Actor Oh Ji-ho appointed to promote Canadian rodeo
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Actor Oh Ji-ho, third from left, poses after being appointed Mr. Calgary Stampede by the Canadian Tourism Commission, in collaboration with Travel Alberta, at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday. At right is Canadian Ambassador David Chatterson. / Courtesy of the Canadian Embassy
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By Kang Hyun-kyung
Actor and model Oh Ji-ho was appointed Mr. Calgary Stampede, a goodwill ambassador to represent the world's largest rodeo that will take place from July 6 to 16 in Calgary, Canada.
On Wednesday, the Canadian Tourism Commission, in collaboration with Travel Alberta in Seoul, awarded him the certificate of designation for Mr. Calgary Stampede at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul.
In an acceptance speech, Oh, 36, said he was honored to take the offer and would be willing to promote the historic event wholeheartedly.
"I travelled the Canada Rocky Mountains many years ago to shoot a film and was touched by the breathtaking landscape there. I still have a vivid memory of it", he said. "As Mr. Calgary Stampede, I will do my job to help visitors or those who plan to visit Canada feel the same way that I did through my previous visit", he said.
Oh is scheduled to explore Canada again in July and his experiences will be shown on TV program and a magazine in Korea.
After the speech, the actor posed for the camera wearing a cowboy hat and boots during the photo session.
In a keynote speech, Canadian Ambassador David Chatterson said he had visited Calgary for the rodeo twice before, saying it was "extraordinary".
"Residents, friends, and visitors from Korea contribute to a Calgary which is a global city, with connections to all parts of the world", the envoy said.
"Wherever you are from, you will always get a welcoming 'howdy' in Calgary and made to feel at home".
In a press release, the tourism board mentioned of the selection criteria, stating actor Oh was chosen as he is athletic and this quality made him the perfect fit for the job.
It designated the Korean heartthrob to represent the world's largest rodeo to commemorate the centenary of the event.