Kpopmap Fan Interview: A Filipino AROHA Talks About “The Sunshines Of The Industry” ASTRO & Her Bias MoonBin

Are you also curious about fellow K-Pop fans?! Let’s hear their stories and interests in Kpopmap Fan Interview Project.

There are K-Pop fans across the globe who share the same passion. But on online platforms, it is hard to know about each other’ stories and K-Pop life. Even if we are in the same fandom, it is hard to get to know each other.

So at Kpopmap, we started the Kpopmap Fan Interview Project to get to know more about K-Pop fans from different countries: more about their K-Pop life and tastes and to give them the opportunity to share with our readers about their favorite group(s) and bias.

 

Ky is the next fan to answer our questions. She is from The Philippines and is a fan of ASTRO and her bias is MoonBin! Check out how she entered the fandom, the songs and content she advises to new fans, and much more! 

 

Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?

Hi! I’m Ky (@ meongtothenyang on Twitter) from the Philippines <3

 

How and when did you enter the fandom?

I have been telling this story quite frequently. I’m a big fan of K-Dramas and that one summer of 2016, I ran out of K-Dramas to watch, I was bored, so I decided to look for short K-Dramas that I can binge watch. I came across this website with a list bite-sized K-Dramas. The list included web dramas from their groups such as EXO, GOT7, 5urprise, but there was one drama poster that stood out to me. It was “To Be Continued”. It’s a long story to how I actually got to watch it since it was hard to find the episodes back then. Anyway, a few months later, I decided to rewatch “To Be Continued”. My cousin was beside me and he asked me, “are they a group?” referring to the leads. And I answered, “no, they’re actors… I think?” And then, I decided to look them up and that’s when I discovered that they’re actually a group called ASTRO! I immediately decided to stan them right at that moment.

 

What are the reasons why you love your favorite group?

Well, most people would say, they love ASTRO because they’re chaotic, super fun, very bright and very energetic, to which, I agree. They’re literally the sunshines of the industry, super refreshing personalities. Aside from that, I really admire how they’re respectful and well-mannered. They always pay attention to their surroundings and always greet the people around them. I also love their music, their voices (I SWEAR, just listen!) and I love how they’re super synchronized. Their dance is crazy and they inspired me to try dancing (tho I still haven’t tried, I just kinda want to lol).

 

Who caught your attention at first and why?

In “To Be Continued”, EunWoo caught my attention. He’s like the gateway to the fandom. However, as the story progressed I was kinda drawn to MoonBin because of his character in the drama.

 

Who is your bias, and why?

My bias is MoonBin (and spoiler alert, I haven’t changed my bias still) and actually I don’t really have a reason for that??? He just amazes me and he really has something in him that makes me wanna focus on him. But yeah, I really admire his skills as a performer and an actor. He always does his best in everything he does, and he inspires me to do better.

 

Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans?

I really really recommend ‘Should’ve Held On’ (I cried when they released the dance practice haha) it means a lot to me and also vocals are really really good and the choreography as well (especially SanHa’s part omggg). As for the B-side, I recommend (a lot) ‘You and Me’ (for a jolly song, very light vibe), ‘Run’ and ‘Better With You’ (for a more sentimental vibe), ‘Bloom’ (if you wanna romanticize your life at like 3am lol), ‘By Your Side’ (if you wanna cry haha).

 

 

 

 

Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers?

MoonBin’s video singing ‘Down by the Station’ when he was a child, I think they released that video on his birthday last 2017(?), his video lipsyncing ‘Hotline Bling’ from their DDOCA, and his vlogs! (also, their ‘NALINA’ by BLOCK B performance in “Rising Star” AAAAAAA).

 

Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group?

One of my favorites is their V Live of MJ, JinJin, and Rocky rapping the contents of a receipt HAHAHAHA. Also their old DDOCAs and ASTRO PLAY, also a fan fave is their SUPER CHAOTIC POOL PARTY (a must watch!)

 

I also recommend watching their ‘ASTRO Ok! Ready’ and ‘To Be Continued’, as well as their STARLIGHT Concert Videos (an AROHA uploaded the videos on YouTube!)

 

Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics?

“We were friends until yesterday, but I’ll be your man from today.” – ‘Confession’ (I KNOWWW this is really cringey, but it really stuck with me HAHAHAHHA)

 

Are there any words from the members you would like to share?

“Even a small gesture can leave a big impact on others.”
-Kim MyungJun (MJ), 2019

 

“Just because there is a goalkeeper doesn’t mean it’s not getting in the goal, right?”
-MoonBin, 2016

 

What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life?

As I have said in my previous answers, ASTRO really inspires me to do better. I have been collecting their albums since 2017 and the 16 year old me wouldn’t have thought that I would come this far in collecting (btw, I have unboxing videos on YouTube @ meongtothenyang). I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in the process, but being able to see the fruits of my hard work reminds me that everything I do will be worth it. ASTRO is worth it.

 

What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying?

Life isn’t always sunshines and rainbows, but there’s always ASTRO. The past six years of my life wouldn’t be the same without them. They were always there, I can always turn to them. After a long day, I can just watch their videos, or whenever I’m sad, they always make me laugh. And they sometimes make me emotional too, like when I feel like crying, there’s something in my heart that touch especially if I think about how much they’ve grown individually and as a group. They really are always there. It’s always them.

 

Do you feel there are any misunderstandings, things that are not well known, or any prejudices about your favorite group from other fans (non-fans)?

This is literally everyone’s answer. Cha EunWoo. Many people think he does not fit the group’s dynamic. But it’s just that they haven’t seen enough of ASTRO’s videos.

 

You can also add a message/letter to your bias or show it on a message scrapbook.

Dear My Universe,
It’s been six years and the love I have for you hasn’t even faded. Not one bit. It just grows and grows every day. Sometimes it feels like we’ve known each other for so long. We’ve grown together. That first Wanna Be Your Star, we didn’t know you would be doing it for such a long time. And I’m so proud of you for being able to keep doing what you love and always showing more than what you can. To MJ, JinJin, EunWoo, MoonBin, Rocky, and SanHa, it’s been a wild journey. I know it wasn’t always easy, but always assured us, that everything will be all right. Thank you for not giving up, and for being born. Thank you for being the six stars we look up to. I love you. Til the last Wanna Be Your Star.

Thank you for answering our questions, Ky.

 

If you are interested in joining Kpopmap Fan Interview Project, please get in touch with us at contact@kpopmap.com. Everyone is welcome to participate.