Hello.
This comes as quite a hard thing to do.
It's been a year and a month since my last post and there are multiple reasons for it; my laziness being the most influential.
But another one would be T-ARA's fluctuating number of members over the past year.
Interesting enough, right after my T-ARA = ? post, Hwayoung was abruptly kicked out of the group for reasons still undisclosed.
It took me a long time to get over her but I survived and warmed up to Areum a lot more.
I got to see Areum three times live before she also left T-ARA to supposedly pursue a solo career.
Here, I'll take a moment to wish these ex-members all the best in their future and hope to see them as a success in the years ahead.
Ryu Hwayoung (2010-2012) & Lee Areum (2012-2013)
I'd also like to express my sadness that a member from one of my other favorite groups also left.
Yookyung, former of A Pink, left to continue her studies and as of now, is in the US for reasons undisclosed.
Hong Yookyung (2011-2013)
In the past year, I had really upped a level in my K-pop activities.
I successfully attended a few events, met a bunch more K-pop fans and made friends with lots of people.
I can't begin to express how wonderful it's been (despite the ups and downs as a QUEEN'S and Panda) to have had my life turned upside because of K-pop.
I'll go by the events chronologically and elaborate from there.
JULY 2012 - MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia
It's sort of a tradition for me to go to World Stage.
The year before I went to see B2ST and last year I went to see Kara and Jay Park!
The performance were amazing, especially Jay Park as he took the main stage and put on one of the best live performances I've ever seen.
During this time, I was still much of my own fanboy, not overly active or involved in groups, forums or fan clubs.
K-pop to me was a world of pretty girls, handsome guys, great songs and cool choreography.
Fandom life wasn't so much of a big thing.
But then all that would change after I attended my next event.
SEPTEMBER 2012 - THE ONE CONCERT; A PINK HIGH-5 FAN MEETING IN MALAYSIA
At first, I wanted to attend the event and asked a friend if he wanted to join.
One thing lead to another and I suddenly found myself sharing a homestay with five other people I knew nothing about.
After some awkward introductions, I found out that they were admins and members of @apinkMY, Malaysia's #1 Fan Base for Pandas (A Pink fans).
There, I was sucked into the life of a fandom member; a real one.
I learned how to make fan boards, how to fanchant and camped all day with the fan base.
It was an eye-opener; to actually see these fan bases/fan sites at work.
The One Concert was held at Plaza Low Yat, KL on September 29th and the turnout was massive.
It was A Pink and B1A4's first time in Malaysia and the crowd was spectacular, especially Pandas where their fanchants were reminiscent of military soldiers in South Korea.
I was one of the lucky ones to actually be a part of this magnificent audience and A Pink were both bewildered and touched by our passion.
A photo I took of A Pink during their rehearsals in the afternoon.
I also met Malaysia's very famous (and very beautiful) gamer girl, Ashley Khoo (SummerAsh)!
Throughout their three songs (I Don't Know, Hush, Bubibu), all the members were waving, smiling, giggling non-stop due to the fans' immense support.
It was a good sign to them and to us that both parties were really into it.
The next day, on September 30th at The Butter Factory, KL, A Pink and B1A4 held a High-5 event, which I also attended.
It was my first time meeting real-life idols.
I was ecstatic and that morning I woke up extra early to pump up the feels and energize myself to hold my head when the time came to actually meet the seven angels.
After a few hours of wait, I finally got to have skinship with each member!
Here's a photo I got to take right before:
Left to right: Eunji, Bomi, Yookyung, Naeun, Chorong, Hayoung, Namjoo
They were bubbly, friendly and certainly happy to see so many fans in Malaysia, especially the ones in pink!
After the event, Malaysian Pandas made a huge pandahug and did a fanchant to celebrate one of the most awesome experiences ever.
@apinkMY group photo. Cr: Jazzy Group of Companies, Organizer for the the high-5 event.
I took back a lot of experience and knowledge from this event.
I met new friends who share the same (if not more) passion as I do in K-pop and I also met fans from abroad, too.
I met Ayesh, an Indonesian Panda who is also the Founder of A Pink Indonesia!
I also met @pinkuncle, an A Pink samchon (uncle) fan.
He has met the girls numerous times and has followed them to many countries.
Samchon-nim and I sporting @apinkMY's fan made T-shirt.
OCTOBER 2012 - T-ARA SHOWCASE IN MALAYSIA
This event was one of the events that I will certainly never forget.
My #1 girl group came to Malaysia and I was one of 120 attendees who got to high-5 them.
I HIGH-FIVED T-ARA!!!
The event was held on October 3rd and was also organized by Jazzy Group of Companies.
T-ARA performed 7 songs and one encore song that night, and had a little fan event in the middle.
At the end of the performance, us first 120 VVIPs got to high-five with each member.
Sadly, this event was held a few months after the departure of Hwayoung, so she didn't attend.
Jiyeon (my one true love) stood at the end of the line and when I came up to her I said, "내일 내 생일 이에요 (Tomorrow is my birthday)" and she replied, "Oh? Happy Birthday!".
I cannot express how blissful it was to hear those two words from here.
I was in Heaven.
I felt like I could fly.
As a token from the showcase, aside from the high-five, we each got signed posters signed by each member:
For these two events, I couldn't make it to the airport for both departure and arrival, and I didn't bring a camera with me so I didn't take any photos.
It was a real bummer because these were two events that cameras weren't strictly prohibited.
I also attended SCANDAL Special Live in Kuala Lumpur in December but since it is Japanese related, I will post it in another entry.
JANUARY 2013 - THE 27TH GOLDEN DISK AWARDS IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
I have to say, this was one event I did not expect the organizers would come through with, but I dare say it was a mighty success.
The Golden Disk Awards is as prestigious as the Grammy Awards in the US.
Only the best in the Korean music industry are nominated and the best of the best win!
The event was held over two days but I only got to attend the second since it fell right on the last day of my Finals.
I managed to score SAMSUNG Galaxy Zone tickets, which permitted to attend the red carpet.
I also successfully carried out my first job as a fan site photographer for Jiyeon Worldwide!
Here are some shots that I got:
T-ARA's Park Jiyeon
Sistar (w/o Dasom)
Epik High
After the red carpet, the award show started around 7.45PM and fans were presented with superb performances from the nominees and winners that attended.
You can check out more of my shots from the 27th Golden Disk Awards here.
MARCH 2013 - KOREAN MUSIC WAVE 2013 IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
My first ever experience of attending an event abroad.
It was also my first ever time going to Thailand!
I have friends that have been going to KMW every year so it was a really easy trip, without any fuss or major complications.
KMW in Bangkok started in 2011 and proved to be one of the biggest and most awaited annual event from K-pop fans in Thailand and also from abroad.
This year, 21 groups including 13 boy groups and 8 girl groups put on another splendid show.
Rookies and seniors alike lit the stage with their passion and showmanship.
The event was organized by JLStarnet and the MCs were 2PM's Nickhun, T-ARA's Park Jiyeon, 2AM's Jokwon, Miss A's Suzy and also SHINee's Minho.
The event started at 5PM and ended around 10PM.
I didn't take any photos during this event as it was my first concert in a foreign country, so I decided to enjoy the show and not fuss with photos.
I admit that if you are a fan of many groups and want to see them at least once in your life, this is certainly your kind of concert to go to!
After every event I attended, I gained not one or two, but many friends that share the same love for K-pop.
After T-ARA's showcase, I met other QUEEN'S from Malaysia.
At GDA, I met with fans from other fandoms.
After KMW2013, I got to meet Thai QUEEN'S and also made new friends from Malaysia, as well.
In my opinion, having friends to share the moments meeting idols is a must.
It gives that extra injection of memories and feels that only people who you were there with would understand.
I haven't attended any events since March and I'm planning on attending more in the future, both in and out of the country.
I missed a few events in Singapore and Hong Kong due to unsuitable timing but I'll surely be out there again soon.
I guess from now on, I'll be updating on events I attend along with my experiences in real life.
I might even post event information and such so keep an eye out!
"Experience the world the way you want to remember it"
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