KCON NYC is coming up and I know plenty of friends who are attending this memorable convention. And as for me, I’m still struggling on trying to find tickets for the KCON LA concert but knowing me, I’ll probably find a way. As someone who went last year for the first time, I wanted to share my experience with those who are attending this year either for the first time or for the nth time. Here are eight tips on how you can survive KCON!
1. Bring and drink the water of joy.
As I remembered last year, KCON registration was on a Thursday. And for KCON LA, it still is. Usually, registration happens a day before the actual day the convention and concert start. I stood outside last year for registration, and it was for sure hot. LA weather was no joke, and standing out there with no liquid on me was probably a terrible idea. I struggled so much with trying to find a way to not get dehydrated, but I really didn’t have much. When you stand outside and wait for your time to go to the convention, bring water. And as for the convention, do bring a bottle. You will have a serious deprivation of having so much water because you’re walking everywhere. With trying to fit everything you want to do in an amount of time, you’ll need water. Just bring it and drink it and refill it. It really is necessary.
2. Be patient at registration.
I mentioned registration in the last point. But registration takes a while for everything to happen. It’s a convention, so there’s going to be a lot of people who are going to be waiting to get their tickets. So it’s going to take a while. But please be patient when it comes to waiting in the line. The staff is trying its best to get everyone in and registered. While you wait, take your time to talk to people. You could meet a few people and become friends with them, I mean I know I did *waves at friends who are reading this* “Hi, I'll see you soon.” But really, you’re going to a convention and a concert where people have the same interests as you. You can spill your feelings out together and end up becoming such good friends.
3. Bring a backpack instead of carrying a purse.
Last year, I brought a backpack. Not those huge ones that you’d use for school, but those nice simple ones that you know are nice and small. I fit everything I needed in there. I had my bottled water that I bought (I will remind you every single time I get the chance), my goodies that I got from the booths and other things. I even fit food in the bag. And it really is convenient because instead of having a satchel around your shoulder, you have straps that let you have both arms and not cause pain for one shoulder and not have it for the other. So if you want to be stressed free from holding a bag, just bring a small backpack.
4. Meet and greet trades.
Yes, KCON has blessed you with the chance of meeting your favorite artists. Depending on your ticketing, you get the chance to have a pass on meet and greets. Last year I had P2 standing, so I got two booklets on my meet and greets. They’re scratchers, so get those coins out and start scratching. However, it's not guaranteed that you'll end up getting someone. I did get a lot of blanks but I still had the chance to meet some idols because of friends having extras. And if you do have the ticket you don't want, here’s the perk about being in convention, you can actually trade with other fans with these passes. I’ve switched an AOA for a Sistar, and other people have done the same for other groups. So try looking around or posting on the pages to see if anyone wants to trade, meet up and trade.
5. KCON has an app?
Bless KCON, for it has given you an app. It had the app last year, and I used it and I'll tell you, it really was helpful not only because when you and your friends have nothing to do and are sitting around and just talking, there could be something else that’s happening. A panel could be happening with your fave YouTuber, or something could be happening at the stage, or in the other rooms. There’s really a lot you can do. And if you want to plan your days out, you can. With the app, you can save the things you’d want to do on each day and plan out how your day will go. It really is nice to have and a spiffy tool to have on your phone instead of having the brochure to carry around.
6. Relax and enjoy your time.
And even with the app, do not fret. I thought that I’d be missing a lot last year and instead of just relaxing and spending time with friends, I ended up scurrying around everywhere trying to do everything I wanted to do. Just let loose and take your time. If you missed a panel that your favorite YouTuber ended up being on, don’t worry; they’ll probably be on another panel. Just use your phone app to look up when they’ll be doing it again. Just walk around and trust me; you’ll find something interesting.
7. Pack lightly so you can stuff later.
So KCON has plenty of booths. They really do, literally -- that’s what’s inside the convention center. And, well, outside, too. But the thing you need to know is to not pack so much. You will end up buying so much more stuff at the convention; you’ll end up having a heavy luggage that you regret buying so much. Posters? They’re heavy and add a ton of merchandise you will probably end up adding 10 or more pounds to the luggage. So pack lightly; don’t pack too much. Simple clothes are a nice thing to have.
8. The abominable selfie stick.
Oh, selfie sticks; how I love/hate you. At the concert, I remember having P2 standing. I could see closer than other people who sat, but the thing I hated the most was not only tall people who literally were giants because I’m a short person, but also the fact that people brought out the selfie sticks. I understand you want to bring it out to see and save those videos, but realize there are people who are behind you. Try to enjoy the moment you have. Take a couple of snapshots, but try getting into the concert. You rarely get to see them perform, so why video it when you can just enjoy it and scream to your heart’s content -- or until your voice can’t stand anything anymore.
As many rules as there may be, the convention is really meant for you to enjoy, meet people and cry in feels. Both convention and concert, you’re surely to have a good time. First time, or your nth time, KCON is for you to enjoy and also make as many memories as you can. Say hello to your favorite YouTubers, take a picture with them, take a picture with an awesome person who’s cosplaying *waves at cosplaying friends,* and just realize you’re at the convention and concert. It may get chaotic at times, but just move those negative thoughts aside and enjoy.
