This entry is long overdue (but not as long as my pending 50-Things entries. LOL), but I just have to blog about this. It was the happiest day in my life to be able to sit and being face to face with a big star like Song Il Gook. The event went on very smoothly and truth be told, by the end of it I felt as if Song Il Gook was someone I’ve known for a long time. Hehe. Simply because he was so nice, and extremely friendly (though shy most of the time).
So here goes nothing. My experience for the Press Interview and Fan Meeting with Song Il Gook, 2nd December 2010, Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
I received an email from K-Popped! team asking whether I am free to attend the Press Conference (after this PressCon) and Fan Meeting (FM). I gladly replied to them I’ll be free and that I am honored to represent K-Popped! for the PressCon and FM. The organizers asked us to prepare the questions for the PressCon and I gave them 6 questions. ๐ A day before the PressCon, me and K-Popped! team met up for a dinner and I asked for some tips since it would be my first time attending such event. Can’t thank them enough for the support and trust.
D-day. Me and my friend Bahie arrived at Nikko Hotel rather early. The PressCon was supposed to start at 2.30pm, but we arrived about 15 minutes to 12pm. Miss Lily, the Malaysian orgnizer invited us to join the Forum instead since we arrived early. Since we have nothing to do and nowhere to go, Bahie and me gladly went into the room. At the time, a KBS representative was presenting about Noodle Road, one of KBS programs that I am fond of. The forum attendees filled the whole room and too bad we did not come earlier.
Once the KBS presentation finished, a Malaysian representative went to on the stage. At the time, I saw a few Korean staff preparing to get out of the room. One of them REALLY stood out,since he was REALLY tall and good looking. Only when he walked past me I realized it was SONG IL GOOK himself! bksdjbaskdjbakjb. I only managed to let out a soft shriek to Bahie and felt bad I didn’t recognize him. I would have took a photo of him, but I didn’t think he would be in the forum so I wasn’t prepared. pabo me, I should’ve asked the organizers if Song Il Gook was in the room for the forum. Sigh.
So me and Bahie just spent our times outside the room after the forum ended. Seeing us doing nothing (LOL), the Korean organizers asked to meet us and check our questions for the PressCon. Miss Yunmi was so nice as she explained what the event’s gonna be like. Too bad though they seemed to have this thinking that Korean dramas are not as popular as Korean Idol Groups in Malaysia. Sigh. That is not 100% true, though I have to admit Idols are the rage nowadays.
Around 1pm, fans and media started arriving. Some fans came from Hong Kong and Singapore and even Iran. Wow. Even though the event was not publicize grandly, the turnouts were okay in terms of quantity. Less than 100, but definitely more than enough. Enough to put a broad smile to Song Il Gook’s face. ๐ The fans are in for a treat, as they could join the PressCon then the FM. The room was not that big, so fans can see Song Il Gook clearly from their seats.
I took a seat right in front of the stage,prepared for the media. Found a new friend, Isabel from Cari Forum there and thankfully we have the same ‘wavelength’. ๐ So before the PressCon started we chatted and get to know each other. TBH, I got jealous of her when I found out she went to CNBLUE’s showcase in Singapore,but that’s another story. LOL
Approximately 3pm, the man appeared. What an aura, when Song Il Gook came into the room, fans started screaming (in a well mannered way,rather than shouting) and applauded. Song Il Gook posed for the camera for about 3-5 minutes before beginning the PressCon. He was quite shocked to see the number of fans who came to see him. IMHO, he was being to humble. I may not be his biggest fan, but I know he’s an A-list star in Korea, so this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime chance not to be missed.ย
The whole PressCon can be read HERE. Enough said that I was satisfied I could ask ALL the questions I prepared and the way he responded to all my questions..aigooooo.. I melted. He was so charismatic, and he looked at me straight into the eyes when he’s answering the questions,some even for questions that are not from me. LOL. Perhaps because I’m a good actor too, acting like I understood Korean language without Anne’s (the interpreter) help? Haha. Anyway his gaze REALLY melted me. Like,seriously.
After the interview ended, the MC opened the session for the fans. I meas how often can you find a Korean-star-related PressCon that allow FANS to ask question? None,right? Just when I thought that’s the best part, a Malay fan stood up and asked him to wish her Happy Birthday since it was her birthday a day before. It took Song Il Gook and Anne a little while to understand her request (perhaps they didn’t think she’d only ask him for merely a wish) but at the time I could hear her voice (the fan) was already shaking. Just then, Song Il Gook handsomely went down the stage and started SINGING a birthday song to her. Fans (and me included!) started screaming the moment Song Il Gook hugged her from the side. Yes sir, we were envious.
Perhaps once was not enough, a Hong Kong fan stood up and requested Song Il Gook to sing her friend a birthday song too,since her birthday is on the next day. Gladly, the man obliged, and went down the stage AGAIN. And sang AGAIN. And hugged AGAIN. And naturally, all of us screamed AGAIN. Hehe. What a great fan service, and he was so nice to do all that albeit the fact that he’s such an elite star back in Korea and a Hallyu star at that. Man, he just kept on amazed me.
Then the FM started. Fans got in queue, and me and Isabel “parked” ourselves right in front of Song Il Gook. We were so close we could practically see his pimples, but too bad for us he has none! Hehe. His skin is so flawless, and the manly wrinkles just made him look more handsome. ๐ He did all his fans asked. He took pictures with them, hugged them, posed with them etc. But one thing I noticed, he was so touched every time a fan brought him a gift. It’s like he didn’t expect them to give him anything so he was almost shocked to see them bringing him gifts. Awwww.. stop being humble will you,Oppa? You have lots of fans!!
As the FM goes, I took the time to chat with Miss Yunmi (Korean Organizer), Anne (interpreter) and also Mr Park Kwang Su (Song Il Gook’s manager). And at times, I would take photos of Song Il Gook. Simply because he looked damn handsome up close. LOL. I will let the pictures do the talking, so judge for yourselves. As for me, after the queue comes to an end, I quickly asked for his autograph too. And since everyone was doing it, I could not stop myself to ask Song Il Gook for a hug too. Hehehe. So we hugged, for about half a minute. ๐
The FM ended not long after. And as I said, it was the best day of my life. Not only because I had the chance to hug the star, but for the fact that the event was very smooth and the organizers were all very friendly. Both Malaysian and Korean. His manager was friendly too and didn’t even say anything when a fan ask for anything outrageous. Hehe. And Song Il Gook himself, wow! He was gentleman,friendly,nice,handsome all at the same time.
Here are more photos from the FM and PressCon.