It may seem like obvious advice to tell you it's a good idea to arrive early for a K-pop concert, but I want to stress that it is absolutely essential if you want to get the most out of the experience. Continue reading to discover 7 reasons why it is important to arrive early to a K-pop concert.
1. If you want to buy merch.
If you want to buy the concert merch, especially if there is a specific item you are excited to purchase, you should plan to arrive early because concert merch sells out fast. It's really important to find out what time the merch booth opens and get there ahead of time. Some people are crazy enough to show up a couple hours before the booth opens so they can be first in line!
2. If you don't have money to spend on merch but still want to get some souvenirs.
One unique aspect of attending a K-pop concert is that banners and freebies are given out to fans that are waiting in line before the concert starts. Many fans take the time to make their own photocards, bracelets or put together goodie bags of other items to hand out to other fans before the show.
3. You want to take pictures at the venue.
If you want to take pictures either on your own or with friends, it's best to make sure you get them ahead of time before the concert starts. The staff tend to rush people out of the venue once the concert is over and it will likely be too dark to take pictures outside. I'm not gonna lie, I've been yelled at by venue staff on multiple occasions for trying to take pictures with my group after the show. They do not like concert goers hanging out once the show ends!
4. Getting there might take longer than you think.
Many concerts take place in major cities where traffic is unpredictable so leave with the intent of getting there extra early, especially if you are traveling from more than an hour away to see the show. When I went to see TXT the GPS said it was about a 2.5-hour drive. We left almost 5 hours before the start of the show, thinking we'd get there a couple hours early and have plenty of time to relax and hang out before the show. Instead, traffic was horrendous and by the time we arrived, found parking, and walked up to the venue, we barely made it to our seats before the show started!
5. If you have any type of "general admission" tickets.
If the whole venue is GA or standing room only, or if you have tickets in the "floor" section but no seats, it's always a mad rush for everyone to get closest to the stage once the venue doors open. If you are running late and end up in the back of the line, the chances of getting a good view are slim to none.
6. Getting through the security line might take a ridiculously long time.
Getting through security sometimes takes way longer than expected. Unfortunately, that means even if you arrive early, you might be running late. I've heard some sad stories of fans missing the beginning of the concert because the security lines were so backed up. I recommend reading reviews of the concert venue to see if this is a common complaint. It's also a good idea to check if there are multiple entrance points. Sometimes the line is held up simply because the crowd is missing that there is an entrance open that nobody is using.
7. The security line might not be the only long line you have to stand in.
If you need to use the restroom or want to buy food or drinks before the show starts that could take some time as well. If you think the security line is bad, the lines inside the venue won't be much better. Based on my own experiences, plan your timing ahead and expect to be waiting in line for the bathroom or refreshments for at least 10 minutes or more.
I really can't stress enough how important it is to arrive early to a K-pop concert, especially if it's your first time attending one. Hopefully this article gave you some important insights to consider and helped you feel more prepared if you ever get the chance to attend a K-pop concert.
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