Words by Danica Lacson

Photos by Ruth Leen and Amor Amores

The years of waiting of fans for the return of South Korean singer-actor Kim Myung Soo in the Philippines finally came to an end last January 12 at the New Frontier Theater with a sweet treat of beautiful performances, cute interactions, and unforgettable moments from the Angel’s Last Mission: Love star.

CDM Entertainment granted the wish of eLements and Inspirits, bringing the singer-actor, also known by his stage name, L, in the Philippines through his solo fan meeting tour 2020 KIM MYUNG SOO “COME WITH ME” FAN MEETING IN MANILA. The event marked the first solo show of the Infinite member in the country and his first visit after a long time.

A Meeting With The Press: What’s Next For Kim Myung Soo?

As it has been a while since his last visit in the Philippines, Kim Myung Soo admitted feeling nervous to stand in from of his fans especially since, in comparison to his previous visits where he had six brothers to lean on to, this time, he came alone. Still, the dashing singer-actor, who remains youthful and full of energy, cannot hide his excitement to return on stage and greet eLements and Inspirits again.

Before his highly-awaited fan meeting event, the Angel’s Last Mission: Love star greeted the members of the media for a press conference in the morning of January 12 at Novotel. He was animated in the whole duration of the press conference, giving his best smiles and answering the questions with zest.

He said he wants to explore Manila by foot, earning surprise reactions from the press who are well-aware of the struggles with heat and bad traffic in the Metro. But, the singer-actor was optimistic in his desire to go around the city — He will do it at night when the temperature is lower and the wind is better. He also showed his interest in trying out Filipino food.

But the plan to explore Manila may have to wait as Kim Myung Soo is currently working on a tight schedule with an upcoming drama in the works. Even prior to his fan meeting in Manila, the singer-actor had been busy, having starred in the KBS2’s drama Angel’s Last Mission: Love as Kim Dan, an angel — a role he described as uncommon in South Korea. According to him, playing Kim Dan was a learning experience. Surely, that experience paid off as his portrayal in the drama earned him a Best New Actor award from the 12th Korea Drama Awards.

And although Kim Myung Soo is willing to play all sorts of roles, his concentration at the moment is on being a cat for his comeback with another KBS2 drama, Welcome, where he takes on the character of Hong Jo, a cat which turns into a human. He currently immersing himself in the character — something he always does for every character he plays — to bring out the best acting. He added that his role in Welcome is very different to his previous roles and that fans can look forward to see another side of him.

Aside from a drama, the singer-actor is also looking into coming back as a singer this year through the release of a solo album. Although no specific details have been laid out as of the moment, he is very much passionate on returning to the music scene and treating his fans to his songs. For variety shows, he admitted feeling intimidated by them as he has a shy personality.

Kim Myung Soo promised to show various sides of himself this year so fans can look forward to his activities. He also asked for continued support and love, which his Filipino fans surely gave during his fan meeting event.

Kim Myung Soo Has Come To Meet Filipino eLements And Inspirits!

Kim Myung Soo opened his Come With Me fan meeting at the New Frontier Theater with a beautiful serenade of “It’s Okay Even If It’s Not Me”, his official soundtrack for his drama The Emperor: Owner of the Mask. He then proceeded to greet the crowd, who reciprocated it with loud cheers and big smiles on their faces because, finally, the wait is over and Kim Myung Soo has come.

The singer-actor immediately gave his fans a taste of what the evening will be like when he gamely granted a fan’s birthday wish to have him sing a “Happy Birthday” — hug included! But it was only the first of the many “sana all” moments we witnessed that night.

He proceeded to share more about himself including very detailed account of how his day went. It was pure adorable with laughter echoing inside the venue as everyone marvels at the cuteness of L. (He apparently orders coffee at Star*toot* :D) He also shared that he does not like taking selfies, adding that he is not good when it comes to selcas, a shocking piece of information for his fans especially since he is one of the OG visual kings of K-Pop. (Second generation fans, where you at?!)

Instead of himself, Kim Myung Soo, who is into photography with two photo book published under his name, likes taking photos of other people or subjects. Are you ready for another “sana all” moment? To prove his point, he called the fan who asked the question on stage and took a photo of her and a selfie with her!

After melting our hearts with his sweet gestures to fans, he got everyone falling in love with his passion for his work when he talked about his dramas. Rating his interest in dramas, he said it will be at 100 percent as he is currently shooting Welcome. Going back to his statement, he corrected himself and said that at that moment, his 100 percent is with his Filipino fans *swoon.

He then talked about how he gives attention to the character he is set to play when choosing a drama. For him, no matter how good the story is, what is important is if he can digest the character well and show his best self.

Among the characters he played since he made his acting debut in TV Asahi’s Jiu, he considers his role as Lee Hyun Soo in Shut Up Flower Boy Band as the most memorable, while he named Im Ba Reun and Yoo Tan from Ms. Hammurabi and The Day After We Broke Up, respectively, as the characters closest to his personality. He also named veteran actor Sung Dong Il as the actor he wishes to work with again, revealing that even after Ms. Hammurabi ended, they maintained a close relationship.

Meanwhile, for fans, L’s portrayal as Kim Dan is the most memorable, voting it as their favorite character, while Shi Woo from My Lovely Girl received the lowest votes. And this 2020, a new character will be added into the ever-growing list of roles of Kim Myung Soo as he stars in the KBS2 drama Welcome, opposite Shin Ye Eun. According to him, Hong Jo is someone whose presence is felt despite his physical absence.

Alert: “sana all” moment coming through! Kim Myung Soo performed his OST from Shut Up Flower Boy Band titled “Love U Like U” and went around the venue to get close to his fans! (Next parts are not for the faint-hearted — “sana all” moments in bulk coming through.) He then played a human bingo game with the fans with the winner getting a polaroid photo and a hug from the singer-actor. The finalists who failed to win the game did not go home in tears, though, because the Angel’s Last Mission: Love star also gave them hugs!

Two fans also received customized tumblers from Kim Myung Soo, complete with his signature and special message and delivered with hug. He then gamely took on the challenge to pose for his eLements and Inspirits and record a New Year message.

The “sana all” of all “sana all” came when the singer-actor picked five fans to have a selfie of him and with him! Initially, only one lucky fan was supposed to get treated to the sweet gift, but L generously granted the wish of the crowd to pick one more, one more, one more, until it reached a total of five.

Kim Myung Soo commended the fans for their passionate cheers! But L is not the only one with a surprise as fans also prepared a special fan project for him. A heart-warming video was played along with a special message of always being with him. “Again today, I’m going to you right now.”

Come With Me ended with two songs from Kim Myung Soo and a promise to return to the Philippines and bring along the other INFINITE members.

It may have taken him years to come back, but Kim Myung Soo made sure the wait of his fans will be worth it with all the performances, sweet ments, and unforgettable memories created in the 2020 KIM MYUNG SOO “COME WITH ME” FAN MEETING IN MANILA.

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2020 KIM MYUNG SOO “COME WITH ME” FAN MEETING IN MANILA is presented by Management Lee Sang, Applewood, and CDM Entertainment. Thank you to CDM Entertainment for inviting us to the event.