Things I've Done As A Fan

I consider myself a Super Junior fan—not the whole of K-Pop. Most K-Pop fans have more than one fandom and since I only have one group to root for, I don't think I qualify as a K-Pop fan. 

But after reading Korea Boo's article 9 Things K-Pop Fans Should Do At Least Once In Their Lifetime, I surprised myself and am probably a K-Pop fan after all.

1. Go to a concert

I had no idea what happens in a K-Pop concert. I went to Super Junior's Super Show 3 in Manila and was blown how super the 3-hour performance was. It really lived up to its concert title.

Super Junior performing Don't Don

Super Show 3 about to begin.

2. Eat Korean food

I cannot think of a Korean food I don't like. I have yet to find it.

짜장면! Jjajangmyeon! (Black bean sauce noodles)

3. Watch a drama or a movie

Well, there's no K-Pop star in the current drama I'm watching but Park Shin Hye sings and so I think that counts as K-Pop?

Photo by SBS Drama

4. Sing at a noraebang

Noraebang is the Korean videoke. I haven't really been to a noraebang place but I have sung from noraebang machines. One was in Korean Cultural Center where every after exams, our teacher sends the noraebang machine to our room so we can all sing. Another place where I sing noraebang is in World of Fun SM North EDSA.

Lyrics on screen for I Can't Believe It by Younha.

5. Learn a dance to a song

Becoming a Super Junior fan has also ended my two decade loathing on dancing. So far I've learned to lamely dance Sorry Sorry.

6. Attend a fan meetup in your neighborhood

I once volunteered to distribute albums that were ordered from Korea and for other times, I claimed albums that I ordered. I was also walking in a mall and happened to pass by an activity center  and found out it was a Super Junior convention. I was curious about what happens in those kind of events and so I paid the entrance ticket and attended. My hunch was 100% correct. My ears were deadened by screaming girls over a 30-second commercial.

7JIB MAMACITA Meet-up 

7JIB MAMACITA Meet-up

5JIB A-Cha (Mr. Simple) Meet-up

7. Watch a performance live online

The first performance I watched was MAMA 2011 Singapore where Super Junior attended and performed. It amazed me how I felt so present in Singapore even if I was only watching through a screen.

8. Send fan mail or gifts

During concerts, fans throw gifts on stage for the performers to pick up. If your gift is interesting enough, some performers can pick your gift up during the concert to play with it or eat it (some pass on pizza or chocolates). After the concert is over, the production team gathers all gifts on stage and gives them later to the artists. I didn't throw mine on the stage. I asked a bouncer if he can place it on stage for them to pick up later.

Siwon likes reading and so I thought he'd be interested to read this one.

What gift doesn't include a note?

9. Wait for a group at the airport

I think this is the only thing I might never do. I'm not into keeping vigil because I love my sleeping time too much.