Text & Photos: Wenting Ang
Videos: Teng Siew Eng

“It’s a lot worst in Korea!” Leader Eric exclaimed with regards to member Dongwan’s playful actions when Shinhwa met the local media for their “The Return” concert’s press conference at Resort World Sentosa Convention Centre yesterday. The six charming members of Shinhwa – Eric, Lee Min Woo, Kim Dong Wan, JunJun, Shin Hye Sung and Andy – are in town for the Singapore leg of their world tour.

Decked in orange-grey suits, the atmosphere was kept light and cosy thanks to the members’ playful antics throughout the press conference. Introducing themselves in Korean, the members let slipped English and Chinese phrases, with member Junjin proudly claiming in English, “I love Singapore!” during his introduction.

Six years have passed since the legendary band stepped foot together on our island and Eric laughed when thegroup was asked what the difference between them then and now is. “The biggest difference between then and now is the members’ age,” he candidly replied, then adding that even though it had been a while since they were here, the passionate reception they had from their fans is still deeply etched in their heads.

Having debut for 14 years, Shinhwa had created many K-Pop history and had established themselves as the longest running Korean boyband. With that said, member Minwoo shared that his idea of starting a Shinhwa museum serves to “remember how each member had grew over the years and would be meaningful not just to them but also the fans.”