My First Meet & Greet with a K-Drama Actor
(And how a random skincare purchase turned into a fangirl moment I never planned for)
I started my K-drama journey in May 2020 — right in the middle of Covid lockdown.
After exhausting every decent Western series on Netflix, @sofiaandyasuri casually suggested I try Korean dramas. @luckywati had been deep in the K-drama universe for years, but I had always avoided it.
Why?
Because I know myself.
If I like something, I binge. Movies. Books. Series. Until 2am. Even with work the next day.
But lockdown boredom won. And so it began.
My first K-drama was Clean with Passion for Now — light, funny, easy. I finished it. Then I moved on to Oh My Venus… and that was it. Hooked.
Blame So Ji-sub and Shin Min-a.
And just like that, I entered the rabbit hole.
When Song Joong Ki Came to Jakarta
While Sofia had already attended her first fan meeting, my maiden fangirl experience happened when Song Joong-kivisited Jakarta.
This wasn’t an official agency fan meeting. He came as a brand ambassador for Scarlett Whitening and Bukalapak.
Initially, the event was supposed to be a free public meet & greet at Central Park Mall.
Free.
Public.
Mall venue.
I was skeptical.
A free K-drama heartthrob in a mall? That’s a recipe for chaos.
Just weeks earlier, a similar event with Sehun from EXO had exceeded capacity. It wasn’t chaotic, but it was unsafe enough to be shut down. Thankfully, Scarlett reassessed and converted the event into a private session for customers.
The Most Random Ticket Win
I wasn’t even a Scarlett customer.
But I followed their Instagram closely. I even got Alyssa’s nanny to follow the updates.
Then life happened. Business trip. Back-to-back meetings. I completely forgot about SJK — until I landed back in Jakarta on Thursday evening.
That’s when Alyssa’s nanny casually said:
“If you buy Scarlett products at their Beauty Verse event, you can try your luck for a ticket.”
The event was the next day.
Friday.
And I had a full day of meetings.
So what did I do?
Impulsively, I sent her to Central Park on my behalf to buy the products.
The system was simple:
- Buy one product → 1 lottery chance
- Buy a package → 5 lottery chances
No guarantee.
When I got home, she smiled and said,
“I got it.”
WOHOOOO.
Scarlett only emailed confirmed participants at 7pm with a QR code and secret venue instructions. Security was tight.
This was happening.
D-Day Drama: Jakarta Traffic Edition
The venue was Hall B at Jakarta Convention Center.
Instruction:
- Exchange QR code from 8–11am
- Gate opens 11am
- Event starts 1pm
I left home at 9am. Confident.
Then I reached Senayan.
Roads were jammed.
Turns out there was a massive “Nusantara Bersatu” event at GBK that morning. My driver mistakenly entered the GBK complex and got stuck in traffic.
It was 15 minutes to 11am.
I panicked.
Got out of the car.
Flagged down an ojek.
Hopped on.
Bless that driver. He weaved through traffic like a hero.
I arrived at Hall B at 11:05am — one of the last batches to make it. Many girls were literally running too. We all laughed breathlessly.
Inside the Event
We exchanged our QR codes for wristbands and received a goodie bag:
- Water
- Snacks
- Paper fan
- Scarlett Body Serum
- Newly launched 7x Ceramide Cream
As I looked around, I realized something.
I was probably among the eldest there.
Most were in their 20s. Maybe early 30s.
But fangirling has no age limit. I made friends instantly — solo attendees unite.
The program:
- Vierratale band performance
- MURI record attempt (everyone applying serum at once)
- Product launch
- Dance performances
Two hours passed.
Then at 3pm… He appeared.
The 30 Minutes That Felt Too Short
Song Joong Ki stepped on stage.
For 30 minutes, he interacted with fans, guided by Boy William as MC and Felicya Angelista (Scarlett’s owner).
He looked exactly like he does on screen — boyish, charming, humble.
The room erupted with cheers.
Some lucky fans were called on stage. He insisted on handing gifts personally and shaking their hands one by one.
That detail stayed with me.
He didn’t rush.
He made eye contact.
He felt genuinely warm.
And just like that, it ended with waves and goodbyes.
What I Learned from My First Fan Event
Was it as intimate as a paid fan meeting? No.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Considering it was almost free (just product purchase), the organization was impressive:
- Controlled crowd (<1000 attendees in a hall that fits 3000)
- Smooth registration
- Snacks and water provided
- Proper facilities
- Clear security
Most importantly, everyone followed the rules. We all wanted it to run smoothly.
Thank you, Scarlett.
And now… I’m even more excited for my first official paid fan meeting next week.
Fangirl era unlocked.
Tips for Enjoying a Fan Meeting (From a First-Timer)
- Eat properly before leaving – energy matters.
- Go to the toilet beforehand – queues can be long.
- Wear comfortable shoes – you will walk and stand.
- Wear pants (not skirts) unless you’re guaranteed VIP seating.
- Carry a light sling bag – you’ll hold it for hours.
- Bring an outer layer – indoor venues can get cold.
- Plan your route carefully – check for other events in the area.
- Bring some cash – you may need an emergency ojek like I did.
Looking back, what started as pandemic boredom turned into a completely unexpected chapter of my life.
Sometimes the best memories come from the most impulsive decisions.
And yes — I’m officially a K-drama convert now.
