K-pop in the Philippines has come a long way since Super Junior’s “Sorry Sorry” and Wonder Girls’ “Nobody” took the country by storm in the early 2010s.
Since then, more Filipinos have found themselves falling down the rabbit hole that is K-pop – with a 2021 Twitter report even naming the Philippines as the country with the third highest number of K-pop fans -it in the world (beating South Korea itself) !
It’s no surprise, then, that most K-pop shows staged in the Philippines since restrictions were eased in May have sold out. Understandably, Filipino fans are now more than eager to witness the live performances of their favorite artists, especially after two long and silent years on the live music front.
In fact, as soon as South Korea announced in June that they had opened their international borders to Filipino citizens – many jumped at the chance to go to Seoul to attend these live concerts.
“It is my first time to go to South Korea. Honestly, I had no plans to go to South Korea, but [K-pop boy group] SEVENTEEN made me do it,” Niqui, a 32-year-old businesswoman, told Rappler.
I finally go to a concert after 2 years!
Denise, a 27-year-old engineer, flew to Seoul to attend Super Junior’s Super Show 9 concert on July 15. “It’s actually my first K-pop concert and it might have been a very impulsive decision to have my first concert in a foreign country,” she said.
But even though she knew there was a possibility that the Philippines would be included in the group’s world tour stops, Denise continued to go to South Korea instead: “I really wanted to see Super Junior and watch them perform live …. I’m super excited (I was so excited) that they can now do offline concerts again after two years.”
Serenity on the live music front was also what led Niquin to join SEVENTEEN’s Be the Sun concert in Seoul from June 25 to 26. “Due to the pandemic, the concerts were suspended for more than two years, so I told myself that as soon as South Korea’s borders open to tourists and concerts resume, I will apply for a visa to see SEVENTEEN’s concert,” she shared.
The same happened to Madz, a graduate nursing student, Dani, a college student, and Aichi, a business owner. Their main reason for visiting Seoul was to attend a K-pop concert.
After their successful trip, they shared with Rappler their experiences, which other Filipino fans can take advice from.
Making the trip to Seoul
For all of them, the most important factor when going to a K-pop concert in South Korea is successfully securing a concert ticket.
They said Filipino fans should do extensive research on the ticketing process as some entertainment companies and concert promoters have different guidelines and requirements. Fortunately, tickets can also be purchased online, making it easier for fans outside of South Korea to secure theirs.
Denise also pointed out that some bands have pre-sales for members of their official fan clubs. However, they warned that it won’t be easy, given that many fans from around the world are also trying to secure tickets online. And if the tickets on the website are already sold out, some resort to buying tickets from resellers on other social media platforms.
In Niqui’s case, she got her ticket for the second day of the concert on the official website, while she bought her ticket for the first day from a seller on Twitter.
“I was advised by friends to be very careful when buying tickets on Twitter as there are a lot of scammers. A Vietnamese friend living in Seoul told me that if the prices are triple or even more than the original ticket price, it is mostly a scam. If you buy from Twitter and get blocked after sending your payment, then you’ve definitely been scammed. So it is better to check the account [of the seller] when it was created,” she said.
Madz echoed the sentiment, saying that before buying from a seller, it’s best to verify the ticket. She said that for Be the Sun concert, the names are already printed on the ticket. So for resale transactions, the original owner must be comfortable enough to accompany the buyer in searching for the ticket for it to be valid.
After securing the concert tickets, they started processing visas. Niqui recalled that the list of requirements – which are all listed on the website of the Korean Embassy – depends on the classification of the tourist whether he is a student, employed, self-employed, housewife, etc.
In addition to the concert ticket and visa, fans traveling to South Korea must also arrange flights and accommodations for their trip. The budget should also include expenses for RT-PCR tests, food, transportation and other necessities.
Some agencies also offer tour packages that include concert tickets and accommodations near the venue, which international fans can also consider.
What makes a concert in Seoul special?
While most K-pop groups often include the Philippines as part of their world tour, many fans say it’s still different if they attend a concert in Seoul. “Watching them in their country is a completely different experience that you will never regret in your life,” Dani said.
Aichi recalled that Seoul concerts usually take longer compared to international stops because the artists are more talkative during their sets: “They express themselves freely on stage as the show takes place under the assumption that most of the crowd would understand Korean. There are no translators for international fans.”
Fans also note that at international stops, there are usually changes to the overall production, such as the number of songs in the setlist, or the lack of backup dancers compared to the shows in Seoul. There are also extra perks like raffle prizes and other perks for fans at Seoul concerts that aren’t often found at international stops.
“Ticket prices are cheaper [in Seoul concerts as compared to international stops] but international fans will also have to spend on other travel expenses, so it may not be cheaper in the end,” added Aichi.
It’s worth the overall trip
Besides experiencing a K-pop concert in Seoul, the opportunity to roam around South Korea also makes their trip unforgettable.
“The main thing to consider is that your visit there is worthwhile. If you are able to take more vacation days, consider going to other places outside of Seoul. Plan efficiently to save costs. It would also be more fun if you could go there with other K-pop-loving friends,” Denise said.
While Niqui, Madz, and Aichi all went to Seoul alone, they were able to meet Filipino fans who also attended the concert which made their trip to South Korea more fun. “Initially I planned to go on the trip alone. But fantastically, you’re really never alone, I think,” Aichi said, recalling that she and her friends ended up visiting the places their idols went during their stay in Seoul.
“If fellow fans can and have the means, they should definitely go [to Seoul for a concert, too]. It’s a completely different experience as a fan”, recalls Madz.
Niqui added, “As long as you are capable, why not try. It is a good experience and you can save memories that will never be forgotten. But I also believe that there is always a perfect time for everything. So there’s no need to rush, just be patient and once you get there, you can say it was all worth the wait.” – Rappler.com
