Arlene Fulgencio, who is 66 years old, poses with her ENHYPEN memorabilia. Photo courtesy of Fulgencio

For ‘lola’ ENHYPEN fan, being a fan knows no age

ABS-CBN News Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720513714620IMG_0261.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Arlene Fulgencio, who is 66 years old, poses with her ENHYPEN memorabilia. <em>Photos courtesy of Fulgencio</em></span></span></span>MANILA — “Polaroid Love” is arguably one of K-pop boy band ENHYPEN’s most popular tracks. Released in 2022 as part of the repackage album “Dimension: Answer,” the song about old-fashioned romance went viral on TikTok, becoming an entry point for many fans, including a grandmother from this city.</div><p>Arlene Fulgencio, 66, first heard “Polaroid Love” from her son, also a K-pop fan. The laid-back, catchy tune immediately piqued her interest.</p><p>“Noong una sabi ko sa mga anak ko, ‘Ano ba &#x27;yang K-pop na ‘yan?’ Tapos ang ganda pala. Sabi ng anak ko, watch mo ‘I-LAND’ kasi doon sila napili at nanalo,” she recounted in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>(At first, I said to my children, &#x27;What is this K-pop stuff?&#x27; But then I realized it was really good. My child told me to watch ‘I-LAND’ because that’s where they were chosen and won.)</p><p>She was referring to the 2020 reality talent competition series that formed ENHYPEN, the seven-member group known for their vampiric lore, which is prominently featured in their music and music videos.</p><div><br/></div><blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@purplelavander17/video/7374941430898363654" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7374941430898363654" id="v72530740321990260" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px"><iframe name="__tt_embed__v72530740321990260" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7374941430898363654?lang=en-US&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Anews-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2024-07-09T09%3A04%3A03.356992%3A051ef554-712c-4b96-9cab-aeb2f52fa294%26action%3Dedit" style="width:100%;height:775px;display:block;visibility:unset;max-height:775px"></iframe></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Recently, Fulgencio went viral on TikTok after sharing a video of herself singing “Not For Sale,” her favorite ENHYPEN song, during the group’s brand-sponsored fan meeting in the country last May.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/5/27/k-pop-group-enhypen-feel-blessed-happy-with-pinoy-fans-2316"><strong>READ: K-pop group ENHYPEN feel &#x27;blessed, happy&#x27; with Pinoy fans<br/></strong></a></div><p>Fulgencio, affectionately known as “Lola ENGENE” (Grandma ENGENE) after the name of the group’s fan base, proves that fandom knows no age. Her enthusiasm for K-pop showcases how fans come from all age groups, challenging the stereotype that such interests are exclusively for the young.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720513767540IMG_0281.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong>Supportive family</strong></div><p>Like any other K-pop fan, Fulgencio collects K-pop merchandise such as albums and photocards, a hobby that her family supports. In fact, her VIP ticket for the ENHYPEN fan meeting was sponsored by her son and his girlfriend.</p><p>She shared that when her son heard that ENHYPEN would be returning to Manila for a fan meet, he asked her if she was interested in attending. Fulgencio, however, initially had apprehensions about going to the event because of her age.</p><p>“Nahihiya ako na ako lang matanda kasi lahat sila teenagers,” she explained. “Sabi ng anak ko, ‘Di ba gusto mo sila makita in person? Hindi ‘yong magi-imagine ka lang na ano kaya itsura nila.’”</p><p>(I was shy because I was the only old person while everyone else was a teenager… But my son told me, ‘Don’t you wan’t to see them in person? So you don’t keep imagining what they look like in person.’)</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720513925421IMG_4843.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Even on the day of the fan meet, Fulgencio had her worries. “Parang nakakahiya kasi nakita ko mga kasabayan pagpasok sa gate, mga teens, at in fairness iba na talaga ang damitan ng mga generations of today – bongga at unique,” she recounted.</p><p>(It&#x27;s kind of embarrassing because I saw the people entering the gate with me, they were mostly teenagers. To be fair, the fashion of today’s generation is really different—stylish and unique.)</p><p>But when the show started and cheers began filling the venue, Fulgencio barely realized that she was among those passionately screaming because of the K-pop stars. </p><p>“Naging hyper na rin ako. Ang saya-saya pala at this age naranasan ko pa ito,” she said.</p><p>(I also turned hyper. I’m really happy that at this age, I still got to experience this.)</p><p>Fulgencio said her fellow ENGENEs were very welcoming and never made her feel out of place.</p><p>“Pinicturan nila ako. May namigay pa ng photocards. After the show, nakipag-selfie ako sa mga katabi ko [na] teens at all smile sila pumayag,” said Fulgencio, who hopes to experience attending another fan meeting.</p><p>(They took my picture. Someone even gave out photocards. After the show, I took selfies with the teens beside me and they all smiled.)</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720513941919IMG_4848.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong>Proud fan</strong></div><p>Fulgencio said she supports ENHYPEN because of the boys’ good looks and impressive performance skills, noting that Jake is her favorite member. She enjoys playing the group’s songs while doing housework, often singing along to the Korean parts even though she does not know the exact lyrics.</p><p>“Sobrang proud ako na fan nila ako kaya hindi ako mahihiya. Mahal na mahal [nila] tayong mga ENGENEs, palagi bukang-bibig nila,” said Fulgencio, who has a grandchild.</p><p>(I’m so proud to be their fan. That’s why I’m not shy. They always talk about ENGENEs, they really love us so much.)</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/2/11/watch-k-pop-group-enhypen-on-touring-pinoy-fans-2024-plans-1748"><strong>WATCH: K-pop group ENHYPEN on touring, Pinoy fans, 2024 plans</strong></a></div><p>Fulgencio has also added K-pop sensations BTS and Blackpink to the list of acts that she supports. These groups have become a source of joy for her and she believes there is no shame in being a dedicated fan.</p><p>“[Kung] saan ka masaya, [so] be it, as long wala ka naaapakan. Masaya ako, so be it. Enjoy lang every moment. This makes me feel young at heart regardless of age because it’s just a number,” she said.</p><p>(Wherever you find happiness, so be it, as long as you don&#x27;t step on anyone. I&#x27;m happy, so be it. Just enjoy every moment. This makes me feel young at heart regardless of age because age is just a number.)</p><div><em>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the </em><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents"><em>Hallyu Corner</em></a><em> microsite.</em></div><div><em></em><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong><em></em></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P4Bpwq4pguc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><em></em><br/></div>

<p>A 66-year-old ENHYPEN fan from Manila proves that fandom knows no age, challenging the stereotype that K-pop is an interest exclusively for the young.</p>

A 66-year-old ENHYPEN fan from Manila proves that fandom knows no age, challenging the stereotype that K-pop is an interest exclusively for the young.

For ‘lola’ ENHYPEN fan, supporting K-pop stars knows no age | ABS-CBN

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For ‘lola’ ENHYPEN fan, supporting K-pop stars knows no age

For ‘lola’ ENHYPEN fan, supporting K-pop stars knows no age

ABS-CBN News Intern,

Alyssa Lita

Published Jul 10, 2024 08:02 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 10, 2024 09:01 AM PHT

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K-content

fandom

ENHYPEN

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