PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018! ~ 평창 2018년 동계 올림픽 Day 2

After watching the men's single short skate the day before, we had no other plans for our time at the Olympics. That was at least, until the ice skating event ended and they announced the line up for the kpop guests that would be at the live stage the following day. I had had no idea that BAP was going to be at the Olympics while I was there, so my friend and I both were extremely excited to learn that they would be coming. BAP is my favorite kpop group of all time and they will forever be Best Absolute Perfect in my heart. They are all so talented and hard working.

Not ONLY was BAP going to be at the Olympics, other than paying 2,000 won to enter the Olympic Park it was completely free to see them! With that being the case, my friend and I assumed that there would be many fans there to see them, because it was a first come kind of set up. Even though they didn't perform until 8pm, we arrived at the Olympic Park at noon. We tried to waste time inside the park, but in all honesty there wasn't much to do there if you didn't have tickets to an event. We sat on the ground at the live stage and watched the event live streaming on the big screen there, watching the Men's Free Skate. Then we wandered around, played on the VR Bobsleigh machine, and frequently visited an art exhibit nearby (because there was heat). It was cold outside, which would have been tolerable for a few hours, but not quite all day. We were freezing. My toes hurt so bad because they were cold. However, we refused to leave our things and the spot we had claimed for the show. We WOULD be front row, no matter what. I ended up breaking down and buying ramyeon to eat, and also bought myself some hot packs and earmuffs from the official goods store (had to use up my Visa money anyway...).

We watched a few live performances throughout the day, a DJ, BBoy Crew, traditional dancing, but time passed slowly. I got bored. And I got cold. That is when we had a surprise. BAP suddenly walked out on stage at like 6 pm. They were doing a soundcheck, but I was thrilled to see them earlier than I had expected. My friend frantically waved at Zelo and he returned her wave too, so we were both dying a little. They were the kick that kept us going the next two hours until the show began. We thought that they performed first, because the line up listed on all the posters showed them first. So, the plan was to see them perform and then go home. We were wrong. They went last, which proved to be a problem for us later. Almost a very big problem.

We saw a variety of other performances, from bands and girl groups to soloists, and then finally at like 9:30 BAP came out on stage. Of course I screamed and waved a little, super excited to see them so up close. They played three songs in total, one of which was from their newest album. They seemed to be enjoying themselves on stage despite the cold weather. I hope their dancing managed to keep them warm while they performed, since they took their coats off to dance.

The highlight of my night though was Daehyun. He is my bias, and forever my top favorite singer. During their final song, my friend and I saw him wave to a member of the crowd, and so naturally we started waving at him too, hoping to get his attention. Being in the front row benefited us greatly, as he not only saw us both waving at him, but HE WAVED BACK. He waved at me and I nearly died right there I was so excited. After the show we tried to stick around and see if they would greet fans, but they didn't. Probably ran off somewhere to get warm, which I wouldn't blame them for doing.

💓 💓💓

BAP slays the crowd with their amazing vocals, rap, dance and pure talent ~

See the full video of their performance below:

Now I mentioned the fact that BAP performing last was almost a very huge problem. Here is why...

So, we finished at the Olympic park and had to get back to Jinbu where we were staying. It was about 50 minutes away by bus. We waited in line, took a free shuttle back to the bus terminal, and went to buy tickets home. With the Olympics going on I had heard they'd added a lot of buses to all the routes nearby, so I hadn't been worried. I should've been worried, and then finally I was very worried. There were no more buses to Jinbu when we arrived at the terminal. I was shocked, it was still early, and the events had just ended. How did they expect everyone to get home!?!

We asked two locals for help and they confirmed our fears, buses to Jinbu were finished until morning. My friend and I jumped straight to our Korail application and there was one last train heading to Jinbu, and it was a miracle we were able to buy tickets. Then we had to make it on the train though... it left in like 25 minutes, and we had to get to the station, get through security, and make it on the train before it left. We ran through the terminal and to the taxi stand (luckily we knew where it was already). Then once he dropped us off at the terminal we ran to security, with several people rooting us on, clearly obvious that we were trying to catch the train. We made it, luckily, but it was another exhausting effort on our part. We pretty much collapsed upon returning to where we were staying. Seems like I can never travel anywhere without some sort of transportation disaster scenario. As stressful as it is and as much as I hate it when those situations happen though, usually it has always been worth it.

BAP 2017 SEOUL BOOM World Tour Kickoff Concert

Okay, so first I am going to just let it out and say... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
BEST ABSOLUTE PERFECT FOREVER AND EVER....They never disappoint.

I saw BAP in concert for the first time! Listening to a group on YouTube or following their albums can never compare to what it is like to see them in person. The atmosphere is bursting with excitement and anticipation that is incomparable. Not to mention, they are so much more handsome in real life than through video...There is something about seeing them in person that makes them real. No longer are the group members just some random object of your admiration nor something to distract yourself with when you are bored, they are real living human beings with lives and talent and it makes them so much more admirable than at the beginning. They work so hard for their concerts and album releases and I think the fact that they can still be so carefree and playful while on stage performing makes me like the group more.

Since BAP is my favorite group, and has been since I was introduced to Kpop in 2013-2014, I had always wanted to see them perform. Unfortunately living in the USA doesn't yield many opportunities to see Kpop concerts, and when the chance did arise once it was during my final exam period at my university and I could not attend. Then when I came to Korea I saw they had a concert, but I just had this feeling it would never be manageable to go even though I wanted to so badly. It was only after talking to my long time friend and fellow BAP admirer that she informed me that if I wasted such a golden opportunity that she would kill me once she arrived in Korea to teach a few months from now. It was the push that I needed. I planned for many hours, found and convinced someone to attend with me, fought my way to buy tickets (very hard if you are a foreigner trying to pay on a site that is all in Korean...), made the nearly 4 hour bus trip to Seoul, stayed in a hostel, and made it on the Saturday of the concert.

The SEOUL BOOM concert was actually a series of three concerts throughout the weekend, each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. I only could make it to the Saturday one, but that was enough for me. Just to be able to be in the same building as them and see them in person was enough. Upon arriving at the Samsung Blue Concert Hall there were many things happening, and of course I had no clue what they were...I managed to find my way into a line to enter and to purchase concert merchandise. Even though I am a huge fan of BAP I never had the chance to own anything of theirs except for the albums, so I took this chance to represent. I bought myself a concert t-shirt, banner, and after the concert went back for photo cards as well. I could've spent my whole paycheck there...and bought jewelry and posters and so much more, but I had to reign myself in.

My Haul

I was in Standing B

Since the theme of the concert was 'Party Baby" there was a DJ to hype up the crowd prior to BAP taking the stage. Then before I knew it BAP took the stage for a two hour long performance accompanied by an encore and after-party encore. Photos and videos were strictly forbidden during the concert period, more so then I have ever seen before. There were people watching in the balcony and if they so much as saw your phone screen then pushed through the standing crowd and pulled you straight out. That being so, I was not able to take any photos or videos. I would have loved to, just for the proof that I was in the same room as them. I had even packed my selfie stick for that exact purpose. However, I think the fact that I wasn't glued to videotaping the whole concert enabled me to further enjoy and experience it instead. So, in the end I guess I am grateful for that.

BAP performed a wide array of their music, including solo's by several of the members. DaeHyun and Youngjae's solos were of course spectacular and well fit to their voices. Zelo's solo was a surprise to me, as it was sung in English. I loved it. Even though he was a bit difficult to understand, it wasn't because he was pronouncing it poorly as much as it was simply his accent. I think he did a wonderful job and I commend him for being courageous enough to sing in English. JongUp's solo also went well, and I enjoyed his singing and dance. He may not be a lead vocal, but his voice is very nice also.
There is a video on YouTube for Zelo's performance that another fan was able to capture. If you are interested click here for a link to that video.

Due to Bang Yong-guk's recent anxiety issues I believe he was purposely reserved during the concert. He still performed well and seemed to be enjoying himself, but at a distance. He did not walk out from the main stage, and sang less than the others. I do not hold this against him though, I think it is perfectly acceptable that he ease back into performing, and that he takes his time to be comfortable.

For a smaller concert hall I also really enjoyed the venue. I liked the stage and the fact that most of the fans could be in close proximity to the group. I also liked the many light displays and confetti that rained down around me. The fan light sticks also worked in conjunction to provide a very exciting and uplifting atmosphere in the concert hall.

Now I have to obsess for a moment and just say...I am SO happy I could see DaeHyun in real life. He is and always will be my first Kpop bias and yes, he really is as handsome as he looks in their music videos... *swoons* The fact that I was close to the stage and I could actually look into his eyes and see him sing to me is an experience that I will never forget. I certainly will never regret that moment. His cute and genuine smile also leaves me so twitterpated that I get all bubbly inside. Gosh is he ever handsome...

I had expected an encore, and was thrilled when it happened. I certainly didn't want the concert to end. I hadn't expected a second encore after-party though. I was surprised when they returned to the stage, as many fans had already left the concert hall. I had only stayed because I'd wanted to get some close up photos of the stage. The group came back out with lots of energy, sang and danced in quite the party style. They ran around the stage, fooling around with each other. Squirt guns were used on the fans and they splashed full water bottles all over each other which looked like lots of fun...I wish I could've joined them...ahhh. During the moment of their return to stage suddenly phones were whipped out of everyone's pockets and they were recording. I don't know if it was some sort of unspoken rule that the second encore was okay to be recorded or not, but no one stopped them. So, naturally I followed suit and documented what little I could for future memory. Not all of the video is the best, since there are other fans arms and whatnot in my shots, but I got to tape the members and their proximity to me which is more than enough to make me happy.

That being said, here is my video of the last moments of the concert. Don't they look like they are having a blast?

Since I finally have their merchandise and have seen them in concert I have decided I want to be an official member of their fan cafe...so that is the next hurdle I have to tackle...Figuring out how to sign up for it on a Korean website.

Forever with love for BAP