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. Alfred from the Philippines is the next fan to answer our questions. He is a fan of CIX, and his bias is Bae JinYoung. Check out how he entered the fandom, the songs and content he advises to new fans, and much more! Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from? Hi! My name is Alfred, and I am from the Philippines. How and when did you enter the fandom? I entered the fandom in mid-October of 2020 and immediately became a stan on October 14, 2020. I came across some of their video clips on YouTube of their reality series “Hello CIX” — it was a love at second sight? Because I first met JinYoung when he was promoting Wanna One back in 2017 – that is why I became attached to JinYoung and to the other members as well. What are the reasons why you love your favorite group? They are a family-like group; with love, adoration, support, care, and endearment towards each other. They may come from different paths, but they grow to each other easily, maybe because of their closeness and intimate love as brothers; they always care for each other, and they have this chemistry that makes them more in love with them. In terms of their performance, they really have unique choreography, and they really rocked the synchronization and every move during their promotions. They also have the best discography, no skip sidetracks – all good. They have amazing honey-like vocals, awesome rap diction, and intonation, and diverse dance skills too. Who caught your attention at first and why? The member who caught my attention was JinYoung. I knew him ever since he was promoting the boy-group Wanna One back in 2017. Based on his personality in CIX, he is very close to the members, he is cute, lovely, and sexy >_<. He really balanced the group well, as he was the center of their group – CIX. Who is your bias, and why? My bias would be JinYoung. He really caught my attention 5 years ago, and I will never regret that decision. He was a little boy back then and I am proud that he is very mature now and very confident with his words, actions, and skills unlike before, he was not that confident. But through the love of his fans, he eventually gained it – showcased his amazing dance line, had drama roles, complimented by experts for his perfect body proportions. With his confidence and talents, gave me a lot of strength to move forward and to excel in what I do in my life, especially in academics. A characteristic that I like and love about him is that he is very humble and enthusiastic. He never changes his attitude, he is the JinYoung that I met and supported 5 years ago. Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? The title track that I will recommend for new fans is ‘Movie Star’, because that is the beginning of CIX; and it is better to listen to the very first song to deeply know more about them until they reach the lastest discography. Also, the B-side track that I will recommend to them is ‘Here For You’ – this song speaks a lot of interpretation but has the same motive – to give comfort and assurance to their fans that they are here for us, and we will also reciprocate that love to them. This track is also the first English song included in their latest full album “Prologue: BE Ok”. I believe that this song will attract all fans of CIX around the world and non-fans too. Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers? I will recommend the duo dance performance of JinYoung with HyunSuk in their “Rebel Concert” in the US. They really got the vibe of the song as well the execution of the steps. It was very outstanding, and I was screaming at the top of my lungs watching that fancam. They really rocked that choreography! Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group? I will recommend the dance cover of SHINee’s ‘Good Evening’ during the “2021 Dream Concert”. They spilled some spoilers, but we only found out the song when they are being interviewed during the red carpet. They really made the cover their version. Especially on the facial expressions, dance executions, vocal range is a chef’s kiss. The dance when they jumped on the chair and gave in their flexibility in their body was the most amazing part of the cover, it was really a “goosebumps” moment for me. Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? One of my favorite lyrics was from ‘Here For You’ that says; “My love for you will never come undone” – this part conveys the everlasting love that will continue until the end of time, because the love they have given will be engraved in their minds and will also be remembered in our hearts. Are there any words from the members you would like to share? If there is any word that I would like to share from one of the members, it would be “Forever Young” by JinYoung. This phrase is always on his tweets and even during his VLives’, he always mentions that phrase. This phrase is also linked with his name, JinYOUNG, which I think is cute. What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life? CIX taught me to never be afraid to try and learn new things (SeungHun), understand each other and love each other (ByoungGon / BX), be confident in what you do and make the best of it (HyunSuk and JinYoung), and they taught me that we can pursue our dreams by improving day by day and exploring new things (YongHee). What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying? My favorite side of fanboying is when they post adorable and surprising updates about their day during nighttime. The feeling that you are sleepy but they post something and it awakens your whole body system and think about it until you gain your sanity to sleep peacefully. Another is when they release a bunch of fan sign events and the photocard previews have the “spark” – the urge you want to purchase that photocard. The member poses in different angles with different props and outfits and that makes me and other FIXs want to purchase that photocard. Sometimes, it’s like racing when purchasing because it’s very limited, especially when you are only buying the photocard itself. It’s very nerve wracking and exciting at the same time. Lastly is when they come to communicate with their fans virtually (via VLive) – share how their day went, play songs, dance in duo or solo, make jokes with fans, or even play. There are some instances when I talk to them whenever they are asking or talking to their fans even, they can’t hear my response. They are always on live whenever I am doing my school activities, that makes it easier for me to finish and get it done nicely too. What is your biggest dream for your favorite group/bias aside from being Happy and Healthy? My biggest dream for my favorite group is for them to be recognized by more K-Pop fans and compliment their efforts and talents they have been preparing during their trainee days and up until now – the performances and vocals they have shown to their fans. CIX was one of the “nugu groups” back then. But during their concert participations and exposure to the media, they are being known for their name, and not being labelled as a “nugu group”. I hope that these energy and hype will be consistent as they continue to give love and inspiration for their fans. What is your first comment on a live broadcast of your favorite idol? My first comment on a live broadcast was “Mahal Kita”. Mahal Kita means “I love you” in our native language, Tagalog. If you can spend a day with your bias, where will you go and what will you do? We would go to our local beach and watch the sunset. I believe that most people feel comfort and at peace when they see the sunset, and I want JinYoung to feel that. JinYoung is a very confident man, he always slays in everything he does, but I know that he wants to share his story with other people. While watching the sunset till the moon rises to the sky, it’s a good ambiance to talk about life. What is one thing that you think is unique about your bias/bias group? JinYoung really likes lip balm or Vaseline. He always brings it whenever he has a VLive and always mentions about him applying lip balm whenever he is communicating with his fans in UNIVERSE Private Message, and even upload pictures of him with lip balm applied on his lips. If you could write a book about your bias, what would the first and last lines be? The first line would be “On a summer day of 2017, a man captured the heart and mind of an emotionally deprived student” and my last lines would be “Just like 5 years ago, he really loved and cared for his fan, not emotionally deprived anymore – but a healing one and moving forward with him”. 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)? Some non-fans may not know but all CIX members are all-rounder. They can sing, dance, and rap. They are really practicing and improving those skills to make their fans proud and we fans will surely support them in everything they do. Thank you for answering our questions, Alfred. 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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