My high school best friend, Melanie, and I almost didn’t make it to the EVM Convention Center last Aug. 2. It was Saturday, and the traffic situation was terrible, as usual. With the doors set to close at 3:00 p.m., we found ourselves rushing and racing against time.
for a photo with Lee Do-hyun’s posters
By the time we arrived, the crowd was already buzzing with excitement. Fans were holding up their banners and lightsticks, eagerly waiting for South Korean actor Lee Do-hyun. And when he finally walked out for his Re Do Hyun in Manila fan meeting, the audience, including us, erupted with cheers and applause.
In fact, it wasn’t just another stop on Do-hyun’s Asia fan meeting tour. It was the final one.
“Because it’s the last stop, right now is the most memorable moment,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. From that point on, the energy never dipped.
‘Piano Man’
Throughout the program, he spoke to his fans as if he were a friend, discussing his journey and inspirations. During one segment, he had the opportunity to read some messages from his fans. One read, “We want to see you healthy, happy, and creative for a very, very long time.”
“I’ll also cheer for all of you. Probably, seeing me act is my way of cheering and giving back the support to you. So I’ll do my best to cheer more for you by acting more,” he responded with a smile.
He also shared that he originally wanted to become an athlete, but his parents were against it.
“While I was thinking about what I wanted to do, I was watching a movie, and I really fell in love. So I enrolled myself in an acting school and continued my studies in college. That’s how I became an actor,” Do-hyun said.
When asked about his signature scent, he laughed and admitted, “I like the baby powder scent. Baby powder and soap. Fresh, clean scent.” That answer alone sent his fans into delighted giggles.
Later in the program, he talked about what he hopes people remember about him as an actor.
“Whenever you think of me, I hope I can give you a smile on your faces,” he answered.
One of the most fun and memorable moments of the evening came when he rallied the audience for a chant, trying to say the “walang uuwi” phrase as perfectly as he could.
“I’m not going to end this today. Don’t think of going home, okay?” Do-hyun said.
The event also included unreleased photos, playful Q&A segments, and musical performances. I loved how he made an effort to sing English songs, including “Piano Man” by Billy Joel and “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. He said singing these songs was meaningful to him and was carefully chosen for his Filipino fans.
As the program neared its end, Do-hyun left fans with a few heartfelt words:
“When I think of you, I also think of Manila. Every time I hear about Manila, I’ll be smiling like that,” he stated.
The encore was a fitting end to a night that was fun, sincere, and unforgettable for us fans and, it seemed, for Do-hyun as well.
