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Korean prince of TV soaps
(AFP/Mandy Cheng)South Korean Kim Soo-hyun has the charisma one would expect of an actor who has made critically acclaimed movies and television soaps
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(AFP/Mandy Cheng) (AFP/Mandy Cheng)
(AFP/Mandy Cheng)
South Korean Kim Soo-hyun has the charisma one would expect of an actor who has made critically acclaimed movies and television soaps.
Despite his relatively young age, the 26-year-old, who started professional acting in 2009, is among the top Korean actors.
Kim ' not to be mistaken with the model-actress of the same name who stars in The Avengers 2 ' grabbed public attention when he played in musical teen series Dream High alongside singers IU, Miss A's Suzy and 2PM's Taecyeon and Wooyoung.
His budding popularity landed him commercials, dramas and movies deals with him as the main character. He has played a king, a thief and a dorky martial artist, but it was his latest character ' as an alien ' that landed him in Jakarta for a fan meeting.
And his first impression of the city?
'The traffic is incredible. And the heat. How can you all stand the heat?' he said, adding: 'It's hotter inside, though, with all of you here,' to the cheers of his predominantly female fans.
A true traveler at heart, Kim said he had tasted many local dishes and delicacies to brush on the local food culture.
'I have tried nasi goreng [fried rice], mi goreng [fried noodles] and so many others that I cannot remember their names. I eat them a lot,' he said.
Although there was no media fanfare prior to and during his visit, hundreds of people gathered hours before the recent fan meeting event at the Skenoo Exhibition Hall in Gandaria City, South Jakarta.
The currently most bankable South Korean actor made the Jakarta stop on April 25 as part of his Asia tour.
It was a low-key event as South Korea was still mourning the Sewol ferry disaster that left 302 people dead or missing, most of them students on a school trip.
Kim's management agency, Keyeast Entertainment, closed the event to the press under pressure to scale down promotional activities.
But the excitement was already high upon his arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport a day before the fan meeting, with many fans waiting to hand him gifts and letters.
Some voiced their enthusiasm through social media, sharing their joy over 'breathing the same air' as the actor.
During the event, titled '2014 Kim Soo Hyun Asia Tour 1st Memories in Indonesia', fans had a chance to see the witty and talkative Kim ' a contrast to characters he has played ' making them erupt in cheers and laughter.
His latest drama was My Love from the Star that, although yet to be aired in Indonesia, has gained a huge following here thanks to Internet streaming.
In the drama, Kim stars as Do Min-joon, an alien with supernatural powers who came to earth 400 years ago and found love just when he was about to return home.
The series, which co-stars iconic actress Gianna Jun, has indeed swept Asia.
There have been reports of high sales for particular lipstick, pajamas and clothes brands that the characters wear.
There have also been reports that Kim became the most sought-after endorser of various products since the drama ended early March. There were different brands and companies on the list, ranging from food products, cosmetics, fashion and department stores. The income he accrued in two months was said to have reached US$18 million.
Kim was also among celebrities who donated large sums of money to the school that lost 250 students and teachers on the sunken ferry.
In the fan meeting organized by Bangkok-based Korean Culture Alliance (KCA), Kim wore a simple black suit, but he later changed into a white shirt as a gesture of mourning over the ferry tragedy.
The stage was simply decorated and turned into Kim Soo-hyun Café having a board full of messages from fans.
Kim opened the event by singing the award winning 'Dreaming', a score from Dream High sung by his character Song Sam-dong.
He said that he personally tailored the event as well as the games and gifts for the lucky fans who got onstage to shake hands and take Polaroid photos with him.
During a session in which he related amusing behind-the-scenes anecdotes during several movie or commercial shoots, Kim used the chance to tease the Indonesian interpreter, Anggi, by purposely talking incessantly.
He also helped the emcee call fans who won the chance to get on the stage, but with a twist. Instead of saying 'maju, maju' (come, come forward), he said 'manju, manju' (dumplings in Korean).
An actor with great singing talent, he wooed the fans by belting out Wonder Girls' 'Nobody', his 'Only You' ' the theme song of the Moon Embracing the Sun ' and at the close of the event his 'In Front of Your House' from the My Love from the Stars.
Kim might be a good entertainer, but he could not hide his tears when parting with fans who chanted his name, being thankful for their support.
'I will return for you,' he said.
