By Honorary Reporter Joey Aguilloso from the Philippines

Photos and videos=Joey Aguilloso

Have you dreamed of talking to your favorite K-pop artists in person and holding their hands? Or telling them how thankful you are to them and how much you love them? Imagine them calling your name and telling you that they love you, too.

One way to this experience is to attend a fansign event, or an event where fans can meet a K-pop act. Getting into one isn't easy, and buying all of a performer's albums is no guarantee of admission.

So before I headed to Korea, I told myself that experiencing a fansign event would be just a bonus and that I'd still be happy with or without it. What was more important to me then was supporting my favorite group during a comeback promotion.

So the first step in attending a fansign event is knowing the singer or group's event schedule. Get updates by joining an official fan cafe, following a performer's social media accounts and asking people you know for help if you're not that active on social media. For a comeback promotion, an act usually announces a fansign event about a week before and the announcement of those getting admission comes two to three days prior to the event. But the schedule could be as tight as a one-day notice depending on the act's schedule. Make sure to get correct details, especially on the schedule and location of the fansign event venue.

Second, buy the act's albums at participating stores. Knowing the schedule isn't enough, and buying albums or products the singer or group is endorsing from participating stores qualifies one for entry. Winners are usually determined through a lottery, but be aware that though buying more means more entries, it doesn't guarantee success. The stores will then provide a link to the website that lists the winners.

At a fansign event, the interaction with the act will take just a minute per artist for group promotion; a solo promotion usually last up to two minutes. If you want to give a gift to your idol, letters, food or novelty items are advised but check first if the management agency allows food to be brought to the event.

Cute items get more attention from artists and raise the chance that fan sites will display your gifts. Most fansign events ban fans from bringing their smartphones or cameras, and even a voice recorder is not allowed if the agency is strict. But certain agencies do allow fans to take photos from their seats.

When I was new to K-pop, I was clueless on how I could see and interact with my idols in person. This was why I visited Korea in 2017 but never got to even see their shadows. In 2018, I meticulously prepared and did more research to ensure seeing them before several of them had to enter the military.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean