My biggest mistake going into the ticketing for ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in SEOUL was not binge-watching and reading how-to reels and blogs. It was my first Global Interpark ticketing experience. I should have known better. I was able to get a relatively low queue number and got into the system with several seats still available. However, I still failed because of things I would have anticipated if I did.
So, if you’re also gunning for tickets to a Seoul concert, and they’re under Global Interpark, here are some of the things I learned that would be handy for you. Like my previous #BRITE blog, allow me to use J-Hope’s songs as puns for each tip, too!
Best to have (or prepare for) a valid visa and other “Base Line” arrangements
Luckily, I’m already armed with a Multiple Entry visa valid for a few years more. If you don’t have one yet, make sure you at least have (or can secure) the financial documents and other requirements for application. Attending a concert once you secure a ticket would be a strong case to get approved, but the consul would still look at your overall background when assessing your case. Working with a travel agency would also help, so you can get professional guidance and assistance. It’s best to apply about three months or less before your trip dates, but make sure you lodge your application early to avoid processing delays! Of course, there are the other preparations you’d need–will you need to file a leave at work or school? Do you have enough savings for the ticket, flight, hotel accommodations, and other expenses?
“Intro” to K-pop concerts in Korea: Know where and how to buy legit tickets.
The K-pop artist’s official channels typically announce the details more than a month before the show date/s. In this case, Weverse posted about the tour along with details on ticketing. Several shows are under Interpark (which has a Korean website and a Global one that has an English option–and not all shows are available on Global Interpark).
Global Interpark homepage as of 02/18/2025
However, there are other ticketing platforms, too, just like how we have SM Tickets, Ticketnet, and more in the Philippines. In Korea, some concerts also host ticketing on Melon, Yes24, and other sites.
Get pre-verified for a “Piece of Peace.”
If applicable, accomplish your Face Pass registration beforehand. I’m not sure if all concerts in Korea require identity verification like this, but I think Global Interpark shows (especially those that would be “in-demand” with scalpers) would have this system in place.For the HOTS tour, the Weverse announcement included instructions for registering a “Face Pass” beforehand. According to the Interpark website, “Once face registration is complete, your face will be scanned by a camera at entry [to the concert venue], allowing you to enter without ticket verification.”
Screenshot from Face Pass info video
Pre-sale “=” more chances of getting a ticket!
If you’re an official fan club member, you’re usually entitled to a “pre-sale” slot. Make sure you either register and get pre-verified or secure your pre-sale code. Sometimes, there are only a limited number of seats allotted to pre-sales, but other times, shows can be practically sold out during pre-sales. The general seat sale and sale for wheelchair-accessible seats follow shortly.
Concerts in Korea via Global Interpark typically don’t have pre-sales other than fan club membership ones, but keep an eye out for those in the official announcements if they happen someday. (For context, it’s unlike Ticketmaster Singapore, which holds pre-sales exclusive to UOB cardholders. Locally, recent shows have had pre-sales exclusive to Unionbank and Metrobank cardholders. J-Hope’s HOTS in Manila also has a pre-sale dedicated to Smart subscribers).
“STOP” and turn off those pop-up blockers!
This was the roadblock for me the first time I reached the checkout part. For the payment page and confirmation pop-up windows to appear, you have to turn off your pop-up blockers. Do this before even going into the seat selection system (ideally even before you start queueing) to avoid the heartbreaks I experienced. Also, using multiple devices won’t work.
It’s blurry but the pop-up says “Please turn off your pop-up blocker and try again”
I tried switching from desktop to mobile and vice versa like what I do in local ticketing wars.
Make sure your credit or debit card is enabled for “Future” foreign transactions.
This seems obvious, but this was unfortunately the second setback I encountered. I got all the way to check out a ticket, then boom–my credit card declined the transaction. So, before your ticketing date, call your bank and ensure that transactions from foreign sites go through without hiccups. Also, make sure you access the right sites depending on your card. For instance, Global Interpark does not accept cards issued in Korea.
It’s not a “Daydream”: Expect an efficient yet retro-looking system.
The queue moved quickly (much faster than in my experiences of local ticketing wars). The queuing page also looked quite modern–similar to the Global Interpark website. However, when I got to the date picker, seat selection, and payment parts, the interface looked very late-2000s. No shade! It was still more efficient than local ticketing, but the look was quite off-putting, so I suggest trying any concert on the website now just so you see how the interface looks.
I didn’t get a 6-digit QN unlike when I queued for 2NE1 in Manila LOL! And the queue moved within 10-15 minutes!
The important thing to remember is you only have 10 minutes once you get past the queue. After such time, you get kicked out and to the highest queue numbers. You also get a warning when you have a minute left. There’s another note that you get 7 minutes after seat selection to complete the payment. As you can imagine, that doesn’t leave you a lot of time to select seats and pay (in many cases, you even need your card’s OTP, right?)
“What If…” you finally get to choose? Don’t go for the best seats!
Sample screen from HOTS concert where all seats are taken
Sample screen from when several seats were still available
Gray means the seats are taken, while colored (in orange, purple, green, blue, etc.) means they’re available. Hear me out: Don’t select the best seats. If you’re the type that just wants to be in the show, no matter where in the venue, it shouldn’t really matter. Of course, you can check your desired seats but if you don’t get lucky with VIP, Meet & Greet, or front-row seated tickets after a couple of tries, you have to move on, bepeu.
I kept clicking on seats like this then I always meet this heartbreaking pop-up!
Think of it this way: If you’re gunning for that one best seat you see right away, chances are, thousands of others are probably also trying to secure it. What will happen is when you click that seat, you’ll get a pop-up that it’s gone (probably locked by another user). So, move on to the most inconspicuous seat. Doing this was how I got to the checkout part a few times.
Keep an eye out for “MORE” seats.
Honestly, there are so many dates and rules to keep track of that it’s more of a ticketing board examination rather than just a “war.” So anyway, toward the end of January, restricted view seats were made available for the HOTS Tour in Seoul. I actually didn’t know this, but almost every night, I just check the website to see if any ticket pops up. I was in Seoul that time, and maybe some strange magic shop energy came over me. That’s when I luckily secured one restricted-view seat ticket!
Cancellation dates and fees schedule for HOTS
The beauty of Korean ticketing systems is that they really allow cancellations, even before the event date. Because there are so many things that could happen, some fans really have no choice but to cancel and refund their tickets. Knowing this, another good tip is to check the website after KST midnight of the cancellation deadline.
Stay in the “Safety Zone” and never resort to scalpers!
While it’s very tempting if you have enough funds to do it, buying from scalpers and ticket resellers will always be a risk. Sure, some of them may have histories of successful transactions, but you just never know if they get busted this time. Plus, with AI and other advanced software, you just never know how good scammers can get. Don’t let your hard-earned money go to waste, and maybe try other tour stops instead!
Wow, writing this felt almost like the essay part of an exam. But I hope you got some valuable tips and learned from my mistakes. And if you’re a veteran of watching K-pop concerts in Korea and have more tips, please also share! A lot of us fellow fans would want to learn more for sure. Manifesting “secured tickets” for you, bepeu!
P.S. The day this article comes out is probably a day or two after J-Hope’s birthday, so in any case, belated happy birthday, our Hobi!!! “See” you soon!
Annyeong, yeorubun! I'm Ginyn—a freelance content creator, full-time multistan, and proud ARMY since 2017. 💜 My gateway into K-pop (and K-ent as a whole) was a Running Man episode featuring 2NE1, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Over the years, I’ve shared my Hallyu adventures in both digital and print magazines that ~romanticize~ life, as they and we should. It's the pride, creativity, and passion of idols and fandoms alike that keep me chasing the next great K-story!
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