Hwangbo in Manila!

(WARNING: IMAGE AND TEXT HEAVY AND EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL.)

I’ve been a fan of Hwangbo since her Xman days, though I don’t follow her activities as often as other fans do. But still, I call myself a fan because she’s just one of those celebrities. Jex convinced me to watch Hwangbo’s stint in We Got Married, and I’m so glad I did! I didn’t watch it at first because I didn’t like Kim HyunJoong, but he’s just so fun to watch! Kim HyunJoong and Hwangbo definitely made a good couple. The show also made me love Hwangbo more! Just look around online and you’ll have a gazillion reasons to like her.

When Ate Karen told me that Hwangbo’s coming to the Philippines and she and Anna would wait for her in the airport, I immediately said that I’d go with her. Then she said that she’s arriving at that very day! I almost went into a fit because I was wearing heels and you must know that heels shouldn’t really be worn when you’re chasing after celebrities! Haha. But heels and all, Ate Karen and I went to the airport and to meet up later with Anna. We risked a lot of things (A LOT OF THINGS!) but it was all worth it.

It was my first time to go to the airport just to wait for the arrival of Koreans. My interaction with U-Kiss doesn’t count because I’m not even a fan and it was coincidental. And I just wanted to take a photo with them because I like good-looking Koreans. Heh. This time, it’s different. It was exciting, exhilarating, nerve-wracking, heart-wrenching, and every other adjective to describe my heart going going 90 mph due to anticipation. Due to our dedication, Alex actually had a hard time believing that we were waiting for a female celebrity. Nope. Hwangbo’s definitely a girl and not a member of a male idol group.

We arrived at the airport 30 minutes before her plane landed and we did a lot of waiting. Anna still wasn’t there so Ate Karen and I didn’t know where to go. Anna said to approach the people who have tarps and we don’t see anyone holding Hwangbo tarps! We looked for people who look like fans (Haha! Fangirls definitely have an aura.) and spotted some girls holding Bench paper bags and bouquets  of flowers. We knew at first glance that they’re Hwangbo’s fans! Heh.

We waited for two hours for Hwangbo and the Muhan Girls to arrive. It gave us enough time to talk with other fans, and it’s just amazing how they seem to have seen Hwangbo and HyunJoong everytime they’re here. They aren’t just Hwangbo fans, they also like the Ssangchu couple! But I didn’t talk with other fans that much because I’m not a member of the online community they belong to. So yeah, my introvert side kicked in.

But Ate Karen and I were lucky because they made us hold a tarpaulin! Hee. That day, I learned that when you go chasing or waiting for Korean celebrities, it’s important to bring a placard or a tarpaulin because they push you in front. You’ll have a clear view of the celebrity and you won’t even have to force your way in front! I was so ready to run and shove people but I didn’t have to. Besides, they’re a pretty nice bunch of people and it would be awful to do that. They’re not rabid fans, too, so I wouldn’t have to match their rabidness(?).

Anna arrived just in time! I think it was 15-30 minutes after she arrived, the guards and other personnel in the airport were telling us that Hwangbo and the girls were about to walk out of the airport. Hwangbo and the Muhan girls took a while to get out. The fans were already getting restless since many just got out of work and some had no sleep at all. Some of the personnel were also being annoying, telling us that they’re not coming out and such. But some airport staff were really nice and were signaling to that they’re about to exit, etc. Two of the flight attendants in their flight even confirmed that yep, Hwangbo’s definitely one of the passengers.

When they finally stepped out, OMG! It was so exciting! It’s the first time that I saw a Korean celebrity that I actually like and it’s just so nice! Heehee. I couldn’t help but shout with the other fans. But not shout, shout. Just, shout. Haha. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s just a random burst of excitement! Imagine if it’s DongBang or CNBLUE or SeoHyun that I saw. I’d probably jump over the railings and rush to meet them. No, I’m kidding! Why the heck would I do that? I’d show them how I’m such a prim and proper fan. Ha! That’s a lie. I’d probably scream louder and would probably bring my own banners and signs. Maybe.

The fans and were all rather behave but they went to a different exit so we rushed to the one they were heading to. Heels and all, I managed to get closer to them! We were all just standing there, calling their names but none had the courage to step up and approach them. Then Hwangbo came towards us and started giving out autographs.  HOMG. So it’s true, she’s really not a snob! She was so nice that she made the first step towards us! That’s when we all rushed in, and the fans gave their gifts and some even got to hug her!

She’s really pretty in person. Though in TV, she may appear to have darker skin than most Koreans but in person, she’s so fair! She’s wearing shades but heehee, she’s still so pretty. Also, I think she ate something cheesy because her lips were orange. Heh.

I’m so jealous of the people who got to hug her and she hugged back! Lucky people are lucky.

Shin BongSun! Such a cutie!

I thought they’re going away right after that but the crew was setting up in one corner. It turned out that they’re actually shooting! We should have guessed that because they’re taking videos right from the exit. It’s cute how Hwangbo and the girls kept dancing and dancing! It’s probably for the show but it’s definitely not for that shooting location.

Ahn YoungMi! New girl crush 🙂 She's so cute and purdy.

The director probably didn’t like the first location so they looked for another one outside the airport, too. On the way to the next spot, that’s when I got the chance to really get close to Hwangbo. I said, “Unnie, so pretty!”  while shaking her hand. OMG. Can I be dorkier? It’s the stupidest thing to say but it’s true! She’s really pretty! But I wish I said something that makes more sense, something that she’d remember. But when you’re there, all sense and logic escape you and only the shallow and petty thoughts remain.

Anyway, I just want to say that being on the set of a variety show is one of the best experiences ever. I’ve loved Korean variety shows for a long time, since 2005 or 2006, I think. To be on the shooting is just, argh, I don’t know. I can’t explain the feeling. I’m just so so happy. To see Korean celebrities and to see them shoot a variety show even though it was less than 15 minutes. And the thought that there’s a chance I’d appear on Korean TV is embarrassing but something that makes me excited. HAHAHAHAHA!

The cameras were zooming on the fans, too, and if they’re going to air the one they shot at the airport, well, my friends and I were right smack at the middle. Am I excited or am I excited? HAHAHAHA. I don’t know. I don’t even watch Infinite Girls, but I’m definitely going to watch the Philippines episode. I know I looked like a mess that day (come on, I was running around in heels and it was damn hot!) but I’m still excited. It’s probably the only time that it will happen in my entire lifetime. But I do hope Running Man considers shooting here, and I promise you that I’ll be there!

Also, it’s amazing how they shot the scene right there and then! I’m pretty sure they’re tired from the light. They’re still even carrying their bags! They have minimal makeup on and they just started the show right there and then. They had no script and if they did, then it’s definitely not obvious. I don’t know. They didn’t even have a second take. It was shot in one go and poof! They were done.

It makes me feel all sort of awesome to see Hwangbo’s boisterous laugh in person. Really, really happy. I don’t even know how many times I’m going to say this, but yeah.

After they were done shooting, they went to the bus that will take them someplace, maybe to Baguio? I don’t know, I didn’t ask around all that much. But they were going to Baguio. The fans kept asking Hwangbo to take one photo with them because I think in her previous visits they take photos with her. She’s so nice! But this time, they were running on schedule so she couldn’t take a picture with the fans. /sobs

But once she got on the bus, she opened her window and started posing for the camera! OMO! So cute. And fans started asking for autographs and she took them all. She signed everything that was handed to her. By this point, I was already positive that I won’t meet another celebrity that’s as nice as she is. One funny thing, a fan handed her a poster of Kim HyunJoong. When she saw it, she said, “Not my face,” but signed it anyway. Haha.

Ate Karen and I didn’t have a paper or pen with us so Anna gave us cards so we could ask for Hwangbo’s signature, too. Birthday cards. Haha. It doesn’t matter, what matters is that we got her sign! Hee.

Here’s an annoying photo of me with HwangBo:

And my most favorite photo from the bunch:

HAHAHA! OMG! Hwangbo uploaded it in her Cyworld, and it is definitely my proudest moment as a fangirl. I made a cameo (cameo talaga!) on South Korean celebrity’s blog! I don’t think I’ll ever achieve anything more significant in my life.

She’s coming back on October and I wish to see her again! Next time, I’ll make sure to be included in the group photo. Heh.