Filipino fans of StrayKids are still hung over the South Korean idol group's recent visit to Manila.
The eight-piece boy group also known as Stays—composed of Lee Know, Felix, Seungmin, Jisung, Hyunjin, I.N., Changbin, and Bang Chan—met some of their most loyal fans at a fan meet organized by Bench at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
Select members of the press including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) welcomed the boys to the country at a press conference held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
Members of StrayKids expressed their excitement to be back in the country after almost four years.
It seemed their Pinoy fans have left their mark on the group whose first concert in the country called was in April 2019.
The group's leader Bang Chan, who grew up in Australia, recalled, "First time we came was when we had our unveil tour in Manila.
"And what I remember most distinctively is, you know, we have our in-ears for the performances so like, earphones.
"But then, Stays' screams would just pierce through the in-ears and we just like hear them screaming. The energy was crazy!"
Felix, who was born and raised in Australia, said, "I feel like, back then... It was such a very unforgettable moment back then as well, but I do feel that when we came back here again, it was more of like [I appreciate] the people and the way that treats one another.
"Honestly, I feel like that was really what the Philippines should be and what it really represented.
"I feel like, through that... I feel like the people, everyone's so nice.
"Everyone treats one another with so much respect. And through that, I just felt like this country is very beautiful in its own way."
Read related story: K-pop boy band StrayKids learns Filipino phrases ahead of Manila concert
FUN FACTS
Members of StrayKids did share a lot of fun facts about themselves during the question and answer segment of the press conference.
Here are a few things we learned about StrayKids:
1. I.N. reveals that he has the most clothes in the group
I.N. said, as translated in English, “Each and every member has his distinct style, their distinct taste when it comes to fashion, so I think everyone is very interested in fashion but to be honest, of all the members, I would have the most pieces in my closet.”
2. The group would love to try Adobo
Felix revealed his Filipino friends recommended Adobo as must-try.
The 22-year-old performer said, "I have Filipino friends back in Australia and also, they did suggest a dish called Adobo. So I think, if there's a chance, I'd like to try it."
Seungmin agreed and added, "Actually, we weren't able to have a lot of chances and opportunities to enjoy the traditional food in the Philippines.
"When we heard about this pork dish here in the Philippines, which is Adobo, I really want to try it."
3. They engage in their personal hobbies during their free time.
Asked what they usually do when they're not at work, Lee Know said he has been trying new things during his free time.
As translated in English, he told the press, “Whenever I have some free time, I always challenge myself to try new things.”
For his part, Felix revealed his geeky side and said, "I would build my computer or, I mean, just fix my keyboards."
4. StrayKids take pride in producing their own music.
Han said, with the help of a translator, "One of the biggest differences we have from other boy groups is that we produce our own songs ourselves.
"Whenever we would perform, we have that distinct and irreplaceable color that we hold on, and that is why we are different from other boy groups."
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CONQUERING THE WORLD
The group also talked about their latest milestones in the K-Pop scene. In 2022, the group released its 7th Korean-language mini-album Maxident, which also features the lead single "Case 143."
Changbin shared more details about the album and revealed that it was their first time creating a song about love.
With the help of a translator, he said, "We focused on this album where we want to showcase to you the daily situation we face and how we go through it. Also, this is the album where it’s our first time to create a song that talks about love."
Their album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart in October 2022, just seven months after they scored their first Billboard 200 No.1 album with Oddinary in March 2022.
Regarding this achievement, Changbin told the press, "Up to this day, it’s really unbelievable that we have reached such an accomplishment. This is a very big present that the Stays have given to us.
"In truth, our eagerness and our truth that we have poured inside the album reached their hearts. We are happy and we will do our best more and more."
Changbin credits the group's strong fanbase—in South Korea and the rest of the world—for everything they have achieved so far.
He said, "Being able to receive love from all our fans allows us to live our everyday lives very happily and it makes us realize our responsibility as artists where we have to reach the expectations of our fans as well."
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