The Internet threw a collective gasp of excitement as soon as homegrown clothing retailer Bench teased us today with an announcement of a new addition to the iconic brand’s impressive roster of global endorsers.
In a post, the brand hinted, “Your crush, landing soon.” It then furthered, “We won’t let you move on. After months of keeping it a secret, the wait is almost over. And yes, you read it right. Everyone’s crush—#LandingOnBENCH soon.“
Without revealing anything in the announcement, supporters of the clothing company are quick to spot and react to the widely-binged and followed Korean series, Crash Landing On You and its lead stars that the announcement alluded to.
Apart from the apparent wordplay hinting on the K-drama phenomenon, the graphic unveiled a camouflage pattern that indirectly confirms to the lead actor, Hyun Bin, who played the role of North Korean soldier Captain Ri in the tvN hit and Netflix-streamed series. With him is Son Ye Jin, who played the sought-after heiress turned “enemy of the state” Yoon Se Ri, who had to go through unimaginable odds to find her way back to South Korea.
While the brand has spared no further detail yet, the giveaway all directs us to the object of all K-drama-fangirl’s oppa fantasies, joining other Asian heartthrobs who became endorsers of the brand from Ji Chang Wook, Park Hyung Sik, and Park Seo Joon.
On Twitter, long before the teaser ignited a wave of excitement, fans are already speculating or crossing their fingers on getting the 37-year-old actor as endorser, spotting head honcho Ben Chan IG follow to the actor’s fan account and a “clue” left in the CEO’s IG stories as ringing indications of the possible partnership. However, there’s still a good chance that the reveal would show lead actress as the new face of the brand, or better yet, the pair.
However, making matters all the more interesting, another Filipino brand has hinted, on a more, straightforward announcement, the coming release of a new face to the telco giant. In a post, the brand teased, “The Captain is coming. Watch out for the big RiVeal.”
The grand reveal was slated for June 1, 2020, confirmed by Manny V. Pangilinan himself in a tweet that says, ” Yes. Hyun Bin it is. Ad online and tv will breakout on Monday, June 1, around noon. Go go go Smart!“
With these upcoming brand announcements, fans, as is expected, will also be looking forward to a Philippine visit of the Korean superstar, in the tradition of local brands bringing their endorsers to meet Filipino fans. However, in light of the continuing risks brought by the pandemic, it is to be expected that any fan-centered engagements with the global cultural icon will be moved to a later date.
Featured image courtesy of Netflix