On Instagram, Twitter and the like, K-Pop fans keep uploading clips of their video calls with K-Pop idols or photos from fansign events, either to tell others about their luck or simply to share the stars' sweet and funny moments with all fans.
These events are a highlight for every K-Pop fan, because they are one of the rare opportunities to interact with your stars in person, ask them questions or simply tell them how much you love them and their music!
In this article we answer a few questions you might have on the topic and, above all, explain what you need to do to win a video call with your favorite idols!
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What is a fansign or video call event?
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How and when did video call events come about?
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How do I apply for a video call?
- How do I best prepare for a video call?
What is a fansign or video call event?
When idols, whether a band or a solo artist, have a comeback, they usually announce a fansign event shortly beforehand or in the first weeks after the release of the new album. At these events, the idols sign their albums for the participating fans. While they sign the albums, the fans can chat with them briefly and, if they like, even hand them gifts!
Afterwards, photos are often spread online in which the idols wear funny hats or pretty wreaths and hold big stuffed animals or similar in their arms that they were given as gifts.
When a band hosts the fansign, the album is passed along and signed by all members. So fans can briefly talk to every one of the members!
Since fansign events take place in Korea, they are unfortunately hard to access for international fans. Luckily, there is a more accessible alternative: video call events! As the name suggests, at these events fans can talk to the idols by video call.
How and when did video call events come about?
Sometimes it feels to us as if video call events with K-Pop idols have been part of the K-Pop scene for a long time, because we have now gotten used to new ones being announced all the time, but in fact these events are still very young!
They were actually only created in 2020 to replace the fansign events that could no longer take place because of the spread of the coronavirus. The first to do it was the five-member boy group MCND, who debuted on February 27 with the song “Ice Age”.
On March 11, the boy group announced a “Meet & Call Fan Signing Event” on Twitter and explained how the event would work. It is the same procedure that video call events still use today; more on that in a moment. The event took place on March 15.
In the same month, two more artists also announced a video call event: Sejeong (March 30) & Suho (March 30). Many more K-Pop idols followed their example, and today many fans can no longer imagine a comeback without video call events.
Even now that fansign events can take place again, the video call events are being continued. Perhaps the idols have realized how valuable they are, especially for international fans, and are also happy about the chance to talk to them.
How do I apply for a video call?
The application process is mostly based on luck, because the winners are chosen by a lottery. To take part in the draw, you have to buy the new album, and each album counts as one entry. If you buy several copies, your name ends up in the lottery pot multiple times!
Of course, this can be very expensive, because many fans get the album in large quantities to increase their chances of winning. However, it is also possible to win if you have bought only a few copies or even just a single album!
If you want to apply for a video call event, you should keep your eyes open when a comeback is coming up so you don't miss the announcement. When an event has been announced, a specific event period is also given, during which you have to buy the album at certain participating shops in order to take part.
Either at purchase or separately afterwards, you also have to provide some details that are passed on to the organizer in case you win. These are usually: name, phone number, date of birth & Kakao Talk ID. Kakao Talk is a messaging app for your phone, through which the video calls are often held.
The winners are announced shortly beforehand, sometimes even only on the evening before the event. In some cases the winners are also notified personally. Read the respective event details carefully so you know when and where the winners will be announced and don't miss anything! Since you don't have to go anywhere for a video call, luckily you don't need to plan any travel or anything like that. You only have to keep the time free during which the event takes place.
Most of the time, video call events are of course hosted by Korean online shops. That naturally has the disadvantage that you have to order the albums from Korea and also pay additional shipping costs.
Recently, though, we were able to offer our customers for the first time the chance to easily apply for a video call event with NMIXX through orders in our shop. We hope to be able to offer you this chance more often in the future!
Girls' Generation
How do I best prepare for a video call?
If you have won, you should definitely check exactly what time the event takes place. Usually Korean time is given. However, Korea is, for example, seven hours ahead of large parts of Europe, so European fans often have to be ready and sitting there early in the morning. Find out in good time!
The organizer will call you when it's your turn. In many cases you get a waiting number in advance, so you can work out how many fans are ahead of you and roughly when you will be called. A video call often lasts only one minute; the exact duration is given in the event announcement.
When you apply for an event, you have to provide your Kakaotalk ID, so you should already have Kakaotalk installed before applying. Of course, it's also possible that the video call is held on a different app. Pay attention to which app is required and install it early on the device you want to use for the video call. Of course, this device must be able to handle video calls, and you should take the call in a place where you have a good internet connection. If the call drops in the middle, your chance is gone!
Since the video call often lasts only one minute, many fans prepare notes or a script so they can make good use of the short time and don't forget anything they want to say. They also often prepare a Korean translation of what they want to say to make the idols happy. If the idols don't speak English, there is often, but not always, an interpreter present. It's best to try to speak in sentences that are as simple and short as possible.
When a band hosts a video call event, there are two different variants. Either you can talk to one of the members (whom you choose beforehand), or you can talk to all of the members.
Which one applies is of course announced in advance. If you can talk to several members, the length of each conversation is shorter. As a rule, you then only have 30 seconds to quickly get across what you absolutely want to say or to ask a question. The managers or organizers are very strict and usually end the call to the second, even if you or the idol are still in the middle of a sentence. So there are plenty of reasons to figure out exactly beforehand what you want to say or ask. Allow for the idols needing time to answer!
We wish you lots of luck!
Did we answer all your questions about video call events? Feel free to let us know in the comments if you think of anything else!
