A sold-out fan meeting for Queen Kim Ji Won!

Kim Ji Won, the celebrated actress known for her role in the record-breaking K-drama Queen of Tears, made a remarkable debut in the Philippines with her very first fan meeting. On August 3, 2024, the New Frontier Theater buzzed excitedly as Be My One 1st Asia Fanmeeting Tour, presented by PULP Live World, unfolded into an extraordinary event. Unlike the usual one-hour fan meetings, Kim Ji Won’s showcase extended to over two hours, delivering an experience that fully captivates and engages fans.

The event was a grand success, with Filipino fans showing unwavering support during her one-night sold-out show. The warm reception included creative fan projects and heartfelt local recommendations, such as cheese ube ice cream and chicken inasal, which delighted the actress and are likely to draw her back to the Philippines!

Before this memorable fan meeting, Kim Ji Won also participated in an exclusive press conference, providing valuable insights and sharing her experiences with the Filipino media and audience.

Intimate and Personal Press Conference

The actress shared some of her hobbies and insights about her being an actress for more than a decade. Kim Ji Won was asked about her preparation process for every new series, particularly noting her exceptional chemistry with fellow actors. She explained that her approach is quite straightforward. Kim Ji Won revealed that she thoroughly studies her scripts and engages in regular communication with directors to understand their vision for the drama. She also expressed gratitude for her supportive staff, efficient production team, and excellent co-stars, which she believes contribute significantly to her successful performances.

While Ji Won is favored a lot in romantic comedies, the actress expressed that if given the opportunity, she wants to try a different drama!

“Of course, romantic comedy is also my favorite, but if I could be given a chance to pick another genre, something very different like a thriller, maybe. I believe that fans will be more interested to see a different role in a different genre.”

As the actress is very well-known for delivering powerful scenes, she also talked about how she’s able to portray them on-screen, noting with thanks that she’s blessed to have good staff, good directors, and great co-actors, who talk her through the scenes and go through it with her before they shoot them, and the transition from script to on-screen is smooth because of the guidance she gets. So even though she feels pressured whenever she takes on a new drama, she uses this as a positive verve and thinks of it as a drive to work harder and provide K-drama fans with the best version of her.

When asked on who’s her favorite role to play? Her breakthrough role, of course, is the powerful Rachel Yoo from The Heirs! She expressed that it was the first time she portrayed a very strong character, and enjoyed the little antagonist role.

On to her hobbies or activities, she mentioned that while it’s hard to look for something that will keep her busy outside of the entertainment business, she mentioned that she’s currently into building LEGOs and spends time working on them! She’s also been watching romantic comedies as well, pinning “Silver Lining Playbook” as the basis of what she’s been interested in watching generally. She also adds NewJeans and aespa to her current listening playlist at right now, which we know are trending just like her!

And relating to doing something other than acting, she also talked about what job would she have preferred if she wasn’t an actress, while originally, she always said she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, she realized that in our technologically advanced era, being an “EMOTICON CREATOR” is the route she wanted to take in. “I think you should just be good at drawing to become one,” and since we don’t have Emoticon Creators here in the Philippines, she said she’d be the first one here! Perhaps the actress has not shown all her talents yet and we may get to see her drawings too.

One of the goals of Kim Ji Won right now is to complete her Asian fan tour successfully, and wishes to make more memories with her “pen pals”, all over Asia, in the hopes that she can return their enthusiastic support. She’s very thrilled and excited to meet them all and tell them to not get sick.

Your one and only, Kim Ji Won

Kim Ji Won, renowned for her role in Queen of Tears, opened her fan meeting in the Philippines with a captivating performance of “Stupid Cupid,” the Princess Diary version. The event saw Kim Ji Won deeply moved by the enthusiastic support from her fans, which exceeded her expectations.

During the fan meeting, Kim Ji Won participated in a segment called ‘Be My Actor Playlist,’ where she discussed her top three K-drama roles. She expressed excitement about Descendants of the Sun and its international remakes, noting how different versions highlight various cultures. She also reflected on her role in My Liberation Notes, wishing for the strength of her character to be portrayed in real life. The reception for Queen of Tears was exceptional, as it continues to be her most popular K-drama to date, and that topped Netflix charts worldwide. Kim Ji Won admired the resilience of her character, who fought hard and never gave up.

Acknowledging her success in romantic comedies, Kim Ji Won was honored with the title “Queen of Romantic Comedy,” a recognition that both overwhelmed and motivated her. She expressed her gratitude to her fans, stating that their support empowers her to be a better actress. She identified the song “We Fight Ourselves” by Epik High featuring Younha as closely related to her character in Queen of Tears, reflecting her character’s emotional transformation.

In the segment ‘Be My Actor Story,’ Kim Ji Won and fans explored her character’s styles across her roles. This interactive segment resembled a World Cup-style competition, with her character from Queen of Tears, Hong Hae-in, emerging as the favorite for her wardrobe choices. Kim Ji Won also discussed her style, which, right now influenced by the warm South Korean weather, favoring short sleeves, cardigans, and comfortable footwear.

Another segment delved into her interests. Kim Ji Won revealed her favorite movie is UP and shared her top three desires: to travel (with the Philippines on her itinerary), take a pottery class (as she collects teacups), and visit an amusement park (where she is more interested in the food than extreme rides). She also shared a humorous tidbit about getting her dress soaked backstage due to her excitement, which required a quick blow-dry before meeting her fans.

READ MORE: Kim Ji Won Connects with Filipino Fans in Sold-Out, Magical First Manila Fan Meeting

For You, Our One and Only

Kim Ji Won’s fan meet was filled with heartfelt moments as fans showcased their affection in creative ways. They delighted her with a fan-made video and vibrant banners, creating an atmosphere of warmth and appreciation. As Kim Ji Won performed beloved OST songs from her dramas, including “From the Bottom of My Heart,” and gave her own rendition of Lee Hi’s “ONLY,” the audience reciprocated with enthusiasm. They sang along to “Tell Me It’s Not a Dream” by 10cm, adding to the emotional connection of the evening. Kim Ji Won was deeply moved by the outpouring of support, with a few tears escaping as she was touched by the extensive fan projects and the unique, heartfelt contributions from her Filipino fans. This level of engagement highlighted the renowned enthusiasm of the Philippine audience, known for their exceptional warmth and dedication to their favorite celebrities.

Throughout the fan meet, Kim Ji Won exuded charm and authenticity, making a lasting impression on everyone present. She expressed her gratitude and promised to return, acknowledging that the Filipino fans had made a significant impact on her. During the event, she frequently commented on the incredible energy of the crowd, noting how it fueled her motivation to continually strive for excellence in her acting career. The profound support from her fans has set the stage for great anticipation as everyone eagerly awaits her future projects.

Words and Photos by Arielle Elep