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Are these two world-renowned K-pop idols responsible for the biggest public crowd at the Australian Open? It appears so.
After hours of standing around both the Ralph Lauren store and suite, fans finally got a glimpse of Mark Lee from NCT and Minatozaki Sana from TWICE as they entered the suite.
Mark Lee arrives ahead of the men’s Australian Open final.Credit: Gabriela Sumampow
Crowds of fans, or NCTzens and ONCEs, were initially scattered across the Ralph Lauren store across Rod Laver Arena, but Mark – who arrived before Sana – solidified the ideal waiting spot for fans.
Minatozaki Sana.Credit: Gabriela Sumampow
Some brought albums and Australian Open merchandise to sign, others made their fandom known with K-pop merchandise.
“She looks like a fairy!” screamed a group of fans behind me.
Ahead of their arrival, Saanvi, Maya, Riya and Aashmi were brainstorming their game plan for photos and videos – which involved a group chat to exchange footage with each other.
As they told me, Saanvi and Maya flew from Sydney to attend the Australian Open, and the wait for Mark was when they met Melbourne-based uni friends Riya and Aashmi.
“The pick-up line was, ‘Do you know Mark?’,” said Saanvi.
While Mark’s group NCT has never performed in Australia before, this is Sana’s third time in Melbourne – the first two times for TWICE concerts in Marvel Stadium and, coincidentally, Rod Laver Arena.
