Ju-hyung: I can’t say I like you to Devon because of James Reid

Jin Ju-hyung (left) and Devon Seron

“Devon (Seron) is girlfriend material, for sure,” said Korean actor Jin Ju-hyung, who is in Manila to promote the screen rom-com, “You With Me.”

The 24-year-old actor (“Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth”) is rumored to have been smitten with the Filipino actress while working on director Rommel Ricafort’s film in South Korea. The movie also stars Korean actor Hyun Woo (“The Gentleman of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop”).

“We talk to each other in English a lot. I really took an effort to be close to her,” Ju-hyung said. “I studied simple Tagalog sentences, like ‘Miss na kita talaga’ and ‘Gusto kita.’ I haven’t said any of those to her yet … because of James Reid.”

Throughout the press conference, Ju-hyung kept teasing Devon about James, whom she was first paired with while competing in the reality show, “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010.” James emerged as the winner, while Devon placed fourth.

Asked if he would ever get romantically involved with a girl who isn’t Korean, Ju-hyung replied through an interpreter: “Having different nationalities doesn’t matter to people in love.”

“What’s more important is that you’re comfortable with each other when you’re together,” said Ju-hyung, adding that he recently worked with a Vietnamese actress, but confessed to being “closer” to Devon.

“I was born in Korea but moved to Singapore shortly after,” he said. “I stayed there for six years and went to Canada to study for almost 10 years. Nationality doesn’t matter to me. For me, all people are the same.”

Asked to describe Ju-hyung, Devon said: “I get to talk with him about a lot of serious stuff. Yes, communication is key if you want to know more about the person you like. But, it shouldn’t just end there; you also have to show how you feel through actions.”

Ju-hyung will be in Manila for 10 days to promote the film. He and Devon recently flew to the actress’ home province, Cebu. “I expect to see more places while I am here. I also want to see the beaches in Palawan,” he said.

The actor has since tasted the Filipino dish adobong manok and is curious about sinigang and the milk-based candy pastillas.

He said filming with a Filipino production team was “very enjoyable … What’s interesting was that we all ate together—that’s good bonding time for everyone. We all felt more relaxed with each other. I hope this Filipino practice will be adapted in Korea.”