The Fangirl Lane


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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 714

Well, I knew I would be saying this about many of the sub-categories I have created during this post as we near the end of G.O’s service: This is my last Fan-ART-astic post! I cannot believe that I am literally approaching the final day of this countdown series. I know I have often stated during these past 714 days that the time has gone by quickly and for the most part, it has. But I am not going to deny it, it has been a long, long journey. Still, the time spent writing about this talented and darling young man has been a privilege. It is too early to get all weepy!!! So, let’s have a look at my final Fan-ART-astic offering. I decided to close this sub-category with one of my fave artists, SakuTori. She has drawn G.O often and has drawn him well. Because I saw him for the very first time as Dong Ho in the musical Seopyeonje, it is my SakuTori choice for the day.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 603

I cannot control myself when it comes to reminiscing and reflecting on Seopyeonje. The moments and memories of G.O’s Korean musical stage debut have imprinted and left their mark on me. I have recently been revisiting many of the Dong Ho specific songs from the musical and started rewatching videos from the 3 March 2014 showcase, particularly G.O’s performance of 흔적 [Traces]. Even though I understood the premise and storyline of Seopyeonje, I never really explored the lyrical content of the songs. When I attended my first Seopyeonje performance, I did not need to understand the lyrics because I felt the meaning being conveyed. In looking a little closer at 흔적 now however, I have discovered a deeper poignancy in the song; and, there is no better master at delivering poignancy in a song than G.O. Today, I share another Vocal Virtuosity moment from Seopyeonje.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 573

I have been looking forward to sharing the fan art work of Japanese artist @cantnoir827 ever since I started this little sub-category on the Countdown. I know most, if not all A+ worldwide, have enjoyed her whimsical and playful renditions of MBLAQ over the years. Today I choose her take on G.O’s three musical theater roles: Kang Hyun Woo from Gwanghwamun Sonata, Dong Ho from Seopyeonje and Prince Ho Dong from Kingdom of the Winds.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 567

When I sat down to write on this 567th day of G.O’s service, the first thing that came to mind was that I simply wanted to hear his voice. Paging through the catalog of songs I had no idea which one to choose as all are special and perfect in and of themselves. Then I remembered back before his first performance in Seopyeonje, G.O had visited the KBS CoolFM studios with co-star Cha Ji Yeon wherein he sang a few bars of 청춘이 묻는다 [Youth Asks], without music. Just his voice. Impromptu in the studio.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 546

This first Vocal Virtuosity moment for the month of August will be an extension of the last one in July. Yes, I am returning to the Seopyeonje stage and not for one of the soothing ballads. I ended July with the roar of Alive and burst into August with the haunting 청춘이 묻는다 [Youth Asks].

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 530

With the revival of Seopyeonje coming next month, I cannot help but recall the excitement and thrill of seeing G.O on the musical stage. I often rewatch the many cams capturing those magical moments. From his opening number through the last notes that left his lips, each song G.O sang to bring Dong Ho’s story to the stage was a perfect Vocal Virtuosity moment. Each and every one of them. In one way or another, I know I have shared them all somewhere here either in this countdown series or other posts. Seopyeonje left its mark on me. Rather, G.O in Seopyeonje left its mark on me. I don’t mind going back to write about the show, his performance or the music over and over again. Today, I am placing the opening song Alive in the Vocal Virtuosity vault. Because quite frankly, it belongs there.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 521

I am not sure if you are aware, but Seoypyeonje is returning to the Korean musical theater stage next month. Directed again by Lee Gina, it returns with some familiar faces. Both Cha Ji Yeon and Lee Ja Ram each will return as Song Hwa, as will Seo Bum Seok in the role of Yoo Bong. However, there will be three new faces in the role of Dong Ho (Park Yeong Soo, Kim Jae Beom and Kang Pil Seok). As much as I love this wonderful musical and trust the direction of Lee Gina, I admit that I am still feeling a bit sad over the fact that is being revived without G.O. Then again, we all have to wonder if G.O would have even been cast again in the role (I think so); and if so, would he have accepted the offer to return? In any event, the news of the reprisal has made me drift back to G.O’s time on the Seopyeonje stage. So a little Dong Ho One Shot love on this 521st day of his service.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 507

There are a million ways in which I could show you how humble G.O is. But you really only need to meet him to experience it. In my opinion, humbleness is something that cannot be faked. It is either a part of who you are, or it is not. Some may mistake humbleness as self-doubt or low self-worth. But being humble is different. Markers of self-doubt or self-worth might include phrases like, I can’t or I am not good enough. Whereas I believe humbleness may be marked by phrases such asI will work harder or I will learn and improve, even in the wake of accolades. G.O has been told countless times from fans, contemporaries, producers, directors, and the like that he possesses a unique and special talent; yet he always reminds us that he will try harder or do better. This could not have been better demonstrated than when he received the 8th Korean Musical Awards award for best newcomer actor for his portrayal of the tragic young pansori artist Dong Ho in Seopyeonje.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 460

The third letter of the alphabet is C and admittedly, I could get through this post with ease with any number of words that accurately describe G.O. Cute, charming, cuddly, etc. But, as I mentioned when I began this sub-category to the Countdown series, I want to dig deeper and find unordinary words that describe the extraordinary Byung Hee.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 449

It was three years ago this very day when G.O would once again step upon the Korean musical theater stage and make history by way of his poignant portrayal of the young and innocent Prince Ho Dong in the Seoul Arts production of 바람의나라 [The Kingdom of the Winds]. Inasmuch as I truly feel his role as Dong Ho in Seopyeonje was the pivotal moment in his career that made fans and critics alike sit up and take notice of his ability to command an important role in a masterpiece musical, his work in Kingdom sealed it. For today’s G.O One Shot, I honor him on the anniversary of his first performance as the delicate Ho Dong.

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