South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
OMEGA X looks forward to soaking in American culture
After finishing up the Latin American portion of its “Connect: Don’t Give Up” tour, OMEGA X is now playing shows in the United States. This segment of its tour includes a concert at Chicago’s Concord Music Hall, as well as dates in Dallas and Los Angeles.
“I’m still in awe of the great passion and amazing support by Latin American fans,” said Jehyun, one of the South Korean group’s 11 members. “I’m truly thankful for them enjoying our concerts as passionately as we do!”
The entire group participated in this interview from Bogota, Colombia.
Q: How has your time been in Latin America? Hwichan: I love it! I’m very happy to be able to learn new things and enjoy the region.
Xen: It’s my first time in Latin America, but I’ve always wanted to visit because I listen to a lot of Latin American songs. I’m very happy to come to the region with a great opportunity. I also felt a great level of passion from our fans and K-pop fans in general.
Kevin: It’s my first time in Latin America, and I’m really excited to visit the countries that were on my bucket list. Most of all, I’m happy to be surrounded by views and cultures that I can’t witness in Korea.
Q: I know that some of you have been to the U.S. before. What are some of your memories? Yechan:
When I was a trainee, I went to Los Angeles for about a month to learn dancing. I visited famous dance academies, including Millennium Dance Complex, and made
a lot of good memories around Venice Beach and downtown LA. I would love to visit again because I enjoyed the city’s all-time amazing weather. I think I can learn and understand more if I visit now than I did when I was younger. Sebin: I was in Dallas for a concert and I still remember a steakhouse in Dallas. Everything was so good and the restaurant was like a factory! I stuffed myself there.
Q: Other than interacting with your fans, what do you hope to do while in the U.S.? Junghoon: I just want to stroll the streets and really experience American culture and daily life. I also want to go shopping and eat a good burger. Jaehan: I’d love to see the Statue of Liberty.
Q: What is your best and/ or worst vacation memory?
Hyuk: My family lives on Jeju Island, so I feel like I’m on vacation every time I go home.
Q: Where are some places you have traveled to that stand out in your mind? Hangyeom: I remember swimming at a hotel pool, hanging out at a beach with friends and eating delicious food in Pattaya (Thailand).
Sebin: I used to go to
Sokcho (South Korea) with my family at least once a year. Thinking about it, I really want to go now!
Q: Where have you enjoyed some favorite meals? Taedong:
I really liked nachos that I had in Merida, Mexico.
Yechan: I really liked spicy food from Mexico and I also liked the meat and burgers I ordered for room service in Colombia. I also remember having pizza and pasta in Italy when I was young, but I don’t remember the flavor, so I definitely want to go back. Hwichan: My favorite food is galbitang (beef short rib stew) near Hongik University in Seoul.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels? Hyuk:
Study various languages!
Hwichan: Pack smart because you’ll end up only wearing the same clothes anyway.
Q: Is the language barrier an issue between you and some of your fandom? Jehyun:
When I saw our fans singing along to our Korean lyrics, I realized that music is just music. There is no language barrier when communicating through music.