ShenYue: Sorry for being too late for the report guys!
This was our first event in real life ShenYuePop was invited as a media partner!
And being our first time to attend a live event to collect our very own news first handed and fresh from the field has been very meaningful to us! The event was held in Malaysia and we were able to have total of 4 of the SYP staff, administration and Korean translator to capture the live actions on the field and the rest of the global team to take care of the usual administration jobs but times 1000 in load and difficulty! By far this is this is the only post we have ever worked on for this long and with so much coming at us. I would like to thanks all the SYP staffs and the administration partners for their dedication, patience and work ethic! Thank You.
Following is the report Rainbowhippo, SYP’s wonderful writer who attended the events with SYP’s forum moderator strawberrybj as the photographer has prepared for you. Enjoy!
Rainbowhippo: First of all, as proud members of ShenYuePop staff and on behalf of ShenYuePop’s entire administration team we would like to thank C.I. Entertainment for their invitation. BJ (Moderator in SYP forum) and I (SYP writer), were able to attend F.T. Island’s activities in Malaysia (Fan meet, House + Birthday party and Press Conference) as media representatives (free goodies, free pass, free foods, don’t you just love being the media?) as well as representatives of ShenYuePop. This was also a first time experience for us to attend such events. We had high expectations and hoped for these activities to be successful before the actual concert. And, here is our story and adventure where we got to taste a little bit of Korean Entertainment world industry.
First Day,
Press Conference
( Friday, 28th March 2008, Izzi Restaurant, Starhill )
The Program :
10.30am – Registration
11.00am – Arrival of VIPs
11.30am – Press Conference
12.30am – End // Refreshment
Everything was supposed to follow the program accordingly, but a lot of unexpected things had happened during that time. BJ and I arrived at 10.25am after meeting ShenYuePop’s admin, Chris. We were the second to arrive at the destination. They turned on F.T.Island’s songs few minutes later and it kept on playing on the speaker for more than 3 hours (I can still hear the songs in my head!). Then the air conditioner broke down and a banner fell down. Luckily, the management had the situation under control and apologizes to the media, although the air conditioner remained unfixed till the end. After two hours of waiting…F.T.Island finally arrived.
[F.T.Island] Press conference - short intro:
During that time, we were so ready to ask the questions that our forum had prepared but due to the time constraint, Only the emcee, Simon, from 98.8 FM was able to ask them general questions. Everything only lasted 20 minutes, including the photo shoots. It happened so quickly….We tried to go to the back area where F.T.Island was having refreshments but failed to do so because of the tight security. The event organizer said something about having pre-made special arrangements before we could enter the restricted area. Only pre-arranged media partners were allowed personal interviews with them.
Luckily with the help of ShenYuePop’s Admin and the approval of the F.T.Islands management we were able to bring our own Korean translator along and even thought F.T.Island had theirs too but their translator did not translate fully what they were saying, including the jokes they had! Here was the information that we managed to obtain during the press conference:
Hello! (annyoung haseyo)
Apa khabar~( how are you in Malay language )
Hello Malaysia, we are F.T Island!!
Thank you!
I think we need to check the sound system(host)
Ah Ah Ah, yes it works (telling the host that the mike works)
Jong hun- apa khabar I’m leader and guitarist
Jae jin- apa khabar bass jae jin
Min hwan- hello I’m drummer min hwan
Hong gi- hello F.T Island Honggi
Won bin- apa khabar I’m won bin
Question- what is your feeling of visiting Malaysia?
Hong Gi- Firstly, just like hot Malaysian weather, fans greeted us warmly so thank you a lot for that. And Malaysia is really clean and refreshing, so my condition is good. Thank you!
Won Bin- I think Malaysia is really clean and fans greeted us at airport warmly so I was really very happy. I like this country and would want to visit next time if I have a chance.
Min Hwan- Firstly, it was amazing to see many trees I didn’t get to see in Korea. I’m expecting to experience something more different and amazing here. I’m excited.
Jong Hun- We came to Malaysia for the first time and before I came here I used to think ‘I want to go to Malaysia one day’. When we came, a lot of people greeted us and treated us so kindly. I can’t wait for the concert.
Is there anything to expect for your concert?
Hong Gi- For this concert, we have prepared English and Malay comments and songs in between the concerts. We hope that this will help us get closer to the fans. We have also prepared what we haven’t been performing in Korea concert. So please wait for our concert, Thank you.
What places would you like to recommend us to visit in Korea?
Hong Gi- We will answer that one by one.
(bringing the mike to Won Bin) Please start first
Won Bin- Erm, in Korea there is a place called ‘Ap-gu jeong’ in Seoul and it is a fashion town.
Hong Gi- I would like to recommend ‘Shindang’ in Korea. In Shindang, there is this food called Teokbboki, I’m not sure if you guys have heard of it. You can taste the best Teokbboki at Shindang. Here I see someone who understands Korean is laughing and smiling now, it’s REALLY delicious.
Min Hwan- For me, it’s Kangwon-do in Korea. You can smell the best fresh air there.
Jae Jin- For me, I would like to recommend places like Hong De because there are many Indies bands there. It will be fun to hang around there.
Jong Hoon- I would recommend the street of Korean culture, Dongde mun. Please visit there and eat a lot of nice stuff and get nice things too.
The first impression of Malaysia?
Hong Gi- As I mentioned earlier, the first impression of Malaysia we had is similar as what we said in first question. It was really surprising that many people recognized us and even waited for us. I really want to thank that moment.
Won Bin- I want to thank the fans who had waited for us for so long. In the concert, we will really put a lot of effort, rather than just brining a good concert. We hope to be the one with fans during the concert.
Hong Gi- (pointing mike at won bin) Erm, Wonbin Kun (used in addressing person in formal way) is there anything you want to eat? Anything you want to do?
Won Bin- Na..Nasi..
Hong Gi- That’s mine
Won Bin- Nasi Le?
Hong Gi- That’s mine!
Won Bin- Nasi lemak? ( coconut rice – a famous malay cuisine - )
Hong Gi- Same here.
Jae Jin- ..Satay
Min Hwan- But that’s mine
Won Bin- We tried those together.
Hong Gi- We heard that many of our albums were sold in Malaysia. Thank you for the support and keep supporting us!
Won Bin- We will keep trying to present different and good music. Thank you.
Second Day,
Global Fan Meet / Birthday Party
( Saturday, 29th March 2008, Party House, Titiwangsa )
The Program :
9.00am – Registration
9.30am – Arrival of VIPs
10.00am – Global Fan Meet + Birthday Party
11.00am – End // Refreshment
After the long waiting experience yesterday, we decided to go a little later but I have no idea why we ended up early again. The place was kind of far from where BJ and I lived. We woke up at 6am, drove to the nearest station, and took a train to Titiwangsa. We arrived at around 10.20am. We thought we were late but to our surprise…we were the second one to arrived again! This event we learned was actually for the F.T.Island’s VIP fans. When we were at the main entrance, there were so many things made by F.T.Island fans on display, including shirts, posters, books, bookmarks, and many more.
When we arrived some fans were still arranging the stuff while others were in the party room. They were having lots of fun and games but the F.T.Island boys were nowhere in sight. The cakes, sparkling juice, the deco, and gifts were all in place. We waited there 30 minutes. Then a representative from C.I. Entertainment informed us that F.T.Island boys were unable to be present at the event and they apologized to everyone. We were not told the real reason behind their absence. BJ told me that some of the fans were really disappointed. Some of them even cried since they weren’t able to see their idols after all that much preparation and even paying for the fan package. We were really sorry for them as well and wondered what had happened to the F.T.Island boys. Without any delay, BJ and I moved to the next event on the same day.
Meet-the-Fans / Autograph Session
( Saturday, 29th March 2008, Cineleisure Damansara )
The Program :
12.30pm – Registration
1.00pm – Meet-the-fans
3.00pm – Autograph sessions
5.00pm – End
We took the train again and drove the car to Damansara. We arrived at Cineleisure Damansara at 12.10pm. We saw many excited fans inside the venue. What we saw at that time was just a stage with no chairs. We asked the C.I. staff to direct us as to where we should be positioned and where to set up our camera and video. We were shocked to be informed that F.T. Island just had their lunch and were on their way to Titiwangsa where the Birthday Party was held. The staffs even asked us why are we so early! It was already 12.20pm then and according to the schedule we had to be there at 12:30 for the media registration! We felt frustrated again , but could do nothing other than waiting for the boys.
We learned that F.T.Island were made to make up for to the VIP fans and headed back to the Birthday Party and that was despite them running short to make it to the rest of their schedule for the day. Since the boys were expected to arrive at the Autograph Session around 2.30pm we went for lunch at Sakae Sushi and shopped at the flea market nearby. When we came back, the chairs and other media representatives were there. The place was getting crowded. We showed our pass and managed to get the limited chair seats reserved specially for media representatives. I suppose the fans outside and in the queue must be so envious (probably even cursing) at us for being able to sit in the front and very close to the stage.
It was only at 4.30pm that F.T.Island arrived! and with short greetings the autograph session began. The fans were really crazy about them. BJ and I felt scared as we’re stuck in the middle. Many thanks to the management and security personnel for protecting us! The autograph session began with the VIP fans who could get the autographs of all 5 members. Other fans only able to get one and weren’t allow to choose their favourite member. The boys were so funny and happy even though they were really tired.
Before the event started, the management told us that Min Hwan has fallen sick, hence they were late and all that. However, in my opinion, based on my personal observations, Min Hwan looked cheerful and okay but not Won Bin. I think it’s Won Bin who was sick. Evidence? I saw him rubbing his eyes, coughing, plus…a personal staff standing beside him. He looked REEEAAALLLYYY tired. I pitied him…at times I managed to videocam him but he tried to avoid it when he saw me recording him.
Sorry Won Bin!! There were so many cute and scary memories there!
Oh well…at least Min Hwan showed his cute face specially to us. Awww…Hong Gi looked tired too…I didn’t see him smile a lot but Jae Jin and Jong Hun were so excited. BJ even saw a fan saying “ Oopa, Hwaiting!” to Jae Jin, and he replied “(네) Neh”. ^____^
This was the most excited part! I missed this one but BJ managed to see it. Seems like a fan requested to pinch Min Hwan’s cheek and she did!! Everyone was laughing at this one including the security guards. I guess “mini Rain” is too cute. The event ended about 1 hour and 15 minutes later.
[F.T.Island] Fan meeting - ending:
Most of the fans were quite sad because they already bought the album at the local booth and were unable to get their signatures. The album cost about…USD28.15 to be exact. Some girls even came to me and asked why the autograph session ended so quickly. I’m just the media, not the management, I answered “^^
Third Day
Concert
( Sunday, 30th March 2008, Sunway Lagoon Amphitheatre; ZAZU [wrap party] )
Program :
6.00pm – Registration
6.30pm – Gates open
7.30pm – Showtime
10.00pm – Wrap Party
12.00am – End
I was really excited about the concert as this was supposed to be my first time going to a live concert. BJ and I shared the same car to Sunway Lagoon. I was too busy thinking about the concert when suddenly I saw a sign on the main entranceread “THE F.T.ISLAND CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED” Let me Allow me to scream here…. Aaarrrrggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Everyone was disappointed once more again. The sadness and anger was everywhere obvious around us including the parents of the fans. They were looking for the authorities, and demanding an explanation for the cancellation of the concert and to express their dissatisfaction (since this was the 2nd day of malfunctioning of the management). I managed to hear the fans complaining to the Korean Press and saying that during the Birthday Party, F.T.Island only showed up for 15 minutes instead of the prearranged agreement and then headed for the next venue appointed schedule. They were telling them how they only wish to see F.T.Island on stage play live even if it’s just for one song. Among local fans there were also foreign fans from China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Korea who had gathered in Malaysia simply for this one purpose! :/
We managed to contact the management. They told us that the directors were currently at the meeting to solve the problem and F.T. Island was already on their way back to Korea! We were not told the main reason for the cancellation of the concert. They informed us that a press release will get published at the same day and there might be a make up concert for the fans. We later received the promised explanation letter, saying apologize for the cancellation without any further explanation. This is actually out of what we expected. Let’s just hope they didn’t cancel the concert merely because of the hot weather temperature, cos you ought to be stronger than that if you’re a true professional. Despite the fact that these whole events have been super chaotic, but let us still hope that F.T. Island will return to Malaysia soon to make it up to their fans.
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Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: rainbowhippo + strawberrybj
Special thanks to ShenYuePop’s Administration in Malaysia: Chris
Editor: Tangera+ShenYue!+Michelle+Louise
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