Never been to a K-pop concert before and worried about what you should bring with you? As someone who's been to almost a dozen K-pop concerts and countless others, read on to discover 8 things I think are most important to bring with you.
1. A portable charger
We all know cell phones tend to die quickly, especially when you need them the most, so it's a good idea to invest in a portable charger to bring with you to the concert. This is especially important if you are going by yourself because the last thing you need is a dead cell phone at the end of the night, especially if you need to use your phone's GPS for directions or need to meet up with someone afterwards. Trust me, you are going to want to take LOTS of pictures and videos during the concert so that you have lots of memories you can look at later.
2. A bag/purse that is venue approved
It is VERY important that you check your venue's rules and regulations on what type of bag you can bring into the concert. I've seen many creators on social media claim that most concert venues allow CLEAR backpacks/bags but honestly NONE of the concert venues I've ever been to for a K-pop concert allowed backpacks or large bags of any kind. I live in the northeastern part of the United States so all the concerts I've been to were in NY, NJ, PA or MD. All of the venues I've been to only allow clutch sized purses/bags that are just big enough to hold your phone and other small items like a lip gloss and credit cards. I can't stress this enough, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE BEFORE YOU GO. I've seen people leave backpacks or other personal items literally on the street because they weren't allowed to bring them in once they got to security and they did not have time to take their stuff someplace else.
3. A credit or debit card (and possibly cash)
Most of the venues I've been to are cashless, so this is another important thing to consider and check ahead of time before you go. Especially if you are a parent and plan to drop off your teenager that doesn't have their own card yet, you don't want to leave them with cash that they can't use. Apple or Google pay may be available, but I wouldn't count on it. I've seen many places say that it's an option only to have it "temporarily not in service" at the time. I also recommend bringing some cash too just in case. Especially if you are driving yourself and traveling from out of town. You may need cash for tolls or to pay for parking. While most parking lots/garages allow you to pay with card now, I've been to some that offer discounts if you pay with cash.
4. Don't forget your lightstick (and batteries)!
While bringing a lightstick isn't essential, you'll definitely feel like you're missing out on some of the fun if you don't have one. There may be a few items you might regret bringing to a K-pop concert but a lightstick isn't one of them. If you plan on buying one at the merch stand before the concert, you'll need to bring your own batteries. Unfortunately, lightsticks don't come with batteries included. Before seeing Blackpink, my husband decided to purchase a lightstick at a nearby K-pop store, but we weren't sure we'd have time to find a place to purchase batteries too. Luckily the owner of the store had some on hand and gave them to us to use (shout out to the store K-pop Fancy in Fort Lee, NJ). If you've bought a lightstick ahead of time, especially if you've used it before and the batteries have been sitting inside it awhile, you might want to consider replacing them right before you go. The last thing you want is to remember to bring your lightstick only to have it die before the concert ends! There may be a few items you might regret bringing to a K-pop concert but a lightstick isn't one of them.
5. Comfortable Shoes!
Don't choose to wear those incredibly cute platform pumps that pinch your toes thinking you'll be fine or that you'll just "tough it out." Chances are, you'll be standing for hours, and if you wear uncomfortable shoes your feet might be dying before you're done walking from the parking lot to entrance of the venue. Most people attending K-pop concerts wear boots or sneakers, so you definitely won't feel out of place doing the same.
6. Your tickets!
This may seem like a no brainer but sometimes people forget. Most venues use Ticketmaster now but it's extremely important to add your tickets to your mobile wallet ahead of time. Cell service can be spotty while standing in a large crowd outside of venues and you may not be able to pull up the website to get your tickets loaded. This happened when we attended the Stray Kids concert in Newark NJ. Everyone in line was panicking when they started opening the doors to allow us through security and people started to realize they couldn't get their tickets loaded up on their phones.
7. Items that will make standing outside in line for hours a more comfortable experience.
You might be waiting outside for a couple hours so it may be a good idea to bring some snacks and drinks to have in the meantime. Just bring it in a plastic or paper bag that you can throw away when you're finished since most venues don't allow you to bring in outside food or drinks. Sunscreen is also a good idea because you won't want to get burned while waiting outside. Depending on the weather you may want to consider bringing some other "just in case items." If it's going to be hot and sunny out, you may want to consider bringing a hat, sunglasses, and a mini portable fan. Or if it might rain, an umbrella or poncho are items you'll regret leaving at home. If you're thinking that there's no need for these items because you don't plan on arriving early - think again, because arriving early is essential to getting the best K-pop concert experience.
8. Personal "just in case" items
If you have room to bring them, some items you may want to consider bringing in your bag include: hand sanitizer, mini deodorant, makeup or body wipes, band aids, hair ties and small makeup items. Remember, it's likely you'll be standing in a large crowd for hours and possibly in the heat, so if you're prone to sweating, I'd say deodorant, body wipes, and/or perfume are a must. Band aids could also be important especially in the case of a bad broken nail or blisters from uncomfortable shoes (new shoes, even if they seem comfortable at first, could cause blisters since they are not yet broken in). Your hair or makeup could possibly get messed up if it's rainy or windy, or from sweating, so bringing extra makeup for touch ups, hair ties, or bobby pins, are a good idea as well.
Hopefully reading this list has made you feel more prepared for your next K-pop concert! Is there anything else you think you'd bring that I missed? Please let me and others know in the comments. If you found this list helpful, please also check out our post on what NOT to bring to a K-pop concert.
If you are new to the world of K-pop and want to learn more about the concert experience, you may also enjoy reading our other articles, "The Unique Experience of Attending a K-pop Concert" and "What to Expect During a K-pop Concert: A Timeline of Events."
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