So Ji Sub's fan meeting in Manila is probably what I consider a miracle fan meeting. I've known So Ji Sub since 2005 because of his drama "Memories in Bali", which is by the way one of my mom's favorite drama. I was around 9 years old that time! Who would have thought that after years So Ji Sub came and visited the Philippines for a fan meeting?

Last March 16, 2019, So Ji Sub had his first ever fan meeting in the Philippines, brought to you by Pulp Live World. Since I am a photographer and writer (well, I believe I AM! haha), I was able to be a media for this event. Special thanks to PKCI.

READ: KPOPCON X Story: Why Volunteering for PKCI Matters to Me

What are the Most Memorable Happenings during So Ji Sub's Fan Meeting in Manila?

Seeing the Titas of KDrama

I was around the venue at around 4:30 in the afternoon because I still need to claim my ID for the event. The ambiance around the venue was different from the past concerts and fan meetings that I have attended. There were fewer people outside the venue and I barely see anyone my age.

As I was waiting for Kuya Bryan (one of the PKCI officers), I saw this group of Titas. Like yeah, they were almost same age as my mom! The cool thing about them is that they were also wearing a special shirt for the fan meeting. I also got to hear some of them saying that they have waited for years!

Almost all the people I saw there were older than me. I can't remember seeing someone younger than me (well except for other media people). But what is cool seeing them is that age doesn't really matter. You can be a fan for the rest of your life! I suddenly thought, "Will I be like them in the future?" Who knows?

Live Performances of So Ji Sub

So Ji Sub opened the fan meeting with a song, "I Can't Smile Without You". I honestly thought that because the fans were mostly Titas the screaming will not be that too loud. But I was wrong. IT WAS LOUD! The Titas really let go of their hidden feels!

During the second part of the fan meeting, So Ji Sub, together with the group named Soul Dive, perfomed iKON's Love Scenario. It's really fun to watch him do most of the raps! Of course, my hidden iKONIC feelings came out at that time and sang with them.

Everyone loves to share their blessings!

The huge difference during this fan meeting is that the fans are not greedy. How did I say that? There was a portion in this fan meeting wherein So Ji Sub asked the fan the meaning of "Mahal Kita" to avoid the penalty. If So Ji Sub answered it correctly, then the fan would have a signed shirt. But if So Ji Sub answered it wrong, then he has to pick a penalty. The penalties were wearing angel's wings, wearing a flower crown, doing a morning call, and more.

Who wouldn't want to have a signed item by your idol, right? But guess what. The fans gave So Ji Sub wrong answers so that he would get a penalty and everyone would see him do those penalties. The fan meeting became happier because we manage to see So Ji Sub's cute side as he wears the angel's wings and flower crown while doing some heart aegyo.

Seeing the Other Side of So Ji Sub

Whenever I hear So Ji Sub's name, I get always remember him as a tough guy (like his character in Battleship Island). But this fan meeting showed me another side of him. In real life, he was actually a shy person. His laughs were so precious which makes everyone fall in love with him.

Another great thing is that Ms. Kring Kim was the host. Well, I consider her as the best host since she knows what it feels to be a fan. And that feels gave her a high edge to other hosts.

I am so thankful that I became a part of So Ji Sub's fan meeting in Manila. I don't know when he'll come back again but I can finally say that I saw my ahjussi live!

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Check out this link for more photos during the event: https://www.facebook.com/pg/philkpopcomm/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156170301991439

KPOPCON X, probably one of the events where I felt really stressed (well, I guess everyone is). I didn't even have a decent sleep before the event - or maybe I didn't sleep at all. But even if I experienced those things, I am very happy that I became a part of PKCI for its this very special event.

A lot of people asks me, "Why do you keep on volunteering for this kind of event? You do not earn any money there. In fact, you even offer your services for free." I also asked myself those questions. Not only do I offer my services for free, I also spend a lot of time and effort for it.

Well, I know some of you will not understand me. But here are my reasons why volunteering matters to me:

Enhances my skills

I am part of the creatives team during the KPOPCON X. We are the ones who create the posters, designs, videos, and a lot more. Since my course is Multimedia Arts, this is a great opportunity to use and enhance my skills in design, photography, and even editing videos. Not only that, KPOPCON X also gave me a hint on how working on the outside will look like. It helps me prepare for the bigger things to come.

The designs and videos made for KPOPCON X can also be added to my portfolio as a Multimedia Artist. I'm hitting a lot of birds with one stone.

Opens to New Opportunities

Opportunities. What kind of opportunities?

Well volunteering for PKCI, especially for KPOPCON X, gave me a lot of opportunities to interact with a lot of people - fellow fans, media, and sometimes even some known PH personalities. Since I barely go outside, or should I say I'm more of a home-school-home person, I never get the chance to talk with a lot of people.



Whenever I volunteer for PKCI, on any events, I get to at least meet 3 new people. And when I say I interact with them, I not only talk with them but also learn a lot of things from them. From last KPOPCON X, I learned the importance of organizing all the files so that it would be easier for the tech booth to know which video or slide to play.

Is What I Love to Do

I love volunteering, in whatever event it may be. If I haven't told you, I have been volunteering for medical missions and even school-feeding activities before. In fact, I even conducted one when I was in high school. I love helping and organizing different events. What more if I volunteer for a KPOP event?



Of course, it will be stressful. There will be sleepless nights. There will be times wherein I will get stressed and pissed especially when the event is already near and there are still a lot of things to do. But when the event is already finished, it will all be worth it. It feels like I have done something right in my whole life.

Seeing the smiles of the fans, how they happy they are to meet their fellow fans, all the stress will be removed. I promise you.

Gives me another set of Family - PKCI is a Family, The KPOP Fandom is a Family

Well I guess these pictures are proofs why they are considered a family. Take note, I didn't even have pictures with my other friends because I was busy. (Photos grabbed from my friends' Facebook accounts)

   


So again, before you tell me things like, "Stress lang naman dulot niyan sayo! Wala ka na ngang kita, wala ka pang pahinga," I may have no money in here, I may be stressed - no rest or whatever terms you'll say - here, but I found happiness in what I do. And I guess that's the most important thing, right?

Thank you so much PKCI for allowing me to volunteer even if I am not a perfect one. Thank you for everything. Until next event with you.

I've been a KPOP fan since 2009. I've known a lot of second generation KPOP groups. I honestly started with SS501 but was really addicted with Super Junior. Since Super Junior is a part of SM Entertainment, I got to know other groups of SM Entertainment. I may not be that 'ultimate fan' of those groups, but I became a silent fan.

Last November 30, I saw one of the members of the former DB5k (still OT5 by heart) who is now part of JYJ, Kim Jaejoong.