The 3rd Philippine Kpop Convention: Backstage Stories

Much have been said about this event. It’s the most prestigious. It’s the grandest. It’s the biggest gathering of hardcore Kpop enthusiasts in the country. Oh, and it’s the hottest, too (literally, but more on that later). Not only was it supported and organized by all the fan clubs, you also got participation of the retailers, record labels and of course, the two (2) beneficiaries.

IMO, KpopCon3 has been the best event that the Philippine Kpop Committee, Inc. has done to date. If you were on the stage too, you’d know why. And so I’d like to share with you guys my own experiences with Kpop Con 3, not only as part of the crew, but as the host and a fan of Kpop.

The back story:

So PKCI booked PICC for the venue the same time they did the year prior. We really loved the place, albeit it’s really expensive. Kebs. The Kpop fans deserve only the best and most sosyal, right? However, due to “a series of unfortunate events”, we were told that we had to look for another venue because they will be renovating. Lo and behold, we learned a famous bazaar apparently booked the place for 10 consecutive days because a rival bazaar took over WTC and they got cock-blocked. So anyway, we ended up in Megatent, which was fine since C.N.A Philippines was there last December 2-4 and the venue seemed okay and well-ventilated. Also, square-meter-wise, it wasn’t that far from Forums 1 & 2 so we were cool with it…

Everything from this point onward are Kring’s thoughts during the event. There might be some spazzing and cursing. LELZ.

- It’s 7am already. WHERE IS EVERYONE?!
- I don’t know shit about the logistics but hey, let me entertain you, concessionaires and sponsors! Why not?! You want tables? I’ll carry them for you!
- *Allelujaaaaah!* OMG LED SCREEN YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! And stage you are huge!

Next year, expect that it would be more bonggelz!

- It’s starting to get packed, I wonder what time they will turn on the aircon.
- Oh, you mean it’s on already? WHAT.
- Tech team, prz to playback the videos already! Why are there so many people in the dressing room?! Who are these people?! MY BAAAAGGG!!! *clings* (Please take note that just the week prior, my entire fuckin’ bag was stolen).
- Yey! My make-up artist is here! “Chris, you gotta make me look unkabogable. My peg is Girls’ Generation’s The Boys, except more colorful and fun like 2ne1.”
- Okay now there’s really A LOT of people here in the dressing room and why are 75% of them gay?!
- They are letting people in already OMG!!!!! Are we ready yet?! It’s chaos here in the backstage!!!

At around 11:00, Pao Ebora barged in, pissed off.

Pao: Julie, can you ask Megatent to make the aircon cooler?! Why is it so hot!?
Julie: I talked to them already, they said that’s their max.
Pao: What!? Are they retarded?! How can it be?! I’ve been here in other events, this is NOT their max!!!
Kring: *panicking* WE NEED TO RENT COOLERS!!!!! I don’t care how much they cost, just please call up the supplier!!!

Erika, the photographer came up to us with a shocked and amused face and shook our hands.

Erika: I just want to congratulate you already for the success of the event. The lines are crazy long and has reached up to like EDSA or something!

- *looks out the backstage window* HOLY SHIT THE LINES HAVE REACHED UNTIL THE BACK OF THE VENUE AND THEY’RE WINDING!!!  O__O Awww… I feel so bad they’re staying under the sun! I wanna hug them all!

I didn’t personally see the lines outside but somebody told me that it reminded her of the lines during Wowowee’s anniversy shows!

- “The Boys” is officially the national anthem of KCon3!
- Oh! My co-host is so cute! ^^ We’re starting in a few. This is it!
- *goes up on stage* TONGENUH ANG INEEEETTTTTT!!!!! These stage lights are burning my face!!!!

With the very pretty and the sweetest girl ever, TV5′s Hey It’s Saberday’s Krissha Viaje!

- WOW THAT’S A LOT OF PEOPLE! I should take a photo from here! Wait, the phone is with Pao! FML.
- I need water. And food. Wait, no. Just water. I need it now!
- *fan club roll call screams* I could literally feel the vibrations pushing me an inch back. I may need a hearing aid after this. You guys are dope!
- Ooohhh the singers CAN sing!
- Wait, during last year’s KpopCon you were still “manly”. You too! And you too! Wait. What the hell happened?! 
- Dear contestants, please don’t just randomly come up on stage and guess the answers. LOL!

A fan winning an official JYJ merch. We gave away so many prizes (albums, official merchandise, signed albums), it was crazy! How come I didn’t get any?! 

- We love you Globe Mobile Internet and Kitiwit.com! AS IN! *tears*
- Haha yeah. I’m hosting ZE:A’s mall tour next year! I should practice my Korean now!
- Fuckyeah HEAT is so hot! Yes, I need more water please! WATER!!!
- Why are there only 3 members of the Kara cosplay group? -__-
- Why are there so many people here in the backstage and they don’t have IDs!!!
- Mike Chan is singing and is giving away Php 500! You already!

At this point, I was starting to feel dizzy already. Not only was it hot and even more so on stage, I realized that I hadn’t eaten a morsel of food and had 3 hours of sleep for 3 consecutive days. I was running on adrenaline.

- Kay I’m starting to feel dizzy. I need Biogesic *takes Biogesic and drinks an entire bottle of water*.
- OMG SHIT THE DANCE BATTLE FINALISTS ARE SOOOO GOOD WTF IS THIS WHERE DID THEY COME FROM!!! Wow, I’ve never seen these many awesome performers with that kind of showmanship on one Kpop stage. Ever. This is what you call a show!!! *dance dance jump jump*

SE-EON! The champs for the Kpop Dance Battle! I knew their moves and choreo looked familiar. They were the kids from St. Mark’s Institute who won in Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 3! That was the 1st time I directed the show, too! So cool!

- Next year, those who will audition will have to up their level. KCon has raised the bars once again!
- Infinite is reeaaalllyyyy popular now! Wew!
- Man, the stage is smokin’!!! Wooohooo! Wait, it’s literally smoking. O___O Omg is it on fire?!

During Se-Eon’s performance, there was suddenly a commotion at the backstage because some people reported that there was smoke coming up from beneath the stage and they could smell something burning. I could see it, too! The guards, logistics and tech team rushed to the area and we had to put a halt on the show for like 3 minutes. I was internally freaking out. What if there’s fire and then there’s stampede?!?!

It was false alarm. Whew. Back to the show!

- Haha I get to kiss the guys again of the Kpop Idol Look-alike Contest! And they have fans shet!
- I’m still dizzy… T____T I. NEED. WATER.
- Dear one of the girls who joined the Kosplay, REALLY!? You really think so?! That’s what I call confidence! Good for you!
- Dear Ki Kwang cosplayer, let’s be friends. Do you want to be artista? I’m a director, you know! *grins*
- OMG 24 Minute K.Pop! Kayo na ang tumatambling + split!!! Very Mystica ang peg! I love eeeet~
- According to Megatent, this is the best event and the best crowd that they’ve ever had. *cheers*
- Who is that person in the backstage with B.O.?! MYGHEDZZZ!!!

And then it was time for the Kpop awards! In fairness, I believe everyone who won really deserved it! I think it had become tradition for the fan clubs to bring the standees to the stage to claim the trophy!

- Boyfriend vs. Infinite… Bring the boys out!
- Kim Jaejoong beat T.O.P whatev. But what I wanna know is… Is YunJae real?
- You gotta admit, Kwon Yuri is the shizzzz!
- Horyshet all of Suju on stage!! Hahahaha pa-kiss!
- 2NE1 is the Best Female Group, bitchaaazzzz!!!!! Whoohooo!!! *proud blackjack*
- KYHD for Song of the year. Okay, I see some Cassies crying. What.
- And the SUJU standees are back up on stage!!! Hahahahaha!!! Cray cray!!! Album of the Year indeed!

HEECHUL IN DA HAUZ!

- Cassiopeia Ph is Globe’s Kpop Fanclub of the Year. OKAY NOW THE CASSIES ARE HUGGING EACH OTHER AND ARE REALLY CRYING HAHAHAHAHA!!! Congrats, guys! In fairness Cass Ph is a really strong organization with very loyal members. you deserve it!
- WHAT?! You’re not yet done tallying the scores?!
- I can’t breathe. Uh-oh. I’m gonna seriously faint. I really am. Okay, I can feel it now.
- Finally. The results. Congrats to winners of the contests! You deserve it!
- And it’s oveeeerrrrrrr!!!!!!! WOW.

Soon as we bid good bye, I rushed to the dressing room and kinda passed out. I just half-sat and half-lied down on the sofa and Edward handed me a hotdog and a bottle of water. I’ve never felt so tired hosting anything but I was filled with happiness. The event was successful and that’s all that mattered.

During the show, I was looking at the crowd who were watching the performances and their jaws were like on the floor. I knew in my heart we gave them a good show, many thanks to our finalists and participants who have competed in the Skechers Street Dance Battle AND won gave their all in the 5 minutes they were on stage.

The Philippine Kpop Convention may not be perfect but it is the best. More than the show or the prizes or the booths selling Kpop items, it was made by the fans for the fans. I would like to honor the ALL THE FAN CLUBS, their heads, staff and volunteers who dedicated their time to making the event a big success without asking anything in return. It’s pure passion and dedication that’s driving this movement. I believe it has such a big impact because it’s from the heart and people could see that. Gawad Kalinga and PAWS could see that. Thank you so much. FANDOM FOR A CAUSE!

With the 2011-2012 officers and staff of the Philippine Kpop Committee, Inc. It’s so fun to work with these guys!

And thank you everyone for making Kpop Con 3 a huge success! We hope you’d continue to support the event and the organization and yes, next year it’s gonna be in a much much much colder venue! We’d order artificial snow for more Winter Sonata effect! Why not chocnut?!

ps: I love gays so STFU if you have a problem with them~
pps: I’d just like to apologize to everyone who was asking to have their photos taken with me after the event… I’m sorry, as I mentioned aboe, I was dead so I had to eat and rest for a bit. Told you guys I was gonna go out again but when I did, no more people. T____T I’ll see you at the ZE:A Tour, yes?

Please don’t forget to follow us on Twitter: Kring, My Korean Boyfriend, Jimmy Kim
And “like” us on Facebook: Kring Elenzano / The Krimmy Couple / C.N.A. Philippines
Subscribe to my YouTube account: FunnySexy

Related posts: