We'll answer your questions about Fansign & Video Call events!

K-Pop Blog > Overview > Fansign Events / Video Call Events

On Instagram, Twitter and co, K-Pop fans are frequently uploading clips from their video calls with K-Pop idols or photos from fansign events to tell others about their luck or just share sweet and funny moments of the stars with all fans.

These events are a highlight for any K-Pop fan because they are one of the rare opportunities to interact with your stars in person, ask them questions, or just tell them how much you love them and their music!

In this article, we'll answer a few questions you might have about the topic and, most importantly, explain what you need to do to win a Video Call with your favorite idols!

• What is a fansign or video call event?
  
• How and when did Video Call events come about?
  
• How do I apply for a Video Call?
  
• What is the best way to prepare for a Video Call?

What is a fansign or video call event?

When Idols, be it band or solo artist, have a comeback, they usually announce a Fansign Event shortly before or in the first weeks after the release of the new album. At these events, the Idols sign their albums for the fans who attend. While they are signing the albums, fans can have a brief chat with them and even give them gifts if they want!

Photos are often circulated later on the internet of the idols wearing funny hats or pretty wreaths, and holding large stuffed animals or other items that they have been given as gifts.

When the Fansign is hosted by a band, the album is passed around and signed by all the members. So fans can talk to each of the members briefly!

Unfortunately, since the Fansign events are held in Korea, they are difficult to access for international fans. Luckily, there is a more accessible alternative: video call events! As the name suggests, fans can talk to the idols via video call at these events.

How and when did Video Call events come about?

It sometimes feels like Video Call Events with K-Pop Idols have been a part of the K-Pop scene for a long time, because we're used to new ones being announced all the time by now, 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 due to the spread of the corona virus. The five-member boy group MCND, which debuted on February 27 with the song "Ice Age", kicked things off.

This is because on March 11, the boy group announced a "Meet & Call Fan Signing Event" on Twitter and explained how the event would proceed. It's the same procedure that video call events have today; more on that in a moment. The event took place on March 15.

Later that same month, two other artists also announced a Video Call Event: Sejeong (March 30) & Suho (March 30). Many more K-pop idols followed suit and today, many fans can't imagine a comeback without video call events.

Even now that the Fansign Events can happen again, the Video Call Events will continue. Perhaps the Idols have realized how valuable they are, especially for international fans, and are also happy to have the opportunity to talk to them.

How do I apply for a Video Call?

Most of the time, the application process is based on luck, as winners are selected through a lottery process. To be entered into the drawing, you must purchase the new album, with each album equaling one raffle ticket. If you buy multiple copies, your name will end up in the lottery pot multiple times!

The whole thing can be very expensive, of course, because many fans get the album in large quantities to increase their chance of winning. However, it is also possible to win if you only bought a few copies or even just one 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 is announced, it will also state a specific event period in which you must purchase the album from specific participating stores in order to enter.

Either at the time of purchase or separately afterwards, you'll also have to provide some data that will be forwarded to the organizer if you win. These are usually: Name, phone number, date of birth & Kakao Talk ID. Kakao Talk is a messaging app for cell phones, through which the video calls are often carried out.

Winners are announced shortly before, sometimes even the evening before the event. In some cases, winners are also notified personally. Be sure to read the event details so you know when and where the winners will be announced so you don't miss anything! Fortunately, since you don't have to go anywhere for a video call, you don't have to plan travel or anything like that. You just need to keep the time free when the event will take place.

Most of the time, of course, the video call events are hosted by Korean online stores. This has the disadvantage that you have to order the albums from Korea and additionally you have to pay shipping costs.

Recently, however, we were able to offer our customers the chance to apply for a video call event of NMIXX by ordering in our store. We hope to be able to offer you this opportunity more often in the future!

Girls' Generation

What is the best way to prepare for a Video Call?

If you have won, you should definitely check what time the event will take place. Usually the Korean time is given. However, Korea is seven hours ahead of much of Europe, for example, so European fans often have to be ready early in the morning. Get informed in time!

You will be called by the organizer when it is your turn. In many cases, you'll be given a wait number in advance, so you can work out how many fans are ahead of you and roughly when you'll be called. A video call often lasts only a minute; the exact duration is given in the event announcement.

When you apply for an event, you must provide your Kakaotalk ID, so you should have Kakaotalk installed before applying. Of course, it's also possible that the video call will be made on a different app. Pay attention 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 make video calls and you should answer the call in a place where you have a good internet connection. If the call drops in between, your chance is over!

Since the video call often lasts only a minute, many fans prepare notes or a script so that they make good use of the short time and don't forget anything they want to say. They often prepare a Korean translation of what they want to say to please the idols. If the idols don't know English, there is often, but not always, a translator. It's best to try to speak in as simple and short sentences as possible.

When a band hosts a video call event, there are two different options. Either you can talk to one of the members (which you choose beforehand), or you can talk to all the members.

What is the case will be announced in advance, of course. If you can talk to more than one member, the duration of the conversation will be shorter. Usually you only have 30 seconds to say what you really want to say or ask a question. The managers or organizers are very strict and usually break off 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 what you want to say or ask beforehand. Be sure to give the idols time to answer!

We wish you good 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!