KHJ TFS Asia Tour Aug 2011. ‘Hugged by the alien’

22.08.2011 KHJ The FaceShop Asia Tour, KL

There were many grouses about why this event falls on a Monday and I find it ridiculous when some were even asking for a change of date. Midears, this is an Asia tour our boy is doing and it means travelling from one country to another back to back non-stop for a period of time. Some countries’ schedule happened to fall all on weekdays compare to KL having 2 weekends and 1 weekday events. Shouldn’t we be thankful? So next time please think twice before asking such question and it is ridiculous to ask for a change of date just because you cannot attend a certain event. Organisers would have considered all of these and sometimes we just can’t please everyone. Ok? Sorry I just have to say all these because I find it absolutely ridiculous when question like this is being asked. Period.

So being a Monday, we all took leave from work. Shienyin and I were out of house by 8am and were in town by 8.30am. Had our breakfast and went on to Pavilion for the 1^st outlet visit. Slightly before 10.30am, HJ made his way in looking really smart. He was looking happy that morning smiley smiley J

 

I was looking and checking him out when I realized how his eyes were really sparkly. He was wearing his diamond studs but his eyes were even more dazzling than those stones. I don’t know why but I never knew he has such eyes. Haha. Shienyin was one of the 10 winners who got a chance to take couple pics with him. After photo taking he went on the customary walk around the outlet…..as he was about to turn the final U he turned back and went back to where the haircare products were. He actually wanted to buy some stuff! Everybody was surprised. :O ‘Wow! KHJ is buying the product himself!’ His manager paid for his purchases, he said goodbye and left for another session of interviews.

You know he is just so smart! I love how he is doing his job as TFS spokesperson. I don’t know about TFS but I will definitely sign him on for another round hahaha. I wonder if he did the same in other countries. Ok these are what he bought. I’ve tried the Keratin range and they are really really good especially the essence ^^

So, go get your set of KHJ’s Special Selection.

He is scheduled for another outlet visit at Times Square at 3pm before the final fans gathering event at 3.30pm. We decided to skip the outlet visit and went to the fans gathering ground. It was nice meeting the TFS staff again after last year’s event. We were all actually quite worried about the crowd since it was a work and school day. It was quiet at first and the rain didn’t help. But it stopped after a while and the crowd grew.

The 3 fanclubs (TSMY, MY_KHJ & Triple S) meal support project too was accomplished and well delivered to HJ and the visiting Korean crew.

These were what they were served ^^

TFS started the charity auction prior to HJ’s arrival. First item was an autographed standee. It was quite worrisome when there were no responses from the crowd. TFS boss offered to keep the standee for good with RM5000. Then the MC was given a bid written on paper. It was a RM3000 bid. TFS boss’ offer stays so standee is worth RM8000. Next was an autographed knee protector which went for RM2000. Soon after HJ arrived and went on stage. He changed outfit and I double love his new look. He looked absolutely dashing!

Coming onto stage he greeted his fans. MC invited the fans to chant which made him smiley. Oh~ I just love it so much when he smile J

Next, the winning bidders were invited onto stage for the mock presentation and photo taking. 

Then it was turn for the top 10 spenders to get their photo taken with him. Yours truly was one of the lucky 10 all thanks to the overseas fans who bought their TFS products via me which added on to my previous purchases since joining TFS membership ^^

I do not have any pics during this time though there were quite many posted by others here and there. At time of posting I am still waiting for official photos from TFS so please just bear with my babbling for the time being ok? hehe..

While I was waiting for my turn which I have requested to be the last one to go, there were some Koreans standing near me with 2 kids. They were holding roses each and shouting out to HJ, “오빠 이거 좀 받아주세요!! 오빠 사랑합니다!! 오빠 이거 좀 받아주세요!!” (Oppa, please receive this! I love you!) They were so cute so I offered to pass their roses to him and tell them their message. At first they were quite reluctant to let go of their roses and ask me if I will really give it to him hahahahaha..

You know, frankly speaking I wasn’t nervous or excited but I was worried if my speaking Korean will turn awry when I speak to him because due to ‘time constraint’ I’ll have to speak faster than usual so it wasn’t easy haha. It was “Hello hello” first then we got right to the photo taking, pose pose..yeah with the roses too. Once done, I had wanted to move away from him a little so that I can talk to him and tell him about the roses. But the next thing I knew he put his hand across my back and pulled me back for a hug. Seriously, I didn’t see this coming so I was surprised and said “oh…ok ok” when we were hugging hahaha.. finally when we are done, yeah I still have yet to finish my roses mission so, I gave him the flowers and told him they were from the kids and showed him where they were standing and asked him to wave to them…just right in time before I got chased down the stage. Hahahahaha..sorry everyone I wasn’t trying to delay my time on stage or trying to be with him longer but I just gotta do what I’ve promised the kids hehe..

If you ask me how the hug was or how does it feels now……I really don’t know. Of course, I really like HJ and of course he is so so good looking so cute and all but to me….and I am being frank here…he is and will always be like a younger brother to me. Absolutely different from how I feel about you know who haha and that may also be due to the fact that I’ve always have the thought that HJ is his brother so I have to take care of him as well and that brother thingy thought stayed. I know many will be envy and I don’t deny the fact that I was really lucky to get the chance so yeah it was great. And hey..he has to be thankful to me too for those mangosteens I bought him and he can now go home and tell his big bro he tried and like them too bwahahahahaha..

Autographing session was next so everyone got in queue. Artistes have been trained to do signing at a certain speed and I HJ’s speed is about 5-6 seconds each signature. Again I chose to be among the last to go for the autograph. Because he was signing so quickly I couldn’t really get to talk to him and he was actually quite blur during then cause when I asked if he could write my name, he looked up at me blank “huh?” He probably didn’t expect me to speak in Korean so I asked him again and he smiled and said sorry he can’t write names. Hmm…do you think he will graduate to write names next time? I notice not many artistes will write fans’ names for an autograph especially during session like this when things gotta go fast. BYJ is one rare case where he will always address the person he signs for so hopefully next time HJ will pick this up haha..

The gals from the fanclubs were the last to go. While they were moving along, the MC introduced and told HJ that one of the fans is pregnant and spontaneously he took the mic and wished her and her baby well. Smart! See this is why I like the boy so much. I love it when he does those out of the blue stuff. ^^

When it was almost done, someone from among the crowd wanted to contribute another RM1000 for the good cause. It surprises everyone and when interpreter was telling HJ about it he was trying to look for the person. So everyone started to point to where the gal was and he actually asked the gal to go on stage! I really think nobody expected this. He wanted to thank the gal and she came on stage and got her own chance of a lifetime with him up close.  

Actually there were many things that happened along the way which is difficult to put into words. Sometimes there are things where I can only express to you verbally so I’ll draw the line here about the 3D2N outing with KHJ.

Lastly I would like to thank first of all the organisers for making all this possible.

TO:

Warner Music Malaysia, I know and hear your story so thank you very much for sticking throughout the whole tour. It meant a lot for the local fans and KHJ to be able to promote his debut solo album here in Malaysia. No doubt there were some hiccups along the way but most importantly is that it all ended smoothly. So once again thank you and I look forward to another round of ‘collaboration’ with you and your team^^  

The FaceShop Malaysia, this has been a really successful event. You did well and I’ve heard lots of praises for you. You not only made the fans happy but you made KHJ really really happy too so thank you very much for that. When he comes back next year for his concert, let’s make it even bigger!!! Shall we start planning from now?? Haha..

Interpreter, Joseph Lee (NU Entertainment), you did a great job. We are all totally impressed with your command of Mandarin. You were so good that many actually thought you are a Chinese. Though you did not do a word for word interpretation, I know that’s impossible, you still did really well especially when you can do both Mandarin and English so it minimizes the lost in translation thingy. You will have my recommendation anytime. Good luck and all the best to you in 台大!

fyi, Joseph is a Korean who has lived in Malaysia for many years. When I first spoke to him over the phone I had to ask if he is Korean or Malaysian because his command of English and Mandarin is so good.  I was pretty sure we will be engaging him for the job right after the call that I told TFS that he will be the one no problem.

Kim Hyun Joong & crew, thank you for making Malaysia part of the tour. It was and will always be our pleasure to host you in our country. Let us all meet again when you come back for your inaugural solo concert early next year.

KHJ’s coordi noona promised me to meet again next year so I’ll make sure she makes sure he comes. Hahahahaha..

And last but not least, to all fans.

Without all of you, there will never be any of these events. It was you who made all of these a success.

Especially to the 3 fanclubs, TSMY (Chinese Forum), MY_KHJ and TripleS Malaysia, well done and congratulations! You’ve pinned Malaysia on U:ZOOSIN’s earth map for sure.

See you all again next year at the concert!!!

Breaking Down with KHJ in KL Aug 2011

It all started about 2 moons ago when news was out that KHJ will be visiting us again soon in KL. At the time I had told myself that this time round I’ll just be a good guest at all events and not do anything. I really think it’s time for me not to get involved but to just really enjoy. But, next thing I know I started getting in touch with my contacts trying to dig for more info. Well, I guess bad habit never dies and frankly, somehow I felt indebted to YJ. What? Indebted? Goodness gracious why am I feeling indebted to him??? Haha..crazy huh?

For those who don’t know, KHJ’s management agency, Keyeast, is owned by BYJ. So that makes them an item and YJ has been taking really good care of HJ ever since and SO somehow somewhat I feel that I should do the same. You know, big bro taking care of little bro and noona taking care of little bro kind of thing hahahahaha..

**noona=an older sister to a guy

Ok ok ok let’s cut the story short. Like what I’ve blogged earlier here and here it was both fun and frustrating getting things in order and ready for the alien’s arrival ^^

I and on behalf of our BYJ’s Malaysia Family (BMF) has no qualms over what to present to little bro for his visit this time. Mangosteens!!! The time is just so right and thinking back, it was about 7 years and 1 moon ago that YJ first came to KL during the durian and mangosteen season J Yong bought a basketful of mangosteens, rambutans and pulasan the night before he arrive and got them packed nicely and ready to be presented.

19.08.2011 KHJ Break Down Album Asia Promo Tour, KL Press Conference (Warner Music)

The alien has landed.

Shienyin and I decided that we will skip the airport welcome and went to the hotel instead. He has already checked in when we arrive so we missed the hoohaas. After some courtesy call with the local organisers, we arranged for our BMF fruit basket to be delivered to HJ and his team. (I was told later that mangosteens were the favorite! Haha)

We were having coffee break in the lobby when Mr.Jeong, HJ’s bodyguard appeared. It seems like he came out for a breather when some Taiwanese fans spotted him and asked him for a pic. We went ahead too asking for the pic because Shienyin said we shouldn’t miss the chance since he’s also a good looking guy! He was quite obliging but he went back up right after the pic. Poor thing we must have scared him off and took away his breathe

hahahahahaha…정실장님 죄송합니다.

Press conference was scheduled to begin at 5pm but it only started about 50mins later. In situation like this, most people especially the media would blame the artiste for being late but not this time. There was a genuine case of technical slipped up of arrangement that had caused the delay so HJ has no choice but to appear later than expected.

Oh, I gotta say that this press event (for a Korean artiste) is one of the ‘largest’ one I’ve seen so far. There were about 200 plus pax in the ballroom and after deducting the non-media and ‘non-genuine’ media, I think there were about a hundred media people who came. Warner commented that they did not expect the turnout to exceed the initial 60 confirmed rsvp. Wow I guess the Korean wave must be really really the in thing now that the local media can’t ignore.

Though his mood wasn’t really jolly that day he still managed to pose nicely to the media. Zooming in on him I could see that the boy has not been sleeping well. Conference was over in about 30mins and we all went home soon after.

20.08.2011 KHJ Break Down Album Asia Promo Tour, Hi-Five Session (Warner Music)

It was an early day for both Shienyin and I because we wanted to beat the crazy traffic to the place where the event will be held at Gardens Residence, Mid Valley City. This is a shopping area where traffic on weekends is ridiculous. When we were on our way at about 10am, I received a call from Rachel (TSMY) telling me that they were being chased away by the hotel management for ‘illegal assembly’.

Hi-Five session was scheduled to start at 4pm and Warner were to begin their album sales at 12pm

So Rachel said that they will start to use the Korean queue system to ensure fairness of first come first serve. Good gal. I’m glad they remember what I told them about the goodness of the Korean queue system and put them into good use ^^

When we finally arrived, there were already more than 150 headcounts. After checking through with the gals and making sure everything is in order with the next recount at noon we all went for food!

The line grew during the next recount and I was getting a little worried when there was still no sign of any staff from Warner. Calls to Warner went unanswered so we have no choice but to just get the line in order. You know, all of a sudden we became ‘spokesperson’ for Warner.

Soon when I have almost 400 people in line, the hotel management came again and said to me that I have to call the crowd away and come back only when the sales start at 2pm. Seriously, this man who spoke does not know what he just said. I do understand the hotel policy but the arrangement and crowd that day was actually really good. Of course, we can’t help the noise a little especially when the crowd is still building but it really wasn’t that bad. Everyone did well to control. So I told him, “Do you know how many people are here? I can call off the crowd no problem but when they do come back at 2, you’ll get a messier crowd than this and definitely a chaos.” The man looked at me without saying anything and he walked away. Haha. I seriously had no idea what he had in mind at that time but I’m pretty sure he didn’t know what to say or do.

Warner’s staff only showed up at about 2pm, thank you, and went right on to set up their sales booth. After some discussion with the staff and the organiser’s security leader, the fans were allowed to move in to the sales area by batches. Soon everyone was anticipating HJ’s arrival in the ballroom. Jeremy was the MC for the session and he did a great job entertaining the fans while waiting. We have less than a thousand people that day but the screams were still deafening! He was surely happy to hear the fan chant ‘김현중 우리의 Only 1 and #1!’ (Kim Hyun Joong Our Only 1 and #1!) Hi-five-ing started soon after the intro speech.

HJ look much much better and was very smiley during the event. There were quite a number of guy who came including some uncles who were accompanying their kids. So when it was turn for the uncles to hi-five him HJ went ‘Huh?’ hahaha so cute!

The session went smoothly and was over at about 5 plus. I only realized that I have been standing for more than 6 hours non-stop when I finally got to sit down for dinner with the TSMY gals.

Though I was really tired but I did enjoy myself. It may not seem worthwhile doing what we were did managing the fans queue when Warner should have been more prepared. But I am also glad to be able to help managed the fans because all we wanted was to have things go smoothly so no complaints. Having said that, I would also like to thank Warner for allowing us to be of assistance. Next round you’ll know who to look for ok? Hahaha..

Kpop Talent Hitz !

It was on the same kimbap making afternoon that a Kpop Talent Show will be having their finale and MTV World Asia Stage at night. Both events at different end of the town and since I only got invitation to the Kpop finals I’ve got no problem deciding which way to go haha. By the way, BEAST was at MTV World Stage.

Right after kimbap the TSMY gals and i headed straight to Bentley Music Auditorium for the Kpop finals. The event was hosted by *Astro Hitz. The show was already into their 8^th finalist when we arrived. The solo singers we saw were so-so but the dancers were not bad.

*Astro Hitz = One of local pay tv channel.

Top 3 finalist were, Jay-son, EGS and Ruffneckz. The latter announced as the winner with a 5D4N trip to Seoul and a chance to perform at Lotte World! Oh they should have had the chance already because they left for Seoul on Wednesday ^^

Ruffneckz’s leader was teary but quickly recovered soon enough to briefly show off their skills again in front of the camera. I tell you this guy got style and he does look a little like Korean and with a little luck the boys can be STARs.

The gals were kind of shy to ask for a pic with them. I told them that if they don't ask for one now, they'll regret it when they become famous. In the end, this kay-poh unni gotta do the dirty job for them hahahaha..

Winners trip to Seoul grand prize were sponsored by KTO KL. Mr.Yun when will you be sponsoring my trip to Seoul? ^^

Ruffneckz congrats and I’ll be watching for you. Fighting!

Gals preparing kimbap for KHJ ^^

Finally on Sunday morning(thats last Sunday morning) I went for a little shopping spree on my own. Wait. Did I just say shopping SPREE??? No no no…my wardrobe needed a serious ‘new for old exchange’ program so I got myself just a few pieces. Hehe..

The 3 KHJ FCs were invited to a Kimbap making event by Street Café. Street Café manager, Eddie suggested we make some Triangle Kimbap (삼각밥 Samgakbap) and the event was fully sponsored by them J

The 3 FCs will be collaborating with Street Café for a special KHJ treat so please contact any one of the FCs for more info.

Here’s our kimbap chef, Mr.Park + trainees for the day ^^

in and about the cafe.....

Representatives were from each of the 3 FCs. Chef prepared all stuff to be used, rice, seaweed sheet, tuna mayo, beef bulgogi, bbq chicken, triangle container, gloves etc. oh the apron..nice? Tyra (TripleS Msia) bought for the gals ^^

 

oh yeah..the Chef Mr.Park, he is Korean so you can be assured of the quality of food.

Call it crazy but it was real fun when out of a sudden the gals scream in while making the kimbap. The café was playing Korean MTVs when HJ’s Break Down came on. No wonder the scream la. Haha..

Oh yeah, this was my lunch that day and I gotta say the kimchi tuna jigae was delicious!

Eddie, you should suggest to Andrew about opening an outlet here in the heart of KL. Then I’ll make sure to make it a must-go eatery for the BYJ’s Malaysia Family.

Thank you Street Café!