Thoughts on Seventeen's Asia Tour 2016

When I opened my Insta, I chanced upon a photo posted by an admin of Indonesian Seventeen Fanpage, written that she was currently in need for fund. When I went to the comment section, I found out that the Indonesian Carats (Seventeen's fans name) were all involved in a massive discussion in response to the newly-launched ticket pricelist for Seventeen's 2016 Asia Tour in Jakarta. I hurriedly check Three Angles Production's FB page (Three Angles in the event promotor, fyi). And my heart was immediately shattered upon seeing the ticket price.

CAT1: IDR2,300,000

CAT2: IDR1,700,000

CAT3: IDR1,300,000

Yes, the cheapest ticket is priced at IDR1,300,000! This is definitely not cheap for a 19-year-old girl who only works part time and still depends on parents in funding her living. Before you judge me for saying that the price is too expensive, let me convey some arguments of mine.

Firstly, this is just a fanmeeting. Actually I'm not too sure about this but rumor has said that it is neither concert nor fanmeeting. Hmm, let's say it is a fanmeeting with a taste of concert, or we can call it a small-scale concert. Because of this point, I feel that this event does not deserve to have such expensive ticket price. Doesn't it sound wrong when iKON's concert, which is more up-scale, costs less than Seventeen's fanmeeting?

Secondly, Seventeen is still considered as a rookie group. Please note this! Okay, they may not completely be a 'nugu group' since they have released 2 mini albums plus 1 full album, but who is Seventeen compared to Big Bang or Super Junior?! Even Suju's (which is considered as senior group) SuperShow ticket cost less than Seventeen's fanmeeting! Imagine that!

(pic's credit: Star Arena)

Furthermore, let's take a look at the stage layout. There is only a little space for CAT3 as compared to CAT2 or even VIP. It seems like Three Angles are being really confident that majority of Carats are going to buy the VIP tickets. Ya ya, you better lower down the VIP ticket price then you could gain some confidence that VIP tickets would be sold out! If you observe carefully, CAT3 space looks like 'left-out/leftover' space, located very cornered behind. I can guarantee it will not be worth it at all to buy CAT3 ticket. Moreover, CAT3 is free-standing, which means you have to squeeze in with other Carats and rush to be the first bunch to get into the venue to secure the best position to see Sebongies (Seventeen members) on stage. Meanwhile, CAT2 and VIP are all seated, ugh I know it is unfair *singing EXO's Unfair*!

 

Lastly, for VIP ticket holders, you are guaranteed to high-touch and group photo (max. 15 people in a group) sessions with Sebongies, but a lucky draw would be held to determine whether we are entitled to either high-touch or group photo. Yes, you will only get either one! Dayum! Imagine having paid IDR2.3k and turn out we still have to join the lottery. Lol, I literally laughed in tears upon seeing 'lucky draw'. Okay, perhaps getting the best of both worlds sounds greedy, but at least do give us a chance to choose la! Please think of our feelings, we have worked our ass off to get the VIP ticket so that we can high-five with Sebongies, then it turns out we get only group photo. Blame that goddamn lucky draw! It is similarly applied to those wanting a group photo to keep as a physical memory. This regulation is just ridiculous!

(pic's credit: Star Arena)

I tried to compare the stage layout in Jakarta to Singapore's. The size of MegaBox, Singapore, is bigger than Balai Sarbini, but in Singapore, the CAT3 is put behind instead of aside (since Balai Sabini is a round-shaped hall). To be honest, if I were a CAT3 ticket holder, Singapore's layout would be more advantageous for me - it is somehow more comfortable to watch even from far. And most importantly, it is SEATED and NOT FREE STANDING.

The plane ticket from Surabaya to Singapore starts from $138 (around IDR1.4 million), and concert ticket starts from $138 to $238. It is still categorized as expensive even though the concert ticket is indeed more worth it. Since the pricing and stage layout in Jakarta seemed unworthy to me, I was considering the option to watch in Singapore, but once again I had to let go of this plan since the total cost (including accommodation and living cost) would be even more expensive than watching in Jakarta. Some Indonesian Carats actually said that the fanmeeting ticket in Indonesia is relatively cheap since the audience quota will be less than concert, thus a small venue is used.

Well, overall I feel dissatisfied with the stage layout, pricing, and regulations set by Three Angles. Some Indonesian Carats also said that being a foreign concert organizer, Three Angles had failed to understand the condition of Indonesian Carats whose income is not as high as those in other countries where the fanmeeting will be held. The management is probably too ambitious to reach breakeven point as soon as possible. I cannot imagine if the show has to be cancelled due to only a few tickets are sold, hiks, it will be a sad thing for both Sebongies and Carats. Hmm, I feel sad beyond words (I cannot watch my babies performing in my home country!), but I must let go of this... For other Carats whose fate are similar to mine, fighting! Don't be upset coz uri oppa-deul prefer us to save money for our future needs (since when I became so wise haha). And let's hope our Sebongies will come back to Indonesia again someday and hold a real concert with cheaper ticket price, hopefully lol.