Ryan Bang, SM Entertainment. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Star Magic, Twitter/SMTOWN
It seems that Ryan Bang’s star power has caught the attention of his home country, as he received an offer to do acting and hosting projects from South Korean label SM Entertainment, the company that managed several K-pop groups and celebrities.
Bang made the revelation during an interview with ABS-CBN’s head of TV production Laurenti Dyogi, as seen in an episode of Star Magic Celebrity Conversations uploaded on its official YouTube channel last Friday, April 28.
“Bakit hindi ka bumalik? Like Sandara [Park], you could have opted to go back to South Korea?” Dyogi asked the “It’s Showtime” host. (Why didn’t you go back? Like Sandara Park, you could have opted to go back to South Korea?)
In response, Bang recalled a time where he received an acting and hosting offer from South Korean music producer Lee Soo-man in the past where he would train for five years. Soo-man served as the founder of SM Entertainment until he severed ties with the label in October 2022.
The Philippines-based host-actor, however, didn’t disclose when he received the offer from the music producer.
“Noong close pa kami ni Ate Dara [Sandara Park], pinausap sa akin dati ‘yung company niya. Tapos may kumukuha sa akin [para mag-five years] training. Tapos, na-meet ko ‘yung Lee Soo-man. Gusto talaga nila ako 100% doon. Nagpunta pa ako sa SM Town, nag-one-on-one interview pa kami. Interested talaga sila na pang-TV, pang-komedyante, at pang-host,” he said.
(When Ate Dara and I were close, she asked me to meet some people in her company. Then, there were people who wanted me to sign as a trainee for five years. And then, I met Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment. He wanted me 100%. I even went to SM Town and had a one-on-one interview with them. They wanted to give me an offer related to TV, comedy shows, and as a host.)
Even if Bang’s parents didn’t mind him for him to be an entertainer in his home country, he rejected SM’s offer because he felt like he wouldn’t fit in with the standards of the South Korean entertainment industry.
“Wala pa sa puso ko na i-grab ko ang chance ng SM. Sabi ng mga magulang ko naman noong nasa Korea pa ako, bahala ka. Desisyon mo yan. So, nag-dalawang isip ako,” he said.
“‘Yun ang offer naman [kasi] nila, bawal ako pumunta ng Philippines. Kailangan bawat galaw ko bawal, kaso sobrang makulit talaga ako. Sa Korea kasi grabe, mahigpit parang walang freedom. Eh grabe ang ugali ko, ang personality ko ay pang-Pilipino talaga ako, so nag-decide na ako na mag-stay dito,” he further explained.
(I didn’t have the heart to join SM. Even if my parents back in South Korea respected my decision, I still had second thoughts. In their offer, I wasn’t allowed to go to the Philippines. They have to monitor my actions, but I’m very playful. It’s very strict in South Korea, I felt like there was no freedom. But my attitude and personality suit the Philippines more, so I decided to stay here.)
Despite rejecting SM’s offer, Bang still received opportunities to be a guest in several Korean shows including varieties, documentaries, and travel. “Dahil doon, nag-guest ako sa iba-ibang mga show. Nag-translator ako kay Senator [Manny] Pacquiao sa ‘Infinity Challenge.’ Nag-guest ako sa mga documentary at sa mga travel shows,” he said.
(Because of that, I was able to become a guest on different shows. I was able to become Senator Manny Pacquiao on “Infinity Challenge.” I became a guest in documentaries and travel shows.)
The “Pinoy Big Brother” alum also shared that he received acting offers from entertainment companies in South Korea, saying that he’s open to accepting them in the future.
“Ngayon, merong nago-offer sa akin ng mga teleserye na parang sidekick,” he began. “Hindi nga ako nag-paalam sa iyo n’un, Direk [Lauren] kaya ako nag-braces. Kasi gusto ng mga director doon ay perfect ang ngipin bago ako isalang sa mga movie nila. May kinukuha sa akin na movie, teleserye, eh nag-pandemic bigla. So, ‘yung mga ganoon, tatanggapin,” he added.
(Now, I’ve been receiving acting offers to become a sidekick in K-dramas. I didn’t inform you beforehand, this is why I had braces. Because directors wanted me to have perfect teeth before joining their films. They wanted me to be part of films and K-dramas but the pandemic happened. So if ever, I would accept them.)
Ryan started his entertainment career in the Philippines as a housemate of “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2010, where he emerged as the second big placer, while musician-actor James Reid eventually won the title. He is currently one of the mainstay hosts of the noontime show, “It’s Showtime.”
Meanwhile, SM Entertainment is home to popular K-pop acts Boa, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, Super Junior, Red Velvet, EXO, NCT, and aespa, among many others. EDV