Sun? Sand? Sea? Opportunities to quickly cool off in the heat? All while watching your favourite acts getting equally wet against the beautiful skyline of Sentosa?
It felt like a no-brainer to bring Waterbomb to Singapore, and the highly anticipated event had finally hit our shores over 24th and 25th August.
Korea’s Waterbomb has been the leading platform to give rise to some of the most viral fancams in K-pop. We recall Kwon Eunbi’s viral fancam at Korea’s Waterbomb last year, and not forgetting Sunmi and her well-built dancer, Single Inferno’s Cha Hyunseung back in 2018. As one of the few events where both fans and idols are expected to get soaked, and no we don’t mean performing in heavy rain, it’s the perfect reason for idols to let their hair down, show some skin, and have lots of fun.
Read on as we recap our most memorable moments from the weekend.
From Sweet to Sultry: Women of K-pop Captivate in Every Mood
From Kwon Eunbi and Jessi on the first night to Sorn, Chungha and Bibi on the second night, our female soloists of K-pop showed us that K-pop is far from boring. Singer-rapper Jessi dominated the stage with popular hits such as “Cold Blooded”, “Gucci” and “Zoom”, while Eunbi and Chungha, both alumni of the Produce series, charmed their way with hit such as “Underwater” and “Gotta Go” respectively. Their personalities shone through just as much, with Jessi having no qualms posing generously for the cameras, while others were careful to ask for permission before turning on the water cannon and drenching the audience.
Bibi exemplified this duality by serenading us with saccharine songs such as “Bam Yang Gang” one moment and then showing who is boss with “BIBI Vengeance” the next, all while being mindful of how she might “say something wrong and offend you all”, but emphasised that she’s “always about peace”. Ex-CLC member Sorn had also kindly shared the Waterbomb stage and experience with fellow member Seungyeon – a reunion we didn’t expect but it was lovely to see.
We believe there’s strength in the diversity that the women of K-pop bring to the table – sweet or sultry? You take your pick.
Dripping with Charm: Male Soloists Flaunt Wet Abs Onstage
Well, where else would you find a better stage and reason for the best male soloists of K-pop to strip off their shirts and flaunt their well-defined 6-pack?
42-year-old singer and father of 2, RAIN, was quick to rid his shirt within his first song, redefining what a Dad-bod might look like with abs and dance moves that would easily put anyone younger to shame. Jay Park jumped in on the shiok hype train, and it was quickly revealed that his Singlish master was none other than our very own Shigga Shay, who was also quick to stop him from saying a certain vulgar word starting with “chee”.
Loco, on the other hand, put on an additional layer with a “I ♥ SG” t-shirt to emphasise the message of the song, “INEEDYOURLOVE”, before similarly stripping it all away for “No Manners”.
No manners? Not with these gentlemen!
United and Unstoppable: VIVIZ and Team Bebe Bring Their A-Game
Girl group Viviz comprising of members Sinb, Eunha and Umji were completely in theme with their summery songs of “Party Pop” and “BOP BOP!”, but it was “Maniac” that got everyone singing along as the girls twirled their way and kept killin it’.
Team Bebe, the winners of the popular dance competition Street Woman Fighter 2, showed us why they emerged as champions with their powerful dance moves. As the mastermind behind the choreographies of many K-pop hits, such as Aespa’s “Next Level” and NCT’s “Zoo”, they rightfully staked the claim that “if you think of K-pop, you will definitely think of Bebe”.
We found it really sweet to also see Kirsten Dodgen, leader of runner-up Jam Republic, also in the audience for Team Bebe’s first overseas performance as a group.
BamBam Ignites the Crowd with Flawless Showmanship
Dressed in orange military fatigues, BamBam commanded the stage with electrifying energy, stripping down mid-set to reveal a toned physique decorated with streaks of red and black paint. Debuting solo hits like “Last Parade” and “Sour & Sweet” in Singapore, he connected deeply with the audience, urging them put down their phones and savour the experience. Finishing strong with GOT7’s “Hard Carry”, BamBam left a lasting impression, closing with the powerful reminder: “How you’re feeling today is how you are supposed to be feeling every day.”
Dara and CL: The Icons Who Set WATERBOMB Ablaze
We don’t think there could be louder, more unified cheers then when Dara and CL took the stage respectively on the first and second night.
As members of arguably one of the most influential girl groups in K-pop, the 2NE1 ladies teased us on what we could expect to see at their upcoming reunion in Seoul. Sandara Park, or Dara in her capacity as 2NE1, aptly took the stage with the lively tune of “FESTIVAL” before delivering a 2NE1 medley with familiar tunes such as “Falling In Love”, “I Love You” and “Ugly”. CL opened her set strongly with songs such as “Doctor Pepper” and “THE BADDEST FEMALE”, before also presenting several 2NE1 classics with “I Am The Best “, “Fire” and “I Don’t Care” that got the crowd echoing after her and jumping on their feet.
We were really pining for a reunion onstage, but that’s probably saved for their 2NE1 [WELCOME BACK] Concert later in October. In the meantime, we will have to simply settle for evidence of their sisterhood when they called out to one another onstage and being there for each other’s performances, including a cute Instagram video revealing that they were in neighbouring rooms. Could we cross our fingers and see a stop here in Singapore next year, hmm, YG?
Two days of wet and wild at WATERBOMB Singapore brought an experience like no other for many festival goers. And as summed up nicely by Dara – “Singapore, you guys are the B.E.S.T!”
Leave a Reply