We all miss attending concerts, fan meets, and fan club gatherings. The thrill of finally getting to see your faves, the euphoria after meeting them, and the connections discovered in between—it’s something that we would always look forward to pre-pandemic. But with our current situation, all we can do now is revisit old photos, chat with our fellow fans, and binge-watch as much content as we can.
As for us, however, you can find us watching Kring Kim’s YouTube videos to relive some of our best fangirl moments.
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If you have attended a Korean fan meet event before, chances are you’ve already seen this dynamic host, and have witnessed how she can set the mood all the time. Her energy during events is infectious, and her optimism in life, as seen on her Twitter account, is the kind of motivation that we all need. Let’s just say that her personality is as vibrant as her hair color.
Kring Kim wears many hats: She’s a TV and events host, businesswoman, content creator, and fangirl just like the rest of us. If you’re a commuter, we bet you’ve already seen her on the mini TVs in MRT and LRT, where her vlogs are often flashed. She's also married to Jimmy Kim, whom you can often spot on her videos (we love their mukbang sessions)! A quick look at her YouTube channel (with 190k subscribers to date!) and you will find a looooot of Korean culture content—from learning the language, to what to eat and where to go for your next trip to South Korea. But our favorite would be her videos when she hosted different fan events.
Here’s Kring getting kilig during oppa So Ji Sub’s fanmeet:
When she hosted an event for the ~lovesick girls~ aka BLACKPINK:
And all her other fan gatherings where she met Girls Generation, EXO, 2NE1, and Park Hyung Sik, to name a few:
Kring gives off so much good vibes not only on stage but also behind the scenes. I have witnessed how charismatic she is during Super Junior’s concert and 2NE1’s Minzy’s meet and greet. And boy, does she make the crowd go wild! Kring is such a natural when it comes to this kind of thing, and she, with no doubt, is really born for it.
Cosmopolitan Philippines had the chance to interview one of our favorite hosts of all time, and ask about her most memorable events:
When did you start your career as a host?
I started with fan club gatherings way back in 2007, but my first K-pop related event is the first Korean showcase in the Philippines, FT Island In Manila in 2010.
What are your top three most memorable moments so far?
First, it’s the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert in 2013. The guests were EXO who were babies back then, Girls’ Generation, Infinite, and many more. Sobrang daming tao that time and I would always be grateful for that opportunity. The second one, it’s 2NE1’ s All Or Nothing in Manila Fan Event. Sa sobrang daming tao, hindi ko na naririnig yung sarili ko at yung sinasabi ng 2NE1. But as a Blackjack since their debut in 2009, it was such a big deal for me to be on the same stage as them. CL even remembered me during the concert. That was very exciting, plus the energy of the fans was off the charts at that time. Lastly, Park Hyung Sik in Manila in 2017. It was my comeback as a host since I took a break for a while in hosting to concentrate on my business and other things. It was really one of the best hosting experiences I’ve ever had. If you were there, you would understand why. It was really fun and everyone had good energy, including Hyung Sik.
What do you miss most about hosting K-pop events?
I miss being on stage and feeding off from the energy of the fans. I also host other events that are not Korean-related, but nothing really beats hosting for Korean events because the fans’ energy is really different. It hypes me up and the artists, like being on stage and seeing the fans go crazy for their idols—that’s why I miss it the most
You’re also a fangirl like us! Who are your favorite Korean celebrities?
Recently, I’ve been asked that a lot and it’s so hard for me to answer now. I don’t have a main or specific group at the moment. I love everyone, I watch everyone. But if you follow me on Twitter, you would know that I do have my moments where I spazz over everyone in different months or time.
Are there any idols that have left you speechless?
I would say BIGBANG because I was a VIP for so long! I became a VIP in 2008 then I saw them in 2012. But in 2015, during their MADE concert in Manila, I was backstage and they passed by me at sobrang na-speechless ako. Especially with TOP and G-Dragon. It was really on a different level. A lot of the K-pop idols are actually good-looking and hot. I remember when L of Infinite came out one time in 2013 and I was so shocked kasi sobrang gwapo niya. And I also can't forget So Ji Sub. He has a different aura, like a daddy aura! I can’t explain well, basta may something siya. May mga ganon, like take-your breath-away moments when you’re with them. The other ones, even if I’ve watched them in concerts here and in South Korea, if I’m afar, hindi parehas yung pagka-star struck as opposed to being literally close to them. The examples I gave are those that I’m a foot away, kaya iba yung kilig at dating.
Which Korean celeb are you *super* excited to meet someday?
I really would love to meet Jun Ji Hyun. She’s such an idol! The other one is Lee Hyori, another unnie (older sister) who is also my idol. I’ve known her since 2004 but I became a fan in 2008. She’s like my life goal in terms of how she lives her life, on how cool she is, and how fun she is.
What can you say about how fans spazzed before compared to now? Are there any significant differences in their behavior?
I wouldn’t really say there is a big significance in how people spazz. It’s more like the platform where they spazz in. When I first started becoming a fan, wala kaming social media. We didn’t have the internet then. Now, YouTube is such a big part of an idol’s career that the views matter so much. People are really all about “Stream this” and “Stream that”, but before we didn’t have that. It’s more mainstream now. It’s easier to spazz because you have more people to spazz with. Back then, it was really a niche market, like only a few people can relate to what I talk about and the things I like. Now everyone is a K-pop or K-drama fan. Mas naging madali siya at mas maraming paandar yung mga fans. They can do it in more places—concerts, fan events, etc. It’s more visible. It doesn't mean people loved idols and actors any less before, it’s just that we see it more now, and more people are doing it now.
Any message to K-entertainment fans who would like to meet their favorites someday but finds it hard to find a way?
A lot of fans get super stressed over not watching a concert or being part of an activity or event, but what I always say is that if it’s for you, it’s gonna happen. If not, ‘wag mong ipilit. Watching these concerts and fan activities, they’re not cheap especially if you are still a student. Please don’t pressure your parents to allow you to do this or give you money to do that. Darating naman ang panahon na you can do it on your own and with more freedom. Right now, since walang live events, wala tayong capabilities to see our idols in real life or up-close, but there’s a lot of avenues now. There are online concerts so if you get a chance, please try to do that. Mas mura siya ngayon. You can also join contests para maka-participate ka. When I was young, I never had a chance to meet my idols, not necessarily Koreans but just the people I liked and I was a fan of. I never had a chance but I didn’t think that time made me any less of a fan. You will have your chance. It will happen to you someday at the right time, so just wait for it. In the meantime, just support them in your own little way. Kung ano man yung kaya ng capabilities niyo. Continue supporting K-pop, K-drama, and Korean Entertainment.
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