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Ryan Bang. Image: Instagram/@ryanbang
What was initially meant to be a formal event turned into an unexpected moment of laughter, as Ryan Bang caught the attention of the Korean press after hosting the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) 2023 red carpet in Bulacan.
As over 50 stars showed up at the Philippine Arena lobby for the red carpet event of the 2023 AAA, Bang was a standout as he displayed his impressive grasp of Korean, Filipino, and English that caused South Korea-based press to notice him.
“Ininterview ako ng Korean news. Tinanong ako kasi ba’t ang galing ko daw sa iba’t ibang lenggwahe, Tagalog, English, Korean. Alam mo kung ano sinagot ko? Sabi ko kasi dito ako nag-aral sa Pilipinas,” he recalled during the Dec. 15 episode of noontime show “It’s Showtime.”
(I was interviewed by Korean news outlets. They asked me why I’m good at other languages like Tagalog and English, aside from my native Korean. You know what I answered? I said because I studied here in the Philippines.)
Bang goes ‘multilingual’ on the red carpet
During previous AAA red carpets, the focus was meant to be solely on the celebrity and their breathtaking visuals. But Bang stole the show with his hilarious commentary, uttered in Tagalog and Korean — which was even amusing to the stars themselves.
During the red carpet appearance of NewJeans, Bang loudly confessed that he’s a fan of the quintet which made Hyein and Hanni giggle while waving to the fans.
“Please wave to the Filipino press and your Filipino fans. Ah, I’m a fan,” he said in Korean. He then followed up with “Thank you. Ang ganda (They’re beautiful). Hay sobrang saya ko (Wow, I’m so happy),” as soon as the “Ditto” hitmakers left.
before NewJeans introduction Ryan Bang the host said “kinakabahan ako” meaning “im nervous” (i didn’t record it)
and at the end he said “hayy ang saya ko” meaning “hayy im so happy”
he’s a fan 💗#NewJeansAAA2023 #AAA2023inPH #AsiaArtistAwards#NewJeans #뉴진스 #ニュジ pic.twitter.com/yR87J9EK5u
— dabe 🦭 • TOKKI (@dabestanNJ) December 14, 2023
Bang couldn’t help but unleash his inner fanboy as Kim Seon-ho made his appearance where he said, “Sobrang gwapo, grabe (He’s so handsome, it’s crazy).”
He then instructed the actor to make several heart poses in a mixture of Korean, Filipino, and English saying: “Please look at the front. Please wave. Please do a finger heart, cheek heart, lahat ng heart na gusto mo (any kind of heart you want). Take your time. Basta ikaw (As long as it’s you), Kim Seon-ho.”
We really love how Ryan Bang randomly speaks in Tagalog and his side comment “Sobrang gwapo grabe” is so relatable.#KimSeonHo #AsiaArtistAwards2023 #AAA2023inPHpic.twitter.com/BgTk2urlhB
— Oppa Is Life (@theoppaislife) December 14, 2023
Bang also made the Filipino fans laugh after complimenting K-pop boy group Stray Kids for posing right away.
“Please face the Filipino fans and press on the right. Please make a finger heart,” he said in Korean and followed up with the Filipino remark, “Sana mag-guest kayo sa ‘Showtime’ (I hope you guest in ‘It’s Showtime’),” while referring to the Kapamilya noontime show.
RYAN BANG TO STRAY KIDS „SANA MAG GUEST KAYO SA SHOWTIME” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 #AsiaArtistAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/weEVUZ2vVv
— haya 黄 🐉 (@cinnamoonhyune) December 14, 2023
Laughter also ensued from the audience after Bang made a lighthearted comment on the school girl-esque outfits of J-pop girl group Sakurazaka46, saying in Filipino, “Parang may pasok pa sila (It’s like they have classes later).”
not ryan bang at the end saying “parang may pasok pa sila” (it seems they still have to attend classes later) because sakurazaka are wearing school uniform ishous sdvfsdfgfsd pic.twitter.com/bUPoGE8eat
— mae (@yuiyuihan) December 14, 2023
Bang didn’t hesitate to praise the professionalism of The Boyz in an apparent reference to a Filipino Christmas carol, after asking them to make “heart poses for fans” in his native language.
“Please stand facing the press. Right now, please give heart poses for your fans. The Boyz, everyone,” he said. “Thank you, ang babait ninyo (you’re all kind).”
my boyzies, the boyz! #AAA2023inPH pic.twitter.com/NifkEcj09w
— chen (@kidcozydef) December 14, 2023
Meanwhile, Seventeen’s Seungkwan couldn’t help but pay close attention to Bang in apparent amusement, as the latter was asking the sub-unit BSS to make poses for their Filipino fans.
nauurrrr but the way he looks at ryan bang beh habang nag mc si kuya mo eh parang gusto nya din makipag sabayan mag mc anytime ganun HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA 😭😭😭 https://t.co/2175pO76RL pic.twitter.com/0xuOm1bdcR
— aya ❀*˚ (@for17dino) December 14, 2023
Bang didn’t hesitate to joke around with Melai Cantiveros as he asked the latter to make “good poses” since her photos will be featured in Korean media outlets.
“Tumingin ka sa harap, huwag sa akin. Mag-pose ka. Lalabas ‘yan sa Korea kaya ayusin mo ang pose mo. Bakit kay Melai, konti lang ang pinipicturan ng mga press ng Korea… please look at the left side. Thank you so much, Melai. Ngayon, tumingin ka sa likod, joke lang!” he quipped.
(Look in front, not at me. Pose. It will be released in Korea so fix your poses. Why is the Korean press taking a few pictures when it comes to Melai? Please look at the left side. Thank you so much, Melai. Now, look at the back. Just joking!)
tawang tawa ako kay melai at ryan bang pota ano ba twoah! 😭 ASHHSHZHSHS
pic.twitter.com/FAKG1XjsyO— audiz’ (@aeloveyu_) December 14, 2023
Prior to the hosting stint, Bang revealed in May 2023 that he declined an offer from South Korean music label SM Entertainment, as he felt that he wouldn’t fit in the standards of his home country.