Last night was the moment I have been waiting for and it was totally satisfying and memorable to finally see my ultimate bias, So Ji Sub, in the flesh. It felt so surreal!! The minute the lights went on and he came out, clad in an all-white suit (vs the last 7 FMs where he dressed black), I felt like I was seeing an angel. He looks the same as how you see him on tv — he is so handsome and he was tall and fit! Gah!! I felt like this was the culmination of my 15 years of watching kdramas – and the prize is So Ji Sub!
This is my first ever fanmeeting – and I’m glad that it was So Ji Sub. I think it is best to attend a FM of the idol or actor that you really really like/love so that you can really savor the moment and be thrilled with all the feels. I actually didn’t know what to expect in a FM – but I did try to watch of the youtube and IG vids of SJS’ FMs in Taiwan, Japan, Bangkok, Jakarta and HK. I thought I was fully prepared since I watched some of the segments and his performances. But nothing prepared me for the real thing! I really wanted to enjoy the show and bask in his presence so I didn’t really take a lot of pictures and videos. I just sneaked in a few snaps now and then but I didn’t mind coz the whole experience is now saved and forever locked in my memories.
So just a quick rundown what happened during the fanmeeting. He started with singing Barry Manilow’s song, “Can’t Smile Without You”. I loved the song and the reason why he chose the song (but you can see his reason is so tito oppa-ish which I don’t mind coz it perfectly matched my tita-ness).
The first segment was called “You’ve got a message” where the host asked a few things about So Ji Sub like what filipino food he ate, which Philippine place he would like to visit next time, etc.
The second segment was called “Code Name: Terrius” where 2 lucky fans were able to personally ask advice from SJS on their concerns. I don’t know if SJS knew the questions beforehand (he most likely didn’t) but I loved all his answers – you can really sense that he is sensible and mature. He actually gave quite good advice considering the pressure of thinking on the spot. On the first question about a girl having a quarterlife crisis, he told her not to worry too much and just continue to do what you love. He also mentioned even with 23 years in the industry, he also still gets worried like her. The second question was so sweet – the girl confessed that SJS is her first love since she first watched Memories in Bali in elementary – and that she even turned down suitors because he is her ideal guy. The girl asked SJS what to do with her feelings. I’m thinking SJS must get a lot of these love confessions from so many girls and I love that his answer was still very sincere and practical. Everyone has different ideal types and who/what you are seeing now becomes your ideal. He told her to not think using her mind but instead to use her heart. Do not turn down your suitors and find someone who will really love you with all your heart. Awww. What a romantic guy.
Next segment is a video showing SJS answering 51k questions about himself. It was specially interesting coz we got lots of tidbits and insights to his hobbies and interests. His penalty for not answering were so cute!! He had to wear all sorts of hats and head costumes. I don’t think there is anyone else who can wear them as stylishly as he can.
Last segment is a Quiz for SJS. Everytime he gets the right answer, he can choose the lucky fan who gets a signed tshirt. If he loses, he gets a penalty. He can also select a lucky fan to answer for him but same rules apply – right answer the fan gets a shirt, wrong answer SJS gets a penalty. This was hilarious – I love that SJS was so game and was interacting hilariously with the fans. Likewise, I love that the fans purposely made him lose so that he gets all the penalty. All in all, he was able to luckily guess 1 correct answer, and 3 fans gave the wrong answer. The first girl almost caved when SJS asked her what is “Mahal kita” in english. I actually feel bad for the girl. If I was in her position i would have wanted to give him the correct answer, but i guess peer pressure made her say, “pretty”. Smart Jisub doubted the answer and the girl gave a different answer “I love you”. It’s a good thing SJS is too kindhearted and used “pretty” so he lost the first point. His penalty was to wear the angel wings.. Ahh.. he really looked like a beautiful angel. The funniest is the mom who straightfaced told SJS she watched OMV but couldn’t remember the answer, and gave the wrong choice. When SJS realized the mom was happily telling him to get penalty, SJS asked the mom if she knew the answer all along and she said “Yup!” to his dismay. If i remember, the penalty is to wear the flower crown and the corsage. The third fan (?) shocked me and the person beside me. She was seated on the first row and she was asked if he know that scene in Terrius where Kim Bon was made to don an ahjumma outfit and do some chores. I think everyone knew the answer (it was relatively easy) and even SJS knew the answer- but he said, he will give that chance to a fan — too bad for him the lady haven’t watched the drama (she told that to SJS’s FACE!! seriously!!) and the two evil ladies behind me plied her with the incorrect answer. SJS’s face was so hilarious! “Please change your answer.. are you sure?” haha. His penalty I think was the morning call? or was it the hearts? Btw, the morning call was so cute! He said, “Hello. Gumising ka na. Mahal na kita!” oh my fangirl heart couldn’t take it. he spoke really good Tagalog btw, without the accent. I think he needs to make a tagalog song or rap, asap. Last, one of the main part of the segment is that SJS prepared a special gift for one lucky fan – a polaroid snap of him during rehearsal (I think) and right before he came out of the stage and an identical couple necklace. I think everyone in the room wanted to be the lucky girl. He held her hand, shook her hands and even hugged her. ARGGHH. I am so happy for her, but half wishing it was me!!
He sang another song, “Picnic” – oh he has such a nice voice. he just sat down most of the time, with no other props except for the light and he still looked amazing.
Now on to the second part of the fanmeeting. Okay, I already saw the previous FMs so I was already expecting a few songs like Love Scenario and boy Go.. but I didn’t expect the second half to be a frigging mini concert party!!! during the first part, he was dressed in a white suit and looked so elegant and gentlemanly. Then he came out with Soul Dive dressed in a glittery shirt and oozing with SWAGGGGG!!! during the introduction, he said he was nervous because he is meeting the filipino fans for the first time so he doesn’t know what to expect, then right before the first part ended, he said that he has calmed down and is no longer feeling nervous. Yup, he is right. He just exploded with so much confidence rapping and hyping the crowd! It was just song after song after song. I think he did 5 songs? (Love scenario, then Soul dive did a song without him, then SJS came back to sing AOAOA, then So Ganzi, Boy Go, Coke Bottle Baby). and just when I thought they were finished they did an encore of “So LOVE” and ended the show with confetti all over the place! All through out the 30 minute performance (more or less), they just kept throwing signed shirts, towels, stuffed toy, balls to the fans. I am quite disappointed that I didn’t get to a catch a single item!!! (he gave out a lot near my area and my seatmates got them!) But the best one is him throwing up the 51k cap he was wearing the entire night to a lucky fan!! SJS and Soul Dive is a great team — they all looked so good, they can rival any boyband out there and still come out looking and sounding great!
The entire fanmeeting lasted around 2 hours (1.5 hours FM, 30 mins concert). Right after, I queued for the photo op and waited until my turn. OMG. I was seated on row 3 center and I could see him clearly all through out the show, but it was still electrifying to see him upclose and personal. I love that he would actually look at us right in the eye, saying hi and thank you and waving. during concert and during the photo op. I know he probably will not remember any of us, but the fans like me will remember his look and his sincere eyes. I also heard the hi-touch was more of a shake hands – ugh! had I known, I would have bought both tickets!
Overall, this was a fantastic experience. Before the FM, I was so nervous with excitement, I felt like I was either going to faint or die when I see him, but after the show, I just felt even more energized. I suddenly felt like I can do anything! I will be rooting for his next project and I hope he really makes do with his promise to come back!!!
On a side note, each guest got a free poster, some are signed, some are not, and guess what? I didn’t get the signed poster!! hahaha, I felt so sad. No shirt, no cap, no necklace, no ball, no stuffed pig and not even a signed poster!! Really?!? I guess there must be better fans than me so they got the goodies! Still best experience ever! I feel like I will be on a high for the next few days.. weeks… months.. maybe the entire year!
Check out some of the videos i took during the fanmeeting – not a lot since i was so engrossed in watching him live.
KDrama Dreaming 