South Korean actress Kim Ji Won, also dubbed ‘The Romantic Comedy Queen,’ ‘The Best Actress,’ and ‘Kim Ding,’ finally held her first-ever fan meeting in the Philippines on August 3, 2024, at the New Frontier Theater. The actress was stunned by the loud cheers of her PH DongDengs (fandom name), who were thrilled to finally meet her in the flesh!
Kim Ji Won has dazzled audiences with some of the most beloved K-dramas, including ‘The Heirs,’ ‘Descendants of the Sun,’ ‘Arthdal Chronicles,’ ‘Lovestruck in the City,’ ‘Liberation Notes,’ ‘Fight For My Way’ and recently stole the spotlight in her latest hit drama, ‘Queen of Tears’ where she stars with Kim Soo Hyun who also recently had a fan-meeting in the country last June 29, 2024.
Before the main event, Kim Ji Won held an exclusive media conference at Novotel Manila five hours prior to her fan meeting. The celebrated actress shared her excitement about making cherished memories and connecting with her Filipino fans. She revealed that, during her Asia fan meeting tour, she eagerly anticipates the creative banners made by her fans, which add a special touch and make each event truly unique.
In her heartfelt remarks, Ji Won also expressed gratitude to the dedicated staff and her co-stars, whose support and collaboration have been instrumental in helping her immerse herself in her roles and deliver stellar performances.
Kim Ji Won kicked off her fan meeting, ‘Be My One in Manila,’ with a vibrant performance of ‘Stupid Cupid,’ a song from the OST of her drama What’s Up?, where she played Tae Yi.
The crowd went wild as the actress took the stage and introduced herself. Kim Ji Won was visibly amazed by the deafening cheers and chants, with the venue enveloped in the enthusiastic support of her fans.
The Korean actress delighted fans by taking them behind the scenes of her dramas and personal life through engaging segments. During “Be My Actor Playlists Talk,” she shared her favorite songs that set the mood while shooting her dramas. In the segment “My 2024 Profile,” Ji Won answered a mini slam book to give fans a glimpse into her personal world.
In “My 2024 Profile,” Ji Won revealed that her Korean fans affectionately call her ‘Kim Ding’ for its cute sound. Inspired by this, she began referring to her fans as ‘Dong Deng,’ creating the endearing nickname ‘DingDongDeng,’ which is a playful expression in Korea used when someone gets a correct answer.
A standout moment of the event was when fans introduced Ji Won to the new Gen Z gesture in the Philippines: “Eyyy.” As the crowd chanted, Ji Won enthusiastically mimicked the gesture, finding it charming. She also took a moment to express her eagerness to return to the country to savor local delights like Inasal and Ube-Cheese dirty ice cream.
Kim Ji Won and her PH DongDeng fans enjoyed a delightful interaction during the ‘KJW Mini Game’ segment. In this engaging activity, Kim Ji Won drew items related to her dramas, and fans had to guess which drama they were from.
A standout moment of the event was when a fan video project was played on the big screen. The touching video featured fans serenading Ji Won, a heartfelt highlight that moved her to tears. Deeply touched by the outpouring of love, the actress expressed her heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging the incredible energy and support from her fans throughout the night.
The event concluded with Kim Ji Won performing her final song, ‘Only’ by Lee Hi. As she reached the end of the song, the deep emotional connection with her fans overwhelmed her, and she was unable to continue singing, tears streaming down her face once more.
This event was made possible by PULP Live World.