Seeing my favorite K-actor of all time, Kim Soo Hyun, up close is one of my ultimate fangirl dreams. Recently, that dream finally came true in Manila, and the experience was everything I had hoped for and more.
I went all out for this fan meeting, splurging on multiple VIP tickets to maximize my chances of the best seat experience possible. Out of the five tickets I bought, two won the group photo benefit. Unfortunately, neither of those winning tickets was the one I used for myself. Initially, I felt a pang of disappointment, but I reminded myself, “Gwenchana” (it’s okay). At least I got to interact with him during the press conference for his new Netflix drama, “Queen of Tears.”
As the show began, I resolved to fully immerse myself in the experience and not let any lingering bitterness cloud my joy. This was my third time seeing him in person, and each encounter has been unforgettable. The atmosphere was full of energy with fans cheering and waving banners. Kim Soo Hyun’s presence was magnetic; every smile and wave he offered made my heart race.
He opened his ‘Eyes on You’ fan meeting in Manila with his rendition of Crush’s song “Love You With All My Heart,” featured in the OST of “Queen of Tears,” and greeted the fans after. “Kamusta ka? Ako ay si Kim Soo Hyun! Magandang gabi!” Seeing the packed venue, he felt the warmth and love from fans. Event host Sam Oh joined him onstage amidst the loud cheers. The actor couldn’t hold back his tears as the venue erupted in loud cheers, overwhelmed by the love from his Filipino fans. This heartfelt moment came after he was congratulated on the success of his recent drama, “Queen of Tears.”
In the “Surprise Quiz” segment, the audience responded with “snow” to a question. Soo Hyun surprised his fans with a winter wonderland theme, bringing a taste of snow to Manila. The fans were delighted by this unexpected and magical touch to the event.
The fan meeting transformed into a mini concert, with Kim Soo Hyun performing songs like “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, and “All of Me” by John Legend. Despite forgetting some lyrics during “Someone You Loved,” fans cheered him on, chanting “gwaenchana.”
One of the highlights of the night was his rendition of “Beautiful Swiss Lady,” the Korean adaptation of “She Taught Me How To Yodel,” originally performed at his 2014 fan meeting. His playful and energetic performance brought a smile to everyone’s face.
Although I didn’t get to be in the group photo, being able to interact with Kim Soo Hyun during the press conference and experiencing his charisma firsthand during the fan meeting made the entire journey worthwhile. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, but they often turn out even better than expected.
I left the event on cloud nine, my heart full and my spirit lifted. This fan meeting with Kim Soo Hyun wasn’t just an event; it was a dream realized, and a memory I’ll cherish forever.
