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sunshine-overload · 8 months

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[BSTS] 4th Anniversary Eve ‘Prestorm’ Event Story

all chapters so long post

Chapter 1

-starless lobby-

kei: Saki, was Starless able to entertain you once again tonight?

saki: Of course, I had a lovely time.

kei: Thank you. There is no greater honour than getting to hear those words from you. I would love to be able to escort you home myself, however... Regrettably there are still some matters that I must attend to.

saki: You still have work?

kei: We are having a brief meeting regarding the preparations for our fourth anniversary.

saki: It's already that time of year huh, I'm looking forward to seeing what the fourth anniversary show will be like.

kei: I promise it will be a show worthy of your expectations.

-lico walks up-

lico: Oh, Kotori-chan's here. Are you heading home?

kei: Good timing, escort Saki to the station, Lico.

lico: Excuse me? Don't go ordering me around, I was planning to do that already. I'll walk you to the station, Kotori-chan.

saki: Sorry for the trouble, Lico-san. Thank you.

lico: No worries, getting to walk with you is a treat. C'mon, let's go.

saki: See you tomorrow, Kei-san.

kei: Yes, please take care on your way home.

-starless office-

kei: You're all here already, good. Then let us begin our preparatory meeting for our fourth anniversary performance.

kasumi: Man, where does the time go~ To think it's already been four years since our renewal.

takami: It feels as though our third anniversary was only yesterday. We had all star performances for it didn't we?

yakou: Before that, for our second anniversary each team performed a show based on the same source material. Each script and song allowed each respective team to shine.

unei: And way back during our first anniversary we had the cast members and shows chosen through random tune!

kei: They were all shows that lived up to the title of being called anniversary performances. In order for this years to be another grand success, we must focus on planning. It's already September so we don't have many days left before the performance, first—

unei: Ah-!

yakou: Uwah, what's gotten into you!?

unei: I just remembered I have a package I had to open once September came around! Uhh, where did I put it again, it should be around here somewhere…

kasumi: Um, what do you mean by package exactly?

unei: It was sent to us around Christmas time last year. There were instructions with it saying not to open it until September. I was at a bit of a loss since there wasn't any sender name, but I figured I should just wait to open it and see.

kei: .......

unei: Huh!? Wait, should I not have done that?

yakou: Obviously... Why would you naively keep such a suspicious box for so long.

unei: I-I'm sorry~! I had honestly forgotten all about it...

kei: Let's see what it contains at once.

unei: Y-yes! On it!

-unei opens the package-

yakou: A bunch of papers...? No nevermind, these are scripts, there's three of them in here.

kasumi: And these are song demos, there's three of them as well.

kei: Three scripts and three songs then... Hm…

—end

Chapter 2

-rehearsal room-

ginsei: Kei, these are... No matter how you look at it Akito-san wrote this script! And there's three of them! Where did you get these...!

kei: It appears they were sent to us along with these songs around Christmas last year. It is most likely they were prepared for us to use them for our fourth anniversary performance.

ginsei: I thought so! I expect no less from Akito-san. To think that even whilst they've been away, they must've still been keeping an eye on the store...

kei: I do not think they were sent with such pure intentions. Those scripts were sent in order to judge our current abilities.

ginsei: Judge? What do you mean by that... Wait, huh? The last part of this script is...?

-Team B walk in-

ran: Oh? Kei n' Ginsei are here!

mizuki: Geh, why are you here.

kei: What business do you have here?

lico: Nothing to do with you. We just came here to rehearse.

ginsei: Rehearse? There's still time before you're scheduled in for the room.

kongou: My bad, I thought there was no one in here.

mizuki: If you're just in here to stand around then get out.

ginsei: Don't accuse us of slacking off, we're in the middle of discussing our fourth anniversary performance.

ran: Oh! Did ya just say fourth anniversary!? Is that the script for it? Tell me what it's like~

ginsei: To sum it up, it's about survival. Each script depicts characters in a life or death situation. Three songs have also been prepared, one for each script. However, these scripts... None of them have a conclusion written.

lico: What's that about? So they're incomplete then?

kei: No, these scripts are fully complete. It simply means the conclusions are intended to be decided via improvisation.

heath: By improvising…

kongou: You said they were about survival right? Meaning you won't know who will remain alive by the end of the story, something like that?

mizuki: Ooh? That sounds interesting, let's make it a massacre!

ran: Great idea!

kei: Not only the cast members, but the atmosphere in the hall will also have to change in accordance with the stage. In order to grasp the intensity of the stage and lead the story to a conclusion, each cast member's individual abilities will be brought into question.

ginsei: This is what you meant by 'judge' us then... Kei, what are you going to do?

kei: .......

kei: For our fourth anniversary performance, we shall use these scripts. This too will prove as good nourishment in order for Starless to continue onwards.

—end

Chapter 3

-rehearsal room-

kei: That's enough.

sotestu: Just dancing without there being any acting really is difficult huh.

yoshino: That's because the song still isn't ready yet.

yakou: I can tell from the instrumental that it'll be a great song though.

kei: We're out of time, we'll stop today's training he—

gui: Someone's approaching.

-hinata walks in-

hinata: Nice work in here, could I borrow you a moment, Kei?

kei: Whatever for?

hinata: I need you to check the order notes for the new costumes. Here it is.

-hands kei the receipt-

ginsei: Hm? Is that the guy who joined recently?

hinata: The name's Hinata, nice to meet you~

ginsei: Ah, sure... I'm Ginsei.

sotetsu: I'm Sotetsu, nice to meet you too. These two are Gui and Yoshino.

hinata: Oh so you're Yoshino! I had something I wanted to ask you once I met you.

yoshino: You did...?

hinata: You're an understudy like me right? Then how come you're going to be on stage this performance?

yoshino: ......

kei: This performance won't be in our teams, but instead a mixture of all the cast members.

hinata: Oh is that so! Then does that mean I get to be on stage too? You're just doing dance routines now right? If there's no acting then I can handle it no problem.

kei: Inconceivable.

hinata: How come you've decided that already? You haven't even seen me perform before.

kei: I don't need to have seen it to know. I've finished checking the document, I’ll take it back.

hinata: Wait a sec! Look I'll copy the dance you guys were just practicing!

-hinata dances-

hinata: See, impressed yet? This much is easy.

kei: Are you done playing make believe? That was a conceited and childish performance. It is nowhere near the level necessary to stand on our stage.

hinata: Uwah, how rude!

kei: It is pointless to discuss it if you yourself are not even aware of what you are lacking. Commit yourself to studying.

-kei leaves-

hinata: He's so high and mighty about it... What can I do to stand on the stage…

yoshino: The stage isn't something to be taken lightly.

hinata: Huh? How come you're telling me that, you're an understudy like me.

yoshino: ...Yeah, I am.

-yoshino leaves-

hinata: Ah wait... He's gone.

hinata: Hey, isn't Kei so mean? Is he always like that?

kei: That's because Kei is someone who takes the stage very seriously.

hinata: Ginsei, was it? What did you think of my performance?

ginsei: Huh? You're asking me? Uhh, well, your sense of movement wasn't that bad…

hinata: Really!? Woohoo!

sotetsu: True, he did pretty well for a guy that's just joined, right Yakou?

yakou: Hm? Oh yeah, for someone who is inexperienced I guess so.

hinata: See! You think so too right, Gui? Like what the heck did Kei mean by 'childish performance' am I right?

gui: Childish. I don't know what he meant by that either.

hinata: What? Oh... Is that so…

—end

Chapter 4

-starless office-

kei: During the fourth anniversary Team C's shifts will proceed as previously planned.

kasumi: Roger~

-mokuren walks in-

mokuren: Is everyone here?

kasumi: Ah you're finally here Mokuren. We just started the meeting a little while ago.

hari: You went off to find Qu, did you see him around?

mokuren: No idea. More importantly, I have someone I want to introduce to you. Get in here.

aogiri: Um... Hello, nice to meet you all.

mokuren: This is Aogiri, he's joining as Team C's understudy.

hari: Huh?

zakuro: My this is quite... How certainly shocking.

kasumi: Yet another curveball huh~ Does Qu know already?

mokuren: Nope, I'll tell him later.

kei: Aogiri... He is the one looking to be a designer for us, correct? When did the conversion become about him being a cast member?

mokuren: After testing him I concluded that with some training he'd easily get to the level needed to stand on the stage. He can sing too.

zakuro: My my, well isn't that something.

mokuren: We need an understudy, let Aogiri join.

kei: That may be your opinion as a leader, but I do not plan to frivolously increase our cast members.

mokuren: Are you doubting my judgement? He has an aptitude for the stage.

kei: First we will accept him on a trial period. Whether or not he joins officially shall be decided afterwards.

mokuren: Tch.

hari: Wait a moment. Setting aside Mokuren's wishes, what does Aogiri himself think about this? He came here to be a designer, does he have any interest in working as a cast member as well?

aogiri: ...That is true, I applied here to be a costume designer. However I'd be lying if I said the prospect of becoming a cast member didn't sound appealing. If it means I have a chance of standing on the stage, then, I see no reason to refuse.

mokuren: See, he's willing. There should be no more issues.

zakuro: Couldn't this be described as pushing your ideals onto another?

aogiri: ......

kasumi: By the way, are you working anywhere else at the moment, Aogiri?

aogiri: Ah, yes I am. It's enough for me to make a living at least.

kasumi: If you're planning to work here and there at the same time, it can be quite taxing if you're not used to it~

aogiri: Depending on how the situation pans out, I'm not against working here full time.

kei: Aogiri, you will be a trial member until the end of the fourth anniversary show. Whether you're accepted as an official member or not will depend on how you manage during this period. Keep that in mind.

aogiri: Understood, thank you.

mokuren: Ok with that settled, let's go and train. Aogiri, you're coming too.

aogiri: Huh? But I haven't even gotten everyone's names yet…

mokuren: You can work that out later, we're going.

-they leave-

zakuro: Ah... The pure hearted victim is being dragged away... I feel as though I can hear him shrieking.

hari: I'm looking forward to seeing him perform since he was able to live up to Mokuren's standards.

kasumi: I'll go and inform Qu~

-they leave-

kei: ..... (sighs)

—end

Chapter 5

-starless lobby-

hinata: Hey hey, are you the new guy who joined as Team C's understudy? I'm Team B's understudy, Hinata! I only very recently joined as well, so that makes us like classmates!

aogiri: Is that so? I'm Aogiri, nice to meet you.

hinata: Having someone else that's a new understudy like me is kinda reassuring~

aogiri: It has yet to be decided if I'll be an understudy though...

hinata: What, really?

aogiri: Originally I applied here to be in charge of costume design. However when I took the recruitment test I was also approached with the prospect of being an understudy. I guess you could say I accept both tests at once.

hinata: Your performance got acknowledged then? I envy you~ Y'see in my case I'm still nowhere near a high enough level to stand on the stage. I was told that I suck even.

aogiri: I'm also a novice when it comes to performing. I'm in no position to take the stage yet. I think we both have lots of room for growth, so let's do our best.

hinata: Yeah, you know it! You say some nice things, Aogiri!

aogiri: Then, let's get on with the preparations for opening the store.

-time pass-

hinata: All done with restocking the flyers~

aogiri: I'm pretty much done cleaning up over here too.

-nekome walks up-

nekome: Hm~? There's two youngsters here I've never seen before.

maica: Who are you two?

aogiri: Hello, nice to meet you. I'm called Aogiri.

rindou: Yes, so I've heard. Nice to meet you.

hinata: I'm Hinata! I'm B's understudy, at least for now.

nekome: Hinata... Ooh.

maica: What do you mean 'at least for now'?

hinata: It means I plan to be up on the stage sooner rather than later. Nice to meet you~

nekome: Oo you're brimming with confidence there. I'm Nekome, let's get along. Sorry for being late to my shift~

hinata: It's perfectly fine! Me and Aogiri here are suuper capable y'see.

maica: You got ready for opening all by yourselves? It looks like you're almost done too.

aogiri: We'd like you all to be able to focus on your shows after all.

nekome: That's very helpful~

maica: True. We're still fine for now cause it's only the eve event. But the anniversary show is special, we'll need to rehearse as much as we can. Menou's already getting restless, I wonder if we'll be ok.

rindou: We'll manage, let's give it our all.

nekome: In that case maybe I'll take you up on your offer and leave all the background work to our super capable hall staff~

maica: Don't slack off. There's still things we need to do besides preparations.

rindou: We'll leave you two to it.

aogiri: Sure.

-P leave-

hinata: What I want them to see me as being capable of is my performing though~

—end

Chapter 6

-locker rooms-

akira: Ahh I wanna sing already~ Shows that are just dancing are boring.

taiga: I don't mind staying like this. Just thinking about the fourth anni show makes my stomach hurt. Having a show that ends in inprov every day is the peak of insanity.

kokuyou: Don't get all mopey right before the show. Are you askin' to be thrown out?

-hinata walks in-

hinata: Fuah~ All done all done. Is it ok for me to use the showers?

aogiri: I would suppose so. I'll be passing though.

akira: Hm? There's another new face.

takami: Oh have you not met him yet, Akira? His name's Aogiri. He's aspiring to be our designer and is also a cast candidate.

akira: Huuh, means you found someone with strange enough tastes to come to this store then huh?

hinata: What do you mean? Starless is the best!

taiga: Now that's a new opinion.

sin: If one is willing to listen to the creaking of their soul, then they will come to learn the shape of their shadow which sinks into the culvert.

hinata: Hahah what?

aogiri: ...Thank you. I think?

hinata: Wait did you understand him just now?

aogiri: No, not at all. I just had a hunch he didn't mean anything bad by it.

akira: Ah, when it comes to Sin's language understanding at least that much is a passing mark.

takami: This is Sin, Akira and Taiga. And this is our leader Kokuyou. My name's Takami, nice to meet you.

aogiri: You're all Team W right? It's nice to meet you.

hinata: Oh, hey Kokuyou, you're Mizuki's senior right? Tell me some stories from when Mizuki first came to Starless—

kokuyou: I've got no time to talk nonsense with you. Stick to your own damn responsibilities.

-kokuyou leaves-

hinata: Huh? Did I make him mad?

taiga: Well, it's cause we're about to perform.

takami: We should be going too.

-backstage-

saki: Good evening, everyone.

akira: Ah, Saki-chan! You're here~

saki: I'm looking forward to W's performance tonight.

akira: Yeah just leave it to me~ I'll impress you in no time.

taiga: For the guy who was just complaining about being bored you look pretty fired up.

akira: Shush you.

takami: The dance performances appear to be doing well for our publicity. Since the guests are growing more curious as to what kind of lyrics and acting will be added to such a song.

kokuyou: Heh, interesting. Kei said those scripts were gonna judge us, but he's already been putting us to the test during this eve event hasn’t he?

sin: It's time.

kokuyou: Let's show em all our performance, you too, don’t go taking your eyes off us.

—end

#bsts main story #bsts translation

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insugarush · 7 years

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Prelude Part II: Wings Tour in Seoul 18th & 19th February 2017---The Process

Masterlist

Prelude Part I

Prelude Part II: Wings Tour in Seoul 18th & 19th February 2017

Part 2: The Process: Bias, Accommodation, Permission, Tickets, Visa, Letters—In that order!

Now that I was an established and a very public Army (my family couldn't fathom my obsession—they still don't—but it was no secret) like everybody else, I was devouring the endless content BTS and BigHit keep us happy with, constantly. 24/7. They would make my day brighter. Bring a smile to my face. Make me laugh out loud. Make me tear up. All in front of my laptop. YouTube was my new best friend and I carried around electronics wherever I went because come on—it becomes an addiction and you start getting withdrawal symptoms when you go even a day without them! I am not the fan-girling type, but boy oh boy, did BTS convert me and convert me hard! They have this special gift of making each and every one feel so up close and personal with them. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking this..they brought out this protectiveness in me that I only reserve for my closest and bestest friends. I wished the best for them, wished to protect them, wished to do things to help them.

I was so upset when I came across that video of RapMon and Yoongi being dissed by Bfree or whoever the hell he was.

Lets not even talk about Flower Boy Crew or whatever, one look at Kookie’s face on an article that spoke about his mistreatment and I refused to watch it.

It still makes my blood boil. Sometimes, I stay up thinking of ways to exact revenge on those assholes, excuse my French. Ugh. Anyway. Moving on.

What I’m trying to say is, the connection was real and intense and unbreakable right from the get go.

Lets take a moment to talk about biases because it's a rite of passage isn’t it? One has a bias. One loves all 7 babies equally, but one always, always, always has a bias that makes one’s knees weak. It may come as a surprise to you (my name is insugarush after all), but my chosen bias within the first few weeks of being a newborn Army was Jungkook.

He was cute and his moves mesmerized me and there were endless videos about how adorable he is and also contradictingly manly and oh-so-talented and he likes Noonas (yayy small victory there) The Golden Maknae had caught my attention and I was pretty sure that would be it. I remember being annoyed at Suga while watched Summer Package thinking “Why is he so lazy” “why is he so sleepy and grumpy” “Jungkook is so cool” “He hardly even has footage”

This was before, of course, I knew about how hard he worked and all his issues. All older Armys will remember Suga used to get little footage earlier even in variety shows as compared to the rest of the boys, probably because in the pre AgustD era he used to be more reserved and just generally more quiet and not this funny, spontaneous, carefree, fun person we see today (touch wood) (may God always keep him this happy and give him more and more reasons to be with every passing day)

But this is what I tell people. I didn't choose Yoongi, Yoongi chose me. Much like life and fate and other small, inexplicable things that ultimately come together to form the bigger picture. I don't know how it happened, during which show or concert or bomb, but way before the BST comeback, suddenly, my radar picked up on Yoongi. I couldn't look past Yoongi. Everyone else faded into the background and it was just Yoongi Yoongi Yoongi for me. All his charms came to the forefront and suddenly the same videos I watched and got annoyed at earlier now became super-duper cute and I just entered this black hole and just…you get the point. He destroyed me. Ruined me for life. It was 2 weeks of Jungkook and then Yoongi was like “bitch look at me” and I was a goner. He STOLE my heart people. STOLE it. And now its his forever. <sigh>

Sliding into my bias list like.

Anyway. I had made up my mind. BTS was true love. I had to see it till the end. The moment even just the rumours started circulating about their world tour, I promised myself I would attend one of their concerts. I promised myself I would make it work somehow! Do what it takes. Go wherever it’s easiest to get permission. I think that was still around their comeback sometime in October, because there was no official announcement yet.

Once it was announced the easiest target for me was LA. I had family there and visa, and also a fellow Army cousin sister, so it was literally just about booking the flight and getting the concert tickets, everything else would be taken care of, and my parents would be satisfied. This happened on 19th November. As expected it was easy to get permission from my family, and I got super-duper excited because I really thought this is gonna happen! What I didn’t expect was issues cropping from my family there..it seemed they wouldn't be around at that time etc etc…my heart was broken people. Into a million tiny pieces. Its one thing knowing you can never go, but another getting so close to going, seeing literally everything work out, and then having to cut out that dream and throw it away again. My family tried to make me feel better saying there would be a next time and there are so many concerts to come but I was sad. For exactly 2 days. Lol.

Like I said, I don’t give up. For a moment, I considered trying for Newark. Same country, different coast, but I had friends so it might work. Worth a shot! I was desperate. I just didn’t want to give up. The next day I got talking to another cousin whose in Dubai and we decided amongst ourselves that it was now or never. Forget anywhere else, we MUST go to Seoul for this. There would be more concerts, true, but this in particular was a special one! This one had all the boys’ solos and it was a next step, the end of one era and the beginning of a new one and the first concert was in Seoul. We must go. And it HAS to be Seoul because we have noticed the level of interaction the boys have with KArmys (obviously because of no language barrier—though int Armys get their own perks in their concerts)

21st November I booked accommodation online on my credit card. I didn't tell a soul, just me and my cousin, without permission, without tickets, flight OR concert—just pure faith that I need to make this work. The only thing on my mind was---people will flood the city and even if we get permission and tickets and visa, maybe there would be no room for us in Seoul because everything would be sold out! Lol. The mind is funny when it panics. Of course the whole city wouldn't have been sold out! It was a BTS Concert, not Olympics! But in my mind it was just as big, if not bigger.

I made sure I booked rooms that can be paid at a later date, took a wild guess at the dates (we had the tour dates I just booked 2 days before to 2 after) and it came down to $1000 for 2 rooms, max 5 people. Not a bad deal if you do the math!

Permission. Now this was a whole other ordeal. If most of you reading this are from India, like me, then you know this is not normal yet. Letting your daughter travel all the way to another part of the world just for a concert, to watch 7 boys you don’t know of, just doesn’t happen! All I can say is, I worked hard people. I concentrated on not making my parents angry. Doing whatever they wanted. Missed out on things I wanted to do so that I do what they want of me. When I was in sufficiently good books, broke the news to them that this was the goal I was working towards. I’m not the type to ask my parents for things, they could see how badly I wanted this. “No way” my dad had said. “I am not sending you to another country alone just with another cousin sister.” He did get convinced finally when I added desperately that my cousin’s mom might be joining us too (she had no plans but it sort of became a conditional permission) I promised him I would pay for my accommodation, concert tickets and any expenses on my own. All I need from him is permission and air tickets. Lol. This is how we compromise people! I didn’t dare breathe a word about how I had gone ahead and booked accommodation without his knowledge. What he doesn't know won’t hurt him! :P

Concert Tickets. This made me cry. I am not kidding. This was the most stressful part of this entire ordeal. I kept reminding myself how much I love BTS and how this will all be worth it in the end. I give 100% credit to my cousin sister, who btw, hadn't even taken permission from her own folks yet, but worked with everything she’s got to secure tickets.

First we tried the normal way. The date and time were out, the website was in Korean, but still accessible. I got one of my best friends who also happens to be a Korean to help me out. She lives in New York but she agreed to wake up at 4am to book our tickets for us..I filled her in (“BTS? Now who are they? Are you over Kim Hyun Joong? Park Bo Gum too? Good Lord you are not faithful”) We did a trial run before the actual day of booking. We navigated the page, downloaded the app, etc etc. We decided the 3 of us would try and book together from India, Dubai and New York, and whoever gets through, great! I had heard horror stories about tickets being sold out in minutes and didn’t want to risk it. I was fully aware that I would cancel all my plans if I didn’t get tickets.

On the day of the tickets opening up for sale to the general public, I was traveling. In the middle of nowhere. Somewhere around Mysore Palace to be exact. Everyone reading this from India knows we are not that lucky with internet, specially on the highways atop mountains, but I was carrying my stuff. We were out with another family and everyone was very hyped about this. One of the boys had asked me, “Who ARE these people that you’re going all the way to Korea to see?” I am proud to say I made an Army fanboy right there once I made him listen to Fire and then Dope. I prefer making people listen to the songs first so they don’t judge on the basis of appearances.

My throat was dry and my heart was pounding, I had everything ready—laptop, net, credit card. My friend from NY on the other phone with me, we’re all waiting for the sale to open. The minute it happened, all 3 of us on 3 laptops in 3 different corners of the world started frantically trying to buy tickets. We wanted the stands, BTS only. We all made it as far as seat selection page, but after that it just. wont. budge. For all of us! We tried and tried. I thought maybe it's the internet. I did everything I could! But the seats just wouldn't get selected. I saw the seats dwindle IN FRONT OF MY EYES. It went from 300 seats available to 150 available to 50 available to 10 available to finally---sold out. I called up New York and Dubai hoping and praying they have something—nope. Same story everywhere. I wanted to cry. I was just broken. I mean..I had done everything possible, but it just didn't happen. It dint work for all of us! At the same time! What does this even mean?!

I was so sad. Like so sad. I remember everyone trying to cheer me up, and me just reigning in my tears because we were traveling with another family. I couldn't even grieve properly. I just left that to it but refused to cancel my hotel yet. I could cancel in Feb without being charged so I just..left it. Mostly because it would break my heart to do it.

Unable to make the selection after coming this far--^

The next day we got information that some tickets are going on re-sale on the same website at midnight. AGAIN we sat. Again we got stuck at the same place. Again we saw the numbers dwindle and dwindle till they got sold out. Again. Now I was beyond frustrated. How can this happen 2 times in a row?! How have the others got their tickets?! What are we doing wrong?!

I realised too late it was probably a website thing, we should have tried the app the second day. Just didn't strike me till the tickets got sold out again right in front of my eyes! That helplessness and frustration is something I can never forget. And I felt worse when I realized the solution, just 5 minutes too late. Should have used the bloody App.

This time instead of being sad, I was filled with anger and determination. I’m gonna do this somehow, I vowed to myself. This was mid December already. My cousin sister and I started working on finding re-sellers on Twitter and on the Korean re-sale sites. We tried KoreanBuddy, koreanshoppingservice..dude I don’t even remember! I just remember a lot of Korean websites, Google Translate and Stress, that's all. We did our research, checked up blogs on how buy re-sale tickets, what to look for to find out if it's a fraud etc etc. We found a legit site called TicketBay and a bunch of people selling at insane prices ($400 for a $100 ticket) and finally decided on one seller and bought 2 tickets. This is January 10th already..the concert is a month away, and we’re still buying tickets. No one at home knows about this yet. My cousin did all the leg work..many people backed out, many people asked for payments in advance. We got lucky that the only girl we paid in advance turned out to be true, we were desperate at that point and only wanted to score tickets. I had decided even if it's a loss, it would be a secret I would take to my grave. Once we secured that, we became more relaxed. The girl was to meet us 1 day before the concert and hand over tickets, she seemed honest and sent loads and loads of proof before we took that leap of faith! I would strongly advise better decision making abilities people. We got lucky. We sent her money on PayPal, she could have turned out to be a fraud and run away with it and couldn't have been able to do jack..but again, we got lucky.

Just so you guys get a modicum of an idea about how messy this thing was:

Kind of proof to expect:

Trying our luck everywhere:

Being suspicious little bitches because come on--money!

Just an idea of how frustrating it all was:

Then we started actively working on Air Tickets and packing. Now my cousin decided to START getting permission, lol. It was much more stressful for her, she’s younger and it was a long and drawn out process, but she managed finally. Her mom and sister wanted to come along too, so that worked out for all of us! I’m glad I hadn’t cancelled my 5 seater accommodation in December! But Air ticket prices had shot up, and I ended up paying $1200 for my tickets instead of $600, which I could have if I had booked earlier. But I was waiting for at least concert tickets and my cousin to sort out her permission issues!

An idea of my packing list:

All of January was very, very stressful. Trying to find re-sellers is a pain, and trying to figure out if they are legit is even worse. Everyone had their own demands. Some we could and some we couldn't meet. Someway down the line we decided that now that we’re going all the way to Seoul to actually watch the boys, it would be a shame to just go one day. And hence the whole process of looking for more tickets re-started! Ugh. Ugly! But now that at least 1 pair was secured, we were okay with people wanting upfront payments on the day of the concerts and meeting us outside etc etc…worse comes to worst, they would ditch, but at least we would still have our money with us! One girl did ditch us btw. She suddenly stopped replying on 19th morning, on the DAY of the second concert, but thankfully my cousin had another back up contact lined up. Seriously, kudos to her! She managed the tickets on her own.

In total I ended up paying $600 for 2 tickets for both days as late as late as January 16th, that was just me. My cousin paid additional for her 2 tickets! The first pair of tickets we got delivered to my cousin’s friend in Korea, even that BigHit sent out the physical tickets so damn late (10th or 11th February I think?) that our hearts found no rest till the tickets were in our friend’s hands! We picked those for 18th up on 17th night, and additional 2 tickets with upfront payment for the 19th also the same night. Another extra ticket 19th morning, just before we entered the arena for the second day.

A picture of the delivered ticket that finally put us at ease!

It was sticky and messy and oh-so-stressful, I just remember being constantly stressed right from December to February when I actually left. Of course worth it in the end when we got to see the boys, but I strongly recommend downloading the app and using it every damn day if you have to, just get familiar with it (Interpark) so when the time comes you are prepared about how to buy your own BTS tickets at stock price!

I’m glad I got to see the boys but I could have easily saved $1000---which would have meant that much more merchandise or maybe even an additional concert in the nearer countries if I was feeling a little too ambitious with my parents and permission! :P

We hardly had a week to go before leaving for Seoul now, and that was mostly spent in trying out outfits to pack, making itineraries (I have done extensive research guys, please ask me what you want to know, I can probably become a guide in Seoul if I want by now). I listed down things I wanted to do/places I wanted to visit/food I wanted to try, area wise in my diary. Which mode of transportation to take, which card to buy that would work on Subways---etc etc. I sort of tried taking responsibility for this because my cousin had managed all the ticketing mess more or less on her own.

So my last week was spent in that, and the fan project I randomly decided to start. Things actually fell into place so late, that by the time I initiated the fan project there was already too less time to spread the word or go about it in a more organized manner. But thanks to all the lovely, lovely Indian Armys who helped me out so much by spreading the word, sending in their letters and artwork, and even cover page for me, it worked out! I spent the last 2 days in India editing and compiling the book to BTS, I wanted it to look nice and I really, really wanted to take all your lovely words to them. Some of those letters were so touching that I remember feeling like I was intruding by even reading them. Even after I reached Seoul airport, I was working on the book, marking up the letters etc. The final result turned out really nice, actually! I will write a whole other update for that, because the sort of drama that happened there deserves a post lol.

For now, just glimpses you’ve already seen on my Twitter @insugarush:

The pages on which I printed the letters:

An array of things while compiling <omg you guys are SO talented>

The actual book..!

Soo for anyone who wants to know..this entire thing took me about 3 months of insane stress and planning and about $3000 in total, which included escalated Air Fare and Concert Tickets, Hotel Tariff, Visa and even expenses in Seoul. It's an inflated figure and I’m sure you can manage with waaay less if you are smart about your bookings!

A lot of people emailed me when they heard about me going to Seoul for the concert saying how lucky I was. Yes, maybe 1% of it was luck but trust me guys---I worked freakin hard to make this happen. Against all sorts of odds. I could have given up long ago, at the first sign of it not working out, but I kept pushing. What I want to say is…please don't feel its something that will never happen for you. Its just about charting out a way and trying your best. At least give it your best shot! Don’t give up in your head, before you even try, just because it seems impossible. If it really doesn't happen after that, no worries…at least you tried! Even I couldn't have imagined all this would work out. I think about how I was so close to going to LA or Newark---but I’m so glad I pushed for Seoul. It was the culmination of a whole lot of efforts, not just luck..

Me, finally on my way to see my boys!^

Sorry for the long post, and once again, thank you so much for your patience. I know I’m taking my own time, but I want to update properly and in detail! Sorry if this post was too long or boring, send me feedback on Twitter @insugarush and I would be happy to inculcate it in my next posts ^_^

Stay tuned!

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