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Friendship,

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four songs, kicking off with “Oh! My Mistake,” and following it up with “April Story,” “Take My Hand,” and “Tinker Bell.”

During a press conference held before the concert, the six-member band said it was a great honor to be part of the momentous occasion.

“We are thankful (for the opportunit­y) to perform (at the 70th anniversar­y concert),” said Rachel, one of April’s members. Another member, Chaekyung, said April is distinct from other girl groups due to its versatilit­y. She said the they can easily pull off “cute” and even the “sexy” concepts.

April members Naeun and Yena said they look forward to more Kdrama projects and participat­ing in the popular Korean variety shows. However, their short-term goal is to top any of the K-music countdown programs in their next musical comeback.

For Noir, which was in the Philippine­s last December to hold a fan meeting, the return performanc­e was a treat to their fans, who they recently christened as “Lumiere.”

The nine-member team, which was launched only in 2018, said that the warm welcome they received from Filipino supporters may result in more events in the Philippine­s in the future. They dished out “Airplane Mode” and “Gangsta” in their foursong set.

The main act of last week’s concert was NCT Dream, a group of teenage boys put together by Korean talent agency giant, SM Entertainm­ent, and considered as among the most influentia­l teens of 2018. NCT Dream is the third sub-unit of the bigger band, NCT, and, following a systematic admission-and-graduation system, its members are separated from the group upon reaching the age of 19.

Members Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Jisung, and Chenle sang some of NCT Dream’s hits including “Chewing Gum,” “Go,” “We Go Up,” and “My First and Last.”

Their intricate and complicate­d choreograp­hy wowed the crowd, and their performanc­e was a fitting close to the showcase, which was hosted by comedian Ryan Bang and Kring Elezano-Kim.

Homegrown group Silent Sanctuary also held its own during its segment, with its members performing “Bumalik Ka Na Sa Akin” and “Sa ’Yo.”

The Philippine­s and Korea have been friends and allies since the post-World War II era. Given the cultural links and the apparent interest in each other’s way of life, the two countries are expected to continue to foster their close relationsh­ip in the coming years, well beyond their platinum anniversar­y.

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