HEADS UP: IT'S A LONG POST.

This is my second blogpost for today; the first was just me being happy and ecstatic about the news that barged in my phone notifications early in the morning. I had to post it to share it with you guys, although I know you would have known it for yourself but...I was just happy :) This post would be slightly related to it, but a more personal one. I'll be posting a few things I've read during the da, like the statements from both artists about their wedding, as well as my own realizations of the good news, and also my reflections on my first anniversary here on AFF. 

I bet everyone were startled by the news. Clearly, it was too good to be true; the couple we've seen in one of the best dramas of 2016 finally came out of their personal shadows and decided that it was about time that their fans should know. Since the news broke out, all I could hear was Captain Yoo Si Jin telling Kang Mo Yeon that he doesn't want their love story to be a melodrama, but a blockbuster. SongSongCouple, I believe, just gave us a taste of  that blockbuster love story through their wedding announcement. And albeit having my own personal thoughts about them really dating (just by looking at their friends' IG posts, the subtle comments, etc), I was still surprised. Jinja. Jinja. Jinja. 

It was early in the morning when I saw the notifs, and I literally screamed and cried while I was wrapped in my own bath towel. (Fangirl problems, sorry,). I started tweeting like crazy right after that, and the smile on my face never left me. 

The moment I came to class, everyone were talking about the same thing and I was glad my friends were there for me to vent out my excitement, just as I was there for them to do the same. While I was spending some of my breaktime on Twitter and other social media portals, Dispatch finally released the January photos of Ki and Kyo in Tokyo (and I would like to commend them for preserving their privacy despite knowing about their relationship that long), and official statements from Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo was posted.

**I don't think there would be any harm in posting these photos, since the release of it would mean the permission from the couple to have it published. Dispatch did well, btw**

(according to the source, Joong Ki got out ahead from the store and waited for Hye Kyo outside)

(lol at this picture. is he doing a salute?)

(on the next set of pictures, Hye Kyo was actually the first to get out from the taxi, but later on turns out she was with someone! She was supposed to go in with her friends who are already inside, but here she is, waiting for Joong Ki by the house's doorway. <3)

Song Joong Ki:

It's been a long time since I greeted you guys. I'm writing this because I want to receive your blessings before anyone else. I am truly nervous as I am writing this but I wish to tell you guys my true feelings.

I was recently able to be part of a drama that made me shine brighter than ever before and I enjoyed the happiest days of my life because of the tremendous love I received from everyone. After the drama, I gained another precious friend who I shared my honest feelings with, and we developed a loving relationship.

At the start of 2017, we promised to spend the rest of our lives together by understanding each others' weaknesses and helping each other through harsh times. So I will be starting a new life with Miss Song Hye Kyo through our wedding on the last day of October 2017.

Furthermore, there were many parties involved in the making of the movie and many were looking forward to the release date of the movie (Joong Ki is referring to Battleship Island here). Because of all these factors, I was worried about the possible harm that might come to this project, and if I showed a less-understanding self, I apologize.

The thoughts that came to me when I first started acting came to mind. As an actor lives, he mustn't focus on the highs and strive to keep going up. He must learn to look around him and learn to grow wider as a person. I want to work towards being a celebrity that isn't up in a pedestal but rather around his close fans and people who treasure him. I want to be in reach of the people that care about me. That's the mindset I had when I first started acting.

I heard once that life isn't about speed but rather about direction. As someone who's moved fast and didn't see his surroundings all this time... I will work harder to become someone who learn from others and learn to walk instead of run.

I wish everyone will support this mindset and cheer for me. I will become an actor who doesn't change from this mindset and become someone who is a strong family man. 

Please support the cheerful encounter between the two of us.

Thank you. 

Song Hye Kyo:

Hello. It's Hye Kyo. It's been a long time since I said hello to Sunflower.

I wanted to share a personal message at the place where I've connected with my fans since my debut. 

You were probably surprised by my sudden wedding news. I understand that you may think I lacked the respect for my fans and that you could have been shocked, but I hope you can understand me with an open heart.

Joong Ki and I were first co-workers who matched well. Throughout the project, I realized that we had similar values and ideas, and I was able to share everything with him. 

He was such a good co-worker and friend to me, so we contacted frequently and spent time to get to know each other better.

Joong Ki showed me his self, trust, and his manners for a long time. I thought to myself that it would be good to spend the future with him and I was glad that he could feel my true emotions as well.

That's when I knew that he was the one. 

I wanted to let my fans know first about the marriage but since this matter involves more than just me, I was extra careful about it.

I'm nervous and rattled to be announcing the news of my wedding so suddenly but I believe my fans will support me. 

Please continue to love and trust my choices as you have until now.

I thank all of my fans once again for being patient and waiting until I spoke up.

I am no longer one person but two people now. I will take this opportunity to live better and be more conscious of everything around me. 

Please give me your blessings.

Thank you.

(translation credits to Koreaboo.com | Corrections and minor edits from Soompi)

The two of them actually never tried too hard to hide their relationship. They told those they trust, and when someone asked them if they were dating, they did not confirm or deny it (see? see?) However, they did not want the media to reveal their relationship before they could themselves. Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo thought it was their responsibility to tell their fans first.

Reportedly, the two were already engaged last January this year. With regards to Joong Ki, one of the staff members from his upcoming movie Battleship Island said that he truthfully told the director about his planned marriage with Hye Kyo, and was worried if the film would be affected when the announcement comes out before the movie. BI Director in turn told the actor that the marriage announcement would not create any harm to the film, and he also supported him in announcing his marriage. After the news broke out about them being 'together' in Bali, Joong Ki was worried that Hye Kyo would be talked about badly (which actually happened; during the first movie presscon, Ki was spotted tapping on his phone backstage before the show started, and that was more or less the time Kyo was boarding her plane from Bali to Incheon). Blossom Entertainment Director also stated that Song Joong Ki announced his plans to marry Song Hye Kyo a month ago (June). "From then on, he was serious."

Personally, I think it's about time everyone knew, but I really felt disappointed to those who bashed Hye Kyo on social media, saying comments that she is known to date and break with her co-stars. Joong Ki must've felt the same thing, and he wanted to be Hye Kyo's source of strength during this trying times, and even althroughout their lives as husband and wife. As for their official statements with regards to their wedding, I think it was really humble of them to even think that they owed everyone an apology and an explaination, despite being top Hallyu stars of their country. They really are sincere to their fans and the best thing that we could offer them is our support and our best wishes. Right now, they aren't just wishing for their own sake, but for the other's sake as well. Kyo might be asking us to support Joong Ki with every project he takes, and that let their marriage not be a hindrance for him to perform his craft and get our support. Joong Ki might be asking us to keep on supporting his fiancee, both in her career and in their relationship, and to respect her decisions as a woman. :) 

Now as for me... I have always looked forward to this day, since it marks my one year of reading, writing, subscribing, commenting and supporting SSC through Asianfanfics. I was originally planning to make a thank you blog post the night before but I never anticipated the news the morning later. Because of the SSC announcement, I believe there's still a greater reason to celebrate today: the couple whom I take inspiration in my stories, the couple whom I thought was just wishful thinking, just one of those kdrama couples that lived in the drama, actually announced their engagement and their wedding in four months time. And of course, it's for everyone to celebrate! Congratulations to our SongSongCouple, and to all of us who stood firm and believed in them, supported them with their career. :)

And personally, I thank the readers, the subscribers, the upvoters, the commenters and the friends I've made here on AFF during the past year. I always thought I would never have the chance to write where people could read my fanfics, but this made everything possible <3 thank you for your constructive and supportive comments, and for sticking around with me during the drought period of our ship. 

Thank you for being the source of my incremental improvements in writing, my inspiration, my motivator to keep on writing. There's a lot to mention, so I wouldn't put them into list, but know that I am really grateful to have been (somehow) a source of your entertainment, or perhaps an online friend to you. 

I hope you continue to support me and the other writers here on AFF, and for those who also support SongSongCouple, let's be there for them and give them our support unsparingly, especially that they would be facing a brand new chapter in their life as husband and wife. :) More stories are expected from the SSC writers, since they'll be spending a lifetime together! 

Here's to more years of happiness to come!

Thank you everyone, for making this experience as an AFF writer an enjoyable and life-giving one! I love you from the bottom of my heart.