After several years of my daughter following and loving K-Pop—and trying to convince her classmates and later coworkers that this genre was about to explode in popularity—she is finally getting to say “I told you so” to everyone else.
Unfortunately, when you live in a relatively isolated city like ours, big K-Pop events don’t exactly come around very often.
There has been an emerging effort from our city’s avid fanbase, hosting cupsleeve events, markets, dances, and other wonderful celebrations. In the past couple of years, a local K-Pop store opened up and is doing very well. Yet, the touring groups tend to overlook our West Texas city, hitting areas that are about a 5- or 6-hour drive for us. I can’t fault them; they pick the most visible cities.
July finally gave us some opportunities we never had before. I saved up enough to take my daughter and me on one of those 5-hour road trips to see her boys, ATEEZ, and it was a priceless experience. It was also one on a massive scale. We weren’t able to acquire VIP tickets to enjoy the up-close admission, sound checks, send-offs, and other perks. We were basically “a pair of little dots” in a big arena. I’m not complaining. It was a blast.
Still, there is something to be said for greeting someone face-to-face. This is the beauty of the fanmeet with emerging artists. We got that chance just a couple of days after returning home from our trip with K-Pop idol Black On.
Now, when I say “emerging” artists, I am in no way saying these K-Pop idols aren’t incredibly talented performers with their own loyal fanbases (in Black On’s case, “Angels.”) No, I’m talking about artists who haven’t yet become a massive global phenomenon on the scale of BTS, Stray Kids, or BlackPink.
These artists are working hard to not only connect with fans but also to provide events allowing more people to discover their music.
This is what Black On has been doing recently. As a solo artist, Black On has been responsible for serving as singer, dancer, and rapper in his performances, and acting as a songwriter and arranger for his own music. He has also been basically “pounding the pavement” on a grassroots level throughout Europe and the United States, including some places other idols haven’t yet visited. You have to respect that kind of dedication.
Many people are familiar with book signings or celebrity photo ops at conventions. I have been to a couple of those as well. Signed books and albums are a weakness of mine.
The K-Pop fan meet just seemed more genuine and friendly than anything I have attended. The fan meet itself was free, although RSVP tickets were required via the local K-Pop store. The response was so overwhelming that they had to limit the number of RSVPs people purchased and they still opened it up for more spaces.
There was a charge if you wanted to purchase an item for signing, but if you just wanted to meet him, get a hug or a handshake, that was fine too. He took the time to talk with everyone. He complimented everyone he saw as well, whether it was their smile or something they wore. When someone purchased a poster for signing, he wrote a personal message in Hangul and translated it for them to read.
He did this for each person for a full five hours, and shortly after he jumped up on the counter and performed a small set of about six songs to anyone who wanted to crowd into the small shop, even those who didn’t attend the fanmeet. I can understand the big internationally known cities would get this treatment, but the fact he devoted this time to us made a huge impact.
Like many K-Pop events, gift-giving was not in any way required, but it was something many guests wanted to do to share their thanks for his visit. People brought Black On treats and hand-written notes, little pieces of original art, and items representing our city. After every fanmeet, he takes a picture of all his gifts and displays them with gratitude on his fan site. Fans love knowing they are appreciated with little gestures like this.
My girls and I created a shirt design, and my oldest made him a necklace to match one of her own. His response was so genuine, and he even had her put it on him. Later, when he performed, he was wearing the necklace. That meant so much to my daughter.
This is the importance of a fanmeet. Eye contact and smiles. Handshakes and hugs. The one-on-one impact that grows a fanbase from the ground up.
I said many times, that I love live music events of all sizes and genres. If I am able, I will crowd into a massive arena or sit in a small club. I’ll relish a chance for anything from chamber music to punk rock because you are watching the creative process in action.
When a musical artist, especially a K-Pop idol who is not a “superstar” yet hosts a fan meet, they are giving you a way to see the human behind the performer. If they can show you a genuine interest in you as a music lover, then it just feels more personal when you can support their artistic journey in return.
One thing Black On did with everyone he met, or at least everyone I witnessed while in line, was make a personal “pinkie promise” that he would return to our city in the winter.
That little connection, regardless of whether or not the individual purchased an item, brought a gift, or even returned for the performance, is a positive memory everyone could take home with them.
It is also likely that, because of this memory, most of them (including my family) will return to see Black On again should he return.
