Remember when GadgetMatch went to Samsung’s A Galaxy Event in Thailand where they launched the Galaxy A80? This time, it’s in Indonesia — but with a twist.

This is a special fan meeting for BLINKs who happened to be Samsung users. The live event was held at the Tennis Indoor Stadium in Senayan where the 18th Asian Games and other popular concerts took place.

(L-R) Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé, and Lee Jeong Hoon (a Korean artist based in Indonesia)

Upon our arrival, Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo greeted us through the large LED screen talking about Samsung’s new smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy A51 and A71

Those smartphones are the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 — their newest midrange offerings. They both have an awesome screen, awesome camera, and long-lasting battery life (which honestly played in everyone’s mind for hours after they played the TVC).

Inside the venue, there’s a booth where you can have your photo taken with banners and signage. Another booth lets you write on a black slate using gold, silver, and pink markers. Lastly, you can show off your ‘Awesome’ TikTok dance moves through the dancing booth.

Vincenz, our in-house producer, left a short message after missing out last year’s concert: 사랑해 블랙핑크 ❤️(I love BLACKPINK).

BLINKs were hyped enough to sing several songs including Forever Young.

Indonesian BLINKs are currently practicing their loud fanchants and sing-along with BLACKPINK’s Forever Young.#GalaxyA#GalaxyAwithBlackpink#GalaxyA51#GalaxyA71#AwesomeLive@GadgetMatch pic.twitter.com/7Kf7Y9em7V

— Vincenz [#] (@vincenzvangogh) January 14, 2020

The screams and chants were intense after BLACKPINK showed themselves on stage.

FINALLY: BLACKPINK has appeared on the stage. They will serve as judges for all the BLACKPINK cover groups from Southeast Asia that will perform here tonight at Samsung’s Awesome Live Event.#GalaxyA#GalaxyAwithBlackpink#GalaxyA51#GalaxyA71#AwesomeLive@GadgetMatch pic.twitter.com/wuq57fhWC5

— Vincenz [#] (@vincenzvangogh) January 14, 2020

Awesome girl group, awesome performances

The Awesome Live event lives up to its name as BLACKPINK cover groups from different parts of Southeast Asia showed their awesome performances and remixes.

Other BLACKPINK cover groups that performed today at Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan are Cambodia’s OMG, Malaysia’s A Squad, Myanmar’s Team S, Vietnam’s C.A.C., and Indonesia’s Pink Panda.#GalaxyA#GalaxyAwithBlackpink#GalaxyA51#GalaxyA71#AwesomeLive@GadgetMatch pic.twitter.com/rHgWCP7TKg

— Vincenz [#] (@vincenzvangogh) January 14, 2020

The choreography of the Filipino cover group Gabriela (with the popular celebrity and K-Pop fan Ella Cruz) was jaw-dropping. Even BP’s main dancer, Lisa, got totally impressed.

One of the performers in the set list are Philippines’ Gabriela — with the celebrity Ella Cruz (@itsEllaCruz).

Lisa was even stunned after seeing one of their unique dance moves. #GalaxyA#GalaxyAwithBlackpink#GalaxyA51#GalaxyA71#AwesomeLive@GadgetMatch pic.twitter.com/TOucIXXYYT

— Vincenz [#] (@vincenzvangogh) January 14, 2020

After the performances of all cover groups, BLACKPINK gave awards to the respective winners.

The dance performances concluded with an Awesome awarding show. All members (Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé) have distributed their “Awesome” awards to each winner.

PH’s Gabriela won Awesome Performance.#GalaxyA#GalaxyAwithBlackpink#GalaxyA51#GalaxyA71#AwesomeLive@GadgetMatch pic.twitter.com/od2CNyGHvO

— Vincenz [#] (@vincenzvangogh) January 14, 2020

They even had a mini interview and quiz session.

It’s sad to say that BLACKPINK’s appearance was short (ㅠㅠ). We were also anticipating a surprise performance but it didn’t happen. Regardless, we were very happy to see all the members.

Thank you BLACKPINK for your short, but awesome appearance at today’s event— which also introduced the newest Samsung Galaxy A51/A71 with awesome screen, awesome camera, long-lasting battery life 🎵🎶 #GalaxyA#GalaxyAwithBlackpink#GalaxyA51#GalaxyA71#AwesomeLive@GadgetMatch pic.twitter.com/yQnM6xKNyY

— Vincenz [#] (@vincenzvangogh) January 14, 2020

No BLACKPINK Edition phones, yet

Unlike the last event where Samsung showcased the limited BLACKPINK Edition Galaxy A70 and Galaxy A80, there’s nothing of the same kind — at least for now.

BLACKPINK Edition Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy A80

As not all BLINKs can afford the premium-priced Galaxy A80, we’re hoping that Samsung would deliver a similar product through the Galaxy A51/A71 line.

We just need to wait for a BLACKPINK comeback first before Samsung gives us a BLACKPINK Edition smartphone once more 😉.

If you’ve been following GadgetMatch, you probably know our popular Scavenger Hunt. But in case you’ve been living under a rock, Scavenger Hunt is a little contest that requires finding clues across our content — YouTube videos and articles — to submit an entry and get a chance to win a giveaway.

This year, Scavenger Hunt is back, but with a twist! Taiwanese company MediaTek challenged GadgetMatch to do a Scavenger Hunt during CES 2020 — an annual trade show featuring products and technology that solves modern problems.

The challenge is to find ten MediaTek-powered products across the show floor. GadgetMatch‘s very own Michael Josh will participate in the challenge and will document his adventures on his own and GadgetMatch‘s Instagram account. Make sure to check our stories!

Should Michael Josh and his team successfully find the ten products, he will unlock a special prize for the audience. MediaTek hasn’t disclosed the mystery reward yet, so let’s all stay tuned!

CES 2020 is happening from January 7 to January 10, 2020.

Tech journalists Nicole Scott and Michael Josh have a lot in common. 

They’re both entrepreneurs with tech publications, creatives who know how to work hard and play hard, nomads with roots in both the East and West, and dreamers who wish to tell stories of what our digital lifestyles look like globally. 

They both also have plenty to say. 

Sometimes, though, that’s where their similarities end. 

Among friends and colleagues, this dynamic duo is known for their impassioned debates. Now, on their new podcast, “She Said, He Said” for the first time you can listen in as they dissect the biggest stories in the world of tech, and how they’ll transform the way we work, live, and travel.

Nicole won’t admit it, but this Pollyanna can be slightly cynical – even if she’s surprisingly factual when she gets argumentative. On the flipside, Michael can be doe-eyed and idealistic, but don’t let his enthusiasm and love of tech mislead you into thinking he won’t call out bad gadgets when he sees them. 

It’s this unique combination that makes the two click, and the show interesting.

Each week, expect to hear unique perspectives, the news that matters, and a whole lot of strong opinions! This new series will tackle innovations in both hardware and software and will highlight sustainable solutions that can help drive society forward. All delivered with the sort of spunk, sass, and fun only these two can provide.

“She Said, He Said” is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and everywhere else you get your podcasts. For a full rundown of subscription links visit their website.

Or, listen to the three episodes already live:

Today’s Laptops: Innovation or Gimmicks?

Is Apple just an overpriced luxury brand?

D.O.A. Is Huawei a necessary casualty of the US-China trade war?

About the hosts

Based in Berlin, Nicole Scott is the Founder of Mobile Geeks which is in both German and English. When she’s not planning her next meal or napping on a plane you can find her on Twitter @nicole_scooter Instagram @nicolescooter or find her making videos on YouTube. (at MobileGeeksde).

Michael Josh is the New York-based founder of the multiplatform tech and lifestyle channel GadgetMatch. He is a man of many hats, journalist, analyst, YouTuber, av geek, Pokémon trainer to name a few. You can find him on social media @michaeljosh and at YouTube.com/GadgetMatch.