On the 1st of October 2022, ‘The Star Theatre’ at ‘Star Vista’ hosted (G)I-DLE as 4000 fans, aka Neverland, waited eagerly as early as the afternoon. If you are just a passerby, you would be confused why people are giving out free banners. To enlighten you, this is a usual practice for K-POP concerts, whereby fan clubs would print out many banners to give to the fans before they enter the concert. (G)I-DLE fan clubs aren’t holding back this time round, too, especially since they know that this concert would have meant a lot since the lion city is their last and final stop for their “Just Me ( )I-dle World Tour”.Screams filled the entire room as the idols began the night with “Oh My God.” Neverland in Singapore was in for a treat, as this is the first time all the girls appear in blond (as part of their comeback for their 5th mini album, ‘I Love’). The performance was followed by “VILLAIN DIES” and “LATATA.”  Cheers continued filling the entire room when the idols performed “LATATA” since this was their debut song. After the 3 songs, the girls greeted Neverland, with Yuqi and Shuhua doing it in mandarin too. All eyes were on them as Neverland got to see the girls in their new appearance clearer, and trust me when I say this, they look drop-dead gorgeous. During the intermission, Soyeon mentioned that this concert in Singapore is significant since it’s the last city of their world tour. The performance then moved to the next segment, with “Moon”, “Already”, and “HWAA”. At this point in time, the concert has already reached the halfway mark unknowingly. The girls went backstage to change into their third outfit while the 2nd VCR played. Familiar music can be heard as the girls returned with their changed outfits and performed “LION”, which the fans cheered loudly. Isn’t this the most appropriate song to serve in the lion city? (Imagine if they’ve changed the lyrics to “I’m a queen like a merlion”). After this strong performance, they switched things up to a rock concept song, “LIAR”. The performance got elevated to the next level when the girls requested the audience to stand up while they performed “Never Stop Me”. The standing ovation continued with the girls performing “Uh-Oh”.Before moving to the next song, the idols taught Neverland the hand choreography for “My Bag”. As they performed the song, Neverland didn’t disappoint and made the hand motion as soon as the chorus hits. This song was followed by “POP/STARS.” Afterwards, the girls took a turn expressing their thoughts about the concert since it was coming to an end soon. Below is what the girls said about the show. 

Miyeon: Dreams Come True 

Soyeon: Cool 

Shuhua: Love 

Minnie: H-O-T HOT 

Yuqi: Nude (low-key teasing the fans on their upcoming comeback again)

With the crowd chanting encore, the girls returned with "i'M THE TREND". The backdrop was done beautifully for this segment as well. Before their last song, the idols thanked the fans again and mentioned that Singapore holds special memories for them, as this was the first country they've visited to prepare for their debut, and now the same city will be the one that's wrapping up their World Tour. With this, they promised the fans that they'll be back soon. They concluded the concert with "Escape" and thanked the fans again. The show ended with a group picture. While I enjoyed the whole concert, the location was a pity, and hopefully (G)I-DLE can hold the show at an indoor stadium instead. With a small stage, the girl group performed the whole concert w/o any backup dancers. The stage presence was thus lacking a bit since the 5 girls alone couldn’t fill the stage. And given the restraints of the star theatre, the performance and choreography become limited. (You can compare this performance with that of Seoul’s).

Exhilarating, unforgettable, awestruck, electrifying, heart-warming, and appreciated. These are words described by some of the over 9,000 concert goers at the CUCKOO Appreci8th Anniversary Concert at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, organised by CUCKOO International (MAL) Sdn Bhd (CUCKOO International), Malaysia’s leading Healthy Home Creator. The over 4-hour dynamic concert celebrates the company’s eight anniversary with an amazing line-up of local artists performances, special appearances by CUCKOO Brand Ambassadors, Lee Minho and Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, product launch, and exciting announcements. Highlighting the concert’s ‘Appreci8th’ theme and the company’s plan moving forward, CUCKOO International founder & CEO, Mr. KC Hoe (Hoe Kian Choon) said, “today’s celebration is for you – CUCKOO Family, customers and fans. Because of you, we are able to grow from just a healthy appliance brand to be one of Malaysia’s leading Healthy Home Creator serving over 1.5 million Malaysians and over 5 million Malaysian household users; because of you, we have achieved a 97% customer satisfaction rate in a recent independent survey done. 

((G)I-DLE performed their first-ever concert in Malaysia on September 8 at Zepp, Kuala Lumpur, as part of their first world tour, "JUST ME ()I-DLE," which began in Seoul in June. Thousands of fans waited in line early in the morning to get the best view of the girls in the sold-out show. 

"Oh My God, Kuala Lumpur! It was (you all are) the best group I have ever had!" said Yuqi. 

South Korean superstar RAIN was in town for Betadia Night 2022, a one-night-only free concert held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on 27 August - together with our local acts Jess Lee and Andrew Tan. Despite the wet weather, many fans came to the venue to support the artists and walked home with goodie bags and lucky draw prizes worth RM25,000. 

Betadia Night begins with an eye-opening LED light show, followed by RAIN's performances. RAIN delivered sensational headline sets such as 'GANG', 'Hip Song', 'How to avoid the sun', 'LA Song' and 'Rainism' - showing off intense performances throughout the night. 

Betadia Night 2022 is organised by Betadia Malaysia, a digital insurance provider established in 2020 with mission to provide customers with high-quality, reliable, diversified investment plans that can strengthen long-term returns. At the event, Betadia announced the upcoming launch of 'B BOTS', a new cryptocurrency trading service that is equipped with AI technology. It can automate investors' cryptocurrency transactions as it saves investors' time while protecting their principal, and allows investors to achieve their investment goals. Investors who are interested to engage 'B BOTS' services have to register an account with Betadia and the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance before making subsequent transactions. For more details, visit Betadia's official website or Facebook.

 BLACKPINK “The Virtual” concert, the first ever in-game concert by PUBG Mobile event in Petaling Jaya Performance Art Centre (PJPAC), 1 Utama organised by FIGHT ESPORTS was a hit! Enthusiastic BLINKS and Kpop fans have gathered to watch the forever showstopper female quartet. 

After a long wait of three years, NCT 127 finally performed a full-fledged concert in our sunny island last weekend for their NCT 127 2ND TOUR NEO CITY: Singapore - THE LINK at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The concert officially kicked off with the group performing to ‘Kick it,' a song that paved the high energy and vibes for the night, fans were screaming enthusiastically while waving with their official lightsticks.

Without a moment of delay, the group kept the energy high with hits ‘Lemonade’ and ‘Simon Says’. The group also performed pop tracks ‘Elevator’, ‘Dreamer’, and ‘Love Song’ before members of the group have the opportunity to perform for the fans on their solo stage.

The first member, Taeil, took the solo stage first with his song "Another World," and his euphonious voice undoubtedly touched the hearts of the audience. The following member Haechan immediately joined Taeil for their subsequent duet song ‘Love Sign’, a song that highlights their perfect vocal abilities.
Members of the group Jaehyun and Doyoung both mesmerized the fans with their solo songs ‘Lost’ and 'The Reason Why It’s My Favorite’. The energetic dance performance by Taeyong and Mark to "The Himalayas" upped the energy of the event while Taeyong then continued a solo performance to 'Moonlight,' stripping his top off, fans were definitely in for a treat that night. Both Jungwoo and Johnny displayed a polished dance routine that featured incredible hip moves and body waves.
The group kept the audience captivated with the songs 'The Rainy Night,' 'White Night,' and 'Back 2 U,' where each member had a chance to display their stunning vocals in harmony with one another.

The group played hits like ‘Favorite,’ 'Bring The Noize,’ ‘Love On The Floor,’ ‘Cherry Bomb,’ and ‘Sticker’ as the show came to a close. The final few songs were delivered magnificently and astoundingly in a setting that couldn't have been more perfect.

The group spoke briefly to the fans, telling them how glad they were to be in Singapore and how much they loved our crabs. The members and fans surprised Taeyong with a Happy Birthday song, and he undoubtedly felt their affection that evening.

Before calling the ideal evening to a close, the group sang their final songs, 'Dreams Come True' and 'Promise You,' in which they expressed their gratitude for all of the love and support they have received over the years and their promise to return to Singapore soon.

Article by: Nigel
Photo Credits: ONE Production Singapore

Park Eun Bin: Even if the idea of a woman becoming king started from one’s imagination, I thought it was my responsibility as an actor to make the character believable. Rather than drawing a straight line between Hwi as a man and Hwi as a woman, I felt it was more important to make Hwi convincing as a person. So I’m trying not to pretend to be a guy, but to show how natural it was for Hwi to grow up as a man. I’m also trying to give off a genderless vibe. It’s very important for the narrative that no matter how hard she tries, she can’t hide her feminine qualities and that this leads to suspicion and danger. I hope that the audience will not focus on whether she’s a guy or a girl, but just naturally embrace ‘Hwi with this side to her, and also that side’. My hope is that me on-screen would really come across as ‘Hwi’ to the viewers.

Rising K-POP girl group, Bling Bling draw attention from worldwide fans with their catchy hits and unique vocals since debut last year. The group composed of Korean members Cha Ju Hyun, Yubin, Narin, Choi Ji Eun and Japanese members Ayamy and Marin - where each member delivers brightness and healthy energy in their way as Bling Bling. 

Recently, the group returned with their first mini-album 'CONTRAST', which features the title track 'Oh MAMA', side track ‘Milkshake’, as well as their two previous releases ‘G.G.B’ and ‘LA LA LA’. Fresh off the release of the group's new mini-album, GOKPOP had the chance to speak with Bling Bling via a written interview about their rising popularity, the album and their journey to debut as the member of Bling Bling.

Q: Bling Bling has garnered lots of love and support from overseas fans since debut last November, how do you feel receiving such good responses?

A: We heard that many international fans are cheering for us and we saw the supporting messages through comments as well. Can't believe there are so many people cheering for us from afar, we're really grateful for that. 

Q: Tell us more about your first mini album 'CONTRAST' and 'Oh MAMA'.

A: Our first mini album 'CONTRAST' is an album that shows the contrasting sides of Bling Bling - both chic and cool, as well as our lovely charms. Our title track 'Oh MAMA' tells about a cool person who fell in love and found themselves not being able to hold back their feelings. It's a track that used exclamation 'Oh MAMA' to express their feelings in a fun way. 

Q: Any behind-the-stories you would like to share while promoting for this comeback?

A: Through this album promotion, we had the chance to meet the fans in person for the first time through fan meeting and fan signing event. We have been meeting the fans online but this time, we really had a great time meeting the fans directly. Hope we'll have more opportunity to meet the fans in person. 

Q: Tell us your journey debut as Bling Bling. 

A: For Korean members, we joined the company through audition, went through trainee life and made our debut. For Japanese members Marin and Ayamy, both of them were students at a dance academy where they got the chance to audition in our company through the introduction of their dance instructor. And after that, they came to Korea and started their trainee life and made their debut. 

Q: What was the first thing you wanted to do after debut?

A: We wanted to perform in front of our fans. We were sad on the fact that we couldn't perform during our debut album promotion but this time, we're happy that we get meet the fans in person through the fan meeting and fan signing event. 

Q: What's next for Bling Bling? Any exciting lineup in the 2nd half of 2021?

After this promotion, we are planning to comeback with a new album this year. We'll be back with a different concept so please look forward to it!

Q: Any message to fans in Malaysia?

Fans in Malaysia! Thank you so much for supporting us from afar. We'll keep working hard until the day we can meet. Please keep support and wait for us. Thank you. 

Check out Bling Bling's Greetings to Malaysian fans:

Check out Bling Bling's Oh MAMA MV: