Choi Siwon: Army? Nothing’s decided yet

Displaying their easy camaraderie, Dante shot back, “Everyone here (at the press conference) is my witness, so you’ll have to keep to your word!” The acclaimed director continued, “I’m fortunate to have found both Eddie (Peng) and Siwon, because I’ll never have to look for male leads for my future movies!”

Eddie, who previously disclosed that he enjoys calling Siwon ‘oppa’ (an affectionate term used by females for older brothers, boyfriends or close male friends), was unfortunately unable to be in Singapore as he was engaged in promotional activities elsewhere.

The movie, which revolves around competitive cycling, also stars Chinese actor Shawn Dou and is currently on a whirlwind Asia promotional tour. Prior to arriving in Singapore, the cast was in Hong Kong and Taiwan for a day each, with the schedule seeing them jetting off an average of 24 hours after touching down.

This schedule, however, is nothing compared to when they were filming for the movie, which was shot in various locations including Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and even the Tengger Desert. With tensions running high while filming in the desert, Siwon shared that the male leads’ horsing around drove their director up the wall at times.

“There was this scene where we were supposed to be peeing, so we had water bottles near our crotch areas and we found it so funny that we were swaying all over instead of filming properly,” he laughed. “But we really weren’t allowed to do any big business while we were there so I ate really little every day – we’d be doomed if we had any more,” he continued.

That must have been no easy task for the foodie, who declared that “everything is my favourite” during a meet-the-fans session held shortly after the media sessions ended. Pairing up with a blindfolded audience member, Dante and Siwon personally fed them dishes from countries featured in the movie.

While his gentlemanly actions of wiping the fan’s mouth (to the screaming of the 800-strong crowd) and putting his arm around her shoulders while waiting for their turn made the other fans present green with envy, he ended up causing her to spurt bubble tea all over the front of her shirt while attempting to get her to drink it.

“I would clean it for you but that place (her chest) is a little…”, he declared in mock horror. While she cleaned herself up, he continued tickling the crowd pink with, “I really can’t look at this right now,” covering his eyes while continuing to apologise for his boo boo.

While he may not have managed to leave town without leaving a mark – literally – the entertainer’s endearing presence will be sorely missed when he heads off to the army. He did, however, make a pledge to make his return and go shirtless on a beach if To the Fore does well at the local box office. Fans, you know what to do.

L-R: Choi Siwon, Dante Lam

L-R: Dante Lam, Choi Siwon

L-R: Dante Lam, Choi Siwon