Popular K-pop Duo Set to Perform in Hayward

By: Rainier Ramirez, Jul 14, 2008
Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Bay Area |

AsianWeek Popular K-pop Duo Set to Perform in Hayward





South Korean singing duo Fly to the Sky will thrill fans at a July 27 concert at the Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward.
Fly to the Sky consists of two strong vocalists, U.S.-born Brian Joo and South Korean native Hwanhee. While they are credited as being the first R&B duo of South Korea, their musical styles also include ballads, hip-hop and pop music. Their live performances blend together smooth dance moves with their singing. In past U.S. concerts, they were not shy and enjoyed being up close with the audience. Brian, who grew up in New Jersey, takes control of the mood and encourages audience participation while speaking in English.
FTTS has been very popular in Korean pop (K-pop) music over the last few years. Their latest album, No Limitations, released in 2007, reached the number 1 spot on the Korean music charts.
For fans of K-pop and other Asian music, not knowing the language is not a deterrent to listening since there is more to a song than the meaning of its lyrics.
“I think music goes beyond language,” said Michael Kang, president of The Korea Times-San Francisco. “There are many different aspects, like talent, lyrics, tempo, melody and sound effects, that fans tap into.”
“We knew that we did not have to rely strictly on the Korean fans, and we could tap into markets of the non-Korean fan population,” said Grace Lee, president and CEO of One Generation Productions, promoters of the Hayward concert.
“One of the biggest issues of bringing talent from overseas is the language barrier, but in recent years, Korean pop culture has been booming. Fans love the music and the performers regardless of language,” Lee said.
FTTS is also scheduled to have a concert in Los Angeles on July 25. They have previously performed at the 2007 and 2008 Korean Music Festival in Los Angeles, and had a concert in Hawai‘i in February. This will be their first feature concert in Northern California.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will honor Fly to the Sky for promoting cultural and economic exchange between South Korea and San Francisco County by declaring July 27 “Fly to the Sky Day.”
“When I first heard that they were coming to the Bay Area, I was really surprised. No big K-pop artist or group ever held a full concert here before,” said Meuy Saetern, an Oakland resident and fan of Fly to the Sky.
Saetern is in charge of the fan-created Blue Sky Project S.F., which is planning to distribute blue glowsticks to the audience before the concert.
“We really do appreciate them taking their time to come here for the concert, and I wanted to show them the love and support of the FTTS fans of the Bay Area.”