Sometimes dreams can span years before being materialized. You'll just have to always keep the faith.




Happee Sy is one of the main brains of Pulp Live World. One of the reasons why I am so happy that they are the promoters of this concert is that she is a fangirl herself. She understands how important this event will be for all the fans. Maybe it also helps that she is close friends with Kring Elenzano-Kim, one of the founders of Cassiopeia Philippines, TVXQ!'s official fanclub in the country. With this, she gets further insight of what would make the fans happy for this concert.

"Over a decade of anticipation."
This sentence right there holds true on how long Filipino Cassies have waited to finally see the men (yes Yunho and Changmin already are!) they adore so much. This blog is witness to how emotionally invested I am to this group (a quick search will unveil all of my oldest posts about them 😅).

I got to know this legendary KPOP group during the height of their lawsuit with SM Entertainment, their agency, in 2009. Although their future as a group was very uncertain at that point, it didn't hinder me into wanting to know more about them. Youtube served to be one of the greatest sources of information for me for their past interviews, music videos, and other content. When the three members (Jaejoong, Yoochun, Junsu) decided to leave the group, I was in a rollercoaster of emotions. For the years that came, I still tried to support all of them in their activities.

But still, the longing ensued. I have asked this question in 2013 - when will I see TVXQ! in the flesh? It was already a given that I won't be seeing them as a five-member group, but still I wanted to at least see each of them live. Two years ago, that dream came true, as Kim Jaejoong visited the country for a fanmeeting. My happiness was beyond me. It was such an eerie experience seeing his face in real life. It was really fulfilling seeing 1/5 of the group that really gave me happiness especially during the latter years of my college life. I guess it's an understatement that this group saved me. With what I know now about my mental health, I could have suffered breakdowns during those times. It was perfect timing when I got to know their music because it sure served as a healthy distraction from my own destructive train of thoughts, of which helped me get focused on my goals amidst all the stress and pressure of acads.

I'm planning to see the show together with friends whom I share the same passion of loving this group. My happiness will be multiplied to infinity because all of us will share this feeling that finally, we'll be able to see Yunho and Changmin live on stage. 😭 This will also tick off another item from my 2012 Christmas wishlist.




If all goes well, I'll accomplish seeing 3/5 of the original TVXQ! members. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to see Park Yoochun because he has already retired from the entertainment industry (which is very controversial at the moment). Which brings Kim Junsu as the only one left on the list. He's my bias in the group. So, save the best for last, I guess? :D

Aaah I really can't wait anymore! But first things first, I'll have to find a red lightstick to bring to the concert. Wooh~ See you Cassies! Always keep the faith!

Dreams do come true, always keep the faith.



Until now, days after these all happened, I am still feeling incomprehensible emotions. Did it really happen? Was I not dreaming? Did I really see Kim Jaejoong live? It still hasn't really sank in, but the photos and videos that I have captured are the things I hold on to remind myself that yes, it all happened. Yes it was real, I really saw Kim Jaejoong, at long last. 💓

I've been a fan of TVXQ since 2009. As much as I want to talk about my fangirling history to make you (if I have actual readers, 안녕!) realize how much this event meant to me, I want to talk more about this fateful day that I finally saw Kim Jaejoong live. (you can read about my fangirling journey here and here).

I'm not actually sure how to start. Let's just say I believe the Universe have arranged this meeting so that I'll be as close as possible to Jaejoong, to able to understand him more, and also to take home the best memories possible with me. I decided to take risks for him, and I am forever grateful to friends and connections that made me experience this concert the best way possible.

I already know basic Korean (recently took formal classes!).
I invested on a better camera.
I upgraded to the best seats in the house.
I received a media pass.

I think subconsciously, I was actually preparing to finally meet him. He's 1/5 of the guys that I loved since I was in college. And to finally meet him up close? IT REALLY FELT SURREAL. I HAVE NO WORDS.

The first few seconds that I saw him on stage was in slow motion in my head. My stomach ached and I couldn't breathe. HE'S ACTUALLY STANDING RIGHT THERE. 😮After a few seconds of being in a trance, I slapped myself out and started to shoot photos and videos (ehem I had some tasks to complete for KPOPChannel. 😉).

Not Just a Concert, But A Reunion of Friends
For us mga lumang tao ng KPOP (as host Kring Elenzano said - long-time fans of KPOP), this event is a milestone in our lives. As early as 2004, there already have been local fans doing simple meetups spazzing about TVXQ (this is pre-Youtube days guys). They can't follow their favorite groups' activities in real-time, unlike what's possible today. It's really the fans' connections to each other that held their fandom alive. As the years passed, people have graduated out of TVXQ's fandom and moved to other more active groups (sadly TVXQ's disbandment and each member's military enlistment hugely affected their presence in the KPOP world).

But tonight, I saw a lot of people excitedly hugging and greeting people they passed by. I observed this not only while I was outside the venue but also when I got to the audience area inside. It was really indeed a reunion. For my case with my friends, I initially recognized them by face only... l had to ask them what their names were coz it's been years since I last saw them😅). Even before the fanmeeting started, the atmosphere was so happy because friends have reunited here again because of their love for Jaejoong.

fangirling friends (they're the same people from my DBI family)

Ms. Kring: Perfect Host for the Night
That night was also extra special because it was Ms. Kring who hosted the event. I'm so glad she was the one chosen to do it, as we can't really have anyone else do that precious role. She's a fellow fangirl that has been with us all these years, so she has all the right to have the honor to be on the same stage with Jaejoong.

Look where 7 years worth of keeping the faith brought her. 💗

The Fanmeeting Program
I'm not fond of attending fanmeetings (I'm 100% a concert girl), but this is Jaejoong so this is definitely an exception. So what exactly happens in a fanmeeting? Well for this one, there's an activity part and a concert part (yaaay!). In the first part, Jaejoong gets to interact with fans through games and Q&As.

Jaejoong chose selcas sent by fans and answered questions written at the back.

He also played charades with chosen fans on stage.

There's also a "guess this song" game wherein the audience had to guess the OPM song Jaejoong was humming.

I also realized how much he loves drinking. During the segment where he tried our local pulutan (food to eat while drinking beer), he really loved the San Miguel beer. He even recognized the taste. I think Jaejoong would be a cool drinking buddy. 😊

During the concert part, I realized that I really loved the musician in him over everything else. When he started to sing, that's when he got me under his trance. I always loved his vocals. To hear him sing live was heaven to my ears.

Superb Fanclubs - Thank you!
Of all the KPOP concerts I've been to, this is the first time I experienced raising lightsticks and also participating in a fan project. With that said, I am very thankful to the fanclubs that went above and beyond to provide these merchandise for the fans (these are the only items I got hold of, so if there are other fanclubs that arranged something, thank you also!)

JYJ PH provided lightsticks and banners

This is another item checked on my fangirling bucket list. One down, four to go. #alwayskeepthefaith

Thank you 재중! It was a memorable night for us. If you still can, please come back again. We'll always wait for you. 💗

This was our last day in Seoul. ｡･ﾟﾟ･(>д<)･ﾟﾟ･｡ The past four days passed by so fast. We yearned for a year to finally land in Seoul, and now, it's time to leave.

Our flight home is still in the early evening, and so we still had time to do all our last-minute stuff. We went to Myeongdong in the morning to do shopping.

We spotted this poster of Kim Junsu's Flower album promotion!

Bought Gifts for Home
Our first task on the list was to buy pasalubong to give away to people back home. We went to a shop with all those cute stuff and bought souvenirs. I bought socks and some keychains.

And because it was Myeongdong, we were not able to resist buying more cosmetics! We passed by a lot of them and heard that they have some items for sale, which we did not notice before. We bought items from Skinfood, Faceshop, Tony Moly, and Laneige.

We were actually searching for a grocery store to buy food items so we headed to the Lotte mall nearby. There were no grocery stores there, just clothing departments. That's where we saw these cute LINE merchandise items!




While walking back to the main streets of Myeongdong, we spotted this - a Kim Soo Hyun museum!

He's really popular here!

Had Lunch at Yoogane (유가네)
Since day one, we were craving to eat at this restaurant. My sister had researched that this is quite a popular dining place here and one of their must-try dishes is their marinated chicken galbi fried rice!

Last meal in Seoul #봄in오빠land

A video posted by Kathleen R (@katalinarosario) on Apr 5, 2015 at 10:26pm PDT

We also ordered this cold spicy vegetable soup. It was my first time to try something like this (cold on first bite, then a spicy aftertaste!). It was really good too. However it was too heavy for us, we were not able to finish it all. (>_<。)

Yoogane's menu. If only there was enough time, I want to try them all!

Visited Kim Jaejoong's Cafe JHolic
We cannot leave Seoul without dropping by our beloved Jaejoong's cafe, most especially that it's just within Myeongdong! After that hearty lunch at Yoogane, we went our way and searched for his shop. Only relying on directions posted by fellow fans online, we made our way and fortunately, arrived at the right place!

There it is!

The cafe is located on the third floor of a building, and you have to enter the MAG & MAG store to get inside the cafe. It's understandable to hesitate entering at first, but the signs outside encourage fans to just enter the store. There's a stair in the middle of the store and it will lead up to JHolic cafe!



There were just a handful of people when we went inside the cafe. The atmosphere was kinda gloomy, because Jaejoong just entered the military a few days ago (on March 30, this was on April 6).


Jaejoong conceptualized this cafe with his loving fans in mind. You can see that in the dedication messages around the cafe.


Fans are well familiar that Jaejoong owns a cat, named Jiji. These toys show how Jaejoong is such a cat lover. :D


There are also these "cartoonized Jaejoong cut-outs" on display at the store. (´∀｀)♡





Jaejoong really knows fans would be coming to visit his cafe. The cashier provides a plastic with Jaejoong's signature printed on it. It's meant to be as a holder of the receipt, coz we know fans will keep it as a souvenir!

It kinda feels sad being here in his cafe. We all miss him, right? #봄in오빠land #kimjaejoong #cafejholic

A photo posted by Kathleen R (@katalinarosario) on Apr 5, 2015 at 11:18pm PDT

Bought Groceries at Lotte Mart @ Seoul Station
I did not capture any photo of our wonderful adventure to this department store. It was one of the most stressful moments we had in Seoul. From Myeongdong, we rode the subway to Seoul Station because we knew there's where the main Lotte Mart is located. We were happily hoarding Korean snacks onto our grocery basket. We couldn't really choose which one to get. After finishing with the cashier, we realized that we need to box all of those items ourselves! Lotte does not provide plastic bags. Instead, there's a huge boxing area in front of the cashier, where all the shoppers were busy grabbing boxes and placing all their purchased items in it.

We actually had the option of availing eco bags, but it cost too much (₩7,000!). Me and sister almost fought because she wanted to get the eco bags, but I insisted to just place them all in the box. Pressed also in time, we stressfully tried to get all the items onto the used Lotte storage boxes. Thankfully we were able to make it. There's no way we'd be able to carry these back through the subway so we decided to just hail a taxi to go back to our hostel.

It really helped that I knew a bit of Korean. The taxi driver thought we just wanted to be dropped off at the Myeongdong subway station. Our hostel was still a bit of a walking distance from the station so we told him (mostly through hand signals lol) that we wanted to get off in front of the hostel itself. He asked "어디에서?" which means "Where?" and so I started giving him driving directions. Good thing we also knew the driving route to our hostel, even though we used to walk on the other side of the road to our hostel from the subway station. In a few minutes, we were already in front of the hostel. *whew!*


Hurriedly Traveled to the Airport
Our stressful adventure did not end there. We have not packed properly and we needed to leave ASAP or else we'd be late to the airport. T^T The next hour was full of chaos. we packed up as fast as we could. We also cleaned our room. It's a guesthouse, not a hotel, so we needed to throw out our own trash outside the hostel. Good thing the owner of the hostel was kind, he did not charge us extra for checking out late. (thank you oppa!) 

The travel to the station was another challenge. The road from the hostel to the subway is a downhill road, so we needed to hold onto our luggages. Good thing foreigners struggling to carry luggages is a common sight in Myeongdong. We spotted several of them on previous days actually. Today was our turn to shine. LOL. The number of our luggages were multiplied by two! One of our bags just contained all of the things we bought (mostly cosmetics). This is not even counting the other things we bought. But wait, there's more! We had to carry our luggages down the narrow escalator and up the stairs to cross to the street where the airport bus stop is.

One of my luggage weighed more than 30 kg, and I had to carry it up several flights of stairs! I had to do all the carrying up in batches, because there's no way I would be able to carry them up in one go. It's disappointing that no one even cared to help, even though I was walking up the stairs with other people. Oh well. (Those gentlemen in Korean dramas are not true!!! Screw them!!)

We were just able to relax (at last) when we were already inside the bus and traveling to Incheon airport.

aboard the airport bus!

It was a long travel. I slept along the way. It was already sunset when we arrived at the airport.


We were not able to see the exterior of the airport when we first arrived (because it was during the night). It was beautiful. :D

Inside Incheon aiport. We still did not see any celebrities T.T

We did the usual business at the airport  (there were still a few mishaps with our luggage hahaha). It was a really tiring day. We mostly slept during the flight. It was already 5AM when we landed in Manila. Our parents met us at the airport.

Thankfully we were able to arrive home safe and sound. Yey! Our cosmetics were all in good shape . Wohoo! (Always remember to ask the airport staff to label them as fragile!)

all the goodies we got from Seoul!

In August of this year, JYJ (the Korean group that I have been loving since the beginning of time,) released their album Just Us in Korea which contained 13 tracks. One of the songs that I really liked in the album is the song entitled So So.



So So
JYJ

Hangul lyrics
[literal meaning of words]
English translation


변해버렸던 First day 익숙함에   난   지쳤고
[had been changed] First day [as familiar]  [I have] [exhausted]
It changed on the first day and I got tired of the familiarity

무료했던 그 Next day
[free was] Next day
The next day was just for free

그저  그런  맘으로   널   안았고
[just] [then] [by heart] [you] [not flew]
With that kind of heart, I held you

비틀거리던 Third Day
[?] Third Day
As I swayed on the third day

술에  취한 채로    아무렇지   않게   꺼냈던   그 말
[drunk] [in one take] [bother] [do] [you left off] [that means]
While drunk, I said those words as if it was nothing

나에게 넌 I just feel you So So
[to me you are] I just feel you So So
For me, you’re just so so

Don't be afraid 내가 더 아파야 해
Don't be afraid [I] [more] [hurt]
Don’t be afraid, I should hurt even more

And pray again 다시 널 찾을 수 있게
And pray again [again] [you] [found][be able]
And pray again, so I can find you again

시간이   흐를수록   가슴이   아파와 I need you
[time] [the flow][the heart] [sick and] I need you
The more time passes, the more it hurts, I need you

Go back in time 단 한번 만이라도
Go back in time [stage] [once] [?]
Go back in time, just one time

Forgive my sins 워~


되돌릴 수만 있다면 이 고통 따윈 내겐 So So
[return] [only] [if the] [pain] [me] [me] So So
If only I could turn things back, this pain would be so so


Sloth! Lust! Gluttony! Stupid way to love
Wrath! Pride! Envy!
and Greed! Didn’t realize my mistake


많이 다투던 Fourth day 괜한 니 탓만 했었고
[a lot of]  Fourth day [you useless] [?]
 We fought a lot on the fourth day, I kept blaming you

너를 보냈던 Next day
[thee] [sent] Next day
Then I let you go on the next day

의미 없는 자존심 뿐이었고
[meaning] [no] [pride] [was only]
It was just all useless pride

침묵 속의 그 Sixth Day
[silence] [conversation] Sixth Day
I spent the sixth day in silence

다른 사람 곁에 울며 서있던 니가 생각나고
[other] [person] [aside] [stood] [you were] [sheds thought]
I thought of you, crying as you stood next to someone else

그렇게 우린 Love you no more So So
[so] [we are] Love you no more So So
That’s how we were, love you no more so so

Don't be afraid 내가 더 슬퍼야 해
Don't be afraid [I] [shouldn't be sad]
Don’t be afraid, I should be sadder

And pray again 다시 널 찾을 수 있게
And pray again [again] [you] [found][be able]
And pray again, so I can find you again

시간이 흐를수록 자꾸 눈물이 나 I need you
[time] [the flow] [repeatedly] [tears] I need you
The more time passes, the more I cry, I need you

Go back in time 단 한번 만이라도 워~
Go back in time [stage] [once] [?]
Go back in time, just one time

Forgive my sins 워~

되돌릴 수만 있다면 이 눈물 따윈 내겐 So So
[return] [only] [if the] [teardrop] [me] me]
If only I could turn things back, these tears would be so so

It was last day

모든 게 과한 내  욕심이었나 봐
[everything] [excessive]  [was it greed look]
It was all because I was too greedy

(No no no no I was wrong)

사랑도 미움도 이젠 끝인가 봐
[love] [even hatred] [now] [end sugar]
Love and hate is all over now

우~워~ No more no more

Don't be afraid 하늘이 무너져도
Don't be afraid [heaven] [?]
Don’t be afraid, even if the sky falls down

And pray again 세상이 나를 벌해도
And pray again [the world] [me] [?]
And pray again, even if the world punishes me

그까짓 것 괜찮아 제발 돌아와 줘 I miss you
[?] [it's okay, please come to me*] I miss you
It doesn’t matter, please come back, I miss you

Go back in time 단 한번 만이라도
Go back in time [once] [?]
Go back in time, just one time

Forgive my sins 워~

되돌릴 수만 있다면 이 괴로움도 내겐 So So
[return] [only] [if the] [suffering also]
If only I could turn things back, this misery would be so so

Don't be afraid (Let it go, Let it go)

And pray again (Let it rain, Let it rain)

하루하루 갈수록 니가 그리워져
[day by day*] [increasing] [you were] [miss you]
Day by day, I miss you even more

I love you 우~ 워~

(Oh! Show me the way of me,

Oh! Please hold me now)

Go back in time

(Let it go, Let it go, Sins 워)

Forgive my sins 워~

되돌릴 수만 있다면 이 괴로움도 내겐 So So
[return] [only] [if the] [suffering also] [me]
If only I could turn things back, this misery would be so so

Don't be afraid

My seven deadly sins
* lines I understood!

This song exudes such sad melody, and looking at the lyrics, it made me feel even sadder. It's about this heart-aching feeling of losing someone you really treasure, and there's nothing could be done to undo the situation. :(

Here are some worlds from the song that's added to my Hangul vocabulary. :D


눈물          /nunmul/
teardrop

고통          /gotong/
pain

자존심      /jajonshim/
pride

모든게      /modeun/
all

이젠          /ijen/
now/yet

나를         /nareul/
me

한번       /hanbeon/
once



Now I appreciate this song even more. Not for this case though, but there are songs out there that sounds happy, but actually has a sad message.

I think I need to do this more often - analyzing Korean songs and understanding the lyrics. :D

This weekend was one hell of an emotional ride. I was just at home, and the feeling of isolation just creeped into me and I realized I have to do something about it.

They say you would regret more the things that you didn't do than the things you did. I have been forever haunted by the things in the past that I have left behind unacommplished, by the words that were left unsaid. I was unable to respond to him when he confessed, even if I was feeling the same way for years (Hey this has happened thrice in my lifetime so far! I just realized this now. Omg.). I didn't claim the letter that contained my application status in an org, which left me emotionally tortured for the rest of my college years. I didn't give them the chance to show their "good side", because I only let their evil side sink to me believing it's their true colors. I was not able to tell my best friend my honest feelings because all I wanted was the best for all of us.

Whew. I think I've opened cans of worms in there huh. To get straight to the point, I have repeatedly denied myself of that happiness that I deserve, because I was afraid and because I thought it's the best thing to do for that situation. The latest entry on this list happened last week and it has something to do with my obsession with a group named JYJ.

I have expressed before how much I wanted to see them perform live. It seems like the universe challenged how much I wanted this to happen. I have a friend who went to their concert in Hongkong. JYJ is currently having their Asian tour, and this is their last stage before they enter the military. This means that this is the last chance for their fans to see them. It would take at least another 3 years to see them perform again, if they still would.

If I just said yes, I would have come with my friend to HK to see them. Honestly, I had the resources to do so but I know better that I shouldn't because I had responsibilities. I have more important things to do than go overseas and satisfy my fangirling needs. I have attempted to follow my "hormones" the first time the opportunity opened up, but I failed. I knew better now. The concert was over and I can feel how my friend enjoyed her experience. To quote her, it was the craziest decision, but the best she has done. She has fulfilled her bucketlist, and I am proud of her because she was able to achieve that. I perfectly know the happiness that she's feeling at the moment because I know that I would feel the same too. Though in my case, that's the exact happiness that I have denied from myself again. I have tried to end all of this craziness years ago, but I guess until I have accomplished what I really want to do, that's when I would finally be able to let go.

I hope my plans for next year would push through. Then finally, maybe finally, I would be able to let go and move on.


I think I would cry in case I hear JYJ sing this live. *sigh* I really hope there's still a chance for me to see them live. :(

The Philippine KPOP Convention was at its grandest form this year as it has partnered with Pulp Live World to bring four KPOP artists to perform in the event - A.Cian, LC9, Lunafly, and Boyfriend. The convention was held at SMX Halls 1 & 2 from 10AM to 10PM on December 28.

banners draped around the venue

Fast forward to ten years, TVXQ has become an established and respected group, not just in the KPOP industry, but in the worldwide music scene. The group might have split into two now (with three members forming a new unit named JYJ), but obviously the fans still have their whole support for the five of them. Fans widely celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the group online by reminiscing the best moments of the group on twitter. The twitter hashtag #동방신기와10년 for the event even trended worldwide across various countries.

(twitter screenshots taken at around 1:45PM today)

Good job Pinoy Cassies! ^__^

All Cassies! Hear ye! Hear ye!

We are in for an extra treat a week before the most anticipated KPOPCon5!

Cassiopeia Philippines in cooperation with the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) will be having a special FREE holiday concert screening of TVXQ's Mirotic Concert in Seoul on December 20, 3:30PM at KCC.


Personally, this is my most favorite concert of the (then) five-membered TVXQ. :D

Aside from the concert screening, there would also be:

• mini raffles
• video/photo message for TVXQ/JYJ's 10th anniversary (Feel free to bring fansigns, concert paraphernalia, etc)
• NEW Merchandise preview (available at KPOPCON5)

Again, this event is for free, but registration is required (limited slots available, up to 150 attendees only). Head over to koreanculture.ph to sign up for the screening!

People who have been working with the Asian Games Centennial Festival (AGCEF) committee have shared information via SNS that the activities in Boracay scheduled on November 26-29 have been postponed due to the recent calamities that hit the country.

Ms. Cecille Visto from Business World shared this news via twitter that the event has indeed been postponed.

JYJ_PH, a Philippine-based JYJ fanclub, who has been coordinating with the AGCEF organizers also shared the same news via their official Facebook page.


This is sad news, especially for fans who have highly anticipated JYJ's participation in the event.

This is a very understandable move from the organizers in a lot of points. First, the venue (Boracay) is not a favorable venue anymore because it was also affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Also, we all well know that the festival is highly budgeted and I think it would be very insensitive for the government to lavish in such a high-class event while thousands of people, especially in the Visayas region, need their help more because they were left homeless and are dying of hunger and thirst.

It would be nice if the event would still push through. We understand the country has already committed to it. But if this would entail the further use of funds, I would push to not hold the event altogether, and just allot the funds to help our fellowmen recover from the calamity. 

People's lives are way more important.

If it is possible, I suggest to just have a fundraising event, if the participating artists will oblige. Their schedules are already booked for the event anyway. 

We don't know what the next step of the AGCEF organizers will be. I just hope they think of the greater good on this.

P.S.
Hi C-Jes. Doing a fundraising concert with your artists wouldn't hurt that much, right? This is for a big cause. Fans in the country would be very delighted, and at the same time you would help A LOT of people here. WIN-WIN situation, right? :D 

[UPDATE] It's official. They are moving the event to mid-January next year. Check out the news article about this.



~o~

sources: JYJ Lovers in the Philippines | @Abugading on Twitter | insidethegames.biz