Experience of a Henecia
This is a small part of the thing I have experienced going to the symphonic Into the light concert by Kim Hyun-Joong in Japan. First, I liked the city’s choice for this concert.
First, I liked the city’s choice for this concert. The location was far from the airport but quite accessible by train or taxi (20,000 Yen per segment) which is quite expensive.
The restaurants within 5-10 minutes walking distance were excellent and the service was very nice. I met people from Australia, Sweden, Singapore, USA when we had dinner organised by Michelle.
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The Hotel Toyoko Inn Tokyo Higashi-Fuchu-Eki Kita was within walking distance and very well situated to the concert hall. The only bemol is the rigidity of the reception when I arrived at 1:30 pm the person made it clear that the check-in was at 4:00 pm not 3:59 pm and the check-out was at 10:00 am. She didn’t let me in until 4:00 pm and the next morning they called me at 10:01 to ask me if I wanted to extend my stay for a fee. However, I was able to leave my luggage in the locker for the second show. I took a flight leaving at 2:00 am because I didn’t know exactly what time the activity
after the concert was going to end
The place was beautiful both outside the hall and inside. The outdoor gardens were beautiful, I had time to explore them and even see Kim Eun Chong who was jogging before the show. The interior room is very well organized, and I was fortunate to have a seat for both nights in the third row, the first night on the right side and the second night on the left side of the stage, which allowed me to see both sides of the stage well. The first night we cannot take any pictures or film the concert but for the second night KHJ told us that we can take pictures or film. The store where we could buy souvenirs was very well organized and the access was very smooth. Really everything was perfect
Overall, compared to the two shows I had seen in the United States, I really preferred the symphony concert in Japan. The reason is simple, I could hear KHJ singing with an orchestra and the result is just perfection. Honestly, his voice blends very well with symphonic music, and the people who come for this kind of concert are silent leaving room for the artist. When KHJ asks people to sing, everyone participates in the song.
BUT the highlight of these shows was for people like me who bought tickets for both shows. We didn’t know what he would decide, and at the end of the second show, he came back to the stage to announce that he would make a high touch with the people who had obtained the bracelet for both shows. When I came in front of him, he shook
my hand, had a reaction held me because someone was pushing me, (this is my karma LOL) and with a big smile, said, you came, thank you.
That’s what I’ve been through at these two wonderful concerts
Report by FRANCINE PARE, Canada
Elite Henecia International
World Tour The End of a dream
World Tour México
There were rumors that Hyun Joong would come to Mexico but it wasn’t a sure thing. When they finally confirmed the tour on the official website of Henecia, I knew that he was not going to be able to go, at that time he was going through difficult times. Several of my friends Henecia were not going to go either, that’s why I felt more distant the possibility of attending the
Fortunately, the miracle happened and I was able to buy the VIP ticket with poster. The closer the day of the concert got, the more nervous I felt. It wasn’t the first time she had seen him but she felt the same way. The day has come to travel to CDMX for the concert since I am from a very distant city called Mérida. I left alone, I had no one to go with. But I would see myself with 4 friends from other places and I would no longer be alone
I saw HJ at the airport when he arrived there were a lot of people, when he left it was crazy, we couldn’t see anything, all the people jumped on him until he got in his truck and left
I spent two days outside the fronton queuing to enter.
The day of the concert people were euphoric outside, they all wanted to go inside to see it.
It was time to go in and it took about 2 hours to start because the doors opened at 5:30 and the concert started after 8. Finally Hyun Joong came out on stage, as beautiful as ever. His cute little face hasn’t changed at all. It’s the fourth time I’ve seen it and I still like it the same or more than before. The concert was wonderful. The pediment was bursting. The voices of the fans singing the songs were incredibly loud
Definitely every time Hyun Joog comes, his concerts surpass the previous one. Regardless of the organizational problems that there were, I had a great time, I enjoyed it a lot, I met several fans from other countries, it’s incredible how HJ breaks borders. I hope that the next time he comes, he will have the opportunity to go too
Experience lived by an Ary Hyun Fans
2022.09.30
World Tour New York
Two of us have won the raffle for a signed poster so we have come early to claim our prizes but there are already many people there waiting to get in. Mostly women, of all ages, but some men and kids too. Everyone there for one reason, to see KHJ. One of the staff came out to the line to tell us that the winners of the raffles need to come with him so my friend and I leave my daughter in line and join him at the gate to the venue.
He checks again the group who has joined him and asks if we are winners. I say Yes we are winners! And right then I did feel like a really big winner! He led our group in past the folks still making the last minute preparations, to the table where we claimed our prizes. Looking around I saw several women I knew from Elites and from our dinner the night before who had been decorating and getting everything ready for us to welcome KHJ and the Gemini Band for their first NY concert.
Already it felt good, like coming to a party where you already have friends. We hugged like old friends and knew we were about to share a very unique night. My daughter found us inside the venue and we made our way to our seats in the second row, our hands full of goodie bags, posters, and souvenirs and our hearts full of excitement and anticipation. The stage was ready with the End of the Dream sign lighting the area in a purple glow and the instruments waiting patiently for the band to come on
I stood near the stage to get my picturet taken, a stage that would soon be full of the people and music we so longed to see. It was so much a blur because of all the emotions filling my heart and the room. People kept coming in and happy chatter filled the air. Crowns of flowers and lights were passed out to all and we all put them on to show our unity as one big happy Henecia family. Introductions, greetings, where are you from? What is your name? So nice to meet you all! Then it was time. House lights went down and Gemini came out followed quickly by Hyun Joong. The audience roared, cheered, applauded and you could feel the vibrations in your bones.
It felt to me like two huge arms reached out from that audience of fans and embraced Hyun Joong and Gemini Band with all the love we had been saving up for so many years. I think he felt it too because the smile on his face that night was so radiant! He glowed. His voice was strong and the songs one after the other were beautifully performed. The energy was immense. He sang our favorites, danced, and made all of us part of his world for a short time. I sang along, I danced, I cheered, I laughed, and I was thoroughly filled with
joy.
He stopped to talk once in a while so that they could catch their breaths, and his natural wit and charm were on display. It was one thing to see that in his online concerts but I felt his magnetism in person is very strong. He really relates to his fans and I along with everyone else was totally mesmerized! The two hours flew by so fast and when he said “last song” no one was ready to let him go. Of course, he came back to give us an encore because he always gives just a bit more than you might hope for and when he said he was happy after the crowd sang You are My Sunshine, every last heart melted. I went to the concert knowing I would be happy to be there, but it turned out knowing that he was happy too made it rise to a totally different level.
I wanted him to be happy and I left thinking we all got so much more than what we had dreamed. If I could have made time stop that night I would have. The euphoria followed me back home and has not left me yet. I want to hold onto this precious gift he gave me as long as I can. Thank you Kim Hyun Joong and Gemini Band. You are my music
Experience lived by an Paula Boschen Fans
2022.11.06
Second Testimony
A Dream Comes True by Sue Bertovich
To start off my story, firstly, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think at the age of 67 that I would join a fan club, let alone one for someone half my age and from another country where I didn’t even understand the language. One day while watching Netflix, a Korean drama popped up (Boys over Flowers) and I thought, this looks interesting. That was the beginning of my love, or should I say obsession, of all things Korean-especially Kim Hyun Joong.
Next thing I know, I’m planning my first ever trip to New York on my first ever bus trip to see KHJ in concert at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Also going were Mary Lee, and Karen. I had only spoken on the phone to these two ladies and actually met them on this trip.
My journey started at a Greyhound bus station in Pittsburgh. I was dropped off early, the ticket window wasn’t even open yet and when it did open, I went up to get my luggage tag and was informed the bus was 6 hours behind schedule because they had no drivers. WHAT! I was supposed to meet Karen in King of Prussia at noon to ride in with her for the last 2 hours to New York. I started chatting with a lady and another lady came and sat beside me and noticed my sweat jacket I had made for the concert and lo and behold, she was going there too. The lady was Kat and I was excited to meet a fellow KHJ Fan.
Finally met up with Karen who was nice enough to let Kat ride with us the rest of the way to New York. She said the ‘more the merrier!”
Day 1-We just chilled in our hotel room. We were all tired from traveling and excitement.
Day 2-Friday, a group went to JFK Airport to welcome Kim Hyun Joong and Gemini on their first trip to the US. It still seems surreal when I think of seeing him walking through the airport right in front of me. I was in fangirl mode, so much so, that I couldn’t use my camera correctly. Missed opportunity! Thank goodness I was able to save photos that the others took.
Day 3- Karen, Mary Lee and I walked the streets around the hotel and ate at a ramen restaurant.
It was delicious!
That evening we met the ladies of Elite Henecia International for the first time and ate dinner at an outside Italian restaurant. We celebrated Manga Ramen’s birthday. The food was great and so was the company. Again, met and made many new friends.
Day 4-Concert Day!!
In the morning, I was happy to be part of the committee that decorated the venue lobby. We tried to set up as many spots as we could for photo ops for the fans. I blew up a lot of balloons that day.
Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the concert. We got there early so we could hand out the goody bags to the fans. The more fans that came in, the more the excitement grew. We were all there to see Kim Hyun Joong.
We heard the opening music and the concert began. I still couldn’t take in the fact that I was there. I get all teary-eyed just thinking about it now. (I’m a big emotional cry-baby)
Then, there he was in all his handsome, talented glory! I had only watched him on-line and now he was there in person along with Gemini. The concert was phenomenal. He sang and danced his heart out
Every time I hear one of his songs now, I vividly remember him as he sang it live on stage and at the same time, the night seems like a blur that happened too fast to take it all in. A special memory was how touched he seemed when we all sang “You are my Sunshine” to him
Lastly, the good-bye session. I had made a hat for KHJ and he has worn it multiple times. The first time I saw him with it on, I was in shock, and yes, I cried.
Anyway, I had made myself one exactly like it,
except I put a gold guitar pin on it and wore it in the good-bye line.
When I came in front of him, his eyes opened really wide and he pointed from himself to me and then back to himself again. I had just enough time to nod and say “Yes” before I was moved along by security.
Later in the hallway, Charles the venue manager, had commented several times on a large cross I was wearing. As we waited for our Uber driver, I decided to give the chain to Charles. He was so appreciative; you would have thought it was made of real diamonds instead of rhinestones. I asked him if KHJ hadn’t left yet, if he would be able to give him the hat I had on. He hesitated, said “Follow me” and out the doors and around the building we went to the van where Gemini was already inside. KHJ was not there yet and our Uber arrived just then, so I had just enough time to hand it to Bitna and ask her to give it to Hyun Joong.
It was a long bus ride home, but I had the time to relive the special moments of all the new friends I had made, the concert itself, and nothing could erase the smile from my face of finally hearing and seeing Kim Hyun Joong.
I know there will be even bigger and better memories to be made when Kim Hyun Joong comes back to us again in the USA. I can’t wait!
Experience lived by an Sue Bertovich Fans
2022.06.11
World Tour Las Vegas
Living in Southern California, I was able to attend 2 of the 3 concerts -Las Vegas and Anaheim.
Because I work a lot and couldn’t just leave just like that, I was originally only going to attend the Anaheim concert. However, something inside me was sad because who knows when we will be able to have this opportunity again. When I got notified that there was a possibility we could meet him in Las Vegas, I just told my boss that I have to go. In 24 years or working, I never have made up excuses to leave, but I was determined to go even if they fired me. My boss asked me what I had to do and I said I have a chance to meet the person who gives me peace. So, I added Las Vegas to my plan
At the last minute I booked my flight and my hotel room. When I saw the venue in Las Vegas I really liked it. Personally I liked the Las Vegas venue more than Anaheim. I cannot give an opinion about New York because I was not there. The fan meeting in Las Vegas was cancelled but many of us decided to go to the restaurant anyway. I met so many ladies who greeted me there like we really had known each other for a long time. I was especially able to spend time with one, and we felt like we had known each other for life.
I have been in many concerts, but even so I was so happy and crying (I do not cry easily) but encountered many feelings because this was such a special concert. I know, at least in my case, I won’t
be able to go to a Korean or Japanese concert where for sure he will perform. The morning after the Las Vegas concert, I took the same flight that KHJ and the Gemini Band flew, and the closest I got to KHJ was when I bought a coffee for me and the person I was with, and KHJ and his bodyguard were walking next to me and I said Good morning and I bent my head and they answered back.
At the Anaheim airport when we arrived, I was able to get pictures with the band. Park Jun hyun speaks
English so I told him where we should pick up the luggage and there we chatted a little about music. I
asked Park Jun hyun and Kim Eun Chong to play a few songs, The Doors and Guns and Roses…and I got the chance to show Bitna a picture of the blanket I sent to her when Zion was born, and she gave me a hug and told me that he uses it a lot ( Park Jun hyun translated for me.)
At the Anaheim airport when we arrived, I was able to get pictures with the band. Park Jun hyun speaks. English so I told him where we should pick up the luggage and there we chatted a little about music. I asked Park Jun hyun and Kim Eun Chong to play a few songs, The Doors and Guns and Roses…and I got the chance to show Bitna a picture of the blanket I sent to her when Zion was born, and she gave me a hug and told me that he uses it a lot ( Park Jun hyun translated for me.)
Experiences from Esmerelda Herrera, KHJ fan
Elite Henecia International 