Ryeowook AGIT February

EDIT (A FEW HOURS LATER): Forgot some little things that I felt were important parts of my experience, added them to the part 'Sweet'.

 

First of all, I'm sorry that this took so long. I was anxious about sharing anything because of Ryeowook's tweet, saying that he is disappointed about people spoiling the events of the AGIT to people who are still coming there. So, a word of warning now

IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE MARCH AGIT CONCERTS, DO NOT READ THIS AS IT MAY SPOIL THE SURPRISES FOR YOU. Ryeowook worked very hard to make the concerts enjoyable to us all, so I don't want to ruin that for him.

 

Now, how were the concerts?

Spectacular, in one word. But I'm going to divide my feeling into three words: y, sweet and special.

y was not something I would have expected out of Wook's concert, but I could never say I was disappointed that it came to that. In fact, just the beginning had my mind reeling, as Wookie started the concert with singing a slow version of Ariana Grande's Problem (not that I recognized the song at the time...), sitting on a park bench, and then suddenly stopped with the music still going on, walked to the center of the stage, and let the dancers strip him of his overcoat, revealing white and gold rockstar clothing underneath. Then he started dancing to the song's regular beat, and I think all of our minds went to gutter; in case you didn't now, Wookie actually CAN dance, and was extremely y without even showing any skin while doing it. He looked like he was enjoying himself, smirking and rolling his hips, and at that point I knew the concert wasn't going to be anything I had imagined. But in a good way.

He then continued with 'Foxy Girl', and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I felt for him, seeing him smile and feel the beat with his body like he had wanted to do this for a long time. It was still y, but also fun: the dancers he had (including Hyelim-noona, who was his partner in Insomnia, Blame it on the girls, Baby etc. and came to dance just for Wook's sake despite not being with SME anymore<3) were amazing, and Wook was so well coordinated with them! This became even more apparent when he performed short slow versions of 'This is love' and 'Sorry Sorry', half-slow, half-normal speed, short version of 'It's You', a short, normal-speed version of 'Bonamana' and 'Devil' as a full version (!!!). Although I admit not having seen a Super Show myself, I felt like I was watching a mini-version of one: the loud fanchants for 'Devil' tugged my heartstring; listening/seeing the bedroom version of Sorry Sorry had me crossing my legs (you try watching Wook grind a mic-stand and roll his hips while singing seductively in a breathy voice!), and the solo dance part for 'Bonamana', which is usually HyukHaeShinKyu's job, had me cheering loudly because goddamn does it take some courage from a member not known for their dancing to take on a solo like that!

Sweet is another word I'd use for him. It was him noticing us international fans by having an apology projected on the theatre walls during his first ment, saying that he wishes we have a fun concert even if we don't understand his Korean (and even if doesn't know English well enough), and sung parts of every recent guest song he had sung during KRY concerts and Super Shows: Mikazuki (Japanese), Orange Jasmine (Mandarin), It might be love (Thai), a Cantonese song (sorry I forgot the name),  Bunga Terakhir (Indo) and.... Baby XD  Well he did include the dance in Baby's performance, and it was fun to watch him play around with the dancers. Also the original performances of the songs got projected onto the walls as well, which was a nice touch. He also sang short versions of 'Coagulation' and 'Dorothy' during the first part, and ended with 'One Fine Spring Day'. Needless to say, seeing him sing these songs, looking so vulnerable and small on the stage with his voice soaring high was both sweet and beautiful. Also on the last day he sang two songs from 'The Goddess is Watching' -musical, while wearing a flower crown and prancing around the stage with a bouquet of flowers. How much cuter can you get?

Also what made his concert so sweet were the small, so Ryeowook-like things in his performances and ments. Teaching us a cutesy dance during encore's 'Hello', telling us to be act as cute as 3 year olds. Making a funny VCR where reporter Kim Ryeowook interviews solo artist Kim Ryeowook. Addressing all the moms in the audience after 'POOM'. Reading fans letters onstage, and then addressing personally those fans in the audience. Talking about the darndest things during ments, like his pants being about to fall down during the Super Junior dance songs and hoping no one saw his underwear. Flustering cutely everytime someone yelled "y!" from the audience. All these small things served to remind us that Kim Ryeowook is so much more than just a singer, or Super Junior's maknae; he is an all around entertainer, a successful, fun and professional soloist who really engages the audience and cares for his fans. A fact that is easily tied to the next part: being special.

Special. Of course, him being my bias automatically makes him this to me, but during these concerts, he really showed us just how special and amazing performer he can be. The iness and the playfulness were added bonuses: at the core was his very special album, The Little Prince. Being the first Label SJ release, it really set the standards high, and made me so excited for Yesung and Kyuhyun's next albums. TLP songs are varied, very well made, and masterfully sung by this person, who even singing live sounds exactly like a recording. I got asked: "How do you know then he really is singing live?". Because I could see the emotions on his face, the passion with which he sang. That is something you cannot fake or replicate. On the third day, while singing 'People you may know', Wookie almost crumbled at the last few lines, and paused his singing for a moment. He later explained he had almost done that during the second day while singing 'POOM', since his parents were there, but he hadn't wanted to cry in front of them, so he saved his tears for the last day. And while singing this song, which he said holds a deep personal meaning to him, he finally let all loose. It is rare to see a worldwide known artist reveal himself like this to the audience, to bare his soul to us because he trusts us to understand. That was a special moment, at least to me.

 

There are two other special moments (or four, depends how you count) that you probably already know.

Firstly, the roses. Imagine this: you have travelled half-way across the globe to see your favourite artist, and it is your first time ever seeing a member of your favourite group to top it all off. He gives us an amazing performance, which I got to enjoy from a front-row seat, and that is everything you need; the night has been unforgettable so far.

Then, a familiar voice sound over the speakers. With the little knowledge I have of Korean, and judging from the way he speaks, I deduce that he is thanking us, and then, at the very end, come the cryptic words: "You thought it was over?"

They wheel in a black table, just one meter from my feet, and then carry large boxes in to sit beside it. They are filled to the brim with red roses. A collective gasp resonates through the room: we all thought his question on KTR, "Will you be my rose?", was just cute little thing he came up with. But no, he is actually carrying it out. But why aren't they just handing us the roses?

The side room door opens again, and my heart nearly bursts out of my chest.

Ryeowook is going to GIVE US THE ROSES PERSONALLY.

 

 

Holy ing .

 

I have never gotten anything from any artist I have gone to watch. Not an autograph, not a drumstick, not a wet towel, and most certainly none of them have ever spoken to me.

And here I am, first time ever seeing a member of Super Junior, and he is giving me a rose personally, plus high-fiving me, even speaking to me one the last day. And I get to witness the first ~50 persons doing this with him on the first day, getting to observe his face and gestures from a mere meter apart for a good while.

Repeat two more times. I have never felt more grateful, more special, than at that moment. Despite you not seeing this: Thank you, Ryeowook. This is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

 

The other special thing?

Well, Kyuhyun visiting Wook's concert, obviously.

He wasn't supposed to: he had another concert (Hyesung's, if I remember correctly) to visit that night, but suddenly as Ryeowook was beginning his ment, we hear a deep voice singing Fate from somewhere beyond the stage. A scream tears its way across the theatre as everyone frantically turns their heads around, already knowing who the surprise guest is. And then he walks in, eyes glued to Ryeowook as he serenades to him. And Ryeowook, well... I have never seen someone brighten up so quickly. He revealed to us on the third day that he really didn't know Kyuhyun was coming, and I can believe that: after Kyuhyun stopped singing and introduced himself (probably the only moment during which he spared a glance at the audience btw), he explained that he had just 'dropped by as he was passing', making Ryeowook kick him 'angrily'. Were it up to me to judge his behaviour, he acted a bit y towards Kyu to cover up his surprise, but the way they clung to each other like Ryeowook had done with no other guest, occasionally forgetting that there was an audience to entertain, it is clear to me that this surprise visit meant so much more to Wook than he let on. Especially when no other SJ members came for a visit, despite their more lax schedules.

And then they decided to make a short duet version of 'At Gwanghwamun', acting it out as a 'music video', and I didn't know whether I should have laughed, cried, or just melted into a puddle on the floor, because goddamn these maknaes and their cuteness. Even without any romantic connatation whatsoever, that was the most adorable thing I have seen in a while...apart from Ryeowook prancing around like a gazelle at one point, which was just hilarious, but anyway.

Unfortunately, I was too big of a wuss to take any pictures or film any of it, but I hope my descriptions help you guys imagine the scenes just a little bit better. :)

Anyways, here are some pictures from my trip~ Oh, I wish I had enough money and time to go back this weeked, the concerts were something out of this world...

                

 

The famous roses: first one is from day three, evening; second one is my collage I uploaded on Instagram, and the third is my only "forbidden" pic from the concert hall, showing the table right in front of me with the roses.

                                                            

Pictures from outside the concert hall at the fifth floor of SMTOWN Coex:  Wook's LP display case, and the photography set that was featured on the concert's last VCR: two of Wook's own giraffes, plus a giant teddy, showing Wook being photographed at the same spot on the TV. You were allowed to take pictures there before the concert.

          

The AGIT and Global Package merchandise I bough/received, plus the SJ bottle I bought from the SUM cafe (featured in an embarrassing selca).

       

Those who had bought the Global Package as I had, had a dinner (or lunch) during their first concert day at the new SM restaurant, SMT. The food was really good, but the main point was the cute dessert. And lastly, another awkward selca I took in a hurry for the RinGer LINE group just after the first concert, still overwhelmed and hyped over getting a FREAKING ROSE FROM KIM RYEOWOOK <3<3<3

    

These were taken after I had gotten home and pressed my petals: the roses started rotting during the long flight back home, and I couldn't dry them as whole, so I decided to preserve individual petals and leaves. I decorated the jar with some lace ribbon and the AGIT stickers I had bought. It's not much, but it's something.

That's all I have for you now, I hope it was worth reading :3

 

Comments

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cmngcm #1
Thanks for sharing and I hated myself for not being able to see his concert. All these while I always thought ryeowook is y, beautiful, sweet and cool and this again confirm my view...love you!! I am not sure if they did the same for kyuhyun 's concert but I believe all these little gestures came from our prince's idea. I really regret that I won't be able to be there and even missed the 2nd set!!!
emailaiai #2
Wow, Tq for your sharing. Wish can be there. So wonderful!
reokyu
#3
D'AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! FIRST, I'm SORRY I'M GONNA GO ALL CAPS ON YOU! SO SWEEET!!! OMG OMG OMG I WISH I WAS THERE TOO!!!!!!!!!! I SWEAR YOU MADE ME TEAR UP! ESPECIALLY WITH THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED THE ROSE EVENT.. "Then, a familiar voice sound over the speakers. With the little knowledge I have of Korean, and judging from the way he speaks, I deduce that he is thanking us, and then, at the very end, come the cryptic words: "You thought it was over?"
They wheel in a black table, just one meter from my feet, and then carry large boxes in to sit beside it. They are filled to the brim with red roses. A collective gasp resonates through the room: we all thought his question on KTR, "Will you be my rose?", was just cute little thing he came up with. But no, he is actually carrying it out. But why aren't they just handing us the roses?

The side room door opens again, and my heart nearly bursts out of my chest.

Ryeowook is going to GIVE US THE ROSES PERSONALLY".

THIS^^^^^
MADE ME TEAR UP AND GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS! THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING IT SO WONDERFULLY!!
hzhfobsessed
#4
OH MY ING GOD SCRWMING I WOULD Get EN SNYTHING TO BE THERE

I WPULD GIVE ANYTHING TO BE THERE

OH MY DUXKING GOD CRYING
mischievous_akmood
#5
OH MY GOD LITERALLY OH MY ING GOD I would have killed to have been there... I don't usually tear up while reading about concert experiences but I feel like tearing up right now... my two ultimate biases there omfg this is giving me feels and the entire experience just sounds so amazing... I'm really glad you enjoyed yourself and got something from Ryeowook himself XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
MissMinew
#6
It sounds amazing. I wish I had been there, but unluckily for me, traveling to Korea is not really possible now. ; _ ; Seeing Super Show 4 in Paris was spectacular so I can only imagine what the Agit concert must've been. <3