credits: Tan Choe Choe (Malaysian Newstraitstime) + newstsvn.blogspot..com
Re-post with full credits.
Kim Hyun Joong
After having led boy-group SS501 for five years, Kim Hyun Joong proves his mettle as a top Hallyu star with a winning album, writes TAN CHOE CHOE
IT was a high-five meet with 500 lucky fans, but over 1,200 turned up at the grand ballroom of the Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur last week, even if just to scream their hearts out and catch a glimpse of the very blonde, very gorgeous Kim Hyun Joong.
It was the first time Kim Hyun Joong was meeting fans here as a solo artiste after his SS501 days and before his arrival, fans were already frantic with excitement, practising fan-chants about him being their “one and only”.
When Kim Hyun Joong finally came on stage, the diligently-practised lines being shouted from all corners of the room filled the air, instantly drawing a shy, happy smile from him.
There was no hesitation from him when he declared in fluent Malay — “Saya cinta Malaysia” — to repay the passionate welcome.
In a white shirt, light brown vest, grey pants and a loosely fitted light grey tie, Kim Hyun Joong was the picture of a suave gentleman as he bestowed a dazzling smile on each fan who came on stage. So electrifying was his steady gaze and warm demeanour that some couldn’t help but try to embrace him, but were stopped by his bodyguard. One fan even tried to “claim” Kim by sliding a ring onto his ring finger. Without missing a beat and still smiling, Kim smoothly slid it off and passed it to a nearby staff.
Others went sniffing their hands after shaking his, hoping to catch a whiff of what he smelled like. Many also took the opportunity to pass him little gifts and letters in what probably would go on record as the shortest 15-minute hand-shake event with 500 fans.
The day before, Kim Hyun Joong, who was in the midst of a cross-Asia promotional tour for his solo debut mini-album Break Down, had flown in on a morning flight from Singapore. Malaysia was his fifth stop after Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore.
In a brief press conference later, despite being visibly exhausted, Kim Hyun Joong still accorded each question a gravity of respect that was unexpected for a young man of 25 years. Facing about 130 media representatives, he waved and smiled charmingly, eyes focussed and observant as he scanned the room as flashbulbs went off incessantly.
Little surprise then that he had similarly impressed Taiwanese media during his brief but highly successful visit last week, earning him the title of Best Korean Star With The Best Looks And Best Manners.
“Every time I went on stage (as part of a group), I always felt nervous, but with my own album now, there’s a feeling of being fully prepared and ready for the stage. So I’m not so nervous anymore.”
As for the good reception for his solo debut album, which topped the album sales charts in five countries across Asia, Kim said: “I never thought Asian fans would love the album so much. I am now working on my second album, for release in October. I hope all my fans and the media will look forward to it.
From December, I’ll start my Asia Tour and I heard that one of the stops will be Malaysia too.”
He felt each song in his mini album was unique and in various genres so he hoped Malaysian fans would like them too, though he expressed preference for the title track Break Down, a track which boasts of a sexy hip-gyrating dance that has been attracting dance covers in Taiwan and the Philippines since he performed it live during his comeback in South Korea.
On the third day of his visit, Kim Hyun Joong caused quite a commotion when he visited two TheFaceShop outlets as the cosmetics brand’s ambassador, first in the Pavilion and then at Berjaya Times Square, both in Kuala Lumpur. Thousands flocked to see him and he managed to raise RM11,000 for an environmental cause from an auction of just a cardboard standee and a pair of used knee protectors.
There was also an autograph signing ceremony for 100 lucky shoppers. One Korean fan who had followed him here and whom Kim recognised, even got a special message from him that reads: “Thanks for always looking at me from afar. I will pray for you that you will always be happy — Hyun Joong.”
Kim Hyun Joong also enjoys tremendous popularity in Japan, where he has been called an artiste in the “healing category”. On Twitter, one Japanese fan wrote: “There are many problems in Japan now, aftershocks, radioactive contamination... but seeing his carefree and tender smile, we can smile and be happy naturally. He is an angel who carries happiness, that’s why Japanese fans say he makes us heal and happy.”
Clearly, there is a reason why wherever Kim Hyun Joong goes, legions of fans follow.
IT was a high-five meet with 500 lucky fans, but over 1,200 turned up at the grand ballroom of the Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur last week, even if just to scream their hearts out and catch a glimpse of the very blonde, very gorgeous Kim Hyun Joong.
It was the first time Kim Hyun Joong was meeting fans here as a solo artiste after his SS501 days and before his arrival, fans were already frantic with excitement, practising fan-chants about him being their “one and only”.
When Kim Hyun Joong finally came on stage, the diligently-practised lines being shouted from all corners of the room filled the air, instantly drawing a shy, happy smile from him.
There was no hesitation from him when he declared in fluent Malay — “Saya cinta Malaysia” — to repay the passionate welcome.
In a white shirt, light brown vest, grey pants and a loosely fitted light grey tie, Kim Hyun Joong was the picture of a suave gentleman as he bestowed a dazzling smile on each fan who came on stage. So electrifying was his steady gaze and warm demeanour that some couldn’t help but try to embrace him, but were stopped by his bodyguard. One fan even tried to “claim” Kim by sliding a ring onto his ring finger. Without missing a beat and still smiling, Kim smoothly slid it off and passed it to a nearby staff.
Others went sniffing their hands after shaking his, hoping to catch a whiff of what he smelled like. Many also took the opportunity to pass him little gifts and letters in what probably would go on record as the shortest 15-minute hand-shake event with 500 fans.
The day before, Kim Hyun Joong, who was in the midst of a cross-Asia promotional tour for his solo debut mini-album Break Down, had flown in on a morning flight from Singapore. Malaysia was his fifth stop after Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore.
In a brief press conference later, despite being visibly exhausted, Kim Hyun Joong still accorded each question a gravity of respect that was unexpected for a young man of 25 years. Facing about 130 media representatives, he waved and smiled charmingly, eyes focussed and observant as he scanned the room as flashbulbs went off incessantly.
Little surprise then that he had similarly impressed Taiwanese media during his brief but highly successful visit last week, earning him the title of Best Korean Star With The Best Looks And Best Manners.
“Every time I went on stage (as part of a group), I always felt nervous, but with my own album now, there’s a feeling of being fully prepared and ready for the stage. So I’m not so nervous anymore.”
As for the good reception for his solo debut album, which topped the album sales charts in five countries across Asia, Kim said: “I never thought Asian fans would love the album so much. I am now working on my second album, for release in October. I hope all my fans and the media will look forward to it.
From December, I’ll start my Asia Tour and I heard that one of the stops will be Malaysia too.”
He felt each song in his mini album was unique and in various genres so he hoped Malaysian fans would like them too, though he expressed preference for the title track Break Down, a track which boasts of a sexy hip-gyrating dance that has been attracting dance covers in Taiwan and the Philippines since he performed it live during his comeback in South Korea.
On the third day of his visit, Kim Hyun Joong caused quite a commotion when he visited two TheFaceShop outlets as the cosmetics brand’s ambassador, first in the Pavilion and then at Berjaya Times Square, both in Kuala Lumpur. Thousands flocked to see him and he managed to raise RM11,000 for an environmental cause from an auction of just a cardboard standee and a pair of used knee protectors.
There was also an autograph signing ceremony for 100 lucky shoppers. One Korean fan who had followed him here and whom Kim recognised, even got a special message from him that reads: “Thanks for always looking at me from afar. I will pray for you that you will always be happy — Hyun Joong.”
Kim Hyun Joong also enjoys tremendous popularity in Japan, where he has been called an artiste in the “healing category”. On Twitter, one Japanese fan wrote: “There are many problems in Japan now, aftershocks, radioactive contamination... but seeing his carefree and tender smile, we can smile and be happy naturally. He is an angel who carries happiness, that’s why Japanese fans say he makes us heal and happy.”
Clearly, there is a reason why wherever Kim Hyun Joong goes, legions of fans follow.
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