...the K-POP fans

Two Pinoy fans win in KBS K-pop contest in Seoul

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

July 2, 2011

Manila Bulletin

Performers on “Music Bank” included (clockwise from top left) TVXQ, CNBlue, 4Minute and 2PM (Screen caps by Bulletin Entertainment)

MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.

Adilla Ayoub from Singapore won first prize in the event dubbed the "K-pop King Wang Jjang Contest," held at the KBS studios in Seoul. She was awarded an iPad and a photo opportunity with a K-pop star.

Filipinos Richard Fernando and Rachel Montalbo won the second and third prizes, respectively. For the feat, Fernando won an iPod while Montalbo won a digital camera.

Special prizes were also awarded to Veronica Lopez from Spain, who won the Popularity Award, and to another group from the US for winning the Effort Award.

KBS President Kim In-kyu graced the event to welcome K-pop fans from all over the world..
“It's KBS World's 8th b-day! Your love and support let us grow into a global channel,” he said.

As part of KBS World's 8th Founding Anniversary celebration, a Hallyu exhibit was unveiled at the event highlighting letters and messages from over 200,000 KBS followers from different social networking sites. Screening of various Korean dramas dubbed in different languages was also held during the event.

On the same day, fans from different countries all over to the world watched the “Music Bank” live.

The star-studded special saw the performance of K-pop artists TVXQ, Kim Hyun Joong, 4Minute, CNBlue, 2PM, f(x) Boyfriend, IU, A-Pink, T-ara, Secret, Sistar, Infinite, G.NA, Rainbow, Navi, K-Will, 8eight, Kim Tae Woo, Wheesung and Eru.