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. Nivi living in the U.S. is the next fan to answer our questions. She is a fan of ASTRO! 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? My name is Nivi. I live in the US. How and when did you enter the fandom? I first learned about ASTRO through K-Dramas, specifically watching Cha EunWoo in “Rookie Historian Goo HaeRyung” in Fall 2021. I looked up some of their songs, and one after another they were just…everything I want in music. What are the reasons why you love your favorite group? The upbeat tempo, the generally positive lyrics, the voices, the composition, all of it. The videos are creative and fun with strong storytelling and great choreography. Also, I enjoy watching videos (“ASTRO PLAY” and other compilations), where the members seem to genuinely care for each other and enjoy spending time together. They seem to love what they do and work hard doing it. Who caught your attention at first and why? Cha EunWoo in “Rookie Historian Goo HaeRyung”. He’s adorable. Who is your bias, and why? I can’t possibly pick just one, just like I can’t pick a favorite child. It’s their chemistry and camaraderie I love most. Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? ‘Hide & Seek’ is my obsession. ‘After Midnight’ is in second, though ‘Crazy Sexy Cool’ and ‘Candy Sugar Pop’ are close contenders. B-side-wise, I’ll have to go with ‘When You Call My Name’. Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video to our readers? I love Rocky’s rendition of Bruno Mars’ ‘Grenade’. Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? “Nunchichaessni beolsseo nolan kkochi pyeosseo bom-i wassni beolsseo okay junbiwanlyo” Seems silly, but it makes me think of ‘Hide & Seek’ whenever I see a yellow flower, which makes me smile. And frankly, I find those phrases easier to use in my daily life than other lyrics. What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life? Three years ago, my husband died suddenly. I have three sons, the eldest of whom is a year younger than SanHa. I have worked hard to focus on all the good things in my life and to raise my boys to have a happy future where they remain close to each other. I’ve also been working on writing a memoir about running away in an RV to Alaska with the man I married, but lately find the task too overwhelming. But now I know that I can work on the hard task of revisiting my memories because listening to ASTRO instantly cheers me up and can pull me out of my darkness. Also, seeing videos of the ASTRO boys as they’ve grown up together gives me a glimpse into what I hope to see between my own sons as they grow up. They seem to instill the values I want my own sons to embody, so I (perhaps weirdly) feel proud seeing ASTRO succeed. What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying? Finding joy in all that they do reminds me not to only focus on the burden of work and life. I’ve introduced my 12-year-old niece to ASTRO, and love that most of their music can be enjoyed by all ages (especially their earlier songs). If you can spend a day with your bias, where will you go and what will you do? A lovely summer day in Cleveland, Ohio spent with my boys and my friends. I’d like to offer them the freedom to wander around relatively unrecognized exploring the Cleveland Museum of Art (or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), hiking in the Metroparks, swimming at the home of my friends, then working together to barbecue pizza in my backyard, going out for ice cream. Or a day at Cedar Point Amusement Park. This is what constitutes my favorite days–filled with fun, food, and friends–and it’s what I’d consider the perfect day. Do you have a dream subunit/unit? I’d like to see Cha EunWoo and JinJin collaborate on something…in English. The balance of their voices and styles (melody vs rap) could yield something fascinating, although I do like the songs (i.e. ‘Confession’) where EunWoo shows his range. Name a variety show/content show that you would love to see your bias on? Tell us why. A cooking competition of some sort. Other than EunWoo, I haven’t seen much of the others cooking, so I’m curious to see them challenging themselves out of their comfort zone. They’re creative and hard-working, but that’s not always enough when it comes to cooking. Then again, they could totally surprise everyone with some serious culinary skills. If you have a chance to cook for the group, what will you cook for them? I’d make grilled pizza. And bake cookies. Nivi’s message to ASTRO: I don’t know if it’s the way others learn Korean, but I’m trying to learn it by listening to your music nonstop (well, that and watching Kdramas). I’m looking forward to HallyuPopFest, where it would be really cool to see ‘Hide & Seek’ (though I know it’s a long shot). Thank you for answering our questions, Nivi. 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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