Tom Cruise Returns to South Korea for the 12th Time to Promote 'Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning'

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise (64) has made his much-anticipated return to South Korea after a two-year hiatus, marking his 12th visit to the country, a record among Hollywood stars. Fans have been sharing sightings of Cruise in the Mapo District of Seoul, particularly in the area of Gongdeok-dong.

Cruise arrived at Gimpo International Airport on May 7 at approximately 4:20 PM via a private jet, making his public appearance at around 5:15 PM. He took about 20 minutes to engage with fans before leaving the airport. As a large crowd of fans cheered his name, Cruise greeted them with a bright smile, signed autographs, and even took selfies with fans using their phones. He playfully made a heart gesture with his hands, a popular sign in Korea, before departing in a waiting vehicle.

This visit is part of the promotional activities for his upcoming film, 'Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning' (미션 임파서블 8), set to release on May 17. Cruise has been consistently meeting his Korean fans since the release of 'Interview with the Vampire' in 1994.

His last visit was two years ago for the promotion of 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' (미션 임파서블 7), where he was spotted in various locations around Seoul, including the bustling food alley in Bangi-dong and the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, generating significant buzz among fans. During that trip, he was known for his friendly demeanor, happily posing for photos with fans.

This year, reports of Cruise sightings have continued, with many fans claiming to have seen him at a café in Gongdeok-dong. One netizen shared a video and photos, humorously noting the unlikely chance of running into Cruise while out for drinks. The footage showed Cruise greeting the crowd and taking selfies with young fans, all while remaining composed despite the sudden influx of admirers. Another fan mentioned that Cruise not only visited the café but also enjoyed some chicken at a nearby restaurant, reportedly staying for over an hour.

On May 8, Cruise is scheduled to attend a press conference at Lotte Cinema World Tower at 1 PM, alongside director Christopher McQuarrie and co-stars Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis. Later that day, he will participate in a red carpet event at the Lotte World Ice Rink at 5 PM.