[frame style=”modern” image_path=”http://www.polyspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/KPOP.jpg” link_to_page=”” target=”” description=”” size=”two_col_large”]
KCON’s announcement on Verizon Ampitheater’s bulletin board.
K-POP: America’s first Korean Pop convention, KCON, was held on October 13 at Irvine’s Verizon Ampitheater.
By Isabel De La Garza, Senior Writer
For lack of a better term, the October 13 KCON 2012 was extremely hectic. The event, which was the first K-Pop convention in American history, was set to feature several internet famous special guests and a total of six K-Pop artists: VIXX, B.A.P, NU’EST, G.NA, 4Minute and EXO-M. It included all kinds of interactive events, such as autograph sessions, question and answer sessions and fan panels. When the event was first announced at the end of August, fans were drawn from all over by its relatively low ticket prices, ranging from 40 to 120 dollars. Most thought that this event would be amazing and unforgettable as more artists, special guests and panels were announced. The problem however, was that the event was extremely unorganized and not well explained.
Some of the main draws of the convention besides the concert were of course artist panels, Q and A sessions and fan signings. KCON did not, however, have all three of these events at separate times or during an extended session, like other conventions do. The sessions consisted of these events in anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half in one 20 foot by 20 foot square tent with no chairs or other seating. Thus, fans crowded in, standing like canned sardines, so that only the few lucky fans in the front row could actually see and take pictures or video of their favorite groups.
On top of needing official merchandise in order to participate in the fan signing, as stated on the website, fans needed to receive one of 100 vouchers to actually receive the right to have any of their CDs, posters, t-shirts or other K-Pop memorabilia signed. At first, signing vouchers were distributed on one side of the tent while fans who thought they were lining up to gain access to the panel and the signing lined up on the other side. As fans were not informed of the voucher condition, many who were in panel lines left in order to try to get vouchers. However, they were only disappointed when they learned all the tickets were gone and were faced with a wall of people blocking their view of their favorite artists upon their return to the panel.
Eventually, even this somewhat orderly system was yanked away as the KCON staff decided that the vouchers would be distributed at random to convention goers. Frankly, it made no sense. Fans were sent from one part of the convention to another to find clues of where these “golden tickets” would be. By the time it was announced that the tickets would be given away at random 30 minutes before each event, the tickets were already all passed out by KCON staff members often hours before, due to miscommunications. Thus, the thousands of fans who came to see a certain band were severely disappointed.
The lines for panels also fell into chaos when fans decided to form clumps, rather than orderly lines, outside the tent near the end of panels in the hopes of seeing another panel. The fans inside each panel, however, would not leave the panels most of the time, resulting in the EXO-M’s fan panel’s near-cancellation. The staff tried to enlist the help of EXO-M’s leader, a young Chinese-Canadian who goes by the stage name of Kris, to ask the fans to comply with the regulations. However, his involvement only resulted in screams from the fangirls (and some fanboys) and more pushing and shoving to get closer to him and the other members of the group.
Other problems arose from KCON’s lack of collaboration with Verizon Ampitheater security. On its website, KCON stated that backpacks and one bottle of water were allowed into the convention in addition to K-Pop merchandise. Security, however stated that neither of these items were cleared. While backpacks were eventually allowed in, water was regulated strictly and bottle caps of water bottles, bought inside the convention, were often confiscated so that fans had to buy additional food and water from the Ampitheater.
The concert on the other hand was, as most K-Pop concerts are, spectacular. It began with a roll-call of all the performers and then went on to the opening acts. The first of these featured YouTube sensation AJ Rafael and guitarist Andrew Rhim performing a set, including the song “We Could Happen,” followed by indie rapper Dumbfoundead. After some producer recognition, the county supervisor of Orange County, Janet Nguyen, and the Mayor of Irvine, Sukhee Kang, announced that the event would now be held annually thanks to CJ Entertainment, one of the major Korean entertainment agencies.
After this, the opening acts continued with Blue Whale Brothers and Daze47’s (both winners of Korea’s Got Talent) explosive collaborative performance. A countdown followed and B.A.P stepped onto the stage for the start of the concert. B.A.P performed many of its great title tracks such as “No Mercy” and “Crash.” Next, G.NA, a Korean-Canadian singer, performed some of her better-known songs, including her latest single “2 Hot” and the song “Black and White,” before becoming one of the MCs for the show.
After this occured, an announcement for MCube, MNET’s (a division of CJ Entertainment) new web channel showcasing K-Pop and Anime related content, was made and several hosts of MCube’s shows came on stage to say hello. Once all this self-advertisement was over, the concert resumed with the boy group VIXX and its performances of “Rock Your Body” and other songs. The concert ran with fewer interruptions after this and the next group, NU’EST, performed its debut single “Face” and two songs from its first mini album, Action, “Not over You” and “Action.” The concert was again interrupted by Verizon, who wished to give away a phone, but this interruption was quickly dismissed when the winners of KCON’s dance competition took the stage with an impressive acrobatic performance. The dancers, a group of three young men, then proceeded to exit the stage after they received a hug from their idol, G.NA.
Finally, one of the most anticipated performances of the concert began: EXO-M’s. EXO, a 12-member rookie group known for its professionalism and impressive dance and vocal skill is divided into two groups based off of the primary language in which it performs (EXO-M is the Mandarin Chinese version of EXO-K which performs in Korean). The 6-member subunit EXO-M had one of the most widely represented fanbases at the concert as the ticket purchase rates skyrocketed when their fans began to purchase tickets. EXO-M performed four songs off of its first mini album Mama (other rookie groups were only allowed three). They began with “History,” which they followed with “Angel” and “What is Love,” and then moved on to introductions and a couple fan requests. Each member besides Kris, who speaks English fluently, memorized a three to ten sentence speech in English to give to the fans before they performed “Mama.” Finally, 4minute, one of the only two non-rookie artists (the other being G.NA), performed five songs including its newest single “Volume Up.” Lots of pink confetti rained down on the fans after the performance and then 4minute exited the stage.
[frame style=”modern” image_path=”http://www.polyspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/190365_156527121158365_1416776442_n-2.jpeg” link_to_page=”” target=”” description=”” size=”two_col_large”]
The performers just before the final bow. (From left to right: B.A.P, NU’EST, 4minute, MCs, Danny Im and G.NA, EXO-M and VIXX)
All the groups then returned for a final bow and goodbye. Some of them, such as Bang YongGuk from B.A.P, took pictures of the fans before leaving, while others, like Tao of EXO-M, threw KCON shirts to the fans before exiting the stage.
The concert was extremely energetic, as most K-Pop concerts are, and featured many videos of fans asking questions or getting autographs from group members. While KCON was interesting, the planning was horrid, and an outdoor convention was not the best idea. However, the low-ticket prices and the concert, regardless of its many interruptions, made up for it. I wouldn’t recommend going with hopes of getting extremely close to your idols, unless KCON changes its policies and planning that is. Who knows? Maybe it will be more streamlined and reasonable in the years to come, only time will tell.
Photo one by Isabel De La Garza/ The Poly Spotlight and photo two contributed by Elaine Khuu