KPOP MiniCon Equals BIG Waves
The term perfect storm is defined as a violent storm arising from a rare combination of adverse meteorological factors. However, on September 21st, 2022, a Wednesday across the river from New York City’s Brooklyn bridge as the backdrop, a positive storm happened. KOREA-U.S. SMEs go TOGETHER with K-POP MINICON 2022 NYC took place at South Street Seaport’s Pier 17. As part of the K-Collection’s two-day exhibition of the best Korea has to offer, top K-Pop artists BoA, WINNER, and CIX came to send the exhibit out with a bang.
When whispers about this little mini concert circled around the K-Pop circles I AM in, I wasn’t sure how valid it was. The line-up seemed random but amazing. Once the tickets dropped and they were FREE, I jumped on it faster than you can say Aju Nice. I wasn’t sure what to expect before going since it was a new venue to me, but once I arrived, I was met with a beautiful view of what NYC had to offer from a rooftop I could only describe as posh.
The show was set to begin at 6:30, but the time leading up was met with two screens playing a rotation of various K-Pop music videos from BTS to rookie girl group IVE. The vibe amongst the fellow fans waiting for the show was one of excitement and comradery. I went alone; however, I made friends quickly with fellow multistans. We talked about biases and other concerts we’ve attended. Time was ticking by fast, and before the main acts took the stage, we were treated to an opening act of BABY LALARY, a subunit from the American-based co-ed K-POP group LALARY. They tore up the stage with dance covers and their original song, Lalary. As an opening act, they really did a wonderful job keeping the crowd hype and engaged.
However, as the sun started to set, the buzz started to rise as it was time for the acts to take the stage. Originally I thought the setlist would have the acts going in order from rookie to senior but I was wrong! Queen of K-POP herself, BoA took the stage first! The crowd went wild with cheers and even some tears. For me, she was a huge draw because how many can say they saw BoA for free in a time when a concert ticket could run you more than a car payment? BoA and her amazingly attractive dancers started their set with her latest single, Better. But once that was done, it was only the hits. From Girls on Top to No.1, she filled the crowd with so much nostalgia I shed a tear or two. During a break, she talked about how she hadn’t performed in NYC in over 10 years. Honestly, that made me sad because a talent like hers needs to be spread all over and often. On that stage, she proved why she is still the Queen.
In between the sets, the MC played a few trivia games. I for one was screaming my head off trying to get his attention to answer but sadly, I failed. But just as BoA was finished, the hoobaes of the evening took the second slot. CIX came on with the newest songs from their latest EP, OK Episode 1: OK Not. The crowd was deafening with screams and myself included. I had just seen CIX when they came to NYC on their first US tour back in May. You could tell how comfortable they were on that stage with just a four-month difference. The dancing was smooth, and the chemistry amazing. Not gonna lie, I spent most of their set just yelling out for all the members because I missed them just that much. And it was like a gift from heaven that they ended their set with in my opinion, the best song from 4th Gen Idols, Cinema.
Trying to come down from two amazing acts back to back was NOT an option because the evening closers were probably the reason most people were there. When WINNER took the stage, the whole vibe changed. From Yoon’s angelic voice to Hoony’s ABtastic dance moves, WINNER showed why they are just those guys people gravitate toward. Starting their set with one of their biggest hits, REALLY REALLY, really knocked me off guard. I wasn’t prepared to sing my heart out and dance my ass off but I was right there with them. Hit after hit, debut song included, WINNER gave us the best and even had a little ment with the MC. They were playful and even did a fake-out encore stage for us.
The concert, from beginning to end, was about an hour and a half but my body and heart felt like it went on for three. It was a nice reprieve for your average multi-stan to get the opportunity to see different acts from different generations of K-POP. It was like KCON without product placement, fights, extortionary prices, and fabricated moments. It was all about the music and community. Can we get more things like this in the future? I sure hope so.
