Ryan Bang says he wants to settle down in PH with a Filipina wife
Ryan Bang. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network
Ryan Bang confessed that he wants to settle down in the Philippines with a Filipina wife for good, as he expressed how much he “really loves” the country.
The South Korean host, who’s based in the Philippines, opened up about wanting to live in the country “forever,” during an interview with veteran host Boy Abunda, which was uploaded on GMA Network’s YouTube channel last Wednesday, Aug. 9.
“Dito ako lumaki. Dito ako mamamatay,” he said. “Habang buhay ako dito kasi mahal [na] mahal ko ang Pilipinas. Inuugali ko ang [pagiging Pilipino]. Nagpe-pray ako kay Jesus na gamitin niya po ako [kasi] gusto kong magpasaya ng Pilipino. Ngayon gusto ko, maraming-maraming Pilipino yumaman dahil sa’kin.”
(This is where I grew up. This is where I wanna die. I want to live here forever because I love the Philippines so much. I stand by Filipino values. I’m praying to Jesus that he would use me for his purpose because I want to make Filipinos happy. Now, I want many Filipinos to become rich because of me.)
Bang then pointed out that he wanted to help Filipinos in his own way, although he had yet to reveal how he wants to help them.
“Magbibigay ako ng trabaho. Pero hindi lang trabaho, gusto ko kapag may chance, maraming [yayaman] dahil sa’kin kasi binigyan nila ako ng pagmamahal. ‘Yun ang babawiin ko sa mga kababayan natin dito (I will provide jobs. But not just jobs, I want Filipinos to get rich because of me as they showed me love. This is how I’ll repay them),” he said.
The host, who admitted that he’s courting someone at the moment, also shared that he wants to “live forever” in the Philippines with a Filipina wife.”
“I want to live forever here in the Philippines with my (future) Filipina (wife),” he said. “Naka-ipon na nga ako. Bata pa lang ako, sinabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘mag-ipon ka’ (I saved up money already. When I was still young, I told myself to save up for the future).”
Bang made headlines in May 2023, after disclosing that he declined hosting and acting offers from Lee Soo-man, the founder of South Korean label SM Entertainment. The agency is home to actors and K-pop acts EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, Super Junior, and aespa, among many others.
“Wala pa sa puso ko na i-grab ko ang chance ng SM. Sabi ng magulang ko naman noong nasa Korea pa ako, bahala ka. Desisyon mo yan,” he said. “‘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.”
(I didn’t have the heart to join SM. Even if my parents back in South Korea respected my decision, I 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.) EDV
