Fan Meeting in Berlin : let's catch up with DaiShun and TutorYim

After BillyBabe and MaxNat last November, Panoramist Spotlight organized two new fan meetings in Berlin at the end of March with the theme of early spring.

Staying with the Domundi agency on the Thai side, we reunited with Tutor and Yim, who had supporting roles in Bed Friend (with NetJames), then starred in the spin-off Middleman’s Love, and were recently seen in Battle of the Writers. Then, more unexpectedly, we got to spend a special moment with a "real" couple from television: Dai and Shun, contestants from the first season of the Japanese reality TV show The Boyfriend, broadcast worldwide on Netflix.

German and European fans turned up in force for these two fan meetings: let’s look back at the event together!

Love Blossom: Meeting Dai and Shun

In a charming little floral setting, Dai and Shun entered a misty stage performing their first song Last Person: a ballad in which the two lovers say they have found their soulmate in each other. Once the song ended, their first glances toward the audience were filled with sincerity (especially Dai, who is definitely the human equivalent of a golden retriever, smiling constantly). And we won't even get started on the sweet smiles and glances they exchanged with each other: those two are clearly in love.

During a quick Q&A session, Dai and Shun made the audience laugh by answering what each would bring if stranded on a desert island. Dai didn’t say Shun, which confused his boyfriend. Dai then tried to backpedal: since Shun said he’d bring Dai, that meant he could choose to bring something else! Dai admitted that he and Shun argue often, but that he loves him as he is and accepts his beliefs and opinions. That’s love, folks... Their responses were lively, with Dai speaking in English and Shun in Japanese.

Though Easter was still a month away, some of the couple's games were egg-themed. First, Dai and Shun had to carry an egg balanced on a spoon along an obstacle course, then each colored half of a large egg alongside two lucky fans who joined them on stage. They also played "This or That": dog or cat? Apartment or house? Then Dai lifted Shun (literally, not figuratively—let's calm down) and carried him on his shoulders because: why not?

Before moving on to the fan benefits, we got to watch a few clips from an unreleased vlog of Dai and Shun at Shanghai Disneyland, and saw them perform their new, still-unfinished song due for release this summer. For both segments, photos and videos were not allowed, out of respect for Dai and Shun. The fan video project, a staple of this kind of fan meeting, brought out a lot of emotion (especially tears—from Dai).

During the fan benefits (a high five for everyone, then group or individual photos with a few seconds to chat), Dai and Shun never lost their smiles or warmth toward the fans. A few lucky first-category ticket holders even got to enjoy a private dinner with the duo, where the couple answered their questions. We’ll admit it... we were jealous! Maybe next time?

A Date with Spring: Meeting TutorYim

Dressed to the nines in handsome suits, Tutor and Yim kicked off their fan meeting by performing the Middleman’s Love theme song, searching the room for their fans’ eyes as they moved from one end of the stage to the other.

Outfits were a big part of the event, with the actors changing twice: first into traditional outfits reminiscent of their show Battle of the Writers, and finally into full leather looks for their fiery cover of the song APT by Rosé and Bruno Mars! While they changed and went through hair and makeup touch-ups (a bit long, to be honest), the MC and Thai translator entertained the crowd with great energy. It’s not just the artists who are talented!

Tutor and Yim also answered a few questions. They admitted to trying some German beers but preferred not to overdo it so they could stay in shape for the fan meeting... Always drink in moderation, they say (not like in most BLs, let’s be real). They were also asked for travel tips in Thailand: Tutor highly recommended going to the beach and eating seafood! For Yim, Phuket is a must for trying all kinds of food and meeting friendly people. If they ever want to start a travel agency, as the MC and interpreter joked, they’d probably have no trouble finding clients...

The games were a bit acrobatic too: Tutor and Yim competed in a three-legged race, tied together, before throwing several balloons into different targets. They completely smashed the time set by the two fans who went before them! They also faced off in a blind test to see who knew Thai music best before singing A Thousand Years...

After Dai, it was Yim’s turn to be deeply moved by the fan video: luckily Tutor was there to help dry his tears! The day ended in the same joyful and generous mood, with a hi-bye session for the whole room (a high-touch without touching, basically just waving) and group or individual photos.

Gabin’s Thoughts

In the Asia Artist Info team, our graphic designer and writer Pimchan has already attended several fan meetings organized by Panoramist Spotlight for Build and BillyBabe (you can find her articles by clicking on the artists' names!). As for me, it was my first time going to a fan meeting in Berlin! And it probably won’t be the last...

As for organization, everything was perfectly planned. The event venue, Säälchen, is a small hall located right next to the train station that leads directly to Berlin airport in about twenty minutes. Simple, fast, and efficient. With a slightly smaller crowd than in places like Italy, attending these fan meetings ensures that no matter your seat category, you get a pretty good view of the artists and a moment of closeness, with high-touch or hi-bye always included and filming allowed if desired.

Whether it was Dai and Shun or Tutor and Yim, I truly felt the guests cared about their fans.

Even though Dai and Shun are "up-and-coming" artists compared to Tutor and Yim, who have been part of the entertainment world for several years now, the Japanese couple is already mastering the fan meeting game and are incredibly generous. Seeing them in person also breaks the image we may have of them through their roles. If Shun gave us a hard time in The Boyfriend with his jealousy and temper, he was extremely warm and generous with the audience, despite the language barrier. And Dai, as I said, is a true golden retriever. His smile will recharge you for the rest of the year!

Tutor and Yim’s show was much more polished and structured: you can definitely feel Domundi’s hand behind it all, managing the flow, the outfits, and the song choices to promote all their recent works. Nevertheless, the actors’ chemistry and sincerity—especially during the fan video segment—managed to go beyond the somewhat scripted feel that can come with this kind of show.

Who knows, maybe we’ll see each other again in Berlin? In any case, it won’t be for the upcoming JimmySea fan meeting at the end of May, since it sold out in just a few hours...

Gabin Fontaine