In the past decade, we’ve witnessed the rise of P-pop idols within the country, gaining international recognition as a sub-genre. Groups are steadily gaining traction as forces to be reckoned with in both the local and international entertainment industry.
With influences from neighboring music styles and aesthetics, such as K-pop and J-pop, and structured like Western-style music, all the while incorporating native languages like Tagalog, Bisaya, and the like, their style becomes accessible to many Filipino fans worldwide while intriguing international audiences to the sub-genre.
P-pop idols have a unique way of interacting with their fans. Unlike the highly recognized idols of K-pop, one could say that P-pop idols have more freedom in their interactions. These, along with their music, endear them to many fans, making them much more approachable.
This brings us to talking about one of the country’s most popular P-pop groups, BINI. On January 7, someone posted a clip of a short interaction they had with Maloi Ricalde during The Malaya Music Festival in August 2023.
The fan recording the clip jokingly asked Ricalde for pamasahe (fare) as the artist prepared to leave. In response, she handed them a one-thousand-peso bill and said, “Mag-ingat ka (Be careful).” Throughout the interaction, the fan expressed gratitude for her generosity.
a ppop idol na bibigyan ka ng pamasahe #bini pic.twitter.com/yuduZPallt
— cali (@saurcali) January 7, 2024
The clip has garnered the affection and amusement of many of their fans and P-pop music enthusiasts in general, with people expressing pride in her and professing their love for BINI. They took to social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their sentiments.
The endearing fan-idol interaction was even reported by the Korean news media outlet Koreaboo, which surprised the P-pop idol
WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!??? https://t.co/iADWZVyS5r
— Maloi Ricalde ౨ৎ (@bini_maloi) January 8, 2024
BINI consists of seven other members along with Ricalde: Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, and Sheena Catacutan. They have expressed their aspirations to share their talents and passion with the world, supported by their fandom affectionately called “Blooms.” The group was originally formed under ABS-CBN and Star Hunt Academy, where they underwent training.
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