B.A.P's glorious comeback
Shaking off lawsuit woes and a long hiatus, K-pop boy band B.A.P reclaim their place on stage with an energetic, emotional concert in S'pore
An uncertain future gave way to a glorious return.
Until last November, K-pop boy band B.A.P had been on a near year-long hiatus after a lawsuit with their agency to terminate their contracts. The lawsuit cited unfair treatment and profit distribution.
However, more than 1,500 loyal fans, known as Babyz, proved last night that their passion for their "oppas" (an affectionate Korean term for older men) was as fiery as ever.
The sextet of Yongguk, 26, Himchan, 26, Daehyun, 22, Youngjae, 22, Jongup, 21, and Zelo, 19, returned to Singapore after two years for their B.A.P Live On Earth 2016 Awake!! world tour at The Star Performing Arts Theatre on Monday.
The two-hour adrenaline-packed concert was more than enough to remind any fan why they fell in love with B.A.P - the letters stand for Best Absolute Perfect - in the first place.
There were sleek dance moves, intense rapping and soulful vocals mixed with excellent high-end lighting production.
Not that all the noise came from the stage. The fan chants to every song, such as One Shot, No Mercy, Warrior and 1004, were deafening.
Regular K-pop concertgoer Cindy Leong, who attended K-pop boy band Got7's concert held last Friday at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, said she preferred the atmosphere at B.A.P's gig.
The 26-year-old, who works part-time in the food and beverage industry, told M: "The two concerts are so different in style and concept.
"But I feel that B.A.P's was more meaningful. It is the first tour after the lawsuit and they are doing their best to reassure the fans that they are happy now."
For B.A.P fan A'inunlhuda Othman, 25, the concert was worth the $259 ticket price.
The freelance designer said: "I was sitting in the fifth row from the front. I got sprayed with water by Himchan and was so close to getting one of the towels that he threw. The girl beside me got it instead."
She added: "It was a good reward for the fans who had been worried for the group during the hiatus. This is one of the best concerts I've ever been to."
For all the Babyz who could not witness B.A.P's comeback for themselves, here are five highlights from the show (to make you even more envious):
HIGH ENERGY
Himchan and Yongguk may have looked sullen during the public press conference held at City Square Mall on Sunday, but they were hyped up and all smiles throughout the concert. Yongguk head-banged and Himchan sprayed water from his water bottle and threw hand towels drenched in their sweat into the audience.
CLUB B.A.P
During the EDM (electronic dance music) remix of Hurricane, the boys turned the concert hall into a nightclub, with a live DJ, bright flashing lights and foam sprays. The fans were encouraged to get up from their seats and jump up and down.
LOST IN TRANSLATION
In an awkward moment, the fans sang a birthday song in Korean to Daehyun, only to switch to English midway because the rest of the members were singing in English.
WHAT A TEASE
Zelo teased everyone during his solo performance by hiding in the shadows and putting only his feet and hands in the spotlight, driving fans crazy.
His sexy dance moves to a remix of The Weeknd's Can't Feel My Face, Flo Rida's GDFR and Zayn Malik's Pillowtalk made the crowd go even wilder.
HAPPY ENDING
B.A.P dedicated With You to the fans for supporting them through the difficult times, which led to some fans tearing up during the emotional song.
At the end of the concert, Daehyun said in English: "We made you worry a lot, but you don't have to worry. We are very happy now."
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