Mariz Umali recalls 'super fangirl' moment with Ji Chang Wook in Korea

The Mariz Umali who brings you "Serbisyong Totoo" on GMA News everyday is apparently a big Hallyu fan!

The Kapuso journalist was very proud to admit this while appearing as a guest on Eat Bulaga's "Bawal Judgmental."

"I'm a super fan — a huge fan — of Ji Chang Wook, Park Bo Gum, Cha Eun Woo, Kang Ha Neul, Hyun Bin, and a lot more," she said.

Just to give you an idea of how big a fan she is, Mariz personally flew all the way to Korea to see Ji Chang Wook off to begin his military service.

She was also there when the "Healer" star completed his mandatory duty in 2019.

Additionally, Mariz had a chance to see Lee Min Ho with her own two eyes as he was discharged from the military during that time as well!

"Sa totoo lang, sa sobrang pagka-fan, hinatid at sundo namin si Ji Chang Wook sa military, at nakita rin namin si Lee Min Ho nung time na 'yun, kasi lumabas siya sa military service 'nung time na na nagpunta kami sa Korea," Mariz said.

"So ganun ka-adik and lahat ng mga group, sinasalihan ko, kung nasaan sila," she added.

To make the trip even more memorable, Mariz took it upon herself to try getting an interview with Chang Wook as a member of the media — and she succeeded! Well, sort of.

"Ang kagandahan no'n, nung time na nakapunta kami kay Ji Chang Wook na hinatid namin tsaka sinundo namin siya, bilang media, nakapagtanong pa kami sa kanya! So I was able to report also," Mariz recalled.

"Kasi sabi ko: 'What's your message to your Filipino fans?' Ta's sabi niya, 'Annyeonghaseyo'," she added.

Mariz was nevertheless very thankful for the incredible experience, especially since she got to share it with an amazing group of her fellow Filipino fans.

"Na-feature pa kami sa isang Korean article online dahil isa kaming grupo ng mga Filipinos na mga fans niya, tapos may nakasama kami na ang galing mag hangul (Korean) so merong nakalagay do'n na 'Mahal kita, Ji Chang Wook' and may Philippine flag pa kami tapos na-feature pa kami," the reporter said.

"So talagang super duper korean fan," she added.

Mariz Umali, who has been with GMA for 19 years, was among the strong woman reporters who appeared as guests on "Bawal Judgmental" on Wednesday, March 10.

She helped a contestant win a P40,000 prize with award-winning veteran journalist Kara David, Saleema Refran, Marisol Abdurahman, Tina Panganiban-Perez, Lei Alviz and Bernadette Reyes. —Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News