Filipino businessman and politician Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson has announced his venture into Korean entertainment as he is set to co-produce the highly-anticipated second season of the Korean series “Vagabond.”
Starring Lee Seung-gi, Bae Suzy and Shin Sung-rok, the first season aired in 2019 on TV network SBS TV before its release on Netflix. It is about a stuntman (Lee) who got involved in a tragic airplane crash and discovered a national corruption scandal.
Singson revealed his involvement in the project in an interview at the opening of the seventh branch of bb.q Chicken in Ayala Feliz, a Korean fried chicken restaurant he introduced to the country.
“We have many companies in Korea, we have partners, friends. Lee Seung-gi, he is one of our endorsers here in bb.q and he is the lead there,” Singson shared.
It was in March 2023 when the Korean star last visited the Philippines and stopped by in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Among his destinations were Singson’s Baluarte Zoo, Calle Crisologo and Vigan Heritage Site.
According to the former Ilocos Sur governor, the second episode of “Vagabond” will be shot in the Philippines.
Sharing about the production timeline, Singson said, “Maybe this May. They’re just finishing the whole story because they want it complete. They’ll finish the story so that shooting will be seamless. They don’t like thinking about what to do tomorrow. They want it continuous. I think they’ve been working on the story for about a month now.”
Apart from Ilocos Sur, the series will also be filmed in other tourist destinations in the Philippines.
“Just one episode first. We will begin in Ilocos, then I plan to showcase all the beautiful places like what I did during Miss Universe to promote the beautiful destinations in the Philippines, our usual tourist attractions here,” he said.
He added that part of the collaboration is the inclusion of Filipino artists in the series, although names of the talents are yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, beyond the series, Singson shared he also made partnerships with Korean manufacturers for the production of electric vehicles to help the modernization program of the government when it comes to jeepneys and tricycles.
“Korea will produce electric vehicles for the modernization program, like jeepneys. I was able to convince 21 factories in Korea to join me because I can’t do it alone since it involves millions. Millions of tricycles, electric vehicles, jeepneys so I need assistance. Thank God, the 21 manufacturers in Korea agreed,” he shared.
While the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program requires loans to purchase the vehicles, Singson said he will no longer be necessary.
“I told them we won’t ask for a down payment, no guarantee, we won’t ask for a percentage because if I’ll ask for a percentage, it’s no longer assistance,” he finally said.