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'Descendant of the Sun' star Song Joong-ki tapped as ambassador to boost Korean tourism

| Apr 06, 2016 03:12 AM EDT

Captain Yoo Shi Jin, played by Song Joong-ki, is using his rifle scope to spy on Dr. Mo Yeon (Song Hye-Kyo) while washing her face outside the base camp.

The Korean Tourism Organization is tapping the South Korean actor, Joong-ki Song, as an honorary ambassador and promotional model who will help the government promote the country as an exciting destination not only in Asia but in the whole world.

The on-going "Descendants of the Sun" melodrama is the first South Korean drama that airs simultaneously in South Korea and China. Thus, the apparent steady, high viewership ratings in both countries are giving the boost to the fame of its stars - Song and Hye-Kyo Song.

With Song's popularity continues to soar around the world, South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism revealed that Song, who portrays Army Captain Yoo Shi-Jin of the on-going hit drama series, will be starring in both TV and print advertisements to boost Korean tourism.

The said Korean tourism advertisement will be shot in locations where "Descendants of the Sun" was filmed such as Jeongseon and Taebaek, which is said to be the former mining urban communities in Gangwon Province, The Chosun Ilbo reported.

According to reports, the ministry reveals that they are currently planning to develop the locales into tourist destinations, where visitors worldwide can experience both traditional and contemporary Korean culture for themselves.

Both TV and print advertisements are set to air starting in early July, with the ministry focusing on using the actor's popularity in Japan and South East Asia, The Korea Times has learned.

Meanwhile, KBS2's "Descendant of the Sun" keeps on taking off as the series' previous episode 11 and 12 broke into the 30.4 percent viewership ratings worldwide, hitting 36.6 percent rating in Seoul alone. Nielson Korea noted that it is the highest viewing figures reported so far in the said region.

Much to the delight of the fans, KBS2 will air a three-part special episode on April 20-22. The first two episodes will feature highlight cuts from the said melodrama series and will finish off by airing the making-of clips and an epilogue, showing the future of the on-screen couple on April 22.

Catch the trailer for the upcoming episode 13 of the hit drama below:

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