Closing, but not leaving.

After 4 years of excitement, and adventure I experienced, as Jung Dong Ha fan since Spring 2014, I decided now is a good  time to finish this blog. The time is good, because just like 4 years ago, when Jung Dong Ha was beginning a new milestone in his life, by becoming a solo singer, joining a new agency, and also getting married - this year, a couple of  major changes are happening for him again!
And they happen at about the same time of the year as 4 years ago.
First of all, his baby was born in February. Secondly, he announced his contract with Evermore Music had expired, and about 2 weeks later he joined a new agency, Music One.
It so happened, that I discovered him in the beginning of 2014, learned about his past performances, become completely enthralled with him, started following day to day news about him. This excitement brought me to Blogger, and I started to record my comments, as well as save my favorite videos and pictures.
Since at this point, Dongha is staring a new phase of his career with new agency, and new life as a father, this deserves a start over.  So, out with the old, in with the new!!!!
I'm keeping this blog, of course, for whenever I feel nostalgic, to visit it in the future.
But I am starting a new one - I just decided I needed to change the colors, etc.
New, doesn't mean much different - basically I will continue the same thing: recording new facts about him, or post some videos that I particularly like. As they say for some re-packaged grocery products: "New  box, same great taste!" 😊
New blog here: gojdh.blogspot.com

TBT #27 "Mirotic" at concert 2016

                 

TBT # 26 If You Are Like Me at concert November 2016

Aaah.😢 Listening to this voice makes me feel so good. And deeply nostalgic and mushy, at the same time.

                      

TBT #25 Falling Falling, live at concert on January 25, 2016

"Falling, falling" was my favorite song from Dong Ha's first mini-album BEGIN,  together with another song "She Got". It was also a favorite of many other fans, because it was so upbeat and energetic when Dong Ha performed it  on stage.  Here in this video, he is pretending to be a little seductive, or  sexy, so he tries to shake his hips a little, but it comes out funny. However, even with this endearing awkwardness,  he is still  actually quite hot. 😵

                   

Out of  many on YouTube, I chose this particular "Falling, Falling" video,  because here he is alone on stage, which I like. At certain point of his concert tours, dancers were added whenever he performed this song. That was a real atrocity to me. Personally, I disliked it with passion.  The dancers didn't add anything, except, they were somewhat tacky, and vulgar. The problem I had with them was that they weren't good at all. They were like robots in tight shorts, with dead faces.  They were humping Dong Ha on stage, and it was completely void of any charm, or even fun. It was just downright nasty. Other fans appeared to like it, and encouraged more "sexy" stuff, by screaming their heads off. But I thought that Dong Ha deserved better dancers, who would enrich the show. They needed to have some more sophistication, than just mechanical moves. The decision to employ those poorly trained girls was a mistake. OK, that is all I'll say about it.

TBT #24 24-Sept.2016 "Les Temps Des Cathedrales" at Musical Gala Concert

There are so many videos of Jung Dong Ha performing this song at various occasions. I actually like them all. Here is one of them.This is a very nice video and audio. Thank you "Ale Song"  💜

Seems like Jung Dong Ha was particularly frisky during that concert.
Vocally was also in very good condition.
I heard it through a grapevine, that the 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the musical "Notre Dame De Paris", and it's possible that there might be some  special shows, maybe in the Summer or Fall.
I sincerely hope Dongha can participate.

TBT #23 Because I Love You - September 2017

I can still do some throwback Thursday, I suppose. This was a TV appearance, and one of many cover songs Dongha has been doing for theses programs, called Concert 7080 (songs from 70-ties and 80-ties).
             
                                  
                                                                                              

Re-opening for important news

The news is quite important, so it deserves recording.
It's not very fresh news, but I better record it, before it becomes "old, stale news".
                                                                 
                                                         ***
 1. BABY  BOY!  👶                                            
Dongha became a father. He posted about it on his online fan cafe (which I am not a member of - it appears that only Korean fans can belong - or something like that). Anyway, the information was posted Thursday February 8th, without giving the exact date of birth.  But the wonderful event took place between Feb. 4th - (the last day of  musical Poe), and Feb.8th, 2018. There was never an official announcement, like with other celebrities, but maybe Dongha wanted it this way. He just let his fans know back in November 2017, and again now, when the baby is born. However, pretty soon a new episode of  Immortal Song2  will be broadcast on KBS. Dongha will be in it, so possibly then the hosts will ask him.
Me, I'm very curious about the name of the little boy, for some reason...

2. EVERMORE NO MORE  😲
 While the baby news was expected for quite a while, I was taken by surprise that Dongha will not continue to work with the agency EVERMORE MUSIC. This was announced almost at the same time  as the birth of the baby. It was posted on their Facebook on February 7th.
Apparently, Dongha told fans that he will be working without  an agency for a while.
Why did this happen? I was a bit sad when I first found out about it. In my mind the agency did  good things for him.  However, I heard that some Korean fans were not happy with the agency, and the way  Dongha's career was managed. My guess is, that the separation happened as mutual agreement.
I think Dongha  outgrew  the agency, he was too much for them to handle, in the sense that they weren't able to do much more for him. Even though he is not a major celebrity in Korea, but he is pretty well known, due to his presence in various TV programs. They seem to be focused on advancing careers of lesser known artists. I noticed that since Jung Dongha left them, they started promoting a couple of their artists, like singer Aivan, and boy band Voisper, with more intensity.
So, as of now, Dongha is a free bird.

New chapter in his professional, and personal life has just started. Will things change a little, or a lot? Will he continue to grow, and challenge himself, and his fans with new endeavors? I expect so.
But everyone understands, things will be going slow for a while. He needs to spend more time with his family. He also needs to get some rest after the crazy busy time at the end of 2017, and January 2018.

We Are Closed.

"Edgar Allan Poe" is ending

The last show will be Sunday February 4. Dong Ha was at so many shows since Nov.17 2017 - I think,  of all 4 musical actors playing Poe, he had the most shows scheduled, and he did not miss a single one. Here are a few pictures, captured by fans, of Dong Ha doing his run onto stage to bow at curtain call.

     

I will miss the almost daily excitement of waiting for another video from curtain call, and reading all the comments. I will even miss the curtain call antics between Griswald and Poe. These silly antic annoyed me in the beginning, but then I lightened up about them. After all, this was what the actors could do for the audience, to release the tension from the tragic, and dark show about the unhappy life of Poe, and his mortal enemy - Griswald. Or, as someone said, the curtain call antics were to entertain the audience after a boring and too long musical.

And here is Dongha, giving a bow at the end of the show:

TBT #22 Don't Know Why July 29-2017

                           

                     

Adieu 2017. Adieu.

"Adieu 2017" was some concert with multiple artists, that Jung Dong Ha participated last day of the 2017. He looked really cute, with the thick scarf around the neck.

Jung Dong Ha, for the New Year 2018, I wish you lots of good health. I hope you'll be strong both physically and mentally, like you have been until now. Enjoy the arrival of your baby son; maybe take a break... but not too long, haha! Be happy with singing, and with your fans love. I don't want to ramble too much. Thank you for being an amazing artist, and for sharing your talent so generously. I have become so happy ever since I got to know about you.                                                                      
                                                                                           ***

Meanwhile, January 2018  will be filled with his performances in the "Poe" musical. The schedule is below. There is a six days gap between Jan. 11-Jan17. There is also five days gap Jan. 25-Jan30.
We may expect he will have some extra appearances on TV, radio or concerts during those times.

The song "IMMORTAL"

                      

Possessed by Poe's spirit

He sings. He acts. He is fantastic. He is exceptionally talented, and charismatic

  
I am mesmerized, again. I am very grateful to him for singing. I want the world to know him, I want him to become an international star; but then no, I don't want it. He is best kept secret of a few thousands of his fans. To share him with the world would be to lose him. I'm so torn apart on this issue.

TBT #20 March 2015 on stage with a fan

                      

Well, there is not much to add to this. Dong Ha invited a fan on stage to sing with him, and that young fellow  turned out to be quite talented.  They sing "Like Rain Like Music". This is a very difficult song, but the young guy totally was able to keep up well with Dong Ha. Here in this video it's very obvious how sweet, and gracious Jung Dong Ha is - he continuously encouraged him and kept eye contact, to assure him of his support. What an unforgettable moment.

TBT#19 - Immortal Song2 March2015 - Rainwater

                     
Somebody once said that Jung Dong Ha must be a "rainman". He has several songs on his list that talk about rain. There is "Rain", and "Early Rain", and now it's "Rainwater".

I really like this performance. But I actually have a critical comment about it. This performance shows how NOT to win Immortal Song.  Dong Ha comes on stage to sing a gut wrenching, intensely desperate song of sadness and longing. But before he begins, he makes a silly joke about his raincoat, and asks if he looks good. If you joke lightly like this, and then make tragic faces while singing, it doesn't come across as genuine. The emotions look fake to the audience, hence the people don't vote for you. That is my comment of the video.
                                                                                              * * *
I really love how Dong Ha sings the song though, with over the top screaming, and everything else.
I love it all.
I love the guitarist, too.
Only, I hate this raincoat.

More Poe

                                                                                                   

TBT#18 - November 2014 BEGIN concert

It's Thanksgiving today. So, here is Dong Ha giving thanks to his fans. What a cornball 😇 

                    

Musical "Edgar Allan Poe" started November 17, 2017

                                                        The show will run through February 4th, 2018.

                        

 Schedule of Jung Dong Ha appearances in the show for the rest of the year is below.  

Next one is November 22nd. I hope he will have time to be on stage a few times in 2018, before the baby comes.

Dong Ha was cast in the opening day of the show. Rumor has it, he was very nervous because he
wanted to be best he could, and had been a little sick during the rehearsals. The first show is now behind him. A few videos and audios appeared on the Internet. In the videos he looks happy (maybe relieved?😅 ). The audio of some songs indicates that he had some difficulty with a song or two, while some other songs he sang really well.













Below, images cut from the curtain call video on youtube.

Here is the write-up from a Korean online news, translated (awkwardly) by Goodle Translate. The specific actors are not mentioned, just the general impression of the first show:
"2017.11.20

Edgar Allan Poe (producer: Park Yeong-seok), a musical dealing with the life of a genius writer, has begun with great applause from the audience on November 17th.
The musical "Edgar Allan Poe" presented a fresh shock to the audience in the flood of the concert at the end of the year performance. The drama is a fiction musical with the imagination of historical facts, based on the unfortunate life of a genius writer Edgar Allan Poe who had a great impact on the history of English literature in the nineteenth century.
The performance created a gloomy ambience through the symbolic stage and dreamy lighting, and the addictive music of Eric Wolfson, the representative of British progressive rock, impressed.
In addition, the perfect breathing of the actors who showed their presence in the dramas has added to the immersion of the audience. Audiences watched the drama in curiosity and curiosity about the unfolding of drama like Edgar Allan Poe's mystery novel. After the show, the audience cheered and cheered."

I Am Calling You - Nov. 11, 2017

                         
                              

BABY NEWS

                                                                                Yes, baby, finally!

At his "The Artist" concert on November 11th, Dong Ha revealed to his audience that he will have a baby soon! He said the baby will come in February 2018, and they know now it is a little boy! It's not official announcement, but he was so nice to let his fans know. Some fans apparently said that  the fact Dong Ha with Voisper sang "Baby On An Island" back in July, was foretelling, since he must have already known then. So maybe even it was his subtle way of revealing his good news.                                                                        

                                                                "Baby On An Island" performance:
                     
                                                                      
                                                                                          * * *
My reaction to these news, was a surprise (because I have already given up), and also happy excitement. The thing is, that Jung Dong Ha got married almost 4 years ago, in January 2014. From the very beginning, even before his marriage, he mentioned  wanting to have a child. At that time, in January 2014 he was on a TV variety program "Hello Counselor". The host said to Dong Ha: "So you are getting married next week. Will you say some message to your wife-to-be?" Dong Ha looked straight into the camera with his sweet smile and said something like: "When this show is broadcast, we will be on our honey-moon. So let's be a nice couple, and let's make a baby".
Whaaaat? I was so shocked, and at the same amused,  by Dong Ha being so straightforward.
Well maybe he said "let's HAVE a baby", but still, I never expect him to be so blunt about it.
Probably the message was much more docile in Korean, than translated into English.                     😊
And then he again talked about his desire to become a father,  2 yrs later on IS2, and a few times at radio interviews. 
But I was skeptical. I waited for baby news, but from time to time I had a thought that his talk was a smoke screen. To be honest I had thoughts occasionally that he might "swing the other way" as  Americans say. After all,  nobody ever saw his wife, he is so secretive about her. No wedding pictures ever popped up, how's that possible? Even if it was a private wedding, someone would sneak out ONE pic. So, was there really a wedding? And what's that talk about wanting to have a baby, but there is none, year after year? He 's well over 35 yrs old, and his  supposed wife is the same age - what are they waiting for?

But, here is the baby at last. Who knows what lengths the couple had to go through, to conceive?  
I can breathe with relief, since I really didn't want him to be gay. I am looking forward to the February 2018 announcement of the birth of Dong Ha's son.There will be probably some celebrations! 
I expect next year, 2018, he will not be as active professionally, because he will focus  on spending time with his kid. Awww, he will be such a good daddy, with his gentle personality, and loving heart.
He will probably work hard till the end of this year, and in January 2018. Then he will take a well deserved break.
                                                                        
                                                                                        * * *

I was thinking  that I will take a break  from  this blog. I have been doing it, somewhat irregularly,for over 3 yrs now.  Why am I doing it for so long? What is a woman my age doing, following the career, and writing about a Korean singer? True, it's a nice way of relaxing for me, just like any other hobby for other people. 
But perhaps I should take this baby announcement as a milestone, or rather as a final chapter of Dong Ha + myself saga. He is continuously growing - that I know. I already am certain he has made a great carer as an entertainer. I know he has a proper family. I had seen him live at a concert in the US, I had traveled to Korea to see him in a musical, I saw him in person, said a few words to him, got his autograph, and was able to hold his hand. I won't be able to travel to Korea again. He will most likely not come to USA for a while. 
I have listened to hundreds of his performances, and was moved by most of them. I know what to expect. My interest might have faded a little (just a tiny bit!) - there is nothing new to say about Jung Dong Ha from my point of view. He is a great artist. The end.

I wouldn't abandon this blog. No, I still want to play with it, it's fun. I think I would just stop it at the end of 2017, and afterwards I will maybe go back and do maintenance. Correct English mistakes, because I know I make them, check all pictures and videos - make sure they are there - they sometimes disappear for no reason. Maybe I would add some stuff.