131228 5th Korean Pop Convention

[B/N: This would be a very looooong blog entry]

                Recently, EXO (one of my ultimate bias group) released their Christmas album entitled “Miracles in December”. This album has a song in it which has the same title as the album. I really like to listen to that song because of its sweet melody and beautiful lyrics (plus, the sweet and tear-jerking voices of the members). Never did I knew that the experience that would happen to me days after Christmas Day would greatly relate to that song.

                December 28, 2013 was the date of that unforgettable experience that I had. It was the date for the 5^th Kpop Convention here in the Philippines which happened in SMX near the famous Mall of Asia. Months before the said event, together with my cousin, I was already saving money from my allowance for me to be able to go there. Actually, I only knew about this event through my Kpop buddy. The moment I hear about it, I already decided that I would be going. This is because I know that this would be a once in a lifetime experience. Imagine for only 450php, you would be able to see 4 Korean groups ( A.Cian, LC9, Lunafly and Boyfriend) all in one stage performing 5 songs each, meet your fellow Kpop lovers through the different fan club booths present in the event (almost 50+ fan club booths attended the event), feast your eyes on every single Kpop merchandise sold in the event (mostly shirts [ranging from 200-400] , bag tags and button pins with logos or faces of your biases, lanyards, bags [MCM bags which cost almost 1200php], throw pillows, posters, bonnets, socks, ballers, and many more), buy cute accessories from your trusted brand (CNA ^^), and learn from the different classes (dancing, singing, applying make-up, and how to be a Kpop idol) for FREE.

                Since this would be my second event to attend, I already know the do’s and don’ts in attending such events. First was to already buy your ticket beforehand so that you won’t need to fall in a very looooong line outside the building. But when we arrived there, there was still a need to fall in line but at least it won’t be that long compared to those who haven’t bought their own yet. Next was to eat a heavy breakfast before going since it would be a long day and we know that the price range of the food sold inside would be thrice the price of the original one. Last is to bring as much patience and energy as you can because it would be a very energy-draining day.

                Actually, I really do not have any companion in that event. My Kpop Buddy was not available since she and her family is in the province while one of my chinggus was also not going because she doesn’t have any money left. Good thing that my cousin and her friends were also going. The first sight that we saw once we reached the venue was the long line outside the building. Fortunately, we had our tickets with us already so the burden of falling in line again for buying one is already lessened. Once we had entered, we proceeded to Hall 1 (there are 2 halls present – Hall1 [Concert Area] and Hall2 [Fan Club Booths and Mini-stage for the Free Classes]). Our ticket holds us the opportunity to be able to visit both booths. ^^

                Here are some of the merchandise I have brought from the event:

Cute SHINee shirt

EXO tumbler

EXO baller

Cute merchandise from CNA: Infinite ring, D.O. name plate and Black ribbon ponytail

Lee Jaehwan (Ken) bag tag and VIXX lanyard

After shopping for some Kpop merchandise and participating with some Fan Club booths, it was already time for us to proceed to the concert hall and watch the 4 Kpop groups perform on stage. The host of the whole program was Ms. Kring Elenzano. She really did a good job of hosting because I did not feel any dull moment from the program may be because she knows when is the right time to enter and crack jokes.

So the first group to appear was A. Cian. Sadly, I don’t know any member from the group since it was my first time to meet them. But the good thing was I enjoyed watching them even from afar.

A. Cian on stage

Next was the group, LC9. I only know some of the members and one them is my bias, Eden. He was more admirable on stage because of his amazing English accent. They were the group that sang a Tagalog song which surprised me very much because even though their accent isn’t that good, they still made an effort to memorize and practice Tagalog words just to make their Filipino fans happy.

LC9 during interview session

Third group to perform on stage was one of my bias groups in the Kpop world, Lunafly. The moment they stepped on stage, I was already really super hyper because I really do want to see them (Filipina Lukie here ^^). I know that I’m only a newbie fan of them but I really love their songs especially their covers. They don’t only show handsome faces (especially Yun because I really think he is the most handsome of them all), but they also present very good talent. When I was listening to them sing, it was like I was listening to an album playing. It was really good. ^^ (bias aside, promise). I also love how Sam and Teo act on stage. Their actions were so naturally funny especially in the part where 5 Kpop fans were asked on stage to cheer for them and most of those participants kept on spazzing in front (I can relate to them because if I was also in front I won’t be able to function properly) and what the two did was to imitate those participants (just imagine them wiggling and wiggling on stage ^^).  They also sang 2 English songs, one was a popular love song and the other was a Justin Timberlake song. There was also a time when the members tried to come near to us fans and I really can’t help my feels with that~

Lunafly on stage

Sam on guitars

Yun "the maknae" singing his part

Teo "the super hyper cutie"

Last act that night was from the famous Kpop group, Boyfriend. I also waited for their performance. This was because back when I was only on my second year in college, I also went to a Boyfriend fan meeting also in MOA but unfortunately I wasn’t able to see them since all tickets were already sold out. At that moment, the amount of people in front were already too much it was already difficult to move. But I endured all of it just to see them perform on stage. The wait was totally worth it when I saw them perform Janus. Their dancing and singing skills were really daebak. The interview and game part was also very fun to watch especially when they played “What’s in the Box”. The game requires each member to put their hands inside each box in front of them. After that, they should be able to guess what item is in front of them. I was really enjoying each member’s expressions each time they place their hands inside. Hyunseung’s item was guyabano, Donghyun’s was the bunot, Kwangmin’s was the loofa, Youngmin’s the tapioca pearls, Minwoo’s  the dried mangos and lastly for the Birthday boy, Jeongmin’s was the pineapple. ^^ They also tried the famous Philippine street food, tokneneng (quail eggs coated with an orange batter). The last song that I saw them performed was “On and On”.

Boyfriend singing Janus

All 6 members of Boyfriend

My favorite photo of Youngmin ♥

Boyfriend during their interview part

In the end, I rate the event with a 4 out of 5 stars. This is because it was really enjoyable at the same time it was very affordable but what made me not give it a perfect score? It was the looong line outside before entering the venue even though we already have our tickets with us. But all in all, it was indeed an unforgettable experience for me.

my cousin with Suga Ph

another photo with Himchan Ph

Thumbs up to the Philippine Kpop Committee and of course to the event’s organizer and Kpop fairy godmother of all, Ms. Happee Sy for making it all possible. I do wish that there would be another event like this for next year. ^^

Me and My cousin giving our thumbs up sign

-laslockhart ^^