There are K-Pop fans across the globe who share the same passion. But on online platforms, it is hard to know about each other’ stories and K-Pop life. Even if we are in the same fandom, it is hard to get to know each other. So at Kpopmap, we started the Kpopmap Fan Interview Project to get to know more about K-Pop fans from different countries: more about their K-Pop life and tastes and to give them the opportunity to share with our readers about their favorite group(s) and bias. Cassie from the US is the next fan to answer our questions. She is a fan of B.A.P and of MONSTA X and more particularly of MinHyuk! Check out how she entered these fandoms, the songs and content she advises to new fans, and much more! Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from? Hello! My name is Cassie (I also go by Artemis), my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I’m from the US on the east coast. I’m a BABY and a MONBEBE, meaning that I am a huge fan of B.A.P (including YongGuk, DaeHyun, YoungJae, JongUp, and Zelo as soloists) and MONSTA X. How and when did you enter the fandom? I first followed B.A.P in 2013 and through B.A.P I met and later followed MONSTA X in 2017. It started when I watched the ‘Bad Girl Good Girl’ stage with YoungJae (B.A.P) in it. Everyone did amazing, but I remember being taken in by MinHyuk (MONSTA X). After that, I watched an old interview of DaeHyun (B.A.P) interviewing MONSTA X on “Idol Battle Likes”. Again, I was captivated by MinHyuk. Then I watched their music videos including ‘Hero’ and ‘All In’ and I was hooked. What are the reasons why you love your favorite group? For B.A.P, it was their power and passion that pulled me in. The five members are also incredibly talented and still blow me away with their abilities. B.A.P and MONSTA X both have this refined sexy manly nature that is hard to describe but is incredibly intoxicating. MONSTA X similarly is also powerful. They have this energy that can make me smile while also make me feel many emotions all at once. While I do like songs from other groups, no one has been able to hit my soul as much as B.A.P and MONSTA X. I also love how the members in both groups (the five in B.A.P and the six in MONSTA X) have distinct yet compatible and relatable personalities. Who caught your attention at first and why? For MONSTA X, it was MinHyuk. It is hard to describe exactly how but I felt instantly drawn to him. This might seem odd considering the first videos I was introduced to him. But he was truly the one who pulled me into MONSTA X and something about his energy was beautiful to me. Who is your bias, and why? MinHyuk is still my bias and has been since I started following MONSTA X. I do love all the members of course, but something about MinHyuk still holds me. If I had to try to describe it, it’s his complexity. He is clever, gorgeous (inside and out), talented, witty, kind, sexy, passionate, and very observant. He also does not shy away from things. For example, when necessary, he will scold fans who are toxic. I greatly admire any idol who is able to do this since I think fans are a reflection of the artist. Additionally, MinHyuk’s voice and vocals are so beautiful and emotional. I truly love everything about him. Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? For a MONSTA X title track, I have to recommend their latest release ‘Love’ from the “Shape of Love” album. MONSTA X has such a wide range with their sound and this was another example of me being blown away by them. As for a B-side, it is hard to choose just one, but I think I can say that my favorite MONSTA X B-Side is ‘Nobody Else’ from the “Fatal Love” album. It was written by HyungWon and shows off the six members so incredibly well. The song is smooth, sexy, and very addicting. Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers? I have to recommend MinHyuk’s song ‘옹심이(Ongshimi)’. This song was written by and gifted to MinHyuk from JooHeon (also called JooHoney). I was incredibly blessed to be able to see this song live as I have loved this song since the music video was released in 2019. I would also like to recommend MinHyuk’s covers ‘그래 그러자 (That’s Alright)’ and ‘지켜줄게 (See You Again)’ as these show off his amazing vocals. ‘That’s Alright’ in particular is one of my favorite covers as it is so beautiful and emotional. Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group? There are many amazing contents for new MONBEBE or anyone curious about MONSTA X to check out. For now, I would like to recommend the “Dingo School” episodes (released in 2020). You will get to know each member’s personality better through the episodes. The episodes also all have English subtitles and are quite funny to watch. There are six episodes total along with a few behind the scenes videos. Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? “Wish I could read your mind Don’t wanna waste this time Tell me what’s behind those eyes? I wanna start tonight, no, no, no more lies” MinHyuk’s verse in ‘Secrets’ from the “One of a Kind” album Are there any words from the members you would like to share? “I want to be an idol who you can’t get to see often but one who can feel is with you every day.” -MinHyuk What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life? I like to thank B.A.P for helping me make it through grad school and like to thank both B.A.P and MONSTA X for helping me through internship, residency, and my current work. I don’t know if I would be here today without them. They give me the energy to keep going, even through the hard times. Do you feel there are any misunderstandings, things that are not well known, or any prejudices about your favorite group from other fans (non-fans)? MinHyuk is deeper and more complex than some realize. Many see him as a ball of silly energy and as the sunshine of the group. While I think these things can be true, he is more than that. He lifts his other members up, he comforts them, he cries with them, and he looks out for them. He also relies on them too when he has a hard time. MinHyuk is open with his emotions, including recognizing that all emotions (including ‘negative’ ones) are valid and allowed. He sees much of what happens and is deliberate in much of what he does. He gives his all frequently and deserves all the love and respect in the world. I hope fans remember that he is a human before he is an idol. If you go to only one, would you go to a concert, fan meeting, or fan sign? This is hard. I would have to say concert since a MONSTA X concert is amazingly fun. Their live performances are out of this world and are so cool. But I am also tempted to say fansign since I really want a chance to talk to MinHyuk one-on-one and be able to tell him all the things I said in this article. If you can spend a day with your bias, where will you go and what will you do? Honestly it would depend on what he would want to do. But I think spending the day at the ocean whale watching and swimming would make him really happy. He loves whales and even has a tattoo of a whale on his right knee. The ocean also has a way of calming everything in the world and making you feel like yourself again, even through all the craziness of life. After the ocean, we could go get some good food then go play video games while relaxing in the evening. I feel like ending the day with games and good conversation would be amazing! Plus MinHyuk has said that he likes games and I do too so it could be fun. I would love the chance to spend time with him and would try to make the most of it, wanting him to enjoy himself as much as possible on an off day from his busy schedule. Do you have a dream subunit/unit? I have a few actually, involving both my favorite groups. Within MONSTA X, I would love to see a MinHyuk / KiHyun duet. Beyond, I think a unit of DaeHyun (B.A.P), MinHyuk, KiHyun, and YoungJae (B.A.P) would be so vocally powerful. Also, a dance duet with JongUp and ShowNu would be amazing too (shout out to my friend Aurora who wants this too). Honestly if the B.A.P members and the MONSTA X members do anything together, I would be beyond thrilled. Describe them in 5 words. Passionate, kind, talented, sexy, & beautiful. What is a random fact that you think people don’t know about them? MinHyuk is incredibly talented, including vocally and visually. His voice gives me chills it is so beautiful. He has modeled for many brands, including Champion and Shoopen. He was an MC on “Inkigayo” and for his own show “Vogue Ship Show” on NAVER. He has multiple other talents too, including playing games (video games and sports). He is also very clever as well as witty and has a great sense of humor that I vibe well with. Can you recall a moment where you cried/laughed with your bias? I’ve had only one fancall with MinHyuk and that was in 2020. There was a really sweet moment where I made him a promise in Korean. He then held up his pinky finger, and we made a pinky promise. I would like to keep the exact wording between him and myself, but that moment of us smiling holding out our pinky fingers will forever be in my mind and make me smile. What about your bias do you relate to the most? His humor and personality. While my personality is a bit more introverted, our humor matches well and his intelligence is incredibly attractive to me. He seems to see the world in a very similar lens to me, something I’ve noticed when he talks about deeper subjects such as emotions and world issues. He also has this kindness while also mischievous vibe that matches well with me. What is your 2022 prediction for your favourite idol? I’m hoping that in 2022, MinHyuk will be able to release another solo song (JooHeon mentioned that he has something drafted for MinHyuk) as well as being able to release ‘Ongshimi’ officially. MinHyuk just performed ‘Ongshimi’ live for the first time during this current tour so I’m hopeful for more this year. Cassie’s message to MinHyuk: MinHyuk, I am so proud of you. You inspire me each and every day and make my life better with your existence. I truly love you so much. We made a pinky promise to each other in 2020 and I still hold on to that. So remember: I will always love and support you. I love you for you, not just as an idol but as MinHyuk. Hopefully one day I get a chance to tell you this in person. I love you. Please be safe and remember that I will always be your MONBEBE. Thank you for answering our questions, Cassie. If you are interested in joining Kpopmap Fan Interview Project, please get in touch with us at [email protected] Everyone is welcome to participate.
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