The charm of the POP OFF: Black Valentines event was that it was enigmatic: dress in black, show up. What Black Valentines actually is was news to a number of people who attended. The South Korean unofficial holiday for singles, observed on April 14, wasn't common knowledge. Some Googled it. Many came with an open mind, drawn by the aesthetic, and just ready to have a good time.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
The mystery paid off. Saturday evening of the event, a sea of black descended at The Kallang's OCBC Lounge, hosted for the night by Ann Nicole, Natasha, and Louisa from 987FM. A venue more often associated with stadium concerts and sport, it became, for that night, an intimate gathering of strangers about to experience some form of catharsis, whether or not they expected to. Black Valentines conveys a certain dark romanticism: an occasion for those who choose to commemorate love's absence with as much conviction as others mark its presence.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
The crowd skewed young, with most attendees appearing to be in their early twenties. What better crowd for a night of music curated to be an ode to heartbreak, jointly organised by industry veterans no strangers to the power of a good breakup song: Universal Music, 987FM and The Kallang. Your first heartbreak, as the saying goes, hurts the most. Dolly Alderton, in Everything I Know About Love, wrote that it takes a village to mend a broken heart. This evening, the village showed up.
Heartbreak is one of the more isolating human experiences, not because no one else has had it, but because no one else has had yours. And yet music has this habit of making the private suddenly communal. That's what made the event work: it asked people to show up for the shared version of a grief that had, at some point, felt entirely personal.
The photobooth queue stretched across the room, an all-black procession of attendees clutching goodie bags filled with The Kallang's exclusive FEEL ALIVE tote bags with 100PLUS Effervescent Tablets, 987FM Blind Bags, and Universal Music posters of Olivia Rodrigo, LANY and Elliot James Reay.
"I got the clothes but nowhere to go," laughed one of four friends waiting in line, their coordinated outfits clearly premeditated. They had come on the strength of the theme alone. Most people in the queue were working toward the same thing: a completed stamp card for the final lucky draw. Call it the heartbreak soundtrack or the Odd Company vodka seltzers, by the time people got to the interactive post-it walls, they were ready to open up.
"I never get to wear this," a young man said, gesturing to his tailored black culottes. "This event was a great opportunity to do it." In the absence of romantic occasion, he had found a social one.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
A staff member manning a booth where attendees were asked to write what they'd say to an ex found herself on the receiving end of heartbreak stories, favourite breakup songs, and moments of unexpected, but endearing, oversharing. "They'd just launch into it," she said. "And then they'd turn it around and ask me for mine."
Photo Credit: Universal Music
Midway through the evening, the energy in the room shifted for Guess That Song and Trivia Quiz. The segment played the opening five seconds of tracks from Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Olivia Rodrigo, and Gracie Abrams. With free merch on the line, it had the crowd leaning forward. There's something specific about recognising a song from its first few beats: a small proof that a piece of music now lives in your subconscious.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
One question during the Trivia Quiz asked attendees to identify The Kallang's tagline: FEEL ALIVE - another asked about the upcoming events happening. By the end of the night, it felt less like trivia and more like a verdict - and the grand prize? A pair of tickets to any event of choice happening here at The Kallang.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
Two live performances bookended the musical programme. Zalelo delivered a cover of Billie Eilish's WILDFLOWER to a room that knew all the lyrics.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
Faiz Zikry followed with Sienna Spiro's Die On This Hill, an apt choice: Spiro was due in Singapore eight days later.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
For two polytechnic students attending together (both post-breakup, one two months out, the other two years), the night carried specific weight. It was their first time going out together since their breakups. "You don't need a new person to heal," one of them said. The other, quieter, offered: "I'm still healing." Their shared favourite breakup anthem was The One That Got Away, Katy Perry's 2010 ballad which was also featured on that night's playlist. It may be hard to believe this bop was released in 2010 – a whole sixteen years ago. A good breakup song doesn't expire, because heartbreak doesn't.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
For some guests, the pull was more tangible. Two friends admitted they'd come partly for the lucky draw. To enter, guests had to complete every station at the event, a mechanic that had people weaving through photobooths, interactive boards, and breakup confessionals just to fill their stamp card. Among the prizes: goodies from brands like Brooks Running SG and Kobo Jewellery. Whether guests came for the vibes or the draw, the stamp card had the same answer for everyone: do it all.
Photo Credit: Universal Music
Black Valentines is, on paper, a night about romantic love's absence. What filled the room in practice was friendship. That's what the crowd at Black Valentines had in common: not the same story, but the same soundtrack. POP OFF: is the first of a myriad of fan, music and community nights The Kallang has planned. The village, evidently, is just getting started.
Keep a lookout on our socials for more updates on upcoming events at The Kallang!
