7 days. 7 days ago I turned 30. And so much has happened.

Before I start on a recap, let me just say a “Thank You” – if you’re reading this, then that means you deserve a thank you.

I’m always overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful people in my life, people who give me so much when I always feel that I am so incapable of giving back.

There is no doubt that is the greatest gift I have, and it’s crazy to think that I have so many people who offer me so much joy. I will always aspire to be a better and kinder person.

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On July 26th, I started on a journey – a journey to find the broken pieces that were left behind in 2021.

Some of you may know, some of you may not, but in 2016 I had the opportunity to watch GFRIEND perform live in Toronto. Here’s what 22 year old me had to say about that matter:

People who have known me for a long time will know I’m a lifetime Taeyeon fan, famously listening to her songs on repeat. One of my friends was flabbergasted that months later, I still had Stress on repeat… But that’s another story…

What’s not as commonly known is that I’m a longtime Gfriend fan, and a forever Eunha bias. Just like so many fans, there are few words to describe how broken I was by the news in 2021. A dream to see them again shattered, and only tears filled with regret leftover.

Fast forward through news of the members finding separate homes, Eunha’s solo “At the End of Time” and VIVIZ, to whispers of a GFRIEND return, and broken dreams started to reappear.

Then, the news of a lifetime, a possibility of a VIVIZ tour. You may also be surprised to hear that I missed IU’s concerts, despite being such a big IU fan (since Marshmallow days!) But, to me, seeing VIVIZ and Eunha one more time was worth the trade-off. And what’s more, they were performing on my birthday, and I knew at that moment, I was going to that show.

So on July 26th, I boarded a plane to begin a trek to follow the tour for 3 stops, Louisville on July 27th, Nashville on July 28th, and ending in Indianapolis on my 30th birthday. A supposedly 750km (465 mi) journey.

Words cannot begin to describe the feelings of anticipation, excitement and hope. A fansign and chance to speak to them, to get over the nervousness I had meeting them at 22, a photo opportunity and selfies. I still have flashbacks to my inability to wish Eunha a happy birthday during the show.

Today, I am a proud owner of multiple signed selfies, and a 2024 signed season’s greetings, on top of my extensive signed album collection.

I could go on and on about meeting them in person, but I’ll just cover some quick anecdotal highlights from the concert (outside of the concert being absolutely amazing).

1. Eunha wished me a Happy Birthday!
2. SinB and Eunha both called out my name when talking about fans
3. Umji inquired about my phone 3 times
4. Eunha and I had a quick chat about photos
5. I had a nice conversation with their Korean bodyguard

I wanted to write this post not because of the concert, but because of the people I met and the lessons I learned from them. I think I’m really lucky and blessed to meet the wonderful people I see.

On my birthday in Indianapolis, I got to meet many buddies and brothers, and there is no doubt in my mind that I’ll meet them again.

But let me ask you something:

What kind of person buys someone a birthday lunch and dinner on the first day they meet?

What kind of person offers you the warmth of an older brother from the first day, and gives advice from the heart so fearlessly?

A legend of legends, and that is who I got to meet and got to know. There is no doubt that the onus is on me to keep this brotherhood real and I will keep us in touch.

To everyone else who I have met this past week, I will find a way to keep in touch. Our heart sunny summer pose will live forever, alongside the legendary fanchants.

It was on the advice of the legends that are Marvin and Jundy that I found myself with tickets to Chicago and my so journey extended to 1335km (830mi). On July 31st, freshly 30, I rented a car and started my journey back north. It was upon my arrival in Chicago where I got to meet more wonderful people, with the warmth that I hadn’t expected and an opportunity to pay Marvin’s gift forward.

I don’t believe in fate, but sometimes you just get this feeling.

These young friends I had just met still feel like an illusion, from a world that I had not seen, but they have been so kind and considerate that I really did not know what to expect. My only regret is that I don’t have a photo with them.

Instead I have a photo with my new friend Alex, a legend in his own right, who coined up the hashtag #BeanViz and really did a full send for the entire concert on my left. Honestly don’t think I’ve gone that hard on any of the concerts until that point. I also can’t miss out that I also got a photo with the manager of the Indianapolis boys.

And that brings me to GenCon. 10 bros, 1 dream, 1 potential winner. Unfortunately all of us fell short this time, but I have friends for life, friends to enjoy the good and the bad days with, and friends to respect.

Thank you all so, so much and I really do believe that these connections with bridge our lifetimes.