A lasting, unforgettable starry night with Cha Eun Woo

Astro’s Cha Eun Woo left Manila starry-eyed after his 2022 Just One Ten Minute: Starry Caravan in Manila fan meeting at the Araneta Coliseum last August 6, 2022. The fan meeting marked his return to the Philippines following his first solo event in 2019.

From a venue with less than three thousand attendees to a packed coliseum, Cha Eun Woo’s growth has been incredible. He captured the hearts of many Filipinos from around the globe with his roles in True Beauty, Hit the Top, My ID is Gangnam Beauty, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, and Top Management.

Many are first drawn in by his looks, but his talent and personality turn them into fans. While many know him more as an actor, he debuted as a member of the talented KPop group Astro. Aside from his activities with Astro, he also displayed his vocal prowess thru the numerous OSTs for dramas he appeared in. He appeared in variety shows like Master in the House, Handsome Tigers, Law of the Jungle, and Astro’s pre-debut variety show called OK! Ready.

He has hosted award and music shows, and even garnered multiple awards both with his group Astro and as an actor. He has endorsed multiple brands and even became a brand ambassador for high-end brands like Dior and Burberry.

Cha Eun Woo is more than a pretty face. He’s kind, humble, smart, and an all-arounder. And it’s no wonder that he captured the support of many fans around the world, the Philippines being no exception.

A Starry Day with Cha Eun Woo: The Press Conference

On the day of the fan meeting, Filipinos from around the world, international Arohas, and fans flew in for Cha Eun Woo’s Just One Ten Minute: Starry Caravan in Manila.

A mix of media and lucky fans who won the raffle contest to attend the press conference came to meet the Astro member ahead of his fan meeting. While waiting for the fan meet to begin, Sam Oh kept fans entertained by playing a trivia game about Cha Eun Woo. She also interviewed those who flew in from Davao, Guam, and even Miami.

Moments before Cha Eun Woo entered, the anticipation inside the tent was palpable. Fans were at the edge of their seats, a mix of nervousness and excitement until finally Sam Oh announced that Cha Eun Woo had arrived. The fans went wild with excitement. And just like what everyone had said, he was handsome, but he also had a down-to-earth aura about him that made him more endearing.

His first message to everyone present was this. “Hello, guys. Long time no see. I missed you. How about you?”

CHA EUN WOO IS HERE ❤️ #StarryCaravanInMNL @dnmentph pic.twitter.com/G3hP0V0CD9

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 6, 2022

Sam Oh then proceeded with the questions from the media. When asked about what memories from the Philippines he wants to recreate, he shared that when he was here, he used to go to a mall once a month and eat kebab.

He also said that when he comes to the Philippines, he’s nervous, happy, and excited to see his fans. He even mentioned that some fans were there at the airport to welcome him when he arrived the day before.

Another question was what was the most noticeable change, and he said that he thinks he’s the same. To this, the fans shouted “better!” to which he responded and agreed by saying that he learned a lot after his debut. He also shared that he doesn’t feel like he’s achieved that much yet and instead of learning something else, he’d rather get better at what he already does.

.@philconcerts asked during #StarryCaravanInMNL press con: You have visited the Philippines a number of times already. How do you feel every time you come back to the Philippines?

CHA EUN WOO said: pic.twitter.com/zbmEfYwBtm

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 6, 2022

He was then asked about his new hobbies. As a person who loves sports, he said that he’d taken up golf and tennis over the last two years.

On what inspired him to write song lyrics, he said it’s the things he sees and experiences.

As for what fans could look forward to at the fan meeting, Cha Eun Woo shared that they tried their best to prepare a show where the fans will have fun and enjoy themselves.

His parting message was this, “Let’s have a great night tonight. Thank you for coming. Thank you for waiting for me. I love you! Mahal ko kayo.”

The press conference was short–ten minutes–a nod to the name of the fan meeting “Just One Ten Minute”. As the story goes, it only takes ten minutes for someone to fall in love with Cha Eun Woo. And in ten minutes, he did capture the attention of everyone in the room.

Here’s CHA EUN WOO’s message for you all! See him later at the #StarryCaravanInMNL at the Araneta Coliseum 😍 @dnmentph pic.twitter.com/R6wwW021De

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 6, 2022

A Purple Galaxy at the Starry Caravan in Manila

A few hours later, fans were already at the Araneta Coliseum meeting up with each other, giving away and receiving Cha Eun Woo and Astro-related freebies such as albums, pins, photo cards, and notepads. Online friendships turned into real-life friendships.

Inside the venue, fans were taking their turn to take photos by the stage backdrop as Astro songs played in the background. Finally, the lights dimmed, the crowd screamed and the coliseum lit up in a purple galaxy of robongs as a short introduction video flashed on the screen.

Purple ocean at #StarryCaravanInMNL by @dnmentph 💜 pic.twitter.com/WPMb0HLhf7

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 6, 2022

And just like magic, Cha Eun Woo rose from behind the large LED screen on stage as the first few notes of “First Love” filled the coliseum. “Na-miss ko kayo!” He said before singing the first verse.

The coliseum was ringing with the crowd’s cheers and screams that Cha Eun Woo kept signaling to increase the volume from his earpiece, so he could hear the music. He sported his brilliant blue custom microphone and in-ear piece gifted to him by international fans.

Other Astro members also received custom microphones from fans, so it was a sweet gesture for him to bring his custom microphone on tour with him and a way to show his appreciation to his fans.

His live vocals were stable and sounded just like the recorded version. The song ended with him doing the signature L pose from the First Love choreography. He was amazed at how loud the crowd was and said, “Wow!”

After introducing himself, he teased the crowd by saying, “Did you guys miss me? Really? How much?” before proceeding to smile his signature eye smile.

That smile! #StarryCaravanInMNL pic.twitter.com/IK8wiZ9HwY

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 6, 2022

Getting to Know Good Guy Cha

Sam Oh joined him on stage and then began the first segment of the show called “Fact Check” where she would read statements and Eun Woo would have to agree or disagree by holding up a placard: an O if he agreed or an X if he disagreed.

He was asked about various things from the type of gift-giver he was (he gives gifts that are useful), which seat on the plane he preferred (the aisle seat), and whether or not he’d wait in line for a really good restaurant (he’d rather go to a different restaurant), and how he’d react to encountering a person he doesn’t remember but says hi to him (he will say hi and not let that person know that he doesn’t remember).

He also shared that he liked Philippine mangoes and mangosteen, and his secret was to look fresh after a flight (he said there’s no particular thing and that he just does what he wants).

He also shared his airplane routine which was to get comfy by wearing slippers, a blanket, his Airpods, and requesting a sleeping mask from the staff, which most likely means he naps on the plane.

He was also asked what he’d like people to remember him by and he said he wanted to be remembered as a good boy. This reminds me of a nickname fans have given him: Good Guy Cha.

But what made fans scream loud was when he was asked to give a message to them. He said the crowd had a lot of energy. “You guys are super hot,” he quipped and the crowd went wild.

After “Fact Check”, the next segment was “5 Minutes Straight” where Eun Woo introduced what he called the main work of Actor Cha Eun Woo and reenacted scenes from each drama.

The first was his first lead role in My ID is Gangnam Beauty. He was asked to reenact the scene where he confessed to Kang Mi-rae. Though he admitted he was a bit embarrassed to do so, he still reenacted it and acted shy afterwards.

He introduced his drama Top Management and mentioned that his character there was similar to him as well as his thoughts when filming the music video for that drama.

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung was next. After sharing more about his role in the drama, he was asked to say his lines: the comforting words to Goo Hae-ryung when she was crying.

Last but not least was True Beauty–a crowd favorite–where he reenacted his character Lee Suho getting drunk for the first time. Aside from that, he sang the famous “Ottoke” song twice–the second time with the fans singing along.

Ather the “5 Minutes Straight” segment, Cha Eun Woo proceeded to sing “Don’t Cry My Love.” There was a short break in between where he changed outfits and then came back out and serenaded the crowd with “Focus On Me”.

The next segment consisted of him sculpting himself using clay after choosing a photo from six options. As he focused intently on his sculpture, Sam Oh would ask him questions like if he was the type of person who didn’t like others to touch his hair as well as which was his favorite part of his face.

He asked the crowd which was their favorite. “My eyes? Nose? Lips?” The crowd screamed loudly at this last option. “Why lips?” He asked twice before blowing a flying kiss and making everyone scream even louder.

When he was finished with the sculpture, Sam Oh asked him to pose with it and show the crowd the cool Eun Woo, the handsome Eun Woo, the sexy Eun Woo, and the fatal Eun Woo to which he did a lip swipe.

After the “5 Minutes Straight” segment, Cha Eun Woo proceeded to sing “Don’t Cry My Love.” There was a short break in between where he changed outfits and then came back out and serenaded the crowd with “Focus On Me”.

The next segment consisted of him sculpting himself using clay after choosing a photo from six options. As he focused intently on his sculpture, Sam Oh would ask him questions like if he was the type of person who didn’t like others to touch his hair as well as which was his favorite part of his face which he asked the crowd which was their favorite. “My eyes? Nose? Lips?” The crowd screamed loudly at this last option. “Why lips?” He asked twice before blowing a flying kiss and making everyone scream even louder. When he was finished with the sculpture, Sam Oh asked him to pose with it and show the crowd the cool Eun Woo, the handsome Eun Woo, the sexy Eun Woo, and the fatal Eun Woo to which he did a lip swipe.

Cha Eun Woo shows his diverse charms at #StarryCaravanInMNL pic.twitter.com/cP4vKz2gSd

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 6, 2022

From Cha Eun Woo to Arohas: Mahal ko kayo

“I’m happy that we are together,” Cha Eun Woo said before Sam Oh proceeded to tell the crowd that the fan meeting was nearing its end. He pouted at this, signaling that he didn’t want it to end as well, and gave a parting message. He said he was really happy to see his fans and for them not to be sad. “Mahal ko kayo.”

“Do you guys want to see me often?” He asked as the crowd screamed loud. “Then I’ll come often.” He then proceeded to perform his next song, a mash-up of two Shawn Mendes songs.

The lights dimmed and the crowd was a galaxy of purple as they began to chant his real name, “Lee Dong-min! Lee Dong-min! Lee Dong-min!” He sat on the piano and played the intro of “When You’re Gone.” When the beat changed to a faster one, he stood up and sang “Hold On” and the lights went off again.

For his encore, Cha Eun Woo rose from the LED screen on stage carrying a basket of roses as he sang “Aloha”. After singing the first verse, he stood up and went to the crowd to give the roses to his fans. The next song was another OST, but this time from True Beauty, which was “Love So Fine”.

Before the hi-hello session after the program, Eun Woo took a photo with the crowd and a heartwarming video Filipino fans made for him flashed on screen showcasing his various sides as an actor, idol, host, and variety show member as well as photos of fans with their messages for him.

He sat on stage watching in awe, appreciation, and love and he even grinned while watching the fan project. “Every time I come to the Philippines I always get a lot of gifts from you guys. I was very touched. Thank you so much for these unforgettable memories.” And for many Arohas, the fan meeting was a lasting, unforgettable memory of that starry night with their first love Cha Eun Woo.

Special thanks to DnM Entertainment and MakeItLive Asia.

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Article by Izzy Matias