I didn't realise they did so many songs, that's almost like a proper concert. Glad at least that and the amazingness of the guys made up for all the frustrations.
Sigh, but can European organisers just.. like get a grip on it? At least this one wasn't full scammy, but staff (volunteers?) having no idea where people had to que is mind blowing to say the least.
My own only kpop festival experience is from Japan and the organisation there is something else. Some things seemed odd to me at the time, but looking back it probably was for good way to manage a crowd.
Shame your experience with fans at the concert was unpleasant though. I don't know if I would go to a festival without seats, both because of being short and not really having the stamina for standing so long.
I found your reason for wanting to see your idols live very interesting. I never really thought about why I wanted to see ONF live. It seemed more like a natural progression as fan to go to the concert(s), hehe.
I hope your dreams come true. For fanchats and such, if your groups tour, then some organisers have fanchats for sale too. I always thought it's a more reasonable way to buy a minute chatting with the idol, compared to buying a lot of albums and then still having to rely on luck.
Oh and regarding enlistment. I feel like no matter how much we or they prepare for this reality, it still comes and hits like a brickwall.
And it seems even worse when companies roll out the enlistment one by one, extending the time how long full group isn't active. Companies seem to think members are expendable, but from a fan's point of view, every single person in the group matters and it feels wrong if even one is missing.
Yes, now I also know that there's no proper way to prepare for the enlistment as a fan 😔
Since I wrote this article I read that SEVENTEEN will most likely stay active while members are enlisting. They have 5/13 members who don't even have to enlist, four due to being foreign citizens and one due to serious injury, so that's probably why they decided to do this. Because they have so many members, I guess they can focus on subunits and solos but I'm still a bit worried that this will drag out their military services unnecessarily long. I do feel that they're incomplete with even one person missing.
Thanks for the comment Mooni and sorry for the late response 😥
Regarding the number of tracks they performed it was almost a full concert but SEVENTEEN concerts usually last 3-4 hours so we were nowhere near that haha! It's true that their performance and presence significantly made up for my terrible experience otherwise.
I guess I can appreciate that this festival wasn't a scam, I did hear some stories about that too!
I'm sure Japan is lightyears ahead in terms of organization and at least there is an existing kpop culture there so it's not totally new territory like here.
I wish Europe had festivals and stadium concerts with only seated tickets. I'm always envious when I see recordings and even the general attendance section has seats so no one has to camp outside and line up for 12+ hours to get a spot.
Haha when you wrote you found my reasons to see idols live interesting it was like a reality check for me and what I wrote might have come off somewhat 'delulu' as they say 😂 But I stand by it! I just realized that for most fans it's probably just a natural wish to see them live because you enjoy their music and like them as people. Btw, I know that you wrote that with no malice at all, it just made me think!
Thanks for the info, I actually didn't hear about fanchats being for sale before! Probably because most of my favorites have never toured nearby... But I will keep an eye out for them! I can't see myself buying like 40 albums for the opportunity to talk a minute so this might be a better chance.
First things first, I just have say that I am really glad you can't write anything brief because that means more of your words for me to devour! I continue to love love love your writing and all you manage to convey and cover in your posts.
I didn't realise you were all aware about the impending enlistment prior to this. No wonder emotions and tempers were high! And especially it starting with your bias too - that's hard. I don't blame you for thinking thoughts like "what if this is my only chance", especially with it being apparently sooo hard to get legit festivals here, let alone concerts/tours. And on a related note, HOW is this SEVENTEEN'S first concert in Europe?? I don't follow them that closely but I'm aware how popular they are and it's a little baffling they've not come here till now! A bit of a shame it was as part of a festival rather than their own tour, but tbh it sounds like they really owned the stage and it might as well have been a SVT concert! And hopefully the love they got from the massive crowd has shown the agency/organisers that there is an audience for them in Europe and they should definitely tour here in the future.
I think we've already discussed seeing idols live but, more than that, up close. When I saw ONEUS at a festival it was great but I was high up and so could only make out their features via the big screen. Whereas when I saw KARD, I was about four or five lines from the front, and seeing them with my own eyes... UNREAL. Getting snapshots with them afterwards was even more unreal (I was shy about getting too close but Somin pulled on my arm and insisted I come closer 😭❤️).
Reading your impressions of all the members was so cool! I'm not *quite* there yet on names and faces, I think, but I follow some big SVT fans on Twitter, so I've come to know them a little from that, haha. I'd say Dokyeom from what I've heard and seen is my favourite! He has such an infectious smile. I also would not have described him as buff from pics and videos I've seen, so your observation is most intriguing!
Poorly organised events are SO FRUSTRATING. I might have only been to two plus the KARD concert, but the concert was much better managed by farrr. Which I guess makes sense because it was smaller in scale and venue, but still. Event organisers completely underestimating the audience is highly annoying. I would have lost my cool had I been queuing in one place and then told I had to go somewhere else. Also, wow, 10+ hours is so hard. I was similar for KARD and very broken by the end (my back was NOT happy).
Shame your interactions with other fans on the day itself sucked too. I feel like people get so swept up in the 'me me me' of it all that consideration and being kind gets completely thrown out of the window. Hopefully if you can go to any other concerts, fans will be better there.
Ahhh sorry again to be replying a week later 😣I need to be better at this!
I did read your comment right away though and it gave me a lot of energy! I still can't believe anyone enjoys reading what I write so thank you for always saying it!
I know, it's insane that this was SEVENTEEN's first time in Europe... I think they were supposed to tour here when Covid started and just somehow never came back. It's weird, no HYBE groups have come to Europe or South America since the beginning of Covid but BTS used to tour on these continents regularly. Maybe there's some weird contractual thing that no one can tour in these places until BTS comes back?? It sounds weird but I don't think it's that unrealistic. But I hope I'm not right because I can finally afford going to a few concerts so it's time for them to come back 😄
Your experience with KARD really does sound unreal, especially Somin pulling you closer 🥺 What a memory to have!!! And you have an actual photo taken with them, that's so cool!!
Dokyeom is a perfect choice for a bias 😊 It's very difficult to choose one in such a big group but he's up there among my favorites!! He does just radiate happiness and really funny. His voice is also among the ones I like the most in the whole kpop industry. And he IS buff but I guess only those who saw him live will believe it, I watched many SEVENTEEN videos since and it still seems strange when comparing 🤭
Oh I had no idea you had to stand that long for KARD too! When I went to the Billlie concert, my back was killing me even though it was 'only' about 3 hours. My back was strangely okay this time but my feet were totally useless. And the organization was just trash, I really hope I don't have to experience this again...
I'm in desperate need of some positive fan interactions because I'm starting to believe that loving kpop will always be a somewhat lonely experience for me. But at least I have this blog and only nice people are following me here 😄
As always, thank you for reading this, commenting and supporting my writing!! 🫶
Nooo, it's fine!! All good things take time, as they say. 😄 And I'm so glad my comment gave you energy!
Oh, I see. Yeah, COVID ruined so much. Although, having said that, I do wonder if I'd have gotten into K-pop without it. I started K-dramas because I was at home and had more time, and then from there moved to K-pop, so... Interesting to think about, heh. Re the tours and stuff, I have wondered whether it could be a visa issue with Europe? Since I guess the company would need to think about the rules/regulations for lots of (or, let's be real, usually it's just 'several' EU countries, rather than many, haha) different countries, whereas the US is just one big country, so I assume one visa is sufficient. Anyway, I don't really want to imagine the ticketing chaos if BTS tour here again, haha.
Yeah, I printed out the KARD photos and all and I have them in my room. 🥹
(Side note, but, speaking of Dokyeom, I saw an IG reel the other day talking about stage names and wdym Dokyeom isn't his birth name??!! *Mindblown* Haha.) Also, yeah, not gonna lie, the number of members in SEVENTEEN does intimidate me! But I have enjoyed some of their songs a lot and should definitely check out more.
I started queuing at lunchtime-ish, and it was *extra* fun because it was a heatwave that day, despite being September. 💀 I'm always so jealous when I see the venues for ONEUS tours in the US, because a lot of them are seated!! Why doesn't London have places like that? What is this 'nightclub' venue nonsense. (Like, I want the opportunity to dance if I want but give me a set space and somewhere to sit!! 😂)
Yes, thank goodness for this blog and nice people on social media! 😍
I've heard from so many people that they got into kpop during Covid! I guess it isn't a surprise because kpop companies were really good with online presence and social media to begin with so they were able to transition into the quarantine period seamlessly. I did get a lot of comfort and it kept me occupied as someone who has already a fan, it must have been amazing to discover it and fall down that rabbit hole when you suddenly had some extra time!
Hmm, that's an interesting theory! I would think the visa stuff would be a plausible explanation but then why can smaller companies manage to do it? 😓I highly doubt a huge corporation like HYBE wouldn't be able to manage that so I always thought there must be a weird reason behind it that no one's allowed to talk about. But if I put it that way, it sounds like a conspiracy theory 😂
Ahh I hope to get a photo with my idols one day that I can frame and put in my room 🥹
Hah, don't even get me started, the name Dokyeom fits him so well, I have to constantly remind myself that it's not his real name! I also read the story of how they came up with that name for him about ten times but I still don't understand it 😅 And the number of members is definitely intimidating, I remember quite well when I still thought I'd never be able to learn their names and feel close to them because there are so many of them but I've come a long way 😄 I have a SEVENTEEN playlist that has my favorite songs from all their albums/eras and some solo and subunit stuff too! In case you're interested, it's here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Br93q6poOfzvifMVphOtj?si=35be5232a30249fa (it's not in chronological order, it starts kind of when I started stanning them and added earlier albums later)
The Billlie concert I attended was in sort of a nightclub venue but I got really lucky there! I only stood in the line for about an hour or 1.5 hours at most and I somehow got into the 2nd standing row 😄 But it wasn't an ideal venue at all for this kind of event either... Hopefully, one day we get to experience what fans in the US and Asia do 🥲
Gah, I forgot to check here for notifications about replies, sorry 🥲
Ohhh, what was K-pop like in online spaces before COVID? Like, all I've ever known is seeing people post videos of their fancalls, but I'm guessing that was non-existent before? But fansites still posted fancams and so on...? I think it's great that fancalls opened things up to international fans more, but I hate how they're run (and how some fans ask idols to do the weirdest things on there).
Ah, you make a great point about smaller companies!! I remember seeing how a small K-band would be touring the UK and I was like "SEE, RBW, why can't you do this for ONEWE" in my head. 😂 So, hmm, maybe there is something more to it!
I hope you can too! <3
Ooh, thanks for the Spotify link. I've found quite a few new songs and artists to add to my playlists from your various ones. I look forward to trying the SVT one!
Hmm let's see, kpop before Covid... From what I remember, fan calls didn't exist and everything was about big in-person fansign events, the ones that only happen in Asia. But fansites and fancams were already a thing! I also like that fancalls give a chance to us international fans but I'm so embarrassed by what a lot of fans act like there 😖 I also can't see myself buying like 40 albums for the chance to win a fancall 🥲
Omg, you saying that you discovered a lot new songs and artists through my playlists gives me life 😭 I literally live for this feeling haha, when someone enjoys a recommendation I make. I hope you're enjoying the Seventeen playlist!!
I don’t understand how some fans aren’t embarrassed by the clips they’ve filmed and uploaded. 😅 And yeah, I only got mine through a group order. I’ve entered a few personally just on the off chance I might win with like four albums, but obviously not expecting much, hahaha.
Yes, I listened a bit during work recently! I can’t believe how many songs they have. 😆😍
ahhh you saw them up so close! i'm so happy you got to finally catch them! also: hello fellow ready-to-love-enjoyer! thanks for sharing your impressions about the members as well, that's always so fun to read and i love seeing how other fans see the different members :') i had the same impression of wonwoo when i saw them in 2022 haha he does seem very subdued in general and he's one of my favourite members
Yes, I was so close and it was just as amazing as I imagined it to be!! Haha, always happy to meet other people who appreciate the masterpiece that is Ready to Love 😌
I guess then that's just how Wonwoo is! But I think it's great that he can be himself on stage and no one's forcing him to be brighter or more outgoing. I love him too and I relate a lot to him actually, I'd probably be the same if I had to perform on stage 😆
I didn't realise they did so many songs, that's almost like a proper concert. Glad at least that and the amazingness of the guys made up for all the frustrations.
Sigh, but can European organisers just.. like get a grip on it? At least this one wasn't full scammy, but staff (volunteers?) having no idea where people had to que is mind blowing to say the least.
My own only kpop festival experience is from Japan and the organisation there is something else. Some things seemed odd to me at the time, but looking back it probably was for good way to manage a crowd.
Shame your experience with fans at the concert was unpleasant though. I don't know if I would go to a festival without seats, both because of being short and not really having the stamina for standing so long.
I found your reason for wanting to see your idols live very interesting. I never really thought about why I wanted to see ONF live. It seemed more like a natural progression as fan to go to the concert(s), hehe.
I hope your dreams come true. For fanchats and such, if your groups tour, then some organisers have fanchats for sale too. I always thought it's a more reasonable way to buy a minute chatting with the idol, compared to buying a lot of albums and then still having to rely on luck.
All of us shaking our fists at the sad state of European kpop events 😆
This is so funny but true 😆
Oh and regarding enlistment. I feel like no matter how much we or they prepare for this reality, it still comes and hits like a brickwall.
And it seems even worse when companies roll out the enlistment one by one, extending the time how long full group isn't active. Companies seem to think members are expendable, but from a fan's point of view, every single person in the group matters and it feels wrong if even one is missing.
Yes, now I also know that there's no proper way to prepare for the enlistment as a fan 😔
Since I wrote this article I read that SEVENTEEN will most likely stay active while members are enlisting. They have 5/13 members who don't even have to enlist, four due to being foreign citizens and one due to serious injury, so that's probably why they decided to do this. Because they have so many members, I guess they can focus on subunits and solos but I'm still a bit worried that this will drag out their military services unnecessarily long. I do feel that they're incomplete with even one person missing.
Thanks for the comment Mooni and sorry for the late response 😥
Regarding the number of tracks they performed it was almost a full concert but SEVENTEEN concerts usually last 3-4 hours so we were nowhere near that haha! It's true that their performance and presence significantly made up for my terrible experience otherwise.
I guess I can appreciate that this festival wasn't a scam, I did hear some stories about that too!
I'm sure Japan is lightyears ahead in terms of organization and at least there is an existing kpop culture there so it's not totally new territory like here.
I wish Europe had festivals and stadium concerts with only seated tickets. I'm always envious when I see recordings and even the general attendance section has seats so no one has to camp outside and line up for 12+ hours to get a spot.
Haha when you wrote you found my reasons to see idols live interesting it was like a reality check for me and what I wrote might have come off somewhat 'delulu' as they say 😂 But I stand by it! I just realized that for most fans it's probably just a natural wish to see them live because you enjoy their music and like them as people. Btw, I know that you wrote that with no malice at all, it just made me think!
Thanks for the info, I actually didn't hear about fanchats being for sale before! Probably because most of my favorites have never toured nearby... But I will keep an eye out for them! I can't see myself buying like 40 albums for the opportunity to talk a minute so this might be a better chance.
First things first, I just have say that I am really glad you can't write anything brief because that means more of your words for me to devour! I continue to love love love your writing and all you manage to convey and cover in your posts.
I didn't realise you were all aware about the impending enlistment prior to this. No wonder emotions and tempers were high! And especially it starting with your bias too - that's hard. I don't blame you for thinking thoughts like "what if this is my only chance", especially with it being apparently sooo hard to get legit festivals here, let alone concerts/tours. And on a related note, HOW is this SEVENTEEN'S first concert in Europe?? I don't follow them that closely but I'm aware how popular they are and it's a little baffling they've not come here till now! A bit of a shame it was as part of a festival rather than their own tour, but tbh it sounds like they really owned the stage and it might as well have been a SVT concert! And hopefully the love they got from the massive crowd has shown the agency/organisers that there is an audience for them in Europe and they should definitely tour here in the future.
I think we've already discussed seeing idols live but, more than that, up close. When I saw ONEUS at a festival it was great but I was high up and so could only make out their features via the big screen. Whereas when I saw KARD, I was about four or five lines from the front, and seeing them with my own eyes... UNREAL. Getting snapshots with them afterwards was even more unreal (I was shy about getting too close but Somin pulled on my arm and insisted I come closer 😭❤️).
Reading your impressions of all the members was so cool! I'm not *quite* there yet on names and faces, I think, but I follow some big SVT fans on Twitter, so I've come to know them a little from that, haha. I'd say Dokyeom from what I've heard and seen is my favourite! He has such an infectious smile. I also would not have described him as buff from pics and videos I've seen, so your observation is most intriguing!
Poorly organised events are SO FRUSTRATING. I might have only been to two plus the KARD concert, but the concert was much better managed by farrr. Which I guess makes sense because it was smaller in scale and venue, but still. Event organisers completely underestimating the audience is highly annoying. I would have lost my cool had I been queuing in one place and then told I had to go somewhere else. Also, wow, 10+ hours is so hard. I was similar for KARD and very broken by the end (my back was NOT happy).
Shame your interactions with other fans on the day itself sucked too. I feel like people get so swept up in the 'me me me' of it all that consideration and being kind gets completely thrown out of the window. Hopefully if you can go to any other concerts, fans will be better there.
Thank you for writing and sharing this! 🫶
Ahhh sorry again to be replying a week later 😣I need to be better at this!
I did read your comment right away though and it gave me a lot of energy! I still can't believe anyone enjoys reading what I write so thank you for always saying it!
I know, it's insane that this was SEVENTEEN's first time in Europe... I think they were supposed to tour here when Covid started and just somehow never came back. It's weird, no HYBE groups have come to Europe or South America since the beginning of Covid but BTS used to tour on these continents regularly. Maybe there's some weird contractual thing that no one can tour in these places until BTS comes back?? It sounds weird but I don't think it's that unrealistic. But I hope I'm not right because I can finally afford going to a few concerts so it's time for them to come back 😄
Your experience with KARD really does sound unreal, especially Somin pulling you closer 🥺 What a memory to have!!! And you have an actual photo taken with them, that's so cool!!
Dokyeom is a perfect choice for a bias 😊 It's very difficult to choose one in such a big group but he's up there among my favorites!! He does just radiate happiness and really funny. His voice is also among the ones I like the most in the whole kpop industry. And he IS buff but I guess only those who saw him live will believe it, I watched many SEVENTEEN videos since and it still seems strange when comparing 🤭
Oh I had no idea you had to stand that long for KARD too! When I went to the Billlie concert, my back was killing me even though it was 'only' about 3 hours. My back was strangely okay this time but my feet were totally useless. And the organization was just trash, I really hope I don't have to experience this again...
I'm in desperate need of some positive fan interactions because I'm starting to believe that loving kpop will always be a somewhat lonely experience for me. But at least I have this blog and only nice people are following me here 😄
As always, thank you for reading this, commenting and supporting my writing!! 🫶
Nooo, it's fine!! All good things take time, as they say. 😄 And I'm so glad my comment gave you energy!
Oh, I see. Yeah, COVID ruined so much. Although, having said that, I do wonder if I'd have gotten into K-pop without it. I started K-dramas because I was at home and had more time, and then from there moved to K-pop, so... Interesting to think about, heh. Re the tours and stuff, I have wondered whether it could be a visa issue with Europe? Since I guess the company would need to think about the rules/regulations for lots of (or, let's be real, usually it's just 'several' EU countries, rather than many, haha) different countries, whereas the US is just one big country, so I assume one visa is sufficient. Anyway, I don't really want to imagine the ticketing chaos if BTS tour here again, haha.
Yeah, I printed out the KARD photos and all and I have them in my room. 🥹
(Side note, but, speaking of Dokyeom, I saw an IG reel the other day talking about stage names and wdym Dokyeom isn't his birth name??!! *Mindblown* Haha.) Also, yeah, not gonna lie, the number of members in SEVENTEEN does intimidate me! But I have enjoyed some of their songs a lot and should definitely check out more.
I started queuing at lunchtime-ish, and it was *extra* fun because it was a heatwave that day, despite being September. 💀 I'm always so jealous when I see the venues for ONEUS tours in the US, because a lot of them are seated!! Why doesn't London have places like that? What is this 'nightclub' venue nonsense. (Like, I want the opportunity to dance if I want but give me a set space and somewhere to sit!! 😂)
Yes, thank goodness for this blog and nice people on social media! 😍
I've heard from so many people that they got into kpop during Covid! I guess it isn't a surprise because kpop companies were really good with online presence and social media to begin with so they were able to transition into the quarantine period seamlessly. I did get a lot of comfort and it kept me occupied as someone who has already a fan, it must have been amazing to discover it and fall down that rabbit hole when you suddenly had some extra time!
Hmm, that's an interesting theory! I would think the visa stuff would be a plausible explanation but then why can smaller companies manage to do it? 😓I highly doubt a huge corporation like HYBE wouldn't be able to manage that so I always thought there must be a weird reason behind it that no one's allowed to talk about. But if I put it that way, it sounds like a conspiracy theory 😂
Ahh I hope to get a photo with my idols one day that I can frame and put in my room 🥹
Hah, don't even get me started, the name Dokyeom fits him so well, I have to constantly remind myself that it's not his real name! I also read the story of how they came up with that name for him about ten times but I still don't understand it 😅 And the number of members is definitely intimidating, I remember quite well when I still thought I'd never be able to learn their names and feel close to them because there are so many of them but I've come a long way 😄 I have a SEVENTEEN playlist that has my favorite songs from all their albums/eras and some solo and subunit stuff too! In case you're interested, it's here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Br93q6poOfzvifMVphOtj?si=35be5232a30249fa (it's not in chronological order, it starts kind of when I started stanning them and added earlier albums later)
The Billlie concert I attended was in sort of a nightclub venue but I got really lucky there! I only stood in the line for about an hour or 1.5 hours at most and I somehow got into the 2nd standing row 😄 But it wasn't an ideal venue at all for this kind of event either... Hopefully, one day we get to experience what fans in the US and Asia do 🥲
Gah, I forgot to check here for notifications about replies, sorry 🥲
Ohhh, what was K-pop like in online spaces before COVID? Like, all I've ever known is seeing people post videos of their fancalls, but I'm guessing that was non-existent before? But fansites still posted fancams and so on...? I think it's great that fancalls opened things up to international fans more, but I hate how they're run (and how some fans ask idols to do the weirdest things on there).
Ah, you make a great point about smaller companies!! I remember seeing how a small K-band would be touring the UK and I was like "SEE, RBW, why can't you do this for ONEWE" in my head. 😂 So, hmm, maybe there is something more to it!
I hope you can too! <3
Ooh, thanks for the Spotify link. I've found quite a few new songs and artists to add to my playlists from your various ones. I look forward to trying the SVT one!
Fingers crossed for us both, hehe.
Hmm let's see, kpop before Covid... From what I remember, fan calls didn't exist and everything was about big in-person fansign events, the ones that only happen in Asia. But fansites and fancams were already a thing! I also like that fancalls give a chance to us international fans but I'm so embarrassed by what a lot of fans act like there 😖 I also can't see myself buying like 40 albums for the chance to win a fancall 🥲
Omg, you saying that you discovered a lot new songs and artists through my playlists gives me life 😭 I literally live for this feeling haha, when someone enjoys a recommendation I make. I hope you're enjoying the Seventeen playlist!!
I don’t understand how some fans aren’t embarrassed by the clips they’ve filmed and uploaded. 😅 And yeah, I only got mine through a group order. I’ve entered a few personally just on the off chance I might win with like four albums, but obviously not expecting much, hahaha.
Yes, I listened a bit during work recently! I can’t believe how many songs they have. 😆😍
ahhh you saw them up so close! i'm so happy you got to finally catch them! also: hello fellow ready-to-love-enjoyer! thanks for sharing your impressions about the members as well, that's always so fun to read and i love seeing how other fans see the different members :') i had the same impression of wonwoo when i saw them in 2022 haha he does seem very subdued in general and he's one of my favourite members
Sorry for the late response 😥
Yes, I was so close and it was just as amazing as I imagined it to be!! Haha, always happy to meet other people who appreciate the masterpiece that is Ready to Love 😌
I guess then that's just how Wonwoo is! But I think it's great that he can be himself on stage and no one's forcing him to be brighter or more outgoing. I love him too and I relate a lot to him actually, I'd probably be the same if I had to perform on stage 😆