As an expression of my excitement and solidarity with fellow Kim Hyun Joong fans all over the Philippines, I humbly offer you my blow-by-blow account of his “Hi Five! Touch Event” Philippine Press Conference held yesterday, August 25 at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel. This entry is dedicated to all my K-Pop loving friends and fellow Henecians.
Before Kim Hyun Joong arrived
PolyEast Records informed the press that the call time for the press conference is at 230PM. Since I wanted to grab a good seat, I was there by 2PM. I met Ethel of Polyeast Records and she told me that the conference time will be pushed to around 4PM. I wasn’t really angry since I expected it already. I had been to several press conferences where I waited for a while before the star emerged (i.e., 2NE1).
I registered and they provided me with the basic press kit containing Kim Hyun Joong information, the Break Down CD and a CD with official press photos. After entering the venue, I sat and prepared my iPad and recorder app for the conference. I reviewed the questions I initially sent to PolyEast Records in the hopes that maybe I can have a chance to ask them myself. My questions included the following:
1. As a Hallyu star, you have conquered many areas in the entertainment field including singing, acting and modeling. What is the next field Kim Hyun Joong wishes to conquer?
2. With the hallyu phenomenon taking over the world, what are the top three things you wish to present to the world as a representative of Korea?
3. Although you are young, you have thousands of female fans over 30, what will be your message to them?
As I mentioned, there was a long wait but it was fun because I met a lot of people there including beautiful (and super nice!) MYX VJ Bianca, Kring Elenzano, and die-hard Kim Hyun Joong fans Tita Maru who wrote an open letter to Kim Hyun Joong and her mother, a 74-year old Henecian named Lola Pat. Just talking to Tita Maru and Lola Pat is enough to inspire fan worship. They were nice enough to talk to me for a little while and even gave me a small fan pack with a button that said “I heart Kim Hyun Joong”. That button has officially become my memory charm for August 25.
Omo! They misspelled Kim Hyun Joong’s name! Somebody change this!One of the things I noticed was the sad fact that they misspelled Kim Hyun Joong’s name. The tag said “Kim Hyoon Joong”. Good thing this was corrected before the press conference officially began!
MYX VJ Bianca was the host for the event and she took time and effort to interview some fans who were there. It was interesting to see that Kim Hyun Joong fans spanned all age groups as there was a young girl, a teenager, a single woman and an elder woman who professed their love for him without shame.
Isn’t MYX VJ Bianca just sooo pretty? She’s nice too!
MYX VJ Bianca and CathsDeen! She’s soooo pretty talaga!Kim Hyun Joong’s Arrival
The press conference started at around 426PM with Kim Hyun Joong handsomely entering the pressroom wearing a semi-formal black suit with shiny leather details. As expected, his hair was impeccably styled and his face glowed as he confidently greeted the press immediately upon going up on stage.
Kim Hyun Joong arrives! Walking statue! Walking statue!MYX VJ Bianca led the press in greeting him with the traditional “Kim Hyun Joong sshi, Anyeong Haseyo!” which she learned from interviewing one of his fans in the pressroom who actually learned Korean language to be able to speak to her favorite star.
VJ Bianca greeted him again and said: “Welcome to the Philippines! How is your stay so far?” Kim Hyun Joong replied that “Well, it is my second visit officially. I got very shocked and then amazed by the fans from the airport up to here and I am excited to meet my fans officially.”
It was so cute that Kim Hyun Joong did not sit on his designated chair until he was tapped by his interpreter to do so.
Kim Hyun Joong seats on his designated chair. I am sure a lot of girls wish they were that chair!
Kim Hyun Joong with his official translator, Cooper!VJ Bianca informed the press that PolyEast collected advanced press questions and that she will be asking Kim Hyun Joong the questions one by one. Well, there goes my hope of being able to ask him myself but it’s ok. I probably would have been too nervous to ask my questions properly! Hahaha!
Still, I got my thrill when the very first question asked was my question! Yahoo!
So as not to miss anything, I offer you the the transcript of the conference.
MYX VJ Bianca: As a Hallyu star, you have conquered many areas in the entertainment field including singing, acting and modeling. What is the next field Kim Hyun Joong wishes to conquer?
KHJ: I think being a singer and actor at the same time is a great task for me so I am concentrating in what I was doing as that is my line.
MYX VJ Bianca: How involved were you in developing your album? How is the response of your fans?
KHJ: It is my official album. I was involved with all the process including jacket design, lyrics, melody…all in all and with you guys’ love, this will be a great success.
MYX VJ Bianca: Of course, it will be a great success. Everyone here will surely support you. Where is this album now? I’m gonna buy ten! You are a fashion icon in Korea, how will you describe your taste in fashion?
Kim Hyun Joong happily answers press questions.KHJ: Well, I prefer black, something calm, steady and something manly.
MYX VJ Bianca (to the press): Do you think it suits him?
Press: Yes!
MYX VJ Bianca: How does it feel to be a solo artist for the past six years?
This question elicited weird looks from the fans. We corrected her and said that it has only been one year.
MYX VJ Bianca: How does it feel to be a solo artist for the past year?
KHJ: There was a lot of actions and moments while doing my activities and I expect more to come.
MYX VJ Bianca: What is your next project? Drama or movie?
KHJ: In the month of October, there will be a second album coming out and then in December, there’s a concert–an Asia tour, I hope Philippines will be included.
Fan echo: Where is it going to be?
KHJ: I am not so sure yet but I will try to include the Philippines.
MYX VJ Bianca: One of your dreams is to have a free concert for your Triple S fans, do you know if this is going to be happening and is this anytime soon?
KHJ: There is a plan under discussion but not yet so sure. I will try to cope with it given my schedule.
MYX VJ: What is the most memorable music video that you have done in this album?
KHJ: I tried all my best for all the music videos I made so I cannot say right away…
Fan echo: “What about Kiss Kiss?”
KHJ: Well, I’m telling the truth, ‘Kiss Kiss’ was the lowest budget (smile) music video…
The press laughed at this answer. It’s the 4-D idol we all know and love.
Kim Hyun Joong charms the press with his answers.MYX VJ Bianca: What inspires you every time you conceptualize your music videos?
KHJ: Actually, there’s no certain time for me to think about music videos. It’s constantly kept in my head and I use iPad or memo to take in ideas.
MYX VJ Bianca: Let’s now talk about what makes you happy. What are the three things that make you happy?
KHJ: I cannot say… it’s really all related to me singing and doing my job. Acting… That makes me happy.
Someone from the press expressed “Louder please” since the translator cannot be heard clearly. Something wrong with his microphone.
4D moment! Realizing the situation, Kim Hyun Joong gave his mic to his translator. This was the start of the mic moving from Hyun Joong to his translator and Hyun Joong trying to fix the “defective” microphone by taking it apart at some point. Hahaha! Adorable!
4D Kim Hyun Joong trying to fix the microphone.
Leader Kim Hyun Joong successfully disassembles the microphone.MYX VJ Bianca: Who are your musical influences?
KHJ: There are a lot of Korean musicians who helped me out and brought me to where I am today but if there’s one person, it is Seo Teiji sunbae. He is a famous Korean singer. A legend.
MYX VJ Bianca: What do you love the most about performing?
KHJ: If I am on the stage, the energy is burning up. I feel like I’m getting tired. When I get contact with the fans, that’s the time I get recharged. It’s good for me.
MYX VJ Bianca: It’s the love of the fans that keeps him going. Between acting and singing, which field do you like better and why?
KHJ: Again, it’s very hard to pick. Both is my profession and I’m loving it.
MYX VJ Bianca: Do you also write songs?
KHJ: Well, I am preparing to compose but I feel it is not yet the time probably later on when I’m ready…
MYX VJ Bianca: Of the songs in “Break Down”, which one is your favorite track?
KHJ: I think, of course, most of the songs are great but “Break Down”, that particular song is the best.
MYX VJ Bianca: Do you have any plans of filming a movie soon and if ever, what is your desired role in a movie?
KHJ: After my Asia tour next year, I’m planning to do a drama and probably a movie later on too.
MYX VJ Bianca: What about the role you want to play?
KHJ: I want to play the role of a man full of charisma.
MYX VJ Bianca: Which you already are now.
This comment was followed by resounding agreement from the fans in the room.
MYX VJ Bianca: For our last question, do you have a message to your Filipino fans who are here supporting you?
KHJ: Thank you for all the love that you have towards me. I’ll be trying to add the Philippines in my Asian tour. I would like to bring you better songs, better performances later on. Thank you.
Kim Hyun Joong says goodbye. Off to Trinoma!If you enjoyed this, I hope you’ll also read my Kim Hyun Joong story on Yahoo! OMG! Click ourYahoo! Photo Gallery of Kim Hyun Joong’s Manila visit as well.
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