President Park Geun-hye and actor Song Joong-ki, Korea’s tourism ambassador, made Korean dessert together on Monday at the opening ceremony of the K-style Hub, located at the state-run Korea Tourism Organisation’s Seoul headquarters in central Seoul.
“I remember spending a good time with you on the Children’s Day event (at Cheong Wa Dae) in 2013, before (Song) entered the military, Park told Song. “I am very happy to see you becoming a great hallyu star after completing the military well.”
Park also told Song that he is a patriot for taking time off from his busy schedule — as Song’s starrer “Descendants of the Sun” is enjoying global popularity — to work as the tourism ambassador of the country.
Song responded by saying “thank you” and said he will work harder.
Photo: YouTube screengrab
During the event, they walked around the centre and talked about Korean foods such as samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup, which also appeared on the latest episode of “Descendants of the Sun.”
Park and Song also made Korean traditional dessert yakgwa together at the experiment centre. Park complimented Song that his yakgwa is very pretty.
By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)
Song Joong Ki becomes new face of cosmetics brand Forencos; Song Hye Kyo turns down Mitsubishi offer
Song was also revealed as the new model for Korean cosmetics brand “Forencos” on Tuesday.
“Forencos,” an eco-friendly cosmetics brand established in 1988, uses natural ingredients in skin care and makeup products, with herbs and flower extracts.
The cosmetics brand picked Song for his image of innocence and honesty, and the flawless image built through his KBS2 hit TV drama series “Descendants of the Sun,” which perfectly suits the brand’s image, the agency said in a press release.
Viu, Instagram
The cosmetics brand is set to expand its market by launching stores in local duty-free shops and 10 overseas markets including China, Hong Kong and the US.
The actor is slated to set out on an Asia tour April 17.
Meanwhile, his co-star actress Song Hye-kyo reportedly turned down an offer from Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors to be a model in its advertisements, public relations company Shall We Talk said Monday.
Song rejected the offer to endorse the company in China about a month ago, added the PR Company.
The actress is reported to have said that she rejected the offer as Mitsubishi Group is involved in lawsuits over the alleged use of Korean forced labour during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea.
Viu, KBS World
“Song Hye-kyo is deeply concerned about our history and culture,” Seo Kyoung-duk, a Sungshin Women’s University professor, wrote on his Facebook. Seo, known as an expert in promoting South Korea, also revealed the conversation with Song concerning Mitsubishi’s offer. According to Seo, the actress asked him whether Mitsubishi had taken steps to redress its wrongdoings and then decided against signing on with the Japanese company.
Last year, Song and Seo supported the publication of Korean-language brochures for historic sites of Korea’s overseas independence movement in the US as well as foreign museums.
By Jung Eun-jin (jej2403@heraldcorp.com)
