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. Piper is the next fan to answer our questions. She is from the Philippines and is a fan of TEMPEST and her bias is LEW. 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? Most people know me as Piper in the K-Pop stan online world. I am from the Philippines and I’ve been interested in K-Pop since 2009 and started being a true blue fan in 2012. Because of that, I stan a lot of K-Pop groups. As of now, I’m a college student who is currently balancing academic life and fangirling. How and when did you enter the fandom? I entered the fandom through EuiWoong and HyeongSeop, the latter especially. He caught my interest after watching him in “Produce 101” Season 2. One of my favorite actors and his former co-Produce trainee Yoo SeonHo also debuted in the acting industry together with him. I entered the iE fandom before TEMPEST even debuted. The moment the logo teaser and the name was revealed in late December 2021, I instantly told myself that I would surely stan them. What are the reasons why this rookie group is your favorite group? I actually have a lot of favorite K-Pop groups and it’s wonderful to realize that TEMPEST has climbed up to my list of faves in a short period of time. Aside from EuiWoong and HyeongSeop who waited for several years to finally debut in a group, I also like the fact that the group is a complete package. TEMPEST has the vocals, visuals, good attitude, dance skills and variety of humor. The group members have great chemistry with each other. It would be a waste not to support such a talented and passionate boy group. What do you think differentiates this rookie group from the others? I respect all K-Pop groups and no words can suffice the hard work that everyone put in together to be able to debut. I think TEMPEST has gone under the same pressure and stress. But what I like most about TEMPEST is their discography and the color of the team. I am really picky when it comes to music but I really love their album. Even my least liked song in the album, ‘Find Me’ is such a great song compared to the usual noisy music we hear nowadays. I once saw a tweet saying that it seems like some guy in Yuehua took notes over the years of the flaws of debuted groups and compiled that information to create TEMPEST. I agree. Their music reminds me of 2015s type of K-Pop soundtracks. I think that’s their edge. For the readers who are completely new to the group and members, can you introduce them with your own words? TEMPEST is a rookie K-Pop boy group under Yuehua Entertainment which consists of 7 members LEW, Hyuk, HwaRang, HyeongSeop, Hanbin, EunChan and TaeRae. The group debuted on March 2, 2022 with the debut album “It’s Me, It’s We” and the title track ‘Bad News.’ They are expected to take the K-Pop world by storm with their powerful visuals, dancing skills, vocals and charms. TEMPEST has a lot to offer in the future so please check them out now! You will not regret stanning them. Who caught your attention at first and why? Did you know any members prior to their debut? Just like what I have said before, I’ve known HyeongSeop and EuiWoong because of “Produce 101” S2 and Yuehua Project. I’ve known Hanbin too because he is a popular “I-Land” trainee even though I did not watch the survival show. The first member who caught my attention whom I did not know before was Hyuk. He reminds me of my all-time ultimate bias namely SuHo of EXO. He exudes charisma and upon looking at his “member reveal teaser photos”, I already know that he’s good at singing. He just gives off that vibe. Do you have a bias yet? If yes, tell us why. I do. Surprisingly, HyeongSeop is not my main bias - it’s LEW! The man aged like fine wine and we share the same age. I also like LEW’s personality. He really reminds me of myself. Of course, HyeongSeop still has a special place in my heart. What do you particularly like in this debut title track? Do you have a favorite B-side? The title track ‘Bad News’ is really refreshing. I really love how the lyrics sound so positive, upbeat and shady towards the haters. I’m in love with the title track. On the contrary, my favorite B-side track is the only ballad in the album. I really love ballad when it’s comforting and it reaches out to you. ‘Next To You’ gave me that feeling. Music should also be comforting and assuring when you feel like you need one even if you’re alone. That song made it possible. Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or other from your favorite group or bias? K-Pop fans love seeing covers! I will recommend TEMPEST’s appearance on Genie wherein the members covered various popular boy groups. I also recommend LEW’s first ever TV appearance on “Hello Counselor” six years ago. I fell for him here. Rumor has it that he received casting calls from more than 10 agencies because of this. For you, what is your bias’ best stage outfits until now? Please share a picture or fan cam. This is far, my most favorite recent fancam of LEW. His charisma here is overflowing. What is your biggest dream for your favorite group/bias aside from being Happy and Healthy? I hope that more people will recognize TEMPEST. I am praying for them to achieve their first music show win this year (2022) and to win Rookie of the Year. For the other groups that I stan, I hope they will continue to thrive and to have more global popularity and top the Billboard charts and be nominated on various US music-related awards. If you go to only one, would you go to a concert, fan meeting, or fan sign? It’s my dream to attend a fan sign event! I really want to share my insights to my favorite K-Pop artists and see their faces up close or even just through video call and have a conversation that I will remember for the rest of my life. Do you have a dream subunit/unit? (It can be with a fellow member or another K-Pop idol) I really hope HyeongSeop of TEMPEST, WooJin of AB6IX, HwanWoong of ONEUS, BeomGyu of TXT, HakNyeon of THE BOYZ and Bae JinYoung of CIX can have a collab together in the future or even just half of this lineup. What about your bias do you relate to the most? LEW is passionate, intelligent, diligent, fun to be with, caring and a leader. I really am like him except the visuals, he is a face genius and obviously, I am not hahahaha What are the things you are looking for in their future activities? I would love to see them in more variety shows in the future and to appear in MNET “Studio Choom” and “Knowing Brothers”. That will be a dream come true not just for iEs but also for TEMPEST. I also want to see them at year-end shows, especially MAMA 2022. You can also add a message to your bias, show it on a message scrapbook, or write a handwritten letter. You can congratulate them on their debut and give them strength for their future activities.
Thank you for answering our questions, Piper. If you are interested in joining Kpopmap Fan Interview Project, please get in touch with us at [email protected] Everyone is welcome to participate.
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