Ex-Kpop Idol Spills The Truth About The Industry: U-Kiss: Xander Lee | Ask ZULA
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- In today’s episode of Ask ZULA, Xander from U-Kiss shares about the reality of the K-Pop scene where he never got to experience dating for years and how he rebuilt his life after being kicked out of U-Kiss. Watch on to hear some memorable moments that happened when he was a K-Pop idol that involved some crazy fans!
Here are the timestamps of the topics covered during the episode:
0:00 - Intro
2:42 - Difference in the K-Pop scene then & now
5:00 - Addressing hate comments & dating as a K-Pop idol
9:00 - Having an idol as an idol
10:29 - What happened to Xander & U-Kiss
12:33 - Enrolling at Korea University
12:43 - Getting recognised in public & keeping up to be relevant after the disbandment
17:10 - Experience with crazy fans
19:09 - Final wrap-up
About ZULA:
ZULA is a website catered to Singaporean female millennials. We cover lifestyle, perspective and inspirational stories of women in Singapore.
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Host:
Leah Shannon - / mizchiefmagik
Featuring:
Alexander Lee - / xander0729
Edited By:
Nurul Hazirah - / hazzzywah
Yeow Jia Yi - / yeowjiayi
Filmed By:
Umairah - / uwumairaah
Yeow Jia Yi
Business & Sponsorship Enquiries:
hello@zula.sg
Thank you Xander for sharing his experience with us and follow him on his socials 😉Also, let us know who you would like to see in future episodes of Ask ZULA!
He is snob in social media so I won't follow him
You can tell which era an idol is from with how chill and more open they are in interviews. Can't believe it's been more than a decade since I am a kpop fan 🥹🥹
I KNOW RIGHT
Same, just a little over a decade. Time does flies or time just moving too fast😩. Now I’m an adult & Xander just called me old😭.
Same! I’m a 2nd gen fan and to think it’s been 10+ years since I became a fan is mind blowing. I follow a few new groups like ATEEZ and Stray Kids, but there’s nothing like listening to SHINee, UKiss, etc.
@@nightxlynxs SAME! WE ARE ALL OLD!!
@@LyssieLysse yesss, I mean. Wow , the dedication of ours!! Every group was precious in our days!!
The way I felt so called out when he said "IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU'RE OLD" 😂😭 I was 15 or 16 when you guys came to SG as a guest singer. Broke my 6pm curfew just to see you guys. Got the worst scolding because I was late. But it was worth it 🥹 So nostalgic to see you again, Xander 🥺
Oh no! Hahaha same!
I feel so called out hahahahha
Yup, my heart dropped when he said it❤️🩹😭
I bumped into Xander by chance in Seoul three years ago with my friend, so we shyly asked for a photo with him and he was genuinely surprised we knew him haha he's such a nice guy! thanks for a great memory Xander it was a pleasure to meet you! 💖
it's so satisfying to see idols you followed wholeheartedly in your teenage years grow up without going off the rails and remain unproblematic. Xander is smart, down to earth and pragmatic. Good on you for getting a degree and even double majoring.
People act like idols life are over because their group loses popularity and goes inactive. It's actually a perfect time for them to live another fulfilling stage in life. In fact, most people around their age (mid to late 20s) just started their careers.
Hearing an idol from the group I used to stan openly talking about smut fanfic was not in my 2023 bingo but here we are. Luv u Xander
I didnt expect Xander to be funny, I kept giggling throughout cos it's really nice to see such a down to earth person open abt the Kpop scene, I m honestly tired of the oversaturated Kpop market and cant even barely remember all the 4th gen idols names or faces.
Hes been funny forever but the company didnt keep him sadly
@@BleedingLiar17 Yes, sadly😩, but I’m glad he’s doing well & still has his sense of humor after all these years🥹💗
the amount of fans has grown a lot too, so yes the market is bigger but that doesn't mean oversaturated. there is room.
4th gen, like the previous generations, is exploding with talent. I recommend checking some out if you have time and interest. there are groups from smaller companies thriving too!
watching this brought me a sense of peace and connection. i've always thought Xander was the most reasonable and relatable member in U-KISS. 🥺 even after he left, he's always so down to earth and honest about his experiences and thoughts. he deserves the WORLDDDD. so glad to see him back in U-KISS for their 15th anniversary comeback. 🥰🥰 샌더와 유키스 화이띵! 🩵🩷
The Realism of how he shows his true self is really the most iconic yet wonderful thing I have ever seen on a Kpop or ex-Kpop idol.. I mean like he really knock out the false idealogy about kpop idols and he did it in the very best way.. I hope these kpop idols are treated to be more real people rather than the fantasy that we want to.. hoping for more videos like this to raise awareness and break the bad tradition that is harming the kpop idols..
Xander referring to himself as 'uncle' is making me feel old 🥹🤣 can't believe it has been that long too, and Binggeul Binggeul is what got me into Kpop back then. I loved all 7 of them so much but the member changes kind of put me off the group until I just stopped listening to Kpop for a while. So glad to see he is doing so well now though 😊
Thou U-KISS not from the top 3 companies, they are still very famous back then, especially outside from South Korea. I remembered back then when U-KISS visited Malaysia for a fanmeeting, there was sooo many fans attended. Second Gen Idols was the best era! 😍
This is the biggest reason why I love Thailand’s showbiz industry. None of the artists hold high school diploma. All of them are either studying at university, hold bachelor degrees, masters even PHD. You will see doctors, lawyers, vets, surgeons, engineers, pilots, architects in the entertainment industry
OMG so true, I felt the Thailand show bizz is much better and did not do toxic things or force things on the artists and can also interact and meet with fans who is like family too, at time's goes by, I'm shifting toward Thai bizz... there might have some situations that leave some artists felt uncomfortable but resolved fast and efficiently, to me this show bizz is perfect for both fans and the artists for the time. Their culture of being down-to-earth self was a green flag to me. Oh and some artists can also give ideas to create great performances to show, I respect that alot, while usually kpop have a lot of system to follow on camera and act the way the company assigned to you, it's good but also as a fan, it's felt a bit restricted somehow.
Oh that’s something new I learnt today from your comment 👍
Gosh this interview was funny haha 😆 That comment "Do you even have a CD player at home" had me 😂🤣😂 'ey, I am in my 30's and I got into K-Pop because of the 2nd generation K-Pop groups and I am still super old school and like to buy physical copies of CDs because it's nostalgic to me (ey I grew up in the 90's 🤣) It is so good to see previous generation idols being so relaxed and themselves, I love it ❤
i used to be a kissme back in pri-sec school and i had like the biggest fattest crush on xander back then. like he said i think a lot of us here are "old" already HAHA so thank you xander and ukiss for being part of our childhood/teenage years. seeing him doing well after ukiss is really heartwarming and i love how he's just being real in this interview. ❤
It's a call out to all the fans, in whatever generation to always always always respect your idols. whenever and wherever they are and whatever they're doing and their decisions. We do love them and we put a lot of efforts, money, and time to support them but that doesn't mean that we have a right to meddle in their life (SPECIALLY PRIVATE LIFE). Just a reminder, we are here because the idols that we are looking up are talented, hardworking, and that they inspire us to be a better person too. We are all humans. So love them, but not obsessively. 😊
"If you know me, you're old!"
OUCH XANDER OUCH! 🤣🤣
So happy to see Xander doing well!! I'm also a second gen old fan who loved U-KISS in my teen years (and remember crying in school when the news of Xander's and Kibum's departure happened ;;;) and lately I've been listening to U-KISS in my multi-CD player car!!!! So much has happened in the past decade, but I'll never forget people like Xander, the U-KISS members, and all the 2nd gen groups I loved that shaped my teen years, built my friendships, and helped me find passion for languages. ....also we danced to Kpop songs in high school during the assemblies, making us feel like our idols lol
To Xander: I hope you really know what kind of impact you had on people. Just because we're older now doesn't mean we don't remember the feelings you gave us, the lines in songs we loved singing, the dances we remember doing. You probably gave other international idols of today the hope that they could make it in Kpop, and that's nothing to scoff at. You put in WORK! You are still loved and admired for those years you gave us your all as an idol, and I hope you can look back and remember all the smiles you put on our faces. Thank you for being there, Xander. I wish you nothing but eternal happiness, a happy new year, and I hope the person of your dreams will find you and love you for you, past, present, and future. You're amazing, you're inspirational, and I pray that we can continue to see your growth as a person, as Xander, an old friend.
OMG nostalgia hits 🥺 UKISS was the group I was so crazy about and I was so sad when xander left 🥺 thank you for having him and giving us an insight about the industry! I hope the best for xander (especially in his love life 🤪)
not xander saying "if you know me, you're old!" 😭 this brings back so many memories from my pri school days when u-kiss was my fav group... i remember the first time i saw them was when i went on mediacorp's sheng siong show to watch them perform during the june holidays. i was only 11 then and had to convince my parents to let me go with my older sister 🥹 now i've graduated from uni and have become a working adult with responsibilities... sigh, i'm indeed getting old. thank u zula for interviewing xander! 🫶🏻💗
He exudes such great energy! ❤
Oh gosh.. I never knew Xander could be this funny and down to earth! I think I laughed so much throughout the 20mins video. I mean, listening to him stating facts and still manage to deliver the message that it is serious and yet don't be too stressed out about the information he shared is entertaining. And this feels like a meet up with your long-time friends sharing anecdote of their journey in another country about his previous job. 😂
Time flies! My introduction to Xander was through Pop In Seoul on Arirang TV, one of the very little English Kpop content at that time.
I miss the old days 😪
Glad you're doing well 😊
Oh man, I used to watch that show too! Cause of Xander and Kevin 😂
Xander will always be my favourite ukiss member, so excited to see him in ukiss's reunion comeback next week!!!!
Thank you Zula for putting effort in reaching out to different people with different backgrounds! And happy to see Xander being so carefree and lively here! ❤ Really nostalgic man
Yeah it's refreshing to see a kpop idol behave like their normal self instead of acting.
Wow! Called out hard! I just got back into Kpop are being a second Gen fan and I was so shocked by show things changed. I was so heartbroken when Xander left but I really hope he's happy now. And that the new fans listen to his advice!
2nd gen will always be my personal favorite. It was easier to be in the loop on groups and songs and I love good humor and chaos energy. XD Also of course because 2nd gen was/is my age group as well. These days I try to not jump into a fandom until a group has been around a few years because it became too heartbreaking when they disband before the career even gets off the ground from all the competition. It is so strange to be a kpop veteran fan now but I love that I didn't miss the 2nd gen era. ^^ This interview was hilarious!
Omg thank u for bringing Xander on, had such a nostalgic feeling seeing him again , we are all old 🤡 helps #indenial
how old are u?
same!! gahh i had a major crush on him back then HAHA
We are all adults now. We are this old 💀
Thanks for having Xander! U-Kiss was one of the first concerts that I went for back then, and it definitely brought back memories! I don't follow updates on him too much nowadays but I'm happy that he's a lot happier too. Tbh, part of me died inside when he said "IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU'RE OLD" HAHAHA oops! K-pop has changed so much but the core essence of seeing your favourites happy and thriving will never change. Can't help but thinking about how Hoya felt leaving Infinite but I'm also super happy that he's having the time of his life with Mbitious now. ❤
Xander, I know you're reading this! You may or may not remember 'Xanderella' but those were the nostalgic days of me being a U-Kiss fan and I had a Xanderella board whenever you came to SG! Stay happy and healthy ❤
Wasn't a kpop fan during second gen but if I was, I'm sure I would've stanned Xander haha! Such wise words at the end and such a bright, down to earth personality. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you are living a fulfilling, happy life! (also wishing you the best w your love life :))
Actually I keep missing the 2nd Gen groups just because of this, Xander is so smart and funny without even trying it, something new idols can't do because they just want to look perfect all the time. U-kiss were one of my favourites groups and I still listen to some of their songs. I can't handle kpop nowdays because they can't even sing live and there are so many groups that is hard to keep track of all of them.
Glad thathe reunited with UKiss for the 15th anniversary mini album. I'm really contemplating going to see them here in Japan!
Honestly, as a KISSME who grew up with them, this is iconic.
So happy to see Xander again after a while! He is so lovely and his voice has this calming effect. He is very kind and the way he listens to the host is respectful and attentive. All the best for him!~
i am happy to age with xander 😤 i miss him and ukiss and also so good to see him doing well.
I remember Xander and Ukiss, i loved their music and i still listen to their music now. I would love to see them reunite
Yes they will reunite on 28/06/2023 but only soohyun,hoon,kiseop,xander,eli & aj…
Its funny that 5 months later UKISS comeback with a new song!!🎉 And he is in it too!! 😂😂
Thanks for inviting Xander! I miss him so much and I loooove how chill this interview was!
Thank you Xander for doing this video! I'm so glad to see you doing well :)
Xander damn cute and funny! Thank you for bringing him in for this interview!
Hey! It's really good to see Xander doing this interview since I was a fan of him too!
Love to see him being so happy now and so real as usual! It's a pleasant surprise!
Hillarious and candid interview! Totally enjoyed the chemistry between the interviewer and interviewee - thank you!
Would have loved this interview to be longer, love how relaxed you guys are, discussing as old pals.
This is a nice interview thank you very much. It's always nice to hear from Alexander.
Awesome interview! Honestly anyone who refuses to believe ALL their favourite idols secretly date are just delusional and lying to themselves. Idols are human beings and have feelings too. True fans would be happy for them and not ask them to apologise for dating!
Respect idols private lives. They are not are business
The age thing hits hard, as someone who liked U-KISS back in the day. Damn, time flies... Really enjoyed the sharing!
Seeing Xander here really makes me feel nostalgic! I still played U-kiss songs until now and overall 2nd generations songs. It just has that good vibes you know!
Comming here after watching -killing Voice's UKISS video. I was wondering about Xander and what happened to him, and I check Wikipedia and he's listed as current member.... OMG, good vibes to him and UKISS!!! 🤣
You didn't see him on the killing voice? He's there lol
@@peachxtaehyung I really didn't recognize him... It seems that I'm not a huge stan 😦. But after watching the vid, I wonder what was its whereabout, and found out that he was there. But to my favor, I remember him with the long hair, and its skin tone being a little darker. 🤣
Xander, his sass and his truth.. Thank you for doing this Zula 😍
Thank you, Xander! We really hope to see Ukiss reunion in the near future. You are one of the reasons why I became a kpop fan. :) We also miss you in the Philippines!
Tysm for having him! As a 2nd gen Kpop fan I really missed him 🥺 also loved how transparent and realistic he was HAHA as a fan who is in their 20s now, I definitely had my irrational days back in sec sch erhmm thinking oppa is mine erhmmm
omg Xander please give yourself some credit!! U-kiss was such a big part of my teenagehood 🤭 So glad to see that you’re happy and thriving! :) This interview was insanely funny to watch, you’re a natural comedian! 😆
Aww Xander ❤ I was a U-KISS fan back in the day and it’s still very nostalgic when current day kpop idols talk about / cover Man Man Ha Ni ❤
Gotta love Xander’s singlish interjections 😂
Xander is soooo funny and down to earth omg I enjoyed watching this whole interview. hopefully he can collab for more content in future if there's a chance
always get recommendation for this video, finally watch it, and it's worth it, xander such a cool dude
OKAY!! U KISS did a reunion comeback!! Hahaha! Such a nostalgic comeback with Xander and AJ.
YOU GUYS ARE SO FUNNY!! i really enjoyed this talk, super entertaining and natural 😃
p.s. 2nd gen kpop fan here, i loved ukiss's doradora :D
Nostalgic :') glad to see you doing well!
Welcome back, Xander! Hehe I just came here 'coz i watched the release of the 15th anniv album! Woaaahhh! I missed you all guys! Fightiiing!
I watched the one with Ki Bum (He was my fav U-Kiss member at the time ❤) exposing about what being an idol is all about like years ago. I remembered vaguely that Ki Bum may or may not finished his high school education at the time coz of juggling his time between his trainee training & school. This exposure was after he & Xander left U-Kiss. It's great that Xander also shared about this from his pov. Great advice Xander. It's a good thing that you've pursue higher education & showing good example to the future gen. I hope that you'll find a kind & loving soulmate, Xander. 💖❤
this was such a comfortable and no frills interview!
I’ve known UKISS since I was 11 years old and that was back in 2010. It’s super nice to see Xander again!
I really enjoyed watching this😁
It wasn't even a year since this video but there's already a reunion😭
Wah I appreciate his transparency in sharing the idol life
THANK U XANDER FOR SHARING WITH US😭🫶🫶🫶
Well, I was 14, when I became a UKISS fan. I want them to reunite, but I don't think it's possible. I love Alexander because he is very approachable. I have seen him many times in Manila. Hope to see you again soon.❤️
I really loved the interview. U-Kiss was always one of my fav's. I could have watched this Interview for hours to be honest! Thank you for making this!!
THIS MAKES ME HAPPY BEYOND WORDS !
Xander used to be my U-KISS bias like 12 years ago 😭😭😭
I listened to U-KISS for a bit back then but I wouldn't call myself a fan. I watched this video mainly due to curiosity. But I fell in love with his energy, personality and the way he speaks just a few minutes in! So down to earth!
Bless this interview and thankyou for making me feel old.
Actually, I see in personal Alexander Lee in Bacolod City bcoz of My korean jagiya fans day together with heart evangelista in SM Bacolod. I'm so happy to meet him in personal and this is a first time to meet the k idol in the Philippines.
Happy to see xander here. Hope he gonna make another TV show here in Philippines.
"If you know me, you're old" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA OMG I used to stan U-KISS way back in my high school days. And I'm a young adult now 🤣🤣
U-Kiss was one of my favourite group then. sadly the first time I got to know the group was during Stop Girl era and Xander isn't part of them anymore but I know him through their old songs. So happy go see him again bring back the good memories
Aww Xander you were my fav member when Ukiss was active back in the days！guess that shows we are growing old together 😂really glad to know you’re doing well! Thanks for taking the time to share with us your experiences!💕
Yay! I got to see Xander again after a few years, thanks for having him!.
It was nice, fun, and a light interview 👍.
I just wonder, why is Xander not back in the Philippines for years?
I though he signed a contract with GMA
thank you for this interview with xander !! my first kpop group.. and yep im old.
xander's humor is still there HAHAHA
Had to look-up U-KISS and found them on UA-cam. Listened to Tick Tack and it's really good. Worth a look.
0:47:If you know me you're old!
Me:Cries in 20 years old
LOL this was such a blast from the past! I still listen to Man Man Ha Ni in the gym sometimes lol
I love you Xander!! Missed u so much!❤ congrats on the comeback!!!
The moment I saw Xander in the thumbnail I HAD to click! I was a huge KISSME and yes I am old lol
I don't even feel offended because Xander is such a sweetheart.
Thank you Xander for sharing this! I actually went to U-KISS fanmeeting in Malaysia, and I remembered how Xander caught my eye. So beautiful in person and I have no regrets having him as my bias. ❤️ i still have my album with his signature. I still love you. All the best with what you're doing!!
i first saw xander in the drama moorim school and that’s how i got to know about ukiss after digging him up and trying to find more about him
My very first concert way back 2010 was UKISS' First Kiss con. Daaaamn. Time flies. Glad to see u again, Xander!! 🤘
I rmb going for U-Kiss’s last concert in Singapore and they sang “end of the road”. Take care Xander 🥸thanks for reminding us….that we are all old now😕
Omgggg he's so candid. I love it. N i love how there's some Singlish accent in there too
2nd gen fans are aging well 🤣 seeing the ages of new idols and fans is too shocking 😂
Whooo go Xander! Thank you for the fun interview! 😊
I’m 20 and I remember loving u kiss when I was little! But 20 isn’t old 😭😭
omg it feels like a trip way back to the old times... YES XANDER I FEEL OLD HELP
Thank you for this interview. I'm always happy to watch or listen to Xander and his honest humor, he's super funny. I met him through WayV and since then was interested on his radio show or any interview
Love his energy and vibe
Yes I am old Xander and I'm still not over you getting kicked out of UKISS. My WHOLE 3rd year of high school is UKISS. My whole class section danced your songs when KPOP was not even a thing.
Second Gen fan~
The song 330 by U-kiss has been my all time OST favorite from the kdrama: Can you hear my ❤️
Old is Gold, better than most current ones.
As a former kissme I really appreciate this video. Thanks for making it happen 💓
"If you know me your OLD"
U Kiss being my first Ult Kpop group, yes Im still in denial of my age
Love this video!!
i loved this interview! the host and xander had me rolling for sure. i don't know much about U-KISS (kpop fan since 2018 here), but from this interview, it makes me wish that i knew more about them. xander seems really cool. lots of interesting, funny and even helpful info in this interview. thanks youtube algorithm :)
Us 2nd gen fans were actually so spoiled because the groups were always on talk and variety shows, like a lot, A LOT, that you actually feel you know them so much. LOL. We should have been so grateful back then.
@@millasuini8307 oh that must've been so fun! i hope that sort of energy comes back, but then i think about how many groups are active now and those debuting these days so i guess it'll be difficult :,) i do love seeing that type of content and group/artist interactions so i'm going to be a bit delusional and hope for it anyway lol
@justmedidi it was so much fun. Big Bang and 2ne1 were the groups considered to be "exclusive" cause they are hard to be featured on variety shows cause YG had terrible relationships with KBS back then. But before that, Daesung was one of the cast of Family Outing. Lots and lots of idol interactions. Even your fave groups have their own shows like Hello Baby etc. Strong Heart was my fave cause that's when a lot of them told their most vulnerable or hilarious stories.
2008-2011 era was definitely the best for me.... always a competition between the big 3. and streaming music shows was not as easily available compared to now.
my tier list as a Kpop fan back then. i am sure there's so much more but these are those at the top of my head!
God Tier Groups/Artist: 2NE1/BIG BANG/SNSD/SUJU/SHINEEE/DBSK/EXO/2PM/BOA/RAIN/LEE HYORI/WONDER GIRLS
Pretty Good Groups: Kara/4 Minute/After School/T-ara/U-Kiss/Beast/Miss-A/Teen Top/FT-Island/CN Blue
Man he's so chill - I love him
i'm now inspired to play U-KISS' songs in my next mahjong session