Let me backtrack a little, though. Most people who know me well, enough, know how much I love KPop or Korean music. But in terms of KPop, I always had trouble choosing or stanning (means being a fan/representative of a group). There were male groups I loved to listen to like 2PM, SHINee, B2ST, VIXX, INFINITE, Got7, B.A.P. And in the case of female groups, there was Sistar, Girls Generation, AOA, f(x), etc. But none of them touched me on an emotional level. Even 2PM, who was the first group I listened to, that got me into KPop; I loved them, but the connection wasn't there, that I went crazy, bought merchandise, or passionately followed them. Not to mention, in KPop, usually guys like female groups and women like male groups. So I wanted a female group to stan. It was just so hard to find because all idols and groups have good looking members, but it's always been about the music first for me. So I looked high and low to no avail, which made me give up.
But, that all changed a few months ago, when I went to my first KPop event, KCon2015 in New York/New Jersey. My brother was in the front seat of the car we were in, and he was playing an endless playlist of KPop songs galore. It was mostly Girls Generation songs because everyone had heard of them, but I nodded off off and on because I didn't know all their songs or the members, which if I don't know, is a huge turnoff. I almost fell asleep in the car since it was a long ride, until I heard the song, "Mr. Chu". Apparently, it was a very popular song the previous year, but I had never heard of it, so I asked my brother who sung the song because it was catchy, and it was getting stuck in my head. The beat, the vocals, the chorus, it was hitting all the right notes. I expected my brother to say some random group I had never heard of, but when he said Apink, I was shocked. I had heard of them before, since they were from the ACube/Cube, the same music company as many of my favorite KPop groups, but I just never knew their music was like that. So after the insanity and joy that was KCon, I checked out all of APink's latest songs, music videos, you name it. I thought I might have found the right group, but I took precaution, since this wouldn't be the first time I thought this way before. Since I had just started buying KPop albums, recently, I bought one of Apink's albums, Pink Blossom, since it had the song, "Mr. Chu", on it. But after looking through the photobook and listening to all the songs, I bought their whole discography at once; then other stuff, like posters, photos, DVDs, cups, and even pillows. It was safe to say I really fell for Apink. After that, I followed them constantly, wherever I could, following their Facebook and Twitter page, and watching their reality shows and performances on various sites. Most people thought I would get tired of them, but how could I when I loved a group so much?!
Then the unthinkable happened a few months ago. I had discovered through Twitter that a girl group was going to tour in North America for the first time. They didn't say who, specifically, but I and most others assumed it was Apink with the hints and silhouette they gave, and of course, like the KPop fans we are, we were right. Apink was going to tour in North America for the first time, although only in the parts of Canada and the West Coast. I was excited, but heartbroken that I was unlikely going to be able to see them since I didn't live anywhere close to where they were performing. But after thinking about it and doing calculations in my head, I determined that I could go if I got the time off from work, and saved up enough money. I just had to do things in cycles, which I did. First, I chose the venue I wanted to go to, which was LA, since it seemed the most appealing and I had some family out there. Then I got the days off approved, which only left the major task of actually getting the tickets. I still needed plane and hotel tickets, but the Apink tickets were top priority for me. KPop tickets are hard enough to get, but once they announced there would be Meet + Greet and photo op, I knew that my chances weren't going to be easy. Being as big of an Apink fan as I now was, I wanted the top ticket and the chance to meet my dream girls. But luck has historically never been on my side, and I usually mess things up. Not to mention, my brother had experience buying KPop tickets, and he said that they sold out fast, so my hopes weren't that high. I desperately wanted to meet Apink, but now that everything I had wanted happened, I would have just been happy to go and cheer them on. But luck did reward me and my patience, because on the day that the tickets went on sale in LA, I was one of the few 200 or so people that was fortunate enough to get the top tickets, Meet + Greet. I had never ordered tickets, through a site that had a waiting room, or bidding, but it was a process I didn't want to repeat, again. It was so stressful, having multiple devices open, waiting for the page to reload, knowing that you were competing against other people. But I was so glad I got my ticket, I jumped up and down happier than a child getting their favorite toy on Christmas. I was really going to see Apink, my favorite KPop group, in LA! Was this really happening?
It was, and let me just say, now that the moment has come and gone, it was a spectacular and memorable experience. I went on a plane for the first time, to a state that wasn't on the East Coast, and I got to meet/see my favorite group, while meeting a few good people in the process, who have the same passion and love for APink/KPop like I do. I don't know exactly how all of them feel, but I know lots of people said it was one of the best night's of their lives, which I have to agree with. I never dreamed months ago, that I would actually see Apink, live, but there I was, 3000 miles away from home, in LA, with hundreds of people, loving and cheering for our favorite group. It was so emotional. And the girls put on a show. They were so nice during the Meet + Greet, which I was fortunate enough to do; I barely remember it, since it was so fast, but I remember that they had small hands and smelled really good. And I got to talk to my favorite member a little and make eye contact, which was an unforgettable experience. They had a lot of fan interaction, and of course, performed all their hit songs, which I and everyone else sung along, too. There was water on stage for the members to drink, but I honestly think I needed it more, since I lost my voice after the first song from screaming.
A question people are often asked for anything is why they like somebody or something? It's often complex to answer, but when it comes to Apink, it's one of the few things I can explain clearly. Yes, they're all beautiful (lots of groups have that), but besides that, they create wonderful music about love and other topics that are instantly relatable to me. I love male groups because they sing and write love songs that I can relate to, or imagine myself singing to that special person. When Apink sings, I imagine falling in love with that person or them for that matter. And in terms human beings, Apink is wonderful. If you read/watch their interviews or shows, you can see how genuine and sincere they really are. And how hard they have worked since their debut in 2011. There are lots of groups out there, but there are few groups that I have so many similarities with. That's why I love APink, because they are so close and I can see my friends and I doing the same things they do. My favorite member or bias is Eunji, the main vocalist of the group, because I love her voice, her acting, her look, everything. But I do love all the members, Chorong, Naeun, Bomi, Namjoo, and Hayoung because they represent different aspects of myself. Eunji is outspoken and honest, Chorong is the conservative/introverted strong leader, Bomi is the energy of the group, Naeun is the shy, humble, attentive idol, Namjoo is always happy and cheerful and speaks for the group, while Hayoung, being the youngest, has to work the hardest, but always tries her best, whether in singing and making her members happy. I suppose when I look at Apink that way, it's no wonder I love them so much. They say music is something that represents you, and that is no different with Apink. They just make up 6 different parts that make me who I am. I used to be unsure with KPop and myself as a person, but because of them, I'm more sure than ever now, and these girls are here to stay <3.
I'm 24, and hoping that I still have lots of years left to live. I haven't done much in my life, compared to other people my age, but I'm glad I took the risk to go thousands of miles just to see Apink because meeting and seeing them truly was a life changing experience. It was on my bucket list, but I didn't think it would actually happen. Now, that is has, though, I hope I'm wrong about bucket lists, and I get to see them again, because I love them so much <3. To some, KPop is just music, but to me, it's a part of my daily life and routine. And when I see Apink, I realize they are, too. Saranghae Apink <3. FIGHTING!
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| I'll always remember 1/9/16 as the day I met/saw Apink. The day has since passed, but I'll always have the memories. |
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