Hallyu Stars to Meet Fans in Cheju

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Cheju Island is the place to be this month for fans of Korea's top hallyu stars. Five of Korea's biggest male stars are scheduled to meet their fans in the southern island, as part of the Hallyu Expo.

K-pop star Se7en and top actors Lee Joon-ki, Ahn Jae-wook, Kim Rae-won and Lee Dong-gun will hold fan meetings in Tamna Hall at the Jeju International Convention Center starting Jan. 21.

The fan meetings are part of the first-ever Hallyu Expo, which began on Nov. 29 and runs until March 10. The expo is aimed at promoting hallyu or the Korean wave in Asia, especially with Korean dramas, movies, music, games and stars. It is expected to attract as many as 150,000 visitors during the 100-day period.

Se7en will kick off the series of fan meetings with his "Se7olution in the World" on Jan. 21. The popular singer is making a transition to acting this year. He will play the lead role in the coming MBC drama "Kung S" ("Prince Hours"). Se7en is also expected to release his first English single in the U.S. this year.

Lee Joon-ki, one of Korea's most popular stars, will hold his fan meeting "Bisang (飛上), 2007"on Jan. 27. The actor is credited with starting the so-called "pretty man syndrome", with his role in the hit film "The King and the Clown" last year.

During his fan meeting last May, Lee showed off his singing and dancing talent to the surprise of his fans. Fans can expect more of the same during the fan meeting in Cheju.

On Jan. 28, Lee Dong-geon will meet his fans during a "Romantic Holiday". His popularity around Asia started when he was seen in the hit drama "Lovers in Paris". His drama "Smile Again", which also stars Kim Hee-seon, is also expected to be a hit when it starts airing in other Asian countries.

Kim Rae-won's fan meeting "Won & One Fine Day" will be held on Feb. 3. Kim became known among Asian fans for his dramas "Cat on the Roof", "Love Story in Harvard" and his movie "My Little Bride".

Ahn will meet his fans at the "2007, My Life is"... show on Feb. 4. Ahn, an actor and singer, was one of the first hallyu stars. He helped start the Korean wave in China, with his drama "Star in my Heart". He also has a lot of fans in Japan, where he has held sold out concerts.

Fans living abroad wishing to see the stars will have to go through travel agencies that can arrange tour packages. The tours include tickets to the fan meetings on Cheju Island.

Foreigners living in Korea will be able to purchase the tickets directly from Open the link . However, they have to show their foreign residency ID when attending the event. Tickets cost 22,000 won and can be purchased on Open the link .

For more info, visit Open the link .