Making their long-awaited Malaysian debut, Papun Band (怕胖團) lit up the stage at Emerge Festival Malaysia 2025 with a setlist that felt more like an intimate concert than a festival slot. The trio— Shiny (閃亮), Bobo (大寶), and Lao Wai (老外)—delivered nine of their most beloved tracks, including Fish (魚), Moon Beside the Moonlight (月旁月光), Remember to Punch Me In The End (請記得揍我一拳), Ctrl C + Ctrl V (原來你跟每個人都說著一樣的話), and When You Need It the Most (當你在最需要的時候). Each note carried a raw energy that resonated deeply, culminating in a euphoric chorus as thousands of voices joined in unison.
Music Meets Endurance
Mid-performance, frontman Shiny (閃亮) suffered a minor cut from a stage step, but true to the band’s fearless spirit, he powered through until the very last chord. “The crowd gave us 100 out of 100,” the band shared, visibly touched by the warmth of Malaysian fans. That collective energy, they admitted, was both healing and electrifying.
Food as the Fourth Band Member
For Papun Band, Malaysia wasn’t just about music—it was a feast. Between press runs and rehearsals, the trio dived headfirst into the country’s vibrant culinary scene: bak kut teh, satay, charred chicken wings, claypot noodles, nasi lemak, roasted duck, and more. Their unanimous favorite? A deeply aromatic bowl of Malaysian-style bak kut teh—so different, they laughed, from anything back home in Taiwan. Shiny (閃亮) even declared durian popsicles his ultimate discovery, though Bobo (大寶) teased that the lingering aroma nearly took over their van.
A Touch of Playfulness
Known for on-stage quirks and humorous pre-show superstitions—like avoiding buns (“don’t want to mess up”) or prawns (“don’t want to look off”)—Papun Band embraced their Malaysian trip with equal charm. Meeting a rainbow before showtime was, in their words, a lucky omen. Fans, however, were more interested in recommending dishes than requesting songs, turning the group’s visit into an impromptu foodie pilgrimage.
Dreaming of Future Collaborations
When asked which Malaysian artist they’d most like to work with, the answer was unanimous: Uncle Roger. Lao Wai (老外), often the joker of the group, confessed he dreams of filming a fried rice video with him, while Bobo (大寶) added, “We’d love for him to critique our music too!” Their sense of humility carried through as they spoke of other local stars, insisting they’re still “not at that level yet.”
A Surprise Collaboration That Stole Hearts
During their visit, Papun Band joined forces with Fuying Wang (王赴穎) for an acoustic rendition of Fish (魚). The stripped-down performance, uploaded to social media, quickly went viral, with fans flooding the comments: “This is healing perfection,” and “The collaboration we never knew we needed.” For both the band and their new fans, it was a soulful finale to an unforgettable Malaysian debut.
