Fun and laughter at Park Bo Gum fan meet

Fans of South Korean actor Park Bo Gum got more than they bargained for at the star's sold-out fan meet last Saturday.

The three-hour event at The Star Theatre at The Star Performing Arts Centre in Buona Vista was longer than the typical two hours for such events, which usually include re-enactments of K-drama scenes, games with fans and singing.

It also sprung a surprise guest - popular Descendants Of The Sun star Song Joong Ki, 31.

Park, 23, was on his best form, performing crowd-pleasing antics with the zest of an Energizer bunny on a mission to make his fans feel special.

On stage, he handmade yubuchobap, a Korean dish of tofu pockets stuffed with rice, then tenderly fed one to an admirer.

Read also: 1,500 more tickets released for sold-out Park Bo-gum fan meet

He ran after fans to give them a handshake or hug as they left the stage after a game and several audience members went home with mementos including soundtracks from Park's television dramas and outfits he had worn before.

The actor also gave civil servant Shirley Ong, 29, an early birthday surprise, picking her out from the audience to sing her a birthday song - a request from Ms Ong's sister, who was with her at the show.

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He also wrote her a birthday card and gave her his pullover sweater.

After the show, Ms Ong, who is born in April, was still reeling from what she described as a "surreal experience".

"I was immensely surprised. I wondered if I heard wrongly at first, but later I realised he was talking about me. It was really touching that he wrote me a personalised card.

"This is the best birthday of my life," says the bachelorette.

The actor also stayed behind for 11/2 hours after the show to give each fan a high-five on stage.

Student Michelle Tan, 19, speaking to The Straits Times after the fan meet, says: "It was my first time seeing my favourite idol up close. Even though Park was tired after high-fiving so many fans, he still greeted each with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm."

Read also: Park Bo-gum named most hardworking actor of 2016

The first batch of 2,000 tickets to last Saturday's event sold out within three hours in December last year, prompting local organiser Unusual Entertainment to release another 1,500 tickets.

The second batch soon sold out too.

These ticket-holders got to see two of the hottest Korean actors at the same event.

Both Park and Song ruled last year's K-drama scene - Park in the top-rated period drama, Love In The Moonlight, and Song in the global hit, Descendants Of The Sun.

The pair, who are from talent agency Blossom Entertainment, are fast friends.

The younger Park counts Song as his mentor and, in a previous interview, told of how he sought advice from Song when he was at a loss on how to tackle his crown prince role in Love In The Moonlight.

This is the third time Song is appearing during Park's Asia tour. He was also with him at a fan meet in Thailand earlier this month and at another meet in Taiwan last month. Singapore is Park's last stop on his Asia tour to meet fans.

Many went home satisfied.

Ms Joyce Tay, 24, who works in sales, says: "Song Joong Ki made waves in the first half of 2016 and then it was Park Bo Gum's turn in the second half of the year.

"It is rare to have an opportunity like this to see two top actors at one meet."

This article was first published on Feb 20, 2017.
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