A glossary of Korean concert and fanmeeting terms
A Korean concert’s sale notice can contain ten words you have never seen, and misreading one means buying the wrong ticket. A quick reference, ordered by when you meet them: buying, collecting, attending.
Reading the sale notice
- 선예매 (seon-yemae): fanclub presale. An early sale for official fanclub members only, usually a day or two before the general sale. Most of the good seats go here.
- 일반예매 (ilban-yemae): general sale. Open to everyone, after the fanclub round, with far fewer tickets left.
- 추첨 (chucheom): ballot / lottery. Apply within a window and wait for the draw; speed is irrelevant. Common for fansigns and some busy shows.
- 선착순 (seonchak-sun): first-come, first-served. The familiar race format.
- 본인 확인 / 실명: identity verification / real-name. The ticket is tied to the buyer and checked against ID at collection. This word decides whether proxy buying can work.
Kinds of event
- Concert: a pure music show, the largest format.
- Fancon (fan concert): a hybrid: mostly songs, with talk segments and games.
- Fanmeeting: interaction first, fewer songs, usually more benefits.
- Fansign: an autograph event, typically with attendees drawn by lottery weighted by albums bought. Not a ticket purchase in the usual sense.
- Showcase: a small album-launch event, often balloted.
Benefits: perks attached to a ticket
- Hi-touch: a few seconds of hand contact with the artists as you pass along a line. Usually tied to a top tier or drawn among ticket holders.
- Send-off: the artists see the audience out at the exit after the show.
- Soundcheck: admission to watch the pre-show sound check.
- Group photo / photo time: a group photograph with the artists.
- Lucky draw: a draw for gifts or benefits among ticket holders. Not everyone with a ticket gets one.
- The rule: benefits are listed in the sale notice, with which tier qualifies and how winners are chosen. If it is not written, it does not exist.
Seating
- Standing (스탠딩): the standing area near the stage, usually admitted in ticket-number order.
- 1층 / 2층 / 3층: first, second and third tiers of the stands. First is closest.
- 지정석 (reserved): numbered seats. 비지정 (unreserved): free seating within a block.
- 시야제한석: restricted-view seats, cheaper, often released later.
- 구역 (block): how the stands are divided into labelled sections; seat maps use these labels.
Collecting and attending
- 현장 수령: venue collection. Exchange the booking code for a paper ticket at a counter on the day, with matching ID.
- MD (merchandise) / 굿즈 (goods): official merchandise sold at the venue, usually queued for from the morning.
- 응원봉 (lightstick): the group’s official lightstick, often paired for synchronised effects during the show.
- 슬로건 (slogan): hand-held banners made or given out by fans.
- Ticket check / 티켓 검사: ticket and ID inspection at the gate, sometimes in several layers.
Frequently asked questions
선예매 is the fanclub-only presale; 일반예매 is the general sale afterwards. Most of the good seats go in the presale.
No. Benefits exist only when the sale notice lists them, with the qualifying tier and the selection method, usually a draw among ticket holders.
The ticket is tied to the buyer’s name and checked against ID at collection or entry. If a show is 실명, a ticket in someone else’s name will not work for you.
Read next
- Concert ticket tiers explained
- Fanmeeting, fancon and fanday explained
- Buying concert tickets in South Korea
- Concert MD: buying official merch at the show or online
- Lightsticks: app pairing, batteries and flying with one
Concert ticket guides
- 안녕, HO CHI MINH CITY 2026: NCT DREAM, Chanyeol and SUPER JUNIOR-83z at Van Phuc City on 29 November, tickets 1.8–4.8 million VND on sale 12 noon on 30 October on TicketBox
- SKY NANI S TO THE N FANCON IN SINGAPORE: Sky and Nani with Smyle and Neona at the Capitol Theatre on 20 February 2027, tickets SGD 128–418 on sale 12 noon on 6 November (Singapore time) on Ticketmelon
- Ele Yan 颜人中 Malaysia concert: the MOMENTⁿ tour finale on 2 January 2027 at Unifi Arena Kuala Lumpur, tickets RM288–888 on sale at noon on 3 November, the seating plan and the view from each section
Public booking confirmations
See real booking confirmations from concerts and fanmeetings booked by Tao Meo.
Ready for the next on-sale?
We suggest contacting Tao Meo at least 24 hours before the on-sale, so we can advise you and get your booking ready.