South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
U.S. tour a dream for K-pop group
With the increased popularity of K-pop, fans worldwide have been clamoring for groups to visit their countries. The three-man group M.O.N.T. listened and recently toured in Israel and India. “Israel was our first solo concert, so it was hard, but at the same time very fulfilling,” says group leader Narachan. “At first we were worried (because we didn’t know what to expect). However, we went because our MINTs (M.O.N.T.’s fan base) gathered strength together to invite us to those countries.” Adds Bitsaeon, “We chose those countries because we knew there were many sad K-pop fans in parts of the world that are waiting to see concerts. We wanted to give them something special. We sold out all our shows! In India, more than 18,000 people came to our concert.” The trio’s current tour includes dates in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
An edited version of our conversation follows.
Q: What are your hopes for this U.S. tour?
Bitsaeon: We hope many fans can come to the concert. The U.S. tour has always been a dream. If many fans would come, I’ll feel very happy.
Q: What do you want to do while in the U.S., time permitting?
Narachan: I really want to see a musical in New York.
Roda: I want to try busking in America.
Bitsaeon: I want to visit all the famous restaurants.
Q: Let’s talk about some of the interesting places you have visited.
Narachan: For me, Brazil was very memorable. Even though it was very far to travel to, the weather was great and the fans there were so awesome.
Roda: Israel was the most memorable. The buildings and roads were all very new to me and it was fun to explore a whole new environment.
Bitsaeon: India and Poland. India is full of fun memories for me and I can never forget when so many people came to see our concert and cheered for us.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
Narachan: Actually, on this tour, we already got to go to many countries that we wanted to visit, so I’m very happy. In the future, I would like to visit Turkey and Denmark too.
Roda: Argentina, Chile and other South American countries.
Bitsaeon: I want to go to Japan, China and other Asian countries.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items? Narachan: Cellphone. Roda: Laptop for composing.
Bitsaeon: Music.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about time and money, what would be your dream trip?
Roda: I want to go to (the U.S.) and visit all the running shoe stores and buy all the shoes I like.
Bitsaeon: I wish (we could) go to Japan on a sushi tour and then go to Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) and watch the sunset while drinking a bottle of beer. (We’d) take photos to share with MINTs. Lastly, go to Canada to see the Northern Lights.
For more from the reporter, visit www.jaehakim.com.