K-pop girl group Red Velvet will be welcoming the New Year in a countdown event for the first time ever and it’s happening in the Philippines.
Red Velvet’s Irene, Seulgi and Wendy will be performing at the “NYE at the 5th: New Year’s Countdown” that will be held on Dec. 31 on 5th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. .
The “NYE at the 5th: New Year’s Countdown” will be held in BGC, Taguig on Dec. 31
Red Velvet members (from left) Seulgi, Irene and Wendy at the press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort on Dec. 31 (Jonathan Hicap)
Red Velvet's Irene at the press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort on Dec. 31 (Jonathan Hicap)
Red Velvet's Seulgi at the press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort on Dec. 31 (Jonathan Hicap)
Red Velvet's Wendy at the press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort on Dec. 31 (Jonathan Hicap)
They will be joining Filipino artists Ely Buendia, Zack Tabuldo, KZ Tandingan, and Adie at the New Year’s Eve street party to welcome 2024.
In a press conference for the New Year’s Eve show at the Shangri-La The Fort with Sam Oh as emcee, Red Velvet’s Irene, Seulgi and Wendy answered questions from the media about their return to the Philippines and the New Year's Eve celebration.
“We’re very, very excited to be back in the Philippines. We were here the last time for our concert. We’re very, very happy to be back to see the Reveluvs. It’s actually our first time to count down. Also doing a countdown in a warm country so I’m very excited about that and to celebrate our New Year with Reveluvs together,” said Wendy.
As 2023 comes to a close, Irene mentioned the most memorable events for Red Velvet for the year.
“The biggest or most memorable achievement I’ve done this year would be releasing our third full album in six years as well as doing a full concert.,” said Irene.
Red Velvet released their third studio album “Chill Kill” in November, which sold 410,784 copies in the first week of release, according to Korea’s Hanteo Chart.
Red Velvet's Seulgi, Irene and Wendy at the press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort on Dec. 31 (Jonathan Hicap)
Irene, Seulgi and Wendy also mentioned what they want to achieve in 2024.
“First of all, regarding individual challenges, for example, this year has been a year where all of our members have been doing a lot to challenge themselves individually. For example, Wendy in 2023 started performing in a musical. As well Wendy and other members. They have been doing their personal challenges, enduring on their own, so that’s one thing to look forward to as an individual aspect,” said Seulgi.
She added, “As a team of Red Velvet, we hope to release a new album and meet more fans in the future.”
Irene said, “So next year is actually the 10th anniversary of Red Velvet as a group so there might be an upcoming album. However, there’s nothing that is firmly scheduled so we cannot really disclose about it. I want to challenge myself in my individual journey and doing things myself as well as meeting more fans as possible.”
“All I want to say about next year, my goal or resolution next year is to be healthy and happy, for the group and as an individual. Everyone here too.
This is Red Velvet’s third visit to the Philippines and according to Seulgi, “This time we came to the Philippines because of a great opportunity, which is the countdown which we get to do with local Filipino artists; which is a meaningful event because of the P-pop culture as well as the K-pop culture coming to a collaboration and doing an event. I’m looking forward to doing more events like this in the near future.”
Irene remembered their last concert tour in Manila.
“I went to an amusement park to ride. One other thing that is memorable was the sunset of the Philippines, how beautiful it was. It is still memorable for me,” she said.
About the “NYE at the 5th: New Year’s Countdown,” Irene said, “The particular aspect that we want to show tonight, the countdown event, although Red Velvet is not complete, only three of us are here, Wendy’s solo is something to look forward to as well as our performance of ‘Monster,’ which will be the first time.”
About their wishes in 2024, Seulgi said she will be in her 30s next year and “personally, I want to become wiser. I want to take more opportunities to learn new things and become a better adult.”
Irene echoed this, saying, “I also want to take more opportunities and learn new things. I would also like to try new hobbies.”
“Same as them and also, I would like to meet with new people because I usually stay home and learn new things from them,” said Wendy.
For Red Velvet as a group, according to Irene, “We would like to release a meaningful album” to mark their 10th anniversary, and “get to see more fans.”
Seulgi added that she would like “to live a happier life without anxiety in terms of doing this work. I think this will help me create this work and give this work longevity, doing it with happiness without anxiety.”
The “NYE at the 5th: New Year’s Countdown” is brought by BGC, the City of Taguig, and Coke Studio; and presented by Coca Cola, in partnership with Metrobank, Hyundai, Globe, and Live MNL.