19 bands. 5 hours. A whooping truckload of screaming fans. The Kimchi Times brings you highlights of the biggest overseas Hallyu concert this year, Korean Music Wave, direct from Bangkok!
Photos and Text By CHERYL ONG
Wednesday, 23 March, 2011
1) The Stage DesignThe intricate stage design was a mind-blowing sight to behold, resplendent with fluorescent light bulbs and giant triangular-shaped LCD screens crowning a rainbow-colored gargantuan stage. The main stage was also flanked by two sub-stages with behemothic screens at both sides, a kaleidoscope of psychedelic colors and lights. The light-bulb-rimmed, high-definition screens extending skywards and reminiscent of nautical flags on a maritime fleet was the perfect moving backdrop for the five-hour concert. Think moving backgrounds of bubble fonts and animated graphics dancing ballerina-style across the screen.
2) The Most Grand Entrance – TVXQ
One of the most highly-anticipated acts for the day, TVXQ made their entrance amidst fountains of dazzling fireworks and billowing clouds of smoke erupting skywards like shooting stars. They brought the atmosphere to a peak-high as they belted out hits such as “Keep Your Head Down”, “How Can I” and “Maximum” from their latest comeback album. TVXQ, which now consists of two members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, delivered a convincing performance with their charismatic dance moves and solid stage presence. The Hallyu concert was TVXQ’s first public performance in over three years.
3) The Most Sky-high Entrance – Son Dam Bi
Sexy queen Son Dam Bi made her entrance on a silver pole sky-high above ground level to the sound of audible gasps from the audience. Posing with the look of an icy princess, if the height fazed her, she sure didn’t show it.
Sexy queen Son Dam Bi made her entrance on a silver pole sky-high above ground level to the sound of audible gasps from the audience. Posing with the look of an icy princess, if the height fazed her, she sure didn’t show it.
4) The Most Romantic Moment – GaKwon
Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-In and 2AM’s Jo Kwon displayed their explosive chemistry on stage while singing a duet “We Fell in Love” amidst the cacophony of screaming fans. The adorable duo, affectionately known as GaKwon, got close while filming on MBC’s popular reality show “We Got Married” where they had to live as husband and wife under the same roof. Nicknamed “Adam Couple”, the make-believe couple won the People’s Choice “Best Couple Award”, against other strong contenders on the show like YongSeo (CN Blue’s Yonghwa and SNSD’s Seohyun) and Khuntoria (2PM’s Nichkhun and f(x)’s Victoria).
Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-In and 2AM’s Jo Kwon displayed their explosive chemistry on stage while singing a duet “We Fell in Love” amidst the cacophony of screaming fans. The adorable duo, affectionately known as GaKwon, got close while filming on MBC’s popular reality show “We Got Married” where they had to live as husband and wife under the same roof. Nicknamed “Adam Couple”, the make-believe couple won the People’s Choice “Best Couple Award”, against other strong contenders on the show like YongSeo (CN Blue’s Yonghwa and SNSD’s Seohyun) and Khuntoria (2PM’s Nichkhun and f(x)’s Victoria).
(5) The CrowdTouted to be the biggest South Korean pop concert to be held outside Korea this year, a mind-numbingly 50,000 fans (both local and international) jam-packed Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium to witness the stellar performances of 19 South Korean idol groups. The only downside was the strict security staff who constantly ensured that fans remained seated throughout the concert. They were only outnumbered by the closing performances of Girls’ Generation, when overzealous fans clambered up their seats and waved their mini-flags and light-sticks to hits such as “Oh!”, “Gee” and “Hoot”.
(6) The Fans
Pre-concert, you can find every kind of idol paraphernalia imaginable - from customized light sticks, fans, clothing to huge banners and glossy paper carriers – going for sale. Fan dedication of Korean idol groups can prove overwhelming, especially in Thailand where Korean pop is a kimchi-hot commodity these days. Girls Generation fans take the lead, with their hardcore determination and stamina.
Pre-concert, you can find every kind of idol paraphernalia imaginable - from customized light sticks, fans, clothing to huge banners and glossy paper carriers – going for sale. Fan dedication of Korean idol groups can prove overwhelming, especially in Thailand where Korean pop is a kimchi-hot commodity these days. Girls Generation fans take the lead, with their hardcore determination and stamina.
(Photo Credits: Soshifanclub and 98 Degrees)
The SoShi Fanclub, SNSD's fanclub in Thailand, wanted to surprise their idols by presenting a pink ocean for them. SoShi members started distributing pink glow-sticks to the crowd before the start of the concert, hoping to surprise SNSD with a “pink ocean” when they came on stage to perform. SNSD is often referred to as SoShi and the Korean equivalent is 소시 hence Thai SONEs (term referring to SNSD’s fans) wanted to avail of their yellow light-sabers to form the words 소시 amidst a wave of pink ocean.
(7) The Walk of Fame
Located just outside the concert venue was the “Walk of Fame”, a huge alfresco area sheltered by a white canvas tent. Giant cardboard cut-outs meander the walkway as trigger-happy fans happily pose for photos. Gigantic cardboard posters for performing artistes such as CN Blue and Brown Eyed Girls provided an avenue for fans to scribble their heartfelt dedications to their favorite biases (a term in K-pop fandom to describe one’s preferred celebrities).
Located just outside the concert venue was the “Walk of Fame”, a huge alfresco area sheltered by a white canvas tent. Giant cardboard cut-outs meander the walkway as trigger-happy fans happily pose for photos. Gigantic cardboard posters for performing artistes such as CN Blue and Brown Eyed Girls provided an avenue for fans to scribble their heartfelt dedications to their favorite biases (a term in K-pop fandom to describe one’s preferred celebrities).
(8) The Hosts – Tiffany and Yuri (SNSD) and Nichkhun (2PM)
The hosts for the concert, Tiffany and Yuri from kimchi-hot girl group Girls Generation together with 2PM’s Thai Prince Nichkhun made the perfect hosts for the grand event. Nichkhun, who is half-Thai and half-Chinese, taught his co-hosts how to speak simple Thai. Their efforts yielded results, with fans screaming at eardrum-perforating decibels to show their euphoric appreciation.
The hosts for the concert, Tiffany and Yuri from kimchi-hot girl group Girls Generation together with 2PM’s Thai Prince Nichkhun made the perfect hosts for the grand event. Nichkhun, who is half-Thai and half-Chinese, taught his co-hosts how to speak simple Thai. Their efforts yielded results, with fans screaming at eardrum-perforating decibels to show their euphoric appreciation.
(9) The Most Lackluster Performance – Wonder Girls
Given their successful foray into the US market (being the only Korean band to break into it) with their wonder hit “Nobody”, their performance was surprisingly forgettable – their dancing seemed rehearsed and their crooning of hackneyed tunes failed to get the audience excited. It didn’t help that Wonder Girls was sandwiched between two of the most popular K-pop bands, TVXQ and Girls Generation. After the dynamic performance of TVXQ, Wonder Girls hit a new low with a disinterested audience, whose attention only soared again after Girls Generation took to the stage with three of their chart-topping, catchy musical hits. To top it off, while other K-pop bands such as MBLAQ and 4 Minute belted out hits from their latest albums, Wonder Girls stuck to the same old routine. It’s time to move forward girls.
Given their successful foray into the US market (being the only Korean band to break into it) with their wonder hit “Nobody”, their performance was surprisingly forgettable – their dancing seemed rehearsed and their crooning of hackneyed tunes failed to get the audience excited. It didn’t help that Wonder Girls was sandwiched between two of the most popular K-pop bands, TVXQ and Girls Generation. After the dynamic performance of TVXQ, Wonder Girls hit a new low with a disinterested audience, whose attention only soared again after Girls Generation took to the stage with three of their chart-topping, catchy musical hits. To top it off, while other K-pop bands such as MBLAQ and 4 Minute belted out hits from their latest albums, Wonder Girls stuck to the same old routine. It’s time to move forward girls.
(10) The Fashion Parade
Elegant, sophisticated, cool, manly, cute, sexy. It seemed every fashion archetype could be found during the Hallyu concert. The conveyor belt of non-stop fashion parade made for a visual eye feast. Despite the strong competition, the baton-twirling girls from After School wins our votes with their marching band outfit ensemble which channels both sexy majorettes and giddy schoolgirl charms.
Elegant, sophisticated, cool, manly, cute, sexy. It seemed every fashion archetype could be found during the Hallyu concert. The conveyor belt of non-stop fashion parade made for a visual eye feast. Despite the strong competition, the baton-twirling girls from After School wins our votes with their marching band outfit ensemble which channels both sexy majorettes and giddy schoolgirl charms.
Stay tuned to Part II as we take a look at the different outfits of the various girl groups and boy bands performing during the Hallyu concert!
