If you've never been to a K-pop concert before you may believe it's like any other concert, but that's not true! K-pop concerts offer a distinctive charm and are consistently thrilling. Continue reading to discover the ways in which K-pop concerts stand out from other concerts you may have attended.
One of the most obvious differences between a K-pop concert and a traditional concert is that there is usually no opener.
Before I became a K-pop fan, I had been to dozens of concerts and every single one of them had at least one, and sometimes even 2 or more opening acts before the main performance. Some shows even had dual headliners, meaning there were 2 artists/groups considered to be the main show. At K-pop concerts, everyone attending is there to see one group and one group only! This really gives a different type of energy to the crowd in my opinion. There is a greater sense of anticipation and excitement buzzing through the crowd. The attention is a lot more focused because nobody wants to miss a single minute of the artist they came to see.
Of course, there can be a lot of excitement and energy at other concerts, but having an opener definitely gives the crowd a chance to relax and relieve any tension before the main show. Also, at other concerts, everyone may not be there or as excited to see the same artist/group, so you will see a lot more people arriving late or leaving early, depending on which part of the concert is the most important to them.
While there usually aren't openers at K-pop concerts I can't say it never happens! Usually, it's a surprise and is not announced ahead of time if another group is going to perform first. Sometimes there will even be a surprise guest that will arrive mid-show! When I saw Ateez in 2022 perform at their Newark, NJ concert, I got to see Xikers perform pre-debut!
Going to K-pop concerts is like attending a K-pop fashion show!
Another big difference between K-pop concerts and other concerts is the clothing you'll see worn at these events. Most K-pop fans take their outfit choices VERY seriously. They use the concert as an opportunity to dress in a way that represents their favorite member of the group, or they will choose their outfit in way to make sure it highlights a particular album or song. One of my favorite things about going to a K-pop concert is seeing all the awesome and creative outfits that other fans wear to the show. Also, in the weeks leading up to the concert, it's so much fun trying out different looks and coming up with the perfect outfit to represent the group you are going to see.
Everyone who has been to a K-pop concert knows how IMPORTANT it is to arrive EARLY!
I already mentioned earlier that at non-K-pop concerts you'll see a lot more people arriving late or leaving early, but at K-pop concerts it is imperative that you arrive early if you want to get the most out of your experience. In fact, at K-pop concerts you will find that most of the crowd will arrive EXTRA early for various reasons. Many want to be able to buy concert merch before it sells out and others are looking to arrive early so they have time to take pictures and socialize with other fans. Most concert venues try to rush concert goers out of the venue when the show ends and won't allow you to hang around to take pictures, so it's important to get it done beforehand!
Another reason to arrive early is so that you don't miss out on getting the banners or other freebies that are handed out while everyone is waiting in line.
I was a little disappointed when we were running late to the TXT concert and missed out on getting anything beforehand. Luckily, a fan sitting in front of us noticed us at the end of the show and gave us the last 2 bracelets she had been handing out. Some people also don't care too much about keeping the banners, so we were able to snag some of those too that were left behind on our way out.
Look around and listen and you'll see and hear things in the crowd that you may not find at other concerts.
One unique aspect of K-pop concerts is that every group has their own specially designed lightstick that fans use to cheer and support their favorite bands. Fans usually buy them ahead of time (although sometimes they are sold at concerts), and each group has their own unique lightstick designed to represent the group. Most other concerts I've been to people just use their phone's flashlight to light up the venue, or if the venue itself sells lightsticks for the concert, they are usually a one-time use device that most people don't care to keep once the concert is over.
A really fun aspect of having a lightstick at a K-pop concert is that everyone's lightsticks can be synched together so they can shine various colors at the same time. While bringing a lightstick to a K-pop concert isn't a necessity, it certainly makes the experience a lot more fun!
If you don't have a lightstick, I recommend learning the fanchants that you'll hear recited during the concert to show your support. This is another detail you'll notice at a K-pop concert that you won't hear at other concerts. Fanchants often consist of reciting the names of the members in the group but sometimes there is more to it, so it's a good idea to find out ahead of time. You can easily look up fanchants for different groups or songs and when to use them online and on social media.
The level of excitement and noise from the crowd is insane.
I mentioned earlier that before attending my first K-pop concert I had been to dozens of concerts and many of those had high energy crowds and were very loud. At least I thought they were loud.... until I went to my first K-pop concert. The first time I went to a K-pop concert I saw P1Harmony, and I honestly wasn't prepared for the level of cheering and screaming that came from the crowd. Now it doesn't faze me, and I'm right there screaming along with everyone else.
There are many other little details you'll notice during the show that you won't see at regular concerts.
In addition to lightsticks, fanchants, and a loud crowd, you'll also notice some differences in the concert itself that you may not see at other concerts. For example, there are usually at least 2 or 3 short breaks built into the set so that the artists have time to change outfits and refresh themselves. During those breaks, a short video may be played, or sometimes even a game is played amongst the crowd. I've also noticed there is a lot more talking from the artists/group members than at most other concerts I've been to. In addition to introducing themselves in the beginning, and making a short farewell speech towards the end, they also take time in between songs to talk and interact with the crowd. This is something I really appreciate as a K-pop fan because while I love their music, I also love to get to know them better and when they talk to us in the crowd it makes the experience seem a lot more intimate and personal.
If you've been to many concerts like I have, what other big differences do you think I missed? If you've never been to a K-pop concert, does this article make you want to attend one in the future?
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