Birthday Tour 2023

Caution: Article is only in English as it has been a long while since I last wrote overnight to share a post event round up of a Park Sihoo-ssi event the next morning.  Three years it has been, so I am mighty rusty. 

There is also no Chinese translation. But that can be easily solved by using the translator on the right hand column of this post.  In fact it can translate this post into any language which you feel most comfortable to read. 

Apologies for any typo or grammatical error. No photography was allowed during the event, except for the photo/video shoot session.  You will not get anything taken of the event except where allowed. 

Firstly, “Happy Birthday” once again to our Oppa Park Sihoo-ssi! It has been quite a while since his last birthday celebration. The number of attendees was small this time compared to previously due to many reasons, among them the issues of Covid and the complexity of immigration paperwork into Korea and then back to wherever. But Oppa, please know that whatever the turnout, you are well loved, whether in person or in the minds and hearts of your fans around the world!

This is definitely not verbatim but roughly captured what Oppa Park Sihoo-said of his birthday celebration in a letter he read out to his fans at the end of the evening…

“Ten years ago, for the first time, I held my birthday party in Buyeo, my ancestral home. It was a great feeling to see so many fans from all over the world come to visit my hometown. Unexpectedly and unfortunately, all birthday celebrations came to a halt three years ago.

This year, I am happy to see you travel such great distances to visit my hometown once again to celebrate the occasion with me.  Your presence has reinvigorated me and given me renewed energy to carry on to do more good works to thank you for your unerring support.

Thank you!”

And if you asked me, how our Oppa looked? My immediate response is “He is just as handsome in person, albeit much slimmer…or should I say skinnier, particularly when I am standing next to him!” Kekeke! 😄

The theme for the day was ”Wind, Cloud and Rain…and then the Sun”. And even though it was evening, we had the sun burst in on us when the side entrance at the back of the event hall opened! Our sun has arrived, in the form of our favorite actor Oppa Park Sihoo-ssi!

He came in bearing gifts, distributing a postcard to each of us individually at our seats. Up close, he is a definite “wow”! And energetically, he bounded up the stage to greet our favorite lady compere MC Kim Taehee and his fans after he finished his round of the tables. It has been six years since he held a birthday event in Buyeo and Oppa was really happy to see his fans once again in his hometown.  

He appeared to be rather nasal. He seemed to have a slight flu or have just recovered from a recent bout.  But all was good.

The birthday cake in the same theme of ”Wind, Cloud and Rain…and then the Sun” was wheeled in and as was the tradition, we sang him a birthday song in Korean. Oppa closed his eyes and made a wish. Even with his eyes closed, he looked absolutely gorgeous! And his fans in the audience screamed, “Sarang haeyo! We love you! Ice stereo (sounded like that in Japanese)”  Yes, Oppa Park Sihoo-ssi, we truly love you!  You have been missed and we are so glad to get to see you again and to celebrate your birthday with you!

He was presented with the birthday cards in an album from the Japan Official Fanclub. 

And for our ladies at ParkSihooSsi.com, I have your birthday cards safely delivered and nicely placed in a cane box. It will reach our Oppa for sure. Other than all your beautiful and sincere birthday wishes, I have also presented him with another birthday gift on behalf of ParkSihooSsi.com, one which I hope will be just as close to his heart. A limited edition clock made from used Titleist golf irons so that he will enjoy every minute of his special day and everyday!

Ok, on the theme ”Wind, Cloud and Rain…and then the Sun”. MC Kim explained the reason. As you know, Park Sihoo-ssi filmed some parts of his latest historical drama ”Wind, Cloud and Rain” or “Kingmaker: Change of Destiny” in Buyeo. That was why it was apt to have the theme ”Wind, Cloud and Rain” and who is the Sun?  Our Oppa, of course!  You agree?  I do, absolutely!

Oppa then got a grilling from his fans, who bombarded him with tons of questions during the Q&A segment.  Questions were sent in advance and drawn to be read out. Here are highlights of answers to the questions raised.

He has been exercising like going swimming, and golfing and has travelled to places such as Laos and Bangkok. Why no photos? Because he only took scenery photos. If he had a date, he would bring her overseas to maybe Italy and the Mediterranean. He went to these places previously with his brother, but maybe next time, he will go with his girlfriend?

Talking about love and first love? He was in an all boys high school, so never got the opportunity to meet girls and go on a date. He saw this girl in a high school photo (Nance: likely from another school, maybe an all girls high school?) whom the boys in his schools all raved about. He never got to meet her until when he was around 20 years old. She worked part time in his mother’s small restaurant where he also helped out. But they had no real relationship even though he liked her. He never told her until they went on a trip to Busan. That was when he confessed and they dated for around a year.  

His preference to either go back in time or face the future? Hmmm…tough question. Got to think, think…ah, the future because he has already experienced the past, so he looked forward to the future. What will his birthday be like 30 years from now? Maybe we can meet again here in Buyeo?

His daily routine?  He wakes up late in the morning because he sleeps late at night. In the day, he will only eat an apple and then drink a cup of soya milk till dinner when he will go out to look for nice food. That is when he will eat a more substantial meal. Nope, he is usually not hungry as he is used to this lifestyle. After his morning “meal” he will do his daily exercise and if he were travelling, he would go swimming.  Sometimes, he will go out with his brother and friends for a drink.  

Park Sihoo-ssi usually celebrated his birthday together with his ladies, that is, us, his fans.

He still uses his old brand of perfume Jo Malone and will mix it with his body lotion. Ah, so that was what I was whiffing when Oppa gave me a hug!  Hahaha! 😄

What are little boys made of?

Next we saw photos of young Oppa and his brother Park Woohoo-ssi and his parents. He shared recollections of his childhood days. The photo of him looking like he was about to go into a fist fight was when he was around 4-5 years old and his combat partner? His brother, Woohoo-ssi.  His niece looks like his brother at that age though she is cuter.

He and his brothers were mischievous boys and they played with knives (Nance: likely toy knives). His brother had recollections of getting a cut on his hand when they played but Park Sihoo-ssi didn’t. They have a river that ran through the front of their house and they always looked forward to daily swims. Maybe this is why he loves to swim? He had a good relationship with his brother since young and he thinks his brother was more mischievous. Oppa used to bully his brother up till maybe 4-5 years old. Then Woohoo-ssi grew stronger and he started to bully Sihoo-ssi! 

Remember the photo of him up on a tree and his brother at the bottom? His brother was pulling his leg and trying to make him fall off the tree. His father loved taking photos and kept on photographing this scene and did not come to his rescue even though he was crying so loudly. Bad dad!

They had nicknames when young. Oppa didn’t remember his (Nance: I think it was more like he didn’t want to share! 😄) His brother’s nickname was something that implied he was “not so great looking”.  Maybe this was the reason why his Seoul-born mother always brought him with her when she went to Seoul and not his brother? To show off her cuter son? Kekeke! 😄

There was a photo of his lovely and well dressed mother with her two boys. They both didn’t look great in the photo with their sullen looks. Woohoo-ssi was clinging on to Sihoo-ssi for dear life. It was the first time Oppa has seen this photo. He said his parents loved to bring them traveling. His mother learnt food nutrition when he was young and she used to make gimbap for them and also gave some to their teacher.

Next on the screen were photos of their refurbished ancestral home Garden Maehwa lighted up at night. It looked so tranquil with the soft yellow lighting around the property. The photos were beautifully taken by Oppa. He had purposely come earlier and taken these the night before to show us this beautifully refurbished  ancestral home which he thought looked breathtaking at night.  It was certainly awesome!

If you ever made it to Buyeo, book a day or a couple of days of homestay at Garden Maehwa. You will enjoy the serene surrounding and the great hospitality. Now, Park Sihoo-ssi’s aunty who runs the small cafe there serves excellent light refreshments and snacks, I have been told. Oh, and when it is the season, make sure you try the chestnut latte. It is to die for!

Our Oppa then sang the song from “My Golden Life”, “When the Wind Blows”, and ended this segment of the program before he took off for a break and change of attire.

He came back adorning a dark grey suit and white tee-shirt and white shoes.  Now, it was time for some action by Oppa by going from table to table! He had to draw from four cards with different actions and carry out the action for each person at the table. Give each a hug, a massage, a high five or …oh, I forgot the last. But this was irrelevant. We conspired with the MC to get Oppa to draw the card that stuck out of the pack so that at every table, the card drawn would be the hug card. So guess what, Oppa went round the room and gave out hugs, including dishing it out to the two male fans who were there! Kekeke! 😄

At the end of it, our sporting Oppa said, he loved this segment as he could meet everyone face-to0-face and this gave him renewed energy. Yes, the power of meeting and shared synergy!  

Now there was this other segment where Oppa had to accomplish three missions. And he did this with great finesse! Balance a cube balloon on an umbrella and not to let it fall within 9 seconds. Kick a giant white slipper into a twilling umbrella and shoot down the cube balloon with a water gun. So talented was our Oppa, we never had to fear the threats from the elements of “Wind, Cloud and Rain!” Why? Because we have our Oppa, the Sun!

Then it was XOXO time for all to participate. Elimination took place after every question raised with the final two persons standing. Both got to take one-on-one photos with Oppa and get his autograph before the two minute free for all photo session of Park Sihoo-ssi.  This was the only time when photography was allowed at the event!  Yay!  I got Oppa up close and personal! What a great seat I drew!

Then he sang another song.  This time from his long ago “Shampoo” album. The song was “Because of You”!  (Nance: I think!)

And then our Oppa read out his letter to his fans before we ended the evening and then onward to our one-on-one either photo or video session with Park Sihoo-ssi!  I am sure everyone took away some great memories.

Small can be beautiful and a smaller crowd this time made celebrating Park Sihoo-ssi’s birthday this year even more enjoyable. Our Oppa appeared more relaxed and we had a great time! Hilarious actually, looking at the great rapport of fans and idol during the hug segment! “Give it to me, give it to me” so said Oppa to fans and vice versa! Hahaha! 😄

We had a great time for sure! I am certainly looking forward to our next meet, Park Sihoo-ssi! Better still, I, and I am sure I echo all your fans in saying, we want to hear news of your next work. Now, when that happened, the sun will not only shine but shine most brilliantly!  Soon? 

Instagram Post – Park Sihoo – Happy Birthday, Park Sihoo-ssi!, 3 April 2023

Credits – Many thanks!  Park Sihoo Instagram, ParkSihooSsi.com, ParkSihooHongKong.com

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