For those that aren't aware of this fact: I'm a dedicated IGOT7. When I'm not struggling to cope with an arduous, fatigue-inflicting workload, I'm keeping with their daily news (or eating my heart out somewhere in the GTA).
After the nightmare that was B.A.P's concert led by KpopMe, I knew better than to involve myself with the pain that was disorganization and fandom disrespect. Following GOT7's two shows in Vancouver on Friday were the two Sunday legs of the Toronto show, neither of which I would be attending as a result of my horrendous past experience at Massey Hall.
I was voluntarily surrendering the opportunity to witness their live performance(s), but I felt it to be too much of a shame to not see my favourite group of all time when they happened to be on Canadian soil, and within decently close proximity to me.
After the nightmare that was B.A.P's concert led by KpopMe, I knew better than to involve myself with the pain that was disorganization and fandom disrespect. Following GOT7's two shows in Vancouver on Friday were the two Sunday legs of the Toronto show, neither of which I would be attending as a result of my horrendous past experience at Massey Hall.
I was voluntarily surrendering the opportunity to witness their live performance(s), but I felt it to be too much of a shame to not see my favourite group of all time when they happened to be on Canadian soil, and within decently close proximity to me.
For the first time in my life, I summoned up my courage to wait at Pearson in anticipation of their arrival.
It wasn't a solo adventure though - I didn't carry enough confidence to execute this mission alone. For this reason, I'd like to express profound gratitude to the fellow fangirl who accompanied me on this chaotic trip. (You're awesome and you know it!)
It wasn't a solo adventure though - I didn't carry enough confidence to execute this mission alone. For this reason, I'd like to express profound gratitude to the fellow fangirl who accompanied me on this chaotic trip. (You're awesome and you know it!)
In summary:
- There were definitely over fifty fans waiting in anticipation of their arrival, which was a greater number than expected given the limited amount of flight information available.
- Contrary to what I had believed, it was difficult to identify the members when their facial features were mostly concealed under masks, caps, and hoods. (I couldn't locate Jackson until the very last moment!)
- Jackson, Mark, Youngjae, and Jinyoung were wearing heavy-duty NBA jackets, while Yugyeom, Bambam, and JB opted for lighter jackets.
- All members except for JB wore masks; in addition, Youngjae, Mark, Jackson, and Jinyoung wore caps.
- JB was the most casually-dressed out of all of them, with no hood, mask, or cap! He essentially looks the same as in photos, with little to no acne and generally even skin tone.
- Bambam posed for photos! The maknae line were stylishly-dressed - both Bambam and Yugyeom donned skin-tight black jeans and a leather jacket and olive green bomber jacket respectively.
- All members were extremely quiet, and didn't utter a single word upon their arrival.
- While waiting for their van to arrive, the members sat together in one section of the airport. Fans surrounded them in a circle, taking photos, but left a 4-5 metre radius of space around them as well as their manager and crew. Fans were all very respectful and did not impose on their personal space. (The only part that broke my heart a little was the fact that the scene seemed slightly reminiscent of a zoo... ie. being surrounded by eager shutters).)
- I had prepared fan letters for both Jackson and Jinyoung, but neither accepted them: Jinyoung lifted his hand up as a sign of prohibition while Jackson said "Sorry."
- However I did succeed in shaking Jinyoung's hand and wishing him "Good luck on your (his) drama!", to which he appeared confused but uttered a muffled "Thank you" in response anyway.
- Mark was really shy and quiet. When I asked if I could take a photo with him, he only bowed his head, bringing his hands together apologetically. He did shake my hand though!
- The fans escorted them to the vans upon their departure from the gate. The group's personal bodyguards were strict in their ways of clearing a path for the members, but all were respectful in that they only enforced a clear path and did not shove any of the fans away.
- Jackson, Mark, Jinyoung, and Youngjae left in one vehicle, while Bambam, Yugyeom, and JB departed in the other.
- There were definitely over fifty fans waiting in anticipation of their arrival, which was a greater number than expected given the limited amount of flight information available.
- Contrary to what I had believed, it was difficult to identify the members when their facial features were mostly concealed under masks, caps, and hoods. (I couldn't locate Jackson until the very last moment!)
- Jackson, Mark, Youngjae, and Jinyoung were wearing heavy-duty NBA jackets, while Yugyeom, Bambam, and JB opted for lighter jackets.
- All members except for JB wore masks; in addition, Youngjae, Mark, Jackson, and Jinyoung wore caps.
- JB was the most casually-dressed out of all of them, with no hood, mask, or cap! He essentially looks the same as in photos, with little to no acne and generally even skin tone.
- Bambam posed for photos! The maknae line were stylishly-dressed - both Bambam and Yugyeom donned skin-tight black jeans and a leather jacket and olive green bomber jacket respectively.
- All members were extremely quiet, and didn't utter a single word upon their arrival.
- While waiting for their van to arrive, the members sat together in one section of the airport. Fans surrounded them in a circle, taking photos, but left a 4-5 metre radius of space around them as well as their manager and crew. Fans were all very respectful and did not impose on their personal space. (The only part that broke my heart a little was the fact that the scene seemed slightly reminiscent of a zoo... ie. being surrounded by eager shutters).)
- I had prepared fan letters for both Jackson and Jinyoung, but neither accepted them: Jinyoung lifted his hand up as a sign of prohibition while Jackson said "Sorry."
- However I did succeed in shaking Jinyoung's hand and wishing him "Good luck on your (his) drama!", to which he appeared confused but uttered a muffled "Thank you" in response anyway.
- Mark was really shy and quiet. When I asked if I could take a photo with him, he only bowed his head, bringing his hands together apologetically. He did shake my hand though!
- The fans escorted them to the vans upon their departure from the gate. The group's personal bodyguards were strict in their ways of clearing a path for the members, but all were respectful in that they only enforced a clear path and did not shove any of the fans away.
- Jackson, Mark, Jinyoung, and Youngjae left in one vehicle, while Bambam, Yugyeom, and JB departed in the other.
My personal conclusions of the fascinating journey were that:
- JB is an extremely relaxed idol who looks as good in person as on my 1080p laptop screen
- Mark is, in fact, a very shy person, despite the grand steps he's made on variety shows
- Jinyoung remains an exceedingly strong bias wrecker, along with a calm and caring soul
- Jackson is as good-looking and popular as ever
- Youngjae thoroughly embraces his love for Chicago Bull-themed merchandise
- Bambam's model-like status is unreal - I mean, he even carried a clutch and ran his fingers through his hair several times
- Yugyeom looks amazing in turtlenecks, relatively beanstalk-like in height and frame, and has thinner legs than most of my friends
- JB is an extremely relaxed idol who looks as good in person as on my 1080p laptop screen
- Mark is, in fact, a very shy person, despite the grand steps he's made on variety shows
- Jinyoung remains an exceedingly strong bias wrecker, along with a calm and caring soul
- Jackson is as good-looking and popular as ever
- Youngjae thoroughly embraces his love for Chicago Bull-themed merchandise
- Bambam's model-like status is unreal - I mean, he even carried a clutch and ran his fingers through his hair several times
- Yugyeom looks amazing in turtlenecks, relatively beanstalk-like in height and frame, and has thinner legs than most of my friends
It was an exceptionally fruitful trip and experience, during which I happened to chance upon two girls that I attended the Toronto KPop Con concerts back in May!
Good luck on your shows, guys!!
Good luck on your shows, guys!!
We ventured to Square One afterwards, first indulging in Pinkberry's milk soft serve with honeycomb and then aimlessly roaming the packed retail shops until dinner time.
Mii Sandwich, which first appeared on my radar when a fellow food enthusiast relayed her experience at the Yorkdale location earlier this year, recently arrived at the Square One food court.
Having been overcome with a strong desire to try the Vietnamese fusion cuisine since its opening, I opted to take advantage of the fact that I had already nabbed a parking spot and request a Bao and Taco combo.
Mii Sandwich, which first appeared on my radar when a fellow food enthusiast relayed her experience at the Yorkdale location earlier this year, recently arrived at the Square One food court.
Having been overcome with a strong desire to try the Vietnamese fusion cuisine since its opening, I opted to take advantage of the fact that I had already nabbed a parking spot and request a Bao and Taco combo.
Along with the standard selection of fresh rolls, mango salad, sugar cane shrimp, Satay shewers, and pho, Mii Sandwich also offered a variety of steamed baos, soft shell tacos, and exotic beverages.
The Two for $8.50 deal permitted the choice of two baos, two tacos, or one of each; all entree orders entitled customers to a one dollar discount off a selection of nine drinks.
The Two for $8.50 deal permitted the choice of two baos, two tacos, or one of each; all entree orders entitled customers to a one dollar discount off a selection of nine drinks.
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We were first provided samples of their Pork on Rice and Mango Smoothie by a friendly member of staff. Both items proved aromatic and satisfying, though the latter was a tad thick for my liking.
Eventually, I settled on a duo of Grilled Coconut Chicken Bao and Bulgogi Taco, along with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Sriracha and kimchi were included for mild levels of spiciness, but my tolerance only allowed for a sans-red meal.
Eventually, I settled on a duo of Grilled Coconut Chicken Bao and Bulgogi Taco, along with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Sriracha and kimchi were included for mild levels of spiciness, but my tolerance only allowed for a sans-red meal.
My order emerged within a manner of minutes, but the real challenge was locating an empty seat in the food court to devour it. (Thank goodness the team had been efficient in clearing the lineup in a timely manner.)
< Pictured above and below: Grilled Coconut Chicken Bao, Bulgogi Taco, Lemongrass Chicken Bao, Bulgogi Bao, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and Halo Halo >
< Pictured above and below: Grilled Coconut Chicken Bao, Bulgogi Taco, Lemongrass Chicken Bao, Bulgogi Bao, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and Halo Halo >
Comprised of well-seasoned chicken bits coated in a sweet-savoury sauce was a soft, spongy Grilled Coconut Chicken Bao. The resulting product was slightly above average, though the chicken was on the drier side and coconut flavour was nowhere to be found.
Soft shell tacos generally aren't my go-to, specifically because the thickness of tortillas tend to be incapable of sustaining a load greater than a tablespoon's worth of pickled carrots and marinated beef. To my surprise, Mii Sandwich utilized a thicker, flakier variation of the typical taco shell. This enabled a structure to be significantly more sound that its non-fast food counterparts, making for more enjoyable consumption process.
That being said, neither the bao nor taco made for a particularly graceful meal, as sauce leaked with every bite. (The Bulgogi Taco is a solid winner though.)
That being said, neither the bao nor taco made for a particularly graceful meal, as sauce leaked with every bite. (The Bulgogi Taco is a solid winner though.)
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A chilled but ice cube-free Vietnamese Iced Coffee paired very well with my meal. It was sweet, but also possessed the strong essence of brewed coffee.
Halo Halo, which my fangirl-in-crime had chosen as her combo beverage, contained generous layers of magenta-tinted water chestnut, emerald-hued snake-like jellies, spoonfuls of faded yellow mung beans, softened kidney beans, sweet red bean, crushed ice, and a watered down version of coconut milk. The dessert-drink was devoid of ube and proper coconut milk, but enjoyable nonetheless. The bean to jelly proportion had been prepared well.
Halo Halo, which my fangirl-in-crime had chosen as her combo beverage, contained generous layers of magenta-tinted water chestnut, emerald-hued snake-like jellies, spoonfuls of faded yellow mung beans, softened kidney beans, sweet red bean, crushed ice, and a watered down version of coconut milk. The dessert-drink was devoid of ube and proper coconut milk, but enjoyable nonetheless. The bean to jelly proportion had been prepared well.
Given tolerable mall parking and driving conditions, it's safe to say that I'll be dropping by Mii Sandwich on another occassion. Their participation in the Vicinity program is definitely an added bonus!
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