MANILA, Philippines - Chaos briefly ensued at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City yesterday after hundreds of hyperventilating teenagers swamped the building to see K-Pop star Nichkhun in person during a meet-and-greet session organized by clothing brand Bench.
Nichkhun, the only Thai member of South Korea’s popular boy band 2 PM, is the newest endorser of Bench. He breezed into town last Thursday night to meet the Philippine press and hold a series of fan meetings.
The same frenzied atmosphere was replicated at the SM Mall of Asia where hordes of screaming teenagers filled the mall to the rafters in a bid to see Nichkhun in the flesh.
2 PM has a loyal army of fans who call themselves “Hottests.†Filipino Hottests were in full force at both malls yesterday.
The Hottests yelled by the minute, but all that eardrum assault does not seem to faze or intimidate Nichkhun who was solicitous, warm and friendly to his Pinoy fans. In fact, he said he has long been looking forward to spend time with them and see them up close.
At an exclusive press conference held at the basement of the Bench Tower in Fort Bonifacio on Friday, Nichkhun said his two previous visits to Manila didn’t afford him a chance to interact with his fans.
The first time he was here, Nichkhun shared, was for a charity work while his second visit was last March when 2 PM held its very first concert What Time Is It at the Mall of Asia Arena. Both stays were short-lived.
“I’ve been here twice but I haven’t really stayed that long. There was no time to meet the fans up close and have that opportunity to get to know them, you know, ask them how they are, stuff like that. Now, on my third visit here, I’ll finally get to meet them, thanks to Bench,†Nichkhun said.
Why Filipino fans swoon over Nichkhun isn’t really a great mystery. The Thai dreamboat is impossibly good-looking, has washboard abs, he sings, too, acts and dances and is down-to-earth and kind. Plus, he speaks fluent English, Korean and Thai. He’s currently learning to speak Chinese and Japanese.
Even Korean TV host Grace Lee, the night’s host for the Bench presscon, couldn’t help but swoon at Nichkhun.
“You’re some kind of perfect, are you? You’re handsome, you’re tall, a trendsetter and you can even cook?†Grace said.
To which Nichkhun replied: “No, I don’t cook yet.†But soon he might just cook.
Nichkhun said it was never his dream to become an entertainer or a Korean pop star at that. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a chef or an interior designer. But as fate would have it, he was spotted by Korean singer/talent manager JY Park in L.A. during a talent audition and in 2006, Nichkhun packed his bags and came to Korea to train and join 2 PM. The rest is history.
“I was really a shy boy then. I went to Korea seven years ago to pursue a dream of being an idol and back then, I didn’t know how to dance, sing, act. But I’ve learned so much during the past few years and come to love and enjoy these things. I’ve also overcome my shyness,†he said.
At the presscon, Nichkhun said he has grown fond of the Philippines and wants to stay here longer.
“I want to work here more and maybe put out a single, because that song, Don’t Touch My Birdie, maybe I’ll do something like that,†Nichkhun said, eliciting laughter from showbiz reporters.
Don’t Touch My Birdie was popularized by Filipino rock band Parokya ni Edgar.
If he’s given more time to spend in the Philippines, Nichkhun said he plans to “stroll the streets of Manila†and visit the country’s world-famous beaches.†He also likes to eat balut, he told The STAR.
“Honestly, I haven’t had much time to look around and really experience the Philippines. It’s kind of a shame that it’s always been hotel-work-hotel. But I’d really love to go around. The ladies here are pretty and I heard there are lots of beautiful beaches. The people here are warm and welcoming,†he said.
Nichkhun added that the Philippines is always on his radar, and recently, he was heartbroken to know that so many people died from 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol and Cebu. At the presscon, Nichkhun announced a donation for the victims.
“When I first heard about the earthquake, I already had plans to come here. I really wanted to be here and help in anyway. Now that I’m here, thanks to Bench, I’d like to make some donation to the victims of earthquake,†Nichkhun said, to the applause of the press who was touched by his generosity.
During the whole duration of the presscon, Nichkhun kept on thanking Bench for choosing him as their brand ambassador. He joins a roster of famous international actors who endorses Bench such as Lee Min Ho, Taylor Lautner and Zac Efron.
“I’m proud to endorse a Filipino brand like Bench. It’s really what I want to wear. Bench is really me in any way. I’m not saying this because I’m an endorser but Bench is really something that normal people can wear,†he said.
Nichkhun recounted an incident in Germany when he felt proud to be a Bench model. “During a trip to Germany, I saw a Bench store and I said, that’s my brand, yeah,†he said.
Nichkhun said Bench reflects his personal style: clean, simple and appropriate to the occasion. That’s why Bench fit him to a T, he said.
“I’m just a simple guy,†he said.
Nichkhun likes girls who dress simply.
“I like her in simple jeans and shirts and I really find girls cute in UGG boots,†he said, referring to the furry boots that’s the rage in South Korea.
Nichkhun and the hunky boys of 2 PM, composed of Wooyoung, Taecyeon, Chansung, JunHo and Jun K., are slated for a series of concert shows in Japan in the first quarter of next year.
“Hopefully, we can come back next year for another concert here. I want to come back here again,†he said.