That annoying earworm of a song “Nobody” only signaled what has long been happening: Korean madness. It’s true, anywhere you go, there the Koreans are.
And with their unmistakable sense of style, they are especially hard to miss. They're coming here faster than you can say kimchi, and they’re bringing in a kind of look more unique than unique.
Last weekend saw another super demonstration of Korean Madness in the form of a Super Junior concert. It’s the Korean act’s first visit in the Philippines, their final stop in their Asian Tour. And as expected, all the girls went shrilling and screaming. Fans were at Araneta Coliseum as early as 8am—a good 11 hours before the show—on gig day, Saturday, just to queue up.
You ask yourself—and we do, too—what in the world is going on here? It’s a bit insane, this Korean madness. Hence, an explainer. Feel free to use these, too, as conversation pieces with any of your cute college crushes.
How exactly did this whole Korean madness start?
Years ago, after the Philippines' infatuation over F4 and Meteor Garden, there came the Koreanovela— kind of like Mexican telenovelas only with more animated characters. Titles like Winter Sonata, Boys Over Flowers, and Lovers in Paris became popular enough to make girls' hearts melt left and right and rack up the numbers in the ratings game, and as in the case of Lovers in Paris, even have a local remake.
Around the same time, a young Sandara Park took local showbiz by storm with her LSS-inducing tunes (“In or Out,” anyone?) and that, ehem, krung-krung personality.
Fast forward to 2009 and the ubiquitous tune "Nobody" took us by earworm storm. Korean pop music or K-Pop started gaining airplay on music channels and radio stations nationwide. Soon K-Pop CDs were being made available here.
With a large and growing fan following in the Philippines, it didn't take much longer before K-Pop bands themselves started coming around Manila.
So they're holding shows here now, too?
Yes, they have been gigging here, too. It all started with SHINee, who performed during the Philippines-Korea Friendship Day last November 27, 2009.
Girl band 4minute and boy band U-KISS held mall shows as well as guest appearances on local shows, while boy band FT Island had an album showcase and mini-concert.
Last Saturday was Super Junior held the largest staged production in the Philippines at the Araneta Coliseum no else. During the press con, the band described their experience as both remarkable and exciting, and that they would put on the best show for their fans.
They're big enough to hold a concert in Araneta? Who is this Super Junior?
Super Junior is made up of 13 members with names like Lee Teuk, Hee Chul, Han Kyung, Yeh Sung, Kang In, Shin Dong, and Eun Hyuk. Quite a mouthful, huh? They're occasionally joined by two Chinese members, namely Henry and Zhoumi. So quite literally, they are really huge—they are the largest boy band in history!
Super Junior is also one of the hottest K-Pop acts to date. They launched their first record in late 2005 and has released a total of three studio albums. Their most recent record, Sorry Sorry is the best-selling Korean album in the Philippines. Apparently, they now keep track of these things.
The girls are going insane over them. Why?
For the same reasons that girls went gaga over The Beatles: good looks, fun personalities, talent. The members pride themselves of being overall entertainers. Some are actors with a number of koreanovelas under their belts. Others are radio DJs, sought-after variety show hosts and television personalities.
But there are two other things: First, heart. Whatever it is they are to do on stage or in front of people, the members of Super Junior always make it a point to give their all. Fans who saw their concert last Saturday can attest to this. And second, humor. Super Junior is well-known for their comedic reality shows, a leeway for the members to showcase their different personalities. So aside from being all-around performers, they're quite funny too! And you know what funny can do to women, so.
----------------------
comment:it's in a sexy magazine?! oh well kpop madness is kpop madness!
Source:FHM.com
WORDS BY: RIAN BAUTISTA
IMAGE BY: REESE LANSANGAN and ANTONIO ONGCHAP, JR.
Shared by:sukira@dkpopnews.net