So, this post is basically about how I first became a Shinhwa fan in 2006 and eventually became an official Shinhwa Changjo.
I first became a K-pop fan in 2005 thanks to the influence of my friends. They were all so crazy about DBSK at that time, which, naturally, I came to like too. In fact, they were my first K-pop bias. I initially thought they were the first ever Korean celebrities I ever liked, but then, at that time, I didn't know BoA was Korean (I was just a 13 year old kid with no access to Internet at home). I initially thought she was Japanese because I only listed to her Japanese songs at that time. So, realistically, BoA was the first ever Korean celeb I liked, and DBSK is my very first K-pop bias that turned me into a K-pop fan.
Fast forward to 2006, my friends kept finding new K-pop groups to listen to (they changed their bias groups quite frequently (-_-), from Super Junior, to Big Bang, then F.T. Island, then sometimes went back to Super Junior). I remembered at that time, my friends downloaded and were watching a show called "Battle Shinhwa". My friends were more interested in the contestants, especially the would-be members of Battle. I, on the other hand, became more interested in the Shinhwa members instead, specifically Andy. After all these years, I still remember this scene very clearly. It's the part where Andy called Minwoo and Hyesung during his break from his drama filming, and Hyesung called him Kiwi Prince and just kept on cursing throughout the whole phone call. LMAO! (Anyone interested, here's the link~)
By that time, Andy became my bias in Shinhwa. He's just so adorable. He was the only member I liked and bother to care for at that time. For some unknown reason, I really disliked Junjin a lot last time. I thought he was too cocky. I don't extremely hate him to the extent of being his anti-fan, but I just dislike him. I also thought Minwoo was a bit cocky. (Forgive me as I was then a young, naive and thoughtless 14 year-old kid)
I began to look for their songs so I requested my friends to give me any Shinhwa songs they had and also bought their albums (6th and 8th album), which are, pirated. (-_- It's really hard to find original albums in Brunei at that time, not so sure about now). Some of the Shinhwa songs that I really liked back then were Shout, Perfect Man, Brand New and most of the songs from the 6th and 8th album. I was totally in a fangirl-craze mode when it came to Andy. I kept refreshing his Soompi thread (good old days), saving pictures of him in my phone and basically daydreaming about him (lol). However, after a few months, I became less fanatic and returned back to DBSK. Funny thing was that whenever I'm through with any new K-pop bias, I will always return back to DBSK. It's safe to say I stayed very devoted to DBSK for many years.
Even though I wasn't that crazy about Andy anymore, I still enjoyed and regularly listened to Shinhwa songs as well as followed most of their news. After Andy, I began to like another member, Shin Hyesung. The main reason why I loved him: his angelic voice. It's so soothing, he definitely deserves to be called as the ballad prince. One of my favourite Hyesung songs is 그대라서 (Because of You). Hopefully he'll do more soft rock/rock ballad type of songs in his future solo albums. It suits him.
Throughout the years I had a few new K-pop group biases, most notably SS501 and 2PM. I finally had access to Internet in my home during these times and my fangirlism went on a whole different level. Between those years, around 2008, I ended up watching a then-new variety show, We Got Married. I watched it because my friend recommended this show to me. Plus, Andy's in it. Initially, I thought I would be so insanely jealous of Solbi for being paired up with Andy. Surprisingly, I really liked this couple a lot and actually wished them to end up together in real life. There was one episode where the rest of the Shinhwa members made an appearance. I remembered it was on their concert day. GOODNESS THAT WAST THE MOST HILARIOUS PART IN WGM HISTORY LOL! I was literally lmao with their antics. XD I think it was this part that kind of reignited my love for Shinhwa. I began searching some of their videos in Youtube, most notably Intimate Note and also one of their most famous, craziest interviews ever (Link! XD) Seriously, it's the most epic interviews. Definitely must watch.
As I grew older and finished high school, news of DBSK's lawsuit emerged and only 3 members, not all 5, left SM. DBSK was my first love (err, in a fangirl type of feeling, not real life... I'm not delusional okay) and they always said that they're going to be together forever. So, I couldn't help but felt extremely betrayed by the two members that stayed in SM. I have a strong dislike towards SM the company due to many reasons. When the issue first broke out and the months went by, I began to lose hope of DBSK ever becoming 5 ever again. By that time, I stopped listening to any new K-pop songs as I absolutely lose interest in K-pop. That was, until 2PM came along and I turned back to K-pop again. Long story short, I began liking 2PM when Jay's controversy came out and he withdrew from 2PM and went back to U.S. (so it was during September, I think). I really believed their bonds and when 2PM made lots of promises about Jay coming back to them several months later. However, during that fateful conference in February (I think, or was it in March? O.o), they made a complete 360 degree transformation and badmouthed Jay so much that I felt it was really despicable. I never felt so betrayed by a group before, not even DBSK's case. From then on, I took a long hiatus from the K-pop world. That betrayal, and the fact that there was too many rookie groups debuting just made me extremely turned off from K-pop. I think one of the reasons I'm so invested in K-pop groups is their bonds. So, whenever they broke their promise of staying together, I felt extremely betrayed.
Nevertheless, whenever there's news of the Shinhwa members being released from the army, I was so delighted and was constantly amazed at that fact that 2 years didn't really felt that long. ^_^ I also remembered clearly of the news of Shinhwa Company, and the creation of their Twitter, which I immediately followed. So, no matter what, I still felt attached to Shinhwa, though not in an intense way.
Fast forward to 2012, March. News of Shinhwa's comeback emerged. I was really looking forward to it and thought of watching some of their old videos in Youtube. Without knowing it, I spent the entire day watching tons of their old videos, including their infamous crazy interview. Even after so many years, that video never fails to crack me up so hard. XD I then watched their first ever variety show after 4 years hiatus, Win Win. Then, I visited their Soompi thread. Day by day, the number of videos I watched increased and my interest in Shinhwa grew again. I remembered thinking to myself, "Oh shit, am I going to go through the whole intense fanatic fangirlism process AGAIN?! AM I FALLING FOR SHINHWA, ALL OVER AGAIN?!"
The answer?
YES! I AM DEFINITELY IN LOVE WITH THEM AGAIN! And it isn't like last time, when I just like one member, BUT ALL 6 OF THEM! Even Junjin, whom I used to dislike so much. Guess I wasn't able to truly see their true self. =P
So, I began to intensely follow their news in Twitter, constantly refreshing the Shinhwa tag in Twitter, saving pics, bookmarking tons of things about them in Chrome (way too much, I haven't even tackle them till this day >.<), downloaded and watched all of the shows they appeared in (I even downloaded the Chinese subs, which I tend to avoid due to my absymal Chinese), immediately downloaded their 10th album upon its release (in fact, due to my impatience, I actually listened to the preview of their album in various Korean music sites. Yes, I was that desperate). It's upsetting that I didn't own a credit card (at that time, now's a different case heh). I would have bought their albums immediately. I did end up buying their 10th album Asia Edition though. Good thing it was so in Penang. Phew~ :)
It's been a year since their comeback. Shinhwa just held their 15th Anniversary concert in Seoul (while me twisting in jealousy at all the updates). Still haven't download all their fancams as I'm currently still rushing my assignment. >.< OTL Though my fangirlism isn't that fanatic everyday, somehow I felt really comfortable loving Shinhwa this way. I do think of them constantly but not so fanatically. It's almost like they're some friendly existence to me, where I care so much for their well-being. Kinda like being in an old married couple relationship type of feeling. If that makes any sense lol.
Though I had turned my back on most of my previous biases (especially 2PM, but I have no regrets for that), I think, no, I'm SURE that I would be a Shinhwa Changjo for life. Out of all the groups that made promises, I know that Shinhwa will always be the only group that will forever keep their promise. Now, I only hope for the ajusshis to quickly find their other halves and get married and have kids. Come on Shinhwa, you guys aren't young anymore. >.< Though, I'm expecting that Shinhwa is gonna drop some bombs this year. =P Maybe one or two members. I do wish either Dongwan or Andy to get married first though. Dongwan and Andy as first choice, then maybe Eric since he seems quite a family man. That, and the fact he left the concert venue with a lady in his arms is making the possibility of him getting married first higher. :P
Last but not least, Shinhwa, I love you so much. ^_^ Please stay healthy and live long lol.
