English translated by loveminho.com
Guangzhou, China was in a flutter with young stars from Korea last weekend. Lee Min Ho and Kim Jun captivated Chinese women's heart before the drama started on 8th. Let's rush into the spot of 'New Korean Wave fever' restarted after 'Korean Wave' of 1990s, Go!
"Happy birthday to you~Happy birthday to dear Minho~Happy birthday to you "
Guangzhou night was filled with the faltering congratulatory song in poor Korean by Chinese fans. The hero LMH, who received a belated birthday party, returned by saying "謝謝(xiexie)" (thank you in Chinese). One Chinese fan was enchanted with them and saying 'It's Almost Paradise' like the OST of BOF. The big hit drama 'BOF' made the first step in China like this.
The event 'Welcome BOF on Chinese TV' held at Holiday Inn hotel in Guangzhou on July 4th. Though only F2(LMH & KJ) attended there due to an individual schedule, the atmosphere was really hot. BOF will be aired at first around Guangdong area through Xingkong, HongKong Star TV local channel, on July 8th
Numerous fans, who were eager to see F2, stood in the long lines at the airport from the morning. 'LMH' 'KJ' Shouting F2 names resounded to the entrance of the airport. After F2 passed through the separate passageway (VIP) for their safety, over 500 enthusiastic fans didn't leave there right away. One female fan who has been waiting for them from a few months ago, "I am so sad not to see them though I came here by air early in the morning from Chungking".
About 200 fans who won by internet draw attended the official fanmeeting. One Hong Kong fan confessed "I am here after buying the fanmeeting ticket from the event winner for HK$ 550.(about 90 thousands wons) " I am captivated by LMH after watching BOF through internet since it was aired in Korea." Fans enjoyed a jolly time with stars on the stage during games such as 'following F4 or Geum JanDi' On the outside of the event hall, fans were stamping until midnight not to attend the fanmeeting.
Star TV has had increasing the viewers' interest by airing Taiwanese and Japanese versions before airing Korean BOF. Taiwanese version made as the title 'Meteor Garden' in 2001 gained a great hit in Chinese areas. In the press conference before the fanmeeting, there were many questions comparing with Taiwanese BOF. As considering this interest, Kim Jun revealed "I've watched Taiwanese Version long time ago before my cast in BOF, from then I wished I would perform in BOF" So he received fans' cheers. LMH expressed his feeling for his first visit to China "I haven't imagined their interest in BOF is so hot though it's not aired yet.."
Commonly, Korean dramas were aired in China after gaining big hit in Taiwan and HongKong first. BOF is airing in Taiwan GTV while recording the best rating 28%. Yen So Chiang, the chief of GTV's Korean office, said " there was no hit drama so far since 'Daejanggum', 'Full House' were aired with the program rating 50%. BOF has attracted young viewers' interest newly .
The tight schedule continued until midnight with the press conference and two fanmeetings didn't progress smoothly. The scheduled event 'Looking like F4 Contest' cancelled and some events often delayed. Due to the number control by China authorities, comparing with thousands of fans in Japan or Taiwan, the event in China was much smaller. In spite of this situation, Korean staffs' attitude was easy. President of Group 8 Song ByungJun, 'BOF' product company, said "We think it is the first step in spite of Chinese own uneasy. And we are focusing our efforts on grasping the local culture." One staff from Kim Jun's agency also made clear, "We expect growth ability in Chinese market and plan to rise up his popular and to make closer the partnership."
They implicate their will that they hope to reignite the inactive Korean Wave for a few years in this time. It is the one thing for expecting New Korean Wave that 20~30 young ages, who are the targets, are positive to sightseeing and shopping. The person in charge of Seoul Sightseeing Marketing Ltd., Seoul Overseas Marketing Agent, suggested, "We are planning to add major shooting spots of BOF to the shuttle line of 'Seoul City Korean Wave Tour' in October."
Posted on JungAng Newspaper, reporter Kang HyeRan, 2009-07-06
English translated by loveminho.com
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