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. Fifi from Canada is the next fan to answer our questions. She is a fan of ASTRO and her bias, MJ. 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? Hello, my name is Fifi. I’m a 14 year old girl from Canada. How and when did you enter the fandom? I entered the fandom back in January 2021 while watching the K-drama “True Beauty”. After finishing the show I absolutely fell in love with the male lead (Cha EunWoo), and needed to know more about him! I started watching other dramas that he appeared in like “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” and “Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung”. After doing multiple researches about his career, I found out he was a singer and a dancer under the group “ASTRO”; I listened to their latest song back then, which was ‘Knock’, and I knew I would end up loving their music… The rest is history! What are the reasons why you love your favorite group? What I love about ASTRO is their personalities, their talents and their cohesion. Even if some members are more famous than the others, even if there is an age gap between the others, and even if they can’t see each other as much as they used to, they’ll always be there for each other and for us AROHAs. Who caught your attention at first and why? It was of course EunWoo who caught my attention at first because of his dramas! Who is your bias, and why? I equally love all the members, but I feel as if I could relate to MJ more than the others because his humor is similar to mine! Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? I seriously recommend listening to the title track ‘Confession’ and B-Side track ‘Lonely’ from their 3rd mini album “Autumn Story”; Both of these songs have a very strong meaning and I love the sound of it!
Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers? I recommend watching “Rocky Ga Howgetz: Ice Flower”. The dance is very dynamique and I love the emotions portrayed in his body movement. I also recommend watching Bruno Mars’s ‘Grenade’ song cover by Rocky. Rocky is mostly a dancer but he can sing so well! Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group? I recommend watching ASTRO’s pre-debut web drama “To Be Continued”; You get to learn more about their past, their personalities, their talent and their hobbies! This show is a must for new AROHAs.
— 아이틴 (@fantagio_iTeen) August 19, 2015 I also recommend watching SHINee’s ‘Replay’ cover by ASTRO. In my opinion, they did the best cover of this song; The special stage was released when ASTRO was still a rookie group. They had amazing talent even in their early days and only kept improving! Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? “In these times that were hard to endure. even if I fall countless times. I’ll get up again and go to you. Though I’m late, I came to you.” - ‘Always You’. The song ‘Always You’ was released during their company’s dark time. This song was more of a sadder and dramatic song which breaks out of their bubbly/cute concept. These lyrics explain that we can always count on ASTRO to come back to AROHAs; Even if they make multiple mistakes, they will keep their promise and come back to us. Are there any words from the members you would like to share? As a young and curious person, I constantly try to learn more and improve myself. I’ve started following lots of motivating quotes stated by ASTRO. For example: “If people say you can’t, just do the opposite of what they say” -JinJin, “Promises I have shared with you I have to keep them somehow” -SanHa What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life? After seeing all the members lose weight before debuting, it motivated me to try some of their diets and exercises. Can you describe your bias in only one word? If I were to describe my bias in one word, I would choose the word “comical” because he makes everyone laugh at his cute and funny personality! Can you share a fun episode that only fans from your fandom know to readers? That time when Rocky saved naked MoonBin from being seen on EunWoo’s live.
— Mel ♬ IA: college 🙁 (@moonbbinie) April 17, 2019 If you are collecting goods, what is your most precious treasure? I’m currently collecting albums and photocards. My most precious treasure is my “Gateway” album and my JinJin photocard, since these are the first official ASTRO merchandise I’ve ever gotten. If you can spend a day with your bias, where will you go and what will you do? If I had a chance to spend a day with MJ, I would go to Jeju Island because it’s a very romantic and beautiful island. I would eat from lots of restaurants, swim all day and finally, watch the sunset. What is your best souvenir with your favorite group until now? My best souvenir with ASTRO is during the “AAF2022 (ASTRO AROHA Festival 2022)” when MJ read a letter he wrote for ASTRO and Aroha before starting his military service; It was a very heartwarming letter that talked about his love towards his fellow members and his gratefulness towards AROHAs. That is definitely a moment I will never forget! Please recommend your favorite selfie by your bias. This is the last picture of him before getting a buzz cut. What I love about this photo is that he is still holding his smile even if he’s going to cut his hair. I hope he will keep a smile on his face for the rest of his life! What is your favourite way of communicating with your bias? My favorite way of communicating with MJ is by sending him letters. I think it’s better for him to read something that’s been handwritten because he could feel my presence and appreciate my words more than if I were to just send a message online. What do you have in common with your favourite idol? I find that MJ and I have similar personalities. His MBTI personality type is the same as mine (ENFP), he’s very silly, he treats his friends like family and he’s weird in a positive way just like me! Is your bias different while performing and in real life? What is your reaction to the difference (if there’s any)? When MJ performs he’s very serious and attentive, but in real life he is the complete opposite; He turns into an energetic and goofy person. Changing personalities during different situations is totally okay, I don’t find that there is a huge problem doing so. And if I’m being honest, he is still so handsome in both situations! What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying? ASTRO isn’t a very popular group, so finding people who share the same interest as me and talking about that all day is definitely the best part of fangirling! 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)? A huge misunderstanding is definitely their logo. People say that it looks too much like the Jewish star and say that it’s cultural appropriation. “ASTRO” means star in Spanish. It only makes sense that they use a star as their logo. Fifi’s message for ASTRO: JinJin, MJ, SanHa, MoonBin, EunWoo, Rocky, if any one of you are reading this, I want to say thank you so much for being there for me and everyone, I wish I could tell you how much you’ve affected my life but even words can’t express my thoughts. I hope in the future you will reunite as one and continue your career all together! Please take care of yourselves and don’t forget to stay happy. I sincerely love you all, wish you all the best!! ❤️ Thank you for answering our questions, Fifi. Note: Kpopmap Fan Interview includes some of the interviewed fan’s favorite pictures. 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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