Ah Boys have tearful reunion at first-ever showcase
Stars sing, rap, dance and turn teary as they thank fans for their support at their first ticketed showcase
They are probably Singapore's answer to our very own boy band.
They can sing, rap, dance, and, most importantly, they have fans - hordes of them.
Six cast members of local director Jack Neo's mega-popular Ah Boys To Men (ABTM) film franchise held their first-ever ticketed Stay With Us! showcase at Max Atria at Singapore Expoon Saturday night.
Judging from the screams that came from the full-house crowd of 500, comprising mostly young female fans, it is clear that the Ah Boys' popularity has not waned one bit since their last movie, Ah Boys To Men 3: Frogmen, in February.
Actors Joshua Tan, Wang Weiliang, Maxi Lim and Tosh Zhang, with newcomers Bunz and Jaspers Lai, gave their fans a heartfelt two-hour performance.
We relive some highlights from the cosy setting.
AH BOYS GOT TALENT
The six members showed off their individual talents in their solo segments.
The comedic Wang, 28, showed his sentimental side when he performed a touching original Chinese ballad Holding You, accompanied by a slow dance with a female dancer.
Zhang, 26, who drew the loudest screams, rapped and sang 1950s Chinese classic Give Me A Kiss while wearing a panda onesie.
The hip hop star, who is usually known for his cool image, made everyone laugh when he said: "The store owner asked if I was buying this outfit for my girlfriend and I said, 'No, it's for me.' He probably thinks I am crazy or weird."
Zhang went further to win hearts by throwing roses to the audience and stepping offstage to interact with them personally.
A fan, Ms Rachel Xu, 21, a salesgirl, said: "My two favourite members are Tosh and Weiliang.
"They are very handsome and talented."
She added: "I loved the entire concert, it was fun and entertaining.
"I feel very happy tonight."
AH BOYS AND FANS
As befitting a fan meet, the Ah Boys interacted with several people who were chosen to go on stage in one segment.
Each member paired up with a fan for a game of show and tell, in which each Ah Boy had to describe a word for the fan to guess.
Wang got the audience in stitches when he and his partner scored zero marks, while Lai, 28, and a young boy impressed when they scored seven points and came in first.
Another young fan, nine-year-old Jordan Chng, who also had the chance to go on stage to be paired with Lim, 28, was elated at the opportunity to meet his idols up close.
He said: "It was fun to be on stage. I was a bit nervous.
"My favourite Ah Boys are Maxi and Weiliang because they are very friendly. Even though I didn't talk much to them, they (took it upon themselves) to talk to me."
AH BOYS' REUNION
ABTM co-star Noah Yap, 22, was not officially part of the showcase as he is doing his national service, but he surprised everyone when he went on stage during the last song, causing fans to scream and cheer.
He said: "Wow, the last time I performed with you guys was almost two years ago, thank you all for remembering me."
The stars also got another ABTM actor, Charlie Goh, who was in the audience, on stage with them.
The 27-year-old said: "I smiled throughout the whole performance, I am very proud of you guys."
The impromptu mini-gathering was a moving sight for fans who have supported the group since their 2012 debut.
AH BOYS GET TEARY
Tan, 25, cried during the encore as he wished his mum a happy birthday and walked offstage to hug her.
"Everyone always said I won't make it, but my parents have stuck by me throughout the years," he said. "I really want to thank them."
His outpouring of emotion made his co-stars teary, as they thanked supporters by singing original composition Stay With Me, written by Bunz, 28.
Ng Pei Jun, a 20-year-old attractions operator, said: "My favourite part was the encore, it was very touching. I wanted to cry watching them on stage just now."
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