By BIN Staff | 07:13 PM April 01, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — South Korean actor Kang Dong-gun is putting the spotlight on Bohol as a rising tourist destination, following his experience filming the Sinag Maynila 2026 entry Sweet Escape on the island.
While many Korean tourists traditionally favor Cebu and Boracay, Kang said working on the film gave him the opportunity to discover Bohol’s natural beauty and connect with its people.
“It’s true that Koreans [prefer] Cebu, though we had Bohol for this movie. I visited it more after shooting and I befriended [the people there]. I love to scuba dive, and after this movie, I practiced more of my free diving,” he said.
In “Sweet Escape,” Kang plays Dave, a Korean businessman seeking a fresh start in Bohol, where he meets Candy, portrayed by Arci Muñoz, a doctor-in-hiding. The two characters eventually fall in love, with the island serving as a scenic backdrop to their story.
Director Rommel Ricafort said the project also highlighted Bohol’s potential as a filming location, noting the collaboration between Filipino and Korean talents.
Ricafort admitted he is not deeply familiar with Korean dramas and films but observed the strong work ethic of Korean actors, who undergo auditions regardless of their level of fame.
“I know [Korean actors] pero hindi naman ako fan ng K-drama. Hindi ko sinusubaybayan pero ang mahalaga sa’kin ay ‘yung storya,” he said. “Sa unang collab namin, nagtaka ako bakit may bodyguard and tinitignan nila kami. Pero nag-audition sila. Kahit gaano sila kasikat, naga-audition sila.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Ricafort described Korean actors as disciplined and detail-oriented, often sticking strictly to what is outlined in their contracts and ensuring accuracy in their lines, many of which were delivered in English.
“Kung ang pelikula mo ang nasa kontrata nila, ‘yun lang,” he said, adding that they make an effort to clarify pronunciations to ensure authenticity.
At the same time, Ricafort noted that Filipino filmmakers brought flexibility to the production process.
“Siguro, ang natutunan naman nila sa’min is ‘yung flexibility. Kasi sa [filming where kailangan naming gabi ang eksena] and naghihintay kami ng tamang oras, naglagay kami ng maraming blocking para magmukhang gabi. Nakita nila sa monitor, sabi nila, good,” he said.
Beyond the collaboration, the film has also gained recognition, with “Sweet Escape” winning Best Sound at the festival’s Gabi ng Parangal.
With international talents experiencing the island firsthand, Bohol continues to position itself as not only a tourist destination but also a promising location for global film productions. With reports from Inquirer.net
