Japanese fans were thrilled to see big hallyu stars at the 2005 Hallyu All Star Summit, an unprecedented event that was held at the Super Arena of Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Prior to the concert, Nikkan Sports wrote that 15 hallyu singers, music groups and actors would gather in one place for a large-scale hallyu event, while Sankei Sports described the event as "grandiose".
The festival, which marked the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Korea-Japan diplomatic ties, drew multitudes of fans, who came to see their favorite hallyu stars all in one place despite heavy rain. It was organized by the Korea Foundation for Asian Culture Exchange and Japan's Fuji TV, and hosted by Morning Entertainment (CEO Lee Myung-sun).
The first part of the concert, which has just ended successfully, featured four big hallyu actors --
Lee Byeong-Heon,
Jang Dong-gun,
kwon Sang-woo and
Kim Seung-woo -- who showed video clips from their TV dramas and movies. Other performers included the singers
Rain, Shin Hye-sung, MC the Max, Jang Yun-jung,
Tei and the music group Jewelry.
The second part will feature "
Maya, JK
Kim Dong-wook, Cho Eun and the music groups Fire Engine and Chunsangjihee. It will be broadcast live on Fuji TV's satellite channel Sky Perfect.
Tickets to this event, which drew a total of 24,000 people, were sold out in a single day despite the expensive price of 18,000 yen for S row seats, 15,000 yen for A row seats, and 12,000 yen for B row seats. On Sept. 23, when the big-four stars arrived, Haneda Airport authorities even had to restrict access to the airport for the first time in its 50 year history.
