Actor Lee Jong-suk has canceled his upcoming fan meeting in Manila just two weeks before the event, after large-scale public protests in the city raised safety concerns.
On November 17, his agency A-man Project announced that the Manila stop of the “2025 Lee Jong Suk Asia Fanmeeting Tour [With: Just Like This]”, originally scheduled for November 30 at the Araneta Coliseum, would no longer take place.
Safety Concerns Amid Widening Manila Demonstrations
The agency explained that the cancellation was made after careful review of the local situation:
“A large-scale demonstration is scheduled on the same date near the venue. We made this difficult decision with the safety of fans, the artist, and all staff as our top priority.”
The protests—sparked by allegations of corruption surrounding a government flood-control project—have expanded across key areas in Manila, causing heavy congestion and security worries.
Local organizers reportedly advised that with ongoing risks in the area, it would be challenging to ensure a safe environment for an event involving thousands of fans.
Apology to Fans & Promise of Return
The agency offered a formal apology:
“We sincerely apologize to all fans who were looking forward to the Manila fan meeting. We truly hope that Lee Jong-suk will be able to visit the Philippines again soon under safer circumstances.”
The cancellation has disappointed many Filipino fans, especially given that the actor has not held a fan meeting in the country for years.
Lee Jong-suk Continues His Asia Tour
Lee Jong-suk has been touring major Asian cities, including Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, with strong turnouts across all venues.
The actor is also set to return to the screen next year in the upcoming Disney+ original series “The Empress of Remarriage.”
Despite the setback in Manila, the actor’s agency emphasized that the decision was made strictly in the interest of fan and artist safety and expressed hope for a future visit.
Editor’s Insight
The cancellation of Lee Jong-suk’s Manila fan meeting highlights a critical “Safety-First” pivot in Hallyu Event Management for 2026. While canceling an event just two weeks prior results in significant logistical and financial strain, A-man Project’s decision to prioritize the physical security of fans over revenue is a strategic move to protect the artist’s Long-term Brand Equity. In the current global climate, where large-scale public demonstrations can lead to unpredictable security voids, “Risk Mitigation” has become as essential to a tour’s success as ticket sales.
For Lee Jong-suk, whose “With: Just Like This” tour has already seen massive success in major hubs like Tokyo and Bangkok, this setback in the Philippines is particularly poignant given his long absence from the country. However, by citing specific local instability—allegations of corruption and flood-control protests—the agency maintains Topical Authority by showing they are deeply tuned into the socio-political realities of their target markets.
As fans look forward to his 2026 return in the Disney+ original The Empress of Remarriage, this moment of caution reinforces his image as a responsible and “fan-centric” icon. The industry will be watching how the rescheduled dates are handled, as a successful return under safer circumstances will likely see even higher demand, turning a temporary disappointment into a powerful narrative of mutual care between the artist and his Filipino “With” fandom.