B1A4 and Girl's Day won't give up amid struggles
It's no secret that K-pop boy band B1A4 has legions of female fans.
That is perhaps why the five-member group said seeing "very healthy-looking male fans" at their performances was an unforgettable encounter.
Leader Jinyoung, 22, told M in an e-mail interview: "(They) sat in the first row during our concert in Australia! They all wore sprout hair bands and cheered for us, singing along."
He added: "We were very touched (seeing) all the people enjoying our songs together!"
The sprout hair band is a signature accessory that B1A4 fans wear to their concerts to support their idols. It features a fabric cutout of leaves attached to a typical plastic hair band.
B1A4, who debuted in 2011, consists of Jinyoung, CNU, 23, Sandeul, 22, Gongchan, 21, and Baro, 22.
The boyish-looking lads will be in Singapore for a two-hour performance on Nov 22 at the inaugural Kstar Fanfest.
Although the quintet has been to Singapore before, there are still many things that they hope to do here.
Gongchan said: "I heard (about) Jurong Bird Park on our last visit to Singapore, and it was sad that I couldn't go!
"The thought of seeing all kinds of birds at one of the world's largest bird parks really thrills me. I really want to go there (this time) if I have the chance."
TIRED
The group admits that having been on the K-pop scene for the past three years, busy schedules sometimes take a physical toll on them.
CNU said: "But there was never a time where I felt like giving up! I'm doing music that I want to do and just the fact that I can stand on the stage makes me thankful."
Sandeul agreed: "I always try to think positively. The joy I feel when the concert hall is filled with our voices and music is more than what I can express with words."
'It was hard watching others succeed'
GIRLY: (From left) Hyeri, Minah, Sojin and Yura, who make up K-pop girl group Girl’s Day. PHOTO: SPHERE EXHIBITS
Their chart-topping hit Something may have propelled sexy K-pop group Girl's Day to success in January this year, but their music journey has not always been smooth-sailing.
The group entered the K-pop scene in 2010, but saw changes in its line-up just two months after its debut.
Despite releasing a few tracks, they only gained prominence last year, when their songs Expectation and Female President did well on the music charts.
Minah, 21, told M in an e-mail interview that times were challenging when they were "unknown", especially while they had to watch fame find other girl groups in the competitive industry.
STAYING POSITIVE
But they focused on staying positive.
Sojin, 28, said: "I never thought of giving up.
"I thought that we will succeed too, if we work harder."
Members of Girl's Day said they have always counted on their diverse personalities to stand out from the sea of female K-pop groups.
Hyeri, 20, said: "We can be cute, we can be innocent, and we also can be sexy and more!"
Yura added: "We all have different personalities and yet we, as a team, emanate bright and happy energy."
The group will be performing a two-hour gig on Nov 21 at Kstar Fanfest 2014.
As it will be their first time in Singapore, they are looking forward to doing some sightseeing, if time permits.
Sojin said: "I want to tour the city. I heard that Singapore has very nice places to visit."
Hyeri added: "It's my first time visiting Singapore so I am quite nervous. Please come watch our show!"
FYI
WHAT: Kstar Fanfest 2014
VENUE: Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre Hall C
WHEN: Nov 21-22, 7pm
Tickets: $238, $198 and $168 for each day from sistic.com.sg or kstarfanfest.com
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