Celebrating its 5th anniversary Saturday, the Asia Song Festival concert proved to be bigger than ever with performances from 20 top singers and groups from 12 Asian countries.
Organizers estimated around 35,000 people attended the concert, including several thousand fans from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.It was a night of pop music, whether it was from boy bands, sexy divas, R&B singers and rockers. The concert opened with international popera singer Rose Jang belting out ``All That Jazz.''
Korean boyband SS501 treated the crowd to two energetic dance numbers, followed by Hong Kong R&B diva Karen Mok's performance. ``It's great to be back in Korea,'' Mok, who performed in the musical ``Rent" in Seoul in 2006, told the crowd. Chinese singer Anson Hu serenaded the crowd with a ballad. ``It's my first time in Korea. I'm very happy to see all of you,'' he said.
Rising pop group SHINee elicited cheers from the crowd, as they performed their hit song, ``You're So Pretty.'' SHINee and Japanese girl group Berryz Kobo received awards for Best New Artist at the festival.
While the concert was dominated by pop singers and groups, Rivermaya from the Philippines and Japanese singer Anna Tsuchiya injected a much-needed dose of rock music to the festival.
Rivermaya, a popular Filipino rock band, performed two songs ``Nice To'' and ``You'll Be Safe Here,'' both of which were warmly received by the audience.
Tsuchiya, who starred in the popular Japanese film ``Kamikaze Girls,'' gave a wildly energetic performance of her hit song ``Rose.'' Korea's top ballad singer Shin Seung-hun performed ``I Believe,'' a song from the popular Korean film ``My Sassy Girl.''
Agnes Monica, described as the Britney Spears of Indonesia, also attracted attention for her sizzling dance number.
2008 Performing Artists
South Korea: TVXQ, Girls' Generation, SHINee, Shin Seung Hun, SS501, 2PM, U-KISS, Rose Jang
Japan: w-inds., Berryz Kobo, Anna Tsuchiya
China: Anson Hu Taiwan: Fahrenheit, Yoga Lin
Hong Kong: Karen Mok T
hailand: ICE, PECK
Vietnam: Ho Quynh Huong
Philippines: Rivermaya
Indonesia: Agnes Monica
Singapore: Jocie Guo Mei Mei
Mongolia: BX Malaysia: Rynn Lim
South Korea: SHINee, 2PM, U-KISS
Japan: Berryz Kobo
Taiwan: Yoga Lin
Thailand: PECK
Singapore: Jocie Guo Mei Mei
Mongolia: BX
Malaysia: Rynn Lim
Main Concert Performers: October 4, 2008 from 6-10pm
South Korea: TVXQ, Girls' Generation, SHINee, Shin Seung Hun, SS501, Rose Jang
Japan: w-inds., Berryz Kobo, Anna Tsuchiya
China: Anson Hu
Taiwan: Fahrenheit
Hong Kong: Karen Mok
Thailand: ICE
Vietnam: Ho Quynh Huong
Philippines: Rivermaya
