[article] Reports On The Spot – Going To Jang Keun-suk’s ZIK ZIN Festival

Source: Naver Entertainment

Fans from around the world are excited over the Jang Keun-suk’s ‘ZIK ZIN Festival’ held at Intex, Osaka. ‘ZIK ZIN’ reflects Jang Keun-suk’s life motto of wanting to advance forward. ‘ZIK ZIN’, which was launched as a brand in March, is now a major element within the Jang-ryu Wave and has announced the birth of Jang Keun-suk theme park with a mega-scale Expo this time around.


‘ZIK ZIN Festival’, of which the 24 thousand tickets were sold out from early on, transformed a concert hall into a multi-cultural space that attracted the guests with diverse amusements and entertainment.

‘ZIK ZIN Festival’ consisted of ‘INDIAN SUMMER’ zone in which one could enjoy Jang Keun-suk’s special live performance, ‘ELECTRICAL SUMMER’ zone in which DJ show of Jang Keun-suk’s project group Team H is presented, and ‘EXPO ZONE’ in which various recreations are offered through different themed booths.

Most eye-catching of all are the booths that have taken ideas from Jang Keun-suk’s title songs that line the ZIK ZIN Street of ZIK ZIN town within ‘EXPO ZONE’. The area reminds one of a huge amusement park as there are amazing stores including shops that sell rare items and nail stickers from Shibuya ZIK ZIN shop, theatre, post office in which one could send a message to Jang Keun-suk, game zone, food area and so on.

Figure sold at the ZIK ZIN Shop. Looks exactly the same as Jang Keun-suk! The intricate details are the highlight features.

An area decorated like a fitting room within a clothing store. Fans can go into the rooms and send video message to Jang Keun-suk.

Jang Keun-suk is said to have experienced the amusements first hand prior to the big opening. He is sending a video message as if he’s a fan. To whom is he sending the message?

Post office in which you can write messages or hopes and wishes to Jang Keun-suk.

It was really interesting to search for the traces of Jang Keun-suk left behind in various locations.

There is also a theatre in which you can try out your luck of the day with a draw! There are truly interesting shops here!

A photo studio is a major hit with the visitors! A-once-in-a-lifetime chance to take a photo with not only images of Jang Keun-suk but a ultra-magnified Jang Keun-suk image. It was one of the most popular shops within the festival.

The ZIK ZIN staff who were everywhere were of great help. The atmosphere within the Expo is beoming more and more elevated.

This is a gas station in which you can enjoy games. When the player throws the heart-shaped ball and if it reaches a certain point, video message from Jang Keun-suk would be played. It received heated responses from the fans. Even Jang Keun-suk who had tried the game himself prior to the opening, amused that the game was far more interesting than imagined.

Can you feel the passion flowing out of the fans as they are trying to watch the specal message from Jang Keun-suk?

These are the various booths that took care of the growling stomachs of the visitors. ‘ZIN’S BURGER’ with Jang Keun-suk’s character. It was amazing to see how the meaning of advancing forward could be applied even to a burger.

Jang Keun-suk performed twice during the festival. Jang Keun-suk’s solo performance held at 13:00~15:00 grabbed the attention of the audience. Jang Keun-suk, without a doubt proved himself once again, dominating the stage with 15 songs including ‘Indian Summer’ which is within the ‘Nature Boy’ album released last May.

With the thoughtful considerations towards the fans who could not be there, Jang Keun-suk, whose birthday was on the 4th, made arrangement so that his live performance could be aired in 57 theatres across Japan enabling 15 thousand fans to share his special day via screen.

Every year, surprise parties occurred at Jang Keun-suk’s birthday performances. During the encore performance, the background music was cut off intentionally, catching Jang Keun-suk off guard. Male dancers dressed as female appeared on stage and created an upbeat atmosphere as they danced together with the audience. “It’s my first birthday in Japan. Also, it’s the first time I’ve been congratulated by so many people!” Jang Keun-suk enthused.

Afterwards, ‘Team-H’, project collaboration group between Jang Keun-suk and his music partner Big Brother, presented a one-of-a-kind electronic music performance at 18:00~20:00. The stage consisted of 20 songs including ‘What is your name’. The explosive energy coming from Jang Keun-suk continued consistently regardless of the time. He perfected total of 4 performances, two performances a day, and charmed his way into the hearts of his fans.

Jang Keun-suk’s ‘ZIK ZIN Festival’ is the first attempt by the Korean actor to organize a large scale festival that transcends the boundaries of artistic expression. Its success holds significant meaning. Attention was drawn as the news that Jang Keun-suk, himself prepared for the project for 3 years. In the beginning, many around him tried to dissuade Jang Keun-suk from the mega-scale project. His project was realized as he eagerly brought up specific ideas that support it.

“I always participated in the planning stage of my performances but I felt more responsibility because this festival was a very different from a normal concert. The attractions that were based on actual games that I’ve done at various festivals were even more interesting at the Expo. I’d like to continue to work on the Expo. Hopefully it will become an annual festival that brings me closer with the fans,” said Jang Keun-suk.

Jang Keun-suk, at the heart of the Korean Wave, is now opening a new chapter in performance culture. He is no longer just an artist but a cultural icon. “Tokyo performance will be twice the size of Osaka performance, so I intend on monitoring the Osaka performance to improve upon the areas that have been insufficient,” said Jang Keun-suk about the Expo to be held in Makuhari, Tokyo on the 24th and 25th. One cannot help but anticipate what Jang Keun-suk will bring to the table next.

By. TreeJ
Composed. Naver Entertainment