[FAN ACCOUNT] Ending the Year 2013 and starting the Year 2014 with Xia Junsu (Junsu week in Seoul, a journal by Dolphinxiah)

January 6, 2014 · by JYJ3 Team

By Dolphinxiah:

Warning: It’s very looongg…

Fighting for tickets

I just came back from Seoul on Jan 5th and I already missed the JYJ land, wishing to go back there again. It was my 2nd Korea visit after 6 years in 2007. Back then, my schedule was full of Shinhwa’s events although I was already converted to be a xiahpwa, and the thing I did related to Junsu back then was only a visit to Papa Kim Misarang Pizzeria in Ilsan.

This year unfortunately no JYJ event fits my schedule, but I’ve been determined to watch Junsu’s musical since Mozart. So I made myself available for Junsu’s December musical on the date that fit my schedule and my son’s school holiday. I got tickets for 3rd January performace. Once in a lifetime, spending new years abroad was not a bad idea, so it was set to go on Dec 28th until Jan 5th with my teenage son. I also made plan for a JYJ-related tour, and at we would meet a SG xiahpwa friend in Seoul. Rumour about JYJ year end concert was a great push for my spirit, but it was never confirmed. My son was hoping to see Jaejoong, yes he’s a Jae-biased.

When Junsu’s Ballad and Musical concert vol.2 was announced, I had a high hope to get tickets, it would be awesome to have 2 events in one visit, right? CjeS announced the ticketing would be on Dec 3rd, and the news that we always read about how difficult it was to get or how many minutes the tickets were gone, it was very much true. The minute we logged on, the site was only white page until it ran again and the tickets were all gone. It was very daunting to read the news that tickets were sould out in 15 minutes. My hope crashed, but we never gave up. We tried every channel, and when the 2nd ticketing opened on Dec 5th, my friend from SG succeeded with a help from Korean colleague in Seoul. Although we couldn’t get the Dec 31 ticket, but we were happy with Dec 30 concert tickets. Thanks to sake_soju kkk.

Fighting against time

As if difficulties to get concert ticket was not enough trouble, my flights had a problem too. The delay from Jakarta to KL made me lose the connecting flight from KL to Seoul. About 30 people were stranded at LCCT airport as early as 1 AM on Dec 29th. Arguements between us and airport authorities, even involving police made us almost lose hope to go to Seoul. Finally the airline manager gave 2 options, either to go to Busan that day with morning flight or take the next morning flight to go to Seoul (on Dec 30th). I was thinking, if I insisted to go via Busan on the same day, the airline can’t guarantee Busan-Seoul flights/train, had to spend another millions on the flights and it’s in the middle of winter too. The 2nd option of morning flight on Dec 30th would reach Seoul at 4 pm, it would be like a race against time for that night concert on 8 pm. But it’s not impossible if there’s no more delay. So I chose 2nd choice, and stayed in Malaysia for one day on the airline company expenses. Thanks to JYJers friends in KL, my son and I were not sad anymore. We had a great time with sudden gathering at KLCC.

Morning flight on Dec 30th was on time, we arrived at 3.45 pm in Seoul. We left for hotel chek-in from airport at 5 pm because airport bus 6011 was late. Traffic jam was also bad that we reached hotel at 6.30 pm. No time for shower, packed a small bag for one night (I booked another hotel in Jamsil for one night), and went straight to Anguk station. I realised I still had no internet connection yet (my roaming is being processed) so I only can contact my friend via text messages. I forgot a subway map and cannot open online subway map. Heart was racing like mad. Fortunately, a handsome man (Ji Jinhe look-alike), came to assist me, escorted me to the train while asking what event in Jamsil that I was rushing to go for. I said Kim Junsu concert and he was shocked that I knew Junsu. Aiyooo….this man, you’re still my angel tho.

At exactly 7.30 pm, my son and I reached Sport Complex station and sake_soju has waited at Exit 7. We still had 30 minutes before the concert and we were certain that Junsu would be late. Suddenly my whole body shook with emotion and cried briefly on the spot. Although my legs are tired but high spirit to see the concert gave energy to reach the event venue, and went up the stairs to 3rd floor because our tickets were on 3rd floor. The concert started after we only sat like 5 minutes in our seats. We made it in time…thank God.

The Xia 2013 Ballad and Musical Concert with Orchestra Vol.2

Since the Ballad concert in 2012, this type of concert is my dream concert to attend because Junsu’s style of ballad songs are my favourite. I came to his concert in Jakarta and Bangkok, so I can’t imagine if I missed this chance especially when my friend succeeded getting us tickets. So during the whole concert, I was having high emotion and teared at almost every song he sang (except Incredible dance version of course haha).

The opening video part about his car was so grandous. I whispered to my son, that Lamborghini Aventador was his own (bragging). First time to hear the live of The shadows grow longer and Mirror from Elisabeth Musical. Great numbers to open the concert. Songs from Mozart musical were also first time to hear it live. I’m glad he chose different songs from last year ballad concert. I love Golden Star from Mozart Musical so much. Kim Sohyun was so beautiful for a 6-year-older-than-Junsu noona and she sang beautiful duet with Junsu for songsTo Know You Means to Love You and Brushing Past. But for her solo number, the Elisabeth song, I had to give it to Ock that sang a better version. It’s just my opinion hehehe.

December song was beautiful. I read that fancams don’t do justice to his real performance, and who ever said that was absolutely right especially in ballad songs. Junsu sounded millions times better than dvd or fancams. His emotion in his voice had an effect to your emotion, it slipped into your skin, woke up your tingling inside and before you know it, you feel warmness on your cheek from your tears. The orchestra and the choir made perfect harmony with Junsu’s emotional singing. My son whispered that Junsu sounded better than my 24-hours on-repeat play from my handphone haha…this kid.

Too Love was a nice surprise, it’s been a long time since the last time we heard that song. He even didn’t sing it at Taran nor Incredible concerts. We thought it was only instrumental, but when he appeared, oh it felt like in heaven. He brought back the memory of SKKS drama. The jam session with violin in Too Love was incredible. Junsu’s adlib versus violin was superb. No Reason sounds more jazzy and sexy, and of course his hip thrust was counted for its sexyness.

At Genie time as Junsu’s signature event in all his concert, I can only understand the sexy request of dancing Turn It up. The other two, I understand it after reading the compilation tweets at JYJ3. Hehehe…poor i-fans here who don’t understand Korean.

11 AM and I Love You were beautiful, I cried yes…my friend suggested me to bring towel for my constant tears or use the blanket from the concert goods.

Thank U For brightened up the venue because Junsu was walking around the venue with the dancers. This song fits nicely as December theme. I never heard Uphill Road before, and don’t know whose song it was. Hehehe…but it was still nice. Tsubomi was the only Japanese song in the concert. I love it too. Incredible acoustic version…ommo…he surprised us again with his new remix rendition. He made it sound like a very sad song, so touching and beautiful. Just when we were still in sad emotion listening to Incredible acoustic version, the original version started, and we started moving to the beat. Junsu was playing with our emotion. How can he do that? Such an original entertainer. I never failed to get amazed by Love is like a snowflake. And this time Junsu sang Aboji as an encore.

The concert finished, and we went to hotel in Jamsil with happiness. For myself, I came back to the venue on Dec 31 for queuing concert goods. Queuing 2 hours in cold was worth getting the goods. I am sorry that I didn’t take pictures. I believe in fans who were more experienced as ninjas for better pics and fancams. My friend only took one pic, the usher came and almost took her memory card.

The concert was amazing beyond words. Although there was still one day to the new year, but it was nice to complete year 2013 with attending Xia Ballad and Musical Concert. It was worth all the fighting to get tickets and the hardships to get there … if I could have chance to do it again, I would.

December Musical on January 3rd at 15.00

I was excited to see his musical. I arrived early to claim my tickets, bought goods and took photos. I rent binocular because sake_soju suggested to see closely his priceless expression during musical, especially his cute smirks. And she was right, he was soooo cute during funny scenes, but also so sad during heartbreaking scenes. The backdrop changed so fast in seconds fit each scene, it amazed my son so much that made him asked many questions, and I had to make him be quiet.

There were so many ahjummas and ahjusis watching the musical. Junsu said in interview that the new interesting thing was the sound of ahjusi’s laughs in the audience. I witnessed that. Was it because Kim Kwangsuk was a singer legend in their time? Maybe. But it also means this musical has widened Junsu’s age range of fans. Isn’t it? One thing that shocked the fans was Junsu’s adlib to do short Intoxication dance in the musical. It made us scream. Hahaha…I bet the ajushi and ahjumma didn’t understand why we were excited all of a sudden.

Junsu was soo good as musical actor. I’m hoping for another Best Musical Actor this year for him. One thing for sure, one of the actresses from December will experience the good curse as Kim Junsu’s partner, which is receiving Female Popularity Award just like Jung Seonah from Mozart, Yoon Gongju from Tears of Heaven and Kim Soyoung from Elisabeth.

JYJ-related places tour

It was snowing the week before we came, but during the whole week we were in Seoul, no snow at all. The weather was nice so we could go to places we wanted relatively, but it was still cold at around 5-7° especially because of the winds.

In between Ballad concert and his musical, we went to JYJ-related places such as Jholic, Creabeau Belle, Mickiss, Nii, or just shop around. There were still so many JYJ-related places we wanted to see but couldn’t such as Korean Folks Village where JJ and YC filmed their drama. Crebeau Jeff was closed when we were there. We didn’t get the chance to go to Bum’s Story too. Maybe next chance when we go to JYJ concert in more warmer weather. One thing I regret, I couldn’t get a copy of Junsu’s musical magazine. It was sold out everywhere, at least they don’t have them again at Kyobo and Myeongdong.

On Jan 5th, we went home with mixed emotion. Happiness for accomplishment of an incredible Junsu week and JYJ-related places tour, sadness that it all had to end eventually. I would surely miss this JYJ land and would come again when I can for a JYJ event.

It was truly a memorable journey for me….