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Girl in a jacket

A downpour of love and support welcome Lee Sung Kyung during her 2023 Asia Fan Meeting in Manila, ‘Be Closer’

Despite the heavy rains in the late afternoon of July 8, it did not stop fans from going to SM North EDSA Skydome to welcome Lee Sung Kyung. The South Korean model, actress, and singer (we stan a multi-talented girl) went back to Manila for another fan meet titled, “Be Closer.” She first came to Manila for her fan meet back in 2019, in the exact location, that was then called, “Be Joyful.” In case you’re wondering, Lee Sung Kyung is widely known for her role back in 2017 as Kim Bok Joo in “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Book Joo,” and as Dr. Cha Eun Jae in “Dr. Romantic,” which just concluded its third season.

The fan meeting opened with Lee Sung Kyung singing to IU’s, “Hold My Hand,” which immediately brought the fans up to their feet. Her lovely personality definitely showed up early on to the event with her cute poses while singing. Of course, the opening act was not complete without her version of, “Mabuhay, Philippines!” and her iconic line, “Swag!”

Skydome was filled with screams and cheers.

 

In a quick question and answer with the host, Lee Sung Kyung shared that the fan meet is her way to be closer to her fans and to show her true self, which she did. The event had four interactive segments with fans, in which every segment, called “steps,” were a step closer to Lee Sung Kyung. The first one entitled, “Six steps to you,” included clips of what she has been doing recently. The most memorable of which was a 6-month-old video of her working out and the audience loved her reaction upon seeing the video. It also included, “Sungkyung’s awards,” where she awarded Sisig and Mango Float as her top food and dessert. The choices were followed by crowd-recommended, Sinigang and Halo-Halo.

Now for Dr. Romantic fans: when asked about a possible fourth season, Lee Sung Kyung did not give any specific answer. Although, as the host suggested, maybe if we cheer hard enough for the show, maybe we will get another one, right?

During the break, the audience was asked the farthest they were from. Some were from Batangas, then General Santos City. But then some came internationally—Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam! But the thing was, someone came all the way from New York! New York, Cubao, that is, (it was funnier when it was said during the event). Video messages from her Dr. Romantic co-stars had the venue filled with screams again, the loudest of which was with Ahn Hyo Seop, who is playing opposite her character in Dr. Romantic.

Lee Sung Kyung went back onstage with another song, in which she wore her Dr. Cha Eun Jae ensemble as she sang an OST from the show. A fan even shouted, “Gamutin mo ‘ko!”

Five lucky winners were then chosen from the audience who will take home signed polaroids.

Lee Sung Kyung also surprised her fans with a dance number. She danced to Destiny Rogers’ “Tomboy,” IVE’s “After LIKE,” and LE SSERAFIM’s “UNFORGIVEN.”

The next segment called, “Three steps to you,” had everyone as a participant. Facts were presented on screen and the audience answered by gesturing “O” or “X,” where players who got it right remained standing up. In the end, one fan was hailed the winner. The second to the last segment was called, “Two steps to you,” where three players represented each zone who will battle against each other. Each team played with Lee Sung Kyung. Fans saw her play jump rope, the Korean game “Tuho,” and the Filipino game “Sipa.” Though she was almost out of breath for each game, her energy was unmatched. She remained energetic and joyful all the way to her last segment, “One step to you.”

She played the finger punch game really well, which was expected since one fan shouted, “Kim Bok Joo ‘yan eh!” Despite succeeding, she still did a consequence to the delight of her fans. Lastly, she did the pipe game which ended up in her taking ten Polaroid pictures which were all given to the fans.

Lee Sung Kyung ended the show with her version of the Disney song, “Reflection.” She also took group photos, from the stage, with the audience from every section of Skydome. But what was probably most adorable about this fun-filled night with Lee Sung Kyung is her love for her fans, in full display. She did not just leave. In fact, she followed the request of the audience to sing a few lines from different songs, and even danced to NewJeans’ “Hype boy,” and BLACKPINK’s “Kill This Love.”

Capping off the event was a hi-touch for everyone in the audience as well as a photo op for the MVP section. Aside from this, the MVPs and VIPs were able to get a signed poster and Polaroid of Lee Sung Kyung. Raffle winners were also able to get their signed posters, while others were able to get a poster as they exit the venue.

We cannot wait to see Lee Sung Kyung again in the Philippines!

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