Korean Pop stars get warm welcome from Cebuano fans

KOREAN pop (K-pop) stars who will hold a concert in Lapu-Lapu City received a warm welcome from their Cebuano fans on Wednesday night, Dec. 7, 2022.

K-pop stars Chen and Xiumin of super boyband Exo, “The Queen of K-Pop” BoA and U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin of boyband TVXQ were treated to a unique Cebuano welcome by their fans at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Despite seeing their idols firsthand, Cebuano K-pop fans were cooperative with airport personnel, said Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Public Affairs Office head Mary Ann Dimabayao.

“They were not unruly, especially for the fans who were inside the arrival area. Those situated at the public area were just chanting but they were very cooperative with our security personnel,” Dimabayao said in Cebuano.

Dimabayao noted that the fandom followed the instructions of the airport management.

As early as 10 p.m., about 100 fans flocked to the airport, which probably doubled or tripled during their arrival around 11:30 p.m.

For his part, Col. Elmer Lim, director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), said no untoward incidents occurred when the K-pop stars were brought to their respective hotels.

Lim said there were two motorcycle policemen who followed and assisted the vehicles of the artists as they headed to their hotels.

Apart from that, there were police officers deployed, serving as route security.

On Dec. 8, the K-pop stars will hold a concert at the Mactan Newtown dubbed “Be You 2: The World Will Care.”

The concert will serve as the K-Pop stars’ first leg in their Philippine tour. The concert’s second leg featuring the same artists will happen at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Metro Manila on Dec. 9. (MKG)