Last October 5, KNATION Music Showcase 2014 was held at the SMX Convention Center in MOA. It showcased 5 Kpop groups with the main act being UKISS. The other 4 were MPire, Bigstar, 4 Ladies, and Winners Crew (a dance group). I know of MPire and Bigstar because I've seen them on M Countdown, and Feeldog, leader of Bigstar, as a guest on KBS's Dream Team. This is the first time I've of 4 Ladies and Winners Crew though.

Anyway, I didn't know about this until 2 days before it was set to happen. My friend and colleague, Dompy, texted me and told me that UKISS will be in Manila (she knows I'm a KissMe). OMG! How could I have missed this?! I'm an 'effin useless fangirl. I haven't been reading Kpop news in a while and haven't been logging on to the Kpop Forums (OneHallyu in particular) because some crap at work was ongoing. But that was not an EXCUSE!

So, I redeemed myself and bought a ticket the very next day. I didn't even think about that hardship of commuting to SM MOA located at the other side of the Metro from where I lived. Since this was held at SMX, SM Malls sold the tickets. I thought about buying the VVIP tickets which cost PHP 4,200, but then settled for the VIP tickets at PHP 3,180 because I reasoned that the only I act really wanted to see was UKISS and that they will probably just be on stage for like 30 minutes (they were on stage for like 45 minutes).

I got there about 3 hours early because I wanted to look around the mall first and then buy merch at the Knation booths. I bought a lot of UKISS stuff like a lightstick, 2 shirts, posters, a bagtag, and a door sign. Yey! Finally, I have all my fave Kpop groups on my wall: SHINee, Infinite, and UKISS. Weeehoo!

I was also, finally, able to taste Melona ice cream. I was in Seoul in May and wasn't able to taste this ice cream. It was delicious! I want more! Need to find some Korean Mart near our house, fast!

The stage where groups performed Kpop dances

The merch section

The Faceshop's Photo Booth with Kim Soo Hyun

After, waiting for hours and going through a crazy, disorganized line (I was getting angry at management for not properly labeling lines for different ticket holders. They acted so late that the show which was supposed to start at 6 PM ended up starting at around 7:30 PM or even later!) I was finally inside the SMX Halls 3 and 4 and about to see UKISS for the very first time. I was so excited.

My UKISS stash.  Love the black shirt.

I enjoyed the parts before UKISS, but wasn't really into the other groups. So, when finally UKISS came on stage, I was shouting my butt off. I was placed perfectly to the right side of the stage where Kevin and Jun were always positioned in their dance routines. YEY!

Eli, Hoon, Soohyun, Kevin, and Jun (missing in photo: Kiseop)

I was filming the whole time, so I would have a remembrance of when and where I saw them first. Hopefully this won't be my last, and hopefully I will be able to get to them up close and personal. I was blown away by how good they were live and on stage. Unlike the previous groups who performed before them, UKISS' vocals were always spot on even if they were dancing so hard. Kevin's voice was so clear and strong and didn't even go off pitch (but who was I to tell, not an expert by any means). There was backtrack playing in the background but you can definitely hear that they were singing live. It was so obvious in that small, intimate venue. They should be bigger in Korea, sadly, they are not. But their international fans love them a lot, so they continue to make music.

Kiseop saying his message to KissMes

Kevin the interpreter X-)

In the end, UKISS seemed very pleased with the adoring KissMes that Soohyun promised, "as the group's leader", to come back to the Philippines to a bigger venue for a full concert. They also cited that they held their very first concert here in Manila, so they are very thankful to the Filipino KissMes. Ahhh, I know UKISS love their fans a lot. You can tell how they appreciate the fans. They never forget, and that's what makes them worthy of my support and love. Nucks.