[PHILIPPINES] APRIL, NOIR and NCT DREAM Get Friendly With The Press Ahead of the 2019 KPOP Friendship Concert in Manila

7th March 2019 marked the day Filipinos and South Koreans commemorated the 70th year since the diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and South Korea was established. To celebrate, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines organised the 2019 KPOP Friendship Concert in Manila featuring performances from Korean idol groups APRIL, NOIR and NCT Dream as well as from OPM band Silent Sanctuary at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In the press conference prior to the concert, the Korean idol groups presented themselves to the media and answered a few questions. All three of the groups said they felt happy and honored to be part of the celebration.

APRIL members Chaekyung, Chaewon, Naeun, Yena, Rachel, and Jinsol were the first to greet the media. Despite it being their first time in the Philippines, they seem to have immersed themselves a bit with the Filipino culture, greeting the cameras with a lively “Mabuhay! Kamusta?” (Hello! How are you?).

In the interview, the girls admitted they have no definite plans yet after the release of the Japanese version of their b-side track ‘Oh-Eh-Oh’ for their comeback in Japan last December 2018 but said that people can expect a lot from them this year as they have some projects ahead.

One of the members, Naeun, was recently involved in an SBS coming-of-age drama called ‘Hip Hop King—Nassna Street’  alongside Hoya, Cross Gene’s Shin Wonho, and Korean-Nigerian model Han Hyun Min. When asked of her future ventures, she and fellow member Rachel said they want to guest in entertainment or variety shows individually and as a group.

APRIL debuted in 2015 under DSP Media, the same year Twice, iKON and DAY6 had their debut. They released their debut mini-album ‘Dreaming’ and its title track ‘Dream Candy.’ Having been in the industry for almost five years now, Jinsol said their biggest dream as a group is for people to enjoy their music.

APRIL ended their talk by asking their fans called Fineapple to continue to support them.

Next to grace the venue was the hip boy groupNOIR who debuted just last year under LUK Factory. Members Seunghoon, Yeonkuk, Junyong, Yunsung, Siheon, Hoyeon, Siha, Minhyuk, and Daewon have previously been in the Philippines for their first fan meeting in Manila held at the Manila Hotel on December 21st last year. The boys said they’re happy to be back in Manila and were looking forward to seeing their Filipino fans again.

NOIR revealed their fandom name earlier this year when the music video of their song ‘Airplane Mode’ surpassed one million views. Yeonkuk, who, along with fellow members Yunsung and  Hoyeon, appeared on Mnet’s Produce 101 Season 2, explained that they chose their fandom name ‘Lumiere’ which means ‘light’ in French because their fans are their light.

The nine-member boy group is known for its charismatic and powerful concepts. When asked what would be their new concept for their next comeback, Hoyeon said they would like to try out a powerful and sexy concept. His members nodded in agreement.

To end, Daewon initiated a display of warm love to the media (and in spirit, to the fans!) and said “mahal kita” which means “I love you” in English. The rest of NOIR then showed finger hearts to everyone in the room.

The last group to enter the press conference was NCT Dream. More commonly called by their fans as the Dreamies, Huang Renjun, Lee Jeno, Na Jaemin, Zhong Chenle, and Park Jisung greeted the media with NCT’s famous group greeting “To the world! This is NCT!”.

It’s also the Dreamies’ first time in the country. Jaemin proceeded to tell everyone the warm and friendly treatment they received when they ate at a Filipino restaurant a while ago just after they arrived.

NCT Dream is the third sub-unit of SMTown  Entertainment’s newest boy group NCT. They debuted in 2016 with their hit song ‘Chewing Gum’ after the debut of NCT’s first two sub-units NCT U and NCT 127. The Dreamies initially debuted with a dreamy and youthful concept and also incorporated a sporty concept in their latest comeback ‘We Go Up.’ Renjun said they got their inspiration from the ‘dream of youth’ concept. Meanwhile, in the interview, Jeno said they now want to try out a sexier concept. His remark received a collective shock and laughter from everyone in the room, even from his group members.

The group’s dance choreographies are known to be very intricate. When asked which ones are their favorites and which ones are the most challenging to perform, Chenle said they like all of their dance moves, but ‘We Go Up’ is their favorite song to dance to. Jisung then said that what makes them distinct themselves from other groups is that they have their own style; it’s their specialty as a unit.

The press conference ended with NCT Dream saying they’re excited to meet the Filipino NCTzens tonight and telling everyone to enjoy the performances later.  

This year has been named the “Year of Mutual Exchange Between South Korea and the Philippines.” The performances of APRIL, NOIR, and NCT Dream that night the 2019 KPOP Friendship Concert In Manila surely turned out to be a real treat to all Filipino Hallyu fans celebrating the event.

We would like to thank Pulp Live World for letting us cover this event. See more photos HERE.

Written by: Amira
Photos by: Claud

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