There are tightly stage-managed Korean pop press conferences and then there are those featuring the boyband Infinite.
While K-pop fans are used to being flattered whenever their idols come to town, Infinite took the art of platitudinising to new heights on Thursday night at a public press conference held at City Square Mall.
Every other answer spewed by the lads was tailored to tickle the ears of their fans. The septet's answers sounded as if every aspect of their lives revolves around their fans.
All questions asked at the press conference were pre-selected from those submitted by the media and entertainment websites.
How do you keep fit?
Singer Lee Sung Jong, 22, said: "I feel energised just by hearing the voices of my fans. I also take vitamins and ginseng that my fans give me."
What do you do when you are bored at the hotel ?
Leader and main vocalist Kim Sung Kyu, 26, said: "I like to play games. I think about you guys, my fans. I also think about my mother."
What is your must-have winter item?
Jang Dong Woo, 25, said: "My fans' warm hearts."
Which country does photography enthusiast L want to visit to shoot?
Singer L, 23, whose real name is Kim Myung Soo, said: "I heard the Singapore skyline is great. I want to go up on the Singapore Flyer and take photos of Marina Bay Sands."
Topping all these saccharine replies was Hoya's answer to the question: What is the biggest challenge facing Infinite?
Hoya, 24, whose real name is Lee Ho Won, said: "The biggest challenge that I've had is that I haven't been able to see my Singapore fans for the past two years."
Cue screams from adoring fans.
Infinite were meeting fans and reporters ahead of their concert last night. They last held a concert here two years ago.
More than 1,500 of their fans turned up at City Square Mall armed with placards and stools to get a better view of them at the press conference. Some arrived as early as Wednesday evening.
Student Ng Yih Der and her friends waited more than 12 hours to see their idols for just 30 minutes on Thursday night.
Yih Der, 15, says: "I'm happy yet sad at the same time. Happy that I finally got to see them, but sad that it was for such a short time."
