My Unexpected Discovery Of GHOST9: A Moment To Remember

Cath is a Ghostie from the Philippines. Read about how she started to stan GHOST9, her journey as a fan, and how they inspire her to be successful in her interview below.

Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?

Hi, I am Cath from the Philippines.

How and when did you enter the fandom?

I started to stan GHOST9 during pre-debut (2020) because of JunSeong, since I knew him as I watched "Produce X 101," where he was my favorite participant and as usual, my bias in GHOST9. Actually I was hesitant to stan them since I only knew JunSeong, but when I checked their debut MV 'Think of Dawn', I was amazed because the song was catchy and they were literally amazing.

What are the reasons why you love your favorite group?

I was amazed since I always love dark concept and the story behind itself. Then when I checked also their B-sides, and all I could say was they were great and that I should stan them. Not just that, it's also because of jaw-dropping performances, the fact that they are versatile performers, they can pull off whatever concepts like from dark concept to a cute and a bright one.

Who caught your attention at first and why?

Since I knew JunSeong already, Shin caught my attention first and back then, I was thinking if I could replace JunSeong but I always go back for him (there's something that make me drawn onto him😂).

Who is your bias and why?

The one and only person who had given me butterflies in my stomach as I heard him sang: Choi JunSeong. He is really all-rounder, he sang and dances very well and he can play instrument like guitar, piano and he's planning also to learn violin, he's a mood maker in the group which really suits him because he made us laugh especially with those effortless jokes. There's a point also that I easily laugh whenever I watch him even though he's not doing something crazy; well, it just happen. They also have this so called "Let's GHOST9," a variety show which showed us what they can do, and the funny side of them.

Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans?

Their discographies are very applauded to the point that I can't choose but my favorite title track are both 'Think of Dawn' and 'Seoul'. it's hard to choose one. All their B-sides are pleasing to my ears, but I'll recommend 'Antenna' and 'Love Language' to a new fan since both the song have an impact and the message is really good.

Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers?

I recommend these:

Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group?

Here are the ones I want to recommend:

Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics?

"I'll wait for you in this place full of fragrance
Always the same place, the same heart."
This line is from the song 'Antenna'.

What is your favorite group/bias' influence on your daily life?

They actually influenced me in many things like to work hard and to not give up on something. I've never been happy until I discovered them which somehow helped me cope with stress due to school works, I remember they always update a video on their YouTube channel every Friday which became my stress reliever despite the week days I've spent in school that I experienced mixed feelings. The leader of the group which is JunHyung does a healing live either Saturdays or Sundays which was our rest day but it changed this year- it's every Friday evening at 6PM KST and it really helped us especially myself in chilling and to set aside problems when he's on live. I am also delighted that they got an opportunity to be in a radio show. both JunHyung and Prince are a co-DJ on "Radio Clock" with Ashley. They started on the year 2021 of September 26, and they covered KoreaPedia every Wednesday at 3pm KST on "Arirang Radio," but now it changed. They cover the "List 'Em Up Segment" every Tuesday and I hope through this, opportunities would still be on its way for them. This is gonna be memorable because it's my first time to stan a boy group because I'm not into it. I'm stan more girl groups. And this was my first heartbreak as well, since the withdrawal of the two members. We respect their decisions but it brought a strong impact— it was a nightmare for Ghosties that until now, it is still stuck and can not be forgotten because we are traumatized. That time, I've been unwell for almost four days road to one week, and it was really hard for me to be okay even though I tried to be and whenever I played their song, I easily teared up because it wasn't the same anymore and I thought I might not overcome it but at last, I finally moved forward because of the encouragement we got from each other and I know that both of them are happy and they are in a good place but still, we will wait for their return if ever. When pandemic happened, four of the members got COVID, each day we got notified on Twitter, and because of their situation, I was terrified to click and see the tweet because it might be a bad news again. I even suspected some of the announcement as a bad news because it was written in hangul not until I translated it. They are my strength and weakness as well because if they are happy, so I am and if they are feeling down, then I feel down as well. I remember I watched "Peak Time," a survival show where they participated, I teared up when JunHyung burst with tears while he shared the difficulties they had experienced during their practice to be able to show a better performance, and also when JunSeong cried when they were eliminated from the show. Through "Peak Time," they improved a lot and they did well because they encountered challenges that made them deal with and learned from it. Despite of those, GHOST9 brought happiness and encouragement, I am thankful that I discovered them because they are the one who lighten up my day when I have worries in life and it drives me to check other underrated group that deserves to be known. Honestly, I tried to stan other groups for about three times but still failed, because I always go back for GHOST9. The reason might be that they are the perfect group for me to stan (fate), for my active fangirling experience. They are my inspiration to be successful so that I could meet them in the future.

What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying?

My favorite side of fangirling is that other than knowing them, I've met and built a relationship with my internet friends (co-fans) and it gives me an ecstatic feeling that we always talk and share the same thing. We even came up with different activities especially on their anniversaries or other special events. I've tried editing stuff as well which I'm not good at but still tried for GHOST9 promoting them on Facebook and shared some info about them to my friends. Honestly, I'm a K-Pop low-key fan, but when I discovered them, I was being vocal and even active, I couldn't imagine myself having a Twitter and TikTok account just for them, engaging in voting for whatever they are nominated and even watching them on live when in fact I can't understand them. So, this journey of my fangirling means a lot to me because I discovered also about the other side of me and my capabilities. It helped me also learn to accept the possibilities of bad news and to be a tough person. I was happy every time I heard news about underrated groups that shine and thinking and hoping that GHOST9 will shine too.

Cath's message for GHOST9:

I just want to thank the group, especially JunSeong who inspires me in everything I do, I am wishing them a good health and success in their career and I am always here to support them in every decisions they will make. I hope they will become more stronger person than before, know how to make decisions wisely, to learn the things that they have experienced and to always believe in their selves. And when the time comes that they will build intimate relationship with someone, I just want them to know that they shouldn't be sorry for it, instead make themselves proud of what they have done, I am proud of what they have become and I am happy to be a Ghostie and hopefully I could meet them soon. Mag-ingat kayo palagi at mahal ko kayo, sobra (Take care always and I love you guys, so much).