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. Admin JK is the next to answer our questions. She’s been a MONSTA X fan since their OT7 days and continues to support them as a group of 6, along with soloist WonHo. 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? I’m admin JK (she/her) from the @fashionbebe514 account on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I’m a German MonWenee (MONBEBE & WENEE). How and when did you enter the fandom? I got introduced to MONSTA X in the summer of 2019 through YouTube. I started out as a “casual” fan - just getting to know all the members at the time and their discography. In November 2019, I actively joined Twitter and Instagram by making a fan account and started to be very active by participating in projects, and eventually, in March 2020 some friends and I started fashionbebe514 on Twitter. And I’ve been a part of soloist WonHo’s fandom since the announcement of his solo career and his debut in 2020. What are the reasons why you love your favorite group? I love how MONSTA X keep pushing their musical limits (or probably not even having limits according to their album ‘NO LIMIT’) and keep exploring their love for music, dance, stage performances, and fashion while sharing their journey with the fans in so many ways. They keep delving into different genres and finding new ways of expressing themselves - even through solo projects which highlight their specific interests like art, DJing, modeling, makeup, skincare, etc. I love how every one of them is an artist by themself with their unique interests and facets - but when they come together, they are able to combine their uniqueness and end up making some of the best music I’ve heard in my life. Also ever since their debut, they have shown that they deeply care for each other, their staff, and basically everyone they meet. As for WonHo, I love how he has taken over his own path and is an active part in everything he releases. The way he connects with fans is just so special. But it also feels so casual whenever he is going live or talking to his fans during fan signs and concerts. His muscular physique is definitely not something usual in K-Pop and it’s admirable how proud and unapologetic he owns his passion for workouts. He continues to make a name for himself in the K-Pop industry, which hasn’t been easy. But he knows his value as an artist and it seems like he mostly cares that his fans enjoy his music and the time spent together. Last but not least, I love how both, MONSTA X and WonHo, continue to show that music can transcend language and cultural barriers and bring people together. Who caught your attention at first and why? My attention got caught first by ShowNu. When I started getting into K-Pop in 2019, I watched a ton of videos of MONSTA X performing on stage, and the way ShowNu performed with such ease while he seemingly was having a lot of fun immediately caught my attention. Who is your bias, and why? True to my indecisive personality, I cannot pinpoint one bias - ShowNu and ChangKyun [I.M] are both my biases in MONSTA X. And as a WENEE, of course, WonHo is my bias. I want to take the opportunity of this interview to especially talk about my love and admiration for WonHo. Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? The title track ‘Lose’ from “Love Synonym #2: Right for Us” is my favorite - I just love the fast pace and beat. As a B-side track, I have to say ‘WITH YOU’ from WonHo’s first album since it was my most replayed song in 2021. But I also want to mention ‘Losing You’. As WonHo’s first ever solo release, ‘Losing You’ is just so special to his fans and to him as well. This song also shows how WonHo wears his heart on his sleeve and some songs are created to portray his emotions and show the strong connection he has with his fans. From the MV to the sound and lyrics, it is such a breathtaking first release. Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers? Since WonHo is showering his fans with so much content on Twitter, Instagram, Vlive, and also on his YouTube channel ohhoho, I feel that it is justified to recommend more than one video. One of my passions has been dancing - for well over 10 years - so watching WonHo’s dance practice videos brings me a ton of joy. I especially recommend the ‘Come Over Tonight’ Dance Practice with HolyBang and the ‘WITH YOU’ Dance Practice. I also love putting on WonHo’s Study with me video whenever I need to focus on something. I’m really glad he thought of uploading such a video to help WENEE out. For me, a ton of memorable moments happened during WonHo’s first solo concert on September 27, 2020. Fair warning: you might need tissues for the following recommendations. Since “WONHO SPECIAL LIVE #IWONHOYOU” was broadcast live online, a lot of WENEE from all over the world were watching it from home while sharing their experience with each other. It felt like such a bonding moment. During the concert, he also covered some songs and I keep going back to watching WonHo’s Cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘I love you’. WonHo also performed ‘FLASH’ for the first time during this concert. It was such an emotional performance . Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group? To get to know WonHo and the incredible team surrounding him - ‘Team WonHo’ - I’d recommend watching DJ WonHo’s Special Radio episodes in which he interviewed different members of his team and talked about their work together. WonHo’s first camping trip vlogs on ohhoho also show how close his team is. I remember I truly enjoyed looking up all of his camping gear and making posts about them since I’m personally interested in traveling the outdoors and camping in nature. I also think that WonHo’s vlogs are incredibly fun to watch since the editing with all the little details and comments is just so entertaining. Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? “One day, I’ll shake up this entire forest And its leaves and envelope you in them I’ll change into a forest and Hold you forever” - ‘On The Way’ by WonHo (translated). Are there any words from the members you would like to share? “Sometimes there are people who look at others with stereotypes as if they were wearing colored glasses. You see [them] without thinking deeply, or without knowing the truth of that person.” - WonHo about ‘Eye On You’, Teen Vogue February 23, 2022 I like WonHo’s view on topics like this. So many people value their own view on things, their own “truth”, over the experience, thoughts, and feelings of others. It’s important to actually talk to other people and try to understand them without stereotypes or judgment. What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life? I started to find more joy in the little things in life and cherish the small interruptions in my day-to-day routine. For example, whenever WonHo or a member of MONSTA X is wearing new clothing items, it somehow feels like a treasure hunt to find the specific pieces. Besides that, by writing music that sometimes portrays issues like anxiety, loss, love, etc. They have given me a way to deal with those topics myself. Just by putting on a specific track that matches my underlying emotions, they help me bring those feelings out and be able to work through them and not push them aside. What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying? My favorite side of fangirling has been the opportunity to be myself surrounded by people who share the same interest and root for the same people. Just being a fangirl made it possible for me to connect with people all over the world and I had the opportunity to be a part of fashionbebe514 from the start - looking up outfits, making posts, and interacting with other fans is giving me a break from life from time to time. Have you ever made a new friend because of K-Pop? Yes! Whenever I actively think of it, I’m in awe about how I was able to find such amazing friends through K-Pop. I haven’t even met all of them in person yet but the friendships I formed feel so genuine and like they will last for years to come. I’m looking forward to hopefully meeting all of them in person one day. Do you have a dream subunit/unit? I would be really intrigued to listen to a song created and performed by IU and WonHo. It’s already exciting to hear WonHo cover IU’s songs on lives and see how their voices blend together. I would imagine the instrumentals to be like in WonHo’s song ‘Intro: Seasons and Patterns’ from his album “Blue Letter” and I’m certain the lyrics would pull at everyone’s heartstrings. They probably would create an incredibly emotional song together. Can you describe your bias in only one word? Tender Please recommend your favorite selfie by your bias
Admin JK’s message to WonHo: Dear WonHo, I’m so happy and also proud to call myself a WENEE because I am able to support such a talented, kind, and thoughtful artist like you. Your music, your messages, your Vlives, your encouraging words, and even your online concerts have given me so much strength. And although life is barely easy, I’m trying to do my best because you showed me that anything is possible if you try and put your whole heart into it. Please take care and never forget that WENEE will always be here, supporting you with all they can. I hope you will always feel how much you are loved. WENEE are by your side. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Don’t forget to eat well and drink enough water. And please continue to do whatever feels right for you and what you are passionate about. Thank you for coloring our lives in the brightest and most beautiful colors and also for providing so much comfort with your music. Thank you for answering our questions, admin JK. 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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