Thai teens must have thought all their dreams had come true last week, because not one but eight pop idols jetted into Bangkok from South Korea and Japan to take part in the Channel [V] music video awards.

South Korean boy band Dong Bang Shin Gi were mobbed on their arrival at Don Muang Airport, again during their visit to Channel [V] Thailand and then at the award presentations where they sang "The Way You Are" and the title track from their latest album, "Rising Sun". They also took home the Popular Asian Artist award - meaning Dong Bang Shin Gi are certainly turning into young "Gods Rising from the East".

Hero (Kim Jae-joong), U-Know (Jung Yun-ho), Micky (Park Yoo-chun), Xiah (Kim Jun-su) and Max (Shim Chang-min) have won legions of fans for their dance music, a cappella singing and pop with an R&B vibe. Their hit "Rising Sun" has topped the charts in Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore and here, where the album is distributed by GMM Grammy. The band has held concerts, toured, made guest appearances on television and appeared in numerous commercials. They're even expected to show up on stage in Thailand later this year.

"We work really well together," replied Hero, when asked about the most important element behind the band's success.

"We have an honest and reliable friendship. We are like brothers," U-Know explained.

Another South Korean artist with the wow factor is Lee Min-woo, who won Channel [V]'s Asian Sensation award and had the girls screaming for more after doing his numbers, "Bump!!" and "Battle".

Min-woo, who was also named Channel [V]'s Asian No 1 pop artist last month, is a member of the famous Korean boy band Shinhwa. He released his first solo album "Un-touch-able" in 2003, and followed it up last year with "Winds", featuring hits like "LUV", "Last First Kiss" and "Bump". He says he draws much of his dancing style from R&B star Usher.

"My second album shows how much experience I've obtained," the artist says. "When compared with Shinhwa's albums, you will find similarities in terms of dance music. But my solo album comes from my soul."

Shinhwa regularly switches between rock, rap, pop and R&B, offering a variation of popular music for fans and K-pop listeners. The band is particularly well known for their well-choreographed dance moves, both on stage and in videos.

They are currently touring East Asia, though the dates don't include Bangkok.

"We will play here, I promise," says Min-woo.

Scooping up the award for New Talent was Japanese acoustic guitar duo, Depapepe featuring Takuya "Depa" Miura and Yoshinari "Pepe" Tokuoka. They also performed "Kimidori" from their new album, "Ciao! Bravo!" and "Start" from their debut album "Let's Go!!".

Apparently, it took Depapepe just five minutes to write the shortest track on their new album and a whole week for the longest.

"My inspirations are the seasons and people's views," Pepe explains.

The group was formed in 2002. Depa has played the guitar since he was a young boy, while Pepe, who was interested in piano as a child, opted for the guitar when he was 14. From their native Kobe to Osaka to Kyoto, Depapepe are used to being the centre of attention, be it on the street or on stage.

Buoyed by the rapidly expanding instrumental music market, Pepe gives full play to his talent as a melody maker, while Depa sensitively, yet boldly, embodies his emotions on his guitar.

Since the release of their first CD, they have been enjoying massive exposure on television, radio and at live events.

And, judging by the many screams at the awards, it won't be long before they are in demand for a concert in the Land of Smiles.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation