So in true Christine-in-Korea, "Sure, why not?" fashion, I agreed to go on a free trip with the KTO for what was billed as an evening of K-Pop, other shows, and a free dinner at the Cheongju airport.
Off I went to their office in Jongno and boarded a bus bound for parts unknown. They handed me my ticket (think anyone would have guessed I wasn't Korean without it?):
Here was the itinerary:
And here was my pineapple flavored cookie snack:
We arrived at the site and I immediately wondered what this event was really for, based on the number of cameras, the set-up, and security. In translating the signs around us, we realized this was a major event to celebrate the 14 millionth tourist to South Korea!
Before the official ceremony began, we had celebratory entertainment - starting with the cast from The Painters: HERO drawing special art for the event.
Next came the Sachoom dancers, who came down into the crowd to try to pump us up.
And then there was the K-Pop boy band, VIXX, which was when I realized why there were so many security guards. The female screams from the back of the audience were crazy.
After the opening acts were done, the nearby paparazzi and TV crew all rushed to the back of the airport lobby, and we saw the entry of these poor souls on the big screen.
Don't they look thrilled to be the 14 millionth visitors?
They were brought up on stage for a one hour extravaganza and given MANY free gifts by each official in attendance.
I commented that I hoped they were going to be given free luggage on the way home to China for all of their gifts, and sure enough, they were.
The final act was the girl K-Pop group, A-pink. They had some catchy tunes and some VERY enthusiastic male fans in the rows right behind us.
The men had brought signs and were singing (shouting) along with the group.
The one with the grey-topped sweater was almost crying.
After all of the excitement, we had a relatively quiet meal at a nearby restaurant - some tasty galbitang (beef short-rib soup).
And so ended another unique Korean experience for the books!
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