Here is our FA for PSH's Welcoming Project and 2nd set of pictures of ParkShinHye's arrival in USA by ParkShinHye_USA FC!
We just love seeing her in person! Her natural glowing beauty and her angelic adorable smile melted our hearts <3 Her English is very cute >.<
Here is our FA for our project of Welcoming ParkShinHye to USA! Sorry for the delay because we wanted to give you a detailed and truthful FA! So here we go...
A word of caution before reading this fan account... Aside from writing business emails & proposals, I never had any inclination nor the passion to become a literary writer. I will convey events from my memory of last week, aided with that un-shareable fancam of mine, and free from the necessary hook & drama. So, if you expect a fanfic, I would recommend that you visit aff instead for those wonderfully written stories. And if you're still convinced that you can tolerate my writing, then be my guest and read on.Thank you. ^^
We, the @parkshinhye_USA admins arrived at LAX shortly before 12noon, her flight's scheduled time of arrival. As expected, we had to wait for another hour for ShinHye & her entourage to come out from immigration & customs which typically takes a long to finish.
We then tried to contact a couple other of her fans who expressed their interest to meet us at the airport. Despite being few in numbers (total of 6 initially), her US fans did prepare a gorgeous welcome banner (thanks to Vi!), bouquets of flowers, a huge box containing gifts that we were able to collect, and snack items (Korean, American) to keep her on the go despite her busy schedule.
Shortly upon arrival at the airport, we did manage to get a strategic spot inside the terminal where we can hang the big banner. This, we thought, could also served as a receiving area for ShinHye to stop by & receive our gifts. It's visible enough that anyone & everyone coming out from the international flights had a full view of our banner. And best part was the little nook is inside an air conditioned lounge! What a relief for all of us coz the City of Angels was scorching hot that day.☀(pun fully intended!)
A couple of the Heirs film crew also spotted us, and apparently they were at the airport to pick her up. We made small talk with their group, but unfortunately for us, they weren't the best conversationalists and tried to avoid us like the plague. It could be the case too that most of the guys barely understood English for any of them to communicate back. So long story short, we ended up (silently) waiting for ShinHye with the film crew. And so our little group became a small crowd.
As we were making our last minute prep, we did ask our youngest fanboy (btw, her mom is so cool & a very pretty eonnie!) to give ShinHye our cute LA Dodgers bear that @janie had custom made for her. Who won't love a cuddly bear given by a young fan, right? And since we had a kid joining us, we were all extremely mindful of ShinHye & her fans' safety. We were pretty satisfied with the turnout and was especially thankful that no crazy fan was spotted at LAX.
But then again, none of the best laid plans ever happen the way you would want them to... This should be stated as a fact, especially when it comes to Korean celebs. I should just have expected the unexpected when it comes to ShinHye, right?
By the time she was spotted coming out of the arrival ramp, everything happened like a whirlwind. I felt like someone pressed the fast forward button on me and I was left dazed & confused. Fans & film crew calling ShinHye's name, a couple of fans suddenly appeared in front of us asking for her autograph, everyone just trying to greet her at the exit, and one of the crew literally dragging her outside the area. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. No joke!
So where was I? Left inside the arrival lounge, not believing that ShinHye did not even notice Kay's beautifully printed welcome banner. How can they miss it?!?! But lo & behold, our dearest Manager Jun did see our banner. He kept calling ShinHye's name while she was being dragged outside. It was too late though, coz she was nowhere near our sights. Still appreciated Manager Jun's efforts.
So that left me and Jun with not much time to react and we went with the flow, wherever ShinHye was being dragged by the lady staff. Good thing that we were able to eventually catch up again with ShinHye & the Tazmanian film crew (Taz for short) ---flowers & cart of gifts in tow. Yes, your eonnies know how to sprint too when needed, albeit rather slowly coz of platform sandals & stiletto heels. (Side eyeing @kay... Lol!!!) Took the opportunity to exchange a few words with Manager Jun about the gifts, and he was profusely thanking us for it.
Alas, we finally did catch up with the Taz & ShinHye as they were about to cross the street towards the parking garage. But we also noticed that our young fanboy was running towards ShinHye with his gift on hand and was about to cross the street himself! (Note to self: A fanboy with a mission can be the best agents! And here I digress again... Lol!)
I eventually had to call ShinHye's name out loud to acknowledge the young fanboy. Thankfully she heard it and graciously obliged by stopping. And OMG, was he the luckiest boy in the crowd! After giving his precious gift, ShinHye rewarded him with her million $$$ smile and her melodious "Kamsahamnida".
Aww... And we all melt into a puddle of goo. Yes, all the stress that we felt at that time was gone the moment she gave us her first genuine smile.
After a minute of appreciation, she was dragged (again!) to the crosswalk and we ended up following her & Taz. It was out of pure luck that the crosswalk signal turned red and we were situated in between crosswalks and had exchanged a "few" words & stories with our beloved ShinHye.
So what do you do the moment you're standing right next to ShinHye, and she had a few minutes to spare with us? Nope. I did not ask to take a picture with her, nor even asked for her autograph. Yes, BABO me!
However, I did the only thing I can think of at that time... Made a quick introduction about her fans in the US and mentioned about our gifts all contained in the "Big Blue Box" (aka BBB). Took her by surprise and paused for some time to realize what I was telling her (☝Stop. Before you go on judging her, imagine yourself being jet lagged & surrounded by complete strangers. And in a foreign country at that!).
When realization dawned, her face did show disbelief with the enormity of our gift (Girl, didn't you know that we supersize everything here in the US? lol!). She even had to ask me, "What is this?" referring to BBB. Another OMG moment for us...Shin-glish! And it's the cutest ever! If you have time, watch the accompanying fanvid where her cute reactions were captured, all thanks to @denise.
Btw, she also mentioned about having a long and tiring flight enroute to the US. Poor baby girl. All I could say was "I'm sorry" to hear that she was tired and all. I've felt that many times in my past travels, and she is not exempt from jet lag and travel related stresses! But she came back with her gracious "thank you" towards all of us, which did show that she genuinely appreciated the welcome and gifts. Another "Aww..."
Of course, all good things must come to an end. In our case, the pedestrian light turned green. (Lol!) This signaled for all of us too continue on to the parking garage. Taz crew was more relaxed now after our bonding moments, and I guess they figured we are not teenagers to do any type of stalking. Had to follow them though to their car since we had the cartful of gifts (aka BBB), which crew did not get from us no matter how many times we mentioned & signaled for them to take it with her. Not that we are complaining. It meant more time with ShinHye which we all appreciated.
So on we walked towards their van. Had to wait a bit until seating arrangements were decided, and that's when they started to load their luggage and gift box.
Had a few minutes to say goodbye to Shinhye and we did not want to bother her anymore. Poor baby girl was really tired. I did however talk to the US crew, the Taz leader. And on a last ditch effort, we politely asked the crew if ShinHye was up to signing our welcome hand posters (yes, someone from the group remembered!) while she was comfortably seated inside the van. The lady staff finally warmed up to us and talked to ShinHye in Korean to sign 3 copies. After securing the signed posters from her, we left the parking garage since everyone in their group were settled in their respective vans.
Nope. Never happened, and never will. Btw, my rental was a few cars away from where they were parked. We could have followed them, but why would we. As fans, shouldn't we give her the much needed privacy that she deserves? It's good enough to know that she arrived here safely, and was very blessed for the opportunity to welcome her in the LA.
In Retrospect.
Those few minutes when we were "stuck" with Shinhye in the crosswalk was really the only time that I was able to focus and see her for who she is. Wearing very simple clothes of loose grey shirt, yellow ripped shorts and black ankle boots, she was a sight to behold. Adorned with only her pink phone and sunglasses, she sparkled like a true "Star" right before our very eyes.
But I guess more than just being physically beautiful, I think her genuineness towards every person whom she interacts came out as the most attractive to me. I've been around many beautiful people in my lifetime. But having a genuine heart & soul trumps it all, is what I'm saying. And happy to report that she's one of the few people I've met who is gifted with both. Maybe this is the very reason why we love and support her that much. And after meeting her in person, my faith as her fan is sealed (and locked up with key nowhere to be found!) for a very long time.
Some people did ask us, why go through all this effort? Simple. So she'll know she's loved & appreciated in a place where she least expects it. And guess what. She appreciated all our efforts by tweeting one of the gifts that were included in BBB. She is that sweet. And we love this young lady very much.❤
From ParkShinHye_USA's admins ^^
