If people will ask me which South Korean actor I want to see in person, Lee Seung Gi will always top my list. He has been my favorite actor since that day I started watching My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho in 2010 where he played Cha Dae Woong, an aspiring actor who fell in love with the adorable Miho, a gumiho, played by Shin Min Ah. I have watched all his dramas — from Shining Inheritance to his current project Vagabond (and if only I could get a copy of The Infamous Chil Sisters, I will probably have binge-watched it already) — and savor every episode of them.
That is why, that night of October 12, 2019, was a culmination of an almost decade-long of waiting and praying to finally see him on the Philippine shore — not only for me, but more so, for thousands of his Airens who filled the New Frontier Theater with warmth, sincerity, and joy for the one-night-only 2019 LEE SEUNG GI ASIA FAN MEETING <VAGABOND VOYAGE> in Manila.
Allow me to take you back to that night when the dream has finally ended and has now become a reality as I list down five (from the many) special moments from Vagabond Voyage that made the wait for Lee Seung Gi worth it.
Moment #1: A Nostalgic Opening Number Of “Because You’re My Woman”
When the lights dimmed, everyone knew what is about to happen. Excited screams filled the venue, becoming louder when the first beat of “Because You’re My Woman” resonated and Lee Seung Gi finally came into view.
The feels were overwhelming because the song took everyone back in time to when it all started — in the year 2004 when the then-17-year-old Lee Seung Gi debuted as a singer with the chart-topping hit “Because You’re My Woman” from his first album The Dream of a Moth. Fifteen years after, Philippine Airens got to witness the first ever live performance of the song in their home country.
The song number was followed by the long-awaited greeting, a testament that, indeed, Lee Seung Gi is finally in the Philippines.
Moment #2: His Generous Sharing Of Himself During The Talk Portion
With a 15-year career under his belt and the fan meeting being his first visit in the country, a lot of catching up took place that night. Moreover, there is so much to talk about Lee Seung Gi. He is, in the first place, a Triple Threat Entertainer, who boasts an impressive track record and has been awarded for his works as a singer, actor, and variety show host with his most recent biggest win being a Daesang award for Master In The House from the SBS Entertainment Awards.
Although he is grateful and honored for the recognition, the singer-actor said he does not put so much sentiment into awards. However, if there is an award for the most hardworking and diligent person, he said he wanted to win that award. And why not? Lee Seung Gi has been working non-stop since his debut and probably the longest break he had was his mandatory military service which he also accomplished well (He was a member of the special forces!).
In fact, the singer-actor admitted going straight into filming his comeback drama Hwayugi a day after his military discharge. Currently, he stars as Cha Dal Gun in the drama Vagabond. The drama, which airs on SBS and is available on Netflix, reunited him with his Gu Family Book co-star Bae Suzy.
The talk portion gave fans more reasons to admire Lee Seung Gi and be proud to be a fan of a dedicated person who puts so much of his time and effort into giving his all for his craft. It was also an opportunity to get to know him better (and his cute dog Perro), face palm a bit with his infamous dance, laugh with him when he kinda gave up on working with children again after Little Forest, smile when he said he wanted three children, worry because he got minor cuts and bruises while filming, and be proud at how his hard work has paid off.
Moment #3: When He Only Wants The Best And Safest Lunch Box For His PH Airens
Probably the cutest segment in the fan meeting, Lee Seung Gi tried his hand in making a lunch box for a lucky fan! It was too adorable to see him seemingly frustrated about the ingredients (especially about the carrot) and the tools laid out in front of him for the task and watch him do his best in making a unique kimbap (rice roll) using seaweed wrapper, rice, cheese, and grapes with mustard, ketchup, and mayo on the side while using his bare hands as requested by his fans. (“Philippine Airens seem to have strong stomachs,” he said.)
Despite the limited time, ingredients, and tools, Lee Seung Gi did it impressively and got a “masarap” from the chosen fan who traveled all the way from Butuan City to see him that night. The singer-actor himself could not believe that his unique kimbap was approved and immediately put his newly-learned word “masarap” into use, saying “Masarap?! You liar!” to the fan.
The segment was too cute for words, to be honest, that everyone was just laughing and smiling all throughout while Lee Seung Gi was adorably ranting about the ingredients and tools and worrying about the safety of the food for consumption.
Aside from preparing a sweet snack for a fan, he also gamely played a relay game with nine fans where he did sipa, jump rope, charades, and one family. Although the game was exhausting, the singer-actor retained his smile all throughout and played well with the fans who also gave their best for their respective teams to win a photo opportunity with their idol. Every Airen will probably say “sana all” because the winning team’s representatives got to take home clothes personally worn by Lee Seung Gi during the filming of Vagabond. Again, all together now, “sana all“.
Moment #4: That Mini Concert That Got Everyone Up His Or Her Feet!
A Lee Seung Gi party went down at the New Frontier Theater as the singer-actor went all out and turned the venue into a concert stage, singing songs such as “Delete”, “Smile Boy” and “Let’s Go On A Vacation”. It was a fun memory, seeing the people inside the venue sing along and bop their head to the beat.
Lee Seung Gi was also filled with energy as he jumps and dances to the music. It maybe a moment that lasted minutes, but it is now a memory that Philippine Airens will keep for a lifetime. As Lee Seung Gi said during the fan meeting, “The first memory is really just the perfect memory I’m so happy to have made it with my Filipino fans.” *cries in the corner
Moment #5: That Video Message And Those Banners Prepared With So Much Love By PH Airens
We cannot let this list end without giving a special shoutout to all the Philippine Airens who made the night extra meaningful for Lee Seung Gi and their fellow fans. Fans of the singer-actor made sure their beloved idol felt all the warmth and love in his first ever fan meeting in the Philippines through their fan projects.
Sincerity was dearly felt that night on how much Lee Seung Gi meant to Philippine Airens through a video presentation that showcased their support and relayed their message to him. They also prepared banners which were raised while they were singing a song for him. It was a touching moment that got us smiling from ear-to-ear, extremely proud of Philippine Airens for their effort and sincere love for Lee Seung Gi.
Before singing “Delete”, Lee Seung Gi relayed his gratitude to his Philippine Airens. “Thank you for inviting me. I appreciate you for giving me good memories,” he said.
The 2019 LEE SEUNG GI ASIA FAN MEETING <VAGABOND VOYAGE> in Manila was journey Lee Seung Gi took to meet his Philippine Airens. After 15 years, the dream has finally ended, and the start of another journey has started for the singer-actor and his fans, his guiding compass.
“In the future, please stay with me and continue being my compass,” Lee Seung Gi said in his special video message during the fan meeting’s finale. And as they have waited for more than a decade for that night, Philippine Airens will surely stay and help their beloved Lee Seung Gi find his route like they always did through these years.
Written by Danica Lacson
The 2019 LEE SEUNG GI ASIA FAN MEETING <VAGABOND VOYAGE> in Manila is presented by Hook Entertainment and Applewood and promoted by CDM Entertainment and ABS-CBN Events. Philippine Concerts extends its gratitude to CDM Entertainment for the invitation to the event.
