It's been 10 months since WINNER Everywhere Tour in Manila. I know this post is long overdue but please bear with my fangirl heart. It took me this long to decide to finally publish and share my experience to my fellow Inseos after I realized that this might be my final "all-out" fangirl experience with WINNER. Adulting is REAL. But I still sincerely hope that this won't be my last.
This also not my first time to attend a KPOP concert/event. I'm a huge fan of BigBang and 2NE1 even until now, and I've been to one of their concerts here in the Philippines. However, since I was still a struggling adult and a graduate student that time, I can only afford the most reasonably-priced tickets HAHA. But anyways, everything was worth it especially when you're breathing the same polluted air with your faves :D
So last November 10, 2018, I was fortunate enough to attend WINNER's first solo concert in Manila. The last time I saw them as OT5 (yes with Nam Taehyun) was during 2NE1's AON in Manila around May 2014 (good times!) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. I've been a fan since WINNER's debut and I was really exhilarated to finally see them and hear them sing live after so many years.
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| Photo cr: PULP |
When PULP announced that Everywhere Tour is finally happening - I think that was 3 or 4 months before the scheduled tour - I immediately decided to go for PULP Royalty. No questions asked. :D That time I thought, this might be the first and the last time that I will be able to meet them. So I took the risk.
At first, I didn't fully understood what a Pulp Royalty Ticket was. After reading PULP's FAQs and related blog posts, PULP Royalty is basically a special offer from PULP (the local promoter) which differs from a regular VIP ticket such that it provides you with EXTRA perks like (but not limited to) priority queuing, lanyard with laminated VIP pass, official event poster, sound check and/or sendoff access! But these perks may vary from one act/artist to another. In this case, the PULP Royalty Tickets included either Sound check or Send-off Access.
SOUNDCHECK vs. SEND-OFF
Soundcheck Access: This is where you can enter the concert hall before the actual concert starts. You will be able to witness your fave artists' sound check session or some call it the 'Soundcheck Party.' They'll sing several songs and sometimes they may talk/interact with the fans from the stage.
Pros: You get to see them and hear them live first; you get to be with them longer.
Cons: They'll be up the stage the whole time; there is not much close interaction.
Send-off Access: You will be able to bid them goodbye :( just right after the concert ends.
Pros: If you're lucky enough, especially if your fave artist is generous and brave enough to approach you, Send-off can give you a closer interaction with them. You may be able to hand over your gifts, letters or even touch their hands!
Cons: Too short :( Send-off might take only seconds. Usually, from what I've seen online from other artists, they just casually pass-by the fans.
I decided to go for a Soundcheck Pass
So, the ticket costed P15,000 on SMTickets excluding tax (Concerts/events held in SM MOA Arena are usually sold online or over-the-counter at SMTickets.com). So think I paid around P15,300? (I honestly can't remember) for one Royalty Ticket with 1 Soundcheck Pass. It also includes: 1 VIP standing ticket, 1 priority queuing and 1 souvenir packet (VIP laminated pass, lanyard, souvenir card & poster).
HOWEVER, I really wanted to see them up close too. And knowing WINNER, they're always generous to Inseos even during Send-off. So, after several weeks of contemplating, I decided to go for Send-Off as well. To lessen my expenses, I asked a friend who's willing to upgrade their regular VIP ticket to Pulp Royalty. Upgrading can be done in any SMTicket outlets or SM Cinemas only. So, I only paid for the additional fee which is around P5,000+ and we agreed that I get the Send-Off Pass and she gets all other freebies including the priority queuing. In this case, the Send-Off Pass can be claimed at the venue on the day of the concert. So you have to line up there together. They'll ask for the ticket, and an ID to claim the pass.
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| Ticket and Souvenir Card |
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| VIP Laminated Pass with Lanyard |
Wait there's more! Since I'm from the southern part of the Philippines - Davao City - I booked my flight 3 weeks before the concert day. Based from previous experiences, I think it's better to secure the concert ticket first before booking a flight just to be sure :)
TIP: I saved almost 50% of my salary every payday for about 4 months. This is how I prepared for all of my expenses including light stick and other official merchandise, plane tickets, accommodation and food + contingency. Yes, fangirling is a serious business :)
AAAANNND I'm all set. There's no going back!
Also, few weeks before the concert, I made several DIY slogans and banners. I knew there'll be a lot of giveaways by fans and fansite masternims during the concert but I also wanted to make something of my own. Here's some of what I did:
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| Neon banner for my bias :D |
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| WINNER Kansahamnida! |
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| DIY mini fans for my friend :D |
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| Mini DIY light sticks made from plastic test tubes and LED flashlights |
I was also inspired by my fellow Inseos on Twitter and customized my Japan Ver 2 Light stick with MINO's blue rose (the LED blue rose was purchased online)...
I'd like to add that before the concert day, I also met with fellow Inseos from Davao City. It was my first time to meet them and I was thrilled to know that we also booked the same flight to Manila!
D-DAY!
Our flight to Manila was scheduled at 12:00 midnight of November 10, and we arrived there around 3:00 AM. Spell H.A.G.G.A.R.D. We stayed at Sea Residences. The condominium is just a 5-min walk from the Arena. I booked our accommodation 4 weeks before the concert date thru an agent from Facebook. It costed us P2,100/night/room and we were 3 people in a room. Reservation was made thru bank deposit.
SOUNDCHECK PARTY!
So this was the tricky part. The Priority Queuing Pass is ONLY intended for the Concert proper. Soundcheck Pass is on a first-come first-served basis. So after getting our passes, we immediately proceeded to the venue entrance to line-up for soundcheck. We waited in-line for about 6-7 hours HAHA! So unfortunately, I was unable to roam around the arena to collect freebies from fans since I had to secure my spot.
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| Queuing inside the Arena. We sat down while waiting for us to be ushered inside the concert hall for the soundcheck Finally entering the concert haaaallll! |
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Soundcheck AAAAHHHH!!!
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To be honest, getting a decent fancam was hard! How much more getting a decent photo? Can you imagine the level of multi-tasking: holding your light stick on one hand, a camera phone and a cheering banner on the other? Where am I supposed temporarily store all my emotions? WHERE? It was both a delight and a disaster HAHA. I was so happy seeing Hoon dancing live in front of my very eyes!
AND JINU WAS UNBELIEVABLE!
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| JINU-yaaaa!!! |
I think the whole Soundcheck Party lasted for about 10 minutes? If I remember it right, they sang 3 songs and then greeted us briefly. Everything was so surreal especially hearing them sing live! Anyways, after the Soundcheck, we were ushered again back to the lobby and we're instructed to line-up based on our queue numbers. And guess what? I was 9th in line!
TIP: Print your queue number beforehand and NEVER lose it. ALSO, always bring your ticket with you. And don't forget to get stamped before lining up or you'll end up like me, missing my turn for the entry. They'll inspect your stamp and/or your ticket before they actually let you inside the concert hall again. Keep your tickets in an accessible area inside your bag or pocket. :D
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| This was view during the concert! |
To be very honest, I failed to take decent fancams or even photos during the concert. I tried my best but when they finally sang 'AIR' I lost it. I kept my camera phone in my bag and cried throughout the whole song. And from there, I wasn't able to film anything. I decided to just enjoy and savor the moment. I'm also amazed by how my fellow Inseos behaved throughout the concert. I was never pushed! And everyone was dancing and singing along especially during the encore part. For me, it was very very special :D
SEND-OFF!
After the concert, I had to run back to the lobby to secure my spot for Send-Off. Like the Soundcheck Access, it's also first-come first-served. If you want to be at the railings and see them up close, you better run for your life... literally!
As expected, WINNER did not disappoint. Send-off with WINNER was like an express fan meeting with hi-touch. I got to greet them and touch their hands (except for MINO ugh)! And Hoon! yes Hoon! Thank you for that handshake HAHA....
One thing I regret the most was that I failed to ask Hoon for an autograph or a selfie. He's really accommodating and he really gave other fans a chance to take a selfie with him. I don't know where I left my presence of mind that time. I was too starstruck!
Anyways, everything was all worth it. WINNER is very grateful to us Inseos and I can really feel that everything we do are reciprocated in some ways. I really hope that this encounter will not be the last. Thank you again WINNER and Inner Circles! Until we meet again...
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