K pop Concert

So I went to a concert Saturday June 9th. It was a very interesting experience. I had no idea what to expect and it went about like that the whole time. It was a three hour concert, and the main act, IU, performed most of the time. I was generally really surprised by this distinct difference from American concerts I've been to. The main act usually doesn't go on right away, letting the starter bands warm up the crowd, but here it was different.

(this video is long, but a good recreation of what the concert was like)

There was a dramatic intro, video montage, smoke machine and dimmed lights. Then after a couple songs and a little dancing, she said hello to the crowd. She continued to sing taking short breaks to talk to the crowd, change outfits, or let her musical guests perform a few songs of their own for the next three hours.  Also there was elaborate light choreography for every song and the general set design was absolutely amazing. I'll include a video of one of my favorite songs by her so you can an idea of the sound.

In case the link doesn't work or the video won't show in your country... You can search IU- marshmallow on youtube and probably find your own version.

Photography is mostly prohibited at these sorts of concerts, perhaps for safety reasons,  to explain the uncharacteristic lack of  photos. It wasn't entirely prohibited however, and about two hours in, after an extensive dance routine and in what was perhaps not her most flattering outfit, IU called a photo time. She stopped performing, turned up the house lights, powdered her nose on stage, and posed for pictures on each side of the stage. The crowd went nuts for every pose. Perhaps you don't know about Korean Aegyo I will now take the time to explain. From this website.

Aegyo derives from the Chinese characters "love (ae)" and "beautiful (gyo)." The closest English translation of aegyo would be "winsome," defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as "generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence." Not surprisingly, aegyo is considered a feminine trait, generally attributed to women who can charm men and elders through a careful balance of sweetness, cuteness, poutiness, modesty, thoughtfulness, and submissiveness. A woman with aegyo knows to blush at dirty jokes rather than guffaw along with her mouth agape. A woman with aegyo knows to let out a modest and appealing squeal and grab tight her date's hand when watching a horror movie. Aegyo is considered such an essential female trait that there is even a plastic surgery procedure called "aegyo surgery" in which aegyo sal [skin] is created on the bottom eyelid to create a sweeter and more innocent appearance. With women's changing social roles and evolving sensibilities, however, there is more room now for women who are less coy and more direct. Lee Hyo-lee, for example, who is unafraid to talk about her bowel movements on national television, is one of Korea's top stars whose popularity derives precisely from her easy-going attitude and uncompromising honesty. 

This is a demonstrative video. If it doesn't work search "shit Korean girls say" on youtube. The cover photo should be yellow korean letters with a purple background of a stubbly man in a wig.

You can also check out this video on great Korean aegyo poses.

There were small set changes and a several costume changes. She took several breaks to talk to the audience and a couple 10 minute breaks with musical guests. Most of the concert all the concert go-ers were patiently sitting in their seats (there was no general admission) waving their flashing concert wands around and watching politely. The first musical guest however got people out of their seats and dancing about. They were really fun and had a lot of energy.  So I'll include one of their videos too.

Mighty Mouth- Bad Boy. The video says its ft. Soya, but IU sung the girl's part at the concert. Excellent, silly and a good time overall.

hugs! Claire