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The 2019 K-pop friendship concert in Manila: An experience from a first-timer
When I went to Mall of Asia Arena to cover the 2019 K-pop Friendship Concert in Manila on March 7, I wasn’t a die-hard K-pop fan. I didn't bring light sticks with me or banners, and neither did I line up hours before the concert, unlike those around me, excitedly chanting.
But in the middle of the concert, I was surprised when I caught myself singing and chanting like the rest of the fanboys and fangirls! The whole experience sparked the change.
Getting to know the K-pop groups, up close
The concert was hosted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Korean Cultural Center. They wanted to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and the Philippines, and it kicked off with a press conference, which I was privileged to be a part of.
I’m sure it is every K-pop fan’s dream to be seated just a few meters away from their idols. Seated on the front row seats at the press conference for Girl group APRIL, and boy bands NOIR and NCT DREAM, I and my co-producer lived that exact dream.
The first group for the Q&A was APRIL who revealed that winning a music show award and developing a closer relationship with their fans are their biggest dreams.
Next in line was the nine-member NOIR, who shared the story behind their official fandom name. Lumiere which means ‘light’ in French, they say, is fitting for fans who light up their group.
When asked to share a message to their Filipino fans, NCT DREAM, which was arguably the most-anticipated act, said they loved our hospitality and service and are excited to meet their prettiest fans at the concert.
Learning about the friendship of two nations
What started with military assistance in March 1949 has now flourished into a deeper connection between Korea and the Philippines. In a span of seventy years, these two nations now have solid ties, as seen in our deep appreciation for their music, food, and culture.
And then there is also education. According to Victorino M. Manalo, NCCA Commissioner and Executive Director of the National Archives of the Philippines, Students from the Philippines are enjoying scholarships in Korean universities at present.
At the private Q&A with the VVIPs, Han Dong-Man, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, talked about their plans to streamline the Korean visa process to accommodate more Filipinos planning to travel to their country.
Before the music performances, an opening declaration of the harmonious cultural exchange between Korea and the Philippines was done with a symbolic throwing of paper airplanes of the ambassadors and the next generation of leaders of both nations.
In that moment, I felt a deeper connection that goes beyond the hallyu wave. It was heartwarming.
Finding a deeper connection through music
To introduce our Filipino culture, Philippines’ very own Silent Sanctuary opened the stage and performed a medley of their songs “Bumalik Ka Na Sa ‘Kin,” “Pasensya Ka Na,” “Sa ‘Yo,” and “Ikaw Lamang,” which my OPM-loving self sang along to.
For someone who grew up listening to foreign songs of the '70s to the '90s and someone who’s a fan of local indie music, I didn’t imagine myself dancing and singing along to Korean music at the concert.
But when the K-pop stage opened with NOIR’s “Airplane Mode,” the cheers that flew all across the MOA arena gave me goosebumps.
I had my first share of K-pop music in 2013 when I was assigned to manage a K-pop program fan page for a radio station I formerly worked at. I grew familiar to the K-pop songs and groups then, but when I left the job, I quickly and simply forgot the K-pop buzz.
But seeing live performances from NOIR, APRIL, and NCT DREAM through the KPop Friendship concert was a totally unforgettable experience.
NOIR gathered screams from the crowd as they completed their set with “Gangsta” and BTS’ “Boy in Luv.”
APRIL captured hearts with their cute performances of “Oh My Mistake,” “Tinkerbell,” and “April Story.”
NCT Dream, on the other hand, gathered the most cheers when they performed “Chewing Gum,” “Go,” “My First and Last,” and “We Go Up.” Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs, singing along.
The concert’s final song, “We Go Up” from NCT Dream was the first song I listened to after knowing I’ll be sent to cover the concert. After last night, I am sure that this song will be the first of the many K-pop songs I’ll be listening to… from now on.
Seeing the K-pop groups in flesh and witnessing the deeper connection between our country and theirs has made me a K-pop fangirl convert in a day. — LA, GMA News
