LEE JOON GI
CELEBRITY
INFLUENCE
INFLUENCE
HONG KONG DELIGHT
LEE
JOON GI
HONG KONG DELIGHT
10 MARCH 2019
One can say with absolute certainty that Lee Joon Gi’s Asia
Delight tour of five Asian countries was indeed altogether very impressive.
When you look back at the very beginning, you can’t help but smile. The tour
started with Seoul. Then, Osaka and Yokohama in Japan. After Taipei was
Bangkok. Last, Hong Kong. Namoo Actors’ President was convinced that the
Hong Kong Delight concert was the best. Well, he was paying tribute to the
Hollywood of the East.
With hindsight, one’s conclusion
is the same. It has to be the best. The last is the first. Nothing short of
perfection. The incredible welcome. The fantastic fans. The exclusive, entertaining interview. The moving fan letter. The charity projects carried out in Lee Joon Gi's name. The dazzling gifts and unique foodstuffs with his image. The touching video clip shown in the concert. The lovely flower stands and decorations at the concert venue. The impressive media coverage and interest. The amazing concert. The zestful and exuberant audience. The warm and affectionate send-off. One has the impression that Lee Joon Gi has exerted a great influence over his Hong Kong fandom.
But then, all his concerts have been huge successes. And his Asian fans, like their beloved superstar, are the best; they are most intense and passionate.
The thing about Lee Joon Gi is he
is passionate about everything. It is just part of the nature of Asia’s best-loved
actor-entertainer. It was dramatic news when the
public learnt that Lee had taken up temporary residence near the studio to prepare for his 'Delight' concerts.
Endless creative discussions. Round-the-clock dancing and singing practices.
Rehearsal after rehearsal. How Lee Joon Gi prepared for his Asian Tour is a
direct reflection on the man himself.
After all the hard work and
repeated routines at so many concerts, it was inevitable that ‘Hong Kong Delight’,
the final leg of the tour, would be the most dynamic and amazing show.
None outside his fandom has given a serious thought about how
each concert would all end. Lee is
one of the rare superstars who truly care about their fans and he wanted each
and every one of his concerts to be an amazing and fun experience. Due to his commitment and
influence, his legions of fans in every city were galvanised to ensure that his tour in their city was a success. They had also given him a passionate
welcome. Lee Joon Gi is truly a huge celebrity influence in Asia.
   
At the Incheon International Airport, on the day of his
departure for Hong Kong, Lee wore a stylish Thom Browne navy cardigan which
has a 4-bar arm stripe and button cuffs.
The cardigan, which was worn under a stylishly unbuttoned brown
jacket, gave the outfit visual interest. Two oversized patch pockets with
flap adorn the jacket.
Lee took off the striking brown jacket upon arrival at the Hong
Kong International Airport and wore the Thom Browne cardigan on its own, as
the centrepiece of his outfit.
   
One is often amazed by Lee Joon Gi’s effortlessly cool style.
Being one of Asia’s style and fashion icons, he spells out the hottest styles
and trends for each season.
But, does one have the feeling that he had worn the cardigan
before?
Upon his arrival at the Hong
Kong International Airport, Lee must have been pleasantly surprised by the
mania his presence had stirred. His army of fans had flooded the place; they
surged forward upon the superstar’s appearance, plying him with gifts and
bouquets of flowers. Basically, Lee Joon Gi loves people so his fans respond
positively to him.
On his return trip to South Korea, he wore a sage green Army Universe air force bomber pilot jacket. The reversible jacket, which has an
orange lining, seems quite familiar. Aha! He wore it on Joongi’s Day last
year.
Military Fashion. The original plain jacket had been jazzed up
with some fashionable DIY ‘badges and patches’ embroidery. He wore the jacket
over a military green t-shirt.
Lee Joon Gi dares to wear his clothes again; he even gives them a
fresh new look. Mix and Match. Badges and Patches. If he is bold enough to recycle his stylish looks, then it
must be stylish to do so. It just shows that Lee, the rocket fuel for the
fashion industry, is not a dedicated slave to mindless fashion but is a trendsetter for recycling fashion.
That evening, at Plaza
Hollywood, an upscale shopping mall where the press conference was held, the
hyper fans were seen swarming all over the centre court or crowding the
circular balconies of two levels of the mall that overlooked the stage.
 
Imagine the 36-year old superstar in his classy navy pin-striped suit being mobbed by passionate fans of all ages. But then, the ageless Lee has that special charm and
charisma that draws the crowds and make people snap to attention. Many young
idols cannot be compared to Lee Joon Gi, 'The King of Entertainment'. Neither
can older actors or entertainers. Handsome. Suave. Cool. Sophisticated. Charming. Charismatic. Humorous. Witty. Gorgeous. And so on.
The very interesting interview
at the press conference in Plaza Hollywood was professionally conducted. The
humour-infused interaction between the charming, intelligent and witty superstar, the adroit
host, the helpful and insightful translator and the lively fans had many
people in stitches. All of them contributed to an entertaining and
stimulating evening.
  
Having established an immediate
connection with the audience, Lee drew them closer with his hilarious, playful
and flirtatious ways. Cheeky winks. Finger hearts. Flying kisses. Pleasant words
dripping honey. Pretending to be Cupid, the charismatic actor-entertainer
shot imaginary love arrows at his fans. When the cameras panned in on him, he almost ran his face smack into the camera. He loves the camera and the camera
loves him. All these antics amused his fans no end.
  
Updated: 21 March 2019
The highlight of the evening was
the presentation of the Hong Kong fan-written letter to update Lee Joon Gi on
the many charity works the fans had carried out in his name, including one
for his 37th (add 1 extra year for Koreans) birthday on 17 April. His fans have contributed a
meaningful sum, HKD 41,700 for this purpose. In the past, they had
contributed funds to make wells as well as purchase water pumps and bio-sand
filters for those in need. His Hong Kong fans promised to continue the
charity work.
 
A new project is in the pipeline
- the rebuilding of schools in Nepal through ‘A Drop of Life’. One is reminded
that Lee’s other Asian fans have also carried out such good works in his name.
This sends out the powerful message that Lee Joon Gi wields power as one of Asia’s biggest influencers, not only in showbusiness but also in the world of charity. 
What was most amazing about the letter was that his Hong Kong
fans had encouraged him to get married and start a family! Imagine little Joongis
just as talented, charming and lovable as him conquering millions of hearts.
The next evening, the Hong Kong
Delight show started in a blaze of glorious reds. It was a swinging scene.
Fun and merriment was encouraged in his concerts. The audience were blown
away by Lee’s amazing performance - his awesome singing and dancing skills and brilliant showmanship. He is not just a great pop performer but also a great
entertainer.
The talented and fascinating
superstar was burning the stage with his boundless energy; it just took the audience's breath away.
Flying leaps. Sexy twists. High kicks. Vigorous hip-shaking. Sassy shoulder shimmies. Snappy hand jives. Dizzying and sensual dance moves. Breakdance moves - Kip ups (Kick ups) and so forth. 
As much as Lee enjoys dancing
and singing for his fans, nothing beats seeing his fans’ faces light up and
enjoying his concerts.
  
Lee Joon Gi knows how to work
the crowd. He was at all corners of the stage to talk to the audience. And,
he, an expert charmer, beguiled them with his sweet talk. The superstar seemed to be able to persuade his audience into leaping to their feet.
Even the staid ones were coaxed out of their cocoons and had a blast singing and
dancing (to his tune) and their spirits were renewed. Like what the Cantonese would say, he is ‘hau tim sit waat’.
For those in the know, Lee Joon
Gi’s shows are successful because it always has an element of surprise. The
audience were in for a treat. Surprise. Little did they know that Lee Joon Gi
would discard his jacket and reveal his undershirt. The sexy man was rocking
the singlet look; he wore a seductive white designer singlet or whatever you
call it.
 
Unlike some singers, the
intelligent and funny superstar did not shed his undershirt but left
things to the imagination. His wicked provocation prompted many to call him ‘such
a handsome and sexy beast of a man’ who was out for ‘his fans’ blood’. You
would be out of your mind to take him to task over this. His female fans love
it whenever he shows off his fit, taut body, sexy arm muscles and masculinity.
They must have been trembling from the adrenaline rush. One wouldn’t be
shocked if their legs gave out from swooning. No wonder he’s been called
‘Asia’s Weapon of Mass Seduction’.
Lee sang several famous songs in
Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese including Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing’s ‘In The Sentimental Past’ from the movie ‘A Better Tomorrow’. Leslie, considered to
be ‘one of the founding fathers of Cantopop’, rose
to prominence as a teen heart-throb and pop icon of Hong Kong in the 1980s.
CANTONESE
SONG
IN THE SENTIMENTAL PAST
(A BETTER
TOMORROW)
LESLIE
CHEUNG
 
Lee also sang Jacky Cheung Hok Yau’s ‘Messy
Hair’ and Teresa Teng’s ‘The Moon Represents My Heart.
The extraordinary singing
ability of Jacky, a multi-talented artiste (singer, songwriter and actor),
has made him one of Hong Kong's icons. It is
amazing that in the fast-changing scene of Canto-pop, Cheung has been able to
maintain his popularity for more than 20 years after his debut, a feat which
is unparalleled in the history of Hong Kong pop music.
CANTONESE
SONG
MESSY HAIR
JACKY
CHEUNG HOK YAU
It is difficult for a foreigner to pull off
singing in Cantonese but Lee has managed to do it. His correct Cantonese
enunciation and intonation had lightened up the mood and stirred the enthusiasm
of the audience; they realised that he had made such a huge effort to learn
their dialect.
Lee Joon Gi did not know that a
surprise was also in store for him. Some people might not have known that his
Thai fans had produced a special video-clip, which charted his experiences in
Thailand from the time he was in his mid-twenties to the present. The clip, when shown at his Bangkok
Delight, had made Lee rather emotional.
That 'delightful' episode had
sparked the creative juices of his naughty Hong Kong fans who made most of their
mischievous opportunities to have fun. They also produced their own video
clip to take their beloved idol down memory lane. Nostalgia. The clip brought back Lee Joon Gi’s cherished memories of Hong Kong. Lee was transported back
to the time when he was in his mid-twenties. Did his fans expect him to
crumble before their very eyes?
  
Lee had the dawning awareness that his
Hong Kong fans were recycling the video-clip tactic used by his Thai fans to
trick him into being emotional. Lee smiled spontaneously and joked with them.
He must have been full of admiration for their cleverness. One thing was
certain; he was emotionally touched but he withheld his tears. Lee admitted
that recently he had been wrestling with some problems; he alluded to his
worries that made him vulnerable in his Thai tour.
   
Lee Joon Gi, who recently won Starhub’s Best Male Asian Star
2018 award for his role as the reckless lawyer in Lawless Lawyer, has won
acclaim as an actor and entertainer ever since he acted in ‘The King and The
Clown’ in 2005. His fandom stretched across Asia to
include Hong Kong.
 
Lee Joon Gi’s fond memories of
Hong Kong, which are tied up with the commercials that he made in the city, went way back to his mid-twenties. Where do we begin to tell the story of his
lifelong bond with his Hong Kong fans? It is interesting to summon up the
past.
Lee’s Pepsi commercial was made
in 2008 and thereafter, he attended an astoundingly successful Pepsi Family
press event at the Asia World Expo.
In the same year, he and Hong
Kong artiste, Joey Yung, were involved in McDonald’s ‘Shake N’ Dip’
advertisement.
Two years ago, he held his very
successful fan concert in Hong Kong.
Last year, he was on the cover
of Elle Men Hong Kong and he was also invited to grace the opening of
Vivienne Westwood’s Hong Kong flagship store.
Had he not done the commercials, he might not now be such a huge success in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
VIVIENNE
WESTWOOD STORE
OPENING 2018
 
How many people have fantasized
about going to a Lee Joon Gi concert but never went? Many must have
regretted. But those who had missed it – no worries.
  
Due to great fan demand, Lee did a startling Insta-live
to announce the piece of good news that there will be an
encore concert at Olympic Hall in Seoul on 28 April 2019. Lee encouraged his
fans to celebrate the day with him. Lee Joon Gi strongly stressed: ‘We are The ONE Team’.
  |
LEE
JOON GI
DEPARTURE
FOR
HONG KONG
INCHEON
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
9
MARCH 2019
RNX
TV KOREAN ENT
                                           
THAI
NEWS
             |
LEE JOON GI
ARRIVAL
9 MARCH 2019
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
                                                         |
HONG KONG
DELIGHT
PRESS CONFERENCE
PLAZA
HOLLYWOOD
9 MARCH
2019
 
THE VENUE
    THE PRESS CONFERENCE  
520 STARS
KENNY LEUNG
                                                                                                    
KPOPLUN
KMSIP0624
RAYMOND
YIP
 
https://www.facebook.com/leejoongimsiafamily/videos/316496665677050/
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THE
PRESS CONFERENCE
PLAZA
HOLLYWOOD
9
MARCH 2019
HONG
KONG
MEDIA
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(CHINESE NEWS)
 
CHINA
LATEST NEWS
(CANTONESE
NEWS)
 
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LEE JOON GI
HONG KONG DELIGHT
PRESS CONFERENCE
(PLAZA HOLLYWOOD)
THE INTERVIEW
9 MARCH 2019
Translated by
VIDEO SOURCE
H = Host
JG = Lee Joon Gi
|
|
H
|
Welcome to Hong Kong.
Please say hello to your fans here.
|
JG
|
Hi, guys. (JG says greetings in Cantonese; Cantonese >) This
is Lee Joongi.
I’m so happy to be here.
I’ve been waiting to meet you guys so much. Hong Kong, you’re so
BEAbeautiful. Thank you.
(Now in Korean >) I really missed you guys.
(To translator) What’s “I missed you” in Cantonese? (Cantonese
>) ‘I missed you.’ (Korean >)
It feels so, so great
being in Hong Kong.
(To someone off screen) Nice to meet you. You’re so beautiful.
(English >) All the Hong Kong people are very beautiful. (Korean >)
I didn’t know you have this awesome shopping mall in Hong Kong.
Are you guys really here for shopping? Is there any other reason?
(To translator) What’s “Did you miss me?” in Cantonese?
(JG speaks Cantonese) (Korean >) I really am very thankful
to have so many people welcoming me.
|
H
|
Shall we have a seat
and continue?
|
JG
|
Yes!
|
H
|
How do you feel coming back to tour in Hong Kong after two years?
|
JG
|
I am really happy. I am very sorry I feel like I haven’t kept
my promise to my Hong Kong fans sooner.
(English >) But thank you for your super welcoming me. Super
thank you. Super thanks to all of you. Thank you so much guys. Love you all,
Hong Kong.
|
H
|
You said ‘I missed you’ to Hallyu fans in Cantonese.
What impression do you get from your Hong Kong fans?
|
JG
|
The Hong Kong fans are always passionate. That’s why I’m
looking forward to tomorrow.
Are you ready to party tomorrow? (English >) Are you guys
ready for party tomorrow night? Really? I can’t hear you.
Beautiful Hong Kong people, make some noise!
(JG says something in Cantonese)
|
H
|
Oppa’s Cantonese pronunciation is so good.
We’re told you prepared a lot for your Asia tour. Can you give
us a little bit of a hint [on tomorrow]?
|
JG
|
That’s a top secret. It’s a top secret.
But instead, it’s not just because I haven’t been here in Hong
Kong in a while, but it also marks the last show of my Asia fan meeting tour.
All my staff are feeling really sorry. So tomorrow, not just me
but all my crew on this Asia tour will literally put everything they’ve got
into the Hong Kong show. That’s all you need to know.
|
H
|
There are lots of directors and actors in Hong Kong. Who would
you like to collaborate with?
|
JG
|
I say this every time I come to Hong Kong and do an interview,
but I spent my adolescence watching Hong Kong movies.
Growing up I respected many Hong Kong actors and directors. So,
Hong Kong feels so familiar to me.
If I can, I’d be very honored and happy to work with any
director or actor.
I mean, you guys can recommend anyone to me on the social
media.
Here, you guys have a lot of awesome artists. I’d be very happy
to work in Hong Kong.
|
H
|
We’d love to see you with Hong Kong actors on the big screen.
|
JG
|
(To moderator) Let’s work together.
|
H
|
I’ll ask you questions we get from the press.
|
JG
|
Looking forward to it.
|
H
|
You are now here to meet your fans in Hong Kong after two
years.
What part of Hong Kong did you miss the most?
|
JG
|
First of all, of course, it’s the fans. I really felt sorry.
But my Hong Kong fans have always sent me endless support on the social media
or the Internet, and for every event or fan meeting I’ve had, they have always
given me support. So, I have always felt (their support).
I prayed I’d be able to see them again as soon as possible.
Whenever I work on a project, my Hong Kong fans – as other overseas fans have
supported me – are famous for always showing passionate and enthusiastic
support. So, I am looking forward to it tomorrow.
|
H
|
If you have free time during your tour in Hong Kong, which
must-see places do you want to go? Like tourist attractions or famous
restaurants…
|
JG
|
Why don’t you guys recommend me some places? Where should I go?
Could you guys recommend for me?
Your home? ‘Let’s go home?’ I don’t think I can go to the homes
of so many people here.
But my wish is… Whichever country I go to, I always think the
most fun part of a trip is doing something like a homestay.
Not just tourist attractions or places all tourists visit in
that country, but I would love any opportunities where I can understand and
learn its local culture.
Well, please invite me some day.
|
H
|
I think if you accept homestay invitations from all your fans,
you might have to stay here for another two years.
|
JG
|
Sure, I will stay as long as possible.
|
H
|
In 2019, what project are you preparing? What are your plans
this year?
|
JG
|
First off, thanks to your big support, I’m able to finish my
Asia tour really well with Hong Kong as its last stop, so I am truly
grateful.
I think I can see you guys again with a new project, maybe,
sometime in the second half of the year.
I am thinking really hard about what project I should
choose. Perhaps, tomorrow, on my last show in Hong Kong, I am hoping to
get a lot of energy, enough energy for me to choose a great project.
You guys are going to give me that energy, right? Please give
me some energy. I think it’s going to be great.
|
H
|
What part of Hong Kong do you think is most attractive?
|
JG
|
I mean, Hong Kong is famous for being one of the world’s most
beautiful cities. It’s a city where I want to live once someday.
I think every person is very unique in their own way.
Many cultures coexist, and passionate and beautiful people
mingle and blend into the city.
I think I can feel that kind of harmony here. Anyway, I think
Hong Kong has such harmony to it.
(JG tries to repeat translator’s words in Cantonese)
|
H
|
You really have a talent in Cantonese.
|
JG
|
Is there any popular word in Cantonese used by young people?
Like, words used by lovers.
(JG tries the Cantonese word) What does it mean?
(JG speaks Cantonese) But it shouldn’t sound so…
Make me sound not so humble, should it? (Fans cheer) (JG thanks
them in Cantonese)
What’s “I really, truly, sincerely am grateful” in Cantonese?
(JG tries the Cantonese phrase)
|
H
|
What do you do in your spare time, outside of work?
|
JG
|
Nowadays… I have always loved martial arts. The reason I love
martial arts is because, as I said before, I watched a lot of Hong Kong
action movies in my adolescence.
In fact, the reason I love action when working on a project is
that I grew up watching a lot of Hong Kong action movies, I sort of
internalized it [the experience of watching such movies].
So nowadays, I am in love with jiu jitsu. When I don’t have any
activities on my schedule, I always make it a habit of going to the gym to
train my body and mind.
|
H
|
You’ve worked in many genres.
Which particular genre do you want your fans to see you in?
|
JG
|
My fans want to see me
in the romance genre as soon as possible. My face still looks good. So, my
fans say, ‘While you still have that beauty, do [the romance] as soon as
possible.’
I also keep looking for such an opportunity, and I am giving it
a lot of thought, so please look forward to it.
|
H
|
So, your Asia tour is a great gift you are giving your fans.
Today, there’s a special gift your fans prepared for you.
|
JG
|
What? Surprise?
|
H
|
Lee Joongi, you have also done many good deeds with charity
organizations… From 2015 to 2019, the fans have donated funds to a great
organization.
So, we are handing that letter of appreciation over to you.
|
JG
|
Thank you. Thank you so much guys. I’ve actually heard a lot
about it. I always learn a lot from my fans.
I will lead by example and work harder to spread and share the
big love that you have given me.
(Receiving the letter of appreciation) Thank you.
|
H
|
Photo time
|
JG
|
Thank you so much guys, thank you.
|
H
|
You have participated in a lot of charity projects. How do you
feel (*not clear) every time you do it?
|
JG
|
First of all, as for these good acts of spreading love that I
do with my fans… I think I am so blessed.
Even in countries where I was not born, as my Hong Kong fans
have done for me, I am receiving big love from diverse groups of people, and
I am living such a blessed life.
I think that’s why I have gotten such a great opportunity like
this [to spread love]. I am sincerely thankful. It’s not just me… But you
guys are here because you love Korean culture.
I will work harder with a greater sense of responsibility and
gratitude, so I can lead by example and contribute to cultural exchange
between Hong Kong and Korea.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
|
H
|
Now we are allowing the press and fans some photo time.
|
JG
|
Should I then put this (letter of appreciation) away…
(To audience) You’re done taking photos of this, right? Thank
you so much guys. And the mic too?
|
H
|
Photo time
|
JG
|
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Tomorrow, finally, finally! Tomorrow night.
Are you guys ready to party? Please look forward to my
2018-2019 Asia tour last show. Tomorrow night, in Hong Kong. Okay? Please
come to my party.
Thank you. Thank you, Hong Kong, love you all. Love you. Thank
you.
(To translator) What’s “I love you”?
(JG speaks Cantonese) See you tomorrow, and good night. Thank
you so much. Thank you.
|
THE
REHEARSAL
|
LEE
JOON GI
THE HONG KONG DELIGHT CONCERT
10
MARCH 2019
 
KSTAR
HK
OPENING
CHINESE AND CANTONESE SONGS
IN THE SENTIMENTAL PAST LESLEY CHEUNG  
TERESA TENG
THE MOON REPRESENTS MY HEART 
ACCEPTED
LEE JOON GI 
CAN’T BE SLOW
LEE JOON GI
 NOW 
I’M YOURS
FALLING SLOWLY
FROM THE MOVIE "ONCE"
GLEN HANSARD & MARKETA IRGLOVA
 ENCORE MEDLEY 
VIDEO CLIP
 TALK  |
THE
CONCERT
ASIAWORLD-EXPO
HONG
KONG MEDIA
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   |
DEPARTURE
FOR SOUTH KOREA HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
11
MARCH 2019
4K LIVE
         |
ARRIVAL
INCHEON
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
11
MARCH 2019
  |
