Everything You Need to Know Before Your First K-Pop Concert
Whether you are a new K-Pop fan or have been one for years, going to a K-Pop concert is a dream of many. However, there are a lot of things you need to know before attending your first K-Pop concert. Here is a comprehensive guide with tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your concert-going experience.
One of the most important parts of going to a K-Pop concert begins well before the day of the actual concert: getting your ticket. Depending on who you plan to see, where you want to sit, and what money you have saved up, you need to plan in advance so that you can afford a ticket that is going to give you the experience you want. Picking up a few extra shifts at work or babysitting for as many people as you can will aid you in buying a ticket without spending all of your hard-earned savings.
Another important part of ticket-buying is following your favorite bands and artists and tracking when they announce their tours. After tours are announced, ticketing comes right after. When purchasing your tickets, time is of the essence. Modern-day bots commonly buy out as many tickets as they can so other sites can resell them at a higher price. If you can pre-register on the site before tickets go live, you definitely should. This will save you time when you go to buy your tickets, and you can get the ones you have dreamed about. It is also important to read through all of the information so you know what you are agreeing to with your payment. Make sure they accept your card and remember that additional fees will be added for transaction and tax purposes. Star your confirmation email once you receive it and print it out for extra safety if you wish.
The next step in attending your first K-Pop concert also requires planning, and this planning is in the logistics of the concert day. Depending on where you live, you may have to travel and book accommodations for the concert. If this is the case, you will need to include this in your prior financial planning. If you live in the same city as the venue you will be attending, finding the public transportation that will get you there and back is extremely useful. It is helpful to have a backup plan, as delays are natural and can happen to anyone. Knowing the venue is also of great importance, as all of them have different layouts and differ in their policies of what they allow in and what they do not.
Another aspect you should plan for is the merch you want to get. Concert merch can be so special because of the memories it holds, but it is also expensive. Looking up the merch that your favorite band or idol will be selling on their website can help you decide what you want in advance and help you plan to save up for it. It is smart to find a few pieces of merch that you love, as merch can sell out fast. While waiting in line for merch can take a long time, it is worth getting there early and waiting if you find something that you know you will keep forever.
One of the most helpful tips you can get is this: learn your fanchants. Fanchants are one of the most unique facets of K-Pop concerts that distinguish them from western ones. Whether it is the names of the members or where you chant during specific songs, fanchants make you a part of the concert itself and tie you to the larger K-Pop community around you. Look to social media, YouTube, or concert DVDs for help in learning them.
Once you are at the concert and all of your planning has paid off, there are a few other things you should know. One of them is that K-Pop concerts, unlike western concerts, only have a single act that consists of the band or artist you have paid to see—there are no openers. They usually start with some of their biggest hits, so make sure you arrive on time,or you may miss some of your favorite songs that you have paid money to see. If your tickets are seated, you do not have to worry as much. However, you should plan to arrive very early if you have standing tickets as you will have to wait in line to enter.
Lightsticks are also unique to K-Pop concerts, with many bands and idols having their own insignia for their fans to wave at them. Instead of a sea of phone flashlights, your favorite K-Pop stars get to see a special sign of their fans’ love for them all over the crowds. It may be worth your time and money to get one before the concert if you want to show the performers how much you admire them.
Another unique aspect of K-Pop concerts is that you can dress however you want. For some fans, this dress-code means wearing their bias shirts or putting on crazy outfits with matching hats and shoes. For others, a simple cute outfit that is practical and breathable is their go-to. Whatever you choose, make sure you can move freely so you enjoy the experienceand wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to dance in.
Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to stop, look around you, and enjoy the moment. From the fan projects that cover the seats to the people around you, every K-Pop concert is full of art and friendly people who are just as excited to be there as you are. The K-Pop community is full of love, friendship, and people from everywhere. You are bound to make some new friends from around the world if you are open to speaking with them and bonding over your love for your shared favorite stars and idols. However you choose to experience your first K-Pop concert, make sure you enjoy it because you deserve to.
Written by Ela Kalra