Filipino fans unite for JYJ

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fans of Korean boy band JYJ has come together for their first-ever gathering in the country to show their love and support to their idol group.

Called “JYJ Haven: The Beginning: The JYJ Philippines 1st Fan Gathering,” the event was held on April 21 at Discovery Suites in Pasig.

Filipino JYJ fans at the gathering. (Photos courtesy of JYJ Philippines)

The first gathering became an occasion for JYJ fans to get to know one another, have fun and win prizes.

Maricon, an admin of JYJ Lovers in the Philippines (JYJ PH) fan page on Facebook, Twitter and blog, came all the way from Bacolod to be with her fellow fans.

“We started planning the event in mid-February,” she said.

The event was called “The Beginning” in reference to JYJ’s first English album and to signify a start for JYJ fans.

“We thought of ‘JYJ HAVEN’ as the main title because we wanted to create a sanctuary for JYJ fans. We also called it ‘THE BEGINNING’ because just like JYJ's first English album, this is just a beginning for us, JYJ fans. We'll continue supporting them in every way we can,” she explained.

During the gathering, fans held games and watched the video message from JYJ fans around the world.

The games included JYJ Trivia to test the fans’ knowledge about JYJ and JYJ Henyo.

JYJ PH added, “The most exciting game for the attendees was the JYJ body shots. We showed them a photo of each member's body part and they have to guess if it's Jaejoong, Yoochun or Junsu’s body part. They were screaming at every photo of the body part we showed. Almost fans answered correctly and they were given an embroidered JYJ PH t-shirt.”

The organization said the event also became an occasion where fans wrote messages for JYJ.

“We are going to compile them and we plan to have it as a photobook and give it to JYJ as our gift,” JYJ PH said.

Fans also had fun posing beside the standees, or lifesize cardboard cut outs, of Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu.

They also brought home giveaways and raffle prizes including a DVD of the Korean drama “Sungkyunkwan Scandal,” which starred Yoochun.  Donors included Cake Circle, Fanshope and and Fangirls Dream Shop.

“One fan also danced ‘Intoxication’ just to get the JYJ blanket. We also gave away JYJ mini-standees, tarpaulins and a lot more,” Maricon said.

Attendees thanked the people behind JYJ PH for organizing the event.

A fan named Kristine Rocha wrote, “Thank you so much admins!! We had so much fun! Thanks din po sa free snacks. Sosyalin! Sana soon na yung 2nd gathering!”

“Thanks po sa mga admins and organizer ng pinakabonggang fan gathering na na-attendan ko for free! Advance bday gift ko mga prizes na nareceive ko :) super thank you po talaga,” said fan Maria Lourdes.

JYJ PH said overall, “It was a success and so much fun! Everyone enjoyed the event just like a great family. We also received positive feed from the attendees.”

JYJ is composed of Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu, a group formed in 2010.

Link to my original article: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/357755/filipino-fans-unite-jyj