eh eh eh eh ehh we're 2NE1
oops. meant to post this last night but went to take a nap and ended up waking up to my alarm going off. -_-;
The weeks leading up to the 2NE1 show at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ had been stressful and tiring for me, so I was in a depressed funk and panicking about the amount I spent on VIP tickets, but in the end I'm glad I splurged and went. Since the VIP tickets were will-call only, I couldn't bail even tho I wanted to because all the tickets were on my credit card.
We got there around 3pm, and there was already a line for VIP on the side of the building, but it wasn't too bad yet. So as with any line, we ended up chatting with the people around us. These two girls had flown in all the way from North Dakota to see the show. There was also a guy who had brought a cute TokiDoki hat for Minzy that he even had custom-embroidered with her name. A crew from kpoptv was there taking video, and then came back out later to tell him Minzy saw the hat and really liked it, so he got to tape a personalized message to her, and gave them the hat to take back to her. I was glad that worked out for him, because there really was no way he was going to get the hat to her during the show. Also got to witness firsthand how incredibly ORGANIZED kpop fans are. There were people from YGLadies distributing signs with a heart and "사랑해" written on it, on the back were instructions on how to wave them during "I Love You". So that's how all the fans are so coordinated when you see performances on tv.
Originally, VIP ticket holders were supposed to get in at 5pm for the sound check, but we ended up not getting in until almost 7pm, and then it was very short, only about 15min. After talking to some of the Prudential Center staff, I found out they were told 6:30pm for sound check, so bad on YG for poor organization there. We also initially only got our badges and were told the gift bags would be given out at the end, which made no sense since we all wanted to hold our light sticks for the show.
After the "sound check" everyone was herded out of the main floor to wait again. At least we got to wait inside, with access to a bar and overpriced stadium food. All the non-VIP ticket holders were still outside waiting, and waiting, past 8pm when the show was supposed to start. Finally they started letting people in around 9pm. Somehow, we managed to be right front row center at the railing. While everyone was still getting their seats, they played 2NE1 music videos which we all sang along to, a promo for the upcoming Big Bang tour(much screaming at the first image of G-Dragon), and then unexpectedly Gangnam Style If you ever have a chance to sing and dance along to a viral kpop sang en masse with a giant arena, DO EEET. It did lighten the mood after the long long wait. They also finally started giving out the gift bags, but not everyone got one because almost right after the lights went down. I did manage to snag one quickly so at least I got my light stick. Unfortunately, no one else in my group was able to.
The show itself, was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. It started with images of card deck suites flashing on the giant white screen onstage, which dropped to reveal CL, Dara, Bom, and Minzy on a platform singing "I am the Best". The platforms then separated so each one was being pushed around by ridiculously fit male backup dancers. Every time CL appears in the US, her English keeps getting better. She apologized for the delay and promised to the make the wait worth it, AND SHE DELIVERED. Full disclosure: CL is the one I stan for. But as great as her on-camera personality is, you have to be there in person to truly appreciate her tremendous stage presence and charisma. Every time she was on stage, your eye would automatically gravitate towards her.
I didn't think the band, led by Divinity Roxx on bass got enough credit from fans. They were FIERCE as hayul, elevating the show to a whole new level. Without them, I feel it would have just been a really good kpop concert, but having the band set it apart from just seeing your unnies and oppas doing a lot of coordinated dancing with some fanservice thrown in.
By the end of the night, I sounded like Batman from screaming so much. Especially during "Scream"(aah aa aaa). But I was glad I went. And I was glad I splurged for the VIP tickets and had a fantastic evening with friends.
The weeks leading up to the 2NE1 show at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ had been stressful and tiring for me, so I was in a depressed funk and panicking about the amount I spent on VIP tickets, but in the end I'm glad I splurged and went. Since the VIP tickets were will-call only, I couldn't bail even tho I wanted to because all the tickets were on my credit card.
We got there around 3pm, and there was already a line for VIP on the side of the building, but it wasn't too bad yet. So as with any line, we ended up chatting with the people around us. These two girls had flown in all the way from North Dakota to see the show. There was also a guy who had brought a cute TokiDoki hat for Minzy that he even had custom-embroidered with her name. A crew from kpoptv was there taking video, and then came back out later to tell him Minzy saw the hat and really liked it, so he got to tape a personalized message to her, and gave them the hat to take back to her. I was glad that worked out for him, because there really was no way he was going to get the hat to her during the show. Also got to witness firsthand how incredibly ORGANIZED kpop fans are. There were people from YGLadies distributing signs with a heart and "사랑해" written on it, on the back were instructions on how to wave them during "I Love You". So that's how all the fans are so coordinated when you see performances on tv.
Originally, VIP ticket holders were supposed to get in at 5pm for the sound check, but we ended up not getting in until almost 7pm, and then it was very short, only about 15min. After talking to some of the Prudential Center staff, I found out they were told 6:30pm for sound check, so bad on YG for poor organization there. We also initially only got our badges and were told the gift bags would be given out at the end, which made no sense since we all wanted to hold our light sticks for the show.
After the "sound check" everyone was herded out of the main floor to wait again. At least we got to wait inside, with access to a bar and overpriced stadium food. All the non-VIP ticket holders were still outside waiting, and waiting, past 8pm when the show was supposed to start. Finally they started letting people in around 9pm. Somehow, we managed to be right front row center at the railing. While everyone was still getting their seats, they played 2NE1 music videos which we all sang along to, a promo for the upcoming Big Bang tour(much screaming at the first image of G-Dragon), and then unexpectedly Gangnam Style If you ever have a chance to sing and dance along to a viral kpop sang en masse with a giant arena, DO EEET. It did lighten the mood after the long long wait. They also finally started giving out the gift bags, but not everyone got one because almost right after the lights went down. I did manage to snag one quickly so at least I got my light stick. Unfortunately, no one else in my group was able to.
The show itself, was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. It started with images of card deck suites flashing on the giant white screen onstage, which dropped to reveal CL, Dara, Bom, and Minzy on a platform singing "I am the Best". The platforms then separated so each one was being pushed around by ridiculously fit male backup dancers. Every time CL appears in the US, her English keeps getting better. She apologized for the delay and promised to the make the wait worth it, AND SHE DELIVERED. Full disclosure: CL is the one I stan for. But as great as her on-camera personality is, you have to be there in person to truly appreciate her tremendous stage presence and charisma. Every time she was on stage, your eye would automatically gravitate towards her.
I didn't think the band, led by Divinity Roxx on bass got enough credit from fans. They were FIERCE as hayul, elevating the show to a whole new level. Without them, I feel it would have just been a really good kpop concert, but having the band set it apart from just seeing your unnies and oppas doing a lot of coordinated dancing with some fanservice thrown in.
By the end of the night, I sounded like Batman from screaming so much. Especially during "Scream"(aah aa aaa). But I was glad I went. And I was glad I splurged for the VIP tickets and had a fantastic evening with friends.