WTK had the opportunity to attend the 2023 K-Fun Day where B.A.P‘s Moon Jongup was the man of the hour! The event took place at the Shops at Skyview in Flushing, Queens, New York on July 9th from 2 to 5 p.m. Despite the initially beautiful weather, the day turned gloomy and stormy, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the attendees and curious onlookers.
Wesley Sin and “IT STYLE”
Jongup was invited to perform at the event and was in the care of Wesley Sin who handled things from Jongup’s landing in New York up to his return to Seoul. Sin is a PR veteran and journalist, as well as the TV host of the popular show, “IT STYLE.”
Due to his role with Shopcore Properties as the Regional Marketing Manager, Sin graciously hosted and organized the event and was very accommodating 2023 K-Fun Day. Sin had previously interviewed Jongup during KCON NY in 2019, so they were already comfortably acquainted with each other.
IT Style Interview with Moon Jongup
The highlight of the event was Jongup’s appearance with local Korean artists Jihyo Yu and Jason Lee, as well as with Korean chef Hansong Kim. They showcased Korean culture through art and food and informed the crowd about other upcoming events that might be of interest to those who want to learn more.
The event staff was friendly and coordinated, ensuring minimal miscommunication or confusion between the fans and staff. Seeing fans expressing their support through homemade paper banners, photocards, and cute stickers was heartwarming. The event created a sense of unity among B.A.P fans, solo Jongup fans, and newcomers from the popular show “Peak Time.” Fans came from various places, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, North Carolina, and even as far away as Taipei.
When Jongup made his entrance, the crowd erupted into screams. He gracefully descended down the escalator and took to the stage for the show to begin. Jongup performed three songs, including the hit song “This That Shhh” by Jay Park from “Peak Time.”
He also delighted fans by performing an unplanned killing point dance from Christopher’s “Bad” in response to a lucky fan’s request. B.A.P’s “Warrior” played during non-performing moments and created a nostalgic atmosphere, with fans singing along and even performing the dance moves. His last performance was “Us,” the title track from his similarly titled first solo album.
VIP Opportunities
For the special VIP fans who had paid a premium of $200 for their seating tickets, there were some exciting surprises that awaited them. One lucky fan received a graphic T-shirt designed by Jongup himself while two other fortunate fans were hand-fed kimbap rolls made by the singer.
The event also featured a Korean bartender who taught Jongup how to make a cocktail, and two more lucky fans had the chance to enjoy the drink together with him. At the end of the event, all VIP attendees were granted signed posters as a special token.
Throughout the event, there were interactive moments, Q&A sessions, and conversations with Jongup. He expressed his happiness at being invited back to New York and Sin mentioned that B.A.P was the first Korean boy group to perform at Times Square way back in 2013 which held significance for many long-time fans in the audience. It has been 10 years since that milestone and almost four years since Jongup’s last visit to the United States for KCON LA in 2019.
As the event wrapped up, Jongup graciously took a picture with fans from all sections. It was a surreal experience to be up close with him and capture memories after such a long wait. When Jongup bid farewell, escorted by security and the hosts, he kept waving and smiling at the crowd until the very last moment.
Encore Dance Performances
Following Jongup’s departure, a short dance was showcased by talented dancers from AFK Dance Studio. Groups of students— starting with children and ending with young adults— performed dance routines to a mix of popular K-pop songs. Four of the top students at the school even got the chance to perform as Jongup’s backup dancers in the event!
Moon Jongup and Wesley Sin on PIX11
During his stay, Jongup had the incredible opportunity to appear on a major news program on PIX11! The morning show hosts were curious to hear about the mission to revive mall culture and to hear what Jongup has planned next. Sin said that Jongup will be working on more music and the singer himself said that he hopes he will be able to meet fans before the end of the year.
Moon Jongup and His Return To Seoul
Shortly after returning to Seoul, Jongup held his first fan concert of the year called “Uppie is Back” on July 15th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. KST. The show was held in Sungshin Women’s University and tickets were available on Interpark, even offering an option to accommodate fans who couldn’t be there in person by opening a live stream for them. It was a happy reunion between Jongup, his fans, and an extra special surprise guest: fellow B.A.P member Jung Daehyun!
What’s Next?
If you happen to be in the New York area, don’t forget to check out the Shops at Skyview’s K-Culture Month! There are a few more days of various events lined up, so be sure to visit their Instagram page for more details.
Many thanks to MA Entertainment, the Shops at Skyview, and Wesley Sin for hosting Moon Jongup and promoting Korean culture in the USA! The event provided a fantastic summer experience and WTK is eagerly looking forward to attending another awesome program again next year.
For more information:
MA Entertainment: @maenter_official
Moon Jongup: @moonjongyeup
The Shops at Skyview: @theshopsatskyviewny
Wesley Sin: @wesley_sin
Jiho Yu: @geehyo
Hansom Kim: @hansong_kim
Jason Lee: @artistmasan
AKF Dance Studio: @akf_dance_studio
Did you attend the K-Fun Day in New York City? What would you like Moon Jongup to do next? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1 or leaving us a comment on Facebook or Instagram!
AMP_POWER is an Asian culture enthusiast from the US who enjoys having discussions with fellow fans about the industry and newcomers who are interested in broadening their horizons and expanding their taste in music. Having lived in Asia for a few years, she would be overjoyed to grab a cup of tea and sit down with you to share her cherished adventures. Art is her Life.
MEDIA: MA Entertainment, Moon Jongup, Wesley Sin, The Shops at Skyview, PIX11, WTK