Broadcast dates: Dec. 9-10
Starring: Shinee, Astro, Stray Kids, ITZY

(Naver's V Live)

Minho of Shinee marked his first birthday after completing his military duty.

“I’ve spent almost all my birthdays with you but this time, we’re doing it on V Live,” he said. He has been yearning for the day to meet his fans in person while serving in the Marine Corps until last month. It was sad that they cannot meet in person yet, but being able to spend the day together is in itself a blessing, he acknowledged.

The idol was glad to see from the comments that viewers were enjoying the online party as well. The party was themed after a tradition Koreans have for the first birthday of a child, complete with a set of things for the baby to pick and predict his or her future.

He could not remember what he picked and sent a message to his mother. She instantly replied to tell him that it was a brush for writing, leading him to wonder out loud why he was not so interested in studying when young.

Seeing the microphone, a recent addition to the kit, the musician recalled his debut in 2008.

“I was a student with so many dreams. A high school student who was all enthusiasm but did not have a clue,” he said.

Watch the full video at https://www.vlive.tv/video/227392.

Astro’s Moonbin, Sanha catch up with fans

(Naver's V Live)

Moonbin and Sanha of Astro chatted with fans for the first time in a while.

After Jinjin said hello to fans before leaving for his English lesson, the two began talking to viewers starting with bandmate Cha Eunwoo’s appearance in a TV drama adaptation of a webtoon.

“We’ve read the webtoon and thought the role reminded us of Eunwoo and told him so,” said Moonbin.

Sipping hot beverages Jinjin brought, Moonbin asked Sanha how old he was -- 21 -- and reminded him that he had less than a month before turning 22.

“I can’t believe that I’ll be 22!” groaned Sanha, adding that it only feels like yesterday that he became an adult.

“Yes, it was good when you just become a grown-up, the fluttering,” mused Moonbin, who will be 24.

Sanha was excited at the weather forecast that it may snow later at night, saying that he loves snow and adding he wished he could go to a snow festival. They were sad to learn that there would not be the year-end bell ringing celebration at the Seoul city center out of caution against the pandemic.

Watch the full clip at https://www.vlive.tv/video/227367.

Stray Kids’ Felix gets philosophical

(Naver's V Live)

Felix of Stray Kids kicked off his own radio segment equipped with an autonomous sensory meridian response microphone.

“I finally am doing this!” he said with both fists in the air while keeping his signature low voice soft.

“I’ve wanted to do something like this for a very long time and finally the day has come,” he went on, admitting he was excited and nervous at the same time.

Put your phone on silent and bring a blanket so that I can put you to sleep, he whispered. As the key phrase for the first episode of his broadcast, he picked “G’day, mate.”

It is a greeting many Australians use, and the performer who comes from Down Under said in English he finds greetings can be both easy and hard.

“It has so much meaning, so many emotions and feelings, even in just one phrase,” he said, explaining why he believes simple greetings can also be precious.

“Who knows, you could make someone’s day,” he added with a smile.

Watch the full video at https://www.vlive.tv/video/227408.

ITZY’s Yuna marks birthday

(Naver's V Live)

Yuna of Itzy also celebrated her birthday with her fans via Naver’s V Live.

Once the clock struck midnight, many congratulated her. Ever since her debut, the day has come to have much more meaning, she said.

“It is a burden but in a good way, making me think that I should do my best … and that I want to become a good influence,” she said.

After softly singing “Happy Birthday” herself, she took off her mask to eat the pink cake. She had been eyeing the macaron, she said, picking up a pink heart-shaped morsel with a pair of chopsticks.

She expressed that she wanted to find a better way to express her gratitude, said the idol, because saying “thank you” does not feel enough, and she says it all the time.

She confided that when she hears fans say they gain strength from watching her and that they are grateful for her being born, she thanks everyone but at the same time is a little dazed.

Watch the full clip at https://www.vlive.tv/video/227361.

Naver’s real-time broadcasting app V allows fans to interact with their favorite K-pop stars through live broadcasts. The app is available for Android and iOS. For more information, visit http://www.vlive.tv.

By The Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

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