This is a continuation of two previous blogs dedicated to Jung Dong Ha.
New year, so new blog settings, just for fun. It's January 2020, and Jung Dong Ha will be celebrating 15 yrs of his career in July, and also he will be 40 yrs old in April this year. We will see if this is going to be a good year for him. I am a big fan, and I will always love him.
A video popped up yesterday November 7th on You Tube, showing Dong Ha outside KBS studio building , as he comes in to record another appearance on Immortal Song2. Yay! I am so looking forward to it. I don't think it's announced yet when the show will broadcast on TV. Regardless, I am very happy, since it seems Immortal Song brings the best out of Dong Ha. His chosen songs are usually very good, his interpretation is outstanding, and his stage presence is enchanting. He hasn't done IS2 for quite a while, I think since May 2021. So many months!Long overdue
The rain is pouring, and Dong Ha is greeting the people gathered outside the studio building, and posing for the photographers. My heart is melting.π
July 29 2005 was his official debut, as the lead singer of the famous band Boohwal. He's been singing for 16 years now, but I have only known him for about 8 years, maybe less. It was around October or November 2013, when I started being aware about him, without even knowing his name. It took several more months for me to become fully fledged fan. Around May/June 2014 I already developed Jung Dong Ha fever, which resulted in my driving (with my son as companion) to Washington, DC, in August 2014 to see him live at a concert.
This anniversary is bitter sweet. The world has been through second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's very difficult for everybody. For Korean artists, due to very severe rules and restrictions it's been also difficult to have shows with live audience, meet with fans, even record in studios I think these restrictions are taking a toll. I feel a little bit that Dong Ha's career is declining. He's been trying a lot of things, appearing in some TV programs, and participating in various sing-alongs. He's been putting a lot of efforts to remain active professionally, to make sure he is not forgotten. But almost 2 years of abnormal situation can hurt an artist badly.
I don't want to have a sad blog on his anniversary, so I decided to post a cute video of him dated May 2021. I really love this one. I love the casual style, the fact there is not much make-up on his face, and the hair is a bit messy. Just natural Dongha . Posing for the photographers. Cute.
The signature says:
Singer Jeong Dong-ha went for work to attend the pre-recording of 'Immortal Song' held at the KBS annex in Yeouido-dong, Seoul on the morning of May 24, 2021
Dongha ninth v-log! "The new song Fly Away was released a while ago! This time, I participated in the album cover artwork myself. We will reveal the scene where the album cover was completed! (That's what I drew...)
Please love the song 'Fly Away' containing a message of hope."
Jung Dong Ha officially debuted on KBS TV program, as a new member of a well known band Boohwal (Resurection). The year was 2005, and I was oblivious to the existence of this marvelous, magical, charismatic singer, who was beginning his professional career on the opposite hemisphere from where I was.
I feel very blessed, and lucky that eventually I caught up with him. He immediately gained a big group of fans, who diligently recorded his artistic progress from the very start. I found endless "materials" on the internet, allowing me to get to know him, to indulge in the pleasures of listening to him, and watching his incredibly magnetic stage presence.
And here he is, 15 years later, the King of live performances, the king of Immortal Song2, the King of Masked Singer, the King of KBS Open Concerts.
Sadly, this year of his 15th anniversary he is forced not to meet his fans, because of the pandemic of Corona Virus. What shall we do, Jung Dong Ha? We miss you very much!!! 15 years ago:
NOW:
Over the years, he's grown so much. He's progressed from little mousy voice (my impression of his first 5years), to mature , more manly voice with very wide range, and astounding volume. He learned to use the power of his lungs, and belt out incredible, long notes. Not only that, but he became very versatile singing in multiple styles, from intense ballads to great soft rock, to little gentle songs, to fun goofy performances. Depending what style he sings, his voice tone and feeling changes. I always found this ability of his quite amazing. Probably not everybody can hear this, but myself, and his other dedicated fans can, thus he has a very faithful following of mesmerized audience.
Throughout his career, he gained self confidence, and is so natural on stage, almost always relaxed, interacting with the audience in a perfectly friendly manner, without an arrogance of someone who considers themselves a star.
Congratulations Jung Dong Ha on your 15th anniversary!!! Thank you for being fearless, and trying new things!!! I wish you another wonderful 15 years. I will be here, cheering for you.
Most fresh pictures of the lovely singer. On the June 16th, Jung Dong-ha is attending the recording of KBS Open Concert held at the KBS New Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
I miss him.
He isn't active much due to corona virus restrictions.
I suppose the "open concert" was recorded without audience.
I wonder when it will be broadcast on TV. They didn't say.
Update: Jung Dong-ha will appear on KBS 1TV's Open Concert on June 28 2020 π€
Some 15 years ago I was a big fan of certain unnamed fake singer. I rarely go back to that time in my thoughts. However, recently I suddenly remembered some game, that we the fans played in the online forum dedicated to that guy. It was an alphabet game, where we would start with an "A" and post one word that we thought best described our idol. Then we would continue with the rest of the alphabet, until "Z"and then we went back to the beginning, to start another round of words. Of course, all the adjectives were supposed to be the nicest possible attributes of that person. The bond between fans was a very pleasant experience from that time.
In recent time, I've been missing Jung Dong Ha, because he hasn't been very active. Everything, or almost everything is put on hold because of the corona virus pandemic. I started to play the alphabet game in my mind, and decided to put it on records - all the good thoughts I think of him. It took me one evening to put the list together.
Here it is. Ladies and gentlemen, I present Jung Dong Ha, as seen by me.
