Angelino AF (Asian Flavor)

Last night, I went out to see Les Misérables at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. It was my second time watching a musical at that magnificent venue, and it never fails to impress. The show started at 8 PM, but I arrived two hours early so I could take a stroll along Hollywood Boulevard.

The Pantages is located right on the world-famous Walk of Fame, so there’s always plenty to take in—tourists bustling about, food vendors, souvenir shops, bars, and all kinds of quirky stores. With time to kill, I grabbed an overpriced burger from Shake Shack (because, why not?).

Afterward, I made a quick stop at Amoeba Music, just to soak in that nostalgic atmosphere. There’s something timeless about flipping through CD racks—it takes me back to the days when music wasn’t just streamed, but held in your hands. Don’t get me wrong—I still buy CDs and tapes even now, and I have a reliable player for these almost-forgotten gems.

After leaving Amoeba, I decided to head into the Pantages Theatre. I still had about 45 minutes before the show started, but figured it was better to go in early—mainly because walking along the Walk of Fame felt like it could get me high. The smell of weed was everywhere, thick in the air. Honestly, just breathing in all that secondhand smoke felt like it could alter your state of mind.

Besides, I’ve always loved taking in the theater’s stunning interior. It’s like stepping into another era. I couldn’t help but imagine what it must’ve been like back in the day, when people dressed to the nines for a night at the theater—surrounded by all that grandeur and old Hollywood opulence.

Of course, I’d been listening to the Les Misérables soundtrack nonstop for the past two weeks. That’s something I always do before seeing a musical. Personally, I find it hard to catch all the lyrics when they’re being sung live. So, getting familiar with the songs ahead of time really helps me follow the story and fully appreciate the performance.

Okay, I’m not about to write a full review of the musical—that’s a bit too much work. But overall, Les Misérables is absolutely a must-watch. One character, in particular, really struck me and moved me to tears: Éponine. I was literally crying the entire time during her death scene. Her story, her voice, her longing—it just hit me hard.

Of course, the actress who played Éponine was incredible—but what really got to me was the character herself. Éponine is the third wheel in the love story between Cosette and Marius. She’s madly in love with Marius, her friend, but keeps it all to herself. Her love is quiet, unreciprocated, and unwavering. She even follows him into battle, just to be near him. And in the end, she confesses her love as she dies in his arms.

Les Misérables is filled with injustice, and one of the most painful ones is about love. I cried because I’ve been there—more than once. Falling in love with a friend, holding it in, or worse, having them know but still only seeing you as “just a friend”—it’s a kind of heartbreak that cuts deep. Éponine’s story hit far too close to home.

So that’s how I spent my Saturday night, October 18—and I have to say, it was time well spent. Next month, on November 14, I’ll be treating myself to Moulin Rouge as a birthday gift. Can’t wait!