South Korean actor Jung Hae-in touched by fans' love at 1st fan meeting in Singapore

SINGAPORE — South Korean heartthrob Jung Hae-in's first-ever fan meeting in Singapore on Sunday (29 October) was not just about his star power; it was a celebration of his devoted fans and their heartfelt stories.

The two-hour "The 10th Season" Fan Meeting, organised by Viu at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, marked the 35-year-old's 10-year journey in the entertainment industry.

Heartfelt fan stories leave a mark on Jung Hae-in

One of the highlights of the evening was the outpouring of fan letters to the actor. Selected fans received special gifts for their heartfelt messages, and their stories left a profound impact on Hae-In and the audience.

One fan shared her story of surviving a life-threatening internal bleeding incident, expressing her gratitude for the "gift of life and time".

She credited Hae-in's work for helping her through challenging times, telling him how his movies and series resonated with her as she overcame life's challenges. She received a warm hug in return from the Korean actor.

Hae-in was visibly moved by such encounters, saying, "When I meet fans who tell me something like this, about how watching my shows help you overcome life's challenges, it makes me work a lot harder to bring you better shows in the future and become a better person as well."

A lucky fanboy, Aeyli, also caught Hae-in's attention with his constant cheers, eventually receiving a hug from the actor and even beating him in a game.

Aeyli, who had followed Hae-in's work for years, marvelled at the experience and told Yahoo Southeast Asia, "Seeing him on the big screen and looking into his eyes in person is an entirely different sensation."

He thanked his friend, Sofrie Jasman, who secured the tickets to the fan meeting. Sofrie shared, "I posted on my Instagram asking if anyone wanted to go. There were a few candidates, but I knew he was the biggest fan."

Emotional connection to his roles

Hae-in, celebrated for his charismatic presence in beloved dramas such as 'While You Were Sleeping' and his standout role as Yoo Dae-wi (Captain Yoo) in 'Prison Playbook', left an indelible impression on his fans. In 2018, he took on his first leading role as Seo Joon-hee in 'Something in the Rain,' opposite actress Son Ye-jin.

The actor's star power continued to rise with projects like 'Snowdrop' (opposite Blackpink's Jisoo) and 'Connect.' His most recent endeavour is Netflix's 'D.P. Season 2,' where Hae-in retains his position as the lead actor.

Reflecting on his career, Hae-in shared the characters he felt most attached to: Ahn Joon-ho in 'D.P.' and Lim Soo Hoo in 'Snowdrop.'

'D.P.' is a military action series that follows two soldiers in a special unit tracking down military deserters while exploring their backgrounds and the reasons behind their desertion. Meanwhile, 'Snowdrop' is a love story involving a North Korean spy and a university student.

Hae-in revealed the emotional challenges he faced while portraying these characters, particularly in 'Snowdrop,' where the physical and emotional demands took a toll.

"I remember leaving the filming set after everything was done, feeling a little sad and regretful," he recalled.

He became emotional while recounting the experience of filming a death scene in 'Snowdrop'. "I couldn't stop crying even after the scene was over. I remember leaving the set, and I was still tearing up," he said.

"The tears weren't only because the filming was over but also because I couldn't see the director, staff, and co-stars I had grown attached to anymore. We had become so close during filming, so the thought of not seeing them again made me tear up."

As for 'D.P.', he said he immersed himself so deeply in the character that he began to see the world from the character's perspective, experiencing the injustice and unfairness deeply.

Hae-in also disclosed his method for detaching from these intense roles: rigorous workouts. "Working out destresses me, and because you're making yourself physically very tired, so all thoughts go away," he shared.

Promises, plans, and future encounters

As the fan meeting drew to a close, Hae-in expressed his deepest appreciation for his fans in Singapore.

He also divulged his upcoming plans - first to successfully conclude the fan meet tour, which includes an eagerly-anticipated encore show in Seoul, then playfully teasing fans about a project in the pipeline for next year.

The heartthrob promised his fans that he would continue to do his best, with the hope of returning to Singapore to meet his supporters again.

Singapore served as the grand finale on Hae-in's Asia tour, which commenced in South Korea in July, and swept through cities such as Manila and Hong Kong.

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