So the last time I was in Seoul for a concert was Super Show 4 - which is (in my opinion) one of the most AMAZING sushows yet! Things were definitely tons different then. But walking into the Ilsan concert hall last December, I felt an almost involuntary sense of fangirl panic and insane anticipation! This can only be because I was going to see the boys again after what felt like forever!!! AIGOOOOOOOO...
But before the concert proper, there is this divine exhibition of course. The picture/standee wall was tons adorable! If I was my old self, I would have taken a picture of each of the members from the wall ... Ahhh, but my circumstances were quite different that time. I had to take pictures of my concert buddy as she was just off the charts giddy with excitement hahahah~~ It was quite cute actually ... But having to take and re-take her pictures kind of killed it for me. I just didn't want to linger around the photo wall for much longer. Perhaps it was at this point that I felt myself taking on a different fangirl soul hehe.
Can I just mention here that the official concert goods were just a little bit blah? My oh my, who is this talking indeed? I used to just clean off the inventory on concert goodies. My dear, I still remember how I bought that ss4 nametag way back when... But this time, I just got my lightstick and shirt. AMAZING.
The rest of the exhibit was pretty neat. I thought the costume displays were kinda cool. Ah, but it really makes you realize how many artists SM carries now, right? As mush as there were plenty enough suju-related displays, I still kind of felt that EXO had maybe more? I am most likely incorrect but I'm telling you that it just felt like it. Anyway, my suju members are pretty and gorgeous and STILL just irresistible eye-candies regardless of age ~~ I feel so proud of them.
Omona, my Shinhwa oppa-deul were also on showcase! SM being their original home is proudly featuring their awesome albums. I also loved how the Rookies danced to one of Shinhwa's songs during their opening performance. Love love love love love love SM!
Oh how I've missed my Shinee boys... I mean, I've been kind of following all their activities last 2013. But it just feels a little different somehow. I just can't explain this. But anyway, was fangirling over them gloriously at the exhibit heheheh...
We didn't spend a long time at the exhibits as it was announced that lining up has already opened. But just before we went into the queues, we met this lovely Kyuhyun fan who gave us hugs and posed for a picture. ELF's are just undeniable super jjang!!!!!!
It was a short comfortable wait at the standing lines. While waiting, we were given free banners for concert projects. This is one of the things I will always adore about Seoul concerts ... the devotion of fans is incomparable.
Soon enough, we were led inside the hall. The standing area was slowly filled with all kinds of giddy fans. Me and my rookie concert buddy took a spot by the perimeter hehe ... just to avoid crowding. We saw Son Dambi walk in from our spot. She was really pretty! Some of the girls cheered her on as she walked past. The opening act was the Rookies. They were great performers of course. I wonder how they will fit into the SMTown family with all the hype around their debut.
Although, the general vibe was really good and people were all excited, I felt that undeniable "calm" in the air. There was no heartbreaking tension of sorts which was palpable during sushow4... It just felt like one huge party with the boys - which was really AMAZING! Don't get me wrong ... I was singing and cheering for the boys the entire time. I reminisced all my favorite tunes and thoroughly enjoyed watching my all-time beloved dance moves ㅋㅋㅋ. It was also unbelievable to watch the endearing friendship between the members... I have indeed missed them so so so so so much.
The concert lasted a little less than 3 hours... Heenim had another hosting gig at the year-end show which was just on the next hall. Hahah, I wish we attended that event too. Anyway, there were no tears at this concert. The members were passionate as always ... just that everyone was not that emotional hahah. The fans were kinda "normal" too. None were choked with feelings and all that. Hence, the concert ended and we parted ways easily. This was certainly a first for me in Super Junior concerts. I normally feel like burying my heart in my concert seat!!!! But this time, I didn't have to leave with such a heavy heart.
I still remember how I was just at my wits' ends after every sushow I've attended in the past years. I used to tremble as I recall the stage performances and ments while staring off in the subway ride home. This time, I was definitely not like that. I was much calmer... Happy, yes~ but not insanely so. Thrilled and amazed, yes~ but none of these feelings were new to me anyway. Was I choked to tears~ for 10 seconds, yes. Afterwards, I was just just tired and melancholy. Was it because I didn't exactly see Sungmin up close? Maybe, yes. Was it because my view was a bit uncomfortable having been on standing for the FIRST TIME in all my concert-going years? Well, that's a possibility. Anyway, it was just different. I was a different ELF coming back. But nevertheless an ELF~ as I shall be forever, right?
