Travel NYC like Kino and Hong-seok of PENTAGON
We truly must thank idols for going to places we have always wanted to go, but never had reason to go near. While we might’ve complained about one or two locations, even we have to admit we had some fun in Times Square.
We digress. New York is known for the many different bridges that go in and out of all the boroughs. The Verrazano, The Manhattan, George Washington, and even the Outerbridge Crossing. But one seems to have grown in popularity in recent years. And a lot of idols have made this place a stop on their trips.
Cue PENTAGON.
Now we did say a lot of other idols have gone to this particular spot, including Ren of N’uest and all the ‘members’ of PLT, to name a few but we chose Pentagon as we had found certain spots they had chosen to photograph the famous location in a more artistic way.
Fun Fact: we are not as artistic, and had to work with the maddening crowds of a gorgeous summer day, and couldn’t wait until the middle of the night because we were on a time crunch as Sammie had gotten sick as a dog half way through the day.
Just over a mile long, and one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US, the Brooklyn Bridge is where not only cars can cross from Brooklyn to Manhattan, but above the cars is a pedestrian walkway and bike path. And it is the site that, by cloak of night, Hong-seok and Kino chose to visit in their short time in NY.
We loved walking the expanse as the wind cooled out heated skin. The contrasting views of downtown Manhattan and the ever-growing DUMBO area of Brooklyn sitting at opposite ends of the bridge, is fascinatingly beautiful.
We do plan to explore the spot at night very soon so we can say we traveled NYC exactly like Hong-seok and Kino of PENTAGON
1TEAM ‘Make News Like Extra! Extra!’ in NYC for their Hello! Just One U.S. Tour
After only debuting a year ago, 1TEAM, consisting of rapper and songwriter BC , leader and vocalist Rubin (루빈) , vocalist Jin Woo (진우), vocalist Je Hyun (제현), and finally, the maknae and the other rapper of the group, Jung Hoon (정훈), is already conquering the North American Tour circuit. With their unique blend of hip-hop, EDM, and alternative R&B, it was no surprise they were able to fill the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn with hundreds of screaming Team Ones on March 8th 2020.
As the lights went off, the shrieks got even louder as the fans screamed their lungs out for 1TEAM to hit the stage. We could feel the energy pulsating through our own bodies, and also as our eardrums felt they were going to pop from how loud the crowd was. The boys descended the side stage stairs, and hit the main stage, and somehow the cries got even louder.
The beginning of “Make This,” their title track for their most recent comeback, started with its deep, dark, EDM sound and fans recognized it instantly. If we told you we remained professional, we’d be lying. We were bopping along with the crowd, singing along as our camera decided it was going to have its own little fanatic mental breakdown.
While we tried to calm our camera down and let it know the boys were in fact real and in front of it, our hearts continued to race as we watched the amazing dance moves we had seen on our computer screens come to life before our eyes. Oh, and did we mention that most of their opening outfits were made of see through material. We didn’t? Well now we did. Composed of dark black or bright white lace the blouses left little to the imagination of Team Ones.
And once we got our camera to somewhat cooperate with us, they were on to their next song from their most recent mini album “Love it.”
Throughout the entire show they talked about how grateful they were to be on tour, and how excited they were to see the different famous places of not only NYC, but also their other tour locations. They interacted with fans picking different people in the audience to sing their favorite songs. They loved the fans and the fans loved them.
They had another outfit change and our hearts throbbed at the chill, hipster vibe their red and white ensembles gave off. Rubin even flaunted his gorgeous tattoos when he pulled the sleeves down of his dope silk varsity jacket. Which, tattoos on idols? We. Are. Here. For. It.
They continued the show with other tracks of theirs like, “TAK!,” “Countdown,” “’Bout U,” and one of our favorites, the song that got us to stan HARD for these guys, “Vibe.” Every song was filled with more and more energy, like they were simply building it all up to have it explode in the next song. Their energy was unparalleled to other shows we have been to recently. We couldn’t help but shake our butts and tap our feet in the back of the venue as we watched them kill it on stage.
Besides their own songs, like every group that comes to the US, they showed off their bilingual skills by singing some popular American music. Songs included Maroon5’s “Girls Like You,” Justin Biebers “Yummy,” and our personal fav Post Malone “Sunflower.”
We have always talked about our appreciation for MyMusicTaste and StudioPAV and how well they put together shows. This was no different. The reason we always love their shows is the fact you get time to interact with the members via Meet and Greets, and Hi-touch possibilities. Fans who had VVIP got to spend some time with 1TEAM and even got signed posters. And VIP’s got Hi-touch where they got to greet the members of 1TEAM.
The concert was one for the books. 1TEAM walked out going 100 and walked off after their encore at level 9000! We hope you guys can see them this tour, and if not please check out all their music videos and join us Team One’s. You’ll “Love it.” 😉
Travel NYC like Hyunjin, Changbin, and Seungmin of Stray Kids
Yes. We’ve covered a lot of Stray Kids spots. The boys travelled a lot. And it’s the pics people send us the most asking where they are. (hint: if you want to see different groups DM us on Instagram the places you want us to find)
As we continue this Travel NYC adventure, we were excited to see the boys find a semi hidden gem in the touristy area that is Rockefeller Center. Yep. We’re just coming out and telling you exactly where this statue is because it isn’t as easy to find as the rest.
In fact, we have walked around that area for years (and we mean close to 20), walked past the sculpture every year during the traditional ‘go see the tree’ event at Christmas, and not once noticed it. Sure, we knew it existed. We had seen it in shows and movies. We knew where it was located, but never. Not once, did we ever search it out.
And for real? Rockefeller Center is known for the big flashy gold fountain statue in front of a tiny ice skating rink that couples propose to each other on.
When we went to the site we learned the name of the sculpture and what it represented. And we felt our hearts clench with a sense of appreciation as to why we believe Stray Kids found and snapped a photo.
Known as Atlas, the sculpture represents the Greek titan, of the same name (Atlas), carrying the heavens on his shoulders. To us it represented Stray Kids. They boys, who have always written about feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders as they search to find their happiness in music, artistic expression, and simply life. We found it fitting that they went to such a historic and prolific site.
In a way, they are like Stays Atlas. Helping us by carrying some of our burdens, to assist us in getting past things we might not think we can handle on our own. Not to put too much pressure on them or anything. And hopefully in a role reversal, Stays could be Stray Kids Atlas. Helping carry some of their hardships, when they don’t believe they can carry them themselves.
Located across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Ave, between 50th and 51st St. you will find this beautiful statue that felt a lot more comforting to us newer Stays than we thought it would. Check out the area and you will see the FAO Schwartz toy store, flags from all over the world surrounding that golden sculpture and ice rink, and when you finally find our hunky Atlas, you can cross off another spot, and say you travelled NYC like Hyunjin, Changbin and Seungmin of Stray Kids.
Travel NYC like Dae-hwi and Dong-hyun of AB6IX
As KCONNY 2020 is steadily approaching we decided to revisit the good ol’ days of KCONNY 2019 when a solid group by the name of AB6IX came and tore the roof down, and also enjoyed some unique sites of NYC.
While a lot of groups chose to visit our top ten least favorite places in NY, AB6IX went off the beaten path and chose less chaotic, more true midtown vibe. No flashing neon signs, or lights so bright you can’t tell is it’s morning, noon, or night.
Bless these boys. They chose, just a few avenues over from Times Square, the quiet, business populated area of midtown that is Lexington Ave.
We actually love this area. It’s close to where Sammie’s mom used to work in the Chrysler Building, and right near one of our favorite buildings Grand Central Station. It’s also famous for a gorgeous that location that is currently under major construction as Lotte has bought the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
And this is exactly where Dae-hwi and Dong-hyun went to take some adorable NY corner shots. At the corner of 49th St. and Lexington Ave. these two cuties stood exploring the unknown quiet chaos of one of the heavily business district of New York.
So after you climb the red stairs of the TKTS booths like Stray Kids, or the roof top bars like Pentagon and GOT7, you can enter the calm, cool, of the regular masses of the New York employer and employees and say you travelled NYC like Dae-hwi and Dong-hyun of AB6IX.
Travel NYC like Seungmin and Hyunjin of Stray Kids
Stray Kids went a lot of different places while being here in New York. And since they’re coming back NEXT WEEK, we decided to do one more before they arrive. Some of the spots we loved (Like when they visited The Roxy hotel, and DUMBO) and some we legitimately try to stay as far away from as possible (like Penn Station and now this new spot).
This spot is actually somewhere we had talked about and been to when ASTRO came to town. Yes, that’s correct. We went back to Times Square. JUST. FOR. YOU! To a section we actually have never even been close to if we’re being honest. We had seen it in videos, pictures, and we knew where it was but since it was in Times Square we avoided it like the plague.
Famous from the Alicia Keys and Jay-Z music video for “Empire State of Mind” those bright red stairs actually hold TKTS, an infamous Broadway ticket selling broker. We say infamous because they say they sell tickets cheap, when really they are the same, if not more than face value for the tickets. Fun fact if you come to NY and want to see a show…don’t go there.
The spot has now become an Instagram mecca for the tourists who come to see Times Square. And the boys of Stray Kids hopped on that bandwagon. And what they do, we do. And we have to admit…
It was pretty cool. Actually really cool. Yes, we will admit that something in Times Square was worth going to see. Between Broadway and 7TH Ave, on 47th St. you will find these large red stairs to climb up and see the enormity of Times Square. And you can snap your shot and check another location off your list as you have now travelled like Seungmin and Hyunjin of Stray Kids.
Travel NYC like Young-Jae of GOT7
Going into 2020 we were determined to find some of the places we thought were impossible to locate. And GOT7 seriously has the hardest NYC spots to find. (click here to see where Jin-young chose to spend his time) And our girl Emi at @prince.sanie on Instagram sent us some of the truly tricky ones.
In our last article, we mentioned our love of rooftop bars and how they are a totally cool way to see the city. Well even Young-Jae enjoyed the sights of New York City from one of our favorite spots. Now when we looked at the photo he posted we were definitely perplexed as to where he was. We had only been to a few roof top bars and none of the buildings around it looked familiar.
Then one day, we were going to meet up with Sammie’s mom and we just took a cool picture down the street our office is on. When we went to look at the picture to edit it, we noticed something. The big blue building and its odd shaped top. Zooming in we noticed some other similar buildings.
We found it! Right outside Time Square, is a slightly hidden, very bougie, and a seriously amazing smelling hotel called Knickerbocker. And guess what they have? A garden oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle, perched on the 18th floor, aptly named St Cloud Bar. Look out onto the tourists a huddled together to watch street performers, enjoy a slightly expensive drink (if you’re 21+ obviously), and look up to see that you too can travel NYC like Young-Ja
Travel NYC like Felix, Lee Know, and Woojin of Stray Kids (We still love and support Woojin)
Since Stray Kids are coming to New York in January, we decided to cover another travel of the boys from their last visit to our city. (Click here for our previous Stray Kids Travel)
We don’t live in NYC. While we wish we could, our day jobs do not make that a possibility. So we have to commute from our homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania by taking the train. Every day we go into the city via NJ Transit, probably the WORST train system in the United States. (Google it. We’re pretty sure it is top 10 worst or pretty darn close)
But we digress. The reason we bring up the train is where it funnels into. New York Penn Station. Another nightmare of NYC. Yes, we are jaded to certain aspects of NY that some people will love to experience. The hustle and bustle of people waiting for and then ultimately running to catch trains, all the new food and drink spots that have been added, and now all the brand new construction causing even more pandemonium as half the waiting areas are closed…SUCH FUN.
But on one day several boys of Stray Kids chose to go and visit the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) section of Penn Station and enjoy a staple of New York, Shake Shack. And since we frequent the station we chose to go too! We didn’t eat Shake Shack as we are trying to not eat too bad ALL the time. Lol.
After you arrive in NY Penn Station, make sure to hit up the Shake Shack, have a burger and revel in the fact you traveled NYC like Felix, Lee Know, and Woojin of Stray Kids.
Travel NYC Like Sang Yeon, Jacob, and Sun Woo of The Boyz
We were hype when KCON NY 2019 announced one of our fav rookie groups, The Boyz, were performing. We were even more hype that The Boyz made the absolute most of their trip to NY. They traveled up and down the city, and even into the borough of Brooklyn. We find it funny how ‘hip’ Brooklyn has become in the last ten or so years.
We’ve grown up going to Brooklyn as a couple of us have family there. When we told our families that these kpop idols keep coming to the area they laugh. And when we told Sammie’s mother where we were going to take pictures of this location her eyes went wide with worry.
“I wouldn’t be caught dead there…actually I would probably end up dead there,” she explained, not making us feel all that great about making the trek up that way. But after doing our research we found that the area has definitely changed since her mother had lived in any of the boroughs.
The area of Brooklyn, named Bushwick, is now filled with breweries, beer gardens, restaurants, and insane street art. Seriously, the street art covers almost all the old factories now turned hipster shops, and apartments. This was another location we could’ve spent an entire day and not gotten enough pictures.
This corner we shot was a part of their “D.D.D” music video. There are actually several locations in the vicinity of this particular one. We will cover those in future articles.
Like The Roxy, where Stray Kids visited, this awesome crossroads is three street corner mish mosh. The intersection is Troutman St., Scott Ave., and St. Nicholas Ave.
We enjoyed living out a Beatle’s crossing Abbey Road scenario to get this photo and we hope you will too when you travel NYC like Sang Yeon, Jacob, and Sun Woo of The Boyz.
Travel NYC like Many K-pop Idols
While on our Travel NYC Like ___ journey, we knew this next place was a definite must see! From all the pictures we had seen of so many different idols making the spot a stop on their NYC travels the place was a no brainer.
ATEEZ shooting a dance practice video The spot we’re talking about today is a setting that we have seen many a k-pop idol frequent. Not even just K-pop idols like Stray Kids, and ATEEZ, but K-drama actors, like our boy Woo Do Hwan, who inspired Hwan Soo in Seoul Searching, jokingly, made a stop here.
Woo Do Hwanss funny insta post at the famous location This was another location that we had always seen and wanted to go to, but never actually went. But as we drew up the plans for this series, it was one of the top on our list. Rather easy to find, and not actually in Manhattan but in the borough of Brooklyn, we found this gem of a location.
Stray Kids during one of their challenges Located at the intersection of Washington and Water St. in the area lovingly named DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass), is where you will find this picturesque setting. Settled between the cobblestone streets and old brick factories now converted to shops and apartments, it has a view of the Manhattan Bridge so breathtaking it’s no surprise why idols make the trip.
Sammie and E. enjoying their day at the gorgeous area of DUMBO We felt like we could’ve spent all day stood in that intersection. The lighting changed with every passing cloud, and the sun dipping back down to bring on the moon, and we wanted to stay to witness it all. We unfortunately had a lot more ground to cover and we had to sadly move on. Maybe we will hit it up once again and spend all the time we had planned. And maybe we will even see you there while you take amazing, Instagram worthy photos and enjoy your travel like many kpop (and K-drama) idols.
Sammie wishing she could dance along with ATEEZ (Actually just wishing she could dance) K-CON NY 2019 Presented by Toyota: The Preamble
K-con NY has two new places to call home this year. Since it’s inception in 2015, K-con NY hasn’t actually been in New York. It found itself in Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center. Not a bad venue, but definitely not the best. While the concert was held within the building, the convention was held outside. Rain or shine. Hot as hell or cold as ice. Not an ideal location for fans to wait and potentially run into their idols. Unless they are all going for the soaking wet, shivering, or sunburnt to high heaven look.
But not anymore! K-con NY is making a big move. And will be held in none other than The Big Apple! Yes, this year it will actually be held in the city it got its title from. New York! (Just in case we weren’t clear on that) The convention will be held indoors (woo!) at the Javits Center, and the concert will be held a few blocks away at the famous Madison Square Garden (MSG).
And K.F.C is going to be there, taking you on our journey!!
We will be on our Instagram story giving you all the up to date information you could possibly want or need from KCON. And if you happen to be there, we will be posting where we are to come find us for our amazing freebies we are going to be handing out to all you amazing people!! Once you receive your freebies don’t forget to tag our insta, @koreanfromcontext, (maybe give us a follow if you haven’t already) and use out hashtag, #KFCdoesKCON
- 400 people will receive BTS photocards! (Some photos were taken at the last BTS performance at KCON NY!)
- 300 will receive 1 postcard of their choosing!
- 10 will be able to take home BTS magnets!
So find us quick! We can’t wait to meet you!
