Flying for Fandom

Nowadays, fans will stop at nothing to see their idols. By Arynah Bte Aminuddin

Sure, everyone has gone through that phase in life where you go absolutely ga-ga over an idol. You might even be going through it right now. If you havent, dont worry you will eventually find that person who you will go out of your way to see, whether its just making sure you catch them on the television, looking up news about them online, or checking their social media pages. Perhaps even flying overseas for them? This is something that is very common in the Korean pop (also known as K-pop) scene, where following someone is no longer just a click of a button on Twitter. K-pop bands often go on world tours, and their devoted fans eagerly follow them to the various countries. These fans range from as young as fifteen-year-old girls, all the way to mothers. K-pop fans fly all over the world with their idols who hold worldwide tours. I travel for them as much as cash and time allows, probably around four times a year, says Shermin Poh, a 15-year old student. She saves her allowance, preferring to skip meals in school in order to afford for the trips to see Super Junior. A round trip costs roughly $1000 and can range from three days to a week. The fans dutifully plan their trips around their idols schedules as soon as they get wind of an event. I follow their schedule, says Shakeela Yazid, 21, a Singaporean fan who has flown to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to see 5-member boy band SHINee. If it clashes with mine, Ill make it work. By making it work, she means pretending to be sick so that she could have the day off, or rushing to complete her work before the days she has to leave. When booking their flight, the fans first estimate the dates and terminal of their idols arrivals, and then book a flight that lands in the same terminal as them. This gives them the opportunity to see them in the immigration area that is otherwise inaccessible to others. The same applies for accommodation, as they book the hotel that their idols are most likely to stay at. For some, accommodation isnt even necessary.

Accommodation is secondary unless I can stay in the same hotel as them, says Shermin. I could just settle at the airport. Ive done that in Indonesia and Thailand. You can save a lot by doing that. Of course, with such dedication to their idols, they are bound to meet other fans who are equally dedicated. These fans usually travel with other fans of the same group, or befriend the fans living in the country that they travel to. Many of them befriend fans of all nationalities because they have something in common that allows them to hit it off right from the start: their love for the idols. Fandom friends are able to understand them better than anyone else as they go through the same struggles and share the same happiness. Such connections also help them get more information about their idols. It is not always all fun and smiles. Going to such lengths to see their idols also comes with its own set of troubles. Simply attending their events was not good enough they wanted a good view of their idols. With thousands of fans holding tickets to the event, this means that they have to queue overnight or even days prior to the event. Through rain or shine, they grit their teeth and sit for hours at the entrance of the venue along with many other fans who, like them, are willing to do anything to get to the front. It isnt always smooth-sailing once youre in the venue. Those in the mosh pit have to stand throughout the event, and it doesnt help that other fans are constantly shoving. Dawna Chan, 17, a Singaporean fan, recalls the time when she fainted at a Super Junior event in Malaysia. I couldnt breathe. Fans were literally pressed against each other, she says. I started crying and hyperventilating, but the fans just kept pushing, and I blacked out. My friend had to drag me out of the mosh pit. Why do they go to such lengths to see their idols? For fans that live outside of Asia, the chances of seeing their idols without travelling are slim. Nathalia Duarte, a Super Junior fan from Brazil, flew to Malaysia and Jakarta to catch their Super Show 3 and Super Show 4 concerts respectively. Lucky for her and other South American fans, Super Junior included South America in their Super Show 5 tour this year. The artistes may add or remove certain performances depending on the country that they are at. For example, SHINee sang additional Japanese songs when holding their

SHINeeworld Concert in Tokyo, while Super Junior removed their Single Ladies stage during their Super Show 3 Concert in Malaysia as it was deemed indecent. Some groups even have members missing from certain concerts due to conflicting schedules. This encourages fans to fly to other countries to catch what they missed in the concerts held locally. The atmosphere at different countries is also a huge draw for fans to travel to see their idols. The various fan projects by the fans from different countries enhance the experience. Thailand fans have cool fan projects, says Grace Lu, a Singaporean fan who had attended events at South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. They try to do things that amaze their idols, things that Singaporeans wouldnt do. Asian fans are also seen travelling to other countries to follow their idols, perhaps even more so than non-Asian fans. As K-pop groups usually hold events in Asia, they spend less on their flight tickets as compared to non-Asian fans. I think its a waste not to go especially if its so near like Malaysia, says Shakeela. I just want to see more of them whenever I get the chance to. After all the effort, time and money spent on the idols, what do the fans get out of it? Seconds of eye contact with their idols, tons of pictures and a lifetime of memories that they would not trade for anything in the world. It was like every problem we faced while preparing for the trip was worth it, says Shakeela. Every single bad thing that happened prior to them appearing just disappears. You look at them, and you know that theres nowhere else you would rather be at that moment.