china

Caution: Long article and only in English as it was in the wee hours of this morning that I managed to finish up this article! No photography is allowed during the event, so you will not get anything taken of the event except where allowed.

Last night, I couldn’t be at two places at the same time. Of course between being at the “Park Sihoo Premium Event for Chinese in Jeju” to meeting the man in person and watching KBS drama “My Golden Life” Episode 26, the choice was clear!

And when it came to writing the article for today’s blog, again, being one person with a pair of hands and one mind, there was only so much I could do when I was exhausted and needed to catch up on my sleep before I rush off for a morning flight the next day.

I chose to write on the Jeju event as it was still fresh in my memory!

Existing, long time fans of Park Sihoo-ssi will know that he is a most charming man! Soul charming if I may say so! He very much grows on you that once you have met him in person, you will have this yearning to meet him again and again! Isn’t that right, those who have ever met him in person before?

Well, last night I was a little distracted as our man continues to be soul charming, so I might not have managed to remember the full works of the programme! He had two costumes for the whole event. One formal suit and the other smart casual. But they were black, black, absolutely dashing black bringing out that soul charming good looks and personality of the man!

The theme of event was centred on “happiness” in Chinese “欢喜”and “幸福”, both of which meant happiness, and sounded like “Sihoo”. Since both meant happiness in English, I should say the event was one of double happiness. And the tagline read “向星星许愿欢喜和幸福的未来” or “Wishing the stars a happy future”

It started off with a beautiful video filled with scintillating stars on a blue sky background that when grouped together, made pictorial images of Park Sihoo-ssi. Fanciful me interpreted it as his fans are his stars and when they are brought together, they in turn give life to Park Sihoo-ssi.

Then Park Sihoo-ssi entered the ball room from the back in an all black suit…okay, the man distracted me so much, I forgot to scrutinise the fine details of what he wore! You will just have to trust me that all eyes were were glued to his very presence! And there is only one word to describe him in Chinese “帅“ or “gorgeous” Kekeke!

Park Sihoo-ssi lighted the candles at every table and then went up on stage. He was happy to see his fans again. When he lighted the candles, he made eye contact with his fans who were from China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and me, from Singapore. He was thankful to everyone who provided him with support for his new drama and this gave him the drive to do better.

He had been asked about his injured hand and he assured everyone that he has fully recovered. In fact, new lines have grown and according to old wives’ tale, new lines meant new fate and that things would change. And it did with his drama “My Golden Life” taking off with superb audience rating. He has been very encouraged by the support he is receiving. When he goes out, such as to restaurants, people would stop and greet him and have good words to say, offering him their encouragement.

A video was then played that presented snippets of “My Golden Life” From car accident first meeting, “Oh my God!” she’s my sister!, words of warning to Seo Jian to observe proper behavior where his family is concerned, reconciliation and starting over again as siblings, Namdaemun catch a thief, awakening of love during the car short circuit scene and the farewell kiss. Which was his favorite? The kiss and the car scene!

Looking at Park Sihoo-ssi as he watched those scenes being played was most interesting. I could feel him re-living every moment through his expressions and his gestures such as twirling of the microphone! Nervous? Embarrassed? Yes! Especially of the farewell kiss!

Oh, how many takes did it take to complete that farewell kiss? Guess! You won’t believe it! No NG or cut! Only two shots were taken to capture two different angles! Wow! Daebak! What brilliant acting!

Park Sihoo-ssi was then requested to re-enact the farewell kiss scene to a video of the scene but sans voice. Kekeke! Our oppa failed big time! He was totally embarrased and couldn’t stop himself from laughing, so you can just imagine how it went! 

Any similarity between Park Sihooo-ssi and his character Choi Dokyung? The audience said both were equally gorgeous! 帅！And Park Sihoo-ssi added that in real life, he had no sister, but if he had, he would be just as protective and would take good care of her. He will worry alot about her including when she gets home late. Yes, definitely a true Oppa and everyone in the audience volunteered to be his younger sister, his tongsaeng…even though some of us might be much older! Hahaha!

In the segment on “Wish upon a star”, our star, Park Sihoo-ssi made some ladies’ wishes come true! Three through ruffle and three whose entries were selected. On the ruffled wishes, Park Sihoo-ssi answered his fans’ questions. Where he wanted to go when he takes a break after his drama is completed, if his choice were in China? He wants to go to Hainan! Yeah, my ancestral home! He will take a well deserved break in a restful location, reading his new drama script! Oppa! Are you giving us a big hint? You have chosen already? We hope so! We can’t imagine weekends without you!

How he keeps a balance on his love for food and having to keep his ideal weight? This is not an easy thing to do! He will eat before filming but during his filming he keeps a strict discipline. No food after 7 pm. Walk for at least 2 hours a day. While waiting on location for his turn to shoot, he would rehearse his script and do some exercise in between! And the work pressure is what keeps his weight down, naturally.

The final question was on how difficult it was for him to snap himself out of his reel characters. When he was a rookie, like in “How to meet a perfect neighbour”, it was more difficult. But through experience, it has got better. The easiest is when it is the hardest and most pressurising, and when he really wanted to get out of the character. 

Youtube Video – Park Sihoo in dance

And the three selected entries to grant wishes to? One was to dance a Latin dance with the chosen fan. Wow, wow wow! I, and I think Park Sihoo-ssi, have never seen such a forward woman in a cheongsam! Talk, talk, talk nonstop and refusing to give the MC back the microphone! Park Sihoo-ssi, who had done a Latin dance many years ago for a fan meeting, just could not catch up. Our Oppa can’t remember his steps, barely keeping up with the lady who was leading him on! And the lady took the initiative to give our man a hug! Park Sihoo-ssi’s conclusion, maybe she should take over as compere! Oh my! Really, you scared me shitless at that thought, Oppa! You were joking right?

Next, a skipping competition. Park Sihoo-ssi up against his fan! And she came prepared with sneakers! Why? In her hurry, she forgot to pack her heels! Good one! And the lady said, if she lost, he had to hug her in consolation. If she won, he would have to give her a hug as a reward! Either way, she wins! And she did!

The last wish was with a Japanese fan to mimick a Japanese character in dance  – I don’t know which character, sorry! But it was hand-in-hand, walk, skip and jump and then twirl up and down the runway. And to the tune of something like “Yohelehihoo”! Any idea?

Two ladies then took up the roles of female actresses alongside Park Sihoo-ssi. And the prize? A Polaroid shot and a hug! Knowing us ladies, we can’t act for nuts…and they were both so funny, I don’t even remember the plot!

Then, Park Sihoo-ssi went off backstage for a costume change. And we watched the segment of the shooting of “Oh my God! Is she my sister?” on Park Sihoo Live TV.

Our man then came back wearing an all black outfit. Black fleece and leather bomber jacket with gold embroidered motifs, floral in front and a skeletal design at the back. Black torn jeans and brown ankle high boots!.

Then it was game time…I am going to skip this as I had no idea what was going on…I was more glued to watching a bit of “My Golden Life” Episode 26 on the mobile! And cursing and swearing at how long the bakery couple scene was again! But it gave me time to switch off to focus myself back on the event! 

Park Sihoo-ssi shared that the filming of “My Golden Life” will be till next February. The drama is already on air in Japan and he hopes it will also go on air in China soon! Hint, hint! He thanked his fans and said they gave him the drive to do even better when he went back to Seoul to recommence his filming.

Then Park Sihoo-ssi read a heart-felt letter which I shall share separately when I get the words. But it surrounded his being thankful to his fans and how his life has changed because of their love and support. His life has become more “golden” with the success of his new drama. It is a new lease of life for him!

He wrapped up the evening with his song from his movie “Scent”, singing the theme song “The sound of your coming” in Chinese! What great memories it brought!

Then we queued to have one-on-one photos taken with Park Sihoo-ssi.

Many thanks for another memorable event and for taking time to be here in between your hectic filming! We love you marni, marni! You are our soul charming star!

And so concluded the “Park Sihoo Premium Event for Chinese in Jeju” event.

We then rushed back to our room to catch the last part of Episode 26 of “My Golden Life”, only to see Seo Jian screaming her head off like a mad woman at Choi Dokyung! And our Oppa was looking at her in askance! Now, so curious, I have to catch this Episode 26 to find out before I hop up the plane! No sleep tonight? Or maybe even no article tomorrow! Horrors! If I miss, I am sure you ladies will give me a break, right?

Photo Credits – Many thanks! KBS Drama, Hoo Factory Entertainment, Park Sihoo Weibo, 러브바이볼렛, Nance

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