form Oct.15(Wed) to Oct.19(Sun),
1969
It was about 12:15pm in Oct. 15, 1969 which was 30 minutes late
than the schedule when JAL appeared in my sight. A lot of fans
waiting at the greeting area could see Cliff getting out of
the plane almost as the last passenger. He was wearing navy
jacket and dark grey striped pants in light grey background.
The first impression of smiling Cliff was he has a look of a
British man. When I saw him through the movies and pictures
and the sleeves of the LP's, I thoguht he should have an Oriental
look in any sense. No, I was wrong!! He had bigger beautiful
eyes and sharp nose than I imagined.
He said he thanks the Hankook Ilbo(the sponsor) to greet
him at a VIP room with courtesy and warm welcome of his fans
shown in the airport. He mentioned he heard about Korea while
he visited Japan. David Bryce(his manager then) said Korea
is not a small country at all and has a big population than
he knew.
Cliff unpacked at the suite 735 of Bando Hotel(Lotte Hotel
now) with his staff. And 2 hours later, he was rehearsaling
at the auditorium of the Hankook Ilbo with the Shadows, MBC
orchestra and 3 female back vocals chosen among the MBC choir
for about 3 hours. He looked greater and impressive at the
time of the rehearsal than at the concerts, I thought, as
he was more relaxing and comfortable. I have prepared what
to talk to him if I have a chance to see him for months and
months, but my lips were stuck and couldn't speak a word at
all though he is just in front of me. When he showed up at
the rehearsal, everybody in that auditorium ran to him to
get his autographs that there was a chaos for a short time.
I couldn't move from where I was. My legs wouldn't move a
step towards him like my lips refused to say a word. But,
I and 2 other friends, his ardent fans were invited at the
rehearsal and sitting at the fifth row watching him singing
and leading the pleasant atmosphere all through it. Finally
it was over.
I thought "Ah, he is leaving for the hotel" and
sighed myself. At that moment, a miracle happened to us. He
was walking towards us!! He smiled at us and gave us his hand
saying "Other people came to get my autographs. But I'd
better come to my fans and do it for you." It was real,
real. I wasn't dreaming at all. I heartily understood nobody
would care for their fans better than him.
At the night he arrived, the British Ambassador to Korea held
a reception in the British embassy for Cliff and his staff.
The guests included mostly foreign diplomats, those working
in the media, and 6 Korean famous singers. I felt kinda guilty
having more chances close to him than other club members that
I didn't get in but waited outside. I think I had to get as
many chances to get closer to him and make more detailed reports
for the rest who didn't go there. And I could smell his after
shave.............
Cliff wanted to eat Korean traditional food for the dinner
next day(Oct. 16), that the sponsor arranged a Korean restaurant
in the Walker Hill. They took bool-go-gie and Korean roast
beef pretty much. They all seemed to enjoy it a lot. Cliff
drank a couple of sakei(Japanese alcohol) though he does not
drink much. One girl serving at the other side of the restaurant
noticed Cliff when he was going to leave by a reserved bus.
She came running to him bare foot before having a minute to
wear her shoes.
The sponsor was paying the bill for that dinner. Cliff paid
for it saying "You are paid for salary. But I make good
money for the concerts that let me pay this. You can spend
that money with the staff after the concerts." After
he left, we were treated and fed so well by them. Thanks to
Cliff!!
On his third day in Seoul(Oct. 17), he wanted to go out of
the city and see the country sides, but considering his schedule,
we took him to the Secret Garden. He said it was impressive
and beautiful and some places look like his own garden.
On his fourth day in Seoul(Oct. 18), we held a party as his
29th birthday party as well as a reception for his fan club
members. Ki-young Chang, founder of the Hankook Ilbo took
part in this party to see him: wondering who is that popular
guy occupying the hearts of all teen age girls in Korea.
CFC gave him some presents, ie. Korean traditional costumes,
and Korean style case for the glasses, and a badge of CFC
made of gold. He thanked for this reception and gifts from
his fans. David Bryce looked after him so perfectly. When
the fans rush to him, he blocks them away from him yelling
and shouting. On the other hand, Cliff was joking and playing
with his fans withsmile in his face.
One of the highlights of that day was Korean traditional dance
supposed to be performed by the club members. But they didn't
show up until the party was almost over. At that time, all
the girls' high schools in Seoul were in alert as per his
visit, they all announced that week of his visit to have the
mid-term exams. They tried to keep the girls away from his
concerts. Some schools sent the teachers to the airport to
supervise the students on Oct. 15. And one school whose most
of the students were his fans didn't release them until it
was dark. The 5 performers were attending at this school and
couldn't make it any earlier. They finally escaped from the
school and joined the party in vain as it was too late....
I was told they paid for this brave break next day.
He had very tight schedule during his stay, but he made a
chance to visit the Salvation Army located behind the Ducksoo
Palace and donated some amount of money. He shopped mostly
in the Bando Arcade, which is inside the hotel accomodation.
He didn't forget to comment the followings to CFC: I have
known that Korea may not be a big market for me. But I am
glad to find out there are a lot of my fans here. I would
expect your continuous support very much. He never showed
a sign of being tired at all. He was such a caring person
by birth dearly.
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Cliff's 4 nights and 5 days' stay in Seoul, Korea 
