Eight minutes with Jisoo: Blinks flock to Orchard for Blackpink star’s appearance
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More than 2,000 fans packed the first two levels of Orchard Central for a glimpse of Jisoo.
PHOTOS: ST READER, AZMI ATHNI
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SINGAPORE – Elenore and Isabel Chaudhuri thought they were headed to the Decathlon sporting goods store after school. Instead, the sisters aged 10 and six found themselves in the middle of a sea of screaming fans at Orchard Central, where they saw their idol, Jisoo of Blackpink, in person for the first time.
Their parents, Mr Dip Chaudhuri and Ms Deborah Fray-Chaudhuri, both 41, had secretly planned the surprise for over a week, deciding to skip the girls’ usual gym and piano lessons. The family arrived at around 4.20pm.
“The girls are huge fans of Blackpink. Their songs are the only ones that play in our house and car,” says Mr Chaudhuri. “They even know the Korean lyrics.”
Sisters Elenore (left) and Isabel Chaudhuri, who were surprised by their parents with a chance to see Jisoo at Orchard Central.
ST PHOTO: SRINIDHI RAGAVENDRAN
The sisters were among more than 2,000 fans who packed the first two levels of Orchard Central for a glimpse of the 30-year-old K-pop star, who is part of the four-member South Korean superstar girl group, Blackpink. The other members are Jennie, Rose and Lisa.
Jisoo made an appearance at Amortage at Far East Malls, a pop-up concept store celebrating her debut solo mini-album Amortage, which was released on Feb 14.
Arriving at 5.19pm, she waved and blew kisses to her devoted Sooyas – the affectionate name for her fan base – and walked down the snaking queue which stretched throughout the space at level 1.
After interacting with her fans who cheered and waved their handmade signs exuberantly, she signed an Amortage poster and left by 5.27pm.
For many fans, just an eight-minute glimpse of the star was worth the hours-long wait.
Ms Alycia Lee, 24, was one of the first few to arrive at 8am, taking advantage of a class-free day at university to secure a good spot at Coffeesmith cafe.
A fan of Blackpink since their debut showcase in 2016, she also attended the group’s 2023 concert in Singapore
She also bought the Amortage album and a Singapore-exclusive limited-edition Shumon baby keychain – Jisoo’s hand-drawn character.
Ms Lee also made new friends in the crowd, including Ms Reina Tan, 24, who works in banking and took leave to see Jisoo. A long-time fan, Ms Tan has followed Jisoo before she made her debut, from when she was still a trainee in 2016.
The Amortage pop-up will have a month-long run at Orchard Central from March 5 to April 6.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Some lucky fans managed to snag the coveted Amortage album, worth $23.90 to $29.90, for free.
One of them was 11-year-old Chen Xing Zi, a pupil from St Margaret’s Primary School. She won a copy after correctly naming five of the singer’s nicknames, which include “Jichu” and “Turtle Rabbit Kim”. She attended the event with her friend Goh Jing Ru, 11, heading over after school to catch the rare appearance.
“It is my first time winning something, and I’m super happy since I have been a fan of Blackpink for five years,” says Xing Zi.
Chen Xing Zi (left) and Goh Jing Ru posing with the Amortage album Xing Zi won.
ST PHOTO: SRINIDHI RAGAVENDRAN
For a star who needed only eight minutes to leave a lasting impression, Jisoo’s presence was enough to send fans into a frenzy.
The Amortage pop-up, conceptualised to resemble a cinema with different rooms inspired by Jisoo’s music, will have a month-long run at Orchard Central from March 5 to April 6. The Singapore edition is the first of its kind in the region.
