Big Bang "Made" (VIP) Tour in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - Stadium Merdeka (1st Oct 2016)

Many Malaysian VIPs were on cloud nine when news broke that the kings of K-Pop, Big Bang, is heading to Malaysia for a fan meet in Oct (the previous fan meet was at Sunway in 2014).  However, mostly were also caught by surprise that tickets went on sale almost immediately after the official announcement. Some fans lamented that they do not have sufficient time to save up for the expensive tickets and a few even jokingly complained that they might need to sell their organs. The ticket prices are indeed excessively high considering this is just a meet and greet session, not a full-scale concert. What sucks most is the venue - Stadium Merdeka outdoor stadium.  As usual, fans camped for several nights at the mall prior to the tickets launch and this time, we also have rampant fake ticket cases, too.  I have had my fair share of nasty experience buying tickets from individual sellers on-line. I strongly discourage fans from resorting to this.  There are many seedy characters prowling in the net, eager to con desperate fans. This time around, security has been beefed up, too. Aside from bag check and metal detectors, fans are also subjected to a second round of bag check prior to entering the stadium. The second bag check is uncalled for, especially since it was already raining by then.  The flimsy disposable raincoat supplied by the organizer is no help either...if you can even call it a raincoat. The on-going constructions at the stadium area added to the chaotic situation. IME have many staff but majority are extremely clueless when addressing fans’ queries. Fans were also frustrated because IME only revealed a few days before the event that there will be no fans participation during the game sessions with Big Bang.

Last year’s “Made” indoor concert was well executed and I actually had high hopes that IME would pull this off perfectly but I was dead wrong ! The seating area sucks coz it only benefits those in rock zone.  The rest (including VIP and even some SuperVIP) had to rely on the big screen. If Joe and Emily (MyFM deejays) got on my nerves in the morning with their appalling English at Shoopen function, the MyFM emcee (Ng Ka Yoon) for Big Bang’s concert had me reeling with her atrocious pronunciation of Taeyang (she kept repeating Taeyung/Taeyong). I personally find it disrespectful and unprofessional for an emcee to address the celebrities’ name wrongly and not do the necessary homework before taking on the job.

The first part was the boring game session – “couple ping pong” and “rescue the bottle”.  GD looks moody. GD wore this peculiar looking cap (it has a string and paper clip attached to it). This is definitely the latest fad ! It’s pretty costly though - listed as US$200 for cap and US$30 for the paper clip in “peaceminusone” website.  He donned a simple Michael Jackson t-shirt.  Next-up is the “Big Fan of the night”, where fans submitted pictures of themselves dressed up as their favourite BB member. The fan who imitated Daesung walked away with the prize.  

Taeyang and Seungri are as usual, actively engaging the crowd.  Before the game session concluded, a lucky draw was conducted. Four lucky winners received a much sought-after autographed Krunk bear from each member.  Deasung even planted a kiss on his Krunk bear.  So jelly ! One fan sitting just two rows away from me got the krunk bear from GD !!! With T.O.P.’s no-show due to schedule conflict, the rundown for the night was reduced to 13 songs (from 14 at other countries with T.O.P).  After hyping the almost hysterical VIPs with “Loser” and “Bang Bang Bang”, it was time for each member to strut their stuff.  Taeyang also revealed that Big Bang has completed the recording of their new album and will be back soon to promote it.  Yay !! I have to say, Big Bang garnered a huge following after “Made”. I became an ardent fan after the 2012 Alive concert (yes ! at the same lousy venue).  I guess YG is trying to milk them to the max before the boys enlist in the army. Hope that Big Bang returns next year and praying that it would be an indoor venue.  
Click on below link to read about my review on previous Big Bang concerts :-

Big Bang "Made" Concert 2015

Big Bang Alive Concert

Rundown : 
Game sessions among Big Bang members  (Without Fans).
Loser, Bang Bang Bang, If You, Bad Boy, Strong Baby (Seungri solo), Look at me, Gwisoon ! (Daesung solo), Eyes Nose Lips (Taeyang solo), Crooked (GD solo), Good Boy (GD &  Taeyang), Sober, Baebae, We Like To Party and Fantastic Baby.

Meet and Greet With Song Ji Hyo at Shoopen official opening - Fahrenheit 88 (1st Oct 2016)

Song Ji Hyo of “Running Man” fame, graced the opening event of Shoopen’s first outlet in Malaysia last Saturday.  Shoopen is one of South Korea’s leading footwear fashion and accessories brand. Anxious fans waited patiently outside the mall from as early as 6.30 am to catch a glimpse of this affable, humble and pretty celebrity. Song (her second visit to our shores) was clearly bolwed over by the warm and enthusiastic response from her fans. It’s not difficult to see why she is so well loved. She has such an endearing personality…kept bowing to fans and media throughout the meet and greet, greeting lucky fans with hi five, hugging fans who got a chance for group photo with her, doing the heart shape sign with another fan. In person, she is gorgeous and projects a cute bumbling image.  Song mentioned that she did not have a chance to try out local dishes (me thinks majority K-Pop stars are usually not adventurous with food. They rather play safe and stick to Korean cuisine) and the emcee recommended “bak kut t eh”. This is definitely one of the best organized events I have been, too.  Everything was done very systematically and on-time. The only “blemish” of this otherwise perfect function is the organizer made the grave mistake of engaging the two lousy emcees from MyFm (Joe and Emily) who are extremely incompetent in hosting event in English. It is torturing to my ears,  listening to their mostly “syok sendiri” (full of oneself) banter in broken English. Song was on the same flight as Big Bang (minus GD). Oct is truly a busy month for K-pop followers. After Song, Big Bang, next to meet Malaysian fans are Kim Rae  Won and Park Shin Hye (from “Doctors” drama).  Let's also not forget that Song's fellow Running Man team mate, Lee Kwang Soo will be here on Nov 26 to participate in the 100 Plus Running Man challenge. Never ending stream of celebrities from Kimchiland this month ! 

TVB Jade Pack Meet & Greet ( Benjamin Yuen, Elaine Yiu, Sisley Choi, Grace Wong and Owen Cheung) - 18th and 19th Sept 2016

Astro held a grand launching ceremony back in May (for the media and selected guests) to introduce the new TVB Jade Pack package. To further boost the subscription base, the “TVB Jade Pack” Facebook fan page was opened two weeks ago, inviting all and sundry to participate in a “No Jade Pack, No Nice” contest for a chance to join a private  function with 5 TVB artistes (comprising of Benjamin Yuen, Sisley Choi, Owen Cheung, Elaine Yiu and Grace Wong) and bring home TVB’s limited edition moon cake.  Honestly, the contest regulation itself is flawed. The organizer should have stated the word limit. Many ended submitting their “thesis” and won, which ain’t fair to those who kept their words to a decent range.

The so-called exclusive meet and greet session was pretty “meh”. Up-and-coming Owen Cheung performed the theme song of “Come Home Love.”  Benjamin suddenly appeared and help snap pixs of Owen in action, resulting in squeals of delight at the sight of Nga Loh.  One of the two most annoying female artistes at TVB was also at the function, Sisley Choi. Luckily, fans were generous with the applause and no jeering heard.  There were loads of taunting comments in the FB page, mocking Sisley for attending this promo event. The crowd puller of the show is clearly Nga Loh(Benjamin Yuen) and Fa Mun (Grace Wong), thanks to the mass popularity of “A Fist Within Four Walls”. A few fans teamed up with the celebs in a contest to test their acting prowess.  Grace and Elaine were really superb.  This was followed by a group photo session with the contest winners and it’s a wrap.  The hard sell “battle cry” repeated throughout the function is to like the “Jade Pack” FB page and of course, enticing all to sign-up for the Jade Pack package to be exclusive members of soon-to-be-launched TVB Jade Pack Fan club.  Members of this elite club will enjoy plenty of opportunities for closed-door events with TVB artistes. 

The second function was opened to the public and Astro/TVB’s marketing team came-up with the gimmick of hunting for “TVB-mons” (obviously, trying to copy “Pokemon Go”).  Needless to say, the response is far from overwhelming when the stars hid at Absolute Thai and Hello Kitty restaurants, while fans seek them out.  The majority of them prefer the good old fashioned way of waiting right in front of stage.  Smart move !  It’s a shame that Benjamin shaved his stubble prior to this event. Ben looks so cool with his facial hair ! Ben clarified that he and gf, Jennifer Shum, are not getting hitched as reported earlier.  Nga Loh wants to focus on his red-hot career at this moment. The bright and bubbly Grace is a hit with the crowd, too.   Grace is expanding her “Dear Grace” accessories business to Malaysia and staying another day to promote her new shop in Ikon mall. I have a strong hunch that Grace will walk away with an award in this year’s Malaysia TVB awards.  Elaine revealed that she is excited to start work in Jazz Boon’s new drama “The Alliance 同盟”, along with buddies Nancy Wu, Joel Chan and Ruco Chan.  It’s going to be physically taxing as basically, all the stars are required to fight in this modern-day action series (perhaps with the exception of veteran Pao Hee Ching). Personally, I am happy that Jazz Boon is spearheading Elaine’s next project after her long hiatus. Jazz Boon’s recent dramas have been runaway success in terms of viewership . Same for his “Line Walker” flick. Elaine was remarkably stunning that day in a simple white blouse with short black skirt. Owen did an impersonation of Leslie Cheung and Nicholas Tse. Also sang Gor Gor’s classic, Monica and went down the stage to inviting Elaine, Grace and Sisley to sing the chorus.  Ben sang George Lam’s “分分钟需要你”.  Similar to the previous day, the ladies are required to display their acting skills on stage.