[Exclusive] Going Behind the Scenes at ZE:A’s Showcase

As most of you already know, (if you didn’t, where have you been!) Soompi partnered with Star Empire, Ustream, and KT Genie to present ZE:A’s showcase for the group’s latest mini album “Illusion” some time back. The Soompi Team headed over to Club Ellui in Gangnam earlier that day to watch their dress rehearsal right before the main event and also went backstage to hang out with the boys!

The members are cute and handsome in person- just like they are on screen. They didn’t look too nervous before the showcase and were quite playful giving our cameras some winks and hearts, singing for our Soompiers, and being really down to earth chatting with us.

It’s great to hear Kevin speaking English although he explained that he’s probably losing the Australian accent since his friends are mostly from the U.S. Kwanghee is just as playful as ever and the rest of the boys have fun and hiding any nervousness they might have before the big show.

The members were already suited up and had their hair and makeup done by the time we rolled in for the dress rehearsal. Sorry, Soompiers. We can’t tell you who has the best skin, but all their skins look smooth up close! Maybe next time we can give a more accurate observation?

Although it was a very hot afternoon in Seoul that day, it was nice and cool at the showcase. (Air conditioners are the only way to survive in Seoul during the summer. No doubt about that!) The boys had more than 30 minutes for the dress rehearsal, but quickly cut it short to our surprise. Couple of the members cutely told the staff that they need to hurry and quickly finish the dress rehearsal because it’s too hot outside and fans are waiting in the heat. They wanted the fans to come inside as soon as possible. Why don’t we all saw “Awww.”

Just a few more minutes of soundcheck, the members left the stage and fans started pouring in bringing much excitement to the atmosphere. As it’s a special and selective event, most of the fans were Korean, but there were a good handful of foreigners. As the fans kept filing in, Soompi went backstage to spend some time with the boys before their showcase.

The boys came out and and looked awesome performing tracks from mini album “Illusion” in front of the fans. They stopped in the middle to introduce themselves (not that they need it!), talk about the album and gave a few hearts to the fans.

After a couple more performances, the lights suddenly went dim and the boys disappeared to change while the music video for “Ghost of Wind” was played for the first time to the public. After it ended, the boys came out in their “Ghost of Wind” stage outfits and performed it to lots of cheer.

Now it’s time for the mini fanmeet. There was a special event where the fans wrote down questions they would like to ask the members and placed them in a box while waiting line in before the showcase. The boys took turns picking a piece of paper from the box and answered their respective questions.

It’s almost time to say goodbye!

But, who in their right mind wants to say goodbye? ZE:A left the stage, but the fans didn’t have enough. They soon started chanting “Encore! Encore!” and the boys happily returned like magic! They gave their last number (Kwanghee’s “Call Me Maybe,” anyone?) and waved to the fans while they made their exit.

Until next time. Until next time.

While you wait, you can check out more information about ZE:A and other artists through Soompi.com and genie K-Pop.