Lazada unveils Hallyu super star Hyun Bin as first LazMall regional brand ambassador

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Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform Lazada today announced internationally celebrated South Korean actor and Hallyu (Korean Wave) superstar Hyun Bin as LazMall’s first regional brand ambassador. LazMall is a partner of choice for brands around the globe and is currently home to over 32,000 local and international brands on the platform.

One of South Korea’s most internationally acclaimed celebrities, Hyun Bin is known as one of the key figures driving the Hallyu with his versatile and award-winning performances. 

Hyun Bin has starred in numerous successful television dramas and box office hits, including Secret Garden, Memories of the Alhambra, The Negotiation, and more recently Crash Landing on You, which garnered him accolades including Most Popular Actor at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards and Most Popular Korean Artist at the Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards. Hyun Bin received a Presidential Commendation during the 2020 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards.

Mary Zhou, Chief Marketing Officer of Lazada Group shared, “Lazada was the first to bring the virtual ‘mall’ concept to Southeast Asia and we are delighted to welcome renowned superstar Hyun Bin as LazMall’s first regional brand ambassador. With his expansive portfolio of critically-acclaimed films and television dramas, Hyun Bin is a familiar personality respected for his genuine personality and extraordinary dedication to his craft by fans all over the globe. This highly resonates with LazMall’s brand promise of authenticity, quality, and a trusted online destination for consumers to enjoy a convenient shopping experience.”

For the kick-off celebrations of LazMall’s third anniversary and 9.9 Big Brands Sale, the first of the year-end mega campaigns, Hyun Bin will headline a short film capturing the imaginations of fans in a character reminiscent of his popular action sequences. In the TVC, Hyun Bin will star as an agent on a covert mission commandeering a crew of operatives. In a fun and celebratory twist, his character will release thousands of LazMall care packages for the public.

On his LazMall ambassadorship, Hyun Bin said, “I’m very happy to be joining the Lazada family and connecting with fans in Southeast Asia as LazMall’s first regional brand ambassador. I look forward to creating lots of fun times together, starting with the 9.9 Big Brands Sale. I wish everyone good health and hope you stay safe until we can meet again in person.”

He added, “Shooting the short film for the campaign was incredibly fun, especially when we got creative in demonstrating the efficiency, reliability, and variety of products that LazMall offers to shoppers through a secret agent mission storyline.”

Earlier in August, LazMall introduced a new personalized portal, LazMall Prestige, featuring an extensive portfolio of four categories with over 50 premium brands such as L’Occitane, Shiseido, SMEG, Bang and Olufsen, Tempur, Dyson, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger with the latest addition La Mer.

In addition to popular features like Brand Mega Offers and a bold returns policy of up to two times compensation in the Philippines, consumers will gain access to their favorite brands through an intimate, visual storytelling experience. Consumers also have 30 calendar days from receipt of shipment to initiate the return of items purchased under LazMall including those under LazMall Prestige.

The 9.9 Big Brands Sale event will bring together the region’s most renowned brands as well as favorite Lazada marketplace merchants, and delight Southeast Asian consumers with exclusive deals and offers via an exclusive curation of time-limited Brand Mega Offers and Flash Sale promotions on September 9 to 11.

Syncing up with the festivities, Lazada’s mascot Lazzie will also make his idol trainee debut via Lazada’s newest addition on LazGames – Lazzie Star. Shoppers can help Lazzie to “level up” to become a Super Star, by completing a series of daily tasks and special missions that will unlock exclusive platform and seller vouchers as well as Lazada Bonus rewards.

Get Closer with Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin this July via Smart Hallyu Hangouts

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Here's how you can virtually meet Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin this via Smart Hallyu Hangouts

Leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is bringing Filipino fans closer to their favorite Korean superstars through Smart Hallyu Hangouts, a series of online shows where subscribers can watch their idols.

Smart Hallyu Hangouts pilots on July 16 with multi-awarded Korean actress and Smart Signature endorser Son Ye Jin while Hyun Bin takes on the Smart Hallyu Hangouts stage on July 31.

It’s the closest thing fans can get to a physical fan meet during the pandemic, where they get a chance to virtually watch Son Ye Jin through a live feed from South Korea.

“I may not be able to meet you all in person, but I’m thankful for this opportunity through virtually. I wish we can all meet with a smile soon, so until then, please stay safe and healthy,” said Son Ye Jin in a previous video message.

“As we continue to bring our subscribers closer to their passions through simple and easy ways using our fast and reliable network, we are launching the Smart Hallyu Hangouts series with Son Ye Jin in the first virtual show to give fans the best experience despite the limitations of the pandemic. We prepared a very special episode for you guys so hope to see you all there,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

It will be recalled that Smart made the inevitable a reality when Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin teamed up for a commercial film back in February. The project marked the first time the two superstars were seen together since the massive success of Crash Landing On You.

How to watch Smart Hallyu Hangouts

For both Smart Hallyu Hangouts episodes, Smart Prepaid, Smart Bro Prepaid, and Prepaid Home WiFi customers who register via the link on the microsite and redeem any Giga reward using GigaPoints are eligible to join the promo.

For Smart Signature subscribers at Plan S (999) and up and Smart Bro Postpaid subscribers, a registration link will be available on July 6, 2021. You may register for the raffle promo from July 6-8, 2021.

For the complete details on how to score tickets to these events, you may visit this link: https://smart.com.ph/Pages/smart-hallyu-hangouts.

Powered by the country’s fastest mobile data network

Smart Hallyu Hangouts is powered by Smart, the country’s mobile data network as reported by third-party mobile internet analytics firm Ookla® and Opensignal.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the second half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 24.99, with average speeds of 20.08 Mbps for download, and 7.42 Mbps for upload, based on 3,915,679 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest®. Ookla has also cited Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network for three years in a row now.

Smart has also scored a rare sweep in the April 2021 Philippines Mobile Network Experience Awards* by independent analytics firm Opensignal, beating the competition across all metrics in three essential aspects of service: Coverage (4G Coverage Experience, 4G Availability), Speed (Download and Upload Speed) and Experience (Games, Video and Voice app). This is the first time an operator in the Philippines won decisively in all categories.

Smart also enables subscribers to level up their digital experience with Smart 5G’s super-fast speeds and ultra-low latency powered by the country’s most extensive 5G network with over 3,000 sites.

Smart unveils ‘Simple, Smart Ako’ campaign featuring South Korean superstar Hyun Bin

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Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. has made a splash as it unveiled its new campaign featuring South Korean superstar Hyun Bin, who has endeared many Filipinos with his hit K-dramas and movies.

This is the first time a local telecoms company has tapped a South Korean superstar to be the face of its brand, and is a bold statement for Smart as it asserts its commitment to bring amazing experiences to Filipinos through digital technology.

Hyun Bin Phenomenon

“The ‘Hyun Bin Phenomenon’ is pretty much due to digital technology -  Filipinos have developed the craze because they are able to stream his shows, hear the buzz about him online, share their excitement with their friends, and even get to interact with him through social media,” says Jane Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

“This makes him a perfect ambassador for Smart as we empower Filipinos with technological solutions made easy so they can enrich their daily life and pursue their passions,” she adds.

“Filipinos are some of the warmest fans in the world, and I am thankful to Smart for giving me a way to reach out to everyone in the Philippines. Indeed, Smart has brought us closer than ever,” says Hyun Bin, who first won the hearts of Filipinos in 2005, when a local TV network aired a Tagalog-dubbed version of his romantic comedy drama, ‘My Name Is Kim Sam Soon.’

‘Simple. Smart Ako.’

In Smart’s latest TV commercial, Hyun Bin rides a sports car and zooms past the city streets – a fitting reference to the blazing speeds by which Filipinos can enjoy their daily dose of entertainment powered by Smart LTE and Giga Promos. The ad strongly concludes with Hyun Bin delivering Smart’s new tagline in Filipino, “Simple. Smart Ako.”

“'Simple. Smart Ako' sums up our company’s approach all this time to make amazing technology available, and more importantly, simple for every Filipino,” says Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer.

Smart draws from its history of innovating the simple things that are life-changing – from making mobile phones accessible to ordinary Filipinos, pioneering groundbreaking products such as Smart Load and Pasaload, to democratizing mobile Internet along with its massive 3G and 4G network expansion.

“We are embracing our role as a digital lifestyle enabler that keeps innovating to make the life our customers simpler. Now that the world becomes more and more complicated, we believe that what matters most in life are the simplest things,” Panlilio adds.

Country’s fastest mobile data network

Smart’s new campaign follows a string of awards from third-party mobile analytics firms that recognize Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, cited Smart as The Philippines’ Speedtest Awards Winner for mobile network speed during Q1-Q4 2019. To win this award, Smart achieved a Speed Score™ of 17.40, with average speeds of 19.62 Mbps for download and 9.45 Mbps for upload.

On the other hand, Opensignal, an independent mobile analytics firm, reported in its April 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report* for the Philippines that Smart remained ahead of competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload and Download Speed Experience, Voice App Experience, Games Experience, and 4G Availability.

Giga Life for everyone

These citations are a result of the continuous network expansion and upgrade of Smart on its mobile data network, which now supports a wide range of Giga Promos catering to the different passions and needs of customers.

Smart offers Giga Video for subscribers who want to binge-watch the latest K-dramas, online shows and series, and Giga Stories for those who love sharing their experiences with friends and loved ones on social media.

Smart also offers Giga Games for avid mobile gamers, and Giga Music for those who want their daily dose of tunes and podcasts, and Giga Work for easy access to a wide range of productivity apps to make work and school life simpler and more convenient.

Smart customers can register to Giga promos by simply dialing *123#.

Know more about Smart’s promos and services by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook at www.fb.com/SmartCommunications, Twitter and Instagram at @LiveSmart.

Korean superstar Hyun Bin is Smart’s Newest Endorser!

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Smart Communications Inc., introduced its newest campaign along with its new endorser, none other than Korean superstar Hyun Bin.

Smart revealed that due to the on-going health crisis, Hyun Bin’s first TVC for the Filipinos was mostly planned online through intensive coordination with all the entities involved. In spite of the situation, the contract was signed in April, and the launch was basically still on schedule.

Hyun Bin represents the Dynamism of this digital world that we empower, and has a huge following mainly due to the Korean Dramas he took part in. Of course, the smash hit Crash Landing on You being the most recent.

As to whether the Korean superstar is coming to the Philippines, there’s no definite date just yet, but the company confirmed that he is coming to the country.

Hyun Bin Merchandise

While vaguely, Smart confirmed that Hyun Bin-themed merchandise will be up for grabs for those who will be availing of Smart services such as new postpaid applications. Watch out for more details.

Expect More Giga Promos

While they didn’t give a lot of details. Smart also confirmed that they’re set to launch new Giga Promos, including one which involves K-Dramas. Something about being able to use your prepaid load to subscribe to a popular streaming site, Viu. The time frame is June to July.

For now, you may still enjoy Smart’s current Giga offerings – Giga Video, Giga Games, Giga Stories, and Giga Work.

Watch the new TVC here.

Crash Landing On You’s Captain Ri, is definitely landing on the Philippines -#SmartHyunBin

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Get ready to fall head over heels with our newest ambassador #SmartHyunBin

"Hello Philippines, I am Hyun Bin," the Korean actor said in a video where he's seen looking dapper in an all-black ensemble.

The video was posted on Facebook, a day after the telco's CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan confirmed that the Korean actor is the telco's newest endorser.

Hyun Bin's sweet greeting came a day after the telco dropped a teaser video featuring The CLOY star looking cool as he entered a sports car.

Crash Landing On You’s Captain Ri, is definitely landing on the Philippines. An article by Inquirer.net quoted a text message from Bench owner Ben Chan saying, “… hopefully end of this year or early next year when traveling is allowed and when all is relatively back to normal.”

This, after Bench’s Instagram page teased fans and set the internet roaring with OMGs by sharing a simple animation of the words “Your crush, landing soon.” With the caption, “After months of keeping it a secret, the wait is almost over,” a lot can’t possibly contain the energy spike it induced.

Bench is known for being able to sign on Korean stars as its brand ambassadors and eventually invite them to visit the country. Some of these include Lee Min-ho and Park Seo-joon.

It seems that the Korean actor’s ties to the Philippines are quite cemented. Just to add to Bench’s announcement, communication giant Smart also launched Hyun as its endorser, this time setting Twitter on fire with his “Mahal ko kayo.”

Smart Communications posted a nine-seconder ad teaser with the big RiVeal on June 1st.

“Crash Landing on You” is a Korean drama that immediately got the hearts of Filipinos swooning. 

It stars Hyun as Captain Ri, who plays a North Korean army captain and Son Ye-jin, as Se-ri, an heiress in South Korea who accidentally paraglides to the North.

The K-drama’s finale in February this year broke the rating records of the finale of “Goblin” back in January 2017 for broadcasting station TVN, according to Nielsen Korea. It scored a nationwide average rating of 21.683 percent and a peak rating of 24.1 percent.