My favorite group, Bangtan, announced that they're having a concert in the summer. Being the early planner I am, I started to put together outfits and things I may need. So I decided, hey, why not share it with everyone since it's concert season soon!
So here are some must-haves to have a great time at a Kpop concert:
So here are some must-haves to have a great time at a Kpop concert:
1) Tickets
How would you go in the concert without tickets? Tickets are so expensive outside Korea but they're worth it if you want to see your idol in person. Make sure it doesn't get lost. TIP! Keep them somewhere you can take out quickly like the front pocket of your bag. It's quicker and easier when the staff asks to see it as there is usually a long line behind you. It's also good to something that verifies your identity such as passport, ID, or school ID as some venues require them. Normally once you buy your ticket online (which is preferred), the venue will have a note asking you to bring some things.
2) Lightsticks
There are some of the many lightsticks. I personally find these my favorite (has nothing to do with liking the band at all cough). These run at around $25~$30 depending on how intriciate they are. There are cheaper options that are solid plastic plates or a plastic stick. Those run at around $7-$15. I'd invest in the official ones like the ones above. They give off great light and has other special functions used for events such as making sounds or blinking at specific intervals. Lightsticks can make you emotional when you look around the concert hall and see fellow fans united for that one band. When everyone turns on the lightstick it will create something fans like to call "(band color) ocean". Something like this:
Isn't that so beautiful? All five concerts I've ever been to, I always forgot my lightstick at home. I would look for a lightstick around town and buy it after hard searching. When I finally buy one, I get too excited that I forget to bring it with me. Even during the concert that I should be enjoying, I get so down seeing all the lightsticks THAT I COULD HAVE BROUGHT AND JOINED WITH EVERYONE ELSE. I had to awkwardly flail my hands to show excitement instead of just waving the lightsticks. Ugh. This will not happen again for the life of me.
3) Phone + Battery/Charger
Phones are versatile and are a great advantage to concerts. One, you can record or take pictures without being called out by the staff. Professional cameras are prohibited in most concert halls, so phones are great alternatives. Otherwise, you can use it to take selfies or play games while waiting in long line. Second, you might need it after the concert. Someone might be driving you back home. Even if that's not so, you never know what emergency might happen. Lastly, they are good last-minute lightsticks. If you forget your lightstick, like me, banner apps can be used to write messages and to flash it along with others.
Now doing all those for at least four hours will definitely drain the phone's battery. Bring an extra battery with you. If you have an iPhone, which aren't battery-extractable, bring a charger. Don't forget to charger that extra battery or charger too. I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. After dropping it many times, the battery became unusable and got a new one for free. When they exchanged it, they gave me an extra battery and a case for it. It prevents collisions and debris to get into important places. I suggest getting a battery case if it doesn't come along.
Now doing all those for at least four hours will definitely drain the phone's battery. Bring an extra battery with you. If you have an iPhone, which aren't battery-extractable, bring a charger. Don't forget to charger that extra battery or charger too. I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. After dropping it many times, the battery became unusable and got a new one for free. When they exchanged it, they gave me an extra battery and a case for it. It prevents collisions and debris to get into important places. I suggest getting a battery case if it doesn't come along.
4) Camera
Like I said before, concert halls normally prohibit professional cameras like the DSLR and anything bigger than that. Still, dedicated fans find a way to smuggle them into the hall. For normal fans, cameras like Samsung MX Mini should do a pretty good job of taking quality pictures. Nowadays, extra lens are attachable like above so getting good pictures aren't a problem. I'm trying to save up for that camera for future blogging. It's not that expensive though.
Otherwise, again, phones are still good enough to capture the memory. I don't like taking extra camera other than my phone to concerts. I'm one of those people who don't stop bouncing and jumping around during the concert. My movements would kill a device.
Otherwise, again, phones are still good enough to capture the memory. I don't like taking extra camera other than my phone to concerts. I'm one of those people who don't stop bouncing and jumping around during the concert. My movements would kill a device.
5) Water Bottle
This is pretty self-explanatory. Concerts will last 3-4 hours. Drink water. It'll help you feel more energized for the next song and help you not faint. My friend fainted once because she was dehydrated. It was not a pleasant experience.
I recommend disposable (or better, recyclable) water bottles. It's better than carrying around empty personal bottles during the concert.
I recommend disposable (or better, recyclable) water bottles. It's better than carrying around empty personal bottles during the concert.
6) Money
There's nothing you NEED to buy, but you might WANT to buy merchandise after the concert. Of course, the venue will have stuff for sale before the concert. Before concert, things are usually expensive. Unless they are selling concert brochure or lightsticks (in case you forgot them), keep your money. After concert is when the party starts. Vendors or random sellers would suddenly appear with huge sales to get rid of extra merch. This is when you run for your bias' t-shirt, poster, etc. Bring lots of $1, $5, $10s. You can also try bargaining with them.
When I went to BIg Bang concert, they were selling Still Alive tour t-shirts for about $40(?). I bought one after the concert for $10 from a random guy shouting in the streets to sell them.
⚠ Important! Official concert-specific goods are sold out quickly. It's good to arrive early for those. Freebies like slogans run out quickly too.
When I went to BIg Bang concert, they were selling Still Alive tour t-shirts for about $40(?). I bought one after the concert for $10 from a random guy shouting in the streets to sell them.
⚠ Important! Official concert-specific goods are sold out quickly. It's good to arrive early for those. Freebies like slogans run out quickly too.
7) Pocket/Bag
Reduce the size of your bag as much as you can. If possible, not bringing a bag is best. It can easily be stolen, lost, or misplaced while you're enjoying the show. Don't wear them either. It will smother the person behind you and your shoulders would hurt. I carry neck pouches to concerts. They can be tucked in my shirt to prevent it from bouncing around. It's big enough to carry what I need: phone, money, id, and tickets.
That's it for part 1! If there's anything else you think is important to bring, please tell me! I'd love to include them.
→ Kpop Concert Guide Part 2: How to Dress
→ Kpop Concert Guide Part 2: How to Dress