Retrospective: The Four Hallyu Kings in Tokyo 2009
This is just a four-hot-guys picspam post. Nobody has a problem with that, right? When I read the news in the paper, sometime around November of 2009, that Lee Byung Hun, Jang Dong Gun, Song Seung Heon, and Won Bin, were going to hold fan-meeting/concerts in Tokyo in December of that same year, I had to rub my eyes to make sure I didn’t just conjure up this event.
I didn’t, and the event happened, to the eternal satisfaction of tens of thousands of obasans all over Japan. I wasn’t blogging back then, but I’ve recently unearthed all the pictures I grabbed from that event, so I thought I might share it with you all.
I found the post I wrote on Dramabeans OT when I delivered this news to everyone. I was clearly on some meds, or just really really happy. Below is my brand of ridiculousness:
All ye patient bosom drama buddies of mine, I have come bearing ridiculous news:
According to the World Journal, quoting Japan’s Newsen Sports News (don’t ask me why it’s this source): On December 17, 2009, Lee Byung Hun, Jang Dong Gun, Song Seung Heon, and Won Bin will be performing two back-to-back concerts at the Tokyo Dome.
Performances include showing a short film by the director of April Snow, and the guys will sing, act in short plays/monologues, and participate in interviews.
According to the news, apparently these four guys are good friends, and have discussed doing something like this before (see my mock discussion below), and now they’ve set a date.
LBH: Yo, little bros of mine, how’s it going these days? I’m sure all of you ran out and watched the first showing of G.I. Joe in Korea. I’ll be more than happy to give you English lessons so you, too, can be cast in a major Hollywood blockbuster and have half your face covered the entire time.
JDG: Eh, no thanks, hyung, I’m about to star as the President of Korea, I think I’m set. Plus, pecs and ninja swords aren’t exactly my thing. You may want to extend your offer to Rain?
SSH: Rain’s got some ninja movie coming out soon, he’s got one foot in the door already. I hear that they are casting for Kato, I wouldn’t mind lessons. I heard that Kwan Sang Woo was in the running…..oh, it’s been cast already with a Taiwanese idol, next time then. I’ve worked on my pecs for East of Eden and it’s ready for the big screen.
WB: Sigh, I’m so bored, UNICEF work is only a few times a year, not much going on now that I’ve wrapped Mother. Oh, but I am working on growing a kick-ass mane of hair.
LBH: Well, my return to TV vehicle IRIS is airing soon, and once it wraps, I’m looking for something cool to do.
JDG: Yeah, me, too, maybe something in Japan, my girlfriend Ko So Young would love to go with me.
SSH: I hope the obasans have not forgotten about me, EoE is not exactly Japanese obasan catnip, plus, that Kim Bum may steal my thunder over there.
WB: Yawn, I’m up for whatever…..
LBH: Hey, how about we four getogether and put on a concert/performance in Tokyo? We can get really drunk beforehand, the performance will be a hoot, and we’ll make off like rich bandits. It’s easier than opening up menswear boutiques like Jung Woo Sung and Lee Jung Jae did. Oh, and don’t tell JWS and LJJ about this, okay. I’m still kinda miffed that JWS stole a bit of my thunder in TGTBTW with his annihilate the entire Japanese on horseback with a rifle sequence. Formerly my #1 fan @ockoala is now completely obsessed with JWS. Speaking of which, I’m going to convince Son Ye Jin to make A Moment to Remember 2: She Remembers! with me as her memory therapist. Good plot, huh?
JDG, SSH, WB: Okay, hyung, we’re in! Don’t forget to bring the soju and a Korean-Japanese dictionary.
The End.
P.S. Regardless of the veracity of this project, I’m tempted for sure. I mean, four Hallyu kings in one dome! If they replaced JDG with Jung Woo Sung, I’d be booking my ticket to Tokyo THIS VERY SECOND. Alas, some Japanese obasans are going to be very very happy Christmas is coming early for them.
I wrote that little joke post above before the concerts took place, and I can’t believe how right I was. It does appear from all photographic evidence that these four top-stars went to Japan to hang loose and drink (a lot). I’m still sad I couldn’t go see them.
If they replaced JDG with Jung Woo Sung, I’d be booking my ticket to Tokyo THIS VERY SECOND
I second that.
I’ll replace LBH for JWS any day.
LMAO at ur convo!…reminds me of one i had to write last week for an Art class….only that was between Da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo…..this is wayyyyy sexier (with or without nude figures)!!
That’s ok, The Bad is in good hands (so to speak) with me, since I became a huge fan after TGTBTW. I get flak every time I mention this, what with the whole greasy ajusshi thing, but HEY, sociopathic homicidal maniac whose wardrobe is all black while channeling Prince style-wise – well, right up there with long haired sageuk assassins in black as far as I’m concerned.
Yeah, if I’d have been anywhere near Japan in Dec 2009, I’d have been another obasan buying herself a nice Xmas pressie as well. 😎
gosh! i became a total Won Bin fan (after watching Ahjusshi -recommended in this blog :D) he was way too few stuff going on though. AND that hair back then was.. let’s say I totally didn’t recognize him lol
Love SSH since Summer Scent ^^ Must be fantastic for those who managed to watch it
So I can’t sleep, and I toss and turn and I think to myself, lemme check out koala’s posts — her few, way too few — posts on SSH again, ’cause I have one more day before MP-5 and the withdrawal symptoms are kinda bad, and maybe after her site I’ll try to track down this apparently Japanese Ghost movie he did, and then maybe I’ll be able to sleep, and so I come in here AND OH MAH GAWD DID YOU READ MY MIND OR SUMIN’? Apparently there are four men on that stage? HOGWASH! There is only one.
😀 Thanks for this much appreciated post. Now I have an actual event to research, YT clips to locate, airport photos to find, instead of random fun. Ah, the thrill and satisfaction of researching the truly important, worthwhile things in life.
THANK YOU! (also, MOAR!)
(He is still your oppa–I know! No worries.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkRiH5ys1FI
found the videoclip of all the four singing together^^
Thank ye! Thank ye for the hotness overload…..
Stepwise description of Rush response to viewing above video….
1. Passes out
2. Revives
3. Sees Won Bin
4. Passes out again
5. Sees the other 3
6. Returns to step 1
And Yes. Won Bin gets his own step!!!
Ockoala – loved the imaginary convo. Wonbin with his Yawn, whatever, SSH stressing about being out prettied by Kim Bum, oh-so-cool LBH and JDG trying to get alone time with KSY!!
I love the comment about ninja swords not being for JDG, considering he just did Warrior’s Way.
And Won Bin! Oh Won Bin, I..that hair! My fingers itch to run through those glorious locks ;O;
How many fans fainted at that event? Cos omg, too much eyecandy all at once can’t be good for one’s health, imho.
The last solo pic of Won Bin! *swoons*
What were you smoking coz after reading the conversation, I kinda want some.
We can get really drunk beforehand, the performance will be a hoot, and we’ll make off like rich bandits. It’s easier than opening up menswear boutiques like Jung Woo Sung and Lee Jung Jae did.
ahahahahhaha… I LOL-ed hard at this line.
Thanks ockoala for this article. Won Bin looked so different with his long hair but he was still cute.
LOL at your made-up dialogue between the 4 Hallyu kings. Love especially this line:
SSH: I hope the obasans have not forgotten about me, EoE is not exactly Japanese obasan catnip, plus, that Kim Bum may steal my thunder over there.
because while watching EoE, I did find myself liking Kim Bum’s portrayal of Dong Chul’s character more than SSH.
Thanks again ockoala!