Fun Despite Fans Mourning – Billboard

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Despite the definitely sunny Las Vegas weather, dark clouds hung over Mandalay Bay as organizers prepared for the inaugural We Bridge Music Festival and Expo. Originally scheduled to be a celebration of all things K-pop concerts that spotlight Asian creativity, the three-day event from April 21-23 saw beloved Korean singer ASTRO’s Moon Bin perform in Seoul. It took me a day to respond to the news on April 19th that he died in Eve.

Some parts of the K-pop industry continued as normal (like live TV, including the finale of the popular boy band survival competition on April 20), but boys planet Mnet, or on the April 21st episode of KBS music bank), some plans have changed (the single by K-pop veteran Kangta has been pushed back to 22nd by SM Entertainment from its original April 20th release date). Quote I want to pay tribute to the recently deceased.) As some fans called for the event to be canceled, especially concerned that the artist would not be able to properly pay his respects in South Korea, We Bridge shared how they honor the meteor.

“On behalf of the We Bridge team, it is with a heavy heart that we deal with the tragic and sudden loss of the recently deceased K-Pop icon ASTRO’s Moon Bin,” said event producer at We Bridge. Alex Kang writes. He belongs to Infinite Prospect Entertainment. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as his fans and community around the world who are mourning his passing. It is our collective goal to dedicate a moment of silence to collectively shed light on his memory. This light-up tribute will take place inside the theater on Friday night before the first concert. “

The first day of the festival kicked off with business-oriented panels, onsite activities such as choreography lessons and an art gallery, and interviews with performers from the Grammy Museum. Despite expectations for the first night of the concert, which included headliner Monsta X, the night began on meditative notes, opening the show with a tribute to Moonbin.

Actor Park Yuri, as MC for the two days of the We Bridge concert, told the audience, “I would like you to raise your mobile phone with the lights on. Could you please have a moment of silence?” Quiet Michelob Ultra in his arena, Moon soft his piano track played as a montage of his bin photos. Most of them featured his unforgettable smile and were performed on stage on giant LED screens. All of this was quickly put together by the team at Miller PR, the festival’s publicist. billboard Have learned.

Most of the support was for the night’s performers, but there were also several posters commemorating Moonbin in the crowd.Boy bands CIX and ONEUS, girl group Dreamcatcher, and solo star Kang.・Daniel showed an intense choreography that held down the point.Rapper Jessie was her highlight and– K-pop candor, joking about sore backs and slipping nipples while roaring to viral hits like “Zoom” and “Nuna Nana.” Many times during her set, Jessi bursts into the crowd to hug fans and sign autographs on her shirts, refreshingly demonstrating the intimacy between the K-pop artist and her fans. , usually not seen.

Just as MONSTA X dressed in all black as they departed Seoul Airport in honor of Moonbin, members Kihyun, Joohoney, Hyungwon and IM also performed more relaxed performances with more athletic dance moves. It’s more focused on connecting through recent English crossover releases. “You Problem” and her R3HAB assisted “Burning Up”.

Despite the successful launch of We Bridge, women trio VIVIZ members SinB and Umji had special concerns around the second day, as they considered Moon Bin a close friend. Ten years. Fans had asked We Bridge and her VIVIZ label, Big Planet Made Entertainment, to waive them completely from the event while they were in mourning.

VIVIZ’s social media accounts early in the morning before the start of the show on Saturday. share The group will be withdrawing from the Grammy Museum interview and festival red carpet “for the convenience of the artist”, but will perform at the concert “out of love and respect for their fans.” , added that Shinbi and Umji will not be attending the trio’s “high five” fan meeting event that day “due to poor health.” Even so, Eunha, the remaining member, met VIVIZ supporters with a bright smile and exchanged high fives with each and every one of them in line.

A similar generous atmosphere permeated the concert as SinB shuffled off the stage after the group’s opening number, “Pull Up.” Una took the lead by addressing the audience when a sulking Umji seemed visibly worried. When SinB didn’t come back after the one-minute stage greeting, Umji raised his voice and said, “Can I have a minute before the next song?” Audiences shouted to encourage recognition of the group balancing performance and mourning.

Along with Thailand-born GOT7 members BamBam, ONEUS, and headliner ENHYPEN, up-and-coming singer-rapper BE’O attended VIVIZ’s second concert. Cheers erupted throughout the night until ENHYPEN performed the final chorus of their encore song “Polaroid Love,” as organizer Yuri Park said goodbye on behalf of the festival, adding that he would see fans next year. It was easy to hear.

We Bridge Day 3 was less elaborate when it came to programming with panels including: crazy rich asians Fan meetings with actor Chris Pang and former Marvel designer Anthony Francisco, as well as Jessi and BE’O, attended the final day of the Vegas festivities, even though there was no concert that night. It was crowded with many people.

The We Bridge Music Festival and Expo faced an unexpected and serious problem just hours before its official kick-off. Yet, rather than being shy or relentlessly moving forward, that ability to be flexible and stand up in the moment has given him a notable human element among all K-pop superstars. , 2024 will be kinder to We Bridge, and after such a test run, Festival Expo will be able to further prove its prowess in the increasingly competitive K-pop event space.