K-Pop culture is more than just music. It’s an immersive experience that brings fans closer to their idols in unique and exciting ways.

From incredible high-energy concerts and massive conventions to intimate fan gatherings and showcases, each event offers a different vibe and purpose. But what sets one apart from the other? What makes a concert different from a fan concert or a fan meeting from a fan signing?

This guide breaks down the key differences between these K-Pop events so you’ll know exactly what to expect at each one.

What is a Concert?

Concerts are musical events where an artist or a group performs a part (if not all) of their discography. K-Pop concerts, in particular, are known to last around three hours long with artists preparing a jam-packed setlist of song and dance stages plus ments (speeches) in between. Some artists may also invite other idols for special collaboration stages. Out of all the K-Pop events, concerts are the most performance-heavy and focus more on the artists as musicians.

Most concerts are held indoors like in arenas, stadiums, and concert halls, but can also take place in outdoor venues such as open fields. Concert events also feature exclusive merchandise fans can get their hands on from t-shirts and photocards to posters and official light sticks.

So, what’s the difference between a concert and a music festival? Simple: music festivals feature a large lineup of artists, sometimes across multiple stages and genres. One example is the K-Pop Convention (KCON), the K-Pop fan and artist music festival held in major cities like Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, and Abu Dhabi. This annual event features a lineup of South Korean icons and brings them together onto one massive stage!

What is a Fan Meet?

As the name suggests, this K-Pop event is an opportunity for fans to “meet” their K-Pop idols; to get up close and personal with them. Fan Meets usually have a smaller venue with a limited number of attendees compared to concerts and are designed to create a more personal connection with the fans.

A typical K-Pop fan meet is divided into segments that involve games, question-and-answer sessions, and special performances. K-Pop groups are known to put on special stages like boy groups cross-dressing and dancing to girl group choreographies and K-Drama actors showcasing their dancing or singing skills. There are also instances where they invite fans on stage to play games or reenact iconic K-drama moments.

To enhance the experience, Fan Meets offer special fan benefits included in each ticket purchase. These benefits range from signed posters and exclusive photocards to “Hi-Bye” sessions and photo ops where fans can get the chance to shake hands with their idols and take commemorative photos with them.

The distribution of these exclusive benefits depends on the rules set by the promoter or the artists’ management. Each ticket pertains to a certain category and receives varying types or amounts of benefits. In short, the more you pay, the better the benefits. Some concerts offer similar benefits as well, but they are mostly limited to soundcheck sessions and exclusive signed merchandise. In addition to this, Fan Meets often feature brand partnerships with each sponsor providing giveaways and coveted prizes for the games.

It’s also not unusual for artists to hold several Fan Meets in a year both virtually and in person. They can also be single or multi-day events depending on the demand from fans. Fan Meets are also not just for established K-Pop stars, but also rookie groups who wish to connect more with their fans, promote a forthcoming comeback, or celebrate their anniversary.

What is a Fan Concert?

Fan concerts or “Fancons” combine the elements of a K-Pop concert and a fan meet, but one big difference is that it doesn’t have a full setlist compared to concerts. It also usually takes place in a smaller venue, making it more intimate like a fan meeting.

At a fancon, musicians or idol groups perform about seven to ten songs, which is fewer than at a full concert but more than at a fan meeting. While artists have ments in between stages at concerts, fan cons have full-on segments like interactive games, question-and-answer sessions, and special interactions with fans on stage in between performances. Fancons also provide similar benefits found in fan meets with the added extra of personal interactions.

Just take a look at K-Pop group UNIS who held their first Philippine fan con in Manila and Cebu last Oct. 25 and 26, 2024 where they celebrated their anniversary with their Filipino fans with exciting games and raffle draws.

What is a Showcase?

You often hear this word when a K-Pop artist is about to debut or drop a new album. Showcases are promotional events where artists perform new songs from an album. These are often hosted by an MC and are attended by the media and a limited number of fans. Showcases are also often aired on popular K-Pop music programs such as Inkigayo and M Countdown, especially for debuting idol groups.

Apart from electrifying stages, showcases include a question-and-answer session about the album, similar to what one would hear at a press conference. These are also shorter than concerts, and last about an hour or less, and are generally held where the artists are from.

So unlike concerts, fan meets, and fancons, K-Pop showcases aren’t part of a tour and can only be attended in South Korea. (No matter. What are flights for, right?)

What is a Fan Signing?

Fan signings are designed to promote an artist’s new album and are the most intimate and exclusive of all K-Pop events as they allow fans to come up to their idols and interact with them while they sign their albums. Conversations between fans and artists can take about two to five minutes per member if it’s an idol group, or longer for a solo artist. Literally, there will only be a desk between you and your bias. You can’t get any closer than that!

However, getting into a fan signing event is harder than it looks because tickets to these are not sold. To attend a fan sign, one must purchase the album being promoted. Sounds easy enough, right?

There are usually two ways to get selected: a random drawing of purchase receipts or a top spender system. For the latter, the fans who buy the most albums win and get the chance to attend. Hardcore K-Pop fans are known to purchase hundreds of copies to be able to get in, so it’s definitely a challenge!

Some Tips

If there’s one thing these K-Pop events have in common is that they require a great deal of planning as you would be spending hours if not the entire day at these events. For concerts, there are usually long queues involved considering the amount of attendees, so make sure to wear comfortable footwear. Also, expect tickets to be a challenge to acquire. We have a guide on securing them right here.

These events can last for hours, so make sure to stay hydrated and have a good meal beforehand. Also, most of these events are held in the evenings and finish late in the night so it’s best to find a reliable way to get home and have your travel plans sorted out.

Did a new show pop up on your Netflix watchlist? Or maybe there's a new Asian drama making its rounds on social media? Stop scrolling before you fall into the spoilers black hole and let us help you decide if it's worth watching.

From Hollywood sitcoms that tickle your funny bones and thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seats to romantic K-Dramas that make your heart skip a beat, The Beat Asia is taking a first look at the latest series releases for your viewing pleasure.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the review!

Squid Game: The Second Season

No. of Episodes: 7

Run Time: Approximately 60 mins per episode

Rating: TV-MA (for mature audiences)

Genre: Thriller

Subtitle Availability: English, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Vietnamese

Warnings: Contains violence, profanity, and drug use

The long wait has finally come to an end. Three years after the debut of Squid Game – which has since become Netflix’s biggest hit and most-watched series – fans will finally get to see what happens to Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) after he steps off the plane on the last episode of Season 1.

For those who haven’t binged it yet, Squid Game Season 2 promises dangerous new games and a fresh roster of characters. Of course, we also get to hear back from recurring personalities, such as Gi-hun, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the Recruiter (Gong Yoo), Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), the policeman and Front Man’s brother, and Jung-Bae (Lee Seo-hwan), Gi-hun’s friend who we first see in Season 1, Episode 1, as a fellow gambler.

Director and Writer Hwang Dong-hyuk, who never expected a Season 2 (much less Season 3) of the show, has meticulously crafted an intense storyline for the new installment. New characters reflect modern-day problems and circumstances such as crypto scams, sexual discrimination, and drug abuse. To portray these, Dong-hyuk (who’s never been shy to cast fresh talent) has pulled a diverse team of actors, including renowned rapper T.O.P, K-Pop star Jo Yuri, and former colleague Lee David.

REVIEW: Off the Heels Of A Mega-Hit

A big challenge for Squid Game Season 2 is the fact that the show comes off the tails of a mega-hit, which we all know, is hard to top.

To add to that, Season 2 no longer has the same shock value that Season 1 had simply because fans are already familiar with the rules of the game. They know more about what to expect than they did in Season 1. The second season also comes with only 7 episodes, compared to the 9 episodes that its predecessor had, leaving fans with a cliffhanger.

Lastly, Season 2 was, in fact, conceptualized in less time than Season 1 was. Dong-hyuk, who shared that he first began writing Squid Game (Season 1) in 2009, had had to write Seasons 2 and 3 in less than a year due to demand.

That’s not to say that the series isn’t well-written. Details reveal that Dong-hyuk maintains his incredible meticulousness throughout the season, but if we had to make a choice, we would definitely say that Season 1 was a better watch than Season 2.

SPOILER ALERT! This section contains details from the premiere episode of “Squid Game Season 2.”

Nevertheless, the show comes with plenty of strengths, one of which was the first episode, which some might argue is the best of the season. It gives us a little insight into the backstory of the Recruiter; needless to say, Gong Yoo’s performance has been rightfully praised by critics online. It’s a strong start to the show and will definitely keep viewers clicking on the next episode.

Another strength of the second season is the Front Man, who keeps viewers in for a loop as he joins the games himself. His actions throughout the season are confusing; and one never really understands what he’s planning until the very last scene of the very last episode, keeping viewers on their toes about his motivations.

While the plotline for Season 2 is captivating and immersive in its own way, there were some instances when the show started to feel like a comedy (i.e. Thanos rapping to the other players).

Gi-hun’s hero complex also starts to feel generic; he definitely showed more complex character traits in the first season. The first time fans meet him, we see multiple aspects of Gi-hun; he is a good teammate yet a bad father, a good friend but a terrible son. This makes him relatable and human, someone we would want to cheer for. Yet in Season 2, he seems to be portrayed as a “savior” and nothing more; and while this kind of integrity is honorable, it also feels flat.

Of course, one thing to be expected from Squid Game is death. And while plenty of people die, scenes in the new season are much less gut-wrenching than in the first. The first season killed off pretty much every character people had an emotional connection with; while the second season sees more survivors and more annoying competitors.

Lastly, characters in the second season are not as well-developed as those in the first. In the first season, every character’s life story and motivations are masterfully portrayed. In season two, we don’t quite get to connect with the characters as much. For example, we never quite understand why Chae Kuk-hee’s character, Seon-nyeo, feels so connected to the spiritual world. We also meet Min-su (Lee David), who seems to be nothing more than a man with zero integrity and zero backstory.

Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 BEATS

Our final verdict is that while Season 2 falls a little short, it is still overall, a captivating watch. It’s definitely very easy to binge; if you’re someone who found it difficult to get through the gut-wrenching scenes in Season 1, you’ll be glad to know that Season 2 is much easier to get through simply because it’s a lot less so.

Season 2 also sets the stage for an exciting third season; personally, we're excited to see what happens with Jun-ho and the sea captain. Because Season 2 ended with such a cliffhanger, fans will be excited for the release of the third and final installment, which Dong-hyuk teases will be closer than we think.

Overall, we give Squid Game Season 2 three and a half beats, which is still pretty good — though of course, not as good as Season 1’s five full beat/star rating.

Watch Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix

Let’s play a game.

The popular Netflix K-Drama “Squid Game” has finally released its highly anticipated second season on Dec. 26, 2024. With the series’ seven new episodes, the story of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the deadly competition continue.

The new season is set three years following Seong Gi-hun’s win in the games and has changed drastically from his cheery personality in the first season. Hardened by the trauma he’s been through, he is forced to return to the games with one goal in mind: to end the deadly games once and for all.

There, Gi-hun meets a new set of participants, all with their own stories, and is forced to play new games — with the same fatal consequences.

Way before the second season’s release, the K-Drama has already been nominated for Best Drama Series at the upcoming Golden Globes on Jan. 5, 2025.

All the Details You’ll Need for Squid Game Season 2

If you haven’t watched it yet, then this area’s totally free of spoilers.

The Official Season 2 Synopsis reads, “Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.”

Squid Game Season 2 sees an ensemble cast, with familiar faces making appearances in the K-drama. Here’s the cast of Squid Game Season 2:

• Lee Jung-jae: Gi-hun (Player 456)
• Lee Byung-hun: The Front Man/Hwang In-ho
• Wi Ha-jun: Hwang Jun-ho
• Im Si-wan: Myung-gi (Player 333)
• Kang Ha-neul: Dae-ho (Player 388)
• Lee Jin-uk: Gyeong-seok (Player 246)
• Park Sung-hoon: Hyun-ju (Player 120)
• Yang Dong-geun: Yong-sik (Player 007)
• Kang Ae-shim: Geum-ja (Player 149)
• Lee Seo-hwan: Jung-bae (Player 390)
• Jo Yuri: Jun-hee (Player 222)
• Choi Seung-hyun (TOP): Thanos (Player 230)
• Roh Jae-won: Nam-gyu (Player 124)
• Park Gyu-young: Kang No-eul
• Gong Yoo: The Recruiter

Any News for Season 3?

In 2022, Squid Game Season 2 was confirmed to be greenlit by Netflix. Prior to this, series creator, director, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk initially said that he had no plans of writing a second season. But after hearing people’s enthusiasm and the popularity of the show, he immediately started considering it.

For Season 3, however, the confirmation came just hours after the release of Season 2. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk penned a letter to fans, expressing his excitement for the show’s final season.

“I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season. The fierce clash between [Gi-hun and Front Man’s] two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year.”

Hwang Dong-hyuk continued, “I am thrilled to see the seed that was planted in creating a new Squid Game grow and bear fruit through the end of this story. We’ll do our best to make sure we bring you yet another thrill ride.”

For more updates about Squid Game and other upcoming shows, follow Netflix on their Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages.

Great news, Bunnies! In case you missed it, OMEGA has recently named Danielle Marsh from the beloved K-Pop girl group NewJeans as their newest brand ambassador, the Swiss luxury watch brand announced.

The announcement came with a set of photos featuring the K-Pop star, wearing an all-black ensemble and her choice of OMEGA timepiece, the Constellation 28 mm watch in stainless steel and 18K Moonshine Gold, as well as a Speedmaster 38 mm watch in stainless steel.

According to a press release by OMEGA, the decision to name Danielle as their brand ambassador is inspired by the singer’s unique look, dazzling energy, and optimism.

“Danielle is full of energy and brightness. We’re so inspired by her positivity as well as her confident sense of style. It’s exciting to have Danielle representing OMEGA, and we’re looking forward to a very joyful partnership,” said Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, in a statement.

Danielle likewise commented on her appointment, stating, “For me, OMEGA is the most beautiful symbol of time. Their watches are so precise, but also colorful and radiant. They allow me to be myself and express my style in so many different ways. It’s amazing to be part of this brand and join a family with so many other inspiring names.”

With the ambassadorship, Danielle is expected to appear in OMEGA’s future campaigns. She also joins Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman, Chinese actress Liu Shishi, South Korean actress Han Seo-hee, and more big names as OMEGA’s brand ambassadors.

Explore Danielle’s pick here or follow OMEGA on Instagram, Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter) pages to stay updated on their latest offerings.

Kim Soo-hyun is the newest face of Prada.

On Dec. 19, 2024, Prada announced that the South Korean actor is joining them as their newest brand ambassador. “Prada is pleased to announce Soohyun Kim, Korean actor, as Prada’s brand ambassador,” the Italian luxury fashion house said in their post.

The announcement was accompanied by exclusive photos of Kim Soo-hyun, decked in an elegant, all-black ensemble (peep the iconic Prada logo in his mock turtleneck top's collar). As the newest brand ambassador for Prada, Kim Soo-hyun joins the likes of aespa’s Karina, actor Byeon Woo-seok, actress Kim Tae-ri, and NCT’s Jaehyun.

Kim Soo-hyun’s Career

Kim Soo-hyun is a household name in the K-Drama world, with a renowned career across the big and small screens. Beginning with supporting roles from 2007 through 2010, Kim Soo-hyun first gained popularity from his roles in “Father’s House” and “Giant,” for which he won the “Best New Actor” award at the SBS Drama Awards.

The South Korean actor rose to domestic popularity after starring in the high school musical drama “Dream High,” where he played a country bumpkin that turned out to be a musical genius. His popularity skyrocketed after starring as King Lee-hwon in the hit period drama “Moon Embracing the Sun” in 2012.

Kim Soo-hyun became popular internationally after the 2013-2014 fantasy romance series “My Love from the Star,” where he starred alongside Jun Ji-hyun. This led to a boom in endorsements and awards, such as a Daesang at the 7th Korea Drama Awards and the Most Popular Actor (TV) Award at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards.

His most recent drama was “Queen of Tears,” released in 2024, where he starred opposite Kim Ji-won. The drama became overwhelmingly successful, with the drama surpassing “Crash Landing On You” as the highest tvN series.

The "King of Product Endorsements," earned his title over the years, especially after "My Love from the Star." In 2021, he was a product endorser for the Philippine brand Bench and a global ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger. In 2022, Kim Soo-hyun was Dunkin’ Donuts’ product endorser. In 2023, he became the brand ambassador for outdoor fashion brand Eider.

Just recently, he became Jo Malone London’s newest Asia ambassador.

Stay updated with Kim Soo-hyun’s activities by following him on his Instagram page.