Musing While Cruising the Hallyu Highway
I am always going to jump at the opportunity to share A.C.E’s Take Me Higher because it is one of my all-time favorite feel good K-pop songs. It is a full serving of energy wrapped in joy and the guys always look like they are having so much fun when they perform it. So for today’s Busking Files selection, we travel to the manmade Sebitseom Islets in Seoul’s mighty Han River.
I knew that when I got to the letter C for The ABC’s of Donghun series post that the best option would be to choose Cactus. Why cactus? Well, mostly because it is the name of A.C.E’s debut song. That in and of itself renders it special. Special to A.C.E, and not only because it was their debut song, but the overall meaning of the song itself. The idea that a cactus has great fortitude to grow and can weather even the most difficult of storms speaks volumes of its strong will to survive. Similarly, a rookie group would need strength and fortitude to survive a saturated industry. And not only to survive, but to break through and shine with something different and new. Yes, that is what Cactus did. It was different and our five aces brought along with it a vibe and style not really seen in K-pop at that time.
A.C.E busking in the streets of Yeouido covering Adele? I’d say that is a good way to usher in this 55th day of Donghun’s military service. And, another great way to hear Donghun flex his vocal chops. A.C.E debuted on May 23, 2017 and have remained on the busking circuit since. On September 15, 2017 they were in Yeouido, performing, singing and doing what they do best, connecting with fans.
Color me so amused when the A.C.E babes don their school uniforms and then to proceed to dance to the likes of Savage or some other tantalizing song with aggressive and (at times) suggestive choreography. The duality of it all! For today’s Busking Files offering, we travel back in time to January 2020, the boys fresh off of their incredible Under Cover tour and back out on the streets of Hongdae doing what they do best.
I think it is safe to conclude that when A.C.E decides to hit the streets for a busking event, it doubles as a free fan meeting. There are no minimum requirements to attend, just mark the date and time on your calendar and show up for the show. The takeaway is an afternoon (or evening) filled with memories of an impromptu performance. Such was the case at the Han River back on November 23, 2019, when fans were treated with some extraordinarily cute moments of a very handsome Donghun in blue suit and tie, flashing his gorgeous smile (eye smiles included) and his customary fabulous vocals.
In the early days both before and after debut, and even up through their 2019 Under Cover Tour, A.C.E took to the streets busking. Out meeting the public, surprising and engaging with their fans, and garnering new Choice converts, A.C.E tirelessly put themselves in public view. It was not busking in the traditional sense however, as in setting up a mic, grabbing a guitar (or other musical instrument) and being impromptu troubadours. No, they were out there out there A.C.E busking in the dance performance sense. Like in Shinjuku, Japan in March 2018.
The Fangirl Lane 