On Sunday, June 16th, Flushing, New York, a neighborhood known for its diversity and cultural richness, welcomed one of the most enthusiastic fandoms that K-Pop has ever seen -- BABY. The Shops at Skyview, a premier shopping destination in the heart of Flushing, hosted the first event of their summer cultural series, 'K-Fun', which showcased the best of Korean culture and entertainment as they hosted a meet-and-greet with Jung Daehyun -- soloist and member of B.A.P to kick off the highly anticipated series of events. The event was a testament to the neighborhood's multicultural heritage, with Korean, Chinese, and Indian cultures all represented in the festivities. Flushing's vibrant community, with its lively sidewalks, eclectic shops, and mouth-watering restaurants, served as the perfect backdrop for the celebration of Korean culture and entertainment.
Aligning with the 'Visit Korea Year' theme, The Shops at Skyview Center has collaborated with the Korean Tourism Organization to offer on-site information about tourism and Korean cuisine during each 'K-Fun' event, making it an immersive experience for all participants. The 'K-Fun' event at The Shops at Skyview Center began at 2:00 PM, with early attendees arriving at the location around 10:00 AM. As fans patiently waited in line, sponsors and vendors set up their booths, featuring K-Beauty from Dear Klair's, K-Food, K-Beverages, and K-Wellness. Fans were dressed in their finest Korean school uniforms, aligning with the event's theme -- "K-Fun" Summer School.
Before the fun could begin, Jung Daehyun -- accompanied by host Wesley Sin -- addressed the attendees of the pre-event press conference, which included event sponsors, members of the press, and Instagram live attendees. During the conference, he discussed the teaser for the B.A.P documentary, the schedule for the day's event, and B.A.P's fanbase, BABY!
Introduction: Nice to meet you, I'm Daehyun.
Thank you for coming to such a meaningful event today, I feel great too! Thank you.
WS: How does it feel to be back in New York, again?
DH: 2018 was the last time I came here, which was with my members, making me remember a lot from that time [with B.A.P]. Being here alone to meet fans like this, I'm feeling a little nervous and happy.
WS: How does it feel to be back in a school uniform?
DH: First of all, I'm not at the age to wear a school uniform anymore, so I hope you'll look at me cutely. I'm also very excited to appear on stage wearing a school uniform after such a long time.
WS: You've been working out a lot lately. Could you give us any workout and wellness advice.
DH: Thinking about it, consistency is really important. I think eating properly (managing your diet) is the most important. So yeah, in my opinion, it's important not to overeat or exercise too much.
WS: Let's talk about today's activities and setlist
DH: Today, since it's been a long while since meeting fans. I've prepared my solo song of course. But I have also prepared a B.A.P song medley. I hope you'll enjoy it.
When the chance presented itself, it was time for the press and sponsors to ask questions. We always like to acknowledge the relationship between fans and the artists. When asked what DABY means to him,
"It’s difficult to sum it up in 1 word. Because those memories between me & B.A.B.Y fans are so meaningful, I think this time around & more than anything else, my appearance with B.A.P is the most important and special thing in my life,"
and Daehyun proceeded with a final message for his fans, "The time has come everybody. I hope we can make good memories together again."
The event commenced with fans entering by zones, eager to experience the magic that awaits them. The excitement was palpable as the crowd anticipated the start of the show, their spirits buoyed by the prospect of the unforgettable afternoon that lay ahead. To initiate the festivities, a brief yet captivating skit played out, presenting the hosts, sponsors, and event organizers. Next, the incredibly talented AKF Dance Studio Team graced the stage, delivering a show-stopping performance that captivated the audience with their precision and grace. Their dance routine, set to the chart-topping single, "Magnetic," by ILLIT, was a testament to their dedication and passion for their craft. The medley of popular K-Pop songs that followed demonstrated their versatility and range, as they effortlessly transitioned from one hit to the next, enthralling the audience with their energy and enthusiasm. Fans in attendance were inspired to join in, singing along and dancing in their seats, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere that permeated every corner of the venue. As the medley drew to a close, the audience warmly welcomed back host Wesley Sin to the stage, ready to guide them through the next chapter of this extraordinary evening as he introduced "Skyview High's new exchange student from South Korea, Jung Daehyun!"
The event was finally in full swing, and the atmosphere was electric. To make it even more memorable, a short question-and-answer session with the enigmatic Daehyun took place. As if that wasn't enough, #BABY took the stage to ask their own set of questions. When asked about his preferred animal to represent the fandom, Daehyun charmingly confessed his fondness for dogs. However, the real shocker came when he was asked about performing a Spanish song, to which he replied with an unexpected 'Yes!' The reason behind this sudden interest in Spanish music became apparent when he discovered that several of the attendees were Hispanic, leaving everyone impressed by his thoughtfulness and willingness to connect with his diverse fanbase.
The event continued as it provided a glimpse into the remainder of the 'K-Fun' cultural courses in 2024 through a series of interactive activities, starting with K-Art, where Daehyun would be taught how to create an adorable cat design on a shirt, thus showcasing the unique blend of culture and entertainment that the upcoming classes would offer.
The next segment showcased K-Food with special guest Poggy Kimchi, instructor Debbie, and of course, Jung Daehyun, who initially referred to Poggy as Toki. Following a correction and apology, Daehyun introduced Poggy correctly and reminded fans, "Toki is Matoki," causing the BABYs to cheer even louder. Daehyun was then taught how to make his first kimbap, which he shared with another lucky fan who entered Skyview's student ID contest. To keep the mood light, Wesley asked Daehyun, "Which B.A.P member is the best cook?" Daehyun humbly replied, "Me." After completing the final steps, he proudly presented the finished product and said with a smile, "My first kimbap." Daehyun then learned how to make a cocktail, revealing his drink preferences to the fans. When choosing the winners, Daehyun accidentally selected himself first, encouraging the fans to urge him to take the first shot. The second winner was Rogina, a fan from Zone 1, who joined Daehyun on stage to drink the second shot. She then took a moment to say a few encouraging and supporting words to Daehyun before returning to her seat.
The final event was the K-Culture Quiz where fans were asked questions about South Korea such as the name of the famous island and popular travel destination, and the tallest building. The final question was the question of the day for fans as it was about Daehyun! "Where is my hometown?," Daehyun asked. Fans' hands shot up into the air at a chance to answer this question, to which the answer was, "Gwangju." While many people travel to Seoul and Busan, fans were encouraged to visit Gwangju for its beautiful scenery.
Between each event was a short break where Daehyun was able to demonstrate his proficiency in various musical aspects. He performed a selection of songs that showcased his vocal range and dynamism, including "Bomb" and "You're My." Additionally, he exhibited his dancing skills by performing a B.A.P medley alongside the AKF Dance Studio members. The fusion of their dance moves resulted in a visually stunning performance that captivated the audience. Finally, Daehyun closed out the event with a beautifully captivating performance of "With You," which once again had BABY singing along. Before ending the event, Wesley acknowledged Daehyun's upcoming birthday as the staff brought out a cake with the number 31 on it -- as Wesley acknowledged the fan club for organizing the surprise event for Daehyun. Then, it was truly time to say goodbye as Daehyun took photos with each zone -- leaving a lasting impression for all in attendance.
Interested in a Signed Daehyun Photo? Attend Four or More 'K-Fun' Summer Classes to Receive Your "Graduation Gift!"
Follow The Shops at Skyview for the Class Schedule!
K Fuse would like to thank the team at The Shops at Skyview and MA Entertainment for allowing us the opportunity to provide coverage of the first 'K-Fun' summer event of 2024 featuring Jung Daehyun! We would also like to thank Wesley Sin for being such an incredibly warm and welcoming host. Conference translations provided by rumekiss.
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