Han Kook Nam is one lucky Korean. He arrived in Manila last Thursday so he could celebrate the holidays with his wife and kids, who are all based here, and he was welcomed like a boss. After passing the immigration counter at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, people put a garland around his neck while a band played music. He was told he’d be given free accommodation at Shangri-la Manila AND Cebu, a business class plane ticket to Seoul from Philippine Airlines, plus a tour package from the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Why???
Han happened to be the 1 millionth Korean visitor to the Philippines this 2012.
And it looks like he deserves all the prizes. According to ABS-CBN, Han regularly flies to the Philippines to visit his family, even if his business is based in Seoul. He even studied English in the Philippines.
“People are smiling all the time here. You have good mood. They don’t hurry. They know how to enjoy their life,” he said, when asked about what he likes about the country.
