I'm sure that very few of you know who NOM is. I'll give you a little background on them...

 

They are a new group under JM Star Entertainment (the home of Hwang Minwoo and the Mason brothers). The group has 5 members, A-In (leader), Yongki (visual vocal), Yohan (smile vocal), K (charisma vocal) and HU (rapper). They debuted with the title song 예뻐 누나 (Pretty Sister) last September 4 this year. They haven't performed at any music shows yet so they're not really that known to the public.

 

So they came here to Manila to promote their title song. Since they are unknown rookies, I wasn't initially interested in them. I mean, they don't look that appealing to me in their promotional pictures. If they were anything, they would be nobodies (it's pretty awkward for me to say this right now, though. You'll get what I mean later).

 

Since my friends and I have developed a hobby of following K-Pop artists around when they come here to Manila, we have decided to fetch them at the airport on their arrival night. Since I have said that they aren't a known group, we were so sure that we would be able to see the group up close without any interruptions.

 

130927, we arrived at the airport terminal two hours before their plane lands (their arrival is at 2340h; 11:40PM). My friends we excited and I was just... going on with the flow. Besides, they're not really that appealing to me at first. I mean, unless you see them in person, you could really care less about them. Because we came unprepared, my friends and I were forced to write on-the-spot fan boards. You know, the ones where their names are written at? Yeah, we wrote those on notebook pages.

 

When their plane finally arrived, my friends were excited. The members didn't seem to expect any fans waiting for them at the airport because when their eyes landed on us, they seemed very shocked. I didn't know who's who then so I don't know who waved first. But they looked so happy to see people waiting for them at the airport that even their CEO looked happy. After their processing, they finally stepped out of the terminal to ride their van. Their CEO, Mr. Jung knew us because the last time he visited, he brought with him F.Cuz (yes, that group with the song Jiggy). He started talking to us and let us have our time with the group.

 

I only knew Yongki at that time (because he was blonde and is easy to spot. He was the shortest, lol) so I set my eyes on him. But since one of my friends like him already (she was the one who introduced me to the members), I had to back down and go to the most obvious member who would be my bias... the rapper, HU.

 

They have signed papers for us and took pictures, too. Since it was still awkward because it was the first meeting (and because it's already 1 or 2 in the morning), we weren't able to talk much. So after minutes of taking pictures and signing stuff, they had to go and rest (because apparently, they have to go to a mall show at a province the next day). When the members were making their move to ride the van, their CEO, Mr. Jung said that we should be taking a group picture with them. So, there was another fifteen-minute interaction between us and the group. Since my mind was in a huge fuss then (because I was star-strucked... and I really didn't expect them to be that handsome), I didn't know where to stand. K, then smiled at me and told me to stand beside him. I originally wanted to stand beside HU but I couldn't spot him during that time (because hell, he was standing at the farthest side) so I had no choice. After taking several photos, I changed positions and was finally able to stand beside HU. I didn't know if he was surprised or what but he was chuckling at me. We were pretty much very awkward at the time. I didn't know where to stand and he didn't know what to do with his arm. So, yeah, we stood awkwardly beside each other.

 

I have to point this out, though. They're not that tall. Yongki is only a few centimeters taller than me. They're handsome, though. Especially K. They look so charming in person. Their promotional pictures and music video did their looks no justice. And, on that day, I was forced to eat my own words. I had to concede and agree that they are indeed handsome guys with talent.

 

 

The next time we met them was at their first Metro Manila mall show. It was held at SM Masinag on the 30th of September. Since, as I've said, they're not a known group, only a few kpop fans came to see them. There were only about a dozen or two fans who came to support (half of them being our group). Of course, it was shameful but they still looked so happy.

 

When they finished with the show we were able to go upstage even without us buying albums (only one of us did...). Since we know the organizers and their CEO, we were able to stay up onstage a little bit longer (to the point where the other fans were eyeing us enviously). I took the chance to finally be able to talk to the members.

 

K was the first from the right so he was the first one to have a selca with me. One of my friends, MJ was busy trying to explain to him (in English which they're not exactly good at) her name and that he is her bias so I had to leave them alone and moved to the next member who was Yongki. Since Yongki was busy talking to one of my friends, I only asked him for one selca and moved on to the next member. Before I left him, he noticed my hair (I was blonde that time) and said "Coufl". I didn't know what he was saying until he repeated it three times and pointed at our hair. He meant "Couple". It was awkward, of course (since he's not my bias anymore) so I just smiled at him and nodded. A-In was in the middle at that time. My other friend was talking to him so I only asked for a selca (which he took twice both of which didn't turn out so good) and moved on to the next member, Yohan. Yohan was always smiling sweetly and all that. I asked for a selca and just, well, went to HU and started talking... a lot.

 

I have introduced myself to him as his noona. Our conversation went on like this:

 

Me: 내가 너의 누나다. (I'm your noona)

HU: 오? (Oh?)

Me: 오. 근양 1년... 그래서 오늘부토 내가 누나다. (Yeah. Just by a year... so from now on, I'm noona) [note: Yes, that's plain form. I quickly dropped the formalities. I don't know why but I just quickly dropped it]

HU: 아라서. (Okay) /laughs/

 

After that, we were a little more comfortable with each other. We took a selca naturally (it was the best selca that day, tbh). My friends and I didn't really want to go down the stage yet. They were busy talking to their biases and all. We were even caught on their official photo posted on their page talking at the back. Well, since we know their boss, we can pretty much do anything at that time. It was a really good thing that we aren't like any other fangirls who would scream their hearts out just to get their attention. We were so calm and collected that their CEO just lets us stay with them for a long time.

 

They had to go after half an hour of being onstage to eat. They went to the admin's office to eat. We followed them there and waited (I think it was about an hour). When they went out, they were happy to see us still waiting for them. When HU was finally the one to pass by me, I called out to him, saying "후! 내가 누구?" (Hu! Who am I?) in a tone that ahjummas use on little kids. He looked at me and replied (take note) as a little child obediently saying "누나..."

 

I swear I didn't know how to feel at that time. I felt happy but I felt sorry towards him because I think I've unconsciously bullied him with the whole noona thing. Like, I've slapped on his face that he's just a dongsaeng to me.

 

 

With that thought in mind, I had no other choice but to wait until the 2nd of October where they'll be having their second Metro Manila show at the SM Fairview. Since this mall was more accessible than the first show, more fans came to see them. It was chaotic, really. A lot of fans have crowded outside the activity center, just to get a glimpse of them. But being friends with the organizers, my friends and I got front seats.

 

During the show, the members would continuously look into our camera except for Hu. He doesn't even look at us after reading my fanboard (only his name was written on my board at that time). After waving to me when he first got onstage, he never had anymore interactions with me until the show ended.

 

As usual, we wanted to be the last ones onstage so we could take our sweet time talking to them. But as soon as they started signing the albums for the other fans, we were too excited to give them the gifts (we call it food supply) while we were still down the stage.

 

We called our favorite members to hand them their gifts, making them sort of ignoring the other fans who were waiting for them to sign. They even had to stand up and walk towards us just to get the gifts. Of course, seeing how close we are with the members, we got several dirty glances from the other fans. We could care less, though. At least we know that their attention's priority is ours.

 

When we were waiting in line, one of the managers (whom we later found out was also a CEO of JM Star Entertainment) approached us and showed us a picture of the group cross dressing. Weird and random but, yeah, he did that. I guess he really did know us since we fetched them at the airport. We asked him to send it to us but he didn't understand so he let us go through his phone. Yeah, he let us hold his phone. When we failed to send the picture through bluetooth (because the whole damned phone was in Korean), he asked for one of our friends' email address so he could just send it there. He hasn't sent it yet but I'm hoping that he would send it soon. It's a hilarious photo of the group.

 

A few moments before coming up onstage (we were waiting for the stage to be empty of the other fans so we can have them to ourselves), the CEO and manager came to us and told us to come to the restaurant where they will be eating at after the show. They said that they would be expecting us to be there.

 

Our time to go onstage came and I started talking to the members again. Yongki was the first member sitting at the right side of the stage. My friend had given me the chance to talk to him before she hoards him to himself. You see, Yongki has two tattoos. One on his right chest and another on his left back. I asked him what the tattoo meant but I think he didn't get what I said and just shyly covered his tattoo. I'll give him extra points for being soooo cute when he's shy. He just smiles innocently, stares up at you blankly then covers his face while blushing. Yeah, he's that cute. When I told him that he's my oppa but I'll call him hyung, he smiled and opened his palm upwards. I looked at him and he just opened his palm more. Then I realized that he was asking for a high/low five. Which was very weird for me. I mean, why would he do that?

 

K was the one next to him. I told him he was my oppa and asked him permission not to call him that because I don't call people oppa because it sounds so wrong to me. I asked him if I could call him hyung. He nodded but he looked disappointed when he heard that. I'm sorry, K. I'm not really into calling people oppa.

 

Hu was the next in line. Since he didn't really look at me after the reading-the-fanboard incident, I skipped him and decided to help my friends out first with communicating with their biases. I don't know if he was looking at me or what but I walked past him and talked to A-In who was beside him.

 

A-In and I were of the same age. So I told him that. He replied... with a little too much enthusiasm "친구야!". It's weird but he looks so funny when he said that. He just looks so... happy that day.

 

Yohan was the last person in the line. I don't know what my friends did but when I got to him, he was already standing up and embracing us very tightly. And he only did that to us. I swear, I like his hugs. He hugs so tightly like he's a real friend and/or brother. It's just really warm and tight.

 

Since I was done with everyone, I finally decided to go back to Hu to get my fanboard signed.

 

Me: 내가 기억해? (Do you remember me?)

HU: 오. 누나다. (Yeah. You're noona)

Me. 정말 기억해? (Do you really remember me?)

HU: 네.

Me: 진짜? 내가 알오? 재 이름은 라이. (Really? You know me? My name is Rai.)

HU: 알오. 알오. 라이. (I know, I know. Rai.)

Me: 트위터 와 페이스북에서...(At twitter and facebook...)

HU: 네, 네. 알오. (Yeah, yeah, I know/Of course I know)

Me: 정말? /unbelieving face/

HU: /mimics/ 알오. 알오. 라이. (I know, I know, Rai) /convinces me that he really knows/

Me: 기억한다. (Remember me.)

HU: 아라서. (Okay.)

 

He was then asked to stand up, too because he had to sign the tarpaulin behind them. After signing, he stood beside me. Being a friend, I put an arm on his shoulder (it's kind of a habit). He didn't really say anything against it and let me do that. My friends were looking at us because they thought that I was forcing Hu to let me be that comfortable with him. I then said "이것은 내 동생이야." where he quietly stood beside me.

 

After the signing, we decided to go ahead to the restaurant where the manager had invited us to. We were having a hard time looking for a cab that when we finally boarded one, their van was also on its way to the restaurant. So we decided to just follow the van.

 

The driver seemed to notice us following them and slowed down so we could catch up. When we would go past them, they would be the ones following us. When we finally got to the expressway, their van had travelled beside us, enabling us to just talk to wach other while in the middle of the highway. Yes, in the middle of the highway. The members were waving at us and the manager was taking pictures of us. One of the CEOs had opened his window (he was sitting in front) and playfully glared at us. We were planning to follow them until; they arrive at the restaurant but they had to stop over at a gasoline station. Since we were on a metered taxi, we had to go ahead and get lost on ourselves.

 

When we finally arrived at the restaurant, their van was already parked outside. Their driver approached us and asked us why we were late (yes, they were expecting us to be there when they arrived). After paying the cab driver and talking to the group's driver for a while, we finally decided to enter the restaurant.

 

The place was small (around 50 sq.m.) so it was kind of crowded. NOM's table was just in front of the door (like, really literally) that when you enter, they are the first people you'll see. Since I'm really used to being the person who opens the door for my friends, I was the one who took the initiative to pull the door open. But the glass door was heavy (a little too heavy for my liking) that I had to pull it a little harder so that I can come in. I didn't know that there was a chime hooked on it so when I pulled the door open a little forcefully, the chimes had sounded a little too violently, calling every single person's attention in the restaurant (there were 6 full tables then, two of which were long tables). When I entered, it felt like the whole restaurant was staring at me because they fell very quiet. What had shocked me was that a single voice had echoed throught the whole place. It was a voice that I could recognize anywhere. It called out (in a sort of surprised-slash-happy tone) "오. 라이!" (Oh. Rai!). Yes, people, it was Hu's voice.

 

After that, I didn't really know what happened or what my reaction was. My friend said that my jaw was dropped and I went blank for a while. What I remembered next was that I was eating at my friends' table and was taking their ttukbeokki (spicy rice cakes).

 

We sat two tables away from the group (since we were late and that the restaurant was full). After ordering food (and going out of the store a couple of times because we had to buy stuff outside), we sat there and I started talking. Since I usually set the mood and start conversations when my friends and I sit together in a restaurant, I started being the natural me who is very talkative (and jolly). I felt that I was being stared at (I'm good at feeling stares because I'm sociophobic so I'm very sensitive to those things). I tried my best to ignore it and continued being me. One of my friends wanted to change tables (she wanted to move to the table that was beside NOM's) so she told us to move. After that, it started being a little more awkward and I honestly had a hard time being myself. I wasn't looking at their direction at all and was just cracking jokes and telling stories to my friends.

 

Soon, they were finsihed eating. That was the only time when our food came. As some of you may know, I'm never one to wait (may it be for people, things or food, I hate waiting) so I sort of lost my temper. I had my food bagged and after paying, my friends and I decided to go out of the restaurant already.

 

The members were already outside the restaurant so it was really really awkward for us to go out. Two of my friends and I were already at the door. When we saw that they were taking the whole hallway's space outside, we were debating whether to go out already or not. A-In saw us and motioned to open the door for us. But it took us by surprise that one of me friends pulled the door close (yes, it was very embarrassing, I tell you). They seemed to be just laughing at us when we finally got out and had to walk in the middle of their semi-circle (because there was no other way out). I swear, that experience was embarrassing.

 

They finally had to leave ahead of us (and because we had different routes to take, we bid them goodbye). On the way home, my friend (who was glancing at their table every now and then earlier) had told me that Hu was staring at our table. He wasn't just looking or glancing, but he was staring. I think it's because I was noisy but whatever the reason was, he was still staring at our table.

 

 

The next time we met was at their mall show at SM Southmall. We were sitting in front, too. But then, they didn't pay much attention to us because there were so many people there. Like, wehn Hu is performing his solo song, he would be looking at the farthest point possible. I have this theory that he is also slightly like me. I think he is sociophobic that's why he doesn't really look at peoples' eyes when he's performing. Because when I'm onstage, I look at the spotlight to alleviate my fear of people and crowds. Maybe I'm making excuses for him as to why he wasn't looking at me during the mallshows. Anyway, he's like that in mallshows, what can I do?

 

After the show, we were supposed to go upstage like always. But some things (I'd rather not tell) happened and we weren't able to talk to them like every single time we meet. We then talked to the manager. I told him that our posters aren't signed yet. He wanted to take us to the backstage to have our stuff signed butthe CEO said noo because there were too many people who were watching. He told us that it would be too obvious that he was favoring us so he told us to wait until next time.

 

We were so down then that we were just standing near the backstage. K was the one who kept on looking at us. I told him that we haven't had our stuff signed yet and he pouted. He looked like he really wanted to have our stuff signed. He then talked to the other members and then tried to convince their CEO. But their handler kept his stand and we had to accept it. K then just took the initiative to step out of the backstage for a while and took the gifts we had for them.

 

They had to leave, then. The guards had cleared the place for them and the group had stepped out. The fans were crazy, pushing the members and all when they stepped out. But Yongki was looking at my friend's camera. When he saw me, he held out his hand and asked for a haigh (low) five again. Then, K and Yohan were looking at us. It really seemed like they were sorry that they couldn't sign our posters. Then I poked Hu's shoulder. When he saw me, he said his oh-so-favorite-line-when-he-sees-me... "오. 라이." (Oh. Rai). He looked like he wanted to talk to me but they were in a huge rush because the fans were pushing them.

 

When they were already at the basement (with all the other fans following them), we called out from the upper floor (there was this veranda-ish where you can see the people going to the parking lot).K was the first to wave then Yohan and Hu. A-In waved but he was a little too late to notice. As for Yongki, I can't remember if he waved or not then.

 

Since we didn't get our posters signed, we were all down. Like, really down to the point where we were considering not to go to their fanmeet three days later. We contacted one of the organizers and asked her where the group would be eating. She told us she didn't know because she was left at the mall's event center to clean up. After that, we decided to go home (well, after sulking at the mall's entrance stairs for like an hour or so).

 

When we finally started going on our own ways, the organizer had called us and sent us a message, telling us where the group would be eating at. We quickly took a cab but it was pricing us a little too high so we decided to take the bus and just hoped that we would be able to see them when we get there.

 

It only took us less than an hour to get to the place and we literally ran to the said restaurant. When we got there, we saw that they were sitting outside the place. Like, they took one long table and they just sat there like ordinary people.

 

I was, personally, nervous. We weren't invited this time and I was afraid of what their reactions would be. We were standing very far from the restaurant and debating with each other to whether sit on one of the tables (I was really hungry then, too) and order some dinner. It took us almost an hour to actually gather the courage to sit at a table (which was just vacated) two tables away from theirs.

 

I don't know when they started to notice us but it wasn't until when one of my friends had went inside the restaurant to order food and bowed to the leader A-In that we were actually noticed. A-In pointed at our table upon sitting on his chair (he came from the restroom) and told their CEO that we were there.

 

Their CEO looked at us with a playful glare. I smiled innocently at him and waved back to the waving members. Well, since we were already noticed, I got my courage back and stood up to accompany my friend on the line. I swear it feels like they were staring at me (because, again, their table was the nearest to the door. Seriously, what's with them and doors?!) when I entered the restaurant. I saw K smiling at me and well, staring. It was really, really awkward so I ended up ignoring him (I'm really sorry, K).

 

Then when I was already standing in line, the CEO approached me and told me their schedule. He said that they were going to this veteran showman's birthday party and told us that we could come if we like. He wasn't so sure, though if we would be able to enter the event hall. I then tried to approach the organizer (who was sitting beside K) to ask if we would be able to enter the place but she was busy on the phone. I then decided not to while she was still on the phone and I could swear that K was staring at me. It was as if he was waiting for me to approach them.

 

The organizer finally ended the call and looked at me. I approached her (again for like the... 4th time?) and asked her if we could come. She said that it was fine but she wasn't sure if we could come in to the venue. We then decided not to come and just bid them goodbye. The organizer embraced us and thanked us for coming over.

 

After that, it was time for the members to bid their goodbye. I think I was able to wave at the other members before calling Hu (who I think was looking at me the whole time because my friends didn't have any memories of him interacting with them).

 

Hu called me with his usual line and gave me a high five. I then called "정후야!" (Jeonghu is his real name and I call him that) "야. 내가 진짜 싫어? 왜 안나와?" (Hey. Do you really don't like me? Why don't you come to me?). Before you get the wrong idea, guys, I was referring to him not coming near me when they're onstage.

 

He then went near me and said (a little too loudly) "No, no! Rai, I like you!" (in English, people, in English). Honestly, I was dumbfounded then. Like, I was bidding them goodbye, he said that and I was just... shocked, I guess? And because he did something very unexpected, I did something so stupid. I said "Bye bye!" and faced Yohan.

 

I didn't know what happened to him after that because I was just ina daze and was just blabbering in front of Yohan to cover up the feelings that were filling up inside me. I waved Yohan goodbye and jokingly asked him for his cap. He smiled his very cute, wide, did I already say cute? smile.

 

Before they started walking to the van, their manager told me "내일보래!" (day after tomorrow). He was referring to us having our posters signed and all that on the day after tomorrow, meaning at the mall show that was at the farthest (it wasn't the farthest but it's a 4-hour drive) mall in their tour. Their organizer wanted us to be at the resort where they will be swimming the next day, too. Yes, they wanted us to be in every place where they were at.

 

After that, we had no other choice but to wait until the fanmeet because, damn, the last two mall shows were held at the farthest malls, I tell you. One show was 4 hours away and another was 6 hours away. It's a little too far for us.

 

 

So three days passed and, finally, it was time for the fanmeet. We had tshirts printed with their names on it and brought so many stuff to give to them. It was exciting and sad all at the same time. Why? Because they were leaving exactly after the fanmeet.

 

So my friends and I met up at our friend's condo unit. There, we took a cab to the place where the fanmeet will be held. We were lost at first because it was just a small restaurant and, yeah, it was hidden inside the row of seafood restaurants.

 

We arrived a few hours before the event starts. We have been talking to the head organizers to give us priority seats which we got immediately.

 

Before I start the fan meeting story, I'd want you guys to consider that this is a little sad for me to retell so please bear with me...

 

At around 6pm, the fanmeet had already started. Since the members and all the other managers know us, we were the ones who got noticed. The members looked happy to see us (because we didn't see each other for like, three days). Not to sound cocky or what but every time a question is asked, my friends and I would explain to them and they'd listen to us (dearest Sab, please upload the fan cams T~T). 

 

So, every fan meet here have those games. Like innocent games like crashing two eggs that were tied on two people's waists, Trip to Jerusalem (I'm not sure if that is how people call it outside Manila) and a game where you put the calamansi in a person's shirt and have to roll it down to the end of his clothes.

 

I got lucky (sort of, because Hu was the one who dragged me into the game) and got a chance to play the calamansi game. After being explained the mechanics, Hu stared at me and said "Don't touch this, okay?" while pointing to his it. I was shocked and so was Ain (who was beside us) and I said "야! 내가 변태다?!" (Yah! Am I a ert?!) and then we all laughed. So, in the end we lost (we were on 2nd place... Ain won first because he was just too competitive).

 

The whole fan meet went on and, well, to cut the story short (because this post is just damn too long already), I got hugged by Hu and talked to most of the members. I'm really sorry, K...

 

Let's now go to their departure. It was really, really sad. They were going back to Korea without any of us knowing when they will be coming back. So, while on the airport, we were all embracing and taking pictures. Well, I stood beside Hu most of the time because the two of us didn't really want him to leave yet.

 

So, in the end, they had to leave. While they were inside the airport, we got a chance to talk to them through the phone because, apparently, one of our friends is inside. I'll go into the deeper details but it was really, really a moment worth to remember...