GTG goes to the 2nd Baby Day

[cherrypop.livejournal.com]

January 12th, 2014 will be remembered by Babys (what B.A.P fans are referred to) as the 2nd Baby Day. The hashtags were ready: #TODAYISBABYDAY. The Babys in Korea were filling up the 1st and 2nd floors of Kyung Hee University's theater with their big, neon green Matoki light sticks. The Babys the world over were poised over social media for any news about this romantic reunion between Babys and B.A.P.

OK now that we've hammered the word "Babys" to death, let's look at it from a GTG perspective. We had never been to a fan meeting before and this was our first introduction into this private and extremely rewarding experience fans get to have with their idols.

First of all, I love the idea, the concept of fulfilling the fantasy almost every fan chases after: "I want B.A.P as my boyfriend." Well, reality says that probably can't happen... But fan meetings say yes! - For two hours, B.A.P will be your boyfriend.

So as it stands we were witnessing hundreds of Babys instantly becoming B.A.P's girlfriends! Love is a very exciting thing.

As Bang Yong Guk put it so eloquently, "Tonight I will make lots of girlfriends." He also made hearts leap out of their chests the moment he made that declaration.

So here we were, GTG, at our first fan meet, witnessing a date between idols and fans. Let's see how the date panned out.

Talk Show with B.A.P

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It's common to hunt down information about your favorite idols' ideal types and dating habits, but here - in this fan meet, all the answers to long awaited questions came spilling out one after the other. In a cleverly produced segment mimicking late night TV, MC Ding Dong hosted a talk show with B.A.P asking them all sorts of questions that made them blush, made them shift uncomfortably and forced them into doing things that, well, most male idols just try to avoid. Like aegyo. They gave some pretty witty answers. (to Yong Guk) "Which cologne do you use?" "Febreeze." Give this man a high five!

One part of the talk show segment which was particularly awesome were the fan-submitted questions. Fans had a chance to submit questions via mobile before the event. Randomly, some questions were chosen, with the fans' ID names shown along with the questions exactly as they were typed. Questions such as, "Don't you want to do 야자타임 (Yahjah Time)? ^^" which means they get to switch positions of seniority (the youngest becomes the eldest - he gets to speak informally and give commands). Zelo (the youngest) did not hold back and took full advantage of Himchan (the oldest). "Bring me a water bottle!"

Find B.A.P's Miss Right

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Probably one of the most exciting events was a segment titled "Find B.A.P's Miss Right." We found ourselves clawing at the fine velour material of the seats in front of us in anticipation of who would be Miss Right.

It was a process of elimination. Fans were eliminated based on qualifications set by the B.A.P members - "Over 170 cm sit down" "Must not have on make-up" "Should have a cell phone background of a B.A.P member or a group shot." Finally after almost two rounds of eliminations, it was down to one fan.

That lucky fan, seated on the 2nd floor, was gifted with a private conversation with her "boyfriend" of choice. Upon being handed a cell phone connected to a phone on stage, the lovely fan was overwhelmed to tears. Her "boyfriend" Young Jae comforted her, "Jagiyah (Baby), don't cry please." Can you imagine hearing that over the phone?? Understandably she was moved. It was an enchanting moment to watch and sparked a sense of movie magic.

And on the third day there was fan service

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What will probably live on as an infamous time stamp in B.A.P's careers (these things usually do) was the moment when Daehyun and Yong Guk did a duet of a trot song complete with noraebang lyrics and those wonderfully tacky 80's neon lights. That, and the moment when the other members appeared in drag as fellow TS group Secret or as we imagine it: losing a bet.

We won't talk too much in length about the drag segment other than it was unexpected. A trailer earlier had twisted our minds into thinking we were going to catch a glimpse of TS Entertainment's upcoming girl group... Well, that girl group was Zelo, Jongup, Yong Jae and Himchan in pink, frilly dresses with wigs and bows, shaking it like a polaroid picture. Out of the many times we wish we had a polaroid camera, this was one of the high ones.

A touching proposal to Babys

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Up to now, everything has been fun and laughter, and it caught us off guard. We'd been having such a great time, but the bottom line is: An artist can only get so far on the merit of their talent. It takes dedicated fans to push the artist to the top.

In the scope of their success and the relationship with their fans, B.A.P have been blessed. Daehyun did the honors of reading a very deeply composed letter to the fans, saying that he credits them as being more than fans - but teachers.

The Babys were given another special gift - being the first to hear B.A.P's new song dedicated entirely to them, titled "BABY." At that moment, the members appeared in the aisles, randomly distributing roses to fans who by that point were so giddy that they were taking breaks just to breathe.

"This is pretty incredible. How much more magical can this date get?" I wondered. We'd been treated to lucrative details of their habits and dating styles, had a 1/several hundredth chance in being their "Miss Right", saw a live drag show, so honestly - we've reached our cap of special moments in the night...

Its been two years: A nod to 2012

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Recalling B.A.P's debut, the group kicked things off with "Warrior" and vibrant street wear that caught the eyes of, what would be, their worldwide fan base. So it was only fitting that B.A.P send their girlfriends off wearing the same loud, vibrant jackets that they wore during the 1st Baby Day and performing "Warrior," the song that was the trigger for many current fans.

For the Babys in the auditorium, it was a significant and thoughtful send off since it referenced the fact that many of them had been at the 1st Baby Day. "Thank you for coming back to see us!" They acknowledged.

I understand a bit more now why fans are so fervently invested in idols. It gives them a place of escape and a place to experience fantasies. It gives them a community. Following the fan meeting we observed a lot of Babys conversing with each other - some who had met for the first time, some who had met before the show. Having B.A.P in common will probably make it easier to hang onto new friendships.

Some aspects of fan culture can only be experienced in order to be believed. Fan meetings are one of them, and having been a part of the 2nd Baby Day, I can see now why it might have been quite hard for Babys across the globe who couldn't physically be there.

I hope to attend more fan meetings in the future. They give me a glimpse into fans that I wish I could see more of. Rather than being bombarded with negative news about extreme fans and crazy netizen reactions, I got to see to see a more communal, solid side to the fan + artist relationship that just isn't publicized enough. Maybe it's not juicy, but it's real.
SOURCE: GREEN TEA GRAFFITI

Comments

[in-noctem.livejournal.com]

"...being the first to hear B.A.P's new song dedicated entirely to them, titled "BABY."

I was so sure they'd release the song prior to the album/after baby day, I hope it was nice ;_;

[jjang-intae.livejournal.com]

I just want them to release a studio version of B.A.B.Y asap because I really want to hear it ;; okay I finally got on the computer and read this properly. I think I would've combusted into flames if I was that fan talking on the phone with Youngjae

[swhyeon1991.livejournal.com]

Aww look at that Daehyun banner lol.

[xblackchristmas.livejournal.com]

if every group did this, i think i would die from happiness or jealousy.

but this is a really cute idea for a fanmeet

[scheisse.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I need those Himchan banners!

Their new album is gonna be the first physical KPOP album I purchase. I'm so excited.

[sakura-holic.livejournal.com]

You icon is very seductive :*
Himchannie <3

[sakura-holic.livejournal.com]

Aww.. This is such a nice read >3<

I am so proud of Ahjumma Channie!! She rocked that Secret dance ;)

[torontok.livejournal.com]

"Which cologne do you use?" "Febreeze."
Goddamn, I love you Yongguk

[pimpmysneaks.livejournal.com]

Now I really wish I was there. This sounded like so much fun and I'm jealous of everyone that got to attend.

[honeebs.livejournal.com]

omg Jungup is so beautiful.
I luv when groups really really luv their fans.