Park Sihoo Jeju fan meeting

Last night’s event was pure tangerine sweetness!

Note: For last night’s event, no photography or videography was allowed during the event, so I have nothing to show of the event itself, except for the decoration. I can only find past photos to give you an idea of how Park Sihoo-ssi looked like last night. Well, at least in terms of hairstyling!

If you have read my article yesterday “Karma with Hoo”, you will know that I was lamenting how we can’t control karma or fate. And how disappointed I was yesterday not being on the same flight as Park Sihoo-ssi after going to some lengths on the arrangement. Karma failed me…but funnily enough, karma or fate had a mind of its own.

Yesterday night, for Park Sihoo-ssi’s Enishi Premium Event for Chinese in Jeju, the underlying theme was karma or fate, 缘份! What a coincidence! And being in Jeju, what can be more symbolic at this time of the year than its famous tangerines! Such tangerine sweetness it was last evening! Karma came full circle bringing us sweet, sweet memories! Tangerine sweetness!

My good karma shone brightly on me from mid-day!

It was a great start to the Sunday, at least from mid-day on! Karma graced me with a big smile! I was having lunch alone since I was way too tired to go on a tour, having had many late nights recently and I knew I would also be up all night and morning after the event. I loved that seafood abalone stew, one of the quintessential taste of Jeju! And this was made even tastier as I had an unexpected encounter! 🙂

Front of invitation card

Event invitation card and entry pass

Dinner was served from 5.30 pm and it was a great time to catch up with the sisters that I got to know from the web. Good to finally see some of you in person! Now I can put a face to your name! But I have to confess, my Chinese is not that great especially when it comes to remembering Chinese names, so please forgive me, if I gave you a blank stare! But know that I treasure all of your friendships!

The actual event started slightly after 7.30 pm, opening with a word about Enishi, Park Sihoo-ssi’s record, long running magazine…2017 edition will be its fifth year and still going strong! Have you ordered your copy of 2017 Enishi yet? Trust me, it will be worth it! Fighting, Park Sihoo-ssi! 

Making an entrance to the Island Ballroom

Then it was the real start with an opening presentation video showing Park Sihoo-ssi when he was filming “Love After Love” in Jeju. This was accompanied by the song which Chinese fans could relate to –  “chow mien” or fried noodles but actually his song was called “Shampoo”! Hahaha!

The video said “Jeju…Let’s get started!” Yeah! Let’s!

And then spotlight on the back entrance, out came Park Sihoo-ssi, riding his trusty bicycle, on the red carpet, to the tremendous applause of his fans!

My, oh my, he took my breath away! So up-close, the closest I have been for any of his events. He was like less than an arm’s length distance away from me and was that distance for most of the evening too! I could ogle him to my heart’s content! And trust me, trust me, trust me, hand on heart, he looked absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! And he had the teddy bear look last night with his tousled hair on the front…reminded me of the time back when he was promoting his movie “Scent”! My teddy bear!

Figure my seat! C – 9! First row, central aisle, where the actions were!

Wearing his now well worn white torn jeans, a green-grey long sleeved top with busy dark blue motifs, with a wool sweater tied round his shoulders like a collegiate, black ankle height boots, gosh, he looked so young! But oh, so very good looking!

The emcee presented him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of his fans. And for once, I could understand what went on since she spoke in Chinese! No guessing or asking for interpretation, which was great! Woo Hoo!

Now, isn’t he just tangerine sweetness?

Park Sihoo-ssi greeted everyone and was happy to get together again. It was his first time riding a bike indoors and on a red carpet which made it even more special. He felt great to hear the rousing warm welcome from his fans when he was backstage getting ready.  

In the last few months, he had been travelling, resting, eating and going out to Gangwon province’s Chuncheon a lot. He had not been able to sleep well and recently went out to the woods and found his peace and much needed sleep. He enjoyed so much of the woods that he was now building a house in the woods…hmm, really? Just wondering if the emcee got this correct that it is another house and not his Buyeo house.

He usually visits Jeju three to four times a year. He loves the fresh air, the food and highly recommended the special Jeju black pork, and being able to walk for long distance of 10 – 20 km on the island. In fact, he did a morning walk of around 7-8 km yesterday morning and met up with a couple of fans who kept staring at him, till he said see you later!

Youtube Video – After Love trailer

Tudou – please click to view if you can’t watch on YouTube 如果看不了Youtube请点入观看土豆网

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/i0UgChyM0HY/

Then one of the “Love After Love” previews was shown and the emcee asked him about his impressions of Jeju since the movie was filmed there. He replied that he treasured his fans’ support during the filming. The weather during their visit was not good as it was windy and rainy. Despite that, they were there for him which gave him tremendous motivation.  A number of photos were shown of locations with his footsteps. The thousand year-old woods, the ocean road where Park Sihoo-ssi biked, the beach where one of the most important scenes of the movie was shot, one where he reminisced his late wife Eun Hong in “Love After Love”.

First date with Eun Hong

Three lucky fans were picked to act out with Park Sihoo-ssi intimate scenes with Eun Hong. He promised to work as hard as if he were filming the movie. One scene was that of their first date, eating at a restaurant. He asked Eun Hong if she liked the food and she said yes. He made it sweeter for her peeling a tangerine and putting a slice into her mouth…Hmmm, the taste of tangerine sweetness!

The second scene was that of the trishaw ride. Being the gentleman and realising how cold it was, he draped a long scarf around her..and wrapped him right along with it! And then warmed her hands in his. His romantic words were “It feels good to have you by my side. Warm actually. Now, let us get off the trishaw.” Cut! Hahaha! 

Trishaw ride with Eun Hong

In the third scene Eun Hong was very worried when Kim Sungjoon did not come back after more than 10 minutes to buy them drinks. When he came back, she gave him a tight hug. He apologised for causing her undue worry. He saw a nice head band that was most suited for her and wanted to buy it for her. He then put on the head band for her.  

Two Chinese and a Japanese fan were selected for the roles. And what contrasts in Eun Hong, reflecting the real characters of these fans. The first was a very bold Eun Hong that had Park Sihoo-ssi taken aback! Now, who was wooing who? Hahaha!. The second Eun Hong was so terribly shy that it was difficult to get a word out of her. The third Eun Hong was more balanced. Regardless, Park Sihoo-ssi was all praise for his Eun Hongs, but the one most memorable to him was a fourth…the fan who gave up her place as she was just too scared to go up on stage! He then went down stage and gave her a big hug!  Now, that is our Park Sihoo-ssi!

Almost the 3rd scene…couldn’t find the exact photo

Next, it was the Sihoo Tangerine game 人物游戏， Get 柑橘. Park Sihoo-ssi had his back to the audience and everyone had to do a pose of the words shown on the screen. Park Sihoo-ssi would then act out the pose afterwards. Fans who were incorrect had to sit down and the last one remaining was the winner. Big love or little love, musical instrument he would play, sports he likes – baseball or football, action he would do – high kick or boxing, camera shot – using left or right hand!  The winner got a hug from him!.

Then the real action began and it was dance action! To the song of Chibi Maruko-Chan, he would perform some of the dance actions from his Tokyo “Live” concert and the five participants had to do the dance and he would be the judge! It was so funny watching his reactions to the dancers and not the dancers themselves! He showed his mischievous side and was tickled into full blown laughter!  HAHAHA!

 Sihoo Tangerines施厚橘 from Jeju

Bag of Sihoo Tangerines to bring karma!

Tangerine sweets to bring Park Sihoo-ssi closer with his fans. Karma!

More games followed including a childhood game of kicking a jianzi 踢毽子which was an object made of a rafia ball strapped to rubber pieces. The idea was to kick as many as you can without dropping it. At first try, our man only got one and he said “not counted”, then he got three. But he was beaten, beaten by a woman!

After that, Park Sihoo-ssi served each table with a bag of Jeju tangerines, making his way round. 以橘填满，我们的缘份. With tangerines, fill up our karma or fate! He felt that eye-to-eye contacts with his fans brought them closer together. Karma!

Youtube Video – Scent Chinese OST “The Sound of your Coming” by Park Sihoo

Tudou – please click to view if you can’t watch on YouTube 如果看不了Youtube请点入观看土豆网

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/MgIrdpwbWX4/

Two videos were played next. One was of him singing the theme song “The sound of your coming” from his movie “Scent”  in Chinese. The other was … sorry, I forgot. Wasn’t paying attention then. I was a naughty girl when I saw Park Sihoo-ssi leave the stage! Kekeke!

Doctor Sihoo then came on stage wearing his white doctor robe and his stethoscope to listen to the woes of his patients and prescribe them the right medicine. The first patient recalled how during the promotion of his movie “Scent” in China in 2014, he told his Chinese fans in Mandarin that “我是你们的厚厚！I am your Hou Hou” (Houhou is what the Chinese fans affectionately call Park Sihoo-ssi”. Her ailment required Dr Sihoo to say those same words again. And he said 好好！Good, good! And  said it in perfect Mandarin! That cured her immediately! Well done! Dr Sihoo!.

Good old memories of Scent “我是妳们的厚厚！“

The next patient just adopted a stray cat but could not come up with a name for it. She needed Dr Sihoo’s help. He shared that he has two cats, Jami and Dami. Since both had names ending with “mi”, Vet Sihoo suggested naming the new cat “Crumi’. Yeah! To Crumi!

His last patient was the youngest among the audience, and wearing a provocative off-shoulder number and at least 6-inch high heels. She had watched all of his works and enjoyed every one of them. Her question was most direct and very come hither. Does he have a girlfriend? He answered “No”. What kind of girls does he like? “Cute”. What did he think of her? “好好！Good, good!” Can she have a photo with him? And he obliged.

Does Dr Sihoo also have frustrations? Definitely! A lot in fact. The selection of his next project was one! He promised to be quick and to be back by our side soon!

Then Dr Sihoo became Park Sihoo-ssi again right before our eyes! Off went the white robe and stethoscope, revealing a medium dark blue suit with black lapels with black pocket squares, grey vest with black buttons buttoned up, black shirt and a maroon tie with small black polka dots and shiny black leather shoes. Sounds complicated? But so very tastefully put together! I say it again, he took my breath away!

That hairstyle..and maybe a darker blue suit with black lapels?

A short video clip was shown on the Chinese fans’ efforts to do good in China through their various charity projects including Sihoo Reading Rooms, helping children with hearing and sight disabilities etc. Park Sihoo-ssi was most touched.

He had personally handwritten a letter to his fans, meaning every word he had penned, but was rather shy and very emotional in sharing. Being so focused on his letter, I completely forgot to write down notes. But the gist of it was that he wanted to express his sincere appreciation and thank his fans for their unerring support over the years, especially when he was down and out. He had one focus in his career and that was to become a life-long actor. He would continue to work hard to improve his skills. He told his fans how much he appreciated their support, they were his pillar of strength. Because of them, he could come a long way. Now that the storm was over, they would greet one another with smiles and he hoped that this would continue. He has always loved his fans, and he always will. *Sob!* I need my hanky please! I was so touched!

A moving song with Park Sihoo-ssi playing the piano

He then played the piano and sang a song pouring out all of his love and emotions! What sweet music to our ears! Pure sweetness!

Then he personally autographed for each of us an event photo, one person at a time, with our names on our very own treasure! And Park Woohoo-ssi gave out presents before we took small group photos with Park Sihoo-ssi!

Karma with Hoo with pure tangerine sweetness! Mine!

Last but not least…in fact the most important question in my view. What would be next for Park Sihoo-ssi? He replied that he was preparing for his next project now and that when ready, we will hear of the announcement. Yipee! That was definitely sweet music to our ears!

Then Park Sihoo-ssi said his goodnight by thanking his Chinese, Japanese and Korean fans for giving him support by coming all the way to Jeju!  Ahem…Park Sihoo-ssi, you forgot, I am the outlier. Please also thank your Singapore fan too! Especially when she will be rushing out this article all night long!

The taste of tangerine sweetness! Now I am happy! Great karma! What comes around, goes around.

The stage

Photo Credits – Many thanks! “Love After Love” – The Movie, 北京金强盛世文化有限公司, “Scent” – The Movie, Park Sihoo WeChat, Facebook by Hoo-Factory, other photos by Nance