Saturday, April 14, 2012

Spring Waltz in Seoul 2012 – Day 10

14th April 2012

Today is a special day for me. I am finally going to see 2AM. This seems so unreal but it’s HAPPENING!! I’m so excited.

First, we met Hui Fen at Yeuido Station for our cherry blossoms sighting tour. From our research, it says that the Yeuido Spring Flower Festival will be held here from 13 to 17 April 2012 and this is one of the best places in Seoul to view cherry blossom. So, here we are.

As we approached the park, we could see that there were tentages set up for the festival. There are also a lot of cherry blossom trees but a pity that it was not in full bloom yet. In any case, we were still very happy to see Sakura (one of the reasons for making this trip in Spring). There are many species of cherry blossom trees in this park – tall trees like those we saw in Japan and short shrubs which we have never seen before.

On the way to Yeuido Park
It means Yeuido Park
Ohh...... Tiny bits of Sakura
Can you see it?
A bit nearer, maybe!!
Still cannot see them? How about this?
They are so beautiful
Budding Sakura - So cute!!!
Budding and just bloom Sakura
I think this is clearer.

As the KBS Studio Exhibition Centre is also located in Yeuido, we decided to visit it too. It is similar to the Fuji Television Studio that we visited in Tokyo.

When we arrived at KBS, the long stretch of cherry blossom trees lined up along the road next to the TV station captured our attention. There are so many cherry blossom trees. This place will be so beautiful when the cherry blossom is in full bloom…if only we can be still here 3-4 days later, sigh… We took pictures of the budding cherry blossom trees and went to visit KBS.

KBS
KBS is located in a very beautiful place
Sakura trees
Still budding
It will be very nice if they are full bloom
Slightly more bloom Sakura

Just like Fuji Television, KBS also has different zones for the different types of programs they produced – drama, news, cartoons, etc. There are two particular areas that are of interests to us – (1) Weather Forecast area and (2) News area. You can experience how the newscaster reports the news and weather forecasts – interesting!


Welcome to KBS!!
Follow me ... Follow me ...
Pris the weather reporter
Hui Fen and Kath, the news casters
Hey hey..... where are you looking???
KBS Entrance

After visiting KBS, it’s time for lunch. We decided to have Two Two Chicken. There was Two Two Chicken shop near Uljiro CO-OP but we didn’t have a chance to try it. When we saw it here, we decided to go for it. This is GOOD!!

Two Two Chicken Restaurant
They are preparing our lunch.
Here it is...... Spicy and Original Flavour
Two Two Chicken
Pris likes it

After lunch, we proceed to Lotte World. This place was not in my itinerary. However, after knowing that 2AM will be having a performance there, how can I miss it. I can kill 2 birds with 1 stone, hee hee hee.

We arrived at Lotte World around 2pm and decided to go for the “Entry Only” ticket vs the “All-in” passport. We knew we would not have time for the rides. After purchasing the tickets, we head straight to the Garden Stage where the performance will be. We were expecting fans to be reserving seats but to our surprise, there was none. Therefore, we decided to do the touristy thing and go around the park for some photos.

There is an indoor park and an outdoor park in Lotte World. The entrance is in the indoor park and you have to cross a bridge to get to the outdoor park. The bridge will cross over a big road and a small canal (part of the Seokchon Lake). As we were crossing the bridge, we were so surprised to see full bloom cherry blossom trees lining the Seokchon Lake. Pris had been thinking of visiting the Seokchon Lake as she read from some sites on the internet that there are cherry blossom trees there but not too sure. A few checks with different tourist information centers on different occasions during this trip all discouraged her against it as it was not known so she dropped this idea. Seeing this, she wanted to go to the lake to take photos but the Lotte World staff told her that they do not allow re-entry. Disappointed, she could only take pictures from afar.

Garden Stage - Lotte World
Welcome to Lotte World!
Go back to a kid!
Walking to Lotte World Outdoor Park
This is what we call - Full Bloom!!
See it???
She is never tired of Sakura. Who is?
Yeah!!!!
Pretty pretty!!
A lot of people are enjoying the walk under Sakura.
Drop game and Sakura
Lotte World Castle
Lotte World

After a short walk round Lotte World, we went back to the Garden Stage and this time it was packed. Oh no, I cannot see 2AM up close and personal!! Luckily it was because there was a stage performance and after that, the crowd dispersed. We managed to move nearer to the stage. This time we saw fans. They have already occupied up to row 5 so we had to settle for row 6 but we are still very pleased as it is very near the stage. 

Performance for kids
Waiting fan girls
Who are you here for?

It was a loooong wait to the performance at 7.30pm. While waiting, we bought BHC chicken to snack on. BHC Chicken is endorsed by 2AM. During this trip, I was trying to find it but was unsuccessful so when I saw it here in Lotte World, how can I miss it! The company has a very interesting way of packaging their food and drink. It’s basically a 2-in-1 cup; drink at the bottom and food on top. There is a straw that is connected to the drink.

I finally saw BHC chicken
Which one should I try??? 
2AM and me

During this long wait, luckily midway, there was a pre-performance by BTOB, a new 7-member male group formed by Cube DC in April 2012. They performed quite a number of songs and we had a taste of the craziness of Korean fangirls. The fans all came well-equipped with their professional cameras!! Professional Fan Girl!! Wow! One person can be handling two video cams at a time!! Amazing!! *Eyes popping*

The Pro Fan Girls
BtoB from Cube DC
BtoB performing

After BTOB’s performance, it was waiting again till 7.30pm when the actual show begins. This show is the Pyeonghwa Broadcast at Lotte World. There were a few groups performing and as we expected, 2AM was the last performing group. Guess the organizer purposely organized it this way else the place will be empty by the time 2AM finishes their performance and it will look bad for the others.


C-Real
I dunno them. Sorry!
I don't know who's the lady in white and Gilme

Finally, it was 2AM!!!! Geez..... I’m really seeing them!!!! *Screams* (Camera snapping non-stop and Pris helping with the video on my iPhone)

Changmin
Seulong
Jo Kwon
Jinwoon
2 Shot - JinKwon pair
2 Shot - Changlong pair
2AM Group Shot
2AM performing

2AM sang two songs – You were mine and I Wonder If You Hurt Like Me. After their performance, Pris told me she remembered when she watched Mnet Scandal that there is no backdoor in Lotte World so 2AM will definitely have to exit from the park. We then dashed to the stage entrance, hoping to catch a closer glimpse of 2AM and YES, they walked past right in front of me, at an arm’s length. I could literally touch them! Maknae smiled at me! Hee hee!




YEAH!!! My goal accomplished!! I saw JO KWON!!! But he seems to be in a bad mood. He didn’t smile much and didn’t even talk during the interview. However, feeling very satisfied, we made our way back to the hotel and stopped by 명인만두 [Myeong-in Mandu] for a quick snack – last “dinner” for this trip.

Fried Dumpling
Ramyeon
Our dinner

Tonight will be a late night as we had to pack. We are going home tomorrow.

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