A peek at live K-pop

The much-anticipated music event on Black Friday arrived and we were off to Vegas via Spirit Airlines. Never heard of this company until shopping for flights. Hadn't heard of any serious flight mishaps from Spirit so figured it was probably all right to use them. Super-budget fares but you pay as you go for the necessities, e.g. 3 levels of pricing for seats based on location and leg-room, carry-on bags, checked bags, and in-flight refreshments including water (!). It's bare bones in terms of conveniences and comfort. Almost surprised they didn't have passengers pushing the plane out onto the runway. Check out these vinyl seats on Spirit, or are they leather? Vinyl would be cheaper.



It was impossible to check-in online the day before even though that's what they advise. They must deliberately disable anyone from logging in to their site bc it threw up when I tried numerous times. I tried with my password, the Spirit flight confirmation # and an account # but no dice. I requested my "forgotten" password to have it, or a new one, emailed but one never came. This isn't too bad because this just means going through the hassle of checking-in at the airport counter and printing boarding passes then. However, come next year, Spirit's going to start charging to print boarding passes at the counter.

The day before traveling, and rather belatedly, I read a few consumer reviews for Spirit. The stories I came across - including the inability to login to their website - had me worried. Couldn't help feeling nervous about using this outfit for fear of unnecessary charges, cancelled flights, rude workers, etc. that the bad reviews talked about. Fortunately, my worries were unjustified as everything went totally smoothly and we arrived on-time (on both flights). I was a happy flyer.



Feeling glamorous in a flashy hotel, lah. When we reached the entrance to the MGM Grand, there were bunches of young Asian girls milling about anticipating the arrival of one of their crushes/stars. A trio of long hair, super-skinny jeans and fresh faces informed me they were expecting B2ST who just touched down at the airport. I did note a couple of frazzled-looking, Asian photographer-types toting expensive cameras at the airport's Arrival area. We had time to spare so girl-child and I hung around the lobby for a chance to see the tired, young faces of her favorite K-pop band. After 45 minutes, did we see them? Not a chance.

Next up after checking-in was the Billboard KPOP Masters red carpet event taking place at MGM Grand only on Day 1. Both girl-child and I were armed with cameras to better our chances of actually capturing something decipherable. We took up positions in different places as well.




A first red carpet event for us. The privileged press get up front and effectively block the riff-raff's view. The host talked to each group who posed at 3 spots. The only other celebrity to show up was an Omar Miller who's from CSI: Miami (who?). Between the two of us, with my height advantage and steady arms, I managed to snag the better shots of the artists and I'll just post a few.

B2ST. Also known as Beast. Girl-child's hearththrob, Yoseob, is second from the left. One member is missing. I can't even name him. He was busy filming his part in some TV series. Wonder if the other members are jealous or feel any resentment that one of them is working on another career, or do they all do that as part of the Beast/boy band/girl band entertainment juggernaut.



G.NA. Gina's Canada-grown.



TVXQ. There used to be 6 or 7 members in TVXQ; now they're whittled down to these two.


The KPOP Masters concert began punctually at 8pm. There was an opening number by Jabbawockeez. They were frontrunners or won America's Got Talent and were doing a gig nearby.


B2ST were up first performing 4 songs - Breath, Shock, Fiction and Beautiful. I noticed K-Pop groups do a lot of calisthenics, er, choreography when they perform and is enjoyable to watch. Never a dull moment.



4Minute


Sistar. Loved their glittery gold dresses and dance moves.

MBLAQ


Brown Eyed Girls performing Abracadabra


TVXQ


The tour shirt. The organizers approached this first-ever event conservatively, offering only one t-shirt, one poster and one picture book for sale. Day 2 featured Shinee which is another popular boy band and whose song "Hello" I'm currently enamored with. I heard that they ran out of shirts on Day 2.


The entire show was about two and half hours and it was a lot to take in with a combined seven artists/groups. One camera battery gave out mid-concert and the other just barely squeaked by to the finale. Luckily B2ST were on first and girl-child managed to record their entire performance. I wish she hadn't zoomed in on Yoseob so much. Lol.

I believe this concert was one of the first of its kind in the US to bring together so many artists in such a large venue. Day 1 was barely attended which must be somewhat of a disapppointment considering the arena has over 16,000-seat capacity and roughly 20% seats were filled, if that. There was a VIP event initially organized - at $150 a pop - but was cancelled due to low interest. Buying cheap seats for the show worked out for me but there were many unfortunates who paid top dollar ($300+) for floor seats many of which were later opened to anyone with a ticket (minor stampede ensued). Had this event been organized earlier than six weeks to the concert dates, and been more widely promoted, I think they would've garnered more publicity and increased the event's visibility. Promoting a concert happening the day after Thanksgiving, in Vegas, targeted at teen girls is also a bit of a difficult sell.

We had a fantastic and memorable time. It's good to be exposed to new things. I have to admit I was a little xenophobic about K-pop for a long time - there is that language barrier - but I'm glad to say I've acquired an appreciation for the music and the artists. I now also have something I can talk with girl-child about.