My 1st College Degree, EXO, BTS, SEVENTEEN, and Mosta X

I just completed all my coursework for my 1st BA in Internationa Relations, Asian Studies. That is my accomplishment for this year!!!

It took two years since I decided to finish it. 

Other than that, my oldest son graduated from the local high school. I hope he will find a goal in his life and try to get there...

I've learned that sometimes you have to let your children make their own mistakes because that's the only way for them to learn. That is really hard for me but I need to endure.

Other than that, I went to two concerts this year.

EXO in April, and SEVENTEEN in August.

Somehow, my passion for EXO was suddenly disappeared after attending the concert in NYC. Actually, I've attended EXO Planet 3, EXO'rDIUM in Fukuoka, Japan for three days in October 2016. 

You see the concerts held in South Korea, Japan, or other Asian countries have very gorgeous stage setup but you can't see that in America. I do understand the reason because they can not bring all the equipment for the stage.

Still, I do love the reactions from American fans. You don't have some of the strange rules that you have to follow like you can not stand up if you have a seated ticket or you should not sing along unless the artist asks the audience to sing along. 

However, there is one thing I can not stand in America. Fans with their banners or signs to block other fans view. In Asia, there is a mutual understanding or "common sense" within fans to keep your own signs, fans, or banners in front of you right around your chin or at least below your hight.

Somehow, I have missed the concerts for BTS and Monsta X...

In 2018, I have to start paying back my student loan. That means more coupon clipping! I hope to be able to save some fund to go to at least one or two concerts.

[M/V] SEVENTEEN(세븐틴) - 박수(CLAP)

Watch SEVENTEEN's new MV. It's so GOOD.

EXO'rDIUM in Fukuoka, Japan Experience

My brother and I decided to take our parents to the hot spring trip in September last year. I found out that EXO would be having like 15 concerts in Japan in the fall. I have decided to go to the Fukuoka tour. They had their concert in Fukuoka for three days. And what did I do? I attended all three days.

From the beginning, everything went wrong. I missed my first flight because the line was long and too slow in Security check. Although, I mentioned to different TSA agents that my flight would be leaving in a few min, they kept telling me, "you will be fine." I must admit Raleigh-Durham airport is one of the worst airport. TSA agents were horrible. RDU is the only airport charges rental fee for the carts.
My flight took off with my luggage without me. I cried. When I returned to American Airline counter, they told me they could not do anything since I did not make my reservation through them. All my flight reservation were through Korean Air. It took over 30 hrs to get to Japan, by the way.
Because the flight from Seoul to Narita was full, they put me on the flight to go to Haneda. But I had to spend a night at Haneda, and took a limousine buss to go to Narita next morning. I thought this was horrible. 

It was my first time visiting Fukuoka although I grew up in Japan...
EXO has their paid-membership fan club in Japan. You can be a member as long as you have a mailing address in Japan. Technically, I could use my parent's address, and joined the club. 

Fan club member can pre-order the concert tickets, but not all of us get them. Tickets are all flat rate, but you won't know your seat. They will mail your tickets about 2 weeks before the concert. 
Usually, there are no standing area. They have seats even on the floor level so there won't be any pushing/pulling dramas, and we can take bathroom breaks!

I loved this system!!

At Fukuoka Airport, I saw EXO members. I went to pick up a friend of mine from California.

The 1st day of the concert at Marine Messe. I rented the apartment which was walking distance from the venue. The weather was great!  

At Fukuoka Airport, I saw them. 

Because I could not catch any flight that day, I got a room by Fukuoka station. They had a hot spring on the first floor. I was able to relax to be ready for the trip to Seoul. 

SUM Cafe

SM Town

EXO'luXion [dot] SM Global Premium Package Experience

In the year of 2016, I have attended the following EXO concerts;

20 February 2016: EXO'luXion in New York, USA (SM Travel Global Package)
18 March 2016: EXO'luXion [dot] in Seoul, S. Korea (SM Travel Global Package)
2 October 2016: EXO'rDIUM in Fukuoka, Japan
3 October 2016: EXO'rDIUM in Fukuoka, Japan
4 October 2016: EXO'rDIUM in Fukuoka, Japan

Originally, I was going to attend Gaon Music Award in Seoul, S. Korea and EXO'rDIUM in Manila in February 2017. But I had to cancel due to my work schedule.

When I attended EXO'luXion [dot] in Seoul, I upgraded to the premium package. Yes, it was pricey. But it was worth it!

For this trip, I flew from Raleigh-Durham, NC to JFK, NY, JFK to ICN, S. Korea. It took about 20 hours all together. This was my first time visited Seoul, S. Korea. Living in Japan for almost 30 years, but I've never visited our neighbor, S. Korea. Yes, it's a shame.

I can't read or speak Korean. I did not know anyone. Fortunately, a Japanese lady I met through my Japanese blog would like to meet up. She took care of me the whole time of my stay. 

I slept and eat all the way to Seoul. Somehow, I did not think it was long flight. I got to ICN in the evening. I picked up a wifi egg first. I exchanged some cash and headed to get on the limousine bus to the hotel, InterContinental Seoul.  

The room was decorated with full of EXO goods. I didn't want to move anything. Hotel service was excellent!

On the concert day, they took us for several places including the hotel EXO filmed Lightsaber MV. The night before, I went out with my friends to eat dinner.

They also took us to SMT for lunch. The food was delicious! I cleaned my plate. I like the global package because you can meet EXO-L from different countries. Even you don't speak Korea, we can still communicate in English.

They also took us to SM Town. We did some photo shoot there as group. I was just amazed with the amount of advertisement the SM put out for their artists.  

Finally, we got to the venue. I had a standing ticket with 2 digit #.  I should be able to get the front row.
* Warning: Standing area is seriously congested. You will be pushed, pulled, and even gotten hit by the lightstick. Honestly, I could not enjoy because I was pushed the whole time. I realized that I was too old for standing area. I was in front row, between the main stage and sub stage. I wanted to see "El Dorado" since they didn't sing it in NY. Unfortunately, my Ultimate bias, Kai got injured the night before, he could not dance. I knew he was in pain, but still he was on the stage. What a professionalism! It broke my heart to see that Kai was crying.

After almost 3 hour-long concert, we went back to our hotel. All of us used all our energy. I was a little sad that I could not see Kai's dance. I was so looking forward to see "Baby Don't Cry"...

Next day, my friend and I went to Kamong which is the cafe own by Kai's sister. She was very nice. My friend and I did not have the concert tickets but went to the venue to see if we could get one. The line was so long, and the tickets were sold out. So we just went to SM Town and Lotte Duty Free.

I saw some videos from the concert. Kai cried a lot. I wanted to see him, but I also wanted him to get some rest. He felt so bad for his fan because he kept apologizing to us. 

My first trip to Seoul, Korea. It was short but I was able to enjoy the whole time. I promised myself that I had to come back!

It is far away from America. Why did I move to America??? 

Next, I will blog about their Japan tour.