Local fashion brand Bench is known for having a stellar lineup of endorsers—from A-list Pinoy celebs, Hollywood actors and personalities, to top-notch Korean stars. You'll know who the hottest celebs are based on who’s on their iconic billboards along Guadalupe!
Today, we’re putting the focus on all the Korean celebs who belong to the long list of Bench endorsers, aka #GlobeBenchSetters, in case you’ve forgotten about some of them, or you’re just catching the Hallyu wave now:
Lee Donghae and Choi Siwon
In 2012, Bench signed on their first Korean endorsers—members of the iconic K-pop group Super Junior Lee Donghae and Choi Siwon. In August 2012, they held a fan meeting and ELFs flocked to the Trinoma activity center!
Lee Min Ho
In 2012, Pinoy fans were *so* happy find out that Boys Over Flowers Star Lee Min Ho, aka one of the biggest K-drama actors of all time, was finally confirmed to be the newest Bench endorser. He’s no stranger to the Philippines, as he’s been here to hold fan meetings multiple times from 2012-2015!
Nickhun of 2PM
In 2013, Thai-Chinese Nickhun of K-pop group 2PM officially joined the Bench family and also held a fan meet in November of that same year. In March 2013, 2PM held a concert in Manila, and Nickhun tweeted to fans that he was coming to the Philippines, and that he was excited to perform and “see his Bench billboard.” Cute!
Park Shin Hye
In 2017, The Doctors star Park Shin Hye was revealed to be the newest addition to the Bench family, making her the first female Korean star that the brand has signed on. She also held the Flower of Angel fun meet and concert at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Park Hyung Sik
It was in 2018 when Bench announced that Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon star Park Hyung Sik was the newest Global Bench Setter. They teased fans with the caption: “Sometimes a lawyer, sometimes a CEO and now a #GlobalBenchsetter,” alluding to his roles as a lawyer in the Korean remake of Suits and CEO of a gaming company in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. Hyung Sik held a fan meeting in Manila in January of 2019, and we all freaked out because he’s *so* cute!
Park Seo Joon
It was in April 2019 when Bench made the official announcement that Park Seo Joon was their newest endorser. Needless to say, our PSJ-obsessed hearts freaked out over the news and prayed for a fan meet. In August 2019, we were #blessed with the good news that the What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? star was in fact heading to Manila for his first fan meet in the Philippines, held at the MOA Arena in September 2019. (Watch his Manila vlog here!)
Ji Chang Wook
In August 2019, fans freaked out after CEO Ben Chan posted a video on Instagram with the caption: “We’re about to drop a HUGE reason for you to smell the flowers and Smile Again. This oppa’s about to get you So In Love. Who do you think’s joining the BENCH/ fam?” People were quick to guess that it was none other than Ji Chang Wook, as he starred in the 2010 drama, Smile Again. It was announced early this year that he was doing an Asian fan meet tour, with Manila being one of the stops. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postponed. Fingers crossed we get to meet him soon!
TWICE
Before 2019 wrapped up, Bench surprised everyone—especially ONCEs—with the announcement that they have also signed on K-pop girl group TWICE as their newest Globe Bench Setters! Hopefully, they also get to visit the Philippines soon when things are a little better!
Bonus: Possibly, maybe, but we’re not yet 100 percent sure, Hyun Bin
On May 27, Pinoy fans freaked out over Bench’s newest teaser that read: “Your crush, landing soon” with military camo as the background. Our best guess is that they’re talking about Crash Landing On You star Hyun Bin, aka Captain Ri. No confirmation from the brand yet—but hey, who knows, right?!
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