Oh Happy Day - the title of Park Bo Gum's 2016/2017 Asia Tour is such... a Happy Day! Throngs of fan showed up at the KLCC Plenary Hall last weekend to attend the fan meeting which lasted for 2 hours. The fan meeting was divided into 4 segments where fans were fed with an insight into the actor's personal life as he showed them his personal photo collections, played games on stage, and performed songs from his movies. It was a memorable day of Park Bo Gum and his fans!
The 1st segment named Happy Bo Gum, is a segment where Bo Gum answered questions sent in by the fans. Though some of the questions might have been asked so many times in previous occasions, he still answered with sincerity and full of excitement. Questions include (i) Which previous characters that he played before that he can identify with which he answered Choi Taek, the character that he played in Reply 1988 (ii) Last person he talked on the phone with, and obviously it was his family on the night of his arrival in Malaysia (iii) What kind of character would he like to play in the future? Guess what, he loves to play a fantasy style character such as Harry Potter. He also added that he would love to be in a Malaysian-made drama, if there is an opportunity for a collaboration. Let's help him out here; any producers would like to cast Park Bo Gum in the next drama? We'll sure it would be a hit! (psst, Park Bo Gum recently has been awarded Most Influential Korean Personality in the Malaysia's own award ceremony-Anugerah Melodi, TV3... Congratulations!)
Bo Gum rose to fame when he played Choi Taek in the drama Reply 1988 and Prince Lee Young in Moonlight Drawn By Clouds. There were many memorable scenes from both dramas and in the 2nd segment, it showcased the top 3 scenes from each drama, chosen by fans. Bo Gum also shared his favourite scenes from each drama - both include a very touching scene with the characters' father. Showing his versatility, Bo Gum took to the piano and serenaded fans, danced to Boombastic (a famous dance scene parody from the Moonlight Drawn By Clouds trailer), and cook a meal on stage! Bo Gum added that he thinks he is a good cook, and prepared Jumeokbap, which literally means fist sized cooked rice. The dish prepared was separated into two containers and he presented it to lucky fans whom he picked by himself.
Fans of Park Bo Gum would have known that he is a foodie and it comes to no surprise when the stage assistants brought up Satay (Malaysia's famous skewered and grilled meat, served with peanut sauce), Nasi Lemak (Malaysia's fragrant rice dish, cooked in coconut milk, served with spicy sambal) and Cendol (Malaysia's desert - shaved ice with brown palm sugar and green strands of dough made from tapioca flour and rice). He devoured all and not forgetting his manners, shared some with the host, his translator and the camera man who was filming him on stage - Bo Gum is such a fine young man.
During the last segment, which was named Happy Game, he played Bingo in which for every numbered box he chose, he had to do a request and if he succeed, he'll cross off the Bingo box. Fans enjoyed the segment as Bo Gum showed his cool sportsmanship and did every request full of vigor. One of the request was for him do don the Malaysian traditional clothing i.e. Baju Melayu; he did without hesitation and captured every fans heart. He even said Sayang, aku cinta padamu (which means Dear, I Love You) to the fans and made everyone in attendance fall for him. Well, who wouldn't? We're pretty sure everyone dreams of bringing him home to meet their parents, don't deny it!
In all the happiness that he brings that night, the handsome actor brought fans to the edge of tears as he read his hand written letter. He thanked the fans for coming to the event that night and also for the warm welcome that he received on his arrival from Seoul. He also expressed his worries for the fans whom will be going home late. The letter was also given out to a young fan that Bo Gum spotted during a session earlier - can he be any sweeter?
Alas, all good things had to end. Actor Park Bo Gum ended the fan meeting with a live rendition of My Dearest, a song taken by his number 1 drama, Moonlight Drawn By Clouds. Though the singing was not perfect, mind you, he's not a professional singer, but the sincerity in his voice touched people's heart. Somewhere along the lines of Don't' worry about me, though it hurts, it's love, I am happy, because you are forever, my person; Bo Gum can be seen with tears in his eyes, as do some of his fans - perhaps thinking of the separation they'll be going through after the show.
Don't worry, you might be far away from your fans, but they will always keep you close in their heart. Like the old Irish blessings;
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again....
Kpopstarz would like to thank Social Up, Media Prima and IME Malaysia for the media coverage invitation.
Article by: Emi Hamizah Photo credit: Social Up and IME Malaysia
