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Jonghyun Base mini fanmeeting
A thread of the fan account I wrote in 2015
A thread of the fan account I wrote in 2015
After the morning inkigayo recording we gathered in a park near the studio to wait because Jonghyun still do the live show performing Deja-boo in the afternoon. We watched the show on our phones. Shawols would squeal together whenever there was a gorgeous shot of Jonghyun.
The fanstaff started trying to get us seated in rows. They needed to organize us before Jonghyun came but SHAWols cutely asked for more time so they could finish watching the show. By the time we got settled into neat rows sitting down we didn't have to wait for Jonghyun long.
Jonghyun got out of the van and manager was waiting with a large warm coat. It was cute seeing Jonghyun dressed casual, bobbing down the stairs in his big coat and smiling so softly with his curly hair. All weekend he was so intense on stage: it didn't prepare us for the softness
Jonghyun mentioned almost immediately that he wanted the fan meeting to be comfortable. He tried sitting down but realized that the fans at the back couldn't see him if he did that so he stood again, even though he'd been dancing and performing all day.
The main message he repeated was just how thankful he was. To us as fans and SHINee and people that had made it possible for his album to come out. He told us that he'd put the album together in only 4 months, thanks to the years he's been writing songs and music.
He had so many thoughts and explanations for his music and everything was considered meticulously. He talked about the members and his hope that his album will be a platform to SHINee's group album later in the year. He also talked about his favourite lyrics from all his songs.
Jonghyun was unbothered by the people in the park, but made cute comments when a dog barked. He very seriously gave us life advice when he was explaining Love Belt, talking about protecting ourselves against pain in life and love. Love Belt like a seat belt to protect us in life.
The meeting had to be quick as Jonghyun had a schedule. He finished taking questions and looked over at the fan staff saying something like: should we shake hands/touch hands now? everyone freaked and immediately dove for their make up bags, hand sanitizer and hand warmers.
The SM fan staff moved through the crowd reminding fans to smile, don't cry (because at Taemin's fanmeeting everyone cried a lot lol). My favourite staff told us we should cry at home this time and jokingly reminded everyone to fix their make up quickly and look pretty lolol.
Jonghyun really needed to keep his schedule so we couldn't linger holding Jonghyun's hands and chatting. His expression didn't change the whole time he was holding hands with fans. He didn't look tired or rushed at any point; he was very pointedly sincere and fond looking.
He seemed happy and content. He chatted and laughed when fans said something funny. If you had nothing to say he just made eye contact and held your hands. His entire manner was just sincerely thankful and everything he said at the fan meet included fans as a part of his journey.
To begin with he was taking a fans hand between both of his but the security began rushing the fans and so instead he would hold his hands out, palms up and grip our hands in his, squeezing gently. Some fans held their hands up and he would link his fingers with hers.
At ny turn I was immediately overcome by shyness at how beautiful and sincere he looked and so I focused on our linked hands and told him: ;'You worked hard' in Korean. He said: 'Thank you' and then I was sliding my hands from his and the whole thing was over.
At the end we did a group photo and goodbye. Jonghyun took his large jacket off to take the photo and fans immediately began complaining, saying he should keep the jacket on. He just grinned and took the photo, before dutifully slipping his jacket back on, used to his noona fans
Then he was waving and strolling off the stage, taking one last look at all of us before meandering up the stairs in his massive coat, the sinking sun bouncing off the curls of his hair. He waved one last time and then disappeared into the van.
I could write paragraphs about how this fan meet made me feel. It was something so small and simple but I felt part of something bigger. I felt accepted despite all my flaws, despite Jonghyun knowing nothing about me. Like he could trust us to support him.
I walked away from that little park where SHINee held their first ever fan-meeting 6 years ago and thought: I made a good life choice when I chose SHINee and Jonghyun.
