It’s been weeks since j-hope’s HOPE ON THE STAGE in Manila — yet I still find myself stuck in a loop. I’ve been rewatching fancams, reading every fan review I can find, and reliving the moments I shared with my chingus. While the concert lifted my mood for days, what came after was a slump I was not prepared for.
After the rush of dopamine and endorphins wore off, I felt... empty. Most of the positive feelings associated with the concert faded, and no content aside from BTS’s could fill the void.
.png)
So when I heard that Jeanie Y. Chang, a Korean-American licensed therapist and fellow ARMY, was coming to the Philippines, I knew I needed to attend her event. I’ve been following her work for a while as Noona’s Noonchi. I’m confident she has the credentials and the heart to truly empathize with what K-stans are going through, offering guidance on how we can recover and navigate our feelings.
In addition to being a clinician, Jeanie is the Founder and CEO of Noona’s Noonchi® and Your Change Provider, PLLC®.
Photo by Erica Luna.
Presented by Hi Events PH, Jeanie’s fireside chat last April 27, 2025, felt like stepping into the “Magic Shop”. Surrounded by people who shared the same love for Korean entertainment, we were reminded that being a fan is not just for fun. The content that we consume can help us rediscover who we are, build stronger bonds with family and friends, and even be the catalyst for healing. With host Dr. Teresa Maria T. Ribaño, Jeanie shared in detail how K-content can help us improve our psychological well-being.
.jpg) |
| Jeanie’s insights and message were beautifully reinforced by the thoughtful guidance of host Dr. Tere Ribaño. Photo by Erica Luna. |
Naturally, I asked her a question that had been weighing on me:
How do we deal with post-concert depression or that sinking feeling when a favorite K-drama ends?
Here’s what Jeanie, a clinician, speaker, and coach, recommends:
1. Allow yourself some time to grieve. It’s okay to feel sad or depressed that the concert or K-drama ended.
2. Express your feelings to the right people. Find like-minded individuals who can relate to you, like a fellow ARMY or another K-series enthusiast.
3. Be proactive and not reactive. Find something to anticipate, and do not wait for it to come to you. Plan on going to a new concert, organize a watch party, or find a new show to indulge in. Anticipation is good for our mental health, so give yourself something to look forward to.
But more than the tips and tools, one thing stayed with me most: a Korean word Jeanie taught us that Sunday — jeong (정).
It means deep affection, attachment, and a sense of kinship. Jeong really hit home for me that afternoon, as I sat in a room filled with Hallyu fans who, like me, had been touched by a concert or a soul-soothing drama.
To me, jeong is the glue that unites us, Korean or not. It reminds me of the Filipino word pagkakabuklod-buklod — that quiet but powerful sense of togetherness. And just like Hobi’s “Ego,” trust yourself, and with jeong, we’ll always find our way to hope.
.jpg)
Learn more about Jeanie’s work on her website and check out her book, How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life, now available in the Philippines.