Disclaimer: the fanmeeting sequence might not be accurate. It’s just how I remembered it (and my memory is failing) so be warned ;p (and I’ll try to make it as short as possible ^^;; )
Edit: I finished this account just hours before HK FM started, but had no internet connection to post it. Sorry for the lateness ^^;;
On the D-day, I woke up quite early. My room-mates were all still sleeping even after I finished my shower. I shouted “wake up, wake up” but got ignored ^^;; So I did the only thing guaranteed to make them crack their eyes open: “you know, Suk might be in the pool by now!” Their eyes all opened and they scrambled from bed HAHAHA… but turned out it’s not the case. Keun Suk was still suffering from cold, and it would be a stupid thing to go swimming in his condition (Jason later on said that yes, because of his condition, Keun Suk couldn’t even jumped into the pool, one of his favorite things to do in Singapore). Thank God he still had his chicken rice kkkkkk
Anyway, we got ready, prepared our gifts, then we went down to have breakfast. We ate, we chatted (oh, how I love hanging out with the eels ^O^) then we came back to the hotel to wait for him. When we got back, we saw some eels from Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong were already waiting for him. So we joined them. He came down around 3pm, but he didn’t look too happy. Maybe because he’s worried about his performance that night, what with his cold still in full blown. But as he saw his fans, his lips curved up a bit…
After he left, we went up too to get ready. Then we set off from the hotel around 5pm. We bought our merchandise (the photo diary is super good!) and then by 8 we’re already seated inside the hall. The fanmeeting might have started around 8:15pm? I didn’t even think to look at my watch when the light dimmed, signaling the start of the show ;P
My heart was beating fast as I focused my attention to the stage, to that single microphone standing in the middle of the stage, willing him to come out. Then a figure clad in dark suit walked in from stage left and the hall erupted with cheers and shouts. He was wearing a black suit with snow white shirt and black tie. His hair was tied up just like it did for Let Me Cry CD cover. And true enough, the intro of Let Me Cry started playing as he took his place. And dear Lord, it was awesomeeee!! His charisma and stage presence really shone through. I think those are two of the many elements that always attract me back to his FMs.
After he finished up the song, he greeted the fans in English and welcomed us to his 2011 Asia Tour Cri Show. And he didn’t forget to tell us that he enjoyed his chicken rice LOL He also said that he caught cold while he was in China the previous week. It’s so bad that he had to go to the hospital for Ringer solution infusion T_T After the short talk, he continued on with the next song Please, My Bus. It’s so strange to see Kang Mu Gyul all polished up ;P and I think he said “stand up” or something because then many of his fans started to stand up and dance to the song (who would be able to sit still during that song anyhow? ;P) But the ushers urged us to sit down, so sit we did.
Afterwards, he went back in and the MC and his translator came out. Then Keun Suk came back out still wearing the same suit. They sat in the center of the stage and started talking. I don’t remember exactly what they’re talking about (ah, old age is catching up on me T_T) but what I remembered is how Keun Suk was teasing the shy translator. He intentionally said some long string Korean words without stopping, but the translator managed to catch up ^O^ Suk was impressed and praised him… kkkkk that cheeky guy! The translator was really good, honestly. His English was excellent, but if there’s one thing I wish he would do better, it’s to make his voice louder. He’s too soft-spoken that sometimes it’s hard to hear him.
Anyway, the MC then said something about Keun Suk’s upcoming photobook and they showed 20 sample pictures from the book (excellent marketing, Suk! ^O^) while he commented on them. First several pictures were taken in Budapest (and oh, how I love them!!) Suk said some of the pics were from the short film they’re doing in Budapest (wahhh, so maybe that’s what the DVD contains, in addition to the photobook making? or am I wishing too much? ;P) Excellent, excellent pics. By the time the second pic was on the screen, lily_white20 whispered to me to buy her the other two books in addition to the Jplus Limited she had already ordered… lolz…
If the pics from Budapest were poignant and brimmed with feelings, the pics he took in Belgium were uber cute! There’s one where he put his hands in front of his chest like cat’s paws. The MC asked him what was that about and he said it’s candid picture. While the MC commented how cute it was (and I wholeheartedly agree), Suk said it looked stupid hahahaha ;P
After the chitchat, we were shown a video clip of Marry Me, Mary, with his personal take of his character there (I think). When the video ended, Kang Mu Gyul walked in from stage left wearing his white wrist/hand zipper bracelet, purple checkered long shirt and see-through black shirt (belly button sighted!! LOL) He sat in the center of the stage and started off with My Precious. A couple lines out, with a cutesy look on his face, he moved the mic from his lips and his recorded voice still flowed out! kkkkkk Grinning, he said that he was advised to lip-sync through the song since he’s not feeling well, but then he was sure the fans were there to see him sing the songs live. The fans cheered and he requested the music to be played again from the start (again, how can we not love this guy! He’s so professional and really knows his fans’ minds. Even when he’s not feeling well, he still strives to always give his best!)
After he’s finished with My Precious, he went on with Hello Hello – ballad version. The fans were singing along with him. And even when he stopped singing, the fans continued on but then stopped because he didn’t continue. Then the music also stopped. He said it’s always summer in Singapore, so we’re supposed to sing a hot song too. He asked the audience to stand up and restarted the song – Kang Mu Gyul style. And OMD, it’s incredible! The atmosphere, the performance, HIM. He moved to the right and left of the stage and really worked up the crowds. He’s the star.
When he went in again, another video clip was shown. It’s Hwang Tae Kyung’s turn, also with Suk’s personal take on his character (I think). I felt the video clip was a tad too long, since I could feel the drop of energy in the audience. But we peaked up again when he came out wearing clothes Hwang Tae Kyung would wear: leopard jacket and cowl-neck black shirt (I think that black shirt is really the shirt he wore in the drama; it’s sooo familiar :P).
The MC told us it’s the lucky draw time, and Keun Suk would pick 3 people and give them some presents he brought from Korea. The people he picked would have to answer some questions before they’re invited to the stage. The questions were quite simple like how old is Hwang Tae Kyung, what color is Hwang Tae Kyung’s cellphone (I still can’t believe someone couldn’t remember the answer. It’s practically in every scene ^^;; ). Then the MC asked what’s his father’s job (and Keun Suk corrected him like Hwang Tae Kyung’s dad’s job, not his own LOL) and what did Tae Kyung greatest feat when ANJell debuted during that TV show. One of the questions was what song he sang during his private fanmeeting with Go Mi Nam. The girl picked said Fly Me to The Moon, and Suk asked the audience to be silent. Then he sang that song a’cappella !! Right there on the stage!! I almost fainted with happiness LOL I’ve been to many of his FMs, and every time I would be wishing he would sing Fly Me to The Moon and Without Words. Those are the two songs I haven’t heard him sing live, and one of my wishes was granted right then!! *high high* Anyway, the three lucky girls got a hug from him and his Last in Seoul DVDs and his pillowcase. Then Tae Kyung sang his song: As Ever. Then he went back in again.
The MC came out again and said the second part of his FM would start soon. It’s Lounge H, baby!! \(^O^)/ True enough, the Lounge H signature started. This is electronic music… this is electronic party… All were high and screamed like crazy (eels that we are kkkk). From behind the semi-transparent screen, Big Brother were elevated from below stage while he tinkered with his DJ equipment. And the intro of Seungriharira started playing. Lounge H theme song!! Lounge H had officially started! Then from behind him, a figure in white belted jacket over white pants and holding a flag appeared. He waved the flag and greeted the fans with his megawatt smile. The screams were deafening! I think I screamed myself hoarse too kkkkk ^O^
They sang Gotta Getcha next and the crowd just went wild with them. I didn’t even realize what was happening around me; my attention was riveted to that white figure ;p Keun Suk was in his element, unleashing his dark Knight persona, in contrast to the white Prince that he was during the FM. No wonder he called himself Janus, the two-faced Roman God. And how I love both sides! ^^
At one time when he sang Gotta Getcha, he teased the fans by perching himself on the stair railing… and he almost fell off! LOL I was like “whoa” and stretched my arms, ready to catch him from my seat hahaha crazy eel ;p Gunsama and EunSuk were running too, and I saw him shaking his head to them, signaling that he’s ok I guess.
After they finished the song, they greeted the audience in English, talking about Lounge H album, etc. Then they moved to the DJ table. I think it’s around this time when they both took off their jackets and revealed sleeveless bling bling shirt underneath. One in black and one in white.
Then they started DJ-ing and dancing (oh how I love seeing him dancing!! I swear the temperature of the hall must have increased several degrees ;p), when suddenly Keun Suk ran backstage… only to appear again pulling Gunsama who tried to hide his face kkkk Then Keun Suk was like crooking his fingers, asking Gunsama to shake his booty. And he did! Hahaha. He turned around with his back facing the audience and started to shake shake shake it. Then he ran off the stage, while also picking up a call as he neared the curtains. Always the manager lolz. Then Keun Suk ran to backstage again, and came back bringing in Jason this time. Unlike Gunsama, Suk didn’t need to ask Jason to start dancing; he started by himself ^^;; from pretending to take off his vest, to showing off his body… Keun Suk and Kurt had to pretend to kick him off the stage before Jason flee and return to backstage lolz
Besides the two songs, they also raised the heat some more with their other new songs Domancho Mancho and Shake It. I tell you, this guy really knows how to please his fans. He walked down from the stage and danced there on the floor to everyone’s delight. And not just once too! ( even though it meant more work for the security and his managers since they had to guard him ;p) He wiped his face with towels and he threw them for the fans. One time, when he saw there was a little girl sitting on the 1st row, he even squatted down to her height and sang to her!
Another funny thing was when Suk poured water on his head/face while dancing and singing. And Eun Suk half crawled with a towel to wipe off the stage. He must have seen how embarrassed Gunsama was to dance on the stage and maybe a little paranoid that KeunSuk would do the same thing to him. So when Suk walked out from behind the DJ table toward the center stage, he had this panic look on his face before he scampered off from the stage in lightning speed lolz.
Lounge H came to an end on a high note as the fans refused to leave and shouted for another encore after Team H finished it off with Gotta Getcha. The MC had to come out and explained to the fans that Keun Suk still wasn’t feeling well and needed his rest thus couldn’t prolong the FM before the fans started to move out.
If there’s anything I hate about his FM, but inevitable, it’s the saying goodbye. We knew his flight was at 3pm, and therefore he would come out around 2pm, but we still waited there at the hotel lobby from noon. There were about 25 eels waiting for him, and he was full of smile when he walked out around 2:30pm. I planned to say “see you next week in Hong Kong”, but as he walked past where I stood, the only words that came out of my mouth was bye cri (again) ^^;; but once more, he waved. And so, I was a content eel lolz *have I mentioned how easy I am? Lol*
Final note: comparing it with last year, I would have to say that last year FM was tighter. By that I mean he managed to keep the energy level constant throughout the show. This year FM was more like a wave with its up and down. But when it’s up,it was super high. And thank God the upward movement was more prominent. I’d like to see how he would do in Hong Kong. Can’t wait for it to start ^.^
shiro401 