November 30 was a major night for fans of Korean superstar Kim Jaejoong because after 14 years of waiting, finally, the Philippine archipelago appeared on the singer’s tour map.
*Shoutout to Fangirlasia for making this happen!*
But before we share our favorite moments from the fanmeet, let’s do a quick roundup of Jaejoong’s lengthy career history.
A second generation K-Pop idol
Jaejoong debuted in 2003 as the main vocal of the one of the most successful boy bands of South Korea, TVXQ!, and the group dominated the Korean and Asian music scene as a 5-member band from 2004 to 2009.
In 2009, however, three members left their agency and consequently formed their own group called JYJ, which stands for Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu.
Since then Jaejoong has been active as JYJ and as a solo artist, and he’s also done several acting stints over the past few years, the most recent of which was the TV drama “Manhole” broadcasted on KBS.
He is considered as part of the second generation of K-Pop idols, which is considered a golden era of K-Pop because it also gave birth to K-Pop groups like BIGBANG, Wonder Girls, Super Junior, and Girls’ Generation among many others.
And yes, fans who have followed him since his debut waited 14 years for him to hold an official event in the country.
2017 Kim Jaejoong Asia Tour Fanmeeting in Manila
The much-anticipated Kim Jaejoong fanmeeting in Manila was held November 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and the event was attended by legit Mga Lumang Tao of K-Pop who have been into the K-Pop music scene way before it became a big hit worldwide.
Some of them were lucky enough to meet Jaejoong up close after winning autograph signing passes via raffle. But everyone eventually got their much-awaited dosage of the main man of the night after he went out on stage a little past 6.
Here are some of the moments we loved most during the event:
1. When Jaejoong introduced himself in Tagalog
Jaejoong: Mabuhay! Ako si Kim Jaejoong. Kumusta kayong lahat? Salamat po!
2. When he played charades with fans and proved he’s a total gentleman
One fan who came in a nightie won the charades segment of the fanmeet, and the prize was a photo op with Jaejoong. When it was time for them to snap the photo, Jaejoong did this:
The winner in lingerie 🙈✌️ this man is a gentleman 😘 pic.twitter.com/zNmb7GL7PZ
— ~Lala~ (@Y_S_H_I) November 30, 2017
What a gorgeous fine man.
Note: Don’t be scandalized though. The official dress code for the event was PJs!
3. When he complimented the fan who sang for him
Jaejoong had to dance to Versace on the Floor as a consequence in the next game. But because the dare was impromptu, no audio was prepared. Good thing singing a line or two from the song was an easy task for his fans. But only one lucky fan was tasked to do the honor, and he complimented her for a job well done:
https://twitter.com/nininvi/status/936196887748558848
4. When he listened to OPM songs and said he loved them
In another music-themed game fans had to guess what OPM song Jaejoong was listening to. He hummed to a total of five OPM songs: Dahil Sa’yo by Iñigo Pascual, Tadhana by Up Dharma Down, Luha by Aegis, Ikaw by Yeng Constantino, and Forevermore by Side A.
Jaejoong humming to some OPM songs #JaejoongInManila pic.twitter.com/JcLvkWcQQv
— ~Lala~ (@Y_S_H_I) November 30, 2017
By the end of the segment he said: “It’s my first time hearing all those music and I think they’re all good. I think they’re gonna be hit in other countries.”
5. When he gladly danced to Pinoy novelty songs
https://twitter.com/galaxyparkjh/status/936204608615063552
He also did Ocho Ocho, Whoops Kirri, and the Spaghetti Dance. LOL.
6. And when he finally did what he does best.
The fanmeet turned into a mini concert when Jaejoong performed “You Know What?”, “Although We Met Again, We Would Meet Again”, “Good Mornin Night”, “Run Away”, “My Only Comfort”, and “Now is Good”.
Short but sweet
The two-hour-and-a-half-long fanmeet was a well-deserved treat for every fan who waited more than a decade for this to happen. For the longest time most TVXQ! and JYJ-themed events held in the country featured only standees of Jaejoong and his group mates, but this time the man himself stood on stage before the Philippine Red Ocean.
Though he said he’s starting to loose the stamina he once had as an energetic idol, it didn’t feel like it at all because he effortlessly enveloped the Coliseum in electric and heartfelt performances when he came out to sing. And many times during the entire fanmeeting, he expressed his desire to do another show in the country.
Worth it
The entire 14 years of waiting for Jaejoong to reach the Philippine shores wasn’t exactly all rainbows and butterflies. But everyone who chose to stay with him can now surely say that staying in the fandom is a good decision, because everything that happened Thursday night at the Coliseum proved that it all gets better in time.
He even danced to this TVXQ! song when fans asked him to:
It's not anymore part of the dance segment but he still offered dancing to RISING SUN! 😭😭😭
WE LOVE YOU JAE! 💕#JAEJOONGINMANILA pic.twitter.com/0g7awtAUIL
— charmaine_a (@intensityjae) November 30, 2017
Isa pa para masaya…
Not included in the FM but requested heavily and he cant refused. Thank yoi Jaejoong. #JAEJOONGINMANILA pic.twitter.com/sIathEXEr6
— 재인 ❤️ 🐻🐰 🚢 🦊🐰 (@mjjgirl4ever) November 30, 2017
The 2017 Kim Jaejoong Asia Tour Fanmeeting in Manila was organized by Fangirlasia.
ADVT
