International kpop fan problems. This has been on my mind for a while and I think it’s time I finally talk about it. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend 2 kpop concerts. First, I hung out with the noonas at the Big Bang concert last November. Then this past May, Kathalina and I rolled our walkers into the BAP concert in DC.

And while I reviewed both of them with mostly positive thoughts, I failed to mention something that needs to be addressed. That is the darker side of kpop concerts in the States.

The madness of getting tickets.

I can only speak for the drama that I go through (and every other kpop fan reading this). Having to coordinate the time and your computer so you can get the best tickets. And let’s be honest. We all want those VIP tickets. I lucked out during the Big Bang concert ticket madness. I had two computers going and was on the phone with a fellow VIP noona. In the event that one of us couldn’t get the tickets, we wanted the other would buy them and we’d transfer the money. With this system, we were able to get 2 VIP tickets with a low amount of stress (who am I kidding, we were still pretty stressed out but we got the tickets).

I wasn’t so lucky with BAP. Since I wasn’t sure if anyone was going with me, it was a last-minute decision to go to the concert (concerts are always more fun with friends). Once I decided, I also decided not to try for VIP tickets (gasp) I know but it was in the middle of the week which meant I had work and didn’t want to deal with standing in line all my life to get to the front of the line. So I settled for the middle of the orchestra SEATED area.  I thought it would be no problem since I wasn’t going for the premium seats. I. WAS. WRONG. For whatever reason, the tickets never showed up on Ticketmaster. -__-  

International Kpop fans understand this problem. Since it’s so rare that idols come here to perform, there are only a few minutes you can get tickets before they’re sold out. After screaming, crying and calling the venue only to discover they knew nothing of BAP coming, I logged off my computer, vowing that I would never deal with this type of madness again.

Flash forward 3 hours later, my phone alerted me to the fact that tickets were now available on Ticketmaster and if I wanted to see BAP, I better get my old ass up and get to a computer STAT.  Thankfully, I  was able to score one after another 30 mins of bs and my friend was able to find a seat nearby. Another friend got her tickets after almost 24 hours of madness. (IDOLS DO YOU SEE THE STUFF WE GO THROUGH FOR YOU???)

LINE MADNESS
Once you get the tickets and the big day arrives, you have to stand in line. I don’t mean a simple 5-minute line and you’re in the building. The type of line standing kpop fans do mean waking up at 5 am to get in line at 6 am for an 8 pm show. It means giving up using the bathroom for hours on end to make sure your spot in line is secure. I mean this.

Yes…I stood those 12 hours to get to the front of the VIP standing area. Why? Daesung. My friend and I withstood security guys flirting with us in the front and irate/crazy fans pushing and crushing us from behind just so we could get some fan-service and it was totally worth it. I remember crawling (literally) back to my hotel room vowing to never go through that again.

*btw* assigned seating means not having to go through that. You show up, sit in your seat and enjoy the show.

The Mosh Pit aka VIP Area

If you decide to get the VIP area and stand in line and are lucky enough to be towards the front of the arena, be prepared. You will be in the fight of your life. No, I am not joking. I’m talking hair pulling, people getting “accidentally” punched in body parts, feet getting stepped on. Also if you are tall like me, your head will get bashed repetitively by fan signs.

Yeah, those awesome light-up fans that say “Oppa Saranghaeyo” or whatever…they’re heavy and they hurt. AND they’re bright as SHIT! If I ever do VIP area again, I’m bringing a freaking helmet.  (oh and don’t wear a wig because that ish might get torn off).

So for my fellow kpop fans battling it out getting tickets this weekend for Infinite and for VIXX, good luck to you all. Have you ever attended a kpop concert here? What has been your experiences? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.