KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean heartthrob Yeo Jin-Goo has expressed his desire to film in Malaysia, saying it would "make his day."
The 27-year-old actor praised Malaysian fans as some of the most loyal and welcoming during a press conference held at the Renaissance Hotel, Jalan Ampang, here in conjunction with his appearance at the ONE Astro Fan Fest today.
"I've visited many countries to meet fans, but I've always wanted to set foot in Kuala Lumpur. It's such a cool and modern city," he said.
"Malaysia is definitely one of my dream locations for filming, with its fantastic mix of urban and natural scenery."
Yeo shared that his greatest challenge as an actor is authentically portraying characters that are vastly different from himself.
"I strive to make all of my characters as authentic as possible. It's never easy, but I love the challenge," he said.
Despite his preference for meeting fans in person rather than engaging on social media, Yeo admitted that he enjoys reading fan messages and requests from around the world.
As a child, Yeo was captivated by the idea of acting, inspired by TV child stars.
Now, his career spans a range of roles in dramas and films, many of which convey meaningful messages.
"I love starring in serious dramas as well as romantic and family comedies. And I'm a sucker for happy endings," he said with a smile.
Yeo debuted as a child actor in Sad Movie (2005) and earned the nickname "Nation's Little Brother" for his roles in popular productions like A Frozen Flower (2008), Giant (2010), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), and Missing You (2012).
His breakthrough came in Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013), where he won Best New Actor at the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Since then, he has taken on lead roles in films like Shoot Me In The Heart (2015), The Long Way Home (2015), and Warriors Of The Dawn (2017).
His notable TV series include The Crowned Clown (2019), Hotel Del Luna (2019), and Beyond Evil (2021), the latter earning critical acclaim.
Outside his acting career, Yeo is the elder of two siblings and graduated from Namgang High School in 2016.
He later pursued a degree in Theatre at Chung-Ang University, balancing his studies with his thriving career.
Over the years, he has earned accolades such as Best New Actor from the Korean Association of Film Critics and Best Actor in a Drama Series at the SBS Drama Awards.
The ONE Astro Fan Fest, taking place today and tomorrow at Sunway Pyramid's Orange Concourse, offers Malaysian fans the chance to meet Yeo Jin-Goo and enjoy a variety of interactive activities.
Organised by KC Global Media in collaboration with Astro, the event celebrates the growing local fandom for Korean entertainment.
KC Global Media CEO George Chien said: "Malaysian fans are among the most dedicated we've seen. We're thrilled to host this exclusive event, especially the meet-and-greet sessions with Jin-Goo and activities featuring popular Malaysian celebrities."
Astro content director Agnes Rozario added: "The ONE Astro Fan Fest is a first-of-its-kind event, bringing together K-drama fans and Malaysia's top talents. We're excited to provide fans with the opportunity to meet their favorite stars and enjoy this unique experience."
The festival also features performances and activities by Malaysian talents, including stars from Gegar Vaganza 2024 and hit shows like Project Exit, Curang Tanpa Niat, and Kahar: Kapla High Council.