A homecoming for BEAST

BEAST members pose during a meet and greet with Philippine media including Manila Bulletin before the fan meeting (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)

In June 2010, Korean boy band BEAST, then a rookie group, visited Manila for the first time to hold album signing events and perform at a concert for a cause at the Araneta Coliseum.

Nearly six years later, the members were back in the Philippines for their “1st Fan Meeting in Manila,” organized by Cube Entertainment, Butterfly and All Access Productions.

It was like a homecoming for BEAST as they met and interacted with fans at the event held March 19 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Five members of the band, Doo-joon, Yoseob, Jun-hyung, Kikwang and Dongwoon, opened the show with “Good Luck,” the title track of their 2014 album with the same name followed by “Yey” and “I Think I Love You.” Hyun-seung was unable to join the group in Manila.

The members told the fans they were glad to be back in the Philippines.

“It’s been a while since the last time we’ve been here. I missed you. Long time no see. I love you,” Kikwang said.

Kikwang

Dongwoon said, “Hello, Philippines! I’m Dongwoon from Sta. Rosa [Laguna],” referring to the time when he went to the Philippines to study English before he became a member of BEAST.

In response, Yoseob quipped, “Nice to meet you! I’m from Korea.”

“We prepared a lot today. We will never let you down,” Jun-hyung promised to the fans.
Doo-joon said, “Mabuhay. Enjoy [the show] tonight.”

The fan meeting became an opportunity for BEAST and Philippine B2uties (the collective name for fans) to be close.

In the cup stacking game, five fans were chosen to play with BEAST on stage.

BEAST also gave signed CDs and a doll to fans in addition to the chance to have selfies with the boy band during the soccer game.

Lucky fans also had the chance to be up close and personal with BEAST during the “hi touch” and photo op events.

During the show, BEAST also performed “Gonna Go To Work,” “Midnight,” “On Rainy Day,” “Suite Room,” “12:30,” “Beautiful Night” and “How to Love” for encore.

Filipino fans surprised Kikwang with a birthday cake, with the singer that they were the first to greet him for the occasion, which is on March 30.

At the end of the show, BEAST thanked Filipino fans for their support.

“It’s been six years since the last time we’ve been here. Thank you for still remembering us,” Doo-joon said.

(From left) Doo-joon, Jun-hyung, Yoseob and Dongwoon

Yoseob seconded saying, “I’m so grateful. Thank you for being here tonight to support us. I don’t know when we will be back but I hope it will come soon.”

Kikwang thanked the fans for the video made by the fans that was shown during the event.
“I’m really happy to meet my Philippine fans. It must have been a long wait but thank you, guys, for waiting for us and being here today. To be honest, we really missed you guys, too,” he said, adding that he hopes that next time, it will be a concert in the Philippines.

According to Dongwoon, the fan meeting “will be an unforgettable memory.”

“I hope to see you guys again at a concert. During the concert, I want to enjoy ‘taho’ with you guys. During my study in Sta. Rosa, I really enjoyed ‘taho.’ Mahal kita!” he said.

Jun-hyung said, “Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you for everything and I love you all. We will come back. Please wait for us.”

cr: Manila Bulletin