Breaking barriers with K-Pop fan gatherings — HALLYUNIVERSE: SWI7CH
The seventh installment of HallyUniverse explored new horizons as it moved to an entirely online setup through a Facebook Live held last June 5, 2021. The University of the Philippines Society of Students for Korean Popular Culture, commonly known as HallyUP, held its first ever virtual HallyUniverse titled HALLYUNIVERSE: SWI7CH after having the event offline for the past six years.
Keeping to its roots but adding a little more, HALLYUNIVERSE: SWI7CH showcased various performances from K-Pop fans and cover groups and despite the virtual setup having multiple caveats, the event successfully featured a native Korean who talked about the Hallyu Wave and even a K-Pop girl group (yes, a real girl group!). The highlight of the event was the chosen beneficiary for this installment, Silungan ng Pag-Asa and Kusina ng Kalinga. The former being a temporary shelter for children diagnosed with cancer and the latter an anti-poverty movement focused on alleviating hunger among Filipino children.
Prior to the D-Day, the event was introduced through prizes such as official albums, lightsticks, photocards, and fanmade merchandise which could be won through a raffle or by answering the various prompts posted throughout the days such as “Which K-Pop Artist’s track best represents a switch in their concept?”. Additionally, several teasers which hinted at the happenings and performance lineup for the event were also released weeks before.
The event kicked off with trailblazing performances from Fifth Shadow, a BLACKPINK cover group, Blue Hanguk Society, Ateneo de Manila University’s Korean Studies Program student arm, and performers from HallyUP themselves. In between performances, viewers were encouraged to join giveaways by posting their answers to questions such as “Which TWICE/ITZY title track made you a ONCE/MIDZY?” on their social media accounts, and participating in the live games such as guess that 8-bit K-Pop song, guess that K-Pop song and artist emoji, and K-Pop math game.
A new addition to the HallyUniverse mainstay are the mini-talks. Dr. Jungwon Kim, an ethnomusicologist specializing in Korean popular music culture, K-pop, fandom, and gender studies with a Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside was the perfect first guest for HallyUniverse mini-talks. She talked briefly about the cultural impact of K-Pop and gave examples of how K-Pop and Pop Culture has influenced each other throughout the years.
The show kept the energy high with performances from KEEP UP, University of the Philippines Baguio’s Korean culture special interest and performing organization, MiU, a multi-awarded singing sibling duo, and Arirang Dream, UP Arirang’s Performance Team sub-unit.
Switching things up once more, mini-talks featuring Hand-in-Hand PH, a union of Philippine K-Pop fanclubs and fanbases aiming to give back to the community, and Annyeong PNU HanMunSa, the Korean cultural organization of the Philippine Normal University were featured.
Wrap-up performances were given by MAVROZ, a 2NE1 cover group, Revel Up, a HallyUP buddy cover group, Vanessa Evia, a talented veteran K-Pop stan, and one of the best performances of the night, PRINCIPIUM, an all male self-produced multi-awarded K-Pop dance cover group from our very own Philippines, mainly focusing on SM Entertainment’s biggest group, NCT.
Staying true to the theme of the event, HALLYUNIVERSE: SWI7CH’s biggest switch was a personal message from the powerful rookie girl group, TRI.BE. They wished the event well and greeted the Filipino Trues by giving away two personally signed albums to two lucky winners currently watching the livestream.
After a long night of fun, K-Pop, and learnings, it was time for HallyUP to give their own personal message to all the viewers and everyone who supported HallyUniverse throughout the years, especially during this time that the event was only held virtually. Led by the organization’s adviser, Sir Erik Paolo Capistrano, HallyUP gave thanks and cheered everyone on as we all continue our fangirl/fanboy life amidst the pandemic.
With the help of all the partner fanclubs and dedicated K-Pop fans, the livestream peaked at 234 concurrent viewers with an overall total of 4,300 views, attributed to the amazing performances, games, and surprises scattered throughout the event. Amidst the towering hurdles of hosting HallyUniverse online for the first time, a total of Php 64,415.00 was raised for the beneficiaries. Php 30,000 which equates to 1,000 meals were donated to Kusina ng Kalinga and Php 18,822.50 worth of in-kind donations and Php 15,600 of cash donations were then turned over to Silungan ng Pag-Asa.
HallyUniverse has once again proven its timeless dedication and effort in giving back to the community through the sheer love for K-Pop, all the while also bringing K-Pop communities from around the country to share their passion for Korean Popular Culture.
HallyUP would like to thank everyone who made this event successful:
Major Partners: Kporium — KPop Shop | Nice & Natural | Nissin Yakisoba
In cooperation with: Korean Cultural Center
Special thanks to: Lime Love Club PH | Seoul Mint PH | 00 ZONES | WonderFul Philippines | Won Jinah Philippines | Takahashi Juri Philippines | Park Gyuyoung Philippines | winecloudsPH shop | STAND UP | STAND UP NCPAG | UP Preschool Practitioners | UP Batangan | UP DOST SA | Han Sohee Philippines | Kang Hanna Philippines | NCT 127 Philippines
In partnership with: Astro Philippines | BLOOM Philippines | BTOB Philippines | BTS PH | Enhypen Philippines | Hand in Hand PH | Hwasa Philippines | Johnny Philippines | Kim Chungha 김청하 Philippine Fanpage | Kim Doyoung Philippines | Lee Jong Suk Fans Philippines | Lee Seung Gi Philippines | Lee Taeyong Philippines
NCT Jaehyun Philippines | ONF Philippines | Park Shin Hye Philippines Fanclub || PENTAGON Philippines | Red Velvet Joy Philippines | Running Man Philippines | Sechskies Philippines | Seo Yea Ji 서예지 Philippines | Song Kang Philippines | Sungchan Philippines | Treasure Philippines | TXT Philippines | Yoo Yeon Seok Philippines | Yuta Nakamoto Philippines | 88 HOTLINE | BunnyBearPH | cafejeno | Chi World Online Shop | ClassiK Naga | cometscrush | d-1 studio | D’RENDEZVOUS PH | DeokuDen | District Gold PH | EnNoonas MNL | Epitome PH | EuphoriCamper PH | Foliage Yard PH Kpop Shop | Glitter Attic | Hallyu Fine PH | Han Unnie PH | Happy M | Keopi STUDIO | Kimmaru PH | Kphoria PH | Love Print PH | NEO Station | Now Playing PH | Papers by Pat | Peach Bliss | Piangge by SOPH SHOP | Print Tales | Purple Starlight PH | Stardrop Studio | Sundae Club PH | The Fangirl Cart | Thunder Notes | Welly Prints
Article written by: Justin Mariñas
