Inkigayo and Myeongdong

Dream Concert ended around 11:30, so by the time it was over, most public transportation had stopped. We all went to Hongdae (which was unbelievably hard!! We had absolutely no luck with taxi drivers that night -_-) and hung out for a bit. I really should have stayed at the jimjabang in Hongdae with Himeko and Claire, but I really wanted to go home. I hailed a taxi and went home, agreeing to meet everyone back in Hongdae the next morning at 7:30 am.

Predictably, I sleep through 4 different alarms and didn't wake up until Stephanie called me at 7:36 am, wondering where I was. I quickly hailed a cab and made my way for Gayang. Thankfully, Stephanie, Claire, Himeko, and I all arrived around the same time, despite my late start. We were in line for FT Island, because they just came out with a new album and it was their first music program weekend. There were TONS of people and the sun was mercilessly beating down on us, but we got into the pre-recording. Since we had little chance for the live show, we left right after to grab some lunch. 

The recorded version that I was in the audience for  ^o^v

Himeko and Claire then went home. Stephanie and I then went to Myeongdong until she had to catch her train back to Gimcheon.

We went to Everysing to see the new TVXQ merchandise. We also tried the TVXQ purikura machine, but... we broke it. ^^;; Not really, but the machine malfunctioned and we didn't have time to retake the pictures, so we decided to do it again another day (and on a day when we weren't looking like we only slept for 4 hours, wearing the same clothes from the day before, and suffering from slight heat exhaustion...)

We also went to NII in the Lotte Young Plaza to participate in the JYJ fanmeeting event. Stephanie and I both received our confirmation code, so hopefully we'll get in. *fingers crossed*
 And, as always, we hit the kpop merchandise stores in Myeongdong station, spending WAY too much money and got 3 more posters. I am rapidly running out of wall space. Oh well.

Dream Concert 2011

Dream Concert is an annual 4 1/2 hour concert (so, its more like a music festival). It contains the most popular acts in Korea for that year, so its a big deal. Also, the more popular you are, the later the performance is. So, the last act of the night is always the biggest name. Of course, this years its DBSK. ^^ Our seats were really good-- a little right, but a great view of the stage none the less.

I cannot stress enough how important fans are to the entertainment industry. Fans make or break groups. At Dream Concert, fans group together, wave balloons, put out banners, do fan chants, and try to outdo other fan groups. Although, there is a certain amount of respect among fan clubs. So, Dream Concert is a statement from the fans. When DBSK were in Japan or when they were on hiatus due to the lawsuit, they didn't perform at Dream Concert. But, their fan club still turned out in significant numbers every time to sing DBSK songs for hours before the concert started. It was a show of solidarity to the kpop industry that the fans still supported DBSK even though they weren't there and their future was uncertain.  
The worst thing an artist can experience at Dream Concert is called a "Dead Sea" or "Silent Sea." It's a sign of protest/dislike/boycott of a certain group. All the fans turn off their lights, so it darkens the arena. Often times they don't cheer for that group or they heckle mercilessly. It is extremely powerful. Fans have so much control in the industry and they know it-- its scary at times.
 

Maximum and Why by DBSK

 

Here were my other favorite acts of the night.
0330 by UKiss

Countrified and Immature by Eru

Good Day by IU

My Beating Heart by K.Will

Why Are You Being Like This by Tiara

Shy Boy by Secret

Fiction by Beast

Lucifer by Shinee

How Dare You and Ma Boy by SiStar

Black and White by G.Na

Hello Hello by FT Island

I'll Be Back by 2pm