K-Pop singer Sunghak does ‘Anak’ in Manila concert
Filipino K-pop fans were lucky to get up close and personal with K-pop groups U-Kiss, Big Star, M.Pire, 4L and dance group Winners Crew in KNation Music Showcase 2014 in SMX Convention Center on October 5.
Prior the concert, the groups had a mini fan meeting, where some lucky fans had a chance to give gifts and take photos with their K-pop idols.
Local groups also covered K-pop hits before Winners crew officially kicked off the concert. The Korean dance group wowed fans with their breakdancing and showcased their powerful choreography to popular K-pop songs such as EXO’s “Growl,” Sistar’s “Touch My Body” and Hyuna’s “Red.”
4L: thrilled by PH fan base
Rookie group Four Ladies (4L) were thrilled to know that they already had a fan base in the Philippines even if they have just debuted two months ago.
The group performed their debut single “Move,” the music video of which has generated a lot of attention because of its sexy content. 4L members Chany, Jayoung, J-Na and Yeseul also performed Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” Big Bang’s “Sunset Glow” and Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor.”
“We didn’t expect that many will be coming to the fan meet. So we were all happy to see the fans. We like to come back here again,” 4L members said.
M.Pire: happy to be here for the second time
M.Pire members Taehee, Lumin, Yooseung, Haru, T.O. and Jerry were happy to visit Manila for the second time.
It was the first time for Chinese member Red to visit the country, as he was not able to go with the group last July.
They performed “I’m Better,” “On My Mind,” “We Can’t Be Friends” and “Not That Kind of Person.”
Big Star: the PH connection
Hip-hop group Big Star members Feeldog, Baram, Raehwan, Sunghak and Jude not only entertained their fans with their performances, but also with their fun and charming personalities.
Some members also showed their connection to the Philippines. “This is like coming to our second home. I’m very happy to meet you guys,” said Raehwan, who used to study English in the Philippines.
After performing “Hotboy,” the members showed their individual skills. Raehwan sang Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” while Jude sang Justin’s “Die In Your Arms.” Baram and Feeldog impressed their fans with their freestyle rap and beatbox, respectively; while Sunghak sang Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak.”
Sunghak’s dad used to listen to ‘Anak’
The fans, who were mostly in their teens, also sang along.
“My father used to listen to this when I was young,” Sunghak said of the 1978 classic song.
Aside from Filipino song “Anak,” Sunghak also loves local mangoes. The boys kept on cheering “mangga” while onstage.
“It’s my first time to come here. I really love the mangoes. I’m really happy that I can eat a lot of mangoes,” Sunghak added.
Birthday cake
Baram also celebrated his birthday early as their local fan group gave him a birthday cake on stage.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m happy to come here to the Philippines. Thank you for cheering us on,” Baram said.
It was obvious K-Pop fever hasn’t lost its charm as evidenced by the support of Filipino fans. Thus, all the K-Pop groups at the KNation event expressed their desire to return to the Philippines.
Big Star wants to return
“This is my first time in the Philippines, I’m very excited. We’ve always wanted to come to the Philippines to perform. If given the chance, we hope to come again,” Big Star’s Jude said.
Feeldog added, “Although it’s so sad that Big Star is coming back to Korea tomorrow, Big Star will come back again.”
Big Star performed “Think,” “Be Brave,” and “Run & Run.”
U-Kiss: PH will always be special
The Philippines will always have a special spot for U-Kiss, who held their first ever concert in Manila.
“I’m so happy to meet Kiss Mes after (almost) two years. When we come back to the Philippines, we want to have a fan meeting or a concert,” U-Kiss’s Kiseop said.
The other members—Kevin, Eli, Kiseop, Hoon and Soohyun—introduced their newest member Jun, who is a first-time Manila visitor.
“II will never forget today,” Jun said. “Thank you to our Korean fans for supporting us all the way to the Philippines.”
Another concert
U-Kiss, who has performed at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia concert grounds, wants to do another concert.
“We like to have a concert in a bigger venue when we come back to the Philippines,” Soohyun said.
U-Kiss performed “Stop Girl,” “Standing Still,” “Hana,” “Come Back to Me,” “She’s Mine,” “Neverland” and “Man Man Ha Ni.”
