stage,” he said. “I really feel [a] big responsibility as a representative of and as a promoter for one country. I really really want to thank everyone for making this happen for me and I really want to say that I will give back all the love that you gave to me and I will be someone to promote the Philippines to others in the future. Thank you very much. Mahal ko kayo (I love you all).”


We don’t know about you, but we’re excited to see Seo play his most significant role yet!
Follow The Department of Tourism on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok for updates.
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