Monday, December 29, 2014

Things I Learned From #KCON6


It's once again the time of year that every K-pop fan in the Philippines have looked forward to. The year-end event where all K-pop fans gather together to celebrate the joys of fandom - the Philippine K-pop Convention or simply KCON, and this year is the 6th.

This is the first year of my K-pop fandom. Around the same time last year, I didn't even think of myself attending a gathering like this. I had always been a fan of K-dramas but I didn't think I'll one day join a bunch of people, mostly teenagers, cheering and shouting my heart out for boys and girls performing on-stage in a language I don't understand. But things like that happen. Because of sudden turn of events (that maybe I'll write about in the near future), I became a K-pop fangirl at age 24. And I guess I'm such a lucky yeoja because on my first K-con, two of the very few groups I follow - SISTAR and GOT7 were confirmed to perform in the KCON concert.

Since this is my first K-con attendance, there were some things I thought I could've done better. So here it goes - the five (5) things I learned from #KCON6:

1. Wag magmadali bumili ng ticket (or magtabi ng pera pang-upgrade in case may mas magandang package).
     A few days after it was announced that SISTAR and GOT7 are in attendance, ticket packages were released:
General Admission - PHP 1000
VIP - PHP 3000
Royalty Package - PHP 10000 (includes photo op and hi-touch with chosen artist)
     I didn't think I was ready then to spend so much for a K-pop concert, but they are my favorite groups so I didn't want a Gen Ad ticket either, so without further ado, right on the day of release, I bought a VIP ticket. But then, 2weeks before the event, the organizers announced that VVIP tickets will be available for PHP 5000 and ticket holders will get a seat right in front of the stage next to Royalty ticket holders. Previously purchased tickets (GenAd and VIP) were upgradeable, but by then, I did not have the money anymore. I tried to console myself that there is not much of a difference between VIP and VVIP, but on the day of the concert, I realized how wrong I was. The VVIP folks decided that it's not enough to be infront of the stage and they all stood on their chairs, so everyone else at the back only saw the LED.

2. If you can afford it, GET A RESERVED SEAT! (because it's fvckn worth it)
     -I didn't think that 10K for the Royalty package was worth it then. It's hi-touch and photo op lang naman. I've read that in Kpop, pag hi-touch, hi-touch lang, walang yakap. Pag photo op, official photo lang, walang selca. But tonight, I learned (the hard way) na kung game ang mga bias mo, rules can be bent. My heart broke in a million pieces as I see fans hugging my bias and others uploading stolen selcas, while telling myself, "You would have been there too if you were not stupid!"

3. If you can't afford a reserved seat, magdala ng monopod (kung gusto mo ng matinong shots).
     -The last time I watched a live concert was 3 years ago. Back then, there were no monopods yet and smartphones were not yet in abundance. Now, recording "fancams" is seemingly becoming a part of enjoying the show. Plus, with the innovation in selca-taking called monopods, you can already record a video on top of everyone's head. That way, if you cannot clearly see the stage from where you stand, at least your phone recorded a pretty good one and you can juat watch it later.

4. Kung hindi ka naman matangkad, pumasok ka ng maaga para nasa unahan ka or else, puro kamay at cameraphone ang makikita mo.
     -As mentioned in the previous item, smartphones and monopods are already part of the experience, so it's almost impossible to see anything from the back unless you are freakin' tall. So if you want to really see the artists on stage and not just stare on the LED, make sure to come in early and occupy the front space (and never ever leave, not even take a pee).

5. Kung mataba at tinatamad magpapayat, wag pumili ng standing ticket.
-Another thing I learned the hard way. KCON lasted for hours and I was standing the whole time. My weight has taken it's toll on my legs and when I went home, they were already numb. So next year, I have to lose weight before KCON7... unless I'm getting a reserved seat.

But as what they always say, despite how difficult it was, first times are always awesome. Our first times in whatever are the moments where we make mistakes amd learn from them. So despite all that, it was an awesome experience.

Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make KCON6 a great experience for a new fan like me. To the organizers Pulp, Happee See, event sponsors, and of course t's once again the time of year that every K-pop fan in the Philippines have looked forward to. The year-end event where all K-pop fans gather together to celebrate the joys of fandom - the Philippine K-pop Convention or simply KCON, and this year is the 6th.

This is the first year of my K-pop fandom. Around the same time last year, I didn't even think of myself attending a gathering like this. I had always been a fan of K-dramas but I didn't think I'll one day join a bunch of people, mostly teenagers, cheering and shouting my heart out for boys and girls performing on-stage in a language I don't understand. But things like that happen. Because of sudden turn of events (that maybe I'll write about in the near future), I became a K-pop fangirl at age 24. And I guess I'm such a lucky yeoja because on my first K-con, two of the very few groups I follow - SISTAR and GOT7 were confirmed to perform in the KCON concert.

Since this is my first K-con attendance, there were some things I though I had done better. So here it goes - the five (5) things I learned from #KCON6:

1. Wag magmadali bumili ng ticket (or magtabi ng pera pang-upgrade in case may mas magandang package).
-A few days after it was announced that SISTAR and GOT7 are in attendance, ticket packages were released.
General Admission - PHP 1000
VIP - PHP 3000
Royalty Package - PHP 10000 (includes photo op and hi-touch with chosen artist)
 I didn't think I was ready then to spend so much for a K-pop concert, but they are my favorite groups so I didn't want a Gen Ad ticket either, so without further ado, right on the day of release, I bought a VIP ticket. But then, 2weeks before the event, the organizers announced that VVIP tickets will be available for PHP 5000 and ticket holders will get a seat right in front of the stage next to Royalty ticket holders. Previously purchased tickets (GenAd and VIP) where upgradeable, but by then, I did not have money anymore. I tried to console myself that there is not much of a difference between VIP and VVIP, but on the day of the concert, I realized how wrong I was. The VVIP folks decided that it's not enough to be infront of the stage and they all stood on their chairs, so everyone else at the back only saw the LED.

2. If you can afford it, GET A RESERVED SEAT! (because it's fvckn worth it)
-I didn't think that 10K for the Royalty package was worth it. It's hi-touch and photo op lang naman. I've read that in Kpop, pag hi-touch, hi-touch lang, walang yakap. Pag photo op, official photo lang, walang selca. But tonight, I learned (the hard way) na kung game ang mga bias mo, rules can be bent. My heart broke in a million pieces as I see fans hugging my bias and others uploading stolen selcas, while telling myself, "You would have been there too if you were not stupid!"

3. If you can't afford a reserved seat, magdala ng monopod (kung gusto mo ng matinong shots).
-The last time I watched a live concert was 3 years ago. Back then, there were no monopods yet and smartphones were not yet in abundance. Now, recording "fancams" is seemingly becoming a part of enjoying the show. Plus, with the innovation in selca-taking called monopods, you can already record a video on top of everyone's head. That way, if you cannot clearly see the stage from where you stand, at least your phone recorded a pretty good one and you can juat watch it later.

4. Kung hindi ka naman matangkad, pumasok ka ng maaga para nasa unahan ka or else, puro kamay at cameraphone ang makikita mo.
-As mentioned in the previous item, smartphones and monopods are already part of the experience, so it's almost impossible to see anything from the back unless you are freakin' tall. So if you want to really see the artists on stage and not just stare on the LED, make sure to come in early and occupy the front space (and never ever leave, not even take a pee).

5. Kung mataba at tinatamad magpapayat, wag pumili ng standing ticket.
-Another thing I learned the hard way. KCON lasted for hours and I was standing the whole time. My weight has taken it's toll on my legs and when I went home, they were already numb. So next year, I have to lose weight before KCON7... unless I'm getting a reserved seat.

But as what they always say, despite how difficult it was, first times are always awesome. Our first times in whatever are the moments where we make mistakes and learn from them. So despite all that, it was an awesome experience.

Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make KCON6 a great experience for a new fan like me. To the organizers: PULP, Happee See, event sponsors, and of course to JYP Nation PH and GOT7PH admins who in a way had made my experience awesome. Looking forward for more awesome events. Fighting!

(c) PKCI for the official KCON6 banner.

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